Dynamic Weighing Method Using Moving Average and Variance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic weighing systems in mail processing face challenges in achieving high throughput while maintaining accurate weight measurements, particularly due to the instability of weight information and the need for additional devices to manage the flow of letters.
Innovation Solution
A weighing method utilizing cascaded weighing cells with an electronic evaluation unit that determines valid weight values by calculating a derived weight value as a moving average and assessing its quality through variance or standard deviation, allowing for continuous object weighing and automatic feeding of new objects once a valid weight is established.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport speed of letters is increased to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unstable weight information during transient phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of transient phases using sensor data (light barriers, encoders) before weight measurement occurs. By detecting when objects are entering or leaving the weighing area in advance, the system can flag and exclude these unstable measurements from the final result, allowing high-speed transport without compromising accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors weight information quality and provides feedback to identify unstable measurements during transient phases. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between valid and invalid weight data in real-time, enabling accurate weighing even at high transport speeds where transient phases occur frequently.
2Productivity
If cascaded weighing cells are used to increase throughput by reducing letter distance, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient robustness of existing algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the weight measurement process by assigning different evaluation responsibilities to multiple independent processors. Each processor evaluates weight information from specific weighing cells and identifies transient phases independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle cascaded weighing cells effectively while maintaining algorithm robustness through distributed decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the evaluation parameters by using multiple independent processors with different evaluation criteria to assess the same weight information. This multi-parameter approach increases algorithm robustness by cross-validating results across different evaluation methods, ensuring reliable weight determination even with reduced letter distances in cascaded configurations.
3Productivity
If additional devices are added to parallelize weighing process to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves parallel weighing capability using a single multi-functional weighing cell that can process multiple objects simultaneously. Instead of adding separate weighing devices, the system enables the existing weighing cell to perform multiple evaluation functions through independent processors, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of the weighing evaluation process through multiple independent processors that simultaneously analyze weight information. Rather than physically duplicating weighing devices, the system copies the evaluation logic across multiple processors, achieving parallel processing capability while maintaining a compact physical structure.
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 approach increases the throughput of franking machines by ensuring reliable and accurate weight measurements, with the ability to determine object weights with high precision, such as up to +/-1g for weights below 250g and +/-0.4% for heavier weights, while minimizing transient phase errors.
Implementation Method 1
electrical signals are received by the evaluation unit at definable (short) time intervals, which are supplied, for example, by strain gauges of the load cell
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a weighing method, an arrangement for carrying out the weighing method, a corresponding computer program, and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which are particularly suitable for use in dynamic weighing during mail processing. A specific application is the determination of the weight of mail items using a dynamic scale. For this purpose, a weighing method is proposed which comprises the following: - providing a weighing unit, - placing an object to be weighed on the weighing unit, - acquiring weight information, - determining a derived weight value and a validity value for the derived weight value by evaluating a predefinable number of weight data points, - determining, depending on the validity value, that the derived weight value is a valid weight value, and - if a valid weight value is present, loading the weighing unit with a new object.