Beehive Feeder Barrier With Bumper Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barrier devices for beehives are inadequate in preventing foreign bees from entering the beehive and accessing the entry feeder, potentially threatening the health and safety of resident bees.
Innovation Solution
A barrier device is positioned between the beehive and the entry feeder, forming a tunnel that allows resident bees to travel freely while using bumpers to secure the barrier and prevent displacement, thereby inhibiting foreign bees from accessing the feeder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier device is positioned between the beehive and entry feeder, then foreign bees are prevented from entering the beehive, but the barrier may be displaced by bees or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bumpers as intermediary elements that mediate between the barrier and the entry feeder. These bumpers engage with the entry feeder to provide reactive forces that counteract displacement forces, allowing the barrier to remain stable while still blocking foreign bees effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumpers function as a counterbalancing mechanism against displacement forces. When bees push against the barrier or when environmental factors attempt to move it, the bumpers engage with the entry feeder to provide opposing forces that maintain the barrier's position, effectively creating a counterweight system.
2Reliability
If a barrier is installed to block foreign bees, then beehive security is improved, but bee passage between feeder and beehive may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed with non-uniform properties: it has a solid blocking portion to prevent foreign bee entry, but includes an opening or gap at the feeder interface that allows resident bees to pass through. This local differentiation of quality enables simultaneous achievement of security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier structure is segmented into functional zones: a main blocking section that prevents foreign bee entry and an opening section that allows resident bee passage. This segmentation enables the barrier to perform multiple functions simultaneously - blocking harmful elements while permitting necessary traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
A beehive feeder barrier assembly includes a barrier that is positionable between a beehive and an entry feeder that is integrated to the beehive. In this way the barrier can inhibit bees that do not occupy the beehive from accessing the entry feeder. The barrier forms a tunnel between the beehive and the entry-feeder when the barrier is positioned therebetween. In this way the barrier facilitates bees living in the beehive to travel back and forth between the entry feeder and the beehive. A pair of bumpers is provided and each of the bumpers is coupled to the barrier. Each of the bumpers engages the entry feeder when the barrier is positioned between the entry feeder and the beehive such that the bumpers inhibit the barrier from being displaced.