Combination weighing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a combination weighing apparatus, in which a plurality of sets of weighing units each including a supply hopper and a weighing hopper are arranged in a horizontal row, and which has excellent waterproof performance and cleanability.SOLUTION: A drive case 10 of a weighing hopper 7 is connected and supported in a waterproof manner on the outer surface of a vertically oriented case wall. A load transmission member 19 is connected to a free end portion of a load sensor 16 assembled into the drive case 10. The load transmission member 19 is inserted in a vertically displaceable manner to an opening 21 formed at a lower end of the drive case 10. A hopper support member 22 for attaching the weighing hopper is connected to a lower exposed portion of the load transmission member 19. A waterproof structure through a diaphragm 24 is provided at a portion where the load transmission member 19 is inserted to the opening 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination weighing device in which a group of inlets for supplying objects to be weighed to weighing units are arranged in a horizontal row. [Background technology]

[0002] The combination weighing device with the above specifications is effectively used to weigh items that are relatively large and irregular in shape, or items that are difficult to handle mechanically, such as raw meat such as chicken (broiler), or seafood such as squid or octopus.

[0003] As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, such a combination weighing device involves an operator feeding the objects to be weighed into a number of feeding openings arranged in a horizontal row, the objects being fed into a feeding hopper, which then feeds the objects to a weighing hopper for weight measurement, calculating and selecting a combination of weight values ​​that results in a predetermined weight from a group of many measured values, and controlling the opening of the selected weighing hoppers to discharge the objects to be weighed at the predetermined weight. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-77684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described combination weighing device, the weighing hopper is disposed in front of the vertical wall of the device body, and is connected and supported by a load sensor built into the device body in a state in which vertical displacement of the weighing hopper due to changes in the weight of the entire weighing hopper is permitted.

[0005] In this case, the vertical displacement of the weighing hopper is transmitted to the load sensor through an opening formed in the vertical wall of the device body, and this opening is sealed waterproofly using a diaphragm or the like.

[0006] Liquids such as water from the items being weighed and broth tend to flow down the vertical walls of the device body and adhere to the diaphragm. Broth in particular can solidify and adversely affect the function of the diaphragm, so it must be thoroughly washed away when cleaning.

[0007] High-pressure washing is often used for cleaning, but if high-pressure washing water is sprayed directly onto the waterproof areas formed on the vertical wall of the device body, there is a risk of damaging the diaphragm, so careful spraying of the washing water is required to remove liquids and other substances that have adhered to the diaphragm.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a combination weighing device that is waterproof and easy to clean. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0010] (1) The combination weighing device according to the present invention is In a combination weighing device in which a plurality of weighing units, each consisting of a supply hopper and a weighing hopper, are arranged in a horizontal row, The drive case of the weighing hopper is connected and supported in a waterproof manner on the outer surface of the vertical case wall, a load transmission member is connected to the free end of a load sensor assembled inside the drive case, and this load transmission member is inserted into an opening formed at the bottom end of the drive case so as to be movable up and down, a hopper support member for attaching the weighing hopper is connected to the exposed lower portion of the load transmission member, and a waterproof structure is provided at the insertion portion of the load transmission member at the opening via a diaphragm.

[0011] With this configuration, the waterproof structure using the diaphragm is located hidden below the drive case, so when cleaning work is performed using high-pressure cleaning water, the high-pressure cleaning water is less likely to spray directly onto the diaphragm, and cleaning work can be performed without requiring special care.

[0012] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, The hopper support member is configured to cover the diaphragm from below at a connection portion to the load transmission member.

[0013] This configuration makes it even more difficult for the high-pressure cleaning water to spray onto the diaphragm.

[0014] (3) In another embodiment of the present invention, A waterproof drive shaft for controlling the opening and closing of the gate of the weighing hopper is provided on the upper front surface of the drive case.

[0015] With this configuration, the upper front surface of the drive case is a location where liquid that falls on it is likely to flow down, and the insertion portion of the drive shaft formed there can be easily waterproofed using a seal ring or the like.

[0016] (4) In another embodiment of the present invention, The drive shaft is the output shaft of a stepping motor.

[0017] According to this configuration, the gate of the weighing hopper can be opened and closed with high precision by controlling the number of pulses.

[0018] (5) In another embodiment of the present invention, A work table is provided above the supply hoppers, and this work table is provided with inlets for inserting the objects to be weighed corresponding to each supply hopper.

[0019] This configuration makes it possible to suitably carry out semi-automatic combination weighing in which objects to be weighed that are relatively large in individual weight and irregular in shape, or objects that are difficult to handle mechanically, are manually fed.

[0020] (6) In another embodiment of the present invention, The supply hopper is provided with a pair of gates that can be controlled to open and close independently, and a pair of the weighing hoppers are provided corresponding to each gate.

[0021] According to this configuration, by using twice as many weighing hoppers as the number of supply hoppers, combined weighing can be performed using a large number of weighing values, which is effective in improving weighing accuracy and processing speed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] As described above, the present invention can provide a combination weighing device that is excellent in waterproofness and ease of cleaning. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the combination weighing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the combination weighing device in vertical section. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the weighing hopper assembled. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the weighing hopper in an assembled state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a link structure for opening and closing a gate in a weighing hopper. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive case of the weighing hopper as seen obliquely from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view of a drive case of the weighing hopper in vertical section. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive case of the weighing hopper as viewed from the back side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a combination weighing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the same in longitudinal section.

[0025] This combination weighing device is equipped with a workbench 2 on the top surface of a main body case 1 that is installed on the floor, on which the items to be weighed can be placed, and multiple (in this example, nine) feed ports 3 are formed in a horizontal row on the workbench 2, so that an operator can manually supply the items to be weighed into the feed ports 3.

[0026] Below each inlet 3, multiple sets of weighing units 4 (9 sets in this example) are provided, and further below each weighing unit 4, a belt-type discharge conveyor 5 is provided to collect and transport the weighed objects.

[0027] The weighing unit 4 is composed of a supply hopper 6 that temporarily stores the objects to be weighed supplied from the inlet 3, and a pair of front and rear weighing hoppers 7 that are arranged corresponding to each supply hopper 6.

[0028] The combination weighing device is basically configured as described above, and calculates and selects a combination that will result in a specified weight from the weighing values ​​obtained from each weighing hopper 7, and controls the opening of the selected weighing hopper 7, so that the items to be weighed of the specified weight are discharged on the discharge conveyor 5 and sent to the next device such as a packaging device.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the weighing unit 4 will be described.

[0030] In the following description, the direction in which the insertion ports 3 are arranged side by side will be referred to as the horizontal direction or left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the insertion ports 3 are arranged side by side will be referred to as the front-rear direction.

[0031] The supply hopper 6 is detachably supported by a drive case 8 attached to the upper front surface of the main body case 1, and is provided with a pair of front and rear gates 6a, 6b that can be independently controlled to open and close. Each gate 6a, 6b is linked to a gate opening / closing drive mechanism (detailed structure not shown) provided in a drive case 8, and by selecting and controlling the opening of each gate 6a, 6b, the objects to be weighed are distributed and sent out to the front and rear weighing hoppers 7.

[0032] The front and rear weighing hoppers 7 are respectively attached to the forward-facing wall of the main case 1 and the inward-facing wall of the front case 1a disposed in front of it. The pair of front and rear weighing hoppers 7 are configured to the same specifications and are installed facing each other.

[0033] The configuration and mounting structure of the weighing hopper 7 mounted on the main body case 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0034] A drive case 10 is bolted to the front wall 1b of the main body case 1 so as to close the opening formed therein.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, the drive case 10 is molded in a shape that is completely open toward the rear, has a smooth outer shape without any small irregularities, and is molded to be highly rigid, with mounting seats for various components and reinforcing ribs inside.

[0036] An annular packing 11 is sandwiched between the rearward opening end face of the drive case 10 and the wall surface 1b of the main body case 1 to prevent cleaning water and the like from entering the case.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, a stepping motor 12 is assembled and fixed in a horizontal position facing inward and outward (front and rear) inside the upper half of the drive case 10 as an actuator for opening and closing the gate, and its drive shaft 12a protrudes from the front of the case.

[0038] A seal ring 13 is attached to the front of the drive case 10 where the drive shaft protrudes, to provide waterproofing.

[0039] An operating arm 14 for opening and closing the gate is connected to the forward protruding end of the drive shaft 12a, and a slitted disk 15 for detecting the rotational position is attached to the rear end of the drive shaft 12a. The rotational position of the disk 15 is detected by an optical sensor (not shown), and the origin of the drive shaft 12a is corrected based on the detected information.

[0040] A load sensor 16 using a load cell is installed inside the lower half of the drive case 10 in a front-to-rear orientation, and its rear fixed end is connected and supported by a bolt 18 to a sensor support member 17 fixedly supported on the drive case 10. In other words, the load sensor 16 is connected and supported on the drive case 10 in a forward-facing cantilever state.

[0041] A load transmission member 19 that transmits the weight of the entire weighing hopper 7 to the load sensor 16 is connected to the front free end of the load sensor 16 with a bolt 20. This load transmission member 19 extends downward through a circular opening 21 formed in the lower end of the drive case 10, and a hopper support member 22 is connected and supported to the lower end of the load transmission member 19 with a bolt 23.

[0042] A diaphragm 24 is provided at the lower end opening of the drive case 10 to seal the opening 21 in a waterproof manner while allowing the load transmitting member 19 to move up and down.

[0043] That is, a pressing member 25 is interposed between the load transmission member 19 and the hopper support member 22, and the inner peripheral edge of the diaphragm 24 is sandwiched between this pressing member 25 and the load transmission member 19. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 24 is sandwiched between the lower end of the drive case 10 and a pressing member 26 bolted to the lower end of the drive case 10, thereby making the opening 21 waterproof.

[0044] The hopper support member 22 is bent into a U-shape so as to embrace the drive case 10 from the left and right outside, and an upwardly opening locking recess 30 is formed at the upper front edge thereof, and an engaging step 31 facing downward and forward is formed below the upper front edge thereof.

[0045] In addition, the connection portion 22a of the hopper support member 22 to the load transmission member 19 is formed in a circular shape large enough to cover the diaphragm 24 from below, and a guard portion 26a is bent and extended downward from the front end of the pressing member 26, so that these connection portion 22a and guard portion 26a make it difficult for high-pressure cleaning water to be sprayed directly onto the diaphragm 24.

[0046] Connecting brackets 32 that protrude rearward and downward are welded to the left and right outer surfaces of the weighing hopper 7, and upper and lower connecting rods 33a, 33b that are horizontally installed across the left and right connecting brackets 32 engage with and fit into the left and right locking recesses 30 and engagement steps 31 in the hopper support member 22, respectively, so that the weighing hopper 7 is detachably connected to the hopper support member 22 in a predetermined posture.

[0047] Swing links 34a, 34b that can swing up and down around a horizontal fulcrum a are pivotally connected to the left and right connecting brackets 32, and a horizontal operating rod 35 is installed across the free ends of both swing links 34a, 34b.

[0048] The weighing hopper 7 is fitted with a gate 7a that can swing open and closed around a horizontal fulcrum b, and this gate 7a and the free end of one of the swing links 34a are linked together via a relay link 36.

[0049] In addition, an operating arm 37 is provided on the drive shaft 12a protruding from the front of the drive case 10, and an operating roller 38 is provided at the free end of the operating arm 37.When the gate 7a of the weighing hopper 7 is in a closed state, the operating arm 37 is in a standby position facing vertically downward, and the operating roller 38 is located directly below the operating rod 35.

[0050] When gate opening control of the weighing hopper 7 is initiated, the operating arm 37 in the standby position swings up and rotates counterclockwise by 180 degrees in Figure 5, causing the operating rod 35 to be pushed up by the operating roller 38, and the swing links 34a and 34b swing up and open the gate 7a.

[0051] When gate closing control for the weighing hopper 7 is initiated, the operating arm 37 in the raised position rotates back clockwise in Figure 5, and the swing links 34a, 34b swing downward in response to the downward movement of the operating roller 38, thereby closing the gate 7a.

[0052] In addition, a return swing link 39 is attached to one of the connecting brackets 32, which swings up and down like a parallel four-link in conjunction with the up and down swing of the swing link 34b, and a short operating rod 40 parallel to the operating rod 35 is attached to the free end of this return swing link 39 in a cantilevered manner.

[0053] When the operating arm 37, which has been swung up to the gate-opening position, rotates downward to the standby position, this operating rod 40 is pushed down by the downward-moving operating roller 38, and the swing links 34a, 34b are forcibly operated downward, so that the gate closing operation can be performed reliably even if a rotation failure occurs in the link mechanism due to twisting or the like.

[0054] Other Examples The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms.

[0055] (1) It is also possible to implement a simple specification in which one weighing hopper 7 is provided below each supply hopper 6.

[0056] (2) It is also possible to develop and implement a form in which the objects to be weighed are automatically sent to each inlet 3 by a supply conveyor.

[0057] (3) The objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper 7 may be collected and discharged in a collecting chute or collecting funnel.

[0058] (4) The operating arm 37 for opening and closing the gate of the weighing hopper 7 may be disposed at the upper lateral portion of the drive case 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 2 workbenches 3 Inlet 4 Weighing Unit 6 Supply hopper Gates 6a and 6b 7 Weighing hopper 10 Drive case 12 Stepping motor 12a Drive shaft 16 Load Sensor 19 Load-transmitting members 21 Aperture 22 Hopper support member 24 diaphragm

Claims

1. In a combination weighing device in which a plurality of weighing units, each consisting of a supply hopper and a weighing hopper, are arranged in a horizontal row, a drive case for the weighing hopper is connected and supported in a waterproof manner on the outer surface of the vertical case wall; a load transmitting member connected to a free end of the load sensor assembled in the drive case; the load transmission member is inserted into an opening formed in a lower end of the drive case so as to be displaceable up and down; a hopper support member for mounting a weighing hopper is connected to the lower exposed portion of the load transmission member; a waterproof structure via a diaphragm is provided at the insertion portion of the opening through which the load transmission member passes; A combination weighing device characterized by:

2. The hopper support member is configured to cover the diaphragm from below at a connection portion to the load transmission member. The combination weighing device according to claim 1.

3. A drive shaft for controlling the opening and closing of the gate of the weighing hopper is provided in a waterproof protruding manner on the upper front surface of the drive case. The combination weighing device according to claim 2.

4. The drive shaft is an output shaft of a stepping motor. The combination weighing device according to claim 3.

5. a work table is provided above the supply hoppers, and an inlet for the objects to be weighed is provided on the work table in correspondence with each supply hopper; The combination weighing device according to claim 1.

6. The supply hopper is provided with a pair of gates that can be controlled to open and close independently, and a pair of the weighing hoppers are provided corresponding to each gate. The combination weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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