Self-locking discharge device and weighing apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a self-locking unloading device and a weighing equipment. The unloading device comprises a hopper, a door body and a first connecting piece which are hinged to the hopper, a second connecting piece which is hinged to the door body, a third connecting piece which connects the second connecting piece and the first connecting piece, and a driving assembly. The door body, the first connecting piece, the second connecting piece and the third connecting piece constitute a connecting rod mechanism. The driving assembly comprises a driving piece and a transmission piece which connects the driving piece and the four-connecting rod mechanism. The driving piece is used for driving the door body to open. The transmission piece has a rest position. In the rest position, the driving piece stops outputting power. Even if the driving piece fails, the transmission piece can lock the door body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of metrology and weighing, and in particular to a self-locking unloading device and weighing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In a rice dispensing scale, the weighing section is the core of the entire device. Within the weighing section, the metering hopper is responsible for controlling the material flow rate with each opening and closing of the door. Traditionally, the entire opening, closing, and holding motion of the metering hopper is driven by a cylinder. With a cylinder, the entire movement—from opening to holding open, from holding open to closing, and from closing to holding closed—requires continuous output force. If the air supply is interrupted, the door will fail to close. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application proposes a self-locking unloading device and weighing equipment, which can solve the problem of the cylinder shut-off valve opening uncontrollably, and enable the valve to have a self-locking function.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes a self-locking unloading device, comprising:

[0005] hopper;

[0006] The door is located at the outlet at the lower part of the hopper and is hinged to the hopper.

[0007] The first connecting member is hinged to the upper part of the hopper.

[0008] The second connector is hinged at one end to the door body.

[0009] The third connector has one end hinged to the end of the second connector away from the door body, and the other end hinged to the first connector. The door body, the first connector, and the second connector form a four-bar linkage mechanism. The four-bar linkage mechanism has a dead point position. At the dead point position, the door body is in a closed state.

[0010] A drive assembly includes a drive component and a transmission component connecting the drive component and a four-bar linkage. The drive component is used to drive the door to open. The transmission component has a rest position whereby the drive component stops outputting power, and the door is closed and locked by the transmission component.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drive component includes a motor, and the transmission component includes a crank disposed on the motor shaft and a main push rod disposed at the drive end, the main push rod being connected to the four-bar linkage.

[0012] In some embodiments, the unloading device further includes an auxiliary push rod disposed on the first connecting member, wherein the main push rod intersects with and abuts against the auxiliary push rod, and the main push rod is located below the auxiliary push rod.

[0013] In some embodiments, the main push rod includes a rod body and a roller sleeved around the outer periphery of the rod body, the roller being used to abut against the secondary push rod.

[0014] In some embodiments, the third connector includes an eccentric shaft, the eccentric shaft including a first pivot for hinged to the first connector and a second pivot for hinged to the second connector.

[0015] In some embodiments, the unloading device further includes an elastic element connected to the door body, wherein the elastic potential energy of the elastic element increases when the door body is opened.

[0016] In some embodiments, the unloading device further includes a first hinge seat disposed on the upper part of the hopper, and the elastic element includes a tension spring for connecting the first connector and the first hinge seat.

[0017] In some embodiments, the length of the second connector is adjustable.

[0018] In some embodiments, the four-bar linkage has a dead position, in which the door is closed.

[0019] This application also proposes a weighing device, including the above-described unloading device.

[0020] The unloading device in this embodiment includes a hopper, a door hinged to the hopper, a first connecting member, a second connecting member hinged to the door, a third connecting member connecting the second connecting member and the first connecting member, and a drive assembly. The door, the first connecting member, the second connecting member, and the third connecting member constitute a linkage mechanism. The drive assembly includes a drive member and a transmission member connecting the drive member and the four-bar linkage mechanism. The drive member is used to drive the door to open; the transmission member has a rest position where the drive member stops outputting power, and even if the drive member fails, the transmission member can still lock the door. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the unloading device in one embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the unloading device in the closed state in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the unloading device in the open state in the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third connector in one embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the unloading device in the closed state in the embodiment;

[0026] Label Explanation:

[0027] 10. Hopper; 11. Door body; 12. Second hinge seat; 20. First hinge seat; 21. Connecting plate; 22. Vertical plate;

[0028] 31. First connecting piece; 32. Second connecting piece; 33. Third connecting piece; 331. First rotating shaft; 332. Second rotating shaft; 34. Secondary push rod; 35. Tension spring; 36. Limiting component;

[0029] 40. Drive assembly; 41. Motor; 42. Crank; 43. Main push rod;

[0030] The purpose, features, and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments in this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of this application, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture as shown in the attached figure. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0033] It should also be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component present. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component present.

[0034] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0035] This application proposes a self-locking unloading device, referring to... Figures 1 to 5 The unloading device includes:

[0036] 10 hoppers;

[0037] The door 11 is located at the outlet of the lower part of the hopper 10 and is hinged to the hopper 10;

[0038] The first connecting piece 31 is hinged to the upper part of the hopper 10;

[0039] The second connector 32 is hinged at one end to the door body 11;

[0040] The third connector 33 has one end hinged to the end of the second connector 32 away from the door 11, and the other end of the third connector 33 is hinged to the first connector 31. The four-bar linkage has a dead point position, and the door 11 is in the closed state at the dead point position.

[0041] The drive assembly 40 includes a drive member and a transmission member connecting the drive member and the four-bar linkage. The drive member is used to drive the door 11 to open. The transmission member has a rest position whereby the drive member stops outputting power, and the door 11 is closed and locked by the transmission member.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first connecting member 31 forms a first hinge point A with the hinge of the hopper 10, and the second connecting member 32 forms a second hinge point B with the hinge of the door body 11; one end of the third connecting member 33 is hinged to the end of the second connecting member 32 away from the door body 11, forming a third hinge point C, and the other end of the third connecting member 33 is hinged to the first connecting member 31, forming a fourth hinge point D; the hinge point between the door body 11 and the hopper 10 is a fifth hinge point E; when the third hinge point C and the fourth hinge point D are collinear with the line connecting the first hinge point A and the second hinge point B, the linkage mechanism is in a dead state, and the door body 11 is closed. The third connector 33 provides the linkage mechanism with a rotary joint that passes through the dead center. It can move from the side away from the hopper 10 to the side close to the hopper 10. Then the transmission component restricts the linkage mechanism from continuing to move. The force rectangle transmitted by the gravity of the door 11 after it is closed to the linkage mechanism becomes the driving torque for locking the door 11. Without the support of external driving force, the door 11 can be in a self-locking state when closed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the driving component can be either a cylinder or a motor 41. When a cylinder is used, the driving component can be hinged at one end to the hopper 10, and the transmission component can be a connecting seat located at the other end of the cylinder. The connecting seat is hinged to the first connecting member 31. When the cylinder or electric cylinder is subjected to air pressure or voltage, the push rod extends out of the door 11 and is driven to open. When the cylinder or electric cylinder is fully retracted, the door 11 closes. Even if the cylinder is out of air or the electric cylinder fails, because the push rod is in its extreme position, even under the action of gravity, the door 11 will keep the first connecting member 31 compressing the electric cylinder, thus forming a self-locking mechanism. When the cylinder extends, the first connecting member rotates to break through the dead position, and the door 11 will then be opened.

[0044] In some embodiments, when driven by a motor 41, the driving component includes a motor 41, and the transmission component includes a crank 42 mounted on the shaft of the motor 41 and a main push rod 43 mounted at the end of the crank 42. The unloading device further includes an auxiliary push rod 34 mounted on the upper end of the first connecting member 31. The auxiliary push rod 34 can be positioned on the first connecting member 31 as the point of application of the driving force when the door is opened. The main push rod 43 intersects and abuts against the auxiliary push rod 34, with the main push rod 43 located below the auxiliary push rod 34. When the main push rod 43 rotates, it has a vertical movement component to drive the auxiliary push rod 34 to move. When the door needs to be opened, the upward movement component of the main push rod 43 driven by the motor 41 drives the linkage mechanism past the dead point, and then the main push rod 43 continues to move upward, which also helps the door 11 to open. When there is a large amount of material in the hopper 10, the gate 11 is fully opened, and the main push rod 43 is in its highest position to support it. By slowing down the speed of the motor 41, the main push rod 43 is kept in the high position for a longer period of time until all the material is discharged. Then the motor 41 moves down until the gate 11 is closed. When the main push rod 43 is in its lowest position, i.e., the rest position mentioned above, the motor 41 can remain de-energized. The main push rod 43 will also remain in the low position due to gravity, restricting the continued movement of the auxiliary push rod 34 and the four-bar linkage mechanism. The gate 11 remains locked.

[0045] Furthermore, the main push rod 43 includes a rod body mounted on the crank and a sleeve fitted onto the rod body. The sleeve reduces friction between the main push rod 43 and the auxiliary push rod 34. It is understood that a sensor can also be installed on one side of the motor 41 body. This sensor can be a proximity switch or a photoelectric sensor, and its function is to detect the position of the crank 42. Based on the position of the crank 42, the height of the main push rod 43 can be determined. This height can serve as a reference for the opening and closing state of the door 11, or as a reference point for the deceleration timing of the motor 41. Alternatively, the rotation angle of the motor 41 spindle can be determined using an encoder inside the motor 41 to determine the position of the crank 42.

[0046] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 5The third connecting member 33 includes an eccentric shaft, which includes a first pivot 331 for hinged to the first connecting member 31 and a second pivot 332 for hinged to the second connecting member 32. The axial distance of the eccentric shaft is 1-5 mm. In this embodiment, the second connecting member 32 can be considered as the internal force acting on the first connecting member 31 without considering the decomposition of the third connecting member 33, and can be directly regarded as the internal force along the length direction of the second connecting member 32. After the door 11 is closed, the first connecting member 31 continues to swing forward and passes through the dead point, and then the rotation is restricted by the limiting member 36. At this time, the torque of the gravity of the door 11 acts on the first connecting member 31 through the second connecting member 32 and the third connecting member 33. Due to the abutment of the limiting member 36, the first connecting member 31 cannot continue to swing forward, and the door 11 cannot be opened. Under the influence of external force, the first connecting piece 31 swings in the opposite direction. When the third connecting piece 33 moves from the side of the hopper 10 close to the line connecting the first hinge point A and the second hinge point B to the other side away from the hopper 10, after the door 11 is opened, its gravity and the torque generated by the material in the hopper 10 will cause the first connecting piece 31 to swing in the opposite direction, thus automatically opening the door.

[0047] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 5 The length of the second connecting member 32 is adjustable, used to adjust the distance between the second hinge point B and the third hinge point C. The first connecting member 31 includes a first joint for hinged to the door body 11 and a second joint for hinged to the third connecting member 33, as well as a screw connecting the first joint and the second joint. The first joint and the second joint can be fisheye joints, and the threads at both ends of the screw have opposite directions. By rotating the screw, the distance between the second hinge point B and the third hinge point C can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the position of the linkage mechanism when it is operating at the dead point of the door body 11, ensuring that the door body 11 is in the closed state at the dead point position.

[0048] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 5 The unloading device further includes a first hinge seat 20 disposed on the upper part of the hopper 10. The first hinge seat 20 is hinged to the first connecting member 31 to form the first hinge point A. The limiting member 36 is disposed on the first hinge seat 20. The first hinge seat 20 includes a connecting plate 21 and a vertical plate 22 disposed on the connecting plate 21. The connecting plate 21 is used to fixally connect to the outer wall of the upper part of the hopper 10. The vertical plate 22 is provided with hinge holes. The first connecting member 31 can be a plate-shaped member, which is also provided with hinge holes. A hinge shaft is provided in the two hinge holes. Alternatively, a sleeve can be provided in the two hinge holes. The hinge shaft is disposed in the sleeve to reduce rotational friction. The limiting member 36 can be a block-shaped member or sheet metal part fixedly disposed on the connecting plate 21.

[0049] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 5The unloading device further includes a tension spring 35 for connecting the first connecting member 31 and the first hinge seat 20. The tension of the tension spring 35 causes the first connecting member 31 to move toward the limiting member 36. In this embodiment, mounting protrusions are provided on the upper part of the first connecting member 31 and the lower part of the upright plate 22 on the side away from the first connecting member 31. The mounting protrusions can be screws or pins. The two ends of the tension spring 35 are respectively provided on the mounting protrusions. When the door 11 is closed, the tension of the tension spring 35 can play a certain role in assisting the closing of the door and providing the self-locking force of the door 11. After the linkage mechanism passes the dead point, the door 11 is opened. The torque generated by its gravity and the pressure of the material in the hopper 10 will help the door continue to open until all the material falls, and the tension spring 35 is stretched to the limit position. Due to the effect of the missing material, the stored energy of the spring is sufficient to drive the door 11 back to its original position. Of course, the aforementioned tension spring 35 can also be replaced by a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the third connecting member 33, with its two ends abutting against the first connecting member and the second connecting member, respectively. When the door 11 is opened, the torsion spring is in an energy-storing state.

[0050] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 5 The unloading device further includes a second hinge seat 12 disposed on the door body 11. Two second hinge points B are symmetrically arranged on the second hinge seat 12, and two first hinge points A are symmetrically arranged on the first hinge seat 20. The unloading device also includes two symmetrically arranged first connecting members 31, two symmetrically arranged second connecting members 32, and two symmetrically arranged third connecting members 33. The auxiliary push rod 34 is used to connect the two first connecting members 31. Two upright plates 22 are symmetrically arranged on the first hinge seat 20, corresponding to two symmetrical first connecting members 31, thereby symmetrically forming two first hinge points A. The auxiliary push rod 34 is fixedly connected to the two first connecting members 31 respectively. The above-mentioned symmetrical structure makes the force on the door body 11 and multiple connecting members more balanced, and the door body 11 opens and closes more smoothly.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first connecting member 31 forms a first hinge point A with the hinge of the hopper 10, and the second connecting member 32 forms a second hinge point B with the hinge of the door body 11. One end of the third connecting member 33 is hinged to the end of the second connecting member 32 away from the door body 11, forming a third hinge point C. The other end of the third connecting member 33 is hinged to the first connecting member 31, forming a fourth hinge point D. The hinge point between the door body 11 and the hopper 10 is a fifth hinge point E. When the door body 11 is closed, the third connecting member 33 moves from the side away from the hopper 10 along the line connecting the first hinge point A and the second hinge point B to the side closer to the hopper 10. When the third hinge point C and the fourth hinge point D are collinear with the line connecting the first hinge point A and the second hinge point B, the linkage mechanism is in a dead position, and the door body 11 is closed. The third connecting member 33 provides the linkage mechanism with a revolute joint that passes through a dead center. It can move from the side away from the hopper 10 to the side closer to the hopper 10 along the aforementioned connecting line. The limiting member 36 then restricts further movement of the linkage mechanism. The force transmitted from the gravity of the closed door 11 to the linkage mechanism becomes the driving torque for locking the door 11. Without external driving force, the closed door 11 can be in a self-locking state, requiring no continuous driving force. Taking cylinder drive as an example, this avoids the door opening uncontrollably when the cylinder or other drive mechanism is cut off.

[0052] This application also proposes a weighing device, referring to... Figures 1 to 5 The weighing equipment includes the aforementioned unloading device. The unloading device and weighing equipment in this embodiment have the following advantages: the door can open automatically, and the closing action is automatically reset by a spring, achieving "self-locking" without requiring continuous output force. Alternatively, a ratchet mechanism can be installed on the main shaft of the motor 41, allowing the motor to move only in one direction. When the door 11 is opened to a certain state, the main push rod 43 moves to its highest point, and the motor 41 stops rotating, thus maintaining the open state of the door 11.

[0053] It is worth noting that the unloading device and weighing equipment described in this application embodiment can be used to weigh granular grains such as rice, as well as other granular materials, such as ceramsite, plastic pellets, and pet food. They can be used for weighing and packaging the aforementioned materials, and also for quantitative feeding of pets or in farms.

[0054] The above are only some or preferred embodiments of this application. Neither the text nor the drawings should limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings under the overall concept of this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A self-locking unloading device, characterized in that, include: hopper; The door is located at the outlet at the lower part of the hopper and is hinged to the hopper. The first connecting member is hinged to the upper part of the hopper; The second connector is hinged at one end to the door body; The third connector has one end hinged to the end of the second connector away from the door body, and the other end hinged to the first connector. The door body, the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector form a four-bar linkage mechanism. The four-bar linkage mechanism has a dead point position. At the dead point position, the door body is in a closed state. A drive assembly includes a drive element and a transmission element connecting the drive element and a four-bar linkage, the drive element being used to drive the door to open; The transmission component has a rest position. At the rest position, the drive component stops outputting power, and the door closes and is locked by the transmission component. The third connecting member includes an eccentric shaft, which includes a first pivot for hinged to the first connecting member and a second pivot for hinged to the second connecting member.

2. The unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes a motor, and the transmission component includes a crank mounted on the motor shaft and a main push rod mounted at the end of the crank, the main push rod being connected to the four-bar linkage.

3. The unloading device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unloading device further includes an auxiliary push rod disposed on the first connecting member, wherein the main push rod intersects with and abuts against the auxiliary push rod, and the main push rod is located below the auxiliary push rod.

4. The unloading device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main push rod includes a rod body and a roller sleeved around the outer periphery of the rod body, the roller being used to abut against the auxiliary push rod.

5. The unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unloading device also includes an elastic element connected to the door body. When the door body is opened, the elastic potential energy of the elastic element increases.

6. The unloading device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The unloading device further includes a first hinge seat disposed on the upper part of the hopper, and the elastic element includes a tension spring for connecting the first connector and the first hinge seat.

7. The unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the second connector is adjustable.

8. The unloading device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The unloading device also includes a ratchet mechanism connected to the shaft of the motor.

9. A weighing device, characterized in that, The unloading device includes any one of claims 1 to 8.

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