WO2017042164A1

WO2017042164A1 - Honeycomb heating element

Info

Publication number: WO2017042164A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/070975
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Dany; Alexander Jung
Original assignee: Dany Bienenwohl Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-09-08
Filing date: 2016-09-06
Publication date: 2017-03-16
Also published as: DE102015115103A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a planar honeycomb heating element (1). The planar honeycomb heating element comprises a heating conductor structure (2) arranged substantially in at least one plane and a heat distribution layer (3) which extends substantially in a plane adjacent to the heating conductor structure (2). The invention further relates to the use of said honeycomb heating element, to a honeycomb heating installation (10), to a bee honeycomb (11), to a beehive (13), to a bee viewing case (14), and to and a method for heating.

Description

Honeycomb heating element The invention relates to a honeycomb heating element, a honeycomb and a hive.

The ecological importance of bees is considerable as, as important pollinators, they contribute significantly to the reproduction of wild and cultivated plants and thus to their conservation. However, the bee colonies are increasingly threatened worldwide by the so-called Varroa mite. This parasitic mite nestles in the brood cells of the bee larvae, after the Queen Bee has laid each an egg in the cells of the honeycomb and they were filled with food. Protected in the then closed cells, the mites can propagate undisturbed and feed on the brood of bees. This spreading mite invasion often leads to a mass extinction of the bee colonies.

To counteract this, some devices or methods are known from practice. For example, trying to kill the mites by treating the beehives with chemicals. However, this usually also has a detrimental effect on the health of the bee colony and is above all to be avoided since it can not be ruled out that residues of the chemicals will enter into honey production. Furthermore, floor heating elements are known which attempt to increase the temperature in the entire hive from the outside or else as heating elements mounted in the floor so that the mites are destroyed. However, this leads to a complete conversion of the temperature distribution in the honeycomb lanes and adversely affects the water balance in the hive. Therefore, the heat-sensitive bees initiate climate-regulating measures and thus reduce their productivity. In some cases, the temperature increase even causes the entire honeycomb system to collapse. In order to be able to introduce the heat in a more targeted manner to combat the mites, US Pat. No. 6,475,061 B1 discloses a honeycomb heater for a hive. However, due to the arrangement, no exact temperature can be set which is sufficiently homogeneous over the entire area. Rather, the practice shows that the honeycomb, which is preferably a drone honeycomb, is heated by the current-carrying wires so that not only the mites but also the larvae in the cells are killed. The drone larvae represent a calculated and yet unfavorable loss. In addition, the honeycomb content must subsequently be removed from the stick either by the beekeeper or the bees themselves, which increases the workload or reduces the yield.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative heater which avoids the disadvantages described above.

This object is achieved by a honeycomb heating element according to claim 1 and its use according to claim 12, a honeycomb heating system according to claim 8, a honeycomb according to claim 9 and a hive according to claim 10 and a method for heating according to claim 13.

A flat honeycomb heating element according to the invention comprises a heating conductor structure which is arranged substantially in at least one plane parallel to a flat side of the flat honeycomb heating element. In addition, the honeycomb heating element comprises a heat distribution layer which extends substantially in a plane adjacent to the heat conductor structure. The overall planar, in particular planar, configuration of the honeycomb heating element is of particular advantage, since this form ensures that it can be used in almost all common hives, the housing of the bees. In addition, the bees are given the opportunity to expand their honeycomb directly adjacent to the heat distribution layer, ie in the area of the greatest homogeneity of the heat.

The fact that the heating conductor structure is arranged "essentially" in at least one plane here means that the largest part of the heating conductor structure-in the context of customary tolerances-is located in this, possibly also slightly curved, plane In other words, the heat conductor structure extends flat in exactly one plane, in other words, in the context of the invention, the honeycomb structure can be arranged in several, preferably parallel, planes in order to realize a greater heat input or to ensure a more homogeneous heat distribution. Heating element but also comprise several Heizleiterstrukturen, which are individually controllable to achieve a more homogeneous heat distribution, as will be discussed below.The Heizleitererstruktur can be formed, for example, as a traversed by liquid or gas piping system, but is particularly preferably as an electrical heating element . in particular made of copper. For the shape of the heat distribution layer extending substantially in one plane, the explanations given above for the form of the heat conductor structure apply analogously. By the adjacent arrangement of the level of the heat distribution layer to the level of the Heizleiterstruktur results in the largest possible heat transfer. The two levels are preferably parallel and the heat distribution layer is mechanically coupled to the Heizleiterstruktur, that is in particular firmly connected. The heat distribution layer thus compensates for possible inhomogeneities in the propagation of the heat, which are caused by the geometry of the heat conductor structure, by distributing the heat emitted by the heat conductor structure as evenly as possible in a surface. In contrast to the prior art, therefore, a largely uniform temperature is generated by the heat distribution layer over the entire surface of the honeycomb heating element, that is, the heat output is as homogeneous as possible. The heat is thus not delivered directly from the Heizleitererstruktur to the honeycomb, but - in contrast to the prior art - indirectly, since it first spreads in the heat distribution layer. The heat distribution layer is therefore made of a material that conducts the heat as well as possible. The heat distribution layer can be completely configured throughout, but can also be divided into regions in order to realize an even more homogeneous distribution. The underlying heating conductor structures are not coupled to the region boundaries of the heat distribution layer. Ie. the material preferably has a higher thermal conductivity than 80 W / (m ^* K). Preferably, copper is used because of its very high thermal conductivity. As a result, the heat distribution layer is preferably designed to be as thin as possible. In addition, a metal, such as. B. Kuper, the advantageous effect that it shields possibly resulting from the use of an electrical heating conductor electric fields. When using a plurality of electrically conductive components, these are of course isolated from one another by the means customary in electronics, that is, by arrangement, sheathing, etc.

In a method according to the invention for heating a honeycomb, heat is thus emitted by a heating conductor structure. For this purpose, the heating conductor structure is arranged substantially in at least one plane in the honeycomb. The generated heat is then evenly distributed in a surface by means of a heat distribution layer. In this case, the heat distribution layer extends substantially in a plane adjacent to the heating conductor structure. Subsequently, the heat can be homogeneously delivered to the adjacent honeycomb structure, for example, to combat Varroa mite and / or to assist the bees in hibernation. A honeycomb heating system according to the invention comprises a number of honeycomb heating elements according to the invention and a control device for operating the heating conductor structures. In this case, one or more honeycomb heating elements can be accommodated in a hive, but the honeycomb heating elements can also be distributed to different hives.

Components of the control device can also be arranged on the honeycomb heating elements. Thus, for example, it is particularly advantageous to have a temperature sensor possible centrally above the respective associated heating conductor structure, ie. H. also above or on the overlying heat distribution layer to arrange in order to determine the temperature locally as accurately as possible. In other words, each heat conductor structure is thus spatially and per circuit associated with a temperature sensor. These receive temperature data on the basis of which the control device controls the heating conductor structures such that a defined temperature is established. Through appropriate settings, an over- and understeer is avoided as far as possible by active readjustment. For example, more heat can be dissipated through honeycomb heaters in areas close to the exterior walls of the hive to counteract low outdoor temperatures.

Alternatively, it is also possible by the control device to individually regulate a plurality of heating conductor structures of a honeycomb heating element in order to compensate for any temperature differences between inner and outer regions of the surface of the honeycomb heating element. Thus, at both the micro and the macro level, that is to say in the individual honeycomb heating element as well as in the entire hive, more uniform temperatures can be ensured than is possible with the current state of the art. The control device is in particular designed so that it carries out a method according to the invention for heating a honeycomb heating element. A further alternative embodiment within the scope of the invention is a honeycomb heating system which, in addition to other components, comprises only a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, in which case the control device can be designed such that it forms a structural unit with the honeycomb heating element. A honeycomb according to the invention comprises a frame with a honeycomb heating element arranged therein according to the invention. So the framework forms, so to speak, the Holder for the honeycomb heating element and is connected to this directly and / or indirectly. From practice a variety of different dimensions of honeycomb frame is known. An inventive honeycomb heating element is therefore advantageously installed in as many different types of these frames. A beekeeper can rebuild his own frame with a honeycomb heating element according to the invention to honeycomb according to the invention by simple means. The use of honeycombs according to the invention is thus very flexible and inexpensive. Alternatively, of course, completely manufactured honeycombs are included in the scope of the invention. For reasons of efficiency, the honeycomb heating element according to the invention is preferably arranged in a median plane of the honeycomb. These middle layers formed by the heating element preferably adjoin honeycomb structures with their bottom surfaces on both sides. As a result of the symmetrical structure, the honeycomb structures adjoining on both sides can be heated uniformly. Likewise, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to specifically heat a honeycomb structure adjoining its bottom surface on only one side of the heating element.

According to the invention, a hive comprises a number of honeycombs according to the invention. These can be connected, for example, as a honeycomb heating system with a control device. However, it is also possible for a number of beehives to be controlled in terms of temperature at the same time by a control device, as already described above. The higher the proportion of honeycombs heated according to the invention, in particular of the brood combs, the more effectively the Varroa mite can also be combated. A bee showcase according to the invention comprises a honeycomb with a honeycomb heating element, in particular a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, and at least one viewing window which extends in a plane parallel to the honeycomb. Preferably, the showcase also has a housing and at least one door, which is arranged parallel to and from the view of an observer in front of the viewing window and at least completely covers this. With the door closed, the bees are in the natural darkness of a hive. Only for observation purposes, the door is opened so that the bees spend most of their time undisturbed. By using a honeycomb heating element, preferably a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, in the bee showcase, the hibernation of bees in a hive is advantageously made possible even with only a single honeycomb. Under normal circumstances, the heat of the bees is sufficient for hibernation on a honeycomb not from. Using a honeycomb heater, a defined temperature can be set to assist the bees with climate control. As a result, even a single honeycomb even in winter without interference and / or danger to the welfare of the bees and be fully visible. This enables new observation methods and thus new findings on the winter behavior of bees, which are of particular interest in mite-weakened bee colonies.

Accordingly, a honeycomb heating element according to the invention is used according to the invention in a hive for combating parasites and / or in a bee showcase.

Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the independent claims of a claim category can also be developed analogous to the dependent claims of another claim category and in particular also individual features of different embodiments to new embodiments can be combined.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, the honeycomb heating element comprises a further heat distribution layer, wherein the heating conductor structure is arranged between the two heat distribution layers. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the heat to be dissipated in the same way, ie with as homogeneous a distribution as possible, to both flat sides of the honeycomb heating element. The honeycomb heating element arranged in a middle layer of a honeycomb and preferably surrounded on both sides by the bottom surfaces of adjoining honeycomb structures can thus heat these honeycomb structures particularly evenly. Alternatively, the honeycomb structure can also adjoin the honeycomb heating element on only one side, but for efficiency reasons the above-described variant is preferred.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat distribution layers are conductively connected to one another at a number of points. "Conductive" here means, on the one hand, good thermal conductivity "but also preferably electrically conductive at the same time. Due to the electrical conductivity in combination with the through-hole, a kind of color is obtained. day's cage that shields outward electromagnetic fields that may be created inside the honeycomb heating element. In the presumed electrosensitivity of the bees, this leads to a lower irritation potential. The heat-conducting layers therefore particularly preferably consist of copper, since this material simultaneously has very good electrical and heat-conducting properties. Copper is also very cheap because it is a standard material in electronic manufacturing. These plated-through holes are arranged in high numbers and densities also below the temperature sensor in order to advantageously be able to measure the highest possible average temperature of both sides. Furthermore, the plated-through holes are preferably also grid-like and homogeneously distributed over the entire surface of the heating plate.

In one exemplary embodiment of a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, the heating conductor structure is designed as at least one loop-shaped conductor. The form as Heizmäander is advantageous because so in the entire surface heating power can be introduced. The exact configuration of the heating conductor structure can take place taking into account variables such as the available voltage and / or the current intensity in the case of an electrical conductor. Otherwise, the flow rate, maximum temperature of the medium or similar parameters may be the decisive criteria. For example, the cross section of the meander, length, density, loop guidance and the like can be varied.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a honeycomb heating element according to the invention is designed as a multilayer printed circuit board. Such printed circuit boards, which are also referred to as multilayer boards or printed circuit boards (PCBs), can be standardized in a wide variety and therefore cost-effectively manufactured In addition, this ensures a sufficiently small thickness of the honeycomb heating element, so that it can be arranged in the middle between two honeycomb structures by a thin layer of a carrier material of the board.

At least on one side, preferably on both sides, in one exemplary embodiment, a honeycomb base is applied to a honeycomb heating element according to the invention. This makes it easier for bees to expand to the finished, usable honeycomb structure. The honeycomb base is to be understood as a building specification which gives the bees the basic structure of the wa- benzeilen provides, but in comparison with the finished honeycomb structure has only a small amount. For example, the honeycomb base may consist of a preformed, mostly rolled, layer of beeswax. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to attach a plastic base with which the board is preferably directly encapsulated. Previously, in order to protect against mechanical and / or thermal stress during casting, any exposed electronic components are sealed with a protective encapsulation, for example with a glob-top encapsulation. The finished cast-on board is thus additionally protected against moisture and mechanical stress. In a further example of a honeycomb heating element according to the invention, a conductor track structure of a control device for the heat conductor structure is formed in at least one further plane. Additionally or alternatively, components of a control device for the heating conductor structure may also be arranged in a further plane. The conductor track structure thus preferably runs within the honeycomb heating element, so that it is advantageously shielded to the outside as explained above. Furthermore, it may be advantageous, for example, to arrange the temperature sensors as components of the control device one level above the associated heat conductor structures. The sensors can thus measure the actual temperature that acts on the honeycomb structure at this point. Circuit components located on top of the honeycomb heating element are accepted by the bees without any problems to a limited extent, as is the case here, and rebuilt when the honeycomb structure is removed. The position of sensors, terminals or other elements of the circuit can basically be chosen arbitrarily. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a method for heating a honeycomb, in particular a honeycomb according to the invention, an activation of a heating conductor structure arranged in the honeycomb takes place according to a defined heating protocol. This has at least one, but preferably all, of the steps given below. In a winter phase, so preferably in the months of September to January of the following year, the honeycomb is heated with a winter temperature, which is preferably in a range between 25 ° C and 28 ° C. This heating phase also allows - for example by mite infestation - weakened bee colonies a hibernation. Subsequently, a spring temperature, preferably between 34 ° C and 36 ° C is set in the honeycomb and held during a spring phase, ie preferably over the period from March to May. The heating in spring is used for support of the bee colony. It can focus more on its other tasks through this externally introduced climate regulation.

For combatting mites, the honeycombs are heated for a number of treatments with a treatment time of preferably 1.5 hours to a treatment temperature, preferably in a range between 42 ° C and 43 ° C. These treatments, preferably one per month, take place at defined treatment times in a treatment phase which preferably extends over the period of the months from March to September. A treatment can therefore also explicitly take place at times within other heating phases. For the duration of treatment while the temperature of the honeycomb is briefly raised above the prevailing basic temperature. After the treatment, the honeycombs and the entire floor then cool down again and return to the temperature level that corresponds to the heating temperature of the season or that naturally prevails in the floor. As treatment times, for example, favorable times in the breeding cycle of the bees and favorable times of day are chosen. In particular, observation by the beekeeper can take place during the defined treatment time. The preferred range of treatment temperature is chosen so that the mites are killed, the bee larvae by the treatment but no harm is added.

The treatment and auxiliary heating preferably take place automatically. After a programming of the control device, ie setting the parameters such as periods of the heating phases, temperatures, treatment times, etc., so basically no further steps of the beekeeper are necessary. For all above-mentioned temperatures, phases and times, they may be adjusted based on the experience and observations of a skilled beekeeper, depending on the needs of the bees, and may be changed during each phase. Additional treatment may be indicated, for example, if there is still hatched brood in the hive. Generally, depending on the choice of the beekeeper, only a single process step, for example, only the treatment step or only the heating during the winter or spring phase can take place. But also every possible combination of these steps is covered within the scope of the invention. The individual parameters can also vary with the population of hives. In breeding sticks, for example, additional honeycomb honeycomb are introduced, whereas in a bee showcase usually only one observation honeycomb is arranged, which is why adaptations of the heating protocol may be advisable. The heating in the method just described is preferably carried out with a honeycomb heating element according to the invention. However, the described heating protocol can sometimes also be realized with other suitable types of heating. It is important that at no time a critical temperature for the bees is exceeded, as the bee brood and consequently the bee colony will otherwise be damaged. At the same time, however, a temperature must be reached that kills the mites. Regardless of their exact configuration, the heating should advantageously keep the temperature for treatment within the scope of the method according to the invention constant in this relatively narrowly defined range, cover the largest possible proportion of the bee brood with this heating and thereby represent the lowest possible irritation potential for the entire bee colony.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures with reference to embodiments. The same components are provided with identical reference numerals in the various figures. The figures are usually not to scale. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a honeycomb heating element according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the honeycomb heating element shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a plan view in partial section of the example of a honeycomb heating element shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a honeycomb according to the invention with a simplified block diagram of a honeycomb heating system according to the invention,

5 shows a more detailed block diagram of an embodiment of a honeycomb heating system according to the invention, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hive according to the invention, 7 a shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bee box according to the invention with a closed door, FIG. 7 b shows the same view of the bee box of FIG. 7 a with the door open, FIG.

8a shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for heating a honeycomb, and FIG. 8b shows a temperature diagram of the block diagram from FIG. 8a.

1 shows an embodiment of a flat honeycomb heating element 1 according to the invention is shown in perspective. The honeycomb heating element 1 has the shape of a multilayer board, ie a layer structure. A hexagonal, slightly raised structure forms, as a honeycomb base 7 without restriction of generality, an upper layer, which consists for example of beeswax or plastic. Under this layer, a heat distribution layer 3 made of copper is disposed. Below this follows an insulation layer 20 of preimpregnated fibers (prepreg). In a next lower level, a copper, meander-shaped heating conductor structure 2 follows. This is separated by a further insulating layer 20 from underlying conductor track structures 8. After a third insulation layer 20, a second heat distribution layer 4 follows from copper. Below this, the honeycomb heating element 1 is closed by a second honeycomb base 7 (not shown here). When honeycomb bases 7 made of beeswax are used, the outer sides of the heat distribution layers 3 are lacquered with preferably food-grade color in order to avoid irritation of the bees.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the layer structure of the honeycomb heating element 1 already shown in FIG. The presentation is described below from the outside to the inside. On both sides of the outside structures of a honeycomb base 7 is followed by towards the center in each case a heat distribution layer 3,4. These heat distribution layers 3, 4 are connected to each other at some points with plated-through holes 6 in order to provide for a mutual heat or temperature compensation. It is followed on both sides in the inner direction depending on an insulating layer 20. Inside adjoining a Heizleiterstruktur 2 is disposed on one side, while on the other side is a layer of printed conductor structures 8, which the Heizleiterstruktur 2 with elements of a circuit for controlling, ie with a control device, connects. Both in the Heat conductor structure 2 and in the layer of the conductor track structure 8, portions of the plated-through holes are recessed from the conductive structures, ie left free. A middle layer of the honeycomb heating element 1 is formed by a further insulating layer 20.

Without limitation of generality, FIG. 3 shows a number of upper layers of an exemplary embodiment of a honeycomb heating element 1 according to the invention in a fragmentary plan view. The individual layers are arranged as already described above. Centrally on the surface of the honeycomb heating element 1 and over the heat-conducting layer 3 is a temperature sensor 21 as a component of a control device. This can also be designed as a digital temperature controller. Via printed conductor structures 8, it is connected to terminals 22, that is to say to an interface of the honeycomb heating element 1. The previously mentioned plated-through holes 6 are arranged here essentially in edge regions of the honeycomb heating element 1, which are cut out from the printed conductor structures or the heating conductor structure; because the vias 6 connect the heat distribution layers 3, 4 both electrically and heat conductive. On the one hand, this advantageously results in a type of faraday cage which shields any electromagnetic radiation which may be generated inside the honeycomb heating element 1 towards the outside. On the other hand, the plated-through holes 6 serve for heat transfer between the heat distribution layers 3, 4 and thus ensure that they have the same temperature. In principle, the largest possible number of plated-through holes 6 would be desirable. Here, however, a favorable relationship between plated-through holes and the area occupied by the heat conductor structure 2 must be ensured.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example an embodiment of a honeycomb 1 according to the invention. A honeycomb heating element 1 is arranged centrally in a frame 12 of the honeycomb 11, ie it is located both centrally in a surface enclosed by the frame and in a middle one relative to the frame Position in the direction perpendicular to this surface. On the honeycomb heating element 1, the bees can build their brood or honeycombs using the hexagonal structure of the honeycomb base 7. The honeycomb heating element 1 has a connection 22 in a corner region, which connects it to a distributor module 9. In turn, a power supply 23 and a programming device 24 are connected to it. This schematically illustrated system thus forms a honeycomb heating system 10, which will be explained in more detail in the next section. FIG. 5 shows a honeycomb heating system 10 according to the invention by way of example as a block diagram. With and via a distributor module 9 further components are connected. These include a honeycomb heating element 1, a programming device 24 and a power supply unit 23. The power supply unit 23 is connected directly to a polarity reversal contactor 25 of the distributor module 9. This is in turn via a deep discharge 26 to an ON / OFF switch, z. B. a relay or as here a MOS-FET 27, and a voltage conditioning 28 connected. Reverse polarity protection 25, deep discharge protection 26, MOSFET 27 and voltage conditioning 28 are arranged together in the distributor module 9. A arranged on the honeycomb heater 1, digital temperature controller 21 receives its operating voltage from the voltage conditioning 28. It is designed as a thermostat IC (integrated circuit), which takes over the temperature control after appropriate programming, and therefore connected via a control line to the MOSFET 27 , A likewise connected to the MOSFET 27 Heizleiterstruktur 2 of the honeycomb heating element 1 is supplied via this with voltage. The digital temperature controller 21 is connected to the programming device 24 for programming via the distributor module 9 acting as an interface.

In the distributor module 9 are thus on the one hand protective devices for the electronics, i. Reverse polarity protection 25 and deep discharge protection 26, and on the other the entire power electronics, d. H. Voltage conditioning 28 and MOSFET 27. The digital temperature controller 21 controls the power and voltage supply of the Heizleiterstruktur 2 via the MOSFET 27, that sets a defined temperature. This temperature is set as part of a heating protocol during programming of the thermostat IC 21 using the programmer 24. The programming device 24 is connected to the distributor module 9 for programming and can be separated from it afterwards. Accordingly, the distributor module 9 also acts as an interface between programmer 24, honeycomb heating element 1 and power supply unit 23. The latter may consist of a commercial car battery, a fuel cell and / or solar panels, but it can also be connected to the mains with a suitable transformer or Rectifier be executed.

The components of the control device are arranged decentralized in this embodiment: While the temperature controller 21 is located directly on the heat conductor structure 2 on the honeycomb heating element, the actual voltage supply via the MOSFET 27 off, preferably even outside of the hive, arranged. This decentralization has the particular advantage of being distributed over a single distributor module also several honeycomb heating elements 1 can be programmed simultaneously and / or supplied with power (not shown here). Although several components, such as MOSFET 27, interfaces, etc., must be provided multiple times, but of other components such as power supply, protective device, etc., one element is sufficient. This combination of several honeycomb heating elements 1 to a larger honeycomb heating system 10 thus results in synergetic savings in components as well as in the time required for programming.

FIG. 6 shows, by way of example, a perspective view of a beehive 13 according to the invention. The hive 13 is in the form of an ordinary hive with two frames. Lid and insulation are raised explosively for purposes of illustration. In the hive 13, a honeycomb 1 1 according to the invention with honeycomb heating element 1 is used instead of and in the manner of a conventional honeycomb. A honeycomb 11 according to the invention can therefore be suspended in the hive 13 essentially like a honeycomb known from practice. In comparison to the standard, at most one additional recess in one region of the housing of the beehive 13 must be provided for the lines of the honeycomb according to the invention. The honeycomb heating element 1 is further connected to a distributor module 9 and thus forms with this a honeycomb heating system 10, as already described above. Power is supplied via a voltage source 23 connected to the distributor module 9. By way of example, only one honeycomb heating element 1 is shown here. However, the use of multiple honeycomb heating elements 1 in a hive 13 is preferred, as it allows the mites to be fought more effectively because they are killed in each heated brooding comb. A bee showcase 14 according to the invention is shown in perspective in the closed operating state, by way of example in FIG. 7 a. It has a substantially cuboid shape and is limited to six side surfaces outwardly by a housing 33. On one side, there is a flight hole 30. This page is commonly referred to as the front 35 without limitation of generality. Opposite there is the back 36. Through this connections are led to a distributor module 9 of a heating system 10 to the outside. At the top of the housing, a roof 32 is mounted, the bottom is on a pedestal 34. The two remaining sides (here only one of these sides is shown) are formed as doors 31 which are fixed with hinges 37 on the housing 33. FIG. 7b shows the same bee showcase 14, except that here the door 31 is open. In the bee showcase 14, a honeycomb heating element 1 is arranged, which is in a vertical and parallel to the direction of flight of the bees plane extends. On both flat sides of the honeycomb heating element 1 between honeycomb heating element 1 and the respective, parallel door 31 is a likewise parallel thereto viewing window 15 is arranged. The flight hole 30 serves the bees when approaching and departing as access to the bee showcase 14. The bees with honeycomb heater 1 arranged parallel to the flight direction honeycomb can be well oriented. The roof 32 provides the bee showcase 14 weather protection, the base creates by the distance to the ground relief in the work of the beekeeper. The doors 31 are closed in the normal state, so that the bees in the usual dark environment in the stick can stop. At observation times, however, the doors 31 can be opened by the beekeeper or other interested parties to look at the bees. The viewing window 15 protects the bees by its isolation function from temperature fluctuations, so they continue to pursue their activities despite observation as undisturbed.

However, a year-round observation is only possible through the honeycomb heating element 1 that now allows bees to treat mites, watching the entire people completely visible in the bee showcase 14 and even to overwinter it on only one honeycomb.

FIG. 8a shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for heating a honeycomb. Parallel to this, a temperature diagram is shown in FIG. 8b, which reflects a temperature profile during the heating of the honeycomb. Generally, the method is a seasonal, cyclic, i. periodic, heating according to a specified heating protocol. Therefore, the process can begin in principle at any time in the year. The timing is in the direction of t and begins here with a heating in a spring phase F in the month of March. In March, the honeycomb will be heated with a first spring temperature TF1 of 34 ° C. For the months of April and May, a second, slightly higher spring temperature TF2 of 36 ° C is produced in the honeycomb.

Intermediate, ie at times tB1, tB2, tB7 between or during other phases, a treatment (B1, B2, ..., B7) of miticidal heating B is carried out in the months from March to September at the beginning of each month. For a period of 1.5 hours, the temperature in the honeycomb is changed over from a set or naturally prevailing basic or base temperature to a treatment temperature. temperature TB increased from 42 ° C. After the treatment, the temperature automatically lowers again to the basic temperature, since the amount of heat introduced is lower.

In the summer months from June to August there is no auxiliary heating. Only the further treatments B5, B6, B7 are carried out. The basic temperature at this time is a temperature naturally kept by the bees in the hive.

With September, heating begins in a winter phase W, whereby a winter temperature WB of 28 ° C is generated in the honeycomb. In the winter phase no further treatments take place in this example. The winter temperature is thus kept constant until the beginning of the spring phase F. This and a cyclic repetition of the process should be clarified by the arrow with dashed dots.

As mentioned above, a temperature diagram with the temporal temperature profile is shown in parallel in FIG. 8b. Where t is the time axis and T is the temperature axis. The solid line shows according to the method via a control unit controlled temperature levels of winter temperature TW, spring temperatures TF1, TF2 and the treatment temperature TB, which is reached at the respective treatment times tB1, tB2, tB7 in the tips of the curve. In the summer, however, ie in the phase without supportive heating, the temperature falls to a natural level after the treatments, which is symbolized by the dashed lines.

Honeycomb heating elements according to the invention and / or their combination with a honeycomb heating system and their use in a hive with the method according to the invention for heating make it possible to combat the Varroa mite in a cost-effective and minimal effort for the beekeeper and to sustainably weaken her bee colonies support. The invention is characterized by harmless and low-pollution application and large acceptance by the bee colonies. It is finally pointed out once again that the devices and methods described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified by the person skilled in the art in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "on" or "one" does not exclude that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times. Likewise, the terms "element", "attachment", "module" and "device" do not exclude that the component in question consists of several cooperating sub-components, which may also be distributed spatially.

Claims

claims

1 . A planar honeycomb heating element (1), comprising a heating conductor structure (2) arranged substantially in at least one plane, and a heat distribution layer (3) extending substantially in a plane adjacent to the heating conductor structure (2).

2. honeycomb heating element (1) according to claim 1, comprising a further heat distribution layer (4), wherein the Heizleiterstruktur (2) between the two Wärmeverteilungsschich- th (3,4) is arranged.

3. honeycomb heating element (1) according to claim 2, wherein the heat distribution layers (3, 4) at a number of points (6) are conductively connected together.

4. honeycomb heating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Heizleiterstruktur (2) is designed as at least one loop-shaped conductor.

5. honeycomb heating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the honeycomb heating element (1) is designed as a multilayer printed circuit board.

6. honeycomb heating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least on one side, preferably on both sides, on the honeycomb heating element (1) a honeycomb base (7) is applied.

7. honeycomb heating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in at least one further level a conductor track structure (8) of a control device (9) for the Heizleiterstruktur (2) is formed and / or components of a control device (9) for the Heizleiterstruktur (2) are arranged.

8. honeycomb heating system (10) with a number of honeycomb heating elements (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a control device (9) for operating the Heizleiterstrukturen (2).

9. honeycomb (11), comprising a frame (12) with a honeycomb heating element (1) arranged therein according to one of claims 1 to 7.

10. hive (13) comprising a number of honeycombs (1 1) according to claim 9.

1 1. A bee showcase (14) comprising a honeycomb (11) with a honeycomb heating element, in particular according to claim 9, and at least one viewing window (15) extending in a plane parallel to the honeycomb.

12. Use of a honeycomb heating element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 in a hive for combating parasites and / or in a bee showcase (14).

A method of heating a honeycomb in which heat is dissipated from a heat conductor pattern disposed substantially in at least one plane in the honeycomb and uniformly distributing the heat in a surface by means of a heat distribution layer extending substantially in a plane adjacent to the heat conductor pattern becomes.

14. A method for heating a honeycomb, in particular according to claim 13, in which a control of a honeycomb arranged in the heat conductor structure according to a defined Heizprotokoll takes place, which has at least one of the following steps:

Heating in a winter phase (W), preferably in the months of September to January, with a winter temperature (TW), preferably between 25 ° C and 28 ° C, heating in a spring phase (F), preferably in the months of March to May, with a spring temperature (TF1, TF2), preferably between 34 ° C and 36 ° C, mite mitigation heating (B) with a number of treatments (B1, B2, B7), preferably one treatment per month Treatment times (tB1, tB2, tB7) in a treatment phase, preferably in the months of March to September, with a treatment time, preferably 1, 5 hours, and a treatment temperature (TB), preferably between 42 ° C and 43 ° C.