Animal Trap Occupancy Detection With Proximity-Sensed Door Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing invasive alien species like coypus and muskrats are labor-intensive and require frequent manual checks, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An animal capture system comprising a cage with a movable door, a switch system, a transmitter, a proximity signal sensor, and a proximity signal emitter, where the door closes automatically when an animal enters, and the transmitter sends a signal to a user's mobile app when the cage is occupied, reducing the need for daily checks and allowing for easier operation and maintenance of multiple traps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checking of traps is performed frequently to ensure animal capture, then animal capture reliability is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal capture reliabilityVSAvoidtime consumption for trap checking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-monitoring through automatic detection. The proximity sensor detects when an animal enters the cage, the door automatically closes, and the transmitter sends notifications to the user's mobile device. This eliminates the need for frequent manual trap checking while ensuring reliable capture detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user through electronic notifications. When the proximity sensor detects an animal and the door closes, the transmitter immediately sends a signal to the user's mobile phone, providing continuous feedback on trap status without requiring physical inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multiple traps are deployed to increase animal capture productivity, then capture output increases, but operation and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal capture outputVSAvoidtrap operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each trap is equipped with a universal monitoring system comprising proximity sensors, automatic door mechanisms, and transmitters. This standardized multi-functional system allows multiple traps to be deployed and managed uniformly, simplifying operation and maintenance across large numbers of traps while increasing overall capture productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automatic door closing mechanism is added to capture system, then animal capture efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal capture efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical door closing mechanisms with a simpler electronic control system. The proximity sensor detects animal presence, triggers an electronic switch, and activates a motorized or solenoid-driven door mechanism. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving capture efficiency through automated detection and response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system simplifies trap checking, increases animal survival rates, and allows for easier resetting and retrofitting of existing traps, while providing anti-theft features and location tracking through GPS, enabling efficient control of invasive species.

Implementation Method 1

The proximity signal sensor is located at a position attached to the cage or located at a position placed securely in proximity to the cage. When the door is in the open position the proximity signal emitter is at a position with respect to the proximity signal sensor such that a magnitude of a proximity signal emitted by the proximity signal emitter and sensed by the proximity signal sensor is configured to maintain the transmitter in a non-transmitting mode.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity signal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20220071193A1An animal capture system

Publication Date: 2022.03.10 DISCOVERY PURCHASER CORP

AI summary

An animal trap system comprises a cage, a door, a switch system, a transmitter, a proximity signal sensor, and a proximity signal emitter. When the door is in a closed position, the door is configured to block the opening of the cage to prevent exit of the animal. When the door is in the open position the proximity signal emitter is at a position such that a magnitude of a proximity signal emitted by the proximity signal emitter and sensed by the proximity signal sensor is configured to maintain the transmitter in a non-transmitting mode. When the door is in the closed position the proximity signal emitter is at a position such that the magnitude of the proximity signal emitted by the proximity signal emitter and sensed by the proximity signal sensor is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit a signal that the cage is occupied.