DE102022107135A1 - Trap for controlling pests - Google Patents

Abstract

Trap for combating pests, in particular rats and mice, comprising a catching device (12) with a movably mounted catching element (24), an electric drive device (14) for driving the catching element (24), and at least one catching sensor (48) for detecting a Pest, wherein the drive device (14) is set up to drive the catching element (24) as a function of a detection signal from the catching sensor (48).

Description

The present invention relates to a trap for controlling pests, in particular rats and mice.

Traps for controlling pests are generally known, for example in the form of snap traps. A snap trap has a spring clip that is initially pre-tensioned using a trigger to arm the trap. The trigger element responds particularly easily to a touch, so that the spring clip is immediately released, particularly in the event of minor contact with a rat, and automatically carries out a striking movement to kill the rat.

Snap traps have several disadvantages. On the one hand, a snap trap can only catch one rat or other pest at a time; once the trap is triggered, it has to be set and baited again each time. In order to effectively combat a pest infestation, it is therefore necessary to operate several traps in parallel and to regularly visit the trapping site to remove caught rats and reload the traps. There is also a risk of false triggering, as the traps can easily be triggered by free objects or by other animals or even people. The theoretically achievable fishing performance is therefore significantly reduced in practice. In addition, animals that are not intended to be caught by the trap can be injured. This should be avoided for animal welfare reasons.

There is a need for improved means of controlling pests, particularly rats, mice and the like.

The object of the invention is achieved according to a first aspect by a trap with the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the trap has a catching device with a movably mounted catching element, an electrical drive device for driving the catching element, and at least one catching sensor for detecting a pest comprises, wherein the drive device is set up to drive the catching element depending on a detection signal from the catching sensor.

The trapping sensor makes it possible to dispense with conventional mechanical triggering elements, the configuration of which is always a challenge even for the experienced trap hunter and is often a reason for unsatisfactory trapping success. The use of a capture sensor, on the one hand, enables higher capture reliability because a capture sensor, which can be formed, for example, by an optical or capacitive sensor, can detect the presence of a pest much more precisely than a mechanically actuated trigger element. On the other hand, the capture sensor creates the possibility of catching a large number of pests with just one trap, because the capture sensor can easily detect multiple pests - even at a time interval. It is therefore no longer necessary to re-arm the trap by adjusting a trigger element after catching a pest in question.

The trap according to the invention is also advantageously equipped with a drive device which drives a movable catching element depending on a detection signal from the catching sensor. The trap can thus be selectively activated electrically in order to carry out a respective catching process by driving the catching element. The catching element can also be set up to kill a pest directly. For example, the catching element can deform a pest body through the drive movement in such a way that the pest's death occurs immediately. As a death trap, the trap also meets modern animal ethical considerations.

The possibility of electronically activating the trap by driving the catching element also allows several pests to be caught, especially in succession. For example, the catching element can be repeatedly set in motion by the drive device in response to a respective detection signal from the catching sensor in order to catch several pests one after the other. In particular, this can be done completely automatically, i.e. without carrying out any manual work on the trap. The trap according to the invention thus allows a practically unlimited catching performance while minimizing manual catching work.

The trap can be used advantageously to combat various types of pests, especially rats and mice. However, it could also be used to combat smaller predators such as martens, foxes and cats. Birds such as pigeons can also be caught.

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the description, the figures and the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment, the catching element is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation. In this way, the catching device can be made particularly compact and still be suitable for removing a variety of pests. In particular, several pests can advantageously be caught one after the other, for example by capturing and killing pests one after the other by the catching element. It is also conceivable that several pests are caught at the same time.

The catching element preferably has a plurality of projecting sections arranged around the axis of rotation. On the one hand, these can serve to mechanically capture a pest and move it to a predetermined catching position. On the other hand, the protruding portions can deform a pest body to kill the pest immediately. In this way, the catching element can also serve as a killing element. The protruding sections can in particular be designed as lamellae, which preferably extend parallel to the axis of rotation and radially outwards from a peripheral surface, for example a cylindrical surface of the catching element.

Several types of protruding sections can be provided, which differ from one another in their geometry and/or their mechanical properties. In this way, the trap can be optimized to ensure the most reliable immediate killing effect possible for pests of different sizes. In addition, different catching positions of the pests can be better compensated for. The protruding sections can be designed to be flexible in order to only fatally deform a pest body. However, the pest body is prevented from being torn open.

According to a further embodiment, the trap comprises at least one housing. In particular, the catching device can advantageously be equipped with a housing which encloses at least the catching element. In this way, the catching element can be effectively protected from external influences. In addition, false catches can be avoided.

A gap is preferably formed between the catching element and a section of the housing, which is adapted to the body size of the pest. For example, a gap width can be smaller than an average diameter of the pest to be controlled. This ensures that the body of the pest is deformed during a forced movement through the gap by driving the catching element in the gap in order to kill the pest immediately and reliably. The above-mentioned protruding sections of the catching element can additionally ensure that the pest is moved particularly reliably through the gap and killed in the process. However, the gap width is preferably not so small that the pest body tears open and the inside of the body can escape. To adjust the gap width, the axis of rotation of the catching element can be designed to be adjustable.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the catching device can be coupled to a container for a large number of caught pests. On the one hand, the trap is therefore suitable for combating massive pest infestations, which require the removal of a large number of pests. On the other hand, the trap can also be operated in an environment in which certain hygiene standards must be maintained, for example in food producing companies.

When the trap is operating as intended, the container can be emptied as needed or at regular intervals, allowing the trap to operate continuously. If the catching device is arranged at a distance above a floor when the trap is arranged as intended, the container is preferably arranged between the floor and the catching device in order to couple the container with the catching device. Pests that are killed in the catching device can then fall directly from the catching device into the container arranged under the catching device under the influence of gravity. This minimizes the risk of blockages within the air-termination system. Furthermore, large-volume containers can also be provided that can hold a large number of pests, for example 100 or more. For hygiene reasons, the container can be lined with foil before use.

If the trap is properly arranged on a floor, the container for holding the caught pests can be coupled in a direction parallel to the floor, i.e. in a horizontal direction adjacent to the catching device, in particular immediately adjacent to the catching device. In this way, the trap can be made extremely compact and low in height.

The trap is preferably equipped with a coupling sensor for detecting a predetermined coupling state of the container. In addition, the drive device can be set up to drive the catching element depending on a detection signal from the coupling sensor. In this way it is ensured that the trap is only actively operated when the container is properly installed, ie is coupled to the catching device in a predetermined coupling state in order to pick up pests from the catching device. An accidentally A catch container that is not or incorrectly coupled does not result in trapped pests being released into the immediate vicinity of the trap and causing damage there.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has a sensor system for determining a number of caught pests. For example, the drive device can log the number of drive processes triggered by the capture sensor. If the trap is functioning correctly, the number of drive processes corresponds to the number of pests caught. An additional sensor is not required for this. However, it is also possible to determine the number of pests actually picked up in the container using a separate detection sensor. This can be designed, for example, as an optical sensor, e.g. a light barrier, which monitors an area of the trap which the pest necessarily passes through when the pest is picked up into the container. The number of pests caught can therefore be determined particularly reliably.

According to a further embodiment, the drive device is set up to drive the catching element depending on the determined number of pests. For example, the drive device can be set up to only drive the catching element depending on the detection signal of the catching sensor (and possibly the coupling sensor) if the determined number of pests is less than or equal to the maximum value. If the maximum value is exceeded, however, the drive device is preferably blocked from driving the catching element. In this way, overfilling of the container and the collecting device can be avoided. The maximum value is preferably adapted to the capacity of the container.

Instead of a collecting container, an automatic transport system for removing killed pests can also be provided.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has a communication interface in order to transmit status data of the trap to a predetermined receiver and/or to receive control data for the drive device. The status data can include, for example, the number of pests caught and/or a status indication as to whether the maximum value has been reached and the container needs to be emptied. The control data can include, for example, an arming signal or disarming signal for the air-termination device. The drive device can be activated by receiving an arming signal, so that the catching element is driven depending on a detection signal from the catching sensor and possibly other sensor signals. However, after receiving a disarming signal, the drive device is deactivated so that no further pests are caught. The trap can therefore be conveniently monitored and controlled, particularly from a distance.

The communication interface can in particular be a wireless interface. This can, for example, be designed so that the trap can be connected directly to a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone or tablet (e.g. the interface can be designed as a Bluetooth interface or the like). Alternatively or additionally, the interface can also be designed for connection to a wireless network (e.g. a WLAN or a mobile phone network) in order to be able to connect the trap to a terminal device via the wireless network.

The trap is preferably configured to transmit a message with the status data via the communication interface to a predetermined recipient at regular intervals and/or event-controlled (e.g. when the maximum holding capacity of the container is reached). For example, the message can be sent in the form of an email to a predetermined email address or as a short message to a predetermined mobile phone number.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has at least one, preferably several movably mounted feed elements, which generally serve to feed one or more pests to the catching element. Each of the feed elements can be movable between a focusing position and a catching position. When a feed element is in focus, a passage to the catching device is created at least in sections, so that the pest is able to approach the catching device voluntarily or forcibly, for example by moving one of the feed elements. In the trapping position, however, the passage is at least modified in such a way that the pest can no longer easily move away from the trapping device. For example, the passage from the catching device to the outside can be restricted in sections in the catching position in order to completely prevent or at least hinder the pest from escaping from the trap.

The feed elements can each be moved between the focusing position and the catching position by passive or active drive means. Active drive means can in particular be provided by the drive device in that it is adapted to at least one of the To move feed elements between the focusing position and the catching position.

The drive device can have separate drive units for driving the feed elements and the catching element, which can in particular be based on different drive types. For example, the catching element can be driven by an electric motor and the feed elements can each be driven by a pneumatic cylinder or another type of drive cylinder, as will be explained further below.

According to a further embodiment, the drive device is adapted to drive at least one of the feed elements as a function of the detection signal of the capture sensor and/or as a function of a detection signal of a further capture sensor, in particular a presence sensor. In this way, demand-oriented control of the feed elements and the catching element can be achieved. In particular, it is possible to only drive the catching element in response to the catching sensor when at least one of the feed elements has been brought into the catching position.

Preferably, several feed elements are provided, each of which is driven between the focusing position and the catching position depending on different sensor signals. For example, a first feed element can be driven depending on a first capture sensor and the second feed element can be driven depending on a second capture sensor. In one embodiment, the first capture sensor detects whether the second feed element has assumed the capture position, with the second capture sensor detecting the presence of a pest. The feed elements can thus be adjusted in a targeted manner in order to enable reliable and safe fishing operations and to avoid unnecessary movements of individual feed elements.

According to a further embodiment, a first feed element is formed by a pivotable flap, which in the focusing position opens a passage between an inlet area and a catching area of the trap and closes the passage in the catching position. Preferably, a pivoting area of the flap extends into the inlet area. In this way, when moving from the focusing position to the catching position, the flap can transfer a pest detected in the pivoting area into the catching area. The flap can accordingly be designed as a driver element in order to reliably move one or more pests into the catch area.

According to a further embodiment, the drive device is equipped with a sensor system which detects jamming of the flap between the focusing position and the catching position (e.g. due to a blockage of the flap or excessive driving force). As soon as the sensor system detects that the flap is blocked, it is automatically moved back into focus, in particular to release a jammed object. This could be, for example, a pest that has become trapped between the flap and the passage. The anti-trap protection also serves to ensure the safety of people, such as children, who enter the trap with one arm and whose hand is subsequently trapped when the flap drive is triggered.

According to a further embodiment, a second feed element has a pivotable base plate, which in the focus position rests on a base section of the trap or forms a base section of the trap and is inclined in the catching position towards the catching element. This configuration is useful for moving a pest directly onto the plate, particularly with the aid of the first feed element. In addition, the pest can be moved with the help of the base plate by moving it into the catching position. In the catching position, the plate preferably forms a slide, so that the pest is forced to slide into the catching element and this can act on the pest in the intended manner.

According to a further embodiment, the drive device has at least one drive cylinder for driving at least one of the feed elements. The drive cylinder comprises, for example, a cylinder with a drive element that can be variably inserted into the cylinder, such as a piston. The feed elements can be pivotally connected to the drive cylinder in order to be able to move them between the focusing position and the catching position with little effort.

The drive cylinder is preferably designed as a pneumatic cylinder. The feed elements can therefore be moved particularly quickly, i.e. with a very short delay of a few milliseconds and with little noise between the focusing position and the catching position. In addition, it is preferred that several feed elements can each be moved mechanically independently of one another by a pneumatic cylinder.

The pneumatic cylinders are preferably acted upon by a common pressure accumulator, which is kept under pressure by a compressor. The capacity of the pressure storage can be dimensioned so that the volume is sufficient for several drive processes between the catching and focusing positions, in particular for all feed elements. Noisy operation of the compressor to pressurize the pressure accumulator can thereby be minimized. In this way, the catching performance can be guaranteed for several catching processes in a row without any pests being kept away from the trap by activating the compressor. A variant without a compressor is also conceivable, in which the pressure accumulator is designed as a cartridge that is replaced if necessary.

According to a further embodiment, the trap comprises a feed device connected to the catching device in order to feed the pests to the catching device. The feed device can, for example, connect a floor in the vicinity of the trap with the catching device, which in turn can be arranged adjacent to the floor or at a distance above the floor.

The feed device can have a hollow body in sections, for example in the form of a tube or a hose. Furthermore, one or more movable feed elements, in particular as described above, can form components of the feed device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the feed device opens into the catching device with a mouth section. In addition, a bait area of the trap can be arranged at a distance from the mouth section. Here, the catching element can advantageously be arranged at least essentially between the mouth section and the bait area. The pests are thus attracted directly to the trapping element, which is monitored by the trapping sensor. As soon as the pest is detected by the capture sensor, the capture element can be set in motion by the drive device in order to carry out the capture. At the time of detection, the pest can already be partially sitting on the catching element, for example with two legs, so that the pest is directly moved by the catching element and, for example, transported through a gap in order to kill the pest. The catching element can also be arranged slightly offset, so that the catching element forms an extended bottom of the feed device.

A capture sensor can generally be arranged adjacent to a bait position in such a way that a pest is reliably detected before reaching the bait position. This minimizes bait consumption. This is particularly advantageous when there are a large number of consecutive catching operations.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has a flap that can be pivoted from a closed position in a first direction and is blocked for pivoting from the closed position in a second direction. The flap is preferably also designed to pivot automatically into the closed position. The flap can further increase catch reliability. For example, the flap on the feed device can be arranged in such a way that a pest that has once passed through the flap from the outside to the inside can no longer push the flap open from the inside. The pest is then already caught in the trap and will reach the catching element within a very short time in order to complete the catching process by driving the catching element.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has an energy supply, in particular in order to electrically supply the drive device, the catch sensor and possibly other sensors and consumers. The trap can have a connection for a central power source for energy supply. Alternatively or additionally, the trap can have an energy storage device, e.g. a rechargeable battery or a battery, for energy supply, so that the trap can be operated independently.

According to a further embodiment, the trap has a floating body in order to be able to operate the trap on a body of water. For example, the floating body allows the trap to be operated in drainage ditches, which are often frequented by rats, especially muskrats, and thus represent a favorable trapping area.

The object of the invention is achieved according to a second aspect by a method for combating pests, in particular rats and mice, comprising at least the following steps: detecting a pest in a capture area and electrically driving a capture element depending on the detection in order to capture the pest . Preferably, the method further comprises deforming the pest with the capture element to kill the pest. Individual process features that have been described in connection with the trap can also form components of the process.

The invention is described below purely by way of example with reference to the drawings, with further advantageous details being disclosed. Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numbers.

• 1 eine Perspektivansicht einer Falle zur Bekämpfung von Ratten gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Falle von 1 (2a) und eine Draufsicht auf die Falle von 1 von oben (2b);
• 3 eine weitere Seitenansicht der Falle von 1;
• 4 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Perspektivansicht von 1 ;
• 5 eine Perspektivansicht einer Falle zur Bekämpfung von Ratten gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 6 die Falle von 5 in einer teilweise freigestellten Ansicht;
• 7 die Falle von 6 in einer ersten Seitenansicht;
• 8 die Falle von 6 in einer zweiten Seitenansicht;
• 9 die Falle von 6 in einer Draufsicht auf eine Unterseite;
• 10 die erste Seitenansicht von 7 mit einem in einer Scharfstellung angeordneten Zuführelement;
• 11a die Falle von 8 mit einer Schnittlinie A-A;
• 11b die Falle von 11a in einer Querschnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A;
• 12a die Falle von 8 mit einem in einer Fangstellung angeordneten Zuführelement und einer Schnittlinie B-B;
• 12b die Falle von 12a in einer Querschnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie B-B; und
• 13 die Falle von 8 mit einem in einer Fangstellung angeordneten Zuführelement.

The drawings show in detail:

• 1 a perspective view of a trap for controlling rats according to a first embodiment;
• 2 a side view of the trap of 1 ( 2a) and a top view of the trap of 1 from above ( 2 B) ;
• 3 another side view of the trap from 1 ;
• 4 an enlarged detail of the perspective view of 1 ;
• 5 a perspective view of a trap for controlling rats according to a second embodiment;
• 6 the trap of 5 in a partially cropped view;
• 7 the trap of 6 in a first side view;
• 8th the trap of 6 in a second side view;
• 9 the trap of 6 in a top view of a bottom;
• 10 the first side view of 7 with a feed element arranged in a focus position;
• 11a the trap of 8th with a cutting line AA;
• 11b the trap of 11a in a cross-sectional view along section line AA;
• 12a the trap of 8th with a feed element arranged in a catching position and a cutting line BB;
• 12b the trap of 12a in a cross-sectional view along the section line BB; and
• 13 the trap of 8th with a feed element arranged in a catching position.

1 shows a rat trap 10 in a perspective view obliquely from above, the trap 10 being designed according to a first embodiment. The trap 10 has a catching device 12 with a catching element 24 mounted inside the catching device 12 and a drive device 14 arranged adjacent to the catching device 12 for driving the catching element 24. The catching device 12 and the drive device 14 each have a housing which is partially transparent in order to be able to examine the interior of the units 12, 14 from the outside.

The catching device 12 and the drive device 14 are arranged at a distance above a base plate 18, which, when the trap 10 is arranged as intended, rests on a floor and carries the components of the trap 10. To fix the base plate 18, several drill holes 19 are provided, which are preferably arranged in the outer corners of the base plate 18. The base plate 18 can, for example, be attached to a floor using several screws (not shown). Undesirable movements of the trap 10 can be prevented in this way.

Below the catching device 12 and the drive device 14 there is a collecting container 16 which is used to hold a large number of rats or other pests killed in the catching device 12. The collecting container 16 is located in 1 in a position coupled to the catching device 12, in which the container 16 can receive the rats from the catching device 12. The collecting container 16 can optionally be decoupled in order to empty it. This can be done in particular by a user of the trap 10, not shown, by removing the container 16 using a handle 17 in order to remove the rat carcasses contained in the container 16 (not shown).

The trap 10 also has a feed device 20 with a tube 22 which connects the area of the base plate 18 with the catching device 12.

In 2a is the trap 10 of 1 shown in a side view. It can be seen that the tube 22 in the area of the base plate 18 is provided with an input section 30 which rests on the base plate 18 and supports the tube 22. The entrance section 30 has an opening through which a rat to be caught enters the tube 22 and climbs up inside the tube 22 to the catching device 12. The tube 22 opens into the housing of the catching device 12 with a mouth section 28 and is connected to it. Rats or other pests can therefore only get into the catching device 12 via the pipe 22. Due to the dimensioning of the pipe diameter and the relatively steep rise towards the catching device 12, it is very likely that only rats or the desired pests will penetrate the catching device 12. False catches are thus avoided.

In 2a It can also be seen that the trap 10 has a frame 32 which carries the catching device 12 and the drive device 14. In addition, the container 16 is suspended on the frame 32.

In 2 B the trap 10 is shown in a plan view from above. The pipe 22 is in the area of the entrance section 30 compared to the area the mouth section 28 is rotated by approximately 90°. The length 40 of the trap 10 is therefore relatively short, in the present example about 65 cm. A width 42 of the trap is approximately 22 cm. However, other external dimensions are possible.

In 3 the trap 10 is shown in an enlarged side view with a perspective of the tube 22. The input section 30 is shown in a cross-sectional view. It can be seen that the input section 30 has a flap 34 which is rotatably mounted on a pivot axis 36, the flap 34 being pivotable inwards in a pivoting direction 38. The flap 34 can thus be pivoted from the outside inwards by a rat under pressure in order to open the entrance section 30. After the rat has penetrated the entrance section 30 in this way and climbs further into the pipe 22, the flap 34 automatically pivots into the in 3 closed position shown. In the closed position, the flap 34 cannot be pivoted counter to the pivoting direction 38, ie outwards. The rat is thus trapped in the tube 22 after passing through the flap 34.

A height 44 of the trap 10 is approximately 80 centimeters, although the trap 10 can in principle also have a different height.

In 4 is the trap 10 of 1 shown in an enlarged perspective view, which is described below. The catching element 24 is rotatably mounted on a rotation axis 46 of the catching device 12 and has a cylindrical body. A plurality of long slats 50 and a plurality of short slats 52 extend from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 46 and protrude radially outwards. The long slats 50 and short slats 52 are arranged alternately and distributed at regular intervals around the axis of rotation 46.

Out of 4 It can also be seen that a gap 58 is formed between the cylindrical peripheral surface of the catching element 24 and a housing wall 60 of the catching device 12, the function of which is described below. In addition, a catching sensor 48 is arranged on the catching device 12 for monitoring a monitoring area 54 which adjoins the catching element 24. The capture sensor 48 is designed as a light barrier and is connected to the drive device 14. This is set up to have an in 4 to control the electric motor of the drive device 14, not shown in detail, for driving the catching element 24 as a function of a detection signal from the catching sensor 48. For this purpose, the drive device 14 can have an electrical control unit, not shown in detail.

The operation of the trap 10 according to the first embodiment of 1 until 4 is as follows. After a rat (not shown) has passed the entrance section 30, it climbs over the pipe 22 to the catching device 12 and penetrates it. By means of a suitable bait, which is arranged via a bait opening 26 in the housing of the catching device 12 opposite the mouth section 28, the rat is persuaded to climb onto the catching element 24 in order to reach the bait. Here, the rat penetrates into the monitoring area 54 of the capture sensor 48 and thereby triggers a detection signal from the capture sensor 48, which is received by the drive device 14. In response to receiving the detection signal, the drive device 14 activates the electric motor to drive the catching element 24 in a direction of rotation 62. The rat sitting on the catching element 24 is first moved towards the gap 58 by the rotational movement and is moved through the gap 58 by further rotational movement. The rat suffers fatal contusions, particularly due to the slats 50, 52, which directly cause the death of the rat in accordance with animal welfare. By further rotation, the rat is transported completely through the gap 58 and then automatically falls through the passage 56 into the collecting container 16.

The drive device 14 is set up to automatically switch off the electric motor after a predetermined period of time or after a predetermined rotation, for example a complete revolution of the catching element 24. For this purpose, the drive device 14 can be equipped with time measuring means and/or a rotation angle detection device, for example an angle encoder.

The capture process for a rat in question is now complete. However, the trap 10 remains ready to kill other rats in the same way and transport them into the collection container 16.

As soon as the drive device 14 has determined a predetermined maximum number of activations, an automatic message about this is transmitted to the operator of the trap 10 via a communication interface (not shown) of the trap 10. In addition, trap 10 is blocked for further activations. The operator of the trap 10 can then empty the container 16 at the next opportunity and reset the counter of the drive device 14 for the number of activations in order to arm the trap 10 again and enable further catches. Furthermore, the bait is replaced if necessary. When the maximum number of activations is reached again, the drive device 14 switches on again automatically blurred to avoid overfilling the container 16.

With reference to the 5 until 13 A second embodiment of the trap 10 is described below.

In 5 the trap 10 is shown in a perspective view obliquely from above. The trap 10 has a cuboid housing 68 with two handles 76 arranged on the top. The trap 10 rests in sections against a room boundary 70, which includes a wall 72 and a floor 74, with the underside of the trap 10 resting on the floor 74 and resting on the side of the wall 72. The trap 10 is in a proper catching arrangement. The contact of the trap 10 against the wall 72 is optional, but improves catching success in interior rooms.

The housing 68 is coupled at the front to a container 16 for holding the rat carcasses and has an inlet area 78 on the opposite end, through which the rats to be caught can penetrate into the interior of the trap 10. The housing section resting against the wall 72 is supported on the underside with an inwardly bent bottom tab 80, which delimits a free area 82 of the inlet area 78. The floor 74 is exposed in the free area 82. The pests to be caught therefore do not have to tolerate any changed soil conditions when entering the inlet area. As a result, the trap has 10 better catching results.

Trap 10 is in 6 shown in another perspective view. Deviating from 5 the outer shell of the housing 68 is partially not shown in order to show the interior of the trap 10. That's how it is 6 in particular the catching device 12 with the rotatably mounted catching element 24 is shown. The functional principle of the catching device 12 corresponds to that of the first embodiment of, with the exception of adjustments to the shape of the trap 1 until 4 . A gap 58 is formed between the catching element 24 and the underside of the trap 10 and extends along a ramp 84 to a passage 56 opening into the container 16. By rotating the catching element 24 in the direction of rotation 62, a rat to be caught is transported through the gap 58 and additionally along the ramp 84 into the container 16. The rat suffers the fatal bruises predominantly in the area of the underside of the trap 10 because the gap 58 is the smallest there. Along the ramp 84, the gap width gradually increases, so that the rat is transported up to the passage 56 by further rotating the catching element 24 without tearing the body open due to continuous stress.

In 6 A pivotally mounted flap 86 and a pivotally mounted plate 88 are also shown, which are designed to successively feed a rat that has penetrated into the inlet area 78 to the catching element 24 and to avoid false catches, as will be further described below.

The plate 88 is moved between a focusing position and a catching position by a drive cylinder 92 connected to the underside of the trap 10. In 6 the plate 88 is shown in the catching position, in which the plate 88 is inclined towards the catching element 24. One or more rats arranged on the plate 88 inevitably slip into the gap 58 in order to be reliably captured there by the catching element 24 as described.

The plate 88 has a side guide 90 in the form of a vertically raised edge to prevent the rat from falling sideways from the plate 88 before it has reached the gap 58.

7 shows the trap 10 of 6 in a side view of the side of the trap 10 facing the wall 72. The flap 86 is different from 6 shown in the focused position in which the flap surface 86 is aligned substantially parallel to the floor 74 ( 5 ) and a passage 94 between the inlet area 78 and a catch area 118 upstream of the catch element 24 (cf. 6 ). In the in 6 In the catching position of the flap 86 shown, in which the flap surface is aligned perpendicular to the floor 72, the passage 94 is closed by the flap 86, so that a rat arranged in the catching area 18 is caught in the catching area 118. The passage 94 is formed in a center wall of the housing 68, which separates the inlet area 78 and the capture area 118 from one another.

A drive cylinder 96 is provided to drive the flap 86. This is pivotally connected at one end to the flap 86 and at the other end pivotally connected to a fixed housing section 122 of the trap 10 (cf. 10 ). The drive cylinder 96, like the drive cylinder 92, is designed as a pneumatic cylinder for driving the plate 88.

The cylinders 92 and 96 are each supplied with compressed air from a pressure accumulator 100 in order to move the flap 86 or the plate 88 from the focus position to the catch position. For this purpose, the cylinders 92 and 96 are pressurized with compressed air in such a way that the cylinders 92 and 96 each lengthen by extending a piston. This one before gear is controlled by a control unit 98, as will be explained in more detail below.

In order to move the flap 86 and the plate 88 back into the focus position, the compressed air is released from the cylinders 92 and 96, whereby the pistons are automatically moved back into the cylinders by spring balancers integrated into the cylinders 92 and 96. The flap 86 and the plate 88 are therefore each biased into the focusing position via spring tensioners. In this way it is ensured that in the event of a failure of the control unit 98, a loss of pressure in the pressure accumulator 100 or a pneumatic supply line, the flap 86 and the plate 88 are each brought into focus. The passage 94 is therefore open for safety reasons if the trap 10 fails.

The pressure accumulator 100 is pressurized to a predetermined pressure by an electric compressor 102, for example 10 bar. This is sufficient to hold the flap 86 and the plate 88 in the context of several consecutive catching processes, for example 20 catching processes, each between the focusing position and the catching position to be able to drive. The operating frequency of the compressor 102 is reduced accordingly.

The drive cylinders 92 and 96 are each electrically connected to the control unit 98. The pressure valves of the drive cylinders 92 and 96 (not shown) are controlled by the control unit 98 in response to sensor signals to pivot the flap 86 and the plate 88 between the focus position and the capture position, respectively.

In 7 the axis of rotation 46 of the catching element 24 is indicated as an axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the paper, the catching element 24 being drivable by an electric motor 120. The electric motor 120 (preferably a 12-volt DC motor) is also connected to the control unit 98 to drive the catching element 24 in response to a sensor signal, as will be explained in more detail below.

The receptacle 16 is closed with a lid 69. This can optionally be pivoted into an open position in order to empty the contents of the container 16. For this purpose, the container can be decoupled from the housing 68. To monitor the coupling state, the trap 10 is equipped with a coupling sensor, not shown, which is connected to the control unit 98. The control unit 98 preferably only supports an active catching operation of the trap 10 when the coupling sensor indicates a correctly coupled container.

8th shows the trap 10 from an opposite side. The plate 88 is located differently from 6 and 7 in the focus position, in which the plate 88 extends parallel to the floor 74 and rests on the trap floor of the trap 10 (cf. 5 ). The plate 88 has an elongated shape so that several pests can fit on the plate 88 at the same time and be caught in parallel.

By applying compressed air from the pressure accumulator 100 to the drive cylinder 92, the plate 88 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 110 until it reaches the in 6 occupies the catching position shown. For this purpose, one end of the drive cylinder 92 is pivotally connected to a section 130 of the trap base and the other end is pivotally connected to a connecting element 108 (cf. 8th and 13 ). The connecting element 108 is in turn firmly connected to the plate 88 and extends as in, for example 8th shown vertically away from the plate 88. The plate 88 is movably mounted on the latch 10 via the pivot axis 106.

The plate 88 is preferably equipped with a damping element on the underside to avoid loud noises when the plate 88 is pivoted into focus and hits the trap floor (not shown).

The control unit 98, the compressor 102 and the sensors described in more detail below are electrically supplied with a battery 104. Alternatively or additionally, a mains power supply for electrical supply can be provided via a mains connection (not shown).

9 shows the trap 10 in a view of the underside, which, when arranged as intended, faces the floor 74 (cf. 6 ). The previously described division of the trap 10 into the inlet area 78 and the catch area 118 is made clear again. Furthermore, a pivot axis 112 of the flap 86 is entered, which is aligned parallel to a longitudinal extent of the trap 10. The flap 86 is pivoted about the pivot axis 112 when the flap 86 is moved between the focus position and the capture position. For example, the flap 86 is pivoted from the focus position into the pivoting direction 126 in order to assume the catching position, which is in 11 b and 12b is shown.

In 9 and 10 A presence sensor 114 is also indicated, which is set up to detect the presence of a pest in a monitoring area 116. The monitoring area 116 lies within the inlet area 78 and extends centrally through the Flap 86 when the flap 86 is in the focused position. In this way it is ensured that a pest is only detected when it is located centrally below the flap 86. In addition, the pest is reliably captured by the flap 86 when it is pivoted from the focusing position into the catching position.

The presence sensor 114 is formed by an optical sensor, which detects a change in reflectivity by emitting a measuring beam and detects the presence of a pest in the monitoring area 116 by comparing it with a threshold value (not shown). However, other sensor types are conceivable. The flap 86 has a central opening 113, so that the sensor 114 can monitor the monitoring area 116 through the flap 86 when the flap 86 is in the focus position (cf. 9 ).

Trap 10 is in 10 shown in another side view, similar to that of 7 corresponds, with the flap 86 differing from 7 is in the catching position. When the flap 86 is in the catching position, the passage 94 is closed by the flap 86 so that pests cannot penetrate through the passage 94. In this context, the opening 113 in the flap 86 is dimensioned so that pests cannot penetrate through it and consequently escape from the trap 10 when the flap 86 is in the catching position.

11a corresponds to the view of 8th , whereby a cross-section line AA is also entered. The corresponding cross-sectional view is in 11b shown. 12a and 12b are equivalent to 11 a and 11b , where the corresponding cross-sectional line is designated BB and the flap 86 differs from 11 a and 11b is in the catching position. 13 corresponds 8th , whereby the plate 88 is differently in the catching position (see also 6 ).

Aspects of an exemplary control sequence of the trap 10 for catching a rat are described below. The rat enters the interior of the trap 10 through the inlet area 78. The rat initially remains within the free area 82 (cf. 5 ). If the rat enters the monitoring area 116, a first sensor signal is transmitted to the control unit 98 by the presence sensor 114. In response to the first sensor signal, the control unit 98 controls the drive cylinder 96 to move the flap 86 out of the focus position (cf. e.g 11a and 11b) to pivot in the pivoting direction 126 until the flap 86 assumes the catching position, in which the flap 86 closes the passage 94 (cf. e.g 12a , 12b and 7 ). The rat is captured by the flap 86 and transferred to the plate 88 arranged in the capture area 118. The drive cylinder 96 is pivotally connected to the flap 86 via the pivot point 128 (cf. 12b) .

The flap 86 has on the outer edge a bending section 124 that is bent inwards, ie in the pivoting direction 126 (cf. 11 b) . As a result, the rat is captured particularly reliably by the flap 86 and transferred to the plate 88. In addition, the risk of the rat becoming trapped between the flap 86 and the passage 94 is significantly reduced.

If, contrary to expectations, a rat becomes trapped, which could be the case in particular if there are several rats in the inlet area 78 while the flap 86 is being activated, this will be detected by the control unit 98 and, as a result, an anti-trap mechanism will be activated. The flap 86 is then immediately pivoted back into the focus position in order to release the trapped rat again.

To control the trap 10, the control unit 98 is connected to a catch position sensor, not shown, which detects whether the flap 86 is in the catch position or not. This is preferably designed as an electromechanical switch which is mechanically actuated by the flap 86 when the flap 86 is in the catch position.

To implement anti-pinch protection, the control unit 98 additionally has a time measuring device in order to monitor a first predetermined period of time within which the flap 86 should be pivoted from the focus position into the catch position after activation of the drive cylinder 96.

The time measuring device is activated at the same time as the first sensor signal. If the capture position sensor for detecting the capture position does not output a second sensor signal within the first predetermined period of time, this indicates that the flap 86 is blocked between the focus position and the capture position, in particular by a trapped rat. The absence of the second sensor signal within the intended period of time is detected by the control unit 98. As a result, the control unit 98 controls the drive cylinder 96 in the opposite pivoting direction in order to pivot the flap 86 back into the focus position.

As long as the movement path is not blocked, the flap 86 is as intended by the Focusing is pivoted into the catch position and the second sensor signal is received within the predetermined period of time. The rat captured by the flap 86 is then on the plate 88. The plate 88 essentially completely covers the ground within the catch area 118, so that it can actually be assumed that the rat is on the plate 88.

In response to the second sensor signal, the control unit 98 controls the drive cylinder 92 to move the plate 88 out of focus (cf. 11a and 12a) to pivot into the catching position (cf. 13 ). At the same time, the control unit 98 activates the electric motor 120 to drive the catching element 24 in the direction of rotation 62 (cf. 6 and 8th ). As a result, the rat 88 slips into the catching element 24 as described above in order to be transported through the gap 58 and the passage 56 into the receptacle 16 in an immediately killing manner.

The electric motor 120 is deactivated again after a second predetermined period of time. In addition, after the second period of time has elapsed, the drive cylinders 92 and 96 are activated in order to pivot the plate 88 and the flap 86 back into the respective focus position. The trap 10 is therefore automatically ready to catch again within a very short time after a catching process has been completed in order to catch rats or other pests again.

The control unit 98 is also adapted to detect a blocking of the catching element 24, in particular by increasing the motor current through the electric motor 120 above a predetermined threshold value. If the control unit 98 detects that the catching element 24 is blocked, the electric motor 120 is immediately deactivated in order to avoid the electric motor 120 burning out. In the event of an error-related deactivation of the electric motor 120, the control unit 98 generates an error signal and transmits this via a wireless communication interface to a predetermined receiver in order to inform the operator of the trap 10 about the error.

The control unit 98 is also adapted to count the number of completed catching operations and, when a predetermined number matched to the capacity of the container 16 is reached, to generate an information signal and to transmit it to the predetermined receiver via the communication interface in order to inform the operator of the trap 10 when the maximum fishing capacity has been reached. For example, the complete catching processes can be determined by the number of deactivations of the electric motor 120 after the second period of time has elapsed.

The control unit 98 can put the trap 10 into a rest state when the catching capacity is reached, in which certain energy consumers, in particular the presence sensor 114 and the compressor 102, are deactivated. In addition, the control unit 98 can enter a standby mode in which the energy consumption of the control unit 98 is minimized. The discharge of the battery 104 is minimized in this way.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

10

Cases

12

Catching device

14

Drive device

16

Collection container

17

Handle

18

base plate

19

borehole

20

Feeding device

22

Pipe

24

Catch element

26

Bait opening

28

Mouth section

30

Entrance section

32

frame

34

flap

36

Pivot axis

38

Swivel direction

40

length

42

Width

44

Height

46

Axis of rotation

48

Catch sensor

50

Long lamella

52

short slat

54

Monitoring area

56

passage

58

gap

60

housing wall

62

Direction of rotation

68

Housing

69

Lid

70

Limitation of space

72

Wall

74

Floor

76

Handle

78

Inlet area

80

Bottom tab

82

Open area

84

ramp

86

flap

88

plate

90

guide

92

Drive cylinder

94

passage

96

Drive cylinder

98

Control unit

100

Compressed air storage

102

compressor

104

battery

106

Pivot axis

108

connecting element

110

Swivel device

112

Pivot axis

113

opening

114

Presence sensor

116

Monitoring area

118

Catch area

120

Electric motor

122

Section

124

bending section

126

Swivel direction

128

Pivot point

130

Section

Claims (12)

Trap for combating pests, in particular rats and mice, comprising a catching device (12) with a movably mounted catching element (24), an electric drive device (14) for driving the catching element (24), and at least one catching sensor (48) for detecting a Pest, wherein the drive device (14) is set up to drive the catching element (24) as a function of a detection signal from the catching sensor (48). Fall after Claim 1 , wherein the catching element (24) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (46) and preferably has a plurality of protruding sections, in particular slats (50, 52), arranged around the axis of rotation (46). Fall after Claim 1 or 2 , comprising a housing (68), wherein a gap (58) is formed between the catching element (24) and a section of the housing (60), which is adapted to a body size of the pest. Trap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the catching device (12) can be coupled to a container (16) for a large number of caught pests, in particular wherein the container (16) when the trap (10) is arranged as intended on a floor (74) in a Horizontal direction or a vertical direction is arranged adjacent to the catching device (12) in order to couple the container (16) with the catching device (12), the trap (10) preferably having a coupling sensor for detecting a predetermined coupling state of the container (16), and wherein the drive device (14) is set up to drive the catching element (24) as a function of a detection signal from the coupling sensor. Trap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trap (10) has a communication interface in order to transmit status data of the trap (10) to a predetermined receiver and/or to receive control data for the drive device (14). Trap according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of movably mounted feed elements (86, 88) for feeding a pest to the catching element (24), each of the feed elements (86, 88) being movable between a focusing position and a catching position, and wherein the focusing position allows the pest to approach the catching device (12) and the catching position prevents the pest from being removed away from the catching device (12). Fall after Claim 6 , the drive device (14) is set up to drive the feed elements (86, 88) in order to move the feed elements (86, 88) between the focusing position and the catching position, in particular wherein the drive device (14) is set up to drive at least one of the Feed elements (86, 88) depending on the detection signal of the capture sensor (48) and/or depending on a detection signal from another capture sensor (114). Fall after Claim 6 or 7 , wherein a first feed element has a pivotable flap (86) which, in the focusing position, opens a passage (94) between an inlet region (78) and a catching region (118) of the trap and closes the passage (94) in the catching position, whereby a pivoting region (126) of the flap (86) extends into the inlet region (78). Trap after one of the Claims 6 until 8th , wherein a second feed element has a pivotable plate (88) which, in the focusing position, rests on a bottom section of the trap or forms a bottom section of the trap and is inclined in the catching position towards the catching element (24). Trap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device (14) has at least one drive cylinder (92, 96), in particular wherein the drive cylinder is designed as a pneumatic cylinder. Method for combating pests, in particular rats and mice, comprising at least the following steps: - detecting a pest in a monitoring area (54, 116), - Electrically driving a catching element (24) depending on the detection in order to catch the pest. Procedure according to Claim 11 , further comprising deforming the pest with the catching element (24) to kill the pest.

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