A pre-processing freeze-drying device for edible-grade insects with discharging function

Abstract

The utility model belongs to freeze -drying device field especially relates to a kind of edible grade insects's freeze -drying device before processing with discharging function.The utility model provides a kind of edible grade insects's freeze -drying device before processing with discharging function, comprising: drying cabinet, the bearing net is equipped in the drying cabinet, and the bearing net is used to bear freeze -dried insect;Cooling assembly is located in drying cabinet and is placed in the outside of bearing net, for transferring cold quantity to drying cabinet, so that the freeze -dried object is rapidly cooled to subzero temperature and realizes precooling freeze;Heating assembly is located in drying cabinet and is placed between bearing net cooling assembly, by being arranged discharging assembly below bearing net in drying cabinet, edible grade insects after freeze -drying can be directly and quickly discharged, without artificial gathering cleaning transfer, solve the problem that existing device is operated complicated, and the efficiency is low, simultaneously integration cooling, heating, negative pressure, condensing component, can complete freeze -drying process before insect processing, guarantee freeze -drying effect and discharging convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of freeze-drying equipment, and in particular relates to a freeze-drying device for edible insects before processing with a feeding function. Background Technology

[0002] Edible insects are a general term for insects that can be eaten. Because insects have the characteristics of high protein content, low protein fiber, easily absorbed nutrients, short reproductive generations, high reproduction index, suitability for factory production, and abundant resources, they have become an ideal food resource that urgently needs to be developed.

[0003] In the processing of edible insects, freeze-drying before processing is a crucial step. Its core purpose is to preserve the insects' nutrients, inhibit microbial growth, and lay a storage foundation for subsequent processing. However, existing freeze-drying devices for edible insects have shortcomings in practical applications: most existing devices lack a specially designed insect feeding structure. After freeze-drying, the insects remain on the surface of the supporting components, requiring manual collection, cleaning, or transfer, making the operation cumbersome and inefficient. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned technical problems by providing a freeze-drying device for edible insects before processing, which includes a feeding function. By setting a feeding component below the support net inside the drying chamber, the freeze-dried edible insects can be directly and quickly discharged without the need for manual collection, cleaning, and transfer. This solves the problems of cumbersome operation and low efficiency of existing devices. At the same time, by integrating cooling, heating, negative pressure, and condensation components, the freeze-drying process before insect processing can be fully realized, ensuring both freeze-drying effect and convenient feeding.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a freeze-drying device for edible insects before processing with a feeding function, comprising:

[0006] A drying box, wherein one end of the drying box is hinged to a door that can be opened and closed, and the door is locked to the drying box by a latch; the drying box is provided with a support net for holding freeze-dried insects.

[0007] The cooling component, located inside the drying chamber and outside the support net, is used to transfer cold energy into the drying chamber, so that the material to be freeze-dried can be rapidly cooled to below the freezing point to achieve pre-freezing;

[0008] The heating element, located inside the drying chamber and between the cooling elements of the support mesh, provides the heat required for the sublimation process of solid ice in the freeze-dried material.

[0009] The negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump for extracting gas from the drying chamber to achieve a negative pressure state inside the drying chamber;

[0010] A condensation component is located between the negative pressure component and one end of the drying chamber, and is used to condense, capture and remove the gaseous water vapor generated by sublimation in the drying chamber.

[0011] The feeding assembly, located below the support net inside the drying chamber, is used to discharge the freeze-dried insects.

[0012] In this technical solution, by setting a feeding component below the support net inside the drying chamber, the freeze-dried edible insects can be directly and quickly discharged without the need for manual collection, cleaning, and transfer. This solves the problems of cumbersome operation and low efficiency of existing devices. At the same time, by integrating cooling, heating, negative pressure, and condensation components, the freeze-drying process before insect processing can be fully realized, ensuring both freeze-drying effect and convenient feeding.

[0013] Furthermore, the feeding assembly includes a fixing ring fixedly connected to the inner cavity of the drying chamber on the side away from the door. The inner wall of the fixing ring has an annular groove, and two limiting blocks are symmetrically slidably connected in the annular groove. The carrying net is fixedly connected between the two limiting blocks. Two arc-shaped plates are symmetrically fixedly connected to the fixing rings on both sides of the carrying net. A baffle is fixedly connected to the bottom end of each of the two arc-shaped plates. A sliding plate is obliquely fixedly connected between the bottom ends of the two baffles. A limiting assembly is provided between the bottom end of the carrying net and the inner wall of the drying chamber to limit the rotation of the carrying net.

[0014] In this technical solution, the carrier net rotates by sliding within the annular groove of the fixed ring through a limiting block. Combined with the arc plate, baffle, and inclined slide plate, the freeze-dried insects can be smoothly discharged along the slide plate, further optimizing the feeding path, avoiding insect residue, and improving feeding efficiency and ease of operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the limiting component includes a mounting plate fixedly connected to the end of the support net away from the fixing ring. Insert rods are symmetrically inserted through both sides of the mounting plate. Insert holes are symmetrically opened on the inner wall of the drying chamber inside the fixing ring. One end of each of the two insert rods is inserted into the two insert holes respectively. A pull plate is fixedly connected between the other ends of the two insert rods. A spring is sleeved on the outside of the insert rod between the pull plate and the mounting plate. The two ends of the spring are connected to the mounting plate and the pull plate respectively.

[0016] In this technical solution, the support net is fixed by the cooperation of the insertion rod and the insertion hole. The spring and pull plate design makes the insertion and removal of the insertion rod convenient. It can not only reliably limit the rotation of the support net during freeze drying, but also quickly release the limit to start feeding, realizing flexible switching between freeze drying and feeding states.

[0017] Furthermore, the cooling assembly includes a cooling pipe disposed inside the drying chamber and a cooling input pipe and a cooling output pipe respectively connected to both ends of the cooling pipe. The cooling pipe is sleeved on the outside of the support net. The cooling input pipe and the cooling output pipe both pass through the drying chamber and are located on the outside, and are connected to a cooling pump. The cooling pump delivers a cooling medium into the cooling pipe. A first valve is installed on the cooling input pipe and the cooling output pipe.

[0018] In this technical solution, the cooling pipe is sleeved on the outside of the support net and the cooling medium is delivered by the cooling pump. It can evenly transfer cold energy to the insects to be freeze-dried, ensuring rapid pre-freezing. The first valve facilitates the control of the cooling medium circulation and improves the controllability of the cooling process.

[0019] Furthermore, the heating assembly includes multiple heating rods disposed inside the drying chamber and spaced around the outside of the support mesh.

[0020] In this technical solution, the heating component uses multiple heating rods spaced around the support net, which can uniformly provide the heat required for sublimation to the insects to be freeze-dried, avoid local heat deficiency affecting freeze-drying efficiency, and ensure uniform freeze-drying effect.

[0021] Furthermore, the condensation assembly includes:

[0022] A condensing chamber, wherein a connecting pipe connects the condensing chamber to the drying chamber;

[0023] A condenser tube is installed inside a condenser box. Both ends of the condenser tube are connected to a condenser input tube and a condenser output tube, respectively. The other ends of the condenser input tube and the condenser output tube are connected to a cooling pump, and a second valve is installed on both the condenser input tube and the condenser output tube.

[0024] In this technical solution, the condenser component is shared with the cooling pump. Water vapor is captured by condensation through the condenser tube, which can efficiently remove water vapor generated by sublimation in the drying chamber. The second valve facilitates switching the flow direction of the cooling medium, simplifying the equipment structure while ensuring the condensation effect.

[0025] Furthermore, the negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump, and a negative pressure pipe is connected between the suction end of the negative pressure pump and the end of the condenser away from the connecting pipe, and a third valve is installed on the negative pressure pipe.

[0026] In this technical solution, a negative pressure state in the drying chamber is maintained by a negative pressure pump and a negative pressure pipe, creating the necessary environment for the sublimation of solid ice in insects. The third valve facilitates the control of the negative pressure start and stop, improving the flexibility of negative pressure regulation.

[0027] Furthermore, a drain pipe is connected to the middle of the bottom of the condenser, and a fourth valve is installed on the drain pipe.

[0028] In this technical solution, the drain pipe at the bottom of the condenser and the fourth valve can conveniently discharge the liquid generated by condensation.

[0029] Furthermore, the curved plate, baffle, and slide plate are all provided with several through holes.

[0030] In this technical solution, the curved plate, baffle and slide plate are provided with through holes to ensure airflow in the drying chamber, avoid obstructing temperature transfer and negative pressure environment stability, and achieve smooth material feeding without affecting the freeze-drying effect.

[0031] Furthermore, the cooling pipe is spiral-shaped and sleeved on the outside of the plurality of heating rods.

[0032] In this technical solution, the cooling pipe is spirally sleeved on the outside of the heating rod, which optimizes the layout of the cooling and heating components, making the transfer of cold and heat more uniform. This ensures both pre-freezing efficiency and efficient supply of sublimation heat, thereby improving the overall freeze-drying performance.

[0033] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0034] This invention, by setting a feeding component below the support net inside the drying chamber, can directly and quickly discharge freeze-dried edible insects without the need for manual collection, cleaning, and transfer, thus solving the problems of cumbersome operation and low efficiency of existing devices. At the same time, it integrates cooling, heating, negative pressure, and condensation components, which can completely realize the freeze-drying process before insect processing, ensuring both freeze-drying effect and convenient feeding. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall main view of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the drying oven of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the drying oven, the supporting net, and the feeding assembly of this utility model;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the carrier net and the feeding component of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the condenser box of this utility model;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the drying oven of this utility model.

[0041] In the diagram: 1. Drying oven; 11. Door; 12. Cooling pipe; 13. Heating rod; 14. Support net; 2. Cooling pump; 21. Cooling input pipe; 22. Cooling output pipe; 23. First valve; 3. Condensation box; 31. Connecting pipe; 32. Condensation input pipe; 33. Condensation output pipe; 34. Second valve; 35. Condensation pipe; 4. Drain pipe; 41. Fourth valve; 5. Negative pressure pump; 51. Negative pressure pipe; 52. Third valve; 6. Fixing ring; 61. Annular groove; 62. Limiting block; 63. Spring; 64. Insert rod; 65. Mounting plate; 66. Arc plate; 67. Baffle; 68. Slide plate; 69. Through hole; 610. Pull plate; 611. Insertion hole. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. For ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0044] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and are not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0045] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0046] It should be noted that, in this application, 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 that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0047] Example 1:

[0048] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this utility model provides a freeze-drying device for edible insects before processing, which includes a feeding function, comprising:

[0049] A drying box 1 is provided, with an openable and closable door 11 hinged to one end of the drying box 1, and the door 11 is locked to the drying box 1 by a latch. A carrying net 14 is provided inside the drying box 1, and the carrying net 14 is used to carry freeze-dried insects.

[0050] The cooling component is located inside the drying chamber 1 and outside the support net 14. It is used to transfer cold energy into the drying chamber 1 so that the material to be freeze-dried can be rapidly cooled to below the freezing point to achieve pre-freezing.

[0051] A heating component, located inside the drying chamber 1 and placed between the cooling components of the support net 14, provides the heat required for the sublimation process of solid ice in the freeze-dried material.

[0052] The negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump 5 for extracting gas from the drying chamber 1 to achieve a negative pressure state inside the drying chamber 1;

[0053] A condensation component is located between the negative pressure component and one end of the drying chamber 1, and is used to condense, capture and remove the gaseous water vapor generated by sublimation in the drying chamber 1.

[0054] The feeding assembly is located below the support net 14 inside the drying chamber 1 and is used to discharge the freeze-dried insects.

[0055] In the example of this application, the edible insects to be freeze-dried are first placed on the carrier net 14 inside the drying chamber 1. The chamber door 11 is closed and locked with a latch to ensure the drying chamber 1 is sealed. Then, the cooling component transfers cold energy into the drying chamber 1, causing the insects to cool down rapidly to below the freezing point to complete the pre-freezing. After pre-freezing, the negative pressure component is activated, and the negative pressure pump 5 draws gas from the drying chamber 1 to form a negative pressure environment. At the same time, the heating component provides the heat required for the sublimation of solid ice in the insects. The gaseous water vapor generated by sublimation is captured and removed by the condensing component to avoid interfering with the negative pressure environment and sublimation efficiency. After freeze-drying is completed, the carrier net 14 is rotated, and the insects are directly and quickly discharged directly by the feeding component below it, without the need for manual collection, cleaning and transfer. This integrates the components required for the entire freeze-drying process, which not only ensures the freeze-drying effect of the insects (preserving nutrients and inhibiting microorganisms), but also completely solves the problem of cumbersome and inefficient manual feeding in existing devices through the dedicated feeding component, achieving efficient connection between freeze-drying and feeding.

[0056] As a preferred example of this application, the feeding assembly includes a fixing ring 6 fixedly connected to the inner cavity of the drying oven 1 on the side away from the door 11. The inner wall of the fixing ring 6 has an annular groove 61. Two limiting blocks 62 are symmetrically slidably connected in the annular groove 61. The carrying net 14 is fixedly connected between the two limiting blocks 62. Two arc-shaped plates 66 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the fixing ring 6 on both sides of the carrying net 14. A baffle 67 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of each of the two arc-shaped plates 66. A sliding plate 68 is obliquely fixedly connected between the bottom ends of the two baffles 67. The sliding plate 68 is oblique towards the door 11. A limiting assembly is provided between the bottom end of the carrying net 14 and the inner wall of the drying oven 1 to limit the rotation of the carrying net 14.

[0057] In the example of this application, when the feeding assembly is working, after freeze-drying is completed, the limiting assembly between the support net 14 and the inner wall of the drying chamber 1 is released. Since the support net 14 is slidably connected to the annular groove 61 of the fixing ring 6 by two limiting blocks 62, the support net 14 can be pushed to rotate around the fixing ring 6. When it rotates 180°, the freeze-dried insects on the support net 14 detach from the support net 14 and fall onto the two symmetrical arc-shaped plates 66. The baffle 67 at the bottom of the arc-shaped plate 66 can prevent the insects from falling into non-preset areas. Finally, the insects move towards the chamber door. The inclined slide plate 68 on one side smoothly slides out of the drying chamber 1, allowing insects to be automatically discharged along a preset path without manual gathering. When the freeze-dried insects adhere to the carrier net 14, the carrier net 14 can be tapped to generate vibration, causing the insects to detach from the carrier net 14 and preventing insects from remaining on the surface of the carrier component. At the same time, the cooperation between the arc plate 66 and the baffle 67 further optimizes the feeding path, significantly improving feeding efficiency and ease of operation. The limiting component ensures that the carrier net 14 remains stable during the freeze-drying process and does not affect the freeze-drying effect.

[0058] As a preferred example of this application, the limiting component includes a mounting plate 65 fixedly connected to the end of the support net 14 away from the fixing ring 6. Insert rods 64 are symmetrically inserted through both sides of the mounting plate 65. Insert holes 611 are symmetrically opened on the inner wall of the drying chamber 1 inside the fixing ring 6. One end of each of the two insert rods 64 is inserted into the two insert holes 611 respectively. A pull plate 610 is fixedly connected between the other ends of the two insert rods 64. A spring 63 is sleeved on the outside of the insert rods 64 between the pull plate 610 and the mounting plate 65. The two ends of the spring 63 are respectively connected to the mounting plate 65 and the pull plate 610.

[0059] In the example of this application, before freeze-drying, spring 63 is in its natural state, and the insertion rod 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 611 on the inner wall of the drying chamber 1 under the pushing force of spring 63, firmly fixing the carrier net 14 inside the drying chamber 1 and preventing the carrier net 14 from shifting during negative pressure and heating. When it is necessary to unload, pull plate 610 is pulled away from the carrier net 14. Pull plate 610 compresses spring 63 and drives insertion rod 64 to disengage from insertion hole 611, releasing the restriction on carrier net 14. At this time, carrier net 14 can rotate freely to unload. After unloading, pull plate 610 is released, spring 63 resets and pushes insertion rod 64 to re-insert into insertion hole 611, completing the fixation of carrier net 14 and preparing for the next freeze-drying. Thus, through the cooperation of spring 63 and insertion rod 64, the limit state can be quickly switched. The operation is simple and labor-saving, which not only ensures the stability of carrier net 14 during freeze-drying, but also solves the problem of cumbersome unlocking of traditional limit structures, and improves the overall operational flexibility of the device.

[0060] As a preferred example of this application, the cooling assembly includes a cooling pipe 12 disposed within a drying chamber 1 and a cooling input pipe 21 and a cooling output pipe 22 respectively connected to both ends of the cooling pipe 12. The cooling pipe 12 is sleeved on the outside of the support net 14. The cooling input pipe 21 and the cooling output pipe 22 both penetrate the drying chamber 1 and are located on the outside, and a cooling pump 2 is connected between them. The cooling pump 2 delivers a cooling medium into the cooling pipe 12. A first valve 23 is installed on the cooling input pipe 21 and the cooling output pipe 22. Preferably, the cooling medium delivered by the cooling pump 2 is an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol.

[0061] In the example of this application, when the cooling assembly is working, the first valve 23 on the cooling input pipe 21 and the cooling output pipe 22 is opened, the cooling pump 2 starts and delivers a food-grade ethylene glycol aqueous solution to the cooling pipe 12 sleeved on the outside of the support net 14; the ethylene glycol aqueous solution circulates in the cooling pipe 12, and the cold energy is evenly transferred to the drying chamber 1 through the pipe wall of the cooling pipe 12, so that the insects to be freeze-dried on the support net 14 are quickly and evenly cooled to below the freezing point, completing the pre-freezing. Moreover, the ethylene glycol aqueous solution has efficient cold energy transfer capability and good food safety, which can avoid contamination of edible insects; the layout of the cooling pipe 12 sleeved on the outside of the support net 14 can ensure that the cold energy covers all insects, solving the problem of uneven cold energy distribution in traditional cooling assemblies, while the first valve 23 facilitates the control of the circulation of the cooling medium, improving the controllability of the cooling process.

[0062] As a preferred example of this application, the heating assembly includes a plurality of heating rods 13 disposed inside the drying chamber 1 and spaced around the outer side of the support mesh 14. Preferably, the heating rods 13 are electric heating rods, model CN-005.

[0063] In the example of this application, after the insects to be freeze-dried have completed pre-freezing, multiple heating rods 13 spaced around the outside of the support net 14 are energized and heated. Since the heating rods 13 are arranged in a spaced-around layout, the heat they generate can be evenly radiated to every insect on the support net 14, providing the necessary heat for the sublimation process of solid ice in the insect's body. This avoids incomplete sublimation in some areas due to insufficient heat, and the heating components prevent local overheating or insufficient heat, ensuring the uniformity and efficiency of insect freeze-drying. At the same time, the spaced-around design does not obstruct the airflow in the drying chamber 1.

[0064] As a preferred example of this application, the condensation assembly includes:

[0065] Condensation box 3, and a connecting pipe 31 connecting the condensation box 3 and the drying box 1;

[0066] A condenser tube 35 is disposed inside the condenser box 3. Both ends of the condenser tube 35 are connected to a condenser input tube 32 and a condenser output tube 33, respectively. The other ends of the condenser input tube 32 and the condenser output tube 33 are connected to a cooling pump 2, respectively. A second valve 34 is installed on both the condenser input tube 32 and the condenser output tube 33. Preferably, the condenser tube 35 is spiral-shaped.

[0067] In the example of this application, the gaseous water vapor generated by the sublimation of insects enters the condenser 3 through the connecting pipe 31. At this time, the first valve 23 of the cooling component is closed and the second valve 34 of the condenser component is opened. The cooling pump 2 switches and delivers the cooling medium to the condenser tube 35 in the condenser 3. The cooling medium circulates in the condenser tube 35, keeping the condenser tube 35 at a low temperature. The gaseous water vapor entering the condenser 3 quickly condenses into a liquid or solid state after contacting the low temperature condenser tube 35, thus achieving the capture and removal of water vapor. The condenser component and the cooling component share the same cooling pump 2, eliminating the need for additional cold source equipment and simplifying the overall structure of the device. When the cooling pump 2 is working, the motor provides power to drive the internal impeller to rotate at high speed. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the impeller gives the cooling medium (such as ethylene glycol aqueous solution) in the pump chamber kinetic energy and throws it quickly toward the pump chamber outlet. At the same time, a low-pressure zone is formed at the pump chamber inlet due to the medium being thrown out. The external cooling medium is continuously drawn into the pump chamber under the action of the pressure difference, which in turn promotes the cooling medium to circulate in the system pipelines such as cooling pipe 12 and condenser pipe 35, so as to realize the transfer of cooling capacity in the device and meet the cooling capacity requirements of pre-freezing or water vapor condensation.

[0068] As a preferred example of this application, the negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump 5, and a negative pressure pipe 51 is connected between the suction end of the negative pressure pump 5 and the end of the condenser 3 away from the connecting pipe 31, and a third valve 52 is installed on the negative pressure pipe 51.

[0069] In the example of this application, after the insects have completed pre-freezing, the third valve 52 on the negative pressure pipe 51 is opened, the negative pressure pump 5 starts and draws gas from the condenser 3 through the negative pressure pipe 51. Since the condenser 3 is connected to the drying chamber 1 through the connecting pipe 31, the gas in the drying chamber 1 is also drawn out, so that the negative pressure state required for sublimation is maintained in the drying chamber 1. During the sublimation process, the negative pressure pump 5 continues to work, and the negative pressure extraction intensity can be flexibly adjusted through the third valve 52 to ensure that the negative pressure in the drying chamber 1 is stable. Furthermore, through the connection between the negative pressure pipe 51 and the condenser 3, water vapor is prevented from directly entering the negative pressure pump 5 and causing equipment damage.

[0070] As a preferred example of this application, the bottom center of the condenser 3 is connected to a drain pipe 4, and a fourth valve 41 is installed on the drain pipe 4.

[0071] In the example of this application, during the operation of the condensation component, the condensate formed by the condensation of gaseous water vapor in the condensation box 3 will gradually accumulate at the bottom of the condensation box 3. When it is necessary to drain these liquids, there is no need to disassemble the condensation box 3. Just open the fourth valve 41 on the drain pipe 4, and the liquid at the bottom of the condensation box 3 can be smoothly drained through the drain pipe 4 under the action of gravity. After the draining is completed, close the fourth valve 41, and the condensation component can continue to work.

[0072] As a preferred example of this application, the arc plate 66, the baffle 67 and the slide plate 68 are each provided with a plurality of through holes 69.

[0073] In the example of this application, during the entire freeze-drying and feeding process of the device, the through holes 69 on the arc plate 66, baffle 67 and slide plate 68 can ensure smooth airflow in the drying chamber 1. When the negative pressure component extracts gas, the airflow in the drying chamber 1 can flow evenly through the through holes 69, avoiding local pressure unevenness caused by the arc plate 66 and baffle 67 blocking the airflow. When the heating component is working, heat can also be transferred to the area below the support net 14 through the through holes 69, ensuring uniform temperature distribution in the drying chamber 1. At the same time, the presence of the through holes 69 will not affect the feeding path of the insects. The insects can smoothly slide down the arc plate 66 and baffle 67 to the slide plate 68 without being stuck due to the through holes 69.

[0074] As a preferred example of this application, the cooling pipe 12 is spiral-shaped and sleeved on the outside of the plurality of heating rods 13.

[0075] In the example of this application, the cooling pipe 12 is arranged in a spiral shape around the outside of multiple heating rods 13. During the pre-freezing stage, the spiral cooling pipe 12 can increase the contact area with the air inside the drying chamber 1, and the cooling energy can evenly cover the area around the heating rods 13, ensuring that the insects on the carrier net 14 are cooled quickly and evenly. During the sublimation stage, the heating rods 13 are energized and generate heat. A reasonable gap is left between the spiral cooling pipe 12 and the heating rods 13, and the heat can be evenly radiated to the carrier net 14 through the gap, without local heat deficiency caused by the cooling pipe 12 blocking the heat. At the same time, the spiral structure allows the cooling pipe 12 to cover a larger area in a limited space, which significantly improves the pre-freezing efficiency and sublimation uniformity, and ensures the overall freeze-drying effect.

[0076] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A freeze-drying device for edible insects before processing, characterized in that, include: A drying box (1) is provided with a support net (14) inside the drying box (1), the support net (14) being used to support freeze-dried insects; The cooling component is located inside the drying chamber (1) and outside the support net (14) to transfer cold energy into the drying chamber (1) so that the freeze-dried material can be rapidly cooled to below the freezing point to achieve pre-freezing. The heating component, located inside the drying chamber (1) and between the cooling components of the support net (14), provides the heat required for the sublimation process of solid ice in the freeze-dried material; The negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump (5) for extracting gas from the drying chamber (1) to achieve a negative pressure state inside the drying chamber (1). A condensation component is located between the negative pressure component and one end of the drying chamber (1) and is used to condense, capture and remove the gaseous water vapor generated by sublimation in the drying chamber (1). The feeding assembly is located below the support net (14) inside the drying chamber (1) and is used to discharge the freeze-dried insects.

2. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding assembly includes a fixing ring (6) fixedly connected to the inner cavity of the drying chamber (1) on the side away from the door (11). The inner wall of the fixing ring (6) is provided with an annular groove (61). Two limiting blocks (62) are symmetrically slidably connected in the annular groove (61). The carrying net (14) is fixedly connected between the two limiting blocks (62). Two arc-shaped plates (66) are symmetrically fixedly connected on the fixing ring (6) on both sides of the carrying net (14). Baffles (67) are fixedly connected to the bottom ends of the two arc-shaped plates (66). A sliding plate (68) is obliquely fixedly connected between the bottom ends of the two baffles (67). A limiting assembly is provided between the bottom end of the carrying net (14) and the inner wall of the drying chamber (1) to limit the rotation of the carrying net (14).

3. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting component includes a mounting plate (65) fixedly connected to the end of the support net (14) away from the fixing ring (6). Insert rods (64) are symmetrically inserted through both sides of the mounting plate (65). Insert holes (611) are symmetrically opened on the inner wall of the drying box (1) inside the fixing ring (6). One end of each of the two insert rods (64) is inserted into the two insert holes (611) respectively. A pull plate (610) is fixedly connected between the other ends of the two insert rods (64). A spring (63) is sleeved on the outside of the insert rods (64) between the pull plate (610) and the mounting plate (65). The two ends of the spring (63) are connected to the mounting plate (65) and the pull plate (610) respectively.

4. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling assembly includes a cooling pipe (12) disposed in the drying chamber (1) and a cooling input pipe (21) and a cooling output pipe (22) respectively connected to the two ends of the cooling pipe (12). The cooling pipe (12) is sleeved on the outside of the support net (14). The cooling input pipe (21) and the cooling output pipe (22) both pass through the drying chamber (1) and are placed on the outside, and a cooling pump (2) is connected between them. The cooling pump (2) delivers cooling medium into the cooling pipe (12). A first valve (23) is installed on the cooling input pipe (21) and the cooling output pipe (22).

5. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The heating assembly includes multiple heating rods (13) disposed inside the drying chamber (1) and spaced around the outer side of the support net (14).

6. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The condensation assembly includes: A condenser (3) is connected to a drying box (1) by a connecting pipe (31). A condenser tube (35) is installed inside a condenser box (3). The two ends of the condenser tube (35) are connected to a condenser input tube (32) and a condenser output tube (33), respectively. The other ends of the condenser input tube (32) and the condenser output tube (33) are connected to a cooling pump (2), respectively. A second valve (34) is installed on both the condenser input tube (32) and the condenser output tube (33).

7. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The negative pressure assembly includes a negative pressure pump (5), and a negative pressure pipe (51) is connected between the suction end of the negative pressure pump (5) and the end of the condenser (3) away from the connecting pipe (31). A third valve (52) is installed on the negative pressure pipe (51).

8. The freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom middle of the condenser (3) is connected to a drain pipe (4), and a fourth valve (41) is installed on the drain pipe (4).

9. A freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function before processing, as described in claim 2, is characterized in that, The arc plate (66), baffle (67) and slide plate (68) are each provided with several through holes (69).

10. A freeze-drying device for edible insects with a feeding function before processing, as described in claim 5, is characterized in that, The cooling pipe (12) is spiral-shaped and sleeved on the outside of the plurality of heating rods (13).

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