Magnetically Biased Actuation Valve for Sensitive Pest Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pest control devices often lack sensitivity to detect small forces applied by pests, requiring manual checking and potentially leading to health and hygiene risks due to undetected dead animals, and they rely on consumable gas sources.
Innovation Solution
The development of actuation valves with magnetic biasing and pneumatically actuated mechanisms that improve sensitivity and reduce the need for manual checking, allowing for reliable detection and humane killing of pests using alternative gas sources and integrated monitoring systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional triggers are used in pest control devices, then the device structure is simple, but the sensitivity to detect small forces applied by pests is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical triggers with a magnetic field-based detection system. Magnetic elements are positioned to detect changes in magnetic field strength caused by pest interaction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical force-sensing mechanisms while achieving high sensitivity to small forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field lines as an intermediary between the pest and the detection system. Instead of directly measuring mechanical force, the system detects disturbances in the magnetic field caused by pest movement or presence, providing indirect but highly sensitive measurement of small forces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual checking is required to detect caught or killed animals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the time delay in detection and removal of dead animals increases health and hygiene risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that provides continuous feedback on pest capture status. Sensors detect when an animal is caught or killed and automatically notify the user, enabling timely removal of dead animals and eliminating health risks associated with delayed detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system automatically detects and reports pest captures without requiring manual inspection. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own operational status and notifying users of events, eliminating the need for human intervention in detection.
3Productivity
If consumable gas cartridges or canisters are used as compressed gas sources, then the device portability is improved, but the cost and frequency of replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas recovery system that captures and stores excess or waste gas from the pneumatic actuator. The recovered gas is reused in subsequent operations, reducing the frequency of gas source replacement and improving operational continuity without requiring consumable cartridges.
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
Enhanced sensitivity for detecting small pests, reduced manual intervention, and the ability to use various pressure sources for efficient and humane pest control, along with improved monitoring and reduced waste.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic elements for biasing the valve seal against the primary valve seat
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation valve for a pest control device, the actuation valve including a primary valve seat; a secondary valve seat; a valve seal, a recess between the primary and secondary valve seats, and an actuation arm. The actuation valve includes primary and secondary valves. The recess is located between primary and secondary valve seats to receive gas from the primary valve and promote displacement of the valve seal from the secondary valve seat. Also provided are an actuation valve with magnetic elements, an actuation valve with a trigger, a pest control device, a piston assembly for a pest control device, and a pest control assembly.