JP2003177055A - Combination metering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination metering apparatus which is prevented from surprising operators even when gates are suddenly closed during setup changeovers or cleaning. <P>SOLUTION: In relation to the combination metering apparatus provided with a plurality of hoppers 4<SB>i</SB>and 6<SB>i</SB>for storing objects M and discharging the objects M by opening/closing gates 5<SB>i</SB>-8<SB>i</SB>, a drive unit for opening/closing gates 5<SB>i</SB>and 8<SB>i</SB>and holding gates 5<SB>i</SB>and 8<SB>i</SB>in an open state at an energization state, and a controller which controls the drive unit and has a metering mode of combining objects M by opening gates 5<SB>i</SB>and 8<SB>i</SB>of the respective combined and selected hoppers 4<SB>i</SB>and 6<SB>i</SB>and a discharge mode of holding the gates in the open state to discharge objects M in hoppers 4<SB>i</SB>and 6<SB>i</SB>, the controller controls to make a closing operation time for gates 5<SB>i</SB>and 8<SB>i</SB>at a discharge mode time longer than a closing operation time for gates 5<SB>i</SB>and 8<SB>i</SB>at a metering mode time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination weighing device having a plurality of weighing hoppers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A combination weighing device generally has several or more weighing hoppers, and one or more of these weighing hoppers are combined to obtain a desired weight. This type of combination weighing device is provided with a feeder and a pool hopper in addition to the weighing hopper. In such a combination weighing device, it is necessary to discharge all the items remaining in the feeder, the pool hoppers, and the weighing hoppers to the outside of the system at the time of setup change for changing the type of items or at the time of cleaning. In addition, the weighing hopper and the like may be cleaned as needed.

[0003]

In such a case, each hopper is kept in the fully opened state by continuously supplying electric power to the motor for opening the hopper. When the fully opened state of the hopper is maintained for a long time, the motor heats up, which causes damage to the motor.

On the other hand, in the combination weighing device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-198465, the link mechanism for opening and closing the hopper keeps the hopper fully opened, and in this fully opened state, power supply to the motor is stopped. However, in this prior art, since the link mechanism holds the fully opened state of the hopper, it is inevitable that the link mechanism becomes complicated. Therefore, the cost of the apparatus is increased, and articles and foreign matter are easily attached to the complicated link mechanism, and cleaning is difficult.

Therefore, it is conceivable to close the gate with a predetermined trigger, for example. However, this would surprise the operator by the sudden closing of the gate. Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a combination weighing device that does not surprise the operator even if the gate is suddenly closed during setup change or cleaning.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises:
First, a plurality of hoppers that store articles and discharge the articles by opening and closing the gate, and a drive device that opens and closes the gate and holds the gate in an open state in a conductive state,
And a control device for controlling the drive device. The control device has a weighing mode in which the gates of the respective hoppers selected for combination are opened to combine the products, and a discharge mode in which the gates are held in the open state to discharge the products in the hopper. The control is performed so that the gate closing operation time of is longer than the gate closing operation time in the measurement mode.

According to the present invention, in the discharging mode, the closing operation time for closing the gate becomes long, that is, the gate closes at a low speed, so that the operator's surprise can be suppressed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the discharging mode, the gate is intermittently moved a plurality of times to perform the closing operation of the gate, so that the gate generates a sound for each movement. To do. That is, by repeatedly performing the operation of changing the moving speed of the gate discontinuously during the closing operation of the gate in the discharging mode, a sound is generated every time the moving speed of the gate changes discontinuously.

As described above, when the gate makes a sound while the gate is being closed, it is possible to suppress the operator's surprise due to the sudden closing of the gate.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the speed of movement of the gate in the closing operation is made higher during movement than at the end of movement of the gate, so that the gate is moved more than at the end of movement of the gate. Make the sound louder. According to this embodiment, since the sound during the movement of the gate is loud, the operator can be surely notified that the gate is closed, and the volume at the end of closing is low, so that useless noise can be reduced.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of drive parameters consisting of a closing operation time of the gate in the discharge mode, a rotation speed of the drive source, and the rotation angle of the drive source. An input setter that can set one is provided. In this embodiment, by inputting the drive parameters, it is possible to set the time and volume at which the sound is generated according to the user's preference.

In this embodiment, the control device controls the closing time of the gate in the discharge mode, controls the rotation speed of the drive source, controls the rotation angle of the drive source, and controls the moving speed of the gate. 2 out of
It is preferable to provide a selection means capable of setting the above control patterns and selecting one of the plurality of control patterns.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Overall Configuration: First, the outline of the combination weighing device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport conveyor 100 drops an article M, which is an object to be weighed, to the center of the dispersion feeder 2.
A predetermined amount of the product M is collected and then packaged into a product.

The dispersion feeder 2 and each supply trough 3
_iAre respectively vibrated by the drive of the vibrating device,
The articles M on the dispersion feeder 2 are fed to the respective feeding troughs 3_iDownstream of
A large number of pool hoppers 4 installed in_iSupply to.
Each pool hopper body 4 _iThe first gate 5_iBut
Each said supply trough 3 provided_iSourced from received
The item M is temporarily stored and stored. Each pool
Upper body 4_iDownstream of each, each weighing hopper body 6_iIs provided
Has been. Each of these weighing hopper bodies 6_iThe above
Reel hopper body 4_iThe goods M are put in from. Thrown in
The weight of the item M is the weight of each weighing hopper body 6_iLinked to
Weight detector 7_iDetected in. Each weighing hopper body 6_iof
Second gate 8 below_iIs provided. Each second
Gate 8 _iA large collecting and discharging chute 9 is installed below
And each of the weight detectors 7 _iItem M detected in
By combining the weights of
Set the target value or a value close to the target value and drop the item M downstream.
Let me down.

Gate opening / closing mechanism: FIG. 2 shows one of the pool hopper bodies 4 _i and the weighing hopper bodies 6 _i.
It is a side view of three sets. As shown in FIG. 2, the first gate 5 _i and the second gate 8 _i are provided with opening / closing mechanisms 54 and 84 each having a link mechanism. The opening / closing mechanisms 54 and 84 are provided with coil springs 55 and 85 which are always in tension, and the springs 55 and 85 constantly urge the gates 5 _i and 8 _i in the closing direction.

The opening / closing mechanisms 54 and 84 open and close the gates 5 _i and 8 _i by the driving force from the motors (driving sources) m1 and m2. The motors m1 and m2 are, for example, stepping motors and are fixed to the apparatus body 10. First and second arms 51, 81 are fixed to the tips of the output shafts 50, 80 of the motors m1, m2. At the ends of the arms 51 and 81, the output shaft 5
First and second drive shafts 52, 82 are provided in parallel with 0, 80. The opening / closing mechanism 54 (84) and the motor m1
(M2) constitutes a drive unit. Incidentally, wherein the each of the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 _i, and supporting the weighing hoppers 6 _i, the weight detector 7 _i for detecting are provided the weight of the articles M in the metering hopper 41 _i.

Gate Opening Operation: The gate opening / closing operation will be briefly described below by taking the weighing hopper of FIG. 3 as an example. 3 (b), (d), and (f), respectively,
FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial front view of the vicinity of a second drive shaft 82 and a driven shaft 83. In the closed state shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second drive shaft 82 is not in contact with the driven shaft 83, and the spring force of the spring 85 causes the second gate 8 _i to move the second gate 8 _i. It is stationary in a closed state in contact with the lower end of 6 _i . When the second drive shaft 82 rotates about the output shaft 80 from the origin position indicated by the solid line, the drive shaft 82 comes into contact with the driven shaft 83 and moves the driven shaft 83 downward, thereby opening / closing the mechanism 84. The link rotates about the rotation center O, and the gate 8 _i moves in the opening direction. Figure 3
As indicated by the solid lines in (c) and (d), the drive shaft 82 further continues to rotate and rotates 180 ° clockwise from the position in the closed state.
When rotated, the driven shaft 83 is moved to the lowermost end, and the second gate 8 _i is fully opened.

Gate closing operation: When the drive shaft 82 rotates clockwise in the fully opened state of the gate 8 _i , the driven shaft 83 moves upward due to the spring force of the spring 85, and the gate 8 _i moves in the closing direction. Moving. Drive shaft 82
Is further rotated and the driven shaft 83 is moved upward, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (f), when the gate 8 _i comes into contact with the lower end of the weighing hopper 6 _i and closes, the rise of the driven shaft 83 is stopped. As shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.
2 further rotates, separates from the driven shaft 83, and returns to the origin.
Therefore, when the drive shaft 82 makes one rotation, the driven shaft 83 moves up and down to open and close the gate 8 _i .

Gate moving speed: the driven shaft 83
Moves up and down as the drive shaft 82 rotates and comes into contact.
It The moving speed of the driven shaft 83 due to the rotation of the drive shaft 82 is
Compared to the start of descent or the end of the descent and near the end of climb
The inside becomes bigger. That is, the drive shaft 82 and the driven
The shaft 83 constitutes a kind of cam and therefore drives
When the shaft 82 is rotated at a constant speed, as shown in FIG.
Sea urchin gate 8_iThe change in the opening of the gate 8_iFull opening
And near the end of fully closed
It The above is the second gate 8_iAbout opening and closing operation
As I explained, the first gate 5 _iIs the same as
Will not be described and illustrated.

Control Structure: As shown in FIG. 5A, each of the weight detectors 7 _i includes a multiplexer 70, an A / D converter 71 and a DSP (digital signal processor) 7.
It is connected to the microcomputer (control device) 30 via 2. In addition to the DSP 72, the microcomputer 30 includes a device control means 34, a temperature detector 38, and a touch screen 3.
5 and a buzzer (second sound source means) 36 are connected. A power supply unit 37 is connected to the device control means 34, and motors m1, m2, etc. are connected to the power supply unit 37. The device control means 34 includes the power supply unit 3
The motors m1 and m2 are controlled by controlling the motor 7.

The power supply section 37 is provided with a device control means 34.
Is controlled to supply a direct current, for example, to the motors m1 and m2. The power supply unit 37 is composed of a power supply circuit and performs, for example, conversion from AC to DC or frequency conversion. Electric power is also supplied to other electronic / electrical devices from a predetermined other electric power supply unit (not shown). The temperature detector 38 includes, for example, a temperature sensor and a temperature switch, is provided near the capacitor of the power supply unit 37, detects the temperature of the power supply unit 37, and outputs the detected temperature signal to the microcomputer 30. . It should be noted that the device control unit 34, the power supply unit 37, the temperature detector 38,
There are provided n (plural) sets of gate devices 20 _i each including the motors m1 and m2 and the gates 5 _i and 8 _i .

The microcomputer 30 has a CPU 31, a memory 32 and a timer 33 for measuring time. The C
The PU 31 has an operation mode and a discharge mode.
In the operation mode, the CPU 31 causes the weight detector 7 _i
The combination control of the weight of the article M is performed based on the detected weight from the. The device control means 34 controls the first and second motors m1, m2, etc. based on the combination, opens the second gate 8 _i of each combination selected weighing hopper 6 _i , and drops the item downstream. And combine. On the other hand, C
In the discharge mode, the PU 31 has both gates 5 _i and 8 _i.
To the fully opened state, hold the fully opened state to discharge the items in the hoppers 4 _i and 6 _i , and further maintain the fully opened state even while the upper supply trough 3 _i is driven. Te, goods pass the hopper 4 _i, 6 _i without being stored in both hoppers 4 _i, within 6 _i. That is, in the discharge mode, the articles remaining in the combination weighing device are discharged through the weighing hopper 6 _i .

When a predetermined control signal (rotation command) is input from the device control means 34, the motors m1 and m2 output shafts 50 and 80 (FIG. 3) based on the control signal.
Rotates by a predetermined minute angle Δθ (for example, 0.9 °), and by repeating the rotation of the minute angle Δθ continuously, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are opened by 180 °, and further 1
The gates 5 _i and 8 _i are closed by rotating 80 degrees. On the other hand, when the control signal is not input, the magnetic poles are not switched,
The output shafts 50 and 80 are stopped while maintaining the rotation angle.

Here, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are constantly urged in the closing direction by the springs 55 and 85. Therefore, in order to keep the gates 5 _i and 8 _{i in} the fully opened state, the power supply unit 37 is kept in the energized state without outputting the rotation command. As a result, the output shafts 50 and 80 are held in a stopped state, and the gate is fully opened. In this case, the motors m1 and m2 overcome the spring force of the springs 55 and 85 with a force that overcomes the spring force of the gates 5 _i and 8
_{Since i} must be held open, motor m
1, m2 is loaded, and a relatively large current flows.
By supplying the large current, the power supply unit 37 and the motors m1,
The temperature of m2 rises.

The timer 33 starts counting time when the discharge mode starts. When the CPU 31 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the time counting by the timer 33, the device control means 34 starts the closing operation of the fully opened gates 5 _i and 8 _i according to the closing condition described later. The time until the closing operation is started is set to, for example, 1 hour, and when the time measured by the timer 33 exceeds 1 hour, the closing operation of the gates 5 _i and 8 _i is started. On the other hand, based on the temperature signal from the temperature detector 38, the CPU 31 supplies the power supply unit 37 in the discharge mode.
If the temperature of the device exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the device control means 3
4 starts the closing operation of the gates 5 _i and 8 _i according to the closing condition described later. The temperature threshold value is stored in the memory 32 in advance. The temperature threshold is, for example,
The temperature is set to 70 ° C. When the temperature of the power supply unit 37 exceeds 70 ° C., the closing operation of the gates 5 _i and 8 _i is started.

First sound source means: In the metering mode, the device control means 34 outputs a drive signal (pulse signal) as the rotation command, and the motors m1 and m2 rotate at a speed at which they rotate smoothly. At this speed, the motors m1 and m2 smoothly and almost continuously rotate and close, so that a sound described later does not occur.

On the other hand, in the discharge mode, the device control means 34 outputs an intermittent drive signal (pulse signal) that makes the rotation speed of the motors m1 and m2 slow. With this signal, as the output shafts 50 and 80 rotate by a minute angle Δθ, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i cause an angle Δ corresponding to the minute angle Δθ, as indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3C.
Rotate intermittently by α _j . Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the output shafts 50 and 80 of the motors m1 and m2 are rotated by a minute angle Δθ, the output shafts 50 and 80 rotate (overshoot) beyond the minute angle Δθ. , Damped vibration that repeats rotation (undershoot) that is pulled back in the opposite direction occurs. Therefore, by sufficiently slowing the rotation of the motors m1 and m2, the output shafts 50 and 80 that are repeatedly generated
Appears as the damped oscillation of the oscillation of the gate 5 _i, 8 _i, and the vibration is gate 5 _i, 8 _i (hopper 4 _i, 6 _i)
It is presumed that the sound is amplified due to the inertia of the, and finally a loud sound is generated.

In other words, when the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are moved intermittently a plurality of times when closing the gate, that is,
During operation of the gate 5 _i, 8 _i, the sound is generated each time a move discontinuously changing the moving speed of the gate 5 _i, 8 _i. As described above, the sound is generated by making the average speed of rotation of the motors m1 and m2 in the discharge mode sufficiently smaller than the average speed of rotation in the measurement mode.
It is presumed that this is because the motors m1 and m2 vibrate and a vibration sound is generated from the gates 5 _i and 8 _i due to the vibration. The vibration noise is increased by the hoppers 4 _i and 6 _i . In this way, the motors m1 and m2 and the opening / closing mechanism 5
4, 84, gates 5 _i , 8 _i and hoppers 4 _i , 6
_i cooperates to generate a sound and thus constitutes a first sound source means.

At the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3 (c) where the sound is generated, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are vibrating but not rotating. Therefore, the average speed at which the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are closed in the discharge mode is smaller than the average speed at which the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are closed in the metering mode. Further, the closing operation time of the gates 5 _i and 8 _{i in} the discharging mode is longer than the closing operation time of the gates 5 _i and 8 _{i in} the weighing mode.

In FIG. 5, the memory 32 is provided with a parameter storage unit 32a and the like. Figure 5 (b)
As shown in FIG. 5, the parameter storage unit 32a is provided with a drive parameter storage field including a gate closing operation time and a motor rotation speed for each mode. A predetermined value is stored in advance in the storage column corresponding to the operation mode. On the other hand, in the storage field corresponding to the ejection mode, the drive parameter input by the operator is stored as described later.

The touch screen 35 is, for example,
It comprises a liquid crystal display and constitutes display means for performing various displays, and also constitutes an input setting device for inputting the drive parameters by touching the display surface. On the touch screen 35, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a selection screen 40, a closing operation time setting screen 41, etc. are displayed.

Setting of drive parameters: On the selection screen 40 shown in FIG. 6 (a), setting buttons 40a, 40c, etc. for the gate closing operation time and the motor rotation speed are displayed. The setting buttons 40a and 40c are
This is a button for setting parameters when the gates 5 _i and 8 _{i in the} fully opened state are closed, and the above-mentioned setting is performed as follows.

Gate closing operation time When the gate closing operation time setting button 40a is touched, a closing operation time setting screen 41 shown in FIG. 6B is displayed. This screen 41 shows the gate 5 _{i in the} fully opened state,
8 _i is a screen for setting the closing operation time of the gate until 8 _i is completely closed. On the screen 41, closing time input fields 41 a and 41 b corresponding to each mode are displayed. The operator inputs the closing time input field 41 in the discharge mode
When a predetermined value is input to b, the CPU 31 stores the input value in the parameter storage unit 32a. Here, the input value in the discharge mode is set to a value sufficiently larger than the value in the weighing mode, and in the discharge mode, vibrations are generated from the gates 5 _i , 8 _i and the pool hoppers 4 _i , 6 _i that constitute the first sound source means. Set to generate sound.

Motor Rotation Speed When the rotation speed setting button 40c shown in FIG. 6A is touched, a predetermined setting screen (not shown) is displayed. Here, the value of the discharge mode is set to a value smaller than the value of the measurement mode so that a large vibration sound is generated from the first sound source means in the discharge mode. The operator sets one of the two parameters because the other is automatically determined by inputting one of the gate closing time and the motor rotation speed.

Operation in Discharge Mode: Next, the operation of the apparatus in the discharge mode will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

The operator first performs a predetermined operation to display the selection screen 40 on the touch screen 35 to set parameters. When the operator touches and selects the closing operation time setting button 40a, the setting screen 41 is displayed. When the operator inputs the closing time of the discharge mode and performs a predetermined operation, the CPU 31 stores the closing operation time in the storage column of the parameter storage unit 32a.

Thereafter, the apparatus was operated in the discharge mode.
After that, it becomes necessary to change the item type and perform cleaning.
In case of failure, the operator performs a predetermined operation and the CPU 31
To the discharge mode. The discharge mode starts
Then, in step S1, the device control means 34 causes the distributed feeder to
2 and each supply trough 3_iDrive the motor m
Gate 5 by supplying power to 1, m2_i, 8_iFully open
Open up to each supply trough 3_iAnd each hopper 4 _i, 6_iTo
The remaining items are in hopper 4_i, 6_iTo the outside of the system via
Then, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the timer 3
3 starts timing at the same time as the start of the discharge mode and starts
Go to step S3. In step S3, the CPU 31
It is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the time measured by the timer 33.
If not, the process proceeds to step S5. After a predetermined time
If not, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the CPU 31 operates the power supply unit 3 based on the temperature signal from the temperature detector 38.
When it is determined that the temperature of 7 has exceeded the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the temperature is equal to or lower than the threshold value, the process returns to step S3. In step S5, the CPU 31
Sounds the buzzer 36 and proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the CPU 31 reads a predetermined parameter (closing operation time of the gate having the above-mentioned setting) from the parameter storage section 32a, and the device control means 34 closes the gates 5 _i and 8 _i according to the parameter. Take action. At this time, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are intermittently divided into a plurality of times to move and close, and sound is generated from the hoppers 4 _i and 6 _i and the gates 5 _i and 8 _i that constitute the first sound source means. .

As described above, in the discharge mode, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are closed based on the time during which the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are open and the temperature of the power supply unit 37. Therefore, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are held in the open state. It is possible to prevent damage caused by heat generation of the motor. Also, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i
Since the buzzer 36 is sounded to give a notice before the closing operation of (1) is started, the operator can be warned by closing the gate. Furthermore, during the closing operation in the discharge mode,
Since the gate 5 _i, 8 _i generates a sound by the gate 5 _i, 8 _i rotates intermittently, alert the operator. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the operator from being surprised by the movement of the gates 5 _i and 8 _i . Further, since the gates 5 _i and 8 _i are slowly closed, the operator is less likely to be surprised.

[0041] By the way, gate 5 _i, 8 _i, the moving speed of the gate 5 _i, 8 _i in the closing operation as described above is,
The gates 5 _i and 8 _i become larger during the movement than at the movement start end and the movement end. Therefore, since the gate 5 _i, 8 _i moved starting or moving sound towards the middle of the movement than the end of the larger, more, it is possible to call attention to the operator.

Further, since the cause of the damage of the machine in the conventional combination weighing device is often due to the temperature rise,
Since the temperature of the device, which is a direct cause, is measured and the closing operation is performed based on the temperature, it is more effective in preventing damage to the device.

It is preferable that the interval and volume of sound generation be finely adjusted by changing the magnitude and period of vibration of the first sound source means so that no unpleasant sound is generated by humans. Further, the closing time setting screen 41
The value of the drive parameter of the discharge mode serving as the reference may be displayed in advance in the input field such as. Further, when the control signal is not input for a long time, the power supply may be stopped.

Second Embodiment: FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a current detector 39 is connected to each power supply unit 37 instead of the temperature detector. The current detector 39 detects the drive current value of the power supply unit 37 and outputs it to the microcomputer 30, and the CPU 31 integrates the drive current value to calculate the integrated value of the drive current. Other configurations are
This is the same as the first embodiment, and the same portions or corresponding portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

In the discharge mode, the CPU 31 compares the integrated value of the drive current with a predetermined threshold value after fully opening the gates 5 _i and 8 _i , and when the integrated value of the drive current exceeds the threshold value, , The closing operation of the gates 5 _i and 8 _i is started. That is, in this embodiment, step S of FIG.
In S3 and S4, instead of setting the time as the determination target, the determination is performed by comparing the integrated value of the current with the threshold value.

As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, but those skilled in the art can easily envision various changes and modifications within the obvious range by viewing the present specification. Let's do it. For example, a temperature sensor may be provided in the main power supply of the present device, and the closing operation may be performed based on the temperature rise of the main power supply. Further, a current detector may be provided in the main power supply of the present device, and the closing operation may be performed based on the integrated current of the main power supply.

Further, the gates 5 _i in the discharge mode,
Before the closing operation of 8 _i , the device control means 34 may cause the gates 5 _i and 8 _i to reciprocate. For example,
Instead of ringing the buzzer 36 to give a notice of the start of the closing operation, the notice may be given by making the gates 5 _i and 8 _i reciprocate between a half-closed state and a fully opened state. That is, before the closing operation of the gates 5 _i , 8 _i , the device control means 34 controls the opening operation for moving the gates 5 _i , 8 _i in the opening direction and the closing operation for moving the gates 5 _i , 8 _i in the closing direction. The operation control may be alternately repeated to warn the operator.

Further, the gates 5 _i and 8 _i may reciprocate to generate sound during the closing operation. For example, FIG. 9 (a)
As shown in, closing operation 9 ° → repeated opening operation 4.5 °, and the rotation angle Δθl gate 8 _i during closing control greater than the rotational angle Δθs gate 8 _i during the opening operation control, In addition, a sound is generated by operating the moving speed of the gate at the same speed as the metering operation. That is, a sound is generated by intentionally stepping out the motors m1 and m2. Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the rotation angles Δθl and Δθs may be set. On this screen 42, rotation angle input fields 42a and 42b of the motors m1 and m2 when the motors m1 and m2 are closed in the discharge mode are displayed. When the operator inputs a predetermined value in the input field 42b of the discharge mode, the CPU 31 stores the input value in the parameter storage unit 32a.

As the motor, in addition to the stepping motor, for example, an AC servo motor or a DC motor can be used. Further, the moving speed of the gate may be set from the input setting device. Further, the plurality of hoppers may be divided into a plurality of groups and stored in a memory, and the drive parameter or control pattern may be set for each group. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the combination weighing device in which the hopper is provided around the dispersion feeder has been described, but the present invention does not limit the arrangement of the hopper, and for example, regarding the combination weighing device in which the hoppers are linearly provided. Also applies. Further, the pool hopper is not always necessary, and may have a weighing hopper. Further, instead of the buzzer, a voice such as “Please note that the gate will close.” May be output to give a notice or warning, or a buzzer or a voice may be output. Further, the device control means 34 and the power supply unit 37 may be provided in one of the motors m1 and m2, but the device control means 34 is provided for each of the motors m1 and m2.
Also, the power supply unit 37 may be provided. In that case, the temperature detector 38 and the current detector 39 are provided for each power supply unit 37. Accordingly, such changes and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the closing operation time for closing the gate in the discharge mode for performing setup change or cleaning becomes long and the gate closes at a low speed, it is possible to suppress the operator's surprise. In particular, if the gate is made to generate a sound during the closing operation, the operator can be notified that the gate is closing, so that the effect of preventing the operator from being surprised is enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing functions of a combination weighing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the weighing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a method of opening and closing a gate and a partial front view of an opening / closing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation angle of a motor and an opening degree of a gate.

5A is a conceptual diagram showing a device configuration of a combination weighing device, and FIG. 5B is a chart showing stored contents of a storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the display content of the display unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation in a discharge mode.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a device configuration of a combination weighing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a side view of a hopper showing how to close a gate according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a front view showing a rotation angle setting screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 _i : Pool hopper 6 _i : Weighing hopper 5 _i : First gate 8 _i : Second gate 30: Microcomputer (control device) 37: Electric power supply unit 36: Buzzer m1: First motor (driving source) m2: Second Motor (drive source) M: Item

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of hoppers for storing an article and discharging the article by opening and closing a gate, a drive unit for opening and closing the gate and holding the gate in an open state in an energized state, and controlling the drive apparatus. A combination weighing device including a weighing mode in which the gates of the respective hoppers selected in combination are opened to combine the items, and a discharge device in which the gates are held in an open state to discharge the items in the hopper. The combination weighing device, wherein the control device controls the gate closing operation time in the discharge mode to be longer than the gate closing operation time in the metering mode. 2. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device intermittently moves the gate a plurality of times to perform the closing operation of the gate in the discharge mode, and the gate moves each time. A combination weighing device that generates a sound each time. 3. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device repeatedly performs an operation of discontinuously changing the moving speed of the gate during the closing operation of the gate in the discharge mode, A combination weighing device that generates a sound each time the moving speed of the robot changes discontinuously. 4. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the drive source of the drive device is a drive source driven by rotation, and the control device controls the rotation speed of the drive source in the discharge mode. A combination weighing device characterized in that the driving source is vibrated by making the rotation speed of the driving source smaller than in the weighing mode, and the vibration is transmitted to the gate to vibrate the gate to generate sound. 5. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the drive source of the drive device is a drive source driven by rotation, and the control device is an opening operation control for moving the gate in an opening direction and the gate. By alternately repeating the closing operation control for moving in the closing direction, and making the rotation angle of the driving source during the closing operation control larger than the rotation angle of the driving source during the opening operation control. And a vibration is transmitted to the gate to vibrate the gate to generate a sound. 6. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the moving speed of the gate in the closing operation is set to be greater during movement than at the end of movement of the gate. A combination weighing device in which the sound becomes louder during the movement than at the movement end. 7. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the gate to reciprocate at a movement amount smaller than that in the weighing mode during the gate closing operation in the discharge mode. Combination weighing device characterized by. 8. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein a closing operation time of the gate in the discharging mode, a rotation speed of the drive source, and the rotation speed of the drive source. A combination weighing device provided with an input setting device capable of setting at least one of drive parameters including a rotation angle. 9. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the gate closing operation time, the drive source rotation speed, and the drive in the discharge mode. A combination weighing device, which can set two or more control patterns of the control of the rotation angle of the source and the control of the moving speed of the gate, and is provided with selection means for selecting one of the plurality of control patterns. 10. The combination weighing device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of hoppers are divided into a plurality of groups and stored, and the drive parameter or control pattern can be set for each group. And the combination weighing device.