JP3367037B2 - Combination weighing 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 combination weighing device for discharging articles each having a different weight in a target amount in a batch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a combination weighing device has been used in order to efficiently and collectively discharge a target amount of food or the like having a variation in weight.

The combination weighing device supplies a plurality of weighing hoppers with objects to be weighed, such as food, and weighs each, and based on the weighing results by each weighing hopper, selects an optimal combination that is close to or equal to the set target amount, The objects to be weighed selected for this combination are discharged from the weighing hopper, and the discharged objects to be weighed are collectively collected and discharged from a predetermined position.

In the case of measuring a sticky object such as a pickle or a cooked meat product that contains water and oil and has an adhesive property, a metering device of this kind is used such as a funnel-shaped collecting chute. Since it is not possible to use the sliding due to the weight of the objects, a method is adopted in which each weighing hopper is arranged in a straight line and a conveyor is provided below it, and the objects to be weighed selected for the combination are gathered on the conveyor. .

By the way, in such a combination weighing device for discharging the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper to the conveyor, if the objects to be weighed selected for the combination are discharged all at once onto the conveyor, at least the carry-out position of the conveyor. Until the object to be weighed discharged from the farthest weighing hopper passes below the weighing hopper closest to the conveyor carry-out position, the objects to be weighed selected for the next combination cannot be discharged. There is a problem that operating efficiency becomes low.

In order to solve this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-720
In No. 00, a plurality of weighing hoppers arranged on the discharging conveyor are divided into a plurality of groups along the discharging direction of the discharging conveyor, and the weighing hoppers included in the upstream group among the weighing hoppers selected for the combination. A technique is disclosed in which the operation efficiency is improved by opening the time difference from the hopper to the weighing hopper included in the downstream group.

[0007]

However, in such a combination weighing device that discharges the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper to the conveyor in this way, the downstream weighing hopper of the weighing hoppers selected for the combination is at least the next time. Cannot participate in the combination calculation of.

That is, the weighing hopper on the upstream side can discharge the objects to be weighed immediately after the combination is selected, and can cope with the next combination, whereas the weighing hopper on the downstream side is considerable after the combination is selected. Since it is not possible to discharge the objects to be weighed until a certain amount of time has elapsed, it is not possible to participate in the next combination performed during that time, and the frequency of the downstream side hopper participating in the combination calculation is lower than that of the upstream side hopper. However, there is a problem that the accuracy of the combination is reduced.

In order to solve this, it is necessary to increase the number of weighing hoppers themselves, and accordingly, the number of expensive weighing machines must be increased, and the apparatus becomes expensive.

Further, if an attempt is made to increase the number of weighing hoppers, a long conveyor is required, the conveying distance of the objects to be weighed becomes long, and the probability that foreign matters and germs will adhere to the objects to be weighed becomes high.

The present invention is a combination weighing device which solves these problems and efficiently collects the objects to be weighed by a conveyor, but can obtain high weighing accuracy at low cost and can shorten the conveyor length. Is intended to provide.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the combination weighing device according to claim 1 of the present invention is arranged so as to be lined up horizontally with a supply device for supplying an object to be weighed. A plurality of weighing hoppers arranged to receive and discharge the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device; a plurality of weighing devices for detecting the weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the weighing hoppers; A plurality of timing hoppers respectively disposed below the weighing hoppers for temporarily receiving and discharging the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hoppers, and aligning the conveying direction in the arrangement direction of the plurality of timing hoppers, A conveyor that is arranged below the plurality of timing hoppers, receives and conveys the objects to be weighed discharged from the plurality of timing hoppers, and conveys them to a predetermined gathering position, and a tie from the weighing hoppers. And weight storage means for storing the weight of the objects to be weighed which have been transferred to Nguhoppa, based the weighing signal from the stored values and the respective meter of each weight storage means,
The total weight of the weighing object currently stored in the timing hopper and the weighing object currently stored in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper or the individual weight of the weighing object currently stored in the timing hopper By participating in the combination calculation and selecting a combination of the objects to be weighed whose combination weight is within the target range, and the combination selecting means to select a combination based on the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper. The weighing hopper that holds the measured object to be weighed is opened and closed, and the weighing hopper opening / closing means for storing the total weight of the object to be weighed in the timing hopper corresponding to the weighing hopper and the combination selecting means are combined. The timing hoppers containing the selected objects to be weighed are opened and closed in order from the far side to the gathering position, and the respective timing hoppers are opened. And a timing hopper opening means the objects to be weighed discharged to set on the conveyor.

A combination weighing device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the combination weighing device according to the first aspect, wherein the combination selecting means waits for discharge containing the objects to be weighed selected in the previous combination. The weight of the unselected weighing object in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper of the weighing hopper is configured to participate in the next combination calculation. Is selected for the next combination, the weighing hopper is opened immediately after the discharge-waiting timing hopper is opened and closed.

A combination weighing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the combination weighing device according to the first aspect, wherein the objects to be weighed stored in the timing hopper and the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper are stored. The total weight with the object to be weighed is provided with a total weight determination means for determining whether or not the preset upper limit value is exceeded, and the total weight determination means determines that the total weight exceeds the upper limit value. When the combination selecting means selects the total weight as a combination, the weighing hopper opening / closing means opens the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper in synchronization with the opening timing of the timing hopper corresponding to the total weight. I am trying.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a combination weighing device of one embodiment for weighing an object to be weighed having an adhesive property.

This combination weighing device is provided with a plurality of vibratory-conveying type feeders 21 in a horizontal row (eight in FIG. 1). Each feeder 21 receives an object to be weighed from a supply tank or a supply table (not shown) and vibrates and conveys the object to be weighed, and stores an appropriate amount of the object to be weighed in pool hoppers 22 arranged below. Each pool hopper 21 temporarily receives the objects to be weighed out from the feeder 21, and supplies them to the weighing hoppers 23 arranged below. Each weighing hopper 23 receives and weighs the object to be weighed supplied from the pool hopper 22. Below each of the weighing hoppers 23, timing hoppers 24 for receiving and discharging the weighed objects discharged from the weighing hoppers 23 are arranged.

The pool hopper 22 and the weighing hopper 23
Further, the timing hopper 24 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an opening at the top and bottom so that an adhesive object to be weighed is unlikely to adhere and remain, and the bottom side opening surface of the timing hopper 24 is a slide type bottom plate 22a,
It is opened and closed by 23a and 24a.

Further, each weighing hopper 23 has a weighing device 2 for weighing an object to be weighed stored in the weighing hopper 23.
5 are provided respectively.

Below the timing hopper 24, two conveyors 26 and 27 are arranged on the left and right. The two conveyors 26 and 27 are formed symmetrically, the left conveyor 27 receives the objects to be weighed discharged from the left four timing hoppers 24 and conveys them to the right end, and the right conveyor 27 includes the right four. The object to be weighed discharged from the timing hopper 24 is received and conveyed to the left end.

A collecting chute 28 is supported below the two conveyors 26 and 27. The gathering chute 28 has a steep inner wall surface so that an object to be weighed having an adhesive property can be reliably discharged to a packaging machine (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit of this combination weighing device. In FIG. 2, the weight detecting means 30 is
The pool hopper 22 receives the weighing signal from each weighing device 25.
Every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening and closing of the, i.e., every time the weighing signal of the weighing device 25 of the weighing hopper 23 that has received the object to be weighed has elapsed, the weighing signal is fetched, The weight of the object to be weighed Wa
Respectively detected. This weight detection is performed independently and in parallel for each weighing hopper based on an opening / closing signal from a pool hopper opening / closing means 37 described later.

The weight storage means 31 receives each weight value Wa detected by the weight detection means 30, and the weighing hopper 23 containing the object to be weighed, whose weight value is detected, is opened and closed. Each time the object to be weighed is stored in the timing hopper 24, the weight value Wa of the object to be weighed is stored as the weight value Wb of the object to be weighed in the timing hopper. This weight memory is stored in the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 described later.
The timing hoppers are operated independently and in parallel on the basis of the open / close signal from.

The total weight determining means 32 is the weighing hopper 23.
For each set of the timing hopper 24 and the weight hopper 24, the weight value Wa output from the weight detection means 30 and the weight storage means 31.
It is determined whether or not the total weight Wa + Wb of the weight values Wb stored in is exceeding a preset upper limit value, and the determination result is output to the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36. In addition,
This upper limit is the weight value of the object to be weighed that can be accommodated in the timing hopper 24.

The state monitoring means 33 monitors the weighing state of the weighing hopper 23, the presence or absence of the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 23 and the timing hopper 24, and the selection state.

That is, the state monitoring means 33 divides the state in which the weighing hopper 23 and the corresponding timing hopper 24 are closed into the seven states Ja to Jg shown in FIG. 3, and the present state is any state. That is, the timing hopper opening / closing means 3 based on the selection result of the combination selecting means 34 described later.
5, based on the open / close signals of the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 and the pool hopper opening / closing means 37, and outputs the latest monitoring information.

In the state Ja, the weighing hopper 23 is weighing and the timing hopper 24 is empty, and in the state Jb, the weighing hopper 23 is weighing and the timing hopper 24 contains an unselected object to be weighed. In the state Jc, the weighing hopper 23 and the timing hopper 24 store an unselected object to be weighed, and in the state Jd, the weighing hopper 23 is weighing and the timing hopper 24 has a selected (waiting to be discharged) object to be weighed. The stored state, the state Je is the weighing hopper 2
The timing hopper 24 in which the unselected objects to be weighed are accommodated in 3
The state in which the objects to be weighed that have already been selected are stored, state Jf
Indicates that the weighing hopper 23 and the timing hopper 24 store the objects to be weighed selected in the same combination, and the state Jg indicates that the weighing hopper 23 stores the selected objects to be weighed and the timing hopper 24 stores the previous objects. The objects to be weighed selected for the combination are stored.

The combination selecting means 34, when receiving the discharge request signal A from the packaging line or the like, for example, the state monitoring means 3
Based on the monitoring information of 3, the weight values Wa that are output from the weight detection means 30 and the weight values Wb that are stored in the weight storage means 31 are selected as weight values that can participate in the combination calculation. , By the combination calculation of these weight values,
A combination of objects to be weighed that is close to or equal to a preset target weight is selected. When this combination is determined, the selection signal Kb for designating the timing hopper 24 accommodating the selected object to be weighed and the combination determination signal B are output to the timing hopper opening / closing means 35 to select the object to be weighed. The selection signal Ka for designating the contained weighing hopper 23 and the selection signal Kb are fed to the weighing hopper opening / closing means 3
Output to 6.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the combination selecting means 34 for the objects to be weighed contained in the set of weighing hopper 23 and the timing hopper 24, and the state after the processing. As shown in this flow chart, the combination selection means 34 determines whether or not the state when the discharge request signal A is received is Jb, Jc, Je. The objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper and the timing hopper are not allowed to participate in the combination calculation (S1 to S4). Further, if the state is Jb when the discharge request signal is received, only the weight value Wb of the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper 24 is allowed to participate in the combination calculation, and when this weight value is selected for the combination, this timing hopper 24 is selected.
The selection signal Kb corresponding to is output to shift to the state Jd (S5 to S7).

When the discharge request signal is received, the state Jc
If so, the weight value Wb of the object to be weighed in the timing hopper 24 and the total weight Wa + Wb of the objects to be weighed accommodated in the weighing hopper 23 and the timing hopper 24 are exclusively participated in the combination calculation to obtain the weight value. When only Wb is selected for the combination, the selection signal Kb corresponding to the timing hopper 24 is output to shift to the state Je, and when the total weight Wa + Wb is selected for the combination, the weighing hopper of this set is selected. The selection signals Ka and Kb corresponding to 23 and the timing hopper 24 are output to shift to the state Jd or the state Jf. (S8-S12).

When the discharge request signal is received, the state Je
If so, only the weight value Wa of the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 23 is allowed to participate in the combination calculation, and when this weight value Wa is selected for the combination, the selection signal Ka corresponding to the weighing hopper 23 is output. The state Jg (S13).
~ S15).

On the other hand, the timing hopper opening / closing means 35 is
As shown in FIG. 5, when the combination determination signal B is received from the combination selecting means 34, the timing hoppers 24 and 24 at both ends farthest from the collecting chute 28 to the inner timing hoppers 24 and 24 closest to the collecting chute 28 are The hopper interval P is divided by the transport speed V of the conveyors 26 and 27, and the timing hopper 24 is opened and closed when the timing hopper designated by the selection signal Kb is selected. Then, the objects to be weighed are discharged, and the objects to be weighed stored in the respective timing hoppers 24 are conveyed to the collecting chute 28 side while being collected at substantially the same positions on the conveyors 26 and 27.

The timing hopper opening / closing means 35
Is the opening time of the timing hopper 24 when the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 23 and the corresponding objects to be weighed in the timing hopper 24 are selected as a combination by the combination selecting means 34. The weight value of the objects to be weighed is set longer than the opening time when the weight values are individually selected to be combined, and the objects of the total weight are reliably discharged from the timing hopper 24 to the conveyors 26 and 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 receives the monitoring information from the state monitoring means 33, and of the weighing hoppers which have completed weighing, the weighing hopper corresponding to the empty timing hopper. Is immediately opened and closed to store the weighed object in the timing hopper. When receiving the selection signal Kb from the combination selection means 34, the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 opens / closes the weighing hopper specified by the selection signal Kb according to the selection result of the selection signal Ka and the total weight determination means 32. .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 for one weighing hopper 23 and the state after the processing. As shown in this flowchart, the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 is used for the weighing hopper 23.
Corresponding to the timing hopper 24 when the weighing is completed
If is empty, the weighing hopper 23 is immediately opened and closed to store the weighed object in the timing hopper 24, and the state is changed to the state Jb (S21 to S23).

When the timing hopper 24 is not empty, it is judged whether or not the selection signal Ka for designating this weighing hopper is received from the combination selecting means 34, and the selection signal K is selected.
When only a is received (when the individual weight of the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper is selected as the combination), the corresponding timing hopper 24 is opened / closed and waits until it becomes empty (state Jg),
Immediately after the timing hopper 24 is closed, the weighing hopper 2
Open and close 3 to load the weighed objects to the timing hopper 2
No. 4 and the state is changed to Jd (S24 to S2).
6).

When the selection signal Ka and the selection signal Kb designating the corresponding timing hopper are received, the determination result by the total weight determination means 32 is checked. If the total weight is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the weighing hopper 23 is opened / closed. Then, the measured object to be weighed is stored in the timing hopper 24,
The objects to be weighed corresponding to the total weight are gathered in the timing hopper 24 to shift to the state Jd (S27 to S28).
When the weighing hopper 23 is at the farthest position from the collecting chute 28, the timing hopper 24 is opened and closed with the input of the selection signal Kb.
The objects to be weighed discharged from No. 3 do not stay in the timing hopper 24 but are discharged onto the conveyor and shift to the state Ja.

When the total weight exceeds the upper limit, the opening timing of the timing hopper 24 is waited (state Jf), and the weighing hopper 2 is adjusted in accordance with the opening timing.
3 is opened and closed to join the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper and the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper to convey the conveyor 2
It is discharged to 6 and 27, and it shifts to the state Ja (S30, S
31).

As shown in FIG. 2, the pool hopper opening / closing means 37 receives an opening / closing signal from the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 and opens / closes the pool hopper 22 corresponding to the weighing hopper from which the object to be weighed is discharged. Supply the objects to be weighed to the empty weighing hopper. Further, the feeder driving means 38 receives the opening / closing signal of the pool hopper opening / closing means 37 and drives the feeder 21 corresponding to the pool hopper from which the objects to be weighed have been discharged for a predetermined time to load the objects to be weighed to the empty pool hopper. Supply.

Next, the operation of this combination weighing device will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the pool hopper 22 is
Will be omitted, and each weighing hopper and pool hopper will be described by adding subscripts indicating the numbers from the left to the reference numerals.

In advance, all the feeders 21, pool hoppers 22, weighing hoppers 23 and timing hoppers 24 are supplied with the objects to be weighed, and all the objects to be weighed contained in the weighing hoppers 23 have been weighed. Hopper 2
The weight value of the object to be weighed stored in
1 is stored (all group status Jc).

Here, when the first discharge request signal A is input, the combination selecting means 34 causes the weighing hoppers 2 of all the sets.
3 and the timing hopper 24, the total weight of the objects currently stored in the timing hopper 24 and the objects currently stored in the weighing hopper (Wa + W
b) and the individual weight Wb of the object to be weighed stored in the timing hopper 24 are allowed to participate in the combination calculation so as not to overlap each other, and the combination in which the combination weight falls within the target weight range is selected.

Then, for example, the second timing hopper 24 ₂ from the left, the weighing hopper 23 ₂ and 5, 8 from the left.
The objects to be weighed in the second timing hoppers 24 ₅ and 24 ₈ (
7) is selected, as shown in FIG.
The timing hopper opening / closing means 35 opens and closes the eighth timing hopper 24 ₈ from the farthest from the collecting chute, and the object to be weighed is discharged onto the conveyor 27.
Further, at this time, the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 is operated from the left to
If the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the second weighing hopper 23 ₂ and the timing hopper 24 ₂ is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the weighing hopper 2
The item to be weighed 3 ₂ is immediately stored in the timing hopper 24 ₂ .

As shown by the broken line arrow, a new weighing object is supplied from the pool hopper to the _second weighing hopper 23 ₂ from the left, and the weighing hopper 23 is fed to the eighth timing hopper 24 ₈ from the left. _The items to be weighed from ₂ are stored.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, at the timing when the object to be weighed discharged onto the conveyor 27 reaches below the _seventh timing hopper 24 ₇ from the left,
The second timing hopper 24 ₂ from the left is opened and closed, and the objects to be weighed in the hopper are discharged onto the conveyor 26.

During this time, the eighth weighing hopper 23 from the left
_A new object to be weighed is supplied from ₈ to the corresponding pool hopper and weighed. In addition, the weighing hopper 2 is placed in the second timing hopper 24 ₂ from the left from which the object to be weighed is discharged.
The objects to be weighed in 3 ₂ are stored.

Then, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, before the objects to be weighed on the conveyors 26 and 27 reach below the fourth and fifth timing hoppers 24 ₄ and 24 ₅ , When the discharge request signal is input, the combination selection means 34
Is the same as the above except for the weight value of the object in the weighing hopper 23 ₂ being weighed and the weight value of the object to be weighed in the timing hopper 24 ₅ selected for the previous combination and waiting for discharge. Select a combination.

By selecting this combination, for example, the first timing hopper 24 _{1 from} the left and the fourth from the left
When the objects to be weighed (indicated by) of the fifth weighing hopper 23 ₄ and the timing hopper 24 ₄ and the fifth weighing hopper 23 ₅ from the left are selected as the combination, the first timing hopper 24 from the left farthest from the collecting chute. ₁ is immediately opened and closed, and the object to be weighed is discharged onto the conveyor 26. Further, at this time, if the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the _fourth weighing hopper 23 ₄ from the left and the timing hopper 24 ₄ exceeds the upper limit, the weighing hopper opening / closing means 36 waits until the timing hopper 24 ₄ opens. Waiting for the opening and closing of the weighing hopper 23 ₄ and opening and closing of the weighing hopper 23 ₅ corresponding to the timing hopper 24 ₅ accommodating the objects to be weighed selected in the first combination, from the timing hopper 25 ₅ to the objects to be weighed. Wait until is completely discharged.

Then, when the objects to be weighed selected by the first combination reach below the innermost timing hoppers 24 ₄ and 24 ₅ as shown in FIG. 7D, the timing hopper 24 ₅ is opened and closed. Then, the objects to be weighed in the hopper are discharged so as to overlap the objects to be weighed on the conveyor 27. Further, the weighing hopper 23 ₅ is opened and closed immediately after the timing hopper 24 ₅ is emptied and closed, and the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 23 ₅ selected for the next combination are accommodated in the timing hopper 24 _5. . Then, the objects to be weighed which are selected in the first combination and discharged so as to be collected on each conveyor are carried out from the conveyors 26 and 27 and discharged into the collecting chute 28, as shown in (e) of FIG. 7. The collecting chute 28 is collectively discharged from the collecting chute 28 to a packaging machine or the like. During this period, a new object to be weighed is supplied from the pool hopper to the weighing hopper 23 ₅ to be weighed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (f), when the objects to be weighed which are selected for the second combination and discharged onto the conveyor 26 reach below the _fourth timing hopper 24 ₄ from the left, The timing hopper 24 ₄ and the weighing hopper 23 ₄ are opened and closed at substantially the same time, and the objects to be weighed in both hoppers are discharged so as to overlap the objects to be weighed on the conveyor 26. At this time, the fifth timing hopper 24 ₅ from the left is also opened and closed, and the objects to be weighed in the hopper are discharged to the conveyor 27. And the weighing hopper 23 that has become empty
_A new object to be weighed is supplied from the pool hopper to ₄ and is weighed, and the weighed object to be weighed from the weighing hopper 23 ₅ is immediately accommodated in the empty timing hopper 24 ₅ .

When the third discharge request signal is input between the states (e) and (f) of FIG. 7, the fourth weighing hopper 23 ₄ from the left and the timing hopper 24 are fed. ₄ , the combination is selected for all the measured objects except the selected object of the _fifth timing hopper 24 ₅ from the left. FIG. 7 (f)
In the third combination selection, the objects to be weighed (indicated by) of the second weighing hopper 23 ₂ and the timing hopper 24 ₂ from the left and the eighth weighing hopper 23 ₈ and the timing hopper 24 ₈ from the left were selected. The case is shown.

In this way, the objects to be weighed that have been selected for the second combination and discharged onto the conveyors 26, 27 have an appropriate interval with respect to the objects to be weighed selected for the first combination. It is discharged to the collecting chute 28 in the opened state,
It will be collected and discharged to the packaging machine.

Similarly, each time the discharge request signal A is input, the objects to be weighed excluding the objects to be weighed in the hopper selected by the previous combination selection and the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper that have not yet been weighed. Among them, a combination is selected, and the objects to be weighed selected for the combination are discharged from the collecting chute 28 in order from the collecting chute 28 so as to be concentrated at the same position on the conveyors 26 and 27, and are conveyed to the collecting chute 28 in a lump. Then, it is discharged from the collecting chute 28.

As described above, in the combination weighing device of the embodiment, the timing hopper is provided below each weighing hopper, and the objects to be weighed, which have been weighed by the weighing hopper, are immediately discharged to the empty timing hopper and the next object to be weighed. Weighing can be started and the objects in the timing hopper as well as the objects in the weighing hopper can participate in the combination, so many combinations can be obtained with a small number of weighing devices and at low cost. Highly accurate weighing is possible and the conveyor length is short. Even when the total weight of the objects in the weighing hopper and the weighing objects in the timing hopper corresponding to the weighing hopper is selected as a combination, the objects in the weighing hopper are immediately discharged to the timing hopper. Since the objects to be weighed for the total weight are collected in the timing hopper and the next object to be weighed is started, it is not necessary to store the selected objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper for a long time, Operation efficiency and combination accuracy are further improved.

Further, since the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper in which the objects to be weighed selected in the previous combination are accommodated can also participate in the next combination calculation, the combinations by the hoppers waiting to be discharged are combined. Highly accurate weighing is possible with less deterioration in accuracy.

Further, when the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper and the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper is selected as a combination and the total weight exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, Since the opening / closing timing of the weighing hopper is matched with the opening / closing timing of the timing hopper, the weighing hopper is not supplied with an object to be weighed in excess of its storage limit, and there is no problem due to overflow of the object to be weighed.

Further, since the objects to be weighed are collected in a narrow area on the conveyors 26 and 27 and carried out to the collecting chute 28, the amount of the objects to be weighed in contact with the conveying surface of the conveyor is small, and the conveyor is dirty. Most of the objects to be weighed can be carried out from the conveyor to the collecting position.

[0057]

Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper and the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper is selected as a combination, and the total weight is set to a predetermined upper limit. When the value is exceeded,
Although the opening / closing timing of the weighing hopper is matched with the opening / closing timing of the timing hopper, a second upper limit value larger than the upper limit value corresponding to the accommodation limit of the hopper is set, and the total weight exceeds the second upper limit value. In this case, the combination selecting means 34 may prevent the total weight from participating in the combination calculation. If configured in this way, for example, when a large amount of the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper are discharged onto the conveyor after passing through the timing hopper, the spread greatly spreads on the conveyor, and the next set of objects to be weighed. It is possible to prevent that the interval of is not sufficiently taken. Also, since a large amount of the objects to be weighed are discharged to the same position on the conveyor at one time and the height of the objects to be weighed does not become abnormally large and get caught in the timing hopper, the timing with the conveyors 26 and 27 is eliminated. The distance to the hopper can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the increase in the height of the entire device due to the provision of the timing hopper.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of timing hoppers on one conveyor are designated one by one in order from the one farthest from the gathering position, but, for example, they are on one conveyor. A plurality of (for example, 8) timing hoppers (for example, 2)
Each set is divided into a plurality of sets (for example, 4 sets), and the timing hoppers are designated one by one in the order farther from the gathering position, or the designated timing of the hopper is completely set to the time interval determined by the hopper interval and the conveyor speed. You may make it disperse moderately, without matching.

In the above embodiment, the objects to be weighed selected for the combination are gathered by using two conveyors, but one conveyor receives the objects to be weighed discharged from all the timing hoppers. Alternatively, the weighing hopper and the timing hopper may be divided into three or more sets, and the objects to be weighed discharged from the timing hoppers of each set may be received by three or more conveyors.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the combination weighing device for weighing the sticky object to be weighed, but the combination weighing device for weighing the weakly sticky object to be weighed. The present invention can also be applied to.

[0061]

As described above, in the combination weighing device of the present invention, the objects to be weighed by the plurality of linearly arranged weighing hoppers are respectively received by the timing hoppers and are currently stored in the respective timing hoppers. The total weight of the weighing object and the weighing object currently stored in the weighing hopper corresponding to it or the individual weight of the weighing object stored in the timing hopper are included in the combination calculation to be within the target weight range. A timing hopper that selects a combination and moves the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper selected for the combination with the total weight of the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper into the timing hopper, and also contains the objects to be weighed selected in the combination. Are sequentially opened and closed from the far side to the collecting position and discharged so as to be collected on the conveyor.

Therefore, a large number of combinations can be obtained with a small number of weighing devices, high weighing accuracy can be obtained at low cost, and the conveyor length can be shortened.

Further, since the objects to be weighed in the weighing hoppers corresponding to the timing hoppers in which the objects to be weighed selected in the previous combination are accommodated can participate in the next combination calculation, the combination by the hoppers waiting to be discharged. The accuracy does not decrease, and more accurate weighing becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a mechanical unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing classified states of a hopper according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main part of one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main part of one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 feeder 22 pool hopper 23 Weighing hopper 24 Timing hopper 25 scales 26, 27 conveyor 28 Collective Shoot 30 Weight detection means 31 Weight storage means 32 total weight determination means 33 Status monitoring means 34 Combination selection means 35 Timing hopper opening / closing means 36 Weighing hopper opening / closing means 37 Pool hopper opening / closing means 38 feeder driving means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A 1-250829 (JP, A) JP-A 8-94427 (JP, A) JP-A 62-255827 (JP, A) JP-A 58- 202842 (JP, A) JP-A 5-126619 (JP, A) JP-A 62-282227 (JP, A) JP-A 8-122133 (JP, A) JP-A 7-72000 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01G 19/387

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A supply device for supplying an object to be weighed, and a plurality of weighing hoppers arranged so as to be linearly aligned in the lateral direction and for temporarily receiving and discharging the object to be weighed supplied from the supply device. A plurality of weighing devices that detect the weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the weighing hoppers, and a plurality of weighing devices that are respectively disposed below the plurality of weighing hoppers and that once receive the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hoppers. A plurality of timing hoppers for discharging, and a plurality of timing hoppers are arranged below the plurality of timing hoppers with their conveying directions aligned with the alignment direction of the plurality of timing hoppers, and receive the objects to be discharged from the plurality of timing hoppers. And a conveyor for carrying out to a predetermined gathering position, a weight storage unit for storing the weight of the objects to be weighed transferred from the weighing hopper to the timing hopper, and each of the weights. Based on the stored value of the storage means and the weighing signal from each of the weighing devices, the weighing object currently stored in the timing hopper and the weighing object currently stored in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper Combination selection means for causing the total weight or the individual weights of the objects currently stored in the timing hopper to participate in the combination calculation to select the combination of the objects to be weighed within the target range; The weighing hopper containing the objects to be weighed which are selected by the selecting means in combination with the objects to be weighed in the timing hopper is opened and closed, and the weighing hopper corresponding to the weighing hopper is opened and closed in the timing hopper corresponding to the total weight. Weighing hopper opening / closing means for accommodating an object to be weighed, and each timing hopper accommodating the objects to be weighed selected by the combination selecting means in combination And a timing hopper opening / closing means for discharging the objects to be weighed in each timing hopper so that the objects to be weighed are gathered on the conveyor in order from the far side to the collecting position. 2. The combination selection means sets the individual weight of the unselected objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper waiting to be discharged, which contains the objects to be weighed selected in the previous combination, to the next time. The weighing hopper opening / closing means is configured to participate in a combination calculation, and when the individual weight of the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper is selected for the next combination, the weighing hopper is set to the discharge waiting timing hopper. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the combination weighing device is configured to open immediately after opening and closing. 3. The total weight of the objects to be weighed accommodated in the timing hopper and the objects to be weighed accommodated in the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper exceeds a preset upper limit value. A total weight determining means for determining whether or not, when the combination selecting means selects a total weight determined by the total weight determining means as exceeding the upper limit value, the weighing hopper opening / closing means, 2. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing hopper corresponding to the timing hopper is opened in synchronization with the opening timing of the timing hopper corresponding to the total weight.