Insecticide Mat Structure with Segmented Volatile Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect-repelling mats have a short lifespan and inefficient volatile substance distribution, leading to reduced effectiveness in repelling insects.

Innovation Solution

A longer mat structure with vertical transverse boundaries to impede substance migration, made of cellulose material with a fibrillar substrate, and a plastic layer on non-heated areas for safe handling, allowing increased volatile substance concentration within a central area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the mat length is increased to extend lifespan, then the mat life is improved, but the volatile substance concentration decreases due to diffusion over larger area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemat lifeVSAvoidvolatile substance concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mat is divided into a central area and lateral areas by vertical transverse boundaries. The central area contains the volatile substance impregnation while the lateral areas extend the mat length without additional substance, preventing concentration dilution while extending lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the mat have different properties: the central area is impregnated with volatile substance for active repellency, while the lateral areas are non-impregnated extensions that increase mat length and lifespan without affecting concentration in the active zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the mat length is increased to extend lifespan, then the mat life is improved, but the compatibility with standard appliances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemat lifeVSAvoidcompatibility with standard appliances

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mat is segmented into a central area matching standard appliance dimensions and lateral areas extending beyond. This allows the mat to be used with standard appliances while the extended lateral areas provide additional lifespan through progressive consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mat extends in the lateral dimension beyond the appliance boundaries, allowing the active central area to fit standard appliances while the extended lateral areas provide additional usable material for extended lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If the volatile substance concentration is increased in the central area, then the insect repellency effectiveness is improved, but the substance migration beyond boundaries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolatile substance concentrationVSAvoidsubstance migration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Vertical transverse boundaries divide the mat into central and lateral areas, creating physical barriers that contain the volatile substance within the central area while allowing the lateral areas to extend the mat length without substance migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central area is designed with high volatile substance concentration for effective repellency, while the lateral areas are substance-free zones that prevent concentration gradients from driving migration beyond the central area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the mat length is increased to extend lifespan, then the mat life is improved, but the safety of manual handling deteriorates due to increased contact with impregnated substance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemat lifeVSAvoidhandling safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mat is divided into impregnated central area and non-impregnated lateral areas. The lateral areas serve as safe handling zones where users can grip and manipulate the mat without contacting the volatile substance, while the central area maintains effective concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas have different safety properties: the central area contains the volatile substance for effectiveness, while the lateral areas are substance-free zones providing safe manual handling interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Extends the mat's lifespan by at least two times and maintains higher volatile substance concentration, ensuring effective insect repellency while allowing safe manual handling and compatibility with standard appliances.

Implementation Method 1

the heated surface 33 causing a volatile substance in the mat being dispersed through the heating of the mat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Capillary transmission is impeded by boundaries 10 and 12

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3096613B1Improved mat structure with insecticide

Publication Date: 2022.04.06 THERMACELL REPELLENTS INC

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

A long life mat impregnated with insect repellant is provided which has greater concentration than prior art mats in the area above a heated sole plate in prior art volatilizable insecticide repellant devices.