METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSECT CONTROL

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exterminating insects using an attracting mechanism, infrared detection and high voltage execution. An infrared detection system (18, 20, 22) senses the presence of an insect walking on a floor (34) in a corridor formed between a pair of electrode strips (14, 16). The detection of the insect causes high voltage to be applied to the electrode strips, whereby the insect is electrocuted. The floor is moved to an open position and the executed insect drops into a disposal unit.

Description: TITLE: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSECT CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for insect control and, more particularly, is directed toward methods and appartuses for non- chemical extermination of insects. 2. Description of the Prior Art: For many years, researchers have been interested in non-chemical measures for controlling insects. Although chemical controls remain an integral component of insect control systems, integration of electrical devices is helping to reduce dependence on chemicals. A variety of electronic devices have been designed for such purposes. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,144,668 discloses an insect trap which uses an electrical detecting circuit and a pair of high voltage electrodes. The electrical detecting circuit uses a low voltage signal to sense when an insect bridges the electrodes and then applies high voltage to the electrodes. Such electronic systems have met various degrees of success. A need has arisen for improvements in non-chemical control of insects. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for non-chemical SUBSTITUTE SHEET extermination of insects. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for exterminating insects using an attracting mechanism, infrared detection means and high voltage execution means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a pair of electrodes which are positioned horizontally apart in spaced parallel relationship on a movable floor. An infrared sensing system monitors the corridor between the electrodes and generates a command signal when the corridor is intruded by an insect. High voltage is applάed to the electrodes when the command signal is generated by the sensing system. The insect is electrocuted by the high voltage applied to the electrodes. The floor is moved to its open position and the electrocuted insect falls into a disposal unit. The method of the present invention for exterminating insects includes the steps of attracting the insect; generating an infrared beam; directing the infrared beam along a corridor between a pair of electrodes; detecting the presence of an insect in the corridor between the pair of electrodes; applying high voltage to the electrodes in response to the detection of the insect; executing the insect by applying high voltage to the electrodes; and disposing of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET electrocuted insect. Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the apparatuses and processes, together with their parts, steps, elements and interrelationships, that are exemplified in the following disclosure, the scope of which will be indicated in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a block diagram- of an apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a timing diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, there is shown a block diagram of an apparatus 10 embodying the present invention for non-chemical extermination of insects. In the illustrated embodiment, the insects are attracted and directed along a monitored path 11 by attracting means 15 such as ultraviolet light, attracting scents or pheromones. Path 11 leads the insect across a monitored path or SUBSTITUTE SHEET corridor 12 formed between a pair of electrodes 14 and 16 which are mounted to movable jaws 17 and 19. The jaws 17 and 19 are movable between open and closed positions, a platform or floor 34 being formed in the monitored path when the jaws are closed. Path 12 is monitored by an infrared beam generated by an infrared emitter 18 and sensed by an infrared detector 20 which are connected to a detector assembly 22. When the insect enters the monitored path 12 and interrupts the beam between emitter 18 and detector 20, detector assembly 22 generates a signal which is applied to a high voltage driver 24 via a pulse conditioning circuit 26. High voltage driver 24 actuates a high voltage source 28 which applies high voltage to electordes 14 and 16. This high voltage electrocutes the insect which is positioned between the electrodes. High voltage driver 24 actuates a solenoid driver 30 which is connected to a removal assembly 32 for example a solenoid. When solenoid 32 is actuated, movable jaws 17 and 19 (on which electrodes 14 and 16 are mounted) are moved to the open position and the dead insect falls into a disposal unit 37, for example a tray surrounded by borax crystals or other insect killing chemicals. A status unit 38 provides an indication of the status of apparatus 10.. As hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 2, rectified AC voltage from a power source SUBSTITUTE SHEET 40 is applied to a voltage conditioner 42 which converts the rectified AC to a pulsating DC for use by the solenoi driver and to multiple DC le els for use by all electronic circuits. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that power source 40 includes a transformer 44 and a full wave rectifier bridge 46. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, 115 volts AC at the input of transformer 44 is presented as a forty volt unf iltered DC signal at the output of bridge 46. This forty volt unf iltered signal is applied to voltage conditioner 42 and removal assembly 32. Removal assembly 32 includes a solenoid 48, a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 50, transient suppressing diode 52 and SCR cathode return diodes 54 and 56. SCR 50 is gated off without power drive interrupt or capacitor crowbar techniques by removing the SCR gate signal drive into a resistor 58 in the gate circuit of the SCR. Voltage conditioner 42 includes resistors 60 and 62, a diode 64, a capacitor 66 and Zener diodes 68 and 70. The DC at the output of bridge 46 is applied to diode 64 through resistor 60. Diode 64 o ' perates as a rectifier for charging capacitor 66 to the full DC level while isolating that DC level from removal assembly 32. When the bridge circuit 46 voltage level falls below the voltage on capacitor 66, diode 64 blocks the reverse current flow from capacitor 66 into SUBSTITUTE SHEET removal assembly 32 thereby retaining that capability. Pulsating DC is thereby available on the anode side of diode 64 while filtered DC is available on the cathode side of diode 64. Resistor 60 acts as a surge limiting resistor for the charging current into capacitor 66 and resistor 62 is the dropping resistor for Zener diode 70. Zener diode 68 acts as a voltage reducing device for the transistor circuits hereinafter described. Zener diode 68 drops the DC voltage across capacitor 66 by the voltage drop across the Zener diode. By so doing, a dynamic range of input voltage at transformer 44 of 115 volts AC, plus or minus 15 volts (which is equivalent to plus or minus 13 percent change in secondary voltage applied to bridge circuit 46), will not overstress the transistor circuitry when the primary input voltage is high. Furthermore, the operating current range of all circuits is easily handled by Zener diode 68 which is chosen for its protective function. Zener diode 70 provides a stable return voltage for the discharge circuits which include resistor 72 and capacitor 74 in the base circuit of a transistor 76, and resistor 78 and capacitor 80 in the base circuit of a transistor 82. Transistors 76 and 82 constitute an asymmetric free-running multivibrator which provides the drive for a READY STATUS light SUBSTITUTE SHEET emitting diode 84. The free-running multivibrator provides the light emitting diode 84 drive on-time and cycle-time. Zener diode 70 provices two functions: it reduces the variations of the light emitter diode 84 waveform timing durations and it enables the use of a much smaller RC time constant, thereby becoming more cost effective. Detector 22 includes resistors 90 and 92, infrared light emitting diode 94 and photodarlington light detector transistor 96 which includes transistors 98 and 100. The light emitting diode 94 emits infrared energy at 930 nanometers, a wavelength which is invisible to- the insect to be exterminated. Resistors 90 and 92 set the current level through diode 94, thereby setting the emmission energy level output. Resistor 102 provides the load for transistor 96. In its quiescent state, transistor 96 is illuminated by light emitting diode 94 and the voltage output is low. When an insect interrupts the light beam, the voltage output of transistor 96 goes high, thereby providing the trigger signal to activate the exterminating system. Pulse conditioning unit 26 provides wave shaping between the output of photodarlington transistor 96 and the high voltage driver 24. Pulse conditioning unit 26 includes resistors 104 and 106, transistors 108 and 110, and a diode 112. When an insect is detected, the voltage at the collectors of transistors SUBSTITUTE SHEET 98 and 100 rise. This higher voltage level drives the base of transistor 110 through resistor 104. The diode 112 in the emitter circuit of transistor 110 provides an additional voltage drop, thereby reducing susceptibility to noise from the photodarlington transistor 96 output. The collector of transistor 110 drives the base of transistor 114 in the high voltage of driver 24 via a resisitor 116. By a regenerative process, the collector of transistor 114 drives the base of a transistor 118 into saturation through a resistor 120. Simultaneously, the base of transistor 108 is driven into saturation through resistor 106. The collector of transistor 108 pulls down the base of tranisistor 110, thereby terminating the long pulse from the photodarlington transistor 96. Normally, the pulse derived from photodarlington transistor 96 would continue until the insect is cleared because its body interrupts the light beam between infrared emitter 18 and infrared detector 20. Transistor 110, in conjunction with transistor 108 effectively converts the long pulse into a sharp, clean spike. Resistor 104 isolates the pull-down effect of transistor 110 from darlington transistor 96. High voltage driver 24 includes transistors 114 and 118, resistors 116, 120, 122, 124 and 126, and a capacitor 128. High voltage driver 24 generates a square wave of approximately one second duration from SUBSTITUTE SHEET the trigger pulse received from pulse conditioning unit 26. High voltage driver 24 provides a signal to high voltage unit 28 for executing the insects, a signal to status unit 38 for energizing a visible- orange light emitting diode 130, a signal to pulse conditioning unit 26 and a signal to solenoid driver 30 via a coupling capacitor 132. When triggered, transistor 114 is driven on. The leading edge of a posi ive-going square wave is derived across resistor 126. That signal is coupled through capacitor 128 to the base drive resistor 120 of transistor 118. Transistor 118 is turned fully on, thereby pulling the base of transistor 114 into saturation through resistor 116. Transistor 114 remains in the saturated state until the charge across capacitor 128 can be dissipated. As soon as the charge across capacitor 128 is dissipated, the drive necessary to keep transistor 118 in saturation is lacking. Very rapidly, transistor 118 goes off, transistor 114 goes off and the trailing edge of the square wave pulse at the collector of transistor 114 is differentiated by coupling capacitor 132 to provide a negative spike to the base of a transistor 140. This causes the solenoid to begin the same regenerative process described for high voltage driver 24. The square wave pulse which is approximately one second duration at the collector of transistor 114 ft! J fiTITUTE SHEET drives a triac gate circuit 142 through a resistor 144. Triac 142 will remain ON for sine wave conduction of each complete lobe (positive going and negative going) only so long as the positive gate pulse is sustained. The square wave pulse at the collector of transistor 114 provides drive power to the base of a transistor 146 through a resistor 148. The visible-orange light emitting diode 130 is enabled, which indicates that triac 142 is ON and the execution of the insect is taking place. Finally, because the signal to high voltage driver 24 is de¬ coupled, any failure of the insect to clear the light beam path between infrared emitter 18 and infrared detector 20 after execution will cause the system to recycle. The solenoid driver 30 includes transistors 140 and 150, resistors 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160, and a capacitor 162. Solenoid driver 30 provides a square wave of approximately one second duration from the trigger derived via coupling capacitor 132 from high voltage driver 24 as previously described. Solenoid driver generates signals which are applied to removal assembly 32 for insect removal and to a visible-green light emitting diode 170. The operation of the regenerative cycle of transistors 140 and 150 is identical to that of transistors 114 and . 118. SUBSTITUTE SHEET The square wave pulse of approximately one second duration at the collector of transistor 140 drives the gate of SCR 50 through resistor 58. The SCR 50 remains in the conducting state only so long as this gate pulse is present. Upon removal of the gate pulse, the lobe of pulsating DC which drives removal assembly 32 will be completed. Then the SCR 50 automatically ceases to conduct. The square wave at the collector of transistor 140 provides a signal to the base of a transistor 172 through a resistor 174. This signal enables the visible-green light emitting diode 170 to provide an indication that the exterminated insect is being cleared from the monitored corridor 12. The status assembly 38 includes visible-red light . emitting diode 84, visible-orange light emitting diode 130 and visible-green light emitting diode 170. Visible-red light emitting diode 84 is driven by an asymmetric, free-running multivibrator, (transistors 76 and 82) via a resistor 180 at the base of a transistor 182. The red signal emitted from light emitting 84 provides an indication that apparatus 10 is in the standby mode and ready to execute the next insect that interrupts the infrared beam between infrared emitter 18 and infrared detector 20. The one second visible-orange light generated by light emitting diode 130 shows that execution of the insect is taking place. The one second visible-green light SUBSTITUTE SHEET generated by light emitting diode 170 shows that the exterminated insect is being cleared from the path 12. Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above-description and depicted in the accompanying drawings be construed in a illustrative and not a limiting sense. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for exterminating insects comprising: (a) means for attracting an insect; (b) a platform; (c) a pair of electrode means mounted in spaced parallel relationship on said platform, a corridor formed between said electrode means, said corridor sufficiently wide to permit passage of an insect; (d) a high voltage power supply connected to said electrode means, said corridor sufficiently narrow to permit electrocution of an insect positioned in said corridor when high voltage is applied to said electrode means; and (e) infrared sensor means positioned to monitor movement in said corridor and generate a detection signal when an insect enters said corridor, said detection signal sent to said high voltage means, high voltage being applied to said electrode means for a • short duration of time when said detection signal is received by said high voltage means. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said infrared sensor means includes emitter means and detector means, said emitter means generating a beam of light along said corridor, said detector means receiving said beam of light, a change of intensity in said beam of light between emitter and detector causing said detector to generate said detection signal. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said emitter means emits infrared energy which is invisible to the insect to be executed. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said emitted infrared energy is at.930 nanometers. 5. The appa ' ratus as claimed in claim 4 including status means for generating an indication when an insect enters said corridor. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform is a pair of movable members which are movable between open and closed positions, said movable members forming a floor for an insect to travel on when in said closed position, an exterminated insect being dropped from said platform when said platform is moved from said closed position to said open position. 7. A method of exterminating an insect comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a pair of electrodes in spaced parallel relationship and SUBSTITUTE SHEET forming a corridor therebetween; (b) monitoring said corridor using infrared energy; (c) attracting an insect into said corridor; (d) detecting movement of an insect in said corridor; (e) applying a high voltage signal to said electrodes in response to the detection of insect movement in said corridor and executing the insect in said corridor. 8. An apparatus for exterminating insects comprising: (a)' means for attracting an insect; (b) platform means movable between open and closed positions; (c) a pair of electrode means mounted in spaced parallel relationship on said platform means, a corridor formed between said electrode means, said corridor sufficiently wide to permit passage of an insect, said platform means in its closed position forming a floor for an insect passing between said electrodes; (d) a high voltage power supply connected to said electrode means, said corridor SUBSTITUTE SHEET suff iciently narrow to permit electrocution of an insect positioned in said corridor when high voltage is applied to said electrode means; (e) infrared sensor means positioned to monitor movement in said corridor and generate a detection signal when an insect enters said corridor, said detection signal sent to said high voltage means, high voltage being applied to said electrode means when said detection signal is received by said high voltage means; and (f) disposal means below said floor in registration with said corridor, an c insect in said corridor falling into said disposal means when said platform means is in its open position. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said infrared sensor means includes emitter means and detector means, said emitter means generating a beam of light along said corridor, said detector means receiving said beam of light, interruption of said beam of light between emitter and detector causing said detector to generate said detection signal. iUBSTlTUTE SHEET

Inventors: CARR CURTIS E, CARR, CURTIS, E.
Applicants: CARR CURTIS E, CARR, CURTIS, E.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A01M1
IPC codes: A01M1