Combination Weigher Feed Distribution Using Biased Center Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combination weighing apparatuses struggle to accurately estimate the deviation degree of articles supplied to multiple radiation feeders, leading to complications and reduced reliability in distribution.

Innovation Solution

A combination weighing apparatus that includes a dispersion table, radiation feeders, detectors, and a controller to generate vector information based on loading status and position information, allowing for the estimation of biased centers and adjustment of article distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If 3D restoration using a 3D camera or a large number of imaging means is used to estimate the degree of objects staying on the feeding means, then the estimation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and processing load increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for estimation by using a single 2D camera to capture images of the feeding means. Instead of employing complex 3D cameras or multiple imaging devices, the system processes 2D images to calculate the area occupied by objects, thereby achieving accurate estimation while keeping the device simple and the processing load manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If a large number of imaging means are used to capture objects on the feeding means, then the information completeness is improved, but the processing load and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous image capture using a single 2D camera positioned to continuously monitor the feeding means. This continuous imaging approach ensures that object distribution information is captured in real-time without the need for multiple cameras, thereby maintaining information completeness while minimizing processing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If multiple imaging devices are deployed to track object distribution, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image processing algorithm as an intermediary that transforms simple 2D camera images into reliable object distribution data. By using image processing techniques to calculate the area occupied by objects and determine their distribution state, the system achieves high measurement reliability without the need for multiple expensive imaging devices, thus keeping the overall system simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3985361B1Combination weighing device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP3985361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A combination weighing apparatus includes a dispersion table configured to convey an article from a received center to an outer side, the article being supplied from an outside, a plurality of conveying feeders disposed outside the dispersion table, the plurality of conveying feeders being configured to further convey the article conveyed from the dispersion table, a detector configured to detect a loading status information of the article in each of the plurality of conveying feeders, and a controller configured to receive a detection result of the detector. The controller is configured to generate a vector information based on the loading status information detected by the detector and a position information of the plurality of conveying feeders with respect to a center of the dispersion table, and generate a biased center of the article on the dispersion table obtained based on the vector information as a biased center position information with respect to the center of the dispersion table.