Weighing and Sorting Device Vibration Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weighing and sorting devices for piece goods face accuracy issues due to vibrations caused by belt transitions during the transfer of goods between feed, weighing, and discharge belts, which reduces the precision of weight determination.

Innovation Solution

A device with three separate platforms sharing a common conveyor belt driven by a single motor, eliminating belt transitions and using a retractable sorting platform with a roller guide for precise weight measurement and vibration-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate feed belt, weighing belt, and discharge belt are used with individual deflection rollers, then the device can perform sorting functions, but belt transitions cause vibrations that reduce weighing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting functionVSAvoidweighing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the feed belt, weighing belt, and discharge belt into a single continuous conveyor belt that runs across all three platforms. This eliminates the belt transitions between separate belts, thereby removing the source of vibrations while maintaining the sorting capability through the adjustable sorting platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the conveyor system into three functional platforms (feed, weighing, discharge) that share a common belt, allowing independent positioning and function while avoiding belt transitions. The sorting platform can be independently adjusted between extended and retracted positions without affecting the continuous belt operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If three separate belts with individual drives are used, then each belt can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent belt controlVSAvoidnumber of drives and rollers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three separate drive systems into a single drive mechanism that powers the entire continuous conveyor belt. This reduces the number of motors, deflection rollers, and associated control systems while maintaining the ability to control material flow through the adjustable sorting platform position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If pusher or tilting belt is used for sorting, then sorting efficiency is high, but shocks and vibrations occur that affect weight determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidweight determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of actively pushing or tilting goods to achieve sorting, the invention uses a passive approach where the sorting platform is retracted to allow incorrectly weighted items to fall through a gap. This eliminates the shocks and vibrations associated with active pushing mechanisms while maintaining sorting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of goods falling (which could cause vibrations) into a beneficial passive sorting mechanism by controlling the timing and position of the platform retraction to occur after weighing is complete, thereby achieving sorting without interfering with weight determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sorting platform is made adjustable between extended and retracted positions, then sorting flexibility increases, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting platform is designed with adjustable positioning between extended and retracted states, allowing dynamic adaptation to different sorting requirements. This mechanical adjustability provides flexibility in sorting operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the shared conveyor belt system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2385356B1Weighing and sorting device

Publication Date: 2019.08.28 BIZERBA GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The device has supply, weighing and sorting platforms (11, 13, 15) provided with a common conveyor belt (17). The sorting platform is adjustable between extended and retracted positions for sorting general cargo, and has an end section (29) that is turned towards the weighing platform. Another end section (31) of the sorting platform is turned away from the weighing platform, where the end sections are engaged with one another. The conveyor belt is guided over non-rotating deflection devices, and a pin wheel (27) drives the belt, where the weighing platform is attached to a weighing cell.