Helical Spring Trigger for Mouse Trap Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mouse traps often fail to ensure that the trigger is depressed when a mouse attempts to eat the bait, leading to inefficiencies in capturing vermin.
Innovation Solution
The mouse trap design incorporates a transverse helical spring on the trigger's upper surface near the distal end, with interstices for bait reception, and additional mass and spacing to maximize leverage and likelihood of trigger depression, combined with a latch mechanism for efficient striker release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single recessed receptacle or small holes are used for holding bait, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of trigger depression decreases as mice can eat bait without depressing the trigger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a helical spring as a bait holder, where the coiled structure creates numerous small interstices and openings. These porous-like structures allow the spring to contact the mouse's mouth from multiple angles while maintaining structural integrity, significantly increasing the probability that the mouse will depress the trigger while attempting to eat the bait.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical spring is designed to be flexible and dynamic rather than rigid. The spring can deform and adapt to the mouse's movements and mouth position, maintaining continuous contact with the bait and the mouse. This dynamic structure allows the spring to reliably detect when the mouse is eating while accommodating natural mouse behavior variations.
2Reliability
If the trigger is positioned closer to the base, then the device complexity is reduced, but the leverage and likelihood of trigger depression decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply extending the trigger length in one dimension, the patent positions the helical spring at the distal end of the trigger, utilizing the spatial dimension created by the trigger's existing length. This strategic placement at the extreme end maximizes the lever arm distance from the pivot point, optimizing mechanical advantage without requiring additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical spring is pre-positioned at the distal end of the trigger during manufacturing, establishing the optimal leverage configuration before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the bait holder is automatically positioned to maximize trigger depression probability, eliminating the need for field adjustment or complex assembly steps.
3Reliability
If additional mass is added to the trigger, then the leverage and trigger depression likelihood improve, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical spring structure inherently provides the necessary mass distribution without requiring additional solid material. The coiled configuration concentrates mass at the distal end where it is most effective for leverage, while the porous, open structure of the spring minimizes overall weight compared to a solid rod or block of equivalent length and strength.
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 modified mouse trap ensures that the trigger is depressed nearly every time a mouse tries to eat the bait, resulting in a higher success rate in capturing vermin.
Implementation Method 1
a first transverse helical spring attached to the base at the midpoint biasing the striker toward the unarmed position
Implementation Method 2
the upper surface of the distal end of the trigger having a second transverse helical spring for receiving a bait
Implementation Method 3
the proximal end being pivotably attached to the unarmed side of the base adjacent the first helical spring
Implementation Method 4
a latch having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotably attached at the end of the armed side of the base and the distal end engaging the lower surface of the trigger when the mouse trap is in the armed position
Data Source
AI summary
A mouse trap has a trigger with a transverse helical spring at the distal end of its upper surface for receiving bait. The bait in the spring increases the likelihood of the trigger being depressed, the latch being released, and the striker striking the mouse.