Insect Swatter Paddle with Deformable Flaps for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insect swatters apply excessive force when striking insects, leading to damage of the paddle element upon contact with non-uniform surfaces, reducing their effectiveness and working life.
Innovation Solution
The insect swatting device incorporates a paddle element with a force-absorbing mechanism, featuring an elongated frame with alternating flaps that transition from a planar initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon impact, absorbing excess force and preventing damage by bending or compressing, allowing the device to return to its initial state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the paddle element is made rigid to effectively strike insects, then the striking effectiveness is improved, but the paddle element is more susceptible to damage from excessive force and non-uniform surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with flaps that can move and deform. The flaps are configured to remain relatively rigid during normal insect striking to maintain effectiveness, but can deform and absorb excessive force when striking non-uniform surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between striking effectiveness and damage resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the paddle element is changed by introducing movable flaps that can alter their rigidity parameter. The flaps maintain a rigid configuration for effective insect striking but can transition to a more compliant state when subjected to excessive force, thereby adapting the parameter of rigidity to different operational conditions
2Speed
If users swing the swatter with more force to quickly strike insects, then the striking speed is improved, but the excessive force damages the paddle element
Solution Approach 1:
The flap structure serves as a pre-configured cushioning mechanism that activates before permanent damage can occur. When excessive force is applied during high-speed striking, the flaps deform to absorb the excess energy, protecting the paddle element from damage while allowing users to maintain high striking speed
3Ease of manufacture
If the paddle element has a uniform border design, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the border is more prone to breaking when striking non-uniform surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle element border is segmented into multiple independent flaps instead of a single rigid border. This segmentation allows each flap to independently deform and absorb stress when striking non-uniform surfaces, preventing the propagation of stress that would cause breaking in a uniform border design, while still maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity
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
This design reduces the risk of damage to the swatter, extends its working life, and ensures effective insect striking without excessive force application, maintaining the swatter's functionality and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The flaps are flexible and resilient. The elongated frame is flexible and resilient. When there is excess force in the typical strike, the flaps are bent more and/or more flaps are bent and the elongate frame is compressed more... The flaps and the elongated frame actuating between the initial configuration and the deformed configuration absorb the excess force.
Data Source
AI summary
The device for swatting insects includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, a handle portion mounted on the proximal end, and a paddle portion mounted on the distal end. The paddle portion absorbs excess force so that strong swings to strike the insect are less likely to damage the device. The paddle portion includes an elongated frame, a plurality of first flaps, and a plurality of second flaps. The elongated frame has top contact portion and a bottom contact portion. An initial configuration includes the flaps being planar and the top contact portion being furthest apart from the bottom contact portion in preparation to strike. A deformed configuration includes the flaps being bent upward from the frame and the top contact portion and the bottom contact portion closer to each other during the strike on the insect.