Rough-charge weigher real-time weight control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variation in weight of objects discharged from the rough-charge weigher in conventional weighing apparatuses reduces the quantitative precision of the overall system, especially when dealing with heavy weights, as the combination weigher's performance is not fully utilized due to excessive weight variation from the rough-charge weigher.

Innovation Solution

A weighing apparatus that includes a rough-charge weigher with a feeding device, a lower hopper, and a weight sensor, where the objects are weighed during charging into the lower hopper, and a controller that adjusts the feeding based on real-time weight measurements to maintain precise charging, preventing weight variation and optimizing the combination weigher's performance by overlapping weighing cycles and reducing charging periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If volume charging is used to charge objects into the large-charge weighing hopper, then the weighing speed is improved, but the weight variation of discharged objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweighing speedVSAvoidweight variation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical volume charging system with a controlled feeding system that uses a feeding adjuster and weight sensor to monitor and control the charging process in real-time, substituting pure mechanical operation with a feedback-controlled system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the weight during charging using a weight sensor and adjusting the feeding amount accordingly, allowing the system to maintain precision while improving speed through real-time corrections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the rough-charge weigher uses fixed charging time, then the operation is simplified, but the weight precision of discharged objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidweight precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives weight information from the weight sensor during charging and automatically adjusts the feeding amount, eliminating the need for manual timing adjustments while maintaining high precision through real-time feedback control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of the feeding amount based on weight sensor feedback, automatically compensating for variations without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining both simplicity and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the combination weigher uses a large target combination weight, then the overall weighing capacity is improved, but the quantitative precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweighing capacityVSAvoidquantitative precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the weighing process into two segments: rough-charge weighing for the majority of the target weight and combination weighing for the remaining portion, allowing each segment to operate in its optimal precision range while achieving high overall capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the target combination weight parameter based on the actual weight from the rough-charge weigher, adjusting it to minimize weight variation and optimize precision for each specific weighing instance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures that the total weight collected is close to the target weight, preventing a reduction in quantitative precision and enhancing the weighing speed by allowing the combination weigher to operate efficiently, even with high target weights.

Implementation Method 1

a weight sensor provided on either the feeding device or the lower hopper. The controller: continuously measures, by the weight sensor, a weight of the objects to be weighed that are fed by the feeding adjuster from the feeding device to the lower hopper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3617670B1Weighing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 KAWANISHI SHOZO
  • EP3617670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617670B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617670B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A weighing apparatus includes a rough-charge weigher and a combination weigher. The rough-charge weigher includes: a feeding device; a lower hopper configured to hold and discharge objects to be weighed that are fed from the feeding device; a feeding adjuster configured to feed the objects to be weighed from the feeding device to the lower hopper, and adjust an amount of the objects to be weighed that are fed from the feeding device to the lower hopper; and a weight sensor provided on either the feeding device or the lower hopper. A controller: continuously measures, by the weight sensor, a weight of the objects to be weighed that are fed by the feeding adjuster from the feeding device to the lower hopper; and at a point when the weight of the objects to be weighed that are fed to the lower hopper has reached the rough-charge weight, stops the feeding adjuster.