Wearable Animal Control Device with Dual Contact Members

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric fence systems are ineffective in controlling animals, particularly farm animals like horses and ponies, as they can break through or pass beneath the fences due to insulation from covers like rugs, and smaller animals can evade the electric shock.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device with a support system that includes first and second contact members to conduct electrical current from an electric fence to the animal, ensuring it receives a shock even when wearing insulating covers, and is designed to be flexible and durable for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single conducting wire electric fence is used, then the system is inexpensive and simple, but animals can break through or pass beneath the fence due to insulation from covers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefence system costVSAvoidfence control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single wire fence system into multiple functional components: a wearable device with contact members that segments the electrical delivery path, allowing the fence wire to remain simple while the animal-specific control is segmented and targeted. This resolves the contradiction by keeping the fence structure simple (inexpensive) while adding segmented control points on the animal (effective).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable device with contact members acts as an intermediary between the electric fence wire and the animal's body. It mediates the electrical connection, ensuring reliable current delivery through insulating covers by providing direct contact points (first contact member on fence, second contact member on animal) that bridge the insulation gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple conducting wires are used at different heights, then control effectiveness improves, but the system requires more power from the energiser

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefence control effectivenessVSAvoidenergiser power output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the multi-wire functionality from the fence system itself and relocates it to the wearable device on the animal. Instead of having multiple fence wires at different heights, the system uses a single fence wire connected to a wearable device that provides multiple contact points (first and second contact members), thereby maintaining control effectiveness while reducing energiser power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wearable device has secure attachment, then the device remains in position during animal movement, but the device may cause discomfort or restriction to the animal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice position stabilityVSAvoidanimal discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device incorporates flexible support structures and thin film contact members that conform to the animal's body contours. The support can be flexible yet maintain structural integrity for stable positioning, while the thin film contact members ensure close contact for electrical conduction without causing discomfort or restriction to the animal's natural movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device effectively controls animal movement by ensuring they receive an electric shock, reducing fence breaches and allowing for training and conditioning, even after the device is removed, by providing directional control and reinforcing the animal's understanding of the fence boundary.

Implementation Method 1

a first contact member mounted on the support and disposed in a position for contacting an electric fence when the device is being worn by the animal; a second contact member mounted on the support and in electrical contact with the first contact member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9795119B2Device for controlling the movement of an animal

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 ROBERSON LUCY

AI summary

A device for controlling an animal is provided, the device comprising a support to be worn by the animal; a first contact member mounted on the support and disposed in a position for contacting an electric fence when the device is being worn by the animal; a second contact member, mounted on the support and in electrical contact with the first contact member, the second contact member being disposed on the support to be in contact with the animal when the device is being worn by the animal; whereby, in use, an electrical current is conducted from the first contact member to the second contact member and an electric shock provided to the animal at the site of the second contact member when contact is made between the first contact member and an electric fence by the animal. The device is particularly suitable for controlling the movements of a horse or a pony. The device is preferably formed as a rug, blanket or a vest to be worn by the animal.