Baijiu distillery building material conveying system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a liquor factory workshop material conveying system and method, and relates to the technical field of liquor production and processing. The material conveying system comprises a bidirectional stacking machine, a cellar entering equipment, a layer-penetrating feeding cylinder, a spreading and airing equipment, a wine retort, a retort loading robot and a stack lifting equipment. The bidirectional stacking machine is specially designed. The bidirectional stacking machine can realize high-precision movement at any position along a horizontal shaft and a vertical shaft, can be automatically connected to other equipment, can save a large number of transportation tracks and equipment while giving consideration to the automation and unmanned operation of liquor production, can greatly simplify logistics, shorten the production cycle, improve the production efficiency, and reduce the production cost and the construction and debugging difficulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of liquor production and processing technology, specifically to a material conveying system and method for a liquor factory. Background Technology

[0002] In multi-level solid-state fermentation baijiu production plants, the material flow between levels is typically handled by horizontal conveyors and vertical elevators, or by gantry cranes lifting equipment from lower levels. This allows for the transport of mash between the stills, cooling equipment, stacker cranes, cellar loading equipment, batching equipment, and fermentation zones. While the horizontal conveyor and vertical elevator method can be automated, it often involves a large amount of track and ground equipment (such as RGV trolleys), and the height of the vertical elevator shaft needs to be determined based on the site conditions after construction, significantly increasing investment and construction difficulty. Although the gantry crane method uses fewer pieces of equipment, each step requires manual assistance, making automation impossible and resulting in excessively long cycles and reduced production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a material conveying system and method for a liquor factory. Through a specially designed bidirectional stacker crane, high-precision movement can be achieved at any position along the horizontal and vertical axes. It can automatically connect with other equipment. While taking into account the automation and unmanned operation of liquor production, it can greatly reduce the need for transportation tracks and equipment, significantly simplify logistics, shorten the production cycle, improve production efficiency, reduce production costs, and reduce construction and debugging difficulties.

[0004] To address the problems of the existing technology, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] On one hand, the present invention provides a material conveying system for a liquor distillery, the distillery having at least three floors, including fermentation zones on the first, second, and third floors, and mash processing zones on the first and second floors. The first-floor fermentation zone has several fermentation pits, the second and third-floor fermentation zones are for stacked fermentation, the first-floor mash processing zone is for distillation, and the second-floor mash processing zone is for ingredient preparation and grain moistening. The material conveying system includes a bidirectional stacker, a simultaneous feeding device in the first-floor fermentation zone, a through-layer feeding cylinder forming a mash channel connecting the first and second-floor fermentation zones, a simultaneous stacking device in the second-floor fermentation zone, and a spreading and cooling device in the third-floor fermentation zone. The system includes a still and a loading robot located in the first-layer fermentation area, and a batching device located in the second-layer fermentation area. The bidirectional stacker crane comprises a ground rail, a top rail, a set of guide columns, a set of bidirectional telescopic forks, and a basket. The ground rail is horizontally laid on the ground of the first-layer fermentation area. The top rail is horizontally laid on the top of the third-layer fermentation area and is parallel to and aligned with the ground rail. The guide columns vertically connect the ground rail and the top rail and can slide laterally along their tracks. The basket is mounted on the guide columns and can slide vertically along them. The bidirectional telescopic forks are mounted on the basket and can extend and retract relative to the basket in a direction perpendicular to the guide columns.

[0006] The bidirectional stacker crane is used to lift the still from the still body using the bidirectional telescopic forks, collect it into the basket, raise it above the spreading and cooling equipment, and transfer the mash into the spreading and cooling equipment. The spreading and cooling equipment is used to spread and mix the mash with yeast before feeding it into the stacking and collecting equipment. The stacking and collecting equipment is used to pile and ferment the mash, and then transfer the fermented mash to the pit-entry equipment through the layered feeding cylinder. The pit-entry equipment is used to place the mash into the pit and transfer the mash in the pit to the bidirectional stacker crane, which then transfers it to the batching equipment. The batching equipment is used to mix the mash with grains, and then drop the mixture of mash and grains into the loading robot below. The loading robot spreads the mixture onto the still, and the still distills the spread mixture.

[0007] Preferably, a pair of hanging ears are provided on opposite sides of the grate position of the still, which are connected to the bidirectional telescopic fork and transferred, thus replacing the traditional lifting ears.

[0008] On the other hand, the present invention provides a material conveying method for a liquor factory, which is implemented using the above-mentioned material conveying system. The method includes the following steps:

[0009] The bidirectional stacker crane uses bidirectional telescopic forks to lift the stills from the first layer of the mash processing area, collect them into a basket, and then lift them above the spreading and cooling equipment in the third layer of the fermentation area, transferring the mash into the spreading and cooling equipment.

[0010] The spreading and drying equipment spreads and mixes the fermented mash with yeast before feeding it into the collection and stacking equipment in the second fermentation zone.

[0011] The piling and collecting equipment piles up the mash for fermentation, and then transfers the fermented mash to the piling and collecting equipment in the first fermentation zone through the layer feeding cylinder.

[0012] The feeding equipment places the mash into the fermentation pit and transfers the mash in the fermentation pit to the bidirectional stacker, which then transfers it to the batching equipment in the second layer of mash processing area.

[0013] The mixing equipment mixes the fermented mash with the grains, and then drops the mixture of fermented mash and grains into the steaming robot in the first layer of fermented mash processing area directly below;

[0014] The loading robot spreads the mixture onto the still, and the still distills the spread mixture.

[0015] The material conveying system for a liquor distillery provided by this invention requires only one bidirectional stacker crane to replace the original two sets of vertical elevators and two sets of RGV trolleys in the factory. Because this invention uses only one set of turnover equipment, it can significantly reduce the need for transport tracks and equipment, greatly simplifying logistics. Furthermore, it completely avoids the problem of inaccurate connection interfaces between various equipment caused by installation inaccuracies or factory settlement. This invention can also reduce the original single turnover cycle length (e.g., more than 5 minutes) to more than 35 minutes (e.g., less than 3 minutes), shortening the production cycle and improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a material conveying system for a liquor factory, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a bidirectional stacker provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0019] 11-Distillation still; 12-Two-way stacker crane; 13-Cooling and drying equipment; 14-Collecting and stacking equipment; 15-Through-layer feeding cylinder; 16-Entry into the cellar equipment; 17-Batching equipment; 18-Stewing robot; 21-Ground rail; 22-Ceiling rail; 23-Suspended basket; 24-Two-way telescopic forklift; 25-Guide column. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] This invention provides a material conveying system for a liquor factory, such as... Figure 1 As shown. The liquor distillery has a three-story structure, including fermentation areas on the first, second, and third floors, and a mash processing area on the first and second floors. The first-floor fermentation area has several fermentation pits, the second and third-floor fermentation areas are used for stacked fermentation, the first-floor mash processing area is used for distillation, and the second-floor mash processing area is used for ingredient preparation and grain moistening. The material conveying system includes a bidirectional stacker 12, a co-feeding device 16 in the first-floor fermentation area, a cross-layer feeding cylinder 15 that connects the first and second-floor fermentation areas to form a mash channel, a co-piling device 14 in the second-floor fermentation area, a spreading and cooling device 13 in the third-floor fermentation area, a still 11 and a still loading robot 18 in the first-floor mash processing area, and a batching device 17 in the second-floor mash processing area. The still 11 has a pair of hanging ears on opposite sides of the grate position. These ears are attached to the bidirectional telescopic fork 24 and transferred, replacing traditional lifting ears. In the design of the overall layout and structure of the winery, the positioning distance between the center of the still 11, the center of the feeding machine of the batching equipment 17, the center of the feeding machine of the spreading equipment 13, and the center of the bidirectional stacker 12 is equal to the center length of the bidirectional telescopic fork 24. This serves as one of the design conditions for the overall layout and structure of the winery.

[0022] The bidirectional stacker 12, as Figure 2 As shown, the system includes a ground rail 21, a top rail 22, a set of guide columns 25, a set of bidirectional telescopic forks 24, and a basket 23. The ground rail 21 is laid horizontally on the ground of the first fermentation zone. The top rail 22 is laid horizontally on the top of the third fermentation zone and is parallel and aligned with the ground rail 21. The guide columns 25 vertically connect the ground rail 21 and the top rail 22 and can slide laterally along the tracks of the ground rail 21 and the top rail 22. The basket 23 is mounted on the guide columns 25 and can slide vertically along the guide columns 25. The bidirectional telescopic forks 24 are mounted on the basket 23 and can extend and retract relative to the basket 23 in a direction perpendicular to the guide columns 25.

[0023] This invention also provides a method for material conveying in a liquor factory, which is implemented using the above-mentioned material conveying system. The method includes the following steps:

[0024] S1: The bidirectional stacker crane 12 uses bidirectional telescopic forks 24 to lift the stills 11 from the first layer of fermentation processing area and collect them into the basket 23. The bidirectional stacker crane 12 uses ground rails 21 / top rails 22 and guide columns 25 to achieve arbitrary transfer between different floors and different positions. According to production needs, the bidirectional stacker crane 12 lifts the stills 11 to the top of the spreading and cooling equipment 13 in the third layer of fermentation area and transfers the fermented mash into the spreading and cooling equipment 13.

[0025] S2: The spreading and drying equipment 13 spreads and mixes the fermented mash, and then puts it into the starting and collecting equipment 14 of the second fermentation zone.

[0026] S3: The piling and collecting equipment 14 piles up the mash for fermentation and then transfers the fermented mash to the first fermentation zone's inlet and outlet equipment 16 through the layer feeding cylinder 15.

[0027] S4: The inlet-in-the-cellar equipment 16 performs the inlet-in-the-cellar operation, placing the mash into the cellar; and performs the inlet-out-of-the-cellar operation, transferring the mash in the cellar to the bidirectional stacker 12, which then transfers it to the batching equipment 17 in the second layer of mash processing area.

[0028] S5: The mixing equipment 17 mixes the fermented mash with the grains, and then drops the mixture of fermented mash and grains into the steaming robot 18 in the first layer of fermented mash processing area directly below.

[0029] S6: The loading robot 18 spreads the mixture onto the still 11, and the still 11 distills the mixture, completing one cycle. After distillation, the still 11 is transferred by the bidirectional stacker 12, and the above steps S1 to S6 are repeated to enter the next cycle.

[0030] This invention utilizes a bidirectional stacker crane that can move at any position within a vertical plane to transfer materials between different workstations on both sides of different floors. This replaces the traditional automated winemaking workshop's material transfer method of first horizontally conveying, then vertically lifting, and then horizontally conveying again. This reduces a large amount of equipment, lowers initial investment, and significantly improves production efficiency.

[0031] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Appropriate modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A material conveying system for a liquor distillery, the liquor distillery having at least three floors, including fermentation zones on the first, second, and third floors, and mash processing zones on the first and second floors, wherein the first-floor fermentation zone is equipped with several fermentation pits, the second and third-floor fermentation zones are used for stacked fermentation, the first-floor mash processing zone is used for distillation, and the second-floor mash processing zone is used for ingredient preparation and grain moistening; characterized in that, The material conveying system includes a bidirectional stacker crane, a fermentation cellar feeding device located in the first fermentation zone, a layer-by-layer feeding cylinder connecting the first and second fermentation zones to form a mash channel, a stacking device located in the second fermentation zone, a spreading and cooling device located in the third fermentation zone, a still and a loading robot located in the first fermentation zone, and a batching device located in the second fermentation zone. The bidirectional stacker crane includes a ground rail, a top rail, a set of guide columns, a set of bidirectional telescopic forks, and a basket. The ground rail is laid horizontally on the ground of the first fermentation zone. The top rail is laid horizontally on the top of the third fermentation zone and is parallel to and aligned with the ground rail. The guide columns are vertically connected to the ground rail and the top rail and can slide laterally along the tracks of the ground rail and the top rail. The basket is mounted on the guide columns and can slide vertically along the guide columns. The bidirectional telescopic forks are mounted on the basket and can extend and retract relative to the basket in a direction perpendicular to the guide columns. The bidirectional stacker crane is used to lift the still from the still body using the bidirectional telescopic forks, collect it into the basket, raise it above the spreading and cooling equipment, and transfer the mash into the spreading and cooling equipment. The spreading and cooling equipment is used to spread and mix the mash with yeast before feeding it into the stacking and collecting equipment. The stacking and collecting equipment is used to pile and ferment the mash, and then transfer the fermented mash to the pit-entry equipment through the layered feeding cylinder. The pit-entry equipment is used to place the mash into the pit and transfer the mash in the pit to the bidirectional stacker crane, which then transfers it to the batching equipment. The batching equipment is used to mix the mash with grains, and then drop the mixture of mash and grains into the loading robot below. The loading robot spreads the mixture onto the still, and the still distills the spread mixture.

2. The material conveying system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The still has a pair of lugs on opposite sides of the grate position, which are engaged with the bidirectional telescopic forks for transfer.

3. A method for material conveying in a liquor factory, implemented using the material conveying system described in claim 1 or 2, the method comprising the following steps: The bidirectional stacker crane uses bidirectional telescopic forks to lift the stills from the first layer of the mash processing area, collect them into a basket, and then lift them above the spreading and cooling equipment in the third layer of the fermentation area, transferring the mash into the spreading and cooling equipment. The spreading and drying equipment spreads and mixes the fermented mash with yeast before feeding it into the collection and stacking equipment in the second fermentation zone. The piling and collecting equipment piles up the mash for fermentation, and then transfers the fermented mash to the piling and collecting equipment in the first fermentation zone through the layer feeding cylinder. The feeding equipment places the mash into the fermentation pit and transfers the mash in the fermentation pit to the bidirectional stacker, which then transfers it to the batching equipment in the second layer of mash processing area. The mixing equipment mixes the fermented mash with the grains, and then drops the mixture of fermented mash and grains into the steaming robot in the first layer of fermented mash processing area directly below; The loading robot spreads the mixture onto the still, and the still distills the spread mixture.

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