A laser drilling device for rods

Abstract

The application provides a rod laser drilling device, which comprises a wheel body, a multi-prism and a plurality of suction claw gear shafts which are uniformly and spacedly distributed along the circumference of the wheel body are arranged on the wheel body; the suction claw gear shafts are rotatably arranged in the wheel body, and a through first negative pressure channel is arranged in the suction claw gear shafts, and one end of the first negative pressure channel is communicated with a suction claw; a transmission mechanism is in transmission connection with a first driving source, the wheel body and the plurality of suction claw gear shafts respectively; a hollow shaft is arranged with a through laser channel, and rotates under the driving of a second driving source; a scanning lens is located on the inner side of the plurality of suction claws, and at least one lens group is arranged in the scanning lens; the application has the beneficial effects that the multi-prism with the rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of the wheel body is arranged in the wheel body, and the lens group is arranged in the scanning lens, directional emission and focusing of the laser beam are realized, the device structure is simplified, and the manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco processing technology, and in particular to a laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects. Background Technology

[0002] Online laser perforation of cigarettes refers to a process in which a laser beam is used during the cigarette rolling process to create tiny holes in the tipping paper at the center of the cigarette filter. These holes allow the smoker to inhale a certain amount of ambient air along with the tobacco smoke. This dilutes the smoke and lowers its temperature, thereby reducing the nicotine and tar content. Furthermore, online laser perforation can also improve the draw resistance problem associated with slim and medium-sized cigarettes.

[0003] Chinese invention patent application CN113996935A discloses an online laser drilling device and method for rod-shaped articles. This application utilizes a protrusion on a rubbing roller located outside a receiving drum to rotate a cigarette around its longitudinal axis. Simultaneously, a laser head positioned slightly above the middle of the receiving drum and rubbing roller emits laser pulses towards the cigarette filter tip. Because the minimum distance between the rubbing roller surface and the receiving drum surface is slightly smaller than the cigarette diameter, this causes compression of the cigarette. Furthermore, the high-speed rotation of the cigarette can lead to defects such as looseness and surface punctures.

[0004] Chinese invention patent application CN1653976A discloses a device attempting to avoid the aforementioned losses. In this device, a cigarette is arranged in a groove on the outer circumference of a cylindrical roller. As the roller rotates, the rotating groove drives the cigarette to rotate along with it through negative pressure suction. A prism is positioned outside the roller's axial direction, and the prism can rotate independently relative to the roller. A laser beam mechanism is provided in a direction perpendicular to the prism's axis. The laser beam is focused by a lens positioned in front onto a line substantially passing through the rotation center of the prism. The prism rotates in the opposite direction to the roller's rotation, used to orient the laser beam outward from the rotation axis and to oscillate the laser beam around the rotation axis. A first deflector and a second deflector are positioned outside the roller's circumference to redirect the laser beam reflected by the prism towards a direction perpendicular to the roller's rotation axis, that is, towards the cigarette filter end perpendicular to the groove in the roller. A lens is positioned near the roller's circumference to focus the laser beam reflected by the second deflector onto the cigarette filter end. The rotation of the drum, the rotation of the cigarette in the drum groove, the rotation of the prism, and the emission frequency of the laser beam must be coordinated to ensure that the cigarette is perforated by the laser beam as it passes under each lens. However, the device has five sets of deflecting mirrors and lenses within a 90° angle range, resulting in a large overall size, a narrow effective working area, and a relatively high rotation speed of the cigarette in the groove, which is detrimental to the stable operation of the machine. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects, which has a relatively simplified device structure without damaging the cigarette.

[0006] This invention provides a laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects, comprising: a wheel body with a multi-prism and a plurality of suction claw gear shafts evenly spaced along the circumference of the wheel body; the multi-prism is coaxially arranged with the wheel body and includes a plurality of mirror surfaces evenly distributed along the circumference, the number of mirror surfaces being the same as the number of suction claw gear shafts; the suction claw gear shafts are rotatably disposed in the wheel body, wherein a first negative pressure channel is provided, one end of the first negative pressure channel being connected to a suction claw for adsorbing cigarettes; and a transmission mechanism, which is respectively connected to a first driving source, the wheel body, and the plurality of suction claw gear shafts. Driven by the first driving source, the wheel and the suction claw gear shaft rotate around their respective axes. A hollow shaft, coaxial with and penetrating the wheel, has a through laser channel and rotates around its own axis under the drive of the second driving source. A scanning lens, coaxial with the wheel and fixed to one end of the hollow shaft, is located inside the plurality of suction claws and includes at least one lens group. A laser beam passes through the laser channel, the lens group, and one mirror of the prism and is directed onto a cigarette facing the mirror, punching a hole in the cigarette.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes a fixed mechanism with a fixed position, wherein the fixed mechanism is provided with a plurality of second negative pressure channels evenly spaced along an arc, and the second negative pressure channels are used to connect the negative pressure extraction mechanism and the first negative pressure channel.

[0008] Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a wheel drive gear, an internal gear fixedly connected to the wheel drive gear, and a drive gear shaft. The wheel drive gear is driven by a first drive source. One end of the drive gear shaft is provided with a first gear driven by the internal gear, and the other end is provided with a second gear and a third gear. The second gear is driven by the wheel and is used to drive the wheel to rotate around its own axis. The third gear is driven by multiple suction claw gear shafts and is used to drive each suction claw gear shaft to rotate around its own axis.

[0009] Preferably, the scanning lens includes a beam splitter, a central reflector, and two lens groups. The beam splitter and the central reflector are coaxially arranged with the wheel body, and the two lens groups are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the scanning lens.

[0010] Preferably, the lens assembly includes a reflector and a condenser.

[0011] Preferably, the scanning lens also has a plurality of openings for the laser beam to pass through, and the number of openings is the same as the number of lens groups.

[0012] Preferably, the extension direction of the suction claw is parallel to the axial direction of the wheel body.

[0013] Preferably, both the first drive source and the second drive source are servo motors.

[0014] Preferably, the scanning lens and the wheel rotate in opposite directions.

[0015] Preferably, the rod-shaped laser drilling device is disposed between the conveying wheel and the output wheel.

[0016] The advantages of this invention are:

[0017] 1. Simplified structure and reduced cost: This invention achieves directional emission and focusing of the laser beam by setting a multi-prism in the wheel body with the axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the wheel body, and setting a lens group in the scanning lens, thereby simplifying the equipment structure and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0018] 2. Improve the appearance quality of cigarettes: This invention sets as many suction claws as possible on the wheel body. Each suction claw can pick up the cigarette and make it rotate. Laser drilling is performed during the rotation of the cigarette. The drilling process does not squeeze or rub the cigarette, thereby improving the appearance quality of the cigarette.

[0019] 3. Quickly change cigarette diameter specifications: This invention can adapt to cigarettes of different diameter specifications by changing the suction claws of different diameter specifications and simply adjusting the focal length. The process is simple and convenient, and no mechanical adjustment is required after the change is completed. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the wheel body and the scanning lens;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the rod-shaped laser drilling device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the laser optical path of the rod-shaped laser drilling device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the wheel body and the conveyor wheel and output wheel;

[0025] Component designation explanation:

[0026] 1. Hollow Shaft

[0027] 2. Scanning Lens

[0028] 3. Wheel drive gear

[0029] 31 Internal Gear

[0030] 4-wheel body

[0031] 5 suction claws

[0032] 6. Transmission mechanism

[0033] 61 First Gear

[0034] 62 Drive gear shaft

[0035] 63 Second Gear

[0036] 64 Third Gear

[0037] 65 Transmission Gear

[0038] 7 Flange seat

[0039] 71 Second Negative Pressure Channel

[0040] 8-lens group

[0041] 81 Reflector

[0042] 82 Condenser

[0043] 83 Opening

[0044] 9. Beam splitter

[0045] 10. Central reflector

[0046] 11. Prism

[0047] 12 suction claw gear shaft

[0048] 13 Laser beam

[0049] 14 cigarettes

[0050] 15 Conveyor Wheels

[0051] 16 Output Wheel Detailed Implementation

[0052] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0053] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0054] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0056] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the laser drilling device for rods according to the present invention. In the following description, it will be referred to as... Figure 3 The attached diagram serves as a reference for direction. Figure 3 In the middle, the right direction is defined as the direction to the right along the view paper, and the left direction is defined as the direction to the left along the view paper. The axis of wheel body 4 is defined to extend in the left and right directions.

[0057] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects, which includes a wheel body 4, a fixing mechanism 7, a transmission mechanism 6, a hollow shaft 1, and a scanning lens 2.

[0058] A multi-prism 11 and multiple suction claw gear shafts 12 evenly spaced along the circumference of the wheel body 4 are provided on the wheel body 4. The multi-prism 11 is coaxially mounted with the wheel body 4 and fixedly installed at one end of the wheel body 4. It includes multiple mirror surfaces evenly distributed circumferentially. The multiple mirror surfaces have the same shape, size, and tilt angle, and can rotate around the axis of the wheel body 4. The number of mirror surfaces is the same as the number of suction claw gear shafts 12. The suction claw gear shafts 12 are rotatably mounted in the wheel body 4, with the axis of each suction claw gear shaft 12 parallel to the axis of the wheel body 4, both extending in the left-right direction. Each suction claw gear shaft 12 has a first negative pressure channel that extends from left to right. The right end of the first negative pressure channel is connected to a suction claw 5 for adsorbing cigarette sticks 14. The extension direction of the suction claw 5 is parallel to the axis of the wheel body 4. It has a hollow negative pressure cavity inside, and multiple air suction holes communicating with the negative pressure cavity are opened on its outer wall.

[0059] The fixing mechanism 7 is fixed in position, coaxially arranged with the wheel body 4, and located at the left end of the wheel body 4. The fixing mechanism 7 is provided with multiple second negative pressure channels 71 evenly spaced along an arc, which connect the negative pressure extraction mechanism to the first negative pressure channel. When the negative pressure extraction mechanism is working, negative pressure is formed at the suction holes of the suction claws 5 connected to the second negative pressure channels 71, and the cigarette 14 is then adsorbed onto the suction claws 5.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the transmission mechanism 6 is connected to the first drive source, the wheel body 4, and multiple suction claw gear shafts 12 respectively. Under the drive of the first drive source, it drives the wheel body 4 and the suction claw gear shafts 12 to rotate around their respective axes. That is, while the suction claw gear shafts 12 revolve around the axis of the wheel body 4 with the wheel body 4, they also rotate around their own axes.

[0061] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the transmission mechanism 6 includes a wheel drive gear 3, an internal gear 31 fixedly connected to the wheel drive gear 3, and a drive gear shaft 62. The wheel drive gear 3 is rotatably sleeved on the outside of the fixed mechanism 7, and is connected to a first drive source, rotating under the drive of the first drive source. The drive gear shaft 62 passes through the fixed mechanism 7, with a first gear 61 connected to the internal gear 31 at its left end, and a second gear 63 and a third gear 64 sequentially arranged from left to right at its right end. The second gear 63 is connected to a fourth gear disposed on the inner wall of the wheel body 4, driving the wheel body 4 to rotate around its own axis. The third gear 64 is connected to multiple suction claw gear shafts 12 via a transmission gear 65 rotatably disposed within the wheel body 4, driving each suction claw gear shaft 12 to rotate around its own axis. Those skilled in the art can change the number of teeth on the wheel drive gear 3, internal gear 31, first gear 61, second gear 63, third gear 64, fourth gear, transmission gear 65, and suction claw gear shaft 12 as needed, thereby changing the rotational speed of the wheel body 4 and the rotational speed of the suction claw gear shaft 12, so that the two speeds are different.

[0062] The hollow shaft 1 is coaxially arranged with the wheel body 4 and passes through both the fixing mechanism 7 and the wheel body 4. The hollow shaft 1 has a through-type laser channel and rotates around its own axis under the drive of the second drive source. Both the first and second drive sources are servo motors.

[0063] The scanning lens 2 is coaxially mounted with the wheel body 4 and fixed to the right end of the hollow shaft 1. The scanning lens 2 is located inside multiple suction claws 5, and includes optical components and at least one lens group 8. The lens group 8 specifically includes a reflector 81 and a condenser lens 82. The scanning lens 2 also has several openings 83 for the laser beam 13 to pass through. The number of openings 83 is the same as the number of lens groups 8, and their positions correspond one-to-one with the positions of the lens groups 8.

[0064] In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the scanning lens 2 is provided with a lens group 8, and the optical components include a central reflector 10, which is coaxially arranged with the wheel body 4. During laser drilling, the laser beam 13 passes through the laser channel and reaches the central reflector 10. The central reflector 10 reflects the laser beam 13 onto the reflector 81. The laser beam 13 reflected by the reflector 81 is focused by the condenser lens 82 and then directed towards a mirror surface of the prism 11. The laser beam 13, after being reflected by the mirror surface, exits from the opening 83 and is directed onto the cigarette 14 directly opposite the opening 83, thus creating a hole at the filter end of the cigarette 14.

[0065] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the scanning lens 2 is provided with two lens groups 8. The optical components include a beam splitter 9 and a central reflector 10. The beam splitter 9 and the central reflector 10 are coaxially arranged with the wheel body 4, and the two lens groups 8 are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the scanning lens 2. When performing laser drilling, such as Figure 4 As shown, the laser beam 13 passes through the laser channel and reaches the beam splitter 9. The beam splitter 9 reflects 50% of the laser beam onto the reflector 81 of one of the lens groups 8, and the other 50% of the laser beam 13 passes through the beam splitter 9 and is directed onto the central reflector 10 located to the right of the beam splitter 9. The central reflector 10 reflects the laser beam 13 onto the reflector 81 of the other lens group 8. The laser beams 13 reflected by the reflectors 81 of the two lens groups 8 are focused by the condenser lens 82 in the lens group and directed onto the two mirrors in the prism 11 respectively. Then, they are emitted from the two openings 83 respectively. A hole is opened on the filter end of the two cigarette sticks 14 that are directly opposite the two openings 83.

[0066] Specifically, the scanning lens 2 and the wheel 4 rotate in opposite directions, and the scanning lens 2 rotates at a higher speed than the wheel 4. The focal length of the condenser lens 82 is approximately equal to the sum of the distance from the condenser lens 82 to the mirror surface and the distance from the mirror surface to the filter tip of the cigarette 14. The mirror surface is perpendicular to the plane formed by the axis of the suction claw 5 and the axis of the wheel 4.

[0067] The following combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 Explanation of the working principle of the rod-shaped laser drilling device of the present invention:

[0068] The rod-shaped laser drilling device of the present invention is disposed between the conveying wheel 15 and the output wheel 16. Both the conveying wheel 15 and the output wheel 16 are provided with multiple suction grooves evenly spaced along their circumference for adsorbing cigarettes 14. The conveying wheel 15 and the output wheel 16 rotate in the same direction, while the wheel body 4 rotates in the opposite direction. The conveying wheel 15 conveys the cigarettes 14 to the suction claw 5, where the cigarettes 14 are adsorbed. The wheel body 4 drives each cigarette 14 to rotate θ degrees, conveying the cigarettes 14 from the output wheel 15 to the suction groove of the output wheel 16, whereupon the cigarettes 14 detach from the wheel body 4. During the revolution of each cigarette 14, the cigarette 14 also rotates N revolutions with the suction claw 5 / suction claw gear shaft 12, and the scanning lens 2 rotates n revolutions, where n>N. At the same time, the laser set at one end of the laser channel emits a pulsed laser. The laser beam 13 passes through the laser channel, optical components, lens group 8, and the mirror surface of the prism 11 and is projected onto the cigarette 14 facing the mirror surface, completing one perforation of the cigarette 14. Finally, multiple openings (i.e., a ring of openings) are formed on the cigarette 14 at intervals along the circumference of the cigarette 14. The cigarette 14 with a ring of openings is then conveyed to the output wheel 16.

[0069] To ensure the accuracy of the drilling, the initial relative positions of the scanning lens 2 and the wheel 4 are aligned. The rotation speed of the scanning lens 2, the rotation speed of the wheel 4, the number of suction claws 5, and the number of mirrors of the prism 11 are coordinated with each other. At the same time, with the appropriate laser emission frequency, the lens group 8 of the scanning lens 2 and the opening 83 can drill different circumferential sections of the cigarette 14 each time they pass through the same cigarette 14, ensuring that the circumferential drilling of the cigarette 14 is finally completed.

[0070] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second negative pressure channels 71 provided on the fixing mechanism 7 are distributed at intervals along an arc with a central angle of not less than θ degrees. This arrangement can ensure that the negative pressure in the suction claw 5 that adsorbs the cigarette 14 is stable and prevent the cigarette 14 from falling off during the revolution of the wheel body 4.

[0071] Furthermore, in order to achieve uniform perforation on the cigarette 14, the cigarette 14 rotates twice along with the suction claw 5 / suction claw gear shaft 12 during its revolution.

[0072] Furthermore, to adjust different focal positions to accommodate cigarettes 14 of different diameters or to create holes of different sizes under the same laser power, a beam focal length adjustment mechanism needs to be installed between the laser and the laser channel. This beam focal length adjustment mechanism is existing technology and includes one or more of the following: a beam expander, a filter, a lens, a reflector, and a beam splitter.

[0073] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects, characterized in that, include: A wheel body is provided with a multi-prism and a plurality of suction claw gear shafts evenly spaced along the circumference of the wheel body. The multi-prism is coaxially arranged with the wheel body and includes a plurality of mirror surfaces evenly distributed along the circumference. The number of mirror surfaces is the same as the number of suction claw gear shafts. The suction claw gear shafts are rotatably arranged in the wheel body, wherein a first negative pressure channel is provided, and one end of the first negative pressure channel is connected to a suction claw for adsorbing cigarettes. A transmission mechanism is connected to a first drive source, the wheel body, and the plurality of suction claw gear shafts respectively. Under the drive of the first drive source, the transmission mechanism drives the wheel body and the suction claw gear shafts to rotate around their respective axes. A hollow shaft is coaxially arranged with and passes through the wheel body. The hollow shaft has a through laser channel and rotates around its own axis under the drive of a second drive source. A scanning lens is coaxially arranged with the wheel body and fixed to one end of the hollow shaft. The scanning lens is located inside the plurality of suction claws, and at least one lens group is provided. A laser beam passes through the laser channel, the lens group, and one mirror of the prism and is directed onto a cigarette stick facing the mirror, thus drilling a hole in the cigarette stick. A fixed mechanism with a fixed position, wherein the fixed mechanism is provided with a plurality of second negative pressure channels evenly spaced along an arc, the second negative pressure channels being used to connect the negative pressure extraction mechanism and the first negative pressure channel; The transmission mechanism includes a wheel drive gear, an internal gear fixedly connected to the wheel drive gear, and a drive gear shaft. The wheel drive gear is driven by a first drive source. One end of the drive gear shaft is provided with a first gear driven by the internal gear, and the other end is provided with a second gear and a third gear. The second gear is driven by the wheel and is used to drive the wheel to rotate around its own axis. The third gear is driven by multiple suction claw gear shafts and is used to drive each suction claw gear shaft to rotate around its own axis. The scanning lens includes a beam splitter, a central reflector, and two lens groups. The beam splitter and the central reflector are coaxially arranged with the wheel body, and the two lens groups are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the scanning lens. The beam splitter reflects 50% of the laser beam onto the mirror of one of the lens groups, while the other 50% of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter and is directed onto the central mirror located to the right of the beam splitter. The central mirror then reflects the laser beam onto the mirror of the other lens group. The laser beams reflected by the mirrors of the two lens groups are focused by the condenser lens within the lens group and then directed onto the two mirrors in the prism.

2. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens assembly includes a reflector and a condenser lens.

3. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scanning lens also has several openings for the laser beam to pass through, and the number of openings is the same as the number of lens groups.

4. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction claw extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the wheel.

5. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first drive source and the second drive source are servo motors.

6. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scanning lens and the wheel rotate in opposite directions.

7. The laser drilling device for rod-shaped objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rod-shaped laser drilling device is positioned between the conveyor wheel and the output wheel.

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