A low-damage device for using predatory mites and its impeller

Abstract

This invention discloses a low-damage predatory mite application device and its impeller, comprising a rotating body of a certain length and several blades disposed on the outer periphery of the rotating body. These blades are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and each blade extends along the length of the rotating body. All blades are helical with a helix angle between 5° and 45°. The device includes the impeller. This impeller design allows for continuous, uninterrupted feeding, reducing damage to predatory mites caused by friction and jamming. It also improves release efficiency and uniformity while minimizing damage to the predatory mites. After spraying predatory mites with this device, the survival rate of the predatory mites is 95.78%, with a loss rate of only 4.22%, indicating extremely low predatory mite loss.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sprayer technology, and more specifically to a low-damage device for using predatory mites and its impeller. Background Technology

[0002] Predatory mites are an important natural enemy resource, preying on microscopic pests such as spider mites, gall mites, tarsiers, thrips, fungus gnats, and whiteflies. Compared to chemical pesticides, predatory mites are environmentally friendly and do not pose a threat to the "3R" problem (reproduction, recycling, and environmental degradation). Furthermore, they are small, develop rapidly, reproduce quickly, and are highly effective predators. They can now be produced on a low-cost, high-efficiency scale and are widely used for pest control in economic crops such as tobacco, flowers, and fruits.

[0003] Predatory mites possess a unique ability to eliminate harmful mites, making them highly effective in controlling pests and protecting crops. Therefore, since their discovery, they have attracted the attention of agricultural scientists worldwide, who have vigorously pursued indoor artificial breeding programs. They can be deployed wherever needed and can be mass-produced according to plan. Predatory mites are typically propagated on a large scale using feed mites, which feed on agricultural byproducts such as wheat bran and rice bran. These byproducts not only serve as food for feed mites but also as habitats and hiding places for predatory mites. Therefore, the predatory mite products we commonly refer to are actually mixtures containing materials such as wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate. All predatory mites mentioned below refer to these substrate mixtures. However, because the substrate for predatory mites contains materials such as wheat bran and vermiculite, releasing predatory mites using traditional release devices can result in losses of the mites.

[0004] Existing technologies, such as the specialized mite-spraying gun disclosed in patent application number "201410394189.7," are used for spraying predatory mites. However, when using this equipment, "material jamming and discontinuous feeding" problems often occur at the rotating wheel 11 installed below the outlet 10 of the small funnel 6. On the one hand, this causes excessive pressure on the predatory mites at the jamming point, leading to damage. On the other hand, the intermittent material jamming and discontinuous feeding problems also make it more difficult for the motor providing the power source to rotate, increasing the motor load. In addition, traditional devices for releasing predatory mites can be roughly divided into release cups, release bottles, release bags, and roller-type releasers. Among them, release cups, release bottles, and release bags have the problems of large manual labor and uneven release. Roller-type releasers suffer from the loss of predatory mites due to the continuous rotation and friction of the predatory mites and their substrate in the roller during the release process, resulting in compression and friction. In addition, the use of roller-type release devices requires raising the release device, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and has low release efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a component that can avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an impeller. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0007] An impeller includes a rotating body having a length and a plurality of blades disposed on the outer periphery of the rotating body. The plurality of blades are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the periphery, and the extension direction of each blade is along the length direction of the rotating body. The plurality of blades are all helical and the helix angle is between 5° and 45°.

[0008] Preferably, each blade includes a top side that is away from the rotating body, and the front and rear ends of the top side along the length direction are symmetrically arranged arc-shaped end faces, and the outward convex direction of each arc-shaped end face is away from the rotating body.

[0009] Preferably, the impeller is made of a flexible material, such as TPU or silicone.

[0010] The present invention also provides a device for using predatory mites with low damage, including the aforementioned impeller, and a conveyor body having an internal conveying channel. One end of the conveyor body has an outlet connected to the conveying channel, and the other end of the outlet is provided with an air source. The air outlet of the air source is connected to the conveying channel. A feed channel is provided on the conveyor body downstream of the air outlet and above the conveying channel. The feed channel is arranged vertically and is connected to the conveying channel. The impeller is rotatably mounted on the feed channel and its length direction is arranged horizontally. The device also includes a drive source for driving the impeller to rotate and a handheld part fixedly connected to the conveyor body for handheld use.

[0011] Preferably, the discharge port is connected to a funnel-shaped flare, and a cone is installed inside the funnel-shaped flare. The axis of the cone coincides with that of the funnel-shaped flare. The tip of the cone is located on the inner side of the funnel-shaped flare, and the bottom end is located on the outer side of the funnel-shaped flare. There is a discharge gap between the inner circumference of the funnel-shaped flare and the outer circumference of the cone.

[0012] Preferably, the driving source is a drive motor, which is installed in the conveyor body at a position adjacent to the feeding channel, and the output shaft of the drive motor is arranged in a horizontal direction and is fixedly connected to the rotating body.

[0013] Preferably, the air source is a blower.

[0014] Preferably, the device also includes an electronic speed controller electrically connected to the drive motor. The electronic speed controller is electrically connected to a plurality of speed adjustment buttons, which are located on the handheld unit. The electronic speed controller is also electrically connected to the blower. The handheld unit is also provided with a plurality of wind speed adjustment buttons, which are electrically connected to the electronic speed controller.

[0015] Preferably, a feed funnel is also included, which is installed at the inlet end of the feed channel.

[0016] Preferably, the conveying channel includes a large-diameter channel and a small-diameter channel arranged and connected along the upstream and downstream directions, and the feeding channel is located above the large-diameter channel.

[0017] The provided low-damage predatory mite application device has the following technical advantages:

[0018] The impeller design enables continuous, uninterrupted feeding, reducing damage to predatory mites caused by friction and jamming. It also improves release efficiency and uniformity while minimizing damage to the mites. After spraying predatory mites with this equipment, the survival rate is 95.78%, with a loss rate of only 4.22%, demonstrating extremely low predatory mite loss.

[0019] In addition, the design of this blade makes it easier for the motor to rotate, reducing the motor load.

[0020] Furthermore, the front and rear ends of the leaves are symmetrically arranged arc-shaped end faces, which can reduce damage to predatory mites and reduce the risk of them getting stuck in the substrate.

[0021] As a preferred option, the design of the flared nozzle and cone shape can further improve the uniformity of the sprayed material.

[0022] The conveyor channel changes from coarse to fine; the coarseness is to prevent material from piling up, while the fineness is to increase speed. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the provided impeller from multiple angles;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the helix angle;

[0025] Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the equipment used for the low-damage predatory mites provided.

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the equipment used for low-damage predatory mites;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the flared opening in the middle;

[0028] Figure 6 The distribution of predatory mites on yellow boards when sprayed using the equipment of this application;

[0029] Figure 7 The distribution of predatory mites on yellow sticky boards when sprayed using traditional methods;

[0030] Figure 8 The distribution effect of predatory mites sprayed using the equipment of this application is shown in the diagram.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the distribution of predatory mites when sprayed using traditional methods.

[0032] Figure 10 To illustrate the survival of predatory mites after spraying them onto yellow boards using the equipment described in this application;

[0033] Figure 11 To control spider mites on roses by spraying predatory mites using the equipment of this application;

[0034] Figure 12 The device described in this application is used to spray predatory mites to control spider mites on strawberries.

[0035] Figure 1-12 The labels in the attached figures are as follows:

[0036] 1 Impeller, 2 Rotating body, 3 Blade, 4 Top side, 5 Arc-shaped end face, 6 Conveying channel, 7 Conveying body, 8 Discharge port, 9 Feeding channel, 10 Hand-held part, 11 Trumpet-shaped flare, 12 Cone, 13 Tip, 14 Bottom end, 15 Discharge gap, 16 Drive motor, 17 Blower, 18 Feeding funnel, 19 Large diameter channel, 20 Small diameter channel. Detailed Implementation

[0037] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the present invention provides an impeller 1, which includes a rotating body 2 having a length and a plurality of blades 3 disposed on the outer periphery of the rotating body 2. The plurality of blades 3 are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the periphery, and the extension direction of each blade 3 is along the length direction of the rotating body 2. The plurality of blades 3 are all helical and the helix angle is between 5° and 45°.

[0038] In one specific embodiment, each blade 3 includes a top side 4 that is away from the rotating body 2, and the front and rear ends of the top side 4 along the length direction are symmetrically arranged arc-shaped end faces 5, and the outward convex direction of each arc-shaped end face 5 is away from the rotating body 2.

[0039] The front and rear ends of the leaf 3 are symmetrically arranged arc-shaped end faces 5, which can reduce damage to predatory mites and reduce the risk of being trapped by the substrate.

[0040] In one specific embodiment, the rotating body 2 is a hollow cylinder.

[0041] In one specific embodiment, the impeller 1 is an impeller made of a flexible material, such as TPU or silicone.

[0042] The present invention also provides a low-damage device for using predatory mites, including the aforementioned impeller 1, and a conveyor body 7 having an internal conveying channel 6. One end of the conveyor body 7 has an outlet 8 communicating with the conveying channel 6, and the other end of the outlet 8 is provided with an air source. The air outlet of the air source communicates with the conveying channel 6. A feed channel 9 is provided on the conveyor body 7 downstream of the air outlet, above the conveying channel 6. The feed channel 9 is arranged vertically and communicates with the conveying channel 6. The impeller 1 is rotatably mounted on the feed channel 9, and the length direction of the impeller 1 is arranged horizontally. It can be understood that the length direction of the impeller 1 is the same as the axial direction of the conveying channel 6. The device also includes a drive source for driving the impeller 1 to rotate, and a handheld part 10, which is fixedly connected to the conveyor body 7 for handheld use. Figure 3-4 As shown, the hand-held part 10 is located at the opposite end of the conveyor body 7 to its discharge port 8.

[0043] The impeller 1 design enables continuous, uninterrupted feeding, reducing damage to predatory mites caused by friction and jamming. It also improves release efficiency and uniformity while minimizing damage to the mites. After spraying predatory mites with this equipment, the survival rate is 95.78%, with a loss rate of only 4.22%, demonstrating extremely low predatory mite loss.

[0044] like Figure 3-5 As shown, the discharge port 8 is connected to a funnel-shaped flared opening 11. A cone 12 is installed inside the funnel-shaped flared opening 11. The axis of the cone 12 and the funnel-shaped flared opening 11 coincides. The tip 13 of the cone 12 is located on the inner side of the funnel-shaped flared opening 11, and the bottom end 14 is located on the outer side of the funnel-shaped flared opening 11. There is a discharge gap 15 between the inner circumference of the funnel-shaped flared opening 11 and the outer circumference of the cone 12.

[0045] The design of the flared nozzle 11 and the cone 12 further enhances the uniformity of the sprayed material.

[0046] The driving source is a drive motor 16, which is installed in the conveyor body 7 at a position adjacent to the feed channel 9. The output shaft of the drive motor 16 is arranged in the horizontal direction and is fixedly connected to the rotating body 2. The fixed connection is achieved, for example, by using a keyway to connect the output shaft and the hollow cylinder.

[0047] In one specific embodiment, the air source is a blower 17.

[0048] In one specific embodiment, it further includes an electronic speed controller electrically connected to the drive motor 16. The electronic speed controller is electrically connected to a plurality of speed adjustment buttons, which are disposed on the handheld part 10. The electronic speed controller is also electrically connected to the blower 17. The handheld part 10 is also provided with a plurality of wind speed adjustment buttons, which are electrically connected to the electronic speed controller (these components are conventionally used components and are not shown in the figures).

[0049] In one specific embodiment, a feed funnel 18 is also included, which is installed at the inlet end of the feed channel 9.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, in one specific embodiment, the conveying channel 6 includes a large-diameter channel 19 and a small-diameter channel 20 arranged and connected along the upstream and downstream directions, and the feeding channel 9 is located above the large-diameter channel 19.

[0051] The conveyor channel changes from coarse to fine; the coarseness is to prevent material from piling up, while the fineness is to increase speed.

[0052] Uniformity test on yellow board:

[0053] A spacious, windless area was selected as the experimental site. Forty yellow sticky traps (30cm x 20cm) were affixed to one side of the site, forming an experimental plot 2 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. This plot served as the experimental group to test the uniformity of predatory mite spraying using the device of this invention. Similarly, 40 yellow sticky traps (30cm x 20cm) were affixed to the other side of the site, forming another experimental plot 2 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. This plot served as the control group to test the uniformity of predatory mite application using traditional methods. A 2L bag containing 150,000 predatory mites (using wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate) was poured into the spraying device of this invention. Another 2L bag containing 150,000 predatory mites (using wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate) was sprayed / applied by the same experimenter using traditional methods, moving at a uniform speed along the wider side of the experimental plot within the same timeframe. After spraying / applying, another researcher immediately took photos to record the distribution of predatory mites on the yellow sticky board. The experiment was repeated three times.

[0054] Depend on Figure 6 It can be seen that the predatory mites sprayed by the equipment are distributed relatively evenly on the yellow board, basically covering every area of ​​the board; Figure 7 It can be seen that the distribution of predatory mites on yellow boards by traditional methods is less uniform than that by equipment spraying, with some areas of the yellow boards having no predatory mites at all; therefore, it can be concluded that the predatory mites sprayed by equipment are more evenly distributed.

[0055] Uniformity test on tobacco:

[0056] Tobacco plants in their vigorous growth stage were selected for the experiment. Two tobacco fields, each 10 meters long and 0.5 meters wide, with plants of similar growth, were chosen as experimental sites. One field served as the experimental group to test the uniformity of predatory mite spraying using the equipment, while the other served as the control group to test the uniformity of predatory mite application using traditional methods. A 2L bag containing 150,000 predatory mites (using wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate) was poured into the spraying equipment of this invention. Another 2L bag containing 150,000 predatory mites (using wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate) was sprayed / applied by the same experimenter using the traditional method, moving at a constant speed along the long side of the experimental field for the same duration. Another experimenter then photographed and recorded the distribution of the predatory mites on the tobacco. This experiment was repeated three times.

[0057] Depend on Figure 8 It can be seen that the predatory mites sprayed using the equipment have better uniformity, and the predatory mites can cover every leaf; by Figure 9 It can be seen that the predatory mites sprayed by the traditional method are unevenly distributed, basically concentrated on 2-3 leaves; in summary, the predatory mites sprayed by the equipment are more evenly distributed.

[0058] Test on the loss rate of predatory mites caused by equipment spraying:

[0059] A spacious, windless area was selected as the experimental site. Forty yellow sticky traps (length x width: 30cm x 20cm) were affixed to the ground, forming an experimental plot 2 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. A 2L bag containing 150,000 predatory mites (using wheat bran and vermiculite as a substrate) was then poured into the spraying device of this invention. The same experimenter sprayed the predatory mites along the wider side of the experimental plot at a uniform speed. After spraying, five yellow sticky traps were collected from each experimental plot using a five-point sampling method to count the number of surviving predatory mites. The number of live predatory mites before and after spraying was calculated to determine the effect of the spraying device of this invention on the survival rate and loss rate of predatory mites. The above experiment was repeated three times.

[0060] Calculation formula:

[0061] The number of live predatory mites after spraying = the number of live mites on 5 yellow sticky traps / 5 * 40

[0062] Predatory mite survival rate after spraying = (Number of live predatory mites after spraying / Number of live predatory mites before spraying) * 100%

[0063] Predatory mite loss rate after spraying = (Number of live predatory mites before spraying - Number of live predatory mites after spraying) / Number of live predatory mites before spraying * 100%

[0064] Table 1. Loss rate of predatory mites after equipment spraying

[0065] deal with Quantity (ten thousand heads) Survival rate (%) Loss rate (%) Before spraying 15±0.00 100±0.00 0±0.00 After spraying 14.37±0.12 95.78±0.80 4.22±0.80

[0066] As shown in Table 1, after spraying predatory mites with the spraying device of the present invention, the survival rate of predatory mites was 95.78%, and the loss rate was only 4.22%, indicating that the loss of predatory mites using the spraying device of the present invention is extremely low. Figure 10 The survival status of predatory mites after spraying them on yellow boards.

[0067] Application examples of the equipment:

[0068] Case 1: Using on roses

[0069] After preliminary testing of the equipment's spray uniformity and predatory mite loss rate, the equipment has been applied to the control of predatory mites on rose leaves. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the researchers are adjusting the spraying speed according to the planting density of the roses, so that the predatory mites can be evenly distributed on each rose bush.

[0070] Case 2: Using on strawberries

[0071] Spraying equipment has been applied to the control of spider mites on strawberries, such as... Figure 12 As shown, researchers are using equipment to spray predatory mites to control spider mites on strawberries. For strawberries, a low-growing crop, the equipment will not harm the plants when operating at close range.

[0072] Case 3: Using on Blueberry

[0073] Spraying equipment has been applied to control thrips on blueberries.

Claims

1. A low-damage device for using predatory mites, characterized in that, The impeller includes a rotating body having a length and a plurality of blades disposed on the outer periphery of the rotating body. The blades are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the periphery, and each blade extends along the length of the rotating body. All blades are helical with a helix angle between 5° and 45°. Each blade includes a top side away from the rotating body, and the front and rear ends of the top side along the length are symmetrically arranged arc-shaped end faces. The outward convex direction of each arc-shaped end face is away from the rotating body. The impeller is made of a flexible material and also includes an inner... The conveyor body has a conveying channel. One end of the conveyor body has an outlet that connects to the conveying channel, and the other end of the outlet has an air source. The air outlet of the air source connects to the conveying channel. A feeding channel is provided on the conveyor body downstream of the air outlet and above the conveying channel. The feeding channel is arranged vertically and connects to the conveying channel. An impeller is rotatably mounted on the feeding channel and its length direction is arranged horizontally. The conveyor body also includes a drive source for driving the impeller to rotate and a handheld part that is fixedly connected to the conveyor body for handheld use. The discharge port is connected to a funnel-shaped flare. A cone is installed inside the funnel-shaped flare. The axis of the cone coincides with that of the funnel-shaped flare. The tip of the cone is located on the inner side of the funnel-shaped flare, and the bottom is located on the outer side of the funnel-shaped flare. There is a discharge gap between the inner circumference of the funnel-shaped flare and the outer circumference of the cone. The conveying channel includes a large-diameter channel and a small-diameter channel arranged and connected along the upstream and downstream directions. The feeding channel is located above the large-diameter channel.

2. The low-damage predatory mite application device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving source is a drive motor, which is installed in the conveyor body at a position adjacent to the feeding channel. The output shaft of the drive motor is arranged in a horizontal direction and is fixedly connected to the rotating body.

3. The low-damage predatory mite application device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air source is a blower.

4. The low-damage predatory mite application device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes an electronic speed controller electrically connected to the drive motor, and the electronic speed controller electrically connected to a plurality of jet speed adjustment buttons, which are disposed on the handheld part. The electronic speed controller is also electrically connected to the blower, and the handheld part is also provided with a plurality of wind speed adjustment buttons, which are electrically connected to the electronic speed controller.

5. The low-damage predatory mite application device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a feed funnel, which is installed at the inlet end of the feed channel.

6. The low-damage predatory mite application device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible material is TPU or silicone.

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