Combination Weigher Zero-Correction Control for Operation Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

In combination weighing devices, the need to empty the weighing hopper for zero-correction reduces the number of hoppers participating in calculations, leading to decreased operation rates when an empty booster hopper is below the weighing hopper during zero-correction, preventing the booster hopper from participating in the next combination calculation.

Innovation Solution

A control unit identifies and prioritizes the weighing hopper corresponding to the booster hopper with an article for zero-correction, ensuring the booster hopper can participate in calculations by extracting it as a zero-correction target, thereby maintaining the number of participating hoppers and improving operation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If zero-correction is performed by emptying the weighing hopper, then weighing accuracy is maintained, but the operation rate decreases because the booster hopper cannot participate in the next combination calculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweighing accuracyVSAvoidoperation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary identification of the weighing hopper corresponding to a booster hopper containing an article before zero-correction is executed. By selecting a weighing hopper that has a booster hopper with an article as the zero-correction target, the system ensures that the booster hopper can continue to participate in combination calculations, thus maintaining productivity while performing necessary zero-correction for accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit uses feedback from the state of booster hoppers (whether they contain articles) to dynamically select which weighing hopper should undergo zero-correction. This feedback mechanism ensures that zero-correction is performed on hoppers whose corresponding booster hoppers can still contribute to combination calculations, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining accuracy and preserving operation rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3564632B1Combination weighing device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP3564632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3564632B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A combination weighing device 1 includes: a plurality of weighing hoppers 6 which receive articles supplied from an outside, weigh the articles, and discharge the articles; a plurality of booster hoppers 7 which are respectively disposed right below the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 and receive the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers 6; and a control unit 20 which calculates a combination of weighed values so that a total value becomes a target value from a plurality of weighed values respectively correlated with the weighing hoppers 6 and the booster hoppers 7, in which the control unit 20 extracts the weighing hopper 6, corresponding to the booster hopper 7 having the article existing therein and capable of using the weighed value of the article in next combination calculation, as a zero-correction target.