JP2011237285A - Combination balance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to perform work for detaching each part such as measuring hopper etc. constituting a plurality of measuring units arranged and supported in circular form on an outer circumference of a center base body without any change in the work site.SOLUTION: In a combination balance in which a center base body 7 is connected to and supported by a base 8 and a plurality of measuring units including a measuring hopper 13 on an outer circumference of the center base body 7, the base 8 is constituted by a fixed base 8a and a circulating base 8b which can circulate on the fixed base 8a. The center base body 7 can circulate because the center base body 7 is connected to and supported by the circulating base 8b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination weigher that weighs an object to be weighed such as food and combines it into a predetermined amount and sends it to a packaging machine or the like.

  As a combination weigher, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a substantially cylindrical center base is disposed in the center, a conical dispersion feeder is disposed on the center base, and around the center base. In some cases, a plurality of weighing units including a linear feeder, a supply hopper, a weighing hopper, and a collecting chute are arranged in a circular shape.

  In such a combination weigher, the objects to be weighed and dropped from above the center substrate are dispersed and transferred radially by a conical dispersion feeder, and the objects to be weighed and distributed are transferred to each weighing unit. After feeding into the supply hopper by the linear feeder, it is supplied to each weighing hopper and weighed. Based on this measured value, a weighing hopper is selected that provides an optimal combination in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed is within a predetermined weight range. Then, the gate of the selected weighing hopper is opened to discharge the objects to be weighed, and the discharged objects to be weighed are collected in the central part via the collecting chute and dropped and sent to the packaging machine installed below the combination weigher. And packaging with a packaging machine.

JP 2009-92399 A

  In the combination weigher, when the object to be weighed is food, etc., it is a member that comes into contact with the object to be weighed at the end of the weighing operation from the viewpoint of hygiene problems, allergen removal, prevention of mixing different objects to be weighed, It is necessary to clean the parts such as the linear feeder, the supply hopper, the weighing hopper, and the collective chute that constitute the dispersion feeder and each weighing unit.

  However, usually there is a packaging machine that wraps the objects to be weighed from the combination weigher under the combination weigher, so it is difficult to wash each part by draining the combination weigher on the spot. It is.

  For this reason, each part, such as a dispersion feeder, a linear feeder, a supply hopper, a weighing hopper, and a collecting chute, is removed from the center base body and transferred to another place for cleaning.

  In this case, since each weighing unit is arranged in a circular shape on the outer peripheral portion of the center base body, when removing and attaching the parts of each weighing unit, the operator moves around the combination weigher and performs a desired weighing target. You need to go to the front of the unit.

  However, the working space around the combination weigher is generally narrow, and a plurality of combination weighers are arranged in parallel, or transport devices and other equipment for supplying objects to be weighed are arranged in close proximity. In such cases, there is a problem that it is difficult not only for the operator to move around the combination scale, but also for the weighing unit close to these equipments, it is difficult to detach and attach each part. This problem is not limited to cleaning, but also applies to inspection and maintenance performed by removing each part from the center base.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is not necessary for the operator to move around the combination weigher, and for example, it is possible to easily detach and attach each part such as a weighing unit from a position where the operation is easy to perform. The purpose is to do so.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A combination weigher according to the present invention includes a base having an opening penetrating in the vertical direction in a central portion and a base supported by the base, and a weighing for weighing an object to be measured on the outer peripheral portion of the base A combination weigher in which a plurality of weighing units including a hopper are arranged in a circular manner and are detachably attached, collects objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper, and drops and sends them to the lower side of the substrate. The supporting base is pivotable.

  The weighing unit includes at least a weighing hopper, and this weighing unit preferably includes at least one of a linear feeder, another hopper such as a supply hopper, and a collecting chute in addition to the weighing hopper.

  According to the combination weigher of the present invention, a desired weighing is performed among a plurality of weighing units arranged in a circle on the outer peripheral portion of the substrate by rotating the substrate together with the base during cleaning or inspection and maintenance. The unit can be swung to a position where the attaching / detaching operation can be easily performed, and each part of the measuring unit can be easily attached / detached. In addition, since the base on which the weighing unit is arranged can be swung together with the base having an opening penetrating in the vertical direction in the central portion, the objects to be weighed discharged from each weighing unit are gathered in the central portion. It can be delivered below the substrate.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the base includes a fixed base and a turn base that is turnably mounted thereon, and the base is supported on the turn base.

  According to this aspect, the fixed base can be configured in a form suitable for installing and fixing the entire combination weigher, and the swivel base can be configured in a form suitable for swiveling while supporting the base. .

  In another preferred aspect of the present invention, a cable led out from the base is wound and accommodated inside the turning base, and the wound and accommodated cable is guided to the fixed base.

  According to this aspect, each weighing unit of the combination weigher can be moved to a desired turning position in a state where cables such as a control signal line and a power supply line are connected to the control device and the power supply device.

  According to still another preferred aspect of the present invention, a grip portion that is gripped by an operator when the turning base is turned is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the turning base.

  According to this aspect, since the operator can turn the turning base by grasping the grip portion on the outer periphery of the turning base, the turning base is implemented at a lower cost than the case where the turning base is driven using a motor or the like. can do.

  Another preferable aspect of the present invention includes drive means for turning the turning base.

  According to this aspect, a heavy-weight structure having a large number of weighing units on the base can be easily swung by a switch operation or the like, and the desired weighing unit can be quickly moved to a swiveling position where parts can be easily attached and detached. Can do.

  According to still another preferred aspect of the present invention, a turning position detecting means for detecting a turning position of the turning base, a setting means for instructing setting of the turning position, and the turning base up to the turning position instructed for setting. Control means for turning and stopping.

  According to this aspect, when the turning position is set, the turning base turns to the designated turning position based on the command and automatically stops, and the desired weighing unit can be easily attached and detached. It is possible to move more quickly to a proper turning position.

  In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the turning position detecting means equips the turning base with a detected portion in which a plurality of magnetic metal pieces are arranged in a predetermined combination pattern at the arrangement pitch of the weighing units, A plurality of proximity switches sensitive to these magnetic metal pieces are fixedly arranged at predetermined positions on the fixed base side.

  According to this aspect, for example, the magnetic metal pieces can be arranged in 16 arrangement patterns by using the detected parts in which the four magnetic metal pieces are combined and arranged and the four proximity switches. Each swiveling position of the weighing unit can be easily set and recognized.

  Thus, according to the present invention, a state in which a space for collecting and feeding the objects to be weighed in the central portion is secured by turning the base on which the plurality of weighing units are detachably attached together with the base. Thus, the desired weighing unit can be swung to a position where parts can be easily attached and detached, and each part can be easily attached and removed for cleaning and maintenance.

FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a weighing and packaging machine incorporating a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the combination weigher according to the embodiment incorporated in the weighing and packaging machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal front view of the combination weigher of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the annular space surrounded by the turning base and the fixed base. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal front view of a combination weigher according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing a main part on the side surface of the combination weigher of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a front view of a weighing and packaging machine incorporating a combination weigher according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination weigher, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal front view of the combination weigher.

  The weighing and packaging machine shown in FIG. 1 measures and packages an object to be packaged, such as confectionery and other foods, by a predetermined amount.

  In this weighing and packaging machine, the frame 1 is erected in a bowl shape that allows an operator to ascend and descend. The frame 1 has an upper floor and a lower floor. The upper floor is provided with a raised floor 6 having an opening at the center, and the combination scale 2 is placed on the floor so as to face the opening of the raised floor 6. It is installed with the base 8.

  A wrapping machine 3 and a supply chute 4 are installed at the lower part of the frame 1. An object to be weighed that has been transported from a transport line (not shown) is lifted from the downstairs by a bucket lifter 5 and is put into the combination weigher 2 from above. The objects to be weighed by the combination weigher 2 are collected by the collecting hopper 16, put into the supply chute 4, and packed in the packaging machine 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the combination weigher 2 has a substantially cylindrical center base 7 at the center thereof. The center base 7 is supported by four legs 9 attached to the base 8.

  A conical dispersion feeder 10 is detachably mounted on the center base body 7. The conical dispersion feeder 10 disperses the objects to be weighed dropped from the end of the bucket lifter 5 radially by vibration.

  A plurality of linear feeders 11 are provided in a circle around the dispersion feeder 10. Each linear feeder 11 feeds the objects to be weighed and dispersed by the dispersion feeder 10 to each supply hopper 12 by vibration. Below each linear feeder 11, a supply hopper 12, a weighing hopper 13, and a collecting chute 14 are provided correspondingly. The supply hopper 12 and the weighing hopper 13 are provided with an openable / closable gate for holding and discharging the object to be weighed.

  A collective funnel 15 that collects objects to be weighed from the collective chute 14 is fixedly disposed below the collective chute 14 as shown in FIG. A collecting hopper 16 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed below the collecting funnel 15. The collecting hopper 16 temporarily receives and stores the objects to be weighed that have dropped from the collecting funnel 15, and then drops and discharges them toward the supply chute 4 of the packaging machine 3.

  A plurality of, for example, 16 weighing units including the linear feeder 11, the supply hopper 12, the weighing hopper 13, and the collecting chute 14 are arranged so as to surround the center substrate 7 in a circular shape.

  The linear feeder 11, the supply hopper 12, the weighing hopper 13, and the collective chute 14, which are each part of the weighing unit, are detachably attached to the center base body 7.

  Drive units such as a vibration device for the dispersion feeder 10 and the linear feeder 11 and an opening / closing device for opening and closing the gates of the supply hopper 12 and the weighing hopper 13 are accommodated in the center base body 7.

  Each weighing hopper 13 is connected to a weight sensor (not shown) such as a load cell that measures the weight of an object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 13. These weight sensors are also housed in the center base 7 together with the drive unit.

  In the combination weigher having the above configuration, the objects to be weighed supplied to the dispersion feeder 10 are supplied to the respective supply hoppers 12 through the respective linear feeders 11, and the objects to be weighed are supplied from the respective supply hoppers 12 to the respective weighing hoppers 13. It is thrown. The weight of the objects to be weighed in each weighing hopper 13 is weighed by each weight sensor. Based on the weighing value of each weighing hopper 13, combination calculation is performed, an optimum combination whose total weight is within a predetermined weight range is selected, and the object to be weighed is discharged from the selected weighing hopper 13. An object to be weighed is supplied from the supply hopper 12 to the empty weighing hopper 13, and an object to be weighed is supplied from the linear feeder 11 to the empty supply hopper 12. The objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper 13 are dropped and discharged to the packaging machine 3 below the center substrate 7 through the collecting chute 14 and packaged by the packaging machine 3.

  In this embodiment, the operator can easily remove and install the parts such as the linear feeder 11, the supply hopper 12, the weighing hopper 13, and the collecting chute 14 of each weighing unit without moving around the combination scale 2. In order to achieve this, the base 8 is configured as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 8 includes a circular fixed base 8 a that is connected and fixed to the floor, and a circular base that is concentrically mounted on the base 8 via a bearing 17. The turning base 8b is horizontally turnable over 360 degrees with the center X of the center base 7 as an axis. Instead of the bearing 17, the cost may be reduced by using, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) resin plate having a small friction coefficient and good slidability.

  The fixed base 8a and the turning base 8b are each formed in a hollow ring shape having a space at the center, and the center base 7 is supported on the turning base 8b via the legs 9, and the base 8 The collective funnel 15 is disposed in an opening 50 formed vertically through a central portion of the base plate and supported by the fixed base 8a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a cable 18 composed of a power line and a signal line connected to a drive unit or the like of the center base 7 is introduced into a hollow annular internal space of the turning base 8b through the inside of a predetermined leg 9. Furthermore, it is drawn into the internal space of the fixed base 8 a and connected to the terminal block 20, and is connected to an external power supply device and a packaging machine via this terminal block 20.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part thereof enlarged.

  The cable 18 including the power supply line 18a and the signal line 18b introduced into the internal space of the swivel base 8b is supported by a cable support 19 that is a multi-indirect cable protector that can be bent in a horizontal plane, and is installed in the swivel base 8b. It is wound and accommodated over the entire circumference of the annular space. One extended end of the cable 18 is drawn upward and introduced into the internal space of the above-described leg 9, and the other extended end is drawn downward through an opening formed in the inner wall of the fixed base 8 a. And introduced into the internal space of the fixed base 8a. Note that when the gates of the supply hopper 12 and the weighing hopper 13 are opened and closed by an air cylinder, the air supply pipe may be supported by the cable support 19 together with the power supply line 18a and the signal line 18b.

  In this embodiment, handles 21 as gripping portions are provided at a plurality of appropriate positions on the outer peripheral surface of the turning base 8b so that the operator can turn the turning base 8b. The operator can hold the handle 21 and turn the turning base 8b around the central axis X of the center base body 7 around ± 180 degrees around the reference position.

  In the combination weigher 2 configured as described above, the swivel base 8b is swung around the center axis X of the center base body 7 in the cleaning work and the inspection and maintenance work after the weighing work is finished. The linear feeder 11, the supply hopper 12, the weighing hopper 13, the collecting chute 14, and the like constituting the parts are sequentially detached, so that the operator can be placed in a circular shape around the center base body 7 while being at one arbitrary position. Each part of the weighing unit can be removed.

  In addition, a latch mechanism using a ball detent or the like is provided between the fixed base 8a and the turning base 8b, and the turning base 8b is turned by the measuring unit arrangement pitch to be positioned and held. It is possible to prevent the turning base 8b from turning carelessly during the detaching operation of each part.

  As a guideline for returning the turning base 8b to the original reference position after the cleaning work and the inspection and maintenance work are completed, as shown in FIG. 2, an alignment mark 22 is provided across the fixed base 8a and the turning base 8b. Is provided. Further, the turning base 8b at the reference position is fixed to the fixed base 8b by a fixing means such as a bolt with a knob (not shown) to prevent the turning base 8b from turning carelessly during weighing of the object to be weighed. ing.

(Embodiment 2)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal front view of a combination weigher according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing the main part of FIG. 6 of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the turning base 8b is configured to be driven and turned. The ring base 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the turning base 8b, and the motor 25 is accommodated in the fixed base 8a. The drive gear 26 driven by the motor 25 and the ring gear 25 are engaged with each other via an intermediate gear 27, and the turning base 8b is driven to turn by rotating the motor 26 in the forward and reverse directions.

  On the circumferential surface of the swivel base 8b, a magnetic metal piece 28 is attached as a detected portion for detecting the swivel position at a circumferential pitch corresponding to the arrangement pitch of each weighing unit, and is fixed to the outer surface of the fixed base 8a. A proximity switch 30 sensitive to the magnetic metal piece 28 is provided on the support bracket 29 also serving as a gear cover. The detected part is equipped with magnetic metal pieces 28 in a predetermined combination arrangement at four positions in the vertical direction, and the proximity switch 30 is arranged in the vertical direction so as to be close to and opposed to the magnetic metal piece attachment positions at the four vertical positions. An array is deployed. According to this, the upper and lower four magnetic metal pieces 28 can be combined and arranged in 16 ways, and the turning positions of the 16 weighing units can be recognized from the metal piece detection information from the four proximity switches 30. Then, the position of the turning base 8b is detected by the information from the proximity switch 30 and detected by the control device 31, and the motor 25 is driven and controlled based on the setting information from the setting unit 32, so that the turning base 8b is predetermined. Move to the swivel position.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms.

  (1) The weighing operation is performed only in a state in which a limit switch or the like for detecting whether or not the turning base 8b is at the predetermined reference position is provided, and that the turning base 8b is detected at the reference position. It is preferable to perform control so that can be executed.

  (2) In the configuration in which the turning base 8b is driven and turned by the motor 25, while the metering operation is detected, the operation of the motor 25 is checked and the turning base is erroneously detected during the weighing operation. It is preferable to prevent the 8b from being driven and turned.

  (3) As a means for detecting the turning position of the turning base 8b, a limit switch, an optical sensor, a barcode reader, or the like can be used.

  (4) In the configuration in which the turning base 8b is driven and turned by the motor 25, the operation is controlled by the forward push button switch and the reverse push button switch that cause the motor 25 to perform forward rotation or reverse rotation only while being pressed. It can also be implemented.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the base 8 is divided into the hollow fixed base 8a and the turnable turntable 8b, and the center base 7 is connected and supported to the turntable 8b. The base 8 that is not divided is mounted on a fixed substrate that is configured in a ring shape with the center portion opened up and down so as to be capable of swiveling via a bearing or the like. It is also possible to implement in a form in which the fixed substrate is connected and fixed to the raised floor portion 6 or the like.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a combination weigher that weighs an object to be weighed such as food and sends it to a packaging machine.

7 Center Base 8 Base 8a Fixed Base 8b Turning Base 9 Leg 10 Dispersing Feeder 11 Linear Feeder 12 Feeding Hopper 13 Weighing Hopper 14 Collecting Chute 18 Cable 28 Magnetic Metal Piece 30 Proximity Switch 31 Controller 32 Setting Unit

Claims (7)

A base having an opening penetrating in the vertical direction in the center and a base supported by the base, and a plurality of weighing units including a weighing hopper for weighing an object to be weighed are provided on the outer periphery of the base. A combination weigher that is arranged in a circle and is detachably attached, collects objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper, and drops and sends the objects under the base;
A combination weigher characterized in that the base supporting the base body is pivotable.   The combination scale according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a fixed base and a turning base that is turnably mounted thereon, and the base is supported on the turning base.   The combination weigher according to claim 2, wherein the cable led out from the base body is wound and accommodated inside the turning base, and the wound and accommodated cable is led to the fixed base.   The combination weigher according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a grip portion that is gripped by an operator when the turning base is turned is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the turning base.   The combination weigher according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising drive means for turning the turning base.   A turning position detecting means for detecting a turning position of the turning base; a setting means for setting and instructing the turning position; and a control means for turning and turning the turning base to the turning position instructed to set. A combination weigher according to claim 5 provided.   The swivel position detecting means equips the swivel base with a to-be-detected portion in which a plurality of magnetic metal pieces are arranged in a predetermined combination pattern on the turning base at an arrangement pitch of the weighing units, and a plurality of parts sensitive to the magnetic metal pieces The combination weigher according to claim 6, wherein the proximity switch is fixedly arranged at a predetermined position on the fixed base side.

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