Wash Down Sensor Circuit for Electronic Rodent Trap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic rodent traps face false triggering issues due to water infiltration, which can lead to unnecessary activations and potential damage, especially in facilities with regular washdown schedules, as water presents low resistance similar to a rodent, causing inaccurate determinations of rodent presence versus water presence.

Innovation Solution

A wash down sensor circuit is integrated into the electronic rodent trap, utilizing a microprocessor, high and low impedance loads, a capacitor, and a switching element to differentiate between water infiltration and rodent presence by measuring resistance over time and analyzing variations in resistance levels, preventing false triggering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a resistive sensor is used to detect rodent presence, then the trap can detect and respond to rodent activity, but water infiltration causes false triggering because water also presents low resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverodent presence detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse triggering rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by switching the sensor impedance from high to low state temporarily when water is detected, then monitoring the resistance change over time. The sensor impedance dynamically adapts based on detected conditions, allowing the system to distinguish between water (temporary low resistance) and rodents (persistent resistance pattern) through time-varying measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by detecting water presence before it causes false triggering. The system proactively switches to low impedance mode when water is detected, preventing the false trigger condition from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after incorrect activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the trap triggers a high voltage killing cycle in response to water infiltration, then the sensor response is immediate, but the output circuitry may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor response timeVSAvoidcircuitry damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting water infiltration and switching sensor impedance to low state before the high voltage killing cycle is activated. This preemptive measure prevents the harmful effect (circuitry damage) from occurring by counteracting the false trigger condition before it can cause damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If manual rearming is required after every killing cycle, then the trap can be reset, but false triggers result in the trap remaining inactive until serviced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap reset capabilityVSAvoidtrap availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring resistance changes after a trigger event and using this information to determine whether to activate the killing cycle or remain in standby mode. The system uses feedback from the sensor to distinguish between water (no killing cycle) and rodents (killing cycle activated), preventing false triggers from rendering the trap inactive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If automatic rearming is implemented, then the trap can resume operation quickly, but unnecessary activations waste power usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap recovery timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/resistive sensing approach with an electronic impedance switching and time-based monitoring system. Instead of relying solely on resistance threshold detection, the system uses electronic control to switch sensor impedance and monitor resistance changes over time, enabling more accurate discrimination between water and rodent presence to prevent wasteful activations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively reduces false triggering by accurately distinguishing between water infiltration and rodent presence, ensuring the trap only initiates a killing cycle when a rodent is confirmed, thereby minimizing unnecessary activations and protecting the trap's circuitry.

Implementation Method 1

a resistive sensor that is activated in response to a sufficient resistance being applied across the sensing elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The circuit includes a high impedance load, a low impedance load, a capacitor, and a switching element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12035704B2Wash down sensor for electronic rodent traps and method of preventing false triggering using a wash down sensor

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 WOODSTREAM CORP

AI summary

A rodent monitoring or killing mechanism includes a housing body having a resistive sensor and a wash down sensor operatively coupled to the resistive sensor. The wash down sensor distinguishes between the presence of water within the housing body and the presence of a rodent according to at least one measurement of resistance from the resistive sensor. The at least one measurement of resistance is created by contact of the resistance sensor with the water or the rodent.