Combination Weighing Hopper Segmentation for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combination weighing devices experience a drop in operation rate when abnormal conditions occur in hoppers, requiring device shutdown to address issues, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A combination weighing device with a conveyance unit, multiple hoppers, a weighing unit, and a control unit that allows continuous operation by performing combination calculations based on weighing values from operational hoppers, even when some hoppers are removed or experiencing errors, enabling zero point correction without stopping the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the combination weighing device stops to eliminate abnormal conditions in hoppers, then the abnormal condition can be addressed, but the operation rate drops
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper system is divided into multiple independent hoppers (first hoppers and second hoppers). When an abnormal condition occurs in one hopper, only that specific hopper needs to be stopped or removed, while other hoppers can continue operating. This segmentation allows partial operation continuation, reducing the overall impact on productivity while maintaining reliability through targeted abnormal condition handling.
2Measurement precision
If the device stops to perform zero point correction of weighing values, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing unit can perform zero point correction continuously or periodically without stopping the combination weighing device. The control unit manages the weighing process to maintain measurement precision through ongoing zero point correction while the device continues to operate, thus preserving both measurement accuracy and productivity simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If all second hoppers are required for combination calculation, then weighing accuracy is maintained, but adaptability to hopper removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the combination calculation based on the current operational status of hoppers. When hoppers are removed or abnormal conditions occur, the system adapts by performing combination calculations using only the available operational hoppers. This dynamic adjustment maintains adaptability to changing configurations while preserving weighing accuracy through real-time recalculation based on current hopper states.
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
This solution maintains continuous operation and reduces the risk of operation rate drops by allowing combination calculations to proceed with operational hoppers, enabling efficient handling of abnormal conditions and zero point corrections without halting the device.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing unit configured to weigh the article held in each of the plurality of second hoppers, and obtain a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article
Data Source
AI summary
A combination weighing device includes: a conveyance unit; a plurality of first hoppers each receiving the article; a plurality of second hoppers detachably provided on a downstream side of the plurality of first hoppers, and each receiving the article; a weighing unit weighing the article held in each of the plurality of second hoppers; and a control unit performing combination calculation and discharging the article from the second hopper corresponding to the combination. The control unit performs combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the plurality of second hopper, and continues combination calculation based on a weighing value corresponding to mass of the article held in each of the second hoppers other than a part of the second hoppers in a state in which the part of the plurality of second hoppers has been removed.