Design, Instrumentation and Ergonomic Evaluation of a Beehive Model with Melaria Supers in Radial Distribution

Abstract

A beekeeper must inspect (uncover) the Langstroth hives every 15 days to know the level of honey production and feeding of the bees, generating an alteration in the thermal comfort of the bees and ergonomic over-efforts with the lifting of bees. weights greater than 13 kilograms, inadequate postures due to height and the size of the hive's grips. Therefore, the goal of this study was to design and manufacture an instrumented hive that allows knowing the internal conditions of production and feeding without having to manipulate it directly. Functional needs of beekeepers were identified through interviews and surveys, ergonomic analysis was carried out using the Rapid WholeBody Assessment Method (REBA) and through videos in the field, which allowed the generation, evaluation and selection of design proposals; the design, construction and instrumentation of the hive was carried out and its functionality was evaluated in the field. A modular hexagonal design was defined that avoids lifting sections of the hive for inspection, the records generated by the sensors show that the hive design maintains the average internal temperature of 35°C for longer time. The efforts that beekeepers must make during the inspection of the hives are significantly reduced with the proposed hive design, while preserving the comfort temperature of the bees, and the instrumentation allows monitoring the production of bee products.