A drinking water device for the preparation of germ-free animals

Abstract

This utility model relates to the technical field of drinking water devices, specifically a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals. It includes a drinking trough, a water supply tank, a mounting plate, a water pump, a water inlet pipe, and a limiting mechanism. The mounting plate is connected to the bottom of one side of the water tank, and the water pump is connected to the top of the mounting plate. The water pump input is connected to the water tank, and the water inlet input is connected to the water pump output. A water inlet is provided on one side of the drinking trough, and the water inlet output is connected to the water inlet. The limiting mechanism is installed inside the drinking trough. When the water level in the drinking trough drops, the limiting mechanism powers on the water pump, allowing water to be added to the drinking trough. The limiting mechanism includes a sleeve, a sliding rod, a spring, two sets of metal blocks, a support rod, a movable rod, and a floating ball. The sleeve is connected to the top of the inner wall of the drinking trough. This utility model provides a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals that achieves automatic and stable water replenishment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of drinking water devices, specifically a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biomedical research, germ-free animals serve as important experimental models. Their breeding process demands extremely high levels of sterility and stability in their living environment. The water supply system, as a crucial component of the germ-free animal rearing environment, directly impacts the animals' health and the accuracy of experimental data. During the preparation of germ-free animals, it is essential to ensure that the drinking water remains sterile at all times. Frequent opening of the rearing environment due to artificial water replenishment must be avoided, as this could lead to external microbial contamination. Simultaneously, the water level in the water troughs must be kept stable to prevent water shortages from affecting the animals' normal physiological activities, or excessive water overflow from the rearing environment, causing dampness and secondary contamination.

[0003] Currently, most existing drinking water devices for the preparation of sterile animals have the following technical defects: First, most devices rely on manual periodic water replenishment, which not only increases the operational burden on experimental personnel, but more importantly, opening the sterile feeding chamber door during each water replenishment process can easily disrupt the sterile environment inside the chamber, introduce external bacteria, and lead to infection of sterile animals, seriously affecting the reliability of experimental results. Therefore, a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals is needed to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals that enables automatic and stable water replenishment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals, comprising a drinking trough, and further comprising: The system includes a water tank, a mounting plate, a water pump, a water inlet pipe, and a limiting mechanism. The mounting plate is connected to the bottom of one side of the water tank, and the water pump is connected to the top of the mounting plate. The water pump input is connected to the water tank, and the water inlet input is connected to the water pump output. A water inlet is provided on one side of the drinking trough, and the water inlet output is connected to the water inlet. The limiting mechanism is installed inside the drinking trough. When the water level in the drinking trough drops, the limiting mechanism powers on the water pump to start, thus adding water to the drinking trough. The limiting mechanism includes a sleeve, a sliding rod, a spring, two sets of metal blocks, a support rod, a movable rod, and a floating ball. The sleeve is connected to the top of the inner wall of the drinking trough. The sliding rod is slidably connected to the sleeve. The spring is located inside the sleeve, and its two ends are connected to the sliding rod and the sleeve, respectively. The two sets of metal blocks are connected to the inner wall of the sleeve away from the sliding rod and to the sliding rod, respectively. Both sets of metal blocks are electrically connected to the water pump. The support rod is connected to the inner wall of the drinking trough. The middle part of the movable rod is rotatably connected to the support rod near the sliding rod. An inclined surface is provided at the bottom of the sliding rod near the support rod. The end of the movable rod near the sleeve slides against the inclined surface. The floating ball is connected to the end of the movable rod away from the sliding rod.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a protective plate, which is connected to the top of the drinking trough, and the sleeve and movable rod are both located below the protective plate.

[0007] Preferably, a transparent observation window is provided on one side of the water supply tank.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a flash lamp, which is connected to the top of the water supply tank, and the two sets of metal blocks are electrically connected to the flash lamp.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes a splash guard, which is connected to the inner wall of the drinking trough and is located at the water inlet.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a drinking water device for the preparation of sterile animals, which has the following beneficial effects: A complete automatic water replenishment system was constructed by installing a limiting mechanism consisting of a sleeve, sliding rod, spring, metal blocks, support rod, movable rod, and float ball inside the water trough, along with a water supply tank, water pump, and water inlet pipe. When the water level in the water trough drops, the float ball moves with the water level, causing the movable rod to rotate around the support rod. The end of the movable rod near the sleeve slides along the inclined surface of the sliding rod, causing the sliding rod to slide inside the sleeve and compress the spring. This brings the two sets of metal blocks into contact, energizing and starting the water pump. The water pump then delivers water from the water supply tank to the water trough through the water inlet pipe and inlet. When the water level in the water trough rises to the set height, the float ball rises, causing the movable rod to rotate in the opposite direction. The sliding rod returns to its original position under the spring force, the two sets of metal blocks separate, and the water pump stops replenishing water. The entire water replenishment process requires no manual intervention, avoiding the frequent opening of the feeding chamber door and reducing the workload of the experimental personnel. When the water level is lower than the set value, water replenishment is automatically started; when the water level reaches the set height, water replenishment is automatically stopped. This effectively avoids the situation where water shortage affects the physiological activities of germ-free animals, and also prevents water from overflowing and causing the breeding environment to become damp. This provides a stable and suitable drinking water environment for germ-free animals, which is conducive to maintaining their health. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support rod, movable rod, and their connection structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sleeve, slide bar, and their connection structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the inclined surface structure of this utility model.

[0012] Reference numerals: 1. Drinking trough; 2. Water supply tank; 3. Mounting plate; 4. Water pump; 5. Water inlet pipe; 6. Water inlet; 7. Sleeve; 8. Sliding rod; 9. Spring; 10. Metal block; 11. Support rod; 12. Movable rod; 13. Floating ball; 14. Inclined surface; 15. Protective plate; 16. Transparent observation window; 17. Flashlight; 18. Splash guard. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0014] Example

[0015] Please see Figures 1-4 A drinking device for preparing sterile animals, comprising a drinking trough 1, and further comprising: The water supply tank 2, mounting plate 3, water pump 4, water filling pipe 5, and limiting mechanism are provided. The mounting plate 3 is connected to the bottom of one side of the water tank, the water pump 4 is connected to the top of the mounting plate 3, the input end of the water pump 4 is connected to the water tank, the input end of the water filling pipe 5 is connected to the output end of the water pump 4, a water inlet 6 is provided on one side of the drinking trough 1, the output end of the water filling pipe 5 is connected to the water inlet 6, and the limiting mechanism is installed in the drinking trough 1. When the water level in the drinking trough 1 drops, the water pump 4 is powered on and started through the limiting mechanism to add water to the drinking trough 1. The limiting mechanism includes a sleeve 7, a slide rod 8, a spring 9, two sets of metal blocks 10, a support rod 11, a movable rod 12, and a floating ball 13. The sleeve 7 is connected to the top of the inner wall of the drinking tank 1. The slide rod 8 is slidably connected to the sleeve 7. The spring 9 is located inside the sleeve 7, and its two ends are connected to the slide rod 8 and the sleeve 7, respectively. The two sets of metal blocks 10 are connected to the inner wall of the sleeve 7 away from the slide rod 8 and to the slide rod 8, respectively. Both sets of metal blocks 10 are electrically connected to the water pump 4. The support rod 11 is connected to the inner wall of the drinking tank 1. The middle part of the movable rod 12 is rotatably connected to the support rod 11 near the slide rod 8. An inclined surface 14 is provided at the bottom of the slide rod 8 near the support rod 11. The movable rod 12 is slidably attached to the inclined surface 14 at the end near the sleeve 7. The floating ball 13 is connected to the end of the movable rod 12 away from the slide rod 8. A complete automatic water replenishment system is constructed by setting a limiting mechanism consisting of a sleeve 7, a sliding rod 8, a spring 9, a metal block 10, a support rod 11, a movable rod 12, and a floating ball 13 inside the drinking tank 1, in conjunction with the water supply tank 2, the water pump 4, and the water inlet pipe 5. When the water level in the drinking tank 1 decreases, the floating ball 13 moves the movable rod 12 around the support rod 11 as the water level drops. The end of the movable rod 12 near the sleeve 7 slides along the inclined surface 14 of the sliding rod 8, causing the sliding rod 8 to slide inside the sleeve 7 and compress the spring 9, so that the two sets of metal blocks 10 come into contact, thereby energizing and starting the water pump 4. The water pump 4 delivers water from the water supply tank 2 to the drinking tank 1 through the water inlet pipe 5 and the water inlet 6. When the water level in the drinking tank 1 rises to the set height, the floating ball 13 floats up, causing the movable rod 12 to rotate in the opposite direction. The sliding rod 8 resets under the elastic force of the spring 9, the two sets of metal blocks 10 separate, and the water pump 4 is de-energized and stops replenishing water. The entire water replenishment process requires no manual intervention, avoiding the need for frequent opening of the rearing chamber doors and reducing the workload of laboratory personnel. Water replenishment automatically begins when the water level falls below the set value and automatically stops when the water level reaches the set height. This effectively prevents water shortages from affecting the physiological activities of germ-free animals, while also preventing water overflow and a damp environment. This provides a stable and suitable drinking environment for the germ-free animals, which is beneficial for maintaining their health.

[0016] Please see Figures 1-4 It also includes a protective plate 15, which is connected to the top of the drinking trough 1, and the sleeve 7 and the movable rod 12 are both located below the protective plate 15; the protective plate 15 can prevent animals from biting or stepping on the sleeve 7 or the movable rod 12, which could cause the limit mechanism to malfunction and ensure the stable operation of the automatic water replenishment system.

[0017] Please see Figures 1-4A transparent observation window 16 is provided on one side of the water supply tank 2. The remaining water in the water supply tank 2 can be viewed directly through the transparent observation window 16. This can avoid frequent operation that may damage the sterile environment, and can also detect and replenish the water in time if the water is insufficient. This prevents the drinking trough 1 from being unable to replenish water normally due to the lack of water in the water supply tank 2, and ensures the continuity of drinking water supply for sterile animals.

[0018] Please see Figures 1-4 It also includes a flash lamp 17, which is connected to the top of the water supply tank 2. Two sets of metal blocks 10 are electrically connected to the flash lamp 17. When the water level in the drinking tank 1 drops, causing the two sets of metal blocks 10 to contact each other and the water pump 4 to start replenishing water, the flash lamp 17 is simultaneously powered on and lit. Experimenters can quickly determine whether the device is in the water replenishment operation state by observing the status of the flash lamp 17. If the flash lamp 17 is lit for a long time, it can promptly check for abnormalities such as water leakage in the drinking tank 1 or malfunction of the water pump 4, thus avoiding water shortage or overflow problems caused by abnormal water replenishment.

[0019] Please see Figures 1-4 It also includes a splash guard 18, which is connected to the inner wall of the drinking trough 1 and is located at the water inlet 6. The splash guard 18 can prevent water from splashing out of the drinking trough 1 during the water replenishment process, avoid water droplets falling into the breeding area and causing the environment to become humid, and reduce the risk of microbial growth.

[0020] In summary, when using this drinking device for sterile animal preparation, before putting the device into use, sufficient sterile water is first injected into the water supply tank 2. When the sterile animal drinks the water in the drinking trough 1, causing the water level to drop, the floating ball 13 drops synchronously with the water level, thereby driving the movable rod 12 to rotate counterclockwise around the support rod 11. The end of the movable rod 12 near the sleeve 7 slides along the inclined surface 14 of the slide rod 8. During the sliding process, it generates a thrust on the slide rod 8 along the axial direction of the sleeve 7, causing the slide rod 8 to overcome the elastic force of the spring 9 and slide towards the metal block 10 in the sleeve 7. As the slide rod 8 continues to slide, when the two sets of metal blocks 10 come into contact with each other, the power supply circuit of the water pump 4 is connected, and the water pump 4 starts to run. The water pump 4 draws sterile water from the water supply tank 2 through the input end, and delivers it to the water inlet 6 of the drinking trough 1 through the water filling pipe 5, finally injecting sterile water into the drinking trough 1 to achieve automatic water replenishment.

[0021] As the water pump 4 continuously replenishes water into the drinking tank 1, the water level in the drinking tank 1 gradually rises. The floating ball 13 floats upward due to buoyancy, causing the movable rod 12 to rotate clockwise around the support rod 11. The end of the movable rod 12 near the sleeve 7 slides again along the inclined surface 14 of the slide rod 8, and the axial thrust on the slide rod 8 gradually decreases. When the water level rises to the set height, the position of the movable rod 12 returns to the initial state. Under the elastic force of the spring 9, the slide rod 8 resets along the sleeve 7 in the direction away from the metal block 10. The two sets of metal blocks 10 separate, the power supply circuit of the water pump 4 is disconnected, the water pump 4 stops running, the water replenishment process ends, and the device returns to the initial standby state, waiting for the water level to drop again before repeating the above automatic water replenishment process.

[0022] This water pump 4 is a commercially available device known to those skilled in the art. We are simply using it here without making any structural or functional improvements, which we will not elaborate on here. The water pump 4 is equipped with a matching control switch, and the installation location of the control switch is selected according to actual usage needs to facilitate operation and control by the operator.

[0023] The above embodiments merely illustrate specific implementations of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A drinking device for the preparation of sterile animals, comprising a drinking trough (1), characterized in that, Also includes: Water supply tank (2), mounting plate (3), water pump (4), water filling pipe (5) and limiting mechanism. The mounting plate (3) is connected to the bottom of one side of the water tank. The water pump (4) is connected to the top of the mounting plate (3). The input end of the water pump (4) is connected to the water tank. The input end of the water filling pipe (5) is connected to the output end of the water pump (4). A water inlet (6) is provided on one side of the drinking trough (1). The output end of the water filling pipe (5) is connected to the water inlet (6). The limiting mechanism is installed in the drinking trough (1). When the water level in the drinking trough (1) drops, the water pump (4) is powered on and started through the limiting mechanism to add water to the drinking trough (1). The limiting mechanism includes a sleeve (7), a slide rod (8), a spring (9), two sets of metal blocks (10), a support rod (11), a movable rod (12), and a floating ball (13). The sleeve (7) is connected to the top of the inner wall of the drinking trough (1). The slide rod (8) is slidably connected to the sleeve (7). The spring (9) is located inside the sleeve (7). The two ends of the spring (9) are connected to the slide rod (8) and the sleeve (7) respectively. The two sets of metal blocks (10) are connected to the inner wall of the sleeve (7) away from the slide rod (8) and the slide rod (7) respectively. The rod (8) is connected, and both sets of metal blocks (10) are electrically connected to the water pump (4). The support rod (11) is connected to the inner wall of the drinking trough (1). The middle part of the movable rod (12) is rotatably connected to the support rod (11) near the sliding rod (8). An inclined surface (14) is provided at the bottom of the end of the sliding rod (8) near the support rod (11). The end of the movable rod (12) near the sleeve (7) slides and fits against the inclined surface (14). The floating ball (13) is connected to the end of the movable rod (12) away from the sliding rod (8).

2. A drinking water device for preparing sterile animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a protective plate (15), which is connected to the top of the drinking trough (1), and the sleeve (7) and the movable rod (12) are both located below the protective plate (15).

3. A drinking device for preparing sterile animals according to claim 2, characterized in that: A transparent observation window (16) is provided on one side of the water supply tank (2).

4. A drinking device for preparing sterile animals according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a flash lamp (17), which is connected to the top of the water supply tank (2), and two sets of metal blocks (10) are electrically connected to the flash lamp (17).

5. A drinking device for preparing sterile animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a splash guard (18), which is connected to the inner wall of the drinking trough (1) and is located at the water inlet (6).

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