Guide Member Layout for Long-Article Feeder Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing machines face jamming issues when distributing and feeding long articles from a distribution table to a transport feeder, as the articles are transported with their longitudinal direction aligned with the circumferential direction, leading to continuous transport in this direction and potential jamming.
Innovation Solution
A distributing and feeding apparatus with guide members that redirect the longitudinal direction of articles from the circumferential to the radial direction, using guide members with extending and upright portions to interfere with the articles, and transport feeders with U-shaped cross-sections to align articles correctly, preventing continuous circumferential transport and promoting discharge to the transport feeder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the distribution table transports articles in the circumferential direction with longitudinal direction aligned along the circumferential direction, then continuous transport is achieved, but jamming occurs at the distribution table to transport feeder interface
Solution Approach 1:
Guide members are introduced as intermediary elements between the distribution table and transport feeder. These guide members intercept articles moving in the circumferential direction and redirect them to move in the radial direction, preventing direct alignment with the transport feeder's reception direction and thereby eliminating jamming while preserving continuous transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the article's movement direction by using guide members to change the longitudinal direction from circumferential alignment to radial alignment. This directional inversion ensures that articles approach the transport feeder from a different angle, preventing the jamming condition where longitudinal direction aligns with the circumferential transport path
2Reliability
If guide members are added to redirect articles from circumferential to radial direction, then jamming is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member structure is segmented into multiple simple components: an extending portion that protrudes from the distribution table surface and an upright portion that extends upward. This segmentation allows the complex redirecting function to be achieved through simple, modular elements that are easy to manufacture and maintain
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members utilize the vertical dimension by extending upward from the distribution table surface. This dimensional approach allows the redirecting function to be achieved without occupying horizontal space on the distribution table, minimizing interference with the main transport function while effectively changing article direction
Data Source
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AI summary
Object Provided is a distributing and feeding apparatus and a combination weighing apparatus that can reduce jamming of distribution and feeding of a long article from a distribution table to a transport feeder. Solution A distributing and feeding apparatus 1 includes a distribution table 2a configured to circumferentially distribute a long article J and being fed from above, and transport the article J in a circumferential direction D1 such that a longitudinal direction of the article J is along the circumferential direction D1 of the distribution table 2a at an outer peripheral portion 2d, a plurality of guide members 20 provided around the outer peripheral portion 2d of the distribution table 2a, and a plurality of transport feeders 3 arrayed radially around the distribution table 2a, and configured to transport the article J in a radial direction D2 while aligning the article J received from the distribution table 2a so as to face the radial direction D2. The guide member 20 is provided so as to interfere with the article J transported at the outer peripheral portion 2d of the distribution table 2a so that the longitudinal direction of the article J is directed from the circumferential direction D1 to the radial direction D2.