Ceiling-Mount Animal Trap With Magnetic Trigger Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal traps for rodents are inefficient in providing reliable indication of trap activation, often requiring manual monitoring and are not adaptable for different animal sizes, posing risks of injury and inefficiency in rodent control.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-mountable animal trap with a snap trap mechanism and an indicator that moves from a recessed to a projecting position upon trap activation, allowing for easy detection of trigger status and adjustable sensitivity for various animal sizes, featuring a magnetically held indicator and a setting lever for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical indicator is used that requires direct impact from the trap arm, then the indicator can be activated reliably, but the indicator is easily damaged and has short service life
Solution Approach 1:
A magnet is introduced as an intermediary between the trap arm and the indicator. The magnet is attached to the moving trap arm and magnetically couples with the indicator, allowing the indicator to be activated through magnetic attraction rather than direct mechanical impact. This reduces wear and damage to the indicator while maintaining reliable activation.
2Reliability
If the indicator is held in place with a friction fit, then the indicator can be held securely, but if the friction fit is too high the indicator may not be pushed out by the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical friction fit system is replaced with a magnetic holding system. The magnet on the trap arm magnetically attracts and holds the indicator in place, providing secure retention without requiring high friction. When the trap arm moves, the magnetic force naturally pulls the indicator along, ensuring reliable activation without risking the indicator being stuck.
3Ease of operation
If the canister hangs below the ceiling, then the trap can be installed in ceiling cavities, but a large unsightly cylindrical canister hangs from the ceiling at all times
Solution Approach 1:
The trap system is segmented into separate functional components: the trapping mechanism can be installed in the ceiling cavity while the indicator is a separate, smaller component that attaches to the trap. This allows the main body to be concealed in the ceiling while only a small indicator is visible, improving aesthetics while maintaining installation flexibility.
4Loss of information
If a window is provided to observe the interior state of the device, then the user can see bait remaining, but the user must actively go and look into the device through the window
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system provides self-service information display. Instead of requiring the user to actively look through a window, the indicator automatically displays the trap status (set, triggered, or bait taken) from a distance. The magnetic indicator passively communicates the state of the trap without requiring user intervention to check the interior condition.
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 trap provides a reliable and visually evident indication of activation, reducing manual monitoring needs and allowing for effective control of both mice and rats with adjustable sensitivity, enhancing safety and efficiency in rodent management.
Implementation Method 1
one of the killing arm and the indicator comprises a magnet, and the other of the killing arm and the indicator comprises a magnet or a magnetisable material, the killing arm and indicator configured such that the indicator is held in the recessed position by the killing arm under magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling-mountable animal trap (100) has a housing (102), a snap trap (110), and an indicator (118). The snap trap (110) has a treadle member (112), a killing arm arrangement, and a trigger (116). A killing arm (114) is pivotally mounted, has a set position, and is biased toward an impact position. The trigger (116) couples the treadle member (112) to the killing arm (114) and releases the killing arm from the set position. The indicator (118) is movable between a recessed position and a projecting position in which it projects from the underside of the housing (102). The indicator is held in the recessed position by the killing arm arrangement when the killing arm (114) is in the set position. The indicator (118) decouples from the killing arm arrangement when the killing arm (114) moves towards the impact position so that the indicator moves to the projecting position.