A deformable volume coffee fermenter device

Abstract

The utility model relates to fermentation tank technical field discloses a kind of deformable volume coffee fermentation tank devices, including fermentation tank, the inside fixedly connected with feed pipe of fermentation tank, the outer wall rotationally connected with connecting rod of fermentation tank, the other end rotationally connected with bottom cover of connecting rod, the upper surface of bottom cover and the bottom of fermentation tank contact, the outer wall fixedly connected with multiple cylinder one of fermentation tank, multiple cylinder one output end are all fixedly connected in the outer wall of bottom cover, adjustment assembly is provided in the inside of fermentation tank.In the utility model, the closed space between fermentation tank and flexible diaphragm is inflated by air pump, so as to achieve the effect of changing the internal volume of tank body, solve the problem that existing fixed volume fermentation tank cannot adapt to small batch multiple batches of coffee bean processing demand, material mixing is uneven and temperature fluctuation leads to poor flavor uniformity, improve the adaptability and production efficiency of coffee fermentation process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fermentation tank technology, and in particular to a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device. Background Technology

[0002] In the coffee processing industry, fermentation is the core step that determines the flavor and quality of coffee beans. Different varieties and batches of coffee beans, as well as different fermentation processes, have significantly different requirements for fermentation space. In small-batch specialty coffee production, the processing volume per batch is often between 0.5 and 5 m³, while industrial-scale production equipment is mostly designed with fixed volume, making it difficult to adapt to flexible production needs. At the same time, the coffee fermentation process requires strict control of temperature, uniformity of stirring, and the airtightness of the fermentation environment. The stability of the volume directly affects the efficiency of microbial activity and the formation of flavor compounds. Therefore, developing a coffee fermentation tank device that can dynamically adjust its volume according to production needs and can also ensure precise control of the fermentation environment has become a key direction for solving the pain points of small-batch, multi-variety coffee production and improving the flexibility of the fermentation process and the stability of product quality.

[0003] Currently, the commonly used fermentation equipment in the coffee fermentation field is mainly divided into two categories: one is the traditional fixed-volume fermentation tank, whose core mechanical structure is a rigid cylindrical tank made of stainless steel. The tank has an inclined discharge port at the bottom and is equipped with a fixed-speed stirring paddle inside. Heating belts are wrapped around the outside of the tank, or a jacketed heat exchange chamber is installed. Temperature control is achieved through heating the heating belts or circulating water within the jacket. Technically, this type of equipment maintains the anaerobic or micro-aerobic environment required for fermentation through a fixed-volume, sealed space. The stirring paddle agitates the coffee beans and fermentation liquid mixture at a constant speed, ensuring uniform heating and promoting the diffusion of metabolic products. The other type is a semi-flexible fermentation device, which uses a flexible bag made of plastic or rubber as the fermentation container. The bag is placed within a metal support, and the volume of the bag is slightly adjusted by filling the gap between the support and the bag with compressed air. Its technical principle is to utilize the deformation characteristics of the flexible bag to adapt to small volume changes, while relying on the support frame to ensure the stability of the device. Temperature control is achieved through external environmental temperature control.

[0004] However, existing fixed-volume fermentation tanks have a rigid structure, and their volume cannot be dynamically adjusted according to the actual coffee bean processing volume of each production batch. When the processing volume is less than the tank volume, a large amount of redundant space will form inside the tank, causing the material to easily "spin in place" during the stirring process, making it impossible to achieve uniform mixing. This not only affects the temperature consistency of the fermentation environment, but also leads to some coffee beans being over-fermented and others under-fermented, seriously affecting the uniformity of product flavor. When the processing volume is close to or exceeds the tank volume, problems such as material overflow and excessive stirring resistance leading to motor overload are likely to occur. This makes it difficult to adapt to the flexible production needs of small batches and multiple batches. This problem is particularly prominent in the small-batch customized production scenario of specialty coffee, directly restricting the adaptability and production efficiency of the fermentation process. Therefore, a variable-volume coffee fermentation tank device is proposed to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device, which aims to improve the problems of existing fixed volume fermentation tanks that cannot dynamically adjust the volume according to the amount of coffee beans processed, resulting in uneven material mixing, large temperature fluctuations, poor flavor uniformity, and difficulty in adapting to small-batch, multi-batch production, as well as the limited volume adjustment range and temperature control dependence on the external environment of semi-flexible fermentation devices.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A variable volume coffee fermentation tank device includes a fermentation tank, a feed pipe fixedly connected inside the fermentation tank, a connecting rod rotatably connected to the outer wall of the fermentation tank, a bottom cover rotatably connected to the other end of the connecting rod, the upper surface of the bottom cover contacting the bottom of the fermentation tank, a plurality of cylinders fixedly connected to the outer wall of the fermentation tank, the output ends of the plurality of cylinders being fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom cover, and an adjustment component provided inside the fermentation tank; The adjustment assembly includes a flexible diaphragm disposed inside the fermenter. A support frame is fixedly connected to the top of the fermenter, and an air pump is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame. A delivery pipe is fixedly connected to the output end of the air pump, and the delivery pipe is disposed in the gap between the fermenter and the flexible diaphragm. A support assembly is disposed on the top of the fermenter.

[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution: The support assembly includes a base and a motor. The bottom end of the base is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the fermentation tank, one side of the motor is fixedly connected to the top of the base, and a rotating rod is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor.

[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution: The outer wall of the rotating rod is slidably connected to a connecting shaft, and a groove is provided inside the connecting shaft.

[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution: A transmission column is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod, and the transmission column is slidably connected inside the groove.

[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution: A protective shell is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the connecting shaft, a waterproof motor is fixedly connected inside the protective shell, and a stirring rod is fixedly connected to the output end of the waterproof motor.

[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution: The outer wall of the stirring rod is fixedly connected to multiple stirring blades, and each stirring blade has a second stirring blade slidably connected inside it.

[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution: Each of the stirring blades is fixedly connected to a cylinder, and the output end of each cylinder is fixedly connected to one side of the stirring blade.

[0013] As a further description of the above technical solution: Each of the first stirring blades is fixedly connected to a waterproof plate, and each of the second stirring blades has multiple holes and grooves inside.

[0014] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. In this utility model, air is pumped into the sealed space between the fermentation tank and the flexible diaphragm. Due to the good flexibility and extensibility of the flexible diaphragm, it begins to expand outward under the action of air pressure. At the same time, the movement of the groove driven by the cylinder can realize the automatic contraction of the stirring blade, thereby changing the internal volume of the tank. This solves the problems of existing fixed-volume fermentation tanks being unable to adapt to the needs of processing small batches of coffee beans, uneven material mixing, and large temperature fluctuations leading to poor flavor uniformity, thus improving the adaptability and production efficiency of the coffee fermentation process.

[0015] 2. In this utility model, the rotating rod is driven by a motor to rotate, which in turn drives the connecting shaft to slide up and down. The stirring rod is driven by a waterproof motor to rotate, which in turn drives the stirring blade to rotate, thereby achieving the effect of stirring up and down. This solves the problems of material "partial idling", sedimentation and temperature fluctuation caused by insufficient stirring coverage in existing fixed-volume fermentation tanks. It improves the mixing uniformity of coffee beans and fermentation liquid and the uniformity of fermentation flavor, and improves the adaptability efficiency of fermentation process in small-batch, multi-batch production scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device proposed in this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible partition structure of a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure of a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device proposed in this utility model; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0017] Legend: 1. Fermentation tank; 2. Feed pipe; 3. Connecting rod; 4. Bottom cover; 5. Cylinder 1; 6. Flexible diaphragm; 7. Support frame; 8. Air pump; 9. Conveying pipe; 10. Base; 11. Motor; 12. Rotating rod; 13. Connecting shaft; 14. Protective shell; 15. Waterproof motor; 16. Stirring rod; 17. Stirring blade 1; 18. Stirring blade 2; 19. Transmission column; 20. Slide groove; 21. Hole groove; 22. Cylinder 2; 23. Waterproof plate. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0019] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2This utility model provides an embodiment of a variable volume coffee fermentation tank device, comprising a fermentation tank 1. The fermentation tank 1 has an overall vertical cylindrical structure with a uniform thickness of the tank wall from top to bottom. A circular opening is reserved at the top of the tank body for assembling functional components. An annular sealing surface is machined on the bottom edge of the tank. A feed pipe 2 is fixedly connected inside the fermentation tank 1. The feed pipe 2 penetrates the side wall of the fermentation tank 1 at an incline. One end of the pipe body extends into the tank and bends downward. An openable butterfly valve is provided at the port to control the material injection speed. A flange interface is machined at the end of the pipe body outside the tank for easy connection with an external material conveying pipeline. A connecting rod 3 is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the fermentation tank 1. The other end of the connecting rod 3 is rotatably connected to a bottom cover 4. The bottom cover 4 has an overall circular boss structure. Its diameter matches the inner diameter of the bottom of fermenter 1. The upper surface of the bottom cover 4 is machined with an annular groove, and a sealing ring is embedded in the groove. When the bottom cover 4 is closed, the sealing ring is tightly fitted with the annular sealing surface at the bottom of fermenter 1 to achieve bottom sealing. The upper surface of the bottom cover 4 is in contact with the bottom of fermenter 1. Multiple cylinders 5 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of fermenter 1. The bottom of the cylinder body of two cylinders 5 is welded to the outer wall of fermenter 1 through a support. The output end of the piston rod is fixedly connected to the lug on the outer wall of the bottom cover 4 through a pin. By extending and retracting the piston rod of cylinder 5, the bottom cover 4 can be rotated around the hinge point between the connecting rod 3 and fermenter 1 to achieve opening and closing of the bottom of the tank. The output ends of multiple cylinders 5 are all fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom cover 4. An adjustment component is set inside the fermenter 1. The adjustment component includes a flexible diaphragm 6, which is a cylindrical capsule structure. Its top edge is fixed and sealed to the inner wall of the fermenter 1 via a flange, while its bottom edge is attached to the outer side of the sealing ring on the upper surface of the bottom cover 4, forming an independent sealed cavity. The flexible diaphragm 6 is placed inside the fermenter 1. A support frame 7 is fixedly connected to the top of the fermenter 1, and an air pump 8 is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame 7. A delivery pipe 9 is fixedly connected to the output end of the air pump 8 via a quick-connect fitting. The delivery pipe 9 is a multi-segment metal pipe, which extends downward along the inner wall of the fermenter 1 and is finally distributed in the annular gap between the fermenter 1 and the flexible diaphragm 6. Multiple ventilation holes are evenly opened on the pipe section of the delivery pipe 9 located in the gap to evenly deliver the gas output by the air pump 8 to the gap. The flexible diaphragm 6 is deformed by the gas pressure. The delivery pipe 9 is placed in the gap between the fermenter 1 and the flexible diaphragm 6. A support component is set on the top of the fermenter 1. Reference Figure 3 - Figure 5The support assembly includes a base 10 and a motor 11. The base 10 is a cylindrical metal bracket structure, with its bottom end fixedly connected to a protrusion on the upper surface of the fermenter 1 by bolts. The bottom end of the base 10 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the fermenter 1. One side of the motor 11 is fixedly connected to the top of the base 10, and the housing of the motor 11 is fixedly connected to a horizontal plate on the top of the base 10 by bolts, ensuring that the output shaft of the motor 11 is vertically downward. A rotating rod 12 is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor 11. A connecting shaft 13 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod 12. A sliding groove 20 is provided inside the connecting shaft 13. A transmission column 19 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod 12. The moving column 19 is slidably connected inside the slide groove 20. The connecting shaft 13 is a hollow cylindrical structure with an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the rotating rod 12. A long strip slide groove 20 is provided axially inside the connecting shaft 13. A cylindrical transmission column 19 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod 12 near the bottom. The diameter of the transmission column 19 matches the width of the slide groove 20. The end of the transmission column 19 away from the rotating rod 12 is slidably connected inside the slide groove 20. When the motor 11 drives the rotating rod 12 to rotate, the transmission column 19 can slide inside the slide groove 20, and at the same time drive the connecting shaft 13 to rotate synchronously. The connecting shaft 13 can slide up and down along the axial direction of the rotating rod 12. A protective shell 14 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the connecting shaft 13 via a flange. The protective shell 14 is a cylindrical sealed shell with reserved installation space inside. A waterproof motor 15 is fixedly connected inside the protective shell 14. The housing of the waterproof motor 15 is fixed to the inner wall of the protective shell 14 by bolts. A stirring rod 16 is fixedly connected to the output end of the waterproof motor 15. Multiple stirring blades 17 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the stirring rod 16. Each stirring blade 17 has a rectangular plate structure and a rectangular cavity along its length. A stirring blade 18 is slidably connected inside each stirring blade 17. The shape of the stirring blade 18 matches the cavity of the stirring blade 17 and can extend and retract along the length of the cavity. A cylinder 22 is fixedly connected inside each stirring blade 17. The cylinder body is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the first stirring blade 17. The output end of the piston rod is fixedly connected to the end of the second stirring blade 18 near the inner side of the cavity by bolts. By extending and retracting the piston rod of the second cylinder 22, the second stirring blade 18 can be driven to extend or retract into the cavity of the first stirring blade 17, adjusting the overall length of the stirring blade. The output end of each second cylinder 22 is fixedly connected to one side of the second stirring blade 18. A waterproof plate 23 is fixedly connected inside each first stirring blade 17. The waterproof plate 23 is made of elastic rubber, and its edge is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the first stirring blade 17 to prevent the fermentation liquid from entering the cavity and damaging the second cylinder 22. Multiple holes and grooves 21 are opened inside each second stirring blade 18. These holes and grooves 21 can reduce the resistance of the material to the stirring blade during the stirring process, and at the same time promote the flow of the material on both sides of the stirring blade, improving the mixing uniformity.

[0020] Working Principle: When using this variable volume coffee fermentation tank device, the raw materials are first poured into the fermentation tank 1 through the feed pipe 2 to achieve material filling. When it is necessary to change the internal volume of the fermentation tank 1, gas is injected into the sealed control cavity between the flexible diaphragm 6 and the inner wall of the fermentation tank 1 through the conveying pipe 9. The gas pressure difference drives the flexible diaphragm 6 to undergo elastic deformation. When inflating, the flexible diaphragm 6 expands outward, increasing the effective fermentation space inside the tank. When deflating, the flexible diaphragm 6 contracts inward, reducing the internal volume of the tank. This achieves volume adjustment to adapt to the current material quantity and avoid redundant space. At the same time, when the internal volume of the fermentation tank 1 changes, the cylinder 22... The second stirring blade 18 slides inside the first stirring blade 17, automatically adapting to changes in volume. Simultaneously, the motor 11 drives the rotating rod 12 to rotate, which in turn drives the transmission column 19 to slide inside the slide groove 20. The guide effect of the slide groove 20 drives the connecting shaft 13 to reciprocate up and down. The reciprocating motion of the connecting shaft 13 drives the stirring rod 16 to move synchronously. Then, the waterproof motor 15 drives the first stirring blade 17 to rotate, thereby achieving the effect of reciprocating stirring. The groove 21 increases the fluidity of the liquid and reduces the resistance of the waterproof motor 15, achieving a highly efficient stirring and mixing effect.

Claims

1. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device comprising a fermenter (1), characterized in that: The fermentation tank (1) is fixedly connected to a feed pipe (2), and a connecting rod (3) is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the fermentation tank (1). The other end of the connecting rod (3) is rotatably connected to a bottom cover (4). The upper surface of the bottom cover (4) is in contact with the bottom of the fermentation tank (1). Multiple cylinders (5) are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the fermentation tank (1). The output ends of the multiple cylinders (5) are all fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom cover (4). An adjustment component is provided inside the fermentation tank (1). The adjustment component includes a flexible diaphragm (6), which is disposed inside the fermenter (1). A support frame (7) is fixedly connected to the top of the fermenter (1), and an air pump (8) is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame (7). A delivery pipe (9) is fixedly connected to the output end of the air pump (8). The delivery pipe (9) is disposed in the gap between the fermenter (1) and the flexible diaphragm (6). A support component is disposed on the top of the fermenter (1).

2. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a base (10) and a motor (11). The bottom end of the base (10) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the fermenter (1). One side of the motor (11) is fixedly connected to the top of the base (10). A rotating rod (12) is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor (11).

3. The variable volume coffee fermentation tank device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer wall of the rotating rod (12) is slidably connected to a connecting shaft (13), and a groove (20) is provided inside the connecting shaft (13).

4. The variable volume coffee fermentation tank device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer wall of the rotating rod (12) is fixedly connected to a transmission column (19), and the transmission column (19) is slidably connected inside the groove (20).

5. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A protective shell (14) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the connecting shaft (13), a waterproof motor (15) is fixedly connected inside the protective shell (14), and a stirring rod (16) is fixedly connected to the output end of the waterproof motor (15).

6. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer wall of the stirring rod (16) is fixedly connected to multiple stirring blades (17), and each stirring blade (17) is slidably connected to a stirring blade (18).

7. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each of the first stirring blades (17) is fixedly connected to a second cylinder (22), and the output end of each second cylinder (22) is fixedly connected to one side of the second stirring blade (18).

8. A deformable volume coffee fermenter device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each of the first stirring blades (17) is fixedly connected to a waterproof plate (23), and each of the second stirring blades (18) has multiple holes and slots (21) inside.

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