Conveyor Compartment Sorting for Mixed Cigarette Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a systematic method for arranging and sorting rod-like waste elements, such as cigarette parts and filter parts, which are produced during the cigarette manufacturing process, especially when they are unordered and mixed in various configurations.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with compartments that uses scanning technology to identify and sort rod-like elements based on their composition and orientation, allowing for precise sorting and separation of different types of cigarette parts and filter parts using a control unit and feeding mechanisms like compressed air nozzles or pushers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cutting devices are used for rod-like waste elements, then cutting operation can be performed, but the elements must be arranged in an orderly manner with filters oriented in one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and identification of rod-like elements before cutting. The scanning device detects the type, number, and location of parts in each compartment, and the control unit assigns information about contents to each compartment in advance, preparing the elements for subsequent sorting and cutting operations without requiring pre-arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the elements themselves to define the cutting positions. The scanning device detects the actual configuration of each element, and the control unit automatically adjusts cutting parameters based on the detected information, allowing the elements to 'guide' the cutting process rather than requiring external arrangement
2Measurement precision
If scanning of each compartment is performed to identify element composition, then sorting precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is divided into multiple compartments, and the scanning system is segmented into multiple scanning sections that correspond to each compartment. Each scanning section independently scans its assigned compartment, and the control unit processes information for each compartment separately, dividing the complex scanning task into manageable segments
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning device is designed to detect multiple features of elements including presence or absence, external color, density of contents, contrast, and detectable indicators. This multi-functional scanning capability allows a single device to gather comprehensive information needed for accurate sorting without requiring multiple specialized sensors
3Productivity
If multiple sorting categories are implemented for different element compositions, then waste classification is improved, but the number of receiving means and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the longitudinal dimension of the conveyor with multiple compartments to organize different element types. Instead of requiring multiple receiving means arranged in complex configurations, the sorted elements are directed to different positions along the conveyor length, utilizing the existing spatial dimension for classification
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
Enables efficient and orderly arrangement of cigarette production waste, allowing individual elements to be sorted into separate containers, improving waste management and enabling further processing like separation of tobacco and filter parts.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning head is used enabling detecting at least one of the features selected from a group containing: presence or absence of an element in a compartment, external color of the element, density of the contents of the element, contrast of the scanned elements, presence of a detectable indicator on the element
Implementation Method 2
the elements being subsequently sorted out, basing on the information received from the control unit, by the type and the number of parts each element is composed of, as well as by the location of these parts in the compartment, by transferring the elements contained in successive compartments to suitable receiving means
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
Method and system for arranging rod-like elements, in which an unordered portion of rod-like elements (3A...3F) composed each of at least one part selected from a group including cigarette parts being filter parts and tobacco parts, is delivered to a conveyor enabling arrangement of the elements on the said conveyor (1, 1', 101, 201) in a plurality of compartments (2, 2', 102, 202), longitudinally in each compartment and transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor, the compartments having a length adapted to receive at least one filter part and at least one tobacco part of a cigarette, characterized in that the type, the number and the location of parts of the element (3A...3F) received in each successive compartment (2, 2', 102, 202) is defined by at least a single scanning of each successive compartment (2, 2', 102, 202) of the conveyor (1, 1', 101, 201), the result of the scanning being transmitted to a control unit (S) in which each compartment (2, 2', 102, 202) is assigned information about its contents, the elements (3A...3F) being subsequently sorted out, basing on the information received from the control unit (S) by the type and the number of parts each element is composed of, as well as by the location of these parts in the compartment (2, 2', 102, 202), by transferring the elements contained in successive compartments (2, 2', 102, 202) to suitable receiving means selected according to the information received from the control unit (S).