Tobacco Machine Energy Control via Dynamic Power Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The power consumption of machines in the tobacco processing industry is high due to the vacuum supply and heating/cooling devices, necessitating a reduction in energy requirements without compromising functional reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling machines in the tobacco processing industry that adjusts the energy-optimal target power for thermal and pneumatic active connections based on article type data, using a control unit to set the active unit parameters, and monitors actual power consumption to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum supply and heating/cooling devices operate at high power to ensure functional reliability, then article conveyance and processing are reliable, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power consumption of vacuum supply and heating/cooling devices variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts power settings based on detected article properties (weight, diameter, material) to provide only the necessary power for reliable article conveyance and processing, eliminating excess energy consumption while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (power consumption levels) based on article properties. The control unit modifies power settings for vacuum supply and thermal processing devices according to detected characteristics of each article type, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual needs rather than operating at fixed high power levels.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power settings are reduced to minimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but functional reliability and article quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect article properties (weight, diameter, material composition) and feeding this information to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts power settings for vacuum supply and heating/cooling devices based on this feedback, ensuring that power consumption is reduced only to the extent that functional reliability and article quality are maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting article properties and autonomously adjusting its own power consumption settings without external intervention. The control unit independently determines the optimal power level needed for each article type, eliminating the need for manual power setting while ensuring functional reliability.
3Ease of operation
If universal power settings are used for all article types, then device operation is simplified, but energy consumption increases for lighter/smaller articles
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines appropriate power settings for different article types by detecting article properties (weight, diameter, material) and autonomously adjusting vacuum and thermal processing parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual power setting while preventing excessive energy consumption on lighter or smaller articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (power consumption levels) based on detected article properties. The control unit modifies power settings for vacuum supply and thermal processing devices according to the specific characteristics of each article type, allowing energy consumption to be optimized for each article rather than using universal high power settings.
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
Reduces energy consumption to the minimum required level while ensuring functional reliability and quality of processed articles, by adapting power settings according to specific article types and properties.
Implementation Method 1
a circulating transfer device which has a Vacuum supply and at least one conveying element for picking up articles conveyed in the longitudinal direction and for delivering the circulating articles to a conveying element or a transverse conveyor that discharges in a transverse axial direction, or vice versa, each conveying element having receptacles with suction openings for receiving the rod-shaped articles and the vacuum supply being set up and designed to generate the negative pressure required to hold the rod-shaped articles
Implementation Method 2
a heating and/or cooling device for drying and/or setting the applied glue
Implementation Method 3
a heating and/or cooling device for drying and/or setting the applied glue
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The method involves conveying the article by a conveyor of the machine components (16,18). The time required for the active connection is set and the machine parameter set is updated for energy-optimal target performance of the operative unit in response to article type data set. The operative unit is monitored by a motion sensor unit. The active compound causing actual activity of the operative unit is determined by measuring performance-relevant physical size of the operative unit by a process sensor unit. The machine parameter set is updated based on the determined actual power. An independent claim is included for a machine for the production of rod-shaped articles of tobacco processing industry.