Guide device for S-curves in first-in-first-out storage equipment for bar-shaped materials

Abstract

The present invention discloses a guiding device for an S-bend in a first-in, first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials. The device comprises an elastic guide body that abuts the rod-shaped materials at the hopper outlet or within the S-bend and enables the rod-shaped materials to pass through the S-bend; and a drive device connected to the elastic guide body to drive the elastic guide body within the S-bend, thereby guiding the rod-shaped materials abutting the elastic guide body and the elastic guide body to move within the S-bend at the same speed. The guiding device of the present invention maintains the quality of the rod-shaped materials without manual intervention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tobacco packaging machinery, in particular to a guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials. Background Art

[0002] In tobacco manufacturing, when transferring rod-shaped materials from cigarette making machines (or filter rod forming machines) to downstream equipment, they typically pass through a rod-shaped material conveying and storage device, which delivers continuous rod-shaped materials in a multi-layer stack to the downstream equipment. Currently, commonly used rod-shaped material conveying and storage devices are divided into two types: first-in, first-out (FIFO) and first-in, last-out (FILO) methods, based on the order in which materials enter the device and are discharged. For FIFO devices, when the machine is turned on and filled, after the rod-shaped materials enter the "S"-shaped curve of the storage device, the rod-shaped materials need to be driven by each layer of the conveyor belt in the storage device and manually moved from top to bottom by a sponge with a slightly larger width for the rod-shaped material conveying channel. Only then can the rod-shaped materials be introduced into the bottom cigarette conveying channel. During the manual top-down movement of the handheld sponge, the outer baffles of each layer need to be opened. When each "S"-shaped bend is filled, the outer baffles are closed. Since the operator needs to stand on a ladder to operate, inconsistent speeds will cause sticks to be messed up or even stop the machine, resulting in waste and easily causing safety accidents for personnel. In addition, in this case, the cigarettes may come into direct contact with the operator, resulting in the loss of moisture and aroma of the tobacco, which will not only reduce the quality of the product, but also affect product sales, thereby affecting the economic benefits of the tobacco factory.

[0003] For example, the patent document with Chinese utility model patent application number 201821065251.8 discloses a cigarette flow guiding device, which includes a large roller body and multiple small roller bodies. The large roller body and the small roller body both include a cylindrical roller shell. A roller elastic layer with a buffering effect is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the roller shell. A side cover plate is provided at each end of the roller shell. The outer cylindrical surface of the large roller body is interference fit with the cigarette conveying channel, and the outer cylindrical surface of the small roller body is clearance fit with the cigarette conveying channel.

[0004] The above-mentioned prior art has the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] Based on the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention provides a guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials.

[0007] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials, comprising:

[0009] The elastic guide body abuts against the hopper outlet or the rod-shaped material in the S-bend and enables it to pass through the S-bend;

[0010] The driving device is connected to the elastic guiding body to drive the elastic guiding body to move in the S-bend, so as to guide the rod-shaped material abutting against the elastic guiding body and the elastic guiding body to move in the S-bend at the same speed.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic guide body includes a first abutting portion, a second abutting portion and a pulling portion, the first abutting portion abuts against the rod-shaped material, the second abutting portion abuts against the inner wall of the S-curve, and the pulling portion is connected to the driving device.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic guide body is a teardrop-shaped column.

[0013] Further, the elastic guide body and the driving device are connected through a first unit link block.

[0014] Furthermore, the driving device includes a plurality of driving units connected in series, and adjacent driving units are connected via a second unit linking block.

[0015] Furthermore, the driving unit is an elliptical cylinder.

[0016] Furthermore, the drive unit includes a drive unit body and a first link part, a second link part and a plurality of drive wheels arranged on the drive unit body, wherein the first link part and the second link part are respectively arranged at the top and bottom ends of the drive unit body, and the plurality of drive wheels are evenly distributed on the side wall of the drive unit body, and the drive wheels abut against the inner wall of the S-curve.

[0017] Furthermore, the upper end of the S-bend is connected to the horizontal input channel through the hopper, the horizontal input channel is connected to the upstream equipment, and the lower end of the S-bend is connected to the horizontal output channel, and the horizontal output channel is connected to the downstream equipment.

[0018] Furthermore, the S-curve includes a vertical conveying portion, a serpentine conveying portion and an output portion which are connected in sequence.

[0019] Furthermore, the serpentine conveying portion includes a conveying inner wall, a conveying outer wall, and a C-shaped connecting portion sandwiched between the conveying inner wall and the conveying outer wall and connected end to end.

[0020] Furthermore, the C-shaped connecting portion is composed of the output end portion and the arc portion to form a C-shaped material conveying channel, the top end of the arc portion is provided with a high material level photoelectric sensor, and the middle end of the arc portion is provided with a low material level photoelectric sensor.

[0021] Furthermore, the driving unit body is made of plastic.

[0022] Furthermore, the driving wheel is made of rubber.

[0023] Furthermore, the driving unit body is covered with a foam layer.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0025] 1. The automatic guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in, first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials of the present invention realizes automatic guidance of the rod-shaped materials through the coordinated arrangement of an elastic guide body and a drive device, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining the quality of the rod-shaped materials.

[0026] 2. The automatic guiding device for the S-curve of the first-in-first-out storage equipment for rod-shaped materials described in the present invention realizes smooth control of the transportation speed of rod-shaped materials through the coordinated arrangement of the C-shaped connecting part, the low-level photoelectric sensor and the high-level photoelectric sensor, thereby improving the transportation efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an automatic guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an elastic guide body in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the S-curve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure, 1-elastic guide body, 11-first abutting part, 12-second abutting part, 13-pulling part, 14-first unit link block, 2-hopper, 3-S-bend, 31-vertical conveying part, 32-snake-shaped conveying part, 323-C-shaped connecting part, 3231-output end part, 3232-arc-shaped part, 33-output part, 4-driving device, 41-driving unit, 411-driving unit body, 412-first link part, 413-second link part, 414-driving wheel, 42-second unit link block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

[0033] Example

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the automatic guiding device for the S-curve of the first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials includes:

[0035] The elastic guide body 1 abuts against the rod-shaped material at the outlet of the hopper 2 or in the S-bend 3 and is capable of passing through the S-bend 3. When the automatic guiding device is not activated, the elastic guide body 1 can block the lower end of the outlet of the hopper 2 to prevent the rod-shaped material from falling into the S-bend 3. When the automatic guiding device is activated, the elastic guide body 1 moves downward in the S-bend 3 to guide the rod-shaped material to be transported downward;

[0036] A driving device 4 is connected to the elastic guide 1 to drive the elastic guide 1 to move in the S-bend 3, so as to guide the rod-shaped material abutting against the elastic guide 1 to move in the S-bend 3 at the same speed as the elastic guide 1;

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the elastic guide body 1 includes a first abutting portion 11, a second abutting portion 12 and a pulling portion 13. The first abutting portion 11 abuts against the rod-shaped material, the second abutting portion 12 abuts against the inner wall of the S-bend 3, and the pulling portion 13 is connected to the driving device 4.

[0038] The elastic guide body 1 and the driving device 4 are connected via a first unit link block;

[0039] In the above embodiment, the elastic guide body 1 is a teardrop-shaped columnar body. In order to facilitate the movement of the elastic guide body 1 in the S-bend 3, the elastic guide body 1 is made of sponge material. The function of the elastic guide body 1 also includes protecting the rod-shaped material from being squeezed and deformed. After the upstream machine starts working (that is, after the coiling machine is turned on), the rod-shaped material enters the conveying channel horizontally and is conveyed to the hopper 2. The rod-shaped material is detected by the material level detector. When the material level of the rod-shaped material is at a high level, the driving device 4 moves at a matching speed, driving the elastic guide body 1 to move downward, guiding the rod-shaped material to move downward at the same time;

[0040] A material level detector is provided on the hopper 2 for monitoring the material level of the rod-shaped material.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the driving device 4 includes a plurality of driving units 41 connected in series, and adjacent driving units 41 are connected via a second unit link block 42;

[0042] The driving unit 41 is an elliptical column;

[0043] The drive unit 41 includes a drive unit body 411 and a first link 412, a second link 413, and a plurality of drive wheels 414 disposed on the drive unit body 411. The first link 412 and the second link 413 are disposed at the top and bottom ends of the drive unit body 411, respectively. The plurality of drive wheels 414 are evenly distributed on the sidewalls of the drive unit body 411, and the drive wheels 414 abut against the inner wall of the S-curve 3.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the driving unit body 411 is made of plastic, and the driving wheel 414 is made of rubber. In order to avoid scratching between the driving unit body 411 and the inner wall of the S-bend 3, a foam layer is coated on the driving unit body 411.

[0045] The first link portion 412 and the second link portion 413 both adopt a hinge structure;

[0046] The driving wheels 414 are driven by a motor driven by a battery. For example, the driving unit body 411 is provided with two driving wheels 414. Both driving wheels 414 are active wheels. The rims of the two driving wheels 414 exceed the outer edge of the driving unit body 411. When the two driving wheels 414 are started, the driving wheels 414 rotate downward along the inner wall of the S-curve 3.

[0047] The driving wheel 414 is made of rubber material, so that the driving wheel 414 can be elastically deformed; the driving wheel 414 is controlled by a remote control device (not shown).

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the upper end of the S-bend 3 is connected to the horizontal input channel through the hopper 2, and the horizontal input channel is connected to the upstream equipment (not shown in the figure); the lower end of the S-bend 3 is connected to the horizontal output channel, and the horizontal output channel is connected to the downstream equipment (not shown in the figure);

[0049] The S-curve 3 includes a vertical conveying portion 31, a serpentine conveying portion 32 and an output portion 33 which are connected in sequence;

[0050] The serpentine conveying portion 32 includes a conveying inner wall, a conveying outer wall, and a C-shaped connecting portion 323 sandwiched between the conveying inner wall and the conveying outer wall and connected end to end;

[0051] The C-shaped connecting portion 323 is composed of an output end portion 3231 and an arc portion 3232 to form a C-shaped material conveying channel. A high material level photoelectric sensor is provided at the top of the arc portion 3232, and a low material level photoelectric sensor is provided at the middle end of the arc portion 3232.

[0052] In the above embodiment, after the elastic guide body 1 enters the C-shaped connecting portion 323, when the material level of the rod-shaped material in the C-shaped connecting portion 323 is between the detection positions of the low material level photoelectric sensor and the high material level photoelectric sensor, the guide device moves at the set speed;

[0053] When the material level of the rod-shaped material in the C-shaped connecting portion 323 is lower than the low material level photoelectric sensor, the driving device 4 drives the elastic guide 1 to move faster until the material level of the C-shaped connecting portion 323 is between the detection positions of the low material level photoelectric sensor and the high material level photoelectric sensor;

[0054] When the material level of the rod-shaped material in the C-shaped connecting portion 323 is higher than the detection position of the high-level photoelectric sensor, the driving device 4 drives the elastic guide body 1 to decelerate and move until the material level of the C-shaped connecting portion 323 is between the detection positions of the low-level photoelectric sensor and the high-level photoelectric sensor (the above-mentioned low-level photoelectric sensor and high-level photoelectric sensor are not shown);

[0055] The elastic guide 1 is controlled to move as described above, thereby ensuring that the rod-shaped materials are not disordered and can smoothly pass through the S-bend 3 to reach the horizontal output channel.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A guiding device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials, characterized in that: include: The elastic guide is a teardrop-shaped columnar body that abuts against the hopper outlet or the rod-shaped material in the S-bend and can pass through the S-bend; A driving device is connected to the elastic guide body to drive the elastic guide body to move in the S-bend, the elastic guide body and the driving device are connected by a first unit link block to guide the rod-shaped material abutting the elastic guide body and the elastic guide body to move in the S-bend at the same speed; The driving device includes a plurality of driving units connected in series, and adjacent driving units are connected via a second unit link block; The drive unit includes a drive unit body and a first link part, a second link part and several drive wheels arranged on the drive unit body, wherein the first link part and the second link part are respectively arranged at the top and bottom ends of the drive unit body, and the several drive wheels are evenly distributed on the side wall of the drive unit body, and the drive wheels abut against the inner wall of the S-curve.

2. The guide device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic guide body includes a first abutting portion, a second abutting portion and a pulling portion, the first abutting portion abuts against the rod-shaped material, the second abutting portion abuts against the inner wall of the S-bend, and the pulling portion is connected to the driving device.

3. The guide device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive unit body is made of plastic.

4. The guide device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving wheel is made of rubber.

5. The guide device for an S-curve of a first-in-first-out storage device for rod-shaped materials according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drive unit body is covered with a foam layer.

Images