EP2263483B1 - Cutting device for the tobacco industry for cutting at least one transported strand into a number of rod-shaped articles and method for disabling the cutting device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cutting device of the tobacco processing industry for cutting at least one conveyed strand into a plurality of rod-shaped articles, in particular tobacco sticks, filters od. Like., Comprising a machine base, a blade device formed by a rotatably driven, at least one radial blade bearing, a Rotary axis having knife carrier, a tube device formed by a rotatably driven, at least one Schneidtube supporting, having a rotation axis tubular support, direct rotary actuators of the knife carrier and the tube support, formed by frame-mounted electric motors, and an electronic control device which is connected to the rotary actuators for control and their synchronous operation controls. The two carrier axes of rotation are each in a set format in a fixed orientation transverse to each other and with respect to the machine base frame. The at least one knife is associated with the at least one cutting tube, which forms a supporting counterpart for the at least one conveyed strand and a cutting recess for collision-free passage of the knife, if in synchronous cutting rotary operation separating cuts coinciding at intersecting paths common cutting positions of knife and Tube are running. In synchronous cutting-turning operation, each knife crosses at least one tube. Depending on the reduction, that is to say a ratio of measurements / tubes that is less than one, one and the same knife crosses several tubes. The invention also relates to a method for decommissioning such a cutting device.

Known cutting devices of the type mentioned are equipped with an electrical control device which controls the synchronous operation of motors for synchronous operation of the knife carrier and the tube carrier, which are mechanically independent of each other as individual drives ( EP 1 905 316 A2 ). The controller can be used with appropriate settings to compensate for clock / time interval changes, which are caused for example by manufacturing tolerances or wear. The drive with the controlled direct drives is particularly connected when decommissioning the device with risk of collision of knives and tubes. The danger is in the area of the actual cutting. Tubes and knives of the known device are provided with predetermined breaking points, which should break in collisions as a result of loss of synchronization. A special risk of collision occurs in case of disturbances, but also when switching off the regular cutting operation of the device. Malfunctions and breakdowns are caused, for example, by faults in the drive system, failure of the mains supply voltage, faults in the electrical wiring and / or operating deficiencies such as open protective hoods or other improper mechanical operating situations.

The invention has for its object to provide measures for decommissioning of the cutting device, which eliminate the great risk of collision in the event of interference, but also at the regular shutdown of the cutting device.

The object is achieved in conjunction with the features of the above-mentioned cutting device, characterized in that the control device is set up and connected to the rotary drives of the knife carrier and the tube support for the control that they for controlled decommissioning of working in synchronous cutting operation cutting device due to at least one defined event generates a shutdown signal and by means of the shutdown signal a defined asynchronous braking operation such triggers and performs that at least one of the two carriers (tube carrier or knife carrier) is rotated in associated predetermined, with leaving the synchronous operation of the direct drives starting braking time in a predetermined stop position, said knife and Tube are always outside their common cutting positions.

1. a) infolge wenigstens eines definierten Ereignisses wird ein Abschaltsignal erzeugt,
2. b) das Abschaltsignal wird zum Auslösen eines definierten asynchronen Bremsbetriebs verwendet, der derart ist, dass wenigstens einer der beiden Träger (Tubenträger bzw. Messerträger) in zugeordneter vorgegebener, mit Verlassen des Synchronbetriebs der Direktantriebe startender Bremszeit in eine vorgegebene Stoppposition gedreht wird, wobei sich Messer und Tube stets außerhalb ihrer gemeinsamen Schnittpositionen befinden.

The objective is also achieved by a special procedure, which is carried out for decommissioning of the separating device. According to the invention is a method for decommissioning a cutting device of the tobacco processing industry for cutting at least one conveyed strand in a variety of rod-shaped articles, especially tobacco sticks, filters od. The like .. The a machine base frame comprising cutting device is equipped with a knife device, formed by a rotatably driven, at least one radial blade bearing, having a rotation axis knife carrier with a tube means formed by a rotating driven, at least one Schneidtube supporting, having a rotation axis tubular support, each with a frame-fixed electrical Motor formed direct drives of the knife carrier and the tube carrier and with a synchronous operation of the direct drives controlling electronic control device. The two axes of rotation are in fixed orientation transversely to each other and with respect to the machine base frame; associated with the at least one cutter in the at least one Schneidtube, which forms a supporting counterpart for the at least one funded strand and a Schneidausnehmung for collision-free passage of the knife during the separation cuts, if in synchronous cutting rotary operation separating cuts at intersecting paths overlapping common cutting positions be executed by Messer and Tube. The following steps are carried out for the controlled, collision-free decommissioning of the cutting device operating in synchronous cutting operation without collision of knife and tube:

1. a) as a result of at least one defined event, a shutdown signal is generated,
2. b) the switch-off signal is used to trigger a defined asynchronous braking operation, which is such that at least one of the two carriers (tube carrier or knife carrier) is rotated in associated predetermined, starting from the synchronous operation of the direct drives braking start time in a predetermined stop position, wherein Always keep knife and tube out of their common cutting positions.

The shutdown signal is generated as a result of a shutdown event, which is defined in particular by a malfunction of the cutting device, but also by regular shutdown. For the asynchronous braking operation according to the invention, it is essential that the tube carrier and the knife carrier are disengaged in the shortest possible time when the switch-off signal occurs. Uncoupling is understood to mean that a targeted rotational difference is effected between the drives of knife carrier and tube carrier, which is such that the knife and tubes are always outside their common cutting positions during further rotation in braking operation. The control causes the knives and tubes to leave their common cutting positions of the synchronous operation instantly and can no longer reach. This disengagement excludes a collision in no time. The time to stop (asynchronous braking) of the first of both carriers should be in the range of only a few tens of milliseconds. This particularly fast asynchronous stopping not only excludes the collision, but it can also be performed with a very short-term auxiliary power supply, which is effected for example by capacitive or regenerative electrical energy buffering and thus in a very simple manner.

Suitably, the control device or the method are designed such that one of the two carriers, which will be referred to as the first carrier is rotated in the predetermined braking time to a stop in its stop position and the other, namely second carrier rotates longer than the first carrier ,

Although it is conceivable that both the tube carrier drive, and the blade carrier drive in a first phase of the asynchronous braking operation path-time braking functions are impressed, ensure the collision-free disengagement, so the measure has been found to be particularly advantageous and appropriate in that, during the time until the first carrier stops, the second carrier is at least substantially further rotated with its synchronous rotational speed present when leaving the synchronous mode.

Particularly fast disengagement is achieved by the fact that the (first) carrier of the two carriers, which has a lower inertial mass, according to the invention asynchronously brought into its stop position, while continuing to rotate the other (second) carrier with a larger inertial mass and optionally expire without drive. In general, it may be an advantageous method measure that the second carrier is at least in the time after standstill of the first carrier for further rotation is set to a standstill in a non-powered state.

In conventional cutting devices of the generic type, the tube carrier has a lower inertial mass than the knife carrier. Appropriately, therefore, the tube carrier is first stopped. The blade carrier, which continues to rotate until later standstill, always remains outside with its knife cutting positions, ie at a local and temporal offset from the tube cutting positions. In general, the two cutting tools (knife and tube) do not encounter each other in the asynchronous braking operation according to the invention.

It has been found that the angle (travel) time function curve of the braking curve can be chosen so that the first carrier, which is first brought to a standstill, within one to a maximum of five cuts, which stir the blades, and expediently within of three such cuts can be stopped without collision without collision. According to the method, the first carrier is then stopped with an angle-time function course such that the knives, until the stop position of the first carrier is reached, perform at least one and at most five cuts without collision without collision.

A particularly advantageous method according to the invention or correspondingly connected control device consists in that only one tube passes its cutting position after the occurrence of the braking event, whereas all subsequent tubes reach their stop positions before they reach their cutting positions. This achieves maximum collision protection.

In particular, for example, in cases of said embodiments, a cutting device is provided, the knife carrier has two arranged at a circumferential distance of 180 ° knife and the tube support four arranged at a circumferential distance of 90 ° tubes. Such a machine equipped (cutting device) allows a stopping time of the tube carrier (first carrier) of z. B. about 36 ms at a machine speed of 20,000 cigarettes / minute. The machine is a double-strand machine. The inventive angle (travel) time braking function of the first brought to a standstill (first) carrier and optionally also a corresponding brake function of the other (second carrier) can be inventively in Set up adjustment to the equipment of the carrier. According to one embodiment, the control device can be equipped with a means which, depending on the adjustable synchronous rotational speed of the carriers and the number ratio of blades to tubes, which are arranged as corresponding cutting tools respectively on the two carriers for cutting at least one associated strand, an associated angle (Distance) time braking function of the at least one carrier generated.

The start of the braking time of at least the first carrier may suitably begin at a rotational angle of the carrier to be braked, which is defined and determined in relation to a common cut occurring immediately after the shutdown signal. A procedural measure then consists in that the asynchronous braking operation of the first carrier with a defined braking course is started at a defined angle of rotation of this carrier. Advantageously, the defined starting angle of rotation for the braking function of the rotation angle, which occurs at the first, carried out in time after triggering the shutdown signal regular, executed jointly with tube and knife cut.

Advantageously, the cutting device comprises at least one locking element, which is between a unlocking position and in at least one carrier (knife carrier or tube support) engaging locking position, which secures the carrier (blade carrier or tube support) against free rotation, and set resettable. A preferred measure is that the first carrier initially brought into its stop position is locked to the machine base frame. Also, the second carrier, for example, comes to a standstill after a time that several times larger, z. B. is at least about ten times greater than the braking time of the first carrier can be locked in its stop position on the machine frame. In particular, the locked stop positions can be used to perform a basic test for testing the drive axles and the lock.

It is expedient in all cases the first carrier of the tube carrier.

In order to carry out the asynchronous braking operation according to the invention reliably in a defined short time, within which at least the first carrier to be stopped is stopped, it is expedient to generate a temporary (intermediate) supply voltage with a limited voltage switching time (duration) when the switch-off signal occurs. Advantageously, the voltage or supply switching time is selected to be at least twice as long as the braking time of the carrier first brought to a standstill, and preferably at least ten times as large.

The shutdown signal is expediently generated as a result of a regular shutdown of the cutting device defining the shutdown event. Preferably, the shutdown method can be performed or the associated controller can be set up so that the asynchronous braking operation leaving synchronous operation of the direct drives takes place only when the knife carrier and the tube carrier have been braked to reduced rotational speed in synchronous operation.

Fig. 1

in axonometrischer Längsansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Schneidvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine axonometrische Ansicht der Schneidvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

ein Detail D aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 und 5

nach Art eines Block- und Funktionsdiagramms Bau- und Funktionseinheiten der Schneidvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 und

Fig. 6 und 7

Diagramme zum Darstellen des Bremsverlaufs des Tubenträgers.

Subclaims are directed to the mentioned and still other expedient and advantageous embodiments of the invention. Particularly expedient and advantageous embodiments and possibilities of the invention will be described with reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the schematic drawing. All features shown in the description, the claims and the drawings can be essential to the invention both individually, as well as in any combination. Examples of method measures according to the invention described with reference to exemplary embodiments of a cutting device according to the invention can also be carried out with any other cutting device which can be operated to carry out the method according to the invention or which is set up as such. Show it

Fig. 1

in axonometric longitudinal view of a cutting device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

an axonometric view of the cutting device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a detail D off Fig. 1 .

4 and 5

in the manner of a block and function diagram construction and functional units of the cutting device according to Fig. 1 and

6 and 7

Diagrams for illustrating the braking process of the tube carrier.

The cutting device according to the invention is designed as a machine of the tobacco-processing industry for cutting at least one conveyed strand into a plurality of rod-shaped articles. In particular, cigarettes are manufactured from tobacco sticks, namely sections cut from tobacco rods 9, 9 'that are twice as long. The tobacco rod 9 or 9 'is fed continuously and at constant speed in the conveying direction F. The tobacco sticks 91 and 91 '(not shown) are separated by the cutting device 1 and then transferred to an intermediate conveyor, namely to a so-called spider, not shown. Such a spider is for example off DE 10 2004 013 972 A1 known. For example, filters are cut instead of tobacco sticks.

The cutting device 1 is formed according to the invention in a special way. With the cutting device 1 described in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to carry out particular method steps according to the invention for decommissioning the cutting device, in particular by means of an emergency shutdown in the event of a malfunction.

The cutting device 1 is a cutting machine that is equipped with a machine base 11, which may be part of a machinery. The base of the machine base frame 11 forms a machine bed not shown in detail in the drawing. For the purposes of the description of the embodiment frame, frame and housing parts, which form a mechanically fixed, stationary unit with the machine bed or the machine base frame provided with the reference numeral 11. Construction and machine parts that are fixedly arranged with the machine base frame 11 as a bearing or counter system are referred to as fixed to the frame.

Out Fig. 1 to 3 are essential components and units of the cutting device 1 can be seen. However, a control device 8 and, connected to it in electrical circuit, a voltage supply circuit 80 and a control circuit 81, which are set up, designed and prepared according to the invention for carrying out the method steps according to the invention, in conjunction with means of the machine only in the schematic drawing Fig. 4 shown.

According to Fig. 1 to 3 In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting device is designed to convey the two tobacco rods 9, 9 'along a conveying path 14 lying in the horizontal plane 140. The tobacco strands 9, 9 'are only indicated and shown in dashed lines. Below the conveying plane 140, a blade device 2 of the cutting device 1 is arranged. The knife device 2 comprises a drum-like blade carrier 20 which is driven in rotation and carries at a circumferential distance of 180 ° (blade spacing π) non-rotatably attached blades 21, 22. The knife carrier 20 is rotatably mounted about a fixed axis of rotation 12.

On the other, the knife device 2 opposite side of the conveyor plane 140, a tube device 3 of the cutting device 1 is arranged. This comprises a rotatably driven tube carrier 30, the four pairs of parallel tubes 31 to 34 and 31 'to 34' (34 'is in Fig. 2 covered). The tube pairs are arranged at the same circumferential distance of 90 ° (tube spacing π / 2) on the rotatable about a fixed axis of rotation 13 tube support 30. Each tube is U-shaped in cross-section and formed with a through-passage 35 passing transversely through its U-legs. The tubes comprise the tobacco rod 9 or 9 'from above and with the legs laterally, if they correspond in common cutting positions with the knives 21, 22 for carrying out separating cuts, ie contact the knives without cutting. The tobacco rod 9 or 9 'is guided and held against.

The one group of tubes 31 to 34 forms one in the view of Fig. 1 and 2 rear tube rim, which is associated with the tobacco rod 9. In the schematic drawing of Fig. 4 and 5 the tube carrier 30 is shown for simplicity of illustration only with the tubes 31 to 34. The second group of tubes 31 'to 34' forms as shown Fig. 1 and 2 it can be seen, a front tube rim, which is associated with the second tobacco rod 9 '.

The tubes of the tube pairs 31/31 'to 34/34' run with driven tube carrier 30 in the direction of R3 to run paths determined by circular paths (circular path 300 in Fig. 5 ). The knives 21, 22 of the driven knife carrier 20 run on a path 200 determined by a circular path in the direction R2. The knife carrier 20 and the tube support 30 rotate about the fixed axes of rotation 12, 13, which are in a fixed vertical orientation transverse to each other. The rotary axes 12, 13 correspond to motor axes of individual drives forming motor direct drives 4, 5 for the knife carrier 20 and the tube support 30. The direct drives 4, 5, which are designed for example as servomotors, are fixed to the frame connected to the machine base frame 11 so that the axes of rotation 12, 13 are also in a fixed orientation with respect to the machine base frame 11.

The direct drives 4, 5 allow a relatively simple format change, so settings for changing the cutting length and / or adaptation to the diameter of the tobacco sticks. In accordance with the desired cutting length or required adjustment each of the fixed orientation of the axes of rotation 12, 13 is changed and adjusted with respect to each other and on the machine base frame 11 with means not shown.

The tube pairs 31, 31 'to 34, 34' are held on their paths in parallel alignment with the strand 9 or 9 '. For this purpose, the tube device 3 comprises in a known manner a gear 37, which is arranged on a gear carrier 371 and translational movement of the tubes 31 to 34, 31 'to 34' via pivot arms 372 controls. The gear carrier is rotatably connected to the tube carrier 30. The transmission can be designed, for example, as a planetary gear. Such a planetary gear is for example off DE 10 2004 013 972 A1 known.

How to be particularly clear the Fig. 2 and 5 The blades 21, 22 and the tubes 31 to 34 correspond in the coincident cutting positions on the intersecting running paths 200, 300 regular cutting operation so synchronously operated that the knife 21 respectively through the through-hole 35 passes through the tubes 31, 33, while the knife 22, the tubes 32, 34 crosses. In these common cutting positions of knife 21, 22 and tube 31 to 34, the cutting cuts are carried out on the strand 9 in synchronous cutting-turning operation.

Likewise on the strand 9, cuts are made on the parallel strand 9 '. According to Fig. 1 to 3 the knife carrier 20 is arranged in an inclined position such that the knives 21, 22 with adapted time and distance offset to the tubes 31 to 34, the tubes 31 'to 34' intersect. For example, the knife 21 advances lower knife side first through the tube 31 and then through the tube 31 'across.

The following description is given primarily with reference to Fig. 4 and the Fig. 5 (View A in Fig. 4 ).

In the Fig. 4 illustrated electronic control device 8 controls via signal paths S1, S2, z. As signal lines, the synchronous operation of the direct drives 4, 5. The control device 8 is also set up so that they via signal paths S3, S4, z. As signal lines, locking means controls, on the one hand lock the blade carrier 20 and the other hand, the tube support 30 successively in basic rotational positions.

In the exemplary embodiment, the control device 8 is also set up and connected with the rotary drives 4, 5 for the purpose of controlling the knife carrier 20 into two predetermined basic rotational positions, which are assigned to a defined position of the knife 21 or to a defined position of the knife 22. and can set the tube carrier 30 in four predetermined basic rotational positions, which are assigned to the positions of the tubes 31 to 34.

The control device 8 is connected via signal paths B1 and B2, z. B. signal lines, with rotary encoders 82, 83 connected, each detecting the rotational position, ie the rotational angle of the blade carrier 20 and the tube support 30 with respect to a machine base frame 11 defined rotational position. Rotary positions of the carrier 20, 30 are detected not only for synchronization or for clock / interval control, but also according to the invention for decommissioning the cutting device 1. In addition, the rotational positions for automatically inducing at least one mentioned basic rotational position can be used with locking.

The control device 8 is equipped with means known per se for controlling, namely with processor, memory and computer means and optionally logic modules that can be operated with software. For synchronous drive control of the direct drives 4, 5 z. B. be set up a master-slave control logic.

The control device 8 is additionally equipped with the control circuit 81 for performing the decommissioning of the cutting device 1 according to the invention. The control circuit 81 likewise comprises electrical control circuits and means known per se. Finally, the cutting device 1 comprises the voltage supply circuit 80 which supplies voltage to the control device 8 (voltage V1), the blade device 2 (voltage V2) and the tube device 3 (voltage V3).

The locking means are particularly formed in the embodiment. The knife device 2 is equipped with a knife carrier locking device 6. This includes a frame-fixed bearing 65, which supports a locking element 66 along an axis 650 movable back and forth and this actuating movement via the signal path S3 controlling drive. The drive of the knife carrier locking device 6 can be realized for example by a pneumatic actuator 67.

In the illustration according to Fig. 4 and 5 the bearing 65 is shown in the manner of a yoke, which receives the locking element 66 in the form of a reciprocable locking pin or pin 661. The knife carrier Vernegelungseinrichtung further comprises frontally open locking holes 61, 62 which are formed in the knife carrier 20 as through holes, in the circumferential angular distance of 180 ° in a fixed assignment to the blades 21, 22. For locking the locking pin 661 engages in the Hole 61 or 62 a. In unlocked, completely withdrawn from the locking hole 61 and 62, the blade carrier 20 is freely rotatable in both directions.

The locking pin 661 and each locking hole 61, 62 are in the locked state each in a defined game clearance. Every clearance is such that the blade carrier 20 in the locking seat of the locking pin in accordance with the game by the drive 4 is rotatable back and forth. Stops of the edge of the locking hole 61 and 62 against the locking pin 661 cause calibration stops, between each of which the game of clearance fits occurs. The rotary encoder 82 can detect the rotational positions corresponding to the stops.

The knife carrier locking device 6 is equipped with a sensor 84 which is connected via a signal path B3, z. B. a signal line is connected to the controller 8. The sensor 84 is set up in conjunction with the control device 8 so that the functionally correct automatic operation of the knife carrier locking element 66 can be checked.

A tube carrier locking device 7 forms the locking means of the tube device 3. The tube carrier locking device 7 is provided in the embodiment with corresponding components and functions as the knife carrier locking device 6.

A locking element 76 is mounted along an axis 750 in a bearing 75 by means of a pneumatic actuator 77 movable back and forth. The bearing 75 is fixed to the frame 11 with the machine base frame. The locking element 76 is a locking bolt or pin 761. This is associated with four locking holes 71 to 74, which are open on the front side of the tube support 30 and formed as through holes. The locking holes 71 to 74 are spaced at a circumferential angular distance of 90 °, according to their associated tubes 31 to 34. Four locked basic rotational positions each include a clearance fit between the locking pin 761 and thus each engaged locking hole. A double-sided locking stop is used to grasp the play of the lock.

The braking method according to the invention, which is controlled in the exemplary embodiment by the control device 8 in conjunction with the control circuit 81 and the voltage supply circuit 80, is based on the diagrams of Fig. 6 and 7 described in more detail.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the knife carrier 20, which has a larger mass of inertia than the tube carrier 30, performs 5,000 cuts per minute. This corresponds to the in Fig.1 to 3 illustrated two-strand cigarette machine 20,000 cigarettes per minute. As a result, every 12 ms is a cut, as based on the Fig. 6 and 7 is shown.

The upper path-time diagram in Fig. 6 represents, according to the synchronous cutting operation, the time occurrence of the knives 21, 22 at intervals of 12 ms each time after half a revolution (corresponding blade distance in radians π). The knife carrier 20 rotates uniformly at a constant angular (rotational) speed. The cutting positions of the knives 21, 22 each occur at the top of the blade carrier 20 (twelve o'clock position). For the plotted over the time, in the exemplary embodiment linear path, the blade spacing has been selected as normalized to one way unit. In the exemplary embodiment, one revolution of the knife carrier 20 corresponds to two travel units.

The lower path-time diagram in Fig. 6 represents the barrel of the tube carrier 30. This is shown in a time window TW from 0 to 36 ms, in synchronism with the knife carrier 20. That is, the tubes 34, 31, 32, 33, which are their cutting positions at the bottom vertex of Run through the tube carrier 30 (six o'clock position), meet the knives 20, 21 there for cutting. In synchronous operation, each cutting position occurs after a ¼ turn (radian π / 2) of the tube support 30. The path of the tubes applied over time is represented as the path unit with the tube distance normalized to one. In the exemplary embodiment, one revolution of the tube carrier 30 corresponds to four path units.

The according to Fig. 6 Normalized path units of the paths, whose curves are plotted one above the other over the periodic time periods, allow a simple representation also for other knife or tube numbers. In general, a way-distance function according to the invention is obtained, in which the time dimension is eliminated in the sense that the cutting positions (cuts) of both carriers 20, 30 are represented with respect to each other for each speed or for each time course. From the time of braking (t = BS) allow the sections of the two curves in Fig. 6 do not fall on congruent vertical sectional lines SVL.

With regard to the exemplary embodiment, it should be assumed that the synchronous cut of the knife 21 with the tube 31 takes place at 12 ms, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 and 5 is shown with the position I dash-dotted lines. Followed then in the positions II and III, the knife / tube synchronous cuts 22/32 and 21/33.

For decommissioning of the synchronously located cutting device 1, the two carriers 20, 30 are decoupled by rapid braking, wherein the tube support 30 in a defined braking time BT to a standstill in the in Fig. 4 and 5 shown stop and lock position SP should arrive. This is set up and it is controlled by the control device 8 so controlled that the tube 31 is in the direction of R3 with one-eighth of the tube distance before the six o'clock position (cutting position), while the tube 34 in the direction of R3 one-eighth of Tube distance is behind the cutting position. The knife carrier 20 is located in the intermediate position in the middle, ie at the same distance from the two stationary tubes 31, 34th

For the sake of exemplary explanation, the case is considered that in the time window TW at t = SE = 28 ms as a result of a malfunction, an emergency stop event or another event, a shutdown signal OS is simultaneously generated, which controls the control circuit 81. The control circuit 81 is prepared and set up so that, starting at the time t = BS, at which the interference next following synchronizing section III is still running, the tube support 30 according to an intended path-time function with braking time BT = 36 ms in the stop position SP is brought to a standstill, according to the Fig. 6 resulting path-way function such that the cutting tools at the cutting positions (cuts) in each case with sufficient distance not meet each other. Standstill is reached at t = BE = 72 ms.

The control circuit 81 in conjunction with the voltage supply circuit 80 performs a number of other controls and functions for braking.

The blade carrier 20 continues beyond the time of the brake start t = BS unbraked on. This means that the knives 21, 22 with the same distance path one at repeated fixed time intervals (t = 12 ms) go through their cutting positions at the twelve o'clock passage of the knife carrier 20. This is in Fig. 6 at the upper curve until time t = 96 ms.

The control circuit 81, upon the occurrence of the shutdown signal OS, drives the voltage supply circuit 80, which is connected in conjunction with the drives 4, 5 so as to maintain an intermediate voltage supply. This control can be omitted if the supply circuit 80 has a voltage buffering at power / mains failure automatically causing wiring and the malfunction is accompanied by the power interruption. Within a supply switching time, in the exemplary embodiment of a duration of 500 ms, the control device 8, the drives 4, 5 and the locking devices 6, 7 are acted upon by the braking operation sufficient voltage V1, V2 and V3. This auxiliary voltage supply is expediently generated in a manner known per se by means of electrical energy buffering immediately after the voltage has been switched off.

A time window beginning at t = BS in which the stop time t = BE (brake end) occurs and ends after this time at t = 84 ms, is entered in Fig. 7 considered in an additional further diagram representation, namely to the embodiment of Fig. 4 and 5 ,

In Fig. 7 the cutting positions of the knives 21, 22 at III, IV, V, VI and VII to the 12 o'clock passages of the knife carrier 20 are shown. At the times of these positions, the positions of the tubes 31 to 34 are considered. Accordingly, with respect to the six o'clock positions of the tube carrier 20, the tube distances are considered from the time t = BS (36 ms) at which the deceleration of the tube carrier 30 is triggered.

In regular synchronous operation, each tube undergoes linear four tube intervals (4 x π / 2) from section to section. How vivid Fig. 6 and 7 shows, according to the invention, the braking curve of the tube support 30 is provided so that the braking distance of each tube 1.5 tube distances (path units) is. This results in the matrix or field of in Fig. 7 illustrated tubes.

In general, a particularly advantageous measure of the invention is that the tube carrier 30 is stopped so that each tube 31 to 34 at least in a final phase of deceleration travels only a path with less than one tube-path unit, ie less than a tube distance. This way is advantageous 0.5 (half the tube distance). In the exemplary embodiment, the described central position of the knife carrier 20 between the tubes 31, 34 is achieved. The said final phase begins when a tube of the tube carrier reaches its (knife-free) cutting position for the last time. In Fig. 6 the final phase begins at EP = 50 ms and ends at BE = 72 ms.

At the time t = BS + 12 ms = 48 ms, the knife 22 is in position IV, which is the first asynchronous tube-free knife cutting position after braking start at t = BS. The barrel of the tube carrier 30 has already been braked so much that the tube 34, the six o'clock position of the tube carrier 30 (horizontal zero line in Fig. 7 ) goes through at about 50 ms. How out Fig. 7 As can be seen, remain all tubes on their 1.5 tube distances amount braking distance outside of the free running during braking sections IV, V and VI of the knives 21, 22. During deceleration t = BT, the knife carrier 20 thus completes three (tube-free) cuts. It is particularly advantageous that only one tube, namely the tube 34, reaches a knife-free (encounter-free) cutting position (at t = 50 ms) after the start of braking, while the other tubes no longer reach their cutting positions from the outset.

From the time t = BE the tube support 30 is stationary. The control device 8 triggers the tube carrier locking device 7 by means of the control circuit 81. The locking pin 761 engages in the locking hole 71, so that the tube carrier 30 is locked in the stop position SP and thus in a defined basic rotational position ( Fig. 4 and 5 ).

From the standstill of the tube carrier 30 (t = BE = 72 ms), the knife carrier 20 in the exemplary embodiment initially continues to run at the original synchronous speed, so that cuts in the knife carrier 20 continue to be made at intervals of 12 ms occur. According to the invention, the rotational speed of the blade carrier 20 is selectively maintained after the occurrence of the switch-off event and during the braking of the tube carrier 30 until it stops. In order for the collision-free asynchronous braking operation is ensured in a simple manner by the brake curve in accordance with the number of knives, number of tubes and braking time in relation to the remaining as unchanged reference cutting positions of the blade carrier 20 is determined. The further rotation only has to take place essentially with the synchronous rotation speed that is present when leaving synchronous operation. Because there is a slight delay of the blade carrier 20 from the brake start t = BS into consideration. This delay must be so small with ΔVT that after braking start t = BS, the distance of the first cutting position of the knife carrier (knife 22) to the delayed cutting position of the tube carrier 30 (tube 34) still remains sufficiently large.

According to the invention, it is also possible to provide a brake curve of the tube carrier 30 with a longer braking distance, for example with 3.5 tube spacings (path units) or even generally with more than one revolution of the tube carrier 30. Always the braking curve is to be chosen so that the occurring during braking in the cuts of the knife carrier 20 tube field or its tubes are not in the area of contact with the knife cutting positions.

After the tube carrier 30 is in its stop position SP, it no longer matters at what intervals the knives of the knife carrier, in the exemplary embodiment the knives 21, 22 of the knife carrier 20, occur in their cutting positions. The knives pass at a safe distance from the tubes exposed from their cutting positions.

For example, it is possible to perform the locking of the tube carrier 30 in its stop position SP in about 20 ms after reaching the stop position.

For the knife carrier 20, a braking course is advantageously set up in such a way that it is braked in time to its standstill with the buffered voltage supply, which ends 500 ms after the disturbing event in the exemplary embodiment, so that it reaches a defined stop position. In the exemplary embodiment, this is the in Fig. 4 and 5 illustrated basic rotary position, which is locked with the blade carrier locking device 6 even before the end of the (auxiliary) power supply. The lock pin 661 engages the lock hole 62.

At least the basic rotational position of the blade carrier 20 and at least the basic rotational position of the tube carrier 30, the Fig. 4 and 5 are shown as the first basic rotational positions can be used advantageously and expediently as starting positions for a test operation when restarting the cutting device 1. Before commissioning, a base position of the blade carrier 20 and a base position of the tube carrier 30 with respect to the machine base frame 11 are expediently determined and set. For this purpose, the knife carrier 20 is rotated back and forth so that the locking pin 661 comes to rest in accordance with a defined part of the game that exists between the locking pin 661 and the Vernagelungsloch 62. For the pin 661, a center position in the lock hole 62 is advantageously made. The first basic rotational position of the tube carrier 30 can be tested and adjusted in a corresponding manner. The actual existing game of clearance fit between the pin 761 and the Vernagelungsloch 71 is determined by back and forth turning of the tube support 30. The tube support 30 is then rotated so that the locking pin 761 comes to lie centrally in the locking hole 71. These checks are controlled by means of the control device 8.

The central adjustments are preferably performed only when the controller 8 determines that each detected game sufficiently matches a predetermined game to the basic rotational position. Starting from the tested first basic rotational positions, further basic rotational positions of the carriers 20, 30 can be approached and tested in a similar manner. The knife carrier 20 can be brought for this purpose in the rotational position in which the locking pin 661 engages in the locking hole 61. The tube carrier 30 can be brought into the basic rotational positions, in which the locking pin 761 engages in the associated locking holes 72, 73 and 74. On the basis of such tests, the commissioning of the cutting device 1 with assured collision freedom for establishing the synchronous operation is initiated.

According to the principle of the invention, it is also possible first to bring the knife carrier with a defined braking curve to a standstill. With regard to the disengagement according to the invention with optimum speed of the carrier with a smaller inertial mass, namely in the embodiment of the tube carrier 30, first brought to a standstill. In any case, the progressions of the two carriers are designed and controlled so that within a very short time after the occurrence of a shutdown event common cutting positions of the two cutting tools (knife or tube) are safely left until complete standstill. In that regard, it comes in the first line to optimally short time of disengaging, while the time to standstill of both carriers is subordinate.

Claims (15)

1. Cutting apparatus of the tobacco-processing industry for cutting at least one conveyed rod (9) into a plurality of rod-shaped articles, in particular tobacco rods, filters or the like, comprising a machine base frame (11), a knife device (2), formed by a rotationally driven knife carrier (20) which carries at least one radial knife (21, 22) and has an axis of rotation (12), a ledger device (3), formed by a rotationally driven ledger carrier (30) which carries at least one cutting ledger (31-34) and has an axis of rotation (13), direct rotary drives (4, 5) of the knife carrier (20) and of the ledger carrier (30), formed by electric motors fixed on the frame, and an electronic control device (8) which is connected to the rotary drives (4, 5) for the purpose of control and controls their synchronous operation, wherein the two carrier axes of rotation (12, 13) are located in a specified alignment transverse to one another and in relation to the machine base frame (11) and wherein the at least one knife (21, 22) is assigned to the at least one cutting ledger (31-34) which forms a supporting counter bearing for the at least one conveyed rod (9) and has a cutting recess (35) for collision-free passage of the knife (21, 22) when, during synchronous cutting rotary operation, separating cuts are performed with joint cutting positions of knife (21, 22) and ledger (31-34) coinciding at intersecting travel paths, characterised in that the control device (8) is set up and is connected to the rotary drives (4, 5) of the knife carrier (20) and of the ledger carrier (30) for the purpose of control in such a manner that it generates a switch-off signal (OS) for controlled deactivation of the cutting apparatus (1) which operates in synchronous cutting operation as a result of at least one defined event and by means of the switch-off signal (OS) triggers and carries out a defined asynchronous braking operation in such a manner that at least one (30) of the two carriers, i.e. the ledger carrier (30) or the knife carrier (20), is rotated into a defined stopping position (SP) in an assigned defined braking time (BT) which starts with leaving the synchronous operation of the direct drives (4, 5), wherein knife (21, 22) and ledger (31-34) are always located outside their joint cutting positions.
2. Cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the control device (8) is set up for the purpose of control of the asynchronous braking operation in such a manner that it allows the one, first carrier (30) to rotate into its stopping position (SP) in the defined braking time up to a standstill and that it allows the other, second carrier (20) to rotate for a longer time than the first carrier (30).
3. Cutting apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the control device (8) in combination with the direct drives (4, 5) is set up in such a manner that the second carrier (20) is rotated further at least essentially with its synchronous rotational speed which is present when leaving synchronous mode in the time up until standstill of the first carrier (30).
4. Cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the control device (8) and the direct drives (4, 5) are connected to a main voltage supply circuit (80), which is set up with a voltage buffer circuit which generates an intermediary voltage supply (V1, V2, V3) for carrying out the asynchronous braking operation.
5. Cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the control device (8) is fitted with a means which generates an assigned angle/distance-time-braking function of the at least one carrier (20, 30) dependent on the adjustable synchronous rotational speed of the carriers (20, 30) and the numerical ratio of knives (21, 22) to ledgers (31-34) which are each assigned to the carriers (20, 30) for cutting an assigned rod (9) (Fig. 6).
6. Cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the cutting apparatus (1) comprises at least one locking element (66, 76) which is set up to be adjusted to and fro between an unlocking position and a locking position which engages into at least one carrier, i.e. the knife carrier (20) or the ledger carrier (30), which locking position secures the carrier, i.e. the knife carrier (20) or ledger carrier (30), against free rotation.
7. Cutting apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that a clearance fit is set up between the at least one locking element, i.e. the knife carrier locking element (66) or the ledger carrier locking element (76), and the carrier, i.e. the knife carrier (20) or the ledger carrier (30), in the locked stopping position.
8. Cutting apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one clearance fit is formed by a pin/hole fit, wherein the cutting apparatus (1) has a pin bearing fixed on the frame with a pin drive controlled by the control device (8), which pin drive drives the pin (66, 76) adjustably to and fro between the unlocking position and locking position, and that a hole (61, 62; 71-74) for engagement of the locking pin (66, 76) is formed on at least one of the carriers, i.e. the knife carrier (20) or the ledger carrier (30), to the stopping position locked with the pin (66, 76).
9. Method for deactivating a cutting apparatus (1) of the tobacco-processing industry for cutting at least one conveyed rod (9) into a plurality of rod-shaped articles for cutting in particular tobacco rods, filters or the like, in particular using a cutting apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cutting apparatus (1) having a machine base frame (11) is equipped with
   a knife device (2), formed by a rotationally driven knife carrier (20) which carries at least one radial knife (21, 22) and has an axis of rotation (12),
   a ledger device (3), formed by a rotationally driven ledger carrier (30) which carries at least one cutting ledger (31-34) and has an axis of rotation (13), wherein the two axes of rotation (12, 13) are located in a fixed alignment transverse to one another and in relation to the machine base frame (11) and the at least one knife (21, 22) is assigned to the at least one cutting ledger (31-34) which forms a supporting counter bearing for the at least one conveyed rod (9) and has a cutting recess (35) for collision-free passage of the knife (21, 22) when, during synchronous cutting rotary operation, separating cuts are performed with joint cutting positions of knife (21, 22) and ledger (31-34) coinciding at intersecting travel paths,
   direct drives (4, 5), formed, respectively, by an electric motor fixed on the frame, of the knife carrier (20) and of the ledger carrier (30) and
   an electronic control device (8) which controls the synchronous operation of the direct drives (4, 5),
   wherein, for controlled collision-free deactivation, which remains without collision of knife (21, 22) and ledger (31-34), of the cutting apparatus (1) operating in synchronous cutting operation, the following steps are carried out:

   a) a switch-off signal (OS) is generated as a result of at least one defined event,

   b) the switch-off signal (OS) is used to trigger a defined asynchronous braking mode such that at least one (30) of the two carriers, i.e. the ledger carrier (30) or the knife carrier (20), is rotated into a defined stopping position (SP) in an assigned defined braking time (BT) which starts with leaving the synchronous mode of the direct drives (4, 5), wherein knife (21, 22) and ledger (31-34) are always located outside their joint cutting positions.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the one, namely the first carrier (30) is rotated in the defined braking time up until standstill into its stopping position (SP), whilst the other, second carrier (20) rotates for a longer time than the first carrier (30).
11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the second carrier (20) is rotated further at least essentially with its synchronous rotational speed which is present when leaving synchronous mode in the time up until standstill of the first carrier (30).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the second carrier (20) is provided with greater inertial mass than the first carrier (30).
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the stopping position (SP) of the first carrier (30) is determined such that the second carrier (20) comes to lie in an interim position in which it is spaced apart from each next cutting tool (31, 34) of the first carrier (30).
14. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that, in the event of the occurrence of the switch-off signal (OS), an intermediary voltage supply with a limited supply shift time is maintained and the voltage supply is carried out for control of deactivation during asynchronous braking operation with the intermediary supply voltage.
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the intermediary supply voltage is generated by electric buffering in the voltage supply for the cutting apparatus (1).

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