Elastic Clamp Fastening for Combination Weigher Chute
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing devices face issues with screw members becoming loose and falling into the objects, leading to contamination, which increases maintenance burden for workers.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-screw members, such as elastic fixing members, to securely attach the object supply chute to the support frame, preventing foreign matter from mixing with the objects and enhancing sanitary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If screw members are used to attach the object supply chute to the support frame, then the attachment position can be adjustable and the chute can be detachable for cleaning, but the screw members may become loose and fall off, mixing into the objects and causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw member fastening system with a clamp member that uses elastic deformation to secure the object supply chute. The clamp member deformable portion elastically deforms to clamp the chute to the support frame, eliminating screw members that could loosen and fall into the objects. This substitution maintains secure attachment while preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fastening mechanism from rigid screw connections to an elastic clamp system where the clamp member's deformable portion can elastically deform. This parameter change allows the clamp to flex during attachment and maintain constant clamping force, providing reliable fixation without the risk of loose components falling into the objects.
2Strength
If screw members are used in the support frame, then the object supply chute can be securely attached, but frequent checks are required to ensure screw members are not loose, increasing worker burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw member fastening system with an elastic clamp member that automatically maintains clamping force through elastic deformation. This eliminates the need for frequent manual checks to ensure secure attachment, as the elastic clamp self-adjusts and maintains constant pressure on the object supply chute without requiring worker intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp member with deformable portion serves itself by using elastic deformation to automatically maintain secure attachment. The elastic material continuously exerts clamping force without requiring external adjustment or monitoring, making the attachment system self-regulating and eliminating the need for workers to frequently check for loose fasteners.
3Reliability
If a non-screw member is used to fix the engaging member, then foreign matter contamination is prevented, but the fixing mechanism must be reliable enough to securely attach the object supply chute
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces screw members with a clamp member that uses elastic deformation to achieve secure attachment. The elastic deformable portion of the clamp member provides sufficient clamping force to securely attach the object supply chute to the support frame while eliminating screw members that could loosen and become foreign matter contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from rigid mechanical fastening to elastic clamping, where the clamp member's deformable portion utilizes elastic properties to maintain secure attachment. This parameter change enables the non-screw fixing mechanism to provide reliable, strong attachment equivalent to or exceeding traditional screw connections while preventing foreign matter contamination.
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 solution ensures reliable operation by preventing screw members from falling into the objects, reducing maintenance needs and maintaining a cleaner environment by using elastic fixing members that securely attach the object supply chute, thus preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The non-screw member is configured to press the engaging member against the engaged member and fix the engaging member to the engaged member
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a highly reliable combination weighing device having an object supply chute disposed above a dispersion section, which can prevent foreign matter from being mixed into objects due to the falling of screw members from a support frame supporting the object supply chute. A combination weighing device is provided with a dispersion section, weighing hoppers, a control unit, an object supply chute (150), and a support frame (100). The dispersion section disperses and supplies objects around the dispersion section. The weighing hoppers are arranged around the dispersion section. The control unit performs combination calculation based on weighing values in the weighing hoppers. The object supply chute is placed above the dispersion section and supplies the objects to the dispersion section. The support frame supports the object supply chute. The support frame includes members (111, 113, and 114) as engaged members, hooks as engaging members that engage with the engaged members, and fixing members (140) as non-screw members. The fixing members press the engaging members against the engaged members and fix the engaging members to the engaged members.