JP3563358B2 - Electric heating type solidification device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric heating type coagulation apparatus, and more particularly, to an electric current heating type coagulation apparatus which can be effectively used when producing tofu with a high yield using a coagulant. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, nutritious tofu obtained by solidifying soybean protein has been eaten by many people. Recently, tofu has been popular as a health food, and tofu is produced in large quantities by professional traders, packed in packs, and sold at low prices in supermarkets and the like.
[0003]
By the way, tofu is made by grinding soybeans soaked in water, boiling the resulting ground soybeans, and separating solid soybeans from “go” (also called soybean juice, go) from which soybean protein has been extracted. After cooling the obtained soymilk and mixing the obtained soymilk, a coagulant (usually used as an aqueous solution) such as bittern (magnesium chloride) is mixed to obtain a mixture of the bitumen and bittern, and this mixture is heated. It is made by coagulating soy protein. As a coagulant for soymilk, calcium sulfate and the like are used in addition to bittern.
[0004]
Conventionally, as this type of coagulation apparatus, the pair oriented position of the container made of an insulating material such as resin, which was constructed by placing the electrode plate of the pair of titanium plate and the like are known. Such an electric heating type coagulation apparatus was to inject liquid soymilk into the container and heat the coagulated soybean milk by energizing between the electrode plates to produce tofu.
[0005]
By the way, since the above-described energization-heating-type coagulation apparatus generally uses a high-voltage AC power supply of about 100 V or 200 V as a power supply, the energization current between the two electrode plates tends to be excessive. As a result, there is a problem that the quality of the coagulated material such as tofu tends to deteriorate.
[0006]
For this purpose, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-84903 can be referred to. The purpose of this technique is to provide an electrically heated coagulation apparatus capable of producing a high-quality coagulated product by heating a liquid raw material such as soy milk at an appropriate heating rate. And a pair of electrode plates arranged at opposing positions in the insulating container, and an AC power supply for supplying a voltage between the electrode plates, and filling the insulating container with a liquid material, By energizing between the electrode plates, in a current heating type coagulation device for heating and solidifying the liquid raw material, between the AC power supply and the electrode plate, a power suppressing means capable of suppressing and controlling the power of the AC power supply is provided, And a current value detecting means for detecting a current value flowing between the power suppressing means and the electrode plate. Each time the current value detected by the current value detecting means reaches a predetermined value, the power suppressing means The power reduction rate by It is provided with a control means for increasing.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of a liquid raw material such as soy milk, in view of the fact that when the temperature rises, the electric resistance decreases and the current value increases, the power is suppressed by the above-described power suppression means every time the current value reaches a predetermined value. Since the ratio is increased stepwise, during the current heating of the liquid material, every time the current flowing from the power suppression unit to the electrode plate reaches a predetermined value, the power suppression ratio by the power suppression unit is increased, Although overheating of the liquid raw material due to overcurrent is prevented and proper heating and solidification can be performed, there are structural problems as described below.
[0008]
That is, since the main part of the conventional electric-heating-type solidification apparatus including this apparatus is configured to have a form in which a pair of electrode plates are arranged at opposing positions of the insulative container, it is not included here. In this case, a cable for supplying power, a cable for transmitting a signal such as a result of detecting a temperature or a current value, and the like are connected. First, there is a problem that handling is troublesome.
[0009]
In addition, when preparing a large number of containers of the same size, or when preparing containers of various sizes, providing the above-described power supply means for each of the above-mentioned devices is not compatible with the frequency of use of the device. There was a serious problem in that wasting wasteful costs.
[0010]
Furthermore, even when these cables are configured to be detachable as appropriate, the bending and twisting of the cables and the above-mentioned connecting parts are repeatedly performed on the cables and the above-mentioned connecting parts with the movement of the apparatus including the connecting parts. However, there is a problem that cable fatigue occurs and the life of the device is shortened.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main problems are to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, to be easy to handle, to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, and to be applicable. And to provide an electric heating type solidification device having a large width.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically heated coagulation apparatus having a long life and a low maintenance cost.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an electric heating type solidification device according to the present invention includes an insulating container, a pair of electrode plates arranged at opposing positions in the insulating container, and a voltage applied between the electrode plates. An AC power supply for supplying an AC power supply, filling the insulative container with a liquid material, and applying an electric current between the electrode plates to heat and solidify the liquid material.
A pair of external connection guides connected to each of the pair of electrode plates is provided outside the bottom surface of the insulating container in which the pair of electrode plates are arranged,
The pair of external connection guide connected to the fitting respectively, comprises a container cradle with a pair of connecting rails respectively supply a supply current to the electrode plate of the pair from the AC power source,
The electrode plate and the external connection guide are connected through a bottom surface of the insulating container that is configured to be liquid-tight,
The connection rail is planarly connected to the external connection guide,
A connection surface of the connection rail with the external connection guide is made of a metal material having a small electric resistance,
A portion of the connection rail other than the connection surface is made of an insulating material, or the connection surface is protected by an insulating protection material .
[0013]
Here, the electrode plate and the external connection guide penetrate the bottom surface of the insulating container and are integrally formed by bending one plate material, or the insulating container It is preferable that the connection is made inside the constituent material .
Further, it is preferable that the external connection guide provided outside the bottom surface of the insulating container has a length equal to or less than the length of the connection rail provided on the container receiving base.
[0014]
Further, the connection between the external connection guide provided on the outer side of the bottom surface of the insulating container and the connection rail provided on the container receiving pedestal is ensured by the weight of the insulating container and the weight of its contents. It is preferable that it is performed. Moreover, it said insulating container having the external connection guide, wherein the container receiving table having a connection rail, it is preferable that is configured to be mounted and separated.
Further, the constituent material of the insulating container, the insulating material forming a portion other than the connection surface of the connection rail, and the constituent material of the insulating protection material for protecting the connection surface are insulating resin materials. Is preferred.
Further, the AC power supply is preferably a phase wave current power supply for applying a phase wave current to the pair of electrode plates, and the phase wave current power supply is preferably a constant current device.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electric heating type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which 10 is a liquid raw material M which is a mixed liquid of soy milk and a coagulant. An insulating container (hereinafter simply referred to as a container) for tofu production, and 20 denotes a container holder including a power supply device 22 described later. The container 10 is configured to be mountable / separable on connection rails 21a and 21b on the upper surface of a container holder 20, which will be described later, via its own connection guides 12a and 12b.
[0017]
The container 10 is made of a heat-resistant insulating resin as a whole, and has flat electrodes 11a and 11b having corrosion resistance on two opposing surfaces. These electrodes 11a and 11b are configured to be liquid-tight as a whole container by, for example, integrally molding when manufacturing the container 10, and the electrodes 11a and 11b are provided on the bottom surface of the container 10. Through the connection guides 12a and 12b, which are formed to have dimensions that fit into the connection rails 21a and 21b provided on the container holder 20 described later, and by bending one sheet material, for example. It is configured integrally.
[0018]
In many cases, a plurality of sizes of containers 10 are prepared in order to cope with fluctuations in the production amount. In this case, even if the overall size of the container 10 changes, it is provided on the bottom surface thereof. Although the connection guides 12a and 12b to be used vary only in length, they are fitted to the connection rails 21a and 21b provided on the container receiving stand 20, such as the spacing between the two and the cross-sectional shape. All dimensions required for are common.
[0019]
In order to heat the liquid raw material in the container 10, the container receiving table 20 is provided therein with the connection rails 21 a and 21 b and the connection guides 12 a and 12 b provided on the bottom surface of the container 10. A power supply 22 for applying a phase wave current to the electrodes 11a and 11b of the container 10 is provided. In addition to the power switch, operation buttons for setting a heating mode (temperature change curve pattern), time, and the like, and displaying a temperature of a representative portion are provided on the front (operation side) of the container receiving stand 20. There is provided an operation panel 23 on which are arranged.
[0020]
Note that the connection rails 21a and 21b of the container receiving stand 20 are easily contaminated by dropping of moisture adhering to the container 10 when the container 10 is placed or removed. The connection surfaces with 12a and 12b are made of metal having a small electric resistance, and the other parts are made of an insulating resin material or protected (see 24a and 24b). It is important to have a configuration that does not cause such accidents.
[0021]
As described above, the container 10 is an insulating container made of a synthetic resin for coagulating the liquid material M by heating to produce tofu. Here, the material of the container 10 may be any material as long as it has resistance to a temperature of 75 to 90 ° C. and is insulative, and examples thereof include Duracon (polyacetal resin, trade name of Polyplastics). Synthetic resins having an insulating property can be given, but not limited thereto. Although the container 10 in the illustrated example has a rectangular cross section, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have any shape.
[0022]
The electrodes 11a and 11b are used for causing a current to flow through the liquid raw material M in the container 10 to cause the liquid raw material M itself to generate heat, and are flat electrodes arranged along the inner wall surfaces on both sides of the container 10. . Here, when the electrodes 11a and 11b are energized, if the electrode plate is corroded by electricity, the produced tofu is prevented from being stained (for example, black spots) due to the electrode plate corrosion. It is necessary to use a material that does not corrode even when it is brought into contact with M and is energized, but any material of any material may be used as long as this condition is satisfied. For example, as the electrode material to be used, a titanium steel material, a titanium material and the like can be mentioned.
[0023]
Next, the power supply 22 is a phase wave current power supply for applying a phase wave current to the two electrodes 11a and 11b of the container 10. Here, when the soymilk is electrolyzed by the phase wave current applied to the electrodes 11a and 11b, the soybean protein does not coagulate, does not coagulate, and the tofu cannot be produced, so that no electrolysis occurs. It is necessary to apply a phase wave current under the conditions. Note that this condition can also be set by, for example, limiting the amount of current per unit area of the soymilk in contact with the electrodes 11a and 11b. For example, the condition is preferably set to 50 mA / cm ² or less. . When setting the upper limit of the current in this way, in order to prevent an excessive current due to a change in electric resistance due to heating, it is necessary to use a constant current device for the phase wave power supply so as to keep the current below the upper limit current. preferable.
[0024]
In the electric heating type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to the present embodiment configured as described above, a state in which a predetermined amount of the liquid raw material M is stored in the container 10 and the liquid raw material M is The connection guides 12a and 12b provided on the bottom of the container and the connection rails 21a and 21b on the upper surface of the container holder 20 are placed and set so as to be fitted together. Under the conditions (for example, the current value is kept below the upper limit current), the phase wave current is applied. Thus, after a predetermined time, the solidification of the liquid raw material M is completed, and the tofu is completed.
[0025]
That is, according to the electric heating type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to the present embodiment, the temperature can be increased uniformly and at a desired speed, so that the soybean protein in the soybean milk is tightly bound, and there is no "su" and elasticity. Can be produced.
The electric heating type coagulation apparatus for tofu according to the present embodiment can be widely applied to coagulation of liquid materials other than tofu by changing heating conditions.
[0026]
Further, as described above, in addition to simply controlling the current value to be kept below the upper limit current, for example, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-84903, May reach the predetermined value, control may be performed to suppress the supplied power, but it is possible to sufficiently complete coagulation simply by controlling the current value to be kept at or below the upper limit current. .
[0027]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection guides 12a and 12b provided on the bottom surface of the container 10 are simply provided with the connection rails 21a and 21a provided on the upper surface of the container receiving base 20. Although an example is shown in which it is configured to be fitted to 21b, there is no particular limitation on the combination shape of these rails, or the combination thereof, and various shapes and methods can be used.
[0028]
Further, in order to prevent inadvertent movement or dropping, an additional locking member is provided between the container 10 and the container receiving base 20, or a fitting shape that is difficult to move is provided. At times, it is also effective to provide a foolproof mechanism such that the energization is not started unless these are set correctly.
[0029]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the electrodes 11a and 11b of the container 10 and the connection guides 12a and 12b provided on the bottom surface are made of one piece of titanium steel material. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electrodes 11a and 11b and the connection guides 12a and 12b may be formed as separate members, and the two may be appropriately connected inside the insulating resin forming the container 10.
[0030]
Further, in the above description, an energization heating type coagulation device is used in the step for coagulating soymilk. In addition to this, instead of the conventional method of heating from the outside, the liquid in the container 10 is directly used. Any heating method may be used as long as it heats the raw material M. For example, an electromagnetic induction heating method, a high-frequency heating method, or the like can be applied.
[0031]
The above-described embodiment shows an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, various forms can be used for fitting and connecting the connection guides 12a and 12b provided on the container 10 and the connection rails 21a and 21b provided on the container support 20, and there is no particular limitation. Absent. Also, as for the material constituting each part, it is possible to suitably use a material that can be used for a normal heating device, except for points to be noted when handling food.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric heating type solidification apparatus that is easy to handle, has low manufacturing costs, and has a wide range of applications.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an energization-heating-type coagulation apparatus having a long service life and a low maintenance cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electric heating type solidification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Containers 11a, 11b Electrodes 12a, 12b Connection guide 20 Container holders 21a, 21b Connection rail 22 Power supply 23 Operation panels 24a, 24b Insulation protection material

Claims (8)

An insulating container, a pair of electrode plates arranged at opposing positions in the insulating container, and an AC power supply for supplying a voltage between the electrode plates, wherein the insulating container is filled with a liquid material. Then, by applying a current between the electrode plates, heating and solidifying the liquid raw material, an electric heating type solidification device for solidifying,
A pair of external connection guides connected to each of the pair of electrode plates is provided outside the bottom surface of the insulating container in which the pair of electrode plates are arranged,
The pair of external connection guide connected to the fitting respectively, comprises a container cradle with a pair of connecting rails respectively supply a supply current to the electrode plate of the pair from the AC power source,
The electrode plate and the external connection guide are connected through a bottom surface of the insulating container that is configured to be liquid-tight,
The connection rail is planarly connected to the external connection guide,
A connection surface of the connection rail with the external connection guide is made of a metal material having a small electric resistance,
A portion of the connection rail other than the connection surface is formed of an insulating material, or the connection surface is protected by an insulating protection material . The electrode plate and the external connection guide penetrate the bottom surface of the insulating container, and are integrally formed by bending a single plate material, or the inside of the constituent material of the insulating container. The electrically heated coagulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coagulation apparatus is connected by: The electric heating according to claim 1, wherein the external connection guide provided outside the bottom surface of the insulating container has a length equal to or less than a length of the connection rail provided on the container support. Solidification equipment. Wherein said guide for external connection is provided outside the bottom of the insulating container, the connection between the connecting rails provided on the container cradle is reliably by weight of its own weight and its content of the insulating container The electrically heated solidification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a device. The said insulating container which has the said guide for external connection, and the container cradle which has the said rail for connection are comprised so that mounting and separation are possible. Electric heating type solidification device. 2. The insulating resin material, wherein the constituent material of the insulating container, the insulating material forming a portion other than the connection surface of the connection rail, and the insulating protection material protecting the connection surface are an insulating resin material. 3. The electrically heated coagulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The energization heating type coagulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the AC power supply is a phase wave current power supply for applying a phase wave current to the pair of electrode plates. The energization heating type coagulation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the phase wave current power supply is a constant current apparatus.

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