Electronic flea-repelling device including an integrated circuit

Abstract

A portable electronic flea-repelling collar for domestic animals activated by a self-contained battery comprises a printed circuit board on which are mounted an electrical to ultrasonic transducer, an integrated circuit for deriving periodic electric pulses having relatively low duty cycle and an ultrasonic carrier and leads interconnecting the battery, transducer and integrated circuit. The period, amplitude, duty cycle and carrier frequency of ultrasonic pulses emitted by the transducer in response to electric pulses derived from the integrated circuit repel fleas from the animal. The integrated circuit is sandwiched between the printed circuit board and the transducer. The printed circuit board carries a spring clip that mechanically and electrically contacts a first electrode on a first face of the battery. A second electrode on a second face of the battery is urged by the spring clip against a contact area on the printed circuit board. The spring clip portion contacting the first battery electrode is biased toward the printed circuit board at a position remote from all contact areas for the second battery electrode. First and second mutually insulated test contacts on a face of the printed circuit board opposite from the face where the spring clip, integrated circuit and transducer are mounted are connected to the spring clip and the contact area for the first battery electrode by plated through holes on the printed circuit board.