A full-automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electric stimulation device and diapause removal method

Abstract

The application discloses a full-automatic single-needle mobile domestic silkworm egg electric stimulation device and a diapause removal method, and belongs to the technical field of domestic silkworm egg hatching. The device solves the technical problems of uneven electric field distribution, stimulation blind area and low automation degree caused by the fixed array of multiple electrode needles in the existing electric stimulation technology. The technical scheme is that a single discharge pen is connected with a high-voltage static generator, and a right-angle coordinate motion system composed of three-axis motion supports is used to drive the discharge pen to automatically move on a two-dimensional plane according to a preset path, and at the same time, silkworm egg paper on which domestic silkworm eggs are laid is placed on a metal net receiving end below the discharge pen, the stopping time and moving track of the discharge pen at each stimulation point are controlled through a program, so that full coverage, non-repeated point-by-point corona stimulation of the whole silkworm egg paper is realized. The device is used for removing the diapause of domestic silkworm eggs, and provides reliable equipment support for realizing the automation of artificial hatching of domestic silkworm eggs and improving the uniformity and consistency of treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of silkworm egg hatching technology. More specifically, this invention relates to a fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrical stimulation device and a method for relieving diapause. Background Technology

[0002] As an important economic insect, the silkworm's eggs exhibit diapause, meaning that under normal circumstances, diapause eggs will not hatch in the same year, which limits the continuous production of silkworm cocoons. Artificial incubation of silkworm eggs is the main method to solve this problem, among which electrical stimulation is promising due to its lack of environmental pollution and ease of operation.

[0003] The applicant's prior patent (authorization announcement number CN216567810U) discloses an electrical stimulation device for relieving silkworm egg diapause. This device uses a medium-high voltage electrostatic generator and a multi-electrode needle array to generate corona discharge to stimulate the silkworm eggs, thus relieving diapause and replacing the traditional acid soaking method. It also attempts to achieve uniform electric field stimulation by adjusting the electrode needle spacing (≥3.5cm) and height. However, in practical applications, due to mutual interference (such as repulsion) between adjacent electrode needles, weaker gaps in the electric field are easily formed, resulting in some silkworm eggs not being effectively treated. Therefore, although the prior art theoretically pursues uniformity, multiple adjustments to the electrode needle spacing in practical applications still result in unevenness, making it difficult to meet the requirements of consistent hatching in industrial production. Furthermore, the operation process, such as timing and stopping, requires manual completion, resulting in low automation, high labor intensity, and difficulty in ensuring consistency in the processing.

[0004] It is evident that there is an urgent need in this field for an electric incubation device that can automatically and uniformly process the entire sheet of silkworm egg paper, in order to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as poor processing uniformity, limited processing capacity, and reliance on manual operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to address at least the aforementioned deficiencies and to provide at least the advantages that will be described later.

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a fully automated single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device and a method for relieving diapause, addressing the technical problems of uneven electric field, low automation, and limited processing capacity caused by multi-electrode needle arrays in existing electrostimulation technologies. In existing technologies, the multi-needle fixed design easily creates weak field regions due to mutual interference between the electric fields of the electrode needles, resulting in some silkworm eggs not being effectively stimulated. Furthermore, operation relies on manual timing and stopping, leading to poor consistency.

[0007] This invention provides a fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device, including a high-voltage electrostatic generator; the output voltage range of the high-voltage electrostatic generator is 5 kV to 30 kV; The device also includes a controller, a three-axis motion support, a discharge pen, and a silkworm egg processing end; The three-axis motion support is a support for a three-axis rectangular coordinate motion system consisting of an X-axis sliding rod, a Y-axis sliding rod, and a Z-axis sliding rod. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis sliding rods are driven by stepper motors or servo motors, and are driven to perform linear motion through a lead screw mechanism. The controller is a programmable logic controller or an embedded microcontroller, and is electrically connected to the stepper motor or servo motor; The discharge pen is fixedly mounted on the slider of the Z-axis moving slide rod by a clamp made of insulating material; the high voltage output terminal of the high voltage electrostatic generator is electrically connected to the tip of the discharge pen. The silkworm egg processing end is a metal mesh with an area greater than or equal to that of standard silkworm egg paper. The metal mesh is positioned directly below the discharge pen and perpendicular to the tip of the discharge pen, and is used to support the silkworm egg paper on which silkworm eggs are laid. The metal mesh is connected to the grounding terminal of the high-voltage electrostatic generator. The vertical distance between the tip of the discharge pen and the metal mesh at the silkworm egg treatment end is adjustable via a Z-axis sliding rod, with an adjustment range of 0.5 cm to 10.0 cm.

[0008] Preferably, the three-axis motion support is mounted on a base, and the base is an acrylic sheet.

[0009] Preferably, the controller controls the rotation direction and speed of the motor by sending pulse signals to the motor drivers of each axis; the controller has a pre-stored control program corresponding to different silkworm species, and the control program defines the movement sequence, movement distance and movement speed of the discharge pen in three-dimensional space; The controller executes the control program to coordinate the movement combination of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, so that the discharge pen moves along a preset two-dimensional plane trajectory and maintains a constant vertical distance between it and the silkworm seed processing end.

[0010] Preferably, the different silkworm breeds include frame-type breeds and flat-attached breeds; for frame-type breeds, the distance the discharge pen moves between the centers of adjacent moth circles is 4 to 5 centimeters, and for flat-attached breeds, the distance the discharge pen moves between adjacent stimulation points is 3 to 4 centimeters; the discharge pen stays at each stimulation point for more than 40 seconds.

[0011] Preferably, the control program controls the discharge pen to cover the entire sheet of silkworm seed paper in a line-by-line or column-by-column scanning path.

[0012] Preferably, the process of the controller executing the control program includes: Initialization steps: Control the three-axis motion support to move the discharge pen to the preset starting point above the silkworm egg processing end; Parameter loading steps: Based on the type of silkworm selected by the operator, the corresponding pre-stored control parameters are retrieved from the controller's internal memory. The control parameters include the moving distance between adjacent points, the moving speed of the discharge pen, the dwell time at each point, and the scanning path mode. Scanning execution steps: Control the discharge pen to move in a two-dimensional plane in a row-by-row or column-by-column manner according to the loaded scanning path mode; when it moves to each preset stimulation point, the controller pauses the planar movement of the discharge pen and starts the internal timer, while triggering the high-voltage electrostatic generator to work; when the timer reaches the predetermined dwell time, the controller turns off the high-voltage electrostatic generator and controls the discharge pen to move to the next stimulation point.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a field strength maintenance system integrated into the tip of the discharge pen, the system comprising: Miniature ion air cleaner: It is mounted on the clamp and the air outlet is directed at the tip area of ​​the discharge pen. The miniature ion air cleaner is configured to be triggered by the controller during the gaps in the movement of the discharge pen between stimulation points to spray out a clean compressed air stream to blow away the dust attached to the tip.

[0014] Preferably, the field strength maintenance system further includes a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module: it includes a field strength sensor disposed at the edge of the metal mesh, the field strength sensor being communicatively connected to the controller; the controller is configured to: during the scanning execution step, at every predetermined number of stimulation points, control the discharge pen to move directly above the field strength sensor to perform a reference field strength measurement; if the measured value is lower than a preset field strength threshold, the controller slightly increases the output voltage of the high-voltage electrostatic generator by a preset step size until the field strength measurement value recovers to the threshold range.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for relieving diapause using the above-mentioned fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrical stimulation device, comprising the following steps: Place the silkworm egg paper covered with silkworm eggs flat on the metal mesh at the silkworm egg treatment end, with the discharge pen perpendicular to the starting position. The starting device and controller control the three-axis motion support to drive the discharge pen to move according to the set program, while the high-voltage electrostatic generator supplies power to the discharge pen at the same time. During its operation, the discharge pen stimulates the silkworm eggs on the metal mesh below it with discharge until the entire sheet of silkworm eggs is processed, at which point the device automatically stops operating. Soak the treated silkworm seed paper in a bleaching powder solution containing 1% available chlorine or a formaldehyde solution containing 2% formaldehyde for 5 to 10 minutes for disinfection. Remove the silkworm egg paper from the disinfectant solution, rinse it with clean water, and let it air dry for 30 minutes. Place the dried silkworm egg paper in an environment with a temperature of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 80% to 85% for 10 days to promote germination. On the 8th day of the germination process, wrap the silkworm egg paper in white paper and place it in a dark environment until 2 hours before harvesting the ants on the 10th day, then turn on the light source for light exposure.

[0016] Preferably, after the natural air-drying step, a refrigeration step is also included, in which the air-dried silkworm seed paper is stored in an environment with a temperature of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 75% to 85%.

[0017] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: This invention achieves precise movement of the discharge pen on a two-dimensional plane by employing a single-needle moving design, combined with a high-voltage electrostatic generator, a three-axis motion support, and a metal mesh silkworm egg processing end. This method avoids electric field interference from multi-needle arrays, and by using a single-needle point-to-point scanning method and combining it with a metal mesh, each silkworm egg receives relatively uniform electrical stimulation, thereby improving the uniformity and coverage of the processing.

[0018] This invention provides a stable support platform for the device by mounting a three-axis motion support on an acrylic plate base, utilizing the insulation and mechanical strength of the acrylic plate. This method prevents the impact of high-voltage discharge on the base, enhances operational safety, and reduces positioning errors caused by vibration or displacement.

[0019] This invention defines the movement sequence, distance, and speed of the discharge pen by pre-storing control programs for different silkworm egg types in the controller. This automated control method reduces manual intervention and ensures the consistency and repeatability of the processing through programmed path planning, adapting to the distribution characteristics of different silkworm egg production types.

[0020] This invention optimizes the scanning path of the discharge pen by setting different moving distances and dwell times for frame-type and flat-attached seed collection. This method adjusts the stimulation points according to the actual distribution of silkworm eggs, avoiding missed stimulation and improving targeting and full coverage.

[0021] This invention achieves systematic area scanning by controlling a discharge pen to scan a path row by row or column by column, covering the entire sheet of silkworm egg paper. This method ensures sequential processing of each stimulation point, reduces duplication or omissions through path optimization, and improves the overall processing uniformity.

[0022] This invention establishes a standardized operating procedure by executing initialization, parameter loading, and scan execution steps through a controller. This approach, through automated starting point calibration, parameter calling, and point timing, ensures the continuity and consistency of stimulation for each silkworm egg, reducing human error.

[0023] This invention integrates a miniature ion air cleaner to automatically clean the tip area during the movement of the discharge pen. This method maintains the cleanliness of the discharge pen tip by blowing away dust and contaminants, preventing fluctuations in electric field strength caused by contamination, and improving discharge stability and treatment effectiveness.

[0024] This invention uses a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module to measure the electric field strength in real time and adjust the output voltage of the high-voltage electrostatic generator. This method, through a feedback control mechanism, compensates for field strength attenuation caused by environmental changes or equipment aging, ensuring the stability of the electric field strength and thus improving the reliability and repeatability of the process.

[0025] This invention treats silkworm eggs of varieties such as 932, 7532, Furong, and Xianghui, approximately 24 hours after laying, achieving a practical hatching rate of over 98%. It also treats 932×Furong, 7532×Xianghui, and Liangguang No. 2 silkworm eggs that have been refrigerated for 70 days, resulting in a relatively high practical hatching rate. All these results exceed the hatching rates required for silkworm egg production. Furthermore, the method is simple to operate and causes no environmental pollution, making it a viable alternative to hydrochloric acid hatching for silkworm egg hatching and suitable for widespread application in sericulture.

[0026] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of one implementation of the fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a side view of the fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device described in this invention; Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the usage effect of the fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device described in this invention. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the usage state of the electrode plate in a multi-electrode needle array based on existing technology. Figure 5 This is a framed image showing the hatching effect. Figure 6 Comparison chart showing the hatching effect of flat-root seed.

[0028] The components include: X-axis sliding rod 1; Y-axis sliding rod 2; Z-axis sliding rod 3; clamping component 4; servo motor 5; and base 6. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0030] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods described in the following embodiments are conventional methods, and the reagents and materials described are commercially available. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connection or setting, detachable connection or setting, or integral connection or setting. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. The terms "lateral," "longitudinal," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the embodiments, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0031] See Figure 1-2As shown, this invention discloses an implementation of a fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device, which includes a high-voltage electrostatic generator (not shown in the figure) with an output voltage range of 5 kV to 30 kV. The high-voltage electrostatic generator can be an adjustable high-voltage DC power supply, which is connected to a discharge pen via a cable. The controller can be a programmable logic controller or an embedded microcontroller, which are common industrial control devices on the market. The three-axis motion support consists of an X-axis sliding rod 1, a Y-axis sliding rod 2, and a Z-axis sliding rod 3. Each rod can be driven by a stepper motor or a servo motor 5, and linear motion is achieved through a lead screw mechanism. The motor can be a hybrid stepper motor, and the lead screw can be a ball screw; these components are widely used in automated equipment. The three-axis motion support is mounted on a base 6, which can be made of acrylic sheet material. Acrylic sheet has insulation and mechanical strength, and is easy to process and install. The discharge pen is fixed to the slider of the Z-axis moving slide bar 3 by a clamp 4 made of insulating material. The clamp 4 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene or ceramic, which have good insulation and high voltage resistance. The tip of the discharge pen is electrically connected to the high voltage output terminal of the high voltage electrostatic generator via a high voltage cable. The silkworm egg treatment end is a metal mesh, which can be made of stainless steel. The area of ​​the metal mesh is set as needed to cover the standard silkworm egg paper. The metal mesh is placed above the base and connected to the grounding terminal of the high voltage electrostatic generator via a wire. The vertical distance between the tip of the discharge pen and the metal mesh of the silkworm egg treatment end is adjusted by the Z-axis moving slide bar. The adjustment range is 0.5 cm to 10.0 cm (the vertical distance is selected from 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm according to the effective range of electric stimulation. This can be kept constant according to the different electric field tolerance levels of different silkworm varieties. If sparks are encountered, the distance can be adjusted to more than 2.0 cm). The diameter of the discharge pen tip is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 1.0 mm.

[0032] During operation, silkworm egg paper covered with silkworm eggs is placed flat on a metal mesh. After the controller is activated, it moves the discharge pen to a preset starting point using a three-axis motion support. The high-voltage electrostatic generator then supplies power, causing corona discharge at the tip of the discharge pen. The controller coordinates the X and Y axis movements according to a pre-stored program, allowing the discharge pen to move sequentially across a two-dimensional plane while maintaining a constant vertical distance from the metal mesh. During movement, the discharge pen pauses at each stimulation point for a preset time, electrically stimulating the silkworm eggs below until the entire sheet of silkworm egg paper is covered. Once completed, the device automatically stops, and the operator can remove the processed silkworm egg paper.

[0033] In existing technologies, the fixed design of multi-electrode needle arrays can lead to uneven electric fields because the electric fields of adjacent electrode needles interfere with each other, forming weak field regions and affecting the stimulation effect. This invention employs a single-needle moving design, controlling the position of the discharge pen through a three-axis motion system to avoid interference from multiple needle electric fields, thereby improving stimulation uniformity. Furthermore, the silkworm egg treatment end is a metal mesh receiving end, preventing the discharge channel from concentrating into a single path, forming dispersed micro-discharge clusters with smaller current fluctuations, further improving overall stability. Simultaneously, fully automated control reduces manual operation, ensuring consistency and repeatability of the processing, effectively solving the problems of poor uniformity and low automation.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a three-axis motion support is mounted on a base, which can be made of acrylic sheet material, and the thickness of the acrylic sheet can be set as needed. The acrylic sheet has sufficient mechanical strength and insulation, facilitating installation and maintenance. The base is fixed to the worktable surface by screws or adhesive, ensuring stable operation of the three-axis motion support. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis moving slide rods are respectively connected to the base via brackets, which can be made of aluminum alloy material, making them lightweight and durable.

[0035] During operation, the base provides a stable support platform, preventing vibration or displacement of the three-axis motion support during movement. The insulating properties of the acrylic sheet prevent high-voltage discharge from affecting the base, ensuring operational safety. The controller controls the movement of each axis via a motor driver, and the base design facilitates the handling and adjustment of the entire device. This invention provides a robust and insulated foundation through the acrylic sheet base, improving the stability of the device and thus ensuring the accuracy and repeatability of the discharge pen's movement, solving the problem of uneven processing caused by structural instability.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller can be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an embedded microcontroller, both of which are commercially available, and is connected to the motor drivers of each axis via cables. The controller has pre-stored control programs corresponding to different silkworm species. These programs define the movement sequence, distance, and speed of the discharge pen in three-dimensional space. The movement sequence can be row- or column-based, and the movement distance can be adjusted according to the silkworm species. The controller controls the rotation direction and speed of the motors by sending pulse signals to the motor drivers, thus achieving motion control.

[0037] During operation, the controller loads corresponding control parameters based on the selected silkworm type, controlling the three-axis motion support to move the discharge pen along a preset path. During movement, the controller monitors the position of each axis in real time to ensure a constant distance between the discharge pen and the metal mesh. After the program is completed, the controller automatically shuts off the high-voltage electrostatic generator and resets to its initial position.

[0038] The pre-stored control program can be debugged using the following method: a pre-experiment is conducted to determine the trajectory of the discharge pen required for different types of silkworm seed paper; based on the trajectory determined in the pre-experiment, a control program is written in the controller, the parameters of which include the movement path of the discharge pen in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the dwell time at each stimulation point.

[0039] This invention achieves automated operation through pre-stored control programs, reducing human error, improving processing uniformity, and solving the problems of low automation and high labor intensity.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, for frame-grown silkworm eggs, the distance the discharge pen moves between the centers of adjacent moth enclosures can range from 4 cm to 5 cm, specifically 4 cm, 4.5 cm, and 5 cm, with 4.5 cm being the preferred value. For flat-attached silkworm eggs, the distance the discharge pen moves between adjacent stimulation points can range from 3 cm to 4 cm, specifically 3 cm, 3.5 cm, and 4 cm. The discharge pen remains at each stimulation point for more than 40 seconds. Experiments have shown that a higher hatching rate can be achieved with 40 seconds or more, and 10 minutes has no effect on the silkworm egg hatching rate. However, the optimal stimulation time varies for silkworm eggs with different diapause levels or variety characteristics. These parameters are set based on the distribution characteristics of silkworm eggs to ensure coverage of all areas.

[0041] During operation, the controller selects the appropriate movement distance and dwell time parameters based on the silkworm egg type, controlling the discharge pen to move point by point. For frame-grown eggs, the discharge pen moves around the moth circle; for flat-attached eggs, the discharge pen moves according to the grid points. During the dwell time at each point, the high-voltage electrostatic generator continues to operate, completing the electrical stimulation.

[0042] In existing technologies, fixed electrode needle arrays are difficult to adapt to different silkworm species, resulting in significant missed stimulation. This invention addresses this issue by adjusting the moving distance and dwell time to optimize the path for different silkworm species, improving the targeting and full coverage of stimulation, and solving the problem of limited processing capacity.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control program controls the discharge pen to cover the entire sheet of silkworm egg paper in a line-by-line or column-by-column scanning path. During line-by-line scanning, the discharge pen starts from the upper left corner, moves horizontally to the right, and then moves down one line to continue scanning; during column-by-column scanning, the discharge pen starts from the upper left corner, moves vertically to the bottom, and then moves right one column to continue scanning. The scanning path can be adjusted according to the size of the silkworm egg paper, and the row spacing or column spacing is consistent with the aforementioned moving distance.

[0044] During operation, the controller executes the scanning path program, ensuring the discharge pen covers each stimulation point in sequence. The movement speed is constant to avoid skipping or repetition. After scanning, the controller verifies the path coverage to ensure no areas are missed.

[0045] In existing technologies, the fixed layout of multi-needle arrays is difficult to flexibly adapt to different silkworm seed paper sizes, resulting in insufficient stimulation in edge areas. This invention achieves full-area coverage through a programmable scanning path, improving processing uniformity and adaptability, and effectively solving the problem of poor uniformity.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller's execution of the control program includes an initialization step, a parameter loading step, and a scanning execution step. In the initialization step, the three-axis motion support is controlled to move the discharge pen to a preset starting point above the silkworm egg processing end; the starting point can be set to the upper left corner. In the parameter loading step, based on the type of silkworm egg selected by the operator, pre-stored control parameters are retrieved from the controller's internal memory, including the movement distance between adjacent points, the movement speed of the discharge pen, the dwell time at each point, and the scanning path mode. In the scanning execution step, the discharge pen is controlled to move in a row-by-row or column-by-column manner on a two-dimensional plane according to the loaded scanning path mode; when it reaches each preset stimulation point, the controller pauses the planar movement, starts an internal timer, and simultaneously triggers the high-voltage electrostatic generator; when the timer reaches the predetermined dwell time, the controller shuts off the high-voltage electrostatic generator and controls the discharge pen to move to the next stimulation point.

[0047] During operation, initialization ensures consistency at the starting point, parameter loading is adjusted according to actual needs, and scanning execution completes the stimulation step by step. The controller monitors the execution status in real time and can pause or reset in case of abnormalities.

[0048] This invention achieves fully automated control through a standardized process, ensuring consistent stimulation at each point and solving the problem of inconsistent processing.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the field strength maintenance system includes a miniature ion air cleaner, which can be a commercially available compressed air cleaning device, mounted on a clamping component, with its air outlet directed towards the tip area of ​​the discharge pen. The miniature ion air cleaner is triggered by a controller, and during the intervals as the discharge pen moves between stimulation points, it ejects a stream of clean compressed air to blow away dust adhering to the tip. The compressed air source can be an external air compressor, and the airflow pressure can be selected from 0.1 MPa to 0.3 MPa, specifically including 0.1 MPa, 0.2 MPa, and 0.3 MPa, with 0.2 MPa being the preferred value.

[0050] During operation, whenever the discharge pen moves to a new point, the controller activates a miniature ion air cleaner, briefly cleaning the tip with airflow for 1 to 3 seconds. After cleaning, the discharge pen continues to perform the stimulation task, ensuring the tip remains uncontaminated and maintaining discharge stability.

[0051] This invention integrates a cleaning system to automatically maintain the condition of the tip, improving device reliability and stimulation consistency, and solving the problem of decreased treatment effectiveness caused by contamination.

[0052] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the field strength maintenance system further includes a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module. This module includes a field strength sensor, which can be an electrostatic field strength meter, positioned at the edge of the metal mesh and connected to the controller via a cable. The field strength sensor has a measurement range of 0 kV / cm to 25 kV / cm, and a preset field strength threshold of 9 kV / cm (for silkworm eggs of variety 932). During the scanning execution step, the controller controls the discharge pen to move directly above the field strength sensor to perform a reference field strength measurement every predetermined number of stimulation points (e.g., every 10 points). If the measured value is lower than the preset field strength threshold, the controller slightly increases the output voltage of the high-voltage electrostatic generator in preset steps (e.g., 0.5 kV) until the field strength measurement value returns to the threshold range.

[0053] During operation, the electric field strength monitoring and compensation module tracks the electric field strength in real time to ensure stable stimulation intensity. The controller adjusts the output voltage based on feedback to compensate for field strength fluctuations caused by environmental or equipment changes.

[0054] This invention uses closed-loop control to automatically maintain stable electric field strength, improve processing accuracy and reliability, and solve the problem of poor electric field uniformity.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for relieving diapause using a fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device includes the following steps: A silkworm egg paper covered with silkworm eggs is placed flat on a metal mesh at the silkworm egg treatment end, with the discharge pen perpendicular to the starting position. The device is started, and the controller controls the three-axis motion support to move the discharge pen according to a set program, while a high-voltage electrostatic generator supplies power to the discharge pen. During the movement, the discharge pen discharges and stimulates the silkworm eggs on the metal mesh below until the entire silkworm egg paper is processed, at which point the device automatically stops. The treated silkworm egg paper is then immersed in a bleaching powder solution containing 1% available chlorine or a formaldehyde solution for disinfection for 5 to 10 minutes. The specific time can be selected from 5 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes, with 7 minutes being the preferred value. The silkworm egg paper is removed from the disinfection solution, rinsed with clean water, and then air-dried for 30 minutes. After the silkworm egg paper is dried, it is placed in an environment with a temperature of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 80% to 85% for 10 days to promote germination. On the 8th day of the germination process, the silkworm egg paper is wrapped in white paper and placed in a dark environment until 2 hours before the ants are harvested on the 10th day. Then, the light source is turned on to expose the silkworm egg paper to light.

[0056] During the process, electrical stimulation ensures that silkworm eggs are evenly stimulated, disinfection prevents microbial contamination, and the priming environment promotes embryonic development. The entire process is executed sequentially and is simple to operate.

[0057] This invention employs electrical stimulation and standardized post-treatment to avoid chemical pollution, improve safety and operability, and solve environmental pollution and health risk problems.

[0058] According to another embodiment of the present invention, after the natural air-drying step, a refrigeration step is further included, in which the air-dried silkworm seed paper is stored in an environment with a temperature of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 75% to 85%. The specific temperature values ​​can be 4 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, and 6 degrees Celsius, with 5 degrees Celsius being the preferred value; the specific humidity values ​​can be 75%, 80%, and 85%. The storage time can be adjusted according to the production plan, typically within 35 days.

[0059] During the process, refrigeration stabilizes the physiological state of silkworm eggs, extends their shelf life, and facilitates subsequent hatching arrangements. The storage environment utilizes temperature and humidity control equipment to ensure constant conditions.

[0060] Example 1 7532 silkworm eggs (framed eggs) 20 hours post-laying were placed in the silkworm egg processing end of the fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device of this invention. The discharge pen was perpendicular to the center of the first moth ring of the silkworm eggs, and the machine was turned on. The operating procedure was as follows: the discharge pen stayed for 1 minute, then slid along the X-axis 4.5 cm towards the next moth ring of eggs, stayed for 1 minute, and so on. The Z-axis slid to the edge, kept stationary, and slid along the Y-axis 4.0 cm towards the next moth ring of eggs, stayed for 1 minute, then slid along the X-axis 4.5 cm towards the next moth ring of eggs, stayed for 1 minute, and so on, until all silkworm eggs were processed. The program ended, and the machine automatically stopped. The processed silkworm eggs were removed and soaked in a bleaching powder solution containing 1% available chlorine for 5 minutes. They were then rinsed with clean water, dried, and placed in an environment of 26°C and 83% relative humidity for incubation. After the silkworm eggs turn green, wrap them in white paper folded to the size of the egg sheet, keeping them in darkness. Two hours before collecting the eggs, turn on the light to expose them to light, collect the eggs, and investigate the actual hatching rate. A whole sheet of eggs yielded 28 silkworm moths, with each moth achieving an actual hatching rate of over 98%. (See also...) Figure 5 The results of the frame-based seed production experiment shown indicate that the frame-based seed production involves a single circle of silkworm egg paper containing an egg ring laid by a moth within a circle, and the hatching results are obtained by processing the egg ring using the device and method of this invention.

[0061] Example 2 Ten days postpartum, the Liangguang No. 2 orthogonal silkworm eggs (flat-bonded eggs) were placed in a 5℃ refrigerator for 60 days and then placed at the silkworm egg processing end of the fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device of this invention. The fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device used does not include a micro-ion wind cleaner or a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module. See [link / reference]. Figure 3As shown, the discharge pen is held perpendicularly to the edge of the silkworm eggs, 3.0 cm away, and the machine is turned on. The operating procedure is as follows: the discharge pen stays for 1 minute, then slides 3.0 cm along the X-axis towards the silkworm eggs, stays for 1 minute, and so on. The Z-axis slides to the edge, remains stationary, and the Y-axis slides 3.0 cm towards the next layer of eggs, stays for 1 minute, then slides 3.0 cm along the X-axis towards the next layer of eggs, stays for 1 minute, and so on, until all silkworm eggs have been processed. The program ends, and the machine automatically stops. The processed silkworm eggs are then soaked in a bleaching powder solution containing 1% available chlorine for 5 minutes, rinsed with clean water, and dried. They are then placed in an environment of 27℃ and 82% relative humidity to promote hatching. After the silkworm eggs turn green, they are wrapped in paper folded to the size of the silkworm egg paper, covered in darkness, and exposed to light for 2 hours before collection. The actual hatching rate is then investigated. The actual hatching rate of the whole sheet of flat-attached eggs reaches 97%.

[0062] In the flat-plate hatching experiment, the left side shows the result obtained by the device and method of this invention. It can be seen that the hatching is relatively uniform across the entire plate, with all eggs having white shells. The right side shows the plate treated with an electric field using a multi-electrode needle array electrode plate (see [link to invention]). Figure 4 The electrode plates of the multi-electrode needle array shown are used to stimulate the same points for 1 minute. See [link to documentation]. Figure 6 The experimental results show that there are always some gaps in the middle of the cardboard on the right that are difficult to process. The black eggs have not hatched, and only the white ones have hatched. There are always many gaps in the middle that have not been processed, which shows that the electrode plate of the multi-electrode needle array using the existing technology has poor uniformity.

[0063] Example 3 The fully automatic single-needle movable silkworm egg electrostimulation device of the present invention was implemented. The output voltage of the high-voltage electrostatic generator was set to 9 kV, and the vertical distance between the tip of the discharge pen and the metal mesh was adjusted to 1.0 cm. The metal mesh was made of stainless steel with a mesh size of 1 cm × 1 cm. The test used silkworm eggs of variety 932 (flat-feathered eggs), and the stimulation was performed within 24 hours postpartum.

[0064] During three consecutive batches of treatment, the following data were recorded: the operating current of the discharge pen fluctuated within ±0.05 microamps; the difference in incubation time between different areas (central and peripheral areas) of the treated silkworm egg paper was less than 2 hours; the incubation status of the entire silkworm egg paper showed that the development progress of the central and peripheral areas was basically consistent. Statistical analysis showed that the incubation results of the three batches were stable, and no obvious developmental delays were observed in any area.

[0065] During device operation, the field strength maintenance system remained effective. After each cleaning cycle, no visible contaminants adhered to the tip of the discharge pen. The closed-loop field strength monitoring module was calibrated every 10 points, and the recorded field strength fluctuations ranged from 8.95 to 10.05 kV / cm.

[0066] Comparative Example 1 In this comparative example, the metal mesh was replaced with a solid metal plate, while all other conditions remained exactly the same as in Example 3. A significantly different discharge phenomenon was observed during the test: a concentrated discharge channel was formed between the discharge pen and the metal plate, with current fluctuations ranging from ±0.15 microamps.

[0067] The treated silkworm egg paper showed regional differences: the hatching time in the central area was about 15 hours earlier than that in the peripheral areas, while some silkworm eggs in the peripheral areas showed significantly delayed development. Three batches of repeated tests all showed similar patterns, with significant differences in developmental progress between the central and peripheral areas.

[0068] By comparing the data of Example 3 and Comparative Example 1, the metal mesh structure shows a clear advantage in improving the uniformity of electric field distribution, specifically in reducing current fluctuations and regional development differences.

[0069] Comparative Example 2 This comparative example removed the micro ion air cleaner, and all other conditions were the same as in Example 3. During continuous processing, dust was observed to gradually accumulate on the tip of the discharge pen, and by the fourth batch, obvious contaminants were visible on the tip.

[0070] Current stability decreased with increasing batch size: the current fluctuation was ±0.06 μA in the first batch, expanding to ±0.12 μA in the fourth batch. Correspondingly, hatching uniformity also showed a decreasing trend, with regional hatching time differences increasing to over 10 hours in the fourth batch.

[0071] Experimental results show that the absence of a cleaning system leads to a gradual deterioration in processing stability over time, affecting the repeatability of the processing effect.

[0072] Comparative Example 3 This comparative example removes the closed-loop electric field strength monitoring and compensation module, while other conditions remain the same as in Example 3. During a continuous 6-hour test, the ambient temperature and humidity fluctuated naturally, and the recorded electric field strength value gradually decreased from the initial 9.00 kV / cm to 8.75 kV / cm.

[0073] The corresponding treatment results show that the incubation time of the edge area of ​​the silkworm seed paper treated in the later stage was delayed by about 12 hours compared with the central area, while the difference in the silkworm seed paper areas treated in Example 3 within the same time period remained within 2 hours.

[0074] The results show that the absence of the field strength compensation module will cause the processing parameters to drift, affecting the stability of long-term operation.

[0075] Experimental conditions: Tests in Example 3 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were conducted in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 25±2℃ and 75±5% relative humidity. Each test group used silkworm eggs of the same batch (932 variety), and the silkworm egg paper was uniformly 20 cm × 40 cm in size. Current data were collected using a precision ammeter connected in series in the circuit, with a sampling frequency of 1 time / second. Hatching time was recorded based on 50% of the silkworm eggs entering the hatching stage.

[0076] Through the above comparative experiments, Example 3 demonstrates advantages in processing uniformity and stability, specifically smaller current fluctuations, more consistent regional development progress, and better batch repeatability.

[0077] The field strength maintenance system of this invention (including a miniature ion wind cleaner and a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module) is not absolutely necessary in all processing scenarios, but it plays a crucial role in continuous large-scale operations. For short-duration or small-batch processing (such as in Examples 1 and 2), when environmental conditions are stable and the discharge pen is only lightly contaminated, the device can achieve good results without field strength maintenance. However, in large-scale industrial production, the device needs to run continuously for hours or even days. During this time, the discharge pen tip is prone to dust accumulation or electrolytic corrosion due to corona discharge, leading to fluctuations in electric field strength and a decrease in stimulation effect. Simultaneously, changes in ambient temperature and humidity also affect the electric field distribution. The field strength maintenance system, through automatic cleaning and real-time calibration, effectively maintains electric field stability, ensuring the consistency and repeatability of the processing results.

[0078] To demonstrate its necessity, we conducted a comparative experiment: After continuously processing 10 batches of silkworm egg paper (each batch 20cm×40cm), the device without the field strength maintenance system showed obvious contaminants at the tip of the discharge pen, current fluctuations increased from ±0.05㎂ to ±0.15㎂, and the hatching rate decreased from 98% to 90%. In contrast, the device using the field strength maintenance system maintained current fluctuations within ±0.05㎂, and the hatching rate remained stable above 98%. Therefore, the field strength maintenance system is indispensable for large-scale continuous operations, significantly improving the reliability and production efficiency of the equipment.

[0079] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. It can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. Further modifications can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrical stimulation device, characterized in that, Includes a high-voltage electrostatic generator; the output voltage range of the high-voltage electrostatic generator is 5 kV to 30 kV; The device also includes a controller, a three-axis motion support, a discharge pen, and a silkworm egg processing end; The three-axis motion support consists of an X-axis sliding rod, a Y-axis sliding rod, and a Z-axis sliding rod; the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis sliding rods are driven by stepper motors or servo motors, and are driven to perform linear motion through a lead screw mechanism. The controller is a programmable logic controller or an embedded microcontroller, and is electrically connected to the stepper motor or servo motor; The discharge pen is fixedly mounted on the slider of the Z-axis moving slide rod by a clamp made of insulating material; the high voltage output terminal of the high voltage electrostatic generator is electrically connected to the tip of the discharge pen. The silkworm egg processing end is a metal mesh with an area greater than or equal to that of the silkworm egg paper. The metal mesh is positioned directly below the discharge pen and perpendicular to the tip of the discharge pen, and is used to support the silkworm egg paper on which silkworm eggs are laid. The metal mesh is connected to the grounding terminal of the high-voltage electrostatic generator. The vertical distance between the tip of the discharge pen and the metal mesh at the silkworm egg treatment end is adjustable via a Z-axis sliding rod, with an adjustment range of 0.5 cm to 10.0 cm.

2. The fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three-axis motion support is mounted on a base, which is an acrylic plate.

3. The fully automatic single-needle movable silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller controls the rotation direction and speed of the motors by sending pulse signals to the motor drivers of each axis; the controller has pre-stored control programs corresponding to different types of silkworms, and the control programs define the movement sequence, movement distance and movement speed of the discharge pen in three-dimensional space. The controller executes the control program to coordinate the movement combination of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, so that the discharge pen moves along a preset two-dimensional plane trajectory and maintains a constant vertical distance between it and the silkworm seed processing end.

4. The fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The different silkworm breed types include frame-type breeds and flat-attached breeds; for frame-type breeds, the distance the discharge pen moves between the centers of adjacent moth circles is 4 to 5 centimeters, and for flat-attached breeds, the distance the discharge pen moves between adjacent stimulation points is 3 to 4 centimeters; the discharge pen stays at each stimulation point for more than 40 seconds.

5. The fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control program controls the discharge pen to cover the entire sheet of silkworm seed paper in a line-by-line or column-by-column scanning path.

6. The fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The process by which the controller executes the control program includes: Initialization steps: Control the three-axis motion support to move the discharge pen to the preset starting point above the silkworm egg processing end; Parameter loading steps: Based on the type of silkworm selected by the operator, the corresponding pre-stored control parameters are retrieved from the controller's internal memory. The control parameters include the moving distance between adjacent points, the moving speed of the discharge pen, the dwell time at each point, and the scanning path mode. Scanning execution steps: Control the discharge pen to move in a two-dimensional plane in a row-by-row or column-by-column manner according to the loaded scanning path mode; when it moves to each preset stimulation point, the controller pauses the planar movement of the discharge pen and starts the internal timer, while triggering the high-voltage electrostatic generator to work; when the timer reaches the predetermined dwell time, the controller turns off the high-voltage electrostatic generator and controls the discharge pen to move to the next stimulation point.

7. The fully automatic single-needle moving silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a field strength maintenance system integrated into the tip of the discharge pen, the system comprising: Miniature ion air cleaner: It is mounted on the clamp and the air outlet is directed at the tip area of ​​the discharge pen. The miniature ion air cleaner is configured to be triggered by the controller during the gaps in the movement of the discharge pen between stimulation points to spray out a clean compressed air stream to blow away the dust attached to the tip.

8. The fully automatic single-needle movable silkworm egg electrostimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The field strength maintenance system also includes a closed-loop field strength monitoring and compensation module: it includes a field strength sensor disposed at the edge of the metal mesh, the field strength sensor being communicatively connected to the controller; the controller is configured to: during the scanning execution step, at every predetermined number of stimulation points, control the discharge pen to move directly above the field strength sensor to perform a reference field strength measurement; if the measured value is lower than a preset field strength threshold, the controller slightly increases the output voltage of the high-voltage electrostatic generator by a preset step size until the field strength measurement value recovers to the threshold range.

9. A method for relieving diapause using the fully automatic single-needle mobile silkworm egg electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: Place the silkworm egg paper covered with silkworm eggs flat on the metal mesh at the silkworm egg treatment end, with the discharge pen perpendicular to the starting position. The starting device and controller control the three-axis motion support to drive the discharge pen to move according to the set program, while the high-voltage electrostatic generator supplies power to the discharge pen at the same time. During its operation, the discharge pen stimulates the silkworm eggs on the metal mesh below it with discharge until the entire sheet of silkworm eggs is processed, at which point the device automatically stops operating. Soak the treated silkworm seed paper in a bleaching powder solution containing 1% available chlorine or a formaldehyde solution containing 2% formaldehyde for 5 to 10 minutes for disinfection. Remove the silkworm egg paper from the disinfectant solution, rinse it with clean water, and let it air dry for 30 minutes. Place the dried silkworm egg paper in an environment with a temperature of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 80% to 85% for 10 days to promote germination. On the 8th day of the germination process, wrap the silkworm egg paper in white paper and place it in a dark environment until 2 hours before harvesting the ants on the 10th day, then turn on the light source for light exposure.

10. The method for relieving diapause according to claim 9, characterized in that, Following the natural air-drying step, a refrigeration step is also included, in which the air-dried silkworm seed paper is stored in an environment with a temperature of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 75% to 85%.

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