UV Light Insect Trap With Removable Double-Sided Adhesive Refill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect traps that use chemicals or electroshocking kill grids pose safety risks and are undesirable for use in residential areas, while passive traps lack the effectiveness of active light-based systems.

Innovation Solution

A plug-in insect trap device combining a light source with a removable adhesive substrate, utilizing UV LEDs and a lens to attract insects, which are then trapped on a double-sided adhesive refill.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electroshocking kill grids are used to attract and kill insects, then insect trapping effectiveness is improved, but safety risks increase for small animals, pets, or children

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect trapping effectivenessVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful electroshocking kill grid from the system and replaces it with a safe adhesive substrate. The light attraction mechanism is retained but decoupled from the harmful killing method, allowing insects to be attracted safely and then trapped on the adhesive surface without electrocution risks to pets or children.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful electroshocking method into a beneficial safe adhesive trapping system. The light attraction that previously led to dangerous electrocution now leads to safe entrapment on adhesive surfaces, transforming a harmful feature into a beneficial safety characteristic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If chemicals or bait are used in passive insect traps, then insect attraction is improved, but user desirability decreases due to safety and preference considerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect attractionVSAvoiduser desirability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the active light attraction mechanism with the passive adhesive trapping substrate into a single integrated device. This combination eliminates the need for separate chemical baits while maintaining effective insect attraction through UV light and enabling safe trapping through the adhesive surface, making the device more desirable for home use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If light sources are used to attract insects, then insect attraction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect attraction effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable adhesive substrates that can be easily replaced. The light source remains as a permanent base unit, while the consumable adhesive refills are simple, inexpensive components that eliminate the need for complex reloading mechanisms, keeping the overall device complexity low despite the active light attraction feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 captures flying insects during the day without chemicals or electroshocking, allowing for discreet placement in homes due to its attractive design.

Implementation Method 1

the chamfered surface refracts light emitted by the plurality of LEDs toward the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive is applied to the front face and the rear face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4044800B1Insect trap device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP4044800B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4044800B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4044800B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A removable substrate for an insect attractant device includes a body having front and rear faces, a grip portion, and a base disposed opposite the grip portion. The removable substrate further includes a first lateral portion extending from the base, and a second lateral portion extending from the base. A projection extends outwardly from the base, lowermost ends of the first and second lateral portions are disposed below the projection, and an adhesive is applied to the front face and the rear face.