An ethylene dynamic controlled release device for a fresh-keeping store

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of fresh-keeping warehouses, and discloses an ethylene dynamic controlled release device for a fresh-keeping warehouse, which comprises a packaging shell, the inner wall of the packaging shell is fixedly connected with a first partition plate and a second partition plate, the first partition plate and the second partition plate make the inside of the packaging shell form a reaction cavity and two separated cavities, a propelling mechanism is installed in the inside of the packaging shell, the propelling mechanism comprises two piston plates, the outer wall of one side of the piston plates is fixedly connected with sliding rods, the ends, away from the piston plates, of the two sliding rods penetrate through the packaging shell and are fixedly connected with a connecting plate, two electric push rods are fixedly installed on the top outer wall of the packaging shell, in the utility model, the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping warehouse is monitored in real time through an ethylene sensor, and data is transmitted to a controller, the controller accurately controls the work of the propelling mechanism and a driving assembly according to a preset concentration threshold value, the dynamic adjustment of the contact amount and the contact speed of 1-MCP precursors and slow-release agents is realized, and then the release speed and the time of 1-MCP gas are accurately controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cold storage technology, and in particular to a dynamic controlled release device for ethylene in cold storage. Background Technology

[0002] During the use of cold storage, ethylene is a common plant hormone that can accelerate the ripening and aging of fruits and vegetables. In order to extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products in cold storage, it is usually necessary to control ethylene levels.

[0003] Currently, common methods for controlling ethylene include physical adsorption and chemical removal. However, these methods have some limitations, such as the limited adsorption capacity of physical adsorption and the unstable effect of chemical removal, which makes it difficult to achieve long-term effective control.

[0004] 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) is a highly efficient ethylene antagonist that can bind to ethylene receptors and block the physiological effects of ethylene, thereby extending the shelf life of agricultural products. However, existing 1-MCP release devices are unable to dynamically control the release rate and time of 1-MCP according to the actual concentration of ethylene in the cold storage, which cannot meet the needs of long-term storage. Therefore, a dynamic controlled release device for ethylene in cold storage is proposed to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dynamic controlled release device for ethylene in cold storage to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A dynamic controlled-release device for ethylene in a cold storage facility includes a packaging shell. A first partition and a second partition are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the packaging shell. The first partition and the second partition are arranged perpendicular to each other. The first partition and the second partition form a reaction chamber and two partitioned chambers inside the packaging shell. A 1-MCP precursor and a slow-release agent are respectively encapsulated in the two partitioned chambers.

[0008] The encapsulation shell is equipped with a propulsion mechanism, which includes two piston plates located in two separate cavities. A sliding rod is fixedly connected to one side of the outer wall of the piston plates. The ends of the two sliding rods away from the piston plates pass through the encapsulation shell and are fixedly connected to a connecting plate. Two electric push rods are fixedly installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell. The output ends of the two electric push rods are fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0009] The outer wall of the second partition has two sealing doors slidably connected. The outer wall of the second partition is equipped with a drive assembly for driving the two sealing doors to open and close. The drive assembly includes a first rack and a gear set. The two first racks are fixedly connected to the top outer wall of the two sealing doors. The gear set is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the second partition. The two first racks mesh with the gear set.

[0010] Preferably, a servo motor is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the second partition, and the end of the output shaft of the servo motor is fixedly connected to the shaft of the gear set.

[0011] Preferably, the top inner wall of the encapsulation shell is rotatably connected to a mixing fan via a rotating shaft, the top end of the rotating shaft penetrates the encapsulation shell and is fixedly connected to a small gear, and the mixing fan is located inside the reaction chamber.

[0012] Preferably, a fixing rod is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the connecting plate, and a second rack is fixedly connected to the end of the fixing rod away from the connecting plate, the second rack meshing with a pinion.

[0013] Preferably, a front cover is detachably installed on the inner wall of the end of the encapsulation shell away from the connecting plate, and an air outlet pipe is provided on the outer wall of the front cover. A microporous membrane is threadedly connected to the end of the air outlet pipe away from the front cover.

[0014] Preferably, an ethylene sensor is installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell, and a controller is installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell. The ethylene sensor is electrically connected to the controller, and the servo motor and the electric push rod are both electrically connected to the controller.

[0015] Preferably, the outer walls of both sides of the packaging shell are hinged with feeding doors, and the two feeding doors correspond to the two partition cavities respectively. The outer walls of both sides of the packaging shell are fixedly connected with multiple fixing feet.

[0016] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects:

[0017] The ethylene concentration in the cold storage is monitored in real time by an ethylene sensor, and the data is transmitted to the controller. The controller precisely controls the operation of the propulsion mechanism and drive components according to the preset concentration threshold, realizing the dynamic adjustment of the contact amount and contact speed between the 1-MCP precursor and the slow-release agent. This allows for precise control of the release rate and time of 1-MCP gas. When the ethylene concentration increases, the device automatically increases the release of 1-MCP; when the ethylene concentration decreases, the release is reduced or even stopped in a timely manner, ensuring that the ethylene concentration in the cold storage is always maintained at a suitable level, providing a long-term and stable preservation environment for agricultural products and effectively extending their shelf life. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1This is an overall schematic diagram of an embodiment of the application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an internal schematic diagram of an embodiment of the application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the application;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point B.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Encapsulation shell; 2. Ethylene sensor; 3. Controller; 4. Fixing foot; 5. Gas outlet pipe; 6. Microporous membrane; 7. First partition; 8. Second partition; 9. Sealing door; 10. First rack; 11. Gear set; 12. Servo motor; 13. Electric push rod; 14. Connecting plate; 15. Piston plate; 16. Slide rod; 17. Fixing rod; 18. Second rack; 19. Mixing fan; 20. Rotating shaft; 21. Pinion; 22. Feeding door; 23. Front cover. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0025] This application discloses an ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage. (Refer to...) Figure 1-5 A dynamic controlled release device for ethylene in a cold storage facility mainly includes a housing 1, an ethylene sensor 2, a controller 3, a propulsion mechanism, a drive assembly, and other components. Through the coordinated operation of these components, the release of 1-MCP gas is dynamically controlled according to the ethylene concentration in the cold storage facility.

[0026] The inner wall of the encapsulation shell 1 is fixedly connected with a first partition 7 and a second partition 8 that are perpendicular to each other. They divide the interior of the encapsulation shell 1 into a reaction chamber and two separate chambers. The two separate chambers are used to encapsulate the 1-MCP precursor and the sustained-release agent, respectively, providing independent storage space for subsequent reactions.

[0027] The propulsion mechanism installed inside the encapsulation housing 1 includes two piston plates 15, which are located in two separate cavities respectively. A slide rod 16 is fixedly connected to one outer wall of the piston plate 15. The end of the slide rod 16 away from the piston plate 15 passes through the encapsulation housing 1 and is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 14. Two electric push rods 13 are fixedly installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation housing 1. The output end of the electric push rod 13 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 14. When the electric push rod 13 is activated, it can drive the piston plate 15 to move in the separate cavity through the connecting plate 14 and the slide rod 16, thereby controlling the amount of 1-MCP precursor and sustained-release agent propelled. The 1-MCP precursor is a 1-MCP complex, and the sustained-release agent is a sustained-release acid.

[0028] The outer wall of the second partition 8 is slidably connected to two sealing doors 9, which are used to control the communication between the partition chamber and the reaction chamber. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The second partition 8 is equipped with a guide rail, which cooperates with the sliders (not shown in the figure) on the two sealing doors 9 to allow the two sealing doors 9 to slide smoothly on the second partition 8. The drive assembly is used to drive the two sealing doors 9 to open and close. It includes a first rack 10 fixed to the top outer wall of the sealing door 9 and a gear set 11 rotatably connected to the outer wall of the second partition 8. The first rack 10 meshes with the gear set 11. A servo motor 12 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the second partition 8. The end of the output shaft of the servo motor 12 is fixedly connected to the shaft of the gear set 11. The servo motor 12 drives the gear set 11 to rotate, which in turn drives the sealing door 9 to slide through the first rack 10, thereby realizing the connection or isolation between the partition chamber and the reaction chamber.

[0029] A mixing fan 19 is rotatably connected to the top inner wall of the encapsulation shell 1 via a rotating shaft 20. The top end of the rotating shaft 20 passes through the encapsulation shell 1 and is fixedly connected to a pinion 21. The mixing fan 19 is located inside the reaction chamber. A fixing rod 17 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the connecting plate 14. A second rack 18 is fixedly connected to the end of the fixing rod 17 away from the connecting plate 14. The second rack 18 meshes with the pinion 21. When the electric push rod 13 pushes the connecting plate 14 to move, the fixing rod 17 drives the second rack 18 to move, thereby causing the pinion 21 to rotate and drive the mixing fan 19 to rotate in the reaction chamber, promoting gas mixing.

[0030] A front cover 23 is detachably installed on the inner wall of the end of the encapsulation shell 1 away from the connecting plate 14. An exhaust pipe 5 is provided on the outer wall of the front cover 23. A microporous membrane 6 is threadedly connected to the end of the exhaust pipe 5 away from the front cover 23. The 1-MCP gas generated by the reaction is slowly released into the preservation chamber through the exhaust pipe 5 and the microporous membrane 6. The detachable front cover 23 makes it easy to clean the residue inside the reaction chamber.

[0031] An ethylene sensor 2 and a controller 3 are installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell 1. The ethylene sensor 2 is electrically connected to the controller 3. The servo motor 12 and the electric push rod 13 are both electrically connected to the controller 3. The ethylene sensor 2 monitors the ethylene concentration in the cold storage in real time and transmits the signal to the controller 3. The controller 3 controls the operation of the servo motor 12 and the electric push rod 13 according to the preset threshold.

[0032] The outer walls of the packaging shell 1 are hinged with feeding doors 22. The two feeding doors 22 correspond to the two partition chambers respectively, which facilitates the replenishment of 1-MCP precursor and slow-release agent. The outer walls of the packaging shell 1 are fixedly connected with multiple fixing feet 4, which are used to stably install the device in the cold storage.

[0033] The implementation principle of the ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage in this application embodiment is as follows: the fixed foot 4 is firmly installed inside the cold storage. Inside the encapsulated shell 1, the first partition 7 and the second partition 8 are perpendicular to each other, dividing the internal space into a reaction chamber and two partition chambers. One partition chamber encapsulates a 1-MCP precursor (such as a 1-MCP·β-CD complex), and the other partition chamber encapsulates a slow-release agent (such as a slow-release acid). The sealing door 9 is in the closed state, separating the partition chamber and the reaction chamber to prevent the 1-MCP precursor from prematurely contacting and reacting with the slow-release agent. The ethylene sensor 2 is turned on and monitors the concentration of ethylene in the cold storage in real time, while continuously transmitting the monitored data to the controller 3.

[0034] Ethylene sensor 2 continuously monitors the ethylene concentration in the cold storage. Ethylene is a plant hormone that is naturally released by fruits and vegetables during storage. An increase in its concentration will accelerate the ripening and aging process of fruits and vegetables. When the fruits and vegetables in the cold storage begin to release more ethylene, causing the ethylene concentration to reach or exceed the threshold preset by controller 3, it means that the current ethylene concentration has posed a potential threat to the preservation of fruits and vegetables. It is necessary to release 1-MCP gas to inhibit the effect of ethylene. At this time, controller 3 reacts quickly, starts to coordinate the work of various components, and starts the 1-MCP gas release process.

[0035] The controller 3 first sends a start command to the servo motor 12. After receiving the command, the servo motor 12 starts to run, and its output shaft drives the gear set 11, which is fixedly connected to its shaft, to rotate. Since the gear set 11 meshes with the first rack 10 fixed on the top outer wall of the sealing door 9, the rotation of the gear set 11 will drive the first rack 10 to move, thereby causing the sealing door 9 to slide open on the outer wall of the second partition 8, connecting the partition chamber and the reaction chamber, creating conditions for the 1-MCP precursor and the slow-release agent to enter the reaction chamber.

[0036] As the sealing door 9 opens, the controller 3 sends a working command to the electric push rod 13. After the electric push rod 13 starts, its output end pushes the connecting plate 14 which is fixedly connected to it. The connecting plate 14 drives the piston plate 15 located in the partition chamber to move through the slide rod 16. As the piston plate 15 moves, the 1-MCP precursor and the slow-release agent in the partition chamber are gradually pushed into the reaction chamber.

[0037] When the 1-MCP precursor (such as the 1-MCP·β-CD complex) and the slow-release agent (such as the slow-release acid) enter the reaction chamber, they begin to come into contact with each other. Under certain conditions (e.g., the acidic environment provided by the slow-release acid and the possible presence of trace amounts of moisture), the 1-MCP precursor and the slow-release agent undergo a slow reaction. Taking the reaction of the 1-MCP·β-CD complex with water as an example, the reaction formula is 1-MCP·β-CD complex + water → 1-MCP↑ + β-CD, thereby generating 1-MCP gas. This reaction is controllable because by controlling the pushing speed of the electric push rod 13 and the opening of the sealing door 9 by the servo motor 12, the contact amount and contact speed of the 1-MCP precursor and the slow-release agent can be adjusted, thereby controlling the reaction rate.

[0038] During the process of the electric push rod 13 pushing the connecting plate 14 to move, the connecting plate 14 drives the second rack 18 to move through the fixed rod 17. Since the second rack 18 meshes with the pinion 21, the movement of the second rack 18 will cause the pinion 21 to rotate. The pinion 21 is fixed at the top of the rotating shaft 20. The other end of the rotating shaft 20 is connected to the mixing fan 19 located inside the reaction chamber. Therefore, the rotation of the pinion 21 will drive the mixing fan 19 to rotate inside the reaction chamber. The rotation of the mixing fan 19 makes the 1-MCP gas generated in the reaction chamber fully mixed with the air in the chamber, ensuring that the 1-MCP gas is evenly distributed in the reaction chamber, preparing for the subsequent gas release.

[0039] The uniformly mixed 1-MCP gas flows through the gas outlet pipe 5 on the outer wall of the front cover 23 to the microporous membrane 6. The microporous membrane 6 has a large number of tiny pores, which play a role in controlling the gas flow rate and dispersing the gas. When the 1-MCP gas passes through the microporous membrane 6, it is uniformly dispersed into many fine gas streams and slowly released into the preservation chamber. 1-MCP is a highly efficient ethylene antagonist. It can bind to ethylene receptors on the surface of fruit and vegetable cells, prevent ethylene from binding to the receptors, thereby inhibiting the ripening effect of ethylene on fruits and vegetables and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

[0040] As 1-MCP gas is continuously released into the preservation chamber, it gradually competes with ethylene for receptors on the surface of fruit and vegetable cells, inhibiting the effect of ethylene and causing the ethylene concentration in the preservation chamber to gradually decrease. When the ethylene sensor 2 detects that the ethylene concentration is lower than the preset threshold of the controller 3, it indicates that the current ethylene concentration is within an acceptable range and there is no need to continue releasing 1-MCP gas. At this time, the controller 3 issues a command, the electric push rod 13 stops working, the piston plate 15 stops advancing, and the servo motor 12 reverses, driving the sealing door 9 to close, separating the partition chamber from the reaction chamber again, stopping the supply of 1-MCP precursor and slow-release agent, and the reaction stops.

[0041] Throughout the preservation process, ethylene sensor 2 continuously monitors the ethylene concentration in the cold storage. If the ethylene concentration rises again and exceeds the preset threshold due to further metabolism of fruits and vegetables, the device will repeat the above process and restart the release of 1-MCP gas, thereby achieving dynamic control of the release rate and time of 1-MCP gas. This dynamic control method allows the device to flexibly adjust the release of 1-MCP gas according to the actual changes in the ethylene concentration in the cold storage, ensuring that the reaction rate is controllable and meeting the needs of long-term storage of fruits and vegetables in the cold storage.

[0042] After the device has been used for a period of time, when the 1-MCP precursor or slow-release agent in the partition chamber is consumed to a certain extent, it needs to be replenished. The operator can open the feeding door 22 hinged to the outer wall on both sides of the packaging shell 1 and add the 1-MCP precursor and slow-release agent to the corresponding partition chamber respectively.

[0043] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A dynamic controlled-release device for ethylene in a cold storage facility, comprising a casing (1), characterized in that: The inner wall of the encapsulation shell (1) is fixedly connected with a first partition (7) and a second partition (8). The first partition (7) and the second partition (8) are arranged perpendicular to each other. The first partition (7) and the second partition (8) form a reaction chamber and two partition chambers inside the encapsulation shell (1). The two partition chambers are respectively encapsulated with a 1-MCP precursor and a sustained-release agent. The encapsulation shell (1) is equipped with a propulsion mechanism, which includes two piston plates (15). The two piston plates (15) are located in two separate cavities respectively. A slide rod (16) is fixedly connected to one side of the outer wall of the two slide rods (16). The end of the two slide rods (16) away from the piston plate (15) passes through the encapsulation shell (1) and is fixedly connected to a connecting plate (14). Two electric push rods (13) are fixedly installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell (1). The output ends of the two electric push rods (13) are fixedly connected to the connecting plate (14). The outer wall of the second partition (8) is slidably connected to two sealing doors (9). The outer wall of the second partition (8) is equipped with a drive assembly for driving the two sealing doors (9) to open and close. The drive assembly includes a first rack (10) and a gear set (11). The two first racks (10) are fixedly connected to the top outer wall of the two sealing doors (9). The gear set (11) is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the second partition (8). The two first racks (10) mesh with the gear set (11).

2. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: A servo motor (12) is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the second partition (8), and the end of the output shaft of the servo motor (12) is fixedly connected to the shaft of the gear set (11).

3. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top inner wall of the encapsulation shell (1) is rotatably connected to a mixing fan (19) via a rotating shaft (20). The top end of the rotating shaft (20) passes through the encapsulation shell (1) and is fixedly connected to a small gear (21). The mixing fan (19) is located inside the reaction chamber.

4. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 3, characterized in that: A fixing rod (17) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the connecting plate (14). A second rack (18) is fixedly connected to one end of the fixing rod (17) away from the connecting plate (14). The second rack (18) meshes with a pinion (21).

5. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner wall of the encapsulation shell (1) away from the connecting plate (14) is detachably fitted with a front cover (23). The outer wall of the front cover (23) is provided with an air outlet pipe (5). The end of the air outlet pipe (5) away from the front cover (23) is threadedly connected to a microporous membrane (6).

6. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 5, characterized in that: An ethylene sensor (2) is installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell (1), and a controller (3) is installed on the top outer wall of the encapsulation shell (1). The ethylene sensor (2) is electrically connected to the controller (3), and the servo motor (12) and the electric push rod (13) are both electrically connected to the controller (3).

7. The ethylene dynamic controlled release device for cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer walls of the packaging shell (1) are hinged with feeding doors (22), and the two feeding doors (22) correspond to the two partition cavities respectively. The outer walls of the packaging shell (1) are fixedly connected with multiple fixing feet (4).

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