BG113461A - Non-invasive beehive monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for non-invasive monitoring, which will have applications in beekeeping. It will provide the best possible environment for breeding bees and will provide information about the larvae laid and the presence of nurseries laid by the bees for new queens, without mechanical intervention in the hive. According to the invention, the system comprises an electronic unit (8) in which are located an operational microcontroller (16), a power supply controller (19), a drive device control unit (17) and a non-volatile memory (18), and further comprises a system for non-invasive monitoring of the bee frames, which comprises a rechargeable battery (9) bidirectionally coupled to the power supply controller (19), which is bidirectionally coupled to an operational microcontroller (16), wherein a surveillance camera (107) and at least one infrared camera (6) are unidirectionally coupled to an operational microcontroller (16), a motion control unit (17) of an electronic unit (8), and is unidirectionally coupled to a drive mechanism (5), wherein an operational microcontroller (16), is unidirectionally coupled to a motion control unit (17), and is bidirectionally coupled to a communication module (11), while a microphone (133), an internal temperature sensor (131), an external humidity sensor (114), an external temperature sensor (113), are connected unidirectionally with an operational controller (16), which is connected unidirectionally with a ventilation and warming mechanism (116), the operational controller (16) is connected unidirectionally with a water access mechanism (108), a solid food feeder (26), an access mechanism (28), a medication container (120), a liquid food pump container (121), a water pump container (122), and a liquid food pump container (121), and a solar collector (4) is unidirectionally coupled to a power controller (19), the power controller (19) being bidirectionally coupled to an operational controller (16) which is bidirectionally coupled to a non-volatile memory (18).

Description

SYSTEM FOR NON-INVASIVE OBSERVATION OF BEE HIVE

FIELD OF ENGINEERING

The invention relates to a non-invasive monitoring system that will find application in beekeeping, providing the best possible environment for the bees to grow without mechanical intervention in the hive.

PRIOR ART

Bees play an extremely important role in nature. Almost 80% of plant species require pollination and bees are a key contributor to maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity. The lack of pollinators threatens many plant species, as well as the organisms that are directly or indirectly associated with these plants. Plant and related animal species, and therefore entire ecosystems, are threatened. In addition, the role of bees is increasing at the moment, due to the decrease in the number of wild pollinators (solitary bees, large mossy bees), which are being destroyed by the chemicalization of agriculture, the development of industry, the destruction of plant communities, urbanization , soil, water and air pollution.

Bee colonies around the world are disappearing due to climate change and other factors, which is why modern efforts are aimed at creating beehive monitoring systems, providing information on various parameters and facilitating the beekeeper's work.

At present, in the rearing of bee colonies, in order to monitor their development, the beekeeper must visit each hive, open it and remove each frame to inspect it. This intervention disturbs the bees, they beat the so-called smoked which results in their effectiveness ceasing for hours. At the same time, when removing and placing the frames with the bee frames, there is a risk of mechanical damage to the queen bee. The role of the queen bee is extremely important because she lays up to 2,000 eggs per day, and at the same time she is the only fertile female in the hive.

CN 108 684 576 A published on 04.12.2018 relates to a beehive which consists of a hive body and an intelligent monitoring system. The hive body is equipped with a cover, an auxiliary cover, a relay unit, a hive main body, a movable base plate and a hive bottom frame, which are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The intelligent control system includes power module, ARM processor, GSM module, LCD, camera, temperature and humidity sensor, signal device, humidifier, fan, infrared sensor module and ATGM336H GPS positioning module. In this way, intelligent management of the hive is achieved, and remote monitoring is carried out, in which the internal parameters of the hive are stabilized and conditions suitable for the growth and reproduction of bees are provided, systems for monitoring various parameters, such as temperature, humidity, noise, weight and radiation inside the beehive, by means of sensors. The monitoring system according to the patent document does not provide an opportunity to monitor the beehive.

It is known from CN112119946A a system for remote monitoring of a beehive, the hive being divided into two parts, in one part the bee frames are located, and in the other part the monitoring system is placed, in which monitoring devices are installed, the purpose of which is to it is monitored for changes in the weight of the frames by means of piezo crystal sensors and by means of an infrared camera through a transparent partition a picture is taken of all the frames located in the hive.

According to the patent document, the photo taken is panoramic and it does not give information about the development of the bee colony on each bee frame individually.

BG 2793 U, published on 16.10.2017 — refers to an automatic system for stress-free monitoring and control of the condition of bee colonies raised in different hive systems. Internal sensors/gauges and electronic devices are located in the hive, and external sensors are mounted on the housing, which are connected in a general automatic system and through an input/output interface to a controller, and the general automatic system is connected through base stations to a local, national or global network.

The proposed system according to the patent document refers to the monitoring of various parameters, such as temperature, humidity, noise, weight and radiation inside the beehive, by means of sensors, but does not provide information about the bee frame.

TECHNICAL ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to create a system for non-invasive monitoring of the development of bee colonies, which provides the possibility to observe the bee frames without the intervention of the beekeeper and to avoid removing the bee frames from the hive.

.To provide detailed information about the state of each frame, about the amount of laid larvae and the presence of queens (laid queens) and that this information reaches the user /beekeeper/

The system system for non-invasive monitoring of a beehive, according to the invention, includes an electronic unit in which an operating microcontroller, a power supply controller, a control unit for the driving mechanism and a non-volatile memory are located, and additionally contains a system for non-invasive monitoring of bee frames.

The system for non-invasive monitoring of beehives includes a rechargeable battery bi-directionally connected to a power controller that is bi-directionally connected to an operating microcontroller, such that a surveillance camera and at least one infrared camera are uni-directionally connected to an operating microcontroller. actuator control unit from an electronic unit and is unidirectionally connected to an actuator, such as an operational microcontroller, is unidirectionally connected to an actuator control unit and bidirectionally connected to a communication module, and a microphone, internal temperature sensor, external humidity sensor, the external temperature sensor, are unidirectionally connected to an operational controller, which is unidirectionally connected to a ventilation and heating mechanism, the operational controller is unidirectionally connected to a water access mechanism, a solid food feeder, an access mechanism, a medication container, a container with a liquid feed pump, a container with a water pump, and a container with a liquid feed pump, and the solar collector is unidirectionally connected to a power controller, and the power controller is bidirectionally connected to an operational controller which is bidirectionally connected to a non-volatile memory.

According to the invention, the beehive includes a main module, a housing, a honey housing, a lid, and a solar collector arranged one above the other. On the outside of the main module, a bee drinker, a temperature sensor and a h sensor are installed

humidity side of the main unit. A ventilation hole is formed to the left of the sensors, and a copper conduit is installed between the main unit and the copper housing. An access board is located on the outside of the housing on the front side, an entrance-exit opening is formed above the access board, an access control mechanism, a surveillance camera are located above it, and a visor is mounted above the surveillance camera. In the main module, an internal compartment is formed in which a ventilation and heating mechanism is located, which is opposite the ventilation opening. At the bottom of a main unit are a battery, a honey container, a medicine pump container, a liquid food pump container, and a water pump container. Above the battery is an electronic unit, above which is a communication module. In the four upper corners of the main module, weight sensors are mounted. Two compartments separated by a partition in which there is at least one opening are formed in the body. In one compartment are the bee frames, below them are located horizontally a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microphone. In the other compartment, the moving mechanism is located, on which an infrared camera is attached. In the housing for honey, two compartments are formed by means of a solid partition, in one compartment, a mechanized feeder for solid food and a feeder for liquid food are located at the bottom, in one compartment there are frames for honey. In the center of the bottom of are located mechanisms to ensure access. Bee frames have a supporting frame on which two transparent partitions are mounted, which form an observation compartment, and wax bases are placed on the outside of the transparent partitions.

The moving mechanism moves in three directions X, Y and Z, the moving mechanism is rail driven and driven by screw-ball pairs or toothed belts, and the infrared camera is attached to the moving mechanism by means of a hinged connection.

According to the invention, the sensors monitor the temperature and humidity inside and outside the hive. By means of the microphone, the activity of the bees is monitored. With the infrared camera, the bee frames in the housing are scanned from the inside and the photo gives information about the amount of laid larvae and the presence of queens (laid queens). By means of weight sensors, the development of the colony and the amount of extracted honey are monitored. The camera at the entrance also monitors the activity of the bees, but also monitors the presence of parasites. All information from cameras and sensors is managed and monitored by the electronic unit, and it takes appropriate actions by means of set algorithms.

The collected information is sent remotely to the beekeeper and enables actions to be taken by sending remote commands from the beekeeper.

The operation of the electronic unit is ensured by means of a solar collector and a storage battery.

A container with a water pump is located in the main module and, through a tube, water is automatically supplied to an external watering can if necessary. From the drug container with a tube and a pump, drugs are fed to the liquid food feeder automatically when parasites are present. From the liquid food pump container with a tube, food is automatically fed to the liquid food feeder, thus feeding the bees in the corresponding period of their development. The finished product is collected in the honey container, which is collected in frames for honey extraction. By means of a mechanism, ventilation of the hive and regulation of humidity and temperature is ensured by opening valves, turning on fans and heaters.

At the entrance of the hive, there is a mechanism that blocks the entrance, thus regulating the access of the bees and, if necessary, closing the hive completely.

Bee access to the liquid food feeder, the mechanized solid food feeder and the honey frame sector is provided by means of access mechanisms.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there are more than one infrared camera 6.

According to another variant of the invention, the transparent partitions can be made of glass or a transparent polymer. According to another variant of the invention, the supporting frame and the transparent partitions are a single body of transparent polymer

The advantages provided by the non-invasive monitoring system according to the invention are:

Information is provided on the laid larvae and the presence of queen bees laid by the bees for new queen bees, without mechanical intervention in the hive, which does not disturb the bees and eliminates the danger of damage to the queen bee.

The information obtained also serves as statistical data, which provides the possibility of predictions for future periods

Possibility of immediate intervention in cases where there is information from the sensors about a change in temperature.

The presence of a movable barrier that can be lowered immediately in case of danger protects the lives of the bees.

Remote monitoring by the beekeeper of the development of the bee colony, which reduces the cost of servicing the hive.

The main advantage is the possibility provided by the system according to the invention is not only obtaining information about the condition of the bees, their living conditions, but also the possibility of immediate intervention to ensure optimal living conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the attached figures illustrating its exemplary embodiment:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hive with a non-invasive monitoring system;

Figure 2 is a side section along AA of FIG. 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a monitorable beehive according to the invention

Figure 4 is a section along B-B of fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a moving mechanism with an infrared camera;

Figure 6 is a working diagram of a hive with a non-invasive monitoring system according to the invention.

EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a preferred exemplary embodiment according to the invention is described in detail without limiting it.

EXAMPLE

The electronic unit 8 measures the external and internal temperature and humidity through an external temperature sensor 113, an internal temperature sensor 131, an external humidity sensor 114 and an internal humidity sensor 132. Depending on the measured values and the annual stage of development of the bee family, the electronic unit commands a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 to heat as needed and supply air through a ventilation opening 111 in order to regulate the humidity and temperature in the hive to the optimum for the development of the bee colony. The electronic unit 8 measures the noise level in the hive through a microphone 133, which gives data on the activity of the bees, whether they are buzzing actively to regulate humidity and ventilate the interior of the hive themselves. When measured by an external temperature sensor 113 and an external humidity sensor 114, values that indicate high temperature and low humidity, the electronic unit 8 supplies water to the bee drinker 112 through a container with a water pump 122. The electronic unit 8 provides access to the bees to the liquid food feeder 27 and the solid food feeder 26 through the access mechanism 28. The liquid food feeder 27 is fed through a container with a liquid food pump 121. The solid food feeder 26 is directly controlled by the electronic unit 8. The electronic unit 8 takes pictures with a surveillance camera 107, thereby monitoring the activity at the hive entrance and the presence of parasites attached to the bees' backs. In the presence of parasites, the electronic unit 8 feeds medicines to the liquid food feeder 27, through a medicine container 120. Another way to destroy mites on the bees is for the electronic unit 8 to close the hive at night, when all the bees are in the hive, by means of a mechanism to access the entrance 108 and through a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 heating the interior of the hive monitoring the temperature value with an internal temperature sensor 131 to a level where the parasites die and the bees remain unaffected. The electronic unit 8 provides access to the bees to the honey frames 25, through an access mechanism 29, when the bees fill the bee frames 7 with larvae and honey.

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With the access mechanisms 28 and 29, the bees have access to the compartment with the honey production frames 25 and the compartment in which the liquid and solid food feeders 26 and 27 are located. It is in this way that the feeding of the bees is managed, providing them with access to the feeders in the relevant period of family development, and access to the frames for honey production is given when the bees fill the frames with larvae and production 7, if this is not done the bees go to the so-called "swarming" - they lay a second queen and the hive is divides into two families, one of which leaves it, which is a loss to the beekeeper if his aim is the production of honey. There are cases where "swarming" is a desirable process by which the beekeeper produces a new colony for the purpose of settling in a new (empty) hive. The electronic control unit 8 monitors the development of the bee family and the harvested production by measuring the weight of the hive by means of weight sensors 123.

In the non-volatile memory 18, through the operating microcontroller 16, which processes the captured images, guides through a moving mechanism control unit 17 the trajectory along which the images are captured and controls the charge from the solar collector 4 of the storage battery 9, through the power supply controller 19.

All actions of the electronic unit 8 can be performed at a given command by the beekeeper through the communication module 11 or programmed at set time intervals and algorithms.

All data from sensors, cameras and a microphone are stored by the electronic unit 8 in the non-volatile memory 18 and are accessible to the beekeeper by means of a communication module 11

The bee frames 7 are composed of a supporting frame 12 on which two transparent partitions 13 are mounted, forming an observation compartment 15. On the outside of the transparent partitions, wax bases 14 are placed, on which the bees build the cells of the bee frame from wax.

With a given command through the communication module 11 or by means of a preset time interval, the moving mechanism 5, controlled by the electronic unit 8, moves the infrared camera 6 into the observation compartment 15 of the bee frames 7, taking a set of pictures from one side and after rotating the camera takes a set of photos from the other side of the bee frames. The set of pictures is processed by the electronic unit 8, combining them into two aggregate pictures for each of the frames. The pictures are sent via the communication module 11 to the beekeeper, providing him with information about the laid larvae and the presence of queen bees laid by the bees for new queen bees.

The driving mechanism 5 moves in three directions X, Y and Z and is rail-driven by means of screw-ball pairs or toothed belts.

The infrared camera 6 is attached to the drive mechanism 5 by means of a hinged connection.

In the non-volatile memory 18, through the operating microcontroller 16, which processes the captured images, guides through a moving mechanism control unit 17 the trajectory along which the images are captured and controls the charge from the solar collector 4 of the storage battery 9, through the power supply controller 19.

The beehive according to the example includes a main module 1, a housing 2, a honey housing 103, a cover 3, a solar collector 4 arranged one above the other. A bee drinker 112, a temperature sensor 113 and a sensor are mounted on the outside of the main module 1 by means of screws for humidity 114. On the side of the main module 1 to the left of the sensors 112 and 113, a ventilation hole 111 is formed, between the main module 1 and the copper housing 103, a copper pipe path 115 is installed, externally on the housing 2 on the front side, a mounted with screws landing board 109, an entry-exit opening 110 is formed above entry-exit opening 110. On the left side of entry-exit opening 110 is located an access control mechanism 108, and above entry-exit opening 110 is located a surveillance camera 107, above a camera for observation 107 is mounted visor 106 mounted with screws. An internal compartment is formed in the main module 1, in which a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 is located, which is opposite a ventilation hole 111, and at the bottom of the main module 1 are located a battery 9, a copper container 119, a container with a pump for medicines 120, a container with a pump for liquid food 121 and a container with a water pump 122. An electronic unit 8 is located above a storage battery 9, above which a communication module 11 is located, in the four upper corners of the main module 1, sensors for weight 123, two compartments separated by a partition in which there is at least one opening 10 are formed in the body 2, bee frames 7 are located in compartment 2a, a temperature sensor 131, a humidity sensor 132 and a microphone 133 are located horizontally under them, in the rear compartment 26 houses a moving mechanism 5, on which an infrared camera 6 is attached. In the copper housing 103, two compartments 103a and 103b are formed by means of a solid partition, in compartment 103a there are located at the bottom, mounted with screws, a mechanized feeder for hard food 26 and liquid food feeder 27. In compartment 1036 copper frames 25 are located, in the center of the bottom of 103 a and 1036 access mechanisms 28 and 29 are located.

The bee frames 7 have a supporting frame 12 on which two transparent partitions 13 are mounted by gluing, which form an observation compartment 15, and wax bases 14 are placed on the outside of the transparent partitions 13 by heating.

All sensors, microphone, entrance monitoring camera, access mechanisms and solar collector are attached to the hive housings by means of screws if the hive housings are made of wood.

According to an embodiment of the invention, when the housings of the hive are made of polymer material, the fastening is carried out by means of screws and nuts, gluing or using clamping fasteners.

Claims (5)

1. A non-invasive monitoring system installed inside and outside the beehive, including internal sensors for temperature, humidity, internal noise, weight sensors, external sensors for measuring temperature and humidity, and electronic devices, characterized in that the system includes an electronic unit (8) in which an operating microcontroller (16), a power supply controller (19), a drive mechanism control unit (17) and a non-volatile memory (18) are located, and additionally contains a system for non-invasive monitoring of bee frames, which includes a storage battery (9) bidirectionally connected to a power supply controller (19) which is bidirectionally connected to an operating microcontroller (16), such that a surveillance camera (107) and at least one infrared camera (6) are unidirectionally connected to an operating microcontroller (16 ), a drive mechanism control unit (17) from an electronic unit (8) and is unidirectionally connected to a drive mechanism (5), such as an operating microcontroller (16), is unidirectionally connected to a drive mechanism control unit (17) and bidirectionally with a communication module (I), and a microphone (133), the internal temperature sensor (131), the external humidity sensor (114), the external temperature sensor (113) are unidirectionally connected to an operational controller (16) which is connected unidirectionally with a ventilation and heating mechanism (116), the operational controller (16) is unidirectionally connected to a water access mechanism (108), a solid food feeder (26), an access mechanism (28), a medication container ( 120), a liquid feed pump container (121), a water pump container (122) and a liquid feed pump container (121), and a solar collector (4) is unidirectionally connected to a power controller (19), as the power supply controller (19) is bi-directionally connected to an operational controller (16) which is bi-directionally connected to a non-volatile memory (18), and the beehive comprises a superimposed main unit (1), a housing (2), a honey housing ( 103), cover (3), solar collector (4), with a bee drinker (112), temperature sensor (113) and humidity sensor (114) mounted on the outside of the main unit (1), on the side of the main unit module (1) to the left of the sensors (112) and (113) a ventilation hole (111) is formed, between the main module (1) and the copper housing (103) a copper pipe path (115) is installed, external to the housing (2) an access board (109) is located on the front side, an entry-exit opening (110) is formed above the entry board (109), with an access control mechanism (108) located on one side of it, and an entry-exit opening ( 110 ) a monitoring camera (107) is located and a visor (106) is mounted above it, an internal compartment is formed in the main module (1) in which a ventilation and heating mechanism (116) is located, which is opposite a ventilation hole ( 111), a storage battery (9) a copper container (119), a medicine pump container (120), a liquid food pump container (121) and a water pump container are located on the bottom of the main unit (1) (122), the electronic unit (8) is located above the storage battery (9), above which the communication module (11) is located, weight sensors (123) are mounted in the four upper corners of the main module (1), in a housing ( 2) two compartments (2a) and (26) are formed internally, separated by a partition in which there is at least one opening (10), in compartment (2a) bee frames (7) are located, below them the temperature sensor (131) is located horizontally ), the humidity sensor (132) and a microphone (133), in the compartment (26) there is a moving mechanism (5), on which an infrared camera (6) is attached, in the copper housing (103) through a solid partition are formed two compartments (103a) and (1036), in compartment (103a) a mechanized feeder for solid food (26) and a feeder for liquid food (27) are located at the bottom, and in compartment (1036) copper frames (25) are located ), and in the center of the bottom of (103a) and (1036) are located access mechanisms (28) and (29), and the bee frames (7) have a supporting frame (12) on which two transparent partitions are mounted ( 13), which form an observation compartment (15), and wax bases (14) are placed on the outside of the transparent partitions (13). 2. A system for non-invasive observation of a beehive according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving mechanism (5) is capable of movement in three directions X, Y and Z. 3. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a beehive according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving mechanism (5) is rail driven by means of screw-ball pairs or toothed belts. 4. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a beehive according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared camera (6) is attached to the moving mechanism (5) by means of a hinged connection. 5. A system for non-invasive monitoring of a beehive according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared camera (6) is bidirectionally rotatable for taking pictures from both sides of the bee frames (7), which through the electronic unit (8), are combined into two composite photos for each of the frames.