JP3216953B2 - Rolled sheet molding machine and molding method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rolled sheet molding machine and method for rolling a raw material having fluidity into a sheet, and more particularly to a method for molding a sheet tobacco used in the production of cigarettes. The present invention relates to a rolled sheet forming machine and a forming method suitable for the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tobacco in cigarettes is obtained by cutting tobacco leaves. In this cutting process and other cigarette manufacturing processes, leaf scraps, sawdust, powdered tobacco,
Various tobacco debris such as bones are generated. In order to effectively use these tobacco tobacco, a reinforcing material, a humectant, and the like are added to the tobacco tobacco, and these are combined with a suitable binder to form a fluid raw material. It is extruded from a roll and formed into sheet tobacco. Thereafter, the sheet tobacco is cut and mixed into the cut tobacco.

An example of a sheet tobacco molding machine is disclosed in
It is disclosed in JP-A-4-1113. According to the molding machine of this publication, a belt conveyor extending above a pair of rolling rolls, and a hopper that receives the fluid raw material from the belt conveyor and supplies the fluid raw material between the rolling rolls, and By controlling the driving of the belt conveyor on and off, the level of the fluid raw material in the hopper is always maintained between the upper limit level and the lower limit level. Therefore, since the fluid raw material is always stored in the hopper, the sheet tobacco can be continuously formed with the rotation of the pair of rolling rolls.

[0004] The formed sheet tobacco must have a constant basis weight representing the weight per unit area, that is, its thickness. The thickness of the sheet tobacco depends on the moisture and temperature of the fluid raw material, It varies depending on the temperature of the rolling roll.
For this reason, in the conventional molding machine, the gap between the pair of rolling rolls is adjusted according to the variation in the thickness of the sheet tobacco,
Thereby, the basis weight of the sheet tobacco is kept constant. For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-162393 discloses an adjusting device for adjusting a gap between rolling rolls.

[0005]

Conventionally, the basis weight of a sheet tobacco is measured by estimating the basis weight from the density of the color of the sheet tobacco by visual inspection, or punching out a sample of a fixed area from the sheet tobacco. It is performed by converting the basis weight from the weight of the sample. However, in the former case, the judgments of the individual inspectors vary widely, and in the latter case, it is necessary to collect a sample, so that continuous measurement of the basis weight is impossible.

Further, since the gap between the rolls is conventionally adjusted manually, if the estimation of the basis weight of the sheet tobacco has a large variation, the gap adjustment is also inaccurate.
This causes an increase in the number of adjustments. When the basis weight is obtained from the sample, the adjustment of the gap is delayed. The present invention has been made based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily and accurately detect a variation in the thickness of a rolled sheet, and based on the detection result, determine a gap between a pair of rolling rolls. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolled sheet forming machine and a forming method thereof, by which the number of manual adjustments can be greatly reduced by automatically adjusting the number of adjustments.

[0007]

The above object is achieved by a rolled sheet forming machine according to the present invention, which comprises:
Supply means for quantitatively feeding the raw material in a fluid state, a hopper for receiving the raw material from the supply means , and rotatably disposed immediately below the hopper, receiving the raw material flowing out from the lower end opening of the hopper, With the rotation of the raw material, a pair of rolling rolls for rolling and forming into a sheet of a constant width, and output an upper limit signal when the raw material in the hopper exceeds an upper limit level, and output a lower limit signal when the raw material falls below a lower limit level. detection means, based on an output signal from the detecting means, the supply amount of the raw material from the supply means to the hopper is changed according to a certain supply pattern, adjusted to maintain the material level in the hopper between the upper level and lower level Quantity means and rolling roll
Adjusting means that can be driven to adjust the gap between the hopper and
Control means for controlling the thickness of the rolled sheet to be formed based on a change trend of the raw material level of the raw material level , and the control means outputs each signal from the detection means within a predetermined reference time. Counting means for counting the number of times, and when the number of outputs of the upper limit signal exceeds the number of determinations, outputting a first command signal corresponding to the number of times of output of the upper limit signal to the adjusting means; and a determination means for the second command signal to <br/> output adjusting means in accordance with the number of output times of a lower limit signal when it exceeds the number of adjusting means on the basis of a command signal from the determining means, the pair of rolling Increase or decrease the gap between the rolls.

Preferably, a screw conveyor is used as the supply means, and the control means includes a second counting means for counting the number of second output times of each of the signals within a second reference time shorter than the reference time. Means for outputting a third command signal to the adjusting means when the second output count of the upper limit signal exceeds the first determination count, and the second output count of the lower limit signal exceeds the second determination count. And a second determination circuit for outputting a fourth command signal to the adjusting means when the second determination time is equal to the reference time. Is set to be smaller than the ratio of the number of determinations to

The above object is also achieved by a method for forming a rolled sheet according to the present invention. As in the case of the above-described forming machine, this forming method outputs an upper limit signal when the material in the hopper exceeds the upper limit level. And a detection step of outputting a lower limit signal when the output level falls below the lower limit level. Based on the output signal from the detection step, the supply amount of the raw material to the hopper is changed according to a fixed supply pattern, and the raw material level in the hopper is set to the upper limit. Based on the metering process maintained between the level and the lower level, and the changing trend of the raw material level in the hopper,
Controlling the thickness of the rolled sheet to be formed by adjusting the gap between the rolls , and the control step includes, within a predetermined reference time, outputting each signal from the detection step. A counting step of counting the number of times, outputting a first command signal corresponding to the number of times of output of the upper limit signal when the number of outputs of the upper limit signal exceeds the number of determinations, and outputting the first command signal in accordance with the number of times of output of the upper limit signal; The method includes a determining step of outputting a second command signal according to the number of times of outputting the lower limit signal, and an adjusting step of increasing or decreasing a gap between the pair of rolling rolls based on the command signal from the determining step.

[0010] Even in the case of the above-described molding method, the control step includes a second counting step of counting the number of second outputs of each of the signals within a second reference time shorter than the reference time; When the second number of outputs of the signal exceeds the second number of determinations, a third command signal is given to the adjusting step, and when the second number of outputs of the lower limit signal exceeds the second number of determinations, the adjustment step is performed. A second determining step of providing a fourth command signal.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF] According to the above formed shapes machine, since the width of the rolled sheet is rolled formed from a pair of rolling rolls is constant, if the raw material is supplied quantitatively into a hopper from supplying means, to the hopper If the supply amount of the raw material and the formed amount of the rolled sheet are the same, the raw material level in the hopper is kept constant.

However, as the basis weight of the rolled sheet changes, so does the level of the raw material in the hopper. Specifically, when the basis weight of the rolled sheet changes in the increasing direction, the raw material level in the hopper starts to fall, and when the raw material level falls below the lower limit level, the detecting means outputs a lower limit signal. Conversely, when the grammage fluctuates in a decreasing direction, the raw material level in the hopper starts to rise, and when it exceeds the upper limit level, the detecting means outputs an upper limit signal.

When receiving the lower limit signal from the detecting means, the metering means increases the supply amount of the raw material to the hopper.
When the raw material level in the hopper exceeds the lower limit level, the metering means returns the supply amount of the raw material to the hopper, and the detecting means stops outputting the lower limit signal. Conversely, when receiving the upper limit signal from the detecting means, the metering means reduces the supply amount of the raw material to the hopper, and thereafter, when the raw material level in the hopper exceeds the lower limit level, the metering means transmits the raw material to the hopper. The supply amount of the raw material is restored, and the detection means stops outputting the upper limit signal.

On the other hand, in the control means, the counting means counts the number of output times of the upper limit signal and the lower limit signal within the reference time, and the judging means judges when the number of output times of the upper limit signal exceeds the judgment number. A first command signal corresponding to the number of outputs is output to the adjusting means . When the number of outputs of the lower limit signal exceeds the number of determinations, a second command signal corresponding to the number of outputs is output.
Output to adjustment means . In this case, the adjusting means increases the gap between the rolling rolls when receiving the first command signal, and decreases the gap between the rolling rolls when receiving the second command signal.

Here, the larger the fluctuation of the basis weight of the rolled sheet, the higher the speed at which the raw material level in the hopper deviates from between the upper limit level and the lower limit level. There is a predetermined correlation between the number of times of output of the lower limit signal and the change in the basis weight of the rolled sheet. Therefore, the basis weight of the rolled sheet is maintained constant by increasing or decreasing the gap between the rolling rolls based on the first and second command signals.

When the supply means comprises a screw conveyor, the raw material can be more quantitatively supplied into the hopper, and the above-mentioned correlation is stabilized. Further, when the control means includes the second counting means and the second determination means described above, the output count of the upper limit signal within the second reference time shorter than the reference signal exceeds the second determination count. , A third command signal is output to the adjusting means . On the other hand, if the number of output times of the lower limit signal exceeds the second determination number, a fourth command signal is output to the adjusting means .

Since the number of times of the second determination is set as described above, the second determining means determines whether the basis weight of the rolled sheet is extremely fluctuating or not by the first or the second determining means. Before the second command signal is output, the third or fourth command signal is output. Upon receiving the third or fourth command signal, the adjusting means adjusts the gap between the pair of rolling rolls based on these command signals. In this case, the gap between the rolling rolls can be roughly adjusted.

It is apparent that the method of forming a rolled sheet has the same function as that of the above-described forming machine.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a rolled sheet forming machine applied to sheet tobacco is schematically shown. The formed shape <br/> machine is provided with a screw conveyor 2, the screw housing 4 the screw conveyor 2 extending in one direction
have. One end of the screw housing 4 is formed with an inlet 8 that opens upward, and the other end is formed with an outlet that opens downward.

A pair of feed screws 10 are arranged in the screw housing 4, and these feed screws 10 extend in parallel with each other from below the inlet 8 to the outlet. The pair of feed screws 10 are connected to a conveyor motor 12 (see FIG. 2), and are driven to rotate by the conveyor motor 12. The inlet 8 of the screw housing 4 is connected to a granulator 14, only a part of which is shown in FIG. 1, and this granulator produces a raw material for sheet tobacco, and the raw material is fed to the inlet 8
From the screw housing 4. Specifically, the granulator adds a reinforcing material, a humectant, a binder, and water to various tobacco dusts and mixes to produce a fluidized raw material.

A hopper 16 is connected to the outlet of the screw housing 4, and a pair of rolling rolls 18 are disposed immediately below a lower end opening of the hopper 16. These rolling rolls 18 are arranged horizontally, and a predetermined gap is secured between these rolling rolls 18. The lower end opening of the hopper 16 has a rectangular shape, and is located above the gap between the rolling rolls 18 and at the center thereof when viewed in the axial direction of the rolling rolls 18.

Both ends of the roll shaft 20 of each rolling roll 18 pass through a pair of support legs 22 and are supported by the support legs 22 via bearings 24. In one rolling roll 18, the bearings 24 at both ends thereof are fixedly attached to the support legs 22, respectively. However, the two bearings 24 of the other rolling roll 18 are movable in the horizontal direction to the support legs 22, respectively. Installed.

At both ends of the pair of rolling rolls 18,
Repulsion springs 25 (see FIG. 2) are disposed between the fixed-side bearings 24 and the movable-side bearings 24, respectively.
The movable bearing 24 is pressed and urged in a direction to enlarge the gap between the bearings 8. Although not shown, the pair of rolling rolls 18 are connected to a drive motor via a power transmission system (not shown), and receive power from the drive motor, and as shown by arrows in FIG. It is designed to rotate in the opposite direction at a constant peripheral speed.

The other rolling roll 18 is provided with a pair of shaft adjusting devices 26. FIG. 1 shows one shaft adjusting device 26. The inter-axis adjusting device 26 includes a pusher unit 28.
Reference numeral 8 is disposed on the side of the movable bearing 24. The pusher unit 28 has a push rod 30 protruding toward the movable bearing 24, and the tip of the push rod 30 is connected to the bearing 24.

The pusher unit 28 has a built-in conversion mechanism for converting a rotational input into a forward / backward movement of the push rod 30. The rotational input is transmitted from a forward / reverse rotatable adjusting motor 32 via a worm gear 34 and a worm wheel 36. Given. Therefore, when the adjustment motor 32 is rotated forward and backward, this rotation is converted into the forward and backward movement of the push rod 30 in the pusher unit 28, so that the push rod 30 is moved on the movable side against the urging force of the repulsion spring 25. The bearing 24 is displaced horizontally, and as a result,
The distance between the axes of the pair of rolling rolls 18, that is, the gap between these rolling rolls 18 is adjusted.

The hopper 16 is provided with an upper limit sensor 38 and a lower limit sensor 40. These sensors 38, 40
Is composed of a reflection type optical switch having a photoelectric tube, and outputs a sensor signal according to the level of the raw material supplied into the hopper 16. Specifically, when the raw material level in the hopper 16 exceeds the upper limit sensor 38, the upper limit sensor 38 outputs an ON signal as an upper limit signal, while when the raw material level in the hopper 16 falls below the lower limit sensor 40, The lower limit sensor 40 outputs an ON signal as a lower limit signal.

The upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40
When there is a raw material level in the hopper 16 between the upper limit level and the lower limit level determined by the position of the upper limit sensor 3
8 and the lower limit sensor 40 output an off signal. The upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 are connected to the control board 4 shown in FIG.
2, the control board 42 can receive ON / OFF sensor signals from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40.

A manual controller 44 and a rotary encoder 46 are electrically connected to the control board 42 in addition to the conveyor motor 12 of the screw conveyor 2 and the adjusting motor 32 of the inter-axis adjusting device 26 described above. The rotary encoders 46 are built in the pusher units 28 of the inter-axis adjusting devices 26, respectively, and detect the rotation input. FIG. 2 shows only the adjustment motor 32 and the rotary encoder 46 in the inter-axis adjustment device 26 on one side.

The control board 42 includes a microprocessor,
An input / output interface, a memory such as a ROM storing a RAM and a control program, and a driver circuit for the motor are provided. Based on signals from an upper limit sensor 38, a lower limit sensor 40, a manual controller 44, and a rotary encoder 46, a conveyor motor is provided. 12 and the drive of the adjustment motor 32 are controlled.

When an operation command is given to the above-mentioned molding machine, the pair of rolling rolls 18 are rotated in opposite directions at a constant peripheral speed, and at the same time, the conveyor motor 12 of the screw conveyor 2 is driven, so that the screw conveyor 2 is driven. Is operated in the reference mode. Therefore, screw conveyor 2
The raw material A is supplied into the hopper 16 at a constant reference supply amount, and the raw material A passes through the hopper 16 and is discharged toward the gap between the pair of rolling rolls 18.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the raw material A from the hopper 16 spreads on the pair of rolling rolls 18 at a predetermined angle of repose.
Is constant, the spread width of the raw material A becomes uniform, the sheet tobacco B having a constant width is rolled, and extruded from between the rolling rolls 18. The formed sheet tobacco B is attached to the high-speed roll 18 under the influence of the roll filtration ratio (rotational speed: peripheral speed difference). However, the attached sheet tobacco B is removed from the roll 18. It is peeled off by a scraper 48 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the molding machine is operated, the control board 42 executes a raw material supply routine, and controls the supply of the raw material A from the screw conveyor 2 to the hopper 16 according to a predetermined supply pattern. The material supply routine is shown in FIG. 3, and the material supply routine will be described below with reference to FIG. : Raw material supply routine: The control board 42 First, the sensor signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and lower limit sensor 40 are entered respectively (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not the sensor signal from the lower limit sensor 40 is an ON signal ( step S2). If the determination result is true (Yes), the conveyor motor 12 of the screw conveyor 2 is switched from the reference mode. Even fast mode
In the operation (step S3). In this case, the supply amount of the raw material A from the screw conveyor 2 to the hopper 16 is increased from the reference supply amount to a predetermined increased supply amount.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S2 is false (No)
In this case, it is determined whether or not the sensor signal from the upper limit sensor 38 is an ON signal (step S4). If the determination result is false, the conveyor motor 12 is operated in the reference mode (step S5). Conversely, if the determination result is true, the operation of the conveyor motor 12 is stopped (step S6).

From steps S3, S5, and S6, the process proceeds to step S7, in which it is determined whether or not an operation end command has been given to the molding machine. As long as the determination is maintained as false, step S1 is performed. Subsequent steps are repeatedly executed. According to the above-described raw material supply routine, when the raw material level in the hopper 16 falls below the lower limit sensor 40, the raw material A is supplied from the screw conveyor 2 into the hopper 16 at an increased supply amount. When the raw material level exceeds the upper limit sensor 30, the supply of the raw material A is stopped. In the situation where the raw material level in the hopper 16 is between the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40, the raw material A from the screw conveyor 2 to the hopper 16
Is maintained at the reference supply amount. Therefore, the raw material supply routine sets the raw material level in the hopper 16 to the upper limit sensor 3
The supply amount is controlled so as to be positioned between 8 and the lower limit sensor 40.

On the other hand, the control board 42 executes the automatic adjustment routine in parallel with the above-mentioned material supply routine. This automatic adjustment routine is executed after the manual adjustment routine is completed. The manual adjustment routine will be described with reference to FIG. : Manual Adjustment Routine: In this routine, first, it is determined whether or not the basis weight of the formed sheet tobacco B is equal to the reference basis weight (step S8). Here, after collecting a sample of a fixed area from the formed sheet tobacco B, the basis weight is converted from the weight of the sample, and it is determined whether or not the measured basis weight is within the range of the reference basis weight.

If the result of the determination in step S8 is false, the operator of the molding machine operates the motor button of the manual controller 44 according to the difference between the measured basis weight and the reference basis weight, and the manual A command signal is output from the controller 44 to the adjustment motor 32 via the control board 42 (step S9). Therefore, the adjusting motor 32 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction (step S10), and as a result, the push rod 30 of the pusher unit 28 is advanced and retracted, and the gap between the pair of rolling rolls 18 is increased or decreased.

[0037] The gap adjustment by manual controller 44 described above, the determination result of step S8 is executed repeatedly until the true and, if the determination result is true, the operator operates the automatic button of manual controllers 44 Then, an automatic adjustment start signal is output from the manual controller 44 to the control board 42 (step S60) . When the automatic adjustment start signal is output from the manual controller 44 in this manner, the automatic adjustment routine can be executed by the control board 42, and the automatic adjustment routine will be described below with reference to FIG. I do.

Automatic Routine Routine: In this routine, it is determined whether or not the above-described start signal has been output (step S11). If the determination result is false, a molding machine operation end command is output. Is determined (step S12). If the determination result is also false, the process returns to step S11. Therefore,
Unless the determination result of step S11 is true, that is,
In the above-described manual adjustment routine, steps S13 to S16, which are substantial steps of the automatic adjustment routine, are not executed unless the operator outputs a signal for starting automatic adjustment from the manual controller 44. In addition,
When the result of the determination in step S12 becomes true, the automatic adjustment routine in FIG. 5 ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S11 becomes true, the steps from the step S13 are executed. In the step S13, the sensor signals from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 are inputted.
At 16, a rough adjustment command output routine, a normal adjustment routine, and an adjustment motor driving routine are executed. Details of these output routines and drive routines are shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, and these routines will be sequentially described below.

Rough Adjustment Command Output Routine: In the rough adjustment command output routine of FIG. 6, first, the first timer flag TF1
Is set to 1 (step S17). Here, when this routine is executed for the first time, the first timer flag TF1 is reset to 0, so that the determination result of step S17 is false and the first timer FT is turned on (step S18). . Next, the first
The upper limit counter FUC and the first lower limit counter FLC are cleared (step S19), and 1 is set to the first timer flag TF1.
Is set (step S20).

[0041] After this, the sensor signal of the upper limit sensor 38 whether switched on signals from the off signal is discriminated (step S21), and if the determination result is true, the value of the first upper counter FUC only 1 It is incremented (step S22). On the other hand, if the determination result of step S21 is false, it is determined whether or not the sensor signal from the lower limit sensor 40 has been switched from the off signal to the on signal (step S23). The value of the lower limit counter FLC is incremented by 1 (step S24).

If the determination results in steps S21 and S23 are both false, step S25 is executed without incrementing the values of the counters FCU and FLC. In step S25, after the first timer FT is turned on, the value of the first timer FT is set to, for example, one minute (second
It is determined whether or not the time has exceeded the reference time. However, immediately after the start of the output routine, the determination result is false, and the process returns to the automatic adjustment routine of FIG.

Thereafter, when this output routine is executed again, since the first timer FT is turned on and 1 is set to the first timer flag TF1 at the same time in the previous cycle, the determination in step S17 is made. The result is true. In this case, from step S17, steps S18 to S2
By bypassing 0, the process proceeds to step S21, and the steps after this step are executed.

Accordingly, until the value of the first timer FT exceeds one minute, the first upper limit counter FUC and the first lower limit counter FLC count the number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40. When the result of the determination in step S25 becomes true, the first timer FT is turned off, and the first timer flag TF1 is reset to 0 (step S26).

At this point, it is determined whether or not the value of the first upper limit counter FUC has exceeded the number of determinations N (for example, 2 to 8, preferably 3 to 5) (step S27). , The first reverse rotation command (third rotation
Command signal) is output (step S28) . On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S27 is false, it is determined whether or not the value of the first lower limit counter FLC has exceeded the number of determinations N (step S29). Is output (step S30) .

If the determination results in steps S27 and S29 are both false, the process returns to the automatic adjustment routine of FIG. 5 without outputting a command signal to the adjustment motor 32. If the decision result in the step S25 becomes true, then a step S2 is executed.
6 is executed. Thereafter, when the output routine of FIG. 6 is executed again and again, steps S18 to S18 are executed.
Twenty steps will be performed first.

Therefore, in the above-described coarse adjustment command output routine, a one-minute period is divided, and the number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 during this period is determined by the first upper limit counter FUC and the first lower limit. Each of them is counted by the counter FLC, and a first reverse rotation command or a first normal rotation command is output when one of these output times exceeds the number of determinations N.

: Normal Adjustment Command Output Routine: The normal adjustment command output routine of FIG. 7 is executed by taking the same steps as the above-described coarse adjustment command output routine. That is, in this routine, the second timer flag TF2 and the second timer S
T, second upper limit counter SUC, and second lower limit counter SL
Using C, in steps S31 to S34, the second timer ST is turned on, the counters SUC and SLC are cleared, and the second timer flag TF2 is set.

Then, in steps S35 and S36, it is determined whether or not the sensor signals from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 have been switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal, and based on the determination results, the flow proceeds to steps S37 and S38. The second upper limit counter SUC and the second lower limit counter SL
The value of C is incremented. In this output routine, in step S39, it is determined whether or not the value of the second timer ST has reached 3 minutes (reference time) instead of 1 minute. At the same time as turning off the second timer ST, the second timer flag TF2 is reset to 0 (step S40).

Therefore, in the normal adjustment command output routine, a three-minute period is divided, and the number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 during this period is determined by the second upper limit counter SUC and the second lower limit. Each is counted by the counter SLC. Thereafter, in step S41 , the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B is calculated and displayed on a display (not shown). Specifically, there is a certain correlation between the values of the second upper limit counter SUC and the second lower limit counter SLC and the basis weight, and this relationship is expressed by the following equation.

Y = a × X + b where Y is the basis weight, X is the number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40, and a and b are constants. In this case, a is set to 1.5 and b is set to 155. Therefore, the basis weight can be calculated based on the above equation.

In the next step S42, it is determined whether or not the value of the second upper limit counter SUC has exceeded the number of determinations N.
If the determination result is true, the second reverse rotation command (the first command) to the adjustment motor 32 based on the basis weight obtained in step S41, that is, the basis weight difference between the basis weight and the reference basis weight. signal)
Is output (step S43). On the other hand, step S42
Is false, it is determined whether or not the value of the second lower limit counter SLC has exceeded the number of determinations N. If the determination result is true, the basis weight obtained in step S41 and the reference The second to the adjustment motor 32 based on the basis weight difference between
A forward rotation command (second command signal) is output.

: Adjusting Motor Driving Routine: In the adjusting motor driving routine of FIG.
In S15, it is determined whether or not a command signal is output (step S46). If the determination result is false, the process immediately returns from the driving routine to the routine in FIG. However,
If the determination result in step S46 is true, it is determined whether the command signal is the second reverse rotation or second forward rotation command output from step S15 (step S47), and if the determination result is false. The adjustment motor 32 is rotated in the reverse direction or the forward direction based on the first command output, that is, the first reverse rotation command or the first normal rotation command (step S48). Roll 1
The gap between the eight is increased or decreased.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S47 is true, the adjusting motor 32 is rotated in the reverse direction or the forward direction based on the second command output, that is, the second reverse command or the second reverse command (step S47). S49) Also in this case, the gap between the pair of rolling rolls 18 is adjusted via the pusher unit 28. Steps S48 and S49 are followed by step S
50, and in this step, the pusher unit 28
The amount of adjustment of the gap is calculated. Specifically, the output signals from the rotary encoder 46 described above are respectively read into the control board 42, and based on these output signals,
The actual adjustment amount of the gap is calculated from the rotation input amount of each pusher unit 28.

Thereafter, in the next step S51, it is determined whether or not the adjustment of the gap is a coarse adjustment, that is, whether or not the adjustment of the gap is based on the first command or the second command. You. If the determination result is true, it is determined whether or not the gap adjustment amount has reached the coarse adjustment set amount determined by the first command (step S52), and the determination result is false. In this case, the process returns to the routine of FIG. That is, in this case, the adjustment of the gap by the adjustment motor 32 is continued based on the first command signal until the determination result of step S52 becomes true.

[0056] The first reverse command or the first normal rotation command, since is uniquely outputted receives the discrimination results in step S27 or S 29 of the coarse adjusting command output routine, adjustment of the gap based on these first command Is a coarse adjustment. On the other hand, even when the determination result of step S51 is false, it is determined whether or not the adjustment amount of the gap has reached the set amount of the normal adjustment determined by the second command (step S53). If the result is false, the adjustment motor 3
2 is continued based on the second command. Here, the second command, that is, the second reverse command or the second forward command receives the determination result of step S42 or S44 of the normal adjustment command output routine, and the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B and the reference basis weight at that time. Is output in accordance with the difference between the second command and the second command, fine adjustment can be made by adjusting the gap based on the second command.

When the result of the determination at step S52 or S53 becomes true, the first or second command signal is reset (step S54), and the process returns to the routine of FIG. 5, whereby one cycle of the gap adjustment is completed. I do. According to the above-described automatic adjustment routine, first, when the automatic adjustment routine is executed after the manual adjustment routine, the number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 per minute becomes equal to the first upper limit counter FUC and The number of times of output of the ON signal from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 per 3 minutes is accumulated in the first lower limit counter FLC and the second upper limit counter SUC and the second lower limit counter SL
Stored in C.

Here, if the supply amount of the raw material A from the screw conveyor 2 to the hopper 16 and the discharge amount of the raw material from the pair of rolling rolls 18, ie, the forming amount of the sheet tobacco B, are the same, If there is no change in the grammage of B, the raw material level in the hopper 16 is maintained constant, and no ON signal is output from the upper limit sensor 38 or the lower limit sensor 40.

However, the formed sheet tobacco B
When the basis weight of the hopper 16 greatly changes, an ON signal is output from the upper limit sensor 38 or the lower limit sensor 40. On the other hand, based on the ON signal, the screw conveyor 2 determines the raw material level in the hopper 16 by the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40. The supply amount of the raw material to the hopper 16 is controlled so as to maintain the period, and the sensor signal from the upper limit sensor 38 or the lower limit sensor 40 returns to the off signal.

Therefore, if the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B fluctuates greatly, the frequency of the ON signal output from the upper limit sensor 38 or the lower limit sensor 40 also increases, and the first upper limit counter FU
C or the value of the first lower limit counter FLC is also increased. Therefore, the determination result of step S27 or S29 in FIG. 6 becomes true, and the first reverse rotation command or the first normal rotation command is output, and based on the command signal, the pair of rolling rolls 18 via the adjustment motor 32 is output. The gap between them is increased or decreased,
The basis weight of the sheet tobacco B to be formed is adjusted. The adjustment of the grammage here is a rough adjustment as described above, and the grammage of the sheet tobacco B quickly returns to the reference grammage.

On the other hand, the change in the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B is small, and the first upper limit counter FUC or the first lower limit counter FL is used.
Even if the value of C does not exceed the number of determinations N, if the value of the second upper limit counter SUC or the second lower limit counter SLC exceeds the number of determinations N, that is, the determination result of step S42 or S44 in FIG. In this case, when the second reverse rotation command or the second normal rotation command is output, the gap between the rolling rolls 18 is adjusted via the rotation of the adjusting motor 32 based on the command signal, and the molding is performed. The basis weight of the tobacco sheet B to be adjusted is adjusted.

Here, the second reverse rotation command or the second normal rotation command is based on the basis weight difference between the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B and the reference basis weight obtained in step S41 of FIG. Output, the basis weight can be accurately adjusted within the range of the reference basis weight, and the fine adjustment can be performed. If the gap between the rolling rolls 18 is automatically adjusted as described above, the number of manual adjustments by the manual controller 44 can be greatly reduced, and the adjustment by the manual controller 44 is performed only when the molding machine is started or restarted. You can go to

When the automatic adjustment of the basis weight becomes possible, the variation in the manual adjustment by the operator is eliminated, and the basis weight of the sheet tobacco B can be stabilized. During the molding of the sheet tobacco B, the basis weight thereof is periodically measured, and based on the measurement result, the gap between the rolling rolls 1 can be adjusted by the manual controller 44. Very little is needed due to the execution of the automatic adjustment described above.

During the formation of the sheet tobacco B, a change in the basis weight is detected by sensor signals from the upper limit sensor 38 and the lower limit sensor 40 such as an optical switch. It is not necessary, and the maintenance of the molding machine becomes easy. Molded sheet tobacco B
Is stable, the moisture content of the sheet tobacco B that has been subjected to the drying process is also stabilized, and the quality of the product is improved. The effect of this point is also apparent from the graphs of FIGS. FIGS. 9 and 10 are graphs respectively showing the variations in the basis weight and the amount of moisture in the unit of month for the molding of sheet tobacco. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the solid line indicates the molding machine and the molding method of the present invention. The results in the case where the molding machine is used are shown, and the broken lines show the results in the case where the conventional molding machine and its molding method are used.

Further, in the adjusting motor driving routine of FIG. 8, according to the present invention, a pair of shaft adjusting devices 26, that is,
The operation of the pusher unit 28 is controlled by the rotary encoder 46.
, The adjustment of the gap between the rolling rolls 18 by the adjusting motor 32 does not differ at both ends of the rolling rolls 18. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a belt conveyor can be used instead of the screw conveyor 2 as the supply means, and the upper limit sensor and the lower limit sensor other than those described above can be used. In the automatic adjustment routine,
The number of determinations N in the rough adjustment command output routine may be different from the number of determinations N in the normal adjustment command routine.

Further, the molding machine and the molding method of the present invention
The present invention is not limited to the roll forming of sheet tobacco, and is applicable to the case where a rolled sheet is formed from a raw material having fluidity.

[0067]

As described in the foregoing, the rolling according to the forming shape machine and molding method of a sheet, the change dynamic of the material level in the hopper disposed above the pair of rolling rolls of the present invention
Paying attention to the fact that there is a correlation between the orientation and the basis weight of the formed rolled sheet, the basis weight of the rolled sheet can be detected from the change trend of the raw material level in the hopper. Based on the amount, the gap between the rolling rolls can be automatically adjusted, and the basis weight of the rolled sheet can be kept constant during rolling.
Therefore, the number of gap adjustments by manual operation can be greatly reduced, so that the labor of the operator can be reduced, and the variation in adjustment by each operator can be avoided. Further, in detecting the grammage, it is only necessary to provide the hopper with an upper limit sensor and a lower limit sensor such as an optical sensor.
There is an advantage that a special sensor is not required and the maintenance of the molding machine becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a molding machine according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the molding machine of FIG. 1 and a configuration of a control system of the molding machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a raw material supply routine executed by the control board of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a manual adjustment routine executed by a manual controller in addition to the control boat of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an automatic adjustment routine executed by the control boat shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a coarse adjustment command output routine in the automatic adjustment routine of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a normal adjustment command output routine in the automatic adjustment routine of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of an adjustment motor driving routine in the automatic adjustment routine of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a comparison of the variation in the basis weight of sheet tobacco between the present invention and the conventional case.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a comparison of the variation in moisture content of sheet tobacco between the present invention and the conventional case.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Screw Conveyor 12 Conveyor Motor 16 Hopper 18 Roll Roll 26 Center Adjustment Device 32 Adjustment Motor 38 Upper Limit Sensor 40 Lower Limit Sensor 42 Control Board 44 Manual Controller 46 Rotary Encoder

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A24B 3/14 B30B 3/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A supply unit for quantitatively supplying a raw material in a fluidized state, a hopper for receiving a raw material from the supply unit, and a rotatable member disposed directly below the hopper, and the hopper flows out of a lower end opening of the hopper. Receiving the raw material, with the rotation of the raw material, a pair of rolling rolls for rolling and forming into a sheet of a fixed width, and outputs an upper limit signal when the raw material in the hopper exceeds the upper limit level, when the lower than the lower limit level Detecting means for outputting a lower limit signal, based on an output signal from the detecting means, changing a supply amount of the raw material from the supply means to the hopper according to a fixed supply pattern, and changing a raw material level in the hopper to an upper limit level and a lower limit level Adjusting means for maintaining a gap between the rolls , and an adjusting means drivable to adjust a gap between the rolling rolls.
And a control unit for controlling the thickness of the rolled sheet to be formed through the adjusting unit based on a change trend of the raw material level in the hopper, the control unit within a predetermined reference time, Counting means for counting the number of outputs of each signal from the detection means, and when the number of outputs of the upper limit signal exceeds the number of determinations, outputs a first command signal corresponding to the number of outputs of the upper limit signal to the adjustment means , wherein the second command signal corresponding to the number of output times of a lower limit signal when the number of output times of the lower limit signal exceeds the number of determinations
And a judging means for outputting the adjusting means, the adjusting means on the basis of a command signal from the decision means, the molding machine of the rolled sheet, wherein the benzalkonium increase or decrease the gap between the pair of rolling rolls. 2. The rolled sheet forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said supply means includes a screw conveyor. 3. The control means includes: a second counting means for counting a second output number of each of the signals within a second reference time shorter than the reference time; A third command signal is output to the adjusting means when the number of determinations exceeds 2, and a fourth command signal is output to the adjusting means when the second number of outputs of the lower limit signal exceeds the second number of determinations. A second determination circuit, wherein the second determination frequency is set such that a ratio of the second determination frequency to the second reference time is smaller than a ratio of the determination frequency to the reference time. The rolled sheet forming machine according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the upper pair rotatable rolling rolls between the rolling rolls, the material from the hopper in a fluidized state
Was quantitatively fed with the rotation of the rolling rolls, in the molding method of rolling sheet roll formed into a sheet having a predetermined width raw material, and outputs the upper limit signal when the material of the hopper exceeds the upper limit level A detection step of outputting a lower limit signal when the value falls below the lower limit level; and, based on an output signal from the detection step, changing a supply amount of the raw material to the hopper in accordance with a fixed supply pattern, and increasing the raw material level in the hopper to an upper limit. A metering step of maintaining the pressure between the level and the lower limit level, and the pressure
Controlling the thickness of the rolled sheet to be formed by adjusting the gap between the rolls , wherein the control step counts the number of times each signal is output from the detection step within a predetermined reference time. And outputting a first command signal corresponding to the number of outputs of the upper limit signal when the number of outputs of the upper limit signal exceeds the number of determinations, and outputting the lower limit signal when the number of outputs of the lower limit signal exceeds the number of determinations. A determining step of outputting a second command signal according to the number of outputs of
An adjusting step of increasing or decreasing the gap between the pair of rolling rolls based on a command signal from the determining step. 5. The control step includes: a second counting step of counting the number of second outputs of each of the signals within a second reference time shorter than the reference time; A second command step for providing a third command signal to the adjusting step when the number of times of the second determination is exceeded, and a fourth command signal for the adjusting step when the second number of outputs of the lower limit signal exceeds the second number of times of the determination; And wherein the second determination count is set such that a ratio of the second determination count to the second reference time is smaller than a ratio of the determination count to the reference time. Item 4. A method for forming a rolled sheet according to Item 4.