Weighing device

Abstract

To provide a weighing device that can effectively improve the robustness of the weighing mechanism against impact. [Solution] The weighing device 1 comprises a weighing pan 2 on which an object to be weighed is placed, a pan support portion 3 that supports the weighing pan 2, and a weighing mechanism 4 connected to the pan support portion 3 for weighing the mass of the object placed on the weighing pan 2. The pan support portion 3 has an upper surface 3a facing the weighing pan 2, at least one first elastic member 81 having a first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface 3a, and at least one second elastic member 82 having a second rebound elasticity higher than the first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface 3a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a weighing device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a weighing scale in which an elastic member for absorbing shock is disposed between a weighing pan (receptacle) and a pan support portion (support frame).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the weighing scale disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the impact absorption effect of the elastic member is enhanced by forming the shape of the elastic member into a hemispherical shape, there is still room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the robustness against impact on the weighing mechanism.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a weighing device that can effectively improve the robustness against impact on the weighing mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure includes the weighing devices of the following [1] to [7].

[0007] [1] A weighing pan on which an object to be weighed is placed, A pan support portion that supports the weighing pan, A weighing mechanism that is connected to the pan support portion and weighs the mass of the object to be weighed placed on the weighing pan, The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the pan holder portion comprises an upper surface facing the weighing pan, at least one first elastic member having a first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface, and at least one second elastic member having a second rebound elasticity higher than the first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface.

[0008] In the weighing device described in [1] above, a plurality of elastic members (first elastic member and second elastic member) having different rebound elasticity (rebound modulus) are arranged between the pan holder and the weighing pan. Here, the types of impact transmitted to the pan holder via the weighing pan when an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan include, for example, the impact transmitted to the pan holder when a relatively heavy object such as a sandbag falls onto the weighing pan (impact by a heavy object), and the impact transmitted to the pan holder when a relatively light but hard object falls onto the weighing pan (impact by a hard object). With the above weighing device, the impact by a heavy object can be appropriately absorbed by the first elastic member with low rebound elasticity (first rebound elasticity). On the other hand, the impact by a hard object can be appropriately repelled by the second elastic member with high rebound elasticity (second rebound elasticity). As a result, the above weighing device can effectively improve the robustness of the weighing mechanism against impact by suitably exhibiting an impact cushioning effect according to the type of impact applied to the weighing pan.

[0009] [2] The at least one first elastic member comprises a plurality of first elastic members, The at least one second elastic member comprises a plurality of second elastic members, The weighing device [1], wherein, when the pan holder is viewed from a vertical direction, the plurality of first elastic members and the plurality of second elastic members are arranged symmetrically with respect to both a first straight line passing through the center of the pan holder and a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line.

[0010] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the impact from the weighing pan can be received appropriately and in a balanced manner by multiple elastic members (first elastic member and second elastic member).

[0011] [3] The at least one first elastic member is positioned in a first region within a predetermined range from the center of the pan holder when viewed from the vertical direction, The weighing device of [1] or [2], wherein the at least one second elastic member is located in a second region that is located outside the first region when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0012] According to the configuration described in [3] above, in the region including the central part of the pan support area (first region), which is susceptible to impact due to the bending of the weighing pan when a heavy object is placed on it, the first elastic member can effectively absorb the impact. On the other hand, in the relatively outer region of the pan support area (second region), the second elastic member can effectively repel impacts mainly from hard objects. In this way, by arranging the first and second elastic members, which have different rebound elasticity, separately in each region, the impact cushioning effect according to the type of impact applied to the weighing pan can be made even more suitable.

[0013] [4] A weighing device according to any of [1] to [3], wherein the number of at least one first elastic member is greater than the number of at least one second elastic member.

[0014] According to the configuration described in [4] above, by increasing the number of first elastic members compared to the number of second elastic members, a good balance can be achieved between the effect of absorbing impacts from heavy objects and the effect of deflecting impacts from hard objects.

[0015] [5] The at least one second elastic member includes four elastic members provided at each of the four corners of the pan holder when viewed from the vertical direction, A weighing device, any of [1] to [4], wherein the hardness of the second elastic member is higher than the hardness of the first elastic member.

[0016] According to the configuration described in [5] above, by making the hardness of the second elastic members positioned at the four corners relatively high, the weighing pan can be properly and balancedly supported by the four second elastic members positioned at the four corners, thereby suppressing tilting of the weighing pan. As a result, weighing errors caused by tilting of the weighing pan can be suppressed.

[0017] [6] A weighing device according to any of [1] to [5], wherein, when the object to be weighed is not placed on the weighing pan, the first elastic member is not in contact with the weighing pan, and the second elastic member is in contact with the weighing pan.

[0018] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the weighing pan is supported by the pan holder via the second elastic member before the object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan. As a result, when an impact from a hard object is applied to the weighing pan, the impact can be effectively deflected by the second elastic member, which is in contact with the weighing pan from the beginning. On the other hand, when a strong impact from a heavy object is applied to the weighing pan (i.e., when the second elastic member cannot deflect the entire impact), the weighing pan is pushed in together with the second elastic member and comes into contact with the first elastic member, resulting in the first elastic member effectively absorbing the impact from the heavy object.

[0019] [7] A third elastic member is provided on the upper surface of the plate receiving portion so as to surround the second elastic member when viewed from the vertical direction, and having a third rebound elasticity higher than that of the first elasticity. The weighing device according to claim 5, wherein the end of the third elastic member on the weighing pan side is located lower than the end of the second elastic member on the weighing pan side.

[0020] According to the configuration of [7] above, after the weighing pan is pushed in together with the second elastic member and contacts the first elastic member, if an impact of such a weight that the weighing pan further pushes in the second elastic member is applied to the weighing pan, the impact can be suitably reduced by bringing the weighing pan into contact with the third elastic member. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the buffering effect of the impact when the object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan can be further enhanced more effectively.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a weighing device that can effectively improve the robustness against impacts on the weighing mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weighing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the weighing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the weighing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement configuration inside the weighing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the weighing device taken along the line V-V of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the weighing device taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, in the drawings, there are parts that are exaggerated for easy explanation of the characteristic parts according to the embodiment. For this reason, the dimensional ratios of each part in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensional ratios. [Overall Configuration of the Weighing Device]

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the weighing device 1 comprises a weighing pan 2, a pan support 3, a weighing mechanism 4, an inner housing 5, an outer housing 6, and an intervening member 7. Four support legs 8 are provided at the four corners of the bottom wall 61 of the outer housing 6 to support the outer housing 6. The weighing device 1 is an electronic scale configured to measure the weight of an item placed on the weighing pan 2. Note that the weighing pan 2 is not shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0025] The weighing pan 2 has a weighing surface 2a on which the object to be weighed is placed. The weighing surface 2a extends along the horizontal direction and has, for example, a square or rectangular shape. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the weighing surface 2a is called the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), one direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction is called the Y-axis direction (in this embodiment, the direction along the straight line L (see Figure 4) where the fixed end 41a and the free end 41b of the weighing mechanism 4 are aligned), and the direction perpendicular to both the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is called the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively, are parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0026] The pan support portion 3 is a member (pan base) that supports the weighing pan 2 from below. As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the pan support portion 3 is positioned above the weighing mechanism 4, the inner housing 5, and the outer housing 6. The pan support portion 3 has a first portion 31 that occupies the central part of the pan support portion 3, four second portions 32 that protrude outward from the four corners of the first portion 31, and two third portions 33. Each of the two third portions 33 is positioned between two adjacent second portions 32 in the X-axis direction and protrudes outward from the first portion 31. The first portion 31 is fixed to the weighing mechanism 4 (the upper surface 41d of the free end 41b of the first strain-generating body 41, which will be described later) by a plurality (four, for example) of screws 21. As an example, one fixed end 31a of the first part 31 in the Y-axis direction (the lower side in Figure 3) is fixed to the free end 41b of the first strain body 41. A heat shield member 13, which will be described later, is placed between the first part 31 and the free end 41b of the first strain body 41. A through hole 31b is provided in the central part of the first part 31.

[0027] The dish receiving portion 3 further includes a plurality (four in this embodiment) of first protrusions 71, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of second protrusions 72, a plurality (six in this embodiment) of first elastic members 81, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of second elastic members 82, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of third elastic members 83. The four first protrusions 71 are provided on each of the four second portions 32. The two second protrusions 72 are provided on each of the two third portions 33.

[0028] The six first elastic members 81 are provided on the upper surface of the first portion 31 and protrude upward. The four second elastic members 82 are provided on each of the four second portions 32 and protrude upward. The four third elastic members 83 are provided on each of the four second portions 32 and protrude upward. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the object to be weighed is not placed on the weighing pan 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "normal state"), the second elastic members 82 are in contact with the inner surface of the weighing pan 2. As a result, the pan support portion 3 supports the weighing pan 2 from below.

[0029] The weighing mechanism 4 is a mechanism for weighing the mass of an object placed on the weighing pan 2. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the weighing mechanism 4 has a first strain body 41, a second strain body 42, and a weight placement section 43. Each of the first strain body 41 and the second strain body 42 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular block) shape. Each of the first strain body 41 and the second strain body 42 has a so-called Roberval mechanism. Each of the first strain body 41 and the second strain body 42 is an elastic body made of a metal such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel.

[0030] The first strain-generating body 41 extends along the Y-axis direction in the central part of the inner housing 5 in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The first strain-generating body 41 has a fixed end 41a and a free end 41b. The fixed end 41a is fixed to the bottom wall 51 of the inner housing 5, which will be described later, via a support member 9. In other words, the fixed end 41a is fixed to the inner housing 5. The free end 41b is positioned parallel to the fixed end 41a in the Y-axis direction. The free end 41b has a projection 41c that protrudes upward, and the upper surface 41d of the projection 41c is connected to the first part 31 via a heat shield member 13. In other words, the free end 41b is connected to the pan support part 3. The free end 41b is connected to the weighing pan 2 via the pan support part 3 and is the part to which the load from the weighing pan 2 is applied. The first strain-generating body 41 has a lever mechanism (not shown) for reducing the load from the weighing pan 2.

[0031] The weighing mechanism 4 further includes a tuning fork sensor (vibration-type load sensor, not shown) incorporated (fixed) into the first strain body 41. As an example, when an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan 2, a load corresponding to the weight of the object to be weighed is applied to the free end 41b of the first strain body 41, causing the first strain body 41 to deform. Then, a load corresponding to the deformation of the first strain body 41 is applied to the tuning fork sensor, and the vibration frequency of the tuning fork vibrator in the tuning fork sensor changes according to the magnitude of the load. A weight sensor (not shown) configured to measure the weight of the object to be weighed based on the vibration (vibration frequency) of the tuning fork vibrator is connected to the tuning fork sensor. The configuration of the weighing mechanism 4 is not limited to the tuning fork type described above, and other configurations such as a strain gauge type may be used.

[0032] The second strain body 42 is fixed to the first strain body 41. For example, the second strain body 42 is smaller than the first strain body 41. The weight placement section 43 is fixed to the second strain body 42. The weight W is placed on the weight placement section 43 by a weight moving mechanism (not shown) configured to grip and move the weight W. When the weight W is placed on the weight placement section 43, the second strain body 42 deforms. Then, a load corresponding to the deformation of the second strain body 42 is applied to the tuning fork sensor. This allows the weighing mechanism 4 (tuning fork sensor) to be calibrated. Note that when weighing an object, the weight W is not placed on the weight placement section 43, but is held, for example, by the weight moving mechanism.

[0033] The inner housing 5 is a component that houses the weighing mechanism 4. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the inner housing 5 is located below the pan holder 3. The inner housing 5 has a bottom wall 51, side walls 52, a top wall 53, and a lid 54. The bottom wall 51, side walls 52, and lid 54 define the housing space V in which the weighing mechanism 4 is housed. The bottom wall 51 is located below the weighing mechanism 4. The fixed end 41a of the first strain-generating body 41 is fixed to the bottom wall 51 via a support member 9. The side wall 52 is positioned to cover the sides of the weighing mechanism 4. The side wall 52 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that extends upward, connected to the edge of the bottom wall 51, so as to surround the weighing mechanism 4 (housing space V) when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0034] The top wall 53 is connected to the upper end 52a of the side wall 52 (the end opposite to the end of the side wall 52 that is connected to the bottom wall 51). The top wall 53 extends horizontally so as to project outward from the upper end 52a and is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The lid 54 is fixed to the upper end 52a of the side wall 52, for example by screws (not shown), so as to close the opening defined by the upper end 52a of the side wall 52 (close the storage space V). The lid 54 is located below the pan head 3 and extends horizontally. The lid 54 is provided with a through hole 54a for the projection 41c of the first strain body 41 to pass through. In other words, the free end 41b is connected to the pan head 3 located above the lid 54 by passing through the lid 54 via the through hole 54a.

[0035] The inner housing 5 has an upper surface 5a facing the dish support portion 3. For example, the upper surface 5a is composed of the upper surface of the side wall 52, the upper surface of the top wall 53, and the upper surface of the lid portion 54. The upper surface 5a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The inner housing 5 has four corners 55 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. For example, the four corners 55 are the parts that correspond to the four corners of the upper surface 5a when viewed from the Z-axis direction (parts included in the vicinity of the four corners). The inner housing 5 has four edges 56 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Each of the four edges 56 is the part that connects two adjacent corners 55 and is the part that corresponds to the four sides of the upper surface 5a when viewed from the Z-axis direction (parts included in the vicinity of the four sides).

[0036] The inner housing 5 further has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of first opposing portions 91 and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of second opposing portions 92. The four first opposing portions 91 are each provided at the corner portions 55. The two second opposing portions 92 are each provided at two sides 56 that face each other in the Y-axis direction. The first opposing portions 91 are arranged to face the first protrusion 71, and the second opposing portions 92 are arranged to face the second protrusion 72. When an overload is applied to the weighing pan 2, the first protrusion 71 and the second protrusion 72 come into contact with the first opposing portions 91 and the second opposing portions 92, thereby preventing the overload from being applied to the weighing mechanism.

[0037] The outer housing 6 is a component that houses the inner housing 5. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the outer housing 6 is positioned below the pan head 3. The outer housing 6 has a bottom wall 61 and side walls 62. The bottom wall 61 is positioned below the bottom wall 51 of the inner housing 5. The bottom wall 61 is fixed to the bottom wall 51, for example, by screws (not shown). The side walls 62 are positioned to cover the sides of the side walls 52 of the inner housing 5. The side walls 62 are formed in a rectangular tubular shape that extends upward and is connected to the edge of the bottom wall 61, so as to surround the side walls 52 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0038] The intervening member 7 is a member positioned between the inner housing 5 and the outer housing 6, and is, for example, an elastic member. As shown in Figure 2, the intervening member 7 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape. The intervening member 7 is positioned between the top wall 53 of the inner housing 5 and the side wall 62 of the outer housing 6. In other words, the top wall 53 of the inner housing 5 and the side wall 62 of the outer housing 6 are connected to each other via the intervening member 7. Note that the intervening member 7 is not shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the weighing device 1 further includes a porous membrane 10, a diaphragm 11, a retaining plate 12, and a heat shielding member 13 as structures for waterproofing, dustproofing, etc. [Details and effects of the dish holder]

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pan holder portion 3 has an upper surface 3a facing the weighing pan 2. The pan holder portion 3 has at least one (six in this embodiment) first elastic member 81 provided on the upper surface 3a and at least one (four in this embodiment) second elastic member 82 provided on the upper surface 3a.

[0041] The first elastic member 81 has relatively low rebound elasticity (first rebound elasticity). The first elastic member 81 is, for example, a vibration-damping rubber with rebound elasticity of 10% or less. For example, the first elastic member 81 is configured to absorb the energy of an impact (external force) without rebounding much when subjected to an impact. As an example, the first elastic member 81 is formed in the shape of a frustoconical pyramid. However, the shape of the first elastic member 81 is not limited to the above, and may be other shapes such as a frustoconical pyramid, cylindrical shape, or prismatic shape.

[0042] The second elastic member 82 has higher rebound elasticity (second rebound elasticity) than the first elastic member 81. The second elastic member 82 is, for example, an elastic rubber formed from chloroprene or the like. The second elastic member 82 has properties opposite to those of the first elastic member 81 described above. That is, compared to the first elastic member 81, the second elastic member 82 is configured to absorb less impact energy and to repel impact forces. As an example, the second elastic member 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the second elastic member 82 is not limited to the above, and may be other shapes such as a prismatic shape, a frustoconical shape, or a truncated pyramidal shape.

[0043] In the weighing device 1, multiple elastic members (first elastic member 81 and second elastic member 82) with different rebound elasticity (rebound modulus) are arranged between the pan holder 3 and the weighing pan 2. Here, when an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan 2, the types of impact transmitted to the pan holder 3 via the weighing pan 2 include, for example, the impact transmitted to the pan holder 3 when a relatively heavy object such as a sandbag falls onto the weighing pan 2 (impact due to heavy object), and the impact transmitted to the pan holder 3 when a relatively light but hard object falls onto the weighing pan 2 (impact due to hard object). According to the weighing device 1, the impact due to heavy object can be appropriately absorbed by the first elastic member 81 with low rebound elasticity (first rebound elasticity). On the other hand, the impact due to hard object can be appropriately repelled by the second elastic member 82 with high rebound elasticity (second rebound elasticity). Thus, with the weighing device 1, by providing a first elastic member 81 and a second elastic member 82 having at least two different types of rebound elasticity on the upper surface 3a of the pan support portion 3, an impact cushioning effect corresponding to the type of impact applied to the weighing pan 2 can be suitably exhibited. As a result, the robustness of the weighing mechanism 4 against impact can be effectively improved. In other words, by suppressing the transmission of impact from the pan support portion 3 to the weighing mechanism 4, the weighing error after an impact can be reduced.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the weighing device 1 has a plurality of (for example, six) first elastic members 81 and a plurality of (for example, four) second elastic members 82. When the pan support portion 3 is viewed from the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the plurality of first elastic members 81 and the plurality of second elastic members 82 are arranged symmetrically with respect to both a first straight line L1 (for example, a straight line parallel to the X-axis direction) passing through the central part C of the pan support portion 3 and a second straight line L2 (for example, a straight line parallel to the Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first straight line L1. That is, in Figure 3, the plurality of first elastic members 81 and the plurality of second elastic members 82 are arranged symmetrically with respect to both the vertical and horizontal directions. With the above configuration, the plurality of elastic members (first elastic members 81 and second elastic members 82) can appropriately and evenly receive the impact from the weighing pan 2.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, at least one first elastic member 81 is positioned in a first region A1 within a predetermined range from the central part C of the pan support portion 3 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. On the other hand, at least one second elastic member 82 is positioned in a second region A2 located outside the first region A1 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In this example, the first region A1 is a circular region with a predetermined radius centered on the central part C. In this embodiment, the first region A1 is a region including the periphery of the through hole 31b, and the multiple (six) first elastic members 81 are positioned along the periphery of the through hole 31b. With the above configuration, in the region including the central part C of the pan support portion 3 (first region A1), which is susceptible to impact due to the bending of the weighing pan 2 when a heavy object is placed on it, the first elastic member 81 can effectively absorb the impact (impact from the heavy object). On the other hand, in the relatively outer region of the pan receiving portion 3 (second region A2), the second elastic member 82 can effectively repel impacts mainly from hard objects. In this way, by arranging the first elastic member 81 and the second elastic member 82, which have different rebound elasticity, separately in each region, the impact cushioning effect can be more effectively exhibited according to the type of impact applied to the weighing pan 2.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the number of first elastic members 81 (six in this embodiment) is greater than the number of second elastic members 82 (four in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the multiple first elastic members 81 include four elastic members arranged along the diagonals of the pan-receiving portion 3, as well as a pair (two) of elastic members facing each other in the X-axis direction at the central position of the pan-receiving portion 3 in the Y-axis direction. With the above configuration, by having more first elastic members 81 than second elastic members 82, it is possible to achieve a good balance between the effect of absorbing impacts from heavy objects and the effect of repelling impacts from hard objects.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple second elastic members 82 include four elastic members provided at each of the four corners of the pan support portion 3 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (in this embodiment, each of the four second portions 32). Furthermore, the hardness of the second elastic members 82 is higher than that of the first elastic member 81. With the above configuration, by making the hardness of the second elastic members 82 arranged at the four corners relatively high, the weighing pan 2 can be properly and balancedly supported by the four second elastic members 82 arranged at the four corners, and tilting of the weighing pan 2 can be suppressed. As a result, weighing errors caused by tilting of the weighing pan 2 can be suppressed.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the normal state, the first elastic member 81 is not in contact with the weighing pan 2. That is, the upper end portion 81a of the first elastic member 81 is separated from the surface (bottom surface) of the weighing pan 2 opposite to the weighing surface 2a. On the other hand, in the normal state, the second elastic member 82 is in contact with the weighing pan 2. That is, the upper end portion 82a of the second elastic member 82 is in contact with the surface (bottom surface) of the weighing pan 2 opposite to the weighing surface 2a.

[0049] According to the above configuration, in normal conditions, the weighing pan 2 is supported by the pan support 3 via the second elastic member 82. As a result, when an impact from a hard object is applied to the weighing pan 2, the impact can be effectively deflected by the second elastic member 82, which is in contact with the weighing pan 2 from the beginning. On the other hand, when a strong impact from a heavy object is applied to the weighing pan 2 (i.e., when the second elastic member 82 cannot deflect the entire impact), the weighing pan 2 is pushed in together with the second elastic member 82, and the central part of the weighing pan 2 flexes downward, causing the weighing pan 2 to come into contact with the first elastic member 81. As a result, the impact from the heavy object can be effectively absorbed by the first elastic member 81. Thus, the first elastic member 81 is configured not to come into contact with the weighing pan 2 in normal conditions, but to come into contact with the weighing pan 2 when an impact or load exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the weighing pan 2 (when the weighing pan 2 is pushed in or flexes beyond a predetermined level).

[0050] In other words, in this embodiment, when the object to be weighed is not placed on the weighing pan 2, the weighing pan 2 is supported by the second elastic member 82 which has high rebound elasticity, and the weighing pan 2 is suspended from the first elastic member 81 which has low rebound elasticity, thus the weighing pan 2 and the pan support 3 are configured in such a way. This allows for a gradual shock absorption effect, in which the second elastic member 82 first appropriately repels the impact, and then the first elastic member 81 appropriately absorbs any impact that the second elastic member 82 cannot repel. As a result, the shock absorption effect can be effectively enhanced.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a third elastic member 83 is provided on the upper surface 3a of the pan holder 3 so as to surround the second elastic member 82 when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and has a higher rebound elasticity (third rebound elasticity) than the first elastic member 81 (first rebound elasticity). For example, the third elastic member 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the second elastic member 82 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The third elastic member 83 may also be made of the same material as the second elastic member 82, for example. That is, the third elastic member 83 may have the same rebound elasticity as the second elastic member 82. In normal conditions, the end of the third elastic member 83 on the weighing pan 2 side (upper end 83a) is located lower than the end of the second elastic member 82 on the weighing pan 2 side (upper end 82a). In other words, under normal conditions, the upper end portion 83a of the third elastic member 83 is separated from the surface (bottom surface) of the weighing pan 2 that is opposite to the weighing surface 2a.

[0052] According to the above configuration, after the weighing pan 2 is pressed together with the second elastic member 82 and comes into contact with the first elastic member 81, if the weighing pan 2 is subjected to an impact of such weight that it further pushes the second elastic member 82, the impact can be effectively mitigated by bringing the weighing pan 2 into contact with the third elastic member 83. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the impact cushioning effect when an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan 2 can be further enhanced more effectively. [Differentiation]

[0053] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The materials and shapes of each of the above-described components are not limited to those described above, and various materials and shapes can be used. In addition, some of the components included in the above embodiments may be omitted or modified as appropriate. For example, although some characteristic components included in the above embodiments and some effects exhibited by each component have been described, the weighing device according to this disclosure does not necessarily have to be configured to exhibit all of the effects described in the above embodiments, and may be configured to exhibit only some of the effects described in the above embodiments. In the latter case, the weighing device only needs to have components that are essential to exhibit at least those components, and components that are not essential to exhibit those components may be omitted or modified as appropriate. Hereinafter, some specific modifications of the weighing device of this disclosure will be illustrated.

[0054] The material, shape, arrangement, and number of the first elastic member 81 and the second elastic member 82 are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the low-rebound elastic member (first elastic member 81) and the high-rebound elastic member (second elastic member 82) are arranged separately in the first region A1 and the second region A2, but the first elastic member 81 and the second elastic member 82 may be arranged to be mixed within the same region.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the number of first elastic members 81 is greater than the number of second elastic members 82. However, to obtain a similar effect, a configuration may be adopted in which the sum of the contact areas (areas of the upper ends 81a) of one or more first elastic members 81 with the weighing pan 2 is greater than the sum of the contact areas (areas of the upper ends 82a) of one or more second elastic members 82 with the weighing pan 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1...Weighing device, 2...Weighing pan, 3...Pan holder, 3a...Top surface, 4...Weighing mechanism, 81...First elastic member, 82...Second elastic member, 83...Third elastic member, A1...First region, A2...Second region, C...Center, L1...First straight line, L2...Second straight line.

Claims

1. A weighing pan on which the object to be weighed is placed, A plate support portion that supports the aforementioned measuring pan, The system includes a weighing mechanism connected to the pan holder, which weighs the mass of the object to be weighed placed on the weighing pan, A weighing device wherein the pan support portion has an upper surface facing the weighing pan, at least one first elastic member having a first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface, and at least one second elastic member having a second rebound elasticity higher than the first rebound elasticity provided on the upper surface.

2. The at least one first elastic member comprises a plurality of first elastic members, The at least one second elastic member comprises a plurality of second elastic members, The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the pan holder is viewed from a vertical direction, the plurality of first elastic members and the plurality of second elastic members are arranged symmetrically with respect to both a first straight line passing through the center of the pan holder and a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line.

3. The at least one first elastic member is positioned in a first region within a predetermined range from the center of the pan-receiving portion when viewed from the vertical direction. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second elastic member is located in a second region that is located outside the first region when viewed from the vertical direction.

4. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of at least one first elastic member is greater than the number of at least one second elastic member.

5. The at least one second elastic member includes four elastic members provided at each of the four corners of the pan-shaped support when viewed from the vertical direction. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the second elastic member is higher than the hardness of the first elastic member.

6. The weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the object to be weighed is not placed on the weighing pan, the first elastic member is not in contact with the weighing pan, and the second elastic member is in contact with the weighing pan.

7. On the upper surface of the plate-receiving portion, a third elastic member is provided so as to surround the second elastic member when viewed from the vertical direction, and has a third rebound elasticity higher than that of the first elasticity. The weighing device according to claim 6, wherein the end of the third elastic member on the weighing pan side is located lower than the end of the second elastic member on the weighing pan side.

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