WO2005053389A1

WO2005053389A1 - Electric mosquito trap

Info

Publication number: WO2005053389A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/013495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Feldhege; Peter Kreucher; Klaus Schmidgen
Original assignee: Ecs Environment Care Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2003-12-04
Filing date: 2004-11-27
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: DE10356564A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an insect trap comprising at least one light source (32-34) and at least one exchangeable shield, whereby an adhesive layer is applied to at least one side of said shield (60). This enables the insect trap to be fastened to a wall. The shield is self-supporting. In addition, the surface of the shield facing the light source is non-reflective. The invention develops an insect trap that achieves good catching results for different types of insects over large areas and the operation thereof is particularly easy.

Description

Electric mosquito trap

Description:

The invention relates to an insect trap which comprises at least one light source and at least one exchangeable screen, an adhesive layer being arranged on the screen at least on one side.

Insect traps are used, for example, to catch troublesome insects such as mosquitoes, house flies, fruit flies, moths, etc.

Such an insect trap is known from DE 38 40 440 AI. The light source emits ultraviolet light, which is reflected on a film attached in a frame and provided with an adhesive layer. The ultraviolet light radiation is impaired by the residual daylight during twilight. The insect trap requires a large footprint. The exchange of the film is also complex.

From US 2002/0032 980 AI an insect trap is known with a housing mounted on a wall and a safety gear loosely inserted into the housing. The housing has reflective inner walls. The capture device is a flat card with an adhesive surface that is either placed on the bottom of the case or against a wall. Due to the limited space available, the safety gear can only be removed from the housing with pointed fingers or with the help of a tool. The present invention is based on the problem of developing an insect trap which achieves good catch results for various insect species over wide areas and whose handling is particularly simple. In certain embodiments, the insect trap should also be selective for individual, special insect species, for example flying insects.

This problem is solved with the features of the main claim. For this purpose, the insect trap can be attached to a wall. The umbrella is self-supporting. In addition, the surface of the screen facing the light source is non-reflective.

The insect trap does not require a special footprint, but can be attached to a wall at any height. It can therefore be arranged independently of furniture, shelves, etc. in such a way that, for example, people present in the room are not bothered by insects. The light from the at least one light source can also be seen clearly at dusk. The insects are attracted. You only see the light source to which you are flying, for example in a spiral. The screen does not reflect the light emitted by the light source. The insects are practically not irritated when approaching both in the long-range and in the close range. As soon as they come close to the light source and touch the adhesive layer, they stick to it. If enough insects have accumulated on the adhesive layer applied to the screen, the screen can, because it is self-supporting is easy to remove and replace. The screen is therefore easy to replace.

The insect trap can comprise at least one monochromatic light source that can emit light in a single specific wavelength, a so-called spectral color, in the range between 10 μm and 800 nm.

When operating the insect trap, the light source can simultaneously serve as an optical function control of the insect trap.

Further details of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description of schematically illustrated embodiments.

Figure 1 insect trap with tubular light source; Figure 2 insect trap with light emitting diodes as light source; Figure 3 insect trap with umbrella removed; Figure 4 Detail of the holder of the umbrella.

FIG. 1 shows an insect trap which comprises a housing (10), a light source (30) and a screen (60).

The housing (10) has, for example, the shape of a cuboid to which a half cylinder is attached. The light source (30) is fastened in the housing (10) on the top (12) of the housing (10). A switch (18) can be arranged on the outer surface (15) of the half cylinder, on which this surface lying housing surface (14), cf. Figure 2, the housing (10) carries an electrical power plug (16).

The housing (10) serves e.g. the inclusion of electronic components such as circuit boards, switches, plug connections, transformers etc., as well as e.g. as a holder for the light source (30), the screen (60) and possibly a light guide body (40), cf. Figure 2.

The housing (10) is made of plastic, for example, which e.g. is colored black. The top (19) and. the lower edge (21) of the housing (10) are rounded.

The light source (30) is e.g. a commercially available fluorescent tube (31) of low output with a matt surface, e.g. a cold light tube. For example, it is shaped like a horseshoe. When connected to an energy source, it emits at least approximately white light. The fluorescent tube (31) can also have a region which is designed as an optical lens. The light source (30) can also be at least one light-emitting diode that emits monochromatic light.

For example, in alignment with the housing surface (14) on the plug side, a holder (23) is arranged on the housing top (12), which carries the shield (60), cf. Figures 2 and 3. The bracket (23) is e.g. T-shaped construction. Your vertical arm (24) is perpendicular to the top of the housing (12). The two horizontal arms (25), which are arranged perpendicularly thereto, are bent at their ends to form mounting clips (26). These mounting brackets (26) encompass the

Screen (60). During assembly, they guide the screen (60) and hold it in position after assembly. FIG. 4 shows a detail of these mounting clips (26). Hooks (27) are arranged in the inner end faces (28) facing the screen (60). With the help of these hooks (27) the screen (60) is fixed in its position.

The screen (60) is e.g. made of square, matt black non-reflecting cardboard, which is provided with an adhesive layer (62) at least on its surface (61) facing the light source (30). This adhesive layer (62) contains e.g. a substance that maintains its stickiness over the period of use. For example, it can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive that contains an insect-attracting substance. Before using the insect trap, the adhesive layer (62) is e.g. covered with a removable protective layer.

When installing the insect trap, for example, the light source (30) is first inserted into the housing (10). After that, the screen (60) is removed e.g. bent along its vertical axis (63) and inserted into the holder (23) in such a way that part of its outer edge (64) lies in the mounting brackets (26). The adhesive layer (62) now points in the direction of the light source (30). When the screen (60) is released, it rests on the mounting clips (26) and bumps into the hooks (27). After installation, the screen is e.g. not on the vertical arm (24) of the bracket (23). It projects above the horizontal arms (25). Due to the strength of the cardboard, the screen (60) is self-supporting and does not kink. After the screen (60) has been installed, the distance between the screen (60) and the light source (30) is, for example, one and a half times the wing span of the target insects.

To operate the insect trap, it is inserted into a wall, not shown here, for example with the mains plug (16). Socket plugged in. The light source (30) now points upwards. For example, by actuating the switch (18), the light source (30) is switched on. The fluorescent tube (31) now lights up and emits white light, for example. For example, if this is brighter than the remaining daylight, the insects will fly towards it. The insects approach the light source (30) in accordance with the species and gender-specific behavior of the target insects. As soon as they have penetrated into the immediate vicinity of the light source (30), they will also try to fly through the space between the light source (30) and the screen (60). The screen (60) does not reflect light and is therefore not recognizable to the insects. When striking the adhesive layer (62), the insects stick to it.

If a large number of insects adhere to the adhesive layer (62), the screen (60) must be replaced. For this purpose - as when inserting - e.g. bent along its vertical axis (63) and pulled out of the holder (23). Now a new screen (60) can be used.

All mosquito species, including Culex spp. And Aedes spp., Come in particular as flying insects to be caught, i.e. as target insects. and Anopheles spp., the house fly musca domestica, fruit flies drosophila spp. and the moths plodia interpunctella, tineola bisselliella and tinea pellionella in question. The preferred target insects are mosquitoes that react to ultraviolet light and white light. For example, the Anopheles stephensi receives an irritant effect at wavelengths of light of 290 nm and 375 nm, and the Aedes aegypti at a wavelength of 532 nm.

The light source (30) can also emit monochromatic light. The wavelength range of light can be used for that be visible to the human eye or in the infrared or ultraviolet range. It is also possible to emit light in more than one wavelength range, each wavelength range comprising a spectral color, ie monochromatic light of a certain wavelength. For example, an insect-specific lock color> e can be set.

Figures 2 and 3 show an insect trap, with cLer the light source (30) e.g. comprises three light emitting diodes (32 - 34). In addition, a light guide body (40) is arranged on the housing (10).

The housing (10), the holder (23) and the screen (60) are constructed similarly to the first exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, however, the housing (10) contains a transformer (not shown here) and a rectifier. The switch (18) switches the transformer on the primary side, for example.

The LEDs (32 - 34) are arranged on the top of the housing (12) in a line parallel to the edge (22) on the connector side. The light-emitting diode (33) lies on the vertical center plane of the housing (10), which connects the power plug (16) and the switch (18) to one another. The other two light-emitting diodes (32, 34) are arranged symmetrically to this at a distance of approximately two diameters from one light-emitting diode (32 - 34).

The individual light-emitting diodes (32-34) comprise electrical connections (not shown) and a light-emitting chip, which is arranged, for example, normally to the connections. These electrical parts are surrounded by an electronic protective body (35). In the insect trap shown in Figure 2 are the light-emitting diodes (32-34) are arranged, for example, in the housing (10) such that the focus of the oil light-emitting chips lies in the plane of the housing surface. The electronic protective body (35) protrudes over the upper side of the housing (12).

The three light-emitting diodes (32-34) have different colors, for example. They emit monochromatic light of different wavelengths. Seen from the switch side, e.g. a red LED (32) on the left, a blue LED (33) in the middle and a green LED (34) on the right. The light emitting diodes. (32 - 34), for example, have the hues that give white light when using additive color mixing. Instead of three Leuch.tdiod.en (32 - 34) e.g. a single light-emitting diode can also be provided, the light e.g. emits three different wavelengths.

The light emitting diodes (32 - 34) can also have other colors of monochromatic light. For example, Commercially available light-emitting diodes available, the light in wavelengths of 697 nm, 660 nm, 655 nm, 639 nm, 635 nm, 632 nm, 630 nm, 611 nm, 595 nm, 594 nm, 591 nm, 588 nm, 585 nm, 574 nm , 565 nm, 525 nm, 468 nm, 430 nm, 428 nm.

The light guide body (40) has approximately the shape of an obelisk. Its front and back (43) are arranged parallel to each other. Its top (46) comprises an oblique light exit surface (47). The light guide body (40) is offset by approximately the diameter of a light-emitting diode (32-34) in relation to the light-emitting diodes (32-34) in the direction of the switch (18). For example, it is a transparent plastic body with low light attenuation. Its height corresponds to approximately twice the height of the housing (10). The left (44) and the right side surface of the light guide body (40) seen from the switch (18) lie in planes which enclose an acute angle.

The oblique light exit surface (47) of the upper side (46) encloses, for example, an angle of 45 degrees with the rear side (43). Here, the edge (48) of the oblique light exit surface (47) oriented towards the rear (43) is lower than the edge (49) oriented towards the front.

Grooves (51, 52), which are oriented in the horizontal and vertical directions, are arranged on the rear side (43), which is visible here. The grooves (51, 52) have, for example, the cross section of an isosceles, right-angled triangle. For example, the nine horizontal grooves (51) have e.g. the same distance from each other. These grooves (51) are cut by e.g. three grooves (52) oriented in the vertical direction. The imaginary center lines of these grooves (52) intersect in the imaginary intersection of the planes in which the left (44) and right side surfaces of the light guide body (40) lie.

The height of the screen (60) corresponds approximately to the height of the light guide body (40).

To assemble the insect trap, e.g. the light guide body (40) is first attached to the housing (10). Then the light-emitting diodes (32 - 34) are inserted and the holder (23) is attached. An assembly in a different order is also conceivable.

The pre-assembled insect trap is shown in FIG. 3. The screen (60) is installed as described in connection with the first exemplary embodiment. After assembly, the distance between the screen (60) and the light guide body (40) corresponds, for example, to three times the span of a target insect.

For commissioning, the insect trap is connected to the power supply with the mains plug (16), for example, and the switch (18) is switched on. The LEDs (32 - 34) light up.

A part of the light rays emitted by the three light-emitting diodes (32-34) strikes the back (43) of the light-guiding body (40). Some of these light rays enter the light guide body (40) with refraction, others are reflected on the surface of the rear side (43). The grooves (51, 52) appear as a light grid. The light rays that have entered the light guide body (40) are directed in the direction of the inclined light exit surface (47). This light exit surface (47) acts like the surface of a prism. When emerging from the light-guiding body (40), the light rays from the three light-emitting diodes (32-34) are refracted and combine additively. Here e.g. produces white light. When the insect trap is in operation, the oblique light exit surface (47) lights up white.

Flying insects are attracted by the bright, oblique light exit surface (47). They approach it, for example, on a spiral trajectory. The light emerging from the light exit surface (47) can thus have a long-range effect on the flying insects. When approaching further, the insects are attracted to the monochromatic light of the individual light emitting diode, for example. The different types of insects react differently to the individual monochrome table colors. When approaching the light-emitting diodes (32-34), the insects circle the light-guiding body (40). As soon as they touch the adhesive layer (62) on the screen (60), they adhere to it.

The light emitting diodes (32 - 34) can also be arranged on or in the light guide body (40). The light guide body (40) can also be e.g. be molded onto the light emitting diodes (32 - 34). It is then part of the light source (30).

The insect trap can comprise several light sources (30). These are e.g. Groups of light-emitting diodes (32 - 34), each of which is assigned to a light-guiding body (40), for example.

The individual light source (30) and / or the individual light guide body (40) can comprise an optical lens. This can e.g. a converging lens, a diverging lens, etc. The insect trap can then e.g. Detect insects that fly to the entire area of a window opening.

The individual light source (30) can also comprise one or more incandescent lamps, halogen lamps etc. It can also comprise a dimmer, for example. The intensity of the light source (30) can, for example, be regulated or controlled depending on the daytime residual light. For example, the intensity of the light source in the twilight period can be higher than at night. In the case of an embodiment variant with light-emitting diodes (32-34), for example, the brightness of an individual light-emitting diode (32-34) can also be adjustable. This is used to attract a specific type of insect, for example, and to prevent useful insects from flying towards the light source (30). If, for example, the insect trap is used to catch Aedes aegypti, the greatest intensity of the light tes set to the wavelength of green light of 532 nm. The insect trap can be preset accordingly or set to this value by the user. Since, for example, a light-emitting diode (32-34) has a sharply limited intensity maximum at a single light wavelength, for example the maximum has a width of 10 nm, only insects that respond to this wavelength of light are attracted.

By changing the intensity of the individual light emitting diodes (32 - 34), the mixing result of the additive color mixing of three light emitting diodes (32 - 34) can also be changed. For example, this mixed color can differ from a white color.

At least one organic light-emitting diode can also be used as the light-emitting diode (32-34). Organic light-emitting diodes consist of one or more semiconducting organic layers, which are enclosed by two electrodes. They contain light-emitting materials that light up when an electrical voltage is applied.

The color of the light source (30) can be adjustable. For example, a light emitting diode (32-34) can be used, which emits light of different wavelength ranges, e.g. a so-called rainbow or multi-color light-emitting diode. In addition, the light source (30) can comprise, for example, an ultraviolet or infrared light-emitting diode.

The visible light has a wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm. With ultraviolet light, UV-C light with a wavelength between 100 nm and 280 nm, UV-B light with a wavelength from 280 nm to 315 nm and UV- A light with a wavelength of 315 nm to 380 nm differentiated. With the inf The red-light regions are divided into IR-A light with a wavelength of 780 nm to 1400 nm, IR-B light with a wavelength of 1400 nm to 3000 nm and IR-C light with a wavelength of 3000 nm to 1 mm. The light source (30) used for the insect trap can emit light in a single, in several or in all of these visible and invisible wavelength ranges.

The screen (60) can also be arranged in a funnel shape. So its distance to the light source (30) or the light guide body (40) e.g. be larger at its upper edge (65) than at its lower edge (66). The opening angle of the funnel to the perpendicular to the housing surface can e.g. be about 15 degrees. Other embodiments of the screen are also conceivable. For example, the screen can be attached directly to the light guide body (40). The adhesive layer (62) then points away from the surface of the light-guiding body (40).

In the housing (10) for receiving the screen (60) e.g. a curved notch may be provided. This notch can then have hooks, for example. In this case e.g. the holder (23) can be dispensed with. Due to its inherent rigidity, the screen (60) does not detach from the housing (10). The screen (60) can also be arranged on the power plug (16) in such a way that it e.g. abuts the vertical housing surface (14).

The adhesive layer (62) of the screen (60) can, for example, have a thread-like structure, the threads overlapping. It can be applied over the entire surface or limited to one window. The adhesive layer (62) can be made, for example, from an acrylic-based glue. It can also contain, for example, additional insect attractants, such as, for example, pheromones, kairomones, allomens, synomones, etc. The insect trap can also be arranged hanging or lying, for example. In this case, the light source (30) is arranged, for example, on the underside or on a side surface of the housing (10).

Instead of a power supply, the insect trap can also be connected to a battery, a generator, a solar cell, etc. be connected. This enables the insect trap to be used outside of buildings or vehicles, e.g. camping, fishing, agriculture or forestry.

If the insect trap is operated with a battery, it has no mains plug (16), for example. You can then use the bore (29) e.g. be hung on a nail or on a screw in the wall, cf. Figure 3. The installation height in a room, for example, is then arbitrary.

The material of the screen (60) can be cardboard, cardboard, plastic, etc. The screen (60) can, for example, have a solid, network or grid structure. It can be opaque or transparent. For example, in the case of a transparent design, the interchangeable screen (60) can also be arranged directly on the light source (30) or on the light guide body (40).

Of course, a laser diode can also be used as the light emitting diode (32-34).

Reference symbol list:

10 housing

12 top of housing

14 housing surface, vertical

15 outer surface

16 power plug, plug

18 switches

19 edge, top

21 edge, bottom 22 edge, plug side

23 bracket

24 vertical arm of (23)

25 horizontal arm of (23)

26 mounting clips 27 hooks

28 inner end face of (26)

29 hole

30 light source 31 fluorescent tube

32 light emitting diode, red

33 light emitting diode, blue

34 LED, green

35 electronics protection body

40 light guide bodies

43 rear side of (40), side of (40) facing the light source (30) left side surface

Top of (40) sloping light exit surface edge of (47) edge of (47)

Grooves, horizontal Grooves, oriented in the vertical direction

Screen surface of (60) adhesive layer vertical axis of (60) outer edge of (60) top edge of (60) bottom edge of (60)

Claims

Claims:

1. Insect trap, which comprises at least one light source and at least one interchangeable screen, on which

An adhesive layer is arranged on at least one side of the screen, characterized in that - the insect trap can be fastened to a wall, - that the screen (60) is self-supporting, and - that the surface (61) of the screen (60) facing the light source (30) is not reflective.

2. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source (30) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (32-34) which emits light in at least one monochromatic wavelength range.

3. Insect trap according to claim 2, characterized in that the intensity of the light source (30) is adjustable in the individual wavelength ranges.

4. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one light source (30) emits visible light.

5. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen (60) is opaque.

6. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum distance of the screen (60) to the light source (30) corresponds at least to the wingspan of the target insect.

7. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that the insect trap comprises a housing (10) in which the at least one light source (30) is fastened and on which the screen (60) is arranged.

8. Insect trap according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance of the screen (60) to the light source (30) is greater at its upper edge (65) than at its lower edge (66).

9. insect trap according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (10) comprises a transformer and a power plug (16).

10. Insect trap according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one light guide body (40).

11. Insect trap according to claim 10, characterized in that the light guide body (40) is an obelisk, the upper side (46) of which comprises an oblique light exit surface (47).

12. Insect trap according to claim 10, characterized in that at least the side (43) of the light guide body (40) facing the light source (30) has grooves (51, 52).