Weighing Apparatus Dynamic Cut Gates Speed Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional weighing apparatuses lack the ability to easily switch between high-speed and high-accuracy operations for objects of the same kind with the same target weight value, limiting processing speed and accuracy improvements.

Innovation Solution

A weighing apparatus with a pair of rotating cut gates and a control unit that manages the opening and closing of these gates in multiple operation modes, including standard, high-speed, and high-accuracy modes, to adjust supply port sizes and times for efficient and accurate object dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the supply operation time is reduced to improve processing speed, then productivity increases, but weighing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidweighing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the supply port size variable rather than fixed. The supply port is configured to have a first size during a large-amount supply period and a second size (smaller than the first) during a small-amount supply period. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between speed and accuracy: larger port for faster bulk supply, smaller port for precise final weighing, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of supply port size based on the supply stage. The control unit controls the cut gates to maintain the supply port at a first size for a specified time during large-amount supply, then changes it to a second size for small-amount supply near the target weight. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both high productivity (during large-amount supply) and high weighing accuracy (during small-amount supply), resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation modes are added to provide different abilities, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation mode flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies universality by designing a single weighing apparatus that can perform multiple operation modes (high-speed mode and high-accuracy mode) using the same hardware components. The control unit universally manages different supply port size configurations and timing parameters to achieve different operational abilities. This allows the device to be adaptable to various user needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each mode, thereby increasing adaptability while keeping device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the supply port size is increased to reduce supply time, then productivity improves, but weighing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply speedVSAvoidweighing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves this contradiction by making the supply port size dynamic. The supply port is controlled to have a first (larger) size during the large-amount supply period to maximize supply speed and productivity. Then, as the supplied weight approaches the target weight, the supply port size is changed to a second (smaller) size during the small-amount supply period to ensure weighing accuracy. This dynamic size adjustment allows the system to achieve both high productivity and high weighing accuracy at different stages of the supply process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the supply port size parameter based on the supply stage and weight accumulation. The control unit maintains the supply port at a first size for a specified time to enable fast supply, then changes it to a second size when approaching the target weight. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize supply speed when needed and ensure weighing precision when near the target, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and weighing accuracy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus achieves significantly improved processing ability and weighing accuracy by reducing supply operation time and maintaining high precision, allowing for flexible operation modes based on user needs.

Implementation Method 1

a supply means including a tubular body which extends vertically and is filled with objects comprising powdered or granular products, and a pair of cut gates which are used to open and close an opening at a lower end of the tubular body... the supply means being configured to drop the objects filled in the tubular body by their own weight from a supply port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2829853B1Weighing device
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 YAMATO SCALE CO LTD
  • EP2829853B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2829853B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP2829853B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Provided is a weighing apparatus which is capable of easily performing an operation with a different ability even in a case where the objects of the same kind has the same target weight value. An example of a weighing apparatus of the present invention comprises a supply device (Ms) including a tubular body (1) which is filled with objects, and a pair of cut gates (2, 3) used to open and close an opening at a lower end of the tubular body (1); a weighing means which weighs the objects supplied from the supply device (Ms); and a control unit (51) for controlling opening and closing operation of the pair of cut gates (2, 3) such that the objects of a preset target weight value are supplied from the supply device (Ms) to the weighing means; wherein the control unit (51) has a plurality of operation modes including a first mode and a second mode, the control unit (51) is configured to control the opening and closing operation of the pair of cut gates (2, 3) based on the selected operation mode; and the control unit (51) is configured to control the opening and closing operation of the pair of cut gates (2, 3) such that supply operation time of the supply device (Ms) is shorter when the second mode is selected than when the first mode is selected.