Abstract:
An intermittent insect trap, working time of which proceeds by alternating periods, and embodies two primary operations including actuation of ultrasonic waves to excite an attractant and form a mist and formation of a backpressure airflow, thereby ensuring that concentration of the mist is not disturbed and thus reduced by external forces during the course of vaporization, and thus preventing dilution of the attractant. Moreover, intermittent operation of a motor results in substantial savings in power. The insect trap primarily uses a mist excitation device to excite and disperse an insect attractant as attractant particles that suspend in the air and diffuse. After achieving a predetermined diffusion concentration, operation switches over to actuate a backpressure device, which pressures lured insects into a receiving chamber through a valve. The alternating working times and mechanical ensnaring of insects provide the insect trap with effective inducement and power saving features.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     (a) Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to insect traps, and more particularly to an intermittent insect trap that provides two primary operations including quantification control of inducement and capture, which are divided into a preparation inducement period and actuation of a motor to form a backpressure trap stroke. The two operations alternate between start and stop to sufficiently distribute attractant particles that effectively attracts insects and interchanges with actuating the backpressure motor, thereby achieving a power saving and safe insect trap. Because of the power saving benefit of the insect trap, thus, small size batteries can be used, which facilitates use outdoors. Moreover, installation location of the insect trap is not limited by cables, thereby enabling it to be freely transported and placed on the ground, hung up, suspended, and so on, for use indoors and outdoors, in plant cultivation areas, and so on.  
         [0003]     (b) Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     The majority of conventional insect traps available for sale in the current market use ultraviolet light waves to attract insects towards the insect trap, whereupon the insects come in contact with a high voltage net, which causes a short circuit that strikes down the insects. Although such a method has a definite effect, however, the following shortcomings are still evident:  
         [0005]     1. Wavelength of the ultraviolet light used is approximately 360 nanos, and such ultraviolet light waves are harmful to the retinas of a person that approaches within one meter of the insect trap. Moreover, a person is more prone to skin cancer after being exposed to the ultraviolet light for a long period of time.  
         [0006]     2. There exists the danger of being electrocuted by the high voltage net used to trap insects, and a hazard to the limbs of children is particularly evident.  
         [0007]     Regarding early insect trap devices that use ultraviolet light as an inducing medium, after insects are exposed to the ultraviolet light, a fan is used to pressure the insects towards the net, where they become entrapped. However, such a configuration enables the insects to escape after the fan activity stops, thereby causing continued needless wastage of electric power.  
         [0008]     In recent years, other insect trap devices have appeared that use specific light waves of a light catalyst to act on an inducing medium and effectuate carbonization, wherein the operating process includes use of high voltage to shock the insects and a fan to whisk the insects towards the trap.  
         [0009]     Furthermore, other insect traps use a light source to draw insects close to an insect trap, whereupon an electrified net shocks the insects and a fan concentrates the stream of insects to form a high speed stream of captured insects. However, such insect trap devices are extremely noisy.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, other insect traps use a light source disposed in a box, which is used to lure the insects, whereupon an adhesive agent is used to adhere and entrap the insects, thereby forming a quiet functional operation. However, functional efficiency is poor.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,166 discloses an insect trap that uses natural vaporization of an attractant and a motor driven fan under continuous operation to ensnare as many insects as possible that approach the insect trap.  
         [0012]     Because of the large current demand under normal operation of the aforementioned various insect trap devices, thus, a power supply must be provided. Hence, the corresponding power consumption foregoes the ability to use the insect traps outdoors. Moreover, there is no control over the actual time the attractant is dispersed. Furthermore, because the attractant is dispersed through natural vaporization using the Brownian movement effect of an ionized substance in air, thus, dispersal quantity cannot be appropriately controlled. The attractant is also affected by the continuously motor driven fan, and odor particles undergo mixed-flow dilution. Moreover, because of a backpressure (vacuum) space caused by the fan, thus, the attractant must be installed in a prescribed position. After the attractant has been vaporized, the fan draws it towards the direction of an arresting net, and thus the amount of vaporized attractant never reaches a satisfying required density. Hence, the attractant loses its inducement effectiveness.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Primary object of the present invention is to provide an insect trap device that uses ultrasonic waves to excite an attractant and form a mist, the device functioning in coordination with an airflow backpressure device to actuate intermittent and staggered operation of working times and effectuate mechanical ensnaring of insects. Moreover, the insect trap device provides power saving features and safety in use.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to configure a body temperature simulator device at a position adjoining an attracting area, thereby increasing effectiveness of luring insects close to the insect trap device.  
         [0015]     A third object of the present invention is to configure a light generator having ultraviolet light emitting diodes at a position adjoining the attracting area, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting diodes emit inducing light. The light waves are directional and wavelength specific controlled to safeguard the eyes of any persons close to the insect trap device. Moreover, the light waves can be pulsed to enhance effectiveness of visual attracting insects.  
         [0016]     A fourth object of the present invention is to provide the insect trap device with a mist excitation device comprising a piezoelectric ceramic driver that actuates a percussion board. A percussion hole is defined in the percussion board, and high frequency vibration of the percussion board is used to excite a water film formed at an end opening of a water guide fiber.  
         [0017]     A fifth object of the present invention is to provide the mist excitation device with a floating member to support the piezoelectric ceramic driver, the percussion board extending from one side thereof. The percussion board is joined to the piezoelectric ceramic driver and forms a cantilever connection thereto. The percussion hole defined in the percussion board is made to come in contact with a liquid surface of a large quantity of liquid state attractant, a specific amount of which can be excited in a definite direction.  
         [0018]     To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an exterior view depicting structure of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a linear view depicting working time lines of a percussion board and a backpressure device according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a structural view depicting primary component members of a mist excitation device according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view depicting percussion slots defined in the percussion board according to the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view depicting other percussion slots defined in the percussion board according to the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view depicting  FIG. 3  in use according to the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic elevational view depicting the percussion board joined to a rectangular driver according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic elevational view depicting the percussion board joined to a circular driver according to the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the mist excitation device according to the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of  FIG. 9  using an oblique percussion board according to the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  shows another schematic view of  FIG. 9  using an oblique percussion board according to the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic view depicting primary structure of a body temperature simulator device according to the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic view depicting primary structure of a light generator according to the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  shows a schematic view depicting assembly and working of the backpressure device and corresponding receiving chamber according to the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  shows a schematic view depicting working of a unidirectional valve and the corresponding receiving chamber according to the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  shows a control circuit diagram according to the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  shows a basic circuit diagram depicting temperature control according to the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  shows a graph depicting curves obtained when testing the body temperature simulator device according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows an intermittent insect trap of the present invention, wherein an insect trap  1  is primarily structured to comprise a base  11 , a one-way successively arranged receiving camber  6  and a backpressure device  5 , and a mist excitation device  2  disposed in an attracting area  100 .  
         [0038]     The mist excitation device  2  functions within the attracting area  100 . A body temperature simulator device  3  and an ultraviolet light generator  4  are further disposed at corresponding positions in the attracting area  100 . The light generator  4  further uses any intermittent operation circuit to control the light pulse and achieve a flickering action that generates a vivid stimulated light, which visually stimulates and attracts insects.  
         [0039]     A stand  110  is formed at a bottom end of the base  11  to facilitate placing on the ground, thereby enabling the trapping of crawling insects, as well as flying insects, and so on. Moreover, a suspend member  130  is configured on an upper portion of a cover  13 , which provides for hanging at a high position, or any hardware member can be used to assist in hanging the present invention to a wall.  
         [0040]     The mist excitation device  2  produces an odor that attracts insects by dispersing to a periphery of the attracting area  100 . After insects are lured into the attracting area  100 , operation switches over to a period that actuates the backpressure device  5 , which produces a backpressure airflow that pressures the insects into a receiving chamber  6 .  
         [0041]     Pressure release openings  61  are defined in the receiving chamber  6  to discharge airflow pressure, thereby creating an unhindered airflow path.  
         [0042]     The aforementioned devices are assembled together by means of a frame  12 . A mechanical unidirectional valve  7  is configured between the backpressure device  5  and the receiving chamber  6 , and a pressure effect from the backpressure device  5  opens the unidirectional valve  7 , thereby creating an airflow path to the receiving chamber  6 .  
         [0043]     The aforementioned body temperature simulator device  3  and the ultraviolet light generator  4  can function independently or in synchronization with the excitation device  2 .  
         [0044]     The present invention is covered with the dustproof cover  13 .  
         [0045]     Reflecting surfaces  520  are configured on surfaces of a fan  52  so as to face a light source. The reflecting surfaces  520  are curved reflecting surfaces because of the curved shape of the surfaces of the fan  52 . Speed of rotation of the motor driven fan  52  slows down after a motor is turned-off, whereupon the curved reflecting surfaces  520  amplify reflection range of the light source at a specific point when angle is such that the insects are visually attracted. The reflected light presents a vivid flickering light to the insects, which together with the phototaxis of insects adds to increasing the attractant effectiveness.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , which shows a linear view of the working time line A of the aforementioned mist excitation device  2  and a working time line B of the backpressure device  5 .  
         [0047]     An intermittent time T (preparation period) proceeds after T 1  of the working time line A, whereafter working time period T 2  of B is actuated, which after completion is continued with the next working time period T 1  of A, thereby achieving intermittence and alternation, which enable the mist excitation device  2  and the backpressure device  5  to form an intermittent and alternating actuating operation.  
         [0048]     Because the intermittent time T forms a waiting ensnare period, thus, needless waste of the attractant is avoided, and, moreover, saves on unnecessary current consumption. The alternating actuating operation is realized between the mist excitation device  2  and the backpressure device  5  by the working time of the mist excitation device  2  being arranged to occur immediately after completion of the backpressure device  5  working time, thereby enabling the insect trap  1  to form a practical ensnare operation sequence.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the present invention specifically uses the low dissipation ultrasonic mist excitation device  2  to atomize the attractant and form minute particles therefrom, which then float in suspension in the attracting area  100 .  
         [0050]     It is known that when the particle diameter of a substance is diminished, diffusion theory tells us that rate of diffusion and diffusion distance of the particles are correspondingly increased. Hence, by the same principle, dispersal effectiveness of the attractant is substantially increased, which enables insects to be more easily attracted towards the insect trap  1 .  
         [0051]     The attractant can imitate the amine chemical substances present on the human body, for instance, the odor from normal excreted perspiration, to achieve effectiveness of inducing insects.  
         [0052]     The mist excitation device  2  comprises a container  20 , interior of which retains the attractant in liquid state that is used to induce insects. A water guide fiber  21  adsorbs the aforementioned attractant to an end opening  210  of the water guide fiber  21 , whereat a water film is formed. A low voltage high frequency piezoelectric ceramic driver  22  actuates a percussion board  23 , causing it to vibrate at high frequency.  
         [0053]     A percussion hole  230  is defined in a surface of the percussion board  23 , and the percussion hole  230  acts on the water film formed at the end opening  210  of the water guide fiber  21  to realize a continuous effect thereon.  
         [0054]     The aforementioned percussion hole  230  is a microhole, and if a minute granular dust particle enters therein, then there is the possibility of obstruction. Hence, the percussion hole  230  of the percussion board  23  can be formed as line-shaped percussion slots  231  (see  FIG. 4 ), a plurality of which are juxtapositioned on the percussion board  23  with the condition that they do not affect the mechanical strength of the percussion board  23 . Hence, if a granular particle enters one of the percussion slots  231  when in use, then the other percussion slots  231  enable operation to continue.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , if the distributed quantity of the percussion slots  231  on a definite area of a surface of the percussion board  23  is increased, and the percussion slots  231  are defined as curved line shapes, which are restricted to a prescribed breadth and length, then the line-shaped percussion slots  231  can be lengthened, thereby attaining a relatively larger work capacity, while still ensuring that work efficiency operates in coordination with the power supply.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , after the percussion board  23  has been actuated by the driver  22 , the high frequency vibration produced by the vibrating percussion board  23  excites the water film drawn to the end opening  210  by the water guide fiber  21 , thereby forming a mist.  
         [0057]     Furthermore, the end opening  210  is an arc-shaped end opening, which is used to enable the percussion board  23  to press close thereto, and a θ° angle that the percussion board  23  makes with the end opening  210  can be altered within a permitted range, thereby correspondingly changing angle of the driver  22 A to facilitate modulation of direction and amount of mist sprayed.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , which shows the driver  22  as a rectangular form, the percussion board  23  extending from one side thereof. The percussion board  23  is joined to the driver  22  and forms a cantilever connection thereto.  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , which shows the driver  22  further designed as a circular form, which drives the percussion board  23 . The circular form driver  22  is eccentrically joined to the cantilever percussion board  23  extending sideward therefrom.  
         [0060]     Material used to fabricate each type of the aforementioned percussion boards  23  can be laminar metal or a plastic membrane, thickness of which is approximately 15˜50 mm, and the percussion hole is defined in the surface thereof.  
         [0061]     Furthermore, any agglutination or soldering method can be adopted to join the percussion board  23  to the piezoelectric ceramic driver  22 .  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , which shows the mist excitation device  2  adopting a floating configuration whereby a floating member  24  floats within the open form container  20  filled with the liquid state attractant. The floating member  24  floats on top of a liquid surface  200 , and a through hole  240  is formed central of the floating member  24 , which provides for the percussion board  23  to be positioned therein.  
         [0063]     The floating member  24  bears the weight of the driver  22 , which is joined to the percussion board  23 , and the driver  22  is connected to a power supply through an electric cable  220 . Surface contact between the percussion board  23  and the liquid surface  200  is used to excite the liquid state attractant, thereby generating a large quantity of mist.  
         [0064]     Any method can be used to integrate the container  20  to a position adjoining the attracting area  100  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0065]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , which shows the floating member  24  floating on the liquid surface  200  and the percussion board  23  arranged in the central through hole  240 . The percussion board  23  is joined obliquely to the driver  22 , thereby enabling the percussion board  23  to enter the liquid surface  200  at an angle, which facilitates disposing the driver  22  on a surface of the floating member  24 .  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , which shows the floating member  24  floating on the liquid surface  200 , and the percussion board  23  arranged in the central through hole  240 . The percussion board  23  is joined linearly to the driver  22 , and the driver  22  together with the percussion board  23  are joined to the floating member  24  at the same angle.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the aforementioned body temperature simulator device  3  is joined to the attracting area  100  using a joining member  40  (see  FIG. 1 ), and a heating element  31  is connected to a bottom portion of a frame  30 .  
         [0068]     Temperature produced by the heating element  31  is between 38° C. and 42° C. which exceeds temperature range of the human body and provides an offset to the ambient air temperature, and enables furnishing the attracting area  100  with a residual temperature close to body temperature.  
         [0069]     The heating element  31  can be any thermal resistor element or positive temperature coefficient ceramic resistor. A self constant temperature property of the heating element  31  is used to realize the required temperature curve.  
         [0070]     A circuit can be used to control the temperature produced by the heating element  31  or any heat dissipating element can be used to dissipate the heat or any art can be employed that causes value of the terminal temperature to be within the required temperature range.  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , which shows the ultraviolet light generator  4  joined to the joining member  40 . Any method can be used to adjoin the joining member  40  to the attracting area  100  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0072]     Ultraviolet light emitting diodes  41  are configured on the joining member  40  so as to face the attracting area  100 , and ultraviolet light beams B 0  emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting diodes  41  provide sufficiently focused light beams or scattered light beams that attract insects. Moreover, the ultraviolet light beams B 0  are guided to within the attracting area  100 , where they are reflected to prevent needless escape of the ultraviolet light beams B 0 , which could otherwise cause harm to the eyes. Wavelength of the ultraviolet light beams B 0  is controlled so as to produce a specific safe frequency.  
         [0073]     Preferred wavelength of the aforementioned ultraviolet light beams B 0  is between 360 and 420 nanos.  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , which shows the backpressure device  5  driving the fan  52  by means of a motor  51 . An axial flow method connects the airflow from the fan  52  to the receiving chamber  6 , in the path of which is disposed the unidirectional valve  7 . The pressure release holes  61  are defined in the receiving chamber  6 .  
         [0075]     The air flow pressured into the receiving chamber  6  by the backpressure device  5  first pushes down on valve gates  71  of the unidirectional value  7 , thereby opening the valves gates  71  and forming a passageway for air to flow into the receiving chamber  6 . The pressure release holes  61  defined in the receiving chamber  6  release positive pressure out of the receiving chamber  6 .  
         [0076]     A bottom portion of the receiving chamber  6  is further configured with a deflector cone  62 , presence of which can prevent a mixed flow from occurring in the air entering the receiving chamber  6 , which would otherwise dissipate kinetic energy of the airflow.  
         [0077]     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the unidirectional valve  7  can be any mechanical opening and closing unidirectional valve driven by electromagnetic force, a motor, and so on, which works in synchronization with a fan motor configured on the backpressure device  5  or the unidirectional valve  7  can be fabricated from mechanical automatic repositioning valve gates or simply constructed from a macromolecular diaphragm  710  peripherally structured with a securing rim  72 . Groovings  70  radially equally segment the macromolecular diaphragm  710  to form a plurality of independent valve gates  71 .  
         [0078]     The valve gates  71  are subjected to approximately one gram of air pressure, which enables the unidirectional valve  7  to downwardly open. After a wind force F from the fan  52  stops, a resilient restoring effect of the unidirectional valve  7  causes the valve gates  71  to reposition and form a closed state.  
         [0079]     The pressure release holes  61  defined in the receiving chamber  6  are blocked with nets  610 , thereby preventing insects ensnared within the receiving chamber  6  from escaping, and forming a mechanical snare.  
         [0080]     Referring to  FIG. 16 , which shows a control circuit  8  that controls working times of the aforementioned devices. A power source device  81  configured in the control circuit  8  acquires electric power through a guide terminal  812 . The guide terminal  812  can also use a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal  811 , which enables connecting to a computer to supply electric power to actuate the power source device  81 . A charge return circuit  813  used to charge a battery  814  is configured on one side of the power source device  81 . After the battery  814  has become discharged, switching on a switch  810  enables the input of electric power required by the control circuit  8 . Because of the low working voltage requirements of the entire insect trap  1 , thus, the battery  814  used can be a small size battery, thereby facilitating use of the insect trap  1  at any location indoors or outdoors. Moreover, the insect trap  1  is portable, can be placed on the ground, and facilitates installation in any formal space.  
         [0081]     The electric power is supplied to a time control device  80 , which controls a ultrasonic drive circuit  82  and a fan drive circuit  85 , which realize alternating varied time modulation control of the excitation device  2  and the backpressure device  5 . Modulation states are as depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0082]     A heat control device  83  controls the opening and closing operation of the power source  810  that supplies power required by the heating element  31  of the body temperature simulator device  3 .  
         [0083]     The body temperature simulator device  3 , with an application concept as depicted in  FIG. 12 , uses the heat control device  83  to control the working tine required by the heating element  31 . If the heating element  31  is a positive temperature coefficient ceramic resistor, then functional coordination of such a heat dissipating structure can simplify the heat control device  83 .  
         [0084]     Furthermore, in order for the heating element  31  to function in coordination with the power source and work under low voltage conditions, after an electric current is supplied to the switch  810 , the ultraviolet light generator  4  is unilaterally actuated and drives the light emitting diodes  41  to produce ultraviolet light waves.  
         [0085]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a CV, CP and CT type circuit is used in order for the heating element  31  to function at a relatively high efficiency, wherein the circuit functions under conditions of constant voltage (CV), constant power (CP) and constant temperature (CT), thereby attaining the most stable heating effect.  
         [0086]     Heating temperature is controlled between 38° C. and 42° C., and  FIG. 18  depicts the graph obtained after heat is added to the body temperature simulator device  3 , wherein the squares plot a curve with the heat source not actuated, and the triangles plot a curve with heating actuated. The graph obtained from the test experiment clearly shows an increase of approximately 40% in ensnaring capability.  
         [0087]     It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.