Rodent Trap Trigger Mechanism for Selective Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal traps are inefficient in capturing rodents due to sensitivity to vibrations, non-selective capture, difficulty in setting and releasing, and risk of bleeding or soiling, while also being unsuitable for different animal sizes and posing risks to children and pets.
Innovation Solution
An animal trap design featuring a fixed jaw and a moving jaw activated by a spring and step trigger, where the bait is positioned to require the animal to step on the trigger, forcing it to contort and preventing escape, with adjustable sensitivity and paw support to inhibit sudden movement, allowing for humane and sanitary capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical traps are used to control rodent populations, then capture rates can be achieved, but the traps are sensitive to vibrations and movements causing unreliable triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism is designed with a specific local geometry that requires a deliberate stepping motion rather than responding to general vibrations. The trigger plate and paw structure create a localized interaction point that filters out spurious vibrations while responding to purposeful animal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap incorporates a dynamic trigger mechanism where the trigger plate can be positioned at different heights and the paw can be adjusted to different positions. This dynamic configuration allows the trap to adapt to different animal sizes and movement patterns, improving reliability while reducing false triggers from vibrations.
2Ease of operation
If wire traps are used for animal capture, then capture capability is provided, but they are difficult to set and release and require high manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into distinct functional segments: the jaw mechanism for capture, the trigger mechanism for activation, and the release mechanism for disposal. Each segment can be independently operated, with the jaw requiring simple squeezing motions and the trigger requiring only a single stepping action, reducing the overall manual dexterity required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex wire manipulation to set and release the trap, the design inverts the approach by using a simple squeezing motion on the jaw and a stepping motion on the trigger. This inversion simplifies the user interface while maintaining effective capture capability.
3Productivity
If non-selective traps are used to control rodent populations, then capture rates increase, but they capture clothing, children and domestic pets causing harm
Solution Approach 1:
The trap geometry is designed with specific dimensional characteristics that create local quality differences. The jaw width, trigger plate size, and paw positioning are optimized to match the dimensions of target rodent species while excluding larger animals such as cats and dogs, and objects like clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable paw position and trigger plate height allow the trap to be dynamically configured for different animal sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the trap to maintain high selectivity for rodents while adapting to different environmental conditions and target species, preventing capture of unintended animals.
4Ease of operation
If traps allow easy carcass removal are used, then hygiene is improved, but capture reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The trap separates the capture function from the disposal function into distinct segments. The jaw maintains a secure capture position for reliability, while the release mechanism provides easy carcass removal through a separate action. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
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 achieves high capture rates with reduced manual dexterity required for setting and releasing, is safe for humans and pets, and provides size selectivity and sanitary blood-free termination, minimizing disease exposure.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is engaged with the fixed jaw and distal thereto is engaged with the moving jaw. The spring is adapted to operatively apply a closure force to move the moving jaw towards the fixed jaw
Implementation Method 2
A step trigger is located between the moving jaw and fixed jaw, to selectively trigger application of the closure force responsive to being stepped upon by the animal
Data Source
AI summary
An animal trap has a fixed jaw that serves as a base, and an opposed moveable jaw that operatively closes down upon the base. A trigger is provided between the base and moveable jaw. A bait holder is provided within the moveable jaw, most preferably at a location that requires a rodent or other animal to step upon the trigger while both raising their head and twisting their neck to try to reach the bait. The trigger may be covered with a set of posts that are sized and spaced from each other to prohibit any flat placement of paws onto the trigger, thereby forcing the animal to grasp the post tops, while allowing a paw to slip between and potentially be trapped by adjacent posts if the animal tries to move suddenly.