Curing barn tobacco loading lifting mechanism and automatic tobacco loading machine of curing barn

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery of modern tobacco agriculture, and discloses a curing barn tobacco loading lifting mechanism and a curing barn automatic tobacco loader, the curing barn tobacco loading lifting mechanism comprises a walking rack, the walking rack walks between a tobacco receiving station and a tobacco hanging station, the walking rack is provided with a material receiving lifting mechanism and a lifting platform, and the lifting platform is provided with a material receiving lifting mechanism. The material receiving lifting mechanism comprises a lifting mechanism body, a left side material receiving rod and a right side material receiving rod, the lifting mechanism body drives the left side material receiving rod and the right side material receiving rod to synchronously ascend and descend so as to adjust the material taking height of the tobacco leaf rods, and the lifting table is used for adjusting the working height of workers; according to the tobacco loading lifting mechanism of the curing barn and the automatic tobacco loading machine of the curing barn, the problems that in the prior art, a tobacco rod needs to be held by hand and walks to a tobacco hanging position, time and labor are wasted, and the tobacco hanging height cannot be adaptively adjusted are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of modern tobacco agricultural machinery technology, specifically to a tobacco loading lifting mechanism for a curing barn and an automatic tobacco loading machine for a curing barn. Background Technology

[0002] The production of flue-cured tobacco requires harvesting mature fresh tobacco leaves, then binding them into stalks. This binding involves securing the tobacco leaves in a row with rope to tobacco stalks or clips. The stalks or clips are then placed on the tobacco racks inside the curing barn. Once all the racks are full, the loading process is complete. Because the curing barn is very large and deep, calculations show that for large barns, it's equivalent to a worker carrying a 20-kilogram stalk of tobacco leaves for about 3 kilometers and then walking back empty-handed for another 3 kilometers. The curing racks are high, requiring workers to hold the tobacco stalks and use ladders or stools to climb to higher positions before hanging the stalks or clips on the racks. Each time a stalk or clip with tobacco leaves is loaded, the worker must climb a ladder. This constant climbing is extremely time-consuming and laborious, often leaving workers exhausted after loading a whole barn of tobacco.

[0003] Based on the above problems, the applicant previously filed patent application number 2025107780854, entitled "A Tobacco Hanging Machine for a Tobacco Curing Barn." While this technical solution addresses the issue of avoiding personnel climbing to hang tobacco, it only allows for the continuous transport of tobacco stalks from a lower to a higher position. Afterward, manual labor is still required to walk on a higher platform and transport the tobacco stalks to the hanging position. In other words, although the above solution solves the problem of climbing to hang tobacco, it still fails to resolve the time-consuming and laborious issue of still needing to manually walk to the hanging position while holding the tobacco stalks.

[0004] Furthermore, in the above scheme, the transmission height of the tobacco stalk and the standing height of the personnel are fixed, which can only adapt to the hanging of tobacco at a fixed height and is difficult to adapt to different curing barn structures and different working heights of the workers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tobacco loading and lifting mechanism for a tobacco curing barn, in order to solve at least one of the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A tobacco loading and unloading lifting mechanism for a tobacco curing barn includes a traveling frame, on which a material receiving lifting mechanism and a lifting platform are provided. The material receiving lifting mechanism includes a lifting mechanism, a left material receiving rod, and a right material receiving rod. The lifting mechanism drives the left and right material receiving rods to rise and fall synchronously to adjust the material picking height of the tobacco leaves. The lifting platform is used to adjust the working height of the workers.

[0007] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes a rope winding machine, a left support, a left slide, a right support, and a right slide. The left support is provided with a left bottom pulley and a left top pulley. The left slide is vertically sliding with the left support. The left receiving rod is set on the left slide. A first rope is wound on the winding roller of the rope winding machine. The first rope passes around the left bottom pulley, then passes upwards around the left top pulley, and then extends downwards to connect with the left lifting lug on the left slide. The right support is provided with a right bottom pulley and a right top pulley. A second pull rope is wound on the winding roller of the rope winding machine. The right slide is vertically slidably engaged with the right support. The right receiving rod is set on the right slide. The second pull rope passes around the right bottom pulley, then goes up around the right top pulley and then extends down to connect with the right lifting lug on the right slide.

[0008] Furthermore, the lifting platform is equipped with a material picking limit rod, and the left or right slide is equipped with a material picking limit switch. When the material picking limit switch is raised to the height position that touches the material picking limit rod, the rope winding machine stops winding the first and second ropes.

[0009] Furthermore, an upper limit switch assembly is provided between the upper end of the left support and the left slide, and a lower limit switch assembly is provided between the lower end of the right support and the right slide.

[0010] Furthermore, the height of the left receiving rod is lower than the height of the right receiving rod.

[0011] Furthermore, the left support is provided with a vertical guide rail, and the left slide is slidably engaged with the vertical guide rail by a slider. The left receiving rod is set on the left slide and extends forward. The right support is provided with a sliding sleeve, and the right slide includes a lifting rod. The lifting rod is slidably engaged with the sliding sleeve vertically, and the right receiving rod is set on the top of the lifting rod and extends forward.

[0012] Furthermore, the right-side carriage includes two lifting rods, and the right-side receiving rod is located at the end of the two lifting rods extending from the upper end of the right-side support beam. A connecting rod is provided between the lower ends of the two lifting rods, and a right-side lifting lug is provided on the connecting rod. The second pull rope passes around the bottom right pulley, passes upward through the connecting rod, passes around the top right pulley, and then extends downward to connect with the right-side lifting lug.

[0013] The two parallel lifting rods, together with the top right receiving rod and the lower connecting rod, form a closed-loop rigid frame structure. Compared with a single lifting rod, the double-rod structure distributes the load to two support points, effectively preventing the receiving rod from swaying, tilting or structural deformation under heavy load, ensuring high stability and high precision of the lifting motion. At the same time, the structure has a clear layout, which is convenient for visual inspection and daily maintenance.

[0014] The present invention also provides an automatic tobacco loading machine for a curing barn, comprising a tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame and a tobacco loading lifting mechanism. The tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame includes a traveling mechanism, a left pre-hanging frame and a right pre-hanging frame. The traveling mechanism drives the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame to travel between the pre-hanging station and the unloading station. The height of the left pre-hanging frame is lower than the height of the right pre-hanging frame.

[0015] Furthermore, a pre-hanging limiting plate is provided on the outer side of the left pre-hanging frame, and an avoidance groove is formed between the left pre-hanging frame and the pre-hanging limiting plate. When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame moves to the lower tobacco station, the material picking extension of the left receiving rod is located in the avoidance groove, and the material picking extension of the right receiving rod is located on the outer or inner side of the right pre-hanging frame.

[0016] Furthermore, a receiving limiting plate is provided on the outer side of the left receiving rod, and the receiving limiting plate extends outward at an angle.

[0017] Furthermore, the left receiving rod includes a support rod and an elastic rod. The support rod is fixedly connected to the left slide, and the elastic rod is elastically connected to the support rod through an elastic guide assembly. A receiving sensor is provided on the support rod.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a first track and a second track. The first track is set inside the tobacco curing barn, and the second track is set outside the tobacco curing barn. The first track and the second track are detachably plugged together for fixation. The second track is threaded with multiple screws. The lower end of each screw is rotatably connected to a traveling wheel, and the upper end of each screw is provided with a rotating handwheel. By rotating the handwheel, the height of the traveling wheel can be adjusted to rotate the screw, thereby adjusting the second track to be flush with the first track so that the two can be plugged together for fixation.

[0019] Furthermore, the end of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame is provided with a travel limit switch, and the second track is provided with a limit baffle corresponding to the travel limit switch; the bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame is provided with a locking rod, one end of which is hinged to the bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame, and the other end of which is provided with a locking hook; the bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame is provided with a traction electromagnet, and the traction electromagnet drives the locking rod to swing around its hinged position to achieve engagement and disengagement with the hook at the end of the second track.

[0020] Furthermore, a material receiving limit switch is provided on the side of the walking frame near the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame, and a material feeding limit switch is provided on the side of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame near the walking frame.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In this technical solution, both the receiving lifting mechanism and the lifting platform are mounted on the traveling frame. By moving the traveling frame, the tobacco stalks to be hung on the left and right receiving rods can be transferred as a whole to the tobacco hanging position. Workers do not need to carry tobacco stalks back and forth over long distances in the curing barn. In specific operation, workers only need to stand on the height-adjustable lifting platform and control the movement of the traveling mechanism to achieve the overall transfer of the tobacco stalks to be hung until the traveling frame moves to the tobacco hanging position. Workers on the lifting platform can then directly take and hang the tobacco without having to repeatedly climb ladders or carry tobacco stalks over long distances. This allows for easy completion of high-altitude tobacco hanging operations, avoiding fatigue and the risk of falls caused by climbing, significantly reducing labor intensity and improving tobacco loading efficiency and operational safety. It solves the problems of high labor intensity and low efficiency in traditional manual long-distance carrying of tobacco stalks.

[0022] Furthermore, the material receiving lifting mechanism can flexibly adjust the height of the material receiving rods (left and right receiving rods) according to the different tobacco hanging positions in the curing barn, to adapt to the needs of curing racks of different heights; the lifting platform can independently adjust the height of the working platform according to the height and operating habits of the staff, ensuring that they are always in a comfortable and safe working posture. This dual lifting design (achieving dual adaptive adjustment of the height of the tobacco rods and the staff) allows the equipment to flexibly adapt to curing barns of different heights and specifications, making it highly versatile.

[0023] In summary, this technical solution, through the coordination of the walking frame, the material receiving and lifting mechanism and the lifting platform, allows workers to complete the smoke hanging operation while standing at a suitable height without having to repeatedly climb ladders, bend over or walk long distances with heavy loads, thus greatly reducing labor intensity and improving work comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tobacco loading and unloading mechanism in the tobacco curing barn of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the partial structure at point A in the middle; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the local structure at point B; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the take-up roller synchronously winding the first and second pull ropes in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in its running state on the track; Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tobacco loading and unloading mechanism and the tobacco stem pre-hanging frame in the tobacco curing barn of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the traction electromagnet driving the locking rod to swing in this invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Walking frame; 2. Lifting platform; 2.1. Vertical rod; 2.2. Handrail; 3. Left receiving rod; 3.1. Support rod; 3.2. Elastic rod; 3.3. Elastic guide assembly; 3.4. Receiving sensor; 4. Right receiving rod; 5. Rope winding machine; 6. Left support; 7. Right support; 8. Left slide; 9. Left bottom pulley; 10. Left top pulley; 11. Winding roller; 12. First pull rope; 13. Left lifting lug; 14. Right bottom pulley; 15. Right top pulley; 16. Second pull rope; 17. Right lifting lug; 18. Material picking limit rod; 19. Material picking limit switch; 20. Upper limit plate; 21. Lower limit switch; 22. Vertical guide rail. 23. Slider; 24. Sliding sleeve; 25. Lifting rod; 26. Connecting rod; 27. Pre-hanging frame for tobacco stalks; 27.1. Pedal; 28. Left pre-hanging frame; 29. ​​Right pre-hanging frame; 30. Pre-hanging limit plate; 31. Clearance groove; 32. Receiving limit plate; 33. First track; 34. Second track; 35. Screw; 36. Traveling wheel; 37. Rotating handwheel; 38. Travel limit switch; 39. Limit baffle; 40. Locking rod; 41. Locking hook; 42. Traction electromagnet; 42.1. Telescopic rod; 43. Hook; 44. Receiving limit switch; 45. Feeding limit switch; 46. Tobacco stalk sensor; 47. Foot pedal lifting control switch; 48. Travel control button switch. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the present invention will be briefly introduced below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and descriptions of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following description of the structure of the accompanying drawings is only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is for the purpose of helping to understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1: like Figures 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a tobacco loading and unloading lifting mechanism for a tobacco curing barn, including a traveling frame 1. The traveling frame 1 is equipped with a material receiving lifting mechanism and a lifting platform 2. The material receiving lifting mechanism includes a lifting mechanism, a left material receiving rod 3 and a right material receiving rod 4. The lifting mechanism drives the left material receiving rod 3 and the right material receiving rod 4 to rise and fall synchronously to adjust the material picking height of the tobacco rod. The lifting platform 2 is used to adjust the working height of the workers.

[0028] In this technical solution, both the receiving lifting mechanism and the lifting platform 2 are mounted on the traveling frame 1. By moving the traveling frame 1, the tobacco stalks to be hung on the left receiving rod 3 and the right receiving rod 4 can be transferred as a whole to the tobacco hanging position. Workers no longer need to carry tobacco stalks back and forth over long distances in the curing barn. In specific operation, workers only need to stand on the height-adjustable lifting platform 2 and control the movement of the traveling mechanism 1 to transfer the tobacco stalks to be hung as a whole until the traveling frame 1 moves to the tobacco hanging position. Workers on the lifting platform 2 can then directly pick up and hang the tobacco, eliminating the need to repeatedly climb ladders or carry tobacco stalks over long distances. This allows for easy completion of high-altitude tobacco hanging operations, avoiding fatigue and the risk of falls caused by climbing, significantly reducing labor intensity, and improving tobacco loading efficiency and operational safety. It solves the problems of high labor intensity and low efficiency associated with traditional manual long-distance carrying of tobacco stalks.

[0029] Furthermore, the material receiving lifting mechanism can flexibly adjust the height of the material receiving rods (left receiving rod 3 and right receiving rod 4) according to the different heights of the tobacco hanging positions in the curing barn, to adapt to the needs of curing racks of different heights; the lifting platform 2 can independently adjust the height of the working platform according to the height and operating habits of the staff, ensuring that they are always in a comfortable and safe working posture. This dual lifting design (achieving dual adaptive adjustment of the height of the tobacco rod and the staff) allows the equipment to flexibly adapt to curing barns of different heights and specifications, making it highly versatile.

[0030] In summary, this technical solution, through the cooperation of the walking frame 1, the material receiving and lifting mechanism and the lifting platform 2, allows workers to complete the smoke hanging operation while standing at a suitable height without having to repeatedly climb ladders, bend over or walk long distances with heavy loads, thus greatly reducing labor intensity and improving work comfort.

[0031] Example 2: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 1.

[0032] The lifting mechanism includes a rope winding machine 5, a left support 6, a left slide 8, a right support 7, and a right slide. The left support 6 is equipped with a left bottom pulley 9 and a left top pulley 10. The left slide 8 slides vertically with the left support 6. The left receiving rod 3 is set on the left slide 8. The first rope 12 is wound on the winding roller 11 of the rope winding machine 5. The first rope 12 passes around the left bottom pulley 9, then passes upward around the left top pulley 10, and then extends downward to connect with the left lifting lug 13 on the left slide 8. The right support 7 is equipped with a right bottom pulley 14 and a right top pulley 15. The winding roller 11 of the rope winding machine 5 is wound with a second pull rope 16. The right slide is vertically sliding with the right support 7. The right receiving rod 4 is set on the right slide. The second pull rope 16 passes around the right bottom pulley 14, then passes up to the right top pulley 15 and then extends down to connect with the right lifting lug 17 on the right slide.

[0033] This technical solution uses a single power source (one rope winding machine 5) to drive both side slides (left slide 8 and right slide). Compared with the dual-motor solution, this significantly reduces the number of electrical and power components, lowering manufacturing costs and the probability of failure. Simultaneously, the coaxial winding and unwinding of the left and right ropes ensures forced mechanical synchronization between the left and right receiving rods 3 and 4 from the outset, avoiding problems such as tobacco stem tilting, jamming, or mechanical damage caused by asynchronous driving on both sides, thus improving the consistency and reliability of the movement.

[0034] The pull ropes are guided by a pulley system consisting of a bottom pulley and a top pulley, and then connected to the carriages (left carriage 8 and right carriage), forming a labor-saving pulley system. This system allows for the lifting of heavier loads using a smaller motor, resulting in energy savings and cost-effectiveness. Preferably, both the first pull rope 12 and the second pull rope 16 are steel wire ropes.

[0035] The left slide 8 and the right slide are vertically slidably engaged with the corresponding left support 6 and right support 7, respectively, providing precise vertical guidance for the left receiving rod 3 and the right receiving rod 4, preventing them from swaying or twisting during the lifting process, and ensuring the stability and accuracy of the tobacco rod handover and lifting process.

[0036] Example 3: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 2.

[0037] The lifting platform 2 is equipped with a material picking limit rod 18, and the left slide 8 or the right slide is equipped with a material picking limit switch 19. When the material picking limit switch 19 is raised to the height position that touches the material picking limit rod 18, the rope winding machine 5 stops winding the first rope 12 and the second rope 16.

[0038] When the material pick-up limit switch 19 rises with the slide (left slide 8 or right slide) and contacts the material pick-up limit rod 18 fixed on the lifting platform 2, the winding machine automatically stops, so that the receiving rods (left receiving rod 3 and right receiving rod 4) stop at the optimal height that the operator can reach. This height automatically adapts to the adjustment of the lifting platform 2, realizing an intelligent following effect when the operator raises the rod and lowers the rod, achieving automatic positioning and height self-adaptation, improving operational convenience, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the lifting process, significantly simplifying the operation steps, improving the smoothness of operation, enhancing human-machine efficiency, and improving operational comfort and efficiency.

[0039] It adopts a pure mechanical contact trigger, without relying on electronic sensors or complex programming. It has a simple structure, direct response, and strong anti-interference. It is particularly suitable for harsh environments such as dust and humidity in tobacco curing barns. The system has high stability, low failure rate, and improves reliability and environmental adaptability.

[0040] Example 4: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 3.

[0041] An upper limit switch assembly is provided between the upper end of the left support 6 and the left slide 8, and a lower limit switch assembly is provided between the lower end of the right support 7 and the right slide. Specifically, the upper limit switch assembly includes an upper limit plate 20 installed on the upper end of the left support 6 and a material pick-up limit switch 19 installed on the left slide 8. When the material pick-up limit rod 18 rises with the lifting platform 2 and exceeds the upper limit plate 20, the material pick-up limit switch 19 reaches its top and contacts the upper limit plate 20. At this point, the system controls the lifting mechanism to stop rising, the rope winding machine 5 stops winding the first rope 12 and the second rope 16, and the left and right slides stop rising. This prevents the lifting mechanism from overshooting the top. It should be noted that the material pick-up limit... When the positioning rod 18 and the upper limit plate 20 are installed, they are slightly misaligned to prevent the material picking limit rod 18 from touching the upper limit plate 20 when it rises. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the material picking limit rod 18 and the upper limit plate 20 trigger the material picking limit switch 19 at different height positions. Specifically, the lower limit switch assembly includes a lower limit switch 21. When the right slide descends to touch the lower limit switch 21, the system controls the lifting mechanism to stop descending, the rope winding machine 5 stops loosening the first rope 12 and the second rope 16, and the left slide 8 and the right slide stop descending.

[0042] By slightly misaligning the material pick-up limit rod 18 and the upper limit plate 20 during installation, the same material pick-up limit switch 19 can be triggered by two different triggers (material pick-up limit rod 18 and upper limit plate 20) under different conditions, thereby realizing two different protection logics: Level 1: Precise control of working height: During normal operation, the material picking limit rod 18, which moves with the lifting platform 2, is triggered to stop the tobacco stalk precisely at the most suitable working height for the operator to pick it up.

[0043] Level 2: Extreme position safety protection: When the lifting platform 2 rises abnormally beyond its normal working range, or when the control system malfunctions and the first-level limit fails, the material picking limit switch 19, which continues to rise with the left slide 8, will touch the upper limit plate 20 fixed at the upper end of the left support 6, thereby forcibly cutting off the power and preventing the mechanism from overshooting.

[0044] This design achieves seamless integration and dual protection from process control to fault protection using a minimal number of components (one switch and two trigger blocks).

[0045] Example 5: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 4.

[0046] The height of the left receiving rod 3 is lower than the height of the right receiving rod 4.

[0047] Due to space limitations, if the woven tobacco stalks cannot be placed horizontally, the width of the equipment can be shortened by using a diagonal hanging method where one side is higher than the other, or one side is forward and the other is backward.

[0048] Example 6: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 5.

[0049] The left support 6 is provided with a vertical guide rail 22, and the left slide 8 is slidably engaged with the vertical guide rail 22 via a slider 23. The left receiving rod 3 is set on the left slide 8 and extends forward. Preferably, the left support 6 is L-shaped, and the two vertical surfaces of the left support 6 are respectively provided with vertical guide rails 22. The right support 7 is provided with a sliding sleeve 24, and the right slide includes a lifting rod 25. The lifting rod 25 is slidably engaged with the sliding sleeve 24, and the right receiving rod 4 is set on the top of the lifting rod 25 and extends forward.

[0050] Left side (vertical guide rail 22-slider 23 structure): provides high rigidity and high precision guidance. Since the left side is the main starting bearing side of the load (especially when the tobacco stalk is tilted from left to right, the starting torque on the left side is greater), the vertical guide rail 22-slider 23 structure can effectively resist the lateral force generated during the handover and lifting of the tobacco stalk, ensuring the stability of the left side's movement trajectory.

[0051] Right side (sliding sleeve 24-lifting rod 25 structure): Enables economical and smooth following motion. The right side mainly undertakes the tasks of following lifting and auxiliary support. The simple sliding sleeve 24 and lifting rod 25 are used to ensure free sliding in the vertical direction, meeting the requirements of synchronous lifting. The cost of this structure is significantly lower than that of the vertical guide rail 22-slider 23 structure, and the installation gap is easy to adjust, reducing the difficulty of manufacturing and assembly.

[0052] The combination of the above-mentioned streamlined and simplified design ensures that the synchronous movement accuracy of the left and right receiving rods meets the usage requirements. Compared with the solution that uses precision guide rails on both sides, it significantly reduces the material and manufacturing costs of the whole machine, achieving significant cost reduction while ensuring synchronization accuracy.

[0053] Example 7: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 6.

[0054] The right-side carriage includes two lifting rods 25. The right-side receiving rod 4 is located at the end of the two lifting rods 25 extending out of the upper end of the crossbeam of the right-side support 7. A connecting rod 26 is provided between the lower ends of the two lifting rods 25. A right-side lifting lug 17 is provided on the connecting rod 26. The second pull rope 16 passes around the bottom right pulley 14, passes upward through the connecting rod 26, passes around the top right pulley 15, and then extends downward to connect with the right-side lifting lug 17.

[0055] The two parallel lifting rods 25, together with the top right receiving rod 4 and the lower connecting rod 26, form a closed-loop rigid frame structure. Compared with a single lifting rod 25, the double rod structure distributes the load to two support points, effectively preventing the receiving rod from swaying, tilting or structural deformation under heavy load, and ensuring high stability of the lifting motion.

[0056] Example 8: like Figures 5-7 As shown, the present invention also provides an automatic tobacco loading machine for a curing barn, which includes a tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 and a tobacco loading lifting mechanism as described in any of the embodiments 5-7. The tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 includes a traveling mechanism, a left pre-hanging frame 28 and a right pre-hanging frame 29. The traveling mechanism drives the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 to travel between the pre-hanging station and the unloading station. The height of the left pre-hanging frame 28 is lower than the height of the right pre-hanging frame 29.

[0057] The tobacco stalks are pre-attached on the frame 27 outside the curing barn and automatically fed into the unloading station (connected to the curing barn loading and lifting mechanism) via a walking mechanism. The loading and lifting mechanism then receives the tobacco and lifts it to a height easily accessible to the worker. The worker stands on the adjustable lifting platform 2 throughout the process, enabling the tobacco to be easily attached and hung, creating a new operating mode of external attachment and internal delivery, and standing operation. This transforms high-intensity, high-risk agricultural manual labor into safe and labor-saving equipment operation.

[0058] The height of the left pre-hanging frame 28 is lower than that of the right pre-hanging frame 29, and the material receiving height matches the tobacco loading lifting mechanism of the curing barn, achieving a precise, fast, and damage-free transfer of tobacco stalks from pre-hanging to receiving. External pre-hanging and internal tobacco hanging can be carried out in parallel, forming a continuous production line, eliminating the time gaps caused by personnel traveling back and forth and waiting in the traditional mode, significantly improving the efficiency of tobacco loading, and making it particularly suitable for intensive, batch-based curing tobacco production.

[0059] Example 9: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 8.

[0060] A pre-hanging limit plate 30 is provided on the outer side of the left pre-hanging frame 28. An avoidance groove 31 is formed between the left pre-hanging frame 28 and the pre-hanging limit plate 30. When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 moves to the lower tobacco station, the material picking extension of the left receiving rod 3 is located in the avoidance groove 31, and the material picking extension of the right receiving rod 4 is located on the outer or inner side of the right pre-hanging frame 29.

[0061] The clearance groove 31 provides a dedicated, protected physical channel for the entry of the left receiving rod 3. When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 moves to the unloading position, the left receiving rod 3 can be precisely embedded in the clearance groove 31, while the right receiving rod 4 supports the other end of the tobacco stalk from the outside (or inside). This eliminates the risk of collision or scratching between the left and right receiving rods 3 and the main structure of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27, achieving spatial clearance and ensuring zero interference and high reliability in the handover process.

[0062] Example 10: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 9.

[0063] A receiving limit plate 32 is provided on the outer side of the left receiving rod 3, and the receiving limit plate 32 extends outward at an angle.

[0064] The inclined receiving limit plate 32 forms an open, guiding inlet ramp. When the tobacco stalk moves to the lower tobacco station along with the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27, even if there is a slight lateral deviation between the end of the tobacco stalk and the receiving rods (left receiving rod 3 and right receiving rod 4), the ramp can guide the end of the tobacco stalk to slide in along the ramp, automatically align and fall into the receiving area formed by the left receiving rod 3 and the receiving limit plate 32. This reduces the requirements for the initial placement accuracy of the tobacco stalk and the stopping accuracy of the equipment, and improves the system's fault tolerance and the success rate of automated handover.

[0065] At the moment the left receiving rod 3 catches the tobacco stem and begins to lift, the tobacco stem may move laterally due to inertia or a change in its center of gravity. The outwardly tilted receiving limit plate 32 and the left receiving rod 3 together form a constraint space with a larger opening at the top and a narrower opening at the bottom. This space allows the tobacco stem to enter smoothly, but once inside, the tilted plate surface constitutes a physical barrier, effectively preventing the tobacco stem from accidentally slipping laterally during dynamic processes, thus ensuring the reliability of the lifting process.

[0066] Example 11: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 9.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the left receiving rod 3 includes a support rod 3.1 and an elastic rod 3.2. The support rod 3.1 is fixedly connected to the left slide 8. The elastic rod 3.2 is elastically connected to the support rod 3.1 through an elastic guide assembly 3.3. The support rod 3.1 is equipped with a receiving sensor 3.4. The lower end of the elastic rod 3.2 is equipped with a U-shaped groove, which covers the support rod 3.1, so that no foreign matter can enter between the elastic rod 3.2 and the support rod 3.1.

[0068] The elastic rod 3.2 is connected to the support rod 3.1 through the elastic guide component 3.3. It can undergo controllable elastic yielding at the moment of contact with the tobacco stem, absorbing and buffering the impact energy generated when the tobacco stem falls or is placed, thus avoiding the hard-hitting impact between the traditional rigid receiving rod and the tobacco stem.

[0069] After the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 moves to the unloading station, both the receiving limit switch 44 on the traveling frame 1 and the feeding limit switch 45 on the pre-hanging frame are triggered. The rope winding machine 5 of the receiving lifting mechanism starts to rise. The receiving sensor 3.4 (such as a proximity switch or position sensor) installed on the support rod 3.1 is used to detect in real time whether the elastic rod 3.2 is in the receiving completed state. When the elastic rod 3.2 is displaced under the gravity of the tobacco stalk and triggers the receiving sensor 3.4, the receiving is completed, and the rope winding machine 5 stops rising. After the tobacco stalk is removed, the elastic rod 3.2 resets under the action of the elastic component, the state of the receiving sensor 3.4 changes, and the rope winding machine 5 starts to work, causing the left receiving rod 3 and the right receiving rod 4 to descend back to their initial positions. This realizes the state perception and closed-loop control of the receiving action, making the operation safer.

[0070] Example 12: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 8.

[0071] It also includes a first track 33 and a second track 34. The first track 33 is set inside the tobacco curing barn, and the traveling frame 1 travels on the first track 33. The second track 34 is set outside the tobacco curing barn, and the tobacco stem pre-hanging frame 27 travels on the second track 34. The first track 33 and the second track 34 are detachably plugged together for fixation. Multiple screws 35 are threaded onto the second track 34. The lower end of the screws 35 is rotatably connected to a traveling wheel 36. The upper end of the screws 35 is provided with a rotating handwheel 37. By rotating the handwheel to rotate the screws 35, the height of the traveling wheel 36 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the second track 34 to be flush with the first track 33 so that the two can be plugged together for fixation.

[0072] The ground inside and outside the curing barn often has height differences, is uneven, or has a slope. Traditional fixed track installation requires complex civil engineering leveling, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. This design uses multiple independently adjustable screw 35-walking wheel 36 components on the second track 34 (outdoor section). Operators only need to turn the rotating handwheel 37 to precisely and conveniently adjust the height of each support point of the second track 34, so that it can be seamlessly aligned with the first track 33 fixed indoors on any ground surface. This expands the equipment's site applicability and solves the track alignment problem caused by uneven ground in agricultural sites. After fine adjustment ensures that the inner and outer tracks are aligned, a continuous, smooth, and stepless running path is provided for the walking frame 1 and the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27, ensuring the continuity and stability of the equipment's running trajectory and guaranteeing operational safety.

[0073] The first track 33 and the second track 34 are fixed by detachable plug-in connection (such as using male and female plugs, pins, etc.), which allows the outdoor track (second track 34) and the mounted equipment (such as the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27) to be quickly disassembled and moved when not in operation or when relocation is required. This not only frees up space at the entrance of the curing barn, making it easier for other operations, but also facilitates the transfer and use of equipment in different curing barns, greatly improving the utilization rate and mobility of the equipment, which is in line with the seasonal and flexible characteristics of agricultural production.

[0074] Example 13: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 8.

[0075] The end of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 is provided with a travel limit switch 38, and the second track 34 is provided with a limit baffle 39 corresponding to the travel limit switch 38; the bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 is provided with a locking rod 40, one end of the locking rod 40 is hinged to the bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27, and the other end of the locking rod 40 is provided with a locking hook 41. The bottom of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 is provided with a traction electromagnet 42, and the traction electromagnet 42 drives the locking rod 40 to swing around its hinge position through the telescopic rod 42.1 to achieve engagement and disengagement with the hook 43 at the end of the second track 34.

[0076] The cooperation between the travel limit switch 38 and the upper limit baffle 39 on the second track 34 provides a precise terminal position signal for the operation of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27. When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 reaches the pre-hanging position, the travel limit switch 38 touches the limit baffle 39, and the control system automatically cuts off the motor power of the travel mechanism, causing the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 to stop accurately. Afterwards, the traction electromagnet 42 drives the locking rod 40 to complete the locking without manual intervention, forming a fully automatic closed-loop control of stopping upon reaching the position and locking after stopping, improving the automation level and overall efficiency of the operation process.

[0077] Example 14: This embodiment is an optimization based on the above embodiment 8.

[0078] A material receiving limit switch 44 is provided on the side of the walking frame 1 near the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27, and a material feeding limit switch 45 is provided on the side of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 near the walking frame 1.

[0079] When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 transports the tobacco stalks to the unloading station, the feeding limit switch 45 on it is triggered, stopping the traveling mechanism. Simultaneously, the receiving limit switch 44 on the traveling frame 1 is triggered, activating the receiving lifting mechanism. The traveling mechanism pauses briefly until the receiving mechanism rises, after which the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 returns to the pre-hanging station. This ensures the safety of the coordinated operation of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 and the tobacco loading lifting mechanism in the curing barn.

[0080] The working principle of this technical solution is as follows: I. System Preparation and Initial State 1. Track docking and leveling: The second track 34, located outside the tobacco curing barn, is connected to the first track 33 inside the barn via a detachable plug-in connection. By rotating multiple handwheels 37 on the second track 34, the drive screw 35 is adjusted to adjust the height of the traveling wheels 36, so that the second track 34 is precisely aligned with the first track 33, forming a continuous and stable running path.

[0081] 2. Equipment Positioning: The mobile frame 1, which carries the workers, is located in the tobacco hanging area inside the curing barn, with its material receiving and lifting mechanism in a low-position waiting state. The tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 is located in the pre-hanging position outside the curing barn, with its locking rod 40 in a locked state to prevent the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 from swinging during the external pre-hanging process.

[0082] II. External Pre-installation and Automated Conveying 1. Outside the curing barn, workers place the two ends of the pre-woven tobacco stalks onto the left pre-hanging frame 28 and the right pre-hanging frame 29 of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging machine 27, respectively. To facilitate the workers' operation of hanging the tobacco stalks onto the pre-hanging frames, the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 is equipped with a foot pedal 27.1, allowing workers to step on the foot pedal 27.1 to pre-hang the tobacco stalks. Because the left pre-hanging frame 28 is lower than the right pre-hanging frame 29, the tobacco stalks are tilted, with the left side lower than the right side. This allows even longer tobacco stalks to pass through, even in small spaces. Due to the width limitations inside the curing barn, tobacco stalks cannot be laid horizontally and must be hung diagonally to shorten their length. This achieves the goal of smoothly entering and exiting the curing barn.

[0083] 2. After the external pre-hanging work is completed, the staff starts the walking mechanism of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27. The traction electromagnet 42 first drives the locking rod 40 to unlock. Then the walking mechanism drives the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 to travel along the second track 34 and the first track 33 to the tobacco unloading station in the curing barn (i.e., the docking station with the walking frame 1).

[0084] 3. When the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 moves to the lower tobacco station, the material receiving limit switch 44 on the traveling frame 1 and the material feeding limit switch 45 on the pre-hanging frame are both triggered, the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 stops moving and the material receiving lifting mechanism starts. III. Interference-free, adaptive material receiving and lifting 1. Spatial Avoidance and Guided Material Receiving: The avoidance groove 31 formed by the left pre-hanging frame 28 and the pre-hanging limiting plate 30 on the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 provides an interference-free insertion space for the left receiving rod 3 of the traveling frame 1. The inclined receiving limiting plate 32 on the left receiving rod 3 plays a guiding role, guiding the end of the tobacco stalk to slide in. The right receiving rod 4 supports the other end of the tobacco stalk from the outside (or inside) of the right pre-hanging frame 29, achieving stable support for both ends of the tobacco stalk.

[0085] 2. Flexible Contact and Status Sensing: The elastic rod 3.2 of the left receiving rod 3 undergoes elastic deformation upon contact with the tobacco stem, buffering the impact. The receiving sensor 3.4 on the support rod 3.1 detects the displacement of the elastic rod 3.2 and sends a signal confirming successful receiving to the control system. To more accurately identify whether all the tobacco stems have been removed, a tobacco stem sensor 46, which can be an infrared sensor, can also be installed on the left slide 8 directly opposite the overlapping position of the tobacco stems.

[0086] 3. Synchronous Lifting and Height Adaptation: After receiving a successful material receiving signal, the control system starts the rope winding machine 5. Through the first rope 12, the second rope 16, and the pulley block, the left and right slide frames are synchronously pulled to rise smoothly along their respective guide structures. The left receiving rod 3 (low) and the right receiving rod 4 (high) synchronously lift the tobacco stalks in an inclined posture.

[0087] 4. Automatic Stop at Optimal Picking Height: To facilitate operator control of the lifting platform 2 and the movement of the traveling frame 1, the lifting platform 2 is equipped with a foot-operated lifting control switch 47 and a travel control button switch 48. The lifting platform 2 has a vertical rod 2.1, with a picking limit rod 18 mounted on it. A handrail 2.2 is located at the upper end of the vertical rod 2.1, and the travel control button switch 48 is mounted on the handrail 2.2. This ensures that the handrail 2.2 on the travel control button switch 48 is always in the optimal grip position, preventing operators on the lifting platform 2 from falling due to weightlessness during the forward and backward movement of the traveling frame 1. Operators control the lifting platform 2 to a suitable height for hanging cigarettes using the foot-operated lifting control switch 47 and move the traveling frame 1 to a convenient position for hanging cigarettes using the travel control button switch 48. Then, when the picking limit switch 19 on the left slide 8 touches the picking limit rod 18 fixed to the lifting platform 2 during the ascent, the rope winding machine 5 immediately stops. At this point, the tobacco stalks are raised to a height that is most comfortable and convenient for the staff standing on the lifting platform 2 to access them. The height of the lifting platform 2 itself can be pre-adjusted according to the staff's height to achieve human-machine height adaptation.

[0088] IV. Personnel smoking and institutional repositioning 1. The worker stands on the height-adjusted lifting platform 2, easily removes the tobacco stems from the left receiving rod 3 and the right receiving rod 4, and then turns around to hang them on the tobacco curing rack inside the curing barn. The worker can use the walking function of the lifting platform 2 to move between the tobacco receiving station and the tobacco hanging station or between different tobacco hanging stations to complete the tobacco hanging operation at different locations.

[0089] 2. When the tobacco stem is removed, the elastic rod 3.2 of the left receiving rod 3 is reset under the action of the elastic component, the state of the receiving sensor 3.4 changes, and at the same time, the tobacco stem sensor 46 does not detect the tobacco stem signal, and the control system determines that the tobacco stem has been removed.

[0090] 3. The control system controls the rope winding machine 5 to reverse and release the rope. The left receiving rod 3 and the right receiving rod 4 descend smoothly to their initial low positions under the action of gravity. When the lower limit switch 21 is triggered, the rope winding machine 5 stops and completes the reset.

[0091] 4. At the same time, the control system controls the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 to start automatically, return to the pre-hanging station outside the curing barn, and prepare to load the next batch of tobacco stalks, thus entering the next work cycle.

[0092] V. Safety Protection Throughout the entire operation, the upper and lower limit switch assemblies prevent the lifting mechanism from overshooting or excessively descending; the travel limit and mechanical locking mechanism ensure positional safety during transportation and operation; the interlocking logic between the limit switches (such as allowing material to be received only after confirmation of arrival) constitutes a multi-layered safety protection system, ensuring the safety of equipment and personnel.

[0093] In summary, this invention, through the synergistic effect of the tobacco stalk pre-hanging frame 27 and the tobacco loading lifting mechanism, achieves automated, labor-saving, and safe operation of the entire process from outdoor stalk hanging to indoor tobacco hanging, significantly improving the efficiency and comfort of tobacco loading.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism, characterized by: The walking frame is provided with a material receiving and lifting mechanism and a lifting platform, the material receiving and lifting mechanism comprises a lifting mechanism, a left material receiving rod and a right material receiving rod, the lifting mechanism drives the left material receiving rod and the right material receiving rod to synchronously lift for adjusting the material taking height of the tobacco rod, and the lifting platform is used for adjusting the working height of the staff.

2. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein: The lifting mechanism comprises a pull rope winding machine, a left support, a left sliding frame, a right support and a right sliding frame, the left support is provided with a left bottom pulley and a left top pulley, the left sliding frame is in vertical sliding fit with the left support, the left material receiving rod is arranged on the left sliding frame, a first pull rope is wound around the winding roller of the pull rope winding machine, the first pull rope passes through the left bottom pulley, then passes through the left top pulley upwards and then extends downwards to be connected with the left lifting lug on the left sliding frame; The right support is provided with a right bottom pulley and a right top pulley, a second pull rope is wound around the winding roller of the pull rope winding machine, the right sliding frame is in vertical sliding fit with the right support, the right material receiving rod is arranged on the right sliding frame, the second pull rope passes through the right bottom pulley, then passes through the right top pulley upwards and then extends downwards to be connected with the right lifting lug on the right sliding frame.

3. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein: The lifting platform is provided with a material taking limiting rod, the left sliding frame or the right sliding frame is provided with a material taking limiting switch, when the material taking limiting switch is lifted to a height position where the material taking limiting switch touches the material taking limiting rod, the pull rope winding machine stops winding the first pull rope and the second pull rope.

4. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein: An upper limiting switch assembly is arranged between the upper end of the left support and the left sliding frame, and a lower limiting switch assembly is arranged between the lower end of the right support and the right sliding frame.

5. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein: The height of the left material receiving rod is lower than the height of the right material receiving rod.

6. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein: The left support is provided with a vertical guide rail, the left sliding frame is in sliding fit with the vertical guide rail through a sliding block, and the left material receiving rod is arranged on the left sliding frame and extends towards the front; the right support is provided with a sliding sleeve, the right sliding frame comprises a lifting rod, the lifting rod is in vertical sliding fit with the sliding sleeve, and the right material receiving rod is arranged on the top of the lifting rod and extends towards the front.

7. A curing barn tobacco loading and lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein: The right sliding frame comprises two lifting rods, the right material receiving rod is arranged on the end of the two lifting rods which extends out of the upper end of the right support beam, a connecting rod is arranged between the lower ends of the two lifting rods, the connecting rod is provided with a right lifting lug, and the second pull rope passes through the connecting rod upwards after passing through the right bottom pulley, then passes through the right top pulley and then extends downwards to be connected with the right lifting lug.

8. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader characterized by: The tobacco rod pre-hanging frame comprises a walking mechanism, a left pre-hanging frame and a right pre-hanging frame, the walking mechanism drives the tobacco rod pre-hanging frame to walk between a pre-hanging station and a tobacco taking station, and the height of the left pre-hanging frame is lower than the height of the right pre-hanging frame.

9. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader according to claim 8, characterised in that: The outer side of the left pre-hanging rack is provided with a pre-hanging limiting plate, and an avoiding groove is formed between the left pre-hanging rack and the pre-hanging limiting plate, when the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack moves to the tobacco taking position, the material taking extension of the left material receiving rod is located in the avoiding groove, and the material taking extension of the right material receiving rod is located on the outer side or the inner side of the right pre-hanging rack.

10. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader as defined in claim 9 wherein: The outer side of the left material receiving rod is provided with a material receiving limiting plate which extends outwardly and obliquely.

11. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader as defined in claim 9 wherein: The left material receiving rod comprises a supporting rod and an elastic rod, the supporting rod is fixedly connected with the left slide frame, the elastic rod is elastically connected with the supporting rod through an elastic guide assembly, and a material receiving sensor is arranged on the supporting rod.

12. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader as defined in claim 8, wherein: Further comprising a first track and a second track, the first track is arranged in the tobacco curing house, the second track is arranged outside the tobacco curing house, and the first track and the second track are detachably inserted and fixed; a plurality of screw rods are threadedly connected to the second track, walking wheels are rotatably connected to the lower ends of the screw rods, and rotating handles are arranged on the upper ends of the screw rods, the height of the walking wheels is adjusted by rotating the screw rods, so that the second track is adjusted to be flush with the first track to be inserted and fixed.

13. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader as defined in claim 8 wherein: The end of the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack is provided with a walking limiting switch, and the second track is provided with a limiting baffle corresponding to the walking limiting switch; the bottom of the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack is provided with a lock rod, one end of the lock rod is hingedly connected with the bottom of the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack, the other end of the lock rod is provided with a lock hook, the bottom of the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack is provided with a traction electromagnet, and the traction electromagnet drives the lock rod to swing around the hinged position to realize the hooking and unhooking with the hook at the end of the second track.

14. A curing barn automatic tobacco loader as defined in claim 8 wherein: The walking rack is provided with a material receiving limiting switch on the side close to the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack, and the tobacco rod pre-hanging rack is provided with a feeding limiting switch on the side close to the walking rack.

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