An intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products

Abstract

The present invention discloses an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products, which relates to the field of refrigeration technology and comprises: a refrigeration bin, one side of which is equipped with a refrigerator, the refrigerator being used to provide cold air to the refrigeration bin; a shelf, which is laid in the refrigeration bin; a track, which is laid on the top of the refrigeration bin and is used to carry a mover; a heat capacity detection component, which is fixed under the mover and is used to detect changes in the heat capacity of agricultural products, and the refrigerator can adjust the refrigeration power according to the detection result of the heat capacity detection component. The device has a high degree of automation and can effectively prevent frostbite.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to intelligent refrigeration equipment for pre-cooling agricultural products. Background Art

[0002] Pre-cooling agricultural products is a critical step in ensuring the quality of fresh produce and extending its shelf life. Its core technology lies in rapidly lowering the temperature of produce to inhibit respiration and microbial growth. However, traditional pre-cooling technology has long been limited to a single-dimensional surface temperature detection model. This surface temperature measurement has a certain lag and cannot accurately reflect the actual situation, which can easily lead to the risk of misjudgment and poor cooling effect.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products, comprising: a refrigeration bin, one side of which is equipped with a refrigerator, and the refrigerator is used to provide cold air to the refrigeration bin; a shelf, which is laid in the refrigeration bin; a track, which is laid on the top of the refrigeration bin and is used to carry a mover; a heat capacity detection component, which is fixed under the mover and is used to detect changes in the heat capacity of agricultural products, and the refrigerator can adjust the cooling power according to the detection results of the heat capacity detection component; the heat capacity detection component comprises: a cover, which is fixed under the mover, and has an opening under the cover; a first telescopic cylinder, which is half-embedded in the cover; a clamping claw assembly, which is fixed to the output end of the first telescopic cylinder; an opening and closing assembly, which is installed at the bottom of the cover and can be opened and closed, and the opening and closing assembly has a heating function; an infrared thermal imager, which is arranged on the outside or inside of the cover.

[0005] Preferably, when the infrared thermal imager detects a sudden drop in the heat capacity of the agricultural products, the power of the refrigerator is reduced by 40%.

[0006] Preferably, the opening and closing assembly includes: a swivel, which is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the cover shell; a plurality of sealing plates distributed in a circle and capable of forming a disc, which are hinged to the opening of the cover shell by a rotating shaft; and a plurality of follower rods corresponding to the sealing plates, one end of which is hinged to the swivel and the other end is hinged to the corresponding sealing plate.

[0007] Preferably, at least one section of heating wire is embedded in each of the sealing plates, and the multiple sections of heating wire together form a spiral shape.

[0008] Preferably, the clamping jaw assembly includes: a driver having two symmetrically arranged rotating ends; two first connecting rods corresponding to the rotating ends, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating end and the other end is hinged to the second connecting rod; two symmetrically arranged third connecting rods, one end of which is hinged to the driver; the corresponding second connecting rods and third connecting rods are jointly hinged to the claw body.

[0009] Preferably, a support rod is fixed to one side of the claw body, an auxiliary claw is hinged to one side of the support rod, and a second telescopic cylinder is hinged between the auxiliary claw and the claw body.

[0010] Preferably, the auxiliary claw is nearly L-shaped and is used to hold the bottom of agricultural products.

[0011] Preferably, the projection of the auxiliary claw on the claw body is in a cross shape with the claw body.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] This equipment is equipped with a heat capacity detection component that can sense changes in the heat capacity of agricultural products and automatically adjust the refrigeration power output, enabling automated control of the entire pre-cooling process. It can also effectively resolve the lag caused by conventional temperature detection and reduce the occurrence of frostbite.

[0014] The gripper assembly of the present invention can grasp agricultural products through a multi-link structure and is equipped with a bottom protection structure to effectively prevent the risk of mechanical damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A in the middle is an enlarged structural diagram;

[0017] Figure 3 The figure is a schematic planar cross-sectional view of a heat capacity detection component in an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products;

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a heat capacity detection component in an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a gripper assembly in an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products;

[0020] Figure 6 A side view of a gripper assembly in an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products;

[0021] In the figure: 1. Refrigeration warehouse; 2. Refrigerator; 3. Shelf; 4. Mover; 5. Heat capacity detection assembly; 6. Track; 51. Cover; 52. First telescopic cylinder; 53. Clamping claw assembly; 54. Opening and closing assembly; 541. Swivel; 542. Follower rod; 543. Sealing plate; 544. Rotating shaft; 531. Driver; 532. First connecting rod; 533. Second connecting rod; 534. Third connecting rod; 535. Claw body; 536. Support rod; 537. Auxiliary claw; 538. Second telescopic cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned description of the drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and this is merely a way of distinguishing the objects of the same attributes when describing them in the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method, system, product or equipment comprising a series of units need not be limited to those units, but may include other units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or equipment.

[0023] Example: Please refer to Figures 1-6 In an embodiment of the present invention, an intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products is provided, comprising:

[0024] A refrigeration bin 1 is provided with a refrigerator 2 on one side thereof, and the refrigerator 2 is used to provide cold air to the refrigeration bin 1;

[0025] Shelves 3, which are laid in the refrigeration warehouse 1;

[0026] Track 6, which is laid on the top of the refrigeration bin 1 and is used to carry the mover 4;

[0027] The heat capacity detection component 5 is fixed below the mover 4 and is used to detect the change in heat capacity of the agricultural products. The refrigerator 2 can adjust the cooling power according to the detection result of the heat capacity detection component 5.

[0028] During implementation, the agricultural products to be pre-cooled are first placed on shelves 3 within a refrigerated compartment 1. Then, a mover 4 moves along tracks 6 across the top of the refrigerated compartment 1, driving the heat capacity detection assembly 5 below it to move above or near the agricultural products. The heat capacity detection assembly 5 detects changes in the heat capacity of agricultural products at different locations or for different types of agricultural products. Heat capacity reflects the ability of agricultural products to absorb or release heat, and as the temperature of the agricultural products decreases, their heat capacity also changes.

[0029] Heat capacity detection component 5 transmits the detected heat capacity data to refrigerator 2 in real time. Based on this data, refrigerator 2 determines the pre-cooling status and needs of the agricultural products. For example, if it detects that the heat capacity of agricultural products in a certain area is high, indicating that the agricultural products in that area are hot or pre-cooling is slow, more cooling capacity is needed to reduce the temperature. In this case, the control system will issue a command to increase the cooling power of refrigerator 2, delivering more cold air to that area.

[0030] That is to say, the entire pre-cooling process is automated, with the heat capacity detection component 5 automatically detecting, data automatically transmitted, and the refrigerator 2 automatically adjusting power, thereby reducing manual intervention, lowering labor intensity, and improving production efficiency.

[0031] In this embodiment, the thermal capacity detection component 5 includes:

[0032] a cover 51 fixed to the bottom of the mover 4 and having an opening at the bottom of the cover 51;

[0033] a first telescopic cylinder 52 , which is half-embedded in the housing 51 ;

[0034] a clamping jaw assembly 53 fixed to the output end of the first telescopic cylinder 52;

[0035] An opening and closing assembly 54 is mounted on the bottom of the housing 51 and can be opened and closed. The opening and closing assembly 54 also has a heating function.

[0036] The infrared thermal imager is arranged outside or inside the cover 51 .

[0037] During operation, the opening and closing assembly 54 opens, creating space for the jaw assembly 53 to operate. The first telescopic cylinder 52 extends downward, pushing the jaw assembly 53 toward the produce. The jaw assembly 53 moves precisely, firmly gripping the produce. The first telescopic cylinder 52 then quickly returns to its original position, moving the jaw assembly 53 and the produce upward a certain distance, freeing the produce from its original position. The opening and closing assembly 54 then closes, effectively isolating the produce from external interference factors such as airflow and temperature fluctuations, creating a stable environment for subsequent, precise testing.

[0038] At this point, the heating function of opening and closing assembly 54 is activated, applying pulse heating to the agricultural products within the enclosed space. Pulse heating quickly and accurately delivers a certain amount of heat energy to the agricultural products, causing measurable changes in their temperature over a short period of time while preventing damage to their quality caused by prolonged heating. During the heating process, the infrared thermal imager continuously and accurately monitors changes in the surface temperature of the agricultural products. Because heat capacity is closely related to the temperature change when an object absorbs or releases heat, by recording the temperature change of the agricultural products before and after heating, as well as the heat input information, combined with known parameters such as heating power and heating time, and using a heat capacity calculation formula, the heat capacity value of that portion of agricultural products can be accurately calculated. This will not be further elaborated here.

[0039] After the thermal capacity test is complete, the opening and closing assembly 54 reopens, and the first telescopic cylinder 52 extends again, pushing the clamping jaw assembly 53 to return the agricultural product to its original position, ensuring that the position of the agricultural product is not affected by the test process. After the clamping jaw assembly 53 is reset, the opening and closing assembly 54 quickly closes, returning the thermal capacity detection assembly 5 to its initial state and ready for the next test task.

[0040] It needs to be explained that heat capacity is a leading indicator of "state mutation".

[0041] For example, the core goal of potato pre-cooling is to inhibit ice crystal growth (to prevent cell rupture). When the free water inside begins to freeze, the heat capacity changes dramatically (liquid water C = 4.18 kJ / kg·K, ice C = 2.09 kJ / kg·K), and the temperature reaches a "plateau" near the freezing point (e.g., -1°C for 30 minutes). Therefore, in the prior art, surface temperature detection has a certain hysteresis. In this application, the cover 51 and the opening and closing assembly 54 can be used to create a heat capacity detection environment. Combined with pulse heating and infrared thermal imaging detection, it can achieve heat capacity detection of agricultural products, avoiding the hysteresis of temperature detection and preventing frostbite.

[0042] Furthermore, still taking potatoes as an example, when the infrared thermal imager detects that the heat capacity of the agricultural product suddenly drops to 3.0 kJ / kg·K, the power of the refrigerator 2 drops by 40%.

[0043] In this embodiment, the opening and closing assembly 54 includes:

[0044] a rotating ring 541 rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing 51;

[0045] A plurality of sealing plates 543 distributed in a circumference and capable of forming a disc, which are hinged to the opening of the cover 51 by a rotating shaft 544;

[0046] A plurality of follower rods 542 corresponding to the blocking plates 543 have one end hinged to the rotating ring 541 and the other end hinged to the corresponding blocking plates 543 .

[0047] In addition, at least one section of heating wire is embedded in each of the blocking plates 543 , and the multiple sections of heating wire together form a spiral shape.

[0048] During operation, after the mover 4 moves the heat capacity detection assembly 5 to the appropriate position, an external drive device (such as a small motor) drives the rotating ring 541 to rotate. This rotation pulls the hinged follower rod 542 to move. Because the other end of the follower rod 542 is hinged to the blocking plate 543, the follower rod 542 pulls the blocking plates 543 to rotate around their respective rotation axes 544, gradually opening them. As the rotating ring 541 continues to rotate, the gaps between the blocking plates 543 increase, and the bottom opening of the housing 51 is completely opened, providing space for the clamping jaw assembly 53 to descend and grasp the agricultural product.

[0049] Furthermore, multiple heating wire segments are embedded in each sealing plate 543, forming a spiral structure. This layout allows the heat generated by the heating wires to be more evenly distributed to the agricultural products. Compared to traditional single heating sources or simple linear heating wire layouts, the spiral heating wires avoid localized overheating and uneven heating, ensuring that the agricultural products are evenly heated during the pulse heating process, thereby improving the accuracy of thermal capacity detection.

[0050] In this embodiment, the clamping jaw assembly 53 includes:

[0051] A driver 531 having two symmetrically arranged rotating ends;

[0052] Two first connecting rods 532 corresponding to the rotating ends, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rotating end and the other end of which is hinged to a second connecting rod 533;

[0053] Two symmetrically arranged third connecting rods 534, one end of which is hinged to the driver 531;

[0054] The corresponding second connecting rod 533 and the third connecting rod 534 are hinged together with a claw body 535.

[0055] During implementation, when the first telescopic cylinder 52 pushes the clamping jaw assembly 53 down to close to the agricultural product, the driver 531 is activated. The two rotating ends of the driver 531 begin to rotate symmetrically inward, driving the first connecting rod 532 fixedly connected thereto to rotate accordingly.

[0056] The rotation of the first connecting rod 532 pulls the second connecting rod 533 hinged at its other end to move. Since the second connecting rod 533 and the third connecting rod 534 are hinged to the claw body 535, under the linkage effect of the first connecting rod 532, the second connecting rod 533 and the third connecting rod 534, the two claw bodies 535 begin to move closer to the center.

[0057] As the actuator 531 continues to rotate, the claws 535 gradually approach the produce, eventually fitting snugly against the surface and providing a stable grip. During the gripping process, the gripping force of the claws 535 can be precisely adjusted by controlling the rotation angle of the actuator 531, based on the shape, size, and surface characteristics of the produce, to avoid damage.

[0058] Furthermore, a support rod 536 is fixed to one side of the claw body 535, and an auxiliary claw 537 is hinged to one side of the support rod 536. A second telescopic cylinder 538 is hinged between the auxiliary claw 537 and the claw body 535. The auxiliary claw 537 is nearly L-shaped and is used to hold the bottom of agricultural products.

[0059] As the clamping process progresses, when further stabilization of the agricultural products is required, especially for agricultural products that are prone to rolling, have smooth surfaces, or are irregularly shaped, the second telescopic cylinder 538 begins to extend. The extension of the second telescopic cylinder 538 pushes the auxiliary claw 537 to rotate about its hinge point with the support rod 536.

[0060] Because auxiliary claw 537 is nearly L-shaped, its shorter side gradually extends toward the bottom of the produce during rotation, ultimately securing the produce. This L-shaped design allows auxiliary claw 537 to better conform to the shape of the produce's bottom, providing stable support and preventing the produce from falling due to gravity or external disturbances during the clamping process.

[0061] The auxiliary claw 537 and claw body 535 work together to provide a stable clamping force on the agricultural products in both horizontal and vertical directions. This multi-directional force-balancing design can better adapt to agricultural products of different shapes and characteristics, ensuring a stable clamping state in various operating environments, reducing shaking and displacement of agricultural products during testing, and improving the accuracy of test data.

[0062] Furthermore, the projection of the auxiliary claw 537 on the claw body 535 is in a cross shape with the claw body 535 .

[0063] The projection of the auxiliary claw 537 on the claw body 535 and the claw body 535 are in a cross shape, which means that there is an angle between the auxiliary claw 537 and the vertical line, that is, the auxiliary claw 537 is inclined. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the two auxiliary claws 537 have the same inclination direction. In a preferred embodiment, the two auxiliary claws 537 have opposite inclination directions.

[0064] The three-dimensional clamping system formed by the cross-projection structure effectively resists external interference factors such as vibration, airflow, and collision. Compared with traditional flat clamping structures, this three-dimensional clamping method has greater stability in all directions, ensuring that agricultural products always maintain a stable position during the clamping, lifting and inspection processes.

[0065] Because the cross-projection structure disperses the clamping force and reduces local stress concentration, it can effectively reduce mechanical damage to the surface of agricultural products. This structural design is particularly effective for soft and fragile agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables, and can better protect their appearance and quality.

[0066] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with this technical field, within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, who makes equivalent replacements or changes based on the technical solutions and inventive concepts of the present invention, should be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent refrigeration device for pre-cooling agricultural products, characterized in that: include: A refrigeration bin (1) is provided with a refrigerator (2) installed on one side thereof, wherein the refrigerator (2) is used to provide cold air to the refrigeration bin (1); Shelves (3) are laid in the refrigeration warehouse (1); A track (6) is laid on the top of the refrigeration bin (1) and is used to carry the mover (4); A heat capacity detection component (5) is fixed below the mover (4) and is used to detect changes in the heat capacity of the agricultural product, and the refrigerator (2) is capable of adjusting the cooling power according to the detection result of the heat capacity detection component (5); The thermal capacity detection component (5) comprises: A cover (51) is fixed below the mover (4), and the cover (51) has an opening below; a first telescopic cylinder (52) half-embedded in the housing (51); a clamping jaw assembly (53) fixed to an output end of the first telescopic cylinder (52); An opening and closing component (54) is installed at the bottom of the cover shell (51) and can be opened and closed, and the opening and closing component (54) has a heating function; an infrared thermal imager, which is arranged outside or inside the housing (51); The opening and closing assembly (54) comprises: A rotating ring (541) is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing (51); A plurality of sealing plates (543) distributed in a circumference and capable of forming a disc, which are hinged to the opening of the cover shell (51) using a rotating shaft (544); A plurality of follower rods (542) corresponding to the blocking plates (543), one end of which is hinged to the rotating ring (541) and the other end of which is hinged to the corresponding blocking plate (543); The clamping jaw assembly (53) comprises: A driver (531) having two symmetrically arranged rotating ends; Two first connecting rods (532) corresponding to the rotating ends, one end of each first connecting rod being fixedly connected to the rotating end and the other end of each first connecting rod being hinged to a second connecting rod (533); Two symmetrically arranged third connecting rods (534), one end of which is hinged to the driver (531); The corresponding second connecting rod (533) and the third connecting rod (534) are hinged together with a claw body (535); A support rod (536) is fixed to one side of the claw body (535), an auxiliary claw (537) is hinged to one side of the support rod (536), and a second telescopic cylinder (538) is hinged between the auxiliary claw (537) and the claw body (535); The projection of the auxiliary claw (537) on the claw body (535) is in a cross shape with the claw body (535).

2. The intelligent refrigeration equipment for pre-cooling agricultural products according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the infrared thermal imager detects a sudden drop in the heat capacity of the agricultural products, the power of the refrigerator (2) drops by 40%.

3. The intelligent refrigeration equipment for pre-cooling agricultural products according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one section of heating wire is embedded in each of the blocking plates (543), and the multiple sections of heating wire together form a spiral shape.

4. The intelligent refrigeration equipment for pre-cooling agricultural products according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary claw (537) is nearly L-shaped and is used to hold the bottom of the agricultural products.

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