A tobacco stem conditioning device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of tobacco production devices, and discloses a tobacco stem arrangement device which comprises a vibrating groove, an intermediate frame, a balance body and a swing rod, both ends of the swing rod are hingedly connected to the vibrating groove and the balance body, the middle part of the swing rod is hingedly connected to the intermediate frame, a carding assembly is arranged between the vibrating groove and the intermediate frame, the bottom of the vibrating groove is provided with a sieve hole, the carding assembly comprises a conveying belt and carding plates, the carding plates are arranged on the conveying belt, the spacing between adjacent carding plates is smaller than the length of the tobacco stem, one end of the conveying belt in the length direction is provided with an arc-shaped guide plate, and a transmission column is arranged between the conveying belt and the vibrating groove; when the vibrating groove vibrates under the drive of the balance body, the transmission column can drive the conveying belt to vibrate. The original vibrating groove is used to vibrate and arrange the tobacco stems on the conveying belt, no additional power source is needed, the arrangement and posture keeping of the tobacco stems on the conveying belt can be completed, the grinding structure and the protrusions on the carding plates can assist the posture arrangement and keeping of the tobacco stems, and the posture of the tobacco stems cannot be greatly changed during transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco manufacturing equipment technology, and more particularly to a tobacco stem sorting device. Background Technology

[0002] The tobacco stem cutting machine is one of the key pieces of equipment in the tobacco processing production line. Its main function is to cut pre-processed tobacco stems (stem flakes) into shreds according to process requirements by a high-speed rotating cutter roller after compaction. The production process of the tobacco stem cutting machine is as follows: Material with a certain flow rate from the previous process is fed into a wedge-shaped space composed of an upper and lower chain through a feeding trough. The upper and lower chains move forward simultaneously, conveying and compressing the material, gradually forming a compact "tobacco cake". This cake is then sent to the rotating cutter roller at the small end of the wedge-shaped conveyor belt. The blades on the cutter roller cut the continuously fed "tobacco cake" into shreds of the set thickness, which are then conveyed to the next process through the discharge trough. Publicly available research indicates that the stem-cutting angle (the angle between the stem axis and the cutter) significantly impacts the stem filling value and morphology. Under the same cutting thickness, a smaller stem-cutting angle (between 0° and 45°) results in a larger surface area for easily expandable cells in the subsequent expansion process, leading to better expansion and a higher stem filling value. A stem-cutting angle between 45° and 90° has less impact on the filling value but reduces stem slippage during cutting, facilitating the process. Further research shows that the stem-cutting angle also affects the uniformity of the cut stem thickness, thus influencing stem quality. These findings highlight the need for effective stem-processing equipment capable of shaping tobacco stems into various cutting angles and maintaining their shape before feeding them into the stem-cutting machine.

[0003] Existing tobacco stem shredders employ a variety of feeding devices, with vibrating conveyors and pusher plates being the most common. Both types of feeding devices tend to result in tobacco stems and stem flakes entering the shredder in a disordered state. This disordered state leads to shredded stems that are mostly sheet-like. While these sheet-like stems have a higher filling value, their shape differs significantly from that of leaf shreds (filamentous). Consequently, during the rolling process, the sheet-like stems cannot be evenly distributed within the cigarette pack, resulting in substantial variations in the weight, draw resistance, density, and other physical properties of the rolled cigarettes. Furthermore, the inconsistent shape of the sheet-like stems and leaf shreds leads to poor appearance quality at the cigarette ends. This is particularly problematic in the production of high-end cigarettes, where higher quality requirements for cigarette appearance are essential; existing processing techniques cannot be used for the shredded stems produced in high-end cigarettes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a tobacco stem sorting device to solve the problem that tobacco stems are not sorted before being cut into shreds in existing devices.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical means:

[0006] A tobacco stem sorting device includes a vibrating trough, an intermediate frame, a counterweight, and a swing rod. The two ends of the swing rod are hinged to the vibrating trough and the counterweight, respectively. The middle part of the swing rod is hinged to the intermediate frame. A combing assembly is disposed between the vibrating trough and the intermediate frame. The bottom of the vibrating trough has sieve holes for the tobacco stems to fall into. The combing assembly includes a conveyor belt and combing plates. The combing plates are arranged on the conveyor belt, and the spacing between adjacent combing plates is less than the length of the tobacco stem. An arc-shaped guide plate is disposed at one end of the conveyor belt along its length. A transmission column is disposed between the conveyor belt and the vibrating trough. When the vibrating trough vibrates under the drive of the counterweight, the transmission column can drive the conveyor belt to vibrate.

[0007] Furthermore, one end of the transmission column is connected to the bottom of the vibration groove, and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt. A plurality of transmission balls are provided on the side of the transmission column near the conveyor belt. The transmission balls are evenly arranged along the length direction of the transmission column. When the transmission column reciprocates with the vibration groove, the transmission balls can move the conveyor belt.

[0008] Furthermore, a combing frame is provided inside the vibration groove. The combing frame is connected to the intermediate frame based on a connecting rod. Multiple combing columns are provided on the side of the combing frame near the vibration groove, and the length of the combing columns is set in accordance with the amplitude of the vibration groove.

[0009] Furthermore, drive rollers are provided at both ends of the conveyor belt in the transport direction. The drive rollers pass through the intermediate frame and are connected to a motor provided on the side of the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame is provided with matching through holes corresponding to the drive rollers. The drive column is provided near the drive rollers.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the arc-shaped guide plate is connected to the intermediate frame, and the length of the combing plate is set in accordance with the intermediate frame. When the combing plate passes through the intermediate frame, the end of the combing plate away from the conveyor belt is in contact with the intermediate frame.

[0011] Furthermore, one end of the transmission column is connected to the bottom of the vibration groove, and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt. The transmission columns are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the width direction of the conveyor belt, and a vibration column is arranged between the transmission columns. The vibration column is arranged between the upper and lower belts of the conveyor belt.

[0012] Furthermore, the carding plate has a protrusion in the middle, and the surface of the carding plate has a textured surface arranged along the length of the carding plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the device also includes a support that is connected to the side of the intermediate frame.

[0014] Furthermore, a conveyor belt is provided at the bottom of the intermediate frame, and the transport speed of the conveyor belt is matched with that of the transmission belt.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0016] 1. This application uses the existing vibration groove to vibrate and sort the tobacco stems that fall onto the conveyor belt after screening. No additional power source is needed to sort and maintain the posture of the tobacco stems on the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the textured structure and protrusions on the sorting plate can assist in sorting and maintaining the posture of the tobacco stems, and there will be no significant change in posture during transportation.

[0017] 2. This application includes a combing column that facilitates rapid screening of tobacco stems in the vibrating trough. This facilitates the agitation of tobacco stems in the vibrating trough, improves the screening efficiency, and keeps the combing column stationary, not moving with the vibrating trough. Thus, the combing column can move relative to the vibrating trough and the tobacco stems, which facilitates the screening of tobacco stems. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the tobacco stem sorting device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the combing frame of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the combing component of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is the present invention. Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission relationship between the vibration groove and the conveyor belt of the present invention.

[0023] in,

[0024] 10. Vibrating trough; 11. Screen hole; 12. Drive column; 13. Drive ball; 14. Carding frame; 15. Carding column; 16. Connecting rod; 20. Intermediate frame; 30. Balance body; 40. Swing rod; 50. Carding assembly; 51. Conveyor belt; 52. Carding plate; 521. Grinding texture; 54. Arc guide plate; 53. Drive roller; 60. Support; 70. Conveyor belt. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a tobacco stem sorting device of the present invention includes a vibrating trough 10, an intermediate frame 20, a balancing body 30, and a swing rod 40. The two ends of the swing rod 40 are respectively hinged to the vibrating trough 10 and the balancing body 30. The middle portion of the swing rod 40 is hinged to the intermediate frame 20. A sieve hole 11 is provided at the bottom of the vibrating trough 10 in the depth direction to accommodate the falling tobacco stems. The shape and length of the sieve hole 11 are designed to fit the tobacco stems. A combing assembly 50 is provided between the vibrating trough 10 and the intermediate frame 20. The vibrating trough 10 is used for initial screening of the tobacco stems, removing regularly shaped tobacco stems from the vibrating trough 10 and allowing irregularly shaped tobacco stems to exit from the outlet direction of the vibrating trough 10. The device also includes an exciter for driving the balancing body 30 to reciprocate. When the balancing body 30 reciprocates, the vibrating trough 10 reciprocates under the action of the swing rod 40 and the balancing body 30, thus screening the tobacco stems. The intermediate frame 20 serves as a support member and does not vibrate during the entire screening and conveying process.

[0027] A combing assembly 50 is positioned between the vibrating trough 10 and the intermediate frame 20 to adjust the posture of the selected tobacco stems. The combing assembly 50 includes a conveyor belt 51 and combing plates 52. The combing plates 52 are arranged on the conveyor belt 51. The spacing between adjacent combing plates 52 is less than the length of the tobacco stem. Adjacent combing plates 52, in conjunction with the side plates of the intermediate frame 20, form a cavity for transporting and temporarily storing the tobacco stems. Thus, when the tobacco stems fall, the length direction of the stems that fall into the cavity is parallel or approximately parallel to the width direction of the conveyor belt 51. A small number of tobacco stems are placed flat at the entrance of the cavity, or with one end inside and one end outside. In these cases, the combing assembly 50 needs to be vibrated to ensure all tobacco stems fall into the cavity, thus adjusting the posture of the tobacco stems.

[0028] A transmission column 12 is provided between the conveyor belt 51 and the vibrating trough 10. When the vibrating trough 10 vibrates under the drive of the balance body 30, the transmission column 12 can drive the conveyor belt 51 to vibrate. This application proposes two solutions, as follows: First, one end of the transmission column 12 is connected to the bottom of the vibrating trough 10, and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt 51. Several transmission balls 13 are provided on the side of the transmission column 12 near the conveyor belt 51. The transmission balls 13 are evenly arranged along the length direction of the transmission column 12. When the transmission column 12 moves back and forth under the drive of the vibrating trough 10, the transmission balls 13 can continuously move the conveyor belt 51. In this way, the tobacco stems that have not fallen into the cavity are displaced and fall into the cavity under the drive of vibration. The tobacco stems that were originally in the cavity are arranged more tightly and neatly under the action of vibration. Second, one end of the transmission column 12 is connected to the bottom of the vibrating trough 10, and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt 51. The drive columns 12 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 51 in the width direction, and are connected by vibrating columns. The vibrating columns are located between the upper and lower belts of the conveyor belt 51. Compared with using drive balls 13, the drive columns 12 can give the conveyor belt 51 a higher amplitude; while the drive balls 13 can give the conveyor belt 51 a higher vibration frequency. Both can be used to adjust the posture of the tobacco stem inside the cavity.

[0029] An arc-shaped guide plate 54 is provided at one end of the conveyor belt 51 in the transport direction. The arc-shaped guide plate 54 can close the opening of the cavity when the cavity formed by two adjacent combing plates 52 passes through. When the cavity is filled with tobacco stems and passes through the turning part of the end of the conveyor belt 51, the arc-shaped guide plate 54 can prevent the tobacco stems in the cavity from falling out and maintain the posture of the tobacco stems in the cavity. When the cavity is turned over, the opening of the cavity is blocked by the intermediate frame 20, and the combing plate 52 will push the tobacco stems to the outlet at the bottom of the intermediate frame 20, where the tobacco stems are sorted and transferred to the shredder.

[0030] A combing frame 14 is installed inside the vibrating trough 10. The combing frame 14 is used to assist in the screening of tobacco stems in the vibrating trough 10. Specifically, connecting rods 16 are provided on both sides of the combing frame 14. The connecting rods 16 are used to connect the combing frame 14 to the intermediate frame 20. That is, when the vibrating trough 10 vibrates, the combing frame 14 does not vibrate synchronously with the vibrating trough 10. Multiple combing columns 15 are provided on the side of the combing frame 14 closest to the vibrating trough 10. The length of the combing columns 15 is set in accordance with the amplitude of the vibrating trough 10. When the vibrating trough 10 vibrates, the combing columns 15 can move relative to the tobacco stems in the vibrating trough 10, thereby stirring the tobacco stems in the vibrating trough 10 and accelerating the screening speed of the tobacco stems. Preferably, the combing columns 15 are arranged between the sieve holes 11, thereby stirring the tobacco stems far away from the sieve holes 11, making it easier for the tobacco stems to fall into the sieve holes 11.

[0031] Drive rollers 53 are installed on both sides of the conveyor belt 51 in the transport direction. The drive rollers 53 pass through the intermediate frame 20 and are connected to a motor installed on the side of the intermediate frame 20. Matching through holes are provided on the intermediate frame 20 corresponding to the drive rollers 53. To prevent the tobacco stems in the upper cavity of the conveyor belt 51 from falling out due to excessive amplitude of the vibration groove 10, the drive column 12 is installed close to the drive rollers 53. In this way, the amplitude of the drive column 12 in moving the conveyor belt 51 is affected by the drive rollers 53 and will not bring out the tobacco stems in the cavity.

[0032] The surface of the combing plate 52 is provided with abrasive grooves 521 arranged along its length. The abrasive grooves 521 are used to increase the friction with the tobacco stem, preventing the tobacco stem from falling out during vibration, and can also be used to guide the tobacco stem to fall into the cavity in a length direction parallel to the length direction of the combing plate 52. The cross-section of the cavity enclosed by the combing plate 52 in the width direction is preferably a centrally constricted type, that is, the combing plate 52 is provided with a protruding structure in the middle. In this way, when the tobacco stem falls into the cavity, the tendency of the tobacco stem to move and rotate is restricted under the action of the protruding structure, which is conducive to maintaining the posture of the tobacco stem.

[0033] The device also includes a conveyor belt 70 located at the bottom of the intermediate frame 20. To prevent the tobacco stems from changing their posture during feeding from the intermediate frame 20 into the conveyor belt 70, the speed of the conveyor belt 70 should be consistent with the speed of the conveyor belt 51, and a transition section is provided at the connection between the conveyor belt 70 and the intermediate frame 20. At this time, the conveyor belt 70 can directly transport the sorted tobacco stems to the shredder for shredding.

[0034] The device also includes a bracket 60 for mounting components such as the vibration groove 10 to a designated working position. The bracket 60 is connected to the side of the intermediate frame 20.

[0035] In operation, the vibrating trough 10 vibrates under the action of components such as the swing arm 40 and the balance body 30. More regular tobacco stems fall through the sieve holes 11 into the cavity enclosed by the combing plate 52, while irregular tobacco stems fall out from the output end of the vibrating trough 10. During this process, the combing columns 15 on the combing frame 14 slide relative to the tobacco stems, facilitating the selection of the tobacco stems. The conveyor belt 51 vibrates with the vibrating trough 10 under the action of the drive column 12, allowing the tobacco stems falling on the combing plate 52 to smoothly fall into the cavity, and maintaining the alignment of its length direction with the width direction of the conveyor belt 51 under the convex action of the combing plate 52. The tobacco stems inside the cavity are transported to the conveyor belt 70 under the transmission action of the conveyor belt 51 and the arc-shaped guide plate 54, completing the sorting and output of the tobacco stems.

[0036] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Technical aspects, shapes, and structures not described in detail in this invention are all well-known technologies.

Claims

1. A tobacco stem sorting device, characterized in that, The device includes a vibration groove (10), an intermediate frame (20), a balance body (30), and a swing rod (40). The two ends of the swing rod (40) are hinged to the vibration groove (10) and the balance body (30), respectively. The middle part of the swing rod (40) is hinged to the intermediate frame (20). A combing assembly (50) is provided between the vibration groove (10) and the intermediate frame (20). The bottom of the vibration groove (10) has sieve holes (11) for the tobacco stems to fall into. The combing assembly (50) includes a conveyor belt (51) and combing plates (52). The combing plates (52) are arranged on the conveyor belt (51), and the distance between adjacent combing plates (52) is less than the length of the tobacco stem. An arc-shaped guide plate (54) is provided at one end of the conveyor belt (51) along its length. A transmission column (12) is provided between the conveyor belt (51) and the vibration groove (10). When the vibration groove (10) vibrates under the drive of the balance body (30), the transmission column (12) can drive the conveyor belt (51) to vibrate. One end of the transmission column (12) is connected to the bottom of the vibration groove (10), and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt (51). Several transmission balls (13) are provided on the side of the transmission column (12) near the conveyor belt (51). The transmission balls (13) are evenly arranged along the length direction of the transmission column (12). When the transmission column (12) vibrates, the transmission column (12) can drive the conveyor belt (51) to vibrate. When the column (12) reciprocates with the vibration groove (10), the transmission ball (13) can move the conveyor belt (51); a combing frame (14) is provided in the vibration groove (10), the combing frame (14) is connected to the intermediate frame (20) based on the connecting rod (16), and multiple combing columns (15) are provided on the side of the combing frame (14) near the vibration groove (10), the length of the combing column (15) is set in accordance with the amplitude of the vibration groove (10); a protrusion is provided in the middle of the combing plate (52), and the surface of the combing plate (52) is provided with a grinding texture (521) arranged along the length direction of the combing plate (52); a conveyor belt is provided at the bottom of the intermediate frame (20). The conveyor belt (70) has a transport speed that matches that of the conveyor belt (51). One end of the conveyor belt (51) in the transport direction is provided with an arc-shaped guide plate (54). The arc-shaped guide plate (54) can close the opening of the cavity when the cavity formed by two adjacent combing plates (52) passes through. When the cavity is filled with tobacco stems and passes through the turning part of the end of the conveyor belt (51), the arc-shaped guide plate (54) can prevent the tobacco stems in the cavity from falling out and maintain the posture of the tobacco stems in the cavity. When the cavity is flipped, the opening of the cavity is blocked by the intermediate frame (20), and the combing plate (52) will push the tobacco stems to the outlet at the bottom of the intermediate frame (20). The tobacco stems are sorted here and transferred to the shredder.

2. The tobacco stem sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor belt (51) has drive rollers (53) at both ends in the transport direction. The drive rollers (53) pass through the intermediate frame (20) and are connected to the motor on the side of the intermediate frame (20). The intermediate frame (20) has matching through holes corresponding to the drive rollers (53). The drive column (12) is located near the drive rollers (53).

3. The tobacco stem sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, One end of the arc-shaped guide plate (54) is connected to the intermediate frame (20). The length of the combing plate (52) is set to match the intermediate frame (20). When the combing plate (52) passes the intermediate frame (20), the end of the combing plate (52) away from the conveyor belt (51) is in contact with the intermediate frame (20).

4. A tobacco stem sorting device, characterized in that, The device includes a vibration groove (10), an intermediate frame (20), a balance body (30), and a swing rod (40). The two ends of the swing rod (40) are hinged to the vibration groove (10) and the balance body (30), respectively. The middle part of the swing rod (40) is hinged to the intermediate frame (20). A combing assembly (50) is provided between the vibration groove (10) and the intermediate frame (20). The bottom of the vibration groove (10) has sieve holes (11) for tobacco stems to fall into. The combing assembly (50) includes a conveyor belt (51) and combing plates (52). The combing plates (52) are arranged on the conveyor belt (51), with a small spacing between adjacent combing plates (52). Regarding the length of the tobacco stem, an arc-shaped guide plate (54) is provided at one end of the conveyor belt (51) along its length. A transmission column (12) is provided between the conveyor belt (51) and the vibration groove (10). When the vibration groove (10) vibrates under the drive of the balance body (30), the transmission column (12) can drive the conveyor belt (51) to vibrate. A combing frame (14) is provided inside the vibration groove (10). The combing frame (14) is connected to the intermediate frame (20) based on the connecting rod (16). Multiple combing columns (15) are provided on the side of the combing frame (14) near the vibration groove (10). The length of the combing column (15) is matched with the length of the vibration groove (10). The amplitude setting of the moving groove (10); one end of the transmission column (12) is connected to the bottom of the vibration groove (10), and the other end extends to both ends near the width direction of the conveyor belt (51). The transmission columns (12) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the width direction of the conveyor belt (51). A vibration column is arranged between the transmission columns (12). The vibration column is arranged between the upper and lower belts of the conveyor belt (51). A protrusion is provided in the middle of the carding plate (52). The surface of the carding plate (52) is provided with abrasive textures (521) arranged along the length direction of the carding plate (52). A conveyor belt (70) is provided at the bottom of the intermediate frame (20). The conveyor belt (70) has a transport speed that matches that of the conveyor belt (51). One end of the conveyor belt (51) is provided with an arc-shaped guide plate (54) in the transport direction. The arc-shaped guide plate (54) can close the opening of the cavity when the cavity formed by two adjacent combing plates (52) passes through. When the cavity is filled with tobacco stems and passes through the turning part of the end of the conveyor belt (51), the arc-shaped guide plate (54) can prevent the tobacco stems in the cavity from falling out and maintain the posture of the tobacco stems in the cavity. When the cavity is flipped, the opening of the cavity is blocked by the intermediate frame (20), and the combing plate (52) will push the tobacco stems to the outlet at the bottom of the intermediate frame (20). The tobacco stems are sorted here and transferred to the shredder.

5. The tobacco stem sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device also includes a bracket (60) which is connected to the side of the intermediate frame (20).

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