Tobacco Pushing Drum with Underpressure for Short Segment Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for conveying short tobacco segments on drum conveyors are inefficient due to their instability and tendency to rotate, leading to deformation and damage when subjected to non-central forces, especially when their diameter is close to their length.
Innovation Solution
A drum conveyor apparatus with slidably mounted slides and a mechanism for shifting segments, featuring underpressure openings, axial and lateral limiters, and a receiving and releasing row of underpressure openings to stabilize and align short segments during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If short segments are conveyed on drum conveyor flutes using conventional methods, then the conveying process can be maintained, but the segments become unstable and rotate during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing underpressure specifically at the bottom of the flute through underpressure openings, creating a localized stable environment for the segment. This localized underpressure prevents the segment from rotating or becoming unstable during conveying, while not requiring the entire flute structure to be modified.
Solution Approach 2:
The underpressure is applied in advance before the segment needs to be transferred or manipulated. By establishing segment stability through underpressure beforehand, the system prevents rotation and deformation during subsequent handling operations, ensuring the segment remains in the correct orientation throughout the conveying process.
2Productivity
If pressure is applied from the face to move segments along the flute, then the segments can be conveyed, but short segments tilt and deform due to non-central forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic underpressure applied through underpressure openings in the flute bottom to convey and control short segments. This pneumatic method applies force distributed across the segment base rather than concentrated face pressure, preventing tilting and deformation while maintaining conveying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter by applying underpressure (negative pressure) instead of positive pressure from the face. This parameter change fundamentally alters how force is applied to the segment, distributing it evenly across the base and preventing the tilting and deformation that occurs with conventional face pressure application.
3Manufacturing precision
If axial limiters are used to stop and shift segments, then segment alignment is improved, but additional mechanical components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the underpressure delivery system with the alignment function by integrating underpressure openings directly into the flute structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate axial limiters and other mechanical alignment components, achieving precise segment alignment through the coordinated action of underpressure and flute geometry alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical alignment components such as axial limiters by relying on the underpressure system and flute design to provide alignment. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining or improving alignment precision through the pneumatic control mechanism.
4Reliability
If lateral limiters are added to hold segments from the outside, then segment stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flute structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys segments, applies underpressure through integrated openings, provides lateral containment through its geometry, and enables alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lateral limiters, enhancing segment stability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral containment function is merged into the flute structure itself rather than being provided by separate lateral limiter components. The flute's geometric design provides the necessary lateral constraints to prevent segment rotation and instability, while the integrated underpressure system works in conjunction with this geometry to achieve stable segment conveyance.
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
Ensures precise alignment and control of short segments, reducing downtime and enhancing production efficiency by preventing deformation and rotation, thus maintaining segment quality.
Implementation Method 1
The slide is provided with at least two conveying flutes for conveying the segments with underpressure openings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The object of the invention is a conveying method and a conveying apparatus (1, 1', 1") for tobacco industry segments (4) and for forming at least one stream (5) of the segments (4), comprising a drum conveyor (8) which is provided with slides (10) slidably mounted parallel to the axis of rotation (k) of the drum conveyor (8) and a mechanism for shifting the slides (10) during the rotational movement of the drum conveyor (8), the slide (10) being provided with at least two conveying flutes (7) for conveying the segments (4), the conveying apparatus (1) further comprises at least one axial limiter (16, 18) for stopping the segment (4) and shifting the segment (4) along the flute (7) during the movement of the slide (10) in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the slide (10), characterised in that the conveying apparatus (1) is provided with at least one lateral limiter (17, 19) for holding the segment (4) in the conveying flute (7) from the outside when the segment (4) is not held by the underpressure provided by underpressure openings (22) in the conveying flute (7).