Vacuum Roller Filling Insect Larvae for Cannibalism Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for breeding insect larvae for animal nutrition are inefficient due to manual separation to prevent cannibalism, which reduces productivity and increases the risk of larval loss.
Innovation Solution
A machine and process that utilize a roller with vacuum-controlled openings to automatically adhere and then release insect larvae into individual compartments of a container, ensuring each compartment receives one larva and preventing cannibalism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual separation of larvae is performed to prevent cannibalism, then larval survival rate is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical separation process with an automated vacuum-based system. A roller with vacuum-controlled openings automatically picks up larvae one by one and places them in individual compartments, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining separation to prevent cannibalism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses vacuum pressure to adhere larvae to the roller surface and control their release. By applying and removing vacuum at specific positions, the system automatically transfers larvae from the hopper to individual container compartments without mechanical contact or manual handling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual separation of larvae is performed to isolate adults, then harmful factors are reduced, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated vacuum system replaces time-consuming manual separation with rapid mechanical pickup and placement. The roller continuously rotates, picking up larvae at high speed and placing them in individual compartments, dramatically reducing the time required for separation while ensuring adults are isolated from other larvae.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates continuously with the roller rotating constantly to pick up and place larvae without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates the intermittent nature of manual separation, maintaining constant productivity while ensuring each larva is individually isolated to prevent cannibalism.
3Productivity
If automated filling system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a hopper for larval supply, a vacuum roller with openings for pickup, a container with compartments for placement, and a vacuum control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall system design and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum roller acts as an intermediary between the larval supply hopper and the container compartments. It mediates the transfer process by temporarily holding larvae through vacuum adhesion and releasing them at the appropriate position, simplifying the overall transfer mechanism while maintaining high productivity.
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 machine efficiently arranges larvae in individual compartments, reducing cannibalism and increasing the percentage of larvae that reach the adult stage, thereby improving productivity and larval survival rates.
Implementation Method 1
applying a vacuum inside the roller for adhering the larvae to the openings
Data Source
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AI summary
Process and machine for filling a container with insect larvae, wherein the process comprises supplying the larvae (2) to a hopper (5) which is arranged adjacent to a roller (6) having lines of openings for adhering a larva (2) at each opening, applying a vacuum inside the roller (6) for adhering the larvae (2) to the openings, moving the container (1) in a forward movement direction (A) towards the roller (6), the container (1) being moved through an area below the roller (6) and the roller (6) being arranged in a transverse position with respect to the forward movement direction (A), rotating the roller (6) in a manner that is synchronized with the forward movement of the container (1) from a loading position in which the larvae (2) from the hopper (5) are adhered to the openings (8) of the roller (6) to an unloading position in which one of the lines of openings faces the compartments (3) of one of the rows (4) of the container (1), and removing the vacuum from the line of openings in order to release the larvae (2), with one larva (2) being arranged in each compartment (3) in the row (4) of the container (1).