JP2595431B2 - Metering device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixed-quantity feeding apparatus used for feeding, for example, semi-finished products and raw materials in the production of various processed foods in a predetermined amount to the next step. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a fixed-quantity feeding apparatus of this kind, a belt-type conveyor has been used as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-63-300919, and the speed of the conveyor is controlled. There have been proposed ones that maintain a constant supply of articles such as semi-finished products and raw materials.

[0003]

However, as described above, in the case of the conventional fixed-quantity feeding device using a belt-type conveyor, the belt components, such as fibers, are continuously used. However, there is a problem in that debris is generated due to partial peeling of the debris and the debris is mixed into the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a constant-quantity supply apparatus capable of maintaining a constant constant quantity of article supply performance even during long-term use without generation of dust and mixing thereof. The purpose is to:

Another object of the present invention is not only to articles, but also to
The supply amount of the additive is also stably maintained at a predetermined value,
An object of the present invention is to maintain high quality of a product obtained by mixing the two.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the solution to ## the dispensing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, receives the supplied goods, the first feeder for feeding while oscillating, the first feeder A fixed-type chute that slides the article sent out from the diagonally downward by gravity and discharges it;
By detecting the weight of the article flowing on the chute ,
A flow meter for measuring the flow rate, a first feeder control means for maintaining the flow rate at a constant value by controlling the vibration mode of the first feeder based on the measured flow rate, and Supply a specified amount of additive to be added
A second feeder and an addition supplied from the second feeder
A weight detector that detects the weight of the object, and a
Control of the second feeder to supply the additive.
Second feeder control means for maintaining the feed amount at a predetermined value;
The additive supplied from the second feeder is sent while being vibrated.
A third feeder that is fed out and added to the article;
The third feeder based on the weight detected by the quantity detector.
Is controlled, the additive supplied from the second feeder is controlled.
A third filter that secures a constant transport amount for the additive supply amount
And a controller control means .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixed quantity supply device according to the first aspect , wherein the article from the chute is provided.
And a mixer for mixing the additives from the third feeder .

[0008]

Furthermore, the dispensing device according to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the above claim 1, from said chute
Mixer for mixing the article of the third and the additive from the third feeder
And the second based on the measured flow rate of the article.
Adjusting means for changing a predetermined value by the feeder control means .

[0010]

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the feeder and the chute do not require flexibility unlike the case of the conveyor, and can be formed of a metal such as stainless steel. Part of the material does not become waste and enter the article.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supplied articles are discharged via the first vibrating feeder and the fixed chute utilizing gravity. At this time, the flow rate of the article flowing on the chute is measured, and the measured value is fed back to control the vibration mode of the first feeder, so that the flow rate of the article is maintained at a constant value. Therefore,
It is possible to always supply a fixed amount of articles to the next step with stability. Also, the amount of additive supplied from the second feeder
Is maintained at a predetermined value, and even if this supply
Slightly uneven due to variations in properties such as the adhesive strength of the additive
The unevenness due to vibration in the third feeder
And the conveyance amount by the third feeder is kept constant.
It is possible to keep the amount of additives accurately constant.
Wear.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a predetermined amount of the additive is mixed with the articles to be supplied in a fixed amount by the mixer, the mixing ratio of the two is constant, and therefore, the taste of the food and the like are maintained. Product quality is kept constant.

[0013]

Further , according to the third aspect of the present invention, by changing the predetermined value of the supply amount of the additive based on the measurement of the flow rate of the article, the article and the additive can be connected even if the flow rate of the article changes. Can be kept constant to stabilize product quality.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram when the quantitative supply device according to the present invention is used as a seasoning device for processed food. This seasoning device is roughly divided into a first feeder 1 for sending out an article such as a semi-finished product or a raw material in a certain direction by vibration, and an article sent out from the feeder 1 being slid obliquely downward by the gravity of the article. Fixed type to discharge
Tumblers and the chute 2, the second feeder 3 specified amount supplied condiments such as salt added to the article, is mixed with articles to be discharged from the seasoning and the chute 2 supplied from the feeder 3 The mixer 4 controls the amount of supply by the third feeder 5 for conveying and supplying the seasoning supplied from the second feeder 3 to the mixer 4, and the first to third feeders 1, 3, 5. Device CPU6 composed of a microcomputer as a control device for
Consists of

The first feeder 1 has a vibration vibrator 1A and a trough 1C vibrated by the vibrator 1A through a supporting member 1B made of a leaf spring. The first feeder 1 receives a supplied article and vibrates. The vibration vibrator 1 is configured to
By controlling the frequency or amplitude of A, the vibration mode is changed. The chute 2 is made of a first metal, such as stainless steel, which slides an article diagonally downward by gravity.
And the second chutes 2A and 2B. The above trough 1
C, the first chute 2A and the second chute 2B are formed of a sheet metal made of metal such as stainless steel.

The first chute 2A is attached to the load cell 7A, and constitutes a flow sensor 7 as a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the article flowing on the chute 2.
The flow sensor 7 measures a plurality of times by the load cell 7A and averages the measured values as a flow rate. Based on the measured flow rate, the first feeder is controlled via the control device 6. By performing feedback control of the first vibration mode, the flow rate is maintained at a constant value.

The second feeder 3 includes a container 3A for holding the seasoning, a screw conveyor 3B housed in the container 3A for feeding the seasoning, a DC motor 3C for rotating and driving the screw conveyor 3B, Container 3A
The container 3A is attached to a load cell 8 as a weight detector for detecting the weight of the seasoning supplied from the second feeder 3. The load cell 8 detects the weight of the seasoning every one second, whereby it is possible to detect a defect that the seasoning is not delivered due to a bridge occurring in the delivery path by the screw conveyor 3B.
Then, based on the weight detected by the load cell 8,
By controlling the voltage of the DC motor 3C via the control device 6 and performing feedback control of the rotation speed of the screw conveyor 3B, the supply amount of the seasoning is set to a predetermined value corresponding to a preset seasoning degree of the processed food. It is made to hold accurately.

The tumbler mixer 4 stirs and conveys the articles from the chute 2 and the seasoning supplied from the second feeder 3 through the third feeder 5 for a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds. By mixing, a predetermined seasoning is performed, and the seasoned product is sent to the next process section 10 such as weighing and packaging via the chute 9. The mixer 4 has a buffer function of stably ensuring a predetermined seasoning even if the seasoning is supplied to the articles supplied from the chute 2 with a delay of about 1 second due to the mixing action over the predetermined time. doing. Further, the mixer 4 is configured so that the inclination angle θ can be changed via the jack 11 in accordance with the supply amount of the article, whereby the mixing time can be changed regardless of the change in the supply amount of the article. Be kept constant. For example,
When the supply amount of the article is larger than a certain amount, the inclination angle θ is increased.

The third feeder 5 has a vibration vibrator 5A and a trough 5C vibrated by the vibrator 5A via a supporting member 5B made of a leaf spring. The condiment to be conveyed and supplied to the mixer 4, and based on the weight detected by the load cell 8, the second seasoning is performed via the control device 6.
The vibration mode of the feeder 3 is controlled so that the feed rate of the seasoning is maintained at a constant rate with respect to the feed rate of the seasoning.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system including the control device 6. The flow rate signal S 1 from the load cell 7 A constituting the flow sensor 7, the detected weight signal S 2 from the load cell 8, and the supply of articles The first setting signal S3 from the article supply amount setting device 12 for setting the amount and the second setting signal S4 from the seasoning setting device 13 for setting the predetermined supply amount of the seasoning are input to the control device 6, respectively. .

The control device 6 controls the measured flow signal S1
By comparing the measured flow rate value with the setting value (article supply amount) by the first setting signal S3 and controlling the driver 14 of the vibrating vibrator 1A in the first feeder 1 to change the vibration mode. A first feeder control means 15 for maintaining the flow rate on the chute 2 at a set value.
And the set value (predetermined supply amount of seasoning) by the detected weight value based on the detected weight signal S2 and the second set signal S4 to control the driver 16 of the DC motor 3C of the second feeder 3. A second feeder control means 17 is provided for maintaining the supply amount of the seasoning at the predetermined value by changing the rotation speed of the screw conveyor 3B.

The controller 6 further controls the driver 18 of the vibration vibrator 5A in the third feeder 5 so as to secure a transport amount that matches the amount of seasoning supplied by the second feeder 3. A seasoning to be held by the second feeder control means 17 based on the third feeder control means 19 for changing the vibration mode, the measured flow rate value based on the measured flow rate signal S1, and the first setting signal S3. An adjusting means 20 for changing a predetermined value of the supply amount is provided.

In order to precisely control the second feeder 3 by the second feeder control means 17, a D / A converter 21 is provided in a signal system from the second feeder control means 17 to the driver 16. It is preferable to intervene. In addition, the control device 6 adjusts the inclination angle θ of the mixer 4 via the jack 11 when the set supply amount by the article supply amount setting device 12 for setting the seasoning degree of the processed food is changed. And an expansion / contraction operation control means 22 for adjusting θ in accordance with the amount flowing through the first chute 2A.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the supply amounts of the article (semi-finished product or raw material) and the seasoning are set by the setting devices 12 and 13, and the degree of seasoning of the processed food is set. In this state, the operation of the fixed amount supply device is started, and the articles supplied to the first feeder 1 are sent out onto the chute 2 while vibrating on the trough 1C of the first feeder 1. The article sent out onto the chute 2 slides obliquely downward on the first and second chutes 2A and 2B by gravity and is discharged into the mixer 4. At this time, the first feeder, the first chute 2A, and the second
Since the chute 2B is made of metal, a part of the components of the feeder and the chute does not become refuse and enter the article. The flow rate of the article flowing on the first chute 2A is measured by the load cell 7A of the flow sensor 7, and the measured flow rate signal S1 is input to the control device 6.

Then, an article flow rate value based on the measured flow rate signal S1 is compared with a set value (a fixed quantity of article supply) based on the first setting signal S3 of the setting unit 12, and a first feeder is calculated in accordance with the difference. By controlling the driver 14 of the vibration vibrator 1A in the first feeder 1 by the control means 15 to change the vibration mode (frequency or amplitude), the flow rate on the chute 2 is held at a set value, A constant amount of articles is always supplied into the mixer 4.

On the other hand, the seasoning charged in the seasoning charging hopper 3D in the second feeder 3 is sent out by the screw conveyor 3B and then supplied to the mixer 4 through the third feeder 5. At this time, the weight delivered by the screw conveyor 3B is detected by the load cell 8, and the detected weight signal S2 is input to the control device 6.

Then, a comparison is made between the detected weight value based on the detected weight signal S2 and the set value (predetermined value of the seasoning supply amount) based on the second setting signal S4 of the setter 13, and the second value is determined in accordance with the difference. By controlling the driver 16 of the DC motor 3C in the second feeder 3 by the feeder control means 17 to change the rotation speed of the screw conveyor 3B, the supply amount of the seasoning is maintained at a predetermined value. A predetermined amount of articles is supplied to the inside. here
Therefore, the seasoning supply amount from the second feeder 3 is maintained at a predetermined value.
Although it is preserved, it is seasoned under the influence of temperature, humidity, etc.
Characteristics such as adhesive strength of the material may vary.
For that, the second feeder 3 to the third feeder 5
The supply of seasonings may be slightly uneven. like this
Seasoning is supplied unevenly to the third vibrating feeder.
As it is conveyed while being vibrated by 5, unevenness is eliminated.
As a result, the transport amount becomes exactly constant. As a result,
The mixture ratio of the flavor is always kept accurately and constant.

On the other hand, when the article flow rate value according to the measured flow rate signal S1 from the load cell 7A changes, for example, when the article flow rate value drops to 80% of the set value according to the first setting signal S3, the adjusting means 20 turns on the second Feeder control means 17
To reduce the supply amount of the seasoning to 80% of the predetermined value. Thereby, even if the article flow rate value changes, the mixing ratio of the article and the additive is kept constant. In the case where the set value of the supply amount is constant, if this constant set value is stored in the adjusting means 20, the input of the first setting signal S3 to the adjusting means 20 becomes unnecessary.

Thus, the articles and seasonings supplied into the mixer 4 are stirred while being rotated and conveyed, and are mixed for a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds. Therefore,
Even if there is a time lag between the two supplies, this mixer 4
The error of the mixing ratio is absorbed by the buffer function according to. As described above, both the supply amounts of the article and the seasoning are maintained at the set values, and the predetermined flavor of the processed food is stably maintained by the synergistic effect of the buffer function. The seasoned product is sent through a chute 9 to a next process section 10 such as weighing and packaging.

The present invention can be applied not only to the seasoning apparatus for processed foods as in the above-described embodiment but also to a quantitative supply apparatus for various articles such as medicines and chemical mixtures.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the tumbler type mixer 4 has one stage has been described. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mixers 4A and 4B are arranged in two stages before and after.
After mixing the article and the seasoning with the mixer 4A at the first stage, another seasoning such as, for example, edible oil may be added to the mixer 4B at the second stage to season.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, since the feeder and the chute can be formed of a metal such as stainless steel, a part of the constituent materials of the feeder and the chute are scrapped. As a result, it does not mix with the articles.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the article flowing through the fixed type chute is measured, and the measured value is fed back to control the vibration mode of the first feeder. Is maintained at a constant value, so that a fixed amount of articles can always be supplied stably to the next step. Also, the supply of the additive from the second feeder is performed.
Conveyance by the third feeder even if the feed is slightly uneven
Mixing of additives to the article as the amount is kept constant
The ratio can be kept constant.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a predetermined amount of the additive is mixed with the articles to be supplied in a predetermined amount by the mixer, so that the mixing ratio of the two is constant, so that the taste of the food and the like can be maintained. Product quality is kept constant.

[0036]

Further , according to the third aspect of the present invention, by changing the predetermined value of the supply amount of the additive on the basis of the measurement of the flow rate of the article, the article and the additive can be maintained even when the flow rate of the article changes. Can be kept constant to stabilize product quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram when a quantitative supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied as a seasoning device for processed food.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a control system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... first feeder (article feeder) 2 ... shoot 3
... second feeder (additive feeder), 4 ... mixer, 7
(2A, 7A): flow sensor (flow rate measuring device), 8: load cell (weight detector), 15: first feeder control means, 17: second feeder control means, 20: adjusting means.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] (1) receiving a supplied article and preventing it from vibrating;
Send outFirstFeeder and aboveFirstThe goods sent from the feeder are moved by gravity.
A fixed chute that slides obliquely downward and discharges, and the weight of articles flowing on the chuteBy detecting
RA flow meter that measures the flow rate, and based on the measured flow rate,FirstFeeder vibration mode
The flow rate is maintained at a constant value by controlling the flow rate.
First feeder control means;A second filter for supplying a predetermined amount of an additive to be added to the article;
And Detecting the weight of the additive supplied from the second feeder;
Weight detector, Controlling the second feeder based on the detected weight.
With this, the second feed for maintaining the supply amount of the additive at a predetermined value is performed.
Feeder control means, While vibrating the additive supplied from the second feeder
A third feeder to be sent out and added to the article; Based on the weight detected by the weight detector, a third
Is supplied from the second feeder by controlling the feeder.
A third filter that secures a constant transport amount for the additive supply amount
Feeder control means and A fixed-quantity supply device comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an article from the chute and an additive from a third feeder.
Metering device equipped with a mixer that mixes the liquid . 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:The goods from the chute and the additives from the third feeder
A mixer to mix the The second fee based on the measured flow rate of the article.
Adjusting means for changing the predetermined value by the control means. Equipped
Metering device.