JP2000329545A - Weight/dimension-measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easily and correctly measurable weight and dimension by placing a load of a rectangular shape to be measured on a stage, setting a weighting part, a height sensor and a bottom face sensor part arranged in a matrix, and measuring weight, height and bottom face dimension. SOLUTION: The weight/dimension-measuring apparatus measures only rectangular loads. In order to measure the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of a load 3, four points in total including maximum and minimum positions in X direction and Y direction are detected by detection sensors 4a where a membrane switch sheet of a bottom face sensor part 4 is turned on, inclination is detected if a part surrounded by the four points is a nearly quadrilateral, and the length in each direction is corrected and calculated with the inclination and displayed to a display part 6. A wrong dimensional measurement can be prevented by judging whether or not the part is a nearly quadrilateral and informing with a display device. If a sponge sheet as a softening material set on the switch sheet of the bottom face sensor part 4 is divided independently and shrinkably for each switch, a dimensional measurement accuracy can be improved. The softening material is can be such a thing that can repeatedly expand and shrink or move up and down.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a weight measuring device for measuring the weight and size of a rectangular parallelepiped package.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the transport of parcels such as home delivery, when receiving parcels from a shipper, how large a truck is required to collectively transport the parcels, and what is the transportation fee? In order to determine this, it is necessary to measure the weight of each package and the length, width, and height dimensions of the package.

Conventionally, as a technique for measuring the length, width and height of this kind of luggage, there is a dimension weight measuring device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-43684. This device performs these measurements at once by arranging light emitting and receiving elements linearly in each of the vertical, horizontal, and height directions, and placing a rectangular parallelepiped package on a weighing / conveying conveyor in accordance with the positioning guide member. This is a dimensional weight measuring device that can be used.

[0004] However, home delivery luggage is also accepted at convenience stores and the like, and the dimensional weight measuring device is often operated by a person who is not familiar with the operation of part-time workers. When measuring the weight and size of the load, such a person may not correctly perform the positioning operation of the load, and may not measure the weight and the size of the load accurately.

As a device which does not require the above positioning operation, there is a baggage shape measuring device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-246406. In this luggage shape measuring device, a television camera is installed on the weighing pan information, and the length, width, and dimensions of the luggage are obtained by image processing.

However, the above-mentioned luggage shape measuring device may not be able to measure depending on the color of the luggage, and in order to enable image processing, it is necessary to provide an advanced computing device and a television camera, which is expensive. There was also the problem of becoming.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a weight / size measuring apparatus which can easily measure the weight / size of a load and can accurately measure the weight / size. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a weight measuring apparatus for measuring the weight and size of a rectangular parallelepiped package, which is mounted on a mounting table. Weighing unit that measures the weight of the package, a height sensor that measures the height of the package placed on the mounting table, and a package that has a large number of detection sensors arranged on the mounting table and arranged in a matrix. A bottom surface sensor for measuring the size of the bottom surface.

[0009] With the above structure of the weight measuring device, the weight, the bottom dimension and the height can be accurately measured simply by arbitrarily placing the rectangular parallelepiped luggage to be measured on the mounting table. Even inexperienced people can accept luggage and measure its weight and dimensions. In addition, a bottom sensor unit in which a large number of detection sensors are arranged in a matrix on the mounting table on the weighing unit is provided, and a height sensor for measuring the height dimension of the load placed on the mounting table is provided. Therefore, the weight measuring device can be configured at low cost.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the same as the claim 1.
In the weight measurement device described in the above, the bottom sensor unit,
It is characterized by comprising a membrane switch sheet having a large number of contact switches arranged in a matrix.

As described above, since the bottom sensor portion is constituted by a membrane switch sheet having a large number of contact switches arranged in a matrix, the bottom sensor portion can be formed at low cost and the arrangement density of the contact switches can be increased. The bottom dimensions of the luggage can be accurately measured. It is easy to increase the arrangement density of the contact switches.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the same as the invention according to claim 2.
Wherein the upper surface of the membrane switch sheet is covered with a flexible material having a predetermined thickness.

As described above, by covering the upper surface of the membrane switch sheet with the flexible material having a predetermined thickness, even if there are some irregularities on the bottom surface of the luggage, as long as the four corners of the bottom surface press the flexible material, the pressing can be performed. Can be detected, and the bottom surface of the package can be measured.

The invention described in claim 4 is the same as the claim 2.
Alternatively, in the weight dimension measuring device according to the item 3, a flexible material having a predetermined thickness is disposed between the membrane switch sheet and the measuring section.

By arranging a flexible material having a predetermined thickness between the membrane switch sheet and the weighing section as described above, the membrane switch sheet can be fitted to the baggage even if the bottom surface is distorted. , The dimensions of the bottom surface can be correctly measured.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first invention.
Alternatively, in the weight measuring device according to 2, the surface shape of the bottom sensor portion is inclined downward toward the center.

As described above, since the surface shape of the bottom sensor portion is inclined downward toward the center, the center of each side of the bottom surface of the package tends to be away from the bottom sensor portion. Even when the baggage is tied, the four corner positions of the baggage bottom surface can be detected, and the bottom size of the baggage can be correctly measured.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a weight measurement device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body having a weighing unit for measuring the weight of a rectangular parallelepiped package 3 placed on a table 2. On the mounting table 2, which is a part of the weighing section, a bottom sensor section 4 for measuring the size of the bottom of the package 3 in which a large number of detection sensors 4a are arranged in a matrix is provided. A height sensor 5 for measuring the height of the package 3 placed on the mounting table 2 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 1.

A display unit 6 is provided on the front of the apparatus main body 1,
A weight display section 6a for displaying the measured weight of the package 3, a horizontal dimension display section 6b for displaying the horizontal dimension W, a vertical dimension display section 6c for displaying the vertical dimension D, and a height dimension display section for displaying the height dimension H. 6d, a total display section 6e for displaying the total TL of the horizontal dimension W, the vertical dimension D and the height dimension H is provided.

The height sensor 5 is constituted by arranging a large number of reflection type optical sensors 5a at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The bottom surface sensor unit 4 disposed on the mounting table 2 has the detection sensors 4a arranged in a matrix at predetermined intervals as described above, so that the bottom surface size of the package 3 can be detected.
Although the drawing shows the arrangement state of the detection sensors 4a for easy understanding, the detection sensors 4a are not visible in an actual appearance. The signal line of the bottom sensor unit 4 is connected to the inside of the apparatus main body 1 so as not to significantly affect the vertical movement of the mounting table 2 (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the bottom surface sensor unit 4. As shown in the figure, a membrane switch sheet 4-1 is fixed on the mounting table 2, and a sponge sheet 4-2 having a constant thickness in a range of 5 mm to 2 cm is further fixed thereon.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the membrane switch sheet 4-1 (an enlarged sectional view of a portion corresponding to the detection sensor 4a). Membrane switch sheet 4-1
Has upper and lower resin sheets 4-1a and 4-1b, and the lower resin sheet 4-1b has lower contact terminals 4-1c made of conductive rubber material on the detection sensors 4a arranged in a matrix. It is provided by screen printing or the like at each corresponding position, and spacers 4-1e made of an insulating material are provided at both ends of the lower contact terminal 4-1c. An upper contact terminal 4-1d is provided on the upper resin sheet 4-1a. Then, the upper and lower resin sheets 4-1a and 4-1b are aligned and bonded to form the membrane switch sheet 4-1. This basic configuration is the same as a commercially available membrane key sheet.

By configuring the membrane switch sheet 4-1 as described above, it is easy to arrange the pitch of each detection sensor 4a in a matrix in units of mm, and the cost is not significantly increased. Also, the spacer 4-1
The pressing force detected by changing the shape such as the height of e can be freely designed. Therefore, it is easy to configure the bottom surface sensor unit 4 according to the characteristics of the parcel delivery package.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a switch of the membrane switch sheet 4-1 corresponding to the detection sensor 4a is ON. Even if the bottom of the package 3 has irregularities (in the figure, a convex portion 3a formed by a packing string or the like), as long as the end of the package 3 presses the sponge sheet 4-2, the pressure is transmitted to the detection sensor 4a and the bottom of the package 3 is detected. Dimension detection becomes possible. That is, if the irregularities on the bottom of the package 3 are irregular within the shrinkage thickness of the sponge sheet 4-2, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the bottom of the package 3 can be measured even if the irregularities are inside the four corners of the bottom of the package 3. it can.

The measurement error increases as the thickness of the sponge sheet 4-2 increases. However, in general, the dimensions of a package to be transported by home delivery or the like need only be determined in units of 10 cm in total in length, width, and height. , The thickness of the sponge sheet 4-2 is 5 mm ~
A range of 2 cm is moderate. In addition, the thickness of the membrane switch sheet 4-1 is several mm.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the bottom sensor unit of the weight measuring device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the membrane switch sheet 4-
A sponge sheet 4-3 is arranged between the mounting table 1 and the mounting table 2. In this way, by disposing the sponge sheet 4-3 between the membrane switch sheet 4-1 and the mounting table 2, the sponge sheet 4-3 contracts in accordance with the distortion of the load 3, and the sponge sheet 4-3 The membrane switch sheet 4-1 can be arranged along the shape according to the shape. The appropriate thickness of the sponge sheet 4-3 is 5 mm to several cm.

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the configuration of the weight measuring apparatus according to the present invention. In the weight measurement device, the bottom surface sensor unit 4 and the mounting table 2 are spherically shaped so as to be inclined downward from the outside toward the center. In this manner, the bottom surface sensor unit 4 and the mounting table 2 are formed into spherical shapes so as to be inclined downward from the outside toward the center thereof, so that the load 3
Only the corners come into contact with the bottom sensor part 4 and the other parts are separated, so that measurement can be performed at four points. For example, even if the luggage is tied with a string and a convex portion is formed on the bottom surface, the measurement of the size of the bottom surface of the luggage 3 is not affected. Note that this inclination may be conical.

The weight measuring apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration measures only rectangular parallelepiped luggage. If the person who handles the luggage determines that the luggage is not a rectangular parallelepiped, the luggage has a different size such as a tape measure. Measure by measuring means.

The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the package 3 are calculated by measuring the maximum and minimum positions in the X direction and the maximum and minimum positions in the Y direction by the detection sensor 4a that turns on the membrane switch sheet 4-1 of the bottom sensor unit 4. If four points are detected and the portion enclosed by the four points is substantially a quadrangle, the inclination is detected, and then the length in each direction is corrected by the inclination, calculated, and displayed on the display unit 6. I do. It is possible to prevent erroneous dimension measurement by judging whether or not it is substantially a quadrangle and notifying the result on a display.

In the above embodiment, the bottom sensor 4
Although each switch of the membrane switch sheet 4-1 is used as the detection sensor 4a, the detection sensor 4a is not limited to this and may be a mechanical switch (for example, a keyboard type of a personal computer), a reflection type optical sensor, an external A light receiving sensor using light may be used.

In the above embodiment, the bottom sensor 4
When the sponge sheet as a flexible material provided on the membrane switch sheet 4-1 is divided so as to be independently contractible for each switch, the accuracy of dimension measurement can be improved. The flexible material is not limited to the sponge sheet, but may be any material that can be repeatedly expanded and contracted or moved up and down. For example, a rod-shaped material made of rubber or the like may be arranged in a matrix.

Further, as shown in FIG.
When a sponge sheet 4-3 is provided as a flexible material between the membrane switch sheet 4-1 and the mounting table 2, if the membrane switch sheet 4-1 is excessively bent,
Since the switch may be turned on and erroneous measurement may occur, a plate may be placed under the resin sheet 4-1b itself under the membrane switch sheet 4-1 or under the membrane switch sheet 4-1 to prevent excessive bending. It is recommended to reinforce such as.

Further, the weight and size measuring apparatus according to the present invention and E
It is convenient to connect the CR so that it can communicate with the CR so that the result measured by the present weight measurement device can be transferred.

[0034]

As described above, according to the invention described in each claim, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately measure the weight, the bottom dimension, and the height only by arbitrarily placing the rectangular parallelepiped luggage to be measured on the mounting table. Even inexperienced people can receive luggage and measure its weight and dimensions. In addition, a bottom sensor unit in which a large number of detection sensors are arranged in a matrix on the mounting table on the weighing unit is provided, and a height sensor for measuring the height dimension of the load placed on the mounting table is provided. Therefore, the weight measuring device can be configured at low cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the bottom sensor section is constituted by a membrane switch sheet provided with a large number of contact switches arranged in a matrix, the bottom sensor section can be formed at low cost and the contact switches can be arranged at low cost. By increasing the arrangement density, the bottom dimensions of the luggage can be accurately measured. It is easy to increase the arrangement density of the contact switches.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the upper surface of the membrane switch sheet is covered with the flexible material having a predetermined thickness, so that even if there are some irregularities on the bottom surface of the luggage, the four corners of the bottom surface have the flexible material. As long as it is pressed, the pressure can be detected and the bottom surface of the load can be measured.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the flexible material having a predetermined thickness is disposed between the membrane switch sheet and the measuring section, even if the bottom surface of the baggage is distorted, the surface of the baggage can be provided on the surface. The switch sheet can be matched, and the bottom dimension can be measured correctly.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the surface shape of the bottom sensor portion is inclined downward toward the center, the center of each side of the bottom surface of the package tends to be separated from the bottom sensor portion. Yes, for example, even if the luggage is tied with a string or the like, the four corner positions on the bottom surface of the luggage can be detected, and the bottom dimensions of the luggage can be correctly measured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a weight measurement device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a bottom sensor unit used in the weight measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a membrane switch sheet of a bottom sensor used in the weight measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a switch of a membrane switch sheet is ON.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a bottom sensor unit of the weight measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a weight measurement device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Mounting table 3 Luggage 4 Bottom sensor part 5 Height sensor 6 Display part

Claims (5)

[Claims] An apparatus for measuring the weight and size of a rectangular parallelepiped package, comprising: a weighing unit for measuring the weight of a package placed on a mounting table; and a measuring unit mounted on the mounting table. A height sensor for measuring a height dimension of the package, and a bottom sensor unit for measuring a dimension of a bottom surface of the package, wherein a plurality of detection sensors are arranged on the mounting table and arranged in a matrix. Characteristic weight measurement device. 2. The weight measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom sensor section is formed of a membrane switch sheet having a large number of contact switches arranged in a matrix. 3. The weight measurement device according to claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the membrane switch sheet is covered with a flexible material having a predetermined thickness. 4. The weight measurement device according to claim 2, wherein a flexible material having a predetermined thickness is disposed between the membrane switch sheet and the measuring portion. apparatus. 5. The weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein a surface shape of the bottom sensor portion is inclined downward toward a substantially center.