Sliding Feeder Cover With Force-Threshold Animal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to selectively allow targeted animals to access toxic bait while preventing non-targeted animals from doing so, often leading to unintended harm to non-targeted species and inefficiencies in agricultural and environmental management.
Innovation Solution
A selective access system with a container and a sliding cover that allows access only to animals capable of overcoming a pre-selected force, using a weight element to determine access, combined with a cover that slides between open and closed positions, and an electrical conductor to deter animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing access systems are used without selective mechanisms, then all animals can access the bait freely, but this causes unintended harm to non-targeted animals and reduces effectiveness for targeted pest control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the cover's weight and friction characteristics to create a force threshold that differentiates between targeted and non-targeted animals. The cover is designed with specific weight and surface properties that require a minimum force to overcome, allowing selective access based on the animal's physical capabilities rather than using complex mechanical or electronic identification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the cover's physical properties (weight, friction surface) before deployment to establish the force threshold. The rough exterior surface and weight are predetermined to create the necessary resistance, eliminating the need for real-time decision-making or complex control mechanisms during operation.
2Ease of operation
If a sliding cover mechanism is used to control access, then targeted animals can open it by applying force, but the mechanism must be simple enough for animals to operate while remaining secure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the cover's weight and friction characteristics to create an optimal force threshold. The rough exterior surface increases friction for better grip by targeted animals, while the overall weight and friction combination ensures that animals incapable of generating sufficient force cannot open it, balancing ease of operation with security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the access control function into distinct physical components: the sliding cover mechanism and the force threshold created by weight and friction. This segmentation allows the system to provide simple mechanical operation for targeted animals while maintaining security through the combined effect of the cover's physical properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical conductors are added to deter non-targeted animals, then additional protection is provided, but the system complexity and potential harm to non-targeted species increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces or supplements mechanical access control with an electrical deterrence system. Instead of relying solely on the mechanical force threshold of the sliding cover, electrical conductors deliver shocks to animals that attempt to access the bait, providing an additional layer of protection with relatively simple electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electrical shock into a beneficial deterrence mechanism. The shock is designed to be non-lethal but sufficiently unpleasant to prevent non-targeted animals from accessing the bait, transforming a harmful factor into a protective feature that safeguards both the bait and non-targeted species.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively manages targeted animals like wild boars or feral hogs by allowing access to toxic bait while preventing non-targeted animals like livestock and wildlife from accessing it, thereby reducing environmental and agricultural damage.
Implementation Method 1
a force generator (12) coupled to the cover (9), the force generator (12) generating a pre-selected force amount (13) which, when unopposed, provides the first position (10) of the cover (9)
Implementation Method 2
an electrical conductor coupled to the container, whereby the electrical conductor can deliver a nonlethal electrical shock to an animal which comes into contact therewith to deter the animal from the selective access system
Data Source
AI summary
A selective access system, and methods of making and using such a system, whereby the selective access system includes a container having an interior space defined by a side wall disposed between opposing top and bottom walls; an opening disposed within the side wall, the opening communicating with the interior space; and a cover slidably engaged with the container, the cover configured to slide upward and downward between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cover overlays the opening; in the second position, the cover disposes away from at least a portion of the opening to permit access to the interior space. The selective access system can further include an electrical conductor coupled to the container, whereby the electrical conductor can deliver a nonlethal electrical shock to an animal which comes into contact therewith to deter the animal from the selective access system.