Soybean processing system, control program, and manufacturing method

Abstract

To stabilize quality of a product and to enable reduction of food loss.SOLUTION: A soybean processing system 1 comprises a soybean supplier 12 that supplies soybeans, a grinding water supplier 13 that supplies grinding water, a processing line 14 including a grinder 31 to which the soybeans and the grinding water are supplied and which processes the soybeans and the grinding water to generate tofu, and a controller 16 that controls the soybean supplier 12 and the grinding water supplier 13. The controller 16 comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the protein concentration of soymilk as a product generated in the processing line 14, and an adjustment unit that adjusts a supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding water on the basis of the protein concentration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to soy processing systems, control programs, and manufacturing methods. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, tofu is produced by soybeans through processes such as soaking, grinding, cooking, squeezing, coagulating, and pressing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a continuous molding device that performs continuous compression molding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6672324 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because soybeans are produced in a natural environment, this affects the quality of products made from soybeans, such as soy milk and tofu. For example, even soybeans from the same production area can have varying quality from day to day. If the quality changes too much, the product will be discarded, which is one of the causes of food waste.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a soybean processing system, a control program, and a manufacturing method that can stabilize the quality of the product, and also to provide a soybean processing system, a control program, and a manufacturing method that can reduce food waste. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a soybean processing system of a first aspect according to the present disclosure comprises a soybean supplying device that supplies soybeans, a liquid supplying device that supplies a grinding liquid, a processing line having a grinding device to which the soybeans and the grinding liquid are supplied and that processes the soybeans and the grinding liquid to produce a target product, and a control device that controls the soybean supplying device and the liquid supplying device, wherein the control device comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the protein concentration.

[0008] In addition, a second aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure is related to the first aspect, wherein the control device further includes a counting unit that counts the passage of time and a count determination unit that determines whether the count value counted by the counting unit has reached a predetermined value, and the adjustment unit adjusts the supply amount when the count determination unit determines that the count value has reached the predetermined value.

[0009] In addition, a third aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure is related to the second aspect, in which the predetermined value is set to a time equal to or longer than the processing time during which the soybeans and the grinding liquid supplied to the grinding device are processed into the product.

[0010] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the second or third aspect, and after the adjustment unit adjusts the supply amount, the count value of the counting unit is reset and counts up from the initial value.

[0011] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the second or third aspect, wherein the counting unit counts up while the soybeans are being ground in the grinding device, and stops counting up while grinding of the soybeans in the grinding device is stopped.

[0012] Furthermore, a sixth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the first to third aspects, and the adjustment unit adjusts the bean ratio, which is the ratio of the soybeans to the grinding liquid, based on the protein concentration.

[0013] In addition, a seventh aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure is related to the sixth aspect, and the adjustment unit adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the amount of raw soybeans ground by the grinding device to be supplied to the downstream side of the processing line and the bean ratio after adjustment.

[0014] In addition, an eighth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure is related to the seventh aspect, in which the adjustment unit adjusts the supply amount so that the protein concentration approaches a target value while maintaining the amount of raw soybean at a preset value.

[0015] Furthermore, a ninth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the first aspect, and further comprises a detection device that detects the protein concentration of the intermediate product ground by the grinding device.

[0016] Furthermore, a tenth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the ninth aspect, wherein the detection device detects the protein concentration of raw soybean soybean, soy milk, or boiled soybean soybean.

[0017] Furthermore, an eleventh aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the ninth or tenth aspect, in which the detection device is an inline near-infrared spectrometer.

[0018] Furthermore, a soybean processing system according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure relates to the first to third aspects, wherein the adjustment unit does not adjust the supply amount when the protein concentration is an outlier.

[0019] Furthermore, a thirteenth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure is related to the twelfth aspect, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the supply amount when the protein concentration is outside the target protein concentration range and is not an outlier.

[0020] Furthermore, a fourteenth aspect of the soybean processing system according to the present disclosure relates to the first to third aspects, and the processing line further comprises a raw soybean hopper to which the raw soybean paste ground by the grinding device is supplied, a cooking device to which the raw soybean paste is supplied from the raw soybean hopper, a squeezer to which the boiled soybean paste cooked by the cooking device is supplied, and a soy milk tank to which the soy milk produced by the squeezer is supplied.

[0021] Furthermore, a control program of a fifteenth aspect according to the present disclosure causes a computer that controls a soybean supplying device that supplies soybeans to a grinding device of a processing line that processes soybeans and grinding liquid to produce a target product, and a liquid supplying device that supplies the grinding liquid, to function as an acquisition unit that acquires the protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the protein concentration.

[0022] In addition, a sixteenth aspect of the manufacturing method according to the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for manufacturing a target product by processing soybeans and grinding liquid supplied to a grinding device of a processing line, and includes a step of acquiring the protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line, and a step of adjusting the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the protein concentration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The soybean processing system, control program, and production method according to the present disclosure can stabilize the quality of the product and also make it possible to reduce food waste. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a soybean processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control device in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of various functions of the control device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the bean ratio and the protein concentration of soy milk. [Figure 5] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a feedback process in the control device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0026] === Implementation form === <Soybean processing system configuration> 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic overall configuration of a soybean processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The soybean processing system 1 is an apparatus that processes soybeans to produce tofu.

[0027] The soybean processing system 1 comprises a soaking tank 11, a soybean supplying device 12, a grinding water supplying device 13, a processing line 14, a detecting device 15, and a control device 16 as main components.

[0028] The soaking tank 11 is a device for soaking soybeans in water (liquid). For example, the soybeans are washed and then placed in the soaking tank 11. The soybeans and water are placed in a predetermined ratio, and the soybeans absorb the water in the soaking tank 11, causing the soybeans to swell. The soaking tank 11 makes the soybeans easier to break down through soaking.

[0029] The soybean supplying device 12 is a device that supplies soybeans from the soaking tank 11 to the processing line 14 (grinder 31). The soybean supplying device 12 supplies soybeans (soaked soybeans) in an amount based on a set value from the soaking tank 11 to the processing line 14. The soybean supplying device 12 separates the soaked soybeans from the water used for soaking, and supplies the soaked soybeans in an amount based on the set value to the processing line 14. The set value is, for example, the rotation speed of a soybean metering rocker. As long as the amount of soybeans to be supplied can be set, the set value is not limited to the rotation speed and can be set in accordance with the configuration of the soybean supplying device 12. The amount of soybeans supplied to the processing line 14 is the amount of soybeans supplied per predetermined time (for example, one minute). The structure of the soybean supplying device 12 for supplying soybeans is not limited.

[0030] The grinding water supply device 13 is a liquid supply device that supplies grinding water as a grinding liquid to the processing line 14 (grinder 31). The grinding water supply device 13 supplies an amount of grinding water based on a set value to the processing line 14. The set value is, for example, the opening degree of a valve. Note that, as long as the amount of grinding water to be supplied can be set, the set value is not limited to the opening degree and can be set in accordance with the configuration of the grinding water supply device 13. The amount of grinding water supplied to the processing line 14 is the amount of grinding water supplied per predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). Note that the structure for supplying grinding water in the grinding water supply device 13 is not limited.

[0031] The processing line 14 processes the soybeans supplied by the soybean supply device 12. In this embodiment, the processing line 14 processes the soybeans to produce a target product. In this embodiment, the processing line 14 produces tofu as the target product. Examples of tofu include silken tofu, firm tofu, soft tofu, and firm tofu.

[0032] Specifically, the processing line 14 mainly includes a grinder 31, a raw soybean hopper 32, a cooker 33, a squeezer 34, a soy milk surge tank 35, a coagulator 36, and a press 37.

[0033] The grinder 31 is a grinding device to which soybeans are supplied by the soybean supply device 12 and grinding water is supplied by the grinding water supply device 13. Specifically, the grinder 31 grinds the soybeans together with the grinding water. The soybeans are ground to produce raw soybean paste. The concentration of soybeans in the raw soybean paste changes depending on the amount of grinding water supplied.

[0034] The raw soybean paste hopper 32 is supplied with raw soybean paste from the grinder 31. The raw soybean paste hopper 32 accumulates the supplied raw soybean paste. The raw soybean paste hopper 32 then supplies the raw soybean paste to the cooker 33.

[0035] The cooker 33 is a cooking device that heats the raw soybean paste. The raw soybean paste is heated (cooked) by the cooker 33 to become boiled soybean paste. The cooker 33 then supplies the boiled soybean paste to the wringer .

[0036] The wringer 34 performs a wringing process on the boiled soybean paste to separate it into soy milk and soybean pulp. The soy milk separated by the wringer 34 is supplied to a soy milk surge tank 35. The soybean pulp separated by the wringer 34 is accumulated in a tank or the like (not shown).

[0037] The soy milk surge tank 35 is a soy milk tank that receives the soy milk produced in the extractor 34 and stores the soy milk. The soy milk stored in the soy milk surge tank 35 is supplied to the coagulator 36.

[0038] The coagulation machine 36 adds a coagulant to the soy milk to coagulate the soy milk. The coagulant may be calcium sulfate (clarified powder), bittern (magnesium chloride), calcium chloride, or glucono-delta-lactone. The soy milk coagulation produced in the coagulation machine 36 is supplied to a press 37.

[0039] The press 37 squeezes and molds the soy milk curd. Specifically, the press 37 squeezes water out of the soy milk curd and molds it into a predetermined shape to produce tofu.

[0040] In the processing line 14, each step is carried out as described above, and tofu is produced from soybeans.

[0041] The detector 15 is a sensor that detects protein concentration. The detector 15 is an inline near-infrared spectrometer (NIR). Specifically, the detector 15 includes an NIR measuring instrument equipped with an NIR light source and spectrometer, a probe for acquiring the NIR spectrum of soy milk or the like, an optical fiber cable connecting the NIR measuring instrument and the probe, a computer (PC) for analyzing the data, a mechanical device for outputting the data from the computer, and a cable connecting the computer and the mechanical device. The mechanical device and the control device 16 are connected by a cable. Because the detector 15 is an inline type, it can be installed on the processing line 14 and measure the protein concentration. The detector 15 can measure the protein concentration in real time, for example, and performs measurements sequentially at a predetermined measurement interval. The predetermined interval is, for example, about 6 minutes.

[0042] In this embodiment, the detector 15 is provided between the soy milk surge tank 35 and the coagulating machine 36. Specifically, the probe of the detector 15 is installed immediately after the soy milk surge tank 35. Therefore, the detector 15 measures the protein concentration of the soy milk supplied from the soy milk surge tank 35 to the coagulating machine 36. Note that the detector 15 is not limited to measuring the protein concentration of soy milk as long as it is a product in the processing line 14, and the detector 15 may also measure the protein concentration of raw soy milk or boiled soy milk.

[0043] The detector 15 measures the protein concentration of the soy milk and outputs the measurement result to the controller 16. For example, the detector 15 outputs the protein concentration to the controller 16 as a current value (analog value) within a predetermined range.

[0044] Furthermore, the detector 15 outputs a signal to the controller 16 if the measured protein concentration value is an outlier. There are, for example, the following two cases of outliers. First, when a measured protein concentration deviates from the population of samples (protein concentrations) used to create the calibration curve, the protein concentration is an outlier. Second, when the measured NIR spectrum significantly deviates from the population of spectra used to create the calibration curve, the protein concentration is an outlier. The degree of deviation is evaluated, for example, by the Mahalanobis distance, and an outlier is determined when the Mahalanobis distance is equal to or greater than a certain value. That is, an outlier is a protein concentration value that falls outside the normal range, where the range of protein concentrations that can be normally measured by the detector 15 is the normal range. In other words, an outlier is a protein concentration value (abnormal value) that cannot be correctly measured by the detector 15. For example, a protein concentration may temporarily become an outlier due to concentration variations, external disturbances, or the like. If an outlier protein concentration is measured, the measured value is likely to be inaccurate, and therefore a signal indicating that the detected value is an outlier is output to control device 16. This allows control device 16 to recognize whether the protein concentration value output from detection device 15 is an outlier or not.

[0045] The control device 16 is an information processing device (computer) that controls various operations of the soybean processing system 1. The control device 16 is provided, for example, in the control panel 39. In particular, the control device 16 controls the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13. Specifically, the control device 16 feedback-controls the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13 based on the measurement results of the detection device 15. Note that the control device 16 may control either the soybean supplying device 12 or the grinding water supplying device 13.

[0046] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 16. As shown in FIG.

[0047] 2, the control device 16 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a display unit 24. The control unit 20 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25 and a memory 26.

[0048] In the control unit 20, the CPU 25 executes predetermined programs stored in the memory 26 or the storage unit 22, thereby functioning as various functional means.

[0049] The communication unit 21 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device.

[0050] The storage unit 22 is configured with a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs and various information required for the control unit 20 to execute processes, and information on the results of the processes.

[0051] The operation unit 23 is a device for performing operations on the control device 16, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

[0052] The display unit 24 is a device that displays various information, processing results, etc., and is, for example, a display or a touch panel.

[0053] The control device 16 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose computer. The control device 16 may be configured with a single information processing device or multiple information processing devices. Fig. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the control device 16, and the control device 16 may have other configurations.

[0054] ≪Functional configuration≫ 3 is a block diagram showing an example of various functions in the control device 16. Feedback processing is performed by the functions in each block.

[0055] The control device 16 includes an acquisition unit 41, a display control unit 42, a count unit 43, a count determination unit 44, and an adjustment unit 45.

[0056] The acquiring unit 41 acquires the protein concentration from the detecting device 15. For example, the acquiring unit 41 acquires the measurement results output from the detecting device 15 sequentially at predetermined intervals (for example, about 6 minutes). In this way, the acquiring unit 41 acquires the protein concentration of the soy milk. The acquiring unit 41 also acquires a signal indicating an outlier from the detecting device 15.

[0057] The display control unit 42 controls the display unit 24 to display various information. The display control unit 42 displays the acquired protein concentration on the display unit 24. This makes it possible to provide the user with the protein concentration of soy milk in real time. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 41 acquires a signal indicating an outlier, the display control unit 42 may display a message indicating that the signal is an outlier on the display unit 24.

[0058] The counting unit 43 counts the passage of time. Specifically, the counting unit 43 counts up from an initial value of 0 (zero) and outputs the passage of time as a count value. The counting unit 43 counts up, but stops counting up while the grinder 31 stops grinding the soybeans. In other words, the counting unit 43 counts up while the grinder 31 is grinding the soybeans. As a result, the counting up stops when the grinder 31 is stopped, that is, when raw soybeans, etc. are not circulating in the processing system.

[0059] The count value of the counting unit 43 is reset when an adjustment is made by the adjusting unit 45, which will be described later. That is, the count value is reset after the amounts of soybeans and grinding water supplied to the grinder 31 are adjusted. Then, the counting unit 43 starts counting up again from the initial value.

[0060] The counting unit 43 outputs the count value to the count determining unit 44 .

[0061] The count determination unit 44 determines whether the count value has reached a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, 40 minutes. The predetermined value is set to a time period equal to or longer than the processing time required for the soybeans and grinding water supplied to the grinder 31 to be processed into soy milk. In other words, the predetermined value is set to a time period equal to or longer than the time required for the adjusted supply amount of soybeans and grinding water to be processed into soy milk at the location where the detection device 15 is installed. Therefore, the count determination unit 44 determines that the adjusted supply amount of soybeans and grinding water has been processed into soy milk at the location where the detection device 15 is installed. In other words, the count determination unit 44 determines that the effect after the adjustment can be measured by the detection device 15.

[0062] The count determination unit 44 outputs the determination result to the adjustment unit 45.

[0063] The adjusting unit 45 adjusts the amount of at least one of soybeans and grinding water to be supplied to the grinder 31 based on the protein concentration. In this embodiment, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the amount of both soybeans and grinding water to be supplied, but it may also control either the soybeans or the grinding water.

[0064] First, the adjustment unit 45 starts the adjustment process based on the determination result of the count determination unit 44. Specifically, when the count determination unit 44 determines that the count value has reached a predetermined value, the adjustment unit 45 starts the adjustment process based on the protein concentration. That is, the adjustment unit 45 performs the adjustment process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous adjustment. Therefore, the predetermined value is the interval time for performing feedback control.

[0065] The adjustment unit 45 then determines whether the measured protein concentration value deviates from the target protein concentration. The protein concentration value used is the most recently acquired protein concentration value. If the protein concentration value is within a target protein concentration range that is preset by the upper and lower limits of the target protein concentration, the adjustment unit 45 determines that the protein concentration does not deviate from the target protein concentration. On the other hand, if the protein concentration value is outside the target protein concentration range that is set as the target protein concentration, the adjustment unit 45 determines that the protein concentration deviates from the target protein concentration.

[0066] In this embodiment, a target protein concentration range is used as the target protein concentration, but the target protein concentration may be set as a target value (a certain value) instead of a range. In this case, the adjustment unit 45 determines that a deviation state has occurred when the difference between the protein concentration and the target value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0067] If the adjusting unit 45 determines that the protein concentration does not deviate from the target protein concentration, the adjusting unit 45 ends the adjustment process. Then, the adjusting unit 45 resets the count value of the counting unit 43 and causes it to count up again from the initial value.

[0068] If the adjustment unit 45 determines that the protein concentration deviates from the target protein concentration, it proceeds with the adjustment process. Specifically, the adjustment unit 45 determines whether the protein concentration is an outlier. The protein concentration is the protein concentration value determined to deviate from the target protein concentration. The adjustment unit 45 determines whether the protein concentration is an outlier based on whether a signal indicating an outlier has been acquired together with the protein concentration.

[0069] If the adjusting unit 45 determines that the protein concentration is an outlier, it terminates the adjustment process. That is, if the protein concentration is an outlier, the adjusting unit 45 does not adjust the supply amounts of soybeans and grinding water. Then, the adjusting unit 45 resets the count value of the counting unit 43 and makes it count up again from the initial value.

[0070] If the adjusting unit 45 determines that the protein concentration is not an outlier, it proceeds with the adjustment process. In this way, if the protein concentration is outside the target protein concentration range and is not an outlier, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the supply amounts of soybeans and grinding water.

[0071] The adjusting unit 45 adjusts the bean ratio, which is the ratio of soybeans to grinding water supplied to the grinder 31, based on the protein concentration. The bean ratio is the ratio of the amount (weight) of soybeans supplied to the grinder 31 to the amount (weight) of grinding water supplied to the grinder 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the bean ratio and the protein concentration of soy milk. As shown in FIG. 4, there is a positive correlation between the bean ratio and the protein concentration. Therefore, the protein concentration of soy milk can be adjusted by adjusting the bean ratio.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 3 , the adjustment unit 45 adjusts the bean ratio so that the protein concentration of the soy milk approaches the target value. Specifically, the adjustment unit 45 adjusts the bean ratio so that the protein concentration falls within the target protein concentration range. The adjustment unit 45 resets the bean ratio, for example, by increasing or decreasing the bean ratio based on a preset adjustment range. For example, if the protein concentration is lower than the target protein concentration range, the bean ratio is increased, and if the protein concentration is higher than the target protein concentration range, the bean ratio is decreased. The bean ratio may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing a predetermined value so that the protein concentration approaches the target protein concentration range. The bean ratio may also be adjusted according to the difference between the protein concentration and the target protein concentration range so that the protein concentration falls within the target protein concentration range. The target for adjustment may be the target protein concentration range, or a target concentration set within the target protein concentration range (e.g., the center of the range) may be used as the target value.

[0073] It is preferable that the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the bean ratio within a bean ratio range set as the upper and lower limits of the bean ratio. When converted to a protein concentration range, the bean ratio range includes the target protein concentration range and is wider than the target protein concentration range. By setting the bean ratio range, excessive adjustment of the bean ratio is suppressed.

[0074] In this way, the adjusting unit 45 sets the bean ratio based on the measured protein concentration.

[0075] Then, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the amount of soybeans and the amount of grinding water to be supplied to the grinder 31 based on the newly set bean ratio.

[0076] Specifically, the adjustment unit 45 sets the supply amount based on the amount of raw soybean paste and the bean ratio. The amount of raw soybean paste is the amount of raw soybean paste circulated downstream in the processing line 14. For example, the amount of raw soybean paste is the amount (weight) of raw soybean paste supplied from the raw soybean paste hopper 32 to the cooker 33 per unit time (for example, one minute). The supply amount of raw soybean paste is adjusted to a preset set value. In other words, the raw soybean paste accumulated in the raw soybean paste hopper 32 is supplied to the cooker 33 at a supply amount corresponding to the set value. The set value is set based on, for example, the production amount of tofu (soy milk), etc.

[0077] The adjustment unit 45 sets the supply amounts of soybeans and grinding water so that the amount of raw soybeans supplied from the raw soybean hopper 32 to the cooker 33 (or the amount of raw soybeans produced in the grinder 31) is maintained at a preset value, and the bean ratio is the adjusted bean ratio. The adjustment unit 45 adjusts ... protein concentration of soymilk while suppressing an increase or decrease in the production amount of tofu (soymilk).

[0078] For example, if the set value for raw soybean volume is N, the adjusted bean ratio is p, the soybean supply amount is B, and the grinding water supply amount is W, then the relationship N = B + W can be set as equation (1) and p = B / W as equation (2). By solving equations (1) and (2) for B and W respectively, B = (N × p) / (P + 1) can be obtained as equation (3) and W = N / (P + 1) as equation (4). By using equations (3) and (4), it is possible to obtain the soybean supply amount and grinding water supply amount that satisfy the set value for raw soybean volume and correspond to the desired bean ratio.

[0079] The adjustment unit 45 converts the calculated supply amount of soybeans and the supply amount of grinding water into setting values for the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13, respectively. For example, the adjustment unit 45 calculates a setting value for the rotation speed of the soybean supplying device 12 corresponding to the supply amount of soybeans using preset table data or conversion formulas. The adjustment unit 45 also calculates a setting value for the opening degree of the grinding water supplying device 13 corresponding to the supply amount of grinding water using preset table data or conversion formulas.

[0080] The adjustment unit 45 outputs the adjusted setting values to each of the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13. The soybean supplying device 12 supplies soybeans at the adjusted setting value for the number of rotations, and an amount of soybeans corresponding to the set bean ratio is supplied to the grinder 31. The grinding water supplying device 13 supplies grinding water at the adjusted setting value for the opening, and an amount of grinding water corresponding to the set bean ratio is supplied to the grinder 31. In this way, the amount of soybeans and the amount of grinding water supplied to the grinder 31 are adjusted, and the protein concentration of the soy milk is adjusted.

[0081] The adjusting unit 45 outputs the adjusted set values to the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13, respectively, to adjust the supply, and also resets the count value of the counting unit 43 to count up again from the initial value. When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the adjusting process is executed again, and the feedback control is repeated.

[0082] <Processing flow> 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the feedback process according to this embodiment. Each process in the following steps is started, for example, when an instruction to start the soybean processing system 1 is issued. Note that the order and content of each of the following steps can be changed as appropriate.

[0083] (Step SP10) The counting section 43 resets the count value and starts counting up, and then the process proceeds to step SP11.

[0084] (Step SP11) The count determination unit 44 determines whether the count value has reached a predetermined value. If the count value has not reached the predetermined value, step SP11 is executed again. If the count value has reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step SP12. The predetermined value is, for example, longer than the interval at which the acquisition unit 41 acquires the protein concentration.

[0085] (Step SP12) The adjustment unit 45 determines whether the protein concentration value acquired from the detection device 15 is outside the target protein concentration range. If the protein concentration is within the target protein concentration range, step SP10 is executed again. In other words, if the protein concentration is normal, the adjustment unit 45 does not adjust the bean ratio. If the protein concentration is outside the target protein concentration range, the process proceeds to step SP13.

[0086] (Step SP13) The adjustment unit 45 determines whether the protein concentration obtained from the detection device 15 is an outlier. If the protein concentration is an outlier, step SP10 is executed again. If the protein concentration is not an outlier, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0087] (Step SP14) The adjusting unit 45 adjusts the soybean ratio. For example, it changes the soybean ratio so that the protein concentration of the soy milk falls within the target protein concentration range. Then, the process proceeds to step SP15.

[0088] (Step SP15) The adjusting section 45 sets the supply amounts of soybeans and grinding water based on the set value of the raw soybean amount and the adjusted bean ratio, and then proceeds to step SP16.

[0089] (Step SP16) The adjusting section 45 converts the set amounts of soybeans to be supplied and the amount of grinding water to be supplied into set values for the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13, respectively. Then, the process proceeds to step SP17.

[0090] (Step SP17) The adjustment unit 45 outputs the set values to the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13, respectively. As a result, the operating states of the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13 become states based on the set values. That is, the amount of soybeans supplied from the soybean supplying device 12 to the grinder 31 changes based on the set values, and the amount of grinding water supplied from the grinding water supplying device 13 to the grinder 31 changes based on the set values. Then, the process returns to step SP10 and is repeated.

[0091] As described above, feedback control based on protein concentration is repeatedly performed. Note that steps SP15 and SP16 may be combined to directly calculate the set values for the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13 from the set value for the raw soybean amount and the adjusted bean ratio.

[0092] <Action and effect> As described above, in this embodiment, the soybean processing system 1 comprises a soybean supplying device 12 that supplies soybeans, a grinding water supplying device 13 that supplies grinding water, a processing line 14 having a grinder 31 to which soybeans and grinding water are supplied and that processes the soybeans and grinding water to produce a target product (tofu), and a control device 16 that controls the soybean supplying device 12 and the grinding water supplying device 13. The control device 16 comprises an acquisition unit 41 that acquires the protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line 14 or a product that is an intermediate product (soy milk) of the target product in the processing line 14, and an adjustment unit 45 that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and grinding water based on the protein concentration.

[0093] According to this configuration, the protein concentration of the product in the processing line 14 is acquired and the amount of soybeans and / or grinding water supplied to the processing line 14 is adjusted, so the protein concentration can be adjusted to suit the soybeans used. For example, soybeans are a natural product and therefore vary widely, but feedback control makes it possible to stabilize the protein concentration of the product. In other words, the quality of the tofu and other products finally produced can be stabilized. Stabilizing quality reduces losses.

[0094] In addition, in the soybean processing system 1, the control device 16 further includes a counting unit 43 that counts the passage of time, and a count determination unit 44 that determines whether the count value by the counting unit 43 has reached a predetermined value, and the adjustment unit 45 adjusts the supply amount when the count determination unit 44 determines that the count value has reached the predetermined value.

[0095] According to this configuration, the interval between supply rate adjustments can be optimized using the count value, and unnecessary adjustments can be prevented.

[0096] In the soybean processing system 1, the predetermined value is set to a time equal to or longer than the processing time during which the soybeans and grinding water supplied to the grinder 31 are processed into a product.

[0097] According to this configuration, after the supply amount adjustment is performed, the next adjustment is performed after the soybeans and grinding water whose supply has been adjusted are processed into a product (soy milk), so the next adjustment can be performed while reflecting the results of the previous adjustment. For example, if an adjustment is performed before the predetermined value has elapsed, the results of the previous adjustment cannot be reflected and unnecessary adjustment processing may be performed.

[0098] In the soybean processing system 1, after the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the supply amount, the count value of the counting unit 43 is reset and the count value starts counting up from the initial value.

[0099] According to this configuration, it is possible to carry out the process of adjusting the supply amount at appropriate intervals.

[0100] In the soybean processing system 1, the counting unit 43 counts up while the soybeans are being ground in the grinder 31, and stops counting up while the grinding of the soybeans in the grinder 31 is stopped.

[0101] This configuration can prevent the adjustment process from being performed when the predetermined value is reached after time has passed even though the grinder 31 is stopped.

[0102] In addition, in the soybean processing system 1, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the bean ratio, which is the ratio of soybeans to grinding water, based on the protein concentration.

[0103] According to this configuration, by adjusting the bean ratio, it is possible to appropriately adjust the protein concentration of soy milk or the like.

[0104] In addition, in the soybean processing system 1, the adjustment section 45 adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and grinding water based on the amount of raw soybeans ground by the grinder 31 to be supplied downstream of the processing line 14 and the adjusted bean ratio.

[0105] According to this configuration, the amount of soybeans and grinding water to be supplied can be adjusted based on the bean ratio, taking into account the amount of raw soybeans.

[0106] In addition, in the soybean processing system 1, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the supply amount so that the protein concentration approaches a target value while maintaining the amount of raw soybeans at a preset value.

[0107] According to this configuration, the supply amount is adjusted while maintaining the set value of the raw soy amount. For example, it is possible to bring the protein concentration closer to the target value without changing the production amount.

[0108] The soybean processing system 1 further includes a detection device 15 that detects the protein concentration of the intermediate product ground by the grinder 31.

[0109] According to this configuration, it is possible to measure the protein concentration of the intermediate product such as soy milk and feed it back to the detection device 15.

[0110] In addition, in the soybean processing system 1, the detection device 15 detects the protein concentration of raw soybean soybean, soy milk, or boiled soybean soybean.

[0111] According to this configuration, the protein concentration can be easily measured by measuring soy milk with the detector 15. Note that the same process can be performed when the detector 15 measures the protein concentration of raw soy milk or boiled soy milk.

[0112] In the soybean processing system 1, the detection device 15 is an in-line near-infrared spectrometer.

[0113] According to this configuration, by using an in-line near-infrared spectrometer as the detector 15, it becomes possible to measure the protein concentration in real time.

[0114] Furthermore, in the soybean processing system 1, the adjusting unit 45 does not adjust the supply amount when the protein concentration is an outlier.

[0115] This configuration prevents the supply amount adjustment process from being performed based on an outlier protein concentration, i.e., prevents the process from being performed based on a protein concentration that may be inaccurate.

[0116] Furthermore, in the soybean processing system 1, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts the supply amount when the protein concentration is outside the target protein concentration range and is not an outlier.

[0117] According to this configuration, it is possible to perform the adjustment process at an appropriate timing when adjustment of the supply amount is necessary.

[0118] In addition, the processing line 14 of the soybean processing system 1 further includes a raw soybean hopper 32 to which raw soybean mashed in the grinder 31 is supplied, a cooker 33 to which raw soybean mash is supplied from the raw soybean hopper 32, a squeezer 34 to which boiled soybean mashed in the cooker 33 is supplied, and a soybean milk surge tank 35 to which soybean milk produced in the squeezer 34 is supplied.

[0119] According to this configuration, feedback control can be applied to the soybean processing system 1 provided with the raw soybean hopper 32, the cooker 33, the wringer 34, and the soymilk surge tank 35.

[0120] The control program also causes the computer that controls the soybean supplying device 12 that supplies soybeans to the grinder 31 of the processing line 14 that processes the soybeans and grinding water to produce a target product, and the grinding water supplying device 13 that supplies grinding water, to function as an acquisition unit 41 that acquires the protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line 14 or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line 14, and an adjustment unit 45 that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and grinding water based on the protein concentration.

[0121] According to this configuration, the production program that feeds back information on the protein concentration can stabilize the quality of the tofu or the like that is finally produced. The control program is executed by the control device 16.

[0122] The manufacturing method is a manufacturing method for manufacturing a target product by processing soybeans and grinding water supplied to grinder 31 of processing line 14, and includes a step of acquiring the protein concentration of the target product produced in processing line 14 or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in processing line 14, and a step of adjusting the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and grinding water based on the protein concentration.

[0123] According to this configuration, the production method in which information on protein concentration is fed back makes it possible to stabilize the quality of the tofu or the like that is finally produced.

[0124] === Variations === The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, designs obtained by appropriately modifying the above-described specific examples by a person skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent technically possible, and combinations of these can also be included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure.

[0125] For example, in the above embodiment, the case where tofu is produced as the target product by the processing line 14 is described as an example, but the target product is not limited to this. For example, the processing line 14 may produce soy milk as the target product.

[0126] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detector 15 is described as being installed between the soy milk surge tank 35 and the coagulator 36, but the installation location of the detector 15 is not limited. For example, the detector 15 may be configured to measure the protein concentration of soy milk separated by the extractor 34. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detector 15 is configured to measure the protein concentration of soy milk, but the object of protein concentration measurement is not limited to soy milk. For example, the detector 15 may be configured to measure the protein concentration of raw soy milk or boiled soy milk. That is, the detector 15 measures the protein concentration of a target product (target product) produced in the processing line 14 or an intermediate product (intermediate product) of the target product. For example, in the above embodiment, the target product is tofu and the intermediate product is soy milk, raw soy milk, or boiled soy milk. However, depending on the configuration of the processing line 14, the target product may be soy milk and the intermediate product may be raw soy milk or boiled soy milk. That is, the detector 15 may measure the protein concentration at any location in the processing line 14. The acquisition unit 41 of the control device 16 acquires the measurement results of the detection device 15 that is installed in advance on the processing line 14, and the measurement results are processed in the control device 16.

[0127] When the detection device 15 measures the protein concentration of, for example, raw soybean paste instead of soy milk, the target protein concentration (range) may be set according to the protein concentration of the measurement target. Also, when the detection device 15 measures the protein concentration of, for example, raw soybean paste instead of soy milk, the protein concentration of the raw soybean paste may be converted into the protein concentration of soy milk before processing.

[0128] In addition, in the above embodiment, the acquisition unit 41 acquires the protein concentration and the signal indicating the outlier, but if the signal indicating the outlier is acquired a predetermined number of times in succession or if the signal indicating the outlier is acquired a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, the display control unit 42 may issue a warning.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the case where soaked soybeans are supplied from the soaking tank 11 to the grinder 31 has been described as an example. However, the soybean processing system 1 may also use a non-soaking system in which unsoaked soybeans are supplied to the grinder 31.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the detection device 15 is an inline near-infrared spectrometer (NIR), but it can be applied to any device that measures the protein concentration at short intervals. The measurement interval is preferably shorter than the feedback interval.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the adjusting unit 45 adjusts both the amount of soybeans supplied and the amount of grinding water supplied by adjusting the bean ratio, but it may adjust only one of the amount of soybeans supplied or the amount of grinding water supplied. The adjusting unit 45 may also adjust the amount of soybeans supplied or the amount of grinding water supplied depending on the deviation state of the protein concentration from the target protein concentration (whether the protein concentration is lower or higher than the target protein concentration) without adjusting the bean ratio.

[0132] Furthermore, the method for adjusting the supply amount of soybeans and the supply amount of grinding water is not limited. For example, when adjusting the supply amount of soybeans, the adjustment unit 45 may adjust the set value (number of rotations) related to the supply amount so that the protein concentration approaches the target protein concentration by a preset fixed value. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 45 may adjust the set value (number of rotations) related to the supply amount depending on the degree of deviation so that the protein concentration falls within the target protein concentration (range). Furthermore, the adjustment unit 45 may adjust the set value within the adjustment range of the set value.

[0133] The grinding liquid is not limited to grinding water, and any liquid suitable for grinding can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1: Soybean processing system 12: Soybean feeding device 13: Grinding water supply device (liquid supply device) 14: Processing line 16: Control device 31: Grinder (grinding device) 41: Acquisition section 45: Adjustment section

Claims

1. a soybean supplying device that supplies soybeans; a liquid supply device for supplying a grinding liquid; a processing line including a grinding device to which the soybeans and the grinding liquid are supplied, the processing line processing the soybeans and the grinding liquid to produce a target product; a control device for controlling the soybean supplying device and the liquid supplying device; Equipped with The control device an acquisition unit that acquires a protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line; an adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the protein concentration; A soybean processing system comprising:

2. The control device a counting unit that counts the passage of time; a count determination unit that determines whether or not the count value by the count unit has reached a predetermined value; Further provided with the adjusting unit adjusts the supply amount when the count determining unit determines that the count value has reached the predetermined value. The soybean processing system of claim 1.

3. The predetermined value is set to a time equal to or longer than a processing time during which the soybeans and the grinding liquid supplied to the grinding device are processed into the product. The soybean processing system of claim 2.

4. After the adjustment of the supply amount by the adjustment unit, the count value of the counting unit is reset and counts up from an initial value. The soybean processing system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The counting unit counts up while the soybeans are being ground in the grinding device, and stops counting up while the grinding of the soybeans in the grinding device is stopped. The soybean processing system according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The adjusting unit adjusts the bean ratio, which is the ratio of the soybeans to the grinding liquid, based on the protein concentration. A soybean processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The adjusting unit adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the amount of raw soybeans ground by the grinding device to be supplied to the downstream side of the processing line and the adjusted bean ratio. The soybean processing system of claim 6.

8. The adjusting unit adjusts the supply amount so that the protein concentration approaches a target value while maintaining the amount of raw soybean paste at a preset value. The soybean processing system of claim 7.

9. a detection device for detecting the protein concentration of the intermediate product ground by the grinding device; Further comprising: The soybean processing system of claim 1.

10. The detection device detects the protein concentration of raw soybean paste, soy milk, or boiled soybean paste. The soybean processing system of claim 9.

11. The detection device is an in-line near-infrared spectrometer.

11. The soybean processing system according to claim 9 or 10.

12. the adjusting unit does not adjust the supply amount when the protein concentration is an outlier. A soybean processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. the adjusting unit adjusts the supply amount when the protein concentration is outside a target protein concentration range and is not an outlier. The soybean processing system of claim 12.

14. The processing line comprises: a raw soy hopper to which the raw soy ground by the grinding device is supplied; a cooking device to which the raw soy sauce is supplied from the raw soy sauce hopper; a squeezer to which the soy sauce cooked by the cooking device is supplied; a soy milk tank to which the soy milk produced by the soy milk extractor is supplied; Further comprising: A soybean processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

15. a computer that controls a soybean supplying device that supplies the soybeans and grinding liquid to a grinding device of a processing line that processes the soybeans and grinding liquid to produce a target product, and a liquid supplying device that supplies the grinding liquid; an acquisition unit that acquires a protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line; an adjusting unit that adjusts the supply amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid based on the protein concentration; A control program that functions as a

16. 1. A method for producing a target product by processing soybeans and grinding liquid supplied to a grinding device of a processing line, comprising: Obtaining a protein concentration of the target product produced in the processing line or a product that is an intermediate product of the target product in the processing line; adjusting the amount of at least one of the soybeans and the grinding liquid to be supplied based on the protein concentration; A manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

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