Insect Trap with Photo Interrupter Counting for Pesticide Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for counting insects in fields to determine pesticide spraying amounts are not effective and accurate, leading to excessive pesticide use and residual issues.
Innovation Solution
An insect-trapping device with a funnel element and photo interrupters, connected to a controller, that senses insect passage through light reflection and counts insects based on light intensity thresholds, ensuring accurate pesticide application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pesticide-spraying is increased to protect crops from insect pests, then crop protection is improved, but cost increases and excessive pesticide remains on crops
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses photo interrupters to detect insects entering the trap and provides real-time counting feedback to the controller. This enables dynamic adjustment of pesticide spraying based on actual insect presence and population levels, rather than using fixed excessive amounts. The feedback mechanism allows precise control of pesticide application to match actual pest pressure.
2Measurement precision
If the total number of insects in the field is counted accurately, then pesticide spraying amount can be controlled precisely, but current counting methods are not effective and accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual or mechanical insect counting methods with an optical detection system using photo interrupters. These sensors detect insects passing through a light beam and generate electrical signals that are processed by a controller to provide automatic, accurate counting. This substitution of optical/electrical detection for mechanical counting achieves high precision while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a funnel element as an intermediary structure that guides insects into a controlled passage where they pass through the detection zone of the photo interrupter. This intermediary funnel ensures that insects are systematically directed through the sensing area, improving detection reliability and counting accuracy without requiring complex scanning or searching mechanisms.
3Productivity
If manual insect counting is performed to determine pesticide dosage, then pesticide application can be adjusted, but the counting process is time-consuming and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The photo interrupter-based counting system operates continuously as insects naturally enter the trap, providing uninterrupted real-time data collection. Unlike manual counting which requires periodic intervention, the automated system continuously monitors insect presence and accumulates count data, enabling timely and accurate pesticide dosage decisions without time loss to manual enumeration.
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
Provides an effective and accurate method for counting insects, enabling precise pesticide application and reducing excessive pesticide use.
Implementation Method 1
A first photo interrupter is located within the inner passage for sensing whether at least one of insects passes through the inner passage from the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The funnel element is with light-absorbed color, placed on the inlet, and inserting into the accommodation space
Data Source
AI summary
An insect-trapping device includes a container, a funnel element, two photo interrupters and a controller. The container has an inlet and an accommodation space. The funnel element is placed on the inlet to extend into the accommodation space of the container. The photo interrupters are arranged within an inner passage of the funnel element along a long axis direction of the inner passage for sensing whether at least one insect passes through the inner passage from the inlet. The controller is electrically connected to the photo interrupters for counting the insects passing through the inner passage according to the photo interrupters.