Automated device for insect farming, insect farming system

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic device for insect breeding, which is characterized in that a cooperating taking and placing transmission device, an automatic screening device and an automatic feeding device are arranged on a rack; the taking and placing transmission device comprises a taking tray mechanism which can be lifted in the rack, and is used for lifting to the vicinity of any layer of the breeding tray on the breeding rack to pull the breeding tray to the taking tray mechanism; the automatic screening device comprises a turnover mechanism, a taking and sending mechanism and an upper opening material receiving hopper; the automatic feeding device comprises a food hopper, a uniform material feeding mechanism and a push-pull mechanism, the uniform material feeding mechanism and the food hopper are communicated, and the push-pull mechanism is arranged below the uniform material feeding mechanism and can be horizontally translated to pull the breeding tray on the taking tray mechanism to the uniform material feeding mechanism below to uniformly feed. The application further discloses an insect breeding system. The application has the advantages of convenient and fast operation, high intelligent and automatic degree, high utilization rate of breeding area, good breeding effect and great reduction of labor intensity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention mainly relates to the field of insect breeding equipment, specifically to an automated device for insect breeding, and also to an insect breeding system. Background Technology

[0002] In today's society, insect farming has certain industrial and economic value. For example, mealworms are the most ideal feed insects for artificial breeding. They are highly nutritious and can be used directly as live animal protein feed for frogs, turtles, scorpions, centipedes, ants, high-quality fish, ornamental birds, medicinal animals, valuable fur-bearing animals, and rare livestock and poultry. Moreover, after processing, they can be used in the food, health product, and cosmetic industries. Because their protein content ranks first among various live animal protein feeds, they are known as a "treasure trove of protein feed."

[0003] Taking the mealworm as an example, its life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Its breeding begins with the eggs. Once mature, the larvae can be used for commercial purposes such as pet breeding. Pupae and adults are used for breeding stock for the next batch. During the larval growth process, the larvae gradually increase in size, requiring a continuous increase in breeding area to ensure the stocking density remains within a certain range; otherwise, they will crowd each other, severely affecting growth. Simultaneously, during growth, they produce frass and molt multiple times, requiring timely separation. This is because: firstly, the separated frass and molts can be used for other commercial production, such as frass to make fertilizer and molts to make medicine, generating immediate commercial value; secondly, failure to separate them will negatively impact the breeding environment, occupy breeding space, and consequently, adversely affect growth. Existing technologies employ multi-level breeding racks, with multiple breeding trays placed on each rack from top to bottom. Some racks hold a dozen or even dozens of breeding trays for artificial breeding. While this saves space, it presents the following technical problems:

[0004] I. The following problems exist with manual tray handling: First, it is very labor-intensive, making the breeding process extremely arduous. Because the breeding racks are very high, stairs or scaffolds are needed to manually handle the multi-level tray handling. The trays themselves are difficult to move, and climbing ladders further exacerbates the labor intensity, resulting in very low efficiency and making the breeding process extremely difficult. Second, manual tray handling carries the risk of missteps and falls, or the trays tilting, causing insects to fall out. Third, the breeding trays on the racks require manual replacement periodically (as the insects grow), manual feeding, and manual sifting of insect bodies, excrement, and exoskeletons. The multi-level stacking method is highly unfavorable for these three tasks, leading to low efficiency, high labor intensity, and potentially uneven feeding and insufficient sifting. Furthermore, this manual tray handling method results in low automation and intelligent operation, preventing the formation of automated production lines and resulting in low insect production efficiency, failing to meet commercial demands.

[0005] II. Manually sorting and removing insects, excrement, and skin from breeding trays using sieves presents the following problems: First, due to the large number of insects being raised, manually emptying each tray and then manually sorting results in high labor intensity and is extremely arduous. Furthermore, it cannot quickly separate and package the insects, excrement, and skin in one go. Second, while sorting, the current method often results in incomplete and unclean sorting, frequently leaving excrement, skin, and insects mixed together, severely impacting the growth of mealworms. Third, the manual sorting method is rough and can damage the mealworms being sorted, even causing death, seriously affecting subsequent commercial use. Fourth, the manual sorting method has low automation and cannot be adapted to automated breeding equipment. If an automated breeding system is to be designed to improve efficiency, the current manual sorting method, an indispensable part of the breeding operation, is clearly insufficient for automated breeding operations.

[0006] Third, manual feeding has the following problems: First, due to the large number of rearing pots or boxes, this method of manual feeding results in high labor intensity and is very arduous. Second, the efficiency of manual feeding is extremely low, and the large number of pots or boxes increases the possibility of errors, such as missing a pot or box and causing the death of the reared mealworms. Third, the feeding habits of each worker are inconsistent, and even the same worker's feeding technique varies, resulting in extremely poor uniformity of feeding. Some areas are overfed, causing food to stagnate and spoil, while other areas are underfed, resulting in uneven growth of the same batch of mealworms; in some cases, even death occurs, seriously affecting subsequent commercial use. Fourth, the level of automation in manual feeding is low and cannot be adapted to automated breeding equipment. If an automated breeding system is to be designed to improve the efficiency of breeding, then the existing manual feeding method, as an indispensable part of the breeding operation, will inevitably be unable to meet the requirements of automated breeding operations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem solved by this invention is to provide an automated device for insect farming that is easy and quick to operate, highly intelligent and automated, has a high utilization rate of breeding area, good breeding effect, and can greatly reduce the intensity of manual labor, in order to address the problems existing in the prior art. In addition, an insect farming system is also provided.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] An automated device for insect farming includes a frame on which a picking and placing conveying device, an automatic screening device, and an automatic feeding device are mounted. The picking and placing conveying device includes a tray-picking mechanism that can be raised and lowered within the frame, used to lift the trays to a position near any layer of the farming rack to pull them onto the tray-picking mechanism. The automatic screening device includes a tilting mechanism, a feeding mechanism, and a top-opening receiving hopper. The feeding mechanism is laterally movable above the opening of the receiving hopper to move the farming trays on the tray-picking mechanism laterally. The feeding tray is flipped over by a flipping mechanism at the receiving hopper to unload the feed. The bottom discharge port of the receiving hopper is equipped with one or more screening mechanisms to screen and collect the fallen insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement. The automatic feeding device includes a feeding hopper, a feeding even distribution mechanism, and a push-pull mechanism. The feeding even distribution mechanism is connected to the feeding hopper to distribute the food evenly downwards. The push-pull mechanism is laterally movable and located below the feeding even distribution mechanism to move the feeding tray on the tray-retrieving mechanism to the area below the feeding even distribution mechanism for even feeding.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the tray retrieval mechanism includes a support seat that can be raised and lowered within the frame and a push-pull assembly that can be moved back and forth on the support seat. At least one end of the push-pull assembly is provided with a first connecting assembly, which is used to connect with the breeding tray so as to pull the breeding tray on the breeding rack onto the support seat by moving the push-pull assembly / or to disconnect the connection after the push-pull assembly moves the breeding tray on the support seat onto the breeding rack.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the support base is provided with a plurality of universal balls for supporting the push-pull assembly and the breeding tray, so that the breeding tray can be moved in the front-to-back direction on the support base under the drive of the push-pull assembly / or the breeding tray can be moved in the left-to-right direction on the support base under the drive of the external drive mechanism. The frame is provided with a transfer port on at least one side along the left-to-right translation direction of the breeding tray, so that the support base can be connected with the pick-up and delivery mechanism / or the push-pull mechanism to complete the transfer operation of the breeding tray.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the tray-retrieving mechanism includes two parallel limiting rods. The two limiting rods are vertically arranged above the support seat along the direction of translation of the push-pull assembly, and are used to form a limiting space between the limiting rods and the support seat to limit the upper and lower positions of the push-pull assembly and the breeding tray. A first rack is provided on the top surface of each of the two limiting rods along the axial direction. The push-pull assembly includes a push-pull plate that translates within the limiting space. A first transmission horizontal shaft and a first motor assembly for driving the first transmission horizontal shaft to rotate are installed on the push-pull plate. A first gear is provided at both ends of the first transmission horizontal shaft to mesh with the two first racks respectively.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, a protruding first limiting seat is installed on the push-pull plate near the two limiting rods. The first limiting seat has a through hole for the first transmission horizontal shaft to pass through, so as to reduce the shaking when the first transmission horizontal shaft is driven. The two first limiting seats respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two limiting rods, so as to reduce the shaking in both directions when the push-pull plate is translated.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first connecting component includes one or more electromagnets for adsorbing and fixing the breeding tray when energized.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the frame is provided with multiple vertically arranged slide rails, each slide rail is provided with a slider, and each slider is connected to the tray retrieval mechanism to limit the lifting and lowering of the tray retrieval mechanism.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, a lifting drive assembly is installed on the top of the frame. The lifting drive assembly includes a lifting drive motor, a double-gear sprocket, a single-gear sprocket, a counterweight, and two vertically arranged chains. The beginning ends of the two chains are respectively connected to the left and right sides of the tray-retrieving mechanism. The end of one chain meshes around the double-gear sprocket and then connects to the counterweight. The end of the other chain meshes around the single-gear sprocket and the double-gear sprocket in sequence and then connects to the counterweight. The lifting drive motor drives the double-gear sprocket to rotate, thereby simultaneously driving the two chains to move and raise or lower the tray-retrieving mechanism.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, it also includes a track drive mechanism, which includes a roller drive assembly, a plurality of track wheels fixed to the bottom of the frame, and two or more ground rails laid along one side of a plurality of breeding racks. The roller drive assembly is fixed to the bottom of the frame and is used to drive the track wheels to move along the ground rails so that the frame moves along one side of the plurality of breeding racks.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, two parallel second guide rails are provided on the frame above the receiving hopper. The second guide rails are used to support the translational feeding mechanism and the breeding tray. The feeding mechanism includes a second feeding plate and a second translational drive assembly for pushing the second feeding plate to translate along the second guide rails. At least one end of the left and right ends of the second feeding plate is provided with a second connecting assembly for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray-taking mechanism so that the second feeding plate can drive the breeding tray to translate together.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, a second rack parallel to the second guide rail is provided on the outer side of each second guide rail on the frame. The second translation drive assembly includes a second transmission horizontal shaft mounted on the second pick-up and delivery plate and a second motor assembly for driving the second transmission horizontal shaft to rotate. A second gear is provided at both ends of the second transmission horizontal shaft for meshing with the two second racks respectively.

[0020] As a further improvement of the present invention, the screening mechanism includes a fan assembly, an insect body collection chamber, an insect skin transfer chamber, an insect excrement collection chamber, and a vertically arranged main channel. The top opening of the main channel is used to communicate with the bottom discharge port of the receiving hopper, and the bottom opening of the main channel is used to communicate with the insect body collection chamber so that the insects fall directly into the insect body collection chamber. The vertical side wall of the main channel is also provided with a first screening port and a second screening port arranged vertically. The upper first screening port is used to communicate with the insect skin transfer chamber, and the lower second screening port is used to communicate with the insect excrement collection chamber. The fan assembly is arranged corresponding to the first screening port and the second screening port and is used to blow or draw air towards the first screening port and the second screening port so that insect skins and insect excrement of different qualities enter the insect skin transfer chamber and the insect excrement collection chamber respectively under the action of the wind.

[0021] As a further improvement of the present invention, the flipping mechanism includes a flipping drive assembly and one or more rotating shafts. Each of the second guide rails includes a flipable section located within the receiving hopper and a fixed section extending outside the receiving hopper. The flipable section and the fixed section of the second guide rail are disconnected. The middle part of the flipable section of the second guide rail is rotatably mounted on the frame via the rotating shaft. The flipable section of the second guide rail is also provided with one or more limiting components for limiting and fixing the pulled-out breeding tray on the flipable section of the second guide rail. During unloading, the flipping drive assembly drives the rotating shaft to rotate so that the rotating shaft drives the flipable section of the second guide rail and the limited breeding tray to rotate together. The fixed section of the second guide rail is used to support the picking and delivering mechanism during the unloading operation.

[0022] As a further improvement of the present invention, a raised second limiting seat is installed on the second pick-up and delivery plate near the two second guide rails. The second limiting seat has a through hole for the second transmission horizontal shaft to pass through, so as to reduce the shaking when the second transmission horizontal shaft is driven. The two second limiting seats respectively limit contact with the side walls of the two second guide rails to reduce the shaking in both directions when the second pick-up and delivery plate moves.

[0023] As a further improvement of the present invention, the second connecting component includes one or more electromagnets for adsorbing and fixing the breeding tray when energized.

[0024] As a further improvement of the present invention, there are two screening mechanisms. A guide baffle is provided in the middle of the discharge port at the bottom of the receiving hopper to divide the discharge port into two outlets on an even basis. Each outlet is connected to a screening mechanism.

[0025] As a further improvement of the present invention, a matching hopper cover is provided on the frame above the receiving hopper to form a closed cavity for overturning and unloading. An opening is provided between the hopper cover and the receiving hopper at the translation path of the feeding mechanism to allow the feeding mechanism and the breeding tray to enter and exit.

[0026] As a further improvement of the present invention, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding tube fixed laterally on the frame, a spiral auger rod disposed inside the feeding tube, and a rotary motor fixed on the frame. The feeding tube is connected to the feeding hopper, and the arrangement direction of the feeding tube is perpendicular to the translation direction of the breeding tray. Multiple evenly distributed discharge ports are opened at the bottom of the feeding tube along the axial direction. When the breeding tray moves in translation, the rotary motor drives the spiral auger rod to rotate so that the food conveyed from the feeding hopper is evenly distributed in strips on the breeding tray through the multiple discharge ports.

[0027] As a further improvement of the present invention, the middle part of the feeding tube is provided with a receiving port for communicating with the feeding hopper, and the spiral auger rod has opposite thread directions on both sides of the receiving port, so as to enable the food input from the receiving port to be quickly and evenly transported to both sides by the spiral auger rod.

[0028] As a further improvement of the present invention, the feeding mechanism further includes a feed pipe arranged along the translational direction of the breeding tray. The feed pipe is provided with a second spiral auger rod. The feed pipe is connected between the feeding hopper and the feed inlet of the feeding pipe, and is used to form an installation space for installing a screening mechanism between the feeding pipe and the feeding hopper so as to realize the simultaneous feeding and insect feeding.

[0029] As a further improvement of the present invention, two parallel first guide rails are provided on the frame below the feeding mechanism. The first guide rails are used to support the translational push-pull mechanism and the breeding tray. The push-pull mechanism includes a first feeding plate and a first translation drive component for pushing the first feeding plate to translate along the first guide rails. At least one end of the left and right ends of the first feeding plate is provided with a third connecting component for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray-taking mechanism so that the first feeding plate drives the breeding tray to translate together.

[0030] As a further improvement of the present invention, a third rack is provided on the bottom surface of each of the two first guide rails along the axial direction. The first translation drive assembly includes a third transmission horizontal shaft mounted on the bottom surface of the first pick-up and delivery plate and a third motor assembly for driving the third transmission horizontal shaft to rotate. A third gear is provided at both ends of the third transmission horizontal shaft for meshing with the two third racks respectively.

[0031] As a further improvement of the present invention, a raised third limiting seat is installed on the bottom surface of the pick-and-place plate near the two first guide rails. The third limiting seat has a through hole for the third transmission horizontal shaft to pass through, so as to reduce the shaking when the third transmission horizontal shaft is driven. The two third limiting seats respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two first guide rails to reduce the shaking in both directions when the first pick-and-place plate is translated.

[0032] An insect breeding system is provided with multiple multi-level breeding racks arranged in sequence, each breeding rack having multiple breeding trays from top to bottom, and an automated device for insect breeding as described in any one of the above.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0034] Firstly, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention has a lifting and conveying function that works together to pick up and deliver breeding trays on any layer of the breeding rack. This completely eliminates the existing method of manual climbing up and down to pick up and deliver, which not only greatly reduces the difficulty of operation, but also greatly improves the efficiency of operation and greatly enhances the safety of operation.

[0035] Secondly, the automated device for insect farming of this invention includes a conveying mechanism that automatically pulls up and places the farming trays on the conveying device and automatically returns the unloaded trays, while a flipping mechanism flips the farming trays pulled up by the conveying mechanism to unload the material. This allows the automatic screening device to interface well with the conveying device, completely avoiding the tedious manual operation of manually emptying each farming tray in the prior art. This not only greatly reduces the intensity of manual labor and saves labor costs, but also greatly increases work efficiency.

[0036] Thirdly, the automated device for insect farming of this invention, in addition to the aforementioned automatic feeding and automatic flipping, also includes a corresponding automatic screening mechanism. One set of equipment can quickly and efficiently separate and package insect bodies, insect excrement, and insect skins in one go, completely eliminating a series of technical problems caused by manual screening and removal methods in existing technologies. It effectively achieves automated screening operations, not only reducing labor intensity but also achieving extremely high screening efficiency. Furthermore, it avoids damage to the insects being screened due to manual screening, preventing the occurrence of dead insects and ensuring excellent subsequent commercial use.

[0037] Fourth, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention can realize automated feeding operations by setting up a matching pick-up and release transmission device and an automatic feeding device. It completely eliminates a series of technical problems caused by manual feeding in the prior art, such as poor feeding uniformity, food waste, and high labor intensity. It not only greatly reduces the intensity of manual labor and saves labor costs, but also has extremely high feeding efficiency and will not cause omissions or errors.

[0038] Fifth, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention, consisting of a pick-and-place conveyor device, an automatic screening device, and an automatic feeding device, works together and supports each other to meet various automated breeding needs, such as pick-and-place only, pick-and-place and screening combined, pick-and-place and feeding combined, and pick-and-place, screening, and feeding combined. It forms an automatic flow connection between the breeding rack and various automated devices, thereby effectively ensuring the realization of breeding automation, greatly reducing labor intensity, greatly improving breeding results, and greatly reducing the breeding area.

[0039] The present invention is an automated device for insect farming. It occupies a small area, is easy and quick to operate, and has a high degree of automation and work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the automated device of the present invention when used in conjunction with a breeding rack.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure principle of the automated device of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0042] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural principle diagram of the disk-grabbing mechanism of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the partial three-dimensional structure of the tray-retrieving mechanism of the present invention when pulling up the breeding tray.

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the partial three-dimensional structure at the bottom of the frame of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural principle diagram of the automatic screening device of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a partial structural principle diagram of the automatic screening device of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0047] Figure 8 This is a partial structural principle diagram of the automatic screening device of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the automated device for insect farming according to the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0049] Figure 10 This is a side view schematic diagram of the screening mechanism of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the screening mechanism of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the automatic feeding device of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0052] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the automatic feeding device of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0053] Figure 14 This is a bottom-view partial structural principle diagram of the feeding mechanism of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the automatic feeding device of the present invention. Figure 3 .

[0055] Figure 16 This is a top-view three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the push-pull mechanism of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the partial three-dimensional structure of the automated device for insect farming according to the present invention.

[0057] Legend:

[0058] 1. Frame; 11. Receiving hopper; 12. Second guide rail; 121. Second rack; 122. Limiting assembly; 13. First guide rail; 131. Third rack; 14. Feed hopper; 15. Guide partition; 16. Hopper cover; 2. Tray picking mechanism; 21. Bearing seat; 211. Universal ball; 22. Push-pull assembly; 221. First connecting assembly; 222. Push-pull plate; 223. First transmission horizontal shaft; 2231. First gear; 224. First motor assembly; 225. First limiting seat; 23. Limiting rod; 231. First rack; 3. Lifting drive assembly; 31. Second motor; 32. Double gear sprocket; 33. Single gear sprocket; 34. Counterweight; 35. Chain; 4. Track drive mechanism; 41. Roller drive assembly; 42. Track wheel; 43. 5. Ground rail; 51. Tilting mechanism; 52. Tilting drive assembly; 53. Rotating shaft; 6. Picking and feeding mechanism; 61. Second picking and feeding plate; 62. Second translation drive assembly; 621. Second transmission horizontal shaft; 6211. Second gear; 622. Second motor assembly; 63. Second connecting assembly; 7. Screening mechanism; 71. Fan assembly; 72. Insect body collection chamber; 73. Insect skin transfer chamber; 74. Insect excrement collection chamber; 75. Main channel; 8. Feeding mechanism; 81. Feeding pipe; 82. Spiral auger rod; 83. Rotary motor; 84. Conveying pipe; 9. Push-pull mechanism; 91. First picking and feeding plate; 92. First translation drive assembly; 921. Third transmission horizontal shaft; 9211. Third gear; 922. Third motor assembly; 93. Third connecting assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 17 As shown, the present invention provides an automated device for insect farming, including a frame 1 set on one side of a multi-level farming rack (the multi-level farming rack is shown as A in the attached figure; the farming tray is shown as B in the attached figure); Figure 1The machine has two parallel rows of breeding racks. Each vertical column of each row has multiple breeding trays for raising insects, placed from top to bottom. The vertical height of the frame 1 is between 1 meter and 10 meters. The frame 1 is equipped with a matching pick-and-place conveyor device, an automatic sieving device, and an automatic feeding device. The pick-and-place conveyor device includes a tray-picking mechanism 2 that can be raised and lowered within the frame 1, used to lift the trays to the vicinity of any layer of the breeding rack and pull them onto the tray-picking mechanism 2. The automatic sieving device includes a tilting mechanism 5, a feeding mechanism 6, and a top-opening receiving hopper 11. The feeding mechanism 6 is horizontally movable above the opening of the receiving hopper 11, used to horizontally pull the breeding trays from the tray-picking mechanism 2 to the receiving hopper 11, where they are then transferred by the tilting mechanism 5. Structure 5 causes the breeding tray to flip and unload. At the bottom discharge port of the feeding hopper 11, there is one or more screening mechanisms 7 for sorting and collecting fallen insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement. The automatic feeding device includes a feeding hopper 14, a uniform feeding mechanism 8, and a push-pull mechanism 9. The uniform feeding mechanism 8 and the feeding hopper 14 are connected for uniformly distributing food downwards. The push-pull mechanism 9 is horizontally movable and positioned below the uniform feeding mechanism 8 to move the breeding tray on the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 horizontally and pull it below the uniform feeding mechanism 8 for uniform feeding. For ease of understanding of the accompanying drawings, arrow CD in the drawings indicates the front-to-back direction, and arrow HL in the drawings indicates the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, according to the accompanying drawings, the pick-and-place conveyor is located on the left side of the frame 1, and the automatic screening device and the automatic feeding device are located on the right side of the frame 1, with the automatic screening device positioned above the automatic feeding device. The specific implementation principle is as follows:

[0061] When insects in a breeding tray need feeding, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 rises and falls to the vicinity of the breeding tray on the breeding rack, pulling the tray from the breeding rack onto the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. Then, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 moves the tray up and down to the automatic feeding device. The push-pull mechanism 9 moves to the left to contact the breeding tray, then moves to the right to pull the tray from the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 to below the feeding evenly dispensing mechanism 8. The feeding evenly dispensing mechanism 8 evenly feeds the breeding trays below. After feeding, the push-pull mechanism 9 moves to the left and pushes the tray back onto the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. Then, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 moves the tray up and down to its original position and pushes it back to its storage position on the breeding rack. Alternatively, it can be moved to other locations on the breeding rack as needed, such as a specially designated feeding area. Then, the next breeding tray is retrieved, placed, and fed.

[0062] When insects in a breeding tray need to be screened, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 rises and falls to the vicinity of the breeding tray on the breeding rack, pulling the tray from the breeding rack onto the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. Then, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 moves the breeding tray up and down to the automatic screening device. The conveying mechanism 6 moves to the left to contact the breeding tray, then moves to the right to pull the breeding tray from the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 to above the receiving hopper 11. The flipping mechanism 5 flips the breeding tray to unload the material. The insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement unloaded into the receiving hopper 11 enter the screening mechanism 7 below, which can screen and collect the fallen insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement separately. After the flipping is completed, the conveying mechanism 6 moves to the left and pushes the breeding tray back onto the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. Then, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 moves the empty breeding tray up and down to its original position and pushes the breeding tray back to its storage position on the breeding rack. Of course, it can also be sent to other positions on the breeding rack as needed. Then, the next breeding tray is picked up, placed, transported, and screened.

[0063] Of course, there is another method, which involves the coordinated use of a pick-and-place conveyor, an automatic screening device, and an automatic feeding device. First, the tray-picking mechanism 2 rises and falls to the vicinity of a specific tray on the breeding rack, pulling the tray from the rack onto the tray-picking mechanism 2. Then, the tray-picking mechanism 2 moves the tray up and down to the automatic screening device. The conveying mechanism 6 moves to the left to contact the tray, then moves to the right to pull the tray from the tray-picking mechanism 2 above the receiving hopper 11. The flipping mechanism 5 then flips the tray to unload the feed. The insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement unloaded into the receiving hopper 11 enter the screening mechanism 7 below, which separates and collects the fallen insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement. After the flipping is complete, the conveying mechanism 6 moves to the left and pushes the tray back onto the tray-picking mechanism 2. The tray-retrieving mechanism 2 lowers the empty rearing tray to the automatic feeding device. The push-pull mechanism 9 moves to the left, contacts the rearing tray, and then moves to the right, pulling the empty tray from the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 to below the feeding mechanism 8. At this point, the screening mechanism 7 above unloads the collected insects back into the rearing tray, ensuring the tray contains only insect bodies, no insect skins or excrement, creating an excellent rearing environment. The feeding mechanism 8 then evenly feeds the rearing tray below, ensuring the insects, after screening and tray replacement, are also fed. After feeding, the push-pull mechanism 9 moves to the left and pushes the rearing tray back onto the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. The tray-retrieving mechanism 2 then raises and lowers the tray to its original position and pushes it back to its storage location on the rearing rack. Alternatively, it can be moved to other locations on the rearing rack as needed. Then, the process of retrieving, placing, screening, and feeding the next rearing tray is repeated.

[0064] Furthermore, since insects require a larger rearing area for each growth cycle, the empty rearing trays after unloading can only yield half the number of insects just unloaded from the screening mechanism 7. After feeding, the trays are pushed back to their storage positions on the rearing rack via the tray-retrieving mechanism 2, giving this half the number of insects a larger rearing area than before screening. Then, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 takes another empty rearing tray from the rearing rack and transports it to the screening mechanism 7, yielding the other half of the unloaded insects. After feeding, this half is pushed back to its storage position on the rearing rack via the tray-retrieving mechanism 2, giving this remaining half the number of insects a larger rearing area than before screening. In other words, the insects in one rearing tray before screening are divided into two rearing trays after screening, providing the insects with a larger rearing area and an excellent rearing environment.

[0065] Of course, because the pick-and-place conveyor has both pick-and-place and transfer functions, it can also be used in conjunction with other operating equipment. For example, it can interface with an external conveyor to pick up new breeding trays one by one and lift and push them onto the breeding rack. Or it can remove and replace multiple old breeding trays from the breeding rack. Alternatively, the pick-and-place conveyor can swap the positions of breeding trays between two breeding racks, and so on.

[0066] Through the above-mentioned special scientific design, it has the following technical advantages:

[0067] Firstly, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention has a lifting and conveying function that works together to pick up and deliver breeding trays on any layer of the breeding rack. This completely eliminates the existing method of manual climbing up and down to pick up and deliver, which not only greatly reduces the difficulty of operation, but also greatly improves the efficiency of operation and greatly enhances the safety of operation.

[0068] Secondly, the automated device for insect farming of the present invention includes a conveying mechanism 6 that automatically pulls up and places the farming trays on the conveying device and automatically returns the unloaded trays, while a flipping mechanism 5 flips the farming trays pulled up by the conveying mechanism 6 to unload the material. This allows the automatic screening device to interface well with the conveying device, completely avoiding the tedious manual operation of manually emptying each farming tray in the prior art. This not only greatly reduces the intensity of manual labor and saves labor costs, but also greatly increases work efficiency.

[0069] Thirdly, the automated device for insect farming of this invention, in addition to the aforementioned automatic feeding and automatic flipping, also includes a corresponding automatic screening mechanism 7. One set of equipment can quickly and efficiently separate and package insect bodies, insect excrement, and insect skins in one go, completely eliminating a series of technical problems caused by manual screening and removal methods in existing technologies. It effectively achieves automated screening operations, not only reducing labor intensity but also achieving extremely high screening efficiency. Furthermore, it avoids harming the insects being screened due to manual screening, preventing the occurrence of dead insects and ensuring excellent subsequent commercial use.

[0070] Fourth, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention can realize automated feeding operations by setting up a matching pick-up and release transmission device and an automatic feeding device. It completely eliminates a series of technical problems caused by manual feeding in the prior art, such as poor feeding uniformity, food waste, and high labor intensity. It not only greatly reduces the intensity of manual labor and saves labor costs, but also has extremely high feeding efficiency and will not cause omissions or errors.

[0071] Fifth, the automated device for insect breeding of the present invention, consisting of a pick-and-place conveyor device, an automatic screening device, and an automatic feeding device, works together and supports each other to meet various automated breeding needs, such as pick-and-place only, pick-and-place and screening combined, pick-and-place and feeding combined, and pick-and-place, screening, and feeding combined. It forms an automatic flow connection between the breeding rack and various automated devices, thereby effectively ensuring the realization of breeding automation, greatly reducing labor intensity, greatly improving breeding results, and greatly reducing the breeding area.

[0072] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 includes a support seat 21 that can be raised and lowered within the frame 1 and a push-pull assembly 22 that can be translated back and forth on the support seat 21. At least one end of the push-pull assembly 22 is provided with a first connecting assembly 221, which is used to connect with the breeding tray so as to pull the breeding tray on the breeding rack onto the support seat 21 by translating the push-pull assembly 22 / or to disconnect the connection after the push-pull assembly 22 pushes the breeding tray on the support seat 21 onto the breeding rack.

[0073] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, when it is necessary to remove the breeding tray from the breeding rack, the support seat 21 first rises to the vicinity of the breeding tray on the breeding rack, and then the push-pull component 22 on the support seat 21 moves forward, so that the first connecting component 221 at the front end of the push-pull component 22 and the breeding tray are connected. Then the push-pull component 22 moves backward and moves back, and drives the breeding tray to move backward together, finally pulling the breeding tray from the breeding rack onto the support seat 21. Figure 4This diagram illustrates the state when the push-pull assembly 22 pulls the breeding tray B from the breeding rack A. For ease of understanding, the structure of the breeding rack A is omitted, with only the two support rods for holding the breeding trays remaining to represent the rack. After the breeding tray is pulled onto the support seat 21, the support seat 21 lowers the tray to a suitable height. When the operation is completed and the tray needs to return to its original position, the support seat 21 raises the tray to the top layer of the breeding rack. Then, the push-pull assembly 22 on the support seat 21 pushes the tray forward again. After the tray reaches the top layer of the breeding rack, the first connecting assembly 221 terminates its connection with the tray, and then the push-pull assembly 22 moves backward independently.

[0074] This device can be used with a single breeding rack, or as... Figure 1 As shown, this device is positioned between two breeding racks, meaning it can be used on both front and rear breeding racks simultaneously. The push-pull assembly 22 has a first connecting component 221 at both ends, allowing the push-pull assembly 22 on the support base 21 to move forward to pick up and drop breeding trays, and also to move backward to pick up and drop breeding trays from the other breeding rack. This not only reduces the footprint, makes operation faster, and requires less equipment investment, but also increases efficiency. Simultaneously, it makes breeding methods more diverse and intelligent; for example, breeding trays from the front breeding rack can be transferred to another breeding rack at the rear, and the breeding trays on the two racks can be interchanged.

[0075] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the support base 21 is provided with multiple universal balls 211 for supporting the push-pull assembly 22 and the breeding tray, so that the breeding tray can be moved horizontally along the front-back direction on the support base 21 under the drive of the push-pull assembly 22, or horizontally along the support base 21 under the drive of the external drive mechanism. At least one side of the frame 1 along the horizontal direction of the breeding tray is provided with a transfer port for docking the support base 21 with the pick-and-place mechanism 6 / or the push-pull mechanism 9 to complete the transfer of the breeding tray. In this embodiment, the frame 1 is provided with four vertical rods, making the frame 1 frame-like. This results in the frame 1 having open front, back, left, and right side walls. The front-back openings ensure that the push-pull assembly 22 can move the breeding tray in and out of the frame 1, while the horizontal openings facilitate the horizontal movement of the breeding tray on the support base 21 under the drive of the external drive mechanism. The transfer port docks with the pick-and-place mechanism 6 / or the push-pull mechanism 9 on one side. In other embodiments, if the frame 1 has left and right side walls (e.g., for sealing or aesthetic reasons), at least one side of the left and right side walls has a transfer port for docking. Meanwhile, regarding the support 21, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3As shown, the support base 21 consists of four horizontal frame edges, forming a frame shape, with multiple omnidirectional balls 211 mounted on the top surface of each frame edge. Of course, in other embodiments, the support base 21 can also be a square plate, forming a plate shape, with multiple omnidirectional balls 211 mounted on the top surface of the plate. Such simple variations should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0076] Because the support base 21 is equipped with multiple omnidirectional balls 211, the push-pull assembly 22 and the breeding tray can move more smoothly when driving the breeding tray, reducing friction and making translation faster. More importantly, when the breeding tray on the support base 21 needs to be transferred to the automatic screening device or automatic feeding device (at this time, the first connecting component 221 on the push-pull assembly 22 must have stopped connecting with the breeding tray), the multiple omnidirectional balls 211 can also ensure that the breeding tray can quickly move laterally from the transfer port. Through the above special scientific design, firstly, the multiple omnidirectional balls 211 enable the push-pull assembly 22 and the breeding tray to move more smoothly when driving the breeding tray, reducing friction and making translation faster. Secondly, the design of multiple omnidirectional balls 211 and transfer ports allows the carrier 21 to dock with the automatic screening device or automatic feeding device to complete the transfer of the breeding tray. The breeding tray has the possibility of moving in multiple directions, which means that the device and the automatic screening device or automatic feeding device can be automatically coordinated.

[0077] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 includes two parallel limiting rods 23. The two limiting rods 23 are vertically positioned above the support seat 21 along the direction of translation of the push-pull assembly 22, forming a limiting space between the limiting rods 23 and the support seat 21 to limit the upper and lower positions of the push-pull assembly 22 and the breeding tray. A first rack 231 is axially provided on the top surface of each of the two limiting rods 23. The push-pull assembly 22 includes a push-pull plate 222 that translates within the limiting space. A first transmission horizontal shaft 223 and a first motor assembly 224 for driving the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 to rotate are mounted on the push-pull plate 222. A first gear 2231 is provided at both ends of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 to mesh with the two first racks 231 respectively. Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, a transmission gear is provided in the middle of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223, and the first motor assembly 224 is a forward and reverse drive motor, with the gear on its drive shaft end meshing with the transmission gear in the middle of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223. When the first motor assembly 224 drives the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 to rotate, the first gear 2231 at both ends of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 and the two first racks 231 form a gear and rack engagement, thereby enabling the push-pull plate 222 to translate in the front-to-back direction within the limited space. This structure is simple and low in cost, and secondly, it can ensure synchronous operation on both sides through a single first transmission horizontal shaft 223, thus ensuring the stable push-pull operation of the push-pull plate 222.

[0078] like Figure 3 As shown, further, in a preferred embodiment, a protruding first limiting seat 225 is installed on the push-pull plate 222 near each of the two limiting rods 23. The first limiting seat 225 has a through hole for the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 to pass through, so as to reduce the shaking of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 during transmission. The two first limiting seats 225 respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two limiting rods 23 to reduce the shaking in the lateral direction when the push-pull plate 222 moves. The first limiting seat 225 facilitates the installation of the first transmission horizontal shaft 223, so that the first transmission horizontal shaft 223 runs stably and does not shake. Secondly, it can form a limiting cooperation with the limiting rods 23 on both sides, so that the push-pull plate 222 will not shake in the lateral direction when pushing and pulling, thus accurately docking with the breeding tray and accurately driving the breeding tray to push and pull.

[0079] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the first connecting component 221 includes one or more electromagnets for adsorbing and fixing the breeding tray when energized. Since the breeding tray is metal, when the push-pull plate 222 pushes the connecting component 221 into contact with the breeding tray, the first connecting component 221 is energized, firmly connecting the breeding tray together to achieve subsequent push-pull operations. Of course, in other embodiments, the first connecting component 221 can also be configured in other forms, such as a pneumatic suction cup that firmly adsorbs and fixes the breeding tray after contact; or an electric hook that rotates to hook and fix the breeding tray.

[0080] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the frame 1 is provided with multiple vertically arranged slide rails, each slide rail containing a slider. Each slider is connected to the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 to limit the lifting and lowering of the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. This provides a stable limit for the tray-retrieving mechanism 2, ensuring that it does not shake during lifting and remains stable during push-pull operations after lifting and lowering stops, thereby achieving safe and stable tray retrieval and delivery.

[0081] like Figure 2As shown, in a preferred embodiment, a lifting drive assembly 3 is installed on the top of the frame 1. The lifting drive assembly 3 includes a lifting drive motor 31, a double-gear sprocket 32, a single-gear sprocket 33, a counterweight 34, and two vertically arranged chains 35. The beginning ends of the two chains 35 are respectively connected to the left and right sides of the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. The tail end of one chain 35 meshes around the double-gear sprocket 32 ​​and connects to the counterweight 34. The tail end of the other chain 35 meshes around the single-gear sprocket 33 and the double-gear sprocket 32 ​​in sequence and connects to the counterweight 34. The lifting drive motor 31 drives the double-gear sprocket 32 ​​to rotate, thereby simultaneously driving the two chains 35 to move and raise or lower the tray-retrieving mechanism 2. The counterweight 34 can reduce the torque of the lifting drive motor 31. Through the driving of the lifting drive motor 31, the double-gear sprocket 32 ​​can simultaneously drive the two chains 35 to move synchronously, thereby driving the left and right sides of the tray-retrieving mechanism 2 to achieve smooth and synchronous raising and lowering. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, a tension gear is provided in the attachment of the single gear sprocket 33. The tension gear meshes with the chain 35 and can adjust the tension of the chain 35, thereby adjusting the cooperation relationship between the two chains 35 and ensuring that the disk lifting mechanism 2 can achieve smooth lifting and lowering.

[0082] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a track drive mechanism 4 is also included. (The accompanying drawings are provided for clarity.) Figure 5 The rest of the frame 1 is hidden, leaving only the bottom part of the frame 1. The track drive mechanism 4 includes a roller drive assembly 41, multiple track wheels 42 fixed to the bottom of the frame 1, and two or more ground rails 43 laid along one side of multiple breeding racks. The roller drive assembly 41 is fixed to the bottom of the frame 1 and is used to drive the track wheels 42 to move along the ground rails 43 so that the frame 1 moves along one side of multiple breeding racks. This allows the device to not only pick up and drop multiple breeding racks vertically, but also to move along one side of multiple breeding racks, thereby realizing the picking and dropping operation of multiple breeding racks, with a wider range of applications and higher automation and work efficiency. In this embodiment, the track drive mechanism 4 also includes a ceiling rail fixed above the factory building. The ceiling rail and the ground rails 43 are parallel. The top of the frame 1 is provided with a pulley assembly that cooperates with the ceiling rail, so that the frame 1 runs along the ground rails 43 below and simultaneously along the ceiling rails above, making the operation more stable, safer, and preventing tipping.

[0083] like Figure 6As shown, further, in a preferred embodiment, two parallel second guide rails 12 are provided on the frame 1 above the receiving hopper 11. In this embodiment, the second guide rail 12 has a C-shaped cross-section, and its groove is used to support and limit the translation of the feeding mechanism 6 and the breeding tray. The second guide rail 12 is used to support the translation of the feeding mechanism 6 and the breeding tray. The feeding mechanism 6 includes a second feeding plate 61 and a second translation drive assembly 62 for pushing the second feeding plate 61 to translate along the second guide rail 12. At least one end of the left and right ends of the second feeding plate 61 is provided with a second connecting assembly 63 for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray-taking mechanism 2 so that the second feeding plate 61 can drive the breeding tray to translate together. The two parallel second guide rails 12 can not only support the feeding mechanism 6 and the breeding tray, but also limit and position the moving feeding mechanism 6 and the breeding tray, so that the breeding tray can move smoothly to the top of the receiving hopper 11 and be flipped. After the translation drive assembly 62 drives the second feeding plate 61 to move to the left, the second connecting assembly 63 at the end forms a fixed connection with the breeding tray, allowing the second feeding plate 61 to pull the breeding tray to move. Once it moves above the receiving hopper 11, there are two operating methods: one is to disconnect the second connecting assembly 63 from the breeding tray (details will be described below), allowing the flipping mechanism 5 to drive the breeding tray to flip independently. The other method is to keep the second connecting assembly 63 connected to the breeding tray, and the flipping mechanism 5 drives the breeding tray and the second feeding plate 61 to flip together. The limiting effect of the two parallel second guide rails 12, combined with the method of fixing the second feeding plate 61 before translation, ensures that the breeding tray moves very smoothly, preventing the risk of insects falling due to shaking or tilting.

[0084] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a second rack 121 parallel to the second guide rail 12 is provided on the outer side of each second guide rail 12 on the frame 1. That is, the second rack 121 is not provided on the top surface of the second guide rail 12, but is fixed to the top surface of the crossbar of the frame 1. The crossbar is provided on the outer side of the second guide rail 12 and is parallel to the second guide rail 12. The second translation drive assembly 62 includes a second transmission horizontal shaft 621 mounted on the second pick-up and delivery plate 61 and a second motor assembly 622 for driving the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 to rotate. A second gear 6211 is provided at both ends of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 for meshing with the two second racks 121 respectively. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, a transmission gear is provided in the middle of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621. The second motor assembly 622 is a forward and reverse drive motor, and the gear on its drive shaft end meshes with the transmission gear in the middle of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621. When the second motor assembly 622 drives the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 to rotate, the second gears 6211 at both ends of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 and the two second racks 121 form a gear and rack engagement, thereby enabling the second pick-and-place plate 61 to translate within the second guide rail 12. This structure is simple and low-cost, and the single second transmission horizontal shaft 621 ensures synchronous operation on both sides, thus guaranteeing stable pushing and pulling operation of the second pick-and-place plate 61.

[0085] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the screening mechanism 7 includes a blower assembly 71, an insect body collection chamber 72, an insect skin transfer chamber 73, an insect excrement collection chamber 74, and a vertically arranged main channel 75. The top opening of the main channel 75 is used to communicate with the bottom discharge port of the receiving hopper 11, and the bottom opening of the main channel 75 is used to communicate with the insect body collection chamber 72 so that the insects fall directly into the insect body collection chamber 72. The vertical side wall of the main channel 75 is also provided with a first screening port and a second screening port arranged vertically. The upper first screening port is used to communicate with the insect skin transfer chamber 73, and the lower second screening port is used to communicate with the insect excrement collection chamber 74. The blower assembly 71 corresponds to the first screening port (e.g., Figure 10 X shown) and the second filter port (as shown) Figure 10 The Y) setting shown is used to blow or draw air towards the first screening port and the second screening port so that insect skins and insect excrement of different qualities enter the insect skin transfer chamber 73 and the insect excrement collection chamber 74 respectively under the action of wind.

[0086] In this embodiment, the blower assembly 71 is a blower, which is positioned directly opposite the first and second screening ports to blow air towards them. Because the insect body, exoskeleton, and excrement have varying weights, the insect body is the heaviest, followed by the excrement, and then the exoskeleton. When the insect body, exoskeleton, and excrement fall downwards through the main channel 75, the heaviest insect body is unaffected by the airflow and falls directly into the insect body collection chamber 72 below for collection (e.g., ...). Figure 10 (As indicated by the middle arrow M). The lightest insect skin, upon entering the main channel 75, is immediately blown into the topmost first screening port before it can fall downwards, and then enters the insect skin transfer chamber 73 for collection (as shown by the middle arrow M). Figure 10 (As indicated by the middle arrow N). The insect excrement, possessing a certain mass, falls and is influenced by the wind, eventually being blown into the second screening port located below the first screening port, and then into the insect excrement collection chamber 74 for collection (as shown by the arrow N). Figure 10 (As indicated by the middle arrow P). Of course, in other embodiments, the fan assembly 71 can also be configured as an exhaust fan, positioned behind the first and second screening ports, to create a negative pressure for suction, drawing the insect skins and excrement into the first and second screening ports respectively. Such simple modifications should fall within the scope of this invention. Through the above-mentioned special scientific design, the following technical advantages are achieved:

[0087] First, the unique structure of this invention enables the rapid and efficient separation and packaging of insect bodies, excrement, and exoskeletons in a single process, achieving highly automated screening. This significantly reduces manual labor intensity and saves on labor costs, while also providing extremely high screening efficiency. Second, this invention utilizes air separation to achieve screening and separation, completely eliminating the need for existing manual screening and removal methods. This avoids damage to the delicate insect bodies and prevents the occurrence of dead insects, ensuring excellent subsequent commercial use.

[0088] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the flipping mechanism 5 includes a flipping drive assembly 51 and one or more rotating shafts 52. Each second guide rail 12 includes a flipable section within the receiving hopper 11 and a fixed section extending outside the receiving hopper 11. The flipable section and the fixed section of the second guide rail 12 are disconnected (e.g., Figure 6 (Z is the break point shown in the figure). The middle part of the flip-out section of the second guide rail 12 is rotatably mounted on the frame 1 via the rotating shaft 52 (that is, it is mounted on the crossbar of the frame 1 via the rotating shaft 52, and the top surface of the crossbar is provided with the second guide rack 121). Figure 8 It is clearly visible that the second guide rail 12 has been flipped, but the crossbar with the second guide rack 121 is fixed. The flippable section of the second guide rail 12 is also provided with one or more limiting components 122, which are used to limit and fix the pulled-out breeding tray on the flippable section of the second guide rail 12. When unloading, the flipping drive component 51 drives the rotating shaft 52 to rotate, so that the rotating shaft 52 drives the flippable section of the second guide rail 12 and the limited breeding tray to rotate together. The fixed section of the second guide rail 12 is used to support the picking and delivering mechanism 6 during the unloading operation.

[0089] When the feeding mechanism 6 (the second feeding plate 61 as described above) pulls the breeding tray onto the receiving hopper 11 along the second guide rail 12, the breeding tray is positioned on the rotatable section of the second guide rail 12, while the second feeding plate 61 is positioned on the fixed section of the second guide rail 12. Then, the limiting component 122 limits and fixes the breeding tray to the rotatable section of the second guide rail 12, and the second connecting component 63 on the second feeding plate 61 stops connecting. At this time, the flipping drive component 51 drives the rotating shaft 52 to rotate, causing the rotating shaft 52 to rotate together with the rotatable section of the second guide rail 12 and the limited breeding tray. However, because the rotatable section and the fixed section of the second guide rail 12 are disconnected, the second feeding plate 61, positioned on the fixed section of the second guide rail 12, will not flip together. After the flipping is completed, the rotatable section and the fixed section of the second guide rail 12 are aligned again. At this time, the limiting component 122 stops limiting, and the second feeding plate 61 moves towards the breeding tray and pushes the breeding tray out. In this embodiment, the limiting component 122 consists of two or more clamping cylinders, which can clamp and fix the breeding tray onto the rotatable section of the second guide rail 12. Furthermore, limiting holes can be provided on the edge of the breeding tray, and the pins of the clamping cylinders extend into the limiting holes and clamp, further forming a secure limiting. In this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, the flipping drive assembly 51 is a forward and reverse drive motor, which is fixed on the crossbar of the frame 1. A transmission gear is provided on the end of the rotating shaft 52 extending outside the frame 1. A threaded screw that meshes with the transmission gear on the end of the drive shaft of the forward and reverse drive motor is provided on the drive shaft end of the rotating shaft 52. Of course, in other embodiments, it can also be as follows... Figure 7 , 8 The same vertically arranged flipping drive component 51, through transmission with other gear components, causes the rotating shaft 52 to rotate. Through the above special scientific design, it has the following technical advantages: The special structural form of this invention allows the second pick-and-place plate 61 to move horizontally along the second guide rail 12 without flipping, which greatly reduces the power requirements for flipping, making flipping easier to achieve and emptying the material cleanly, and also reducing the later maintenance cost.

[0090] like Figure 6As shown, further, in a preferred embodiment, a protruding second limiting seat 623 is installed on the second feeding plate 61 near each of the two second guide rails 12. The second limiting seat 623 has a through hole for the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 to pass through, reducing the shaking of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 during transmission. The two second limiting seats 623 respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two second guide rails 12 to reduce lateral shaking when the second feeding plate 61 translates. The second limiting seats 623 serve two purposes: first, they facilitate the installation of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621, ensuring stable operation of the second transmission horizontal shaft 621 without shaking; second, they can form a limiting fit with the second guide rails 12 on both sides, preventing lateral shaking of the second feeding plate 61 during push-pull operation, thus enabling precise docking with the breeding tray and accurately driving the breeding tray in push-pull motion.

[0091] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the second connecting component 63 includes one or more electromagnets for adsorbing and fixing the breeding tray when energized. Of course, in other embodiments, the second connecting component 63 can also be configured in other forms, such as a pneumatic suction cup that firmly adsorbs and fixes the breeding tray after contact; or an electric hook that rotates to hook and fix the breeding tray.

[0092] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, there are two screening mechanisms 7. A guide partition 15 is provided in the middle of the discharge port at the bottom of the receiving hopper 11 to divide the discharge port into two equal outlets, each of which is connected to a screening mechanism 7. Since the insects are larger than when they were screened each time, they need more spacious breeding space to facilitate their growth in the next stage. Therefore, after each screening, all the insects need to be divided into two breeding trays for breeding. To this end, this device provides a guide partition 15 in the middle of the discharge port at the bottom of the receiving hopper 11, which can directly divide the insects, insect excrement, and insect skin to be screened into two equal parts. Then, the two independent screening mechanisms 7 below directly screen out two independent portions of insects (relatively equal). The insect collection chamber 72 can be connected to an empty breeding tray, and thus can be directly divided into two breeding trays for the next stage of breeding without the need for subsequent manual separation and manual removal of insects, which greatly reduces the intensity of manual labor, saves labor costs, and has extremely high work efficiency.

[0093] like Figure 7 , 8As shown, in a preferred embodiment, a matching hopper cover 16 is further provided on the frame 1 above the receiving hopper 11 to enclose and form a closed cavity for tipping and unloading. An opening is provided between the hopper cover 16 and the receiving hopper 11 at the translational path of the conveying mechanism 6, allowing the conveying mechanism 6 and the breeding tray to enter and exit. For ease of viewing and understanding of the structure, the hopper covers 16 in the attached drawings are all transparent, allowing other structural components within the area covered by the hopper cover 16 to be seen. By providing the hopper cover 16, dust generated during tipping and unloading is prevented from escaping, making it more environmentally friendly. Simultaneously, the hopper cover 16 also protects the receiving hopper 11 below and the connected screening mechanism 7, preventing foreign objects from falling in and effectively ensuring subsequent breeding results.

[0094] like Figures 12 to 17 As shown, further, in a preferred embodiment, the feeding mechanism 8 includes a feeding pipe 81 horizontally fixed to the frame 1, a spiral auger rod 82 disposed within the feeding pipe 81, and a rotary motor 83 fixed to the frame 1. The feeding pipe 81 is connected to the feeding hopper 14, and the arrangement direction of the feeding pipe 81 is perpendicular to the translation direction of the breeding tray. Multiple evenly distributed discharge ports (such as...) are opened along the axial direction at the bottom of the feeding pipe 81. Figure 14 (T in the figure is the discharge port). When the breeding tray moves horizontally, the rotary motor 83 drives the spiral auger rod 82 to rotate, so that the food delivered from the feeding hopper 14 is evenly distributed in strips on the breeding tray through multiple discharge ports.

[0095] In this embodiment, after the breeding tray has moved to its right position, the feeding pipe 81 is positioned directly above the rear end of the breeding tray. The specific implementation principle is as follows: When the push-pull mechanism 9 pulls the breeding tray to the right, the rotary motor 83 drives the auger rod 82. The auger rod 82 evenly discharges the food from the feeding pipe 81 through multiple discharge ports. At this time, the food falls onto the front end of the lower, moving breeding tray. Due to the stickiness of insect food, the rightward-moving breeding tray pulls the continuously falling food along with it, ultimately ensuring that the food from each discharge port is evenly distributed in strips on the breeding tray. Figure 15The diagram shows the state after feeding. Multiple evenly distributed strips of food (R represents food in the diagram) are clearly visible in the rearing tray. When the rearing tray is in position, the rotary motor 83 stops driving the auger 82, and the food no longer falls. Because the auger 82 continuously discharges food from the discharge port, and the moving rearing tray pulls out the food, the two work together to ensure that each food strip is relatively uniform in size. Furthermore, the even distribution of the multiple discharge ports also ensures that the spacing between the food strips is uniform, ultimately guaranteeing that the food is evenly distributed on the rearing tray. Of course, inspired by the above embodiment, the feeding method can also be changed: insects are introduced when the rearing tray begins to move to the right, ensuring that the insects are evenly distributed on the tray. At this time, the feeding pipe 81 does not feed. After the rearing tray is in position, the feeding pipe 81 is positioned directly above the tail end of the rearing tray. After the insects are introduced, the feeding pipe 81 only begins feeding when the push-pull mechanism 9 pushes the rearing tray to the left and retracts. The rearing tray moving to the left also pulls the continuously falling food along with it, ultimately ensuring that the food from each discharge port is evenly distributed in strips on the rearing tray. Through this special scientific design, the following technical advantages are achieved:

[0096] The automatic feeding device of this invention uses a spiral auger 82 to evenly deliver food into a feeding tube 81, which then discharges evenly from each discharge port. Simultaneously, the continuously discharged food is pulled by a moving rearing tray below. This combination ensures that the food is evenly distributed in strips on the rearing tray through multiple discharge ports, with each strip being relatively uniform in size. Furthermore, the even distribution of the discharge ports also ensures uniform spacing between the food strips, ultimately guaranteeing even food distribution on the rearing tray. Since many insects are highly consuming but have poor foraging abilities, even and timely feeding is crucial to ensure that every rearing area within the tray has food, effectively guaranteeing uniform growth for insects of the same batch.

[0097] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the middle part of the feeding tube 81 is provided with a receiving port for communicating with the feeding hopper 14 (e.g., Figure 14 In the diagram, V represents the inlet. The threads on the auger rod 82 are opposite in direction to those on either side of the inlet, so that the food input from the inlet is quickly and evenly conveyed to both sides by the auger rod 82. Figure 14The diagram shown is a partial bottom view of the feeding tube 81. To clearly show the spiral auger rod 82 inside the feeding tube 81, a partial cross-sectional view is used. It is evident that the threads on the spiral auger rod 82 inside the feeding tube 81 are opposite in direction to those on either side of the feeding port. Feed enters from the middle of the feeding tube 81 and passes through the spiral auger rods 82 with different threads on both sides, ensuring that the food reaches both ends of the feeding tube 81 simultaneously and in the shortest possible time. This allows the food to be discharged quickly and evenly through multiple discharge ports, effectively ensuring the uniformity of feeding. Imagine if feeding were uniformly done from only one end of the feeding tube 81; the discharge rate at the opposite end would certainly be the worst, leading to uneven feeding.

[0098] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the feeding mechanism 8 further includes a feed pipe 84 arranged along the translational direction of the breeding tray. The feed pipe 84 is provided with a second spiral auger (not shown in the figure, the thread direction of the second spiral auger is consistent). The feed pipe 84 is connected between the feeding hopper 14 and the feed inlet of the feeding pipe 81, and is used to form an installation space for installing the screening mechanism 7 between the feeding pipe 81 and the feeding hopper 14 so as to realize the simultaneous feeding and insect feeding.

[0099] like Figure 16 As shown, further, in a preferred embodiment, two parallel first guide rails 13 are provided on the frame 1 below the feeding mechanism 8. In this embodiment, the first guide rail 13 has a C-shaped cross section, and its groove is used to support and limit the translation of the push-pull mechanism 9 and the breeding tray. The first guide rail 13 is used to support the translation of the push-pull mechanism 9 and the breeding tray. The push-pull mechanism 9 includes a first feeding plate 91 and a first translation drive component 92 for pushing the first feeding plate 91 to translate along the first guide rail 13. At least one end of the left and right ends of the first feeding plate 91 is provided with a third connecting component 93 for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray taking mechanism 2 so that the first feeding plate 91 drives the breeding tray to translate together.

[0100] The two parallel first guide rails 12 not only support the push-pull mechanism 9 and the breeding tray, but also limit and position the moving push-pull mechanism 9 and the breeding tray, allowing the breeding tray to move smoothly below the feeding mechanism 8. After the first translation drive component 92 drives the first delivery plate 91 to translate to the left, the third connecting component 93 at the end forms a fixed connection with the breeding tray, allowing the first delivery plate 91 to pull the breeding tray to move. The limiting effect of the two parallel first guide rails 12, combined with the first delivery plate 91 being fixed by the connecting component 93 before translation, ensures that the breeding tray moves very smoothly, eliminating the risk of insects or food falling off due to shaking or tilting.

[0101] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a third rack 131 is provided on the bottom surface of each of the two first guide rails 13 along the axial direction. The first translation drive assembly 92 includes a third transmission horizontal shaft 921 mounted on the bottom surface of the first pick-up and delivery plate 91 and a third motor assembly 922 for driving the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 to rotate. A third gear 9211 is provided at both ends of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 for meshing with the two third racks 131 respectively.

[0102] Figure 16 This is a bottom-view three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the push-pull mechanism of the present invention. To clearly view the structure, the feeding mechanism 8 and other mechanisms are hidden in the attached diagram. Because the feeding tube 81 and other components need to be installed near the top surface of the two first guide rails 13 (for feeding), there is no suitable space above the top surface of the first guide rails 13 to install the first translation drive assembly 92; otherwise, the first translation drive assembly 92 would collide with the feeding tube 81 during movement. Therefore, the present invention creatively mounts the first translation drive assembly 92 on the bottom surface of the first pick-up and delivery plate 91. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, a transmission gear is provided in the middle of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921, and the third motor assembly 922 is a forward and reverse drive motor, with the gear on its drive shaft end meshing with the transmission gear in the middle of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921. When the third motor assembly 922 drives the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 to rotate, the third gear 9211 at both ends of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 and the two third racks 121 form a gear and rack engagement, thereby enabling the first pick-and-place plate 91 to translate within the first guide rail 12. This structure is simple and low in cost, and secondly, the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 can ensure synchronous operation on both sides, thus ensuring the stable push-pull operation of the pick-and-place plate 91.

[0103] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a raised third limiting seat 923 is installed on the bottom surface of the first feeding plate 91 near each of the two first guide rails 13. The third limiting seat 923 has a through hole for the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 to pass through, reducing the shaking of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 during transmission. The two third limiting seats 923 respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two first guide rails 12 to reduce lateral shaking when the first feeding plate 91 moves. The third limiting seat 923 serves two purposes: firstly, it facilitates the installation of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921, ensuring stable operation of the third transmission horizontal shaft 921 without shaking; secondly, it forms a limiting fit with the first guide rails 13 on both sides, preventing lateral shaking of the first feeding plate 91 during push-pull operation, thus enabling precise docking with the breeding tray and accurately driving the breeding tray in push-pull motion.

[0104] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the third connecting component 93 includes one or more electromagnets for adsorbing and fixing the breeding tray when energized. Since the breeding tray is metal, when the first delivery plate 91 pushes the third connecting component 93 into contact with the breeding tray, the third connecting component 93 is energized, firmly connecting the breeding trays together to enable subsequent push-pull operations. Of course, in other embodiments, the third connecting component 93 can also be configured in other forms, such as a pneumatic suction cup that firmly adsorbs and fixes the breeding tray after contact; or an electric hook that rotates to hook and fix the breeding tray.

[0105] This invention also provides an insect breeding system, characterized by having multiple multi-level breeding racks arranged sequentially, each rack having multiple breeding trays from top to bottom, and an automated device for insect breeding as described above. In this embodiment, two rows of multi-level breeding racks share a single automated device for insect breeding, maximizing the utilization of the breeding area. Through these features, the system occupies a small area, is easy and quick to operate, and has a high degree of automation and efficiency.

[0106] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of the present invention should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated device for insect farming, characterized in that, The system includes a frame (1), on which a matching pick-and-place conveyor, an automatic screening device, and an automatic feeding device are provided. The pick-and-place conveyor includes a tray-picking mechanism (2) that can be raised and lowered within the frame (1) and is used to raise and lower the trays to the vicinity of any layer of the breeding rack to pull the trays onto the tray-picking mechanism (2). The automatic screening device includes a flipping mechanism (5), a picking and feeding mechanism (6), and a receiving hopper (11) with an upper opening. The picking and feeding mechanism (6) is slidably positioned above the opening of the receiving hopper (11) and is used to pull the trays from the tray-picking mechanism (2) to the receiving hopper (11) and then flip the trays via the flipping mechanism (5). The unloading mechanism (7) is provided at the bottom unloading port of the receiving hopper (11) to screen and collect the fallen insect bodies, insect skins, and insect excrement. The automatic feeding device includes a feeding hopper (14), a feeding mechanism (8), and a push-pull mechanism (9). The feeding mechanism (8) and the feeding hopper (14) are connected to feed the food evenly downwards. The push-pull mechanism (9) is slidably positioned below the feeding mechanism (8) to move the breeding tray on the tray-retrieving mechanism (2) to the feeding mechanism (8) for even feeding. The tray-retrieving mechanism (2) includes a support seat that can be raised and lowered within the frame (1). 21) and a push-pull assembly (22) that can be moved back and forth on the support (21), wherein at least one end of the push-pull assembly (22) is provided with a first connecting assembly (221) for connecting with the breeding tray so as to pull the breeding tray on the breeding rack onto the support (21) by translating the push-pull assembly (22) / or for disconnecting the connection after the push-pull assembly (22) pushes the breeding tray on the support (21) onto the breeding rack; the support (21) is provided with a plurality of universal balls (211) for supporting the push-pull assembly (22) and the breeding tray so that the breeding tray moves along the front and back of the support (21) under the drive of the push-pull assembly (22). The frame (1) is provided with a transfer port on at least one side along the left-right direction of the breeding tray, which is used to connect the carrier (21) with the pick-up and delivery mechanism (6) or the push-pull mechanism (9) to complete the transfer operation of the breeding tray. The pick-up and delivery mechanism (2) includes two parallel limiting rods (23). The two limiting rods (23) are vertically arranged above the carrier (21) along the direction of the push-pull assembly (22) to form a limiting space between the limiting rods (23) and the carrier (21) to limit the push-pull assembly (22) and the breeding tray.Each of the two limiting rods (23) has a first rack (231) axially arranged on its top surface. The push-pull assembly (22) includes a push-pull plate (222) that translates within the limiting space. A first transmission horizontal shaft (223) and a first motor assembly (224) for driving the first transmission horizontal shaft (223) to rotate are mounted on the push-pull plate (222). A first gear (2231) is provided at both ends of the first transmission horizontal shaft (223) for meshing with the two first racks (231) respectively. A raised first limiting seat (225) is installed on the push-pull plate (222) near the two limiting rods (23). The first limiting seat (225) has a through hole for the first transmission horizontal shaft (223) to pass through, so as to reduce the shaking of the first transmission horizontal shaft (223) during transmission. The two first limiting seats (225) respectively make limiting contact with the side walls of the two limiting rods (23) to reduce the shaking in both directions when the push-pull plate (222) moves. The frame (1) has two parallel lines above the receiving hopper (11). The second guide rail (12) is used to support the translational pick-up and delivery mechanism (6) and the breeding tray. The pick-up and delivery mechanism (6) includes a second pick-up plate (61) and a second translation drive assembly (62) for pushing the second pick-up plate (61) to translate along the second guide rail (12). At least one end of the left and right ends of the second pick-up plate (61) is provided with a second connecting assembly (63) for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray-taking mechanism (2) so that the second pick-up plate (61) can drive the breeding tray to translate together. On the frame (1), near the outer side of each second guide rail (12), there is a second rack (121) parallel to the second guide rail (12). The second translation drive assembly (62) includes a second transmission horizontal shaft (621) mounted on the second pick-up plate (61) and a second motor assembly (622) for driving the second transmission horizontal shaft (621) to rotate. A second gear (6211) is provided at both ends of the second transmission horizontal shaft (621) to mesh with the two second racks (121) respectively.

2. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screening mechanism (7) includes a fan assembly (71), an insect body collection chamber (72), an insect skin transfer chamber (73), an insect excrement collection chamber (74), and a vertically arranged main channel (75). The top opening of the main channel (75) is used to connect with the bottom discharge port of the receiving hopper (11), and the bottom opening of the main channel (75) is connected with the insect body collection chamber (72) so that the insects fall directly into the insect body collection chamber (72). The vertical side wall of the main channel (75) is also provided with a first screening port and a second screening port arranged vertically. The first screening port at the top is used to connect with the insect skin transfer chamber (73), and the second screening port at the bottom is used to connect with the insect excrement collection chamber (74). The fan assembly (71) is set corresponding to the first screening port and the second screening port and is used to blow or draw air towards the first screening port and the second screening port so that insect skins and insect excrement of different qualities enter the insect skin transfer chamber (73) and the insect excrement collection chamber (74) respectively under the action of wind.

3. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism (5) includes a flipping drive assembly (51) and one or more rotating shafts (52). Each of the second guide rails (12) includes a flipable section located within the receiving hopper (11) and a fixed section extending out of the receiving hopper (11). The flipable section and the fixed section of the second guide rail (12) are disconnected. The middle part of the flipable section of the second guide rail (12) is rotatably mounted on the frame (1) via the rotating shaft (52). The flipable section of the second guide rail (12) is also provided with one or more limiting assemblies (122) for limiting and fixing the pulled-out breeding tray on the flipable section of the second guide rail (12). When unloading, the flipping drive assembly (51) drives the rotating shaft (52) to rotate so that the rotating shaft (52) drives the flipable section of the second guide rail (12) and the limited breeding tray to rotate together. The fixed section of the second guide rail (12) is used to carry the picking and delivering mechanism (6) during the unloading operation.

4. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism (8) includes a feeding tube (81) fixed horizontally on the frame (1), a spiral auger rod (82) inside the feeding tube (81), and a rotary motor (83) fixed on the frame (1). The feeding tube (81) is connected to the feeding hopper (14). The arrangement direction of the feeding tube (81) is perpendicular to the translation direction of the breeding tray. Multiple evenly distributed discharge ports are opened at the bottom of the feeding tube (81) along the axial direction. When the breeding tray moves, the rotary motor (83) drives the spiral auger rod (82) to rotate so that the food delivered from the feeding hopper (14) is evenly distributed in strips on the breeding tray through the multiple discharge ports.

5. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 4, characterized in that, The feed tube (81) has a feed inlet in the middle for communicating with the feed hopper (14). The spiral auger rod (82) has opposite threads on both sides of the feed inlet so that the food input from the feed inlet is quickly and evenly conveyed to both sides by the spiral auger rod (82).

6. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 5, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism (8) also includes a feed pipe (84) arranged along the direction of translation of the breeding tray. The feed pipe (84) is provided with a second spiral auger rod. The feed pipe (84) is connected between the feeding hopper (14) and the feed inlet of the feed pipe (81) to form an installation space for installing the screening mechanism (7) between the feed pipe (81) and the feeding hopper (14) so ​​as to realize the simultaneous feeding and insect feeding.

7. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (1) is provided with two parallel first guide rails (13) below the feeding mechanism (8). The first guide rails (13) are used to support the translation push-pull mechanism (9) and the breeding tray. The push-pull mechanism (9) includes a first delivery plate (91) and a first translation drive component (92) for pushing the first delivery plate (91) to translate along the first guide rail (13). At least one end of the left and right ends of the first delivery plate (91) is provided with a third connecting component (93) for connecting with the breeding tray on the tray taking mechanism (2) so that the first delivery plate (91) drives the breeding tray to translate together.

8. The automated device for insect farming according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the two first guide rails (13) has a third rack (131) along the axial direction on its bottom surface. The first translation drive assembly (92) includes a third transmission horizontal shaft (921) mounted on the bottom surface of the first pick-up and delivery plate (91) and a third motor assembly (922) for driving the third transmission horizontal shaft (921) to rotate. Each end of the third transmission horizontal shaft (921) is provided with a third gear (9211) for meshing with the two third racks (131) respectively.

9. An insect breeding system, characterized in that, The facility is provided with multiple multi-level breeding racks arranged in sequence, each of which has multiple breeding trays arranged from top to bottom, and also includes an automated device for insect breeding as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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