Constant flow-rate continuous supply device

Abstract

A constant flow-rate continuous supply device 1 comprises: a supply unit 11 including a raw material supply gate 111 at the lower end thereof; a weighing unit 12 that includes a raw material discharge gate 122 at the lower end thereof, and that weighs the supply weight of a raw material supplied from the supply gate 111 to a weighing container 121; a discharge hopper 13 that includes, at the lower end thereof, a flow rate control valve 131 capable of controlling the flow rate of the raw material, and that receives the raw material of the supply weight discharged from the discharge gate 122; and a control unit 20 that is capable of controlling the supply unit 11, the weighing unit 12, and the flow rate control valve 131. The control unit 20 is capable of changing the supply weight weighed by the weighing unit 12.

Description

Constant Flow Rate Continuous Supply Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a constant flow rate continuous supply device capable of continuously discharging a raw material at a constant flow rate and supplying it to a subsequent process.

[0002] Conventionally, a constant flow rate continuous supply device that continuously supplies a raw material at a constant flow rate using a hopper scale has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a feeder gate (reference numeral 2) is arranged in the upper stage, a hopper scale (reference numeral 3) is arranged in the middle stage, and a hopper (reference numeral 4) is arranged in the lower stage. A flow rate measuring device in which a full-empty sensor (reference numeral 6) for detecting that the raw material in the hopper has been discharged to the lower limit level is attached to the hopper (reference numeral 4) is disclosed.

[0003] Then, from the time (one cycle) from when the raw material is introduced into the hopper 4 until the raw material is discharged and the full-empty sensor 6 detects "empty", and the measured value weight of the raw material on the hopper scale 3, the actual flow rate (the actually flowing flow rate) of the raw material discharged from the discharge port of the hopper 4 is calculated, and the actual flow rate is compared with a preset set flow rate. A method of adjusting the opening degree of the discharge port of the hopper 4 so that the actual flow rate becomes the set flow rate is described.

[0004] According to the method of adjusting the opening degree of the discharge port of the hopper as described above, there is an advantage that the opening degree of the discharge port can be appropriately adjusted by measuring the actual flow rate every cycle.

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-307318

[0006] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 can only adjust the opening degree of the discharge port of the hopper once per cycle. Therefore, when performing multiple opening degree adjustments so that the actual flow rate becomes a preset set flow rate at the start of operation of the constant flow rate continuous supply device, there is a problem that the adjustment takes time.

[0007] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a constant flow rate continuous supply device capable of significantly shortening the time required for opening degree adjustment compared to the conventional one.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a constant flow rate continuous supply device comprising: a supply unit having a raw material supply gate at its lower end; a weighing unit having a raw material discharge gate at its lower end and weighing the supply weight of the raw material supplied from the supply gate to a weighing container; a discharge hopper having a flow rate adjustment valve at its lower end that can adjust the flow rate of the raw material and receiving the supply weight of the raw material discharged from the discharge gate; and a control unit capable of controlling the supply unit, the weighing unit and the flow rate adjustment valve, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the supply weight weighed in the weighing unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the discharge hopper is equipped with a raw material sensor for detecting the amount of raw material remaining in the discharge hopper, and the control unit is equipped with a selectable first supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight to a first supply weight and a second supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight to a second supply weight less than the first supply weight, in the cycle time of the constant flow rate continuous supply device which repeats the raw material discharge operation multiple times, wherein the second supply weight setting means can shorten the weighing time in the weighing unit and the flow rate adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve compared to when the first supply weight setting means is selected, by setting the supply weight to a second supply weight less than the first supply weight, thus making it possible to shorten the weighing time in the weighing unit and the flow rate adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve.

[0010] Furthermore, the first supply weight setting means and the second supply weight setting means are characterized in that, when the set flow rate of the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve of the discharge hopper is M (kg / sec), the supply weight is Wc (kg), and the weighing time for weighing the supply weight of the raw material in the weighing unit is T (sec), the supply weight is set to satisfy Wc ≥ M × T, thus forming a constant flow rate continuous supply device.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit is characterized in that it allows the operator to select the first supply weight setting means as a flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment accuracy of the flow rate adjustment valve over the weighing accuracy of the weighing unit, and allows the operator to select the second supply weight setting means as a flow rate adjustment speed priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment speed of the flow rate adjustment valve over the weighing accuracy of the weighing unit.

[0012] According to the present invention, by configuring the metering unit to allow changes to be made to the supply weight being measured, it becomes possible to shorten the flow rate adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve and improve the adjustment accuracy of the flow rate adjustment valve.

[0013] This is a diagram illustrating the device configuration of a constant flow rate continuous supply device in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 1 and 2 of the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 3 and 4 of the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 5 and 6 of the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control step 7 of the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a flow chart illustrating the procedure for adjusting the opening degree of a flow rate adjustment valve in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 1 and 2 of the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 3 and 4 of the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control steps 5 and 6 of the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the control step 7 of the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is a time chart comparing the opening degree adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve in the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode and the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode in one embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a relational expression showing the conditions for setting the supply weight in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the constant flow rate continuous supply device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown below.

[0015] Figure 1 shows an example of the device configuration of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 in this embodiment. Specifically, the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 in this embodiment is configured to include a supply unit 11 with a raw material supply gate 111 at its lower end, a weighing unit 12 with a raw material discharge gate 122 at its lower end that weighs the supply weight of the raw material supplied from the supply gate 111 to the weighing container 121, a discharge hopper 13 with a flow rate adjustment valve 131 at its lower end that can adjust the flow rate of the raw material and receives the supply weight of the raw material discharged from the discharge gate 122, and a control unit 20 that can control the supply unit 11, the weighing unit 12, and the flow rate adjustment valve 131.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit 20 is capable of changing the supply weight measured by the weighing unit 12.

[0017] The fact that the supply weight measured in the weighing unit 12 can be changed will be explained in detail below.

[0018] In this embodiment, the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 is configured so that the operator of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 can select between a flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment accuracy of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 over the metering accuracy of the metering unit 12, and a flow rate adjustment speed priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment speed of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 over the metering accuracy of the metering unit 12.

[0019] (Flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode) First, the control configuration of the above flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

[0020] "Step 1" in Figure 2 shows the state of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 at the start of operation, and the state before raw materials are supplied.

[0021] Next, as shown in "step 2" of Figure 2, the flow control valve 131 operates to a predetermined opening degree according to the set flow rate M (kg / sec) discharged from the flow control valve 131. Furthermore, the supply gate 111 is opened and the raw material is supplied to the weighing container 121 of the weighing unit 12. Here, since the flow control accuracy priority mode is set by the control unit 20, the supply weight Wc (kg) of the raw material supplied to the weighing container 121 is weighed by the load cell 123 based on the setting of this mode. The above supply weight Wc becomes the target weight to be measured in one weighing in the weighing container.

[0022] The above-mentioned supply weight Wc (kg) can be set to any weight, and a supply weight Wc (kg) that provides good measurement accuracy for the load cell 123 should be set. The method for setting the supply weight Wc (kg) will be described later. For example, the supply weight Wc (kg) can be set to 50 kg.

[0023] Next, as shown in "step 3" of Figure 3, once the weighing of the supply weight Wc (kg) in the weighing unit 12 is complete, the discharge gate 122 opens and the weighed raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13. At the same time, the measurement timer T1 starts measuring.

[0024] Next, as shown in "step 4" of Figure 3, when the raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13, the set flow rate (e.g., 0.5 t / h) of the raw material is discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131. Also, when the raw material accumulates up to the position of the raw material sensor 132, the raw material sensor 132 turns ON.

[0025] Next, as shown in "step 5" of Figure 4, the supply gate 111 is opened, similar to "step 2" described above, and the raw material is supplied to the weighing container 121 of the weighing unit 12. The supply weight Wc (kg) of the second batch is then weighed by the load cell 123. The measurement timer T1 continues the measurement. "Step 6" of Figure 4 shows the state after the measurement of the supply weight Wc (kg) of the second batch has been completed. After the discharge of the raw material from the discharge hopper 13 begins, weighing in the weighing container must be completed before the raw material sensor 132 turns OFF. This is to prevent interruption in the continuous supply of raw material to the subsequent process.

[0026] Next, as shown in "step 7" of Figure 5, the control unit 20 detects that the amount of raw material in the discharge hopper 13 decreases as raw material continues to be discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131, causing the raw material sensor 132 to turn OFF. After detection, the discharge gate 122 of the weighing container 121 opens, and the weighed raw material in the weighing container 121 is fed into the discharge hopper 13. The measurement timer T1 ends the measurement when the discharge gate 122 opens. This measurement time becomes one cycle time t. The control unit 20 then uses the supply weight Wc and the above one cycle time t to calculate the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t) of the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131. The calculated actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t) is then compared with the set flow rate M (kg / sec), and the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is adjusted according to the result of this comparison.

[0027] To explain in more detail, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 6, the time from opening the discharge gate 122 until opening the discharge gate again after it has been closed is defined as one cycle time t, and the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t (kg / sec)) is calculated by the control unit 20 at each cycle time t. Then, by comparing the calculated actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t) with a pre-set flow rate M (kg / sec), the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is adjusted.

[0028] In parallel with adjusting the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow control valve 131 as described above, the metered second batch of raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13 through the open discharge gate 122, as shown in "step 7" of Figure 5. The measurement timer T1 also starts measuring the cycle time of the second batch when the discharge gate 122 opens. After this, the process moves to "step 4" as shown in the figure, and this is repeated multiple times (for example, 10 times).

[0029] Figure 11 shows a time chart of the results of adjusting the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow control valve 131 after performing 10 measurement cycles in the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode (first supply weight setting means) described above. In this embodiment, the first supply weight is set to 50 kg, and the cycle time is 6 minutes. Since this is repeated 10 times, a total of 60 minutes is required to set the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t (kg / sec)) at the flow control valve 131 to the set flow rate M (kg / sec).

[0030] In the setting of the supply weight Wc (kg) described above, it was set to 50 kg in the embodiment described above, but it is preferable to satisfy the relational expression (1) shown in Figure 12. This makes it possible to discharge the raw material from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 continuously without interruption.

[0031] (Flow rate adjustment speed priority mode) Next, the control configuration of the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode will be explained with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

[0032] In "step 1" of Figure 7, the state of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 at the start of operation is shown, and the state before raw materials are supplied.

[0033] Next, as shown in "step 2" of Figure 7, the flow control valve 131 operates to a predetermined opening degree according to the set flow rate M (kg / sec) discharged from the flow control valve 131. Furthermore, the supply gate 111 is opened and the raw material is supplied to the weighing container 121 of the weighing unit 12. Here, since the flow control speed priority mode is set by the control unit 20, the supply weight Wc (kg) of the raw material supplied to the weighing container 121 is weighed by the load cell 123 based on this mode setting. The above supply weight Wc becomes the target weight to be measured in one weighing in the weighing container 121.

[0034] The above-mentioned supply weight Wc (kg) can be set to any weight, but in order to complete the adjustment of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 as quickly as possible, a supply weight Wc (kg) less than that of the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode described above is set. For example, the supply weight Wc (kg) can be set to 350g.

[0035] More specifically, the weighing time T (sec) required to weigh the raw material supply weight in the weighing unit 12 is predetermined for each individual weighing device. For example, if the weighing time T (sec) for a certain weighing device is about 2.5 seconds, and the set flow rate M is 0.5 t / h as shown in "step 4" of Figure 8, then converting the set flow rate M to an amount per second gives 139 g / sec. Multiplying this by the weighing time T (sec) of 2.5 seconds required to weigh the raw material gives approximately 348 g. In this case, the amount of raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 (approximately 348 g) during the weighing time T is almost equal to the set supply weight Wc of 350 g, so the raw material can be discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 without interruption. Here, the "weighing time T" refers to the time from when the supply gate 111 opens, when raw materials are supplied from the supply unit 11 to the weighing container 121, when the supplied raw materials are weighed by the weighing unit 12, when the discharge gate 122 is opened after weighing, when the raw materials in the weighing container 121 are put into the discharge hopper 13, and when the discharge gate 122 is closed after the materials are put in.

[0036] Based on the above, in the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode (first supply weight setting means) and the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode (second supply weight setting means), the supply weight is set such that "Wc ≥ M × T" is satisfied when the set flow rate of the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 of the discharge hopper 13 is M (kg / sec), the supply weight of the raw material supplied to the weighing container 121 is Wc (kg), and the weighing time required to weigh the supply weight of the raw material in the weighing unit 12 is T (sec).

[0037] Furthermore, if the supply weight Wc (kg) is set to a very small weight, the raw material sensor 132 may not be able to detect the raw material even when one batch of raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13. This is because, in order for the raw material sensor 132 to detect the raw material, a certain amount of raw material needs to remain below the discharge hopper 13. For this reason, the initial raw material supply weight to the discharge hopper 13 at the start of operation of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 is set to the supply weight Wc (kg) plus the amount of raw material necessary for the raw material sensor 132 to turn ON. It is desirable that the amount of raw material added here be the amount of raw material remaining in the discharge hopper when the raw material fed into the discharge hopper 13 is discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 and the raw material sensor 132 turns OFF.

[0038] Next, as shown in "step 3" of Figure 8, once the weighing of the supply weight Wc (kg) in the weighing unit 12 is complete, the discharge gate 122 opens and the weighed raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13. At the same time, the measurement timer T1 starts measuring.

[0039] Next, as shown in "step 4" of Figure 8, when the raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13, the set flow rate (e.g., 0.5 t / h) of the raw material is discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131. Also, when the raw material accumulates up to the position of the raw material sensor 132, the raw material sensor 132 turns ON.

[0040] Next, as shown in "step 5" of Figure 9, the supply gate 111 is opened, similar to "step 2" in Figure 7, and the raw material is supplied to the weighing container 121 of the weighing unit 12. The supply weight Wc (kg) of the second batch is then weighed by the load cell 123. The measurement timer T1 continues the measurement. "Step 6" of Figure 9 shows the state after the measurement of the supply weight Wc (kg) of the second batch has been completed. After the discharge of raw material from the discharge hopper 13 begins, weighing in the weighing container 121 must be completed before the raw material sensor 132 turns OFF. This is to prevent interruption in the continuous supply of raw material to the subsequent process.

[0041] Next, as shown in "step 7" of Figure 10, the control unit 20 detects that the amount of raw material in the discharge hopper 13 decreases as raw material continues to be discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131, causing the raw material sensor 132 to turn OFF. After detection, the discharge gate 122 of the weighing container 121 opens, and the weighed raw material in the weighing container 121 is fed into the discharge hopper 13. The measurement timer T1 ends the measurement when the discharge gate 122 opens. This measurement time becomes one cycle time t. The control unit 20 then uses the supply weight Wc and the above one cycle time t to calculate the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t) of the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131. The calculated actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t) is then compared with the set flow rate M (kg / sec), and the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is adjusted according to the result of this comparison.

[0042] To explain in more detail, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 6, the time from opening the discharge gate 122 until opening the discharge gate again after it has been closed is defined as one cycle time t, and the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t (kg / sec)) is calculated by the control unit 20 at each cycle time t. Then, by comparing the calculated actual discharge flow rate with a pre-set flow rate M (kg / sec), the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is adjusted.

[0043] In parallel with adjusting the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow control valve 131 as described above, the metered second batch of raw material is fed into the discharge hopper 13 through the open discharge gate 122, as shown in "step 7" of Figure 10. The measurement timer T1 also starts measuring the cycle time of the second batch when the discharge gate 122 opens. After this, the process proceeds to "step 4" of Figure 8, as shown in the diagram, and this is repeated multiple times (for example, 10 times).

[0044] In FIG. 11, in the above-described flow rate adjustment speed priority mode (second supply weight setting means), the adjustment result of the opening degree (flow rate) of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 when 10 measurement cycles are executed is shown in a time chart. In the present embodiment, the second supply weight is set to 350 g, and the time required for one measurement cycle (one cycle time t) is 2.5 seconds. Since this is repeated 10 times, the discharge flow rate in the flow rate adjustment valve 131 can be quickly set to the set flow rate M (kg / sec) in a total of 25 seconds.

[0045] In addition, in the setting of the supply weight Wc (kg), although it was set to 350 g in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable to satisfy the relational expression (1) shown in FIG. 12. Thereby, it becomes possible to continuously discharge the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 without interruption.

[0046] As described above, the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode (first supply weight setting means) and the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode (second supply weight setting means) configured to be selectable have been described. That is, the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 of the present embodiment has a first supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight Wc (kg) to the first supply weight (eg, 50 kg) in one cycle time t from when the discharge gate 122 is opened until the once-closed discharge gate is opened next, and a second supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight Wc (kg) to a second supply weight (eg, 350 g) less than the first supply weight (eg, 50 kg) are configured to be selectable.

[0047] In addition, the measurement of the time of the above "one cycle time" is not limited to the above "time from when the discharge gate 122 is opened until the once-closed discharge gate is opened next". For example, the time from when the raw material sensor 132 becomes ON until it once becomes OFF and then becomes ON again may be defined as the "one cycle time". Also, the time from when the raw material sensor 132 becomes OFF until it once becomes ON and then becomes OFF again may be defined as the "one cycle time". That is, any timing may be used as long as the time of one cycle can be measured. Therefore, the time for repeating the discharge operation of the raw material in a plurality of cycles can be referred to as the one cycle time in the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1.

[0048] Then, the second supply weight setting means sets the supply weight Wc (kg) to a second supply weight (e.g., 350 g) that is less than the first supply weight (e.g., 50 kg). By doing so, the cycle time is shortened compared to the case where the first supply weight setting means is selected, and thus the flow rate adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 can be significantly shortened. Note that by reducing the supply weight Wc, the discharge time of the raw material from the discharge hopper 13 can be significantly shortened. Therefore, due to this effect, the time of one cycle can be significantly shortened.

[0049] As the supply weight Wc (kg) to be measured increases, the time for discharging one batch of raw material from the flow rate adjustment valve 131 also becomes longer. That is, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 11, the flow rate adjustment frequency of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 becomes as low as 6 minutes / cycle, and the time until the error between the set flow rate M (kg / sec) and the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t (kg / sec)) converges becomes longer. For this reason, for example, when manufacturing blended rice, there is a problem that the error in the blending ratio increases.

[0050] In contrast, in the present embodiment, by providing the second supply weight setting means, the flow rate adjustment frequency of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is increased to 2.5 seconds / cycle, and the time until the error between the set flow rate M (kg / sec) and the actual discharge flow rate FR (Wc / t (kg / sec)) converges can be significantly shortened. As a result, for example, when manufacturing blended rice, it becomes possible to make the error in the blending ratio converge earlier.

[0051] (Other modifications) Although one embodiment of the constant flow rate continuous supply device of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following are also included.

[0052] For example, the raw material to be supplied is not limited to grain and can also be powder. Also, the supply weight Wc (kg) and the set flow rate M (kg / sec) in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and can be appropriately set based on the scale of the measuring container 121 in the measuring unit 12, the measuring accuracy of the load cell 123, the measurement tolerance, and the like.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment shows an example in which the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve 131 is adjusted at the start of operation of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1, it is not necessarily limited to the start of operation. In other words, even during the operation of the constant flow rate continuous supply device 1 while raw materials are being discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve 131, it is possible to select and execute either the flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode (first supply weight setting means) or the flow rate adjustment speed priority mode (second supply weight setting means) at an appropriate timing.

[0054] While embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and do not limit it. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, combinations or omissions of the components described in the claims and specification are possible to the extent that at least some of the above-mentioned problems can be solved or at least some of the effects can be achieved.

[0055] 1 Constant flow rate continuous supply device 11 Supply unit 111 Supply gate 12 Measuring unit 121 Measuring container 122 Discharge gate 123 Load cell 13 Discharge hopper 131 Flow rate adjustment valve 132 Raw material sensor 20 Control unit

Claims

1. A constant flow rate continuous supply device comprising: a supply unit having a raw material supply gate at its lower end; a weighing unit having a raw material discharge gate at its lower end and weighing the supply weight of the raw material supplied from the supply gate to a weighing container; a discharge hopper having a flow rate adjustment valve at its lower end capable of adjusting the discharge flow rate of the raw material and receiving the supply weight of raw material discharged from the discharge gate; and a control unit capable of controlling the supply unit, the weighing unit and the flow rate adjustment valve, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the supply weight weighed in the weighing unit.

2. The discharge hopper is equipped with a raw material sensor for detecting the amount of raw material remaining in the discharge hopper, and the control unit is equipped with a selectable first supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight to a first supply weight and a second supply weight setting means for setting the supply weight to a second supply weight less than the first supply weight, wherein the second supply weight setting means can shorten the weighing time in the weighing unit and shorten the flow rate adjustment time of the flow rate adjustment valve compared to when the first supply weight setting means is selected, by setting the supply weight to a second supply weight less than the first supply weight, as described in claim 1.

3. The constant flow rate continuous supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first supply weight setting means and the second supply weight setting means set the supply weight such that Wc ≥ M × T, where M (kg / sec) is the set flow rate of the raw material discharged from the flow rate adjustment valve of the discharge hopper, Wc (kg) is the supply weight, and T (sec) is the weighing time for weighing the supply weight of the raw material in the weighing unit.

4. The control unit is characterized in that it allows the operator to select the first supply weight setting means as a flow rate adjustment accuracy priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment accuracy of the flow rate adjustment valve over the weighing accuracy of the weighing unit, and allows the operator to select the second supply weight setting means as a flow rate adjustment speed priority mode, which prioritizes the adjustment speed of the flow rate adjustment valve over the weighing accuracy of the weighing unit, as described in claim 2 or 3.

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