A combined type tobacco folding and forming device for sun-cured yellow tobacco and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a combined type tobacco leaf folding forming device for yellow tobacco and a control method. The device comprises a standby folding conveying mechanism, a door type double folding taking and conveying mechanism, a whole section transverse conveying mechanism, a tobacco leaf conveying mechanism and a tobacco leaf marking mechanism. The tobacco leaf conveying mechanism is provided with a folding area. The standby folding conveying mechanism defines a tobacco folding taking position through a conveying belt group and a fixed limiting baffle. The door type double folding taking and conveying mechanism comprises a first folding taking unit and a second folding covering unit. The two units correspond to the same folding taking position and their movement structures are independent of each other. The two units respectively complete the lower tobacco folding taking and the upper tobacco folding covering. The whole section transverse conveying mechanism comprises a belt type conveying assembly, two parallel transverse guide rails and a middle transverse driving assembly. The belt type conveying assembly carries a single tobacco leaf to move integrally in a second direction to a butt joint position connected with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism. The first direction is the tobacco leaf conveying direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The application can improve the continuity and stability of the tobacco folding supply, the tobacco leaf butt joint and the folding operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco processing machinery and automated conveying technology, and in particular to a combined tobacco folding and forming equipment and control method for sun-dried tobacco. Background Technology

[0002] After harvesting, sun-dried tobacco typically undergoes several processes, including leaf stripping, leaf laying, clamping, fixing, and drying. During the leaf stripping and folding process, a folded tobacco leaf is first transported to the receiving position as the lower fold, allowing the stripped tobacco leaf to be laid on top of the lower fold. Then, another folded tobacco leaf is placed on top to form a combined fold, which is then inserted into the subsequent processes such as inserting skewers.

[0003] To reduce manual handling and waiting time, existing equipment can utilize a folding mechanism, robotic arm, conveying mechanism, and rib-marking mechanism to complete the feeding of individual tobacco folds, receiving of tobacco leaves, and covering of the upper layer of tobacco folds. Specifically, stacked tobacco folds are typically supported as a whole by a lifting mechanism, which removes each fold individually to compensate for the height of the stack. A single multi-axis folding mechanism moves back and forth between multiple workstations, respectively supplying the lower layer of tobacco folds and covering the upper layer. The lower layer of tobacco folds also needs to be conveyed via a reversing or transfer mechanism into the conveying path corresponding to the tobacco leaf rib-marking workstation.

[0004] While the aforementioned structure enables continuous connection between the tobacco folding and handling processes and the tobacco leaf stripping process, there is still room for further improvement. When a single folding mechanism simultaneously handles the supply of lower-layer tobacco folds and the covering of upper-layer tobacco folds, it needs to reciprocate between multiple workstations, resulting in a long movement path and strong time dependencies between each folding and placing action, which is not conducive to further shortening the work cycle.

[0005] Furthermore, the tobacco folds used in sun-cured tobacco are typically large, lightweight, and have a planar grid pattern. When these folds are transferred laterally from the preparation area to the tobacco leaf conveying station, if they need to cross different conveying positions or are transferred without continuous support, they are prone to localized sagging, tilting, or jamming. This can affect the subsequent reception of tobacco leaves and the overlapping position of the upper and lower folds. The surface of the tobacco folds may also have localized warping or height differences, which can easily lead to insufficient contact or impact when the rigid adsorption structure comes into contact with the folds.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a combined tobacco folding and forming equipment and control method for sun-dried tobacco, which can simplify the tobacco folding and forming supply structure while improving the continuity and stability between tobacco folding supply, tobacco leaf stripping and receiving, and overfolding operations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned defects in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a combined tobacco folding and forming equipment and control method for sun-dried tobacco, which aims to solve the technical problems of complex folding structure, long folding path and insufficient lateral stability of large-size grid-shaped tobacco folds in existing sun-dried tobacco equipment.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried yellow tobacco, including a pre-folding conveying mechanism, a gantry-type double-take-folding and transfer mechanism, a whole-section transverse conveying mechanism, a tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, and a tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism. The tobacco leaf conveying mechanism is provided with a folding area, and the leaf-exiting side of the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism faces the tobacco leaf receiving area of ​​the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism.

[0009] The folding conveyor mechanism includes a folding conveyor belt assembly and a fixed limiting baffle that defines the folding position of the stacked cigarette folding unit;

[0010] The portal double-folding transfer mechanism includes a portal support frame, a first folding unit, and a second folding unit, both corresponding to the same folding position, and their horizontal movement structure and lifting adsorption structure are independent of each other; the first folding unit can move along a first direction between the folding position and the folding position of the entire transverse conveying mechanism, and the second folding unit can move along a second direction between the folding position and the folding position above the folding area;

[0011] The entire transverse conveying mechanism includes a transverse fixed base frame, a belt conveyor assembly, two transverse guide rails parallel to the transverse fixed base frame, and a transverse drive assembly located between the two transverse guide rails. The belt conveyor assembly is supported on the two transverse guide rails and connected to the transverse drive assembly, and can move as a whole from the folding position to the docking position connecting with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism in the second direction while carrying a single tobacco leaf fold.

[0012] The first direction is the conveying direction of the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the folding conveyor mechanism further includes a folding frame and a folding support and leveling component. The folding conveyor belt group is fixedly installed on the folding frame, the fixed limiting baffle is installed on the conveying path of the folding conveyor belt group, and the folding support and leveling component is installed at the bottom of the folding frame.

[0014] The lifting stroke of the lifting adsorption structure of the first folding unit and the second folding unit both cover the range of change in the top surface height during the process of folding each piece of stacked tobacco.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the portal support frame includes a gantry column, a main beam in the first direction, a connecting beam in the second direction, column bases, and beam-column connectors.

[0016] The first folding unit includes a first motion guide rail arranged along a first direction and a first movable seat that slides with the first motion guide rail. The second folding unit includes a second motion guide rail arranged along a second direction and a second movable seat that slides with the second motion guide rail. The first movable seat and the second movable seat are respectively configured with independent horizontal drive structures.

[0017] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the first folding unit also includes a first lifting drive, a first lifting connecting frame and a first elastic floating adsorption component. The first lifting drive is disposed on the first movable seat, and its output end is connected to the first elastic floating adsorption component through the first lifting connecting frame, so as to drive the first elastic floating adsorption component to move vertically up and down.

[0018] The second folding unit further includes a second lifting drive, a second lifting connecting frame, and a second elastic floating adsorption component. The second lifting drive is disposed on the second movable seat, and its output end is connected to the second elastic floating adsorption component through the second lifting connecting frame to drive the second elastic floating adsorption component to move vertically up and down.

[0019] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, both the first elastic floating adsorption assembly and the second elastic floating adsorption assembly include multiple electromagnets, floating connecting rods connected to the corresponding electromagnets, buffer springs sleeved on the outside of the floating connecting rods, and limiting structures that restrict the axial displacement of the floating connecting rods. Each electromagnet is vertically floating relative to the lifting connecting frame through its corresponding floating connecting rod.

[0020] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the belt conveyor assembly includes a transverse conveyor frame, a transverse conveyor belt disposed on the transverse conveyor frame, and a transverse conveyor drive component for driving the transverse conveyor belt to run;

[0021] The two transverse guide rails are located on both sides of the transverse conveyor frame, and the transverse conveyor frame is supported on the transverse fixed base frame by slider groups that are slidably engaged with the two transverse guide rails respectively.

[0022] Preferably, the lateral drive assembly includes a lateral drive cylinder, a cylinder mounting base, and a cylinder output connector. The lateral drive cylinder is disposed between the two lateral guide rails, its cylinder body is connected to the lateral fixed base frame through the cylinder mounting base, and its output end is connected to the lateral conveyor frame through the cylinder output connector.

[0023] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism includes a main conveyor frame, a main conveyor belt assembly, and a main conveying drive component, wherein the main conveyor belt assembly is disposed on the main conveyor frame;

[0024] The tobacco leaf slicing mechanism includes a slicing frame, a tobacco leaf slicing assembly, and a slicing drive assembly. The tobacco leaf slicing assembly is located above the main conveyor belt group, and the folding area is set on the conveying path of the main conveyor belt group and located downstream of the tobacco leaf receiving area.

[0025] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the single cigarette fold is a planar grid structure made of metal, formed by connecting several metal rods or metal strips. Multiple single cigarette folds are stacked on top of each other to form the stacked cigarette folds. The single cigarette folds can be picked up and put down by the electromagnetic adsorption component of the first folding unit or the second folding unit.

[0026] Secondly, the present invention also provides a control method for a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried tobacco, using the device described in the first aspect, wherein the control method includes the following steps:

[0027] The folding conveyor transports the stacked cigarette folds to the fixed folding position;

[0028] The first folding unit descends to pick up the single fold from the top of the stacked folds and moves it along the first direction to the folding position of the whole section transverse conveying mechanism to release it, forming the lower layer of folds;

[0029] The lateral drive assembly drives the belt conveyor assembly carrying the lower tobacco fold to move as a whole along the second direction to the docking position connected with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism. The belt conveyor assembly feeds the lower tobacco fold into the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism along the first direction and receives the tobacco leaves processed by the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism.

[0030] During the transfer of the lower tobacco fold from the folding position to the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism and to receive the tobacco leaf, the second overfolding unit picks up another single tobacco fold from the same stack of tobacco folds and moves it above the overfolding area along the second direction;

[0031] After the lower layer of tobacco leaves reaches the covering area, the second covering unit descends and releases the other single tobacco leaf, so that it covers the tobacco leaf to form a combined tobacco leaf, which is then output by the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism.

[0032] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, after the lower layer of tobacco folds has fully entered the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, the entire transverse conveying mechanism returns from the docking position to the folding position;

[0033] The second folding unit holds the other single tobacco leaf above the folding area during the receiving of the tobacco leaf by the lower tobacco leaf fold, and the first folding unit and the second folding unit operate at different times when passing through the intersection area of ​​their movement ranges.

[0034] Because the present invention adopts the above technical solutions, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0035] This invention provides a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-cured tobacco. Through the coordination of a pre-folding conveying mechanism, a gantry-type double-folding transfer mechanism, a whole-section transverse conveying mechanism, a tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, and a tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism, the supply of stacked tobacco folds, the transfer of lower-layer tobacco folds, the receiving of tobacco leaf ribs, and the lamination of upper-layer tobacco folds are reorganized. This ensures that the supply path of lower-layer tobacco folds, the receiving path of tobacco leaves, and the lamination path of upper-layer tobacco folds are interconnected. While simplifying the folding structure, it reduces the possibility of large-size grid-shaped tobacco folds sagging, deflecting, or jamming during cross-station transfer, and reduces the waiting time caused by a single folding mechanism reciprocating between multiple stations, thereby improving the continuity and operational stability of the tobacco folding and forming process. Specifically:

[0036] 1. The folding conveyor belt assembly, in conjunction with the fixed limit baffle, forms a defined folding position for the stacked cigarette folds. Both the first folding unit and the second over-folding unit obtain individual cigarette folds from this folding position. Therefore, there is no need to change the position of the cigarette fold stack through overall stack lifting, which reduces the lifting support structure and corresponding control links at the cigarette fold supply end, simplifying the mechanical structure of the folding area.

[0037] 2. The first folding unit and the second folding unit are both mounted on the portal frame, but each has an independent horizontal movement structure and a lifting and adsorption structure. The first folding unit moves along a first direction between the folding position and the entire transverse conveying mechanism, while the second folding unit moves along a second direction between the folding position and the folding area, so that the supply of the lower folding sheet and the folding of the upper folding sheet are handled by different execution units. Compared to the same folding mechanism sequentially completing the folding and placement actions at multiple stations, this structure can shorten the reciprocating movement path of each folding unit and allow the lower folding sheet conveying and the upper folding sheet preparation to overlap in time, which helps to reduce the waiting time between the folding, leaf receiving, and folding processes.

[0038] 3. The entire lateral conveyor mechanism does not directly drag individual cigarette folds laterally. Instead, a belt conveyor assembly supports each cigarette fold, and the lateral drive assembly drives the belt conveyor assembly, along with the cigarette fold it carries, to move along the second direction from the joining position to the docking position. Because the cigarette fold remains on the support surface of the belt conveyor assembly throughout the lateral movement, for larger, lighter cigarette folds with a planar grid pattern, it reduces sagging, skewness, and interference or jamming with adjacent mechanisms caused by local suspension, thus helping to maintain the stability of the cigarette fold's lateral movement posture.

[0039] 4. The belt conveyor assembly is supported by two parallel transverse guide rails. The transverse drive assembly is positioned between the two transverse guide rails, forming a transverse structure with side-guided support and central drive. The two transverse guide rails provide synchronous guidance and support to both sides of the belt conveyor assembly. The transverse drive force is applied between the two side supports, reducing deflection and swaying caused by unilateral force, thereby improving the overall stability of the belt conveyor assembly during transverse movement and providing a more stable support foundation for large-sized cigarette folds.

[0040] 5. The belt conveyor assembly forms a conveying connection with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism along the first direction at the docking position, allowing the lower layer of tobacco folds that have completed lateral movement to continue entering the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism and receiving the tobacco leaves processed by the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism. The over-folding area is set on the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, and the second over-folding unit can transfer another single tobacco fold to the over-folding area, so that the lower layer of tobacco folds after receiving the tobacco leaves can complete the upper layer of tobacco folds without having to be transferred across workstations again. This reduces the intermediate handling links of tobacco folds between leaf receiving and over-folding, helps maintain the relative position between the upper and lower tobacco folds, and improves the continuity of the subsequent combined tobacco fold forming process. Attached Figure Description

[0041] 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 some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried tobacco disclosed in this invention;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried yellow tobacco disclosed in this invention;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried tobacco disclosed in this invention;

[0045] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the stacking and conveying mechanism for cigarette folding disclosed in this invention;

[0046] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the entire transverse conveying mechanism disclosed in this invention;

[0047] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the entire transverse conveying mechanism (excluding the transverse fixed base frame) disclosed in this invention;

[0048] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the whole-section transverse conveying mechanism and the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism disclosed in this invention.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the portal double-folding transfer mechanism disclosed in this invention;

[0050] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of the portal double-folding transfer mechanism disclosed in this invention.

[0051] Figure 10 This is a top view schematic diagram of the portal double-folding transfer mechanism disclosed in this invention.

[0052] Figure label:

[0053] 1. Combined tobacco folding and forming equipment for sun-dried yellow tobacco; 2. Folding conveyor mechanism; 21. Folding frame; 22. Folding conveyor belt assembly; 23. Fixed limit baffle; 24. Folding support and leveling components;

[0054] 3. Gantry-type double-folding transfer mechanism; 31. Gantry support frame; 311. Gantry column; 312. Main beam in the first direction; 313. Connecting beam in the second direction; 314. Column base;

[0055] 32. First folding unit; 321. First motion guide rail; 322. First movable seat; 323. First lifting drive component; 324. First lifting connecting frame; 325. First elastic floating adsorption assembly;

[0056] 33. Second folding unit; 331. Second motion guide rail; 332. Second movable seat; 333. Second lifting drive component; 334. Second lifting connecting frame; 335. Second elastic floating adsorption assembly;

[0057] 34. Electromagnet; 35. Floating connecting rod; 36. Buffer spring; 37. Limiting structure;

[0058] 4. Entire lateral conveyor mechanism; 41. Belt conveyor assembly; 411. Lateral conveyor belt; 412. Lateral conveyor frame; 413. Lateral conveyor drive component; 42. Double guide rail support assembly; 43. Lateral drive assembly; 431. Lateral drive cylinder;

[0059] 432. Cylinder mounting bracket; 433. Cylinder output connector; 44. Lateral movement mounting base;

[0060] 5. Tobacco leaf conveying mechanism; 6. Tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism; 7. Folding area; 8. Single tobacco leaf folding; 9. Stacked tobacco leaf folding; 10. Bending and skewering equipment.

[0061] The realization of the objective, functional characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0062] 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. 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.

[0063] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0064] Example 1

[0065] See Figures 1-10 This invention provides a combined tobacco folding and forming device 1 for sun-cured tobacco, comprising: a pre-folding conveying mechanism 2, a gantry-type double-feeding and folding transfer mechanism 3, a whole-section transverse conveying mechanism 4, a tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, and a tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism 6. The tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 is provided with a folding area 7. The tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism 6 is disposed above the tobacco leaf receiving area of ​​the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, with its leaf exit side facing the tobacco leaf receiving area.

[0066] For ease of explanation, the conveying direction of the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 is defined as the first direction, and the direction in which the entire transverse conveying mechanism 4 moves from the folding position to the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 is defined as the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The lifting and lowering direction of the first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 is the vertical direction.

[0067] The pre-folding conveyor mechanism 2 is used to carry and transport stacked cigarette folds 9 formed by stacking multiple single cigarette folds 8. It includes a pre-folding conveyor belt group 22 and a fixed limiting baffle 23. The fixed limiting baffle 23 is set on the conveying path of the pre-folding conveyor belt group 22. The stacked cigarette folds 9 stop moving forward after moving with the pre-folding conveyor belt group 22 to the fixed limiting baffle 23. This position constitutes the folding position shared by the first folding unit 32 and the second overfolding unit 33.

[0068] The working position of the conveyor belt assembly 22 remains fixed. As the top individual cigarette folds 8 are removed one by one, the top height of the stack of cigarette folds 9 gradually decreases. The vertical lifting stroke of the first folding unit 32 and the second over-folding unit 33 adapts to the change in folding height, so there is no need to lift the entire stack of cigarette folds. The folding end does not need to be equipped with a lifting support mechanism for compensating for the height of the cigarette fold stack.

[0069] The gantry-type double-folding and conveying mechanism 3 includes a gantry support frame 31, a first folding unit 32, and a second folding unit 33. The gantry support frame 31 spans the corresponding areas of the pre-folding conveying mechanism 2, the whole-section transverse conveying mechanism 4, and the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5. The first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 are respectively installed on the gantry support frame 31 and can both reach the folding position.

[0070] The first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 are respectively provided with independent horizontal moving structures and lifting adsorption structures. The first folding unit 32 is arranged along the first direction, and its range of motion covers the folding position and the folding position of the entire transverse conveying mechanism 4; the second folding unit 33 is arranged along the second direction, and its range of motion covers the folding position and the folding position above the folding area 7.

[0071] The first folding unit 32 is used for supplying lower layer cigarette folds. When folding, its lifting and adsorption structure moves above the stacked cigarette folds 9 and descends, picks up the top single cigarette fold 8 and rises, then moves along the first direction with the horizontal moving structure to the folding position, and places the picked-up single cigarette fold 8 on the whole section transverse conveying mechanism 4.

[0072] The second folding unit 33 is used for picking up and placing the upper layer of tobacco folds. It takes another single tobacco fold 8 from the top of the same stack of tobacco folds 9 and moves it along the second direction to above the folding area 7. The first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 are responsible for supplying the lower layer of tobacco folds and folding the upper layer of tobacco folds, respectively. Their horizontal movement and lifting movements are independent of each other. Without motion interference, the second folding unit 33 can complete the picking, folding and transfer of the upper layer of tobacco folds during the lower layer of tobacco fold conveying and receiving tobacco leaves.

[0073] The entire transverse conveyor mechanism 4 is located between the junction and the tobacco leaf conveyor mechanism 5, and includes a transverse fixed base frame 44, a belt conveyor assembly 41, two transverse guide rails, and a transverse drive assembly 43. The two transverse guide rails are parallel to each other and arranged along a second direction on the transverse fixed base frame 44, and the belt conveyor assembly 41 is supported on the two transverse guide rails. The transverse drive assembly 43 is located between the two transverse guide rails and is connected to the belt conveyor assembly 41.

[0074] The belt conveyor assembly 41 has a folding position and a docking position. When the first folding unit 32 places a single cigarette fold 8, the belt conveyor assembly 41 is located at the folding position, and the single cigarette fold 8 is supported by its supporting surface. After the folding is completed, the transverse drive assembly 43 drives the belt conveyor assembly 41 to move along two transverse guide rails, and the single cigarette fold 8 moves together with the belt conveyor assembly 41 from the folding position to the docking position.

[0075] During the aforementioned lateral movement, the individual smoke fold 8 is always supported on the belt conveyor assembly 41. For smoke folds that are large in size, lightweight, and have a planar grid pattern, this reduces sagging and skew caused by local suspension during cross-station movement.

[0076] Two transverse guide rails guide and support both sides of the belt conveyor assembly 41, and the transverse drive assembly 43 is located between the two transverse guide rails. This arrangement allows the transverse drive force to act between the two supports, reducing the deflection caused by force offset during the transverse movement of the belt conveyor assembly 41.

[0077] After the belt conveyor assembly 41 reaches the docking position, its conveying direction is consistent with the conveying direction of the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, and a conveying connection is formed with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5. The belt conveyor assembly 41 operates, feeding the single tobacco leaf fold 8 it carries into the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 along the first direction. The single tobacco leaf fold 8, as the lower layer tobacco leaf fold, continues to be conveyed forward with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5.

[0078] When the lower tobacco fold moves to the tobacco leaf receiving area, the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism 6 performs rib-splitting on the tobacco leaf, and the processed tobacco leaf falls from the leaf exit side onto the lower tobacco fold. After receiving the tobacco leaf, the lower tobacco fold continues to move along the first direction to the over-folding area 7.

[0079] The second folding unit 33 carries another single tobacco fold 8, which is pre-positioned above the folding area 7. When the lower tobacco fold carrying the tobacco leaves reaches the folding area 7, the lifting and adsorption structure of the second folding unit 33 descends and releases the other single tobacco fold 8 above the tobacco leaves, making it correspond to the lower tobacco fold as an upper tobacco fold, forming a combined tobacco fold. The combined tobacco fold is then continued to be conveyed downstream by the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5.

[0080] This invention uses two independent folding units to respectively handle the supply of the lower layer cigarette folds and the covering of the upper layer cigarette folds. It also uses a belt conveyor assembly 41 to move the lower layer cigarette folds across workstations as a whole, so that the cigarette folds are continuously supported during the lateral movement. At the same time, it reduces the travel of a single folding mechanism reciprocating between multiple workstations.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the folding conveyor mechanism 2 further includes a folding frame 21 and a folding support and leveling component 24. The folding conveyor belt group 22 is disposed on the folding frame 21, the fixed limiting baffle 23 is disposed on the conveying path of the folding conveyor belt group 22, and the folding support and leveling component 24 is disposed at the bottom of the folding frame 21.

[0082] The folding frame 21 supports the folding conveyor belt assembly 22 and the stacked cigarette folds 9. During operation, the stacked cigarette folds 9 are conveyed forward by the folding conveyor belt assembly 22 and stop at the fixed limit baffle 23, forming a shared folding position for the first folding unit 32 and the second over-folding unit 33. The fixed limit baffle 23 limits the forward movement of the stacked cigarette folds 9, keeping them within the predetermined folding area, facilitating the two folding units to fold the cigarette folds at the set positions.

[0083] The folding support leveling component 24 is located at the bottom of the folding frame 21 and is used to support and adjust the folding frame 21. During equipment installation, the folding support leveling component 24 can be adjusted to keep the folding conveyor belt assembly 22 at the predetermined installation height and level, reducing the impact of the height difference of the installation foundation on the conveying and folding position of the stacked cigarette folds 9.

[0084] In this embodiment, the conveyor belt assembly 22 maintains a fixed height during operation. As the top individual cigarette folds 8 are removed one by one, the top surface height of the stacked cigarette folds 9 gradually decreases. The first folding unit 32 and the second over-folding unit 33 adjust their vertical folding positions through their respective lifting and adsorption structures.

[0085] The lifting and adsorption structures of the first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 both have a lifting stroke that covers the range of height variation of the top surface of the stacked cigarette folds 9. When the stack of cigarette folds is at different remaining heights, the lifting and adsorption structure can descend to the corresponding folding height and pick up the top single cigarette fold 8. With this structure, there is no need to set up a stack support mechanism that rises and falls with the height of the stack of cigarette folds, which can reduce the lifting and lowering actuators and corresponding action coordination in the folding area.

[0086] The lifting and folding height of the adsorption structure can be preset according to the initial height of the stacked tobacco folds 9 and the variation range of the top surface of the tobacco fold stack, or it can be adjusted in conjunction with the position detection element.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the portal frame 31 includes a gantry column 311, a first-direction main beam 312, a second-direction connecting beam 313, column bases 314, and beam-column connectors. The gantry column 311 is supported on the equipment mounting surface by the column bases 314. The first-direction main beam 312 and the second-direction connecting beam 313 are disposed on the upper part of the gantry column 311 and connected to the gantry column 311 by the beam-column connectors, forming the mounting foundation for the first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33.

[0088] The first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 are respectively disposed on the portal frame 31. The first folding unit 32 includes a first motion guide rail 321 disposed along a first direction and a first movable seat 322 slidably engaged with the first motion guide rail 321. The second folding unit 33 includes a second motion guide rail 331 disposed along a second direction and a second movable seat 332 slidably engaged with the second motion guide rail 331. The first movable seat 322 and the second movable seat 332 are respectively configured with independent horizontal drive structures.

[0089] The first motion guide rail 321 corresponds to the position between the folding position of the stacked cigarette fold 9 and the folding position of the whole section transverse conveying mechanism 4. The first moving seat 322 moves back and forth along the first motion guide rail 321. The second motion guide rail 331 corresponds to the position between the folding position of the stacked cigarette fold 9 and the overfolding area 7. The second moving seat 332 moves back and forth along the second motion guide rail 331. The first folding unit 32 is responsible for picking up and placing the lower layer of cigarette folds, and the second overfolding unit 33 is responsible for picking up and placing the upper layer of cigarette folds. The two units run along their respective motion paths, which can avoid the same moving mechanism repeatedly going back and forth between the folding position and the overfolding position.

[0090] Furthermore, the first folding unit 32 also includes a first lifting drive 323, a first lifting connecting frame 324, and a first elastic floating adsorption assembly 325. The first lifting drive 323 is disposed on the first movable seat 322, and its output end is connected to the first lifting connecting frame 324. The first elastic floating adsorption assembly 325 is disposed at the lower part of the first lifting connecting frame 324. The first lifting drive 323 drives the first lifting connecting frame 324 and the first elastic floating adsorption assembly 325 to move vertically, so that the first elastic floating adsorption assembly 325 can descend to the top of the stacked cigarette folds 9 to fold, and rise to the horizontal transfer position after adsorption is completed.

[0091] The second folding unit 33 also includes a second lifting drive 333, a second lifting connecting frame 334, and a second elastic floating adsorption component. The second lifting drive 333 is mounted on the second movable seat 332, and its output end is connected to the second lifting connecting frame 334. The second elastic floating adsorption component is located at the lower part of the second lifting connecting frame 334. The second lifting drive 333 drives the second elastic floating adsorption component to move vertically to complete the absorption and release of the upper layer of smoke.

[0092] The horizontal movement and lifting structures of the first folding unit 32 and the second over-folding unit 33 are independent of each other. After the first folding unit 32 completes the transfer of the lower layer of tobacco leaves, it can exit the folding area, and the second over-folding unit 33 can then enter the corresponding position to fold. When there is no interference between their movement ranges, they can also perform corresponding actions according to the tobacco leaf conveying rhythm. This allows the lower layer folding and the upper layer over-folding to run along their respective paths, reducing the round-trip travel of a single folding mechanism.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first lifting drive 323 and the second lifting drive 333 may be linear drive components, including but not limited to cylinders and electric cylinders, whose lifting stroke is adapted to the range of changes in the top surface height of the stacked cigarette folds 9. As the top individual cigarette folds 8 are removed one by one, the lifting adsorption structure continues to reach the top of the cigarette fold stack by adjusting its descent position, thereby cooperating with the fixed-height standby conveying mechanism 2 to complete continuous folding.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, both the first elastic floating adsorption component 325 and the second elastic floating adsorption component include a plurality of electromagnets 34, a floating connecting rod 35 corresponding to each electromagnet 34, a buffer spring 26 sleeved on the outside of the floating connecting rod 35, and a limiting structure 37 that restricts the axial displacement of the floating connecting rod 35.

[0095] Each floating connecting rod 35 is movably engaged with its corresponding lifting connecting frame, and the electromagnet 34 can generate a limited vertical displacement relative to the lifting connecting frame as the floating connecting rod 35 moves. A buffer spring 26 is disposed between the electromagnet 34 and the lifting connecting frame, and a limiting structure 37 is used to limit the range of motion of the floating connecting rod 35.

[0096] As the lifting and adsorption structure descends to remove the fold, multiple electromagnets 34 gradually come into contact with the top single-piece cigarette fold 8. For the electromagnet 34 that contacts the cigarette fold first, its corresponding buffer spring 26 is compressed, and the electromagnet 34 floats upward with the floating connecting rod 35; the remaining electromagnets 34 continue to descend with the lifting and connecting frame until they contact the cigarette fold. In this way, each electromagnet 34 can adjust its contact position according to the actual height of different positions of the cigarette fold.

[0097] The individual smoke fold 8 is a planar grid, and there may be warping or height differences in some areas. Using the aforementioned floating connection method, multiple electromagnets 34 can adapt to their corresponding adsorption positions within a certain range, reducing the possibility of some electromagnets 34 not fully contacting the smoke fold. Simultaneously, the buffer spring 26 can mitigate the rigid impact when the electromagnets 34 contact the smoke fold.

[0098] When the electromagnet 34 comes into contact with the cigarette fold, it is energized and attracted, causing the lifting and lowering adsorption structure to rise and carry the single cigarette fold 8 away from the cigarette fold stack; after moving to the corresponding release position, the electromagnet 34 is de-energized and the cigarette fold is released. The first elastic floating adsorption component 325 and the second elastic floating adsorption component are respectively disposed on the first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 to complete the folding and placement of the lower and upper cigarette folds.

[0099] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the tobacco fold is a planar grid structure made of metal, which can be formed by connecting metal rods or metal strips. A single tobacco fold 8 has the basic rigidity to support the tobacco leaves and can be picked up and placed by an electromagnetic adsorption component. Multiple single tobacco folds 8 are stacked to form a stack of tobacco folds 9, and the first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 fold the tobacco folds one by one from the top of the stack of tobacco folds 9.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, the belt conveyor assembly 41 includes a transverse conveyor frame 412, a transverse conveyor belt 411 disposed on the transverse conveyor frame 412, and a transverse conveying drive component 413 for driving the transverse conveyor belt 411. The transverse conveyor belt 411 is used to support the single tobacco fold 8 released by the first folding unit 32, and after reaching the docking position, it feeds the single tobacco fold 8 into the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 along a first direction.

[0101] The two transverse guide rails are arranged parallel to each other along the second direction and are located on both sides of the transverse conveyor frame 412. The bottom of the transverse conveyor frame 412 is provided with slider groups corresponding to the two transverse guide rails. Each slider group slides with the corresponding transverse guide rail, so that the transverse conveyor frame 412 can move between the folding position and the docking position along the second direction.

[0102] The transverse conveyor frame 412 is supported and guided by the dual guide rail support assemblies 42 on both sides, which reduces the possibility of deflection or swaying of the transverse conveyor frame 412 when carrying a single cigarette fold 8 for overall transverse movement. The single cigarette fold 8 moves together with the transverse conveyor belt 411 and remains supported by the transverse conveyor belt 411 during the transverse movement, which is suitable for cross-station transfer of large-sized, planar grid-shaped cigarette folds.

[0103] Preferably, the lateral drive assembly 43 includes a lateral drive cylinder 431, a cylinder mounting base 432, and a cylinder output connector 433. The lateral drive cylinder 431 is disposed between two lateral guide rails, its cylinder body is connected to the lateral fixed base frame 44 through the cylinder mounting base 432, and its output end is connected to the lateral conveyor frame 412 through the cylinder output connector 433.

[0104] When the transverse drive cylinder 431 extends or retracts, it drives the transverse conveyor frame 412 to move along the two transverse guide rails, causing the transverse conveyor belt 411 and the single cigarette folds 8 it carries to switch between the joining position and the docking position. The transverse drive cylinder 431 is located between the two guide support positions, which allows the driving force to be applied closer to the middle of the transverse conveyor frame 412, reducing the force bias caused by unilateral drive.

[0105] After the belt conveyor assembly 41 reaches the docking position, the transverse conveyor belt 411 and the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 form a conveying connection along the first direction. The transverse conveyor drive unit 413 drives the transverse conveyor belt 411 to run, sending the single tobacco leaf fold 8 into the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5; after the single tobacco leaf fold 8 leaves the transverse conveyor belt 411, the belt conveyor assembly 41 returns to the docking position and enters the next docking process.

[0106] In some specific embodiments, the lateral drive assembly 43 may also be an electric cylinder, an electric push rod, or other linear drive structure.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 includes a main conveyor frame, a main conveyor belt assembly, and a main conveying drive component. The main conveyor belt assembly is disposed on the main conveyor frame, and the main conveying drive component is connected to the main conveyor belt assembly for driving the main conveyor belt assembly to run in a first direction.

[0108] After the entire lateral conveyor mechanism 4 moves to the docking position, its lateral conveyor belt 411 connects with the main conveyor belt group. The single tobacco fold 8, which serves as the lower layer of tobacco folds, is fed into the main conveyor belt group by the lateral conveyor belt 411 and continues to be conveyed forward with the main conveyor belt group. In this way, after the lower layer of tobacco folds completes its lateral movement, it can enter the subsequent tobacco leaf receiving position without the need for a separate intermediate transfer mechanism.

[0109] The tobacco leaf trimming mechanism 6 includes a trimming frame, a tobacco leaf trimming assembly, and a trimming drive assembly. The tobacco leaf trimming assembly is mounted on the trimming frame and located above the main conveyor belt assembly. The trimming drive assembly drives the tobacco leaf trimming assembly to operate. The leaf exit side of the tobacco leaf trimming mechanism 6 faces the tobacco leaf receiving area on the main conveyor belt assembly. After trimming, the tobacco leaves fall from the leaf exit side onto the lower layer of tobacco leaves located in this area.

[0110] The main conveyor belt conveys the lower layer of tobacco folds along the first direction, so that the lower layer of tobacco folds receives the ribbed tobacco leaves when it passes through the tobacco leaf receiving area. The tobacco leaf ribbed assembly is set up vertically and vertically with the main conveyor belt assembly, so that the ribbed tobacco leaves can fall directly to the lower layer of tobacco folds, reducing the need for further handling of the ribbed tobacco leaves.

[0111] The folding area 7 is located on the conveying path of the main conveyor belt and downstream of the tobacco leaf receiving area. After the lower layer of tobacco leaves is received, it continues to move with the main conveyor belt to the folding area 7. The folding position of the second folding unit 33 is above the folding area 7. After the lower layer of tobacco leaves reaches the folding area 7, the second folding unit 33 descends and releases the upper layer of tobacco leaves, so that the upper layer of tobacco leaves covers the tobacco leaves.

[0112] The tobacco leaf receiving area and the folding area 7 are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the main conveyor belt. After the lower layer of tobacco leaves is received, it can directly enter the folding area 7 along the original conveying path without needing to change direction or cross work area for load transfer. After folding is completed, the combined tobacco leaves continue to be conveyed downstream by the main conveyor belt.

[0113] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the combined tobacco fold after folding is continued to be transported downstream by the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 and sent to the bending and skewering device 10. The bending and skewering device 10 bends the combined tobacco fold, so that the upper tobacco fold, tobacco leaf and lower tobacco fold are in a folded state, and then the tobacco skewer is inserted into the combined tobacco fold to fix the tobacco fold and the tobacco leaf it holds, and then it enters the transfer or drying process.

[0114] Example 2

[0115] The present invention also provides a control method for a combined tobacco folding and forming device 1 for sun-dried tobacco, which is implemented using the combined tobacco folding and forming device 1 for sun-dried tobacco as described in Example 1. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0116] After the equipment is started, the folding conveyor 2 transports the stacked cigarette folds 9 to the fixed limit baffle 23, where the stacked cigarette folds 9 stop and serve as the folding position for the first folding unit 32 and the second overfolding unit 33.

[0117] The first folding unit 32 moves above the stacked cigarette folds 9, and the lifting and adsorption structure descends and picks up the top single cigarette fold 8. It then rises and moves along the first direction to the folding position of the entire transverse conveyor mechanism 4. When the belt conveyor assembly 41 is at the folding position, the first folding unit 32 descends and releases the picked-up single cigarette fold 8, which serves as the lower layer of cigarette folds supported on the belt conveyor assembly 41.

[0118] The lateral drive component 43 actuates, driving the belt conveyor component 41 and the lower tobacco folds to move together along the second direction to the docking position. After the belt conveyor component 41 is in place, the lateral conveyor belt 411 forms a conveying connection with the tobacco conveying mechanism 5 along the first direction, and sends the lower tobacco folds into the tobacco conveying mechanism 5.

[0119] After the lower layer of tobacco folds has fully entered the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, the entire transverse conveying mechanism 4 returns to the receiving position to receive the next cycle of single tobacco folds 8. The lower layer of tobacco folds continues to move along the first direction with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, and receives the tobacco leaves processed by the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism 6 when passing through the tobacco leaf receiving area.

[0120] During the lateral movement and receiving of tobacco leaves in the lower layer of tobacco folds, the second overfolding unit 33 picks up another single tobacco fold 8 from the top of the same stack of tobacco folds 9 and moves it along the second direction above the overfolding area 7. The corresponding single tobacco fold 8 remains in the overfolding position as the upper layer tobacco fold, waiting for the lower layer tobacco fold carrying the tobacco leaves to enter the overfolding area 7.

[0121] The first folding unit 32 and the second folding unit 33 move along their respective motion paths. When their motion ranges intersect, the two folding units enter the area at staggered times; after one folding unit exits the intersection area, the other folding unit enters to avoid motion interference.

[0122] After the lower layer of tobacco leaves carrying the tobacco leaves reaches the folding area 7, the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5 stops it at the predetermined folding position. The second folding unit 33 descends and releases its adsorption after the upper and lower tobacco leaves are aligned, so that the upper tobacco leaves cover the tobacco leaves, forming a combined tobacco fold.

[0123] After the folding is completed, the second folding unit 33 rises and exits the folding position, and the combined tobacco fold continues to be conveyed downstream by the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5. At this time, the entire transverse conveying mechanism 4 has returned to the folding position and can enter the next cycle.

[0124] In the above control process, the lateral movement of the lower tobacco fold, the receiving of tobacco leaves, and the preparation for folding the upper tobacco fold can partially overlap in time. The two folding units are responsible for the lower-layer folding and the upper-layer overfolding respectively, without the same folding mechanism having to travel back and forth between multiple workstations. The entire lateral conveying mechanism 4 returns to the receiving position after the lower tobacco fold enters the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism 5, which also facilitates entering the folding preparation state in advance for the next cycle.

[0125] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried tobacco, characterized in that, It includes a folding conveyor mechanism, a gantry-type double-folding transfer mechanism, a whole-section transverse conveyor mechanism, a tobacco leaf conveyor mechanism, and a tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism. The tobacco leaf conveyor mechanism is provided with a folding area, and the leaf exit side of the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism faces the tobacco leaf receiving area of ​​the tobacco leaf conveyor mechanism. The folding conveyor mechanism includes a folding conveyor belt assembly and a fixed limiting baffle that defines the folding position of the stacked cigarette folding unit; The portal double-folding transfer mechanism includes a portal support frame, a first folding unit, and a second folding unit, both corresponding to the same folding position, and their horizontal movement structure and lifting adsorption structure are independent of each other; the first folding unit can move along a first direction between the folding position and the folding position of the entire transverse conveying mechanism, and the second folding unit can move along a second direction between the folding position and the folding position above the folding area; The entire transverse conveying mechanism includes a transverse fixed base frame, a belt conveyor assembly, two transverse guide rails parallel to the transverse fixed base frame, and a transverse drive assembly located between the two transverse guide rails. The belt conveyor assembly is supported on the two transverse guide rails and connected to the transverse drive assembly, and can move as a whole from the folding position to the docking position connecting with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism in the second direction while carrying a single tobacco leaf fold. The first direction is the conveying direction of the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment for sun-dried tobacco according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding conveyor mechanism further includes a folding frame and a folding support and leveling component. The folding conveyor belt group is fixedly installed on the folding frame. The fixed limiting baffle is installed on the conveying path of the folding conveyor belt group. The folding support and leveling component is installed at the bottom of the folding frame. The lifting stroke of the lifting adsorption structure of the first folding unit and the second folding unit both cover the range of change in the top surface height during the process of folding each piece of stacked tobacco.

3. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The portal frame includes a gantry column, a main beam in the first direction, a connecting beam in the second direction, column bases, and beam-column connectors. The first folding unit includes a first motion guide rail arranged along a first direction and a first movable seat that slides with the first motion guide rail. The second folding unit includes a second motion guide rail arranged along a second direction and a second movable seat that slides with the second motion guide rail. The first movable seat and the second movable seat are respectively configured with independent horizontal drive structures.

4. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment for sun-dried tobacco according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first folding unit further includes a first lifting drive, a first lifting connecting frame, and a first elastic floating adsorption component. The first lifting drive is disposed on the first movable seat, and its output end is connected to the first elastic floating adsorption component through the first lifting connecting frame to drive the first elastic floating adsorption component to move vertically up and down. The second folding unit further includes a second lifting drive, a second lifting connecting frame, and a second elastic floating adsorption component. The second lifting drive is disposed on the second movable seat, and its output end is connected to the second elastic floating adsorption component through the second lifting connecting frame to drive the second elastic floating adsorption component to move vertically up and down.

5. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment for sun-dried tobacco according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the first elastic floating adsorption assembly and the second elastic floating adsorption assembly include multiple electromagnets, floating connecting rods connected to the corresponding electromagnets, buffer springs sleeved on the outside of the floating connecting rods, and limiting structures that restrict the axial displacement of the floating connecting rods. Each electromagnet is vertically floating relative to the lifting connecting frame through its corresponding floating connecting rod.

6. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment for sun-dried tobacco according to claim 1, characterized in that, The belt conveyor assembly includes a transverse conveyor frame, a transverse conveyor belt mounted on the transverse conveyor frame, and a transverse conveyor drive unit that drives the transverse conveyor belt to run. The two transverse guide rails are located on both sides of the transverse conveyor frame, and the transverse conveyor frame is supported on the transverse fixed base frame by slider groups that are slidably engaged with the two transverse guide rails.

7. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tobacco leaf conveying mechanism includes a main conveyor frame, a main conveyor belt assembly, and a main conveying drive unit, wherein the main conveyor belt assembly is mounted on the main conveyor frame; The tobacco leaf slicing mechanism includes a slicing frame, a tobacco leaf slicing assembly, and a slicing drive assembly. The tobacco leaf slicing assembly is located above the main conveyor belt group, and the folding area is set on the conveying path of the main conveyor belt group and located downstream of the tobacco leaf receiving area.

8. The combined tobacco folding and forming equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The single cigarette fold is a planar grid structure made of metal, formed by connecting several metal rods or metal strips. Multiple single cigarette folds are stacked on top of each other to form the stacked cigarette folds. The single cigarette folds can be picked up and put down by the electromagnetic adsorption component of the first folding unit or the second folding unit.

9. A control method for a combined tobacco folding and forming device for sun-dried tobacco, using the device described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The steps of the control method include: The folding conveyor transports the stacked cigarette folds to the fixed folding position; The first folding unit descends to pick up the single fold from the top of the stacked folds and moves it along the first direction to the folding position of the whole section transverse conveying mechanism to release it, forming the lower layer of folds; The lateral drive assembly drives the belt conveyor assembly carrying the lower tobacco fold to move as a whole along the second direction to the docking position connected with the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism. The belt conveyor assembly feeds the lower tobacco fold into the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism along the first direction and receives the tobacco leaves processed by the tobacco leaf rib-splitting mechanism. During the transfer of the lower tobacco fold from the folding position to the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism and to receive the tobacco leaf, the second overfolding unit picks up another single tobacco fold from the same stack of tobacco folds and moves it above the overfolding area along the second direction; After the lower layer of tobacco leaves reaches the covering area, the second covering unit descends and releases the other single tobacco leaf, so that it covers the tobacco leaf to form a combined tobacco leaf, which is then output by the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After the lower layer of tobacco leaves has fully entered the tobacco leaf conveying mechanism, the entire transverse conveying mechanism returns from the docking position to the joining position. The second folding unit holds the other single tobacco leaf above the folding area during the receiving of the tobacco leaf by the lower tobacco leaf fold, and the first folding unit and the second folding unit operate at different times when passing through the intersection area of ​​their movement ranges.

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