Automated Scale Adjustment Prevents Overload
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated adjustment methods for electronic scales often lead to overload when using heavy weighing holders, potentially causing damage and requiring costly individual mechanical and electronic adaptations for different weighing tasks, especially in analytical and micro or ultra-micro balances with small usable load windows.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the current load before placing an adjustment weight, calculating the maximum additional weight within the load window, and selecting the largest adjustment weight from a supply that is smaller than this value to ensure precise adjustment without overload, using a combination of individual and preselected groups of weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adjustment weights are placed on the scale for automated adjustment, then adjustment precision is improved, but overload occurs when using heavy weighing holders causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the current load on the load holder before placing adjustment weights. This preliminary measurement allows the system to calculate the maximum additional weight capacity and select appropriate adjustment weights that will not cause overload, thereby preventing damage while maintaining adjustment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the load measurement to dynamically adjust the selection of adjustment weights. The control unit continuously monitors the load situation and uses this information to make informed decisions about weight placement, ensuring the scale operates within safe load limits while achieving precise adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual mechanical and electronic adaptations are made for different weighing tasks, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions using the same hardware components. It determines current load, calculates maximum additional weight, selects appropriate adjustment weights, and monitors for overload conditions. This multi-functionality allows the scale to handle different weighing tasks and adjustment scenarios without requiring separate mechanical or electronic adaptations for each case
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 approach allows for precise adjustment close to the maximum load limit while preventing overload, even with heavy weighing holders, reducing the need for custom adaptations and minimizing thermal acclimatization time, thus offering time and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment weight holder, which is in gravimetric operative connection with a load holder
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the automated adjustment of a scale having an automated adjustment weight circuit, comprising the following steps performed automatically: laying an adjustment weight (JGi) onto an adjustment weight holder, which is connected to a load support in a gravimetrically effective manner, sensing a measurement value (Mk) representative of the loading of the load support, and calculating, from the representative measurement value (Mk), a corresponding adjustment value (Kk), which should be used as a basis in the determination of weight values from the associated measurement values in subsequent weighings. The invention is characterized in that, immediately before the adjustment weight (JGi) is laid on, a weight value (W0, Wk-1) is determined and a maximum possible additional weight (Δ) within a specified loading range of the load support is calculated, and that, from an adjustment weight stock (22) comprising a plurality of adjustment weights (JGi), the adjustment weight (JGj) having a nominal weight (Nj) that is the greatest of all those adjustment weights (JGi) that have a nominal weight (Ni) less than the calculated maximum possible additional weight (Δ) is selected and is laid onto the adjustment weight holder.