Rodent rearing cage

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of rodent feeding, and provides a rodent feeding cage which comprises a base and a cage body arranged on the base and further comprises an air blowing mechanism used for blowing air upwards from the bottom of the cage body and an annular air curtain mechanism used for generating a closed-loop air curtain surrounding the cage body. A gas collecting hopper is arranged at the top of the cage body, a collecting cavity is formed in the gas collecting hopper, and a negative pressure fan is arranged at the exhaust end of the gas collecting hopper; the feeding cage further comprises an air supplementing mechanism. A closed-loop air curtain surrounding the cage body is generated through the annular air curtain mechanism to prevent fallen hair from flying outwards, the fallen hair is limited within the range of the closed-loop air curtain, airflow generated by the annular air curtain mechanism and the air blowing mechanism is collected in the air collecting hopper, the fallen hair is entrained through the airflow and conveyed into the collecting cavity to be collected, and it is guaranteed that the cage body is clean; the problem that hair flies outwards to pollute a feeding room is effectively solved, cross infection of experimental animals is avoided, and the accuracy and reliability of animal experimental results are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of rodent breeding, in particular to a rodent breeding cage. Background Art

[0002] In the field of biotechnology research, rodents are often used as ideal experimental subjects for disease models, drug screening and genetic research due to their physiological characteristics, rapid reproduction rate and easy genetic manipulation.

[0003] Hair loss is a common phenomenon in rodents (due to their physiological characteristics and living habits). The shed hair will drift to every corner of the cage and out of the cage, affecting the breeding environment inside the cage and polluting the air and floor of the breeding room. These hairs are not only difficult to clean, but also carry various pathogens, parasite eggs or other pollutants. In the same breeding environment, the shed hair will drift to other cages with experimental animals, easily causing cross-infection, thereby interfering with the accuracy and reliability of the experimental results.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a rodent breeding cage to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a rodent breeding cage to solve the above problems.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: A rodent breeding cage comprises a base and a cage body disposed on the base. The breeding cage further comprises a blower mechanism for blowing air upward from the bottom of the cage body and an annular air curtain mechanism for generating a closed-loop air curtain surrounding the cage body. The closed-loop air curtain generated by the annular air curtain mechanism has an upward wind direction and is used to prevent rodent hair from floating outward. An air collecting hopper is provided at the top of the cage body. The air collecting hopper is provided with a collection chamber for collecting hair, and a negative pressure fan is provided at the exhaust end of the air collecting hopper. The breeding cage also includes an air supply mechanism, which is used to generate air flow toward the inside of the cage when an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain to fill the gap in the closed-loop air curtain.

[0007] In an optional solution: the blowing mechanism includes a grid supporting plate arranged at the bottom of the cage and a fan arranged on the base, the grid supporting plate is hollow inside, and blowing holes are evenly distributed on the grid supporting plate, and the output end of the fan is connected to the inside of the grid supporting plate.

[0008] In an optional solution: an adaptive filter is provided in the blowing hole.

[0009] In an optional solution, a dirt drop tray for collecting excrement of the raised rodents is provided on the bottom side of the grid supporting plate.

[0010] In an optional scheme: the air supply mechanism includes an air supply chamber arranged in a closed loop around the cage body on the air collection hopper, the collecting chamber is connected to the air supply chamber, and a filter plate is provided in the collecting chamber, and an infrared light generator is arranged on the base around the closed-loop wind curtain, an infrared light receiver corresponding to the infrared light generator is provided on the inner wall of the air collection hopper, and a fan-shaped air outlet piece corresponding to the infrared light receiver is provided circumferentially on the air supply chamber, and an electromagnetic valve is provided at the connection between the fan-shaped air outlet piece and the air supply chamber, the side of the fan-shaped air outlet piece facing the cage body is an arc-shaped side, and air outlet holes are evenly distributed on the arc-shaped side, the corresponding infrared light generator, infrared light receiver and fan-shaped air outlet piece are in the same vertical plane, and when the infrared light receiver loses the ability to sense the infrared light emitted by the corresponding infrared light generator, the corresponding electromagnetic valve opens to discharge air.

[0011] In an optional solution: an inner groove corresponding to the infrared light receiver is provided on the inner wall of the air collection hopper, and the infrared light receiver is arranged in the corresponding inner groove. A matching light-transmitting sheet is provided at the notch of the inner groove, and the outward side of the light-transmitting sheet is flush with the inner wall of the air collection hopper.

[0012] In an optional solution: an exhaust mechanism is also provided on the air supply chamber for maintaining the air pressure in the air supply chamber within a set range, the exhaust mechanism includes an exhaust port provided on the air supply chamber and a sealing plug adapted to the exhaust port, the sealing plug is concentrically arranged with the exhaust port, a plurality of guide rods are provided on the air supply chamber, the guide rods pass through the sealing plug, and a limit block is provided at the end of the guide rod away from the air supply chamber, and an elastic member is sleeved on the rod section of the guide rod between the sealing plug and the limit block.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: 1. Rodents are raised in cages. The upward airflow generated by the blower mechanism from the bottom of the cage and the adsorption effect of the negative pressure fan drive the shed hair to rise. The closed-loop air curtain generated by the annular air curtain mechanism surrounds the cage to prevent the shed hair from floating outward, and the shed hair is confined within the closed-loop air curtain. The airflow generated by the annular air curtain mechanism and the blower mechanism converges in the air collecting hopper, and the shed hair is entrained by the airflow and transferred to the collection chamber for collection, ensuring the cleanliness of the cage and effectively solving the problem of hair floating outward to contaminate the breeding room, avoiding cross infection of experimental animals, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of animal experimental results. 2. When an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain, a gap in the air curtain will appear above the obstacle. The air supply mechanism will generate airflow toward the inside of the cage to fill the gap in the closed-loop air curtain and prevent hair from flying out.

[0014] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification to illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present application. These drawings and the accompanying description are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of the present application to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments.

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 3D schematic diagram of the grid support plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view of the base, the annular air curtain mechanism, and the infrared light generator in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0021] Figure 6 3D schematic diagram of the fan-shaped air outlet member in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0023] Notes on the accompanying drawings: 1-base, 2-blowing mechanism, 201-grid supporting plate, 202-fan, 203-blowing hole, 204-filter, 3-cage, 4-air collecting hopper, 5-collecting chamber, 6-filter plate, 7-annular air curtain mechanism, 8-dirt drop tray, 9-air supply mechanism, 901-air supply chamber, 902-infrared light generator, 903-infrared light receiver, 904-inner groove, 905-light-transmitting sheet, 906-fan-shaped air outlet part, 907-solenoid valve, 908-air outlet, 10-exhaust mechanism, 1001-exhaust port, 1002-sealing plug, 1003-guide rod, 1004-limiting block, 1005-elastic part, 11-negative pressure fan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present application is described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is necessary to point out that the following specific implementation methods are only used to further illustrate the present application and cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Technicians in this field can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0025] See also Figure 1 A rodent breeding cage comprises a base 1 and a cage body 3 arranged on the base 1, the breeding cage further comprising a blower mechanism 2 for blowing air upward from the bottom of the cage body 3 and an annular air curtain mechanism 7 for generating a closed-loop air curtain around the cage body 3, the closed-loop air curtain generated by the annular air curtain mechanism 7 has a wind direction from bottom to top, and is used to prevent rodent hair from flying outward, an air collecting hopper 4 is provided on the top of the cage body 3, the air collecting hopper 4 is provided with a collection chamber 5 for collecting hair, and a negative pressure fan 11 is provided at the exhaust end of the air collecting hopper 4; The breeding cage also includes an air supply mechanism 9, which is used to generate air flow toward the inside of the cage body 3 when an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain to fill the gap in the closed-loop air curtain.

[0026] The rodents are raised in a cage 3. The upward airflow is generated by the blower mechanism 2 from the bottom of the cage 3, and the adsorption effect of the negative pressure blower 11 drives the shed hair to rise. The closed-loop air curtain is generated around the cage 3 by the annular air curtain mechanism 7 to prevent the shed hair from floating outward, and the shed hair is confined within the range of the closed-loop air curtain. The airflow generated by the annular air curtain mechanism 7 and the blower mechanism 2 is collected in the air collecting hopper 4, and the shed hair is entrained and transferred to the collection chamber 5 for collection through the airflow, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the cage 3 and effectively solving the problem of hair floating outward to contaminate the breeding room, avoiding cross infection of experimental animals, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of animal experimental results. When an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain (such as feeding, catching animals, cleaning feces, etc.), a gap in the wind curtain is generated above the obstacle, and the air supply mechanism 9 generates an airflow toward the inside of the cage 3 to fill the gap in the closed-loop wind curtain (corresponding to the position of the obstacle) to prevent hair from flying out; it should be noted that the annular air curtain mechanism 7 includes a wind wheel, a motor for driving the wind wheel, an air duct, an air outlet (annular), etc., which is a prior art, so the specific structure of the annular air curtain mechanism 7 and the connection relationship between the various components are not described here; in addition, the airflow toward the inside of the cage 3 generated by the air supply mechanism 9 is relatively gentle and has a small impact force. Its strength is much smaller than the closed-loop air curtain generated by the annular air curtain mechanism 7, and does not affect the normal function of the closed-loop air curtain to block hair from flying out.

[0027] See also Figures 1 to 3In one embodiment of the present invention, the blowing mechanism 2 includes a grid supporting plate 201 arranged at the bottom of the cage body 3 and a fan 202 arranged on the base 1. The grid supporting plate 201 is hollow inside, and the grid supporting plate 201 is evenly distributed with blowing holes 203. The output end of the fan 202 is connected to the inside of the grid supporting plate 201.

[0028] In this embodiment, air flow is delivered to the grid supporting plate 201 by the fan 202, and then discharged through the blowing holes 203 to be blown upward, so that the hair shed by the rodents is blown upward for collection, and is prevented from being scattered and distributed in the cage 3, thereby playing the role of cleaning the hair in real time and ensuring the breeding environment inside the cage 3; it should be noted that the power of the fan 202 is relatively small, and the upward airflow generated is relatively gentle. It only needs to be able to blow the shed hair up to avoid affecting the normal activities of the rodents.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an adaptive filter 204 is provided in the blowing hole 203 to block dirt (such as rodent feces, food residues, etc.) and prevent the dirt from entering the grid supporting plate 201 through the blowing hole 203.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a dirt collecting tray 8 for collecting excrement of the raised rodents is provided on the bottom side of the grid supporting plate 201 .

[0031] See also Figure 1 、 Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the air supply mechanism 9 includes an air supply chamber 901 arranged in a closed loop on the air collecting hopper 4 around the cage body 3, the collecting chamber 5 is connected to the air supply chamber 901 (through a duct), and a filter plate 6 is provided in the collecting chamber 5, an infrared light generator 902 is arranged on the base 1 around the closed loop wind curtain, an infrared light receiver 903 corresponding to the infrared light generator 902 is provided on the inner wall of the air collecting hopper 4, a fan-shaped air outlet 906 corresponding to the infrared light receiver 903 is provided on the circumference of the air supply chamber 901, and the fan-shaped air outlet 906 is connected to the air supply chamber 901. A solenoid valve 907 is provided at the connection point of the cavity 901. The side of the fan-shaped air outlet member 906 facing the cage body 3 is an arc-shaped side, and air outlet holes 908 are evenly distributed on the arc-shaped side. The corresponding infrared light generator 902, infrared light receiver 903 and fan-shaped air outlet member 906 are in the same vertical plane. When the infrared light receiver 903 loses the ability to sense the infrared light emitted by the corresponding infrared light generator 902, the corresponding solenoid valve 907 opens to discharge air (the linkage control between the infrared light generator 902 and the corresponding solenoid valve 907 is an existing mature control technology and will not be elaborated here).

[0032] In this embodiment, when an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain, the infrared light receiver 903 in the vertical direction of the obstacle loses the sensed infrared light due to the obstruction of the obstacle, thereby controlling the corresponding solenoid valve 907 to open, and the air flow enters the fan-shaped air outlet member 906, and then is discharged in a fan shape through the air outlet 908 to blow toward the cage 3 (the width of the fan-shaped air flow covers the entire height of the cage 3), thereby filling the gap in the closed-loop air curtain and preventing hair from floating out.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an inner groove 904 corresponding to the infrared light receiver 903 is provided on the inner wall of the air collecting bowl 4, and the infrared light receiver 903 is arranged in the corresponding inner groove 904. A matching light-transmitting sheet 905 is provided at the notch of the inner groove 904. The outward side of the light-transmitting sheet 905 is flush with the inner wall of the air collecting bowl 4. The infrared light receiver 903 is embedded by providing the inner groove 904, and the light-transmitting sheet 905 is provided at the notch of the inner groove 904 so that the inner wall of the air collecting bowl 4 is smooth, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of hair hanging and hair retention when the air flow carries hair for transmission.

[0034] See also Figure 1 and Figure 7 In one embodiment of the present invention, an exhaust mechanism 10 is further provided on the air supply chamber 901 for maintaining the air pressure in the air supply chamber 901 within a set range. The exhaust mechanism 10 includes an exhaust port 1001 provided on the air supply chamber 901 and a sealing plug 1002 adapted to the exhaust port 1001. The sealing plug 1002 is concentrically arranged with the exhaust port 1001. A plurality of guide rods 1003 are provided on the air supply chamber 901. The guide rod 1003 passes through the sealing plug 1002, and a limit block 1004 is provided at the end of the guide rod 1003 away from the air supply chamber 901. An elastic member 1005 is sleeved on the rod section of the guide rod 1003 located between the sealing plug 1002 and the limit block 1004. The elastic member 1005 is a spring, an elastic rubber sleeve, etc., which is not limited to this embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, the air flow carrying hair enters the collecting chamber 5, intercepts the hair through the filter plate 6, and then enters the air supply chamber 901. When the air pressure in the air supply chamber 901 reaches a certain value (the air pressure value is determined by the strength and number of the elastic members 1005), the sealing plug 1002 will be broken open and the air will be discharged outward through the exhaust port 1001, so that the air pressure in the air supply chamber 901 is always within the set range, ensuring that the air flow discharged during air supply is relatively smooth, and does not affect the normal function of the closed-loop air curtain to block hair from floating out.

[0036] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A rodent breeding cage, comprising a base (1) and a cage body (3) arranged on the base (1), characterized in that: The breeding cage further comprises a blower mechanism (2) for blowing air upward from the bottom of the cage body (3) and an annular air curtain mechanism (7) for generating a closed-loop air curtain surrounding the cage body (3). The closed-loop air curtain generated by the annular air curtain mechanism (7) has a wind direction from bottom to top, and is used to prevent the hair of the rodent from flying outward. An air collecting hopper (4) is provided on the top of the cage body (3), and a collecting chamber (5) for collecting hair is provided on the air collecting hopper (4), and a negative pressure blower (11) is provided at the exhaust end of the air collecting hopper (4); The breeding cage also includes an air supply mechanism (9) for generating an air flow toward the interior of the cage body (3) to fill the gap in the closed-loop air curtain when an obstacle passes through the closed-loop air curtain.

2. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air blowing mechanism (2) comprises a grid supporting plate (201) provided at the bottom of the cage body (3) and a blower (202) provided on the base (1); the grid supporting plate (201) is hollow inside, and blowing holes (203) are evenly distributed on the grid supporting plate (201); the output end of the blower (202) is in communication with the inside of the grid supporting plate (201).

3. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 2, characterized in that: An adapted filter (204) is provided in the blowing hole (203).

4. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 2, characterized in that: A dirt collecting tray (8) for collecting excrement of the raised rodents is provided on the bottom side of the grid supporting plate (201).

5. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply mechanism (9) includes an air supply chamber (901) provided on the air collecting hopper (4) and arranged in a closed loop around the cage (3); the collecting chamber (5) is communicated with the air supply chamber (901), and a filter plate (6) is provided in the collecting chamber (5); infrared light generators (902) are arranged on the base (1) around the closed loop wind curtain; infrared light receivers (903) corresponding to the infrared light generators (902) are provided on the inner wall of the air collecting hopper (4); and fan-shaped air outlet members (901) corresponding to the infrared light receivers (903) are provided on the circumferential direction of the air supply chamber (901). 06), a solenoid valve (907) is provided at the connection between the fan-shaped air outlet member (906) and the air supply chamber (901), the side of the fan-shaped air outlet member (906) facing the cage body (3) is an arc-shaped side, and air outlet holes (908) are evenly distributed on the arc-shaped side, and the corresponding infrared light generator (902), infrared light receiver (903) and fan-shaped air outlet member (906) are located on the same vertical plane, and when the infrared light receiver (903) loses the ability to sense the infrared light emitted by the corresponding infrared light generator (902), the corresponding solenoid valve (907) opens to discharge air.

6. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 5, characterized in that: An inner groove (904) corresponding to the infrared light receiver (903) is provided on the inner wall of the air collecting hopper (4), and the infrared light receiver (903) is arranged in the corresponding inner groove (904). A light-transmitting sheet (905) is provided at the notch of the inner groove (904), and the outward side of the light-transmitting sheet (905) is flush with the inner wall of the air collecting hopper (4).

7. The rodent breeding cage according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air supply chamber (901) is also provided with an exhaust mechanism (10) for maintaining the air pressure in the air supply chamber (901) within a set range. The exhaust mechanism (10) includes an exhaust port (1001) provided on the air supply chamber (901) and a sealing plug (1002) adapted to the exhaust port (1001). The sealing plug (1002) is concentrically arranged with the exhaust port (1001). The air supply chamber (901) is provided with a plurality of guide rods (1003). The guide rods (1003) pass through the sealing plug (1002), and a limit block (1004) is provided at one end of the guide rod (1003) away from the air supply chamber (901). An elastic member (1005) is sleeved on the rod section of the guide rod (1003) located between the sealing plug (1002) and the limit block (1004).

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