Powder Weighing Scoop Control With Scraper-Based Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weight measurement apparatuses for powders face challenges in achieving high accuracy and speed while maintaining an inexpensive configuration.
Innovation Solution
A weight measurement apparatus with a movable arm, scoop, and dual scrapers, controlled by a controller, which scoops, levels, and stores material based on weight measurements to achieve high accuracy and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional apparatuses use multiple movable arms or complex mechanisms for weighing powder, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the weighing process into distinct phases: scooping phase (with leveling) and weighing phase (without leveling). The scraper is selectively positioned to level material during scooping but remains clear during weighing, allowing simple single-arm execution of complex operations
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper levels the material in the scoop before the weighing operation begins. This preliminary leveling action ensures consistent material distribution and prevents spillage during conveyance, establishing stable initial conditions for accurate weighing with minimal equipment
2Measurement precision
If material is not leveled off in the scoop, then the configuration can be simpler, but material loss occurs during conveyance and weighing accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper performs preliminary leveling of material in the scoop before conveyance and weighing operations. This ensures material is compacted and contained properly, preventing loss during movement while maintaining accuracy during measurement
3Device complexity
If a single movable arm is used instead of multiple arms, then device complexity and cost decrease, but the ability to perform multiple operations (scooping, leveling, weighing) efficiently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single movable arm performs multiple functions: scooping material, conveying it to the weighing container, and positioning the scraper for leveling operations. The scraper itself is multi-functional, serving both to level material during scooping and to assist in transfer operations, allowing one arm to execute what would traditionally require multiple specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper is periodically positioned to engage with the scoop during scooping operations for leveling, then repositioned clear of the weighing path during measurement phases. This periodic engagement allows the single arm system to perform both scooping/leveling and weighing operations efficiently without interference
Data Source
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AI summary
Powder is weighed with high accuracy by inexpensive configuration. A weight measurement apparatus for storing, in a subdivision container, material of a target weight from a raw material container includes a movable arm to which a scoop is attached, a scraper, a subdivision weight measurement instrument configured to measure the weight of material in the subdivision container, and a controller. The controller is configured to, by controlling the movable arm, scoop material up by the scoop from the raw material container, level the material off in the scoop using the scraper, and store, in the subdivision container, the material in the scoop based on the weight of the material in the subdivision container measured by the subdivision weight measurement instrument.