Combination Weighing Device Hopper Grouping Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing devices face challenges in minimizing article cracking and chipping due to large drops during discharge, while also struggling with low weighing accuracy due to reduced hopper combinations.
Innovation Solution
A combination weighing device that divides weighing hoppers and booster hoppers into groups based on article types, allowing the controller to set each group to either a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, articles are discharged from the weighing hopper to the receiver via the booster hopper, reducing drop height and minimizing cracking/chipping. In the second mode, articles can be discharged directly to either the booster hopper or the receiver, improving weighing accuracy by increasing hopper combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If articles are discharged directly from the weighing hopper to the discharge chute, then discharge speed is improved, but cracking and chipping of articles increases due to large drop
Solution Approach 1:
The booster hopper serves as an intermediary component between the weighing hopper and the discharge chute. Articles are first discharged from the weighing hopper to the booster hopper, then from the booster hopper to the discharge chute. This intermediate step reduces the drop height from the weighing hopper, minimizing cracking and chipping while maintaining discharge speed through the additional hopper's rapid discharge capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a booster hopper is introduced to reduce drop height, then cracking and chipping of articles is minimized, but weighing accuracy decreases due to reduced hopper combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different discharge modes (first mode and second mode) based on the article type and weighing requirements. In the first mode, articles go through the booster hopper to minimize damage. In the second mode, articles are discharged directly to maximize weighing accuracy. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for either protection or precision depending on the specific application needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper system is segmented into weighing hoppers and booster hoppers, with the ability to selectively engage different combinations. The controller can choose to use only the weighing hoppers for direct discharge (maximizing weighing combinations) or include the booster hopper in the discharge path (minimizing damage). This segmentation allows independent optimization of weighing accuracy and article protection based on operational requirements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple hopper combinations are used to improve weighing accuracy, then weighing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The booster hopper is designed with multi-functionality: it can serve as an intermediate discharge point to reduce drop height, as an additional weighing hopper to increase combinations, or as a protective buffer for fragile articles. This universal component allows the system to achieve multiple objectives (accuracy, protection, flexibility) without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same hardware serves different purposes based on control system selections.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination weighing device (1) performs combination weighing of at least two different articles, weighing hoppers (5) and booster hoppers (6) are divided into at least two groups on the basis of types of the articles, a controller (1) sets each of the groups to either a first mode or a second mode, in the group set to the first mode, the articles retained in the weighing hopper (5) are discharged to a receiver (9) via the booster hopper (6), and in the group set to the second mode, the articles retained in the weighing hopper (5) are discharged to either the booster hopper (6) or the receiver (9).