Lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture device

Abstract

The present application relates to lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture technical field, specifically to a kind of lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment, including fermentation tank body and the stirring motor being arranged on fermentation tank body, further include the stirring shaft being vertically arranged in fermentation tank body, stirring shaft is rotatably connected with fermentation tank body, and the stirring shaft is spaced along axial direction and is provided with multiple groups of linear stirring vane, each group of stirring vane is symmetrically arranged in the left and right sides of stirring shaft, and reciprocating transmission mechanism is arranged on fermentation tank body and is drivingly connected with stirring shaft, for driving stirring shaft to drive all stirring vane synchronous reciprocating swing stirring, the device discards traditional 360 ° rotary stirring, eliminates liquid whole circumferential follow-up phenomenon from the source, without adding flow baffle in tank, reduce cleaning dead angle, reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, the low shear flow field brought by reciprocating swing can avoid lactic acid bacteria cell damage, while liquid surface disturbance amplitude is small, greatly reduce air dissolving to maintain the anaerobic environment required for fermentation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture technology, specifically to a lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture device. Background Technology

[0002] Lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment is a closed, sterile, anaerobic, and constant-temperature culture device used for the processing of probiotics, fermented dairy products, and fermented feed. The equipment operation must meet core production requirements such as low-shear stirring, oxygen isolation, precise temperature control, automatic pH adjustment, and easy cleaning and sterilization. Currently, most mainstream fermenters on the market use a 360° continuous rotating stirring structure with a stirring paddle. During stirring, the fermentation liquid is easily dragged along with the blades, resulting in low material exchange efficiency between the upper and lower parts of the tank. This easily leads to problems such as the sedimentation and inactivation of lactic acid bacteria at the bottom of the tank, and uneven temperature and pH distribution within the tank. To eliminate overall circulation, conventional solutions require welding a flow guide baffle to the inner wall of the tank. However, the connection between the baffle and the tank body easily accumulates fermentation residue, creating a cleaning dead zone and significantly increasing the risk of contamination by other microorganisms. Simultaneously, the continuously rotating stirring paddle has a high fluid shear force, which can easily tear the lactic acid bacteria, reducing the yield of live bacteria. The swirling liquid generated by stirring can also draw in air into the fermentation liquid, destroying the anaerobic environment upon which lactic acid bacteria depend for proliferation. Therefore, we propose a lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture device, comprising a fermentation tank and a stirring motor mounted on the fermentation tank. It also includes a stirring shaft vertically mounted within the fermentation tank, rotatably connected to the fermentation tank. The stirring shaft has multiple sets of linear stirring blades spaced axially, with each set of blades symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides. The fermentation tank is equipped with a reciprocating transmission mechanism connected to the stirring shaft, used to drive the stirring shaft to synchronously reciprocate and stir all the stirring blades. The stirring shaft is equipped with a linkage component connected to the stirring blades. This linkage component can switch the tilt angle of the stirring blades simultaneously with the reciprocating motion of the stirring shaft. During the reciprocating motion of the stirring shaft, the stirring blades on the left and right sides synchronously change direction via the linkage component, with one side pushing material towards the bottom of the tank and the other side pushing material towards the top, creating a continuous vertical liquid circulation convection within the tank.

[0004] In some embodiments, the linkage includes a hollow cylinder fixedly connected to the stirring shaft, a deflection shaft fixedly connected to one end of the stirring blade, one end of the deflection shaft passing through the hollow cylinder and rotatably connected to the hollow cylinder, a connecting plate fixedly connected to one end of the deflection shaft, and a connecting rod symmetrically fixedly connected between two connecting plates located in the same hollow cylinder.

[0005] The stirring shaft is equipped with an independently rotatable drive shaft, which is inserted between two connecting rods. The drive shaft is fixedly connected to a main helical gear disk in a section of the rod inside a hollow cylinder. A secondary helical gear disk that meshes with the main helical gear disk is fixed on one of the deflection shafts.

[0006] In some embodiments, the stirring shaft is provided with a damping element connected to the fermentation tank body, and the damping element is used to apply continuous rotational resistance to the stirring shaft.

[0007] During the rotation of the drive shaft, the damping component restricts the stirring shaft from rotating first. The drive shaft drives the deflection shaft and stirring blades to deflect synchronously through the meshing of the main helical gear disk and the auxiliary helical gear disk to switch the tilt angle. When the connecting rod abuts against the outer wall of the drive shaft, the drive shaft continues to rotate, which can drive the stirring shaft and all stirring blades to rotate synchronously through the connecting rod.

[0008] In some embodiments, the reciprocating transmission mechanism includes a passive gear disk fixedly connected to one end of the drive shaft, and an active gear disk that meshes with the passive gear disk is rotatably connected to the fermentation tank body via a rotating shaft. Rotating the active gear disk drives the drive shaft to rotate.

[0009] A first sliding column is rotatably connected to the active gear disc, and an L-shaped sliding plate is slidably connected to the fermentation tank body. A first sliding groove is opened at one end of the L-shaped sliding plate, and one end of the first sliding column is located in the first sliding groove and slidably connected to its inner wall. A second sliding groove is opened on the L-shaped sliding plate. A rotating plate is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the stirring motor, and a second sliding column is rotatably connected to one end of the rotating plate. One end of the second sliding column is located in the second sliding groove and slidably connected to its inner wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, a linear slide rail is fixedly connected to one side of the L-shaped slide plate, and a linear slider that is adapted to slide on the fermentation tank is fixedly mounted on the fermentation tank. The linear slide rail and the linear slider cooperate to guide the movement and limit the displacement of the L-shaped slide plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the damping component includes a first connecting column fixedly connected to the bottom end of the stirring shaft. A plurality of first mounting brackets are uniformly fixedly connected to the first connecting column. Each first mounting bracket is fixedly equipped with an arc-shaped flexible scraper. The arc-shaped flexible scraper is always in close contact with the inner wall of the bottom end of the fermentation tank.

[0012] By relying on the frictional resistance between the scraper and the inner wall of the tank bottom, continuous rotational damping is formed on the drive shaft and the stirring shaft, thereby limiting the rotation of the stirring shaft and ensuring the sequence of action of the drive shaft first driving the stirring blades to deflect and then driving the stirring shaft to swing as a whole.

[0013] In some embodiments, a second mounting bracket is fixedly connected to the stirring shaft, and a vertical flexible scraper is fixedly connected to the end of the second mounting bracket, the vertical flexible scraper being in close contact with the inner wall of the fermentation tank.

[0014] This invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This device uses a stirring motor with a reciprocating transmission mechanism to drive the stirring shaft to drive multiple sets of symmetrical straight blades to complete large-angle reciprocating swing. At the same time, relying on the linkage, the blade tilt direction can be automatically switched when the fermentation liquid washes the blades. Without the need for additional driving components, a continuous convection circulation of one up and one down can be formed in the left and right sections of the tank.

[0016] This structure abandons the traditional 360° rotating stirring, eliminating the phenomenon of the liquid rotating around the entire circumference from the source. It eliminates the need to install guide baffles inside the tank, reduces cleaning dead corners, and lowers the risk of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria. The low shear flow field brought about by the reciprocating oscillation can avoid damage to lactic acid bacteria cells. At the same time, the small amplitude of liquid surface disturbance greatly reduces the dissolution of air to maintain the anaerobic environment required for fermentation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of partial cross-section structure;

[0019] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Schematic diagram of partial cross-section structure;

[0020] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of area A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 3 Another structural diagram;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating transmission mechanism of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure from another angle.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Fermentation tank; 11. Stirring motor; 2. Stirring shaft; 3. Stirring blades; 4. Reciprocating transmission mechanism; 5. Linkage component; 51. Hollow cylinder; 52. Deflection shaft; 53. Connecting plate; 54. Connecting rod; 55. Drive shaft; 56. Main helical gear plate; 57. Secondary helical gear plate; 58. Damping component; 41. Passive gear plate; 42. Active gear plate; 43. First sliding column; 44. L-shaped sliding plate; 45. First sliding groove; 46. Rotating plate; 47. Second sliding groove; 48. Second sliding column; 49. Linear slide rail; 50. Linear slider; 581. First connecting column; 582. First mounting bracket; 583. Arc-shaped flexible scraper; 584. Second mounting bracket; 585. Vertical flexible scraper. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Please see Figures 1-7 This invention provides a technical solution: a lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture device, including a fermentation tank 1 and a stirring motor 11 installed on the fermentation tank 1, and a stirring shaft 2 vertically installed inside the fermentation tank 1. The stirring shaft 2 is rotatably connected to the fermentation tank 1, and the stirring shaft 2 is provided with multiple sets of straight stirring blades 3 spaced apart along the axial direction. Each set of stirring blades 3 is symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the stirring shaft 2. The fermentation tank 1 is provided with a reciprocating transmission mechanism 4 that is connected to the stirring shaft 2 for driving the stirring shaft 2 to drive all the stirring blades 3 to reciprocate and stir synchronously. The stirring shaft 2 is provided with a linkage 5 connected to the stirring blades 3. The linkage 5 can switch the tilt angle of the stirring blades 3 at the same time as the stirring shaft 2 reciprocates and swings. When the stirring shaft 2 reciprocates and swings, the stirring blades 3 on the left and right sides are synchronously reversed through the linkage 5. One side of the blades pushes the material to the bottom of the tank and the other side of the blades pushes the material to the top of the tank, so that the left and right areas inside the tank form a continuous vertical liquid circulation convection.

[0027] In summary, this device uses a stirring motor 11 with a reciprocating transmission mechanism 4 to drive the stirring shaft 2 to drive multiple sets of symmetrical straight blades to complete large-angle reciprocating swing. At the same time, relying on the linkage 5, the blade tilt direction can be automatically switched when the fermentation liquid washes the blades. Without additional driving components, a continuous convection circulation of one up and one down can be formed in the left and right sections of the tank.

[0028] This structure abandons the traditional 360° rotating stirring, eliminating the phenomenon of the liquid rotating around the entire circumference from the source. It eliminates the need to install guide baffles inside the tank, reduces cleaning dead corners, and lowers the risk of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria. The low shear flow field brought about by the reciprocating oscillation can avoid damage to lactic acid bacteria cells. At the same time, the small amplitude of liquid surface disturbance greatly reduces the dissolution of air to maintain the anaerobic environment required for fermentation.

[0029] The linkage 5 includes a hollow cylinder 51 fixedly connected to the stirring shaft 2, a deflection shaft 52 fixedly connected to one end of the stirring blade 3, one end of the deflection shaft 52 passing through the hollow cylinder 51 and rotatably connected to the hollow cylinder 51, a connecting plate 53 fixedly connected to one end of the deflection shaft 52 located inside the hollow cylinder 51, and a connecting rod 54 symmetrically fixedly connected between the two connecting plates 53 located inside the same hollow cylinder 51.

[0030] A drive shaft 55 that can rotate independently is installed inside the stirring shaft 2. The drive shaft 55 is inserted between two connecting rods 54. The rod section of the drive shaft 55 placed inside the hollow cylinder 51 is fixedly connected to the main helical gear disk 56. A secondary helical gear disk 57 that meshes with the main helical gear disk 56 is fixed on one of the deflection shafts 52.

[0031] A damping element 58 is provided on the stirring shaft 2 and connected to the fermentation tank 1. The damping element 58 is used to apply continuous rotational resistance to the stirring shaft 2.

[0032] The damping component 58 includes a first connecting column 581 fixedly connected to the bottom end of the stirring shaft 2. Multiple first mounting brackets 582 are evenly fixedly connected to the first connecting column 581. Each first mounting bracket 582 is fixedly equipped with an arc-shaped flexible scraper 583. The arc-shaped flexible scraper 583 is always in close contact with the inner wall of the bottom end of the fermentation tank 1.

[0033] A second mounting bracket 584 is fixedly connected to the stirring shaft 2. A vertical flexible scraper 585 is fixedly connected to the end of the second mounting bracket 584. The vertical flexible scraper 585 is in close contact with the inner wall of the fermentation tank 1. When the stirring shaft 2 rotates, it drives the arc-shaped flexible scraper 583 and the vertical flexible scraper 585 to rotate synchronously to scrape the inner wall of the fermentation tank 1, so as to prevent lactic acid bacteria and viscous fermentation substrate from adhering and accumulating on the tank wall and the dead corner of the tank bottom, and prevent the adhering materials from being retained for a long time, lacking oxygen and becoming inactive, and breeding miscellaneous bacteria. At the same time, it helps to disturb the bottom liquid, further eliminate the sedimentation blind area at the bottom of the tank, and improve the overall mixing uniformity of the materials in the tank.

[0034] Specifically, during the rotation of the drive shaft 55, the frictional resistance between the arc-shaped flexible scraper 583 and the vertical flexible scraper 585 and the inner wall of the fermentation tank 1 first forms rotational damping on the stirring shaft 2, thereby limiting the rotation of the stirring shaft 2. At this time, the drive shaft 55 drives the deflection shaft 52 and the stirring blades 3 to deflect synchronously through the meshing transmission of the main helical gear disk 56 and the auxiliary helical gear disk 57 to switch the tilt angle. When the connecting rod 54 abuts against the outer wall of the drive shaft 55, the drive shaft 55 continues to rotate, which can drive the stirring shaft 2 and all the stirring blades 3 to rotate synchronously through the connecting rod 54.

[0035] Among them, the arc-shaped flexible scraper 583 and the vertical flexible scraper 585 are attached to the inner wall of the fermentation tank 1. Relying on the frictional resistance generated between the two and the tank wall, as well as the fluid resistance of the fermentation material encountered during the scraper swing, a continuous damping is formed. During the reciprocating swing stage of the stirring shaft 2, a stable constraint force is provided for the stirring blade 3, so that the blade always maintains the predetermined tilt posture before completing the tilt angle switch.

[0036] The reciprocating transmission mechanism 4 includes a passive gear disk 41 fixedly connected to one end of the drive shaft 55, and an active gear disk 42 that meshes with the passive gear disk 41 is rotatably connected to the fermentation tank body 1 via a rotating shaft. When the active gear disk 42 is rotated, it drives the drive shaft 55 to rotate.

[0037] A first sliding column 43 is rotatably connected to the active gear disc 42, and an L-shaped sliding plate 44 is slidably connected to the fermentation tank body 1. One end of the L-shaped sliding plate 44 is provided with a first sliding groove 45. One end of the first sliding column 43 is located in the first sliding groove 45 and is slidably connected to its inner wall. A second sliding groove 47 is provided on the L-shaped sliding plate 44. A rotating plate 46 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the stirring motor 11. One end of the rotating plate 46 is rotatably connected with a second sliding column 48. One end of the second sliding column 48 is located in the second sliding groove 47 and is slidably connected to its inner wall.

[0038] A linear slide rail 49 is fixedly connected to one side of the L-shaped slide plate 44. A linear slider 50 that is compatible with the linear slide rail 49 is fixedly mounted on the fermentation tank 1. The linear slide rail 49 and the linear slider 50 work together to guide the movement and limit the displacement of the L-shaped slide plate 44.

[0039] The transmission process is as follows: the stirring motor 11 is started, and the motor output shaft drives the rotating plate 46 to rotate continuously. The rotating plate 46 drives the L-shaped slide plate 44 to move in a straight line along the linear slider 50 by sliding along the second slide groove 47 through the second slide column 48. When the L-shaped slide plate 44 moves back and forth, it pushes the first slide column 43 to swing with the help of the first slide groove 45, which in turn drives the active gear plate 42 to move back and forth in both directions. Through the meshing transmission of the gear plate, the passive gear plate 41 is driven to rotate synchronously with the drive shaft 55.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

Claims

1. A lactic acid bacteria fermentation and cultivation device, comprising a fermentation tank (1) and a stirring motor (11) disposed on the fermentation tank (1), characterized in that, Also includes: The stirring shaft (2) is vertically installed inside the fermentation tank (1), and the stirring shaft (2) is provided with multiple sets of straight stirring blades (3) at intervals along the axial direction. Each set of stirring blades (3) is symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the stirring shaft (2). A reciprocating transmission mechanism (4) is installed on the fermentation tank (1), and the stirring shaft (2) is connected to the stirring motor (11) through the reciprocating transmission mechanism (4) to drive the stirring shaft (2) to drive all the stirring blades (3) to reciprocate and swing synchronously. Linkage component (5) is set on stirring shaft (2). The stirring blade (3) is rotatably mounted on stirring shaft (2) through linkage component (5). Linkage component (5) can swing back and forth with stirring shaft (2) and switch the tilt angle of stirring blade (3). When stirring shaft (2) swings back and forth, stirring blade (3) on the left and right sides are switched synchronously through linkage component (5). One side blade pushes material to the bottom of the tank and the other side blade pushes material to the top of the tank, so that the left and right areas of the tank form a continuous vertical liquid circulation convection.

2. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage (5) includes a hollow cylinder (51) fixedly connected to the stirring shaft (2), a deflection shaft (52) fixedly connected to one end of the stirring blade (3), one end of the deflection shaft (52) passing through the hollow cylinder (51) and rotatably connected to the hollow cylinder (51), a connecting plate (53) fixedly connected to one end of the deflection shaft (52), and a connecting rod (54) symmetrically fixedly connected between two connecting plates (53) located in the same hollow cylinder (51). The stirring shaft (2) is equipped with an independently rotatable drive shaft (55), which is inserted between two connecting rods (54). The drive shaft (55) is fixedly connected to the main helical gear disk (56) in the rod section inside the hollow cylinder (51), and a secondary helical gear disk (57) that meshes with the main helical gear disk (56) is fixed on one of the deflection shafts (52).

3. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stirring shaft (2) is provided with a damping component (58) connected to the fermentation tank (1). The damping component (58) is used to apply continuous rotational resistance to the stirring shaft (2). During the rotation of the drive shaft (55), the damping element (58) restricts the stirring shaft (2) from rotating first. The drive shaft (55) drives the deflection shaft (52) and stirring blades (3) to deflect synchronously through the meshing transmission of the main helical gear disk (56) and the secondary helical gear disk (57) to switch the tilt angle. When the connecting rod (54) abuts against the outer wall of the drive shaft (55), the drive shaft (55) can continue to rotate and drive the stirring shaft (2) and all the stirring blades (3) to rotate synchronously through the connecting rod (54).

4. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reciprocating transmission mechanism (4) includes a passive gear disk (41) fixedly connected to one end of the drive shaft (55). The fermentation tank (1) is rotatably connected to an active gear disk (42) that meshes with the passive gear disk (41) via a rotating shaft. When the active gear disk (42) is rotated, it drives the drive shaft (55) to rotate. The active gear disc (42) is rotatably connected to a first sliding column (43), and the fermentation tank (1) is slidably connected to an L-shaped sliding plate (44). One end of the L-shaped sliding plate (44) is provided with a first sliding groove (45). One end of the first sliding column (43) is located in the first sliding groove (45) and is slidably connected to its inner wall. The L-shaped sliding plate (44) is provided with a second sliding groove (47). The output shaft of the stirring motor (11) is fixedly connected to a rotating plate (46). One end of the rotating plate (46) is rotatably connected to a second sliding column (48). One end of the second sliding column (48) is located in the second sliding groove (47) and is slidably connected to its inner wall.

5. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: A linear slide rail (49) is fixedly connected to one side of the L-shaped slide plate (44), and a linear slider (50) that is adapted to slide on the fermentation tank (1) is fixedly mounted on the fermentation tank (1). The linear slide rail (49) and the linear slider (50) work together to guide the movement and limit the displacement of the L-shaped slide plate (44).

6. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The damping component (58) includes a first connecting column (581) fixedly connected to the bottom end of the stirring shaft (2). A plurality of first mounting brackets (582) are evenly fixedly connected to the first connecting column (581). Each first mounting bracket (582) is fixedly equipped with an arc-shaped flexible scraper (583). The arc-shaped flexible scraper (583) is always in close contact with the inner wall of the bottom end of the fermentation tank (1). By relying on the frictional resistance between the scraper and the inner wall of the tank bottom, a continuous rotational damping is formed on the drive shaft (55) and the stirring shaft (2), thereby achieving the rotational limit of the stirring shaft (2) and ensuring the action sequence of the drive shaft (55) first driving the stirring blade (3) to deflect and then driving the stirring shaft (2) to swing as a whole.

7. The lactic acid bacteria fermentation culture equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: A second mounting bracket (584) is fixedly connected to the stirring shaft (2), and a vertical flexible scraper (585) is fixedly connected to the end of the second mounting bracket (584). The vertical flexible scraper (585) is in close contact with the inner wall of the fermentation tank (1).

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