Automated Insect Cage Cleaning System with Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insect breeding technologies face challenges in scaling up due to the lack of efficient methods for cleaning insect cages, which is labor-intensive and hampers industrial-scale operations, leading to sub-optimal egg collection and increased risk of disease and contamination.
Innovation Solution
An insect breeding device with a bin for holding cleaning liquid, pipes for delivery and drainage, and a nozzle for efficient cleaning, along with a gas drying apparatus and recycling system, allowing for automated and efficient cleaning of multiple cages simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning methods are used for insect cages, then cleaning can be performed, but labor requirements are high and cleaning efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated cleaning system that uses a pump to deliver cleaning liquid through pipes and nozzles into the insect cage, automatically removing debris and waste without manual labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a pump to circulate cleaning liquid through a network of pipes and nozzles, delivering high-pressure cleaning fluid into the cage to effectively remove debris and waste products
2Reliability
If cleaning liquid is delivered into the insect cage, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid accumulation and drainage problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning system into distinct functional components: a cleaning liquid delivery subsystem with pipes and nozzles, and a separate drainage subsystem with collection containers, allowing each to be optimized independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate collection containers that serve as mediators between the cage interior and the drainage system, temporarily holding cleaning liquid and debris before disposal, thus simplifying the overall drainage architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning system uses multiple pipes and openings, then cleaning functionality is improved, but cage structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cage structure with multi-functional openings that serve dual purposes: ventilation during insect rearing and cleaning liquid access during maintenance, thereby achieving cleaning functionality without adding structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ventilation and cleaning functions into a single integrated structure, where the same openings and structural elements serve both insect rearing and cleaning operations, reducing overall system complexity
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
The device enables thorough and efficient cleaning of insect cages, reducing labor requirements and preventing contamination, thereby facilitating large-scale industrial insect farming and improving egg collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle, coupled to the first pipe, positioned inside the at least one insect cage configured to deliver the cleaning liquid to the interior of the at least one insect cage
Implementation Method 2
a second pipe, coupled to a second opening in the at least one insect cage, different from the first opening in the at least one insect cage, configured to drain the cleaning liquid and debris remaining from farming insects in the insect cage from the at least one insect cage
Implementation Method 3
a gas drying apparatus provided with a ventilator for generating a gas flow; a third pipe coupled to a third opening of the insect cage for transporting the gas flow inside the at least one insect cage
Implementation Method 4
a heater 160 for heating the generated gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
An insect breeding device comprising includes at least one insect cage having a top wall with a non-curved and flat surface or having a top wall with a concave inner surface; a bin for holding a cleaning liquid; and a first pipe for receiving the cleaning liquid and entering the cage through a first opening; a nozzle (14), coupled to the first pipe, positioned inside the at least one insect cage configured to deliver the cleaning liquid to the interior of the at least one insect cage; and a second pipe (4), coupled to a second opening (12), and located in the bottom wall of the cage and/or located in a side wall of the cage, in the side wall portion where the bottom wall and said side wall intersect configured to drain the cleaning liquid and the debris remaining from farming insects in the cage.