Combination Weigher Segmented Chute System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination weighers face challenges in reducing batch time and maintaining high-speed operation, especially with bulky or sticky objects, due to increased batch length and transfer distance on collecting chutes, leading to potential mixing and damage during discharge.
Innovation Solution
The combination weigher incorporates multiple upper and intermediate collecting chutes with corresponding hoppers, allowing for simultaneous discharge and reducing transfer distance and time, with a control system managing first and second discharge processes to minimize batch time and prevent object collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the combination weigher operates at maximum speed to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but batch time increases leading to potential mixing and damage of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single collecting chute into multiple collecting chutes (first collecting chute, second collecting chute, etc.) and divides the single collecting hopper into multiple collecting hoppers. This segmentation allows simultaneous discharge of objects from multiple weighing hoppers through different chutes to different hoppers, reducing the batch time on each chute while maintaining high productivity. The segmentation enables parallel processing of object batches.
2Measurement precision
If the number of weighing hoppers is increased to improve weighing precision and speed, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but transfer distance increases leading to longer batch time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking collecting hoppers at different heights and using multiple levels of collecting chutes. Objects discharged from weighing hoppers travel through chutes to collecting hoppers positioned at different vertical levels. This multi-level arrangement reduces the horizontal transfer distance while accommodating multiple weighing hoppers, thereby maintaining weighing precision without excessively increasing batch time.
3Productivity
If objects are discharged simultaneously from multiple weighing hoppers to a single collecting hopper, then productivity is improved, but object collision and damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discharge paths by providing multiple collecting chutes and multiple collecting hoppers. Objects from different weighing hoppers are discharged through separate chutes to separate hoppers simultaneously, avoiding collision that would occur if all objects converged to a single hopper. This segmentation maintains high discharge efficiency while eliminating harmful collisions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the collecting chute length is increased to accommodate more weighing hoppers, then adaptability is improved, but batch time increases causing mixing of object batches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collecting system into multiple shorter chutes instead of one long chute. Each chute serves a specific group of weighing hoppers, keeping the chute length short and batch time minimal. The segmented structure allows the system to accommodate many weighing hoppers (improving adaptability) while each individual chute maintains a short transfer distance (minimizing batch time and preventing mixing).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of collecting hoppers at different heights to accommodate multiple weighing hoppers without increasing horizontal chute length. By arranging collecting hoppers in multiple vertical levels, the system achieves high adaptability for configuring numerous weighing hoppers while maintaining short transfer distances through vertically-oriented chutes, thereby keeping batch time short and preventing batch mixing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively reduces batch time on collecting chutes, enables high-speed operation, and minimizes object damage by shortening transfer distances and preventing mixing, regardless of object characteristics or hopper arrangement size.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion feeder 1 having a conical shape is mounted to an upper part of the center base body 5 to radially disperse by vibration objects to be weighed supplied from an external supplying device
Implementation Method 2
linear feeders 2 are provided to transport by vibration the objects to be weighed which have been sent from the dispersion feeder 1 into respective feeding hoppers 3
Implementation Method 3
The weighing hopper 4 is attached with a weight sensor 41 such as a load cell. The weight sensor 41 measures the weight of the objects to be weighed inside the weighing hopper 4
Implementation Method 4
The objects to be weighed which have been discharged from the weighing hoppers 4 slide down on the collecting chute 6 and are held in the collecting hopper 7
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a combination weigher capable of reducing a batch time of objects to be weighed on a collecting chute and of a high-speed operation, irrespective of characteristic or the like of the objects to be weighed. The combination weigher of the present invention includes a plurality of upper collecting chutes (6a, 6b) disposed below weighing hoppers (4), a plurality of upper collecting hoppers (7a, 7b) respectively provided at discharge outlets of the upper collecting chutes (6a, 6b), a lower collecting chute (8) provided below the upper collecting hoppers (7a, 7b), a lower collecting hopper (9) provided at a discharge outlet of the lower collecting chute (8), and a control unit (20) which repeatedly performs a combination process to determine one discharge combination of the weighing hoppers (4), a discharge process for discharging the objects to be weighed from the weighing hoppers (4) belonging to the discharge combination onto the upper collecting chutes (6a, 6b), and a discharge process for discharging the objects to be weighed simultaneously from the upper collecting hoppers (7a, 7b), and a discharge process for discharging the objects to be weighed from the lower collecting hopper (9).