Insect Repelling Mist System with Presence Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to provide an effective, non-toxic, and inexpensive method to prevent insect gathering near outdoor food and garbage areas, particularly around beverage dispensers and trash receptacles, which are attractive to bees and wasps.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a continuous, interruptible water mist around insect attractants, using a presence sensor to stop the mist when a user approaches and resume it when the user is away, creating a chemical-free barrier to deter insects while allowing human access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a continuous water mist is generated around beverage dispensers and trash receptacles, then insects are effectively repelled and the attractant surface is cleaned, but the system becomes complex and requires continuous water supply and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protection area into multiple zones around the beverage dispenser and trash receptacle, with mist nozzles positioned at different locations to create localized protective barriers. This segmentation allows the system to target insect gathering points specifically without requiring a complete enclosure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the sensor detection mechanism and the mist generation system. This intermediary component processes sensor signals and automatically activates or deactivates the mist nozzles based on detected conditions (such as presence of insects or users), simplifying the overall control architecture and reducing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a presence sensor is used to interrupt the mist when a user approaches, then user access is facilitated, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensing and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs passive infrared sensors that automatically detect user presence and trigger the mist interruption without requiring any user interaction or additional control inputs. The system serves itself by autonomously detecting conditions and adjusting operation accordingly, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual control mechanisms while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical presence detection methods (such as pressure sensors or physical switches) with optical or electromagnetic sensing technologies. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and enables more reliable, contactless detection of user presence, facilitating easier user access while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical insecticides are used to repel insects, then effective pest control is achieved, but toxic substances are introduced into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of water (which can attract insects to liquid sources) into a beneficial force by using pressurized mist streams to actively repel insects through physical impact and displacement. The same water that could potentially attract insects is instead used as a mechanical barrier that pushes insects away, eliminating the need for toxic chemical insecticides while achieving effective pest control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using pressurized water delivery systems to generate high-velocity mist streams that physically repel insects. The pressurized water flow creates dynamic barriers and cleaning effects without requiring chemical additives, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic insecticides while maintaining effective insect repulsion.
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
Effectively reduces the number of bee stings and provides a chemical-free pest repellent, continuously cleaning the attractant surface and promoting public health and safety by deterring insects from outdoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
a mister device coupled to the beverage dispenser and configured to generate a mist at the beverage dispenser
Implementation Method 2
a sensor operatively coupled to the mister device and configured to produce a sense signal when a user of the beverage dispenser is detected by the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for repelling insects from an object (e.g., a beverage dispenser), the system including a mister device configured to generate a mist at the object; and a sensor operatively coupled to the mister device and configured to produce a sense signal when a user of the object is detected by the sensor, wherein the mister device is configured to stop generation of the mist based at least in part on the sense signal such that the user can use the object without being exposed to the mist, and wherein the mister device is further configured to restart generation of the mist once the user is no longer detected by the sensor. A method that includes generating a mist at an object; detecting a user of the object; and stopping the generating of the mist based at least in part on the detecting of the user.