Cigarette pushing device with automatic counting function
By using resistive sensing technology with conductive sponge and resistance strips, the number of cigarettes is automatically calculated and displayed in real time, solving the problem of inconvenient counting in traditional cigarette display devices and improving inventory management and sales efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANGHAI CHAOQI IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Traditional cigarette display devices lack automatic counting functions, which means that sales staff have to manually count the cigarettes, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. Furthermore, they cannot obtain real-time inventory data, which affects sales efficiency and customer experience.
Using resistive sensing technology with conductive sponge and resistance strips, analog signals are collected through the sliding contact between the cigarette pusher slide and the cigarette pusher body. The signal processing module calculates the number of cigarette boxes, and the results are displayed in real time on the screen, enabling automatic counting and inventory monitoring.
It enables low-cost, accurate automatic counting of cigarettes, reduces human error, improves inventory management efficiency and sales experience, and provides real-time data support.
Smart Images
Figure CN224235087U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of cigarette display devices, and in particular to an automatic counting cigarette pusher. Background Technology
[0002] In traditional cigarette sales scenarios, rectangular containers are commonly used to display cigarettes, with the same type of cigarette placed in the same container. This type of container has the following significant drawbacks:
[0003] First, sales staff need to manually count the remaining quantity and sales volume of cigarettes in each container every day, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Especially when there are many types of cigarettes, manual counting is prone to errors and cannot obtain data in real time.
[0004] Secondly, the cigarettes are stacked inside the container, with only the top cigarettes being directly accessible, while the bottom cigarettes require rummaging through, making it inconvenient for customers to select their cigarettes. Furthermore, the cigarette names, prices, and other information cannot be displayed intuitively, negatively impacting the sales experience.
[0005] Finally, traditional containers only have storage functions and lack automated counting and visual display, making it difficult to meet merchants' needs for inventory management efficiency and product marketing.
[0006] While some existing cigarette pushing devices can automatically push cigarettes using mechanical structures, they generally lack counting functions and cannot provide real-time inventory data feedback. The few devices that do have counting functions often employ complex sensors or integrated systems, resulting in high costs and complex structures, making them unsuitable for small and medium-sized businesses. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a low-cost, easy-to-operate cigarette pushing device with automatic counting capabilities to address the shortcomings of traditional display methods in terms of counting, display, and ease of retrieval. Utility Model Content
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic counting cigarette pusher to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an automatic counting cigarette pusher, including a pushing body, a pushing slide, a widening strip, an external power socket, and a cigarette box counter;
[0009] The smoke-pushing slide is slidably mounted on the smoke-pushing body and can move left and right along the smoke-pushing body;
[0010] The widening strip is located next to the cigarette pusher body to accommodate the width of the cigarette box;
[0011] The cigarette box counter includes a signal acquisition module and a signal processing module;
[0012] The signal acquisition module includes a conductive sponge and a resistor strip. The conductive sponge is disposed at the bottom of the cigarette pusher slide, and the resistor strip is fixedly laid along the length of the bottom track of the cigarette pusher body, with the resistance value having a linear relationship with the length. The conductive sponge and the resistor strip are in sliding contact. When the cigarette pusher slide moves left and right, the contact position of the conductive sponge on the resistor strip changes, generating an analog signal corresponding to the resistance value of the contact point as a position signal.
[0013] The signal processing module is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module and is used to process the position signal and calculate the number of cigarette boxes; the external power socket is electrically connected to the signal processing module and is used to provide the operating voltage.
[0014] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, the cigarette box counter also includes a display screen electrically connected to the signal processing module for displaying the current number of cigarette boxes in real time.
[0015] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, the signal processing module includes an analog-to-digital converter and a processor;
[0016] The analog-to-digital converter is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module and the processor, and is used to convert the analog signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the processor; the processor has a built-in linear interpolation calculation module to calculate the current number of cigarette boxes based on the digital signal.
[0017] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, the external power socket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket is connected to an external DC power supply to power the cigarette box counter; the second socket is connected to the parallel cigarette pusher via a ribbon cable.
[0018] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, a sheet-like coil spring is installed on the cigarette pushing slide. One end of the coil spring is fixed to the cigarette pushing slide, and the other end is fixed to the cigarette pushing body, for driving the cigarette pushing slide to move in the direction of clamping the cigarette box.
[0019] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, the cigarette picking and placing end of the pushing body is provided with a card slot, which is used to insert a card labeled with cigarette information.
[0020] Furthermore, in the aforementioned automatic counting cigarette pusher, the cigarette picking and placing end of the pushing body is provided with a smooth step, which makes the top of the rightmost cigarette box higher than the other cigarette boxes, forming a protrusion that is easy to pick up.
[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0022] This utility model discloses an automatic cigarette pusher with counting capabilities. The signal acquisition module collects analog signals generated by the displacement of the pusher slide via a conductive sponge at the bottom of the slide and a resistive strip on the main pusher track, serving as a position signal. The signal processing module processes the signals and calculates the number of cigarette boxes. This cigarette pusher achieves automatic and accurate counting of cigarettes using resistive sensing principles. It features a simple structure, low cost, and convenient operation, enabling real-time inventory monitoring and improving cigarette display and sales efficiency.
[0023] Furthermore, an additional display screen electrically connected to the signal processing module can display the number of cigarette boxes in real time, allowing sales staff to quickly grasp the inventory without manual counting, reducing human counting errors, facilitating timely replenishment, dynamic monitoring of sales, and improving management efficiency and accuracy. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of placing a cigarette box on a cigarette pusher in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a cigarette box placed on a cigarette pusher according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of two cigarette pushers connected in parallel by ribbon cables in one embodiment of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 4 This is a front view of two cigarette pushers connected in parallel with ribbon cables in one embodiment of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 5 This is a top view of two cigarette pushers connected in parallel with ribbon cables in one embodiment of this utility model;
[0029] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of two cigarette pushers connected in parallel with ribbon cables in one embodiment of this utility model;
[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the smoke-pushing slide table in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] The components include: 1. Cigarette pusher body; 11. Card slot; 12. Step; 13. Connecting groove; 14. Baffle; 15. Widening strip; 2. Cigarette pusher slide; 21. Coil spring; 31. Conductive sponge; 32. Resistance strip; 33. Display screen; 34. External power socket; 341. First socket; 342. Second socket; 35. Ribbon cable; 4. Cigarette box. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The following is a more detailed description of an automatic counting cigarette pusher according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the present invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the present invention.
[0033] For clarity, not all features of the actual embodiments are described. In the following description, well-known functions and structures are not detailed in detail, as they would confuse the present invention with unnecessary detail. It should be understood that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation details must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as changes from one embodiment to another according to limitations related to the system or business. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but is merely routine work for those skilled in the art.
[0034] The present invention will be described more specifically by way of example in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] Based on the teachings of this specification, those skilled in the art can form new technical solutions by combining different implementation methods without creating technical contradictions. Such variations should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this patent.
[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment discloses an automatic counting cigarette pusher, including a cigarette pusher body 1, a cigarette pusher slide 2, a widening strip 15, an external power socket 34, and a cigarette box counter.
[0037] Specifically, the cigarette pusher slide 2 is slidably mounted on the cigarette pusher body 1 and can move left and right along the body 1. A widening strip 15 is located beside the cigarette pusher body 1 to accommodate the width of the cigarette boxes. The cigarette box counter includes a signal acquisition module and a signal processing module. The signal acquisition module is located between the cigarette pusher slide 2 and the cigarette pusher body 1 and is used to acquire position signals related to the number of cigarette boxes 4. The signal processing module is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module and is used to process the position signals and calculate the number of cigarette boxes 4. The external power socket 34 is electrically connected to the signal processing module and is used to provide operating voltage.
[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 7The signal acquisition module includes a conductive sponge 31 and a resistor strip 32. The conductive sponge 31 is disposed at the bottom of the cigarette pusher slide 2, and the resistor strip 32 is fixedly laid along the length of the bottom track of the cigarette pusher body 1, with its resistance value linearly corresponding to its length. The conductive sponge 31 and the resistor strip 32 are in sliding contact. When the cigarette pusher slide 2 moves left and right, the contact position of the conductive sponge 31 on the resistor strip 32 changes, generating an analog signal corresponding to the resistance value at the contact point as a position signal. A voltage divider circuit or a bridge circuit is used to detect the resistance value of the resistor strip.
[0039] Furthermore, the signal processing module includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is electrically connected to the resistor strip 32 and the processor (i.e., the control board, not shown) in the signal acquisition module, and is used to convert the analog signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the processor. The processor has a built-in linear interpolation calculation module that calculates the current number of cigarette boxes based on the digital signal. It should be noted that the control board is electrically connected to the conductive sponge 31 and the resistor strip 32, and the external power socket 34 is electrically connected to the control board.
[0040] This embodiment achieves non-contact counting using resistive sensing technology, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures, resulting in low cost and high accuracy. Furthermore, the linear resistance characteristic ensures a one-to-one correspondence between the count and the position of the cigarette pusher slide 2, avoiding human error and facilitating real-time inventory monitoring.
[0041] Furthermore, the cigarette box counter also includes a display screen 33 electrically connected to the signal processing module, used to display the current quantity of cigarette boxes 4 in real time. Sales staff can intuitively read the current quantity of cigarettes without manual counting, improving work efficiency; dynamically displaying sales changes facilitates timely replenishment, avoids stockouts, and enhances the real-time nature and accuracy of inventory management.
[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4-6 The external power socket 34 includes a first socket 341 and a second socket 342. The first socket 341 is connected to a 12V DC power supply to power the cigarette box counter. The second socket 342 is connected to another parallel cigarette pusher via a ribbon cable 35. Furthermore, one socket of one cigarette pusher is connected to one socket of another cigarette pusher via a ribbon cable 35. By repeating this process, multiple cigarette pushers can be connected, and each cigarette pusher can operate independently, displaying the number of cigarettes on its respective counter.
[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 7A sheet-shaped coil spring 21 is installed on the cigarette pusher slide 2. One end of the coil spring 21 is fixed to the cigarette pusher slide 2, and the other end is fixed to the cigarette pusher body 1. It is used to drive the cigarette pusher slide 2 to move in the direction of clamping the cigarette box 4.
[0044] Specifically, when loading cigarette box 4, manually pull the cigarette pusher slide 2 to the left, place cigarette box 4 in the empty space, and release. Under the action of the constant force spring 21, the cigarette pusher slide 2 moves to the right until it clamps the cigarette box 4. When removing cigarettes, simply pull them out. Under the traction of the constant force spring 21, the cigarette pusher slide 2 moves to the right until it clamps the remaining cigarette box 4. This maintains the neat arrangement of cigarettes, reduces manual operation, and improves convenience; the even clamping force prevents the cigarettes from being squeezed and deformed, protecting the product's appearance.
[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 The cigarette pusher body 1 has a card slot 11 at its cigarette pick-and-place end, which is used to insert cards labeled with cigarette information. This clearly displays information such as cigarette name, price, and origin, attracting customer attention and enhancing product promotion. Furthermore, the cards are easily replaceable to accommodate different cigarette varieties, improving the equipment's reusability.
[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 The cigarette pusher body 1 has a 2 mm smooth step 12 at the cigarette pick-up and drop end. The step 12 makes the top of the rightmost cigarette box 4 higher than the other cigarette boxes, forming a protrusion that is easy to pick up and improves the cigarette picking experience.
[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 A baffle 14 is installed on one side of the smoke pushing body 1. A connecting groove 13 is provided on the smoke pushing body 1 below the baffle 14. Multiple sets of connecting grooves 13 are provided (two sets are schematically shown in this embodiment). A connecting block (not shown) is installed on the side of the smoke pushing body 1 away from the connecting groove 13. The cross-section of the connecting block is convex. The protruding end of the connecting block is connected to the smoke pushing body 1, and the connecting block is adapted to the connecting groove 13.
[0048] In summary, the automatic cigarette pusher disclosed in this utility model uses a signal acquisition module that slides a conductive sponge at the bottom of the pusher slide against a resistive strip on the main pusher track to collect analog signals generated by the displacement of the pusher slide as position signals. The signal processing module processes the signals and calculates the number of cigarette boxes. This cigarette pusher achieves automatic and accurate counting of cigarettes using resistive sensing principles. It features a simple structure, low cost, and convenient operation, and can monitor inventory in real time, improving cigarette display and sales efficiency.
[0049] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not constitute any limitation on this utility model. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions and contents disclosed in this utility model without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of this utility model shall still fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An automatic counting cigarette pusher, characterized in that, Includes the main body for pushing cigarettes, the cigarette pusher slide, the widening strip, the external power socket, and the cigarette box counter; The smoke-pushing slide is slidably mounted on the smoke-pushing body and can move left and right along the smoke-pushing body; The widening strip is located next to the cigarette pusher body to accommodate the width of the cigarette box; The cigarette box counter includes a signal acquisition module and a signal processing module; The signal acquisition module includes a conductive sponge and a resistor strip. The conductive sponge is disposed at the bottom of the cigarette pusher slide, and the resistor strip is fixedly laid along the length of the bottom track of the cigarette pusher body, with the resistance value having a linear relationship with the length. The conductive sponge and the resistor strip are in sliding contact. When the cigarette pusher slide moves left and right, the contact position of the conductive sponge on the resistor strip changes, generating an analog signal corresponding to the resistance value of the contact point as a position signal. The signal processing module is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module and is used to process the position signal and calculate the number of cigarette boxes. The external power socket is electrically connected to the signal processing module and is used to provide operating voltage.
2. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette box counter also includes a display screen electrically connected to the signal processing module, used to display the current number of cigarette boxes in real time.
3. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal processing module includes an analog-to-digital converter and a processor; The analog-to-digital converter is electrically connected to the signal acquisition module and the processor, and is used to convert the analog signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the processor; the processor has a built-in linear interpolation calculation module to calculate the current number of cigarette boxes based on the digital signal.
4. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external power socket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket is connected to an external DC power source to power the cigarette box counter. The second socket is connected to the cigarette pusher in parallel via a ribbon cable.
5. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sheet-shaped coil spring is installed on the cigarette pushing slide. One end of the coil spring is fixed to the cigarette pushing slide, and the other end is fixed to the cigarette pushing body. It is used to drive the cigarette pushing slide to move in the direction of clamping the cigarette box.
6. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette-pushing body has a card slot at its cigarette-taking end, which is used to insert a card labeled with cigarette information.
7. The automatic counting cigarette pusher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cigarette pusher body has a smooth step at the cigarette pick-up and drop end, which makes the top of the rightmost cigarette box higher than the other cigarette boxes, forming a protrusion that is easy to pick up.