Lateral Guide Elements for Dynamic Scale Weighing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for dynamic scales face challenges in reducing undesirable dynamic forces during the transfer of goods onto the weighing belt, which affects weighing accuracy and transport speed.
Innovation Solution
The use of lateral guide elements that maintain a minimum distance greater than the goods' thickness to secure and stabilize items upright, preventing shock loads and allowing smooth transfer without additional forces, while the weighing belt forms a preload for the load cell to minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If goods are clamped laterally on the weighing belt during weighing, then weighing accuracy is improved by reducing shock loads, but device complexity increases due to additional clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lateral guidance function from the weighing belt system and implements it through separate, simple guide elements positioned at the edges. This separates the weighing function (performed by the load cell and weighing belt) from the guidance function (performed by the guide elements), eliminating the need for complex clamping mechanisms while maintaining weighing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements act as intermediaries that provide lateral support and guidance to goods without directly interfering with the weighing process. These simple edge-positioned elements mediate between the goods and the weighing belt, preventing lateral movement that would cause shock loads while maintaining a clear separation between guidance and weighing functions.
2Productivity
If goods are transported at high speed on the weighing belt, then productivity is improved, but dynamic shock effects increase and disrupt weighing signals
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are positioned upstream and downstream of the weighing area to preliminarily guide goods into the correct position before they reach the weighing zone. This preliminary lateral guidance ensures that goods are properly aligned before high-speed weighing, preventing dynamic shock effects that would occur without pre-positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is segmented into distinct functional zones: guidance zones with guide elements upstream and downstream of the weighing area, and a central weighing zone with the load cell. This segmentation allows high-speed transport to occur throughout the system while isolating the weighing measurement from dynamic disturbances.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lateral guide elements are positioned close to goods, then lateral guidance effectiveness is improved, but risk of pinching goods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are designed with local quality variations - they provide lateral guidance only at their outer edges where they contact goods, while maintaining sufficient clearance in the interior region to prevent pinching. This localized guidance function achieves effective lateral positioning without creating harmful pinching forces on the goods.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Transport device for a scale, in particular a dynamic scale, which preferably operates according to the principle of electromagnetic force compensation, with a weighing belt which forms a preload for a load cell, wherein the weighing belt is designed for transporting goods placed on it and to be weighed along a first direction (X) while simultaneously recording their weight, and wherein the weighing belt receives the goods from a feed device arranged in a preceding inlet area, which comprises a feed belt or feed rollers for supporting the goods and does not form a preload for the load cell, and wherein the goods to be weighed extend in the first direction (X), a horizontal direction (Y) perpendicular to it, and a vertical direction (Z) perpendicular to both directions (X, Y), wherein two preload-forming,Weighing guide elements extending along the X-direction are provided for laterally leaning the goods in the Y-direction in order to weigh the goods in the leaned position during transport on the weighing belt, wherein the minimum Y-distance between the weighing guide elements is greater than the maximum extension of the goods in the Y-direction.