Small Animal Trap Sensor Fusion for Accurate Catch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small animal traps suffer from high false triggering and false identification rates, necessitating frequent manual checks and increased manpower, and fail to meet regulatory timeframes for removing caught animals due to hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A small animal trap system with multiple identification devices (capacitive, vibration, and infrared sensors) and a control unit to verify trap status, reducing false triggers and improving identification accuracy by using different sensing methods and energy-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional small animal traps are used, then basic protection against vermin is achieved, but false triggering and false identification rates are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple identification devices (capacitive sensor, vibration sensor, infrared sensor) into a single integrated trap system. The control unit processes signals from all sensors and requires confirmation from at least two different sensor types before triggering the trap, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining manageable system complexity through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes signals from different sensor types, validates trap conditions, controls the trap mechanism, and manages communication with external systems. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate control circuits for each sensor, effectively managing device complexity while improving identification reliability.
2Reliability
If frequent manual checks are performed to verify trap status, then false triggers are reduced, but manpower and working time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trap system continuously monitors its own status through multiple sensors and provides automated feedback to the control unit. The system can detect when a trap has been triggered, when animals are present, and when maintenance is needed, eliminating the need for frequent manual inspections while maintaining high reliability through continuous self-verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap system performs self-monitoring and self-verification through its integrated sensors and control unit. The capacitive, vibration, and infrared sensors continuously scan for animals and trap conditions, with the control unit automatically validating trap status and triggering alerts or communications without requiring human intervention for routine monitoring.
3Reliability
If multiple identification devices are used to reduce false triggers, then identification accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic scanning of the capacitive sensor field and vibration sensor at scheduled intervals rather than continuous operation. The infrared sensor activates selectively based on environmental conditions and trap state. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable detection through multiple sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of different sensors based on current conditions. The capacitive sensor provides continuous low-power monitoring, while vibration and infrared sensors activate only when potential triggers are detected or during high-risk periods. This dynamic sensor management reduces total energy consumption while maintaining high identification accuracy through selective multi-sensor operation.
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
Significantly reduces false triggers and manual checks, enhancing the reliability of small animal trap operation and compliance with hygiene regulations by minimizing manpower and time requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the identification device is a capacitive sensor for measuring a capacitive change in the small animal trap due to an existence of a small animal
Implementation Method 2
the first identification device is a vibration sensor for measuring a vibration in the small animal trap caused by an existence of a small animal
Implementation Method 3
the at least one third identification device is an infrared sensor for measuring a temperature change in the small animal trap due to an existence of a small animal
Data Source
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AI summary
A small animal trap (100) comprising a trap housing (120) having at least one trap opening (121); at least on trap element (130) being arranged within the trap housing (120), wherein the at least one trap element (130) is accessible via the at least one trap opening (121); at least one first identification device (150) for providing a first small animal identification signal; a second identification device (140) for providing a second small animal identification signal; wherein the at least one first identification device (150) and the second identification device (140) are different to each other; a control unit (170) for identifying by the first small animal identification signal and the second small animal identification signal if the at least one trap element (130) has caught a small animal, and for providing a trap status signal; and at least one energy source (180) for providing energy to the at least one second identification device (140), and the control unit (170).