Collapsible Pyramid Insect Trap for Bark Beetle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect traps for controlling bark beetles are costly, labor-intensive, and inflexible, especially in challenging terrain, and do not effectively reduce beetle density, with known methods like wood piles being inefficient and difficult to manipulate.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible insect trap with a pyramid-shaped support frame and an insecticide-treated casing that includes a volatile attractant dispenser, designed for easy transport and deployment on uneven terrain, using approved insecticides like cypermethrin or deltamethrin, and featuring detachable legs and a chimney effect for improved lure release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wood piles are used for trapping bark beetles, then beetle density reduction is effective, but material and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeetle density reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial and labor costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trap is divided into separate modular components: a support frame with legs, a separate casing/jacket, and detachable parts. This allows factory assembly of the structural framework while enabling flexible field deployment and adaptation, reducing both material costs and on-site labor requirements compared to traditional wood piles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a lightweight, inexpensive frame structure that can be repeatedly deployed and relocated, replacing the need for large quantities of fresh wood material. The collapsible design allows the same trap to be reused across multiple locations and seasons, significantly reducing material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If heavy fresh wood is used for trap piles, then trapping effectiveness is maintained, but flexibility and ease of manipulation decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrapping effectivenessVSAvoidflexibility and ease of manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame incorporates collapsible legs that can be folded parallel to each other for compact transport and unfolded to a stable pyramid configuration for deployment. This dynamic transformation enables rapid setup and relocation, providing the flexibility needed to adapt to changing beetle infestation patterns while maintaining trapping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The casing is designed as a lightweight, flexible jacket that can be easily manipulated and positioned. The thin-walled construction allows the trap to be quickly assembled and repositioned without the burden of heavy materials, while still providing sufficient structure to hold the insecticide treatment and maintain functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If a stable pyramid shape is used for the trap, then installation stability on uneven terrain is ensured, but transport complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation stability on uneven terrainVSAvoidtransport complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pyramid structure is segmented into a central hollow body and three or more detachable legs that can be folded against the body for transport. This segmentation allows the stable pyramid configuration to be assembled only when needed for deployment, while the collapsed segmented form provides compactness for transport, resolving the contradiction between stability and transport complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the trap is designed for rapid deployment, then adaptation to changing conditions is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapid adaptation to changing conditionsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible leg mechanism with hinges or friction-fit connections enables rapid transformation from a compact transport state to a stable operational pyramid shape. This dynamic design allows field personnel to quickly deploy or relocate traps in response to changing beetle infestation patterns, while the standardized hinge or friction-fit joint design keeps manufacturing complexity manageable through repetition of simple, identical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 trap effectively attracts and kills bark beetles with minimal manpower and material costs, providing a flexible and efficient solution for reducing beetle populations in difficult terrains by ensuring stable installation and rapid adaptation to changing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

releasing a volatile attractant to the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

They absorb the insecticide and are quickly killed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2011393B1Insect trap
Publication Date: 2012.10.24 BASF AGRO BV
  • EP2011393B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2011393B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an insect trap (10), in particular for bark beetles, with a support frame (11) which in operation has a pyramidal general shape and comprises at least three support legs (13, 14, 15) which can be folded together for transport, and a coat (24) which substantially completely surrounds the support frame and which can be treated with an insecticide at least on its outer surface (25), wherein at least one opening (29) is provided in the coat (24) for releasing a volatile attractant (31) arranged inside the insect trap into the environment.