Stranded Electric Wire Fence With Alternating Twist

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric wire fences face issues with visibility, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity, particularly for horse enclosures, where simple steel wires are prone to injury and moisture-related efficiency losses.

Innovation Solution

A stranded electric wire fence system with a non-insulated steel wire and a coated steel wire twisted together in alternating directions, providing enhanced visibility and flexibility, and local electrical connections between the wires to maintain voltage, reducing injury risks and tension losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple steel wire is used for electric fencing, then the fence can be implemented at low costs, but the visibility is poor and the risk of injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric fence wire is segmented into multiple strands (typically 3-7 strands) twisted together, where at least one strand is colored while others remain standard steel wire. This segmentation allows the fence to maintain the cost-effectiveness of simple steel wire while incorporating colored segments that significantly improve visibility for animals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of coloring the entire wire structure, only specific local segments (strands) are colored while other segments remain as standard steel wire. This local application of color enhances visibility where most needed (at the wire level) while maintaining cost-effectiveness and the electrical conductivity properties of the steel wire.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If small diameter wire is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the risk of slicing or cutting injury to animals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thin wire is segmented into multiple strands twisted together to form a composite structure with an equivalent larger diameter. This segmentation allows each individual strand to remain thin and cost-effective while the combined structure presents a larger, less dangerous profile to animals, reducing slicing and cutting injuries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electric fence wire is constructed as a composite of multiple steel wire strands twisted together, where at least one strand is colored. This composite structure combines the advantages of thin, inexpensive wire with the safety benefits of a larger effective diameter, creating a fence that is both cost-effective and safer for animals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If bare wire is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but moisture causes leakage currents that diminish fence efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidelectrical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of insulating or coating the entire wire, the invention applies coloration only to specific local segments (strands) of the wire. This local treatment provides visual deterrence and some moisture resistance at the colored segments while maintaining the overall electrical conductivity and cost-effectiveness of the bare wire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Illumination intensity

If colored coating is applied to enhance visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the electrical conductivity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wire is segmented into multiple strands, with only some strands colored while others remain as bare conductive steel wire. This segmentation ensures that the colored strands provide visibility enhancement while the uncolored strands maintain electrical conductivity, allowing the fence to achieve both visibility and electrical efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Coloration is applied locally to specific strands rather than the entire wire structure. This local quality approach allows the colored portions to provide visual deterrence while the uncolored portions maintain full electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between visibility enhancement and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The system offers improved visibility, reduced injury risks, increased flexibility, and maintained electrical efficiency, making it safer and more durable for animal enclosures while being cost-effective and easy to install.

Implementation Method 1

The present fencing wire has an inherent flexibility and elasticity which is not present in a single strand wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second wire is a coated steel wire having a visibility-enhancing color

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The present fencing wire has an inherent flexibility and elasticity which is not present in a single strand wire. This means that the present fencing wire has a capacity to dissipate tensions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution: Stress Relaxation

Data Source

PatentEP3183956B1Electric wire fence
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 ARCELORMITTAL BISSEN & BETTEMBOURG SA
  • EP3183956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3183956B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3183956B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~3

AI summary

An electric wire fence system comprises at least one electric fencing wire (10) attached to a support structure and an energizer unit to energize the electric wire (10). The electric fencing wire (10) comprises twisted wires wherein a first wire (12) is a non-insulated steel wire connected to the energizer unit; and a second wire (14) is a coated steel wire having a visibility-enhancing color. The wires are longitudinally twisted together in an alternating manner to provide an enhanced elasticity; i.e. in two consecutive twisted sections, the wires are twisted in alternate directions. In particular the electric wire (10) is a two-strand wire consisting of the first (12) wire and second wire (14). In one embodiment, the second wire is electrically insulated; and the first wire and second wire are locally electrically interconnected at one or more positions along the length of the electric wire.