Automatic tea processing production line

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic processing production line for tea leaves. The automatic processing production line comprises an upper computer as well as a fixation unit, a first moisture regaining unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second moisture regaining unit, a second drying unit and a discharging unit which are sequentially connected according to a processing sequence through a conveying unit, each processing unit is provided with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected with the upper computer through a cable. According to the production line, the effect of respectively regulating and controlling each processing unit can be achieved only by operating one upper computer, the operation is more convenient, and the tea production efficiency can be improved. The effect that all the processing units are synchronously started and stopped or sequentially started and stopped can be achieved, the fixation machine is started or stopped when the processing units are sequentially started, finally, the cooling conveying belt at the rear end of the third drying machine is started or stopped, and energy consumption can be reduced. The operation time of each processing unit is set through the upper computer, and the effect that each processing unit processes the tea leaves can be guaranteed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of tea processing, in particular to an automatic tea processing production line. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tea processing is a key link affecting tea quality. Traditional tea processing mainly relies on manual operation, which has problems such as high labor intensity, low production efficiency, and difficulty in accurately controlling processing parameters, resulting in unstable tea quality. In recent years, with the development of automation technology, some tea processing links (such as fixation, humidification, rolling, drying, etc.) have been mechanized, but the existing production line still has the following shortcomings:

[0003] In the prior art, each processing unit (such as fixation, humidification, rolling, drying, etc.) in the production line is usually controlled independently, and there is a lack of a unified host computer monitoring system. Employees arrive at the control cabinet at the corresponding location and control the operation panel on the control cabinet individually, which makes it difficult to achieve full-process automatic control, resulting in complicated electric control debugging and affecting tea production efficiency. In addition, the existing production line lacks real-time remote monitoring of key parameters (such as temperature, humidity, and shape change) in the tea processing process, making it difficult to accurately control the processing technology.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic tea processing production line that is highly automated, integrated, and has intelligent monitoring function to improve the stability, efficiency, and quality of tea processing. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide an automatic tea processing production line to solve the problem that the existing automatic tea processing production line is difficult to achieve remote full-process automatic control.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an automatic tea processing production line, which comprises a host computer and a fixation unit, a first humidification unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second humidification unit, a second drying unit and a discharging unit connected in sequence according to the processing order through a conveying unit; each processing unit is provided with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected with the host computer through a cable; the host computer exchanges information with each control cabinet through the cable to control and monitor the operating parameters of each processing unit.

[0007] Further, the production line further comprises a wiring bridge, the wiring bridge comprises a bridge main body and a plurality of bridge branches, one end of each of the plurality of bridge branches is connected with the bridge main body, and the other end of each of the plurality of bridge branches is respectively extended to each control cabinet, and the cable passes through the bridge main body and each bridge branch to electrically connect the control cabinet of each processing unit with the host computer.

[0008] Further, the bridge branch is a stainless steel pipe.

[0009] Furthermore, the withering unit includes a withering machine, and the conveying unit includes a first conveyor belt and a first elevator; the discharge port of the withering unit is arranged above one end of the first conveyor belt, the feed port of the first elevator is arranged below the other end of the first conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the first elevator is arranged above the feed port of the first rehumidification unit; the first conveyor belt is provided with a first infrared thermal imager and a first camera which are respectively arranged on the conveying surface facing the first conveyor belt; the first infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt; the first camera is used to obtain images of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt.

[0010] Furthermore, the first conditioning unit includes a first conditioning machine, which is equipped with a second infrared thermal imager for obtaining thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves in the first conditioning machine; the conveying unit includes a second conveyor belt and a second elevator; the discharge port of the first conditioning machine is arranged above one end of the second conveyor belt, the feed port of the second elevator is arranged below the other end of the second conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the second elevator is arranged above the feed port of the kneading unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the kneading unit includes a kneading machine; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt, the discharge port of the kneading machine is arranged above one end of the third conveyor belt, and the other end of the third conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the first drying unit; the third conveyor belt is provided with a second camera arranged on the conveying surface facing the third conveyor belt, and the second camera is used to obtain images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt.

[0012] Furthermore, the first drying unit includes a first dryer, a second dryer and a vibration trough; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt and a fifth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the first dryer is arranged above one end of the fourth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second dryer; the vibration trough is arranged at the discharge port of the second dryer, and the discharge port of the second dryer is arranged above one end of the fifth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second rehumidification unit; the fifth conveyor belt is provided with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera which are respectively arranged on the conveying surface facing the fifth conveyor belt; the third infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt; the third camera is used to obtain images of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt.

[0013] Furthermore, the second conditioning unit includes a second conditioning machine; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the second conditioning machine is arranged above one end of the sixth conveyor belt, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second drying unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the second drying unit includes a third dryer, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt; the discharge port of the third dryer is arranged above one end of the seventh conveyor belt, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the unloading unit; the seventh conveyor belt is provided with a fourth infrared thermal imager arranged on the conveying surface facing the seventh conveyor belt, and the fourth infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt.

[0015] Furthermore, the first conveyor belt and the seventh conveyor belt are both cooling conveyor belts.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that by electrically connecting the host computer with the control cabinets of each processing unit of the tea production line, it is only necessary to operate one host computer to achieve the effect of separate regulation of each processing unit, which is more convenient to operate and can improve tea production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The same reference numerals are used in these drawings to represent the same or similar parts. The exemplary embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Among them: 1. First hot air furnace; 2. Fixing machine; 3. First conveyor belt; 301. First infrared thermal imager; 302. First camera; 4. First elevator; 5. First moisture-conditioning machine; 501. Second infrared thermal imager; 6. Second conveyor belt; 7. Second elevator; 8. Kneading machine; 9. Third conveyor belt; 901. Second camera; 10. Second hot air furnace; 11. First dryer; 12. Fourth conveyor belt; 13. Second dryer; 14. Vibrating trough; 15. Fifth conveyor belt; 1501. Second infrared thermal imager; 1502. Third camera; 16. Second moisture-conditioning machine; 17. Sixth conveyor belt; 18. Third dryer; 19. Seventh conveyor belt; 1901. Fourth infrared thermal imager; 20. Unloader; 2001. Fourth camera; A. Bridge main body; B. Bridge branch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] like Figure 1 The automatic tea processing production line shown in Figure 1The automatic tea processing production line shown includes a host computer and a fixing unit, a first moisture-conditioning unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second moisture-conditioning unit, a second drying unit and a feeding unit connected in sequence through a transmission unit in a processing order; each processing unit is respectively equipped with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected to the host computer through a cable; the host computer exchanges information with each of the control cabinets through cables to control and monitor the operating parameters of each processing unit (such as the temperature of the hot air furnace in the fixing machine and the drying unit, the conveyor belt running speed, etc.). The present invention electrically connects the host computer to the control cabinets of each processing unit of the tea production line, and only one host computer needs to be operated to achieve the effect of separately regulating each processing unit, which is more convenient to operate and can improve the efficiency of tea production; by connecting the host computer to each processing unit through cables, the modularity of the system is improved, which is convenient for maintenance and upgrading.

[0021] The specific structure of the host computer is not limited. For example, it can be a central controller and a human-computer interaction device that are electrically connected. The central controller is electrically connected to the control cabinets of each processing unit through cables. Employees can use the human-computer interaction device to observe the status of tea leaves, the operating status of the equipment, and adjust and control each processing unit in real time. The human-computer interaction device can be a control panel, etc. Since the control cabinets of each processing unit are electrically connected to the host computer, it is possible to achieve the effect of synchronous start and stop or sequential start and stop of each processing unit. When starting in sequence, it starts from the withering machine and finally the cooling conveyor belt at the rear end of the third dryer is turned on or off, which can save energy. Moreover, the operating time of each processing unit is set by the host computer to ensure that each processing unit completes the processing of the tea leaves.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the production line also includes a wiring bridge, which includes a bridge body A and multiple bridge branches B. One end of each of the multiple bridge branches B is connected to the bridge body A, and the other ends of the multiple bridge branches B extend to each control cabinet. Cables pass through the bridge body A and each bridge branch B to electrically connect the control cabinet of each processing unit to the host computer. This embodiment optimizes wiring, reduces cable clutter, and improves equipment neatness and safety by adopting the design of the bridge body A and multiple bridge branches B. It also helps to ensure stable signal transmission and reduce electromagnetic interference.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present application, bridge branch B is a stainless steel tube (specifically, 304 stainless steel tube). The stainless steel tube structure of bridge branch B is corrosion-resistant and high-strength, suitable for tea processing environments. In addition, the metal tube can provide a certain electromagnetic shielding effect, reducing signal interference.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the fixation unit comprises a fixation machine 2, the conveying unit comprises a first conveying belt 3 and a first elevator 4; the discharge port of the fixation unit is arranged above one end of the first conveying belt 3, the inlet port of the first elevator 4 is arranged below the other end of the first conveying belt 3, and the discharge port of the first elevator 4 is arranged above the inlet port of the first re-humidification unit. The first conveying belt 3 is provided with a first infrared thermal imager 301 and a first camera 302 respectively facing the conveying surface of the first conveying belt 3; the first infrared thermal imager 301 is used to obtain the thermal image and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveying belt 3; and the first camera 302 is used to obtain the image of the tea leaves on the first conveying belt 3. The fixation machine 2 is a mechanical device used for high-temperature passivation of fresh leaf oxidase activity, inhibition of tea polyphenol enzymatic oxidation and promotion of aroma formation in tea processing, mainly applied to the primary processing link of tea. In the present application, the first infrared thermal imager 301 is installed on the first conveying belt 3 behind the fixation machine 2 to monitor the temperature change of the tea leaves after fixation and after passing through the first conveying belt 3 in real time, so as to ensure that the fixation and cooling process after fixation meets the standards; the first camera 302 is used to collect tea leaf images for analyzing the shape (such as color and uniformity) of the cooled tea leaves after passing through the first conveying belt 3, so as to facilitate subsequent optimization of process parameters.

[0025] The image data and temperature data can be transmitted to the upper computer through the respective control cabinets and corresponding cables, and the staff can observe the state and temperature of the tea leaves on each device through the upper computer. Taking the temperature data collected by the infrared thermal imager arranged on the cooling conveying belt behind the fixation machine in the present embodiment as an example, the temperature of the tea leaves on the cooling conveying belt behind the fixation machine is set as a preset temperature on the upper computer, and the temperature data collected by the infrared thermal imager at this position is compared with the preset temperature. If the temperature data is greater than the preset temperature, the upper computer sends a command to the control cabinet of the fixation machine to control the hot blast stove to reduce the heating power; otherwise, if the temperature data is less than the preset temperature, the heating power is increased.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first re-humidification unit comprises a first re-humidification machine 5, and the first re-humidification machine 5 is provided with a second infrared thermal imager 1501501 for obtaining the thermal image and temperature data of the tea leaves in the first re-humidification machine 5; the conveying unit comprises a second conveying belt 6 and a second elevator 7; the discharge port of the first re-humidification machine 5 is arranged above one end of the second conveying belt 6, the inlet port of the second elevator 7 is arranged below the other end of the second conveying belt 6, and the discharge port of the second elevator 7 is arranged above the inlet port of the rolling unit. The re-humidification machine is mainly used for uniformly humidifying the tea leaves after fixation or drying, so that the leaf blades restore softness and toughness, facilitating subsequent rolling or secondary drying, and promoting the transformation of the contents in the tea leaves to improve the quality. The second infrared thermal imager 1501501 is used to monitor the temperature of the tea leaves in the re-humidification machine, so as to ensure the uniformity of re-humidification and avoid local over-humidification or over-drying.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present application, the rolling unit includes a rolling machine 8; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt 9, the discharge port of the rolling machine 8 is arranged above one end of the third conveyor belt 9, and the other end of the third conveyor belt 9 is arranged above the feed port of the first drying unit; the third conveyor belt 9 is provided with a second camera 901 arranged on the conveying surface facing the third conveyor belt 9, and the second camera 901 is used to obtain images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt 6. The rolling machine 8 is mainly used to mechanically roll the tea leaves after moisture rehydration, rupturing the cell walls of the tea leaves through pressure, promoting the exudation of tea juice, and shaping the appearance of the tea leaves (such as strips, curls, etc.), laying the foundation for the subsequent fermentation and drying processes; the second camera 901 monitors the morphology of the tea leaves after rolling (such as the tightness of the strips), which can facilitate feedback adjustment of the rolling parameters (pressure, time).

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first drying unit includes a first dryer 11, a second dryer 13 and a vibration trough 14; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt 12 and a fifth conveyor belt 15; the discharge port of the first dryer 11 is arranged above one end of the fourth conveyor belt 12, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt 12 is arranged above the feed port of the second dryer 13; the vibration trough 14 is arranged at the discharge port of the second dryer 13, and the discharge port of the second dryer 13 is arranged above one end of the fifth conveyor belt 15, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt 15 is arranged above the feed port of the second conditioning unit; the fifth conveyor belt 15 is provided with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera 1502, which are respectively arranged on the conveying surface facing the fifth conveyor belt 15; the third infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt 15; the third camera 1502 is used to obtain images of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt 15. This embodiment adopts a two-stage drying mode. The first dryer 11 is used to initially reduce the moisture content of the tea leaves to an intermediate state (for example, from 70%-80% moisture of fresh leaves to 30%-40%). This step may require a higher temperature to quickly evaporate the surface moisture while preventing the internal structure of the tea leaves from being damaged. The moisture content is then further reduced to a safe storage standard (usually 5%-7%) by the second dryer 13. At this time, a lower temperature or a gentler method is used to avoid excessive drying that causes the tea leaves to become brittle or lose flavor. A third infrared thermal imager and a third camera 1502 are provided to monitor the state of the dried tea leaves (temperature, color) to ensure that the moisture content meets the standard. The tea leaves, which have been dried twice in the second dryer 13, are evenly conveyed to the fifth conveyor belt 15 by the vibrating trough 14 to ensure that the tea leaves can be evenly humidified during the secondary rehumidification process.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second rehumidification unit includes a second rehumidification machine 16; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt 17; the discharge port of the second rehumidification machine 16 is located above one end of the sixth conveyor belt 17, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt 17 is located above the inlet of the second drying unit. The second rehumidification machine 16 is used to rehumidify the dried tea leaves. For fermented tea leaves, this can create a suitable humidity environment for fermentation and promote the activity of polyphenol oxidase. The second rehumidification can also stretch the leaves, facilitating subsequent shaping or wrapping. In addition, the rehumidified tea leaves are easier to dry evenly, reducing the energy consumption of the second drying process.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second drying unit includes a third dryer 18, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt 19; the discharge port of the third dryer 18 is arranged above one end of the seventh conveyor belt 19, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt 19 is arranged above the feed port of the unloading unit; the seventh conveyor belt 19 is provided with a fourth infrared thermal imager 1901 arranged on the conveying surface facing the seventh conveyor belt 19, and the fourth infrared thermal imager 1901 is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt 19.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first conveyor belt 3 and the seventh conveyor belt 19 are cooling conveyor belts. The cooling conveyor belts are used to quickly cool the tea leaves after withering, thereby improving the stability of the tea quality and preventing the tea from deteriorating due to sudden temperature changes.

[0032] The specific structure of the host computer is not limited. For example, it can include an electrically connected central controller and a human-computer interaction device. The central controller is electrically connected to the control cabinets of each device via cables. Employees can use the human-computer interaction device to observe the status of tea leaves and the operating status of the equipment in real time and adjust and control each device. The human-computer interaction device can be a control panel, etc.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the purpose and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, which should all be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tea automatic processing production line, characterized in that: It includes a host computer and a withering unit, a first conditioning unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second conditioning unit, a second drying unit and a unloading unit which are connected in sequence through a transmission unit in a processing order; each processing unit is respectively equipped with an independent control cabinet, which is characterized in that each of the control cabinets is electrically connected to the host computer through a cable; the host computer exchanges information with each of the control cabinets through cables to control and monitor the operating parameters of each processing unit.

2. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The production line also includes a wiring bridge for laying the cables, the wiring bridge includes a bridge body and multiple bridge branches, one end of the multiple bridge branches are respectively connected to the bridge body, and the other ends of the multiple bridge branches are respectively extended to each of the control cabinets. The cables pass through the bridge body and each of the bridge branches to electrically connect the control cabinet of each processing unit with the host computer.

3. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bridge branches are stainless steel pipes.

4. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The withering unit includes a withering machine, and the conveying unit includes a first conveyor belt and a first elevator; the discharge port of the withering unit is arranged above one end of the first conveyor belt, the feed port of the first elevator is arranged below the other end of the first conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the first elevator is arranged above the feed port of the first rehumidification unit; the first conveyor belt is provided with a first infrared thermal imager and a first camera which are respectively arranged on the conveying surface facing the first conveyor belt; the first infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt; the first camera is used to obtain images of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt.

5. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first conditioning unit includes a first conditioning machine, which is equipped with a second infrared thermal imager for obtaining thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves in the first conditioning machine; the conveying unit includes a second conveyor belt and a second elevator; the discharge port of the first conditioning machine is arranged above one end of the second conveyor belt, the feed port of the second elevator is arranged below the other end of the second conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the second elevator is arranged above the feed port of the kneading unit.

6. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The kneading unit includes a kneading machine; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt, the discharge port of the kneading machine is arranged above one end of the third conveyor belt, and the other end of the third conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the first drying unit; the third conveyor belt is provided with a second camera arranged on the conveying surface facing the third conveyor belt, and the second camera is used to obtain images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt.

7. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first drying unit includes a first dryer, a second dryer and a vibration trough; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt and a fifth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the first dryer is arranged above one end of the fourth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second dryer; the vibration trough is arranged at the discharge port of the second dryer, the discharge port of the second dryer is arranged above one end of the fifth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second rehumidification unit; the fifth conveyor belt is provided with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera which are respectively arranged on the conveying surface facing the fifth conveyor belt; the third infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt; the third camera is used to obtain images of tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt.

8. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second conditioning unit includes a second conditioning machine; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the second conditioning machine is arranged above one end of the sixth conveyor belt, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the second drying unit.

9. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second drying unit includes a third dryer, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt; the discharge port of the third dryer is arranged above one end of the seventh conveyor belt, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt is arranged above the feed port of the unloading unit; the seventh conveyor belt is provided with a fourth infrared thermal imager arranged on the conveying surface facing the seventh conveyor belt, and the fourth infrared thermal imager is used to obtain thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt.

10. The automatic tea processing production line according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first conveyor belt and the seventh conveyor belt are both cooling conveyor belts.

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