Alternating Receiving Troughs for Separate Conveying Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conveyor systems in the tobacco processing industry face inefficiencies in transverse axial conveyance of rod-shaped articles, particularly filter cigarettes and filter rods, as they lack separate and independent conveying paths, leading to complications in processing and transfer between conveyor drums.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a conveyor drum with alternating types of receiving troughs, each with distinct suction air bore arrangements, allows for the creation of two separate conveying paths on the same drum, enabling efficient transfer and processing of rod-shaped articles without mixing them along the conveying paths, using a control body to manage suction air pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional conveying drum with uniform receiving troughs is used, then the structure is simple, but separate and independent conveying paths cannot be created leading to article mixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying path separationVSAvoidreceiving trough configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying drum is segmented into two distinct types of receiving troughs (first type and second type) arranged alternately around the circumference. Each type has different suction air bore configurations, creating two independent conveying paths that prevent article mixing while maintaining separate processing routes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the conveying drum are given different functional qualities through the alternating arrangement of first-type and second-type receiving troughs. Each trough type has localized suction air bores positioned at specific locations, allowing independent control of conveying paths with distinct local characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If suction air is applied to all receiving troughs simultaneously, then articles are securely held, but efficient processing along separate paths is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsuction air control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction air supply to receiving troughs is made dynamic and controllable rather than static. The system can selectively activate suction air to specific trough types (first type or second type) based on the conveying path requirements, allowing flexible control of article movement and processing timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction air supply operates in periodic cycles corresponding to the rotational position of the conveying drum. Suction air is activated only when specific trough types are in the appropriate processing zones, creating periodic action that synchronizes with the drum rotation to maintain separate conveying paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables seamless and efficient transverse axial conveyance of rod-shaped articles by maintaining separate conveying paths, improving processing efficiency and reducing the risk of article mixing, while optimizing suction air usage and ensuring reliable transfer between conveyor drums.

Implementation Method 1

the suction air bores of the receiving troughs of the first type are opened by means of the control body, so that the rod-shaped articles arranged in the receiving troughs of the first type are subjected to negative pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure (suction): Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a stationary control element for the suction air bores of the receiving troughs of the conveying drum is provided inside the conveying drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3677128B1Conveying of rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 KORBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3677128B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3677128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677128B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a conveying arrangement (100) for the transverse axial conveying of rod-shaped articles (20) of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter cigarettes or filter rods or filter rod segments. In the conveying arrangement (100), a first conveying drum (13) has an even number of receiving recesses (21, 22) and a second conveying drum (14) has an odd number of receiving recesses (31). Inside the first conveying drum (13) a control body (132) is provided, wherein along a first conveying path of the rod-shaped articles (20) on the first conveying drum (13) a first suction air bore (211, 212) of receiving troughs of a first type (21) is opened by means of the control body (132), wherein along the first conveying path a second suction air bore (221, 222) of receiving troughs (22) of a second type is closed by means of the control body (132).Furthermore, the control body (132) is designed such that along the second conveying path of the rod-shaped articles (20) on the first conveying drum (13) suction air bores (221, 222) of the receiving troughs (22) of the second type are opened by means of the control body (132), wherein along the second conveying path the suction air bores (211, 212) of the receiving troughs (21) of the first type are closed by means of the control body (132).