Weighing Station for Containers Using Oscillating Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing statistical weighing systems for containers in filling lines suffer from low measurement accuracy, especially when dealing with small weights, and are complex and costly, failing to meet the precision and speed requirements of modern automatic machines, particularly in pharmaceutical packaging.
Innovation Solution
A single weighing organ is used in conjunction with two transferring organs to measure both the tare and gross weight of containers, integrated into the filling line without requiring substantial modifications, utilizing a simple and effective mechanism of angular rotation to minimize errors and maintain production flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two scales are used to measure tare and gross weight separately, then the weighing operation can be performed without slowing down the transport line, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to propagation of instrumental errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tare and gross weight measurement functions into a single scale system. The same scale that measures the container weight (tare) is subsequently used to measure the filled container weight (gross), eliminating the need for separate scales and thereby reducing error propagation while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the tare weight measurement in advance, before the filling operation. The container is weighed on the scale, then transferred to the filling station, and subsequently weighed again on the same scale after filling. This preliminary measurement sequence enables accurate net weight calculation while maintaining production flow
2Productivity
If two sets of transferring organs are used to pick up and transfer containers for weighing, then the weighing operation can be performed without interfering with the transport line, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single transferring organ that performs multiple functions: it picks up containers from the transport line, transfers them to the scale for tare weighing, returns them to the line, and subsequently transfers filled containers for gross weighing. This multi-functional design reduces system complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamically adjustable transferring organ that can operate in different phases (pick-up, transfer, return) coordinated with the filling line operation. The transferring organ's positioning and movement are dynamically controlled to match the operational requirements at different stages, enabling flexible operation without additional hardware
3Productivity
If statistical weighing systems are used to measure weight without slowing down the transport line, then plant production capacity is maintained, but the construction and operation become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weighing function with the existing transport line structure by using a single scale that can be accessed by one transferring organ at a time. This integrated approach allows weighing operations to be inserted into the production flow without requiring separate, complex weighing systems, thereby maintaining production capacity while simplifying construction and operation
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The station for weighing containers comprises a line (3) for transporting containers (2) to be filled with a predetermined product, a zone (7) for dosing and filling the containers (2) with the product, a first transferring organ (21) for picking up and transferring an individual empty container (2) to a weighing organ (20), a second transferring organ (22) for picking up and transferring the container (2) to the weighing organ (20) after filling. The transferring organs (21, 22) respectively comprise an oscillating arm (9, 15) which is activated with alternating motion between a pick-up and release position of the container (2) to be weighed in proximity of the transport line (3) and a position of release and pick-up of the container (2) nearby the weighing organ (20). The oscillating arm (9, 15) bears a rotating head (8, 14) provided with gripping organs (31a, 31b and 32a, 32b) which is rotated angularly in opposite directions by a relative motor, in a suitable phase relation with the motion of the oscillating arm (9, 15), in order to transfer the container (2) to be weighed from the transport line (3) to the weighing organ (20) and vice versa.