High-throughput bivalve shell closing force measuring system and method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of shellfish testing, and discloses a high-flux bivalve shellfish shell closing force measuring system and method.The high-flux bivalve shellfish shell closing force measuring system comprises a shell closing force measuring module and a pressure measuring module, and the shell closing force measuring module is connected with the pressure measuring module through a multi-channel signal collector; the shell closing force measuring module comprises a bottom plate and a fixing device mounted above the bottom plate, and a plurality of pressure sensors are mounted on the fixing device; and each pressure sensor is electrically connected with the multi-channel signal collector. According to the technical scheme, operation is convenient, and shell closing force detection can be efficiently and massively carried out in a short time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of shellfish testing technology, and in particular relates to a high-throughput system and method for measuring the shell closure force of bivalve mollusks. Background Technology

[0002] High yield, stress resistance, and high quality are the main goals of shellfish breeding, and the selection of superior varieties is the fundamental way to achieve these goals. Accurate detection of economic traits is the foundation of superior breeding. However, current methods for detecting economic traits face challenges such as damaging test samples, being time-consuming and labor-intensive, or relying on expensive testing equipment, which hinders the rapid development of superior breeding efforts. Shell closure force testing methods are non-destructive, efficient, and low-cost, and have been preliminarily explored in some bivalve mollusks such as Pinctada martensii, oysters, and scallops. Studies have shown that shell closure force can serve as an accurate indicator of the health status of bivalve mollusks and economic traits such as heat tolerance, rapid growth, and high quality. Therefore, evaluating economic traits through shell closure force, an economically non-destructive testing indicator, has become a research hotspot in shellfish superior breeding.

[0003] However, due to the need to test a large number of samples in a short period of time in breeding work, current shell closure force testing equipment still faces the problems of being bulky and having low throughput. Especially when conducting experiments in remote sea areas or aquaculture farms, it is difficult to solve the problems of inconvenience in carrying and the time-consuming and inefficient testing, which can affect the condition of shellfish. Therefore, there is a need for a shell closure force testing device that is easy to operate, lightweight and portable, and can achieve efficient and large-scale testing in a short period of time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-throughput system and method for measuring the shell closure force of bivalve mollusks, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system, comprising a shell closure force measurement module and a pressure measurement module. The shell closure force measurement module is connected to the pressure measurement module via a multi-channel signal acquisition unit. The shell closure force measurement module includes a base plate and a fixing device mounted on the base plate. Multiple pressure sensors are mounted on the fixing device. Each pressure sensor is electrically connected to the multi-channel signal acquisition unit.

[0006] Optionally, multiple shell closure force measuring modules are provided, and each shell closure force measuring module is connected to the pressure measuring module through a corresponding multi-channel signal acquisition device.

[0007] Optionally, the base plates of each shell closing force measuring module are connected by a sliding groove.

[0008] Optionally, the fixing device includes a sensor fixing bracket, a vertical slide column, a horizontal slider, and a horizontal slide rail; the horizontal slide rail is installed above the base plate, and multiple horizontal sliders are slidably installed on the horizontal slide rail. The vertical slide column is fixedly installed above each horizontal slider, and the sensor fixing bracket is installed on each vertical slide column. The sensor fixing bracket is used to install a pressure sensor.

[0009] Optionally, one end of the multi-channel signal acquisition unit is connected to each pressure sensor, and the other end is connected to the pressure measurement module via a TYPE-C data cable.

[0010] Optionally, the pressure measurement module uses a PC computer.

[0011] On the other hand, to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a high-throughput method for measuring the shell closure force of bivalves, applied to the aforementioned high-throughput bivalfelomon shell closure force measurement system, comprising:

[0012] S1: Place the bivalve mollusks to be tested onto each pressure sensor;

[0013] S2: Collect pressure data from each pressure sensor through a multi-channel signal acquisition device, and transmit the pressure data to the pressure measurement module for real-time monitoring.

[0014] The technical effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] This invention provides a high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system that, compared to other force measuring devices, is compact, lightweight, and boasts high throughput. Furthermore, unlike other force measuring devices that have stringent environmental requirements (needing to control humidity and temperature, and susceptible to seawater corrosion), this invention, constructed entirely of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), isoprene polymer (POM), and a small amount of 304 stainless steel, ensures high-temperature and seawater corrosion resistance while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that is easy to disassemble, move, and carry. This solves the problems of bulky, inflexible, and seawater-corrosion-sensitive shell closure force testing devices. Therefore, this invention provides a highly efficient, simple, and rapid device for measuring large populations of bivalve shells in a short period. It is easy to operate, has high throughput, is compact and lightweight, highly digitized, provides accurate and controllable measurements, and is economical and durable, making it suitable for widespread use in bivalve applications. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a comparison of the results of different measuring devices for the four shell closure force indices of the scallop in this embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measuring device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Labeling Explanation: 1. Shell Closure Force Measurement Module; 2. Multi-channel Signal Acquisition Unit; 3. Computer; 4. Fixing Device; 5. Pressure Sensor; 6. TYPE-C Data Cable; 7. Sensor Fixing Bracket; 8. Vertical Sliding Column; 9. Horizontal Sliding Block; 10. Up and Down Fixing Knob; 11. Left and Right Fixing Knob; 12. Horizontal Slide Rail; 13. First Base Plate; 14. Second Base Plate; 15. Bivalve Mollusk. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description of the invention will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and several embodiments of the invention will be provided. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the invention will be more thorough and complete.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0024] The terms “include,” “including,” “have,” “contain,” etc., used in this article are all open-ended terms, meaning that they include but are not limited to.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the specification of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] This embodiment provides a high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system, including a shell closure force measurement module 1 and a pressure measurement module. The shell closure force measurement module 1 is connected to the pressure measurement module through a multi-channel signal acquisition device 2. The shell closure force measurement module 1 includes a base plate and a fixing device 4 installed on the base plate. Multiple pressure sensors 5 are installed on the fixing device 4. Each pressure sensor 5 is connected to the multi-channel signal acquisition device 2.

[0030] The purpose of this embodiment is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as bulkiness, time consumption, and inefficiency, and to provide a high-throughput device for measuring the shell closure force of bivalve mollusks. This device can achieve large-scale measurement of shell closure force in a short time, and is easy to operate, low in cost, lightweight and portable, and resistant to seawater corrosion, so it can be better applied in mollusk breeding work.

[0031] The fixing device 4 includes a sensor fixing bracket 7, a vertical slide column 8, a horizontal slider 9, and a horizontal slide rail 12. The horizontal slide rail 12 is installed above the base plate, and multiple horizontal sliders 9 are slidably installed on the horizontal slide rail 12. The vertical slide column 8 is fixedly installed above each horizontal slider 9, and the sensor fixing bracket 7 is installed on each vertical slide column 8. The sensor fixing bracket 7 is used to install the pressure sensor 5.

[0032] In practice, one end of the multi-channel signal acquisition unit 2 is connected to each pressure sensor 5, and the other end is connected to the pressure measurement module via a TYPE-C data cable 6.

[0033] It is feasible that the pressure measurement module uses a PC computer 3.

[0034] This embodiment also provides a high-throughput method for measuring the shell closure force of bivalves, applied to the aforementioned high-throughput bivalfelomon shell closure force measurement system, comprising:

[0035] S1: Place the bivalve mollusks to be tested on each pressure sensor 5;

[0036] S2: The pressure data of each pressure sensor 5 is collected by the multi-channel signal acquisition device 2 and the pressure data is transmitted to the pressure measurement module for real-time monitoring.

[0037] This embodiment provides a high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system that, compared to other force measuring devices, is compact, lightweight, and boasts high throughput. Furthermore, unlike other force measuring devices that have stringent environmental requirements (needing to control humidity and temperature, and susceptible to seawater corrosion), this embodiment, constructed entirely of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), isoprene polymer (POM), and a small amount of 304 stainless steel, ensures high-temperature and seawater corrosion resistance while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that is easy to disassemble, move, and carry. This solves the problems of bulky, inflexible, and seawater-corrosion-sensitive shell closure force testing devices. Therefore, this embodiment provides a highly efficient, simple device capable of rapidly measuring large populations of bivalve shells in a short period. It is easy to operate, has high throughput, is compact and lightweight, highly digitized, provides accurate and controllable measurements, and is economical and durable, making it suitable for widespread use in bivalve applications.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] like Figures 1-2As shown, this embodiment provides a high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measuring device, including two shell closure force measuring modules 1, two multi-channel signal acquisition units 2, and a computer 3. The shell closure force measuring module 1 is equipped with a fixing device 4, a pressure sensor 5, a first base plate 13, and a second base plate 14. The fixing device 4 includes a sensor fixing bracket 7, a vertical slide column 8, a horizontal slider 9, a fixing knob 10 for adjusting the up-down position, a fixing knob 11 for adjusting the left-right position, and a horizontal slide rail 12. The pressure sensor 5 is fixed to the sensor fixing bracket 7 with M2.5 screws. The sensor fixing bracket 7 can be adjusted up-down on the vertical slide column 8 using the up-down fixing knob 10. The vertical slide column 8 is fixed to the horizontal slider 9 with M2 screws, forming a bracket structure. The horizontal slider 9 can be adjusted left-right on the horizontal slide rail 12 using the left-right fixing knob 11. The horizontal slide rail 12 is fixed to the first base plate 13 and the second base plate 14 with M3 screws. The first base plate 13 and the second base plate 14 are engaged by sliding grooves for easy disassembly. One end of the multi-channel signal acquisition device 2 is connected to the pressure sensor 5, and the other end is connected to the computer 3 via a TYPE-C data cable 6. When the bivalve 15 clamps the pressure sensor 5, the pressure value of the sensor is collected, processed, and transmitted to the computer 3 for display, recording, and storage.

[0040] It is feasible that the sensor mounting bracket 7 can be adjusted up and down by 0-30 mm on the vertical slide column 8, and can be fixed at a suitable height according to the size and shell shape of the shellfish being measured by a threaded fixing knob.

[0041] In practice, the vertical slide bar 8 is fixed to the horizontal slider 9 by an M2 screw to form a support structure. The horizontal slider 9 can be adjusted left and right on the horizontal slide rail 12 and can be fixed in a suitable position by a threaded fixing knob, so that shellfish of different sizes have a suitable measurement interval.

[0042] It is feasible to fix the horizontal slide rail 12 to the base plate with M3 screws, and the two base plates are locked together by the slide groove for easy disassembly.

[0043] In practice, the multi-channel signal acquisition device 2 is connected to the pressure sensor 5 at one end and to the computer 3 at the other end via a TYPE-C data cable 6. When the bivalve 15 clamps the pressure sensor 5, the pressure value of the sensor is collected, processed, and transmitted to the computer 3 for display, recording, and storage by the signal acquisition device. The sampling rate is 5Hz (5 data points are collected per second).

[0044] When using the high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measuring device of this embodiment, the following steps are included:

[0045] (1) A single shell closure force measuring module 1 can simultaneously detect 6 bivalve mollusks 15. After being connected by two bottom plate slots, it can simultaneously detect 12 bivalve mollusks 15. It can be flexibly adjusted according to the needs of the scenario.

[0046] (2) Based on the size and shell shape of the bivalve 15, the sensor fixing bracket 7 is adjusted to a suitable height (0-30 mm) and width range (0-80 mm) by using the upper and lower fixing knobs 10 and the left and right fixing knobs 11, so as to ensure that the bivalve 15 can stably clamp the pressure sensor 5.

[0047] (3) One end of the multi-channel signal acquisition device 2 is connected to the pressure sensor 5, and the other end is connected to the computer 3 through the TYPE-C data cable 6. When the bivalve 15 clamps the pressure sensor 5, click the start detection and 3-minute countdown button on the computer 3. The pressure value of the sensor is collected and processed by the signal acquisition device and transmitted to the computer 3 for full monitoring. The sampling rate is 5 Hz (5 data points are collected per second). After 3 minutes of detection, the recording stops automatically and the value is saved for future analysis.

[0048] Regarding the accuracy and stability of the testing device: First, fixed objects weighing 766.7g, 416.25g, and 225.83g, with gravitational forces of 7.51N, 4.08N, and 2.21N respectively, were placed in six different channels of the high-throughput shell closure force detection device for force value detection. The detection time was 3 minutes, and the same measurement frequency (5 times / second) was repeated 3 times. Then, in the Weihai scallop farming area (Weihai, Shandong), 18 24-month-old comb scallops were randomly selected and the shell closure force was detected using the device. The detection time was 3 minutes, and the measurement was repeated three times with an interval of 24 hours.

[0049] Table 1 shows the results of three weight measurements of fixed objects with different gravities across six channels (CV represents the coefficient of variation, ICC represents the intra-group correlation coefficient, and AR represents the accuracy range). Channels 1, 3, and 5 showed relatively good measurement accuracy, with an accuracy range (AR) of <±5%. Channels 2, 4, and 6 had minimum accuracies of 7.70%, 5.06%, and 8.33%, respectively, but there were no significant differences in force values ​​between channels (P>0.05). Three repeated tests in the same channel showed no significant differences between the three repeated results for each channel (P>0.05). Regarding stability, the coefficient of variation (CV%) of the three repeated results for each channel was <10%, indicating good stability, and the reliability coefficient (ICC) was >0.9, indicating good repeatability for each channel. This demonstrates that the high-throughput shell closure force measurement device exhibits high stability in measuring objects with different force values. Compared to the one-hour testing time of a single-throughput measuring device, the total testing time for 18 scallops was less than 10 minutes, greatly improving measurement efficiency. The shell closure force results measured using different measuring devices are as follows: Figure 1 As shown, using a high-throughput shell closure force measurement device in scallops yields shell closure force index results consistent with those obtained using a single-throughput shell closure force measurement device. The combined results of the two evaluations demonstrate that the high-throughput shell closure force measurement device in this embodiment is accurate and stable, meeting the requirements for shellfish testing, and provides reliable technical support for subsequent analysis.

[0050] Table 1. Statistical analysis of three measurements of shell closure force of different fixed objects using a high-throughput detection device.

[0051] Weight of a stationary object (N) Number of measurements Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6 7.51 1st 7.64±0.06 7.18±0.08 7.13±0.10 7.26±0.09 7.49±0.12 7.16±0.11 2nd 7.39±0.09 7.18±0.09 7.23±0.12 7.58±0.10 7.78±0.11 7.24±0.11 3rd 7.67±0.08 7.27±0.08 7.24±0.10 7.49±0.08 7.83±0.11 8.03±0.61 CV% 1.99 0.79 0.91 2.15 2.39 6.45 ICC 0.986 0.988 0.988 0.976 0.958 0.915 AR±% 1.60~2.13 3.19~4.39 3.59~4.98 0.27~3.32 0.26~4.26 3.59~6.92 4.08 1st 3.89±0.05 3.80±0.03 4.05±0.05 3.85±0.04 4.03±0.06 3.86±0.07 2nd 4.05±0.05 4.01±0.06 4.17±0.03 3.94±0.05 4.14±0.07 3.94±0.07 3rd 4.09±0.05 3.96±0.06 4.12±0.05 4.13±0.05 4.17±0.07 3.74±0.05 CV% 2.57 3.03 1.13 3.45 1.82 2.73 ICC 0.946 0.934 0.978 0.932 0.982 0.943 AR±% 0.24~4.65 1.71~6.86 0.74~2.21 1.23~5.63 1.23~2.21 3.43~8.33 2.21 1st 2.21±0.02 2.04±0.03 2.15±0.02 2.16±0.16 2.32±0.04 2.21±0.03 2nd 2.17±0.02 2.12±0.03 2.16±0.03 2.19±0.03 2.30±0.04 2.16±0.03 3rd 2.17±0.04 2.19±0.03 2.14±0.03 2.19±0.03 2.31±0.04 2.28±0.03 CV% 0.88 3.5 0.67 1.16 0.58 2.23 ICC 0.992 0.934 0.994 0.976 0.994 0.948 AR±% 0~1.81 0.91~7.70 2.26~3.16 0.09~2.26 4.07~4.97 0~3.16

[0052] In summary, compared with other force measuring devices, the device provided in this embodiment is compact, lightweight, and has a high throughput. A single module has six pressure sensors that can simultaneously detect six individual shellfish, and it is only the size of an A4 sheet of paper. Operation is extremely simple, making it particularly user-friendly for beginners. Furthermore, compared to other force measuring devices that have high requirements for the testing environment (requiring control of humidity and temperature, and susceptible to seawater corrosion), this embodiment, composed entirely of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), isoprene polymer (POM), and a small amount of 304 stainless steel, ensures high temperature and seawater corrosion resistance while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that is easy to disassemble, move, and carry. This solves the problems of bulky, inflexible, and seawater-corrosion-resistant shell closure force testing devices. Therefore, this embodiment provides a highly efficient, simple device capable of rapidly measuring large numbers of shellfish populations in a short period. It is easy to operate, has a high throughput, is compact and lightweight, highly digitized, provides accurate and controllable measurements, and is economical and durable, making it suitable for widespread use in shellfish testing.

[0053] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A high-throughput system for measuring the shell closure force of bivalve mollusks, characterized in that, The device includes a shell closure force measuring module (1) and a pressure measuring module. The shell closure force measuring module (1) is connected to the pressure measuring module via a multi-channel signal acquisition device (2). The shell closure force measuring module (1) includes a base plate and a fixing device (4) installed on the base plate. Multiple pressure sensors (5) are installed on the fixing device (4). Each pressure sensor (5) is electrically connected to the multi-channel signal acquisition device (2).

2. The high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple shell closure force measuring modules (1) are provided, and each shell closure force measuring module (1) is connected to the pressure measuring module through a corresponding multi-channel signal acquisition device (2).

3. The high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base plates of each shell closing force measuring module (1) are connected by a sliding groove.

4. The high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing device (4) includes a sensor fixing bracket (7), a vertical slide column (8), a horizontal slider (9), and a horizontal slide rail (12); the horizontal slide rail (12) is installed above the base plate, and multiple horizontal sliders (9) are slidably installed on the horizontal slide rail (12). The vertical slide column (8) is fixedly installed above each of the horizontal sliders (9), and the sensor fixing bracket (7) is installed on each vertical slide column (8). The sensor fixing bracket (7) is used to install the pressure sensor (5).

5. The high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-channel signal acquisition device (2) is connected to each pressure sensor (5) at one end and to the pressure measurement module at the other end via a TYPE-C data cable (6).

6. The high-throughput bivalve shell closure force measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure measurement module uses a PC computer (3).

7. A high-throughput method for determining the shell closure force of bivalve mollusks, applied to the high-throughput bivalve shell closure force determination system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: S1: Place the bivalve mollusks to be tested on each pressure sensor (5); S2: Collect pressure data from each pressure sensor (5) through a multi-channel signal acquisition device (2) and transmit the pressure data to the pressure measurement module for real-time monitoring.

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