Multi-head filling machine and control method for continuous filling thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-head filling machine and a control method for continuous filling thereof, and comprises a hopper, a filling pump, a shunt pipe, a plurality of filling valves, a plurality of conveying devices and a control system; the filling valves and the conveying devices are equal in number, the plurality of filling valves are distributed side by side, each filling valve is provided with one conveying device below, and the control system is connected with the plurality of filling valves and the plurality of conveying devices to control the filling time and speed. The application reasonably allocates the proportion of the filling time and the replacement time of the filling container, utilizes the multi-head filling valve to rotate and alternately fill, fully develops the filling pump capacity, realizes the continuous work of the filling system, obtains the highest efficiency, realizes the continuous production of filling, improves the production efficiency, simultaneously and equally opens and closes the multi-head filling valve, keeps the flow cross-sectional area of the fluid in the filling system unchanged, thereby ensuring the constant flow and stable pressure of the filling system, easily improving the filling precision of the filling machine and improving the dripping phenomenon of the valve port of the filling valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of filling, and more specifically, to a multi-head filling machine and a control method for continuous filling therewith. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the mainstream fully automatic bottle (boxed) filling machines are basically divided into two types according to their layout: linear filling machines and rotary filling machines. These filling methods have existed for many years without any new breakthroughs, which limits further improvements in filling accuracy and speed.

[0003] Existing filling machines all operate on an intermittent basis. This means they must wait for containers to enter the filling station and remain stationary before starting the filling pump or piston cylinder to begin filling. After filling, the pump or cylinder stops, and the machine waits for the next batch of containers to arrive before starting the next round of filling. In a typical filling process, the filling time is less than the container changeover time. More than half of the filling production line is spent waiting for container changes, resulting in less than 40% of the total filling cycle being effective. This leads to low production efficiency and fails to fully utilize the filling pump's capacity. While filling machine manufacturers often add filling heads to increase output, this doesn't change the intermittent production method. It still doesn't fully utilize the filling pump's capacity, doesn't improve filling efficiency, and increases the complexity, size, and footprint of the equipment, increasing costs and making maintenance and adjustment more difficult.

[0004] Patent CN216970077U discloses a multi-nozzle sealing and filling machine: it includes a vertical plane chain conveyor and a filling device. The vertical plane chain conveyor has a top nozzle bag conveying area, and the filling device is located above the top nozzle bag conveying area. The filling device includes a hopper and multiple filling units. Each filling unit includes a liquid material pumping mechanism and a filling mechanism. The liquid material pumping mechanism includes a liquid material pumping pump, a three-way valve, a three-way valve connection state switching cylinder, a suction pipe, and a delivery pipe. This patent requires waiting for the filling containers to enter the filling position and remain stopped before starting the filling pump or filling piston cylinder for filling. After filling is completed, the filling pump or filling piston cylinder stops, and the machine waits for the batch of filling containers to leave the filling position before the next batch of filling containers is delivered to the position before the next round of filling can be carried out. This results in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issue of downtime during container replacement in existing filling production lines, as mentioned in the background section, this invention provides a multi-head filling machine and its continuous filling control method to solve the problems of the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0007] A control method for continuous filling in a multi-head filling machine includes the following steps:

[0008] Step 1: Filling production begins with filling the first container on the first conveyor. The first filling valve gradually opens from the closed position. As the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the second filling valve starts filling the container on the second conveyor. The second filling valve gradually opens from the closed position. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the first and second filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the first filling valve is completely closed, the first container is filled, and the first conveyor begins transporting the next container.

[0009] Step 2: When the k-th filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the (k+1)-th filling valve starts to open from its closed state. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the k-th and (k+1)-th filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the (k+1)-th filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the k-th filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the k-th conveying device is filled, and the k-th conveying device begins to transport and replace the next filling container, where k∈{2,3,...,n-1, n is an integer and n≥2};

[0010] Step 3: As the nth filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the first conveying device, utilizing the time intervals between the previous alternating filling of multiple filling valves, has already delivered the second filling container to its position. At this point, the first filling valve is activated from its closed state to open. The closing of the nth filling valve and the opening of the first filling valve occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the nth filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the nth conveying device is filled, and the nth conveying device begins conveying the next filling container.

[0011] Step 4: Follow the above steps 1 to 3 in a cyclical manner to achieve the alternating and continuous operation of multiple filling valves.

[0012] Furthermore, let the filling unit time be x, then the unit time for the valve to open to its maximum opening is x / 2, the unit time for closing the valve is x / 2, and the unit time for changing the filling container is...

[0013] Furthermore, the filling unit time is 4 seconds, the valve opening to maximum opening unit time is 2 seconds, the valve closing unit time is 2 seconds, and the filling container replacement unit time is 4 seconds.

[0014] A multi-head filling machine includes a hopper, a filling pump, a diversion pipe, multiple filling valves, multiple conveying devices, and a control system; the number of filling valves and conveying devices is the same, and their number is set as n, where n≥2;

[0015] The hopper is connected to the filling pump. The hopper includes a material barrel, a discharge bend, and a support. The material barrel is connected to the support, and the support is connected to the worktable. The bottom outlet of the material barrel is connected to the inlet of the discharge bend, and the outlet of the discharge bend is connected to the inlet of the filling pump.

[0016] The filling pump is connected to multiple filling valves through a diversion pipe. The filling pump includes a motor, a gearbox, and a pump body. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the input shaft of the gearbox, and the output shaft of the gearbox is connected to the input shaft of the pump body. The pump body has an inlet and an outlet on both sides. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the hopper discharge bend, and the outlet is connected to the extension straight pipe of the diversion pipe.

[0017] The multiple filling valves are arranged side by side. Each filling valve includes a drive device, a valve core connecting column, a filling valve body, a filling valve core, and a connecting bracket. The output shaft of the drive device is connected to the valve core connecting column. The valve core connecting column is connected to the filling valve core. The inlet of the filling valve body is connected to a flow divider. The connecting bracket is connected to the filling valve body and the drive device.

[0018] Each filling valve is provided with a conveying device below it;

[0019] The control system is connected to the drive units of multiple filling valves and multiple conveying devices to control the filling time and speed.

[0020] Furthermore, the filling pump includes one of a gear pump, a rotary pump, a centrifugal pump, a vane pump, or a plunger pump.

[0021] Furthermore, the filling valve includes one of a gate valve, ball valve, globe valve, butterfly valve, or piston valve.

[0022] Furthermore, the drive device includes one of a servo motor, a stepper motor, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a linkage mechanism, or a cam mechanism.

[0023] Furthermore, it also includes a workbench, with the hopper, filling pump, and multiple filling valves located above the workbench, and multiple conveying devices located below the workbench.

[0024] Furthermore, the diversion pipe includes an extension straight pipe and a diversion branch pipe; one end of the extension straight pipe is connected to the outlet of the filling pump, and the other end is connected to the diversion branch pipe; each inlet of the diversion branch pipe is connected to a filling valve.

[0025] Furthermore, each of the branch pipes has the same pipe diameter.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] (1) By rationally allocating the ratio of filling time to filling container replacement time, the present invention utilizes multi-head filling valves to alternately perform filling, ensuring continuous operation of the filling pump, fully utilizing the filling pump capacity, realizing continuous operation of the filling system, achieving maximum efficiency, realizing continuous filling production, and improving production efficiency.

[0028] (2) During the filling process of the present invention, since the opening and closing actions of multiple filling valves are carried out simultaneously, the flow cross section of the fluid in the filling system remains constant during the filling process, and the filling pump works continuously at a constant speed; therefore, the flow rate and pressure of the filling system are constant, the filling accuracy is high, and the dripping phenomenon of the filling valve orifice is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 : A control flowchart of a multi-head filling machine according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 : The opening and closing timing diagram of the four-head valve of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 : A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 : A schematic diagram of the oil hopper of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of the filling pump of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention

[0034] Figure 6 : A schematic diagram of the distribution pipe of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 : A schematic diagram of the filling valve of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 : A schematic diagram of the conveying device of a four-head filling machine according to the present invention.

[0037] In the diagram: 1-Hopper, 101-Bug, 102-Support, 103-, 104-, 2-Filling pump, 3-Diverter pipe, 4-Workbench, 5-First filling valve, 6-Second filling valve, 7-Third filling valve, 8-Fourth filling valve, 9-Conveying device, 201-Motor, 202-Gearbox, 203-Pump body, 204-Input interface, 205-Output interface, 301-Extension straight pipe, 302-Diverter branch pipe, 501-Drive device, 502-Valve core connecting column, 503-Filling valve core, 504-Connecting support, 505-Filling valve body, 901-First conveying device, 902-Second conveying device, 903-Third conveying device, 904-Fourth conveying device. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application; however, this application may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The technical terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] refer to Figures 1-3 The present invention provides an embodiment of a control method for continuous filling of a four-head filling machine, comprising the following steps:

[0041] Step 1: The filling process begins with filling the first container on the first conveyor. As the first filling valve gradually opens to its maximum opening and begins to close, the second filling valve starts to open from its closed position. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the first and second filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the first filling valve is completely closed, the first container is filled, and the first conveyor begins to transport the next container.

[0042] Step 2: After the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the third filling valve starts to open from the closed state. At this time, the closing of the second filling valve and the opening of the third filling valve occur simultaneously at the same speed. When the third filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the second filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the second conveying device is filled, and the second conveying device begins to transport the container to the next filling container.

[0043] When the third filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the fourth filling valve starts to open from the closed state. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the third and fourth filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the fourth filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the third filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the third conveying device is filled, and the third conveying device begins to transport and replace the next filling container.

[0044] Step 3: As the fourth filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the first conveying device, utilizing the time interval between the previous multi-valve alternating filling operations, has already delivered the second filling container to its position. At this point, the first filling valve is activated from its closed state and begins to open. Simultaneously, the fourth filling valve closes and the first filling valve opens at the same speed. When the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the fourth filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the fourth conveying device is filled, and the fourth conveying device begins conveying the next filling container.

[0045] Step 4: Follow the above steps 1-3 in a cyclical manner to achieve alternating and continuous operation of the multi-head valve.

[0046] Furthermore, the filling unit time is 4 seconds, the valve opening to maximum opening unit time is 2 seconds, the valve closing unit time is 2 seconds, and the filling container replacement unit time is 4 seconds.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] refer to Figure 1 The present invention provides an embodiment of a control method for continuous filling of a three-head filling machine, comprising the following steps:

[0049] Step 1: The filling process begins with filling the first container on the first conveyor. As the first filling valve gradually opens to its maximum opening and begins to close, the second filling valve starts to open from its closed position. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the first and second filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the first filling valve is completely closed, the first container is filled, and the first conveyor begins to transport the next container.

[0050] Step 2: After the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the third filling valve starts to open from the closed state. At this time, the closing of the second filling valve and the opening of the third filling valve occur simultaneously at the same speed. When the third filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the second filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the second conveying device is filled, and the second conveying device begins to transport the container to the next filling container.

[0051] Step 3: As the third filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the first conveying device, utilizing the time interval between the previous multi-valve alternating filling operations, has already delivered the second filling container to its position. At this point, the first filling valve is activated from its closed state and begins to open. Simultaneously, the closing of the third filling valve and the opening of the first filling valve occur at the same speed. When the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the third filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the third conveying device is filled, and the third conveying device begins conveying the next filling container.

[0052] Step 4: Follow the above steps 1-3 in a cyclical manner to achieve alternating and continuous operation of the multi-head valve.

[0053] Furthermore, the filling unit time is 3 seconds, the time from valve opening to maximum opening is 1.5 seconds, the valve closing time is 1.5 seconds, and the filling container replacement unit time is 3 seconds.

[0054] Example 3

[0055] refer to Figure 1-8 The present invention provides an embodiment of a four-head filling machine, comprising a hopper 1, a filling pump 2, a first filling valve 5, a second filling valve 6, a third filling valve 7, a fourth filling valve 8, a first conveying device 901, a second conveying device 902, a third conveying device 903, a fourth conveying device 904, a diversion pipe 3, a workbench 4, and a control system.

[0056] The hopper 1 is connected to the filling pump 2. The hopper 1 includes a material barrel 101, a support 102, and a discharge bend 103. The material barrel 101 is welded to the support 102. The support 102 is welded to the workbench 4. The bottom outlet of the material barrel 101 is welded to the discharge bend 103. The other end of the discharge bend 103 is welded to the chuck flange 104.

[0057] The filling pump 2 is connected to the first filling valve 5, the second filling valve 6, the third filling valve 7, and the fourth filling valve 8 via a diversion pipe 3. The filling pump 2 includes a motor 201, a gearbox 202, a pump body 203, an inlet 204, and an outlet 205. The motor 201 and the gearbox 202 are fixedly installed with bolts. The output shaft of the gearbox 202 is connected to the input shaft of the pump body 203. The pump body 203 has an inlet 204 and an outlet 205 on its symmetrical sides. The filling pump inlet 204 is welded with a chuck flange 104. The filling pump inlet 205 is welded with a chuck flange 104. The filling pump inlet 204 is connected to the discharge bend 103 of the hopper 1 via a chuck clamp. The filling pump 2 is bolted to the workbench 4.

[0058] The diversion pipe 3 includes an extension straight pipe 301 and diversion branch pipes 302. Both ends of the extension straight pipe 301 are welded with chuck flanges 104. Each outlet of the diversion branch pipe 302 is welded with a chuck flange 104. The extension straight pipe 301 and the diversion branch pipe 302 are connected by chuck clamps. Each outlet at the diversion end of the diversion branch pipe 302 is connected to the first filling valve 5, the second filling valve 6, the third filling valve 7, and the fourth filling valve 8 respectively via chuck flanges 104 and chuck clamps. Each branch pipe 302 has the same pipe diameter.

[0059] The multiple filling valves are arranged side by side. Each filling valve includes a drive device, a connecting column, a filling valve body, a filling valve core, and a connecting bracket. One end of the output shaft of the drive device is connected to the connecting column. The connecting column is connected to the valve core. The inlet of the filling valve body is connected to the branch pipe of the diversion pipe. The connecting bracket is connected to the filling valve body and the drive device.

[0060] The first filling valve 5, the second filling valve 6, the third filling valve 7, and the fourth filling valve 8 are arranged side by side. Each of the four filling valves includes a drive device 501, a valve core connecting post 502, a filling valve core 503, a connecting bracket 504, and a filling valve body 505. One end of the output shaft of the drive device 501 is connected to the valve core connecting post 502. The valve core connecting post 502 is connected to the filling valve core 503. The inlet of the filling valve body 505 is connected to the branch pipe 302 of the diversion pipe. The connection bracket 504 is connected to the filling valve body 505 and the drive device 501. The drive device 501 drives the valve core connecting column 502 and the filling valve core 503 to move up and down in the cavity of the filling valve body 505. When moving upward, the sealing surface between the filling valve core 503 and the outlet of the filling valve body 505 opens, and the fluid can flow out of the valve port. When moving downward, the valve port is closed when the bottom of the filling valve core 503 seals with the outlet of the filling valve body 506, and the fluid cannot flow out.

[0061] Each filling valve is provided with a conveying device 9 below it.

[0062] The hopper 1, filling pump 2, first filling valve 5, second filling valve 6, third filling valve 7, and fourth filling valve 8 are all located above the workbench 4, while the first conveying device 901, second conveying device 902, third conveying device 903, and fourth conveying device 904 are located below the workbench 4.

[0063] The control system is connected to the drive mechanisms of the first filling valve 5, the second filling valve 6, the third filling valve 7, the fourth filling valve 8, and the first conveying device 901, the second conveying device 902, the third conveying device 903, and the fourth conveying device 904, and controls the filling time and speed.

[0064] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention, and no reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A control method for continuous filling in a multi-head filling machine, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Filling production begins with filling the first container on the first conveyor. The first filling valve gradually opens from the closed state. As the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the second filling valve starts filling the container on the second conveyor. The second filling valve gradually opens from the closed state. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the first and second filling valves occur simultaneously and at the same speed. When the second filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the first filling valve is completely closed, the first container is filled, and the first conveyor begins to transport the container for the next filling. Let the filling unit time be x, then the unit time for opening the valve to its maximum opening is x / 2, the unit time for closing the valve is x / 2, and the unit time for changing the filling container is... ; Step 2: When the k-th filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the (k+1)-th filling valve starts to open from the closed state. At this time, the closing and opening actions of the k-th and (k+1)-th filling valves are performed simultaneously and at the same speed. When the (k+1)-th filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the k-th filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the k-th conveying device is filled, and the k-th conveying device begins to transport and replace the next filling container, where k∈{2,3,...,n-1,n is an integer and n≥2}; Step 3: When the nth filling valve reaches its maximum opening and begins to close, the first conveying device has already delivered the second filling container to its position during the time interval between the previous filling valves' alternating filling operations. At this time, the first filling valve is started to open from the closed state. The closing and opening actions of the nth filling valve and the first filling valve are performed simultaneously and at the same speed. When the first filling valve reaches its maximum opening, the nth filling valve is completely closed, the filling container on the nth conveying device is filled, and the nth conveying device begins to transport and replace the next filling container. Step 4: The process is repeated in the order of steps 1 to 3 above, so that multiple filling valves work alternately and continuously. The method is based on a multi-head filling machine, which includes a hopper, a filling pump, a diversion pipe, multiple filling valves, multiple conveying devices, and a control system; the number of filling valves and conveying devices is the same, and their number is set as n, where n≥2; The hopper is connected to the filling pump. The hopper includes a material barrel, a discharge bend, and a support. The material barrel is connected to the support, and the support is connected to the worktable. The bottom outlet of the material barrel is connected to the inlet of the discharge bend, and the outlet of the discharge bend is connected to the inlet of the filling pump. The filling pump is connected to multiple filling valves through a diversion pipe. The filling pump includes a motor, a gearbox, and a pump body. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the input shaft of the gearbox, and the output shaft of the gearbox is connected to the input shaft of the pump body. The pump body has an inlet and an outlet on both sides. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the hopper discharge bend, and the outlet is connected to the extension straight pipe of the diversion pipe. The plurality of filling valves are arranged side by side. Each filling valve includes a drive device, a valve core connecting column, a filling valve body, a filling valve core, and a connecting bracket. One end of the output shaft of the drive device is connected to the valve core connecting column. The valve core connecting column is connected to the filling valve core. The inlet of the filling valve body is connected to a flow divider. The connecting bracket is connected to the filling valve body and the drive device. Each filling valve is provided with a conveying device below it; The control system is connected to multiple filling valves and multiple conveying devices to control the filling time and speed; The diversion pipe includes an extension straight pipe and diversion branch pipes; one end of the extension straight pipe is connected to the outlet of the filling pump, and the other end is connected to the diversion branch pipes; each inlet of the diversion branch pipes is connected to a filling valve; each of the diversion branch pipes has the same pipe diameter.

2. The control method for continuous filling of a multi-head filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling unit time is 4 seconds, the valve opening to maximum opening unit time is 2 seconds, the valve closing unit time is 2 seconds, and the filling container replacement unit time is 4 seconds.

3. The control method for continuous filling of a multi-head filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling pump includes one of a gear pump, a rotor pump, a centrifugal pump, a vane pump, or a plunger pump.

4. The control method for continuous filling of a multi-head filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling valve includes one of the following: gate valve, ball valve, globe valve, butterfly valve, or piston valve.

5. The control method for continuous filling of a multi-head filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive device includes one of the following: a servo motor, a stepper motor, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a linkage mechanism, or a cam mechanism.

6. The control method for continuous filling of a multi-head filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-head filling machine also includes a workbench, with the hopper, filling pump, and multiple filling valves located above the workbench, and multiple conveying devices located below the workbench.

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