High-Speed Insect Larvae Feed Dosing Using Coarse and Fine Feeders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for supplying feed to insect larvae in rearing processes are inefficient, inaccurate, and reliant on manual labor, leading to suboptimal growth conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a coarse and fine feed supplying means, combined with weight-based or volume-based determining means, to accurately and rapidly dose feed to insect larvae containers, ensuring precise feed quantities through a combination of high-speed and automated processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual labor is used for feed dosing, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed dosing speedVSAvoiddosing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing system is divided into two independent supplying means: a coarse feed supplying means for bulk delivery and a fine feed supplying means for precise dosing. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic determination of feed amount present in the container through weighing or volume measurement, eliminating the need for manual measurement. The control unit automatically calculates and executes the precise dosing amount, making the system self-sufficient and reducing labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual labor is used for feed dosing, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed amount accuracyVSAvoiddosing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical measurement and dosing is replaced with automated systems including weighing stations for mass measurement, flow meters for volume measurement, and control units that electronically calculate and execute precise dosing. This substitution dramatically improves measurement precision while the modular architecture keeps system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the actual feed amount in the container through weighing or volume measurement, compares it with the target amount, and automatically adjusts the dosing process. This feedback mechanism ensures high precision in feed amount delivery by dynamically correcting any deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If high-speed dosing is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed dosing speedVSAvoidfeed amount measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing process is segmented into two stages: coarse feeding for rapid bulk delivery and fine feeding for precise amount adjustment. This temporal and functional segmentation enables the system to achieve both high speed and high precision by performing rough dosing quickly followed by accurate fine-tuning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coarse feed supplying means performs preliminary dosing to deliver the majority of the required feed amount quickly, establishing a baseline before the fine feed supplying means makes precise adjustments. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain speed while preparing for precision work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient, high-speed, and accurate feed dosing, optimizing growth conditions and minimizing over/underfeeding, thereby enhancing productivity and yield in insect rearing.

Implementation Method 1

a weighing station for weighing the feed, e.g., in the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a flow meter for measuring the amount of feed supplied by the coarse feed supplying means or the fine feed supplying means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a level sensor for measuring the level of feed in a bucket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLevel detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12382926B2High-speed dosing

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BUEHLER INSECT TECH SOLUTIONS AG

AI summary

In particular, particular, the present disclosure relates to a method for supplying feed for rearing insect larvae, the method comprising the steps of (o) supplying feed to a container using a coarse feed supplying means, (i) determining at a determining means the amount of feed in the container, (ii) calculating the amount of feed necessary to bring the total amount of feed in the container to a predetermined amount of feed, and (iii) supplying feed to the container in the amount calculated in step (ii) using a fine feed supplying means.