Honeycomb Frame Sensors for Non-Invasive Bee Colony Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring bee colonies require manual inspection and opening of the hive, disrupting the ecosystem and being invasive.
Innovation Solution
The use of absorption spectroscopy with photoelectric sensors embedded in the honeycomb base to non-invasively determine the contents of the honeycomb, such as honey, pollen, or bee brood, without the need for physical presence or manual inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual inspection by opening the hive is used, then the beekeeper can directly observe the honeycomb contents, but the internal ecosystem of the bee colony is disrupted and the beekeeper must be physically present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual inspection (opening hive, removing frames) with an optical sensing system. Photoelectric sensors emit light through the honeycomb base and detect transmitted light to identify contents (honey, pollen, brood, empty cells) without physical contact or disruption to the colony
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system between the beekeeper and the honeycomb contents. Instead of direct visual inspection, the system uses photoelectric sensors as intermediaries to detect light transmission characteristics and infer the contents of honeycomb cells, eliminating the need for physical hive opening
2Reliability
If manual inspection is performed multiple times a year, then the beekeeper can monitor colony health, but significant time and travel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring capability through permanently installed photoelectric sensors in the hive. The sensors can continuously or periodically detect honeycomb contents without interrupting colony operations, eliminating the discrete, time-consuming manual inspection cycles and enabling real-time colony health monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the beekeeping operation to self-monitor colony status through automated optical sensing. The sensors automatically detect and report honeycomb contents without requiring beekeeper presence or manual intervention, allowing remote monitoring and reducing travel time to apiaries
3Loss of information
If the hive is opened for inspection, then the beekeeper can see the honeycomb contents, but the inspection is invasive and conditions are limited by weather and time of day
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces weather-dependent visual inspection with an optical sensing system that operates independently of external conditions. Photoelectric sensors emit their own light source and detect transmission through the honeycomb base, providing reliable detection in all weather conditions and at any time of day or night
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual surface inspection to three-dimensional optical transmission analysis. By measuring light transmission through the honeycomb base at different wavelengths or angles, the system can differentiate between various contents (honey, pollen, brood, empty cells) and provides comprehensive information about cell contents
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 instantaneous and non-invasive monitoring of the honeycomb contents, reducing disruption to the bee colony and allowing for continuous monitoring across various weather conditions and seasons.
Implementation Method 1
The invention is based on the method of absorption spectroscopy, which measures the absorption of radiation caused by interaction with the sample
Implementation Method 2
measuring the amount of light transmitted through the honeycomb base
Data Source
AI summary
The frame (1) with sensors (3) for sampling the contents of the honeycomb based on the method of absorption spectroscopy, includes a honeycomb foundation (2) within which are sensors (3) connected by a parallel bundle of wires (4) to a central microprocessor unit with memory (5) which is connected to the power supply unit (6) and the communication subsystem (7) so that the behavior of the bees and the usual manipulation of the beekeepers are preserved. The system refers to the field of application of electrical engineering for monitoring biological systems, and specifically to sensory monitoring of bee colonies by determining the content of honeycombs within the brood chamber of the frame. The system finds application in beekeeping for non-invasive remote control of bee colonies in the subject hive.