Resilient Barrier for Selective Pest Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pest stations often inadvertently lure and harm non-target species, such as children, pets, and wildlife, due to the use of rodenticide or mechanical traps, which reduces their effectiveness in capturing target species and poses health risks.
Innovation Solution
A non-target species barrier that is detachably securable to the pest station, featuring resiliently displaceable members that allow target species to access the chamber while preventing non-target species, formed from materials like wax-coated cardboard or plastic, with a design that includes a vacant region and border regions to deter non-target species and allow target species to smell and see the lure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rodenticide or mechanical traps are used in pest stations, then the ability to kill or capture target species is improved, but the risk of harming non-target species increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is segmented into multiple displaceable members that can be independently activated. Each member acts as a separate filter, allowing the system to selectively permit target species while blocking non-target species based on their ability to displace individual members.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the barrier have different properties: border regions provide structural support and prevent circumvention, vacant regions allow sensory passage for lure attraction, and displaceable members provide selective mechanical filtration. Each region serves a specific function in the overall selective protection mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier is added to prevent non-target species access, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the pest station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier utilizes thin, flexible displaceable members that can be easily manufactured and installed. These members bend and flex under the force of target species while maintaining their blocking function against non-target species, providing protection without requiring complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system where displaceable members can move in response to applied force. This dynamic behavior allows the same structure to serve multiple functions: blocking non-target species at rest and permitting target species when force is applied.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the barrier completely blocks access to the chamber, then protection from non-target species is improved, but the ability of target species to access the lure and trap is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable members act as intermediaries between the barrier and the chamber. They transmit the force applied by target species to open the aperture while maintaining the barrier's blocking function against non-target species, enabling selective access without compromising protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier provides sensory access in one dimension (through vacant regions that allow smell and sight) while maintaining physical blockage in another dimension (preventing direct access to the chamber). This multi-dimensional approach allows attraction without granting access.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a resilient displaceable member is used to allow target species access, then selectivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The use of basic materials and simple displaceable member structures keeps manufacturing costs low while providing effective selective access functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they block non-target species, allow sensory passage through vacant regions, transmit force from target species, and return to their blocking position after displacement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
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 barrier effectively prevents non-target species from accessing the pest station's chamber, reducing harm and maintaining trap efficacy for target species, while being easy to manufacture and reusable.
Implementation Method 1
comprising at least one resiliently displaceable member configured to: move from an initial position to an open position, in which an aperture is formed in the barrier to allow ingress of a target species to the pest station, upon receipt of a force greater than a threshold force
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-target species barrier adapted to prevent ingress of non-target species to a pest station (100). The non-target species barrier (200) is detachably securable to the pest station (100) and comprises at least one resiliently displaceable member (202) configured to: move from an initial position to an open position, in which an aperture (112) is formed in the barrier (200) that allows ingress of a target species to the pest station (100), upon receipt of a force greater than a threshold force, and return toward the initial position upon release of the force. The threshold force is such that non-target species are prevented or deterred from moving the displaceable member (202) to the open position.