Breeding system for insects

Abstract

The invention relates to a breeding system for insects, comprising at least two modular, concentrically stacked, circular housing units (1), in the interiors of which at least one slider (4) is arranged which can be rotatably moved about the central axis (3) of the housing unit (1) by a drive device (2), wherein the housing unit (1) in its side wall (5) comprises at least one ejection opening (8) which can be brought into an open and closed state by a motor-actuated flap (10), wherein each housing unit (1) is provided with a distributor system (11) for filling the housing unit (1) with insect larvae, a feed device (15) for supplying nutrients for the insect larvae into the interior of the housing unit (1), and a ventilating device (18) for air exchange in the interior of the housing unit (1), and the breeding system comprises a transport system for transporting away the fully grown insects.

Description

[0001] Insect breeding facility

[0002] Technical environment

[0003] The invention relates to a breeding facility for insects, which are fattened in the facility until further processing. The goal of fattening is to produce protein-rich feed for farm animals and pets, as well as to provide basic materials for the production of food and thus as a human food component. Waste materials from the fattening process can be used as fertilizer or utilized to generate energy in biogas plants.

[0004] State of the art Insect breeding systems are known in a variety of designs from the state of the art.

[0005] For example, DE 10 2019 121 102 B3 discloses a device for insect breeding with stackable and movable crates. The crates are arranged in a stack, and the crates can be rearranged within a rack. A conveyor belt moves the crates into and out of the rack, and a vertical movement system moves the crates vertically up and down within the stack. The rack is equipped with a supply unit and a cleaning unit.

[0006] WO 2022 / 070008 A1 presents an automatic insect breeding box equipped with a conveyor belt for removing dead insects or contaminants. A rotating brush device at the exit opening prevents the escape of live insects being reared. The breeding box can be filled manually via access openings.

[0007] US 2015 / 0296760 A1 discloses a rotating tank with an insertable conical attachment, within which larvae can migrate. Waste and / or liquids can be discharged from the tank through openings and collected in a collection device.

[0008] The prior art documents cited as examples, some of which are also used for industrial applications, meet only low standards in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, since, for example, emptying the fully fattened insects from the rearing boxes requires a great deal of manual effort.

[0009] Given that insects are becoming increasingly important for the food security of animals and humans and that insects are already approved for use as food and for feed production (e.g. mealworms, black soldier fly larvae), both the construction of conventional breeding facilities and their operation are often unprofitable under the given circumstances to achieve corresponding production quantities.

[0010] Object of the invention

[0011] The object of the invention is therefore to design a breeding plant for insects which, due to its structure, enables a rational, cost-effective and low-personnel mass production of protein.

[0012] Solution to the task

[0013] The solution to the problem is achieved for a breeding facility for insects with the features mentioned in claim 1.What is essential to the invention is that the breeding system for insects is equipped with at least two modularly constructed, concentrically arranged circular housing units, in the respective interiors of which at least one slider is arranged which can be rotated about the central axis of the housing unit by a drive device, wherein the housing unit has at least one ejection opening in its side wall which can be brought into an open and closed state by a flap actuated by a motor, wherein each housing unit is provided with a distribution system for filling the housing unit with insect larvae, with a feeding device for supplying nutrients to the insect larvae in the interior of the housing unit, a ventilation device for air exchange in the interior of the housing unit and the breeding system has a transport device for transporting the fully bred insects away.

[0014] Equipping the housing units with the motor-driven slider allows the quantity of insect larvae intended for rearing to be mixed with the necessary food, whereby after the end of the growth period the housing unit can be automatically emptied, cleaned accordingly and refilled by the connected equipment.

[0015] The stacking of several housing units allows for optimal use of available space, while the air supply, of course, crucially supports the favorable climatic conditions necessary for breeding. Of course, by adjusting the diameter and height of each housing unit, adaptation to local conditions as well as the specific species of insects to be fattened can be achieved.

[0016] The combinations of features additionally described in the subclaims referring back to claim 1 disclose specific embodiments of the technical teaching generally described in claim 1.

[0017] It has proven particularly advantageous from a design perspective if a plurality of housing units are arranged in a common frame, with the distribution system belonging to each housing unit, the supply device for nutrient supply, and the ventilation system each being arranged in this frame as a common module for all housing units. The frame stabilizes the entire system and protects the supply equipment, while the individual modules allow for easy adaptation to the desired number of housing units.

[0018] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous to provide the respective circular housing units with a square-shaped plan view, and the circular housing units with a casing on the sides. Pipes belonging to the distribution system, the supply device, and the ventilation device are arranged in the interior between the casing and the outer wall of the housing units. This creates a self-contained, compact unit, which, thanks to its design, is easily transportable with suitable tools and, according to an additional advantageous development, can be provided with thermal insulation arranged in the interior of the casing.

[0019] Thermal insulation facilitates the rearing of insects regardless of external climatic conditions, particularly when the rearing facilities are located outside of closed buildings, and also saves energy costs for providing appropriate thermal and climatic conditions for optimal insect rearing.

[0020] To facilitate maintenance of the installed drive units, the motors and fans are conveniently located outside the enclosure. This measure also serves to protect the units from ammonia pollution that occurs during rearing.

[0021] Since the housing units are arranged modularly one above the other, it may also be expedient to construct the casing from modular, interconnected segments, each segment accommodating a housing unit within its interior. To regulate the heat balance within the breeding facility, a suitable development of the subject matter of the invention provides for each housing unit to be provided with a heating device built into the base of the housing unit. Heat sensors inside the housing units can monitor the temperature within the insect breeding mass.

[0022] Of course, it may also be advisable not to integrate the heating device into the base of the housing unit, but to place it underneath in order to facilitate maintenance and repair work.

[0023] An essential element of automated insect rearing is to ensure various functions for rapid and therefore cost-effective insect rearing within the round housing units by means of one or more sliders that rotate around the housing unit's central axis.

[0024] As already mentioned, it is helpful to mix the feed and larvae thoroughly after introducing the feed and insect larvae through the designated devices. Furthermore, it may be useful to mix again later by rotating the slider if additional feeding is necessary.

[0025] After the rearing of the insect larvae is completed, the ejection opening, which is arranged on each housing unit and can be closed, is opened by actuating the flap that closes the opening and the insects, together with the remaining amount of food, are transported out of the interior of the housing unit by means of the slider movement so that they can be transported away by the transport device.

[0026] The efficiency of the described measures can be increased by providing at least three slides in each housing unit, arranged concentrically around the housing unit's central axis at regular intervals from the inside outward, substantially perpendicular to the housing's central axis. These slides are located on a retaining plate below the housing ceiling. The retaining plate can be moved around the housing unit's central axis by the drive device. The drive device can be implemented in various variants, such as a chain, gear, or belt drive.

[0027] The rotation of the slides continues until the interior of the housing unit is completely emptied.

[0028] To further expand the application possibilities of the breeding system according to the invention, a suitable development provides for the sliders arranged inside the housing units to be connected to the rotatable support plate by means of a retaining device. This measure allows different types of sliders to be attached to the drive. For example, the use of so-called mesh sliders is helpful for the breeding of certain insects. It is also conceivable to replace the normally used sliders with brushes to facilitate cleaning processes inside the housing units if necessary.

[0029] In addition, the holding device offers the advantage of making it easier to replace damaged components.

[0030] Finally, the interchangeability of the slides also allows for use at different heights above the base of the housing unit by changing the suspension length on the slide. According to an advantageous embodiment, the holding device can be designed, for example, as a screw connection.

[0031] To further optimize insect rearing, it may be appropriate to equip the rearing system with heat control sensors inside each housing unit and flow sensors for the distribution system, the ventilation system, and the feed system. Their electrical measurements are evaluated in each electronic control unit. Depending on the measured values ​​determined and evaluated, the control unit generates electronic control signals for the various actuating devices for the distribution system, the ventilation system, the feed system, and the flaps. To facilitate the maintenance work required by personnel in such a rearing system, the casing of the housing units can be provided with a plurality of maintenance openings through which the interior space between the casing and the outer wall of the housing units is accessible.

[0032] Character description

[0033] In the following, an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic overall view of the insect breeding system according to the invention with essential components,

[0035] Figure 2 is a partial view of Figure 1 with components located within the casing of the breeding system,

[0036] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the housing units belonging to the breeding facility,

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic interior view of a housing unit with internal components,

[0038] Figure 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the housing unit of Figure 4 and

[0039] Figure 6 is a perspective external view of the rearing system according to the invention with components visible from the outside.

[0040] The breeding system for insects according to the invention, shown by way of example in Figures 1 to 6, consists of four individual housing units 1 arranged concentrically one above the other. In each individual housing unit 1, different types of insect larvae, for example the black soldier fly, can be fattened in order to provide protein mass for the nutritional security of animals and humans.

[0041] The invention is intended to significantly automate the currently highly manual fattening process, thereby enabling significantly more cost-effective production. The individual housing units 1 are connected to various structural components for the automated fattening process, which, through their interplay of functions, provide optimal conditions for the rearing of the insect larvae. The stacked housing units 1 have a circular shape in plan, whereby both the height of a housing unit 1 and its diameter can, of course, be adapted to local conditions. The height of a housing unit 1 also depends on the type of insect to be fattened.

[0042] The housing units 1, arranged concentrically one above the other around a central axis 3, are connected to one another by a plurality of support struts 27. Located in the center of each housing unit 1 is a central pipe 20 belonging to a ventilation device 18 for the individual housing units, which runs vertically from above through all housing units 1. The central pipe 20 has, in the area located inside each housing unit 1, a plurality of injection openings 22 through which fresh air can be introduced into the individual housing units 1.

[0043] It should be noted at this point that the elements referred to in the description of the figures as injection openings 22 or, for example, as venting openings 21 can of course also be used for ventilation and blowing out if the air flow is different (opposite).

[0044] Each housing unit 1 consists of a base 6, a ceiling 7 and a side wall 5, wherein a plurality of ventilation openings 21 are provided in each side wall 5 of a housing unit 1, so that a controlled air exchange of the interior of the housing units 1 can take place by means of the ventilation device 18 via the central pipe 20, the injection openings 22 and the ventilation openings 21.

[0045] At the beginning of each fattening process, it is necessary to introduce the insect larvae into the interior of each housing unit. For this purpose, the fattening system according to the invention has a distribution system 11, which includes a pumping system for the insect larvae and whose essential elements, such as the drive and pump unit, are arranged on the upper side of the rearing system, adjacent to the ventilation device 18. Of course, the pupal unit with pump motor 14 can also be arranged outside the rearing system at a different location depending on local conditions. The insect larvae are introduced into each housing unit 1 via a distribution pipe 12 and pipes 13 leading into the interior of each housing unit 1.

[0046] The nutrients required for rearing are transported to the various housing units 1 via a supply device 15, the essential components of which are also located on top of the rearing system. This occurs via several distribution pipes 16, with four distribution pipes connected to the supply device in the present embodiment. Each distribution pipe 16 has supply pipes 17 corresponding to the number of housing units 1, through which the nutrients are transported into the interior of the housing units 1.

[0047] The supply systems for air, insect larvae and nutrients can also be seen in more detail in the illustration in Figure 2.

[0048] Figure 2 also shows an ejection opening 8 in the side wall 5 of each housing unit 1. The ejection openings 8 are each closed by a flap 10 during the insect feeding period. Once the feeding period is over and the insects are to be removed from the interior of the housing units 1, the flaps 10, which are accommodated in a vertically displaceable flap frame 24, are pulled upward by a motor 9 (schematically shown as a black box), thereby opening the ejection openings 8.

[0049] In order to remove the insects from the interior of the housing units 1, each housing unit 1 has at least one slider 4 which can be rotated about the central axis 3 and which is arranged in its longitudinal extent essentially parallel to the floor 6 of a housing unit 1 and perpendicular to the central axis 3. In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen in particular from Figure 4, a total of four are arranged concentrically and regularly spaced from one another. The sliders 4 are each fixed to a holding plate 32 via two spacer rods 29 and 30. The holding plate 32 is located in the interior of each housing unit 1 below the ceiling 7. The holding plate 32 can be rotated about the central axis 3 by means of a pivot bearing 37 and, in the present embodiment, is rotated by the drive device 2 by a plurality of sprockets 33 via a chain 39.By rotating the holding plate 32 and the corresponding arrangement of the sliders 4, the insect mass present in the interior of the housing unit 1 can be moved and mixed when the flap 10 is closed, so that during the fattening process, all insect larvae are regularly and sufficiently supplied with the nutrient liquid introduced into the interior. Furthermore, the sliders fulfill the task of removing the insects from the housing unit 1 after the fattening process has ended. After the respective flap 10 is opened by rotating the holding plate 32 and consequently rotating the sliders 4, the insects fall downwards through the ejection opening 8 outside the housing unit 1 and are fed for further processing by a transport device arranged on the underside of the rearing system.

[0050] Different slider configurations may be necessary for mixing and pushing away different insect species. For this reason, the spacer rods 29 and 30 can each be provided with a holding device 34. The holding devices 34 are designed, for example, as screw constructions, so that the respective connected slider 4 can be easily replaced by loosening the two holding devices 34. The holding devices 34 are also useful for maintenance and repair purposes, as they can be used to replace damaged or worn sliders 4.

[0051] Of course, it is also conceivable to replace the slides 4 directly by screwing the support rods 29 and 30 to the support plate 32 and the support plate 38. As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 and 6, the plurality of housing units 1 can be installed in a frame 28 constructed from a plurality of metal or wooden profiles (more resistant to ammonia exposure), preferably square or rectangular in plan. The frame 28 encloses the housing units 1 and the pipes arranged on their exterior, which comprise the distribution system 11 for the insect larvae, the feed device 15 for supplying nutrients to the insect larvae, and the ventilation device 18 for the individual housing units 1.

[0052] Depending on the specific design of the fattening system, the frame 28 can be provided with a casing 31 enclosing the housing units 1 and the pipes. The casing 31 can be designed as insulation so that, on the one hand, low energy consumption is required for the rearing of the insect larvae, regardless of external climatic conditions, particularly when the rearing system is used outdoors.

[0053] The space between the outer casing 31 and the outer sides of the individual housing units 1 can be thermally controlled by a separate ventilation device 35 with an integrated fan 19 on the top side of the casing 31.

[0054] In Figures 1 and 6, which show the casing 31 in conjunction with the frame 28, the possibility of a modular structure of the frame 28 has not been shown in detail for reasons of clarity. The overall structure of the breeding system with several housing units 1 arranged one above the other enables the overall configuration of the system to be adapted to different spatial conditions. It is therefore helpful if different overall heights of the breeding system are supported and facilitated by a structure with a different number of housing units 1 and also by a modular structure of the frame 28 and the casing 31. To facilitate maintenance of the entire system, the casing 31 should be provided with a plurality of maintenance openings through which the interior space between the casing 31 and the outer wall of the housing units 1 is easily accessible.The maintenance openings mentioned can be realized by lockable doors, which are not shown in the figures showing the embodiment.

[0055] In order to regulate the heat balance within the breeding facility, a suitable further development of the subject matter of the invention provides for equipping each housing unit 1 with a heating device 25 arranged directly in or on the floor 6. This heating device 25 is designed similarly to an underfloor heating system, as shown in Figure 5.

[0056] In addition to the described design measures for operating an insect breeding facility efficiently and cost-effectively, it may be expedient to equip the breeding facility with heat control sensors inside the individual housing units 1 and flow sensors for the distribution system 11, the ventilation system 18 and the supply system 15.

[0057] It is of course also conceivable to determine, in particular, the quantity of insect larvae to be introduced into the individual housing units 1 by means of weight detectors.

[0058] The electronic sensors, which generate measured values ​​at suitable locations, serve to check the technical conditions within the inventive breeding system at any time. The measured values ​​are evaluated in an electronic control unit and, if necessary, compared with corresponding target values. The control unit can then generate electronic control signals for the various drive and actuation systems, although fully automatic control of the breeding system is also conceivable.

[0059] The overall design of the rearing system according to the invention results in a significant improvement in the industrial production of protein mass, which is urgently needed to meet future requirements in the field of animal nutrition, but also to alleviate human nutritional shortages.

[0060] List of reference symbols:

[0061] 1 housing unit

[0062] 2 drive device

[0063] 3 Central axis

[0064] 4 sliders

[0065] 5 Side wall

[0066] 6 Floor

[0067] 7 Ceiling

[0068] 8 Ejection opening

[0069] 9 Motor (for flap 10)

[0070] 10 flap

[0071] 11 Distribution system (for insect larvae)

[0072] 12 distribution pipe

[0073] 13 Supply pipe

[0074] 14 Pump motor

[0075] 15 Feed device (for nutrients)

[0076] 16 Distribution pipe (for nutrients)

[0077] 17 Supply pipe (for nutrients)

[0078] 18 Ventilation device

[0079] 19 Fan

[0080] 20 center pipe

[0081] 21 Ventilation opening

[0082] 22 Inlet opening

[0083] 23 Connection profile

[0084] 24 Flap frame 25 Heating device

[0085] 26 Guide rail (flap)

[0086] 27 Support strut

[0087] 28 Frame 29 Spacer bar

[0088] 30 spacer rod

[0089] 31 Sheathing

[0090] 32 retaining plate

[0091] 33 Sprocket 34 Holding device

[0092] 35 Ventilation device (sheath)

[0093] 36 screw connection

[0094] 37 pivot bearings

[0095] 38 Holding plate 39 Chain

Claims

Patent claims 1. A breeding facility for insects with at least two modularly constructed, concentrically arranged circular housing units (1 ), in the respective interiors of which at least one slide (4) is arranged, which can be rotated about the central axis (3) of the housing unit (1 ) by a drive device (2), wherein the housing unit (1 ) has at least one ejection opening (8) in its side wall (5) which can be brought into an open and closed state by a flap (10) actuated by a motor, wherein each housing unit (1 ) is provided with a distribution system (11) for filling the housing unit (1 ) with insect larvae, with a A supply device (15) for supplying nutrients to the insect larvae into the interior of the housing unit (1), a ventilation device (18) for exchanging air inside the housing unit (1), and the breeding system has a transport device for removing the fully bred insects.

2. Breeding facility for insects according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of housing units (1) are arranged in a common frame (28), wherein in this frame (28) the distribution system (11) belonging to each housing unit (1), the supply device (15) for supplying nutrients, the ventilation system (18) and the transport system are each arranged as a common construction module for all housing units (1).

3. Breeding system for insects according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective circular housing units (1 ) are provided with a casing (31 ) which is square in plan and laterally encloses the circular housing units (1 ), wherein pipes (12, 13, 16, 17, 20) belonging to the distribution system (11 ), the supply device (15) and the ventilation device (18) are arranged in the interior between the casing (31 ) and the outer wall of the housing units (1 ).

4. Insect breeding system according to claim 3, characterized in that the casing (31) consists of modular, interconnected segments, each of which accommodates a housing unit (1) in its interior.

5. Insect breeding facility according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the casing (31) is provided with thermal insulation in its interior.

6. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each housing unit (1) has a heating device (25) built into the bottom of the housing unit (1).

7. Breeding facility for insects according to one or more of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in each housing unit (1) there are at least three slides (4) which are arranged concentrically around the central axis (3) of the housing unit (1) at regular distances from one another from the inside to the outside and substantially perpendicular to the central axis (3) of the housing unit (1), which slides are fixed to a holding plate (32) in the interior of the housing unit (1) under the ceiling (7) of the housing unit (1), wherein the holding plate (32) is movable around the central axis (3) of the housing unit (1) by the drive device (2).

8. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the breeding system is provided with heat control sensors in the interior of the respective housing unit (1) and flow sensors for the distribution system (11), the ventilation system (18) and the supply system (15), the electrical measured values of which are evaluated in an electronic control unit, wherein, depending on the determined and evaluated measured values, the control unit generates electronic control signals for the various actuating devices for the distribution system (11), the ventilation system (18), the supply system (15) and the flaps (10).

9. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sliders (4) are fixed interchangeably by a holding device (34) in the interior of the housing unit (1).

10. Insect breeding system according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transport device is arranged in the floor area below the casing (31) and is designed as a screw conveyor system.

11. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transport device is arranged in the floor area below the casing of the breeding system (31) and is designed as a conveyor belt.

12. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drive device (2) for the sliders (4) is designed as a chain drive.

13. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drive device (2) for the sliders (4) is designed as a belt drive.

14. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drive device (2) for the sliders (4) is designed as a gear drive.

15. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the casing (31) of the housing units (1) is provided with a plurality of maintenance openings through which the interior space between the casing (31) and the outer wall of the housing units (1) is accessible.

16. Breeding system for insects according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that cleaning spray nozzles are arranged in the individual housing units (1), which are supplied with cleaning liquid via a central pipe system.

17. Insect breeding facility according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the exhaust air taken from the breeding facility is fed centrally to an air washing device for removing impurities.

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