Insect Trap With Frusto-Conical Orifice and Landing Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insect traps are costly, complex, and inefficient in attracting, trapping, and killing a sufficient number of undesirable insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, which are vectors for diseases like malaria and West Nile virus, often requiring multiple traps for adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A simple, cost-effective insect trap design featuring a cylindrical container with a frusto-conical orifice and a removable lid, using baiting liquids and potentially exterminating additives, that attracts insects through a landing surface and prevents egress with a specifically sized entry and exit configuration, facilitating efficient capture and extermination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If currently available traps are used, then insect capture function is provided, but manufacturing cost is high and device complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into two main segments: a container portion and a lid portion. The container includes an inwardly directed flange that engages with an outwardly directed flange on the lid, creating a self-aligning, easy-to-assemble structure. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of individual components while achieving effective insect capture when assembled.
2Productivity
If currently available traps are used, then insect capture function is provided, but trapping efficiency is insufficient requiring multiple traps
Solution Approach 1:
The trap incorporates a landing surface with specific local properties (friction characteristics, texture) that enable insects to land and become trapped. The frustoconical orifice provides a localized geometric feature that directs insect movement inward. These localized quality enhancements at critical interaction points significantly improve capture efficiency per trap.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple trap design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but trapping and killing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The trap converts the insect's natural behaviors into its downfall. The landing surface exploits the insect's tendency to land on surfaces, while the frustoconical orifice geometry utilizes the insect's forward movement to direct it into the container. The inwardly directed flange and container geometry work together to prevent escape, transforming the insect's active behaviors into trapped confinement.
Data Source
AI summary
In the preferred embodiment, the invention is a trap for luring, trapping, and killing insects. The trap preferably includes: a single structure container defining a cavity that holds liquid, an opening that allows access to the cavity, a side wall, and a lid that seals the opening of the container. The side wall includes an orifice in the form of a frusto-conical shape that allows ingress of insects into the container and prevents egress of insects from the container. The side wall also includes a landing surface that directs insect towards the orifice.