Self-Calibration Weighing Module for Precision Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weighing methods for industries like food and pharmaceuticals face challenges in precision and automation when weighing fine materials with large tare weights, requiring multiple scales, manual adjustments, and risking cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
An automatic micro-calibration weighing method using a self-calibration module that adjusts and calibrates automatically, allowing for precise weighing of fine formulation materials and large-weight solvents with reduced equipment and labor costs, and minimizing cross-contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large-capacity material tank scale is used to weigh fine formulation materials, then the capacity requirement is met, but the weighing precision deteriorates due to the large tare weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the weighing process into two distinct stages: first weighing the fine formulation materials using a small-capacity platform scale for high precision, then weighing the large-weight solvent materials using the large-capacity material tank scale. This segmentation allows each scale to operate in its optimal precision range, resolving the contradiction between capacity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary weighing of fine materials on the platform scale before transferring them to the material tank. This preliminary action ensures that the critical fine materials are measured with high precision first, and then the material tank scale is used only for the subsequent solvent addition, eliminating the precision loss that would occur if fine materials were weighed directly on the large-capacity scale.
2Measurement precision
If multiple material tank scales with different capacities are used to weigh both fine materials and large-weight solvents, then weighing precision for fine materials is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the material tank scale multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original function of weighing large-weight solvent materials and the additional function of automatic micro-calibration for fine materials. Through the integration of automatic calibration capability, the single material tank scale achieves precision comparable to dedicated small scales, eliminating the need for multiple separate weighing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The material tank scale performs automatic micro-calibration using its own internal calibration weights, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or manual intervention. The system automatically loads calibration weights, performs calibration, and restores its weighing range, making the scale self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional calibration devices.
3Reliability
If manual weight addition is used for calibration of material tank scales, then calibration can be performed, but labor consumption and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system is designed to be self-operating, automatically loading calibration weights through an integrated weight loading mechanism, performing the calibration sequence, and restoring the weighing range without human intervention. This automation eliminates the time-consuming manual operations of physically adding and removing calibration weights while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic loading of calibration weights before the actual calibration measurement begins. The micro-calibration weights are pre-positioned and ready, allowing the calibration process to proceed immediately without manual intervention, thus reducing calibration time while ensuring accurate results.
4Reliability
If manual weight addition is used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but the risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system operates autonomously, with the material tank scale automatically loading and managing its own calibration weights through a sealed weight loading mechanism. This eliminates the need for operators to manually handle calibration weights, thereby removing the source of cross-contamination while preserving full calibration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automatic weight loading mechanism as an intermediary between the calibration weights and the weighing sensor. This intermediary system handles all interactions with calibration weights through sealed, automated processes, preventing direct human contact and thus eliminating cross-contamination risk while maintaining calibration reliability.
5Measurement precision
If a small-capacity platform scale is used to weigh fine materials separately, then weighing precision is improved, but the formulating process becomes complicated and less automated
Solution Approach 1:
The material tank scale is enhanced with automatic micro-calibration capability, making it a universal weighing device that can handle both fine materials and large-weight solvents with high precision. This eliminates the need for separate platform scales and integrates all weighing operations into a single automated system, thereby simplifying the formulating process and increasing automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the platform scale and the material tank scale into a single integrated system. The material tank scale incorporates the micro-calibration function that previously required a separate platform scale, combining multiple weighing capabilities into one device and enabling fully automated operation without manual intervention between different weighing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A weighing method has an automatic micro-calibration function. In the method, an automatic adjustment is performed by a self-calibration weighing module. When the result of the adjustment does not meet a requirement, an automatic calibration is performed by the self-calibration weighing module, followed by weighing fine formulation materials. In the weighing method, the self-calibration module is used to perform the automatic calibration function to weigh the fine formulation materials. This provides a high degree of automation, and greatly reduced cost in equipment and labor for a formulating process, saving on time and labor, and with no risk of cross-contamination.