Pneumatic atomization accurate inoculation device for yellow wine wheat koji

Abstract

The utility model provides a pneumatic atomization accurate inoculation device for yellow wine wheat koji, which relates to the technical field of yellow wine brewing equipment and is characterized in that multi-stage energy coupling atomization is realized through the synergistic effect of a gas-liquid mixing atomization unit and an ultrasonic-assisted crushing unit; the liquid storage tank, the atomizing chamber and the annular distributor are connected through a quick release connector, and a mechanical locking and electric synchronous separation mechanism is integrated; a signal processing link based on a hardware control circuit is constructed, and non-programmed closed-loop adjustment of the flow and the particle size is achieved; a drip-proof nozzle with a Venturi structure cooperating with a memory alloy valve element is designed. The energy utilization bottleneck of a traditional atomization device is broken through, and the fog drop uniformity is remarkably improved through physical cooperation of pneumatic and ultrasonic; due to the modular quick-release design, the equipment maintenance convenience is greatly improved, and the risk of cross contamination is avoided; a pure hardware control scheme eliminates software system dependence and enhances control stability under complex working conditions; and the anti-leakage structure realizes shutdown self-sealing through physical deformation, so that raw material waste is effectively prevented.

Description

A pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of rice wine brewing equipment, and in particular to a precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization. Background Technology

[0002] In the brewing process of Shaoxing rice wine, wheat koji inoculation is a core step that determines the quality of fermentation. Its uniformity and precision directly affect the flavor of the wine and production efficiency. Traditional inoculation methods mostly rely on manual spraying or simple atomizing equipment, which have inherent defects such as dispersed droplet size distribution and uneven dispersion of bacterial solution. Existing atomizing devices generally adopt a single energy input mode, such as pure pneumatic or pure ultrasonic atomization, which makes it difficult to balance atomization efficiency and particle size control requirements. Pneumatic atomization is prone to droplet agglomeration due to airflow fluctuations, while ultrasonic atomization, although it can refine particles, suffers from insufficient energy density, especially when processing high-viscosity bacterial solutions, which can easily lead to atomization blind spots. These technical bottlenecks result in uneven adhesion of the inoculum to the surface of the koji material, which not only reduces fermentation activity but may also lead to the risk of localized mold growth.

[0003] Most inoculation equipment on the market currently adopts an integrated structural design, with the atomizing chamber and liquid storage unit fixedly connected. Cleaning and maintenance require complete disassembly, which is cumbersome and prone to damaging delicate components. After prolonged use, residual bacterial liquid on the inner wall of the atomizing chamber easily breeds other bacteria, causing batch-to-batch cross-contamination and severely affecting product consistency. Furthermore, the control systems of existing equipment heavily rely on software algorithms and embedded processors. In the humid, dusty, and electromagnetic interference environments common in brewing workshops, problems such as signal distortion and program lag can easily occur, leading to uncontrolled atomization parameters. Although some equipment incorporates anti-drip structures, they often use mechanical springs or solenoid valves, which are prone to seal failure under frequent start-stop conditions, resulting in raw material waste and environmental pollution.

[0004] With the large-scale development of the Shaoxing rice wine industry, higher demands are being placed on the stability of inoculation processes and the reliability of equipment. Existing technologies struggle to achieve precise control of the atomization process, failing to meet the diverse needs of different microbial strains and koji materials for droplet size and distribution density. Simultaneously, the high maintenance costs of traditional equipment and the insufficient environmental adaptability of its control systems severely restrict the efficiency of continuous production. The market urgently needs an inoculation device that can overcome energy utilization bottlenecks and combines intelligent control with convenient maintenance. Through structural innovation and hardware optimization, this device can fundamentally solve systemic problems such as atomization accuracy, equipment durability, and adaptability to operating conditions, driving the brewing process towards higher efficiency and cleaner production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the technical problems in the existing technology, such as low energy utilization efficiency of atomization leading to uneven dispersion of strains, non-disassembly of equipment structure causing maintenance difficulties and cross-contamination, poor environmental adaptability of software-dependent control systems, and waste of raw materials due to poor sealing of traditional nozzles, this utility model provides a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji.

[0006] The technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] This utility model provides a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji, comprising:

[0008] Multi-stage atomization system, main body, control circuit and nozzle;

[0009] The multi-stage atomization system is composed of a gas-liquid mixing atomization unit and an ultrasonic-assisted crushing unit connected in series. The gas-liquid mixing atomization unit includes a compressed air nozzle and a swirling generator, and the ultrasonic-assisted crushing unit includes multiple symmetrically distributed piezoelectric ceramic transducers and power amplifiers.

[0010] The main body includes a liquid storage tank, an atomizing chamber, and an annular distributor connected from top to bottom via a quick-release interface. The quick-release interface is equipped with a spring locking mechanism and a conductive slip ring.

[0011] The control circuit includes a multi-channel comparator array and logic devices. A mass flow meter is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank. A temperature and humidity sensor and an image sensor are installed on the side wall of the atomization chamber.

[0012] The nozzle includes a venturi contraction section and an anti-drip valve core, the anti-drip valve core being provided with a flow guide slit and a shape memory alloy return spring.

[0013] Preferably, the control circuit includes a multi-channel comparator array whose input is connected to a signal conversion circuit and whose output is connected to the electromagnetic proportional valve of the air pump via a pulse width modulator; the analog signal port of the logic device is connected to a temperature and humidity sensor via a multiplexer switch, and its output is connected to a power amplifier; an adjustment circuit is provided between the mass flow meter and the electromagnetic proportional valve.

[0014] Preferably, the swirl generator includes an axial spiral guide vane and a conical acceleration chamber, and the compressed air nozzle outlet is provided with a honeycomb rectifier grid.

[0015] Preferably, the piezoelectric ceramic transducer is attached to the inner wall of the atomizing chamber via an adhesive layer, and the output of the power amplifier is connected to an impedance matching network.

[0016] Preferably, the spring locking mechanism of the quick-release interface includes an elastic element and a locking component, the conductive slip ring includes multiple signal channels, and the bottom of the liquid storage tank is provided with a conical guide boss.

[0017] Preferably, the annular distributor includes radial guide channels, the ends of which are connected to Venturi contraction sections, and the surface of the guide channels is provided with a hydrophobic coating.

[0018] Preferably, the anti-drip valve core includes a conical elastomer and a shape memory alloy return spring, and the valve seat is provided with a sealing ring.

[0019] Preferably, the control circuit includes a flow control module and a particle size feedback module. The flow control module consists of an adjustment circuit and a voltage-controlled oscillator. The particle size feedback module includes an image sensor connected to a frequency converter, and its output is connected to a window comparator.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this utility model include at least the following:

[0021] (1) In this invention, the atomization uniformity and particle size control accuracy are significantly improved through the multi-stage synergistic effect of pneumatic atomization and ultrasonic crushing. The gas-liquid mixing unit utilizes the optimized geometry of the cyclone generator to achieve efficient energy conversion and reduce energy consumption in the atomization process; the ultrasonic crushing unit further refines the droplets based on the physical cavitation effect, breaking through the particle size distribution bottleneck of traditional single-stage atomization. The modular structure design combined with the mechanical-electrical coupling mechanism of the quick-release interface allows core components such as the liquid storage tank and atomization chamber to be quickly separated and maintained, avoiding the risk of cross-contamination, while ensuring the signal continuity of the control system. The overall structure balances atomization efficiency and ease of operation, making it suitable for the continuous industrial production needs of rice wine koji inoculation.

[0022] (2) In this invention, the control circuit abandons the reliance on traditional software algorithms and achieves precise control through the physical construction of a multi-channel comparator array and logic devices, significantly improving the system's anti-interference capability and response speed. The pure hardware signal processing chain effectively avoids risks such as program crashes and data overflows, ensuring real-time stable adjustment of flow and particle size parameters. The anti-drip valve core adopts a composite structure of shape memory alloy and elastomer, which automatically closes the flow channel when the machine stops, completely solving the common problem of residual liquid dripping in atomizing devices. Through the innovative integration of mechanical structure and control logic, this design can maintain stable inoculation quality under complex working conditions, significantly reducing equipment failure rate and maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 is an exploded structural diagram of a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the multi-stage atomization process of a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit topology of a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solution of this utility model will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In the embodiments of this utility model, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in this utility model should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this utility model, the meaning expressed by "and / or" can be both, or it can be either one or the other.

[0029] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of this utility model clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] This utility model embodiment provides a pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji, comprising:

[0031] The embodiments provided in this utility model employ a multi-stage atomization system to achieve a highly efficient and precise inoculation process for rice wine koji. The structure, interconnection methods, and control strategies of each component are explained, aiming to provide clear implementation guidance for those skilled in the art. Firstly, the device uses a gas-liquid mixing atomization unit connected in series with an ultrasonic-assisted crushing unit to form a multi-stage atomization system. In the gas-liquid mixing atomization unit, the airflow is uniformly rectified using a honeycomb rectifier grid through the synergistic action of the compressed air nozzle and the vortex generator. Then, with the help of the axial spiral guide vanes and conical acceleration chamber inside the vortex generator, the rice wine koji solution in the storage tank is fully mixed with the high-pressure airflow, achieving initial atomization. The design of this unit should ensure uniform and stable gas-liquid mixing, and that the droplets are fully dispersed during the high-speed vortex process, providing a homogeneous primary atomized mist for subsequent ultrasonic-assisted crushing.

[0032] The initially atomized liquid is transported to the atomization chamber, where multiple symmetrically distributed piezoelectric ceramic transducers are fixed to the inner wall via an adhesive layer. These transducers generate high-frequency vibrations under ultrasonic excitation. A power amplifier and impedance matching network are connected to the transducers to ensure that the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the atomization chamber under optimal operating conditions, further breaking up the initially atomized droplets and achieving secondary atomization. This process significantly reduces the droplet size, achieving a droplet size distribution of D50 = 65 μm. In practical applications, technicians should pay special attention to the bonding quality between the transducers and the inner wall of the atomization chamber, as well as the adjustment of the power amplifier and impedance matching network, to ensure stable ultrasonic signal output and effective secondary droplet breaking.

[0033] To achieve precise control of the atomization process, the device integrates a PID control system. This system collects various parameters through multiple sensors, including a mass flow meter at the bottom of the storage tank, temperature and humidity sensors on the side walls of the atomization chamber, and an image sensor, to monitor liquid flow, ambient temperature and humidity, and atomized droplet distribution in real time. After passing through a multi-channel comparator array and signal conversion circuit at the input, the signals are processed by logic devices and ultimately controlled by a pulse width modulator (PWM) to activate the electromagnetic proportional valve on the air pump. The control system achieves a flow rate adjustment accuracy of ±0.5 mL / min and regulates the ultrasonic atomization process through a particle size feedback module to ensure that all parameters remain within preset values. During implementation, technicians need to initially set and debug the PID parameters to achieve optimal control during actual operation and can dynamically adjust them according to environmental changes and process requirements.

[0034] In terms of overall structural design, the device adopts a modular design concept, treating the liquid storage tank, atomization chamber, and annular distributor as independent modules connected via quick-release interfaces. The liquid storage tank, located at the top of the device, features a conical guide protrusion that allows the liquid to flow evenly into the atomization chamber under gravity. The atomization chamber, as the main reaction space for liquid atomization, has an internal structure that ensures the liquid is fully broken up under ultrasonic action and facilitates sensor installation and maintenance. The annular distributor, positioned below the atomization chamber, contains radial guide channels that evenly deliver the atomized liquid to the nozzle area, achieving precise inoculation. This modular structure not only facilitates quick disassembly, cleaning, and component replacement on-site but also ensures mechanical fixation and electrical signal transmission through spring-locking mechanisms and conductive slip rings on the quick-release interfaces, guaranteeing the overall compactness and efficiency of the system.

[0035] The nozzle design incorporates a special structure to enhance atomization and prevent dripping. An internal Venturi constriction section utilizes the Venturi effect to rapidly increase airflow velocity and decrease pressure in a localized area, further refining droplets and promoting uniform spraying. Simultaneously, the nozzle is equipped with an anti-drip valve core, constructed from a conical elastomer and a shape memory alloy return spring. A sealing ring and flow guide slits on the valve seat ensure that no liquid residue or dripping occurs due to gravity when spraying ceases. This design requires technicians to ensure a precise fit between the Venturi constriction section and the anti-drip structure during nozzle manufacturing and assembly to achieve optimal spraying performance and drip protection.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the liquid storage tank is physically coupled to the atomizing chamber via a quick-release interface. This interface employs a parallel design of a spring-locking mechanism and conductive slip rings: the mechanical locking component, composed of stainless steel springs and ceramic balls, provides stable axial fixing force. The conductive slip rings of the six signal channels automatically disconnect the electrical connection when the module is separated, ensuring operational safety and signal integrity. Three sets of piezoelectric ceramic transducers are embedded in the inner wall of the atomizing chamber with an epoxy resin layer. Their 120° symmetrical distribution ensures uniform diffusion of ultrasonic energy within the atomizing chamber. The circumferentially distributed nozzle array at the bottom of the annular distributor is connected to the guide groove via a Venturi constriction section, forming a directional atomization output channel. This modular architecture allows for quick disassembly and cleaning of the liquid storage unit while maintaining the precise fit between the atomizing chamber and the distributor, solving the technical shortcomings of traditional integrated equipment that makes maintenance difficult.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, compressed air is directed through a spiral guide vane to form a high-speed airflow with a 45° swirl angle. This airflow mixes and accelerates with the liquid within a conical acceleration chamber (inlet / throat diameter ratio 3:1). The air is then initially atomized into 150μm droplets through a 0.5mm orifice honeycomb rectifier. Subsequently, the droplet cluster enters the ultrasonic action zone, where the cavitation effect generated by three sets of 1.7MHz piezoelectric transducers causes secondary droplet breakup. The droplet size distribution is precisely controlled to an average of 65μm by adjusting the duty cycle of the power amplifier. This two-stage atomization mechanism achieves efficient energy conversion through optimized physical structure. The ≥70% porosity of the gas-liquid mixing unit reduces flow resistance, while the impedance matching network (3.3μH inductor + 220pF capacitor) of the ultrasonic breakup unit ensures an energy transfer efficiency of over 87%. Overall energy consumption is reduced by 40% compared to traditional single-stage atomization systems.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the raw signals collected by the mass flow meter, temperature and humidity sensor, and image sensor are standardized through V / I conversion and multiplexing switches, and then input to a multi-channel comparator array for threshold judgment. The comparator output signal directly drives the electromagnetic proportional valve through a pulse width modulator to adjust the compressed air flow rate; the logic device generates a transducer drive signal based on the comparison result, and the voltage-controlled oscillator dynamically adjusts the air pump speed according to the flow deviation. The flow control loop uses an analog PI circuit built with an OP07 operational amplifier, achieving a flow accuracy of ±0.5 mL / min through a ±0.1% tolerance precision resistor; the particle size feedback loop relies on a hardware combination of a CCD image sensor and a frequency-to-voltage converter to convert the droplet image into an electrical signal in real time. The window comparator, with a threshold of 2.8-3.5V corresponding to a particle size range of 60-70 μm, directly triggers the power amplifier gain adjustment. This pure hardware control scheme eliminates reliance on software algorithms, shortens the response time to the 10 μs level, and significantly improves the anti-interference capability and system reliability in industrial environments.

[0039] Overall, the embodiments provided by this utility model have optimized the atomization system, control strategy, modular structure, and nozzle design to ensure uniform liquid atomization and stable and precise particle size during the inoculation process of rice wine koji. During implementation, technicians should make detailed adjustments and calibrations to the structural dimensions, ultrasonic frequency, PID control parameters, and sensor installation positions of each module according to specific production requirements and process environment to ensure that each subsystem works collaboratively to achieve the best process effect. Through a thorough discussion of the above key aspects, those skilled in the art can successfully implement this technical solution based on the provided detailed embodiments and obtain efficient, stable, and precise atomization inoculation results in practical applications.

[0040] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this utility model embodiment include at least the following:

[0041] (1) In this invention, the atomization uniformity and particle size control accuracy are significantly improved through the multi-stage synergistic effect of pneumatic atomization and ultrasonic crushing. The gas-liquid mixing unit utilizes the optimized geometry of the cyclone generator to achieve efficient energy conversion and reduce energy consumption in the atomization process; the ultrasonic crushing unit further refines the droplets based on the physical cavitation effect, breaking through the particle size distribution bottleneck of traditional single-stage atomization. The modular structure design combined with the mechanical-electrical coupling mechanism of the quick-release interface allows core components such as the liquid storage tank and atomization chamber to be quickly separated and maintained, avoiding the risk of cross-contamination, while ensuring the signal continuity of the control system. The overall structure balances atomization efficiency and ease of operation, making it suitable for the continuous industrial production needs of rice wine koji inoculation.

[0042] (2) In this invention, the control circuit abandons the reliance on traditional software algorithms and achieves precise control through the physical construction of a multi-channel comparator array and logic devices, significantly improving the system's anti-interference capability and response speed. The pure hardware signal processing chain effectively avoids risks such as program crashes and data overflows, ensuring real-time stable adjustment of flow and particle size parameters. The anti-drip valve core adopts a composite structure of shape memory alloy and elastomer, which automatically closes the flow channel when the machine stops, completely solving the common problem of residual liquid dripping in atomizing devices. Through the innovative integration of mechanical structure and control logic, this design can maintain stable inoculation quality under complex working conditions, significantly reducing equipment failure rate and maintenance costs.

[0043] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

[0044] The following points need to be explained:

[0045] (1) The accompanying drawings of this utility model embodiment only involve the structure involved in this utility model embodiment. Other structures can refer to the general design.

[0046] (2) For clarity, the thickness of layers or regions is enlarged or reduced in the drawings used to describe embodiments of the present invention, i.e., these drawings are not drawn to actual scale. It is understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "below" another element, the element may be "directly" located "on" or "below" the other element or there may be intermediate elements.

[0047] (3) Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of this utility model and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0048] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. The protection scope of this utility model shall be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a multi-stage atomization system, a main body, a control circuit, and nozzles. The multi-stage atomization system consists of a gas-liquid mixing atomization unit and an ultrasonic-assisted atomization unit connected in series. The gas-liquid mixing atomization unit includes a compressed air nozzle and a vortex generator. The ultrasonic-assisted atomization unit includes multiple symmetrically distributed piezoelectric ceramic transducers and a power amplifier. The main body includes a liquid storage tank, an atomization chamber, and a ring distributor connected from top to bottom via a quick-release interface. The quick-release interface is equipped with a spring locking mechanism and a conductive slip ring. The control circuit includes a multi-channel comparator array and logic devices. A mass flow meter is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank, and a temperature and humidity sensor and an image sensor are installed on the side wall of the atomization chamber. The nozzle includes a venturi constriction section and an anti-drip valve core. The anti-drip valve core is equipped with a flow guide slit and a shape memory alloy return spring.

2. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a multi-channel comparator array whose input is connected to a signal conversion circuit and whose output is connected to the electromagnetic proportional valve of the air pump via a pulse width modulator; the analog signal port of the logic device is connected to a temperature and humidity sensor via a multiplexer switch and whose output is connected to a power amplifier; and an adjustment circuit is provided between the mass flow meter and the electromagnetic proportional valve.

3. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swirling generator includes an axial spiral guide vane and a conical acceleration chamber, and a honeycomb rectifier grid is provided at the outlet of the compressed air nozzle.

4. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric ceramic transducer is attached to the inner wall of the atomizing chamber via an adhesive layer, and the output of the power amplifier is connected to an impedance matching network.

5. The pneumatic atomization precision inoculation device for rice wine koji according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring locking mechanism of the quick-release interface includes an elastic element and a locking component; the conductive slip ring contains multiple signal channels; and the bottom of the liquid storage tank is provided with a conical guide boss.

6. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular distributor includes radial guide channels, the ends of which are connected to Venturi contraction sections, and the surface of the guide channels is provided with a hydrophobic coating.

7. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-drip valve core includes a conical elastomer and a shape memory alloy return spring, and the valve seat of the anti-drip valve core is provided with a sealing ring.

8. The precise inoculation device for rice wine koji pneumatic atomization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a flow control module and a particle size feedback module. The flow control module consists of an adjustment circuit and a voltage-controlled oscillator. The particle size feedback module includes an image sensor connected to a frequency converter, and its output is connected to a window comparator.

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