Combination Weigher Inner Outer Chute Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination weighers face challenges in operating at high speeds due to complex structures and variations in discharge time for objects with different characteristics, leading to potential mixing of batches and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A combination weigher design featuring a circular-arc arrangement of hoppers with inner and outer chutes, allowing for selective discharge inwards or outwards, and memory hoppers to optimize discharge combinations and reduce transfer distances, enabling high-speed operation regardless of object characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of weighing hoppers is increased to enable double shift operation, then productivity is improved, but the discharge cycle time cannot be sufficiently reduced and batches may mix
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the discharge path into two separate segments: an inner chute for first discharge combination and an outer chute for second discharge combination. This segmentation allows simultaneous discharge of different batches through separate paths, enabling double shift operation without batch mixing while maintaining short discharge cycle time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension to the discharge system by providing both inner and outer chutes at different radial positions. Objects discharged to the inner chute travel along an inner path while objects discharged to the outer chute travel along an outer path, creating parallel discharge channels that prevent batch mixing and enable high-speed operation
2Device complexity
If conventional collecting chute structure is used, then the system is simple, but discharge time varies significantly for objects with different characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The inner chute and outer chute are designed with different local characteristics optimized for their specific discharge paths. The chutes have tailored inclinations, lengths, and surface properties that compensate for the different distances objects must travel, ensuring that objects with varying characteristics (size, shape, friction) reach the collecting hopper in consistent time regardless of which chute they use
3Productivity
If double shift operation is implemented with single chute, then productivity improves, but batches mix due to insufficient distance between discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into inner and outer chutes that create physically separated discharge paths. This segmentation ensures that batches discharged through different chutes maintain spatial separation, preventing mixing even during high-speed double shift operation where discharge frequency is doubled
Solution Approach 2:
The chutes are designed with curved paths that optimize the flow of objects. The circular-arc shape of the chutes allows objects to follow smooth trajectories, maintaining batch integrity while enabling rapid discharge. The curved geometry helps equalize discharge times for objects with different characteristics
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
The design simplifies the structure of collecting chutes, equalizes discharge times, and improves productivity by allowing for high-speed operation across various object types, enhancing weighing precision and reducing batch mixing.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion feeder 1 having a conical shape is mounted to an upper part of the center base body 11 to radially disperse objects to be weighed supplied from an external supplying device by vibration
Implementation Method 2
linear feeders 2 are provided to transfer the objects to be weighed which have been sent from the dispersion feeder 1 into respective feeding hoppers 3 by vibration
Implementation Method 3
The weighing hopper 4 is attached with a weight sensor 41 such as a load cell. The weight sensor 41 measures weight of the objects to be weighed inside the weighing hopper 4.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A combination weigher of the present invention comprises a first combination weigher unit including a left inner chute (6a), an outer chute (7a), collecting hoppers (8a, 9a), weighing hoppers (4) and memory hoppers (5) which are disposed above the left chutes (6a, 7a), and a second combination weigher unit including a right inner chute (6b), an outer chute (7b), collecting hoppers (8b, 9b), weighing hoppers (4) and memory hoppers (5) which are disposed above the right chutes (6b, 7b), and a control unit (20) configured to control the entire combination weigher. The control unit (20) performs a combination process for each combination weigher unit and causes weighing hoppers (4) and memory hoppers (5) which make up of discharge combinations determined in respective combination processes to discharge the objects to be weighed in an inward direction and an outward direction alternately, and to cause the two collecting hoppers to alternately discharge the objects to be weighed according to the discharge, in each combination weigher unit.