A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight
By integrating weight sensors and control systems into the hopper, the problem of inaccurate weighing in inland port loading and unloading hoppers has been solved, enabling intelligent weighing of bulk cargo and prevention of overloading, thus improving loading and unloading efficiency and safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 湖北兴华重型机械有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In smaller inland river ports, the lack of automation and intelligence in loading and unloading hoppers makes it impossible to accurately weigh bulk cargo, which can easily lead to overloading of transport vehicles.
A hopper comprising a weight sensor, a gate, and a control system was designed. It achieves accurate weighing of materials through a weighing module and a rectangular frame, and prevents overloading under the control of the control system. Combined with a dust removal and rain protection system, it improves loading and unloading efficiency.
It enables accurate weighing of bulk cargo, prevents overloading of transport vehicles, improves loading and unloading efficiency and safety, and meets the intelligent needs of small ports.
Smart Images
Figure CN224393522U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of hopper weighing, specifically to a hopper that can accurately detect weight. Background Technology
[0002] In port machinery, there are specialized bulk cargo loading and unloading equipment. One type of this equipment is a large weighbridge used to weigh trucks loading and unloading bulk cargo. When a truck stops on the weighbridge, it only needs to be zeroed, and the loading is accurate based on the truck's weight, preventing overloading. This type of equipment is highly automated and can meet the busy demands of large ports. With automated systems, it can operate unmanned. However, some inland river ports are smaller and lack the facilities of large coastal ports, and their cargo flow is relatively low. The current system for loading bulk cargo typically uses hoppers, which are often manually and visually loaded. The hopper acts as a transfer node, using a grab bucket to move bulk materials into a hopper with an automatic closing mechanism at the bottom. Once the hopper is full, the transport vehicle moves underneath and the hopper discharges material. However, because these hoppers cannot accurately weigh the material, manual judgment is required to determine if the vehicle is full. Since bulk materials are diverse and cover various sectors, vehicles may overload when carrying certain goods, such as sand, gravel, or coal. In summary, smaller inland river ports often have low levels of automation and intelligence in their loading and unloading hoppers due to limitations such as financial constraints. These hoppers lack the ability to weigh bulk cargo to prevent overloading. Therefore, there is a need to develop a simple, intelligent, and automated hopper that can meet the loading needs of these smaller ports. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a hopper that can accurately detect weight. By setting up a weight sensor, a gate electrically connected to it, and a control system, it can weigh and control the feeding of materials, thereby meeting the needs of inland river ports for bulk cargo loading and unloading.
[0004] According to an embodiment of this utility model, a hopper capable of accurately detecting weight includes a hopper support, a hopper body, a weighing system, a dust removal system, a rainproof system, and a control system. The bottom of the hopper support is fixedly equipped with several wheels and fixed seats located outside the wheels. The hopper body is disposed on the inner top of the hopper support, and the top of the hopper body is also inclinedly provided with four baffles forming an opening around the top of the hopper. The weighing system includes a weighing module and a rectangular frame. The control system includes a straight gate located at the bottom of the hopper body and can be opened and closed under the control of the control system. Any inner side of the rectangular frame is fixedly connected to the material... In the middle area of the side of the hopper body, the rectangular frame is parallel to the top of the hopper support. A weighing module is provided at the corner of the frame in the middle of any inclined edge of the hopper body. The position of the weighing module corresponds to the top corner area of the hopper support. The straight gate is set at the bottom of the hopper and can be opened and closed. The dust removal system includes a dust collector and a fan set on the outside of the baffle. The feed inlet of the dust collector extends through the baffle to the inside of the baffle. The fan is connected to the dust collector. The dust removal system also includes a chute. The chute is set vertically and its top surrounds the straight gate at the bottom of the hopper body. The control system is electrically connected to the weighing system, the dust removal system, and the rainproof system.
[0005] The technical principle of this utility model is as follows: When a cargo ship loaded with bulk goods docks at a small inland river port, a grab bucket crane lifts a large amount of bulk goods and sends them from the bucket opening into the hopper. Under the control of the control system, the dust removal system is activated to remove dust from the falling cargo, such as grain, sand, and other granular materials. Since the hopper body is entirely positioned above the weighing system, weighing can begin simply by the control system resetting the data to zero. When cargo is placed into the hopper, the force sensed by the weighing module increases, the weighing sensor receives the changed data, and transmits it to the control system. After calculation, the control system can determine the weight of the cargo. Therefore, when cargo falls into the hopper, the weighing system and control system begin recording how much weight the empty hopper body has gained. Furthermore, because the weighing module is positioned within the hopper body... The hopper is equipped with a rectangular frame at its edge to balance the load in case of uneven loading. This ensures that the weighing module can obtain accurate data regardless of the material arrangement inside the hopper. When the hopper is full, the transport vehicle moves to the bottom of the chute. Based on the vehicle's rated load capacity, the control system opens the gate to unload the goods. As the load decreases, the real-time weight in the hopper gradually decreases. When the weight decreases to a certain level, or when the total weight is calculated after multiple loadings using a large transport vehicle, and the total weight of the goods flowing out of the hopper is equal to or close to the rated weight of the transport vehicle, the control system closes the gate. This prevents the weight of the goods received by the transport vehicle from exceeding its rated weight, thus preventing overloading when loading high-density bulk goods such as coal and sand without a weighing system. Attached Figure Description
[0006] Figure 1 This is a front view of an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0007] Figure 2 This is a side view of the present invention.
[0008] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A.
[0009] Figure 4 This is a partial top view of the structure of this utility model.
[0010] In the above attached figures:
[0011] 1. Hopper support; 11. Wheels; 12. Fixed base; 13. Hydraulic telescopic rod;
[0012] 2. Hopper body; 21. Baffle; 22. Hopper opening;
[0013] 3. Weighing system; 31. Weighing module; 32. Upper support plate; 33. Lower support plate; 34. Weight sensor; 35. Rectangular frame;
[0014] 4. Dust removal system; 41. Dust collector; 42. Fan; 43. Chute;
[0015] 5. Rainproof system; 51. Rainproof bracket; 52. Retractable canopy; 53. Cart;
[0016] 6. Ladder platform; 61. Main platform; 62. Auxiliary platform; 63. Connecting ladder;
[0017] 7. Control system; 71. Control room; 72. Straight gate. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0019] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a hopper capable of accurately detecting weight includes a hopper support 1, a hopper body 2, a weighing system 3, a dust removal system 4, a rainproof system 5, and a control system 7. The bottom of the hopper support 1 is fixedly equipped with several wheels 11 and fixed seats 12 located outside the wheels 11. The hopper body 2 is located on the inner top of the hopper support 1, and the top of the hopper body 2 is also inclinedly equipped with baffles 21. The baffles 21 have four sections forming a hopper opening 22 around the top of the hopper. The weighing system 3 includes a weighing module 31 and a rectangular frame 35. The control system 7 includes a straight gate 72, which is located at the bottom of the hopper body 2 and can be opened and closed under the control of the control system 7. The rectangular frame 35 is fixedly connected to the middle area of the side of the hopper body 2 on any inner side. The rectangular frame 35 is parallel to the top of the hopper support 1. A weighing module 31 is located at the corner of the rectangular frame 35 located at the middle of any inclined edge of the hopper body 2. The weighing module 31 is located at the top corner of the hopper support 1. The straight gate 72 is located at the bottom of the hopper and can be opened and closed. The dust removal system includes a dust collector 41 and a fan 42 located outside the baffle 21. The inlet of the dust collector 41 extends through the baffle 21 to the inside of the baffle 21. When the grab bucket machine discharges material, the dust collector 41 quickly absorbs the floating dust and gas through the inlet. The dust collector 41 can be an existing bag filter dust collector. These dust and gas enter the dust collector. Dust removal is performed inside the dust collector 41. The fan 42 is connected to one end of the outlet of the dust collector 41. The fan 42 draws in the filtered air at the outlet of the dust collector 41. The trapped dust enters the ash hopper of the bag dust collector. The dust removal system 4 also includes a chute 43 to reduce dust flying during unloading. The chute 43 is vertically arranged and its top surrounds the straight gate 72 at the bottom of the hopper body 2. The control system 7 is electrically connected to the weighing system 3, the dust removal system, and the rainproof system 5.
[0020] When cargo ships loaded with bulk goods dock at smaller inland river ports, a grab bucket crane lifts a large amount of bulk goods and delivers them from the bucket opening 22 into the hopper body 2. Under the control of the control system 7, the dust removal system 4 activates to remove dust from the falling cargo, such as grains, sand, and gravel. Since the hopper body 2 is entirely positioned above the weighing system 3, weighing can begin simply by the control system 7 zeroing the data. When cargo is placed into the hopper body 2, the weighing module 31 senses an increase in force, the weight sensor 34 receives the changing data, and transmits it to the control system 7. The control system 7 calculates the weight of the cargo. Therefore, when cargo falls into the hopper, the weighing system 3 and the control system 7 begin recording how much weight the empty hopper body 2 has gained. Furthermore, since the weighing module 31 is positioned on the side of the hopper body 2... The hopper is positioned at an edge and a rectangular frame 35 is set to balance the hopper in case of uneven loading. This ensures that the weighing module 31 can obtain accurate data regardless of how the material inside the hopper is arranged. When the internal space of the hopper body 2 is full of goods, the transport vehicle drives to the bottom of the chute 43. According to the vehicle's rated load capacity, the control system 7 controls the straight gate 72 to open and then unload the goods. At this time, as the goods in the hopper decrease, the real-time weight will gradually decrease. When the weight decreases to a certain level, or when the transport vehicle is large and the hopper is used for multiple loading and the total weight is calculated, when the total weight of the goods flowing out of the hopper is equal to or close to the rated weight of the transport vehicle, the control system 7 can close the straight gate 72. In this way, the weight of the goods received by the transport vehicle will not exceed the rated weight, which prevents the vehicle from being overloaded when loading some high-density bulk goods such as coal and sand without a weighing system 3.
[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, further, it also includes a ladder platform 6, which includes a main platform 61, an auxiliary platform 62, and a connecting ladder 63 connecting the main and auxiliary platforms 62. The main platform 61 is fixedly connected to the edges of the top of the hopper body 2, serving as a foothold for workers during routine maintenance. After the hopper body 2 is fixedly connected to the main platform 61, it serves as a foothold for workers to climb onto the hopper body 2 for inspection. The auxiliary platform 62 is located in the area below the main platform 61 and is fixedly connected to one side of the hopper support 1. The top of the connecting ladder 63 is fixedly connected to one side of the bottom area of the main platform 61, and the bottom is suspended above the bottom of the auxiliary platform 62. Since the connecting ladder 63 located on one side of the main platform 61 is not connected to the auxiliary platform 62 fixed to the hopper support 1 below, the main platform 61 and the connecting ladder 63 connected to it are suspended in the air and the weight is added to the hopper body 2, just like adding an iron plate to an electronic scale and then setting the weight to zero. When the grab bucket machine is working, for safety reasons, the routine maintenance personnel need to leave the main platform, which will not affect the data measured by the weighing system 3. The other side of the auxiliary platform 62 is also provided with a connecting ladder 63 leading to the bottom of the hopper support 1, and it leads all the way to the bottom surface and keeps a certain distance from the bottom surface, so that the entire hopper can move freely.
[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the rainproof system 5 further includes a rainproof bracket 51 and a telescopic canopy 52 fixedly mounted on the main platform 61. The telescopic canopy 52 is rotatably mounted on the rainproof bracket 51. A rolling track can be set on the top of the rainproof bracket 51, and a trolley 53 is set on the rolling track. The telescopic end of the telescopic canopy 52 is connected to the top of the trolley 53. When it rains, the control system 7 controls the trolley 53 to move, and the telescopic canopy 52 unfolds to cover the opening 22.
[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fixed base 12 further includes a hydraulic telescopic rod 13, which is vertically mounted on the hopper support 1 and located outside the traveling wheel 11. When the hopper needs to stop in a certain area, the hydraulic telescopic rod 13 can be extended vertically to abut against the ground, thus achieving a stable effect. The placement of a base at the position where the hydraulic telescopic rod 13 contacts the ground is existing technology and will not be elaborated further.
[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the weighing module 31 further includes four components, each comprising an upper support plate 32, a lower support plate 33, and a weight sensor 34 located between the upper and lower support plates 33. The weight sensor 34 employs a device similar to existing pressure sensors, utilizing external force to alter the internal electrical signal of the weight sensor 34, such as changes in charge or resistance. The control system 7 then calculates these signals to obtain weight data. The upper support plate 32 is fixedly positioned at the bottom of the corner of the rectangular frame 35, and the lower support plate 33 is fixedly positioned in the corresponding area at the top corner of the hopper support 1. The weight sensor 34 is placed between the upper and lower support plates. Through this mechanism, regardless of the uneven distribution of goods within the hopper body 2, the rectangular frame 35 on the hopper body 2 will uniformly distribute the weight of the hopper body, resulting in a smaller difference in pressure received by each weight sensor 34 and thus more accurate measurement data.
[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the control system 7 further includes a control room 71 located in the middle area of the hopper support 1 for controlling the opening and closing of the straight gate 72 at the bottom of the hopper body 2 to discharge materials. The control room 71 contains a control panel for controlling the rainproof system 5 to cover the hopper opening 22, the dust removal system 4 to perform dust removal, and receiving data from the weight sensor 34 for calculations. Workers can enter the control room 71 via a connecting ladder 63 located on one side. From the control room 71, they can observe the material receiving process of the conveyor or transport vehicle below the chute 43 and control the various systems electrically connected to the control system 7 via the control panel.
[0026] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight, characterized in that: The system includes a hopper support, a hopper body, a weighing system, a dust removal system, a rainproof system, and a control system. The bottom of the hopper support is fixedly equipped with several wheels and fixed seats located outside the wheels. The hopper body is located on the inner top of the hopper support, and the top of the hopper body is also inclined with four baffles forming an opening around the top of the hopper. The weighing system includes a weighing module and a rectangular frame. The control system includes a straight gate located at the bottom of the hopper body and can be opened and closed under the control of the control system. Any inner side of the rectangular frame is fixedly connected to the middle area of the side of the hopper body. The rectangular frame is parallel to the top of the hopper support. A weighing module is provided at the corner of the frame located in the middle of any inclined edge of the hopper body. The position of the weighing module corresponds to the top corner area of the hopper support. The straight gate is located at the bottom of the hopper and can be opened and closed. The dust removal system includes a dust collector and a fan located outside the baffle. The feed inlet of the dust collector extends through the baffle to the inside of the baffle. The fan is connected to the dust collector. The dust removal system also includes a chute. The chute is vertically arranged and its top surrounds the straight gate at the bottom of the hopper body. The control system is electrically connected to the weighing system, the dust removal system, and the rainproof system.
2. The hopper capable of accurately detecting weight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a ladder platform, which includes a main platform and an auxiliary platform, as well as a connecting ladder connecting the main and auxiliary platforms. The main platform is fixedly connected to the edges around the top of the hopper. The auxiliary platform is located in the area below the main platform and is fixedly connected to one side of the hopper support. The top of the connecting ladder is fixedly connected to one side of the bottom area of the main platform, and the bottom is suspended above the bottom of the auxiliary platform. A connecting ladder is also provided on the other side of the auxiliary platform leading to the bottom of the hopper support.
3. A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The rainproof system includes a rainproof bracket and a telescopic canopy fixedly installed on the main platform. The telescopic canopy is rolled on the rainproof bracket and can cover the opening of the bucket when it is unfolded.
4. A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed base includes a hydraulic telescopic rod, which is vertically mounted on the hopper support and located outside the traveling wheel.
5. A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The weighing module is provided with four components, including an upper support plate, a lower support plate, and a weight sensor located between the upper and lower support plates. The upper support plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the corner of the rectangular frame, and the lower support plate is fixedly installed in the corresponding area of the top corner of the hopper support. The weight sensor is placed between the upper and lower support plates.
6. A hopper capable of accurately detecting weight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The control system also includes a control room in the middle area of the hopper support for controlling the opening and closing of the straight gate at the bottom of the hopper body for material discharge. The control room is equipped with a control panel, which is electrically connected to the weighing system, dust removal system and rainproof system.