Rotating Ring Insect Trap with Adjustable Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect traps, such as funnel traps, often capture non-targeted insects due to their design, which is not reversible and only suitable for specific insect sizes, limiting their effectiveness in protecting crops and gardens from various pest species.

Innovation Solution

A trapping device with a movable ring component that allows for reversible adjustment of opening sizes, enabling the escape of multiple insect sizes by rotating the ring to position smaller openings opposite the main opening, facilitating the release of targeted or non-targeted insects based on size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a funnel trap with fixed opening size is used, then the trap structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it can only target insects of specific size and cannot release non-targeted insects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to target different insect sizesVSAvoidtrap structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a rotatable ring with multiple openings of different sizes that can be rotated to different positions. This allows the trap to dynamically adjust which openings are aligned with the funnel, thereby adapting to target different insect sizes. The ring can be rotated to align specific openings with the funnel for trapping particular insect sizes, and rotated again to align different openings for releasing other insects, making the trap structure adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single opening into multiple separate openings of different sizes arranged on a rotatable ring. Instead of having one fixed opening, the trap now has multiple segmented openings (first opening, second opening, third opening, etc.) with different dimensions, allowing selective alignment with the funnel to target different insect size categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If openings of different sizes are provided to target different insect sizes, then the trap can be more versatile, but the device becomes more complex and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to release different insect sizesVSAvoidease of adjusting openings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable ring provides a simple dynamic mechanism for adjusting which openings are active. The ring can be easily rotated to different predetermined positions where specific openings align with the funnel. This rotational adjustment is much simpler than manually opening/closing multiple separate flaps or adjusting complex mechanisms, making the trap versatile while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed trap design is used for a specific insect species, then the trap design is simple, but it captures non-targeted insects of different sizes which is not desired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture of non-targeted insectsVSAvoidselectivity for targeted insect species
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different openings with different local characteristics (different sizes) at different positions on the rotatable ring. Each opening has a specific local quality suited for trapping or releasing insects of particular size ranges. By rotating the ring to align specific local openings with the funnel, the trap can selectively target or release specific insect size categories, reducing capture of non-targeted insects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4011203B1Trapping device for insects, in particular flying insects, and use of such a device
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 MELCHIOR MATERIAL & LIFE SCI FRANCE
  • EP4011203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4011203B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates in particular to a trapping device (1), which consists of a receptacle, with a bowl (2) for receiving said insects, surmounted by a cap (7) and a lid for the bowl (2), said bowl (2) and said cap (7) being shaped to be assembled. The bowl (2) has a first opening (35) having a first surface, and is provided with a movable member (4) having a second opening (41, 42, 43) and at least a third opening (41, 42, 43), these openings (41, 42, 43) having different surfaces smaller than that of said first opening (35), said member (4) being movable between a first position in which neither said second nor said third opening (41, 42, 43) are positioned opposite said first opening (35), and additional positions.The peripheral wall (20) of said bowl (2) is generally cylindrical and said movable member (4) has the form of a ring mounted movable in rotation around said peripheral wall (30), against the outer face of this wall.