Food dryer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a food drying machine relates to food processing technical field, including drying box, be equipped with material inlet and material outlet on the drying box, install conveying device for conveying material from material inlet to material outlet in drying box, the fixedly equipped with higher than material inlet and material outlet separation structure in drying box, the separation structure is used for separating the upper part of drying box with cloth wind space, be equipped with a plurality of drying fan for the hot air in cloth wind space is blown to conveying device on separation structure, be equipped with a plurality of back air inlet lower than conveying device setting on the lateral wall of drying box, back air inlet is connected with the hot air circulation device for circulating air supply to cloth wind space, the utility model promotes drying even, and it is favorable to improve the utilization of thermal energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food processing technology, and in particular to a food dryer. Background Technology

[0002] Food processing involves steps such as washing, braising, or wet sterilization. After these steps, the food retains moisture. Before packaging or boxing, the food needs to be dried, a process currently performed using dryers. These food dryers come in two types: box-type and tunnel-type. A tunnel-type food dryer consists of a drying chamber with a conveyor belt running through it to transport the food. Inside the chamber, several drying fans blow hot air onto the food. The airflow removes adhering moisture and the high-speed, high-temperature airflow accelerates moisture evaporation, promoting rapid moisture loss and achieving the drying purpose.

[0003] Existing food dryers typically use drying fans installed above or to the side of the drying chamber to directly blow air onto the food, maximizing drying efficiency. The drying chamber is designed as an open or semi-open space, where hot air blows down moisture from the food and exits through the openings, carrying some evaporated moisture. However, this type of dryer suffers from disordered airflow within the chamber. Some hot air stagnates, while some escapes through the openings after only briefly blowing onto the food at the fan's current location. The airflow, temperature, and moisture content are uncontrollable in different areas of the drying chamber, especially those not directly exposed to the fan, resulting in uneven drying and low heat utilization. While methods like hot air recirculation exist to reduce heat loss and improve efficiency, they do not significantly improve airflow control, thus failing to fundamentally solve the uneven drying problem. Therefore, further improvements to food dryers are necessary. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a food dryer that promotes uniform drying and improves the utilization rate of heat energy.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of this utility model is: a food dryer, including a drying chamber, the drying chamber having a material inlet and a material outlet, a conveying device installed inside the drying chamber for conveying materials from the material inlet to the material outlet, a partition structure fixed inside the drying chamber higher than the material inlet and the material outlet, the partition structure for separating the upper part of the drying chamber into an air distribution space, the partition structure having a plurality of drying fans for blowing hot air in the air distribution space toward the conveying device; a plurality of return air inlets lower than the conveying device are provided on the side wall of the drying chamber, the return air inlets being connected to a hot air circulation device for circulating air to the air distribution space.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution, the conveying device includes at least two conveying units arranged sequentially along the conveying direction, and the output end of the upstream conveying unit is higher than the input end of the downstream adjacent conveying unit.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, the conveyor includes a conveyor frame, on which a conveyor platform is fixedly mounted; a floating support mechanism is provided between the conveyor frame and the drying box; a vibration generator is installed on the conveyor frame, and the vibration generator is used to drive the conveyor platform to generate vibrations that cause the material to be conveyed.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, at least two conveying platforms are sequentially arranged on the conveying frame along the conveying direction, and the output end of the upstream conveying platform is higher than the input end of the downstream conveying platform.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the conveying surface of the conveying platform is provided with air ducts.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the drying fan is configured to blow air in the oblique conveying direction.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the hot air circulation device includes a heater and a circulating fan connected in sequence by pipelines, and the air outlet of the circulating fan is connected to the air distribution space.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the connection between the circulating fan and the air distribution space is located near the material inlet.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, a flexible partition curtain is provided at the material inlet and / or the material outlet.

[0014] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the food dryer includes a drying chamber with a material inlet and a material outlet. A conveying device is installed inside the drying chamber to transport materials from the material inlet to the material outlet. A partition structure higher than the material inlet and the material outlet is fixedly installed inside the drying chamber. The partition structure is used to separate the upper part of the drying chamber into an air distribution space. Several drying fans are provided on the partition structure to blow hot air from the air distribution space towards the conveying device. Several return air vents lower than the conveying device are provided on the side wall of the drying chamber. The return air vents are connected to a hot air circulation device for circulating air into the air distribution space. This invention uses the aforementioned partition structure to divide the air distribution space, which on the one hand can evenly distribute the hot air, and on the other hand can isolate the upper part of the drying chamber. Compared with existing dryers, hot air will not stagnate in the upper space of the drying chamber, thus reducing the impact of stagnant airflow on temperature, humidity, etc. The lower part of the drying chamber utilizes the return air vent to draw air in, so that the entire drying chamber forms an orderly airflow from the air distribution space to the conveying device and then to the return air vent. When the conveying device passes through each position of the drying chamber, all materials at that position receive the same drying intensity, that is, the drying intensity of the materials changes consistently throughout the entire conveying process, promoting uniform drying. The hot air drawn out by the return air vent is returned to the air distribution space for recycling through a hot air circulation device, which helps to improve thermal energy utilization and reduce operating energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The following figures are intended only to illustrate and explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Wherein: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a front sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the AA structure in the image; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from one perspective of one embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of one of the conveyor units in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] In the diagram: 1-Drying box; 11-Material inlet; 12-Material outlet; 13-Flexible partition curtain; 14-Observation window; 2-Conveying device; 21-Single conveyor; 22-Conveying frame; 23-Conveying platform; 24-Floating support mechanism; 25-Vibration generator; 26-Air duct; 3-Partition structure; 31-Air distribution space; 4-Drying fan; 5-Return air outlet; 6-Hot air circulation device; 61-Heater; 62-Circulating fan. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are illustrative in nature and not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0018] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the food dryer includes a drying chamber 1. Conventionally, the drying chamber 1 is a relatively enclosed chamber structure, the specific structural composition of which is readily derived from conventional technical means in the art and will not be elaborated here. Preferably, the side walls and top walls of the drying chamber 1 can be formed using detachable wall panel structures to facilitate equipment assembly and maintenance; preferably, the side walls of the drying chamber 1 are provided with observation windows 14 to facilitate real-time observation of the operation inside the chamber.

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drying chamber 1 is equipped with a material inlet 11 and a material outlet 12. A conveying device 2 is installed inside the drying chamber 1 to transport materials from the material inlet 11 to the material outlet 12. The conveying device 2 is used to continuously convey materials inside the drying chamber 1. The continuously conveyed materials are dried by hot air, and the moisture gradually dissipates, achieving the desired drying effect when they are discharged from the material outlet 12.

[0020] Typically, flexible partition curtains 13 are provided at the material inlet 11 and / or the material outlet 12 to reduce the impact of ambient airflow on the drying atmosphere inside the chamber. The conveying device 2 can be a continuous belt conveyor or a stepped conveyor; there is no limitation here. This embodiment illustrates a stepped conveyor.

[0021] Specifically, the conveying device 2 includes at least two conveyor units 21 arranged sequentially along the conveying direction, with the output end of the upstream conveyor unit 21 higher than the input end of the adjacent downstream conveyor unit 21. Therefore, when the material output from the upstream conveyor unit 21 falls to the input end of the downstream conveyor unit 21, the material itself easily flips over, and both its upper and lower sides receive significant hot air drying during the entire conveying process of the conveying device 2, promoting comprehensive drying. The number of conveyor units 21 can be two, three, or even more; this embodiment does not limit this number and only illustrates four.

[0022] Preferably, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the conveyor unit 21 in this embodiment includes a conveyor frame 22, on which a conveyor platform 23 is fixedly mounted. The material to be dried is located on the conveyor platform 23. A floating support mechanism 24 is provided between the conveyor frame 22 and the drying chamber 1. A vibration generator 25 is installed on the conveyor frame 22, which drives the conveyor platform 23 to generate vibrations that promote the conveying of the material.

[0023] Through the aforementioned vibration, on the one hand, the material can be agitated, and at the instant of agitation, the drying airflow can pass over the bottom of the material, thus promoting thorough drying and improving drying efficiency. On the other hand, vibration can form material conveying. Specifically, the vibration generator 25 drives the conveyor plate 23 to vibrate in an approximately elliptical trajectory in each cycle. When the conveyor plate 23 vibrates upward, it moves forward and upward. When it reaches the apex of the trajectory and returns, the material on it leaves the conveyor plate 23 due to inertia, thus creating a bounce. Again, due to inertia, this bounce is in the forward and upward direction. After the conveyor plate 23 returns, it moves backward relative to the material in the conveying direction. When the conveyor plate 23 reaches the low point of the trajectory and moves upward again, the material falls back down. However, at this time, the material has shifted forward a certain distance relative to its position before the bounce. This superposition results in forward conveying of the material. This principle is easily understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with vibration conveying methods and will not be elaborated further here.

[0024] In the above structural principle, the floating support mechanism 24 is a supporting structure that helps to generate vibration transmission. It can be implemented using a support spring or a rubber torsion spring, etc., and there is no limitation here. Preferably, as Figure 5 As shown, the conveying surface of the conveying platform 23 is provided with an air duct 26 so that when the material falls onto the conveying platform 23, its bottom side can still be dried by hot air, further promoting the improvement of drying efficiency. The arrangement of the air duct 26 is not limited in this embodiment. As long as the drying airflow can still flow through the air duct 26 after the material falls onto the conveying platform 23, it is within the protection range.

[0025] Of course, the conveying platform 23 in each of the conveying units 21 is preferably arranged obliquely upward along the conveying direction. This allows the conveying device 2, composed of multiple conveying units 21, to be arranged within a fixed height space, which helps reduce the drying airflow space and facilitates airflow control. More preferably, at least two conveying platforms 23 are sequentially arranged on the conveying frame 22 along the conveying direction, with the output end of the upstream conveying platform 23 higher than the input end of the downstream conveying platform 23. Using at least two conveying platforms 23 in each conveying unit 21 allows for material tumbling at each unit, promoting uniform drying. It also reduces the overall height of each conveying unit 21, enabling the conveying device 2 to be arranged within a smaller height space while minimizing the use of components such as the vibration generator 25.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drying chamber 1 is fixedly provided with a partition structure 3 that is higher than the material inlet 11 and the material outlet 12. The partition structure 3 is used to separate the upper part of the drying chamber 1 into an air distribution space 31. The partition structure 3 is provided with a plurality of drying fans 4 for blowing hot air in the air distribution space 31 to the conveying device 2. The side wall of the drying chamber 1 is provided with a plurality of return air inlets 5 that are lower than the conveying device 2. The return air inlets 5 are connected to a hot air circulation device 6 for circulating air to the air distribution space 31.

[0027] In this embodiment, the partition structure 3 separates the air distribution space 31, which on the one hand can evenly distribute the hot air, and on the other hand can isolate the upper part of the drying chamber 1. Compared with existing dryers, the hot air will not stagnate in the upper space of the drying chamber 1, thus reducing the impact of stagnant airflow on temperature, humidity, etc. The lower part of the drying chamber 1 is guided by the return air vent 5, so that the entire drying chamber 1 forms an orderly airflow from the air distribution space 31 to the conveying device 2 and then to the return air vent 5. When the material passes through each position of the drying chamber 1 on the conveying device 2, the drying intensity of all materials at that position is consistent, that is, the drying intensity of the material changes consistently throughout the conveying process, promoting uniform drying. The hot air drawn out by the return air vent 5 is returned to the air distribution space 31 for recycling through the hot air circulation device 6, which helps to improve the thermal energy utilization rate and reduce operating energy consumption.

[0028] Preferably, the drying fan 4 is configured to blow air at an angle to the conveying direction. This angled blowing air can easily generate airflow in the conveying direction at the conveying surface of the conveying device 2, that is, at the conveying platform 23. This not only helps to agitate the material and promote the comprehensive and rapid drying of the material with the help of the air duct 26, but also allows a portion of the airflow to be output from the material outlet 12, thereby reducing the moisture content in the circulating hot air. Therefore, the configuration of the condenser structure can be reduced, which is beneficial to reducing equipment costs and operating energy consumption.

[0029] Conventionally, the hot air circulation device 6 includes a heater 61 and a circulating fan 62 connected in sequence by pipes. The outlet of the circulating fan 62 is connected to the air distribution space 31. The airflow drawn back from the return air inlet 5 is reheated to the required temperature by the heater 61 and then forcibly transported back to the air distribution space 31 by the circulating fan 62 for circulation. Most of the heat energy can be circulated. The heater 61 can be of various forms, such as steam heating or electric heating, and is not limited in this embodiment.

[0030] Of course, the drying fan 4 in this embodiment is not limited to being fully open; it can be partially open, with the specific number of fans selected based on the type of material and its moisture content. When partially open, negative pressure is less likely to form in the air distribution space 31, which is beneficial for the long-term reliable operation of the equipment. Preferably, the connection between the circulating fan 62 and the air distribution space 31 is located close to the material inlet 11. This allows the recirculated hot air to be quickly blown onto the material for use by the drying fan 4 near the material inlet 11, further reducing heat energy waste.

[0031] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A food dryer, comprising a drying chamber, wherein the drying chamber is provided with a material inlet and a material outlet, and a conveying device for conveying material from the material inlet to the material outlet is installed inside the drying chamber, characterized in that: The drying chamber is fixedly equipped with a partition structure higher than the material inlet and the material outlet. The partition structure is used to separate the upper part of the drying chamber into an air distribution space. The partition structure is equipped with several drying fans for blowing hot air from the air distribution space to the conveying device. The side wall of the drying chamber is equipped with several return air vents lower than the conveying device. The return air vents are connected to a hot air circulation device for circulating air to the air distribution space.

2. The food dryer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying device includes at least two conveying units arranged sequentially along the conveying direction, and the output end of the upstream conveying unit is higher than the input end of the downstream adjacent conveying unit.

3. The food dryer as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The conveyor unit includes a conveyor frame, on which a conveyor platform is fixedly mounted; a floating support mechanism is provided between the conveyor frame and the drying box; a vibration generator is installed on the conveyor frame, which is used to drive the conveyor platform to generate vibrations that cause the material to be conveyed.

4. The food dryer as described in claim 3, characterized in that: At least two conveying platforms are sequentially arranged on the conveying frame along the conveying direction, and the output end of the upstream conveying platform is higher than the input end of the downstream conveying platform.

5. The food dryer as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The conveying surface of the conveying platform is provided with air ducts.

6. The food dryer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The drying fan is configured to blow air in the oblique conveying direction.

7. The food dryer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The hot air circulation device includes a heater and a circulating fan connected in sequence by pipelines, and the air outlet of the circulating fan is connected to the air distribution space.

8. The food dryer as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The connection between the circulating fan and the air distribution space is located near the material inlet.

9. The food dryer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Flexible partition curtains are provided at the material inlet and / or the material outlet.

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