Rack, egg hatching device, and method for producing chick

Abstract

The present invention is for uniformizing temperature control for eggs placed on each of a plurality of trays, and is provided with an egg hatching chamber 2S for accommodating a plurality of trays 10 on which eggs are placed, an air conditioning device 3 for performing air conditioning in the egg hatching chamber 2S, and a tray circulation mechanism 5 for circulating the plurality of trays 10 in the egg hatching chamber 2S.

Description

Racks, incubators, and chick production methods

[0001] The present invention relates to a rack, an incubator, and a method for producing chicks.

[0002] One such incubation device is shown in Patent Document 1, which has a plurality of rack units installed in a casing and which have a plurality of trays on which hatching eggs are placed, and a blower installed in an air passage sandwiched between the rack units. This incubation device is configured so that air blown from the blower enters the rack units, generating an air flow in the rack units and allowing the air to escape from the rack units.

[0003] However, the hatching eggs themselves absorb or release heat during hatching. Therefore, simply blowing air from a fan will cause a temperature difference between the hatching eggs placed on the tray located upwind and the hatching eggs placed on the tray located downwind. When a temperature difference occurs in the hatching eggs, the growth rate of the embryos inside the eggs will differ, causing problems such as variations in the time of hatching.

[0004] Patent No. 5467125

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to uniformly regulate the temperature of eggs placed on each of a plurality of trays.

[0006] In other words, the rack of the present invention is a rack to be installed in an incubation room, and is characterized by having a tray circulation mechanism that supports multiple trays on which eggs are placed and circulates the multiple trays.

[0007] This rack allows multiple trays to be circulated within the incubation room, allowing the temperature of the eggs placed on each tray to be uniformly controlled. As a result, it is possible to reduce variations in the time at which eggs placed on multiple trays hatch, improving workability. Furthermore, by circulating multiple trays, it is possible to uniformly control the temperature distribution within the incubation room. This also allows the temperature of the eggs placed on each tray to be uniformly controlled.

[0008] It is desirable that the tray circulation mechanism supports the plurality of trays in multiple vertical stages and circulates the plurality of trays by repeatedly moving them up and down. Because temperature differences tend to occur within the incubation room, the tray circulation mechanism circulates the plurality of trays vertically, thereby uniformly controlling the temperature of the eggs placed on each tray regardless of the temperature distribution within the incubation room. Furthermore, the effect of this configuration is even more pronounced when the air conditioning equipment blows air from top to bottom. In addition, the footprint of the rack and the incubation device using the rack can be reduced.

[0009] It is desirable to further include an egg turning mechanism that uses the circulating movement of the multiple trays by the tray circulation mechanism to change the inclination of the multiple trays to turn the eggs. With this configuration, the egg turning mechanism can be simplified by using the circulating movement of the multiple trays by the tray circulation mechanism. Specifically, eggs can be turned using the power source of the circulation mechanism, so there is no need to provide a separate power source for the egg turning mechanism.

[0010] It is desirable that the egg turning mechanism reverses the tilt of the trays when they move upward and when they move downward. With this configuration, the trays moving upward are tilted in the same way, and the trays moving downward are tilted in the same way, so adjacent trays do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, the structure for tilting the trays on the upward and downward sides can be separated, simplifying the structure of the egg turning mechanism.

[0011] The incubation device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising an incubation room, an air conditioning device for conditioning the interior of the incubation room, and the rack described above.

[0012] Furthermore, a chick production method in which the eggs are hatched by circulating the plurality of trays using the rack described above is also one aspect of the present invention.

[0013] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the temperature of the eggs placed on each of the plurality of trays can be controlled uniformly.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of an incubation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view schematically showing the specific configuration of a tray circulation mechanism according to the same embodiment. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the specific configuration of the tray circulation mechanism according to the same embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the tray circulation mechanism according to the same embodiment, in which (a) the rod of the air cylinder is pushed out (when the conveyor chain is driven), and (b) the rod of the air cylinder is retracted. Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a modified embodiment in which the opening portion in the ascent guide portion is open.

[0015] An embodiment of an incubation device using a tray according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for ease of understanding, all of the drawings shown below are drawn in a schematic manner, with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0016] <Configuration of incubation device 100> As shown in Figure 1, the incubation device 100 of this embodiment comprises a casing 2 having an incubation chamber 2S formed therein, an air conditioning device 3 that conditions the air inside the incubation chamber 2S, and a rack 4 that is installed in the incubation chamber 2S.

[0017] The casing 2 has an incubation chamber 2S that houses a plurality of trays 10 on which hatching eggs are placed, and in this embodiment, one or a plurality of racks 4 are installed on which the plurality of trays 10 are set. Note that, although this embodiment shows an example in which three racks 4 are installed in the incubation chamber 2S, the number of racks 4 installed in the incubation chamber 2S is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0018] The air conditioning equipment 3 conditions the air in the incubation room 2S and adjusts the environment in the incubation room 2S to one suitable for hatching the eggs. This air conditioning equipment 3 adjusts the temperature, humidity, etc., and may be, for example, a cooler 31, a heater 32, a heat exchanger, or a blower fan 33.

[0019] The air conditioning equipment 3 of this embodiment conditions the incubation room 2S by blowing air from above to below the rack 4. Note that the incubation room 2S may also be conditioned by blowing air from the side of the rack 4.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the rack 4 includes a tray circulation mechanism 5 for circulating the plurality of trays 10, and an egg turning mechanism 6 for changing the inclination of the plurality of trays 10 to turn the eggs.

[0021] <Tray Circulation Mechanism 5> The tray circulation mechanism 5 supports multiple trays 10 in multiple stages, one above the other, along the Z direction, and circulates the multiple trays 10 within the XZ plane. In other words, the tray circulation mechanism 5 circulates the multiple trays 10 by repeatedly moving them upward and downward.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the tray circulation mechanism 5 has a plurality of tray supports 51 that support the trays 10, and a circulation mechanism section 52 that circulates the trays 10 supported by the tray supports 51 by circulating the plurality of tray supports 51.

[0023] 3, the tray support 51 can support a plurality of trays 10 arranged side by side in the Y direction. The tray support 51 is configured so that the tray 10 can be slid and attached from one end (short side) in the Y direction.

[0024] 2 to 4, the circulation mechanism 52 uses an actuator 52d to drive an endless conveyor chain 52c that is stretched over an upper sprocket 52a and a lower sprocket 52b. In this embodiment, at least two sprockets 52a, 52b and two conveyor chains 52c are provided, one at each end of the tray support 51 (the other at each end in the Y direction).

[0025] The rotation axes of the upper sprocket 52a and the lower sprocket 52b are aligned along the Y-axis direction. At least one of the upper sprocket 52a and the lower sprocket 52b is provided with a ratchet mechanism (not shown) that allows the conveyor chain 52c to move in only one direction (clockwise in FIG. 2).

[0026] The actuator 52d is configured using an air cylinder. This actuator 52d circulates the conveyor chain 52c in only one direction (clockwise in FIG. 2). The actuator 52d may be configured to apply a driving force to the conveyor chain 52c to circulate the conveyor chain 52c.

[0027] 2 and 4, the actuator 52d is configured to apply a driving force to a driving pin 52c1 provided on the conveyor chain 52c. A ratchet mechanism 52d2 is provided in the driving section 52d1 of the actuator 52d. As a result, when the actuator 52d extends (when the air cylinder rod is pushed out), the driving section 52d1 drives the driving pin 52c1 (see FIG. 4(a)). On the other hand, when the actuator 52d retracts (when the air cylinder rod is retracted), the driving section 52d1 does not get caught on the driving pin 52c1 (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0028] The actuator 52d may be configured to apply a driving force to at least one of the upper sprocket 52a and the lower sprocket 52b to move the conveyor chain 52c in a circulating manner.

[0029] 2 to 4, the conveyor chain 52c is provided with support arms 52e that support each of the plurality of tray supports 51. As shown in Fig. 3, the support arms 52e are connected to both ends of the tray support 51 in the Y direction to support the tray support 51. The support arms 52e may be connected to the conveyor chain 52c, or may be formed integrally with a link (for example, an outer link plate) of the conveyor chain 52c.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the support arm 52e rotatably supports the tray support 51 at a position offset from the center of gravity of the tray support 51 (the center of the shorter side).

[0031] <Egg turning mechanism 6> The egg turning mechanism 6 turns the eggs by changing the inclination of the plurality of trays 10, using the circulating movement of the plurality of trays 10 by the tray circulating mechanism 5. The egg turning mechanism 6 of this embodiment reverses the inclination of the plurality of trays 10 moving upward and the trays 10 moving downward.

[0032] In this embodiment, the tip of the support arm 52e is rotatably connected to both sides (specifically, the short sides) of the tray support 51. Since the support arm 52e is supported at a position offset from the center of gravity of the tray support 51, the tray support 51 rotates and tilts toward the side opposite the offset side relative to the support arm 52e. The egg turning mechanism 6 uses this movement to turn the eggs.

[0033] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the egg turning mechanism 6 has an ascending guide section 61 that contacts the tray support 51 as it moves upward to maintain a first tilted state P, and a descending guide section 62 that contacts the tray support 51 as it moves downward to maintain a second tilted state Q. In this embodiment, the ascending guide section 61 and the descending guide section 62 are provided at both ends of the tray support 51 in the Y direction. The first tilted state P is a state in which the ascending tray 10 slopes downward toward the outside (away from the conveyor chain 52c). The second tilted state Q is a state in which the descending tray 10 slopes downward toward the outside (away from the conveyor chain 52c).

[0034] 2 to 4, a first rolling element 511 and a second rolling element 512 are provided in the portion of the tray support 51 that contacts the ascending guide portion 61 or the descending guide portion 62. Specifically, on the short side of the tray support 51, the first rolling element 511 is provided on the side opposite to the offset side, and the second rolling element 512 is provided on the offset side.

[0035] 3, the base end of the support arm 52e, which is connected to the tip end connected to the tray support 51, is bent in the Y direction away from the tray support 51 to avoid the rolling elements 511 and 512. This prevents physical interference between the first rolling element 511 and the second rolling element 512 and the support arm 52e.

[0036] In this embodiment, the tray support 51 is offset toward the second rolling body 512, so that the first rolling body 511 rotates downward and the second rolling body 512 tilts to rotate upward.

[0037] Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the ascending guide portion 61 contacts the first rolling body 511 or the second rolling body 512, restricting the tray support 51 from rotating counterclockwise in Figure 2, and placing the tray support 51 in the first inclined state P.

[0038] Specifically, the upward guide portion 61 has first guide members 61 a and 61 b ​​that come into contact with the first rolling element 511 , and a second guide member 61 c that comes into contact with the second rolling element 512 .

[0039] The first guide members 61a, 61b contact the first rolling elements 511 to maintain the tray support 51 in the first inclined state P. Specifically, the first guide members 61a, 61b are provided inside the first rolling elements 511 on the tray support 51 that moves upward. The first guide members 61a, 61b extend linearly in the vertical direction (Z direction) and are provided with a gap between them in the vertical direction (Z direction). This allows the tray support 51 to move upward in the first inclined state P. The first guide members 61a, 61b are provided with a gap between them in the vertical direction (Z direction), allowing the tray 10 to be attached and detached between them.

[0040] Furthermore, the second guide member 61c contacts the second rolling elements 512 while the first rolling elements 511 of the tray support 51 moving upward are not in contact with the first guide members 61a and 61b, thereby maintaining the tray support 51 in the first inclined state P. Specifically, the second guide member 61c is provided inside the second rolling elements 512 on the tray support 51 moving upward. The second guide member 61c also extends linearly in the vertical direction (Z direction). This allows the tray support 51 to move upward in the first inclined state P. Here, the second guide member 61c is provided so as not to interfere with the installation and removal of the tray 10 when in contact with the second rolling elements 512 of the tray support 51.

[0041] 2, the descending guide portion 62 contacts the second rolling body 512, restricting the tray support 51 from rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 2, thereby placing the tray support 51 in the second inclined state Q.

[0042] The downward guide portion 62 is provided on the tray support 51 that moves downward, outside the second rolling body 512. The downward guide portion 62 extends linearly in the vertical direction (Z direction). This allows the tray support 51 to move downward in the second inclined state Q.

[0043] Note that, during the transition from upward movement to downward movement, the guide is switched from the guide by the upward guide portion 61 to the guide by the downward guide portion 62. Here, for example, a first curved guide portion 63 is provided on the top of the upper first guide member 61a, and a second curved guide portion 64 is provided on the top of the downward guide portion 62. As a result, during the transition from upward movement to downward movement of the tray support 51, the first rolling element 511 comes into contact with the first curved guide portion 63, and then the second rolling element 512 comes into contact with the second curved guide portion 64. As a result, the tray support 51 is guided from the first inclined state P to the second inclined state Q.

[0044] Furthermore, during the transition from downward movement to upward movement, the guide is switched from the guide by the downward guide portion 62 to the guide by the upward guide portion 61. Here, for example, a third curved guide portion 65 is provided below the downward guide portion 62, and the third curved guide portion 65 guides the tray support 51 from the second inclined state Q to a horizontal state. Then, the tray support 51, which has been brought to the horizontal state, moves toward the upward guide portion 61 while remaining horizontal by the horizontal guide portion 66. Then, the first rolling element 511 of the tray support 51 is transferred to the upward guide portion 61 by a transfer portion 67 provided between the horizontal guide portion 66 and the first guide member 61b below the upward guide portion 61. Note that the transfer portion 67, for example, draws in the first rolling element 511 moving along the horizontal guide portion 66 and then guides it to the first guide member 61b below the upward guide portion 61. The transfer section 67 is configured to be displaced from its initial state when the first rolling body 511 passes by, and to return to its initial state after the first rolling body 511 has passed. Then, the transfer section 67, which has returned to its initial state, guides the first rolling body 511 to the first guide member 61b below the ascending guide section 61. This switches the tray support body 51 to the first inclined state P.

[0045] <Chick Production Method> Next, a chick production method using the incubation apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be briefly described.

[0046] First, a plurality of trays 10 on which hatching eggs are placed are attached to the tray supports 51 of each rack 4. The racks 4 may be configured to be installed in advance in the incubation chamber 2S, or may be configured to be able to be taken in and out of the incubation chamber 2S.

[0047] After the plurality of trays 10 are mounted on the racks 4 in the incubation room 2S, the incubation room 2S is air-conditioned to a predetermined temperature, such as 37.8°C, by the air conditioning equipment 3, while the plurality of trays 10 are circulated by the tray circulation mechanism 5. Furthermore, by circulating the trays 10 by the tray circulation mechanism 5, the eggs on the plurality of trays 10 are turned by the egg turning mechanism 6.

[0048] The tray circulation mechanism 5 circulates the plurality of trays 10 in the incubation room 2S until a desired hatching egg time (for example, 504 hours) has elapsed. In addition to continuously circulating the trays 10 by the tray circulation mechanism 5 from the start of hatching until the desired hatching egg time (for example, 504 hours) has elapsed, the tray circulation mechanism 5 can also circulate the trays 10 (intermittently) every time a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0049] Here, the circulation speed of the trays 10 by the tray circulation mechanism 5 can be set as appropriate. For example, if priority is given to temperature control of the hatching eggs, it is possible to increase the circulation speed of the trays 10, that is, shorten the time it takes for the trays 10 to make one rotation. Furthermore, if priority is given to turning the hatching eggs, it is possible to adjust the circulation speed of the trays 10 to match the desired timing of egg turning. In addition, it is also possible to control the tray circulation operation of the tray circulation mechanism 5 in conjunction with the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 3. Furthermore, the tray circulation mechanisms 5 for multiple racks 4 may circulate the trays 10 at the same circulation speed, or may circulate the trays 10 at different circulation speeds. Furthermore, the circulation directions of the tray circulation mechanisms 5 for multiple racks 4 may be different from each other.

[0050] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the incubation device 100 of this embodiment, multiple trays 10 can be circulated within the incubation chamber 2S, allowing the temperature of the eggs placed on each tray 10 to be uniformly regulated. As a result, it is possible to reduce variations in the timing at which the hatching eggs placed on multiple trays 10 hatch, improving workability. Furthermore, by circulating the multiple trays 10, it is possible to uniformly distribute the temperature within the incubation chamber 2S. This also allows the temperature of the hatching eggs placed on each tray 10 to be uniformly regulated.

[0051] <Modified Embodiments of the Present Invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0052] For example, in the above embodiment, the ascending guide portion 61 and the descending guide portion 62 are provided on both sides in the Y direction (both sides in the width direction) of the tray support body 51, but they may be configured to be provided only on one side in the Y direction (one side in the width direction) of the tray support body 51. In this case, it is desirable to provide the ascending guide portion 61 or the descending guide portion 62 on the side of the tray support body 51 where the tray 10 is not attached or detached.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tray 10 is configured to be mounted and removed between the first guide members 61a, 61b of the ascending guide portion 61, but the following configuration may also be used. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to provide an opening 6H in either the ascending guide portion 61 or the descending guide portion 62. Note that FIG. 5 shows an example in which the opening 6H is provided in the ascending guide portion 61. Then, when mounting and removing the tray 10, the opening 6H is opened. Then, the tray 10 is mounted and removed with the opening 6H open. Also, one of the ascending guide portion 61 or the descending guide portion 62 may be configured to be removable.

[0054] Furthermore, the actuator 52d of the circulation mechanism 52 may be configured not only using an air cylinder, but also using an actuator such as a motor that is connected to the rotating shaft of the upper sprocket 52a or the lower sprocket 52b and applies a rotational driving force to the rotating shaft.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tray support 51 is supported at an offset position, but it may be supported at the center of gravity of the tray support 51 (the center of the shorter side).

[0056] The egg turning mechanism 6 may be configured to turn the eggs by changing the inclination of the tray 10 while the tray 10 is moving upward, or may be configured to turn the eggs by changing the inclination of the tray 10 while the tray 10 is moving downward.

[0057] In addition, the egg turning mechanism 6 may be configured to turn eggs by changing the inclination of the tray 10 using the circulating movement of the tray 10 by the tray circulating mechanism 5, or may be configured to turn eggs by changing the inclination of the tray 10 without using the circulating movement of the tray 10.

[0058] The egg turning mechanism 6 in the above embodiment can also be considered as a posture setting mechanism that sets the posture of the plurality of trays 10 circulated by the tray circulation mechanism 5. In this case, by adjusting the positions of the ascending guide portion 61 and the descending guide portion 62 of the egg turning mechanism 6, the trays 10 can be moved upward or downward in various positions, such as a horizontal position.

[0059] In addition, the tray circulation mechanism 5 may be configured to circulate the plurality of trays 10 in the horizontal direction, in addition to the configuration to circulate the trays 10 in the vertical direction.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0061] According to the present invention, the temperature of eggs placed on each of a plurality of trays can be controlled uniformly.

[0062] 100: Incubation device 10: Tray 2S: Incubation room 3: Air conditioning equipment 4: Rack 5: Tray circulation mechanism 6: Egg turning mechanism

Claims

1. A rack to be installed in an incubation room, the rack supporting a plurality of trays on which eggs are placed, and equipped with a tray circulation mechanism for circulating the plurality of trays.

2. The rack according to claim 1, wherein the tray circulation mechanism supports the plurality of trays in multiple vertical stages and circulates the plurality of trays by repeatedly moving them upward and downward.

3. The rack according to claim 2, further comprising an egg turning mechanism that uses the circulating movement of the plurality of trays by the tray circulating mechanism to change the inclination of the plurality of trays and turn the eggs.

4. The rack according to claim 3, wherein the egg turning mechanism reverses the inclination of the plurality of trays when they move upward and the inclination of the tray when they move downward.

5. An incubation device comprising: an incubation room; an air conditioning device for conditioning the interior of the incubation room; and a rack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for producing chicks, comprising the steps of: using a rack according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to circulate the plurality of trays to hatch the eggs.