Segmented Weighing Platform for Dynamic Flow Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing platforms in the food industry face accuracy issues due to deformation, temperature fluctuations, and structural stiffness, leading to uncertainties in measuring the weight of food items, especially at the ends of the platform where bending and tilting occur, and in U-shaped platforms where carrying capacity effects and thermal changes impact measurement reliability.
Innovation Solution
A 2D planar weighing platform with multiple elongated beams arranged parallel to the conveying direction, where the ends of the beams interleave or have a small interval, providing a stable and flexible surface that minimizes the impact of external conditions and allows for shorter platform lengths, reducing carrying capacity effects and enhancing measurement stability and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large platform is used for weighing, then batch weighing capacity is improved, but deformation increases and weighing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing platform is divided into multiple independent weighing sections (first weighing section, second weighing section, third weighing section) instead of using a single large platform. Each section has its own load receiver and sensing mechanism, allowing the system to handle large batches by sequential weighing while maintaining accuracy in each individual section.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional single-point or limited-point weighing to a distributed multi-section weighing approach. By spreading the weighing function across multiple sections along the conveyor path, the system achieves both large batch capacity and maintained accuracy through spatial distribution.
2Measurement precision
If the platform length is increased to reduce carrying capacity effects, then weighing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple weighing sections are arranged sequentially along the conveyor path, allowing items to be weighed in segments rather than requiring a single long platform. This enables shorter individual weighing sections while maintaining overall weighing accuracy through the segmented approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system continuously moves items through multiple weighing sections without interruption. Items are weighed in sequence across different sections while the conveyor maintains continuous operation, eliminating idle time and maintaining high productivity despite the multi-section weighing process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a U-shaped belt is used to support the weighing platform, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion effects increase and measurement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent support points corresponding to each weighing section, rather than using a continuous U-shaped belt. This segmentation isolates thermal expansion effects to local areas and prevents them from affecting the entire weighing system, maintaining measurement reliability while preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each weighing section has its own localized support and load receiver configuration, allowing the system to maintain structural stability locally while minimizing the propagation of thermal effects. The load receivers are positioned to optimize local weighing accuracy without requiring a continuous rigid support structure.
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
The solution achieves high accuracy and reliability in weighing by setting sensitivity to zero at the platform ends, reducing thermal expansions, and allowing for scalable platform lengths, thereby improving measurement consistency and increasing the number of items that can be processed per minute.
Implementation Method 1
a first supporting means (406) connects the adjacent ends of the first and second flat weighing sections together... a second supporting means (404, 405) supports the distal ends of the first and second flat weighing sections... at least one load sensor (407) is positioned under the first supporting means
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This invention relates to a weighing platform and a weighing system including such a weighing platform for dynamically weighing a flow of items while being conveyed over the weighing platform. The weighing platform includes one or more load sensors used in conjunction with two or more flat weighing sections adapted to be placed on the load sensors. A first support connects the adjacent ends of the two or more flat weighing sections so as to form a continuous 2-dimensional planar surface there between. A second support maintains the distal ends of the two or more weighing sections, when connected together via the first support,at fixed height so as to create a zero weighing sensitivity at the distal ends.