A constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the technical field of tea processing equipment and discloses a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device, including a fermentation chamber with a control panel integrated on the side. This constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device utilizes a closed-loop airflow circulation system composed of a circulating fan, a serpentine air duct, and directional nozzles, combined with the mesh design of a breathable fermentation cylinder, to achieve uniform and cyclical delivery of warm and humid airflow. The circulating fan continuously draws in gas from the chamber, generating airflow circulation power. After being diverted by the serpentine air duct, the airflow is sprayed onto the breathable fermentation cylinder by the directional nozzles. The airflow penetrates the cylinder's ventilation holes, contacts the tea leaves, and then flows back to the circulating fan inlet, forming a complete airflow circulation link. This circulation design allows the warm and humid airflow to repeatedly act on the tea leaves. Combined with the distributed layout of the serpentine air ducts, it avoids local airflow stagnation or excessive impact, ensuring that each tea leaf continuously contacts a stable temperature and humidity environment, significantly improving fermentation uniformity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of tea processing equipment, specifically a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device. Background Technology

[0002] Tea fermentation is a key process that affects the flavor and color of tea. It has extremely high requirements for environmental temperature and humidity. For example, black tea fermentation requires a temperature of 25-30℃ and a humidity of 80%-90%. Insufficient humidity will easily cause the tea to lose water and dry out, while excessive temperature fluctuations will affect the efficiency of enzymatic reactions and cause uneven fermentation.

[0003] The existing patent document CN219305938U discloses a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device. This utility model uses a water pump to discharge clean water from the chamber to a water pipe. The clean water flows through the water pipe to an atomizing nozzle and is sprayed out, increasing the humidity inside the chamber. A fan expels fresh air into the chamber, lowering the internal temperature. Activating the heating element heats the air drawn in by the fan, further warming the chamber. A motor drives a fixedly connected shaft to rotate, and a connecting rod allows another shaft to rotate normally, thus turning the fermentation chamber over. This causes the tea leaves inside to tumble and mix. A closed lid prevents tea leaves from falling during the turning process. The closed lid and fermentation chamber, composed of mesh panels, are more breathable, allowing water mist to come into normal contact with the tea leaves. Gauze helps retain water, preventing water mist from flowing away quickly after being sprayed into the fermentation chamber, thus reducing water consumption. A water storage box prevents excess wastewater from flowing out and polluting the environment. A water outlet allows wastewater to be discharged while ensuring air circulation inside the chamber.

[0004] However, existing constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation devices are not conducive to forming a closed-loop airflow circulation system to achieve uniform and cyclical delivery of warm and humid airflow. Although existing tea fermentation devices achieve temperature and humidity regulation by drawing in air with a fan, humidifying with atomizing nozzles, and heating with heating tubes, their airflow is unidirectional and open (fresh air does not form a circulating return flow after entering). After entering the chamber, the airflow cannot return to the fan inlet through a preset path to form a circulation link. Relying solely on natural diffusion and unidirectional blowing, it is easy to cause uneven distribution of warm and humid airflow, resulting in local stagnation or excessive impact. At the same time, although the fermentation chamber composed of mesh plates has air permeability, it does not work in conjunction with the circulating airflow, making it impossible for the warm and humid airflow to repeatedly and continuously act on the tea leaves. It is difficult to ensure that each tea leaf can come into contact with a stable temperature and humidity environment, resulting in defects such as poor airflow and insufficient fermentation uniformity. Utility Model Content

[0005] Technical problems to be solved The purpose of this invention is to provide a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that the existing constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation devices are not convenient to form a closed-loop airflow circulation system to achieve uniform circulatory delivery of warm and humid airflow.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device, comprising a fermentation chamber, a control panel integrated on the side of the fermentation chamber, a circulating fan installed at the bottom of one side of the fermentation chamber, a serpentine air guide pipe provided at the rear end of the fermentation chamber, the air inlet end of the serpentine air guide pipe being sealed to the air outlet end of the circulating fan, a breathable fermentation cylinder horizontally mounted inside the fermentation chamber, the breathable fermentation cylinder adopting a stainless steel mesh structure with uniformly distributed air vents on its surface, and nozzles uniformly distributed on the serpentine air guide pipe facing the breathable fermentation cylinder.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above solution, the open end of the air-permeable fermentation cylinder is covered with a cylinder cover, and the opposite sides of the air-permeable fermentation cylinder and the cylinder cover are coaxially fixed with connecting blocks, and a motor is installed on the outer wall of one side of the fermentation box.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above solution, the drive end of the motor is fixedly connected to a No. 1 positioning block through the side wall of the fermentation box. On the other side inside the fermentation box, a fixing plate is fixed at a position corresponding to the No. 1 positioning block. A support shaft is rotatably connected to the side of the fixing plate away from the fermentation box.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above solution, a second positioning block is fixed at the other end of the support shaft. The connecting block is adapted to and movably engaged with the first and second positioning blocks respectively. Positioning pins are provided through the outer sides of the first and second positioning blocks, and the positioning pins are movably inserted into the pre-set through holes on the connecting block.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above solution, a temperature sensor is installed in the middle of the top of the fermentation chamber, electric heating tubes are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inside of the fermentation chamber, and a humidity sensor and an ultrasonic humidifier are respectively arranged at symmetrical positions at the top of the inside of the fermentation chamber, with the two placed on both sides of the temperature sensor.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above solution, a liquid guide plate is inclinedly installed at the bottom of the fermentation chamber, and a drain pipe is installed through the bottom of one side of the fermentation chamber at a position corresponding to the lower end of the liquid guide plate. A pressure relief pipe with a pressure sensor is installed on one side of the top of the fermentation chamber.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above solution, an air supply pipe with a flow limiting valve is installed at the bottom of the fermentation chamber on the side away from the drain pipe, and the air supply pipe is distributed on the same side wall as the circulating fan. A sealed door is hinged to one side of the fermentation chamber, and a high-temperature resistant sealing strip is embedded on the inner edge of the sealed door.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. This constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device utilizes a closed-loop airflow circulation system composed of a circulating fan, a serpentine air duct, and directional nozzles. Combined with the mesh design of the permeable fermentation cylinder, it achieves a uniform and circulatory delivery of warm and humid airflow. The circulating fan continuously draws in gas from the chamber, generating airflow circulation power. After being diverted by the serpentine air duct, the airflow is sprayed onto the permeable fermentation cylinder by the directional nozzles. The airflow penetrates the cylinder's ventilation holes and comes into contact with the tea leaves before flowing back to the circulating fan inlet, forming a complete airflow circulation link. This circulation design allows the warm and humid airflow to repeatedly act on the tea leaves. Combined with the distributed layout of the serpentine air duct, it avoids local airflow stagnation or excessive impact, ensuring that each tea leaf continuously comes into contact with a stable temperature and humidity environment. This solves the problems of poor airflow and uneven temperature and humidity distribution in traditional devices, significantly improving the uniformity of fermentation. 2. This constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device uses a motor to drive the rotation of a breathable fermentation cylinder. It features a detachable connection structure with positioning blocks, connecting blocks, and positioning pins, which balances the uniformity of tea turning and the convenience of loading and unloading. When the motor drives the cylinder to rotate slowly, the tea inside can turn over with the cylinder wall, avoiding long-term accumulation of tea at the bottom that could lead to delayed fermentation. When it is necessary to load or unload the tea, simply pull out the positioning pin to remove the cylinder from between the first and second positioning blocks. Opening the cylinder cover allows for quick operation. Compared with a fixed fermentation rack, this device significantly improves operational efficiency and solves the problems of traditional turning mechanisms that are prone to jamming and difficult to clean. 3. This constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device achieves precise and stable control of the fermentation environment through the intelligent control combination of temperature sensors, electric heating tubes, humidity sensors, and ultrasonic humidifiers, combined with the internal pressure balance design of the pressure relief pipe and the air supply pipe. The temperature and humidity sensors monitor the environment inside the chamber in real time. When the temperature is lower than the set value, the electric heating tube automatically starts to raise the temperature. When the humidity is insufficient, the ultrasonic humidifier replenishes humidity simultaneously. The pressure relief pipe automatically releases overpressure gas through the pressure sensor. The air supply pipe replenishes clean air when the pressure is too low. Moreover, the air supply pipe is distributed on the same side as the circulating fan, which can quickly integrate the replenished airflow into the circulation system and avoid local temperature and humidity fluctuations. This solves the problems of low temperature and humidity control accuracy and internal pressure imbalance affecting fermentation in traditional devices. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fermentation box of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the serpentine air duct of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the connecting block, positioning block No. 1, and positioning block No. 2 of this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Fermentation chamber; 2. Control panel; 3. Circulating fan; 4. Serpentine air duct; 5. Nozzle; 6. Aerated fermentation cylinder; 7. Cylinder cover; 8. Connecting block; 9. Motor; 10. Positioning block 1; 11. Fixing plate; 12. Support shaft; 13. Positioning block 2; 14. Positioning pin; 15. Temperature sensor; 16. Electric heating element; 17. Humidity sensor; 18. Ultrasonic humidifier; 19. Liquid guide plate; 20. Drain pipe; 21. Pressure relief pipe; 22. Air supply pipe; 23. Sealed door. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0017] Please see Figure 1 - Figure 4 This utility model provides a technical solution: a constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device, including a fermentation box 1, a control panel 2 integrated on the side of the fermentation box 1, a circulating fan 3 installed at the bottom of one side inside the fermentation box 1, a serpentine air guide pipe 4 provided at the rear end inside the fermentation box 1, the air inlet end of the serpentine air guide pipe 4 being sealed to the air outlet end of the circulating fan 3, a breathable fermentation cylinder 6 horizontally mounted inside the fermentation box 1, the breathable fermentation cylinder 6 adopting a stainless steel mesh structure, with evenly distributed air vents on its surface, and nozzles 5 evenly distributed on the serpentine air guide pipe 4 facing the breathable fermentation cylinder 6.

[0018] The circulating fan 3 starts synchronously, continuously drawing in the gas inside the chamber and delivering it to the serpentine air duct 4. After the airflow is diverted through the air duct, it is directed through the evenly distributed nozzles 5 and sprayed onto the breathable fermentation cylinder 6. The airflow penetrates the ventilation holes on the surface of the cylinder and comes into full contact with the tea leaves inside. After carrying heat and moisture and acting on the tea leaves, it flows back to the inlet of the circulating fan 3, forming a closed-loop airflow circulation of "inhalation-delivery-jet-return", ensuring that the temperature and humidity environment is evenly distributed inside the chamber.

[0019] The open end of the aerated fermentation cylinder 6 is covered with a cylinder cover 7. Connecting blocks 8 are coaxially fixed to the opposite sides of the aerated fermentation cylinder 6 and the cylinder cover 7. A motor 9 is installed on the outer wall of one side of the fermentation chamber 1. The drive end of the motor 9 passes through the side wall of the fermentation chamber 1 and is fixedly connected to a first positioning block 10. On the other side inside the fermentation chamber 1, a fixing plate 11 is fixed at a position corresponding to the first positioning block 10. A support shaft 12 is rotatably connected to the side of the fixing plate 11 away from the fermentation chamber 1. A second positioning block 13 is fixed to the other end of the support shaft 12. The connecting blocks 8 are respectively fitted and engaged with the first positioning block 10 and the second positioning block 13. Positioning pins 14 are provided through the outer sides of both the first positioning block 10 and the second positioning block 13. The positioning pins 14 are movably inserted into the pre-set through holes on the connecting blocks 8. The middle of the top of the inside of the fermentation chamber 1... A temperature sensor 15 is installed in the fermentation chamber 1. Electric heating tubes 16 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the interior wall of the fermentation chamber 1. A humidity sensor 17 and an ultrasonic humidifier 18 are symmetrically arranged at the top of the interior of the fermentation chamber 1, and the two are placed on both sides of the temperature sensor 15. A liquid guide plate 19 is inclinedly arranged at the bottom of the interior of the fermentation chamber 1. A drain pipe 20 is installed through the bottom of one side of the fermentation chamber 1 at the position corresponding to the lower end of the liquid guide plate 19. A pressure relief pipe 21 with a pressure sensor is arranged on one side of the top of the fermentation chamber 1. An air supply pipe 22 with a flow limiting valve is installed at the bottom of the side of the fermentation chamber 1 away from the drain pipe 20. The air supply pipe 22 is distributed on the same side wall as the circulating fan 3. A sealed door 23 is hinged to one side of the fermentation chamber 1. A high-temperature resistant sealing strip is embedded in the inner edge of the sealed door 23.

[0020] Before use, set the target temperature and humidity parameters required for tea fermentation via control panel 2 (e.g., black tea fermentation is usually set to 25-30℃ and 80%-90% humidity). Temperature sensor 15 and humidity sensor 17 will start self-testing to ensure normal data acquisition. Open the sealed door 23, pull out the positioning pins 14 on positioning block 10 and positioning block 13, remove the breathable fermentation cylinder 6 from the positioning blocks, open the cylinder cover 7, and evenly fill the mesh cylinder with the tea to be fermented (the filling amount should not exceed 2 / 3 of the cylinder volume to avoid obstruction). After closing the cylinder cover 7, use the connecting block 8 and the positioning block to re-insert the cylinder between positioning block 10 and positioning block 13, insert the positioning pins 14 to complete the fixation, close the sealed door 23, and the high-temperature resistant sealing strip on the inside ensures the box is sealed to prevent temperature and humidity loss. After the device is started, all components work together: when the temperature sensor 15 detects that the temperature inside the chamber is lower than the set value, the control panel 2 triggers the electric heating tubes 16 on both sides to heat up and raise the temperature inside the chamber; when the humidity sensor 17 detects insufficient humidity, the ultrasonic humidifier 18 starts and releases atomized water vapor into the chamber until the temperature and humidity reach the set threshold and then automatically stops. The motor 9 drives the first positioning block 10 to rotate, which drives the breathable fermentation cylinder 6 to rotate synchronously through the connecting block 8 (the speed is adjustable from 0.5 to 2 r / min). With the support shaft 12 rotating on the fixed plate 11, the tea leaves inside the cylinder slowly turn over with the cylinder wall, avoiding long-term accumulation of tea leaves in some areas that would lead to uneven fermentation. During the turning process, the mesh structure and the circulating airflow work together to ensure that each tea leaf can continuously contact a stable temperature and humidity environment. During fermentation, if the pressure inside the chamber rises to a threshold (e.g., >0.05MPa) due to water vapor evaporation or tea metabolic gases, the pressure sensor on the pressure relief pipe 21 triggers the valve to open, releasing excess gas until the pressure returns to the normal range (0.02-0.03MPa). If the pressure is too low (e.g., <0.02MPa) due to minor leaks in the seal, the air supply pipe 22 with a flow-limiting valve (forming a connection channel with an external clean gas device) automatically opens to supply clean air to the chamber (distributed on the same side as the circulating fan, allowing for rapid integration into the airflow circulation). Simultaneously, the ultrasonic humidifier 18 provides humidification to prevent humidity fluctuations caused by air supply. Excess water vapor condensed inside the chamber flows along the inner wall to the inclined liquid guide plate 19, collects, and is discharged through the drain pipe 20, preventing water accumulation at the bottom from affecting equipment operation. Operators can view parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure through the control panel 2. After fermentation is complete, turn off the power to the device. Once the temperature and humidity inside the chamber have dropped to near room temperature, open the chamber door, remove the breathable fermentation cylinder 6, and remove the cylinder cover 7 to remove the tea leaves, completing the fermentation process.

[0021] Working principle: Before use, set the target temperature and humidity parameters required for tea fermentation through the control panel 2 (e.g., black tea fermentation is usually set to 25-30℃ and 80%-90% humidity). Temperature sensor 15 and humidity sensor 17 will start self-testing to ensure normal data acquisition. Open the sealed door 23, pull out the positioning pins 14 on the first positioning block 10 and the second positioning block 13, remove the breathable fermentation cylinder 6 from the positioning blocks, open the cylinder cover 7, and evenly fill the mesh cylinder with the tea to be fermented (the filling amount should not exceed 2 / 3 of the cylinder volume to avoid obstruction of turning). After closing the cylinder cover 7, use the connecting block 8 and the positioning block to fit the cylinder back into the space between the first positioning block 10 and the second positioning block 13, insert the positioning pin 14 to complete the fixation, close the sealed door 23, and the high-temperature resistant sealing strip on the inside ensures the box is sealed to prevent the loss of temperature and humidity. After the device is started, all components work together: when the temperature sensor 15 detects that the temperature inside the chamber is lower than the set value, the control panel 2 triggers the electric heating tubes 16 on both sides to generate heat and raise the temperature inside the chamber; when the humidity sensor 17 detects insufficient humidity, the ultrasonic humidifier 18 starts and releases atomized water vapor into the chamber until the temperature and humidity reach the set threshold and then automatically stops. The circulating fan 3 starts simultaneously, continuously drawing in the gas inside the chamber and delivering it to the serpentine air duct 4. After the airflow is diverted through the air duct, it is directed through the evenly distributed nozzles 5 to the breathable fermentation cylinder 6. The airflow penetrates the ventilation holes on the surface of the cylinder and comes into full contact with the tea leaves inside. After carrying heat and moisture to the tea leaves, it flows back to the inlet of the circulating fan 3, forming a closed-loop airflow circulation of "draw-delivery-jet-return", ensuring that the temperature and humidity environment is evenly distributed inside the chamber. At the same time, the motor 9 drives the first positioning block 10 to rotate, which drives the breathable fermentation cylinder 6 to rotate synchronously through the connecting block 8 (the speed is adjustable from 0.5 to 2 r / min). With the support shaft 12 rotating on the fixed plate 11, the tea leaves in the cylinder slowly turn over with the cylinder wall, avoiding uneven fermentation caused by long-term accumulation of tea leaves in some areas. During the turning process, the mesh structure and the circulating airflow work together to ensure that each tea leaf can continuously contact a stable temperature and humidity environment. During fermentation, if the pressure inside the chamber rises to a threshold (e.g., >0.05MPa) due to water vapor evaporation or tea metabolic gases, the pressure sensor on the pressure relief pipe 21 triggers the valve to open, releasing excess gas until the pressure returns to the normal range (0.02-0.03MPa). If the pressure is too low (e.g., <0.02MPa) due to minor leaks in the seal, the air supply pipe 22 with a flow-limiting valve (forming a connection channel with an external clean gas device) automatically opens to supply clean air to the chamber (distributed on the same side as the circulating fan, allowing for rapid integration into the airflow circulation). Simultaneously, the ultrasonic humidifier 18 provides humidification to prevent humidity fluctuations caused by air supply. Excess water vapor condensed inside the chamber flows along the inner wall to the inclined liquid guide plate 19, collects, and is discharged through the drain pipe 20, preventing water accumulation at the bottom from affecting equipment operation. Operators can view parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure through the control panel 2.After fermentation is complete, turn off the power to the device. Once the temperature and humidity inside the chamber have dropped to near room temperature, open the door and remove the breathable fermentation cylinder 6. Remove the cylinder cover 7 to take out the tea leaves, thus completing the fermentation process.

[0022] Finally, it should be noted that the above content is only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Simple modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model do not depart from the essence and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. A constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device, comprising a fermentation chamber (1), characterized in that: The fermentation chamber (1) has a control panel (2) integrated on its side. A circulating fan (3) is installed at the bottom of one side of the fermentation chamber (1). A serpentine air duct (4) is provided at the rear end of the fermentation chamber (1). The air inlet of the serpentine air duct (4) is sealed to the air outlet of the circulating fan (3). A breathable fermentation cylinder (6) is horizontally mounted inside the fermentation chamber (1). The breathable fermentation cylinder (6) adopts a stainless steel mesh structure and has evenly distributed air holes on its surface. Nozzles (5) are evenly distributed on the serpentine air duct (4) facing the breathable fermentation cylinder (6).

2. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The open end of the permeable fermentation cylinder (6) is covered with a cylinder cover (7). The opposite sides of the permeable fermentation cylinder (6) and the cylinder cover (7) are coaxially fixed with connecting blocks (8). A motor (9) is installed on the outer wall of one side of the fermentation box (1).

3. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission end of the motor (9) is fixedly connected to a No. 1 positioning block (10) through the side wall of the fermentation box (1). On the other side inside the fermentation box (1), a fixed plate (11) is fixed at a position corresponding to the No. 1 positioning block (10). A support shaft (12) is rotatably connected to the side of the fixed plate (11) away from the fermentation box (1).

4. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The other end of the support shaft (12) is fixed with a second positioning block (13). The connecting block (8) is respectively matched with the first positioning block (10) and the second positioning block (13) and is movably engaged. The outer sides of the first positioning block (10) and the second positioning block (13) are provided with positioning pins (14). The positioning pins (14) are movably inserted into the preset through holes on the connecting block (8).

5. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature sensor (15) is installed in the middle of the top of the fermentation chamber (1). Electric heating tubes (16) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fermentation chamber (1). A humidity sensor (17) and an ultrasonic humidifier (18) are respectively arranged at symmetrical positions at the top of the fermentation chamber (1), and the two are placed on both sides of the temperature sensor (15).

6. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the fermentation chamber (1) is inclined with a liquid guide plate (19). A drain pipe (20) is installed through the bottom of one side of the fermentation chamber (1) at a position corresponding to the lower end of the liquid guide plate (19). A pressure relief pipe (21) with a pressure sensor is provided on one side of the top of the fermentation chamber (1).

7. The constant temperature and humidity tea fermentation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fermentation chamber (1) has an air supply pipe (22) with a flow limiting valve installed at the bottom of the side away from the drain pipe (20), and the air supply pipe (22) is distributed on the same side wall as the circulating fan (3). A sealed door (23) is hinged to one side of the fermentation chamber (1), and a high-temperature resistant sealing strip is embedded on the inner edge of the sealed door (23).

Images