A secondary steam defoaming filter structure for traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of steam filtering, in particular to a secondary steam defoaming filtering structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank, comprising: a filter screen in an inverted conical structure, rotatably arranged in the interior of an exhaust pipeline, for filtering sundries in the secondary steam; a driving assembly arranged on the flow-approaching side of the filter screen, the secondary steam in the interior of the exhaust pipeline impacting the driving assembly to rotate; and a cleaning assembly arranged in the interior of the exhaust pipeline, for spraying cleaning liquid to flush the filter screen; the present application has the beneficial effect that: by arranging the rotatable filter screen, the secondary steam is used to impact the driving assembly to drive the filter screen to rotate, so that centrifugal force is generated on the filter screen to throw out the attached sundries, and the cleaning assembly sprays the cleaning liquid to flush, effectively solving the problem of easy clogging of the traditional static filter screen. Thus, the pressure increase in the extraction tank caused by clogging of the filter screen can be avoided, frequent disassembly, cleaning and replacement can be reduced, the labor intensity of the workers can be reduced, and the continuous and stable operation of production can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of steam filtration, and specifically relates to a secondary steam foam capture and filtration structure for traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracts, the extraction tank is the core equipment. The secondary steam generated during the heating and extraction process carries away impurities such as fine material residues and medicinal droplets. If these impurities are not effectively filtered, they will enter subsequent equipment, clogging pipelines, affecting heat transfer, reducing the purity of the extracted product, and restricting production efficiency and product quality.

[0003] The secondary steam filtration of the Chinese medicine extraction tank adopts a perforated plate and baffle plate baffle filtration structure. This structure achieves preliminary filtration by alternating perforated plates and baffle plates. However, due to structural limitations, the filtration effect is not good. Therefore, in current production scenarios, filter screens are mostly used to filter the secondary steam. Filter screens have become the mainstream method for secondary steam filtration.

[0004] Compared to perforated plates and folded plate structures, the core advantage of filter screens is their high filtration precision. They can selectively intercept various impurities through different mesh sizes, reducing impurity escape and improving product purity, thus making them widely used.

[0005] However, the filter screen has a core flaw—it is prone to clogging. The secondary steam contains a variety of impurities, and fine medicinal powders and sticky liquid droplets can quickly adhere to the surface of the filter screen, causing pore blockage and obstructing steam flow.

[0006] Clogged filters can increase pressure inside the extraction tank, disrupt process stability, reduce efficiency, and increase energy consumption. They also require frequent disassembly, cleaning, or replacement, increasing the workload of workers and interrupting production.

[0007] Therefore, a secondary steam frothing filter structure for traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks is needed to overcome the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a secondary steam frothing filter structure for traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks, thereby achieving the objective of resolving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: a secondary steam defoaming and filtration structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank, disposed inside the steam outlet pipe of the extraction tank, comprising: a filter screen, having an inverted conical structure, rotatably disposed inside the steam outlet pipe for filtering impurities in the secondary steam; a drive assembly disposed on the flow-facing side of the filter screen, the secondary steam inside the steam outlet pipe impacting and driving the drive assembly to rotate; and a cleaning assembly disposed inside the steam outlet pipe, spraying cleaning liquid to rinse the filter screen; wherein the filter screen is configured such that the rotation of the drive assembly drives the filter screen to rotate, and the rotation of the filter screen generates centrifugal force to throw off impurities attached to the flow-facing side of the filter screen.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0011] The drive assembly includes an impeller, which is fixedly connected to the flow-facing side of the filter screen and located inside the steam outlet pipe. The secondary steam inside the steam outlet pipe impacts the impeller to rotate.

[0012] The filter screen includes: a frame, which is rotatably disposed in an inverted cone shape inside the steam outlet pipe; and a screen body, which covers the outside of the frame; wherein the frame is fixedly connected to the impeller.

[0013] The cleaning assembly includes: a liquid outlet pipe, which is located inside the steam outlet pipe; a connecting terminal, which is rotatably located at the end of the liquid outlet pipe and fixedly connected to the filter screen; and liquid outlet holes, which are located on the liquid outlet pipe and distributed within the height direction of the filter screen.

[0014] The liquid outlet pipe is equipped with an elastic component; the elastic component allows the liquid outlet pipe to move up and down, so that the filter screen can move up and down.

[0015] The elastic component includes: a housing, fixedly connected to the end cap at the end of the steam outlet pipe; a slider, fixedly connected to the outside of the liquid outlet pipe and slidably disposed inside the housing; and a spring, sleeved on the outside of the liquid outlet pipe, providing elastic support for the slider.

[0016] The end cap is installed at the end of the steam outlet pipe via a quick-release buckle.

[0017] The filter screen has a slot inside, and a locking block is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting terminal. The filter screen and the connecting terminal are locked together by the locking block and the slot and fixedly connected by bolts.

[0018] The side of the steam outlet pipe is provided with a discharge groove corresponding to the position of the filter screen. A collection chamber is provided outside the discharge groove, and a cover is provided at the opening of the collection chamber.

[0019] The filter screen and the steam outlet pipe are fitted with V-shaped sealing rings.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: By incorporating a rotatable inverted conical filter screen, driven by a secondary steam impact component, the screen generates centrifugal force that flits out attached debris. This, combined with a cleaning component that sprays cleaning fluid, effectively solves the problem of easy clogging in traditional static filters. This avoids pressure increases within the extraction tank caused by filter clogging, reduces frequent disassembly, cleaning, and replacement, lowers the workload for workers, and ensures continuous and stable production. By adding an elastic component, the filter screen can achieve small-amplitude axial floating and resetting during rotation. The axial thrust generated by the secondary steam impacting the impeller and the force changes caused by the cleaning fluid spray can both drive the filter screen to produce axial displacement; under the action of the spring reset, the filter screen forms high-frequency small-amplitude axial reciprocating vibration. This vibration can break the adhesion of impurities, and combined with the action of centrifugal force and cleaning fluid, it effectively improves the self-cleaning effect of the filter screen; The end caps, cleaning components, filter screen, drive components, and elastic components adopt a modular integrated design, which can be pre-assembled into a whole unit. No structural modifications to existing steam outlet pipelines are required; installation only requires quick-release clips on the outer wall of the pipeline, eliminating the need for drilling, welding, or other alterations, making assembly and disassembly convenient. This structure is adaptable to secondary steam conveying pipelines of different specifications of traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks, exhibiting strong versatility and adaptability. It can be quickly replaced and widely applied without altering the original equipment layout and process flow. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation state of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the filter screen in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid outlet pipe of the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Steam outlet pipe; 2. Filter screen; 3. Drive assembly; 4. Cleaning assembly; 5. Elastic assembly; 6. End cap; 7. Discharge channel; 8. Collection chamber; 9. Cover; 10. Quick-release buckle; 11. Slot; 12. Locking block; 13. V-shaped sealing ring; 14. Bolt; 21. Frame; 22. Mesh; 31. Impeller; 41. Discharge pipe; 42. Connecting terminal; 43. Discharge hole; 51. Outer shell; 52. Slider; 53. Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Traditional secondary steam filtration structures in Chinese herbal medicine extraction tanks, whether perforated plates / baffles or filter screens, have limitations. Perforated plates / baffles offer poor filtration, while widely used filter screens suffer from the critical flaw of easy clogging. Filter clogging leads to increased pressure inside the extraction tank, affecting process stability, reducing production efficiency, increasing energy consumption, and requiring frequent cleaning or replacement, increasing labor intensity and potentially causing production interruptions.

[0025] For this, see Figure 1-5 This application proposes a secondary steam defoaming filtration structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank. The structure is installed inside the steam outlet pipe 1 of the extraction tank and includes a filter screen 2, a drive assembly 3, and a cleaning assembly 4. The filter screen 2 has an inverted conical structure and is rotatably mounted inside the steam outlet pipe 1 to filter impurities in the secondary steam. The drive assembly 3 is located on the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2, and the secondary steam inside the steam outlet pipe 1 impacts the drive assembly 3 to rotate. The cleaning assembly 4 is located inside the steam outlet pipe 1 and sprays cleaning fluid to rinse the filter screen 2. The filter screen 2 is configured such that the rotation of the drive assembly 3 drives the filter screen 2 to rotate, and the rotation of the filter screen 2 generates centrifugal force to throw off impurities adhering to the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2.

[0026] For ease of understanding, the following explains some key terms in this embodiment: Steam outlet pipe 1 of the herbal medicine extraction tank refers to the channel used to discharge the secondary steam generated during the heating and extraction process. This steam outlet pipe 1 is usually connected to subsequent condensation or recovery equipment.

[0027] Filter screen 2 refers to a mesh structure used to intercept fine material residues, liquid droplets, and other impurities carried in secondary steam. This filter screen 2 typically has a specific pore size to capture impurities of a particular particle size.

[0028] The drive assembly 3 is a component that converts the kinetic energy of the secondary steam into mechanical rotational energy. This drive assembly 3 rotates through its interaction with the secondary steam, thereby driving other components to move.

[0029] The cleaning component 4 is a device used to clean the filter screen 2. This cleaning component 4 removes impurities adhering to the surface of the filter screen 2 by spraying cleaning fluid, thus restoring the filtration performance of the filter screen 2.

[0030] Secondary steam refers to the steam generated by the evaporation of the medicinal liquid during the heating and extraction process in a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank. This secondary steam typically carries the active ingredients of the medicinal materials as well as some impurities.

[0031] Centrifugal force refers to the inertial force directed outward from the center of a circle when an object is in circular motion. In this application, this centrifugal force is used to fling debris attached to the filter screen 2 off its surface.

[0032] This embodiment provides a secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank, and its specific implementation is as follows: The filter structure is installed inside the steam outlet pipe 1 of the herbal medicine extraction tank. Steam outlet pipe 1 is the connection channel between the herbal medicine extraction tank and the external environment or subsequent processing equipment. The filter structure is located inside steam outlet pipe 1 and is designed to be detachable for easy maintenance and replacement.

[0033] The filter screen 2 has an inverted conical structure and is rotatably installed inside the steam outlet pipe 1. Its main function is to filter impurities in the secondary steam. The filter screen 2 can be made of materials such as metal wire mesh, and its pore size can be selected according to actual filtration requirements. The inverted conical structure of the filter screen 2 helps guide the steam flow, and the inverted conical structure design allows the secondary steam to flow smoothly along the conical surface, forming a flow-guided filtration.

[0034] The drive assembly 3 is positioned on the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2. When secondary steam flows through the steam outlet pipe 1, its kinetic energy impacts the drive assembly 3, causing it to rotate. When impacted by steam, the drive assembly 3 can convert the linear kinetic energy of the steam into its own rotational kinetic energy.

[0035] The cleaning component 4 is installed inside the steam outlet pipe 1 and is used to spray cleaning fluid to rinse the filter screen 2. The cleaning component 4 is connected to an external cleaning fluid source through a pipe. When cleaning is required, the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the surface of the filter screen 2 through the cleaning component 4.

[0036] When the drive component 3 rotates, it drives the filter screen 2 to rotate as well. This linkage can be achieved in various ways, such as by directly and rigidly connecting the drive component 3 and the filter screen 2. When the filter screen 2 rotates under the drive of the drive component 3, the debris attached to its surface is subjected to centrifugal force. This centrifugal force throws the debris away from the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2, thereby achieving the self-cleaning function of the filter screen 2 and preventing it from becoming clogged due to the accumulation of debris.

[0037] The secondary steam frothing filtration structure for traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks in this embodiment utilizes a rotatable inverted conical filter screen 2. Secondary steam impacts the drive assembly 3 to rotate the screen, generating centrifugal force to dislodge adhering debris. Combined with a cleaning assembly 4 spraying cleaning fluid for rinsing, this effectively solves the problem of easy clogging of existing filter screens 2. This avoids the pressure increase inside the extraction tank caused by filter screen clogging, reduces the need for frequent disassembly, cleaning, or replacement, thereby reducing the workload of workers and ensuring continuous production.

[0038] Meanwhile, the filter screen 2 is designed with an inverted conical structure. Its core purpose is to significantly improve the centrifugal impurity removal efficiency during filter rotation while ensuring stable filtration, thus achieving synergistic optimization of filtration and self-cleaning functions. If a conventional flat filter screen is used, there are two significant drawbacks: first, the effective filtration area is limited; the filtration area of ​​a flat filter screen is much smaller than the unfolded area of ​​the inverted conical filter screen 2 of the same diameter, directly affecting the overall filtration throughput and processing capacity; second, the centrifugal impurity removal effect is poor. During the centrifugal rotation of a flat filter screen, the direction of impurities being thrown out is tangential to the filter screen surface. When impurities detach from the filter screen, they create significant friction and resistance, making it difficult for them to be smoothly discharged, easily causing impurity retention and accumulation, thereby reducing impurity removal efficiency and equipment operational stability. In contrast, the inverted conical filter screen 2, with its inclined guiding structure, allows impurities to quickly detach along the conical surface, significantly reducing motion resistance, thus achieving more efficient and reliable continuous centrifugal impurity removal.

[0039] This application further proposes that the drive assembly 3 includes an impeller 31. The impeller 31 is a device capable of converting fluid kinetic energy into mechanical energy. It typically consists of a series of blades. When secondary steam impacts the blades, it generates thrust, causing the impeller 31 to rotate around its axis. The impeller 31 is fixedly connected to the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2, meaning that the impeller 31 and the filter screen 2 form a single unit, achieving synchronous rotation without the need for an additional transmission mechanism. The impeller 31 is located inside the steam outlet pipe 1, ensuring that it is directly exposed to the secondary steam flow, fully utilizing the impact force of the steam. When the secondary steam inside the steam outlet pipe 1 impacts the impeller 31, the impeller 31 rotates, thereby driving the filter screen 2, which is fixedly connected to it, to rotate as well.

[0040] It should be noted that the rotation of impeller 31 is mainly driven by the impact of violent secondary steam, which usually occurs when the solvent inside the extraction tank is just boiling. At this time, the solvent inside the tank is in a state of violent boiling and the amount is large, resulting in a large amount of solvent vaporization, which in turn generates a large amount of secondary steam, providing sufficient power for impeller 31 to rotate at high speed.

[0041] By designing the drive component 3 as an impeller 31 and fixing it to the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2, this application can efficiently and directly utilize the impact force of secondary steam. As a mature fluid machinery component, the impeller 31's structural design effectively captures steam kinetic energy and converts it into mechanical energy to drive the filter screen 2 to rotate. Simultaneously, the impeller 31's simple structure overcomes the problems of low efficiency, easy damage, or complex structure that may exist in high-temperature, high-humidity, and impurity-containing steam environments. This method of directly driving the filter screen 2 to rotate via steam impact on the impeller 31 simplifies the transmission chain of the entire mist-collecting and filtering structure, reduces energy loss and potential failure points, and improves the reliability and stability of the system. Therefore, the filter screen 2 can rotate stably and continuously at a high speed, generating sufficient centrifugal force to effectively remove impurities attached to the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2, significantly improving the efficiency and cleaning effect of secondary steam mist-collecting and filtering during the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine.

[0042] Meanwhile, during the rotation of the impeller 31, it can play a preliminary role in turbulence and pre-filtration of the secondary steam; the rotating blades form a dynamic baffle structure, which can change the flow path of the secondary steam. Through the baffle interception method, large particulate impurities entrained in the secondary steam are initially separated and filtered, reducing the number of large particulate impurities entering the filter screen 2 with the secondary steam, thereby improving the overall filtration and impurity removal effect.

[0043] This application further proposes that the filter screen 2 includes a frame 21 and a mesh body 22, wherein the frame 21 is rotatably disposed inside the steam outlet pipe 1 in an inverted cone shape, the mesh body 22 covers the outside of the frame 21, and the frame 21 is fixedly connected to the impeller 31.

[0044] Specifically, the frame 21, serving as the skeleton of the filter screen 2, has an inverted conical structure and is rotatably mounted inside the steam outlet pipe 1. The frame 21 can be made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant metal materials (such as stainless steel) and formed through processes such as welding, riveting, or integral molding to provide sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity, ensuring that the filter screen 2 does not deform under high-speed rotation and steam impact. The inverted conical design helps guide the steam flow and promotes the outward ejection of impurities under centrifugal force.

[0045] The mesh body 22 is the core filtration component of the filter screen 2, covering the outside of the frame 21. The mesh body 22 can be made of materials such as metal wire mesh or woven mesh with different mesh counts or pore sizes to meet different filtration precision and flow rate requirements. For example, for scenarios requiring fine mist capture, a mesh body with a higher mesh count can be selected; for scenarios with large steam flow and few impurities, a mesh body with better permeability can be selected. The connection method between the mesh body 22 and the frame 21 can be varied, such as by spot welding, to ensure that the mesh body 22 is firmly attached to the frame 21 and is not easily loosened or detached.

[0046] Furthermore, the frame 21 and the impeller 31 are fixedly connected. This fixed connection ensures that when the impeller 31 rotates under the impact of secondary steam, the torque it generates can be reliably and efficiently transmitted to the frame 21, thereby driving the entire filter screen 2 to rotate synchronously and stably.

[0047] This application further proposes a cleaning component 4 including: a liquid outlet pipe 41 disposed inside the steam outlet pipe 1; a connecting terminal 42 rotatably disposed at the end of the liquid outlet pipe 41 and fixedly connected to the filter screen 2; and a liquid outlet hole 43 disposed on the liquid outlet pipe 41 and distributed within the height direction range of the filter screen 2.

[0048] Specifically, the outlet pipe 41, serving as a delivery channel for the cleaning fluid, is located inside the steam outlet pipe 1 and is used to introduce the cleaning fluid from the outside to the filter screen 2. The outlet pipe 41 can be made of corrosion-resistant pipe materials, such as stainless steel, to withstand the corrosive environment that may exist during the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine. The size and shape of the outlet pipe 41 can be designed according to the internal space of the steam outlet pipe 1 and the flow rate requirements of the cleaning fluid to ensure a stable and sufficient delivery of the cleaning fluid.

[0049] The connecting terminal 42 is rotatably mounted at the end of the outlet pipe 41 and fixedly connected to the filter screen 2. The core function of this connecting terminal 42 is to achieve a mechanical connection between the cleaning fluid delivery pipeline (outlet pipe 41) and the rotating filter screen 2, while allowing the filter screen 2 to rotate freely. The connecting terminal 42 can be designed with a rotary joint or bearing structure, such as a rotary seal, to ensure that the outlet pipe 41 remains relatively stationary when the filter screen 2 rotates, allowing the cleaning fluid to be stably delivered to the cleaning area of ​​the filter screen 2 through the connecting terminal 42. This design ensures the continuity and stability of the cleaning fluid supply, unaffected by the rotational movement of the filter screen 2.

[0050] Liquid outlet holes 43 are provided on the liquid outlet pipe 41 and distributed along the height direction of the filter screen 2. These liquid outlet holes 43 are the specific channels for the cleaning liquid to be sprayed out, and their number, diameter, spray angle, and distribution density can be optimized according to the size and shape of the filter screen 2 and the required cleaning effect. By distributing the liquid outlet holes 43 within the height direction of the filter screen 2, it can be ensured that the cleaning liquid can cover the entire filter surface of the filter screen 2, thereby achieving a thorough rinsing of attached impurities.

[0051] Through the above technical solution, the outlet pipe 41 introduces the cleaning fluid, and the connecting terminal 42 enables the independent operation of the cleaning fluid delivery and the rotational motion of the filter screen 2, allowing the cleaning fluid to be stably delivered to the rotating filter screen 2. The outlet holes 43 are distributed along the height direction of the filter screen 2, ensuring that the cleaning fluid can fully cover the entire conical surface of the filter screen 2. When the filter screen 2 rotates under the impact of secondary steam, all areas on its surface will periodically pass through the spray range of the outlet holes 43. This cleaning method, which combines rotational motion and multi-point spraying, greatly improves the uniformity and thoroughness of cleaning, effectively avoids the accumulation of local debris, thereby ensuring the long-term efficient operation of the filter screen 2 and extending its service life.

[0052] This application further proposes to provide an elastic component 5 on the outlet pipe 41, enabling the outlet pipe 41 to move up and down, thereby driving the filter screen 2 to move up and down. The elastic component 5 is a mechanical structure capable of providing elastic support and / or restoring force, its core function being to allow the component to move within a certain range.

[0053] The elastic component 5 includes a housing 51, a slider 52, and a spring 53. The housing 51 is designed as a structural component with a specific shape, such as a square sleeve, and its main function is to guide and support the internal moving parts. The housing 51 is fixedly connected to the end cap 6 at the end of the steam outlet pipe 1, thus providing a stable mounting base for the entire elastic component 5. The slider 52 is designed as a component capable of sliding within the housing 51; it can be a block structure, its shape matching the inner wall of the housing 51 to achieve smooth linear movement. The slider 52 is fixedly connected to the outside of the liquid outlet pipe 41 and slidably disposed inside the housing 51. Through the cooperation between the slider 52 and the housing 51, the vertical movement of the liquid outlet pipe 41 is restricted within a predetermined trajectory, effectively preventing lateral swaying or deviation. The spring 53 is an elastic element capable of storing and releasing mechanical energy. The spring 53 is sleeved on the outside of the liquid outlet pipe 41 and provides elastic support for the slider 52.

[0054] By adding the elastic component 5, the filter screen 2 can have a small-amplitude axial floating and resetting capability during rotation. When the secondary steam impacts the impeller 31 and drives it to rotate, it generates an axial thrust on the impeller 31. This axial force is transmitted to the filter screen 2, causing it to displace slightly along the axial direction. At the same time, when the cleaning component 4 sprays cleaning fluid onto the filter screen 2, the impact and adhesion of the cleaning fluid change the overall stress state and instantaneous weight of the filter screen 2, breaking the original force balance of the elastic component 5, and thus driving the filter screen 2 to produce a small-amplitude axial movement. Meanwhile, under the elastic resetting action of the spring 53, the axial displacement of the filter screen 2 is continuously constrained and rebounded, thus forming a high-frequency, small-amplitude axial reciprocating motion, i.e., producing a controllable vibration effect. With the help of this vibration, the adhesion of material residues, droplets, and other debris attached to the surface of the filter screen 2 can be effectively broken, making them easier to be peeled off by the cleaning fluid or thrown out by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the filter screen 2, thereby significantly improving the self-cleaning effect of the filter screen 2.

[0055] This application further proposes that the end cap 6 is installed at the end of the steam outlet pipe 1 via a quick-release buckle 10.

[0056] Specifically, the end cap 6 is mainly used to seal the end of the steam outlet pipe 1 to ensure the internal sealing of the steam outlet pipe 1, prevent steam leakage, and provide support and protection for internal components. It is typically made of high-temperature and corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or specific alloys, to adapt to the high-temperature and high-humidity steam environment during the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine. The quick-release buckle 10 is a mechanical device for achieving rapid connection and disconnection. Its design aims to provide a convenient and efficient connection method, allowing operators to install or disassemble components without the need for special tools or with simple operation. The end cap 6 is positioned at the end of the steam outlet pipe 1 via the quick-release buckle 10, meaning that the end cap 6 is located at the end opening of the steam outlet pipe 1, forming an openable closed structure. This arrangement allows the end cap 6 to completely cover the cross-section of the steam outlet pipe 1, effectively sealing the internal space of the pipe. Simultaneously, due to the use of the quick-release buckle 10, this end position design also facilitates the overall assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the filter structure.

[0057] Through the above technical solution, the end cover 6 and the steam outlet pipe 1 are connected by quick-release clips 10, making the installation and disassembly of the end cover 6 more convenient and efficient. This significantly shortens the time required to inspect, maintain, or replace the internal components of the filter structure (such as the filter screen 2 and the cleaning component 4). In particular, since the outer shell 51 of the elastic component 5 is fixedly connected to the end cover 6, the entire elastic component 5 and its connected cleaning component 4 and filter screen 2 can be easily removed or installed as a whole by quickly disassembling the end cover 6, greatly simplifying maintenance operations, reducing maintenance difficulty and cost, and thus improving the operating efficiency and maintainability of the equipment.

[0058] Meanwhile, because the end cap 6, cleaning component 4, filter screen 2, drive component 3, and elastic component 5 adopt a modular integrated structure design, each component can be pre-assembled into a whole unit, and there are no structural modification requirements for the existing steam outlet pipe 1. Installation and fixation can be completed simply by setting quick-release clips 10 on the outer wall of the steam outlet pipe 1, without the need for drilling, welding, or other modifications to the steam outlet pipe 1. Installation is convenient and disassembly efficiency is high. This structure can be directly adapted to secondary steam conveying pipes of different specifications and models of traditional Chinese medicine extraction tanks, exhibiting strong versatility and adaptability. It can achieve rapid replacement and widespread application without changing the original equipment layout and process flow.

[0059] This application further proposes that the filter screen 2 has a slot 11 inside, and a block 12 is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting terminal 42. The filter screen 2 and the connecting terminal 42 are snapped together by the cooperation of the block 12 and the slot 11 and are fixedly connected by bolts 14.

[0060] Specifically, the filter screen 2 has a slot 11 inside, which is usually a groove of a preset shape, such as a rectangular groove, and its size and shape match the locking block 12. The slot 11 is designed to provide a precise positioning and limiting structure for the locking block 12, ensuring that the connecting terminal 42 and the filter screen 2 can be accurately aligned and achieve a reliable mechanical connection.

[0061] The connecting terminal 42 is part of the cleaning assembly 4, and a locking block 12 is fixedly connected to one side of it. The connecting terminal 42 is typically made of corrosion-resistant material to withstand the steam environment during the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine. Its main function is to connect the locking block 12 to the filter screen 2, thereby achieving synchronous rotation with the filter screen 2. The locking block 12 is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting terminal 42, and its shape complements the locking groove 11, allowing for precise insertion and engagement within the groove 11. The locking block 12 can be fixedly connected to the connecting terminal 42 by welding, riveting, or integral molding to ensure a strong connection. The engagement between the locking block 12 and the groove 11 is mainly used to achieve rapid positioning and initial fixation between the connecting terminal 42 and the filter screen 2, and to withstand some torque. Bolts 14 are used to further fix the filter screen 2 and the connecting terminal 42 after the locking block 12 is engaged with the groove 11. Bolt 14 typically passes through the corresponding holes in the connecting terminal 42 and the filter screen 2, and is tightened by thread to provide additional axial or radial clamping force, thereby ensuring the firmness and reliability of the connection and preventing it from loosening due to vibration or impact during equipment operation.

[0062] The filter screen 2 and the connecting terminal 42 are secured by a double fixing method, namely a snap-fit ​​connection and bolt 14 fastening. This ensures both the connection strength and operational stability after assembly, while also allowing for quick disassembly and assembly. When the filter screen 2 needs to be inspected or replaced, it can be easily removed from the connecting terminal 42, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty and improving the convenience of equipment use and maintenance.

[0063] In some embodiments described above, a filter screen 2 is used to filter impurities in the secondary steam, and a drive assembly 3 is used to rotate the filter screen 2 to generate centrifugal force, thereby throwing off the impurities attached to the upstream side of the filter screen 2. However, in practical applications, if there is no effective collection and discharge mechanism, these thrown-off impurities will fall back into the extraction tank and mix into the secondary steam again, increasing the filtration burden on the filter screen 2.

[0064] As an optional embodiment of this application, the side of the steam outlet pipe 1 is provided with a discharge groove 7 corresponding to the position of the filter screen 2, the outside of the discharge groove 7 is provided with a collection chamber 8, and the opening of the collection chamber 8 is provided with a cover 9.

[0065] Specifically, the discharge trough 7 is an opening or channel set on the side wall of the steam outlet pipe 1, and its position precisely corresponds to the area where debris is thrown out when the filter screen 2 rotates. The main function of the discharge trough 7 is to serve as an outlet for debris, separating the debris thrown out by the filter screen 2 under centrifugal force from the main steam flow and guiding it to the external collection structure.

[0066] The collection chamber 8 is a container connected to the outside of the discharge trough 7, and its function is to temporarily store the debris discharged through the discharge trough 7. The volume of the collection chamber 8 should be sufficient to hold the amount of debris generated within a certain period to reduce the frequency of cleaning. For ease of maintenance and cleaning, the collection chamber 8 is usually designed to be detachable or have a structure that is easy to open. Its material should have good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance to adapt to the corrosive substances and high-temperature environment that may be present during the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine.

[0067] The cover 9 is used to cover and seal the opening of the collection chamber 8. Its main purpose is to prevent debris from overflowing from the collection chamber 8, avoiding pollution to the surrounding environment, and also to prevent external impurities or air from entering the collection chamber 8, maintaining the cleanliness of the system. The cover 9 can adopt various sealing methods, such as threaded engagement, snap-fit ​​fixing, or hinge connection, to ensure good sealing effect and convenient operation, allowing for quick opening and closing of the collection chamber 8 when cleaning is required.

[0068] Through the above technical solution, when the filter screen 2 rotates at high speed under the action of the drive component 3, the debris attached to its upstream side is efficiently thrown out under the action of centrifugal force. This thrown-out debris will not scatter or re-attach inside the steam outlet pipe 1, but will be precisely guided into the discharge trough 7 corresponding to the position of the filter screen 2. The discharge trough 7, as a guide channel, effectively guides the debris to the external collection chamber 8 for centralized storage. Simultaneously, the cover 9 on the collection chamber 8 reliably seals the collection chamber 8, preventing debris overflow and secondary pollution. This design forms a complete debris discharge and collection path, ensuring that the debris thrown out by the filter screen 2 can be removed from the system in a timely and effective manner. This significantly improves the long-term operating efficiency and stability of the mist-catching filter structure, reduces maintenance workload, and avoids the accumulation of debris in the pipe and potential blockage risks, ensuring the cleanliness and smoothness of the traditional Chinese medicine extraction process.

[0069] This application further proposes that a V-shaped sealing ring 13 be provided at the sealing point between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1. The sealing point between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1 refers to the contact area between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1 where the passage of fluid (secondary steam and impurities carried therein) needs to be prevented. Since the filter screen 2 is rotatable, this sealing point needs to be able to accommodate relative movement. The V-shaped sealing ring 13 is a sealing element with a V-shaped cross-section, usually made of elastic materials such as rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene. Its V-shaped structure allows it to expand radially under axial pressure, thereby tightly fitting the sealed surface. The V-shaped sealing ring 13 is commonly used for sealing rotating shafts or reciprocating moving parts, effectively preventing leakage and possessing good wear resistance and adaptability. Through the above technical solution, by providing a V-shaped sealing ring 13 at the sealing point between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1, the sealing problem between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1 when rotating can be effectively solved. The elastic structure of the V-shaped sealing ring 13 allows it to tightly fit the contact surfaces of the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1, forming a reliable dynamic seal. This prevents secondary steam and its carried impurities from leaking or bypassing from the non-filtered area. This ensures that all secondary steam can be effectively filtered through the filter screen 2, significantly improving the efficiency and thoroughness of the mist filtration, while preventing steam leakage and ensuring the stable operation and safety of the system.

[0070] The above technical solution is further illustrated by specific examples below: When the extraction tank starts operating, the secondary steam flows from inside the tank into the steam outlet pipe 1, where it first encounters a filter screen 2 with an inverted cone shape. The filter screen 2 consists of a frame 21 and a mesh body 22 covering its outer side, and its main function is to physically intercept impurities in the secondary steam. Unlike traditional static filter screens, this filter screen 2 is not fixed in place, but is rotated and installed inside the steam outlet pipe 1.

[0071] A drive assembly 3 is fixedly connected to the flow-facing side of the filter screen 2. Specifically, the drive assembly 3 includes an impeller 31. When secondary steam impacts the blades of the impeller 31, the impeller 31 rotates under force. Since the impeller 31 is fixedly connected to the frame 21 of the filter screen 2, the rotation of the impeller 31 directly drives the filter screen 2 to rotate synchronously. During the high-speed rotation of the filter screen 2, impurities attached to its surface are thrown off the surface of the filter screen 2 by centrifugal force. This dynamic self-cleaning mechanism driven by the steam itself significantly reduces the clogging cycle of the filter screen 2, ensures smooth steam flow, and avoids the problems of increased tank pressure and production interruption caused by clogging of traditional static filters.

[0072] The ejected debris will not disperse randomly within the steam outlet pipe 1. A discharge trough 7, corresponding to the position of the filter screen 2, is provided on the side of the steam outlet pipe 1. The debris ejected by centrifugal force will enter the externally located collection chamber 8 through the discharge trough 7. The collection chamber 8 has a cover 9 at its opening for easy periodic cleaning of the collected debris.

[0073] In addition to its continuous self-cleaning function, the structure is also equipped with a cleaning component 4 for periodic or intensive cleaning. The cleaning component 4 includes a liquid outlet pipe 41, which is internally located within the steam outlet pipe 1. Multiple liquid outlet holes 43 are distributed on the liquid outlet pipe 41, covering the height range of the filter screen 2. A connecting terminal 42 is rotatably mounted at the end of the liquid outlet pipe 41, and this connecting terminal 42 is fixedly connected to the filter screen 2. When rinsing is required, cleaning fluid is sprayed out through the liquid outlet pipe 41, uniformly rinsing the surface of the filter screen 2 from the liquid outlet holes 43, further removing any stubborn debris that may remain.

[0074] To enhance the self-cleaning effect of filter screen 2, an elastic component 5 is added, enabling filter screen 2 to have a small-amplitude axial floating and resetting capability during rotation. Under the elastic resetting action of spring 53, the axial displacement of filter screen 2 is continuously constrained and rebounded, thus forming a high-frequency, small-amplitude axial reciprocating motion, i.e., generating a controllable vibration effect. This vibration effectively breaks down the adhesion of material residues, droplets, and other debris adhering to the surface of filter screen 2, making them easier to peel off by the cleaning fluid or thrown out by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of filter screen 2.

[0075] In terms of maintenance, to facilitate the inspection or replacement of the filter screen 2, the end cap 6 is installed at the end of the steam outlet pipe 1 via a quick-release clip 10, making disassembly and installation quick and easy, significantly shortening maintenance time. The filter screen 2 has an internal slot 11, and a locking block 12 is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting terminal 42. The filter screen 2 and the connecting terminal 42 are engaged through the cooperation of the locking block 12 and the slot 11, and fixedly connected by bolts 14, ensuring a stable connection. Furthermore, a V-shaped sealing ring 13 is provided at the sealing point between the filter screen 2 and the steam outlet pipe 1, effectively preventing the leakage of secondary steam and ensuring filtration efficiency and system airtightness.

[0076] The above structure successfully solves the problem of easy clogging of the secondary steam filter in the herbal extraction tank. Compared with traditional static filters, this structure utilizes the kinetic energy of secondary steam to drive the filter 2 to rotate for centrifugal self-cleaning, supplemented by spray cleaning, achieving continuous and efficient operation of the filter 2. This not only significantly reduces the frequency and labor intensity of manual cleaning and reduces downtime, but also improves production efficiency.

[0077] The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe or indicate a specific order or sequence.

[0078] The term "comprising" or any other similar term is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus / device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus / device.

[0079] The technical solution of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank, disposed inside the steam outlet pipe (1) of the traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank, characterized in that, include: The filter screen (2) has an inverted cone-shaped structure and is rotatably installed inside the steam outlet pipe (1) to filter impurities in the secondary steam; The drive assembly (3) is located on the flow-facing side of the filter screen (2), and the secondary steam impact drive assembly (3) inside the steam outlet pipe (1) rotates; and The cleaning component (4) is located inside the steam outlet pipe (1) and sprays cleaning fluid to rinse the filter screen (2); The filter screen (2) is configured such that the drive component (3) rotates to drive the filter screen (2) to rotate, and the rotation of the filter screen (2) generates centrifugal force to throw out the debris attached to the front side of the filter screen (2).

2. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component (3) includes: The impeller (31) is fixedly connected to the flow-facing side of the filter screen (2) and located inside the steam outlet pipe (1). The secondary steam inside the steam outlet pipe (1) impacts the impeller (31) to rotate.

3. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 2, characterized in that, The filter screen (2) includes: The frame (21) is arranged in an inverted cone shape and rotates inside the steam outlet pipe (1); and The mesh (22) covers the outside of the frame (21); The frame (21) is fixedly connected to the impeller (31).

4. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, Cleanup component (4) includes: The liquid outlet pipe (41) is installed inside the steam outlet pipe (1); The connecting terminal (42) is rotatably disposed at the end of the liquid outlet pipe (41) and fixedly connected to the filter screen (2); and The liquid outlet hole (43) is set on the liquid outlet pipe (41) and distributed within the height direction range of the filter screen (2).

5. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, An elastic component (5) is provided on the liquid outlet pipe (41); The elastic component (5) allows the liquid outlet pipe (41) to move up and down, so that the filter screen (2) can move up and down.

6. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The elastic component (5) includes: The outer casing (51) is fixedly connected to the end cap (6) at the end of the steam outlet pipe (1); The slider (52) is fixedly connected to the outside of the outlet pipe (41) and slidably disposed inside the housing (51); and The spring (53) is sleeved on the outside of the liquid outlet pipe (41) to provide elastic support for the slider (52).

7. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 6, characterized in that, The end cap (6) is installed at the end of the steam outlet pipe (1) by a quick-release buckle (10).

8. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, The filter screen (2) has a slot (11) inside, and a block (12) is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting terminal (42). The filter screen (2) and the connecting terminal (42) are snapped together by the cooperation of the block (12) and the slot (11) and are fixedly connected by bolts (14).

9. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the steam outlet pipe (1) is provided with a discharge groove (7) corresponding to the position of the filter screen (2). A collection chamber (8) is provided outside the discharge groove (7), and a cover (9) is provided at the opening of the collection chamber (8).

10. The secondary steam frothing filter structure for a traditional Chinese medicine extraction tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter screen (2) and the steam outlet pipe (1) are provided with V-shaped sealing rings (13).

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