Dynamic Conveyor Force Control for Weighing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor apparatuses consume unnecessary power when article supply is stopped or reduced, leading to inefficient operation and reduced durability due to constant operation with full conveying force.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor apparatus with a detection unit that adjusts conveying force based on article loading changes, reducing power consumption by decreasing force when supply is low and increasing it when supply is stable, using a control unit to set conveying force dynamically based on predetermined time thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveyor apparatus operates with constant conveying force, then the article can be conveyed reliably, but power is consumed uselessly when article supply is stopped or reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying force is made dynamic rather than constant. The control unit adjusts the conveying force based on real-time detection of article loading amounts. When the loading amount exceeds a threshold, the conveying force is increased to ensure reliable conveyance; when the loading amount is below the threshold, the conveying force is decreased to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable conveyance and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the detection unit continuously monitors the article loading amount on the conveying unit and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically adjust the conveying force, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to actual article supply conditions, ensuring reliable conveyance when articles are present while reducing power consumption when articles are absent or supply is reduced.
2Reliability
If the conveyor apparatus operates with constant conveying force, then the conveyance function is maintained, but the durability is reduced due to unnecessary load
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying force is dynamically adjusted based on actual article supply conditions. When the detection unit detects that the article loading amount is below the threshold, the control unit reduces the conveying force, thereby reducing the load on the conveying unit. This dynamic load reduction extends the durability of the conveying unit while maintaining the conveyance function when articles are present. The system ensures that the conveying unit only bears necessary loads, preventing premature wear and extending operational life.
3Productivity
If the conveying force is increased to prevent decrease in article supply amount, then the operation efficiency is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying force is dynamically adjusted based on actual article supply conditions rather than maintained at a constant high level. When the detection unit detects sufficient article loading (above threshold), the control unit increases the conveying force to maintain operation efficiency and prevent decrease in article supply amount to weighing hoppers. When the loading amount is below the threshold, the conveying force is reduced to decrease power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining productivity and reducing energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combined weighing apparatus 1 includes: a dispersion feeder 3 which conveys an article A supplied from the outside; a load cell 3b which detects an amount of the article A loaded on the dispersion feeder 3; and a control unit 14 which sets a force of conveying the article A in the dispersion feeder 3 on the basis of a detection result of the load cell 3b and controls an operation of the dispersion feeder 3 and the control unit 14 sets the conveying force of the dispersion feeder 3 to be smaller than a current conveying force when a state in which a change amount of the loading amount of the article A on the dispersion feeder 3 is smaller than a threshold value is maintained for a predetermined time or more in the detection result of the load cell 3b.