JP2975092B2 - Combination weigher with multi-target weighing function - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination weigher, and relates to a combination with a multi-target weight weighing function that sorts weighed and combined articles into ranks according to the total weight of the articles constituting the set. About the scale.

[Conventional technology]

For example, when a housewife purchases food packed in a pack (eg, fish fillet), it is necessary to make sure that the total weight of the food packed in one pack is a weight corresponding to the number of family members.
May be chosen as one of the conditions.

In order to satisfy such demands, there is a method of packaging in one pack using a semi-automatic combination weigher and a packaging machine so that the total weight according to the number of family members, for example, the total weight is about 2 kg or 3 kg. . In this method, first, a total weight of articles to be combined, for example, a target weight of 2 kg, is set on a semi-automatic combination weigher. Next, food is manually charged into the plurality of measuring tanks of the combination weigher. At this time, the combination weigher weighs the weight of the food in each weighing tank, and combines the weighed values in various ways. Among these combinations, the combination of the total weight equal to or closest to 2 kg (target weight) is selected. To discharge the foods constituting the selected set from each measuring tank. Then, the worker packs the discharged food in a packaging machine for each group.

And the total weight of the goods packed in one pack is about 2K
After weighing and packing the desired number of packs of g, next, similarly, the desired number of packs having a total weight of 3 kg of one pack of articles are weighed and packed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above semi-automatic combination weigher, target weight 2Kg
It is assumed that the measurement is performed with the upper limit set at 2.1 kg for the target weight of 3 kg and the upper limit set at 3.1 kg for the target weight of 3 kg. When weighing 2 kg (or 3 kg) of target weight, if the set of the total weight closest to 2 kg (or 3 kg) of the target weight is, for example, 2.2 kg (or 3.2 kg), the set is judged to be excessive. Is done. In this case, as a conventional treatment method, the operator replaces the articles in the measuring tank and performs re-weighing, or ignores that the amount is excessive and 2.2 kg (or
There is a method of discharging the 3.2 kg) set as an appropriate amount.

However, if the re-weighing is performed as described above, the measurement efficiency is reduced, and if the excess product is regarded as an appropriate product and discharged, the yield is deteriorated.

Therefore, when weighing a target weight of 2 kg, the set of the total weight closest to 2 kg of the target weight is 2.2 kg.
Even in the case of an excessive set of Kg, among the various combinations of the respective weighing values at that time, a set of a total weight of 3.1 kg or less of the upper limit of the target weight of 3 kg or a deviation between the target weight of 3 kg and the total weight of 0.2 kg. Given that there may be lesser sets (i.e., sets with a total weight of less than 3.2 kg), and when weighing a target weight of 3 kg, there are also sets of less than 2.2 kg. In view of the possibility, the present invention can set a plurality of target weights (for example, 2Kg and 3Kg), and determine the smallest of each deviation between various total weights of each weighing value and each target weight. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination weigher having a multi-target weighing function capable of selecting a smaller set of deviations.

[Summary of the Invention]

In the first invention, if a plurality of types of target weights of the total weight of the articles to be combined into one are set, each weight detection unit weighs the weight of the article, and the combination calculation unit determines the weight of each weight detection unit. The generated weighing signals are variously combined, and a set of total weights equal to or close to the target weight is selected for each target weight from among the combinations. That is, the various total weights obtained by combining the respective weighing signals are compared with the respective target weights, and a set of the total weight approaching the weight is selected for each target weight. Then, a deviation between the total weight of each of the selected sets and the target weight corresponding to each of the sets is calculated. Then, the selection unit selects a smaller set of deviations among the deviations calculated by the combination calculation unit. And, for example, a distribution unit is provided,
The articles making up the set selected by the selection unit can be sorted into ranks for each target weight set by the setting unit.

As a result, the articles constituting each set assigned to each rank have a total weight equal to or close to the preset target weight.

In the second invention, if a plurality of types of target weights of the total weight of the articles to be combined into one are set, each weight detection unit measures the weight of the article, and the combination calculation unit performs the same processing as the first invention. Similarly, for each target weight, a set of total weights equal to or close to that weight is selected, and the deviation between the total weight of each selected set and the target weight corresponding to each set is calculated. Then, the selection unit selects a pair that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the pairs corresponding to the respective deviations calculated by the combination calculation unit, and the distribution unit ranks the articles constituting the pair selected by the selection unit by rank for each target weight. Distribute to. In this way, the weighing of the article by the weight detection unit,
Calculation of each deviation by the combination calculation unit, selection of a pair by the selection unit, and distribution of articles by the distribution unit are repeatedly performed.

The setting unit can set a distribution ratio of a set of articles to be distributed for each of a plurality of target weights and ranks. The ratio calculation unit calculates the ratio of each set of the number of sets allocated to each rank up to the last time, for each rank, to the total number of sets allocated to each rank by the allocation unit up to the previous time. The selection unit is a set of smaller deviations among the deviations calculated by the combination calculation unit, and a predetermined distribution set by the setting unit among the ratios for each rank calculated by the ratio calculation unit. Select a set corresponding to the rank of the ratio less than or equal to the ratio.

This makes it possible to make the total weight of the articles constituting each group assigned to each rank equal to or close to the target weight corresponding to each preset rank.
Then, the ratio of the number of sets assigned to each rank to the total number of sets assigned to each rank can be adjusted to the ratio set in advance by the setting unit.

〔Example〕

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the semi-automatic combination weigher shown in FIG. 2, and has a weighing unit A as shown in FIG. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of weighing units A are actually provided. Weighing unit A
Has a measuring tank 3 equipped with a weight detector 2 (a weight detecting unit according to claim 1) such as a load cell.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of weighing tanks 3 are arranged side by side on a gantry 12 of a semi-automatic combination weigher. A discharging mechanism (not shown) for discharging articles from these weighing tanks 3 is provided below the weighing tanks 3. It has. The articles are supplied to these measuring tanks 3 manually. The weighing signal of the weight detector 2 is amplified by an amplifier (not shown) and then supplied to an A / D converter 4 of the control unit B via a multiplexer (not shown), where it is converted into a digital signal. Then, it is supplied to the arithmetic and control unit 5. When a predetermined activation signal is input from the input unit 6 (the input unit 6 includes the setting unit according to claim 1), the arithmetic control unit 5 supplies the articles supplied to each measuring tank 3. Are sequentially input, and a combination operation is performed based on the digital weighing signals to determine an article to be discharged. Then, the drive circuit 7 drives the discharge mechanism driving device 8 of the weighing unit A of the weighing tank 3 that stores the articles to be discharged, and raises the end of the weighing tank 3 on the worker side. As a result, the articles in the measuring tank 3 are discharged from the other end of the measuring tank and transferred to the transport conveyor 13 installed on the opposite side of the worker. According to the result of the combination calculation, the combination calculation unit 5 drives the gates 15, 16 or 17 of the sorting device 21 to the positions indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 2 and sets the sorting conveyors 18, 19 or 20 corresponding to each gate. In the direction of the arrow of the conveyor 18 for sorting the articles on the transport conveyor,
It is transported to the storage container of rank 1, 2 or 3 provided at the end of 19 or 20. Rank 1, the total weight is rank weight pairs are distributed close to or equal to the target weight T _1. The ranks 2 and 3 are the ranks to which a pair of weights whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weights T ₂ and T ₃ is assigned. However, target weights T _{1 to} T ₃
Is a weight set in advance by the operator operating the input unit 6. When the operator supplies a new article to the measuring tank 3 from which the article has been discharged, the same operation as described above is performed.

Next, a procedure for sorting articles into ranks 1, 2, or 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the PROM of the storage unit 10. First, the operator operates the input unit 6, sets the target weight T ₁ to T ₃ corresponding to the No. 1 to 3 in the storage unit 10 (step 100). Next, when turning on the article in the measuring tank 3 (such as fish or fish fillets) by hand (step 102), performs combination calculation corresponding to the target weight T ₁ (step 104). That is, the arithmetic and control unit 5 reads the weighing signal generated by each of the weight detectors 2 and
Run the combination of weight signals, selects the most near total weight set equal to the target weight T ₁ from these combinations only one set. Then, calculate the deviation alpha ₁ between the total weight and the target weight T ₁ of the this selected set, stores each measuring tank 3 for containing a set of articles selected this deviation alpha ₁ in the storage unit 10 (step 106 ). Similarly, target weight T
₂ and the combination operation corresponding to T ₃ is performed respectively (steps 108,
112), the total weight and target weight of each of the two selected sets
The deviations α ₂ , α ₃ from T ₂ , T ₃ are calculated respectively, and the deviations α ₂ , α ₃ and the respective measuring tanks 3 accommodating the selected two sets of articles.
Is stored in the storage unit 10 for each set (steps 110 and 11).
Four). Steps 104 to 114 correspond to the combination calculation unit according to the first aspect. Then, the smallest _{one of} the deviations α ₁ , α ₂ , α ₃ is selected, each weighing tank 3 containing the selected set of articles is set as X, and the corresponding target weight is set as Y in the storage unit 10. It is stored (step 116).
This step 116 corresponds to the selection unit according to the first aspect. When a predetermined discharge signal is input (step 11)
8) The discharge mechanism of each weighing tank 3 stored as X is driven to discharge the articles from each weighing tank 3 and sent to the conveyor 13. Then, along with that, the gate and the sorting conveyor of the rank corresponding to the target weight stored as Y are driven (step 120). This allows the set of articles whose total weight is equal to or closest to the target weight of that rank to be sorted into containers for that rank. Steps 118 and 120 are the sorting unit according to the first aspect. Then, if an operator newly inputs an article into the measuring tank 3 from which the article has been discharged, step 104
Then, steps 104 to 120 are executed, and the weighed articles can be sorted in the same manner as described above.

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment is where different from the first embodiment, calculates a weight deviation alpha ₁ to alpha ₃ combination calculation section (step 104 to 114) for each target weight in the first embodiment, the selection unit (step 116 ) Selected the smallest set of deviations among the deviations α _{1 to} α _{3. In} the second embodiment, the combination calculation unit calculates the weight deviations α _{1 to} α ₃ for each target weight, and the selection unit It is a set of deviations within the allowable range x, y, z set for each rank among the deviations α _{1 to} α ₃ , and the last time the total number of sets distributed to each rank by the distribution device up to the previous time A set corresponding to a rank having a ratio equal to or less than the distribution ratio set in advance by the setting unit is selected from among the respective ratios of the number of sets allocated to each rank. However, the external view of the combination weigher shown in FIG. 2 and the block diagram shown in FIG.
This is equivalent to the embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the procedure for sorting articles according to this embodiment is described in the fourth section.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, the input unit 6
By operating the target weights T _{1 of} ranks 1, 2, and 3,
The distribution ratios H ₁ , H ₂ , and H ₃ of T ₂ , T ₃ and the set of articles to be distributed to the ranks 1, 2, and 3 are set, respectively. Next, steps 202 to 214 equivalent to steps 102 to 114 are executed. Step 204 to 214, the combination calculation unit selects the target weight T _1, T _2, T ₃ target weight T _1, T ₂ or closest total weight of the set or equal to the T ₃ each, and the selected The deviations α ₁ , α ₂ , α ₃ between the total weight of each of the three sets of articles and the corresponding target weights T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ are calculated, respectively. Then, the deviations α ₁ , α ₂ , α _{3 and the} measuring tanks 3 accommodating the three sets of articles are stored in the storage unit 10 for each set. Then, in the next step, the priority target weight No. (for example, No.
The deviation (α ₃ ) corresponding to ₃ ) is the priority target weight N
It is determined whether the value is equal to or smaller than the allowable value (x) corresponding to o. (step 216).

Here, the priority target weight N selected in step 230
o. (priority target weight number) is the ratio of the number of sets of articles assigned to ranks 1 to 3 up to the last time to the total number of sets assigned to ranks 1 to 3 up to the last. ratio set by _{200 (H 1, H 2,} H
₃ ) No. (1, 2 or 3) of the target weight corresponding to the rank of the following ratio. The selection and setting of the priority target weight No. will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the count values a ₁ , a ₂ ,
Assuming that a ₃ is, for example, 2 sets, 2 sets, and 4 sets, in the flowchart of FIG. Each ratio (25%, 25%) with respect to the total number of sets K (8 sets) allocated to 1 to 3 is calculated.
Rank 1 and Rank 2 determine whether there is a set of ratios smaller than the preset distribution ratio (H ₁ = 20%, H ₂ = 20%).
(Steps 300 and 302). If there is a set of ratios equal to or less than the distribution ratio, the rank No. (1 or 2) of rank 1 or 2 corresponding to the set is set as the priority target weight No. (steps 304 and 306). However, step 30
If there is no set of ratios equal to or less than the distribution ratio in 0 and 302, rank No. 3 of rank 3 is set as the priority target weight No. (step 308). In this example, the ratio distribution of the ratio calculated for rank 1 and 2 (25%) is set (H ₁ =
Since H ₂ = 20%) greater than, set the ranks No.3 rank 3 in the preferred target weight No. in step 230.

Then, in step 216, the deviation (for example, α ₃ ) corresponding to the priority target weight No. is the permissible value (x) corresponding thereto.
If YES, a set of deviations (α ₃ ) is selected, and the weighing tank 3 containing the articles of the set is set as X, and the target weight is set as Y, and stored in the storage unit 10 (step).
222). However, in Step 216, the priority target weight No. 3
Corresponding deviation (alpha ₃₎ is permissible value (x) greater than,
If NO, it is determined whether there is a deviation equal to or less than the corresponding allowable value (y, z) among the remaining deviations (α ₁ , α ₂ ) (steps 218 and 220), and the deviation equal to or less than the allowable value is determined. If there is, the step 222 is executed for the set of deviations.

However, in steps 216 to 220, the deviations α ₁ , α
_{When it is determined that 2} , α ₃ are larger than the corresponding allowable values x, y, z, that is, if NO, the defective combination processing is performed.
For example, the operator replaces an article stored in any one of the measuring tanks 3 with another new article (step 232). Then, the process returns to step 204, and thereafter, the same steps are executed.

In this way, when the group to be sorted is selected in step 222, when the discharge signal is input, the articles of the selected group are sorted to the containers of the corresponding rank when the discharge signal is input (steps 224, 226). ). Then, of the counters (not shown) provided for each rank, the count value of the counter of the rank from which the article has been discharged is added by 1, and the number of sets of articles assigned to that rank is counted ( Step 228). Then, the priority target weight No. is selected and set as described above (step 230),
Returning to step 204, steps 204 to 230 are executed again, and the weighed articles are sorted in the same manner as described above.

However, in the above embodiment, the weighed articles are assigned to ranks 1 to 3, but the articles can be assigned to a plurality of ranks other than 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a storage container for rank 1 and a storage container for rank 2 are installed at both ends of the conveyor 13, and when the weighed articles are a set corresponding to rank 1, the conveyor is set to S. When the articles driven in the direction and the weighed articles correspond to the rank 2, the conveyor can be driven in the T direction to sort the articles into the respective containers.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the semi-automatic combination weigher that manually supplies the articles to be weighed to the weighing tank 3, but the articles to be weighed are not supplied manually, but are supplied to the respective weighing tanks by the article supply device, for example. It can be carried out on an automatic combination weigher.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the first aspect of the present invention, only by the operator weighing the article by the weight detection unit, a set of weights whose total weight is equal to or close to the target weight is assigned to each target weight. And selecting the smaller deviation set from among the deviations between the selected set and the corresponding target weights, for example, distributing the articles of the set to each rank for each target weight. Can be. Thus, for example, when the target weight is set to 2Kg and 3Kg, the combination calculation for each target weight of 2Kg and 3Kg is performed, and the respective deviations are calculated. Of the two deviations of the set selected for the weight of 2Kg or 3Kg, the smaller deviation set can be selected, so that the set whose total weight is relatively close to the target weight can be selected. In this respect, the range of selection can be doubled more than before. As a result, there is an effect that the possibility of selecting an appropriate amount of pairs can be improved. Further, since the range of selection can be expanded as described above, there is an effect that the yield can be improved as compared with the related art.

According to the second aspect, on the basis of the effect of the first aspect, the ratio of the number of sets of articles discharged for each rank to the total number of sets of articles discharged to each rank is a preset ratio. Therefore, there is an effect that a desired number of sets of articles can be discharged for each rank.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the working procedure and operation of a first embodiment of a combination weigher with a multi-target weight weighing function according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the same combination weigher of the first embodiment, and FIG. Example block diagram of the same combination weigher, 4th
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the working procedure and operation of the second embodiment of the combination weigher according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure and operation of selecting and setting the priority target weight No. of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing data for selecting a priority rank in the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another combination weigher embodying the present invention. 2 ... weight detection unit, 3 ... weighing tank, 5 ... operation control unit (CPU), 6 ... input unit (setting unit), 13 ... conveyor, 21 ... sorting device.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of weight detectors each of which is supplied with an article and generates a weighing signal indicating the weight of the supplied article, and two or more kinds of target weights of the total weight of the articles to be combined into one are set. Various combinations of the weighing signals generated by the setting unit and the weight detection units are selected, and a set of a total weight equal to or close to the set target weight is selected for each of the target weights. A combination calculating unit that calculates a deviation between the total weight of each set and the target weight corresponding to each set,
A selection unit for selecting a smaller deviation set among the deviations calculated by the combination calculation unit. 2. A plurality of weight detectors each of which is supplied with an article and generates a weighing signal indicating the weight of the supplied article, and various combinations of the weighing signals generated by each of the weight detecting sections. And selecting a set of total weights equal to or close to each target weight of a plurality of preset target weights from among the target weights, and calculating a deviation between the total weight of each selected set and the target weight corresponding to each set. , A selection unit that selects a set that satisfies a predetermined condition among the sets corresponding to the respective deviations calculated by the combination calculation unit, and an article that constitutes the set selected by the selection unit And a allocating unit for allocating to the rank for each target weight, weighing the articles by the weight detecting unit, calculating the deviations by the combination calculating unit, and setting the sets by the selecting unit. In the multi-target weighing function combination weigher repeating distribution of articles according to the selection and the sorting unit, a set of allocation ratio of the plurality of target weight and articles distributed to each said rank are set by the setting unit,
Providing a ratio calculation unit for calculating the ratio of each set of each set assigned to each rank up to the last time for each rank to the total number of sets assigned to each rank by the assignment unit up to the last time, Is a set of smaller deviations among the respective deviations calculated by the combination calculator, and a ratio equal to or less than the distribution ratio set by the setting unit among the respective ratios calculated by the ratio calculator. A combination weigher with a multi-target weight weighing function, wherein a combination corresponding to the rank is selected.