Live Catch Rodent Trap Shroud Prevents External Activation

Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical rodent traps are susceptible to being actuated from the exterior, rendering them unavailable for capturing rodents once activated.

Innovation Solution

A tubular housing with a removable end cap and a pivotably mounted door, secured by a shroud that surrounds the rear portion to prevent external activation, allowing internal activation by a rodent's weight without external contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the trap housing is made accessible from the exterior for rodent contact, then rodents can enter the trap, but the trap becomes susceptible to inadvertent activation from external contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverodent entrance accessibilityVSAvoidtrap activation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trap structure is divided into two functional zones: an exterior shroud that protects against external activation, and an interior housing that accepts rodents. The shroud acts as a protective outer layer while the housing remains accessible only through controlled means (front opening with door), separating the functions of protection and acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shroud serves as an intermediary protective layer between external rodents and the sensitive trigger mechanism inside the housing. It allows the trap to maintain reliability by filtering out inadvertent external contacts while still permitting intentional entry through the designated front opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the trap is activated by external contact, then it can be triggered easily, but it becomes unavailable for capturing rodents after activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap capture capabilityVSAvoidtrap availability time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud provides preliminary protection against the harmful action of external rodent contact that would cause premature activation. By preventing external rodents from reaching the trigger mechanism, the trap maintains its capture capability over extended periods, reducing the loss of time before successful rodent capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the housing is fully exposed for rodent entry, then entry is easy, but external contact can trigger the trap inadvertently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverodent entry easeVSAvoidexternal contact activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trap structure is divided into two functional zones: an exterior shroud that protects against external activation, and an interior housing that accepts rodents. The shroud acts as a protective outer layer while the housing remains accessible only through controlled means (front opening with door), separating the functions of protection and acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shroud serves as an intermediary protective layer between external rodents and the sensitive trigger mechanism inside the housing. It allows the trap to maintain reliability by filtering out inadvertent external contacts while still permitting intentional entry through the designated front opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 trap effectively captures rodents without being triggered by external contact, allowing multiple attempts and ensuring the trap remains operational for subsequent rodent capture.

Implementation Method 1

A door is pivotably mounted to the near end of housing, and alternately permits entrance to the housing (when the trap is set) and closes the housing (when the trap is actuated)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A pivoting door is connected adjacent a front opening of the housing in such a way that the door is propped open to reveal the housing when the housing is tilted towards the front opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

The housing is pivotably mounted to a shroud which surrounds the rear portion of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

A mouse entering the tube causes the housing to pivot and the door to close in a latched fashion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS7458182B2Live catch rodent trap

Publication Date: 2008.12.02 OMS INVESTMENTS INC

AI summary

A live catch rodent trap has a tubular housing which is sealed at a far end by a removable end cap. A door is pivotably mounted to a near end of the housing, and alternately permits entrance to the housing through a front opening when the door is propped open, and closes the front opening when the trap is actuated by a rodent passing into housing and past a midpoint of the housing. The housing is pivotably mounted to a shroud which surrounds the rear portion of the housing to prevent inadvertent activation of the trap from the exterior.