Airflow Dosing Chamber for Precise Neonatal Insect Batching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dosing neonatal insects, such as Black Soldier Fly larvae, are imprecise and inefficient, leading to variations in growth rates and yields due to challenges in accurately counting and weighing these small, sticky insects that tend to cluster, resulting in non-uniform batches and reduced feed conversion ratios.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device utilizing air flow control to precisely dose neonates into a defined volume, using a valve system and filter to ensure a predictable number of insects are collected and dispensed, allowing for rapid and accurate dosing without physical handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional weighing or counting methods are used to dose neonates, then the dosing process can be performed with simple equipment, but the measurement precision and dosing accuracy deteriorate due to the small size, stickiness, and clustering tendency of neonates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum system (pneumatic principle) to suction neonates into a dosing chamber through a dosing opening. The vacuum source creates negative pressure to draw insects in, and a valve controls the vacuum to release them. This pneumatic method enables precise dosing of small, sticky neonates without direct contact, solving the measurement precision problem while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum chamber as an intermediary between the neonate source and the dosing target. The neonates are suctioned into the chamber, held temporarily under vacuum, and then released in a controlled manner. This intermediary approach allows precise dosing without direct handling, improving accuracy while keeping the device structure manageable.
2Productivity
If manual counting or weighing of neonates is performed, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity and dosing speed deteriorate due to the time-consuming nature of handling small insects
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum-based pneumatic system enables rapid dosing by suctioning neonates directly into the dosing chamber and releasing them with a valve actuation. This eliminates time-consuming manual handling, significantly improving dosing speed while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of standard vacuum components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling (counting, weighing, transferring) with an automated vacuum system. The vacuum source and valve work together to automatically suction and release neonates, eliminating the need for manual intervention and dramatically increasing dosing productivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If neonates are handled directly for dosing, then the device structure remains simple, but the uniformity and repeatability of dosing deteriorate due to neonate movement and adherence issues
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber serves as an intermediary that holds neonates during the dosing process. By containing the neonates within the chamber under vacuum, their movement is restricted and they cannot adhere to external surfaces or escape. This improves batch uniformity and dosing repeatability while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum system provides controlled containment of neonates during dosing. The negative pressure holds the insects in place within the dosing chamber, preventing movement and adherence issues that would otherwise compromise batch uniformity. This pneumatic control mechanism improves dosing stability without requiring complex mechanical constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and fast dosing of neonates with high repeatability, reducing movement and adherence issues, ensuring consistent batch sizes and improved feed conversion ratios by maintaining predictable growth rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve device configured to control a passage of air into and/or out of the first end of the dosing body and/or into and/or out of the dosing volume
Implementation Method 2
a filter part having a first surface facing the dosing opening and a second surface facing away from the dosing body, the first surface defining a boundary of the dosing volume, and the first end part having at least one through-going opening configured to allow air to pass, while preventing the passage of insects
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A dosing device for insects, the insects having a first size, the dosing device comprising a dosing body having a central axis, having a first end facing the dosing device and a second end, a dosing volume having a longitudinal axis, defined at least partly by the dosing body, having a dosing opening arranged at the second end of the dosing body, a first valve device configured to control a passage of air into and/or out of the first end of the dosing body and/or into and/or out of the dosing volume, where the first valve device is configured to be in fluid communication with a first air source, and a filter part having a first surface facing the dosing opening and a second surface facing away from the dosing body, the first surface defining a boundary of the dosing volume, and the first end part having at least one through-going opening configured to allow air to, while preventing the passage of insects.