Predatory mite dispenser

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of predatory mite delivery device, including material box, protector and control system.Control system is used to identify the flight position of unmanned aerial vehicle, control material box release protector, realize the accurate delivery of predatory mite.The delivery mode of the present application is simple and light, and the delivery is efficient and reliable, which can stably disperse the protector of predatory mite into upper protector and lower protector.The released upper protector and lower protector are easily hung on crops or trees under the traction of hanging rope, completely solving the problem of sunlight irradiation and ground high temperature damage to predatory mites, and effectively avoiding the predation of ground natural enemies on predatory mites.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drone delivery, and more particularly to a predatory mite dispenser. Background Technology

[0002] Spider mites are a major pest of crops, fruit trees, and other plants. Because they suck sap from the undersides of leaves, chemical pesticides are largely ineffective and easily lead to pesticide resistance. Predatory mites are an important biological control agent that can effectively control spider mites and other pests. To prevent damage during transport and distribution, predatory mites are typically packaged with wheat bran in paper bags. During control operations, a corner of the bag is cut open, allowing the predatory mites to crawl out and prey on spider mites and other pests. Currently, predatory mites are generally released manually, which is inefficient and prone to inaccurate placement due to the inability of humans to determine precise release points.

[0003] Numerous patents have proposed different inventions for the deployment of predatory mites and drone deployment operations in specific working environments, but all of them have certain drawbacks and problems.

[0004] Chinese patent 02216913.X discloses a slow-release device for predatory mites. It uses a sealed container to hold an appropriate amount of predatory mite culture medium and a certain number of predatory mites. A release window is pre-set on the outside of the sealed container, and the container is tied to the trunk of a fruit tree via a rope attached to the top. This allows the predatory mites to gradually disperse, crawl onto the fruit tree, and reproduce, thus preying on pests such as spider mites over a long period. However, this method requires manual attachment of the release device to the trunk, which is inefficient and makes it difficult to accurately determine the release point, affecting the control effect.

[0005] Chinese patent 201410394189.7 discloses a method for rapidly releasing predatory mites and a dedicated spray gun. This method uses a blower to rapidly spray predatory mites and wheat bran from the spray gun, quickly releasing the mites. However, this method relies on manual release, resulting in low efficiency. Furthermore, this method releases the predatory mites directly onto the ground, where high temperatures and direct sunlight easily kill the released mites. Predators on the ground also consume the mites, leading to mass mortality and hindering the control effect.

[0006] Chinese Patent 201610470273.1 discloses a method and application for controlling mites and pests by releasing predatory mites using a drone. The method involves attaching booms to both sides of the drone's fuselage and installing release devices on the booms. Each release device contains a stirrer and a wire mesh, through which predatory mites and wheat bran are released. However, this method releases the predatory mites and wheat bran directly onto the ground. The high ground temperature and direct sunlight easily kill the released predatory mites. Furthermore, predatory mites' natural enemies on the ground will also consume them, significantly impacting the control effect.

[0007] Chinese Patent 202210288600.7 discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for insect delivery, in which the UAV controls and powers the delivery device, and the delivery is achieved through a movable arm and a hinge. However, this design lacks a structure to protect the delivered insects, which can lead to a large number of insect deaths and significantly reduce delivery efficiency and control effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a predatory mite dispenser, specifically comprising: a material box and a protector, wherein:

[0009] There are n material boxes, where n is a positive integer. Each material box includes an upper box and a lower box. The upper and lower boxes are integral structures with different inner diameters. The diameter of the upper box is larger than the cross-sectional size of the protector, ensuring that the protector cannot rotate inside the upper box. The diameter of the lower box is larger than the diameter of the upper box, facilitating the rotation of the protector inside the lower box.

[0010] The upper housing includes an upper baffle and an upper servo. The upper baffle is located near the bottom of the upper housing and passes through the opening of the upper housing. A rack is installed on the upper baffle. The output shaft of the upper servo has a gear. The gear of the upper servo meshes with the rack of the upper baffle. The upper servo drives the rack on the upper baffle to move linearly through the rotation of the gear, thereby realizing the linear opening and closing of the upper baffle.

[0011] The lower housing includes: a lower baffle, a lower servo motor, a rotating platform, a right-angle buckle, and a rotating servo motor; the lower baffle is located at the lower outlet of the predatory mite dispenser, the lower servo motor is connected to the lower baffle via a hinge structure, the rotating platform and the rotating servo motor are located on both sides of the lower baffle, the rotating platform is connected to the motor shaft of the rotating servo motor, and the right-angle buckle is connected to the rotating platform. The right-angle buckle is used to lock the protector when the rotating platform rotates.

[0012] The protectors are stored in the material box; the protectors include: an upper protector, a lower protector, and a hanging rope;

[0013] The upper protector includes: an upper housing and a sector-shaped clip, the sector-shaped clip being connected to the upper housing;

[0014] The lower protector includes a lower outer shell and an embedded buckle. The embedded buckle is connected to the lower outer shell. The fan-shaped buckle and the embedded buckle are engaged or disengaged by rotation. There is a through hole at the center of the fan-shaped buckle and on the lower outer shell for connecting a hanging rope. When the upper and lower protectors are engaged as a whole, the height of the whole is greater than the height of the lower housing, but lower than the height from the upper baffle to the rotating platform. This ensures that when the protector rotates on the rotating platform, part of the upper protector is still held in place by the upper housing, preventing the upper protector from rotating.

[0015] Preferably, the predatory mite dispenser also includes a control system, which includes a main control board, a GPS module, and an infrared sensor. The GPS module is used to determine the location information of the predatory mite dispenser, the infrared sensor is used to transmit and receive infrared signals, the main control board is used to receive signals from the GPS module and the infrared sensor, and transmit commands to the upper servo motor to drive the upper baffle to open and close linearly, transmit commands to the lower servo motor to drive the lower baffle to open and close around the axis, and transmit commands to the rotation servo motor to drive the rotation platform to rotate by a preset angle.

[0016] Preferably, the material box is equipped with ear tabs for attaching the predatory mite dispenser to the drone.

[0017] Preferably, the upper outer shell includes an upper outer wall and an upper partition, and the lower outer shell includes a lower partition and a lower outer wall. Ventilation holes are present on the upper and lower outer walls, with the inner diameter of the ventilation holes being smaller than the area of ​​the predatory mite's largest cross-section to prevent the predatory mite from crawling out. Predatory mite entry / exit holes are respectively provided on the upper and lower partitions, with the inner diameter of the entry / exit holes being larger than the area of ​​the predatory mite's largest cross-section to facilitate the predatory mite's entry and exit.

[0018] Preferably, one end of the fan-shaped buckle is connected to the center of the upper partition, and the other end of the fan-shaped buckle protrudes with two symmetrical fan-shaped structures.

[0019] Preferably, the embedded buckle is a trapezoidal structure that is relatively fixed and has an arc-shaped upper bottom.

[0020] Preferably, there are four right-angle buckles, and the square formed by them is slightly larger than the size of the lower protector to secure the lower protector.

[0021] Preferably, the hanging rope is made of a flexible material.

[0022] Preferably, the flexible material is cotton fabric or linen product.

[0023] Preferably, the infrared sensor includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, which are fixed inside the lower housing. The infrared receiver receives the infrared signal emitted by the infrared transmitter. When the protector enters the lower housing and blocks the infrared signal, the infrared receiver transmits a signal to the main control board when there is no signal input.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0025] The predatory mite dispenser disclosed in this invention is mounted on a drone for the precise delivery of predatory mites. It is simple, lightweight, efficient, and reliable. It can stably disperse the predatory mite's protector into an upper protector and a lower protector. After release, the upper and lower protectors are easily attached to crops or trees by the traction of the hanging rope. It completely solves the problem of predatory mites being damaged by sunlight and high ground temperatures, and also effectively avoids predation of predatory mites by ground predators. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a predatory mite dispenser provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the protector provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the lower baffle provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The reference numerals in the figures include:

[0030] Material box 1, upper box body 11, lower box body 12, upper baffle 111, upper servo motor 112, lower baffle 121, rotating platform 1211, right angle buckle 1212, rotating servo motor 1213, lower servo motor 122, lug 13, protector 2, upper protector 21, upper outer wall 211, upper partition 212, fan-shaped buckle 213, lower protector 22, lower outer wall 221, lower partition 222, embedded buckle 223, hanging rope 23, control system 3, infrared transmitter 31, infrared receiver 32. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description below, the same modules are denoted by the same reference numerals. Where the same reference numerals are used, their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0033] In this implementation case, the material box 1 is used to store and release the protector 2, and the control system 3 is used to identify the flight position of the drone and control the material box 1 to release the protector 2, so as to achieve the precise delivery of predatory mites.

[0034] Figure 1 The structure of a predatory mite dispenser provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, the material box 1 of the predatory mite dispenser provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: an upper box 11, a lower box 12, and ear plates 13. The ear plates 13 are fixedly connected to the upper end of the material box 1 and are used to mount the predatory mite dispenser on a drone. The material box 1 includes an upper box 11 and a lower box 12. Both the upper box 11 and the lower box 12 are rectangular parallelepipeds. The diameter of the upper box 11 is larger than the cross-sectional size of the protector 21, but the upper protector 21 cannot rotate within the upper box. The diameter of the lower box 12 is larger than the diameter of the upper box 11, facilitating the rotation of the lower protector 22 within the lower box 12. An upper baffle 111 is installed at the bottom of the upper box 11. The upper baffle 111 is connected to an upper servo motor 112 via a chain and gears. The upper servo motor 112 rotates the gears to drive the chain, thus achieving the linear opening and closing of the upper baffle 111. The lower housing 12 has a lower baffle 121 installed at the lower end. The lower baffle 121 is connected to the lower servo motor 122 via a hinge. The lower servo motor 122 drives the lower baffle 121 to open and close around the axis via the hinge.

[0036] Figure 2 A structural diagram of a protector provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the protector 2 of the predatory mite dispenser provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: an upper protector 21, a lower protector 22, and a hanging rope 23. The upper protector 21 includes: an upper outer wall 211, an upper partition 212, and a fan-shaped buckle 213. A ventilation hole is provided at the upper part of the upper outer wall 211, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the predatory mite's body cross-section, to prevent the predatory mites from crawling out. Predatory mite entry and exit holes are distributed on the upper partition 212, the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the predatory mite's body cross-section, facilitating the predatory mites to crawl in and out. The lower protector 22 includes: a lower outer wall 221, a lower partition 222, and an embedded buckle 223. A ventilation hole is provided at the upper part of the lower outer wall 221, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the predatory mite's body cross-section, to prevent the predatory mites from crawling out. The lower partition 222 has predatory mite entry and exit holes, the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the predatory mite's body cross-section, facilitating the mites' entry and exit. The fan-shaped buckle 213 and the embedded buckle 223 interlock by rotation, forming a single unit for easy transport and to prevent predatory mites from escaping. Each of the fan-shaped buckle 213 and the embedded buckle 223 has a circular through-hole in its center for connecting the hanging rope 23. The hanging rope 23 is made of soft materials such as cotton or silk, making it easy to fold for storage and wrap around crops or trees. The hanging rope 23 is used to wrap around the branches and leaves of crops or trees during descent, suspending the upper protector 21 and the lower protector 22 from the branches and leaves, ensuring that the predatory mites are not harmed by direct sunlight or high temperatures reflected from the ground, and also effectively preventing ground predators from harming the mites.

[0038] Figure 3 A structural diagram of a lower baffle provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower baffle 121 of the predatory mite dispenser provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a rotating platform 1211, right-angle latches 1212, and a rotating servo motor 1213. A rotating platform 1211 with four right-angle latches 1212 is installed on the inner side of the lower baffle 121, and the rotating servo motor 1213 is installed on the outer side of the lower baffle 121 to drive the rotating platform 1211 to achieve rotational movement. The lower housing 12 is connected to the upper housing 11; the upper protector 21 cannot rotate within the upper housing 11, while the lower protector 22 can rotate within the lower housing 12.

[0040] The control system 3 includes a main control board, a GPS module, and an infrared sensor. The main control board operates independently. It calculates the UAV's flight position using the GPS module and deploys the protector 2 at a preset location at a fixed time according to preset instructions.

[0041] Combination Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figure 3:

[0042] After the drone takes off, the control system 3 drives the upper servo motor 112 to open the upper baffle 111, and the protector 2 falls into the lower housing 12. However, part of the upper protector 21 is still located at the lower end of the upper housing 11, but the upper protector 21 does not exceed the height of the upper baffle 111. The protector 2 will block the transmission signal of the infrared transmitter 31, causing the infrared receiver 32 to not receive the signal. The infrared receiver 32 feeds back to the main control board, and the upper servo motor 112 drives the upper baffle 111 to close. The main control board then controls the rotation servo motor. 1213 drives the rotating platform 1211 to rotate, and the lower protector 22 is locked by the four right-angle buckles 1212 on the rotating platform 1211. The lower protector 22 rotates with the rotating platform 1211 to a preset angle, while the upper protector 21 is located at the lower part of the upper housing 11. Since the inner diameter of the upper housing 11 is small, the upper protector 21 cannot rotate. After rotating to a preset angle, the fan-shaped buckle 213 and the embedded buckle 223 are unlocked, thereby realizing the separation of the upper protector 21 and the lower protector 22.

[0043] Upon reaching the preset deployment position, the control system 3 drives the lower servo motor 122 to open the lower baffle 121, completing the deployment of the protector 2. At this time, the infrared receiver 32 can receive the signal from the infrared transmitter 31 again, the lower baffle 121 closes, and the upper baffle 111 opens again to enter the next cycle and perform the deployment operation again.

[0044] After release, the hanging rope 23 wraps around the branches and leaves of crops or trees during its descent, suspending the upper protector 21 and lower protector 22 containing predatory mites and wheat bran on the branches and leaves of crops and trees. The predatory mites can crawl out through the entry and exit holes on the upper partition 212 and lower partition 222 to prey on pests, ensuring that the predatory mites are not harmed by direct sunlight and high temperatures reflected from the ground, and also effectively preventing ground predators from harming the predatory mites.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0046] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A predatory mite dispenser, characterized in that, Includes material bins and protectors, among which: There are n material boxes, where n is a positive integer. Each material box includes an upper box and a lower box. The upper box and the lower box are integral structures with different inner diameters. The diameter of the upper box is larger than the cross-sectional size of the protector, ensuring that the protector cannot rotate inside the upper box. The diameter of the lower box is larger than the diameter of the upper box, facilitating the rotation of the protector inside the lower box. The upper housing includes an upper baffle and an upper servo motor. The upper housing has an opening near the bottom. The upper baffle passes through the opening of the upper housing. A rack is installed on the upper baffle. The output shaft of the upper servo motor has a gear. The gear meshes with the rack. The upper servo motor drives the gear to rotate, which in turn drives the rack on the upper baffle to move linearly, thereby realizing the linear opening and closing of the upper baffle. The lower housing includes: a lower baffle, a lower servo motor, a rotating platform, a right-angle buckle, and a rotating servo motor; the lower baffle is located at the lower outlet of the predatory mite dispenser, the lower servo motor is connected to the lower baffle via a hinge structure, the rotating platform and the rotating servo motor are located on both sides of the lower baffle, the rotating platform is connected to the motor shaft of the rotating servo motor, and the right-angle buckle is connected to the rotating platform. The right-angle buckle is used to lock the protector when the rotating platform rotates. The protector is stored in the material box, and the protector includes: an upper protector, a lower protector, and a hanging rope; The upper protector includes: an upper outer shell and a sector-shaped buckle, wherein the sector-shaped buckle is connected to the upper outer shell; The lower protector includes a lower outer shell and an embedded buckle. The embedded buckle is connected to the lower outer shell. The fan-shaped buckle and the embedded buckle are engaged or disengaged by rotation. A through hole is provided at the center of the fan-shaped buckle and on the lower outer shell for connecting the hanging rope. When the upper protector and the lower protector are engaged into a whole, the height of the whole is greater than the height of the lower housing, but lower than the height from the upper baffle to the rotating platform, ensuring that when the protector rotates on the rotating platform, a part of the upper protector is still locked by the upper housing, and the upper protector cannot rotate. The upper outer shell includes an upper outer wall and an upper partition, and the lower outer shell includes a lower partition and a lower outer wall. Ventilation holes are provided on the upper and lower outer walls. The inner diameter of the ventilation holes is smaller than the area of ​​the maximum cross-section of the predatory mite to prevent the predatory mite from crawling out. Predatory mite entry and exit holes are respectively provided on the upper and lower partitions. The inner diameter of the predatory mite entry and exit holes is larger than the area of ​​the maximum cross-section of the predatory mite to facilitate the entry and exit of the predatory mite. One end of the fan-shaped buckle is connected to the center of the upper partition, and the other end of the fan-shaped buckle protrudes with two symmetrical fan-shaped structures; The predatory mite dispenser also includes a control system, which comprises a main control board, a GPS module, and an infrared sensor. The GPS module is used to determine the location information of the predatory mite dispenser, the infrared sensor is used to transmit and receive infrared signals, and the main control board is used to receive signals from the GPS module and the infrared sensor, and to transmit commands to the upper servo motor to drive the upper baffle to open and close linearly, and to transmit commands to the lower servo motor to drive the lower baffle to open and close around an axis, and to transmit commands to the rotation servo motor to drive the rotation platform to rotate by a preset angle.

2. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The material box is equipped with ear plates for attaching the predatory mite dispenser to the drone.

3. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The embedded buckle consists of two relatively fixed trapezoidal structures with an arc-shaped upper base.

4. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of right-angle buckles is four, and the square size they form is slightly larger than the size of the lower protector, in order to fix the lower protector.

5. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hanging rope is made of flexible material.

6. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible material is cotton fabric or linen product.

7. The predatory mite dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared sensor includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, which are fixed inside the lower housing. The infrared receiver receives the infrared signal emitted by the infrared transmitter. When the protector enters the lower housing and blocks the infrared signal, and the infrared receiver receives no signal, the infrared receiver transmits a signal to the main control board.

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