Apparatus for sorting and harvesting mealworms

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting and harvesting mealworms comprises: an apparatus body unit; an inlet unit which is supported by the apparatus body unit and through which a plurality of mealworms of different sizes are introduced; an impurity separation unit which includes a moving portion for moving the mealworms, fecal soil, and exuviae to the inlet unit, a blower for blowing air toward the mealworms, the fecal soil, and the exuviae moving along the moving portion, and a suction removal portion for sucking in and removing the fecal soil and the exuviae that are floating by means of the blower; and a control unit which stores a normal air blowing intensity range of the blower so as to cause the fecal soil and the exuviae to float in the air while not causing the mealworms to float, and a normal suction intensity range for sucking in the fecal soil and the exuviae that are floating by means of the blower, controls the moving portion to move the mealworms, the fecal soil, and the exuviae to the inlet unit, and controls the suction removal portion to perform suction within the normal suction intensity range while air is blown toward the mealworms, the fecal soil, and the exuviae within the normal air blowing intensity range.

Description

Mealworm sorting and harvesting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a mealworm sorting and harvesting device, and more specifically, to a mealworm sorting and harvesting device that effectively sorts and harvests larvae and residues during mealworm harvesting.

[0002] Generally, mealworms are 2 to 3 mm in size and milky white during their larval stage. Subsequently, as they undergo metamorphosis, their bodies lengthen; as they grow, the body color darkens, gradually changing to yellowish-white before becoming light yellowish-brown. Mature larvae typically grow to a length of 28 to 35 mm. These mealworms are rich in protein and are used as food for pets and plants.

[0003] Furthermore, we are developing these mealworms with the expectation that they could be utilized to create edible alternative foods in the future. We are also developing mealworms for pharmaceutical development.

[0004] In the process of rearing these mealworms, by-products such as feed including vegetables, mealworm vermicompost, and mealworm molted shells are generated along with the mealworms, and it is necessary to separate these by-products from the mealworms to secure usable mealworms.

[0005] Previously, mealworms were sorted by hand to separate by-products from nectar sources, and the worms were also selected by visual inspection of their size, making the process very slow and resulting in low productivity.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a mealworm sorting and harvesting device capable of separating and harvesting a number of reared mealworms from other residues such as larvae, vermicompost, molted exoskeletons, and carcasses.

[0007] A mealworm sorting and harvesting device according to the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a device body; an inlet section supported by the device body and introducing a plurality of mealworms of different sizes; a moving section that moves mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells to the inlet section; a blower that sprays air toward mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells moving along the moving section; and a foreign matter separation section having a suction removal section that sucks in and removes vermicompost and molted shells lifted by the blower. The device includes a normal air injection intensity range of the blower that causes the worm castings and molted shells to be lifted into the air without the mealworms being lifted, and a normal suction intensity range for sucking the worm castings and molted shells lifted by the blower; a moving part that controls the mealworms, worm castings, and molted shells to move to the inlet part, and a control part that controls the suction removal part to spray air at the normal air injection intensity range toward the mealworms, worm castings, and molted shells and to suck them at the normal suction intensity range. Since by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm worm castings, and mealworm molted shells generated during the process of rearing mealworms are lighter than mealworms, they can be removed by spraying air to lift them into the air and then sucking them in, thereby separating the mealworms from the by-products and obtaining only the mealworms, which can improve work efficiency.

[0008] Here, the system includes a mealworm sorting unit having a plurality of spacing bars arranged at different intervals along the longitudinal direction to sort the plurality of mealworms introduced through the inlet by thickness; a plurality of sorting receiving units for receiving the sorted mealworms; and a sorting guide unit arranged below each sorting bar area arranged at different intervals to guide the sorted mealworms to each of the plurality of sorting receiving units. When a plurality of mealworms are introduced into the inlet, they are distinguished by thickness and size, and the mealworms distinguished by thickness and size are separated accordingly, thereby improving work efficiency through automatic sorting rather than manual work.

[0009] Furthermore, the sorting guide unit comprises a guide body having a funnel shape and providing a movement path for the mealworms being sorted; and a suction unit disposed on the movement path of the mealworms of the guide body and sucking the mealworms moving along the plurality of spacing bars into the plurality of sorting receiving units. This is desirable because the suction unit assists in the movement of the mealworms to each of the sorting receiving units through the guide body, thereby improving the efficiency of the sorting operation.

[0010] Herein, the apparatus further includes a camera for photographing mealworms, vermicompost, and molted exoskeletons moving to the inlet section, and the control unit stores the weight of the mealworms relative to the size of the mealworms photographed by the camera, and by setting the normal air injection intensity range and the normal suction intensity based on the size of the mealworms photographed by the camera, it is preferable to set the air injection intensity and suction intensity such that by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm vermicompost, and mealworm molted exoskeletons can be levitated while the mealworms are not levitated.

[0011] Furthermore, the mealworm sorting unit comprises a sorting body that supports the plurality of spacing bars in a spacing-adjustable manner; and a spacing adjustment drive unit that drives the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars to be adjusted. This is preferable because, due to the characteristics of mealworms, the mealworm sorting unit is made in a bar shape and can sort mealworms by adjusting the spacing.

[0012] Here, it is preferable to further include a camera that photographs a mealworm moving along the plurality of spacing bars; and a control unit that sets the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars for selecting mealworms based on the size and thickness of the mealworm photographed by the camera, and controls the spacing adjustment drive unit so that the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars becomes the set spacing, so that the spacing between the plurality of spacing bars can be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the mealworm.

[0013] Furthermore, the mealworm sorting unit further comprises a load-sensing sensor for detecting the load of the plurality of spacing bars; and a vibration-driving unit for driving the plurality of spacing bars with vibration, wherein the control unit stores a critical load of the plurality of spacing bars for driving the vibration-driving unit, and if the load of the plurality of spacing bars detected by the load-sensing sensor exceeds the critical load, the vibration-driving unit is controlled to drive the plurality of spacing bars with vibration, thereby allowing mealworms that have passed between the plurality of spacing bars to be dropped by vibration and sorted and separated when their weight increases, which is preferable.

[0014] Here, the mealworm sorting unit further includes an air injection unit that injects air in the direction of the sorting guide unit above the plurality of spacing bar areas, stores a normal population range of mealworms on the plurality of spacing bar areas, and controls the air injection unit to inject air in the direction of the sorting guide unit above the plurality of spacing bar areas when it is determined that the number of mealworms photographed by the camera exceeds the normal population range, so that when photographed from above the plurality of spacing bars and it appears that the number of mealworms is large, air can be injected to cause them to fall between the plurality of spacing bars, which is preferable.

[0015] According to the present invention, by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm vermicompost, and mealworm molted shells generated during the process of rearing mealworms are lighter than mealworms, so they can be removed by being sucked up while suspended in the air by blowing air, thereby separating the mealworms from the by-products and obtaining only the mealworms, thus improving the efficiency of the separation process.

[0016] In addition, when a large number of mealworms are introduced into the inlet, they are separated by thickness and size, and since the mealworms separated by thickness and size are separated individually, the efficiency of the sorting process can be improved through automatic sorting rather than manual work.

[0017] In addition, since the suction part assists in the movement of mealworms to each sorting receiving section through the guide body, the efficiency of the sorting operation can be improved.

[0018] In addition, it has the effect of setting air injection and suction intensities so that mealworms are not levitated, while by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm vermicompost, and mealworm molted shells can be levitated.

[0019] In addition, due to the characteristics of mealworms, the mealworm sorting unit is made in a rod shape, and the spacing can be adjusted to effectively sort the mealworms.

[0020] In addition, the spacing between multiple spacing bars can be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the mealworms.

[0021] In addition, when the weight increases, mealworms passing between multiple spacing bars can be dropped by vibration to sort and separate them.

[0022] In addition, if a large number of mealworms are observed when photographed from above multiple spacing bars, air can be sprayed to cause them to fall between the multiple spacing bars.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view of a mealworm sorting and harvesting device according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a side view of the foreign substance separation section.

[0025] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the screening acceptance section and the screening guide section.

[0026] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the operation of adjusting the spacing of multiple spacing bars.

[0027] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the action of dropping a mealworm using vibration.

[0028] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation of dropping mealworms using air jets.

[0029] Figure 7 is a control block diagram of a mealworm sorting and harvesting device.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, a top view, and a side view of a deformable mealworm sorting and harvesting device.

[0031] Hereinafter, a mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, plan view, and side view of a mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1) according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a foreign matter separation unit (30); FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a sorting receiving unit (50) and a sorting guide unit (60); FIG. 4 is a diagram of the operation of adjusting the spacing of a plurality of spacing bars (42); FIG. 5 is a diagram of the operation of dropping mealworms using vibration; FIG. 6 is a diagram of the operation of dropping mealworms using air injection; FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1); FIG. 8 is a perspective view, plan view, and side view of a deformable mealworm sorting and harvesting device.

[0033] The configuration of the mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0034] The mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1) includes a device body (10), an inlet (20), a foreign matter separation unit (30), a mealworm sorting unit (40), a sorting receiving unit (50), a sorting guide unit (60), a camera (70), and a control unit (80).

[0035] The device body (10) may be a frame that supports the configuration of the mealworm sorting device (1).

[0036] The inlet section (20) is supported by the main body of the device (10) and introduces a plurality of mealworms (2) of different sizes. The inlet section (20) may consist of an inlet moving section comprising a funnel-shaped inlet guide section for guiding mealworms and a conveyor belt for moving the introduced mealworms to the mealworm sorting section (40), but is not limited thereto.

[0037] The foreign matter separation unit (30) includes a moving unit (31), a blower (32), and a suction removal unit (33).

[0038] The moving part (31) can move mealworms (2), vermicompost, and molted shells to the inlet part (20). The moving part (31) is formed as a conveyor belt and can be driven by receiving power.

[0039] The blower (32) can blow air toward the mealworm (2), vermicompost, and molted shell moving along the moving part (31). It blows air toward the feed containing wheat bran, the vermicompost of the mealworm, and the molted shell of the mealworm placed on the moving part (31) so that they are levitated.

[0040] The suction removal unit (33) can remove the worm castings and molted exoskeletons that are lifted by the blower (32). The suction removal unit (33) is positioned above the moving unit (31) and sucks in air. By doing so, by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm worm castings and mealworm molted exoskeletons that are lifted into the air can be sucked in and separated from the mealworm.

[0041] The foreign matter separation unit (30) can be detachably coupled and installed to the main body of the device (10). When a box containing a number of mealworms and other residues is positioned below the suction removal unit (33) by the moving unit (31), the suction removal unit (33) descends, and when air is forcibly injected from the blower (32), relatively light fecal matter, molted shells, and carcasses are floated in the air. The by-products floated in the air are sucked in through the suction removal unit (33) and collected in a hopper to be disposed of or utilized separately. The mealworms thus selected are sorted and harvested by the mealworm sorting unit (40), thereby enabling automatic sorting and harvesting operations rather than manual work.

[0042] The mealworm sorting unit (40) may sort and harvest mealworms using the suction removal unit (33) of the foreign matter separation unit (30). With foreign matter separated in the foreign matter separation unit (30), the suction unit of the mealworm sorting unit (40) can move over the box containing mealworms and suck them up to sort and harvest them. Basically, mealworms can be sorted and harvested in this way, but additionally, the mealworm sorting unit (40) includes a sorting main body (41), a spacing bar (42), a spacing adjustment drive unit (43), a load detection sensor (44), a vibration drive unit (45), and an air injection unit (46).

[0043] The sorting main body (41) can support a plurality of spacing bars (42) in a space-adjustable manner.

[0044] The spacing bar (42) is arranged at different intervals along the length direction to sort a plurality of mealworms (2) introduced through the inlet (20) according to thickness. The spacing bar (42) may be arranged at different intervals in the first section, the second section, and the third section along the length direction. Depending on the number of types of mealworms to be sorted, the sections of the spacing bar may be increased or decreased. Each spacing bar (42) may be connected to the sorting main body (41) in a space-adjustable manner.

[0045] The spacing adjustment drive unit (43) can be driven to adjust the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars (42). The spacing adjustment drive unit (43) is composed of a motor, a pinion, and a rack, and can cause the spacing bars (42) to move relative to the sorting main body (41).

[0046] The load detection sensor (44) can detect the load of a plurality of spacing bars (42).

[0047] The vibration drive unit (45) can drive multiple spacing rods (42) to vibrate.

[0048] The air injection unit (46) can inject air in the direction of the sorting guide unit (60) above the area of ​​the plurality of spacing bars (42).

[0049] The selection receiving section (50) has a receiving space to receive selected mealworms (2).

[0050] The sorting guide section (60) is positioned at the bottom of each spacing bar area arranged at different intervals and guides the sorted mealworms (2) to each of the plurality of sorting receiving sections (50). The sorting guide section (60) includes a guide body (61) and a suction section (62).

[0051] The guide body (61) has a funnel shape and can provide a movement path for the mealworms (2) being selected.

[0052] The suction unit (62) is positioned on the movement path of the mealworm (2) of the guide body (61) and can suck the mealworm (2) moving along the plurality of spacing bars into the plurality of sorting receiving units (50). The suction unit (62) is installed at the rear end of the sorting receiving unit (50) and sucks air into the sorting receiving unit (50).

[0053] The camera (70) can photograph mealworms (2), vermicompost, and molted shells moving to the inlet (20). The camera (70) can photograph mealworms (2) moving along a plurality of spacing bars (42). The camera (70) includes a foreign matter separation camera (71) and a mealworm sorting camera (72).

[0054] The foreign matter separation camera (71) can capture the movement of mealworms along with by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm excrement, and mealworm molting shells.

[0055] The mealworm sorting camera (72) photographs mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells moving to the inlet (20). The mealworm sorting camera (72) photographs mealworms moving along a plurality of spacing bars.

[0056] The control unit (80) stores a normal air injection intensity range of the blower (32) to lift the worms (2) and molted shells into the air without lifting the worms (2), and a normal suction intensity range for sucking the worms and molted shells lifted by the blower (32), controls the moving unit (31) to move the worms (2), worms, and molted shells to the inlet unit (20), and controls the suction removal unit (33) to spray air at the normal air injection intensity range and suck in at the normal suction intensity range toward the worms (2), worms, and molted shells.

[0057] The control unit (80) stores the weight of the mealworm (2) relative to the size of the mealworm (2) captured by the camera (70), and can set the normal air injection intensity range and normal suction intensity based on the size of the mealworm (2) captured by the camera (70).

[0058] Based on the size and thickness of the mealworm (2) captured by the camera (70) of the control unit (80), the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars (42) for selecting the mealworm (2) can be set, and the spacing adjustment drive unit (43) can be controlled so that the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars (42) is set.

[0059] The control unit (80) stores a critical load of a plurality of spacing bars (42) for driving the vibration drive unit (45), and can control the vibration drive unit (45) to drive the plurality of spacing bars (42) by vibration when the load of the plurality of spacing bars (42) detected by the load detection sensor (44) exceeds the critical load.

[0060] The control unit (80) stores the normal population range of mealworms (2) on the area of ​​the plurality of spacing bars (42), and if it is determined that the population of mealworms (2) captured by the camera (70) exceeds the normal population range, it can control the air injection unit (46) to inject air in the direction of the sorting guide unit (60) from above the area of ​​the plurality of spacing bars (42).

[0061] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the spacing adjustment operation of a plurality of spacing bars (42).

[0062] FIG. 4 (a) A camera (70) photographs mealworms on a plurality of spacing bars (42). Based on the size and thickness of the mealworms (2) photographed by the camera (70), the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars (42) for selecting mealworms (2) is determined.

[0063] If the spacing of each of the identified multiple spacing bars (42) in Fig. 4 (b) needs to be increased slightly compared to the spacing in Fig. 4 (a), the control unit (80) controls the spacing adjustment drive unit (43) so that the spacing of each of the identified multiple spacing bars (42) increases in each section. As a result, the spacing in each section has increased. The spacing has been increased because the size and thickness of the mealworm are large and thick.

[0064] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the action of dropping a mealworm using vibration.

[0065] FIG. 5 (a) The control unit (80) stores the critical load of a plurality of spacing bars (42) for driving the vibration drive unit (45). The control unit (80) determines whether the load of the plurality of spacing bars (42) detected by the load load detection sensor (44) exceeds the critical load.

[0066] FIG. 5 (b) The control unit (80) controls the vibration drive unit (45) to vibrate the multiple spacing bars (42) when the load of the multiple spacing bars (42) detected by the load detection sensor (44) exceeds the critical load, so that the mealworms passing between the spacing bars (42) fall into the sorting guide unit (60) and are received into the sorting receiving unit (50).

[0067] Here, the control unit (80) can adjust the vibration intensity of the multiple spacing bars (42) based on the degree to which the load of the multiple spacing bars (42) detected by the load detection sensor (44) exceeds the critical load. The control unit (80) can make the vibration intensity of the multiple spacing bars (42) vibrate stronger as the degree to which the load of the multiple spacing bars (42) detected by the load detection sensor (44) exceeds the critical load increases.

[0068] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation of dropping mealworms using air jets.

[0069] FIG. 6 (a) The control unit (80) stores the normal population range of mealworms (2) on the area of ​​a plurality of spacing bars (42). It controls the camera (70) to photograph mealworms (2) on the area of ​​a plurality of spacing bars (42).

[0070] FIG. 6 (b) When the control unit (80) determines that the number of mealworms (2) being photographed by the camera (70) exceeds the normal number range, it controls the air injection unit (46) to inject air in the direction of the sorting guide unit (60) from above the area of ​​the multiple spacing bars (42). By doing so, the mealworms can fall into the sorting guide unit (60) and be received into the sorting receiving unit (50).

[0071] Here, the control unit (80) can adjust the air injection intensity in the direction of the sorting guide (60) above the area of ​​the plurality of spacing bars (42) based on the extent to which the number of mealworms (2) captured by the camera (70) exceeds the normal number range. The control unit (80) can make the air injection intensity in the direction of the sorting guide (60) above the area of ​​the plurality of spacing bars (42) stronger as the extent to which the number of mealworms (2) captured by the camera (70) exceeds the normal number range increases.

[0072] Modifiable embodiments other than the above embodiments are described.

[0073] Additional screens can be placed at the inlet to filter out unremoved molted exoskeletons, mealworm carcasses, adult insects, and pupae.

[0074] Alternatively, the mealworm sorting unit may further include an exclusion sorting unit for sorting molted shells, mealworm carcasses, adult insects, and pupae that are not sorted by the thickness and size of the mealworms.

[0075] It may further include a screening camera that photographs the reception space of the screening reception unit. The control unit stores the normal screening reception state and, by analyzing the image captured by the screening reception camera, can control the replacement of the corresponding screening reception unit if it is determined that the state in which mealworms are filled in the screening reception unit exceeds the normal screening reception state.

[0076] Here, a sorting receiving moving unit that moves the sorting receiving unit may be further included, and the control unit moves the sorting receiving unit filled with mealworms and moves the empty sorting receiving unit to a receiving position that receives mealworms dropped by the sorting guide unit.

[0077] The spacing bars of the mealworm sorting section are arranged from one side, which is the inlet side, to the other side, with one side positioned at a height greater than a predetermined height above the other side.

[0078] The spacing bar of the mealworm sorting unit can be rotatably supported with respect to the sorting main body and may further have a rotary drive unit.

[0079] In addition, the control unit can control the rotary drive unit so that the angle of inclination is changed when the movement speed of the mealworm being filmed by the camera is slower than the normal movement speed.

[0080] Due to the above-described mealworm sorting and harvesting device (1), by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm excrement, and mealworm molting shells generated during the mealworm rearing process are lighter than mealworms, so they can be removed by blowing air to float them into the air and sucking them up, thereby separating the mealworms from the by-products and obtaining only the mealworms, thus improving the efficiency of the separation process.

[0081] In addition, when a large number of mealworms are introduced into the inlet, they are separated by thickness and size, and since the mealworms separated by thickness and size are separated individually, the efficiency of the sorting process can be improved through automatic sorting rather than manual work.

[0082] In addition, the suction part assists in the movement of mealworms to each sorting receiving section through the guide body, thereby improving the efficiency of the sorting operation.

[0083] In addition, the air injection intensity and suction intensity can be set so that by-products such as feed containing wheat bran, mealworm vermicompost, and mealworm molted shells can be levitated while the mealworms are not levitated.

[0084] In addition, due to the characteristics of mealworms, the mealworm sorting unit is made in a rod shape, and mealworms can be sorted by adjusting the spacing.

[0085] In addition, the spacing between multiple spacing bars can be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the mealworms.

[0086] In addition, when the weight increases, mealworms that have passed between multiple spacing bars can be separated by shaking them off.

[0087] In addition, if a large number of mealworms is observed when photographed from above multiple spacing bars, air can be sprayed to cause them to fall between the multiple spacing bars.

Claims

1. In a mealworm sorting and harvesting device, Device main body; An inlet part supported by the above-mentioned device body and introducing a plurality of mealworms of different sizes; A foreign matter separation unit having a moving unit that moves mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells to the above-mentioned inlet, a blower that sprays air toward mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells moving along the above-mentioned moving unit, and a suction removal unit that sucks in and removes the vermicompost and molted shells lifted by the blower; and A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by including a control unit that stores a normal air injection intensity range of the blower for causing the worm castings and molted shells to be lifted into the air without the mealworms being lifted, and a normal suction intensity range for sucking the worm castings and molted shells lifted by the blower, controls the moving unit to move the mealworms, worm castings, and molted shells to the inlet, and controls the suction removal unit to spray air at the normal air injection intensity range toward the mealworms, worm castings, and molted shells and to suck them at the normal suction intensity range.

2. In Paragraph 1, A mealworm sorting unit having a plurality of spacing bars arranged at different intervals along the longitudinal direction to sort the plurality of mealworms introduced through the inlet according to thickness; A plurality of selection receiving sections for receiving selected mealworms; and A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by including a sorting guide that guides the mealworms to be sorted, positioned below each of the spaced bar areas arranged at different intervals, to each of the plurality of sorting receiving sections.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above screening guide is, A guide body having a funnel shape that provides a movement path for selected mealworms; and A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by including a suction part disposed on the movement path of a mealworm of the above-mentioned guide body and sucking a mealworm moving along the plurality of spacing bars into the plurality of sorting receiving parts.

4. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a camera for photographing mealworms, vermicompost, and molted shells moving to the above-mentioned inlet, and The above control unit is, A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by storing the weight of a mealworm relative to the size of the mealworm captured by the camera, and setting the normal air injection intensity range and the normal suction intensity based on the size of the mealworm captured by the camera.

5. In Paragraph 2, The above mealworm sorting unit is, A sorting body portion that supports the plurality of spacing bars in a spacing-adjustable manner; and A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by including a spacing adjustment drive unit that drives the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars to be adjusted.

6. In Paragraph 5, A camera for photographing mealworms moving along the plurality of spacers; and A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by further including a control unit that sets the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars for sorting mealworms based on the size and thickness of the mealworms photographed by the camera, and controls the spacing adjustment drive unit so that the spacing of each of the plurality of spacing bars becomes the set spacing.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above mealworm sorting unit is, A load-sensing sensor for detecting the load of the plurality of spacers above; and It further includes a vibration driving unit that vibrates the plurality of spacers mentioned above, The above control unit is, A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by storing a critical load of a plurality of spacing bars for driving the vibration drive unit, and controlling the vibration drive unit to drive the plurality of spacing bars vibrate when the load of the plurality of spacing bars detected by the load-load detection sensor exceeds the critical load.

8. In Paragraph 6, The above mealworm sorting unit is, It further includes an air injection unit that injects air in the direction of the sorting guide unit above the plurality of spacer bar regions, The above control unit is, A mealworm sorting and harvesting device characterized by storing a normal population range of mealworms on the plurality of spaced bar areas, and controlling the air injection unit to inject air in the direction of the sorting guide unit from above the plurality of spaced bar areas when it is determined that the number of mealworms photographed by the camera exceeds the normal population range.

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