An automated tofu production equipment and method

Abstract

This invention discloses an automated tofu production equipment and method, including a bean curd conveying mechanism. The conveying platform of the bean curd conveying mechanism is U-shaped and consists of an infeed conveying platform, an outlet conveying platform, and a connecting conveying platform between the infeed and outlet conveying platforms. The conveying platform is used to convey a storage cylinder containing bean curd. A heat-insulating channel is installed at the top of the infeed conveying platform, and a bean curd breaking component is installed at the top of the connecting conveying platform. One end of the infeed conveying platform is equipped with a bean curd making mechanism, and one end of the outlet conveying platform is equipped with a bean curd discharging mechanism. In operation, the bean curd is formed by the bean curd making mechanism and conveyed by the conveying platform. During the conveying process, the bean curd is broken by the bean curd breaking component, and then the bean curd is sent into various tofu molds. The tofu is then compacted and formed by a tofu compactor, thus achieving automated tofu production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tofu production technology, specifically an automated tofu production equipment and method. Background Technology

[0002] Tofu, a traditional plant-based protein food in my country, has become an important category in people's daily lives due to its rich nutrition, delicate texture, and convenient consumption. With the advancement of food industrialization and large-scale production, tofu production is gradually transforming from traditional hand-operated workshops to mechanized and automated processes. Traditional tofu production involves multiple steps, including soaking raw materials, grinding and separating the pulp, boiling the pulp, coagulating the coagulated liquid, pressing and shaping, and cutting and packaging. This process involves high manual labor, loose workflow connections, and problems such as low production efficiency, high labor intensity, difficulty in controlling hygiene, and poor product quality consistency. Currently, segmented tofu processing equipment has emerged in the industry, such as automatic grinding machines, boiling tanks, coagulation tanks, and single-station presses, which reduce reliance on manual labor to some extent. However, these systems still have the following drawbacks: These types of equipment are mostly independent single machines, and material transfer between processes still requires manual labor or simple conveying devices, making it difficult to meet the needs of automated tofu production and resulting in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above situation and to overcome the defects of the prior art, the present invention provides an automated tofu production equipment and production method, which effectively solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated tofu production equipment, including a bean curd conveying mechanism. The conveying platform of the bean curd conveying mechanism is U-shaped and consists of an infeed conveying platform, an outlet conveying platform, and a connecting conveying platform disposed between the infeed conveying platform and the outlet conveying platform. The conveying platform is used to convey a storage cylinder containing bean curd. A heat preservation channel is installed at the top of the infeed conveying platform, and a bean curd breaking component is installed at the top of the connecting conveying platform. One end of the feeding conveyor is equipped with a bean curd making mechanism, and the other end of the discharging conveyor is equipped with a bean curd discharging mechanism. The bean curd discharging mechanism includes a rotating limit frame, which is located at one end of the discharging end conveyor platform. A rotating cylinder is rotatably installed on the inner side of the rotating limit frame. Discharging tanks are installed at both the upper and lower ends of the rotating cylinder. Sealing gaskets are installed on the end faces of the two discharging tanks that are close to each other. A tofu forming mechanism is set below the lower discharging tank. A gear ring is installed on the circumference of the rotating cylinder, and a gear is meshed on one side of the gear ring. The gear is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first motor. The first motor is fixedly installed on the rotation limit frame, and a lifting and pressing component is provided on the inner side of the rotating cylinder.

[0005] Preferably, the lifting and pressing component includes a U-shaped frame disposed between the upper and lower discharge tanks, with support rollers equidistantly installed on the inner side of the U-shaped frame, guide blocks symmetrically installed on both sides of the U-shaped frame, and first guide rods symmetrically arranged on both sides of the U-shaped frame. The first guide rods are fixedly installed inside the rotating cylinder, and the guide blocks are slidably connected to the first guide rods. A fixing plate is provided on the side of the U-shaped frame away from the discharge end conveyor table, and connecting plates are symmetrically installed between the fixing plate and the U-shaped frame. A cylinder positioning component is provided inside the U-shaped frame.

[0006] Preferably, an mounting plate is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating cylinder away from the discharge end conveyor table. Two sliding frames are symmetrically installed on the mounting plate, and sliders are symmetrically installed on the fixed plate. The two sliders are slidably installed inside the two sliding frames. A first screw is rotatably installed inside one of the sliding frames. The first screw is threadedly connected to the slider. One end of the first screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the second motor. The second motor is fixedly installed on the sliding frame.

[0007] Preferably, the cylinder positioning component includes two fixed positioning arc plates symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the U-shaped frame, and two movable positioning arc plates symmetrically arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the U-shaped frame. The fixed positioning arc plate on one side and the two movable positioning arc plates can limit the position of the storage cylinder. The two movable positioning arc plates correspond to the two arms of the U-shaped frame respectively. A fixed seat is provided on the side of the two movable positioning arc plates that are far apart from each other. The two fixed seats are fixedly installed on the two arms of the U-shaped frame respectively. A second guide rod is fixedly installed on the side of the movable positioning arc plate that is close to the fixed seat. The second guide rod is horizontally slidably connected to the fixed seat. A spring is installed between the movable positioning arc plate and the fixed seat.

[0008] Preferably, each of the two arms of the U-shaped frame has a movable groove inside, and rod grooves are symmetrically opened on the upper and lower sides of the movable groove. A pressure rod is movably installed inside the rod groove. A connecting rod is hinged to one end of the pressure rod outside the U-shaped frame. The ends of the upper and lower connecting rods are respectively hinged to the upper and lower movable positioning arc plates, and the end of the pressure rod inside the movable groove is set in a hemispherical shape.

[0009] Preferably, a U-shaped insert plate is provided between the U-shaped frame and the fixed plate. The two arms of the U-shaped insert plate are respectively inserted into the two movable slots. Each end of the two arms of the U-shaped insert plate is equipped with a pressing head. The ends of the upper and lower pressure rods respectively contact the upper and lower inclined outer walls of the pressing head. Two third guide rods are symmetrically installed between the U-shaped frame and the fixed plate. The U-shaped insert plate is slidably connected to the third guide rods. A second screw is rotatably installed between the U-shaped frame and the fixed plate. The second screw is threadedly connected to the U-shaped insert plate. One end of the second screw is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the third motor. The third motor is fixedly installed on the fixed plate.

[0010] Preferably, the brain-breaking component includes a mounting frame fixedly installed on the top of the discharge end conveyor platform. Multiple cylinders are equidistantly installed on the top of the mounting frame. A portion of the cylinders have a brain-breaking mesh installed on their output ends, and the remaining cylinders have a stirrer installed on their output ends.

[0011] Preferably, the soy milk making mechanism includes a soy milk tank and a mixing tank. A cooling tank is installed at the end of the discharge pipe of the soy milk tank. A soy milk storage cylinder is connected to the discharge pipe of the cooling tank. An emulsifier storage cylinder is provided on one side of the soy milk storage cylinder. The discharge pipes of the soy milk storage cylinder and the emulsifier storage cylinder are both connected to the mixing tank. The discharge pipe of the mixing tank is located on the feed end conveyor platform above the storage cylinder at the end.

[0012] Preferably, the tofu forming mechanism includes a mold conveying frame disposed on the bottom of the rotating cylinder below the discharge tank, on which tofu molds are placed, and multiple tofu compactors are installed at equal intervals on one side of the mold conveying frame.

[0013] A preferred method for producing tofu using automated production equipment is as follows: S1. Making Soy Milk Pudding: After the soy milk in the soy milk tank is cooled to the required temperature in the cooling tank, it is transferred to the soy milk storage tank. Then, the soy milk in the soy milk storage tank and the emulsifier in the emulsifier storage tank are transferred to the mixing tank in a certain proportion. The soy milk and emulsifier are mixed in the mixing tank to form soy milk pudding. S2, Bean curd conveying and breaking: Bean curd in the mixing tank is output to the storage cylinder on the feed conveyor platform, and then moved to the breaking piece for breaking. S3, Bean curd output: The storage cylinder moves to the top of the U-shaped frame, and then the U-shaped frame moves upward to connect the storage cylinder with the upper discharge tank. Then the first motor drives the rotating cylinder to rotate, and the bean curd in the storage cylinder is output to the tofu mold on the mold conveyor frame. S4. Compacting and Shaping: Move the tofu mold onto the tofu compactor for compaction and shaping. After half an hour of compaction, unload the tofu and then remove the tofu formed in the mold.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1) In operation, the bean curd is formed by the set bean curd making mechanism and transported by the conveying platform. During the transport process, the bean curd is broken by the bean curd breaking component. Then the bean curd is sent into each tofu mold and the tofu is compacted and formed by the tofu compactor, so that the tofu production is automated and the tofu production efficiency is greatly improved. 2) During operation, two discharge tanks are symmetrically set up above and below the rotating drum. When the storage drum moves above the support roller, it moves up through the U-shaped frame to connect the storage drum with the upper discharge tank. Then the rotating drum rotates to flip and discharge the bean curd, which is convenient to use. Then it rotates to the upper discharge tank to align the storage drum for the next time. This avoids the need to turn back after the rotating drum flips and then flip and discharge the bean curd again, saving time and improving the efficiency of tofu production. 3) During operation, the U-shaped frame moves between the upper and lower discharge tanks along the first guide rod, which facilitates the docking of the storage cylinder with the upper discharge tank. At the same time, support rollers are equidistantly arranged on the inner side of the U-shaped frame, so that after the rotating cylinder is flipped, the storage cylinder can still move above the support rollers, which facilitates the conveying of bean curd. 4) During operation, the U-shaped frame is equipped with fixed positioning arc plates and two movable positioning arc plates on both the upper and lower sides. The fixed positioning arc plates limit the forward movement of the storage cylinder, while the U-shaped insert plate is driven by the third motor to move, so that the inclined outer wall of the pressing head exerts pressure on the pressure rod, pushing the two movable positioning arc plates toward the storage cylinder to clamp and position the storage cylinder, thereby improving the docking stability between the storage cylinder and the discharge tank and improving the discharge stability of the bean curd. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0016] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automated tofu production equipment according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bean curd delivery mechanism of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bean curd making mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the tofu forming mechanism of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bean curd dispensing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating cylinder structure of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting and clamping component structure of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting plate structure of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cylindrical positioning component of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the U-shaped insert structure of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Bean curd conveying mechanism; 101. Feeding end conveying platform; 102. Discharge end conveying platform; 103. Connecting conveying platform; 104. Storage cylinder; 105. Insulation channel; 106. Bean curd breaking component; 1061. Mounting frame; 1062. Cylinder; 1063. Bean curd breaking mesh; 1064. Stirrer; 2. Bean curd making mechanism; 201. Soy milk tank; 202. Cooling tank; 203. Soy milk storage cylinder; 204. Emulsifier storage cylinder; 205. Mixing tank; 3. Bean curd discharging mechanism; 301. Rotating limit frame; 302. Rotating cylinder; 303. Discharge tank; 304. First guide rod; 305. Gear ring; 306. Gear; 307. First motor; 308. Lifting and pressing component; 3081. U-shaped frame; 3082. Support roller; 3083 3084. Guide block; 3085. Fixing plate; 3086. Connecting plate; 3087. Slider; 3088. Mounting plate; 3089. Sliding frame; 3080. First screw; 30810. Second motor; 309. Cylinder positioning component; 3091. Fixed positioning arc plate; 3092. Movable positioning arc plate; 3093. Fixed seat; 3094. Second guide rod; 3095. Spring; 3096. Movable groove; 3097. Rod groove; 3099. Pressure rod; 30910. Connecting rod; 30911. U-shaped insert plate; 30912. Pressing head; 30913. Third guide rod; 30914. Second screw; 30915. Third motor; 4. Tofu forming mechanism; 401. Mold conveying frame; 402. Tofu mold; 403. Tofu compactor. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Example 1, by Figure 1-10 The present invention relates to an automated tofu production equipment, including a bean curd conveying mechanism 1. The conveying platform of the bean curd conveying mechanism 1 is arranged in a U-shape, which consists of a feeding end conveying platform 101, a discharging end conveying platform 102, and a connecting conveying platform 103 disposed between the feeding end conveying platform 101 and the discharging end conveying platform 102. The conveying platform is used to convey a storage cylinder 104 containing bean curd. A heat preservation channel 105 is installed at the top of the feeding end conveying platform 101, and a bean curd breaking component 106 is installed at the top of the connecting conveying platform 103. One end of the feeding conveyor 101 is equipped with a bean curd making mechanism 2, and one end of the discharging conveyor 102 is equipped with a bean curd discharging mechanism 3. The brain-breaking component 106 includes a mounting frame 1061 fixedly installed on the top of the discharge end conveyor table 102. Multiple cylinders 1062 are equidistantly installed on the top of the mounting frame 1061. A brain-breaking mesh 1063 is installed on the output end of some of the cylinders 1062, and an agitator 1064 is installed on the output end of the remaining cylinders 1062.

[0020] The bean curd discharging mechanism 3 includes a rotating limit frame 301, which is located at one end of the discharging end conveyor table 102. A rotating cylinder 302 is rotatably installed on the inner side of the rotating limit frame 301. Discharging tanks 303 are installed at both the upper and lower ends of the rotating cylinder 302. Sealing gaskets are installed on the end faces of the two discharging tanks 303 that are close to each other. A tofu forming mechanism 4 is set below the lower discharging tank 303. A toothed ring 305 is installed on the circumference of the rotating cylinder 302. A gear 306 is meshed on one side of the toothed ring 305. The gear 306 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first motor 307. The first motor 307 is fixedly installed on the rotating limit frame 301. A lifting and pressing component 308 is set on the inner side of the rotating cylinder 302.

[0021] The lifting and pressing component 308 includes a U-shaped frame 3081 disposed between two upper and lower discharge tanks 303. Support rollers 3082 are equidistantly installed on the inner side of the U-shaped frame 3081. Two discharge tanks 303 are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the rotating cylinder 302. When the storage cylinder 104 moves above the support rollers 3082, the U-shaped frame 3081 moves upward, causing the storage cylinder 104 to align with the upper discharge tank 303. Then, the rotating cylinder 302 rotates to tumble and discharge the bean curd, facilitating use. The storage cylinder 104 is then rotated to the upper discharge tank 303 for the next discharge. To avoid the need for the rotating drum 302 to rotate and then rotate again for subsequent feeding after it has flipped, thus saving time and improving tofu production efficiency, guide blocks 3083 are symmetrically installed on both sides of the U-shaped frame 3081. First guide rods 304 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the U-shaped frame 3081. The first guide rods 304 are fixedly installed inside the rotating drum 302. The guide blocks 3083 are slidably connected to the first guide rods 304. A fixing plate 3084 is provided on the side of the U-shaped frame 3081 away from the discharge end conveyor table 102. The fixing plate 3084 and the U-shaped frame 3081 are... A connecting plate 3085 is symmetrically installed. A cylinder positioning component 309 is provided inside the U-shaped frame 3081. An installation plate 3087 is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating cylinder 302 away from the discharge end conveyor table 102. Two sliding frames 3088 are symmetrically installed on the installation plate 3087. A slider 3086 is symmetrically installed on the fixed plate 3084. The two sliders 3086 are slidably installed inside the two sliding frames 3088 respectively. A first screw 3089 is rotatably installed inside one of the sliding frames 3088. The first screw 3089 and the slider 308 are rotatably installed. The first screw 3089 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the second motor 30810. The second motor 30810 is fixedly mounted on the sliding frame 3088. The U-shaped frame 3081 moves along the first guide rod 304 between the upper and lower discharge tanks 303, which facilitates the docking of the storage cylinder 104 with the upper discharge tank 303. At the same time, support rollers 3082 are equidistantly arranged on the inner side of the U-shaped frame 3081, so that after the rotating cylinder 302 is flipped, the storage cylinder 104 can still move above the support rollers 3082, which facilitates the conveying of bean curd.

[0022] The cylinder positioning component 309 includes two fixed positioning arc plates 3091 symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the U-shaped frame 3081. Two movable positioning arc plates 3092 are symmetrically arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the U-shaped frame 3081. The fixed positioning arc plate 3091 on one side and the two movable positioning arc plates 3092 can limit the movement of the storage cylinder 104. The two movable positioning arc plates 3092 correspond to the two arms of the U-shaped frame 3081, respectively. A fixed seat 3093 is provided on the side of the two movable positioning arc plates 3092 that is furthest from each other. The two fixed seats 3093 are fixedly installed on the two arms of the U-shaped frame 3081. A second guide rod is fixedly installed on the side of the movable positioning arc plate 3092 closest to the fixed seat 3093. 3094, the second guide rod 3094 is horizontally slidably connected to the fixed seat 3093. A spring 3095 is installed between the movable positioning arc plate 3092 and the fixed seat 3093. Movable grooves 3096 are opened inside both arms of the U-shaped frame 3081. Rod grooves 3097 are symmetrically opened on the upper and lower sides of the movable grooves 3096. A pressure rod 3099 is movably installed inside the rod groove 3097. A connecting rod 30910 is hinged to one end of the pressure rod 3099 located outside the U-shaped frame 3081. The ends of the upper and lower connecting rods 30910 are respectively hinged to the upper and lower movable positioning arc plates 3092. The end of the pressure rod 3099 located inside the movable groove 3096 is hemispherical. The U-shaped frame 3081 and the fixed seat 3093... A U-shaped insert plate 30911 is provided between plates 3084. The two arms of the U-shaped insert plate 30911 are inserted into two movable slots 3096. Each arm of the U-shaped insert plate 30911 has a pressing head 30912 installed at its end. The ends of the upper and lower pressure rods 3099 contact the upper and lower inclined outer walls of the pressing head 30912, respectively. Two third guide rods 30913 are symmetrically installed between the U-shaped frame 3081 and the fixed plate 3084. The U-shaped insert plate 30911 is slidably connected to the third guide rods 30913. A second screw 30914 is rotatably installed between the U-shaped frame 3081 and the fixed plate 3084. The second screw 30914 is threadedly connected to the U-shaped insert plate 30911. One end of 914 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the third motor 30915. The third motor 30915 is fixedly installed on the fixed plate 3084. The upper and lower sides of the U-shaped frame 3081 are provided with a fixed positioning arc plate 3091 and two movable positioning arc plates 3092. The fixed positioning arc plate 3091 limits the forward movement of the storage cylinder 104. The third motor 30915 drives the U-shaped insert plate 30911 to move, so that the inclined outer wall of the pressing head 30912 exerts pressure on the pressure rod 3099, pushing the two movable positioning arc plates 3092 to move towards the storage cylinder 104, clamping and positioning the storage cylinder 104, improving the docking stability of the storage cylinder 104 and the discharge tank 303, and improving the discharge stability of bean curd.

[0023] The soy milk making mechanism 2 includes a soy milk tank 201 and a mixing tank 205. A cooling tank 202 is installed at the end of the discharge pipe of the soy milk tank 201. A soy milk storage cylinder 203 is connected to the discharge pipe of the cooling tank 202. An emulsifier storage cylinder 204 is provided on one side of the soy milk storage cylinder 203. Both the discharge pipe of the soy milk storage cylinder 203 and the discharge pipe of the emulsifier storage cylinder 204 are connected to the mixing tank 205. The discharge pipe of the mixing tank 205 is located on the feed end conveyor platform 101 above the storage cylinder 104 at the end.

[0024] The tofu forming mechanism 4 includes a mold conveying frame 401 located below the discharge tank 303 at the bottom of the rotating cylinder 302. Tofu molds 402 are placed on the mold conveying frame 401. Multiple tofu compactors 403 are installed at equal intervals on one side of the mold conveying frame 401. The tofu curd making mechanism 2 realizes the tofu curd forming and conveys the tofu curd through the conveying platform. During the conveying process, the tofu curd is broken by the tofu curd breaking component 106, and then the tofu curd is sent into each tofu mold 402. The tofu compactors 403 realize the tofu compaction and forming, so that the tofu production is automated and the tofu production efficiency is greatly improved.

[0025] Working principle: During operation, the soy milk in the soy milk tank 201 is first fed into the cooling tank 202 for cooling, so that the temperature of the soy milk drops to between 85℃ and 90℃. The soy milk is then fed into the soy milk storage tank 203 through a suction pump between the soy milk storage tank 203 and the cooling tank 202. The emulsifier storage tank 204 is filled with emulsifier. Suction pumps are also installed on the pipes between the soy milk storage tank 203 and the mixing tank 205, as well as between the emulsifier storage tank 204 and the mixing tank 205. The soy milk and emulsifier are fed into the mixing tank 205 through the suction pumps for mixing, thereby forming soy milk curd. Then, a storage cylinder 104 is placed at the end of the feed conveyor 101, and the valve on the discharge pipe of the mixing tank 205 is opened, allowing the bean curd to fall into the storage cylinder 104. The storage cylinder 104 is then conveyed to the discharge conveyor 102 via the conveyor platform. When the storage cylinder 104 moves below the bean curd breaking net 1063, the bean curd breaking net 1063 moves downward under the drive of the cylinder 1062 to cut the bean curd. When the storage cylinder 104 moves below the agitator 1064, the agitator 1064 moves downward under the drive of the cylinder 1062 to enter the bean curd and rotate and stir, thus breaking the bean curd. Before moving to the bean curd breaking component 106, the storage cylinder 104 is conveyed inside the heat preservation channel 105. The heat preservation channel 105 keeps the bean curd inside the storage cylinder 104 warm by steam insulation. After the bean curd is broken, the storage cylinder 104 moves along the discharge end conveyor 102 to the support roller 3082 inside the U-shaped frame 3081 until one side of the outer wall of the storage cylinder 104 contacts the fixed positioning arc plate 3091 above the U-shaped frame 3081. Then, the second screw 30914 is driven to rotate by the third motor 30915, thereby driving the U-shaped insert plate 30911 to move towards the U-shaped frame 3081. This causes the inclined outer wall of the pressing head 30912 to exert pressure on the end of the pressure rod 3099, pushing the pressure rod 3099 to move outward. Then, the connecting rod 30910 pushes the movable positioning arc plate 3092 towards the storage cylinder 104, so that the movable positioning arc plates 3092 on both sides clamp and position the storage cylinder 104, improving the stability of subsequent flipping and discharge. Then, the second motor 30810 is activated, driving the first screw 3089 to rotate. This drives the U-shaped frame 3081 to move towards the discharge tank 303 above the rotating cylinder 302, so that the top end face of the storage cylinder 104 is tightly pressed against the sealing gasket on the end face of the discharge tank 303. Then, the first motor 307 is activated, driving the gear 306 to rotate. The gear 306 meshes with the gear ring 305 on the rotating cylinder 302, thereby driving the rotating cylinder 302 to rotate and discharging the material connected to the storage cylinder 104. The material tank 303 rotates to the bottom. A valve is installed on the output pipe of the material tank 303. After opening the valve, the bean curd in the storage cylinder 104 is output to the tofu mold 402 on the mold conveyor frame 401. The battery that powers the first motor 307 is installed on the rotation limit frame 301, the battery that powers the second motor 30810 is installed on the mounting plate 3087, and the battery that powers the third motor 30915 is installed on the fixing plate 3084. After the material feeding is completed, the U-shaped frame 3081 is moved back, the storage cylinder 104 is removed, and then the storage cylinder 104 continues to move. It is rotated to the upper discharge tank 303 for subsequent flipping, avoiding the flipping back operation after the material is flipped and discharged, thus improving the tofu production efficiency. Then, the tofu mold 402 moves along the mold conveyor frame 401. The staff moves the tofu mold 402 to the tofu compactor 403 to compact the tofu. The tofu mold 402 has drainage holes evenly distributed on it. The water in the tofu curd is squeezed out by pressure. The compaction time is generally more than 30 minutes. After compaction, the tofu is unloaded and the tofu made in the tofu mold 402 can be taken out.

[0026] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0027] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automated tofu production equipment, comprising a tofu curd conveying mechanism (1), characterized in that: The conveying platform of the bean curd conveying mechanism (1) is U-shaped and consists of a feeding end conveying platform (101), an output end conveying platform (102), and a connecting conveying platform (103) located between the feeding end conveying platform (101) and the output end conveying platform (102). The conveying platform is used to convey the storage cylinder (104) containing bean curd. The top of the feeding end conveying platform (101) is equipped with a heat preservation channel (105), and the top of the connecting conveying platform (103) is equipped with a bean curd breaking component (106). One end of the feeding conveyor (101) is equipped with a bean curd making mechanism (2), and one end of the discharging conveyor (102) is equipped with a bean curd discharging mechanism (3). The bean curd discharging mechanism (3) includes a rotating limit frame (301), which is located at one end of the discharging end conveyor (102). A rotating cylinder (302) is rotatably installed on the inner side of the rotating limit frame (301). Discharging tanks (303) are installed at both the upper and lower ends of the rotating cylinder (302). Sealing gaskets are installed on the end faces of the two discharging tanks (303) that are close to each other. A tofu forming mechanism (4) is set below the lower discharging tank (303). A gear ring (305) is installed on the circumference of the rotating cylinder (302). A gear (306) is meshed on one side of the gear ring (305). The gear (306) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first motor (307). The first motor (307) is fixedly installed on the rotating limit frame (301). A lifting and pressing component (308) is provided on the inner side of the rotating cylinder (302).

2. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting and pressing component (308) includes a U-shaped frame (3081) disposed between the upper and lower discharge tanks (303). Support rollers (3082) are equidistantly installed on the inner side of the U-shaped frame (3081). Guide blocks (3083) are symmetrically installed on both sides of the U-shaped frame (3081). First guide rods (304) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the U-shaped frame (3081). The first guide rods (304) are fixedly installed inside the rotating cylinder (302). The guide blocks (3083) are slidably connected to the first guide rods (304). A fixing plate (3084) is provided on the side of the U-shaped frame (3081) away from the discharge end conveyor table (102). A connecting plate (3085) is symmetrically installed between the fixing plate (3084) and the U-shaped frame (3081). A cylinder positioning component (309) is provided inside the U-shaped frame (3081).

3. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: An mounting plate (3087) is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating cylinder (302) away from the discharge end conveyor table (102). Two sliding frames (3088) are symmetrically installed on the mounting plate (3087). Slider blocks (3086) are symmetrically installed on the fixed plate (3084). The two sliders (3086) are slidably installed inside the two sliding frames (3088). A first screw (3089) is rotatably installed inside one of the sliding frames (3088). The first screw (3089) is threadedly connected to the slider (3086). One end of the first screw (3089) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the second motor (30810). The second motor (30810) is fixedly installed on the sliding frame (3088).

4. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylinder positioning component (309) includes two fixed positioning arc plates (3091) symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the U-shaped frame (3081). Two movable positioning arc plates (3092) are symmetrically arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the U-shaped frame (3081). The fixed positioning arc plate (3091) on one side and the two movable positioning arc plates (3092) can limit the movement of the storage cylinder (104). The two movable positioning arc plates (3092) correspond to the two arms of the U-shaped frame (3081), respectively. Each of the positioning arc plates (3092) is provided with a fixed seat (3093) on the side away from each other. The two fixed seats (3093) are respectively fixedly installed on the two arms of the U-shaped frame (3081). A second guide rod (3094) is fixedly installed on the side of the movable positioning arc plate (3092) close to the fixed seat (3093). The second guide rod (3094) is horizontally slidably connected to the fixed seat (3093). A spring (3095) is installed between the movable positioning arc plate (3092) and the fixed seat (3093).

5. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The U-shaped frame (3081) has movable grooves (3096) inside both arms. The movable grooves (3096) have symmetrical rod grooves (3097) on the upper and lower sides. A pressure rod (3099) is movably installed inside the rod groove (3097). A connecting rod (30910) is hinged to one end of the pressure rod (3099) outside the U-shaped frame (3081). The ends of the upper and lower connecting rods (30910) are respectively hinged to the upper and lower movable positioning arc plates (3092). The end of the pressure rod (3099) inside the movable groove (3096) is set in a hemispherical shape.

6. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: A U-shaped insert plate (30911) is provided between the U-shaped frame (3081) and the fixed plate (3084). The two arms of the U-shaped insert plate (30911) are respectively inserted into the two movable slots (3096). A pressing head (30912) is installed at the end of each arm of the U-shaped insert plate (30911). The ends of the upper and lower pressure rods (3099) respectively contact the upper and lower inclined outer walls of the pressing head (30912). Two... A third guide rod (30913) is slidably connected to a U-shaped insert plate (30911). A second screw (30914) is rotatably installed between a U-shaped frame (3081) and a fixed plate (3084). The second screw (30914) is threadedly connected to the U-shaped insert plate (30911). One end of the second screw (30914) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of a third motor (30915). The third motor (30915) is fixedly installed on the fixed plate (3084).

7. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The brain-breaking component (106) includes a mounting frame (1061) fixedly installed on the top of the discharge end conveyor table (102). Multiple cylinders (1062) are equidistantly installed on the top of the mounting frame (1061). A brain-breaking mesh (1063) is installed on the output end of some of the cylinders (1062), and an agitator (1064) is installed on the output end of the remaining cylinders (1062).

8. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soy milk making mechanism (2) includes a soy milk tank (201) and a mixing tank (205). A cooling tank (202) is installed at the end of the discharge pipe of the soy milk tank (201). A soy milk storage cylinder (203) is connected to the discharge pipe of the cooling tank (202). An emulsifier storage cylinder (204) is provided on one side of the soy milk storage cylinder (203). The discharge pipes of the soy milk storage cylinder (203) and the emulsifier storage cylinder (204) are both connected to the mixing tank (205). The discharge pipe of the mixing tank (205) is located on the feed end conveyor platform (101) above the storage cylinder (104) at the end.

9. The automated tofu production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tofu forming mechanism (4) includes a mold conveying frame (401) located below the discharge tank (303) at the bottom of the rotating cylinder (302). Tofu molds (402) are placed on the mold conveying frame (401), and multiple tofu compactors (403) are installed at equal intervals on one side of the mold conveying frame (401).

10. A production method of an automated tofu production equipment according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The production method is as follows: S1. Making Soy Milk: The soy milk in the soy milk tank (201) is output to the cooling tank (202) and cooled to the required temperature. Then it is input into the soy milk storage tank (203). The soy milk in the soy milk storage tank (203) and the emulsifier in the emulsifier storage tank (204) are input into the mixing tank (205) in proportion. The soy milk and emulsifier are mixed in the mixing tank (205) to form soy milk. S2, bean curd conveying and breaking: the bean curd in the mixing tank (205) is output to the storage cylinder (104) on the feed end conveyor (101), and then moved to the breaking piece (106) for breaking; S3, Bean curd output: The storage cylinder (104) moves to the top of the U-shaped frame (3081), and then the U-shaped frame (3081) moves upward to connect the storage cylinder (104) with the upper discharge tank (303). Then the first motor (307) drives the rotating cylinder (302) to rotate, and the bean curd in the storage cylinder (104) is output to the tofu mold (402) on the mold conveyor frame (401); S4. Compacting and molding: Move the tofu mold (402) to the tofu compactor (403) for compaction and molding. After half an hour of compaction, unload the tofu and then take out the tofu formed in the tofu mold (402).

Images