Smoking Article Feeding Hopper with Coordinated Pushers for Stable Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding devices for smoking articles are unstable when the number of overlapping rows exceeds seven, often causing the group to break up during descent, leading to device flooding.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with multiple independent pushing elements that move in a coordinated manner to stabilize the descent of smoking articles, using two pushing elements to support different sub-groups of the group, ensuring stable transfer into a pocket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pushing element is used to extract smoking articles from the hopper, then the device complexity is low, but the stability of the smoking article group deteriorates when the number of overlapping rows exceeds seven
Solution Approach 1:
The single pushing element is divided into multiple independent pushing elements (first pushing element and second pushing element). Each pushing element is responsible for supporting a different sub-group of smoking articles during descent. This segmentation allows each element to handle a smaller portion of the load, improving overall stability without requiring a completely complex system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing elements are designed to move independently from the hopper outlet toward the pocket. This dynamic configuration allows the pushing elements to adapt to the descent process of smoking articles, providing continuous support and stabilization during the transfer operation, particularly when dealing with groups having more than seven overlapping rows.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of overlapping rows of smoking articles increases, then the quantity of smoking articles increases, but the stability of the group during descent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The smoking article group is effectively segmented into sub-groups, with each sub-group being supported by a dedicated pushing element. This segmentation approach allows the system to manage larger quantities of smoking articles (more than seven overlapping rows) by distributing the support load across multiple elements, preventing the group from breaking up during descent.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple pushing elements act as intermediaries between the hopper outlet and the pocket. They provide continuous support and control during the descent process, enabling the stable transfer of larger groups of smoking articles that would otherwise be unstable due to their size and weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single pushing element is used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability of the feeding process deteriorates due to frequent breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent pushing elements rather than using a single complex element. This segmentation improves reliability because each element can be simpler in design and can operate independently, reducing the likelihood of complete system failure. The independent elements can be manufactured separately and assembled, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent pushing elements can be individually replaced or maintained without affecting the entire system. If one element experiences wear or failure, it can be discarded and replaced while the other elements continue to function, thereby maintaining high reliability without requiring complex recovery mechanisms for the entire system.
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
The device significantly reduces the likelihood of smoking article groups breaking up during descent, maintaining stability and preventing device flooding, while being easy and cost-effective to implement.
Implementation Method 1
The extraction device then comprises a single pushing element that moves from a retracted position to an advanced position (and vice versa) and has an arm to which an appendage is attached that is designed to come into contact with the smoking articles and accompany them into the pocket
Implementation Method 2
The pushing element is designed in such a way that it prevents the smoking articles coming from the hopper when it is in the advanced position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A feeding device (4) for feeding a group (1) of smoking articles (2) is described, comprising a plurality of rows of smoking articles (2) on top of one another. The feeding device (4) is provided with a collecting hopper (5) for collecting the smoking articles (2) and having a single output mouth (6), from which the group (1) of smoking articles (2) is cyclically extracted; and an extraction device (7) designed to convey the group (1) of smoking articles (2) coming from the single output mouth (6) with at least two pushing elements (10), which are independent of one another and movable from a retracted position to an advanced position and vice versa; when the pushing elements (10) are in the advanced position they prevent the smoking articles (2) coming from the hopper (5) from moving downwards. A first pushing element (10*) is designed to convey an upper sub-group (3*) of smoking articles (2) and is arranged near the output mouth (6); and a second pushing element (10**) is arranged under the first pushing element (10*), is configured to convey a lower sub-group (3**) of smoking articles (2) and is configured to move from the retracted position to the advanced position simultaneously; with the first pushing element (10*) and to move from the advanced position to the retracted position only after the start of the movement of the first pushing element (10*) from the respective advanced position to the respective retracted position.