JP7464356B2 - Fueling status monitoring device and fueling status monitoring method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling status monitoring device and a filling status monitoring method for monitoring the filling status of a liquid into a filling container in a liquid filling line.

Conventionally, a filling machine is used to fill containers such as metal cans and synthetic resin bottles with solutions such as beverages, detergents, medicines, and cosmetics. Such containers are sometimes filled with an amount of liquid that is too large compared to the preset planned filling amount, and it is desirable to fill the container with the appropriate amount.

As a method for monitoring the filling amount, for example, a technology has been disclosed in which a container filled with liquid is irradiated with light and an image of the liquid level is captured by a camera to monitor the height of the liquid level (Patent Document 1). Also, for example, in a plant facility or the like, a technology has been disclosed in which the amount of substance flowing into a specified area of the facility and the amount of substance flowing out of a specified area of the facility are measured to monitor the balance of the amount of substance (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-218077 JP 2013-73584 A

However, while the method of determining whether the amount of liquid filled in each container is appropriate by monitoring the liquid level in each container makes it easy to determine whether the amount is appropriate, it is difficult to determine how much more or less liquid has been filled than the appropriate amount.

In addition, when filling a liquid into a container, in order to obtain the amount filled at a given time, it is necessary to use a method such as calculating the amount of solution to be filled from the total weight of the filled container after a certain number of liquids have been filled and the total weight of the filled container alone.

This caused a problem in that it was difficult to know in real time how much the filling volume in the solution filling line had increased or decreased from the appropriate value.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a filling status monitoring device and a filling status monitoring method that can grasp the deviation between the filled amount of liquid and the appropriate filled amount in real time.

In order to solve the above problems, a filling status monitoring device according to one aspect of the present invention is a filling status monitoring device that monitors the filling status of liquid into a filling container in a liquid filling line, and includes an inflow amount acquisition unit that acquires the inflow amount of liquid flowing into a filling device that fills the filling container with liquid, a filling capacity storage unit that stores a set filling capacity that is a set value of the filling capacity into the filling container, a filling number acquisition unit that acquires the number of filling containers filled with liquid, a calculation unit that obtains the theoretical total filling amount of the filled liquid based on the set filling capacity and the filling number, and obtains the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total filling amount, and a display unit that displays information regarding the balance.

In addition, a filling status monitoring method according to another aspect of the present invention is a filling status monitoring method for monitoring the filling status of a liquid into a filling container, and includes a filling capacity storage step for storing a set filling capacity, which is a set value of the filling capacity into the filling container, an inflow amount acquisition step for acquiring the inflow amount of liquid flowing into a filling device that fills the filling container with liquid, a filling number acquisition step for acquiring the number of fillings of the filling container filled with liquid, a balance calculation step for obtaining a theoretical total filling amount of the filled liquid based on the set filling capacity and the filling number, and calculating the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total filling amount, and a display step for displaying information related to the balance.

According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a filling status monitoring device and a filling status monitoring method that can grasp the deviation between the filling amount of liquid and the appropriate filling amount in real time.

1 is a schematic diagram showing one configuration example of a liquid filling line using a filling status monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a filling status monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of a monitoring status of a liquid filling line on a display unit of a filling status monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a filling status monitoring method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Embodiment A filling status monitoring device and a filling status monitoring method executed by the filling status monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

<Configuration of a liquid filling line using a filling status monitoring device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid filling line using a filling status monitoring device.
A filling status monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention monitors the filling status of a liquid into a filling container in a filling process of a liquid filling line shown in FIG.

The liquid filling line is equipped with a transport mechanism 6 that transports the filled container 1. The liquid filling line also includes a filling valve 5 that fills the filled container 1 with liquid L, a storage tank 4 in which the liquid L is stored, and a flow meter 3 that acquires the inflow amount of liquid L flowing into the storage tank 4. The liquid filling line also includes a transport line 9 that transports the liquid L from a storage tank (not shown) to the storage tank 4. The liquid filling line also includes a sealing device 7 that tightens the lid 2 onto the filled container 1, and a proximity sensor 8 such as an infrared sensor that acquires the number of filled containers 1 filled with liquid L. The storage tank 4 and the filling valve 5 constitute a filling device.

In the liquid filling line, liquid L is transported in the t direction. In the liquid filling line, liquid L is first transported to the liquid storage tank 4 via the transport line 9. Next, liquid L is filled into an empty filled container 1 transported by the transport mechanism 6 via the filling valve 5 of the liquid storage tank 4. At this time, liquid L is continuously or intermittently filled into the inside of the filled container 1. The filled container 1 is transported in the X direction shown in FIG. 1.

A lid 2 is wrapped around the top of the filled container 1 filled with the liquid L, via a sealing compound (not shown), by a sealing device 7. This causes the liquid L to be sealed within the filled container 1 and the lid 2.
Finally, the number of filled containers 1 filled with liquid L is detected by a proximity sensor 8, which is, for example, an infrared sensor. Thereafter, the filled containers 1 filled with liquid L are shipped after undergoing an inspection process and other processes.

There are no particular limitations on the liquid L, so long as it is a liquid, and it may be either a beverage or a non-beverage. Specifically, the liquid L may be a sparkling alcoholic beverage such as beer, sparkling beer, sparkling liqueur, or a carbonated beverage, carbonated water, or the like, which is a liquid that contains a sparkling gas.

When the liquid L is a foamable liquid, after filling the liquid L, a fluid may be injected onto the liquid surface of the liquid L through an injection nozzle (not shown) or the like. By foaming the foamable liquid L with the fluid, air (particularly oxygen) present in the portion of the upper part of the filled container 1 that is not filled with the liquid L can be expelled from the filled container 1. The fluid may be either a liquid or a gas, and examples of the fluid include water, carbon dioxide, and the same liquid as the liquid L filled in the filled container 1.

As the filling container 1, for example, a can-shaped container as shown in Fig. 1, a bottle, a plastic bottle, or the like is suitably used. There is no particular limitation on the filling container 1 as long as it can contain the liquid L, and there is also no particular limitation on the capacity of the filling container 1.
There are no particular limitations on the material from which the filling container 1 is made, and materials such as metal (e.g., aluminum), glass, and plastic (e.g., PET) can be used.

The lid 2 is determined according to the shape and material of the filled container 1. For example, the lid 2 may be a metal lid (aluminum) for a can-shaped container as shown in FIG. 1, a crown cap or screw cap for sealing a bottle, or a plastic cap for sealing a plastic bottle.

The conveying mechanism 6 may be a conveyor-type conveying mechanism (e.g., a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, etc.) as shown in FIG. 1 or a rotary conveying mechanism (e.g., a wheel, a star-shaped wheel), etc.

The filling status monitoring device according to the present invention monitors the filling status of the liquid L during the filling process of the liquid filling line described above. The filling status monitoring device displays the monitoring results of the filling status on a display unit or the like.

<Configuration of the filling status monitoring device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the filling status monitoring device 100 according to the first embodiment.
The filling status monitoring device 100 comprises a touch panel 10, a memory unit 20, a calculation unit 30, an inflow amount acquisition unit 40, a filling number acquisition unit 50, and a communication unit 60. The filling status monitoring device 100 monitors the filling status of the filled container 1 based on information acquired from the above-mentioned liquid filling line. The filling status monitoring device 100 displays the detected filling status on the display unit 12 of the touch panel 10. The filling status monitoring device 100 is also capable of displaying a warning on the display unit 12 depending on the detected filling status.
The following describes a filling status monitoring device 100 that displays the detected filling status on the display unit 12 of the touch panel 10 and also displays a warning on the display unit 12 in accordance with the detected filling status.

(Communications Department)
The communication unit 60 is connected to an external device via a network external to the filling status monitoring device 100 (hereinafter referred to as an external network) and transmits and receives data. The communication unit 60 acquires, for example, the inflow amount of liquid L flowing into the storage tank 4 and the number of filling containers 1 filled with liquid L from the flow meter 3 and the proximity sensor 8 of the liquid filling line, respectively.

(Inflow volume acquisition unit)
The inflow amount acquisition unit 40 is, for example, a flow meter, and acquires the amount of liquid L flowing into the storage tank 4, which is a filling device that fills the filling container 1 with the liquid L.

(Filling number acquisition unit)
The refilling number acquisition unit 50 acquires the refilling number of the filling container 1 filled with the liquid L. The refilling number acquisition unit 50 may be, for example, a commonly used optical sensor such as an infrared sensor or another sensor.

(Memory unit)
The storage unit 20 includes a filling volume storage unit 22 .
The filling volume storage unit 22 stores a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume per one filling container 1. The set filling volume stored in the filling volume storage unit 22 is, for example, a numerical value input by a user via the input unit 14, and is, for example, 350 ml or 500 ml, or any other volume, when the filling container 1 is a can container. The set filling volume may also be stored in advance in the filling volume storage unit 22. For example, when the filling status monitoring device 100 is used only in a liquid filling line that fills a specific volume, the input unit 14 may not be provided as long as the set filling volume is stored in advance in the filling volume storage unit 22.

Other information is also stored in the storage unit 20. For example, the storage unit 20 stores the normal value of the balance calculated by the calculation unit 30. The storage unit 20 also stores a filling status monitoring program for monitoring the filling status of the liquid filling line, a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving signals via the communication unit 60, a program for controlling operations within the filling status monitoring device 100, and the like.
The storage unit 20 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. The storage unit 20 includes a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a working memory for storing data generated during execution of the above-mentioned predetermined program, etc.

(Calculation section)
The calculation unit 30 is a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU). The calculation unit 30 has a function of obtaining a balance between the inflow amount of the liquid L flowing into the storage tank 4 and the theoretical total filling amount, which is the total amount of the liquid L theoretically filled in the filling container 1. The calculation unit 30 obtains the inflow amount of the liquid L flowing into the storage tank 4 from the inflow amount obtaining unit 40. The calculation unit 30 also obtains the filling number, which is the number of filling containers 1 filled with the liquid L detected by the proximity sensor 8, from the filling number obtaining unit 50. The calculation unit 30 obtains the theoretical total filling amount of the filled liquid L based on the obtained set filling capacity and filling number, and obtains the balance between the inflow amount of the liquid L and the theoretical total filling amount.

The calculation unit 30 calculates, as the balance, for example, the ratio of the difference between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount filled (hereinafter referred to as the missing percentage). The missing percentage indicates the ratio of the amount of liquid L that was not filled into the filling container 1 to the inflow amount of liquid L. The calculation unit 30 may also calculate, as the balance, for example, the ratio of the inflow amount of liquid L into the storage tank 4 to the theoretical total amount filled (hereinafter referred to as the success percentage). The success percentage indicates the ratio of the amount of liquid L filled into the filling container 1 to the inflow amount of liquid L. The calculation unit 30 may also calculate, as the balance, the difference between the inflow amount of liquid L and the theoretical total amount filled, or the difference between the actual filling amount per filling container 1 (inflow amount of liquid L/number of fillings) and the set filling capacity.

The inflow amount of liquid L increases or decreases depending on the filling condition of the liquid filling line. For example, in the liquid filling line, the amount of liquid L in the storage tank 4 is set to be relatively constant. Therefore, if there is a leak of liquid L at any point in the liquid filling line, the flow rate of liquid L transported from a storage tank (not shown) to the storage tank 4 is adjusted to increase. Therefore, if there is a leak of liquid L, even if the filling number (i.e. the same theoretical total filling amount) is the same, the inflow amount of liquid L increases, and the difference between the inflow amount and the theoretical total filling amount becomes large.

If the calculated balance falls outside the set normal value range, the calculation unit 30 outputs a warning signal (hereinafter referred to as a warning signal) to the touch panel 10, indicating that there is an abnormality in the filling condition of the liquid filling line.
As an example, if the balance is a shortage percentage (shown as a percentage as an example), a shortage percentage of 0% indicates that all of the liquid L introduced into the storage tank 4 has been filled into the filling container 1. A warning signal is output to the touch panel 10. If the normal value of the shortage percentage is set to be between -3% and +3%, the calculation unit 30 outputs a warning signal when the shortage percentage exceeds 3% or falls below -3%.
Furthermore, if the percentage of missing liquid exceeds the normal range, it indicates that the amount of liquid L filled in the filling container 1 is too small compared to the set value, and if the percentage of missing liquid falls below the normal range, it indicates that the amount of liquid L filled in the filling container 1 is too large compared to the set value.

The calculation unit 30 can obtain the balance with high accuracy by calculating the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount of filled liquid L using the inflow amount, the number of fillings, and the theoretical total amount of filled liquid L over a relatively long period of time. For this reason, it is preferable for the calculation unit 30 to obtain the balance using the inflow amount, the number of fillings, and the theoretical total amount of filled liquid L from the start of filling to the present time.

Moreover, it is more preferable that the calculation unit 30 obtains the balance using the inflow amount, the number of fillings, and the theoretical total amount of filling from a predetermined time after the start of filling of the liquid L to the present time. This is because, for example, an abnormality such as an insufficient amount of filling into the filling container 1 may occur for a certain time after the start of filling of the liquid L. For this reason, in order to improve monitoring accuracy, it is more preferable that the filling status monitoring device 100 starts monitoring the filling status, for example, after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 to 20 minutes) has elapsed after the start of filling of the liquid L, or after a predetermined number of bottles (15,000 to 20,000 bottles) have been filled.

At this time, the filling status monitoring device 100 may be configured not to acquire the inflow amount of liquid L from the flow meter 3 and the proximity sensor 8 of the liquid filling line and the number of filled containers 1 until a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of filling.

Furthermore, the filling status monitoring device 100 may acquire the inflow amount of liquid L and the number of filled containers 1 from the start of filling with liquid L, and calculate the balance in the calculation unit 30 while not displaying a warning due to an imbalance until a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the filling status monitoring device 100 can monitor the solution filling line inside the device while not displaying a warning until the predetermined time has elapsed after the start of filling, until the accuracy of the balance calculation has improved.
The same is true in the case where the filling status monitoring device 100 acquires the inflow amount of liquid L and the number of filled containers 1 from the time when filling of liquid L begins, but does not calculate the balance in the calculation unit 30 until a predetermined time has elapsed after filling begins.

(Touch panel)
The touch panel 10 includes a display unit 12 , an input unit 14 , and a designated position detection unit 16 .
3, the touch panel 10 can display the monitoring status of the liquid filling line on the display unit 12. Furthermore, the touch panel 10 allows the user to input information required for filling status monitoring by touching an operation button display area.

The display unit 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 12 displays objects such as multiple letters, numbers, tables, figures, etc. on the screen as operation buttons in accordance with the control of a control unit (not shown). The display unit 12 also displays the monitoring results of the filling status based on the calculation results received from the calculation unit 30 (described later), and displays objects such as multiple letters, numbers, tables, figures, etc. on the screen as a warning based on a warning signal received from the calculation unit 30.

The display unit 12 displays, as the monitoring status of the liquid filling line, for example, the inflow amount of liquid L, the number of filled containers 1 filled with liquid L, the theoretical total amount of liquid L filled, the actual amount filled per filled container 1, and information on the balance calculated by the calculation unit 30. The information on the balance is calculated almost in real time, that is, immediately when the filling status monitoring device 100 obtains the inflow amount of liquid L and the number of filled containers from the flow meter 3 and the proximity sensor 8 of the liquid filling line, and is displayed on the display unit 12.

The display unit 12 also displays information about the liquid L being filled. The information about the liquid L being filled is obtained from a higher-level control computer via an external network, for example, and displayed. The monitoring status of the liquid filling line is updated and displayed in real time if, for example, the date, type of liquid L, or type (capacity) of the filling container 1 remains the same, and is displayed as new monitoring information if the date, type of liquid L, or type (capacity) of the filling container 1 is changed.

The display unit 12 may display a warning, which is another example of information related to the balance, based on a warning signal from the calculation unit 30 .
Fig. 3 shows an example of a screen in which a warning is displayed on the display unit 12. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the item of the shortage percentage is highlighted in reverse video as the shortage percentage falls outside the normal range.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 12 displays the type of liquid, the product name (e.g., A, B, C), the set filling volume of the liquid into the filling container 1 (e.g., R: 350 ml, H: 500 ml), and the start date and time of filling of the liquid.
For example, liquid L that started to be filled at 1:31 (1:31 a.m.) on April 1, 2019 is a liquid of type (product name) "A" with a set filling volume of 350 ml. Display unit 12 displays the inflow amount (L) "a1" from the start of filling of liquid "A" (1:31) to the present time, the number filled (bottles) "b1", the theoretical total filled amount (L) "c1", the difference (L) between the inflow amount of liquid "A" and the theoretical total filled amount "d1", the success rate (%) "e1", the shortage rate (%) "f1", and the actual filled amount (ml/bottle) "g1".

FIG. 3 also shows the following filling states of the liquid L as past filling states:
Liquid L, which began to be filled at 13:34 (1:34 p.m.) on March 31, 2019 (set filling volume: 500 ml, type (product name) of liquid L: "B")
・Liquid L (set filling volume 350 ml, type (product name) of liquid L "B"), which started filling at 2:43 (2:43 a.m.) on March 31, 2019
Liquid L, which began to be filled at 16:32 (4:32 p.m.) on March 30, 2019 (set filling volume: 500 ml, type (product name) of liquid L: “C”)
As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 12 displays the filling status from the start of filling to the end of filling, including the inflow amount (L) "a2", "a3", "a4", the number filled (bottles) "b2", "b3", "b4", the theoretical total amount filled (L) "c2", "c3", "c4", the difference (L) between the inflow amount of liquid L and the theoretical total amount filled "d2", "d3", "d4", the success rate (%) "e2", "e3", "e4", the shortage rate (%) "f2", "f3", "f4", and the actual amount filled (ml/bottle) "g2", "g3", "g4".
In addition, a1 to g1, a2 to g2, a3 to g3, and a4 to g4 are actually specific numerical values.

At this time, the calculation unit 30 calculates the "shortage percentage" as the balance. It is also assumed that the normal value of the "shortage percentage", which is the balance, is stored in the memory unit 20 as "-3% or more and +3% or less". The calculation unit 30 compares the calculated shortage percentage (%) "f1" with the normal value stored in the memory unit 20, and if it is outside the range of the normal values, it displays the display area for "f1" by, for example, inverting it as shown in FIG. 3. This makes it possible to display a warning indicating an abnormality in the liquid filling line.
Here, the warning is displayed by highlighting a predetermined item by highlighting the predetermined item, flashing the item, or changing the color of the item to red or the like.

The input unit 14 is, for example, a part of the capacitive touch panel 10, and inputs user instructions. When the touch area on the surface of the input unit 14 is touched by a detectable object such as a fingertip of the user's hand, the capacitance of the electrode corresponding to the detection position of the detectable object changes. The input unit 14 is placed over the screen of the display unit 12. As a result, the entire screen of the display unit 12 becomes the touch area of the input unit 14.

The designated position detection unit 16 detects a position on the screen designated by the user based on an instruction input by the user to the input unit 14. That is, the designated position detection unit 16 detects a position touched by the user in the touch area of the input unit 14, and detects a change in capacitance at that position. An output signal from the designated position detection unit 16 is transmitted to a control unit (not shown).
As a result, the set filling volume is stored in, for example, the filling volume storage unit 22 .

In this embodiment, the touch panel 10 is provided with the input unit 14 and the designated position detection unit 16, but the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the display unit 12 and the input unit 14 may be provided separately. The input unit 14 may be a touch panel or an input device such as a keyboard. The input unit 14 is, for example, a keyboard of a higher-level control computer that controls the liquid filling line. The production plan for the liquid filling line (type of liquid L to be filled, type (capacity) of filled container 1, etc.) is input to the input unit 14 of the higher-level control computer.

The filling status monitoring device 100 described above executes the filling status monitoring method as follows.

<How to monitor filling status>
The filling status monitoring method executed in the above-mentioned filling status monitoring device 100 will be described below using Fig. 4 with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the filling status monitoring method executed in each unit of the filling status monitoring device 100. Note that the following description will explain the case where a warning is displayed when the balance calculated by the calculation unit 30 falls outside the set range of normal values.

First, the filling volume storage unit 22 stores a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume for the filling container 1 (step S11). The set filling volume is, for example, a value input by the user via the input unit 14.

The inflow amount acquisition unit 40 acquires the inflow amount of liquid L flowing into the liquid storage tank 4, which is a filling device that fills the filling container 1 with liquid L, via the communication unit 60 (step S12). The inflow amount of liquid L is periodically acquired from the flow meter 3 of the liquid filling line via the communication unit 60 and an external network (not shown). The inflow amount acquisition unit 40 transmits the acquired inflow amount to the calculation unit 30.

The filling number acquisition unit 50 acquires the number of filling containers 1 filled with liquid L via the communication unit 60 (step S13). The communication unit 60 periodically acquires the number of filling containers 1 from the proximity sensor 8 of the liquid filling line via an external network (not shown). The filling number acquisition unit 50 transmits the acquired number of fillings to the calculation unit 30.
The order of the operation of obtaining the filling number in step S13 and the operation of obtaining the inflow amount in step S12 does not matter.

The calculation unit 30 obtains the theoretical total amount of liquid L filled based on the set filling volume and the number of fillings obtained in step S13. The theoretical total amount of filling is obtained by multiplying the set filling volume and the number of fillings. The calculation unit 30 also calculates the balance between the inflow volume of liquid L obtained in step S12 and the theoretical total amount of filling (step S14). As the balance, the calculation unit 30 calculates, for example, the ratio of the difference between the inflow volume and the theoretical total amount of filling relative to the inflow volume (hereinafter referred to as the deficiency rate). The calculation unit 30 transmits the calculated balance to the display unit 12.

The display unit 12 displays the information about the balance acquired from the calculation unit 30 (step S15).
Next, for example, a control unit (not shown) judges whether the balance calculated by the calculation unit 30 is outside a predetermined setting range (step S16). If it is judged that the balance is outside the predetermined setting range (Yes in step S16), the calculation unit 30 outputs a warning signal to the display unit 12, assuming that there is an abnormality in the filling state of the liquid filling line, and the process proceeds to step S17.
On the other hand, if it is not determined that the balance is outside the predetermined set range (No in step S16), the process returns to step S11.

Finally, the display unit 12 displays a warning on the screen in response to the warning signal transmitted from the display unit 12 .
The filling status monitoring method as described above is realized by a control unit (not shown) of the filling status monitoring device 100 executing a filling status monitoring program.

<Filling status monitoring program>
The filling status monitoring program causes a computer to function as each part of the filling status monitoring device 100 described above, namely, the memory unit 20, the calculation unit 30, the inflow amount acquisition unit 40, the filling number acquisition unit 50 and the communication unit 60.

<Effects of the First Embodiment>
The filling status monitoring device 100 according to the first embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) When the filling status monitoring device 100 acquires the inflow amount and the number of fillings of liquid L from the liquid filling line, information relating to the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total filling amount is immediately calculated and displayed on the display unit 12. Therefore, the filling status monitoring device 100 can grasp in real time the deviation between the filling amount of liquid and the appropriate filling amount.

(2) The filling status monitoring device 100 monitors the filling status using a filling volume predicted as the amount to be filled into the filling container, i.e., based on the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount to be filled. Therefore, the filling status monitoring device 100 can monitor the filling status without measuring the weight of the filling container after it has been filled with liquid L.
The weight of the filled container after being filled with liquid L is measured for each filled container 1 after the lid 2 is tightened around the filled container 1 by the sealing device 7 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of time to measure the weight of each filled container 1 and obtain the total weight. On the other hand, the theoretical total filling amount is calculated by the calculation unit 30 using the filling number obtained immediately by the proximity sensor 8 shown in Fig. 1 after the lid 2 is tightened around the filled container 1. Therefore, the filling status monitoring device 100 makes it possible to grasp in real time the deviation between the filled amount of liquid and the appropriate filled amount.

(3) The filling status monitoring device 100 can immediately determine the filling status based on the calculated balance and display a warning on the display unit 12. As a result, the filling status monitoring device 100 can notify a user (such as a manager of the liquid filling line) in real time of a discrepancy between the filling amount of liquid and the appropriate filling amount.
(4) In the filling status monitoring device 100, by monitoring the filling status of the foamable liquid, it is possible to grasp in real time the difference between the filling amount of the liquid and the appropriate filling amount, thereby increasing the effect of suppressing loss of the liquid L. When the liquid L is a foamable liquid, the filling amount of the liquid L tends to decrease due to the injection of the fluid, and therefore it is more effective to monitor the filling status in real time.

2. Modifications The filling status monitoring device 100 according to the above embodiment may further be configured as follows.

(Variation 1)
Instead of or in addition to the display unit 12 capable of displaying a warning, the filling status monitoring device 100 may be equipped with a speaker capable of outputting a sound indicating a warning, or a warning light that lights up a light such as a red light indicating a warning. In the filling status monitoring device 100, when the balance between the inflow amount of liquid L and the theoretical total filling amount calculated by the calculation unit 30 falls outside a set normal value range, it outputs a warning signal to the speaker or warning light, assuming that there is an abnormality in the filling status of the liquid filling line. The speaker outputs a warning sound when it receives a warning signal. Also, the warning light turns on when it receives a warning signal.

The filling status monitoring device 100 has a speaker or warning light, and can notify by sound or light that the balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount filled is outside a predetermined set range. The filling status monitoring device 100 can warn a user (such as a liquid filling line manager) in real time, even if the user is not looking at the display unit 12. This makes it possible to quickly eliminate the cause of the imbalance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount filled in the liquid filling line (for example, leakage of liquid L in the transport line), and to better prevent waste of liquid L.

(Variation 2)
The filling status monitoring device 100 may transmit a warning signal to an external network via the communication unit 60. When the balance between the inflow amount of the liquid L into the storage tank 4 and the theoretical total filling amount falls outside a predetermined set range, the filling status monitoring device 100 can transmit a warning signal to an external terminal or the like via the external network. Examples of external terminals include a terminal in a central monitoring room that centrally monitors the filling status, a mobile terminal carried by a user, and the like.

The filling status monitoring device 100 can display a warning on the display of a terminal in a central monitoring room or a mobile terminal, or output an audio warning from a speaker, by transmitting a warning signal to an external network. The filling status monitoring device 100 can also automatically stop the filling process in the liquid filling line by transmitting a warning signal to an external network. Furthermore, if the external terminal is a communication terminal with voice communication and data communication functions, such as a smartphone, the filling status monitoring device 100 can send an email containing text information about the filling status to the mobile terminal, issue an audio warning via a call, or turn on a light on the mobile terminal.

As a result, the filling status monitoring device 100 can issue a real-time warning to managers and others who are not near the liquid filling line, and can quickly resolve the cause of the imbalance between the inflow volume and the theoretical total filling volume in the liquid filling line, thereby better preventing waste of liquid L.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but includes all embodiments that achieve the same effect as the object of the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the combination of the features of the invention defined by the claims, but can be defined by any desired combination of specific features among all the respective disclosed features.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Filling container 2 Lid 3 Flow meter 4 Storage tank 5 Filling valve 6 Transport mechanism 7 Sealing device 8 Proximity sensor 9 Transport line 10 Touch panel 12 Display unit 14 Input unit 16 Designated position detection unit 20 Memory unit 22 Filling volume memory unit 30 Calculation unit 40 Inflow amount acquisition unit 50 Filling number acquisition unit 60 Communication unit

Claims (9)

A filling status monitoring device for monitoring a filling status of a liquid into a filling container in a liquid filling line, comprising:
an inflow amount acquisition unit that acquires an inflow amount of the liquid flowing into a filling device that fills the filling container with the liquid;
A filling volume storage unit that stores a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume per filling container;
a filling number acquisition unit that acquires the filling number of the filling containers filled with the liquid;
a calculation unit that obtains a theoretical total amount of the filled liquid based on the set filling volume and the filling number, and obtains a balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount;
A display unit that displays information related to the balance;
Equipped with
the calculation unit calculates the balance using the total amount of inflow from the start of filling of the liquid to the present time, the total number of fillings, and the theoretical total filling amount;
The display unit does not display a warning due to an imbalance until a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby displaying information about the balance during a period excluding a period during which an abnormality is likely to occur in filling the filling container with the liquid.
Filling status monitoring device. A filling status monitoring device for monitoring a filling status of a liquid into a filling container in a liquid filling line, comprising:
an inflow amount acquisition unit that acquires an inflow amount of the liquid flowing into a filling device that fills the filling container with the liquid;
A filling volume storage unit that stores a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume per filling container;
a filling number acquisition unit that acquires the filling number of the filling containers filled with the liquid;
a calculation unit that obtains a theoretical total amount of the filled liquid based on the set filling volume and the filling number, and obtains a balance between the inflow amount and the theoretical total amount;
A display unit that displays information related to the balance;
Equipped with
The calculation unit calculates the balance using the total amount of inflow from a predetermined time after the start of filling of the liquid to the present time, the total number of fillings, and the theoretical total filling amount, thereby calculating the balance for a period excluding a period during which an abnormality is likely to occur in filling the filling container with the liquid.
Filling status monitoring device. 3. The filling status monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information indicating a warning when the balance is outside a predetermined set range. A filling status monitoring device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one of a speaker that outputs a sound indicating a warning when the balance is outside a predetermined set range, and a warning light that outputs a light indicating a warning when the balance is outside a predetermined set range. A communication unit for connecting to an external device via an external network,
5. The filling status monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the calculation unit transmits a signal related to the warning to the external network via the communication unit. A filling status monitoring device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the calculation unit calculates, as the balance, a ratio of the theoretical filling total amount to the inflow amount, or a ratio of the difference between the inflow amount and the theoretical filling total amount to the inflow amount. An input unit for inputting instructions from a user,
7. The filling status monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the filling volume storage unit stores the set filling volume based on the instruction inputted from the input unit. A method for monitoring a filling status of a liquid in a filling container, comprising the steps of:
a filling volume storage step of storing a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume to the filling container;
An inflow amount acquisition step of acquiring an inflow amount of the liquid flowing into a filling device that fills a filling container with the liquid;
a filling number acquisition step of acquiring a filling number of the filling containers filled with the liquid;
a balance calculation step of obtaining a theoretical total amount of the liquid based on the set filling volume and the total number of fillings from the start of filling of the liquid to the present time, and calculating a balance between the total amount of the inflow from the start of filling of the liquid to the present time and the theoretical total amount of filling;
a display step of displaying information regarding the balance;
Equipped with
The display step of this filling status monitoring method does not display a warning due to balance abnormality until a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby displaying information regarding the balance for a period excluding a period during which abnormalities are likely to occur in filling the liquid into the filling container . A method for monitoring a filling status of a liquid in a filling container, comprising the steps of:
a filling volume storage step of storing a set filling volume, which is a set value of the filling volume to the filling container;
An inflow amount acquisition step of acquiring an inflow amount of the liquid flowing into a filling device that fills a filling container with the liquid;
a filling number acquisition step of acquiring a filling number of the filling containers filled with the liquid;
a balance calculation step of obtaining a theoretical total amount of the filled liquid based on the set filling volume and the total number of fillings from a predetermined time after the start of filling of the liquid to the present time, and calculating a balance between the total amount of inflow from a predetermined time after the start of filling of the liquid to the present time and the theoretical total amount of filling , thereby calculating the balance for a period excluding a period during which abnormalities are likely to occur in filling the liquid into the filling container;
a display step of displaying information regarding the balance;
A method for monitoring a filling status comprising:

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