Rotary Checkweigher Assembly with Adjustable Grip Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing checkweigher apparatuses with linear conveyors have stability issues, leading to inaccurate weight measurements, and require a large footprint or low throughput, while rotary systems with multiple scales are costly and prone to deformation and inaccuracy due to gripper mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A rotary checkweigher assembly with a frame that rotates about an axis, featuring adjustable grip members to securely hold containers of varying sizes and shapes, minimizing deformation and ensuring accurate weight measurement while maintaining a compact footprint and high throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a linear conveyor is used to advance containers over the scale, then the containers can be weighed, but the containers become unstable leading to inaccurate weight measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static linear conveyor to a dynamic rotary carousel system. The carousel rotates to advance containers past the scale, allowing the container to be held stable during weighing while still enabling movement through the weighing station. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by providing both stability during measurement and capability for continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carousel as an intermediary mechanism between the container source and the scale. The carousel serves as a mediating device that receives containers, holds them stable during the weighing process, and then transports them to the next position. This intermediary resolves the instability issue while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the container advance speed is reduced to increase stability, then measurement accuracy improves, but the throughput rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary carousel system enables variable speed operation where the container can be held stationary relative to the scale during the weighing phase, then rapidly rotated to the next position. This dynamic speed adjustment allows high accuracy measurements without sacrificing throughput, as the system can quickly cycle containers through the weighing station.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel operates in periodic cycles, holding containers for measurement then rapidly advancing them to the next position. This periodic action allows the system to spend time on accurate measurement when needed, then quickly transition to high-speed transport, thereby maintaining both accuracy and throughput.
3Measurement precision
If the conveyor length is increased to provide enough time for weight measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circular carousel geometry instead of a linear conveyor arrangement. This curved/spherical approach allows the weighing station to be positioned at a specific radius, enabling measurement without requiring a long linear footprint. The circular path compactly packs the measurement zone while maintaining sufficient time for accurate weighing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a one-dimensional linear conveyor to a two-dimensional rotary carousel. This dimensional change allows the weighing station to be accessed from multiple directions, reducing the overall footprint while providing adequate measurement time. The vertical and radial dimensions are utilized to compact the layout.
4Stability of the object's composition
If gripper mechanisms are used to hold containers on rotary apparatus, then container stability improves, but the containers may be deformed and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gripper mechanism entirely from the weighing station. Instead of gripping the container to hold it stable, the system uses the carousel rotation itself to present the container to the scale, eliminating the source of deformation and measurement error while maintaining stability through the rotational holding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using grippers to hold the container in place during rotation, the system inverts the approach by allowing the container to rotate with the carousel while the scale measures the weight during the rotation. This inversion eliminates the harmful gripper contact while maintaining measurement capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A checkweigher assembly includes a frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a scale operatively connected with the frame, and a holder member operatively connected with the scale. The holder member is substantially supported by the scale. The holder member includes first and second grip members, each having an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first and second grip members are arranged in a face-to-face relationship and are axially spaced apart by a gap. The first grip member is movable from a first position to a second position. The gap is defined by a first minimum length when the first grip member is in the first position and a second minimum length when the first grip member is in the second position, wherein first minimum length is greater than the second minimum length. A method of weighing objects with the checkweigher assembly is provided.