Special breeding box for laboratory mice

Abstract

The invention discloses a laboratory mouse special breeding box which comprises a box body, supporting plates are arranged in the box body side by side, a sliding plate is slidably connected to the position, below each supporting plate, in the box body, partition plates are vertically fixed to the two sides of each sliding plate, and the upper ends of the two partition plates movably extend to the positions above the supporting plates; the supporting plate comprises a support and a plurality of supporting rods, the support is horizontally arranged in the box body, the supporting rods are distributed on the support side by side, and a gap is formed between every two adjacent supporting rods; a sufficient activity space is provided for laboratory mice through the multiple supporting plates arranged side by side in the laboratory mouse cage, natural behaviors and health of the laboratory mice are promoted, the sliding plates and the partition plates are integrally designed, the sliding plates are controlled to ascend and descend through the lead screws driven by the motors, the laboratory mice on the single supporting plates can be easily isolated when needed, and the laboratory mice can be conveniently separated. Mutual interference during grabbing or cleaning is reduced, and simplicity and practicability of the internal structure of the feeding box are kept.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of experimental mouse breeding, and specifically relates to a special breeding box for experimental mice. Background Art

[0002] In the design of existing experimental mouse breeding boxes, there are often problems such as limited activity space, cumbersome isolation operations, and inconvenient excrement disposal. Most traditional breeding boxes use fixed partitions, which not only limit the natural activities of experimental mice but also make it necessary to manually grab or move the experimental mice when isolating a single experimental mouse. This not only increases the operation difficulty but also may cause unnecessary stress and interference to the experimental mice. In addition, the collection and disposal of excrement usually rely on manual cleaning at regular intervals. This process is not only cumbersome but also frequent manual intervention may have a negative impact on the physiological and psychological states of experimental mice, thus affecting the accuracy of experimental results. At the same time, due to the lack of an effective automatic cleaning mechanism, excrement on the support plate is prone to accumulation, which not only affects the hygiene of the breeding environment but also may become a medium for disease transmission, posing a threat to the health of experimental mice. Therefore, a special breeding box for experimental mice is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a special breeding box for experimental mice to solve the problems raised in the above background art.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A special breeding box for experimental mice, including a box body. Inside the box body, a plurality of support plates for experimental mice to move are arranged side by side. Below each support plate inside the box body, a sliding plate is slidably connected. Vertically fixed on both sides of the sliding plate are partition plates, and the upper ends of the two partition plates extend upwardly and movably above the support plate. There is a gap for the partition plate to slide between adjacent support plates. When the sliding plate is in the lowest position, the upper ends of the partition plates are flush with the upper surface of the support plate. At this time, experimental mice can move on multiple support plates, which is beneficial to the movement of experimental mice. After one of the sliding plates slides upward, the corresponding partition plate slides upward. At this time, the two upward-sliding partition plates separate the corresponding support plate, which is beneficial to separating experimental mice.

[0005] Among them, the support plate includes a bracket and a plurality of support rods. The bracket is horizontally arranged inside the box body, and a plurality of support rods are arranged side by side on the bracket. A gap for discharging the excrement of experimental mice downward is provided between adjacent support rods.

[0006] A collection box for collecting the excrement of experimental mice is arranged on the upper surface of the sliding plate. After the excrement of experimental mice falls through the gap between adjacent support rods, the corresponding collection box can collect the excrement. Then, after regularly removing the collection box, it is beneficial to the disposal of excrement.

[0007] Preferably, the upper side of the support rod is arranged as a flat surface.

[0008] Preferably, the support rod is rotatably connected to the side wall of the bracket. One end of the support rod is provided with a torsion spring. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the side wall of the bracket, and one end of the torsion spring is fixed to the side wall of the support rod. An ear block is fixed on the side wall of the support rod.

[0009] A plurality of vertical rods are fixedly connected to the side wall of the sliding plate. The upper end of each vertical rod is fixedly connected with a dial block, and the dial block movably presses against the corresponding ear block.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of automatic feeders are arranged on the front side wall of the box body corresponding to a plurality of support plates. The automatic feeders can automatically feed the experimental mice in the box body, and the plurality of automatic feeders operate alternately.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of top plates are arranged above the box body. The plurality of top plates correspond to the plurality of support plates one by one. A weighing component is arranged on the plurality of top plates. A plurality of connecting rods are arranged on the weighing component, and the support plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod; the weighing component is connected to the support plate through the connecting rod, and there are gaps between the support plate, the box body and the partition.

[0012] Preferably, the upper end of the box body is connected with a fixed seat through a screw rod, and the top plate is fixed on the fixed seat.

[0013] Preferably, a ventilation hood is fixedly connected between the fixed seat and the box body.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of box doors are arranged on the front side wall of the box body corresponding to the plurality of support plates. The arrangement of the plurality of box doors facilitates the grasping of the experimental mice.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. The present invention provides sufficient activity space for experimental mice through a plurality of support plates arranged side by side inside, which promotes their natural behavior and health. The integrated design of the sliding plate and the partition, and the lifting of the sliding plate is controlled by a lead screw driven by a motor, which can not only easily isolate the experimental mice on a single support plate when needed, reduce the mutual interference during grasping or cleaning, but also keep the internal structure of the breeding box simple and practical. The gap of the support rod arranged on the support plate allows the experimental mice to move freely and can effectively guide the excrement to fall into the collection box below, simplifies the collection and treatment process of excrement, reduces the frequency of manual intervention, and reduces the potential interference to the experimental mice.

[0017] 2. When the skateboard ascends in the present invention, the dial block presses against the ear block, driving the support rod to rotate against the torsion of the torsion spring, initially cleaning the excrement on the surface of the support rod. As the dial block disengages, the torsion spring resets, and the support rod rotates rapidly, further shaking off the remaining excrement. Subsequently, as the skateboard descends, the dial block presses against the ear block again, and the support rod rotates in the reverse direction. Cooperating with the rapid rotation when the torsion spring resets, secondary cleaning is carried out to ensure that the excrement is completely removed. This design not only simplifies the cleaning process but also significantly improves the cleanliness of the support plate, providing a more hygienic and healthy breeding environment for the experimental mice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is the overall structural schematic diagram I of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is the overall structural schematic diagram II of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is the overall sectional view I of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is the overall sectional view II of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is the exploded view of the box body and the support plate of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is the structural schematic diagram of the top plate, weighing assembly, connecting rod and screw of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 is the exploded view of the bracket and the support rod of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 of the present invention Figure 7 is the enlarged view at A;

[0026] Figure 9 is the sectional view of the bracket, support rod, support rod and vertical rod of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 10 of the present invention Figure 9 is the enlarged view at B;

[0028] Figure 11 is the exploded view of the box body, fixed seat and ventilation hood of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 12 is the exploded view of the skateboard, partition board and collection box of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 13 is the sectional view of the box body, skateboard, lead screw and motor of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 1, box body; 2, support plate; 201, bracket; 202, strut; 203, torsion spring; 204, ear block; 3, sliding plate; 301, partition; 302, threaded block; 303, vertical rod; 304, dialing block; 4, collection box; 5, lead screw; 6, motor; 7, automatic feeder; 8, top plate; 9, weighing component; 10, connecting rod; 11, screw; 12, fixed seat; 13, ventilation cover; 14, box door. Detailed implementation manner

[0032] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1-13 , the present invention provides a technical solution: a special breeding box for experimental mice, including a box body 1, a controller is arranged on the box body 1 to control the operation of the entire breeding box, and the controller is responsible for coordinating the operation of each component in the box body 1. A plurality of support plates 2 for experimental mice to move are arranged side by side inside the box body 1. A sliding plate 3 is slidably connected below each support plate 2 inside the box body 1. Partition plates 301 are vertically fixed on both sides of the sliding plate 3. The upper ends of the two partition plates 301 extend upwardly to the upper side of the support plate 2, and there is a gap for the partition plate 301 to slide between adjacent two support plates 2. As Figure 1 , 3 shown, when the sliding plate 3 is in the lowest position, the upper end of the partition plate 301 is flush with the upper surface of the support plate 2. At this time, the experimental mice can move on a plurality of support plates 2, which is beneficial to the movement of the experimental mice. As Figure 2 , 4 shown, after one of the sliding plates 3 slides upward, the corresponding partition plate 301 slides upward. At this time, the two upward-sliding partition plates 301 separate the corresponding support plate 2, which is beneficial to separating the experimental mice;

[0034] As Figure 13 shown, in order to be able to drive the sliding plate 3 to slide inside the box body 1, a plurality of lead screws 5 are arranged on the rear side wall of the box body 1. The lead screws 5 are driven to rotate by a motor 6 installed on the side wall of the box body 1. A threaded block 302 is fixed on the side wall of the sliding plate 3. The threaded block 302 is meshed and sleeved on the side wall of the lead screw 5. When the motor 6 is started, the output shaft of the motor 6 drives the lead screw 5 to rotate forward or backward, so that the threaded block 302 slides upward or downward. At this time, the threaded block 302 will drive the sliding plate 3 to slide upward or downward.

[0035] Among them, the support plate 2 includes a bracket 201 and a plurality of struts 202. The bracket 201 is horizontally arranged in the box body 1. The plurality of struts 202 are arranged side by side on the bracket 201, and a gap for discharging the excrement of the experimental mouse downward is provided between adjacent struts 202;

[0036] In addition, as Figure 12 shown, a collection box 4 for collecting the excrement of the experimental mouse is arranged on the upper surface of the slide plate 3. After the excrement of the experimental mouse falls from the gap between adjacent struts 202, the corresponding collection box 4 can collect the excrement, and then the collection box 4 is taken away regularly, which is beneficial to the treatment of the excrement.

[0037] As Figure 7-8 shown, in order to improve the comfort of the experimental mouse's activities, specifically, the upper side of the strut 202 is set as a flat surface.

[0038] As Figure 6 - Figure 10 shown, in order to further improve the efficiency of discharging the excrement of the experimental mouse downward, specifically, the strut 202 is rotatably connected to the side wall of the bracket 201. One end of the strut 202 is provided with a torsion spring 203. One end of the torsion spring 203 is fixed to the side wall of the bracket 201, and one end of the torsion spring 203 is fixed to the side wall of the strut 202, and an ear block 204 is fixed to the side wall of the strut 202;

[0039] A plurality of vertical rods 303 are fixedly connected to the side wall of the slide plate 3. The upper end of each vertical rod 303 is fixedly connected with a dial block 304, and the dial block 304 movably presses against the corresponding ear block 204.

[0040] When it is necessary to further clean the excrement of the experimental mice on the support plate 2, the motor 6 is started. The motor 6 will drive the slide plate 3 to move upward. The slide plate 3 drives the vertical rod 303 and the dial block 304 to slide upward until the dial block 304 presses upward against the ear block 204. After the ear block 204 is stressed upward, the support rod 202 rotates against the torsion of the torsion spring 203. During this process, the excrement of the experimental mice on the upper surface of the support rod 203 can be cleaned off. When the dial block 304 slides upward and disengages from the ear block 204, the torsion spring 203 resets, causing the support rod 202 to quickly rotate back. During the rapid rotation process, some of the excrement of the experimental mice adhering to the surface of the support rod 202 will be shaken off. Then, the motor 6 drives the slide plate 3 to slide downward. The slide plate 3 drives the vertical rod 303 and the dial block 304 to slide downward. During this process, the dial block 304 will press downward on the ear block 204, causing the support rod 202 to rotate in the reverse direction against the torsion of the torsion spring 203. Then, when the dial block 304 slides downward and disengages from the ear block 204, the torsion spring 203 resets again, causing the support rod 202 to quickly rotate back. During the rapid rotation process, some of the excrement of the experimental mice adhering to the surface of the support rod 202 is shaken off again, effectively cleaning the excrement on the support plate 2 and improving the cleanliness of the support plate 2;

[0041] The above cleaning process is the cleaning process of one support plate 2, and the excrement to be cleaned is collected in the collection box 4. Multiple support plates 2 are cleaned alternately. When one support plate 2 is being cleaned, the other support plates are normally available for the experimental mice to move. And due to the setting of the partition plate 301, it is possible to avoid disturbing the experimental mice during the cleaning process.

[0042] As Figure 1 - Figure 2 shown, when the support plate 2 is being cleaned, in order to be able to empty the experimental mice on the support plate 2 to be cleaned. Specifically, a plurality of automatic feeders 7 are arranged on the front side wall of the box body 1 corresponding to the plurality of support plates 2. The automatic feeders 7 can automatically feed the experimental mice in the box body 1. The plurality of automatic feeders 7 operate alternately. The process is as follows:

[0043] One automatic feeder 7 operates to feed the experimental mice in the box body 1. The experimental mice will be attracted by the food to the support plate 2 where the feeding is carried out, and there are no experimental mice moving on the support plate 2 away from this automatic feeder 7. Cleaning operations are performed on the support plate 2 where there are no experimental mice moving; after the cleaning is completed, it is reset; after a period of time, another automatic feeder 7 operates, and the opposite support plate 2 is cleaned;

[0044] For example:

[0045] As Figure 1 shown, the leftmost automatic feeder 7 operates, and the rightmost support plate 2 is cleaned. If there are more experimental mice in the box body 1, two automatic feeders 7 can also be operated simultaneously according to the actual situation;

[0046] The automatic feeder 7 in the middle position operates, and the support plates 2 on the leftmost and rightmost sides are cleaned synchronously;

[0047] The automatic feeder 7 is a product of the prior art and not the technical feature of the present invention, so it will not be elaborated.

[0048] As Figure 1-6 As shown, in order to detect whether there are experimental mice on the support plate 2 and realize the intelligent cleaning of the support plate 2 in the experimental mouse breeding box, specifically, a plurality of top plates 8 are arranged above the box body 1, the plurality of top plates 8 correspond to the plurality of support plates 2 one by one, a weighing assembly 9 is arranged on the plurality of top plates 8, a plurality of connecting rods 10 are arranged on the weighing assembly 9, and the support plate 2 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod 10;

[0049] Through the collaborative work of multiple components such as the weighing assembly 9, the connecting rod 10, the motor 6, and the slide plate 3, the real-time monitoring of the presence or absence of experimental mice on the support plate 2 and the automatic execution of the cleaning operation are realized:

[0050] The operation process is as follows: First, each support plate 2 is tightly connected to the weighing assembly 9 through the connecting rod 10, ensuring that any weight change on the support plate 2 can be transmitted to the weighing assembly 9 in real time and accurately. The sensor of the weighing assembly 9 can capture the tiny weight fluctuations on the support plate 2 and transmit this data to the controller for analysis and processing;

[0051] When the controller receives the data from the weighing assembly 9, it will immediately start the data analysis program to determine whether the weight on the current support plate 2 has reached the preset minimum value. This minimum value is obtained based on the statistical analysis of the body weight of the experimental mice. When the weight on the support plate 2 is lower than this threshold, the controller will determine that there are no experimental mice on the support plate 2, thus triggering the cleaning operation.

[0052] Once the support plate 2 to be cleaned is determined, the controller will start the motor 6 to drive the slide plate 3 to rise smoothly along the preset track until the block 304 contacts and applies pressure to the ear block 204 on the support plate 2 to be cleaned, triggering the rotation of the support rod 202 to realize the cleaning of the excrement.

[0053] After the cleaning is completed, the controller will instruct the motor 6 to reverse, so that the slide plate 3, the vertical rod 303 and the block 304 slide smoothly to the initial position. At the same time, it will also intelligently select the next support plate 2 to be cleaned according to the real-time data of the weighing assembly 9 and repeat the above process.

[0054] Specifically, the upper end of the box body 1 is connected with a fixed seat 12 through a screw 11, and the top plate 8 is fixed on the fixed seat 12.

[0055] Specifically, a ventilation hood 13 is fixedly connected between the fixed seat 12 and the box body 1.

[0056] Specifically, a plurality of box doors 14 are arranged on the front side wall of the box body 1 corresponding to the plurality of support plates 2. The arrangement of the plurality of box doors 14 facilitates the grasping of the experimental mice. The grasping process is as follows:

[0057] As the skateboard 3 rises, the controller will monitor its position in real time to ensure that they reach the predetermined isolation height. Once it is confirmed that all the skateboards 3 are in place, the controller will send a signal to the corresponding box door 14 to activate its unlocking mechanism. At this time, the researcher can safely open the box door 14 corresponding to the target support plate 2 without affecting the experimental mice on other support plates 2.

[0058] During the grasping process, the controller will continuously monitor the status of the entire breeding box, including the weight data fed back by the weighing component 9, to ensure that no experimental mice accidentally escape or are frightened due to the opening of the box door 14. At the same time, the controller will also record the time of the grasping operation through the built-in timer to issue a reminder when necessary to ensure that the researcher can complete the grasping as soon as possible and close the box door 14.

[0059] After the grasping is completed, the researcher will manually close the box door 14 and send a completion signal to the controller through the operation interface. After receiving the signal, the controller will start the motor 6 again to drive all the skateboards 3 to slide smoothly along the track to the initial position. This action restores the normal environment in the breeding box and ensures that the experimental mice on other support plates 2 can continue to move around at ease.

[0060] Working process:

[0061] When the controller receives a cleaning instruction or determines that cleaning is required according to a preset schedule, it will first check which support plate 2 is currently idle (i.e., no experimental mice are active). This judgment is based on the weight data transmitted in real time by the weighing component 9 associated with each support plate 2. Once the support plate 2 to be cleaned is determined, the controller will temporarily turn off the automatic feeder 7 at the corresponding position to prevent interference with the cleaning process when the experimental mice are transferred to other support plates.

[0062] Subsequently, the controller controls the corresponding motor 6 to drive the skateboard 3 to rise smoothly along the preset track. The skateboard 3 carries the vertical rod 303 and the dial block 304 to rise together until the dial block 304 touches the ear block 204 on the support plate 2 to be cleaned. At this time, the ear block 204 receives an upward pressure, causing the strut 202 to overcome the resistance of the torsion spring 203 and start to rotate. This action effectively scrapes off the accumulated excrement of the experimental mice on the surface of the strut 202.

[0063] As the shifting block 304 continues to rise and finally separates from the ear block 204, the torsion spring 203 quickly resets, driving the support rod 202 to rotate rapidly. The centrifugal force generated by this action further throws off the excrement adhering to the surface of the support rod 202, causing it to fall into the collection box 4 below.

[0064] After completing the cleaning in the rising stage, the controller instructs the motor 6 to reverse, driving the slide plate 3, the vertical rod 303, and the shifting block 304 to slide down along the track. During the sliding process, the shifting block 304 contacts the ear block 204 again, but this time it applies a downward pressure, causing the support rod 202 to rotate in the reverse direction under the action of the torsion spring 203. When the shifting block 304 separates from the ear block 204 again, the rapid rotation of the support rod 202 throws off the remaining excrement once again.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A special breeding box for experimental mice, comprising a box body (1), characterized in that: Inside the box body (1), a plurality of support plates (2) for the activity of experimental mice are arranged side by side. Inside the box body (1) and below each support plate (2), a sliding plate (3) is slidably connected. On both sides of the sliding plate (3), partition plates (301) are vertically fixed. There is a gap for the partition plate (301) to slide between two adjacent support plates (2). The upper ends of the two partition plates (301) extend upward from the gap to above the support plate (2). Among them, the support plate (2) includes a bracket (201) and a plurality of struts (202). The bracket (201) is horizontally arranged inside the box body (1). The plurality of struts (202) are arranged side by side on the bracket (201), and a gap for discharging the excrement of the experimental mice downward is arranged between adjacent struts (202).

2. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper side of the strut 202 is set as a plane.

3. A special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The strut (202) is rotatably connected to the side wall of the bracket (201). One end of the strut (202) is provided with a torsion spring (203). One end of the torsion spring (203) is fixed to the side wall of the bracket (201), and one end of the torsion spring (203) is fixed to the side wall of the strut (202). An ear block (204) is fixed on the side wall of the strut (202). On the side wall of the sliding plate (3), a plurality of vertical rods (303) are fixedly connected. At the upper end of each vertical rod (303), a dial block (304) is fixedly connected. The dial block (304) movably presses against the corresponding ear block (204).

4. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 3, characterized in that: On the front side wall of the box body (1) and corresponding to the plurality of support plates (2), a plurality of automatic feeders (7) are arranged.

5. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 3, characterized in that: Above the box body (1), a plurality of top plates (8) are arranged. The plurality of top plates (8) correspond to the plurality of support plates (2) one by one. A weighing assembly (9) is arranged on the plurality of top plates (8). A plurality of connecting rods (10) are arranged on the weighing assembly (9). The support plate (2) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod (10).

6. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper end of the box body (1) is connected to a fixed seat (12) through a screw rod (11). The top plate 8 is fixed on the fixed seat (12).

7. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 6, characterized in that: A ventilation hood (13) is fixedly connected between the fixed seat (12) and the box body (1).

8. A special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: On the front side wall of the box body (1) and corresponding to the plurality of support plates (2), a plurality of box doors (14) are arranged.

9. The special breeding box for experimental mice according to claim 1, wherein: On the rear side wall of the box body (1), a plurality of lead screws (5) are arranged. The lead screws (5) are driven to rotate by a motor (6). A threaded block (302) is fixed on the side wall of the sliding plate (3). The threaded block (302) is meshed and sleeved on the side wall of the lead screw (5).

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