Assembly and method for transferring rod-shaped items for the tobacco processing industry from a sender unit to a receiver unit

[0035] The invention is illustrated by means of a device for sending filter rods from a filter rod production machine to a filter rod assembly machine. The present invention of course also relates to all devices for sending rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry from a sending unit (also described as transfer, launching, transportation, etc.) to a receiving unit, wherein the sending can be through a single pipeline or through Multiple pipelines are completed, where in the latter case there are a corresponding number of sending modules and receiving modules.

[0036] The device 10 shown in the figure is constructed and arranged for transporting rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry and includes at least one belt control mechanism 12 and at least one sending unit 11 for sending the products along the transport direction T. At least one belt control mechanism 15 and at least one receiving unit 14 of a receiving module 16 for receiving products sent along the transport direction T, and at least one receiving unit 14 for connecting each sending module 13 with a receiving module 16 for connecting rod-shaped products The pipeline 17 transferred from the sending unit 11 to the receiving unit 14 and the compressed air flow used to generate the product to be injected from the sending module 13 into the pipeline 17 and used to transport the product to the receiving module 16 in the pipeline 17 The compressed air unit 18. The compressed air flow required for launch is also described as launch pressure. The compressed air flow required for transportation is also described as the transportation pressure. The pipeline 17 is equipped with an exhaust element in the area of ​​the sending unit 11 or in the sending module 13, so the exhaust element is described as the (starting end) exhaust element 19. This (starting end) exhaust element 19 can be eliminated in principle, but it is provided to improve the launch speed of the product from the sending module 13 into the pipeline 17. In addition, the structural structures of the sending module 13 and the receiving module 16 with the (embedded/sent) roller and blow-out area are known in different embodiments and are not related to the basic invention, so the detailed description is omitted.

[0037] According to the present invention, this device 10 is distinguished by the fact that the device 10 additionally includes a control and regulation unit 20, which is constructed and arranged to depend on the transmission efficiency required by the receiving unit 14 and the length of the pipeline 17 during the operation of the device 10 Automatically and variably control and/or regulate the compressed air flow. The compressed air flow, that is, the emission pressure of the compressed air when the product is injected from the sending module 13 into the pipeline 17 and the transportation pressure of the compressed air when the product is transported through the pipeline 17 until the receiving module 16 is decisive The ground depends on the length of the pipeline 17 and the required transmission efficiency, so these two boundary conditions are included in the control and/or regulation of the compressed air flow together. For example, under the required high transmission efficiency and also in the long-length pipeline 17, high transmission pressure and high transportation pressure are required, while the required small transmission efficiency and short length are required. The pipeline 17 requires a smaller launch pressure and a smaller transportation pressure. The control and regulating unit 20 according to the invention automatically and individually adjusts the compressed air flow according to changing boundary conditions.

[0038] The features and extended designs described in the following are preferred embodiments when considered individually or in combination with each other. It should be clearly pointed out that the features summarized in the claims and/or specification or described in a common implementation form can also be expanded and designed independently of the above-mentioned device 10 in terms of function.

[0039] The compressed air unit 18 can be constructed and arranged to independently supply a single pipeline 17, so that a corresponding number of compressed air units 18 are provided in two or more pipelines 17. However, a central compressed air unit 18 can also be provided, by means of which compressed air can be supplied to a plurality of pipelines 17 through branches, branch roads or the like to generate a compressed air flow. The compressed air unit 18 may be constructed and arranged to generate a periodic compressed air flow or a continuous compressed air flow in order to generate a constant flow of compressed air without backflow.

[0040] In addition to the two boundary conditions mentioned above, other boundary conditions also have an impact on the compressed air flow. In other words, the strength of the compressed air flow used for launch pressure or transport pressure, especially in multi-segment filter rods, is also related to product-specific parameters, such as size, weight, and length, or related to the dominant position in the device. Conditions such as humidity and negative pressure are related. The control and regulation unit 20 is therefore additionally preferably constructed and arranged to automatically control and/or regulate the compressed air flow in accordance with the weight and/or diameter of the article to be transported.

[0041] Preferably, the compressed air unit 18 is equipped with at least one proportional valve 21 which can be controlled and/or adjusted by means of the control and regulation unit 20 to adapt to different operating conditions of the compressed air flow. The association between the proportional valve 21 and the compressed air unit 18 means that the compressed air flowing into the line 17 on the input side can be variably adjusted in pressure level. Through the compressed air adjustment via the proportional valve 21, the launch pressure and the transport pressure can be individually adjusted. Preferably, multiple proportional valves 21 can be provided in order to be able to perform individual and individual adjustments for each pipeline 17.

[0042] In a preferred expansion design, an exhaust element is provided for the pipeline 17 in the area of ​​the receiving unit 14, so the exhaust element is described as the (end) exhaust element 22. The (end) exhaust element 22 can also be steplessly controlled and/or adjusted like the (start) exhaust element 19. To this end, two exhaust elements are connected to the control and regulation unit 20. In addition to the compressed air or compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18, the exhaust on the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14 also has a significant impact on the launch or transportation of the product. The starting end exhaust, for example, increases the launch speed of the product from the sending unit 11 because the exhaust is responsible for increasing the flow of compressed air, thereby accelerating the exhaust of the product from the sending unit 11. The end exhaust slows the entry of the product into the receiving unit 14 because this end exhaust leaks the compressed air flow (ie, transports energy).

[0043] According to the present invention, the device 10 includes an interface module 23, which is in a bilateral communication connection with the sending unit 11, the receiving unit 14 and the control and regulation unit 20. In other words, the interface module 23 is connected to the above-mentioned components by wires, cables or the like in such a way that bidirectional and bidirectional data and information exchange can occur. The interface module 23 is especially constructed and arranged to transmit signals and/or data including values ​​and status and control bits on the basis of a predetermined communication protocol. in figure 2 Some of these connections or data and information flows are shown schematically and exemplarily in.

[0044] The product receiving speed of the product on the receiving unit 14 is described as a, which can be determined, for example, by the rotation speed of the receiving drum of the filter assembly machine arranged thereafter or by a suitable separate measuring device. Preferably, in the area of ​​the receiving unit 14, preferably in a section of the pipeline 17, directly before entering the entrance of the receiving module 16, a detecting device 24, such as a light barrier or the like, is arranged to determine The transport speed of the product on the receiving unit 14. This information is transferred from the control mechanism 15 of the receiving unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from here to the control and regulation unit 20. With b, the required transmission efficiency is transferred from the control mechanism 15 of the receiving unit 14 to the interface module 23, which forwards the information to the control and regulation unit 20 again. The letter c indicates the position of the (end) exhaust element 22 from the control and regulating unit 20 that is transferred from the interface module 23 to the receiving unit 14, and this position is transferred to the (end) exhaust element 22. The received products are counted by a counter or similar device in the area of ​​the receiving unit 14, preferably in the control mechanism 15. This information is transferred from the receiving unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from this interface module to the control and regulation unit 20 according to the arrow d.

[0045] With the help of the control and regulation unit 20, the compressed air or compressed air flow into the sending unit 11 or the pipeline 17 can be controlled and/or regulated through the proportional valve 21 (see arrow e). The product launch speed of the product on the sending unit 11 is described as f, and the product launch speed can be determined, for example, by the rotation speed of the (feeding/sending) drum or by a suitable, separate measuring device. Preferably in the area of ​​the sending unit 11, preferably in the section of the pipeline 17 arranged after the sending module 13, directly after the exit from the sending unit 11 or more precisely from the sending module 13, the detecting device 25 is arranged For example, a light barrier or the like is used to find the transport speed of the product on the sending unit 11. Alternatively or additionally, another optical barrier 27 can be arranged in the transmitting unit 11. This information is passed from the sending unit 11 to the control and regulation unit 20. The letter g describes the position of the (starting end) exhaust element 19 that is transferred from the control and regulation unit 20 to the (starting end) exhaust element 19. Arrows h and i show the status of the sending unit 11 (or the status of individual components/modules of the sending unit 11) transferred from the sending unit 11 to the interface module 23 and from the interface module 23 to the receiving unit 14 ( See arrow h) and on the other hand shows the status of the receiving unit 14 transferred from the receiving unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from the interface module 23 to the sending unit 11 (or the status of individual components/modules of the receiving unit 14) (See arrow i). The interface module 23 thus forms a communication platform between the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14. Starting from the sending unit 11, the function "on/off" is forwarded to the receiving unit 14 via the interface module 23 (see arrow j). Information about the tube length (arrow k) and the number of products sent (arrow 1) is directly transferred from the control mechanism 12 of the sending unit 11 to the control and adjustment unit 20. The nominal value of the transmission efficiency (see arrow m) is transferred from the control and regulation unit 20 to the control mechanism 12 of the transmission unit 11.

[0046] In order for the information, that is, data and/or signals to be further transmitted in an optimal way to control and/or regulate the compressed air flow, the interface module 23 includes a program unit for implementing the communication protocol, which is based on dual Line-two-way operation. This means that the control and/or regulation unit 20 can use the interface module 23 to transfer individual control and/or regulation commands in a program or software-supported manner by means of a predetermined process, that is, a communication protocol. For example by image 3 It can be seen that two wires, core wires or the like are provided to enable independent and bilateral communication exchange.

[0047] Particularly preferably, the control and regulation unit 20 is connected to each sending module 13, each receiving module 16, each proportional valve 21, each (starting end) exhaust element 19, each (end) exhaust element 22, Each interface module 23 and each detection device 24, 25 for determining the transportation speed of the product are in continuous communication in order to transmit all data and/or signals that are collectively referred to as information that are important for the adjustment of the compressed air flow. Among the connections, the communication connection has at least two wires or the like (for this, see also image 3 ). In addition to the implementation form of the device 10 with the sending unit 11, the receiving unit 14 and the pipeline 17 shown in the figure, the present invention also includes a number of devices 10 including (in one or more sending units 11) Multiple sending modules 13, multiple receiving modules 16 (in one or more receiving units 14 ), and correspondingly multiple pipes 17 for connecting each sending module 13 with the receiving module 16. The control and regulating unit 20 is then constructed and arranged to automatically adjust the compressed air flow in a single line 17 by means of the respectively associated or assigned proportional valve 21.

[0048] The positions of the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23 are not fixed inside the device 10. This means that the two mentioned components can be placed in any position of the device 10 individually or integrally. However, the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23 are preferably allocated to the sending unit 11. It is particularly preferred that the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23 are integrated in the control mechanism 12 of the sending unit 11.

[0049] In addition, the device 10 includes additional components. For example, a visualization device 26 for displaying and/or operating the device 10 may be provided in the area of ​​the sending unit 11. An additional exhaust device 28 can be provided in the area of ​​the sending unit 11 as a starting end exhaust device, which can also selectively replace the (starting end) exhaust element 19. A measuring device, such as a pressure monitor 29, can be directly arranged in the transition area from the sending unit 11 to the pipeline 17. All the aforementioned components can pass ( figure 1 The control pipeline (shown by the dotted line in the middle) is connected to the control mechanism 12 of the sending unit 11 and/or to the control and adjustment unit 20. Other components can also be provided in the area of ​​the receiving unit 14. Pressing figure 1 An additional measuring device is provided in the implementation form of, which can be, for example, a light barrier 30. All the aforementioned components of the receiving unit 14 may also be connected to the control mechanism 15 of the receiving unit 14 and/or to the control and regulation unit 20 through a control line.

[0050] Next, the principle of the method is explained in detail with the aid of the drawings: the method according to the invention is used to transfer rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry from the sending unit 11 to the receiving unit 14. Here, the rod-shaped product is sent to the at least one receiving module 16 of the at least one receiving unit 14 by means of the at least one sending module 13 of the at least one sending unit 11 via the at least one pipeline 17 in the transport direction T. The sending is completed by a compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18. The products are shot from the sending unit 11 into the pipeline 17 one by one and are transported towards the receiving unit 14 inside the pipeline 17. At the end of the pipeline 17, the products are received one by one by the receiving unit 14 and handed over to a bin, temporary storage or the like. In order to ensure a trouble-free operation of the device 10, the product must be injected from the sending unit 11 or more precisely from the sending module 13 into the pipeline 17 at a minimum speed. In addition to the compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18, the ejection of the product from the sending unit 11 is also supported by the (starting end) exhaust elements 19, 28.

[0051] The control and regulation unit 20 according to the present invention is dedicated to maintaining the correct, that is, on the one hand, a sufficiently high and as low as possible on the other hand, the compressed air flow and the resulting launch and transport speed, with the aid of the control and regulation unit according to The transmission efficiency required by the receiving unit 14 and the length of the pipeline 17 are used to automatically control and/or adjust the compressed air flow. A sufficiently high compressed air flow, that is, the corresponding minimum speed, results from the adjusted number of products per minute. In the pipeline 17, the compressed air flow must be so large that the products can be transported from the sending unit 11 to the receiving unit 14. The smallest possible compressed air flow, that is to say the corresponding maximum speed, should not be exceeded in order not to threaten the receiving function, wherein the product reaches the receiving unit 14 with this maximum speed. Through the control and adjustment unit 20, with the help of the length of the pipeline 17 that can reach 500m or more and the required delivery efficiency of 2500 products/minute or more, the corresponding pressure is calculated and adjusted again when the boundary conditions change To adjust the compressed air flow.

[0052] The compressed air unit 18 preferably generates a continuous flow of compressed air so that the product is injected from the sending unit 11 into the pipeline 17 with the continuous flow of compressed air. In addition to the two above-mentioned parameters "required delivery efficiency" and "pipe length", the compressed air flow can also be controlled and/or adjusted according to the weight and/or diameter of the product to be transported. Other boundary conditions that also have an effect on the correct compressed air flow can also be taken into account in the control and/or regulation. The control and/or adjustment of the compressed air flow is preferably accomplished by means of a proportional valve 21, which is directly adjusted by the control and adjustment unit 20.

[0053] In addition to the compressed air flow, the exhaust at the beginning of the pipe 17 and at the end of the pipe 17 also has an influence on the compressed air flow and thus on the transport speed of the product inside the pipe 17. The initial exhaust has been described separately above. Using the (end) exhaust element 22 can slow down the entry of products into the receiving unit 14 because the (end) exhaust element 22 can leak compressed air (and thus transport energy). Both the (starting end) exhaust element 19 and the (end) exhaust element 22 are steplessly controlled or adjusted by the control and adjustment unit 20 or the interface module 23. In particular, the respective exhaust air is regulated by the control and regulating unit 20 on the basis of the determined transport speed of the product on the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14. The transport speed on the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14 can be obtained indirectly (when the number of products in the pipeline 17 is known) through the rotation speed of the (sending) drum or the receiving drum. It is more directly determined by means of the detection devices 24, 25.

[0054] When the device 10 starts to operate, when no products have reached the receiving unit 14, that is, in the initial operation, the length of the control and adjustment unit 20 from the pipeline 17 ( Figure 4 In the letter A) and the required transmission efficiency (letter B), the calculation module 31 is used to calculate the so-called base pressure P Basis , Which is the launch pressure C. The start-end exhaust D is controlled/regulated by the multiplier 32 or the like. The end exhaust E is controlled/adjusted on the basis of the receiving speed F of the product by means of the PD regulator 33 or other suitable regulators or PID regulators.

[0055] The product exiting the delivery unit 11 must at least reach the injection speed to ensure trouble-free injection, and also depends on the required delivery efficiency B. The regulator 34 controls the compressed air by inputting the required transmission efficiency B and the transmission speed G, and the product is emitted and transported by the compressed air. If a transmission efficiency higher than the current transmission efficiency is required, the necessary transmission speed of the product must be reached first. Once this transmission speed is reached, the regulator 34 releases a new transmission efficiency. When compressed air is sufficient for launch, but not enough for transportation through the entire pipeline 17 to the receiving unit 14 (so-called D pull (see arrow H)) or too low receiving speed in closed exhaust ( Refer to arrow l), then the additional gas is superimposed on the compressed air through the superimposing device 35 or the like. Use the control pressure P on the basis of the minimum/maximum interrogation by the limiter 36 or the like Steuer. Pressure P Basic It is active only when data from the receiving unit 14 arrives. Once these data exist, use the calculated pressure P Steuer.

[0056] With the increasing pressure, the starting end exhaust device is opened. The end exhaust maintains the receiving speed in an area where there is no problem for the receiving unit 14. If the end exhaust must end too far in order to be able to maintain the receiving speed, the control and regulation unit 20 adjusts and increases the compressed air again. When the transmission efficiency is increased, before the conversion, the transmission speed is adjusted with the aid of compressed air and then the new transmission efficiency M is released. When the compressed air is sufficient for both transmission and transportation, the calculation module 37 is used to calculate and release the new transmission efficiency based on the transmission speed for the new transmission efficiency K and the current transmission efficiency L. This aforementioned control and/or mediation Figure 4 show.

[0057] The decrease in transmission efficiency only slowly leads to less compressed air, because first the product must reach the pipe 14 in the receiving unit 14 and the pressure level in the pipe 17 only slowly decreases. If the control and regulation unit 20 cannot generate the transmission speed for the required transmission efficiency, the transmission efficiency is maintained at a value as high as possible so that the operation can continue without failure.

[0058] The (starting end) exhaust elements 19, 28 and the (end) exhaust element 22 are controlled and controlled from the sending unit 11 through the interface module 23 that is in bilateral communication connection with the sending unit 11, the receiving unit 14, and the control and regulating unit 20. /Or adjustment. The interface module 23 realizes the communication between the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14 to a certain extent. What is necessary for the aforementioned control and/or regulation of product transportation is to transmit a variety of different data and/or signals, also referred to as information for short. The information must be interpreted and processed. For this purpose, the already mentioned communication protocol is used, also referred to as a protocol for short. With the help of image 3 Explain in detail how the communication protocol works.

[0059] First, it is checked whether the communication between the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14 works according to a defined pattern or according to the communication protocol according to the invention. This inquiry is carried out automatically and is of great significance, because the correct communication between the or each sending unit 11 and the assigned receiving unit 14 must always be ensured.

[0060] The communication between the sending unit 11 and the receiving unit 14, or more precisely between the control mechanism 12 of the sending unit 11 and the control mechanism 15 of the receiving unit 14, is realized through a cable. So far, only the filter request The signal is sent from the sending unit 14 to the sending unit 11 via the cable, and the sending unit is turned on and off accordingly. For the compressed air conditioning according to the invention for the transport of filter rods, it is necessary to transmit additional data. In order to achieve this without changing the current existing cable connections, the communication protocol according to the present invention has been developed. Now use this communication protocol to transfer values, status, and control bits without installing additional lines or implementing additional bus connections. Therefore, a new generation of additional sending unit 11 and receiving unit 14 can be added to the existing equipment, so that they can be combined with the old generation of sending unit 11 and/or receiving unit 14 to operate, because version identification and downlink compatibility are ensured.

[0061] When the protocol according to the invention can be used, a communication participant, for example the sending unit 11, with its control mechanism 12 starts to emit a regular rhythm. Another communication participant sends bit information to the beat sensor with each beat. If the information of the data group or information unit is completely transmitted, the beat sensor and another communication participant alternately get the opportunity to send the information. The individual bit information is interpreted and processed accordingly. The beat sensor always alternates back and forth. Even if the communication participant does not send any information, the other one also participates. The once established connection stays in contact permanently until the connection is physically separated.

[0062] A transfer unit is composed of a function number, data, and checksum, and the following data length is obtained from the function number. If this transfer unit is transferred, the beat sensor changes. When an error occurs during delivery, the information is discarded. There are function numbers 0, 1, 2,...15, where the first and last function numbers for the protocol are saved. After the function number is passed, the data receiver knows how long the following data is in bits. This information was previously fixed in a program in the program unit. The received checksum is compared with the checksum calculated by itself. In the event of an error, the information is discarded and then the error is notified to the information transmitter through function 0. This information sender can then repeat the delivery.

[0063] The control and regulation unit 20 can control and/or regulate the compressed air flow in two or more pipelines 17 simultaneously and automatically during the transportation of rod-shaped products, that is, the compressed air flow in a single pipeline 17 is It is adjusted automatically and as required by the proportional valves 21 respectively provided. In an example with three pipes 17, this is clear. The transmission efficiency of all requirements is, for example, 3000 ppm (ppm = products per minute). If three lines 17 are allocated, then each line 17 must send 1000 ppm. The flow of compressed air and the start-end exhaust and end exhaust are controlled and/or adjusted accordingly. The transmission efficiency is automatically adjusted to each transmission module 13 and among multiple transmission modules 13. If there should be a fault on the sending module 13 or the receiving module 16, such as blockage, that is, the pipeline 17 cannot be sent, then the control and regulation unit 20 controls and/or regulates the two other sending modules 13 in this way, that is, these The transmitting module transmits with the improved transmission efficiency of 1500 ppm, so 3000 ppm is unchanged for use by the receiving unit 14. For this reason, the compressed air flow is increased. When all three pipelines 17 are idle again, so that all the sending modules 13 can send, the sending efficiency is redistributed and the compressed air flow in a single pipeline 17 can be reduced again. This adaptation is carried out, for example, automatically through the proportional valve 21, thus ensuring an energy-efficient, protective product operation.

[0064] The communication connection is based on a communication protocol, which is designed as a two-channel type. The first communication participant sends a uniform pulse sequence on the first line to the second communication participant. The second communication participant simultaneously sends valid data to the first communication participant on the second line.