A method of feeding

Abstract

This invention discloses a feeding method in which material is fed into a feeding bin by a first conveying mechanism for storage, and then output to a lifting mechanism after storage. The feeding bin is annular, with a bottom belt along its circumference. The feeding method includes: during the storage stage, obtaining the volume of a unit material, where the unit material is the material fed into the feeding bin by the first conveying mechanism within a first preset time; calculating the weight of the unit material based on the material density and the volume of the unit material, and storing the calculated weight; repeating the above steps until the feeding bin is fully stored; during the feeding stage, retrieving the weight of the unit material stored at the corresponding time during the storage stage every second preset time interval, and updating the speed of the bottom belt based on the retrieved weight. This invention enables quantitative and constant-speed feeding, reducing tobacco breakage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco production technology, and in particular to a feeding method. Background Technology

[0002] The tobacco shred production equipment includes a tobacco shred feeding machine. The feeding machine is a device that uses a feeding bin, elevator, bottom belt and equalizing roller and other components to detect materials through photoelectric tubes and perform electrical control to feed materials quantitatively using volume. It can continuously and evenly transport materials such as tobacco leaves and shreds, and realize the functions of material buffering and balanced material transportation in the front and back processes of the tobacco shred production line.

[0003] However, in the existing technology, when the feeder is in the feeding stage, the elevator is controlled entirely by the phototube of the transition hopper. When the phototube is not blocked by material, the feeding hopper feeds forward, and when the phototube is blocked, the feeding hopper stores material backward. Therefore, it is impossible to feed the material in a quantitative and constant speed, which causes the tobacco to be constantly rubbed in the elevator, resulting in a large amount of tobacco fragments and seriously affecting the tobacco fragment breakage rate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that the feeder cannot feed tobacco at a fixed rate and quantity, causing continuous friction within the elevator and resulting in a large amount of tobacco breakage, which seriously affects the tobacco breakage rate. This invention provides a feeding method that can achieve quantitative and rate-controlled feeding, reducing tobacco breakage.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention discloses a feeding method in which material is fed into a feeding bin by a first conveying mechanism for storage, and after storage is completed, the material is output to a lifting mechanism through the feeding bin; the feeding bin is annular, and its bottom is provided with a bottom belt along its circumference;

[0006] Feeding methods include:

[0007] During the storage stage, the volume of a unit material is obtained. The unit material is the material that is fed into the feeding bin by the first conveying mechanism within a first preset time.

[0008] Calculate the weight of a unit of material based on the material density and the volume of a unit of material, and store the calculated weight.

[0009] Repeat the above steps until the feeding hopper is full of material;

[0010] During the feeding stage, the weight of the unit material stored in the storage stage at the corresponding time is retrieved every second preset time, and the speed of the bottom belt is updated according to the retrieved weight.

[0011] Using the above technical solution, during the material storage stage, the volume of a unit material is obtained, and the weight of a unit material is calculated based on the material's density and volume. The calculated weight of a unit material is then stored in the memory. During the feeding stage, the stored weight of a unit material is retrieved every second preset time interval. Based on the speed of the bottom belt at this time, the speed of the feeder's bottom belt is updated. This avoids the lifting mechanism from chasing material when there is insufficient or interrupted material flow in the first conveying mechanism, thus preventing any impact on the first drive device. Simultaneously, it enables quantitative and constant-speed feeding.

[0012] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, during the feeding stage, the speed of the bottom belt is calculated based on the rated flow rate of the electronic scale located downstream of the lifting mechanism and the weight of the unit material being retrieved.

[0013] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the first preset time is less than the second preset time.

[0014] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the formula for calculating the volume of a unit material is as follows:

[0015] △V=△t1*v1*S';

[0016] Where △V is the volume of a unit material, △t1 is the first preset time, v1 is the conveying speed of the bottom belt, and S' is the cross-sectional area of ​​the material measured in real time.

[0017] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the feeding bin includes a plurality of material pile height detection devices, which are arranged on the feeding side of the feeding bin along the conveying direction perpendicular to the bottom belt, for detecting the height of the material on the feeding side of the feeding bin;

[0018] The cross-sectional area S' of the material measured in real time is obtained based on the height of the material measured by the material pile height detection device and the distance between adjacent material pile height detection devices.

[0019] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, obtaining the volume of a unit material further includes:

[0020] The real-time measured cross-sectional area S' of the material is compared with the theoretical cross-sectional area S of the material.

[0021] When S≤S'<1.05S, then let S'=S;

[0022] When 0.95S≤S'<S, then let S'=0.95S.

[0023] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the feeding bin further includes an inlet feed detection device disposed on the feed side of the feeding bin and an outlet material pile detection device disposed on the discharge side of the feeding bin, and the feeding method further includes:

[0024] During the material storage stage, the bottom belt starts conveying the material when the inlet feed detection device detects the material.

[0025] When the outlet material pile detection device detects material, the bottom belt stops conveying material, and the feeding hopper completes material storage.

[0026] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the second preset time is 20-40 seconds.

[0027] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the second preset time is 30 seconds.

[0028] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the feeding method further includes: calculating the total weight of the materials stored in the feeding bin based on the weight of each unit of material stored. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a feeder used in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 A top view of a feeder used in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the material pile inside the feed hopper is shown;

[0032] Figure 4 The diagram shows a longitudinal cross-section of the material pile inside the feed hopper after it has been deployed. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention is presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of the invention are limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the invention in conjunction with embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of the present invention. To provide a deep understanding of the invention, many specific details will be included in the following description. The invention may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of the invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0034] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the product of the invention is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0036] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] In existing feeders, a feeding bin is provided, which contains a photoelectric detection device to check whether the bin is full. The discharge end of the feeding bin is connected to a transition bin of the elevator, which also contains a photoelectric detection device. During the feeding phase, when the photoelectric detection device in the transition bin is not obstructed, the bottom belt motor of the feeding bin rotates forward, and the bottom belt rotates forward to transport the material to the transition bin. Then, the elevator motor starts, driving the bottom belt chain to rotate and lift the material to a higher position (simultaneously, the comb roller rotates in the opposite direction to remove excess material carried by the lifting chain). When the feeding bin has poured a large amount of material into the transition bin until the photoelectric detection device in the transition bin is obstructed, the bottom belt of the feeding bin stops feeding forward, but the elevator and the incoming material do not stop. To prevent the feed inlet of the feed hopper from being blocked by material, the bottom belt of the feed hopper continues to reverse, accumulating material at the rear of the feed hopper until the photoelectric detection device in the transition hopper is exposed. Then, the bottom belt of the feed hopper is turned forward to feed material forward.

[0040] The feeding process of the feeding bin of the above-mentioned feeder is entirely controlled by the photoelectric detection device of the transition bin of the elevator. When the photoelectric detection device of the transition bin is exposed, the feeder moves forward; otherwise, the feeder moves backward. This control method cannot feed the material quantitatively and at a constant speed, causing the material to accumulate in large quantities in the transition bin of the elevator from time to time. As a result, the material is repeatedly rubbed by the chain at the bottom of the elevator, causing a large amount of tobacco fragments and seriously affecting the tobacco fragment breakage rate.

[0041] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a feeding method that enables quantitative and constant-speed feeding, thereby reducing tobacco shreds and fragments.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a feeder used in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a top view of the feeder. In this embodiment, material is fed into the feeder by the first conveying mechanism 10 for storage. After storage, the material is output to the lifting mechanism 30 via the feeder. The feeder includes:

[0043] The feeding bin 21 is annular in shape and is used to hold materials. It has an inlet side 211 and an outlet side 212.

[0044] The bottom belt 22 is set at the bottom of the feeding bin 21 and is used to transport the material in the feeding bin 21 from the inlet side 211 to the outlet side 212.

[0045] The first driving device 23 is used to drive the bottom belt 22;

[0046] The material pile height detection device is installed on the feeding side 211 of the feeding bin 21 and is used to detect the height of the material on the feeding side 211 of the feeding bin 21. The material pile height detection device includes multiple laser rangefinders 241. The laser rangefinders 241 are fixed on the support 24 at certain intervals, wherein the support 24 is set in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the bottom belt 22.

[0047] An inlet feed detection device 27 is located on the feed side 211 of the feed bin 21 and is closer to the feed side 211 than the material pile height detection device. It is used to detect whether there is material on the feed side 211 of the feed bin 21.

[0048] The outlet material pile detection device 28 is installed on the discharge side 212 of the feeding bin 21 and is used to detect whether there is material on the discharge side 212 of the feeding bin 21.

[0049] The door 25 is rotatably disposed at the outlet end 213 of the feeding bin 21, and the outlet end 213 is connected to the lifting mechanism 30;

[0050] The second drive device 26 is connected to the bin door 25. When feeding, the second drive device 26 drives the bin door 25 to rotate to open the outlet end 213 of the feeding bin 21.

[0051] The control device is connected to the first drive device 23, the second drive device 26, the material pile height detection device, the inlet feed detection device 27, and the outlet material pile detection device 28.

[0052] In this embodiment, the feeding method includes:

[0053] During the storage stage, the volume of a unit material △V is obtained. The volume of a unit material △V is the material that is fed into the feeding bin 21 by the first conveying mechanism 10 within the first preset time △t1.

[0054] Calculate the weight ΔM of the unit material based on the material density ρ and the volume ΔV of the unit material, and store the calculated weight.

[0055] Repeat the above steps until the feeding hopper is full of material;

[0056] During the feeding stage, the weight △M of the unit material stored in the storage stage at the corresponding time is retrieved every second preset time △t2, and the speed V of the bottom belt 22 is updated according to the retrieved weight △M.

[0057] Using the above technical solution, during the storage stage, the volume of a unit material is obtained, and the weight of a unit material is calculated based on the material's density and volume. The calculated weight of a unit material is then stored in the memory. During the feeding stage, the stored weight of a unit material is retrieved every second preset time interval, and the speed of the bottom belt 22 is calculated. The speed of the bottom belt 22 of the feeder is updated based on this calculated speed. This avoids the lifting mechanism 30 from chasing material when the first conveying mechanism 10 experiences insufficient or interrupted material supply, thus preventing any impact on the first drive device 23. Simultaneously, it enables quantitative and constant-speed feeding.

[0058] Specifically, △t1 is the total time T during the material storage stage, from the first conveying mechanism 10 to the feeding bin 21 until the feeding bin 21 is full of material, which is divided into N time periods, each time period being the first preset time △t1.

[0059] Furthermore, during the feeding stage, the speed of the bottom belt 22 is calculated based on the rated flow rate of the electronic scale located downstream of the lifting mechanism and the weight of the unit material being retrieved.

[0060] Specifically, assuming the rated flow rate of the electronic scale after the lifting mechanism is A, with units of kg / s, and the weight of the unit material is ΔM, with units of kg / m, then the formula for calculating the speed of the bottom belt 22 during feeding is:

[0061] v2 = A / △M.

[0062] Using the above technical solution, during the feeding stage, the speed of the bottom belt 22 is calculated based on the weight △M of the stored unit material and the rated flow rate A set by the electronic scale after the elevator. At this time, the speed of the bottom belt 22 is not calculated based on △M calculated at the first preset time, but is updated every second preset time △t2. In this way, even if the first conveying mechanism 10 has insufficient material or interrupted material supply, resulting in a smaller △M and causing the speed of v2 to far exceed the normal value, the speed of the bottom belt 22 will not change since the second preset time has not yet arrived, and there will be no material chasing phenomenon. This can extend the service life of the first drive device 23, and the feeder can achieve quantitative and constant speed feeding, reducing tobacco breakage.

[0063] Specifically, N values ​​of ΔM calculated at a first preset time Δt1 are stored in the memory in chronological order. Every second preset time Δt2, the ΔM at that moment is searched, and the speed of the bottom belt 22 is calculated according to the speed calculation formula for the bottom belt 22. When the first conveying mechanism 10 experiences a shortage or interruption of material, the value of ΔM is much lower than the normal value, while v2 is much higher than the normal value. However, if Δt2 has not yet been reached, the speed of the bottom belt 22 in the feeding bin 21 will not change and will continue to operate at the speed of the previous moment, thus preventing material chasing. Therefore, the above technical solution can reduce the impact on the bottom belt speed, extend the service life of the first drive device 23, and enable the feeder to achieve quantitative and constant-speed feeding, reducing tobacco breakage.

[0064] Furthermore, the first preset time Δt1 is less than the second preset time Δt2.

[0065] Specifically, during the material storage stage, the smaller the first preset time Δt1, the more the impact of insufficient or interrupted material on the belt speed can be reduced.

[0066] Furthermore, the second preset time Δt2 is 20-40 seconds. If the second preset time Δt2 is set too short, it cannot reduce the impact on the bottom belt caused by insufficient or interrupted material; if it is set too long, constant speed and quantitative feeding cannot be achieved. Preferably, to ensure the stability of the feeder, the second preset time Δt2 is 30 seconds.

[0067] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the volume ΔV of a unit material is:

[0068] △V=△t1*v1*S';

[0069] Wherein, △V is the volume of a unit material, △t1 is the first preset time, v1 is the transport speed of the bottom belt 22 of the feeding bin 21 during the feeding stage, and S' is the cross-sectional area of ​​the material measured in real time.

[0070] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area S' of the material measured in real time is obtained based on the height h of the material measured by the material pile height detection device and the distance ΔL1 between adjacent material pile height detection devices.

[0071] Specifically, during the material storage stage, material falls from the discharge port of the first conveyor mechanism 10 and accumulates in the feeding bin 21. After the inlet feed detection device 27 is blocked by material for a certain period of time, the first drive device 23 drives the bottom belt 22 to move forward slowly and uniformly to begin transporting the material. At the same time, the material pile height detection device detects the height of the material until the material reaches the outlet material pile detection device 28. When the outlet material pile detection device 28 is blocked, it indicates that the material storage is complete, and the bottom belt 22 stops. During the slow rotation and forward movement of the bottom belt 22, its speed is v1. The material pile height detection device measures the height h of the material pile in real time and calculates the cross-sectional area S' of the material measured in real time based on the height h and the distance ΔL1 between adjacent material pile height detection devices.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the area of ​​the material between two adjacent stockpile height detection devices is ΔS':

[0073] △S'=h*△L1,

[0074] If there are m material pile height detection devices installed on the support 24, then the cross-sectional area S' of the material measured in real time is:

[0075]

[0076] Considering the detection accuracy of the stockpile height detection device and the control accuracy of other equipment, and for ease of subsequent program calculations, a scale of 0.05S is chosen, and values ​​are taken downwards. Furthermore, obtaining the volume ΔV of a unit material also includes comparing the real-time measured cross-sectional area S' of the material with the theoretical cross-sectional area S of the material.

[0077] When S≤S'<1.05S, then let S'=S;

[0078] When 0.95S≤S'<S, then let S'=0.95S.

[0079] Specifically, the theoretical cross-sectional area S of the material is the average value of the cross-sectional area measured multiple times under the condition that the feeding bin 21 stores material normally and the bottom belt 22 moves forward at a constant speed. Each time the feeding bin 21 completes a storage operation, it is considered one operation.

[0080] More specifically, during the storage stage, within the first preset time Δt1, such as Figure 4 As shown, the distance traveled by the bottom belt 22 carrying the material is ΔL2. If the speed of the bottom belt 22 is v1, then the volume ΔV of the unit material carried by the bottom belt 22 within the first preset time Δt1 is:

[0081] △L2=v1*△t1,

[0082] △V=S'*△L2==S'*v1*△t1.

[0083] Based on the density ρ of the material and the volume ΔV per unit of material, the weight per unit of material is calculated as follows:

[0084] △M=△V*ρ.

[0085] Furthermore, in order to understand the total amount of material stored in the feeding bin 21, the feeding method also includes: calculating the total weight M of the material stored in the feeding bin 21 based on the weight ΔM of each unit of material stored.

[0086] When the material storage is complete, the memory has stored N units of material weight ΔM. Therefore, the total weight of material stored in the feeding hopper 21 is:

[0087] M = N * △M.

[0088] Where M is the total weight of the material stored in the feed bin, and ΔM is the weight of the unit material.

[0089] According to the feeding method provided by the present invention, in the storage stage, the weight of the material transported by the bottom belt of the feeding bin per unit time is calculated and stored. In the feeding stage, the running speed of the bottom belt during feeding is calculated every second preset time based on the weight of the material per unit time and the rated flow of the electronic scale, so that quantitative and constant speed feeding can be achieved. Even if there is a shortage or interruption of material when the first conveying mechanism delivers material to the feeding bin, the subsequent lifting mechanism will not experience material chasing phenomenon, thereby improving the service life of the feeder and reducing tobacco breakage.

[0090] While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is a further detailed explanation of the invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the invention to these descriptions. Various changes in form and detail can be made by those skilled in the art, including several simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A feeding method, wherein material is fed into a feeding bin by a first conveying mechanism for storage, and after storage is complete, the material is output from the feeding bin to a lifting mechanism; characterized in that, The feeding bin is annular, and its bottom is provided with a bottom strip along its circumference; the feeding method includes: During the storage stage, the volume of a unit material is obtained, wherein the unit material is the material fed into the feeding bin by the first conveying mechanism within a first preset time. The weight of the unit material is calculated based on the material density and the volume of the unit material, and the calculated weight is stored. Repeat the above steps until the feeding hopper is full of material; During the feeding phase, the weight of the unit material stored in the storage phase at the corresponding time is retrieved every second preset time, and the speed of the bottom belt is calculated based on the rated flow rate of the electronic scale located downstream of the lifting mechanism and the retrieved weight of the unit material; the first preset time is less than the second preset time.

2. The feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The formula for calculating the volume of a unit material is as follows: △V=△t1*v1*S'; Wherein, △V is the volume of the unit material, △t1 is the first preset time, v1 is the conveying speed of the bottom belt, and S' is the cross-sectional area of ​​the material measured in real time.

3. The feeding method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding bin includes multiple material pile height detection devices, which are arranged on the feeding side of the feeding bin along the conveying direction perpendicular to the bottom belt, and are used to detect the height of the material on the feeding side of the feeding bin; The cross-sectional area S' of the material measured in real time is obtained based on the height of the material measured by the material pile height detection device and the distance between adjacent material pile height detection devices.

4. The feeding method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method of obtaining the volume of a unit material also includes: The real-time measured cross-sectional area S' of the material is compared with the theoretical cross-sectional area S of the material. When S≤S'<1.05S, then let S'=S; When 0.95S≤S'<S, then let S'=0.95S.

5. The feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding hopper further includes an inlet feed detection device disposed on the feed side of the feeding hopper and an outlet material pile detection device disposed on the discharge side of the feeding hopper, and the feeding method further includes: During the material storage stage, when the inlet feed detection device detects material, the bottom belt begins to convey the material. When the outlet material pile detection device detects material, the bottom belt stops conveying material, and the feeding bin completes material storage.

6. The feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second preset time is 20-40 seconds.

7. The feeding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding method further includes: calculating the total weight of the materials stored in the feeding bin based on the weight of each of the stored unit materials.

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