Empty mold box foreign object detection device

Abstract

This invention discloses a foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes. The main design concept of this invention is to replace the traditional diffuse reflection fiber optic sensor with a through-beam fiber optic sensor, and to set up an air-jet cleaning component to clean the receiving probe area of ​​the through-beam fiber optic sensor, preventing tobacco dust and paper scraps from entering the mounting hole of the receiving end, thereby significantly reducing the frequency of false alarms. This invention improves the detection method of empty mold boxes, accurately detecting the inside of the empty mold box in a deep and thorough manner, which can greatly improve the self-inspection rate of the empty mold box, reduce the deformation of the first wheel and second pusher plate caused by missed detection, and thus significantly reduce the probability of wrinkles on the surface of cigarettes on one side of the cigarette pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigarette manufacturing, and more particularly to a foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes. Background Technology

[0002] The first wheel of the packaging unit completes the shaping and conveying of the cigarette pack. When the 20 qualified cigarettes are transported from the mold box to the front of the first wheel and pause, the second pusher pushes the cigarette pack into the first wheel. The clamping claw positions the cigarette pack, the first wheel rotates 180° counterclockwise, and then the push rod of the first wheel pushes the cigarette pack and the positioned inner liner paper towards the second wheel, beginning the inner liner paper packaging process.

[0003] During actual operation of the equipment, if a cigarette in a certain cigarette trough in the cigarette storage channel is not pushed into place by the first pusher or if deformed cigarettes are mixed in, the elastic block detector of the cigarette conveying channel will be triggered, thus entering the shutdown alarm procedure. Logically, at position X, the cigarettes in the current mold box and the cigarettes in the next mold box will be removed. If the mold box that should have been removed from the cigarette group is not actually completely removed, the empty mold box detector will be used to detect the mold box after removal at position X to ensure that no cigarettes remain. During the process of being pushed to the first wheel by the second pusher, there will be motion interference between the pusher, the first wheel, the mold box, and the bridge, which may cause deformation of the first wheel or bending and deformation of the pushing block on the pusher.

[0004] The existing empty cartridge detector is a diffuse reflection fiber optic sensor that can detect the presence of foreign objects at the filter end of empty cartridges after the cigarette packs have been removed. However, in practical applications, it has been found that its detection distance can only reach the end face of the cartridge, and it cannot detect cigarettes that may remain inside the cartridge, posing a risk of missed detection. If residual cigarettes obstruct the movement of the push rod at the bottom of the push rod or at the No. 1 wheel bridge, they may cause the push rod to deform due to impact. This can result in minor defects in the cigarette contact, or even major defects such as push rod deformation and damage to the conveyor cartridge, requiring additional repair and replacement procedures, which is not only time-consuming but also costly. Even worse, severely deformed cigarettes may be mixed in with the cigarette packs and then undergo the normal aluminum foil, label, and seal folding and packaging process. Such low-probability defective cigarette packs are difficult to detect, and if they enter the market, they will cause even more serious production quality accidents. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes to solve the aforementioned technical problems.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0007] This invention provides a foreign object detection device for an empty mold box, comprising: a through-beam fiber optic sensor for detecting foreign objects inside the empty mold box and an air-jet cleaning component; wherein, the receiving end of the through-beam fiber optic sensor is disposed in a mounting hole on a track baffle on one side of the removal rod, and the transmitting end of the through-beam fiber optic sensor is disposed in a mounting hole on a track baffle on the opposite side.

[0008] An air hole is provided on the track baffle on one side of the receiving end. One end of the air hole is opposite to the mounting hole of the receiving end. The air jet cleaning component is connected to the other end of the air hole and is used to perform air jet cleaning towards the mounting hole of the receiving end.

[0009] In at least one possible implementation, the jet cleaning component includes a jet connector, a pressure regulating valve, and an air source. The jet connector is connected to the air port and is connected to the pressure regulating valve and the air source in sequence via an air pipe.

[0010] In at least one of the possible implementations, the jet nozzle is located on the top surface of the track baffle on one side of the receiving end.

[0011] In at least one of the possible implementations, the air source includes a compressed air system for a small box packaging machine.

[0012] In at least one of the possible implementations, the pressure regulating valve has a pressure regulating range of at least 0.1 bar.

[0013] In at least one of the possible implementations, two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are provided at a preset interval on the cover plate above the track baffle. The probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches face the inside of the mold box, and a preset gap is formed between the probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches and the mold box.

[0014] The infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switch is connected to the electrical signal of the original electrical control system of the packaging equipment and is used to detect the status of cigarettes inside the mold box.

[0015] In at least one of the possible implementations, the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switch is located on one side of the rejection lever and is associated with the rejection lever control signal.

[0016] In at least one possible implementation, the empty mold box foreign object detection device further includes an amplifier, wherein the through-beam fiber optic sensor is electrically connected to the original electrical control system of the packaging equipment via the amplifier.

[0017] In at least one of the possible implementations, the receiver and the transmitter are respectively fixed to the track baffle by nuts.

[0018] The main design concept of this invention lies in replacing the traditional diffuse reflection fiber optic sensor with a through-beam fiber optic sensor, and incorporating an air-jet cleaning component to clean the receiving probe area of ​​the through-beam fiber optic sensor, preventing tobacco dust and paper scraps from entering the mounting holes of the receiving end, thereby significantly reducing the frequency of false alarms. This invention's improvement on the empty mold box detection method allows for a deep and thorough, accurate detection of the interior of the empty mold box, significantly increasing the self-inspection rate of the empty mold box, reducing deformation of the first wheel and second pusher plate caused by missed detections, and consequently significantly reducing the probability of wrinkles occurring on the surface of cigarettes on one side of the cigarette pack.

[0019] Furthermore, a set of laser probes above the mold box can help determine whether there are cigarettes inside the mold box, especially to reliably detect the shape of the remaining cigarettes, providing rich and reliable detection information for manual intervention and other control methods. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] This invention proposes an embodiment of a foreign object detection device for empty mold boxes, specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a through-beam fiber optic sensor for detecting foreign objects in an empty mold box 100 and an air jet cleaning component; wherein, the receiving end 1 of the through-beam fiber optic sensor is disposed in a mounting hole on a track baffle 300 on one side of the rejection rod 200, and the transmitting end 2 of the through-beam fiber optic sensor is disposed in a mounting hole on a track baffle 300 on the opposite side.

[0025] An air hole (not shown in the figure) is provided on the track baffle 300 on one side of the receiving end 1. One end of the air hole is opposite to the mounting hole of the receiving end 1, and the air jet cleaning component is connected to the other end of the air hole for air jet cleaning towards the mounting hole of the receiving end 1.

[0026] Furthermore, the jet cleaning component includes a jet connector 3, a pressure regulating valve (not shown in the figure), and an air source (not shown in the figure). The jet connector 3 is connected to the air hole and is connected to the pressure regulating valve and the air source in sequence through an air pipe.

[0027] Furthermore, the jet nozzle 3 is located on the top surface of the track baffle 300 on one side of the receiving end 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the air source includes the compressed air system of the small box packaging machine.

[0029] Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve has a pressure regulating range of at least 0.1 bar.

[0030] Further, refer to Figure 2 As shown, two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 are installed at a predetermined interval on the cover plate 400 above the track baffle 300. The probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 face the inside of the mold box 100, and a predetermined gap is formed between the probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 and the mold box 100. The infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 are connected to the electrical signal of the original machine's electrical control system of the packaging equipment and are used to detect the status of cigarettes inside the mold box 100. In addition, the two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 are preferably located on one side of the rejection rod 200 and are associated with the rejection rod control signal.

[0031] Specifically, the existing cover plate 400 (usually made of plexiglass) above the mold box conveyor belt can be modified. In actual operation, two threaded holes can be machined on the cover plate 400 at positions 2mm on both sides of the mold box 100 (this preset distance corresponds to the two ends of the actual cigarette). The probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switch 5 are installed in the two threaded holes on the cover plate 400 and fixed with locking rings (such as nuts). Preferably, the detection distance of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switch can be adjusted so that the formed laser spot can just detect the cigarette inside the mold box 100, that is, a preset gap is formed between the probe of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switch 5 and the mold box 100.

[0032] After the original machine control system triggers the rejection lever 200 to reject the cigarettes in the mold box 100, the output signals of the two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 can be collected to detect the status of the rejected cigarettes in the mold box. Here is an illustrative explanation: For example, if neither of the two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches 5 provides a high-level signal feedback, it means that the cigarettes in the mold box 100 have been completely rejected; when both output a high level, it means that there are still cigarettes in the mold box 100, and the cigarettes are in normal shape, without deformation or damage; if the two signals are not synchronized, it means that not only are there cigarettes in the mold box 100, but the cigarettes are also in abnormal shape. At this time, the corresponding early warning mechanism can be further triggered to remind manual intervention.

[0033] Furthermore, the empty mold box foreign object detection device also includes an amplifier, and the through-beam fiber optic sensor is connected to the original electrical control system of the packaging equipment via the amplifier.

[0034] Furthermore, the receiving end 1 and the transmitting end 2 are respectively fixed to the track baffle 300 by nuts 4.

[0035] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the working principle of the present invention can be referred to as follows: When mechanisms such as missing cigarette detection, empty head detection, elastic arm detection, and lever detection use a shifting procedure to remove cigarettes from the corresponding mold box and the cigarettes in the next mold box at position X, if a mold box that should have had its cigarettes removed is not completely removed, the foreign object inside the mold box can be reliably detected by the through-beam fiber optic sensor provided by the present invention. Then, the sensor can feed back a high level and connect to the original electronic control system of the packaging equipment via the aforementioned amplifier, triggering the preset packaging machine mold box self-test shutdown. Furthermore, the corresponding alarm mechanism can prompt the operator to conduct on-site actual confirmation.

[0036] Furthermore, a set of laser probes above the mold box can help determine whether there are cigarettes inside the mold box, especially to reliably detect the shape of the remaining cigarettes, providing rich and reliable detection information for manual intervention and other control methods.

[0037] In summary, the main design concept of this invention lies in replacing the traditional diffuse reflection fiber optic sensor with a through-beam fiber optic sensor, and incorporating an air-jet cleaning component to clean the receiving probe area of ​​the through-beam fiber optic sensor, preventing smoke droplets and paper scraps from entering the mounting holes of the receiving end, thereby significantly reducing the frequency of false alarms. This invention's improvement on the empty mold box detection method allows for a deep and thorough, accurate detection of the interior of the empty mold box, significantly increasing the self-inspection rate of the empty mold box, reducing deformation of the first wheel and second pusher plate caused by missed detections, and consequently significantly reducing the probability of wrinkles occurring on the surface of cigarettes on one side of the cigarette pack.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0039] The above description of the structure, features, and effects of the present invention is based on the embodiments shown in the figures. However, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the technical features involved in the above embodiments and their preferred methods can be reasonably combined and matched by those skilled in the art to form a variety of equivalent solutions without departing from or changing the design concept and technical effects of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or modifications to equivalent embodiments, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An empty magazine foreign object detection device for detecting a residual cigarette in a magazine, characterized by comprising: The application relates to an empty mould box foreign matter detection device comprising a pair of light emitting fiber sensors and a jet cleaning component; wherein the receiving end of the pair of light emitting fiber sensors is arranged in a mounting hole on a track baffle on one side of a rejection rod, and the transmitting end of the pair of light emitting fiber sensors is arranged in a mounting hole on a track baffle on the opposite side. A gas hole is arranged on the track baffle on the side of the receiving end, one end of the gas hole is opposite to the mounting hole of the receiving end, the jet cleaning component is connected to the other end of the gas hole, and the jet cleaning component is used for jet cleaning towards the mounting hole of the receiving end. Two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are arranged on a cover plate above the track baffle at a preset interval, the probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are directed towards the inside of the mould box, a preset gap is formed between the probes of the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches and the mould box, the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are located on one side of the rejection rod, and the infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are associated with the control signal of the rejection rod. After the rejection rod performs the rejection action on the cigarettes in the mould box, the output signals of the two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches are collected, and the output signals are used for assisting in judging whether the cigarettes are left in the empty mould box. The preset interval corresponds to the two ends of the actual cigarettes, the output signals of the two infrared laser diffuse reflection photoelectric switches from top to bottom towards the two ends of the cigarettes in the mould box are used for detecting the state of the cigarettes; when both of them output high level, it is indicated that the remaining cigarettes exist in the mould box and the shape of the remaining cigarettes is normal, and the remaining cigarettes are not deformed or incomplete; if the signals of the two are not synchronized, it is indicated that the remaining cigarettes exist in the mould box and the shape of the remaining cigarettes is abnormal, and manual intervention is triggered according to the abnormality. The jet cleaning component comprises a jet connector, a pressure regulating valve and an air source, the jet connector is connected with the gas hole and sequentially connected with the pressure regulating valve and the air source through an air pipe.

2. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of claim 1, wherein, The jet connector is arranged on the top surface of the track baffle on the side of the receiving end.

3. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of claim 2, wherein, The air source comprises a compressed air system of a small box packaging machine.

4. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of claim 2, wherein, The pressure regulating range of the pressure regulating valve at least comprises 0.1 bar.

5. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of claim 2, wherein, The empty mould box foreign matter detection device further comprises an amplifier, and the pair of light emitting fiber sensors are electrically connected with the original machine electrical control system of the packaging equipment through the amplifier.

6. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of any of claims 1-5, wherein, The receiving end and the transmitting end are respectively fixed on the track baffle through nuts.

7. The empty magazine foreign object detection device of any of claims 1-5, wherein, ​

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