Electronic Scale Unit Weight Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic weighers require operators to perform trial-and-error methods to adjust weights of fixed-weight products, leading to inefficiencies, especially for inexperienced operators, as they lack clear guidance on volume adjustments based on weight deviations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic weigher system that calculates and displays the average unit weight of objects, providing commands for routine work adjustments to bring the weight within a proper range, eliminating the need for trial-and-error by indicating the number of work units required to reach the desired weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display device merely displays the weight of the objects, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates for inexperienced operators who cannot quickly determine proper weight adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the weight adjustment process into discrete units by displaying both the deficient/excess weight and the corresponding number of work units (e.g., individual objects or standardized portions). This segmentation allows operators to make precise, incremental adjustments rather than guessing the required volume or quantity, directly improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by displaying real-time information about the deficient or excess weight along with the calculated number of work units needed to reach the target weight. This feedback loop enables operators to immediately understand the corrective action required, eliminating trial-and-error methods and improving operational efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If operators use trial-and-error methods to adjust weight, then the device complexity remains simple, but the productivity deteriorates due to repeated weighing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and displaying the number of work units required to reach the target weight before the operator performs the adjustment. This eliminates the need for repeated weighing and adjustment cycles, as operators can directly add or remove the specified number of units, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss without complicating the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the display provides only weight information in grams, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates as operators must empirically determine the corresponding volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation layer that converts the raw weight data into meaningful work unit quantities. By displaying both the weight deficiency/excess and the corresponding number of work units (individual objects or standardized portions), the system bridges the gap between abstract weight measurements and concrete physical adjustments, improving ease of operation while preserving all necessary information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enables more efficient weighing and management of fixed-weight products by providing clear instructions for weight adjustments, reducing product loss and improving operator efficiency, even for inexperienced users.

Implementation Method 1

The electronic weigher is configured in such a manner that a change in an electric resistance value which occurs when metal attached with a strain gauge (or electric resistance wire strain meter) strains by applying a load is measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2607868B1Electronic scale, electronic scale system, and weighing operation method for object to be weighed
Publication Date: 2016.01.20 KAWANISHI SHOZO
  • EP2607868B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2607868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2607868B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An electronic weigher (100a) which adjusts a weight of objects by a routine work of weighing of the objects, comprises a detector (14) for detecting the weight of the objects; a processor (17) which obtains an average unit weight of the objects in the routine work corresponding to an amount of the objects of one work unit in the routine work and provides a command representing the routine work required to adjust the weight of the objects so that the weight falls into a proper weight range of the objects by using the average unit weight, when the weight of the objects falls outside the proper weight range; and an indicator (101a) which outputs the command representing the routine work.