Spiral tobacco stem moisture regaining machine

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of cigarette processing, and relates to a spiral tobacco stem moisture regaining machine which comprises a spiral conveying mechanism, an ultrasonic generator and a water circulation system. The spiral conveying mechanism comprises a spiral body and a groove body arranged outside the spiral body in a sleeving mode, and a feeding port and a discharging port are formed in the groove body. The ultrasonic generator is arranged on the groove body, and the ultrasonic generating direction of the ultrasonic generator faces the spiral shaft in the radial direction; a water path of the water circulation system is circularly communicated into the tank body; the spiral blade is provided with a scraper at the discharge port, and the tank body is provided with a water filter screen belt outside the discharge port; when tobacco stems enter the tank body, the ultrasonic generator operates, and the tobacco stems in the tank body are deeply cleaned under the cavitation effect; and then the tobacco stems are continuously lifted and immersed into the water tank along with the operation of the spiral conveying mechanism, so that the operation time of the tobacco stems in the tank body is prolonged, deep cleaning of the tobacco stems is achieved, natural colloid or processing residual grease on the surfaces of the tobacco stems is removed, and the cleaning effect of the tobacco stems is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of cigarette processing and relates to a spiral cigarette stem conditioning machine. Background Art

[0002] The water tank type cigarette stem conditioning machine is a key equipment for the pretreatment of cigarette stems in tobacco processing. It mainly combines a water tank structure with systems such as steam and circulating water to clean, heat, and humidify the cigarette stems to improve their subsequent processing performance. Due to its simple structure and low maintenance cost, the water tank type cigarette stem conditioning machine is widely used in the first process of cigarette stem treatment and is an important link to improve the quality of cut stem and the production line efficiency.

[0003] The water tank type cigarette stem conditioning machine mainly consists of a feeding and washing stem system, a scraper conveying system, a water circulation system, a water filtering mesh belt, etc., as Figure 6 shown. The feeding and washing stem system consists of a corrugated plate water tank, a transition water tank, etc., as Figure 7 shown. The main function of the feeding and washing stem system is to wash the cigarette stems and convey the washed cigarette stems to the inlet of the scraper stem dipping mechanism. Both the corrugated plate water tank and the transition water tank are fixed on a movable frame that can be dragged back and forth. The scraper conveying system consists of a driving mechanism, a side chain mechanism, a scraper, and a water tank, etc., as Figure 8 shown. The main function of the scraper conveying system is to force the washed cigarette stems to soak in warm water for a set time and continuously and evenly output them.

[0004] During the stem dipping stage, the water flow rate is faster than the forward speed of the cigarette stems. The length of the stem dipping time is determined by the forward speed of the conveying mechanism. After the cigarette stems enter the stem dipping equipment, they are driven by the water flow flowing out of the circulating pipeline, pass through the corrugated plate water tank for cleaning, and then enter the scraper conveying device. In the scraper conveying device, the forward speed of the cigarette stems is different from the water flow speed, and the water flow speed is faster than the forward speed of the cigarette stems. The forward speed of the cigarette stems is controlled by the speed of the scraper conveying device. If the speed of the scraper conveying device is fast, the soaking time of the cigarette stems in water is short, and vice versa. By adjusting the speed of the scraper conveying device, the soaking time of the cigarette stems can be adjusted, thereby controlling the water absorption of the cigarette stems. The cigarette stems are soaked in hot water at a specified temperature, and after reaching the specified time, they are sent out of the stem dipping equipment through a lifting mechanism and then enter a storage cabinet for moisture balance.

[0005] However, the existing water tank type cigarette stem conditioning machine is restricted by the conveying method of the scraper conveying structure. The maximum soaking time of the cigarette stems in the water tank is 120s. When the incoming shape of the cigarette stems is uneven, the impurity content is high, or they are not fully loose, the cleaning effect of the equipment is poor, and the cleaning effect of the natural gum or processing residual grease on the surface of the cigarette stems by hot water soaking is not good.

[0006] Therefore, a device or method with better cigarette stem cleaning effect is needed to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: a spiral tobacco stem rehumidifier, comprising: a spiral conveying mechanism, an ultrasonic generator, and a water circulation system;

[0008] The spiral conveying mechanism includes a spiral body and a trough sleeved outside the spiral body. The trough is provided with a feed inlet and a discharge outlet. The spiral body includes a spiral shaft and spiral blades arranged on the spiral shaft. The spiral blades are used to push the tobacco stems in the spiral conveying mechanism axially from the feed inlet to the discharge outlet and stir them;

[0009] The ultrasonic generator is arranged on the trough, and the ultrasonic generating direction of the ultrasonic generator is radially oriented towards the spiral shaft;

[0010] The water circuit of the water circulation system is connected to the inside of the trough in a circulating manner;

[0011] A scraper is provided at the discharge outlet of the spiral blade, and a water filtering mesh belt is provided outside the discharge outlet of the trough.

[0012] Preferably, the water circulation system includes: a water tank, a water pipe, and a circulation water pump. The water tank is arranged outside the trough, the circulation water pump is arranged inside the water tank, and the water outlet of the circulation water pump is connected to the feed inlet through the water pipe.

[0013] More preferably, at least two sets of the water circulation system are provided, and the water outlets of the water pipes are respectively connected to the side walls of the feed inlet from both sides.

[0014] Preferably, the ultrasonic generator includes: a sub-station box and a transducer. The transducer is installed at the bottom of the trough, the transducer is electrically connected to the sub-station box, and the sub-station box is connected to an external power supply.

[0015] More preferably, a transducer protection shell is provided on the transducer.

[0016] More preferably, multiple groups of transducers are provided, and the transducers are evenly arranged at the bottom of the trough.

[0017] Preferably, a speed reducer is provided at the torque input end of the spiral shaft.

[0018] Preferably, the spiral shaft is driven by a variable-frequency control motor.

[0019] Preferably, the spiral shaft, the spiral blades, and the scraper are all made of food-grade stainless steel.

[0020] Preferably, stirring paddles are provided on the spiral blades.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] When the tobacco stems enter the tank, the ultrasonic generator operates, and multiple groups of transducers evenly distributed symmetrically along the axis at the bottom of the tank start to work. The tobacco stems in the tank are deeply cleaned under the cavitation effect. Then, with the operation of the screw conveyor mechanism, they are continuously lifted and immersed in the water tank, thereby increasing the running time of the tobacco stems in the tank, achieving deep cleaning of the tobacco stems, removing the natural gum or processing residual grease on the surface of the tobacco stems, and improving the cleaning effect of the tobacco stems. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the screw conveyor mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a top view schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a left view schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is an explosion schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a tobacco stem conditioning machine of the prior art;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a corrugated plate water tank and a transition water tank of the prior art;

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a scraper conveyor system of the prior art.

[0031] In the figure, 1. Screw conveyor mechanism; 2. Ultrasonic generator; 3. Water circulation system; 4. Screw body; 5. Tank; 6. Feed inlet; 7. Discharge outlet; 8. Screw shaft; 9. Screw blade; 10. Scraper; 11. Filter water mesh belt; 12. Water tank; 13. Water pipe; 14. Circulation water pump; 15. Sub-station box; 16. Transducer; 17. Transducer protection shell; 18. Reducer; 19. Stirring paddle. Detailed Embodiments

[0032] Next, the relevant technologies in the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 8As shown in the figure, the flume - type tobacco stem re - humidifying machine of this specific embodiment includes: a screw conveyor mechanism 1, an ultrasonic generator 2, and a water circulation system 3; the screw conveyor mechanism 1 includes a screw body 4 and a trough 5 sleeved outside the screw body 4. The trough 5 is provided with a feed inlet 6 and a discharge outlet 7. The screw body 4 includes a screw shaft 8 and screw blades 9 arranged on the screw shaft 8. The screw blades 9 are used to push the tobacco stems in the screw conveyor mechanism 1 axially from the feed inlet 6 to the discharge outlet 7 and to agitate them; the ultrasonic generator 2 is arranged on the trough 5, and the ultrasonic generating direction of the ultrasonic generator 2 is radially towards the screw shaft 8; the water path of the water circulation system 3 is circularly connected to the inside of the trough 5; a scraper 10 is provided at the position of the screw blades 9 at the discharge outlet 7, and a water - filtering mesh belt 11 is provided outside the trough 5 at the discharge outlet 7; the screw conveyor mechanism 1, the ultrasonic generator 2, and the water circulation system 3 cooperate with each other to enable each tobacco stem to experience a complete continuous process of "infiltration - ultrasonic cleaning - propulsion", so the cleaning effect of the tobacco stems is better.

[0034] Further, the water circulation system 3 includes: a water tank 12, a water pipe 13, and a circulation water pump 14. The water tank 12 is arranged outside the trough 5, the circulation water pump 14 is arranged inside the water tank 12, and the water outlet of the circulation water pump 14 is connected to the feed inlet 6 through the water pipe 13.

[0035] Furthermore, at least two sets of the water circulation system 3 are provided, and the water outlets of the water pipes 13 are respectively connected to the side walls of the feed inlet 6 from both sides; for double - side and two - way water inlet circulation, the water continuously circulates in the trough 5 through the circulation water pump 14, making the tobacco stems in a semi - suspended state in the ultrasonic field, increasing their contact probability with cavitation bubbles, and strengthening the cleaning effect.

[0036] Further, the ultrasonic generator 2 includes: a sub - station box 15 and a transducer 16. The transducer 16 is installed at the bottom of the trough 5, the transducer 16 is electrically connected to the sub - station box 15, and the sub - station box 15 is connected to an external power supply.

[0037] Furthermore, a transducer protection shell 17 is provided on the transducer 16.

[0038] Furthermore, multiple groups of the transducers 16 are provided, and the transducers 16 are evenly distributed at the bottom of the trough 5; the transducers 16 arranged at the bottom of the trough 5 ensure the conduction of ultrasonic energy to the water medium in the trough 5 through acoustic coupling, reduce the attenuation of ultrasonic energy, and further ensure the uniformity of the cleaning effect on the tobacco stems.

[0039] Further, a speed reducer 18 is provided at the torque input end of the screw shaft 8.

[0040] Further, the screw shaft 8 is driven by a variable - frequency control motor, and the variable - frequency motor enables the rotational speed of the screw shaft 8 to be adjustable and variable, which can be dynamically adjusted according to the characteristics of the incoming tobacco stems to ensure the cleaning effect of each tobacco stem.

[0041] Further, the spiral shaft 8, the spiral blade 9, and the scraper 10 are all made of food-grade stainless steel.

[0042] Further, stirring paddles 19 are provided on the spiral blade 9; the stirring paddles 19 are arranged radially. While the spiral blade 9 axially advances the tobacco stems forward, the tobacco stems between two adjacent spiral blades 9 can be lifted above the liquid level and then fall back into the cleaning liquid, so that the tobacco stems can continuously repeat the "rising - submerging" movement trajectory in the tank body 5, improving the cleaning efficiency and effect, mechanically limiting the contact time between the tobacco stems and the cleaning water, improving the stability of the soaking time of the tobacco stems, and being 21% higher than the traditional type.

[0043] The key technical points of this embodiment are as follows:

[0044] 1. The spiral conveying mechanism with adjustable running speed - the dynamic carrier for continuous cleaning

[0045] This embodiment uses the spiral conveying mechanism 1 with an integrated scraper 10 at the lower part to replace the feeding and stem washing system of the traditional water tank type tobacco stem conditioning machine. The spiral body 4 is driven by a frequency conversion motor through a speed reducer 18 to rotate continuously clockwise. The coordinated movement of the spiral body 4 and the scraper 10 forms an axial propelling force, enabling the tobacco stems to pass through the cleaning area of the water tank 15 evenly and continuously along the spiral path. Compared with the "intermittent soaking" mode of the traditional water tank type tobacco stem conditioning machine, the spiral conveying mechanism 1 realizes continuous cleaning in the following ways:

[0046] 1) Path extension: The spiral trajectory increases the running path of the tobacco stems in the tank body 5, and the cleaning duration is increased from the maximum of 120 s in the prior art to 150 s, providing a time basis for the continuous action of ultrasonic waves;

[0047] 2) Speed controllability: The frequency converter adjusts the motor frequency in real time, precisely controlling the spiral conveying speed, so that the residence time of the tobacco stems in the ultrasonic field can be dynamically adjusted according to the characteristics of the incoming materials, ensuring that each tobacco stem can undergo a complete continuous process of "wetting - ultrasonic cleaning - propulsion", and avoiding cleaning interruption caused by the fluctuation of the conveying speed.

[0048] 2. The uniformity and stability of the ultrasonic stem washing technology

[0049] 1) Uniformity: Along the axis of the spiral conveying mechanism 1, eight groups of transducers 16 are evenly, symmetrically and equidistantly distributed at the bottom of the trough body, forming a uniform ultrasonic field covering the entire trough body 5. When the tobacco stems move forward along with the spiral body, their "rising - dipping" movement trajectory in the trough body 5 enables each part to be exposed to the ultrasonic cavitation effect of equal intensity, avoiding cleaning blind spots caused by uneven local sound field strength. The transducers 16 are fixed to the outside of the trough body 5 by welding, and the surface is covered with an arc-shaped transducer protection shell 17. This structure not only protects the transducers 16 from water flow impact but also ensures the efficient conduction of ultrasonic energy to the water medium in the trough body 5 through acoustic coupling design, avoiding energy attenuation and further guaranteeing the uniformity of the cleaning effect on the tobacco stems.

[0050] 2) Stability: The ultrasonic generator sub-station box integrates a high-frequency signal generator, a power amplifier and a control system, supporting stepless adjustment of the transducer frequency within the range of 20 kHz - 40 kHz. By real-time monitoring of parameters such as the temperature of the water medium and the load of tobacco stems, the control system automatically matches the optimal frequency to ensure stable output of ultrasonic energy under different working conditions and avoid fluctuations in the cleaning effect caused by frequency drift.

[0051] 3. Dual-loop water system

[0052] This embodiment adopts a dual-pump dual-loop design, and the water flow continuously circulates in the trough body through the dual pumps and dual loops. This makes the tobacco stems in a semi-suspended state in the ultrasonic field, increasing their contact probability with the cavitation bubbles and further strengthening the uniformity and continuity of the cleaning effect.

[0053] Example

[0054] This new type of flue-cured tobacco stem rewetting machine with a water tank simplifies the feeding system. The feeding system mainly consists of a feeding port 6, a screw conveyor mechanism 1, an ultrasonic generator 2, a water circulation system 3, and a water filtering mesh belt 11. The screw conveyor mechanism 1 mainly consists of a reducer 18, a screw body 4, and a scraper 10. The screw body 4 and the scraper 10 are made of 304 food-grade stainless steel. The screw conveyor mechanism 1 is driven by a motor controlled by a frequency converter to drive the reducer 18 to rotate clockwise, and cooperates with the scraper 10 to continuously convey the flue-cured tobacco stems falling from the feeding port 6 forward in a spiral manner to the discharge port and fall onto the water draining mesh belt 5. The ultrasonic generator 2 mainly consists of a sub-station box 15, a transducer 16, and a transducer protective shell 17. The function of the ultrasonic generator 2 is to convert electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical vibrations (ultrasonic waves). The sub-station box 15 includes a power supply module, a high-frequency signal generator, a power amplifier, a matching circuit, and a control system. Through the control system, the frequency of the transducer 16 can be adjusted between 20 kHz and 40 kHz. The transducer 16 is divided into eight groups, and the eight groups of transducers 16 are symmetrically and evenly distributed along the axial direction at the bottom of the tank body and are fixed to the outside of the tank body by welding. A transducer protective shell 17 is installed on the transducer 16 for protection. When the flue-cured tobacco stems pass through the screw conveyor mechanism 1, the ultrasonic generator 2 is turned on synchronously, and the flue-cured tobacco stems are deeply cleaned through the cavitation effect. The water circulation system 3 consists of a water tank 12, a water pipe 13, and a circulating water pump 14. During the operation of the tobacco stem washing machine, the circulating water pump 14 keeps running to make the water in the tank body circulate continuously. The water filtering mesh belt 11 is located at the lower end of the tail of the flue-cured tobacco stem rewetting machine and conveys the washed flue-cured tobacco stems to the next process after draining.

[0055] In this embodiment, the screw conveyor mechanism 1 with a scraper 10 installed at the lower part is used to convey the flue-cured tobacco stems forward, and the cleaning time of the flue-cured tobacco stems in the water tank is further increased to 150 s by increasing the running path of the flue-cured tobacco stems; the power of the screw conveyor mechanism 1 is provided by a motor controlled by a frequency converter, and the conveying speed can be adjusted steplessly; the ultrasonic cleaning technology is introduced, and eight groups of frequency-adjustable ultrasonic transducers 16 are coupled to the bottom of the tank body of the water tank, and the cavitation effect of ultrasonic waves is used to deeply clean the flue-cured tobacco stems, enhancing the ability to remove the natural gum or processing residual grease on the surface of the flue-cured tobacco stems and improving the cleaning effect of the flue-cured tobacco stems.

[0056] In summary, when the flue-cured tobacco stems enter the tank body, the ultrasonic generator runs, and multiple groups of transducers symmetrically and evenly distributed along the axial direction at the bottom of the tank body start to work. The flue-cured tobacco stems in the tank body are deeply cleaned under the cavitation effect. Then, as the screw conveyor mechanism runs, they are continuously lifted and immersed in the water tank again, thereby increasing the running time of the flue-cured tobacco stems in the tank body, achieving deep cleaning of the flue-cured tobacco stems, removing the natural gum or processing residual grease on the surface of the flue-cured tobacco stems, and improving the cleaning effect of the flue-cured tobacco stems.

[0057] It should be emphasized that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and there is no restriction on the present invention in any form. Any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine, characterized in that, Including: A screw conveyor mechanism (1), an ultrasonic generator (2), and a water circulation system (3); The screw conveyor mechanism (1) includes a screw body (4) and a trough body (5) sleeved outside the screw body (4). The trough body (5) is provided with a feed inlet (6) and a discharge outlet (7). The screw body (4) includes a screw shaft (8) and screw blades (9) arranged on the screw shaft (8). The screw blades (9) are used to axially push the tobacco stems in the screw conveyor mechanism (1) from the feed inlet (6) to the discharge outlet (7) and stir them; The ultrasonic generator (2) is arranged on the trough body (5), and the ultrasonic generating direction of the ultrasonic generator (2) is radially towards the screw shaft (8); The water circuit of the water circulation system (3) is connected in a circulating manner into the trough body (5); A scraper (10) is provided at the position of the screw blade (9) where it is located at the discharge outlet (7), and a water filtering mesh belt (11) is provided outside the trough body (5) at the discharge outlet (7).

2. The spiral tobacco stem re-damping machine according to claim 1, wherein The water circulation system (3) includes: a water tank (12), a water pipe (13), and a circulation water pump (14). The water tank (12) is arranged outside the trough body (5), the circulation water pump (14) is arranged in the water tank (12), and the water outlet of the circulation water pump (14) is connected to the feed inlet (6) through the water pipe (13).

3. The spiral tobacco stem re-damping machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least two sets of the water circulation system (3) are provided, and the water outlets of the water pipes (13) are respectively connected to the side walls of the feed inlet (6) from both sides.

4. The spiral tobacco stem humidifying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic generator (2) includes: a sub-station box (15) and a transducer (16). The transducer (16) is installed at the bottom of the trough body (5), the transducer (16) is electrically connected to the sub-station box (15), and the sub-station box (15) is connected to an external power supply.

5. The spiral tobacco stem humidifying machine according to claim 4, wherein, A transducer protection shell (17) is provided on the transducer (16).

6. The spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: Multiple groups of the transducers (16) are provided, and the transducers (16) are evenly arranged at the bottom of the trough body (5).

7. A spiral tobacco stem re-damping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A speed reducer (18) is provided at the torque input end of the screw shaft (8).

8. The spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw shaft (8) is driven by a variable frequency control motor.

9. The spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw shaft (8), the screw blades (9), and the scraper (10) are all made of food-grade stainless steel.

10. The spiral tobacco stem conditioning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Stirring paddles (19) are provided on the screw blades (9).

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