Aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device

Abstract

The invention discloses an aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device which comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle, a connecting mechanism, a sampling piece and a recycling assembly, personnel use the unmanned aerial vehicle to release the sampling piece above a target water area on the shore, and after the sampling piece is released, the personnel control the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly back to the position where the personnel on the shore are located; according to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the recovery piece is detached from the unmanned aerial vehicle by a person, after collection is carried out for a certain time, the collection piece in the water area is dragged back to the shoreside by a shoreside person through dragging of the first traction cable, so that a collection task is completed, and the collection piece does not need to be dragged by overcoming underwater resistance through power of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the process; only the unmanned aerial vehicle executes the throwing process of the collection piece, the demand and burden on the power of the unmanned aerial vehicle are reduced, the throwing range is farther, the cost is lower, recycling is safer, and the process defects existing when the unmanned aerial vehicle is used for collecting plankton in the prior art are overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plankton collection equipment, and more specifically to a device for collecting and preserving aquatic organism samples. Background Technology

[0002] In aquatic biological research, the collection and survey of plankton is a common research method. The most commonly used plankton collection device is the plankton collection net, which is a conical net bag with a collection tank at one end with a smaller diameter. By casting the collection net into the water and dragging it (horizontally, obliquely, or vertically) or leaving it still, the collection net can filter out the plankton in the water and rely on the geometric characteristics of the conical net bag to flow into the collection tank to complete the collection.

[0003] In existing technologies, some research projects require the collection and survey of plankton at different areas and depths of a body of water. Some areas are located in waters far from the shore, such as the central part of a lake or the ocean. In these projects, the deployment of samples relies on manned watercraft to carry personnel. This process is arduous, costly, and risky for personnel. Therefore, some existing technologies use unmanned aerial vehicles (or other remotely controlled aerostats, such as air balloons with propulsion guidance devices) to carry samples to the target water area for collection.

[0004] In the aforementioned existing technology, when a drone carries a collection device, it needs to hover during the collection process and rely on its own power to pull the device out of the water and back to the shore. This process, requiring the drone to accompany the entire deployment, collection, and retrieval process, consumes a significant amount of energy, increases costs, and limits the drone's range. Furthermore, when pulling the collection net out of the water, the net, which collects plankton through a sieve with fine mesh, encounters considerable resistance, further increasing the demands on the drone and its energy consumption. Therefore, a new method for collecting aquatic biological samples is needed that optimizes the collection process while using drones for assistance, overcoming the drawbacks of existing drone-based collection technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems in the prior art and provide an aquatic biological sample collection and preservation device that can optimize the collection process while using drones for assisted collection, and overcome the drawbacks of drone collection in the prior art.

[0006] This invention provides a device for collecting and preserving aquatic organism samples, comprising:

[0007] The drone, the connecting mechanism, and the sampling component are connected to the bottom of the drone via the connecting mechanism.

[0008] Recyclable components, including:

[0009] Recyclable components, detachably connected to the drone;

[0010] The first traction cable has its upper end connected to the recovery component and its lower end connected to the sampling component.

[0011] The connecting mechanism includes:

[0012] The clamping component is mounted on the drone and is used to clamp / release the sampling component.

[0013] Furthermore, the recycling assembly also includes: a first take-up roller rotatably connected to the recycling component, one end of a first traction cable connected to the first take-up roller, and the first traction cable being able to be wound onto the first take-up roller;

[0014] When the first traction cable is pulled, the first take-up roller rotates, thereby gradually releasing the first traction cable wound on it.

[0015] Furthermore, the recycled items include:

[0016] The first housing is detachably connected to the lower part of the drone. The first housing has an opening and a first through hole. The upper end of the first traction cable is located inside the first housing and the lower end is located outside the first housing. The first traction cable passes through the first through hole.

[0017] A movable cover is detachably connected to the opening of the first housing;

[0018] The connecting part is detachably connected to the inside of the first housing, and the first take-up roller is rotatably connected to the connecting part.

[0019] Furthermore, the sampling device includes a plankton sampling net and a weighted component, with the weighted component connected to the lower part of the plankton sampling net;

[0020] The recycled components also include:

[0021] The upper part of the float is fixedly connected to the lower end of the first traction cable, and the float can float on the water surface;

[0022] A first rotating motor is mounted on the floating component, and the first rotating motor has a rotatable output shaft;

[0023] The second take-up roller is coaxially connected to the output shaft;

[0024] The second traction cable has its upper end fixedly connected to the second take-up roller, and its lower end connected to the upper part of the plankton sampling net.

[0025] Furthermore, the clamping component includes multiple clamping arms, each of which can rotate in a vertical plane to clamp the sample.

[0026] The clamping arm has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion is located at the end of the clamping arm away from the drone and is used to abut against the collection component to clamp the collection component. The second contact portion is closer to the drone than the first contact portion and is used to abut against the floating component to clamp the floating component.

[0027] Furthermore, the floating component includes:

[0028] The second housing has a second through hole through which the second traction cable passes;

[0029] The airbag is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second housing. The airbag has a vertical channel in the middle, which is connected to the second through hole, through which the second traction cable passes.

[0030] Furthermore, the plankton sampling net includes:

[0031] The lower end of the ring body and the second traction cable has multiple branch segments, and the lower end of each branch segment is connected to the ring body. The connection points between each branch segment and the ring body are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the ring body.

[0032] Furthermore, the plankton sampling net also includes:

[0033] A conical mesh bag has an upper opening and a lower opening, with the upper opening having a larger diameter than the lower opening, and the upper opening being connected to a ring.

[0034] The upper part of the collection tank is connected to the lower opening of the conical mesh bag, the weighted part is connected to the lower part of the collection tank, and the first contact part abuts against the side wall of the collection tank to clamp the collection tank, thereby achieving the clamping of the collected item.

[0035] Furthermore, the surfaces of both the first and second contact portions are covered with a rubber friction layer.

[0036] Furthermore, it also includes: a shore-based recycling mechanism, which is located on the shore surface. The shore-based recycling mechanism includes a second rotating motor, and a first winding roller can be detachably connected to the second rotating motor. The first winding roller can be detached from the recycling component and connected to the second rotating motor.

[0037] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: personnel release and control a drone on the shore, using the drone to carry the recovery component and sampling device to the target water area. The personnel control the clamping device to release the sampling device, which falls freely into the water to collect plankton. During the descent of the sampling device, the lower end of the first traction cable is pulled down along with the sampling device. The first traction cable has sufficient length. After the sampling device is deployed, the personnel control the drone to fly back to the personnel on the shore with the recovery component. The personnel remove the recovery component from the drone. After a certain period of collection, the personnel on the shore drag the recovery component, using the first traction cable to pull the sampling device back to the shore, thus completing the collection task. This process enables the deployment of collection devices in waters far from the shore without the use of manned watercraft. It also eliminates the need for drones to overcome underwater resistance and drag the devices, allowing the drones to perform the deployment process. This reduces the demand and burden on drone power, resulting in longer deployment ranges, lower costs, and safer retrieval. It solves the process drawbacks of using drones for plankton collection in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a front sectional view of the main part of one embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a partial front sectional view of one embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a detailed structural front sectional view of one embodiment;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the usage process of one embodiment.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0043] 1. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV); 2. Connecting Mechanism; 21. Clamping Component; 211. First Contact Part; 212. Second Contact Part; 3. Sampling Component; 31. Plankton Sampling Net; 311. Ring Body; 312. Conical Net Bag; 313. Collection Tank; 32. Weighted Part; 4. Recovery Assembly; 41. Recovery Component; 411. First Shell; 412. Movable Cover; 42. First Traction Cable; 43. First Rewind Roller; 44. Floating Component; 441. Second Shell; 442. Airbag; 45. First Rotating Motor; 46. Second Rewind Roller; 47. Second Traction Cable; 5. Shore-Based Recovery Mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, but it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] The present invention provides an aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device, comprising: a drone 1, a connecting mechanism 2, a sampling component 3, and a recovery assembly 4, wherein the sampling component 3 is connected to the lower part of the drone 1 via the connecting mechanism 2; the recovery assembly 4 comprises: a recovery component 41 and a first traction cable 42, the recovery component 41 being detachably connected to the drone 1; the upper end of the first traction cable 42 is connected to the recovery component 41, and the lower end of the first traction cable 42 is connected to the sampling component 3; the connecting mechanism 2 comprises: a clamping component 21 disposed on the drone 1, the clamping component 21 being used to clamp / release the sampling component 3.

[0046] Specifically, in use, personnel release and control drone 1 from the shore. Drone 1 carries recovery component 4 and sampling component 3 to the target water area. The clamping component 21 releases sampling component 3, which falls freely into the water to collect plankton. During the fall of sampling component 3, the lower end of the first traction cable 42 is pulled down along with sampling component 3. The first traction cable 42 has sufficient length. After the sampling component 3 is deployed, personnel control drone 1 to fly back to the shore with recovery component 4. Personnel remove recovery component 41 from drone 1. After a certain period of collection, personnel on the shore drag recovery component 41 and, through the dragging of the first traction cable 42, pull sampling component 3 back to the shore, thus completing the collection task. This process enables the deployment of the collection device 3 in waters far from the shore without the use of manned water transport vehicles. It also eliminates the need for the drone 1 to overcome underwater resistance to drag the collection device 3, allowing the drone to perform the deployment process. This reduces the demand and burden on the drone's power, resulting in a longer deployment range, lower costs, and safer recovery. It solves the process drawbacks of using drones for plankton collection in existing technologies.

[0047] In some embodiments, some common collection devices 3 have a collection tank 313 for collecting collected planktonic samples. In order to prevent the samples from the water to be monitored from being contaminated when passing through other waters during the towing and retrieval process, the collection device 3 is also equipped with a remotely controlled electric valve. The electric valve is located in the collection tank 313. The electric valve is kept open during collection and is remotely controlled to close during towing and retrieval to seal the collection tank 313 and prevent planktonic organisms in other waters from contaminating the samples.

[0048] Furthermore, to prevent the excessively long first traction cable 42 from becoming tangled and tangled when the drone 1 carries the recovery component 4 and the sampling component 3 to the collection water area, a reasonable way to store the first traction cable 42 is required. Moreover, the storage of the first traction cable 42 should not affect the release and recovery process of the first traction cable 43. Therefore, the recovery component 4 specifically includes: a first take-up roller 43, which is rotatably connected to the recovery component 41. One end of the first traction cable 42 is connected to the first take-up roller 43, and the first traction cable 42 can be wound onto the first take-up roller 43. When the first traction cable 42 is pulled, the first take-up roller 43 rotates, thereby gradually releasing the first traction cable 42 wound on it. When the drone 1 carries the recovery component 4 and the sample 3, the first traction cable 42 is in a wound-up state. When the sample 3 falls and is released, it pulls on the first traction cable 42, causing the first winding roller 43 to rotate and release the wound first traction cable 42. When the drone 1 flies back to the personnel on the shore, the first winding roller 43 also rotates and releases the first traction cable 42. When personnel retrieve the sample 3 on the shore, they can use the rotating first winding roller 43 to gradually wind up the first traction cable 42, thereby dragging the sample 3 back.

[0049] Furthermore, the recovery component 41 includes: a first housing 411, detachably connected to the lower part of the drone 1, the first housing 411 having an opening and a first through hole, the upper end of the first traction cable 42 being located inside the first housing 411 and the lower end being located outside the first housing 411, the first traction cable 42 passing through the first through hole; a movable cover 412, detachably connected to the opening of the first housing 411; and a connecting part, detachably connected to the interior of the first housing 411, the first take-up roller 43 being rotatably connected to the connecting part.

[0050] Furthermore, a sampling device 3 includes a plankton sampling net 31 and a weight 32. The weight 32 is connected to the lower part of the plankton sampling net 31 and is used to place the sampling net 31 in water at a specific depth for sampling. The sampling area is a section of water vertically above the sampling net. When using this type of sampling net, the sampling net 31 needs to be lifted vertically to complete a good collection. In order to adapt this device to this type of sampling device 3, the recovery assembly 4 specifically includes: a float 44, the upper part of which is fixedly connected to the lower end of the first traction cable 42, and the float 44 can float on the water surface; a first rotating motor 45, which is disposed on the float 44 and has a rotatable output shaft; a second take-up roller 46, which is coaxially connected to the output shaft; and a second traction cable 47, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the second take-up roller 46, and the lower end of which is connected to the upper part of the plankton sampling net 31.

[0051] With the above settings, before dragging the first traction cable 42, the first rotating motor 45 is controlled to drive the second winding roller 46 to rotate, so as to wind up the second traction cable 47, thereby enabling the sampling net 31 to be driven vertically upward to complete the collection, and then the first traction cable 42 is dragged to retrieve the device.

[0052] Furthermore, the clamping member 21 includes multiple clamping arms, each of which can rotate in a vertical plane to clamp the collection component. Each clamping arm has a first contact portion 211 and a second contact portion 212. The first contact portion 211 is located at the end of the clamping arm furthest from the drone 1 and is used to abut against the collection component to clamp it. The second contact portion 212 is closer to the drone 1 than the first contact portion 211 and is used to abut against the floating component 44 to clamp it. The arrangement of the first contact portion 211 and the second contact portion 212 allows the clamping arm to simultaneously clamp both the floating component 44 and the collection component, and also allows for simultaneous release of both during release.

[0053] Furthermore, the floating component 44 includes:

[0054] The second housing 441 has a second through hole through which the second traction cable 47 passes;

[0055] Airbag 442 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second housing 441. The middle part of the airbag 442 has a vertical channel that is connected to the second through hole. The second traction cable 47 passes through the channel.

[0056] Furthermore, the planktonic sampling net 31 includes:

[0057] The lower end of the ring body 311 and the second traction cable 47 has multiple branch segments, and the lower end of each branch segment is connected to the ring body 311. The connection points between each branch segment and the ring body 311 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the ring body 311.

[0058] Furthermore, the plankton sampling net 31 also includes:

[0059] The conical mesh bag 312 has an upper opening and a lower opening, the upper opening having a larger diameter than the lower opening, and the upper opening being connected to the ring body 311.

[0060] The upper part of the collection tank 313 is connected to the lower opening of the conical mesh bag 312. The weighted part 32 is connected to the lower part of the collection tank 313. The first contact part 211 abuts against the side wall of the collection tank 313 to clamp the collection tank 313, thereby achieving the clamping of the collection piece.

[0061] Furthermore, the surfaces of both the first contact portion 211 and the second contact portion 212 are covered with a rubber friction layer.

[0062] Furthermore, it also includes: a shore-based recycling mechanism 5, which is located on the shore surface. The shore-based recycling mechanism 5 includes a second rotating motor, and a first winding roller 43 is detachably connected to the second rotating motor. The first winding roller 43 can be detached from the recycling component 41 and connected to the second rotating motor.

[0063] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for collecting and preserving aquatic organism samples, comprising a drone (1), a connecting mechanism (2), and a sampling component (3), wherein the sampling component (3) is connected to the lower part of the drone (1) via the connecting mechanism (2), characterized in that, Also includes: Recycling component (4), said recycling component (4) includes: The reusable component (41) is detachably connected to the drone (1); The first traction cable (42) is connected at its upper end to the recovery component (41) and at its lower end to the sampling component (3). The connecting mechanism (2) includes: A clamping member (21) is provided on the UAV (1) and clamps / releases the sampling member (3).

2. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The recycling assembly (4) further includes: a first take-up roller (43) rotatably connected to the recycling component (41), one end of the first traction cable (42) being connected to the first take-up roller (43), and the first traction cable (42) being able to be wound onto the first take-up roller (43); When the first traction cable (42) is pulled, the first take-up roller (43) rotates, thereby gradually releasing the first traction cable (42) wound on it.

3. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The recyclable component (41) includes: The first housing (411) is detachably connected to the lower part of the UAV (1). The first housing (411) has an opening and a first through hole. The upper end of the first traction cable (42) is located inside the first housing (411) and the lower end is located outside the first housing (411). The first traction cable (42) passes through the first through hole. The movable cover (412) is detachably connected to the opening of the first housing (411); The connecting part is detachably connected to the inside of the first housing (411), and the first take-up roller (43) is rotatably connected to the connecting part.

4. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The sampling device (3) includes a plankton sampling net (31) and a weighted part (32), wherein the weighted part (32) is connected to the lower part of the plankton sampling net (31); Furthermore, the recycling component (4) also includes: A floating component (44) is fixedly connected at its upper part to the lower end of the first traction cable (42), and the floating component (44) is able to float on the water surface; A first rotating motor (45) is provided on the floating member (44), and the first rotating motor (45) has a rotatable output shaft; The second take-up roller (46) is coaxially connected to the output shaft; The second traction cable (47) is fixedly connected at its upper end to the second take-up roller (46) and at its lower end to the upper part of the planktonic sampling net (31).

5. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The clamping member (21) includes multiple clamping arms, each of which can rotate in a vertical plane to clamp the collection piece; The clamping arm has a first contact portion (211) and a second contact portion (212). The first contact portion (211) is located at the end of the clamping arm away from the UAV (1) and is used to abut against the collection component to clamp the collection component. The second contact portion (212) is closer to the UAV (1) than the first contact portion (211) and is used to abut against the floating component (44) to clamp the floating component (44).

6. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The floating component (44) includes: A second housing (441) having a second through hole through which the second traction cable (47) passes; An airbag (442) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second housing (441). The airbag (442) has a vertical channel in the middle, which is connected to the second through hole. The second traction cable (47) passes through the channel.

7. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The planktonic sampling net (31) includes: The lower end of the ring body (311) and the second traction cable (47) has multiple branch segments, and the lower end of each branch segment is connected to the ring body (311). The connection points of each branch segment and the ring body (311) are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the ring body (311).

8. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The planktonic sampling net (31) also includes: A conical mesh bag (312) has an upper opening and a lower opening, the upper opening having a larger diameter than the lower opening, and the upper opening being connected to a ring (311). The upper part of the collection tank (313) is connected to the lower opening of the conical mesh bag (312), the weight part (32) is connected to the lower part of the collection tank (313), and the first contact part (211) abuts against the side wall of the collection tank (313) to clamp the collection tank (313), thereby achieving the clamping of the collection piece.

9. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The surfaces of the first contact portion (211) and the second contact portion (212) are both covered with a rubber friction layer.

10. The aquatic organism sample collection and preservation device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: A shore-based recycling mechanism (5) is located on the shore surface. The shore-based recycling mechanism (5) includes a second rotating motor. The first winding roller (43) can be detachably connected to the second rotating motor. The first winding roller (43) can be detached from the recycling component (41) and connected to the second rotating motor.

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