A tea drying device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a tea drying device, which relates to the field of tea processing technology. The device includes: a base; two first support columns installed on opposite sides of the base; multiple support components distributed from top to bottom and installed between the two first support columns; multiple drying containers, each corresponding to one of the support components, and the containers are detachably installed on their respective support components; and a second support column installed on the base and positioned between the two first support columns. This device solves the problems of inconvenient operation and high labor intensity in multi-layer drying devices where the upper layer of tea leaves is turned over.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tea processing technology, specifically to a tea drying device. Background Technology

[0002] In tea processing, the core of sun-drying lies in shaping tea quality by controlling the moisture loss and enzymatic reaction process of fresh leaves. For example, white tea, through natural spreading, allows the fresh leaves to slowly lose water, moderately stimulating the activity of oxidases and promoting the mild oxidation of tea polyphenols, forming a unique aroma and sweet flavor. Oolong tea's sun-drying (withering) works in conjunction with shaking to cause the fresh leaves to slightly wilt, creating conditions for subsequent peripheral oxidation and aroma transformation. Even some green teas, although with fixation as a key process, still require brief spreading to dissipate grassy odors and evenly distribute moisture. The sun-drying process, by regulating moisture and the microenvironment, influences the physiological and biochemical changes of tea leaves, guiding chlorophyll degradation and aromatic substance synthesis. It is a crucial step in forming the unique style of some tea types, and its role is irreplaceable in the processing system.

[0003] A multi-layer sliding plate for sun-drying tea, disclosed in authorization announcement number (CN221975668U), includes a base plate, with side plates fixedly installed on both sides of the upper surface of the base plate, and multiple layers of support plates slidably installed between two side plates at equal intervals. The multi-layer support plate allows for the sun-drying of larger quantities of tea leaves, ensuring that tea leaves on several support plates are exposed to sunlight, thus improving the efficiency of the sun-drying process.

[0004] The structure disclosed in this patent has defects in practical applications, specifically as follows: During the drying process, the tea leaves are evenly spread on multiple layers of support plates. However, due to the limitations of space height and operating angle, it is difficult for operators to directly reach and turn the tea leaves on the upper support plates. Constrained by ergonomic and structural design limitations, operators need to maintain a special posture or use auxiliary tools to complete the turning, which significantly increases labor intensity and operational complexity. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a tea drying device that addresses the problem in the prior art where it is difficult to turn over the upper layer of tea in a multi-layer drying device, requiring operators to maintain a special posture or use auxiliary tools, which increases labor intensity and operational complexity. This device provides a solution to the problems of inconvenient operation and high labor intensity in turning over the upper layer of tea in a multi-layer drying device.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A tea drying device includes: a base; two first support columns installed on opposite sides of the base; multiple support components distributed from top to bottom and installed between the two first support columns; multiple drying containers, each corresponding to one of the support components, and the drying containers are detachably installed on their respective support components; a second support column installed on the base and positioned between the two first support columns; and multiple turning components installed from top to bottom on the second support columns, each turning component corresponding to one of the drying containers, and capable of turning the tea leaves inside the corresponding drying containers.

[0008] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned support component includes two relatively distributed support brackets; the two support brackets are respectively installed on two first support columns, and the inner side of the support bracket is provided with a plug-in slot along the extension direction; both sides of the drying container are equipped with plug-in protrusions, and the two plug-in protrusions can be inserted into the inner side of the corresponding plug-in slot respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, in this utility model, a limiting groove is provided at the end of the aforementioned support bracket, and a limiting component is installed in the limiting groove; wherein, the limiting component can limit the insertion protrusion in the insertion slot to achieve locking of the drying container.

[0010] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned limiting component includes: a limiting pin disposed within a limiting groove; and a return spring fitted around the outside of the limiting pin, with one end of the return spring connected to the inner wall of the limiting groove and the other end of the return spring connected to the outer wall of the limiting pin; wherein, in its natural state, the limiting pin at least partially extends into the insertion slot.

[0011] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned flipping assembly includes: a connecting sleeve fitted onto the outside of the second support column; a cantilever bracket, one end of which is connected to the connecting sleeve, and the other end of which extends to the top of the drying container; a first motor mounted on the end of the cantilever bracket, the output end of which is connected to a drive shaft, and the drive shaft extends to the inside of the drying container; and multiple flipping blades mounted on the end of the drive shaft, the multiple flipping blades being distributed along the circumferential direction of the drive shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, in this utility model, the above also includes a second motor and a transmission main shaft; the connecting sleeve is slidably guided with the second support column, and the connecting sleeve is connected to a lifting seat; the second motor is mounted on the base, and the output end of the second motor is connected to the transmission main shaft; the transmission main shaft passes through multiple lifting seats, and the transmission main shaft and multiple lifting seats are connected by threads.

[0013] Furthermore, in this utility model, the aforementioned drive spindle includes a fixed coupling section, a drive coupling section, and an elastic element; one end of the fixed coupling section is provided with a polygonal buffer expansion groove, the cross-sectional shape of which is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the drive coupling section; one end of the drive coupling section is slidably guided by the buffer expansion groove, allowing the drive coupling section to reciprocate along the extension direction of the buffer expansion groove; the elastic element is disposed within the buffer expansion groove, one end of which is connected to the inner wall of the buffer expansion groove, and the other end of which is connected to the drive coupling section.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. This utility model achieves efficient tea leaf turning and safety protection. During the tea leaf drying process, a first motor drives the drive shaft to rotate the turning blades, turning the tea leaves in the drying container; simultaneously, a second motor drives the transmission shaft, causing the connecting sleeve and turning assembly to rise and fall along the second support column, realizing the adjustment of the turning blades at different depths of the tea leaf layer. When the drive shaft experiences excessive displacement during descent, and the end of the drive coupling section contacts the bottom of the drying container, the drive coupling section will overcome the elastic force of the elastic element and retract into the buffer expansion groove of the fixed coupling section. The elastic element deforms under pressure to absorb the impact force, avoiding damage to the equipment from rigid collisions.

[0016] 2. This utility model achieves rapid installation and stable fixation of the drying container through the cooperative design of the supporting component and the limiting component. When the drying container needs to be installed, the operator aligns the plug-in protrusions on both sides of the drying container with the plug-in slots of the supporting bracket and inserts them. Subsequently, the limiting pin of the limiting component automatically engages with the plug-in slot under the action of the return spring, forming a mechanical limit on the plug-in protrusions and preventing the drying container from shifting during the drying and turning of tea leaves, significantly improving the convenience and stability of the drying container installation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a tea drying device;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a diagram of a drying container.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the transmission spindle and multiple lifting seats;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the fit between the fixed coupling section and the drive coupling section;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the installation of limit components within the limit channel;

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0024] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names:

[0025] 1-Base, 2-First support column, 3-Support assembly, 4-Support bracket, 5-Insertion slot, 6-Second support column, 7-Connecting sleeve, 8-Cantilever bracket, 9-First motor, 10-Drive spindle, 11-Tilting blade, 12-Second motor, 13-Lifting seat, 14-Transmission spindle, 15-Drying container, 16-Insertion protrusion, 17-Fixed coupling section, 18-Buffer telescopic groove, 19-Elastic element, 20-Drive coupling section, 21-Limiting groove, 22-Reset spring, 23-Limiting pin. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this utility model are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0027] Example

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model provides a tea drying device. It mainly includes a base 1, first supporting columns 2, supporting components 3, drying containers 15, second supporting columns 6, and turning components. Two first supporting columns 2 are symmetrically installed on opposite sides of the base 1. Multiple supporting components 3 are arranged vertically and fixed between the two first supporting columns 2. Multiple drying containers 15 correspond one-to-one with the supporting components 3, and are detachably connected to their respective supporting components 3. The second supporting column 6 is vertically installed in the center of the base 1, located between the two first supporting columns 2. Multiple turning components are sequentially installed on the second supporting column 6 from top to bottom, each turning component corresponding to a drying container 15.

[0029] During the tea drying process, operators disassemble the drying container 15 from the support component 3 by removing the structure, evenly spread the tea leaves on the container 15, and then reassemble it into its predetermined position on the support component 3 using the assembly structure. During the drying stage, a control device drives a turning component to periodically turn the tea leaves within the corresponding drying container 15. This design, through the coordinated work of multiple components, effectively avoids problems such as localized moisture residue and uneven oxidation caused by prolonged static accumulation of tea leaves, ensuring comprehensive exposure of the tea leaves during drying and allowing them to fully receive sunlight and air circulation. Simultaneously, the mechanical movement of the turning component breaks down the surface moisture tension of the tea leaves, accelerating moisture evaporation, thereby improving drying efficiency and quality uniformity, and ensuring the high efficiency and stability of the drying operation.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the supporting component 3 adopts a symmetrical structural design, including two oppositely arranged supporting brackets 4, which are respectively connected to two first supporting columns 2. Each supporting bracket 4 has a insertion slot 5 along its length on its inner side, the shape and size of which are adapted to the insertion protrusion 16. The drying container 15 is inserted into the corresponding insertion slot 5 of the supporting bracket 4 via the insertion protrusions 16 on both sides, achieving a stable installation of the drying container 15.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 For example, the end of the support bracket 4 is provided with a limiting groove 21, and a limiting component is installed in the limiting groove 21. The limiting component can lock and unlock the drying container 15. The limiting component and the insertion slot 5 of the support bracket 4 form a linkage constraint mechanism: when the insertion protrusion 16 of the drying container 15 is inserted into the insertion slot 5, the limiting component firmly restricts the insertion protrusion 16 inside the insertion slot 5 through mechanical interference or elastic locking, preventing the insertion protrusion 16 from detaching due to external force; during disassembly, the operator triggers the control structure of the limiting component to release the constraint state of the limiting component on the insertion protrusion 16, thereby allowing the insertion protrusion 16 to exit along the insertion slot 5. The installation process is the opposite: after the insertion protrusion 16 is fully inserted into the insertion slot 5, the limiting component is reactivated to form an effective lock.

[0032] The limiting structure design has significant technical advantages: First, the mechanical limiting mechanism enhances the stability of the drying container 15 after installation, resisting the dynamic load generated during the tea turning process and external environmental disturbances, and avoiding the safety risks caused by the accidental detachment of the drying container 15; Second, the ergonomically designed control structure enables operators to open and close the limiting components through simple one-handed operation, significantly improving loading and unloading efficiency.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 Specifically, the limiting pin 23 is axially disposed within the limiting groove 21 at the end of the support bracket 4, and the return spring 22 is coaxially fitted onto the outside of the limiting pin 23. One end of the return spring 22 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the limiting groove 21, and the other end of the return spring 22 is connected to the outer wall of the limiting pin 23. In the natural state of the return spring 22, the limiting pin 23 is subjected to elastic force, and the end of the limiting pin 23 extends into the insertion slot 5 of the support bracket 4, forming a mechanical limit on the insertion protrusion 16.

[0034] The limiting pin 23 is installed on the upper part of the support bracket 4. After passing through the limiting channel 21, the limiting pin 23 extends into the insertion slot 5, with both ends of the limiting pin 23 exposed outside the limiting channel 21. The return spring 22, in its natural state, keeps one end of the limiting pin 23 in the insertion slot 5 against the insertion protrusion 16, thereby restricting the movement of the drying container 15. When the drying container 15 needs to be disassembled, the operator pulls the limiting pin 23 by applying force to overcome the elastic force of the return spring 22, causing the limiting pin 23 to exit the insertion slot 5. At this time, the return spring 22 is compressed and stores energy. When the external force is removed, the return spring 22 releases its elastic potential energy, pushing the limiting pin 23 to quickly reset and re-engage in the insertion slot 5, restoring the locked state of the insertion protrusion 16.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments of this application, the tumbling assembly consists of a connecting sleeve 7, a cantilever bracket 8, a first motor 9, a drive shaft 10, and tumbling blades 11. The connecting sleeve 7 is fitted onto the outside of the second support column 6; one end of the cantilever bracket 8 is vertically fixed to the connecting sleeve 7, and the other end extends horizontally toward the drying container 15, forming a power transmission cantilever; the first motor 9 is installed at the free end of the cantilever bracket 8, and its output shaft is coaxially connected to the drive shaft 10, which extends into the drying container 15; multiple tumbling blades 11 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the drive shaft 10, forming a three-dimensional stirring structure.

[0036] When the equipment is running, after the drying container 15 is loaded with tea leaves and installed on the support assembly 3, the operator starts the first motor 9 by controlling it. The torque output of the first motor 9 is transmitted to the turning blades 11 via the drive shaft 10, and the turning blades 11 rotate around the axis of the drive shaft 10. At this time, the turning blades 11 located inside the drying container 15 generate mechanical turbulence through rotational motion, performing a comprehensive turning operation on the tea leaves. This structural design has significant technical advantages: First, the combination of the cantilever bracket 8 and the connecting sleeve 7 realizes the layered layout of the turning assembly, which can correspond to each layer of the drying container 15, ensuring that the tea leaves can be effectively turned even when stacked in multiple layers, avoiding the cumbersome operation of repeated loading and unloading required by traditional single-layer turning; Second, the three-dimensional stirring mode formed by the drive shaft 10 driving the multi-blade rotation can break up the dead corners of the tea leaf accumulation, allowing the leaves to fully contact the air and accelerate moisture evaporation.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 3 For example, the coordinated action of the second motor 12, the transmission main shaft 14, the lifting seat 13, and the connecting sleeve 7 achieves displacement control of the tilting assembly. The second motor 12 is fixedly installed on the base 1, and the output shaft of the second motor 12 is rigidly connected to the transmission main shaft 14 through a coupling. The transmission main shaft 14 extends axially along the second support column 6 and passes through each layer of the lifting seat 13. The lifting seat 13 and the transmission main shaft 14 form a helical transmission pair through a threaded pair. At the same time, the lifting seat 13 is connected to the connecting sleeve 7, and the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 7 and the outer wall of the second support column 6 form a sliding guide pair.

[0038] When the second motor 12 drives the transmission shaft 14 to rotate, it drives the lifting seat 13 to move axially along the transmission shaft 14. Due to the connection between the connecting sleeve 7 and the lifting seat 13, the connecting sleeve 7 moves synchronously along the second support column 6, thereby driving the cantilever bracket 8, the drive shaft 10, and the turning blades 11 to achieve overall lifting. During the drying operation, when it is necessary to load or unload the drying container 15, the operator controls the second motor 12 to reverse, so that the transmission shaft 14 drives the turning assembly to rise to a safe height, avoiding interference between the turning blades 11 and the drying container 15; after the drying container 15 is installed in place, the motor rotates forward to drive the turning assembly to descend to the working position, so that the turning blades 11 are immersed in the tea leaves for turning.

[0039] During the tea drying process, after the turning leaf 11 is immersed in the tea layer in the drying container 15, the operator can control the transmission system to drive the connecting sleeve 7 to move axially along the second support column 6, thereby driving the drive shaft 10 and the turning leaf 11 to move up and down within the tea layer. This design utilizes the linkage mechanism between the turning component and the lifting transmission system to allow the turning leaf 11 to be adjusted to different depths within the tea layer, achieving omnidirectional turning of tea leaves at different depths.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 4 For example, the drive spindle 10 adopts an elastic buffer split structure, consisting of a fixed coupling section 17, a drive coupling section 20, and an elastic element 19. One end of the fixed coupling section 17 is provided with a polygonal buffer expansion groove 18, the cross-section of which is adapted to the end contour of the drive coupling section 20. The drive coupling section 20 can reciprocate along the axial direction of the buffer expansion groove 18. The elastic element 19 is arranged inside the buffer expansion groove 18, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the buffer expansion groove 18, and the other end of which is connected to the end face of the drive coupling section 20.

[0041] The working principle is as follows: The first motor 9 outputs torque to drive the fixed coupling section 17 to rotate. Due to the adaptable design of the buffer expansion groove 18 and the polygonal cross-section of the drive coupling section 20, the fixed coupling section 17 can transmit torque through contact with the drive coupling section 20, thereby driving multiple turning blades 11 on the outer periphery of the drive coupling section 20 to rotate synchronously, realizing the turning operation of the tea in the drying container 15. During the loading and unloading operation of the tea drying container 15, the overall lifting and lowering of the turning blades 11 is controlled. When the drive shaft 10 drives the turning blades 11 to the working position, if the end of the drive coupling section 20 contacts the bottom of the drying container 15 due to positioning error, the sliding guide of the polygonal buffer expansion groove 18 and the drive coupling section 20 will guide the drive coupling section 20 to move upward, while compressing the elastic element 19 to cause elastic deformation. This elastic deformation process converts the kinetic energy generated by the mechanical collision into elastic potential energy, avoiding structural damage to the drive shaft 10, the turning blades 11, and the drying container 15 caused by rigid collision. This enables adaptive adjustment, ensuring the torque transmission efficiency of the drive spindle while significantly improving the safety and reliability of equipment operation and extending the service life of key components.

[0042] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tea drying device, characterized in that, include: Base (1); Two first support columns (2) are installed on opposite sides of the base (1); Multiple support components (3), the multiple support components (3) are distributed from top to bottom, and the multiple support components (3) are installed between two first support columns (2); Multiple drying containers (15), each of the multiple drying containers (15) corresponds one-to-one with a multiple of the multiple supporting components (3), and the drying containers (15) are detachably installed on the corresponding supporting components (3); The second support column (6) is installed on the base (1) and is disposed between the two first support columns (2); Multiple turning components are installed on the second support column (6) from top to bottom. Each of the multiple turning components corresponds to a multiple drying container (15). The turning components can turn the tea leaves in the corresponding drying container (15).

2. The tea drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support assembly (3) includes two oppositely distributed support brackets (4); The two support brackets (4) are respectively installed on the two first support columns (2), and the inner side of the support bracket (4) is provided with a plug-in slot (5) along the extension direction; Both sides of the drying container (15) are equipped with insertion protrusions (16), and the two insertion protrusions (16) can be inserted into the corresponding insertion slots (5) respectively.

3. The tea drying apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the support bracket (4) is provided with a limiting channel (21), and a limiting component is installed in the limiting channel (21); The limiting component can limit the insertion protrusion (16) within the insertion slot (5) to lock the drying container (15).

4. The tea drying apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting component includes: A limiting pin (23) is provided in the limiting channel (21); A reset spring (22) is fitted on the outside of the limiting pin (23). One end of the reset spring (22) is connected to the inner wall of the limiting channel (21), and the other end of the reset spring (22) is connected to the outer wall of the limiting pin (23). In the natural state, the limit pin (23) of the reset spring (22) extends at least partially into the insertion slot (5).

5. The tea drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The flipping component includes: Connecting sleeve (7), the connecting sleeve (7) is fitted onto the outside of the second support column (6); A cantilever bracket (8), one end of which is connected to the connecting sleeve (7), and the other end of which can extend above the drying container (15); A first motor (9) is installed at the end of the cantilever bracket (8). The output end of the first motor (9) is connected to a drive spindle (10). The drive spindle (10) can extend to the inside of the drying container (15). Multiple tumbling blades (11) are mounted on the end of the drive shaft (10) and are distributed along the circumferential direction of the drive shaft (10).

6. The tea drying apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a second motor (12) and a drive shaft (14); The connecting sleeve (7) is slidably guided to the second support column (6), and the connecting sleeve (7) is connected to the lifting seat (13); The second motor (12) is mounted on the base (1), and the output end of the second motor (12) is connected to the transmission spindle (14); The transmission spindle (14) passes through multiple lifting seats (13), and the transmission spindle (14) and multiple lifting seats (13) are connected by threads.

7. The tea drying apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive spindle (10) includes a fixed coupling section (17), a drive coupling section (20), and an elastic element (19); One end of the fixed coupling section (17) is provided with a polygonal buffer expansion groove (18), and the cross-sectional shape of the buffer expansion groove (18) is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the drive coupling section (20). One end of the drive coupling section (20) is slidably guided by the buffer expansion groove (18), and the drive coupling section (20) can reciprocate along the extension direction of the buffer expansion groove (18); The elastic element (19) is disposed in the buffer expansion groove (18), one end of the elastic element (19) is connected to the inner wall of the buffer expansion groove (18), and the other end of the elastic element (19) is connected to the drive coupling section (20).

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