Wheel type twisting and connecting manufacturing method and equipment for multi-section composite filter stick

Abstract

The invention discloses a wheel type twisting and connecting manufacturing method and device for a multi-section composite filter stick, and the method comprises the steps: providing a hollow base stick, cutting the hollow base stick at least once to form at least three hollow sections, and enabling at least two hollow sections to be separated from each other in the axial direction to form a first interval; a cigarette core base rod is provided, the cigarette core base rod is cut at least once to form at least two cigarette core sections, and the cigarette core sections are separated from each other in the axial direction to form a second interval; rotating and converging the at least three separated hollow sections and the at least two cigarette core sections, and arranging the hollow sections and the cigarette core sections into a multi-section combination which is alternately connected; the end faces of the adjacent sections in the multi-section combination move oppositely until the end faces abut against and approach each other, so that gaps between the sections are eliminated; and applying a coating material to the drawn-close multi-section combination, and carrying out rotary twisting connection to form the multi-section composite filter stick. In the production of the multi-section composite filter stick, high-precision alignment and zero-clearance compounding of the base stick sections can be realized, so that the quality is improved, and the loss is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigarette manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a method and equipment for manufacturing multi-segment composite filter rods by wheel-type twisting. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of multi-segment composite filter rods for heated cigarettes, it is often necessary to use a linear composite process to form multi-segment composite filter rods from base rods of different materials (such as core base rods and hollow base rods). This process typically involves connecting pre-cut core segments and hollow segments sequentially along a straight or near-straight track through actions such as reciprocating pushing, alignment, gluing, and pasting.

[0003] However, the linear composite process has significant shortcomings in practical applications: Firstly, because the core rod is relatively soft, it is easily compressed during the composite alignment process, causing a deviation between its actual length and theoretical length. This makes it difficult to precisely control the relative positions of the material segments, easily leading to phase shifts. Secondly, the linear composite process route has tiny gaps between the end faces of adjacent core rod segments, which can affect the processing quality of subsequent processes. These problems together result in a high scrap rate and excessive consumption of auxiliary materials.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a manufacturing method and equipment that can achieve high-precision alignment and zero-gap composite of each base rod segment, so as to improve quality and reduce losses, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a wheel-type twisting manufacturing method and equipment for multi-segment composite filter rods, which can achieve high-precision alignment and zero-gap bonding of each base rod segment in the production of multi-segment composite filter rods, so as to improve quality and reduce losses.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for manufacturing multi-segment composite filter rods by wheel-type twisting and joining includes:

[0008] A hollow base rod is provided, and the hollow base rod is cut at least once to form at least three hollow segments, and at least two of the hollow segments are separated from each other along the axial direction to form a first gap;

[0009] A core rod is provided, and the core rod is cut at least once to form at least two core segments, and each core segment is separated from the other along the axial direction to form a second gap;

[0010] The separated hollow segments are rotated and merged with at least two of the core segments, and arranged into alternating multi-segment combinations;

[0011] Move the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination towards each other until they come into contact, so as to eliminate the gap between segments;

[0012] The assembled multi-segment combination is coated with a coating material and then rotated and twisted to form a multi-segment composite filter rod.

[0013] A wheel-type twisting and joining manufacturing device for multi-segment composite filter rods, employing any one of the methods described above, the device comprising:

[0014] A hollow rod secondary cutting wheel is provided with at least two cutting blades for cutting the hollow base rod into at least three hollow segments;

[0015] A hollow segment separating wheel is located downstream of the hollow bar secondary cutting wheel, and is used to receive at least three hollow segments and separate at least two of them axially to form a first gap.

[0016] A secondary cutting wheel for the tobacco core rod is provided with at least one cutter for cutting the tobacco core rod into at least two tobacco core segments;

[0017] A core segment separating wheel is located downstream of the secondary cutting wheel of the core rod, and is used to receive at least two core segments and separate each segment axially to form a second gap.

[0018] The converging drum has its feed end connected to the core segment separating wheel to receive at least two separated core segments. The feed end of the converging drum is connected to the hollow segment separating wheel through at least one transfer wheel to receive at least three separated hollow segments and to merge and arrange the two into an alternating multi-segment combination.

[0019] A convergence wheel, located downstream of the converging drum, is used to receive the multi-segment combination and move the end faces of adjacent segments toward each other.

[0020] The rubbing wheel assembly, located downstream of the approaching wheel, includes a rubbing wheel and a rubbing plate device that cooperate with each other, and is used to rub and shape the multiple segments after they are brought together.

[0021] The present invention provides a wheel-type splicing manufacturing method for multi-segment composite filter rods, which replaces the traditional linear reciprocating motion by employing a rotary merging and rotary splicing process. Because the rotary motion trajectory is continuous and stable, it avoids the cumulative errors caused by frequent starts, stops, and reversals of the linear mechanism, thereby ensuring precise axial alignment of each base rod segment during merging. Even when the core segment is relatively soft and easily compressed, it effectively overcomes the resulting phase shift defects, achieving high-precision composite bonding.

[0022] Simultaneously, this method first establishes a controllable gap between the core segment and the hollow segment through cutting and separation steps. After rotating and merging them into alternating multi-segment combinations, a step of bringing the end faces of each segment together tightly brings them together, thereby precisely and reliably eliminating all inter-segment gaps and achieving zero-gap composite. Therefore, during subsequent coating and splicing, the tipping paper can wrap tightly and smoothly, effectively preventing glue seepage or incomplete wrapping due to gaps, thus improving the quality of the composite filter rod and reducing the consumption of auxiliary materials such as the base rod and tipping paper.

[0023] Accordingly, the manufacturing equipment using the above method, by sequentially connecting the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel, the hollow section separation wheel, the core rod secondary cutting wheel, the core section separation wheel, the converging drum, the approaching wheel, and the twisting wheel group, makes the equipment structure compact. With the rotating drum as the core carrier, all the process steps of the above method can be realized. Moreover, its stable rotational motion enables high-precision material transfer, alignment, and compounding. Thus, in the production of multi-segment composite filter rods, it ensures high-precision alignment and zero-gap compounding of each base rod segment, thereby improving quality and reducing losses. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for manufacturing a multi-segment composite filter rod by wheel-type twisting;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the five-segment composite filter rod provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 A flow chart of the wheel-type composite splicing process for the five-segment composite filter rod provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of a wheel-type twisting manufacturing equipment for a multi-segment composite filter rod provided by the present invention.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] F - Multi-segment composite filter rod; F1 - Hollow section; F2 - Cigarette core section;

[0031] A - Hollow rod hopper; 1 - Hollow rod picking and cutting wheel; 1.1 - Picking and cutting mechanism one; 2 - Hollow rod misalignment wheel; 3 - Hollow rod merging wheel; 4 - Hollow rod acceleration wheel; 5 - Hollow rod transfer wheel; 6 - Hollow rod secondary cutting wheel; 6.1 - Hollow rod cutting mechanism; 7 - Hollow section separation wheel; 8 - Hollow section transfer wheel one; 9 - Hollow section transfer wheel two; 10 - Merging drum; B - Core rod hopper; 11 - Core rod picking and cutting wheel; 11.1 - Picking and cutting mechanism two; 12 - Core rod misalignment wheel; 13 - Core rod merging wheel; 14 - Core rod transfer wheel; 15 - Core rod 16-Accelerating wheel; 16-Secondary cutting wheel for tobacco core rod; 16.1-Cigarette core rod cutting mechanism; 17-Cigarette core segment separation wheel; 18-Base rod segment detection wheel; 19-Transfer wheel; 20-Approaching wheel; 21-Tobacco rubbing wheel; 21.1-Rubbing device; 22-Reduction wheel; 23-Appearance inspection wheel one; 24-Appearance inspection wheel two; 25-Rejection wheel; 26-Tobacco discharge wheel; 27-Tobacco receiving device; 28-Sampling wheel; 29-Paper feeding device; 30-Gluing device; 31-Paper splicing cutting device; C-Base rod missing detection system; D1-Appearance inspection device one; D2-Appearance inspection device two. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The core of this invention is to provide a wheel-type twisting manufacturing method and equipment for multi-segment composite filter rods. In the production of multi-segment composite filter rods, it is possible to achieve high-precision alignment and zero-gap bonding of each base rod segment, thereby improving quality and reducing losses.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 This invention provides a method for manufacturing multi-segment composite filter rods by wheel-type splicing, comprising the following steps:

[0035] Step 1: Provide a hollow base rod, cut the hollow base rod at least once to form at least three hollow segments, and separate at least two of the hollow segments from each other along the axial direction to form a first gap.

[0036] Step 2: Provide a core rod, cut the core rod at least once to form at least two core segments, and separate each core segment from the others along the axial direction to form a second gap.

[0037] Step 3: Rotate and merge at least three hollow segments and at least two core segments after separation, and arrange them into alternating multi-segment combinations.

[0038] Step 4: Move the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination towards each other until they come together to eliminate the gap between segments.

[0039] Step 5: Apply a coating material to the assembled multi-segment combination and perform rotary twisting to form a multi-segment composite filter rod.

[0040] Reference Appendix Figure 2 This embodiment takes the production of a five-segment composite filter rod as an example, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the material and type of composite filter rod. This method can also be applied to other materials and types (such as hollow rods and cellulose acetate filter rods, four-segment composite filter rods).

[0041] Reference Appendix Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, a specific cutting method is used, through the hollow rod cutting mechanism 6.1 on the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel 6, which has two cutting blades, to cut a hollow base rod four times its length (e.g., 40mm) into three non-equal length segments: a first short segment (e.g., 10mm), a long segment (e.g., 20mm), and a second short segment (e.g., 10mm) connected in sequence. After cutting, the first and second short segments on both sides are immediately moved away from each other along the axial direction by the hollow segment separating wheel 7, while the long segment in the middle remains in a fixed position, thereby forming a first gap between the three segments, thus completing the hollow base rod cutting and separation in step 1.

[0042] Step 2 can be completed simultaneously with the hollow base rod processing in step 1. Specifically, the core rod cutting mechanism 16.1 on the secondary cutting wheel 16, which has a cutter, can cut a core rod four times its length (e.g., 48 mm) into two equal-length, double-length core segments F2 (e.g., each 24 mm). After cutting, the two core segments F2 are moved axially in opposite directions by the core segment separating wheel 17, thereby forming a second gap between the two segments. It should be noted that the above-mentioned first and second gaps are dynamically adjusted according to the physical properties of the hollow base rod and the core rod, including at least one of hardness, density, or length.

[0043] After separation, the three hollow segments F1 with a first spacing and the two core segments F2 with a second spacing are synchronously fed onto the continuously rotating merging drum 10. Driven by the rotation of the merging drum 10, these two sets of materials are precisely guided and merged. By controlling the timing and position of the material entry, the hollow segments F1 and core segments F2 are arranged in alternating multi-segment combinations on the circumferential surface of the drum. In this embodiment, the multi-segment combination is a five-segment combination: first short hollow segment F1 (10mm) — first core segment F2 (24mm) — long hollow segment F1 (20mm) — second core segment F2 (24mm) — second short hollow segment F1 (10mm), thus completing the rotational merging and arrangement in step 3. At this time, the end faces of adjacent segments do not contact each other, but retain a small, uniform inter-segment gap.

[0044] The five segments can be transferred to the approaching wheel 20 via the transfer wheel 18. The approaching wheel 20 drives the end faces of adjacent segments in the five-segment assembly to move precisely towards each other. Under this action, the segments approach each other until all gaps between segments are completely eliminated and the end faces of each segment are tightly abutted, thus completing step 4 of approaching and eliminating gaps.

[0045] After the assembly is completed, the five closely joined sections are fed into the splicing station. Here, tipping paper is applied to the assembly, and then, under the coordinated rotation and squeezing action of the rubbing wheel 21 and the rubbing plate device 21.1, the tipping paper tightly wraps and adheres to the surface of the assembly, finally forming a complete multi-segment composite filter rod, thus completing the splicing and forming in step 5.

[0046] The advantage of the wheel-type splicing manufacturing method in this embodiment is that it replaces the traditional linear reciprocating motion by adopting a process route of rotary merging and rotary splicing. Because the rotary motion trajectory is continuous and stable, it avoids the cumulative errors caused by frequent starts, stops, and reversals of the linear mechanism, thus ensuring precise axial alignment of each base rod segment during merging. Even when the core segment F2 is relatively soft and easily compressed, it effectively overcomes the resulting phase shift defects, achieving high-precision composite bonding.

[0047] Simultaneously, this method first establishes a controllable gap between the core segment F2 and the hollow segment F1 through cutting and separation steps. After rotating and merging them into alternating multi-segment combinations, a step of bringing the end faces of each segment together tightly brings them together, thereby precisely and reliably eliminating all inter-segment gaps and achieving zero-gap composite. Therefore, during subsequent coating and splicing, the tipping paper can wrap tightly and smoothly, effectively preventing glue seepage or incomplete wrapping due to gaps, thus improving the quality of the composite filter rod and reducing the consumption of auxiliary materials such as the base rod and tipping paper.

[0048] As a further preferred embodiment, both the provision of hollow base rods in step 1 and the provision of core rods in step 2 include a pretreatment step for each type of base rod. The pretreatment of hollow base rods and core rods employs a similar process, and can be carried out synchronously to improve efficiency, or asynchronously to adapt to different material characteristics or maintenance needs, depending on the production cycle. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 The preprocessing steps include:

[0049] Step Y1: Obtain a long rod and cut it at least once to form multiple side-by-side base rod segments.

[0050] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Long rods (e.g., 8 times the length of the rod) are obtained from the corresponding hopper (e.g., hollow rod hopper A or core rod hopper B). Then, the material is cut using a material-retrieving cutting wheel, as shown in the attached... Figure 3 The material-taking and cutting mechanism 1.1 (such as a knife) on the hollow rod material-taking and cutting wheel 11, or the material-taking and cutting mechanism 11.1 (such as a knife) on the cigarette core rod material-taking and cutting wheel 11, cuts the 8-times-long rod into multiple shorter rod segments (such as two 4-times-long rod segments). This step transforms a single long rod into multiple parallel base rod segments, creating conditions for subsequent batch and orderly processing.

[0051] It should be noted that the multiple base rods generated in step 1 have the same axial direction, but are closely arranged in the transmission direction. In order to organize them into a single-column sequence suitable for continuous processing, they need to be misaligned and merged, and step Y2 below is performed sequentially.

[0052] Step Y2: Separate the multiple base rod segments into multiple rows, then merge them into a single column.

[0053] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Through misalignment mechanisms (e.g., attached) Figure 3 The hollow rod misalignment wheel 2 or the core rod misalignment wheel 12 in the middle causes the multiple base rods arranged side by side to have differences in axial position during the circumferential movement, thereby separating the original row of base rods into multiple rows that are staggered in the transmission direction.

[0054] The misaligned multi-row base bars are then fed into the merging mechanism (e.g., attached). Figure 3 (3) Hollow rod combined into one wheel or cigarette core rod combined into one wheel (13). These materials, which are staggered one after another, are rearranged onto the same circumferential path, and finally output as a continuous single row of base rods. At this time, the materials have become a neat row.

[0055] Step Y3: Accelerate the transfer of the merged single-row base bar to the subsequent cutting station.

[0056] Reference Appendix Figure 3 and Figure 4 The combined single-row base rods are accelerated and transferred (e.g., via hollow rod acceleration wheel 4, hollow rod transfer wheel 5, or core rod acceleration wheel 15), increasing the material transfer speed so that it is precisely matched with the processing rhythm of the downstream secondary cutting station (e.g., hollow rod secondary cutting wheel 6 or core rod secondary cutting wheel 16), ensuring that the material enters the secondary cutting process at a constant, preset speed, thereby ensuring the subsequent formation of hollow section F1 or core section F2 of precise length.

[0057] Therefore, pre-processing the hollow base rods and the core base rods can organize the messy side-by-side base rods after cutting into continuous and neat single-row base rods, so that each base rod can be processed independently in subsequent processes, which helps to ensure the accuracy of subsequent cutting length and separation spacing.

[0058] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, step 3, which involves rotating and merging the separated hollow segment and the core segment into an alternating multi-segment combination, specifically includes:

[0059] Step 31: Simultaneously feed at least three hollow segments and at least two core segments after separation onto a continuously rotating converging drum.

[0060] Specifically, after separation, the single-row hollow section F1 with the first spacing can be synchronously conveyed to the circumferential surface of the continuously rotating converging drum 10 through the hollow section transfer wheel 1 8 and the hollow section transfer wheel 2 9, together with the single-row cigarette core section F2 with the second spacing. The conveying process ensures that the two materials arrive at the converging station at a matched speed and phase.

[0061] Step 32: Driven by the rotation of the converging drum, the hollow section and the core section are arranged in a sequence of alternating connections.

[0062] Reference Appendix Figure 3 and Figure 4 Driven by the continuous rotation of the converging drum 10, the hollow section F1 and the core section F2 are guided and interwoven in an orderly manner according to the specific guide structure or receiving slot on the drum, so that the hollow section F1 and the core section F2 are alternately connected on the circumference of the drum, forming a precise sequence of hollow section F1 (10mm) - core section F2 (24mm) - hollow section F1 (20mm) - core section F2 (24mm) - hollow section F1 (10mm).

[0063] In this sequence, the end faces of adjacent segments do not touch. Instead, through the spacing (first spacing, second spacing) set in the preceding separation steps and the positioning design on the converging drum 10, a uniform and controllable inter-segment gap can be reserved between the end faces of all adjacent segments for precise elimination in the subsequent approaching step 4.

[0064] Therefore, in the specific step 3 described above, the separated hollow segment F1 and the core segment F2 are synchronously transported to the continuously rotating converging drum 10. The grooves of the converging drum 10 can provide radial constraints, so that the axes of each segment in the multi-segment combination are basically forced to align, effectively avoiding phase offset (i.e., avoiding non-collinearity of axes). At the same time, the segments are not immediately tightly connected during converging. Instead, uniform gaps are reserved in the arranged sequence, and the elimination of gaps is left to the subsequent approaching step. This method of first accurately sorting, positioning, and aligning, and then independently eliminating gaps, avoids the loss of accuracy caused by mutual interference between positioning, alignment, and pressing. On the other hand, it creates conditions for the step of checking whether the base rod is missing due to the rotation of the drum after converging.

[0065] After step 3, where the segments are rotated and arranged into a multi-segment combination, and before step 4, where they move towards each other to eliminate gaps, as a further preferred option, please refer to... Figure 1 It also includes the following steps:

[0066] Step J1: Perform an integrity check on the arranged multi-segment combination to determine whether there are any missing base segments.

[0067] Step J2: If a missing part is detected, the incomplete multi-segment combination is marked as scrap or directed to the rejection station.

[0068] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 4 Downstream of the merging drum 10, the multi-segment assembly passes through the base rod segment detection wheel 18 before entering the approaching wheel 20. The base rod segment detection wheel 18 has slots on its circumference that match the pitch of the merged multi-segment assembly, used to receive and carry the already arranged multi-segment assembly. A base rod missing detection system C is located beside the base rod segment detection wheel 18, which may include, but is not limited to, photoelectric sensors, laser detectors, or visual inspection devices, capable of aligning with the position of each base rod segment of the multi-segment assembly in each slot on the base rod segment detection wheel 18.

[0069] Thus, when the multi-segment combination arranged on the converging drum 10 is transferred to the base rod segment detection wheel 18, the combination will rotate with the wheel and pass through the scanning area of ​​the base rod missing detection system C. The base rod missing detection system C quickly scans each passing multi-segment combination to determine whether it is complete, that is, whether there is a missing base rod segment.

[0070] If the base rod missing detection system C determines that the current multi-segment assembly is complete, it issues a pass signal, and the assembly is normally passed to the subsequent approaching wheel 20 via the transfer wheel 19 for further processing. If a missing component is detected, a scrap signal is immediately issued. This signal can trigger subsequent actions, such as automatically removing the marked incomplete assembly from the production line at the downstream scrap rejection wheel 25.

[0071] Even if some sections are missing, the approximation step must be performed and paper pieces pasted on. Otherwise, the washboard will become clogged and the machine will stop. After the missing sections are approximated and formed, they should be removed at the 7 o'clock position of the rubbing wheel. There is a removal valve at the 7 o'clock position of the rubbing wheel, which is mainly used for removing waste during the start-up and shutdown phases.

[0072] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, step 4, which involves moving the end faces of adjacent segments in a multi-segment combination towards each other until they come into contact, specifically includes:

[0073] Step 41: During the process of the adjacent end faces moving towards each other, the current gap value between each adjacent segment is obtained in real time.

[0074] Step 42: If the current gap value is greater than the acceptable gap threshold, control the axial closing force applied to the two sides forming the gap to continue to reduce the current gap value.

[0075] Step 43: If the current gap value is less than or equal to the qualified gap threshold, stop or maintain the axial closing force.

[0076] Specifically, a non-contact detection sensor is installed in the entrance area of ​​the approach wheel 20 to accurately align with the gaps between the segments that need to be eliminated in the multi-segment combination, and to obtain the current gap value between the end faces of each adjacent segment in real time. This data can be transmitted to the control system.

[0077] The approach wheel 20 includes an approaching element (e.g., an approaching module that can move relative to each other) and a servo motor that drives the approaching actuator. The servo motor can receive control commands from the control system and adjust the magnitude and duration of the axial approaching force applied to the multi-segment combination.

[0078] The control system has a preset qualified gap threshold (e.g., 0~0.05mm) and a preset safety force threshold to ensure that the base rod (especially the soft tobacco core section F2) is not damaged.

[0079] If the current gap value is greater than the acceptable gap threshold, it indicates that the gap has not been eliminated to the required standard. The control system then controls the servo motor to drive the contacting component to apply or maintain a suitable axial contacting force, continuing to reduce the current gap value. Simultaneously, the control system monitors the axial contacting force in real time to ensure that it never exceeds the preset safety force threshold.

[0080] If the current gap value is less than or equal to the qualified gap threshold, it indicates that the gap has been eliminated to the qualified range. The control system controls the servo motor to drive the contacting part to move in the opposite direction to stop increasing the force, or only maintain a very small balancing force to prevent rebound. At this time, the contacting action is completed.

[0081] Therefore, the above-mentioned approach steps can accurately and reliably eliminate the inter-segment gaps while protecting the base rod.

[0082] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, after step 4 of moving the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment assembly towards each other until they abut and close together, and before step 5 of applying a covering material to the brought-to-close multi-segment assembly, the following steps are further included:

[0083] Step J3: Detect the axial position deviation between adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination.

[0084] Step J4: If the axial position deviation exceeds the preset deviation threshold, the fine-tuning mechanism is triggered to apply axial tension to the leading segment and / or axial thrust to the lagging segment until the axial position deviation does not exceed the deviation threshold.

[0085] Specifically, this step is performed at a transfer wheel station after the material leaves the approach wheel 20 and before entering the splicing and wrapping station. This station is equipped with a fine-tuning wheel that has detection and fine-tuning functions. For example, the fine-tuning wheel has an axial position detection system on its side, which can accurately measure the axial position of the end faces of adjacent segments on the multi-segment assembly and transmit the signal to the control system. By comparing the measured coordinates of the end faces of adjacent segments, the system can calculate and output the axial position deviation value between adjacent segments in real time (i.e., the amount of lead or lag of one segment relative to another in the axial direction). The fine-tuning wheel has a groove to accommodate the multi-segment assembly, and the groove has an independent adjustment mechanism for each segment, such as a push rod driven by a servo motor, which can perform precise telescopic movement along the axial direction of the multi-segment assembly.

[0086] If the axial position deviation at any point exceeds the deviation threshold, the control system immediately triggers the corresponding adjustment mechanism. Specifically, for the segment that is detected to be relatively ahead, the corresponding adjustment mechanism applies a reverse axial pull force, causing it to slightly retract; for the segment that is relatively lagging, a positive axial thrust is applied, causing it to slightly advance. After the fine-tuning is completed, the axial position detection system measures again, and this process is repeated until the axial position deviation between all adjacent segments does not exceed the preset deviation threshold. Subsequently, the precisely calibrated multi-segment assembly is conveyed to the next process.

[0087] Therefore, although the previous approaching steps have brought the segments into close contact, even if slight differences in material properties or minor slippage during the transfer process may result in small gaps remaining in some segments along the axial direction, this step can still ensure that the segments of the composite base rod are absolutely collinear and gapless along the axial direction through independent fine-tuning, thus performing a final attitude calibration of the composite base rod before final wrapping.

[0088] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, the specific steps for applying a coating material to the assembled multi-segment combination include:

[0089] Step 51: Provide the splicing paper material and apply glue.

[0090] Specifically, the paper feeding device 29 continuously supplies the splicing paper material, which first passes through the gluing device 30, which evenly applies glue to the side or edge where the splicing paper is bonded to the multi-segment assembly.

[0091] Step 52: Cut the glued splice paper and transfer it to the pasting station that moves synchronously with the multi-segment assembly.

[0092] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 4 A splice paper cutting device 31 is located next to the approaching wheel 20 and downstream of the gluing device 30. The splice paper cutting device 31 cuts the glued splice paper from the whole raw material. The drive mechanism of the splice paper cutting device 31 can be used to move the cut glued splice paper to the preset pasting station. This station is on the path of the approaching wheel 20 transporting the already brought together multi-segment combination.

[0093] Step 53: Attach the splicing paper to the multi-segment assembly.

[0094] Specifically, since the tipping paper has been pre-coated with adhesive, when the approaching wheel 20 drives the already brought-to-be-aggregated multi-segment assembly to rotate and pass through the bonding station (i.e., the adsorption device), the tipping paper comes into contact with the multi-segment assembly and immediately adheres.

[0095] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, the specific steps for performing rotary splicing include:

[0096] Step 54: Convey the multi-segment combination between the cigarette-rubbing wheel and the rubbing plate.

[0097] Step 55: Control the rubbing board to move towards the rubbing wheel to apply rubbing pressure to the coating material.

[0098] Step 56: Drive the cigarette rolling wheel to rotate, so that the multi-segment combination completes the rolling and wrapping of the coating material during the rolling process.

[0099] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 4 The pre-attached tipping paper and the multi-segment assembly to be wrapped are conveyed to the corresponding forming groove on the circumference of the rubbing wheel 21. The rubbing plate device 21.1 is located on one side of the rubbing wheel 21. The control system commands the rubbing plate device 21.1 to move towards the rubbing wheel 21 carrying the multi-segment assembly. When the rubbing plate device 21.1 approaches the multi-segment assembly, the system controls the rubbing plate to apply appropriate rubbing pressure to ensure that the tipping paper is firmly attached to the multi-segment assembly. At the same time as the rubbing plate applies pressure, the rubbing wheel 21 is driven to rotate, and the multi-segment assembly rotates accordingly. Due to the resistance of the rubbing plate, the pre-laid tipping paper is evenly wrapped around the circumferential surface of the rotating multi-segment assembly, forming a multi-segment composite filter rod F with a smooth surface and flat seams.

[0100] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, the process of applying the rubbing pressure and driving the rubbing wheel to rotate further includes the following steps:

[0101] The measurement value of at least one process parameter, either the jointing pressure or the temperature of the jointing zone, is acquired in real time.

[0102] Based on the comparison between the measured value and the preset target value, the rubbing pressure applied by the rubbing board or the temperature of the rubbing zone is dynamically adjusted.

[0103] Specifically, the rubbing plate device 21.1 has a pressure sensor installed on the contact surface between the rubbing plate and the material, which can acquire the actual rubbing pressure applied by the rubbing plate to the composite rod in real time. An infrared temperature sensor is also installed on the rubbing plate near the material wrapping area to acquire the temperature measurement value of the wrapping operation area in real time.

[0104] During the splicing process, the control system can read the splicing pressure measurement value and compare the real-time pressure measurement value with the pressure target value. If the pressure measurement value is consistently lower than the pressure target value, it may indicate that the wrapping may not be tight. In this case, the control system increases the power output of the drive mechanism of the rubbing plate device 21.1 to increase the splicing pressure applied by the rubbing plate. Conversely, if the measurement value is too high, it may indicate that the rod may be deformed or the splicing paper may be damaged. In this case, the pressure is dynamically reduced.

[0105] Simultaneously, the control system can also read temperature measurements and compare the real-time temperature measurements with the target temperature value. If the temperature measurement is lower than the target temperature value, it indicates that the temperature is too low, which may affect the activation of the adhesive and thus the rolling quality of the composite rod. The control system will then activate the heating element built into the rolling plate to raise the temperature of the rolling zone; if the temperature is too high, the heating element power will be reduced.

[0106] Therefore, the above-mentioned dynamic adjustment of the rubbing process steps, by real-time monitoring of parameters such as rubbing pressure and temperature in the rubbing zone, can achieve adaptive control and ensure stable rubbing quality.

[0107] Based on the above embodiments, as a further preferred embodiment, after the step of rotary twisting to form multi-segment composite filter rods, please refer to... Figure 1 It also includes the following steps:

[0108] Step 6: Obtain surface images of the multi-segment composite filter rod.

[0109] Specifically, see the attached document. Figure 4The multi-segment composite filter rod F, which has been rotary-jointed, can be conveyed to at least one appearance inspection wheel via a reduction gear 22, preferably sequentially to appearance inspection wheel one 23 and appearance inspection wheel two 24. At least one appearance inspection device (e.g., a high-resolution industrial camera) is installed above or to the side of the appearance inspection wheel. As the composite filter rod rotates with the appearance inspection wheel past the shooting station, the industrial camera acquires surface images of one or more angles of the filter rod. To ensure comprehensive inspection, multiple appearance inspection devices can be set up (e.g., appearance inspection device one D1 and appearance inspection device two D2, respectively inspecting different sides, or rotating the filter rod one full turn to complete a panoramic shot).

[0110] Step 7: Analyze the surface image to determine at least one of the following: appearance quality of the multi-segment composite filter rod, inter-segment interface status, or integrity of the covering material.

[0111] The acquired images are transmitted to the image processing system in real time. The system processes the images and extracts features, and makes judgments based on preset criteria. Specific determinate appearance features include at least one of the following: appearance quality, inter-segment interface status, or integrity of the covering material.

[0112] Step 8: Based on the judgment result, the control actuator removes the non-conforming products.

[0113] Specifically, the image processing system sends the judgment result to the production line control system in real time. The control system synchronously tracks the position of the defective filter rod on the production line, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 4 When the filter rod is passed to the downstream rejection wheel 25, the control system triggers the rejection actuator on the wheel (such as controlling the high-speed rejection valve to open, generating instantaneous positive pressure to blow away the unqualified composite rod), knocking the unqualified product out of the normal conveying path and causing it to fall into the sampling wheel 28 below. The qualified filter rod continues to be output through the smoke discharge wheel 26 and is finally transmitted to the downstream equipment through the smoke receiving device 27.

[0114] Therefore, the above-mentioned finished product quality inspection and rejection steps can automatically separate unqualified products without interrupting continuous production, ensuring that only qualified products enter the downstream packaging or use stage. This can improve product quality and reliability, achieve automation, free up manpower, and improve the intelligence level and overall efficiency of the production line.

[0115] Please refer to Figure 4 The present invention also provides a wheel-type splicing manufacturing device for multi-segment composite filter rods, which adopts the wheel-type splicing manufacturing method disclosed in the above embodiments. The device includes a hollow base rod processing unit, a cigarette core base rod processing unit, a coalescence molding and output unit, and a detection and output unit.

[0116] The hollow rod processing unit includes: a hollow rod hopper A for storing and supplying long hollow rods; a hollow rod picking and cutting wheel 1 located below the hollow rod hopper A, equipped with a picking and cutting mechanism 1.1 for taking out long hollow rods from the hopper A and performing a first cut, for example, cutting an 8-times-long hollow rod into two 4-times-long rods; a hollow rod misalignment wheel 2 located immediately after the hollow rod picking and cutting wheel 1, receiving multiple 4-times-long hollow rods side by side and misaligning them in the transmission direction to form multiple rows; a hollow rod merging wheel 3 located downstream of the hollow rod misalignment wheel 2, merging the misaligned multiple rows of hollow rods back into a single row; a hollow rod acceleration wheel 4 and a hollow rod transfer wheel 5 for receiving the merged single row of hollow rods and accelerating their transfer to match the cycle time of the downstream process; and a hollow rod secondary cutting wheel 6 equipped with a hollow rod cutting mechanism 6.1, such as two cutters, for precision cutting of the 4-times-long hollow rods. In this embodiment, a 40mm long hollow rod is cut into three non-equal length segments, specifically 10mm, 20mm, and 10mm. The hollow segment separating wheel 7 is closely connected to the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel 6, receiving the three cut hollow segments F1, and moving the 10mm segments on both sides away from each other along the axial direction, while the 20mm segment in the middle remains in position, thereby forming a specific first gap (e.g., 30mm). The hollow segment transfer wheel 1 8 and the hollow segment transfer wheel 2 9 are used to receive the separated three hollow segments F1 and smoothly transport them to the merging station.

[0117] The tobacco core rod processing unit includes: a tobacco core rod hopper B for storing and supplying long tobacco core rods; a tobacco core rod picking and cutting wheel 11 equipped with a picking and cutting mechanism 11.1 for picking up the material and performing the first cut, for example, cutting an 8-times-long tobacco core rod into two 4-times-long sections; a tobacco core rod misalignment wheel 12 and a tobacco core rod merging wheel 13, which have the same function as the corresponding components (2, 3) of the hollow processing unit, for misaligning multiple tobacco core rod sections side by side and then merging them into a single row; a tobacco core rod transfer wheel 14 and a tobacco core rod acceleration wheel 15 for transferring and accelerating the single row of tobacco core rods; a tobacco core rod secondary cutting wheel 16 equipped with a tobacco core rod cutting mechanism 16.1, such as a cutter, for cutting a 4-times-long tobacco core rod into two equal-length double-long tobacco core sections F2 (for example, each 24mm); and a tobacco core section separation wheel 17 receiving the two tobacco core sections F2 and moving them in opposite directions along the axial direction to form a second gap.

[0118] The assembly and output unit includes an assembly drum 10, whose feed end is directly or via a very short path connected to the core section separation wheel 17, and connected to the hollow section transfer wheel 9. It is used to synchronously receive the hollow section F1 carrying the first gap and the core section F2 carrying the second gap, and under its rotation, to precisely arrange and interweave these two sets of materials on the circumferential surface, for example, to form a five-segment combination in which hollow section F1-core section F2-hollow section F1-core section F2-hollow section F1 alternately connects, with uniform small gaps between adjacent segments.

[0119] The assembly and output unit also includes: a base rod segment detection wheel 18, which is closely connected to the merging drum 10, and a base rod missing detection system C is provided on the side to detect whether the material is missing after merging; a transfer wheel 19 is connected between the base rod segment detection wheel 18 and the approach wheel 20, which transports the detected multi-segment combination to the approach wheel 20, and the approach wheel 20 drives the end faces of adjacent segments in the combination to move towards each other until all reserved gaps are completely eliminated and the end faces of each segment are tightly abutted; a paper feeding device 29, a gluing device 30, and a splicing paper cutting device 31 are arranged in sequence and located downstream of the approach wheel 20 and upstream of the splicing wheel group, which are used to apply glue to the splicing paper, cut it into pieces, and accurately paste it onto the multi-segment combination after merging; the splicing wheel group includes an actively rotating rubbing wheel 21 and a rubbing plate device 21.1 that can perform feeding motion. It receives multiple segments with tipping paper attached, applies pressure through a rubbing plate, and rotates a cigarette rolling wheel to make the multiple segments roll, thereby tightly wrapping and twisting the tipping paper into shape to form a multi-segment composite filter rod.

[0120] The detection and output unit includes: a reduction wheel 22 for adjusting the material speed; appearance inspection wheel one 23 and appearance inspection wheel two 24 for acquiring surface images of the composite filter rods and performing quality analysis; a rejection wheel 25 for rejecting composite filter rods that do not meet appearance standards based on the detection results; a smoke discharge wheel 26 and a smoke receiving device 27 for outputting qualified finished products to downstream equipment; and a sampling wheel 28 for sampling and analyzing qualified or unqualified cigarettes.

[0121] Workflow: The hollow base rod processing unit and the core rod processing unit can simultaneously perform base rod pretreatment, independently completing material picking, initial cutting, misalignment, and merging to form a single row of hollow base rods or core rods. Then, the single row of hollow base rods or core rods are individually cut and separated a second time to form segments with gaps. Both are simultaneously conveyed to the converging drum 10 for precise arrangement, forming a multi-segment assembly with reserved gaps. This multi-segment assembly has gaps eliminated by the approaching wheel 20, and after attaching splicing paper, it is wrapped and shaped by the twisting wheel assembly. Finally, after inspection and rejection of defective products, qualified products are output.

[0122] Therefore, this manufacturing equipment, by sequentially connecting the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel, hollow section separation wheel, core rod secondary cutting wheel, core section separation wheel, converging drum, approaching wheel, and twisting wheel group, achieves a compact equipment structure. With the rotating drum as the core carrier, it can realize all the process steps of the above method. Moreover, its stable rotational motion enables high-precision material transfer, alignment, and compounding. Thus, in the production of multi-segment composite filter rods, it ensures high-precision alignment and zero-gap compounding of each base rod segment, thereby improving quality and reducing losses.

[0123] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0124] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0125] The foregoing has provided a detailed description of the wheel-type twisting manufacturing method and equipment for multi-segment composite filter rods provided by the present invention. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing multi-segment composite filter rods by wheel-type twisting, characterized in that, include: A hollow base rod is provided, and the hollow base rod is cut at least once to form at least three hollow segments, and at least two of the hollow segments are separated from each other along the axial direction to form a first gap; A core rod is provided, and the core rod is cut at least once to form at least two core segments, and each core segment is separated from the other along the axial direction to form a second gap; The separated hollow segments are rotated and merged with at least two of the core segments, and arranged into alternating multi-segment combinations; Move the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination towards each other until they come into contact, so as to eliminate the gap between segments; The assembled multi-segment combination is coated with a coating material and then rotated and twisted to form a multi-segment composite filter rod.

2. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of providing hollow base rods includes a pretreatment step for the hollow base rods, and the step of providing cigarette core base rods includes a pretreatment step for the cigarette core base rods. The pretreatment steps for both types of base rods can be performed synchronously or asynchronously, and both include: Obtain a long rod and cut it at least once to form multiple side-by-side base rod segments; The multiple segments of the base rod are separated into multiple rows, and then merged into a single column; The merged single-row base bar is then accelerated and transferred to the subsequent cutting station.

3. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps of rotating and merging the separated hollow segments and core segments into alternating, interconnected multi-segment combinations include: The separated hollow segments and at least two core segments are simultaneously fed to a continuously rotating converging drum. Driven by the rotation of the converging drum, the hollow section and the core section are arranged in a sequence that alternates with each other. In the sequence, a gap is reserved between the end faces of adjacent segments for subsequent elimination.

4. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the step of rotating and merging the separated hollow segment and the core segment into an alternating multi-segment combination, and before the step of moving the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination towards each other until they come into contact, the method further includes: The integrity of the arranged multi-segment combination is checked to determine whether there are any missing base segments; If a missing part is detected, the incomplete combination of segments is marked as scrap or directed to the rejection station.

5. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of moving the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination towards each other until they come into contact includes: During the process of the adjacent end faces moving towards each other, the current gap value between each adjacent segment is obtained in real time; If the current gap value is greater than the acceptable gap threshold, the axial closing force applied to the two sides forming the gap is controlled to continue to reduce the current gap value. If the current gap value is less than or equal to the qualified gap threshold, then the axial approach force is stopped or maintained; Wherein, the axial approaching force does not exceed a preset safety force threshold.

6. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the step of moving the end faces of adjacent segments in the multi-segment assembly towards each other until they abut and come together, and before the step of applying a covering material to the assembled multi-segment assembly, the method further includes: Detect the axial positional deviation between adjacent segments in the multi-segment combination; If the axial position deviation exceeds a preset deviation threshold, the fine-tuning mechanism is triggered to apply an axial pulling force to the leading segment and / or an axial pushing force to the lagging segment until the axial position deviation does not exceed the deviation threshold.

7. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of performing rotary twisting includes: The multi-segment combination is conveyed between the cigarette-rubbing wheel and the rubbing plate; Control the rubbing board to move toward the rubbing wheel, and apply rubbing pressure to the covering material; The rotating motion of the cigarette-rolling wheel causes the multi-segment combination to complete the rolling and wrapping of the coating material during the rolling process.

8. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the step of rotary twisting to form a multi-segment composite filter rod, the method further includes: Obtain a surface image of the multi-segment composite filter rod; Analyze the surface image to determine at least one of the following: appearance quality, inter-segment interface status, or integrity of the covering material of the multi-segment composite filter rod; Based on the judgment results, the control execution agency removes non-conforming products.

9. A wheel-type twisting and joining manufacturing equipment for multi-segment composite filter rods, characterized in that, The device, employing the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, comprises: The hollow rod secondary cutting wheel (6) is provided with at least two cutting blades for cutting the hollow base rod into at least three hollow segments (F1). A hollow section separating wheel (7) is located downstream of the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel (6) for receiving at least three hollow sections (F1) and separating at least two of them axially to form a first gap; The secondary cutting wheel (16) for the tobacco core rod is provided with at least one cutter for cutting the tobacco core rod into at least two tobacco core segments (F2). The core segment separation wheel (17) is located downstream of the secondary cutting wheel (16) of the core rod, and is used to receive at least two core segments (F2) and separate each segment axially to form a second gap; The converging drum (10) has its feed end connected to the core segment separating wheel (17) to receive at least two separated core segments (F2). The feed end of the converging drum (10) is connected to the hollow segment separating wheel (7) through at least one transfer wheel to receive at least three separated hollow segments (F1) and to merge the two into an alternating multi-segment combination. The approaching wheel (20) is located downstream of the converging drum (10) and is used to receive the multi-segment combination and move the end faces of adjacent segments toward each other. The rubbing wheel assembly, located downstream of the approaching wheel (20), includes a rubbing wheel (21) and a rubbing plate device (21.1) that cooperate with each other, for rubbing and forming the multi-segment combination after approaching.

10. The wheel-type stitching manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The hollow rod secondary cutting wheel (6) is also provided with the following upstream: Hollow rod hopper (A) is used to store and supply the hollow base rods; Hollow bar material taking and cutting wheel (1) is used to take material from the hollow bar hopper (A) and cut it for the first time; Hollow rod misalignment wheel (2) is located downstream of the hollow rod material taking and cutting wheel (1) and is used to misalign and separate the multiple hollow base rods that are side by side after the first cut into multiple rows in front and behind. Hollow rod merging wheel (3) is located downstream of the hollow rod misalignment wheel (2) and is used to merge multiple rows of hollow base rods after misalignment and separation into a single row and transport them to the hollow rod secondary cutting wheel (6). The upper end of the secondary cutting wheel (16) of the cigarette core rod is provided with the following: The core rod hopper (B) is used to store and supply core rods; A core rod feeding and cutting wheel (11) is used to feed the core rod from the core rod hopper (B) and cut it for the first time; The cigarette core rod misalignment wheel (12) is located downstream of the cigarette core rod material taking and cutting wheel (11) and is used to misalign and separate the multiple sections of cigarette core rod after the first cutting into multiple rows. The wick rod combining wheel (13) is located downstream of the wick rod misalignment wheel (12) and is used to combine multiple rows of wick rods after misalignment and separation into a single row and transport them to the wick rod secondary cutting wheel (16).

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