Cleaning system and cleaning method for a stepped conveyor belt for conveying packets of cigarettes

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system for a stepped conveyor belt for conveying tobacco bales, wherein the stepped conveyor belt comprises at least a first conveyor belt section, a second conveyor belt section and a third conveyor belt section connected in sequence; a first interface gap is formed between the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section; a second interface gap is formed between the second conveyor belt section and the third conveyor belt section; characterized in that the cleaning system comprises a first cleaning mechanism for cleaning the first interface gap, the first cleaning mechanism comprising a first image detection device located above the first interface gap and a first cleaning device located at the first interface gap; a second cleaning mechanism for cleaning the second interface gap, the second cleaning mechanism comprising a second image detection device located above the second interface gap and a second cleaning device located at the second interface gap. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding cleaning method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cleaning system and corresponding cleaning method for a stepped conveyor belt used for conveying cigarette packs. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of cigarettes, before the cigarettes are rolled, the tobacco must first be prepared to meet the specifications in the tobacco processing workshop. The tobacco processing workshop processes the tobacco leaves and stems provided by the leaf threshing and re-drying plant through a series of processes to prepare tobacco that meets the rolling requirements of the packaging workshop.

[0003] The main processes in the tobacco processing workshop include unpacking, slicing, loosening and rehydrating, adding flavoring agents, cutting leaves into shreds, and drying the shreds. Among these, unpacking is the first process in the tobacco processing workshop. The purpose of unpacking is to remove the tobacco boxes and dust bags from the large tobacco bales provided by the leaf-processing and re-drying plant, and to evenly place the unpacked tobacco bales on the conveyor belt according to the product formula requirements provided by the technical center. Currently, the unpacking process can be automated using equipment such as roller conveyors, automatic box-turning machines, box-unpacking machines, and stacking machines. This allows for the automatic transport, unpacking, empty box stacking and recycling, empty box conveying, and empty box stacking of tobacco bales, thereby realizing the unpacking function of raw tobacco leaf bales and preparing raw materials for the next process.

[0004] The cigarette packs are typically transported between the unpacking process and the next slicing process via a conveyor belt. To reduce the manufacturing cost of the conveyor belt, achieve material flow balance, and facilitate replacement due to natural deterioration after use, the conveyor belt between the unpacking and slicing processes is mostly designed as a segmented stepped conveyor belt.

[0005] Due to issues such as decreased friction, reduced tension, and deformation of the conveyor belt during use, a significant amount of leaf and dust debris generated during the re-drying and packing process, trapped inside the cigarette packs during the unpacking process, remains in the gaps between the different sections of the stepped conveyor belt. This easily leads to waste and greatly increases the quality control burden on operators, requiring frequent cleaning of the residual material in the gaps between the conveyor belts. Failure to clean promptly can easily lead to the growth of tobacco insects and mold.

[0006] Operators lack effective tools when cleaning materials in the gaps and crevices of stepped conveyor belts. They typically use brooms, but this method is inefficient. Furthermore, brooms are prone to scattering, creating a risk of secondary debris buildup. While using handheld air hoses to blow air into the gaps can effectively clean them, the airflow cannot be controlled effectively, easily causing tobacco dust to scatter and failing to meet site cleanliness requirements.

[0007] Furthermore, currently, most tobacco bales are packaged with plastic film and paper covers during the packing process after re-drying at the tobacco processing plant to prevent moisture absorption. The bales are also primarily secured with high-strength nylon rope (which is prone to tearing during unpacking). These impurities, which affect tobacco quality, are easily carried onto the conveyor belt during the opening process and subsequently into downstream processes. Due to the excessive height of the tobacco bales, impurities trapped at the top cannot be inspected promptly. Therefore, there is currently a lack of capability to detect the condition of tobacco bales on the conveyor belt, thus failing to effectively reduce the risk of impurities distributed on the conveyor belt. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of this, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cleaning system and corresponding cleaning method for a stepped conveyor belt used for conveying cigarette packs, which can at least partially eliminate the defects in the prior art described above. In particular, it can automatically clean the stepped conveyor belt used for conveying cigarette packs, thereby reducing labor costs and improving the cleaning efficiency of the conveyor belt.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a cleaning system for a stepped conveyor belt for conveying cigarette packs, wherein the stepped conveyor belt includes at least a first conveyor belt segment, a second conveyor belt segment, and a third conveyor belt segment connected in sequence; the conveying start end of the second conveyor belt segment extends obliquely below the conveying end end of the first conveyor belt segment, thereby forming a first junction gap between the first and second conveyor belt segments; the conveying start end of the third conveyor belt segment extends obliquely below the conveying end end of the second conveyor belt segment, thereby forming a second junction gap between the second and third conveyor belt segments; characterized in that the cleaning system includes: a first cleaning mechanism for cleaning the first junction gap, the first cleaning mechanism including a first image detection device located above the first junction gap and a first cleaning device located at the first junction gap; and a second cleaning mechanism for cleaning the second junction gap, the second cleaning mechanism including a second image detection device located above the second junction gap and a second cleaning device located at the second junction gap.

[0010] The cleaning system disclosed herein can detect the condition of cigarette packs on the conveyor belt, identify cleaning conditions, and execute cleaning actions, thereby automatically cleaning the stepped conveyor belt used for transporting cigarette packs. Therefore, it can reduce labor costs and improve the cleaning efficiency of the conveyor belt.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first image detection device is fixed to the first support frame, and the height of the first image detection device is greater than the height of the conveyed cigarette packs. The first support frame is fixed at the beginning of the conveying section of the second conveyor belt. This allows for simple installation of the first image detection device without obstructing the conveying of the cigarette packs.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first support frame includes two vertical supports and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical supports at their top ends. The bottom ends of the two vertical supports are respectively fixed to corresponding side plates of the second conveyor belt section, and the first image detection device is fixed to the connecting crossbar of the first support frame. This allows for a simple implementation of the first support frame, and the first support frame does not obstruct the conveying of the cigarette packs.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first image detection device is configured to detect whether a cigarette pack is present on a first conveyor belt section or to detect whether a cigarette pack is present on a first conveyor belt section and a second conveyor belt section. This allows detection of whether the conveyor belt is transporting a cigarette pack, thereby determining the state of the cigarette pack and identifying cleaning conditions based on its state.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first image detection device is further configured to detect the presence of tobacco leaves at the first junction seam. This allows for the identification of cleaning conditions based on the condition of the first junction seam.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first image detection device is configured as a camera. This allows for a simple implementation of the first image detection device.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first cleaning mechanism is configured as a push rod capable of pushing tobacco leaves out of a first junction gap. This allows for a simple implementation of the first cleaning mechanism. Furthermore, the push rod can more effectively push out larger tobacco leaves.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first cleaning mechanism is configured as two symmetrical push rods, each capable of pivoting back and forth within an angular range about a pivot axis at a corresponding side end of the first junction gap. This allows for more effective cleaning of the first junction gap.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second image detection device is fixed to the second support frame, and the height of the second image detection device is greater than the height of the conveyed cigarette packs. The second support frame is fixed at the beginning of the conveying of the third conveyor belt section. This allows for simple installation of the second image detection device without obstructing the conveying of the cigarette packs.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second support frame includes two vertical supports and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical supports at their top ends. The bottom ends of the two vertical supports are respectively fixed to corresponding side plates of the third conveyor belt section, and the second image detection device is fixed to the connecting crossbar of the second support frame. This allows for a simple implementation of the second support frame, and the second support frame does not obstruct the conveying of the cigarette packs.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second image detection device is configured to detect whether a cigarette pack is present on a third conveyor belt section or whether a cigarette pack is present on both the second and third conveyor belt sections. This allows for the detection of whether the conveyor belt is transporting a cigarette pack, thereby determining the state of the cigarette pack and identifying cleaning conditions based on its state.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second image detection device is further configured to detect the presence of tobacco leaves at the second junction seam. This allows for the identification of cleaning conditions based on the condition of the second junction seam.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second image detection device is configured as a camera. This allows for a simple implementation of the second image detection device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second cleaning device is configured as a blowing device capable of blowing tobacco leaves remaining in the second junction gap onto the third conveyor belt section. This allows for a simple implementation of the second cleaning mechanism. Furthermore, the blowing device can effectively blow out smaller tobacco leaves.

[0024] Furthermore, when the first cleaning device is constructed as a push rod and the second cleaning device is constructed as a blower, it is possible to achieve step-by-step cleaning of the conveyor belt, thereby achieving the goal of energy saving and efficiency improvement.

[0025] In some embodiments, the blowing intensity of the blowing device is controlled based on a deep learning model. This prevents smaller tobacco leaves from being blown off the conveyor belt.

[0026] In some embodiments, the cleaning system further includes an alert mechanism, which comprises a third image detection device and an alert device. This enables the system to issue alerts based on the condition of the tobacco bales, thereby ensuring the quality of the tobacco leaves.

[0027] In some embodiments, the third image detection device is configured to detect the presence of debris on the top of the conveyed cigarette pack. This enables the detection of the condition of the top of the cigarette pack.

[0028] In some embodiments, the third image detection device and the first image detection device are the same image detection device. This can save costs.

[0029] In some embodiments, the warning device includes a warning light and / or a buzzer. This allows for a simple implementation of the warning device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the cleaning system further includes a weight detection device installed under the conveyor belt for detecting the weight of the conveyed tobacco packs. This allows for determination of whether the tobacco packs meet quality specifications.

[0031] In some embodiments, the weight detection device is installed below the second conveyor belt section. This allows for a more accurate determination of the weight of the cigarette packs.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cleaning system further includes a control device for controlling the cleaning system. This allows for simple control of the cleaning system.

[0033] A second aspect of this disclosure relates to a cleaning method for cleaning a stepped conveyor belt used for conveying cigarette packs using a cleaning system according to this disclosure, characterized in that the cleaning method includes the following steps: detecting the presence of cigarette packs on a first conveyor belt section, a second conveyor belt section, or a third conveyor belt section using a first image detection device and a second image detection device; when cigarette packs are present on the first conveyor belt section, the second conveyor belt section, or the third conveyor belt section, the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device are deactivated; when no cigarette packs are present on the first conveyor belt section, the second conveyor belt section, or the third conveyor belt section, the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device are activated.

[0034] The cleaning method according to the second aspect of this disclosure also brings the same advantages as the cleaning system according to the first aspect of this disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0035] In some embodiments, when tobacco bales are present on the first, second, or third conveyor belt section, and when the third image detection device detects debris on the top of the conveyed tobacco bales, the control device activates an alarm. This enables the detection of the tobacco bale status on the conveyor belt, alerts to debris, and ensures the quality of the tobacco leaves.

[0036] In some embodiments, when tobacco bales are present on the first, second, or third conveyor belt section, and when the weight detection device detects that the weight of the tobacco bales is less than or equal to a threshold, the control device issues an alarm via an output device. This ensures the quality of the tobacco leaves.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first cleaning device is activated when there are no tobacco bales on the first conveyor belt section, the second conveyor belt section, and the third conveyor belt section, and when the first image detection device detects tobacco leaves remaining in the first junction gap. This allows the first cleaning device to be activated only when tobacco leaves are detected in the first junction gap, thereby saving energy and increasing efficiency.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second cleaning device is activated when there are no tobacco bales on the first, second, and third conveyor belt sections, and when the second image detection device detects tobacco leaves remaining in the second junction gap. This allows the first cleaning device to be activated only when tobacco leaves are detected in the second junction gap, thereby saving energy and increasing efficiency.

[0039] In some embodiments, when the second cleaning device is configured as a blowing device, and when there are no tobacco bales on the first, second, and third conveyor belt sections, the control device controls the blowing intensity of the blowing device based on a deep learning model. This prevents the tobacco leaves from being blown off the conveyor belt. Attached Figure Description

[0040] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. All drawings are not to scale and may even be exaggerated; they are for illustrative purposes only. In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view is shown of an exemplary stepped conveyor belt for conveying cigarette packs and a cleaning system for the stepped conveyor belt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 2 Shown from another angle Figure 1 A schematic 3D view of a portion;

[0043] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A partial schematic 3D view;

[0044] Figure 4 Shown from another angle Figure 1 A schematic 3D diagram of a portion of the image. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this disclosure. However, this disclosure can be implemented in many ways other than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0046] The expression “and / or” as used herein means to include at least one of the components listed before and after the expression. Furthermore, the expression “connection / linkage” as used herein means to include a direct connection to another component or an indirect connection via another component. The singular form in this document also includes the plural form, unless specifically stated in the wording. Moreover, the use of “comprises” or “includes” in this document to refer to a component, step, operation, or element means that at least one other component, step, operation, or element is present or added.

[0047] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" 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 the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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 the embodiments of this application.

[0048] As mentioned at the beginning of this article, due to design features and process requirements, tobacco dust and debris tend to accumulate at the junctions between different sections of the stepped conveyor belt after the tobacco bales are opened. This results in problems such as insufficient weight of the tobacco bales, material waste, increased labor costs, low efficiency in cleaning the conveyor belt, environmental pollution, breeding of tobacco insects, and inability to detect the real-time status of the tobacco bales on the conveyor belt to identify debris. Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a cleaning system for stepped conveyor belts used for transporting tobacco bales, and a method for cleaning stepped conveyor belts using this system, particularly capable of automatically identifying cleaning conditions and performing cleaning actions.

[0049] The following reference Figures 1 to 4 A cleaning system 200 for conveying a stepped conveyor belt 100 for transporting cigarette packs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0050] Especially referencing Figure 1 The exemplary stepped conveyor belt 100 for conveying cigarette packs after opening can be seen in the cigarette factory, and the cleaning system 200 for conveying the stepped conveyor belt 100 for conveying cigarette packs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] The stepped conveyor belt 100 may include at least a first conveyor belt section 110, a second conveyor belt section 120, and a third conveyor belt section 130 connected in sequence. The starting end of the second conveyor belt section 120 extends obliquely below the ending end of the first conveyor belt section 110, thereby forming a first junction gap 140 between the first conveyor belt section 110 and the second conveyor belt section 120. The starting end of the third conveyor belt section 130 extends obliquely below the ending end of the second conveyor belt section 120, thereby forming a second junction gap 150 between the second conveyor belt section 120 and the third conveyor belt section 130.

[0052] The second conveyor belt section 120 may have a flat portion after its inclined conveying start, and the third conveyor belt section 130 may also have a flat portion after its inclined conveying start. Due to the inclined conveying start of the second and third conveyor belt sections 120 and 130, the plane of the flat portion of the second and third conveyor belt sections 120 and 130 may be only slightly lower than the plane of the flat portion of the preceding conveyor belt section to which they are connected, or even flush with the plane of the flat portion of the preceding conveyor belt section to which they are connected. This allows the tobacco bales to remain stable during conveying and prevents the tobacco bales from loosening and the tobacco leaves from falling off.

[0053] It can be understood that, due to the inclined conveying beginnings of the second conveyor belt section 120 and the third conveyor belt section 130, and also due to the reduced friction of the second conveyor belt section 120 and the third conveyor belt section 130, tobacco leaves are prone to become stuck at the first junction slit 140 and the second junction slit 150, and cannot be conveyed to the slicing process. Therefore, this disclosure proposes a cleaning system 200 for conveying tobacco leaves stuck at the first junction slit 140 and the second junction slit 150 to the next slicing process.

[0054] A cleaning system 200 for a stepped conveyor belt 100 for conveying cigarette packs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first cleaning mechanism 210 for cleaning a first junction gap 140 and a second cleaning mechanism 220 for cleaning a second junction gap 150.

[0055] The first cleaning mechanism 210 may include a first image detection device 211 located above the first junction gap 140 and a first cleaning device 212 located at the first junction gap 140.

[0056] The first image detection device 211 can be held above the first junction gap 140 by the first support frame 213. Advantageously, the first support frame 213 can be fixed at the beginning of the conveying of the second conveyor belt section 120, and the first image detection device 211 can be fixed to the first support frame 213. The first support frame 213 may include two vertical supports and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical supports at their top ends. The bottom ends of the two vertical supports can be fixed to the respective side plates of the second conveyor belt section 120. In this case, the first image detection device 211 can be fixed to the connecting crossbar of the first support frame 213, particularly at the middle of the connecting crossbar. Advantageously, the height of the first image detection device 211 can be greater than the height of the conveyed cigarette pack to facilitate the passage of the cigarette pack.

[0057] The first image detection device 211 can be configured to detect the presence of tobacco bales on the first conveyor belt section 110 or to detect the presence of tobacco bales on the first conveyor belt section 110 and the second conveyor belt section 120. Furthermore, the first image detection device 211 can be configured to detect the presence of tobacco leaves at the first junction gap 140. The first image detection device 211 can be configured as a camera. The first image detection device 211 can transmit the detected data to a control device 240 (which will also be described in detail below).

[0058] The first cleaning mechanism 210 can be configured as a push rod that pushes tobacco leaves from the first junction 140, specifically onto the flat portion of the second conveyor belt section 120. This push rod can be moved back and forth regularly. Specifically, referring to… Figure 2 The first cleaning mechanism 210 can be configured as two push rods 2121 and 2122 that are symmetrical to each other. Each push rod can pivot back and forth within a specific angular range about a pivot axis at a corresponding side end of the first junction 140. Each push rod can, for example, pivot up to 60 degrees. Therefore, the first cleaning mechanism 210 can operate similarly to a broom.

[0059] Due to the nature of the transportation process, the tobacco leaves remaining in the first junction gap 140 between the first conveyor belt section 110 and the second conveyor belt section 120 are mostly large tobacco leaf fragments. Using a pusher, the larger tobacco leaves can be easily removed from the first junction gap 140 and moved onto the second conveyor belt section 120, thus achieving effective cleaning of the first junction gap 140.

[0060] The second cleaning mechanism 220 may include a second image detection device 221 located above the second junction gap 150 and a second cleaning device 222 located at the second junction gap 150.

[0061] The second image detection device 221 can be held above the second junction gap 150 by means of the second support frame 223. Advantageously, the second support frame 223 can be fixed at the beginning of the conveying of the third conveyor belt section 130, and the second image detection device 221 can be fixed to the second support frame 223. The second support frame 223 may include two vertical supports and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical supports at their top ends. The bottom ends of the two vertical supports can be fixed to the respective side plates of the third conveyor belt section 130. In this case, the second image detection device 221 can be fixed to the connecting crossbar of the second support frame 223, particularly at the middle of the connecting crossbar. Advantageously, the height of the second image detection device 221 can be greater than the height of the conveyed cigarette pack to facilitate the passage of the cigarette pack.

[0062] The second image detection device 221 can be configured to detect the presence of tobacco bales on the third conveyor belt section 130 or to detect the presence of tobacco bales on both the second and third conveyor belt sections 120 and 130. Furthermore, the second image detection device 221 can be configured to detect the presence of tobacco leaves at the second junction gap 150. The second image detection device 221 can be configured as a camera. The second image detection device 221 can transmit the detected data to a control device 240 (which will also be described in detail below).

[0063] The second cleaning device 222 can be configured as a blowing device that can blow tobacco leaves remaining in the second junction gap 150 onto the third conveyor belt section 130, particularly the flat portion of the third conveyor belt section 130. Specifically, refer to... Figure 3 The blowing device may include multiple blowing nozzles.

[0064] Due to the characteristics of the transport process, the tobacco leaves remaining in the second junction gap 150 between the second conveyor belt section 120 and the third conveyor belt section 130 are mostly small tobacco leaf fragments, i.e., fine tobacco dust. To prevent these fine tobacco dusts from being blown out of the conveyor belt 100, it is advantageous to control the blowing intensity of the blowing device, for example, based on the size and / or quantity of the fine tobacco dusts. For this purpose, the blowing intensity of the blowing device can be controlled based on a deep learning model.

[0065] When building a deep learning model, you can first collect, for example, at least 1,000 photos of the cigarette residue remaining at the second junction gap 150, and select, for example, at least 800 photos as the dataset according to the ratio of 8:2 for training and testing sets. Then, you can manually classify the cigarette residue in the photos. The classification can include 5 levels: no cigarette residue, less cigarette residue, moderate amount of cigarette residue, more cigarette residue, and a lot of cigarette residue.

[0066] Then, normalization can be used to scale the pixel values ​​to the range of 0-1, thereby preprocessing the data and enhancing its robustness.

[0067] Then, a deep learning model can be built for training and testing. Here, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) can be used for image classification. In this lightweight task, multiple convolutional and pooling layers are used to extract image features, and then fully connected layers are used for classification. Specifically, a CNN model can first be built, containing multiple convolutional, pooling, and fully connected layers; then the outputs of the convolutional layers are flattened into one-dimensional vectors; and then two fully connected layers are used for classification. In this case, to account for overfitting and reduce computational cost, the first fully connected layer can contain 1024 neurons, and the second fully connected layer can contain 5 neurons, corresponding to the 5 categories in the dataset.

[0068] Finally, the test set was used to ensure that the recognition rate of tobacco residue was above 99.5%, thus guaranteeing recognition efficiency.

[0069] After constructing the deep learning model, during cleaning, the second image detection device 221 can detect the residual smoke in the second junction gap 150 in real time and send the image data to the control device 240. The control device 240 can determine the level of residual smoke through deep learning technology, and then control the second cleaning device 222, i.e., the blowing device, to adopt the corresponding blowing intensity of 1-5 levels, where level 1 corresponds to no residual smoke, i.e., no blowing, and level 5 corresponds to a large amount of residual smoke, i.e., the maximum blowing intensity.

[0070] Optionally, the cleaning system 200 may also include a warning mechanism 230. The warning mechanism 230 may include a third image detection device and a warning device 232.

[0071] The third image detection device can be configured to detect the presence of foreign matter on the top of the conveyed tobacco bales. As mentioned at the beginning of this document, foreign matter affecting the quality of tobacco is easily carried onto the conveyor belt during the opening process and subsequently into downstream processes. Due to the excessive height of the tobacco bales (typically exceeding 1 meter), foreign matter embedded on their top cannot be detected in a timely manner. By detecting foreign matter through the third image detection device, the warning mechanism 230 can use the warning device 232 to alert the operator whether cleaning is required. The third image detection device can be configured as a camera. The third image detection device can be fixed to the first support frame 213. Advantageously, the third image detection device and the first image detection device 211 can be the same image detection device. The warning device 232 may include a warning light and / or a buzzer. The warning device 232 can be fixed to the first support frame 213.

[0072] Optionally, the cleaning system 200 may also include a weight detection device 250 installed below the conveyor belt 100 (see...). Figure 4 A weight detection device 250 is used to detect the weight of the conveyed cigarette packs. The weight detection device 250 can be configured as an electronic scale. Advantageously, the weight detection device 250 can be located below the second conveyor belt section 120, so that the weight of the conveyed cigarette packs can be detected during conveying on the second conveyor belt section 120. Since operators frequently handle the cigarette packs while they are being conveyed on the first conveyor belt section 110, measuring the weight of the cigarette packs on the first conveyor belt section 110 is sometimes less accurate. Therefore, measuring the weight of the cigarette packs on the second conveyor belt section 120 is more accurate.

[0073] Additionally, as described above, the cleaning system 200 may also include a control device 240 for controlling the cleaning system 200. The control device 240 may be configured to receive signals from the first image detection device 211, the second image detection device 221, the third image detection device, and / or the weight detection device 250, and control the cleaning system 200 based on the signals from these detection devices.

[0074] The control device can be implemented as any type of computing device, computing circuit, or any type of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a series of instructions stored in memory. The control device may include multiple processors and / or multi-core central processing units (CPUs) and may include any type of processor, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, etc. The control device may also include memory to store data and / or algorithms for executing a series of instructions. The controller may also be implemented as a computer program product or software product.

[0075] The following describes a cleaning method for cleaning a stepped conveyor belt 100 used for conveying cigarette packs using the cleaning system 200 of this disclosure.

[0076] In the first step, the first image detection device 211 and the second image detection device 221 can be used to detect whether there are cigarette packs on the first conveyor belt section 110, the second conveyor belt section 120 or the third conveyor belt section 130.

[0077] When a cigarette pack is present on the first conveyor belt section 110, the second conveyor belt section 120, or the third conveyor belt section 130, the first cleaning device 212 and the second cleaning device 222 are deactivated.

[0078] Optionally, when the third image detection device (which is also the first image detection device 211 in this embodiment) detects debris on the top of the tobacco pack, the control device 240 can control the warning device 232 to sound an alarm, such as by illuminating a light and / or emitting a buzzer, to alert the operator that the top of the tobacco pack needs to be cleaned. As mentioned above, debris affecting the quality of tobacco is easily carried onto the conveyor belt during the opening process and then into downstream processes. Due to the excessive height of the tobacco pack, debris trapped on its top cannot be seen in time. The cleaning system of this embodiment allows the operator to be alerted to the need for cleaning of the top of the tobacco pack.

[0079] Alternatively, when the weight detection device 250 detects that the weight of the cigarette pack is less than or equal to a threshold, such as 2 kg, the control device 240 may issue an alarm, for example, through an output device (such as a display, warning light, buzzer, etc.), to indicate that the cigarette pack is unqualified.

[0080] When no tobacco bales are present on the first conveyor belt section 110, the second conveyor belt section 120, and the third conveyor belt section 130, the first cleaning device 212 and the second cleaning device 222 are activated. Optionally, in this case, the first cleaning device 212 is activated when the first image detection device 211 detects tobacco leaves remaining in the first junction gap 140; and the second cleaning device 222 is activated when the second image detection device 221 detects tobacco leaves remaining in the second junction gap 150.

[0081] When the second cleaning device 222 is configured as a blowing device, the control device 240 controls the blowing intensity of the blowing device according to a deep learning model.

[0082] As can be seen, the cleaning system disclosed herein can detect the status of tobacco bales on the conveyor belt in real time, automatically identify cleaning conditions, execute cleaning actions, and can warn of debris and determine the weight of tobacco leaves, thereby ensuring the quality of tobacco leaves.

[0083] Therefore, this disclosure enables operators to monitor the status of tobacco bales on the conveyor belt in real time while ensuring controlled material flow, preventing the accumulation of tobacco leaves and dust, ensuring product quality, reducing labor costs, and improving the cleaning efficiency of the conveyor belt. Furthermore, unlike the previous manual cleaning method for open-bale conveyor belts, this disclosure proposes for the first time a fully automated cleaning system and corresponding cleaning method for tobacco bale conveyor belts, encompassing tobacco bale detection, conveyor belt cleaning, and anomaly alerts. This significantly reduces safety hazards caused by operator misconduct during cleaning, lowers manpower requirements, and enhances product quality assurance.

[0084] Although this disclosure has been presented above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of this disclosure by utilizing the methods and techniques disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this disclosure without departing from the content of the technical solutions of this disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solutions of this disclosure.

[0085] The features disclosed herein can be implemented not only individually but also in any combination. Furthermore, it should be noted that the various figures in this disclosure are schematic and may not be shown to scale. In various embodiments, the number of components, their construction, and / or arrangement are not limited to the examples shown. The values ​​listed in the specification are for reference only and may be greater or less than said reference values ​​when dimensions are appropriately selected.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for a stepped conveyor belt for conveying packets of tobacco, wherein, The stepped conveyor belt (100) comprises at least a first conveyor belt section (110), a second conveyor belt section (120) and a third conveyor belt section (130) connected in sequence; a conveying start end of the second conveyor belt section (120) extends obliquely below a conveying end of the first conveyor belt section (110), so as to form a first joint gap (140) between the first conveyor belt section (110) and the second conveyor belt section (120); a conveying start end of the third conveyor belt section (130) extends obliquely below a conveying end of the second conveyor belt section (120), so as to form a second joint gap (150) between the second conveyor belt section (120) and the third conveyor belt section (130); The cleaning system (200) comprises: a first cleaning mechanism (210) for cleaning the first joint gap (140), the first cleaning mechanism (210) comprising a first image detection device (211) located above the first joint gap (140) and a first cleaning device (212) located at the first joint gap (140); a second cleaning mechanism (220) for cleaning the second joint gap (150), the second cleaning mechanism (220) comprising a second image detection device (221) located above the second joint gap (150) and a second cleaning device (222) located at the second joint gap (150); a height of the first image detection device (211) is greater than a height of the conveyed cigarette packet, and a height of the second image detection device (221) is greater than the height of the conveyed cigarette packet.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The first image detection device (211) is fixed on a first support frame (213), and the first support frame (213) is fixed at a conveying start end of the second conveyor belt section (120).

3. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein, The first support frame (213) comprises two vertical support rods and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical support rods at top ends of the two vertical support rods, bottom ends of the two vertical support rods are respectively fixed on corresponding side plates of the second conveyor belt section (120), and the first image detection device (211) is fixed on the connecting crossbar of the first support frame (213).

4. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The first image detection device (211) is configured to detect whether there is a cigarette packet on the first conveyor belt section (110) or to detect whether there is a cigarette packet on the first conveyor belt section (110) and the second conveyor belt section (120).

5. The cleaning system of claim 4, wherein, The first image detection device (211) is further configured to detect whether there is tobacco leaf at the first joint gap (140).

6. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The first image detection device (211) is configured as a camera.

7. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The first cleaning mechanism (210) is configured as a push rod capable of pushing the tobacco leaf at the first joint gap (140) out of the first joint gap (140).

8. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein, The first cleaning mechanism (210) is configured as two push rods symmetrical to each other, each push rod is capable of pivoting back and forth within a certain angle range about a pivoting axis at a corresponding side end of the first joint gap (140).

9. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second image detection device (221) is fixed on the second support frame (223), and the second support frame (223) is fixed at the conveying start end of the third conveyor belt section (130).

10. The cleaning system of claim 9, wherein, The second support frame (223) comprises two vertical support rods and a connecting crossbar connecting the two vertical support rods at the top ends of the two vertical support rods, the bottom ends of the two vertical support rods are respectively fixed on the corresponding side plates of the third conveyor belt section (130), and the second image detection device (221) is fixed on the connecting crossbar of the second support frame (223).

11. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second image detection device (221) is configured to detect whether there is a tobacco package on the third conveyor belt section (130) or to detect whether there is a tobacco package on the second conveyor belt section (120) and the third conveyor belt section (130).

12. The cleaning system of claim 11, wherein, The second image detection device (221) is also configured to detect whether there is tobacco leaf at the second transfer joint (150).

13. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second image detection device (221) is configured as a camera.

14. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second cleaning device (222) is configured as a blowing device capable of blowing the tobacco leaf remaining in the second transfer joint (150) onto the third conveyor belt section (130).

15. The cleaning system of claim 14, wherein, The blowing intensity of the blowing device is controlled based on a deep learning model.

16. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning system (200) further comprises a warning mechanism (230) comprising a third image detection device and a warning device (232).

17. The cleaning system of claim 16, wherein, The third image detection device is configured to detect whether there is foreign matter on the top of the conveyed tobacco package.

18. The cleaning system of claim 16, wherein, The third image detection device and the first image detection device (211) are the same image detection device.

19. The cleaning system of claim 16, wherein, The warning device (232) comprises a warning light and / or a buzzer.

20. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning system (200) further comprises a weight detection device (250) installed below the stepped conveyor belt (100) for detecting the weight of the conveyed tobacco package.

21. The cleaning system of claim 20, wherein, The weight detection device (250) is installed below the second conveyor belt section (120).

22. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning system (200) further comprises a control device (240) for controlling the cleaning system.

23. Cleaning method for cleaning a stepped conveyor belt for conveying packets of cigarettes, said cleaning method being applied to a cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The cleaning method comprises the following steps: detecting whether there is a tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), or the third conveyor belt section (130) using the first image detection device (211) and the second image detection device (221): when there is a tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), or the third conveyor belt section (130), the first cleaning device (212) and the second cleaning device (222) are disabled; when there is no tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), and the third conveyor belt section (130), the first cleaning device (212) and the second cleaning device (222) are enabled.

24. The cleaning method of claim 23, wherein, when there is a tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), or the third conveyor belt section (130), and when the third image detection device detects that there is foreign matter on the top of the conveyed tobacco package, the control device (240) controls the warning device (232) to alarm.

25. The cleaning method of claim 24, wherein, When there is a tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), or the third conveyor belt section (130), and when the weight detection device (250) detects that the weight of the tobacco package is less than or equal to a threshold value, the control device (240) issues an alarm through the output device.

26. The cleaning method of claim 24, wherein, When there is no tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), and the third conveyor belt section (130), and when the first image detection device (211) detects that tobacco leaves are left in the first transfer joint (140), the first cleaning device (212) is turned on.

27. The cleaning method of claim 24, wherein, When there is no tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), and the third conveyor belt section (130), and when the second image detection device (221) detects that tobacco leaves are left in the second transfer joint (150), the second cleaning device (222) is turned on.

28. The cleaning method of claim 24, wherein, When the second cleaning device (222) is configured as a blowing device, and when there is no tobacco package on the first conveyor belt section (110), the second conveyor belt section (120), and the third conveyor belt section (130), the control device (240) controls the blowing intensity of the blowing device according to a deep learning model.

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