Combination Weigher Funnel Partition for Multi-Inlet Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combination weighers require significant changes and increased costs when adapting to different packaging machines with varying numbers of inlets, as they need to adjust the number of discharge outlets and collecting chutes, which is time-consuming and complex.

Innovation Solution

A combination weigher design with an annular arrangement of hoppers, an inner funnel, outer funnels, and a partition plate allows for selective discharge to three or four locations by changing the mounted funnels, simplifying the configuration and eliminating the need for complex control systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of discharge outlets is changed to adapt to different packaging machines, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different packaging machinesVSAvoidcomplexity of collecting chute configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting chute is divided into multiple detachable funnel units (first funnel, second funnel, third funnel, fourth funnel) that can be independently mounted or removed. Each funnel corresponds to a specific discharge location, allowing the system to be segmented into functional modules that can be reconfigured based on the number of packaging machine inlets without redesigning the entire collecting chute structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common body is designed with universal mounting structures that can accommodate different combinations of funnel units. The same common body structure serves multiple functions by supporting 1, 2, 3, or 4 funnels depending on the packaging machine's inlet configuration, eliminating the need for different collecting chute designs for different discharge outlet numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the collecting chute is redesigned to change the number of discharge outlets, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time in design and manufacturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different packaging machinesVSAvoidtime required for designing collecting chute

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple funnel units are pre-manufactured as standardized components with uniform mounting interfaces. When the packaging machine inlet configuration changes, the required number of pre-made funnels are simply mounted onto the common body without requiring new design work, significantly reducing the time needed to adapt to different discharge outlet requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Funnel units that are not needed for the current packaging machine configuration can be easily detached and stored for future use. When the packaging machine inlet count changes, previously detached funnels can be recovered and remounted on the common body, eliminating the need to redesign or manufacture new components and saving considerable time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discharge outlets are provided with complex discharge devices, then the discharge functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge functionality to multiple locationsVSAvoidcomplexity of discharge device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of designing complex and different discharge devices for each outlet location, the invention uses identical or similar funnel structures replicated multiple times (first, second, third, fourth funnels). Each funnel copy performs the same discharge function, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to discharge to multiple locations simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9464931B2Combination weigher

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 YAMATO SCALE CO LTD

AI summary

A combination weigher comprises hoppers divided into a first group and a second group; an inner funnel which collects objects discharged inward from the hoppers and discharges the objects through an opening; a first outer funnel which is placed along a first side of the inner funnel, and collects objects discharged outward from the hoppers in the first group; a second outer funnel which is placed along a second side of the inner funnel, and collects objects discharged outward from the hoppers in the second group; and a partition plate which separates an inner region of the inner funnel into a first region corresponding to the hoppers in the first group and a second region corresponding to the hoppers in the second group, and separates the opening into a discharge outlet corresponding to the first side and a discharge outlet corresponding to the second side.