Tobacco bale overturning and conveying method

Abstract

The invention discloses a cigarette packet overturning and conveying method, and relates to the technical field of cigarette conveying equipment. The cigarette packet overturning and conveying method comprises the steps that firstly, a plurality of cigarette packets are put into the storage bin; secondly, a second packet pushing assembly is controlled to push the cigarette packets from the storage bin to the lower portion of the lifting device one by one; the overturning assembly is controlled to overturn the tobacco bales pushed to the lifting device, so that the tobacco bales are in a side-standing posture when reaching the lower part of the lifting device; thirdly, the lifting device is controlled to convey the tobacco bales located on the lower portion of the lifting device to the upper portion of the lifting device one by one; and fourthly, the first packet pushing assembly is controlled to push the cigarette packets out of the upper portion of the lifting device to the transferring device one by one, and the transferring device transfers the cigarette packets pushed out of the upper portion of the lifting device to a cigarette packet packaging production line. According to the cigarette packet overturning and conveying method, the cigarette packets are automatically overturned into the side standing posture when arriving at the lifting device, the risk that the cigarette packets are pushed and deformed is reduced, cigarette packet conveying blockage is prevented, and automatic packet supplementing operation is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cigarette conveying equipment, and in particular to a cigarette pack overturning and conveying method, which is used for overturning, lifting and conveying cigarette packs, so as to convey and supplement the cigarette packs to a cigarette pack production line. Background Art

[0002] During the cigarette packing process, when unqualified cigarette packs need to be discarded, gaps will be created; in addition, in order to reduce the floor space occupied by the cigarette pack production and packaging equipment, technicians will also set the cigarette pack conveying device between the cigarette pack production and packaging equipment above the cigarette pack production and packaging equipment to reduce the distance between each cigarette pack production and packaging equipment.

[0003] Affected by the above factors, when there are vacancies on the cigarette packaging production line due to the operation of removing unqualified cigarette packs, technicians need to add the cigarette packs at the low position to the cigarette pack conveying device at the high position to fill the vacancies; however, in order to complete the replenishment work, technicians have to frequently walk between high and low positions, or bend over, which makes the technicians easily tired and affects the efficiency of replenishment; moreover, at least one operator is required on each transportation line to complete the replenishment work, and the labor cost is also relatively high.

[0004] In this regard, a Chinese patent document discloses a cigarette pack repairer (application number: 201921002319.2) for the cigarette packaging industry. The cigarette pack repairer includes a bracket and a conveyor belt horizontally arranged on the bracket. A material guide track is provided at the end of the conveyor belt. The material guide track includes a feed end and a discharge end. The feed end is tilted downward, and the outlet of the discharge end is downward. It has the advantages of being able to flip the cigarette pack at a certain angle and having a simple structure.

[0005] However, the cigarette pack replenishing device cannot transport the cigarette packs at a low position to a high position.

[0006] In addition, the cigarette packs of the cigarette pack replenisher enter the next conveying device through an arc-shaped material guide track. Since the cigarette packs are rectangular, this arc-shaped material guide track not only allows the cigarette packs to flip 90 degrees, but also squeezes the cigarette packs, causing them to deform and affecting the appearance quality of the cigarette packs. In addition, if the channel size of the material guide track is appropriately increased to avoid the negative effect of squeezing the cigarette packs, the cigarette packs are prone to tilt due to the gap between them and the material guide track, thereby blocking the material guide track and affecting the transportation of the cigarette packs. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides a cigarette pack flipping and conveying method, which adopts a cigarette pack flipping and conveying device to automatically flip the cigarette pack into a sideways posture when the cigarette pack reaches a lifting device, so as to avoid the cigarette pack contacting the pack pushing component with a small surface when being pushed, reduce the risk of the cigarette pack being pushed and deformed, and prevent the cigarette pack conveying from being blocked, thereby realizing automatic pack replenishment operation.

[0008] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem is: to provide a cigarette pack flipping and conveying method, using a cigarette pack flipping and conveying device to convey cigarette packs, the cigarette pack flipping and conveying device comprises a lifting device, a first pack pushing assembly, a flipping assembly, a storage bin, a second pack pushing assembly, and a transfer device, the lifting device comprises a conveying mechanism and a loading assembly, the conveying mechanism is arranged vertically, a plurality of loading assemblies for carrying cigarette packs are arranged on the conveying mechanism, a plurality of cigarette packs are stacked and stored in the storage bin, the second pack pushing assembly is arranged at the lower part of the lifting device, the flipping assembly is arranged between the storage bin and the lifting device, the transfer device and the first pack pushing assembly are arranged relatively at two sides of the upper part of the lifting device; the cigarette pack flipping and conveying method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Put a number of cigarette packs into the storage bin; Step 2: Control the second pack pushing assembly to push the cigarette packs one by one from the storage bin to the lower part of the lifting device; control the flipping assembly to flip the cigarette packs pushed to the lifting device so that the cigarette packs are in a sideways posture when they reach the lower part of the lifting device; Step 3, controlling the lifting device to transport the cigarette packs located at the lower part of the lifting device to the upper part of the lifting device one by one; Step 4: Control the first pack pushing assembly to push the cigarette packs one by one from the upper part of the lifting device to the transfer device, and the transfer device transfers the cigarette packs pushed from the upper part of the lifting device to the cigarette pack packaging production line.

[0009] Furthermore, the lower part of the lifting device is provided with a lifting and conveying starting position, and the upper part is provided with a lifting and conveying end position, the lifting and conveying starting position is also provided with a first sensor, the lifting and conveying end position is also provided with a second sensor, a third sensor is provided in the storage bin, the lifting and conveying starting position is also provided with a first image acquisition unit, and the lifting and conveying end position is provided with a second image acquisition unit; The cigarette pack flipping and conveying device also includes a first control unit, a second control unit, a third control unit, and a fourth control unit. The first control unit is used to control the operating state of the second pack pushing assembly, the second control unit is used to control the operating state of the lifting device, the third control unit is used to control the operating state of the first pack pushing assembly, and the fourth control unit is used to control the operating state of the flipping assembly.

[0010] Furthermore, in step 2, the first sensor detects whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, and the second sensor detects whether there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying; If there are no cigarette packs at both the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to start, and the second pack pushing assembly pushes the cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position, the second control unit controls the lifting device to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to stop, to wait for the cigarette packs to be lifted; A position to be flipped is provided on the moving path where the cigarette pack is pushed toward the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first image acquisition unit is used to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flip assembly to start flipping the cigarette pack by 90 degrees, so that the cigarette pack is in a sideways posture when it reaches the starting position of the lifting and conveying. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is no cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flip assembly to stop. If there are cigarette packs at the starting position of the lifting and conveying but no cigarette packs at the end position of the lifting and conveying, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device to start, the lifting device lifts and transports the cigarette packs that have reached the starting position of the lifting and conveying and are in a sideways posture to the end position of the lifting and conveying, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to stop.

[0011] Furthermore, in step three, the first sensor detects in real time whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, and the second sensor detects in real time whether there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying; If there are cigarette packs at both the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device to stop, and the third control unit controls the first push plate assembly to start, and the first pack pushing assembly pushes the cigarette packs that have reached the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device; If there is no cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, but there is a cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component to start, and the first pack pushing component pushes the cigarette pack that has reached the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device; If there are no cigarette packs at both the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to start so as to transfer the cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position, the second control unit controls the lifting device to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to stop; A position to be flipped is provided on the moving path where the cigarette pack is pushed toward the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first image acquisition unit is used to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flip assembly to start flipping the cigarette pack by 90 degrees, so that the cigarette pack is in a sideways posture when it reaches the starting position of the lifting and conveying. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is no cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flip assembly to stop. If there are cigarette packs at the starting position of the lifting and conveying but no cigarette packs at the ending position of the lifting and conveying, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device to start, the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to stop, and the lifting device lifts and transports the cigarette packs that have reached the starting position of the lifting and conveying to the ending position of the lifting and conveying.

[0012] Furthermore, in all steps, the third sensor detects in real time whether the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin is zero; If the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin is zero, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device to stop, the third pushing unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to stop, and the cigarette pack conveying is suspended, waiting for workers to replenish cigarette packs in the storage bin; If the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin is not zero, the first control unit, the second control unit and the third control unit do not issue a control command.

[0013] Furthermore, the cigarette packet conveying device also includes an early warning device, which is connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the first image acquisition unit, the second image acquisition unit, the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, and the fourth control unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying is counted, and a threshold value of the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying is set; when the counted number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying increases to the set threshold value of the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, the early warning device sends out a first type of early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second package pushing assembly to shut down according to the received first type of early warning signal, the second control unit does not recognize the first type of early warning signal, and the third control unit also does not recognize the first type of early warning signal.

[0015] Furthermore, the number of times that cigarette packets appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position is counted, and a threshold value of the number of times that cigarette packets appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position is set; when the counted number of times that cigarette packets appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position increases to the set threshold value of the number of times that cigarette packets appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position, the early warning device sends out a second type of early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second package pushing component to shut down according to the received second type of early warning signal, the second control unit controls the lifting device to shut down according to the received second type of early warning signal, and the third control unit controls the first package pushing component to shut down according to the received second type of early warning signal.

[0016] Further, if the first sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, the first image acquisition unit works to detect whether the cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position is in a sideways posture and whether there is any deformation; If the cigarette pack is not in a sideways posture and / or is deformed, the first image acquisition unit sends a detection failure signal to the early warning device, the early warning device sends a third-type early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to shut down after receiving the third-type early warning signal, the second control unit controls the lifting device to shut down after receiving the third-type early warning signal, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to shut down after receiving the third-type early warning signal, waiting for workers to debug and repair the flipping assembly.

[0017] Furthermore, if the second sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying, and the first pack pushing assembly is in the starting operation state, the second image acquisition unit works to detect whether the cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying is deformed; if the cigarette pack is deformed, the second image acquisition unit sends a detection failure signal to the early warning device, and the early warning device sends a fourth type of early warning signal. The first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly to shut down after receiving the fourth type of early warning signal, and the second control unit controls the lifting device to shut down after receiving the fourth type of early warning signal. The third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly to shut down after receiving the fourth type of early warning signal, waiting for workers to debug and repair the lifting device.

[0018] Furthermore, the conveying mechanism includes two relatively arranged vertical conveyor belts, and two sets of pulley groups respectively used to drive each of the vertical conveyor belts to operate, the two sets of pulley groups are connected to the same driving motor, and the two vertical conveyor belts are driven by the same driving motor to operate synchronously.

[0019] Furthermore, the object-carrying assembly comprises two bearing bars, which are respectively fixedly arranged on two vertical conveyor belts, and when the two vertical conveyor belts are synchronously operated, the two bearing bars are always aligned with each other to jointly support the cigarette packs.

[0020] Furthermore, the first pack pushing assembly includes a first motor, a first transmission mechanism, and a first pushing member. The first transmission mechanism is used to connect the first motor and the first pushing member. The first motor drives the first pushing member to perform linear reciprocating motion through the first transmission mechanism, thereby causing the first pushing member to reciprocately push the cigarette pack located at the discharge port of the lifting device.

[0021] Furthermore, the flipping assembly includes a toggle roller rotatably arranged at the feed port of the lifting device, and a plurality of toggle teeth arranged around the toggle roller. The cigarette pack presses against the toggle teeth and rotates around the toggle roller with the toggle teeth to flip itself from a lying position to an upright position.

[0022] Furthermore, an opening is provided at the upper end of the storage bin, and multiple cigarette packs are stacked and stored in the storage bin from the opening above the storage bin; an opening is also provided at the lower end of the storage bin, and the second pack pushing assembly is used to push the cigarette packs from the lower end opening of the storage bin to the feed port of the lifting device.

[0023] Furthermore, the second pack pushing assembly includes a second motor, a second transmission mechanism, and a second pushing member. The second transmission mechanism is used to connect the second motor and the second pushing member. The second motor drives the second pushing member to perform linear reciprocating motion through the second transmission mechanism, so that the second pushing member mechanically pushes the cigarette pack located at the lower end opening of the storage bin to the feed port of the lifting device.

[0024] Furthermore, the transfer device includes a transfer conveyor belt, a transfer guide rail, and a cigarette pushing assembly. One end of the transfer guide rail extends to below the discharge port of the lifting device, and the transfer conveyor belt extends to above the discharge port of the lifting device. The transfer conveyor belt is provided with multiple cigarette pushing assemblies, and the cigarette pushing assemblies are used to push the cigarette packs to move on the transfer guide rail so that the cigarette packs enter the cigarette pack packaging production line from the other end of the transfer guide rail.

[0025] Beneficial effects of the present invention: Since the cigarette pack is a relatively thin rectangular parallelepiped, it has two relatively large faces and four small faces. The area of ​​one large face is much larger than the area of ​​the other four small faces. When the large face of the cigarette pack faces up and down, it is in a lying position. When the large face of the cigarette pack faces the sides, it is in a sideways position. In this regard, a cigarette pack flipping and conveying method of the present invention enables the first sensor to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, and enables the second sensor to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying, so as to combine the detection signals of the first sensor and the second sensor to generate four combination signals, and then generate four control commands; in the process of conveying the cigarette packs, the first control unit continuously receives any one of the four control commands to control the second pack pushing component to start or stop in real time, the second control unit continuously receives any one of the four control commands to control the lifting device to start or stop in real time, and the third control unit receives any one of the four control commands to control the first pack pushing component to start or stop, so as to ensure that the cigarette packs can be conveyed in an orderly manner.

[0026] In addition, the present invention also uses the first image acquisition unit and the fourth control unit to control the flipping assembly to automatically flip the cigarette pack 90°, so that the cigarette pack is in a sideways posture when entering the lifting device, to ensure that the cigarette pack can be smoothly transferred between the second pack pushing assembly and the lifting device, and between the lifting device and the first transfer device; to reduce the risk of the cigarette pack being squeezed and deformed during transportation or even further blocking the smoke duct.

[0027] Moreover, when there are cigarette packs at the starting position of lifting and conveying, the second pack pushing assembly will not continue to convey the cigarette packs, causing the cigarette packs to be blocked at the starting position of lifting and conveying; similarly, when there are cigarette packs at the end position of lifting and conveying, the first transfer device will not continue to convey the cigarette packs, the lifting device will not continue to lift and convey the cigarette packs, and the cigarette packs will not be blocked at the end position of lifting and conveying. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the description to explain the principles of the present invention. In these drawings, similar reference numerals are used to represent similar elements. The drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without paying creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cigarette pack flipping and conveying method of this embodiment; Figure 2 This is an overall structural diagram of a cigarette packet turning and conveying device of this embodiment; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A: Enlarged view of the local structure; Figure 4 is a structural diagram of the first package pushing assembly of this embodiment; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of the local structure B; Figure 6 is a structural diagram of the flip assembly of this embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the flip assembly of this embodiment; 1-lifting device, 11-transmission mechanism, 12-carrying assembly; 2-first push bag assembly, 21-first motor, 22-first transmission mechanism, 23-first push member; 3-turning assembly, 31-sliding roller, 32-sliding gear; 4-Storage silo; 5-second push bag assembly, 51-second motor, 52-second transmission mechanism, 53-second pusher, 6-transfer device, 61-transfer conveyor belt, 62-transfer guide rail, 63-cigarette pushing assembly; 7-cigarette pack, 8-cigarette pack packaging production line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, bottom, etc. mentioned or may be mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the drawings. The words "inside" and "outside" refer to the direction toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively. They are relative concepts, and therefore may change accordingly according to different locations and different usage conditions. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive terms.

[0031] See also Figure 2 The cigarette pack flipping and conveying device of a specific embodiment of the present invention includes a lifting device 1 and a first pack pushing assembly 2. The lifting device 1 includes a conveying mechanism 11 and a carrier assembly 12. The conveying mechanism 11 is vertically arranged. A plurality of carrier assemblies 12 are arranged on the conveying mechanism 11. The carrier assemblies 12 are used to carry cigarette packs. The first pack pushing assembly 2 is arranged at the discharge port of the lifting device 1. The first pack pushing assembly 2 is used to push the cigarette packs on the carrier assembly 12 from the discharge port of the lifting device 1 into the cigarette pack packaging production line.

[0032] Specifically, the conveying mechanism 11 includes two vertical conveyor belts arranged opposite to each other, and two groups of pulley assemblies respectively used to drive each of the vertical conveyor belts to operate; the two groups of pulley assemblies are vertically arranged on a vertical bracket, and the two vertical conveyor belts are also vertically arranged on the vertical bracket accordingly.

[0033] Correspondingly, multiple bearing bars are evenly spaced on the two vertical conveyor belts, and the multiple bearing bars on the two vertical conveyor belts are opposite to each other to form multiple carrying components 12. When the bearing bars between the two vertical conveyor belts are driven to move from bottom to top, a cigarette pack can be supported by two opposite and mutually parallel bearing bars on the two vertical conveyor belts at the same time, and lifted and transported to the upper end of the vertical conveyor belts by the two bearing bars; when the cigarette pack is transported to the upper end of the lifting device 1 and transferred to the transfer device 6, the two bearing bars of a carrying component 12 can be separated from each other and moved to the back-to-back outer positions of the two vertical conveyor belts and moved downwards, until the two return to the lower ends of the opposite inner positions of the two vertical conveyor belts again, so as to support and transport the cigarette pack upwards again.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, the pulleys at the lower ends of the two pulley groups are rotatably mounted on a vertically movable adjustment block, and the two adjustment blocks are correspondingly and movably mounted on the vertical bracket. The technician can adjust the tension of the vertical conveyor belt by adjusting the vertical position of the adjustment block, so that the two vertical conveyor belts are always kept in a tensioned state, ensuring that the lifting device 1 can operate normally.

[0035] Please note: Please refer to Figure 2In order to further limit the cigarette packs and prevent them from falling off the carrier assembly 12, limiting baffles can be set on both sides of the two vertical conveyor belts along the axial direction of the pulley. The limiting baffles on both sides cooperate with each other to further limit the cigarette packs in the horizontal direction to prevent them from falling off the carrier assembly 12.

[0036] See also Figure 3 It should be noted that: in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention by technicians in the field and examiners, the driving motors of the lifting device 1 and the transfer device 6 are not shown in the drawings of the present application. Here is a separate explanation: Figure 1 Taking the shown orientation as an example, the driving motor of the lifting device 1 is arranged on the right side of the upper end of the lifting device 1, and the motor output shaft of the driving motor of the lifting device 1 passes through the gap of the transfer device 6 to extend to the right side of the two upper end side by side pulleys, and is connected to the two upper end side by side pulleys through the gear transmission mechanism. The specific structural form of the gear transmission mechanism can refer to the existing technology to drive the two pulleys to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions to drive the entire lifting device 1.

[0037] See also Figures 2 to 4 , the first package pushing assembly 2 is arranged on the left side of the upper end of the lifting device 1; the first package pushing assembly 2 includes a first motor 21, a first transmission mechanism 22, and a first pusher 23; the first transmission mechanism 22 includes an input connecting rod, a rotating connecting rod, an output connecting rod, and a limiting base, one end of the input connecting rod is fixedly arranged on the output rotating shaft of the first motor 21, the other end of the input connecting rod is hinged to the left end of the rotating connecting rod, the right end of the rotating connecting rod is hinged to the left end of the output connecting rod, the output connecting rod is movably plugged and arranged on the limiting base, and the first pusher 23 is fixedly installed on the right end of the output connecting rod; in this regard, when the first motor 21 is working, the first transmission mechanism 22 converts the rotational motion of the output rotating shaft of the first motor 21 into a reciprocating linear movement of the first pusher 23, and then by setting the first pusher 23 as a plate body, the first motor 21 can drive the first pusher 23 to repeatedly push the cigarette packs moved to the discharge port at the upper end of the lifting device 1 to the transfer device 6, and then the transfer device 6 transports and replenishes them to the cigarette pack packaging production line.

[0038] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 The transfer device 6 and the first pack pushing assembly 2 are relatively arranged on both sides of the upper end of the lifting device 1, and the discharge port of the lifting device 1 faces the transfer device 6. The first pack pushing assembly 2 is used to push the cigarette packs from the discharge port of the lifting device 1 into the transfer device 6. The transfer device 6 is used to transfer the lifted cigarette packs to the cigarette pack packaging production line.

[0039] The transfer device 6 includes a transfer conveyor belt 61, a transfer guide rail 62, and a cigarette pushing assembly 63. One end of the transfer guide rail 62 is extended to the lower side of the discharge port of the lifting device 1. The transfer conveyor belt 61 is extended to the upper side of the discharge port of the lifting device 1. The transfer conveyor belt 61 is provided with a plurality of cigarette pushing assemblies 63, which are push blocks fixedly arranged on the transfer conveyor belt 61. In this regard, when the transfer conveyor belt 61 is driven by an external driving device to run, the plurality of cigarette pushing assemblies 63 are driven to sequentially pass through the discharge port of the lifting device 1, so as to sequentially push the cigarette packs pushed out by the first pack pushing assembly 2 to the right end of the transfer guide rail 62, and allow the cigarette packs to enter the cigarette pack packaging production line one by one.

[0040] It should be noted that the external driving device mentioned here can be understood as another driving motor, and the pulley of the transfer conveyor belt 61 is directly arranged on the output rotating shaft of the driving motor, and the driving motor is also arranged horizontally on the right side of the transfer device 6.

[0041] For further information, see Figure 2 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, a base is provided on the left side of the vertical support, and a storage bin 4 is also provided on the base. A plurality of cigarette packs are vertically stacked and stored in the storage bin 4. An opening is provided at the upper end of the storage bin 4 for technicians to push up and replenish cigarette packs into the storage bin 4; an opening is also provided at the lower end of the storage bin 4, and a second pack pushing assembly 5 is also provided on the left side of the lower end of the storage bin 4, and a flip assembly 3 is also provided between the storage bin 4 and the lifting device 1.

[0042] Correspondingly, in the present embodiment, the second pack pushing assembly 5 is used to push the cigarette pack laterally out of the opening at the lower end of the storage bin 4, and allow the cigarette pack to pass through the flipping assembly 3 and reach the feed port at the lower end of the lifting device 1. The flipping assembly 3 flips the cigarette pack 90° when the cigarette pack passes through, so that the cigarette pack changes from a lying posture with the large surface facing upward to an upright posture with the large surface facing the side, and the cigarette pack is lifted and transported by the lifting device 1 in an upright posture, so that the first pack pushing assembly 2 can push the cigarette pack into the transfer device 6, and further reduce the risk of the cigarette pack being squeezed and deformed during transportation.

[0043] For details, please refer to Figure 5The second package pushing assembly 5 includes a second motor 51, a second transmission mechanism 52, and a second pusher 53. The second transmission mechanism 52 has the same structure as the first transmission mechanism 22. The second transmission mechanism 52 also includes an input connecting rod, a rotating connecting rod, an output connecting rod, and a limiting base. One end of the input connecting rod is fixedly arranged on the output rotating shaft of the second motor 51, the other end of the input connecting rod is hinged to the left end of the rotating connecting rod, the right end of the rotating connecting rod is hinged to the left end of the output connecting rod, the output connecting rod is movably inserted on the limiting base, and the second pusher 53 is fixedly installed on the right end of the output connecting rod; in this regard, when the second motor 51 is working, the second transmission mechanism 52 converts the rotational motion of the output rotating shaft of the second motor 51 into a reciprocating linear movement of the second pusher 53, and then by setting the second pusher 53 as a plate body, the second motor 51 can drive the second pusher 53 to repeatedly push the cigarette package from the lower end opening of the storage bin 4 to the feeding port at the lower end of the lifting device 1.

[0044] See also Figure 6 The flip assembly 3 includes a toggle roller 31 rotatably arranged at the feed port of the lifting device 1, and a plurality of toggle teeth 32 arranged around the toggle roller 31. The plurality of toggle teeth 32 are evenly arranged on the rotating roller, and when the toggle roller 31 rotates, a portion of the body of each toggle tooth 32 extends to the bottom of the storage bin 4.

[0045] In this regard, the whole working principle of the cigarette pack being pushed into the flip assembly 3 from the lower end opening of the storage bin 4 and then flipped 90° by the flip assembly 3 and then entering the lifting device 1 specifically includes: Take the conveying and turning of a cigarette pack as an example; please refer to Figure 7 , the left end edge of the shifting tooth 32 on the upper left side of the flipping assembly 3 extends into the lower part of the storage bin 4, and the lower end edge of the second pushing member 53 is also provided with a flange for supporting the cigarette pack; when the second pushing member 53 is in the initial position on the left side of the storage bin 4, the cigarette pack naturally falls to a position supported by both the second pushing member 53 and the shifting tooth 32 on the upper left side, and then the second pushing member 53 pushes the cigarette pack to move to the right under the drive of the second motor 51. During this process, the flipping assembly 3 does not rotate until the right end of the cigarette pack abuts against the shifting tooth 32 on the upper right side of the flipping assembly 3; thereafter, the second pushing member 53 retreats to the left under the drive of the second motor 51, and the shifting roller 31 rotates 90° clockwise under the drive of the external driving device, and the cigarette pack that has abutted against the shifting tooth 32 on the upper right side is also turned 90° accordingly, and the cigarette pack becomes an upright posture, and the cigarette pack in the upright posture is just located at the feeding port at the lower end of the lifting device 1; finally, the conveying mechanism 11 lifts the cigarette pack in the upright posture upward for transportation.

[0046] In this embodiment, the number of teeth 32 on the stir roller 31 can be four or six, that is, every time the stir roller 31 rotates one circle, four or six cigarette packs will be flipped to an upright position and lifted and transported in turn by the lifting device 1; and the circular rotation of the stir roller 31 can achieve the work of mechanically adjusting the posture of the cigarette packs.

[0047] It should be noted that the external driving device mentioned here is a motor, which is not the same motor as the first motor 21, the second motor 51, and the two driving motors mentioned above.

[0048] In addition, the lifting device 1 is provided with a lifting and conveying starting position at the bottom and a lifting and conveying end position at the top, a first sensor is provided at the lifting and conveying starting position, a second sensor is provided at the lifting and conveying end position, a third sensor is provided in the lower end opening of the transfer storage bin 4, a first image acquisition unit is provided at the lifting and conveying starting position, and a second image acquisition unit is provided at the lifting and conveying end position; the cigarette packet conveying device also includes a first control unit, a second control unit, a third control unit, and a fourth control unit; the first control unit is electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, and the first control unit controls the cigarette packet according to a combination of a detection signal received from the first sensor and a detection signal received from the second sensor The second bag pushing component 5 is shut down or started normally; the second control unit is also electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, and the second control unit controls the shutdown or normal operation of the lifting device 1 according to the combination of the received detection signal of the first sensor and the detection signal of the second sensor; the third control unit is also electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, and the third control unit controls the shutdown or normal operation of the first bag pushing component 2 according to the combination of the received detection signal of the first sensor and the detection signal of the second sensor; the fourth control unit is electrically connected to the first image acquisition unit, and the fourth control unit controls the start or shutdown of the flipping component 3 according to the received detection identification signal of the first image acquisition unit.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sensor is a photoelectric sensor, and the sensor also has a counting function; the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, and the fourth control unit are all electrically controlled switches, the first control unit is the control switch of the drive motor of the second bag pushing assembly 5, the second control unit is the control switch of the drive motor of the lifting device 1, the third control unit is the control switch of the drive motor of the first bag pushing assembly 2, the fourth control unit is the control switch of the drive motor of the flipping assembly 3, and the first image acquisition unit and the second image acquisition unit are both cameras.

[0050] In addition, the second bag pushing assembly 5 can be set to any position of the lower part of the lifting device 1, not limited to the lower end of the lifting device 1, and the first bag pushing assembly can also be set to any position of the upper part of the lifting device 1, not limited to the upper end of the lifting device 1.

[0051] See also Figure 1 Based on the above-mentioned cigarette pack turning and conveying device, the cigarette pack turning and conveying method of this embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: Put a number of cigarette packs into the storage bin 4; Step 2: Control the second pack pushing assembly 5 to push the cigarette packs one by one from the storage bin 4 to the lower part of the lifting device 1; control the flipping assembly 3 to flip the cigarette packs pushed to the lifting device 1 so that the cigarette packs are in a sideways posture when they reach the lower part of the lifting device 1; Step 3: Control the lifting device 1 to transport the cigarette packs located at the lower part of the lifting device 1 to the upper part of the lifting device 1 one by one; Step 4: Control the first pack pushing assembly 2 to push the cigarette packs one by one from the upper part of the lifting device 1 to the transfer device 6 . The transfer device 6 transfers the cigarette packs pushed out from the upper part of the lifting device 1 to the cigarette pack packaging production line 8 .

[0052] The above steps are specifically implemented as follows: the worker first fills the storage bin 4 with cigarette packs, and then closes the upper opening of the storage bin 4.

[0053] At the beginning, since neither the first sensor nor the second sensor detects the cigarette pack, the no-smoking pack detection signal emitted by the first sensor and the no-smoking pack detection signal emitted by the second sensor constitute a first combination signal. After receiving the first combination signal, the first control unit will issue a start command to control the start of the second pack pushing component 5. The second pack pushing component 5 works to push the cigarette pack at the lower end opening of the storage bin 4 to the starting position of the lifting and conveying.

[0054] Moreover, a position to be flipped is also provided on the path on which the cigarette pack is pushed to move toward the starting position of lifting and conveying. In the process of the cigarette pack being pushed to move toward the starting position of lifting and conveying, the position to be flipped is included in the shooting range of the first image acquisition unit. The first image acquisition unit has a built-in image recognition program, or is connected to an external computer with an image recognition program, so that the first image acquisition unit can directly or indirectly detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped. When there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the first image acquisition unit sends a cigarette pack detection signal to the fourth control unit, and the fourth control unit correspondingly sends a start command to control the start of the flipping component 3. The flipping component 3 works to flip the cigarette pack at the position to be flipped 90°, so that it is converted from a lying position to a sideways position, and enters the starting position of lifting and conveying. If there is no cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the first image acquisition unit sends a no-cigarette pack detection signal to the fourth control unit, and the fourth control unit does not recognize the no-cigarette pack detection signal.

[0055] In addition, after receiving the first combination signal, the second control unit will issue a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop, so as to ensure that there will be a group of carrier components 14 that can stably wait below the starting position of the lifting and conveying, so that after the cigarette package is transported to the starting position of the lifting and conveying, the lifting device 1 can correspond to the first actual control of the carrier component to rise, so as to lift and transport the cigarette package to the end position of the lifting and conveying; the third control unit also issues a stop command to control the first package pushing component 2 to stop after receiving the first combination signal, so as to reduce the energy consumption of the first package pushing component 2.

[0056] In this embodiment, since multiple cigarette packs are stacked in the storage bin 4, when a cigarette pack is laterally transported away by the second pack pushing assembly 5 at the lower end opening of the storage bin 4, the multiple cigarette packs located above the cigarette pack will automatically fall down under the action of gravity, so as to achieve the effect of automatically filling the lower end opening of the storage bin 4, thereby realizing automatic pack out.

[0057] After the cigarette pack is flipped and pushed to the starting position of lifting and conveying by the second pack pushing component 5 and the flipping component 3, the first sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of lifting and conveying, and the second sensor still detects that there is no cigarette pack at the end position of lifting and conveying. The cigarette pack detection signal emitted by the first sensor and the cigarette pack no signal emitted by the second sensor constitute a second combination signal. After receiving the second combination signal, the first sensor will correspondingly issue a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop, so as to prevent the second pack pushing component 5 from continuing to push the cigarette pack to the starting position of lifting and conveying, causing the cigarette pack to be blocked at the starting position of lifting and conveying; in addition, the second control unit will issue a start command after receiving the second combination signal to control the lifting device 1 to start, so as to lift and transport the cigarette pack located at the starting position of lifting and conveying to the end position of lifting and conveying. After receiving the second combination signal, the third control unit will issue a stop command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to continue to stop and standby.

[0058] In the process of the cigarette pack being transported from the lifting and conveying starting position to the lifting and conveying terminal position by the lifting device 1, since the cigarette pack has not yet reached the lifting and conveying terminal position and has left the lifting and conveying starting position, the first sensor will detect again that there is no cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, and the second sensor will detect again that there is no cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying terminal position, and the first control unit will receive the first combination signal again and issue a start command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to start, so that the second pack pushing component 5 works again to push the next cigarette pack at the lower end opening of the transfer storage bin 4 laterally, and pass through the flipping component 3 again to be flipped 90° and then reach the lifting and conveying starting position; in addition, since the previous cigarette pack has completely left the lifting and conveying starting position, the second control unit still issues a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop after receiving the second combination signal again, and the cigarette pack that has been lifted and conveyed by the lifting device 1 will not prevent the subsequent cigarette pack from reaching the lifting and conveying terminal position; since there is still no cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying terminal position, the third control unit still issues a stop command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to stop and stand by after receiving the second combination signal.

[0059] In this way, before no cigarette packs reach the lifting and conveying terminal position, the first control unit will cyclically receive the above-mentioned two combined signals to control the second pack pushing component 5 to transport the cigarette packs one by one to the lifting and conveying starting position, while the second control unit will cyclically receive the above-mentioned two combined signals to control the lifting device 1 to receive the cigarette packs one by one and transport the cigarette packs one by one to the lifting and conveying terminal position.

[0060] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the second control unit is provided with a delayed response time for the control command of the second combination signal. The specific duration of the delayed response time is determined by the lifting speed of the lifting device 1, that is, the duration of the delayed response time is greater than or equal to the time required for the cigarette package to be lifted by the lifting device 1 to completely leave the lifting and conveying starting position, so as to ensure that the cigarette package leaving the lifting and conveying starting position can completely avoid the cigarette package that subsequently enters the lifting and conveying starting position.

[0061] When a cigarette pack reaches the lifting and conveying end position; at this time, the second sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying end position. If the first sensor detects that there is also a cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, the cigarette pack detection signal emitted by the first sensor and the cigarette pack detection signal emitted by the second sensor are combined to form a third combination signal. After receiving the third combination signal, the first control unit issues a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop, so as to suspend the transportation of cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position. After receiving the third combination signal, the second control unit also issues a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop, so that the cigarette pack stays at the lifting and conveying end position. After receiving the third combination signal, the third control unit issues a start command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to start. The first pack pushing component 2 works to push the cigarette pack from the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device 6, and then the transfer device 6 transports the cigarette pack to the cigarette pack packaging production line 8.

[0062] If the second sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the lifting end position and the first sensor detects that there is no cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, the first sensor sends out a no-smoking pack detection signal and the second sensor sends out a cigarette pack detection signal to form a fourth combination signal. After receiving the fourth combination signal, the first control unit sends out a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop, so as to suspend the transportation of cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position. After receiving the fourth combination signal, the second control unit also sends out a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop, so that the cigarette pack stays at the lifting and conveying end position. After receiving the fourth combination signal, the third control unit sends out a start command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to start. The first pack pushing component 2 works to push the cigarette pack from the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device 6, and then the transfer device 6 transports the cigarette pack to the cigarette pack packaging production line 8.

[0063] After the cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying is transferred away, since the next cigarette pack has not yet arrived at the end position of the lifting and conveying, the second sensor will detect that there is no cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying. If the first sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying at this time, the first control unit will receive the second combination signal again to issue a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop, and the second control unit will also receive the second combination signal again to issue a start command to control the lifting device 1 to start, so that the lifting device 1 lifts and conveys the subsequent cigarette packs to the end position of the lifting and conveying, and the third control unit will receive the second combination signal again to issue a stop command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to stop and stand by.

[0064] In addition, if the first sensor detects that there are no cigarette packs at the starting position of the lifting and conveying at this time, the first control unit will receive the first combination signal again to issue a start command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to start, so that the second pack pushing component 5 works to transport the cigarette packs at the lower end opening of the storage bin 4 horizontally to the starting position of the lifting and conveying. After receiving the first combination signal again, the second control unit will also issue a stop command again to control the lifting device 1 to stop, so as to ensure that there will be a group of loading components 14 that can stably wait below the starting position of the lifting and conveying, so as to ensure that cigarette packs can be replenished to the lifting device 1 in time, and then ensure that cigarette packs can reach the end position of the lifting and conveying. After receiving the first combination signal, the third control unit will also issue a stop command again to control the first pack pushing component 2 to stop and stand by.

[0065] This forms a cycle to achieve fully automated cigarette package conveying operations.

[0066] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the third sensor is used to detect in real time whether there are cigarette packs at the lower opening of the storage bin 4. If there are no cigarette packs, it indicates that the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin 4 is zero. The first control unit will issue a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop after receiving the no-smoking pack detection signal issued by the third sensor. The second control unit will also issue a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop after receiving the no-smoking pack detection signal issued by the third sensor. The third control unit will also issue a stop command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to stop after receiving the no-smoking pack detection signal issued by the third sensor, so as to suspend the cigarette pack transportation and wait for the workers to replenish the cigarette packs into the storage bin 4. If there are cigarette packs, it indicates that the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin 4 is not zero. At this time, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit do not recognize the cigarette pack detection signal issued by the third sensor.

[0067] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the cigarette pack conveying device also includes an early warning device, which includes an audible and visual alarm light and an early warning electrical signal generating device, the audible and visual alarm light is connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, the first image acquisition unit, and the second image acquisition unit, and the early warning electrical signal generating device is also connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, the first image acquisition unit, and the second image acquisition unit.

[0068] The first sensor also has a counting function. While detecting whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, the first sensor also counts the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying. A first value is set on the early warning device. The first value is the threshold of the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first value is the maximum lifting capacity of the lifting device 1. Correspondingly, during the operation of the entire cigarette pack conveying device, the statistical number of the first sensor will continue to grow. When the statistical value of the first sensor grows to be equal to the first value, the first sensor will send an over-value detection signal to the sound and light alarm light. The sound and light alarm light will correspondingly send a first type of early warning sound and light signal to remind the workers on duty that there is a risk of cigarette packs blocking the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first sensor The sensor will also send an over-value detection signal to the early warning electrical signal generating device, and the early warning electrical signal generating device will correspondingly send a first type of early warning electrical signal to the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit. After receiving the first type of early warning electrical signal, the first control unit sends a shutdown command to control the second package pushing component 5 to shut down. The second control unit and the third control unit do not recognize the first type of early warning signal. The second control unit can still receive the above four combination signals to control the normal start or shutdown of the lifting device 1. The third control unit can also still receive the above four combination signals to control the start or shutdown of the first package pushing component 2 to reduce the number of cigarette packages carried on the lifting device 1, so as to further avoid cigarette packages being blocked at the starting position of the lifting and conveying.

[0069] In this embodiment, the priority of the first type of warning electrical signal is higher than the aforementioned four combination signals; after the technician manually clears the first type of warning signal, the statistical number of the first sensor is automatically cleared, the first control unit resumes responding to the four combination signals, and the cigarette pack conveying device resumes normal operation.

[0070] The second sensor also has a counting function. While detecting whether there are cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying terminal position, the second sensor also counts the number of cigarette packs that appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position. A second value is set on the early warning device. The first value is the threshold of the number of cigarette packs that appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position, and the second value is the maximum transfer capacity of the transfer device 6; correspondingly, during the operation of the entire cigarette pack conveying device, the statistical number of the second sensor will continue to grow. When the statistical value of the second sensor grows to equal the second value, the second sensor will send an over-value detection signal to the sound and light alarm lamp, and the sound and light alarm lamp will correspondingly send a second type of early warning sound and light signal to remind the workers on duty that there are cigarette packs blocking the air flow at the lifting and conveying terminal position. In case of danger, the second sensor will also send an over-value detection signal to the early warning electric signal generating device, and the early warning electric signal generating device will correspondingly send a second type of early warning electric signal to the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit. After receiving the second type of early warning electric signal, the first control unit sends a stop command to control the second package pushing component 5 to stop. After receiving the second type of early warning electric signal, the second control unit also sends a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop. After receiving the second type of early warning electric signal, the third control unit also sends a stop command to control the first package pushing component 2 to stop. The transfer device 6 operates normally to reduce the number of cigarette packages carried on the transfer device 6, so as to further avoid cigarette packages being blocked at the lifting and conveying terminal position.

[0071] In this embodiment, the priority of the second type of warning electrical signal is also higher than the four combination signals. After the technician manually clears the second type of warning signal, the statistical number of the second sensor is automatically cleared, and the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit all resume responding to the four combination signals, and the cigarette pack conveying device resumes normal operation.

[0072] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, when the first type of warning signal and the second type of warning signal appear at the same time, the warning device will issue a fifth type of warning signal. The responses made by the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit when receiving the fifth type of warning signal are the same as the responses they made when receiving the second type of warning signal, but the sound and light signals in the fifth type of warning signal are different from the second type of warning sound and light signals. Workers on duty can distinguish between the second type of warning signal and the fifth type of warning signal based on the sound and light warning signals of the sound and light alarm lights, and make different responses.

[0073] In addition, when the third sensor detects that the number of cigarette packs in the transfer storage bin 4 is zero, the third sensor will also send a detection signal to the sound and light alarm light, and the sound and light alarm light will correspondingly send a sixth-category early warning sound and light signal to remind the on-duty workers to replenish packs in the storage bin 4; the third sensor will also send a detection signal to the early warning electrical signal sending device, and the early warning electrical signal generating device will correspondingly send a sixth-category early warning electrical signal to the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit. After receiving the sixth-category early warning electrical signal, the first control unit issues a stop command to control the second pack pushing component 5 to stop. After receiving the sixth-category early warning electrical signal, the second control unit also issues a stop command to control the lifting device 1 to stop. After receiving the sixth-category early warning electrical signal, the third control unit issues a stop command to control the first pack pushing component 2 to stop. The cigarette pack transportation is suspended, waiting for the workers to replenish cigarette packs in the storage bin 4.

[0074] In this embodiment, the priority of the sixth type of warning electrical signal is also higher than the four combination signals. After the workers on duty have replenished the cigarette packs into the storage bin 4 and the workers manually clear the sixth type of warning signal, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit all resume responding to the four combination signals, and the cigarette pack conveying device resumes normal operation.

[0075] Further, in this embodiment, if the first sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position, the first image acquisition unit will also work to detect whether the cigarette pack at the lifting and conveying starting position is in a sideways posture and whether there is any deformation; If the cigarette pack is not in a sideways posture and / or is deformed, the first image acquisition unit will send a detection failure signal to the early warning device, and the early warning device will send a third-type early warning signal. After receiving the third-type early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component 5 to shut down, and the second control unit controls the lifting device 1 to shut down after receiving the third-type early warning signal. The third control unit controls the first pack pushing component 2 to shut down after receiving the third-type early warning signal, waiting for the worker to inspect the flipping component 3, the storage bin 4, and the second pack pushing component 5.

[0076] If the second sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying, and the first pack pushing component 2 is in the starting operation state, the second image acquisition unit works to detect whether the cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying is deformed; if the cigarette pack is deformed, the second image acquisition unit sends a detection failure signal to the early warning device, and the early warning device sends a fourth-class early warning signal. After receiving the fourth-class early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component 5 to shut down, and the second control unit controls the lifting device 1 to shut down after receiving the fourth-class early warning signal. The third control unit controls the first pack pushing component 2 to shut down after receiving the fourth-class early warning signal, waiting for the worker to inspect the lifting device 1.

[0077] It should be noted that: in this embodiment, a complete action of the package pushing component includes two sub-actions: pushing the cigarette package to the destination and returning it to the initial position. When the package pushing component receives a start command, the package pushing component performs at least one complete action. When the package pushing component receives a stop command, the package pushing component will not stop until the complete action being executed is completed.

[0078] Anything not mentioned above is applicable to the prior art.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cigarette pack flipping and conveying method, characterized in that: A cigarette pack flipping and conveying device is used to convey cigarette packs. The cigarette pack flipping and conveying device comprises a lifting device (1), a first pack pushing assembly (2), a flipping assembly (3), a storage bin (4), a second pack pushing assembly (5), and a transfer device (6). The lifting device (1) comprises a conveying mechanism (11) and a carrying assembly (12). The conveying mechanism (11) is arranged vertically. A plurality of carrying assemblies (12) for carrying cigarette packs are arranged on the conveying mechanism (11). A plurality of cigarette packs are stacked and stored in the storage bin (4). The second pack pushing assembly (5) is arranged at the bottom of the lifting device (1). The flipping assembly (3) is arranged between the storage bin (4) and the lifting device (1). The transfer device (6) and the first pack pushing assembly (2) are arranged at opposite sides of the top of the lifting device (1). The cigarette packet flipping and conveying method comprises the following steps: Step 1: placing a number of cigarette packs into the storage bin (4); Step 2: Control the second pack pushing assembly (5) to push the cigarette packs one by one from the storage bin (4) to the lower part of the lifting device (1); control the flipping assembly (3) to flip the cigarette packs pushed to the lifting device (1) so that the cigarette packs are in a sideways posture when they reach the lower part of the lifting device (1); Step 3, controlling the lifting device (1) to transport the cigarette packets located at the bottom of the lifting device (1) one by one from the lifting device to the top of the lifting device (1); Step 4: Control the first pack pushing component (2) to push the cigarette packs one by one from the upper part of the lifting device (1) to the transfer device (6); the transfer device (6) transfers the cigarette packs pushed from the upper part of the lifting device (1) to the cigarette pack packaging production line (8).

2. The cigarette pack turning and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting device (1) has a lifting and conveying starting position at the bottom and a lifting and conveying end position at the top, the lifting and conveying starting position is also provided with a first sensor, the lifting and conveying end position is also provided with a second sensor, a third sensor is provided in the storage bin (4), the lifting and conveying starting position is also provided with a first image acquisition unit, and the lifting and conveying end position is provided with a second image acquisition unit; The cigarette pack turning and conveying device further comprises a first control unit, a second control unit, a third control unit and a fourth control unit, wherein the first control unit is used to control the operating state of the second pack pushing assembly (5), the second control unit is used to control the operating state of the lifting device (1), the third control unit is used to control the operating state of the first pack pushing assembly (2), and the fourth control unit is used to control the operating state of the turning assembly (3).

3. The cigarette pack turning and conveying method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step 2, the first sensor detects whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, and the second sensor detects whether there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying; If there are no cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to start, the second pack pushing component (5) pushes the cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop, to wait for the cigarette packs to be lifted; A position to be flipped is provided on the moving path along which the cigarette pack is pushed toward the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first image acquisition unit is used to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flipping assembly (3) to start flipping the cigarette pack by 90 degrees, so that the cigarette pack is in a sideways posture when it reaches the starting position of the lifting and conveying. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is no cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flipping assembly (3) to stop. If there are cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying starting position but no cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to start, the lifting device (1) lifts and transports the cigarette packs that have reached the lifting and conveying starting position and are in a sideways posture to the lifting and conveying end position, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing assembly (2) to stop.

4. The cigarette pack turning and conveying method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step 3, the first sensor detects in real time whether there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of the lifting and conveying, and the second sensor detects in real time whether there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying; If there are cigarette packs at both the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, the third control unit controls the first push plate component (2) to start, and the first pack pushing component (2) pushes the cigarette packs that have reached the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device (6); If there are no cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying starting position, but there are cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to start, so that the first pack pushing component (2) pushes the cigarette packs that have reached the lifting and conveying end position to the transfer device (6); If there are no cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying starting position and the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to start so as to transfer the cigarette packs to the lifting and conveying starting position, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop; A position to be flipped is provided on the moving path along which the cigarette pack is pushed toward the starting position of the lifting and conveying. The first image acquisition unit is used to detect whether there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is a cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flipping assembly (3) to start flipping the cigarette pack by 90 degrees, so that the cigarette pack is in a sideways posture when it reaches the starting position of the lifting and conveying. If the first image acquisition unit detects that there is no cigarette pack at the position to be flipped, the fourth control unit controls the flipping assembly (3) to stop. If there are cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying starting position but no cigarette packs at the lifting and conveying end position, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to start, the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop, and the lifting device (1) lifts and transports the cigarette packs that have reached the lifting and conveying starting position to the lifting and conveying end position.

5. The cigarette pack turning and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In all steps, the third sensor detects in real time whether the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin (4) is zero; If the number of cigarette packs remaining in the storage bin (4) is zero, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing assembly (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, the third pushing unit controls the first pack pushing assembly (2) to stop, and the cigarette pack conveying is suspended, waiting for workers to replenish cigarette packs in the storage bin (4); If the number of remaining cigarette packs in the storage bin (4) is not zero, the first control unit, the second control unit and the third control unit do not issue a control command.

6. The cigarette packet turning and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cigarette packet conveying device also includes an early warning device, which is connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the first image acquisition unit, the second image acquisition unit, the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, and the fourth control unit.

7. The cigarette packet turning and conveying method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of times the cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying starting position is counted, and a threshold value of the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying starting position is set; when the counted number of times the cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying starting position increases to the set threshold value of the number of times the cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying starting position, the warning device sends a first type of warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop according to the received first type of warning signal, the second control unit does not recognize the first type of warning signal, and the third control unit also does not recognize the first type of warning signal.

8. The cigarette packet turning and conveying method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of times cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position is counted, and a threshold value of the number of times cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position is set; when the counted number of times cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position increases to the set threshold value of the number of times cigarette packs appear at the lifting and conveying terminal position, the warning device sends a second type of warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop according to the received second type of warning signal, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop according to the received second type of warning signal, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop according to the received second type of warning signal.

9. The cigarette packet turning and conveying method according to claim 6, characterized in that: If the first sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the starting position of lifting and conveying, the first image acquisition unit works to detect whether the cigarette pack at the starting position of lifting and conveying is in a sideways posture and whether there is any deformation; If the cigarette pack is not in a sideways posture and / or is deformed, the first image acquisition unit sends a detection failure signal to the warning device, and the warning device sends a third-type warning signal. After receiving the third-type warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop after receiving the third-type warning signal, waiting for the worker to inspect the flipping component (3), the storage bin (4), and the second pack pushing component (5).

10. The cigarette packet turning and conveying method according to claim 6, characterized in that: If the second sensor detects that there is a cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying, and the first pack pushing component (2) is in the start-up operation state, the second image acquisition unit works to detect whether the cigarette pack at the end position of the lifting and conveying is deformed; if the cigarette pack is deformed, the second image acquisition unit sends a detection failure signal to the early warning device, and the early warning device sends a fourth-class early warning signal. After receiving the fourth-class early warning signal, the first control unit controls the second pack pushing component (5) to stop, the second control unit controls the lifting device (1) to stop after receiving the fourth-class early warning signal, and the third control unit controls the first pack pushing component (2) to stop after receiving the fourth-class early warning signal, waiting for the worker to debug and repair the lifting device (1).

Images