Double-spiral instant freezer with image recognition function

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of instant freezers, and discloses a double-spiral instant freezer with an image recognition function. The technical problems that in the prior art, traditional freezing equipment usually occupies a large area and is low in freezing efficiency, foreign matter detection depends on manpower in the freezing process, and the labor cost is high are solved. Two rotating disc assemblies are arranged at the positions, facing coil pipes, of the two sides of the evaporator, a double-helix conveying belt is installed on the rotating disc assemblies, an image recognition module is arranged on the double-helix conveying belt, the image recognition module comprises an image collector and an image processor, and a deep learning model is loaded in the image processor to detect and recognize foreign matter. The image processor is connected with the foreign matter removing structure through the controller. The double-spiral conveying belt is adopted, the freezing efficiency and the space utilization rate are improved, the image recognition module is inherited, foreign matter is detected in real time in the product freezing process, and the view screen safety and the product quality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of quick-freezing technology, and in particular to a double-spiral quick-freezing machine with image recognition. Background Technology

[0002] Frozen foods, including frozen dumplings, frozen glutinous rice balls, frozen steamed buns, twisted rolls, and spring rolls, are popular due to their freshness, hygiene, nutritional balance, and convenience, and have become an indispensable part of people's daily diet. With rising incomes, a faster pace of life, and the rapid development of the food industry, the demands for food freezing efficiency and quality are increasing. In traditional freezing processes, such as using static freezers or plate freezers, food typically requires a long time to freeze completely. This is not only inefficient but can also lead to a decline in food quality, such as the formation of large ice crystals that affect the texture and taste. Traditional freezing equipment also suffers from problems such as large footprint, long freezing times, and high energy consumption. Furthermore, food safety incidents are frequent, as various foreign objects often unintentionally mix into food during processing, including metals, glass, ceramics, stones, plastics, rubber, and insects. These foreign objects come from a wide range of sources. They may originate from the raw materials themselves (such as fish bones and fragments in meat), contamination from open containers, or from the production process itself, such as broken blades or metal fragments from aging equipment, or even from careless handling by workers, such as fallen hair and nails. These foreign objects not only affect the taste and quality of the product, but are also small and difficult to detect with the naked eye, making them easily ingested by consumers and posing a significant threat to their health. While the probability of foreign objects being added to food is relatively small, ensuring that food is free of them is equally important for food safety.

[0003] Chinese patent document 202410426547.1 discloses a high-efficiency and energy-saving double-spiral quick-freezing machine for large-scale food quick-freezing. The machine includes a double-spiral quick-freezing machine body, and a spiral conveying system is set inside the machine body. The spiral conveying system is set in two sets. The condenser group rapidly freezes the two spiral conveying systems inside the evaporator to ensure the freezing rate of the food. With the setting of a defrosting mechanism, the thick frost condensed on the surface of the spiral heat exchange tube is defrosted by an automated mechanical defrosting method. The transmission component drives multiple sets of movable brush plates to reciprocate to defrost the surface of the spiral heat exchange tube, directly acting on the frost layer on the surface of the heat exchange tube and causing it to separate and fall off the heat exchange tube.

[0004] However, the above solutions suffer from at least the following technical problems during implementation: traditional refrigeration equipment often occupies a large area, has low freezing efficiency, and foreign object detection during the freezing process relies on manual labor, resulting in high labor costs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above technical problems, this disclosure provides a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition, which solves the technical problems of traditional freezing equipment in the prior art, which often occupy a large area, have low freezing efficiency, and rely on manual labor for foreign object detection during the freezing process, resulting in high labor costs.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition is provided, comprising a chamber, an evaporator disposed within the chamber, two turntable assemblies disposed at opposite positions of the coils on both sides of the evaporator, a double-helix conveyor belt mounted on the turntable assemblies, each turntable assembly including a fixed base frame, multiple columns vertically mounted on the fixed base frame, multiple guide rails vertically arrayed on the columns to support the double-helix conveyor belt, a rotating shaft mounted at the center of the fixed base frame, a turntable mounted on the rotating shaft, the turntable connected to a drive structure to drive the double-helix conveyor belt to rotate; an image recognition module is disposed on the double-helix conveyor belt, the image recognition module including an image acquisition device capable of acquiring real-time image data of products on the double-helix conveyor belt, the image acquisition device connected to an image processor, the image processor loading a deep learning model to detect and identify foreign objects, the image processor being connected to a foreign object removal structure via a controller.

[0007] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the double-helix conveyor belt includes a closed-loop left inlet / outlet belt, a left helical conveyor belt, a right helical conveyor belt, and a right inlet / outlet belt.

[0008] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a support is installed below the double-helix conveyor belt.

[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a sealing plate is provided around the turntable, and a plurality of guide strips are arranged around the outer side of the sealing plate. A groove that fits into the guide strips is provided at the contact position between the double helical conveyor belt and the sealing plate.

[0010] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the drive structure includes a first motor, a drive gear mounted on the power output shaft of the first motor, the drive gear being connected to a driven gear via a rack, and the driven gear being mounted on a turntable.

[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a detection and rejection module is also included. The detection and rejection module includes a roller, and a plurality of baffles are provided on the outer surface of the roller to form a conical groove to accommodate the product to be detected. A feeding hopper, an image recognition module, and a foreign object rejection structure are installed sequentially from right to left above the roller. A central shaft is installed at one end of the roller, and the central shaft is connected to a power source to drive the roller to rotate.

[0012] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a plurality of rolling bearings are mounted at the other end of the drum to support the rotation of the drum.

[0013] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the foreign object removal structure includes a foreign object blowing air source disposed inside the drum, the foreign object blowing air source being mounted on an air source support, and a foreign object discharge hopper disposed outside the drum at the location corresponding to the foreign object blowing air source.

[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a de-icing module is also included. The de-icing module includes an inclined bracket, a transmission structure is mounted above the bracket, and the transmission structure includes multiple rollers. Multiple rows of rejection roller assemblies are mounted in the middle of the rollers parallel to the transmission direction. Rejection slides are provided next to the rejection roller assemblies. The rejection roller assembly includes multiple rejection rollers arranged parallel to the rollers. Each rejection roller includes multiple rollers arranged in a ring. The rollers are connected to each other via a support shaft. At least one sprocket is mounted at the end of the support shaft. The sprockets at the ends of the multiple support shafts are connected to each other via a chain. One end of one support shaft is connected to a second motor via a sprocket and chain transmission structure.

[0015] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the bracket includes a vertical bracket, an adjustable bracket nested within the vertical bracket to achieve height adjustment, a connecting plate mounted above the adjustable bracket, an arc-shaped slot provided on the connecting plate to achieve angle adjustment, and a transmission structure mounted above the connecting plate.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] By installing an image recognition module on the double-helix conveyor belt, foreign objects in the product can be monitored and detected in real time. The application of a deep learning model enables the system to efficiently and accurately identify foreign objects and trigger the foreign object removal structure via a controller, thereby effectively improving food safety and quality. The design of the turntable assembly and the cooperation between the guide strips and grooves around the outer edge of the sealing plate ensure the smooth operation of the double-helix conveyor belt, reducing malfunctions caused by offset or slippage and enhancing the overall stability of the equipment. The double-helix conveyor belt design allows products to undergo a longer freezing path within a limited space, while the coil layout on both sides of the evaporator further improves freezing efficiency, enabling food to reach the ideal freezing state in a shorter time. The entire system is highly automated, requiring no manual intervention from product input and real-time monitoring during the freezing process to final foreign object removal. This not only reduces labor costs but also improves production efficiency. The drive structure can be flexibly adjusted to adapt to different production line speed requirements. Furthermore, the deep learning model of the image recognition module can be trained and optimized based on different types of food and foreign objects to meet diverse production needs. The support frame provides additional support for the double-helix conveyor belt, with rolling bearings supporting the roller rotation, facilitating maintenance, reducing equipment downtime, and simplifying maintenance procedures. The inclined support frame and its transmission structure effectively remove ice accumulated on the conveyor belt. The inclined design helps ice blocks fall more easily under gravity. A removal slide plate next to the removal roller assembly further guides the removal of ice blocks from the conveyor belt. The height of the entire de-icing module can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting bracket within the vertical support frame to accommodate different conveyor belts. Arc-shaped slots on the connecting plate provide angle adjustment, allowing the transmission structure to be optimally positioned according to specific needs for optimal de-icing performance. A second motor drives the sprocket at the end of the support shaft via a sprocket and chain drive structure, thereby rotating the removal roller assembly. This method automates the de-icing process, eliminating the need for manual intervention and improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition;

[0019] Figure 2 Top view of a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Sectional view of plane AA;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition from another perspective.

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the detection and rejection module structure;

[0023] Figure 6 To detect and remove the right view of the module;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the detection and rejection module from another perspective;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the foreign object removal structure;

[0026] Figure 9 Top view of the structure for removing foreign objects;

[0027] Figure 10 Another perspective on the structure for removing foreign objects;

[0028] Component names in the diagram: 1. Tank body; 2. Evaporator; 3. Coil; 4. Turntable assembly; 5. Double spiral conveyor belt; 6. Fixed base frame; 7. Column; 8. Guide rail; 9. Rotating shaft; 10. Turntable; 11. Support; 12. Sealing plate; 13. Guide strip; 14. First motor; 15. Drive gear; 16. Rack; 17. Driven gear; 18. Roller; 19. Baffle; 20. Conical groove; 21. Feed hopper; 22. Image recognition module; 23. Foreign object 24. Removal structure; 25. Foreign object blowing air source; 26. Foreign object discharge hopper; 27. Central shaft; 28. Power source; 29. ​​Rolling bearing; 30. Removal roller; 31. Roller; 32. Support shaft; 33. Sprocket; 34. Chain; 35. Sprocket and chain drive structure; 36. Second motor; 37. Vertical support; 38. Adjusting support; 39. Connecting plate; 40. Arc-shaped slot; 41. Roller; 42. Removal roller assembly; 43. Support; 44. Removal slide plate. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Example 1

[0030] This example discloses a double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition; see [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 7The system includes a storage body 1, an evaporator 2 inside the storage body 1, two turntable assemblies 4 with coils 3 on both sides of the evaporator 2 facing each other, a double spiral conveyor belt 5 mounted on the turntable assembly 4, and a fixed base frame 6 with multiple vertically mounted columns 7 on the fixed base frame 6. Multiple guide rails 8 are vertically arrayed on the columns 7 to support the double spiral conveyor belt 5. A rotating shaft 9 is mounted at the center of the fixed base frame 6, and a turntable 10 is mounted on the rotating shaft 9. The turntable 10 is connected to a drive structure to drive the double spiral conveyor belt 5 to rotate. An image recognition module is installed on the double spiral conveyor belt 5. The image recognition module includes an image acquisition device that can collect product image data on the double spiral conveyor belt 5 in real time. The image acquisition device is connected to an image processor, which is loaded with a deep learning model to detect and identify foreign objects. The image processor is connected to a foreign object removal structure via a controller.

[0031] The double helical conveyor belt 5 includes a closed-loop left inlet / outlet belt, a left helical conveyor belt, a right helical conveyor belt, and a right inlet / outlet belt.

[0032] A bracket 11 is installed below the double helix conveyor belt 5.

[0033] A sealing plate 12 is provided around the turntable 10, and multiple guide strips 13 are provided around the outer side of the sealing plate 12. A groove is provided at the contact position between the double spiral conveyor belt 5 and the sealing plate 12, which is in morphological fit with the guide strips 13.

[0034] The drive structure includes a first motor 14, a drive gear 15 is mounted on the power output shaft of the first motor 14, the drive gear 15 is connected to a driven gear 17 via a rack 16, and the driven gear 17 is mounted on a turntable 10.

[0035] It also includes a detection and rejection module, which includes a roller 18. Several baffles 19 are provided on the outer surface of the roller 18 to form a conical groove 20 to accommodate the product to be inspected. A feeding hopper 21, an image recognition module 22, and a foreign object rejection structure 23 are installed on the top of the roller 18 from right to left. A central shaft 26 is installed at one end of the roller 18, and the central shaft 26 is connected to a power source 27 to drive the roller 18 to rotate.

[0036] Multiple rolling bearings 28 are installed at the other end of the roller 18 to support the rotation of the roller 18.

[0037] The foreign object removal structure 23 includes a foreign object blowing air source 24 disposed inside the drum 18. The foreign object blowing air source is installed on the air source support. A foreign object discharge hopper 25 is disposed on the outside of the drum 18 at the position corresponding to the position of the foreign object blowing air source 24.

[0038] The foreign object removal structure includes an inclined bracket 42, a transmission structure mounted above the bracket 42, and a transmission structure including multiple rollers 40. Multiple rows of removal roller assemblies 41 are mounted in the middle of the rollers 40 parallel to the transmission direction. Removal slide plates 43 are arranged next to the removal roller assemblies 41. The removal roller assembly 41 includes multiple removal rollers 29 arranged parallel to the rollers 40. Each removal roller 29 includes multiple annularly arranged rollers 30. The rollers 30 are connected by a support shaft 31. At least one sprocket 32 ​​is mounted at the end of the support shaft 31. The sprockets 32 at the ends of the multiple support shafts 31 are connected by a chain 33. One end of one support shaft is connected to a second motor 35 via a sprocket and chain transmission structure 34.

[0039] The bracket 42 includes a vertical bracket 36, within which an adjusting bracket 37 is nested to achieve height adjustment. A connecting plate 38 is installed above the adjusting bracket 37, and an arc-shaped slot 39 is provided on the connecting plate 38 to achieve angle adjustment. A transmission structure is installed above the connecting plate 38.

[0040] During operation, the product to be frozen first enters the conical groove 20 of the roller 18 through the feed hopper 21. As the roller 18 rotates, the product image data is collected in real time by the image recognition module 22 and transmitted to the image processor for analysis. The image processor identifies foreign objects through its built-in deep learning model, and the controller sends instructions to the foreign object removal structure 23. The foreign object blowing air source 24 will act according to the instructions to blow the identified foreign objects out of the product and discharge them through the foreign object discharge hopper 25. After preliminary detection, the product to be frozen is first placed at the feed end of the double spiral conveyor belt 5 (left feed or right feed). When the quick-freezing machine starts, the first motor 14 drives the drive gear 15 to rotate, which drives the driven gear 17 to rotate through the rack 16, thereby causing the turntable 10 mounted on the rotating shaft 9 to slowly accelerate until it reaches the set speed. As the conveyor belt rotates, the product gradually rises or falls, experiencing the low-temperature environment provided by the evaporator 2, achieving rapid freezing. Throughout the transport process, the guide strip 13 closely engages with the grooves on the double helix conveyor belt 5, ensuring the conveyor belt runs stably along the predetermined track. The products move with the double helix conveyor belt 5, which is driven to rotate by the turntable assembly 4 to smoothly carry and transport the products. After freezing and inspection, the products are finally output from the discharge end of the double helix conveyor belt 5 (either the left or right inlet / outlet belt on the other side), ready for subsequent packaging or storage.

[0041] During the operation of the de-icing module, the height of the entire module is first adjusted by adjusting the adjusting bracket 37 within the vertical support 36. Then, the angle is adjusted using the arc-shaped slot 39 on the connecting plate 38, ensuring the transmission structure is optimally aligned with the product flow to be processed. When conveying normal, foreign-free products on the transmission structure, the second motor 35 is not operating. The products, positioned above the inclined support 42, are pulled downwards along the roller 40 by gravity. The rollers 30 and 40 are installed in the same direction and rotate in the same direction, resulting in consistent product transmission. Supported by the support shaft 31, the rollers 30 rotate in the same direction as the roller 40. If ice blocks form on the transmission structure, the second motor 35 starts, causing the support shaft to rotate via the sprocket and chain transmission structure. This, in turn, drives the multi-row rejection roller assembly 41 to rotate, causing the foreign ice blocks on the transmission structure to move vertically along the normal product transmission direction. Finally, the foreign ice blocks slide off the rejection slide plate 43, separating them from the product flow.

[0042] Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition, characterized in that: The device includes a storage tank containing an evaporator. Two turntable assemblies are positioned on either side of the evaporator, facing the coils. A double-helix conveyor belt is mounted on each turntable assembly. Each turntable assembly includes a fixed base frame with multiple vertically mounted columns. Multiple guide rails are vertically arrayed on the columns to support the double-helix conveyor belt. A rotating shaft is installed at the center of the fixed base frame, and a turntable is mounted on the shaft. The turntable is connected to a drive structure to rotate the double-helix conveyor belt. An image recognition module is installed on the double-helix conveyor belt. This module includes an image acquisition device that can collect real-time image data of products on the conveyor belt. The image acquisition device is connected to an image processor, which contains a deep learning model to detect and identify foreign objects. The image processor is connected to a foreign object removal structure via a controller.

2. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The double-helix conveyor belt includes a closed-loop left inlet / outlet belt, a left helical conveyor belt, a right helical conveyor belt, and a right inlet / outlet belt.

3. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A support frame is installed below the double-helix conveyor belt.

4. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing plate is provided around the turntable, and multiple guide strips are arranged around the outer side of the sealing plate. A groove is provided at the contact position between the double spiral conveyor belt and the sealing plate, which is shaped and fitted to the guide strips.

5. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The drive structure includes a first motor, a drive gear is mounted on the power output shaft of the first motor, the drive gear is connected to a driven gear via a rack, and the driven gear is mounted on a turntable.

6. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a detection and rejection module, which includes a roller. The outer surface of the roller is provided with several baffles to form a conical groove to accommodate the product to be detected. From right to left, a feeding hopper, an image recognition module, and a foreign object rejection structure are installed on the top of the roller. A central shaft is installed at one end of the roller and is connected to a power source to drive the roller to rotate.

7. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 6, characterized in that: Multiple rolling bearings are installed at the other end of the drum to support its rotation.

8. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The foreign object removal structure includes a foreign object blowing air source located inside the drum. The foreign object blowing air source is installed on an air source support, and a foreign object discharge hopper is located on the outside of the drum at the position corresponding to the foreign object blowing air source.

9. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a de-icing module, which includes an inclined bracket with a transmission structure mounted on top of the bracket. The transmission structure includes multiple rollers, and multiple rows of rejection roller assemblies are mounted in the middle of the rollers parallel to the transmission direction. A rejection slide is provided next to the rejection roller assemblies. The rejection roller assembly includes multiple rejection rollers arranged parallel to the rollers. Each rejection roller includes multiple rollers arranged in a ring. The rollers are connected by a support shaft. At least one sprocket is mounted on the end of the support shaft. The sprockets at the ends of the multiple support shafts are connected by a chain. One end of one support shaft is connected to a second motor via a sprocket and chain transmission structure.

10. The double-helix quick-freezing machine with image recognition as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The bracket includes a vertical bracket, within which an adjustable bracket is nested to achieve height adjustment. A connecting plate is installed above the adjustable bracket, and an arc-shaped slot is provided on the connecting plate to achieve angle adjustment. A transmission structure is installed above the connecting plate.

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