Bell-Enclosed Steam Neutralization for Vespid Nests

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for neutralizing Asian hornet nests, such as using biocidal products or steam injection, are inefficient, pose environmental risks, and can be dangerous for operators, with escaped insects exhibiting aggressive behavior.

Innovation Solution

A system using a neutralization device with a bell and piercing member to enclose the nest, injecting pressurized steam or hot water to heat and neutralize both nest inhabitants and escaping insects, ensuring a closed environment for effective treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If biocidal products are injected into the nest, then rapid neutralization is achieved, but environmental pollution and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneutralization speedVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameter of the neutralizing agent from chemical (biocidal products) to thermal (pressurized steam or hot water). This parameter change maintains rapid neutralization capability while eliminating environmental pollution and health risks associated with chemical substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of heat (which can damage surrounding areas) into a beneficial controlled neutralization method. By using pressurized steam or hot water contained within a bell, the thermal energy is directed precisely at the nest, neutralizing vespids while the bell prevents uncontrolled heat dispersion and environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Speed

If steam is injected into the nest, then rapid heat propagation is achieved, but effectiveness decreases due to insect escape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat propagation speedVSAvoidneutralization effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by placing the bell around the nest before steam injection. This preliminary enclosure prevents vespids from escaping during the subsequent steam injection process, ensuring that all insects are exposed to the heat treatment and neutralization is complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bell acts as an intermediary element between the steam injection system and the nest. It serves as a containment chamber that allows rapid heat propagation through steam while simultaneously preventing insect escape, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a bell is used to enclose the nest, then insect escape is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect containmentVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bell is designed as a simple, bell-shaped enclosure that can be flexible or semi-rigid, allowing it to conform to various nest shapes and sizes without requiring complex mechanical structures. This simple geometric form achieves effective containment while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it encloses the nest to prevent escape, contains the pressurized steam or hot water during injection, and protects the operator from exposure to hot fluid and insects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system efficiently neutralizes vespids by applying heat to the entire nest and escaping insects, reducing environmental impact and operator risk, while being lightweight and easy to use.

Implementation Method 1

The neutralizing device comprises a piercing member configured to pierce a nest and comprising at least one projection member configured to be supplied with pressurized fluid, preferably to be supplied with steam, and to project the fluid in at least one direction or even throughout the entire volume of the structure of the nest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4623684A1System for neutralizing the nest of vesicles

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for neutralizing a nest (2) of flying insects, by steam projection, comprising a neutralizing device (30) carried by a gripping member (20), the neutralizing device comprising a piercing member (31) configured to pierce a nest and comprising at least one projection member (310) configured to be supplied with steam (5), and to project the fluid in at least one direction, characterized in that the neutralizing device comprises a bell (32) having an internal volume (320), the piercing member and the fluid projection member being located inside the internal volume, the neutralizing device being configured so that when a nest is housed, at least partly in the bell, the piercing member and the projection member can penetrate into the nest.