Limiting structure, weighing device and weighing component

Abstract

The limiting structure installed on the weighing module is used for limiting movement of a top plate in the first direction and comprises a first limiting assembly arranged between a material tank and the weighing module, the first limiting assembly comprises an upper limiting plate, a lower limiting plate and a sliding assembly, the upper limiting plate is fixedly connected with the material tank, and the lower limiting plate is fixedly connected with the sliding assembly. The lower limiting plate and the upper limiting plate are connected in a relatively movable manner and are relatively and fixedly connected with the top plate, and the sliding assembly is arranged between the upper limiting plate and the lower limiting plate to allow the upper limiting plate and the lower limiting plate to move relatively in the first direction so as to guarantee the weighing precision. The invention further provides a weighing component and a weighing device comprising the limiting structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of weighing, and more specifically to the field of weighing modules. Background Technology

[0002] The weighing module includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a weighing sensor located between the two. The weighing sensor generates minute mechanical deformation by sensing the force, thereby obtaining weight data.

[0003] The weighing module connected to the feed tank is susceptible to deformation of the tank, which can cause the top plate to expand and shift, leading to tilting of the sensor or force-introducing components and affecting weighing accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a limiting structure that can ensure weighing accuracy.

[0005] To achieve the above objective, a limiting structure is installed on the weighing module. The upper part of the weighing module is used to support the material tank. The weighing module includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a weighing sensor located between the two. The limiting structure is used to restrict the movement of the top plate along a first direction. The limiting structure includes a first limiting component disposed between the material tank and the weighing module. The first limiting component includes an upper limiting plate, a lower limiting plate, and a sliding component. The upper limiting plate is fixedly connected to the material tank, the lower limiting plate is movably connected to the upper limiting plate, and is fixedly connected to the top plate. The sliding component is disposed between the upper limiting plate and the lower limiting plate to allow the upper limiting plate and the lower limiting plate to move relative to each other along the first direction.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the lower limiting plate is connected to the upper limiting plate via a first connector, the lower limiting plate including a through hole that mates with the first connector, the through hole having a length direction extending along the first direction to allow the first connector to move relative to the lower limiting plate along the first direction.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the through hole is further configured to limit the movement of the first connector in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the column of the first connector includes a stepped structure, and the through hole includes a stepped hole for engaging with the stepped structure.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the sliding assembly includes a sliding member and a base for supporting the sliding member, the sliding member and the base being respectively disposed on one and the other of the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate, and the sliding direction of the sliding member being the first direction.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the area where the upper limit plate or the lower limit plate contacts the sliding member is provided with a thinning groove extending in a first direction to reduce the gap between the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the area where the upper limit plate or the lower limit plate contacts the sliding member is a hardened surface.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the sliding member and the base are made of ceramic, phenolic, or stainless steel.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the base is disposed on the lower limiting base plate, and the lower limiting base plate is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the base.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the lower limiting plate is fixedly connected to the top plate via a second connector.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the limiting structure further includes a second limiting component disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate. The second limiting component includes an upper limiting block, a lower limiting block, and a pull rod assembly. The upper limiting block is fixedly connected to the top plate; the lower limiting block is fixedly connected to the bottom plate; and the pull rod assembly is connected to the upper limiting block and the lower limiting block. The pulling direction of the pull rod assembly is the first direction, so as to constrain the relative displacement of the top plate and the bottom plate along the first direction.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the upper limit block is connected to the top plate and the lower limit plate via the second connector.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the length directions of the upper limit block and the lower limit block are perpendicular to the first direction, and at least two of the pull rod assemblies are distributed on both sides along their length directions.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the upper limit block is provided with a first thinning region, the first thinning region including a sidewall and a thinning area defined by the sidewall, for positioning the top plate.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate are respectively provided with marking grooves on their sides, and the marking grooves are configured to be aligned in the vertical direction when the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate do not move relative to each other.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device, including a top plate, a bottom plate and a weighing sensor located between the two, and also including the aforementioned limiting structure.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a weighing component, including a material carrier tank and a plurality of weighing modules arranged circumferentially at the bottom of the material carrier tank, and also including the aforementioned limiting structure, wherein the first direction is the radial direction of the material carrier tank.

[0022] The aforementioned limiting structure absorbs the load in the first direction by the relative movement of the upper and lower limiting plates along the first direction, thereby limiting the movement of the weighing module, especially the top plate, along the first direction, thus avoiding tilting displacement of the sensor or force-introducing components and ensuring weighing accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a component breakdown diagram of the limiting structure and weighing module;

[0025] Figure 2 It is an assembly drawing of the limiting structure and weighing module;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a top view of the weighing module and the material tank;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a front view of the limiting structure in its normal state;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a side view of the limiting structure in its normal state;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a side view of the limiting structure in an offset state;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a side view of the limiting structure in an offset state;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the lower surface of the upper limit plate;

[0032] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of the upper surface of the lower limit plate;

[0033] Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of the lower surface of the lower limit plate.

[0034] Symbol Explanation 1: Weighing Module

[0035] 2. Material tank

[0036] 3. Limiting structure

[0037] 11. Top Slab

[0038] 12 base plate

[0039] 13 Weighing Sensors

[0040] 31 First limiting component 32 Second limiting component 33 First connecting member

[0041] 311 Upper Limit Plate

[0042] 312 Lower Limit Plate

[0043] 313 Sliding assembly

[0044] 314 through hole

[0045] 315 Sliding component

[0046] 316 base

[0047] 317 Receiving Tank

[0048] 318 Thinning groove

[0049] 319 Marking slot

[0050] 321 Upper Limit Block

[0051] 322 Lower Limit Block

[0052] 323 Pull Rod Assembly

[0053] 324 First thinning region; 326 Second thinning region; 3140 Stepped hole; 330 Stepped structure. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions and derivations based on actual application situations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0055] It should be noted that these and other accompanying drawings are merely examples and are not drawn to scale, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Weighing module 1 is a weighing device designed to ensure that the weighing sensor can perform its metrological performance to the maximum extent. It typically includes a top plate 11, a bottom plate 12, a weighing sensor 13, and other accessories. It is usually used for static or dynamic weighing of equipment such as silos, hoppers, and reactors.

[0057] The material tank 2 is positioned above the weighing module 1 for feeding material from above. The weighing module 1 is located below the material tank for weighing. Typically, the top plate 11 of the module is fixedly connected to the tank body support legs or lugs located above, and the bottom plate 12 is connected to the foundation. It is understood that in some embodiments, "fixed connection" here includes indirectly fixing the top plate 11 to the tank body, for example, by using an adapter to fix the top plate 11 to the material tank 2 (or tank body support legs, lugs, etc.).

[0058] During the weighing process, the weighing tank may experience thermal expansion and contraction or horizontal displacement, causing the top plate 11 of the weighing module to expand and displace, thus affecting accuracy. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, reaction vessels often operate at high temperatures. When the tank is exposed to high temperatures, it expands outward, deforming the tank body outward. This causes the top plate 11 of the module to expand and displace outward, which in turn causes the sensor or force-introducing component to tilt outward along with the top plate 11, resulting in a decrease in the sensor's measurement performance.

[0059] To address this issue, the present invention proposes a limiting structure to prevent the top plate 11 from expanding and displacing along the first direction X, thereby ensuring measurement accuracy. The first direction includes, but is not limited to, the radial direction of the tank.

[0060] Reference Figures 1 to 5 It is understood that the limiting structure 3 is installed on the weighing module 1, and the limiting structure 3 is used to restrict the movement of the top plate 11 along the first direction X.

[0061] The limiting structure 3 includes a first limiting component 31 disposed between the material tank 2 and the weighing module 1. The first limiting component 31 includes an upper limiting plate 311, a lower limiting plate 312, and a sliding component 313. The lower limiting plate 312 faces the upper limiting plate 311 and is connected to the upper limiting plate 311 via a first connecting member 33. It is also fixedly connected to the top plate 11 of the weighing module 1 via a second connecting member 34, such as a screw. Figure 4 As shown, the upper limit plate 311 is fixedly connected to the material tank 2 by a third connector 35, such as a screw. A sliding assembly 313 is disposed between the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 to allow the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 to move relative to each other in a first direction.

[0062] The lower limit plate 312 includes a through hole 314 that mates with the first connector 33, such as Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the through hole 314 is strip-shaped with its length direction being the first direction X, allowing the first connector 33 to move relative to the lower limit plate 312 along the first direction, thereby allowing relative movement between the lower limit plate 312 and the upper limit plate 311 in the first direction. If the first connector 33 passes through the through hole 314 and connects to the threaded hole of the upper limit plate 311, but is not pressed against the lower limit plate 312, it ensures that the first connector 33 can move together with the upper limit plate 311 along the first direction. Thus, the upper and lower parts of the first limiting assembly 31 are fixedly connected to the material tank 2 and the weighing module 1, respectively, but the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 can slide relative to each other.

[0063] Furthermore, the through hole 314 can also be configured to limit the movement of the first connector 33 in the second direction Y, which is perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0064] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 9B and Figure 1 As shown, the through hole 314 includes a stepped hole 3140, which comprises a first portion 3141 and a second portion 3142. The second portion 3142 is located near the top plate 11, and the first portion 3141 is located near the upper limit plate 311. The first portion 3141 has a first aperture, and the second portion 3142 has a second aperture, which is larger than the first aperture. The column of the first connector 33 includes a stepped structure 330, which includes a thicker portion 332 that mates with the second portion 3142 and a thinner portion 331 that mates with the first portion 3141. The stepped hole 3140 mates with the stepped structure 330 of the first connector 33, which can play an anti-tipping role and prevent the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 from separating in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0065] The sliding assembly 313 is disposed between the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312, and includes a sliding member 315 and a base support 316 for supporting the sliding member 315. The sliding member 315 and the base support 316 are respectively disposed on one side of the upper limit plate 311 and the other side of the lower limit plate 312.

[0066] For example, the base support 316 is disposed on the lower limit plate 312, and the lower limit plate 312 is provided with a receiving groove 317 embedded in the base support 316. The sliding direction of the sliding member 315 is the first direction X, so as to allow the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 to move relative to each other along the first direction X, but not to move along other directions, thereby absorbing the load in the first direction to limit the movement of the top plate 11 of the weighing module along the first direction.

[0067] The sliding component 315 includes, but is not limited to, structures such as rollers or balls, and has an arc-shaped surface that mates with the base 316. It is preferably made of a high-hardness, low-friction material, such as martensitic stainless steel or precipitation-hardened martensitic stainless steel, and subjected to heat treatment or surface heat treatment; or it can be made of high-hardness, low-friction materials such as ceramics or phenolic resins. The lower area of ​​the upper limit plate 311 or lower limit plate 312 that contacts the sliding component 315 is hardened to improve surface strength and reduce surface friction during sliding contact with the sliding component 315, thereby improving contact and reliability.

[0068] In some embodiments, the area where the upper or lower limit plate contacts the sliding member is provided with a thinning groove extending in a first direction. For example, in Figure 4 and Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the area where the lower side of the upper limit plate 311 contacts the sliding member 315 is provided with a thinning groove 318 extending in the first direction to minimize the gap between the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312. The smaller gap can prevent dust from entering.

[0069] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 are shown in a non-slip state. For ease of inspection and adjustment, marking grooves 319 are provided on the sides of both the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312. These marking grooves are aligned vertically when the upper limit plate 311 and the lower limit plate 312 are not moving relative to each other. Figure 5 As shown. When the tank expands thermally, the tank legs cause the upper limit plate 311 to slide, causing the upper limit plate 311 to slide relative to the lower limit plate 312, while the lower limit plate 312 and the top plate 11 connected to it remain stationary. At this time, as... Figure 7 As shown, the two marking slots are misaligned, indicating the amount of slippage of the upper limit plate 311.

[0070] Furthermore, the limiting structure also includes a second limiting component 32 disposed between the top plate 11 and the bottom plate. The second limiting component 32 includes an upper limiting block 321, a lower limiting block 322, and a pull rod assembly 323. The upper limiting block 321 and the lower limiting block 322 serve as adapters for fixing the pull rod assembly 323 to the weighing module 1. The upper limiting block 321 and the lower limiting block 322 are respectively fixedly connected to the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12 by screws or other fasteners. The pull rod assembly 323 is fixedly connected to the upper limiting block 321 and the lower limiting block 322 by connecting screws.

[0071] The tension direction of the tie rod assembly 323 is the first direction X, thereby constraining the displacement between the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12 along the first direction and limiting the internal deformation of the weighing module. The tie rod assembly 323 can be made of standard parts, which facilitates the adjustment of small gaps.

[0072] In some embodiments, the length direction Y of the upper limit block 321 and the lower limit block 322 is perpendicular to the first direction X, and at least two pull rod assemblies 323 are distributed on both sides along their length direction, preferably symmetrically distributed.

[0073] The upper limit block 321 and the lower limit block 322 are also provided with weight reduction structures to reduce the overall weight of the components, such as by setting a perforated structure or thinning a local area, for example... Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, a first thinning region 324 is provided above the upper limit block 321, and a second thinning region 326 is provided below the upper limit block 321. The first thinning region 324 includes multiple sidewalls 3240 and a thinning area defined by the sidewalls, and also serves to position the top plate 11. The sidewalls 3240 of the first thinning region 324 can also share the horizontal load from the top plate 11, especially the sidewalls located in the +x direction can share the horizontal load from the first direction, preventing the horizontal load from being concentrated entirely on the second connector.

[0074] The first limiting component 31 is fixed to the top plate by the second connector and the third connector. After the second limiting component 32 is fixed to the top and bottom plates, the radial clearance can be pre-adjusted using the horizontal tie rod assembly to ensure the initial working point. When the tank experiences radial deformation due to thermal expansion and contraction, the upper limiting block 321, the lower limiting block 322, and the horizontal tie rod assembly 323 constrain the first direction between the module top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12. However, under the structure of the sliding component 313 of the first limiting component 31, the deformation of the tank in the first direction is not constrained and will not affect the tank. The load in the first direction will be transferred to the relative movement between the upper limiting plate 311 and the lower limiting plate 312 by means of the upper limiting plate 311, the lower limiting plate 312, and the sliding component 315 and the bottom support 316 between them. The sliding component 315 and the bottom support 316 are made of low-friction material with a very low coefficient of friction, ensuring that the upper and lower limiting plates can deform freely in the radial direction.

[0075] The above structure is easy to connect and has wide adaptability, and is suitable for all types of weighing modules. It only requires threaded connection of the limiting component to the top and bottom plates of the module, without changing the original design of the module. The parts are simple, easy to process, and there is no complicated structural design.

[0076] Based on the description of the limiting structure above, a weighing component can also be understood, including a material tank 2 and multiple weighing modules 1 arranged circumferentially at the bottom of the material tank. Figure 3 The diagram shows a top view of the material tank 2 and the weighing module 1. The material tank includes, but is not limited to, structures such as hoppers and reaction vessels.

[0077] To ensure the performance of the weighing module, traditional weighing modules are equipped with horizontal limiting mechanisms to restrict tangential B-direction movement, such as horizontal tie rods or limit blocks used in weighing systems for tanks with agitation, but they lack constraints in the radial A-direction.

[0078] The aforementioned limiting structure is applied to the weighing component, with the first direction set as radial. This structure does not constrain the material tank 2 or the relative radial displacement between the tank legs and the top plate 11. While allowing for thermal expansion and contraction or radial horizontal displacement of the tank body, it can effectively limit the radial displacement between the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12 of the weighing module 1, ensuring the metering accuracy of the weighing module and the safety of the tank body.

[0079] It should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components in the above description is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning, do not represent primary or secondary, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0080] Furthermore, this application uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the application. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the application can be appropriately combined.

[0081] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A limiting structure, installed on a weighing module, the upper part of which is used to support a material tank, the weighing module including a top plate, a bottom plate, and a weighing sensor located between the two, the limiting structure being used to restrict the movement of the top plate along a first direction, characterized in that, The limiting structure includes: A first limiting component, disposed between the material tank and the weighing module, includes: An upper limit plate is used for fixed connection with the material tank; A lower limiting plate, which is movably connected to the upper limiting plate and fixedly connected to the top plate; and A sliding assembly is disposed between the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate to allow the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate to move relative to each other along the first direction.

2. The limiting structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower limit plate is connected to the upper limit plate via a first connector. The lower limit plate includes a through hole that mates with the first connector. The through hole has a length direction extending along the first direction to allow the first connector to move relative to the lower limit plate along the first direction.

3. The limiting structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The through hole is also configured to limit the movement of the first connector in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The limiting structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first connector has a stepped structure in its column and a stepped hole in its through hole for engaging with the stepped structure.

5. The limiting structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding assembly includes a sliding member and a base for supporting the sliding member. The sliding member and the base are respectively disposed on one side of the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate, and the sliding direction of the sliding member is the first direction.

6. The limiting structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The area where the upper limit plate or the lower limit plate contacts the sliding member is provided with a thinning groove extending in a first direction to reduce the gap between the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate.

7. The limiting structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The area where the upper or lower limit plate contacts the sliding member is a hardened surface.

8. The limiting structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The sliding component and the base are made of ceramic, phenolic resin, or stainless steel.

9. The limiting structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The base is disposed on the lower limit base plate, and the lower limit base plate is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the base.

10. The limiting structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower limit plate is fixedly connected to the top plate via a second connector.

11. The limiting structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting structure further includes a second limiting component disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate, the second limiting component comprising: The upper limit block is fixedly connected to the top plate; The lower limit block is fixedly connected to the base plate; and A pull rod assembly is connected to the upper limit block and the lower limit block. The pulling direction of the pull rod assembly is the first direction, so as to constrain the relative displacement of the top plate and the bottom plate along the first direction.

12. The limiting structure as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The upper limit block is connected to the top plate and the lower limit plate via a second connector.

13. The limiting structure as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The length directions of the upper limit block and the lower limit block are perpendicular to the first direction, and at least two of the pull rod assemblies are distributed on both sides along their length direction.

14. The limiting structure as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The upper limit block is provided with a first thinning region, which includes a sidewall and a thinning area defined by the sidewall, to position the top plate.

15. The limiting structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper limit plate and the lower limit plate are respectively provided with marking grooves on their sides, and the marking grooves are configured to be aligned in the vertical direction when the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate do not move relative to each other.

16. A weighing device, comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, and a weighing sensor located between the two, characterized in that, It also includes the limiting structure as described in any one of claims 1-15.

17. A weighing component, comprising a material-bearing tank and a plurality of weighing modules circumferentially disposed at the bottom of the material-bearing tank, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting structure as described in any one of claims 1-15, wherein the first direction is the radial direction of the carrying tank.

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