Neonate Larvae Production and Collection Facility with Gravity-Guided Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial systems for insect breeding face challenges in achieving high hatching rates, efficient transport of neonate larvae, and accurate quantification of larvae of the same age, while being cost-effective and energy-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising egg collectors, a transfer line with flared walls and a conveyor belt, a cyclonic separator, and a dosing mechanism for neonate larvae, ensuring high hatching rates, reliable transport, and precise quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If neonate larvae are transported using conventional conveyors, then transport efficiency is improved, but larvae loss increases due to scattering and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a first conveyor for initial transport, a second conveyor for concentration, and a third conveyor for final transport. This segmentation allows each section to optimize for its specific task, reducing overall larvae loss while maintaining transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A concentration chamber is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second conveyors. This chamber acts as a mediator that collects scattered larvae and redirects them to the appropriate conveyor, preventing loss and ensuring continuous efficient transport.
2Stability of the object's composition
If larvae are concentrated using mechanical means, then homogeneity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration chamber is designed to allow larvae to concentrate naturally through gravity and flow dynamics rather than requiring active mechanical agitation. The chamber geometry creates conditions where larvae self-organize into homogeneous groups, achieving concentration without additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows larvae to perform the concentration function themselves by utilizing their natural movement patterns and the chamber's geometric constraints. The flared walls and specific angle designs guide larvae to concentrate automatically, eliminating the need for external energy-consuming concentration mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If egg collectors are fixed in position, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases for different production volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The egg collector is designed with movable and adjustable components, including the ability to change the angle of the collector relative to the conveyor and the positioning of flared walls. These dynamic adjustments allow the same system to handle varying production volumes efficiently without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of key geometric parameters such as the angle of the egg collector, the dimensions and positioning of flared walls, and the conveyor speed ratios. By changing these parameters, the system can adapt to different production requirements while maintaining the same basic structure.
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 hatching efficiency, minimizes production losses, and ensures consistent larval distribution for optimal growth, while being energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
group the neonate larvae falling by gravity from said collectors onto the upper surface of said conveyor
Implementation Method 2
a cyclonic separator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation for producing and collecting newly-hatched larvae, comprising a collection of cages equipped with at least one collector (560) of eggs laid by the insects present in the cages, a line for transferring the larvae newly hatched from the hatched eggs from each of the collectors (560) to a conveyor, and equipment for concentrating the newly-hatched larvae coming from the conveyor in order to convey them to an insect-raising module or to a newly-hatched-larvae buffer storage container. It also comprises: • a collection of modules (500, 501) grouping together a plurality of egg collectors (560), said modules (500, 501) being open at their bottom; • said modules (500, 501) being mobile between a point of loading with the collectors removed from the cages and the newly-hatched-larvae transfer line; • said newly-hatched-larvae transfer line being open, with no casing at the top, in order to receive the modules (500, 501) at the top, and at the bottom having a guide system with divergent walls (123, 124; 173, 174), referred to as a receptacle, which at its top has a width tailored to the cross section of the modules and at its bottom has an opening (125, 175) tailored to the dimensions of a conveyor (110, 160), said receptacle being configured to group together the newly-hatched larvae falling under the effect of gravity from the collectors (560) onto the upper surface of the conveyor.