Piezoelectric detection coupling of a bark collar

• US 10,674,709 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2018
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Goetzl, Brent A., Richardson, Matthew, Tyndall, Patrick, Zinn, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Michael H
• Application Number:
  US15/871,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20180153138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/022 Anti-barking devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/029 Electric or similar shock devices, e.g. prods
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/001 Collars
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/009 with electric-shock, sound, magnetic- or radio-waves emitting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Abstract

A collar unit device is described comprising a receiving cavity for receiving a metal electrode probe, wherein at least one elastomeric ring encircles the metal electrode probe, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring mechanically isolates the metal electrode probe from the receiving cavity. The device includes a piezoelectric element. The device includes a grommet component for maintaining the piezoelectric element in a secured position, wherein the secured position comprises the piezoelectric element maintaining contact with the metal electrode probe. The device includes the metal electrode probe for detecting vibrations of one or more acoustic events and transferring the vibrations to the piezoelectric element through the contact, the piezoelectric element for receiving the vibrations of one or more acoustic events, the receiving the vibrations including generating an electrical signal proportional to the frequency and magnitude of the vibrations, and at least one processor for receiving and processing the electrical signal.

Claims

1. A collar unit device comprising:

a receiving cavity;

a metal electrode probe, wherein at least one elastomeric ring encircles the metal electrode probe, wherein the metal electrode probe comprises a first end and a second end;

the receiving cavity for receiving the metal electrode probe, the receiving the metal electrode probe comprising securing the metal electrode probe to the collar unit device, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring mechanically isolates the metal electrode probe from the receiving cavity;

the metal electrode probe for detecting vibrations of one or more acoustic events and transferring the vibrations of the one or more acoustic events to a piezoelectric element;

a grommet component for positioning the piezoelectric element, the positioning including receiving the piezoelectric element in a securing feature of the grommet component, the positioning including an upper portion of the grommet component contacting a surface of a printed circuit board assembly, the positioning including a lower portion of the grommet component mating with a housing feature on an interior surface of the collar unit device, wherein the upper portion contacting the printed circuit board assembly and the lower portion mating with the housing feature comprises locating the grommet component in a secured position;

the grommet component in the secured position providing a force on the piezoelectric element to maintain contact between the piezoelectric element and the first end of the metal electrode probe;

the piezoelectric element for receiving the vibrations of the one or more acoustic events, the receiving the vibrations including generating an electrical signal proportional to the frequency and magnitude of the vibrations;

at least one processor located on the printed circuit board assembly for receiving and processing the electrical signal.

2. The collar unit device of claim 1, the receiving the piezoelectric element in the securing feature of the grommet component including securing the piezoelectric element in the securing feature.

3. The collar unit device of claim 2, wherein the securing feature comprises an undercut feature.

4. The collar unit device of claim 3, the securing the piezoelectric element in the undercut feature of the grommet component including securing the piezoelectric element in the undercut feature in an interference fit.

5. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the housing feature comprises an upwardly extending annular feature.

6. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the metal electrode probe is in contact with skin of an animal.

7. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the one or more acoustic events comprises at least one bark.

8. The collar unit device of claim 1, the isolating comprising minimizing damping of the vibrations by the receiving cavity.

9. The collar unit device of claim 1, the isolating comprising preventing an exchange of energy from the receiving cavity to the metal electrode probe.

10. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring is removable.

11. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring is over-molded onto the metal electrode probe.

12. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein the metal electrode probe includes a metal electrode probe insert and a metal electrode probe tip, wherein the metal electrode probe insert includes the first end, wherein the metal electrode probe tip includes the second end.

13. The collar unit device of claim 12, the receiving the metal electrode probe comprising securing the metal electrode probe insert to the collar unit device.

14. The collar unit device of claim 13, wherein the metal electrode probe tip is threadably attached to the metal electrode probe insert.

15. The collar unit device of claim 1, wherein an upper periphery of the first end comprises a recessed portion, the securing the metal electrode probe to the collar unit device comprising the recessed portion receiving a metal clip, wherein the metal clip captures the metal electrode probe within the receiving cavity.

16. The collar unit device of claim 1, comprising a damping element positioned between the piezoelectric element and the first end of metal electrode probe, wherein the contact comprises the surface of the piezoelectric element in contact with the damping element, wherein the contact comprises the damping element in contact with the first end of the metal electrode probe.

17. The collar unit device of claim 1, comprising a damping element positioned between the piezoelectric element and the metal electrode probe, wherein the contact comprises the first surface in contact with the damping element, wherein the contact comprises the damping element in contact with the second surface.

18. A collar unit device comprising:

a receiving cavity;

a metal electrode probe, wherein at least one elastomeric ring encircles the metal electrode probe;

the receiving cavity for receiving the metal electrode probe, the receiving the metal electrode probe comprising securing the metal electrode probe to the collar unit device, wherein the at least one elastomeric ring mechanically isolates the metal electrode probe from the receiving cavity;

the metal electrode probe for detecting vibrations of one or more acoustic events and transferring the vibrations of the one or more acoustic events to a piezoelectric element;

a grommet component for positioning the piezoelectric element, the positioning including receiving the piezoelectric element in a securing feature of the grommet, the positioning including an upper portion of the grommet component contacting a surface of a printed circuit board assembly, the positioning including a lower portion of the grommet component connecting with a housing feature on an interior surface of the collar unit device, wherein the upper potion contacting the printed circuit board assembly and the lower portion connecting with the housing feature comprises locating the grommet component in a secured position;

the grommet component in the secured position urging a first surface of the piezoelectric element toward a second surface of the metal electrode probe, wherein the secured position comprises the first surface maintaining contact with the second surface;

the piezoelectric element for receiving the vibrations of the one or more acoustic events, the receiving the vibrations including generating an electrical signal proportional to the frequency and magnitude of the vibrations;

at least one processor located on the printed circuit board assembly for receiving and processing the electrical signal.