A cigarette flavor capsule detection device

Abstract

This application discloses a cigarette flavor capsule testing device, relating to the field of tobacco industry quality testing technology. The device includes a shell with an internal cavity, and its top surface has a testing area and an operating area. At least one strip-shaped testing groove is arranged side-by-side in the testing area, with one axial end facing the operating area. A protrusion in the operating area forms a limiting barrier to close the end of the testing groove. A light-transmitting hole communicating with the cavity is opened at the bottom of each testing groove near the operating area. A light source module is installed inside the cavity, with its LEDs aligned with each light-transmitting hole and its optical axis perpendicular to the plane of the light-transmitting hole. During use, this application achieves precise axial positioning of the cigarette filter through the limiting barrier. Vertical transmitted light creates a specific shadow inside the flavor capsule opening, allowing the operator to determine the integrity of the flavor capsule by observing the presence or absence of the shadow without touching the cigarette, avoiding the risk of flavor capsule packaging damage caused by traditional touch-based inspection methods. Simultaneously, the parallel layout of multiple testing grooves supports batch testing, improving testing efficiency and standardization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of tobacco industry quality testing technology, specifically a cigarette flavor capsule testing device. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of menthol cigarettes, the integrity of the menthol capsule embedded in the filter is a core quality indicator. Currently, the mainstream testing method relies on manually pressing the filter to confirm the presence of the menthol capsule by touch. This process is a common testing method, but it has inherent limitations.

[0003] Manual inspection requires applying physical pressure to each cigarette, which carries the risk of damaging the integrity of the flavor capsule, especially for brittle flavor capsules. More importantly, tactile feedback cannot be standardized, and operator fatigue or individual differences can lead to fluctuations in the missed detection rate, resulting in defective cigarettes without flavor capsules entering the market.

[0004] Therefore, this application proposes a cigarette flavor capsule detection device that can illuminate the filter area with a directional light source, causing the opening structure to project a specific shadow. The operator only needs to observe whether the shadow exists to determine the integrity of the flavor capsule, thus completely avoiding the risk of secondary damage caused by touch and pressure. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a cigarette flavor capsule detection device, which aims to solve the technical problems of flavor capsule packaging damage risk and missed detection rate fluctuation caused by manual touch-press detection.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A cigarette flavor capsule detection device, comprising:

[0008] The shell has an internal cavity, and its top surface has a detection area and an operation area. The detection area has at least one strip-shaped detection groove with its first axial end facing the operation area. The operation area protrudes from the surface of the detection area to form a limiting wall to close the first axial end of the detection groove. At least one light-transmitting hole communicating with the cavity is opened at the bottom of each detection groove near the operation area.

[0009] The light source module disposed in the cavity includes an LED bead that is directly opposite each light-transmitting hole, and the optical axis of the LED bead is perpendicular to the plane of the light-transmitting hole.

[0010] As a further improvement of this application, the cigarette menthol capsule detection device further includes a programmable controller; the programmable controller includes a main control circuit board disposed in the cavity, a memory chip soldered to the main control circuit board, and a light source driving circuit integrated in the main control circuit board; the output terminal of the light source driving circuit is connected to each LED bead through a ribbon cable, and is configured to selectively illuminate the LED bead corresponding to different cigarette specifications.

[0011] As a further improvement of this application, the cigarette flavor capsule detection device also includes a touch screen and a mechanical knob disposed in the operation area; the touch screen is connected to the main control circuit board through a flexible circuit, and its surface is divided into a cigarette specification selection area and a lamp control area; the rotating shaft of the mechanical knob extends into the cavity and is connected to a potentiometer, the potentiometer is soldered to the main control circuit board, and outputs an analog voltage signal to the light source driving circuit.

[0012] As a further improvement of this application, the cigarette menthol capsule detection device also includes a battery disposed in the cavity. The output end of the battery is connected to the power input end of the main control circuit board and is connected to the ADC sampling pin of the main control circuit board through a voltage divider resistor module for power supply and power display of the touch screen.

[0013] As a further improvement of this application, the cigarette menthol capsule detection device further includes a charging socket and a self-locking switch embedded in the side wall of the housing; the output end of the charging socket is connected to the input end of the battery, and the data pin is connected to the charging management chip of the main control circuit board; the toggle switch of the self-locking switch is exposed on the surface of the housing, and the contact pin is soldered to the power input end of the main control circuit board.

[0014] As a further improvement of this application, the cigarette flavor capsule detection device further includes a scale disposed on the top surface of the housing and located on one side of the detection area, the extension direction of the scale being parallel to the axis of the detection groove, and the zero mark being aligned with the first end face of the axial direction of the detection groove.

[0015] The technical solution provided in this application may include the following beneficial effects:

[0016] During use, this application utilizes the coordinated positioning of parallel strip-shaped detection slots in the casing detection area and the limiting baffle in the operating area, combined with the optical design of the light-transmitting holes at the bottom of the slots and the vertically aligned LED beads inside the cavity, to allow the cigarette filter to receive directional light in a zero-contact state. When the flavor capsule is present, its internal opening structure generates a specific shadow in the transmitted light path. The operator only needs to observe the presence or absence of the shadow to non-destructively determine the integrity of the flavor capsule, completely eliminating the risk of flavor capsule packaging damage caused by manual pressing. At the same time, the physical sealing of the filter end by the limiting baffle ensures that the position of the flavor capsule is always accurately aligned with the center of the light-transmitting hole, eliminating manual placement deviations, achieving a constant shadow generation position, improving the standardization of detection, and reducing the missed detection rate. In addition, the parallel layout of multiple detection slots, combined with the built-in light source module, supports the simultaneous detection of multiple cigarettes in a single batch, which is more than 3 times more efficient than manual pressing one cigarette at a time, meeting the full inspection requirements of high-speed production lines. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a cigarette flavor capsule detection device. Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of a cigarette flavor capsule detection device;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a cigarette flavor capsule detection device. Figure 2

[0021] Figure label:

[0022] 1. Housing; 11. Detection area; 12. Operation area; 13. Detection slot; 14. Light transmission hole; 2. Light source module; 21. Lamp bead; 3. Scale; 4. Programmable controller; 5. Touch screen; 6. Mechanical knob; 7. Battery; 8. Charging socket; 9. Self-locking switch. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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.

[0024] Figure 1 An embodiment of a cigarette flavor capsule detection device of this application is shown; see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the cigarette menthol capsule detection device includes: a housing 1 and a light source module 2.

[0025] Among them, see Figure 1The housing 1 has a cavity inside, and its top surface has a detection area 11 and an operation area 12. The detection area 11 has a plurality of strip-shaped detection grooves 13 with one axial end facing the operation area 12. The operation area 12 protrudes from the surface of the detection area 11 to form a limiting wall, which closes the axial ends of each detection groove 13. A light-transmitting hole 14 is opened at the bottom of each detection groove 13 near the operation area 12. A light source module 2 is provided in the cavity, and its lamp beads 21 are directly opposite each light-transmitting hole 14, and the optical axis is perpendicular to the plane where the light-transmitting hole 14 is located. In use, the cigarette filter tip is placed against the limiting baffle and in the detection slot 13. After the light source is turned on, the light shines vertically on the filter tip through the light transmission hole 14. If the popping bead is present, its internal opening structure will produce a clear shadow in the transmitted light path. The operator can determine the integrity of the popping bead in a non-destructive and quick manner by observing whether the shadow is present. This not only avoids the risk of packaging damage caused by manual touching, but also achieves precise positioning of the filter tip with the help of the limiting baffle, ensuring consistent detection. The parallel layout of multiple detection slots 13 also supports batch detection, improving the quality inspection efficiency of the production line.

[0026] Further, see Figure 2 The cigarette flavor capsule detection device also includes a scale 3 located on the top surface of the housing 1 and on one side of the detection area 11. The scale 3 extends parallel to the axis of the detection groove 13, and its zero mark is aligned with the first axial end face of the detection groove 13. This scale 3 provides the operator with a reference coordinate for accurately determining the shadow position. When the cigarette filter tip is pressed against the limiting barrier of the operating area 12, the axial position of the flavor capsule within the filter tip corresponds to a specific scale value on the scale 3. If the flavor capsule is present and in the correct position, the shadow observed through the light-transmitting hole will be within the expected scale range of the scale 3; if the flavor capsule is missing or its position is offset, the shadow position will significantly deviate from the expected scale range. This intuitive quantitative interpretation method transforms subjective shadow observation into objective scale comparison, not only improving the accuracy and efficiency of determining the presence and positional consistency of the flavor capsule, but also providing a recordable quantitative basis for quality traceability, enhancing the reliability and authority of the test results.

[0027] Optionally, multiple light-transmitting holes 14 can be opened at the bottom of each detection slot 13 near the operating area 12. These light-transmitting holes 14 are arranged along the axial direction of the detection slot 13 to accommodate different specifications of cigarettes. When the cigarette filter is against the limiting wall, the axial position of the flavor capsule of different specifications of cigarettes is different. By selecting and lighting the lamp bead 21 corresponding to the light-transmitting hole 14 at the corresponding position, it can be ensured that the light accurately illuminates the flavor capsule area of ​​the cigarette of that specification, thereby realizing the compatibility test of multiple cigarettes.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the detection area 11 has ten detection slots 13 arranged side by side to balance the efficiency of a single detection and the compactness of the device. Each detection slot 13 has three light-transmitting holes 14 spaced axially near the bottom of the operating area 12. The light source module 2 is equipped with an independent LED bead 21 for each light-transmitting hole 14. The positions of these three light-transmitting holes 14 are precisely designed to correspond to the preset axial positions of the flavor capsules in the filters of three common cigarette sizes: short, standard, and long. During detection, the control unit simply illuminates the corresponding LED bead 21 according to the size of the cigarette placed, ensuring that the light accurately illuminates the flavor capsule area. This allows for efficient and accurate detection of flavor capsules in various cigarette sizes using the same device.

[0029] Further, see Figure 3 The cigarette menthol capsule detection device also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) 4. This PLC 4 serves as the control core and includes a main control circuit board housed within the cavity, a memory chip soldered to the main control circuit board, and a light source driving circuit integrated into the main control circuit board. The memory chip pre-stores the capsule position parameters for at least two cigarette specifications; for example, the capsule for specification A is 8mm from the filter tip, and the capsule for specification B is 10mm from the filter tip. The output of the light source driving circuit is connected to each LED 21 via a ribbon cable. When the operator selects a cigarette specification via the touchscreen 5, the PLC 4 retrieves the corresponding capsule position parameters from the memory chip and controls the light source driving circuit to illuminate the corresponding LED 21, thereby automating and intelligentizing the detection process.

[0030] Further, see Figure 3The cigarette flavor capsule detection device also includes a touch screen 5 and a mechanical knob 6 located in the operation area 12. The touch screen 5 is connected to the main control circuit board via a flexible circuit, and its surface is divided into a cigarette specification selection area and an LED bead 21 control area. The rotating shaft of the mechanical knob 6 extends into the cavity and is connected to a potentiometer, which is soldered to the main control circuit board and outputs an analog voltage signal to the light source driving circuit. The touch screen 5 and the mechanical knob 6 work together to form an efficient and intuitive human-machine interface. The cigarette specification selection area of ​​the touch screen 5 is used to call different cigarette parameters pre-stored in the memory chip, while the LED bead 21 control area has virtual buttons corresponding to each detection slot 13, used to individually select or turn off the illumination of that slot. The mechanical knob 6 provides an analog adjustment method that conforms to operating habits. When it is rotated, the resistance of the potentiometer changes linearly, thereby generating a continuously changing analog voltage signal. This signal is collected by the main control circuit board and converted into a corresponding pulse width modulation signal, thereby steplessly adjusting the brightness of the currently activated LED bead 21. This hardware and software integration design enables rapid switching between different cigarette sizes and precise lighting control. It also allows operators to finely adjust the brightness based on subtle differences in ambient light or filter material to obtain the clearest image of the flavor capsule shadow. This enhances operational convenience while ensuring optimal reliability of test results.

[0031] Further, see Figure 3 The cigarette menthol capsule detection device also includes a battery 7 housed within a cavity. The output of battery 7 is connected to the power input of the main control circuit board and, via a voltage divider resistor module, to the ADC sampling pin of the main control circuit board for power supply and power display on the touchscreen 5. This built-in battery 7 design eliminates the device's dependence on a fixed power source, providing excellent portability and flexibly adaptable to various scenarios such as production lines, laboratories, or warehouses. The voltage divider resistor module proportionally reduces the voltage of battery 7 to a range that the main control circuit board can safely acquire. The ADC pin converts the acquired analog voltage value into a digital signal. The programmable controller 4 calculates the remaining percentage of battery 7 based on this digital signal using a preset algorithm and sends this information to the touchscreen 5 for display in real time. This power management solution not only provides a stable and reliable energy supply for the entire system but also allows operators to promptly grasp the device's battery status through intuitive power feedback, avoiding interruptions in the detection process due to sudden power outages and ensuring the continuity and reliability of the detection process.

[0032] Further, see Figure 3The cigarette flavor capsule detection device also includes a charging socket 8 and a self-locking switch 9 embedded in the side wall of the housing 1. The output end of the charging socket 8 is connected to the input end of the battery 7, and the data pin is connected to the charging management chip of the main control circuit board. The toggle switch 9 is exposed on the surface of the housing 1, and the contact pins are soldered to the power input end of the main control circuit board. The charging socket 8 is used to connect an external power adapter. When the charging cable is inserted, the charging management chip will automatically start the intelligent charging program according to the current state of the battery 7, accurately control the charging current and voltage, realize constant current / constant voltage charging, and automatically cut off the circuit after the battery 7 is fully charged, effectively protecting the battery 7 life and preventing overcharging. The mechanical self-locking switch 9 serves as the main power switch for the device. Its "on" and "off" states are locked by the physical position of the toggle switch, providing clear tactile indication and extremely high reliability. When toggled to the "on" position, the internal contacts close, transferring power from battery 7 to the main control circuit board, and the entire system begins operation. Toggled to the "off" position, the main circuit is completely cut off, achieving complete physical power disconnection, eliminating standby power consumption, and ensuring absolute safety of the equipment during non-use periods or storage and transportation. This integrated design of charging and power management together ensures the convenience, safety, and long lifespan of the device's energy system.

[0033] For example, the core working principle of a cigarette flavor capsule detection device lies in utilizing the unique internal opening structure of the flavor capsule. Through precise directional light illumination, its physical characteristics are transformed into visible optical shadows, thus achieving the goal of non-destructive and rapid determination of the presence or absence of a flavor capsule without physical contact or pressure. Its specific working process is as follows:

[0034] First, the operator selects the specification of the cigarette to be inspected via the touchscreen 5 of the operation area 12. Upon receiving the command, the programmable controller 4 immediately retrieves the corresponding burst bead position parameters from the storage chip, completing the parameter preparation before inspection. Then, the cigarettes are placed one by one into the inspection slot 13 of the inspection area 11, ensuring the filter tip is firmly against the limiting wall of the operation area 12. This step utilizes the physical limiting effect of the wall to accurately position the burst bead area of ​​all cigarettes to the standard position aligned with the light-transmitting hole 14. Next, a detection command is issued via the touchscreen 5, and the programmable controller 4 drives the light source module 2 to illuminate the corresponding LED beads 21. The light passes perpendicularly through the light-transmitting hole 14, focusing on a specific section of the cigarette filter. If the burst bead is present, its internal cavity structure will form a clear shadow in the transmitted light path; if the burst bead is missing, there will be no such characteristic shadow. Subsequently, the operator can visually determine the integrity of the burst bead by observing whether a shadow appears on the filter at the expected position. During this process, the brightness of the light source can be adjusted in real time by rotating the mechanical knob 6 to adapt to the light transmission characteristics of different filter materials, thereby obtaining the clearest shadow image for interpretation. Finally, thanks to the parallel design of the multiple detection slots 13, the light sources of each slot can be lit sequentially or selectively to achieve rapid and continuous detection of batches of cigarettes and improve detection efficiency.

[0035] In summary, this device transforms the traditional subjective judgment that relies on touch into objective observation that relies on optical images through the technical path of "precise positioning → vertical transmission → shadow imaging," effectively solving the problems of breakage risk, high false negative rate and low efficiency caused by touch pressure detection.

[0036] It should be noted that the core innovation of this application lies in the specific mechanical structure and optical cooperation relationship between the housing 1, the detection groove 13, the limiting barrier and the light-transmitting hole 14 and the light source module 2. This structural cooperation enables a method to determine the integrity of the menthol capsule by optical shadow without touching or pressing the cigarette.

[0037] The programmable controller 4 (including its main control circuit board, memory chip, light source driving circuit, etc.), touch screen 5, mechanical knob 6, battery 7, charging socket 8, self-locking switch 9, and other possible electronic components (such as charging management chip, voltage divider resistor module, etc.) mentioned in this document are all existing technology components or commercially available parts commonly used in the field. Their specific internal circuit structure, working principle, and programming method are well known to those skilled in the art and are not the focus of this application. Therefore, this specification does not elaborate on the internal details of these existing technology components. Their role in this application is to support and realize the automated control and portable functions of the aforementioned core mechanical-optical structure, and the scope of protection of this application does not involve any improvement to these existing technology components themselves.

[0038] 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 cigarette blasting bead detection device, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) with an internal cavity has a detection area (11) and an operation area (12) on its top surface. The detection area (11) has at least one strip-shaped detection groove (13) with its first axial end facing the operation area (12) in parallel. The operation area (12) protrudes from the surface of the detection area (11) to form a limiting wall to close the first axial end of the detection groove (13). At least one light-transmitting hole (14) communicating with the cavity is opened at the bottom of each detection groove (13) near the operation area (12). The light source module (2) located in the cavity includes lamp beads (21) that are directly opposite each light-transmitting hole (14), and the optical axis of the lamp beads (21) is perpendicular to the plane where the light-transmitting hole (14) is located; Programmable controller (4); The programmable controller (4) includes a main control circuit board disposed in the cavity, a memory chip soldered to the main control circuit board, and a light source driving circuit integrated on the main control circuit board; The output terminal of the light source driving circuit is connected to each lamp bead (21) through a ribbon cable and is configured to selectively illuminate the lamp bead (21) corresponding to different cigarette specifications. A scale (3) is provided on the top surface of the housing (1) and located on one side of the detection area (11). The extension direction of the scale (3) is parallel to the axis of the detection groove (13), and the zero mark is aligned with the first end face of the axial direction of the detection groove (13).

2. The cigarette flavor capsule detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a touch screen (5) and a mechanical knob (6) set in the operation area (12); the touch screen (5) is connected to the main control circuit board through a flexible circuit, and its surface is divided into a cigarette specification selection area and a lamp bead (21) control area; the rotating shaft of the mechanical knob (6) extends into the cavity and is connected to a potentiometer, which is soldered to the main control circuit board and outputs an analog voltage signal to the light source driving circuit.

3. The cigarette flavor capsule detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a battery (7) located in the cavity. The output end of the battery (7) is connected to the power input end of the main control circuit board and connected to the ADC sampling pin of the main control circuit board through a voltage divider resistor module for power supply and power display of the touch screen (5).

4. The cigarette flavor capsule detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a charging socket (8) and a self-locking switch (9) embedded in the side wall of the housing (1); the output end of the charging socket (8) is connected to the input end of the battery (7), and the data pin is connected to the charging management chip of the main control circuit board; the toggle button of the self-locking switch (9) is exposed on the surface of the housing (1), and the contact pin is soldered to the power input end of the main control circuit board.

Images