Summary of IoT Mouse-Friendly Live Trap
This article details an IoT-based humane mouse trap that uses a proximity sensor to detect mice and trigger a servo motor to close the door. The system sends instant email or message notifications upon capture and allows remote release via a web interface. The design utilizes Google Sketchup, Qcad, and Inkscape for modeling, with a wooden enclosure cut by a laser cutter and acrylic windows from a CD box.
Parts used in the IoT Mouse-Friendly Live Trap:
- Sparkfun 8266 Thing
- Ir proximity sensor
- Small servo motor
- Laser-cut wooden enclosure
- Acrylic part of a CD box
- Cayenne library for Arduino
This is a trap to capture the mice without hurting them, so you can release them outside. If the proximity sensor detects the mouse, the Servo motor will close the door. You will receive an instant message and/or an Email, to inform you that you captured a mouse. When you are not at home or to far away, you can release the mouse, wherever you are.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/LA21193Wel4
Step 1: The Design in 3D and the 2D File
As always, I still use Google Sketchup 8 to visualize my idea. Other programs I use are Qcad and Inkscape.
Step 2: Electronic and Software
In this project I use the Sparkfun 8266 Thing, an Ir proximity sensor and a small servo motor.
To use the cayenne library in Arduino you can download the library here
Step 3: 3-wire Reflective LR Sensor.
There are different versions of this LR modules. I took this one, because when it is mounted, you can easy access the trimmer to adjust the distance. So far I found 3 different Models on the internet. All of this three worked fine on this project.
Model 01 Is the one I finally used.
Model 02 same as Model 01 but a different pinout.
Model 03 Easy to find, but you have to solder the Ir diodes on the other side of the PCB, otherwise you can not access the rotary potentiometer.
Step 4: The Enclosure
I used a laser cutter to create the wooden version of the mousetrap. I tried to design the optimal box. Here you can see how the housing is assembled together. For the windows I used the acrylic part of a CD box.
Read more: IoT Mouse-Friendly Live Trap
- How does the trap detect a mouse?
The proximity sensor detects the mouse and triggers the servo motor to close the door. - Can I release the mouse remotely?
Yes, you can release the mouse wherever you are when not at home or too far away. - What software is used to visualize the design?
Google Sketchup 8 is used to visualize the idea, along with Qcad and Inkscape. - Which microcontroller board is used in this project?
The Sparkfun 8266 Thing is used as the main electronic component. - How are notifications sent to the user?
You receive an instant message and/or an Email to inform you that a mouse was captured. - What material is used for the enclosure windows?
The windows are made from the acrylic part of a CD box. - Are there different models of the LR sensor available?
Yes, three different models were found, all working fine on this project. - Why was Model 01 chosen for the sensor?
Model 01 was chosen because the trimmer is easily accessible after mounting.
