Collapsing Trap With Pivotally Attached Panels And Trigger Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy traps do not have a planar configuration that collapses up and around an item to be trapped, which is a necessary feature for effectively capturing toys.
Innovation Solution
A collapsing toy trap design featuring a base with pivotally attached surrounding panels and an outer panel, a locking mechanism, and a trigger that allows the panels to collapse up and around the base to form a closed cube-shaped trap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a cage-based trap is used to capture items, then the trap can effectively trap animals, but the trap cannot be substantially planar and cannot collapse up and around the item
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into multiple surrounding panels that can be independently pivoted and collapsed. Each panel is segmented from the base and from each other, allowing them to fold independently to form the collapsing cage structure around the item.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap transitions from a static planar configuration to a dynamic collapsing structure. The panels are designed to be movable relative to the base and to each other, enabling the trap to collapse upward and around the item when activated by the trigger mechanism.
2Reliability
If the trap is designed to collapse up and around the item, then the trap can effectively capture toys, but the trap structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism integrates multiple functions into a single assembly. The locking pivot, locking arm, and trigger are combined into one mechanism that simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the panels, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable capture functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pivot acts as an intermediary element between the trigger and the panels. It translates the simple trigger motion into the coordinated movement of multiple panels, simplifying the control mechanism while ensuring reliable capture through the intermediary locking action.
3Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism is used to hold panels in open configuration, then the trap can be set and activated, but the mechanism requires precise locking and releasing
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and release without requiring external intervention. The locking pivot and locking arm work together to self-lock the panels in the open position during setup, and automatically release when the trigger is activated, eliminating the need for manual locking and precision adjustment.
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 effectively captures items by collapsing up and around them, providing a secure and efficient method for trapping toys, as demonstrated by the described mechanism and illustrations.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pivot is adapted to rotate and lock onto each of the surrounding panels to hold the surrounding panels in an open and substantially planar configuration
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of surrounding panels pivotally attached with the base
Implementation Method 3
cause the surrounding panels (and outer panel) to collapse up and around the base to trap the item therein
Implementation Method 4
The locking mechanism further includes a locking arm that is selectively attached with and between a surrounding panel and the outer panel, such that the locking arm is adapted to engage with the outer panel when the corresponding surrounding panel is locked into an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsing trap is described. The collapsing trap includes a base and a plurality of surrounding panels pivotally attached with the base. An outer panel is attached with one of the surrounding panels. A locking mechanism is attached with the surrounding panels to selectively hold the panels in an open configuration. A trigger is operably connected with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking pivot that is attached with the base and connected with the trigger. The locking pivot is adapted to rotate and lock onto each of the surrounding panels to hold the surrounding panels in an open and substantially planar configuration. When the locking pivot is activated by the trigger, the locking pivot rotates to release the surrounding panels and cause the surrounding panels (and outer panel) to collapse up and around the base to trap the item therein.