A dry grain storage cabinet with first-in-first-out function

Abstract

The application discloses a dry storage grain cabinet with a first-in first-out function, which comprises a cabinet body, a plurality of independent grain storage grids arranged in the cabinet body, a main control unit, a locking component, a weighing unit and a real-time clock module, and a dry unit comprising a temperature and humidity detection component, an air exchange component and a dehumidification component. The rear side plate, side plate and / or bottom plate of the grain storage grid are of a breathable structure, so that the gas flows among the grain storage grids under the driving of the dry unit. The main control unit records the current weight and the put-in time stamp of each grain storage grid, and in response to a grain taking instruction, the grain storage grid with the earliest put-in time stamp is screened out and only the grain storage grid is controlled to be unlocked, so that the first-in first-out grain rotation rule is forced to be realized. After part of the grain is taken, the main control unit keeps the original put-in time stamp unchanged, so that the opened old grain is continuously preferentially taken. The application can simultaneously solve the problems of ordered rotation and dry and moisture-proof storage of the grain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of grain storage equipment, and in particular relates to a dry grain storage cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function. Background Technology

[0002] In the medium- and long-term storage of packaged grain, there are two core issues that need to be addressed simultaneously: first, the orderly rotation of grain, that is, ensuring that older grains stored for a longer period of time are taken out first to prevent grain from piling up, expiring, and deteriorating due to forgetting; second, the dryness and moisture-proofness of the storage environment, that is, maintaining the relative humidity in the storage space within a safe range to prevent the grain from becoming moldy or infested with insects due to moisture.

[0003] Currently, most common grain storage solutions on the market fail to adequately address both of these issues simultaneously, each exhibiting significant shortcomings: For example, ordinary grain storage containers (such as rice buckets and flour cabinets) have a simple structure, providing only physical storage and lacking any first-in, first-out (FIFO) management mechanism. Users often take the most conveniently accessible new grain during daily use, while older grains stored earlier are easily forgotten at the bottom or in corners, leading to long-term accumulation and eventual expiration and waste. Furthermore, these containers typically lack active dehumidification functions and have poor sealing, making the grain highly susceptible to dampness, mold, and pests in humid seasons or regions.

[0004] For example, gravity-fed chute grain silos utilize inclined chutes inside the silo to allow the grain to flow from top to bottom in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner, thanks to the grain's own weight. While this type of solution achieves FIFO to some extent, it is bulky and requires significant installation space. More importantly, this solution is primarily suitable for bulk granular grains (such as bulk rice and beans), and is less adaptable to packaged grains more commonly found in daily life (such as bagged rice and flour), as the packaging bags can easily get stuck in the chutes and prevent smooth flow. Furthermore, these grain silos typically lack active moisture-proofing and drying functions, relying solely on a simple seal on the silo body, resulting in limited moisture protection.

[0005] For example, some intelligent lockers utilize electronic locks and control systems to achieve independent management of multiple storage compartments, with functions such as item storage and retrieval recording and access control. The electronic lock control logic of such solutions can be partially referenced to implement first-in-first-out (FIFO) storage rules. However, currently available intelligent lockers are not specifically designed for grain storage scenarios and generally lack airtight structures and active drying and dehumidification functions. If used directly to store grain, they cannot meet the moisture-proof requirements for medium- and long-term storage, and the grain still faces the risk of mold. They also cannot meet the need for partial retrieval, such as users frequently needing to take a portion out of the rice bag and put it back.

[0006] Independent dehumidifiers / drying boxes focus on overall humidity control within the cabinet. They actively dry the air inside using a dehumidification module, effectively maintaining low humidity levels, making them suitable for storing humidity-sensitive items such as cameras and medicinal herbs. However, these devices lack food storage and retrieval management functions; they cannot time-stamp or prioritize food items, meaning users may still waste food due to forgetting to retrieve it.

[0007] In summary, existing grain storage solutions either only satisfy simple storage while neglecting humidity control, or focus on drying and dehumidification while lacking retrieval and storage management capabilities. Neither can systematically address the two core requirements of orderly rotation and dry storage within a single device. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of grain storage equipment that can enforce a first-in, first-out (FIFO) storage and retrieval rule while possessing active drying and dehumidification capabilities to fill the gaps in existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dry grain storage cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the specific technical solution of the present invention is as follows: In some embodiments of this application, a dry grain storage cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function is provided, comprising: The cabinet body is airtight to the outside world. The airtightness can be achieved by existing technologies such as sealing the cabinet shell and adding cabinet doors with sealing strips. The cabinet body is equipped with several grain storage compartments, the size of which is set to be able to store common packaged grains. The main control unit is located inside the cabinet and can be any type of MCU microcontroller or SOC on-chip unit. Weighing units, the number of which is equal to the number of grain storage cells, are respectively located inside the grain storage cells. They are electrically connected to the main control unit and are used to determine whether there is grain and how much grain is in the grain storage cell by weighing. The drying unit is located inside the cabinet. The dry air generated by the drying unit enters the grain storage compartment through the ventilation holes on the rear side panel of the grain storage compartment and is electrically connected to the main control unit to maintain the dryness of the cabinet and the grain stored in the cabinet according to the dryness set by the main control unit. The drying unit can adopt various existing dehumidification technologies, especially semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification technology based on the Peltier effect and rotary dehumidification technology based on the physical adsorption principle. The main control unit is configured to at least: record grain information for each grain storage compartment, including at least the current weight and the timestamp of when the grain was placed; and in response to a grain retrieval command, select the grain storage compartment whose current weight indicates the presence of grain and whose timestamp of when the grain was placed earliest as the target grain storage compartment, and only control the target grain storage compartment to unlock, while keeping the other grain storage compartments locked.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the grain storage compartments are modular structures, including: The box body has an internal receiving cavity with a front opening; The door is located at the opening of the receiving cavity and is hinged to the box body. A locking component is provided on the door of the enclosure, and its locking end is connected to the enclosure body. The locking component is electrically connected to the main control unit. The weighing unit is located at the bottom of the box.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the rear panel, side panels, and / or bottom panel of the housing are breathable structures.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the ventilation structure of the rear side plate and the side plate is a grid type, and the ventilation structure of the bottom plate is a stamped flanged louvered slot, with its flanged protrusion forming a reinforcing rib.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the drying unit is a combined structure, including: Temperature and humidity detection components, at least one of which is located inside the cabinet and is electrically connected to the main control unit; A ventilation component, located inside the cabinet, is used to drive the airflow within the cabinet; The dehumidification component is a semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification core module, which is located inside the cabinet, and its drain end water collection tank is connected to the drain component. The drainage component is located at the bottom of the cabinet, with one end connected to the water collection tank of the dehumidification component and the other end connected to the external water channel.

[0014] When the dehumidification component adopts rotary dehumidification technology, drainage is replaced by exhaust, and the corresponding structure can be adjusted by referring to existing rotary dehumidification cabinet products.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, the main control unit includes: A real-time clock module or a Wi-Fi module that serves the same purpose is used to provide a time reference for inserting timestamps; when a Wi-Fi module is used, it is also used for remote interaction with the user. The storage unit is used to store grain information for each grain storage compartment, including current weight, full capacity reference value, and timestamp of placement. The real-time clock module or Wi-Fi module and storage unit can all be integrated with the MCU in a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0016] The input module is used to receive the user's grain picking and discharging instructions; The display screen is used to show grain information for each storage compartment and the temperature and humidity status inside the cabinet; The input module and display screen can be integrated into a single touchscreen.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the main control unit is further configured to: in response to a grain release command, locate an empty grain storage compartment and unlock the locking component of the grain storage compartment; after the user puts in grain and closes the door, update the current weight of the grain storage compartment according to the current weight detected by the weighing unit, and take the time of the current real-time clock module as the time stamp of the grain storage compartment and store it in the storage unit.

[0018] In some embodiments of this application, the main control unit is further configured to: when the grain in the target grain storage cell is partially removed, update the current weight of the grain storage cell according to the new current weight detected by the weighing unit, and keep its original placement timestamp unchanged; when the grain in the target grain storage cell is completely removed, clear the grain information of the grain storage cell and mark it as an empty grain storage cell; wherein, when there are multiple grain storage cells with the same placement timestamp, select the grain storage cell with the smallest number as the target grain storage cell; in response to the time modification command input by the user through the display screen, allow the user to modify the placement timestamp of any occupied grain storage cell and update the corresponding data in the storage unit. This function is used for the exception of old grain, that is, old grain that is placed later can also be taken out first.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, a door magnetic sensor is also included. The door magnetic sensor is located between the door and the body of each grain storage compartment and is electrically connected to the main control unit. The main control unit determines the opening and closing status of the door based on the signal from the door magnetic sensor and determines whether the storage and retrieval operation has been completed in conjunction with the preset maximum opening time.

[0020] In some embodiments of this application, the locking component is an electromagnetic lock that automatically maintains the locked state when the power is off; the grain storage cabinet also includes a wireless communication module and a backup battery, which are used to maintain the operation of the main control unit, the real-time clock module and the wireless communication module when the main power is off, and to send alarm information to the user terminal.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are that by first storing grains in compartments and then integrating the first-in-first-out control logic of each grain compartment with an active drying system, it is possible to simultaneously achieve orderly rotation of grains and dry, moisture-proof storage: the main control unit filters and unlocks only the target grain storage compartment with the earliest storage time based on the insertion timestamp, physically forcing users to prioritize the use of older grains and avoiding the accumulation and expiration of grains due to forgetting; when the grain in the target storage compartment is partially removed, the main control unit only updates the current weight while keeping the original insertion timestamp unchanged, so that the opened older grains continue to be prioritized for subsequent retrieval; the temperature and humidity sensors, dehumidifier core, and fan installed in the cabinet constitute the active drying system, which, combined with the breathable structure of the rear side panel, side panel, and bottom panel of the grain storage compartment and the airflow circulation channel formed by the rear cavity, allows air inside the cabinet to circulate to each grain storage compartment and continuously dehumidify, maintaining a dry storage environment and reducing the possibility of grain mold and insect infestation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the overall back of the device provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of different locking components of the housing provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the display interface of the main control unit screen provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0024] To better understand the purpose, structure, and function of this invention, the invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Please see Figures 1 to 4 This embodiment provides a grain drying cabinet with first-in, first-out (FIFO) functionality. The cabinet mainly includes a cabinet body 1, grain storage compartments 2, a main control unit 3, a weighing unit, and a drying unit 4. The structure, connection relationships, and working principles of each part are described in detail below.

[0026] Cabinet 1 serves as the supporting frame and protective shell of the entire grain storage cabinet, and is airtight. In this embodiment, cabinet 1 is made of 1.5mm cold-rolled steel plate through welding. The cabinet door is fitted with sealing strips. The overall dimensions are selected according to actual needs and are not limited here, but it has good structural strength. The upper part of cabinet 1 has reserved installation space for installing electronic components such as the main control unit 3, real-time clock module (or Wi-Fi module), display screen, input module, storage unit, power module, and backup battery.

[0027] The grain storage compartment 2 has a modular structure. In this embodiment, the interior of the cabinet 1 is arranged in a 4x4 matrix, with a total of 16 independent grain storage compartments 2, each with a unique number. Specifically, each grain storage compartment 2 includes: The box 201 is formed by a rear panel, left and right side panels, and a bottom panel, creating an internal cavity with an opening on the front. The size of each cavity is selected according to actual needs, with a minimum capacity of holding a standard 10kg bag of rice laid horizontally. The rear panel, side panels, and bottom plate are all ventilated: the rear panel is made of 0.8mm galvanized steel sheet with 20mm diameter through holes and a 40% opening rate, forming a grid-like ventilated structure; the left and right side panels are made of 1.5mm galvanized steel sheet with 20mm diameter circular vent holes spaced 30mm apart, also forming a grid-like ventilated structure; the bottom plate is made of 2.0mm galvanized steel sheet with longitudinally stamped flanged louvered slots, each 10mm wide × 300mm long, with a 15mm spacing between adjacent slots. The flanged protrusions formed during stamping extend upwards, serving as both ventilated channels and reinforcing ribs, significantly improving the load-bearing capacity of the bottom plate and enabling it to stably support the weight of the entire bag of grain while allowing for air circulation.

[0028] The door 202 is located at the front opening of the receiving cavity. The door 202 and the box body 201 are connected by a hinge and can be opened outward around the hinge axis.

[0029] The locking component 203 is located on the door 202. In this embodiment, an electromagnetic lock that automatically maintains the locked state when power is off is used. The working principle of this electromagnetic lock is as follows: when energized, electromagnetic force drives the latch to retract and unlock; when de-energized, the latch automatically extends and returns to the locked state under the action of an internal spring or permanent magnet. The locking end of the locking component 203 is connected to the corresponding latch on the box body 201. The locking component 203 is electrically connected to the main control unit 3 and is driven by the control signal of the main control unit 3 to switch the locked state. When the main power supply is unexpectedly de-energized, the electromagnetic lock automatically switches to the locked state due to the power failure. The doors 202 of each grain storage compartment 2 remain locked during the power failure period, and this locked state does not consume any electrical energy.

[0030] The weighing unit is located at the bottom of the housing 201. In this embodiment, a resistance strain gauge load cell is used in conjunction with an HX711 analog-to-digital converter module. The load cell is installed below the base plate and is used to detect the weight of the grain in the grain storage compartment 2 in real time. The weighing unit is electrically connected to the main control unit 3, transmitting the detected weight data to the main control unit 3 for processing in real time. The weighing range of the load cell is 50kg, and the detection accuracy can reach ±10g. The system presets an empty load threshold. When the detected weight is less than or equal to the empty load threshold, the grain storage compartment 2 is determined to be empty; when the detected weight is greater than the empty load threshold, the grain storage compartment 2 is determined to be filled with grain.

[0031] The drying unit 4 is a modular structure located inside the cabinet 1. The generated dry air enters the grain storage compartments through vents in the rear panel, actively regulating the humidity and promoting air circulation within the cabinet. The drying unit 4 can employ semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification technology based on the Peltier effect or rotary dehumidification technology based on physical adsorption. A continuous rear cavity is formed between the ventilated rear panels of all grain storage compartments 2 and the rear panel of the cabinet 1, facilitating airflow within the cabinet. Specifically, the drying unit 4 includes: Temperature and humidity detection components are respectively installed inside the cabinet 1 and electrically connected to the main control unit 3. In this embodiment, a DHT22 digital temperature and humidity sensor is used, with one sensor installed at the top, middle, and bottom of the cavity at the rear of the cabinet 1. This sensor is used to collect temperature and relative humidity data of different areas inside the cabinet in real time and transmit them to the main control unit 3.

[0032] The ventilation component 401 is used to drive the directional flow of air inside the cabinet. In this embodiment, at least one DC brushless axial fan is used. The fan is installed in the rear cavity.

[0033] The dehumidification component 402 is located in the rear cavity inside the cabinet 1. In this embodiment, two semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification core modules are used, each with a rated voltage of 12V, a power of 36W, and a maximum dehumidification capacity of approximately 500mL / day. The cold-end fins of the semiconductor refrigeration dehumidification module face inwards from the cavity. When humid air flows through the cold-end fins, the moisture in the air condenses into liquid water droplets on the low-temperature surface and collects in the water collection tank. The hot-end fins face outwards from the cabinet 1, and the heat generated during the refrigeration process is discharged outside the cabinet 1 by a cooling fan. The drain end of the water collection tank is connected to the drain component 403. If a rotary dehumidification technology is used, the regeneration air exhaust port of the dehumidification component is led out of the cabinet, eliminating the need for a drain component.

[0034] The drainage component 403 is located at the bottom of the cabinet 1 and is used to drain the condensate generated during the dehumidification process to the outside of the cabinet 1. One end of the drainage component 403 is connected to the water collection tank of the dehumidifier core through a silicone hose, and the other end passes through the bottom plate of the cabinet 1 to the water collection box placed outside the cabinet 1, or is connected to the household drainage pipe through a pipeline.

[0035] Regarding the dehumidification circulation, in this embodiment, there are preset gaps between the outer sides of the left and right side plates of each grain storage cell 2 and the side plates of adjacent grain storage cells 2, and there are also preset gaps between the upper and lower grain storage cells 2. These gaps are all directly connected to the rear cavity. During the dehumidification process, the ventilation component 401 drives the air to form a complete circulation flow between the rear cavity and the receiving cavity of each grain storage cell 2: dry air, driven by the fan, enters the interior of each grain storage cell 2 through the vent holes of the rear side plate, flows around the grain, and flows out from the vent holes of the side plate and the louvered slots of the bottom plate. It then flows back to the rear cavity through the gaps between the grain storage cells 2 and the gaps between the upper and lower layers, and is processed again by the dehumidification core. This cycle repeats continuously, forming a dry airflow circulation without dead angles.

[0036] The main control unit 3 is located inside the cabinet 1 and is the control core of the entire grain storage cabinet. It can be any type of MCU microcontroller or SOC on-chip unit. In this embodiment, the main control unit 3 uses an ESP32-S3 microcontroller chip, which integrates a wireless communication module. The main control unit 3 includes: A real-time clock module (or a Wi-Fi module serving the same function) is electrically connected to the main control unit 3 to provide a time reference. During grain dispensing, the main control unit 3 reads the current time from the real-time clock module and records it as the "dispensing timestamp" for the grain storage compartment 2 in the storage unit. With the support of a backup battery, the real-time clock module can continue to operate during mains power outages, ensuring the continuity and accuracy of time information. In another embodiment, a Wi-Fi module can also be used to obtain standard time via a wireless network as a time reference, while simultaneously enabling remote interaction with user terminals.

[0037] The storage unit is electrically connected to the main control unit 3 and uses non-volatile memory to store the grain information of each grain storage cell 2. The grain information includes at least: the grain storage cell 2 number, the current weight, and the timestamp of when it was put in.

[0038] The input module is electrically connected to the main control unit 3 and is used to receive user operation commands, including grain retrieving commands and grain dispensing commands. In this embodiment, the input module is a virtual button area on the touch screen, with two main operation buttons: "Grain Retrieving" and "Grain Dispensing". In another embodiment, the input module can also consist of independently set physical buttons.

[0039] The display screen is electrically connected to the main control unit 3. In this embodiment, a TFT-LCD color touchscreen is used, which combines display and touch input functions. The main interface of the display screen has a display area corresponding to each grain storage compartment 2. Each display area displays the current weight information and the timestamp information of the grain storage compartment 2. When a grain storage compartment 2 is determined by the main control unit 3 to be the "target grain storage compartment 2" with the earliest timestamp, the display area corresponding to that compartment is highlighted with a bright border, bold font, or different background color to guide the user to prioritize taking the grain from that compartment. In addition, the display screen is also used to display the current temperature and humidity values ​​inside the cabinet, as well as the working status of the dehumidifier and fan.

[0040] The main control unit 3 automatically controls the operation of the dehumidification unit 402 and the ventilation unit 401 based on the humidity readings fed back by the temperature and humidity detection components. The system presets a target relative humidity value. When the humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection components exceeds the preset upper limit value, the main control unit 3 controls the dehumidification core and fan to start; when the detected humidity drops below the preset lower limit value, the main control unit 3 controls the dehumidification core and fan to stop.

[0041] A magnetic door sensor is installed between the door 202 and the body 201 of each grain storage compartment 2, using a reed switch type magnetic door switch. The magnet part of the magnetic door sensor is installed on the inner edge of the door 202, and the reed switch part is installed on the corresponding door frame position of the body 201. The magnetic door sensor is electrically connected to the main control unit 3. When the door 202 is opened, the magnet moves away from the reed switch, the reed switch contact opens, and the main control unit 3 detects an open signal; when the door 202 is closed, the magnet moves closer to the reed switch, the reed switch contact closes, and the main control unit 3 detects a closed signal.

[0042] The main control unit 3 determines whether the storage / retrieval operation is completed based on the signal from the door magnetic sensor and the preset maximum opening time. The specific judgment rules are as follows: When the door magnetic sensor detects the opening signal of the cabinet door 202, the main control unit 3 starts the internal timer; if a closing signal is detected within the preset maximum opening time, the main control unit 3 determines that a normal storage / retrieval operation has been completed and triggers subsequent data processing logic such as weight update and timestamp processing; if no closing signal is detected after the maximum opening time, the main control unit 3 determines that the operation is abnormal, issues a prompt message to the user to close the door on the display screen, and continues to wait until a closing signal is detected before proceeding with subsequent processing.

[0043] The following section provides a detailed explanation of the first-in-first-out (FIFO) control logic executed by the main control unit 3, taking into account specific usage scenarios.

[0044] During the grain dispensing process, after the user issues the "dispense grain" command through the input module, the main control unit 3 first traverses all grain storage compartments 2 to find an empty grain storage compartment 2 whose current weight is less than or equal to the empty threshold. If an empty grain storage compartment 2 exists, the main control unit 3 controls the locking component 203 of that compartment 2 to unlock, allowing the user to open the compartment door 202; simultaneously, the display screen notifies the user that the grain storage compartment 2 is unlocked and ready for dispensing. If no empty grain storage compartment 2 exists, the display screen displays "No empty slots available." After the user opens the door 202, puts in the grain, and closes the door 202, the door magnetic sensor detects the opening and closing signals sequentially. The main control unit 3 determines whether the grain dispensing operation was completed normally based on the closing signal and the maximum opening time. After the judgment operation is completed, the main control unit 3 waits for the weighing unit reading to stabilize, reads the stable weight value as the "current weight" of the grain storage compartment 2; at the same time, it reads the current time of the real-time clock module and records it as the "put-in timestamp" of the grain storage compartment 2; the above information is stored together in the storage area corresponding to the grain storage compartment 2 in the storage unit.

[0045] During the grain retrieval process (first-in, first-out mandatory mechanism), after the user issues the "retrieve grain" command through the input module, the main control unit 3 executes the following first-in, first-out screening logic: The first step is to iterate through all grain storage cells 2 and select all grain storage cells 2 whose current weight is greater than the empty threshold, i.e., the cells with grain. The second step is to compare the insertion timestamps of each grain storage cell among the selected grain storage cells and select the grain storage cell 2 with the earliest insertion timestamp as the target grain storage cell 2. When there are multiple grain storage cells 2 with the same insertion timestamp, the main control unit 3 selects the grain storage cell 2 with the smallest number as the target grain storage cell 2. The uniqueness and certainty of the screening results are ensured by the preset secondary sorting rule. Third, the main control unit 3 highlights the display area corresponding to the target grain storage compartment 2 on the display screen and sends an unlocking signal to the locking component 203 of the target grain storage compartment 2, so that the door 202 of that compartment can be opened; the locking components 203 of all other grain storage compartments 2 remain locked, and the doors 202 cannot be opened.

[0046] This mechanism physically forces users to only open the grain storage compartment 2 selected by the system, ensuring that each time grain is taken, the grain that has been stored for the longest time is taken, thus perfectly realizing the "first-in, first-out" grain rotation rule.

[0047] In the process of distinguishing between partial and complete retrieval, when the user opens the target grain storage compartment 2 to retrieve grain and then closes the door, the door magnetic sensor sequentially detects the opening and closing signals. The main control unit 3 determines whether the grain retrieval operation was completed normally based on the closing signal and the maximum opening time. After determining that the operation is complete, the main control unit 3 reads the new current weight detected by the weighing unit and processes it in two ways: Scenario 1: Partial Removal. If the new current weight is still greater than the empty threshold, it means that the user has only removed a portion of the grain, and there is still grain remaining in storage compartment 2. In this case, the main control unit 3 only updates the "current weight" of storage compartment 2 in the storage unit to the new weight value, but keeps the original "placement timestamp" of storage compartment 2 unchanged. This means that the old grain that has been partially opened and removed will still be prioritized for removal during the next grain retrieval, based on its earliest timestamp, ensuring that the opened grain can be consumed as quickly as possible.

[0048] Scenario 2: Complete Removal. If the new current weight is less than or equal to the empty threshold, it means that the user has removed all the grain from that storage cell. At this time, the main control unit 3 clears all grain information (including current weight, insertion timestamp, etc.) from the storage unit for that storage cell 2, restoring it to an empty state, waiting for the next grain filling.

[0049] Considering that in real life, users may store grains that have been purchased some time ago or are specifically purchased that are old in age, the date the grain was placed in the storage cabinet may not reflect the true production date of the grain. Therefore, the main control unit 3 is also configured to: respond to a user's time modification command input via the display screen, allowing the user to select any grain storage compartment 2 containing grain, manually modify its placement timestamp, and update the corresponding data in the storage unit. Through this function, users can set the timestamp according to the actual production date of the grain, making the first-in, first-out (FIFO) priority sorting more reasonable and scientific.

[0050] In this embodiment, the grain storage cabinet is equipped with a wireless communication module and a backup battery. The wireless communication module is integrated into the main control chip, and the backup battery is in a float charging state when the main power supply is normal. The locking component 203 is an electromagnetic lock that automatically maintains the locked state when the main power supply is interrupted. When the main power supply is unexpectedly interrupted, the doors 202 of each grain storage compartment 2 remain locked and do not consume any power; the backup battery automatically switches power supply and is only used to maintain the operation of the main control unit 3, the real-time clock module, and the wireless communication module, ensuring that the timestamp information is not interrupted and that alarm information can be pushed normally.

[0051] The main control unit 3 presets multiple alarm conditions, including but not limited to: main power failure alarm, overdue alarm for single-cell grain storage exceeding the preset period, humidity exceeding the safe limit alarm for continuous humidity exceeding the limit, temperature exceeding the limit alarm for abnormal temperature rise inside the cabinet, and dehumidifier core malfunction alarm. When an alarm condition is triggered, the main control unit 3 pushes the alarm type, occurrence time, and related data to the bound user terminal device via the wireless communication module, enabling the user to be promptly informed of the abnormal status of the grain storage cabinet and take appropriate intervention measures.

[0052] It should be understood that the above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments listed to fully illustrate the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0053] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0054] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0055] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0056] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0057] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function, characterized in that, include: The cabinet is airtight as a whole, and the interior of the cabinet has several grain storage compartments; The main control unit is located inside the cabinet; Weighing units are respectively located inside the grain storage compartments and are electrically connected to the main control unit. The drying unit is located inside the cabinet. The dry air generated by the drying unit enters the grain storage compartment through the ventilation holes on the rear side panel of the grain storage compartment and is electrically connected to the main control unit. The main control unit is configured to: record grain information for each grain storage compartment, including at least the current weight and the timestamp of when the grain was placed; and, in response to a grain retrieval command, select the grain storage compartment whose current weight indicates the presence of grain and whose timestamp is the earliest as the target grain storage compartment, and only control the unlocking of the target grain storage compartment.

2. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grain storage compartment is a modular structure, including: The box body has an internal receiving cavity with a front opening; The door is located at the opening of the receiving cavity and is hinged to the box body. A locking component is provided on the door of the enclosure, and its locking end is connected to the enclosure body. The locking component is electrically connected to the main control unit. The weighing unit is located at the bottom of the box.

3. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rear panel, side panel and / or bottom panel of the enclosure are ventilated; the ventilated structure is a grid-type perforated plate or a stamped flanged louvered slot, with the flanged protrusions forming reinforcing ribs.

4. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 3, characterized in that, A cavity is formed between the breathable rear panel of the grain storage compartment and the rear panel of the cabinet to allow for air circulation inside the cabinet.

5. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drying unit is a modular structure, comprising: Temperature and humidity detection components, at least one of which is located inside the cabinet and is electrically connected to the main control unit; A ventilation component, located inside the cabinet, is used to drive the airflow within the cabinet; A dehumidification component is located inside the cabinet, and its drain end has a water collection tank connected to a drain component. The drainage component is located at the bottom of the cabinet, with one end connected to the water collection tank of the dehumidification component and the other end connected to the external water channel.

6. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control unit includes: A real-time clock module or a Wi-Fi module that serves the same purpose is used to provide a time reference for inserting timestamps; Storage unit, used to store grain information for each grain storage compartment; The input module is used to receive the user's grain picking and discharging instructions; The display screen is used to show grain information for each storage compartment and the temperature and humidity status inside the cabinet.

7. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main control unit is also configured to: respond to a grain release command, locate an empty grain storage cell and unlock the locking component of the grain storage cell; after the user puts in grain and closes the door, update the current weight of the grain storage cell according to the current weight detected by the weighing unit, and take the time of the current real-time clock module as the timestamp of the grain being put in and store it in the storage unit.

8. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The main control unit is also configured to: when the grain in the target grain storage cell is partially removed, update the current weight of the grain storage cell according to the new current weight detected by the weighing unit, and keep its original insertion timestamp unchanged; when the grain in the target grain storage cell is completely removed, clear the grain information of the grain storage cell.

9. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a door magnetic sensor, which is installed between the door and the body of each grain storage compartment and is electrically connected to the main control unit. The main control unit determines the opening and closing status of the door based on the signal from the door magnetic sensor and determines whether the storage and retrieval operation has been completed in combination with the preset maximum opening time.

10. A grain drying cabinet with first-in-first-out (FIFO) function according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The locking component is an electromagnetic lock that automatically maintains the locked state when power is lost; the grain storage cabinet also includes a wireless communication module and a backup battery, which are used to maintain the operation of the main control unit, real-time clock module and wireless communication module when the main power is lost, and to send alarm information to the user terminal.

Images