DK201870417A1

DK201870417A1 - Combined measurement device

Info

Publication number: DK201870417A1
Application number: DKPA201870417A
Authority: DK
Inventors: ETO Takao; Fujita Shinichi; Horitani Yoshiki
Original assignee: Ishida Co.
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-12-08
Publication date: 2018-07-24
Also published as: JP2017111091A; JP6599754B2; WO2017104540A1

Abstract

A combination weighing apparatus includes a main body having a through hole penetrating the main body from an inside to an outside thereof, a hopper disposed outside the main body, a trough disposed in the main body and extending from a vicinity of the through hole toward the hopper, a spiral screw disposed in the trough and transporting an article in the trough toward the hopper, a rotary shaft having a proximal end side inserted into the through hole and a distal end connected to the screw, and a rigid cover member disposed between an outer surface of the rotary shaft and an inner surface of the through hole.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention

COMBINED MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Technical Field [0001 ] The present disclosure relates to a combination weighing apparatus.

Background Art [0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a combination weighing apparatus transporting an article by using a screw feeder. This apparatus is 10 provided with an internal motor accommodated in a main body and a motor shaft inserted into an opening (through hole) formed in the rear wall of a trough as mechanisms rotating a spiral screw disposed in the trough, and one end of the motor shaft is connected to the internal motor and the other end of the motor shaft is connected to the screw. In 15 addition, this apparatus is provided with a seal member between the motor shaft and the rear wall of the trough (in the apparatus main body) so that leakage of the article from the trough into an internal motor compartment is avoided. The article transported by this apparatus is, for example, sticky chicken or fish.

Citation List

Patent Literature [0003] Patent Document I: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-537099

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem [0004] The combination weighing apparatus disclosed in Patent

I

DK 2018 70417 A1

Literature 1 transports the sticky article. In general, a part of the sticky article is likely to stick to the apparatus during the transport process. Accordingly, the combination weighing apparatus is cleaned by means of a liquid. However, in a case where the entire combination weighing 5 apparatus is cleaned by means of a high-pressure washer or the like, a high-pressure liquid may directly reach the vicinity'· of the motor shaft. In this case, the high-pressure liquid breaks through the above-described seal member. As a result, in the combination weighing apparatus, the liquid breaking through the seal member may adversely affect the 10 internal mechanisms that operate the screw described above.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a combination weighing apparatus in which a liquid can be blocked from directly reaching the inside of the apparatus main body.

Solution to Problem [0006] A combination weighing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a main body having a through hole penetrating the main body from an inside to an outside thereof, a hopper disposed outside the main body, a trough disposed in the main body and extending from a vicinity of the through hole toward the hopper, a spiral 20 screw disposed in the trough and transporting an article in the trough toward the hopper, a rotary shaft having a proximal end side inserted into the through hole and a distal end connected to the screw, and a rigid cover member disposed between an outer surface of the rotary shaft and an inner surface of the through hole.

[0007] In this combination weighing apparatus, the rigid cover member is disposed between the outer surface of the rotary shaft and the inner

DK 2018 70417 A1 surface of the through hole. Accordingly, in a case where cleaning by means of a high-pressure washer is carried out, a high-pressure liquid is obstructed by the rigid cover member before reaching the apparatus main body. Accordingly this combination weighing apparatus is 5 capable of blocking the liquid from directly reaching the inside of the apparatus main body.

[0008] In one embodiment, the rotary shaft may have a first step portion where the distal end side is reduced in diameter and the rigid cover member may be disposed on the rotary shaft and positioned on the 10 first step portion. In a case where cleaning by means of a high-pressure washer or the like is carried out, a force directed toward the inside of the main body is applied to the rigid cover member by a liquid pressure. The applied force is borne by the first step portion positioning the rigid cover member. Accordingly, in this apparatus, the 15 high-pressure liquid is reliably obstructed.

[0009] In one embodiment, a gap may be formed between an outer surface of the rigid cover member and the inner surface of foe through hole and the through hole may have a diameter-reduced portion formed inside the rigid cover member in the main body with an inner surface 20 protruding radially inward beyond the gap in a case where the rigid cover member is disposed on the rotary shaft. In the case of this configuration, the diameter-reduced portion of the through hole obstructs the high-pressure liquid infiltrating from the gap between the outer surface of the rigid cover member and the inner surface of the 25 through hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the combination weighing apparatus may

DK 2018 70417 A1 include an elastic seal member disposed inside the rigid cover member in the main body and providing sealing between the outer surface of the rotary shaft and the inner surface of the through hole. In the case of this configuration, the high-pressure liquid directly hitting the elastic seal member can be avoided.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0011] According to the present disclosure, a liquid can be blocked from directly reaching the inside of the apparatus main body.

Brief Description of Drawings [0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a combination weighing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG 2 is a schematic front view of a case, a dispersion table, and a transport: unit of the combination weighing apparatus illustrated in FIG I.

.15 FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the case, the dispersion table, and the transport unit of the combination weighing apparatus illustrated in FIG 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the combination weighing apparatus illustrated in FIG 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the attachment part for a screw unit illustrated in FIG 3.

Description of Embodiments [0013] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a combination weighing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the 25 combination weighing apparatus 1 is provided with a case (main body)

2, a dispersion table 10, a plurality of transport units 20, a plurality of

DK 2018 70417 A1 screw units 30, a plurality of pool hoppers (hoppers) 40, a plurality of measurement hoppers 50, a plurality of booster hoppers 60, a collecting chute 70. and a plurality of guide blocks 80. The combination weighing apparatus 1 measures an article (soft and sticky food such as 5 raw chicken) supplied by a cross feeder (not illustrated) disposed above the combination weighing apparatus 1 such that a target measurement value is met.

[0014] The case 2 is a housing in which a control unit, a drive motor, and so on are accommodated. The dispersion table 10 is disposed on 10 the case 2. The dispersion table 10 has a conical transport surface spreading downward. The dispersion table 10 is driven to rotate about a rotation axis C extending in an up-down direction. The article transported by the cross feeder is supplied to a substantially middle portion of the dispersion table 10. Then, the dispersion table 10 15 transports the article supplied trom above radially outward while dispersing the article in a circumferential direction. The dispersion table 10 releases the article from the outer peripheral edge of the dispersion table 10.

[00.15] The article released from the dispersion table 10 is supplied to 20 the plurality of transport units 20 disposed below the dispersion table

10. The plurality of transport units 20 are disposed on the side of the case 2. The plurality of transport: units 20 are radially disposed along the outer edge of the transport surface of the dispersion table 10. The guide block 80 is disposed between the transport units 20 that are next 25 to each other. By the action of the guide block 80, tailing of the article between the transport units 20 can be reduced. Each transport unit 20

DK 2018 70417 A1 has a trough 21 extending to the outside from below the outer edge of the transport surface of the dispersion table 10. The screw unit 30 is disposed in the trough 21. The screw unit 30 is driven to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the extension direction of the trough 21.

[0016] The transport unit 20 transports the article supplied from the dispersion table 10 toward the pool hoppers 40 disposed around the dispersion table 10 to correspond respectively to the transport units 20. Specifically, the article in the trough 21 is transported toward the outer end portion of the trough 21 by the screw unit 30 disposed in the trough 10 21 being driven to rotate in each transport unit 20. Then, each transport unit 20 allows the article to fall downward from the outer end portion of the trough 21.

[0017] The article falling from each transport unit 20 is supplied to each pool hopper 40 disposed below the outer end portion of the transport 15 unit 20 (below the outer end portion of the trough 21). Each pool hopper 40 is disposed below the outer end portion of the trough 21 of each transport unit 20. Each pool hopper 40 has a gate openable and closable with respect to the bottom portion thereof. By the gate being closed, each pool hopper 40 temporarily stores the article discharged 20 from the tip portion of the corresponding trough 21. In addition, by the gate being opened, each pool hopper 40 discharges the temporarily stored article downward.

[0018] The article discharged from each pool hopper 40 is supplied to each measurement hopper 50 disposed below the gate of each pool 25 hopper 40. Each measurement hopper 50 is disposed below the gate of each pool hopper 40. Each measurement hopper 50 has a gate

DK 2018 70417 A1 openable and closable with respect to the bottom portion thereof. By the gate being closed, each measurement hopper 50 temporarily stores the article discharged from the corresponding pool hopper 40, Each measurement hopper 50 is provided with a measurement mechanism 5 (not illustrated). This measurement mechanism measures a measurement value that depends on the mass of the article. By the gate being opened, each measurement hopper 50 discharges the temporarily stored article downward.

[0019] The article discharged from each measurement hopper 50 is 10 supplied to each booster hopper 60 disposed below the gate of each measurement hopper 50. Each booster hopper 60 is disposed below the gate of each measurement hopper 50. Each booster hopper 60 has a gate openable and closable with respect to the bottom portion thereof. By the gate being closed, each booster hopper 60 temporarily stores the 15 article discharged from the gate side of the corresponding measurement hopper 50. By the gate being opened, each booster hopper 60 discharges the temporarily stored article downward.

[0020] The article discharged from each measurement hopper 50 and each booster hopper 60 is supplied to the collecting chute 70 disposed 20 below the gates of each measurement hopper 50 and each booster hopper 60. The collecting chute 70 has a tubular structure that has a truncated cone-shaped inner surface tapering downward. The collecting chute 70 is disposed such that the inner surface is positioned below all of the measurement hoppers 50 and the booster hoppers 60. 25 The collecting chute 70 receives the article discharged from the gate side of each measurement hopper 50 and the article discharged from

DK 2018 70417 A1 each booster hopper 60 with the inner surface and discharges the article downward.

[0021] The control unit (not illustrated) controls the components of the combination weighing apparatus I. The control unit has a central 5 processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and so on. The control unit controls the operation of each part of the combination weighing apparatus 1 such as the transport operation of the dispersion table 10 and the transport unit 20, the operation for opening and closing the gate of each pool hopper 40, the 10 operation for opening and closing the gate of each measurement hopper 50, and the operation for opening and closing the gate of each booster hopper 60.

[0022] The control unit stores the measurement value measured by the measurement mechanism and the measurement hopper 50 and/or the 15 booster hopper 60 storing the article corresponding to the measurement value in association with each other. Specifically, in a case where the article measured by the measurement mechanism is stored in the measurement hopper 50, the control unit stores the measurement value measured by the measurement mechanism and the measurement hopper 20 50 storing the article corresponding to the measurement value in association with each other. In a case where the article measured by the measurement mechanism is discharged to the booster hopper 60 corresponding to the measurement hopper 50, the control unit stores the measurement value of the article measured by the measurement 25 mechanism and the booster hopper 60 corresponding to the measurement hopper 50 in association with each other.

DK 2018 70417 A1 [0023] The control unit selects a measurement value combmation, from a plurality of the measurement values measured by the measurement mechanism and associated respectively with the plurality of measurement hoppers 50 and/or the plurality of booster hoppers 60, 5 such that the total value becomes the target measurement value or a mass value within a range set based on the target measurement value. Specifically, the control unit selects the measurement value combination, from the plurality of measurement values output by the measurement mechanism, such that the total value falls within a 10 predetermined range in which the target measurement value is the lower limit value. Subsequently, the control unit discharges the article to the measurement hopper 50 and/or the booster hopper 60 corresponding to the combination.

[0024] The dispersion table 10 and the transport unit 20 will be

1.5 described in detail below. FIG 2 is a schematic front view of the case 2, the dispersion table 10, and the transport trait 20 of the combination weighing apparatus illustrated in FIG 1. Drawn in FIG. 2 is a state where the guide block: 80 illustrated in FIG 1 is removed. Also drawn in FIG 2 is a state where the screw units 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 are 20 removed except one. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the case 2, the dispersion table 10, and the transport unit 20 of the combination weighing apparatus I illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG 4 is a schematic plan view of the combination weighing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Drawn in FIG. 4 is a state where the dispersion table 10 is removed. In 25 FIG. 4. only the position of the outer edge of the dispersion table 10 is drawn with a two-dot chain line.

DK 2018 70417 A1 [0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispersion table 10 is a member formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view and has a conical portion 11 disposed in a middle portion and a peripheral edge portion 12 disposed at the peripheral edge of the conical portion 11.

Both the conical portion 11 and the peripheral edge portion 12 are inclined such that the peripheral edge side of the dispersion table 10 becomes lower. The conical portion. 1.1 is formed to be more inclined than the peripheral edge portion 12.

[0026] The dispersion table 10 is disposed on the case 2 and supported 10 by a drive shaft 104 disposed below the dispersion table 10. The drive shaft 104 supporting the dispersion table 10 is connected to a dispersion table motor 101 accommodated in the case 2. By the dispersion table motor 101 being driven by the control unit (not illustrated), the dispersion table 10 is driven io rotate about the rotation axis C 15 extending in the vertical direction.

[0027] The plurality of transport units 20 are attached to a side surface of the case 2 to surround the case 2. Each transport unit 20 is disposed to correspond to an opening portion (through hole) 5 formed in. the side surface 3 and penetrating the case 2 from the inside to the 20 outside. Each transport unit 20 has the trough 21 and the screw unit

30. The trough 21 is disposed in the case 2 and extends from the vicinity of the opening portion 5 in the case 2 toward the pool hopper 40 disposed outside the case 2 (refer to FIG 4). The vicinity means a position within a predetermined distance from the opening portion 5.

[0028] The screw unit 30 has a spiral screw 30a disposed in. the trough and a cylinder member 30b connected to the screw 30a. The screw .10

DK 2018 70417 A1

30a is connected to a rotary·' drive shaft (rotary shaft) 105 via the cylinder member 3 0b. One end side (a proximal end side) of the rotary·' drive shaft 105 is inserted into the opening portion 5 and the other end side (a distal end side) of the rotary drive shaft: 105 is connected to the screw 30a and the cylinder member 30b. One end side of the rotary drive shaft 105 is supported by a bearing 8 and connected to a screw motor 102 accommodated in the case 2. By the screw motor 102 being driven by the control unit (not illustrated), the screw 30a is driven to rotate about a rotation axis extending in a horizontal direction. As a 10 result, the screw 30a transports the article in the trough 21 toward the pool hopper 40.

[0029] A non-contact sensor .103 detecting the article falling from the outer end portion of the trough 21 is disposed below the trough 21. The sensor 103 is disposed in the inner portion of the case 2 and is

1.5 sealed in a liquid-tight manner from the outside of the case 2 by a plate 100. The sensor 103 detects the article via die window that is disposed in the plate 100. The sensor 103 is connected to the control unit (not illustrated) and outputs a detection result to the control unit. A light sensor, a laser sensor, an image sensor, or the like is used as an example 20 of the sensor 103. In short, the sensor 103 may be of any type insofar its the sensor 103 is a non-contact sensor. The upper end portion of the plate 100 is configured to be inclined from the middle toward both left and right end portions. As a result, accumulation of water in the upper end portion of the plate 100 can be avoided during liquid-based 25 cleaning.

[0030] The screw unit 30 will be described in detail below. FIG. 5. is

DK 2018 70417 A1 an enlarged sectional view of the attachment part for the screw unit 30 that is illustrated in FIG; 3. As illustrated in FIG; 5, the opening portion 5 formed in the side surface 3 of the case 2 is defined by an inner surface 4a of a tubular sleeve 4 disposed on the side surface 3 of 5 the case 2. A flange portion is formed in one end portion 4b of the sleeve 4. The sleeve 4 is fitted into the opening in the side surface 3 of the case 2 and attached to the case 2 by the flange portion being fixed to the case 2 with a screw or the like.

[0031] An inner diameter-reduced first diameter-reduced portion 4d and 10 an inner diameter-reduced second diameter-reduced portion 4e are formed on the other end portion 4c side of the sleeve 4. The first diameter-reduced portion 4d is formed closer to the other end portion 4c side of the sleeve 4 than the second diameter-reduced portion 4e and protrudes radially inward beyond the second diameter-reduced portion 15 4e. As a result, a first step 4f and a second step 4g are formed in two stages from the inside toward the outside of the case 2. The rotary' drive shaft 105 is inserted into the opening portion 5. An elastic seal member 6 and a rigid cover member 7 are disposed in. the opening portion 5.

[0032] The elastic seal member 6 is disposed inside the rigid cover member 7 in the case 2 and outside the bearing 8 in the case 2. The elastic seal member 6 is, for example, an annular member that has a through hole. The elastic seal member 6 provides sealing between an outer surface 105a of the rotary drive shaft 105 and the inner surface 4a 25 of the sleeve 4. More specifically, the elastic seal member 6 is disposed on the first diameter-reduced portion 4d and positioned by .12

DK 2018 70417 A1 being struck by the first step 4f. The elastic seal member 6 is disposed in contact with the outer surface 105a of the rotary drive shaft 105 and the inlier surface 4a of the sleeve 4 and provides the sealing in a liquid-tight manner while allowing the rotary drive shaft 105 to rotate. 5 The elastic seal member 6 is formed oft for example, a flexible resin.

[0033] The rigid cover member 7 is disposed outside the elastic seal member 6 in the case 2. The rigid cover member 7 is disposed to be positioned between the outer surface 105a of the rotary drive shaft 105 and the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4. The rigid cover member 7 10 blocks a liquid injected during cleaning of the combination weighing apparatus such that the liquid does not directly reach the inside of the case 2. The rigid cover member 7 is, for example, an annular member that has a through hole and is disposed on the rotary drive shaft 105. A diameter-reduced portion 105b, where the outer surface 105a. is reduced 15 in diameter from the inside of the case 2 (one end side of the rotary' drive shaft 105) toward the outside (the other end side of the rotary' drive shaft 105), is formed in the rotary drive shaft 105. A first step portion 105c, where the outer surface 1.05a is reduced in diameter from the inside toward the outside of the case 2, is formed as a result. The 20 rigid cover member 7 is disposed on the diameter-reduced portion 105b and positioned by being strack by the first step portion 105c.

[0034] The rigid cover member 7 is a member that has strength to withstand the water pressure during general cleaning and is, for example, a member that is tree from deformation causing a cover 25 function to be lost when a force is applied in the horizontal direction.

More specifically, the rigid cover member 7 is formed of a resin, a

DK 2018 70417 A1 metal, or the like that is harder than the material of the elastic seal member 6.

[0035] The length from an inner surface 7a to an outer surface 7b of the rigid cover member 7 is shorter than the length from the outer surface 5 105a of the rotary drive shaft 105 to the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4.

Accordingly, a gap is formed between the outer surface 7b of the rigid cover member 7 and the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4. As a result, the rigid cover member 7 does not inhibit rotation of the rotary drive shaft 105. Furthermore, the second diameter-reduced portion 4e 10 protrudes radially inward beyond the gap. As a result, the liquid arriving through the gap from the outside of the case 2 reaches the second step 4g of the second diameter-reduced portion 4e, and thus the liquid can be prevented from directly hitting the inner portion of the case 2.

[0036] In the combination weighing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the rigid cover member 7 is disposed between the outer surface 105a of the rotary drive shaft 105 and the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4. Accordingly, in a case where cleaning by means of a high-pressure washer is carried out, a 20 high-pressure liquid is obstructed by the rigid cover member 7 before reaching the inside of the case 2. Accordingly, this combination weighing apparatus 1 is capable of blocking the liquid from directly reaching the inside of the case 2. Therefore, the high-pressure liquid breaking through the elastic seal member 6 or adversely affecting the 25 internal mechanism operating the screw 30a (such as the bearing 8 and the screw motor 102) can be avoided.

DK 2018 70417 A1 [0037] In addition, in the combination weighing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the rotary drive shaft 105 has the first step portion 105c where the other end side thereof is reduced in diameter and the rigid cover member 7 is disposed on the rotary drive shaft 1.05 and 5 positioned on the first step portion 105c. In a case where cleaning by means of a high-pressure washer or the like is carried out, a force directed toward the inside of the case 2 is applied to the rigid cover member 7 by a liquid pressure. The applied force is borne by the first step portion 105 c positioning the rigid cover member 7. Accordingly, 10 in the combination weighing apparatus I, the rigid cover member 7 is unlikely to be removed and the high-pressure liquid is reliably obstructed.

[0038] In addition, in a case where the rigid cover member 7 is disposed on the rotary drive shaft 105 in the combination weighing

1.5 apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the gap is formed between the outer surface 7b of the rigid cover member 7 and the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4 and the opening portion 5 has the second diameter-reduced portion 4e formed inside the rigid cover member 7 in the case 2 with the inner surface 4a protruding radially inward beyond 20 the gap. Accordingly, the second diameter-reduced portion 4e obstructs the high-pressure liquid infiltrating from the gap between the outer surface 7b of the rigid cover member 7 and the inner surface 4a of the sleeve 4.

[0039] In addition, in the combination weighing apparatus 1 according 25 to the present embodiment, the elastic seal member 6 is provided inside the rigid cover member 7 in the case 2. Accordingly, the high-pressure

DK 2018 70417 A1 liquid directly bitting the elastic seal member 6 can be avoided.

[0040] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the combination weighing 5 apparatus according to the present disclosure may not be provided with the plurality of booster hoppers 60. In addition, the article that is measured by the combination weighing apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to the soft and sticky food and may also be any article insofar as the article is, for example, food hardly carried 10 by normal vibration transport. In addition, the shape of the rigid cover member according to the present disclosure is not limited insofar as the rigid cover member is capable of blocking the opening portion 5 in the case 2. Furthermore, the rigid cover member according to the present disclosure may be disposed on the sleeve 4 instead of the rotary drive 15 shaft 105.

Reference Signs List [0041] I: combination weighing apparatus, 2: case (main body), 4e: second diameter-reduced portion, 6: elastic seal member, 7: rigid cover member, 40: pool hopper (hopper), 21: trough, 30: screw unit, 30a: 20 screw, 105: rotary drive shaft (rotary shaft), 105c: first step portion.

DK 2018 70417 A1

Claims

1. A combination weighing apparatus comprising:

a main body having a through hole penetrating the main body from an inside to an outside thereof;

5 a hopper disposed outside the main body;

a trough disposed in the main body and extending from a vicinity of the through hole toward the hopper;

a spiral screw disposed in the trough and transporting an article in the trough toward, the hopper;

10 a rotary shaft having a proximal end side inserted into the through hole and a distal end side connected to the screw; and a rigid cover member disposed between an outer surface of the rotary shaft and an inner surface of the through hole.

2. The combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1,

15 wherein the rotary shaft has a first step portion where the distal end side is reduced in diameter, and the rigid cover member is disposed on the rotary shaft and positioned on the first step portion.

20 3. The combination weighing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a gap is formed between an outer surface of the rigid cover member and the inner surface of the through hole, and the through hole has a diameter-reduced portion formed inside

25 the cover member in the main body with an inner surface protruding radially inward beyond the gap.

DK 2018 70417 A1

4. The combination weighing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an elastic seal member disposed inside the rigid cover member in the main body and providing sealing between the outer surface of the rotary shaft and the inner surface of the through 5 hole.

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