Synchronization Signal for Multi-Point Dynamic Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic weighing devices with multiple load cells face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy due to time delays in digitization and calculation of partial weight signals, leading to impermissible deviations in determining total weight, especially when fast-moving items with non-homogeneous weight distribution are weighed.
Innovation Solution
A weighing device with a synchronization output connected to the control unit or analog/digital converter unit ensures that all load cells convert analog signals to digital simultaneously, avoiding time deviations and delays through a separate synchronization signal, allowing precise synchronization of conversion processes across load cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple load cells are used to determine total weight by summing partial weights, then measurement coverage and throughput are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to time delays in digitization and calculation of partial weight signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by synchronizing the analog-to-digital conversion processes of multiple load cells before the weighing measurement is completed. A synchronization signal is generated in advance to ensure all load cells convert their analog weight signals to digital format simultaneously, eliminating time delays that would otherwise occur during the weighing process. This allows the system to maintain high throughput while preserving measurement precision.
2Productivity
If fast transport speed is used to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased time delays in recording partial weights
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization signal is generated in advance before the weighing measurement begins, ensuring that all analog-to-digital conversion processes are initiated simultaneously. This preliminary synchronization action eliminates time delays during the actual weighing process, allowing the system to operate at high transport speeds without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the synchronization signal to coordinate the conversion processes of multiple load cells. The synchronization signal provides feedback information that ensures all load cells are converting their analog signals at the same moment, creating a coordinated feedback loop that maintains measurement precision even at high speeds.
3Device complexity
If analog signals are converted to digital signals sequentially using a multiplexer, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to time delays between conversion of different load cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by assigning a dedicated analog-to-digital converter to each load cell, creating independent conversion channels for each weighing device. This segmentation eliminates the need for a multiplexer and allows simultaneous conversion of all analog signals, maintaining measurement precision while the overall system remains modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization signal is generated in advance to coordinate the analog-to-digital conversion processes of all load cells simultaneously. This preliminary action ensures that all conversions begin at the same moment, eliminating the time delays that would otherwise occur with sequential conversion through a multiplexer.
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 significantly reduces measurement errors by ensuring that partial weight signals are recorded and calculated simultaneously, enhancing the accuracy of total weight determination in dynamic weighing processes.
Implementation Method 1
weighing devices in which a partial weight is determined by means of several weighing devices... each independently detect a (partial) weight force acting on them
Implementation Method 2
In known, industrially used compound scales, as described for example in US Pat. No. 5,990,422, several partial scales or load cells, often with weighing belts of different lengths
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a weighing device (3), in particular for a compound scale or multi-point scale, with a force transducer unit (9) for converting a weight force (F1, F2) acting on a load transducer (5) of the force transducer unit (9) into an analog electrical signal (S1, S2), with an analog/digital converter unit (11) to which the analog electrical signal (S1, S2) is supplied and which converts the analog electrical signal (S1, S2) into a digital electrical signal (M1, M2), and with a control unit (13) for controlling the analog/digital converter unit (11) and for further digital processing of the digital values (M1i, M2i) of the digital electrical signal (M1, M2) supplied to it. According to the invention, the weighing device (3) has a synchronization output (15b, 15c) connected to the control unit (13) or the analog/digital converter unit (11), to which a synchronization signal (Ssync, S'sync) is supplied.which contains at least the information of the start times of the individual conversion processes carried out by the analog-to-digital converter unit (11) to determine each digital value (M1i, M2i) of the digital electrical signal (M1, M2), and/or the weighing device (3) has a synchronization input (15d, 15e) connected to the control unit (13) or the analog-to-digital converter unit (11), to which an external synchronization signal (Ssync, S'sync) can be supplied, which contains at least the information of one or more desired start times for each conversion process to be carried out by the analog-to-digital converter unit (11) to determine each digital value (M1i, M2i) of the digital electrical signal (M1, M2), wherein the analog-to-digital converter unit (11) performs the conversion processes according to the external synchronization signal (Ssync) supplied to it directly.S'sync) or according to the internal synchronization signal (Ssync,int) carried out by the control unit (13), which the control unit (13) derives from the external synchronization signal (S'sync) supplied to it and supplies to the analog/digital converter unit (11).