Rotatable Barrier Animal Deterrent with Locking Rope Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal deterrent devices for watercrafts are inefficient in preventing animals from climbing over barriers, particularly during installation, and lack stability and secure fastening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An animal deterrent device with a rotatable barrier and carrier system, featuring a cable receiving unit with a safety unit for secure enclosure and tensioning elements to simplify installation and enhance the protective effect, including a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional rotation and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the barrier is made rotatable relative to the support, then the protective effect is improved by preventing animals from climbing over, but the device complexity increases due to the need for rotation mechanisms and locking systems
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed to be rotatable relative to the support, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the barrier to rotate freely during installation for easy rope insertion, then be locked in position during operation to prevent animal climbing. The dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the main barrier structure. This allows the rotation and locking functions to be separated into distinct operational phases: rotation during installation, then locking during operation. The extracted locking mechanism can be easily engaged or disengaged without affecting the entire device structure.
2Loss of time
If lateral rope insertion is used, then installation is simplified and time is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the rope receiving unit
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the rope lengthwise through the barrier (conventional method), the invention inverts the approach by allowing lateral insertion where the rope enters through the side of the support structure. This inversion simplifies installation by eliminating the need to thread the rope through the barrier, reducing installation time while the lateral receiving unit provides precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The rope receiving unit is pre-formed with precise geometric features during manufacturing, including the lateral insertion opening and the corresponding guiding structures. This preliminary preparation of the receiving unit's geometry ensures that during installation, the rope can be inserted laterally without requiring complex alignment procedures, thus reducing installation time while maintaining precision through pre-engineered features.
3Ease of operation
If the barrier is made rotatable for easier installation, then ease of operation is improved, but stability during operation may be compromised without additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic rotatable connection with locking capability. During installation, the barrier can rotate freely for easy rope insertion and positioning. During operation, the locking mechanism engages to stabilize the barrier in its intended position, preventing unwanted rotation while maintaining ease of operation during the installation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate functional element that can be independently engaged or disengaged. This allows the barrier to be rotatable and easy to install when the locking mechanism is disengaged, then provides stability during operation when the locking mechanism is engaged. The extracted locking function can be activated only when needed, balancing ease of operation with stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an animal deterrent device (10), in particular for a watercraft (12), which can be arranged to deter animals on at least one rope (14), comprising at least one barrier (16) designed to prevent animals from climbing over it, and at least one support (18, 60) relative to which the barrier (16) is rotatably arranged and which includes at least one rope receiving unit (20, 44) with at least one rope receptacle (22, 30) designed for lateral insertion and at least partial enclosing of the rope (14, 42). It is proposed that the support (18, 60) includes at least one locking unit (24) designed to secure the rope receiving unit (20, 30) against opening of the enclosing of the rope (14, 42) and/or displacement relative to the rope (14, 42).