An automatic feeding device suitable for marine net cage culture

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture, belonging to the field of aquaculture automation technology. The device includes a rotatable chassis and a cylinder. A set of fixed magnets is arranged in a ring on the inner side of the cylinder, and a trigger rod is located at the center of the shaft. A centrifugal adjustment module is connected below the trigger rod to adjust the magnetic coupling strength. The chassis rotates under the influence of water flow through guide vanes, which in turn drives the centrifugal adjustment module. The magnetic slider changes its distance from the fixed magnets under centrifugal force, thereby dynamically adjusting the magnetic coupling strength. When feeding, the trigger rod decouples the magnetic coupling, releasing the chassis through a spring preload assembly, thus dispensing the feed. The device can automatically adjust the feeding force according to the water flow speed, increasing the force in strong currents and decreasing it in weak currents to ensure accurate feed dispersion. This invention features intelligence and strong adaptability, making it particularly suitable for nearshore cage aquaculture scenarios with frequent tidal changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aquaculture automation technology, specifically to an automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, marine cage aquaculture has become one of the important methods of aquaculture, especially in nearshore and deep-sea aquaculture. However, traditional feeding methods mainly rely on manual operation or simple mechanical feeding devices, which have many shortcomings. Manual feeding is not only labor-intensive and inefficient, but also difficult to achieve precise feeding, easily leading to feed waste and water pollution. US10798925B1 provides a magnetic feed release device for safely storing live bait and remotely releasing it at a target location. Although existing mechanical feeding devices reduce the manual burden to some extent, their feeding force and frequency are often fixed and cannot adapt to the complex and variable water flow conditions in the marine environment, especially in nearshore areas with frequent tidal changes. In strong water flow environments, the bait is prone to insufficient impact force to spread effectively, resulting in uneven feeding; while in weak water flow conditions, the bait may sink too quickly due to excessive release force, affecting the feeding effect of fish. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic feeding device that can automatically adjust the feeding force according to the water flow environment, achieve precise delivery, and is energy-efficient, in order to improve the intelligence level and economic benefits of marine cage aquaculture. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture, which achieves intelligent matching between the release force and the water flow velocity through magnetic spacing adjustment.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention specifically provides the following technical solution: An automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture includes a chassis and a cylinder. The chassis is rotatable and cooperates with the cylinder above it. A fixed magnet group is arranged in a ring on the inner side of the cylinder. A trigger rod is provided at the center of the cylinder to release the magnetic coupling during feeding. A centrifugal adjustment module is connected below the trigger rod. The centrifugal adjustment module is used to adjust the magnetic coupling strength and is connected to the chassis through a spring preload assembly.

[0005] This invention achieves intelligent matching between bait release force and water flow environment through the magnetic coupling structure of the rotatable chassis and the cylinder. Under strong water flow conditions, the device automatically increases the bait release force to ensure that the bait can overcome the impact force of the water flow and spread effectively. Under weak water flow conditions, the device reduces the release force accordingly to achieve slow release control of the bait. The automatic feeding mechanism works as follows: The chassis rotates with the water flow, driving the centrifugal adjustment module to rotate. The rotation speed is approximately proportional to the water flow velocity. Under the action of centrifugal force, the displacement of the magnetic slider of the centrifugal adjustment module changes, thereby changing the magnetic distance between the fixed magnet group and the magnetic slider. When the water flow velocity is low, the centrifugal force is small, the distance between the fixed magnet group and the magnetic slider is large, and the magnetic force is weak. When the water flow velocity is high, the centrifugal force is large, the distance between the fixed magnet group and the magnetic slider is small, and the magnetic force is strong. When feeding is needed, the trigger rod compresses the spring preload assembly to increase the distance between the fixed magnet group and the magnetic slider to decouple the magnetic coupling. The spring preload assembly accumulates elastic potential energy, causing the chassis to pop out and feed. When the water flow velocity is low, the chassis can pop out and feed with a small amount of compression of the spring preload assembly. When the water flow velocity is high, the spring preload assembly needs to be compressed until the distance between the fixed magnet group and the magnetic slider is large enough to make the chassis pop out. At this time, the elastic potential energy accumulated by the spring preload assembly is greater than that at low flow velocities, and the feeding force is also increased accordingly. This design significantly improves the adaptability and accuracy of the feeding device, making it particularly suitable for nearshore cage aquaculture scenarios with frequent tidal changes.

[0006] Specifically, the centrifugal adjustment module includes at least two magnetic sliders arranged around the axis of the cylinder and moving radially under centrifugal force. The magnetic sliders are symmetrically distributed to ensure torque balance and avoid uneven loading and jamming caused by single-point force. The radial displacement of the magnetic sliders under centrifugal force is positively correlated with the water flow velocity, which is converted into a gradient change in magnetic coupling strength through the arrangement of the fixed magnet group and the magnetic sliders.

[0007] Specifically, the magnetic slider is reset by a spring damping system.

[0008] Specifically, guide vanes are connected to the bottom of the chassis, and the chassis is driven to rotate by the impact of water flow on the guide vanes. The guide vanes connected to the bottom of the chassis convert the kinetic energy of the water into rotational power, forming a closed-loop response mechanism of "flow velocity-magnetic force" in combination with the centrifugal adjustment module.

[0009] Specifically, a driver is connected above the trigger rod, and the driver is used to control the axial movement of the trigger rod. The connection between the trigger rod and the driver is a rotatable connection. The axial movement of the trigger rod is servo-controlled, which can precisely adjust the compression of the spring preload assembly, thereby controlling the force and timing of bait release. A cover is provided on the top of the cylinder, and the cover is movably connected to the trigger rod.

[0010] Specifically, the driver is equipped with a mechanical timing device and / or a wireless signal receiving module. The driver can preset the feeding frequency through the mechanical timing device or receive remote commands through the wireless signal receiving module to meet the intelligent needs of different aquaculture models.

[0011] Specifically, the cylinder contains at least two feed compartments. These multiple feed compartments allow for zoned storage and alternating feed delivery. Each compartment can store different types or formulas of feed to meet the nutritional needs of the cultured organisms at different growth stages. The compartmentalized structure prevents feed mixing and spoilage, extending storage time. In actual operation, the device can sequentially activate each compartment according to a preset program, ensuring the diversity and balance of feed delivery. This design also facilitates quantitative feeding management, and the independent capacity control of each compartment effectively prevents feed waste. The multi-compartment structure significantly extends the continuous operating time of the device, reduces the frequency of manual feed replenishment, and is suitable for deep-sea cage aquaculture applications far from the shoreline.

[0012] Specifically, the centrifugal adjustment module includes a magnetic compensation spring and a limiting mechanism. The magnetic compensation spring maintains minimum magnetic coupling force when the centrifugal force is insufficient, preventing accidental release. The limiting mechanism constrains the maximum displacement of the magnetic slider, preventing release failure due to excessively small magnetic spacing and preventing failure to disengage the magnetic coupling due to excessive magnetic coupling force under high-speed water flow. The magnetic compensation spring and limiting mechanism enable the device to maintain stable performance under extreme hydrological conditions, such as typhoons or rapid currents, and ensure normal operation.

[0013] Preferably, the chassis is equipped with a rotation speed sensor, and the centrifugal adjustment module includes a speed-magnetic mapping module for pre-storing the optimal magnetic spacing corresponding to different rotation speeds. The speed-magnetic mapping module enables intelligent matching of bait release force with water flow velocity. The system has a learning optimization function, which can continuously correct control parameters based on historical data to gradually improve release accuracy.

[0014] Preferably, the centrifugal adjustment module includes a magnetic force feedback component for adjusting the magnetic coupling strength based on the displacement of the centrifugal slider. The magnetic force feedback component includes a variable reluctance mechanism or a magnetic flux adjustment plate. The variable reluctance mechanism or magnetic flux adjustment plate can precisely fine-tune the distribution and intensity of the magnetic field based on the real-time displacement of the magnetic slider. This instant feedback mechanism compensates for the influence of factors such as mechanical wear and temperature changes on the magnetic characteristics, ensuring stable performance output throughout different usage cycles. The system can automatically optimize the adjustment strategy based on feedback data to achieve optimal matching between the bait release force and the water flow environment.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The automatic feeding device utilizes a water-driven centrifugal adjustment module to dynamically adjust the magnetic coupling strength, automatically adjusting the feeding force according to the water flow velocity. The force is increased in strong water flow and decreased in weak water flow, ensuring precise feed dispersion and significantly improving feed utilization and aquaculture efficiency. The cylinder contains multiple feed compartments, supporting zoned storage and alternating feeding to meet diverse feeding needs at different aquaculture stages. The introduction of a speed sensor and magnetic feedback components further optimizes control precision. This invention features intelligence and strong adaptability, making it particularly suitable for nearshore cage aquaculture scenarios with frequent tidal changes. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an automatic feeding device for marine cage aquaculture according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the shell described in Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the magnet described in Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding device of the present invention before it is triggered.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding device of the present invention when it is triggered.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding device of the present invention after it is triggered.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-chassis; 11-magnetic slider; 12-spring preload assembly; 2-cylinder; 21-bait compartment; 22-trigger rod; 23-cover; 24-driver; 25-fixed magnet assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The concepts involved in this application will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following descriptions of various concepts are only for the purpose of making the content of this application easier to understand and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application; furthermore, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] Example 1 An automatic feeding device suitable for marine cage aquaculture includes a chassis 1 and a cylinder 2. The chassis 1 is rotatable and cooperates with the cylinder 2 above it. The inner side of the cylinder 2 is provided with a ring of fixed magnets 25, and a trigger rod 22 is provided on the axis to release the magnetic coupling when feeding. A centrifugal adjustment module is connected below the trigger rod 22. The centrifugal adjustment module is used to adjust the magnetic coupling strength and is connected to the chassis 1 through a spring preload assembly 12.

[0028] This invention achieves intelligent matching between bait release force and water flow environment through the magnetic coupling structure of the rotatable chassis 1 and the cylinder 2. Under strong water flow conditions, the device automatically increases the bait release force to ensure that the bait can overcome the impact force of the water flow and effectively diffuse. Under weak water flow conditions, the device correspondingly reduces the release force to achieve slow release control of the bait. The specific implementation of automatic feeding is as follows: The chassis 1 rotates with the water flow, driving the centrifugal adjustment module to rotate. The rotation speed is approximately proportional to the water flow velocity. Under the action of centrifugal force, the displacement of the magnetic slider 11 of the centrifugal adjustment module changes, thereby changing the magnetic distance between the fixed magnet group 25 and the magnetic slider 11. When the water flow velocity is low, the centrifugal force is small, the fixed magnet group 25 and the magnetic slider 11 are far apart, and the magnetic force is weak. When the water flow velocity is high, the centrifugal force is large, the fixed magnet group 25 and the magnetic slider 11 are close together, and the magnetic force is strong. When feeding is needed, the trigger rod 22 is pressed. The spring preload assembly 12 increases the distance between the fixed magnet assembly 25 and the magnetic slider 11 to decouple the magnetic coupling. The spring preload assembly 12 accumulates elastic potential energy, causing the base 1 to pop out for feeding. At low water flow rates, the base 1 can be popped out for feeding with a small amount of compression of the spring preload assembly 12. At high water flow rates, the spring preload assembly 12 needs to be compressed until the distance between the fixed magnet assembly 25 and the magnetic slider 11 is sufficiently large to cause the base 1 to pop out. At this point, the elastic potential energy accumulated by the spring preload assembly 12 is greater than at lower flow rates, and the feeding force is correspondingly increased. This design significantly improves the adaptability and accuracy of the feeding device, and is especially suitable for nearshore cage aquaculture scenarios with frequent tidal changes.

[0029] Specifically, the centrifugal adjustment module includes at least two magnetic sliders 11, which are arranged around the axis of the cylinder 2 and move radially under the action of centrifugal force. The magnetic sliders 11 are symmetrically distributed to ensure torque balance and avoid uneven loading and jamming caused by single-point force. The radial displacement of the magnetic sliders 11 under centrifugal force is positively correlated with the water flow velocity, which is converted into a gradient change in magnetic coupling strength through the arrangement of the fixed magnet group 25 and the magnetic sliders 11.

[0030] Specifically, the magnetic slider 11 is reset by a spring damping system.

[0031] Specifically, guide vanes are connected to the bottom of the chassis 1, and the chassis 1 is driven to rotate by the impact of water flow on the guide vanes. The guide vanes connected to the bottom of the chassis 1 convert the kinetic energy of the water into rotational power, forming a closed-loop response mechanism of "flow velocity-magnetic force" in combination with the centrifugal adjustment module.

[0032] Specifically, a driver 24 is connected above the trigger rod 22, and the driver 24 is used to control the axial movement of the trigger rod 22. The connection between the trigger rod 22 and the driver 24 is a rotatable connection. The axial movement of the trigger rod 22 is servo-controlled, which can precisely adjust the compression of the spring preload assembly 12, thereby controlling the force and timing of bait release. A cover 23 is provided above the cylinder 2, and the cover 23 is movably connected to the trigger rod 22.

[0033] Specifically, the driver 24 is equipped with a mechanical timing device and / or a wireless signal receiving module. The driver 24 can preset the feeding frequency through the mechanical timing device or receive remote commands through the wireless signal receiving module to meet the intelligent needs of different aquaculture models.

[0034] Specifically, the cylindrical body 2 is equipped with at least two feed compartments 21. The multiple feed compartments 21 within the cylindrical body 2 enable zoned storage and alternating feeding of feed. Each feed compartment 21 can store different types or formulas of feed to meet the nutritional needs of the cultured organisms at different growth stages. The compartmentalized structure prevents feed mixing and spoilage, extending storage time. In actual operation, the device can sequentially activate each compartment according to a preset program, ensuring the diversity and balance of feed distribution. This design also facilitates quantitative feeding management, and the independent capacity control of each compartment effectively prevents feed waste. The multi-compartment structure significantly extends the continuous operating time of the device, reduces the frequency of manual feeding, and is suitable for deep-sea cage aquaculture applications far from the shoreline.

[0035] Specifically, the centrifugal adjustment module includes a magnetic compensation spring and a limiting mechanism. The magnetic compensation spring maintains minimum magnetic coupling force when the centrifugal force is insufficient, preventing accidental release. The limiting mechanism constrains the maximum displacement of the magnetic slider 11, preventing release failure due to excessively small magnetic spacing and preventing failure to disengage the magnetic coupling due to excessive magnetic coupling force under high-speed water flow. The magnetic compensation spring and limiting mechanism enable the device to maintain stable performance under extreme hydrological conditions, such as typhoons or rapid currents, and ensure normal operation.

[0036] Preferably, the chassis 1 is equipped with a rotation speed sensor, and the centrifugal adjustment module includes a speed-magnetic mapping module for pre-storing the optimal magnetic spacing corresponding to different rotation speeds. The speed-magnetic mapping module enables intelligent matching of bait release force with water flow velocity. The system has a learning optimization function, which can continuously correct control parameters based on historical data to gradually improve release accuracy.

[0037] Preferably, the centrifugal adjustment module includes a magnetic force feedback component for adjusting the magnetic coupling strength based on the displacement of the centrifugal slider. The magnetic force feedback component includes a variable reluctance mechanism or a magnetic flux adjustment plate. The variable reluctance mechanism or magnetic flux adjustment plate can precisely fine-tune the distribution and intensity of the magnetic field based on the real-time displacement of the magnetic slider 11. This instant feedback mechanism compensates for the influence of factors such as mechanical wear and temperature changes on the magnetic characteristics, ensuring stable performance output throughout different usage cycles. The system can automatically optimize the adjustment strategy based on feedback data to achieve optimal matching between the bait release force and the water flow environment.

[0038] Example 2 A chassis reset system is provided based on Embodiment 1: The spring preload assembly 12 is a bidirectional torsion spring mechanism, which is symmetrically arranged between the chassis 1 and the cylinder 2 to provide mechanical reset torque. The edge of the chassis 1 is provided with a reset magnetic ring, which forms a repulsive field with the corresponding magnetic pole at the bottom of the cylinder 2. The reset magnetic ring is fitted with a magnetorheological fluid damping adjustment cavity on the outside, which is used to dynamically adjust the reset damping.

[0039] The bidirectional torsion spring mechanism comprises at least two sets of symmetrically distributed helical torsion springs.

[0040] The reset magnetic ring is made of neodymium magnet material with alternating N and S poles. The outer periphery of the magnetic ring is filled with magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field strength is controlled by the rotation speed of the centrifugal adjustment module, which dynamically adjusts the reset damping. The higher the rotation speed, the greater the damping, thus avoiding reset impact during high-speed rotation.

[0041] The automatic feeding device chassis reset system provided by this invention adopts a synergistic design of mechanical and magnetic forces to achieve a highly efficient and stable reset function. Symmetrically arranged torsion springs provide a balanced mechanical reset force, while the magnetic ring structure generates a controllable magnetic repulsion force to assist in reset. Through intelligent adjustment of the magnetorheological fluid damping system, the system can automatically adjust its reset characteristics according to the working state, effectively suppressing impact vibrations while ensuring rapid reset, thus adapting to the complex working conditions of the marine environment.

[0042] It should be noted that the terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. As shown in this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, words such as "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not specifically refer to the singular and may include the plural. The terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0043] It should also be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and 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 on this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "linked," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] The embodiments and / or implementation methods described above are merely preferred embodiments and / or implementation methods for implementing the technology of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods of the technology of the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications to other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical means disclosed in the content of the present invention, but these should still be regarded as the technology or embodiments that are substantially the same as the present invention. This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that due to the limitations of written expression, while there are objectively infinite specific structures, those skilled in the art can make several improvements, modifications, or changes without departing from the principles of this application, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, changes, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic feeder suitable for use in marine net cage farming, comprising a base plate (1) and a cylinder (2), characterized in that, The chassis (1) is rotatable and cooperates with the upper cylinder (2). A fixed magnet assembly (25) is arranged in a ring on the inner side of the cylinder (2). A trigger rod (22) is provided at the center of the cylinder to release the magnetic coupling during baiting. A centrifugal adjustment module is connected below the trigger rod (22). The centrifugal adjustment module is used to adjust the magnetic coupling strength and is connected to the chassis (1) via a spring preload assembly (12). The cylinder (2) contains at least two bait compartments (21). The centrifugal adjustment module includes at least two magnetic sliders (11). The magnetic sliders (11) are arranged around the axis of the cylinder (2) and move radially under centrifugal force. The chassis ( 1) The bottom is connected to the guide vane, and the chassis (1) is driven to rotate by the water flow impacting the guide vane. The trigger rod (22) is connected to the driver (24) above. The driver (24) is used to control the axial movement of the trigger rod (22). The centrifugal adjustment module also includes a magnetic compensation spring and a limiting mechanism. The chassis (1) is provided with a speed sensor. The centrifugal adjustment module includes a speed-magnetic mapping module, which is used to pre-store the optimal magnetic spacing corresponding to different speeds. The centrifugal adjustment module also includes a magnetic intensity feedback component, which is used to adjust the magnetic coupling intensity according to the displacement of the centrifugal slider. The magnetic intensity feedback component includes a variable reluctance mechanism or a magnetic flux adjustment plate.

2. An automatic feeder suitable for use in a marine net cage according to claim 1, characterized in that The magnetic slider (11) is reset by a spring damping system.

3. An automatic feeder suitable for use in a marine net cage according to claim 1, characterized in that The driver (24) is equipped with a mechanical timing device and / or a wireless signal receiving module.

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