DE102011117295A1 - Method for detecting faults and detecting the valve lift of a glue valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the automatic detection of malfunctions of an operating Leimventils (10), in particular a glue valve (10) of an operating device for the production and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects, wherein the actual values of the temperature the glue valve (10) or actual values of a measured variable, from which the actual temperature values of the glue valve (10) can be derived, determined several times and evaluated with regard to a fault of the glue valve (10), preferably by the determined actual values with corresponding set values or limit values stored for the glue valve (10) or with corresponding actual values of at least one other glue valve (10) in operation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for automatically detecting the valve lift of a glue valve (10), in particular a glue valve (10) of a device for producing and / or packaging cigarettes or other smokable objects, wherein the valve (10) at least partially from magnetizable material component (29) whose position for adjusting the valve lift relative to a by an electromagnet (14) of the valve (10) movable shutter member (18) is variable, and which is arranged so that it is in the magnetic influence area of the electromagnet (14) of the valve (10) is located, in particular at least partially within the coil (15) thereof, wherein as a measure of the position of the component (29) and thus as a measure of the set valve lift the actual inductance value of the coil (15 ) of the electromagnet (14) is measured, in particular when the valve (10) is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for detecting disturbances of a glue valve and a method for detecting the valve lift of a glue valve.

In the cigarette industry, glue valves are used in the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable items. For example, with the glue valves individual areas of blanks of cigarette packs can be glued together or with separate or separate blanks.

Due to the high production speeds in the cigarette industry, the glue valves often pollute. The contamination of such a glue valve is only indirectly recognized that the glue pattern generated by the respective glue valve is faulty. If there is no permanent visual inspection of the glue patterns, a large number of packs with correspondingly incorrect gluing may already have been produced up to the detection of the glue valve contamination.

Another problem with such glue valves is the correct specification of the valve lift. When known in the art glue valves a stroke limiter for the movable closure member of the valve for setting the valve lift can be adjusted manually. This often serves a suitable adjustment of the stroke limiter. The set angle of rotation of the adjusting screw is a measure of the valve lift. As part of this adjustment process, it is often difficult to check if or when the correct angle of rotation of the screw is set. Because even slight changes in the angle of rotation can change the valve lift from a permissible to an impermissible value.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method as reliable as possible for detecting malfunctions of a glue valve. On the other hand, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable method for automatically detecting the valve lift of such a glue valve.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 11.

For automatic detection of faults in an operating, d. H. The actual values of the temperature of the glue valve or the actual values of a measured variable from which the actual temperature values of the glue valve can be derived are determined within an ongoing production process, in particular a packaging process, working glue valve. The determination of these actual values takes place multiple times, for example continuously or from time to time, during the ongoing production process. The determined actual values are then evaluated with regard to a malfunction of the glue valve - also automatically. For this purpose, the actual values are preferably compared with corresponding desired or limit values stored for the glue valve and / or with corresponding actual values of at least one other glue valve operating or operating within the current production process.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that the flow of glue through the glue valve has an influence on the operating temperature of the glue valve. If the glue flow through the glue valve is impaired, the glue valve temperature increases because the glue of the glue valve in operation contributes to the cooling of the glue in the sense of a "coolant". Disturbances of the passage of this "coolant" thus lead to metrologically detectable deviations of the actual Leimventiltemperatur from a expected without such flow disturbance temperature behavior or a desired temperature behavior or in addition or alternatively to significant deviations of Leimventiltemperatur compared to other, in operation glue valves.

Preferably, such a method is used in glue valves that are part of an operating device for the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects.

A preferred measurement variable, from which the actual temperature of the glue valve can be derived in principle, and whose actual values can be determined, is the resistance of at least one coil of an electromagnet of the valve used for actuating a closure member of the valve. It has been recognized according to the invention that the respective actual value of the coil resistance is a good measure of the glue valve temperature.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable, of course, to measure the actual temperature of the glue valve directly by means of suitable, customary temperature sensors, which are additionally arranged on the glue valve.

The glue valve is preferably operated discontinuously, in particular intermittently, with operating phases, namely gluing phases, in which the glue valve is open to dispense glue, and with operating phases, namely resting, in which the valve is closed, so that no glue leaks out. In particular, but not exclusively, if as the actual values to be recorded the Coil resistance values are measured, the actual values of the temperature or the measured variable, from which the actual temperature values can be derived, determined in at least one of these rest phases of the glue valve.

As far as the evaluation of the determined actual values is concerned, it can be provided that in the event that the actual values of the temperature or the measured variable from which the actual temperature can be derived, by a predetermined amount from the corresponding, for deviate from the set valve deposited values or from the corresponding actual values of the at least one other in operation Leimventils, a suitable error signal is generated.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that in the event that at least one actual value of the temperature or the measured variable, from which the actual temperature can be derived, reaches or exceeds the limit value stored for the glue valve, a suitable error signal is generated.

Exceeding a limit recorded in the context of the application not only the exceeding of an upper limit, but in summary also exceeding a lower limit of "coming up", d. H. starting from values which are initially greater than the limit value (occasionally also referred to as "falling below a limit value" in the prior art).

In the method according to the invention for the automatic detection of the valve lift according to claim 11 of the glue valve, it is assumed that the valve has an at least partially, preferably completely made of magnetizable material component whose position for adjusting the valve lift by movement of the component relative to a by an electromagnet the valve movable closure member is changeable. In this case, this position is preferably also or in particular in the case of a non-moving closure member, for example in a stationary opening or closing position of the same, relative to the closure member by a particular manual setting operation changeable.

The component is usually a Ventilhubbegrenzer or a component thereof. It is arranged such that it is located in the magnetic influence of the solenoid of the valve. It is preferably arranged at least in regions within the coil of the same, so at least in this area surrounded by this, quasi in the manner of a core of the same. In any case, at least one or the magnetizable region thereof is preferably arranged in the coil.

According to the invention, the actual inductance value of the coil of the electromagnet is then measured as a measure of the position or position of the component relative to the closure member and thus as a measure of the particular manually set valve lift. The measurement of the actual inductance value is preferably carried out when the valve is closed, ie in a closed position of the closure member of the valve.

Background of this method is the realization according to the invention that smallest changes in position of the aforementioned, at least partially magnetizable component whose position is adjustable to set the valve lift, with respect to the detection of the valve lift evaluable changes in the induction values of the coil. Because the changes in position of the component lead to changes in the magnetic interactions between the component and the electromagnet, in the effective range, the component is located.

Such a method can be used, for example, in glue valves which are part of a device for producing and / or packaging cigarettes or other smokable objects.

The method can basically be used regardless of whether the glue valve or possibly the manufacturing device to which it is associated is in operation or not.

For example, during the current, in particular manual setting of the glue valve, d. H. in Einrichtbetrieb the same, there is a need to recognize the current valve lift with the method according to the invention.

Alternatively or additionally, the method according to the invention can advantageously be used to monitor the previously set valve lift of the respective glue valve in the production process or in the operation of a glue valve or manufacturing device in operation.

Preferably, the glue valve is cyclically operated in the manufacturing process with Beleimungsphasen in which glue is opened to dispense glue, and rest periods in which the valve is closed so that no glue leaks, wherein the actual values of the coil inductance in at least one of the rest phases of the glue valve be determined.

Preferably, the actual inductance values of the valve are determined by, in particular, during the rest phase of the valve, a suitable, in particular variable in strength measuring current, usually an alternating current is passed through the at least one coil.

The measuring current can be caused for example by a suitable resonant circuit, wherein the coil is part of the resonant circuit during the measurement.

As regards the evaluation of the determined actual inductance values, depending on the actual value of the measured coil inductance, for example, either a first, preferably optical signal can be generated which represents a valve stroke value permissible for the glue valve, or a second one different from the first Also preferred is an optical signal representing a valve stroke value that is not allowed for the glue valve.

Alternatively or additionally, the measured actual value of the coil inductance or a value which is preferably linearly dependent thereon can in particular be visually displayed, preferably on a screen.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended dependent claims, from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings.

It shows:

1 a glue valve in a vertical section,

2 a schematic representation of a gluing system of several glue valves,

3 a coil resistance operating time diagram in which different desired and actual curve profiles of different glue valves are plotted,

4 a temperature coil resistance diagram in which different characteristics of glue valves of the gluing system are entered,

5 an inductance-rotation angle diagram in which corresponding curve profiles are entered for different glue valves of the gluing system,

6 a current-time diagram in which is entered for a glue valve, the course of the guided through the coil of the glue valve electric current.

The in the 1 and 2 shown glue valves 10 are part of a gluing system according to the invention 25 (see. 2 ), which in turn is part of a device, not shown, for the production of cigarettes or packaging for these cigarettes or part of a device for producing and / or packaging cigarettes. Such devices may be machines such as a maker, a packaging machine for making the actual cigarette packs (packer), a film wrapping machine (cello), a bar packer, a carton packer or a palletizer, or the like.

The glue valves 10 are known in their basic structure in parts, for example from the DE 10 2009 022 496.3 whose content is incorporated in the present application.

Such a glue valve 10 includes a valve housing 11 and a connector housing attached thereto 12 ,

The glue valve 10 has an electromagnet 14 , In the present case is the electromagnet 14 in a valve housing interior 13 arranged. Basically, you can also use several electromagnets 14 be used.

The electromagnet 14 has a coil 15 with individual turns on. The sink 15 is on a coil carrier 16 wound. The coil carrier 16 is part of a valve chamber 17 , On such a coil carrier 16 Of course, it can also be dispensed with, so that the coil 15 would be self-supporting in such a case.

Inside the valve body interior 13 more precisely inside the electromagnet 14 or the coil 15 , in particular within a central opening of the bobbin 16 , is a closure or metering organ 18 of the valve 10 movably arranged, in the present case a valve tappet.

On a lower shaft 19 of the closure member 18 is a closure 20 arranged, in this case a ball. The closure means 20 is a valve opening 21 assigned. The valve opening 21 is located in the center in the area of a funnel-shaped valve seat 22 , The closure means 20 lies in the closed position of the valve 10 on conical seating surfaces of the valve seat 22 at.

About a glue connection 23 can the glue valve 10 to be dosed glue from the in 2 Leimquelle shown 24 of the gluing system 25 using glue lines 24a be supplied. From the glue connection 23 The glue is first along a glue channel 26 of the glue valve 10 and then via outgoing from this connection channels 27 in the valve chamber 17 guided.

The closing organ 18 can by suitable loading of the electromagnet 14 be opened with electric current, so that glue from the valve chamber 17 can escape.

For this purpose, the coil surrounds 15 of the electromagnet 14 the closing organ 18 at least in sections. The closing organ 18 , Preferably a magnetizable, usually metallic piston piece 28 the same, acts within the coil 15 as the core of the electromagnet 14 ,

With suitable flow of electric current through the coil 15 this transmits a resulting magnetic force on the piston piece 28 , whereby the closing organ 18 altogether from the in 1 shown closed position is moved to an open position in which the glue from the valve opening 21 can escape.

The closing organ 18 is preferably permanently acted upon in the closing direction by a closing force of a closing means or closing member. This is formed in the present embodiment as a two individual magnets comprehensive permanent magnet, which has a permanent magnetic force on the closure member 18 exercises in the sense of a closing movement. Of course, other suitable closing forces exerting closing means may be used, such as (return) springs or the like.

One of the individual magnets of the permanent magnet is at the free end or on a head part 32 a magnetizable, metallic component 29 arranged, whose position relative to the closure member 18 in the manner to be explained in more detail below the valve lift.

The free lower end or the head part 32 of the component 29 is the free upper end of the piston piece 28 of the closure member 18 across from. This is also the headboard 32 of the component 29 - Similar to the piston piece 28 of the closure member 18 - In the manner of a nucleus of the electromagnet 14 immediately inside the coil 15 arranged or the coil 15 surround this headboard 32 ,

The other single magnet of the permanent magnet is the single magnet of the head part 32 opposite to the closure member 18 or at the free end of the piston piece 28 attached.

The individual magnets have in the present case even with the glue valve open 10 a (small) distance from each other.

The opposing individual magnets are positioned so that like poles are facing each other, for example, the north poles of the same. As a result, a repulsive force is permanently on the closure member 18 transferred, namely the above-mentioned closing force. To the valve 10 to open, is through the appropriate current through the electromagnet 14 or through the coil 15 the opposite of this closing force, on the closure member 19 acting, magnetic opening force generated, which overcomes the closing force and during the opening operation is correspondingly greater than this.

The magnetizable component 29 forms - as already indicated above - together with the individual magnets an adjustable stroke limiter for the closure member 18 that limits the length of the path to the the closing organ 18 during the opening movement in the valve chamber 17 can be moved upwards at most. When opening the valve 10 becomes the closing organ 18 through the from the electromagnet 14 applied opening force so far upwards in the direction of the magnetizable component 29 moved or the component 29 , in the present case the head part 32 the same, so far approximated, until the repulsive magnetic force between the individual magnets of the upward or on the closure member 18 acting opening force corresponds to or exceeds this. At which position of the closure member 18 That is, at what value of the valve lift this is the case depends, inter alia, significantly on the position of the component 29 or the head part 32 from the same.

This position of the component 29 is to adjust the valve lift relative to the closure member 18 or to the valve chamber 17 changeable by the component 29 by a manual adjustment either in the direction of the closure member 18 is moved further down or in the opposite direction further up.

For this purpose, the component has 29 in the upper area, ie above the headboard 32 , via a threaded section 30 or an adjustment screw. The adjusting screw 30 is in a fixed carrier 31 of the valve 10 with corresponding internal thread in the longitudinal direction adjustable. At the free upper end of the adjusting screw 30 a recess is provided for applying a tool, for example a hexagon socket wrench. The entire component 29 can be moved further up or down by turning the adjusting screw with the tool around its longitudinal axis, depending on the direction of rotation.

In operation of the gluing system 25 become all glue valves 10 by means of a master controller 33 of the gluing system 25 as well as via control lines 35 with the master controller 33 connected, downstream or local controllers 36 controlled, each with the parent master controller 33 are connected. Every glue valve 10 is in each case a local controller 36 assigned.

The master controller 33 of the gluing system 25 is via a control line 34 connected to a higher-level, central machine control.

In the case that the gluing system 25 For example, is arranged on a cigarette packaging machine, would be the master controller 33 For example, connected to the central machine control of this packaging machine.

The local controllers 36 be from the master controller 33 of the gluing system 25 each transmits control parameters by which the local controllers 36 the individual controls of the valves 10 make. Details of a possible control technology are for example in the DE 10 2009 029 821.5 discloses the content of which is incorporated into the present application.

As a result, over the controllers 33 . 36 the opening and closing movements of the glue valves 10 controlled or regulated if necessary. The movements of the closing organ 18 each valve 10 are doing by applying the electromagnet 14 or the coil 15 the corresponding valve 10 achieved with a suitable control current. The local controllers have this feature 36 via suitable current or voltage sources or suitable amplifiers and are each by means of power lines 37 with the valves 10 connected.

With appropriate through the controller 33 . 36 as well as the central machine control implemented control method, the valves 10 For example, be controlled so that they can provide cyclically individual blanks of cigarette packs with corresponding glue portions in each case cyclically during operation of a packaging machine.

For the sake of simplicity, the term control is used unifying in the context of this application, regardless of whether control or regulatory operations are described.

With the aid of one or more of the described controllers, hereinafter referred to collectively as "controller", recognition or monitoring methods which are important for the invention can be implemented.

Thus, according to a particularly important aspect of the invention, for example, in Einrichtbetrieb the Beleimungssystems 25 , but also in ongoing operation of the associated apparatus for producing and / or packaging cigarettes, automatically set each valve lift each Leimventils 10 of the gluing system 25 recorded and displayed.

For this purpose, the controller detects in each case the actual inductance value of the coil 15 of the electromagnet 14 of the valve 10 , Among other things, this inductance value is decisively influenced by the position of the component 29 , especially the head 32 the same, relative to the coil 15 , The further down the component 29 in the valve 10 is located, ie the more it is immersed in the coil interior, the greater the measurable, current inductance value of the coil 15 , Because the position of the component 29 again directly influenced the valve lift, thus the actual value of the coil inductance is a measure of the set valve lift. By measuring the coil inductance according to the invention, therefore, the valve lift can be determined. In particular, the controller can determine in the course of this, for example, whether the currently set valve lift has a permissible value and, for example - if this is not the case - generate an error signal.

Of course, generally speaking, various measures and calculations can be carried out depending on the measured inductance value. Depending on the measured inductance value, the controller could, for example, in the set-up mode a setter in particular visually by him manually about the set screw 30 set valve lift or a measure of this view directly or indirectly, preferably visually on a suitable screen. In this case, either the measured value of the coil inductance can be displayed directly, or a value which is particularly linearly dependent on this value and which is a measure of the valve lift.

It is also conceivable that, depending on the actual value of the measured coil inductance, a first signal is generated which represents a valve stroke value permissible for the glue valve, or a second, other signal which represents a valve stroke value which is not permissible for the glue valve.

In 2 For example, it is shown that on the local controllers 36 in each case a first and a second light source 39a . 39b is arranged, for example, a green signal light and a red signal light. Insofar as the measured value of the coil inductance or the value of the valve lift dependent thereon is permissible, the green signal lamp illuminates 39a inasmuch as the measured value of the coil inductance or the valve lift value dependent thereon is not permissible, the red signal lamp illuminates 39b ,

In order to evaluate the measured actual values of the inductance, the control can expediently compare these actual values with reference values stored for the glue valve or with limit values stored for the glue valve. The corresponding Values may, for example, be stored in suitable digital data memories of the controller.

5 shows the dependence of the coil inductance of the rotation angle α, which is a measure of the position of the adjusting screw 30 of the component 29 is. In the present case, the value α = 0 ° corresponds to a rotation angle of the adjusting screw 30 in which the component 29 placed in a lower end position. The increasing α values then correspond to angles of rotation to that of the adjusting screw 30 is rotated about its longitudinal axis starting from the 0 ° position to the component 29 from the lower end position continue to move upwards and thereby increase the valve lift.

The different curves C, D, E in 5 each correspond to different glue valves 10 of the gluing system 25 , Despite the same specifications, the individual, angle of rotation-related Induktivitätswertverläufe of the respective valves differ 10 slightly. Accordingly, the respective setpoint specifications or limit values for each valve expediently differ accordingly 10 slightly.

For example, an angular range is shown hatched 38 in which, according to the above statements, the values of the coil inductances relative to the respective glue valve 10 acceptable values, so that if these values were measured, the green lamp 39a would shine. In other words, the set valve lift is at the corresponding rotation angles of the adjusting screw 30 within a permissible range. Outside the hatched area 38 the inductance values and thus the corresponding valve lift values are classified as inadmissible. Thus, the red lamp would 39b to shine.

For example, as can be seen, the valve is 10 , which is represented by the curve E, the values for the lower permissible limit of the inductance and for the upper permissible limit smaller than in the valves 10 , which are represented by the curves C, D.

Basically, an evaluation of the measured values by the controller is also conceivable, in which the for a first glue valve 10 measured inductance values with the inductance value of at least one other, in particular similar glue valve 10 the same, in particular time or phase-operated valve assembly of Beleimungasystems 25 is compared.

Should there be deviations of the measured values from one another, or deviations that exceed a predetermined level, the controller can correspondingly generate an error signal. This error signal would indicate that at least one of the glue valves is faulty.

As far as the measurement of the actual inductance values is concerned, this preferably takes place during operation of the valve 10 For example, during a rest phase of the same, in which the closure member 18 is in the closed position. One way of measuring, by means of a suitable resonant circuit, a suitable measuring current, in particular an alternating current, through the coil 15 to lead. With the help of this measurement current can then in a conventional manner, the inductance value of the coil 15 be determined.

In 6 By way of example, a diagram illustrating the time-dependent current flow through a glue valve is shown 10 during its operation. According to the example of 6 becomes the coil 15 periodically or cyclically charged with identical currents. The curve sections A and A 'represent the successive operating phases of the glue valve 10 during its operation.

First, the coil 15 in such a work phase A, A 'with increasing in the coil current - opening current - acted upon. The thereby initiated magnetic field of the electromagnet 14 ensures that the closing organ 18 is moved in the manner already described above against the closing force of the individual magnets in the longitudinal direction upwards, hence the valve 10 is opened. in this open position, the valve is then held by means of a so-called holding current whose strength is slightly less than that for opening the glue valve 10 necessary opening current. Subsequently, the coil current is continuously reduced to zero or approximately zero, so that the closure member 18 moved back into the closed position. This is followed by - due to the cyclic activation of the valves 10 - A resting phase of the closure member 18 in which it remains in the closed position until the further working phase A begins.

In the resting phase of the glue valve 10 becomes the coil 15 - As already indicated above - according to the current waveforms B and B 'in 6 subjected to an alternating current of low intensity. The alternating current is chosen so that thereby no unwanted movement of the closure member 18 is effected. Rather, the alternating current serves as a pure measuring current to measure the inductance of the coil in the resting phase.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, the controller may automatically interfere with one or more glue valves 10 to capture. For this, the actual values of the Temperature of the glue valve or the actual values of a measured variable, from which the actual temperature values of the glue valve 10 can be derived during operation of the glue valve 10 measured and evaluated for malfunction.

For example, the respective glue valve 10 in its phases of rest accordingly 6 with measuring currents F, F 'are applied, in particular constant strength (DC). With the help of these measuring currents, the respective actual resistance of the coil 15 of the valve 10 be determined.

The actual resistance of the coil 15 is a measure of the actual temperature of the glue valve 10 , Because the actual temperature of the glue valve 10 influences the actual coil resistance or the actual coil resistance depends on the actual temperature. 3 shows two characteristic curves G, H of the coil resistance for two different glue valves 10 , depending on the operating time t of the respective glue valve 10 , As can be seen, increase with continuous service life of the glue valve 10 also the coil resistance values of the same.

For one thing, the ambient temperature of the glue valves often increases 10 heat-emitting units in the vicinity of the glue valves 10 On the other hand, there is heat due to friction in the valves 10 generated.

The dashed curves G ', H' in 3 show actual actual curves of the coil resistances. In other words, these curves correspond to the measured values.

As can be seen, the actual curve progressions G ', H' deviate upward from the desired or the expected curve progressions G, H, respectively. The deviations are explained by disturbances of the glue valves 10 due to glue contamination inside the valves 10 , through which the flow of glue through the respective glue valve 10 is hampered. The glue flow basically ensures the removal of heat from the glue valve in the manner of a coolant 10 , In the case of flow disturbances, less heat is removed, and the actual temperature in the glue valve deviates accordingly 10 from the setpoints and thus the coil resistance R of the expected curves G, H.

As part of the evaluation of the measured coil resistance values, the measured actual values according to the alternative in 3 generally speaking with for the respective valve 10 stored nominal or limit values. insofar as the measured actual values deviate from the nominal values or deviate by a predetermined amount, the controller gives 33 . 35 an error signal.

The stored setpoint or limit values may depend on other detected or measured parameters, such as the operating time of the respective valve or the ambient temperature in the environment of the respective glue valve 10 , The ambient temperature could be, for example, with a corresponding temperature sensor 42 be measured, via a control line 43 to the controller, in particular to the higher-level controller 33 , connected.

In other words, it can be provided that the controller selects the setpoints or limit values necessary for the evaluation of the measured actual values in accordance with the temperature and / or the operating time and / or another parameter from a number of stored setpoint or limit values.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the actual values are compared with stored limit values, and that upon reaching the limit value or exceeding the same, the error signal is generated.

In 4 are for four valves 10 each characteristic I, J, K, L shown, the respective, measured resistance values of the corresponding valves 10 compare the corresponding glue valve temperature. In other words, it is shown which coil resistance 15 of the respective glue valve 10 which glue valve temperature corresponds.

In particular, it can be seen which coil values of the respective glue valve 10 correspond to a temperature which is above a critical limit. If, during the evaluation of the measured resistance values, it results that the actual temperature of one of the valves is above a critical temperature υ _crit , the error signal is generated.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided within the scope of the evaluation that the control system measures the actual resistance values of the different glue valves 10 compares with each other. In 4 corresponds to the actual resistance R _{3 of} the represented by the characteristic K glue valve 10 a temperature value which is by a predetermined amount Δυ from the actual temperature values of the other glue valves 10 which can be derived from the resistance values R ₁ , R ₂ or R ₄ measured correspondingly approximately at the same time using the curves I, J and L, respectively.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that for the individual glue valves 10 Characteristic data, such as characteristic curves, which depend on measured coil resistances, for example, a temperature behavior of the glue valves describe or dependent on measured coil inductances rotation angle of a set screw of the valve 10 , in each case in the respective valve 10 associated, in particular arranged on these transponders 40 are deposited. These values can then each be from readers connected to the controller 41 queried and forwarded to the controller.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

glue valve

11

valve housing

12

plug housing

13

Valve housing interior

14

electromagnet

15

Kitchen sink

16

coil carrier

17

valve chamber

18

closure member

19

shaft

20

closure means

21

valve opening

22

valve seat

23

Adhesive connection

24

glue source

24a

glue lines

25

gluing system

26

glue channel

27

connecting channel

28

Kolb piece

29

component

30

adjustment

31

carrier

32

headboard

33

Master controller

34

control line

35

control line

36

local controller

37

power line

38

angle range

39a

Lamp

39b

Lamp

A

curve section

A '

curve section

B

curve section

B '

curve section

C

Curve

D

Curve

e

Curve

F

curve section

F '

curve section

G

Curve

G'

Curve

H

Curve

H'

Curve characteristic

J

curve

K

curve

L

curve

40

transponder

41

reader

42

temperature sensor

43

control line

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009022496 [0038]
• DE 102009029821 [0060]

Claims (17)

Method for the automatic detection of malfunctions of a glue valve in operation ( 10 ), in particular a glue valve ( 10 ) an operating device for the production and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects, in which actual values of the temperature of the glue valve ( 10 ) or actual values of a measured variable from which the actual temperature values of the glue valve ( 10 ) can be derived, determined several times and with regard to a malfunction of the glue valve ( 10 ) are evaluated, preferably by the determined actual values with corresponding, for the glue valve ( 10 ) or with corresponding actual values of at least one other glue valve in operation ( 10 ), in particular another glue valve ( 10 ) of the same valve assembly which also houses the first valve ( 10 ) belongs. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measured variable whose actual values are determined, the electrical resistance of at least one coil of a for actuating a closure member ( 18 ) of the valve ( 10 ) used electromagnets ( 14 ) of the valve ( 10 ). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the glue valve ( 10 ) is operated discontinuously, in particular cyclically, with gluing phases in which the glue valve ( 10 ) is open for dispensing glue, and with rest periods in which the valve ( 10 ) is closed so that no glue emerges, wherein the actual values of the temperature or the measured variable, from which the actual temperature values can be derived, in at least one, preferably in several of the rest phases of the glue valve ( 10 ) be determined. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the actual resistance values of the at least one coil ( 15 ) of the valve ( 10 ) can be determined by, preferably during the at least one resting phase of the valve ( 10 ), a suitable, preferably constant electrical measuring current through the at least one coil ( 15 ) to be led. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that for several operating periods of the glue valve ( 10 ) the respective actual value is determined, preferably the actual resistance value of the at least one coil ( 15 ), and that for each of these operating periods the determined actual value is compared with a corresponding desired value or a corresponding limit value, in particular a coil resistance value or a coil resistance limit value. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the setpoint values, in particular the coil resistance values, are taken from a table or a graph stored in a suitable, preferably digital data memory, in each case a setpoint value, in particular in the different operating runtimes a target coil resistance value is assigned. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the event that the actual values of the temperature or the measured variable from which the actual temperature can be derived, by a predetermined amount from the corresponding, for the glue valve ( 10 ) or the corresponding actual values of the other glue valve in operation ( 10 ), an error signal is generated. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the event that at least one actual value of the temperature or the measured variable, from which the actual temperature can be derived, that for the glue valve ( 10 ) reaches or exceeds the stored limit value, an error signal is generated. Method according to at least claim 2, characterized in that by means of at least one of the glue valve ( 10 ) or in the coil resistance value (s) of the glue valve ( 10 ) are assigned, from the measured actual values of the coil resistance, the respective actual temperatures of the glue valve ( 10 ) be determined. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the glue valve ( 10 ) and / or the service life of the glue valve ( 10 ), and that the ambient temperature and / or the operating time in the determination of the actual temperature of the glue valve ( 10 ). Method for automatically detecting the valve lift of a glue valve ( 10 ), in particular a glue valve ( 10 ) of a device for producing and / or packaging cigarettes or other smokable objects, in which the valve ( 10 ) an at least partially made of magnetizable material component ( 29 ) whose position for adjusting the valve lift relative to a by an electromagnet ( 14 ) of the valve ( 10 ) movable closure member ( 18 ) is variable, and which is arranged so that it is in the magnetic influence area of the electromagnet ( 14 ) of the valve ( 10 ), in particular at least in regions within the coil ( 15 ) thereof, as a measure of the position of the component ( 29 ) and thus as a measure of the set Valve lift is the actual inductance value of the coil ( 15 ) of the electromagnet ( 14 ), especially when the valve is closed ( 10 ). Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the glue valve ( 10 ) is cyclically operated with gluing phases in which the valve ( 10 ) is open for dispensing glue, and rest periods in which the valve ( 10 ) is closed, so that no glue exits, wherein the actual values in at least one, preferably in several of the rest phases of the glue valve ( 10 ) be determined. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the actual inductance values of the valve ( 10 ) can be determined by preferably during the at least one resting phase of the valve ( 10 ) a suitable, preferably variable in strength, electrical measuring current, in particular an alternating current, through which at least one coil ( 15 ) to be led. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the measuring current is caused by a resonant circuit. Method according to one or more of claims 11-14, characterized in that, depending on the actual value of the measured coil inductance, either a first, preferably optical, signal is generated, one for the glue valve ( 10 ), or a second, also preferably optical, signal which differs from the first one, which signal indicates a value for the glue valve (FIG. 10 ) represents impermissible valve lift value. Method according to one or more of Claims 11-15, characterized in that the measured actual value of the coil inductance or a value which is preferably linearly dependent thereon is in particular visually displayed, preferably on a screen. Method according to one or more of claims 1-16, characterized in that the desired values of the measured variable, from which the temperature can be derived, and / or the temperature set values and / or the setpoint values of the coil inductance and / or the Table or graph, in the coil resistance value (s) of the glue valve ( 10 ), from one on the valve ( 10 ) arranged transponder ( 40 ).

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