Crawler Trap Collar Growth Adapter with Sliding Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art pine processionary caterpillar traps become ineffective due to tree growth, as the collar's mechanical integrity is compromised, allowing caterpillars to escape as the tree expands, causing the collar to deform and lose contact with the trunk.
Innovation Solution
A growth and fixation member system that includes a flange, guides, and a fixing spring allows the collar to adapt to the tree's growth without deforming, maintaining mechanical integrity and keeping the collar tight against the trunk, with a sliding mechanism to accommodate increasing circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fastening system secures the collar at a fixed diameter, then the collar is firmly attached to the tree, but tree growth exerts pressure that crushes the collar's base against the trunk, allowing caterpillars to pass over the top and avoid the trap
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with a dynamic fastening system that allows the collar to expand as the tree grows. The fastening system includes adjustable components that can accommodate increasing circumference, preventing the collar from being crushed while maintaining secure attachment. This transforms the static fastening system into a dynamic one that adapts to tree growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of collar circumference to match tree growth. The fastening system allows adjustment of the collar's diameter over time, enabling it to expand as the tree trunk increases in size. This parameter adjustment prevents deformation and maintains the collar's mechanical integrity while accommodating tree development.
2Reliability
If the collar is made tight against the trunk to prevent caterpillar escape, then trap effectiveness is maintained, but tree growth causes the collar to deform and lose contact with the trunk
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system incorporates dynamic elements that allow the collar to adapt its circumference as the tree grows. The system can be adjusted to maintain tight contact while accommodating increasing tree size, transforming a static structure into an adaptive one that grows with the tree.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates growth allowance in the initial design, with the collar and fastening system configured to anticipate future tree growth. The fastening system is installed with sufficient slack and adjustment capability to accommodate expected circumference increases, preventing deformation before it occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collar ends overlap and wedge between guides to allow sliding, then the collar adapts to trunk growth, but the fastening system must accommodate this movement while maintaining tight pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into segments or sections that can slide relative to each other within the guides formed by the fastening system. This segmentation allows the collar to expand and contract while maintaining structural integrity, with each section moving independently through the guide channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The guides act as intermediary elements between the collar and the fastening system, facilitating controlled sliding movement. These guides provide a structured path that allows the collar ends to move while maintaining proper alignment and preventing uncontrolled deformation.
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 effectively prevents caterpillar escape by ensuring the collar remains securely attached and aligned with the tree's growth, maintaining trap efficacy over time.
Implementation Method 1
A retaining spring 4 connects and secures the growth and retaining element to a part of the collar. It allows the collar to slide within the growth element under the pressure of the shaft.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a diameter adapter and fastening device for a caterpillar trap collar, particularly for a pine processionary caterpillar trap. The adapter and fastening device is designed to cooperate with a caterpillar trap comprising: - a caterpillar path platform (1), the platform (1) having two platform ends; - a collar wall (2) externally delimiting the platform (1), the collar wall (2) having a plurality of openings, the platform (1) being configured to be wrapped around a tree trunk, forming a spacer between the trunk and the collar wall (2). According to the invention, the adapter and fastening device comprises: - a flange (7) on a radially inner face of the device, the flange (7) being designed to be positioned against the tree trunk and having an upper edge and a lower edge;- at least one upper guide (3) extending radially outwards from the upper edge of the flange (7), and at least one lower guide (5) extending radially outwards from the lower edge of the flange (7) substantially parallel to the upper guide (3), the upper and lower guides (3, 5) being configured to receive between them the two ends of the floor (1) overlapping each other, so that the ends of the floor (1) slide along the upper and lower guides (3, 5) if they are separated from each other; - elastic connecting means (4) on a radially external face of the device, the elastic connecting means (4) extending from a first connecting end fixed to the upper guide (3) or the lower guide (5), to a second connecting end configured to be fixed to an opening in the collar wall (2).