Suspended Leash Attachment for Audible Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leash training devices for pets, such as choke collars and pressure harnesses, are inhumane and often ineffective as dogs become immune to their effects.
Innovation Solution
A suspended attachment device that hangs on a leash, providing auditory, visual, vibratory, or olfactory feedback when it drags on the ground, indicating correct leash tension, and ceasing feedback when lifted off the ground, signaling excessive tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If choke collars or pressure harnesses are used to provide negative feedback when the dog pulls, then the dog is discouraged from pulling, but the device becomes inhumane and dogs become immune to its effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a suspended attachment that provides continuous visual and tactile feedback to the dog through its interaction with the ground. When the leash is too tight, the attachment lifts off the ground, providing immediate feedback to the dog and owner that the leash tension is excessive. This positive feedback mechanism replaces the negative feedback of choke collars, maintaining training effectiveness while avoiding harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspended attachment acts as an intermediary between the leash and the ground, mediating the communication of leash tension status. Instead of directly applying pressure to the dog's neck or body, the attachment serves as a middle element that translates leash tension into visual and tactile signals, eliminating the need for inhumane direct pressure while maintaining the training function.
2Loss of information
If verbal explanations are used to teach the dog about appropriate leash tension, then the dog can understand the concept, but the dog cannot gauge the right amount of slack while walking
Solution Approach 1:
The suspended attachment uses visual changes (analogous to color changes) by altering its position and visibility state. When the attachment is dragging on the ground, it provides a visual indicator of appropriate leash tension. When it lifts off, it visually signals excessive tension. This visual feedback system translates the abstract concept of appropriate leash tension into concrete, easily observable signals that the dog can understand in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous real-time feedback through the suspended attachment's interaction with the ground, allowing the dog to immediately understand whether the leash tension is appropriate without requiring complex verbal communication. The feedback is automatic, continuous, and easily perceivable.
3Reliability
If a suspended attachment is used to provide visual feedback of correct leash tension, then the dog receives positive feedback for correct behavior, but the device adds complexity to the leash system
Solution Approach 1:
The training device is segmented into simple, modular components: a leash, a loop attachment, and a suspended element. This segmentation allows the system to maintain training effectiveness while minimizing complexity. Each component serves a specific function, and the entire system can be easily assembled and adjusted without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspended attachment's length can be adjusted as a variable parameter to match different dog sizes and training stages. This parameter change capability allows the same basic device structure to effectively train dogs of various sizes without requiring multiple different device designs, thus maintaining simplicity while adapting to different needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A leash-training device is disclosed, wherein the leash training device hangs on a leash while an animal is walking on the leash, and drags on the ground when the animal walks with the right amount of leash slack. The dragging on the ground makes noise, which provides audible feedback to the animal that it is maintaining the proper amount of slack on the leash. This enables leash training to take place without hurting the animal.