Beehive and its built-in liquid supply unit

Abstract

A beehive and its built-in liquid dispensing unit. The built-in liquid dispensing unit includes: a liquid storage tank; a liquid dispensing trough located below the storage tank; and a valve mechanism positioned between the storage tank and the dispensing trough to control the liquid level flowing from the storage tank to the dispensing trough, ensuring that the liquid level in the dispensing trough remains at a set position. The storage tank, dispensing trough, and valve mechanism are assembled into a single unit in the form of a beehive frame. This invention's liquid dispensing unit can be directly inserted into the beehive like a frame without altering the existing standard beehive structure, thus achieving convenient liquid dispensing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a beehive, and more specifically, to a beehive having a built-in liquid supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Figure 1 A conventional beehive 1 is shown, having multiple parallel built-in combs or frames 11. These frames 11 are attached to or suspended from uprights 10 at both ends inside the beehive 1. Feeding troughs 2 are also suspended from the uprights 10. Nutrient solution or water can be manually added to the feeding troughs 2 by opening the beehive 1, or by using the cover of the beehive 1. Figure 1 (Not specifically shown) An opening on the feeding trough 2 is used to replenish the feed. The feeding trough 2 can also be placed at the bottom of the beehive 1.

[0003] CN1748485B, CN107801660A, CN111602610A, CN206507057U, CN215454732U, CN2678353Y and other publications disclose beehives with different structures and their manual or automatic feeding or watering devices.

[0004] The existing beehives, especially their liquid supply structure design, still need further improvement to be compatible with conventional or standardized beehives. Furthermore, it is imperative to avoid unnecessary injuries and losses to bees caused by excessive squeezing and liquid adhesion during feeding. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide at least one beehive with an improved liquid supply structure.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a beehive-integrated liquid supply unit is provided, comprising:

[0007] liquid storage tank;

[0008] The liquid supply tank is located at the bottom of the liquid storage tank; and

[0009] The valve mechanism, positioned between the storage tank and the supply tank, controls the liquid level flowing from the storage tank to the supply tank, ensuring that the liquid level in the supply tank remains at a set position.

[0010] The liquid storage tank, liquid supply tank, and valve mechanism are assembled into a single unit in the form of a honeycomb frame.

[0011] The liquid supply unit of this invention can thus be assembled into a snap-fit ​​modular assembly interchangeable with frames in a standard beehive. This snap-fit ​​modular assembly is interchangeable with any frame in a standard beehive; or, interchangeable with any two adjacent frames. When liquid replenishment, such as sugar water or fresh water, is needed, the corresponding frame in the beehive can be simply replaced with this liquid supply unit; after replenishment, the frame can be replaced back, thus maximizing the use of beehive space. Furthermore, the placement of the liquid supply unit within the beehive is more flexible.

[0012] The valve mechanism described above is preferably a buoyancy valve, which allows for more flexible adaptation to field operations.

[0013] Preferably, a float plate is placed in the liquid supply tank to substantially cover the exposed liquid surface of the tank. The float plate has multiple perforations. The float plate may further have multiple island-shaped protrusions, with the perforations evenly distributed around the protrusions. Furthermore, the float plate of this invention effectively avoids unnecessary bee casualties during the liquid supply process.

[0014] The liquid supply tank can also be equipped with an overflow prevention mechanism to prevent liquid from overflowing directly from its top opening. This safety mechanism effectively prevents flooding accidents inside the beehive.

[0015] In a significant variation of the beehive-integrated liquid supply unit according to the present invention, the liquid storage tank may include two spaced-apart sub-boxes, and the liquid supply trough may also include two spaced-apart dispensing sections, each dispensing section receiving liquid from a corresponding sub-box. This variant embodiment makes the liquid supply unit of the present invention more flexible in its use, allowing for simultaneous water and / or sugar supply as needed.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage tank may further include a main tank body and a distribution tank located below the main tank body, with the valve mechanism at least partially disposed in the distribution tank; the supply tank is at least divided into a distribution chamber and a functional chamber that are in liquid communication with each other, wherein the functional chamber is sealed to prevent bees from entering. A float may be disposed in the distribution chamber to substantially cover the liquid surface therein to prevent bees from falling in. The distribution tank and the valve mechanism may be disposed in the functional chamber to make the device simpler and safer. In addition, the functional chamber may be further divided into a float valve chamber and a (distribution tank) mounting chamber that are in liquid communication with each other to further improve the reliability of the device when a buoyancy valve is used.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a beehive is also provided, comprising:

[0018] Box;

[0019] At least one nest frame that can be quickly and easily positioned inside the box; and

[0020] The aforementioned liquid dispensing unit can also be quickly and easily positioned inside the housing.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the beehive of the present invention, the hive body has a plurality of identical positioning mechanisms for positioning a plurality of identical frames, and the liquid supply unit is capable of replacing at least one of the plurality of identical frames and being positioned at the corresponding positioning mechanism. The liquid supply unit is further preferably positioned on one side inside the hive body.

[0022] For a standardized beehive with multiple parallel-arranged removable frames, the modular assembly comprising the liquid supply unit of the present invention can be interchanged with any of the frames using the same removable method. Of course, depending on actual needs, the liquid supply unit of the present invention can also preferably occupy the positions of two adjacent frames on one side of the beehive. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a standard beehive structure;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the beehive liquid supply unit according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the liquid supply unit shown.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a perspective structural diagram of the floating plate according to the present invention; and

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The top view of the floating platform shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples. Those skilled in the art should understand that these examples are only for a better understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0029] Figure 1 A conventional or standardized beehive structure is shown. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the beehive liquid supply unit 200 according to the present invention in an assembled state is shown. The liquid supply unit 200 can be used as described above. Figure 1 The feeding trough 2 in the beehive 1 shown is used to replace it.

[0030] Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the aforementioned liquid supply unit 200 is shown. Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the liquid supply unit 200 generally includes a main housing 210, a liquid supply tank 220, and a buoyancy valve 240, etc.

[0031] The main body 210 is basically rectangular in shape, with a filling port 211 and an air inlet 215 on the top and an outlet 212 on the bottom. The filling port 211 can be opened and closed by screwing on a cap.

[0032] The main hive 210 has mounting lugs 213 on both its left and right sides, each lug 213 having a notch 214 for easy finger insertion. This allows the liquid dispensing unit 200 to be quickly attached to or suspended from the corresponding notch at the top of the uprights 10 at both ends inside the hive 1, similar to the frame 11, via the mounting lugs 213 on both sides of the main hive 210. The notches 214 facilitate quick placement and removal of the liquid dispensing unit 200 within the hive 1.

[0033] The liquid supply tank 220 is an open long tank, with a length approximately equal to that of the main tank 210. Along its length, the liquid supply tank 220 is divided into a distribution chamber 221, a float valve chamber 222, and an installation chamber 223.

[0034] The separator 250 is positioned within the mounting chamber 223 of the supply tank 220 by means of support feet 251. An overflow prevention mechanism in the form of a vertical pipe 225 is also formed within the mounting chamber 223. The upper opening of the vertical pipe 225 is slightly higher than the set liquid level but lower than the upper opening of the supply tank 220, while the lower opening can be connected to a drain hose extending outside the beehive. The separator 250 has an inlet 252 at its upper part, which can be connected to the outlet 212 of the main housing 210 via a connecting pipe (not shown).

[0035] The buoyancy valve 240 consists of a float 241, an inlet pipe or inlet port 242, and an outlet. The inlet port 242 of the buoyancy valve 240 is located inside the distribution tank 250, while the outlet and float 241 are located outside the distribution tank 250 (right side of the figure). The float 241 is thus positioned within the valve chamber 222 of the supply tank 220. A cover 260, attached to the distribution tank 250 on one side, is secured to the valve chamber 222 of the supply tank 220 by its support legs 261, covering the float 241. A float plate 230 is located in the distribution chamber 221 of the supply tank 220. The distribution chamber 221 is in liquid communication with the valve chamber 222 through a notch at the bottom of the support legs 261 of the cover 260. The valve chamber 222 is also in liquid communication with the installation chamber 223 through a notch at the bottom of the support legs 251 of the distribution tank 250.

[0036] After adjusting and setting the relative positions of each component, the connecting plate 270, which has mounting holes 271, is used to fix the main housing 210, which has mounting holes, and the liquid supply tank 220, which has corresponding mounting holes 224, together with fasteners. This allows the liquid supply unit 200 to be assembled as a single unit (except for the float plate 230 floating in the distribution chamber 221 of the liquid supply tank 220, which is assembled as a single structure). In other words, the liquid supply unit 200 is assembled as a single modular component.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the floating plate 230. Figure 5 Its top view. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the float 230 is rectangular in shape and has multiple protrusions 231 and multiple perforations 232. The protrusions 231 and perforations 232 are evenly distributed and spaced apart from each other.

[0038] The main body 210, liquid inlet tank 220, float plate 230, liquid distribution tank 250, etc. can all be molded parts or 3D printed parts.

[0039] The working principle of the beehive with a built-in liquid supply unit of the present invention is briefly described below.

[0040] As described above, similar to the insertion and removal (insertion) operation of the hive frame 11, the liquid supply unit 200 of the present invention is very convenient to install and remove in the beehive; it only needs to be placed, for example... Figure 1 The feeding trough 2 inside the beehive 1 shown can be positioned (or any of the frames 11 can be replaced) or removed. The liquid supply unit 200 is arranged in the beehive 1 parallel to the frames 11, thus without changing any structure of this type of existing beehive 1.

[0041] When the bees need water or sugar, simply inject the corresponding liquid into the main hive 210 and then seal the main hive 210. This liquid injection can be performed before or after placing the liquid supply unit 200 into the beehive 1.

[0042] Liquid flows from the outlet 212 of the main chamber 210 through the connecting pipe into the inlet 252 of the distribution tank 250 by gravity. It then flows out of the distribution tank 250 through the buoyancy valve 240 and into the supply tank 220. When the liquid level in the supply tank 220 reaches the set position, the float 241 in the float valve chamber 222 is forced to close the buoyancy valve 240 due to the corresponding buoyancy, preventing further liquid outflow from the distribution tank 250. At this time, the liquid level in the supply tank 220 remains constant at the set position. When bees feed from the distribution chamber 221, the buoyancy of the buoyancy valve 240 decreases due to the drop in liquid level, causing it to automatically open until the supply tank 220 reaches the set liquid level again and closes again. Thus, the supply tank 220 will maintain a constant liquid level until the main chamber 210 and the distribution tank 250 are emptied. The main hive 210 can have a volume of several liters, eliminating the need for refilling the hive for days or weeks. This protects the hive's internal environment from frequent external disturbances.

[0043] Because a float plate 230 is placed in the distribution chamber 221 of the liquid tank 220, when the liquid level reaches the set position, the float plate 230 floats above the liquid surface and basically covers the liquid surface. Because the float plate 230 is provided with protrusions 231 and perforations 232, bees will stand on the protrusions 231 to feed on the liquid coming out of the perforations 232 without being stuck to the float plate 230 by liquids such as sugar water, thus avoiding unnecessary casualties.

[0044] In addition, if the valve structure malfunctions or fails, and the liquid level in the liquid tank 220 continues to exceed the set position, the liquid will flow out of the beehive through the vertical pipe 225, thereby preventing flooding inside the beehive.

[0045] Furthermore, although not specifically shown, in the above illustrated embodiment, the main tank 210 can also be divided into two separate parts, for example, one part for holding sugar water and the other part for holding fresh water; the distribution chamber 221 of the liquid supply tank 220 is also correspondingly divided into two parts. Therefore, corresponding distribution tanks and buoyancy valves can be installed on both sides of the lower part of the main tank 210 to distribute the sugar water and fresh water to the corresponding parts of the distribution chamber of the liquid supply tank, thereby achieving the purpose of simultaneously replenishing water and sugar. Of course, in this structure, depending on actual needs, both separate parts of the main tank 210 can also be used to hold either sugar water or fresh water.

[0046] The "simulated hive frame" liquid supply unit of the present invention can be directly inserted into or removed from the hive like a hive frame without changing the internal structure of the existing standard hive, thus realizing its convenient and flexible use in the hive.

Claims

1. A built-in liquid feeding unit for a beehive, comprising a liquid storage tank, a liquid feeding channel and a float valve, the liquid feeding channel being located at the lower part of the liquid storage tank; the liquid storage tank, the liquid feeding channel and the float valve being assembled into an integrated piece in the form of a nest frame, the liquid feeding unit being capable of replacing one of a plurality of identical nest frames in a beehive and being positioned in a positioning mechanism for positioning nest frames inside the beehive; the liquid storage tank comprising a main tank body and a distribution tank located below the main tank body; the main tank body being in the shape of a cuboid, a filling port and an air inlet port being provided at the top of the main tank body, an outlet being provided at the bottom of the main tank body, mounting lugs being provided at the left and right sides of the main tank body, the liquid feeding unit being quickly lapped or suspended in the beehive through the mounting lugs; the liquid feeding channel being an open long channel at the upper part, the length of the liquid feeding channel being equal to the length of the main tank body, the liquid feeding channel being divided into a distribution chamber, a float valve chamber and a mounting chamber along the length direction thereof, the distribution tank being positioned in the mounting chamber through a first supporting leg, an anti-overflow mechanism in the form of a standpipe being formed in the mounting chamber, the upper end opening of the standpipe being slightly higher than the set liquid level but lower than the upper opening of the liquid feeding channel, the lower end opening of the standpipe being connected to a drainage hose extending out of the beehive, a liquid inlet being provided at the upper part of the distribution tank, the liquid inlet being communicated with the outlet; a floating plate being placed in the distribution chamber for substantially covering the exposed liquid surface of the liquid feeding channel, the floating plate being formed with a plurality of perforations and a plurality of protrusions, the plurality of perforations being scattered around the plurality of protrusions; the float valve being composed of a float, a liquid inlet pipe or liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port, the liquid inlet pipe or liquid inlet port being provided inside the distribution tank, the liquid outlet port and the float being provided outside the distribution tank, the float being located in the float valve chamber, the distribution tank being provided with a cover, one side of the cover being lapped on the distribution tank, the cover being positioned in the float valve chamber through a second supporting leg for covering the float, the distribution chamber being communicated with the float valve chamber through a gap at the lower part of the second supporting leg, the float valve chamber being communicated with the mounting chamber through a gap at the lower part of the first supporting leg; the main tank body and the liquid feeding channel being connected together through a connecting plate, so that the liquid feeding unit is assembled into an integrated piece as a whole; liquid flows from the outlet of the main tank body into the distribution tank by gravity, and then flows out of the distribution tank through the float valve into the liquid feeding channel, when the liquid level of the liquid feeding channel reaches the set position, the float in the float valve chamber will be closed due to the corresponding buoyancy, so that the liquid in the distribution tank cannot continue to flow out, at this time the liquid level in the liquid feeding channel remains consistent and constant at the set position, when the bees take food liquid from the distribution chamber, the float valve will be automatically opened due to the decrease of the liquid level and the decrease of the buoyancy, until the liquid feeding channel reaches the set liquid level again and is closed again.

2. The built-in liquid feeding unit for a beehive according to claim 1, the liquid storage tank comprising two sub-tanks spaced apart from each other, the liquid feeding channel also comprising two distribution portions spaced apart from each other, each distribution portion receiving liquid from a corresponding sub-tank.

3. A beehive, comprising: a tank body; at least one nest frame positioned quickly and removed in the inside of the tank body; and the built-in liquid feeding unit for a beehive according to any one of claims 1-2. ​ 4. The beehive of claim 3, wherein the in-hive liquid unit is positioned on an inside side of the hive body.

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