JP7465478B2 - Bird and animal repellent device and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bird and animal repellent device and a bird and animal repellent method for preventing harmful behavior by birds and animals such as crows that have a sense of static electricity.

Measures to combat the damage caused by birds and animals such as crows, such as the ransacking of garbage dumps and the eating of agricultural crops, have been a long-standing issue. In particular, power companies are required to regularly check for nests and remove any that are found, since there is a risk that if crows build nests on utility poles, the nests may touch the power lines and cause power outages. This requires a great deal of effort and expense.

For this reason, various repelling methods have been devised to prevent damage caused by such birds as crows. For example, devices are known that repel crows by swinging a light-reflective tape, or by attaching a large number of transparent or translucent wires to a tape-like support, which swing the wires to repel crows (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a device that applies a voltage to one of two electrodes arranged in parallel and grounds the other, so that any bird that touches both electrodes in a straddling manner is given an electric shock (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 3540270 Utility Model Registration No. 3210518

Crows are known to be highly intelligent, and while conventional repelling methods may initially have a repelling effect, they become accustomed to the method over time, causing the repelling effect to decrease. In other words, crows can recognize and identify things they can see, hear, smell, or touch, so with the repelling devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, over time they come to realize that they will not be harmed or find ways to avoid harm, causing the repelling effect to decrease.

On the other hand, when stimulating crows and other animals with discharges or electric shocks, there is a risk that the electric shock could also have an adverse effect on the human body, so a device with high safety is desirable.

Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a bird and animal repellent device and method that has a sustainable repellent effect and is highly safe.

In addition, in vocational facilities, the tasks that people with disabilities can perform are limited, and as a result, the tasks necessary for the sound management of the workshop cannot be secured, resulting in social problems such as workshops going bankrupt. For this reason, the aim of this project is to secure tasks that people with disabilities can perform.

In order to address this issue, the inventors of the present application investigated the ecology of crows and found that experts have pointed out that there are sensory receptors regularly arranged around the roots of crows' nose hairs, and that these receptors receive sensations such as electrical charges. The inventors of the present application then conducted an experiment in which they exposed crows to electrical discharges, and confirmed that crows in normal conditions, except for crows whose nose hairs were wet from bathing and therefore less likely to become charged, disliked the discharge and fled. Furthermore, by examining the results of the experiment, it was found that what crows disliked was a spike-shaped discharge with a fast potential rise rate. It was also confirmed that a pair of crows with young would not flee to the point of leaving their young behind, and it was confirmed that the method of repelling by electrical discharge does not constitute damage to birds and animals and does not violate the Wildlife Protection Act.

On the other hand, conductive thin film pieces have properties such as reduced electrical resistance, and electrons are more likely to be emitted (discharged) from the ends of conductive thin film pieces, which have low electrical resistance and are less likely to inhibit the movement of electrons. This is thought to be due to the uniform atomic arrangement of the glossy surface of conductive thin film pieces, and it has been confirmed that these properties allow the use of conductive thin film pieces to cause discharges that crows dislike.

Furthermore, the inventors of this application have confirmed that when a magnet is rotated with multiple conductive thin film pieces arranged around it, discharges occur from the thin film pieces to the extent that crows are repelled. This is thought to be because the magnetic field caused by the rotation of the magnet changes the electric field in the conductive thin film pieces, causing discharges.

In order to solve the above problems by utilizing the ecology and habits of crows and the properties of conductive thin film pieces, the invention of claim 1 is a bird and animal repellent device comprising a magnet arranged to be freely rotatable, and a discharger arranged around the magnet and having a plurality of conductive thin film pieces capable of discharging, wherein the magnet rotates so that the north and south poles of the magnet move, causing the discharger to discharge, thereby stimulating birds and animals, including crows, which have a sense of electrical charge.

The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that in the bird and animal repellent device described in claim 1, the magnet and the discharge body can be arranged in any position.

The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the bird and animal repellent device described in claim 1 or 2, it further comprises a detection means for detecting the bird or animal, and when the bird or animal is detected by the detection means, the magnet rotates.

The invention of claim 4 is a bird and animal repellent method, which comprises arranging a discharge body having a plurality of conductive thin film pieces around a magnet arranged to be freely rotatable, and discharging the discharge body by rotating the magnet so that the north and south poles of the magnet move , thereby stimulating birds and animals, including crows, which have a sense of electrical charge.

The invention of claim 5 is the bird and animal repelling method of claim 4, characterized in that the discharger is electrically connected to the ground, thereby increasing the discharge efficiency from the discharger and stimulating the bird or animal.

According to the inventions described in claims 1 and 4, the tendency of crows and other animals to dislike discharges is utilized, and the charging sense of crows and other animals in the vicinity of the bird and animal repellent device is stimulated by discharging the discharge body. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress crows and other animals from entering the discharge area, and to prevent or suppress them from remaining in the discharge area. Therefore, by discharging with the bird and animal repellent device in places where damage is expected or in the vicinity thereof, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress damage caused by birds and animals. Furthermore, although the discharge stimulates the charging sense of crows and other animals, the speed of transmission through the air is fast, so crows and other animals are unable to recognize or identify the bird and animal repellent device, and the repellent effect of the bird and animal repellent device can be sustained.

In addition, since the discharge is generated from the discharge body by rotating the magnet, it is very safe. In other words, compared to when a voltage is applied directly to the discharge body to cause discharge, there is less risk of electric shock to people in the vicinity, which increases safety. Furthermore, since the discharge body is simply made up of multiple conductive thin film pieces, it has a simple structure and can be produced in vocational facilities, making it possible to reduce production and maintenance costs.

According to the invention of claim 2, the magnet and discharge body can be placed in any position, so by placing the magnet and discharge body in the desired position depending on the surrounding environment, magnetic force, etc., it is possible to appropriately discharge from the discharge body and effectively repel birds and animals.

According to the invention of claim 3, the magnet rotates and the discharger discharges only when a bird or animal is detected, i.e., when a bird or animal appears, making it possible to improve the repellent effect by providing a sudden stimulus to the bird or animal, and to prevent the bird or animal from becoming accustomed to the stimulus, thereby making it possible to prolong the repellent effect.

According to the invention of claim 5, the discharge efficiency from the discharge body is increased, making it possible to more effectively stimulate and repel birds and animals.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a bird and animal repellent device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 2 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the magnet of the device body of the bird and animal repellent device of FIG. 1. 5A and 5B are a front view and a plan view showing a bird and animal repellent device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the discharge body in the embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a schematic diagram showing a bird and animal repellent device 1 according to this embodiment. This bird and animal repellent device 1 is a device for repelling birds and animals such as crows K that have an electrostatic sense, and mainly comprises a discharge body 2 and a device main body 3. Here, in this embodiment, the case where the bird and animal is a crow K will be mainly described below.

The discharger 2 is disposed around the device main body 3, i.e., the magnet 31 described below, and is provided with multiple conductive thin film pieces 22 to enable discharge; in this embodiment, discharge is possible in almost all directions. That is, a conductive central conductor 21 is disposed so as to extend straight and almost vertically on a plate-shaped base 20, and multiple thin film pieces 22 are disposed radially from the center of this central conductor 21 and along the longitudinal direction of the central conductor 21. As a result, the entire discharger 2 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape, and discharge is possible in almost all directions radially from the outer periphery.

In this embodiment, each thin film piece 22 is made of a small piece of aluminum foil formed into a long, thin tape, and its center is attached to the central conductor 21 to be electrically connected to the central conductor 21, and it is densely attached without any gaps over almost the entire length of the central conductor 21. The shape, size, charging property, and arrangement density of the thin film pieces 22 are set so that efficient discharge occurs when the magnet 31 described below rotates.

In this embodiment, such a discharge body 2 is installed so that the central conductor 21 extends approximately perpendicular to the installation surface, and the central conductor 21 and the thin film piece 22 are electrically connected to the ground. In this embodiment, two such discharge bodies 2 are provided, but three or more discharge bodies 2 may be provided depending on the installation and surrounding environment and the magnetic force of the magnet 31. In addition, a magnet may be provided on the base 20 so that it can be attached to a steel tower or the like, or clips may be provided on the top of the base 20 or central conductor 21 so that it can be attached to an external member.

The device main body 3 is equipped with a magnet 31 that is rotatably arranged, and the rotation of the magnet 31 causes the discharge body 2 to discharge, which stimulates the crow K. Specifically, an electric motor 32 is housed in a waterproof, box-shaped base 30, and the lower end of a rotating shaft 33 is connected to the electric motor 32 via a transmission (speed change gear), and the rotating shaft 33 is arranged to extend approximately vertically upward from the upper surface of the base 30.

A permanent magnet, magnet 31, is disposed at the upper end of the rotating shaft 33. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnet 31 is generally cylindrical, and an insertion hole 31a is formed in the center, which is the boundary between the north pole and the south pole. Meanwhile, the upper end of the rotating shaft 33 is formed with a small diameter and has a male screw, and this male screw portion 33a is inserted into the insertion hole 31a, and a nut 34 is tightened to the tip of the male screw portion 33a protruding from the magnet 31, thereby attaching the magnet 31 to the upper end of the rotating shaft 33.

When the electric motor 32 is started, the rotating shaft 33 rotates around its axis, and the magnet 31 rotates around its center. In other words, the magnet 31 rotates so that the north and south poles move on a circular orbit in one plane.

A sound-collecting microphone (detection means) 4 and an infrared detection device are detachably attached to a control board (not shown) disposed within the base 30. This sound-collecting microphone 4 collects sounds such as the cries of crows K, and when the microcomputer of the control board detects the cries of crows K, it starts the electric motor 32, rotates the magnet 31 as described above, and discharges the discharger 2. When the cries of crows K cease and a predetermined time has elapsed, the electric motor 32, i.e., the magnet 31, is stopped, and the discharge from the discharger 2 is stopped.

The device main body 3, i.e., the magnet 31, is separate from the discharge body 2, and the device main body 3 and the discharge body 2 can be disposed in any desired position. In addition, a magnet or clip may be provided on the base 30 so that the device main body 3 can be attached to an external member such as a steel tower.

Next, we will explain the operation of the bird and animal repellent device 1 configured in this way and the bird and animal repellent method using the bird and animal repellent device 1.

First, the discharger 2 and device body 3 are placed in the desired location so that crows K can be appropriately repelled according to the surrounding environment, etc. At this time, the relative positions of the magnet 31 and the discharger 2 are adjusted so that the discharger 2 properly discharges when the magnet 31 rotates, and the discharger 2 is placed around the device body 3, i.e., the magnet 31. Next, the power switch provided on the base 30 of the device body 3 is turned on.

When a crow K flies into the vicinity of the discharger 2 and starts to cry as a means of communication, the cry is picked up by the sound-collecting microphone 4, the approach of the crow K is detected, and the electric motor 32 is started. This causes the magnet 31 to rotate, and a change in the magnetic field occurring in the vicinity generates an electric field in the thin film piece 22, causing the discharger 2 to discharge, stimulating the crow K's sense of charge.

As described above, this bird and animal repellent device 1 and bird and animal repellent method utilizes the tendency of crows K and other animals to dislike discharges, and by discharging the discharge body 2, the electrostatic sense of crows K and other animals in the vicinity of this bird and animal repellent device 1 is stimulated. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress crows K and other animals from entering the discharge area, and to prevent or suppress them from remaining in the discharge area. Therefore, by discharging with this bird and animal repellent device 1 in places where damage is expected or in the vicinity thereof, it is possible to effectively prevent and suppress damage caused by birds and animals. Furthermore, although the discharge stimulates the electrostatic sense of crows K and other animals, the speed of transmission through the air is fast, so crows K and other animals are unable to recognize or identify this bird and animal repellent device 1, and the repellent effect of this bird and animal repellent device 1 can be sustained.

In addition, since the discharge is generated from the discharger 2 by rotating the magnet 31, it is very safe. In other words, compared to when a voltage is applied directly to the discharger 2 to cause discharge, there is less risk of electric shock to people in the vicinity, which makes it possible to improve safety. Furthermore, since the discharger 2 is simply provided with multiple conductive thin film pieces 22, it has a simple structure and can be produced in a vocational facility, making it possible to reduce production and maintenance costs.

In addition, the device main body 3, i.e. the magnet 31 and the discharge body 2, can be positioned at any desired location, so by positioning the magnet 31 and the discharge body 2 in the desired location depending on the surrounding environment and magnetic force, it is possible to appropriately discharge from the discharge body 2 and effectively repel birds and animals.

Furthermore, the magnet 31 rotates and discharges from the discharge body 2 only when a bird or animal is detected, i.e., when a bird or animal appears, making it possible to provide a sudden stimulus to the bird or animal to improve the repellent effect, and also to prevent the bird or animal from becoming accustomed to the stimulus, thereby making the repellent effect last longer. Moreover, since the discharge body 2 is electrically connected to the ground, the discharge efficiency from the discharge body 2 is increased, making it possible to further stimulate and repel birds and animals.

(Embodiment 2)
3 is a schematic diagram showing the bird and animal repellent device 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape and structure of the discharge body 2 are different from those in embodiment 1, and the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

The discharge body 2 is composed of multiple connected ring members 51, in which the conductive wire is formed into a ring shape, and straight members 52, in which the conductive wire is formed into a straight line. That is, multiple ring members 51 are arranged concentrically at a predetermined interval vertically, and multiple straight members 52 are arranged extending vertically around the ring members 51, and the ring members 51 and straight members 52 are connected to form a cylindrical (morning glory ring pillar-like) assembly. A large number of thin film pieces 22 are then arranged on this assembly to form the discharge body 2.

Meanwhile, the lower end of each straight member 52 is inserted into and fixed to the base 30 of the device body 3, and the discharger 2 and device body 3 are assembled together. Then, in this assembled state, the magnet 31 is disposed in the center of the discharger 2, i.e., the frame. Here, the positional relationship between the magnet 31 and the discharger 2, i.e., the members 51 and 52, is set so that the thin film piece 22 of the discharger 2 will discharge properly when the magnet 31 rotates.

In this embodiment, the discharge body 2 and the device main body 3 are assembled as a single unit, making it easy to handle, and the integrated bird and animal repellent device 10 can be placed in the desired location. At this time, the positional relationship between the magnet 31 and the discharge body 2 is properly set and fixed in advance, so that it is possible to properly discharge from the discharge body 2 to stimulate and repel birds and animals without adjusting the positional relationship.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and even if there are design changes within the scope of the present invention, they are included in the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the thin film piece 22 is made of aluminum foil, but if the device is installed in an environment where diffuse reflection of light by aluminum foil is undesirable, a low-reflection coating may be applied to the surface of the aluminum foil. Also, instead of aluminum foil, the thin film piece 22 may be made of a conductive carbon fiber sheet or the like. Furthermore, the detection means is a sound-collecting microphone 4, but the detection means may be made of a proximity sensor or a camera (image recognition means).

Although the magnet 31 has been described as rotating (spinning) around its center, other rotational orbits are also acceptable. For example, the magnet 31 may rotate around the discharge body 2, and any type of rotation is acceptable as long as the discharge body 2 discharges due to the rotation of the magnet 31. Furthermore, multiple magnets 31 may be provided. The discharge body 2 may also be rotated instead of the magnet 31.

The shape of the discharger 2 is not limited to the above, and it may be configured to discharge only in a specific direction, not in all directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the discharger 2 may be configured by arranging a large number of thin film pieces 22 on the entire surface of a spherical body, and discharge may be configured in all directions, including front, back, left, right, up and down. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the discharger 2 may be configured by arranging a large number of thin film pieces 22 on the outer circumferential surface of a ring-shaped body, and discharge may be configured to radially discharge in approximately one plane. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the discharger 2 may be configured by arranging a large number of thin film pieces 22 on the upper hemispherical surface of a spherical body, and discharge may be configured to radially discharge upward. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the discharger 2 may be configured by arranging a large number of thin film pieces 22 on the lower hemispherical surface of a spherical body, and discharge may be configured to radially discharge downward.

Also, the discharger 2 may have a spherical body with some areas where the thin film pieces 22 are densely arranged and other areas where they are sparsely arranged, with a large amount of discharge radially from the densely arranged areas and a small amount of discharge radially from the sparsely arranged areas. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4 (e), the thin film pieces 22 may be arranged on the end face of a cylindrical body, and a cylindrical discharge-blocking shielding member 23 may be arranged to surround the thin film pieces 22, so that discharge occurs only in the direction facing the end face of the cylindrical body.

In this way, the shape of the discharger 2, the position of the thin film piece 22, and the discharge direction can be optimally set depending on the location to be repelled and the surrounding environment. For example, if you want to keep crows K away from a specific location (a location to be repelled), you can set the thin film piece 22 of the discharger 2 shown in Figure 4 (e) facing the location to be repelled. In this case, you can position and rotate the magnet 31 so that the discharger 2 discharges appropriately.

Reference Signs List 1, 10 Bird and animal repellent device 2 Discharger 22 Thin film piece 3 Device body 31 Magnet 32 Motor 33 Rotating shaft 4 Sound collecting microphone (detection means)
K. Crow (Bird and Animal)

Claims (5)

A rotatably disposed magnet;
a discharge body provided around the magnet and capable of discharging a plurality of conductive thin pieces;
The magnet is rotated so that the north and south poles of the magnet move, whereby the discharge body discharges electricity, stimulating birds and animals, including crows, that have a sense of electrical charge.
A bird and animal repellent device. The magnet and the discharge body can be disposed at any position.
2. The bird and animal repellent device according to claim 1. A detection means for detecting the bird or animal is provided,
When the bird or animal is detected by the detection means, the magnet rotates.
3. The bird and animal repellent device according to claim 1 or 2. A discharge body having a plurality of conductive thin pieces and capable of discharging is disposed around a rotatably disposed magnet;
The magnet is rotated so that the north and south poles of the magnet move, thereby discharging the discharge body and stimulating birds and animals, including crows, that have a sense of electrostatic charge.
A bird and animal repellent method comprising: By electrically connecting the discharge body to the ground, the discharge efficiency from the discharge body is increased to stimulate the bird or animal.
5. The bird and animal repellent method according to claim 4.