A beekeeping device that allows for easy adjustment of the nesting space of bee colonies.
By designing a device that can adjust the nesting space of bee colonies, and utilizing limiting components and bee passages, the professionalism and accessibility issues of adjusting the bee colony space in the hive are solved, enabling non-contact adjustment and observation, and adapting to different climates and nectar source conditions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 无锡市绿色蜂尚文化科技有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Adjusting the nesting space of bee colonies in existing hives requires professional knowledge, and traditional methods require contact with bees, making it difficult to adapt to changes in spatial requirements under different climates and nectar source conditions.
A device comprising an outer box, an inner box, a hive box, a limiting component, and a honey extraction module was designed. The size of the nesting space is changed by the movement of the limiting component within the hive box, and a bee passage is left between the limiting component and the inner wall of the hive box, providing physical support and an observation window to achieve non-contact adjustment.
It enables flexible adjustment of bee colony nesting space according to climate and nectar source conditions, simplifies operations, improves safety and observability, and adapts to the needs of different bee colony strengths.
Smart Images
Figure CN224504366U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a beekeeping device that facilitates the adjustment of the nesting space of bee colonies, belonging to the field of beehive equipment technology. Background Technology
[0002] In recent years, to enable more individuals without professional beekeeping skills to participate in beekeeping practices, many new types of beehives that facilitate honey extraction have emerged, such as self-flowing beehives. These beehives take advantage of bees' preference for storing honey in the upper part of the hive, and their honey extraction module is usually located at the top of the beehive.
[0003] However, bees will only build their nests and store honey upwards when the downward extension of the hive is blocked. But because climate and nectar source conditions vary from place to place, bee colony sizes and the required internal space differ, so pre-fixing the size of the hive's internal space is clearly not feasible.
[0004] Typically, beekeepers compress the bee colony's nesting space by adjusting the position of partitions or reducing the number of hive layers, forcing the bees to store honey upwards. However, these methods require significant adjustments to the internal and external structure of the hive and necessitate contact with the bees, making them suitable only for those with some beekeeping experience. This clearly contradicts the original design intent of this new type of honey extraction module for beehives.
[0005] Therefore, in order to simplify the adjustment process, it is particularly necessary to design a method that allows for flexible adjustment of the nesting space within the beehive. Utility Model Content
[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a beekeeping device that facilitates adjusting the nesting space of bee colonies, comprising an outer box and an inner box nested inside the outer box, wherein the inner box includes:
[0007] The nest box is a tubular structure with openings at the top and bottom, and multiple limiting openings at different heights are provided on its walls.
[0008] A limiting component is movably fitted into any limiting port. When the limiting component is inserted into the hive box through the limiting port, it abuts against the inner wall of the hive box, and the remaining part leaves a gap between the limiting component and the inner wall of the hive box. The gap is a bee passage that allows bees to pass through only.
[0009] A honey-collecting module is installed at the top of the nest box and closes the upper opening of the nest box. A nesting space is formed between the limiting member and the honey-collecting module. The size of the nesting space can be changed by changing the fitting height of the limiting member.
[0010] Furthermore, the nest box is a square tube structure with a belly plate, a back plate, and side plates connecting the two sides of the belly plate and the back plate. The belly plate has multiple limiting openings at different height positions.
[0011] Furthermore, the limiting port is a strip-shaped groove, and multiple limiting ports are distributed parallel to each other and longitudinally on the web.
[0012] Furthermore, the limiting member is a rectangular plate-shaped structure or a sheet-shaped structure, and the limiting member can be detachably inserted into the limiting opening at any height to form a movable fit; when the side of the limiting member near the back plate abuts against the back plate, the bee channel is left between the side of the limiting member and the side plate.
[0013] Furthermore, the side plate is fixed with multiple multi-functional rods, and at least one multi-functional rod is provided in the area above or below the height plane of any limiting port; when any limiting port is engaged with the limiting member, the multi-functional rod abuts against the lower surface of the limiting member.
[0014] Furthermore, a limiting seat is provided at the connection between the multi-functional rod and the side plate, and the limiting seat fits tightly within the bee channel.
[0015] Furthermore, the side panel is a transparent material.
[0016] Furthermore, the insertion length of the limiting member is greater than the width of the side plate; when the limiting member is engaged with the limiting opening and abuts against the back plate, at least a portion of the limiting member is exposed outside the nest box.
[0017] Furthermore, the maximum width of the bee passage is greater than the width of the bee and less than the thickness of the comb, which can limit the downward extension of the comb while ensuring the passage of the bees.
[0018] Furthermore, the outer box includes an outer box sleeve and an outer box base. The outer box sleeve covers the outside of the nest box, and the outer box base has a nest entrance and is located at the bottom of the nest box.
[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0020] This invention, on the one hand, uses the movable design of the limiting component and the limiting opening to change the lower limit height of the nesting space; on the other hand, by leaving a gap between the limiting component and the inner wall of the hive to provide a passage for bees, it allows for the adjustment of the nesting space within the hive without contacting the bees. This enables the determination of the optimal nesting space based on local climate and nectar source conditions, and provides physical support for bees to climb upwards, allowing them to directly enter the hive and avoiding difficulties in returning. Compared to traditional methods of adjusting the internal structure of the hive by opening it, this is safer and simpler. Furthermore, by making the side panels of the hive transparent or adding transparent observation windows, the saturation level of the bee colony inside the hive can be understood without disturbing or contacting the bees, providing a basis for determining whether the partition needs adjustment. This invention also includes a multi-functional rod inside the hive, which, depending on its location, can reinforce the comb or support the limiting partition, greatly simplifying the design. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure after assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the overall structure in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nest box in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a nest box in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] In the diagram: 1. Outer box cover; 2. Outer box base; 3. Nest box; 4. Honey collection module; 5. Nest entrance; 31. Limiting component; 32. Limiting opening; 33. Abdominal plate; 34. Back plate; 35. Side plate; 36. Multifunctional rod; 37. Bee passage; 38. Limiting seat. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0029] like Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model provides a beekeeping device that facilitates the adjustment of the nesting space of bee colonies, including an outer box and an inner box nested inside the outer box.
[0030] exist Figure 2 In the example, the outer box includes an outer box sleeve 1 and an outer box base 2. The outer box base 2 is a rectangular frame structure with a hive entrance 5 on one of its edges. The entire outer box base 2 is located at the bottom of the hive box 3. The inner box includes hive boxes 3 and honey-collecting modules 4 stacked sequentially upwards. When the outer box and inner box are nested together, the outer box sleeve 1 covers the hive boxes 3 and honey-collecting modules 4.
[0031] Furthermore, in Figure 3 In the example, the hive box 5 is a square tube structure with a belly plate 33, a back plate 34 and side plates 35 connecting the two sides of the belly plate 33 and the back plate 34. The belly plate 33 has multiple limiting openings at different heights. The limiting opening 32 is a strip-shaped slot. The width of the strip-shaped slot is small enough that bees cannot pass through. The multiple limiting openings 32 are arranged in parallel and longitudinally on the belly plate 33, and each limiting opening is located at a different height. A limiting member 31 can be used at any limiting opening 32.
[0032] In some embodiments, the limiting member 31 is a rectangular plate-like structure or a sheet-like structure. The limiting member 31 can be detachably inserted into the limiting opening 32 at any height to form a movable fit. The limiting member 31 can be inserted into the limiting opening 32 at the required height according to actual needs, thereby limiting the required nesting space size. When the limiting member 31 is inserted into the nest box through the limiting opening 32, any side of the limiting member 31 can have a gap with both the side plate 35 and the back plate 34. Alternatively, the side of the limiting member 31 closest to the back plate 34 can abut against the back plate 34, while the other sides of the limiting member 31 have a gap with the side plate 35. The gap is a bee passage 37. The maximum width of the bee passage 37 is greater than the width of the bee and less than the thickness of the honeycomb, which can limit the downward extension of the honeycomb and ensure that the bees can pass through the space above and below the limiting member 31.
[0033] Preferably, the limiting member 31 can be long enough, and the length of the limiting member 31 in the insertion direction is greater than the width of the side plate 35. With this configuration, when the limiting member 31 is engaged with the limiting port 32 and abuts against the back plate 34, at least a portion of the limiting member 31 is exposed outside the nest box 3, and the exposed portion can serve as a gripper to facilitate the insertion and removal of the limiting member 31.
[0034] In some embodiments, the honey extraction module 4 can be any known convenient honey extraction module, such as a self-flowing honey module for a self-flowing beehive or other contactless honey extraction modules. The honey extraction module 4 is disposed on the top of the hive and closes the upper opening of the hive. A nesting space is formed between the limiting member and the honey extraction module. The size of the nesting space can be changed by changing the fitting height of the limiting member. The nesting space is also connected to the space below the limiting member 31 through the bee passage 37.
[0035] Furthermore, the side plate 35 is fixed with multiple multi-functional rods 36. Each limiting port 31 has at least one multi-functional rod 36 in the area above or below its height plane. For example, one or two multi-functional rods 36 can be set in the area above and below the height plane of a certain limiting port 31, but the two multi-functional rods 36 set in the lower area must be on the same height plane. A columnar limiting seat 38 is provided at the connection between the multi-functional rod 36 and the side plate 35. The limiting seat 38 fits tightly within the bee passage 37, and both ends of the limiting seat 38 abut against the limiting member 31 and the inner wall of the hive box 3 simultaneously.
[0036] When any of the limiting ports 32 is engaged with the limiting member, the multi-functional rod 36 abuts against the lower surface of the limiting member 31, and the multi-functional rod 36 does not abut against the upper surface of the limiting member 31. Since the multi-functional rod 36 is located above the limiting member 31, it can reinforce the honeycomb structure, similar to bamboo skewers in a grid box. When the multi-functional rod 36 abuts against the lower surface of the limiting member 31, due to the close fit between the multi-functional rod 36 and the gap in the partition, the limiting member 31 is positioned precisely on top of the multi-functional rod 36, at which point the multi-functional rod 36 serves to support the limiting member 31.
[0037] The multi-functional rod 36 can be perpendicular to the side plates and parallel to the back and belly plates, or it can maintain any angle with the various plates of the inner wall of the nest box 3 while remaining horizontal.
[0038] Preferably, the side panel 35 is a transparent plate or a portion of it has a transparent window, which facilitates observation of the nesting situation inside the nest box 3 after opening the outer box.
[0039] Example 1
[0040] This embodiment provides a specific operating method for using the above-described beekeeping device:
[0041] Phase 1. In the initial state, open the outer box 1, insert the limiting piece 31 into the corresponding limiting slot 32, and set it on the corresponding multi-functional rod 36. Bees build a hive above the limiting piece 31. Bees can enter the space between the limiting piece 31 and the outer box base 2 through the bee passage 37 and fly out of the box to collect nectar through the hive entrance 5. Returning bees can climb up the inner wall of the hive box 3 and return to the colony through the bee passage 37. Under normal circumstances, the outer box remains closed.
[0042] Stage 2. As time goes on, the bee population continues to expand. The outer box 1 can be opened, and the internal situation of the bee colony can be observed through the transparent side panel 35 of the hive box 3. If the bee colony is very crowded, and there is no space above the limiting member 31, including inside the honey-making module, for the bees to build a nest downwards, and the peak honey flow season has not yet arrived, the limiting member 31 can be pulled out and inserted into the lower limiting opening 32, allowing the bees to continue building a nest downwards and expanding the bee colony.
[0043] Phase 3. Repeat the steps of Phase 2 until the main honey flow season is approaching. At this point, the nesting space determined by the height of the limiting component 31 is the ideal internal space of the hive. This satisfies the reproductive needs of the bee colony and forces the bees to store honey upwards.
[0044] Example 2
[0045] Since the outer casing 1 mainly serves to block external light, in this embodiment, the outer casing 1 can be a split, multi-layered structure, or the entire outer casing can be simplified into a movable plate structure installed on a transparent side panel or a transparent observation window on the side panel.
[0046] Example 3
[0047] Since the outer box 1 mainly serves to block external light, in this embodiment, the outer box 1 can be a box structure with an opening in the horizontal direction, and a cover plate is detachably installed at the opening in the horizontal direction. The condition of the nest box 3 can be viewed after opening the cover plate.
[0048] Example 4
[0049] In the gap between the limiting member 31 and the inner wall of the nest box 3, a fence plate or a perforated plate can be installed, wherein the width of the grid and the diameter of the holes should be greater than the width of the bees and less than the thickness of the honeycomb. This arrangement can enhance the structural stability while preserving the bee passage.
[0050] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.
Claims
1. A beekeeping device for facilitating adjustment of the nesting space of a bee colony, comprising an outer box and an inner box nested inside the outer box, characterized in that, The inner box includes: The nest box is a tubular structure with openings at the top and bottom, and multiple limiting openings at different heights are provided on its walls. A limiting component is movably fitted into any limiting port. When the limiting component is inserted into the hive box through the limiting port, a gap is left between the limiting component and the inner wall of the hive box. The gap is a bee passage that allows only bees to pass through. A honey-collecting module is installed at the top of the nest box and closes the upper opening of the nest box. A nesting space is formed between the limiting member and the honey-collecting module. The size of the nesting space can be changed by changing the fitting height of the limiting member.
2. The apiculture device of claim 1, wherein, The nest box is a square tube structure with a belly plate, a back plate, and side plates connecting the two sides of the belly plate and the back plate. The belly plate has multiple limiting openings at different height positions.
3. The apiculture device of claim 2, wherein, The limiting port is a strip-shaped groove, and multiple limiting ports are parallel and longitudinally distributed on the web.
4. The apiculture device of claim 3, wherein, The limiting member is a rectangular plate-shaped structure or a sheet-shaped structure. The limiting member can be detachably inserted into the limiting opening at any height to form a movable fit. When the side of the limiting member near the back plate abuts against the back plate, the bee channel is left between either side of the limiting member and the side plate.
5. The apiculture device of claim 4, wherein, The side plate is fixed with multiple multi-functional rods, and at least one multi-functional rod is provided in the area above or below the height plane of any limiting port; when any limiting port is engaged with the limiting member, the multi-functional rod abuts against the limiting member or the lower surface.
6. The apiculture device of claim 5, wherein, A limiting seat is provided at the connection between the multi-functional rod and the side plate, and the limiting seat fits tightly into the bee channel.
7. The apiculture device of claim 2, wherein, The side panel is made of a transparent material.
8. The beekeeping device of claim 4, wherein, The length of the limiting member in the insertion direction is greater than the width of the side plate; when the limiting member is engaged with the limiting opening and abuts against the back plate, at least a portion of the limiting member is exposed outside the nest box.
9. The beekeeping device of claim 4, wherein, The maximum width of the bee passage is greater than the width of the bee and less than the thickness of the comb, which can limit the downward extension of the comb while ensuring the passage of the bees.
10. The apiculture device of claim 1, wherein, The outer box includes an outer box sleeve and an outer box base. The outer box sleeve covers the outside of the nest box, and the outer box base has a nest entrance and is located at the bottom of the nest box.