A ripening device, a refrigerator and a ripening method

Abstract

The present invention provides a ripening device, a refrigerator and a ripening method, which relate to the technical field of refrigerators and solve the technical problem of poor ripening effect of the ripening device. The ripening device includes a physical vibration module that provides a physical ripening energy source for physically ripening fruits and vegetables; a plurality of information acquisition modules installed above the physical vibration module to acquire various parameter information of the fruits and vegetables; a classification module installed above the physical vibration module to classify the fruits and vegetables placed in the physical vibration module; the refrigerator includes a box body, a ripening drawer and a ripe fruit drawer arranged one above the other in the box body, and a ripening device arranged in the ripening drawer. The present invention uses physical vibration for ripening. By classifying fruits and vegetables into three categories and using color, internal quality and smell as judgment indicators respectively, the purpose of scientifically judging the ripening state of fruits and vegetables and the ripening end point is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and more particularly to a ripening device, a refrigerator and a ripening method. Background Art

[0002] Most fruits and vegetables can be eaten immediately after being picked. However, for climacteric fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, mangoes, kiwifruits, papayas, tomatoes, etc., they will rapidly age after ripening. Therefore, it is difficult to store them. Usually, they are picked and sold when they are unripe, and then they need to be ripened naturally or artificially before their color, flavor, etc. meet the edible requirements of people.

[0003] At present, chemical methods such as ethephon are mostly used for fruit and vegetable ripening, which will have the risk of drug residues. Using physical ripening methods is healthier and more environmentally friendly. Research shows that vertical vibration can accelerate the respiration of fruits and vegetables, increase the release of ethylene, and accelerate the ripening of fruits and vegetables. Since the refrigerator is a place where people store fruits daily, if the function of vibration ripening can be added, it will provide more convenience for people's lives.

[0004] The applicant of the present invention has found that the prior art has at least the following technical problems:

[0005] A fruit vibration ripening method is disclosed in the prior art. After sealing the fruits, they are placed on an electromagnetic vibration test bench for vibration treatment, and the frequency, intensity and duration are adjusted according to fruits of different qualities, and then stored under insulation to achieve fruit and vegetable ripening. However, this method only uses time as the judgment point for the end of ripening, and cannot control the start and end of ripening of individual fruits within a batch. Since different individuals require different ripening times, this method cannot guarantee the ripening effect of fruits and vegetables. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a ripening device, a refrigerator and a ripening method to solve the technical problem of poor ripening effect of the ripening device in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] A ripening device provided by the present invention includes

[0009] a physical vibration module, which provides a physical ripening energy source for physically ripening fruits and vegetables;

[0010] a plurality of information collection modules, which are installed above the physical vibration module to collect various parameter information of fruits and vegetables; [[ID=3--6]]

[0011] a classification module, which is installed above the physical vibration module to classify the fruits and vegetables placed in the physical vibration module.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the physical vibration module includes an annular vibration frame, a placement frame mounted on the vibration frame, and a fruit fixing assembly movably arranged above the placement frame.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, a closable placement plate is provided at the bottom of the placement frame.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly includes a fixed frame, a plurality of pairs of protection clips movably arranged in the fixed frame, and an alignment device. Two protection clips in each pair of protection clips are arranged opposite to each other and can approach or move away from each other to fix or release fruits and vegetables; the alignment device is installed on opposite sides of the fixed frame and can be lifted and lowered in the vertical direction to push the fixed frame to the required position.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly further includes a fruit clamping device, and the fruit clamping device is installed between the fixed frame and the protection clip to drive the protection clip to clamp or release fruits and vegetables.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the alignment device and the fruit clamping device are telescopic sleeves or telescopic cylinders.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly further includes a fruit turning device, and the fruit turning device is installed between the fixed frame and the fruit clamping device to drive the fruit clamping device and the protection clip to turn in the vertical direction.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the turning angle of the fruit turning device is 360 degrees.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fruit turning device includes a rotating shaft.

[0020] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fixed frame includes an outer frame and an inner cross beam, the inner cross beam is detachably arranged on the outer frame, and all the protection clips are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner cross beam.

[0021] As a further improvement of the present invention, the protection clip is of a semi-circular, U-shaped or triangular structure.

[0022] As a further improvement of the present invention, the information acquisition module includes a color difference detection probe, a near-infrared optical fiber probe, an odor acquisition probe and a manipulator. The number of the manipulators is three, which are respectively connected to the color difference detection probe, the near-infrared optical fiber probe and the odor acquisition probe to drive each probe to move.

[0023] As a further improvement of the present invention, the classification module includes a camera, a lighting fixture and an AI image recognition system, and the AI image recognition system is in signal connection with the camera.

[0024] A refrigerator provided by the present invention includes a box body, a ripening drawer arranged in the box body, and a ripening device arranged in the ripening drawer.

[0025] As a further improvement of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes a ripe fruit drawer arranged below the ripening drawer, and a switchable drawer board is arranged at the bottom of the ripening drawer.

[0026] As a further improvement of the present invention, a shock absorption structure is arranged at the bottom of the ripe fruit drawer.

[0027] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shock absorption structure is a silica gel pad.

[0028] As a further improvement of the present invention, an ethylene removal box is arranged on the side wall of the ripe fruit drawer.

[0029] As a further improvement of the present invention, the physical vibration module is placed at the bottom of the ripening drawer, and the information collection module and the classification module are both installed on the top wall of the box body.

[0030] As a further improvement of the present invention, positioning tracks are opened on two opposite side walls of the box body, and a clamping block is slidably arranged in the positioning track; the alignment device in the physical vibration module is installed at the bottom of the positioning track; a bayonet adapted to the specification of the clamping block is arranged at the corresponding position of the fixed frame in the physical vibration module; the clamping block is clamped in the bayonet; when the alignment device is in the initial state, its top is not higher than the top of the placement frame in the physical vibration module.

[0031] As a further improvement of the present invention, one side of the box body is open, the ripening drawer and the ripe fruit drawer are both arranged at the open position in a pluggable manner, and sealing members are arranged at the gaps between the ripening drawer, the ripe fruit drawer and the open position.

[0032] A ripening method provided by the present invention is a ripening method for ripening fruits and vegetables by using the refrigerator, and includes the following steps:

[0033] Step 100: Start the refrigerator, and put the fruits and vegetables into the physical vibration module in the ripening drawer for physical ripening;

[0034] Step 200: The fruit turning device in the physical vibration module turns the fruits and vegetables to ensure the overall ripeness of the fruits and vegetables;

[0035] Step 300: The classification module is started to classify the put fruits and vegetables;

[0036] Step 400: The information collection module collects corresponding information for each fruit and vegetable according to the classification type of the fruits and vegetables;

[0037] Step 500: Determine whether each fruit and vegetable is ripe or not according to the information collected by the information collection module;

[0038] Step 600: The ripe fruits and vegetables are sent into the ripe fruit drawer under the ripening drawer, and the above steps are continued for the unripe fruits and vegetables.

[0039] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fruits and vegetables in the classification module are classified into three categories. Category 1 is the fruits and vegetables with obvious color changes; Category 2 is the fruits and vegetables with obvious changes in hardness and sugar-acid ratio; Category 3 is the fruits and vegetables that emit special aromatic substances after ripening.

[0040] As a further improvement of the present invention, in step 400, the information collection module collects information at a fixed time interval t.

[0041] As a further improvement of the present invention, the fixed time interval t of the information collection module is 5 minutes.

[0042] As a further improvement of the present invention, the ripeness information of Category 1 fruits and vegetables is L>50, h>80, C>30; the ripeness information of Category 2 fruits and vegetables is H<80 kg / cm3, w>40; the ripeness information of Category 3 fruits and vegetables is 3-hydroxy-butanone-2≥20%, ethyl 2-methyl-butyrate≥8%; where L is brightness, h is hue, C is saturation, H is hardness, and w is sugar-acid ratio.

[0043] The present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0044] The ripening device provided by the present invention uses the physical vibration module to provide vertical vibration, and at the same time uses the protection clip to rotate the fruits and vegetables regularly, so that the force on each part of the fruits and vegetables is more uniform, accelerating the respiration of the fruits and vegetables, increasing the ethylene release amount, achieving the ripening effect, and avoiding adverse effects such as chemical agent residues;

[0045] The ripening device provided by the present invention automatically classifies fruits and vegetables into three categories through the classification module, and different probes in the information collection module collect information of different fruits and vegetables respectively, using color, internal quality (sugar-acid ratio and hardness) and smell as judgment indicators respectively, achieving the purpose of scientifically judging the ripening state and ripening end point of fruits and vegetables;

[0046] The ripening device provided by the present invention realizes the ripening control of individual fruits and vegetables through the upper and lower layer structure design and the use of components such as protection clips, so that the ripening effect of each fruit and vegetable in the batch meets the requirements. Description of the Drawings

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the refrigerator of the present invention with the top removed from the box body;

[0050] Figure 3 is an exploded structural diagram of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the bottom of the ripening drawer of the refrigerator of the present invention when it is opened;

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the alignment device and the clamping block installed together in the ripening device of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the alignment device in the ripening device of the present invention when it is in the extended state;

[0054] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the placement frame in the ripening device of the present invention when it is opened;

[0055] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the placement frame in the ripening device of the present invention as viewed from the bottom;

[0056] Figure 9 is an exploded structural diagram of the fruit-fixing component in the ripening device of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the initial state of the protective clip in the ripening device of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 11 is a diagram of the state of the protective clip clamping the fruit in the ripening device of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of the assembled vibration frame and the placement frame in the ripening device of the present invention.

[0060] In the figure: 1. Physical vibration module; 11. Vibration frame; 12. Placing frame; 13. Fruit fixing component; 131. Fixed frame; 132. Protection clip; 133. Alignment device; 134. Fruit clamping device; 135. Fruit turning device; 136. Bayonet; 137. Fixing piece; 138. Fixing hole; 14. Placing plate; 2. Information acquisition module; 21. Color difference detection probe; 22. Near-infrared optical fiber probe; 23. Odor acquisition probe; 3. Classification module; 31. Camera; 32. Lighting fixture; 100. Box body; 200. Ripening drawer; 300. Ripe fruit drawer; 400. Silicone pad; 500. Ethylene removal box; 600. Positioning track; 700. Block. Detailed implementation mode

[0061] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other implementation manners obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope protected by the present invention.

[0062] As Figure 3 shown, the present invention provides a ripening device, including

[0063] A physical vibration module 1, which provides a physical ripening energy source to physically ripen fruits and vegetables. Specifically, it ripens fruits and vegetables through a vertical vibration method; it solves the problem that chemical methods such as ethephon are used to ripen fruits and vegetables, resulting in drug residues that are not conducive to human health.

[0064] An information acquisition module 2, with a plurality of them installed above the physical vibration module 1 to collect various parameter information of fruits and vegetables. Specifically, this information is compared with the corresponding information set in the system to determine the parameters of whether the fruits and vegetables are ripe; setting a plurality of information acquisition modules 2 here is to collect different information according to different types of fruits and vegetables; it solves the problem that when users ripen a large number of fruits and vegetables together, due to the unequal individual maturity, the ripening effect of individual fruits and vegetables is not ideal.

[0065] A classification module 3, which is installed above the physical vibration module 1 to classify the fruits and vegetables placed in the physical vibration module 1. Through the classification module 3, the fruits and vegetables are divided into different categories, and the information for judging the ripeness of each category of fruits and vegetables is different. Since the characteristics of the fruits and vegetables themselves can be utilized targeted to accurately collect information, thereby accurately judging whether each fruit and vegetable is ripe, it solves the problem that existing ripening designs mostly use a single index to judge the ripening end points of different fruits and vegetables, resulting in poor ripening effects for some fruits and vegetables.

[0066] As an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the physical vibration module 1 includes an annular vibration frame 11, a placement frame 12 mounted on the vibration frame 11, and a fruit-fixing component 13 movably arranged above the placement frame 12.

[0067] The placement plate 14 in the placement frame 12 is used to place fruits and vegetables. The front of the placement frame 12 is a flat plate, and its reverse structure is as Figure 8 , and the inner walls of the four sides can tightly hold the outer wall of the top of the vibration frame 11, and the combination of the two is as Figure 12 . After the placement frame 12 and the vibration frame 11 are snap-connected, they are fixed through the fixing member 137 and the fixing hole 138. The fixing member 137 is convex downward and can be inserted into the fixing hole 138. The middle position of the placement plate 14 can also be opened downward, and its opening and closing are controlled by an electric rotating shaft.

[0068] During use, the vibration frame 11 provides vertical vibration. The placement frame 12 is placed on the vibration frame 11 and can follow the vibration frame 11 to vibrate vertically. The fruits and vegetables are placed in the placement frame 12 and are ripened by following the vertical vibration of the placement frame 12. The fruit-fixing component 13 is used to fix the position of the fruits and vegetables placed in the placement frame 12 to ensure that the fruits and vegetables do not roll randomly during the vibration process.

[0069] As Figure 7 shown, specifically, the bottom of the placement frame 12 is provided with an openable and closable placement plate 14. Further, the placement plate 14 is of a split structure, and the two plates are mounted on the bottom of the placement frame 12 through a rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft rotates, it can drive the two plates to turn downward, thereby opening the placement plate 14, so that the fruits and vegetables located on the placement plate 14 fall downward under the action of gravity. The vibration frame 11 is of a rectangular frame structure with a hollow in the middle, and the fruits and vegetables can smoothly fall downward through the vibration frame 11.

[0070] As Figure 3 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown in the figure, as an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly 13 includes a fixing frame 131, a plurality of pairs of protection clips 132 movably arranged in the fixing frame 131, and an alignment device 133. The two protection clips 132 in each pair of protection clips 132 are arranged opposite to each other and can approach or move away from each other to fix or release fruits and vegetables; the alignment device 133 is installed on the opposite sides of the fixing frame 131 and can be lifted and lowered in the vertical direction to push the fixing frame 131 to the required position to achieve vertical alignment; as another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly 13 further includes a horizontal alignment device arranged between the fixing frame 131 and the protection clips 132, and the horizontal alignment device can drive the protection clips 132 to move left and right in the horizontal direction to achieve left and right alignment of the protection clips. Specifically, during use, the fruits and vegetables are placed on the placing plate 14 of the placing frame 12, and then the alignment device 133 and the horizontal alignment device are controlled to move, driving the fixing frame 131 to be lifted and lowered to the required position for vertical alignment, driving the protection clips 132 to move horizontally to achieve left and right alignment, and controlling a pair of protection clips 132 to clamp the fruits and vegetables to prevent the fruits and vegetables from moving left and right during vibration; the alignment device 133 can be lifted and lowered vertically, and when it rises, it can push against the fixing frame 131 so that the fixing frame 131 and the protection clips 132 rise together with it. The purpose is to move the protection clips 132 to the middle position in the height direction of the fruits and vegetables to ensure stable clamping of the fruits and vegetables; after being pushed to the required position, the alignment device 133 descends. Since the protection clips 132 are clamped on the fruits and vegetables, although the fixing frame 131 is in a suspended state at this time, it will not fall downward. Moreover, due to the suspension of the fixing frame 131 and its clamping relationship with the fruits and vegetables, when the vibration frame 11 vibrates, it can drive the placing frame 12, the fixing frame 131 and the protection clips 132 in the fruit fixing assembly 13 to vibrate together.

[0071] It should be noted here that the vibration frame 11 is implemented by a product in the prior art. It is installed at the bottom of the ripening drawer 200. The hollow accordion structure contains a plurality of electric telescopic columns. After being powered on, through the automatic telescoping of the telescopic columns, the overall compression and extension can be realized, providing a vertical reciprocating motion, that is, vertical vibration, with a vibration amplitude of 4-6 mm and a frequency of 3-10 Hz. Further, the fruit fixing assembly 13 further includes a fruit clamping device 134, and the fruit clamping device 134 is installed between the fixed frame 131 and the protective clip 132 to drive the protective clip 132 to clamp or loosen fruits and vegetables; as another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly 13 further includes a fruit clamping device 134 installed between the horizontal alignment device and the protective clip 132. It should be noted here that the fruit clamping device 134 can be an automatically operated telescopic cylinder, such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, etc., or can also be a manually controlled structure such as a telescopic sleeve, and the fruit clamping device 134 can also be a telescopic clamping arm structure. Of course, no matter what form is adopted, the fruit clamping device can be implemented by a product in the prior art, and as long as the fruit clamping device 134 can realize the telescoping or opening and closing of the protective clip and the position fixation after telescoping or opening and closing, it can be implemented by a product in the prior art. Further, the horizontal alignment device includes a chute provided on the fixed frame 131 and a slide rail slidably disposed in the chute, and the protective clip 132 is installed on the slide rail through the fruit clamping device 134; one end of the slide rail is provided with an automatically operated telescopic cylinder, such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, etc.; or, the horizontal alignment device includes a screw fixed on the fixed frame 131, a nut screwed on the screw, and the protective clip 132 is installed on the nut through the fruit clamping device 134, and one end of the screw is connected with a driving motor. Of course, no matter what form is adopted, the horizontal alignment device can be implemented by a product in the prior art, and as long as the horizontal alignment device can realize the left and right reciprocating movement of the protective clip, it can be implemented by a product in the prior art.

[0072] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, as an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the alignment device 133 and the fruit clamping device 134 are telescopic sleeves or telescopic cylinders.

[0073] As Figure 11 shown, as an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fruit fixing assembly 13 further includes a fruit turning device 135, and the fruit turning device 135 is installed between the fixed frame 131 and the fruit clamping device 134 to drive the fruit clamping device 134 and the protective clip 132 to perform a vertical flip, and this vertical flip can make different positions of the fruits and vegetables contact the placement plate 14.

[0074] The ripening device provided by the present invention utilizes a physical vibration module to provide vertical vibration, and at the same time uses a protective clip to rotate fruits and vegetables regularly, making the force on each part of the fruits and vegetables more uniform, accelerating the respiration of the fruits and vegetables, increasing the ethylene release amount, achieving the ripening effect, and avoiding adverse effects such as chemical agent residues.

[0075] Further, the turning angle of the fruit turning device 135 is 360 degrees.

[0076] Furthermore, the fruit turning device 135 includes a rotating shaft, which can be rotated driven by a motor or manually driven by a human. The specific method used is not specifically limited here.

[0077] As Figure 9 shown, as an optional implementation manner of the present invention, the fixed frame 131 includes an outer frame and inner cross beams. The inner cross beams are detachably arranged on the outer frame, and all the protective clips 132 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner cross beams. Thus, fruit clamping positions can be formed on both sides of the inner cross beams respectively, and one fruit and vegetable can be placed in each fruit clamping position. Therefore, there are multiple fruit clamping positions in the fixed frame 131, and multiple fruits and vegetables can be placed. The control module part in the refrigerator can number each fruit clamping position for convenient subsequent automatic control processing.

[0078] Further, the protective clip 132 is of a semi-circular, U-shaped or triangular structure. Of course, other shaped protective clips can also be used as long as the protective clip is convenient for clamping fruits and vegetables, and can be specially designed according to the shape of the fruits and vegetables.

[0079] As Figure 2 shown, as an optional implementation manner of the present invention, the information acquisition module 2 includes a color difference detection probe 21, a near-infrared optical fiber probe 22, an odor acquisition probe 23 and a manipulator. The number of manipulators is three, which are respectively connected to the color difference detection probe 21, the near-infrared optical fiber probe 22 and the odor acquisition probe 23 to drive each probe to move. It should be noted here that the manipulator is a prior art and can move within three degrees of freedom, that is, back and forth, left and right in the horizontal direction and up and down in the vertical direction. The three detection probes are also prior arts, and are respectively used to collect information parameters representing the ripeness of different fruits and vegetables. As shown in the figure, the manipulator is not shown, and the three acquisition probes are only schematically shown, and the installation positions and specific structures are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0080] As an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the classification module 3 includes a camera 31, a lighting fixture 32, and an AI image recognition system. The AI image recognition system is signal-connected to the camera 31. The camera 31 transmits the collected image signals to the AI image recognition system, and the AI image recognition system determines the types of fruits and vegetables based on the image signals, classifying the fruits and vegetables into three categories. Among them, Category 1 includes fruits and vegetables with significantly changed colors, such as bananas, mangoes, etc.; Category 2 includes fruits and vegetables with significantly changed hardness and sugar-acid ratio, such as apples, strawberries, etc.; Category 3 includes fruits and vegetables with hard outer skins and special aromatic substances emitted after ripening, such as pineapples, durians, etc.

[0081] The ripening device provided by the present invention automatically classifies fruits and vegetables into three categories through the classification module, and different probes in the information collection module respectively collect information of different fruits and vegetables, using color, internal quality (sugar-acid ratio and hardness), and smell as judgment indicators, achieving the purpose of scientifically judging the ripening state and the end point of ripening of fruits and vegetables.

[0082] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a refrigerator provided by the present invention includes a box body 100, a ripening drawer 200 disposed inside the box body 100, and a ripening device disposed inside the ripening drawer 200.

[0083] As Figure 4 shown, further, the refrigerator further includes a ripe fruit drawer 300 disposed below the ripening drawer 200, and the bottom of the ripening drawer 200 is provided with an openable and closable drawer board. Specifically, the drawer board is of a split type structure and can be opened downward in the shape of a door, and is in a sealed state when closed. It is respectively connected to the ripening drawer 200 through a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft can be rotated driven by a motor, thereby opening the bottom of the ripening drawer 200 to ensure the smooth passage of fruits and vegetables when they fall under the action of gravity.

[0084] The ripening device provided by the present invention realizes the ripening control of individual fruits and vegetables through the upper and lower layer structure design and by using components such as protection clips, so that the ripening effect of each fruit and vegetable in the batch meets the requirements.

[0085] Further, a shock-absorbing structure is provided at the bottom of the ripe fruit drawer 300.

[0086] It should be noted here that in this embodiment, the shock-absorbing structure is a silica gel pad 400.

[0087] Further, an ethylene removal box 500 is provided on the side wall of the ripe fruit drawer 300. To ensure the effect, the surface of the ethylene removal box 500 is made of a porous material. The silica gel cushion layer is laid on the bottom of the drawer to play a buffering role and prevent the fruits and vegetables from being bruised. The ethylene removal box is installed on the inner wall of the drawer and is composed of a porous material, which can absorb the ethylene in the drawer and delay the senescence of the fruits and vegetables.

[0088] Further, the physical vibration module 1 is placed at the bottom of the ripening drawer 200, and the information collection module 2 and the classification module 3 are both installed on the top wall of the box body 100.

[0089] As an alternative embodiment of the present invention, positioning tracks 600 are provided on opposite side walls of the box body 100, and a clamping block 700 is slidably arranged in the positioning track 600; the alignment device 133 in the physical vibration module 1 is installed at the bottom of the positioning track 600; a bayonet 136 adapted to the specification of the clamping block 700 is provided at the corresponding position of the fixed frame 131 in the physical vibration module 1; the clamping block 700 is clamped in the bayonet 136; when the alignment device 133 is in the initial state, the top of it is not higher than the top of the placement frame 12 in the physical vibration module 1.

[0090] The protective clip 132 is installed above the placement plate 14, the bayonet 136 of the fixed frame 131 is installed on the clamping block 700 located in the positioning track 600, and the clamping block 700 can slide in the positioning track 600. The alignment device 133 is arranged at the lower end of the positioning track 600, and its top contacts the clamping block 700 in the initial state. The alignment device 133 is electrically controlled. When powered on, the alignment device 133 can extend upward to push the clamping block 700 to move upward. When the alignment device 133 is compressed downward, the clamping block 700 will move downward due to the action of gravity, and thus the protective clip 132 can be driven to move up and down.

[0091] Further, one side of the box body 100 is open, and the ripening drawer 200 and the ripe fruit drawer 300 are both arranged at the open position in a pluggable manner, and sealing members are provided at the gaps between the ripening drawer 200, the ripe fruit drawer 300 and the open. When the user puts fruits and vegetables in the ripening drawer, the drawer is in a sealed state after being closed, ensuring that the ethylene released by the fruits and vegetables does not leak out, achieving the ripening effect.

[0092] The refrigerator of the present invention uses the vibration frame 11 for physical vibration ripening, automatically classifies fruits and vegetables into three categories through the AI image recognition system and the camera (Type 1 are fruits and vegetables such as bananas and mangoes whose outer skin color will change significantly during the ripening process; Type 2 are fruits and vegetables such as apples and strawberries whose hardness and sugar-acid ratio will change significantly during the ripening process; Type 3 are fruits and vegetables such as pineapples and durians whose outer skin is hard and will emit special aromatic substances during the ripening process), collects information of different types of fruits and vegetables through the color difference detection probe, the near-infrared optical fiber probe and the odor collection probe respectively, and uses color (Type 1), internal quality sugar-acid ratio and hardness (Type 2) and odor content (Type 3) as judgment indicators respectively, and realizes the ripening control of individual fruits and vegetables through the upper and lower layer structure design and components such as protective clips, making the ripening process more environmentally friendly and healthy, the judgment of the ripening end point more accurate, and the ripening effect of each fruit and vegetable in the batch meeting the requirements.

[0093] A ripening method provided by the present invention, which is a ripening method for fruits and vegetables using a refrigerator, comprises the following steps:

[0094] Step 100: Start the refrigerator and place the fruits and vegetables in the physical vibration module in the ripening drawer for physical ripening;

[0095] Step 200: The fruit turning device in the physical vibration module turns the fruits and vegetables to ensure the overall maturity of the fruits and vegetables;

[0096] Step 300: Start the classification module to classify the placed fruits and vegetables;

[0097] Step 400: The information collection module respectively collects corresponding information for each fruit and vegetable according to the classification type of the fruits and vegetables;

[0098] Step 500: Judge whether each fruit and vegetable is ripe according to the information collected by the information collection module;

[0099] Step 600: The ripe fruits and vegetables are sent into the ripe fruit drawer below the ripening drawer, and the above steps are continued for the unripe fruits and vegetables.

[0100] In step 400, the information collection module collects information at a fixed time interval t, and the fixed time interval t is 5 minutes.

[0101] The camera 31 takes pictures to confirm the types and placement positions of the fruits and vegetables. The corresponding protective clip 132 fixes the fruits and vegetables and rotates the fruits and vegetables regularly. The vibration frame 11 vibrates vertically. It is set that every time the time t (such as 5 min) arrives, each detection probe collects the information of the fruits and vegetables. When the indexes of a single fruit and vegetable meet the preset requirements, the ripening of this fruit and vegetable is completed, the vibration frame 11 stops temporarily, the ripening drawer 200 and the placement board 14 open downward, the corresponding protective clip 132 will loosen, and this fruit and vegetable will fall and be transferred to the ripe fruit drawer 300 for storage. Then the ripening drawer 200 closes, the vibration frame 11 continues to work, and the remaining fruits and vegetables continue to be vibrated and ripened. Repeat the above steps until all fruits and vegetables are ripened.

[0102] In this embodiment, the user can add fruits and vegetables in the middle. When the ripening drawer 200 is opened, the program pauses, and when the drawer closes, the ripening program continues. The newly placed fruits and vegetables will continue to be ripened according to the existing process, and the ripening program continues until the camera takes pictures and judges that there are no fruits and vegetables in the ripening drawer.

[0103] In the classification module, fruits and vegetables are classified into three categories. Category 1 includes fruits and vegetables with obvious color changes; Category 2 includes fruits and vegetables with obvious changes in hardness and sugar-acid ratio; Category 3 includes fruits and vegetables that emit special aromatic substances after ripening. The ripening information of Category 1 fruits and vegetables is L > 50, h > 80, C > 30; the ripening information of Category 2 fruits and vegetables is H < 80 kg / cm3, w > 40; the ripening information of Category 3 fruits and vegetables is 3-hydroxy-2-butanone ≥ 20%, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate ≥ 8%; where L is brightness, h is hue, C is saturation, H is hardness, and w is sugar-acid ratio.

[0104] Specifically, Category 1: includes fruits and vegetables such as bananas, mangoes, and papayas whose outer skin color changes significantly during the ripening process. During the ripening process, information is collected by a color difference detection probe. When the brightness, hue, and saturation of the fruits and vegetables meet the preset values L, h, and C (such as for bananas, L > 50, h > 80, C > 30), the ripening is completed.

[0105] Category 2 includes fruits and vegetables such as apples, strawberries, and tomatoes whose hardness and sugar-acid ratio change significantly during the ripening process. During the ripening process, information is collected by a near-infrared fiber optic probe. When the hardness and sugar-acid ratio of the fruits and vegetables meet the preset values H and w (such as for strawberries, H < 80 kg / cm3, w > 40), the ripening is completed.

[0106] Category 3 includes fruits and vegetables such as pineapples and durians with hard outer skins that emit special aromatic substances during the ripening process. During the ripening process, information is collected by an odor collection probe. When the content of the characteristic odor components of the fruits and vegetables meets the preset requirements (such as for durians, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone ≥ 20%, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate ≥ 8%), the ripening is completed.

[0107] The working process is as follows:

[0108] ① When the user puts fruits and vegetables into the ripening drawer 200, the alignment device 133 is powered on, and the combined camera 31 and the AI image recognition system automatically find the middle position of the fruit for clamping (or the user can also manually operate the clamping); specifically, each fruit and vegetable will have a corresponding protective clip 132 to fix it at the designated position 1 - n. The camera 31 will take pictures to confirm the specific position of each fruit and vegetable and number them according to the position 1 - n. The corresponding probes will collect information at each position in turn and upload it according to the number. There is only one probe for each type. When working, it moves to the surfaces of different fruits and vegetables to collect information and transmits it to the analysis system of the refrigerator in real time. For example: move near the No. 1 fruit and vegetable → collect information of the No. 1 fruit and vegetable → upload to the system → move near the No. 2 fruit and vegetable → collect information of the No. 2 fruit and vegetable → upload to the system. Each probe works continuously in an interleaved manner according to the type of fruit and vegetable.

[0109] ② When the fruits and vegetables are undergoing ripening vibration, the alignment device 133 is powered off and compressed to its initial state and position. At this time, the clamping block 700 loses the lifting force on the alignment device 133 and also loses the force on the protection clip 132. Therefore, the protection clip 132 clamps the fruits and vegetables and vibrates up and down with the fruit fixing assembly 13. At the same time, the clamping block 700 slides up and down in the positioning track 600 following the protection clip 132;

[0110] ③ When the ripening of the fruits and vegetables is completed, before the ripening drawer 200 and the placement plate 14 are opened downward, the alignment device 133 is powered on again and extends upward to hold the clamping block 700, fixing the protection clip 132 in its current position and firmly clamping the unripe fruits and vegetables to prevent them from falling into the ripe fruit drawer 300.

[0111] Each protection clip 132 can be individually installed and disassembled. A single protection clip 132 can be installed on the inner crossbeam or the outer frame. The inner crossbeam can also be detachably installed on the outer frame, but this requires manual operation by the user. A single protection clip can be telescopic, and the rotating shaft can rotate 360° clockwise, driving the entire clip to rotate. It is suitable for fruits and vegetables of different sizes and plays a fixing role. And when the fruits and vegetables vibrate, it is responsible for regularly rotating the fruits and vegetables to make the stress on each part of the fruits and vegetables uniform.

[0112] The camera 31 is used to photograph the fruits. The analysis module distinguishes the types of fruits and vegetables, their placement positions, whether there are fruits and vegetables in the ripening drawer 200, etc. based on the photographed information to judge the start and end of ripening. The lighting fixture 32 is used to provide light to supplement the light in the ripening drawer 200 for convenient photographing.

[0113] The color difference detection probe 21 is used to collect the color difference information of the fruits and vegetables. The near-infrared optical fiber probe 22 is used to collect the near-infrared spectral signals of the fruits and vegetables. The odor collection probe 23 is used to collect the odor substances emitted by the fruits and vegetables. The information collected by each probe is analyzed by the analysis module built into the refrigerator to evaluate the color change, hardness, sugar-acid ratio, odor component content, etc. of the fruits and vegetables.

[0114] Each probe is installed on the top of the cabinet 100 and is moved by a manipulator. The installation position of the manipulator is its initial point (initial position). Each probe can move to a specified position in the drawer and then extend downward to closely adhere to the surface of the fruits and vegetables for testing. Each probe can individually monitor the changes of each fruit and vegetable of the corresponding type and evaluate the end point of ripening.

[0115] Here, it should be noted first that "inward" is the direction towards the center of the accommodation space, and "outward" is the direction away from the center of the accommodation space.

[0116] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the Figure 1 orientation or positional relationship shown, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0117] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0118] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0119] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0120] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0121] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ripening device, characterized in that, including a physical vibration module, providing a physical ripening energy source for physically ripening fruits and vegetables; a plurality of information collection modules, installed above the physical vibration module to collect various parameter information of each fruit and vegetable; a classification module, installed above the physical vibration module to classify the fruits and vegetables placed in the physical vibration module; the physical vibration module includes an annular vibration frame, a placement frame installed on the vibration frame, and a fruit fixing component movably arranged above the placement frame; the fruit fixing component includes a fixing frame, a plurality of pairs of protection clips movably arranged in the fixing frame, and an alignment device. The two protection clips in each pair of protection clips are arranged opposite to each other and can approach or move away from each other to fix or release the fruits and vegetables. Each fruit and vegetable is fixed at a specified position 1 - n through the corresponding protection clip; the alignment device is installed on opposite sides of the fixing frame and can be lifted and lowered in the vertical direction to push the fixing frame to the required position, for moving the protection clip to the middle position in the height direction of the fruit and vegetable to ensure firm clamping of the fruit and vegetable.

2. The ripening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a switchable placement board is provided at the bottom of the placement frame.

3. The ripening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the fruit fixing component further includes a fruit clamping device, which is installed between the fixing frame and the protection clip to drive the protection clip to clamp or release the fruits and vegetables.

4. The ripening device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the alignment device and the fruit clamping device are telescopic sleeves or telescopic cylinders.

5. The ripening device according to claim 3, wherein the fruit fixing component further includes a fruit turning device, which is installed between the fixing frame and the fruit clamping device to drive the fruit clamping device and the protection clip to turn in the vertical direction.

6. The ripening device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the turning angle of the fruit turning device is 360 degrees.

7. The ripening device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the fruit turning device includes a rotating shaft.

8. The ripening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the fixing frame includes an outer frame and an inner cross beam, the inner cross beam is detachably arranged on the outer frame, and all the protection clips are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner cross beam.

9. The ripening device according to claim 1, wherein, the protection clip is of a semi-circular, U-shaped or triangular structure.

10. The ripening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the information collection module includes a color difference detection probe, a near-infrared optical fiber probe, an odor collection probe and a manipulator. The number of the manipulators is three, which are respectively connected to the color difference detection probe, the near-infrared optical fiber probe and the odor collection probe to drive each probe to move.

11. The ripening device according to claim 1, wherein, the classification module includes a camera, a lighting fixture and an AI image recognition system, and the AI image recognition system is signal-connected to the camera.

12. A refrigerator, characterized in that, including a box body, a ripening drawer arranged in the box body, and a ripening device as described in any one of claims 1 - 11 arranged in the ripening drawer.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, characterized in that, the refrigerator further includes a ripe fruit drawer arranged below the ripening drawer, and a switchable drawer board is provided at the bottom of the ripening drawer.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, characterized in that, a shock absorption structure is provided at the bottom of the ripe fruit drawer.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the shock absorption structure is a silica gel pad.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, characterized in that, an ethylene removal box is provided on the side wall of the ripe fruit drawer.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 12, characterized in that, the physical vibration module is placed at the bottom of the ripening drawer, and both the information collection module and the classification module are installed on the top wall of the box body.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 12, characterized in that, Positioning tracks are provided on two opposite side walls of the box body, and a clamping block is slidably arranged in the positioning tracks; the alignment device in the physical vibration module is installed at the bottom of the positioning tracks; a bayonet adapted to the specifications of the clamping block is provided at the corresponding position of the fixed frame in the physical vibration module; the clamping block is clamped in the bayonet; when the alignment device is in the initial state, its top is not higher than the top of the placement frame in the physical vibration module.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 13, characterized in that, One side of the box body is open, and the ripening drawer and the ripe fruit drawer are both arranged at the open part in a pluggable manner, and sealing members are arranged at the gaps between the ripening drawer, the ripe fruit drawer and the open part.

20. A ripening method, characterized in that, A ripening method for ripening fruits and vegetables using the refrigerator according to any one of claims 12-19, comprising the following steps: Step 100: Start the refrigerator, and place the fruits and vegetables in the physical vibration module in the ripening drawer for physical ripening. Step 200: The fruit turning device in the physical vibration module turns the fruits and vegetables to ensure the overall ripeness of the fruits and vegetables. Step 300: Start the classification module to classify the placed fruits and vegetables. Step 400: The information collection module respectively collects corresponding information for each fruit and vegetable according to the classification type of the fruits and vegetables. Step 500: Judge whether each fruit and vegetable is ripe according to the information collected by the information collection module. Step 600: The ripe fruits and vegetables are sent into the ripe fruit drawer below the ripening drawer, and the above steps are continued for the unripe fruits and vegetables.

21. The ripening method according to claim 20, characterized in that, In the classification module, the fruits and vegetables are classified into three categories. Category 1 is fruits and vegetables with obvious color changes; Category 2 is fruits and vegetables with obvious changes in hardness and sugar-acid ratio; Category 3 is fruits and vegetables that emit special aromatic substances after ripening.

22. The ripening method according to claim 20, wherein In step 400, the information collection module collects information at a fixed time interval t.

23. The ripening method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The fixed time interval t of the information collection module is 5 minutes.

24. The ripening method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The ripening information of Category 1 fruits and vegetables is L>50, h>80, C>30; the ripening information of Category 2 fruits and vegetables is H<80kg / cm3, w>40; the ripening information of Category 3 fruits and vegetables is 3-hydroxy-2-butanone≥20%, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate≥8%; where L is brightness, h is hue, C is saturation, H is hardness, and w is sugar-acid ratio.

Images