Smart Micro-Mouse Trap Using Infrared Beam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical mouse traps are inefficient for larger mice or rats, allowing them to escape and require direct human contact for cleaning and resetting, which can be hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A smart micro-mouse trap using an infrared beam to detect the presence of mice or rats, triggering a spring-loaded arm to instantly kill them upon entry, with a bait-independent mechanism and a handle for safe disposal without direct human contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical mouse trap is used, then it may work efficiently with smaller mice, but it allows bigger mice or rats to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from weight-based (electrical contact) to optical-based (infrared beam interruption). This allows the trap to detect and respond to objects of any size that interrupt the beam, making it adaptable to mice and rats of all sizes while maintaining reliable triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact triggering system with an optical detection system using an infrared beam. This substitution eliminates the size limitation of electrical contacts and provides a more versatile detection mechanism that can sense the presence of any object that blocks the beam path.
2Device complexity
If a traditional mouse trap requires direct human contact for cleaning and resetting, then it is simple in structure, but it poses safety hazards to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-resetting mechanism where the spring-loaded arm automatically returns to its set position after triggering, and the latch automatically re-engages. This allows the trap to reset itself without requiring the user to manually handle the trap body or dispose of the rodent directly on the trap, reducing safety hazards while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a removable container or chamber as an intermediary between the user and the trapped rodent. The user interacts with this container rather than directly with the trap mechanism or rodent, providing a safety buffer that reduces exposure to harmful factors while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If a bait-dependent trap mechanism is used, then it is simple to operate, but it requires the mouse to interact with the bait which may not trigger the trap instantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets the infrared beam and spring-loaded arm in advance, with the arm already loaded and ready to trigger. When the rodent interrupts the beam, the pre-positioned spring-loaded arm immediately activates, eliminating the time delay associated with bait consumption and providing instant trapping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the bait-based triggering mechanism with an optical detection system. The infrared beam continuously monitors the area, and any interruption immediately triggers the trap, eliminating the need for the rodent to interact with bait and reducing the time required to capture the pest.
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 smart micro-mouse trap effectively kills mice or rats of any size instantly and allows for safe, contact-free disposal and resetting, enhancing efficiency and safety compared to traditional traps.
Implementation Method 1
using an infrared beam to detect the presence of mice or rats
Implementation Method 2
triggering a spring-loaded arm to instantly kill them upon entry
Data Source
AI summary
A smart micro-mouse trap is disclosed herein which can be used to trap and kill the mouse, rat, rodent, etc. instantly. The embodiment comprises an enclosure for the mouse, a beam to detect the mouse, a trap, a latch and a solenoid powered by an electrical circuit to activate the tripping mechanism as the mouse enters the trap and breaks the beam. The smart micro-mouse trap is advantageous and useful as it is inexpensive, easy to operate, durable and allows for sanitary disposal of the dead mice, rats, rodents without contact to human.