Flow distribution device and flow distribution method

Abstract

This invention provides a flow distribution device and method. A distribution plate is installed in the feeding channel, capable of left-right swing adjustment to change the discharge angle of the tobacco leaves after passing through the feeding channel. A pair of equalizing rollers rotating in opposite directions at the same speed are installed in the equalizing zone to divert the tobacco leaves from the feeding channel to the left and right discharge channels. Sensing units are installed in the left and right discharge channels respectively to detect the impact of the tobacco leaves flowing through the two channels on the channel sidewalls, indirectly reflecting the flow rate of tobacco leaves flowing through the left and right discharge channels at the same time. Based on the detection of the sensing units, the position of the distribution plate is adjusted to change the position of the tobacco leaves landing on the equalizing rollers, thereby adjusting the diversion ratio of tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right discharge channels, making the flow rate of tobacco leaves passing through the left and right channels the same, achieving balanced production, improving leaf-beating efficiency, and balancing the rolling of the two beaters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco leaf trimming technology, specifically to a flow distribution device and a flow distribution method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the material distribution technology in the tobacco leaf threshing process is mainly carried out by material distribution rollers. The amount of material distributed is mainly adjusted manually based on experience, resulting in poor material distribution accuracy. This has a significant impact on equipment and production quality, and seriously hinders the development of the threshing and re-drying production line.

[0003] In view of the above problems, the inventors of this invention have finally obtained this invention after a long period of research and practice. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a flow distribution device and a flow distribution method to achieve precise leaf distribution.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0006] On the one hand, a flow distribution device is provided, including a feeding channel, a material equalization zone, a left discharge channel, a right discharge channel, and a feeding device;

[0007] The material equalization zone is connected to the feeding channel and located below the feeding channel; the left and right material discharge channels are located below the material equalization zone, and the material equalization zone is connected to the left and right material discharge channels respectively; a feeding device is connected below the left and right material discharge channels respectively.

[0008] The feeding channel is equipped with a material distribution plate, which can be adjusted by swinging left and right to change the discharge angle of the tobacco leaves after passing through the feeding channel.

[0009] The material distribution zone is equipped with a pair of material distribution rollers that rotate in opposite directions at the same speed, which are used to divert the tobacco leaves from the feeding channel to the left discharge channel and the right discharge channel.

[0010] The left and right feeding channels are each equipped with a sensing unit to detect the impact of tobacco leaves flowing through the two channels on the channel sidewalls, so as to indirectly reflect the flow rate of tobacco leaves flowing through the left and right feeding channels in the same time period.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sensing unit includes an elastic sealing cloth, a weighing plate, a weighing plate bracket, a weight sensor, and a base; the cross-sections of the left and right material discharge channels are V-shaped, and each of the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels has a measuring opening, the elastic sealing cloth closes the measuring opening, the weighing plate is arranged parallel to the lower side of the elastic sealing cloth, the base is fixed to the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels, the weight sensor is fixedly connected to the base, one end of the weighing plate bracket is connected to the weighing plate, and the other end is connected to the weight sensor.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sensing unit further includes a weighing plate fixing bolt, a sensor bracket, and an adjusting bolt; the weighing plate bracket is fixedly connected to the weight sensor via the weighing plate fixing bolt, the weight sensor is fixed on the sensor bracket, and the adjusting bolt is threadedly connected to the sensor bracket and the base, thereby adjusting the relative position between the sensor bracket and the base, and thus adjusting the distance between the weighing plate and the elastic sealing cloth.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels are provided with a first inclined section and a second inclined section in sequence along the tobacco leaf conveying direction. The first inclined section and the second inclined section are parallel and form a drop. The sensing unit is disposed on the second inclined section.

[0014] In some embodiments, the flow distribution device further includes a speed reducer and a pair of identical gears. One end of the two equalizing rollers is connected by a pair of gears, enabling the two equalizing rollers to rotate in opposite directions at the same speed. The speed reducer serves as a power source to drive one of the equalizing rollers to rotate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the flow distribution device further includes a distribution plate adjustment unit, which includes a servo motor and a transmission mechanism. The servo motor is connected to the distribution plate via the transmission mechanism, and the servo motor causes the distribution plate to swing, thereby adjusting its position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the flow distribution device further includes a motor controller, which is electrically connected to the servo motor and the sensing unit respectively.

[0017] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism includes a drive rod, an active crank, an active connecting rod, a passive crank, and a passive connecting rod; the upper end of the material distribution plate is fixed on a rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected within the feeding channel; there are two material distribution plates arranged in parallel; one end of each of the two rotating shafts is connected to the first end of each of the two active cranks, and the other end of each of the two rotating shafts is connected to the first end of each of the two passive cranks; the second ends of each of the two active cranks are hinged to both ends of the active connecting rod, and the second ends of each of the two passive cranks are hinged to both ends of the passive connecting rod; the servo motor drives the drive rod to reciprocate via an eccentric wheel, and the drive rod drives the active crank to synchronously swing the two material distribution plates.

[0018] In some embodiments, the two ends of the rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the two side walls of the feed channel via an active end bearing and a passive end bearing, respectively.

[0019] On the other hand, a flow distribution method is provided, in which the sensing units of the left and right feeding channels transmit the detected information to the motor controller. The motor controller controls the servo motor to adjust the position of the distribution plate according to the signal, so as to change the position of the tobacco leaves falling on the equalizing roller, thereby adjusting the flow ratio of the tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right feeding channels, so that the flow rate of tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right feeding channels tends to be the same.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] The flow distribution device of this invention includes a distribution plate installed in the feeding channel. By adjusting the position of the distribution plate to change the discharge angle, the flow rate of tobacco leaves in the two feeding channels can be changed by controlling the tobacco leaves to fall at different dropping points. A reducer rotates the equalizing rollers, and the gear movement causes the two equalizing rollers to run in opposite directions at the same speed, so that the tobacco leaves are evenly output to the two feeding channels. Sensors detect the impact of the tobacco leaves flowing through the two channels on the side walls of the channels to reflect the flow rate of tobacco leaves in the left and right feeding channels, providing a basis for adjusting the position of the distribution plate. More preferably, a servo motor automatically adjusts the position of the distribution plate according to the sensor signal to achieve precise leaf distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A front view schematic diagram of a flow distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 3 A rear view schematic diagram of the flow distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The above-mentioned and other technical features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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 limitations on this invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, a flow distribution device is provided, including a feeding channel 1, a material equalization zone 2, a left discharge channel 3, a right discharge channel 4, and a feeding device 5. The material equalization zone 2 is connected to the feeding channel 1 and is located below the feeding channel 1. The left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4 are located below the material equalization zone 2 and are symmetrically arranged. The material equalization zone 2 is connected to the left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4 respectively. The left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4 are each connected to a feeding device 5 below. Tobacco leaves are fed in through the feed inlet 11 at the top of the feeding channel 1, and then enter the material equalization zone 2. After being equalized by the material equalization zone 2, the tobacco leaves are output from the left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4 respectively, falling into the corresponding feeding devices 5 on both sides.

[0031] A distribution plate 12 is installed in the feeding channel 1. The distribution plate 12 can be adjusted by swinging left and right to change the discharge angle of the tobacco leaves after passing through the feeding channel 1. A pair of equalizing rollers 21 rotating in opposite directions at the same speed are installed in the equalizing zone 2 to ensure that the tobacco leaves are evenly output from the left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4. Adjusting the position of the distribution plate 12 controls the tobacco leaves to fall on different discharge points in the equalizing zone 2, thereby adjusting the tobacco leaf flow rate of the left and right discharge channels.

[0032] Sensing units 6 are installed in the left and right feeding channels 3 and 4 respectively to detect the impact of tobacco leaves flowing through the two channels on the channel sidewalls, thus indirectly reflecting the flow rate of tobacco leaves flowing through the left and right feeding channels at the same time. Understandably, based on the detection of the sensing units 6, it can be determined which feeding channel has a larger flow rate. To balance production, improve leaf-beating efficiency, and achieve equilibrium between the left and right threshing processes, the position of the distribution plate 12 is adjusted. Ideally, the flow rate of tobacco leaves passing through the left and right feeding channels should be the same, thereby ensuring that the flow rate of tobacco leaves entering the two leaf-beating devices 5 is identical. The adjustment of the distribution plate 12 can be manual by the operator based on the detection results or automatic.

[0033] In one specific embodiment, such as Figure 2As shown, the sensing unit 6 includes an elastic sealing cloth 61, a weighing plate 62, a weighing plate fixing bolt 63, a weighing plate bracket 64, a weight sensor 65, a sensor fixing bolt 66, a sensor bracket 67, a base 68, and an adjusting bolt 69. The cross-sections of the left and right material discharge channels 3 and 4 are symmetrically arranged in a figure-eight shape. Each of the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels 3 and 4 has a measuring opening. The elastic sealing cloth 61 closes the measuring opening. The weighing plate 62 is arranged parallel to the lower side of the elastic sealing cloth 61. The base 68 is fixed to the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels 3 and 4. The weight sensor 65 is fixedly connected to the base 68. One end of the weighing plate bracket 64 is connected to the weighing plate 62, and the other end is connected to the weight sensor 65. The weighing plate bracket 64 is fixedly connected to the weight sensor 65 by the weighing plate fixing bolt 63. The weight sensor 65 is fixed on the sensor bracket 67. The adjusting bolt 69 is threadedly connected to the sensor bracket 67 and the base 68. The relative position between the sensor bracket 67 and the base 68 can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting bolt 69, thereby adjusting the distance between the weighing plate 62 and the elastic sealing cloth 61.

[0034] When tobacco leaves impact the elastic sealing cloth 61, the force is transmitted to the weighing plate 62. The elastic sealing cloth 61 serves to seal and transmit force. The weighing plate bracket 64 is fixed to the weight sensor 65 by the weighing plate fixing bolts 63, and then the sensor bracket 67 is mounted on the base by the sensor fixing bolts 66. A sensor front-to-back distance adjustment bolt 69 is also provided to adjust the distance. The distance between the elastic sealing cloth 61 and the weighing plate 62 can be adjusted by loosening the sensor fixing bolts 66 and then adjusting the adjustment bolts 69.

[0035] Preferred, such as Figure 3 As shown, the lower sidewalls of the left and right material discharge channels 3 and 4 are sequentially arranged with first inclined sections 31 and 41 and second inclined sections 32 and 42 along the tobacco conveying direction. The first inclined sections 31 and 41 are parallel to the second inclined sections 32 and 42, forming a drop. The sensing unit 6 is disposed on the second inclined sections 32 and 42. In this invention, the measurement result of the sensing unit 6 only needs to reflect the flow difference between the two material discharge channels, and does not need to actually measure the specific flow rate. Therefore, due to the drop between the two inclined sections, when the flow rate is small, the drop creates a larger impact, thus accurately reflecting the flow difference at low flow rates.

[0036] In one specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the flow distribution device also includes a reducer 6 and a pair of identical gears 23. One end of the two equalizing rollers 21 is connected by the gears 23, enabling the two equalizing rollers 21 to rotate in opposite directions at the same speed, thereby ensuring that the tobacco leaves are evenly output from the left discharge channel 3 and the right discharge channel 4. The reducer 6 serves as the power source to drive one of the equalizing rollers 21 to rotate.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the flow distribution device also includes a distribution plate adjustment unit 7, which includes a servo motor 71 and a transmission mechanism. The servo motor 71 is connected to the distribution plate 12 via the transmission mechanism, and the servo motor 71 causes the distribution plate 12 to swing, thereby adjusting its position. The servo motor 71 is fixed on a mounting plate, which is fixed on the flow distribution device. The transmission mechanism includes a drive rod 72, an active end crank 74, an active end connecting rod 75, a passive end crank 77, and a passive end connecting rod 78. The upper end of the distribution plate 12 is fixed on a rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected within the feed channel 1. Two material distribution plates 112 are arranged in parallel. One end of each of the two rotating shafts is connected to the first end of each of the two active cranks 74, and the other end of each rotating shaft is connected to the first end of each of the two passive cranks 77. The second ends of each of the two active cranks 74 are hinged to the two ends of each of the active connecting rods 75, and the second ends of each of the two passive cranks 77 are hinged to the two ends of each of the passive connecting rods 78, forming a crank-connecting rod mechanism. A servo motor 71 drives a drive rod 72 to reciprocate through an eccentric wheel. The drive rod 72 drives the active cranks 74 to cause the two material distribution plates 12 to swing synchronously. The two ends of the rotating shafts are rotatably connected to the two side walls of the feed channel 1 through active bearings 73 and passive bearings 76, respectively. The servo motor 71 acts as a power source to drive one active crank 74 to rotate. Under the action of the active connecting rod 75, the two active cranks 74 rotate synchronously, causing the two material distribution plates 12 to swing synchronously at the same angle, thereby adjusting the discharge angle. The passive end crank 77 and the passive end connecting rod 78 are located at the other end of the rotating shaft, which further ensures the synchronous movement of the material distribution plate 12.

[0038] In some embodiments, the flow distribution device includes a motor controller, which is electrically connected to both the servo motor 71 and the sensing unit 6. Based on the detection of the sensing unit, the motor controller adjusts the position of the distribution plate to change the position of the tobacco leaves falling on the equalizing roller 21, thereby adjusting the flow ratio of the tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right feeding channels. The equalizing roller ensures that the flow rate of tobacco leaves entering the leaf-beating device 8 is equal on both sides, achieving balanced production, improving leaf-beating efficiency, and balancing the two beating rollers.

[0039] The flow distribution method of the flow distribution device is as follows: the sensing units 6 of the left and right feeding channels 3 and 4 transmit the detected information to the motor controller. Based on this signal, the motor controller controls the servo motor 71 to adjust the position of the distribution plate 12, thereby changing the position of the tobacco leaves falling on the equalizing roller 21. This, in turn, adjusts the flow ratio of the tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right feeding channels, making the flow rate of tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right feeding channels more similar. Using this invention, through complex and orderly flow feedback control, the efficiency of leaf threshing is improved, and damage and malfunctions from rolling are reduced, creating the necessary conditions for building a world-class automated leaf threshing and re-drying production line.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are illustrative rather than restrictive. The structure and connection methods of the components in the present invention can be varied, and any equivalent transformations and improvements made based on the technical solution of the present invention should not be excluded from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow dividing device, characterized by, The device comprises a feeding channel, a material mixing area, a left material dropping channel, a right material dropping channel and a material dropping device. The material mixing area is in communication with the feeding channel and is located below the feeding channel; the left material dropping channel and the right material dropping channel are located below the material mixing area, and the material mixing area is in communication with the left material dropping channel and the right material dropping channel respectively; the left material dropping channel and the right material dropping channel are connected with a material dropping device respectively below. A distribution plate is arranged in the feeding channel, and the distribution plate can swing left and right to adjust the discharge angle of the tobacco after passing through the feeding channel. A pair of material mixing rollers rotating at the same speed in opposite directions are arranged in the material mixing area to distribute the tobacco from the feeding channel to the left material dropping channel and the right material dropping channel. A sensing unit is arranged in each of the left material dropping channel and the right material dropping channel to detect the impact of the tobacco flowing through the two channels on the side walls of the channels, so as to indirectly reflect the flow of the tobacco flowing through the left and right material dropping channels in the same period. The sensing unit comprises an elastic sealing cloth, a weighing plate, a weighing plate support, a weight sensor, a base, a weighing plate fixing bolt, a sensor support and an adjusting bolt; the cross section of the left and right material dropping channels is in the shape of a splay, each of the left and right material dropping channels has a measuring opening on the lower side wall, the elastic sealing cloth closes the measuring opening, the weighing plate is arranged parallel to the lower side of the elastic sealing cloth, the base is fixed on the lower side wall of the left and right material dropping channels, the weight sensor is fixedly connected to the base, one end of the weighing plate support is connected to the weighing plate, and the other end is connected to the weight sensor; the weighing plate support is fixedly connected to the weight sensor through the weighing plate fixing bolt, the weight sensor is fixed to the sensor support, and the adjusting bolt is threadedly connected to the sensor support and the base; the relative position between the sensor support and the base can be adjusted through the adjusting bolt, so as to adjust the distance between the weighing plate and the elastic sealing cloth. The lower side walls of the left and right material dropping channels are sequentially provided with a first inclined section and a second inclined section along the tobacco conveying direction; the first inclined section is parallel to the second inclined section and forms a drop; and the sensing unit is arranged on the second inclined section.

2. A flow dividing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The device further comprises a speed reducer and a pair of identical gears; one end of each of the two material mixing rollers is drivingly connected to the pair of gears, so that the two material mixing rollers can rotate at the same speed in opposite directions; and the speed reducer drives one of the material mixing rollers to rotate as a power source.

3. A flow dividing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The device further comprises a distribution plate adjusting unit, which comprises a servo motor and a transmission mechanism; the servo motor is drivingly connected to the distribution plate through the transmission mechanism; and the servo motor drives the distribution plate to swing to adjust the position of the distribution plate.

4. A flow dividing device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that The device further comprises a motor controller, which is electrically connected to the servo motor and the sensing unit respectively.

5. A flow dividing device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterised in that, The transmission mechanism comprises a driving rod, a driving end crank, a driving end connecting rod, a driven end crank and a driven end connecting rod; the upper ends of the distribution plates are fixed on rotating shafts which are rotatably connected in the feeding channel; the distribution plates are two and are arranged in parallel; one end of each of the rotating shafts is connected with the first end of a driving end crank, and the other end of each of the rotating shafts is connected with the first end of a driven end crank; the second end of each of the driving end cranks is hingedly connected with the two ends of the driving end connecting rod, and the second end of each of the driven end cranks is hingedly connected with the two ends of the driven end connecting rod; the servo motor drives the driving rod to reciprocate through an eccentric wheel, and the driving rod drives the driving end crank to drive the two distribution plates to synchronously swing and displace.

6. A flow dividing device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that The two ends of the rotating shafts are rotatably connected with the two side walls of the feeding channel through driving end bearings and driven end bearings.

7. A flow distribution method using the flow distribution device according to claim 4, characterized by, The sensing units of the left and right drop channels transmit the detected information to the motor controller, and the motor controller controls the servo motor to adjust the positions of the distribution plates according to the information, so as to change the positions of the tobacco leaves falling on the uniformizing roller, and then adjust the distribution ratio of the tobacco leaves flowing into the left and right drop channels, so that the tobacco leaf flow rates flowing into the left and right drop channels tend to be the same.

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