TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to exterior light fixtures like street lights, and particularly relates to killing mosquitoes that are attracted to exterior lights.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1illustrates an exterior light, which in this case is a street light. The street light has an exterior light fixture20on a light pole10. In this case, light fixture20is a “cobra head” light. Light fixture20includes a removable (twist-lock) photosensor unit30that detects the amount of light outside. When it is dark outside, light fixture20turns on, as expected. Street lights are beneficial for low light situations, but they attract insects. Some insects are beneficial, and some insects are troublesome or harmful, such as mosquitos, gnats or biting flies.

Current insect zappers are indiscriminate as to what insects they kill. It is not desirable that dragonflies or bees are killed. Furthermore, current methods of insect control involve regularly spraying chemicals around areas where people frequent and that would be lit by exterior lighting fixtures. This is not ideal for human health and the environment. Furthermore, some chemicals become less effective due to the genetic mutations of the mosquitos.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention include a mosquito zapper that is easily inserted in place of a removable photosensor unit on exterior street lights. By replacing this photosensor unit with a combination photosensor/insect zapper, no extra infrastructure or maintenance is required to control mosquitos or other small biting insects around areas that are lit by exterior lighting fixtures. Mosquito adaptation to chemicals is a non-issue because mosquitos are killed on contact. This solution is also more environmentally friendly.

According to some embodiments, an exterior lighting insect zapper includes a photosensor configured to sense an amount of light for turning on or off an exterior light fixture. The exterior lighting insect zapper also includes an insect zapper coupled to the photosensor, where the insect zapper includes one or more LEDs configured to emit light of one or more spectrums, and an outer cage configured to let insects no larger than a predetermined size to pass through. The insect zapper also includes a pair of leads spaced apart by a gap with a certain voltage, to provide a current arc across the gap when an insect enters the gap, killing the insect. The exterior lighting insect zapper further includes a twist-lock plug compatible with a receptacle in an exterior light fixture meant for a photosensor unit plug.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper assembly includes a pair of leads having a gap therebetween, a first screen and a second screen. The first screen is along the outer cage and the second screen is along the innermost lead.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper includes twist-lock plug compatible with a receptacle on an exterior light fixture for a photosensor unit plug.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper includes a light reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the one or more LEDs. light reflector comprises a column portion and a bottom portion that is sloped downward. A liquid sensor may be provided that is located on the bottom portion of the light reflector. The liquid sensor is configured to turn-off at least a portion of power to the insect zapper assembly when liquid is detected.

In at least one embodiment, the one or more LEDs are configured to emit light having a wavelength in the range of 450-570 nanometers.

In at least one embodiment, the one or more LEDs comprise at least two LEDS, wherein at least one LED is configured to emit light having a wavelength in the range of 450-495 nanometers and at least one LED is configured to emit light having a wavelength in the range of 495-570 nanometers.

In at least one embodiment, the photosensor is configured to turn on or off a portion of power to the insect zapper assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper has a control panel that is configured to enable a user to set one or more operating conditions of the insect zapper. Examples of operating conditions are to operate the insect zapper for 24 hours or to operate the insect zapper only when the photosensor detects a low level of light.

In at least one embodiment, the light reflector is comprised of a primary material and reflective coating. In at least one embodiment, the light reflector is coated with a low-friction coating configured to allow debris to easily rinse off.

In at least one embodiment, an insect zapper assembly includes one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light of one or more spectrums, wherein the one or more spectrums of light are configured to be attractive to a desired insect. The insect zapper also has an outer cage configured to let insects no larger than a predetermined size to pass through and a pair of leads spaced apart by a gap. The leads are configured with a voltage to provide a current arc across the gap when an insect enters the gap, killing the insect. The insect zapper assembly is connected to a photosensor configured to sense an amount of light and for turning on or off power to an exterior light assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper assembly includes a temperature sensor configured to shut off a portion of power to the insect zapper assembly when an outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature.

In at least one embodiment, a light reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the one or more LEDs, wherein the light reflector comprises a column portion and a sloped bottom portion.

In at least one embodiment, an insect zapper assembly includes one or more LEDs, an outer cage, a pair of leads spaced apart by a gap, a liquid sensor and a photosensor assembly. The one or more LEDs are configured to emit light of one or more spectrums, wherein each of the one or more spectrums of light are configured to be attractive to a desired insect. The outer cage is configured to let insects no larger than a predetermined size to pass through. The leads are configured with a voltage to provide a current arc across the gap when an insect enters the gap, killing the insect. The liquid sensor assembly is configured to turn a portion of power off to the insect zapper assembly. The photosensor assembly is configured to sense an amount of light and for turning on or off a portion of power to the insect zapper assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper system includes a temperature assembly couple to the insect zapper assembly and configured to turn a portion of power off to the insect zapper assembly when an outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature.

In at least one embodiment, the insect zapper system includes a wireless communication module configured to receive and transmit information to a remote computing device, wherein the received and transmitted information can include any of the following: sensed data information, light sensitivity information, temperature information, power consumption information, and powering on or off portions of the insect zapper system instructions.

In at least one embodiment, a method of attracting and eliminating insects is contemplated. The method includes providing a photosensor configured to sense an amount of light and for turning on or off an external light and providing an insect zapper assembly coupled to the photosensor. The insect zapper assembly includes one or more LEDs configured to emit light of one or more spectrums, an outer cage, and a pair of leads. The outer cage is configured to let insects no larger than a predetermined size to pass through. The pair of leads are spaced apart by a gap, wherein the leads are configured with a voltage to provide a current arc across the gap when an insect enters the gap, killing the insect. The method includes adjusting the one or more light-emitting diodes to emit a wavelength that is considered attractive to a desired insect and mounting the insect zapper assembly onto a twist-lock plug compatible with a receptacle on an exterior light fixture for a photosensor unit plug.

In at least one embodiment, a method includes providing a photosensor configured to sense an amount of light and for turning on or off an exterior light and coupling an insect zapper assembly to the photosensor. The insect zapper assembly includes one or more LEDs configured to emit light of one or more spectrums, an outer cage and a pair of leads. The outer cage is configured to let insects no larger than a predetermined size to pass through. The pair of leads spaced apart by a gap, wherein the leads are configured with a voltage to provide a current arc across the gap when an insect enters the gap, killing the insect. The insect zapper assembly is mounted onto a twist-lock plug compatible with a receptacle on an exterior light fixture for a photosensor unit plug, and the insect zapper assembly is activated by turning-on one or more selected LEDs and providing voltage across the pair leads, wherein the LEDs are selected to emit light in a wavelength that attracts a type of insect that is desired to be eliminated.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.

