Weighing Apparatus Variable Speed Defect Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weighing apparatus face challenges in accurately inferring defect factors due to multiple contributing factors, leading to prolonged time in identifying and resolving defects.

Innovation Solution

A weighing apparatus with a conveyance unit of variable speed, a detection unit, and a control unit that generates statistical information from weigh signals at different conveyance speeds to determine candidates for defect factors, including those related to installation state and environment, using multiple filters and stored standards for accurate diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If statistical information is collected at multiple conveyance speeds, then defect factor identification accuracy is improved, but measurement time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect factor identification accuracyVSAvoidtime for defect identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit stores statistical information (maximum value, minimum value, average value) obtained during test operations at multiple conveyance speeds in advance. When a defect occurs, this pre-collected data is immediately compared against current measurements to rapidly identify defect factors, eliminating the need for time-consuming data collection during actual defect diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which statistical parameters to compare based on the specific defect scenario. The control unit can adaptively choose from multiple stored statistical information sets corresponding to different conveyance speeds, optimizing the diagnostic process by using only the relevant data needed for the current situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple statistical parameters are collected and compared, then defect detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit extracts and stores only the essential statistical parameters (maximum value, minimum value, average value) from the weigh signals during test operations. These extracted statistical values are stored in association with specific conveyance speeds, allowing for simplified comparison during defect diagnosis without needing to process the entire raw signal datasets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs multiple functions using the same statistical information: it stores baseline statistical data during test operations, compares current measurements against stored data during normal operation, and identifies defect factors based on deviations. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate systems for data collection, storage, and analysis.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4148400B1Weighing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP4148400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4148400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4148400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Providing a weighing apparatus that measures the weight of an article while conveying the article, the weighing apparatus being able to accurately infer defect factors. A weighing apparatus 100 measures the weight of an article P while conveying the article. The weighing apparatus includes a second conveyor 14 that conveys the article, a load cell 28, and a control unit 84. The second conveyor has a variable conveyance speed. The load cell detects the weight of the second conveyor or, in a case where the second conveyor is conveying the article, the weight of the second conveyor and the weight of the article on the second conveyor and outputs a weigh signal. The control unit generates statistical information from the weigh signals output by the load cell in a state in which there is no article on the second conveyor in regard to each of plural conveyance speeds. The control unit determines and outputs candidates for defect factors based on the statistical information for each of the conveyance speeds.