Automatic tobacco transfer device and control method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a tobacco automatic transfer device and a control method thereof. The transfer device comprises a tobacco box with protrusions on the side surface; a lifting and overturning assembly, comprising a fixed frame, a lifting slider, a first hydraulic motor, a second hydraulic motor and a support overturning frame; the middle beam of the support overturning frame is connected with the first hydraulic motor through the through hole of the lifting slider, and the first hydraulic motor drives the support overturning frame to overturn; the second hydraulic motor drives the lifting slider in the fixed frame to drive the support overturning frame to complete the lifting movement; a clamping assembly is used for clamping with the protrusions of the tobacco box, comprising a movable arm support frame, a movable arm and a clamping mechanism; the movable arm support frame is connected with the support overturning frame through the mounting hole. The clamping assembly fixes the tobacco box, the lifting and overturning assembly completes the transition of the tobacco box and the belt conveyor in space, thereby realizing the contactless transfer of the tobacco, which is high in automation degree and safe and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco equipment technology, and in particular to an automatic tobacco shred transfer device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the tobacco industry, the technical requirements for cigarette manufacturing workshops are increasing. As a key upstream link in cigarette production, the level of technology in cigarette manufacturing directly affects the efficiency and quality of cigarette production. Currently, cigarette manufacturing workshops have achieved a high degree of automation, but due to the diversity of equipment, there are still areas where automation is relatively weak.

[0003] As an important container for storing and transporting tobacco shreds, tobacco boxes ensure that the shreds remain dry and clean during storage and transportation, preventing them from getting damp or contaminated. In automated tobacco production lines, specific types of tobacco shreds are typically fed into specific conveyor belt areas, and tobacco boxes serve as temporary storage and buffering transitions within these areas.

[0004] Existing technologies, such as the invention patent with application number 2021110814006 entitled "Tobacco Box Unpacking and Stacking Production Line," save some manpower by using a clamping and unloading mechanism. However, after the clamping and unloading mechanism holds and lifts the tobacco box, workers still need to cut open the bottom opening of the tobacco box to allow the tobacco inside to be poured out by gravity. In addition, although the clamping arms are equipped with anti-slip devices, if the tobacco box is heavy, there is still a risk that the tobacco box may slip from a height when it is lifted or rotated, causing damage to the box or leakage of the tobacco stored inside, resulting in a labor burden for maintenance and cleaning.

[0005] Therefore, there is currently no unified and effective transportation method for transferring tobacco shreds in tobacco boxes within the tobacco processing workshop. Furthermore, the structure of the unloading mechanism and the tobacco box are not compatible, resulting in high labor costs and low efficiency, which is detrimental to the continuity of tobacco production and makes it difficult to guarantee its processability. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention proposes an automatic tobacco shred transfer device and its control method, which enables contactless transfer of tobacco shreds with a high degree of automation. This effectively reduces manual intervention, ensures the process requirements of tobacco shred production, reduces the labor intensity of workers, and improves production efficiency and stability.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic tobacco shred transfer device, comprising:

[0009] Tobacco boxes, used to store tobacco, have protrusions on the sides;

[0010] The lifting and tilting assembly includes a fixed frame, a lifting slider, a first hydraulic motor, a second hydraulic motor, and a supporting tilting frame. The two ends of the middle crossbeam of the supporting tilting frame are connected to the first hydraulic motor through the through holes of the lifting slider, and the first hydraulic motor drives the supporting tilting frame to tilt. The lifting slider is located in the internal space of the fixed frame, and the second hydraulic motor is located on the top of the fixed frame to drive the lifting slider to move the supporting tilting frame to complete the lifting and tilting motion.

[0011] A clamping assembly for engaging with a protrusion in a cigarette box includes a boom support frame, a boom, and a clamping mechanism; the boom support frame is connected to a support tilting frame via mounting holes; one end of the boom is connected to the boom support frame via a first hydraulic cylinder, and the other end of the boom is connected to the clamping mechanism via a second hydraulic cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, the fixed frame is L-shaped and arranged in pairs, including a short section and a long section; the short section is fixedly connected to the support base, and the long section is perpendicular to the support base and hollow inside; the two wider sides of the long section have longitudinal rectangular through holes, the width of which is smaller than the width of the internal lifting slider; the top surface of the long section has a through hole for connecting a second hydraulic motor.

[0013] Preferably, the lifting slider protrudes towards the narrower side of the longer section of the fixed frame and is provided with two hinge holes; the hinge holes and the screw form a threaded transmission mechanism, and the second hydraulic motor is used to drive the screw so that the lifting slider can slide vertically along the inner cavity of the fixed frame.

[0014] Preferably, the support tilting frame is in the shape of an open character, including a short crossbeam, a middle crossbeam and two vertical beams; the vertical beams are provided with mounting holes for mounting a pair of boom support frames.

[0015] Preferably, the booms are arranged in pairs, with the inner side of one end of the boom hinged to the outer surface of the boom support frame via a first hydraulic cylinder, and the outer surface of the other end of the boom hinged to the outer surface of the clamping mechanism via a second hydraulic cylinder.

[0016] Preferably, the boom is U-shaped, with the closed end connected to the boom support frame and the open end connected to the clamping mechanism, and the width of the middle notch is greater than the width of the protrusion on the side of the cigarette box.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a frame, pressure plates, and two pairs of hydraulic cylinders. The frame is not enclosed, and the wall thickness of the open side is thinner than that of the enclosed side. The cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder is fixed inside the frame, and the pressure plate is fixed at the end of the piston rod. When the piston rod is extended to its limit, the distance between the two pressure plates is less than the width of the protrusion on the side of the tobacco box, which is used to clamp the tobacco box.

[0018] Preferably, the sides of the cigarette box are rectangular, the top is a rectangular funnel, and the bottom is equipped with casters.

[0019] Preferably, the rectangular funnel is made of acrylic.

[0020] Secondly, the present invention provides a control method for an automatic tobacco shred transfer device, comprising:

[0021] Adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to face away from the conveyor, so that the short crossbeam of the tilting support frame is close to the ground, the tilting support frame is perpendicular to the support base, and adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to the extended state;

[0022] Move the cigarette box to be transferred to the designated position between the extended boom and the clamping mechanism. Adjust the height of the lifting slider according to the height of the cigarette box. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder act in sequence, so that the boom and the clamping mechanism wrap around and clamp the side protrusion of the cigarette box.

[0023] The two second hydraulic motors are started simultaneously, causing the smoke box to rise together with the support tilting frame;

[0024] When the height reaches the set position, the second hydraulic motor stops rotating and is in a braking state; the two first hydraulic motors are started simultaneously. When they drive the support tilting frame to rotate 180°, the first hydraulic motors stop and are in a braking state, and the tobacco in the tobacco box falls onto the conveyor through the rectangular funnel.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this disclosure are as follows:

[0026] The automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention includes a fixed frame, a support and tilting frame, a boom support frame, a boom, a clamping mechanism, a lifting slider, and a belt conveyor. First, the tobacco box is fixed by the cooperation of the clamping mechanism and the boom. Then, the lifting slider drives the tobacco box to rise. Finally, the hydraulic motor drives the support and tilting frame to tilt the tobacco box to complete the tilting, thereby realizing the transfer of tobacco. It has a high degree of automation and high flexibility.

[0027] In this invention, the cigarette box and the transfer device are designed to be used together. The hollow area of ​​the clamping component in the transfer device is adapted to the protrusion on the side of the cigarette box, which improves the effectiveness of clamping and the efficiency of cigarette box transfer, greatly saves manpower, and the transfer process is safe and reliable.

[0028] Advantages of additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of this disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of this disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain this disclosure and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the support and flipping frame provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 The working process I of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 The working process II of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 The working process of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention is as follows: III;

[0037] Figure 8 IV. Working process of the automatic tobacco transfer device provided by the present invention;

[0038] Among them, 1-fixed frame; 101-support base; 2-support tilting frame; 201-crossbeam; 202-mounting hole; 203-short crossbeam; 204-vertical beam; 3-boom support frame; 4-boom; 5-clamping mechanism; 50-hydraulic cylinder; 501-frame; 502-cylinder body; 503-piston rod; 504-pressure plate; 505-connecting through hole; 6-first hydraulic cylinder; 601-first cylinder barrel; 602-first telescopic rod; 7-second hydraulic cylinder; 701-second cylinder barrel; 702-second telescopic rod; 8-belt conveyor; 9-first hydraulic motor; 10-second hydraulic motor; 11-lifting slider; 12-screw; 1301-smoke box; 1302-rectangular funnel; 1303-universal wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, an automatic tobacco shred transfer device includes a support base 101, a fixed frame 1, a support tilting frame 2, a boom support frame 3, a boom 4, a clamping mechanism 5, a lifting slider 11, and a belt conveyor 8.

[0042] The fixed frames 1 are arranged in pairs and oppositely on the support base 101. The fixed frames 1 are in an "L" shape. The end face of its short segment contacts and is fixed to the support base 101, and its longer segment is hollow inside, which is convenient for installing the lifting slider 11 and the screw rod 12.

[0043] The longer segment is in a cuboid shape, having two wider sides and two narrower sides. Rectangular through holes are provided on the wider sides, which facilitate the relative movement of the support turnover frame 2 and the first hydraulic motor 9 with respect to the fixed frame 1.

[0044] The rectangular through holes are located on one side of the vertical axis of the wider side of the fixed frame 1, that is, the rectangular through holes do not cross the vertical axis, ensuring that the rectangular through holes are directly opposite to the through holes of the lifting slider 11. The design of the rectangular through holes deviating from the vertical axis reserves space for the lifting slider 11 and the screw rod 12 inside the fixed frame 1, and at the same time facilitates the fixed connection between the first hydraulic motor 9 and the support turnover frame 2.

[0045] Bearings are fixedly installed in the through holes of the lifting slider 11, and couplings are fixedly installed inside the bearings. The support turnover frame 2 and the first hydraulic motor are fixedly connected through the couplings. The first hydraulic motor 9 circumferentially fixes the support turnover frame 2, so as to realize the two first hydraulic motors 9 driving the support turnover frame 2 to complete the turnover movement.

[0046] The lifting slider 11 is arranged inside the fixed frame 1. One side protrudes and has two precision reamed through holes. The ends of the precision reamed holes are located on the side of the fixed frame 1 without rectangular through holes and form a screw drive mechanism with the screw rod 12. The second hydraulic motor 10 drives the screw rod 12 to complete the lifting movement.

[0047] As Figure 3 shown, the shape of the support turnover frame 2 is similar to the character "open". Four mounting holes 202 are provided on both vertical beams 204 on both sides of the middle cross beam 201. The boom support frames 3 are arranged in pairs and are fixed to the vertical beams 204 of the support turnover frame 2 through the mounting holes 202.

[0048] The number of booms 4 is preferably 4 and the outer shape is in a "U" shape, having a closed end and an open end. The width of the middle notch is slightly larger than the width of the protrusion on the side of the cigarette case 1301. The outside of its closed end is hinged to the inside of the boom support frame 3, and the inside of the "U" - shaped space closer to the closed end is connected to the outer surface of the boom support frame 3 through the first hydraulic cylinder 6. The boom 4 can rotate around a predetermined center under the action of the first hydraulic cylinder 6.

[0049] Among them, the first hydraulic cylinder 6 includes a first cylinder barrel 601 and a first telescopic rod 602. The expansion and contraction of the first hydraulic cylinder 6 is realized through the cooperation of the first cylinder barrel 601 and the first telescopic rod 602.

[0050] The outer side of the opening end of the boom 4 is connected to the connecting through hole 505 on the inner side of the clamping mechanism 5. The outer side of the "U"-shaped space closer to the opening end is connected to the outer surface of the clamping mechanism 5 through the second hydraulic cylinder 7. The clamping mechanism 5 can rotate around a predetermined center under the action of the second hydraulic cylinder 7.

[0051] The second hydraulic cylinder 7 includes a second cylinder barrel 701 and a second telescopic rod 702. The extension and retraction of the second hydraulic cylinder 7 are achieved through the cooperation of the second cylinder barrel 701 and the second telescopic rod 702.

[0052] In this embodiment, the automatic tobacco transfer device uses hydraulic motors and cylinders to drive the connecting rods in an orderly manner to complete the automatic transfer of tobacco. Specifically, the support tilting frame 2 rotates around the through hole of the lifting slider 11 under the drive of the first hydraulic motor 9, and the boom 4 and clamping mechanism 5 rotate around the hinge point under the drive of the first hydraulic cylinder 6 and the second hydraulic cylinder 7, respectively. This design achieves a streamlined and effective clamping process.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the clamping mechanism 5 mainly includes a frame 501, a pressure plate 504, and two pairs of hydraulic cylinders 50. The frame 501 is not closed and has an open side wall of varying thickness. The cylinder body 502 of the hydraulic cylinder is fixed inside the frame 501. The pressure plate 504 is fixed to the end of the piston rod 503. When the piston rod 503 is extended to its limit, the distance between the two pressure plates 504 is less than the width of the protrusion on the side of the cigarette box 1301, which can effectively clamp the cigarette box 1301.

[0054] like Figures 5 to 8 The diagram shows the working process of the automatic tobacco transfer device. A rectangular funnel 1032 made of acrylic material is fixedly installed on the top of the tobacco box 1301. After being flipped over, the rectangular funnel 1302 faces the belt conveyor 8. The bottom of the tobacco box 1301 is equipped with four casters 1303, which facilitates the movement of the tobacco box to the working area of ​​the device and improves the efficiency of the work.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] This embodiment provides a control method for an automatic tobacco shred transfer device, including:

[0057] Adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to face away from the conveyor, so that the short crossbeam of the tilting support frame is close to the ground, the tilting support frame is perpendicular to the support base, and adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to the extended state;

[0058] Move the cigarette box to be transferred to the designated position between the extended boom and the clamping mechanism. Adjust the height of the lifting slider according to the height of the cigarette box. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder act in sequence, so that the boom and the clamping mechanism wrap around and clamp the side protrusion of the cigarette box.

[0059] The two second hydraulic motors are started simultaneously, causing the smoke box to rise together with the support tilting frame;

[0060] When the height reaches the set position, the second hydraulic motor stops rotating and is in a braking state; the two first hydraulic motors are started simultaneously. When they drive the support tilting frame to rotate 180°, the first hydraulic motors stop and are in a braking state, and the tobacco in the tobacco box falls onto the conveyor through the rectangular funnel.

[0061] This embodiment uses a clamping assembly to fix the tobacco box, and a lifting and tilting assembly to complete the spatial transition between the tobacco box and the belt conveyor, thereby achieving contactless transfer of tobacco shreds. Specifically:

[0062] Before the automatic tobacco conveying device is put into operation, the support tilting frame 2 is perpendicular to the support base 101, and its short crossbeam 203 is at the bottom. The boom 4 and the clamping mechanism 5 are back to the belt conveyor. The height of the lifting slider 11 is determined according to the height of the tobacco box 1301, so that the side protrusion of the tobacco box 1301 faces the internal space of the boom 4.

[0063] Initially, the boom 4 and clamping device 5 are both in the extended state. When the tobacco box 1301 moves to the designated position between the two booms 4, the first hydraulic cylinder 6 and the second hydraulic cylinder 7 act in sequence, so that the four booms 4 and the four clamping mechanisms 5 surround the tobacco box 1301. Then, the pressure plate 504 of the clamping mechanism 5 clamps the protrusion on the outer surface of the tobacco box 1301 under the action of the hydraulic cylinder 50, thus completing the fixation of the tobacco box 1301.

[0064] Next, the two second hydraulic motors 10 are started simultaneously, causing the smoke box 1301 to rise together with the support tilting frame 2.

[0065] When the height is raised to the designated position, the second hydraulic motor 10 stops rotating and is in a braking state. At this time, the two first hydraulic motors 9 start simultaneously. When they drive the support tilting frame 2 to rotate 180° around the through hole of the lifting slider 11, the first hydraulic motors 9 stop and are in a braking state. At this time, the tobacco in the tobacco box 1301 falls through the rectangular funnel 1302 onto the belt conveyor 8 and is transported by the belt conveyor 8 to the next process.

[0066] This embodiment uses a clamping mechanism and a boom to fix the tobacco box, then uses a lifting slider to raise the tobacco box, and finally a hydraulic motor drives a support tilting frame to tilt the tobacco box, thus realizing the transfer of tobacco. This method ensures proper clamping to prevent damage to the tobacco box or leakage of stored tobacco, while improving automation and flexibility.

[0067] The steps involved in Embodiment 2 above correspond to those in Embodiment 1. For detailed implementation methods, please refer to the relevant description section of Embodiment 1. The above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic tobacco shred transfer device, characterized in that, include: Tobacco boxes, used to store tobacco, have protrusions on the sides; The lifting and tilting assembly includes a fixed frame, a lifting slider, a first hydraulic motor, a second hydraulic motor, and a supporting tilting frame. The two ends of the middle crossbeam of the supporting tilting frame are connected to the first hydraulic motor through the through holes of the lifting slider, and the first hydraulic motor drives the supporting tilting frame to tilt. The lifting slider is located in the internal space of the fixed frame, and the second hydraulic motor is located on the top of the fixed frame to drive the lifting slider to move the supporting tilting frame to complete the lifting and tilting motion. A clamping assembly for engaging with a protrusion in a cigarette box includes a boom support frame, a boom, and a clamping mechanism; the boom support frame is connected to a support tilting frame via mounting holes; one end of the boom is connected to the boom support frame via a first hydraulic cylinder, and the other end of the boom is connected to the clamping mechanism via a second hydraulic cylinder. The clamping mechanism includes a frame, pressure plates, and two pairs of hydraulic cylinders. The frame is not enclosed, and the wall thickness of the open side is thinner than that of the enclosed side. The cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder is fixed inside the frame, and the pressure plate is fixed at the end of the piston rod. When the piston rod is extended to its limit, the distance between the two pressure plates is less than the width of the protrusion on the side of the tobacco box, which is used to clamp the tobacco box.

2. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed frame is L-shaped and arranged in pairs, including a short section and a long section; the short section is fixedly connected to the support base, and the long section is perpendicular to the support base and hollow inside; the two wider sides of the long section have longitudinal rectangular through holes, the width of which is smaller than the width of the internal lifting slider; the top surface of the long section has a through hole for connecting a second hydraulic motor.

3. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting slider protrudes towards the narrower side of the longer section of the fixed frame and is provided with two hinge holes; the hinge holes and the screw form a threaded transmission mechanism, and the second hydraulic motor is used to drive the screw, so that the lifting slider can slide vertically along the inner cavity of the fixed frame.

4. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support tilting frame is in the shape of an "X" and includes a short crossbeam, a middle crossbeam and two vertical beams; the vertical beams are provided with mounting holes for mounting a pair of boom support frames.

5. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The booms are arranged in pairs. The inner side of one end of the boom is hinged to the outer surface of the boom support frame through a first hydraulic cylinder, and the outer surface of the other end of the boom is hinged to the outer surface of the clamping mechanism through a second hydraulic cylinder.

6. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The boom is U-shaped, with the closed end connected to the boom support frame and the open end connected to the clamping mechanism. The width of the middle notch is greater than the width of the protrusion on the side of the cigarette box.

7. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette box has rectangular sides, a rectangular funnel top, and casters at the bottom.

8. The automatic tobacco shred transfer device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The rectangular funnel is made of acrylic.

9. A control method for an automatic tobacco shred transfer device, characterized in that, The automatic tobacco shred transfer device according to any one of claims 1-8 includes: Adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to face away from the conveyor, so that the short crossbeam of the tilting support tilting frame is close to the ground, the tilting support is perpendicular to the support base, and adjust the boom and clamping mechanism to the extended state; Move the cigarette box to be transferred to the designated position between the extended boom and the clamping mechanism. Adjust the height of the lifting slider according to the height of the cigarette box. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder act in sequence, so that the boom and the clamping mechanism wrap around and clamp the side protrusion of the cigarette box. The two second hydraulic motors are started simultaneously, causing the smoke box to rise together with the support tilting frame; When the height reaches the set position, the second hydraulic motor stops rotating and is in a braking state; the two first hydraulic motors are started simultaneously. When they drive the support tilting frame to rotate 180°, the first hydraulic motors stop and are in a braking state, and the tobacco in the tobacco box falls onto the conveyor through the rectangular funnel.

Images