Transmitter unit for a pest trap

Abstract

Transmitter unit (1) for monitoring pests and / or pest traps, comprising a base body (2), a radio transmitter module (8) and a contact transmitter (7), wherein the contact transmitter (7) is arranged in a supply current path between an electrical energy source and the radio transmitter module (8), wherein the contact transmitter (7) is connected to a movable contact element (3) in a force- and / or motion-transmitting manner, wherein the contact element (3) can be moved from a ground state to an activation state by the action of a pest, wherein in the ground state the supply current path is open and in the activation state the supply current path is closed by the contact transmitter (7).

Description

[0001] The application concerns a transmitter unit for a pest trap with a contact element and a contact transmitter.

[0002] Mechanical pest traps, bait stations, and monitoring devices have long been used in pest control to monitor the occurrence and activity of pests. Particularly in professional settings, such as the food industry, warehouses, or public facilities, there is a need for regular monitoring of such pest traps.

[0003] To reduce manual monitoring efforts, systems are known in which pest traps or monitoring devices are equipped with electrical or electronic transmitters. These transmitters wirelessly transmit conditions or events, such as the triggering of a trap or the presence of a pest, to a remote receiving or evaluation unit. This transmission can be achieved using various radio technologies, such as short-range radio or low-energy long-range radio standards.

[0004] Common transmitter units for pest traps often include sensors to detect movement, vibrations, or changes in position, as well as electronic circuits to evaluate the detected signals. These transmitter units are typically battery-powered and continuously or at least intermittently active to monitor the status of the pest trap.

[0005] Document US 2004 / 0020100 A1 describes a system for the wireless monitoring of animal traps, in which a sensor detects the triggering of a trap and transmits a radio signal to a remote receiving unit.

[0006] US Patent 10,743,531 B1 discloses a reusable monitoring device for snap traps in which a mechanical movement of the trap is detected via a sensor and wirelessly reported.

[0007] US patent 2021 / 0259237 A1 discloses a monitoring system for pest traps with different sensor types, including switches and motion sensors, used to detect a trap event.

[0008] The WO 2017 / 011916 A1 describes a comprehensive pest monitoring system with several networked traps, in which sensors are provided for the detection of pest activity and events are transmitted wirelessly to a central evaluation unit.

[0009] EP 3 151 661 B1 relates to a pest control device with communication means in which the condition of a trap or bait station is recorded and transmitted to an external monitoring system.

[0010] Current technology for transmitting and monitoring pest traps often involves a comparatively high degree of design and electronic complexity. In particular, the use of sensors and electronic evaluation units means that the transmitting units require a continuous or regular power supply. This results in increased energy consumption, which limits the lifespan of battery-powered systems and necessitates frequent maintenance or battery replacements. Furthermore, complex sensor and evaluation circuits can increase susceptibility to malfunctions, for example, due to contamination, moisture, or mechanical vibrations.

[0011] Furthermore, existing systems are often specifically designed for certain trap types or sensor principles, which can limit their flexibility and retrofit options. The design complexity and cost of such systems can be particularly disadvantageous when dealing with a large number of pest traps.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of providing a transmitter unit for monitoring pests and / or pest traps, with which an event caused by a pest can be reliably detected and wirelessly transmitted, wherein the transmitter unit should be simple in design, energy-efficient in operation and flexible in use in different monitoring scenarios.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0014] A transmitter unit is provided for monitoring pests and / or pest traps. The transmitter unit is specifically designed to detect an event caused by a pest, such as contact, overflowing, or triggering a pest trap, and to generate a wireless notification. The transmitter unit comprises an electrical power source, a radio transmitter module, and a contact switch. The contact switch is located in a power supply path between the electrical power source and the radio transmitter module. This power supply path serves to selectively supply the radio transmitter module with electrical energy.

[0015] Furthermore, the contact transmitter is connected to a movable contact element in a force- and / or motion-transmitting manner. The contact element is designed to be moved from a ground state to an activated state by the action of a pest. Such action can be caused, for example, by the weight of the pest, by mechanical contact, or by movement of a pest trap triggered by the pest.

[0016] In the contact element's resting state, the supply current path is open, so no electrical current flows between the power source and the radio transmitter module. In this state, the radio transmitter module is completely de-energized. Therefore, in its resting state, the transmitter unit essentially consumes no power.

[0017] If the contact element is moved into the activated state as a result of the pest's action, it transmits a force and / or movement to the contactor. This actuates the contactor, closing the power supply path between the electrical energy source and the radio transmitter module. Closing the power supply path then supplies the radio transmitter module with electrical energy and activates it.

[0018] This arrangement ensures that the radio transmitter module is only supplied with electrical energy when an event occurs, i.e., when the contact element is activated by a pest. Outside of such an event, the transmitter unit is in a de-energized state. The transmitter unit is therefore particularly energy-efficient and especially suitable for long-term operation with a compact electrical power source.

[0019] The design of the transmitter unit with a mechanically actuated contact switch enables a simple, robust, and cost-effective implementation without continuously active sensors or permanent electronic monitoring. The detection of the pest event is purely mechanical, achieved through the movement of the contact element, while the electronic function is limited to the wireless transmission of the event.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the transmitter unit, the electrical power source and the radio transmitter module are arranged in a common base body. The base body forms a mechanical support structure for the transmitter unit and simultaneously serves as a housing for these components. The base body can be made of one or more parts and may be, for example, an injection-molded plastic housing, a metal housing, or a combination of different materials. Preferably, the base body is made of an electrically insulating material, particularly a plastic, to ensure reliable electrical isolation of the components located inside. The electrical power source is arranged within the base body as a power module.The energy module comprises at least one electrical energy storage element, such as a battery or accumulator, and optionally associated contacts for electrical connection to the power supply path. The energy module can be either removable or permanently attached to the base body.

[0021] The radio transmitter module is also located within the base body and can be designed as a standalone module or as part of a printed circuit board assembly. The base body can be designed to hold the radio transmitter module in a precise position, predefining its orientation relative to the electrical power source and the contact element. Furthermore, the base body can incorporate mounting and / or guide elements that facilitate the installation of the contact element, the support of a movable contact element, or the positioning of the contact element relative to the base body.

[0022] The base body may also include means for attaching the transmitter unit to a surface, a wall, or a pest trap. Such fastening means may be designed, for example, as openings, recesses, snap-in or clamping devices, or as bearing surfaces, and allow the transmitter unit to be permanently or releasably positioned at the desired location, particularly inside or on a pest trap.

[0023] In another embodiment of the transmitter, the contact element is designed as a touch-sensitive element. The contact element is designed such that even a relatively minor mechanical impact from a pest is sufficient to cause movement of the contact element relative to the contact transmitter. The touch-sensitive contact element can be designed, in particular, as a thin wire, pin, sensor, or similar elongated element. The contact element is arranged such that, upon contact by the pest, it moves relative to the contact transmitter, thereby transmitting a force and / or movement to the contact transmitter. This design makes the transmitter particularly suitable for detecting pests with low body weight or low kinetic energy. The touch-sensitive design enables reliable triggering of the transmitter even with brief or light contacts.The specific geometric design, choice of material and arrangement of the touch-sensitive contact element can be adapted to the respective application without changing the basic functionality of the transmitting unit.

[0024] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is designed as a tiltable or movable element. Here, the contact element is articulated to the base body via a hinge or joint, allowing it to move relative to the base body. Due to this articulated arrangement, the contact element can be pivoted or tilted from its resting state to its activated state by the action of a pest. The resulting movement is transmitted to the contact transmitter, thereby closing the supply current path. The articulated mounting enables a defined direction of movement for the contact element and contributes to reproducible actuation of the contact transmitter. Simultaneously, the design of the hinge or joint facilitates the contact element's return to its resting state as soon as the pest's action ceases.

[0025] In one embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact transmitter is attached to the underside of the movable contact element facing the base body. The contact transmitter is positioned so that when the contact element moves towards the base body, it interacts with a corresponding mating contact or contact area. When the contact element is moved by a pest, the contact transmitter is mechanically actuated, establishing an electrical contact and closing the supply current path. This actuation occurs directly through the movement of the contact element, without the need for additional sensors or electronic evaluation components. By positioning the contact transmitter on the underside of the movable contact element, a compact and mechanically simple design can be achieved, in which the switching function is directly coupled to the movement of the contact element.

[0026] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the radio transmitter module is designed as a radio module for low-power, long-range radio communication. The radio transmitter module can, in particular, be implemented as a LoRa radio module. By using a radio transmitter module for low-power, long-range radio communication, it is possible to reliably transmit events to a remote receiving unit even over greater distances, without requiring a continuously active radio link. The radio transmitter module is designed for short-term operation after the power supply path is closed. The specific design of the radio transmitter module, especially with regard to the radio standard used, the transmission power, or the data rate, can be selected depending on the application without changing the fundamental functionality of the transmitter unit.

[0027] In one embodiment of the transmitter, the radio transmitter module has an integrated control unit, in particular a microcontroller. The control unit is configured to manage the function of the radio transmitter module after the power supply path is closed. For example, the integrated control unit can initiate the initialization of the radio transmitter module, the generation of a message to be transmitted, and the transmission of the message via the radio interface. After the transmission is complete, the control unit can be configured to remain inactive until the power supply path is closed again. By integrating the control unit into the radio transmitter module, the transmitter unit can be implemented with minimal circuitry, eliminating the need for separate external control units.

[0028] In another embodiment of the transmitter, the radio transmitter module is configured to wirelessly transmit at least one identification piece of information after the power supply path is closed. This identification information serves to uniquely assign the transmitter to a specific pest trap or monitoring location. The transmission of the identification information occurs immediately after the radio transmitter module is activated by closing the power supply path. A permanent radio connection or continuous monitoring is not required for this. The identification information can be transmitted, for example, in a single radio message or in several successive radio messages.

[0029] In another embodiment of the transmitter, the identification information includes a unique device identifier or address of the transmitter. This device identifier makes it possible to uniquely assign the message transmitted by the transmitter to a specific transmitter. The device identifier or address can be factory-set or individually programmed. It can, for example, be a numeric or alphanumeric code and be part of the message transmitted by the radio transmitter module. This unique identification information enables reliable assignment of the transmitter within a system with multiple transmitters.

[0030] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, it is designed without local evaluation of the actuation triggered by the contact element. The transmitter unit serves solely to detect the actuation of the contact element and to wirelessly transmit the resulting information. No processing, interpretation, or evaluation of the actuation takes place within the transmitter unit itself. In particular, no information about the type, duration, or intensity of the actuation is evaluated or stored locally. Instead, the evaluation of the information transmitted by the transmitter unit is performed in an external receiving or evaluation unit. This division of tasks allows the transmitter unit to be designed to be particularly simple, energy-efficient, and robust.

[0031] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, it is designed such that after the contact element returns to its initial state, the power supply path is reopened. This interrupts the electrical power supply to the radio transmitter module. By reopening the power supply path, the radio transmitter module returns to a de-energized state. The transmitter unit is thus automatically reset after the event and ready for reactivation without requiring any additional control or manual intervention.

[0032] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the radio transmitter module and the contact element are arranged on a common circuit board. The circuit board serves as a carrier for the electrical and electronic components of the transmitter unit. This arrangement on the common circuit board allows for a compact and easy-to-assemble design. Electrical connections between the contact element, the power supply, and the radio transmitter module can be made directly via conductors on the circuit board. The circuit board can be mounted within the base body and define the position of the radio transmitter module and the contact element relative to the contact element, thus ensuring reliable operation of the transmitter unit.

[0033] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is formed by a housing or housing part in the form of a treadle. The treadle is arranged so that it is stepped on by a pest when it walks over it or is acted upon by lateral pressure. When the pest walks over it or a lateral force is applied, the treadle is moved from its resting state to the activated state. The resulting force and / or movement is transmitted to the contact transmitter, thus actuating the contact transmitter and closing the supply current path. Due to the design of the contact element as a treadle, the transmitter unit is particularly suitable for use in or on pest traps where the intention is for the pest to deliberately walk over the treadle or actuate it laterally.

[0034] In one embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is designed as a rod- or wire-shaped, electrically conductive element. The contact element can be made of an electrically conductive material and can project into or be brought close to the contact transmitter. Due to its rod- or wire-shaped design, the contact element can be made particularly space-saving and is especially suitable for applications where installation space is limited or where point-source actuation is required.

[0035] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is designed as an annular, conductive element that surrounds the contact element, at least partially. The annular contact element is part of the supply current path. The contact element can be made of an electrically conductive material, for example, a metal or metal alloy, in particular copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel, or a suitably coated material. Alternatively or additionally, the contact element can have a conductive coating, for example, a precious metal coating, to ensure reliable electrical contact and high corrosion resistance. When the contact element moves due to the action of a pest, it comes into contact with the annular contact element, thus establishing an electrical contact and closing the supply current path.The closing of the supply current path occurs directly through the mechanical contact between the contact element and the ring-shaped contactor.

[0036] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is movably mounted relative to the annular contact sensor. The mounting is designed such that electrical contact is only established when the contact element is deflected by the pest. The relative mobility between the contact element and the annular contact sensor allows for the setting of a defined trigger threshold. This prevents the supply current path from being unintentionally closed, for example, by minor vibrations or environmental influences.

[0037] In another embodiment of the transmitter unit, the contact element is designed to be elastically deformable. For this purpose, the contact element can be made of an elastic or springy material or have a corresponding geometric design that allows for elastic deflection. When exposed to a pest, the contact element is elastically deflected from its initial position and comes into contact with the annular contactor. Due to the elastic deformation, electrical contact is only established when a certain deflection is exceeded, thus closing the supply current path. Once the pest is no longer present, the contact element automatically returns to its initial position due to its elastic restoring force, thereby breaking the electrical contact and opening the supply current path.This design enables simple and robust contact establishment without separate bearing or reset mechanisms.

[0038] The contact element and the contact transmitter can be designed in various configurations to close the supply current path between the electrical power source and the radio transmitter module. The contact transmitter can consist, at least partially, of an electrically conductive material and thus function directly as a switching contact, which closes the supply current path through contact or mechanical actuation of the contact element.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the contact element can be designed as an actuating element that, when the contact element is moved, activates a separate electrical switch or push button, which closes the supply current path. In a further embodiment, the contact element can be designed to move a conductive element into the supply current path or to engage it with a mating contact, so that an electrical connection is only established by the movement of the contact element.

[0040] The contactor can be made entirely of a conductive material or may only have a conductive area or coating, while other areas are made of a non-conductive material. Similarly, the contact element itself can be at least partially conductive and, in conjunction with the contactor, contribute to closing the supply current path. These different configurations of the contact element and contactor allow the transmitter unit to be flexibly adapted to various mechanical and electrical requirements, while maintaining the fundamental functionality of event-driven closing of the supply current path.

[0041] The invention further relates to a pest trap with at least one transmitter unit. The pest trap comprises a trap mechanism that can be actuated by a pest, for example, by touching, walking over, or triggering the trap. The transmitter unit can be arranged on the pest trap such that the contact element of the transmitter unit can be moved from its resting state to its activation state by action of the pest and / or by movement of the trap mechanism. In this case, the movement of the contact element actuates the contact switch, thereby closing the supply current path and activating the radio transmitter module.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter unit can also be designed as an independent monitoring unit that is not directly coupled to the trap mechanism. In such an embodiment, the contact element is activated solely by a direct action of the pest on the contact element, for example, by touching, walking over, or exerting lateral pressure, without any mechanical connection to the trap mechanism. The transmitter unit can be located inside the pest trap, on the pest trap, or in close proximity to the pest trap. It can be used, in particular, to monitor the presence or activity of pests, regardless of whether the trap mechanism is triggered.This design makes the transmitter unit suitable for use both in combination with a pest trap and as a pure monitoring unit, thus expanding the scope of application of the invention.

[0043] Further advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing.

[0044] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective top view of a transmitting unit, Fig. 2 a side view of a contact element of a transmitter unit, Fig. 3 a perspective top view of a basic body of a transmitter unit and Fig. 4 A perspective top view of a transmitter unit with rod-shaped contact element and ring-shaped contact transmitter.

[0045] Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show different views of an embodiment of a transmitting unit. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of the transmitting unit, Fig. 2 a side view of a contact element and Fig. 3 a perspective top view of a basic body of the transmitting unit.

[0046] The transmitter unit 1 comprises a base body 2 to which a contact element 3 is arranged via a joint 4. The joint 4 is provided on a longitudinal side of the base body 2, so that the contact element 3 is movably mounted relative to the base body 2.

[0047] The contact element 3 is L-shaped and has two plate-shaped parts 5 and 6. A first part 5 of the contact element 3 extends essentially orthogonally to a surface of the base body 2. A second part 6 of the contact element 3 is perpendicular to the first part 5 and is arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the base body 2. A small gap is formed between the base body 2 and the second part 6 of the contact element 3.

[0048] As especially in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, a contact transmitter 7 is arranged on the underside of the second part 6 of the contact element 3, facing the base body 2. The contact transmitter 7 extends essentially perpendicularly from the second part 6 of the contact element 3 towards the base body 2. The contact transmitter 7 is conical in shape.

[0049] As from Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the radio transmitter module 8 and other electrical and electronic components necessary for the operation of the transmitter unit are arranged within the base body 2, in particular an electrical power source and circuit board elements for electrical connection. The radio transmitter module 8 is plate-shaped and completely enclosed in the base body 2.

[0050] The base body 2 has on the longitudinal side on which the contact element 3 is arranged the joint 4 for the movable mounting of the contact element 3.

[0051] In its resting state, the contact element 3 is positioned such that the contact transmitter 7 is spaced away from the electrical contacts arranged in the base body 2, thus opening the supply current path. If the contact element 3 is moved from its resting state to an activated state by the action of a pest, it pivots relative to the base body 2. This movement causes the contact transmitter 7 to move downwards towards the radio transmitter module 8 located in the base body 2, closing the supply current path and supplying the radio transmitter module 8 with electrical energy. For this purpose, the contact transmitter 7 can, for example, be partially electrically conductive and bridge an electrical contact when pressure is applied to the radio transmitter module 8.

[0052] Fig.Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the transmitter unit in a perspective top view. In this embodiment, the contact element 3 is designed as a rod-shaped element. The contact element 3 extends substantially perpendicularly into the base body 2. The contact transmitter 7 is designed as an annular, current-conducting element that surrounds the contact element 3 at least partially.

[0053] Both the contact element 3 and the contact transmitter 7 are made of an electrically conductive material. Both extend perpendicularly into the base body 2 and are part of the supply current path.

[0054] When a pest touches or deflects the contact element 3, an electrical contact is established between the contact element 3 and the ring-shaped contact transmitter 7, thereby closing the supply current path and activating the radio transmitter module 8. Reference symbol list 1 transmitter unit 2 basic shapes 3 Contact element 4 joint 5 first part contact element 6 second part contact element 7 contact persons 8 radio transmitter module QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2004 / 0020100 A1

[0005] US 10,743,531 B1

[0006] US 2021 / 0259237 A1

[0007] WO 2017 / 011916 A1

[0008] EP 3 151 661 B1

[0009]

Claims

[1] Transmitter unit (1) for monitoring pests and / or pest traps, comprising a base body (2), a radio transmitter module (8) and a contact transmitter (7), wherein the contact transmitter (7) is arranged in a supply current path between an electrical energy source and the radio transmitter module (8), wherein the contact transmitter (7) is connected to a movable contact element (3) in a force- and / or motion-transmitting manner, wherein the contact element (3) can be moved from a ground state to an activation state by the action of a pest, wherein in the ground state the supply current path is open and in the activation state the supply current path is closed by the contact transmitter (7). [2] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the radio transmitter module (8) is arranged in the base body (2). [3] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the contact element (3) is designed as a touch-sensitive element, in particular as a thin wire or sensor which, when touched by a pest, is movable relative to the contact transmitter (7). [4] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the contact element (3) is designed as a tiltable or movable element which is articulated to the base body (2) via a joint (4). [5] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 2 or 4, characterized by , that the contact transmitter (7) is arranged on an underside of the movable contact element (3) facing the base body (2), so that when the contact element (3) is moved a mechanical contact is made and the supply current path is closed. [6] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the radio transmitter module (8) is designed as a radio module for low-energy long-range radio communication, in particular as a LoRa radio module. [7] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the radio transmitter module (8) has an integrated control unit, in particular a microcontroller. [8] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the radio transmitter module (8) is set up after the power supply path is closed to wirelessly transmit at least one identification information of the transmitter unit (1). [9] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the identification information includes a unique device identifier or address of the transmitting unit (1). [10] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transmitting unit (1) is designed without local evaluation of the actuation triggered by the contact element (3). [11] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that after a return movement of the contact element (3) to the ground state the supply current path is reopened and the radio transmitter module (8) returns to a currentless state. [12] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the contact transmitter (7) and the radio transmitter module (8) are arranged on a common circuit board. [13] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the contact element (3) is formed by a housing or housing part in the form of a footplate, so that when a pest passes over it, the contact element (3) transmits a force and / or a movement to the contact transmitter (7) and the supply current path is closed by the contact transmitter (7). [14] Transmitting unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the contact element (3) is designed as a rod- or wire-shaped, current-conducting element. [15] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 14, characterized by , that the contact element (7) is designed as an annular, current-conducting element which surrounds the contact element (3) at least section by section, wherein the supply current path is closed by contact of the contact element (3) with the annular contact element (7). [16] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 15, characterized by , that the contact element (3) is movably mounted relative to the ring-shaped contact transmitter (7), so that the electrical contact is only established when there is a deflection caused by the pest. [17] Transmitting unit (1) according to claim 14, characterized by , that the contact element (3) is designed to be elastically deformable, so that the electrical contact with the ring-shaped contact transmitter (7) is only established when the contact element (3) is elastically deflected by the pest. [18] Pest trap comprising a trap mechanism and at least one transmitter unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the contact element (3) of the transmitter unit (1) can be moved from the ground state to the activation state by an action of a pest and / or by a movement of the trap mechanism.

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