Combination weighing apparatus

Abstract

To avoid decrease in the operating rate of a combination weighing apparatus.SOLUTION: In a combination weighing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment, a control unit 40 specifies radial feeders 31 to 3n to which articles M are excessively supplied, on the basis of information acquired by an acquisition unit 30, and preferentially selects hoppers 51 to 5n corresponding to the specified radial feeders 31 to 3n as hoppers to be discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a technique in which a camera is placed above a combination weighing device and the drive of each radial feeder is controlled based on the amount of articles piled up on each radial feeder (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2015 / 108117 publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-250143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional technology, if there is an imbalance in the amount of goods supplied from the dispersion table to each radial feeder, a situation may occur for a long period of time where some radial feeders have an excess of goods and other radial feeders have a shortage of goods.

[0005] In such a state, there is a problem that a combination error is likely to occur, which reduces the operating rate of the combination weighing device.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a combination weighing device that can avoid a decrease in the availability rate of the combination weighing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A combination weighing device according to one embodiment comprises a distribution section that distributes items around the distribution section, a plurality of radial feeders that are arranged around the distribution section and supply the items transported from the distribution section to a plurality of hoppers, a plurality of hoppers that are arranged corresponding to each of the radial feeders and temporarily store and discharge the items supplied directly or indirectly from each of the radial feeders, a weight measurement section that measures the weight of the items stored in each of the plurality of hoppers, an acquisition section that acquires information regarding the amount of items on the plurality of radial feeders, and a control section that selects a combination of hoppers from which the items will be discharged based on the weight measured by the weight measurement section, and the control section identifies a radial feeder that has an excess supply of items based on the information acquired by the acquisition section, and preferentially selects the hopper corresponding to the identified radial feeder as the hopper from which the items should be discharged.

[0008] A combination weighing device according to one embodiment comprises a distribution section that distributes items around the distribution section, a plurality of radial feeders that are arranged around the distribution section and supply the items transported from the distribution section to a plurality of hoppers, a plurality of hoppers that are arranged corresponding to each of the radial feeders and temporarily store and discharge the items supplied directly or indirectly from each of the radial feeders, a weight measurement section that measures the weight of the items stored in each of the plurality of hoppers, an acquisition section that acquires information regarding the amount of items on the plurality of radial feeders, and a control section that selects a combination of hoppers from which to discharge the items based on the weight measured by the weight measurement section, and the control section identifies a radial feeder that is undersupplied with items based on the information acquired by the acquisition section, and preferentially selects a hopper other than the hopper corresponding to the identified radial feeder as the hopper from which to discharge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a combination weighing device that can avoid a decrease in the availability rate of the combination weighing device. [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 showing an example of a photograph of the dispersing table 2 of the combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment taken from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of 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 the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the dispersing table 2 of the combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment photographed from above, and Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the combination weighing device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the combination weighing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a dispersion table 2 and a plurality of radial feeders 3 (31, 3 i , 3 n ) and multiple pool hoppers 41, 4 i , 4 nand a plurality of weighing hoppers 51, 5 i , 5 n The device includes a camera 20, an acquisition unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0014] The dispersion table 2 constitutes a dispersion unit that distributes the objects M supplied from the external device 100 to the surrounding area. This dispersion table 2 may be configured such that a conical table vibrates, or such that the conical table 2 rotates in a horizontal plane.

[0015] Radiant feeder 3 (31, 3 i , 3 n ) are arranged around the dispersion table 2, and the articles M conveyed from the dispersion table 2 are fed to a plurality of pool hoppers 41, 4 i , 4 n Specifically, as shown in FIGS. i , 3 n are disposed below the dispersion table 2 and in a substantially circular shape around the dispersion table 2. i , 3 n may be a vibrating feeder that uses an electromagnetic vibrator and parallel leaf springs to advance the article M on the trough, or may be a belt conveyor.

[0016] Pool hopper 41, 4 i , 4 n is a plurality of radiant feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n A plurality of radial feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n The item M supplied from each of the above is received and stored.

[0017] Weighing hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n is a plurality of radiant feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n A plurality of radial feeders 31, 3 i , 3 nThe articles M supplied directly from each of the radial feeders 31 and 32 or indirectly via a pool hopper are temporarily retained and discharged. i , 3 n From weighing hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n Alternatively, the goods M may be supplied directly to the

[0018] Weight measurement unit 61, 6 i , 6 n Weighing hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n The weight of the item M remaining in each of the containers is measured.

[0019] The collecting chute 7 is funnel-shaped, and all the selected weighing hoppers 51, 55 are combined at the top opening. i , 5 n It receives the articles discharged from the discharge gate, collects them and supplies them downwards.

[0020] The control unit 40 is configured to control the weight measurement units 61 and 6 i , 6 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 52 discharge the items M based on the weight of the items M measured by the i , 5 n Select a combination of:

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 20 is i , 3 n The camera 20 captures an image of the area R where the article M is conveyed. The number of cameras 20 may be one or more. For example, two cameras 20 complement each other and capture images of all the radial feeders 31, 32. i , 3 n The area R where the upper item M is being transported may be imaged.

[0022] The acquisition unit 30 includes a plurality of radiating feeders 31, 3 i , 3 nFor example, the acquisition unit 30 may acquire, as the above information, the ratio of the area of ​​the items M to the area of ​​the above-mentioned region R (the shaded area in FIG. 2 ), based on the captured image captured by the camera 20.

[0023] Here, the control unit 40 identifies the radial feeder that is supplying the excess amount of the article M based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 30, and i , 3 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n is preferentially selected as the weighing hopper to be discharged.

[0024] For example, the control unit 40 may select the radial feeders 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, i , 3 n The radial feeders 31, 3 are supplied with an excess of the article M. i , 3 n It may be specified as.

[0025] An example of the operation of the combination weighing device 1 (control unit 40) according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, when the control unit 40 receives an interlocking signal from a device provided downstream of the packaging device or the like in step S101, the control unit 40 controls the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 to be included in the combination in step S102. i , 5 n The weight value of the remaining item M is obtained from

[0027] Here, the control unit 40 determines whether or not to include the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 in the combination based on whether or not a stability flag indicating stability of the weight value is set. i , 5 n The weighing hoppers 51, 5 i , 5 n As the weighing hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n Get the weight value from

[0028] In step S103, the control unit 40 selects the weighing hoppers 51, 52 to be included in the combination. i , 5 n The value of the non-discharge counter of the weighing hopper 51, 52 is increased by 1, and the weighing hopper 51, 52 is selected by priority. i , 5 n The value of the non-ejection counter of is increased by N, where N can be any value greater than 1.

[0029] In step S104, the control unit 40 selects the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 that will discharge the items M based on the weight of the items M acquired in step S102. i , 5 n Select a combination of Here, the control unit 40 selects the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 in which the total weight of the combination of the retained items M falls within the upper and lower limit range in the combination calculation. i , 5 n The combinations are stored in the memory, and all the weighing hoppers 51, 5 i , 5 n When the storage of the combination is completed, the weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n Among the combinations, the weighing hopper 51, 52 with the largest non-discharge counter value i , 5 n In this way, the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 that have been selected with higher priority and have increased the non-discharge counter values ​​may be selected. i , 5 n This increases the probability that item M will be dispensed.

[0030] For example, if two combinations of weigh hoppers that fall within the upper and lower limit range are stored in memory, namely, a combination of weigh hoppers No. 1, 4, 6, and 10 and a combination of weigh hoppers No. 2, 4, 7, and 8, and the value of the non-discharge counter of weigh hopper No. 6 is the largest, the control unit 40 may select the combination of weigh hoppers that includes weigh hopper No. 6.

[0031] In addition, if the value of the non-discharge counter of the weighing hopper No. 4 is the largest, the control unit 40 may select the combination of weighing hoppers that includes the weighing hopper No. 4 and whose total weight of the retained items M is closest to the target weight.

[0032] Alternatively, the control unit 40 may select the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 designated as being preferentially selected in the combination calculation. i , 5 n Among the combinations that always include the above, the weighing hoppers 51 and 55 have a combined total weight of the item M that falls within the upper and lower limits. i , 5 n A combination of may be selected.

[0033] In step S105, the control unit 40 selects the weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n Clear the non-discharge counter value of the weighing hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n The non-emission counter of is increased by 1.

[0034] In step S106, the control unit 40 selects the weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n Item M is discharged from

[0035] In step S107, the control unit 40 controls the weighing hoppers 51 and 52 to which the items M have been discharged. i , 5 n Pool hopper 41, 4 i , 4 n Supply item M from

[0036] In step S108, the control unit 40 controls the emptied pool hoppers 41 and 42. i , 4 n Radiant feeder 31, 3 i , 3 n Supply item M from

[0037] According to this embodiment, the radiation feeders 31, 32 are detected based on the captured image taken by the camera 20.i , 3 n Radial feeders 31, 3, which have a large proportion of upper article M i , 3 n The detected radiant feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n The weighing hoppers 51, 5 i , 5 n Since the combination of the excess feeders 31 and 3 is selected preferentially, i , 3 n Actively reduce the upper item M, and radiant feeder 31, 3 i , 3 n This can eliminate excessive imbalance of item M in the

[0038] (Second embodiment) The combination weighing device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the combination weighing device 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0039] In this embodiment, the control unit 40 determines whether the radial feeders 31, 32 are undersupplied with the articles M based on the above-mentioned information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. i , 3 n Identify the identified radiant feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n The weighing hopper other than the weighing hopper 100 is preferentially selected as the hopper from which the contents are to be discharged.

[0040] For example, the control unit 40 controls each of the radial feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n The proportion of the items M on the radial feeders 31, 3 is below the second threshold. i , 3 n The radial feeders 31 and 3 i , 3 n It may be specified as.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the radial feeders 31, 32 are detected based on the image captured by the camera 20. i , 3 n Radial feeders 31, 3 where the proportion of the upper item M is small i , 3 n The detected radiant feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n The weighing hoppers other than the radial feeders 31 and 32 are preferentially selected for combination. i , 3 n Weighing hoppers 51 and 5 i , 5 n is not selected for the combination, and the item M is i , 5 n The weighing hoppers 51 and 55 do not discharge the items M because they remain stored in the i , 5 n The small radial feeder 31, 3 for the article M corresponding to i , 3 n 2, new articles M are supplied from the dispersion table 2, and the other radial feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n A quantity of goods M equivalent to the above is accumulated.

[0042] (Change example 1) The combination weighing device 1 according to Modification 1 of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the combination weighing device 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0043] In this first modified example, the acquisition unit 30 extracts color information specific to the item M and outputs it to the radial feeders 31, 3 i , 3 n By comparing it with the transport area R of the above item M, the ratio of the area of ​​the item M to the area of ​​the area R may be obtained.

[0044] For example, the acquisition unit 30 may convert the captured image (RGB data) captured by the camera 20 into HSV data and extract the hue specific to the item M.

[0045] Radiant feeder 31, 3 i , 3 n The region R for conveying the upper article M is formed of a colorless material such as stainless steel, and therefore, with this configuration, the above-mentioned ratio can be obtained more accurately.

[0046] In addition, the control unit 40 detects the radial feeders 31 and 32, which cannot see the entire area R from the camera 20 due to the support frames of the cross feeders and gates, etc. i , 3 n Regarding the above, the ratio may be a predicted value such as an average value of the above ratios of the adjacent radial feeders.

[0047] Alternatively, the control unit 40 may obtain the above-mentioned ratio from data that can be seen in the captured image captured by the camera 20.

[0048] 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]

[0049] 1...Combined weighing device 2...Dispersion table (dispersion section) 31, 3 i , 3 n …radiant feeder 41, 4 i , 4 n …Pool Hopper 51, 5 i , 5 n …weighing hopper 61, 6 i , 6 n …Weight measurement section 9...Group shoot 20...Camera 30…Acquisition part 40...Control unit 100...External device M…Goods

Claims

1. a dispersion unit that distributes the articles to the surroundings; a plurality of radial feeders arranged around the distribution section and supplying the articles conveyed from the distribution section to a plurality of hoppers; a plurality of hoppers arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of radial feeders, for temporarily retaining and discharging the articles supplied directly or indirectly from each of the plurality of radial feeders; a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the items remaining in each of the plurality of hoppers; an acquisition unit that acquires information about the quantity of items on the plurality of radial feeders; a control unit that selects a combination of hoppers to discharge the articles based on the weight measured by the weight measuring unit, The control unit identifies a radial feeder that is oversupplied with the items based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and preferentially selects the hopper corresponding to the identified radial feeder as the hopper from which the items should be discharged.

2. a camera for capturing an image of an area on the radial feeder where the article is conveyed; The combination weighing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the information, a ratio of the area of ​​the item to the area of ​​the region, based on an image captured by the camera.

3. The combination weighing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit identifies a radial feeder for which the ratio exceeds a first threshold value as a radial feeder in which the articles are being excessively supplied.

4. a dispersion unit that distributes the articles to the surroundings; a plurality of radial feeders arranged around the distribution section and supplying the articles conveyed from the distribution section to a plurality of hoppers; a plurality of hoppers arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of radial feeders, for temporarily retaining and discharging the articles supplied directly or indirectly from each of the plurality of radial feeders; a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the items remaining in each of the plurality of hoppers; an acquisition unit that acquires information about the quantity of items on the plurality of radial feeders; a control unit that selects a combination of hoppers to discharge the articles based on the weight measured by the weight measuring unit, The control unit identifies a radial feeder that is undersupplied with the items based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and preferentially selects a hopper other than the hopper corresponding to the identified radial feeder as the hopper from which the items should be discharged.

5. a camera for capturing an image of an area on the radial feeder where the article is conveyed; The combination weighing device according to claim 4 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the information, a proportion of the area of ​​the item to the area of ​​the region, based on an image captured by the camera.

6. The combination weighing device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit identifies a radial feeder for which the ratio is below a second threshold as a radial feeder from which the articles are being undersupplied.

Images