A gradient cooling device for processing marine products
By using a series-connected cooling shell and an independent temperature-controlled refrigeration unit, combined with an inclined blower mechanism and a honeycomb structure for seafood processing, the problems of slow speed, unevenness and high energy consumption in traditional cooling methods have been solved, achieving efficient and uniform cooling while reducing energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 烟台海裕食品有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
In the current seafood processing process, traditional cooling methods have problems such as slow cooling speed, uneven temperature distribution, high energy consumption, and easy to cause product contamination or frost formation. There is a lack of efficient, uniform and low-energy-consumption solutions.
It employs three sets of first cooling shells and one set of second cooling shells connected in series, with four independently temperature-controlled refrigeration units forming a gradient cooling effect. Combined with a 15° inclined blower mechanism and a food-grade stainless steel mesh honeycomb structure, along with temperature sensors and controllers, it achieves dynamic adjustment, forming a spiral airflow and uniform cold air contact, reducing energy consumption and improving temperature uniformity.
It improves the cooling speed, prevents frost formation on the product surface, enhances temperature uniformity and product appearance integrity, and reduces operational complexity and overall energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN224381880U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of seafood processing technology, specifically a gradient cooling device for seafood processing. Background Technology
[0002] Cooling is a crucial step in seafood processing, directly affecting the product's taste, nutritional value, and shelf life. This method is primarily applicable to seafood processing plants and seafood cold chain logistics centers, enabling rapid and uniform cooling of seafood during processing to ensure product quality and preservation.
[0003] Currently, the industry commonly uses traditional technologies such as cold storage cooling, ice water immersion, or cold air circulation. However, these methods have significant drawbacks. Cold storage cooling relies on cold air circulation, resulting in slow cooling speed, uneven temperature distribution, and high energy consumption. Ice water immersion, while accelerating cooling, can easily lead to secondary contamination of seafood, and ice water treatment is costly. Cold air circulation has low equipment costs, but it can easily cause frost formation on the product surface, affecting appearance and quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a solution that combines efficient cooling, uniform temperature, and low energy consumption to address the problems of low efficiency, high cost, and complex operation of traditional technologies. To this end, a gradient cooling device for seafood processing is provided. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application provides a gradient cooling device for seafood processing, which features efficient cooling, uniform temperature, and low energy consumption.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: a gradient cooling device for seafood processing, comprising a first cooling shell, a second cooling shell, and a conveying mechanism. Three sets of the first cooling shell are provided and fixedly connected to each other. The second cooling shell is fixedly connected to the right side of the first cooling shell. Both the first and second cooling shells have inlets on their left sides, and an outlet is provided at the right end of the second cooling shell. The conveying mechanism passes through the interior of the first and second cooling shells and corresponds to the inlets and outlet. A refrigeration unit and a blower mechanism are provided at the upper end of both the first and second cooling shells. One set of the first or second cooling shell has two sets of the blower mechanisms, symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the refrigeration unit. A first camera module and a temperature sensor are provided inside both the first and second cooling shells. A controller is fixedly connected to the left side of the first cooling shell. The controller contains an image processor. The conveying mechanism, blower mechanism, refrigeration unit, first camera module, and temperature sensor are all electrically connected to the controller.
[0006] The above solution utilizes three sets of first cooling shells and one set of second cooling shells connected in series, with four independently temperature-controlled refrigeration units forming a gradient cooling effect, which improves the cooling speed compared to traditional cold storage. The 15° tilt design of the blower mechanism, combined with the ventilation plate, creates a spiral airflow, improving the cold air penetration efficiency and avoiding surface frost caused by cold air circulation, thus improving the product's appearance integrity. Temperature sensors monitor the temperature inside the three sets of first cooling shells and one set of second cooling shells in real time, and the controller dynamically adjusts the power of the refrigeration units. The honeycomb structure of the food-grade stainless steel mesh belt ensures that the cold air evenly contacts the bottom of the product, and the symmetrical air delivery from the dual blower mechanism further improves temperature uniformity. The controller integrates multi-parameter automatic control, requiring no manual intervention after one-button start, reducing operational complexity. The four refrigeration units operate in a gradient coordinated manner, improving refrigerant utilization and reducing overall energy consumption compared to traditional cold storage.
[0007] Furthermore, the conveyor belt inside the conveying mechanism is made of food-grade stainless steel mesh belt and has a honeycomb structure.
[0008] Through the above method, cold air penetrates the honeycomb holes of the stainless steel mesh belt and covers the bottom of the product.
[0009] Furthermore, the refrigeration unit includes an evaporator and a condenser.
[0010] The above scheme forms a cascade refrigeration system with the evaporator and condenser, which meets the requirements of ultra-low temperature processing.
[0011] Furthermore, the four sets of cooling units are independently controlled to achieve gradient cooling.
[0012] With the above solution, the controller automatically adjusts the power according to the temperature difference between the front and rear units, and the overall energy consumption is reduced compared to traditional cold storage.
[0013] Furthermore, the blower mechanism includes a housing, which is disposed on the upper end of the first cooling housing and the second cooling housing. A filter screen is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the housing. A fan is fixedly connected inside the housing. The fan is a stepless speed-regulating axial flow fan. A fixing plate is fixedly connected inside the housing. The output end of the fan is rotatably disposed inside the fixing plate. A ventilation plate is provided at the lower end of the housing. The ventilation plate is inclined at 15°.
[0014] Through the above solution, the 15° inclined ventilation plate of the blower mechanism directs the cold air to the product surface, forming a spiral airflow, and the symmetrical dual fans eliminate dead angles of airflow on one side.
[0015] Furthermore, a second camera module is fixedly connected to the left side of the first cooling shell on the left side. The second camera module corresponds to the left end of the conveying mechanism. Electric push rods are installed inside the left side walls of both the first and second cooling shells. A movable plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of the electric push rod. The movable plate is movably connected to the lower end of the left side walls of the first and second cooling shells and is movably connected inside the feed inlet. Multiple sets of electric push rods and movable plates are provided and are evenly installed through the side walls of the first and second cooling shells. The electric push rods and movable plates on the right side are installed inside the right side wall of the second cooling shell. The movable plate on the right side is movably connected inside the discharge outlet.
[0016] Through the above scheme, the second camera module captures the stacking height of seafood at the entrance, generates a three-dimensional contour through the image processor, and the controller drives multiple sets of electric push rods to lift and lower synchronously, so as to adjust the height of the movable plate, ensure that the gap between the inlet and outlet and the product is small, and that seafood can pass through, preventing cold air leakage.
[0017] Furthermore, both the first cooling shell and the second cooling shell are provided with a hydrophobic coating.
[0018] The above solution prevents condensation from accumulating on the surface of the hydrophobic coating.
[0019] Furthermore, the interior of the movable plate has a double-layer vacuum insulation structure.
[0020] The above solution reduces heat loss through the double-layer vacuum structure of the movable plate.
[0021] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects:
[0022] This gradient cooling device for seafood processing utilizes three sets of first cooling shells and one set of second cooling shells connected in series, with four independently temperature-controlled refrigeration units forming a gradient cooling effect, resulting in faster cooling compared to traditional cold storage. The 15° tilt design of the blower mechanism, combined with ventilation panels, creates a spiral airflow, improving cold air penetration efficiency and preventing surface frost buildup caused by cold air circulation, thus improving product appearance integrity. Temperature sensors monitor the temperature inside the three sets of first and second cooling shells in real time, and the controller dynamically adjusts the power of the refrigeration units. The honeycomb structure of the food-grade stainless steel mesh belt ensures even contact of cold air with the bottom of the product, further enhancing temperature uniformity with the symmetrical airflow from the dual blower mechanism. The controller integrates multi-parameter automatic control, requiring no manual intervention after one-button start, reducing operational complexity. The four refrigeration units operate in a gradient coordinated manner, improving refrigerant utilization and reducing overall energy consumption compared to traditional cold storage. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present application.
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in frontal three-dimensional cross-section of this application;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled first and second cooling shells of this application;
[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure viewed from the left side of this application;
[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the blower mechanism of this application.
[0028] In the picture:
[0029] 1. First cooling shell; 2. Second cooling shell; 3. Conveying mechanism; 4. Refrigeration unit; 401. Evaporator; 402. Condenser; 5. Blowering mechanism; 501. Outer shell; 502. Filter screen; 503. Fan; 504. Fixing plate; 505. Ventilation plate; 6. First camera module; 7. Temperature sensor; 8. Controller; 9. Electric push rod; 10. Movable plate; 11. Second camera module; 12. Feed inlet; 13. Discharge outlet. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0031] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3This embodiment of a gradient cooling device for seafood processing includes a first cooling shell 1, a second cooling shell 2, and a conveying mechanism 3. Three sets of the first cooling shell 1 are fixedly connected to each other. The second cooling shell 2 is fixedly connected to the right side of the first cooling shell 1. Both the first and second cooling shells 1 and 2 have inlets 12 on their left sides, and outlets 13 on their right sides. The conveying mechanism 3 passes through the first and second cooling shells 1 and 2, corresponding to the inlets 12 and outlets 13. A refrigeration unit 4 and a blower mechanism 5 are installed at the upper ends of both the first and second cooling shells 1 and 2. Each set of first cooling shells 1 or second cooling shell 2 has two sets of blower mechanisms 5, symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the refrigeration unit 4. A first camera module 6 and a temperature sensor 7 are installed inside both the first and second cooling shells 1 and 2. A controller 8 is fixedly connected to the left side of the first cooling shell 1, and the controller 8 contains an image processor. The conveying mechanism 3... The blower mechanism 5, refrigeration unit 4, first camera module 6, and temperature sensor 7 are all electrically connected to the controller 8. Through three sets of first cooling shells 1 and one set of second cooling shells 2 connected in series, the four independently temperature-controlled refrigeration units 4 form a gradient cooling, which improves the cooling speed compared to traditional cold storage. The 15° tilt design of the blower mechanism 5, combined with the ventilation plate 505, forms a spiral airflow, which improves the cold air penetration efficiency and avoids the problem of surface frost caused by cold air circulation, thus improving the product's appearance integrity rate. The temperature sensor 7 monitors the temperature inside the three sets of first cooling shells 1 and one set of second cooling shells 2 in real time. The controller 8 dynamically adjusts the power of the refrigeration unit 4. The honeycomb structure of the food-grade stainless steel mesh belt ensures that the cold air evenly contacts the bottom of the product. Combined with the symmetrical air delivery of the dual blower mechanism 5, this further improves the temperature uniformity. The controller 8 integrates multi-parameter automatic control, and after one-button start, no manual intervention is required, reducing the complexity of operation. The four sets of refrigeration units 4 operate in a gradient coordinated manner, which improves the refrigerant utilization rate and reduces the overall energy consumption compared to traditional cold storage.
[0032] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The conveyor belt inside the conveyor mechanism 3 is made of food-grade stainless steel mesh belt with a honeycomb structure. The refrigeration unit 4 includes an evaporator 401 and a condenser 402. The four refrigeration units 4 are independently controlled to achieve gradient cooling. The blower mechanism 5 includes a housing 501, which is installed on the upper end of the first cooling shell 1 and the second cooling shell 2. A filter screen 502 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the housing 501. A fan 503 is fixedly connected inside the housing 501. The fan 503 is a stepless speed-regulating axial flow fan. A fixing plate 504 is fixedly connected inside the housing 501. The output end is rotated and inserted inside the fixed plate 504. A ventilation plate 505 is provided at the lower end of the outer shell 501. The ventilation plate 505 is set at an inclination of 15°. Cold air penetrates the honeycomb holes of the stainless steel mesh belt and covers the bottom of the product. The evaporator 401 and the condenser 402 form a cascade refrigeration system to meet the requirements of ultra-low temperature processing. The controller 8 automatically adjusts the power according to the temperature difference between the front and rear units. The overall energy consumption is lower than that of traditional cold storage. The 15° inclination ventilation plate 505 of the blower mechanism 5 guides the cold air to the surface of the product to form a spiral airflow. The symmetrical double fans 503 eliminate dead angles of airflow on one side.
[0033] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A second camera module 11 is fixedly connected to the left side of the first cooling shell 1. The second camera module 11 corresponds to the left end of the conveying mechanism 3. Electric push rods 9 are installed inside the left side walls of both the first cooling shell 1 and the second cooling shell 2. A movable plate 10 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the electric push rod 9. The movable plate 10 is movably connected to the lower end of the left side walls of the first cooling shell 1 and the second cooling shell 2, and is movably connected inside the feed inlet 12. Multiple sets of electric push rods 9 and movable plates 10 are provided and are evenly installed through the side walls of the first cooling shell 1 and the second cooling shell 2. The electric push rods 9 and movable plates 10 on the right side are installed through the right side wall of the second cooling shell 2. Inside, the right-end movable plate 10 is movably connected to the inside of the discharge port 13. The surfaces of the first cooling shell 1 and the second cooling shell 2 are both provided with hydrophobic coatings. The inside of the movable plate 10 is a double-layer vacuum insulation structure. The second camera module 11 captures the stacking height of the seafood at the entrance and generates a three-dimensional contour through the image processor. The controller 8 drives multiple sets of electric push rods 9 to lift and lower synchronously, so that the height of the movable plate 10 is adjusted to ensure that the gap between the inlet 12 and the discharge port 13 and the product is small and that the seafood can pass through, preventing cold air leakage. The hydrophobic coating on the shell surface prevents condensation from accumulating. The double-layer vacuum structure of the movable plate 10 reduces cold loss.
[0034] In this embodiment, three sets of first cooling shells 1 and one set of second cooling shells 2 are connected in series, and four sets of independently temperature-controlled refrigeration units 4 form a gradient cooling, which improves the cooling speed compared to traditional cold storage. The 15° inclined design of the blower mechanism 5, together with the ventilation plate 505, forms a spiral airflow, which improves the cold air penetration efficiency and avoids the problem of surface frost caused by cold air circulation, thus improving the product appearance integrity rate. The temperature sensor 7 monitors the temperature inside the three sets of first cooling shells 1 and one set of second cooling shells 2 in real time, and the controller 8 dynamically adjusts the power of the refrigeration unit 4. The honeycomb structure of the food-grade stainless steel mesh belt ensures that the cold air contacts the bottom of the product evenly, and the symmetrical air delivery of the dual blower mechanism 5 further improves the temperature uniformity. The controller 8 integrates multi-parameter automatic control, and after one-button start, no manual intervention is required, reducing the complexity of operation. The four sets of refrigeration units 4 operate in a gradient coordinated manner, which improves the refrigerant utilization rate and reduces the overall energy consumption compared to traditional cold storage.
[0035] The working principle of the above embodiment is as follows: The first camera module 6 inside each first cooling shell 1 and second cooling shell 2 scans the frozen product status on the surface of the conveying mechanism 3 in real time, including the degree of frost formation, uniformity of distribution, and abnormal deformation. The data is fed back to the image processor of the controller 8 for dynamically adjusting the wind speed of the blower mechanism 5 and the power of the refrigeration unit 4. The second camera module 11 at the left end captures the stacking height of the seafood at the entrance and generates a three-dimensional contour through the image processor. The controller 8 drives multiple sets of electric push rods 9 to rise and fall synchronously, adjusting the height of the movable plate 10 to ensure that the gap between the inlet 12 and outlet 13 and the product is small and that the seafood can pass through, preventing cold air leakage. The seafood enters the first cooling shell 1 through the conveying mechanism 3. After the second camera module 11 detects the stacking height, the controller 8 executes the electric push rod. The push rod 9 synchronously lifts the movable plate 10 to the target height. The four cooling units 4 operate independently according to the preset gradient. The 15° inclined ventilation plate 505 of the blower mechanism 5 guides the cold air to the product surface, forming a spiral airflow. The cold air penetrates the honeycomb holes of the stainless steel mesh belt and covers the bottom of the product. The symmetrical double fans 503 eliminate dead angles of airflow on one side. The temperature sensor 7 monitors the temperature inside each shell in real time. When the temperature of the second cooling shell 2 is detected to be high, the controller 8 increases the power of its cooling unit 4 and reduces the power of the previous shell to maintain the overall energy balance. The double-layer vacuum structure of the movable plate 10 reduces the loss of cold energy. The hydrophobic coating on the shell surface prevents the accumulation of condensate. When the first camera module 6 detects frost on the surface of the frozen product, the controller 8 automatically reduces the wind speed of the corresponding shell blower mechanism 5 and increases the temperature to melt the micro-frost.
[0036] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely 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 a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.
[0037] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A gradient cooling device for processing marine products, comprising a first cooling shell (1), a second cooling shell (2) and a conveying mechanism (3), characterized in that: The first cooling shell (1) is provided in three sets and is fixedly connected to each other. The second cooling shell (2) is fixedly connected to the right side of the first cooling shell (1) on the right side. The first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2) are provided with inlets (12) on the left side. The second cooling shell (2) is provided with outlets (13) on the right side. The conveying mechanism (3) is installed inside the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2) and corresponds to the inlet (12) and the outlet (13). The first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2) are provided with refrigeration units (4) and blower mechanisms (4) on the upper end of the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2). 5) A set of the first cooling shell (1) or the second cooling shell (2) is provided with two sets of the blower mechanism (5) and is symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the refrigeration unit (4). The first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2) are both provided with a first camera module (6) and a temperature sensor (7). The left side of the first cooling shell (1) is fixedly connected to a controller (8). The controller (8) is provided with an image processor. The conveying mechanism (3), the blower mechanism (5), the refrigeration unit (4), the first camera module (6) and the temperature sensor (7) are all electrically connected to the controller (8).
2. The gradient cooling device for processing marine products according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyor belt inside the conveying mechanism (3) is made of food-grade stainless steel mesh belt and has a honeycomb structure.
3. The gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration unit (4) includes an evaporator (401) and a condenser (402).
4. The gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four sets of refrigeration units (4) are independently controlled to achieve gradient cooling.
5. The gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blower mechanism (5) includes a housing (501), which is installed on the upper end of the first cooling housing (1) and the second cooling housing (2). A filter screen (502) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the housing (501). A fan (503) is fixedly connected inside the housing (501). The fan (503) is a stepless speed-regulating axial flow fan (503). A fixing plate (504) is fixedly connected inside the housing (501). The output end of the fan (503) is rotatably installed inside the fixing plate (504). A ventilation plate (505) is provided at the lower end of the housing (501). The ventilation plate (505) is inclined at 15°.
6. The gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second camera module (11) is fixedly connected to the left side of the first cooling shell (1) on the left end. The second camera module (11) and the left end of the conveying mechanism (3) are corresponding. Electric push rods (9) are installed inside the left side walls of the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2). A movable plate (10) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the electric push rod (9). The movable plate (10) is movably connected to the lower end of the left side wall of the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2), and is movably connected inside the feed inlet (12). There are multiple sets of electric push rods (9) and movable plates (10), and they are evenly installed inside the side walls of the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2). The electric push rods (9) and movable plates (10) on the right end are installed inside the right side wall of the second cooling shell (2), and the movable plate (10) on the right end is movably connected inside the discharge port (13).
7. The gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first cooling shell (1) and the second cooling shell (2) are provided with a hydrophobic coating.
8. A gradient cooling device for seafood processing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The movable plate (10) has a double-layer vacuum insulation structure inside.