Hermetically Sealed Mousetrap with Automatic Door Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rodent control methods, such as snap-traps and poisoned baits, are unsightly, unsanitary, and pose risks to humans and pets, with potential for disease transmission and unsafe disposal of carcasses, especially in food handling areas.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed single-use snap-trap with a modular base component integrating setting/killing and door control mechanisms, featuring a spring-tensioned kill bar and automatic door opening and closing gear mechanism to enclose the carcass within a sealed enclosure, preventing exposure to parasites and pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a snap-trap is used to kill rodents, then the rodent is instantly killed, but the trap is dangerous to humans and pets and the carcass is unsanitary to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into separate functional components: a disposable sealed enclosure containing the kill mechanism, a reusable base with setting mechanism, and a separate door assembly. This segmentation allows the dangerous killing function to be isolated within a protected enclosure while keeping the setting mechanism accessible and safe for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The kill bar and triggering mechanism are nested within the sealed enclosure, which is itself attached to the reusable base. The door is nested within the enclosure structure. This nested arrangement contains the harmful elements (kill bar, carcass) within protective layers while maintaining overall functionality.
2Speed
If a snap-trap is used to kill rodents, then the rodent is instantly killed, but the carcass remains exposed for hours before disposal creating unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is pre-assembled with the kill mechanism and sealed except for the bait access area. The door is pre-positioned to automatically close after triggering. This preliminary preparation ensures that immediately upon killing the rodent, the carcass is contained within the sealed enclosure, preventing any delay in containment and eliminating sanitary exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure containing the kill mechanism is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to clean or handle carcasses, as the entire containment unit is thrown away, preventing repeated sanitary contamination issues.
3Ease of operation
If poisoned bait is used to kill rodents, then the rodent dies, but the method is dangerous to children and pets and the carcass may be inaccessible for disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (poison) is extracted and replaced with a mechanical kill bar that delivers instantaneous death through physical force. The bait remains as an attractant but is no longer toxic. This extraction eliminates the danger to children and pets while maintaining the ease of using bait to attract rodents.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical killing mechanism (poison) is replaced with a mechanical system (spring-loaded kill bar). This substitution maintains the automated, easy-to-use nature of poisoned bait traps while eliminating the harmful chemical effects on non-target organisms.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a hermetically sealed enclosure with automatic door mechanism is added, then the carcass is safely contained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door mechanism is merged with the kill bar triggering mechanism through the lever arm and gear system. The same mechanical action that releases the kill bar also opens the door, combining two functions into one integrated system. This reduces overall complexity compared to having separate independent mechanisms for killing and door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door automatically opens and closes in response to the triggering mechanism without requiring separate user intervention. The spring-loaded door and gear system self-regulate to open when the kill bar is released and close when the kill bar strikes, making the containment function automatic and reducing operational complexity.
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 solution provides a safe, sanitary, and humane method for rodent control, eliminating risks to humans and pets by automatically sealing the carcass within the trap, allowing for easy and safe disposal without direct contact with the carcass or associated pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
a set spring, a setting handle, a trip latch and a bait pedal. The setting handle is operatively coupled to the setting axle but is positioned outside the enclosure. Rotation of the setting handle is resisted by the set spring which is tensioned between the lower housing and the kill bar.
Implementation Method 2
The door assembly includes a torsional door spring and a rotationally mounted door that is configured to hermetically seal over the mouse entry opening. The torsional door spring is mounted on the door rotational axis with one end applying force against the inner surface of the door and the other end applying force against a front edge of the modular base component.
Implementation Method 3
The door opening and closing gear mechanism having a combined axle and lever arm coupled to a spur gear that rotates therewith. The pinion gear is operatively engaged with the spur gear so as to be rotated thereby.
Data Source
AI summary
A single use, hermetically sealing mousetrap has an enclosure accessible through a rotatably mounted door controlled by a spring-loaded door opening gear mechanism. Inside the enclosure is a spring-actuated setting axle/kill bar and setting bar combination that is movable between a kill position and a set position by manipulation of a setting handle positioned outside the enclosure. When in the set position, the door opening gear mechanism opens the door and tensions a torsional door spring. When the trap is tripped, the kill bar moves rapidly to the kill position which releases the door opening gear mechanism and allows the door spring to close the door and hermetically seal the trap with the dead mouse inside.