Cigarette length detection device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cigarette length detection device, which comprises a box body, a visual detection transmitting end, a visual detection receiving end and a movable detection reference, a guide piece is arranged above the detection reference, and a rotatable clamping assembly is arranged between the guide piece and the detection reference. A driving assembly for driving the detection reference to slide along a horizontal plane is arranged in the box body, a cigarette / filter stick limiting assembly matched with the detection reference is arranged on the outer side wall of the box body, and the cigarette / filter stick limiting assembly comprises a plurality of limiting plates which are arranged in a manner of crossing with a plurality of measurement reference platforms of the detection reference and are provided with through holes; according to the cigarette length measuring device, the cigarette can be prevented from being separated from the measuring reference platform, the condition that the cigarette is inclined is avoided, the stability and the perpendicularity of cigarette placement are effectively guaranteed, the stability of cigarette length measurement is further guaranteed, the end part of the cigarette can be identified through visual detection, and the accuracy of cigarette length measurement is improved. Measurement errors caused by end part screw ripping can be effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cigarette detection technology, and in particular to a cigarette length detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Cigarette length directly affects the uniformity of combustion, draw resistance, and taste. Even slight deviations can lead to a decline in user experience (such as difficulty in smoking or excessively rapid combustion). Cigarette length varies depending on market demand and brand design. Standard cigarettes are approximately 84 mm long, long cigarettes are 100-120 mm long, and short cigarettes are 70-80 mm long. All of the above cigarette lengths include the filter. Standardized length is the foundation of brand reputation, ensuring stable consumer expectations for the product.

[0003] Various countries have strict length regulations for tobacco products (for example, the EU stipulates filter length limits). Testing is a necessary step to avoid legal risks. In addition, length may be related to tax classification (for example, some countries levy higher taxes on longer cigarettes). Length errors can lead to waste of tobacco or filter materials, and accurate testing can reduce raw material losses. For example, if a single cigarette exceeds the length limit by 0.5 mm, the annual loss cost in a factory producing millions of cigarettes per day could reach hundreds of thousands of yuan. Furthermore, high-speed production lines (producing over 10,000 cigarettes per minute) rely on real-time testing data feedback to ensure the compatibility of downstream packaging machinery (such as aluminum foil wrapping and hard box filling), avoiding equipment jams or increased defect rates.

[0004] Chinese Patent Application No. "2014201266243" discloses a reference for detecting the length of a filter rod / cigarette and a length detection device containing the reference. This technical solution has high measurement accuracy. When changing the measurement reference platform, only the required measurement reference platform works, reducing vertical sliding and errors caused by gaps, thus making it more accurate. Chinese Patent Application No. "2023235252500" discloses a cigarette size detection device. This technical solution uses an image recognition unit to process the projected image to determine the position of the paper tray end face. The measurement calculation unit then calculates the overall length of the cigarette based on the position of the paper tray end face, thus filtering out the end tobacco protrusions. To ensure that the cigarette is parallel to both the parallel light emitting end and the parallel light receiving end, the device uses a clamping assembly to hold the cigarette, thereby calculating the length of the cigarette based on the position of the paper tray end face in the projected image. The clamping assembly included in this detection device can be a negative pressure adsorption element or two opposing clamping elements.

[0005] In the aforementioned prior art, when measuring the length / circumference / diameter of a cigarette, the cigarette is placed from the top of the detection device. After the cigarette is placed in place, the lower end of the cigarette is not restricted or positioned, and the cigarette is prone to tilting when it is put down. When the cigarette is then held by the clamping component, it is easy to damage the cigarette. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cigarette length detection device to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model employs the following technical solution:

[0008] A cigarette length detection device includes a housing, a visual detection transmitter, a visual detection receiver, and a movable detection reference. A guide is disposed above the detection reference, and a rotatable clamping assembly is disposed between the guide and the detection reference. A driving assembly for driving the detection reference to slide along a horizontal plane is disposed inside the housing. A cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly that cooperates with the detection reference is disposed on the outer wall of the housing. The cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly includes multiple limiting plates with through holes that are intersected with multiple measurement reference platforms of the detection reference.

[0009] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a moving platform for fixing the detection reference, a slide rail that cooperates with the moving platform, and a first servo motor that drives the moving platform to slide along the slide rail.

[0010] Furthermore, the first servo motor is fixed on a first vertical plate, and the first vertical plate is provided with three first synchronous pulleys arranged in a triangle. The three first synchronous pulleys are connected by a synchronous belt drive, and the mobile platform is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt.

[0011] Furthermore, one of the first synchronous pulleys is fixedly connected to the output end of the first servo motor.

[0012] Furthermore, the guide is a plate with guide holes.

[0013] Furthermore, a guide cylinder is provided on the lower side of the guide member, and the guide cylinder has a strip-shaped hole on the side corresponding to the visual detection transmitter and the visual detection receiver.

[0014] Furthermore, the cigarette stick / filter rod limiting assembly also includes a base fixed to the outer side of the box body and a column disposed on the base, with the limiting plate arranged longitudinally on the column.

[0015] Furthermore, the column is rotatably mounted on the base.

[0016] Furthermore, the visual detection transmitter is used to emit a planar array of parallel light to the visual detection receiver, and the visual detection receiver is used to receive the planar array of parallel light and form a cigarette outline image.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a host computer communicatively connected to the visual inspection receiver. The host computer includes an image recognition module, which includes an image recognition unit and a measurement and calculation unit. The image recognition unit is used to recognize the outline of the cigarette butt and the outline of the end tobacco tip in the cigarette outline image formed by the visual inspection receiver, and to determine the position of the paper end face of the cigarette butt. The measurement and calculation unit is electrically connected to the image recognition unit and is used to calculate the length of the cigarette based on the position of the paper end face in the cigarette outline image.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0019] The cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model is equipped with a cigarette / filter rod limiting component that cooperates with the detection benchmark. The multiple limiting plates of the cigarette / filter rod limiting component are intersected with the multiple measurement benchmark platforms of the detection benchmark, so that each measurement benchmark platform has a corresponding limiting plate on its upper side. The limiting plate has a through hole, which can limit the cigarette end that is in contact with the measurement benchmark platform in the horizontal direction through the setting of the limiting plate and the through hole on the limiting plate. This prevents the cigarette from falling off the measurement benchmark platform and prevents the cigarette from tilting. It effectively ensures the stability and verticality of the cigarette placement, thereby ensuring the stability when measuring the cigarette length. Moreover, visual detection can identify the cigarette end wicking, which can effectively avoid measurement errors caused by end wicking. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A front view of a cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 Left view of a cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 Another perspective view of a cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the detection benchmark and clamping assembly provided by this utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the detection benchmark provided by this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the detection benchmark provided by this utility model from another direction.

[0027] Figure labeling: 1. Housing; 2. Visual inspection transmitter; 3. Visual inspection receiver; 4. Inspection reference; 401. Second vertical plate; 402. Third vertical plate; 403. Fourth vertical plate; 404. First measurement reference platform; 405. Second measurement reference platform; 406. Third measurement reference platform; 407. Fourth measurement reference platform; 408. Fifth measurement reference platform; 409. Upper reference part; 5. Guide component; 501. Guide hole; 502. Guide... 503. Slotted hole; 6. Clamping assembly; 601. Third synchronous pulley; 7. Drive assembly; 701. Moving platform; 702. Slide rail; 703. First servo motor; 704. First synchronous pulley; 705. Mounting bracket; 8. Cigarette stick / filter rod limiting assembly; 801. Through hole; 802. Limiting plate; 803. Base; 804. Column; 9. First vertical plate; 10. Second servo motor; 11. Second synchronous pulley; 12. Proximity sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] like Figure 1-4 The cigarette length detection device shown includes a housing 1, a visual detection transmitter 2, a visual detection receiver 3, and a movable detection reference 4. A guide 5 is provided above the detection reference 4, and a rotatable clamping assembly 6 is provided between the guide 5 and the detection reference 4. A driving assembly 7 is provided inside the housing 1 to drive the detection reference 4 to slide along a horizontal plane. A cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly 8 that cooperates with the detection reference 4 is provided on the outer wall of the housing 1. The cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly 8 includes multiple limiting plates 802 with through holes 801 that are intersected with multiple measurement reference platforms of the detection reference 4.

[0031] Wherein, the visual detection transmitter 2 is used to emit area array parallel light to the visual detection receiver 3, and the visual detection receiver 3 is used to receive the area array parallel light and form a cigarette outline image;

[0032] The detection reference 4 includes a second vertical plate 401 perpendicular to its moving direction, a third vertical plate 402 perpendicular to the front side of the second vertical plate 401, and a fourth vertical plate 403 perpendicular to the rear side of the second vertical plate 401. The front end of the third vertical plate 402 is provided with a first measuring reference platform 404, a second measuring reference platform 405, a third measuring reference platform 406, a fourth measuring reference platform 407, and a fifth measuring reference platform 408 with increasing lengths from top to bottom. These multiple measuring reference platforms are located in the same vertical plane, and the number of measuring reference platforms can be reasonably set according to actual needs. The end of the second vertical plate 401 is provided with an upper reference part 409 whose extension direction is consistent with that of the measuring reference platform.

[0033] Specifically, the second vertical plate 401, the third vertical plate 402, and the fourth vertical plate 403 are all disposed inside the housing 1, and multiple measuring reference platforms can extend out of the housing 1; the specific working principle of the measuring reference platform is existing technology (see the contents of the utility model patent specification with authorization announcement number CN203798331U for details), and will not be repeated here;

[0034] The clamping component 6 can adopt the structure disclosed in the prior art, such as the content described in the utility model patent specification with authorization announcement number CN215401359U. The inner side wall of the housing 1 is equipped with a second servo motor 10 with the output end facing downward. The output end of the second servo motor 10 is equipped with a second synchronous pulley 11. The second synchronous pulley 11 is connected to the third synchronous pulley 601 of the clamping component 6 through synchronous belt transmission. The operation of the second servo motor 10 drives the clamping component 6 to rotate. The clamping component 6 clamps the cigarette, so the cigarette rotates together with the clamping component 6.

[0035] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the drive assembly 7 includes a moving platform 701 for fixing the detection reference 4, a slide rail 702 that cooperates with the moving platform 701, and a first servo motor 703 that drives the moving platform 701 to slide along the slide rail 702; the second vertical plate 401 of the detection reference 4 is fixed to the moving platform 701 by bolts, and the fourth vertical plate 403 is a right-angled triangular plate. The fourth vertical plate 403 is integrally formed on the rear side of the second vertical plate 401, and the fourth vertical plate 403 can also be fixed to the moving platform 701 by bolts.

[0036] like Figure 5-7As shown, the first servo motor 703 is fixed on a first vertical plate 9, and three first synchronous pulleys 704 arranged in a triangle are provided on the first vertical plate 9. The three first synchronous pulleys 704 are connected by a synchronous belt drive, and the mobile platform 701 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt; one of the first synchronous pulleys 704 is fixedly connected to the output end of the first servo motor 703.

[0037] Specifically, all three first synchronous pulleys 704 are located on the side of the first vertical plate 9 facing the moving platform 701. Two of the first synchronous pulleys 704 are located at the lower part of the first vertical plate 9 and are on the same horizontal plane. The third first synchronous pulley 704 is located above the first two first synchronous pulleys 704 and is located in the longitudinal middle of the first vertical plate 9. The third first synchronous pulley 704 is relatively close to the first synchronous pulley 704 connected to the first servo motor 703. Moreover, the third first synchronous pulley 704 is mounted on the first vertical plate 9 by a mounting bracket 705 whose installation position can be adjusted vertically. The mounting bracket 705 is a Z-shaped folded plate. The upper vertical plate section of the mounting bracket 705 has an elongated hole, and a corresponding round hole is opened on the first vertical plate 9. By installing bolts and nuts in the elongated hole and the round hole, the mounting bracket 705 can be fixed on the first vertical plate 9. Because the mounting bracket 705 has a vertical elongated hole... Therefore, the position of the mounting bracket 705 can be adjusted up and down, thereby tensioning the synchronous belt that has been wrapped around the other two first synchronous pulleys 704 through the third first synchronous pulley 704, thus effectively maintaining stable transmission between the synchronous belt and the first synchronous pulleys 704. It can be understood that the central angle corresponding to the arc covered by the synchronous belt on the two lower first synchronous pulleys 704 is an obtuse angle, while the central angle corresponding to the arc covered by the synchronous belt on the upper first synchronous pulley 704 is an acute angle. Therefore, the main function of the upper first synchronous pulley 704 is to tension the synchronous belt, while the central angle corresponding to the arc covered by the synchronous belt on the two lower first synchronous pulleys 704 is an obtuse angle, thus ensuring stable operation of the synchronous belt when the first servo motor 703 is running. In addition, since the two lower first synchronous pulleys 704 are located on the same horizontal plane, the synchronous belt at the lower end of the two lower first synchronous pulleys 704 is in a horizontal and straight state, which can drive the moving platform 701 to slide horizontally when the synchronous belt is running.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, a proximity sensor 12 is provided on the side of the first vertical plate 9 facing the moving platform 701. When the moving platform 701 moves to the rear, the fourth vertical plate 403 blocks the proximity sensor 12, which means that the fifth measurement reference platform 408 at the bottom is completely retracted into the housing 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, the mobile platform 701 has an extension plate at one end facing the first vertical plate 9. A pressure plate is fixed to the upper side of the extension plate by bolts. After the pressure plate and the extension plate are fixed by bolts, a clamping structure is formed to fix and hold the synchronous belt (that is, the pressure plate and the extension plate are located on the upper and lower sides of the synchronous belt, respectively). In this way, when the synchronous belt is driven to move by the first servo motor 703, the mobile platform 701 can be driven to slide along the slide rail 702.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the guide member 5 is a plate with a guide hole 501; a guide cylinder 502 is provided on the lower side of the guide member 5, and a strip hole 503 is opened on the side of the guide cylinder 502 corresponding to the visual detection transmitter 2 and the visual detection receiver 3. The width of the strip hole 503 can ensure that the visual detection receiver 3 receives the complete projection of the cigarette as much as possible.

[0041] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly 8 also includes a base 803 fixed to the outer side of the housing 1 and a column 804 disposed on the base 803. The limiting plates 802 are arranged longitudinally at equal intervals on the column 804. The column 804 is rotatably mounted on the base 803. In use, there is a limiting plate 802 between every two adjacent measuring reference platforms, and the vertical plane where the multiple limiting plates 802 are located is perpendicular to the vertical plane where the multiple measuring reference platforms are located. At this time, the through hole 801 on the limiting plate 802 coincides with the axis of the guide hole 501, thereby ensuring that when a cigarette is placed from the upper side of the guide 5, the cigarette can move smoothly downward until the lower end of the cigarette touches one of the measuring reference platforms.

[0042] The cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model is also equipped with a controller with a touch screen. The visual detection transmitter 2, the visual detection receiver 3, the clamping assembly 6, the first servo motor 703, the second servo motor 10, and the proximity sensor 12 are all connected to the controller for communication.

[0043] This invention also includes a host computer that is communicatively connected to the visual inspection receiver 3. The host computer is a PC and includes an image recognition module. The image recognition module includes an image recognition unit and a measurement and calculation unit. The image recognition unit is used to recognize the outline of the cigarette butt and the outline of the end tobacco tip in the cigarette outline image formed by the visual inspection receiver 3, and to determine the position of the paper end face of the cigarette butt. The measurement and calculation unit is electrically connected to the image recognition unit and is used to calculate the length of the cigarette based on the position of the paper end face in the cigarette outline image.

[0044] The usage process of the cigarette length detection device provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0045] Estimate the approximate length of the cigarette to be tested to determine the measurement reference platform to be used, for example, select the third measurement reference platform 406, then start the first servo motor 703 to drive the moving platform 701 to move, so that the corresponding first measurement reference platform 404 and second measurement reference platform 405 exit the limit plate 802, and then stop the operation of the first servo motor 703.

[0046] Next, the cigarette is placed from the top of the guide 5, ensuring the filter rod is at the bottom before placement. After the cigarette touches the third measurement reference platform 406, the clamping assembly 6 clamps the cigarette, keeping the cigarette butt between the visual detection transmitter 2 and the visual detection receiver 3. The visual detection transmitter 2 emits a parallel array of light to the visual detection receiver 3. Part of the parallel array of light is blocked by the cigarette, forming a projection on the visual detection receiver 3 that matches the cigarette's outline, which is the cigarette outline image. The visual detection receiver 3 sends the formed cigarette outline image to the host computer, where the image recognition module performs image recognition. The unit performs feature extraction and data comparison on the cigarette outline image to obtain the outline information of the cigarette butt and the end tobacco tip. Based on this outline information, the end tobacco tip is separated from the cigarette butt, thereby determining the position of the paper roll end face. The measurement and calculation unit then determines the distance ΔH between the paper roll end face and the upper reference part 409 based on the position of the paper roll end face. Since the distance between the third measurement reference platform 406 and the upper reference part 409 is known, denoted as L3, the overall length of the cigarette is L3-ΔH. The length of the end tobacco tip is then removed, thereby accurately obtaining the actual length of the cigarette.

[0047] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this utility model is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Therefore, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this utility model, and no reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0048] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cigarette length detection device, comprising a housing (1), a visual detection transmitter (2), a visual detection receiver (3), and a movable detection reference (4), wherein a guide (5) is disposed above the detection reference (4), and a rotatable clamping assembly (6) is disposed between the guide (5) and the detection reference (4), characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with a drive assembly (7) that drives the detection reference (4) to slide along the horizontal plane. The outer wall of the housing (1) is provided with a cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly (8) that cooperates with the detection reference (4). The cigarette / filter rod limiting assembly (8) includes multiple limiting plates (802) with through holes (801) that are intersected with multiple measurement reference platforms of the detection reference (4).

2. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly (7) includes a moving platform (701) for fixing the detection reference (4), a slide rail (702) that cooperates with the moving platform (701), and a first servo motor (703) that drives the moving platform (701) to slide along the slide rail (702).

3. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first servo motor (703) is fixed on a first vertical plate (9). The first vertical plate (9) is provided with three first synchronous pulleys (704) arranged in a triangle. The three first synchronous pulleys (704) are connected by a synchronous belt drive. The mobile platform (701) is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt.

4. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: One of the first synchronous pulleys (704) is fixedly connected to the output end of the first servo motor (703).

5. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide member (5) is a plate with a guide hole (501).

6. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The guide member (5) has a guide cylinder (502) on its lower side, and the guide cylinder (502) has a strip hole (503) on the side corresponding to the visual detection transmitter (2) and the visual detection receiver (3).

7. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cigarette stick / filter rod limiting assembly (8) also includes a base (803) fixed on the outer side of the box (1) and a column (804) set on the base (803), and the limiting plate (802) is arranged longitudinally on the column (804).

8. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The column (804) is rotatably mounted on the base (803).

9. The cigarette length detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The visual detection transmitter (2) is used to emit a plane array of parallel light to the visual detection receiver (3), and the visual detection receiver (3) is used to receive the plane array of parallel light and form a cigarette outline image.

10. A cigarette length detection device according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a host computer that is communicatively connected to the visual detection receiver (3). The host computer includes an image recognition module, which includes an image recognition unit and a measurement and calculation unit. The image recognition unit is used to recognize the outline of the cigarette butt and the outline of the end tobacco tip in the cigarette outline image formed by the visual detection receiver (3), and to determine the position of the paper end face of the cigarette butt. The measurement and calculation unit is electrically connected to the image recognition unit and is used to calculate the length of the cigarette based on the position of the paper end face in the cigarette outline image.

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