JP5346762B2 - How to monitor the power consumption of a combination weigher - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the power consumption of a combination weigher.

  In recent years, measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to prevent global warming have become an urgent issue in various fields, and countermeasures are required without exception in the field of combination weighers. Techniques related to reduction of power consumption, which is a general technique for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in a conveying device such as a vibration feeder of a combination weigher, include techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 below. .

  Patent Document 1 discloses a power consumption measurement test apparatus in which a low friction sheet and an intermediate sheet are interposed between an endless belt and a constant load object. According to this apparatus, when the conveyor belt is driven, almost no frictional force acts between the endless belt and the constant load object, so that a constant load is always loaded on the upper surface of the endless belt. It is stated that the power consumption can be measured, and that there is no error in the power consumption due to fluctuations in the load.

  Patent Document 2 describes the consumption characteristics of a conveyor belt by using elapsed time information, power consumption information of the conveyor belt, and temperature information of the installation area of the conveyor belt after the conveyor belt is mounted on the belt conveyor device. A method for evaluating a power consumption characteristic of a conveyor belt for obtaining a characteristic value to be expressed is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a transport drive roller in a control zone that does not require driving of a transport drive roller, that is, a control zone that does not transport a transported object downstream or accept a transported object from an upstream side. A zone controller is disclosed that can reduce unnecessary power consumption without being driven.

  In Patent Document 4, the output of the roots blower is changed according to the transport load at the time of transporting the granular material, and the roots blower is always operated with the minimum output. For example, when the transport load is large, the operation is performed at the rated output. In addition, there is disclosed a granular material conveyance system in which when the conveyance load is small, the rotational output of the roots blower drive motor is reduced to reduce the power consumption.

JP 2006-225150 A JP 2008-74525 A Japanese Patent No. 4122392 Japanese Patent No. 4244145

  By the way, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are merely techniques related to the reduction of the power consumption of a general transport device, so even if they can be applied as they are in the field of combination weighers, there are the following problems. Conceivable. That is, in the combination weigher, there is a particular situation that most of the electric power of the combination weigher is consumed for driving the vibration feeder and the hopper gate. For this reason, even if it can be applied as it is in the field of combination weighers, it does not take into account the particular circumstances of combination weighers as described above, so it is not a drastic measure in the field of combination weighers, and power can be efficiently used. It is thought that consumption cannot be reduced.

As described above, in the combination weigher, there is a particular situation that most of the electric power of the combination weigher is consumed to drive the vibration feeder and the hopper gate. Therefore, when driving the vibration feeder and hopper gate, operation parameters (vibration width and operation time of the vibration feeder, target weight of the object to be weighed, hopper combination weight, operation speed (for example, combination weight per unit time), hopper gate drive mechanism ( For example, the power consumption can be efficiently reduced by appropriately setting or adjusting the driving current of the stepping motor or the like).
It is necessary to set or adjust the operation parameters of the combination weigher for each product type or for each target weight. For example, if the types are different (for example, in the case of candy and potato chips), it is necessary to adjust the vibration width of the vibration feeder, the drive current of the hopper gate drive mechanism, and the like. If the target weight is different even for the same product type (for example, in the case of a candy packaged with 100 g and a candy packaged with 200 g), it is necessary to similarly adjust the vibration width of the vibration feeder, the drive current of the hopper gate drive mechanism, and the like. .

  It is known that putting an appropriate amount of objects to be weighed into a hopper leads to improvement in combination accuracy and operation speed of the combination weigher. Therefore, in order to adjust the input amount to the hopper, the vibration width of the vibration feeder is usually adjusted. However, when the supply amount to the vibration feeder is small, even if the vibration width of the vibration feeder is increased, the feeder conveyance amount will gradually decrease even if it increases momentarily. And it cannot always be said that it contributes to the improvement of driving speed.

  Therefore, the method for monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher according to the present invention is such that the object to be weighed is conveyed to a plurality of hoppers by the vibration of the vibration feeder, and the hopper according to the target weight to be discharged from the hopper. The combination feeder repeatedly monitors the power consumption of the combination weigher, which opens the hopper gate of the hopper included in the determined combination and discharges the object to be weighed. Alternatively, the power consumption consumed by driving the hopper is measured, a power consumption index for reducing power consumption is calculated based on the measured power consumption, and the calculated power consumption index is displayed on a display. I will do it.

  According to the above method, the specific situation of the combination weigher that most of the electric power of the combination weigher is consumed to drive the vibration feeder and the hopper gate can be considered to the maximum. It is possible to notify whether there is no waste of power consumption when driving the hopper gate. Thereby, the energy saving operation of the combination weigher can be easily realized.

  In the method of monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher, the power consumption index includes the power consumption during standby of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper, the power consumption of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper, and the It may be at least one of the average power consumption during the operation time of the vibration feeder and / or the combination weigher of the hopper.

  According to the above method, the operator can monitor the power consumption, power consumption, or average power consumption during standby of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper to reduce the power consumption of the combination weigher. Appropriate and prompt measures can be taken.

  In the method of monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher, the power consumption index calculated for each of the objects to be weighed is stored in association with the object ID to be assigned to each of the objects to be weighed. Further, among the power consumption indicators, the power consumption indicators respectively associated with the plurality of object IDs may be displayed on the display so as to be comparable.

  According to said method, the operator can verify about the setting or adjustment of the operation parameter of the combination scale for every to-be-measured item ID by comparing the power consumption parameter | index for every to-be-measured item ID. For example, if the power consumption index of a certain object ID reflects that the waste of power consumption is prominent and worse than the power consumption index of other object IDs, the operator In order to reduce the consumption, it is possible to take measures such as resetting or readjusting the operation parameters of the combination weigher of the certain object ID.

  In the method of monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher, the power consumption index is an average power consumption during the operation time of the combination weigher of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper, and the weighing of the object to be weighed For each object ID, the total weight of the objects weighed discharged during the operation time of the combination weigher is calculated, and the calculated total weight is stored in association with the object ID. Based on the result of collating the magnitude relationship of the total weight for each weighing object ID and the magnitude relationship of the average power consumption for each of the weighing object IDs, for each of the weighing object IDs stored. It is also possible to determine whether or not the average power consumption is appropriate and to highlight the average power consumption determined to be invalid on the display.

  By the above method, the operator can easily specify the operation of the combination weigher related to the workpiece ID for which the average power consumption is not appropriate. For example, between the operation of the combination weigher with respect to the object to be weighed (1) whose weighing object ID is the kind (1) and the operation of the combination weigher with the weighing object (2) whose weighing object ID is the kind (2). When the total discharge weight of the object to be weighed (1) is larger than the total discharge weight of the object to be weighed (2), the average power consumption during the operation of the combination weigher related to the object to be weighed (1) is It is expected to be larger than the average power consumption during operation of the combination weigher regarding (2). Therefore, when the average power consumption during the operation of the combination weigher relating to the object to be weighed (2) is larger than the average power consumption during the operation of the combination weigher relating to the object to be weighed (1), Since it is considered that there was some problem in the setting or adjustment of the operation parameters of the combination weigher related to 2), the average power consumption during operation of the combination weigher related to the object to be weighed (2) is highlighted on the power consumption indicator. . Then, the operator can easily grasp that the average power consumption during the operation of the combination weigher with respect to the object to be weighed (2) is not appropriate by the highlighting, so that the power consumption can be reduced. It is possible to take measures such as resetting or readjusting the operation parameters for the object to be weighed (2).

  In the method of monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher, the power consumption index calculated for each weighing object is associated with the weighing object ID of the weighing object and the date when the power consumption index is calculated. The stored power consumption index is displayed on the display unit so as to be able to compare the power consumption index associated with the measured object ID and a plurality of the dates. You may do it.

  By the above method, the operator can verify the setting or adjustment of the operation parameter of the combination weigher for each date by comparing the power consumption index for each date with respect to a certain object ID. For example, if a power consumption index on a certain date reflects that the waste of power consumption is prominently worse than the power consumption index on other dates, the operator can operate the combination weigher on that date. It can be easily assumed that there has been a problem in the setting or adjustment of the parameters, which can be used for the future operation of the combination weigher.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the power consumption parameter | index for reducing the power consumption of a combination scale efficiently can be provided with respect to an operator, and a power consumption can be reduced efficiently by extension.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power consumption measuring system for the combination weigher according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power consumption notification screen in the combination weigher of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the average power consumption notification screen for each product type in the combination weigher of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an average power consumption time change notification screen in the combination weigher of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the average power consumption verification process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described 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.

[Overall configuration of combination weigher]
Below, the whole structure of the combination scale which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the combination weigher according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power consumption measuring system of the combination weigher 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The combination weigher 200 conveys an object to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 to a plurality of hoppers (supply hopper 10, weighing hopper 12, etc.) by vibration of a vibration feeder (main feeder 4, linear feeder 6, etc.). An operation of determining an optimum combination of hoppers according to a target weight to be discharged from a plurality of hoppers, opening a hopper gate participating in the determined combination, and discharging an object to be measured to a packaging machine (not shown). Is a weighing device.

  The supply device 1 is a device that is disposed above the conical top cone 3 of the combination weigher 200 and supplies an object to be weighed to the combination weigher 200. The supply device 1 is configured by, for example, a trough that is a large and slender container with a vibrator attached thereto. When an object to be weighed is placed in the trough and the object to be weighed is vibrated using a vibrator, the object to be weighed is conveyed through the trough by vibration. In addition, the supply apparatus 1 may be comprised with the belt conveyor by which the some container was arrange | positioned on the row | line | column. Further, the supply device 1 has a discharge port 1 </ b> A for an object to be weighed at a position facing the top of the top cone 3. From this discharge port 1A, the object to be weighed conveyed in the trough is discharged toward the top of the cone of the top cone 3.

  The combination scale 200 includes a controller 7, a level detector 2, a top cone 3, a main feeder 4, a plurality of linear feeder pans 5, a plurality of linear feeders 6, a plurality of supply hoppers 10, and a plurality of supply hoppers 10. It has a weight sensor 8, a plurality of weighing hoppers 12, a plurality of memory hoppers 15, a collecting chute 17, a discharge chute 18, and an operation setting display 9. In FIG. 1, only one set (head) is shown for the linear feeder 6, the supply hopper 10, the weight sensor 8, the weighing hopper 12, and the memory hopper 15 for simplification, and the other sets are omitted. ing.

  The controller 7 controls the overall combination weigher 200. The controller 7 includes an A / D conversion unit, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a memory unit such as a RAM and a ROM, a feeder and a hopper drive unit. In FIG. 2, a CPU 70, a memory 71, and an A / D conversion circuit 72 are shown as a part of the configuration of the controller 7. The controller 7 may have a centralized configuration with a single CPU 70 or a distributed configuration with a plurality of CPUs 70.

The level detector 2 is a photoelectric detector that is disposed near the top cone 3 and detects the amount (level) of an object to be weighed on the top cone 3. The detection result of the level detector 2 is transmitted to the controller 7. Based on the detection result of the level detector 2, the controller 7 controls the supply operation of the object to be weighed by the supply device 1 so as to keep the object to be weighed on the top cone 3 at a constant amount.
The main feeder 4 is a conical vibration feeder that vibrates the top cone 3 placed on the vibrator 41. Further, the main feeder 4 is driven by a main feeder driving circuit 40 that drives the vibrator 41 as shown in FIG. The objects to be weighed supplied from the discharge port 1 </ b> A of the supply device 1 to the top cone 3 are uniformly distributed radially in the top cone 3 by the vibration energy of the main feeder 4. In order to uniformly distribute the objects to be weighed, the controller 7 automatically controls the vibration width and operation time of the main feeder 4 based on an operation instruction of the operation setting display 9 by the operator.

  A plurality of linear feeder pans 5 are arranged in a circle around the top cone 3, and are a type of trough that receives an object to be weighed from the top cone 3 and supplies it downstream.

  The linear feeder 6 is a feeder that includes the linear feeder pan 5 and a vibrator 61 that is arranged for each linear feeder pan 5 around the main feeder 4 and vibrates the linear feeder pan 5. Further, the linear feeder 6 is driven by a linear feeder driving circuit 60 that drives the vibrator 61 as shown in FIG. The object to be weighed placed on the linear feeder pan 5 is linearly conveyed by the vibration energy of the linear feeder 6 (exactly the vibrator 61), and the object to be weighed is supplied to the supply hopper 10. In order to supply an appropriate amount of an object to be weighed to the supply hopper 10, the controller 7 automatically controls the vibration width and operation time of the linear feeder 6 based on the operation instruction of the operation setting display 9 by the operator. .

  The supply hopper 10 is a hopper that is circularly arranged downstream of the linear feeder pan 5, receives an object to be weighed sent from the linear feeder pan 5, and supplies it to the weighing hopper 12 arranged further downstream. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply hopper 10 is driven by a hopper gate, a motor 101 that opens and closes the hopper gate, and a supply hopper drive circuit 100 that drives the motor 101. Based on the instruction from the controller 7, the supply hopper 10 opens the hopper gate when the weighing hopper 12 becomes empty, and discharges the object to be weighed to the weighing hopper 12.

  The weighing hopper 12 is a hopper that is disposed downstream of the supply hopper 10, receives an object to be weighed supplied from the supply hopper 10, and supplies it to the memory hopper 15 or the collecting chute 17 disposed further downstream. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing hopper 12 includes an inner hopper gate 13, an outer hopper gate 14, a motor 121 that opens and closes the inner and outer hopper gates 13, 14, and a weighing hopper drive circuit 120 that drives the motor 121. It has. The weighing hopper 12 opens the inner hopper gate 13 when supplying an object to be measured to the memory hopper 15 and opens the outer hopper gate 14 when supplying an object to the collecting chute 17 based on an instruction from the controller 7. . Further, the weighing hopper 12 is attached with a weight sensor 8 for measuring the weight of an object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 12. The detection result of the weight sensor 8 is transmitted to the controller 7. The controller 7 should discharge the object to be weighed from the plurality of weighing hoppers 12 based on the current detection result of the weight sensor 8 and the weight measured in advance for the object to be weighed held in the memory hopper 15. A combination of the weighing hoppers 12 is obtained, and control is performed to open the hopper gate of the weighing hopper 12 selected for the combination.

  The memory hopper 15 is arranged downstream of the inner hopper gate 13 of the weighing hopper 12 in order to increase the number of hoppers that can participate in the combination calculation in addition to the weighing hopper 12, and is to be weighed from the inner hopper gate 13 of the weighing hopper 12. It is a hopper that holds objects. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the memory hopper 15 includes an inner hopper gate 13, a motor 151 that opens and closes the inner hopper gate 13, and a memory hopper drive circuit 150 that drives the motor 151. When the memory hopper 15 participates in a combination to be discharged based on an instruction from the controller 7, the memory hopper 15 opens the inner hopper gate 16 and supplies the objects to be weighed to the collecting chute 17.

  The collecting chute 17 is disposed downstream of the outer hopper gate 14 of the weighing hopper 12, collects the objects to be weighed discharged from the outer hopper gate 14, and supplies them to the discharge chute 18 downstream. The discharge chute 18 receives the objects to be weighed supplied from the collecting chute 17 and discharges it to a packaging machine (not shown).

  The operation setting display 9 is communicably connected to the controller 7 and can set the operation parameters of the combination weigher 200. The “operating parameters” that can be set by the operator include the vibration width and operating time of the vibration feeder, the target weight of the object to be weighed, and the like. In addition, the operation setting display 9 can display the operation parameters set by the operator and the operation status of the combination weigher 200. The displayable “operation status” includes the combination status, the hopper combination weight, the operation speed, and the total value of the combination result.

  Furthermore, the operation setting display 9 can display a power consumption notification screen 301 shown in FIG. 3, an average power consumption notification screen 401 classified by product type shown in FIG. 4, and an average power consumption temporal change notification screen 501 shown in FIG. it can. Details of these screen displays will be described later.

[Configuration of power measurement system for combination weighers]
Below, the structure of the power consumption measuring system of the combination weigher 200 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.

  The power consumption measuring system shown in the figure includes the total power consumption of the combination weigher 200, the power consumption of the vibration feeder (main feeder driving circuit 40, linear feeder driving circuit 60), and the hopper (supply hopper driving circuit 100, weighing hopper). This is a system for measuring the power consumption of the drive circuit 120 and the memory hopper drive circuit 150).

  The power supply system of the combination weigher 200 is a power supply that distributes power toward the drive circuits (40, 60, 100, 120, and 15) connected to the secondary side of the original power source applied to the primary side (not shown). The circuit 50 is configured. In addition, the power supply circuit 50 is comprised by the transformer or power supply device which has the primary side coil | winding to which a source power supply is connected, and the secondary side coil | winding (not shown) according to the number of power supplies distributed, for example. Yes.

  An ammeter A1 and a voltmeter V1 are disposed on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50. Ammeters A2 to A6 and voltmeters V2 to V6 are disposed between the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50 and the drive circuits (40, 60, 100, 120, 15), respectively.

  The controller 7 includes a CPU 70, a memory 71, and an A / D conversion circuit 72. The measured values of the ammeters A1 to A6 and the voltmeters V1 to V6 provided on the primary side and the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50 are taken into the A / D conversion circuit 72 and converted into the memory 71 after being A / D converted. Is remembered. Based on the measured values of the ammeters A1 to A6 and the voltmeters V1 to V6 stored in the memory 71, the CPU 70 consumes the entire power of the combination weigher 200, the main feeder driving circuit 40, the linear feeder driving circuit 60, The power consumption of the supply hopper drive circuit 100, the weighing hopper drive circuit 120, and the memory hopper drive circuit 150 is calculated and stored in the memory 71. Each power consumption stored in the memory 71 is used for calculating a power consumption amount and an average power consumption, which will be described later.

  Since the voltage is substantially constant, the voltmeters V1 to V6 may be omitted. In this case, the power consumption of each drive circuit may be calculated based on the current values measured by the ammeters A1 to A6. Further, if a clamp-type ammeter is employed as the ammeters A1 to A6, the ammeters A1 to A6 can be configured without being incorporated in advance in the power supply system of the combination weigher 200.

  Further, although the power consumption is calculated by the controller 7 that controls the entire combination weigher 200, the power consumption may be calculated by a dedicated controller different from the controller 7.

[Power consumption notification screen]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a power consumption notification screen displayed on the operation setting display 9 in the combination weigher of FIG.

  A power consumption notification screen 301 shown in the figure represents a screen for notifying the operator of the power consumption amount and average power consumption of the vibration feeder and the hopper gate. The power consumption notification screen 301 includes a model number setting / display unit 302, a product name display unit 303, a standby power consumption display unit 305, an operating time display unit 306, a power consumption amount display unit 307, and an average power consumption display. A part 308 is provided.

  The product number setting / display unit 302 sets and displays the product number assigned to the object to be weighed (one form of “object ID”). Specifically, when the operator touches the product number setting / display unit 302, a predetermined setting screen appears, and the product number can be changed on the setting screen. In the combination weigher 200, about 100 types can be set.

  The product name display unit 303 displays a product name (one aspect of “weighing item ID”) associated with the item of the type number displayed on the type number setting / display unit 302.

  In the standby power consumption display unit 305, the original power supply unit (primary side of the power supply circuit 50), the main feeder 4, the linear feeder 6, and supply, which are obtained based on each power consumption stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The power consumption during standby of the hopper 10, the weighing hopper 12, and the memory hopper 15 (one aspect of “power consumption index”) is displayed.

  In the operation time display unit 306, the operation time of the combination weigher 200 is displayed.

  In the power consumption amount display unit 307, the main power source unit, the main feeder 4, the linear feeder 6, the supply hopper 10, during the operation of the combination weigher 200 obtained based on the power consumption stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7, The amount of power consumed in the weighing hopper 12 and the memory hopper 15 (one aspect of “power consumption index”) is displayed. Note that the power consumption is calculated by multiplying the power consumption stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7 by the operation time of the combination weigher 200. In the numerical example of the power consumption display unit 307 shown in FIG. 3, the total power consumption of the main feeder 4, the linear feeder 6, the supply hopper 10, the weighing hopper 12, and the memory hopper 15 is “6.215 Wh”. It can be seen that it accounts for about 72% of the power consumption of the power supply “8.104 kWh”.

  In the average power consumption display unit 308, the main power supply unit 4 (the primary side of the power supply circuit 50) and the main feeder 4 are obtained during the operation of the combination weigher 200 obtained based on the power consumption amount stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the linear feeder 6, the supply hopper 10, the weighing hopper 12, and the memory hopper 15 (one aspect of the “power consumption index”) is displayed. The average power consumption corresponds to the power consumption stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7.

  At the bottom of the power consumption notification screen 301, a recording switch 304 and a return switch 309, which are touch switches, are provided. When the operator touches the recording switch 304, the average power consumption displayed on the average power consumption display unit 308 is displayed on the product number or date / time display unit 310 displayed on the product number setting / display unit 302. The date is stored in a predetermined storage device (for example, the memory 71) in association with the date. Based on the data stored in the storage device, the average power consumption for each product type is displayed on the product-specific average power consumption notification screen 401 shown in FIG. 4, and the average power consumption time-change notification screen shown in FIG. In 501, average power consumption data for each date is displayed. The return switch 309 is used when returning to the screen that called this screen.

  With the configuration of the power consumption notification screen 301 described above, the operator can monitor the power consumption and average power consumption of the vibration feeder and hopper for each product type, and is there no waste in power consumption for each product type? Can be easily identified. In addition, the power consumption and average power consumption of each type of vibration feeder and hopper are greatly affected by the setting of the operating parameters of the vibration feeder and hopper for each type. By monitoring the power amount and the average power consumption, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not there is a problem in the setting of the operation parameters of the vibration feeder and the hopper for each product type.

  Further, by monitoring the power consumption during standby, for example, if the power consumption during standby is a numerical value that protrudes and is higher than the numerical value during operation of a normal combination weigher, the motors 101, 121, and 151 are stepped out. It can be predicted that biting has occurred. As a result, it becomes possible to make use for the subsequent operation of the combination weigher, for example, by adjusting the drive current, drive frequency, etc. of the motors 101, 121, 151.

[Average power consumption notification screen by product type]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the average power consumption notification screen for each product type displayed on the operation setting display 9 in the combination weigher of FIG.

  An average power consumption notification screen 401 for each product type shown in the figure represents a screen for notifying the operator of the average power consumption of the vibration feeder and hopper for each product type. Note that the product-specific average power consumption notification screen 401 includes a product number display unit 420, a date / time display unit 422, a product-based original power supply unit average power consumption display unit 402, a product-specific main feeder average power consumption display unit 403, and a product. A type linear feeder average power consumption display unit 404, a type-specific supply hopper average power consumption display unit 405, a type-specific weighing hopper average power consumption display unit 406, and a type-specific memory hopper average power consumption display unit 407 are provided.

  In the product number display section 420, the product number of the objects to be weighed is displayed in the number (6 in the example shown in FIG. 4) that can be displayed due to page restrictions on the product-specific average power consumption notification screen 401.

  The average power consumption display unit 402 for each type of original power supply unit displays the object to be weighed displayed on the type number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption of the main power supply unit stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the original power supply unit for each type number is displayed.

  In the main feeder average power consumption display unit 403 by type, the type of the object to be weighed displayed on the type number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption amount of the main feeder 4 stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the main feeder 4 for each number is displayed.

  In the type-specific linear feeder average power consumption display unit 404, the type of the object to be weighed displayed on the type number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption of the linear feeder 6 stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 for each number is displayed.

  In the supply hopper average power consumption display unit 405 classified by product type, the type of the object to be weighed displayed on the product number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption amount of the supply hopper 10 stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the supply hopper 10 for each number is displayed.

  In the type-specific weighing hopper average power consumption display unit 406, the type of the object to be weighed displayed on the type number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption amount of the weighing hopper 12 stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The average power consumption of the weighing hopper 12 for each number is displayed.

  In the type-specific memory hopper average power consumption display unit 407, the type of the weighing object displayed on the type number display unit 420 obtained based on the power consumption of the memory hopper 15 stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7 The average power consumption of the memory hopper 15 for each number is displayed.

  Display changeover switches 408 and 409, a recording switch 410, and a return switch 411 are provided at the lower part of the average power consumption notification screen 401 for each product type. When the operator touches the display changeover switch 408 or 409, the product number displayed on the product number display unit 420 and the average power consumption displayed on each display unit are switched accordingly. For example, each time the display changeover switch 408 or 409 is touched by the operator, the product number may be switched one by one. When the display changeover switch 408 or 409 is touched by the operator, the average power consumption by product type The notification screen 401 may be switched in units of pages. When the operator touches the recording switch 410, all or part of the average power consumption data displayed on the average power consumption notification screen 401 for each product type is stored in a predetermined storage device (for example, the memory 71). . The return switch 411 is used when returning to the screen that called this screen.

  In addition, in the average power consumption notification screen 401 for each type shown in FIG. 4, the average power consumption is not displayed for the type (8) and the type (9). This indicates that the balance 200 has not been operated.

  In addition, in the average power consumption notification screen 401 for each type shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the column relating to the type (7) of the average power consumption display unit 403 for each type is represented by diagonal lines. Thus, it is determined that the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (7) is not valid and is highlighted. Note that the above-described highlighting is, for example, a reversal display of the numerical value in the above-mentioned column and the other part, or a change in the display color of the numerical value in the above-mentioned column.

  With the configuration of the average power consumption notification screen 401 for each product type, the operator can compare the average power consumption of the vibration feeder and the hopper for each product type and check whether there is any waste in power consumption for each product type. Can be determined. Specifically, using the example shown in FIG. 4, the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (7) in the product-specific main feeder average power consumption display unit 403 is the product types (5) and (6). The average power consumption of the main feeder 4 is “174 (W)” which is prominent compared to “160 (W), 162 (W)”. Therefore, the type (7) column of the type-specific main feeder average power consumption display unit 403 is highlighted, and the operator can determine that the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 related to the type (7) is the normal combination scale 200. It can be understood that there is a problem in the setting of the operation parameters of the main feeder 4 with respect to the product type (7).

[Average power consumption over time notification screen]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an average power consumption change with time display screen displayed on the operation setting display 9 in the combination weigher of FIG.

  The average power consumption aging change notification screen 501 shown in the figure represents a screen for notifying the operator of the history information by date of the average power consumption of the vibration feeder and hopper for each type of object to be weighed. . The average power consumption aging change notification screen 501 includes a product number display unit 506, a product name display unit 507, a date / time display unit 508, and an average power consumption display unit 502 by year / month / day.

The product number display unit 506 displays the product number of the object to be weighed. In the product name display unit 507, the product name associated with the object having the product number displayed in the product number display unit 506 is displayed. The date / time display unit 508 displays the current date / time and time.
The year-month-day average power consumption display unit 502 associates the product with the type number of the object to be measured displayed on the type number display unit 506, which is obtained based on the power consumption stored in the memory 71 of the controller 7. The measured average power consumption is displayed in the order of the measured date. It should be noted that the model number average power consumption is displayed as many as the number that can be displayed on the average power consumption aging change notification screen 501 due to restrictions (“6” in the example shown in FIG. 5).

  Display changeover switches 504 and 505, an erasure switch 503, and a return switch 505 are provided at the bottom of the average power consumption aging change notification screen 501. When the operator touches the display changeover switch 504 or 505, the average power consumption displayed on the year-month-day average power consumption display unit 502 is switched. For example, every time the display changeover switch 504 or 505 is touched by the operator, the average power consumption by date may be switched. When the display changeover switch 504 or 505 is touched by the worker, the average consumption is changed. The power aging change notification screen 501 may be switched in units of pages. In addition, when the worker touches and selects one of the year-month-day average power consumption displayed on the year-month-day average power consumption display unit 502 and touches the delete switch 503, the selected year is displayed. The average daily power consumption is erased from a predetermined storage device (for example, the memory 71). The return switch 505 is used to return to the screen that called this screen.

Further, in the average power consumption aging change notification screen 501 shown in FIG. 5, the column of the main feeder 4 in the year-month-day average power consumption display section 502 related to the product (7) is highlighted (represented by diagonal lines in FIG. 5). This indicates that the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (7) is determined to be invalid by the average power consumption verification process described later.
With the configuration of the above average power consumption time change notification screen 501, the operator can easily compare the average power consumption of the vibration feeder and the hopper for each year and determine whether there is no waste in power consumption. can do. Specifically, using the example shown in FIG. 5, regarding the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (7) in the average power consumption display unit 502 by date, “June 22, 2009” The average power consumption is “174 (W)” which is prominent compared with the average power consumption of other dates. For this reason, the column of the main feeder 4 of “June 22, 2009” in the year-month-day average power consumption display section 502 is highlighted, and the operator can select the main feeder 4 related to the product type (7). The average power consumption is not an appropriate value for the operation of the normal combination weigher 200, and it can be understood that there is a problem in the setting of the operation parameters of the main feeder 4 with respect to the type (7).

[Average power consumption verification process]
In the average power consumption verification process of the present embodiment, the average power consumption for each product type calculated based on the measured values of the ammeters A1 to A6 and the voltmeters V1 to V6 is used as an object to be weighed per unit time for each product type. The average power consumption for each type is appropriate for the operation of the normal combination weigher 200, and further, whether the operation parameters of the combination weigher 200 are appropriate are automatically checked. It is a process to verify. Below, the flow of an average power consumption verification process is demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the average power consumption verification process shown in FIG. 6 is intended only for verification of the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 and the linear feeder 6 in order to simplify the description.

  The controller 7 drives the main feeder on the basis of the measured values of the ammeters A1 and A2 and the voltmeters V1 and V2 shown in FIG. 2 every time the weighing object is measured (operation of the combination weigher 200). Each power consumption and each average power consumption of the circuit 40 and the linear feeder drive circuit 60 are calculated.

  Further, the controller 7 measures the objects to be processed per unit time for each kind of goods (here, n kinds are assumed) every time the objects to be weighed (operation of the combination weigher 200) are performed. Is calculated (step S601). The total weight of the objects to be weighed is calculated by multiplying the target weight set as the operation parameter of a certain product program by the operation speed measured as the operation status of the product program.

  Next, the controller 7 determines whether or not the total weight of the objects to be weighed of the type (1) is larger (heavy) than the total weight of the type (2) (step S602). When the total weight of the weighing object of the product number (1) is larger (heavy) than the total weight of the product type (2) (step S602: YES), the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (1) is the product type (1). It is determined whether it is larger than the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of 2) (step S603).

  Here, when the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (1) is larger than the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (2) (step S603: YES), the total weight of the objects to be weighed is Since it is consistent with the relationship (step S602: YES), it is determined that the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (2) is appropriate for the normal operation of the combination weigher 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, when the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (1) is smaller than the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (2) (step S603: NO), the above relationship of the total weight of the objects to be weighed. Since it is not consistent with (Step S602: YES), it is determined that the average power consumption of the main feeder 4 of the product type (2) is not appropriate in the normal operation of the combination weigher 200. Then, a predetermined warning flag related to the main feeder 4 is set (step S604). The predetermined warning flag is a flag serving as a trigger for highlighting in the product-specific main feeder average power consumption display unit 403 of the product-specific average power consumption notification screen 401 shown in FIG.

  Next, the controller 7 determines whether the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (1) is larger than the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (2) (step S605). Here, when the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (1) is larger than the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (2) (step S605: YES), the total weight of the object to be weighed is Since it is consistent with the relationship (step S602: YES), it is determined that the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (2) is appropriate for the normal operation of the combination weigher 200. On the other hand, when the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (1) is smaller than the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the product type (2) (step S605: NO), the above relationship of the total weight of the objects to be weighed. Since it is not consistent with (Step S602: YES), it is determined that the average power consumption of the linear feeder 6 of the type (2) is not appropriate in the normal operation of the combination weigher 200. Then, a predetermined warning flag related to the linear feeder 6 is set (step S606). The predetermined warning flag is a flag that triggers highlighting in the product-specific linear feeder average power consumption display unit 404 of the product-specific average power consumption notification screen 401 shown in FIG.

  If the total weight of the object to be weighed with the product number (1) is smaller (lighter) than the total weight of the product type (2) (step S602: NO), the same processing as the processing from the above steps S602 to S606. Is performed for all the combinations of the remaining two varieties selected from the n varieties. FIG. 6 shows steps S607 to S611 related to the combination of the product type (n-1) and the product type (n).

  By the above average power consumption verification process, the operator can immediately grasp the operation of the combination weigher related to the product number for which the average power consumption is not appropriate. In addition, the operator can take measures such as resetting or readjustment of operation parameters related to the product number for which the average power consumption is not appropriate.

  From the foregoing description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is useful for a combination weigher that should efficiently reduce power consumption, and is particularly useful for a combination weigher employed in a small-lot, high-variety packaging factory in which setting and adjustment of operation parameters are complicated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 10 Supply hopper 100 Supply hopper drive circuit 101 Motor 12 Weighing hopper 120 Weigh hopper drive circuit 121 Motor 13 Inner hopper gate 14 Outer hopper gate 15 Memory hopper 150 Memory hopper drive circuit 151 Motor 16 Inner hopper gate 17 Collecting chute 18 Discharge chute 2 Level Detector 3 Top cone 4 Main feeder 40 Main feeder drive circuit 41 Vibrator 5 Linear feeder pan 50 Power supply circuit 6 Linear feeder 60 Linear feeder drive circuit 61 Vibrator 7 Controller 70 CPU
71 Memory 72 A / D conversion circuit 8 Weight sensor 9 Operation setting display 200 Combination scale 301 Power consumption notification screen 302 Product number setting / display unit 303 Product name display unit 304 Recording switch 305 Standby power consumption display unit 306 Operating time display Unit 307 power consumption display unit 308 average power consumption display unit 309 return switch 310 year / month / day / time display unit 401 average power consumption notification screen by product type 402 original power supply unit average power consumption display unit by product type main feeder average power consumption by product type Display unit 404 Product type linear feeder average power consumption display unit 405 Product type supply hopper average power consumption display unit 406 Product type measurement hopper average power consumption display unit 407 Product type memory hopper average power consumption display unit 408 Display changeover switch 410 Recording switch 411 Return switch 420 type number display section 42 Date and time display 501 Average power consumption changes over time notification screen,
502 Average power consumption display by date 503 Erase switch 504 Display changeover switch 505 Return switch 506 Product number display unit 507 Product name display unit 508 Date display unit V1 to V6 Voltmeter (power consumption meter)
A1-A6 Ammeter (Power consumption meter)

Claims (5)

The objects to be weighed are conveyed to a plurality of hoppers by the vibration of the vibration feeder, the hopper combination corresponding to the target weight to be discharged from the hopper is determined, and the hopper gates of the hopper included in the determined combination are determined. A method of monitoring the power consumption of a combination weigher that repeats the operation of opening and discharging the object to be weighed,
Measure power consumption consumed by driving the vibration feeder and / or the hopper,
Calculate a power consumption index for power consumption reduction based on the measured power consumption,
Display the calculated power consumption index on a display;
A method of monitoring the power consumption of a combination weigher. The power consumption index includes the power consumption during standby of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper, the power consumption amount of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper, and the operation time of the combination weigher of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper. Is at least one of the average power consumption in the
A method for monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher according to claim 1. Storing the power consumption index calculated for each weighing object in association with the weighing object ID assigned to each weighing object;
In the stored power consumption index, the power consumption index associated with each of the plurality of object IDs is displayed on the display so as to be comparable.
A method for monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher according to claim 1. The power consumption index is an average power consumption during the operation time of the combination feeder of the vibration feeder and / or the hopper,
For each weighing object ID of the weighing object, calculate the total weight of the weighing object discharged during the operation time of the combination weigher,
Storing the calculated total weight in association with the object ID;
Based on the result of collating the magnitude relationship of the total weight for each of the stored object IDs and the magnitude relationship of the average power consumption for each of the stored object IDs, the stored object to be weighed It is determined whether the average power consumption for each object ID is appropriate,
The average power consumption determined to be invalid is highlighted on the display.
A method for monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher according to claim 3. Storing the power consumption index calculated for each weighing object in association with the weighing object ID of the weighing object and the date when the power consumption index is calculated;
In the stored power consumption index, the power consumption index associated with each of the object ID and a plurality of the dates is displayed on the display so as to be comparable.
A method for monitoring the power consumption of the combination weigher according to claim 1.

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