EP2893819B1 - Assembly and method for controlling a machine for the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine assembly of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a plurality of spatially spaced arranged by an operator not simultaneously optimally viewable adjustable machine components, an operator terminal, which allows the adjustment of the machine components by an operator, and a control device for controlling the machine components according to the operator's input via the operator terminal. The invention further relates to a method for controlling a machine assembly of the tobacco processing industry.

The operation of machine components of a machine assembly of the tobacco processing industry is carried out by means of a control terminal, which may in particular comprise a touch-sensitive screen. In the complex and large machinery of the tobacco processing industry, which often include a plurality of machines, not all machine components to be adjusted, such as machine hoods, can be viewed from a fixed location. Operating a machine component without inspection, however, may result in improper operation or even be dangerous if a third person is in the area of the machine component to be adjusted. For this reason, separate control panels are usually provided in the area of non-visible machine components, which entails a corresponding additional effort.

From the EP 1 440 886 A1 It has become known to mount a machine operating device for a cigarette manufacturing and packaging device on a guide rail movable. In particular, in the event of a malfunction, the machine operating device is automatically moved to the location of the malfunction to allow visual inspection of the settings for remedying the malfunction. The guide rail brings a considerable additional effort with it.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine arrangement and a control method, which enable a safe adjustment of remote machine components with little effort.

The invention solves this problem with the features of the independent claims. The control terminal is inventively pivotally mounted about a vertical axis, which is feasible with relatively little effort. Furthermore, the control device is set up to enable or disable the operation of the machine components depending on the swivel position of the operator terminal. The invention has recognized that the pivoting position of the operating terminal correlates with the perspective of the operator, because the operator is usually facing the operating terminal during operation frontally. Accordingly, at least one machine component is released by the control device for operation by the operating terminal when it can be viewed from the set operating position, and blocked if it is not visible from the set operating position out. The term "adjusted operating position" includes the set pivoting position of the operating terminal and the assumed position of the operator, namely the front of the control terminal facing Position. In this way, the invention achieves with relatively little effort that can be adjusted from a group of predefined machine components (such as hoods) only those that are likely to be in the field of view of the operator. This increases safety and avoids the likelihood of incorrect operation. Furthermore, it may be possible to dispense with separate control panels for operating individual machine components, which contributes to a further reduction of the effort. In this case, the possibility of unwanted simultaneous operation of a machine component by two operators (from the operator terminal and from the associated control panel) is also avoided. Furthermore, the operator can operate the machine components at a safe distance, so that in addition the risk of injury can be reduced.

Furthermore, corresponding control elements are provided on lateral edges of the operating terminal, which enable adjustment of a machine component only with simultaneous actuation. The controls are advantageously designed as a button, which can be ensured that the operator remains over the entire operation of the control terminal and keeps the machine component to be adjusted in view.

Particularly advantageously, the operator terminal is set up for ambidextrous operation. Due to the fixed position of the operator's hands on the control terminal and the position of the swivel axis of the control terminal, there is a 3-point spatial location of the operator, thereby forcing a position of the operator facing the operator terminal, which in turn ensures that it is to be adjusted released machine component is actually in the field of view of the operator. Furthermore, a two-hand operation of the terminal also allows the operator to stand firmly, which further increases operating safety.

In an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting torque of the operating terminal is preferably increased so much that a controlled adjustment of the operating terminal with conventional effort is only possible with both hands. Alternatively or additionally, a detent for fixing the control terminal in defined operating positions may be provided, whereby the operator receives a haptic feedback that a defined operating position is reached.

The dependent claims 2 to 6 associated with the two-handed operation of the operator terminal may be independent, i. in a back-only on the preamble of claim 1 form, protectable.

Preferably, a position sensor is provided for detecting the pivot position of the operator terminal. The position sensing device is configured to output a position signal to the controller that enables or disables the operation of the machine components based on the position signal. A position-sensing device is particularly advantageous when the operating terminal is preferably manually pivotable by the operator in a respective desired pivot position, because then the pivot position is not otherwise known.

The position sensing device may comprise at least one, preferably two limit switches. This is advantageous if the swivel angle of the operator terminal is limited by stops and the end positions form defined operating positions for machine components. Alternatively or additionally, the position sensing device may include a position sensor for multi-stage or multi-stage or continuous determination of the pivot position of the operator terminal. This is particularly advantageous if more than three defined operating positions are provided, if no end stops are provided, or if the operating positions are in the range between end stops. The position sensor is advantageously designed as a 360 ° position sensor in order to be able to detect the swivel position over the full swivel range of the operator terminal.

In an alternative embodiment, the operator terminal can be automatically pivoted to an operator position desired by the operator. For example, a machine component to be adjusted can be selected via a monitor of the operating terminal, whereupon the operating terminal is pivoted for example by an electric motor into the corresponding operating position, from which the machine component to be adjusted can be viewed. In this case, the pivot position is already predefined in the control device and a separate pivot position sensor is dispensable.

In particular, the invention may relate to a particular type of machine component, such as machine hoods that are adjustable between an open position and a closed position. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to movable and / or externally visible machine components. The adjustability of the hidden, in particular in the machine housings, arranged machine components, however, depends expediently not from the swivel position of the operator terminal.

The invention is basically applicable to all machine arrangements or manufacturing and / or packaging lines of the tobacco processing industry. Preferred applications relate to machine arrangements and / or machines for producing, transporting, storing and / or packaging rod-shaped products, in particular cigarettes and / or filter rods, including multi-segment filter rods. The machine arrangement according to the invention may comprise one or a plurality of production machines or one or a plurality of processing lines. The invention is also applicable to bobbin changers, magazine fillers, etc. Delivered machines and machine arrangements can be retrofitted by means of a control terminal according to the invention and adaptation of the control software.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Bedienterminal mit einem zugeordneten Bediener in einer Ansicht von oben;

Fig. 2

ein erfindungsgemäßes Bedienterminal aus Sicht eines Bedieners;

Fig. 3

eine erfindungsgemäße Zigarettenherstellmaschine, bei der sich das Bedienterminal in einer ersten Bedienposition befindet;

Fig. 4

die Zigarettenherstellmaschine aus Fig. 3, bei der sich das Bedienterminal in einer zweiten Bedienposition befindet;

Fig. 5

eine erfindungsgemäße Maschinenanordnung umfassend zwei Zigarettenherstellmaschinen; und

Fig. 6

eine Zigarettenherstellmaschine des Standes der Technik.

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1

an inventive operator terminal with an associated operator in a view from above;

Fig. 2

an inventive operator terminal from the perspective of an operator;

Fig. 3

a cigarette manufacturing machine according to the invention, in which the operating terminal is in a first operating position;

Fig. 4

the cigarette maker Fig. 3 in which the operator terminal is in a second operating position;

Fig. 5

a machine arrangement according to the invention comprising two cigarette manufacturing machines; and

Fig. 6

a cigarette manufacturing machine of the prior art.

First, the prior art is based on Fig. 6 explained. Applicant's cigarette maker 111 comprises, in a manner known per se, a distributor unit (VE) 112, a string unit (SE) 113 and a filter applicator (MAX) 114. The string unit 113 is provided with an operating terminal 115 with a touch-sensitive screen 116, which is connected via a corresponding graphical user interface allows the operation of the cigarette maker 111. The control terminal 115 is connected for this purpose to an electronic control device 121 for the machine control, which in Fig. 6 only shown and positioned schematically.

The strand unit 113 and the filter attachment 114 each have a machine hood 117 or 118, which is adjustable between a closed position (operating position) and an open position in which the interior of the machine is accessible. The distributor unit 112 has an adjustable between an open position and a closed position machine component 119, which is also referred to below as the machine hood. The term hood is understood in the context of this application in general terms that it comprises an outer housing part, which between an open position and a closed position is adjustable and in the open position provides access to an inaccessible in the closed position area of the machine.

The hood 117 of the string unit SE is adjusted via a separate control console (format console) 120. The hoods 118, 119 are adjusted, for example via the control terminal 115. The hoods 117 to 119 are not all optimally visible from an operating position on the operating terminal 115. For example, the operator facing the operating terminal 115 is turned away from the hood 118 of the filter tappet 114.

In the following, the invention is based on the Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 explained.

The machine arrangement according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 includes a cigarette manufacturing machine 11. In this case, 100 reduced reference numerals correspond to the reference numerals Fig. 6 ,

The operating device 27 according to the invention according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 comprises a control terminal 15 with touch-sensitive screen 40, emergency stop button 32 and other conventional controls 33 to 35. In addition to the one-hand controls 32 to 35, the control terminal 15 has two-handed operation controls 36, 37 on. These are pairs of control elements, wherein in each case one control element 36a or 37a of a pair is located on the left edge and the other control element 36b or 37b of the pair is located on the right edge of the control terminal 15. Each pair 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b of controls is assigned a specific operating function, which is performed only when both controls 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b of the pair are operated simultaneously. For example, the pair 36a, 36b of controls the Function "Machine hood open" and the pair 37a, 37b of operating elements assigned the function "Close machine hood". A machine hood 17, 18, 19 can be opened only by simultaneous operation of the controls 36a, 36b and closed by simultaneous operation of the controls 37a, 37b, which forces an advantageous ambidextrous operation.

The two-handedly operating controls 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b are preferably designed as a button, so that the operator must hold both hands during the entire actuation process, so that the advantageous two-handed operation over the entire operation is enforced. The separate buttons 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b for opening and closing the hoods allow rapid switching from opening to closing and vice versa.

The operating elements 36, 37 are preferably arranged at eye level. The arrangement of the controls 36, 37 at the level of the screen 40 results in an advantageous operator ergonomics. The location of the operator 23 for the hood operation is advantageously the same as for the operation of the screen 40. The fixed due to the two-handed operation position of the operator 23 causes the operator 23 has the movement of the hood to be adjusted over the entire adjustment in view ,

The operating terminal 15 according to the invention is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis 22, see Fig. 1 (View from above). The operating terminal 15 is preferably connected via a pivot arm 25 with the pivot axis 22. The swivel arm 25 can advantageously be pivoted on the operating terminal 15, see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 ,

The operating device 27 comprises a position-sensing device 28 for determining the position of the operating terminal 15. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 1 the pivoting angle of the operating terminal 15 is advantageously limited by stops 30, to which a stop element 29 fixedly connected to the operating terminal 15 abuts. In this embodiment, the position sensing device 28 may advantageously have corresponding, arranged on the stops 30 limit switch 31, which are actuated at a stop of the stop member 29 to the stops 30. By means of the limit switch 31, the two end positions of the swivel terminal 15 can be determined in a simple manner.

In addition or as an alternative to the limit switches 31, the position sensor 28 may comprise a multi-stage or continuous position sensor 26, which may advantageously be a 360 ° position sensor. This embodiment is advantageous, inter alia, if no stops 30 are provided, i. that the operating device 15 is pivotable about the full 360 ° about the axis 22; if more than two defined operating positions are provided; or when the operating positions are located between the end stop positions.

If between the operating terminal 15 and the suspension of the operating device 27 to the machine assembly 10 further pivot axes are provided, for example, if the operating terminal 15 is pivotally hinged to the pivot arm 25 (see FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 ), the position sensing device 28 may advantageously comprise further position sensors which are associated with the further pivot axes. In this way, the position of the operating terminal 15 relative to the machine assembly 10 can be determined.

The position sensor 28 can also be realized in other ways than position sensors associated with limit switches and / or pivot joints.

To adjust a machine hood 17, 18, 19 of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11, the operator 23 grasps the operating terminal 15 with both hands 24, in particular at the lateral edges of the operating terminal 15, and pivots the operating terminal 15 into an operating position assigned to the machine hood to be adjusted. For example, when the operator 23 of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11 intends to displace the hood 17 of the string unit 13 and / or the hood 19 of the distribution unit 12, he pivots the operation terminal 15 into the in-box Fig. 3 shown position. The position sensing device 28 detects the position of the operating terminal 15 and transmits a corresponding position signal to the control device 21. The control device 21 releases on the basis of the position signal an adjustment of the hoods 17 and / or 19 by means of the control terminal and locks an adjustment of the hood 18 of the Filteransetzers 14, which at the in Fig. 3 shown position of the operator terminal 15 is not optimally visible.

In a preferred variant, in the in Fig. 3 shown position of the operator terminal both well visible hoods 17 and 19 are adjustable together, in particular by means of the buttons 36, 37. Additionally or alternatively, the hoods 17, 19 can be individually adjustable. It can also be selected via the screen 40 of the operating terminal 15, whether the hoods 17, 19 together or a single hood 17 or 19 by means of the corresponding controls 36, 37 should be adjustable or should be. In case of Fig. 3 can on the screen For example, three operable buttons "hoods VE + SE", "hood SE" and "hood VE" are displayed, one of which may be preset, for example. In a further embodiment, in the in Fig. 3 shown position of the control terminal 15, for example, only the hood 17 of the strand unit 13 be adjustable, while for the adjustment of the hood 19 of the distributor unit 12 is provided a separate operating position with a particular further pivoted clockwise control terminal 15.

When the operator of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11 intends to adjust the hood 18 of the filter applicator 14, he pivots the operating terminal 15 into the in Fig. 4 shown position. The position sensing device 28 detects the position of the operating terminal 15 and transmits a corresponding position signal to the control device 21. The control device 21 releases an adjustment of the hood 19 on the basis of the position signal and locks an adjustment of the hoods 17 and 19, which at the in Fig. 4 shown position of the control terminal 15 are not optimally visible.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 The machine assembly 10 comprises two cigarette manufacturing machines 11, 11 '. The operating terminal 15, which is advantageously associated with a cigarette manufacturing machine 11, is adapted to adjust all the hoods 17, 18, 19, 17 ', 18', 19 'of the cigarette manufacturing machines 11, 11'. The adjustment of the hoods 17, 18, 19 of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11 can be similar to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 described described. To operate the hoods 17 ', 18', 19 'of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11' is at least one further, in Fig. 5 shown pivot position of the control terminal 15 is provided, in which the operator 23 of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11 'faces. In the in Fig. 5 shown operating position, the control device 21 on the basis of the position signal of the position sensing device 28, an adjustment of the hoods 17 ', 18', 19 'of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11' by means of the control terminal 15 and locks an adjustment of the hoods 17, 18, 19 of the cigarette manufacturing machine 11, at the in Fig. 5 shown position of the control terminal 15 are not optimally visible. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 For example, the pivot arm 15 has two arm segments 38, 39 pivotally connected to each other.

As has been explained above, an adjustment of all machine hoods 17, 18, 19, 17 ', 18', 19 'of the machine arrangement can take place by means of an operating terminal 15. Additional operator panels, such as the prior art format console 120 (see Fig. 1 ), Thus, according to the invention can be omitted. Due to the inventive two-handed operation of the controls 36, 37 further eliminates the given in the prior art clamping danger between the hood 117 of the string unit 113 and the format console 120th

Claims (11)

1. Machine assembly (10) of the tobacco processing industry, including a plurality of displaceable machine components (17-19) which are arranged at a distance from one another and are not optimally visible to an operator at the same time, an operating terminal (15) allowing an operator to displace the machine components (17-19), and a control device (21) which is configured to control the machine components (17-19) according to the entries of the operator via the operating terminal (15), characterized in that the operating terminal (15) is pivot-mounted around a vertical axis (22), wherein the control device (21) is configured to unblock or block the operation of at least one machine component (17-19) depending on the pivoted position of the operating terminal (15), wherein each side edge of the operating terminal (15) is provided with corresponding operating elements (36a, 36b; 37a, 37b) which allow a displacement of a machine component (17-19) only if operated simultaneously.
2. Machine assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating terminal (15) is configured for a bimanual operation.
3. Machine assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating elements (36a, 36b; 37a, 37b) are push buttons.
4. Machine assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating terminal (15) can be pivoted manually.
5. Machine assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivoting torque of the operating terminal (15) is increased to the point that the operating terminal (15) can be pivoted in a controlled manner with both hands only.
6. Machine assembly according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a notch mechanism is provided for fixing the operating terminal (15) in defined operating positions.
7. Machine assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a position sensing device (28) is provided for sensing the pivoted position of the operating terminal (15).
8. Machine assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the position sensing device (28) includes at least one limit switch (31).
9. Machine assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the position sensing device (28) includes at least one 360° position sensor (26).
10. Machine assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine component (17-19) is a machine hood which can be displaced between an open position and a closed position.
11. Method for controlling a machine assembly of the tobacco processing industry comprising a plurality of displaceable machine components (17-19) which are arranged at a distance from one another and are not optimally visible to an operator at the same time, and an operating terminal, characterized in that the operating terminal is pivot-mounted around a vertical axis, and that the method includes unblocking or blocking the operation of at least one machine component depending on the pivoted position of the operating terminal, wherein each side edge of the operating terminal (15) is provided with corresponding operating elements (36a, 36b; 37a, 37b) which allow a displacement of a machine component (17-19) only if operated simultaneously.

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