Cigarette posture correcting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cigarette carton posture correcting device, which adjusts the position of a cigarette carton with an incorrect posture through the lifting and rotating motion of a pneumatic lifting constant rotating rod, does not scratch the outer package of the cigarette carton, is loaded outside a cigarette carton sorting line, does not change any structure of a cigarette carton conveying belt, and is convenient to use. When the inclination angle of the cigarette carton on the conveying belt is increased due to improper posture, the photoelectric switch can capture an abnormal blocking signal, the controller can start the buzzer alarm and the conveying belt to stop running after receiving the blocking signal, and meanwhile the pneumatic type lifting normally-rotating rod is driven to move downwards and rotate. And the placing angle of the cigarette carton is adjusted. When cigarettes with normal cigarette postures pass through the device, response of the photoelectric switch cannot be triggered, the cigarettes with the normal cigarette postures cannot be affected, normal conveying of the cigarettes can be guaranteed, and normal operation of subsequent packaging links can be guaranteed.

Description

A cigarette posture correction device Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cigarette posture correction technology and relates to a cigarette posture correction device. Background Technology

[0002] In the tobacco commercial logistics sector, cigarette sorting is one of the core businesses. To meet the order demands of cigarette retailers, cigarette sorting is generally carried out on a carton-by-carton basis. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of automation levels, tobacco commercial logistics sorting operations typically rely on automated cigarette sorting lines. In these lines, cartons of cigarettes, sorted according to orders, pass sequentially along a conveyor belt to enter the subsequent packaging and transfer stages. Compared to traditional manual sorting, automated sorting lines offer significant advantages such as lower error rates, faster sorting speeds, and lower labor intensity.

[0003] To facilitate subsequent packaging, cigarette cartons ejected from the sorting equipment are typically laid horizontally on the conveyor belt, with their short sides parallel to the conveyor belt's direction of travel (or their long sides perpendicular to the direction of travel). However, due to objective limitations such as differences in the dimensions of different cigarette brands and the relatively long distance of the conveyor belt in the sorting line, cigarette cartons on the conveyor belt often exhibit misalignment, meaning the short side of the cigarette carton is at an angle of 45° to 90° to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. In actual production, small-angle misalignment usually corrects itself as subsequent cigarette cartons are compressed, generally without adversely affecting the packaging process. However, large-angle misalignment (>45°) not only fails to correct itself as the cigarette cartons are compressed, but also affects the posture of subsequent cigarette cartons on the conveyor belt, amplifying errors, causing the packaging process to completely stop, or even damaging the outer packaging and resulting in cigarette damage. This severely restricts the improvement of efficiency and quality of automated sorting lines.

[0004] To significantly improve the efficiency of automated cigarette sorting, it is essential to intervene and correct improper cigarette posture on the conveyor belt. For simple manual sorting lines, manual intervention is feasible. However, for highly automated, multi-variety automated sorting lines with complex operating principles, manual intervention is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and significantly increases labor costs. In the field of cigarette sorting, researchers have explored various methods to automatically intervene in improper cigarette posture. For example, existing cigarette posture detectors, combined with adjustable baffles, can correct cigarette posture. However, top-mounted baffles may scratch or damage the cigarette packaging, and posture correction relies on the conveyor belt, making it difficult to intervene in cigarette posture errors at large angles. Furthermore, some cigarette posture correction devices have complex structures, requiring the cigarette channel to be smaller than the cigarette thickness, making it difficult to control cigarettes with inconsistent length, width, and height dimensions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that in the prior art, cigarettes may become misaligned during the conveying process, which will affect the cigarette posture of subsequent cigarettes on the conveyor belt, amplify the error, cause the packaging process to stop completely, or even damage the outer packaging and cause cigarette damage. This seriously restricts the improvement of quality and efficiency of automated sorting lines. The invention provides a cigarette posture correction device.

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

[0007] A cigarette pack posture correction device includes a gantry frame, on which a photoelectric switch, a buzzer alarm, and an extended rear-mounted mounting bracket are installed;

[0008] The extended rear-mounted mounting bracket is equipped with a pneumatically operated, liftable, constantly rotating rod.

[0009] It also includes a controller, the photoelectric switch is connected to the controller, and the controller is connected to a buzzer alarm;

[0010] During the calibration process, the gantry frame is installed above the conveyor belt. The cigarette packs to be conveyed pass under the photoelectric switch, the buzzer alarm, and the pneumatically operated lifting rod. When the pneumatically operated lifting rod moves downward, its lower end abuts against the upper surface of the cigarette packs to be conveyed. When the lower end of the pneumatically operated lifting rod abuts against the upper surface of the cigarette packs to be conveyed, the angle of the cigarette packs is adjusted by rotating the pneumatically operated lifting rod.

[0011] The further improvement of this utility model is as follows:

[0012] The pneumatically operated, liftable, constantly rotating rod includes a sleeve, a motor is installed inside the sleeve, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the rotating rod unit.

[0013] The rotating rod unit includes a constant rotating rod, which is connected to the output shaft of the motor;

[0014] An elliptical contact is provided at the lower end of the constant rotating rod.

[0015] The elliptical contact is made of rubber or sponge.

[0016] The gantry includes a crossbeam, with columns connected to both ends of the crossbeam. The columns are distributed on both sides of the conveyor belt, and the crossbeam is located above the conveyor belt.

[0017] The photoelectric switch, buzzer alarm, and extended rear mounting bracket are all installed on the crossbeam.

[0018] The pneumatically operated, liftable rotating rod is located on one side of the crossbeam.

[0019] Several photoelectric switches are provided, and the photoelectric switches are arranged in a row at intervals along the upper end surface of the crossbeam.

[0020] The number of photoelectric switches is greater than or equal to six.

[0021] The installation height of the pneumatically operated, height-adjustable rotating rod is the same as the installation height of the photoelectric switch.

[0022] The interior of the extended rear-mounted mounting bracket has a hollow structure.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] This utility model discloses a cigarette pack posture correction device. Through the lifting and rotation of a pneumatically operated, height-adjustable, constantly rotating rod, it adjusts the position of cigarette packs with incorrect posture without scratching the outer packaging. The device is installed outside the cigarette pack sorting line without altering the structure of the conveyor belt itself. It is suitable for correcting cigarette packs of any size and type. When a cigarette pack's tilt angle on the conveyor belt increases due to improper posture, a photoelectric switch detects an abnormal obstruction signal. Upon receiving the signal, the controller activates a buzzer alarm, stops the conveyor belt, and simultaneously drives the pneumatically operated, height-adjustable, constantly rotating rod downwards and rotates, while the photoelectric switch adjusts the cigarette pack's placement angle. When cigarette packs with normal posture pass through the device, the photoelectric switch is not triggered, and there is no impact on cigarettes with normal posture. This device ensures normal cigarette pack transport and the smooth operation of subsequent packaging processes.

[0025] Furthermore, in this invention, the contact material is rubber or sponge, and the elliptical contact prevents damage to the outer packaging of the cigarette pack when it comes into direct contact with the cigarette pack. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 is an overall structural diagram of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the pneumatic liftable constant rotating rod of this utility model.

[0029] Among them: 1-buzzer alarm; 2-photoelectric switch; 3-gantry frame; 4-pneumatic liftable rotating rod; 5-extension rear-mounted mounting bracket; 6-motor; 7-elliptical contact; 8-rotating rod; 9-sleeve; 10-air hole. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0031] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "horizontal," or "inner" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing the 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the utility model. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] Furthermore, the use of the term "horizontal" does not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0037] Referring to Figures 1-2, this utility model embodiment discloses a cigarette posture correction device to correct the incorrect cigarette posture that occurs during the cigarette sorting process.

[0038] The main components include a cigarette conveyor belt, a gantry frame (with a built-in controller), photoelectric switches, a buzzer alarm, an extended rear mounting frame, and a pneumatically operated lifting and rotating rod. Auxiliary components include a power source, power supply, hardware wiring, and other conventional parts.

[0039] Specifically:

[0040] The cigarette conveyor belt is a standard component of a typical sorting line. At each end of the cigarette conveyor belt, there is a drive wheel and a driven wheel. The drive wheel is driven by a motor to rotate, which in turn drives the cigarette conveyor belt and the driven wheel. In the absence of a slope, the cigarettes on the cigarette conveyor belt move horizontally under the action of friction.

[0041] Furthermore, the gantry 3 is located directly above the cigarette conveyor belt. Its material is unrestricted, but its width must be greater than the installation dimensions of the buzzer alarm 1 and photoelectric switch 2; its span length is equal to the width of the cigarette conveyor belt; and its net height, based on the cigarette conveyor belt, is 15cm ± 3cm. During cigarette sorting operations, all cigarettes will pass under the gantry 3.

[0042] Furthermore, to save on on-site wiring layout, the gantry 3 can be made into a hollow structure to integrate the controller inside, or the controller can be placed next to the side column of the gantry 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the gantry frame is rigidly connected to the side barriers on both sides of the cigarette conveyor belt in the direction of movement, specifically:

[0044] The gantry frame 3 consists of a crossbeam and two side columns, all made of aluminum profiles. The long side of the crossbeam is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cigarette conveyor belt, and its length is equal to the width of the cigarette conveyor belt. The width of the crossbeam must meet the installation requirements of the buzzer alarm and photoelectric switch 2. The crossbeam and the columns, as well as the columns and the side barriers of the cigarette conveyor belt, are all connected by bolts.

[0045] Photoelectric switch 2 is installed on the crossbeam of gantry 3. A total of no less than 6 photoelectric switches are installed and arranged in a straight line on the crossbeam of gantry 3. All sensor probes are vertically downward and the detection range is less than the height difference between the lower end of the sensor probe and the cigarette conveyor belt, but it is necessary to detect the cigarette passing signal, that is, the sensor needs to detect the passing signal within 15cm.

[0046] The buzzer alarm 1 is installed on the crossbeam of the gantry 3, with a lower installation priority than the photoelectric switch 2 and the extended rear-mounted mounting bracket 5. Upon receiving a control signal from the controller, the buzzer alarm flashes and sounds an alarm to alert on-site personnel.

[0047] In this embodiment, the buzzer alarm is an XB series 24V buzzer with light.

[0048] The extended rear-mounted mounting bracket 5 is installed on the crossbeam of the gantry 3, with an installation priority lower than the photoelectric switch 2 but higher than the buzzer alarm 1. Specifically, assuming the cigarette conveyor belt moves from front to back, the extended rear-mounted mounting bracket 5 extends upward from the crossbeam of the gantry 3, then extends backward and then downward. The purpose is to ensure that the installation position of the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod 4 is consistent with the height of the photoelectric switch 2, so that the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod 4 is close to the photoelectric switch 2 and located behind it. The extended rear-mounted mounting bracket can be made of aluminum alloy, and multiple brackets can be installed simultaneously in the above manner if sufficient space allows.

[0049] Furthermore, the extended rear mounting bracket 5 has a hollow internal structure to ensure the installation of wires and gas pipes.

[0050] Furthermore, the controller is a hardware control element whose main function is to receive and process feedback signals from the photoelectric switch and control the pneumatic liftable constant rotary rod to move vertically. If the controller is also integrated on the gantry, the installation priority of the photoelectric switch is high. The installation position of the controller must not interfere with the photoelectric switch, nor should it block the photoelectric switch probe. The main function of the buzzer alarm is to receive the signals sent by the controller and issue a buzzer alarm according to the signals.

[0051] In this embodiment, the photoelectric switch 2 is specifically a DC normally open laser photoelectric switch sensor.

[0052] Referring to Figure 2, the specific structure of the pneumatically operated lifting and rotating rod 4 is as follows:

[0053] The pneumatically adjustable constant-rotation rod 4 includes a motor 6, an elliptical contact 7, a constant-rotation rod 8, a sleeve 9, and an air hole 10. When multiple extended rear-mounted mounting brackets 5 are installed, each extended rear-mounted mounting bracket 5 must be equipped with a pneumatically adjustable constant-rotation rod 4. During normal operation, the motor 6 always rotates. The output shaft of the motor 6 is rigidly connected to the constant-rotation rod 8, driving the constant-rotation rod 8 to rotate. The lower end of the constant-rotation rod 8 is the elliptical contact 7. When performing cigarette posture correction, the elliptical contact 7 directly contacts the outer packaging of the cigarette pack. To avoid damage to the outer packaging, the elliptical contact 7 must be made of a non-metallic soft material, preferably rubber or sponge. The motor 6, elliptical contact 7, and constant-rotation rod 8 are all installed inside the sleeve 9. The base of the motor 6 expands radially outward in a piston shape and is sealed to the inner wall of the sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 is preferably made of metal, and an air hole 10 is opened at the top as an air passage.

[0054] This utility model is equipped with a power source and a controller. The power source is mainly responsible for driving the mechanical movement of the pneumatic liftable constant rotating rod 4. The controller is responsible for receiving sensor signals, issuing drive commands to the power source, and other information interaction and transmission functions. In this embodiment, the controller (model: PLC controller) is only used for data command transmission and does not perform much data processing.

[0055] The working principle of this device is as follows:

[0056] When the interval between any two photoelectric switches 2 capturing the blocking signal exceeds 3ms, or when a single photoelectric switch 2 continuously captures the blocking signal for more than 1s, the buzzer alarm 1 sounds, the cigarette conveyor belt stops immediately, the pneumatic liftable constant rotating rod 4 moves downward, the elliptical contact 7 stops moving after touching the outer surface of the cigarette, and the constant rotating rod 8 continues to rotate, thereby driving the cigarette to rotate. When all six photoelectric switches 2 arranged in a row capture the blocking signal, or all lose the blocking signal, the pneumatic liftable constant rotating rod 4 immediately moves upward to reset, and the cigarette conveyor belt resumes movement.

[0057] In this embodiment, the 3ms and 1s durations can be preset to change the duration, and existing controllers can meet the setting requirements of conventional parameters.

[0058] When the device disclosed in this utility model is in operation, the photoelectric switch will not be triggered when a pack of cigarettes in its normal posture passes through the device. Consequently, the controller will not control the pneumatically operated lifting rod to perform vertical lifting movements, thus having no impact on the cigarettes in their normal posture. Located outside the cigarette sorting line, it does not require any structural alteration to the cigarette conveyor belt itself, and the device's net height is significantly higher than all currently available sizes and thicknesses, making it suitable for cigarettes of any size and type. The lower end of the pneumatically operated lifting rod is designed in an elliptical shape and uses a non-metallic material that can be elastically deformed. During normal operation, it will not scratch the outer packaging of the cigarettes. The main moving part of this device is the pneumatically operated lifting rod. The lifting rod inside this mechanism performs a constant rotational movement. This lifting rod is always rotating; when the cigarette posture needs to be adjusted, only a lifting movement is performed. The drive method is pneumatic, and the drive source is widely used and readily available in production workshops.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A cigarette posture correction device, characterized in that, The system includes a gantry frame (3), on which a photoelectric switch (2), a buzzer alarm (1), and an extended rear-mounted mounting bracket (5) are installed; the extended rear-mounted mounting bracket (5) is equipped with a pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4); it also includes a controller, the photoelectric switch (2) is connected to the controller, and the controller is connected to the buzzer alarm (1); during correction, the gantry frame (3) is installed above the conveyor belt, and the cigarettes to be conveyed pass under the photoelectric switch (2), the buzzer alarm (1), and the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4). When the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4) moves downward, the lower end of the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4) can abut against the upper surface of the cigarettes to be conveyed. When the lower end of the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4) abuts against the upper surface of the cigarettes to be conveyed, the angle of the cigarettes is adjusted by rotating the pneumatically adjustable rotating rod (4).

2. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pneumatic liftable rotating rod (4) includes a sleeve (9), a motor (6) is installed inside the sleeve (9), and the output shaft of the motor (6) is connected to the rotating rod unit.

3. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating rod unit includes a constant rotating rod (8), which is connected to the output shaft of the motor (6); the lower end of the constant rotating rod (8) is provided with an elliptical contact (7).

4. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elliptical contact (7) is made of rubber or sponge.

5. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gantry (3) includes a crossbeam, with columns connected to both ends of the crossbeam. The columns are distributed on both sides of the conveyor belt, and the crossbeam is located above the conveyor belt. The photoelectric switch (2), the buzzer alarm (1), and the extended rear mounting bracket (5) are all installed on the crossbeam.

6. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pneumatically operated lifting constant rotating rod (4) is located on one side of the crossbeam.

7. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The photoelectric switches (2) are provided in several units, and the photoelectric switches (2) are arranged in a row at intervals along the upper end face of the crossbeam.

8. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The number of photoelectric switches (2) is greater than or equal to six.

9. The cigarette posture correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation height of the pneumatic liftable constant rotating rod (4) is the same as the installation height of the photoelectric switch (2).

10. A cigarette posture correction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interior of the extended rear-mounted mounting bracket (5) is a hollow structure.

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