Smart Insect Trap Consumables With Capacitive Status Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pest control industry is labor-intensive due to the need for timely maintenance and replacement of consumables in traps, such as glue boards and light bulbs, which often fail unexpectedly, leading to suboptimal performance and infestations.
Innovation Solution
A system that facilitates communication between traps and consumables using RFID tags or sensors, allowing for real-time data capture and reporting of consumable status to system operators, enabling timely replacements based on performance and need rather than fixed intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If consumables are replaced at fixed intervals, then maintenance is simplified and scheduled, but replacements occur before needed (wasting resources) or after needed (losing effectiveness)
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor consumable status (glue board coverage, light bulb functionality) and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of maintenance schedules based on actual consumable condition rather than fixed intervals, resolving the contradiction between simplified scheduling and reliable performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap system autonomously monitors its own consumable status through integrated sensors and communication modules. The consumables effectively self-report their condition, eliminating the need for manual inspection and enabling precise, need-based replacement timing that maintains performance while optimizing resource usage.
2Loss of information
If manual inspection of traps is performed, then consumable status can be assessed, but labor costs increase and response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated electronic sensing and wireless communication. Sensors detect consumable status (capacitive sensing for glue boards, electrical testing for light bulbs) and transmit data automatically, eliminating labor-intensive manual checks while providing continuous real-time information about consumable condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system (RFID tags, wireless transmitters) that bridges the gap between the trap/consumable and the central monitoring system. This intermediary automatically conveys consumable status information without requiring direct human intervention, improving both information availability and maintenance productivity.
3Reliability
If consumables are monitored continuously, then optimal replacement timing is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into simple, modular components: individual sensors for each consumable type, separate communication modules, and distributed processing. Each glue board has its own capacitive sensors, each light bulb circuit has its own testing mechanism. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive continuous monitoring of multiple consumables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal communication protocols and standardized sensor interfaces that can monitor different consumable types (glue boards, light bulbs, pheromone cartridges) through common architectural patterns. This multi-functionality approach reduces complexity by reusing the same basic monitoring framework across different consumable types rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each.
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
Ensures optimal trap performance by allowing for immediate action on consumable failures or reduced effectiveness, improving catch rates and maintaining warranty compliance through real-time auditable management.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor detects flying insects by mutual capacitance sensing and comprises a sensor conductor which is a transmit electrode, and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors which are receive electrodes
Implementation Method 2
said conductors being supported on an un-grounded conductive substrate which is electrically isolated by an electrical insulator from said conductors to act as a shield or guard
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a trap and a consumable. The trap may include a data capture mechanism configured to capture data and send the data to a system operator. The consumable may include a device having an associated electronic identification code. A status-determining mechanism may be configured to determine a status of the consumable, which status may be readable via the data capture mechanism. The consumable may include a sensor configured to detect flying insects via mutual capacitance sensing. The sensor may be configured to provide a directional fringe field responsive to a flying insect. The sensor may include a plurality of sensor triplets arranged in a grid array. Each sensor triplet may include a sensor conductor and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors. The two un-grounded conductors may be disposed one on either side of the sensor conductor to form the sensor triplet.