A pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic pasture
The automated processing of high-temperature sterilization machines, seed covering machines, and robotic arms has solved the problem of low efficiency of manual operation in hydroponic forage production systems, achieving automated processing, improving seed germination rate, and reducing operating costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- INNER MONGOLIA MENGCAO GRASS IND TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydroponic forage production systems lack automation, resulting in low efficiency in unloading forage, cleaning and disinfecting seed trays, and filling seeds. Labor costs are high, and seed cleaning and disinfection are insufficient.
The system employs a high-temperature sterilization machine, a seed covering machine, and a robotic arm to achieve automated processing. This includes the robotic arm removing seedling trays, cleaning and disinfecting, seed screening, disinfection, and drying. The robotic arm removes the seedling trays from the conveyor belt for high-temperature sterilization and seed covering, while the seeds undergo screening, cleaning, disinfection, and drying.
It has automated hydroponic forage production, improved work efficiency, reduced labor costs, increased seed germination rate, reduced system uptime, and lowered operating costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224482479U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical fields:
[0001] This utility model patent belongs to the field of forage production technology, specifically relating to a pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage. Background technology:
[0002] Hydroponic forage has a fast growth cycle; it can grow to about 18 cm in just one week and be ready for use. Furthermore, hydroponics is a soilless cultivation technology, requiring no soil or pesticides, only nutrient solution for vigorous growth, making it widely applicable in the livestock industry. However, patent application number CN202211674342.2 discloses a continuous hydroponic forage production system and method. In this method, the finished forage seedling trays need to be manually removed from the end of the first conveyor belt, the forage poured out, and the empty trays manually cleaned and disinfected. Afterward, the forage seeds are manually placed onto the conveyor belt at the front of the washing machine. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and hydroponic forage cultivation is not fully automated. The efficiency of unloading the forage, cleaning and disinfecting the seedling trays, and filling the seedlings is low, resulting in high labor costs. While the system uses a washing and disinfection machine to clean and disinfect the seeds, the cleaning and disinfection of the seeds is insufficient during the system's operation time because the seedling trays are placed on the conveyor belt. Utility Model Content:
[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage provided by this utility model does not require manual loading and unloading, realizes automation, improves work efficiency, and reduces labor costs; it also improves the germination rate of seeds, which helps to reduce the running time of the subsequent spiral tower and reduces operating costs.
[0004] The present invention discloses a pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage, which includes a high-temperature sterilizer, a reseeding machine, and a robotic arm. The high-temperature sterilizer is located at one end of a first conveyor belt; the reseeding machine is located at the feeding end of a conveyor belt; and at least one robotic arm is located between the first conveyor belt, the conveyor belt, the high-temperature sterilizer, and the reseeding machine.
[0005] Furthermore, the high-temperature disinfection machine includes a casing, which is divided into a cleaning chamber and an equipment chamber from top to bottom. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the cleaning chamber. At least one set of cleaning rollers is rotatably arranged inside the cleaning chamber. Several cleaning and disinfection nozzles and steam nozzles are respectively arranged on the inner side wall of the cleaning chamber. A clean water tank, a disinfection water tank, and a steam generator are fixed in the equipment chamber. The outlets of the clean water tank and the disinfection water tank are connected to the inlets of the cleaning and disinfection nozzles. The air outlet of the steam generator is connected to the air inlet of the steam nozzles.
[0006] Furthermore, the cleaning roller assembly includes two cleaning roller brushes arranged opposite each other.
[0007] Furthermore, at least one telescopic rod is respectively provided on both sides of the inlet of the cleaning chamber. A support frame is fixed to the telescopic end of the telescopic rod. The cleaning roller brush is rotatably mounted on the support frame. A first drive motor is provided on the support frame. The output end of the first drive motor is connected to the input end of the cleaning roller brush.
[0008] Furthermore, the mulching machine includes a frame, a seed storage bin, a weighing hopper, and a placement platform; the seed storage bin is disposed above the frame, and a first baffle valve is disposed at the discharge port of the seed storage bin; the weighing hopper is movably disposed on the frame below the seed storage bin, and a second baffle valve is disposed at the discharge port of the weighing hopper; the placement platform is disposed on the frame below the weighing hopper.
[0009] Furthermore, tracks are fixed to the frames on both sides below the seed storage bin, and the fixed frame is movable on the tracks via wheels. The weighing hopper is connected to the bottom of the fixed frame via a weighing sensor. The drive shafts are rotatably arranged on both sides of the tracks, and corresponding sprockets are sleeved on the two drive shafts. Chains are sleeved on the two sprockets, and the broken ends of the chains are fixed to the two ends of the fixed frame. A second drive motor is fixed on the frame, and the output end of the second drive motor is connected to one end of one of the drive shafts.
[0010] Furthermore, a vibration table is provided on the placement platform, and the bottom of the vibration table is connected to the placement platform by several springs. A vibration motor is fixed at the bottom of the vibration table. A placement slot is provided on the top of the vibration table, and a contact sensor is provided in the placement slot. The signal output terminals of the weighing sensor and the contact sensor are both connected to the signal input terminal of the controller via signal communication. The signal output terminal of the controller is connected to the signal input terminals of the first slide gate valve, the second slide gate valve, the second drive motor, and the vibration motor via signal communication.
[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a seed air-separation drum screen, a hanging basket, a disinfection tank, and a washing and drying machine; the seed outlet of the seed air-separation drum screen is connected to the inlet of the hanging basket, the hanging basket is movably placed in the disinfection tank, the hanging basket is movably placed in the washing and drying machine, and the outlet of the hanging basket is connected to the inlet of the seed storage bin of the mulching machine.
[0012] Furthermore, the washing and drying machine includes a tub body; a rotating shaft is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the tub body, a spline sleeve is integrally formed at the top of the rotating shaft, a spline shaft matching the spline sleeve is fixed at the bottom center of the hanging basket, the spline shaft is movably inserted into the spline sleeve, and the bottom of the rotating shaft is connected to the output end of a third drive motor; a water outlet is provided at the bottom of the tub body, and a water inlet is provided at the top of the tub body.
[0013] Furthermore, a hot air pipe is installed inside the barrel above the water inlet, and several air outlets are provided on the hot air pipe.
[0014] Advantages of this utility model:
[0015] 1. The pretreatment system for continuous hydroponic forage production provided by this utility model uses a robotic arm to remove the seedling trays from the first conveyor belt, empty the forage, and place them aside. At the same time, the robotic arm inserts the dirty seedling trays with empty forage into a high-temperature sterilization machine for sterilization and cleaning, and then places them on a placement rack. Simultaneously, the robotic arm places the clean seedling trays on the placement rack into a seeding machine for seeding, and then removes them and places them on the conveyor belt. No manual loading and unloading is required, realizing automation, improving work efficiency, and reducing labor costs.
[0016] 2. The pretreatment system for continuous hydroponic forage production provided by this utility model screens, disinfects, washes, soaks, and dries the seeds before sowing, which improves the germination rate of the seeds, helps to reduce the running time of the spiral tower and reduces operating costs. Attached image description:
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a high-temperature disinfection machine.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a replanting machine.
[0021] Figure 4 This is the control block diagram of the replanting machine.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the hanging basket and the washing and drying machine.
[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning and drying machine.
[0025] High-temperature disinfection machine 1, cleaning chamber 101, equipment room 102, cleaning roller assembly 103, cleaning roller brush 1031, cleaning and disinfection nozzle 104, steam nozzle 105, clean water tank 106, disinfection water tank 107, steam generator 108, telescopic rod 109, support frame 110, first drive motor 111; Seed covering machine 2, frame 201, seed storage bin 202, weighing hopper 203, placement platform 204, first slide valve 205, second slide valve 206, track 207, fixing frame 208, rotating wheel 209. Weighing sensor 210, drive shaft 211, sprocket 212, chain 213, second drive motor 214, vibration table 215, placement slot 2151, spring 216, vibration motor 217, contact sensor 218, controller 219, robotic arm 3, first conveyor belt 4, conveyor belt 5, placement rack 6, seed air classifier drum sieve 7, hanging basket 8, disinfection tank 9, washing and drying machine 10, tank body 11, rotating shaft 12, spline sleeve 13, spline shaft 14, third drive motor 15, hot air pipe 16, air outlet 161. Detailed implementation method:
[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments.
[0027] Example 1: As Figure 1-4As shown, a pretreatment system for continuous hydroponic forage production includes a high-temperature sterilizer 1, a seeding machine 2, and a robotic arm 3. The high-temperature sterilizer 1 is located at one end of a first conveyor belt 4; the seeding machine 2 is located at the feeding end of a conveyor belt 5; at least one robotic arm 3 is located between the first conveyor belt 4, the conveyor belt 5, the high-temperature sterilizer 1, and the seeding machine 2. The robotic arm 3 removes the seedling trays from the first conveyor belt 4, emptys the forage, and places them aside. Simultaneously, the robotic arm 3 inserts the dirty seedling trays (after emptying the forage) into the high-temperature sterilizer 1 for sterilization and cleaning, then places them on a placement rack 6. At the same time, the robotic arm 3 places the clean seedling trays from the placement rack 6 into the seeding machine 2 for seeding, and then removes them and places them on the conveyor belt 5. This system eliminates the need for manual loading and unloading, achieving automation, improving work efficiency, and reducing labor costs.
[0028] The high-temperature disinfection machine 1 includes a casing, which is divided into a cleaning chamber 101 and an equipment chamber 102 from top to bottom. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the cleaning chamber 101. At least one set of cleaning rollers 103 is rotatably arranged inside the cleaning chamber 101. The cleaning rollers 103 include two cleaning roller brushes 1031 arranged opposite each other. Several cleaning and disinfection nozzles 104 and steam nozzles 105 are respectively arranged on the inner side wall of the cleaning chamber 101. A clean water tank 106, a disinfection water tank 107 and a steam generator 108 are fixed in the equipment chamber 102. The outlets of the clean water tank 106 and the disinfection water tank 107 are connected to the inlets of the cleaning and disinfection nozzles 104. The steam outlet of the steam generator 108 is connected to the steam inlet of the steam nozzles 105.
[0029] At least one telescopic rod 109 is provided on each side of the inlet of the cleaning chamber 101. A support frame 110 is fixed at the telescopic end of the telescopic rod 109. A cleaning roller brush 1031 is rotatably mounted on the support frame 110. A first drive motor 111 is mounted on the support frame 110. The output end of the first drive motor 111 is connected to the input end of the cleaning roller brush 1031.
[0030] Working principle: The robotic arm 3 holds the dirty seedling tray and inserts it between the two cleaning roller brushes 1031 through the inlet of the cleaning chamber 101. The telescopic rod 109 is extended to bring the two opposing cleaning roller brushes 1031 closer to contact the seedling tray. Then, the cleaning and disinfection nozzle 104 sprays cleaning water, and at the same time, the first drive motor 111 drives the cleaning roller brushes 1031 to rotate, cleaning the seedling tray. During the cleaning process, the robotic arm 3 moves back and forth with the seedling tray to ensure that the cleaning roller brushes 1031 thoroughly clean the seedling tray. After cleaning for a certain period of time, the first drive motor 111 is stopped, and the telescopic rod 109 is retracted. The cleaning and disinfection nozzle 104 sprays disinfectant water to disinfect the seedling tray. Then, the disinfectant spraying is stopped, and the steam generator 108 is turned on to sterilize the seedling tray at high temperature through the steam nozzle 105. After a certain period of time, the steam generator 108 is turned on and the seedling tray is sterilized at high temperature. After a certain period of time, the steam generator 108 is turned on and the seedling tray is sterilized at high temperature. After that, the steam generator 3 removes the clean seedling tray from the cleaning chamber 101 and places it on the display rack 6 for the next use.
[0031] The seed mulching machine 2 includes a frame 201, a seed storage bin 202, a weighing hopper 203, and a placement platform 204. The seed storage bin 202 is located above the frame 201, and a first baffle valve 205 is installed at the discharge port of the seed storage bin 202. The weighing hopper 203 is movably mounted on the frame 201 below the seed storage bin 202, and a second baffle valve 206 is installed at the discharge port of the weighing hopper 203. The placement platform 204 is located on the frame 201 below the weighing hopper 203.
[0032] Tracks 207 are fixed on the two side frames 201 below the seed storage bin 202. The fixed frame 208 is movably mounted on the track 207 via a rotating wheel 209. A weighing hopper 203 is connected to the bottom of the fixed frame 208 via a weighing sensor 210. Drive shafts 211 are rotatably mounted on both sides of the track 207. Corresponding sprockets 212 are mounted on the two drive shafts 211. Chains 213 are mounted on the two sprockets 212. The broken ends of the chains 213 are fixed to the two ends of the fixed frame 208. A second drive motor 214 is fixed on the frame 201. The output end of the second drive motor 214 is connected to one end of one of the drive shafts 211.
[0033] A vibration table 215 is provided on the placement platform 204. The bottom of the vibration table 215 is connected to the placement platform 204 by several springs 216. A vibration motor 217 is fixed at the bottom of the vibration table 215. A placement groove 2151 is provided on the top of the vibration table 215. A contact sensor 218 is provided in the placement groove 2151. The signal output terminals of the weighing sensor 210 and the contact sensor 218 are both connected to the signal input terminal of the controller 219 through signal communication. The signal output terminal of the controller 219 is connected to the signal input terminals of the first slide valve 205, the second slide valve 206, the second drive motor 214, and the vibration motor 217 through signal communication.
[0034] Working principle: The robotic arm 3 delivers a clean seedling tray from the placement rack 6 to the placement slot 2151 of the seed covering machine 2. The contact sensor 218 in the placement slot 2151 transmits a signal to the controller 219. The controller 219 controls the first gate valve 205 to open, and the seeds in the seed storage bin 202 fall into the weighing hopper 203. The weighing sensor 210 transmits a signal to the controller 219. When the seed quantity reaches the required level, the controller 219 controls the first gate valve 205 to close. After a 5-second delay, it controls the second drive motor 214 to start and simultaneously controls the second gate valve 206 to open. The weighing hopper 203 moves forward with the chain 213. The seeds fall into the seedling tray and move to a specified distance. Then, the second drive motor 214 reverses. When the weighing sensor 210 returns a signal that there are no seeds in the weighing hopper 203, the controller 219 controls the second gate valve 206 to close, and the weighing hopper 203 returns to below the discharge port of the seed storage bin 202. The second drive motor 214 stops, and at the same time, the vibration motor 217 is turned on. The vibration table 215 vibrates and drives the seedling tray to spread the seeds evenly. After a certain period of vibration, the controller 219 controls the vibration motor 217 to turn off, and at the same time, the robotic arm 3 takes out the seedling tray with the seeds spread evenly and places it on the conveyor belt 5 for subsequent cultivation.
[0035] Example 2: Figure 5-7 As shown, its overall structure is the same as that of Embodiment 1, except that it also includes a seed air-separation drum screen 7, a hanging basket 8, a disinfection tank 9, and a washing and drying machine 10; the seed outlet of the seed air-separation drum screen 7 is connected to the inlet of the hanging basket 8, the hanging basket 8 is movably placed in the disinfection tank 9, the hanging basket 8 is movably placed in the washing and drying machine 10, and the outlet of the hanging basket 8 is connected to the inlet of the seed storage bin 202 of the seed covering machine 2.
[0036] The washing and drying machine 10 includes a barrel 11; a rotating shaft 12 is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the barrel 11, and a spline sleeve 13 is integrally formed at the top of the rotating shaft 12; a spline shaft 14 matching the spline sleeve 13 is fixed at the bottom center of the hanging basket 8, and the spline shaft 14 is movably inserted into the spline sleeve 13; the bottom of the rotating shaft 12 is connected to the output end of the third drive motor 15; a water outlet is provided at the bottom of the barrel 11, and a water inlet is provided at the top of the barrel 11; a hot air pipe 16 is provided inside the barrel 11 above the water inlet of the barrel 11, and several air outlets 161 are provided on the hot air pipe 16.
[0037] Working principle: Seeds are screened through a seed air-separation drum screen 7 to remove impurities and other contaminants. The seeds are then loaded into a hanging basket 8, which is first transported by a crane to a disinfection tank 9 for soaking in disinfectant solution for a certain period. Next, the hanging basket 8 is hoisted into the tank 11 of the washing and drying machine 10. The splined shaft 14 at the bottom of the hanging basket 8 is movably inserted into the splined sleeve 13 inside the tank 11. The crane is then removed, clean water is added, and the third drive motor 15 is started to rotate the hanging basket 8 to wash the seeds. During the washing process, the basket rotates clockwise a certain number of times and then counterclockwise. After a set number of rotations, the machine rotates forward to achieve thorough cleaning. After cleaning, the rotation stops, the cleaning water is drained, and the seeds are soaked in clean water for 10 hours. After draining the water, the third drive motor 15 is started to spin-dry the seeds for a certain period of time. Then, the third drive motor 15 is stopped, and hot air is introduced to dry the seeds. Afterward, the crane lifts the basket 8 above the seed storage chamber 202 of the seed covering machine 2, and the seeds are poured into the seed storage chamber 202. Pre-treating the seeds before covering improves the germination rate, which helps to reduce the subsequent spiral tower operation time and lowers operating costs.
[0038] The above are preferred embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage, characterized in that, It includes a high-temperature sterilization machine, a replanting machine, and a robotic arm. The high-temperature sterilization machine is located at one end of the first conveyor belt; the replanting machine is located at the feeding end of the conveyor belt; and at least one robotic arm is located between the first conveyor belt, the conveyor belt, the high-temperature sterilization machine, and the replanting machine.
2. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-temperature disinfection machine includes a casing, which is divided into a cleaning chamber and an equipment chamber from top to bottom. A drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the cleaning chamber. At least one set of cleaning rollers is rotatably installed inside the cleaning chamber. Several cleaning and disinfection nozzles and steam nozzles are respectively installed on the inner side wall of the cleaning chamber. A clean water tank, a disinfection water tank, and a steam generator are fixed in the equipment chamber. The outlets of the clean water tank and the disinfection water tank are connected to the inlets of the cleaning and disinfection nozzles. The air outlet of the steam generator is connected to the air inlet of the steam nozzles.
3. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning roller assembly includes two cleaning roller brushes arranged opposite each other.
4. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one telescopic rod is provided on each side of the inlet of the cleaning chamber. A support frame is fixed to the telescopic end of the telescopic rod. The cleaning roller brush is rotatably mounted on the support frame. A first drive motor is provided on the support frame. The output end of the first drive motor is connected to the input end of the cleaning roller brush.
5. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seed mulching machine includes a frame, a seed storage bin, a weighing hopper, and a placement platform. The seed storage bin is located above the frame, and a first baffle valve is installed at the outlet of the seed storage bin. The weighing hopper is movably mounted on the frame below the seed storage bin, and a second baffle valve is installed at the outlet of the weighing hopper. The placement platform is located on the frame below the weighing hopper.
6. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 5, characterized in that, Tracks are fixed on both sides of the frame below the seed storage bin. The fixed frame is movable on the track via a rotating wheel. The weighing hopper is connected to the bottom of the fixed frame via a weighing sensor. Drive shafts are rotatably arranged on both sides of the track. Corresponding sprockets are sleeved on the two drive shafts. Chains are sleeved on the two sprockets. The broken ends of the chains are fixed to the two ends of the fixed frame. A second drive motor is fixed on the frame. The output end of the second drive motor is connected to one end of one of the drive shafts.
7. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 6, characterized in that, A vibration table is provided on the placement platform. The bottom of the vibration table is connected to the placement platform by several springs. A vibration motor is fixed at the bottom of the vibration table. A placement slot is provided on the top of the vibration table, and a contact sensor is placed in the placement slot. The signal output terminals of the weighing sensor and the contact sensor are both connected to the signal input terminal of the controller. The signal output terminal of the controller is connected to the signal input terminals of the first slide gate valve, the second slide gate valve, the second drive motor, and the vibration motor, respectively.
8. The pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a seed air-separation drum screen, a hanging basket, a disinfection tank, and a washing and drying machine; the seed outlet of the seed air-separation drum screen is connected to the inlet of the hanging basket, the hanging basket is movably placed in the disinfection tank, the hanging basket is movably placed in the washing and drying machine, and the outlet of the hanging basket is connected to the inlet of the seed storage bin of the mulching machine.
9. A pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 8, characterized in that, The washing and drying machine includes a tub body; a rotating shaft is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the tub body, a spline sleeve is integrally formed at the top of the rotating shaft, a spline shaft matching the spline sleeve is fixed at the bottom center of the hanging basket, the spline shaft is movably inserted into the spline sleeve, and the bottom of the rotating shaft is connected to the output end of a third drive motor; a water outlet is provided at the bottom of the tub body, and a water inlet is provided at the top of the tub body.
10. A pretreatment system for continuous production of hydroponic forage according to claim 9, characterized in that, A hot air pipe is installed inside the barrel above the water inlet, and several air outlets are opened on the hot air pipe.