Oblique Camera Placement for Combination Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing devices face difficulties in accurately sensing the quantity of articles on conveyance paths due to obstructions from side walls and charge chutes, which hinder non-contact assessment and proper control of article supply.
Innovation Solution
The device employs cameras positioned obliquely downward from the upstream to the downstream side of the conveyance direction to capture images of articles on conveyance means, allowing for an overall assessment of the conveyance state without being obstructed by side walls or charge chutes, and reduces the number of cameras needed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are positioned to capture images of articles on conveyance paths, then non-contact sensing of article quantity is achieved, but side walls and charge chutes obstruct the sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions cameras to capture images from an oblique downward direction rather than from directly above or at other conventional angles. This dimensional change in camera placement allows the optical path to bypass obstructions caused by side walls and charge chutes, enabling accurate non-contact sensing of article quantity on conveyance paths without being blocked by these structural elements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are installed to capture all conveyance paths, then complete article quantity assessment is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the camera system so that each camera performs multiple functions: it captures images of articles on its assigned conveyance path, provides oblique downward viewing angle to avoid obstructions, and enables both individual path monitoring and overall conveyance state assessment. This multi-functional design allows complete article quantity assessment across all conveyance paths while minimizing the total number of cameras required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
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 configuration enables accurate non-contact sensing of article quantity, unaffected by structural obstructions, ensuring proper supply control and reducing costs through efficient camera placement.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing means is a plurality of cameras configured to capture an image of the articles on the conveyance means
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a combination weighing device whereby a physical quantity for assessing the quantity of articles loaded on a conveyance path for conveying articles to a weighing part can be accurately sensed in non-contact manner in order to appropriately control the supplying of articles to the weighing part, without the sensing being affected by a structure above the combination weighing device and/or side walls provided to sides of the conveyance path. A combination weighing device (10) is provided with cameras (60) and a plurality of radial feeders (30) for conveying articles to weighing hoppers (50). The radial feeders (30) have side walls (31a) for surrounding sides of an article conveyance path. The side walls (31a) extend upward and along a conveyance direction of the articles. The cameras (60) sense, in non-contact manner, a physical quantity for assessing a quantity of articles loaded on the radial feeders (30). The cameras (60) sense the physical quantity from above the radial feeders (30), and in an obliquely downward direction from an upstream side to a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the articles.