Weighing Conveyor Speed Control for Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Weighing apparatuses face a trade-off between processing performance and weighing accuracy due to high conveyor speeds, which lead to reduced measurement precision and increased double count errors.

Innovation Solution

The system includes conveying, weighing, detecting, storing, and presenting means to monitor and adjust the conveyor speed based on item intervals, providing guidance for optimal speed settings that balance processing capacity and accuracy, using data processing and filtering to determine the best conveying speed for improved weighing precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conveyor speed is increased to improve processing performance, then the number of items processed per unit time increases, but the weighing accuracy deteriorates due to shortened measurement time

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the conveyor speed based on real-time detection of item intervals and weighing accuracy requirements. The control unit modifies the conveyor speed during operation to optimize both processing performance and weighing accuracy, rather than using a fixed speed setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the detection unit monitors item intervals and the control unit uses this information along with weighing accuracy data to determine appropriate conveyor speed adjustments. This closed-loop feedback ensures that speed changes maintain both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the conveyor speed is increased to avoid double count errors, then item spacing improves, but the available time for weighing is reduced leading to decreased measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedouble count error avoidanceVSAvoidweighing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor speed is dynamically adjusted based on detected item intervals rather than maintaining a constantly high speed. When item intervals indicate sufficient spacing, the system can reduce speed to extend weighing time while still preventing double count errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the conveyor speed parameter in response to varying item interval conditions. By monitoring item intervals and adjusting speed accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between preventing double count errors and maintaining sufficient weighing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2336735B1Measuring device
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP2336735B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2336735B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2336735B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

There is obtained a weighing apparatus capable of avoiding a loss in measurement precision caused by a conveyor speed being set too high. A weighing apparatus (1, 100) includes a weighing conveyor (3, 30), a weighing unit (5, 50), an item interval detecting unit (10, 110), a storage unit (12, 22, 112), and a display unit (7, 70). The weighing conveyor conveys items (Q). The weighing unit measures the weight of the items (Q) conveyed on the weighing conveyor. The item interval detecting unit detects the item interval (L2). The item interval relates to the distance between a plurality of items (Q) supplied to the weighing conveyor. The storage unit stores a plurality of item intervals. The plurality of item intervals is acquired by the item interval detecting unit during a predetermined period of time in the past. The display unit displays guidance related to a change in the item conveying speed (V2).