A cigarette appearance detection device

Abstract

This invention discloses a cigarette appearance inspection device, comprising: a hopper, a cigarette sorting mechanism, a cigarette clamping mechanism, an imaging mechanism, and a recycling mechanism. The cigarette sorting mechanism is located below and connected to the hopper, and is used to sort cigarettes from the hopper into individual cigarettes before conveying them downwards. The cigarette clamping mechanism is located below the outlet of the cigarette sorting mechanism, and is used to clamp the cigarettes from the cigarette sorting mechanism and rotate them. The imaging mechanism is located on one side of the cigarette clamping mechanism, and is used to acquire images of the cigarettes clamped by the cigarette clamping mechanism. The recycling mechanism is located below the cigarette clamping mechanism, and is used to collect the inspected cigarettes. This device uses a cigarette sorting mechanism to convey cigarettes, followed by clamping and rotating them using an openable cigarette clamping mechanism, so that the imaging mechanism can acquire complete images of the cigarette appearance. This enables automatic conveying, clamping, inspection, and sorting of cigarettes, effectively reducing manual labor and greatly improving the efficiency of cigarette appearance inspection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigarette appearance inspection technology, and specifically to a cigarette appearance inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] Defects in cigarette appearance not only affect the cigarette's appearance but also its sensory quality, reducing consumer support for the brand, impacting the company's economic benefits and brand image, and hindering the brand's long-term healthy development. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect the appearance of cigarettes to strengthen the control of defects in cigarette appearance.

[0003] Currently, random inspections are mainly conducted using comprehensive cigarette testing equipment such as integrated testing benches. Chinese patent application CN111972703A discloses a modular cigarette appearance inspection device, which uses vertically placed cigarettes, clamped by a clamping assembly, and then uses an imaging device to acquire images of the clamped cigarettes to achieve cigarette inspection. However, this device has the following problems:

[0004] (1) The vertical drop distance of the cigarette is too far, and there is no cigarette guide channel, so the cigarette is not easy to fall accurately into the detection point;

[0005] (2) The method of using two clips to hold the cigarette can easily damage the cigarette;

[0006] (3) Non-conforming products cannot be classified as conforming products. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a cigarette appearance inspection device, which uses a cigarette sorting mechanism to transport cigarettes, and then uses an openable cigarette clamping mechanism to clamp and rotate the cigarettes so that the imaging mechanism can obtain a complete image of the cigarette appearance. It can realize the automatic transport, clamping, inspection and sorting of cigarettes, effectively reducing the manual labor intensity.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0009] A cigarette appearance inspection device, comprising:

[0010] A hopper used to hold cigarettes;

[0011] The cigarette sorting mechanism is located below the hopper and is connected to the hopper. It is used to separate the cigarettes from the hopper into individual cigarettes and then convey them downwards.

[0012] A cigarette clamping mechanism is located below the outlet of the cigarette dispensing mechanism, used to clamp the cigarette from the cigarette dispensing mechanism and drive the cigarette to rotate;

[0013] An imaging mechanism is located on one side of the cigarette clamping mechanism and is used to acquire a circumferential image of the cigarette held by the cigarette clamping mechanism.

[0014] A recycling mechanism, which is arranged below the cigarette clamping mechanism and is used to recycle the cigarettes after detection;

[0015] The cigarette clamping mechanism includes:

[0016] A clamping component, configured as an openable and closable structure. When closed, it clamps the filter tip of the cigarette; when opened, it releases the filter tip of the cigarette;

[0017] A cigarette receiving groove, which is located in the middle of the clamping component, and the cigarette receiving groove is configured to rotate around its axis;

[0018] The clamping component includes: several clamping pieces. Each clamping piece is configured as a rotating structure. When clamping the filter tip of the cigarette, the clamping piece drives the cigarette to rotate, so as to enable the imaging mechanism to obtain a complete circumferential image of the cigarette.

[0019] Further, the cigarette clamping mechanism further includes:

[0020] A clamping driving part, which is传动连接 with the clamping piece and is used to drive the clamping piece to open and close;

[0021] A clamping piece rotation driving part, which is传动连接 with the clamping piece and is used to drive the clamping piece to rotate;

[0022] A cigarette receiving groove rotation driving part, which is connected with the cigarette receiving groove and is used to drive the cigarette receiving groove to rotate.

[0023] Further, there are three clamping pieces, and they are distributed in a "pin" shape.

[0024] Further, the three clamping pieces are installed on a mounting plate. There are three arc-shaped grooves on the mounting plate, and the three clamping pieces are respectively slidably connected in the three arc-shaped grooves; the clamping driving part is传动连接 with the mounting plate and is used to drive the mounting plate to rotate;

[0025] A fixed plate is provided on one side of the mounting plate close to the cigarette receiving groove. There are three waist-shaped grooves on the fixed plate, and the three clamping pieces respectively pass through the three waist-shaped grooves and extend towards the cigarette receiving groove; when the mounting plate rotates, it drives the clamping pieces to slide along the arc-shaped grooves and the waist-shaped grooves.

[0026] Further, an external gear and a mounting plate bearing are sleeved on the mounting plate. The clamping driving part is connected with the external gear, the mounting plate is fixedly connected with the external gear, and the clamping driving part is used to drive the mounting plate to rotate in the mounting plate bearing;

[0027] A sub-gear is provided at one end of the clamping piece far from the cigarette receiving groove. The clamping piece rotation driving part is located at the central position of the three clamping pieces, and a main gear is provided thereon. When the three clamping pieces are closed, the main gear meshes with the three sub-gears respectively.

[0028] It should be noted that the "传动连接" in the original text should be accurately translated according to the specific mechanical connection method in the context, and here a more general expression is used for placeholder. You can adjust it according to the actual situation.Furthermore, the recycling mechanism includes qualified cigarette collection boxes and defective cigarette collection boxes, which are located on both sides of the cigarette collection trough.

[0029] The cigarette receiving groove rotation drive is located on the opposite side of the clamping member rotation drive. When the imaging mechanism detects a qualified cigarette, the cigarette receiving groove rotates towards the qualified cigarette receiving box to send the cigarette into the qualified cigarette receiving box. Conversely, the cigarette receiving groove rotates towards the defective cigarette receiving box to send the cigarette into the defective cigarette receiving box.

[0030] Furthermore, a cigarette sensor is provided on the cigarette receiving trough to detect whether there is a cigarette in the trough.

[0031] Furthermore, the end of the clamping member near the smoke receiving trough is an anti-slip roller sleeve.

[0032] Furthermore, the smoke-distributing mechanism includes:

[0033] The smoke distribution wheel is located at the outlet below the hopper. Several smoke distribution grooves are evenly distributed on its surface, and a lower smoke outlet is provided at its bottom. The smoke support clamping mechanism is located below the lower smoke outlet.

[0034] A cigarette-dispensing roller, located above the cigarette-dispensing wheel, is used to dispense excess cigarettes from the cigarette-dispensing slots to ensure that there is only one cigarette in each slot.

[0035] Furthermore, the smoke-distributing mechanism also includes:

[0036] The cigarette distribution wheel drive component is connected to the cigarette distribution wheel for driving the cigarette distribution wheel to rotate, so as to deliver cigarettes;

[0037] A cigarette-dispensing roller drive unit is connected to the cigarette-dispensing roller for driving the cigarette-dispensing roller to dispense excess cigarettes from the cigarette-dispensing slot.

[0038] Working principle of the invention:

[0039] During cigarette appearance inspection, cigarettes are placed in the hopper. Under the action of the cigarette sorting mechanism, cigarettes are fed one by one into the cigarette clamping mechanism. When a cigarette falls from the cigarette sorting mechanism outlet onto the cigarette receiving groove (the cigarette sensor detects that there is a cigarette on the receiving groove), the clamping drive drives the three clamping parts to close, clamping the cigarette filter. Then, the clamping part rotation drive drives the clamping parts to rotate, thereby causing the cigarette to rotate on the receiving groove. During the rotation, the imaging mechanism acquires an image of the outer circumference of the cigarette in real time. After acquiring a complete image of the cigarette, the three clamping parts open. If the cigarette is found to be qualified, the receiving groove rotation drive drives the receiving groove to rotate towards the qualified cigarette receiving box, sending the cigarette into the qualified cigarette receiving box; otherwise, the receiving groove rotates towards the defective cigarette receiving box, sending the cigarette into the defective cigarette receiving box, thus completing the inspection of one cigarette.

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0041] (1) The cigarette appearance inspection equipment provided by the present invention realizes the automatic conveying, clamping, inspection and sorting of cigarettes, effectively reducing the manual labor intensity and greatly improving the efficiency of cigarette appearance inspection.

[0042] (2) By using the opening and closing clamping + roller-type actuation method to rotate the cigarette, the cigarette can be rotated 360° to obtain a complete image of the cigarette's appearance. This structure does not damage the appearance of the cigarette, the distance between the lower cigarette opening and the cigarette receiving groove is close, and the probability of the cigarette falling out of the detection point is low.

[0043] (3) The cigarette sensor can detect whether there is a cigarette in the cigarette receiving tank, which can effectively prevent the next cigarette from entering the cigarette receiving tank before the cigarette is completely detected, and prevent empty detection, thus improving the reliability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cigarette appearance inspection equipment in Example 1;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the smoke distribution mechanism in Example 1;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the smoke distribution mechanism in Example 1;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cigarette holder mechanism in Example 1;

[0048] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of the left side of the clamping part of the cigarette clamping mechanism in Example 1;

[0049] Figure 6 This is an isometric view of the right side of the clamping part of the cigarette clamping mechanism in Example 1;

[0050] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the clamping part of the cigarette clamping mechanism in Example 1;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cigarette clamping mechanism during testing in Example 1;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cigarette holding mechanism sorting cigarettes after testing in Example 1;

[0053] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the cigarette appearance inspection equipment in Example 1.

[0054] Figure label:

[0055] 1-Feed bin; 2-Smoke distribution mechanism; 21-Smoke distribution wheel motor; 22-Smoke pusher roller motor; 23-Smoke distribution wheel; 24-Smoke distribution trough; 25-Smoke pusher roller; 251-Smoke pusher shaft; 252-Anti-slip knurling; 26-Smoke baffle; 31-Clamping motor; 32-Clamping component rotation motor; 321-Main gear; 33-Fixing plate; 331-Oval groove; 34-Mounting plate; 341-External gear; 342 - Arc groove; 343 Mounting disc bearing; 344 Front end cover; 345 Rear end cover; 35 Clamping component; 351 Clamping shaft; 352 Anti-slip roller sleeve; 353 Clamping shaft bearing; 354 ​​Gear; 41 Receiving trough rotating motor; 42 Receiving trough; 43 Cigarette sensor; 5 Camera; 61 Qualified cigarette receiving box; 62 Defective cigarette receiving box; 7 Baffle; 8 Cigarette. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0057] Example 1

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a cigarette appearance inspection device, including: a hopper 1, a cigarette sorting mechanism 2, a cigarette clamping mechanism, an imaging mechanism (camera 5), ​​and a recycling mechanism. The hopper 1 has a bucket-shaped structure, and its lower opening connects to the cigarette sorting mechanism 2. Figure 2-3 As shown, the cigarette-distributing mechanism 2 includes a cigarette-distributing wheel 23 and a cigarette-pushing roller 25. The cigarette-distributing wheel 23 is driven by a cigarette-distributing wheel motor 21, and several cigarette-distributing grooves 24 are evenly distributed on its circumference. The cigarette-distributing grooves 24 are adapted to the cigarettes 8. A baffle 7 is provided on the side of the cigarette-distributing wheel 23 near the cigarette-distributing wheel motor 21. The baffle 7 is used to protect the transmission parts of the cigarette-distributing wheel motor 21 and the cigarette-pushing roller motor 22. The cigarette-pushing roller 25 is located in the cigarette-feeding direction of the cigarette-distributing wheel 23. It includes a cigarette-pushing shaft 251 and several anti-slip knurlings 252 provided on the cigarette-pushing shaft 251. The anti-slip knurlings 252 are close to the wheel surface of the cigarette-distributing wheel 23. When the cigarette-distributing wheel 23 rotates, the cigarette-pushing shaft 251 rotates in the opposite direction, pushing the cigarettes 8 on the cigarette-distributing wheel 23 in the opposite direction, thereby ensuring that there is only one cigarette 8 in the cigarette-distributing groove 24, that is, ensuring that only one cigarette 8 is detected each time (only one cigarette 8 enters the cigarette receiving groove 42).

[0059] A smoke baffle 26 is provided above the smoke-dispensing roller 25. The smoke baffle 26 has a protrusion located in the gap between two adjacent anti-slip knurling 252 to prevent the cigarette 8 from entering the gap between the smoke-dispensing roller 25 and the equipment housing.

[0060] Furthermore, such as Figure 4-7As shown in the figure, the cigarette clamping mechanism consists of a clamping part and a cigarette receiving part. Among them, the clamping part includes: a clamping motor 31, a clamping piece rotating motor 32, a fixed disk 33, a mounting disk 34, and three clamping pieces 35. Among them, the clamping motor 31 and the clamping piece rotating motor 32 are installed on the outer shell of the equipment. An external gear 341 and a mounting disk bearing 343 are sleeved on the outer circumference of the mounting disk 34, and three arc-shaped grooves 342 evenly distributed around the center are provided thereon. The mounting disk 34 is fixed to the external gear 341 through a front end cover 344 and a rear end cover 345. The front end cover 344 is located on the side close to the fixed disk 33, and the rear end cover 345 is located on the side of the external gear 341 and covers the external gear 341. Pins are provided on both the front end cover 344 and the rear end cover 345. The pin of the front end cover 344 passes through the mounting disk 34 and is fixed to the rear end cover 345, and the pin on the rear end cover 345 is fixed to the external gear 341. When the external gear 341 rotates, it can drive the mounting disk 34 to rotate in the mounting disk bearing 343, and then drive the clamping piece 35 to slide in the arc-shaped groove 342.

[0061] The fixed disk 33 is fixed to the bottom of the baffle plate 7, and three waist-shaped grooves 331 evenly distributed around the center are provided thereon. The three clamping pieces 35 respectively pass through the three waist-shaped grooves 331 and extend towards the cigarette receiving part. When the mounting disk 34 rotates, it drives the clamping pieces 35 to slide in the arc-shaped grooves 342 and the waist-shaped grooves 331, so that the three clamping pieces 35 open or close.

[0062] Further, the three clamping pieces 35 are integrally distributed in a "pin" shape. Each clamping piece 35 includes: a clamping shaft 351, an anti-slip roller sleeve 352, a clamping shaft bearing 353, and a sub-gear 354. The clamping shaft 351 passes through the waist-shaped groove 331 and the arc-shaped groove 342. The anti-slip roller sleeve 352 (made of rubber) is detachably sleeved on one end close to the cigarette receiving part. By replacing the anti-slip roller sleeves 352 with different diameters, the clamping piece 35 can adapt to cigarettes with different diameters and specifications, avoiding the problems of damaging the cigarette due to excessive clamping or the cigarette falling due to insufficient clamping. The sub-gear 354 is provided at one end where it passes out of the arc-shaped groove 342. (When the three clamping pieces 35 are closed, the main gear 321 meshes with the three sub-gears 354 respectively). The sub-gear 354 is connected to the clamping piece rotating motor 32 through the main gear 321. The three clamping shafts 351 can be driven to rotate by the clamping piece rotating motor 32, and the cigarette 8 can be driven to rotate by the three anti-slip roller sleeves 352, so that the camera 5 can obtain a complete external image of the cigarette 8.

[0063] The cigarette receiving section includes: a cigarette receiving trough rotation motor 41, a cigarette receiving trough 42, and a cigarette sensor 43. The cigarette receiving trough rotation motor 41 is located on the opposite side of the clamping member rotation motor 32 and is fixed to the cigarette receiving trough 42 to drive the cigarette receiving trough 42 to rotate. The cigarette receiving trough 42 is generally arc-shaped, with one end near the clamping member 35 being open and the other end being equipped with a cigarette sensor 43. The cigarette sensor 43 is used to detect whether there is a cigarette 8 in the cigarette receiving trough 42, which can effectively prevent the next cigarette 8 from entering the cigarette receiving trough 42 before the appearance of the cigarette 8 has been completely detected, and also prevent empty detection, thereby improving the reliability of the equipment.

[0064] The camera 5 is mounted on either side of the cigarette receiving slot 42 via a bracket. When the cigarette 8 falls into the cigarette receiving slot 42 and is held by the clamping member 35, it begins to acquire the appearance image of the cigarette 8 to be tested. After the cigarette 8 rotates 360°, a complete appearance image of the cigarette can be acquired.

[0065] Furthermore, the recycling mechanism includes a qualified cigarette receiving box 61 and a defective cigarette receiving box 62. The qualified cigarette receiving box 61 is located on one side of the cigarette receiving trough 42, and the defective cigarette receiving box 62 is located on the other side of the cigarette receiving trough 42. After the inspection is completed, the clamping member 35 opens. According to the inspection results, the cigarette receiving trough rotation motor 41 can drive the cigarette receiving trough 42 to rotate and sort the cigarettes 8. That is, when the inspected cigarette 8 is a qualified cigarette, the cigarette receiving trough 42 rotates to one side and pours the qualified cigarette 8 into the qualified cigarette receiving box 61. If it is a defective cigarette, the cigarette receiving trough 42 rotates to the other side and pours the defective cigarette 8 into the defective cigarette receiving box 62.

[0066] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A cigarette appearance inspection device, characterized in that, Comprising: A magazine (1) for containing cigarette sticks (8); A cigarette separating mechanism (2) disposed below the magazine (1) and connected to the magazine (1), configured to separate the cigarette sticks (8) from the magazine (1) into single cigarette sticks and convey them downward; A cigarette stick clamping mechanism disposed below the outlet of the cigarette separating mechanism (2), configured to clamp the cigarette sticks (8) from the cigarette separating mechanism (2) and drive the cigarette sticks (8) to rotate; An imaging mechanism disposed on one side of the cigarette stick clamping mechanism, configured to acquire a circumferential image of the cigarette stick (8) clamped by the cigarette stick clamping mechanism; A recycling mechanism disposed below the cigarette stick clamping mechanism, configured to recycle the inspected cigarette sticks (8); The cigarette stick clamping mechanism includes: A clamping component configured as an openable and closable structure. When closed, it clamps the filter tip of the cigarette stick (8), and when open, it releases the filter tip of the cigarette stick (8); A cigarette receiving groove (42) located in the middle of the clamping component, and the cigarette receiving groove (42) is configured to rotate about its axis; The clamping component includes a plurality of clamping members (35). Each clamping member (35) is configured as a rotating structure. When clamping the filter tip of the cigarette stick (8), the clamping member (35) drives the cigarette stick (8) to rotate, so as to enable the imaging mechanism to acquire a complete circumferential image of the cigarette stick (8); The cigarette stick clamping mechanism further includes: A clamping driving member传动连接 with the clamping member (35), configured to drive the clamping member (35) to open and close; A clamping member rotation driving member传动连接 with the clamping member (35), configured to drive the clamping member (35) to rotate; A cigarette receiving groove rotation driving member connected to the cigarette receiving groove (42), configured to drive the cigarette receiving groove (42) to rotate; There are three clamping members (35). The three clamping members (35) are installed on a mounting disc (34). Three arc-shaped grooves (342) are provided on the mounting disc (34). The three clamping members (35) are respectively slidably connected in the three arc-shaped grooves (342); the clamping driving member is传动连接 with the mounting disc (34), configured to drive the mounting disc (34) to rotate; A fixed disc (33) is provided on one side of the mounting disc (34) close to the cigarette receiving groove (42). Three waist-shaped grooves (331) are provided on the fixed disc (33). The three clamping members (35) respectively pass through the three waist-shaped grooves (331) and extend towards the cigarette receiving groove (42); when the mounting disc (34) rotates, it drives the clamping member (35) to slide along the arc-shaped groove (342) and the waist-shaped groove (331).

2. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The three clamping members (35) are distributed in a "pin" shape.

3. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An external gear (341) and a mounting disc bearing (343) are sleeved on the mounting disc (34). The clamping driving member is connected to the external gear (341). The mounting disc (34) is fixedly connected to the external gear (341). The clamping driving member is configured to drive the mounting disc (34) to rotate within the mounting disc bearing (343); The clamping member (35) has a gear (354) at one end away from the smoke receiving groove (42). The clamping member rotation drive is located at the center of the three clamping members (35) and has a main gear (321) on it. When the three clamping members (35) are closed, the main gear (321) meshes with the three gears (354) respectively.

4. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The recycling mechanism includes a qualified cigarette receiving box (61) and a defective cigarette receiving box (62), which are located on both sides of the cigarette receiving trough (42). The rotating drive of the cigarette receiving groove is located on the opposite side of the rotating drive of the clamping member. When the imaging mechanism detects a qualified cigarette, the cigarette receiving groove (42) rotates towards the qualified cigarette receiving box (61) and sends the cigarette (8) into the qualified cigarette receiving box (61). Conversely, the cigarette receiving groove (42) rotates towards the defective cigarette receiving box (62) and sends the cigarette (8) into the defective cigarette receiving box (62).

5. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette receiving trough (42) is equipped with a cigarette sensor (43) for detecting whether there is a cigarette (8) in the cigarette receiving trough (42).

6. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping member (35) has an anti-slip roller sleeve (352) at one end near the smoke receiving groove (42).

7. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The smoke distribution mechanism (2) includes: The smoke distribution wheel (23) is located at the outlet below the hopper (1). Several smoke distribution grooves (24) are evenly distributed on its surface. A lower smoke outlet is provided at its bottom. The smoke support clamping mechanism is located below the lower smoke outlet. The cigarette-dispensing roller (25) is located above the cigarette-dispensing wheel (23) and is used to dispense excess cigarettes (8) from the cigarette-dispensing groove (24) to ensure that there is only one cigarette (8) in each cigarette-dispensing groove (24).

8. The cigarette appearance inspection device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The smoke distribution mechanism (2) also includes: The cigarette distribution wheel drive is connected to the cigarette distribution wheel (23) for driving the cigarette distribution wheel (23) to rotate so as to transmit cigarettes (8). The cigarette-dispensing roller drive is connected to the cigarette-dispensing roller (25) for driving the cigarette-dispensing roller (25) to dispense excess cigarettes (8) from the cigarette-dispensing groove (24).

Images