Metering device

Abstract

To provide a measurement device in which an alignment discharge unit is arranged in a compact manner immediately below a measurement unit, with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A hanging frame 11 formed by assembling a plurality of vertical frames 11a so that the space surrounded by the vertical frames 11a becomes smaller in a downward direction is arranged below a measurement unit A. Alignment processing mechanisms B1, B2 having a collection hopper 21 for receiving discharged items, a shutter mechanism 22 for opening or closing the lower end of the hopper, and a vibration mechanism 24 for vibrating the collection hopper 21 are equipped to the hanging frame 11 to be supported by the hanging frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device that weighs and discharges articles by a predetermined weight, and more particularly to a weighing device that discharges weighed articles in a uniform position. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a weighing device that aligns and discharges long, thin articles is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The combination weighing device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an alignment device below, which is equipped from the upstream side with an inclined chute that slides rod-shaped items down at an angle, a lower timing hopper that holds the rod-shaped items discharged from the inclined chute in an angle, a hopper swinging mechanism that swings the lower timing hopper horizontally, a lower discharge chute that collects the rod-shaped items discharged from the lower timing hopper and discharges them into a cup-shaped container below, and a chute swinging mechanism that swings the lower discharge chute horizontally. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-128015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the combination weighing device of Patent Document 1, in order to tilt the weighed and discharged rod-shaped articles to the desired position, it is necessary to use a tilting chute, which makes it impossible to align the articles compactly directly below the combination weighing device, and requires a large amount of flat space. Also, when the aligned articles are to be packed into bags or boxes using a packaging machine, it is not possible to install the packaging machine directly below the combination weighing device, which places restrictions on the layout of the processing line.

[0006] Furthermore, the tilted articles are held in the lower timing hopper and swung, and the lower discharge chute that collects the articles discharged from this lower timing hopper is also swung, and these mechanisms must be supported by a subframe, which makes the structural layout below the combination weighing device complex.

[0007] The present invention has been made with attention to these points in mind, and aims to provide a weighing device that has a simple configuration, can be placed compactly, and can discharge weighed items in an aligned manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0009] (1) A weighing device according to the present invention is a weighing device including a weighing unit that weighs supplied articles and discharges them downward, and an aligning and discharging unit that aligns and discharges the articles discharged from the weighing unit, The alignment and discharge section comprises a hanging frame below the weighing section, which is made up of multiple vertical frames assembled in a tapered shape at the bottom, and an alignment processing mechanism attached to and supported by the hanging frame.The alignment processing mechanism has a cylindrical hopper that receives the items to be discharged, a shutter mechanism that opens and closes the lower end opening of the hopper, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the hopper.

[0010] According to the present invention, the hanging frame assembled in a tapered shape at the bottom has higher rigidity than one assembled with vertical frames vertically, and vibrations generated by the operation of the vibration mechanism are prevented from being transmitted to the weighing section above, eliminating the risk of adversely affecting weighing accuracy.

[0011] Furthermore, the aligning and discharging section, which aligns and discharges the items, is attached to and supported by a hanging frame, so the flat space below the aligning and discharging section can be widely utilized, and a packaging machine or the like can be installed directly below the aligning and discharging section.

[0012] Furthermore, since the electrical wiring and air piping, etc. between the weighing unit and the aligning and discharging unit can be routed and fixed along the hanging frame, the routing of the electrical wiring and air piping, etc. can be almost completed during the manufacturing process of the weighing device. As opposed to when the aligning and discharging unit is separated from the weighing unit and installed on the floor, there is no need to align the weighing unit and the aligning and discharging unit at the installation site of the weighing device, and then route and fix the electrical wiring and air piping, etc., making installation easier.

[0013] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aligning and discharging section has a plurality of the aligning processing mechanisms, and the plurality of aligning processing mechanisms are mounted and supported by the hanging frame in multiple vertical stages.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the articles discharged downward from the weighing section can be sequentially aligned at each of the multiple stages, thereby ensuring reliable alignment or promoting the separation of articles that tend to stick together, allowing the articles to be smoothly aligned and discharged into a packaging machine, etc.

[0015] (3) In another embodiment of the present invention, the vibration directions of the alignment processing mechanisms at each stage are horizontal and intersect with each other.

[0016] According to this embodiment, horizontal vibrations have less adverse effect on weighing than vertical vibrations or vibrations containing vertical vibration components, and do not reduce the weighing accuracy of the weighing unit.

[0017] Furthermore, when aligning items in a vertical position, by vibrating the hoppers in mutually intersecting horizontal directions on each of the multiple tiers, the vertically oriented items can be aligned more efficiently than by vibrating them in the same direction.

[0018] (4) In one embodiment of the present invention, the hanging frame has support frames that are connected and supported horizontally at multiple locations above and below, and the alignment processing mechanisms are mounted and supported on the support frames corresponding to each stage, and the hoppers, shutter mechanisms, and vibration mechanisms of the alignment processing mechanisms of each stage are all of the same specifications.

[0019] According to this embodiment, each component part, such as a hopper, can be shared by multiple stages of the alignment processing mechanism, reducing the number of types of components and effectively reducing manufacturing costs. Also, each component part can be assembled to any stage, eliminating the need to be careful about assembling to the wrong stage, improving assembly workability.

[0020] (5) In another embodiment of the present invention, the support frames at each stage of the hanging frame are connected to the vertical frame at multiple locations above and below with bolts, and the connection points of each support frame are provided with jack bolts for adjusting height, which abut and support the support frame from below.

[0021] In this embodiment, the support frame is temporarily placed on the jack bolts to level it, and then the leveled support frame is fixed in place.For example, compared to when the support frame is temporarily tightened and lightly fixed at the connection points of each support frame, the support frame is then slightly adjusted in height at the connection points to level it, and then the support frame is finally tightened to fix it level, the support frame can be connected and fixed correctly in a short amount of time to be level.

[0022] (6) In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mechanism has a vibration cylinder having a piston rod connected to the hopper, and the vibration cylinder moves back and forth by simultaneously supplying air to both the air ports on the rod side and the head side.

[0023] In this embodiment, the hopper can be horizontally vibrated at high speed by the vibration cylinder, which moves back and forth at high speed by simultaneously supplying air to both the air ports on the rod side and the head side.The impact caused by this high-speed horizontal vibration is applied to the articles, promoting separation and smoothly aligning even articles that tend to clump together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In this way, the weighing device of the present invention has a simple configuration, and an alignment and discharge section that aligns and discharges the items discharged from the weighing section can be compactly arranged directly below the weighing section, making it possible to easily discharge the items into a packaging machine, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a weighing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an overall front view of the weighing device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the alignment and discharge section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the suspension frame structure in the aligning and discharging section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the suspension frame structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the suspension frame structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the suspension frame structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shutter mechanism in the open state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the shutter mechanism in the closed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vibration mechanism with the collecting hopper at the origin position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vibration mechanism with the collecting hopper in the advanced position. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the vibration mechanism in which the collecting hopper has been forcibly returned to its original position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part of the vibration mechanism with the collecting hopper in the advanced position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part of the vibration mechanism when the reciprocating movement is stopped. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part of the vibration mechanism when the forced return part is activated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a combination weigher as a weighing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

[0028] The combination weigher of this embodiment is primarily used in weighing and packaging lines where long, thin confectioneries, for example, jerky, and other items are weighed to a predetermined weight, fed into a packaging machine, and packed into bags.

[0029] This combination weigher is basically constructed with a weighing section A, which combines, weighs, and discharges supplied items, below which an aligning and discharging section B is arranged, which vibrates and aligns discharged items of a specified weight before discharging them.

[0030] The weighing section A has a hollow base 1 with a large opening in the center that opens up vertically, which is placed on the floor F, and a hollow center base 2 is supported above this base 1 via multiple legs 3.

[0031] A dispersion feeder 4 is mounted in the upper center of the center base 2, which uses vibration to radially disperse and transport articles dropped from a supply conveyor (not shown), and multiple linear feeders 5 are radially arranged around the dispersion feeder 4, which uses vibration to transport the dispersed and transported articles in a straight line outward. Furthermore, the outer peripheral wall of the center base 2 is equipped with multiple supply hoppers 6 that temporarily store and discharge articles from each linear feeder 5, and multiple weighing hoppers 7 that weigh the articles discharged from each supply hopper 6.

[0032] A series of linear feeders 5, supply hoppers 6, and weighing hoppers 7 form a multi-series weighing unit, which performs combined weighing and discharge of articles.

[0033] Below each weighing hopper 7, a gutter-shaped collecting chute 8 is provided to guide and slide down the articles discharged from the multiple weighing hoppers 7 selected by a combination calculation so that the articles fall within a predetermined weight range. At the lower end of this collecting chute 8, circular funnel-shaped collecting funnels 9, 10 are provided to collect the articles that have slid down from the collecting chute 8 below the center of the center base 2.

[0034] The aligning and discharging section B is suspended from the underside of the base 1 in the weighing section A via a suspension frame 11. The suspension frame 11 is composed of four vertical frames 11a made of square tubular material connected to the underside of the four corners of the base 1, and connected at their tops by horizontal stays 11b so that the frames approach each other and taper downward. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 described below, the upper end of each vertical frame 11a is provided with a seat plate 11c for connection to the bottom of the base 1.

[0035] An upper bracket 12 and a lower bracket 13 are provided at the upper and lower middle positions and near the lower end of each vertical frame 11a of the hanging frame 11. The upper bracket 12 is equipped with an upper alignment processing mechanism B1 that vibrates and aligns articles of a predetermined weight discharged from the collecting funnel 10 of the weighing section A, and the lower bracket 13 is equipped with a lower alignment processing mechanism B2 that again vibrates and aligns the articles discharged from the upper alignment processing mechanism B1.

[0036] The upper alignment processing mechanism B1 and the lower alignment processing mechanism B2 have the same structure with the only difference being that their orientations on a plane are different by 90 degrees.

[0037] 3 and 4, the upper aligning and discharging section B1 and the lower aligning and discharging section B2 are each provided with a support frame 14 of the same specifications that is connected horizontally across the group of upper brackets 12 and the group of lower brackets 13. The support frame 14 is configured as a hollow frame with a square planar shape by connecting peripheral frame members formed with a substantially U-shaped vertical cross section that opens inward.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a support plate 15 is welded to the bottom of the upper bracket 12, and jack bolts 16 are inserted into the support plate 15 from below. The four corners of the upper support frame 14 are placed on the support plates 15, and the support frame 14 is supported from below by the jack bolts 16. The upward protrusion of the jack bolts 16 is adjusted to adjust the horizontal inclination of the support frame 14. Once the frame is level, the outer corner surfaces of the support frame 14 are connected to the upper bracket 12 with bolts, thereby connecting and supporting the upper support frame 14 horizontally across the middle of the vertical frames 11a.

[0039] 6 and 7, inward notches 17 for fitting the lower support frame 14 are formed near the lower end of the vertical frame 11a, and jack bolts 19 are inserted from below into a support plate 18 welded to the lower end of this inward notch 17. The four corners of the lower support frame 14 are inserted into the inward notches 17, and the frame is placed on the support plate 18. The inclination of the support frame 14 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of upward projection of each jack bolt 19. Once the frame is level, the outer surfaces of the corners of the support frame 14 are connected to the lower brackets 13 with bolts, thereby connecting and supporting the lower support frame 14 horizontally across the lower part of the vertical frames 11a.

[0040] The jack bolts 16, 19 used to determine the height when the support frame 14 is installed horizontally will not function after the support frame 14 is connected and fixed, so they may be left in place or removed.

[0041] 1 to 3, the upper and lower support frames 14 are respectively equipped with a collecting hopper 21, a shutter mechanism 22 that opens and closes the lower end of the collecting hopper 21, a shutter case 23, and a vibration mechanism 24 that horizontally vibrates the collecting hopper 21. The collecting hopper 21, shutter mechanism 22, shutter case 23, and vibration mechanism 24 are configured to the same specifications on the upper and lower levels.

[0042] The collecting hopper 21 in the upper-level alignment processing mechanism B1 is arranged so as to face from below the collecting funnel 10 arranged below the center of the weighing section A, and is configured as a vertically oriented cylinder with a height that allows it to accommodate long, thin articles in a vertical position and tapered slightly downward. The collecting hopper 21 in the lower-level alignment processing mechanism B2 is configured to the same specifications as the upper-level collecting hopper 21, and is arranged so as to face the upper-level collecting hopper 21 across the upper-level shutter case 23.

[0043] The detailed structure of the shutter mechanism 22 that opens and closes the bottom opening of each collecting hopper 21 is shown in FIGS.

[0044] The shutter mechanism 22 is mounted on the central upper surface of the shutter case 23, which is formed into a shallow, square box when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 4, the shutter case 23 is fitted into the opening of the support frame 14 by dropping it from above, and is placed on the inward-facing lower side 14a of the support frame 14 and bolted from below. In addition, a circular article discharge opening 25, which is slightly larger than the lower end opening of the collecting hopper 21, is formed in the center of the shutter case 23, penetrating it from top to bottom.

[0045] The shutter mechanism 22 has three shutter plates 26 arranged to be horizontally rotatable at the same horizontal level around a vertical fulcrum a. Each shutter plate 26 is interlockingly connected to an air cylinder 28 via a link mechanism 27 inside the shutter case 23. When the air cylinder 28 is extended, the shutter plates 26 rotate inward toward each other, and the butt-jointed shutter plates 26 horizontally close the circular article discharge opening 25 in a plan view. Conversely, when the air cylinder 28 is retracted, the shutter plates 26 rotate outward away from each other, and the article discharge opening 25 is opened.

[0046] In the upper aligning and processing mechanism B1 and the lower aligning and processing mechanism B2, the vibration mechanisms 24 that horizontally vibrate the respective collecting hoppers 21 are arranged so that the vibration directions are perpendicular to each other in the upper and lower stages.

[0047] The detailed structure and function of the vibration mechanism 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] As shown in the perspective views of Figures 10 and 11 and the longitudinal side view of Figure 12, the vibration mechanism 24 moves the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31 mounted on the base plate 30 back and forth at high speed, thereby vibrating the collecting hopper 21 connected to the piston rod 32 horizontally at high speed over a predetermined stroke. The base plate 30 is detachably connected with bolts to a bracket 33 fixed to one side of the support frame 14.

[0049] In the following description, the direction in which the piston rod 32 advances will be referred to as the forward direction, the opposite direction as the rearward direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the forward-rearward direction as the left-right direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, a "cycle cylinder" manufactured by Nissei Kogyo Co., Ltd. is used as the vibration cylinder 31. This vibration cylinder 31 is equipped with a rear head-side air port Pa that advances the piston rod 32, and a front rod-side air port Pb that retreats the piston rod 32. The vibration cylinder 31 is configured so that the piston rod 32 reciprocates at high speed with a predetermined stroke by simultaneously supplying air to both the head-side and rod-side air ports Pa, Pb.

[0051] The vibration cylinder 31 preferably has a stroke (amplitude) of, for example, about 30 mm to 50 mm, and in this embodiment, for example, it is 50 mm, with a reciprocating distance of 100 mm. One reciprocating motion is performed at a high speed, for example, of about 0.2 seconds. The maximum speed of the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31 is preferably about 500 mm / sec to about 1000 mm / sec. The vibration cylinder 31 has a short acceleration time from a stop to reach the maximum speed, and a short deceleration time from the maximum speed to a stop, for example, 20 msec or less.

[0052] In this way, the piston rod 32 of the vibrating cylinder 31 reciprocates back and forth at high speed, and the high-speed horizontal vibration smoothly aligns the articles stored in the collecting hopper 21 connected to this piston rod 32. Furthermore, even if the articles are somewhat sticky and tend to clump, the impact caused by the high-speed horizontal vibration promotes separation of the articles, aligning their postures and lining them up smoothly.

[0053] The vibration cylinder 31 is operated to reciprocate back and forth at high speed for a set time, and during this set time, the articles stored in the collecting hopper 21 are aligned.

[0054] This set time can be set depending on the properties of the articles, the weight of the articles stored in the collecting hopper 21, etc., and is preferably controlled by a timer or the like.

[0055] A rectangular parallelepiped guide block 34 is mounted and connected to the front of the base plate 30, and a pair of left and right guide shafts 35 are inserted into this guide block 34 so as to be slidable horizontally back and forth. The rear ends of both guide shafts 35 are integrally connected to each other by a connecting member 36, and the connecting member 36 is connected to the forward-protruding portion of the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31.

[0056] The piston rod 32 is inserted through the left-right central portion of the connecting member 36, and as shown in Figure 12, the connecting member 36 is sandwiched between front and rear collars 37 fitted onto the piston rod 32 to position it in the front and rear directions, and then a pair of nuts 38 attached to the front threaded portion 32a of the piston rod 32 are tightened. In this way, the guide shaft 35 is integrally connected to the piston rod 32 via the connecting member 36.

[0057] A lever-operable mounting bracket 39 is attached to the front end of the guide shaft 35, and the collecting hopper 21 is detachably positioned and supported in a vertical position via this mounting bracket 39.

[0058] As described above, in this vibration mechanism 24, air is simultaneously supplied to both the air ports Pa, Pb on the head side and rod side of the vibration cylinder 31, causing the piston rod 32 to reciprocate back and forth at high speed for a set period of time, and vibrating the collecting hopper 21 connected to the piston rod 32 horizontally back and forth at high speed. This makes it possible to smoothly align long, thin articles stored in the collecting hopper 21 in a vertical position. Furthermore, even for articles that are somewhat sticky and tend to clump, the impact caused by the high-speed horizontal vibration can promote separation of the articles, allowing them to be smoothly aligned.

[0059] As described above, the vibration cylinder 31 can move the piston rod 32 back and forth at high speed by simultaneously supplying air to both the head-side and rod-side air ports Pa and Pb. However, if the air supply is stopped to stop the operation of the vibration cylinder 31, the stopping position of the piston rod 32 will not be stable, which will hinder the vibration driving of an object that needs to be stopped in a fixed position.

[0060] As in this embodiment, when the object to be vibrated is the collection hopper 21 of a combination weigher, the collection hopper 21 whose vibration has been stopped must be in a fixed position from which aligned items are discharged and dropped into the lower alignment processing mechanism B2 or a packaging machine, etc., and must also be in a fixed position from which subsequent items are received after discharge.

[0061] Therefore, the vibration mechanism 24 is provided with a forced return section that returns the collecting hopper 21 to the fixed position (origin position) G for receiving and discharging articles when the operation of the vibration cylinder 31, which has been reciprocating back and forth at high speed for a set time, is stopped. This origin position G is a position on an imaginary vertical line that passes through the center of the circular article discharge port 25 that is exposed when the shutter plate 26 is opened, as shown in Figure 12, and this origin position G is a position directly below the center of the collecting funnel 10.

[0062] The detailed structure of the forced return section will be described below.

[0063] As shown in Figure 12, the guide block 34 incorporates a forced return cylinder 41, which is a single-acting air cylinder that moves back and forth, as a forced return section. This forced return cylinder 41 has a structure in which a plunger 43 is inserted from the rear into a cylinder hole 42 drilled in the guide block 34. By supplying air to a flow path 44 formed in the guide block 34, the plunger 43 is moved forward and forward by stopping the air supply and opening the flow path 44.

[0064] The plunger 43 of the forced return cylinder 41 is disposed concentrically abutting the front end of the piston rod 32. The outer diameter of the plunger 43 is set to be larger than the nut 38 attached to the piston rod 32, and an interference avoidance port 45 is formed at the rear end of the plunger 43 facing rearward. The interference avoidance port 45 has a diameter larger than the threaded portion 32a of the piston rod 32 and smaller than the outer diameter of the nut 38.

[0065] The forced return section is configured as described above, and its forced return operation will now be described.

[0066] Figure 13 shows the vibration mechanism 24 with the collecting hopper 21 in the advanced position, Figure 14 shows the vibration mechanism 24 that has stopped after completing high-speed reciprocating movement for a set period of time, and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of each main part of the vibration mechanism 24 with the forced return section activated.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, air is supplied to both the head-side and rod-side air ports Pa, Pb simultaneously, causing the vibration cylinder 31 to move back and forth at high speed as described above. Also, the vibration cylinder 31 is stopped by closing an on-off valve (not shown) to cut off the air supply to only the head-side air port Pa.

[0068] The reciprocating movement of the vibrating cylinder 31 can also be stopped by cutting off the air supply to both air ports Pa and Pb. However, if the air supply to only the head-side air port Pa is cut off while air is being supplied to the rod-side air port Pb, the internal pressure balance is lost, which makes it easier for the piston rod 32 to move backward and stop, and makes it easier for the collecting hopper 21 to approach the origin position G and stop.

[0069] As shown in Figure 12, the origin position G of the collecting hopper 11 is set at the center of the article discharge outlet 25 provided in the shutter case 23, and when the vibration cylinder 31 begins to move back and forth, the collecting hopper 21 is vibrated horizontally at high speed over a fixed stroke (for example, the above-mentioned 50 mm) spanning the origin position G and a predetermined position in front of it.

[0070] FIG. 13 shows a state in which the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31 has advanced to the maximum extent, and the collecting hopper 21 has moved significantly forward from the origin position G.

[0071] When the vibration cylinder 31 has been reciprocated for a set time, the air supply to the rod-side air port Pb is maintained while the on-off valve (not shown) is closed to cut off the air supply only to the head-side air port Pa, thereby stopping the reciprocating vibration. In this case, the piston rod 32 is retracted as described above, but it does not necessarily reach the retraction end, and may stop just before the retraction end corresponding to the origin position G, as shown in Figure 14.

[0072] When the vibration of the collecting hopper 21 stops, the forced return cylinder 41 of the forced return section is activated, causing the plunger 43 to protrude rearward. At this time, even if the collecting hopper 21 is stopped at a position forward of the origin position G as shown in Figure 14, the rearward-facing tip of the plunger 43 moving forward rearward will abut against the nut 38 of the piston rod 32, and as the plunger 43 continues to move rearward, the piston rod 32 will be forcibly moved backward until the collecting hopper 21 reaches the origin position G as shown in Figure 15.

[0073] A magnetic metal piece 47 is connected to one end of the connecting member 36, which moves back and forth together with the piston rod 32. By detecting the magnetic metal piece 47 with a proximity sensor 48 attached at a predetermined position on the base plate 30, it is detected that the piston rod 32 has returned to the retracted end corresponding to the origin position, and based on this detection, the air supply to the forced return cylinder 41 of the forced return section is stopped.

[0074] Furthermore, after it is detected that the collecting hopper 121 is at the origin position G, the shutter mechanism 22 opens and the aligned articles are discharged. After the articles have been discharged, the shutter mechanism 22 closes again and the subsequent articles are dropped and supplied to the collecting hopper 21 at the origin position G, and the above operations are then repeated in sequence.

[0075] When the air supply to the head-side air port Pa, which had been shut off, is resumed and the next alignment process is started, first, the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31, which had been retracted to the retraction end corresponding to the origin position G, moves forward, and the plunger 43 of the forced return cylinder 41 of the forced return section, which is in a free state as the air supply has been stopped, is pushed deep into the cylinder hole 42 as the nut 38 moves forward.

[0076] Next, when the piston rod 32 is retracted rearward, the plunger 43 is left in the pressed-in position, and thereafter, when the piston rod 32 repeatedly advances forward, it does not come into contact with or interfere with the plunger 43.

[0077] As described above, the items discharged from weighing section A are vibrated horizontally at high speed in two orthogonal horizontal directions by the upper collecting hopper 21 and the lower collecting hopper 21 for a set period of time, ensuring that they are aligned and separated before being discharged from the lower collecting hopper 21.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the upper and lower alignment processing mechanisms B1, B2 that vibrate, align, and discharge items are mounted on and supported by a hanging frame 11, which is made of vertical frames arranged below the weighing section A and assembled in a tapered shape. This makes the frame more rigid than one in which the vertical frames are assembled vertically, and prevents vibrations generated by the operation of the upper and lower alignment processing mechanisms B1, B2 from being transmitted to the upper weighing section A, eliminating the risk of adversely affecting weighing accuracy.

[0079] Furthermore, the upper and lower alignment processing mechanisms B1, B2, which align and discharge the articles, are mounted and supported on the hanging frame 11, so that the flat space below the lower alignment processing mechanism B2 can be widely utilized, and a packaging machine or the like can be installed directly below the lower alignment processing mechanism B2.

[0080] Furthermore, because the electrical wiring and air piping between the weighing unit A and each alignment processing mechanism B1, B2 can be routed and fixed along the hanging frame 11, the routing of the electrical wiring, air piping, etc. can be substantially completed in the manufacturing process of the combination weigher. This eliminates the need to align the weighing unit and the aligning and discharging mechanism and route and fix the electrical wiring, air piping, etc. at the installation site of the combination weigher, as is the case when the alignment and discharging mechanism is installed separately from the weighing unit and placed on the floor, making installation easier and preventing the electrical wiring, air piping, etc. that has been routed and fixed at the installation site from interfering with maintenance work such as cleaning.

[0081] Furthermore, because the planar shapes of the support frame 14 and the shutter case 23 are square, the planar mounting orientation of the support frame 14 relative to the hanging frame 11 and the planar mounting orientation of the shutter case 23 relative to the support frame 14 can be selected arbitrarily in increments of 90 degrees during assembly. Therefore, each part can be assembled and installed in a planar orientation that is convenient for the installation layout of the combination weigher, air piping conditions, power wiring conditions, etc. at the installation site of the combination weigher.

[0082] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31 is reciprocated at high speed to vibrate the collecting hopper 21 connected to the piston rod 32 horizontally at high speed, thereby smoothly aligning the long and thin articles stored in the collecting hopper 21. Moreover, even if the articles are somewhat sticky and tend to clump together, the impact caused by the high-speed horizontal vibration promotes separation of the articles, allowing them to be smoothly aligned.

[0083] In addition, the piston rod 32 of the vibration cylinder 31, which has stopped its high-speed reciprocating movement, is pressed and moved by the forced return cylinder 41 of the forced return section, forcibly moving the collecting hopper 21 to the origin position, so that the aligned articles can be discharged at the origin position and subsequent articles can be accurately received at the origin position.

[0084] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms.

[0085] (1) The set time and amplitude of the vibration processing performed in each of the upper and lower stages may be different.

[0086] (2) The alignment mechanism is not limited to two stages, but may be one stage or three or more stages.

[0087] (3) The actuator of the vibration mechanism 24 is not limited to the above-mentioned one that uses the vibration cylinder 31 that moves back and forth at high speed by simultaneously supplying air to both the rod side and head side air ports. It is also possible to select and use any of a general double-acting air cylinder, electric motor, electromagnetic solenoid, etc. that vibrates the piston rod by controlling the air supply using an electromagnetic valve or the like.

[0088] (4) The upper support frame 14, the shutter mechanism 22, the shutter case 23, and the vibration mechanism 24 may be configured to different specifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 11 Hanging Frame 11a Vertical frame 14 Support Frame 16 Jack bolt 21 Collection Hopper 22 Shutter mechanism 24 Vibration mechanism 31 Vibrating Cylinder 32 Piston rod A Measuring section B Alignment discharge section B1 Upper Alignment Processing Mechanism B2 Lower Alignment Processing Mechanism Pa Head side airport Pb Rod side air port

Claims

[Claim 1] A weighing device comprising a weighing section that weighs supplied articles and discharges them downward, and an aligning and discharging section that aligns and discharges the articles discharged from the weighing section, The aligning and discharging section comprises a hanging frame below the weighing section, in which a plurality of vertical frames are assembled in a tapered shape, upper and lower brackets provided at upper and lower intermediate positions and at positions near the lower ends of each of the plurality of vertical frames, an upper aligning mechanism that is attached and supported by the upper brackets and vibrates and aligns articles of a predetermined weight, and a lower aligning mechanism that is attached and supported by the lower brackets and vibrates and aligns articles discharged from the upper aligning mechanism again, The upper and lower alignment processing mechanisms each have a cylindrical hopper for receiving articles to be discharged, a shutter mechanism for opening and closing a lower end opening of the hopper, and a vibration mechanism for vibrating the hopper, the hopper, the shutter mechanism, and the vibration mechanism of each of the upper and lower alignment processing mechanisms have the same specifications, The vibration directions of the upper alignment processing mechanism and the lower alignment processing mechanism are horizontal and intersect with each other. A weighing device characterized by:

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