JP3306490B2 - Garbage processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a weight-reduction system for decomposing garbage (kitchen) generated in general households and restaurants by microorganisms contained in a culture substrate introduced together with the garbage. It relates to a refuse disposal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, this type of garbage disposal apparatus includes a culture substrate such as sawdust for culturing microorganisms in a treatment tank,
By adding garbage and adding an appropriate amount of microorganisms such as aerobic microbial cell powder, intermittently and automatically mixing and mixing the garbage with the culture substrate and microorganisms,
Although it decomposes garbage, the temperature, humidity, and ventilation in the processing tank are generally important factors in obtaining a favorable processing result in this type of weight reduction type processing apparatus.

[0003] In particular, heating of culture substrates (including garbage),
When performing the stirring control, it is conventionally difficult to detect the humidity or the water content of the garbage in the processing tank. As a prior art example regarding the humidity detection and the humidity control, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-251146. Is known.

In this prior art example, a contact sensor is provided in the treatment tank, and the garbage flows in synchronization with the stirring operation of the stirring device in order to increase the accuracy of detecting the humidity or moisture content of the garbage by the contact sensor. The agitation current value is read, the average value is taken, and the garbage is dried when the humidity or moisture content of the garbage detected by the contact sensor exceeds a certain level. The torque output of the stirring device, the pump, and the heater are controlled in order to control the temperature within a certain range. Further, a temperature sensor is provided in the processing tank, and the temperature of the garbage is detected by the temperature sensor.

[0005]

However, in the case of the prior art example having the above-mentioned structure, a very advanced and difficult technique is required depending on the detection method of the contact sensor and the like, and if the humidity setting is not appropriate. In addition, there has been a problem that the capacity for decomposing garbage is reduced and the life of the culture substrate is shortened. In addition, it is known that the humidity control of garbage is greatly affected by the outside air temperature and the fermentation state in the treatment tank in addition to the control factors such as the stirring current value and the temperature of the garbage. If no factor is added, there is a problem that accurate control cannot be performed. Further, there is a problem in that the culture substrate is scattered or garbage adheres to the inside of the treatment tank, thereby causing deterioration of the contact sensor.

Further, in the above prior art example, when an abnormality is detected, water for automatically adjusting the water content is automatically replenished from the water tank to the treatment tank. And there is a problem that costs increase. Also, with the configuration that executes control in response to the occurrence of an abnormal situation, even when an accidental situation that does not require abnormal-time control occurs, the abnormal-time control will be executed, which is accurate and complete. There was a problem that a high degree of control could not be achieved.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a garbage disposal apparatus according to the present invention comprises a treatment tank containing a culture substrate, garbage and microbial powder; Before agitation or to detect humidity or moisture content
Humidity detecting means constituted by measuring means for measuring the exhaust humidity immediately after stirring, heating means for heating the culture substrate and garbage in the treatment tank, culture substrate and garbage in the treatment tank And a stirrer for mixing and stirring the garbage. The garbage disposal apparatus further comprises mixing and stirring the culture base material and kitchen garbage in the treatment tank and decomposing the garbage by microorganisms.
Time measuring means.
Measured ON time value of heating means and detected by humidity detecting means
The humidity of the culture substrate or the
It is provided with a humidity determination means for determining the appropriateness of the water content.

[0008] In the present invention, in addition to the above structure, the intake and exhaust
Temperature measurement means.
Intake / exhaust temperature value measured by heating or heating time measurement means
To correct the heating means ON time value measured by
It can be provided with a correction means.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the humidity of the culture substrate in the processing tank without requiring any advanced technology and with a configuration that can be inexpensive and small. Further, since the temperature and humidity are measured in the suction / exhaust section, the deterioration of the sensor can be suppressed as compared with the conventional measurement in the processing tank.

[0010]

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the garbage disposal apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a garbage processing apparatus according to the present embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the control system. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body constituting an outer shell,
A processing tank 3 having a heating unit 2 is provided in the apparatus main body 1. The heating unit 2 heats the inside of the processing tank 3, and includes a heat insulating wall 4 stretched around the processing tank 3 and a heater 5 with a temperature sensor.

An inlet 6 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1. The charging port 6 is largely open to the processing tank 3 and can be closed by an opening / closing lid (not shown). Numeral 7 denotes a stirring motor, which is installed at an intermediate height portion of the side wall of the processing tank 3. The stirring motor 7 and the processing tank 3
A stirring shaft 9 is horizontally installed between bearings 8 attached to the opposite wall of the agitator. 10 is a stirring shaft 9
It is a stirring blade attached to.

An exhaust unit 11 and an intake unit 12 are provided around the inlet 6 in the apparatus main body 1. The exhaust unit 11 includes an exhaust fan 13 and a first temperature sensor 1 for detecting an exhaust temperature.
4 and a first humidity sensor 15 for detecting exhaust humidity. On the other hand, the intake section 12 is also provided with a second temperature sensor 16 for detecting the intake air temperature and a second humidity sensor 17 for detecting the intake humidity.

The control section 18 shown in FIG. 2 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and comprises a heater 5, a stirring motor 7, an exhaust fan 13, a first temperature sensor 14,
Temperature sensor 16, display unit 19, operation unit 20, power supply unit 2
1, connected to the first humidity sensor 15, the second humidity sensor 17, and the like, and performs various controls by transmitting and receiving signals from these units. Among these, the display unit 19 displays an operating display, an abnormal display,
Alternatively, an alarm is generated, and specific examples thereof include an optical recognition unit such as an LED and a notification unit such as a buzzer and a sound. The operation unit 20 performs operations such as operation start and interruption, as well as setting of a stirring cycle and the like. The power supply unit 21 is the control unit 1
8 and so on.

FIG. 3 shows the exhaust humidity by the control unit 18 and
An example of a control flow based on the ON time of the heater 5 is shown. The outline of the operation control of the garbage processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to this figure. The processing tank 3 is pre-loaded with a culture substrate. Then, for example, every day, when the lid is opened, garbage (garbage) is put into the processing tank 3 from the input port 6, and the operation unit 20 is operated to start the operation from the standby mode in step S1 to switch to the operation mode. Power is supplied from the power supply unit 21, and the temperature in the treatment tank 3 and the stirring of the culture substrate and the garbage are automatically controlled by the command of the control unit 18.

That is, when it is determined in step S2 that the stirring time of the cycle set by the operation unit 20 has been reached, the exhaust gas temperature measurement in step S3 and the stirring operation in step S4 are executed. Specifically, the stirring motor 7 is started, the stirring shaft 9 is rotationally driven, the plurality of stirring blades 10 fixed to the stirring shaft 9 are rotated, and the culture substrate and the garbage in the treatment tank 3 are rotated. Are mixed by stirring, and the heater 5
By heating the inside of the processing tank 3 and stirring and heating the inside of the processing tank 3, the garbage is decomposed by the microorganism powder put into the processing tank 3.

The gas generated in the treatment tank 3 by the decomposition of the garbage, that is, water and carbon dioxide, is exhausted by the exhaust unit 11
Exhausted by the exhaust fan 13 to the outside of the processing apparatus,
Garbage is reduced over time. At this time, in step S3, the first temperature sensor 14 and the first humidity sensor 15
To measure the humidity and temperature of the exhaust gas.
In 2, outside air is sucked into the processing tank 3 through a route passing through the installation site of the second temperature sensor 16 and the second humidity sensor 17, and the humidity and temperature of the intake air are detected by these sensors 16 and 17, and the data is obtained. Input to the control unit.

Important factors in the process of decomposing garbage are the supply of oxygen to the garbage in the processing tank 3 and the culture substrate by the temperature, humidity, and agitation in the processing tank 3. If the humidity (moisture content) in the treatment tank 3 is higher than a predetermined value, decomposition by bacteria and the like is reduced, and the culture base material is solidified into a dumpling state, so that the torque of the stirring motor 7 increases during stirring. Inconvenience occurs. In addition, when the humidity is lower than a predetermined value, the decomposition rate is reduced due to, for example, the inhibition of bacterial growth. However, this humidity control is considered to be the most difficult.

FIG. 4 shows the exhaust humidity characteristics in this embodiment. As is apparent from this figure, the higher the humidity of the culture substrate, the higher the exhaust humidity, which is in a substantially constant proportion. That is, when the humidity or the water content of the culture substrate (including garbage) in the treatment tank 3 is high, the amount of water that evaporates due to heating and stirring increases, so that the humidity included in the exhaust gas necessarily increases.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, attention is paid to the relationship between the culture substrate and the exhaust humidity, and the humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate is measured and detected by the first humidity sensor 15 for measuring the exhaust humidity. . Specifically, the optimum range of the humidity value set based on the humidity characteristic unique to the present apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is set in advance in the storage area of the control unit 18 as data. Then, in step S5 in FIG. 3, the exhaust humidity is measured by the first humidity sensor 15 and compared with the optimum range data of the humidity value to determine whether the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 is appropriate.

FIG. 5 shows exhaust temperature characteristics derived from the relationship between the humidity of the culture substrate (including garbage) in the processing tank 3 and the ON time of the heater 5 in the present embodiment. As is clear from this figure, as the humidity in the processing tank 3 increases, heat is taken away by the latent heat of evaporation, and the ON time of the heater 5 becomes longer. Further, when fermentation decomposition is activated in the treatment tank 3, the temperature of the culture substrate increases and the exhaust temperature also increases, so that the heater ON time is shortened.

FIG. 6 shows the intake air temperature characteristic derived from the relationship between the intake air temperature and the ON time of the heater 5 in this embodiment. As is clear from this figure, the ON time of the heater 5 becomes longer as the humidity of the culture substrate (including garbage) in the processing tank 3 becomes higher due to the relationship between the latent heat of evaporation shown in FIG. Also, it can be seen that the lower the intake air temperature, the longer the intake air temperature.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the control unit 1
For example, a combination of a timer 22 set in the control unit 18 as a heating time measuring means for measuring the ON time of the heater 5 set to 8 and a first humidity sensor 15 as a humidity measuring means, and the humidity or water content of the culture substrate. The rate is detected. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the humidity or the water content of the culture substrate (including garbage) in the treatment tank 3 is high, the amount of evaporating water increases, so that the evaporation latent heat taken at the time of evaporation also increases. The temperature in the tank 3 tends to decrease.

Therefore, ON / OFF of the heater 5
Despite the fact that a large amount of latent heat of evaporation continues to be lost,
The ON time of the heater 5 is prolonged, and the energization time to the heater 5 is necessarily prolonged. In addition, when fermentation decomposition is actively performed, evaporation of water increases even at an appropriate temperature. This is because the fermentation decomposition causes an increase in water and an increase in temperature. However, since the temperature of the culture substrate rises due to the rise in fermentation temperature due to the fermentation decomposition, heating by the heater 5 is reduced, and the ON time of the heater 5 is shortened.

Owing to such characteristics, the O
N time was measured, and the measurement data and the first humidity sensor 1
By comparing the measured data with the data obtained by combining the humidity data obtained from No. 5 with the influence of the intake air humidity or the variation of the stirring, and the variation of the evaporation amount of water due to the difference of the fermentation decomposition state, the accuracy of the accuracy is improved. High humidity detection can be performed.

That is, even if the temperature detection exceeds the set upper limit, if the ON time of the heater 5 is within the set range, the humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate is determined to be appropriate. Specifically, the humidity characteristics specific to this apparatus and the O
The optimum ranges of both characteristics set based on the N characteristics are set in advance in the storage area 23 of the control unit 18 as data. Then, by comparing the setting data with the actually measured data, it is determined whether the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 is appropriate.

In this case, returning to step S5 in FIG.
The input of the humidity sensor 1 is monitored, and if it is out of the set range of the data in step S6, that is, if it is equal to or more than the set value or less than the set value, if it is equal to or less than the set value, the process proceeds to step S7 to prevent drying (not shown). Thus, while controlling the evaporation of moisture from the culture substrate in the treatment tank 3, an alarm for replenishing water is output to the display unit 19. In FIG. 3, the input of the humidity sensor 1 is monitored for each stirring, but the invention is not limited to this.

If the value is equal to or larger than the set value, step S8 is executed.
To check the ON time of the heater 5 and
If the N time is equal to or less than the set value, it is determined that there is humidity due to fermentation decomposition, and it is determined that there is no abnormality. If not less than the set value, step S
The process proceeds to step 9, where it is determined that the humidity is excessive, and the moisture in the processing tank 3 is evaporated and exhausted by the rapid drying means (not shown), and an excessive humidity alarm is output to the display unit 19.

The alarm may be generated by any of the above-described optical recognition means and sound generation means such as a buzzer.
In the case where an alarm is issued from the display unit 19, the heater 5 is turned off by the alarm to prevent drying, or the power supply of the heater 5 can be increased to perform rapid drying. There is no need to provide a separate rapid drying means. In other words, drying prevention means and alarms,
Alternatively, the quick drying means and the alarm may be provided with either one.

FIG. 7 shows the exhaust humidity characteristic, the intake humidity characteristic, and the culture substrate humidity characteristic over time in the humidity in this embodiment. Since the exhaust humidity is a mixed value of the humidity from the culture substrate and the intake humidity, the approximate value of the humidity of the culture substrate can be obtained by calculation using the exhaust humidity and the intake humidity as factors.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the exhaust humidity is high or the moisture content of the culture substrate (including garbage) in the treatment tank 3 is high, the amount of water evaporating increases. Also, even if the intake humidity increases, the exhaust humidity also increases. Since there is a substantially constant relationship between the exhaust humidity, the intake air humidity, and the culture substrate humidity, the humidity of the culture substrate can be detected by detecting the exhaust humidity and the intake air humidity.

More specifically, the culture substrate humidity in the optimum range set based on the humidity characteristics unique to the present apparatus is set in advance in the storage area 23 of the control unit 18 as data. Then, by comparing the set data with the data actually measured by the first and second humidity sensors 15 and 17 as the intake and exhaust humidity detecting means, it is determined whether the humidity or the water content of the culture substrate is appropriate.

FIG. 8 shows the exhaust humidity characteristics over time in the humidity in this embodiment. As shown in this figure,
Immediately after stirring, the exhaust humidity rises rapidly, and the humidity decreases over time. In addition, the maximum humidity at this time is much higher than the intake humidity, and thus is hardly affected by the intake humidity.

Therefore, paying attention to the humidity characteristics shown in FIG. 8, specifically, the culture substrate humidity or the moisture content in the optimum range set based on the exhaust humidity characteristics specific to the present apparatus is stored in the storage area 23 of the control unit 18. Is set in advance as data. And
The appropriateness of the humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate is determined by comparing the set data with data actually measured by the first humidity sensor 15 as the stirring humidity measuring means.

In the above configuration, when fermentation decomposition is activated in the treatment tank 3, the temperature of the culture substrate rises, and the exhaust temperature also rises. When the temperature due to the fermentation decomposition rises, the ON time of the heater 5 is shortened, and the evaporation from the culture substrate becomes active. Therefore, the exhaust temperature is detected, and the humidity and the ON characteristics of the heater 5 inherent in the present apparatus are determined in advance. By comparing with the above, it is possible to correct the detected value of the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3. Note that the exhaust gas temperature may be corrected not only by the temperature at each time, but also by an average value over a certain period of time.

In this case, when the intake air temperature rises, the temperature decrease in the processing tank 3 due to the intake air decreases, the heat radiation from the heater 5 and the processing tank 3 decreases, and the ON time of the heater 5 tends to decrease. Occurs. Further, since the function of accelerating the evaporation from the culture substrate surface becomes strong, the temperature of the air in the processing tank 3 is detected by detecting the intake air temperature and comparing it with the humidity specific to the apparatus and the ON characteristics of the heater 5 in advance. The detection value of the moisture content can be corrected. In addition,
The intake air temperature may be corrected not only by the temperature at the time, but also by an average value over a certain period of time.

When the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 detected by the above-mentioned humidity detecting means becomes equal to or less than a preset set value, an alarm is emitted by blinking an LED of the display unit 19 or a buzzer. By informing the user that the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 has decreased, it is possible to prompt the user to supply water into the processing tank 3. By doing so, the fermentation decomposition in the treatment tank 3 can be performed optimally, and thereby the function of the treatment device can be sufficiently exhibited.

Further, under the control of the control unit 18, the amount of exhaust of the exhaust fan 13 is reduced and the number of rotations of the agitating motor 7 is reduced to reduce the number of times of agitation by the agitating blades 10, or shorten the agitation time. Further, the heater 5
By setting the set temperature at a lower temperature, the divergence of water is reduced, and the water generated by the fermentation decomposition of garbage is taken into the culture substrate. By doing so, drying of the culture substrate is prevented, and control is performed so that the humidity or the water content is kept optimal, whereby the function of the processing apparatus can be fully exhibited.

Next, when the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 detected by the above-mentioned humidity detecting means becomes equal to or less than a preset set value and the state continues for a set time, an alarm is issued. To control the execution of the drying prevention process. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to a transient. The subsequent processing is the same as the above control process.

When the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 detected by the humidity detecting means becomes equal to or higher than a preset value, an alarm by blinking an LED of the display unit 19 or a buzzer or the like. To notify the user that the humidity or moisture content in the processing tank 3 has increased. This makes it possible to optimize the fermentation and decomposition of the treatment tank 3 with the refuse of raw garbage kept in mind, and as a result, the function of the treatment device can be fully exhibited.

In performing the quick drying control by the control unit 18, the amount of exhaust of the exhaust fan 13 is increased, the number of rotations of the agitating motor 7 is increased to increase the number of agitation by the agitating blade 10, or the agitation time is increased. Prolong. Alternatively, the set temperature of the heater 5 is set to a higher temperature, and the divergence of water is increased to evaporate more water from the culture substrate, so that the humidity or the water content of the culture substrate is kept optimal. Thereby, the function of the processing device can be sufficiently exhibited.

When the humidity or the water content in the processing tank 3 detected by the humidity detecting means becomes equal to or higher than a preset set value and the state continues for a set time, an alarm is issued and rapid drying control is performed. Is carried out. In this case, there is an effect of preventing a malfunction due to a transient. Subsequent processing is the same as the above control process.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to detect the temperature or the water content of the culture substrate in the treatment tank, the exhaust humidity before or immediately after the stirring is measured.
In addition to having measurement means for measuring
A step is provided, and the heating time measured by the heating time measuring means is provided.
ON time value of heating means and humidity value detected by humidity detecting means
Optimum humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate
It is equipped with a humidity judgment means for judging the
The humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate is determined by the optimal operating conditions of the device.
Can be easily maintained. Therefore, efficient decomposition can be achieved, the amount of garbage can be reduced, and the life of the culture substrate can be prolonged.

Further, the above-mentioned measuring means exhausts gas at the exhaust section.
Since the detection is performed, the sensor can be
Adverse effects are reduced.

According to the second aspect, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, an intake / exhaust temperature measuring means is provided.
The intake and exhaust temperature values measured by the air temperature measurement means or
Means heating means measured by heating time measuring means
It shall be provided with humidity correction means for correcting the time value.
Therefore, the optimal operation of the equipment is based on the humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate.
It is easy to maintain the conditions. Therefore, the efficiency
Good degradation is possible, reducing garbage and length of culture substrate
It is possible to extend the service life and to manufacture it with a simple configuration at low cost.
Wear.

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a garbage processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing exhaust humidity characteristics.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing humidity, ON time of a heater, and exhaust temperature characteristics.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing intake air temperature and ON characteristics of a heater;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing exhaust, intake, and culture substrate humidity characteristics.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing humidity characteristics immediately after stirring.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Heating part 3 Processing tank 4 Heat insulation wall 5 Heater 6 Input port 7 Stirrer motor 8 Bearing 9 Stirrer shaft 10 Stirrer blade 11 Exhaust part 12
Intake unit 13 Exhaust fan 14 First temperature sensor 15
1st humidity sensor 16 2nd temperature sensor 17 2nd humidity sensor 18
Control unit 19 Display unit 20 Operation unit 21
Power supply unit 22 Timer 23 Storage area

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A treatment tank for containing a culture substrate, kitchen waste and microorganism powder, and detecting the humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate .
To measure the exhaust humidity before or immediately after stirring
Humidity detecting means constituted by measuring means, a heating means for heating the culture substrate and the garbage in the treatment tank, and a stirring means for mixing and stirring the culture substrate and the garbage in the treatment tank,
In the garbage disposal apparatus for mixing and stirring the culture substrate and kitchen garbage in the treatment tank and decomposing by microorganisms, the garbage disposal apparatus further includes a heating time measuring means,
O of the heating means measured by the heating time measuring means
Combination of N time value and humidity value detected by humidity detection means
To determine the appropriate humidity or moisture content of the culture substrate
A garbage disposal apparatus comprising: 2. An intake / exhaust temperature measuring means is provided.
Exhaust / exhaust temperature values measured by exhaust temperature measuring means
Or, the heating means O measured by the heating time measuring means
And a humidity correction means for correcting the N time value.
The garbage disposal apparatus according to 1.