Wearable Electrical Stimulus Circuit Using Saturated Transformers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulus collars for animals, particularly those used for cattle, face challenges in being lightweight and energy-efficient while delivering sufficient voltage to penetrate thick animal coats, and current solutions like electric fence energizers are large and heavy due to their design for higher voltage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electrical stimulus circuit using an output transformer configured to operate in a saturated state, with a boost transformer and capacitor circuit to step up voltage efficiently, allowing for a compact and lightweight design that delivers electrical stimuli effectively to animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional electric fence energizer design is used to deliver high voltage to animals, then sufficient voltage is achieved to penetrate thick animal coats, but the device becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the transformer in a saturated state rather than its linear region, fundamentally changing the operating parameters. This allows the transformer to deliver high voltage pulses (sufficient to penetrate thick animal coats) while using a smaller, lighter transformer core and windings, directly resolving the contradiction between voltage output and device weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic pulsed operation with the transformer being driven into saturation during each pulse. This periodic action allows the transformer to reset between pulses, enabling high voltage delivery in short bursts without requiring continuous high power capacity, thus reducing overall device weight and size
2Weight of moving object
If underrated transformers and capacitors are used to reduce device weight, then the device becomes lightweight and wearable, but energy efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the operating parameters to drive the transformer into saturation during each pulse, the system maximizes the energy transfer efficiency of the underrated transformer. The saturation operation allows the small transformer to deliver its full potential energy in each pulse, compensating for its small size and maintaining energy efficiency despite using lightweight, underrated components
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous readiness by keeping the transformer and capacitors in a state where they can immediately deliver energy when needed. The periodic pulsing ensures that the underrated components are always operating at or near their maximum efficient capacity during each pulse, eliminating wasted energy that would occur from underutilization of the components
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 solution enables a lightweight and energy-efficient electrical stimulus system capable of delivering high voltage efficiently, overcoming the size and weight limitations of traditional systems while ensuring effective stimulus delivery to animals.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical stimulus circuit comprises an output transformer, and is configured to generate the electrical stimulus from operation of the output transformer characterised by operational parameters representing a substantially saturated state
Implementation Method 2
A wearable electrical stimulus circuit using an output transformer configured to operate in a saturated state, with a boost transformer and capacitor circuit to step up voltage efficiently
Implementation Method 3
with a boost transformer and capacitor circuit to step up voltage efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a remotely triggered improved electrical stimulus circuit to be worn by cattle that is lightweight and can store voltage lower than what is to be supplied to an animal. Known cattle electrical stimulus collars may be heavy, use a lot of energy, and not supply a consistent electrical stimulus. The present electrical stimulus circuit utilizes feedback loops to allow the use of high tolerance lightweight capacitors, and/or cool down periods to utilize a highly inefficient transformer running fully saturated.