Combination Weigher Orthogonal Feed Splitter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combination weighing devices face challenges in evenly supplying sticky articles to multiple weighing units due to layout constraints, leading to variable article distribution and potential oversupply or undersupply, which affects combinational accuracy and production yield.

Innovation Solution

A combination weighing device with article suppliers and a transporter that discharges articles orthogonally to the suppliers' direction, using a split-and-guide member to evenly distribute articles across multiple suppliers, ensuring consistent supply to each weighing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the transport device discharges articles from a direction orthogonal to the linear feeders arrangement, then the layout flexibility is improved, but the article distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidarticle distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an article distribution guide as an intermediary component between the transport device and linear feeders. This guide actively redirects articles from the orthogonal discharge direction to align with the linear feeders arrangement, enabling both orthogonal discharge for layout flexibility and proper alignment for uniform distribution. The guide acts as a mediator that transforms the discharge trajectory without requiring changes to the transport device or feeder positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If articles are transported by one transport device to multiple linear feeders, then the device complexity is reduced, but the article supply consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport device quantityVSAvoidarticle supply consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The article distribution guide serves as a passive intermediary that automatically directs articles from the single transport device to multiple linear feeders based on article flow dynamics. This eliminates the need for active control mechanisms while ensuring consistent distribution to each feeder, maintaining reliability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the article flow path by introducing the distribution guide that creates separate directed channels to each linear feeder. This segmentation of the flow path ensures that articles are systematically distributed to multiple feeders from a single transport source, maintaining consistency while avoiding the need for multiple independent transport devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of moving object

If the discharge end of the transport device extends along the juxtaposition direction of linear feeders, then the article discharge width is increased, but the article transport control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle discharge widthVSAvoidarticle transport control
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The article distribution guide acts as a mediator that receives articles from the extended discharge end and redirects them perpendicular to the linear feeders arrangement. This transformation of the discharge direction maintains the benefit of wide article discharge while restoring proper transport control alignment with the feeders, eliminating the control deterioration caused by orthogonal discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures even distribution of articles to multiple weighing units, improving combinational accuracy and preventing issues of oversupply or undersupply, thus enhancing production yield.

Implementation Method 1

a belt conveyor disposed below the upper tank to transport and drop the articles downward to be discharged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

an article split-and-guide member adapted to guide the articles discharged from an article-outgoing end of the article transporter to flow downward into a plurality of places

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3892969B1Combination weighing device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 YAMATO SCALE CO LTD
  • EP3892969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3892969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A combination weighing device is provided that includes a plurality of article suppliers disposed in juxtaposition with each other and adapted to transport and supply articles to a plurality of weighing units. The combination weighing device further includes an article transporter adapted to drop and supply the transported articles from a direction intersecting with a direction of transport of the articles by the article suppliers, and an article split-and-guide member adapted to split, drop and guide the articles in a direction of juxtaposition of the article suppliers.