Double Seal Structure for Waterproof Vibratory Weighing Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing structures in combination scales are prone to damage during cleaning, leading to water penetration and potential malfunction, especially when multiple linear feeders are arranged closely, compromising the waterproof effect.

Innovation Solution

A double sealing mechanism with an annular sealing member having upper, intermediate, and lower couplers, featuring a bulging portion and deformable groove, to absorb vibrations and prevent water ingress, even if the outer sealing is damaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single bellows sealing member is used to cover the vibrating head, then the structure is simple and allows vibration displacement, but the sealing member is prone to damage during cleaning operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing structureVSAvoidwaterproof effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single bellows sealing member is divided into multiple separate bellows (first bellows and second bellows) that are arranged adjacently to cover different portions of the vibrating head. This segmentation allows each bellows to be smaller and less prone to damage, while collectively providing comprehensive sealing coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple bellows are positioned to overlap or adjacently cover the vibrating head, creating a redundant sealing system. If one bellows is damaged during cleaning operations, the adjacent bellows continue to provide sealing protection, cushioning against complete sealing failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple linear feeders are arranged closely in a circular configuration, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of bellows damage during feeder removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidimpact damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing coverage is segmented into multiple adjacent bellows instead of using one large bellows. This segmentation reduces the size of each individual bellows, making them more resilient to impact damage when feeders are removed from the tightly arranged circular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The redundant arrangement of adjacent bellows provides a backup sealing system. If a bellows is damaged during feeder removal operations, the neighboring bellows continue to provide sealing protection, cushioning against complete sealing failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the bellows is made highly elastic to allow vibration displacement, then the vibrating head can move freely, but the bellows becomes more susceptible to cracking under impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration displacementVSAvoidcrack resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The single large elastic bellows is divided into multiple smaller elastic bellows. Each smaller bellows maintains the necessary elasticity for vibration displacement but has reduced overall stress accumulation, making it less susceptible to cracking under impact loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple smaller bellows are arranged to overlap or adjacently cover the vibrating head, creating a redundant sealing system. If one bellows is damaged during cleaning operations, the adjacent bellows continue to provide sealing protection, cushioning against complete sealing failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Ensures remarkable waterproofness and prolonged operation by effectively preventing cleaning water from entering the base body, allowing for timely detection of damage and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing member which is allowed to elastically deform, with a double sealing action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

prevent cleaning water from penetrating into a base body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12351395B2Seal structure and weighing machine comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 YAMATO SCALE CO LTD

AI summary

A sealing structure is provided that includes a sealing member having an annular shape and elastically deformable. The sealing member is interposed between a top plate of a cabinet mounted with a vibrator and a vibrating head of the vibrator disposed in a manner that protrudes upward out of an opening of the top plate. The sealing member includes an upper coupler, an intermediate coupler continuous to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler continuous to the intermediate coupler. The upper coupler is couplable to an upper part of the vibrating head, the intermediate coupler is couplable to the top plate, and the lower coupler is couplable to a lower part of the vibrating head.