Insect Farming Harborage and Harvesting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insect farming faces challenges such as mold-prone harborages, contaminated water sources, disease outbreaks, inefficient harvesting, inaccurate egg counting, and labor-intensive water management, which affect resource efficiency and productivity.
Innovation Solution
The development of washable insect harborages, ozone disinfection systems, antiviral treatments, automated harvesting systems, chirp processing for timing farm actions, ceiling-mounted absorptive watering devices, and counted egg pods to improve hygiene, health, and operational efficiency in insect farming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If paper fiber harborages (egg cartons) are used for insects, then insects have a harborage structure to hide in, but the harborages quickly mold in high humidity environments and cannot be sanitized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the harborage from organic paper fiber to inorganic molded substrate (such as molded plastic or other non-organic materials). This parameter change transforms the harborage from mold-prone to mold-resistant, while maintaining the structural function of providing hiding places for insects.
2Ease of operation
If absorptive materials (sponges) are used to water insects, then insects have access to water, but the materials are quickly contaminated by bacteria and fungus in high temperature and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the absorptive function from the harborage structure itself, separating water provision as a distinct function. Water is provided through the harborage walls or separate water sources rather than through absorptive materials embedded in the harborage, eliminating the contamination issue while maintaining water accessibility.
3Reliability
If bleach solution is used to wipe down environments for zoonotic diseases, then disinfection is achieved, but all insects must be removed first causing breeding cycle interruption and monetary damages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the harborage and facility surfaces to be inherently resistant to zoonotic diseases and easy to clean without requiring complete insect removal. The molded substrates and smooth surfaces allow for rapid disinfection while insects remain in place, maintaining breeding cycle continuity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If absorptive materials are frequently washed and replaced to prevent fouling, then disease spread is reduced, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or easily replaceable harborage units that are pre-sanitized and can be quickly swapped out if contaminated, rather than requiring frequent washing and replacement of absorptive materials. This reduces labor intensity while maintaining disease prevention.
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
These solutions enhance the hygiene and health of insects, reduce labor and costs, improve resource management, and increase the accuracy of egg counting and harvesting efficiency, leading to more sustainable and productive insect farming practices.
Implementation Method 1
water may be disinfected using ozone to prevent bacteria and fungus growth
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided to insect harvesting. The system may include a tank for holding or growing live insects or both. The tank has an opening on a side portion of the tank, and the opening is positioned higher than a bottom portion of the tank. A negative stimulus device for repelling live insects toward a first direction or point towards the opening on the side portion of the tank is provided. A positive stimulus device is provided, situated at the opening of the tank. A product box for receiving live insects has an opening for receiving the live insects. A slide is coupled with the opening of the product box. In an operative position, the tank is positioned such that the live insects leaving the opening of the tank move down the slide to the opening of the product box.