Design and Build an Artificial Beehive.

A thermal simulation using Fusion 360 was used to evaluate the heat flux out of the beehive with a temperature difference of 20 degrees.

- Convection in the air gap was neglected due its small thickness of 15mm. 

The frames, frame holder, screws and supers have been designed the same as the top half allowing the beekeepers to add as many supers as they wish. 

ENTRANCE

The bee hives have one bottom entrance with a size of 10cm^2, similar to natural hives found in tree cavities. 

STAND

Provides ergonomic height for the bees, as the entrance will not be blocked by grass etc.

LID

The beehive has slanted lid so rain water can 'run off' the hive without leaking into any other compartments. It is also made up of a thick layer material in order to reduce the amount of heat loss through the roof.

FRAME HOLDER & FRAMES

The frame holder will maintain at 8mm bee-space between frames. The frame holder is to be hand drilled into the main body using M6x65 screws.

SUPERS 

The honey supers have been designed as two separate parts (so they can fit into a CNC machines build volume) which are easily assembled using press fit joints. 

Below i have included renders of my second design, I have included a double-wall feature where the air gap can act as insulation for the beehives and therefore lower the rate of heat transfer. 

Due to Covid-19 I am unable to manufacture this, instead I intend to run a thermal insulation to validate this design. For anyone who wishes to build this I will attach the CAD files (I suggest this be manufactured via CNC machining, with the frame holders be drilled into the main body using a hand drill machine or similar). 

This urban beehive has been designed to provide easier maintenance, and to be more aesthetically pleasing than current traditional beehives whilst providing a more natural enclosure for the honey bees. The hive has a volume of 45L as seen below, however this can be altered depending on adding or removal supers. 

Any feedback for my dissertation will be greatly appreciated. 

I have attached sketches of prototype 1 (a mini hive), the beehive is intended to be assembled modularly (currently manufactured out of PLA as it is non-toxic, biodegradable and doesn't shrink as much as ABS).

Each part will be attached using bayonet fittings (i have also attached images of how this works) although I still need to determine tolerances. Once tolerances and wall thickness have been determined I will consider how the final design can be scaled up. 

Second iteration of this prototype coming soon; with ventilation and insulation improvements.