A buffer hopper based weighing device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a weighing device and method based on a buffer hopper. The weighing device includes a first-stage receiving hopper, a second-stage weighing hopper, and a vibration stabilizing mechanism. The first-stage receiving hopper receives material; its outlet is equipped with a first-stage power gate; after receiving all the material discharged from the first-stage receiving hopper, the first-stage power gate closes; the outlet of the second-stage weighing hopper is equipped with a second-stage power gate. During weighing, both the first and second-stage power gates are closed, and the first-stage receiving hopper can continuously feed material to ensure continuous feeding. The vibration stabilizing mechanism suppresses the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper, ensuring stable data collection during weighing. Therefore, high-precision and high-efficiency weighing of materials can be achieved without stopping the machine, resulting in high working efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of material weighing technology, and in particular to a weighing device and method based on a buffer hopper. Background Technology

[0002] Existing material weighing devices typically use static weighing, which requires stopping the machine to weigh the material. For applications that require frequent weighing, static weighing can easily lead to low production efficiency.

[0003] Furthermore, when using single-stage dynamic weighing, significant impacts and vibrations are easily generated when materials are conveyed to the weighing device, which can affect weighing accuracy.

[0004] In addition, traditional weighing devices require a long time to wait for vibration to stabilize, resulting in a long weighing cycle and affecting production efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, how to achieve high-precision and high-efficiency weighing of materials is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a weighing device based on a buffer hopper, which can achieve high-precision and high-efficiency weighing of materials; another objective is to provide a weighing method based on a buffer hopper.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A weighing device based on a buffer hopper, comprising:

[0009] The first-stage receiving hopper has an inlet for receiving materials and an outlet equipped with a first-stage power gate.

[0010] The second-stage weighing hopper is used to receive and weigh the material unloaded from the first-stage receiving hopper. The discharge port of the second-stage weighing hopper is equipped with a second-stage power gate. When the second-stage weighing hopper is weighing, the first-stage power gate and the second-stage power gate are closed, and the first-stage receiving hopper is continuously fed.

[0011] A vibration stabilizing mechanism, connected to the second-stage weighing hopper, is used to suppress the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper.

[0012] In some embodiments, the weighing device further includes a third-stage discharge hopper, which is used to receive the weighed material unloaded from the second-stage weighing hopper.

[0013] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilization mechanism includes a compression stabilization mechanism, which includes hydraulic telescopic devices symmetrically located on both sides of the second-stage weighing hopper. The piston rod end of each hydraulic telescopic device is connected to a brake block. The hydraulic telescopic device is used to push the brake block to radially clamp the second-stage weighing hopper. After the second-stage weighing hopper is weighed, the hydraulic telescopic device controls the brake block to release the second-stage weighing hopper.

[0014] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilization mechanism includes a lifting platform, a buffer damper, and a lifting drive device. The second-stage weighing hopper is disposed on the lifting platform. The buffer damper is used to buffer when the second-stage weighing hopper receives material. The lifting drive device is used to drive the lifting platform to make rigid contact with the weighing frame during weighing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilization mechanism includes an electromagnetic damper and an IMU, wherein the IMU is used to detect the vibration acceleration and angular velocity of the second-stage weighing hopper in real time, and the electromagnetic damper is used to apply a reaction force to the second-stage weighing hopper to counteract the vibration.

[0016] In some embodiments, the third-stage discharge hopper is provided with a stirring mechanism and / or a vibration mechanism for controlling the discharge.

[0017] A weighing method based on a buffer hopper, employing the weighing device described in any of the above claims, the weighing method comprising:

[0018] The material is buffered through the first-stage receiving hopper;

[0019] The material in the first-stage receiving hopper is unloaded into the second-stage weighing hopper;

[0020] The vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper is suppressed by a vibration stabilization mechanism;

[0021] Weigh the material in the second-stage weighing hopper after it has stabilized.

[0022] In some embodiments, after weighing, the material is discharged into the third-stage discharge hopper.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the cumulative discharge weight of the third-stage discharge hopper reaches a preset threshold, the third-stage discharge hopper is controlled to stop discharging or to discharge by creeping.

[0024] In some embodiments, the weight data of the first-stage receiving hopper is collected by a first sensor; the weight data of the second-stage weighing hopper is collected by a second sensor; the weight data of the third-stage discharging hopper is collected by a third sensor; and the dynamic waveform of material impacting the first-stage receiving hopper, the second-stage weighing hopper, and the third-stage discharging hopper is collected; an impact characteristic and weighing error database is established based on the dynamic waveform; in actual weighing, when a specific impact pattern is identified, the weighing error is supplemented based on the impact characteristic and weighing error database.

[0025] Compared with existing technologies, the above technical solution has at least the following advantages:

[0026] This invention provides a weighing device based on a buffer hopper, comprising: a first-stage receiving hopper, a second-stage weighing hopper, and a vibration stabilizing mechanism. The first-stage receiving hopper has an inlet for receiving materials; its outlet is equipped with a first-stage power gate; after receiving all the material discharged from the first-stage receiving hopper, the first-stage power gate closes; the second-stage weighing hopper has an outlet equipped with a second-stage power gate. During weighing, both the first and second-stage power gates are closed, and the first-stage receiving hopper can continuously feed material to ensure continuous feeding. The vibration stabilizing mechanism provided in this application is connected to the second-stage weighing hopper. This mechanism suppresses the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper, ensuring stable data collection during weighing. After weighing, the second-stage weighing hopper returns to a free state for the next weighing operation. This device achieves high-precision and high-efficiency weighing of materials without requiring machine downtime, thus resulting in high work efficiency.

[0027] The weighing method based on a buffer hopper provided by this invention has corresponding advantages due to the use of the aforementioned weighing device. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a weighing device based on a buffer hopper provided for a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a local structure in the image;

[0031] Figure 3 The control flowchart of a quantitative grain dispensing method based on a buffer hopper, provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention, is shown below.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a dynamic weighing closed-loop system for a weighing method based on a buffer hopper, provided as a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0034] 10 - First-stage receiving hopper;

[0035] 20 - Second-stage weighing hopper;

[0036] 30 - Third-stage discharge hopper;

[0037] 40 - Vibration stabilization mechanism; 41 - Power unit; 42 - Connecting rod; 43 - Parallel connecting rod; 44 - Buffer plate;

[0038] 50 - Upstream equipment;

[0039] 60 - Downstream equipment; Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a weighing device based on a buffer hopper provided for a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a local structure.

[0042] The weighing device based on a buffer hopper provided in this embodiment of the invention is applicable to weighing during continuous grain conveying processes. The grain can be bulk grains such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. The weighing device includes: a first-stage receiving hopper 10, a second-stage weighing hopper 20, and a vibration stabilizing mechanism 40. The inlet of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 is used to receive materials. For example, the inlet of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 can be connected to the upstream conveyor belt via a flexible connection, or the upstream conveyor belt can be located directly above the inlet at an angle. Hopper 10 can utilize its capacity to offset fluctuations in upstream material supply, providing a relatively stable material flow for accurate weighing in the second-stage weighing hopper 20. During the weighing process in the second-stage weighing hopper 20, the first-stage receiving hopper 10 is used to buffer the material conveyed by the upstream equipment 50, which can be a conveyor belt. The discharge port of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 is equipped with a first-stage power gate. After the second-stage weighing hopper 20 completes weighing, the first-stage power gate opens to unload all the material buffered in the first-stage receiving hopper 10 into the second-stage weighing hopper 20. After receiving all the material unloaded from the first-stage receiving hopper 10, the first-stage power gate closes. The second-stage weighing hopper 20 is capable of weighing, and its discharge port is equipped with a second-stage power gate. During weighing, both the first and second-stage power gates are closed, and the first-stage receiving hopper 10 can continuously feed material to ensure continuous feeding. Since the second-stage weighing hopper 20 needs to perform the weighing function, its connection with the frame is a flexible connection, which causes the second-stage weighing hopper 20 to vibrate when receiving materials. In order to achieve rapid weighing, the vibration stabilizing mechanism 40 provided in this application is connected to the second-stage weighing hopper 20. The vibration stabilizing mechanism 40 is used to suppress the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 to ensure that stable data can be collected during weighing. After the weighing is completed, the second-stage weighing hopper 20 returns to its free state for the next weighing operation. This can achieve high-precision and high-efficiency weighing of materials without stopping the machine, thus resulting in high work efficiency.

[0043] In some embodiments, the weighing device further includes a third-stage discharge hopper 30, which is located below the second-stage weighing hopper 20. That is, the first-stage receiving hopper 10, the second-stage weighing hopper 20, and the third-stage discharge hopper 30 are connected in series and isolated from each other by a flexible connecting sleeve to prevent vibration transmission. The third-stage discharge hopper 30 is used to receive the weighed material unloaded from the second-stage weighing hopper 20. The third-stage discharge hopper 30 enables continuous material discharge to the downstream equipment 60. The capacity of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 is greater than the capacity of the second-stage weighing hopper 20. The capacity of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 can be selected to be the same as the capacity of the third-stage discharge hopper 30. For example, the capacity of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 can be selected as 500 kg, the capacity of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 can be selected as 400 kg, and the capacity of the third-stage discharge hopper 30 can be selected as 400 kg.

[0044] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilizing mechanism 40 includes a compression stabilizing mechanism, which includes hydraulic telescopic devices symmetrically located on both sides of the second-stage weighing hopper 20. This helps ensure uniform force distribution, avoids additional overturning moments, and improves weighing accuracy. Furthermore, a greater number of hydraulic telescopic devices can be provided, specifically selected based on the shape of the second-stage weighing hopper 20. For example, when the second-stage weighing hopper 20 is a conical funnel, multiple hydraulic telescopic devices can be evenly distributed along its circumference; when the second-stage weighing hopper 20 is a multi-faceted pyramidal structure, one hydraulic telescopic device can be distributed on each side, or one or more sets of opposing sides can be selected for hydraulic telescopic devices. In addition, the compression stabilizing mechanism also includes a hydraulic station and an electromagnetic control valve. The hydraulic station can supply oil to the hydraulic telescopic devices through the electromagnetic control valve. Each hydraulic telescopic device includes a hydraulic cylinder and a piston rod, with a brake block connected to the end of the piston rod of each hydraulic telescopic device. The electromagnetic control valve can be connected to a PLC or other types of controller. When the controller issues a weighing command, the electromagnetic control valve is energized. At this time, the hydraulic telescopic device can push the brake block to radially clamp the second-stage weighing hopper 20. A reinforcing ring can be provided on the outside of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 for the moving brake block to prevent the second-stage weighing hopper 20 from being squeezed and deformed. After the second-stage weighing hopper 20 is weighed, the hydraulic telescopic device controls the brake block to release the second-stage weighing hopper 20, so that the second-stage weighing hopper 20 returns to a free state for the next cycle. By using a hydraulic telescopic device, large and medium-sized weighing equipment with strong impact force can be used. The above embodiment uses a hydraulic telescopic device. In addition, an electric push rod can also be used. Regarding the power device 41 for controlling the brake block, this application does not specifically limit it and can be selected according to actual needs. Further, please refer to Figure 2As shown, the brake block can be a buffer clamp 44. The buffer clamp 44 can be connected to the power unit 41 through the connecting rod 42. The connecting rod 42 is also hinged to the frame. The buffer clamp 44 is also hinged to the frame through the parallel connecting rod 43. The parallel connecting rod 43 is parallel to the connecting rod 42. The power unit 41 can be hinged to the parallel connecting rod 43 to drive the parallel connecting rod 43 to rotate, thereby realizing the function of the buffer clamp 44 clamping on the second-stage weighing hopper 20. Through the static friction between the buffer clamp 44 and the second-stage weighing hopper 20, the free state of the hopper's suspension or support can be transformed into a fixed constraint state, thereby quickly dissipating vibration energy. Vibration reduction is achieved through direct clamping, which has the advantages of direct and significant vibration reduction effect and can improve the weighing efficiency of materials.

[0045] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilization mechanism 40 includes a lifting platform, a buffer damper, and a lifting drive device. The lifting drive device can be a hydraulic cylinder or an electric push rod, etc. The second-stage weighing hopper 20 is mounted on the lifting platform. The buffer damper can be a hydraulic damper or an airbag, etc. The buffer damper allows the lifting platform to float when the material falls into the second-stage weighing hopper 20, and the buffer damper can buffer the material when the second-stage weighing hopper 20 receives the material to absorb most of the impact energy. During weighing, the lifting drive device drives the lifting platform to make rigid contact with the weighing frame to achieve hard positioning of the second-stage weighing hopper 20, thereby eliminating vibration. The buffer damper can effectively isolate and absorb the impact of the material in the initial stage of load bearing; during weighing, the rigid contact can effectively improve the weighing accuracy.

[0046] In some embodiments, the vibration stabilization mechanism 40 includes an electromagnetic damper and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). The electromagnetic damper is installed on the second-stage weighing hopper 20 and the weighing frame support, while the IMU is installed on the second-stage weighing hopper 20. The IMU is used to detect the vibration acceleration and angular velocity of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 in real time. The electromagnetic damper is used to apply a reaction force to the second-stage weighing hopper 20 that is opposite in phase and has a similar amplitude to the vibration, in order to counteract the vibration. Compared to a clamping stabilization mechanism, the electromagnetic damper enables active vibration suppression rather than locking. Its response speed is higher than that of a hydraulic mechanical system, and it does not introduce additional stress like a mechanical locking method. Furthermore, it can suppress various forms of vibration.

[0047] In some embodiments, the third-stage discharge hopper 30 is provided with a stirring mechanism and / or a vibration mechanism for controlling the discharge. The stirring mechanism may be a lever-type or spiral stirring structure. The stirring mechanism or vibration mechanism can prevent clogging and ensure uniform and continuous discharge to the downstream equipment 60.

[0048] This invention also provides a weighing method based on a buffer hopper, using the weighing device provided in any of the above embodiments for weighing. Please refer to [the documentation / reference]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The weighing method includes the following steps:

[0049] Step 1: The material is buffered through the first-stage receiving hopper 10. Before loading, the operator can set the total target weight for the operation via the human-machine interface, for example, 10 tons, and then set or confirm the weighing frequency, for example, 10 seconds. The weight range for the first-stage buffer hopper can also be set.

[0050] Step Two: Unload the material from the first-stage receiving hopper 10 into the second-stage weighing hopper 20. For example, unload the material into the second-stage weighing hopper 20 only after the material in the first-stage receiving hopper 10 reaches the target weight. A level gauge can be installed in the first-stage weighing hopper to detect the amount of material in the first-stage receiving hopper 10. Before unloading the material into the second-stage weighing hopper 20, the second-stage power gate must be closed. After the material in the second-stage weighing hopper 20 reaches the target weight, the first-stage power gate is closed, but the first-stage receiving hopper 10 can still continue to feed material. The first-stage and second-stage power gates can be single-clamp flaps, butterfly valve flaps, or jaw flaps, etc.

[0051] Step 3: Suppress the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 through the vibration stabilizing mechanism 40. When the material in the second-stage weighing hopper 20 reaches the target weight, its vibration can be suppressed by the vibration stabilizing mechanism 40 to ensure that it is in a stable state during weighing.

[0052] Step 4: Weighing the stabilized second-stage weighing hopper 20 can effectively improve its weighing accuracy.

[0053] In some embodiments, after weighing, the process proceeds to step five: unloading the material into the third-stage discharge hopper 30. The third-stage discharge hopper 30 enables continuous material discharge, thereby ensuring the continuity of the discharge process.

[0054] In some embodiments, when the cumulative discharge weight of the third-stage discharge hopper 30 reaches a preset threshold, the third-stage discharge hopper 30 is controlled to stop discharging or slowly discharge by creeping. For example, when the cumulative discharge weight reaches 98% of the target total weight, the third-stage discharge hopper 30 can be controlled to stop discharging or slowly discharge by creeping to avoid excessive discharge. The preset threshold can be adjusted according to actual needs. After the total discharge volume reaches the target, the system stops, the data is cleared, and it waits for the next instruction.

[0055] In some embodiments, the system acquires the weight data of the first-stage receiving hopper 10 via a first sensor; the weight data of the second-stage weighing hopper 20 via a second sensor; and the weight data of the third-stage discharging hopper 30 via a third sensor. The system can simultaneously acquire data from the three sensors at a rate of 500 times / second or other rates, and also acquire the dynamic waveforms of material impacting the first-stage receiving hopper 10, the second-stage weighing hopper 20, and the third-stage discharging hopper 30. The processor analyzes the dynamic waveforms, extracts characteristic parameters such as impact peak value, settling time, and oscillation frequency, and correlates them with the final stable weight. Therefore, an impact characteristic and weighing error database can be established based on the dynamic waveforms. After multiple iterations, the system can learn the error patterns under different working conditions. In actual weighing, when a specific impact pattern is identified, the weighing error is supplemented based on the impact characteristics and weighing error database to improve load-bearing accuracy.

[0056] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0057] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0058] The above provides a detailed description of the weighing device and method based on a buffer hopper provided by the present invention. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the invention. The descriptions of the embodiments above are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the core ideas of the invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the invention without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A weighing device based on a buffer hopper, characterized in that, include: The first-stage receiving hopper (10) has an inlet for receiving materials and an outlet equipped with a first-stage power gate. The second-stage weighing hopper (20) is used to receive and weigh the material unloaded from the first-stage receiving hopper (10). The outlet of the second-stage weighing hopper (20) is equipped with a second-stage power gate. When the second-stage weighing hopper (20) is weighing, the first-stage power gate and the second-stage power gate are closed, and the first-stage receiving hopper (10) continuously feeds the material. A vibration stabilizing mechanism (40) is connected to the second-stage weighing hopper (20) and is used to suppress the vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper (20).

2. The weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weighing device also includes a third-stage discharge hopper (30), which is used to receive the weighed material unloaded from the second-stage weighing hopper (20).

3. The weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibration stabilizing mechanism (40) includes a compression stabilizing mechanism, which includes hydraulic telescopic devices symmetrically located on both sides of the second-stage weighing hopper (20). Each hydraulic telescopic device has a brake block connected to the piston rod end. The hydraulic telescopic device is used to push the brake block to radially clamp the second-stage weighing hopper (20). After the second-stage weighing hopper (20) is weighed, the hydraulic telescopic device controls the brake block to release the second-stage weighing hopper (20).

4. The weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibration stabilization mechanism (40) includes a lifting platform, a buffer damper, and a lifting drive device. The second-stage weighing hopper (20) is located on the lifting platform. The buffer damper is used to buffer when the second-stage weighing hopper (20) receives material. The lifting drive device is used to drive the lifting platform to make rigid contact with the weighing frame during weighing.

5. The weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibration stabilization mechanism (40) includes an electromagnetic damper and an IMU. The IMU is used to detect the vibration acceleration and angular velocity of the second-stage weighing hopper (20) in real time. The electromagnetic damper is used to apply a reaction force to the second-stage weighing hopper (20) to counteract the vibration.

6. The weighing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third-stage discharge hopper (30) is equipped with a stirring mechanism and / or a vibration mechanism for controlling the discharge.

7. A weighing method based on a buffer hopper, employing the weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The weighing method includes: The material is buffered through the first-stage receiving hopper (10); The material in the first-stage receiving hopper (10) is unloaded into the second-stage weighing hopper (20). The vibration of the second-stage weighing hopper (20) is suppressed by the vibration stabilizing mechanism (40); Weigh the second-stage weighing hopper (20) after it has stabilized.

8. The weighing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, After weighing, the material is unloaded into the third-stage discharge hopper (30).

9. The weighing method according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the cumulative discharge weight of the third-stage discharge hopper (30) reaches a preset threshold, the third-stage discharge hopper (30) is controlled to stop discharging or to discharge by creeping.

10. The weighing method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The weight data of the first-stage receiving hopper (10) is collected by the first sensor; the weight data of the second-stage weighing hopper (20) is collected by the second sensor; the weight data of the third-stage discharging hopper (30) is collected by the third sensor; and the dynamic waveforms of material impacting the first-stage receiving hopper (10), the second-stage weighing hopper (20) and the third-stage discharging hopper (30) are collected; an impact characteristic and weighing error database is established based on the dynamic waveforms; in actual weighing, when a specific impact mode is identified, the weighing error is supplemented based on the impact characteristic and weighing error database.

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