Combination Scale Feeder Layout for Stable Dual-Weighing Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination scales fail to provide a stable and even supply of articles to dispersion feeders of weighing units disposed in proximity, leading to potential inaccuracies in weighing and combination processes.
Innovation Solution
The combination scale is equipped with two weighing units, each featuring a dispersion feeder, linear feeders, feeding hoppers, and weighing hoppers, with article feeders having troughs that extend in the direction of transport and are disposed in parallel next to each other, allowing for increased length and stable article supply to the top cones, and includes dividing and guiding walls to direct articles into specific regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If weighing units are disposed in proximity to each other, then space utilization is improved, but article supply stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The troughs of the first and second article feeders are arranged in parallel next to each other, overlapping in part in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows the troughs to be longer without interfering with each other, enabling stable article supply while maintaining compact weighing unit placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The article feeders are divided into separate first and second feeders, each with its own trough, allowing independent control and optimization of article supply to each weighing unit. This segmentation enables stable supply even when weighing units are in close proximity.
2Reliability
If trough length is increased along the direction of transport, then article supply control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The troughs of the first and second article feeders are merged in space by arranging them in parallel next to each other with partial overlap. This merging approach allows both troughs to be longer without increasing overall device complexity, as they share the same spatial region in the orthogonal direction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If articles are supplied to top cones from multiple directions, then supply evenness is improved, but convergence issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The troughs are configured with different local qualities - they overlap in part in a direction orthogonal to transport but extend along the transport direction. This creates distinct supply zones that feed articles to different regions of the top cones, ensuring even distribution without convergence issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
The combination scale is equipped with two weighing units each having a dispersion feeder with a top cone, linear feeders, feeding hoppers and weighing hoppers, and two article feeders that feeds the top cones of the weighing units with articles. The troughs of the article feeders are extending in a direction of transport of articles and are disposed in parallel next each other in a manner that they overlap in part in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport.