Combination Weighing Sensor Cover Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination weighing apparatuses face challenges in cleanability due to the presence of multiple detection sensors above the radiation units, which can lead to oxidation and germ propagation when food articles accumulate, making frequent cleaning necessary.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sensor cover that positions detection sensors below the radiation units and incorporates them in a way that prevents direct contact with falling articles, with an inclined detection surface and an inclined flat upper surface to guide articles away, reducing contact points and allowing easier removal during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple detection sensors are disposed above the radiation units to detect articles, then detection accuracy is improved, but cleanability deteriorates due to article accumulation on sensors
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the detection sensors and the articles. The cover allows optical detection to pass through while preventing direct contact between articles and sensors, thus maintaining detection accuracy while eliminating article accumulation on sensor surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection sensors are relocated from a vertical position above the radiation units to a horizontal position at the downstream end. This dimensional change allows articles to pass by the sensors without accumulating on them, while the sensors continue to detect article presence and quantity effectively.
2Reliability
If detection sensors are positioned above the radiation units, then detection function is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult due to presence of wires and sensor structures
Solution Approach 1:
The detection sensors are extracted from their traditional position above the radiation units and relocated to the downstream end. This extraction removes the sensors from the cleaning interference zone, allowing wires and sensor structures to be positioned away from areas where food articles accumulate, thus facilitating easier cleaning.
3Measurement precision
If articles accumulate on structures above the distributing or radiation units, then detection is enabled, but oxidation and germ propagation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cover serves as a protective intermediary that allows optical detection to function while preventing food articles from accumulating on sensor surfaces. This eliminates the harmful effects of oxidation and germ propagation that would occur if articles remained in contact with sensor structures for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning sensors above the radiation units where articles naturally accumulate, the sensors are inverted to a downstream position where articles pass by without accumulating. This reverses the traditional arrangement to eliminate the accumulation problem while maintaining detection capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combination weighing apparatus 1 includes a distributing unit 2 that distributes articles supplied from above, a plurality of radiation units 3 that conveys the articles distributed from the distributing unit 2, a plurality of detection sensors 72 disposed above the radiation units 3 to detect the articles conveyed by the radiation units 3, a plurality of weighing units 5 disposed below the radiation units 3 on a downstream side in an article conveying direction to accumulate and weigh the articles, a controller 9 that controls the distributing unit 2 or the radiation units 3 based on detection by the detection sensors 72, and a sensor cover 71 that incorporates the plurality of detection sensors 72, and the sensor cover 71 is disposed at a different position from an end portion of each of the radiation units 3 on the downstream side when viewed in a vertical direction.