Removable LED Insect Trap Enclosure for Clean Glue Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insect traps are too large, expensive, and difficult to maintain, with fluorescent tubes prone to dust accumulation and glue boards hard to clean without contacting trapped insects.
Innovation Solution
A removable insect trap with a compact design using LEDs, a removable enclosure with adhesive surfaces, and optics to redirect light onto the adhesive surface, allowing easy cleaning and maintenance without direct contact with trapped insects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorescent tubes are used to attract insects, then the trap can effectively attract insects, but the device becomes too large and expensive for widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source parameter from fluorescent tubes to LED bulbs, which provide equivalent or superior insect attraction effectiveness while significantly reducing device size, power consumption, and cost. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction between effectiveness and size.
2Reliability
If fluorescent tubes are used in the trap, then the trap can attract insects, but the tubes accumulate dust and insect debris blocking light and reducing effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the trap with a removable trap portion that can be easily detached and replaced without requiring users to contact trapped insects or perform complex cleaning. The modular design allows users to simply remove the entire trap portion and replace it with a new one, making maintenance self-service oriented and resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If glue boards are used to trap insects, then insects can be trapped, but the glue boards are difficult to remove and replace without touching trapped insects and adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trap into a permanent base portion and a removable trap portion. The trap portion containing the adhesive surface can be completely detached as a single unit, allowing users to replace it without touching trapped insects or adhesive. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between trapping capability and ease of operation.
4Reliability
If conventional insect traps are manufactured with fluorescent tubes and transformers, then the traps can function, but they are too expensive to afford one for every room in the house
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive LED bulbs instead of expensive fluorescent tubes and transformers. The simplified design with removable trap portions reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, making the trap affordable for widespread deployment in multiple rooms. This principle resolves the contradiction between functionality and manufacturing cost.
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 trap effectively attracts and traps insects indoors, is cost-effective, and can be easily cleaned and replaced, maintaining efficiency without manual handling of debris.
Implementation Method 1
a base portion including a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion
Implementation Method 2
an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect
Data Source
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AI summary
An insect trap portion is discussed. The insect trap portion is for use with a base portion having a lighting element and a docking switch. The trap portion comprises an enclosure and first opening through which an insect may fly or crawl into the enclosure; an adhesive surface for trapping an insect that is at least partially contained within the enclosure; a bottom surface; and a docking switch activator for activation of the docking switch.