JP5220540B2 - Combination scale - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination weigher, and more particularly to a technique for inspecting the operation of each movable part included in a combination weigher.

  A combination weigher generally includes a plurality of weighing containers, and various combinations of weighing values of articles (objects to be weighed) in the plurality of weighing containers. The total weight of these combinations is closest to the target weight. A combination of values is selected, and the article is discharged from the weighing container of the selected combination. Usually, a combination weigher is used together with a packaging machine, and objects to be weighed within a predetermined weight range measured by the combination weigher are discharged from the combination weigher and put into the packaging machine, and packaged as one packaged product by this packaging machine. Is done.

  In the combination weigher as described above, in general, a dispersion feeder that conveys an object to be weighed while being dispersed, a linear feeder that conveys the dispersed object to be fed to a subsequent supply hopper, and a weighing hopper (measuring container) are charged. The supply hopper that temporarily pools the objects to be weighed forms a conveyance path for the objects to be weighed to the weighing hopper. In the dispersion feeder and the linear feeder, the object to be weighed is conveyed to the subsequent stage by the vibration of the top cone and the feeder pan forming the conveyance path. Further, the weighing hopper and the supply hopper are provided with a hopper gate (bottom lid) that opens and closes in order to discharge an object to be weighed held by the hopper. Thus, the combination weigher is composed of a large number of movable parts, and in order to maintain good accuracy of the combination weigher, it is necessary to periodically check the operation of these movable parts.

  Conventionally, when inspecting the operation of the movable part of the combination weigher, the respective movable parts included in the combination weigher are moved all at once, and the operator inspects the operation state of each movable part. However, in the inspection by the worker, human error such as a change in the inspection condition occurs due to the replacement of the worker. Therefore, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 propose a combination weigher that performs self-diagnosis without depending on an operator.

  The operation check device for a combination weigher described in Patent Document 1 is configured by individually or combining drive units such as a dispersion plate transporter (dispersion feeder), a supply trough transporter (straight forward feeder), and a weighing hopper scaler. A mode switching unit for driving, a sensor for checking whether the driving unit is operating normally in the driving unit, and a display unit for displaying the inspection result of the sensor are provided. In this operation check device, since the operation check of the combination weigher is performed by the sensor, it is possible to perform an inspection that is objective and does not cause human error.

Moreover, in patent document 2, any one of the arithmetic device which performs the basic calculation of an electronic balance, an input device, a check device which checks whether each element which comprises an electronic balance operate | moves appropriately, and an input device There is disclosed an electronic balance including an abnormal short circuit detection device that detects an abnormal short circuit of one or more keys and a display device that displays calculation results, check results, and detection results. This electronic scale makes it easy to check operations and find abnormal short circuits by changing the operation mode of the arithmetic unit, check device, and abnormal short circuit detection device according to the state of the keys of the input device within a certain time after the power is turned on. To be able to do that.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-31024 JP 58-63819 A

  One of the things weighed by a combination weigher is food. This food may be packaged like a candy, but is often weighed with the edible portion exposed. In particular, when food is weighed, components of the combination weigher that directly touch the food (for example, top cone, feeder pan, each hopper, etc.) need to be cleaned each time they are used. Therefore, the components of the combination weigher that require frequent cleaning are designed to be detachable from the main body of the combination weigher in order to make the cleaning operation easy and efficient and maintain cleanliness.

  While the components can be detached from the main body of the combination weigher, the above-mentioned convenience is provided, while the components removed from the main body of the combination weigher slide down from the operator's hand during cleaning and give an impact. There has been a situation of deformation upon receipt. For example, if a deformed hopper is attached to the main body of the combination weigher and its movable part (hopper gate) is moved, an abnormal load is applied and the malfunction does not occur. In addition, components removed from the main body of the combination weigher may be improperly attached to the main body of the combination weigher. In such cases, the combination weigher may not operate properly or a measurement error may occur. Or With a combination weigher that performs high-speed weighing, if defective products are produced even for several minutes, many products to be discarded are generated, resulting in a decrease in production yield.

  In order to prevent the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to periodically check the operation of the moving parts of the combination weigher. It is desirable to check the operation of moving parts. Therefore, in the combination weigher, it is preferable that the operation check of the movable part provided can be quickly performed by self-diagnosis.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems , and can automatically perform a self-diagnosis of the operation of each movable part provided , and one movable part is another It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination weigher capable of performing an operation check without being affected by the operation of the movable part or in a state where it is difficult to be affected .

The combination weigher of the present invention
A plurality of weighing hoppers equipped with a weight detector for detecting the weight of an object to be weighed;
A plurality of feeders and a plurality of supply hoppers that form a conveyance path of an object to be weighed to the plurality of weighing hoppers;
Each drive unit for operating the movable parts of the plurality of weighing hoppers, said plurality of supply hoppers and the plurality of feeders have,
A combination controller based on a detection signal from the weight detector, a control of each drive unit , and an operation controller for performing an operation check of each movable unit ;
A display unit having a display unit for displaying information received from the arithmetic controller;
The arithmetic controller repeatedly operates the movable parts of the two weighing hoppers located on the diagonal line and simultaneously checks the operation of these movable parts to check the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of weighing hoppers. Next, the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of supply hoppers is inspected by repeatedly operating the movable parts of the two supply hoppers located on the diagonal line and checking the operation of these movable parts simultaneously. Subsequently, the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of feeders is inspected by repeatedly operating the movable parts of the two feeders positioned on the diagonal line and performing the operation inspection of these movable parts. The operation check result of each movable part is configured to be displayed on the display.

According to the combination weigher configured as described above, Ru can perform self-diagnosis of the combination weigher automatically. In that case, each movable part with which a combination scale is equipped is driven by the combination of the several movable part which the operation | movement of the other movable part does not influence easily in order from the downward | lower direction and operation | movement inspection of one movable part. Therefore, one movable part can perform an operation check without being affected by the operation of other movable parts or in a state where it is hardly affected. Thereby, operation | movement inspection of each movable part can be performed more correctly. In addition, each movable part included in the combination weigher operates in order from the bottom, and since the number of movable parts that operate at a time is small, clogging of the object to be weighed when the object to be weighed remains on the combination weigher is prevented. Thus, the operator can easily grasp which movable part is inspected for operation, and the operation of each movable part can be inspected with power saving.

  The combination weigher further includes a supply device that supplies the object to be measured to the transport path under the control of the arithmetic controller, and the arithmetic controller performs an operation check of each movable part. The supply device may be configured to be stopped. Thereby, the influence of the to-be-measured object can be removed in the operation | movement inspection of each operation | movement part with which a combination scale is equipped.

  In the combination weigher, each of the driving units is provided with a warning light that is turned on under the control of the arithmetic controller, and the arithmetic controller is abnormal in operation as a result of the operation inspection of the movable units. It is preferable that the warning lamp provided in the drive unit that drives the movable unit is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to determine at a glance a drive unit having an abnormal operation among a plurality of drive units included in the combination weigher.

Further, in the combination weigher, each movable part of the plurality of feeders is provided with an acceleration detector for detecting the acceleration of the movable part, and the arithmetic controller checks the operation of each movable part of the plurality of feeders. it can be configured to time to, to detect the abnormal operation of each of the movable portions of the plurality of feeders on the basis of a detection signal received from the acceleration detector.

Further, in the combination weigher, at least one of the drive portions of the drive unit and the plurality of supply hoppers of the plurality of weighing hoppers is a stepping motor, the rotation phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor Waso includes a phase detector which detects and outputs it to the arithmetic and control unit, said arithmetic control unit is, in any one of the movable portions of the movable portions and the plurality of supply hoppers of the plurality of weighing hoppers When inspecting the operation of the movable part, the stepping motor is operated at a predetermined number of pulses, and the initial phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor when the movable part continuously moves twice is detected. An operation abnormality of the movable part of the hopper can be detected based on a difference between these initial phases.

Further, in the combination weigher, the arithmetic and control unit, when performing at least one of the operation check of each of the movable portions of the movable portions and the plurality of supply hoppers of the plurality of weighing hoppers, said weight detector It is possible to measure the vibration waveform of the detection signal and to detect an abnormal operation based on the vibration waveform.

The combination weigher of the present invention, the arithmetic and control unit, when performing at least one of the operation check of each of the movable portions of the movable portions and the plurality of supply hoppers of the plurality of weighing hoppers, each movable portion Is configured to operate faster than the weighing operation. Thereby, the operation abnormality of the movable part of the hopper appears remarkably, and it becomes easy to detect the operation abnormality.

Furthermore, the combination weigher of the present invention, the indicator, the an input unit of the touch panel, the operation controller, the display portion of the display, the start command operation inspection through the input unit It is preferable that the touch key to be input to the arithmetic controller is displayed and the touch key is not displayed when the operation check is completed. Thereby, the operator who saw the display can grasp at a glance whether or not the operation check is necessary.
Further, the combination weigher of the present invention includes a plurality of memory hoppers into which an object to be weighed is input from the plurality of weighing hoppers provided below the plurality of weighing hoppers, and each movable portion included in the plurality of memory hoppers. Each of the drive units to be operated, and the arithmetic controller operates each of the movable units of the plurality of memory hoppers before the operation of each of the movable units of the plurality of weighing hoppers is checked. It is configured to perform an inspection.
Furthermore, the combination weigher of the present invention includes a collective hopper in which an object to be weighed is input from the plurality of weighing hoppers provided below the plurality of weighing hoppers, and a drive unit that operates a movable part of the collective hopper. The operational controller operates the movable part of the collective hopper and checks the vibration waveform of the detection signal of the weight detector before checking the operation of each movable part of the plurality of weighing hoppers. The operation abnormality of the movable part of the collective hopper is detected based on the vibration waveform. When the operation of the collective hopper is checked, the components of the other combination weighers of the collective hopper are stopped. Therefore, the abnormality that appears in the detected vibration waveform is only due to the operation of the collective hopper. Therefore, if this vibration waveform is detected and compared with the vibration waveform when the operation of the collective hopper is normal, an abnormal operation of the collective hopper can be detected.

  The present invention has the following effects.

  According to the present invention, the self-diagnosis of the operation of each movable part provided in the combination weigher can be automatically performed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the combination weigher according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of a schematic configuration when a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention is cut in a vertical direction. The linear feeder 50, the supply hopper 7, the weighing hopper 8, and the weight detector 9 constitute a set of weighing heads. A plurality of weighing heads are provided in the combination weigher 99. Since each weighing head has the same configuration, only one weighing head is shown in FIG. 1, and the remainder is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a combination weigher 99 includes a plurality of weighing hoppers 8 each having a weight detector 9 for detecting the weight of an object to be weighed in order to perform a combination weighing of the objects to be weighed, and participates in the combination. In order to increase the number of weighing hoppers to be measured, a memory hopper 10 that temporarily holds the objects to be weighed by the weighing hopper 8 and a conveyance path of the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 to each weighing hopper 8 are provided. A combination of a dispersion feeder 30 to be formed, a plurality of linear feeders 50, a plurality of supply hoppers 7, a collective chute 11, a collective funnel 12, and a collective hopper 13 for sending the weighed articles to the next process such as packaging A calculation controller 16 that controls the balance 99 and performs a combination calculation, and an operation setting display 17 that performs an operation input of information to the calculation controller 16 and a display output of information from the calculation controller 16 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the supply device 1 includes a trough (a large and slender container) and a vibrator 1 a that vibrates the trough, and supplies an object to be weighed on the trough to the combination scale 99 by the vibration of the trough. Of the embodiment. However, the supply apparatus 1 is not limited to this, For example, you may comprise the supply apparatus 1 with the bucket lifter provided with the endless belt and the some container arrange | positioned in this endless belt in a line form.

  The dispersion feeder 30 is provided in the upper part of the combination balance 99 (above the collective chute 11). The dispersion feeder 30 includes a conical top cone 3 and a vibrator 4 that vibrates the top cone 3. The objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 onto the top cone 3 of the dispersion feeder 30 are dispersed radially while sliding down on the top cone 3 due to vibration. A level detector 2 for detecting the layer thickness of the object to be weighed on the top cone 3 is attached above the dispersion feeder 30. The level detector 2 can be composed of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor.

  A plurality of rectilinear feeders 50 are arranged radially around the dispersion feeder 30. Each linear feeder 50 includes a feeder pan 5 and a vibrator 6 that vibrates the feeder pan 5. The object to be weighed sent from the dispersion feeder 30 onto the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 is sent out to the supply hopper 7 by vibration.

  One supply hopper 7 is provided on the delivery side of each object to be weighed in each linear feeder 50, and the plurality of supply hoppers 7 are arranged in an annular shape. Further, one weighing hopper 8 as a weighing container is provided below each supply hopper 7, and a plurality of weighing hoppers 8 are arranged in an annular shape. Each supply hopper 7 is provided with a gate 7a. When the gate 7a is opened, an object to be weighed held in the supply hopper 7 is put into a weighing hopper 8 positioned therebelow.

  Each weighing hopper 8 includes a weight detector 9 such as a load cell in order to weigh the object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 8. The measurement value (detection signal) of each weight detector 9 is transmitted to the arithmetic controller 16.

  A collecting chute 11 is provided below the plurality of weighing hoppers 8, a collecting funnel 12 is provided at the lower end of the collecting chute 11, and a collecting hopper 13 is provided below the collecting funnel 12. A plurality of memory hoppers 10 are provided corresponding to the weighing hoppers 8 obliquely below the weighing hoppers 8.

  Each weighing hopper 8 includes a gate 8a that can be opened and closed in two directions opposite to each other, and an object to be weighed held by the weighing hopper 8 is placed on the collecting chute 11 when the gate 8a is opened in one direction. Is released to the memory hopper 10 when opened in the other direction. Each memory hopper 10 includes a gate 10 a, and when the gate 10 a is opened, the objects to be weighed held by the memory hopper 10 are discharged onto the collecting chute 11. The objects to be weighed released to the collecting chute 11 in this manner slide down on the collecting chute 11, pass through the collecting funnel 12, and are thrown into the collecting hopper 13. The collective hopper 13 includes a gate 13a. When the gate 13a is opened, the objects to be weighed held by the collective hopper 13 are put into a packaging machine (not shown).

  Next, the control system of the combination scale 99 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the arithmetic controller.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arithmetic controller 16 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes an arithmetic control unit 21 including a CPU and the like, a storage unit 22 including a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, and an arithmetic unit. An I / O circuit 18, an A / D conversion circuit 19, a gate drive circuit 14, and a vibration control circuit 15 connected to the control unit 21 are provided.

  Further, an operation setting display 17 that is a user interface of the combination weigher 99 is connected to the arithmetic controller 16. The operation setting indicator 17 includes a touch panel type input unit and a display unit that receives the output of the arithmetic controller 16 and displays information such as the operating state of the combination weigher 99. Information such as operation commands and parameters for the operation of the combination scale 99 input to the input unit of the operation setting display 17 is input from the operation setting display 17 to the arithmetic controller 16.

  The arithmetic control unit 21 receives a detection signal of the amount of the object on the dispersion feeder 30 from the level detector 2 via the I / O circuit 18, and outputs from the weight detector 9 via the A / D conversion circuit 19. A weighing signal of an object to be weighed accommodated in each weighing hopper 8 and an input signal from the operation setting display 17 are input. The input signal from the operation setting display 17 includes parameters indicating conditions for determining the combination target weight and the necessity of maintenance. Further, from the arithmetic control unit 21, a drive signal to each of the vibrators 4 and 6 through the vibration control circuit 15, a drive signal to each of the gates 7a, 8a, 10a and 13a through the gate drive circuit 14, and A display image signal or the like to the operation setting display 17 is output.

  The storage unit 22 stores an operation condition registration table, an operation condition table, an operating data register, parameters, a display buffer, and the like. The operation condition registration table stores a large number of operation condition data (for example, operation condition data number, product name, target weight value, feeder amplitude, etc.). One operating condition data selected from the operating condition registration table is written in the operating condition table, and the combination scale 99 is controlled based on the operating condition data written in the operating condition table. The operating data register stores operating status data of the combination balance 99 during operation. Display data including necessary data among the operation status data is written in the display buffer, and this display data is transmitted as a display image signal to the operation setting display 17 and displayed on the display unit.

  In the present embodiment, the controller means not only a single controller but also a controller group including a plurality of controllers. Therefore, the arithmetic controller 16 may be composed of a single arithmetic controller, or may be composed of a plurality of arithmetic controllers that are arranged in a distributed manner and controlled in cooperation. For example, you may be comprised by the 1st controller which performs the self-diagnosis mentioned later, and the 2nd controller which performs arithmetic controls other than a self-diagnosis.

[Operation of combination scale 99]
The weighing operation of the combination weigher 99 configured as described above will be described. The operation controller 16 of the combination weigher 99 executes the weighing operation program stored in the storage unit 22 to control the operation of the combination weigher 99 and perform the combination operation. Parameters such as combination target weight values and operating speed conditions are input in advance from the operation setting display 17 to the arithmetic control unit 21 of the arithmetic controller 16 and stored in the storage unit 22. The data is read from the storage unit 22 as necessary.

  When starting the weighing operation, the arithmetic controller 16 first controls the vibrator 4 of the dispersion feeder 30 and the vibrator 6 of the linear feeder 50 via the vibration control circuit 27 so as to operate. Thus, the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 onto the dispersion feeder 30 are distributed in the circumferential direction from the dispersion feeder 30 and fed to the supply hoppers 7 through the linearly-advanced feeders 50 arranged radially. The At this time, the arithmetic controller 16 detects the layer thickness of the object to be weighed on the dispersion feeder 30 by the level detector 2, and when the amount of the object to be weighed becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the operation device 16 is operated. A predetermined amount or more of an object to be weighed is always supplied onto the dispersion feeder 30.

  Subsequently, the arithmetic controller 16 detects that the weighing hopper 8 is empty, and controls the gate 7 a of the supply hopper 7 to be opened via the gate drive circuit 26. As a result, the object to be weighed is fed from the supply hopper 7 to the weighing hopper 8. When an object to be weighed is put into the weighing hopper 8, the arithmetic and control unit 16 sends the measurement value (weight of the object to be weighed held in each weighing hopper 8) by the weight detector 9 to the A / D conversion circuit 25. To detect through. When the memory hopper 10 becomes empty, an object to be weighed is put into the memory hopper 10 from the weighing hopper 8.

  The calculation controller 16 performs a combination calculation based on the weights of the objects to be weighed held in the plurality of weighing hoppers 8 and the plurality of memory hoppers 10. As the weight of the object to be weighed in the memory hopper 10 used in the combination calculation, the weight when weighed in the weighing hopper 8 thereabove is used. In this combination calculation, there is one combination in which the total weight value of the objects to be weighed is within a predetermined weight range (allowable weight range with respect to the target weight) from among the plurality of weighing hoppers 8 and the plurality of memory hoppers 10. The combination of the weighing hopper 8 and the memory hopper 10 to be discharged is selected.

  The arithmetic controller 16 opens the weighing hopper 8 and the gates 8a and 10a of the memory hopper 10 selected for the combination obtained by the combination calculation via the gate driving circuit 26, and the objects to be weighed are placed on the collective chute 11. To release. The objects to be weighed are collected on the collecting chute 11 by the sliding funnel 12 and accommodated in the collecting hopper 13. When a discharge permission signal is input from the packaging machine, the arithmetic controller 16 opens the gate 13a of the collecting hopper 13 and discharges a predetermined amount of objects held by the collecting hopper 13 to the packaging machine. Outputs a discharge completion signal to the packaging machine. In the packaging machine, an operation such as a sealing operation is performed based on the input timing of the discharge completion signal from the combination scale 99.

[Self-diagnosis function]
Here, the self-diagnosis function of the combination balance 99 according to the present invention will be described in detail. The self-diagnosis function of the combination weigher 99 described below is a function for automatically checking the operation of each movable part provided in the combination weigher 99.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system related to the self-diagnosis function of the combination weigher. As shown in FIG. 3, in the combination weigher 99 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of supply hoppers 7, a plurality of weighing hoppers 8, a plurality of memory hoppers 10, a collection hopper 13, a dispersion feeder 30, and a plurality of rectilinear feeders 50. Each of the components has one or more movable parts. The supply hopper 7 has a gate 7a as a movable part, and includes a drive part 7b for driving the movable part. The weighing hopper 8 has a gate 8a as a movable part, and includes a drive part 8b for driving the movable part. The memory hopper 10 has a gate 10a as a movable part, and includes a drive part 10b for driving the movable part. The collective hopper 13 has a gate 13a as a movable part, and includes a drive part 13b that drives the movable part. The dispersion feeder 30 has a top cone 3 as a movable part, and includes a vibration exciter 4 as a drive part for driving the movable part. The dispersion feeder 30 has a feeder pan 5 as a movable part, and includes a vibrator 6 as a drive part for driving the movable part. In FIG. 3, lines for transmitting detection signals from the phase detectors 7 c, 8 c, 10 c, and 13 c to the calculation control unit 21, and detection signals from the acceleration detectors 4 a and 6 a to the calculation control unit 21. All lines to be transmitted are omitted.

  The storage unit 22 of the arithmetic controller 16 stores a self-diagnosis program, and the arithmetic controller 21 of the arithmetic controller 16 receives a self-diagnosis start command via the operation setting display 17. Then, the self-diagnosis program is read from the storage unit 22 and executed, and the operation of each drive unit that drives each movable unit included in the combination weigher 99 is controlled. Thereby, the self-diagnosis process is performed by the combination scale 99.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic operation screen of the combination weigher on which self-diagnosis touch keys are displayed. The automatic operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit of the operation setting display 17. The automatic operation screen includes a product number / product name display area 151, a head information circular display area 152, a “start / stop” touch key 153, a “self-diagnosis” touch key 154, a symbol explanation display area 155, and a feeder strength display touch key. An area 156, a “return” touch key 157, and the like are shown. In the head information circular display area 152, the innermost circle is the weight level display part, the outer periphery immediately after the weight level display part is the measurement head number display part, and the outer periphery immediately after the measurement head number display part is the current state display part. There is an error display section immediately outside the current display section. The combination weigher 99 according to the present embodiment includes ten sets of weighing heads 1-10. When the symbols described in the symbol explanation display area 155 and the display in the head information circular display area 152 are collated, in FIG. It is understood that it is being done.

  When the operator presses the self-diagnosis touch key 154 displayed on the automatic operation screen, an operation check start command for each movable part included in the combination weigher 99 is sent via the operation setting display 17 to the arithmetic controller 16. The arithmetic control unit 21 that receives the start command starts the self-diagnosis process of the combination weigher 99.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the self-diagnosis process of the combination weigher. As shown in FIG. 4, when the arithmetic control unit 21 of the arithmetic controller 16 starts the self-diagnosis process, first, the supply device 1 is stopped (step S1). In this way, the supply of the objects to be weighed to the combination weigher 99 is stopped to eliminate the influence of the objects to be weighed, and then the operation check of all the movable parts of the combination weigher 99 is started.

  The operation check of the movable part provided in the combination scale 99 is performed by operating each drive part so that each movable part provided in the combination scale 99 is individually moved sequentially from the one located below. Thus, by individually moving the movable parts, it is possible to check the operation without being influenced by other movable parts. Moreover, since the drive part which drives a movable part is not operated at once, the electric power consumed at the time of the operation | movement inspection of a movable part can be suppressed. Furthermore, by performing the operation check in order from the movable part located below, it is easy for the operator to grasp which movable part is being inspected, and in addition to this, an object to be weighed remains in the combination weigher 99. It is possible to prevent clogging of objects to be weighed. If an operation check is performed from the movable part located above, if the object to be weighed remains in the combination scale 99, the object to be weighed is sent to the downstream side and the object to be weighed is clogged. It becomes.

  First, the arithmetic control unit 21 checks the opening / closing operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 arranged at the lowest position among the movable parts provided in the combination weigher 99 (step S2). At this time, the arithmetic control unit 21 inspects the driving unit 13b (actuator) that drives the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 to open and close via the gate driving circuit 14.

  In the present embodiment, the drive unit 13b that drives the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is composed of a stepping motor (pulse motor). The output shaft of the stepping motor is connected to the gate 13a via a link mechanism (not shown), and the gate 13a is opened and closed by rotating the output shaft of the stepping motor. The output shaft of the stepping motor is provided with a phase detector 13c that detects an initial phase of rotation.

  Therefore, the calculation control unit 21 rotates the output shaft of the stepping motor by a predetermined number of pulses to inspect the driving unit 13b that drives the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 to open and close. When the driving unit 13b is inspected, it is preferable that the gate 13a of the collecting hopper 13 is opened / closed faster than the weighing operation. Thereby, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the gate 13a of the collecting hopper 13, the abnormality appears remarkably.

  In the phase detector 13c, the phase detector 13c detects the initial phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor when the gate 13a is opened and closed and the next opening and closing motion, that is, when the gate 13a is opened and closed twice in succession. Are detected and transmitted to the arithmetic control unit 21. Upon receiving the detection signal from the phase detector 13c, the arithmetic control unit 21 calculates the difference between these initial phases, and whether the initial phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor is the same during each opening / closing movement of the gate 13a. Determine whether or not. Then, the arithmetic control unit 21 determines that the operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is normal when these initial phases are the same, while the operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 when these initial phases are not identical. Is determined to be abnormal. If the initial phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor is not the same during each opening / closing movement of the gate 13a, it is estimated that the stepping motor is out of step. In this case, “step out” means that the drive frequency to the stepping motor is too high or the load is too large for the motor to drive the load, and the drive part has an angle (rotary motor) or position (linear motor). ) Occurs and cannot be restored as it is, and there is a possibility that step-out may occur due to poor attachment of the collective hopper 13 to the main body of the combination weigher or clogging or deformation of the gate 13a.

  Note that the vibration waveform of the detection signal of the weight detector 9 is measured in place of or along with the operation check of the gate 13a based on the phase detection of the output shaft of the motor, and the gate 13a opening / closing operation of the collective hopper 13 is performed. Can also be checked.

  In this case, the arithmetic control unit 21 measures the vibration waveform of the detection signal from the weight detector 9 when the driving unit 13b that opens and closes the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 through the gate driving circuit 14 is inspected. When the drive unit 13b is operating for inspection, the other components of the combination weigher 99 are stopped. Therefore, the vibration generated in the detection signal of the weight detector 9 is caused by the opening and closing of the gate 13a of the collecting hopper 13. To do. Therefore, a vibration waveform when the opening / closing operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is normal is measured in advance and registered as a reference vibration waveform (stored in the storage unit 22). When the driving unit 13b of the gate 13a is operating for inspection, the vibration waveform of the detection signal of the weight detector 9 is measured, the measured vibration waveform is compared with the reference vibration waveform, and the difference between them is determined. If it is within the predetermined allowable range, it is determined that the opening / closing operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is normal, while if it is outside the predetermined allowable range, the open / close operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is abnormal. judge.

  During the weighing operation of the combination weigher 99, the detection signal of the weight detector 9 is amplified, noise is removed by a filter, A / D converted, and transmitted to the arithmetic control unit 21 as a digital signal. When the opening / closing operation of the drive unit 13b is inspected using the detection signal of the weight detector 9 as described above, the detection signal of the weight detector 9 is amplified and A / D converted without passing through a filter. The digital signal may be transmitted to the arithmetic control unit 21.

  As described above, the opening / closing operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 is checked, and if there is an abnormality in the open / close operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 temporarily stores the abnormal operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 in the storage unit 22.

  When the operation check of the collective hopper 13 is completed, the operation check of the gate 10a of the memory hopper 10 which is a movable portion positioned below the collective hopper 13 is subsequently performed (step S3).

  In the operation check of the gate 10a of the memory hopper 10, the gates 10a of the plurality of memory hoppers 10 provided in the combination weigher 99 are one by one in the same procedure as the check operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 described above. This is done in order. However, when the number of the memory hoppers 10 is large, it takes time for inspection, so that the objects to be weighed are not clogged on the downstream side (the collective funnel 12 or the collective hopper 13). It is also possible to check the operation at the same time by combining the gates 10a. In this case, for example, it is desirable to select a combination that is not easily affected by the operation of the other gate 10a with respect to the operation check of the other gate 10a by combining the gates 10a of the two memory hoppers 10 located on the diagonal line. .

  As described above, the opening / closing operation of the gate 10a of the memory hopper 10 is checked, and if there is an abnormality in the opening / closing operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 identifies the abnormal operation of the memory hopper 10 as information for identifying the memory hopper 10 in which the abnormality has occurred ( For example, it is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22 together with the weighing head number).

  When the operation check of the memory hopper 10 is completed, the operation check of the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8 which is a movable portion positioned below the memory hopper 10 is subsequently performed (step S4). In the operation check of the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8, the gates 8a of the plurality of weighing hoppers 8 provided in the combination weigher 99 are one by one in the same procedure as the inspection of the opening / closing operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 described above. This is done in order. However, when the number of the weighing hoppers 8 is large, it takes time to check, so that the operation check can be performed simultaneously by combining the gates 8a of the plurality of weighing hoppers 8. In this case, for example, it is desirable to select a combination that is not easily affected by the operation of the other gate 8a with respect to the operation inspection of the other gate 8a by combining the gates 8a of the two weighing hoppers 8 positioned on the diagonal line. .

  As described above, the opening / closing operation of the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8 is inspected, and if there is an abnormality in the opening / closing operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 identifies the abnormal operation of the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8 and the weighing hopper 8 in which the abnormality has occurred. The information to be stored (for example, the number of the weighing head) is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22.

  When the operation check of the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8 is finished, the operation check of the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7 which is a movable portion positioned below the measurement hopper 8 is subsequently performed (step S5). In the operation check of the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7, the gates 7a of the plurality of supply hoppers 7 provided in the combination weigher 99 are one by one in the same procedure as the check operation of the gate 13a of the collective hopper 13 described above. This is done in order. However, when the number of supply hoppers 7 is large, inspection takes time, so that the operation inspection can be performed simultaneously by combining the gates 7a of the plurality of supply hoppers 7. In this case, for example, it is desirable to select a combination that is not easily affected by the operation of the other gate 7a with respect to the operation inspection of the other gate 7a by combining the gates 7a of the two supply hoppers 7 located on the diagonal line. .

  As described above, the opening / closing operation of the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7 is checked, and if there is an abnormality in the opening / closing operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 identifies the abnormal operation of the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7 and the supply hopper 7 in which the abnormality has occurred. The information to be stored (for example, the number of the weighing head) is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22.

  When the operation check of the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7 is completed, the operation check of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50, which is a movable part positioned below the gate 7a of the supply hopper 7, is subsequently performed (step S6).

  In the operation check of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50, all the feeder pans 5 of the plurality of linear feeders 50 provided in the combination weigher 99 are sequentially shifted in time one by one. However, when the number of linear feeders 50 is large, inspection takes time, so that operation inspection can be performed simultaneously by combining feeder pans 5 of a plurality of linear feeders 50. In this case, for example, by combining the feeder pans 5 of the two rectilinear feeders 50 located on the diagonal line, a combination that is not easily affected by the operation of the other feeder pan 5 is selected for the operation inspection of the one feeder pan 5. It is desirable.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrator 6 is of an electromagnetic vibration type and includes an electromagnet composed of a stator and a rotor, and is caused by electromagnetic force waves generated by switching ON / OFF of energization to the electromagnet. The vibration of the electromagnet is transmitted to the feeder pan 5 and vibrates the feeder pan 5.

  The feeder pan 5 of the rectilinear feeder 50 is provided with an acceleration detector 6a for detecting the vibration of the feeder pan 5. When the operation inspection of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 is started, the arithmetic control unit 21 of the arithmetic controller 16 operates the vibration exciter 6 via the vibration control circuit 15 and receives a detection signal from the acceleration detector 6a. In response, the frequency and amplitude of the feeder pan 5 are measured. The arithmetic control unit 21 determines that the operation of the linear feeder 50 is normal if the measured frequency and amplitude match the set conditions for the frequency and amplitude that are driving conditions of the linear feeder 50. If not, it is determined that the operation of the straight feeder 50 is abnormal.

  As described above, the operation of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 is checked, and if there is an abnormality in the operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 identifies the abnormal operation of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 and identifies the linear feeder 50 in which the abnormality has occurred. The information to be stored (for example, the number of the weighing head) is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22.

  When the operation inspection of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 is completed, the operation inspection of the top cone 3 of the dispersion feeder 30 which is a movable portion positioned below the linear feeder 50 is subsequently performed (step S7).

  In the present embodiment, the vibrator 4 of the dispersion feeder 30 is of an electromagnetic vibration type and includes an electromagnet composed of a stator and a rotor, and is generated by switching ON / OFF of energization to the electromagnet. The vibration of the electromagnet due to the electromagnetic force wave is transmitted to the top cone 3 to vibrate the top cone 3.

  The operation check of the top cone 3 of the dispersion feeder 30 is performed in the same procedure as the check of the operation of the feeder pan 5 of the linear feeder 50 described above. Then, the operation of the top cone 3 of the dispersion feeder 30 is checked, and if there is an abnormality in the operation, the arithmetic control unit 21 temporarily stores the operation abnormality of the dispersion feeder 30 in the storage unit 22.

  When the operation check of the dispersion feeder 30 is completed, the zero point adjustment of the weight detector 9 is subsequently performed (step S8). In the zero point adjustment of the weight detector 9, the zero point adjustment is performed at once or sequentially for all of the plurality of weight detectors 9 provided in the combination weigher 99.

  The arithmetic control unit 21 acquires a detection signal when the weight detector 9 is unloaded, and performs zero point adjustment based on the detection signal. Further, the arithmetic control unit 21 calculates a difference between the corrected zero point and the previous zero point, and if the difference is within a predetermined range, the arithmetic control unit 21 determines that the zero point adjustment has been normally performed. If it is larger, it is determined that there is an abnormality at the zero point.

  If the zero adjustment of the weight detector 9 is performed as described above, and there is an abnormality in the zero point, the calculation control unit 21 identifies the zero point abnormality of the weight detector 9 as information for identifying the weight detector 9 in which the abnormality has occurred (for example, It is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22 together with the weighing head number).

  Finally, the arithmetic control unit 21 displays the result of the operation inspection and the zero point adjustment performed in the order as described above on the display unit of the operation setting display 17 (step S9). Here, the arithmetic control unit 21 reads out the abnormality temporarily stored in the storage unit 22 after checking the operation of each movable unit included in the combination scale 99 and displays it on the display unit of the operation setting display 17. Hereinafter, a display example of the result of the operation check and zero adjustment will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the automatic operation screen after the self-diagnosis is normally completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when no self-diagnosis is detected and no abnormality is detected, the self-diagnosis touch key 154 displayed before the self-diagnosis is not displayed on the automatic operation screen, so that the self-diagnosis can be performed normally. An operation check result indicating that the operation has been completed can be indicated. In this case, it is preferable to display the self-diagnosis touch key 154 again on the automatic operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operation setting display 17 at the next or predetermined time after activation. As a result, the operator who has seen the operation setting display 17 can grasp at a glance whether or not the operation check is necessary, and can prevent an operation error without displaying unnecessary touch keys on the automatic operation screen. Can do.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows an example of an automatic operation screen when an abnormality is detected by self-diagnosis. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when an abnormality is detected through self-diagnosis, a symbol indicating an error is displayed on the error display portion of the head information circular display area 152 of the automatic operation screen, and an error is also displayed. A message 158 pops up. From the display contents of the head information circular display area 152 shown in FIG. 7, it can be read that there is an abnormality in the hopper gate of the 4th head and that there is an abnormality in the zero point in the weight detector 9 of the 7th head. Similarly, from the display contents of the error message 158, the contents of the zero point abnormality of the weight detector 9 of the seventh head and the countermeasures thereof, and the contents of the abnormality of the hopper gate of the fourth head and the countermeasures thereof can be read.

  If an abnormality is detected in the self-diagnosis, the arithmetic control unit 21 of the arithmetic control unit 16 displays information indicating the detection of the abnormality on the display unit of the operation setting display 17 as described above, and also issues an alarm. Alternatively, an LED lamp as a warning lamp may be installed in each drive unit, and the LED lamp installed in the drive unit that drives the movable unit in which an abnormality has occurred can be lit. In particular, by driving a warning lamp to the drive unit that drives the movable unit in which an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to determine at a glance the drive unit having an abnormal operation among the plurality of drive units provided in the combination weigher 99. So it is useful.

  The combination weigher according to the present invention is not limited to the structure of the movable part described in the present embodiment and the operation check method thereof, and various types are used to automatically perform the self-diagnosis of the operations of the many movable parts included in the combination weigher. The present invention can be widely applied to various combinations of combination weighers.

It is a figure which shows a part of schematic structure when the combination balance which concerns on embodiment of this invention is cut | disconnected in the perpendicular direction. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of a combination scale. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system regarding the self-diagnosis function of a combination scale. It is a flowchart of the self-diagnosis process of a combination scale. It is a figure which shows an example of the automatic driving | running | working screen of the combination scale on which the self-diagnosis touch key was displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the automatic driving | operation screen after a self-diagnosis is complete | finished normally. It is a figure which shows an example of the automatic driving | operation screen when abnormality is detected by the self-diagnosis.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 2 Level detector 3 Top cone 4 Exciter 4a Acceleration detector 5 Feeder pan 6 Exciter 6a Acceleration detector 7 Supply hopper 7a Gate 7b Drive part 7c Phase detector 8 Weighing hopper 8a Gate 8b Drive part 8c Phase detector 9 Weight detector 10 Memory hopper 10a Gate 10b Drive unit 10c Phase detector 11 Collective chute 12 Collective funnel 13 Collective hopper 13a Gate 13b Drive unit 13c Phase detector 14 Gate drive circuit 15 Vibration control circuit 16 Operation controller 17 Operation setting display 18 I / O circuit 19 A / D conversion circuit 30 Dispersing feeder 50 Straight feeder 99 Combination weigher

Claims (10)

A plurality of weighing hoppers equipped with a weight detector for detecting the weight of an object to be weighed;
A plurality of feeders and a plurality of supply hoppers that form a conveyance path of an object to be weighed to the plurality of weighing hoppers;
Each drive unit for operating the movable parts of the plurality of weighing hoppers, said plurality of supply hoppers and the plurality of feeders have,
A combination controller based on a detection signal from the weight detector, a control of each drive unit , and an operation controller for performing an operation check of each movable unit ;
And a display unit having a display unit for displaying information received from said arithmetic controller,
The arithmetic controller repeatedly operates the movable parts of the two weighing hoppers located on the diagonal line and simultaneously checks the operation of these movable parts to check the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of weighing hoppers. Next, the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of supply hoppers is inspected by repeatedly operating the movable parts of the two supply hoppers located on the diagonal line and checking the operation of these movable parts simultaneously. Subsequently, the operation of all the movable parts of the plurality of feeders is inspected by repeatedly operating the movable parts of the two feeders positioned on the diagonal line and performing the operation inspection of these movable parts. The operation check result of each movable part is configured to be displayed on the display.
Combination scale. A supply device for supplying an object to be measured to the transport path under the control of the arithmetic controller;
The arithmetic controller is configured to stop the supply device when performing an operation check of each movable part.
The combination weigher according to claim 1. A warning light that is lit under the control of the arithmetic controller in each of the drive units,
The arithmetic controller is configured to turn on the warning lamp provided in the drive unit that drives the movable part having an abnormal operation as a result of the operation check of each movable part.
The combination weigher according to claim 1 or claim 2. Each movable part of the plurality of feeders includes an acceleration detector that detects the acceleration of the movable part,
Said arithmetic controller, when performing an operation check of each of the movable portions of the plurality of feeders, so as to detect abnormal operation of each of the movable portions of the plurality of feeders on the basis of a detection signal received from the acceleration detector It is configured,
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . At least one of the driving units of the plurality of weighing hoppers and the driving units of the plurality of supply hoppers is a stepping motor,
Wherein detecting a rotational phase of the output shaft of the stepping motor Waso includes a phase detector output to the arithmetic control unit by the arithmetic and control unit is, each of the movable portions and the plurality of supply of the plurality of weighing hoppers The stepping motor when the stepping motor is operated with a predetermined number of pulses and the movable portion continuously moves twice when checking the operation of any one of the movable portions of the hopper. Is configured to detect an initial phase of each of the output shafts, and detect an abnormal operation of the movable portion of the hopper based on a difference between these initial phases.
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The arithmetic and control unit, when performing at least one of the operation check of each of the movable portions of the movable portions and the plurality of supply hoppers of the plurality of weighing hoppers, the vibration waveform of the detection signal of the weight detector Configured to measure and detect an abnormal operation based on the vibration waveform;
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The arithmetic and control unit compares each movable part with that during the weighing operation when checking the operation of at least one of the movable parts of the plurality of weighing hoppers and the movable parts of the plurality of supply hoppers. Configured to work fast,
The combination weigher according to claim 5 or claim 6 . The display includes a touch panel type input unit,
Said arithmetic controller, on the display unit of the display, the start command of the operation check display the touch key to be input to the arithmetic and control unit via the input unit, the operation inspection is finished, the touch key Configured to not display,
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A plurality of memory hoppers into which objects to be weighed are thrown from the plurality of weighing hoppers provided below the plurality of weighing hoppers;
Each drive unit for operating each movable part of the plurality of memory hoppers,
The arithmetic controller is configured to operate each movable part of the plurality of memory hoppers and check the operation of these movable parts before checking the operation of each movable part of the plurality of weighing hoppers. ,
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A collective hopper into which objects to be weighed are input from the plurality of weighing hoppers provided below the plurality of weighing hoppers;
A drive unit for operating a movable part of the collective hopper,
The arithmetic controller operates the movable part of the collective hopper and checks the vibration waveform of the detection signal of the weight detector before checking the operation of each movable part of the plurality of weighing hoppers. Configured to detect an abnormal operation of the movable portion of the collective hopper based on a waveform;
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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