EP2796062A1 - Assembly and method for transferring rod-shaped items for the tobacco processing industry from a sender unit to a receiver unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising at least one transmitter unit (11) with a control device (12) and at least one transmitter module (13) for transmitting the articles in the transport direction T, at least one receiver unit (14 ) with a control device (15) and at least one receiver module (16) for receiving the article sent in the transport direction T, at least one each a transmitter module (13) with a receiver module (16) connecting pipe (17) for transferring the rod-shaped article from the transmitter unit (11) to the receiver unit (14), wherein the pipe (17) in the region of the transmitter unit (13) is associated with a (initial) venting element (19), and a compressed air unit (18) for generating the for launching the article of the transmitter unit (13) in the pipe (17) and for transporting the article within the pipe (17) to the receiver unit (14) erf orderlichen compressed air flow, which is characterized in that the arrangement (10) additionally comprises a control and regulating unit (20) for automatically and variably controlling and / or regulating the flow of compressed air in response to the transmitting power required by the receiver unit (14) and the Length of the pipe (17) is formed and arranged during operation of the assembly (10). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising at least one transmitter unit with a control device and at least one transmitter module for transmitting the article in the transport direction T, at least one receiver unit with a control device and at least one receiver module for receiving the in the transport direction T sent Article, at least one each a transmitter module with a receiver module connecting pipe for transferring the rod-shaped article from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit, wherein the pipeline in the transmitter unit (start) venting element is assigned, and a compressed air unit for generating the for the launch of Article from the transmitter unit into the pipeline as well as for transporting the articles within the pipeline to the receiver unit required compressed air flow.

The invention further relates to a method for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, comprising the steps of: transmitting the rod-shaped articles in the transport direction T by means of at least one transmitter module at least one transmitter unit via at least one pipeline to at least one receiver module at least one receiver unit a compressed air flow generated by a compressed air unit from the transmitter unit into the pipeline and transported within the pipeline to the receiver unit, wherein the launch of the article from the transmitter unit can be supported in the pipeline by means of a (initial) venting element in the pipeline in the region of the transmitter unit ,

Such arrangements and methods are used in the tobacco processing industry. Cigarettes and in particular filter rods or the like are kept for various reasons in containers, the so-called Schragen. to Further processing, these items must be returned from the containers or from magazines or other supplies back into the production process or sent to further processing devices or machines. It is necessary to transport the rod-shaped articles and in particular the filter rods quickly and reliably over different distances between 20m and 500m and also beyond in their longitudinal extent axially. The collective term filter rods comprises simple acetate monofilter rods, Charcoal filter rods, multi-segment filter rods, profile filter rods, crepe filter rods as well as any other form of special filter rods. For axial transporting in the pipeline, the filter rods are first fed via a rotating drum of a transmitter module of the transmitter unit of a blow-off zone of the transmitter module and sent via the pipeline to the receiver unit. This pipe is usually a pneumatic pipe in which the articles are transported by compressed air generated by the compressed air unit. For this purpose, the articles are first fired from the transmitter unit or the blow-off zone of the transmitter module into the pipeline and transported within the pipeline to the receiver unit or the receiver module, which resumes the articles via a rotating drum.

By means of the abovementioned arrangements and methods, the rod-shaped articles, in particular filter rods, for example, can also be shot and transported directly from a filter production machine to a filter attachment machine by means of compressed air. When sending, ie shooting and transporting the articles is basically to ensure that the shooting pressure, ie in particular the compressed air flow within the arrangement on the one hand sufficiently large to the rod-shaped articles, especially articles of different lengths, with different diameters and different weights, on the one hand reliable to shoot from the transmitter unit in the pipeline and on the other to transport the articles reliably over the entire length of the pipeline to the receiver unit. On the other hand, the compressed air flow should be as low as possible (only as high as absolutely necessary) in order to treat the rod-shaped article gently, especially at launch. It is distinguished between a pulsed and a continuous flow of compressed air. While the clocked compressed air flow, in which the compressed air is introduced in individual pulses in the arrangement or more precisely in the pipeline, in terms of energy consumption advantages over the continuous flow of compressed air, in which the compressed air permanently introduced into the arrangement or the pipeline has, since only about 50% of the operating time compressed air is consumed, the continuous compressed air flow with respect to the stress of the article is advantageous over the pulsed compressed air flow, since the articles with the continuous and constant flow of compressed air uniformly be claimed.

In known arrangements and methods basically needs-based transmission and receiving the rod-shaped article is known. Through the communication between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit via the control means, the transmission power is controlled in accordance with the total amount of articles required or required by the receiver unit (corresponding to the requested transmission power resulting, for example, from the rotational speed of the drum of the respective receiver module). However, the compressed air flow during operation is set to a fixed value, which can only be adjusted manually. Furthermore, the compressed air flow must always be set to a value that allows to provide the maximum possible transmit power for each pipeline. This means that in particular when using multiple pipes to connect multiple transmitter modules with multiple receiver modules always all pipes, including those that can or should be operated with a reduced transmission power, are operated with the maximum compressed air flow, which is disadvantageous in terms of energy consumption and the article is.

An arrangement with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 44 05 550 A1 known. In this arrangement, there is also the above problem.

The invention has for its object to provide an arrangement that ensures a gentle and energy-efficient article transferring the article from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit. The object continues to be to suggest a corresponding method.

This object is achieved by an arrangement with the features mentioned in the fact that the arrangement additionally comprises a control and regulating unit, the automatic control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow in response to the required by the receiver unit transmission power and the length of the pipe during the Operation of the arrangement is formed and is set up. By controlling and / or regulating the flow of compressed air, ie the size or height of the air flow generating pressure, depending on the changing parameters required transmission power and pipe length of the energy demand can be optimized individually, so on the one hand to protect articles and on the other hand only the energy needs as high as absolutely necessary to choose. In other words, the compressed air flow is automatically adjusted to the respective transmission power. With this invention, the "green thought" is to be forced by the energy input is reduced to the necessary level with low transmission power and / or the transport of sensitive items. This can be adjusted automatically, namely controlled and / or regulated both for a pulsed compressed air flow as well as a continuous compressed air flow automatically and individually for each pipeline the required compressed air flow. Incidentally, the control and regulating unit according to the invention allows a targeted and controlled start-up and emptying of the arrangement. With the start-up and emptying of the assembly or each pipeline, the number of articles within the pipeline changes. For example, when emptying the transmitter unit stops sending, reduces the number of articles in each pipe, so that the compressed air flow is reduced, which is energy-efficient (less compressed air is required) and the products are gentle. Only in steady-state operation of the arrangement, the number of articles in the arrangement or in the pipes is the same, which is why one then speaks of a stationary state.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the compressed air unit is designed and configured to generate a continuous flow of compressed air. With this embodiment, the advantages of the continuous compressed air flow with respect to the stress of the articles are combined with the advantages of an optimized compressed air flow with respect to the energy requirement. In other words, an arrangement is created, on the one hand ensures a particularly gentle transport of the article and on the other hand, despite the permanent supply of compressed air allows energy-saving operation. Through a continuous flow of compressed air exists in the system, so the arrangement of transmitter unit, pipe and receiver unit, a large volume of air, which in particular allows to transport heavy and long items reliably and energy-efficient.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the control and regulation unit is designed and set up for the automatic control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow as a function of the weight and / or the diameter of the articles to be transported. Thus, in addition to the above-mentioned boundary conditions, which have an influence on the compressed air flow, namely the required transmission power and the length of the pipeline, other parameters in the automatic control and regulation included in the adjustment of the compressed air flow with respect to the reliability of the transport and the Energy efficiency and the conservation of the articles have a high relevance. For example, long and / or heavy items require more compressed air than short and / or light items.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the compressed air unit is associated with at least one proportional valve, which is controllable and / or controllable by means of the control and regulating unit for adjusting the compressed air flow. By controlling and regulating the compressed air flow, ie the shooting pressure and the transport pressure, with a proportional valve, the compressed air flow in each pipe can be adjusted particularly easily and directly depending on the required transmission power, whereby the arrangement can be operated in any operating condition with the least possible compressed air flow, so that the articles can be transported gently and with optimized air consumption.

Advantageously, the pipe in the region of the receiver unit is associated with an (end) venting element which, just like the (initial) venting element, is infinitely controllable and / or controllable, with both the (initial) venting element and the (end -) venting element are connected to the control unit. Each receiver module or each pipe in the connection area to the receiver module, this (final) venting element is assigned, so that the transport speed of the article can be reduced at the end of the pipe to run at a defined final speed in the receiver module and can be received gently. The same applies equally to the (initial) venting element which is assigned to each transmitter module or each pipeline in the connection region to the transmitter module.

Conveniently, the arrangement further comprises an interface module, which is in two-sided communication connection with the transmitter unit, the receiver unit and the control unit. With a bilateral communication connection is expressed that signals and / or data in both directions, so both the interface module out and away from the interface module, are transferable. With this interface module, which replaces the previous cable connection, with which only so-called "on / off signals" (such as the article request signal from the receiver unit to the transmitter unit or the transmission ready signal from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit) can now be replaced an information exchange with various data and / or signals required for the automatic control and regulation takes place.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the interface module is designed and set up for the transmission of signals and / or data including numerical values as well as status and control bits on the basis of a predetermined communication protocol. By the interface module according to the invention with the communication protocol an improved communication between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit is realized because incoming data and signals can be interpreted and processed for the control and regulation. In simple terms, with the interface module and the communication protocol, all data formats and thus all information relevant to the control and regulation of the compressed air flow can be transmitted, so that the control and regulation unit balance the transport safety information with the low compressed air consumption on the other hand can. The communication between a transmitter unit and a receiver unit or, more precisely, between the control unit of a transmitter unit and the control unit of a receiver unit is realized via a cable via which hitherto only a filter request signal is sent from the receiver unit to the transmitter unit, which is switched on and off accordingly. For the inventive compressed air control for the transport of the filter rods, it is necessary to transfer additional data. In order to realize this without changing the existing cable connections today, the communication protocol according to the invention has been developed. With this communication protocol, it is now possible to transmit numerical values, status and control bits, without additional lines install or implement an additional bus connection. Thus, it is possible to supplement existing systems with additional transmitter units and / or receiver units of a new generation so that they can be operated in conjunction with transmitter units and / or receiver units of an older generation, since version recognition and backward compatibility is ensured.

Preferably, the interface module comprises a program module for executing the communication protocol, which is based on a two-line bidirectional operation. This expresses that the communication protocol is executed via two separate, separate lines, wires, tracks or the like. This ensures a safe and stable control and regulation of the compressed air flow.

An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control and regulation unit and the interface module of the transmitter unit are assigned. The assignment refers primarily to the functionality, but can also affect the spatial position. As a result of this assignment, all the components which are connected to the control and regulation unit, in particular also the (initial) venting element and the (end) venting element, can be controlled and regulated centrally by the transmitter unit. In other words, it can thereby directly and automatically respond to changes in the flow of compressed air, e.g. the shooting pressure, but also to changes in the transport speeds of the articles at the end of the pipeline, are reacted by e.g. the (end) venting element is automatically controlled and regulated.

Detection means for determining the transport speed of the articles on the transmitter unit and on the receiver unit are preferably arranged in the region of the transmitter unit and the receiver unit. This simplifies the control and regulation, since the article can optionally be used to determine the transport speeds. Precise information can be collected on the rotation speeds of the drums in the transmitter module and receiver module.

A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of transmitter modules, a plurality of receiver modules and, correspondingly, a plurality of pipelines are provided for connecting each transmitter module with a receiver module, wherein the control and regulating unit is designed and set up for automatically adjusting the compressed air flow by means of the respectively associated proportional valves in the individual pipes. This ensures demand-oriented transmission and reception with optimized compressed air flow, not just for a single pipeline. With the mentioned embodiment, the compressed air flow can also switch between the individual pipelines. If, for example, three pipelines are operated with a transmission power of 1000 ppm each (required transmission power of the receiver unit with three receiver modules is 3000 ppm), the compressed air flow is adapted to this transmission power. For example, if one of the pipelines fails due to clogging, the 3000 ppm transmission power still required can be transported through the two remaining pipelines, each with a 1500 ppm transmission power, which increases the compressed air flow in the two sending pipelines got to. When the third pipe is ready for operation, the transmission power can be redistributed to all three pipes, and these three pipes can then be operated again with a reduced flow of compressed air. This adaptation can be carried out virtually online during operation by the control and regulation unit according to the invention or the control and / or regulation of the proportional valves assigned to one or more compressed air units.

Advantageously, the control unit is connected to each transmitter module, each receiver module, each proportional valve, each (start) vent element, each (end) vent element, each interface module and each detection means for determining the transport speed of the articles for the transmission of all for the adjustment of the compressed air flow relevant data and / or signals in communication connection, which has at least two lines. This ensures optimum adaptation of the compressed air flow in individual pipelines and between several pipelines with respect to energy efficiency and gentle treatment of the articles.

The object is also achieved by a method with the steps mentioned above in that the compressed air flow automatically and variably by means of a control and regulation unit depending on the required by the receiver unit transmission power and the length of the pipe during operation of the arrangement controlled and / or regulated. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the arrangement according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for the execution of the method, which is why reference is made to avoid repetition on the corresponding passages.

Preferably, the articles are shot with a continuous flow of compressed air from the transmitter unit and transported in the pipeline.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the compressed air flow is controlled and / or regulated as a function of the weight and / or the diameter of the articles to be transported.

Advantageously, at least one proportional valve of the compressed air unit for adjusting the compressed air flow is controlled and / or regulated by means of the control and regulating unit.

The method is particularly preferably further developed in that the compressed air flow or the resulting launch and transport speed of the article by controlling and / or regulating a continuously controllable and / or adjustable (end) venting element and the likewise continuously tax- and / or controlled (initial) venting element and / or regulated.

Expediently, the firing and transport speeds of the articles are determined by means of detection in the area of the transmitter unit and the receiver unit.

According to the invention, the method is further developed in that the (initial) venting element and the (end) venting element are in communication with each other via the interface module, which is in communication with the control device of the transmitter unit, the control unit of the receiver unit and the control and regulation unit - Controlled and controlled and / or regulated.

Advantageously, the compressed air flow is simultaneously automatically controlled and / or regulated during the transport of rod-shaped articles in two or more pipelines, in such a way that the compressed air flow in the individual pipelines is adapted automatically and as needed via the respective associated proportional valve.

A preferred development is characterized in that the communication connection is based on a communication protocol, which is designed with two channels, wherein a first communication station sends a uniform pulse train on a first line to a second communication subscriber and the second communication user simultaneously payload on a second line sends to the first communication party.

The resulting from the developments of the invention of the method advantages have also been described above in connection with the arrangement, which is why reference is made at this point to the corresponding passages.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

eine weiter schematisierte Darstellung der Anordnung gemäß Figur 1 mit Informationsflussplan,

Fig. 3

ein Zeitlaufdiagramm der Signale, und

Fig. 4

ein Blockschaltbild der Steuer- und Regelungseinheit.

Further advantageous and / or useful features and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention in side view,

Fig. 2

a further schematic representation of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 with information flow plan,

Fig. 3

a timing diagram of the signals, and

Fig. 4

a block diagram of the control unit.

The invention will be described with reference to an arrangement for sending filter rods from a filter rod manufacturing machine to a filter rod attachment machine. Of course, the invention extends to all arrangements for sending (alternatively also referred to as transferring, shooting, transporting or the like) rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry of one Transmitter unit to a receiver unit, wherein the transmission can take place via a single pipeline or over several pipes, in the latter case, a corresponding number of transmitter modules and receiver modules is present.

The arrangement 10 shown in the drawing is designed and arranged for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry and comprises at least one transmitter unit 11 with a control device 12 and at least one transmitter module 13 for transmitting the articles in the transport direction T, at least one receiver unit 14 with a control device 15 and at least one receiver module 16 for receiving the articles sent in the transport direction T, at least one pipe 17 connecting a transmitter module 13 to a receiver module 16 for transferring the rod-shaped articles from the transmitter unit 11 to the receiver unit 14, and a compressed air unit 18 for generating the one for launch the article from the transmitter module 13 in the pipe 17 and for transporting the articles within the pipe 17 to the receiver module 16 required compressed air flow. The compressed air flow required for launch is also known as shooting pressure. The compressed air flow required for transport is also referred to as transport pressure. The pipe 17 is associated with a venting element in the region of the transmitter unit 11 or the transmitter module 13, for which reason it is referred to as the (initial) venting element 19. This (initial) venting element 19 is basically dispensable, but is provided to improve the firing speed of the article from the transmitter module 13 into the pipe 17. The structural design of the transmitter module 13 u.a. with the (insert / send) drum and the Ausblaszone and the receiver module 16 is known in various embodiments and incidentally for the underlying invention is not relevant, which is why a detailed description is omitted.

This arrangement 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the arrangement 10 additionally comprises a control and regulation unit 20, which for the automatic and variable control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow in response to the required by the receiver unit 14 transmission power and the length of the pipe 17 during the operation of the assembly 10 is formed and arranged. The compressed air flow, so including the shooting pressure of the compressed air when shooting the article from the transmitter module 13 into the pipe 17 and the transport pressure of the Compressed air during transport of the article through the pipe 17 to the receiver module 16 depends largely on the length of the pipe 17 and the required transmission power, which is why these two boundary conditions are included together in the control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow. For example, a high shooting pressure and a high transport pressure are required at a high required transmission power as well as a pipe 17 of great length, while a low required transmission power and a pipe 17 shorter length need a lower shooting pressure and a lower transport pressure. The control and regulating unit 20 according to the invention adjusts the compressed air flow automatically and individually to the changing boundary conditions.

The features and developments described below represent individually or in combination with each other preferred embodiments. It is expressly understood that features that are summarized in the claims and / or the description or described in a common embodiment, also functionally independent the can continue to form arrangement 10 described above.

The compressed air unit 18 can be designed and set up to independently supply a single pipeline 17, so that a corresponding number of compressed air units 18 are provided in the case of two or more pipes 17. But it can also be provided a central compressed air unit 18, by means of the branches, switches or the like, a plurality of pipes 17 can be supplied with compressed air for generating a compressed air flow. The compressed air unit 18 may be designed and set up to generate a cycled compressed air flow or a continuous compressed air flow. Preferred is a continuous flow of compressed air to produce a constant flow of compressed air which is free of countercurrent flows.

In addition to the two boundary conditions mentioned above, further boundary conditions can influence the compressed air flow. In other words, the strength of the compressed air flow for the shooting pressure or the transport pressure may also depend on article-specific parameters, such as size, weight, length, in particular in multi-segment filter rods, or on conditions prevailing in the arrangement, such as moisture underpressure. Preferably, the control and Control unit 20 therefore formed and set up in addition to the automatic control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow as a function of the weight and / or the diameter of the articles to be transported.

Preferably, the compressed air unit 18 is assigned at least one proportional valve 21 which is controllable and / or controllable by means of the control and regulation unit 20 for adaptation to different operating states of the compressed air flow. The assignment of the proportional valve 21 to the compressed air unit 20 means that the input side into the pipe 17 incoming compressed air with respect to the pressure level is variably adjustable. By the compressed air control via the proportioning valve 21, the shooting pressure and the transport pressure can be adjusted individually. Preferably, a plurality of proportional valves 21 may be provided in order to be able to make an individual and separate adaptation for each pipeline 17.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe 17 is assigned a venting element in the region of the receiver unit 14, which is why it is referred to as (end) venting element 22. The (end) venting element 22 as well as the (initial) venting element 19 are steplessly controllable and / or controllable. For this purpose, the two venting elements are connected to the control and regulation unit 20. In addition to the compressed air or compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18, the vents on the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver unit 14 have a great influence on the firing or transport of the articles. The initial vent increases e.g. the launch speed of the articles from the transmitter unit 11, as the vent ensures that the compressed air flow is increased, whereby the exit of the article from the transmitter unit 11 is accelerated. The final vent slows the articles on their way into the receiver unit 14, as this allows the compressed air flow (ie the transport energy) to escape.

According to the invention, the arrangement 10 comprises an interface module 23 which is in two-sided communication connection with the transmitter unit 11, the receiver unit 14 and the control and regulation unit 20. In other words, the interface module 23 is connected to cables, cables or the like with said components, such that bidirectional data and information exchange can take place on both sides. In particular, the interface module 23 is for transmitting signals and / or data including numerical values as well as status and control bits on the basis of a predetermined Communication protocol designed and set up. In the FIG. 2 are shown schematically and by way of example some of these compounds or data and information flows.

A denotes the article receiving speed of the articles on the receiver unit 14, e.g. can be determined by the speed of the receiving drum of the respective downstream Filteransetzmaschine or via suitable, separate measuring means. Preferably, in the region of the receiver unit 14, preferably in a section of the pipeline 17, directly before entry into the receiver module 16, a detection means 24, for example a light barrier or the like, is arranged on the receiver unit 14 for determining the transport speed of the articles. This information is transmitted by the control device 15 of the receiver unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from there to the control and regulation unit 20. With b we transmitted the required transmission power from the control device 15 of the receiver unit 14 to the interface module 23, which in turn forwards this information to the control and regulation unit 20. The letter c shows, starting from the control and regulation unit 20, the position of the (end) venting element 22 transmitted from the interface module 23 to the receiver unit 14, which position is forwarded to the (end) venting element 22. By counter or similar means in the area of the receiver unit 14, preferably in the control device 15, the received articles are counted. This information is transmitted according to arrow d from the receiver unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from there to the control and regulation unit 20.

By means of the control and regulating unit 20, the compressed air or compressed air flow in the transmitter unit 11 and the pipe 17 via the proportional valve 21 is controlled and / or regulated (see arrow e). The item launch speed of the articles on the transmitter unit 11 is denoted by f, which can be determined, for example, via the rotational speed of the (insert / send) drum or via suitable, separate measuring means. Preferably, in the region of the transmitter unit 11, preferably in a downstream of the transmitter module 13 section of the pipe 17 directly after exiting the transmitter unit 11 or more precisely the transmitter module 13, a detection means 25, for example a light barrier or the like, for determining the transport speed of the article the transmitter unit 11 is arranged. Alternatively or additionally, a further light barrier 27 within the transmitter unit 11 be arranged. This information is transmitted from the transmitter unit 11 to the control and regulation unit 20. The letter g describes the position of the (initial) venting element 19 transmitted by the control and regulation unit 20 to the (initial) venting element 19. On the one hand, the status of the transmitter unit 11 (or the status of the individual components / modules of the transmitter unit 11 (see arrow h) from the transmitter unit 11 to the interface module 23 and from the interface module 23 to the receiver unit 14 and on the other hand the status of the receiver unit 14 (or the status of the individual components / modules of the receiver unit 14) (see arrow i) from the receiver unit 14 to the interface module 23 and from the interface module 23 to the transmitter unit 11. The interface module 23 thus forms the communication platform between the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver unit 14. Starting from the transmitter unit 11, the function " switch on / off "via the interface module 23 to the receiver unit t 14 (see arrow j). Information on the tube length (arrow k) and on the number of articles sent (arrow I) are transmitted by the control device 12 of the transmitter unit 11 directly to the control and regulation unit 20. The desired value of the transmission power (see arrow m) is transmitted from the control and regulation unit 20 to the control device 12 of the transmitter unit 11.

In order to forward the respective information, that is to say the data and / or signals, for the control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow in an optimized manner, the interface module 23 comprises a program module for the execution of the communication protocol, which is based on a two-line bidirectional operation. This means that the control and / or regulating unit 20 can transmit the individual control and / or regulating commands by means of the interface module 23 in software or program-supported manner by means of a predetermined sequence, namely the communication protocol. Like the FIG. 3 it can be seen, two lines, wires or the like are provided to allow an independent and two-way communication exchange.

Particularly preferably, the control and regulation unit 20 with each transmitter module 13, each receiver module 16, each proportional valve 21, each (initial) venting element 19, each (final) venting element 22, each interface module 23 and each detection means 24, 25 for determining the Transport speed of the articles for transmission of all for the adaptation of the Compressed air flow of relevant data and / or signals, collectively referred to as information, in permanent communication connection, which has at least two lines or the like (see also for this example FIG. 3 ). In addition to the illustrated embodiment of the arrangement 10 with a transmitter unit 11, a receiver unit 14 and a pipe 17, the invention also includes arrangements 10, the plurality of transmitter modules 13 (in one or more transmitter units 11), multiple receiver modules 16 (in one or more Receiver units 14) and correspondingly a plurality of pipes 17 for connecting each transmitter module 13 with a receiver module 16 include. The control and regulation unit 20 is then designed and set up to automatically adapt the compressed air flow by means of the respectively relevant or associated proportional valves 21 in the individual pipes 17.

The position of the control and regulation unit 20 and of the interface module 23 is not defined within the arrangement 10. This means that the two components mentioned can be placed at any point of the arrangement 10 separately or integrated. Preferably, however, the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23 are assigned to the transmitter unit 11. Particularly preferably, the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23 are integrated in the control device 12 of the transmitter unit 11.

Furthermore, the arrangement 10 may comprise additional components. For example, a visualization 26 for displaying and / or operating the arrangement 10 may be provided in the area of the transmitter unit 11. In the area of the transmitter unit 11, additional venting means 28 may be provided as initial venting, which may optionally also replace the (initial) venting element 19. Immediately in the transition from the transmitter unit 11 in the pipe 17, a measuring means, such as a pressure switch 29 may be arranged. All of the aforementioned components can be over (in FIG. 1 dashed lines shown) control lines with the control device 12 of the transmitter unit 11 and / or be connected to the control and regulation unit 20. In the area of the receiver unit 14, further components can likewise be provided. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 an additional measuring means is provided, which may be a photoelectric barrier 30, for example. All of the aforementioned components of the receiver unit 14 may also be connected via control lines to the control device 15 of the receiver unit 14 and / or to the control and regulation unit 20.

The method according to the invention serves to transfer rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry from a transmitter unit 11 to a receiver unit 14. The rod-shaped articles are transferred in the transport direction T by means of at least one transmitter module 13 to at least one transmitter unit 11 at least one pipeline 17 is sent to at least one receiver module 16 of at least one receiver unit 14. The transmission is effected by a compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18. The articles are occasionally shot by the transmitter unit 11 in the pipe 17 and transported within the pipe 17 to the receiver unit 14. At the end of the pipeline 17, the articles are received in isolated form by the receiver unit 14 and transferred to a magazine, temporary storage or the like. In order to ensure a trouble-free operation of the arrangement 10, the articles must be shot at a minimum speed from the transmitter unit 11 or, more precisely, the transmitter module 13 into the pipeline 17. In addition to the compressed air flow generated by the compressed air unit 18, the firing of the articles from the transmitter unit 11 by means of the (initial) venting element 19, 28 can be supported.

For compliance with the correct, so on the one hand sufficiently high and on the other hand, the lowest possible compressed air flow and the resulting launch and transport speed provides control and regulating unit 20 according to the invention, by means of the compressed air flow in response to the required by the receiver unit 14 transmission power and the length of the Pipeline 17 is automatically controlled and / or regulated. The sufficiently high compressed air flow, ie the minimum speed, results from the set number of articles per minute. In the pipeline 17, the compressed air flow must be so large that the articles from the transmitter unit 11 can be transported out to the receiver unit 14. The lowest possible compressed air flow, that is to say the maximum speed with which the articles arrive at the receiver unit 14, must not be exceeded so as not to jeopardize the reception function. By means of the control unit 20 is calculated on the basis of the length of the pipe 17, which may be up to 500m and beyond, and the required transmission power, which may be up to 2500Articles / min and beyond, the corresponding pressure and the change Boundary conditions for adjusting the compressed air flow readjusted.

Preferably, the compressed air unit 18 generates a continuous flow of compressed air, so that the articles are shot with a continuous flow of compressed air from the transmitter unit 11 into the pipe 17. The compressed air flow can additionally be controlled and / or regulated in addition to the parameters already mentioned "required transmission power" and "length of the pipeline" as a function of the weight and / or the diameter of the articles to be transported. Other boundary conditions which also influence the correct compressed air flow can also be taken into account in the control and / or regulation. The control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow is preferably carried out by means of a proportional valve 21, which is set directly by the control and regulation unit 20.

In addition to the compressed air flow, the vents at the beginning of the pipe 17 and at the end of the pipe 17 influence the compressed air flow and thus the transport speed of the article within the pipe 17. The initial vent has already been described above. With the (end) venting element 22, the articles can be slowed down on their way into the receiver unit 14, since the (end) venting element 22 allows compressed air (and thus transport energy) to escape. Both the (initial) venting element 19 and the (end) venting element 22 are steplessly controlled by the control and regulation unit 20 and the interface module 23, respectively. In particular, the respective vents are regulated by the control and regulation unit 20 on the basis of the determined transport speeds of the articles on the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver unit 14. The transport speeds at the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver unit 14 can be determined indirectly (with knowledge of the number of articles in the pipeline 17) via the rotational speed of the (transmitting) drum or the receiving drum. More direct is the determination by means of the detection means 24, 25.

At the beginning of the operation of the assembly 10, when no articles have yet arrived at the receiver unit 14, as in start-up operation, the control unit 20 calculates from the length of the pipe 17 (letter A in FIG FIG. 4 ) and the required transmission power (letter B) with a calculation module 31 the so-called _base pressure P _base , which represents the shooting pressure C. By means of a multiplier 32 or the like, the initial vent D is controlled. The final vent E is controlled by means of a PD controller 33 or other suitable controller, or a PID controller, based on the receiving speed F of the articles.

The launch speed of the article from the transmitter unit 11, which must be at least achieved to ensure a trouble-free launch depends, inter alia, on the required transmission power B. A controller 34 controls via the input of the required transmission power B and the firing speed G, the compressed air with which the articles are shot down and transported. If a higher transmission power is required than the current one, the necessary launch speed of the articles must first be achieved. Only when this is reached, the controller 34 releases the new transmission power. If the compressed air is sufficient for launching, but not for transport through the entire pipe 17 to the receiver unit 14 (so-called D-train (see arrow H) or too low reception speed with the end vent closed (see arrow I)), additional air is over an addition agent 35 or the like is added to the compressed air. Via a limiter 36 or the like of a minimum / maximum query is a control pressure P _control used on the base. The pressure P _base is only active until data comes from the receiver unit 14. Once these data are available, the calculated pressure P is used _control.

As the pressure increases, the initial vent opens. The final vent keeps the reception speed in a range that poses no problem to the receiver unit 14. If the final ventilation has to close too far to be able to maintain the reception speed, the control unit 20 regulates and increases the compressed air. When the transmission power is increased, the firing speed is first adjusted by means of the compressed air before the conversion and then the new transmission power M is released. If the compressed air is sufficient for both the launch and the transportation, the new transmission power is calculated and released by means of a calculation module 37 on the basis of the launching speed for the new transmission power K and the current transmission power L. This control and / or regulation described above is based on the FIG. 4 clear.

A reduction in the transmission power leads only slowly to a reduction in compressed air, since first arrive the article in the pipe 17 in the receiver unit 14 must and the pressure level in the pipe 17 degrades only slowly. If the control unit 20 can not produce the launch speed for the requested transmit power, the transmit power will remain at the highest possible value to continue operating smoothly.

The (initial) venting element 19, 28 and the (end) venting element 22 are controlled by the transmitter unit 11 via an interface module 23 which is in two-sided communication connection with the transmitter unit 11, the receiver unit 14 and the control and regulation unit 20 and / or regulated. The interface module 23 virtually realizes the communication between the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver unit 14. For the previously described control and / or regulation of the article transport, it is necessary for various different data and / or signals, in short information, to be transmitted. For this, the information must be interpreted and processed. This is the purpose of the already mentioned communication protocol, also called protocol for short. The following is the operation of the communication protocol based on the FIG. 3 described in more detail.

First, it is checked whether the communication between the transmitter unit 11 and the receiver units 14 functions according to a defined pattern or according to the communication protocol according to the invention. This query is automatic and is relevant, since always a correct communication between the or each transmitter unit 11 and the associated receiver units 14 must be ensured.

The communication between a transmitter unit 11 and a receiver unit 14 or more precisely between the control unit 12 of a transmitter unit 11 and the control unit 15 of a receiver unit 14 is realized via a cable, via which so far only a filter request signal is sent from the receiver unit 14 to the transmitter unit 11, which is switched on and off accordingly. For the inventive compressed air control for the transport of the filter rods, it is necessary to transfer additional data. In order to realize this without changing the existing cable connections today, the communication protocol according to the invention has been developed. With this communication protocol, it is now possible to transmit numerical values, status and control bits without installing additional lines or implementing an additional bus connection. It is thus possible to supplement existing systems with additional transmitter units 11 and / or receiver units 14 of a new generation so that they can be operated in conjunction with transmitter units 11 and / or receiver units 14 of an older generation, since version recognition and backward compatibility are ensured.

If the protocol according to the invention can be used, a communication user, for example the transmitter unit 11, starts by means of its control device 12 to output regular clocks. With each clock, the other communication subscriber sends a bit information to the clock. When the information of one record or information unit has been completely transferred, the clock changes and the other communication subscriber gets the opportunity to send information. The individual bit information is interpreted and processed accordingly. The clock constantly changes back and forth. Even if a communication participant has no data to send, we will inform the other person. A once established connection remains in permanent contact until it is physically disconnected.

A transmission unit consists of a function number, from which the subsequent data length is determined, the data and a checksum. If this transmission unit has been transmitted, the clock changes. In case of an error in the transmission, the information is discarded. There are the function numbers 0, 1, 2, ........ 15, with the first and last function numbers reserved for the protocol. After the function number has been transmitted, the data receiver knows how long the subsequent data is in bits. This information has previously been specified in a program of the program block. The received checksum is compared with the self-calculated checksum. In the event of an error, the information is discarded and subsequently the error is communicated to the information sender via function 0. This can then repeat the transmission.

With the control and regulation unit 20, the compressed air flow during transport rod-shaped article in two or more pipes 17 simultaneously controlled and / or regulated automatically, such that the compressed air flow in the individual pipes 17 via the respective associated proportional valve 21 is automatically adjusted as needed , This becomes clear in an example with three pipes 17. The total required transmission power is eg 3000ppm (ppm = article per min). Distributed on three pipes 17, each pipe 17 must send 1000 ppm. Accordingly, the compressed air flow as well as the initial vent and the end vent are controlled and / or regulated. The transmission power is adjusted automatically for each transmitter module 13 and between the multiple transmitter modules 13. Should a disturbance, for example a blockage occur at a transmitter module 13 or a receiver module 16, a pipe 17 can not send, controls and / or regulates the control unit 20, the two other transmitter modules 13 such that they with an increased transmission power of 1500ppm send, so that the receiver unit 14 are unchanged at 3000ppm available. For this purpose, the compressed air flow is increased. When all three pipes 17 are free again, so that all the transmitter modules 13 can transmit, the transmission power is redistributed and the compressed air flow in the individual pipes 17 can be reduced again. This adjustment takes place via the proportional valves 21 automatically, so that an energy-efficient and the article gentle operation is guaranteed.

The communication connection is based on a communication protocol, which is designed with two channels. A first communication station sends a uniform pulse train on a first line to a second communication station. The second communication user simultaneously sends user data on a second line to the first communication user.

Claims (17)

Arrangement (10) for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising at least one transmitter unit (11) with a control device (12) and at least one transmitter module (13) for transmitting the articles in the transport direction T, at least one receiver unit (14) with a control device (15) and at least one receiver module (16) for receiving the article sent in the direction of transport T, at least one each a transmitter module (13) with a receiver module (16) connecting pipe (17) for transferring the rod-shaped article from the transmitter unit (11) the receiver unit (14), wherein the pipe (17) in the region of the transmitter unit (13) is associated with a (starting) venting element (19), and a compressed air unit (18) for generating the for the launch of the article from the transmitter unit (13 ) in the pipe (17) and for transporting the articles within the pipe (17) to the receiver unit (14) required Druckluftstr ng, characterized in that the arrangement (10) additionally comprises a control and regulating unit (20) for automatic and variable control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow as a function of the receiver unit (14) required transmission power and the length of the pipeline (17) is formed and arranged during operation of the assembly (10), wherein the compressed air unit (18) is designed and configured to generate a continuous flow of compressed air. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control and regulating unit (20) is designed and set up for the automatic control and / or regulation of the compressed air flow as a function of the weight and / or the diameter of the articles to be transported. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compressed air unit (18) is associated with at least one proportional valve (21) which is controllable and / or controllable by means of the control and regulation unit (20) for adjusting the compressed air flow. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pipe (17) in the region of the receiver unit (14) is associated with a (final) venting element (22), as well as the (initial) venting element (19) steplessly controllable and / or controllable designed and set up, wherein both the (initial) venting element (19) and the (end) venting element (22) are connected to the control and regulating unit (20). Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arrangement (10) further comprises an interface module which is in two-sided communication connection with the transmitter unit (11), the receiver unit (14) and the control unit (20), wherein the interface module (23) is designed and set up for the transmission of signals and / or data including numerical values as well as status and control bits on the basis of a predetermined communication protocol. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the interface module (23) comprises a program module for the execution of the communication protocol, which is based on a zweileitungsbidirektionalen operation. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control and regulation unit (20) and the interface module (23) of the transmitter unit (11) are associated. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the region of the transmitter unit (11) and the receiver unit (14) respectively detection means (24, 25) for determining the transport speed of the articles on the transmitter unit (11) and on the receiver unit ( 14) are arranged. Arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that a plurality of transmitter modules (13), a plurality of receiver modules (16) and a plurality of pipes (17) for connecting each transmitter module (13) are provided with a receiver module (16), wherein the control - And control unit (20) for automatically adjusting the compressed air flow by means of the respectively associated proportional valves (21) in the individual pipes (17) is formed and arranged. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control and regulation unit (20) with each transmitter module (13), each receiver module (16), each proportional valve (21), each (initial) venting element (19), each ( End) venting element (22), each interface module (23) and each detection means (24, 25) for determining the transport speed of the article for transmitting all relevant for the adjustment of the compressed air flow data and / or signals in permanent communication connection, which at least two lines having. Method for transferring rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps: Sending the rod-shaped articles in the transport direction T by means of at least one transmitter module (13) of at least one transmitter unit (11) via at least one pipeline (17) to at least one receiver module (16) of at least one receiver unit (14), - The articles are shot by means of a compressed air flow generated by a compressed air unit (18) from the transmitter unit (11) in the pipe (17) and transported within the pipe (17) to the receiver unit (14), wherein the firing of the articles from the transmitter unit (11) into the pipeline (17) can be assisted by means of a (starting) venting element (19) in the pipeline (17) in the region of the transmitter unit (11), characterized in that the compressed air flow automatically and variably controlled and / or regulated by means of a control and regulating unit (20) in response to the required by the receiver unit (14) transmission power and the length of the pipe (17) during operation of the assembly (10) and that the articles are shot with a continuous flow of compressed air from the transmitter unit (11) and transported in the pipeline (17). A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the compressed air flow is controlled in dependence of the weight and / or diameter of the article to be transported and / or regulated. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that by means of the control and regulating unit (20) at least one proportional valve (21) of the compressed air unit (18) for adjusting the compressed air flow is controlled and / or regulated. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the compressed air flow or the resulting launch and transport speed of the article by controlling and / or regulating a continuously controllable and / or adjustable (end) venting element (22) and the likewise steplessly controllable and / or controllable (initial) venting element (19) is controlled and / or regulated. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the (initial) venting element (19) and the (end) venting element (22) via an interface module (23) connected to the control device (12) of the transmitter unit (11), the control device (15) of the receiver unit (14) and the control and regulating unit (20) is in two-sided communication connection, controlled by the control unit (20) and / or regulated. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the compressed air flow in the transport of rod-shaped articles in two or more pipes (17) is automatically controlled and / or regulated, such that the compressed air flow in the individual pipes (17) via the each assigned proportional valve (21) is automatically adjusted and adjusted as needed. A method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the communication connection is based on a communication protocol, which is designed with two channels, wherein a first communication station sends a uniform pulse train on a first line to a second communication subscriber and the second communication user simultaneously payload on a second Send line to the first communication party.

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