Photoelectric detection device and method for automatic cover folding and carton sealing machine and automatic cover folding and carton sealing machine

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic folding and sealing box machine photoelectric detection device and method and the automatic folding and sealing box machine, and belongs to the technical field of automatic packaging and transportation. The device comprises a conveying line, a pair of photoelectric switches and a mounting bracket. The pair of photoelectric switches comprises a transmitting end and a receiving end, and the transmitting end and the receiving end are arranged on the two sides of the conveying line. The transmitting end is used for transmitting a detection light beam, and the receiving end is used for receiving the detection light beam in a non-contact manner and outputting a detection signal when the light beam is interrupted. The mounting bracket is used for fixing the transmitting end and the receiving end. The application does not need the direct collision between materials and detection components, avoids the mechanical damage to the box body, eliminates the problems of the wear, fracture and contact fatigue oxidation of a traditional travel switch contact rod, greatly improves the service life of the detection device, and reduces the equipment maintenance frequency and maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated packaging and transportation technology, and in particular to an automatic folding and sealing machine, a photoelectric detection device and method, and an automatic folding and sealing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In automated packaging conveyor lines, automatic folding and sealing machines are widely used for folding and sealing boxes. To achieve the linkage of counting, sealing, labeling and other actions, it is usually necessary to set up detection components to detect the material arrival status. The reliability of equipment operation and maintenance costs directly affect the packaging production efficiency. Therefore, the stability and durability of the detection components are required to be high.

[0003] In existing automatic capping and sealing machines, material arrival detection generally uses mechanical limit switches. These mechanical limit switches are triggered by material colliding with a contact rod, which then outputs a detection signal to control subsequent capping and sealing actions.

[0004] However, existing mechanical limit switches have significant drawbacks in practical applications: they rely on material collisions to trigger the contact rod, which is prone to wear and breakage, and the switch contacts are susceptible to oxidation and fatigue, resulting in a very short lifespan and frequent maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, production sites are often humid and dusty environments, which accelerates the aging of limit switch components, leading to frequent malfunctions, equipment downtime for maintenance, and increased production losses. Additionally, collision detection methods can easily damage the outer packaging of materials, affecting product appearance quality and failing to meet the demands of high-quality packaging production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an automatic cap-folding and sealing machine with photoelectric detection device, method, and automatic cap-folding and sealing machine. This invention solves the pain points of mechanical limit switches in the industry, reduces equipment maintenance costs and downtime, and avoids material collision damage to the outer box, thereby improving production stability and product quality.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a photoelectric detection device for an automatic carton sealing machine, comprising: Conveyor line, through-beam photoelectric switch, and mounting bracket; The through-beam photoelectric switch includes a transmitter and a receiver, which are respectively located on both sides of the conveyor line. The transmitter is used to emit a detection beam, and the receiver is used to receive the detection beam in a non-contact manner and output a detection signal when the beam is detected to be blocked. The mounting bracket is used to fix the transmitter and receiver.

[0007] As a further technical solution, the mounting bracket adopts a combination structure of column, clamp and L-shaped adjustable bracket. The column is fixed to the side of the conveyor line by clamp, and the L-shaped adjustable bracket can slide and be locked along the height direction of the column.

[0008] As a further technical solution, the L-shaped adjustable bracket is provided with a horizontally adjustable slide rail, which can adjust the detection position left and right along the width of the conveyor line.

[0009] As a further technical solution, the transmitting and receiving ends of the through-beam photoelectric switch are embedded in the end slots of the L-shaped adjustable bracket, quickly positioned by a quick-release locking sleeve, and then tightened a second time by bolts.

[0010] As a further technical solution, the transmitting end and the receiving end are arranged in a horizontally opposite direction, and the optical path centerline of the transmitting end and the receiving end is parallel to the transmission line.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a photoelectric detection method for an automatic capping and sealing machine, based on the photoelectric detection device for an automatic capping and sealing machine as described in any one of the first aspects, comprising: The transmitter and receiver of the through-beam photoelectric switch are installed on both sides of the conveyor line using mounting brackets. The transmitter and receiver are powered on and calibrated to ensure that the optical paths of the transmitter and receiver are horizontally aligned and the center line is parallel to the conveyor line table. After calibration is completed, material conveying is started. When the material reaches the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, it blocks the optical path, and the receiver outputs a trigger signal to control the cover folding action. When the material leaves the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, the optical path is restored, and the signal is automatically reset to standby.

[0012] As a further technical solution, the power-on optical calibration includes: running the power transmission line under no-load, adjusting the relative positions of the transmitter and receiver, and adjusting the indicator light on the receiver until the optical path is aligned and the indicator light on the receiver is stably lit, so that a stable and unobstructed through-beam optical path is formed between the transmitter and receiver, and the calibration is completed after confirming that the optical path is aligned.

[0013] As a further technical solution, when the material reaches the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, it blocks the optical path, and the blocking time is greater than or equal to the preset blocking time. The receiver outputs a high-level trigger signal to control the cover-opening action.

[0014] As a further technical solution, when the material leaves the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, the optical path is restored and the restoration time is greater than or equal to the preset restoration time, and the signal is automatically reset to standby.

[0015] Thirdly, the present invention provides an automatic capping and sealing machine, comprising: removing the original mechanical limit switch on the conveyor line of the automatic capping and sealing machine, and installing the photoelectric detection device of the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0016] One or more technical solutions of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: This invention employs a through-beam photoelectric switch to replace the traditional mechanical limit switch, achieving non-contact detection of material arrival using a matching bracket. This structure completely avoids hard collisions between the material and the detection components, effectively protecting the housing structure from mechanical damage and saving the cost and time of replacing the outer casing. Furthermore, it eliminates the frequent failures of traditional limit switches, such as contact rod wear, breakage, and contact fatigue oxidation. Compared to existing technologies, this solution significantly improves the overall service life and operational stability of the detection device, greatly reduces the frequency of equipment maintenance, increases equipment efficiency, and effectively reduces subsequent operation and maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the photoelectric detection device for the automatic box-sealing machine of the present invention; Among them, 1 is the transmitting end of the through-beam photoelectric switch, 2 is the receiving end of the through-beam photoelectric switch, and 3 is the L-shaped adjustable bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0019] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0020] Example 1 Because the original mechanical limit switch relies on the material to collide with the contact rod to trigger, the contact rod is prone to wear and breakage, and the contact is prone to oxidation and fatigue, resulting in a very short lifespan. The frequency of maintenance and replacement increases, and the humid and dusty environment of the production site accelerates the aging of components, leading to frequent failures, increased downtime for maintenance and production losses. Moreover, the existing collision detection can easily cause damage to the appearance of materials, affecting product quality.

[0021] This embodiment provides an automatic carton sealing machine photoelectric detection device, which replaces the original mechanical limit switch to avoid damage to the outer packaging box and high failure rate. By replacing mechanical detection with photoelectric detection, the problem of easy failure and increased maintenance frequency of limit switches and damage to the outer box is solved. Using a through-beam photoelectric switch, non-contact detection function is realized. This embodiment has the advantages of stable operation, low maintenance cost, and simple modification, and is suitable for various items that require limit switch detection.

[0022] The photoelectric detection device for automatic carton folding and sealing machines is used on the packaging conveyor line to detect the arrival of carton materials on the conveyor line, thereby enabling the subsequent folding and sealing actions. Specifically: like Figure 1 As shown, the photoelectric detection device of the automatic carton sealing machine includes a conveyor line, a through-beam photoelectric switch, and a mounting bracket. The conveyor line carries and transports the carton material; the through-beam photoelectric switch includes a transmitter and a receiver, which are respectively located on both sides of the conveyor line. The transmitter continuously emits a detection beam, and the receiver receives the detection beam in a non-contact manner. When the beam is blocked, the receiver outputs a detection signal; the mounting brackets fix the transmitter and receiver respectively, achieving stable installation of the photoelectric switch on both sides of the conveyor line.

[0023] The mounting bracket adopts a combination structure of column, clamp, and L-shaped adjustable bracket, all made of food-grade stainless steel, suitable for the cleaning and corrosion prevention requirements of food processing workshops. The column is fixed to the side of the conveyor line by clamp, which can slide and adjust along the height of the column, and lock after adjustment to the appropriate height. One end of the L-shaped adjustable bracket is fitted onto the column and can slide and adjust synchronously with the clamp along the height of the column (the L-shaped adjustable bracket can slide, adjust, and lock along the height of the column), realizing the adjustment of the photoelectric switch installation height to meet the detection height requirements of materials with different specifications.

[0024] The L-shaped adjustable bracket is equipped with a horizontally adjustable slide rail that extends along the width of the conveyor line. The L-shaped adjustable bracket can be adjusted by moving left and right along the width of the conveyor line via the horizontally adjustable slide rail, thereby adjusting the horizontal detection position of the photoelectric switch to meet the detection needs of materials in boxes of different widths.

[0025] The transmitter and receiver of the through-beam photoelectric switch are embedded in the slots at the end of the L-shaped adjustable bracket, using a dual fixing method of bolt fastening and quick-release locking sleeve. During installation, first insert the transmitter or receiver into the slot, quickly position it using the quick-release locking sleeve, and then tighten it a second time with anti-loosening bolts to ensure that the photoelectric switch is firmly installed and does not shift or loosen during operation, while also facilitating quick disassembly and maintenance.

[0026] The transmitter and receiver are arranged in a horizontally opposite manner, with the center lines of the optical paths of the transmitter and receiver parallel to the conveyor platform and at the same height. They are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the conveyor line without any vertical or tilting offset, ensuring that the detection optical path is horizontally unobstructed and that the material can stably block the optical path when it passes through, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0027] Example 2 This embodiment provides a photoelectric detection method for an automatic capping and sealing machine, based on the photoelectric detection device for an automatic capping and sealing machine provided in Embodiment 1, including: First, remove the original mechanical limit switches on the conveyor line of the automatic capping and sealing machine, and install the transmitter and receiver of the through-beam photoelectric switch on both sides of the conveyor line using mounting brackets; after installation, power on the transmitter and receiver to calibrate the light. The power-on optical calibration process is as follows: Power on the equipment and run the conveyor line under no-load conditions to ensure that the optical path is unobstructed; loosen the fixing screws and left and right adjusting bolts, fine-tune the relative positions of the transmitter and receiver, and observe the indicator light status of the receiver until the optical path is completely aligned and the indicator light on the receiver is stable and constantly lit; tighten all adjusting bolts, put in standard specification box material, and verify that the indicator light status switches normally after the material blocks the optical path; perform no-load and material-load switching tests repeatedly to confirm that the signal output has no delay and no false triggering, and complete the calibration to form a stable and unobstructed through-beam optical path between the transmitter and receiver.

[0028] After powering on and calibrating the light, the material conveying is started, and the material in the box moves forward along the conveyor line. When the material reaches the light path between the transmitter and receiver, it blocks the detection light path, and the blocking time reaches the preset blocking time (50ms). The receiver immediately outputs a high-level trigger signal, which is synchronously fed back to the solenoid valve capping control system of the automatic capping and sealing machine, triggering the capping mechanism to perform the capping action. When the material continues to move and leaves the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, the optical path is detected to be open again, and the recovery time reaches the preset recovery time (30ms). The signal of the receiver is automatically reset to a low-level standby state, waiting for the next material blockage trigger signal.

[0029] Meanwhile, if no signal is detected between the transmitter and receiver within a preset time (3s) after the equipment is powered on, it is determined to be an optical path fault. The receiver outputs a fault alarm signal and simultaneously illuminates the equipment fault indicator light to remind the operator to check for optical path problems and ensure stable operation of the equipment.

[0030] Example 3 This embodiment provides an automatic cap-folding and sealing machine. This automatic cap-folding and sealing machine removes the mechanical limit switches on the original conveyor line and installs the photoelectric detection device provided in Embodiment 1. By replacing the traditional mechanical contact detection with non-contact photoelectric detection, it eliminates the defects of traditional limit switches such as wear, easy damage, and easy material damage. It is suitable for humid and dusty production environments, and the equipment has strong operational stability and low maintenance costs, effectively improving packaging production efficiency and product quality.

[0031] Various modifications and variations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic carton sealing machine photoelectric detection device, characterized in that, include: Conveyor line, through-beam photoelectric switch, and mounting bracket; The through-beam photoelectric switch includes a transmitter and a receiver, which are respectively located on both sides of the conveyor line. The transmitter is used to emit a detection beam, and the receiver is used to receive the detection beam in a non-contact manner and output a detection signal when the beam is detected to be blocked. The mounting bracket is used to fix the transmitter and receiver.

2. The photoelectric detection device for the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting bracket adopts a combination structure of column, clamp and L-shaped adjustable bracket. The column is fixed to the side of the conveyor line by clamp, and the L-shaped adjustable bracket can slide and be locked along the height of the column.

3. The photoelectric detection device for the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The L-shaped adjustable bracket is equipped with a horizontally adjustable slide rail, which can adjust the detection position left and right along the width of the conveyor line.

4. The photoelectric detection device for the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmitting and receiving ends of the through-beam photoelectric switch are embedded in the end slots of the L-shaped adjustable bracket, quickly positioned by a quick-release locking sleeve, and then tightened a second time by bolts.

5. The photoelectric detection device for the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmitter and receiver are arranged in a horizontally opposite direction, and the optical path centerlines of the transmitter and receiver are parallel to the transmission line.

6. A photoelectric detection method for an automatic cap-folding and sealing machine, based on the photoelectric detection device for an automatic cap-folding and sealing machine according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: The transmitter and receiver of the through-beam photoelectric switch are installed on both sides of the conveyor line using mounting brackets. The transmitter and receiver are powered on and calibrated to ensure that the optical paths of the transmitter and receiver are horizontally aligned and the center line is parallel to the conveyor line table. After calibration is completed, material conveying is started. When the material reaches the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, it blocks the optical path, and the receiver outputs a trigger signal to control the cover folding action. When the material leaves the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, the optical path is restored, and the signal is automatically reset to standby.

7. The photoelectric detection method for an automatic folding and sealing carton machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The power-on optical calibration includes: running the power transmission line under no-load, adjusting the relative positions of the transmitter and receiver, and adjusting the indicator light on the receiver until the optical path is aligned and the indicator light on the receiver is stably lit, so that a stable and unobstructed through-beam optical path is formed between the transmitter and receiver, and the calibration is completed after confirming that the optical path is aligned.

8. The photoelectric detection method for an automatic carton folding and sealing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the material reaches the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, it blocks the optical path, and the blocking time is greater than or equal to the preset blocking time. The receiver outputs a high-level trigger signal to control the cover-opening action.

9. The photoelectric detection method for an automatic carton folding and sealing machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the material leaves the optical path between the transmitter and receiver, the optical path is restored and the restoration time is greater than or equal to the preset restoration time, and the signal is automatically reset to standby.

10. An automatic lid-folding and box-sealing machine, characterized in that, include: Remove the original mechanical limit switch on the conveyor line of the automatic capping and sealing machine, and install the photoelectric detection device for the automatic capping and sealing machine as described in any one of claims 1-5.

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