Intelligent insect trapping device and method for controlling an intelligent insect trapping device

Abstract

The present application provides an intelligent insect capturing device and a method for controlling the same. The intelligent insect capturing device comprises a collecting chamber with a sampling port, which is openably closed by a cover and provided with a first through hole on a plate defining the collecting chamber, which can allow the passage of desired captured insects; an insect lamp arranged in the collecting chamber; and a programmable logic controller arranged in the collecting chamber and in electrical communication with the insect lamp, which can be controlled by a corresponding application program on a computer or a mobile smart terminal device. According to the present application, the personnel capturing insects can remotely control the intelligent insect capturing device to turn on the insect lamp for insect trapping. In this way, the personnel capturing insects do not need to observe and operate in the field at night, which not only saves time and effort, but also avoids mosquito bites.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to insect-catching devices, and more particularly to an intelligent insect-catching device and a method for controlling the intelligent insect-catching device. Background Technology

[0002] In biology teaching and research, it is often necessary to capture insects in fields or the wild as samples for related scientific research. One existing method for capturing insects is using lightbox devices. These devices typically consist of a box and an insect-attracting lamp inside. Insect capture usually takes place at night, where the lamp lures insects into the box. Therefore, personnel must spend the night observing, operating, and collecting samples in the field. This is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also exposes them to mosquito bites, and sometimes they may not even capture the desired species after a whole night. If the lightbox is left in the field until dawn, checking on it may result in a wasted trip if no desired species are found, and sometimes unwanted insects may die from being trapped together in the lightbox for an extended period. Furthermore, leaving the insect-attracting lamp on all night can quickly deplete the batteries, rendering the lightbox unusable.

[0003] Therefore, existing insect-catching devices need to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an intelligent insect-catching device and its control method. The intelligent insect-catching device and its control method according to this invention can overcome at least one of the defects in the prior art described above.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a smart insect-catching device is provided, characterized in that the smart insect-catching device comprises:

[0006] A collection chamber having a sampling port that is closable by an openable cover, and a first through hole provided on the plate defining the collection chamber to allow the insects to be captured to pass through;

[0007] Insect-attracting lamps installed in the collection chamber; and

[0008] A programmable logic controller (PLC) is installed in the collection chamber and electrically connected to the insect-attracting lamp. The PLC can be controlled by a corresponding application on a computer or mobile smart terminal device.

[0009] Preferably, the intelligent insect-catching device further includes a camera disposed in the collection chamber and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller.

[0010] Preferably, the intelligent insect-catching device further includes a tail chamber located adjacent to the collection chamber, and a second through hole is provided on the plate separating the collection chamber and the tail chamber;

[0011] An insect-attracting lamp is installed in the tail chamber and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller, wherein the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp in the tail chamber is greater than the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp in the collection chamber;

[0012] The size of the first through hole is larger than the size of the second through hole, and the size of the first through hole is selected to correspond to the maximum size of the insect to be captured, while the size of the second through hole is selected to correspond to the minimum size of the insect to be captured.

[0013] Preferably, a first sliding door is provided on the outer side panel defining the tail chamber, which is slidable relative to the outer side panel of the tail chamber.

[0014] The rear chamber is also provided with a first electromagnetic drive device for driving the first sliding door and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller. The first electromagnetic drive device includes a first electromagnetic coil unit disposed on the outer side plate of the rear chamber, a first anchor block fixed to the first sliding door and fixedly connected to the first armature rod of the first electromagnetic coil unit, and a first spring disposed between the first electromagnetic coil unit and the first anchor block and through which the first armature rod passes.

[0015] Preferably, the intelligent insect-catching device includes a box divided into an insect-attracting chamber, a collection chamber, and a tail chamber;

[0016] The insect-attracting chamber and the collection chamber are separated by a partition with the first through hole, so that the partition and the box together define the insect-attracting chamber. An insect-attracting hole is formed on the outer side plate defining the insect-attracting chamber. The size of the insect-attracting hole is larger than the size of the first through hole and the size of the second through hole. An insect-attracting lamp with a brightness lower than that of the insect-attracting lamp in the collection chamber and the tail chamber is provided in the insect-attracting chamber.

[0017] The intelligent insect-catching device further includes a drawer portion having a base plate and an end plate vertically disposed at the end of the base plate. A second through hole is disposed on the base plate. One side of the collection chamber is open. The drawer portion can be inserted into the box body from the open side and supported on a guide rail on the opposite side plate of the box body, such that the drawer portion, together with the box body and the partition, defines the collection chamber, and the base plate, together with the box body, defines the tail chamber.

[0018] Preferably, a second sliding door is provided on the outer side panel defining the insect-attracting chamber, which is slidable relative to the outer side panel of the insect-attracting chamber.

[0019] The insect-attracting chamber is also equipped with a second electromagnetic drive device for driving the second sliding door and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller. The second electromagnetic drive device includes a second electromagnetic coil unit disposed on the outer side plate of the insect-attracting chamber, a second anchor block fixed to the second sliding door and fixedly connected to the second armature rod of the second electromagnetic coil unit, and a second spring disposed between the second electromagnetic coil unit and the second anchor block and through which the second armature rod passes.

[0020] Preferably, the outer panel of the insect-attracting chamber is made of a light-transmitting material, and the outer panels of the collecting chamber and the tail chamber are made of an opaque material. The insect-attracting chamber and / or the tail chamber are also provided with a camera electrically connected to the programmable logic controller, and a power supply disposed in one of the insect-attracting chamber, the collecting chamber, and the tail chamber.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the intelligent insect-catching device as described above is provided, characterized in that the method includes remotely controlling the programmable logic controller of the intelligent insect-catching device using a corresponding application on a computer or mobile smart terminal device, thereby controlling the switching on and off of the insect-attracting lamp through the programmable logic controller.

[0022] Preferably, the method further includes remotely controlling the programmable logic controller (PLC) using a corresponding application on the computer or the mobile smart terminal device, thereby controlling the camera of the smart insect-catching device through the PLC.

[0023] Preferably, the method further includes remotely controlling the programmable logic controller (PLC) using a corresponding application on the computer or the mobile smart terminal device, thereby controlling the first electromagnetic drive device of the smart insect-catching device through the PLC to control the opening and closing of the first sliding door of the smart insect-catching device.

[0024] The intelligent insect-catching device and method for controlling the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention allow personnel to remotely operate the device to turn on the insect-attracting lamp for insect trapping. This eliminates the need for personnel to observe and operate the device at night in the field, saving time and effort, and also protecting them from mosquito bites. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1The intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention is schematically shown in a three-dimensional view;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left side view of the intelligent insect-catching device shown;

[0027] Figure 3 The drawer section of the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention is shown schematically in a perspective view;

[0028] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 Sectional view along centerline 4-4; and

[0029] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 Sectional view along centerline 5-5. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to examples. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are exemplary and do not constitute any limitation on the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 The intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention is schematically shown in a three-dimensional view. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The left-side view of the intelligent insect-catching device shown. Figure 3 The drawer section of the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention is schematically shown in a perspective view. Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 Sectional view along centerline 4-4, and Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 Sectional view along centerline 5-5. (See example...) Figure 1-5 As shown, the intelligent insect-catching device 1 according to the present invention includes a generally hexahedral box 3, which is internally divided into three adjacent chambers: an insect-attracting chamber 5, a collection chamber 7, and a tail chamber 9. In a preferred embodiment, the insect-attracting chamber 5 and the collection chamber 7 are separated by a partition 13 with a first through hole 11, that is, the partition 13 and the box 3 together define the insect-attracting chamber 5. In a preferred embodiment, one side of the collection chamber 7 ( Figure 1 The right side of the chamber is open, and the collection chamber 7 and the tail chamber 9 are separated by a drawer section 17 with a second through hole 15. Figure 3As shown, the drawer portion 17 includes a base plate 19 and an end plate 21 vertically disposed at the end of the base plate 19, with a plurality of second through holes 15 disposed on the base plate 19. Preferably, the base plate 19 includes a frame 23 and a flat plate 25 having a plurality of second through holes 15 formed thereon, the flat plate 25 being removable and resting on the frame 23. A handle 27 may also be provided on the outer side of the end plate 21 for easy gripping and operating of the drawer portion 17. The drawer portion 17 can be inserted into the housing 3 from the right side and supported on guide rails 29 disposed on the front and rear side panels of the housing 3, thereby defining the collection chamber 7 together with the housing 3 and the partition 13, while the base plate 19 of the drawer portion 17, together with the housing 3, defines the rear chamber 9.

[0032] Insect-attracting lamps 31 are respectively installed in the insect-attracting chamber 5, the collection chamber 7, and the tail chamber 9. To prevent insects from gathering on the insect-attracting lamps 31, lamp covers 33 can be provided for the insect-attracting lamps 31. Multiple insect-attracting holes 35 are formed on the outer side plate defining the insect-attracting chamber 5 to allow insects to enter the insect-attracting chamber 5 from the external environment through the insect-attracting holes 35. Although in the preferred embodiment only multiple insect-attracting holes 35 are shown formed on the front side plate defining the insect-attracting chamber 5, it should be understood that multiple insect-attracting holes may also be formed on the other side plates defining the insect-attracting chamber 5.

[0033] A sampling port 37 is formed on one of the outer side panels of the collection chamber 7, for example, the left side panel in the preferred embodiment. The sampling port 37 is closable by a cover 39 to allow the insects to be captured to be removed through the sampling port 37 when the cover 39 is opened. Although the sampling port is rectangular in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that it can be other suitable shapes, such as circular. In addition to the insect-attracting lamp 31 and the lamp cover 33, a programmable logic controller 41 is also provided in the collection chamber 7. The insect-attracting lamp 31, which is located in the insect-attracting chamber 5, the collection chamber 7, and the tail chamber 9, is electrically connected to the programmable logic controller 41 to control the insect-attracting lamp 31. For example, the programmable logic controller 41 can switch the insect-attracting lamp 31 on and off according to time (e.g., at a set time). The programmable logic controller 41 can also communicate with an application (APP) on a computer or mobile smart terminal device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) via the Internet, so that the person capturing the insects can control the programmable logic controller 41 using a computer or mobile smart terminal device, and thus control the switching on and off of the insect-attracting lamp 31. The technology of controlling programmable logic controllers using computers or mobile smart terminal devices is known, and its detailed description is omitted in this invention.

[0034] In the defined tail chamber 9, an outer side plate 42 ( Figure 1A first sliding door 43 is provided on the left side panel (which should be understood to also be other outer panels defining the tail chamber). The first sliding door 43 can slide relative to the outer side panel 42 of the tail chamber 9 along a first slide rail 45 provided in the housing. A first electromagnetic drive device 47 for driving the first sliding door 43 is also provided in the tail chamber 9. The first electromagnetic drive device 47 includes a first electromagnetic coil unit 49 provided on the outer side panel 42, a first anchoring block 53 fixed to the first sliding door 43 and fixedly connected to a first armature rod 51 of the first electromagnetic coil unit 49, and a first spring 55 provided between the first electromagnetic coil unit 49 and the first anchoring block 53 and through which the first armature rod 51 passes. When the first electromagnetic coil unit 49 is energized, the magnetic force generated by the first electromagnetic coil unit 49 causes the first armature rod 51 to overcome the force of the first spring 55 and push the first sliding door 43 towards... Figure 5 Pulling the right side of the first sliding door 43 opens the tail chamber 9, allowing the insects inside to fly away freely. When the first electromagnetic coil unit 49 is de-energized, the magnetic force generated by the first electromagnetic coil unit 49 disappears, and the first sliding door 43 opens under the action of the first spring 55. Figure 5 Move to the left to close tail chamber 9.

[0035] On one outer plate 57 of the confined insect-attracting chamber 5 Figure 1 A second sliding door 59 is provided on the left side panel (which should be understood to be another outer panel defining the insect-attracting chamber). The second sliding door 59 can slide relative to the outer side panel 57 of the insect-attracting chamber 5 along the second slide rail 61 provided in the chamber. A second electromagnetic drive device 63 for driving the second sliding door 59 is also provided inside the insect-attracting chamber 5. The second electromagnetic drive device 63 includes a second electromagnetic coil unit 65 provided on the outer side panel 57, a second anchoring block 69 fixed to the second sliding door 59 and fixedly connected to the second armature rod 67 of the second electromagnetic coil unit 65, and a second spring 71 provided between the second electromagnetic coil unit 65 and the second anchoring block 69 and passing through the second armature rod 67. When the second electromagnetic coil unit 65 is energized, the magnetic force generated by the second electromagnetic coil unit 65 causes the second armature rod 67 to overcome the force of the second spring 71 and push the second sliding door 59 towards... Figure 5 Pull the right side of the door to open the insect-attracting chamber 5, allowing the insects inside to fly away freely. When the second electromagnetic coil unit 65 is de-energized, the magnetic force generated by the second electromagnetic coil unit 65 disappears, and the second sliding door 59 opens under the action of the second spring 71. Figure 5 Move to the left to close insect-attracting chamber 5.

[0036] The first electromagnetic drive device 47 and the second electromagnetic drive device 63 are also electrically connected to the programmable logic controller 41 so that the first electromagnetic drive device 47 and the second electromagnetic drive device 63 can be controlled by a computer or mobile smart terminal device with the corresponding application (APP) to open or close the first sliding door 43 and the second sliding door 59.

[0037] To facilitate real-time observation of captured insects, a camera 72 can be installed in the collection chamber 7, or in any one or all of the collection chamber 7, the insect-attracting chamber 5, and the tail chamber 9. Furthermore, the camera 72 is electrically connected to the programmable logic controller 41, allowing it to be controlled via a computer or mobile smart terminal device with a corresponding dedicated application (APP), such as turning the camera on and off, changing the camera's viewing angle, or adjusting the camera's magnification.

[0038] The collection chamber 7 is also equipped with a power supply 73, which supplies power to the insect-attracting lamp 31, the programmable logic controller 41, the first electromagnetic drive device 47, and the second electromagnetic drive device 63. For example, it can be a rechargeable battery. Of course, the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention can also use an external power supply. In a preferred embodiment, both the programmable logic controller 41 and the power supply 73 are located in the collection chamber; it should be understood that they can also be located in the insect-attracting chamber 5 or the tail chamber 9. Furthermore, wheels 75 can be provided on the bottom side of the housing 3 to facilitate the movement of the intelligent insect-catching device.

[0039] To attract as many insects as possible into the insect-attracting chamber 5, the outer side panel defining the insect-attracting chamber 5 can be made of a light-transmitting material, while the outer side panels defining the collecting chamber 7 and the tail chamber 9 can be made of an opaque material. To prevent insects from flying out of the insect-attracting chamber 5, the insect-attracting holes 35 on the side panels defining the insect-attracting chamber 5 can have an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the outside to the inside. Furthermore, although not shown, multiple tiny ventilation holes can be provided on the side panels of the insect-attracting chamber 5, the collecting chamber 7, and the tail chamber 9 as needed to prevent insects from accidentally suffocating due to lack of oxygen.

[0040] The desired insect species typically have a specific size, but the sizes of the desired insect species are not entirely identical. The size of the desired insect species should be within a certain range, which can be determined based on insect samples collected in advance in practice. According to the present invention, the size of the first through-hole 11 on the partition 13 is larger than the size of the second through-hole 15 on the bottom plate 19 of the drawer portion 17, and the size of the first through-hole 11 is chosen to substantially correspond to the maximum size of the desired insect species, while the size of the second through-hole 15 is chosen to substantially correspond to the minimum size of the desired insect species. In this way, the desired insect species can be allowed to enter the collection chamber 7 through the first through-hole 11, while preventing the desired insect species from entering the tail chamber 9 through the second through-hole 15. Preferably, the first through-hole 11 has an inner diameter that gradually decreases towards the collection chamber 7, and the second through-hole 15 has an inner diameter that gradually decreases towards the tail chamber 9. In this case, the sizes of the first through-hole 11 and the second through-hole 15 generally refer to their minimum inner diameters.

[0041] Insects generally tend to move towards brighter light; therefore, it is preferable to set the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp in the tail chamber 9 to be higher than that in the collection chamber 7, and the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp in the collection chamber to be higher than that in the insect-attracting chamber 5. This allows as many desired insect species as possible to enter the collection chamber 7 through the first through-hole 11, while smaller, unwanted insects enter the tail chamber 9 through the second through-hole 15 as much as possible. The desired insect species that have entered the collection chamber 7 can be removed from the sampling port 37 by opening the cover 39. The intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention can attract desired insect species to the collection chamber. Although a small number of other unwanted insects may also enter the collection chamber, compared to existing intelligent insect-catching devices, the number of other insects mixed with the desired insect species is greatly reduced. This not only prevents or reduces insect mortality but also makes it easy to select the desired insect species and avoids personal injury caused by unfamiliar harmful insects.

[0042] Although the intelligent insect-catching device according to the invention includes an insect-attracting chamber 5 in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the intelligent insect-catching device according to the invention may omit the insect-attracting chamber 5. Since the size of the insect-attracting hole 35 on the side plate of the insect-attracting chamber 5 is significantly larger than the size of the first through hole 11, providing the insect-attracting chamber 5 can significantly increase the insect-attracting efficiency. However, without the insect-attracting chamber 5, the first through hole 11 can be provided on multiple side plates defining the collection chamber 7. Furthermore, it is also feasible to provide only the collection chamber without the insect-attracting chamber and the tail chamber, in which case various insects are collected indiscriminately in the collection chamber. Although in the preferred embodiment, the insect-attracting chamber 5, the collection chamber 7, and the tail chamber 9 are arranged adjacent to each other from top to bottom, it should be understood that it is also feasible to arrange the insect-attracting chamber 5, the collection chamber 7, and the tail chamber 9 adjacent to each other from bottom to top or horizontally. The collection chamber can be easily cleaned by using a drawer portion together with the box body to define the collection chamber. Furthermore, in the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention, the partition and the flat plate of the drawer can be detachably installed, so that the first partition and the second partition with different through-hole sizes can be replaced according to the change of the insect species to be caught.

[0043] When using the intelligent insect-catching device according to the present invention to catch insects, insect catchers can set up the device at the field insect-catching point during the day, and then remotely control the programmable logic controller (PLC) from home using a dedicated application (APP) on a computer or mobile smart terminal device to turn on the insect-attracting lamp for insect trapping. This eliminates the need for insect catchers to stay at the field at night for observation and operation, saving time and effort, and avoiding mosquito bites. By turning on the camera to observe the captured insects in real time, insect catchers can determine whether a sufficient number of the desired species of insects have been captured and turn off the insect-attracting lamp to save energy, and determine whether it is necessary to go to the site to collect the captured insects in a timely manner. Furthermore, insect catchers can observe the captured insects in real time and use the dedicated application (APP) on a computer or mobile smart terminal device to control the PLC to open the first sliding door of the tail chamber and the second sliding door of the insect-attracting chamber in a timely manner, allowing unwanted insects to fly out as early as possible and avoiding prolonged mixing and death.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a limitation thereof. For example, in this invention, for ease of description, terms indicating direction, such as front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, upper, and lower, are used; it should be understood that these directional terms do not constitute a limitation thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the technical solutions defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent insect-catching device, characterized in that, The intelligent insect-catching device (1) includes: The box (3) is divided into an insect-attracting chamber (5), a collection chamber (7) and a tail chamber (9). The insect-attracting chamber (5) and the collection chamber (7) are separated by a partition (13) with a first through hole (11) so that the partition (13) together with the box (3) defines the insect-attracting chamber (5). The collection chamber (7) has a sampling port (37) which is closable by a cover (39), and the first through hole (11) allows the insects to be captured to pass through. Insect-attracting lamps (31) are installed in the collection chamber (7); and A programmable logic controller (41) is installed in the collection chamber (7) and electrically connected to the insect-attracting lamp (31). The programmable logic controller (41) can be controlled by a corresponding application on a computer or mobile smart terminal device. The tail chamber (9) located adjacent to the collection chamber (7) has a second through hole (15) on the plate that separates the collection chamber (7) from the tail chamber (9). An insect-attracting lamp (31) is installed in the tail chamber (9) and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller (41), wherein the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp (31) in the tail chamber (9) is greater than the brightness of the insect-attracting lamp (31) in the collection chamber (7); Wherein, the size of the first through hole (11) is larger than the size of the second through hole (15), and the size of the first through hole (11) is selected to correspond to the maximum size of the insect to be captured, and the size of the second through hole (15) is selected to correspond to the minimum size of the insect to be captured, and the first through hole (11) has an inner diameter that gradually decreases toward the collection chamber (7), and the second through hole (15) has an inner diameter that gradually decreases toward the tail chamber (9); Sliding doors capable of sliding relative to the outer side panels of the insect-attracting chamber (5) and the tail chamber (9) are respectively provided. In the insect-attracting chamber (5) and the tail chamber (9), electromagnetic drive devices for driving the sliding door and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller are respectively provided. The electromagnetic drive device includes an electromagnetic coil unit disposed on the outer side plate, an anchor block fixed on the sliding door and fixedly connected to the armature rod of the electromagnetic coil unit, and a spring disposed between the electromagnetic coil unit and the anchor block and through which the armature rod passes.

2. The intelligent insect-catching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a camera located in the collection chamber (7) and electrically connected to the programmable logic controller (41).

3. The intelligent insect-catching device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An insect-attracting hole is formed on the outer side plate defining the insect-attracting chamber (5). The size of the insect-attracting hole is larger than the size of the first through hole (11) and the second through hole (15). An insect-attracting lamp with a brightness lower than that of the insect-attracting lamp in the collection chamber (7) and the tail chamber (9) is provided in the insect-attracting chamber (5). The intelligent insect-catching device (1) further includes a drawer (17) having a base plate (19) and an end plate (21) vertically disposed at the end of the base plate (19), a second through hole (15) being disposed on the base plate (19), one side of the collection chamber (7) being open, the drawer (17) being able to be inserted into the box (3) from the open side and supported on a guide rail (29) on the opposite side plate of the box (3), such that the drawer (17) together with the box (3) and the partition (13) defines the collection chamber (7), and the base plate (19) together with the box (3) defines the tail chamber (9).

4. The intelligent insect-catching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer panel of the insect-attracting chamber (5) is made of a light-transmitting material, and the outer panels of the collection chamber (7) and the tail chamber (9) are made of an opaque material. The insect-attracting chamber (5) and / or the tail chamber (9) are also provided with a camera electrically connected to the programmable logic controller (41), and a power supply (73) is provided in one of the insect-attracting chamber (5), the collection chamber (7) and the tail chamber (9).

5. A method for controlling the intelligent insect-catching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes remotely controlling the programmable logic controller (41) of the intelligent insect-catching device using a corresponding application on a computer or mobile smart terminal device, thereby controlling the switch of the insect-attracting lamp (31) through the programmable logic controller (41), and controlling the electromagnetic drive device through the programmable logic controller (41) to control the opening and closing of the sliding door.

6. The method for controlling an intelligent insect-catching device according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the case that the intelligent insect-catching device is the intelligent insect-catching device as described in claim 2, the method further includes remotely controlling the programmable logic controller (41) using a corresponding application on the computer or the mobile intelligent terminal device, thereby controlling the camera through the programmable logic controller (41).

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