JP4995624B2 - Collective hopper - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a collecting hopper for a combination weigher.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a connection structure between a conventional combination hopper-equipped combination weigher and a packaging device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, generally, a funnel-shaped collective chute 110 is formed at the lower part of the combination weigher 100. An object to be weighed that falls downward from the weighing hopper 108 is discharged downward from the discharge port at the lower end of the collecting chute 110. A collecting hopper 111 for collecting the objects to be weighed is disposed at the discharge port of the collecting chute 110. In general, the collecting hopper 111 has an effect of collecting the objects to be weighed down the collecting chute 110 and supplying the objects to be weighed to the lower packaging apparatus 210 or the like. Alternatively, there is an effect of adjusting the discharge timing of the objects to be weighed so as to synchronize with the operation of the packaging device 210 below the discharge port of the collecting chute 110.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique in which a collective hopper is configured to be capable of weighing and the weight of an object to be weighed in the collective hopper is measured.

Here, the conventional collect hopper including the collect hoppers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 is configured such that the bottom plate of the collect hopper is inclined. In general, the bottom of the collecting hopper is opened by retracting the bottom plate of the collecting hopper from the collecting hopper main body so that the inclination angle becomes large. This was effective for separating the object to be weighed which is easily fixed to the bottom plate from the surface of the bottom plate of the collecting hopper.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-195835 JP-A-62-284211

  In the first place, the combination weigher has a collective chute, so it is a device with a large height. For this reason, when connecting a combination scale and a packaging apparatus in the up-down direction, the problem that a combination scale interferes with the ceiling of the chamber to install may arise.

  In addition, since the height of the collective hopper becomes longer due to the inclination of the bottom plate of the collective hopper, the combination weigher having the collective hopper at the lower end of the collective chute has a problem that the height is further increased and the installation restrictions of the combined weigher become more severe. was there. Further, depending on the drive mode of the bottom plate, a retreat space for the bottom plate may be required further below the collecting hopper.

  On the other hand, for objects to be weighed, such as candy and solid bouillon cubes, which are not likely to stick to the surface of the bottom plate, there is little need to retreat the bottom plate so that the inclination angle becomes large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a so-called thin collective hopper that is shorter than the conventional collective hopper and that can omit the retreat space of the bottom plate below the collective hopper. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the collecting hopper according to the first aspect of the present invention is a collecting hopper that is disposed at the lower end of the collecting chute of the combination weigher and accommodates and collects objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting chute. And
A pair of bottom plates that extend in the horizontal direction, and whose edges contact each other to form the bottom wall of the collective hopper;
A drive unit for supporting the bottom plate and moving it in and out in a horizontal direction so as to contact and separate the bottom plate;
Above the bottom plate, a funnel-shaped annular member constituting a side wall of the collecting hopper;
Have a, a support portion for supporting the annular member and the drive unit,
The drive unit is
A pair of rod-like support members that respectively support the pair of bottom plates;
By supporting one end of the pair of support members adjacent to each other and moving the support member in a horizontal arc with the end as a rotation center, the pair of bottom plates are brought into contact with and separated from each other. And a drive device that advances and retracts in the horizontal direction.

  According to this configuration, the bottom plate is configured to extend in the horizontal direction and advances and retreats in the horizontal direction, so that the height of the collective hopper can be shortened and the retreat space of the bottom plate below the collective hopper is omitted. Can do.

Further, in the collective hopper of the second invention, the support part has a load cell,
The load cell may be configured to support the bottom plate, the drive unit, and the annular member.

  According to this configuration, since the weight of the object to be weighed can be measured, the measurement result of the combination weigher can be inspected. Incorrect weighing of the combination weigher can be prevented.

The collective hopper of the third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the support portion can be divided into a first portion that supports the drive portion and the annular member, and a second portion that has the load cell.
The first part may be combined with the second part by being supported by one end of the load cell.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to substantially eliminate and install the collecting hopper from the discharge port at the lower end of the collecting chute, so that the installation constraint of the combination weigher can be further relaxed.

A collecting hopper according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a collecting hopper that is disposed at the lower end of the collecting chute of the combination weigher and accommodates and collects objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting chute,
A plurality of bottom plates extending in the horizontal direction, the edges contacting each other to form the bottom wall of the collective hopper;
A drive unit for supporting the bottom plate and moving it in and out in a horizontal direction so as to contact and separate the bottom plate;
Above the bottom plate, a funnel-shaped annular member constituting a side wall of the collecting hopper;
A support portion that supports the annular member and the drive portion;
The plurality of bottom plates are composed of three or more blade-like members arranged to overlap each other ,
The drive unit, the blade-like member was driven so as to open and close the iris shape, and have a stop adjustment mechanism,
The size of the opening in the separated state of the bottom plate is adjusted by adjusting the support position of the bottom plate of the driving unit.

  According to this configuration, when the size of the annular member is adjusted according to the weighing capacity of the object to be weighed, the size of the opening of the bottom plate can be adjusted according to the size of the annular member. The versatility of the collective hopper can be improved.

  According to the collective hopper of the present invention, the height of the collective hopper can be shortened, and the retreat space of the bottom plate below the collective hopper can be omitted. .

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a connection structure between a combination weigher with a collection hopper and a packaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the combination weigher 100 oscillates by turning on / off an electromagnet at the center of the upper end and radially disperses an object to be weighed supplied from above (in the direction away from the central axis, the same applies hereinafter). A dispersion feeder 102 is provided.

  Around the dispersion feeder 102, linear feeders 104 that vibrate by ON / OFF of the electromagnet and supply the objects to be weighed supplied from the dispersion feeder 102 to the outside in a straight line are arranged radially.

  A supply hopper 106 is disposed at the discharge end of each linear feeder 104. The supply hopper 106 includes a gate that is opened and closed by a motor or the like, and is configured to accommodate the object to be weighed supplied from the linear feeder 104 and to discharge the accommodated object to be measured downstream (downward). ing.

  A weighing hopper 108 is disposed below the discharge port of each supply hopper 106. The weighing hopper 108 includes a gate that is opened and closed by a motor or the like, and is configured to accommodate the object to be weighed supplied from the supply hopper 106 and to discharge the accommodated object to be measured downstream (downward). Has been.

  Each weighing hopper 108 is connected to the housing 120 by a support member 130. The front end of the support member 130 is attached to a load cell (not shown) in the housing 120. Thereby, the weight of the object to be weighed accommodated in each weighing hopper 108 can be detected.

  Below the weighing hopper 108, a funnel-shaped collecting chute 110 is provided that collects the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper 108 while sliding down the center of the combination weigher 100.

  Although not shown, the dispersion feeder 102, the linear feeder 104, and the supply hopper 106 are attached to the housing 120 by appropriate support members.

  The housing 120 and the collective chute 110 are attached to the main body 114 by a support member as appropriate.

  In the combination weigher of the first embodiment of the present invention, the collecting hopper 1 of the present invention is disposed at the discharge port at the lower end of the collecting chute.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the collective hopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the collective hopper of FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing the separated state of the bottom plate of the collecting hopper of FIG. For convenience of explanation, the frame body is shown in cross section in FIGS.

  The collective hopper 1 extends in the horizontal direction, supports a pair of bottom plates 11 and 12 that constitute the bottom wall of the collective hopper 1 by contacting edges, and contacts the bottom plates 11 and 12. Further, the drive unit 20 that advances and retreats in the horizontal direction so as to be separated from each other, the funnel-shaped annular member 31 that forms the side wall of the collecting hopper 1 above the bottom plates 11 and 12, and the annular member 31 and the drive unit 20 are supported. And a support portion 40. Here, the lower end of the annular member 31 has an interval such that an object to be measured cannot pass from the upper surfaces of the bottom plates 11 and 12. Alternatively, the lower end of the annular member 31 may contact the bottom plates 11 and 12 with a force that does not hinder the horizontal movement of the bottom plates 11 and 12.

  The pair of bottom plates 11 and 12 are semicircular and are arranged so as to form a circle in a state where the edges are joined to each other to constitute the bottom wall of the collective hopper 1. The bottom plates 11 and 12 are made of a resin such as polyethylene, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit 20 supports a pair of rod-shaped support members 21 and 22 that respectively support the pair of bottom plates 11 and 12, and ends of the support members 21 and 22, and rotates the ends. A rotary drive device 23 that moves the support members 21 and 22 so as to draw an arc in the horizontal direction as a center is provided. The driving device 23 drives the pair of bottom plates 11 and 12 so as to draw circular arc tracks. Thereby, the structure of the drive device 23 can be made compact.

  The drive device 23 uses an actuator that operates with compressed air. A hose 24 for supplying compressed air is connected to the driving device 23, and a connection terminal 25 is formed on the hose 24. A compressed air supply source (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal 25. Since the connection terminal 25 facilitates attachment / detachment to / from the compressed air supply source, the assembly hopper 1 can be attached / detached easily.

  The annular member 31 is made of a resin such as polyethylene, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.

  Since the objects to be weighed are in contact with the annular member 31 and the bottom plates 11 and 12, any material may be used as long as it is rigid enough not to bend by the weight of the objects to be weighed. Further, by using a light material for the annular member 31 and the bottom plates 11 and 12, the weight of the collective hopper 1 can be reduced, and the ease of attachment / detachment can be improved.

  The support portion 40 includes a support tool 41 that supports the annular member 31, a support plate 42 in which a hole 43 is formed, and a frame body 49 that supports the support member 42. The hole 43 is formed in a circular shape having a larger diameter than the lower opening of the annular member 31 at a position coaxial with the lower opening of the annular member 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a load cell 48 made of a strain gauge is disposed in the frame 49. A second connecting member 45 is joined to one end of the load cell 48 with a fixing member 47 and a bolt 46 interposed therebetween, and a frame 49 is joined to the other end of the load cell 48 with a fixing member 47 and a bolt 46 interposed therebetween. . Therefore, since the load cell 48 is configured to support the bottom plates 11 and 12, the drive unit 20, and the annular member 31, the load cell 48 is distorted according to the weight of the objects to be weighed accommodated on the bottom plates 11 and 12. . Since the load cell 48 outputs a signal corresponding to this distortion, the weight of the object to be weighed can be measured. That is, since the weight of the object to be weighed can be measured by such a configuration of the support portion 40, the measurement result of the combination weigher 100 can be inspected. Incorrect weighing of the combination weigher 100 can be prevented.

  The frame 49 is joined to the main body 114 of the combination weigher 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 49 is disposed in the main body 114 such that the central axis of the annular member 31 and the circular central point formed by the bottom plates 11 and 12 overlap with the central axis C of the collecting chute 110. Is done.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a divided structure of the collective hopper of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 42 and the frame 49 are configured to be detachable by a first connection member 44 joined to the support member 42 and a second connection member 45 joined to the load cell 48. . In other words, the support part 40 is configured to be divided into a first part 71 that supports the drive part 20 and the annular member 31 and a second part 72 that has the load cell 48. This makes it possible to substantially remove and install the collecting hopper 1 from the discharge port at the lower end of the collecting chute 110, so that the installation restrictions of the combination weigher 100 can be further relaxed.

  Further, since the first part 71 is united with the second part 72 by being supported by one end of the load cell 48, the weight change of the first part 71 due to the objects to be weighed accommodated on the bottom plates 11, 12 can be detected. 48 can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the first connecting member 44 is composed of a pair of rod-like members extending in the vertical direction on both sides of the end portion of the support plate 42, and an upper convex portion 51 and a lower convex portion 52 at the upper and lower ends of each rod-like member. Is configured to protrude in the horizontal direction. The second connecting member 45 includes a pair of upper concave portions 53 and a lower receiving portion 54 at positions corresponding to the upper convex portions 51 and the lower convex portions 52 of the first connecting member 44.

  Then, the divided first part 71 and second part 72 are hooked so that the upper convex part 51 is suspended in the upper concave part 53, and the lower convex part 52 is brought into contact with the lower receiving part 54. One part 71 can be combined with the second part 72.

  The combined first part 71 and second part 72 are separated from the second part by separating the lower convex part 52 from the lower receiving part 54 and separating the upper convex part 51 from the upper concave part 53. 1 part 71 can be removed.

  Next, the operation of the collective hopper 1 will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9. When the combination of the weighing hoppers 108 of the combination weigher is determined, the collective hopper 1 stands by in a state where the bottom plates 11 and 12 are joined, that is, in a state where the bottom wall of the collective hopper 1 is configured. The objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hoppers to be combined are discharged from the lower end of the collective chute while sliding down the collective chute, and accumulate and accumulate in the concave portion formed by the bottom plates 11 and 12 and the annular member 31.

  The bottom plates 11 and 12 are separated by the drive device 23 in accordance with the operation timing of the packaging device 210 below the collecting hopper 1 or in accordance with the weighing state of the load cell 48. As a result, the object to be weighed passes through the hole 43 and is supplied to the lower packaging device.

  As described above, as illustrated in the first embodiment, the collective hopper of the present invention is configured such that the bottom plate extends in the horizontal direction and is advanced and retracted in the horizontal direction. With such a configuration, the height of the collecting hopper can be shortened, and the retreat space of the bottom plate below the collecting hopper can be omitted.

  Therefore, Embodiment 1 is an example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the drive unit 20 may be configured as in Modification Example 1 below. The bottom plate and the drive unit 20 may be configured as in Modification Example 2 below. Or you may comprise the support part 40 like the modification 3. FIG.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 6 is a top view schematically showing a modification of the drive unit of the collective hopper of FIG. FIG. 6 shows the separated state of the bottom plates 11 and 12.

  In this modification, the drive device 26 is a reciprocating drive device, and the drive device 26 drives the bottom plates 11 and 12 so as to draw a straight track.

  If comprised in this way, since the opening-and-closing speed of the baseplates 11 and 12 can be improved compared with another method, the processing capacity of the collective hopper 1 can be improved.

  For example, when the inventors performed a weighing test for weighing 20 g of candy using the collective hopper of the present embodiment for a combination weigher, it can be processed at an average speed of about 40 times / min at the maximum. there were. However, when the same weighing test was repeated after replacing the collective hopper of this modification, it was possible to process at an average speed of 55 times / min at a maximum, and the processing capacity was improved by about 30 to 40%. confirmed.

[Modification 2]
FIG. 7 is a top view schematically showing a modification of the bottom plate and the drive unit of the collective hopper of FIG. FIG. 7 shows a contact state of the bottom plate 13.

  In the present modification, the bottom plate 13 is four blade-like members disposed so as to overlap each other. The drive device 27 drives the bottom plate 13 to open and close in an iris shape. Although not shown, the driving device 27 has a diaphragm adjusting mechanism, that is, a so-called diaphragm ring used in a photographic machine or the like. In other words, the present modification includes an iris diaphragm structure that includes three or more bottom plates 13 and a drive device 27 that supports and drives the bottom plate 13 and is used in a photographic machine or the like. The bottom plates 13 overlap each other and can slide, and the bottom plates 13 are in contact with each other in the vertical direction in the advanced state to form the bottom wall of the collective hopper 1. Further, the size of the opening in the separated state of the bottom plate 13 can be adjusted by adjusting the support position of the bottom plate 13 in the driving device 27. Accordingly, when the size of the annular member 31 is adjusted according to the measurement capacity of the object to be weighed, the size of the opening of the bottom plate 13 can be adjusted according to the size of the annular member 31. The versatility of the collective hopper 1 can be improved.

[Modification 3]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a modification of the support portion of the collective hopper of FIG.

  In the present modification, the load cell 48 of the support portion 40 is omitted, and the second connecting member 45 is arranged as it is in the main body of the combination weigher.

  Thereby, the structure of the collective hopper 1 can be simplified.

  The collective hopper of the present invention is useful as a collective hopper that relaxes the installation restrictions of the combination weigher.

It is a figure which shows typically the connection structure of the combination scale with a collection hopper of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a packaging apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the collective hopper of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the collective hopper of FIG. 2. It is a top view which shows typically the separation state of the baseplate of the collection hopper of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the separation state of the baseplate of the collection hopper of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the modification of the drive part of the collective hopper of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the modification of the baseplate and drive part of the collection hopper of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the modification of the support part of the collective hopper of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the connection structure of the conventional combination scale with a collection hopper, and a packaging apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, Collective hopper 11, 12, 13 Bottom plate 20 Drive unit 21, 22 Support member 23, 26, 27 Drive unit 24 Hose 25 Connection terminal 31 Annular member 40, 60 Support unit 41 Support tool 42 Support plate 43 Hole 44 1 connecting member 45 second connecting member 46 bolt 47 fixing member 48 strain gauge 49 frame 51 upper convex portion 52 lower convex portion 53 upper concave portion 54 lower receiving portion 71 first portion 72 second portion 100 combination scale 102 dispersion feeder 104 linear Feeder 106 Supply hopper 108 Weighing hopper 110 Collecting chute 111 Collecting hopper 114 Main body 120 Case 130 Support member 210 Packaging device C Central axis

Claims (4)

A collecting hopper that is disposed at the lower end of the collecting chute of the combination weigher and accommodates and collects the objects to be discharged from the collecting chute,
A pair of bottom plates that extend in the horizontal direction, and whose edges contact each other to form the bottom wall of the collective hopper;
A drive unit for supporting the bottom plate and moving it in and out in a horizontal direction so as to contact and separate the bottom plate;
Above the bottom plate, a funnel-shaped annular member constituting a side wall of the collecting hopper;
Have a, a support portion for supporting the annular member and the drive unit,
The drive unit is
A pair of rod-like support members that respectively support the pair of bottom plates;
By supporting one end of the pair of support members adjacent to each other and moving the support member in a horizontal arc with the end as a rotation center, the pair of bottom plates are brought into contact with and separated from each other. A collective hopper having a drive device that advances and retracts in a horizontal direction . The support part has a load cell,
The collecting hopper according to claim 1, wherein the load cell is configured to support the bottom plate, the drive unit, and the annular member. The support portion is configured to be separable into a first portion that supports the drive portion and the annular member, and a second portion that has the load cell,
The collective hopper according to claim 2, wherein the first part is united with the second part by being supported by one end of the load cell. A collecting hopper that is disposed at the lower end of the collecting chute of the combination weigher and accommodates and collects the objects to be discharged from the collecting chute,
A plurality of bottom plates extending in the horizontal direction, the edges contacting each other to form the bottom wall of the collective hopper;
A drive unit for supporting the bottom plate and moving it in and out in a horizontal direction so as to contact and separate the bottom plate;
Above the bottom plate, a funnel-shaped annular member constituting a side wall of the collecting hopper;
A support portion that supports the annular member and the drive portion;
The plurality of bottom plates are composed of three or more blade-like members arranged to overlap each other ,
The drive unit, the blade-like member was driven so as to open and close the iris shape, and have a stop adjustment mechanism,
A collecting hopper configured to adjust the size of the opening in the separated state of the bottom plate by adjusting the support position of the bottom plate of the driving unit .

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