Beehive Stand Drawer and Bottom Board for Pest Control and Insulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beehives face challenges in maintaining cleanliness, preventing pest infestation, and providing adequate insulation, especially in winter conditions, while also managing moisture and condensation, which can lead to chilling effects and bee mortality.

Innovation Solution

A beehive stand with a drawer and bottom board system that allows for easy removal and monitoring of waste, incorporates a screen for pest control, and includes a rain guard for insulation, all integrated into a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a screened bottom board is used to let pests and waste fall to the ground, then pest control and waste removal are improved, but insulation from winter conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest controlVSAvoidinsulation from winter conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom board system is segmented into multiple functional layers: a screened bottom board for pest control, an IPM board for waste collection, and an optional solid bottom board for insulation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between pest control and insulation by providing both options within the same system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic configuration where the solid bottom board can be inserted or removed based on seasonal needs. During winter, the solid bottom board provides insulation, while during warmer months, the screened bottom board enables pest control. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between functions as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If a solid bottom board is used to provide insulation from winter conditions, then insulation is improved, but pest control and waste removal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation from winter conditionsVSAvoidpest control

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom board system is segmented into multiple functional layers: a screened bottom board for pest control, an IPM board for waste collection, and an optional solid bottom board for insulation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between pest control and insulation by providing both options within the same system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic configuration where the solid bottom board can be inserted or removed based on seasonal needs. During winter, the solid bottom board provides insulation, while during warmer months, the screened bottom board enables pest control. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between functions as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If an IPM board is added under the screened bottom to catch debris, then waste monitoring is improved, but the system becomes open to critters and requires frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste monitoringVSAvoidcritter access

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The IPM board is merged with the drawer assembly to create an integrated waste collection system. The drawer provides enclosed storage that prevents critter access while maintaining the waste monitoring function. This merging resolves the contradiction by combining the open IPM board's monitoring capability with the enclosed drawer's protection against critters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drawer assembly acts as an intermediary between the screened bottom board and the IPM board, providing an enclosed space that prevents critter access while allowing waste to be collected and monitored. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by mediating between the need for open waste collection and the need for closed protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the IPM board is made removable for cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IPM board is segmented as a separate, removable component from the drawer assembly, allowing it to be easily removed for cleaning without disassembling the entire structure. This segmentation provides ease of maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The IPM board transitions from a fixed to a removable state, allowing dynamic access for cleaning when needed while maintaining a simple integrated structure during normal operation. This dynamic capability provides ease of maintenance without permanently increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances bee health by reducing pest infestation, minimizing moisture and condensation, and providing insulation, thereby improving bee survival and beekeeper monitoring capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

includes a rain guard for insulation, all integrated into a compact design

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250344676A1Beehives and beehive stands

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 BOURGET JOSEE

AI summary

Beehives and beehive stand are provided herein. A beehive stand for use as a base of a beehive can include a stand body having a first side wall and a second side wall and a top portion having an opening therethrough. Each of the first and second side walls include an inner wall face with a drawer slide groove and a bottom board slide groove in the respective inner wall face of the respective first and second side wall. The inner wall faces of first and second side walls face each other such that the drawer slide grooves in the respective inner wall faces align and the bottom board slide grooves in the respective inner wall faces align. The beehive stand includes a drawer having a drawer front secured to a litter tray. The litter tray having side portions that are configured to slide along the drawer slide grooves in the respective first and second side walls to allow the drawer to be inserted and held within the stand body and removed from the stand body. The beehive stand includes a bottom board having side portions that are configured to slide along the bottom board slide grooves in the respective first and second side walls to allow the bottom board to be inserted and held within the stand body and removed from the stand body. A screen is secured to the top portion of the stand body covering the opening in the top portion, the screen residing above the litter tray of the drawer when the drawer is inserted in the stand body along the drawer slide grooves of the first and second side walls.