MECHANICAL TRAP FOR THE SELECTIVE ELIMINATION OF FLYING INSECTS

Abstract

A mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects comprising: an entrance with a funnel (1); a photoelectric cell (2) for detecting the passage of an insect; a conduction with a Y-shaped tube (3), creating a first path to the outside and a second path to a reservoir (4); an airflow generation mechanism; a recognition camera (5), associated with an image processing device or any photoelectric radiation, wherein said image processing device is configured to identify and differentiate the species of insect that has entered the trap; a butterfly valve (6) that permits the passage of the insect to the outlet of the device or to the reservoir (4) according to the signal received from the image processing device or any photoelectric radiation associated with the recognition camera (5); and the reservoir (4).

Description

Title of the invention: MECHANICAL TRAP FOR THE SELECTIVE ELIMINATION OF FLYING INSECTS Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, which avoids the use of chemical agents, pheromones, food or toxins and is a low-maintenance device. The mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects is in common use because it serves to eliminate annoying insects and particularly the Velutina hornet species.

[0002] Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

[0003] This system was put in place due to the problem of the appearance of the Vespa Velutina as an invasive species originating from other countries and which causes the problem of the disappearance of the existing bee fauna, so useful and necessary for pollination and the viability of the ecosystem. In addition, there have been serious cases of stings in humans even resulting in death on some occasions.

[0004] The Asian hornet has a great impact on natural biodiversity, as it can capture between 25 and 50 native bees per day, kills them with its jaws and brings them back to its nests to feed its larvae.

[0005] Today, a wide variety of chemicals are used for the control of infestations caused by insects. The design of specific capture equipment with mechanical systems or any other type for the control of infestations becomes necessary to reduce the use of pesticides and thus reduce the chemical footprint mitigating the impact on the environment. This capture equipment must be appropriate for the different geometries and sizes of the insects to be controlled to increase its effectiveness. This is due to the fact that chemical control of infestations, during repeated and indiscriminate use of insecticides, often leads to significant negative consequences that can cause alterations in the ecosystems concerned, eliminating beneficial fauna or even strengthening resistant populations.

[0006] In the state of the art, document WO17077161A1 is known which describes a wasp capture device for its application in apiaries, which comprises a closure or a mesh or net cover which covers the apiary at its upper part, modifying at least the area located in front of the hives and around their flight holes, but without completely closing the apiary so as not to reach the ground on all the lateral sides, the cover mesh having holes of sufficient size so as to allow the passage of the bees but complicating the Asian hornet passage, comprising at least one collection element for accumulating wasps which comprises a guide slope for directing the insects towards a selective chamber through a narrowed configuration inlet opening and at least one trap reservoir provided with access from the selective camera through an orifice.

[0007] Also known is document ES2692468B2 which describes a device that can be attached to certain drones and a method for catching hornets of the species Vespa Velutina in a bag that closes around the nest. The device consists of a main structure in the form of a butterfly net in which one can distinguish an active arm and two main half-bodies. In the active arm is housed a pulley driven by an electric motor. The main half-bodies hold a plastic bag and form a circumference whose radius is a function of the size of the nest. The bag constricts the highest part of the nest and is sprayed with an insecticide and a substance that causes the bag to stick to the nest, preventing the insects from exiting.

[0008] In view of the above, and in order to prevent the use of chemical agents that harm the environment in general, it seems appropriate to develop a trap for capturing flying insects that does not require said chemicals either in the insect attraction part or in the insecticidal part. Description of the invention

[0009] In order to achieve the objectives and prevent the drawbacks described in the preceding paragraphs, the invention provides a mechanical trap for the elimination of flying insects which comprises a funnel-shaped entrance; a photoelectric cell configured to detect the passage of an insect when it passes in front of the photoelectric cell; a conduction comprising a Y-shaped tube, dividing the passage into two possible paths, a first path to the outside and a second path to a reservoir (trap); a mechanism for generating an air current; a recognition camera, associated with an image processing device or any photoelectric radiation, such that said image processing device is configured to identify and differentiate the species of insect that has entered the trap;a butterfly valve which allows the passage of the insect to the outlet of the device or to the reservoir according to the signal received from the image processing device or any photoelectric radiation associated with the recognition camera; and the reservoir for collecting the insects.;

[0010] In the mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects which is the subject of the invention, the funnel may be yellow in color to improve the attraction of insects.

[0011] The funnel may have heating means and / or lighting means for its night-time use, given that infrared radiation itself has- even an insect attraction effect, as well as lighting for use at night.

[0012] In the mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects which is the subject of the invention, the conduction tube may be made of grayish plastic material.

[0013] In the mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects which is the subject of the invention, the mechanism for generating an air current may comprise a fan or a turbine with flow control (intensity and direction).

[0014] In the mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects which is the subject of the invention, the reservoir may comprise a Teflon bag. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] To complete the current description and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been shown for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0016] [Fig. 1] shows a perspective view of the mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects.

[0017] A list of the various elements represented in the figures forming part of the invention is provided below: 1. funnel, 2. photoelectric cell, 3. tube, 4. tank, 5. turbine, 6. reconnaissance camera, and 7. butterfly valve. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0018] As indicated above, and as shown in the figures, the object of the invention is a mechanical trap for capturing and eliminating infestations of flying insects in a selective and automated manner (for example, Vespa Velutina) without harming other insects present in the environment.

[0019] The trap which is the subject of the invention (see [Fig.l]) comprises: - an inlet comprising a funnel (1) which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is yellow in color; - a photoelectric cell (2) configured to detect the passage of an insect when it passes in front of the photoelectric cell (2); - a conduit comprising a tube (3) in the form of a Y, dividing the passage into two possible paths, a first path towards the outside and a second path towards a reservoir (4); - an airflow generating mechanism which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a fan or turbine (7), so that the generated airflow can encourage the passage of insects through the trap and the airflow can be reversed if an obstruction of the entrance is detected. - a recognition camera (5), associated with an image processing device or any photoelectric radiation, such that said image processing device is configured to identify and differentiate the species of insect which has entered the trap; - a butterfly valve (6) which allows the passage of the insect towards the outlet of the device or towards the reservoir (4) according to the signal received from the image processing device or from any photoelectric radiation associated with the recognition camera (5); and - the tank (4) for collecting insects.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the funnel (1) may comprise heating means for the funnel, or lighting means, so that the insect attraction effect is enhanced.

[0021] The butterfly valve (6), is, by default, in a position which allows passage to the outside, preventing the path to the tank. The valve is synchronized with the camera, the response time being synchronized with the impulse force.

[0022] The conduction tube (3), in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is made of grayish plastic material; the tube (3) has a diameter determined for the passage of insects, including sizes large enough for the passage of Velutina hornets.

[0023] The reservoir (4), in the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a bag or bottle made of Teflon or a similar porous material, such that the reservoir (4) has a mesh which allows the passage of the suction area and prevents the escape of the caught insect.

[0024] In the device which is the subject of the invention, if the photoelectric cell detects a prolonged period without any insect passing through, the trap which is the subject of the invention interprets the existence of a possible obstruction, and activates the mechanism for generating an air current, but with a counter-current flow to push a possible obstruction outwards to try to cause the entrance to open.

Claims

Claims

1. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects characterized in that it comprises: - an entrance comprising a funnel (1); - a photoelectric cell (2) configured to detect the passage of an insect when it passes in front of the photoelectric cell (2); - a conduction comprising a tube (3) in the form of a Y, dividing the passage into two possible paths, a first path towards the outside and a second path towards a reservoir (4); - a mechanism for generating an air current; - a recognition camera (5), associated with an image processing device or any photoelectric radiation, such that said image processing device is configured to identify and differentiate the species of insect that has entered the trap;- a butterfly valve (6) which allows the passage of the insect towards the outlet of the device or towards the reservoir (4) according to the signal received from the image processing device or from any photoelectric radiation associated with the recognition camera (5); and - the reservoir (4) for collecting the insects.;

2. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to claim 1, characterized in that the funnel (1) is yellow in color to improve the attraction of insects.

3. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the funnel (1) comprises heating means.

4. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the funnel (1) comprises lighting means.

5. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conduction tube (3) is made of grayish plastic material.

6. Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

7. that the mechanism for generating an air current comprises a fan or a turbine (7). Mechanical trap for the selective elimination of flying insects, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reservoir (4) comprises a Teflon bag.

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