Equipment for breeding insects

Abstract

We propose a new solution for breeding insects. [Solution] The apparatus (2) for breeding insects comprises a culture area (3) arranged vertically in the horizontal direction, each having a length of several meters; a mobile workstation (6) that can move on the culture area (3) by a first engine; and a lift system (5) installed on one side of the culture area (3) and provided for vertically lifting the mobile workstation (6). Each culture area (3) is a rectangular plate having flat lateral and longitudinal flanges. The rectangular plate has an upper surface adapted to receive a substrate and an opposite lower surface, and the apparatus further comprises at least one guide rail (4) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal edge of the lower surface, and the mobile workstation (6) is equipped with wheels (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equipment for breeding insects. More specifically, it relates to equipment for breeding insects having a workstation.

Background Art

[0002] More precisely, the mobile workstation needs to operate on the working surface. The magnitude of the movement of the mobile workstation increases as the working surface increases. Therefore, the required length of the guide chain is extended, and the length of the guide chain may span several meters to reach the extreme operating position farthest from the static connection point.

[0003] The guide chain supports flexible cables and / or pipelines and is deployed or retracted in accordance with the movement of the mobile workstation to enable the mobile workstation to move from the operating position closest to the static connection point to the operating position farthest from the static connection point.

[0004] The guide chain ensures the guidance of flexible cables and / or pipelines (such as telecommunication cables, water pipes, compressed air pipes, etc.) at any position in the useful area that the mobile workstation needs to reach. Guide chains are well known for guiding hoses, cables, pipelines, etc. An example is commercially available under the trademark "Igus".

[0005] The guide chain is made of a number of chain links connected to each other in a connected manner, as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The guide chain needs to be retracted when the mobile workstation is near the static connection point. The guide chain must also be deployed when the mobile workstation is near the operating position farthest from the static connection point.

[0007] In the field of devices for guiding flexible supply pipelines, it is known to use a return wheel having a guide chain wound at least partially over it, the return wheel including a chain wheel that rotates freely over a portion of the guide chain and is driven by the movement of the guide chain, and during the movement of the workstation, the excess length of the guide chain is lifted and placed in the loop.

[0008] Patent Document 2 describes an example in which a mobile workstation is connected to a static connection point by a flexible pipeline. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0000198 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 4600817 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 1059066 Specification [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-220533 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-213154 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] However, this known guidance system features a guidance chain that bends in two opposite directions when installed in the guidance system, but this guidance chain is extremely rare and very expensive. This known guidance system also does not provide protection against folding of the guidance chain.

[0011] The simple winding of guide chains longer than a few meters around the axis occupies a volume that is incompatible with a typical-sized shed. There is no practical solution for fully deploying or storing guide chains longer than 14 meters.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the objective is to easily, safely, and efficiently deploy and retract a guide chain bent in only one direction, regardless of the position of the mobile workstation, anywhere between the operating position closest to the static connection point and the operating position furthest from the static connection point, and to avoid any folding of the guide chain, regardless of the length of the guide chain.

[0013] The objective of this invention is to propose a novel solution for breeding insects. This novel solution allows the induction chain to be deployed and retracted without wasting storage space when the mobile workstation is located closest to a static connection point. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] Therefore, the present invention relates to equipment for breeding insects, comprising the following: - Culture regions arranged vertically in the horizontal direction, each having a length of several meters, - A mobile workstation that can move on the culture area using a first engine, - A lift system installed on one side of the culture area, designed to vertically lift the mobile workstation. According to one aspect, each culture region is a rectangular plate having flat lateral and longitudinal flanges. According to one aspect, the rectangular plate has an upper surface adapted to receive a substrate and an opposite lower surface, and the device further comprises at least one guide rail extending parallel to the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal edge of the lower surface, and the mobile workstation is equipped with wheels. From one perspective, mobile workstations are connected to cables and pipelines, transport energy, supply generating materials for cleaning substrates, and exchange digital data. In one aspect, the equipment further comprises a static connection area below the lowest first culture area, and a one-dimensional guide chain having a first end fixed to a mobile workstation and a second end fixed to the static connection area, adapted to guide the cables and pipelines. In one aspect, the equipment comprises a second chain pulley and a third chain pulley aligned perpendicularly with the second chain pulley and mounted on the vertically movable part of the lift system, the chain pulley being adapted to change the orientation of the one-dimensional guide chain between horizontal and vertical. According to one side, the chain pulley is located on one longitudinal side of the mobile workstation. According to one aspect, the lift system has a vertically movable section configured to support a mobile workstation. According to one aspect, the mobile workstation is adapted to perform humidification, ventilation, substrate positioning and removal, and / or food delivery.

[0015] Therefore, one embodiment relates to a guide chain transport system configured to deploy and store guide chains and flexible supply cables and / or pipelines without folding them, the guide chain transport system comprising: - A mobile workstation that is movable on a work surface by a first engine and connected to the cable and / or pipeline, - To support the cable and / or pipeline, at least one induction chain, one end of which is connected to a static connection area and the other end of which is connected to a mobile workstation, - At least one compensating trolley equipped with a compensation system, Equipped with, The compensation carriage is movable by a second engine, and a moving work station generates, by a first engine or by a controller based on a value of a signal transmitted to the first engine, a resistance force calculated by a compensation system to maintain the guiding chain bent in the same plane but not folded while moving from an operating position closest to the static connection area to an operating position farthest from the static connection area.

[0016] The static connection points are where different supplies (such as electricity, water, compressed air, etc.) are conveyed. The different supplies are grouped on the same elements having the same orientation and are available via elements connectable to the ends of pipelines and / or cables.

[0017] The moving work station is an operating device capable of performing several operations within a working space. For example, in the field of agriculture, the moving work station can perform humidification, ventilation, positioning and removal of the soil, delivery of food, etc.

[0018] Therefore, one embodiment enables the guiding chain to be deployed and stored simply, efficiently, and safely.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a straight guiding chain means that the guiding chain can be bent in the same plane but cannot be folded. The straight guiding chain can be bent as long as the guiding chain remains in the same plane. The plane of the guiding chain is usually vertical.

[0020] Avoiding folding of the guiding chain is very important. According to the present invention, folding means forming a fold exceeding the mechanical limits tolerated by the guiding chain. Therefore, folding the guiding chain can cause damage to the guiding chain itself as well as to the cables and pipelines.

[0021] The space required to store the guide chain is also an important criterion for optimizing the equipment. Increasing the work surface increases the distance the mobile workstation moves, resulting in an increase in the length of the guide chain. The risk of folding the guide chain and the space required for storage increase with the length of the guide chain.

[0022] According to the present invention, for one element to be "close" to another element means that those elements are in the same position, facing the same direction, and are located at a limited distance from each other. This limited distance is the minimum distance possible while ensuring the stable fixation of each element during operation.

[0023] Depending on the embodiment, one or more of the following features may be implemented.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the guide chain comprises a number of volumes defining a passage, connected to one another by limited axes of rotation, each axis of rotation located close to one side of the guide chain, thereby obtaining a flexible chain on essentially only one side of the guide chain.

[0025] Therefore, the most common type and simple structure of a guide chain can be used as a guide chain.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the guide chain transport system includes at least one security cable that follows the same path as the guide chain, has its endpoint fixed near the endpoint of the guide chain, and is shorter in length than the guide chain without causing any folding of the guide chain.

[0027] Thanks to the security cable mentioned above, the tension applied to the guide chain and the cables and / or pipelines is reduced, which reduces wear on the guide chain and lowers the risk of guide chain failure.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the mobile workstation comprises a first engine that drives the mobile workstation, and the compensation system comprises a second engine that drives a compensation trolley, the first and second engines working together to enable the mobile workstation to move in accordance with received movement commands and to avoid folding and damage to the guide chain (20).

[0029] Therefore, standard, readily available industrial asynchronous engines can be used to operate induction chain conveying systems.

[0030] According to some embodiments, a first engine can be started or stopped in accordance with a first signal received, the first engine can repeatedly transmit a second signal to a controller indicating the effectiveness of movement, and a second engine can be started at a given output and speed in accordance with instructions repeatedly calculated by the controller according to equations that include at least the first and second signals as variables.

[0031] Therefore, the second engine can only be started when the first engine is actually moving the mobile workstation. The second engine can also be stopped if the first engine is unable to move despite the movement signal sent to it. Such a configuration avoids the compensatory trolley moving without the workstation moving.

[0032] Therefore, the wear applied to the guide chain can be controlled.

[0033] The tension applied to the security cable remains within the specified range, as recorded by the controller. The target tension value depends on the materials used, the weight of the different moving elements, and the position of the mobile workstation.

[0034] According to some embodiments, a mobile workstation can transmit at least a third signal representing the operation of a first engine to a controller, a compensation system can measure and transmit at least a fourth signal representing the operation of a second engine to a controller, the controller is adapted to analyze the repeatedly received third and / or fourth signals, and is configured to generate an immobilizer signal for both the first and second engines if the third and / or fourth signals are outside a minimum or maximum value.

[0035] Therefore, if one parameter falls outside the normal operating range, system fixation can be applied. This reduces the risk of damage and limits the extent of damage.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the controller may detect that a third signal and / or a fourth signal are outside the acceptable range and generate a fifth signal, such as a red light or an alarm sound, to warn the operator.

[0037] Therefore, someone can find out about a problem during installation and try to manually resolve the issue, for example, if a mobile workstation is being blocked from moving by an element.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the compensating trolley comprises at least one first chain pulley that moves in accordance with the movement of a guide chain that is at least partially wrapped around the first chain pulley.

[0039] Therefore, the guide chain can be transported by a compensating trolley that allows for a loop of the guide chain with a fixed diameter.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the guide chain transport system is fixed to the equipment and rotatable in accordance with the movement of a guide chain that is at least partially wound thereon, and includes at least one second chain pulley for changing the axial direction of the guide chain.

[0041] Thanks to the fixed pulleys mentioned above, the guide chain can be bent back above the mobile workstation or below the work surface, optimizing the space used by the guide chain transport system.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the guide chain is positioned on one longitudinal side of the compensating trolley and on one longitudinal side of the mobile workstation, the longitudinal side being parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile workstation, and at least one longitudinal case for housing the guide chain can be fixed to the equipment.

[0043] Thanks to this arrangement, the weight of the guide chain is primarily supported by the lateral longitudinal case. Therefore, this arrangement reduces wear on the guide chain and the guide chain transport system, and lowers the risk of guide chain breakage.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the mobile workstation and the compensating trolley move in opposite directions along two parallel axes.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the compensating trolley is located below the work surface.

[0046] In some applications, for example, a clearance space is required between the ground and the work surface to allow access for maintenance or cleaning. Therefore, this clearance space can be used to store the guide chain without requiring additional footprint.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the equipment includes a guide chain system in which a compensating trolley is located below the work surface and the work surface is divided into several work areas vertically, and the equipment further includes a lift system, which comprises the following: - A vertical movable section capable of receiving, supporting, and transporting workstations that move from one level of work area to another. - A third engine for moving a movable part, wherein the third engine is configured to cooperate with the second engine to prevent folding and damage of the guide chain, - A chain pulley system comprising at least two chain pulleys, wherein the second chain pulley is fixed below the lowest position of the mobile workstation, and the third chain pulley is fixed to the movable part.

[0048] Therefore, the ground footprint is optimized and productivity is multiplied by the number of upper and lower work areas, without requiring investment in several additional mobile workstations.

[0049] Therefore, the only remaining limitation regarding the size of the work surface is the time required by the mobile workstation to operate across the entire work surface, compared to the time limit for performing all tasks. Such time limits exist, for example, in the field of agriculture.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the equipment is used in the fields of insect breeding, mushroom cultivation, or logistics.

[0051] Therefore, for example, the production rate per square meter of the automated cultivation equipment can be increased and optimized to its maximum value.

[0052] These application fields compel the presence of heavy elements on the work surface and require ground-based reinforcement along both side edges of the work surface. Therefore, the length of the guide chain must be the total length of at least one work area plus the length reaching the work area furthest from the static connection point.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention are described below in relation to the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0054] [Figure 1] This is a simplified side view of an automated breeding facility, in which four 6-meter-long culture areas are arranged vertically, each equipped with a guided chain transport system, the guided chain transport system is equipped with a compensating trolley mounted below the lowest culture bed, and the mobile workstation is in the operating position closest to the static connection point. [Figure 2] This is a simplified side view of the same automated breeding facility as in Figure 1, where the mobile workstation is in the operating position furthest from the static connection point. [Figure 3] This is a 3D detailed view of the compensation trolley only, from a side and overhead perspective. [Figure 4] This is a 3D detailed view of an automated breeding facility, where the work area is cut off and not fully displayed to provide better visual access to the guide chain transport system. Compensation rails and mobile workstations are also not shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0055] On a drawing, the same reference numeral indicates the same or similar object.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a facility according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the facility is a breeding facility 2 for breeding insects. The breeding facility 2 comprises a number of work areas 3, also called culture areas 3 in the case of breeding, which are arranged vertically. The illustrated breeding facility 2 is in the middle of a breeding cycle, and substrate has been delivered to all culture areas.

[0057] For example, the first culture area 3 is placed approximately 1 meter above the ground X. The other culture areas 3 are positioned above the first culture area 3.

[0058] In this embodiment, all culture regions 3 are identical or similar. A given culture region 3 is arranged horizontally. It may be several meters long, for example, 6 meters long or longer. In each culture region 3, the substrate 100 is brought in and brought out at the start and end of a single breeding cycle, respectively. The facility 2 includes a guided chain transport system 1, which is described in more detail below.

[0059] Vertical columns, not shown, are placed at regular intervals along each longitudinal side to support the weight of the culture area 3.

[0060] A lift system 5 is provided to vertically lift the mobile workstation 6. The lift system 5 is installed on one lateral side of the culture area 3.

[0061] Each culture area 3 is made of stainless steel. Each culture area 3 has a rectangular plate structure. The longitudinal edge 31 of each culture area 3 has a flange to hold the substrate on the upper surface of the culture area 3. The lateral edge of each culture area 3 is flat to facilitate the loading and unloading of the substrate 100. A guide rail 4 is provided on the underside of each stainless steel rectangular plate. The guide rail 4 is parallel to the longitudinal edge. The guide rail 4 extends longitudinally, is straight, and is positioned in the center of the underside of the stainless steel rectangular plate.

[0062] The first engine installed in the mobile workstation 6 can move the mobile workstation 6 above the culture area 3. The mobile workstation 6 is connected to cables and pipelines. There are three types of cables and pipelines, namely: - Types that transport energy such as electricity and compressed air, - A type that cleans the substrate by supplying a water-like generating substance, and, - A type that exchanges digital data such as commands to operate a mobile workstation or monitoring sensor data. There is.

[0063] The mobile workstation 6 is connected by an Ethernet cable to send and receive data. The mobile workstation 6 is also connected to a controller.

[0064] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the mobile workstation has suspension wheels 11. As shown in Figure 1, the suspension wheels 11 are positioned on rail sections 23 of a lift system 5 that can be connected to any of the guide rails 4. The lift system 5 repeats the cycle of moving the mobile workstation by positioning the rail sections 23 in sequence with the guide rails 4 corresponding to culture areas 3 selected by the operator 200 or via a processor programmed by the operator.

[0065] According to the embodiment in Figure 4, the guide rail 41 is located above each longitudinal edge 31 of the work area. Mobile workstations not shown in Figure 4 have support wheels instead of the suspension wheels 11 as in the embodiment in Figure 1. The operation of the lift system is as described above.

[0066] The static connection area 7 is located below the first culture area 3. The static connection area 7 is a vertical side of the wall where all the sockets supported by these energy sources, water, and data exchange are grouped together. The location of the static connection area 7 is approximately midway between the ground and the first culture area. The static connection area 7 is close to the lateral side of the culture area where the lift system 5 is located. The static connection area 7 is oriented towards the opposite lateral side of the culture area 3. Alternatively, there may be multiple static connection areas for various cables and / or pipelines.

[0067] Below the static connection area 7, there is a hole for the guide chain 20 to pass horizontally.

[0068] The cables and pipelines are connected to the static connection area 7. The length of the cables and pipelines is sufficient to move the mobile workstation 6 to the operating position furthest from the static connection area 7.

[0069] These cables and pipelines are guided by a one-dimensional guide chain 20. The guide chain 20 is made of numerous chain links of a hollow parallelepiped structure connected to one another according to the axis of rotation. Each axis of rotation is located in close proximity to one side of the guide chain 20. The minimum possible angle between two consecutive chain links that will not damage the one-dimensional guide chain 20 is 150°. The maximum possible angle between two consecutive chain links that will not damage the one-dimensional guide chain 20 is 190°. All axes of rotation are parallel. Therefore, flexibility essentially affects only one side of the guide chain 20, and such a guide chain is called a one-dimensional guide chain. Thus, the finally assembled one-dimensional guide chain 20 is a passage through which cables and / or pipelines can pass.

[0070] The first end 21 of the one-dimensional guidance chain is fixed to the mobile workstation 6 on a vertically fixed axis on one of the lateral sides of the mobile workstation. The second end 22 of the one-dimensional guidance chain 20 is fixed to the static connection region 7.

[0071] The one-dimensional guide chain 20 is positioned perpendicularly to a location that includes several windings, all of which are directed toward the single flexible side of the guide chain 20. This position is the result of the interaction between the one-dimensional guide chain 20 and the three chain pulleys 10, 30, and 40 positioned in the vertical plane defined by the one-dimensional guide chain.

[0072] A compensating rail 9 is fixedly installed below the culture area 3 closest to the ground level X. The compensating trolley 8 comprises four support wheels 12, a pinion 82 that interacts with the rack 9, and a second engine 81 that can apply a compensating force to the pinion 82.

[0073] The compensating trolley 8 also includes a first chain pulley 10. The first chain pulley 10 is mounted on the longitudinal side of the compensating trolley 8, and its axis of rotation is connected to the compensating trolley 8 by a lateral structure 83 comprising several rods and a metal plate projecting from one longitudinal side of the compensating trolley 8. The height of the lateral structure 83 is less than the diameter of the chain pulley 10, and the chain pulley 10 is mounted on this structure so that it is both higher and lower than the structure. Thus, when mounted on the equipment 2, the guide chain 20 puts pressure on the structure 83. The structure 83 is more resistant to pressure than to tensile force. To avoid any friction between the guide chain 10 and the lateral structure 83, support wheels 85 are added on the lateral structure 83, on the opposite side and above the first chain pulley 10 on the lateral structure 83.

[0074] The compensating trolley 8 maintains the orientation of the guide chain 20 according to a U-turn configuration. The guide chain 20 starts horizontally from the static connection area 7 and wraps around a first chain pulley 10 horizontally below the static connection area 7. The compensating trolley 8 is moved thanks to support wheels 12 supported on a rack 9. The compensating trolley 8 is equipped with a second engine 81 that applies force to hold the movement of the compensating trolley 8 and keep the guide chain 20 straight. The compensating trolley 8 is connected to an electrical energy source by a cable guided by a secondary guide chain (not shown). The holding force is present when the mobile workstation 6 is approaching the static connection area 7, and the holding force is reduced when the mobile workstation 6 moves away from the static connection area 7. Thus, there is neither folding nor stretching of the guide chain 20.

[0075] After passing between the ground X and the static connection area 7, the guide chain 20 passes under the lift system 5 and reaches a second chain pulley 30 attached to the equipment 2. The second chain pulley 30 changes the orientation of the guide chain 20 from horizontal to vertical. The second chain pulley 30 is perpendicular to a third chain pulley 40. The third chain pulley 40 is attached to the vertically movable part of the lift system 5, which has a support section 23 capable of supporting the mobile workstation 6. The third chain pulley 40 changes the orientation of the guide chain 20 from vertical to horizontal.

[0076] The lift system 5 can be controlled to repeat cycles of moving the mobile workstation, either directly by the operator 200 or via a processor programmed by the operator. Thus, the same mobile workstation can operate on all culture areas 3 by selecting one level of the culture area 3, then another level.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2, for example, after the operator selected the fourth level, the lift system 5 reached the furthest position to work in the culture area 3.

[0078] The holding force is applied to the guide chain by the second engine 81 via the interaction between the pinion 82 and the track 9. The applied holding force is calculated by the controller based on the value of a signal sent to the first engine or by the first engine.

[0079] The compensation system includes a controller that monitors several signals and generates several command signals according to three different processes.

[0080] The first moving process, also known as the normal horizontal process, is described below.

[0081] The initial stage is a blocked configuration in which both the first and second engines are blocked while rotating, and the mobile workstation is in the standby position shown in Figure 1.

[0082] Firstly, the controller receives a command to move the mobile workstation 6 and perform one of several possible actions.

[0083] Secondly, the controller analyzes this information and calculates a first command signal to be sent to the first engine.

[0084] Thirdly, the first engine generates a first representative signal of its movement.

[0085] Fourth, upon receiving the first representative signal, the controller generates a second command signal to the second engine 81. The intensity of the second command signal is calculated to move the compensating trolley 8 in the opposite direction at half the speed compared to the movement of the mobile workstation 6.

[0086] Fifth, the controller sends command signals to the mobile workstation 6 to perform an action.

[0087] Sixth, once the command is executed, the controller sends a command to move the mobile workstation 6 backward and to stop the first engine and the second engine 81 in their initial standby positions.

[0088] If the received command includes a level change, a second move process is added twice, before and after the horizontal process.

[0089] The second moving process, also known as the normal vertical process, is described below.

[0090] The initial stage is when the mobile workstation is fully supported by the vertically movable part 23.

[0091] Firstly, the controller receives a command to move the mobile workstation 6 to a different level of the work area 3.

[0092] Secondly, the controller analyzes this information and, as a result, calculates a third command signal to the third engine 91 to move the movable part 23 upward or downward in the direction toward the required level.

[0093] Thirdly, the third engine 91 generates a third representative signal of its movement.

[0094] Fourth, upon receiving the third representative signal, the controller generates a second command signal to the second engine 81. The strength of the second command signal is calculated to move the compensating trolley 8 at half the speed compared to the speed of the movable part 23. The direction of the compensating trolley 8 is closer to the lift system 5 when the movement of the vertical movable part 23 is upward. The direction of the compensating trolley 8 is further away from the lift system 5 when the movement of the vertical movable part 23 is downward.

[0095] Fifth, the lift system 5 sends a command signal to the controller indicating the level reached by the vertical movable section 23. Once the controller is indicated that the first level command has been reached by the lift system 5, the controller sends a command to stop and block the third engine 91 and the second engine 81.

[0096] If the resistance applied to at least one of the engines exceeds the normal range, a third motion process, also known as the emergency stop process, is activated as described below.

[0097] Firstly, the initial stage is when one of the first, second, or / or third engines sends a resistance signal outside the normal range to the controller.

[0098] Secondly, the controller immediately interrupts any ongoing movement command signals.

[0099] Thirdly, the controller sends a signal to block all engines.

[0100] Fourth, the controller illuminates a red light and emits an alarm sound.

[0101] According to Figure 1, the mobile workstation, equipped with four support wheels 11, is located on the lift system 5 at the level of the first culture area.

[0102] Although not visible in the diagram, a flexible steel security cable follows the same path as the guide chain 20. The endpoints of the security cable are fixed to the same elements as the endpoints 21 and 22 of the guide chain 20. The length of the security cable is slightly shorter than that of the guide chain 20. This difference in length between the security cable and the guide chain 20 is not sufficient to cause any folding of the guide chain 20. Nevertheless, when tension is introduced, it is largely supported by the security cable instead of the guide chain 20.

[0103] The chain pulleys are positioned on one longitudinal side of the compensating trolley and on one longitudinal side of the mobile workstation. The longitudinal side is the side parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile workstation.

[0104] The subsequent path segment, which is followed by the guide chain, includes several longitudinal cases for housing the guide chain 20. One longitudinal case is shown in Figure 4.

[0105] To support the weight of the guide chain 20, a longitudinal case 90 is fixed to the equipment 2, as shown in Figure 4. The longitudinal case 90 holds the guide chain between the first chain pulley 10 and the second chain pulley 30. A similar longitudinal case, not shown, is fixed to the equipment to hold the guide chain between the third pulley 40 and the mobile workstation 6.

[0106] The controller maintains information about the current location reached by the mobile workstation 6. The controller receives instructions that include the reserved level of the work area 3.

[0107] If the mobile workstation 6 is not on the vertically movable unit 23, the instruction is held in the controller's memory as a row of waiting instructions. If the mobile workstation 6 is not on the vertically movable unit 23 and the mobile workstation 6 is not yet at the level corresponding to the reserved work area 3, the controller first starts the normal vertical process.

[0108] When the mobile workstation 6 is in the selected work area 3, the controller initiates a first normal horizontal process. The direction of the first normal horizontal process is opposite to the side on which the lift system 5 is set up.

[0109] Equipment 2 transmits a first detection signal when the mobile workstation reaches the opposite end of the work area 3. When the controller receives the first detection signal, the controller stops the first normal horizontal process and starts the second normal horizontal process. The direction of the second normal horizontal process is opposite to that of the first normal horizontal process.

[0110] When the mobile workstation is fully returned to the vertical movable section 23, a second detection signal is sent to the controller. Upon receiving this second detection signal, the controller stops the second normal horizontal process. If there are no other instructions during this waiting period, the controller starts the normal vertical process in the direction of the lowest work area 3.

[0111] Further variations of the subject matter of the present invention, by exchanging individual features among them, or with respect to their equivalents and combinations, are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Guide chain transport system, 2 Breeding equipment, 3 Culture area, work area, work surface, 4 Guide rail, 5 Lift system, 6 Mobile workstation, Guide chain, 7 Static connection area, 8 Compensation trolley, 9 Compensation rail, rack, 10 First chain pulley, Guide chain, 11 Suspension wheel, 12 Support wheel, 20 One-dimensional guide chain, 21 First end, end, 22 Second end, end, 23 Vertical movable part, rail section, support section, 30 Second chain pulley, 31 Longitudinal edge, 40 Third chain pulley, 41 Guide rail, 81 Second engine, 82 Pinion, 83 Lateral structure, 85 Support wheel, 90 Longitudinal case, 91 Third engine, 100 Substrate, 200 Operator

Claims

1. Equipment (2) for breeding insects, - Culture regions (3) arranged vertically in the horizontal direction, each having a length of several meters, - A mobile workstation (6) that can move over the culture area (3) by the first engine, - A lift system (5) is installed on one side of the culture area (3) and is provided for vertically lifting the mobile workstation (6), Equipment that is equipped with this.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each culture region (3) is a rectangular plate having a flat lateral edge and a flange along its longitudinal edge.

3. The rectangular plate has an upper surface adapted to receive the substrate and a lower surface on the opposite side. The device further comprises at least one guide rail (4) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal edge of the lower surface, The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mobile workstation (6) is equipped with wheels (11).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mobile workstation (6) is connected to cables and pipelines, transports energy, supplies a product for cleaning the substrate, and exchanges digital data.

5. The aforementioned equipment (2) is, A static connection region (7) is further provided below the lowest first culture region (3), The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a one-dimensional guidance chain (20) adapted for guiding the cables and pipelines, having a first end (21) fixed to the mobile workstation (6) and a second end (22) fixed to the static connection area (7).

6. The equipment (2) comprises a second chain pulley (30) and a third chain pulley (40) that is perpendicular to the second chain pulley (30) and attached to the vertically movable part of the lift system (5). The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the chain pulleys (30, 40) are adapted to change the orientation of the one-dimensional guide chain (20) between horizontal and vertical.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the chain pulleys (30, 40) are arranged on one longitudinal side of the mobile workstation (6).

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lift system (5) has a vertically movable part (23) configured to support the mobile workstation (6).

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mobile workstation (6) is adapted to perform humidification, ventilation, substrate positioning and removal, and / or food delivery.

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