Removable Insect Trap Entry Structure with Attractant Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insect traps face inconvenience in replenishing attractants, as users must partially disassemble the trap, risking the release of trapped insects and exposure to potential stings, and lack flexibility in changing attractants for different species or conditions.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a removably attached entry structure with a lid and an attractant port fixture that accepts cartridges, allowing for easy replacement without disassembling the trap, featuring tubular ports with a cage-like structure to prevent insect escape and a cap portion for visual indication of cartridge insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trap uses a fixed entry structure with attractant, then the trap maintains structural simplicity, but replenishing attractant requires partial disassembly which risks releasing trapped insects and exposes users to stings
Solution Approach 1:
The entry structure is divided into separate components: a removable entry structure assembly that can be detached from the trap body, and a separate attractant cartridge. This segmentation allows the entry structure to be removed and replaced independently without disassembling the entire trap, enabling safe and convenient attractant replenishment while maintaining trap integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attractant is pre-loaded into a sealed cartridge before use. This preliminary preparation allows the attractant to be replaced as a complete, pre-sealed unit rather than requiring users to handle loose attractant materials or disassemble the trap body, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with exposed trapped insects during replenishment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trap uses a fixed entry structure, then the structure remains simple, but there is no flexibility to change attractants for different species or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The entry structure assembly is designed as a universal, interchangeable component that can be attached to or removed from the trap body. The standardized interface allows the same entry structure to work with different attractant cartridges targeting various insect species, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized trap designs. Users can switch between different attractant cartridges while using the same entry structure assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The entry structure transitions from a fixed, permanent component to a dynamic, removable assembly. This dynamic design allows the entry structure to be easily attached and detached from the trap body, enabling users to adapt the trap to different insect species by simply replacing the attractant cartridge while maintaining the same entry structure. The dynamic nature of the attachment mechanism provides flexibility without significant complexity increase.
3Ease of operation
If the entry structure is made removable with cartridge system, then attractant replacement becomes safe and flexible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attractant cartridge is extracted as a separate, self-contained component from the trap body. This extraction allows the attractant to be replaced independently without affecting the trap's structural integrity or requiring complex disassembly procedures. The cartridge can be simply inserted into and removed from the entry structure assembly through a straightforward mechanical interface, providing ease of operation with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attractant cartridge is nested within the entry structure assembly, which itself attaches to the trap body. This nested configuration allows multiple components to be integrated in a compact manner: the cartridge fits within the entry structure, which then attaches to the trap body through a standardized interface. This nesting approach provides ease of replacement while minimizing the overall complexity by efficiently organizing components within each other.
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
Enables convenient and safe replacement of attractants, maintaining trap effectiveness without releasing trapped insects, and allows for adjustment of attractant combinations based on species or environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
the attractant will evaporate and escape from the matrix over a period of time
Implementation Method 2
the volatile olfactory attractant mixes with vapors from a chemical attractant and/or water in a separate container, the mixed vapors exiting the trap in a plume
Data Source
AI summary
An insect trap (100) includes an entrapment chamber (110) with an entry structure (140) over one open end. The entry structure includes (i) a lid (142) with a central aperture (144) and one or more peripheral apertures (146); (ii) a tapered guide (150) on one side of the lid, and (iii) a port fixture (160) that extends through the central aperture and engages the tapered guide. The port fixture includes one or more tubular ports (168) that extend through the peripheral apertures, and one or more cartridges (170) that are removably inserted into the tubular ports. The cartridges contain attractant that is exposed to the interior of the attractant chamber when the trap is assembled. The cartridges may be replaced to replenish or replace attractant without removing the entry structure.