Combination weighing device

Abstract

To allow even easily flowing articles to be supplied to a pool hopper under proper conveyance control.SOLUTION: A combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment includes: an interface 11 that sends a control signal to an external device 100 to instruct the external device to start or stop the supply of items based on the weight of the items on a dispersion table 2 supplied from the external device 100; a chute 12 that opens at the top and bottom and temporarily blocks the items supplied to the dispersion table 2; a lifting mechanism 13 that moves the chute 12 up and down relative to the dispersion table 2; and a control unit 14 that controls timing at which the lifting mechanism 13 moves the chute 12 up and down based on timing at which the control signal is sent by the interface 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination weighing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a combination weighing device, when flowable items (e.g., broilers) are supplied from the supply section onto a conical dispersion table, the items tend to flow all at once from the dispersion table into the pool hopper. To prevent this, a known technology involves providing a ring-shaped chute that surrounds the dispersion table and can move up and down, and lowering the ring-shaped chute onto the dispersion table at the same time as the items are discharged from the supply section.

[0003] As a result, the above-mentioned articles reach the dispersing table after the ring-shaped chute reaches the dispersing table, and therefore, such articles are intercepted by the ring-shaped chute and then discharged appropriately. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-212016 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the prior art, if some of the articles remain on the dispersion table, the ring-shaped chute will rest on them, hindering the flow of the articles.

[0006] Furthermore, if the timing of the ring-shaped chute descending is delayed, the first item supplied from the supply section will slip through the gap between the ring-shaped chute and the dispersion table and flow all the way to the pool hopper in one go, which is a problem.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a combination weighing device that can supply even easily flowing items to a pool hopper under appropriate transport control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The combination weighing device of one embodiment comprises an interface that sends a control signal to an external device instructing the external device to start or stop the supply of items based on the weight of the items on the dispersion table supplied from the external device, a chute that opens at the top and bottom and temporarily blocks the items supplied to the dispersion table, a lifting mechanism that moves the chute up and down relative to the dispersion table, and a control unit that controls the timing of the lifting mechanism's movement of the chute up and down based on the timing of the control signal sent by the interface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a combination weighing device can be provided that can supply even easily flowing items to a pool hopper under appropriate transport control by moving a ring-shaped chute that moves up and down relative to a dispersion table at the appropriate timing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a combination weighing device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the movement of the chute 12 of the combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the timing of transmitting a control signal and the timing of moving the chute up and down in the combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual parts. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, parts in the drawings may have different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0012] (First embodiment) A combination weighing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the combination weighing device 1 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movement of the chute 12 of the combination weighing device 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the timing of transmitting a control signal and the timing of moving the chute up and down in the combination weighing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0013] The combination weighing device 1 according to this embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a dispersing table 2, a plurality of radial feeders 3, a plurality of pool hoppers 4, an interface 11, a chute 12, a lifting mechanism 13, and a control unit .

[0014] The dispersion table 2 radially disperses the articles supplied from the external device 100. The dispersion table 2 may be configured as a vibrating cone-shaped table, or may be configured as a rotating cone-shaped table in a horizontal plane.

[0015] Here, the articles assumed in this embodiment are broiler breast or thigh meat, which is sticky and absorbs vibrations, block meat that tends to form lumps when left standing, and similar snack foods, but the present invention is not limited to these and can be applied to other articles as well.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, a disk 2A that can be tilted to a predetermined angle is provided at the apex of the triangular pyramid of the dispersing table 2. The disk 2A is rotatable in a horizontal plane, and when an article falls and hits the disk 2A, the disk 2A is configured to freely change direction and angle depending on the position where the force is applied. However, the disk 2A is regulated so that it does not point vertically and remains within a predetermined angle.

[0017] The multiple radial feeders 3 transport the articles transported from the dispersion table 2 in a direction away from the dispersion table 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the multiple radial feeders 3 are arranged below the dispersion table 2 and in a substantially circular shape around the dispersion table 2. The radial feeders 3 may be configured as a vibration feeder that uses an electromagnetic vibrator and parallel leaf springs to advance the articles on a trough, or may be a belt conveyor.

[0018] The plurality of pool hoppers 4 are provided corresponding to the plurality of radial feeders 3, respectively, and receive and store the articles supplied from the plurality of radial feeders 3, respectively.

[0019] The interface 11 transmits a control signal to the external device 100 to instruct the external device 100 to start or stop supplying the articles based on the weight of the articles on the dispersion table 2 supplied from the external device 100. Here, the interface 11 transmits such a control signal in response to an instruction from the control unit 14.

[0020] 1 and 2, the chute 12 is open at the top and bottom, and temporarily blocks the articles supplied to the dispersal table 2. In this embodiment, the chute 12 is a ring-shaped chute.

[0021] 2, the lifting mechanism 13 moves the chute 12 up and down relative to the dispersing table 2. Here, the lifting mechanism 13 moves the chute 12 up and down in response to an instruction from the control unit 14.

[0022] The control unit 14 controls the timing at which the lifting mechanism 13 moves the chute up and down based on the timing at which the interface 11 sends the control signal.

[0023] Here, the control unit 14 controls the timing of lowering the chute 12 so that the timing at which the articles supplied from the external device 100 reach the dispersion table 2 and the timing at which the chute 12 reaches the lowest point D (see Figure 2) are simultaneous.

[0024] For example, the control unit 14 may start the downward movement of the chute 12 after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending a control signal instructing the start of the supply of articles.

[0025] 3, first, the control unit 14 instructs the interface 11 to send a control signal instructing the start of supply of articles when the weight of the articles placed on the dispersion table 2 becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. As a result, articles are sequentially supplied from the external device 100 to the dispersion table 2.

[0026] Second, the control unit 14 instructs the lifting mechanism 13 to lower the chute 12 after a predetermined period t1 has elapsed since sending a control signal instructing the start of the supply of items (i.e., after a predetermined period t1 has elapsed since issuing an instruction to the interface 11 described above).

[0027] This allows the chute 12 to reach the bottom dead center in time with the arrival of the articles dropping from the external device 100 at the dispersal table 2. Note that the period t1 can be fine-tuned from the operation unit during a test run while checking the timing discrepancy, and the descending speed of the lifting mechanism 13 can also be fine-tuned.

[0028] Third, the control unit 14 instructs the interface 11 to send a control signal to stop the supply of articles when the weight of the articles on the dispersion table 2 becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value. This makes it possible to stop the supply of articles dropping from the external device 100.

[0029] Fourth, after a predetermined period t2 has elapsed since the control signal instructing the stop of the supply of articles was sent (i.e., after a predetermined period t2 has elapsed since the instruction was given to the interface 11), the control unit 14 instructs the lifting mechanism 13 to lift the chute 12. As a result, the articles accumulated on the dispersion table 2 can be transported sequentially to the radial feeder 3 by controlling the drive of the dispersion table 2.

[0030] 2, a gap S through which articles cannot pass may exist between the lowest point D of the chute 12 and the dispersion table 2. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent articles remaining on the dispersion table 2 from being damaged by the downward movement of the chute 12.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the control unit 14 can adjust the ring-shaped chute 12 and the articles discharged from the external device 100 so that they arrive on the dispersion table 2 at approximately the same time, so that the articles supplied to the dispersion table 2 are discharged after remaining in the chute 12. As a result, the momentum of the products falling from the external device 100 on the dispersion table 2 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount can be supplied to the pool hopper 4 by driving and controlling the dispersion table 2 and dispersion feeder 3.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and explanatory and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1...Combined weighing device 2. Distributed table 11...Interface 12...Shoot 13...Lifting mechanism 14...Control unit 100...External device D...lowest point S...gap

Claims

1. An interface that transmits a control signal to the external device to instruct the external device to start or stop the supply of the articles based on the weight of the articles on the dispersion table supplied from the external device; a chute that opens at the top and bottom and temporarily blocks the articles supplied to the dispersal table; A lifting mechanism that moves the chute up and down relative to the dispersion table; a control unit that controls the timing at which the lifting mechanism moves the chute up and down based on the timing at which the interface sends the control signal.

2. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the timing of lowering the chute so that the timing at which the items supplied from the external device reach the dispersion table and the timing at which the chute reaches its lowest point are simultaneous.

3. 3. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the downward movement of the chute after a predetermined time has elapsed since transmitting the control signal instructing the start of the supply of the articles.

4. The combination weighing device according to claim 2 , wherein a gap exists between the lowest point of the chute and the dispersing table.

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