Combination Weighing Apparatus Regional Height Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing devices lack precise control over article supply, leading to inaccurate weighing due to reliance on trends rather than specific quantitative values, and fail to provide efficient congestion management.
Innovation Solution
A combination weighing device with a sensing part that non-contactedly measures the state of articles across multiple regions, allowing for precise control of article supply through calculation and adjustment of physical quantities like height and loading quantity, enabling accurate supply control and enhanced weighing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If height of articles is judged solely by height relative to predetermined value, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of supply control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from using a single predetermined height value to using multiple height values corresponding to different regions along the conveyance direction. This parameter change enables precise measurement of article height distribution without increasing device complexity, as it utilizes the existing imaging means to capture and analyze height data across multiple regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading part is divided into multiple regions along the conveyance direction, with each region having its own height measurement. This segmentation allows the system to accurately assess the distributed state of articles across different zones, enabling precise supply control based on regional height variations rather than a single overall height measurement.
2Measurement precision
If trend-based estimation of conveyed quantity is used, then measurement precision is reduced, but device complexity is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical or manual quantity estimation methods with an optical imaging-based measurement system. The imaging means non-contactedly captures height information of articles in multiple regions, and the control device calculates actual conveyed quantity based on these height values, achieving precise measurement without complex mechanical sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging means serves as an intermediary between the articles and the control device. Instead of directly measuring physical quantity of articles, the system uses optical imaging to capture height information, which is then processed by the control device to determine conveyed quantity, enabling precise indirect measurement.
3Productivity
If congestion elimination is achieved without supply control, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision of supply control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the control device continuously monitors height values of articles in multiple regions, calculates actual conveyed quantity, and adjusts the driving part's operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables precise supply control that maintains productivity by eliminating congestion while achieving accurate supply quantity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the driving part's operation based on real-time height measurements and calculated conveyed quantity. Rather than using fixed supply rates, the system continuously adapts the conveyance speed and timing to match actual article supply needs, maintaining high productivity while achieving precise control.
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 device achieves precise control over article supply, enhancing weighing precision and operational efficiency by calculating and adjusting physical quantities for each region, thereby improving the overall accuracy and reliability of the combination weighing process.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing part configured to sense, in non-contact manner, a state in which the articles are loaded on the loading part
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a combination weighing device in which supply of articles at an article conveyance part is controlled with good precision. A combination weighing device (100) is provided with article conveyance parts (10, 20) having loading parts (11, 21) of articles and driving parts (12, 22) for driving the loading parts, the article conveyance parts (10, 20) driving the driving parts and thereby causing the articles to be conveyed to hoppers (30) arranged downstream in a conveyance direction, a sensing part (60) for sensing, in non-contact manner, a state of the articles on the loading parts, and a supply control part (82c) for controlling supply of the articles by controlling driving of the article conveyance parts based on a sensing result of the sensing part. The sensing part sense, for a plurality of regions along the conveyance direction, the state of the articles for each of the regions. The supply control part controls the driving based on a physical quantity relating to a height of the articles on the loading parts for each of the regions, the height being ascertained from the state of the articles of each of the regions.