JP2018138869A - Metering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metering apparatus capable of suitably setting a control signal even when the torque necessary for gate opening and closing changes as the control signal to a drive unit can be varied based on the presence or absence of step-out of the drive unit.SOLUTION: The metering apparatus comprises: a pool hopper 4 having a gate 5 and opening or closing the gate 5 to temporarily hold an object to be weighed which is supplied from the outside; a stepping motor 15 for driving the gate 5 to open and close; and a control unit 11 for controlling the stepping motor 15 by changing the control signal to be output to the stepping motor 15. The control unit 11 detects step-out of the stepping motor 15 while driving the gate 5 to open or close, and varies the control signal to be output to the stepping motor 15 on the basis of the detected presence or absence of step-out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a weighing device that varies a control signal output to a gate of a hopper.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a combination weigher. In this combination weigher, when the hopper gate 12 is driven to open and close, the torque applied to the motor shaft of the stepping motor 17 is measured in advance using a torque measuring instrument (see, for example, paragraph 0036). Then, based on the proportional relationship between the torque applied to the motor shaft of the stepping motor 17 and the drive current of the stepping motor 17, the minimum drive current required to open the hopper gate 12 from the fully closed position to the fully open position is measured. In addition, the minimum drive current required for the closing operation from the fully open position to the fully closed position is measured (see, for example, paragraphs 0037 to 0042).

  Thereby, the power consumption of the stepping motor is reduced.

JP2013-167594A

  Patent Document 1 sets the gate drive current in the hopper based on the torque required to open and close the hopper as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to attach a torque measuring device to the motor shaft of the stepping motor 17 related to opening and closing of the hopper gate. In order to realize this method, it is necessary to review at least the design around the stepping motor 17 in order to secure a space for mounting the torque measuring device.

  Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a weighing device that can detect the presence or absence of a step out of a drive unit based on a signal from a motor without using a torque measuring instrument as described above, and can vary a control signal to the drive unit based on the detected result. provide.

  The weighing device according to the present disclosure has a gate, and by opening and closing the gate, a hopper that temporarily stores an object to be weighed from the outside and further discharges it, and a drive unit that drives the gate to open and close, A control unit that varies a control signal output to the drive unit and controls the drive unit, and the control unit detects step-out of the drive unit during gate opening / closing drive, and detects the detected step-out. Based on the presence or absence, the control signal output to the drive unit is varied.

  The measuring device in the present disclosure can detect whether or not the drive unit has stepped out based on a signal from the motor without using a torque measuring instrument, and can change the control signal to the drive unit based on the detected result.

The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the whole combination measurement apparatus 1 in this embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the electrical coupling | bonding in the combination measurement apparatus 1 in this embodiment. The flowchart at the time of setting a new electric current value on the basis of the electric current value at the time of a step-out in the control part 11 as initialization. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which correct | amends a current value when it makes it operate | move using the electric current value determined by the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the stepping motor 13 steps out. The figure for demonstrating the specific example of the set electric current value. The figure for enlarging a part of 4th area | region, Comprising: The figure for demonstrating the specific example which subdivides a 4th area | region into the area | region of 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

  In addition, the inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and these are intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. is not.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the entire combination weighing device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the combination weighing device 1 in this embodiment receives an object to be weighed (denoted as M in FIG. 1) from the supply device 100. The combination weighing device 1 performs combination weighing on the received objects to be weighed.

  Here, the object to be weighed may be, for example, food such as a snack, or may be a metal part such as a nut or a bolt. That is, as long as a predetermined amount is supplied to a plurality of hoppers and the supplied mass is combined to measure a desired mass value, any one may be used.

  Here, the supply device 100 is a member that conveys an object to be weighed supplied by a user and drops it against the dispersion unit 2. The object to be weighed is put into the combination weighing device 1 by the action of the feeding device 100. The supply device 100 in the present embodiment may be a device that conveys an object to be weighed by vibration, or a device that conveys an object by a belt conveyor. In short, any member may be used as long as it has a function of transporting and feeding the object to be weighed supplied by the user to the dispersing unit 2.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the combination weighing device 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

  The combination weighing device 1 in this embodiment includes a dispersion unit 2, a supply trough 3, a pool hopper 4, a gate 5, a weighing hopper 6, a mass detector 7, a gate 8, a booster hopper 9 and a gate 10.

  Here, there are a plurality of pool hoppers 4, gates 5, weighing hoppers 6, mass detectors 7, gates 8, booster hoppers 9 and gates 10, respectively. In order to distinguish each, it describes with the pool hopper 4_i. The same applies to the gate 5, the weighing hopper 6, the mass detector 7, the gate 8, the booster hopper 9, and the gate 10. Further, i is a positive integer. For example, the pool hopper 4_1 indicates the first pool hopper 4 among the plurality of pool hoppers 4.

  The dispersion unit 2 is a member that disperses the objects to be weighed falling from the supply device 100 toward the supply trough 3. The dispersion unit 2 in the present embodiment conveys the object to be weighed toward the supply trough 3 by continuously vibrating at a predetermined frequency. In addition, the system which concerns on conveyance is not limited to a vibration, What kind of thing may be used if it has a function which conveys a to-be-measured object toward the supply trough 3. FIG.

  The supply trough 3_i is a member that supplies the objects to be weighed supplied from the dispersion unit 2 to the pool hopper 4_i provided corresponding to the downstream of each of the supply troughs 3_i.

  The pool hopper 4_i is a member that temporarily retains the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply trough 3_i. The pool hopper 4_i has a gate 5_i. When the gate 5_i is opened and closed, the objects to be weighed in the pool hopper 4_i are discharged to the weighing hopper 6_i provided downstream of the gate 5_i.

  Here, each of the gates 5_i is connected to the stepping motor 13_i via each link mechanism. Further, the stepping motor 13 — i is connected to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 outputs a control signal to each of the stepping motors 13_i by a method described later. When the stepping motor 13_i receives the control signal output from the control unit 11, the stepping motor 13_i is driven to rotate based on the control signal. By rotationally driving in this way, the link mechanism operates and the gate 5_i opens and closes. With this configuration, the control unit 11 controls the opening / closing operation of the gate 5_i.

  Specifically, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 13_i rotates forward from 0 degree to 180 degrees, the gate 5_i changes from the closed state to the open state. Then, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 13_i rotates in the reverse direction from 180 degrees to 0 degrees, the gate 5_i changes from the open state to the closed state.

  The weighing hopper 6_i is a member that temporarily retains the objects to be weighed discharged from the pool hopper 4_i. The weighing hopper 6_i is connected to the mass detector 7_i. When an object to be weighed is put into the weighing hopper 6_i, distortion occurs in the mass detector 7_i. Then, the mass detector 7_i can detect the mass value of the object to be weighed put into the weighing hopper 6_i based on the signal based on the distortion.

  Here, the mass detector 7_i in the above is specifically constituted by a load cell. However, the mass detector 7_i is not limited to a load cell, and may be a member that uses a mass detection method using a tuning fork type sensor. In short, any configuration may be used as long as it can detect the mass of the object to be weighed put into the weighing hopper 6_i.

  The gate 8_i is a member that is provided in each of the corresponding weighing hoppers 6_i, and temporarily holds an object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 6_i in the weighing hopper 6_i. When the gate 8_i is opened and closed, the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 6_i are discharged to the booster hopper 9_i arranged downstream of the gate 8_i.

  Here, each gate 8_i is connected to the stepping motor 14_i via the respective link mechanism. Further, the stepping motor 14 — i is connected to the control unit 11. The controller 11 outputs a control signal to each of the stepping motors 14_i by a method described later. When the stepping motor 14 — i receives the control signal output from the control unit 11, the motor shaft is rotationally driven based on the control signal. By rotating and driving in this way, the link mechanism operates and the gate 8_i opens and closes. With this configuration, the control unit 11 controls the opening / closing operation of the gate 8_i.

  Specifically, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 14_i rotates forward from 0 degree to 180 degrees, the gate 8_i changes from the closed state to the open state. Then, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 14_i rotates in the reverse direction from 180 degrees to 0 degrees, the gate 8_i changes from the open state to the closed state.

  The booster hopper 9_i is a member for temporarily retaining an object to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper 6_i.

  The gate 10_i is a member that is provided in each of the corresponding booster hoppers 9_i, and temporarily holds the objects to be weighed in the booster hoppers 9_i in the booster hoppers 9_i. When the gate 10_i is opened and closed, the objects to be weighed in the booster hopper 9_i are discharged to the collecting chute disposed downstream of the gate 10_i.

  Here, each of the gates 10_i is connected to the stepping motor 15_i via the respective link mechanism. Further, the stepping motor 15_i is connected to the control unit 11. The controller 11 outputs a control signal to each of the stepping motors 15_i by a method described later. When the stepping motor 15_i receives the control signal output from the control unit 11, the stepping motor 15_i is driven to rotate based on the control signal. By rotating and driving in this way, the link mechanism operates and the gate 10_i opens and closes. With this configuration, the control unit 11 controls the opening / closing operation of the gate 10_i.

  Specifically, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 15_i rotates forward from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, the gate 10_i changes from the closed state to the open state. Then, when the motor shaft of the stepping motor 15_i rotates in the reverse direction from 180 degrees to 0 degrees, the gate 10_i changes from the open state to the closed state.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining electrical coupling in the combination weighing device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  At least a part of each member in the combination weighing device 1 of the present embodiment is connected to the control unit 11 and its operation is controlled. The control unit 11 is at least electrically connected to the memory 12, the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i.

  The control unit 11 controls at least a part of each member of the combination weighing device 1 according to a control program stored in the memory 12 based on information input from a user via an input unit (not shown). .

  Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i.

  For example, when the control unit 11 controls the current values flowing through the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i, the voltage corresponding to the desired current value is supplied to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i. Apply a value. In short, the control unit 11 intermittently applies a predetermined voltage value as a pulse train to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i. Controls the value of the flowing current.

  In this case, the control unit 11 applies a DC voltage to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i while changing the pulse width with time. In the case of the above configuration, the value controlled by the control unit 11 is a current value, but the control signals output to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i are voltage values.

  The method of outputting voltage values from the control unit 11 to each of the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i is not limited to the method of intermittently outputting the constant voltage value as a pulse train as described above. Alternatively, the voltage value output to the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i may be varied in terms of time.

  Moreover, the control part 11 detects the presence or absence of a step-out about each of the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to each of the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i, and then receives a signal from the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i. Is measured. When signals are received from the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i within a preset time range, the control unit 11 determines that there is no step-out. On the other hand, when no signal is received from the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i within a preset time range, the control unit 11 determines that there is a step-out.

  In the above, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to each of the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i, and then receives pulses from the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i. Time is measured by counting the number.

  The memory 12 is a storage member that stores at least information related to the operation of the combination weighing device 1. The control unit 11 performs a target operation by reading and processing information stored in the memory 12.

  The stepping motor 13 is a drive member that drives the gate 5 to open and close. The stepping motor 13 generates torque around the motor shaft based on a control signal from the control unit 11. Then, the stepping motor 13 operates a link mechanism that connects the stepping motor 13 and the gate 5 by the action of the generated torque. Thereby, the stepping motor 13 drives the gate 5 to open and close.

  Further, when the motor shaft rotates by a predetermined angle, the stepping motor 13 outputs a signal indicating that the motor shaft has rotated by the predetermined angle to the control unit 11. Specifically, the stepping motor 13 has a photo interrupter. When the motor shaft of the stepping motor 13 rotates by a predetermined angle, the slit of the photo interrupter is closed. When the slit of the photo interrupter is closed, a signal is output from the photo interrupter to the control unit 11.

  The stepping motor 13 is not limited to the above configuration, and the stepping motor 13 is configured to output drive information indicating a rotation direction, a rotation position, or a rotation speed when the motor shaft is driven to the control unit 11. It doesn't matter. This drive information is information output from the encoder when the encoder is attached to the stepping motor 13.

  The stepping motor 14 is a drive member that drives the gate 8 to open and close. The stepping motor 14 generates torque around the motor shaft based on a control signal from the control unit 11. Then, the stepping motor 14 operates a link mechanism that connects the stepping motor 14 and the gate 8 by the action of the generated torque. Thereby, the stepping motor 14 drives the gate 8 to open and close.

  Further, similar to the configuration of the stepping motor 13, the stepping motor 14 has a photo interrupter. When the slit of the photo interrupter is closed, the photo interrupter outputs a signal to the control unit 11.

  The stepping motor 15 is a drive member that drives the gate 10 to open and close. The stepping motor 15 generates torque around the motor shaft based on a control signal from the control unit 11. The stepping motor 15 operates the link mechanism that connects the stepping motor 15 and the gate 10 by the action of the generated torque. As a result, the stepping motor 15 drives the gate 10 to open and close.

  Further, like the configuration in the stepping motor 13, the stepping motor 15 has a photo interrupter. When the slit of the photo interrupter is closed, the photo interrupter outputs a signal to the control unit 11.

(Regarding the control signal generation operation in the control unit 11)
Hereinafter, the control signal generation operation in the control unit 11 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, in order to control the current values flowing through the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i, the control unit 11 is variably set for the stepping motor 13_i, the stepping motor 14_i, and the stepping motor 15_i. A voltage value shall be applied to.

  The method for generating the voltage value output to the stepping motor 14_i and the stepping motor 15_i is the same as the method for generating the voltage value for the stepping motor 13_i. Therefore, a method for generating a voltage value for the stepping motor 13_i will be mainly described, and a description of a method for generating a voltage value output to the stepping motor 14_i and the stepping motor 15_i will be omitted.

  The control signal generation operation will be briefly described. The control unit 11 detects whether or not the stepping motor 13 is out of step while the gate 5 is being opened and closed. And when the control part 11 detects a step-out, it sets a new electric current value on the basis of the electric current value at the time of a step-out.

  Here, based on a signal output from the photo interrupter in the stepping motor 13 to the control unit 11, the control unit 11 detects a step-out in the stepping motor 13. For example, the memory 12 has a value related to the time from when the control unit 11 outputs a voltage value to the stepping motor 13 until the signal is received from the photo interrupter of the stepping motor 13. For example, the memory 12 has a value for a time range of 1 second to 1.5 seconds. Then, the control unit 11 determines that the time from when the voltage value is actually applied to the stepping motor 13 until the signal is received from the photo interrupter of the stepping motor 13 (hereinafter referred to as reception time) is within the above time range. If included, it is detected that there is no step-out. That is, when a signal from the photo interrupter is received 1.2 seconds after outputting the voltage value, the control unit detects that there is no step-out. On the other hand, when the reception time is not included in the time range, it is detected that there is a step-out. That is, when a signal from the photo interrupter is received 2 seconds after outputting the voltage value, the control unit detects that there is a step-out.

  The detection of step-out is not limited to the above, and any method can be used as long as it can detect step-out.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the controller 11 sets a new current value with reference to the current value at the time of step-out as an initial setting.

  (S301) When the control unit 11 determines that one cycle is from the closed state to the open state and again to the closed state, the control unit 11 classifies the one cycle from the first region to the Lth region. For example, the control unit 11 classifies the opening / closing operation of one cycle every 22.5 degrees. In the above description, the configuration in which one cycle is divided every 22.5 degrees has been described. However, the configuration may be such that one cycle is divided into other division numbers such as 5 or 20.

  (S302) Next, the control unit 11 sets the variable N to 1 as an initial setting.

  (S303) The control unit 11 sets the voltage value so that the current value flowing through the stepping motor 13 becomes the maximum current value that can be passed through the stepping motor 13 in each of the first region to the Lth region.

  (S304) Then, the control unit 11 applies the voltage value set in S303 to the stepping motor 13. When the current value in the Nth region is decreased in S306, the control unit 11 applies a voltage value corresponding to the decreased current value.

  (S305) After applying a voltage value to the stepping motor 13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the stepping motor 13 has stepped out in the Nth region. When determining that the stepping motor 13 has stepped out, the control unit 11 proceeds to S307. On the other hand, when determining that the stepping motor 13 has not stepped out in the Nth region, the control unit 11 proceeds to S306.

  (S306) When determining that the stepping motor 13 has not stepped out, the control unit 11 resets the current value flowing in the Nth region to be smaller than the current value passed in the Nth region last time. Then, based on the reset current value, the control unit 11 returns to S304. Any method may be used to reduce the current value. For example, a configuration in which the current value is set to 90% of the previously set current value is conceivable.

  (S307) On the other hand, when determining that the stepping motor 13 has stepped out, the control unit 11 determines a current value to be supplied to the stepping motor 13 in the Nth region. For convenience of explanation, the current value when the stepping motor 13 has stepped out is referred to as a limit current value. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines a current value larger than the limit current value in the Nth region as an actual current value in the Nth region in S304.

  In addition, when setting it as a current value larger than the current value which flowed in the Nth area | region in S304, it is possible to set it as a current value about 10% larger than a limit current value, for example. In other words, the control unit 11 changes the voltage value applied to the stepping motor 13 to a voltage value that generates a torque stronger than the torque generated by the stepping motor 13 due to the limit current value in the Nth region.

  (S308) Next, the control unit 11 determines whether N and L are equal. When N and L are not equal, the control unit 11 proceeds to S309. On the other hand, when N and L are equal, the control unit 11 ends the operation as it is.

  (S309) When N and L are not equal, current values are not determined in all regions. Therefore, the control unit 11 increments N by one and performs the operation of S303 for N after the increment.

  Note that the current value flowing through the stepping motor 13 in S303 has been described as the maximum current value that can be output. However, in the region where the actual current value is already determined, the control unit 11 may apply a voltage value based on the determined current value. With this configuration, power consumption in the combination weighing machine 1 can be reduced even at the initial setting for setting the current value.

  The controller 11 determines the current value in each of the first region to the Lth region according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the subsequent operation, the control unit 11 applies a voltage value based on the current value determined in each region.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of correcting the current value when the stepping motor 13 steps out during operation using the current value determined in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  (S401) When the gate 5 is opened and closed, the controller 11 applies a voltage value to the stepping motor 13 based on the current value determined in S307 for each of the first region to the Lth region.

  (S402) At this time, based on the signal output from the photo interrupter in the stepping motor 13, the control unit 11 determines step-out in the stepping motor 13 in each section from the first region to the Lth region. If a step-out occurs in the stepping motor 13, the process proceeds to S403. On the other hand, if no step-out occurs in the stepping motor 13, the control unit 11 does not change the current value set in S <b> 307 and applies a voltage value corresponding to the set current value to the stepping motor 13 as it is.

  (S403) When determining in step S402 that the stepping motor 13 has stepped out, the control unit 11 identifies the region in which stepping out has occurred. And the control part 11 sets the new electric current value with respect to the said area | region based on the voltage value applied at the time of a step-out about the area | region where step-out generate | occur | produced. Specifically, the control unit 11 re-determines a current value larger than the limit current value corresponding to the voltage value output in the out-of-step region in S402 as the current value in the out-of-step region.

  The controller 11 determines a current value to be supplied to the stepping motor 13 in each of the regions divided in the flowchart shown in FIG. Even when the determined current value is used, the stepping motor 13 steps out due to deterioration of the link mechanism or the like. Therefore, by performing the operation defined in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 can correct the current value each time even when the stepping motor 13 is stepped out.

  In short, even if the current value is once determined and then combined weighing is performed based on the current value, the current value flowing in each region can be corrected to a current value that does not step out by controlling as described above.

  The combination weighing device 1 has a plurality of gates. When the current value is set for each region as described above, it may be set for each of a plurality of gates.

  However, in view of actual control, it can be considered that a plurality of gates have common setting information. In this case, even when a step-out occurs only at a specific gate among the plurality of gates, the current values of all the gates are uniformly changed.

(Summary)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the combination weighing device 1 includes the gate 5 and the pool hopper 4 that temporarily retains the objects to be weighed from outside by opening and closing the gate 5. The stepping motor 13 that opens and closes the gate 5 and the control unit 11 that controls the stepping motor 13 by changing the control signal output to the stepping motor 15 are provided.

  And the control part 11 detects the step-out of the stepping motor 13 during the opening / closing drive of the gate 5, and varies the control signal output to the stepping motor 13 based on the presence / absence of the detected step-out.

  Thereby, the control part 11 can vary the control signal output to the stepping motor 13 by using the step-out in the stepping motor 13 as a trigger. Therefore, even if the torque required for opening and closing the hopper changes with time and the stepping motor steps out, step out can be avoided in the next hopper opening and closing operation.

  Preferably, when the control unit 11 outputs the first control signal to the stepping motor 13 at a predetermined time, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the stepping motor 15 is out of step while the gate 5 is being opened and closed. When the stepping motor 15 steps out when the first control signal is output at the time, the control signal output at the predetermined time is a driving force stronger than the driving force generated during the opening / closing drive of the gate 5 by the first control signal. Is changed to the second control signal.

  In the above, the first control signal output at a predetermined time means, for example, a current value output at a time belonging to the first region.

  Thereby, the control part 11 can set a new control signal on the basis of the control signal at the time of a step-out. At that time, the control signal can be changed to a control signal that generates a driving force stronger than that generated by the control signal at the time of step-out. Therefore, for example, when the hopper is driven to open and close next in time, step-out in the stepping motor can be avoided.

Further preferably, the control unit 11 detects a step-out of the stepping motor 13 during the opening / closing driving of the gate 5 for each of the time regions divided into a plurality at predetermined time intervals, that is, the first region to the Lth region. Based on the detected presence / absence of step-out, a control signal to be output to the stepping motor 13 is set.
(Modification)
In S301 described above, the control unit 11 divides one cycle from the first region to the Lth region.

  Here, the larger the separation interval, the greater the difference between the minimum current value at which step-out does not occur in at least some of the divided regions and the actually determined current value in the divided region.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the set current value. The horizontal axis in FIG. 5 indicates the rotation angle of the motor shaft in the stepping motor 13. FIG. 5 shows an example of returning from 180 degrees to 0 degrees via 0 degrees to 180 degrees. The vertical axis indicates the signal strength of the current value. Furthermore, the dotted line in FIG. 5 shows a virtual current value curve. This curve is obtained by continuously setting a current value at which the stepping motor 13 does not step out.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that one cycle is divided every 22.5 degrees and a current value is set in each region. Here, attention is focused on a region near 180 degrees in FIG. When the current value set in this area is compared with the dotted line shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the actually set current value and the current value indicated by the dotted line is large at the start of the area and at the end of the area. .

  Therefore, after determining the current value for each of the plurality of regions, the control unit 11 again divides the specific region into a plurality of regions, and determines the current value for each of the divided regions.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 determines an area to be repartitioned. For example, when one cycle is divided from the first area to the L-th area, the control unit 11 determines to re-divide the area near 180 degrees.

  Then, the control unit 11 performs the processing from S301 to S309 on the re-segmented area. In this case, one cycle in S301 is a re-segmented area.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of re-segmenting a region around 180 degrees.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 divides the region near 180 degrees into three regions, and sets a current value for each of the regions. When reclassifying, it is not necessary to divide into equal intervals. For example, a continuous current value indicated by a dotted line shown in FIG. 5 may be set from the current values set in advance in each region, and classification may be performed based on the gradient of the current value. In other words, a portion with a steep inclination may be configured to be divided in detail as compared with a portion with a gentle inclination.

  By implementing as mentioned above, the control part 11 can set an electric current value in detail, and can reduce the power consumption of the combination weighing machine 1 itself.

  The control unit 11 is based on the current value set in the N1 region among the regions partitioned in S301 and the current value set in the N2 region, which is a region adjacent to the N1 region. Thus, the area related to reclassification may be determined.

  Specifically, when the difference between the current value set in the N1 region and the current value set in the N2 region is larger than a preset value, the control unit 11 determines whether the N1 region or the N2 region At least one of them is determined as a region to be repartitioned.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. For this purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided.

  Accordingly, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, not only the components essential for solving the problem, but also the components not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technique. May also be included. Therefore, it should not be immediately recognized that these non-essential components are essential as those non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

  Moreover, since the above-mentioned embodiment is for demonstrating the technique in this indication, a various change, replacement, addition, abbreviation, etc. can be performed in a claim or its equivalent range.

  The present disclosure is applicable to a weighing device that varies a control signal output to a drive unit in a hopper. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to a weighing device that combines and measures snacks and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Combination weighing device 2 Dispersing part 3 Supply trough 4 Pool hopper 5 Gate 6 Weighing hopper 7 Mass detector 8 Gate 9 Booster hopper 10 Gate 11 Control part 12 Memory 13, 14, 15 Stepping motor

Claims (5)

A hopper that has a gate, temporarily opens and closes an object to be weighed from the outside by opening and closing the gate, and further discharges it;
A driving unit for opening and closing the gate;
A control unit that varies a control signal output to the drive unit and controls the drive unit, and
The control unit detects step-out of the drive unit during opening and closing driving of the gate, and varies a control signal output to the drive unit based on the detected presence or absence of step-out.
Weighing device. The controller is
When the first control signal is output to the drive unit at a predetermined time, it is determined whether the drive unit is out of step during the opening / closing drive of the gate,
As a result of the determination, if the drive unit steps out when the first control signal is output at the predetermined time, the control signal output at the predetermined time is being opened / closed by the first control signal. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the second control signal is changed to a second control signal that generates a driving force stronger than the driving force generated in the second control signal. The controller is
Control for detecting out-of-step of the driving unit during opening / closing driving of the gate and outputting to the driving unit based on the presence / absence of out-of-step detected for each time region divided into a plurality at predetermined time intervals The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the signal is set.   The control unit further includes a control signal set in the Nth time region among a plurality of divided time regions, and a control signal set in the Mth time region which is a time region adjacent to the Nth time region. The N-th time region is re-divided into a plurality of time regions, and the step-out of the driving unit during the gate opening / closing drive is detected for each of the re-divided time regions, and the detected step-out step is detected. The weighing device according to claim 3, wherein a control signal to be output to the drive unit is set based on the presence or absence of the signal. When the difference between the control signal set in the Nth time domain and the control signal set in the Mth time domain is greater than a preset value, the control unit sets the Nth time domain to a plurality of times. Control for dividing again into regions, detecting step-out of the drive unit during the gate opening / closing drive for each time region divided again, and outputting to the drive unit based on the presence / absence of the detected step-out The weighing device according to claim 4, wherein the signal is set.