Tea leaf processing line

Abstract

The utility model discloses a tea leaf processing production line, including host computer and through the conveying unit according to the processing order in proper order connected to the fixation unit, first moisture regain unit, rubbing unit, first drying unit, second moisture regain unit, second drying unit and the blanking unit, each processing unit is separately equipped with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected with host computer through cable respectively. The utility model discloses through the electric connection of host computer and the control cabinet of each processing unit of tea leaf production line, only needs to operate a host computer to can realize the effect that each equipment is regulated respectively, and the operation is more convenient, can improve the tea production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Tea processing is a crucial step affecting tea quality. Traditional tea processing relies heavily on manual labor, which suffers from high labor intensity, low production efficiency, and difficulty in precisely controlling processing parameters, leading to inconsistent tea quality. In recent years, with the development of automation technology, some tea processing steps (such as fixation, rolling, and drying) have been mechanized. However, existing production lines still have the following shortcomings:

[0003] In existing production lines, each processing unit (such as fixation, rehydration, rolling, and drying) is typically controlled independently, lacking a unified upper-level monitoring system. Employees operate the control panels at their respective control cabinets, making it difficult to achieve fully automated control of the entire process. This results in cumbersome electrical control debugging and impacts tea production efficiency. Furthermore, traditional production lines lack real-time remote monitoring of key parameters during tea processing (such as temperature, humidity, and morphological changes), hindering precise control of the processing technology.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly automated, integrated tea processing production line with intelligent monitoring capabilities to improve the stability, efficiency, and quality of tea processing. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tea processing production line to solve the problem that existing tea processing production lines are difficult to remotely and fully automate.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a tea processing production line, including a host computer and a processing unit, a first re-moistening unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second re-moistening unit, a second drying unit, and a feeding unit connected in sequence by a conveying unit; each processing unit is equipped with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected to the host computer by a cable.

[0007] Furthermore, the production line also includes a cable tray for laying the cables. The cable tray includes a main body and multiple branches. One end of each branch is connected to the main body, and the other end extends to each control cabinet. The cables pass through the main body and the branches to electrically connect the control cabinets of each processing unit to the host computer.

[0008] Furthermore, the cable tray branches are made of stainless steel pipes.

[0009] Furthermore, the fixing unit includes a fixing machine, and the conveying unit includes a first conveyor belt and a first elevator; the discharge port of the fixing unit is located above one end of the first conveyor belt, the inlet of the first elevator is located below the other end of the first conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the first elevator is located above the inlet of the first rehydration unit; the first conveyor belt is equipped with a first infrared thermal imager and a first camera respectively facing the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt; the first infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt; the first camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt.

[0010] Furthermore, the first rehumidification unit includes a first rehumidification machine, which is equipped with a second infrared thermal imager for acquiring thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves inside the first rehumidification machine; the conveying unit includes a second conveyor belt and a second elevator; the discharge port of the first rehumidification machine is located above one end of the second conveyor belt, the inlet of the second elevator is located below the other end of the second conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the second elevator is located above the inlet of the kneading unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the kneading unit includes a kneading machine; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt, the discharge port of the kneading machine is located above one end of the third conveyor belt, and the other end of the third conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the first drying unit; a second camera is provided on the third conveyor belt facing the conveying surface of the third conveyor belt, and the second camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt.

[0012] Furthermore, the first drying unit includes a first dryer, a second dryer, and a vibrating trough; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt and a fifth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the first dryer is located above one end of the fourth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second dryer; the vibrating trough is located at the discharge port of the second dryer, the discharge port of the second dryer is located above one end of the fifth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second rehumidification unit; the fifth conveyor belt is equipped with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera respectively facing the conveying surface of the fifth conveyor belt; the third infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt; the third camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt.

[0013] Furthermore, the second rehumidification unit includes a second rehumidifier; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the second rehumidifier is located above one end of the sixth conveyor belt, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second drying unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the second drying unit includes a third dryer, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt; the discharge port of the third dryer is located above one end of the seventh conveyor belt, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the unloading unit; a fourth infrared thermal imager is provided on the seventh conveyor belt facing the conveying surface of the seventh conveyor belt, and the fourth infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt.

[0015] Furthermore, both the first and seventh conveyor belts are cooling conveyor belts.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by electrically connecting the host computer to the control cabinets of each processing unit in the tea production line, only one host computer needs to be operated to achieve the effect of separate control of each device, making operation more convenient and improving tea production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, use the same reference numerals to denote the same or similar parts. The illustrative embodiments of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The components include: 1. First hot air furnace; 2. Blanching machine; 3. First conveyor belt; 301. First infrared thermal imager; 302. First camera; 4. First elevator; 5. First rehumidifier; 501. Second infrared thermal imager; 6. Second conveyor belt; 7. Second elevator; 8. Kneading machine; 9. Third conveyor belt; 901. Second camera; 10. Second hot air furnace; 11. First dryer; 12. Fourth conveyor belt; 13. Second dryer; 14. Vibrating trough; 15. Fifth conveyor belt; 1501. Second infrared thermal imager; 1502. Third camera; 16. Second rehumidifier; 17. Sixth conveyor belt; 18. Third dryer; 19. Seventh conveyor belt; 1901. Fourth infrared thermal imager; 20. Feeding machine; 2001. Fourth camera; A. Cable tray main body; B. Cable tray branches. Detailed Implementation

[0020] like Figure 1The tea processing production line shown includes a host computer and, via a conveyor unit, sequentially connected in the processing order, a withering unit, a first re-moistening unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second re-moistening unit, a second drying unit, and a feeding unit. Each processing unit is equipped with an independent control cabinet, and each control cabinet is electrically connected to the host computer via cables. This invention, by electrically connecting the host computer to the control cabinets of each processing unit in the tea production line, allows for individual control of each processing unit with only one host computer, making operation more convenient and improving tea production efficiency. Furthermore, connecting the host computer to each processing unit via cables enhances the system's modularity, facilitating maintenance and upgrades.

[0021] The specific structure of the host computer is not limited. For example, it can include a central controller and a human-machine interface device (HMI). The central controller is electrically connected to the control cabinets of each processing unit via cables. Employees can use the HMI to observe the tea's condition and equipment operation status in real time, and to adjust and control each processing unit. The HMI can be a control panel, etc. Because the control cabinets of each processing unit are electrically connected to the host computer, the processing units can be started and stopped synchronously or sequentially. When starting sequentially, the withering machine is turned on or off, and finally the cooling conveyor belt at the rear of the third dryer is turned on or off, which can save energy. Moreover, by setting the running time of each processing unit through the host computer, it can be ensured that each processing unit completes the tea processing.

[0022] According to one embodiment of this application, the production line further includes a cable tray for laying cables. The cable tray includes a main body A and multiple cable tray branches B. One end of each cable tray branch B is connected to the main body A, and the other end of each cable tray branch B extends to a corresponding control cabinet. Cables pass through the main body A and the cable tray branches B to electrically connect the control cabinets of each processing unit to the host computer. This embodiment, by adopting the design of the main body A and multiple cable tray branches B, optimizes wiring, reduces cable clutter, and improves equipment neatness and safety; it also helps to ensure stable signal transmission and reduce electromagnetic interference.

[0023] According to one embodiment of this application, the cable tray branch B is a stainless steel pipe (specifically, 304 stainless steel pipe can be used). The stainless steel pipe structure of the cable tray branch B is corrosion-resistant, has high strength, and is suitable for tea processing environments; furthermore, the metal pipe can provide a certain electromagnetic shielding effect, reducing signal interference.

[0024] According to one embodiment of this application, the fixing unit includes a fixing machine 2, and the conveying unit includes a first conveyor belt 3 and a first elevator 4; the discharge port of the fixing unit is located above one end of the first conveyor belt 3, the inlet of the first elevator 4 is located below the other end of the first conveyor belt 3, and the discharge port of the first elevator 4 is located above the inlet of the first rehydration unit; the first conveyor belt 3 is provided with a first infrared thermal imager 301 and a first camera 302 respectively facing the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 3; the first infrared thermal imager 301 is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt 3; the first camera 302 is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt 3. The fixing machine 2 is a mechanical device used in tea processing to deactivate the oxidase activity of fresh leaves at high temperatures, inhibit the enzymatic oxidation of tea polyphenols, and promote aroma formation. It is mainly used in the initial processing stage of tea. This application monitors the temperature change of the tea leaves after fixing and as they pass through the first conveyor belt 3 by installing a first infrared thermal imager 301 on the first conveyor belt 3 after fixing, so as to ensure that the fixing and cooling processes meet the standards. The first camera 302 collects images of the tea leaves to analyze the morphology (such as color and uniformity) of the cold tea leaves after fixing and passing through the first conveyor belt 3, so as to optimize the process parameters in the future.

[0025] According to one embodiment of this application, the first rehumidification unit includes a first rehumidification machine 5, which is equipped with a second infrared thermal imager 1501501 for acquiring thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves inside the first rehumidification machine 5; the conveying unit includes a second conveyor belt 6 and a second elevator 7; the discharge port of the first rehumidification machine 5 is located above one end of the second conveyor belt 6, the inlet of the second elevator 7 is located below the other end of the second conveyor belt 6, and the discharge port of the second elevator 7 is located above the inlet of the kneading unit. The rehumidification machine is mainly used to uniformly humidify the tea leaves after fixation or drying, so that the leaves regain their softness and toughness, facilitating subsequent kneading or secondary drying, while promoting the transformation of the substances contained in the tea leaves and improving their quality. The temperature of the tea leaves inside the rehumidification machine is monitored by the second infrared thermal imager 1501501 to ensure uniform rehumidification and avoid local over-wetting or over-drying.

[0026] According to one embodiment of this application, the kneading unit includes a kneading machine 8; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt 9, the discharge port of the kneading machine 8 is located above one end of the third conveyor belt 9, and the other end of the third conveyor belt 9 is located above the inlet of the first drying unit; a second camera 901 is provided on the conveying surface of the third conveyor belt 9 facing the third conveyor belt 9, and the second camera 901 is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt 6. The kneading machine 8 is mainly used to mechanically knead the tea leaves after they have regained moisture, causing the cell walls of the tea leaves to break through the pressure, promoting the seepage of tea juice, and shaping the shape of the tea leaves (such as strips, curls, etc.), laying the foundation for subsequent fermentation and drying processes; the second camera 901 monitors the shape of the tea leaves after kneading (such as the tightness of the strips), which allows for easy feedback and adjustment of kneading parameters (pressure, time).

[0027] According to one embodiment of this application, the first drying unit includes a first dryer 11, a second dryer 13, and a vibrating trough 14; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt 12 and a fifth conveyor belt 15; the discharge port of the first dryer 11 is located above one end of the fourth conveyor belt 12, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt 12 is located above the inlet of the second dryer 13; the vibrating trough 14 is located at the discharge port of the second dryer 13, the discharge port of the second dryer 13 is located above one end of the fifth conveyor belt 15, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt 15 is located above the inlet of the second rehumidification unit; the fifth conveyor belt 15 is equipped with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera 1502 respectively facing the conveying surface of the fifth conveyor belt 15; the third infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt 15; the third camera 1502 is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt 15. This embodiment employs a two-stage drying process. The first dryer 11 initially reduces the moisture content of the tea leaves to an intermediate state (e.g., from 70%-80% moisture content in fresh leaves to 30%-40%). This step may require a relatively high temperature to quickly evaporate surface moisture while avoiding damage to the internal structure of the tea leaves. Then, the second dryer 13 further reduces the moisture content to a safe storage standard (typically 5%-7%), using a lower temperature or gentler method to avoid over-drying that could lead to brittleness or flavor loss. A third infrared thermal imager and a third camera 1502 monitor the state (temperature, color) of the dried tea leaves to ensure the moisture content meets the standard. The tea leaves, after being dried a second time in the second dryer 13, are evenly conveyed to the fifth conveyor belt 15 via a vibrating trough 14 to ensure uniform humidification during the secondary rehydration process.

[0028] According to one embodiment of this application, the second rehumidification unit includes a second rehumidifier 16; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt 17; the discharge port of the second rehumidifier 16 is located above one end of the sixth conveyor belt 17, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt 17 is located above the inlet of the second drying unit. The second rehumidifier 16 is used to rehumidify the dried tea. For fermented teas, it can create a suitable humid environment for fermentation and promote the activity of polyphenol oxidase; it can also make the leaves unfold through secondary rehumidification, which is convenient for subsequent shaping or rolling; in addition, the tea leaves after rehumidification are easier to dry evenly, which can reduce the energy consumption of secondary drying.

[0029] According to one embodiment of this application, the second drying unit includes a third dryer 18, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt 19; the discharge port of the third dryer 18 is located above one end of the seventh conveyor belt 19, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt 19 is located above the inlet of the unloading unit; a fourth infrared thermal imager 1901 is provided on the seventh conveyor belt 19 facing the conveying surface of the seventh conveyor belt 19, and the fourth infrared thermal imager 1901 is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt 19.

[0030] According to one embodiment of this application, both the first conveyor belt 3 and the seventh conveyor belt 19 are cooling conveyor belts. The cooling conveyor belts rapidly cool the tea leaves after the initial processing, improving the stability of the tea's quality and preventing spoilage due to sudden temperature changes.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tea processing production line, comprising a host computer and a processing unit consisting of a fixing unit, a first re-moistening unit, a rolling unit, a first drying unit, a second re-moistening unit, a second drying unit, and a feeding unit, connected sequentially by a conveying unit according to the processing order; each processing unit is equipped with an independent control cabinet, characterized in that, Each of the control cabinets is electrically connected to the host computer via cables; The production line also includes a cable tray, which includes a main body for laying the cables and multiple cable tray branches. One end of each of the multiple cable tray branches is connected to the main body, and the other end of each of the multiple cable tray branches extends to each of the control cabinets. The cables pass through the main body and the cable tray branches to electrically connect the control cabinets of each processing unit to the host computer.

2. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable tray branches are made of stainless steel pipes.

3. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing unit includes a fixing machine, and the conveying unit includes a first conveyor belt and a first elevator. The discharge port of the fixing unit is located above one end of the first conveyor belt, the inlet of the first elevator is located below the other end of the first conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the first elevator is located above the inlet of the first rehydration unit. The first conveyor belt is equipped with a first infrared thermal imager and a first camera, respectively facing the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt. The first infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt, and the first camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the first conveyor belt.

4. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rehumidification unit includes a first rehumidification machine, which is equipped with a second infrared thermal imager for acquiring thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves inside the first rehumidification machine; the conveying unit includes a second conveyor belt and a second elevator; the discharge port of the first rehumidification machine is located above one end of the second conveyor belt, the inlet of the second elevator is located below the other end of the second conveyor belt, and the discharge port of the second elevator is located above the inlet of the kneading unit.

5. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The kneading unit includes a kneading machine; the conveying unit includes a third conveyor belt, the discharge port of the kneading machine is located above one end of the third conveyor belt, and the other end of the third conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the first drying unit; a second camera is provided on the third conveyor belt facing the conveying surface of the third conveyor belt, and the second camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the second conveyor belt.

6. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first drying unit includes a first dryer, a second dryer, and a vibrating trough; the conveying unit includes a fourth conveyor belt and a fifth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the first dryer is located above one end of the fourth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fourth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second dryer; the vibrating trough is located at the discharge port of the second dryer, the discharge port of the second dryer is located above one end of the fifth conveyor belt, and the other end of the fifth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second rehumidification unit; the fifth conveyor belt is equipped with a third infrared thermal imager and a third camera respectively facing the conveying surface of the fifth conveyor belt; the third infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt; the third camera is used to acquire images of the tea leaves on the fifth conveyor belt.

7. The tea processing production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second rehumidification unit includes a second rehumidifier; the conveying unit includes a sixth conveyor belt; the discharge port of the second rehumidifier is located above one end of the sixth conveyor belt, and the other end of the sixth conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the second drying unit.

8. The tea processing production line according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second drying unit includes a third dryer, and the conveying unit includes a seventh conveyor belt; the discharge port of the third dryer is located above one end of the seventh conveyor belt, and the other end of the seventh conveyor belt is located above the inlet of the unloading unit; a fourth infrared thermal imager is provided on the seventh conveyor belt facing the conveying surface of the seventh conveyor belt, and the fourth infrared thermal imager is used to acquire thermal images and temperature data of the tea leaves on the seventh conveyor belt.

9. The tea processing production line according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the first and seventh conveyor belts are cooling conveyor belts.

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