JPH0157951B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a rod-like object conveyed by an air stream and for delivering the received rod-like object at a predetermined timing.

PRIOR ART A stick receiving and dispensing device of this type is used, for example, in a manufacturing system for filtered cigarettes. That is, in this manufacturing system, there are two main parts: a filter manufacturing machine that manufactures filter rods, a cigarette manufacturing machine that manufactures cigarettes, and a winding machine that manufactures filtered cigarettes from the filter rods and cigarettes supplied from these manufacturing machines. It is made up of. Here, since the filter manufacturing machine and the winding machine are usually arranged separately, there is a space between the filter manufacturing machine and the winding machine, in which the filter rod manufactured by the filter manufacturing machine is directed toward the winding machine. It further includes a conveying system for conveying. This conveyance system includes a feeding device that sequentially takes out and sends out filter rods from a hopper for filter rods provided in a filter manufacturing machine, and one end connected to this feeding device, which receives the filter rods sent out from the feeding device, and then sends out the filter rods. The filter rod is connected to the other end of the transport pipe that transports the filter rod by the compressed air flowing inside, and is connected to the other end of the transport pipe to receive the filter rod that is transported by the flow of compressed air through the transport pipe. It is equipped with a receiving and sending device that sends out to a hopper for storage. Here, it is necessary to store each filter rod in line in the hopper of the hoist, so when feeding the filter rods into the hopper of the hoist, the orientation of each filter rod in the hopper is uneven. In order to avoid this, each filter rod must be fed to the hopper in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, so-called transversely feeding the filter rod. For this reason, it is necessary to change the conveying direction of the filter rod, which is conveyed through the inside of the conveying pipe in a direction along its longitudinal axis, that is, in a longitudinal direction, to a transverse direction. Therefore, between the above-mentioned receiving and sending device and the hopper of the hoist, a conveying direction converting device is disposed to change the conveying direction of the filter rod from the longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction. Due to the arrangement of the device, the receiving and discharging device must deliver the filter rods intermittently towards the conveying direction changing device in a way that is compatible with the timing of the operation of the conveying direction changing device.

For the above-mentioned reasons, the receiving and sending device is equipped with a regulating mechanism that regulates the moving speed of the filter rod delivered from the conveying pipe to a constant speed.
Conventionally, this regulating mechanism has a pair of regulating rollers that are arranged so that their circumferential surfaces face each other and are rotated in opposite directions, and each of these regulating rollers has a V-shaped circumferential surface. Grooves are formed. As a result, there is a gap between the pair of regulating rollers due to the V-shaped groove on the circumferential surface of these regulating rollers.
A speed control path for filter rods is defined. Therefore, when the filter rod sent out from the conveyor pipe passes through the speed regulating passage between the regulating rollers,
The conveying speed of the filter rod can be regulated by the frictional force generated between the filter rod and the regulating roller, and the filter rod is then determined by the circumferential speed of the pair of regulating rollers. It will be transported even at the transport speed.

The receiving and sending device further includes a pair of accelerating rollers disposed between the above-mentioned regulating mechanism and the conveyance direction changing device. This pair of acceleration rollers is similar to the above-mentioned pair of regulation rollers, and is different from the regulation rollers in that the circumferential speed of the acceleration roller is faster than the circumferential speed of the regulation roller. According to such an accelerating roller, the filter rod sent out from the regulation roller can be sent out toward the conveying direction changing device more quickly, so that this conveying direction changing device can be operated at a timing that is appropriate for its operation timing. Therefore, you can receive filter rods intermittently.

However, in the above-mentioned regulating mechanism of the receiving and discharging device, the moving speed of the filter rod delivered from the conveying pipe may not be reliably regulated due to the slippage that occurs between the circumferential surface of the pair of regulating rollers and the outer surface of the filter rod. Therefore, it becomes difficult to reliably supply the filter rod from the accelerating roller to the conveying direction changing device at a constant timing, and the filter rod becomes clogged in the conveying direction changing device.

``Object of the Invention'' The object of the present invention is to receive a rod-shaped object conveyed by an air flow, and then to smoothly and reliably send out the rod-shaped object intermittently. and a delivery device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned objects are achieved by a receiving and dispensing device for rods conveyed by an air stream according to the present invention, the receiving and dispensing device having a guide groove open at both ends; A rod-shaped object that is conveyed by an air flow from an opening at one end of the guide groove is received in the guide groove, and a conveyance trough that guides its conveyance along the guide groove, and the rod-like object is received in the guide groove of the conveyance trough and the air flow and a regulating mechanism that regulates the conveyance speed of the rod-like object conveyed in the guide groove, and a regulating mechanism that is arranged on the downstream end side of the conveyance trough in the conveyance direction when viewed from the conveyance direction of the rod-like object, and that controls the rod-like object sent out from the conveyance trough. Along with receiving things,
It is equipped with a pair of acceleration rollers that form an acceleration path for further accelerating the rod-shaped object and sending it out toward the next process device.

The regulating mechanism includes a drive pulley disposed above the guide groove, and a first driven pulley disposed above the guide groove, which is located upstream of the drive pulley in the conveyance direction when viewed in the conveyance direction. and a second driven pulley disposed between the first driven pulley and the drive pulley;
It consists of an endless rubber belt stretched between a driving pulley and a first driven pulley.

Here, in the rubber belt, the forward belt portion on the side closer to the guide groove between the drive pulley and the first driven pulley runs in the same direction as the above-mentioned conveying direction, and this forward belt portion runs in the same direction as the conveyance direction. a parallel portion extending parallel to the guide groove between the second driven pulleys and coming into contact with a rod-shaped object conveyed within the guide groove;
Between the second driven pulley and the drive pulley,
The second driven pulley has an inclined portion inclined at a predetermined angle in a direction from the second driven pulley toward the driving pulley and away from the guide groove.

"Effects of the Invention" According to the above-described receiving and sending device of the present invention, when the rod-shaped object conveyed by the air flow is received into the conveying trough, the rod-shaped object comes into contact with the parallel part of the rubber belt in the regulating means. Therefore, this contact restricts the movement of the rod-shaped object in the guide groove of the conveyance trough.
That is, the rod-like object is transported within the guide groove of the transport trough at a moving speed determined by the traveling speed of the forward belt portion of the rubber belt. In this case, a large frictional force is obtained between the rubber belt and the rod-shaped object due to their mutual contact, and
By adjusting the arrangement of the first and second driven pulleys in the vertical direction, the magnitude of the frictional force can also be adjusted to a desired magnitude, so that the conveyance speed of the rod-shaped object conveyed by the air flow can be controlled by the rubber belt. This allows for effective regulation.

Furthermore, when the rod-like object is conveyed through the guide groove of the conveyance trough as the parallel portion of the rubber belt runs, and then sent out toward the acceleration path between the acceleration rollers, the rod-like object is transported into the acceleration path. Can be facilitated and guided. That is, when the rear end of the rod-like object passes the second driven pulley in the direction of movement of the rod-like object within the guide groove of the conveyance trough, a force is applied in a direction that causes the front end of the rod-like object to float. The inclined portion of the rubber belt reliably prevents the front end of the rod-shaped object from floating up. Therefore, it is possible to accurately guide the movement of the rod-shaped object from the conveyance trough to the acceleration path between the acceleration rollers, and as a result,
It is possible to prevent stick-like objects from clogging between the conveyance trough and the acceleration roller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a conveying system for filter rods used in the manufacture of filtered cigarettes is shown. This conveyance system is broadly divided into a filter rod supply device 10, a filter rod receiving device 12 located far away from the filter rod supply device 10, and a filter rod receiving device 12 and the filter rod receiving device 10 connected to each other. a conveyance pipe 14 for conveying by air flow;
A blower device 1 for flowing compressed air from the supply device 10 to the receiving device 12 in this conveying pipe 14
6.

Feeder 10 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The supply device 10 includes a supply hopper 1
8, and a large number of filter rods F are stored in the supply hopper 18. Each filter rod F is manufactured by a filter rod manufacturing machine (not shown), and has a length corresponding to a plurality of filter tips in a filter-equipped cigarette. At the bottom of the supply hopper 18, there are two guides 20.
a and 20b are connected. In each of the guides 20a and 20b, a guide passage 22 whose upper end communicates with the supply hopper 18 is defined. These lead-out passages 22 extend downward and are opened at the lower ends of the respective lead-out guides. Each outlet passage 22 has a size and shape that allows one filter rod F to be taken out from the supply hopper 18 and sequentially led out from an opening at its lower end. Further, at the upper end of each outlet passage 22, for example, three guide rollers 24 are arranged in order to smoothly guide each filter rod F into the outlet passage 22. In this embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the central guide roller 24 is
This guide roller is shared by each outlet passage 22. Further, each guide roller 24 is rotatably attached to a support arm, and each support arm is preferably attached to the lead-out guide so as to be swingable.

Distribution wheels 26a and 26b are arranged below each outlet passage 22 so as to correspond to each other. These distribution wheels 26a, 26b are each
It is attached to shafts 28 which are horizontally spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and these shafts 28 are connected to the feeding device 10.
The housing 30 is rotatably supported.
These shafts 28 are connected to the feed motor M shown in FIG.
1 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). Distribution wheels 26a, 26b are therefore rotated by feed motor M1 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG.

The distribution wheels 26a, 26b consist of a pair of rotating disks 32 mounted a predetermined distance apart in the axial direction of the shaft 28, with one distribution wheel 26b shown in FIG.
A plurality of take-out grooves 34 are formed on the circumferential surface of these rotary disks 32 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The two take-out grooves 34 of these rotary disks 32 combined with each other can cooperatively receive one filter rod F from the corresponding outlet passage 22 as the rotary disk 32, that is, the distribution wheel 26 rotates. Thereafter, the filter rods F held in the two take-out grooves 34 are conveyed as the distribution wheel 26 rotates.

A main drum 36 is arranged below the above-mentioned distribution wheels 26a, 26b. This main drum 36, like the distribution wheel, is also attached to an axle 38, which is connected to the axle 28.
The housing 30 is rotatably supported in parallel with the housing 30. Main drum 36 and distribution wheel 26
The distribution wheels 26a and 26b are arranged in rolling contact with each other, and are rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the distribution wheels 26a and 26b, that is, in a clockwise direction. That is, the shaft 38 of the main drum 36 is connected to the supply motor M1 via a transmission mechanism (not shown), similarly to the shaft 28 described above.

A plurality of conveyance grooves 40 are formed on the circumferential surface of the main drum 36 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Here, the main drum 36 includes a distribution wheel 26a,
The filter rod F is held in the take-out groove 34 of the distributing wheel 26b and is rotated so that the conveying groove 40 receives the filter rod F that is conveyed as the distribution wheels 26a and 26b rotate. Also, one distribution wheel 26
From a to the main drum 36, filter rods F are installed every other conveying groove 40 of the main drum 36.
Among the conveyance grooves 40 of the main drum 36, the filter rods F are supplied to the main drum 36 from the other distribution wheel 26b. are now being supplied. Therefore, after each conveyance groove 40 of the main drum 36 has passed both distribution wheels 26a, 26b, the filter rod F is reliably received from either distribution wheel into each conveyance groove 40. . The filter chips F received in the conveying groove 40 of the main drum 36 in this manner are conveyed as the main drum 36 rotates.

Referring to FIG. 2, distribution wheels 26a, 2
A guide wall 42 is disposed on the outside of each guide wall 6b, extending from the lower end of the corresponding lead-out guide 20, covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of the distribution wheels 26a, 26b, and guiding the conveyance of the filter rod F. Wall 42 allows distribution wheels 26a, 26
The filter rod F can be reliably transferred from the distribution wheels 26a, 26b to the main drum 36 without causing the filter rod F to fall off from the main drum 36. Also, the outside of the main drum 36 has the same function as the guide wall 42,
Guide walls 44 and 46 are arranged to cover a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main drum 36, respectively. One guide wall 44 extends integrally from the lower end of the guide wall 42 on the distribution wheel 26b, and the other guide wall 46 holds the filter rod F in the conveying groove 40 that has passed through the distribution wheel 26b on the main drum 36. It has a function of guiding the conveyance of this filter rod F in this state.

One end of the above-mentioned conveyance pipe 14 is connected to a delivery connector 48 made of a pipe member attached to the lower part of the housing 30, as shown in FIG. This delivery connector 48 extends parallel to the axis of the main drum 36, that is, the longitudinal axis of the conveying groove 40, and is connected to a through hole 50 formed in the housing 30.
One conveying groove 40 of the main drum 36 via
It is possible to communicate with one end of the. That is, as the main drum 36 rotates, each conveying groove 40 of the main drum 36 has one end connected to the delivery connector 48,
That is, they are sequentially communicated with the conveying pipe 14.

On the other hand, the housing 30 includes a delivery connector 48.
and one end of one conveyance groove 40 are in communication with each other, a pipe member, ie, an air connector 50 communicating with the other end of the conveyance groove 40 is attached through a through hole formed in this housing 30. It is being This air connector 50 is connected to the air blower 16 described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this blower device 16 includes a blower duct 52 whose one end is connected to an air connector 50, and the other end of which is connected to a supply source of compressed air. 54. Air duct 52
A pressure meter 56, a main solenoid valve 58, and a pressure regulating valve 60 are arranged in this order from the supply device 10 side. Further, a bypass pipe 62 that bypasses the main electromagnetic valve 58 is connected to the blower pipe 52 . A sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is disposed in the bypass pipe 62, and a throttle valve 66 is disposed downstream of the sub-electromagnetic valve 64.

According to the blower device 16 described above, when the main electromagnetic valve 58 is in an open state, the compressed air sent from the compressed air supply source 54 flows through the pressure regulating valve 6.
After being adjusted to a constant pressure by 0, it is guided to the air connector 50 via the main solenoid valve 58,
Then, from this air connector 50 to the supply device 1
0 into the conveying pipe 14. Therefore,
With the filter rods F being held in the respective conveyance grooves 40 of the main drum 36 in the supply device 10, the main drum 36 also rotates, and the respective conveyance grooves 4
0 is sequentially positioned between the delivery connector 48 and the air connector 50, the filter rods F in each conveying groove 40 are blown out from the air connector 52 and are moved by the flow of compressed air flowing in the conveying pipe 14. , are sequentially delivered into the delivery connector 48, and then transported from the delivery connector 48 through the inside of the transport pipe 14 toward the receiving device 12. The above description relates only to the basic operation of the blower device 16, and more detailed operation of the blower device 16 will be described later.

The conveying pipe 14 is provided with two release devices 68 for releasing the compressed air flowing inside the conveying pipe 14 to the atmosphere.
It is equipped with These release devices 68 are located on the side of the receiving device 10 and arranged in the conveying pipe 14, respectively. For example, if the length of the conveying pipe 14 is 160 m, one releasing device 68 is arranged in the conveying pipe 14 at a distance of 30 m from the above-mentioned receiving device 12, and the other releasing device 68 is located 30 m away from the receiving device 12.
They are placed in the conveyor pipe 14 at a distance of 60 m.

Release device 68 is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the structure of each release device 68 is the same, only one release device 68 will be described here. The release device 68 includes a tube member 70 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying tube 14 .
Threaded portions 72 are formed at both ends of the tube member 70, and cap nuts 74 are screwed into these threaded portions 72, respectively. Furthermore, O-rings 76 are disposed at both ends of the tube member 70, and each O-ring 76 is held in place by a retaining ring 78 disposed between the end surface of the tube member 70 and the inner end surface of the cap nut 74. Retained.

An annular groove 80 is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the tube member 70 at the center in the axial direction. On the other hand, a plurality of communication holes 82 are formed in the conveyance pipe 14, each communicating with the annular groove 80.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, they are distributed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the conveying pipe 14. An L-shaped connector pipe 84 is screwed into the pipe member 70 . This connector pipe 84 has one end connected to the annular groove 80 of the pipe member 70 at all times, and the connector pipe 84
The other end is connected to the release tube 86. A filter 88 and an electromagnetically actuated release valve 90 are arranged in this release pipe 86 from the connector pipe 84 side. This release valve 90 is closed in a normal state. The release tube 86 terminates at an open end that is in constant communication with the atmosphere.

The other end of the conveying pipe 14 is connected to the receiving device 12, as is clear from FIG. here,
The receiving device 12 constitutes a receiving and sending device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The receiving device 12 includes a housing 92, and a receiving connector 94 made of a pipe member connected to the other end of the conveying pipe 14 is attached to the housing 92. This receiving connector 94 is
Protruding into the housing 92 and in the vicinity of the protruding end of the receiving connector 94 is a conveying trough 96 defining a conveying passage 98 consisting of a guide groove of the filter rod F, as best shown in FIG. One end is positioned. The conveyance passage 98 of the conveyance trough 96 is open at both ends, is aligned with the conveyance pipe 14, and is arranged horizontally. As is clear from FIG. 6, the bottom surface of one end of the conveyance path 98 adjacent to the receiving connector 94 has an inclined surface 96 that is inclined downward toward the receiving connector 94 side.
a, and both side walls of one end of the conveyance passage 98 are also formed as a receiving connector 9.
Inclined surfaces 96 that are spaced apart from each other toward the 4th side.
It is formed as b. Therefore, the conveying trough 9
If the above-mentioned inclined surfaces 96a and 96b are provided at one end of the filter rod 6, the filter rod F that is conveyed through the conveying pipe 14 and delivered from the receiving connector 94 can be reliably placed in the conveying passage 98 of the conveying trough 96. can lead.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the transport trough 96 is supported by a pair of supports 100, which also support the transport trough 9.
It supports a side plate 102 arranged parallel to 6. A regulating mechanism 104 is arranged on the side plate 102 to regulate the conveying speed of the filter rod F guided into the conveying passage 98 of the conveying trough 96.
This regulating mechanism 104 is arranged above the conveyance trough 96 from the center of the conveyance trough 96 in the axial direction.
A drive pulley 106 is provided at the other end of the transport trough 96. This drive pulley 106 has a drive shaft 108, and this drive shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the side plate 102. This drive shaft 108 is connected to a braking motor M2 shown in FIG.
is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. On the other hand, a first driven pulley 110 is arranged close to one end of the transport trough 96 and above the transport trough 96 . This first driven pulley 110 is
It is rotatably supported with respect to a shaft 112, and the shaft 112 is supported by a protrusion of a movable plate 114 that is arranged to protrude from one side of the side plate 102. This movable plate 114 is
It is attached to the side plate 102 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. That is, the movable plate 114 has a portion 114a that overlaps the side plate 102, and a pair of slots 116 positioned on the same axis perpendicular to the axis of the conveyance trough 96 are formed in this portion 114a. . On the other hand, the side plate 102
A pair of through holes (not shown) are formed in the slot 116 to correspond to the slots 116. Each slot 1
16, each mounting screw 118 is connected to a washer 120.
, and protrudes from the back surface of the side plate 102 through a through hole in the side plate 102. The protruding ends of these mounting screws 118 are each screwed into a nut (not shown). Therefore, movable plate 114 is fixedly attached to side plate 102 by mounting screws 118 and nuts. Further, the movable plate 114 can be moved vertically by a distance corresponding to the length of the slot 116 by loosening the nut. That is, the first driven pulley 110
4, its position can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the position of the first driven pulley 110 can also be adjusted in the axial direction of the transport trough 96. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the shaft 112 of the first driven pulley 110
is formed in the movable plate 114 and protrudes from the back surface of the movable plate 114 through a slot 111 extending in the axial direction of the conveying trough 96.
The projecting end of the shaft 112 is formed as a threaded part, into which a nut 122 is inserted into the washer 12.
It is attached via 4.

On the other hand, the driving pulley 106 and the first driven pulley 11
0, a second driven pulley 126 is arranged. This second driven pulley 126 also
The side plate 1 is connected via a movable plate 128 having the same function as the movable plate 114 of the driven pulley 110
It is attached to 02. That is, the movable plate 1
28 is also formed with a slot 116, and this movable plate 128 is connected to the mounting screw 1.
18, side plate 102 via washer 120 and nut
installed on. Therefore, the second driven pulley 1
Similar to the first driven pulley 110, the position of the pulley 26 can be adjusted in the vertical direction via a movable plate 128.

An endless rubber belt 130 having a V-shaped cross section is stretched between the drive pulley 106 and the first driven pulley 110 so as to surround the outside of the second driven pulley 126. The tension applied to this rubber belt 130 is applied to the first driven pulley 1
10 in the axial direction of the transport trough 96, it can be easily adjusted. Further, the vertical heights of the first and second driven pulleys 110 and 126 are set to substantially the same height level, but the first and second driven pulleys 110 and 126 have substantially the same height. 126, that is, the rubber belt 130 running from the first driven pulley 110 to the drive pulley 106.
Among the reciprocating belt portions, the parallel portion parallel to the conveyance path 98 is a filter rod F whose lower surface is guided into the conveyance trough 96, as shown in FIG.
The height is adjusted so that it makes contact with the outer surface of the This adjustment is performed by a pair of movable plates 114,1
This can be carried out by moving 28 vertically with respect to the side plate 102 as described above.

As is clear from the above description, the pair of movable plates 114, 128 are part of the first adjusting means for moving the first and second driven pulleys 110, 126 in the direction toward and away from the conveyance path 98. On the other hand, the slot 111, shaft 112 and nut 122 described above are connected to the first driven pulley 11.
0 in the axial direction of the conveyance path 98.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second driven pulley 12
A portion of the rubber belt 130 between the drive pulley 106 and the drive pulley 106 is an inclined portion that is inclined upward by a predetermined angle toward the other end of the conveyance trough 96.

A pair of acceleration rollers 132 are arranged near the other open end of the transport trough 96 with a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. These acceleration rollers 132 each have a drive shaft 134, and these drive shafts 134 are connected to the acceleration motor M3 shown in FIG. 1 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). The drive shaft 134, ie, the acceleration roller 132, is rotated in opposite directions, as indicated by arrows in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 9, a V-shaped annular groove 136 is formed on the circumferential surface of each acceleration roller 132.
As a result, the annular groove 136 of each acceleration roller 132 is formed between the peripheral surfaces of acceleration rollers 132 that are close to each other.
Aperture 1 as an acceleration passage surrounded by
38 is specified. This aperture 138
is set to a size that allows the filter rod F to pass through, and the transport trough 9
It is arranged on the same axis as the conveyance passage 98 in 6.

Here, the circumferential speed of each acceleration roller 132 is set to a value sufficiently larger than the running speed of the rubber belt 130 described above, for example, about 1.8 times the running speed of the rubber belt 130. Furthermore, the aperture 1 of the second driven pulley 126 and the acceleration roller 132
The distance up to 38 is one filter rod F.
It is set slightly longer than the length of .

According to the above-described transport trough 96, regulating mechanism 104, and acceleration roller 132, the filter rods F that are successively transported by the flow of compressed air in the transport pipe 14 are transported from the receiving connector 94 into the transport passage 98 of the transport trough 96. will be sent to. and,
Filter rod F guided into the conveying trough 96
The compressed air ejected from the receiving connector 94 causes the transport path 98 to move further toward the acceleration roller 132 and to be guided at a predetermined speed. However, when this filter rod F tries to pass through the regulating mechanism 104, the outer surface of the filter rod F comes into contact with the lower surface of the rubber belt 130 of the regulating mechanism 104. is adjusted to a constant speed determined by . The filter rod F, the moving speed of which has been adjusted by the rubber belt 130 in this manner, moves within the transport trough 96 toward the acceleration roller 132 in synchronization with the running of the rubber belt 130 until it passes the second driven pulley 126. The direction is moved.

As soon as the rear end of the filter rod F passes the second driven pulley 126 in the direction of movement, the front end of the filter rod F passes through the aperture 13 defined by the pair of acceleration rollers 132.
8 was invaded. As a result, the filter rod F is accelerated by the rotation of the acceleration roller 132, and is supplied to a conveyance direction changing device at a later stage, which will be described later. Here, since the circumferential speed of the acceleration roller 132 is set sufficiently higher than the running speed of the rubber belt 130, there is a gap between the preceding filter rod F passing between these acceleration rollers 132 and the following filter rod F. , due to the difference between the circumferential speed of the acceleration roller 132 and the running speed of the rubber belt 130,
A predetermined interval is ensured. Therefore, the filter rod F has the above-mentioned regulation mechanism 104 and acceleration roller 1.
32 and is supplied to the transport direction changing device, the filter rods F are intermittently supplied to the transport direction changing device.

In the case of this embodiment, in the above-mentioned regulation mechanism 104, the second driven pulley 126 and the driving pulley 1
Since the part of the rubber belt 130 between the acceleration roller 13 and the acceleration roller 13 is inclined upward by a predetermined angle, the inclined part of the rubber belt 130
2 has no adverse effect on the acceleration effect of the filter rod F. Furthermore, if the rubber belt 130 is provided with the above-mentioned inclined portion, the front end of the filter rod F can be connected to the acceleration roller 13 when viewed in the conveying direction.
It can be smoothly guided to the aperture 138 between the two. That is, if the rubber belt 130 is not provided with the above-mentioned inclined portion, when the rear end of the filter rod F passes the second driven pulley 126 when viewed in the conveying direction, the filter rod F will have a gap from the rubber belt 130 only at its rear end. Due to the pressing force acting on the filter rod F, the front end of the filter rod F floats upward, making it difficult to smoothly guide the front end of the filter rod F to the aperture 138 between the acceleration rollers 132. However, if the rubber belt 130 is provided with the above-mentioned inclined portion, it is possible to effectively suppress the floating of the front end of the filter rod F when viewed in the conveying direction, and as a result, the front end of the filter rod F can be moved toward the aperture 138. It can be smoothly guided within.

Further, according to the above-mentioned regulation mechanism 104, since the rubber belt 130 that can generate a large frictional force with the filter rod F is used, it is not possible to apply an effective braking force to the filter rod F. As a result, intermittent supply of the filter rod F to the above-mentioned transport direction changing device is ensured.

The above-mentioned conveyance direction changing device 140 is shown in detail in FIGS.
The detection switch 142 that detects clogging will be explained. This detection switch 142 is shown in FIG.
As is clear from FIGS. 6 and 10, it is arranged between the pair of acceleration rollers 132 and the conveyance direction changing device 140. This detection switch 142
For example, the light emitting element 142a and the light receiving element 142
b, and these elements 142a, 142b are
They are arranged so as to sandwich the conveyance path of the filter rod F and to face each other. Such a detection switch 142 detects the light emitting element 14 due to the filter rod F being stopped between the pair of acceleration rollers 132 and the conveyance direction changing device 140.
If no optical signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 2a to the light receiving element 142b for a certain period of time or more, a filter rod F clogged signal is generated.

The conveyance direction changing device 140 includes a receiving trough 144 arranged near the pair of acceleration rollers 132 . This receiving trough 144 is open at both ends, and receives filter rods F which are intermittently sent out from the acceleration roller 132 as described above.
can be received. That is, the receiving trough 14
4 has the same function as the transport trough 96 and is arranged on an extension of the axis of the transport trough 96. In this embodiment, receiving trough 144
As is clear from FIG. 11, the opening is arranged such that the long opening along its axis faces obliquely upward.

A pair of delivery rollers 146 are arranged near the opening in the receiving trough 144 and parallel to the receiving trough 144 . These delivery rollers 146 are positioned so as to sandwich the opening of the receiving trough 144 and to provide a space between them that allows the filter rod F to pass through. Furthermore, as is clear from FIG. 10, the delivery roller 146 is
2, the receiving trough 144 extends further in the transport direction than the front end of the receiving trough 144. Further, the delivery rollers 146 are rotated in mutually opposite directions, as shown by the arrows in FIG. A drive mechanism for these delivery rollers 146 is designated by reference numeral 148 in FIG.

An air nozzle 150 is disposed near the front end of the receiving trough 144 for ejecting compressed air toward the space between the delivery rollers 146 . source 154.

As shown in FIG.
A receiving hopper 156 is arranged diagonally above. This receiving hopper 156 and the sending roller 1
46, diagonally upward and parallel to each other,
Additionally, a pair of belt conveyors 158 are arranged that extend in a direction intersecting the axis of the receiving trough 144. These belt conveyors 158 are driven by the drive mechanism 148 described above in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11, and a passage 160 for conveying the filter rods F is defined between these belt conveyors 158. , this passage 16
The upper end of 0 is connected within the receiving hopper 156. Further, a pair of guides 162 defining an extension of the passage 160 are arranged between the lower end of the passage 160 and the delivery roller 146, as necessary.

According to the above-described transport direction changing device 140, the filter rod F sent out from the pair of accelerating rollers 132 is first guided into the receiving trough 144, and then guided to move within the receiving trough 144. Then, when the front end of the filter rod F is discharged from the front end of the receiving trough 144 when viewed in the direction of movement of the filter rod F within the receiving trough 144, the front end of the filter rod F receives the compressed air jetted from the air nozzle 150. The filter rod F is transferred between the pair of delivery rollers 146 by the air, but because of the inertia force acting on it, it is not immediately dragged in, but moves between the delivery rollers 146, and the entire filter rod F is transferred between the delivery rollers 146.
At the stage where they are in contact with each other, they are dragged between the delivery rollers 146, and as the delivery rollers 146 rotate, they are guided into the passage 160 between the belt conveyors 158 via the pair of guides 162 mentioned above. That is, the filter rod F sent out from the pair of accelerating rollers 132 passes through the air nozzle 150.
The compressed air ejected from the container conveys the material in a lateral direction that is orthogonal to the previous conveyance direction. More specifically, the filter rod F, which has been conveyed in the conveying direction along its axis, is now changed in its conveying direction to the transverse direction perpendicular to its axis. Here, from the pair of acceleration rollers 132,
Since the filter rod F is sent out intermittently, the subsequent filter rod F is sent out intermittently.
There is no adverse effect on the conveyance direction conversion operation. Therefore, the filter rods F that are intermittently sent out from the acceleration roller 132 are sequentially transferred to the delivery roller 1.
46 and is guided between a pair of belt conveyors 158, that is, into the passage 160. This passage 1
As the belt conveyor 158 runs, the filter rod F introduced into the receiving hopper 15
6 and stored in this receiving hopper 156. The filter rod F in the receiving hopper 156 is supplied from the receiving hopper 156 to a filter-equipped cigarette manufacturing machine (not shown).

A limit switch 164 is disposed in the receiving hopper 156 and opens when the stored filter rod F reaches the maximum allowable value, and conversely closes when the accumulated amount of the filter rod F reaches the minimum allowable value.
In this embodiment, as is clear from FIG.
is covered by a flexible cover 166. Therefore, when the amount of filter rods F in the receiving hopper 156 reaches the maximum allowable amount, these filter rods F are transferred through the cover 166 to the actuator 1 of the limit switch 164.
68 upwards, thereby opening the limit switch 164.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the transport system described above is schematically illustrated. First, in FIG. 12, the above-mentioned detection switch 142 and limit switch 1
64 are first input interfaces 166, respectively.
are connected to input terminals a1 and a2 of. A voltage EV can be applied to these input terminals a1 and a2 via switches 142 and 164, respectively. Further, the input interface 166 has output terminals b1 and b2 corresponding to input terminals a1 and a2. One output terminal b1 is connected to the driver 1
It is connected to the first relay 170 via 68. This first relay 170 has first and second contacts r11 and r12, and the first contact r11
As shown in FIG. 12, is a normally closed contact and is inserted into the power supply line 172 of the braking motor M2 in the regulation mechanism 104.
On the other hand, the second contact r12 is a normally open contact, as shown in FIG. 13, and is connected to the input terminal c1 of the second input interface 174.

Output terminal b2 of input interface 166
is connected to a second relay 184 via an inverter 176, an OR gate 178, and a driver 182. The other input terminal of OR gate 178 is connected between output terminal b1 of input interface 166 and driver 168 of first relay 170. The second relay 184 has a normally open contact r2, which is connected to the second input interface 174 as shown in FIG.
is connected to the input terminal c2 of. The voltage EV can also be applied to the input terminals c1 and c2 of the second input interface 174 via contacts r12 and r2.

The output terminal of the inverter 176 further includes:
They are connected to delay circuits 186 and 188, respectively.
One delay circuit 186 connects the third
Connected to relay 196. This third relay 196 has a normally open contact r3, and this contact r3
is inserted between the first contact r11 of the first relay 170 and the motor M2 in the power supply circuit 172 of the braking motor M2.

The other delay circuit 188 is connected to a fourth relay 202 via an inverter 98 and a driver 200. This fourth relay 202 has a normally open contact r4, and this contact r4 is connected to the acceleration motor M3 of the acceleration roller 132, as shown in FIG.
is inserted into the power supply line 204 of. This power supply line 204 is branched from between contacts r11 and r3 in the power supply line 172 of braking motor M2.

Referring again to FIG. 13, the second input interface 174 includes the input terminals c1 and c2 described above.
It has output terminals d1 and d2 corresponding to the output terminals d1 and d2, respectively. Output terminal d1 is connected to fifth relay 208 via driver 206. This fifth relay 208 has a normally open contact r5, and this contact r
5 is inserted into the control line 210 of the release valve 90, as shown in FIG. Here, 2
The release valves 90 are simultaneously opened and closed by opening and closing the contact r5.

Output terminal d of second input interface 174
2 is connected to a sixth relay 216 via a delay circuit 212 and a driver 214. This sixth
The relay 216 has a normally open contact r6, which is inserted into the power supply line 218 to the supply motor M1 of the supply device 10.

On the other hand, the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174 is further connected to the delay circuit 220 and the inverter interface, respectively. The delay circuit 220 includes an inverter 224 and a delay circuit 22
6. Connected to a seventh relay 232 via an inverter 228 and a driver 230. This seventh
The relay 232 has a normally open contact r7, and this contact r7 is connected to the main solenoid valve 5 in the blower 16.
8 control line 234 is inserted.

The inverter 227 includes a delay circuit 236, an inverter 238, an AND gate 240, and a driver 2
42 to the eighth relay 244. This eighth relay 244 has a normally open contact r8, and this contact r8 is inserted into the control line 246 of the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 in the blower device 16. The other input terminal of the AND gate 240 described above is connected to the delay circuit 226 and the inverter 2.
28.

Each delay circuit used in the control circuit described above operates only when a high-level signal is input to the delay circuit, and each delay circuit operates after a predetermined delay from the time when the high-level signal is input. After some time, the same high level signal is output. Further, the delay time set for each delay circuit is shown in the block representing each delay circuit in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned conveyance system will be explained with reference to FIG. 14.

First, a description will be given from when the conveyance system is in a normal operating state. Here, the normal operating state is
Indicates that the filter rod F is not clogged in the transport path of the filter rod F, and there is still room to receive the filter rod F in the receiving hopper 156 of the receiving device 12,
Therefore, at this time, the detection switch 142 is open and the limit switch 164 is closed.

When the detection switch 142 is opened and the limit switch 164 is closed, one output terminal b of the first input interface 166
A low level signal appears at output terminal b2, and a high level signal appears at the other output terminal b2. Therefore, the driver 168 of the first relay 170 includes:
Since a low level signal is input, this first relay 170 is never activated. Therefore, the first
The first contact r11 of the relay 170 is in a closed state, and the second contact r12 is in an open state.
In this way, when the second contact r12 of the first relay 170 is in the open state, the driver 206 of the fifth relay 208 has no contact with the driver 16 of the first relay 170.
8, a low level signal is input through the output terminal d1 of the second input interface 174, so this fifth relay 208 is in an inactive state. As a result, contact r5 of the fifth relay 208
is open, so the two release valves 90 are both closed.

On the other hand, the high level signal appearing at the output terminal b2 of the first input interface 166 is transmitted to the drivers 182, 194, 200 of the second to fourth relays 184, 196, 202, respectively. These drivers 182, 194, 200
High level signals are input to all
This is clear from FIG. That is, output terminal b2
and the driver 194, as well as the output terminal b2
Since two inverters are inserted between the output terminal b2 and the driver 200, the high level signal appearing at the output terminal b2 is directly transmitted to the drivers 194 and 200. On the other hand, OR gate 17 inserted between output terminal b2 and driver 182
8, a low level signal is input from the input terminal b1 to one input terminal, and the output terminal b2 is also input to the other input terminal.
A low level signal is output from the inverter 176 through the inverter 176. Therefore, in this case, OR
A low level signal will be output from the output terminal of gate 178, and as a result, the signal subsequently transmitted to driver 182 via inverter 180 will be high level. Therefore, the drivers 182, 194, 200 are the second to fourth drivers.
Relays 184, 196, and 202 are all driven, so that contacts r2, r3, and r4 are all closed. As a result, both the braking motor M2 of the regulation mechanism 104 and the acceleration motor M3 of the acceleration roller 132 are in a rotating state.

As described above, when the contact r2 of the second relay 184 is in the closed state, a high level signal is output to the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174, as in the case of the first input interface 166. appear. Therefore, from this output terminal d2, the sixth
and the driver 21 of the seventh relay 216, 232
A high level signal is input to drivers 4 and 230, and these drivers 214 and 230 drive the sixth and seventh relays 216 and 232, respectively. As a result, the contacts r of the sixth and seventh relays 216, 232
6 and r7 are both in a closed state. That is,
The supply motor M1 of the supply device 10 is rotating, and the main solenoid valve 58 of the blower device 16 is in an open state.

Regarding the open state of the main solenoid valve 58 described above,
At this time, the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is in a closed state.
That is, in the driver 242 of the eighth relay 244,
Due to the presence of the AND gate 240, a low level signal is input, and therefore the driver 2
42 does not drive the eighth relay 244.
Therefore, the contact r8 of the eighth relay 244 is in an open state, and as a result, the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is in a closed state.

As is already clear from the above description, when the conveyance system is in a normal state, the delivery drum 36, the main solenoid valve 58, the sub solenoid valve 64, the release valve 90, the acceleration roller 132 and the rubber belt 130 of this conveyance system are It is in the operating state shown in Figure 14. Therefore, when the conveying system is in the normal state, the filter rod F is directed from the supply device 10 to the receiving device 12, as described above, in the conveying pipe 1.
The compressed air flowing through the tube 4 sequentially conveys the particles through the conveying pipe 14 . And receiving device 1
The filter rod F that reaches within 2 is stored in the receiving hopper 156.

Thereafter, when the amount of filter rod F in the receiving hopper 156 reaches the maximum allowable value, ie, when the receiving hopper 156 is full, the limit switch 164 will be opened as described above. When this limit switch 164 is opened,
2nd to 7th relays 184, 196, 202, 2
16,232 are inactive, resulting in supply motor M1, braking motor M
2 and acceleration motor M3 are stopped, and
Main solenoid valve 58 will be closed.

Here, to explain in more detail the switching operation timing of these motors and solenoid valves, when the limit switch 164 is opened, the low level signal appearing at the output contact b2 of the first input interface 166 is immediately transferred to the second relay. 184 to the driver 182, which causes the second relay 1
84 becomes inactive at the same time as the limit switch 164 is opened. In this way, the second relay 18
4 becomes inactive, this second relay 184
The contact r2 of is opened. Therefore, a low level signal appears at the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174, and this low level signal is passed through the delay circuit 212 to the driver 2 of the sixth relay 216.
14. In this case, the delay circuit 21
2, the low level signal appearing at the output terminal d2 is input as is, so this delay circuit 212
never works. Therefore, the sixth relay 21
Immediately upon receiving the low level signal appearing at the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174, the sixth driver 214 switches the sixth relay 216 to the inactive state. That is, the contact r6 of the sixth relay 216 is opened, and in this case, the driving of the supply motor M1 is stopped. As is clear from the above description, when the limit switch 164 is opened, the drive of the feed motor M1, ie, the delivery drum 36, is immediately stopped as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the driving of the remaining motors M2 and M3 is stopped after a predetermined delay time from the time when the limit switch 164 is opened. That is, first, regarding the braking motor M2, the control line between the output terminal b2 of the first input interface 166 and the third relay 196 includes two delay circuits 186, as shown in FIG. However, among these delay circuits 186 and 192, only the delay circuit 186 receives a high-level signal, and the high-level signal is input to the other delay circuit 192. Never. Therefore, the low-level signal appearing at the output terminal b1 of the first input interface 166 is delayed by a predetermined delay time determined by the delay circuit 186, for example, 6.5 seconds, and then transferred to the third relay 19.
6 driver 194. As a result, the braking motor M2, that is, the rubber belt 130
The drive of the drum 36 is stopped 6.5 seconds later than that of the delivery drum 36. In addition, the acceleration motor M
3, the first input interface 166
output terminal b2 and driver 2 of the fourth relay 202
A delay circuit 188 inserted between 00 and 00 operates,
As a result, the fourth relay 202 is connected to the sixth relay 202.
16, set by the delay circuit 188.
It becomes inactive with a delay time of 10.5 seconds.
As a result, the acceleration motor M3, that is, the acceleration roller 1
32 is 10.5 seconds behind the sending drum 36,
Its drive is stopped.

On the other hand, regarding the main solenoid valve 58, the second
Of the delay circuits 220 and 226 inserted between the output terminal d2 of the input interface 174 and the driver 230 of the seventh relay 232, one of the delay circuits 226 operates, and as a result, the seventh relay 23
2 is the delay circuit 226 rather than the sixth relay 216.
It becomes inactive with a delay time of 2 seconds determined by . As a result, the main solenoid valve 58
is closed 2 seconds after the delivery drum 36 stops driving.

When the main solenoid valve 58 is closed in this way, at the same time as the main solenoid valve 58 is closed,
The sub solenoid valve 64 is operated by the AND circuit 240 inserted in the control line of the eighth relay 244.
The valve will be opened. That is, AND circuit 2
One input terminal of 40 is connected to the seventh relay 23
Since it is connected between the delay circuit 226 and the inverter 228 in the second control line, AND
A high level signal is transmitted to one input terminal of the circuit 240 at the same time as the seventh relay 232 becomes inactive. Also, AND
A low level signal will be transmitted from the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174 to the other input terminal of the circuit 240, but the transmission of this low level signal is due to the control line of the eighth relay 244. The delay circuit 236 inserted in
You will be late. Therefore, the AND circuit 24
Until a low level signal is transmitted to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 240, the other input terminal of the AND circuit 240 is connected to the contact r2 of the second relay 184 when the conveyance system is in a normal state. The high level signal transmitted when in the closed state is retained. As a result, the seventh relay 232 is switched to a non-operating state, and the AND
When a high level signal is transmitted from the control line of the seventh relay 232 to one input terminal of the circuit 240, high level signals are transmitted to both input terminals of the AND circuit 240. A high level signal is transmitted from the output terminal of the AND circuit 240 to the driver 242 of the eighth relay 244.
44 is activated. As a result, the 8th relay 24
The contact point r8 of No. 4 is closed, and thereby the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is opened. However, after the sub solenoid valve 64 is opened in this way, the AND circuit 2
When a low level signal is delayed and transmitted to the other input terminal of 40 via the delay circuit 236,
A low level signal is transmitted from the output terminal of the AND circuit 240 to the eighth relay 244 . As a result, the eighth relay 244 is switched to the non-operating state again, and the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is closed. The opening time of this sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is determined by the delay circuit 226.
In this embodiment, the opening time of the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is 3 seconds. Switching of the operation of each of the above-mentioned elements is shown in FIG.

As mentioned above, when the receiving hopper 156 reaches a full condition and the limit switch 164 is opened, the drive of the delivery drum 36 in the feeder 10 is immediately stopped. That is, delivery of the filter rod F from the supply device 10 is immediately stopped. Thereafter, 2 seconds after the drive of the delivery drum 36 is stopped, the main solenoid valve 58 is closed and at the same time the sub solenoid valve 64 is opened, and then the sub solenoid valve 64 is closed again 3 seconds later. After the delivery of the filter rod F from the supply device 10 is stopped in this way, instead of immediately closing the main solenoid valve 58 and stopping the supply of compressed air to the conveying pipe 14, the main solenoid valve 58 is closed after 2 seconds. Since the valve is closed and the supply of compressed air into the conveyor pipe 14 is stopped, the filter rod F sent into the conveyor pipe 14 from the supply device 10 immediately before the supply of compressed air is stopped causes the main solenoid valve 58 to close. There is no possibility that it will be sent back to the supply device 10 side due to closing. That is, when the supply of compressed air into the transport pipe 14 is stopped, the main drum 36 in the supply device 10, which is in communication with the transport pipe 14,
The compressed air in the conveying groove 40 escapes from inside this conveying groove 40 to the outside air, which is the low pressure side, and flows into the conveying groove 40.
is lower than the pressure inside the conveying pipe 14.
For this reason, the compressed air in the portion of the conveyance pipe 14 on the supply device 10 side tries to escape to the outside air through the conveyance groove 40, causing a backflow of the air flow.
Along with this backflow, the filter rod F within the conveying pipe 14 also tends to be sucked back toward the supply device 10 side. As a result, the filter rods F that have been sucked back try to enter the conveyance groove 40 of the supply device 10, so that the filter rods F are received one after another into one conveyance groove 40.
This will lead to clogging of the filter rod F on the supply device 10 side. However, in this embodiment, there is a delay of 2 seconds after the drive of the delivery drum 36 is stopped.
Since the main solenoid valve 58 is closed, the last filter rod F fed into the conveying pipe 14 from the supply device 10 is moved to a position sufficiently far away from the supply device 10 by the time the main solenoid valve 58 is closed. Therefore, even if the filter rod F on the rearmost side in the conveying pipe 1 is sucked back by closing the main solenoid valve 58,
These filter rods F do not reach the supply device 10, and as a result, the above-mentioned clogging of the supply device 10 due to the closing of the main solenoid valve 58 can be reliably prevented.

Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, at the same time as the main solenoid valve 58 is closed, the sub solenoid valve 64 is closed.
Since it is only open for 3 seconds, the main solenoid valve 5
It is also possible to prevent the filter rod F from being sucked back as described above when the valve 8 is closed. That is, even if the main solenoid valve 58 is closed, this main solenoid valve 58
Since a smaller amount of compressed air is supplied into the conveying pipe 14 through the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 and the throttle valve 66 than the compressed air supplied through the filter rod F.
Not only can suction back of the filter rod F to be prevented from being sucked back, but also the transport speed of the filter rod F in the transport pipe 14 can be gradually reduced, and finally the transport of the filter rod F can be stopped. As a result, strong collision of the filter rods F with each other within the conveying pipe 14 can be avoided.

On the other hand, the rubber belt 13 in the regulation mechanism 104
0 is stopped after 6.5 seconds in this embodiment, after the feeding of the filter rod F from the supply device 10 is stopped, the movement of the filter rod F within the conveying pipe 14 is reliably stopped. be done. Therefore, the filter rod F received from the conveying pipe 14 into the conveying trough 96 of the regulating mechanism 104
The rubber belt 130 does not stop in the conveyance trough 96, and is reliably discharged from the conveyance trough 96 by the running of the rubber belt 130. Furthermore, as is clear from FIG. 14, since the driving of the accelerating roller 132 is stopped later than that of the rubber belt 130, the filter rod F discharged from the conveying trough 96 is conveyed via the accelerating roller 132. The direction changing device 140 is reliably supplied. Therefore, after the receiving hopper 156 has reached a full state, the transport path of the filter rod F between the transport pipe 14 and the acceleration roller 132 has 1
The book Filter Rod F also does not exist.

Since the receiving hopper 156 is full, the amount of filter rod F in the receiving hopper 156 decreases to the minimum allowable amount, and the receiving hopper 1
56, limit switch 164 is closed. When the limit switch 164 is closed in this way, the second to eighth relays 184, 196, 202, 216, 23
2, 244 are activated, respectively, and as a result, the delivery drum 36, the main solenoid valve 58, the sub solenoid valve 64,
The operating states of the acceleration roller 132 and the rubber belt 130 return to the normal state described above. However, the drive of the delivery drum 36 starts from the time when the limit switch 164 is closed, and the sixth relay 21
Due to the function of the delay circuit 212 inserted in the control line No. 6, the signal is driven with a delay of 21.5 seconds. The main solenoid valve 58 is opened 20 seconds after the limit switch 164 is closed due to the delay circuit 220 inserted in the control line of the seventh relay 232. On the other hand, regarding the sub solenoid valve 64, when the limit switch 164 is closed, a high level signal is held at one input terminal of the AND circuit 240 inserted in the control line of the eighth relay 244. At the same time, a high level signal is immediately transmitted from the output terminal d2 of the second input interface 174 to the other input terminal. Therefore, at the same time as the limit switch 164 is closed, the eighth relay 244 is activated, thereby causing the sub-electromagnetic valve 6
4 will be opened. After this, the delay circuit 220 inserted in the control line of the seventh relay 232 causes
A low level signal is sent to the 7th relay 232 with a delay of 20 seconds.
When transmitted from the control line to one input terminal of the AND circuit 240, at this point,
A low level signal is output from the output terminal of the AND circuit 240. As a result, the eighth relay 244 becomes inactive, and the sub-electromagnetic valve 64
is closed again. Therefore, in this case, as described above, simultaneously with the opening operation of the main solenoid valve 58,
The sub-electromagnetic valve 64 is now closed.

Regarding the acceleration motor M3, that is, the acceleration roller 132, at this time, a low level signal is input to the delay circuit 188 inserted in the control line of the fourth relay 202, so this delay circuit 188 is not functional. do not. Therefore, the fourth relay 202, i.e.
Accelerator roller 132 will be driven at the same time limit switch 164 is closed. On the other hand, regarding the braking motor M2, that is, the rubber belt 130, the third relay 196
Delay circuits 186 and 19 inserted in the control lines of
2, only the delay circuit 192 functions. Therefore, the third relay 196, i.e., the rubber belt 130
After the limit switch 164 is closed,
It will be driven with a delay time of 3 seconds set in the delay circuit 192. Receipt hopper 15
The switching of the operation of the above-mentioned elements when 6 reaches the point of refeeding filter rod F is shown in FIG.

After the receiving hopper 156 reaches the time to re-supply the filter rod F, the acceleration roller 132 and the sub-electromagnetic valve 64 are first opened, and then the rubber belt 130 is sequentially driven. Therefore, the sub solenoid valve 64 is opened, and this sub solenoid valve 6
4, a relatively small amount of compressed air is fed into the conveying pipe 14. From this, all of the filter rods F staying in the transport pipe 14 are transported toward the receiving device 12 by the flow of a relatively small amount of compressed air supplied into the transport pipe 14.
The rubber belt 130 of this receiving device 12
and is supplied to the conveyance direction changing device 140 via the acceleration roller 132. Here, since the filter rod F staying in the conveying pipe 14 is conveyed by a relatively small flow of compressed air,
All of these filter rods F are transferred to the conveying pipe 1 without causing strong collisions with each other.
It can be discharged from within 4.

After all the filter rods F in the conveying pipe 14 are discharged in this way, the sub solenoid valve 64 is closed, and the main solenoid valve 58 is opened at the same time as the sub solenoid valve 64 is closed. 1
4, a relatively large amount of compressed air will be supplied. After the main solenoid valve 58 opens,
Since the delivery drum 36 in the supply device 10 is driven, the filter rods F sequentially delivered from the delivery drum 36 are moved into the transport pipe by the flow of a relatively large amount of compressed air that has already been supplied into the transport pipe 14. 14 smoothly through the receiving device 1
It is transported towards 2. This returns the transport system to its normal state.

When the conveying system is operating under normal conditions,
If the filter rod F becomes clogged between the acceleration roller 132 and the conveyance direction changing device 140,
This clogging is detected by the detection switch 142 described above. That is, this detection switch 142
will be closed. Detection switch 142
is closed, the first input interface 16
Since a high level signal appears at the output terminal b1 of the fifth relay 170, the first relay 170 operates and the fifth
Since relay 208 is activated immediately, contact r5 of this fifth relay 208 is closed and both release valves 90 are immediately opened. On the other hand, since the first contact r11 of the first relay 170 is opened by the operation of the first relay 170, the braking motor M2 and the acceleration motor M3, that is, the rubber belt 130 and the acceleration roller 132 are also activated by the detection switch 142. As soon as it is closed, its drive is stopped.

In this case, regarding the supply motor M1 of the supply device 10, that is, the delivery drum 36, the detection switch 142 is closed and the first input interface 16 is closed.
The high level signal appearing at the output terminal b1 of 6 is
In addition to the driver 168 of the first relay 170,
OR inserted in the control line of the second relay 184
It is also transmitted to one input terminal of gate 178. At this time, since the limit switch 164 is in a closed state, the first input interface 1
A high level signal appears at the output terminal b2 of the inverter 66, so that a low level signal is transmitted to the other input terminal of the OR gate 178 via the inverter 176. Therefore, from the output terminal of OR gate 178,
Although a high level signal is output, this signal is converted into a low level signal by the inverter 180 and transmitted to the driver 182 of the second relay 184. As a result, the second relay 184
The second relay 184 is in a non-operating state, and the contact r2 of the second relay 184 is opened. In this way, the second relay 18
When contact r2 of No. 4 is opened, a low level signal is immediately transmitted via the second input interface 174 to the driver 214 of the sixth relay 216, which is switched to the inactive state. Therefore, the contact r6 of the sixth relay 216 is opened, and the driving of the supply motor M1, that is, the delivery drum 36 is stopped. That is, the drive of the delivery drum 36 is stopped at the same time as the detection switch 142 is closed.

Further, as described above, when the contact r2 of the second relay 184 is opened, the main and sub solenoid valves 5
8 and 60 are receiving hoppers 156 of the conveyance system.
The switch is activated in the same way as when the full condition is reached. That is, 2 seconds after the detection switch 142 is opened, the main solenoid valve 58 is closed, and at the same time, the sub solenoid valve 64 is opened, and after this, this sub solenoid valve 64 is closed again 3 seconds later. . The switching operation of each element when the filter rod F is clogged is shown in FIG.

As mentioned above, when the filter rod F becomes clogged on the conveyance path of the filter rod F, as is clear from FIG.
Not only is the driving of the rubber belt 130 immediately stopped, but also both release valves 90 are immediately opened. In the case of this embodiment, since both the release valves 90 are arranged in the conveying pipe 14 closer to the receiving device 12 than the supply device 10, the both release valves 90
The length of the downstream portion of the conveyance pipe 14 from 0 is relatively short. Therefore, when both release valves 90 are opened, the pressure of the compressed air for conveying the filter chip F can be rapidly lowered in the downstream portion of the conveying pipe 14, thereby causing the downstream portion of the conveying pipe 14 to The conveyance of the filter rod F located at the position is immediately stopped without causing a collision between the filter rods.

On the other hand, in the upstream portion of the release valve 90 in the conveyance path, there is a
During 2 seconds, compressed air is still supplied into the conveying pipe 14 via the main solenoid valve 58, and even after the main solenoid valve 58 is closed, the sub solenoid valve 64 is opened for an additional 3 seconds. Therefore, as in the case where the receiving hopper 156 is full, the conveyance speed of the filter rod F located at the upstream portion of the conveyance path can be gradually stopped, and damage to the filter rods due to collisions between the filter rods can be prevented. It can be prevented.

The filter rod in the transport system is unclogged and the detection switch 142 is opened again.
When the transport system is in the restart state, the operation of each element of the transport system in the restart state is the same as when the receiving hopper 156 of the transport system is in the resupply state, as shown in FIG. It is controlled in the same way.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the feeding device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line - in FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the release device of FIG. 1, and FIG.
6 is a side view showing a part of the receiving device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line of FIG.
8 is a sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line in FIG. A side view of the device, FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a part of the conveyance direction changing device of FIG. 10, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are
The figure is a control circuit diagram of the conveyance system in Figure 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing switching operations of each operating element in each operating phase of the conveyance system of FIG. 1. 96... Conveyance trough, 96a, 96b... Inclined surface, 98... Conveyance path (guide groove), 104...
regulation mechanism (regulation means), 106... drive pulley,
110...First driven pulley, 126...Second driven pulley, 130...Rubber belt, 132...Acceleration roller, 138...Aperture (acceleration path).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A guide groove having both ends open, which receives a rod-shaped object conveyed by an air flow from one end of the guide groove, and transports the rod-shaped object along the guide groove. A regulating mechanism that regulates the conveyance speed of the rod-shaped object received in the guide groove of the conveyance trough and conveyed in the guide groove along with the air flow; A pair of accelerators are disposed on the downstream end side of the transport trough and form an acceleration path for receiving the rod-shaped object sent out from the conveyance trough, further accelerating the rod-like object, and sending it out toward the next process device. The regulation mechanism includes a drive pulley disposed above the guide groove, and a drive pulley disposed above the guide groove, which is located upstream of the drive pulley in the conveyance direction when viewed in the conveyance direction. A second driven pulley is arranged between the first driven pulley and the driving pulley, and an endless rubber belt is stretched between the driving pulley and the first driven pulley. In the rubber belt, the forward belt portion on the side closer to the guide groove between the drive pulley and the first driven pulley runs in the same direction as the conveyance direction, and this forward belt portion runs in the same direction as the conveyance direction. extending parallel to the guide groove between the second driven pulleys, and
From the second driven pulley to the driving pulley, between the parallel part that comes into contact with the rod-shaped object conveyed in the guide groove and the second driven pulley to the driving pulley,
What is claimed is: 1. A device for receiving and discharging rod-like objects conveyed by an air flow, characterized in that the device has an inclined portion that is inclined at a predetermined angle in a direction away from a guide groove. 2. In the guide groove, the lower surface of the opening end upstream in the conveyance direction is inclined downward toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Receiving and discharging device for sticks. 3. In the guide groove, both inner surfaces at the upstream end in the conveying direction are inclined such that the distance between these inner surfaces increases toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. 3. A receiving and delivering device for rod-like objects conveyed by an air stream according to item 2. 4. According to claim 1, the regulating mechanism includes a first adjusting means for adjusting the movement of the first and second driven pulleys in a direction toward and away from the guide groove. A device for receiving and discharging rods conveyed by the air stream as described. 5. The regulating mechanism includes a second adjusting means for adjusting the movement of the first driven pulley in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove. A device for receiving and discharging stick-like objects.