BG4251U1 - System for noninvasive beehive monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a noninvasive monitoring system that will find application in beekeeping by providing the best possible rearing environment for the bees and providing information on the larvae laid and the presence of queens laid by the bees for new queens, without mechanical intervention in the hive. According to the utility model, the system comprises an electronic unit (8) which houses an operational microcontroller (16), a power supply controller (19), a motion control unit (17) and a non-volatile memory (18) and further comprises a system for noninvasive monitoring of the bee frames which includes a rechargeable battery (9) connected bidirectionally to a power supply controller (19), which is bi-directionally coupled to an operational microcontroller (16), wherein a surveillance camera (107) and at least one infrared camera (6) are uni-directionally coupled to an operational microcontroller (16), a motion control unit (17) of an electronic unit (8) and is uni-directionally coupled to a motion mechanism (5), wherein an operational microcontroller (16), is uni-directionally coupled to a motion control unit (17) and is bi-directionally 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 unidirectionally connected to an operational microcontroller (16), which is unidirectionally connected to a ventilation and warming mechanism (116), the operational microcontroller (16) is unidirectionally connected to a water access mechanism (108), a solid food feeder (26), an access mechanism (28), a medication pump 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), wherein the power controller (19) is bidirectionally coupled to an operational microcontroller (16), which is bidirectionally coupled to a non-volatile memory (18).

Description

(54) SYSTEM FOR NON-INVASIVE MONITORING OF BEE HIVE

Field of technique

The utility model refers to a non-invasive monitoring system that will find application in beekeeping, providing the best possible environment for 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 that provide information on various parameters and facilitate 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 are so-called smoked, which leads to the suspension of their effectiveness for hours. At the same time, there is a risk of mechanical damage to the queen bee when removing and placing the frames with the bee frames. 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 a 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, using sensors. The monitoring system according to the patent document does not provide the ability to monitor the bee frame.

It is known from CN 112119946 A system for remote monitoring of a beehive, the hive being divided into two parts, one part housing the bee frames and the other part housing the monitoring system, in which monitoring devices are installed, such as the goal is to monitor 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 photo is taken of all the frames located in the hive.

According to the patent document, the photo taken is panoramic and does not provide 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 families raised in different hive systems. Internal sensors/sensors and electronic devices are located in the hive, and external sensors are mounted on the housing, which are connected in a common 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 nature of the utility model

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

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

The system system for non-invasive monitoring of a beehive, according to the utility model, 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 bee frames includes a storage battery connected bidirectionally to a power controller which is bidirectionally connected to an operating microcontroller, such as a surveillance camera and at least one infrared camera are unidirectionally connected to an operating microcontroller, a drive mechanism control unit from the electronic unit is unidirectionally connected to actuator, such as operating microcontroller, is unidirectionally connected to actuator control unit, and bidirectionally connected to communication module, and microphone, internal temperature sensor, external humidity sensor, external temperature sensor, is unidirectionally connected to operational a controller that 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 container with a medicine pump, a container with a liquid food pump, a container with a water pump, and a solar collector is unidirectionally connected to a power controller, the power controller is bidirectionally connected to an operational controller, which is bidirectionally connected to non-volatile memory.

According to the utility model, the beehive includes a stacked main unit, housing, honey housing, lid, solar collector. A bee drinker, temperature sensor and humidity sensor are mounted on the outside of the main unit, on the side of the main unit. A ventilation hole is formed to the left of its 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 a 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. Gravity sensors are mounted in the four upper corners of the main unit. Two compartments separated by a partition in which there is at least one opening are formed internally in the housing. 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. Two compartments are formed in the housing for honey 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 the other compartment frames for honey are located. Access mechanisms are located in the center of the bottom of the compartments. Bee frames have a supporting frame on which two transparent partitions are mounted, which form an observation compartment, and on the outside of the transparent partitions are placed wax bases.

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

According to the utility model, 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 drinking trough if necessary. The drug container with a tube and pump feeds the liquid food feeder with drugs 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 appropriate 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 utility model, there are more than one infrared camera.

According to another variant of the utility model, the transparent partitions can be made of glass or transparent polymer. According to another variant of the utility model, 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 utility model 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 useful model, not only receiving information about the condition of the bees, their living conditions, but also the possibility of immediate intervention to ensure optimal living conditions.

Explanation of the attached figures

The utility model is described in more detail with reference to the attached figures illustrating an exemplary embodiment thereof:

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

Figure 2 is a side section along A-A of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a monitorable beehive according to the utility model;

Figure 4 is a section along B-B of Figure 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 utility model.

Examples of implementation of the utility model

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

An 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 colony, the electronic unit 8 commands a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 to heat as needed and supply air through a ventilation hole 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 the humidity and ventilate the interior of the hive themselves. When values measured by an external temperature sensor 113 and an external humidity sensor 114 indicate high temperature and low humidity, the electronic unit 8 supplies water to the bee drinker 112 via 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 by 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. If parasites are present, the electronic unit 8 supplies medication to the liquid food feeder 27, via the medication pump container 120. Another way to kill 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 an entrance access mechanism 108 and by means of a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 heating the interior of the hive by 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.

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, giving them access to the feeders in the relevant period of family development, and access to the honey production frames is given when the bees fill the bee frames 7 with larvae and production, if this is not done the bees go to the so-called "swarming" - they lay a second queen and the hive splits into two families, one leaving it, which is a loss to the beekeeper if his aim is to produce 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 operational 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 and the storage battery 9, through a 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.

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 temperature sensor 113 and the humidity sensor 114, a ventilation opening 111 is formed, between the main module 1 and the copper housing 103, a copper pipe path 115 is installed, outside the housing 2 of on the front side there is an access board 109 mounted with screws, above the access board 109 is an input-output opening 110. On the left side of the input-output opening 110 is an access control mechanism 108, and above the input-output opening 110 is a surveillance camera 107, a screw-mounted visor 106 is mounted above the surveillance camera 107. In the main module 1, an internal compartment is formed, in which a ventilation and heating mechanism 116 is located, which is opposite the ventilation hole 111, and at the bottom of the main module 1 are located a storage battery 9, a copper container 119, a container with a drug pump means 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 are mounted with screws for weight 123, two compartments 2a and 2b are formed internally in the housing 2 separated by a partition in which there is at least one opening 10, in compartment 2a are located bee frames 7, below them are located horizontally a temperature sensor 131, a humidity sensor 132 and a microphone 133, a moving mechanism 5 is located in the rear compartment 2b, on which an infrared camera 6 is attached. Two compartments 103a and 103b are formed in the copper housing 103 by means of a solid partition, in compartment 103a are located on the bottom, mounted with screws, a mechanized solid food feeder 26 and a liquid food feeder 27. In compartment 103b are located copper frames 25, in the center of the bottom of 103a and 103b are located access mechanisms 28 and the 29th.

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 on the outside of the transparent partitions 13 wax bases 14 are placed by heating.

All sensors, microphone, entrance monitoring camera, access mechanisms and solar collector 4 are attached to the hive housings by means of screws if the hive housings are made of wood.

According to an embodiment of the utility model, when the housings of the beehive are made of polymer material, the fastening is done by means of screws and nuts, gluing or using clip fasteners.

Claims (1)

Non-invasive monitoring system installed inside and outside the hive, 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), which houses an operational microcontroller (16), a power controller (19), a drive control unit (17) and a non-volatile memory (18), and further comprises a system for non-invasive monitoring of bee frames, which includes a rechargeable battery (9) connected in both directions to the power controller (19), which is connected in both directions to the operational microcontroller (16), with a monitoring camera (107) and at least one infrared camera (6) connected in one direction to the operating microcontroller (16) , the control unit of the driving mechanism (17) of the electronic unit (8) is connected in one direction with the driving mechanism (5), as the operational microcontroller (16) is connected unidirectionally with the control unit of the driving mechanism (17) and bidirectionally with the communication module (11), and microphone (133), the internal temperature sensor (131), the external humidity sensor (114), the external temperature sensor (113), are connected in one direction to the operational microcontroller (16), which is connected in one direction to the ventilation and heating mechanism (116), the operational microcontroller (16) is connected in one direction to the water access mechanism (108), solid food feeder (26), access mechanism (28), container with pump for medicines (120), container with pump for liquid food (121), container with pump for water (122) and container with pump for liquid food (121), and solar collector (4) is connected in one direction to a power controller (19), the power controller (19) is connected in both directions to an operational microcontroller (16), which is connected in both directions to non-volatile memory (18), and the beehive includes one above the other main module (1), housing (2), housing for copper (103), cover (3), solar collector (4), and on the outside of the main module (1) are mounted a drinking trough for bees (112), a temperature sensor (113) and a humidity sensor (114), A ventilation opening (111) is formed on the left side of the main module (1) on the left side of the temperature sensor (113) and the humidity sensor (114). copper (115), outside the housing (2) on the front side is a landing board (109), above the landing board (109) is formed an inlet opening (110), and on one side is a mechanism controlling access (108), and above the inlet-outlet opening (110) there is a monitoring chamber (107) and above it a visor (106) is mounted, in the main module (1) an internal compartment is formed, in which a ventilation and heating mechanism (116) is located. , which is opposite the ventilation opening (111), at the bottom of the main module (1) are located a rechargeable battery (9) 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 pump for water (122), above the battery (9) is located the electronic unit (8), above which is located the communication module (11), in the four upper corners of the main module (1) are mounted weight sensors (123), in the housing (2) are formed internally two compartments (2a) and (2b) separated by a partition in which there is at least one hole (10), in compartment (2a) are located bee frames (7), below them are located horizontally the temperature sensor (131), humidity sensor (132) and microphone (133), in compartment (2b) is a moving mechanism (5), to which an infrared chamber (6) is attached, in the copper housing (103) two compartments (103a) and (103b) are formed by a solid partition, in a compartment (103a) two transparent partitions (13) are located at the bottom. forming a surveillance compartment (15) and wax bases (14) on the outside of the transparent bulkheads (13)