Cigarette Rolling Machine Diameter Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cigarette rolling machines are not easily adaptable to produce cigarettes of different diameters with minimal handling of tobacco, and they lack a compact, user-friendly design.

Innovation Solution

A compact cigarette rolling machine with a horizontally pivotable drum and a tension adjuster mechanism that allows for varying the diameter of the cigarette by adjusting the position of the tensioner roller, enabling the machine to produce cigarettes of different diameters with minimal tobacco handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed drum and belt system is used, then the structure is simple, but the cigarette diameter cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecigarette diameter variationVSAvoidmachine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioner roller is made movable along the drum circumference through an adjustable mounting mechanism, allowing the belt loop geometry to be dynamically changed. This enables the same basic structure to produce cigarettes of different diameters by simply repositioning the tensioner roller to different locations on the drum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual tobacco handling is required to change diameter, then the machine structure is simple, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetobacco handlingVSAvoidrolling operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The belt loop is pre-configured with attachment points at multiple locations around the drum circumference. Before rolling begins, the tensioner roller position is adjusted to the appropriate location for the desired cigarette diameter. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual tobacco handling during diameter changes, as users only need to adjust the pre-positioned tensioner roller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the belt loop geometry is fixed, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the adaptability to different diameters is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter rangeVSAvoidcigarette diameter consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drum surface features localized constant radius sections at specific angular positions (90-130 degrees) that engage with the belt to maintain consistent tension. These localized precision features ensure that even though the overall geometry is adjustable, the critical rolling portion maintains high manufacturing precision for consistent cigarette diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12207676B2Cigarette rolling machine

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 GRASSHOPPER ROLLERS LLC

AI summary

A cigarette rolling machine formed of a frame pivotably supporting a drum for rotation about a drum axis. The drum circumference forms hopper channel and a spaced apart removal channel parallel to the axis. A forming roller is pivotably mounted adjacent to and spaced from the surface of the drum. An idler roller is also pivotably supported on the frame for rotation parallel to the drum axis. An elongate belt forms a loop extending about the forming and idler roller. The belt has two ends attached to spaced apart sides of the removal channel. A tensioner roller is pivotably supported for rotation parallel to the drum axis. A belt tension adjuster cooperates with the tensioner roller and the frame to releasably affix the axis of the tensioner roller at a plurality of positions relative to the belt in order to vary the diameter of a cigarette to be formed.