A tobacco feed recovery device
By coordinating bidirectional conveyor belts, lifting conveyor belts, transfer belts, and collection boxes, and combining infrared sensors and programmable controllers, the problems of low tobacco cleaning efficiency and tobacco damage in the feeding bin are solved, achieving efficient and pollution-free automatic recycling.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HONGYUN HONGHE TOBACCO (GRP) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, cleaning residual tobacco shreds in the feeding bin relies on manual operation, which is inefficient, results in a high rate of tobacco shred breakage, and poses a risk of impurities being mixed in.
By employing a coordinated system of bidirectional conveyor belts, lifting conveyor belts, transfer belts, and collection boxes, combined with ranging infrared sensors and programmable controllers, the automated recycling of tobacco shreds in the feeding bin is achieved, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
It achieves automated and sealed recycling of tobacco shreds in the feeding bin, improving recycling efficiency, reducing tobacco breakage rate, and eliminating the risk of impurity contamination.
Smart Images
Figure CN224492957U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of tobacco processing equipment technology, specifically a tobacco shred feeding and recycling device. Background Technology
[0002] In the cigarette production process, the feeding hopper is a crucial logistics node connecting the tobacco storage box (tobacco box) with the subsequent pneumatic tobacco feeder and cigarette rolling machine. After the tobacco from the tobacco box is poured into the feeding hopper by a box-turning machine, it is evenly transported to downstream equipment for production by a conveyor belt (usually running in one direction) at the bottom of the hopper. A traditional feeding hopper mainly consists of a shell, a bottom conveyor belt, a loosening rake roller, a leak-proof cover, and a drive mechanism. Its basic function is to convey and distribute the tobacco poured into the hopper onto the conveyor belt. However, due to fluctuations in the weight of the tobacco fed into the tobacco box during production, and the need to start and stop the cigarette rolling machine, some unused tobacco inevitably remains in the feeding hopper.
[0003] Currently, cleaning these residual tobacco leaves relies entirely on manual labor. Operators must enter the feeding hopper, manually shave the tobacco leaves out, load them into containers, and then transfer and dump them back into the tobacco box at the rear. This process is not only time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inefficient, but more importantly, manual cleaning operations are highly likely to cause a significant increase in the breakage rate of the tobacco leaves during the shaving and transfer process, and there is also a quality risk of impurities being mixed in.
[0004] Therefore, this application proposes a tobacco feeding and recycling device that can replace manual labor in recycling the remaining tobacco in the feeding bin, eliminating the problems of low efficiency, high tobacco breakage rate and impurity mixing that exist in manual cleaning. Utility Model Content
[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a tobacco feeding and recycling device, which aims to solve the technical problems of low efficiency, high tobacco breakage rate and impurity mixing in the existing technology of manual cleaning.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:
[0007] A tobacco feeding and recycling device, comprising:
[0008] Feed bin;
[0009] The conveying unit includes a bidirectional conveyor belt horizontally arranged at the output buckle of the feeding hopper, and a lifting conveyor belt, a transfer belt, and a collection box erected on one side of the feeding hopper; the bidirectional conveyor belt has a first running direction and a second running direction respectively pointing to the downstream equipment of the feeding hopper and the recycling path, the lower end of the lifting conveyor belt receives the output end of the bidirectional conveyor belt in the second running direction, the input end of the transfer belt receives the upper end of the lifting conveyor belt, and the collection box receives the output end of the transfer belt.
[0010] As a further improvement of this application, the conveying unit also includes a transfer track fixedly disposed directly below the output end of the transfer belt, the extension direction of which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer belt, and at least two collection boxes are provided, arranged side by side on the transfer track.
[0011] As a further improvement of this application, the tobacco feeding and recycling device also includes a ranging infrared sensor, the transmitter and receiver of which are both located on a bracket on the side of the output end of the conveyor belt. The transmitter is directed toward the opening of the collection box and away from the inner wall of the side of the conveyor belt. The sensor is used to calculate whether the tobacco piled up in the collection box exceeds a preset height by emitting infrared light and receiving the reflected light.
[0012] As a further improvement of this application, the tobacco feeding and recycling device also includes a control unit, which is a programmable controller and is connected to the drive motors of the bidirectional conveyor belt, the lifting conveyor belt, the transfer belt, and the transfer track, as well as an infrared sensor, through control lines.
[0013] The technical solution provided in this application may include the following beneficial effects:
[0014] This application achieves automated, closed-loop recycling of residual tobacco shreds in the feeding bin through the coordinated operation of a bidirectional conveyor belt, an lifting conveyor belt, a transfer belt, and a collection box. Compared to traditional manual cleaning methods, it completely eliminates the need for operators to enter the feeding bin and tumble the tobacco shreds, significantly improving recycling efficiency. The tobacco shreds are smoothly transferred to the collection box via a continuous conveyor belt, avoiding the turning and tipping during manual handling, effectively reducing the breakage rate caused by physical damage to the tobacco shreds. The fully enclosed conveyor path isolates it from external environmental contact, fundamentally eliminating the risk of contamination from debris introduced by manual operation. The device has a simplified structure, achieving high-quality automatic recycling of residual tobacco shreds without altering the structure of the feeding bin itself. Attached Figure Description
[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a tobacco shred feeding and recycling device.
[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Installation diagram of the mid-infrared sensor;
[0018] Figure label:
[0019] 1. Feeding bin; 2. Bidirectional conveyor belt; 3. Lifting conveyor belt; 4. Transfer belt; 5. Collection box; 6. Transfer track; 7. Infrared sensor. Detailed Implementation
[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0021] Figure 1 An embodiment of a tobacco feeding and recycling device according to this application is shown; see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the tobacco feeding and recycling device includes: a feeding bin 1 and a conveying unit.
[0022] Among them, see Figure 1 The conveying unit includes a bidirectional conveyor belt 2 horizontally positioned at the output buckle of the feeding bin 1, and a lifting conveyor belt 3, a transfer belt 4, and a collection box 5 mounted on one side of the feeding bin 1. The bidirectional conveyor has a first running direction and a second running direction pointing towards the downstream equipment and the recycling path of the feeding bin 1, respectively. The lower end of the lifting conveyor belt 3 receives the output end of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2 in the second running direction, the input end of the transfer belt 4 receives the upper end of the lifting conveyor belt 3, and the collection box 5 receives the output end of the transfer belt 4. Through the coordinated operation of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, the lifting conveyor belt 3, the transfer belt 4, and the collection box 5, the automated and sealed recycling of the remaining tobacco in the feeding bin 1 is achieved. Compared to traditional manual cleaning methods, this system completely eliminates the need for operators to enter the feeding bin 1 and tumble the tobacco, significantly improving recycling efficiency. The tobacco is smoothly transferred to the collection box 5 via a continuous conveyor belt, avoiding the turning and tipping during manual handling and effectively reducing the breakage rate caused by physical damage to the tobacco. The fully enclosed conveyor path isolates it from the external environment, fundamentally eliminating the risk of contamination from debris introduced by manual operation. The device has a simplified structure, achieving high-quality automatic recycling of remaining tobacco without altering the structure of the feeding bin 1.
[0023] Further, see Figure 1 The conveying unit also includes a transfer track 6 fixedly installed directly below the output end of the transfer belt 4, with its extension direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer belt 4. At least two collection boxes 5 are provided, arranged side by side on the transfer track 6. The vertical layout of the transfer track 6 allows empty boxes to automatically slide into the working position to receive the dropped material when the full box is removed, ensuring continuous and uninterrupted recycling operations, while the compact structure saves workshop space.
[0024] It should be noted that the core innovation of this embodiment lies in the spatial topology reconstruction and collaborative operation logic of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, the lifting conveyor belt 3, the transfer belt 4, and the transfer track 6: through the continuous material interface design between the low end of the lifting conveyor belt 3 and the recovery port of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, and the orthogonal spatial arrangement between the output end of the transfer belt 4 and the transfer track 6, combined with the timing control strategy in the tobacco recycling mode, the innovative technical effect of automated recycling of residual tobacco in the feeding bin 1 is achieved under the premise of using standardized components such as trough belt conveyors, sidewall elevators, roller conveyors, and steel structure guide rails; the specific mechanical structure of the relevant conveying components is existing technology that can be conventionally implemented by those skilled in the art in accordance with GB / T10595-2017 "Belt Conveyors", so it will not be elaborated further.
[0025] Further, see Figure 2 The tobacco feeding and recycling device also includes a ranging infrared sensor 7. Both its transmitter and receiver are mounted on a bracket on the side of the output end of the conveyor belt 4. The transmitter is directed towards the opening of the collection box 5 and away from the inner wall of the side away from the conveyor belt 4. It calculates whether the accumulated tobacco in the collection box 5 exceeds a preset height by measuring the time difference between emitting infrared light and receiving the reflected light. This non-contact, precise monitoring of the tobacco accumulation height on the inner wall of the collection box 5 by the ranging infrared sensor 7 eliminates the need for manual intervention and effectively prevents tobacco spillage and pollution caused by overflowing the box, as well as energy waste from idling.
[0026] Optionally, the detection axis of the infrared sensor 7 is at an angle of -40° to 0° with the horizontal plane.
[0027] In this embodiment, the conveying unit consists of a bidirectional conveyor belt 2 horizontally positioned at the outlet of the feeding bin 1, a lifting conveyor belt 3 erected on the side of the feeding bin 1, a transfer belt 4, and a collection box 5. The bidirectional conveyor belt 2 has a first running direction pointing downstream and a second running direction pointing towards the recycling path. The lower end of the lifting conveyor belt 3 receives the output from the recycling end of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, the input end of the transfer belt 4 receives the output from the higher end of the lifting conveyor belt 3, and the collection box 5 receives the output from the transfer belt 4. This layout enables the automated and sealed recycling of remaining tobacco from the feeding bin 1 via the bidirectional conveyor belt 2 (recycling direction) → lifting conveyor belt 3 → transfer belt 4 to the collection box 5, completely eliminating the manual turning process, significantly reducing the tobacco breakage rate, and eliminating the risk of pollution. The conveying unit also includes a transfer track 6 directly below the output end of the transfer belt 4, whose extension direction is perpendicular to the transfer belt 4. At least two collection boxes 5 are arranged side by side on the track to ensure that empty boxes are automatically filled when full boxes are removed. The device is equipped with a ranging infrared sensor 7, whose transmitter / receiver is fixed to the output bracket of the conveyor belt 4 and faces the inner wall of the collection box 5. It prevents overflow of the box by monitoring the height of tobacco accumulation.
[0028] In order to achieve intelligent control of the tobacco shred recycling process in the feeding bin 1, the tobacco shred feeding and recycling device further includes a control unit based on the above embodiment.
[0029] The control unit is a programmable logic controller (PLC), which is connected to the drive motors of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, the lifting conveyor belt 3, the transfer belt 4, and the transfer track 6, as well as the infrared sensor 7, via control lines. The control unit performs the following hardware-level controls through the control lines.
[0030] (1) Send forward / reverse commands to the drive motor of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2 to switch between production mode (first direction) and recycling mode (second direction);
[0031] (2) Send start and stop commands to the drive motors of the lifting conveyor belt 3 and the transfer belt 4 to synchronize the running status of the recovery path;
[0032] (3) Receive the level signal from infrared sensor 7, and trigger a stop command to all drive motors when the tobacco height exceeds the limit;
[0033] (4) Send extension and retraction commands (if any) to the pneumatic jacking device of transfer track 6 to assist in the removal of full containers and the positioning of empty containers.
[0034] For example, the control unit controls the process of recovering tobacco shreds in feed bin 1:
[0035] When the feeding bin 1 stops discharging material, the control unit receives a stop signal and sends a reverse command to the drive motor of the bidirectional conveyor belt 2, causing it to switch from the first running direction to the second running direction. At the same time, after a delay of 1-2 seconds, it sends a start command to the drive motors of the lifting conveyor belt 3 and the transfer belt 4, forming a continuous conveying path for the tobacco from the outlet of the feeding bin 1 through the bidirectional conveyor belt 2 (recovery direction) → lifting conveyor belt 3 → transfer belt 4. The tobacco finally falls into the collection box 5 on the transfer track 6. At this time, the ranging infrared sensor 7 continuously monitors the height of the tobacco accumulation in the box. When the detected value reaches the preset threshold, it immediately sends a high-level signal to the control unit. The control unit simultaneously cuts off the power supply to all conveyor belt drive motors to achieve an instantaneous stop. After the full box is removed and the empty box is in place, the cycle restarts.
[0036] It should be noted that the programmable logic controller (PLC) and its peripheral drive circuit used in the control unit in this embodiment are mature existing technologies in the field of industrial automation. Its hardware selection (such as Siemens S7-1200 series), input and output module configuration and relay control circuit construction all comply with national standards such as GB / T15969.3-2017 "Programmable Logic Controllers Part 3: Programming Languages". The core function of the control unit is to respond to sensor signals and execute preset motor start / stop / direction switching commands. The implementation of this control logic is an auxiliary function that can be conventionally programmed by those skilled in the art based on the equipment space layout. It is not the creative contribution of this utility model, so its specific implementation details will not be described in detail.
[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A tobacco shred feeding and recycling device, characterized in that, include: Feed bin; The conveying unit includes a bidirectional conveyor belt horizontally arranged at the output buckle of the feeding hopper, and a lifting conveyor belt, a transfer belt, and a collection box erected on one side of the feeding hopper; the bidirectional conveyor belt has a first running direction and a second running direction respectively pointing to the downstream equipment of the feeding hopper and the recycling path, the lower end of the lifting conveyor belt receives the output end of the bidirectional conveyor belt in the second running direction, the input end of the transfer belt receives the upper end of the lifting conveyor belt, and the collection box receives the output end of the transfer belt.
2. The tobacco feeding and recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying unit also includes a transfer track fixedly disposed directly below the output end of the transfer belt, the extension direction of which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the transfer belt, and at least two collection boxes are provided, arranged side by side on the transfer track.
3. The tobacco feeding and recycling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a ranging infrared sensor, whose transmitter and receiver are both located on a bracket on the side of the output end of the conveyor belt. The emission direction is towards the opening of the collection box and away from the inner wall of the side away from the conveyor belt. It is used to calculate whether the tobacco accumulated in the collection box exceeds the preset height by emitting infrared light and receiving the reflected light.
4. The tobacco feeding and recycling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a control unit, which is a programmable controller, and is connected to the drive motors and infrared sensors of the bidirectional conveyor belt, lifting conveyor belt, transfer belt, and transfer track through control lines.