An automatic egg collecting device

Abstract

An automatic egg collecting device relates to poultry breeding technical field, including stand, flexible spring, linkage mechanism, guide mechanism, collection groove, the bottom plate of artificial nest is equipped with stand between hatching plate, the sliding fit of stand has guide sleeve, the top of stand is equipped with top plate, the both sides of top plate are respectively rotatably connected with footrest frame and blocking plate, the initial state of blocking plate blocks the egg leakage hole, the flexible spring is sleeved on the stand and is between guide sleeve and bottom plate, the footrest frame and blocking plate are rotatably connected with guide sleeve through linkage mechanism, guide mechanism is arranged below hatching plate, and collection groove is connected to the tail end of guide mechanism. The utility model discloses the initial state of blocking plate blocks the egg leakage hole, and the existence of egg can be continuously observed after the egg of chicken, and the environmental safety perception is ensured, when the chicken treads footrest frame, linkage mechanism drives blocking plate to open the egg leakage hole, realizes the automatic egg collection, thereby solves the problem that the chicken refuses to reuse artificial nest because of not being able to see egg.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of poultry farming technology, specifically to an automatic egg collection device. Background Technology

[0002] Free-range chickens exhibit a strong instinct to protect their offspring during natural egg-laying and are extremely sensitive to the safety of their laying environment. Once a chicken has chosen a location to lay an egg, if it cannot continuously observe the egg's presence, it will immediately sense a potential threat in the environment and actively avoid that location in subsequent egg-laying sessions, instead seeking other places it perceives as safer. This behavior stems from the chicken's innate instinct to visually confirm the safety of the egg and prevent predator attacks or environmental disturbances.

[0003] In the prior art, Chinese patent CN215123247U discloses an egg collection device for free-range chicken farming. This device uses an artificial chicken coop with an egg-attracting design to lure chickens to lay eggs, and then transports the eggs directly to a collection trough via a slow-descent conduit. However, this device has revealed significant drawbacks in practical application: the eggs immediately slide down the conduit after falling, causing chickens to be unable to see their own eggs after laying them. Consequently, the chickens misjudge the artificial coop environment as unsafe, believing the eggs have been removed or damaged, and thus refuse to lay eggs there again. Long-term farming practice shows that this problem not only causes free-range chickens to scatter their eggs in various locations in the wild, significantly increasing the difficulty of manual searching and collection, but may also induce chickens to eat their own eggs, further reducing egg production efficiency and causing economic losses. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, and to propose an automatic egg collection device that can delay the egg collection time so as to encourage free-range chickens to lay eggs in the artificial chicken coop.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: An automatic egg collection device, installed on an artificial chicken coop, includes a pole, a guide sleeve, a top plate, a foot pedal frame, a sealing plate, a flexible spring, a linkage mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a collection trough. At least one pole is positioned between the bottom plate and the incubation plate of the artificial chicken coop. A guide sleeve is slidably fitted onto the pole. A top plate is located at the top of the pole. A foot pedal frame and a sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate. Initially, the sealing plate blocks the egg leakage holes. A flexible spring is sleeved on the pole and positioned between the guide sleeve and the bottom plate to drive the sealing plate to maintain the sealing of the egg leakage holes. The guide sleeve is rotatably connected to the foot pedal frame and the sealing plate via the linkage mechanism. The guiding mechanism is located below the incubation plate, and the collection trough is connected to the end of the guiding mechanism.

[0006] Furthermore, the footrest frame and the sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate via a pivot.

[0007] Furthermore, the linkage mechanism includes a first hinge seat, a second hinge seat, a third hinge seat, a fourth hinge seat, a first linkage rod, and a second linkage rod; the first hinge seat and the second hinge seat are fixed on the guide sleeve, the third hinge seat is fixed on the bottom of the foot pedal frame, and the fourth hinge seat is fixed on the bottom of the sealing plate; the two ends of the first linkage rod are rotatably connected to the first hinge seat and the third hinge seat respectively, and the two ends of the second linkage rod are rotatably connected to the second hinge seat and the fourth hinge seat respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, when the foot pedal is stepped on and moved down, the linkage mechanism can drive the sealing plate to rotate downwards to open the egg leakage hole.

[0009] Furthermore, an arc-shaped guide groove is formed in the middle of the sealing plate to guide the egg to slide down the arc-shaped path to the guide mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the guiding mechanism is an inclined PVC pipe, which is fixed to the base plate of the artificial chicken coop by a support rod, and a collection trough is connected to the end of the PVC pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the collection trough is connected to a cover via a hinge, and the cover has a handle.

[0012] Furthermore, bubble wrap is applied to the inner wall of the PVC pipe, and / or soft cushioning material is placed in the collection tank.

[0013] Furthermore, a pad is placed on the bottom of the artificial chicken coop.

[0014] Furthermore, the guide sleeve is connected to an egg-drawing traction mechanism, which includes a traction line and an egg. The incubation plate has a vertical perforation, through which the traction line is threaded. One end of the traction line is connected to the guide sleeve, and the other end is connected to the egg. The egg is located at the inverted conical sidewall of the egg-leaking hole.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This utility model seals the egg leakage hole in the initial state by sealing the sealing plate, so that the chicken can continuously observe the presence of the egg after laying the egg, ensuring environmental safety perception; when the chicken steps on the footrest frame, the linkage mechanism drives the sealing plate to open the egg leakage hole, realizing automatic collection of eggs, thereby solving the problem that chickens refuse to reuse artificial chicken coops because they cannot see the eggs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention when an egg-drawing and pulling mechanism is provided; In the picture: 100 artificial chicken coops, 101 base plate, 102 legs, 103 hatching board, 104 side panels, 105 roof. 1032 Egg leakage hole, 1033 Vertical through hole, 1034 Traction line, 1035 Egg guide, 200 Pad, 11 Upright pole, 12 Top plate, 13 Guide sleeve, 131 First hinge seat, 132 Second hinge seat, 14 Flexible spring, 21 Foot pedal frame, 211 Third hinge seat, 22 Sealing plate, 221 Fourth hinge seat, 31 First linkage rod, 32 Second linkage rod, 4 PVC pipe, 41 Collection trough, 42 Cover, 43 Handle, 44 Support rod. Detailed Implementation

[0017] 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.

[0018] Traditional egg collection systems for free-range chickens move eggs directly from a slow-descent tube to a collection trough after the chickens lay them. This means the chickens can't see their own eggs after laying. This may cause the chickens to perceive the laying environment as unsafe, leading them to avoid laying eggs in that artificial nest in the future, thus affecting the continued effectiveness of the equipment.

[0019] In response, this application proposes an automatic egg collection device, such as... Figures 1 to 2 As shown, an artificial chicken coop 100 is installed. The artificial chicken coop is existing technology and is only explained briefly without any invention or innovation. The artificial chicken coop includes a base plate 101, on which multiple legs 102 are provided. An incubation plate 103 is installed on the top of the legs. An inverted conical egg-leaking hole 1032 is formed in the middle of the incubation plate. This technical feature has been disclosed in patent CN215123247U. The incubation plate has three side plates 104, leaving only one side for free-range chickens to enter. A canopy 105 is provided on the top of the side plate for rain and snow protection.

[0020] The automatic egg collection device includes a support pole 11, a guide sleeve 13, a top plate 12, a foot pedal frame 21, a sealing plate 22, a flexible spring 14, a linkage mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a collection trough 41. At least one support pole is provided between the base plate and the incubation plate of the artificial chicken coop. A guide sleeve is slidably fitted onto the support pole. A top plate is provided at the top of the support pole. A foot pedal frame and a sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate. The foot pedal frame is used for free-range chickens to step on. The sealing plate initially seals the egg leakage hole. The flexible spring is sleeved on the support pole and located between the guide sleeve and the base plate, used to drive the sealing plate to maintain the sealing of the egg leakage hole. The guide sleeve is rotatably connected to the foot pedal frame and the sealing plate through the linkage mechanism. The guiding mechanism is located below the incubation plate 103 and is used to guide the eggs to slide down. The collection trough is connected to the end of the guiding mechanism and is used to collect eggs. When the foot pedal frame is stepped on, the linkage mechanism causes the sealing plate to open the egg leakage hole.

[0021] For ease of understanding, the following explains some key terms in this embodiment: Artificial chicken coop 100 refers to an artificially constructed structure that provides an egg-laying environment for free-range chickens, with internal space for chickens to enter and lay eggs.

[0022] The base plate 101 is the bottom support structure of the artificial chicken coop 100, used to bear the weight of the entire chicken coop and provide an installation base.

[0023] The support leg 102 is a support component installed on the base plate 101, used to raise the incubation plate 103 to a suitable height and provide stability.

[0024] The incubation board 103 is the direct support surface for the chicken to lay eggs. It has a leakage hole 1032 so that the eggs can slide down through the hole after being laid.

[0025] The egg-leaking hole 1032 is an inverted cone-shaped hole formed in the middle of the incubation plate 103, which is used to guide the egg to move downwards after it is laid.

[0026] Side panel 104 is the side enclosure structure of artificial chicken coop 100, used to limit the chicken's activity range and provide a certain degree of privacy.

[0027] The canopy 105 is the top covering structure of the artificial chicken coop 100, used to shield and protect the internal environment from external interference.

[0028] The upright pole 11 is a vertical support rod set between the artificial chicken coop base plate 101 and the hatching plate 103, used to guide the guide sleeve 13 to move up and down.

[0029] The guide sleeve 13 is a component that is sleeved on the upright 11, can slide along the upright 11, and serves as an intermediate component for connecting the linkage mechanism.

[0030] The top plate 12 is a plate-like structure set on the top of the upright 11, used to rotatably connect the foot pedal frame 21 and the sealing plate 22.

[0031] Footrest 21 is a frame-like structure for free-range chickens to step on; when stepped on, it triggers an egg collection mechanism.

[0032] The sealing plate 22 is a plate-like structure used to seal the egg leakage hole 1032 in the initial state, which opens under certain conditions to allow the egg to slide out.

[0033] The flexible spring 14 is an elastic element sleeved on the upright 11, used to provide a restoring force to drive the sealing plate 22 to keep the egg leakage hole 1032 sealed.

[0034] The linkage mechanism is a mechanical structure that connects the guide sleeve 13, the foot pedal frame 21 and the sealing plate 22, and is used to transmit the movement of the foot pedal frame 21 to the sealing plate 22.

[0035] The guiding mechanism is a structure located below the incubation plate 103, used to receive eggs that slide down from the egg leakage hole 1032 and guide their movement.

[0036] The collection trough 41 is a container connected to the end of the guide mechanism and is used to collect the eggs.

[0037] The structure and working principle of this application can be understood as follows: First, the device is installed on an artificial chicken coop 100. The artificial chicken coop 100 can be constructed from materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. Its base 101 is supported by multiple legs 102, the height of which can be adjusted according to actual needs. An incubation board 103 is installed on top of the legs 102, with an egg-leaking hole 1032 at its center. The side panels 104 and roof 105 of the artificial chicken coop 100 can be made of sheet material or mesh material to provide a closed or semi-closed egg-laying space.

[0038] Secondly, the core components of the equipment include a vertical pole 11, a guide sleeve 13, a top plate 12, a footrest frame 21, a sealing plate 22, a flexible spring 14, a linkage mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a collection trough 41. These components can be made of various engineering materials and assembled through mechanical connections, welding, or bonding. For example, the vertical pole 11 can be made of a metal round bar, the guide sleeve 13 can be made of a wear-resistant plastic sleeve, the top plate 12 can be made of a metal plate, the footrest frame 21 and the sealing plate 22 can be made of lightweight sheet metal, and the flexible spring 14 can be a helical compression spring. The linkage mechanism can be composed of a simple connecting rod or rope, the guiding mechanism can be an inclined sliding plate, and the collection trough 41 can be an open container.

[0039] Specifically, at least one upright post 11 is disposed between the base plate 101 and the incubation plate 103 of the artificial chicken coop 100. The lower end of the upright post 11 can be fixed to the base plate 101, and the upper end can extend below the incubation plate 103. A guide sleeve 13 is fitted onto the upright post 11 and can slide up and down along the upright post 11. The inner wall of the guide sleeve 13 can be coated with a lubricant or use a self-lubricating material to ensure smooth sliding.

[0040] Furthermore, a top plate 12 is disposed on top of the upright 11. The top plate 12 can be fixed to the top of the upright 11 or connected by bolts or other means. The top plate 12 provides a supporting surface for the rotatable connection between the footrest frame 21 and the sealing plate 22.

[0041] In one implementation, the footrest frame 21 and the sealing plate 22 are respectively connected to both sides of the top plate 12 via a rotatable connection structure. For example, the footrest frame 21 and the sealing plate 22 can be connected to the top plate 12 via a simple hinge or pin structure, thereby enabling rotation about their respective axes. The footrest frame 21 is designed as a platform for free-range chickens to step on, and its surface can be textured with anti-slip material.

[0042] In its initial state, the sealing plate 22 is positioned to block the egg leakage hole 1032. For example, the sealing plate 22 can be a flat plate slightly larger than the egg leakage hole 1032, held in place by the preload of a spring to cover the bottom of the egg leakage hole 1032.

[0043] A flexible spring 14 is sleeved on the upright 11 and is positioned between the guide sleeve 13 and the base plate 101. When not compressed, the flexible spring 14 is in an extended state, and its elastic force acts upward on the guide sleeve 13, thereby driving the sealing plate 22 to keep the leaking egg hole 1032 sealed through the linkage mechanism.

[0044] The guide sleeve 13 is rotatably connected to the foot pedal frame 21 and the sealing plate 22 via a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism can be a mechanical system composed of multiple connecting rods; for example, one connecting rod connects the guide sleeve 13 to the foot pedal frame 21, and another connecting rod connects the guide sleeve 13 to the sealing plate 22. When the guide sleeve 13 moves up and down, the foot pedal frame 21 and the sealing plate 22 rotate due to the pushing and pulling action of the connecting rods.

[0045] A guiding mechanism is located below the incubation plate 103 to guide the eggs as they slide down. This guiding mechanism can be an inclined slide or chute with a smooth surface, allowing the eggs to slide from the egg-leaking hole 1032 to the collection tank 41 under the influence of gravity.

[0046] The collecting trough 41 is connected to the end of the guide mechanism and is used to collect eggs. The collecting trough 41 can be an open container placed below the guide mechanism to receive and temporarily store eggs that have slipped off.

[0047] When the footrest frame 21 is stepped on by free-range chickens, the footrest frame 21 moves downward. This movement is transmitted through a linkage mechanism or directly acts on the sealing plate 22, causing the sealing plate 22 to move away from below the egg leakage hole 1032, thereby opening the egg leakage hole 1032 and allowing the egg to slide out.

[0048] This application, by initially sealing the egg-leaking hole 1032 with the sealing plate 22, allows free-range chickens to see the eggs after laying them, satisfying their instinct to protect their offspring and thus increasing the chickens' acceptance of the egg-laying environment. When the chicken steps on the footrest frame 21 again, the linkage mechanism drives the sealing plate 22 to open the egg-leaking hole 1032, realizing automatic egg collection, effectively preventing eggs from being stolen or scattered, and taking into account both the chickens' egg-laying habits and convenient egg collection.

[0049] In at least one embodiment, the foot pedal frame and the sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate via a rotating shaft. When the foot pedal frame is stepped on, it rotates downward, and the sealing plate is driven downward by the linkage mechanism to open the egg leakage hole.

[0050] In some of the embodiments described above in this application, a linkage mechanism is proposed to realize the action association between the foot pedal frame 21 and the sealing plate 22. However, in the implementation process, if the structural design of the linkage mechanism is not clear or precise enough, the stepping action of the foot pedal frame 21 may not be effectively and stably converted into the opening action of the sealing plate 22, thereby affecting the smooth sliding of the egg, and may even cause the egg to be stuck or damaged due to asynchronous action.

[0051] In this regard, this application further proposes that the linkage mechanism includes a first hinge seat 131, a second hinge seat 132, a third hinge seat 211, a fourth hinge seat 221, a first linkage rod 31, and a second linkage rod 32; the first hinge seat and the second hinge seat are fixedly mounted on the guide sleeve, the third hinge seat is fixedly mounted at the bottom of the foot pedal frame, and the fourth hinge seat is fixedly mounted at the bottom of the sealing plate; the two ends of the first linkage rod are rotatably connected to the first hinge seat and the third hinge seat respectively, and the two ends of the second linkage rod are rotatably connected to the second hinge seat and the fourth hinge seat respectively.

[0052] Specifically, the first hinge seat 131, the second hinge seat 132, the third hinge seat 211, and the fourth hinge seat 221 are key structures for achieving rotatable connections between the components. These hinge seats can be designed as lugs integrally formed on the guide sleeve 13, footrest frame 21, or sealing plate 22, or they can be separately manufactured and fixed to the corresponding components by welding, bolts, or other methods. Each hinge seat typically has a pin hole for connecting to the end of the linkage rod via a pin, thus forming a rotatable connection point. The materials used should have sufficient strength and wear resistance to ensure long-term stability and reliability. The first linkage rod 31 and the second linkage rod 32 are rigid components that transmit force and motion. They are typically made of metal (such as steel or aluminum alloy) or high-strength engineering plastics to ensure that they are not easily deformed when transmitting torque and motion. The ends of the linkage rods are typically machined with holes or ball heads to facilitate rotatable connections with the corresponding hinge seats. The first linkage 31 is responsible for transmitting the rotational motion of the foot pedal frame 21 to the guide sleeve 13, while the second linkage 32 is responsible for converting the vertical movement of the guide sleeve 13 into the rotational opening motion of the sealing plate 22. The length of the linkages and the relative positions between each hinge point are precisely calculated and designed to ensure that the pedaling motion of the foot pedal frame 21 can be accurately converted into the opening angle and stroke required by the sealing plate 22.

[0053] Through the above technical solution, the linkage mechanism is specifically designed as a linkage mechanism consisting of a hinged seat and a linkage rod, forming a clear mechanical connection between the foot pedal frame 21, the guide sleeve 13, and the sealing plate 22. When the free-range chicken steps on the foot pedal frame 21, causing it to rotate downwards, this action is precisely transmitted to the guide sleeve 13 through the first linkage rod 31, driving the guide sleeve 13 to move vertically downwards along the upright rod 11. At the same time, the downward movement of the guide sleeve 13 drives the sealing plate 22 to rotate downwards through the second linkage rod 32, thereby opening the egg leakage hole. This linkage mechanism design ensures that the stepping action of the foot pedal frame 21 can be stably, accurately, and synchronously converted into the opening action of the sealing plate 22, effectively avoiding the problem of uncoordinated action or insufficient opening caused by unclear linkage mechanism structure. This not only ensures that the eggs can smoothly slide through the egg leakage hole, reducing the risk of egg retention or breakage, but also improves the reliability and efficiency of the entire automatic egg collection equipment.

[0054] In some embodiments described above, it is proposed that when free-range chickens step on the footrest frame 21, the sealing plate 22 opens the egg leakage hole 1032, allowing the eggs to fall from the leakage hole 1032 to the guide mechanism. However, if the sealing plate 22 simply opens during the egg's fall, the egg may fall directly into the air, causing it to collide with the guide mechanism below, increasing the risk of egg breakage. Furthermore, the egg's falling path may be unstable, which is not conducive to subsequent collection.

[0055] In this regard, this application further proposes that an arc-shaped guide groove is formed in the middle of the sealing plate to guide the egg to slide down the arc-shaped path to the guide mechanism.

[0056] The function of the arc-shaped guide groove is to allow the egg to acquire a horizontal velocity component when the sealing plate 22 is opened, enabling it to slide smoothly along the arc-shaped trajectory of the groove. This guiding effect allows the egg to smoothly transition from the sealing plate 22 to the guide mechanism below in a controlled manner along a predetermined arc-shaped path, avoiding damage caused by impact or irregular movement during the fall. The outlet end of the arc-shaped guide groove should smoothly connect with the inlet end of the guide mechanism to ensure that the egg can seamlessly slide from the sealing plate 22 into the guide mechanism. For example, the end of the arc-shaped guide groove can be designed to match the inclination angle of the guide mechanism or conform to the inlet shape of the guide mechanism, thereby achieving a smooth transition for the egg.

[0057] In some embodiments of this application, the egg-leaking hole is opened by stepping on the foot pedal and connecting it to the sealing plate, allowing the egg to fall into the guide mechanism and then into the collection tank. However, in practical applications, if the structure of the guide mechanism is not designed properly, the egg may break during its descent due to obstructed path or excessive impact, or it may get stuck during the guiding process, resulting in low collection efficiency and even requiring manual intervention, thus affecting the automation and non-destructive collection effect of the equipment.

[0058] In this regard, this application further proposes that the guiding mechanism is an inclined PVC pipe 4, the PVC pipe is fixed to the base plate 101 of the artificial chicken coop 100 by a support rod 44, and the end of the PVC pipe is connected to the collection trough 41.

[0059] Specifically, the inclined PVC pipe 4, made of polyvinyl chloride, is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and has a smooth inner wall, which facilitates the smooth sliding of eggs. Its inclined design utilizes gravity to allow the eggs to automatically and smoothly slide from the egg-leaking hole to the collection tank 41, thus preventing breakage due to impact during free fall. The inclination angle can be optimized according to the egg size, required sliding speed, and overall equipment layout to ensure the eggs move at a suitable speed within the pipe, neither stagnating nor moving too fast. The support rod 44 can be made of metal or high-strength plastic and is securely connected to the base plate 101 of the artificial chicken coop 100 using bolts, clips, or welding. The collection tank 41 is connected to the end of the PVC pipe, aiming to achieve a seamless transition of the eggs from the guide mechanism to the collection tank 41. This connection method can be achieved through direct insertion, socketing, or transition via connectors, the key being to ensure a smooth connection without obvious steps or gaps to prevent eggs from getting stuck, rolling out, or breaking due to collision in the transition area. Through this connection, eggs can safely and efficiently enter the collection tank 41 to complete the collection process.

[0060] In some embodiments of this application, eggs slide into the collection trough 41 via a guide mechanism. However, after the eggs are collected, they may be exposed to the outside and easily stolen or damaged by animals, affecting the collection effect and hygiene.

[0061] In response, this application further proposes an improved solution, wherein the collection trough 41 is rotatably connected to a cover 42 via a hinge, and the collection trough and the cover are made of PVC pipe cut in half, with a handle 43 provided on the cover. Both ends of the collection trough and the cover are sealed.

[0062] Through the above technical solution, the collection trough 41 is rotatably connected to the cover 42 via a hinge. When an egg falls into the collection trough 41, the cover 42 remains closed, effectively isolating the collected eggs from the external environment. This isolation significantly prevents free-range chickens, wild birds, rodents, and other animals from stealing or damaging the eggs, ensuring the integrity and hygiene of the eggs. Furthermore, the collection trough and cover are made from PVC pipes cut in half, resulting in a high degree of structural compatibility, good sealing, low material cost, and ease of processing and installation. A handle is provided on the cover, making it convenient for manual operation to open and close the cover 42, facilitating the removal of eggs or cleaning and maintenance by the user.

[0063] In some embodiments described above, eggs are collected by sliding down a collection trough via a guide mechanism. However, during the sliding process, friction or collision between the egg and the inner wall of the guide mechanism, as well as the impact when the egg falls into the collection trough, may cause the egg to break, affecting its integrity and commercial value.

[0064] In this regard, this application further proposes that bubble wrap is applied to the inner wall of the PVC pipe, and / or soft cushioning material is placed in the collection tank.

[0065] The bubble wrap applied to the inner wall of the PVC pipe 4 is typically made of polyethylene film with a regularly distributed bubble structure on its surface, providing excellent cushioning and shock absorption. During implementation, the bubble wrap can be cut into strips or sheets that conform to the shape of the inner wall of the PVC pipe 4 and securely fixed to the inner wall using a suitable adhesive (e.g., environmentally friendly double-sided tape or spray adhesive). When applying the bubble wrap, ensure it is flat, wrinkle-free, and covers the main areas where the egg might slip, minimizing direct contact and friction between the egg and the rigid inner wall of the pipe.

[0066] Meanwhile, the soft cushioning material placed inside the collection trough 41 can be a material with certain elasticity, softness, and energy absorption properties, such as sponge, foam, silicone pad, straw, or wood chips. In implementation, the soft cushioning material can be cut into a suitable shape and placed at the bottom of the collection trough 41 according to its shape and size. For example, a moderately thick sponge pad can be laid flat, or a certain amount of dry, clean straw or wood chips can be filled to form a soft landing surface. The selected material should not easily cause abrasion or contamination to the egg surface and should effectively absorb the impact force when the egg falls.

[0067] In practical applications, due to the height difference between the footrest frame 21 and the base plate 101 of the artificial chicken coop 100, some small, young or immobile free-range chickens may have difficulty climbing directly onto the footrest frame 21, which may prevent the equipment from being effectively triggered, thus affecting the timely collection efficiency of eggs.

[0068] In this regard, this application further proposes that a pad 200 be placed on the bottom plate of the artificial chicken coop, the pad being used to assist free-range chickens in climbing onto the footrest frame 21. The pad 200 is an auxiliary device whose main function is to provide a transition platform to reduce the height or difficulty for free-range chickens to climb onto the footrest frame 21. The pad 200 can be made of various materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal, and its surface can be designed with a non-slip texture to increase the stability when free-range chickens step on it.

[0069] In at least one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the guide sleeve is connected to an egg-attracting traction mechanism, which is a device used to simulate real eggs to attract free-range chickens to lay eggs in a specific location. This mechanism is linked to the movement of the guide sleeve 13 via a traction mechanism. The purpose of this mechanism is to address the problem of insufficient egg-laying willingness among free-range chickens in the artificial chicken coop 100, while ensuring that the egg-attracting mechanism does not obstruct the egg's fall.

[0070] The egg-attracting mechanism includes a traction line 1034 and an egg 1035. The traction line 1034 establishes a mechanical connection between the guide sleeve 13 and the egg 1035, thereby transmitting the movement of the guide sleeve 13. The traction line 1034 can be made of a material with good flexibility and sufficient strength, such as high-strength nylon thread or thin steel wire rope, to ensure that it is not easily broken or deformed during long-term use. The egg 1035 is an object simulating a real egg, whose main function is to utilize the habits of free-range chickens to attract them to lay eggs near the egg-laying hole 1032. The egg 1035 can be made of plastic, ceramic, or wood, and its shape, size, and color should be as realistic as possible to enhance its attraction to free-range chickens. The weight of the egg 1035 should be optimized so that it can be stably positioned in a preset position when stationary, and can be easily moved when pulled.

[0071] The incubation plate 103 has a vertical through-hole 1033, which provides a channel for the traction wire 1034 to pass through the incubation plate 103. The traction wire 1034 is threaded through the vertical through-hole, with one end connected to the guide sleeve 13 and the other end connected to the egg tether 1035. This connection method ensures that the movement of the guide sleeve 13 can be directly transmitted to the egg tether 1035. The connection between the traction wire 1034 and the guide sleeve 13 can be achieved by fixing a clamp or a small connecting ring, while the connection with the egg tether 1035 can be achieved by passing the wire through a pre-drilled hole in the egg tether 1035 and tying a knot, or by using adhesive or other methods to fix it. The firmness of the connection is crucial to ensuring the normal operation of the egg tethering mechanism.

[0072] The egg-attracting device is located on the inverted conical sidewall of the egg-leaking hole. This location maximizes the attraction of the egg-attracting device 1035 to free-range chickens, making them believe that an egg already exists there and thus more inclined to lay an egg there. Furthermore, this location also provides sufficient space for the subsequent fall of the actual egg, preventing complete blockage of the egg-leaking hole 1032. By adjusting the length of the traction line 1034, it can be ensured that the egg-attracting device 1035 is stably secured to this sidewall when the guide sleeve 13 is in its initial position.

[0073] In this process, when a free-range chicken first approaches the artificial chicken coop 100, it will step on the footrest frame 21. At this time, the chicken can see the egg-laying indicator and then enters the artificial chicken coop 100 to lay its egg on the incubation plate 103. The egg falls through the inverted conical egg-leaking hole 1032 in the middle of the incubation plate 103 onto the sealing plate 22 below. Due to the action of the flexible spring 14, the sealing plate 22 initially blocks the egg-leaking hole 1032, so the egg temporarily stays on the sealing plate 22 and does not immediately slip off. At this time, the free-range chicken can clearly see the egg it has laid, which is in line with its natural habits and helps maintain its enthusiasm for laying eggs.

[0074] After free-range chickens have finished laying eggs and observed them, when they walk to the footrest frame 21 and step on it again, this action is set as a signal to trigger egg collection. The footrest frame 21 rotates downward when stepped on. The third hinge seat 211 at the bottom of the footrest frame 21 is rotatably connected to the first hinge seat 131 on the guide sleeve 13 via the first linkage rod 31. Therefore, the rotation of the footrest frame 21 transmits a downward force to the guide sleeve 13 through the first linkage rod 31, causing the guide sleeve 13 to move vertically downward along the upright 11. The downward movement of the guide sleeve 13 compresses the flexible spring 14 sleeved on the upright 11 and located between the guide sleeve 13 and the base plate 101.

[0075] Meanwhile, the second hinge seat 132 on the guide sleeve 13 is rotatably connected to the fourth hinge seat 221 at the bottom of the sealing plate 22 via the second linkage rod 32. When the guide sleeve 13 moves down, the second linkage rod 32 changes position accordingly, causing the sealing plate 22 to rotate downwards around its rotatable connection with the top plate 12. This rotation causes the sealing plate 22 to move away from below the egg leakage hole 1032, thereby opening the egg leakage hole 1032. Once the sealing plate 22 opens the egg leakage hole 1032, the egg on the sealing plate 22 will begin to slide down due to gravity. The arc-shaped guide groove formed in the middle of the sealing plate 22 can effectively guide the egg to slide smoothly along the preset arc-shaped path. After leaving the sealing plate 22, the egg will enter the inclined PVC pipe 4 and continue to slide down in the PVC pipe 4, finally entering the collection trough 41 connected to the end of the PVC pipe 4, completing the automatic collection of the egg.

[0076] Through the above-described working method, the automatic egg collection device of this application can cleverly balance the egg-laying habits of free-range chickens with the need for automated egg collection. First, after a free-range chicken lays an egg, the sealing plate 22 temporarily blocks the egg-leaking hole 1032, allowing the chicken to see the egg it has laid. This helps to enhance the chicken's enthusiasm for laying eggs and avoids confusion or resistance caused by the immediate disappearance of the egg. Second, by setting the condition for the chicken to step on the footrest 21 a second time as the trigger for collection, delayed egg collection and automated transfer are achieved. When the chicken steps on the footrest 21 again, the linkage mechanism precisely drives the sealing plate 22 to open the egg-leaking hole 1032, and uses the arc-shaped guide groove of the sealing plate 22 and the inclined PVC pipe 4 to ensure that the egg can slide smoothly and safely into the collection tank 41, effectively avoiding egg breakage. This step-by-step operation process not only respects the natural behavior of free-range chickens and improves egg-laying efficiency, but also achieves concealed and efficient egg collection, avoids human intervention, reduces labor intensity, and effectively prevents the risk of eggs being stolen by other animals.

Claims

1. An automatic egg collection device, installed on an artificial chicken coop, characterized in that, The artificial chicken coop includes a support pole, a guide sleeve, a top plate, a footrest frame, a sealing plate, a flexible spring, a linkage mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a collection trough. At least one support pole is located between the base plate and the incubation plate of the artificial chicken coop. A guide sleeve slides on the support pole. A top plate is located at the top of the support pole. A footrest frame and a sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate. Initially, the sealing plate blocks the egg-leaking holes. A flexible spring is sleeved on the support pole and positioned between the guide sleeve and the base plate to keep the sealing plate blocking the egg-leaking holes. The guide sleeve is rotatably connected to the footrest frame and the sealing plate via a linkage mechanism. The guiding mechanism is located below the incubation plate, and the collection trough is connected to the end of the guiding mechanism.

2. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The footrest frame and the sealing plate are rotatably connected to both sides of the top plate via a pivot.

3. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage mechanism includes a first hinge seat, a second hinge seat, a third hinge seat, a fourth hinge seat, a first linkage rod, and a second linkage rod; the first hinge seat and the second hinge seat are fixed on the guide sleeve, the third hinge seat is fixed on the bottom of the foot pedal frame, and the fourth hinge seat is fixed on the bottom of the sealing plate; the two ends of the first linkage rod are rotatably connected to the first hinge seat and the third hinge seat respectively, and the two ends of the second linkage rod are rotatably connected to the second hinge seat and the fourth hinge seat respectively.

4. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the foot pedal is stepped on and moved down, the linkage mechanism can drive the sealing plate to rotate downward to open the egg leakage hole.

5. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, An arc-shaped guide groove is formed in the middle of the sealing plate to guide the egg to slide down the arc-shaped path to the guide mechanism.

6. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guiding mechanism is an inclined PVC pipe, which is fixed to the base plate of the artificial chicken coop by a support rod, and a collection trough is connected to the end of the PVC pipe.

7. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The collection trough is connected to a cover via a hinge, and the cover has a handle.

8. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner wall of the PVC pipe is lined with bubble wrap, and / or the collection tank is filled with soft cushioning material.

9. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A mat is placed on the bottom of the artificial chicken coop.

10. The automatic egg collection device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The guide sleeve is connected to an egg-drawing traction mechanism, which includes a traction line and an egg. The incubation board has a vertical perforation, through which the traction line is threaded. One end of the traction line is connected to the guide sleeve, and the other end is connected to the egg. The egg is located at the inverted conical sidewall of the egg-leaking hole.

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