Combination Weighing Feeder Balancing Through Priority Hopper Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combination weighing apparatuses suffer from unbalanced article distribution among radiation feeders, leading to combination failures and reduced operation rates.

Innovation Solution

A combination weighing apparatus with a distribution unit, radiation feeders, hoppers, weight measurement units, and a controller that adjusts hopper discharge based on measured weights and feeder supply levels to balance article distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If radiation feeders are controlled based on article accumulation amount only, then the control system remains simple, but unbalanced supply causes some feeders to be oversupplied while others are undersupplied, leading to combination failures and reduced operation rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation rateVSAvoidcombination failure rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by acquiring real-time article accumulation amounts from all radiation feeders and using this information to dynamically adjust discharge priority. The controller continuously monitors feeder states and modifies discharge decisions based on current accumulation levels, ensuring balanced supply and preventing both oversupply and undersupply conditions that lead to combination failures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from simple accumulation-based control to a priority-based control system that considers both accumulation amount and balance requirements. By introducing a priority determination mechanism that adjusts discharge timing based on real-time feeder states, the system optimizes the supply balance without requiring complex mechanical modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If preferential discharge selection is implemented to balance article supply, then article distribution balance improves, but the control logic becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle distribution balanceVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system changes from simple accumulation-based discharge control to a priority-based control mechanism. By assigning discharge priorities based on real-time article accumulation amounts and balance requirements, the system achieves better distribution balance while maintaining relatively simple control logic through algorithmic prioritization rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4628855A1Combination weighing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP4628855A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628855A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628855A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a combination weighing apparatus 1, a controller 40 specifies a radiation feeder 31 to 3n being oversupplied with articles M on a basis of information acquired by an acquisition unit 30, and preferentially selects a hopper 51 to 5n corresponding to the specified radiation feeder 31 to 3n as a hopper from which the articles are to be discharged.