Insect Suction Machine with Rotating Crushing Grid

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect suction machines for plants are inefficient due to obstruction by leaves and other debris, and are not effective against diverse insect sizes, leading to incomplete disinfestation and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a design that includes adjustable crushing sheets and a containment body structure to automatically remove foliage and intercept insects, ensuring optimal airflow and effective insect removal without obstructing the crushing mechanism, capable of handling various insect sizes and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a crushing grid with parallel blades is used to kill suctioned insects, then insect mortality increases, but the crushing grid becomes obstructed by leaves and debris during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect mortalityVSAvoidcrushing grid obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The crushing grid is divided into multiple segments that can rotate independently around a central axis. This segmentation allows debris to pass through the gaps between segments while insects are crushed by the rotating blades, resolving the obstruction problem while maintaining insect mortality effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crushing grid transitions from a static structure to a dynamic rotating mechanism. The rotation of the segmented blades creates continuous motion that prevents debris accumulation and allows automatic clearing of obstructions, while the rotating blades maintain effective insect crushing through centrifugal force and blade impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If selective phytosanitary products are used to target specific insect species, then effectiveness against target insects increases, but the number of products required increases leading to higher costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfestation effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of products
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical phytosanitary products with a mechanical suction and crushing system. The suction unit with rotatable mouth and the rotating crushing grid work together to physically remove and kill insects, eliminating the need for multiple selective chemical products and reducing overall product quantity required

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 machine effectively suctions and kills insects without obstructing the crushing mechanism, ensuring complete disinfestation and reduced operational costs by automatically handling debris and accommodating different insect sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit (3) comprising a suction mouth (41) susceptible of being directed towards the plants (11) to be treated and a suction flow generator (5) arranged for generating a suction flow susceptible of extirpating the insects (10) from the plants (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

crushing means (6), arranged for killing the insects (10) suctioned by the suction unit (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4437847A1Machine for suctioning insects from plants
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SANDRINI NICOLA
  • EP4437847A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437847A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4437847A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Machine (1) for suctioning insects (10) from plants (11) comprising a support frame (2), at least one suction unit (3), which is fixed to the support frame (2) and comprises a containment body (4), provided with a suction channel (40) which is extended between a suction mouth (41), susceptible of being directed towards the plants (11) to be disinfested, and an opposite outlet mouth (42). The suction unit (3) also comprises a suction fan (5), which is placed in the suction channel (40), is rotatably mounted in the containment body (4) and is actuatable in rotation around a first rotation axis (W) in order to remove the insects (10) by suctioning an air flow (12) from the suction mouth (41) towards the outlet mouth (42). The suction unit (3) also comprises crushing means (6), mounted in the containment body (4) and placed to intercept the suction channel (40), downstream of the suction fan (5), which comprise a support body (7), fixed to the containment body (4) and provided with a perimeter wall (70) which delimits a passage opening (71) for the air flow (12), and a plurality of crushing sheets (8) mechanically connected to the support body (7), which are extended radially from a central body (80) to the perimeter wall (70) of the support body (7) and are placed to intercept the passage opening (71), in order to intercept and crush the suctioned insects (10).