JPS6030944Y2 - tofu manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field This invention relates to a fully automated tofu manufacturing device, and particularly applies a stirring action to the soymilk in a container during boiling of the soymilk obtained in the separation process and during solidification and molding. This invention relates to a tofu manufacturing apparatus that can reliably and easily prevent burning, boiling over from a container, or the generation of bubbles and "yuba".

Background Art In general, tofu production involves a first step of soaking soybeans in water, a second step of crushing the soaked soybeans, a third step of boiling the crushed soybeans, and a mixture of boiled soybeans and soymilk. This is accomplished by sequentially performing a fourth step of separating the soybean bodies, a fifth step of coagulating the separated soymilk, and a sixth step of molding it.

Conventionally, it has been known to automate only one of these steps or a part of them, such as the crushing and separation steps.

However, a fully automated tofu manufacturing device that can consistently and automatically perform a series of processes from crushing and separating soybeans to coagulating and molding has not yet been known.

Therefore, there is a need for a proposal for a device that can perform these steps fully automatically.

By the way, when attempting to fully automate a series of tofu manufacturing processes as described above, the following problems arise.

That is, when boiling separated soymilk, if it is heated over an open flame, the soymilk tends to boil violently.

As a result, the bottom of the container gets scorched, and the soymilk boils over from the container.

Furthermore, many bubbles are generated on the liquid surface after boiling, and a film-like swell is formed on the liquid surface during the cooling process after boiling.

If such bubbles or "yuba" are allowed to solidify, the tofu will become so-called spongy and hollow, or the "yuba" will be mixed into the tofu, making it more likely to crack.

Therefore, in the past, the boiling process was carried out by steam boiling to prevent burning, but this has the disadvantage that the equipment is large and complicated.

It is also possible to add an antifoaming agent to prevent boiling over and foaming, but this is labor-intensive and troublesome, and would complicate the configuration if the device were to be automated.

Moreover, it is inappropriate to use chemicals such as antifoaming agents in general household equipment and cannot be adopted.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The purpose of this invention is to provide an appropriate stirring action to soy milk at all times from boiling the separated soy milk to coagulating and forming it in a fully automated tofu manufacturing device.
To eliminate scorching on the bottom of a container and boiling over of soybean milk that occurs during boiling, and to surely and easily remove bubbles and bubbles generated on the liquid surface with a simple structure.

In order to achieve this object, this invention provides a stirring means located above the soy milk container fed from the soy milk storage position at a predetermined position of the device and imparts a stirring action to the soy milk stored therein, The stirring means is provided with a cylindrical support into which the container is inserted and supported, and one end of which is supported in the support so as to be able to reciprocate and swing, and which is inserted into the container and is inserted into the container to cause the stirring. It is composed of a stirring body that operates and a driving motor that reciprocates the stirring body via a power transmission means.

The stirring means is driven from the time of boiling the soybean milk through the cooling process to the introduction of the coagulant, so that a stirring action is constantly applied to the soybean milk in the container.

According to this invention, a constant stirring action is applied to the soymilk in the container during the boiling of the soymilk, the subsequent cooling process, and the injection of the coagulant, which eliminates the problem of burning on the bottom of the container during boiling. The boiling over phenomenon can be reliably and easily eliminated by a simple configuration.

In addition, the bubbles that inevitably occur after boiling can be quickly and extremely easily removed by the stirring action without using a separate antifoaming agent, and the generation of "foam" is also eliminated.

Moreover, since a constant stirring action is provided, the cooling efficiency in the cooling process after boiling can be increased, and the required time can be shortened.

In addition, when the coagulant is added, the soybean milk and the coagulant can be mixed and stirred well.

Therefore, according to this invention, it is possible to reliably eliminate burning, boiling over, and the generation of bubbles and "yuba", which were problems in conventional automation, with a simple configuration, and achieve complete automation of the device. becomes possible.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, one embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of a tofu manufacturing device to which this invention is applied. a soy milk tank 20 rotatably equipped with a soy milk separating tank 21 that separates the crushed soybeans into soy milk and okara; A soy milk container 30 supported movably along a predetermined path at a position of a mechanism, a heating unit 40 that heats the soy milk stored in the soy milk container 30 through the container during boiling of the soy milk, and movement of the container 30. a stirring mechanism 50 that is disposed at a predetermined position above near the end of the path and applies a stirring action to the soymilk in the container 30 during the boiling of the soymilk, the subsequent cooling process, and the injection of the coagulant;
a moving mechanism 60 that moves and guides the soymilk from the soymilk storage position below the outlet to the position of the stirring mechanism 50 along the route; It is generally composed of a coagulant injection means 70 for introducing a predetermined amount of coagulant into the coagulant.

The soybean milk container 30, the heating section 40, the stirring mechanism 50, the moving mechanism 60, and the charging means 70 are housed in predetermined positions of the casing 10, respectively.

A control circuit 80 consisting of a microcomputer is installed in a predetermined position of the casing 10, so that the operations of each part can be performed automatically and in an orderly manner according to a predetermined sequence and temperature control.

As shown in FIG. 3, the soybean milk tank 20 is removably installed in the recess 11, and a top lid 220 is removably attached to its upper open end.

A soy milk flow path 201 is provided at the bottom and side portions of the soy milk tank 20.

One end of the casing 1 passes through the cavity 202 under the bottom surface.
0 and extends above the installation position of the soy milk container 30.

An appropriate filter is attached to the discharge port formed at the tip of the flow path.

A solenoid valve 23 located in the middle of the flow path 201 that opens and closes this flow path
is interposed.

A driving motor 24 for rotating the soybean milk separating tank 21 and the crushing blade 27 is installed inside the casing 10 below the soymilk tank.

This motor 24 is, for example, a commutator motor, and one end of its drive shaft extends into the cavity 202 through an opening formed approximately in the center of the recess 11 .

A rotating shaft 25 is supported through a substantially center of the bottom surface of the soybean milk tank 20 via a sealed bearing so as to be rotatable and coaxial with the drive shaft of the motor 24 .

One end of the rotating shaft 25 extends into the cavity 202 and is connected to one end of the drive shaft of the motor 24 by a shaft coupling 26 .

The upper end of the rotating shaft 25 protrudes into the soymilk tank 20 at a predetermined height, and the protruding end passes through the bottom of the soymilk separation tank 21 provided in the soymilk tank and extends into the interior thereof. A required number of crushing blades 27 are integrally attached.

The crushing blade 27 is rotationally driven in the circumferential direction along the vicinity of the bottom surface of the soybean milk separation tank 21 by the rotation of the rotating shaft 25 driven by the motor 24 when crushing soybeans, and finely crushes the soybeans contained in the soybean milk separation tank.

The soybean milk separation tank 21 has the function of finely pulverizing the soybeans charged therein and separating the pulverized soybeans into soybean milk and okara by centrifugal separation.

A large number of pores 210 are provided in the peripheral wall, and the whole is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

A hollow disk-shaped float 28 made of resin such as plastic is integrally fixed to the bottom of the soybean milk separation tank 21.

The soybean milk separation tank 21 and the float 28 are rotatably and vertically slidably supported by a rotating shaft 25 via bearings.

An inner lid 211 is removably fitted to the upper open end of the soybean milk separation tank 21.

On the other hand, a support shaft 2 is attached to the center of the inner surface of the upper lid 220 of the soybean milk tank 20.
21 is provided in a protruding manner with its central axis coaxial with the rotating shaft 25.

The soybean milk separation tank 21 is supported on this support shaft 221 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down via a bearing provided on the inner lid 211 .

Thus, the soy milk separation tank 21 and the float 2B are connected to the rotating shaft 25.
and a support shaft 221, it is supported by the soybean milk tank 20 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down within a predetermined range.

A clutch mechanism 222 consisting of a pair of clutch plates 223 and 224 is removably interposed between the bottom of the soybean milk tank 20 and the bottom of the float 28 on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 25.

This clutch mechanism 222 is connected by lowering the soymilk separation tank 21 and the float 28 to the vicinity of the bottom of the soymilk tank, and uses the frictional force to connect the soymilk separation tank and the float to the rotating shaft 25, and rotates integrally with the crushing blade 27. let

Also, when the soymilk separation tank 21 floats upward from near the bottom of the soymilk tank due to the action of the flow 28, both of them 21.
28 is separated from the rotation of the rotating shaft 25, and only the crushing blade 27 is rotated.

A pair of suction members are provided on the lower surface of the upper lid 220 and the upper surface of the inner lid 211 to suction and hold the soybean milk separation tank 21 in a floating position when it moves upward.

This adsorption member is composed of, for example, a magnet 225 attached to the upper cover 220 and an iron plate 226 attached to the inner cover 211.

A suitable filter member 23 is provided on the inner wall surface of the soybean milk separation tank 21.
0 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the soymilk container 30 consists of a rectangular frame-shaped outer cylinder 310 that opens upward and downward, and a soymilk storage container 320 that is removably fitted into the outer cylinder 310 and assembled together. .

The container 320 is formed into a rectangular box shape with a predetermined depth, and a collar 321 installed at the upper end edge of the outer cylinder 310 is provided at the periphery of the upper end opening.

The inner surface of the container 320 is treated with, for example, Teflon so that the tofu can be easily cut out later.

Further, the depth of this container 320 is set to a predetermined depth that is slightly deeper than the height of the manufactured tofu so that the tofu can be easily removed during subsequent mold cutting.

The heating unit 40 is attached to the open end of the lower surface of the outer cylinder 310.

This heating section 40 consists of a heating table; 1IJO; and a heating means, such as a sheathed heater 420, embedded in the heating table 410.

The heating unit 40 is integrally attached to the outer cylinder 310, and after the soymilk boiling process as shown by the imaginary line in the figure is completed, the outer cylinder 310, in other words, the container 3 is heated by a mechanism not shown.
It is configured to be spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the container 20, so that the cooling effect after the completion of boiling can be performed even better.

A heat storage space 330 is formed between the outer cylinder 310 and the container 320, so that the heating unit 40 can efficiently heat the soybean milk during boiling, and the boiling process can be performed more quickly and efficiently.

The outer wall of the container 320 is equipped with a temperature sensor 3 consisting of a thermistor or the like.
40 is installed.

Note that this detector may be embedded in a stirring body 530, which will be described later.

The soybean milk container 30 is used as a casing 10 during crushing and separation of soybeans.
The stirring mechanism 50 is installed so as to be located below the discharge port of the soybean milk flow path 201 on the side, and is driven by the moving mechanism 60.
will be transferred to the location.

Guide shafts 350, 350 are protruded from both sides of the outer cylinder 310, and are slidably inserted into guide grooves 620, 620 provided in guide plates 610, 610 forming the moving mechanism 60, as described later. ing.

The stirring mechanism 50 is provided at a predetermined position near the end of the moving path of the soybean milk container 30 at the initial position of the soybean milk container 30, that is, above one side of the receiving position A that stores soymilk.

As shown in FIG. 5, this stirring mechanism 50 includes an extension tube 510 in the shape of a rectangular tube that opens vertically, a central shaft 520 that is rotatably supported through the peripheral wall of the extension tube 510, and A rectangular plate-shaped agitating body 530 is integrally attached to the central shaft 520 so as to be able to swing within a predetermined range, a motor 540 drives the agitating body 530 reciprocally in the swinging direction, and one end is attached to the central shaft 52.
0 and the other end is connected to a motor 540, and the rotational power of the motor 540 is passed through the central shaft 520 to the stirring body 530.
and a crank link mechanism 550 that transmits power to the engine.

The crank link mechanism 550 converts the rotational motion of the motor 540 into a swinging motion of the stirring body 530, and causes the stirring body 530 to swing within a predetermined angle range in a reciprocating direction.

The upper open end of the extension tube 510 projects above the casing 10, and a lid 511 is closed on the projecting end.

The stirring body 530 protrudes below the extension tube 510 by a predetermined length.

A large number of through holes 531 are opened on the surface, so that the soymilk stirring action can be performed even better.

The extension tube 510 is designed to prevent soybean milk from leaking or overflowing to the outside when the liquid level in the container 320 rises and overflows when the soybean milk is boiled. A packing member 512 made of silicone rubber or the like or similar to the packing member 512 is provided.

Then, when the soymilk container 30 is transferred to the position of the stirring mechanism 50, the upper end of the outer tube 310 is fitted into the extension tube 510 within a predetermined range.

At that time 1. The entire circumference of the outer cylinder 310 is a packing member 512
The outer tube 310 is held in close contact with the extension tube 10 without any gaps.

The moving mechanism 6o for transferring the soybean milk container 30 is constructed as shown in FIG.

This moving mechanism includes a pair of guide plates 610, 610 installed on both sides of the soy milk receiving position A of the soy milk container 30 along the moving direction of the container 30, and
10 and 610, respectively, a guide groove 620 provided along the moving path of the container 30, and a guide plate 610, 610.
A rotation shaft 630 mounted above and perpendicular to this
and a pair of rotating arms 640, 640 integrally fixed to both ends of this rotating shaft 630.

Guide shafts 350, 350 protruding from the outer cylinder 310 of the container 30 are slidably fitted into the guide shafts 620, 620.

The distal end of the rotating arm 640 is bifurcated as shown in FIG. 7, and the distal end 641 is slightly loosely fitted around the guide shaft 350 so that it can slide relative to the outer periphery of the guide shaft 350 in the longitudinal direction. It is fitted.

The container 30 is connected to the guide plate 6 via the guide shafts 350, 350.
1f), supported between 610 and rotating arm 640,
As 640 rotates, it is biased in the moving direction by its tip.

A fan-shaped gear 650 is integrally attached to one end of the rotating shaft 630 with the central axis being coaxial.

On the other hand, a drive motor 66 is located above the rotation shaft 630.
0 is provided, and a worm 67 provided on its output shaft.
0 and a worm wheel 680 pivotally mounted to the small force.

Worm wheel 680 meshes with sector gear 650.

The motor 660 can be driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions, and its rotational power is reduced in speed by worm gears 670 and 680 and transmitted to the sector gear 650.

Then, when the fan-shaped gear 650 rotates in a predetermined direction, the rotating arms 640 and 640 rotate in the same direction, and the container 3° is moved forward or backward in the predetermined direction along the guides N620, 620. make it move.

One end of the guide plates 610, 610 is extended to a position below the stirring mechanism 50.

The guide shafts 620, 620 first move downward on both sides of the soymilk receiving position A, and then, from this position, the upper part curves into a concave or almost circular arc shape (not a perfect circular arc shape) and reaches the center of the stirring mechanism 50 above. It extends to a position P on a line passing through line B, and has a shape that extends vertically upward by a predetermined length.

That is, the shape and path are set so that the soymilk container 30 can move from the soymilk receiving position A, which is the initial setting position, to the position of the stirring mechanism 50 easily, stably, and along the shortest path.

When the container 30 reaches the position P, the container 30 opens at the tofu outlet 1 opened on the side of the casing 10.
It is arranged to face 2.

This outlet 12 is closed and opened by a door 13.

As shown in FIG. 5, the coagulant injection means 70 includes a dropper-shaped injection member 710 that can accommodate a predetermined amount of coagulant, and an extension tube 5 whose one end is connected to the injection member 710 and whose other end is connected to the injection member 710.
A pipe-shaped member 70 extends inward through the circumferential wall of the container 30, and its distal end discharge port is located directly above the container 320 of the inserted container 30.

When the soybean milk contained in the container 320 is cooled to a predetermined solidification temperature after the boiling process is completed, the injection member 710 is pressed and the internal coagulant solution (this is made by dissolving a predetermined amount of coagulant in water or the like in advance) is poured into the soybean milk in the container 320 through the member 720.

As shown in FIG. 6 above, a first position detector 810 is provided at the starting end position in the moving direction of the guide groove 620 of one guide plate 610 (on the near side in the example shown), and also corresponds to the above position P. A second position detector 820 is disposed at the position where the movement direction is, and a third position detector 830 is disposed at the end position in the moving direction.

These position detectors are composed of, for example, micro SWs, and signals from each detector are sent to the control circuit 80,
The operation of the moving mechanism 60 is controlled based on the signal.

Next, the operation of the soybean milk manufacturing apparatus of the present invention constructed as described above will be explained.

First, when soybeans soaked in water for a predetermined period of time are put into the soybean milk separation tank 21 together with water, the moisture C is transferred to the filter member 230 and the pores 210 as shown in FIG.
・The soybean milk tank 20 is filled with the liquid at a predetermined level.

Then, the float 28 receives buoyancy due to this rise in the liquid level,
As shown by the imaginary line, it floats upward from the bottom of the soy milk tank 20 together with the soy milk separation tank 21 at a predetermined height.

This floating separates the clutch plates 223 and 224 of the clutch mechanism 222 and releases their connection, and the soymilk separation tank 21 and the float 28 are separated from the rotating shaft 25 and switched to a state where they are free from rotation.

When the soybean milk separation tank 21 rises, the magnet 225 and iron plate 226 of the adsorption means adsorb and hold the soybean milk separation tank.

At this time, the locking protrusion 227 provided on the upper lid 220 and the locking claw 212 provided on the top surface of the inner lid 211 engage, and the soy milk separation tank 21 twists around as the crushing blade 27 rotates. Its rotation is stopped to prevent it from happening.

Next, when the motor 24 is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 25, the crushing blade 27 rotates at high speed in the direction indicated by the arrow 100 in FIG. 3, thereby finely crushing the swollen soybeans contained in the separation tank.

Thereafter, when the crushing of the soybeans is completed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the motor 24 is stopped and the rotation of the rotating shaft 25 and the crushing blade 27 is stopped.

Next, the solenoid valve 23 is opened and the water C in the soybean milk tank 20 is discharged to the outside through the flow path 201.

As a result of this discharge, the soymilk separating tank 21 and the float 28 descend back to the vicinity of the bottom of the soymilk tank 20 as shown in FIG.

As a result, the clutch mechanism 222 is connected again, and the soy milk separation tank 21 is connected to the rotating shaft 25 together with the float 28.
This rotation of the rotating shaft 25 enables rotational driving together with the crushing blade 27.

Thereafter, the motor 24 is driven again, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 25 rotates the soybean milk separating tank 21 together with the crushing blade 27 in the direction indicated by the above-mentioned arrow 100 in FIG.

Then, the crushed soybeans in the soy milk separation tank 21 are separated into okara and soy milk by the centrifugal action, and while the okara remains attached to the filter member 230, the separated soy milk flows through the filter member 230 and the pores. 210...
・Flows out into the soybean milk tank 20 through the flow path 2 from the bottom of the soybean milk tank 20.
01 and is taken out from its discharge port via the solenoid valve 23 which is in an open state, and is stored in a predetermined amount in the container 320 of the soy milk container 30 installed at the receiving position A.

When a predetermined amount of soymilk is taken out and stored in the container 320, the soybean crushing and separation process is completed, and then the motor 660 of the moving mechanism 60 is driven in a predetermined direction.

Then, the sector gear 650 becomes the worm gear mechanism 670.6.
Arrow 11 shown in FIG. 6 with pivot axis 630 via 80
Rotationally driven in the 0 direction.

This rotation causes the rotating arms 640, 640 to move toward the rotating shaft 63.
It rotates around 0 as shown by an arrow 111.

When the rotating arms 640, 640 rotate, the soy milk container 30 is biased by the rotating arms 640, 640, and the soybean milk container 30 is moved along the guide groove 620 along with the heating section 40.
, 620, the direction of the stirring mechanism 50 is the same arrow 11.
Move in one direction.

The movement is performed as follows.

First, the container 30 once descends downward at the receiving position A, which is below the discharge port of the soybean milk flow path 201.

This prevents the container 30 from colliding with the flow path 201 or other members as the container 30 moves.

Next, when the container 30 reaches a position P along the guide groove, it moves vertically upward, and at its terminal position, the outer cylinder 31
0 is inserted into the extension tube 510 of the stirring mechanism 50 (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 7, the rotating arm 640° 640 and the guide shafts 350, 350 provided on the outer cylinder 310 are fitted with each other with a predetermined clearance and are slidable relative to each other.
The shafts 350, 350 are set to be able to freely move within a predetermined range relative to the arms 640, 640.

Therefore, the rotation arms 640, 640 are connected to the rotation shaft 630.
Despite the circular motion centered on
0 follows the rotation of the rotation arm and smoothly moves along the guide groove through the preset shortest path to the stirring mechanism 50.
can be moved to the position of

When the outer cylinder 310 is inserted into the extension cylinder 510, the outer cylinder 310
The entire circumference is clamped by a packing member 510, and the pressing action holds it at the inserted position without falling off.

At that time, the worm gear mechanisms 670 and 680 are connected to the outer cylinder 310.
Since the removal acts as a means of a stopper in the direction, more secure holding can be achieved.

At the same time, the stirrer 530 is inserted into the soybean milk contained in the container 320 until it reaches near the bottom of the container.

Thus, when the container 30 is held at the position of the stirring mechanism 50, the position detector 830 detects this and the control circuit 80
send a signal to.

This signal turns on a heating switch (not shown) and activates the sheathed heater 420. At the same time, the motor 540 of the stirring mechanism 50 is driven, and the stirring body 530 starts to swing in the reciprocating direction with a predetermined stroke, and is housed in the container 320. The boiling process of the soybean milk is then carried out.

Thereafter, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed and the temperature of the soymilk reaches about 100° C. and is boiled, the temperature detector 340 detects this and sends a signal to the control circuit 80.

The control circuit 80 turns off the heating switch in response to a signal from the detector 340 and de-energizes the sheathed heater 420.

In this case, since the heat storage space 330 is formed in the area surrounded by the outer cylinder 310 and the heating unit 40 around the container 320, the heating efficiency by the sheathed heater 420 is improved and the soymilk can be boiled more quickly. This reduces the time required for the boiling process.

On the other hand, in the process of boiling soymilk, if the soymilk boils, the bottom of the container 320 may be scorched, or the soymilk may be
Trying to boil over.

However, according to this embodiment, the stirring body 530 is
It is inserted to the vicinity of the bottom of the container, and its rocking motion provides an even and uniform stirring action to the soymilk in the container during the heating process by the heater, making it possible to control the phenomenon of burning on the bottom surface and bumping of the soymilk.

Furthermore, even if the soymilk boils to some extent, the extension cylinder 510 is fitted above the container 320, so that spillage to the outside is prevented and the soybean milk is returned to the inside of the container.

Furthermore, the action of the packing member 512 reliably prevents spilled soymilk from leaking to the outside.

In this example, when the soymilk is about to overflow from the container after it has boiled, the heater 420 is de-energized and heating is stopped, so that the soymilk can be more reliably prevented from overflowing. .

In addition, it is possible to reliably eliminate the scorching phenomenon with an extremely simple structure compared to conventional methods that use steam boiling or other means to prevent scorching.

When the boiling process is thus completed, the soymilk is cooled.

At that time, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, the heating unit 40 is spaced downward from the outer cylinder 310 at a predetermined interval and detached from the bottom surface of the container 320, so that the soymilk in the container is affected by residual heat. To prevent.

At the same time, the moving mechanism 60 is driven as shown by the imaginary line in the figure, and the rotating arms 640, 640 rotate to slightly move the outer cylinder 310 along with the container 320 downward in the figure by a predetermined distance.

Due to this movement, a predetermined gap is formed between the outer cylinder 310 and the extension cylinder 510, so that the soymilk can be cooled well.

Note that the separation operation of the heating unit 40 from the container 310 and the formation of a gap by driving the moving mechanism 60 are performed under the control of the control circuit 80.

Meanwhile, during this cooling process, the stirring operation of the soybean milk by the stirring body 530 is continued.

Therefore, due to both the stirring action and the cooling action caused by the formation of the gap, the cooling efficiency is greatly improved, the cooling process can be carried out quickly, and the time required for the cooling process can be shortened.

In addition, as the temperature decreases due to this cooling and the stirring action by the stirring body 530, the bubbles generated in the soymilk during the boiling process gradually disappear, and when the soymilk is cooled to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 90°C, The bubbles will completely disappear and the liquid surface will be clean.

Therefore, according to this example, the foam generated in the boiling process can be very easily disappeared only by the stirring action of the stirring body 530 and the cooling effect of this stirring, without using a separate chemical such as a conventional antifoaming agent. Can be done.

Thereafter, the soymilk is continued to be stirred by the stirring body 530, and after a predetermined period of time, the soymilk is further cooled to a coagulation temperature (7
0'C! ~80°C).

This solidification temperature is detected by temperature sensor 340 and a signal is sent to control circuit 80.

Then, the injection means 70 operates, and the injection member 71
0 is pressed and compressed by a mechanism not shown, and a predetermined amount of the coagulant solution stored inside is poured into the soybean milk in the container 320 through the member 720.

During this time, the stirring operation by the stirring body 530 continues to be performed.

This stirring action stirs and mixes the coagulant into the soymilk.

At this time, since the stirring body 530 is provided with through holes 531, the mixing and stirring operation of the coagulant can be performed even better and more efficiently.

The number of times the coagulant is stirred by the stirring body 530 is set in advance to a required number of times.

That is, after the coagulant is introduced, the stirring body 530 performs a stirring operation, for example, about 5 to 6 times in the reciprocating direction, and then the operation of the stirring body stops.

This operation control is performed by the control circuit 80. For example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the coagulant was added, the stirring body 5
30 is automatically stopped, and is controlled by a microcomputer based on the time.

The stirring body 530 is, for example, a weight 5 provided in a clutch mechanism.
21 so as to stop suddenly at a position perpendicular to the container 320.

In other words, it needs to be stopped vertically.

This is because it is necessary to quickly stop the soymilk solution flowing within the container 320 and allow it to coagulate.

For this reason, in this apparatus, the container 320 is shaped like a slightly deeper rectangular box so that the flow of the soybean milk solution can quickly come to a complete stop when the agitator stops.

When the stirring body 530 stops and the soybean milk solution in the container becomes completely still, the stirring operation by the stirring mechanism 50 ends.

Next, the moving mechanism 60 is driven, and its rotating arm 64
Due to the downward rotation of 0,640, the soymilk container 30 gently descends vertically downward along the guide grooves 620, 620 to the position P.

Due to this lowering, the stirring body 530 is slowly and quietly extracted from the solidifying soybean milk inside the container 530.

When the container 30 descends to position P, the position detector 8
20 detects this, and based on the detection signal, the moving mechanism 6
0 stops driving.

As a result, the container 30 is stopped and held at the position P.

Thereafter, when the soybean milk in the container 320 is left in a stationary state for a predetermined period of time, for example, about 3 soybeans, the soybean milk in the container 320 is completely solidified.

When the soymilk is completely coagulated, a buzzer (not shown) or the like will notify you of this fact.

Thus, the coagulation and molding process of the soymilk contained in the container is completed.

After that, open the door 13 on the side of the casing and take out the container 320 from the outer cylinder of the container 30 located at position P. Next, cut out the tofu in the container in cold water, and rinse it in cold water until about 3 pieces. If you continue to soak the tofu while doing so, the production of tofu will be completed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of a tofu manufacturing apparatus to which this invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■,
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a soymilk tank equipped with a soymilk separation tank for crushing and separating soybeans, Figure 4 is a sectional view of a soymilk container used in the proposed device, and Figure 5 is an example of the stirring mechanism in the proposed device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a moving mechanism for transporting a soybean milk container, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part thereof, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the present device. 30... Soy milk container, 310... Outer cylinder, 320... Container, 50... Stirring mechanism (means), 510... Extension tube (support body), 52
0... Central axis, 530... Stirring body, 5
50...Crank link mechanism (power transmission means)
, 540...Motor, 531...Through hole, 512...Packing member.

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] (1) A process of pulverizing materials such as soybeans, a process of separating the pulverized soybeans into soy milk and okara, a process of boiling the separated soy milk, and a process of cooling the boiled soy milk to a predetermined temperature. In an automated tofu production device that sequentially performs the steps of coagulation and molding, soymilk is placed above and housed inside a soymilk container fed from a soymilk storage position to a predetermined position of the device. and a cylindrical support into which the container is inserted and supported, and one end of which is supported in the support so as to be able to swing back and forth, and the stirring device has a cylindrical support that fits and supports the container, and one end of which is supported within the support so as to be able to swing back and forth. 1. A tofu manufacturing apparatus comprising: a stirring body which is inserted into the body and performs the stirring operation by its oscillating motion; and a driving motor which reciprocates the stirring body via a power transmission means. (2) The tofu manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stirring body is provided with a plurality of through holes. (3) Utility model registration claim 1, wherein a packing or similar member having elasticity is provided on the lower edge of the support to clamp the entire outer periphery of the container when the container is inserted. The tofu manufacturing apparatus described in .