Tobacco Mixture Distribution Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tobacco mixture distribution devices expose all mixture components to the same mechanical, thermal, and pneumatic loads, leading to undesired effects and uncontrolled changes in the tobacco blend composition, as they pass through the same sifting process, which is not suitable for all components.
Innovation Solution
The distribution device design allows the feed device for the second mixture component to open directly into the receiving space behind the storage shaft, creating separate paths for each component, ensuring they are only exposed to loads they can withstand, and are mixed independently in the receiving space, where the final tobacco blend is formed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all mixture components are passed through the same sifting process, then the sifting function is simplified, but the composition of the tobacco blend becomes uncontrolled and some components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sifting process is segmented into separate pathways: a first sifter for the first mixture component and a second sifter for the second mixture component. This allows each component to be sifted independently with appropriate parameters, preventing composition instability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sifting conditions and parameters are applied locally to different mixture components based on their specific requirements. The first sifter and second sifter can operate with different settings optimized for their respective components, ensuring each component maintains its quality without compromising the overall blend composition.
2Device complexity
If all mixture components are exposed to the same mechanical and pneumatic loads, then the processing system is simplified, but undesired effects occur and component integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is divided into separate processing lines with independent mechanical and pneumatic load applications. Each mixture component experiences loads tailored to its properties, preventing damage while maintaining system reliability. The segmented approach allows customization of load parameters for each component.
3Device complexity
If mixture components are mixed upstream of the storage chute, then the distribution is simplified, but the mixing ratio changes and composition becomes uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
Mixture components are prepared and pre-sifted separately before being combined in the storage chute. This preliminary action ensures each component is ready for precise mixing at the optimal point, maintaining controlled mixing ratios while simplifying the overall distribution system through staged preparation.
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
This approach results in a uniform tobacco blend for each cigarette, with components being added according to their load capacity, reducing stress on the sifter and enabling precise dosing of flavor components, leading to higher machine speeds and consistent tobacco rod composition.
Implementation Method 1
a sifter (13) for separating the portions to be processed and those not to be processed one of the mixture components
Implementation Method 2
a storage chute (14) arranged behind the sifter (13), to which a removal roller (15) is assigned on the output side for passing on the mixture component sifted in the sifter (13) into a receiving space (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a distribution device (10) for feeding a cigarette strand machine with a tobacco mixture formed from several mixture components, comprising an input device (11) for inputting a first mixture component M1, a feed device (12) for feeding a further mixture component M2, a classifier (13) for separating portions of one of the mixture components to be processed and portions not to be processed, and a damming chute (14) arranged behind the classifier (13), to which a discharge roller (15) is assigned on the output side for conveying the mixture component classified in the classifier (13) into a receiving chamber (16), wherein at least the feed device (12) is not a return device within the distribution device (10), which is characterized bythat the feed device (12) for feeding at least one further mixture component M2 in the transport direction T1 of the mixture component M1, which is fed in via the input device (11) and flows through the classifier (13), opens directly into the receiving chamber (16) behind the damming shaft (14), such that the tobacco mixture formed from the mixture components M1 and M2 can be produced at the earliest in the common receiving chamber (16). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.