JPH0553485U - Temperature control device for the tea leaf burner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Automatically judge the introduction of tea leaves without relying on the intuition of skilled workers, and always provide a stable firing temperature to the tea leaves, improving quality and improving yield. To do so. [Arrangement] An atmosphere temperature sensor 10, an article temperature sensor 12 for detecting the article temperature of tea leaves in the vicinity of the outlet of the firing channel, and a processed object detection sensor 14 for detecting the introduction state of the processed tea leaves are provided. The preheating control is performed based on the output of the above, and this preheating completion state is notified. In addition, when the processed material detection sensor 14 detects the introduction, the output control of the heat source is controlled from the ambient temperature sensor 10 to the product temperature sensor 12 when the earliest tea leaves are conveyed by a predetermined distance in the burning path thereafter. Switch to. The same switching is performed at the end of charging. This ensures that the tea leaves always have a stable burning temperature.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial application]

 The present invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature of a tea-burning machine that adds an incense in the final process of a tea manufacturing process.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, there is a burning process that uses a burning machine as the final process in the production of tea, and this burning process is an important process that has the greatest influence on the quality of tea such as aroma, color, taste, and light blue. It is performed by skilled fire technicians. In the firing process using this fire machine, the sugar and amino acids are heated to generate aroma components such as pyrazines, furan compounds, and aldehydes, and the aim is to produce a fragrant aroma. In this case, since the heating condition, that is, the temperature and time of the tea given to the tea leaves are subtly affected, it is important to stabilize this heating condition.

As a tea leaf burning machine for performing such a burning process, an air-drying system of a shelf type drying using a caterpillar, etc., which includes a drying process, and rotating this drum while heating the outside of the drum with open flame There is a method of drying and burning the tea leaves, or a method of using a far-infrared heater to directly irradiate the tea leaves with far-infrared rays and conveying the tea leaves with a drum, a vibration type conveyor, a caterpillar, or the like. In these burning machines, for example, tea leaves that have been dried to have a water content of about 8% to 12,13% are introduced, and heating heat is applied at a predetermined temperature by a heat source while transporting the tea leaves. There is.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional tea leaf burning machine, the temperature of the burning heat given to the tea leaves is set, for example, by detecting the atmospheric temperature in the burning machine and controlling the output of the heat source of the burning machine by the ambient temperature. That is, in the case of the rotary drum system, for example, the transfer of tea leaves during firing is performed by rotating the drum to agitate the tea leaves in order to equalize the temperature applied to the tea leaves, and the tea leaves are constantly agitated. Because it is difficult to measure the temperature of the tea leaves themselves, the temperature given to the tea leaves is controlled by detecting the temperature of the atmosphere in the fire machine.

However, in the temperature control based on the detection of the atmospheric temperature in the burning machine as described above, the relationship between the atmospheric temperature and the temperature of the tea leaves (article temperature) depends on the treatment time of the burning, the initial moisture content of the tea leaves, It depends on the part of the tea to be treated [leaves, sticks (stems), sprout, skips, etc.] and the degree of steaming, and it is difficult to obtain a correlation between the two. There was a problem that I had to rely on. Under such circumstances, the conventional method has been devised to detect the direct temperature (product temperature) of the tea leaves and control the output of the heat source based on the detected product temperature value. Efficient firing is a function of temperature.

However, there is a problem that sufficient ignition cannot be performed even by the method of controlling the temperature of the heat source using only the above-mentioned temperature sensor. That is, FIG. 5 shows a temperature change curve when the temperature control is performed by detecting the direct product temperature of the tea leaves, which is detected by the product temperature sensor provided near the outlet of the firing channel. It is controlled based on the detected value. In the figure, Fig. (A) shows the case where the firing process is started without performing sufficient preheating, and as shown in the illustrated iron plate temperature curve 100 and atmosphere temperature curve 200, the treatment of the tea leaves is started and Between the entrance and the exit, the temperature of the iron plate is rapidly robbed by the tea leaves. Therefore, when the temperature of the tea leaves reaches the outlet, even if the ambient temperature is increased by the product temperature sensor as shown by the curve 200, the actual product temperature of the tea leaves is as shown by the product temperature curve 300. The temperature will be below the set temperature E, and the incense will be insufficient.

Further, FIG. 6B shows the case where the preheating is excessively performed and the start of the firing process is delayed, and in this case, the iron plate temperature curve 101 and the atmosphere temperature curve 201 are significantly increased, and The product temperature of the tea leaves also largely exceeds the set product temperature E as shown by the curve 301, and the incense is overshooting. As a result, even very expensive tea becomes roasted tea, losing its commercial value and causing significant damage.

[0008] Further, Fig. (C) shows a case in which a skilled skilled person in the process of firing makes appropriate preheating judgments and starts the treatment without losing the timing of introducing the tea leaves. At this stage, the iron plate temperature curve 102 and the atmosphere temperature curve 202 of the fire igniter fall relatively steeply. This is because even when an iron plate with a large heat capacity is used, the way heat is taken is greatly different between when there is no tea and when it is added. Therefore, as shown in the product temperature curve 302, the actual product temperature initially matches the set product temperature E, and good ignition is performed, but it gradually decreases. At this time, the temperature rise control of the heat source is performed based on the output of the product temperature sensor, but the iron plate temperature does not rise rapidly, and the incense is given by low heat for a predetermined period. Therefore, in this case as well, there is a problem in that variations in the burning of incense occur and it is not possible to obtain stable quality tea leaves by conventional temperature control using only the product temperature sensor.

On the other hand, when burning, especially in the case of a direct-fire drum type, a thick iron plate with a large heat capacity is used to prevent uneven burning, which allows tea leaves to be heated under stable temperature conditions. It has been devised to set the fire.

However, in this case, since the thickness of the iron plate is increased, it takes a long time to preheat the iron plate before starting the burning operation. Also, since the heat capacity increases, the stability of the product temperature seen in a short time is improved, but once the temperature is raised too much, it takes time to reach the optimum temperature, and the firing temperature becomes excessive. There is a problem that adjustment and control becomes difficult, such as a large amount of tea becoming defective. In other words, the preheating time differs depending on the outside air temperature and the output of the heat source for burning, and it is difficult to determine the timing of when to add tea leaves, which is a major problem in the case of thick iron plates. However, even in the case of a thin iron plate, the same problem occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to automatically judge the introduction of tea leaves without relying on the intuition of a skilled technician, and to maintain a stable firing temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature control device for a tea leaf burner, which can be applied to tea leaves to improve the quality and yield.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 introduces tea leaves that have been dried, and, while conveying a predetermined burning path, burns the tea leaves with a heat source. An atmosphere temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature of the burning channel, an article temperature sensor that is placed near the outlet of the burning channel, a temperature sensor that detects the quality temperature of the tea leaves, and an inlet of the burning channel that burns the treated tea leaves. A processed product detection sensor that detects the state of loading into the passage is provided, and preheating control is performed based on the output of the ambient temperature sensor. The output control is performed by switching from the ambient temperature sensor to the product temperature sensor.

The above-mentioned feeding state is, for example, when the start of feeding tea leaves is detected or when the end of feeding is detected. At the beginning of feeding, when the earliest tea leaves are conveyed a predetermined distance through the burning path. In addition, the output control of the heat source is switched from the ambient temperature sensor to the product temperature sensor, and at the end of the feeding, the product temperature sensor is switched to the ambient temperature sensor when the last tea leaf is conveyed to a predetermined place in the burning path. Can be

The invention according to a second aspect is characterized in that preheating completion notifying means for notifying that the preheating control is completed based on the output of the atmosphere temperature sensor is provided.

[0015]

[Action]

 According to the above configuration, first, the preheating control is performed based on the ambient temperature sensor, and when the ambient temperature reaches the set temperature, for example, the indicator lamp notifies the preheating completion state. After the notification of the completion of the preheating, when the operator inputs the tea leaves automatically or automatically, the processed object detection sensor detects the introduction of the tea leaves. In the case of the rotary drum type, the temperature control of the heat source based on the output of the article temperature sensor is started after the drum rotates a predetermined amount. Therefore, the temperature control based on the product temperature sensor is started before the tea leaves reach the vicinity of the outlet.

Then, at this point, the product temperature sensor cannot detect the direct temperature of the tea leaves, so the ambient temperature is detected. However, since the normal ambient temperature is equal to the normal temperature, the tea leaves are detected by the product temperature sensor. Before reaching, the temperature rise of the heat source will be started so as to match the set temperature of the product temperature. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the iron plate from lowering due to the introduction of tea leaves into the burning channel. In this way, a constant burning temperature is given to the tea leaves, so that stable incense is achieved. The same temperature control as described above can be performed by detecting the end of charging and calculating that the last tea leaf has reached a predetermined position and switching from the product temperature sensor to the ambient temperature sensor.

[0017]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a temperature control device for a fire incinerator according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a drum which is the fire incinerator of FIG. In the embodiment, a rotary drum type firing machine using a far infrared heater is used as a heat source. As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 2 having a hexagonal cross section is formed in the drum 1. The partition plate 3 forms a spiral firing (conveyance) path on the wall surface of the hexagonal through hole 2. In this embodiment, the drum 1 has a length of about 3 m and a diameter of about 80 cmφ, and a plurality of far-infrared heaters 4 are arranged in the hexagonal through holes 2 slightly near the wall surface. There is. Therefore, when the drum 1 is rotated, the tea leaves 6 are sequentially conveyed through the spiral firing path formed by the partition plate 3, and at this time, the far infrared rays emitted by the far infrared heater 4 are transmitted. Incineration of the tea leaves 6 is performed by infrared rays.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum 1 is connected to a motor 7 by a chain 8 or the like, and the motor 7 drives the drum 1 to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed. An atmosphere temperature sensor 10 for detecting the atmosphere temperature in the drum 1 is provided at a position separated from the far-infrared heater 4 in the center of the drum 1 by a predetermined distance, and in the vicinity of the outlet of the firing path of the drum 1. An article temperature sensor 12 for directly detecting the temperature of the tea leaves 6 flowing from the drum 1 is attached. Furthermore, a processed material detection sensor 14 is provided at the tea leaf introduction port 13 near the entrance of the fire passage of the drum 1. The processed material detection sensor 14 indicates that the tea leaves 6 have been introduced and that the tea leaves 6 have passed through. Etc. can be detected.

The far-infrared heater 4, the motor 7, the atmosphere temperature sensor 10, the product temperature sensor 12 and the processed object detection sensor 14 are connected to the control unit 15, and the control unit 15 rotates the drum 1. In addition to being controlled, the temperature control of the far infrared heater 4 based on the sensors 10, 12, 14 is performed. That is, the processed material detection sensor 14 detects the start of the introduction of the tea leaves 6, and the control unit 15 determines the time when the frontmost portion of the tea leaves 6 reaches a predetermined position in the burning path based on this detection information. The output control of the far infrared heater 4 by the atmosphere temperature sensor 10 is switched to the output control by the article temperature sensor 12.

Further, a preheating completion notifying means 16 including a display lamp and the like is connected to the control unit 15, and the preheating completion notifying means 16 causes the ambient temperature in the drum 1 in the preheating to be a predetermined value (set value). It is notified that it has become.

The embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a temperature control state at the start of the firing process. First, when the firing machine is operated, the control unit 15 starts energizing the far infrared heater 4 to perform preheating, At the same time, the output of the ambient temperature sensor 10 is input to the control unit 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the ambient temperature sensor 10 detects that the set value F of preheating (for example, about 120 ° C. to 180 ° C.) is detected, the energization of the far infrared heater 4 is stopped or suppressed. At the same time, the display lamp of the preheating completion notifying means 16 notifies the preheating completion state.

Then, when the operator pushes the tea leaf input button (the tea leaf can be automatically fed), the tea leaf 6 having a water content of about 8% to 12% after the drying process is introduced into the tea leaf. It is put into the drum 1 through the mouth 13. At this time, the processed material detection sensor 14 detects the actual feeding state of the tea leaf 6, and a detection signal of feeding the tea leaf is sent to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 determines how many rotations the drum 1 has made after receiving the tea leaf introduction information. When a predetermined rotation is detected, the ambient temperature sensor 10 controls the output of the far-infrared heater 4 and the article temperature sensor 12 Switch to the far infrared heater 4 output control by. In the embodiment, the rotation of the drum 1 is switched to the output control by the product temperature sensor 12 when the tea leaves 6 reach a relatively short distance (the place from the introduction port 13) of the firing path formed in the drum 1. ing.

However, at this point, the tea leaves 6 have not reached the vicinity of the outlet where the product temperature sensor 12 is provided, and the temperature detected by the product temperature sensor 12 is the ambient temperature as shown in FIG. Is almost the same as. Therefore, the control unit 15 controls the output of the far-infrared heater 4 so that the detected temperature of the product temperature sensor 12 becomes the set product temperature E (for example, 100 ° C to 120 ° C). Temperature curve 203 and drum (iron plate) As shown by the temperature curve 103, the ambient temperature and the drum temperature gradually increase. In this case, the tea leaves 6 in the drum 1 are not distributed over the entire firing path in the drum 1, and the tea leaves 6 are sequentially fed while being stirred in the firing path, and the amount thereof gradually increases. is there. Therefore, the increase in the output of the far infrared heater 4 is set to such an amount that the firing temperature is not lowered by the tea leaves 6 increasing in the drum 1.

When the tea leaves 6 reach the outlet of the drum 1, the product temperature sensor 12 detects the product temperature of the tea leaves 6 itself, and as shown in FIG. The output of the far-infrared heater 4 is controlled so that the detected temperature of 1 matches the set temperature E. At this time, the actual product temperature also becomes equal to the set temperature E as shown by the product temperature curve 303 in FIG. 3, and the product temperature decreases as shown in the product temperature curve 302 in FIG. 5C. Will not occur. That is, in the embodiment, the output of the far-infrared heater 4 is controlled by the product temperature sensor 12 before the tea leaves 6 first introduced into the drum 1 reach the outlet, so that the tea leaves increasing into the drum 1 6, the temperature of the drum 1 rises, and even if the tea leaves 6 are evenly placed in the entire firing channel, the temperature of the drum 1 is prevented from temporarily lowering.

FIG. 4 shows a control state at the end of the firing process, and in the embodiment, switching control between the ambient temperature sensor 10 and the article temperature sensor 12 is also performed at the end. That is, at the end of charging, the processed material detection sensor 14 detects that the tea leaves 6 are no longer charged, and based on this detection information, the control section 15 causes the control unit 15 to rotate the drum 1 after a predetermined rotation or after a predetermined time has elapsed. The output control of the far infrared heater 4 by the sensor 12 is switched to the output control by the atmosphere temperature sensor 10. Then, the output is controlled (atmosphere temperature curve 203) so that the detected atmosphere temperature matches the set value F, and the temperature of the drum 1 itself gradually decreases. Therefore, even if the amount of the tea leaves 6 passing through the firing path in the drum 1 gradually decreases, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the firing given to the tea leaves 6 itself from rising, and it is possible to properly fire the tea at the end. It is possible to obtain the tea leaf 6 with the scent.

In the above-described embodiment, the switching timing of the atmosphere temperature sensor 10 and the product temperature sensor 12 by the output control of the far infrared heater 4 is such that the tea leaves 6 into the drum 1 at the start or end of the tea leaves 6 are charged. Increase or decrease, the time when the tea leaves 6 pass through the burning path in the drum 1, and the size and thickness (heat capacity) of the iron plate (drum) of the drum 1 and the output state of the far infrared heater 4 determine that In addition, it is preferable to consider the amount of the tea leaf 6 itself added per unit time. Although the switching timing differs depending on each of the above conditions, the rising line of the ambient temperature after switching to the output control by the product temperature sensor 12 and the tea leaves 6 having a low product temperature flow to take heat. This is a timing that offsets the falling line.

Further, in the above embodiment, when preheating control is performed, the completion of preheating is informed, and the introduction of tea leaves is started based on this notification. However, when preheating is completed, the notification is given and Alternatively, the operation can be automated by automatically starting the introduction of the tea leaves 6 without giving a notification.

[0028]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the ambient temperature sensor, the product temperature sensor, and the processed object detection sensor are provided, and the preheating control is performed based on the output of the ambient temperature sensor. Since it is provided, it is possible to notify the operator of the time of introducing the tea leaves, and there is an advantage that a technician does not need to judge the time of introducing the tea leaves.

Further, since the output control of the heat source is switched from the ambient temperature sensor to the product temperature sensor according to the state of the tea leaves detected by the processed substance detection sensor, it is possible to start or start the tea supply. It is possible to stabilize the firing temperature at the end of the process, which makes it possible to favorably add incense and the like, significantly improve the quality of tea, and improve the yield. As a result, it is possible to realize a highly economical tea leaf burning process without the need to train skilled workers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a temperature control device of a tea leaf burning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a drum type tea leaf burning machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a temperature control state at the start of feeding tea leaves in the example.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temperature control state at the end of adding tea leaves in the example.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a graph showing a temperature control state in a conventional ignition machine. Fig. 5 (a) is a diagram when the process starts early, Fig. 5 (b) is a diagram when the process starts late, and Fig. 5 (c) is a diagram. It is a figure when a process start is favorable.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Drum, 4 ... Far-infrared heater, 6 ... Tea leaves, 10 ... Atmosphere temperature sensor, 12 ... Product temperature sensor, 14 ... Processed object detection sensor, 15 ... Control part, 16 ... Preheating completion notification means.

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An atmosphere temperature sensor for detecting the atmospheric temperature of the burning path in a tea burning machine, which introduces the dried tea leaves and conveys them through a predetermined burning path while burning the tea leaves with a heat source. Arranged near the outlet of the fire path, a product temperature sensor for detecting the quality temperature of the tea leaves, and a processed object detection sensor disposed near the entrance of the fire path, for detecting the state of input of the treated tea leaves into the fire path, Is provided, and preheat control is performed based on the output of the ambient temperature sensor, and the output control of the heat source is switched from the ambient temperature sensor to the product temperature sensor depending on the feeding state of the tea leaves detected by the processed product detection sensor. A temperature control device for a tea leaf incinerator characterized by the above. 2. The temperature control device for a tea burning machine according to claim 1, further comprising preheating completion notifying means for notifying completion of preheating control based on an output of the atmosphere temperature sensor.