Flow controllable tobacco stem conveying device

Abstract

A flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device is provided. A buffer-type guide hopper, corresponding to the position of a distribution trolley, is fixed outside the secondary stem storage tank. A first material level detection device is installed at the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper. A second material level detection device is installed on the track of the distribution trolley to detect the material distribution position when the trolley distributes material into the secondary stem storage tank. The lower port of the buffer-type guide hopper and the discharge end of the discharge conveyor below the secondary stem storage tank are both located above the feed end of the discharge inclined belt. A material level detection device is installed on the buffer-type guide hopper to detect the internal material level. Based on the detection result of the material level detection device, the feeding mode of the buffer-type guide hopper to the discharge inclined belt and the feeding mode of the discharge conveyor to the discharge inclined belt are switched. This invention eliminates the secondary stem storage stage, shortens the production cycle, reduces equipment maintenance and energy consumption, ensures the stability of the material flow on the discharge inclined belt, reduces the impact force of the material on the discharge inclined belt, and reduces tobacco stem splashing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of tobacco processing equipment, specifically relating to a flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] Tobacco stem processing is a crucial step in cigarette manufacturing, and the processing flow differs depending on the brand of tobacco. The stem storage stage in tobacco stem processing is divided into primary and secondary storage. To meet the processing demands of tobacco stem production, production lines typically include secondary storage. This means that even brands that can be processed with primary storage require secondary storage, leading to longer production cycles, increased equipment maintenance, and higher energy consumption. A traditional solution involves using a conveyor belt to directly transport the material from the overhead trolley to the discharge belt before reaching the secondary storage tank. The discharge belt then carries the material to the next workstation's conveyor belt, bypassing the secondary storage tank. While this solution effectively addresses the process flow issues, it further lengthens the production line and introduces the risk of unstable flow rates. Additionally, the addition of the conveyor belt increases initial investment. However, directly transporting the material from the overhead trolley to the next workstation's conveyor belt presents significant challenges due to the large height difference and impact force, making direct transfer impractical. Therefore, improvements are necessary to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem solved by this invention is to provide a flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device. By setting up a buffer-type guide hopper with a material level detection device on the outside of the secondary stem storage tank, the device provides conditions for the distribution trolley to directly convey materials to the discharge inclined belt via the buffer-type guide hopper, thereby eliminating the secondary stem storage link, shortening the production cycle, reducing equipment maintenance and energy consumption. Based on the material height information in the buffer-type guide hopper detected by the material level detection device, the device switches between the feeding mode of the buffer-type guide hopper to the discharge inclined belt and the feeding mode of the discharge belt conveyor to the discharge inclined belt, thereby ensuring the stability of the material flow on the discharge inclined belt. The setting of the buffer-type guide hopper can reduce the impact force of the material falling from the distribution trolley on the discharge inclined belt and reduce material splashing during the large drop conveying process of tobacco stems.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is a flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device, including a distribution trolley located above a secondary stem storage tank for distributing materials to the secondary stem storage tank. A buffer-type guide hopper corresponding to the position of the distribution trolley is fixed on the outside of the secondary stem storage tank. A first material level detection device is provided at the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper for detecting the material distribution position when the distribution trolley distributes material into the buffer-type guide hopper. A second material level detection device is provided on the track of the distribution trolley for detecting the material distribution position when the distribution trolley distributes material into the secondary stem storage tank. The lower port of the buffer-type guide hopper and the discharge end of the discharge conveyor belt below the secondary stem storage tank are both located above the feed end of the discharge inclined belt. A material level detection device is provided on the buffer-type guide hopper for detecting the internal material level, and the feeding mode of the buffer-type guide hopper to the discharge inclined belt and the feeding mode of the discharge conveyor belt to the discharge inclined belt are switched according to the detection result of the material level detection device.

[0005] The buffer-type feed hopper includes a funnel-shaped feed section (larger at the top and smaller at the bottom), a middle buffer section, and a lower vertical discharge section. The middle buffer section is inclined, and its upper end is fixedly connected to the lower end of the feed section via an arc transition section. The lower end of the middle buffer section is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical discharge section. The material level detection device is installed on the side wall of the vertical discharge section, and a maintenance door is provided on the front wall of the vertical discharge section.

[0006] Furthermore, the material level detection device includes a high material level photoelectric switch, a material detection photoelectric switch, and a low material level photoelectric switch. Corresponding plexiglass pieces are fixed on the lower two side walls of the buffer-type guide hopper. The high material level photoelectric switch, the material detection photoelectric switch, and the low material level photoelectric switch are fixedly installed on the plexiglass pieces from top to bottom.

[0007] Furthermore, the material detection photoelectric switch is used to detect whether there is material in the buffer-type guide hopper; the low material level photoelectric switch is used to control the on / off state of the discharge conveyor belt and the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank. When the low material level photoelectric switch detects no material, it controls the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank and the discharge conveyor belt to start, and then the discharge conveyor belt feeds material to the discharge inclined belt; the high material level photoelectric switch is electrically connected to the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank. After the high material level photoelectric switch detects material information, it controls the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank to be turned on, so that the distribution trolley moves to the position of the second material level detection device and then distributes material into the secondary storage tank.

[0008] Furthermore, the first material level detection device includes a first photoelectric switch, which is installed on the inner wall of the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper. The first photoelectric switch is electrically connected to the travel circuit of the distribution trolley. When the first photoelectric switch detects that the front end of the distribution trolley has moved above the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper, it controls the travel circuit of the distribution trolley to be disconnected, and the distribution trolley, which has stopped moving, distributes material into the buffer-type guide hopper.

[0009] Furthermore, the second material level detection device includes a forward displacement photoelectric switch and a backward displacement photoelectric switch. The forward displacement photoelectric switch and the backward displacement photoelectric switch are installed on the track of the distribution trolley. When the distribution trolley distributes material to the secondary storage tank, the extreme forward displacement of the front end and the extreme backward displacement of the rear end of the distribution trolley are detected by the forward displacement photoelectric switch and the backward displacement photoelectric switch, respectively.

[0010] Advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies:

[0011] 1. This technical solution provides a buffer-type guide hopper with a material level detection device installed on the outside of the secondary storage tank, so that the distribution crane can directly transport the material to the discharge inclined belt through the buffer-type guide hopper, thereby eliminating the secondary storage link, shortening the production cycle, and reducing equipment maintenance and energy consumption.

[0012] 2. This technical solution switches between the feeding mode of the buffered guide hopper to the discharge inclined belt and the feeding mode of the discharge belt conveyor to the discharge inclined belt based on the material height information detected by the material level detection device, thereby ensuring the stability of the material flow rate on the discharge inclined belt.

[0013] 3. This technical solution adopts a buffer-type guide hopper formed by a feeding section, a middle buffer section and a lower vertical discharge section. This facilitates feeding and discharging. The inclined middle buffer section forms an angle with the feeding section and the vertical discharge section, which can reduce the impact of the material falling from the distribution trolley on the discharge inclined belt and reduce material splashing during the large drop conveying process of tobacco stems.

[0014] 4. This technical solution provides a material buffer for long production lines. When the material flow is unstable or the back-end equipment malfunctions, the material can be temporarily stored in the secondary storage tank by adjusting the material distribution method. The material can then be discharged after production is completed. The structure is simple and the cost is low, which is 5% of the cost of adding a belt conveyor. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following will be based on embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described herein. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0018] Flow controllable tobacco stem conveying device, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a distribution trolley 2 located above the secondary storage tank 1 and used to distribute materials to the secondary storage tank 1. A buffer-type guide hopper 3, corresponding to the position of the distribution trolley 2, is fixed to the outside of the secondary storage tank 1. A first material level detection device is provided at the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper 3 to detect the material distribution position when the distribution trolley 2 distributes material into the buffer-type guide hopper 3. A second material level detection device is provided on the track of the distribution trolley 2 to detect the material distribution position when the distribution trolley 2 distributes material into the secondary storage tank 1. The lower port of the buffer-type guide hopper 3 and the discharge end of the discharge conveyor 4 below the secondary storage tank 1 are both located above the inlet end of the discharge inclined belt 5. A material level detection device is provided on the buffer-type guide hopper 3 to detect the internal material level. The feeding mode of the buffer guide hopper 3 to the discharge inclined belt 5 and the feeding mode of the discharge belt conveyor 4 to the discharge inclined belt 5 are switched according to the detection results of the material level detection device. In the above structure, by setting up a buffer guide hopper 3 with a material level detection device on the outside of the secondary storage tank 1, conditions are provided for the distribution crane 23 to directly transport materials to the discharge inclined belt 5 through the buffer guide hopper 3, thereby eliminating the secondary storage link, shortening the production cycle, and reducing equipment maintenance and energy consumption. According to the material height information in the buffer guide hopper 3 detected by the material level detection device, the feeding mode of the buffer guide hopper 3 to the discharge inclined belt 5 and the feeding mode of the discharge belt conveyor 4 to the discharge inclined belt 5 are switched to ensure the stability of the material flow on the discharge inclined belt 5.

[0019] The buffer-type feed hopper 3 includes a funnel-shaped feed section 3-1 (larger at the top, smaller at the bottom), a middle buffer section 3-2, and a lower vertical discharge section 3-3. The middle buffer section 3-2 is inclined, and its upper end is fixedly connected to the lower end of the feed section 3-1 via an arc transition section. The lower end of the middle buffer section 3-2 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical discharge section 3-3. The material level detection device is installed on the side wall of the vertical discharge section 3-3. Maintenance door 3-4 is provided on the front wall of material section 3-3; in the above structure, the buffer guide hopper 3 formed by feeding section 3-1, middle buffer section 3-2 and lower vertical discharge section 3-3 is convenient for feeding and discharging. At the same time, the inclined middle buffer section 3-2 forms an angle with feeding section 3-1 and vertical discharge section 3-3, which can reduce the impact of material falling from the distribution trolley 2 on the discharge inclined belt 5, reduce material splashing during the large drop conveying process of tobacco stems, and improve the service life of discharge inclined belt 5;

[0020] The material level detection device is as follows: The material level detection device includes a high material level photoelectric switch 6, a material detection photoelectric switch 7, and a low material level photoelectric switch 8. Corresponding acrylic glass is fixed on both sides of the lower end of the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The high material level photoelectric switch 6, the material detection photoelectric switch 7, and the low material level photoelectric switch 8 are fixedly installed on the acrylic glass from top to bottom. Specifically, the material detection photoelectric switch 7 is used to detect whether there is material in the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The low material level photoelectric switch 8 is used to control the on / off state of the discharge conveyor belt 4 and the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank 1. When the low material level photoelectric switch 8 detects no material, it controls the start of the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank 1 and the discharge conveyor belt 4, after which the discharge conveyor belt 4 feeds material to the discharge inclined belt 5. The high material level photoelectric switch 6 is electrically connected to the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank 1. After the high material level photoelectric switch 6 detects material information, it controls the connection of the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank 1, causing the distribution trolley 2 to move to the position of the second material level detection device and then distribute material into the secondary storage tank 1.

[0021] The first material level detection device is as follows: The first material level detection device includes a first photoelectric switch 9, which is installed on the inner wall of the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The first photoelectric switch 9 is electrically connected to the travel circuit of the distribution trolley 2. When the first photoelectric switch 9 detects that the front end of the distribution trolley 2 has moved above the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper 3, it controls the travel circuit of the distribution trolley 2 to be disconnected, and the distribution trolley 2, which has stopped moving, feeds material into the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The first photoelectric switch 9 is an inductive photoelectric switch.

[0022] The second material level detection device is as follows: The second material level detection device includes a front-shift photoelectric switch 10 and a rear-shift photoelectric switch 11. The front-shift photoelectric switch 10 and the rear-shift photoelectric switch 11 are installed on the track of the distribution trolley. When the distribution trolley 2 distributes material to the secondary storage tank 1, the front limit forward shift and the rear limit backward shift of the distribution trolley are detected by the front-shift photoelectric switch and the rear-shift photoelectric switch, respectively. In the above structure, three sets of photoelectric switches are set on the track of the distribution trolley 2. When the secondary storage process needs to be realized, the front end of the distribution trolley 2 reciprocates between the front-shift photoelectric switch 10 and the rear-shift photoelectric switch 11 to transport the material to the distribution trolley of the secondary storage tank 1. The reciprocating motion of the distribution trolley distributes the material evenly in the secondary storage tank 1. The front-shift photoelectric switch 10 and the rear-shift photoelectric switch 11 are both inductive photoelectric switches.

[0023] When the primary storage function is required, the distribution crane 2 stops after reaching the first photoelectric switch 9. The distribution crane 2 then transports the material to the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The buffer-type guide hopper 3 is equipped with maintenance doors 3-4, which can be opened for internal cleaning. Acrylic glass is installed on both side walls of the buffer-type guide hopper 3. The high-level photoelectric switch 6, material detection photoelectric switch 7, and low-level photoelectric switch 8 are mounted on the acrylic glass. All three are through-beam photoelectric switches. The high-level photoelectric switch 6 is a high-level alarm switch, and the low-level photoelectric switch 8 is a low-level alarm switch. The normally closed contacts of the high-level and low-level photoelectric switches 6 and 8 are connected in parallel in the alarm circuit. When the material level is higher than the high-level photoelectric switch 8, the alarm is triggered. If the low material level photoelectric switch 6 or 8 remains closed for more than 3 seconds, the alarm circuit will be activated, the alarm will sound and a warning will be issued, requiring further manual intervention. The material detection photoelectric switch 7 is a material detection switch, mainly used to detect whether there is material in the buffer-type guide hopper 3. When the downstream equipment malfunctions or the flow rate is unstable, if the material level is higher than the high material level photoelectric switch 6 for more than 5 seconds, the distribution trolley 2 will move backward, reciprocating between the forward shift photoelectric switch 10 and the backward shift photoelectric switch 11, spreading the material evenly on the spreading trolley in the secondary storage tank 1. The spreading trolley then evenly transports the material to the secondary storage tank 1. After the batch of material production is completed, when the material detection photoelectric switch 7 detects no material for 10 seconds, the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank 1 will start, transporting the material to the discharge belt 4.

[0024] This technical solution meets the production requirements of different process flow modes for primary and secondary tobacco stem storage, and can be switched freely, thereby shortening tobacco stem processing time by 2.5 hours and reducing energy consumption and daily equipment maintenance workload by 0.5 hours. It provides a material buffer for longer production lines. When the material flow is unstable or the downstream equipment malfunctions, the material can be temporarily stored in the secondary tobacco stem storage cabinet by adjusting the material distribution method, and then discharged after production is completed. The structure is simple and the cost is low, which is 5% of the cost of adding a belt conveyor.

[0025] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0026] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device, characterized in that: The system includes a distribution trolley (2) located above the secondary storage tank (1) and used to distribute materials to the secondary storage tank (1). A buffer-type guide hopper (3) corresponding to the position of the distribution trolley (2) is fixed on the outside of the secondary storage tank (1). A first material level detection device is provided at the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper (3) for detecting the material distribution position when the distribution trolley (2) distributes material into the buffer-type guide hopper (3). A second material level detection device is provided on the track of the distribution trolley (2) for detecting the material distribution position when the distribution trolley (2) distributes material into the secondary storage tank (1). The distribution trolley (2) moves to the second material level detection device. After processing, the material is transported to the material distribution trolley in the secondary storage tank (1), and the material is evenly distributed in the secondary storage tank (1) during the reciprocating motion of the material distribution trolley. The lower port of the buffer guide hopper (3) and the discharge end of the discharge belt conveyor (4) below the secondary storage tank (1) are both located above the feed end of the discharge inclined belt (5). The buffer guide hopper (3) is equipped with a material level detection device for detecting the internal material level, and the feeding mode of the buffer guide hopper (3) to the discharge inclined belt (5) and the feeding mode of the discharge belt conveyor (4) to the discharge inclined belt (5) are switched according to the detection result of the material level detection device. The material level detection device includes a high material level photoelectric switch (6), a material detection photoelectric switch (7) and a low material level photoelectric switch (8). The buffer-type guide hopper (3) has corresponding organic glass fixed on its lower side walls. The high material level photoelectric switch (6), the material detection photoelectric switch (7) and the low material level photoelectric switch (8) are fixedly installed on the organic glass from top to bottom.

2. The flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer-type feed hopper (3) includes a funnel-shaped feed section (3-1) with a larger upper section and a smaller lower section, a middle buffer section (3-2), and a lower vertical discharge section (3-3). The middle buffer section (3-2) is inclined, and the upper end of the middle buffer section (3-2) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the feed section (3-1) through an arc transition section. The lower end of the middle buffer section (3-2) is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical discharge section (3-3) and communicates with it. The material level detection device is installed on the side wall of the vertical discharge section (3-3), and a maintenance door (3-4) is provided on the front wall of the vertical discharge section (3-3).

3. The flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material detection photoelectric switch (7) is used to detect whether there is material in the buffer-type guide hopper (3); the low material level photoelectric switch (8) is used to control the on / off of the discharge belt conveyor (4) and the on / off of the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank (1). When the low material level photoelectric switch (8) detects no material, it controls the bottom belt of the secondary storage tank (1) and the discharge belt conveyor (4) to start, and then the discharge belt conveyor (4) feeds material to the discharge inclined belt (5); the high material level photoelectric switch (6) is electrically connected to the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank (1). After the high material level photoelectric switch (6) detects the material information, it controls the material distribution circuit of the secondary storage tank (1) to be connected, so that the distribution trolley (2) moves to the position of the second material level detection device and then distributes material into the secondary storage tank (1).

4. The flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first material level detection device includes a first photoelectric switch (9). The first photoelectric switch (9) is installed on the inner wall of the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper (3). The first photoelectric switch (9) is electrically connected to the travel circuit of the distribution trolley (2). When the first photoelectric switch (9) detects that the front end of the distribution trolley (2) moves to the upper port of the buffer-type guide hopper (3), it controls the travel circuit of the distribution trolley (2) to be disconnected, and the distribution trolley (2) that has stopped traveling distributes material into the buffer-type guide hopper (3).

5. The flow-controllable tobacco stem conveying device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The second material level detection device includes a front displacement photoelectric switch (10) and a rear displacement photoelectric switch (11). The front displacement photoelectric switch (10) and the rear displacement photoelectric switch (11) are installed on the track of the distribution trolley (2). When the distribution trolley (2) distributes material to the secondary storage tank (1), the front limit forward displacement and the rear limit backward displacement of the distribution trolley (2) are detected by the front displacement photoelectric switch (10) and the rear displacement photoelectric switch (11), respectively.

Images