Insect Repellent Light Assembly Using Liquid Surface Glare

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect repellents, such as bug zappers, are ineffective in repelling a wide range of insects, often attract more insects, and involve unnecessary killing of insects, which can disrupt ecosystems. Additionally, they are often unreliable in various weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A light assembly that repels insects by emitting light rays that are redirected off the surface of a liquid in a container, creating glare that is uncomfortable for insects with eyes, without harming them. This assembly is designed to be independent of weather conditions and can serve as both an insect repellent and a general light source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bug zappers use light to lure and electrocute insects, then insects are eliminated, but more insects are attracted and the device may short out or catch fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect eliminationVSAvoiddevice safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using light to attract insects (bug zapper approach), this invention uses light reflected off liquid surfaces to create glare that repels insects. The fundamental approach is inverted: rather than luring insects in with light, the system uses light-liquid interaction to push insects away, eliminating the attraction problem while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the typically harmful effect of light attraction into a beneficial repellent effect. By using light reflected off liquid surfaces to create uncomfortable glare for insects, the system transforms what is normally an insect-attracting mechanism into an insect-repelling one, while avoiding the safety issues of electrocution

Inventive Principle:

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bug zappers use light to electrocute insects, then insects are killed, but ecosystems are disrupted by decreasing food sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect controlVSAvoidecosystem disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than killing insects through electrocution, this invention uses light-liquid glare to repel insects away from areas. This non-lethal approach maintains the insect population and their ecological roles as food sources for birds, frogs, and bats, while still achieving the desired insect control effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts light, which normally attracts and kills insects harmful to humans, into a non-lethal repellent mechanism. The glare created by light reflecting off liquid surfaces discomforts insects without harming them, preserving ecosystem balance while protecting human activities

Inventive Principle:

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If citronella candles are used to repel insects, then some insects are repelled, but efficacy is limited and wind direction affects performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect repellencyVSAvoidweather independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

This invention replaces chemical/thermal mechanisms (citronella candles) with an optical mechanism. By using light reflected off liquid surfaces to create glare, the system achieves insect repellency that is independent of wind direction and weather conditions, as optical effects are not dispersed by air movement like chemical vapors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 light assembly effectively repels a wide range of insects with eyes, including biting and stinging insects, without causing harm, and operates effectively in various weather conditions, including daylight hours.

Implementation Method 1

A light assembly that repels insects by emitting light rays that are redirected off the surface of a liquid in a container, creating glare that is uncomfortable for insects with eyes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12285001B1Insect repellent light assembly and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 NASH GEORGE C

AI summary

The present invention is an insect repellent assembly comprising of a light source, a transparent container having a quantity of liquid, typically water, inside the container, where the light source is positioned so as to be approximately centered in relation to a surface of the liquid so that about half the light source is below the surface and the remaining half is above the surface. The amount of liquid is less than a volume of the container. The container surrounds the light source so that light emitted by the light source must pass through the container. A method of use is also provided.