Modular Rodent Sensor Housing for External Electronics Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rodent control devices face challenges in servicing or replacing electronic sensor elements due to battery depletion and the need for recyclable components, with existing solutions requiring device disassembly for maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A modular rodent sensor module with a housing that allows for external servicing and compatibility across various rodent control devices, featuring a platform with rails and screws for secure attachment without opening the device cover, incorporating a capacitive sensor and battery compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor housing is integral to the rodent control device, then the sensor is protected from environmental contamination, but the electronic components cannot be easily serviced or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection from contaminationVSAvoidserviceability of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing is divided into a removable module that can be detached from the rodent control device. This module contains the electronic sensor components and can be removed as a single unit through the rear opening, allowing servicing while maintaining protection during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic sensor components are extracted from the permanent structure and placed in a removable module that can be taken out through the rear opening. This allows the sensors to be protected when installed but easily accessible when removed for servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the sensor housing requires opening the device cover for access, then the sensor is protected, but the servicing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidtime required for servicing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module is extracted as a separate removable unit that can be accessed through the rear opening without opening the device cover. This eliminates the time-consuming step of opening the cover while maintaining protection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rear opening serves as an intermediary access point that allows the sensor module to be removed and serviced without opening the main device cover. This intermediate access path significantly reduces servicing time while maintaining overall device protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If a custom sensor housing is designed for each rodent control device, then the fit is optimized, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice fit and integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A universal sensor module design is created that can be adapted to multiple rodent control device types. The module maintains optimized fit through standardized interface features while reducing manufacturing complexity by using a common design across different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housing is segmented into a standardized module that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into different rodent control devices. This separates the complex integration requirements from the module manufacturing, simplifying both processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy replacement and servicing of electronic components from outside the device, ensuring moisture and dirt protection while maintaining effective rodent detection across different types of rodent control devices.

Implementation Method 1

capacitive rodent sensors which effectively position the sensors for rodent detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12453343B1Rodent control device with modular rodent sensor housing

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 BELL LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

A rodent control assembly has a module for housing sensor electronics which is insertable through a hole in the rear wall of a rodent control device such as a bait station or a repeating trap. The rodent control device has a bottom wall with portions defining opposed parallel frontwardly extending channels which are accessible through openings in a rear wall. The module has a shell with a front wall which extends upwardly from a platform which defines a threshold for the passage of rodents thereover. Parallel rails extend from the platform sides. The rails are slidably received within the channels, such that the platform passes through the rear wall of the rodent control device to be positioned along an interior rodent runway. The module is fastenable to the rodent control device from the exterior, without requiring opening of the device.