Distributed quick ice-freezing hockey machine system for express delivery post and control method of distributed quick ice-freezing hockey machine system

Abstract

The invention discloses an express delivery courier station distributed rapid ice-freezing ball machine system and a control method thereof, and aims to solve the problems of single temperature layer, low efficiency, poor adaptability and insufficient intelligence of existing ice-making equipment. The system comprises an intelligent control module, a multi-temperature-layer freezing module, a cold carrying liquid circulation module, a centrifugal separation module and a cache storage module. The intelligent control module is in butt joint with an express order system, and an ice making plan is generated through commodity-temperature mapping, thermodynamic calculation and intelligent arrangement; the multi-temperature-layer freezing module is used for preparing ice balls at different temperatures in the same manufacturing area through parameter adjustment by using general physical hardware; the cold-carrying liquid circulation module enhances heat exchange in a soaking and rolling manner, so that the freezing efficiency is improved; the centrifugal separation module realizes ice ball dehydration and directional transfer; and the cache storage module performs three-dimensional storage according to temperature layers and outputs according to needs. One device meets the requirement for multiple temperature zones, the automation degree is high, and the refrigerant supply problem of the last kilometer of a cold chain is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of cold chain logistics, specifically to a distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of fresh food e-commerce and cold chain logistics, express delivery stations need to provide suitable refrigerant support for cold chain parcels in different temperature zones. Traditional solutions suffer from limited refrigerant adaptability, low refrigerant freezing efficiency, and space and energy consumption issues. However, existing refrigerant preparation and supply solutions have multiple technical bottlenecks, specifically: First, limited refrigerant adaptability. Current mainstream ice-making equipment (such as traditional ice plate machines and ice pack machines) can only produce refrigerants within a single temperature range, failing to simultaneously meet the multi-temperature zone requirements of fresh produce around 0℃, conventional frozen goods at -12℃, cryogenic products at -23℃, and special medical / high-end foods at -40℃. Stations need to purchase multiple specialized machines, increasing costs and occupying significant space. Second, low ice-making efficiency. Traditional equipment often uses large ice plates or static freezing modes, with a cooling cycle lasting several hours (such as single-plate evaporator ice machines). The de-icing process is complex and difficult to adapt to the "small batch, highly random" characteristics of cold chain orders at delivery stations, often resulting in... The existing equipment suffers from several problems: insufficient refrigerant delays delivery or excessive ice making wastes cooling capacity; thirdly, the size and power of the equipment are difficult to adapt to the delivery station scenario. Delivery stations are mostly converted community shops or small outlets with limited space and can only provide 220V civilian power. Although there are distributed energy storage or multi-layer quick-freezing solutions in the existing technology, the former does not involve small-scale ice-making equipment for delivery stations, and the latter is designed for industrial scenarios, is large in size, and requires 380V industrial power, which cannot meet the needs of delivery stations; fourthly, the level of intelligence is low. Existing equipment mostly operates independently and lacks the ability to link with the express delivery order system. It cannot automatically obtain or predict refrigerant demand, and relying on manual experience can easily lead to waste in the wrong temperature zone and inaccurate demand estimation, which not only increases operating costs but may also affect the quality of packages.

[0003] In summary, the current cold chain logistics field urgently needs a refrigerant preparation equipment that can adapt to the express delivery station scenario, has multi-temperature layer preparation capabilities, and is highly efficient, energy-saving, and intelligent, in order to solve the multiple shortcomings of existing technologies in terms of adaptability, efficiency, spatial adaptability, and intelligence. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art and provide a distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations and its control method, which can simultaneously freeze ice balls made of multi-temperature phase change materials. It adopts a distributed design and intelligent management to solve the refrigerant demand problem of express delivery stations.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations, including an intelligent control module, a multi-temperature freezing module, a refrigerant circulation module, a centrifugal separation module, and a buffer storage module;

[0007] The intelligent control module is used to interface with the order management system of the express station to obtain information such as product type, order quantity, and delivery time in the order. Based on the built-in product-temperature mapping database, thermodynamic calculation model, and intelligent scheduling algorithm, it generates an ice-making plan that includes ice puck temperature level, quantity, and production sequence, and converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions to send to other modules. At the same time, it receives sensor signals from each module to achieve coordinated control of the entire system.

[0008] The multi-temperature layer freezing module includes an ice ball recovery area, an ice ball manufacturing area, a temperature sensor, and general refrigeration hardware. The ice ball recovery area is equipped with a photoelectric sensor or a weight sensor to confirm the quantity of ice balls fed. The ice ball manufacturing area is connected to the coolant circulation module, and the temperature sensor is located within the ice ball manufacturing area. The general refrigeration hardware includes a compressor, a circulation pump, and electric valves. The multi-temperature layer freezing module calls preset process parameters corresponding to the temperature level according to the operation instructions sent by the intelligent control module. By controlling the opening and closing time of the electric valves and the operating status of the compressor, it achieves precise control of the coolant temperature in the ice ball manufacturing area, thereby completing the preparation of multi-temperature layer ice balls at the first temperature T1, the second temperature T2, the third temperature T3, and the fourth temperature T4 within the same ice ball manufacturing area, wherein T1 > T2 > T3 > T4.

[0009] The coolant circulation module includes a coolant tank, a circulation pump, an electric ball valve assembly, a refrigeration unit, and heat exchange coils. The electric ball valve assembly includes a first electric ball valve SV-1, a second electric ball valve SV-2, and a third electric ball valve SV-3. The coolant tank is located within the ice ball manufacturing area. The refrigeration unit is used to cool the coolant to the target temperature. The circulation pump drives the coolant to circulate within the system. The electric ball valve assembly controls the flow direction of the coolant. During ice ball preparation, SV-1 is open, and SV-2 and SV-3 are closed, allowing the coolant to flow into the ice ball manufacturing area. After the initial injection, SV-1 is closed, and SV-2 is open, allowing the coolant to flow through the heat exchange coils of the buffer storage module. After ice ball preparation is complete, SV-2 is closed, and SV-3 is open, allowing the coolant to flow back to the storage tank. The centrifugal separation module includes a separation chamber, a variable frequency drive motor, a sealing structure, and a guide rail.

[0010] The separation chamber is connected to the ice puck manufacturing area. Its sidewalls are equipped with micropores or grids for discharging the coolant and a dedicated discharge port. The variable frequency drive motor drives the separation chamber to rotate. After the ice pucks are prepared, the separation chamber is first driven to rotate at high speed (≥1000 rpm) to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice pucks using centrifugal force. Then, the speed is adjusted to medium-low (200-500 rpm), and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail to project the ice pucks into the buffer storage module. The sealing structure is installed between the top cover and the body of the separation chamber to prevent coolant leakage. The buffer storage module includes a four-temperature zone buffer chamber, a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, and a pneumatic outlet device. The four-temperature zone buffer chambers respectively store ice pucks T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each buffer chamber is equipped with a temperature sensor and a weight sensor to monitor the temperature and ice puck inventory in real time. The pneumatic outlet device controls the airflow pressure to transport a specified number of ice pucks from the buffer chamber to the dispensing port.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the product-temperature mapping database can supplement temperature mapping rules according to the newly added product types;

[0012] The calculation formula of the thermodynamic calculation model is: Number of ice balls required = (Total heat capacity of the order × Delivery time × Environmental heat flux coefficient) / (Effective cooling capacity of a single ice ball × Efficiency coefficient), where the total heat capacity of the order is determined according to the type and quantity of goods, and the environmental heat flux coefficient is set according to the historical environmental temperature data of the delivery route.

[0013] The intelligent scheduling algorithm generates the optimal production sequence through two stages: order sorting and production plan generation and optimization. The specific process is as follows:

[0014] Order sequencing phase: To ensure on-time delivery of orders, production priorities are determined. First, the latest start time (LST) of each ice-making order is calculated. This is done by subtracting the total time required to produce all ice balls for the order from the order's deadline. This gives the last moment when production must begin. Then, the earliest and latest start time priority rule is applied. All orders are sorted in ascending order from earliest to latest according to the calculated LST, so that the order with the earliest LST and the most urgent time has the highest priority and enters the production sequence first.

[0015] Production plan generation and optimization phase: The order list sorted in the order sorting phase is converted into an initial production plan. Orders are added to the production sequence according to the order sorting results determined in phase one. The production end time of the previous order is used as the production start time of the next order. The production start time of the first order is set to the current system time. Adjacent order merging optimization is then performed. Adjacent orders with the same temperature level and similar demand time are scanned and filtered in the initial production plan and merged into the same production batch. The total number of ice pucks in the merged production batch is the sum of the demand quantities of each order before merging. The production deadline is based on the earliest demand deadline of the merged orders. At the same time, the total energy consumption is estimated for individual orders or merged production batches. Finally, a Gantt chart production sequence with timestamps is output. This sequence includes the start time, end time, ice puck temperature level, production quantity, and corresponding order identifier of each production task to guide operators.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the preset process parameters of the multi-temperature freezing module include target temperature, refrigerant injection time, and temperature control threshold. For T2 temperature ice balls, the temperature control threshold is set to -15℃. When the refrigerant temperature in the ice ball manufacturing area is higher than -15℃, SV-1 is kept open; when the temperature is lower than or equal to -15℃, SV-1 is closed. For T4 temperature ice balls, the temperature control threshold is set to -43℃. When the refrigerant temperature is higher than -43℃, SV-1 is kept open; when the temperature is lower than or equal to -43℃, SV-1 is closed.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, the refrigeration unit of the refrigerant circulation module includes a compressor, an air-cooled condenser, an evaporator-condenser, a dryer filter, a thermostatic expansion valve, and a vapor-liquid separator; the compressor is a Tecumseh FH2480Z or CAJ2446Z model, the thermostatic expansion valve is a Sanhua MDFA03+MQ-A02 model, the dryer filter is a DTG-B03-040-901 model, and the vapor-liquid separator is a FA-205 model; the refrigerant is a food-grade low-temperature refrigerant medium with a freezing point below -45℃ and a thermal conductivity ≥0.5W / (m・K).

[0018] As a preferred technical solution, the separation chamber of the centrifugal separation module is made of stainless steel and the inner wall is treated with anti-sticking; the variable frequency drive motor is equipped with an encoder, which can accurately control the rotation angle of the separation chamber, so that the alignment error between the discharge port and the guide rail is ≤5°; the high-speed rotation stage of the separation chamber lasts for 30-60 seconds, and the medium-low speed stage lasts for 10-20 seconds.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution, the four-temperature zone cache compartment of the cache storage module adopts a heat insulation layer design with a heat insulation layer thickness ≥50mm and a thermal conductivity ≤0.03W / (m・K);

[0020] The airflow pressure of the pneumatic outlet device is adjustable, with an adjustment range of 0.2-0.5 MPa. It can adjust the pressure according to the temperature and number of ice pucks to prevent ice pucks from breaking.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution, the intelligent control module also has remote monitoring and fault diagnosis functions. It can send the device operating status to a mobile phone or computer client through the Internet of Things. The device operating status includes the temperature of each module, motor speed, and valve opening and closing status. When the device malfunctions, the malfunctions include compressor high-pressure alarm and circulation pump stoppage. The module automatically generates a fault code and pushes it to the client, while simultaneously activating emergency protection measures.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution, the ice ball recycling area of ​​the multi-temperature freezing module is also equipped with a feeding indicator light, which is connected to the intelligent control module. According to the operation instructions, it displays the corresponding ice ball temperature level and quantity to guide the staff to feed accurately; T1 is 0℃, T2 is -12℃, T3 is -23℃, and T4 is -40℃; the ice balls are identified by different colors: 0℃ ice balls are white, -12℃ ice balls are blue, -23℃ ice balls are yellow, and -40℃ ice balls are red.

[0023] As a preferred technical solution, the piping of the coolant circulation module adopts the ACR copper tube L-type wall thickness standard, wherein the diameter of the pipe connecting the ice ball manufacturing area and the circulation pump is DN50, and the diameter of the pipe connecting the heat exchange coil and the liquid storage tank is DN40; the pipe is also equipped with a high and low pressure switch, which is a KP15 model, and automatically cuts off the compressor power supply when the system pressure is higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa;

[0024] The overall dimensions of the system do not exceed 1.2m in length × 0.8m in width × 1.8m in height, with a floor area of ​​<1.5m². It is compatible with 220V household power supply and has a rated power of ≤3kW. The system also has a self-cleaning function, which automatically starts the cooling fluid circulation to flush the pipeline every 24 hours. External cleaning and cooling fluid replenishment are required once a month.

[0025] Secondly, the present invention provides a control method for a distributed rapid freezing ice hockey machine system for express delivery stations, comprising the following steps:

[0026] S1: Order data integration and ice-making plan generation. The intelligent control module communicates with the express station order management system through API interface or data bus to obtain the product type, order quantity, delivery time and demand timestamp data in the order. It calls the built-in product-temperature mapping database to match the product type to the corresponding ice ball temperature level. Based on the thermodynamic calculation model, it calculates the required number of ice balls. Combining the order demand timestamp and the difference in freezing time of ice balls at different temperatures, it generates an ice-making plan containing ice ball temperature level, quantity and production sequence through intelligent scheduling algorithm.

[0027] S2: Feeding guidance and confirmation. The intelligent control module converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions, displays the ice ball temperature level and feeding quantity through the human-machine interface, and controls the feeding indicator light in the ice ball recycling area to light up. The staff feeds the ice balls with the corresponding color markings according to the instructions. The photoelectric sensor or weight sensor in the ice ball recycling area detects the feeding quantity and sends a feeding completion signal to the intelligent control module after confirming that it is consistent with the instructions.

[0028] S3: Multi-temperature layer adaptive freezing control. After receiving the feeding completion signal, the intelligent control module calls the preset process parameters corresponding to the ice ball temperature level. The preset process parameters include target temperature, refrigerant injection time, and temperature control threshold. It starts the circulation pump of the refrigerant circulation module and opens the electric ball valve SV-1 to inject low-temperature refrigerant into the ice ball manufacturing area. At the same time, the temperature of the refrigerant is monitored in real time by the temperature sensor in the ice ball manufacturing area. If the refrigerant temperature is higher than the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is kept open to continue injecting liquid. If the refrigerant temperature reaches or falls below the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is closed to stop the liquid injection and the freezing process is completed.

[0029] S4: Coolant switching and buffer insulation. When the coolant injection time reaches the preset duration, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-1 and opens the electric ball valve SV-2 to switch the coolant circulation path, so that the coolant flows through the heat exchange coil of the buffer storage module to maintain a low temperature environment for the ice balls stored in the buffer.

[0030] S5: Centrifugal separation control. After the ice ball freezing is completed, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-2 and opens the electric ball valve SV-3, starting the circulation pump to recover the coolant to the storage tank. After the coolant is recovered, the variable frequency drive motor of the centrifugal separation module is started. First, the separation chamber is driven to rotate at a high speed of ≥1000rpm for 30-60 seconds to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice ball. Then, the speed is reduced to 200-500rpm, and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail. The ice ball is thrown into the corresponding temperature zone buffer chamber of the buffer storage module for 10-20 seconds.

[0031] S6: Buffer and Retrieval Control. Temperature and weight sensors in the buffer storage module monitor the temperature and inventory of each buffer zone in real time, and the data is fed back to the intelligent control module. When the staff selects the ice ball temperature level and quantity on the human-machine interface according to the order requirements, the intelligent control module controls the pneumatic outlet device of the corresponding buffer zone to start, adjusts the airflow pressure of 0.2-0.5MPa, and delivers the specified number of ice balls to the retrieval port.

[0032] S7: Fault monitoring and emergency control. The intelligent control module collects the operating parameters of each module in real time, including compressor pressure, circulating pump speed, and temperature of each module. If the compressor pressure is detected to be higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa, the high and low pressure switch is triggered to cut off the compressor power. If the circulating pump is detected to stop, a fault code is generated and pushed to the client, and the circulation of the coolant is stopped.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0034] (1) The intelligent control module of this invention is deeply integrated with the express delivery order system through the API interface, and can automatically obtain data such as the type, quantity and delivery time of goods in the order: matching the ice hockey temperature layer through the built-in "goods-temperature mapping database", accurately calculating the required number of ice hockeys through the thermodynamic calculation model, and generating the optimal production sequence by combining the differences in the freezing time of ice hockeys in different temperature layers, so as to realize "pre-production according to order"; at the same time, the system supports remote monitoring and fault diagnosis, eliminating the need for on-site staff, greatly reducing management costs, and avoiding problems such as "waste of refrigerant in wrong temperature layer" and "deviation in demand estimation" caused by human judgment errors.

[0035] (2) Compared with existing ice-making equipment that can only produce refrigerants at a single temperature level (such as 0℃ ice packs or -12℃ ice plates), this invention, through its "universal hardware and parameterized control" design, allows a single device to simultaneously produce phase change material ice balls at four temperature levels: 0℃, -12℃, -23℃, and -40℃. This covers the cold chain needs of all scenarios, including fresh produce, regular frozen products, cryogenic products, and special medical / high-end foods. It eliminates the need for express delivery stations to purchase multiple dedicated ice-making devices, reducing equipment procurement costs and keeping the equipment footprint within 1.5m², perfectly suited to the installation needs of small spaces in express delivery stations (such as community shops and small outlets).

[0036] (3) This centrifugal separation module, through its integrated innovative design, utilizes frequency conversion control technology to precisely control the magnitude and direction of centrifugal force, sequentially completing the two major functions of "dehydration and spin-drying" and "directional transfer". This design eliminates the need for multiple traditional dedicated components (such as separate centrifuges, robotic arms, conveyor belts, etc.), achieving a high degree of simplification of the system structure, effective control of manufacturing costs, and a significant improvement in operational reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice hockey freezing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the intelligent control layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a PID control diagram for an ice hockey machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the control method for the distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system of the express delivery station of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, a distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations includes an intelligent control module, a multi-temperature freezing module, a refrigerant circulation module, a centrifugal separation module, and a buffer storage module. The intelligent control module is used to interface with the order system and coordinate the work of each module. The multi-temperature freezing module is used to freeze ice balls at multiple temperatures within the same manufacturing area. The refrigerant circulation module is used to provide low-temperature refrigerant to soak the ice balls. The centrifugal separation module is used to dry the surface moisture of the ice balls after freezing. The buffer storage module is used to store ice balls according to temperature and output them according to orders.

[0046] The intelligent control module is used to interface with the order management system of the express station to obtain information such as product type, order quantity, and delivery time in the order. Based on the built-in product-temperature mapping database, thermodynamic calculation model, and intelligent scheduling algorithm, it generates an ice-making plan that includes ice puck temperature level, quantity, and production sequence, and converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions to send to other modules. At the same time, it receives sensor signals from each module to achieve coordinated control of the entire system.

[0047] The multi-temperature freezing module includes an ice puck recovery area, an ice puck manufacturing area, temperature sensors, and general-purpose refrigeration hardware (such as...). Figure 2 (As shown); the ice puck recycling area is equipped with a photoelectric sensor or a weight sensor to confirm the quantity of ice pucks fed; the ice puck manufacturing area is connected to the coolant circulation module, and the temperature sensor is set in the ice puck manufacturing area; the general refrigeration hardware includes a compressor, a circulation pump, and electric valves; the multi-temperature layer freezing module calls the preset process parameters of the corresponding temperature level according to the operation instructions sent by the intelligent control module, and achieves precise control of the coolant temperature in the ice puck manufacturing area by controlling the opening and closing time of the electric valve and the operating status of the compressor, thereby completing the preparation of multi-temperature layer ice pucks at the first temperature T1, the second temperature T2, the third temperature T3, and the fourth temperature T4 in the same ice puck manufacturing area, wherein T1 > T2 > T3 > T4;

[0048] The coolant circulation module includes a coolant tank, a circulation pump, an electric ball valve assembly, a refrigeration unit, and heat exchange coils. The electric ball valve assembly includes a first electric ball valve SV-1, a second electric ball valve SV-2, and a third electric ball valve SV-3. The coolant tank is located within the ice ball manufacturing area. The refrigeration unit is used to cool the coolant to the target temperature. The circulation pump drives the coolant to circulate within the system. The electric ball valve assembly controls the flow direction of the coolant. During ice ball preparation, SV-1 is open, and SV-2 and SV-3 are closed, allowing the coolant to flow into the ice ball manufacturing area. After the initial injection, SV-1 is closed, and SV-2 is open, allowing the coolant to flow through the heat exchange coils of the buffer storage module. After ice ball preparation is complete, SV-2 is closed, and SV-3 is open, allowing the coolant to flow back to the storage tank. The centrifugal separation module includes a separation chamber, a variable frequency drive motor, a sealing structure, and a guide rail.

[0049] The separation chamber is connected to the ice puck manufacturing area. Its sidewalls are equipped with micropores or grids for discharging the coolant and a dedicated discharge port. The variable frequency drive motor drives the separation chamber to rotate. After the ice pucks are prepared, the separation chamber is first driven to rotate at high speed (≥1000 rpm) to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice pucks using centrifugal force. Then, the speed is adjusted to medium-low (200-500 rpm), and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail to project the ice pucks into the buffer storage module. The sealing structure is installed between the top cover and the body of the separation chamber to prevent coolant leakage. The buffer storage module includes a four-temperature zone buffer chamber, a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, and a pneumatic outlet device. The four-temperature zone buffer chambers respectively store ice pucks T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each buffer chamber is equipped with a temperature sensor and a weight sensor to monitor the temperature and ice puck inventory in real time. The pneumatic outlet device controls the airflow pressure to transport a specified number of ice pucks from the buffer chamber to the dispensing port.

[0050] Taking community express delivery stations as a typical application scenario, the first step in the implementation phase is to complete the equipment installation and system integration to ensure that the space and power supply constraints of the stations are met. In this application scenario, T1 is 0℃, T2 is -12℃, T3 is -23℃, and T4 is -40℃.

[0051] Equipment Installation: Select a well-ventilated corner of the station to place the ice ball freezing machine of this invention. The overall dimensions of the equipment are 1.2m × 0.8m × 1.8m (length × width × height), with a floor area of ​​<1.5m², requiring no additional site modifications. Connect the equipment to the station's 220V household power supply and check the physical connections of each module. The piping of the coolant circulation module adopts ACR copper L-shaped wall thickness standard. The diameter of the pipe connecting the ice ball manufacturing area and the circulation pump is DN50, and the diameter of the pipe connecting the heat exchange coil and the storage tank is DN40. Install KP15 high and low pressure switches on the pipes to monitor the system pressure (set the pressure threshold to trigger protection when it is higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa). Inject food-grade low-temperature coolant (requiring a freezing point below -45℃ and a thermal conductivity ≥0.5W / (m・K)) into the storage tank of the coolant circulation module to ensure that the liquid level reaches the preset scale.

[0052] System Integration: Establish a communication connection with the existing order management system of the station through the API interface or data bus preset by the intelligent control module; configure core parameters in the human-machine interface (HMI) of the intelligent control module: First, the "product-temperature" mapping rules, such as mapping "frozen steak" and "ice cream" to -40℃ ice ball requirements, "refrigerated yogurt" and "fresh milk" to -12℃ ice ball requirements, "fresh fruits and vegetables" to 0℃ ice ball requirements, and "cold-cold seafood" to -23℃ ice ball requirements; Second, import the environmental temperature data of the station's historical delivery routes for determining the "environmental heat flux coefficient" when calling the thermodynamic calculation model; At the same time, store the preset process parameter library of ice balls of each temperature level in the intelligent control module, such as -12℃ ice ball corresponding to target temperature -12℃ and temperature control threshold -15℃, -40℃ ice ball corresponding to target temperature -40℃ and temperature control threshold -43℃, and use color identification for ice balls of different temperatures (white for 0℃, blue for -12℃, yellow for -23℃, and red for -40℃) for easy manual identification.

[0053] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the intelligent control module, acting as the system's "decision-making core," transforms order data into an executable ice-making plan according to the following process:

[0054] (1) Data acquisition: The intelligent control module obtains the original order data packets from the station order management system at regular intervals through the established communication interface. The data packets must contain key fields such as product type, name, order quantity (number of pieces or boxes), delivery route identifier (such as "Chengdong A Line" or "Yuanjiao B Line"), estimated delivery time (such as 2 hours or 4 hours), and demand timestamp (such as "refrigerant needs to be prepared before 11:00"). For example, the order data is "5 boxes of frozen steak, delivery route Chengdong A Line, estimated delivery time 2 hours, demand timestamp 11:00".

[0055] (2) Intelligent analysis and decision-making:

[0056] (2.1) Temperature requirement mapping: Call the built-in product-temperature mapping database and match the ice hockey temperature level according to the "product type / name" field in the order. For example, the above "frozen steak" order matches the -40℃ ice hockey requirement.

[0057] (2.2) Calculation of the number of ice balls: Start the thermodynamic calculation model, and combine the order quantity (convert the number of pieces / boxes into "total heat capacity of the order"), the estimated delivery time, and the "environmental heat flux coefficient" of the delivery route (determined by historical environmental temperature data) to calculate the required number of ice balls according to the formula "required number of ice balls = (total heat capacity of the order × delivery time × environmental heat flux coefficient) / (effective cooling capacity of a single ice ball × efficiency coefficient)". For example, the above order is calculated to require 50 -40℃ ice balls.

[0058] (2.3) Production sequence arrangement: The production sequence plan is generated by using the order "demand timestamp" as the backward node and combining the differences in freezing time of ice balls at different temperatures (-40℃ ice balls have the longest freezing time and 0℃ ice balls have the shortest freezing time). For example, the above-mentioned -40℃ ice ball order requires 50 minutes of freezing time, so the freezing is planned to start at 10:10 to ensure completion before 11:00. If there are multiple orders at the same time (such as 30 -12℃ ice balls required at 10:30), the system will automatically sort them according to the demand timestamp and prioritize the earlier orders to avoid conflicts.

[0059] (3) Instruction generation and guidance: The intelligent control module converts the ice-making plan into intuitive operation instructions, which are displayed on the human-machine interface (HMI), such as "Start at 10:10, put in 50 -40℃ ice balls (red) → planned completion time of freezing is 11:00" and "Start at 10:30, put in 30 -12℃ ice balls (blue) → planned completion time of freezing is 10:50". At the same time, the material feeding indicator lights in the ice ball recycling area are controlled to light up in the corresponding colors (red for -40℃ and blue for -12℃), providing dual guidance for the staff to operate.

[0060] Furthermore, the multi-temperature freezing module, the coolant circulation module, and the centrifugal separation module work together, executing in the sequence of "feeding confirmation, adaptive freezing, coolant switching, and centrifugal separation," with the specific steps as follows:

[0061] (4) Feeding guidance and confirmation:

[0062] (4.1) Staff members take the corresponding number and color of pre-made ice balls from the raw material area according to the instructions of the human-machine interface (HMI) and the color of the feeding indicator light. For example, the above-mentioned -40℃ order requires 50 red ice balls; open the door of the ice ball recycling area and put the ice balls into the recycling area (at this time, the recycling area acts as a feeding hopper and temporary storage area).

[0063] (4.2) The photoelectric sensor or weight sensor built into the ice puck recycling area detects the feeding quantity in real time. When the feeding quantity is consistent with the instruction (e.g., 50 pucks), it sends a "feeding completed" signal to the intelligent control module. After receiving the signal, the intelligent control module controls the pushing device in the recycling area to send the ice pucks through the slide into the ice puck manufacturing area, and at the same time starts the freezing process.

[0064] (5) Multi-temperature adaptive freezing:

[0065] (5.1) As Figure 4As shown, the ice hockey freezing machine uses PID control. The intelligent control module calls the corresponding preset parameters (target temperature -40℃, refrigerant injection time T_inject is -40℃, temperature control threshold -43℃) from the process parameter library according to the temperature level (-40℃) of the current batch of ice hockeys. It starts the circulation pump (M-3) of the refrigerant circulation module and opens the electric ball valve SV-1 at the same time. The refrigeration unit starts working. The refrigeration unit includes a Tecumseh FH2480Z or CAJ2446Z compressor, a Sanhua MDFA03+MQ-A02 thermal expansion valve, a DTG-B03-040-901 dryer filter, a FA-205 vapor-liquid separator, and an RFKH-01 / RFKH-04 evaporator condenser. It can cool the refrigerant to below -40℃ and then inject it into the refrigerant pool in the ice hockey manufacturing area through SV-1 (the refrigerant pool in the ice hockey manufacturing area is full of refrigerant, and the ice hockeys are completely immersed in it).

[0066] (5.2) The temperature sensor (TT-1) built into the ice hockey manufacturing area monitors the temperature of the coolant in real time. The intelligent control module adjusts the SV-1 status according to the temperature feedback: if the coolant temperature is higher than -43℃ (temperature control threshold), SV-1 is kept open and low-temperature coolant is continuously injected; if the coolant temperature reaches or falls below -43℃, SV-1 is immediately shut off to stop the injection and prevent overcooling and energy waste. During this process, the physical hardware (compressor, pump, valve) of the ice hockey manufacturing area is completely universal. Multi-temperature freezing is achieved only by adjusting the control parameters. For example, when freezing ice hockeys at -12℃, the temperature control threshold of -15℃ is called. When the coolant temperature is lower than -15℃, SV-1 is shut off.

[0067] (6) Coolant switching and buffer insulation:

[0068] When the refrigerant injection time reaches the preset T_inject value of -40℃ (e.g., 30 minutes), the intelligent control module determines that the first injection is complete, closes the electric ball valve SV-1, and simultaneously opens the electric ball valve SV-2, switching the refrigerant circulation path—the refrigerant no longer flows into the ice ball manufacturing area, but instead flows through the heat exchange coil of the buffer storage module to maintain a low-temperature environment for the ice balls already stored in the buffer (e.g., the temperature of the -40℃ buffer is stabilized at around -40℃), preventing the ice balls from melting; the temperature sensors (TT-2, TT-3) in the buffer monitor the temperature in real time. If the temperature of a certain temperature zone in the buffer is higher than the set value, the intelligent control module can fine-tune the circulation pump speed to increase the refrigerant flow rate and ensure temperature stability.

[0069] (7) Centrifugal separation and ice ball transport:

[0070] (7.1) The intelligent control module determines that the ice puck is completely frozen (e.g., the core temperature of the ice puck reaches -40℃) by using the temperature sensor data of the ice puck manufacturing area and the freezing time. Then, it closes the electric ball valve SV-2, opens the electric ball valve SV-3, keeps the circulation pump (M-3) running, and recovers all the coolant in the ice puck manufacturing area to the storage tank, thus completing the coolant recovery.

[0071] (7.2) Start the variable frequency drive motor of the centrifugal separation module to drive the separation chamber (connected to the ice puck manufacturing area, made of stainless steel, with anti-stick treatment on the inner wall) to rotate: First, rotate at a high speed of ≥1000rpm for 30-60 seconds, using centrifugal force to throw out the residual coolant on the surface of the ice puck through the micro-holes or grid on the side wall of the separation chamber (the thrown-out coolant flows back to the storage tank); then the variable frequency drive motor reduces the speed to 200-500rpm, and at the same time controls the rotation angle of the separation chamber through the encoder equipped with the motor, so that the special discharge port of the separation chamber is accurately aligned with the guide rail (alignment error ≤5°). Under the combined action of gravity and the remaining centrifugal force, the ice puck slides along the guide rail into the corresponding temperature zone buffer chamber of the buffer storage module (-40℃ ice puck enters the -40℃ buffer chamber).

[0072] (7.3) After centrifugation is completed, the variable frequency drive motor controls the separation chamber to stop and reset to the initial angle (feed inlet facing upwards), waiting for the next batch freezing instruction.

[0073] (8) The cache storage module adopts a three-dimensional four-temperature zone design to realize the classified storage and on-demand output of ice pucks:

[0074] (8.1) Ice puck storage: Four buffer compartments are used to store ice pucks at 0℃, -12℃, -23℃ and -40℃ respectively. Each buffer compartment is designed with a heat insulation layer (heat insulation layer thickness ≥50mm, thermal conductivity ≤0.03W / (m・K)) to prevent temperature cross-contamination between temperature zones. Temperature sensors in each buffer compartment monitor the temperature inside the compartment in real time, and weight sensors monitor the ice puck inventory in real time. When the inventory of ice pucks in a certain temperature zone is lower than the preset threshold (e.g., 50 pucks), the intelligent control module issues a "low inventory" prompt on the human-machine interface, reminding that ice pucks in that temperature zone should be replenished first during subsequent freezing.

[0075] (8.2) Ice puck retrieval: According to the order requirements, the staff selects the target ice puck temperature level and quantity (e.g., "50 ice pucks at -40℃") on the human-machine interface of the intelligent control module; after receiving the instruction, the intelligent control module controls the pneumatic outlet device of the corresponding temperature zone buffer chamber to start, and adjusts the airflow pressure to 0.2-0.5MPa (adjusted according to the number of ice pucks, with slightly higher pressure when the number is large to avoid jamming, and slightly lower pressure when the number is small to prevent ice puck breakage); the pneumatic outlet device pushes the specified number of ice pucks from the buffer chamber to the retrieval port through airflow, and the staff only needs to place the container at the retrieval port to obtain the ice pucks, without the need for manual handling.

[0076] Furthermore, this embodiment also includes the following steps:

[0077] (9) System maintenance and troubleshooting:

[0078] (9.1) Daily maintenance: The system has a self-cleaning function and automatically starts the coolant circulation module every 24 hours to flush the pipeline through coolant circulation to prevent residual impurities in the pipeline from clogging it. Manual maintenance is required once a month, including: cleaning the external equipment (wiping the outer shell and human-machine interface), replenishing the coolant (opening the liquid tank filling port and replenishing the food-grade coolant to the scale line), and calibrating the sensors (calibrating the weight sensor in the ice puck recovery area and the temperature sensor in the buffer bin to ensure detection accuracy).

[0079] (9.2) Fault Handling: The intelligent control module has remote monitoring and fault diagnosis functions. It sends the equipment operating status (temperature of each module, motor speed, valve opening and closing status, system pressure) to the staff's mobile phone or computer client in real time through the Internet of Things. When the equipment malfunctions, if the compressor pressure is higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa, the KP15 high and low pressure switch on the pipeline will automatically cut off the compressor power supply. The intelligent control module will generate a fault code and push it to the client. If the circulating pump stops, the intelligent control module will generate a fault code and push it, and at the same time stop the circulation of the coolant to avoid the system running dry and damaging the equipment. The staff can quickly locate the problem according to the fault code. After troubleshooting and repair, the system can be restarted to restore operation.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, this embodiment also provides a control method for a distributed rapid freezing ice hockey machine system for express delivery stations, including the following steps:

[0081] S1: Order data integration and ice-making plan generation. The intelligent control module communicates with the express station order management system through API interface or data bus to obtain the product type, order quantity, delivery time and demand timestamp data in the order. It calls the built-in product-temperature mapping database to match the product type to the corresponding ice ball temperature level. Based on the thermodynamic calculation model, it calculates the required number of ice balls. Combining the order demand timestamp and the difference in freezing time of ice balls at different temperatures, it generates an ice-making plan containing ice ball temperature level, quantity and production sequence through intelligent scheduling algorithm.

[0082] Furthermore, the intelligent scheduling algorithm in this embodiment is a dynamic, multi-objective optimization scheduler. Its core task is to receive a series of ice-making orders with different attributes (ice puck temperature level, quantity, and deadline), and generate an optimal production sequence for a shared ice puck manufacturing facility to simultaneously achieve the two objectives of "on-time delivery" and "maximizing energy efficiency." This mainly includes an order sorting stage and a production plan generation and optimization stage, as detailed below:

[0083] S11, Order Prioritization Stage: The goal is to determine the production priority of orders and ensure on-time delivery, including:

[0084] S111. Calculate the latest start time (LatestStartTime, LST) for each ice-making order: Based on the order demand deadline, subtract the total time required to produce all the ice balls in the order to obtain the last moment when the order must start production.

[0085] S112. Sort by earliest and latest start time priority rule: Sort all orders in ascending order from earliest to latest according to the calculated LST. The order with the earliest LST has the highest priority and enters the production sequence first.

[0086] S12, Production Planning Generation and Optimization Stage: The sorted order list is transformed into a specific production plan, and optimization strategies are introduced, including:

[0087] S121. Generate initial production plan: According to the order sorting results determined in Phase 1, the orders are included in the production sequence in sequence. The production end time of the previous order is used as the production start time of the next order, and the production start time of the first order is set to the current system time.

[0088] S122 / Adjacent Order Merging Optimization: In the initial production plan, scan and filter adjacent orders with the same temperature level and similar demand time, merge them into the same production batch. The total number of ice hockeys in the merged production batch is the sum of the demand quantities of each order before the merger. The production deadline is based on the earliest demand deadline in the merged order.

[0089] S123. Energy Consumption Estimation: For a single order or a combined production batch, estimate the total energy consumption using the formula "Total Energy Consumption = (Total Production Time × Average Power) / 3600", where the total production time is in seconds, the average power is in watts, and the result is in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

[0090] The output of the intelligent production scheduling algorithm is a Gantt chart production sequence with timestamps. This sequence includes the start time, end time, ice hockey temperature level, production quantity, and corresponding order identifier for each production task, which is used to guide operators in operation through the human-machine interface (HMI).

[0091] S2: Feeding guidance and confirmation. The intelligent control module converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions, displays the ice ball temperature level and feeding quantity through the human-machine interface, and controls the feeding indicator light in the ice ball recycling area to light up. The staff feeds the ice balls with the corresponding color markings according to the instructions. The photoelectric sensor or weight sensor in the ice ball recycling area detects the feeding quantity and sends a feeding completion signal to the intelligent control module after confirming that it is consistent with the instructions.

[0092] S3: Multi-temperature layer adaptive freezing control. After receiving the feeding completion signal, the intelligent control module calls the preset process parameters corresponding to the ice ball temperature level. The preset process parameters include target temperature, refrigerant injection time, and temperature control threshold. It starts the circulation pump of the refrigerant circulation module and opens the electric ball valve SV-1 to inject low-temperature refrigerant into the ice ball manufacturing area. At the same time, the temperature of the refrigerant is monitored in real time by the temperature sensor in the ice ball manufacturing area. If the refrigerant temperature is higher than the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is kept open to continue injecting liquid. If the refrigerant temperature reaches or falls below the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is closed to stop the liquid injection and the freezing process is completed.

[0093] S4: Coolant switching and buffer insulation. When the coolant injection time reaches the preset duration, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-1 and opens the electric ball valve SV-2 to switch the coolant circulation path, so that the coolant flows through the heat exchange coil of the buffer storage module to maintain a low temperature environment for the ice balls stored in the buffer.

[0094] S5: Centrifugal separation control. After the ice ball freezing is completed, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-2 and opens the electric ball valve SV-3, starting the circulation pump to recover the coolant to the storage tank. After the coolant is recovered, the variable frequency drive motor of the centrifugal separation module is started. First, the separation chamber is driven to rotate at a high speed of ≥1000rpm for 30-60 seconds to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice ball. Then, the speed is reduced to 200-500rpm, and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail. The ice ball is thrown into the corresponding temperature zone buffer chamber of the buffer storage module for 10-20 seconds.

[0095] S6: Buffer and Retrieval Control. Temperature and weight sensors in the buffer storage module monitor the temperature and inventory of each buffer zone in real time, and the data is fed back to the intelligent control module. When the staff selects the ice ball temperature level and quantity on the human-machine interface according to the order requirements, the intelligent control module controls the pneumatic outlet device of the corresponding buffer zone to start, adjusts the airflow pressure of 0.2-0.5MPa, and delivers the specified number of ice balls to the retrieval port.

[0096] S7: Fault monitoring and emergency control. The intelligent control module collects the operating parameters of each module in real time, including compressor pressure, circulating pump speed, and temperature of each module. If the compressor pressure is detected to be higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa, the high and low pressure switch is triggered to cut off the compressor power. If the circulating pump is detected to stop, a fault code is generated and pushed to the client, and the circulation of the coolant is stopped.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments described above. Any references to memory, storage, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in various forms, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), dual data rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), RAMbus direct RAM (RDRAM), direct memory bus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and RAMbus dynamic RAM (RDRAM), etc.

[0098] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0099] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be considered equivalent substitutions and shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations, characterized in that, It includes an intelligent control module, a multi-temperature freezing module, a coolant circulation module, a centrifugal separation module, and a buffer storage module; The intelligent control module is used to interface with the order management system of the express station to obtain information such as product type, order quantity, and delivery time in the order. Based on the built-in product-temperature mapping database, thermodynamic calculation model, and intelligent scheduling algorithm, it generates an ice-making plan that includes ice puck temperature level, quantity, and production sequence, and converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions to send to other modules. At the same time, it receives sensor signals from each module to achieve coordinated control of the entire system. The multi-temperature layer freezing module includes an ice ball recovery area, an ice ball manufacturing area, a temperature sensor, and general refrigeration hardware. The ice ball recovery area is equipped with a photoelectric sensor or a weight sensor to confirm the quantity of ice balls fed. The ice ball manufacturing area is connected to the coolant circulation module, and the temperature sensor is located within the ice ball manufacturing area. The general refrigeration hardware includes a compressor, a circulation pump, and electric valves. The multi-temperature layer freezing module calls preset process parameters corresponding to the temperature level according to the operation instructions sent by the intelligent control module. By controlling the opening and closing time of the electric valves and the operating status of the compressor, it achieves precise control of the coolant temperature in the ice ball manufacturing area, thereby completing the preparation of multi-temperature layer ice balls at the first temperature T1, the second temperature T2, the third temperature T3, and the fourth temperature T4 within the same ice ball manufacturing area, wherein T1 > T2 > T3 > T4. The coolant circulation module includes a coolant tank, a circulation pump, an electric ball valve assembly, a refrigeration unit, and heat exchange coils. The electric ball valve assembly includes a first electric ball valve SV-1, a second electric ball valve SV-2, and a third electric ball valve SV-3. The coolant tank is located within the ice ball manufacturing area. The refrigeration unit is used to cool the coolant to the target temperature. The circulation pump drives the coolant to circulate within the system. The electric ball valve assembly controls the flow direction of the coolant. During ice ball preparation, SV-1 is open, and SV-2 and SV-3 are closed, allowing the coolant to flow into the ice ball manufacturing area. After the initial injection, SV-1 is closed, and SV-2 is open, allowing the coolant to flow through the heat exchange coils of the buffer storage module. After ice ball preparation is complete, SV-2 is closed, and SV-3 is open, allowing the coolant to flow back to the storage tank. The centrifugal separation module includes a separation chamber, a variable frequency drive motor, a sealing structure, and a guide rail. The separation chamber is connected to the ice puck manufacturing area. Its sidewalls are equipped with micropores or grids for discharging the coolant and a dedicated discharge port. The variable frequency drive motor drives the separation chamber to rotate. After the ice pucks are prepared, the separation chamber is first driven to rotate at high speed (≥1000 rpm) to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice pucks using centrifugal force. Then, the speed is adjusted to medium-low (200-500 rpm), and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail to project the ice pucks into the buffer storage module. The sealing structure is installed between the top cover and the body of the separation chamber to prevent coolant leakage. The buffer storage module includes a four-temperature zone buffer chamber, a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, and a pneumatic outlet device. The four-temperature zone buffer chambers respectively store ice pucks T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each buffer chamber is equipped with a temperature sensor and a weight sensor to monitor the temperature and ice puck inventory in real time. The pneumatic outlet device controls the airflow pressure to transport a specified number of ice pucks from the buffer chamber to the dispensing port.

2. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The product-temperature mapping database can supplement temperature mapping rules based on newly added product types; The calculation formula of the thermodynamic calculation model is: Number of ice balls required = (Total heat capacity of the order × Delivery time × Environmental heat flux coefficient) / (Effective cooling capacity of a single ice ball × Efficiency coefficient), where the total heat capacity of the order is determined according to the type and quantity of goods, and the environmental heat flux coefficient is set according to the historical environmental temperature data of the delivery route; The intelligent scheduling algorithm generates the optimal production sequence through two stages: order sorting and production plan generation and optimization. The specific process is as follows: Order sequencing phase: To ensure on-time delivery of orders, production priorities are determined. First, the latest start time (LST) of each ice-making order is calculated. This is done by subtracting the total time required to produce all ice balls for the order from the order's deadline. This gives the last moment when production must begin. Then, the earliest and latest start time priority rule is applied. All orders are sorted in ascending order from earliest to latest according to the calculated LST, so that the order with the earliest LST and the most urgent time has the highest priority and enters the production sequence first. Production plan generation and optimization phase: The order list sorted in the order sorting phase is converted into an initial production plan. Orders are added to the production sequence according to the order sorting results determined in phase one. The production end time of the previous order is used as the production start time of the next order. The production start time of the first order is set to the current system time. Adjacent order merging optimization is then performed. Adjacent orders with the same temperature level and similar demand time are scanned and filtered in the initial production plan and merged into the same production batch. The total number of ice pucks in the merged production batch is the sum of the demand quantities of each order before merging. The production deadline is based on the earliest demand deadline of the merged orders. At the same time, the total energy consumption is estimated for individual orders or merged production batches. Finally, a Gantt chart production sequence with timestamps is output. This sequence includes the start time, end time, ice puck temperature level, production quantity, and corresponding order identifier of each production task to guide operators.

3. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset process parameters of the multi-temperature freezing module include target temperature, refrigerant injection time, and temperature control threshold. For T2 temperature ice balls, the temperature control threshold is set to -15℃. When the refrigerant temperature in the ice ball manufacturing area is higher than -15℃, SV-1 is kept on. When the temperature is lower than or equal to -15℃, SV-1 is closed. For T4 temperature ice balls, the temperature control threshold is set to -43℃. When the refrigerant temperature is higher than -43℃, SV-1 is kept on. When the temperature is lower than or equal to -43℃, SV-1 is closed.

4. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit of the refrigerant circulation module includes a compressor, an air-cooled condenser, an evaporator-condenser, a dryer filter, a thermostatic expansion valve, and a vapor-liquid separator. The compressor is a Tecumseh FH2480Z or CAJ2446Z model, the thermostatic expansion valve is a Sanhua MDFA03+MQ-A02 model, the dryer filter is a DTG-B03-040-901 model, and the vapor-liquid separator is a FA-205 model. The refrigerant is a food-grade low-temperature refrigerant with a freezing point below -45℃ and a thermal conductivity ≥0.5W / (m・K).

5. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centrifugal separation module's separation chamber is made of stainless steel, and the inner wall is treated with an anti-stick coating. The variable frequency drive motor is equipped with an encoder, which can accurately control the rotation angle of the separation chamber, so that the alignment error between the discharge port and the guide rail is ≤5°. The high-speed rotation stage of the separation chamber lasts for 30-60 seconds, and the medium-low speed stage lasts for 10-20 seconds.

6. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four-temperature zone cache compartment of the cache storage module adopts a heat insulation layer design with a thickness of ≥50mm and a thermal conductivity of ≤0.03W / (m・K). The airflow pressure of the pneumatic outlet device is adjustable, with an adjustment range of 0.2-0.5 MPa. It can adjust the pressure according to the temperature and number of ice pucks to prevent ice pucks from breaking.

7. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intelligent control module also has remote monitoring and fault diagnosis functions. It can send the equipment operating status to a mobile phone or computer client through the Internet of Things. The equipment operating status includes the temperature of each module, motor speed, and valve opening and closing status. When the equipment malfunctions, the malfunctions include compressor high-pressure alarm and circulation pump stoppage. The module automatically generates fault codes and pushes them to the client, while simultaneously activating emergency protection measures.

8. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice ball recycling area of ​​the multi-temperature freezing module is also equipped with a feeding indicator light, which is connected to the intelligent control module. According to the operation instructions, it displays the corresponding ice ball temperature level and quantity to guide the staff to feed accurately; T1 is 0℃, T2 is -12℃, T3 is -23℃, and T4 is -40℃; the ice balls are marked with different colors: 0℃ ice balls are white, -12℃ ice balls are blue, -23℃ ice balls are yellow, and -40℃ ice balls are red.

9. The distributed rapid freezing ice ball machine system for express delivery stations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piping of the coolant circulation module adopts ACR copper L-type wall thickness standard. The diameter of the pipe connecting the ice ball manufacturing area and the circulation pump is DN50, and the diameter of the pipe connecting the heat exchange coil and the liquid storage tank is DN40. The pipe is also equipped with a high and low pressure switch, which is a KP15 model. When the system pressure is higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa, the compressor power is automatically cut off. The overall dimensions of the system do not exceed 1.2m in length × 0.8m in width × 1.8m in height, with a floor area of ​​<1.5m². It is compatible with 220V household power supply and has a rated power of ≤3kW. The system also has a self-cleaning function, which automatically starts the cooling fluid circulation to flush the pipeline every 24 hours. External cleaning and cooling fluid replenishment are required once a month.

10. A control method for a distributed rapid freezing ice hockey machine system for express delivery stations based on any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Order data integration and ice-making plan generation. The intelligent control module communicates with the express station order management system through API interface or data bus to obtain the product type, order quantity, delivery time and demand timestamp data in the order. It calls the built-in product-temperature mapping database to match the product type to the corresponding ice ball temperature level. Based on the thermodynamic calculation model, it calculates the required number of ice balls. Combining the order demand timestamp and the difference in freezing time of ice balls at different temperatures, it generates an ice-making plan containing ice ball temperature level, quantity and production sequence through intelligent scheduling algorithm. S2: Feeding guidance and confirmation. The intelligent control module converts the ice-making plan into operation instructions, displays the ice ball temperature level and feeding quantity through the human-machine interface, and controls the feeding indicator light in the ice ball recycling area to light up. The staff feeds the ice balls with the corresponding color markings according to the instructions. The photoelectric sensor or weight sensor in the ice ball recycling area detects the feeding quantity and sends a feeding completion signal to the intelligent control module after confirming that it is consistent with the instructions. S3: Multi-temperature layer adaptive freezing control. After receiving the feeding completion signal, the intelligent control module calls the preset process parameters corresponding to the ice ball temperature level. The preset process parameters include target temperature, refrigerant injection time, and temperature control threshold. It starts the circulation pump of the refrigerant circulation module and opens the electric ball valve SV-1 to inject low-temperature refrigerant into the ice ball manufacturing area. At the same time, the temperature of the refrigerant is monitored in real time by the temperature sensor in the ice ball manufacturing area. If the refrigerant temperature is higher than the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is kept open to continue injecting liquid. If the temperature of the coolant reaches or falls below the preset temperature control threshold, SV-1 is shut off to stop the injection and complete the freezing process. S4: Coolant switching and buffer insulation. When the coolant injection time reaches the preset duration, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-1 and opens the electric ball valve SV-2 to switch the coolant circulation path, so that the coolant flows through the heat exchange coil of the buffer storage module to maintain a low temperature environment for the ice balls stored in the buffer. S5: Centrifugal separation control. After the ice ball freezing is completed, the intelligent control module closes the electric ball valve SV-2 and opens the electric ball valve SV-3, starting the circulation pump to recover the coolant to the storage tank. After the coolant is recovered, the variable frequency drive motor of the centrifugal separation module is started. First, the separation chamber is driven to rotate at a high speed of ≥1000rpm for 30-60 seconds to remove the coolant from the surface of the ice ball. Then, the speed is reduced to 200-500rpm, and the discharge port of the separation chamber is aligned with the guide rail. The ice ball is thrown into the corresponding temperature zone buffer chamber of the buffer storage module for 10-20 seconds. S6: Buffer and material retrieval control. Temperature and weight sensors of the buffer storage module monitor the temperature and inventory of each buffer zone in real time, and the data is fed back to the intelligent control module. When staff select the ice puck temperature level and quantity on the human-machine interface according to the order requirements, the intelligent control module controls the pneumatic outlet device of the corresponding buffer bin to start, adjusts the airflow pressure of 0.2-0.5MPa, and delivers the specified number of ice pucks to the feeding port. S7: Fault monitoring and emergency control. The intelligent control module collects the operating parameters of each module in real time, including compressor pressure, circulating pump speed, and temperature of each module. If the compressor pressure is detected to be higher than 2.5MPa or lower than 0.2MPa, the high and low pressure switch is triggered to cut off the compressor power. If the circulation pump stops, a fault code is generated and pushed to the client, and the coolant circulation is stopped.

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