JP5752443B2 - Combination scale - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination weigher for weighing objects to be weighed such as vegetables, fruits or confectionery.

  Generally, objects to be weighed such as vegetables and fruits that have been weighed with a combination weigher to have a predetermined weight are packaged by a packaging machine, for example.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a conventional combination weigher of Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  In this combination weigher, an object to be weighed is supplied from a supply device 30 to a conical central portion of a main feeder (dispersion feeder) 31, and the main feeder 31 sends out the object to be weighed toward the peripheral portion by vibration. Are conveyed to a plurality of linear feeders 32 that are radially installed around the periphery of the apparatus.

  A vibration device is attached to the plurality of linear feeders 32, and each linear feeder 32 is vibrated to convey an object to be weighed and put into the plurality of supply hoppers 33. The plurality of supply hoppers 33 temporarily hold the objects to be weighed, open the discharge gate 34, and put the objects to be weighed into the weighing hoppers 35 disposed below the supply hoppers 33. In each weighing hopper 35, the weight of the object to be weighed is measured by the weight sensor 36, and a control unit (not shown) performs a combination operation based on the measured value, so that the total of the measured values matches the combined target weight. The closest combination of the weighing hoppers 35 is obtained, the discharge gate 37 of the weighing hopper 35 selected in this combination is opened, the objects to be weighed are discharged, and the packaging hopper 39 is inserted through the collecting chute 38, Packaging is performed by a packaging machine 39.

  In such a conventional combination weigher, a level detector for detecting the level of the object to be weighed is provided above the main feeder 31, and an allowable upper limit and an allowable lower limit are set, respectively, so that the object to be weighed on the main feeder 31 is allowed. When it is detected that the lower limit has been reached, supply of the objects to be weighed to the main feeder 31 by the supply device 30 is started, and when it is detected that the objects to be weighed on the main feeder 31 have reached the allowable upper limit, There is one in which the supply of an object to be weighed to the main feeder 31 by the supply device 30 is stopped (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 62-1113024 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-179616

  In the combination weigher of the above-mentioned patent document 2, when it is detected that the amount of the objects to be weighed on the main feeder 31 is reduced and the allowable lower limit is reached as described above, the feeding operation of the objects to be weighed by the feeding device 30 is performed. For example, when the input of the object to be weighed into the supply device 30 itself is delayed, even if the supply operation is started, the object to be actually weighed from the supply device 30 onto the main feeder 31 is started. Is to be supplied, while the object to be weighed on the main feeder 31 is lost, and the object to be weighed is supplied from the supply device 30 to the main feeder 31 in a state where there is no object to be weighed. There is.

  Thus, when an object to be weighed is supplied from the supply device 30 in a state where there is no object to be weighed on the main feeder 31, for example, a height difference (fall) between the supply device 30 and the main feeder 31 may be large. In the case where the object to be weighed is an object that is easy to roll, such as bell pepper, onion or potato, the object to be weighed supplied from the supply device 30 to the conical central portion of the main feeder 31 is the main feeder. 31 and the linear feeder 32 may roll to reach the supply hopper 33 and be put into the supply hopper 33 in some cases. In such a case, an object to be weighed is supplied to the supply hopper 33 in an excessive amount from the original input amount that should be input by the vibration of the linear feeder 32. As a result of being supplied from 33 to the weighing hopper 35, the combination accuracy in the combination calculation is lowered, and the yield is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and prevents a reduction in combination accuracy and yield when an object to be weighed is supplied from a supply device with a delay. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The combination weigher of the present invention includes a dispersion unit that disperses an object to be weighed supplied from a supply device, a detection unit that detects the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit, and a periphery of the dispersion unit. A plurality of conveyance units that are respectively disposed in the distribution unit and are to be distributed by the dispersion unit and discharged from the conveyance end, and are arranged corresponding to the respective conveyance units and discharged from the conveyance end. A plurality of supply parts for holding the objects to be weighed and supplying the objects to be weighed downward, and corresponding to each supply part, and holding the objects to be weighed supplied from each supply part, A plurality of weighing units that weigh the weight of the held weighing object, and a weighing object that is measured by the weighing unit while controlling the supply of the weighing object by the supply device based on the detection output of the detection unit. And a calculation control unit that performs combination calculation based on the measured value of the object. A combination weigher that,
A weighing object sensor for detecting a weighing object at each conveyance end of each conveyance unit;
The arithmetic control unit stops the operation of the dispersing unit when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersing unit is less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detecting unit, and
The operation of the combination weigher is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped , and the combination calculation is not performed when the object to be weighed at the transport end of the transport unit is not detected by the object sensor. Is.

  The lower limit of dispersion is preferably set in advance.

  According to the combination weigher of the present invention, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion part becomes less than the dispersion lower limit value, the operation of the dispersion part is stopped, so that the object to be weighed in the dispersion part is further dispersed and its surroundings The object to be weighed exists in the dispersing unit without being transferred to the conveying unit.

  Therefore, even when the supply of the object to be weighed from the supply device to the dispersion unit is delayed, the object to be weighed exists in the dispersion unit. For this reason, when an object to be weighed that easily rolls from the supply device to the dispersion unit is dropped and supplied, the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit prevents the object to be weighed and dropped from the supply device from rolling. Acting as a wall, it is possible to effectively prevent an object to be weighed supplied from the supply device to the dispersion unit from rolling over the dispersion unit and the conveyance unit and being put into the supply unit in an excessive amount. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of objects to be weighed from the supply unit to the weighing unit, and to prevent a reduction in combination accuracy and yield.

As above mentioned, the amount of the objects to be weighed in the dispersion unit is equal to or less than the variance lower limit, since stopping the operation of the distributed portion, each transport unit around the dispersing section, is not supplied the objects to be weighed . If the operation is continued in this state, the objects to be weighed in the respective transport units will be transported to the supply unit and will eventually disappear, and it will no longer be possible to supply the objects to be weighed to each supply unit and further to each weighing unit. The number of parts decreases and the yield decreases.

According to the present invention , when the object to be weighed at the transport end of the transport unit is not detected by the object sensor , the arithmetic control unit does not perform the combination calculation because the object to be weighed in the transport unit is lost. Therefore, a decrease in yield can be prevented.

(2) In a preferred embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, the dispersion unit has a main feeder that disperses the object to be weighed by vibration, and the transport unit has a linear feeder that conveys the object to be weighed by vibration. The supply unit is a supply hopper that inputs the held object to be weighed into the weighing unit, the weighing unit is a weighing hopper that measures the weight of the object to be weighed by a weight sensor, and the calculation control unit is the controls the driving of the main feeder and linear feeder is configured to control the opening and closing of the gates for the insertion of the feed hopper, before Symbol arithmetic control unit, based on the detection output of the detector, the When the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit becomes less than the lower limit of dispersion, the main feeder is stopped to stop the operation of the dispersion unit, and the operation of the dispersion unit Continued operation of the combination weigher in a state of stopping, when the objects to be weighed in the conveying end of the linear feeder is not detected by the objects to be weighed sensor stops the opening and closing control of the gate for the introduction of the feed hopper The combination calculation is substantially stopped.

According to this embodiment, when an object to be weighed is delayed and supplied from the supply device to the main feeder, even if the object to be weighed is an object that easily rolls, This acts as a wall that prevents rolling of the objects to be weighed dropped from the supply device, and the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device to the main feeder roll over the main feeder and the linear feeder and are thrown into the supply hopper excessively. Can be effectively prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of objects to be weighed from the supply hopper to the weighing hopper and to prevent a reduction in combination accuracy and yield.
Furthermore, even if the linear feeder is driven, if the weighing object sensor at the transport end of the linear feeder is not detected by the weighing object sensor, it is assumed that the weighing object in the linear feeder is gone, and the gate control for opening the supply hopper is opened. And the combination calculation is substantially stopped, so that when the objects to be weighed are not inserted and the number of weighing hoppers that cannot participate in the combination calculation increases, the combination calculation is stopped and the yield decreases. Can be prevented.

(3) In another embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit becomes equal to or greater than the dispersion upper limit value based on the detection output of the detection unit, The operation of the stopped dispersion unit is resumed.
The dispersion upper limit value is preferably set in advance.
According to this embodiment, when the object to be weighed is supplied from the supply device to the dispersion unit and the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit recovers to the dispersion upper limit value or more, the operation of the dispersion unit can be resumed.
(4) In another preferred embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, the calculation control unit controls driving of the transport unit based on a detection output of the object sensor, and the transport unit When the object to be weighed at the transport end is not detected by the object sensor, the transport unit is driven until the object to be weighed is detected by the object sensor.
According to this embodiment, when the object to be weighed at the conveying end of the conveying unit is not detected by the object sensor, the conveying unit is driven until it is detected, so that the operation of the dispersing unit is stopped as described above. Even when the object to be weighed is not supplied to the transport unit and the object to be weighed in the transport unit is also lost, the transport unit is driven. Therefore, when the operation of the dispersion unit is restarted and the object to be weighed is supplied from the dispersion unit to the transport unit, the object to be weighed can be immediately transported to the transport end.
( 5 ) In another preferred embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, the calculation control unit is configured such that the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit is less than the supply lower limit value based on the detection output of the detection unit. The supply device starts the supply operation of the object to be weighed. When the supply upper limit value is exceeded, the supply device stops the supply operation of the object to be weighed, so that the supply device supplies the dispersion unit. The supply amount of the object to be weighed is controlled so as to be within a predetermined setting range, the dispersion lower limit value is less than or equal to the supply lower limit value, and the dispersion upper limit value is the supply upper limit value. Below the value.

According to this embodiment, the dispersion lower limit value and the dispersion upper limit value are set to values different from the supply lower limit value and the supply upper limit value, thereby individually controlling the operation of the dispersion unit and the supply of the objects to be weighed by the supply device. can do.
(6) In another embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit becomes less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detection unit, the calculation control unit The operation of the combination unit is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped and the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped, and the conveyance of all the conveyance units of the plurality of conveyance units is performed by the measurement object sensor. When the object to be weighed at the end is not detected, the combination calculation is not performed.
(7) In a preferred embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit is less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detection unit, The operation of the combination unit is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped and the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped, and a predetermined number of the conveyance units of the plurality of conveyance units are measured by the measurement object sensor. When the object to be weighed at the transport end is not detected, the combination calculation is not performed.
(8) In another embodiment of the combination weigher of the present invention, the calculation control unit is configured to cover a predetermined number of conveyance units at a conveyance end of the plurality of conveyance units over a plurality of preset measurement cycles. When the weighing object is not detected, the combination calculation is not performed.

  According to the present invention, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit becomes less than the lower limit of dispersion, the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped, so that the object to be weighed is supplied from the supply device to the dispersion unit with a delay. However, there is an object to be weighed in the dispersion part. Then, when an object to be weighed that is easy to roll from the supply device to the dispersion unit is dropped and supplied, the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit prevents the object to be weighed and dropped from the supply device from rolling. Acting as a wall, it is possible to effectively prevent an object to be weighed supplied from the supply device to the dispersion unit from rolling over the dispersion unit and the conveyance unit and being put into the supply unit in an excessive amount. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of objects to be weighed from the supply unit to the weighing unit, and to prevent a reduction in combination accuracy and yield.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the combination weigher of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the combination weigher. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the supply device control of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the main feeder control of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the linear feeder control of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the linear feeder control of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the supply hopper control of FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional combination weigher.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a combination weigher according to one embodiment of the present invention. The combination weigher of this embodiment has a conical top cone 3 that radially disperses the objects 20 to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 at the center of the apparatus, and a main feeder that vibrates the top cone 3. (Dispersion feeder) 4 is provided. The top cone 3 and the main feeder 4 constitute a dispersion unit.

  The object to be weighed 20 is not limited, but is suitable for weighing vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, fruits such as oranges and apples, or confectionery packed in pillows, and in particular, combination weighing. It is suitable for manufacturing a net packaged product or the like containing several pieces.

  The supply device 1 conveys an object to be weighed 20 such as bell pepper supplied from a belt conveyor (not shown) by vibration and supplies it to the central portion of the top cone 3. In the top cone 3, the object to be weighed 20 supplied from the supply device 1 to the central portion thereof is conveyed toward the peripheral portion by vibration. Around the top cone 3, a plurality of linear feeder pans 6 for conveying the objects 20 to be weighed sent from the top cone 3 to a plurality of supply hoppers 12 and a plurality of linear feeder pans 6 for vibrating the linear feeder pans 6. Feeders 8 are provided radially. A plurality of supply hoppers 12 serving as supply units are provided below the peripheral edge of the linear feeder pan 6, and a weighing hopper 13 serving as a weighing unit is provided below the supply hopper 12. It is arranged in a circle. Under the supply hopper 12 and the weighing hopper 13, a closing gate 12 a and a discharging gate 13 a that can be opened and closed are respectively provided.

  The supply hopper 12 receives the object 20 to be weighed 20 which is transported by the linear feeder pan 6 and dropped and discharged from the transport end 6a which is the leading end thereof. When the weighing hopper 13 disposed below the empty hopper 13 becomes empty, the supply gate 12a Is opened to drop and discharge the object 20 to be weighed into the weighing hopper 13. Each weighing hopper 13 is connected to a weight sensor 10 such as a load cell for measuring the weight of the object 20 in the weighing hopper 13, and a measured value from each weight sensor 10 is output to the control device 9.

  The plurality of linear feeder pans 6 and the plurality of linear feeders 8 that respectively vibrate the respective linear feeder pans 6 constitute a plurality of transport units that transport the objects to be weighed 20 to the corresponding supply hoppers 12.

  The weighing hopper 13 can discharge the objects 20 to the collecting chute 14. When a combination of the weighing hoppers 13 from which the objects to be weighed 20 are to be discharged is obtained from the plurality of weighing hoppers 13 by the combination calculation by the control device 9, and a discharge request signal is input from the packaging machine 15, the combination is applicable. The objects 20 to be weighed are discharged from the weighing hopper 13 to the collecting chute 14 and further discharged to the lower packaging machine 15.

  In this embodiment, the amount of the weighing object supplied from the supply device 1 to the top cone 3 is measured by the top cone weight sensor 5 supporting the top cone 3 and the main feeder 4, and the measured value is controlled. It is given to the device 9. In the control device 9, based on the weight of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 measured by the top cone weight sensor 5, the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 is kept within a preset range. Thus, the supply device 1 is controlled. That is, based on the detection output of the top cone weight sensor 5, the control device 9 issues a supply start command to the supply device 1 when the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 becomes less than the supply lower limit value. The supply operation is started by output, and when the supply upper limit value is exceeded, a supply stop command is output to the supply device 1 to stop the supply operation. The supply lower limit value and the supply upper limit value are set in advance by operating the operation setting display unit 11.

  The operation setting display unit 11 is configured by using, for example, a touch panel, etc., and performs operation of the combination weigher and setting of operation parameters thereof, and displays the operation speed, the combination measurement value, and the like on the screen.

  The control device 9 performs operation control of the supply device 1 and overall operation of the combination weigher, and performs combination calculation. In the combination calculation, the weight sensor 10 in the weighing hopper 13 is weighed by the weight sensor 10. From the plurality of weighing hoppers 13, one optimum combination is obtained in which the combined weight, which is the sum of the weight values of the objects 20 to be weighed, is equal to the combined target weight or the closest predetermined weight within the allowable range.

  As described above, when the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 is less than the supply lower limit value, the control device 9 outputs a supply start command to the supply device 1 to start the supply operation. When the input of the object to be weighed into the supply device 1 itself is delayed, it is delayed that the object 20 is actually supplied from the supply device 1 onto the top cone 3 of the main feeder 4. The object 20 to be weighed on the top cone 3 is lost, and the object to be weighed 20 may be supplied from the supply device 1 with a delay to the top cone 3 without the object to be weighed 20.

  When the object 20 to be weighed is supplied from the supply device 1 in a state where the object 20 to be weighed on the top cone 3 disappears in this way, the object to be weighed supplied from the supply device 1 onto the conical top cone 3 is supplied. 20 rolls over the top cone 3 and the linear feeder pan 6 to reach the supply hopper 12, and there is a possibility that an object to be weighed will be thrown into the supply hopper 12 in an excessive amount.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the main feeder 4 that vibrates the top cone 3 before the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 disappears in order to prevent the excessive weighing object 20 from being charged into the supply hopper 12. The drive is stopped.

  Specifically, as described later, when the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 becomes less than the dispersion lower limit value based on the detection output of the top cone weight sensor 5, the control device 9 The driving of the main feeder 4 is stopped, and when the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 exceeds the dispersion upper limit value, the driving of the main feeder 4 is resumed.

  The dispersion lower limit value and the dispersion upper limit value are preset by the operation setting display unit 11. The dispersion lower limit value and the dispersion upper limit value are set so that the following relationship is established with the above-described supply lower limit value and supply upper limit value for the control device 9 to control the supply operation of the weighing object 20 by the supply device 1. It is preferable to do this.

Dispersion lower limit value ≦ supply lower limit value Dispersion upper limit value ≦ supply upper limit value Of course, the dispersion lower limit value is smaller than the dispersion upper limit value, and the supply lower limit value is smaller than the supply upper limit value.

  In this way, the control device 9 stops driving the main feeder 4 when the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 becomes less than the dispersion lower limit value based on the detection output of the top cone weight sensor 5. Thus, the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 is not lost, so that the weighing object 20 exists on the top cone 3.

  Therefore, when the weighing object 20 is supplied from the supply device 1 onto the top cone 3 with a delay, the weighing object 20 existing on the top cone 3 forms a wall to be fed from the supply device 1. It is possible to prevent the weighing object 20 from rolling, and thus it is possible to prevent the weighing object 20 from being excessively charged into the supply hopper 12.

  As described above, when the driving of the main feeder 4 is stopped so that the objects to be weighed on the top cone 3 are not lost, the linear feeder pan 6 starts from the top cone 3 until the driving of the main feeder 4 is resumed. The object to be weighed 20 is no longer supplied. If the operation is continued in a state in which the weighing object 20 is not supplied from the top cone 3 to the linear feeder pan 6, the weighing object 20 on the linear feeder pan 6 will eventually disappear, and the weighing object 20 will not be put into the supply hopper 12. If the weighing object 20 is not put into the supply hopper 12, the weighing object 20 cannot be supplied from the supply hopper 12 to the weighing hopper 13, the number of weighing hoppers 13 that cannot participate in the combination calculation increases, and the yield decreases. Resulting in.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of weighing objects sensors 7 for detecting the weighing objects 20 at the conveyance ends 6a of the plurality of linear feeder pans 6 are provided, and the control device 9 detects the output of the weighing object sensors 7. Based on the above, when the object 20 to be weighed at the conveying end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6 is no longer detected as will be described later, it is assumed that the object to be weighed on the linear feeder pan 6 is gone, and the gate for feeding the supply hopper 12 The opening / closing control of 12a is stopped, and the combination calculation is substantially not performed to prevent the yield from decreasing.

  In this embodiment, for example, a photoelectric sensor is used as the object sensor 7 for detecting an object to be measured. However, the sensor is not limited to the photoelectric sensor, and a weight sensor such as a load cell, a limit switch, and an image captured by the camera are processed. Other sensors such as an image sensor may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system of the combination weigher in this embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 9 includes a CPU unit 16 as an arithmetic control unit, a memory unit 17, an A / D conversion circuit unit 18, a gate drive circuit unit 19, a vibration control circuit unit 21, An I / O circuit unit 22 connected to the packaging machine 15 and an I / O circuit unit 25 to which a detection output of the object sensor 7 is given.

  The CPU unit 16 serving as a calculation control unit controls each unit and performs a combination calculation. The memory unit 17 stores an operation program for the combination weigher, operation parameters to be set, and the like, and serves as a work area for operations on the CPU unit 16.

  The A / D conversion circuit unit 18 includes a weight sensor 5 for detecting the weight of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 and a weight sensor 10 for detecting the weight of the weighing object 20 of each weighing hopper 13. The analog signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the CPU unit 16. The CPU 16 is also provided with detection output from the above-mentioned object sensor 7 for detecting the object 20 to be measured at the conveyance end 6 a of each linear feeder pan 6 via the I / O circuit unit 25.

  The gate drive circuit unit 19 controls the opening / closing of the supply gate 12 a of the supply hopper 12 and the discharge gate 13 a of the weighing hopper 13 based on a control signal from the CPU unit 16. The vibration control circuit unit 21 controls each vibration operation of the supply device 1, the main feeder 4, and each linear feeder 8 based on a control signal from the CPU unit 16. The CPU unit 16 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the operation setting display unit 11.

  The control device 9 controls the operation of the supply device 1 and the entire combination weigher by the CPU unit 16 executing the operation program stored in the memory unit 17.

In the combination weigher, it is necessary to set a large number of operation parameters for performing the operation as described above, and the setting is performed by the operator using the operation setting display unit 11, and the value of the set operation parameter is the CPU unit. 16 and stored in the memory unit 17. The operation parameters include a combination target weight, which is a target value in combination calculation, and an allowable range thereof, vibration amplitude and driving time of each feeder 4 and 8 (one vibration duration time), a stabilization time, and the like. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole processing operation | movement of the combination scale of this embodiment.

  First, the control device 9 performs ON / OFF control of the supply device 1 based on the detection output of the top cone weight sensor 5 to control the supply amount of the object 20 to be measured on the top cone 3. (Step s1).

  Next, the main feeder control for supplying the object 20 to the linear feeder pan 6 by controlling the driving of the main feeder 4 for vibrating the top cone 3 to disperse the object 20 on the top cone 3 to the surroundings is performed. (Step s2).

  Next, the driving of the linear feeder 8 that vibrates the linear feeder pan 6 is controlled, and the linear feeder pan 6 corresponding to the empty supply hopper 12 is vibrated so that the weighing object 20 on the linear feeder pan 6 is moved to the empty feeder hopper 6. Linear feeder control for supplying to the supply hopper 12 is performed (step s3).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a hopper control stop flag for stopping the opening / closing control of the gate 12a for supplying the supply hopper 12 is turned on (step s4). When the hopper control stop flag is not turned on, step s5 is performed. Move on to supply hopper control. In this supply hopper control, the input gate 12a of the supply hopper 12 corresponding to the empty weighing hopper 13 is opened, the object 20 is supplied to the empty weighing hopper 13, and the process proceeds to step s6.

  When the hopper control stop flag is on in step s4, the supply hopper control is not performed, that is, the control of the gate 12a for supplying the supply hopper 12 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step s6. In this case, since the opening / closing control of the gate 12a for feeding the supply hopper 12 is stopped, the object to be weighed 20 is not supplied to the weighing hopper 13, and the combination calculation in step s7 described later is substantially not performed. The weighing operation is stopped. The time when the hopper control stop flag is turned on will be described later.

  In step s 6, when the weighing object 20 is supplied to the weighing hopper 13, the weight of the weighing object 20 supplied to the weighing hopper 13 is measured by the corresponding weight sensor 10, and the measured value is sent to the control device 9. Perform the weighing control.

  Next, based on the weight of the weighing object 20 supplied to the weighing hopper 13, a combination calculation is performed, and whether the combined weight, which is the total weight of various weights of the weighing object 20, is equal to the combination target weight. Alternatively, an optimal combination that is a combination of the weighing hoppers 13 having a predetermined weight that is heavier than the combination target weight and close to the combination target weight is selected (step s7). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a discharge request signal is input from the packaging machine 15 (step s8). If there is a discharge request signal input, the discharge of the weighing hopper 13 of the optimum combination selected in the combination calculation is performed. Weighing hopper control for opening the gate 13a and discharging the object 20 to be weighed is performed (step s9), and the process returns to step s1. Thereafter, the weighing object 20 of the optimum combination is discharged to the packaging machine 15 by repeating the same weighing cycle as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the supply device control in step s1 of FIG.

  First, the measured value of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 by the top cone weight sensor 5 is input as an input (step s100), and it is determined whether or not the measured value is less than the above-described supply lower limit value (step s101). ), When it is less than the lower supply limit, the drive signal for the supply device 1 is turned on to instruct the start of supply of the object 20 (step s102), whereby the supply device 1 performs the operation of supplying the object 20 to be measured. Start.

  In step s101, if the measured value is not less than the supply lower limit value, it is determined whether or not the measured value is greater than or equal to the supply upper limit value (step s103). If the measured value is greater than or equal to the supply upper limit value, the drive signal for the supply device 1 is turned off. Then, the supply stop of the object to be weighed 20 is instructed (step s104), whereby the supply device 1 stops the supply operation of the object to be weighed 20.

  In step s103, when the measured value is not equal to or higher than the upper limit value, the process returns to step s100.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the main feeder control in step s2 of FIG.

  First, the measurement value of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 by the top cone weight sensor 5 is input as an input (step s200), and it is determined whether or not the measurement value is less than the above-described dispersion lower limit value (step s200). s201), when it is less than the lower limit of dispersion, the driving of the main feeder 4 is stopped so that the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 is not lost (step s202), and the process returns to step s200.

  In step s201, if the measured value is not less than the dispersion lower limit value, it is determined whether or not the measured value is greater than or equal to the dispersion upper limit value (step s203). If the measured value is greater than or equal to the dispersion upper limit value, the main feeder 4 is activated (step s201). s204), the process returns to step s200.

  In step s203, when the measured value is not equal to or greater than the dispersion upper limit value, the process returns to step s200.

  Thus, when the amount of the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 becomes less than the dispersion lower limit value, the operation of the main feeder 4 is stopped, so that the weighing object 20 on the top cone 3 is prevented from being further reduced. Thus, the object 20 to be weighed exists on the top cone 3. Therefore, when the weighing object 20 that easily rolls onto the top cone 3 is supplied from the supply device 1 with a delay, the weighing object existing on the top cone 3 is supplied from the supply device 1. The object to be weighed 20 that acts as a wall that prevents the weighing object 20 from rolling and is supplied from the supply device 1 to the top cone 3 rolls over the top cone 3 and the linear feeder pan 6 and is put into the supply hopper 12 in an excessive amount. Can be effectively prevented.

  When the object to be weighed 20 is supplied from the supply device 1 onto the top cone 3 and the amount of the object to be weighed 20 on the top cone 3 recovers to the dispersion upper limit value or more, the operation of the main feeder 4 is resumed. The objects to be weighed 20 can be distributed and supplied to the linear feeder 8 as in the conventional case.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing details of the linear feeder control in step s3 of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the hopper control stop flag is turned off in step s300, and the object detection flag is turned off in step s301, and the flag is initialized.

  Next, the number k for specifying the plurality of linear feeders 1 to n is set to an initial value “1” (step s302). The number k specifies the linear feeder 8 and the corresponding supply hopper 12 and weighing hopper 13.

  In step s303, it is determined whether or not a driving flag indicating that the linear feeder 8 (k) is being driven is turned on. If it is turned on, a timer for measuring a driving time is subtracted (step s304). Then, it is determined whether or not the time is up (step s305). When the time is up, the driving of the linear feeder 8 (k) is turned off (step s307), and the process proceeds to step s308 in FIG. In step s305, when the time is not up, the process proceeds to step s308.

  In step s303 in FIG. 6, when the driving flag indicating that the linear feeder 8 (k) is being driven is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the driving flag of the linear feeder 8 (k) is turned on. (Step s310) When the driving flag is on, the driving time timer is set to start measuring the driving time (Step s312), and the driving flag of the linear feeder 8 (k) is turned on (Step s312). Then, the driving of the linear feeder 8 (k) is started, and the process proceeds to step s308 in FIG. 7 (step s313).

  In step s308 shown in FIG. 7, the weighing object 20 is detected by the weighing object sensor 7 that detects the weighing object 20 at the conveyance end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6 (k) that is vibrated by the linear feeder 8 (k). If the weighing object 20 is detected, the weighing object detection flag indicating that the weighing object 20 is detected is turned on and the process proceeds to step s317 (step s309). When the weighing object 20 is not detected, the process proceeds to step s317.

  The process of step s308, that is, whether or not the object 20 to be weighed at the conveyance end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6 (k) is detected by the object sensor 7 is determined when the linear feeder 8 (k) is being driven. This is also performed after the time-up drive and when the drive flag is turned on and the drive is started.

  Furthermore, when the drive flag of the linear feeder 8 (k) is not turned on in step s310 in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step s314 in FIG. 7, and also in this step s314, the linear feeder pan 6 is moved by the object sensor 7. It is determined whether or not the object to be weighed 20 at the transport end 6a is detected. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the object 20 to be weighed at the conveying end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6 (k) is detected by the object sensor 7 is performed even during a period in which the linear feeder 8 (k) is not driven. Is called.

  In this embodiment, the linear feeder 8 is continuously driven even when the object 20 to be weighed on the linear feeder pan 6 disappears. Thus, after the driving of the main feeder 4 is stopped, the linear feeder 8 is started again. When the supply of the weighing object 20 from the cone 3 is resumed, the weighing object 20 can be immediately conveyed to the conveying end 6 a of the linear feeder pan 6.

  For this reason, in order to continuously drive the linear feeder 8 (k) in step s314 of FIG. 7 even if the weighing object sensor 7 detects the weighing object 20 at the conveyance end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6, The drive flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step s317 (step s315). As another embodiment of the present invention, the process may proceed to step s317 without turning on the drive flag. When the weighing object 20 is detected in step s314, the weighing object detection flag is turned on and the process proceeds to step s317 (step s316).

  In step s317 in FIG. 7, the number k is incremented by 1, and it is determined whether or not the number k has reached n + 1 (step s318). If not, the process returns to step s303 in FIG. The same process is performed for the feeder 8.

  In step s318, when n + 1, it is determined whether any of the weighing object detection flags of the plurality of linear feeders 1 to n is on (step s319).

  In this step s319, when none of the weighing object detection flags of the plurality of linear feeders 8 is turned on, the weighing object 20 at the conveying end 6a of the linear feeder pan 6 is detected by any of the weighing object sensors 7. In other words, the weighing object 20 does not exist at the conveying end 6 a of any linear feeder pan 6, so the weighing object 20 cannot be put into the supply hopper 12 and the weighing hopper 13. Therefore, at this time, the hopper control stop flag in step s4 of FIG. 3 is turned on and the process ends (step s320). In this case, since the hopper control stop flag is on in the next measurement cycle, the combination operation is not substantially performed as described above, and the measurement operation is stopped. If the weighing object detection flag is on in step s319, the process ends.

  In this embodiment, when none of the weighing object detection flags of the plurality of linear feeders 8 is turned on, that is, when there is no linear feeder 8 with the weighing object detection flag turned on, hopper control is performed. Although the stop flag is turned on, as another embodiment of the present invention, the hopper control stop flag is turned on when the number of linear feeders 8 for which the object detection flag is turned on is less than the preset number. You may do it. Alternatively, the hopper control stop flag is turned on when the number of linear feeders 8 for which the weighing object detection flag is on is less than the preset number over a plurality of preset weighing cycles. Also good.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of supply hopper control in step s5 of FIG.

  First, the number k for specifying the plurality of supply hoppers 1 to n is set to an initial value “1” (step s500). Next, it is determined whether or not the closing gate 12a of the supply hopper 12 (k) is being opened / closed (step s501). If the opening / closing control of the closing gate 12a has been completed. Is determined (step s502), and when the opening / closing control is completed, the process proceeds to step s507. If the opening / closing control of the closing gate 12a is not completed in step s502, the opening / closing control of the closing gate 12a is performed and the process proceeds to step s507 (step s504).

  In step s507, the number k is incremented by 1, and it is determined whether or not the number k becomes n + 1 (step s508). When the number k becomes n + 1, the process ends. When the number k does not reach n + 1, the process returns to step s501 to continue. The same processing is performed for the supply hopper 12.

  In step s501, when the supply gate 12 of the supply hopper 12 (k) is not being opened or closed, it is determined whether or not the discharge gate 13a of the weighing hopper 13 (k) below the supply hopper 12 (k) has been opened or closed. When it is determined (step s505) and the weighing hopper 13 (k) is opened and closed, it is assumed that the weighing object 20 is discharged from the weighing hopper 13 (k), and the supply hopper 12 (k ) Starts to open / close the input gate 12a, and then proceeds to step s507 (step s506).

  In step s505, when the discharge gate 13a of the weighing hopper 13 (k) is not opened or closed, the process proceeds to step s507.

  As described above, in the supply hopper control, when the discharge gate 13a of the weighing hopper 13 is opened and closed and the object 20 is discharged, the input gate 12a of the supply hopper 12 is opened and closed, and the object 20 is weighed. The hopper 13 is supplied, the drive flag of the linear feeder 8 is turned on, and control is performed so that the weighing object 20 is fed from the linear feeder pan 6.

(Other embodiments)
As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, a flexible ring-shaped frame body 26 is installed so as to surround the periphery of the top cone 3, and the installation height of the lower end of the frame body 26 is set. By adjusting the height, the number of objects to be weighed 20 transferred from the top cone 3 to the linear feeder pan 6 may be regulated.

  With this frame body 26, the number of objects 20 to be transferred from the top cone 3 to the linear feeder pan 6 is regulated, for example, one by one, whereby the objects to be weighed on the linear feeder pan 6 are controlled. Therefore, the object to be weighed 20 fed from the linear feeder pan 6 to the supply hopper 12 can be controlled to an appropriate amount. Further, even when the height difference (head) between the supply device 1 and the top cone 3 is large, the object to be weighed 20 supplied from the supply device 1 is effectively prevented from rolling by the frame body 26. become.

  In the above-described embodiment, the amount of the object 20 to be weighed on the top cone 3 is detected by the top cone weight sensor 5. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the weight sensor, above the top cone 3. For example, an ultrasonic type level detector is provided, and the level detector detects the amount of the object 20 on the top cone 3 and controls the amount of the object 20 on the top cone 3. Also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 3 Top cone 4 Main feeder 5 Top cone weight sensor 6 Linear feeder pan 7 Weighing object sensor 8 Linear feeder 9 Control device 10 Weight sensor 12 Supply hopper 13 Weighing hopper 15 Packaging machine 16 CPU part 20 Weighing object

Claims (8)

A dispersion unit for dispersing the objects to be weighed supplied from the supply device to the surroundings;
A detection unit for detecting the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit;
A plurality of conveyance units that are respectively arranged around the dispersion unit and convey the objects to be weighed dispersed in the dispersion unit and discharge them from the conveyance end;
A plurality of supply units that are arranged corresponding to the respective conveyance units, hold the objects to be weighed discharged from the conveyance end, and supply the held objects to be weighed downward,
A plurality of measuring units arranged corresponding to each supply unit, holding the objects to be weighed supplied from each supply unit, and weighing the weight of the objects to be weighed;
An arithmetic control unit that controls the supply of the objects to be weighed by the supply device based on the detection output of the detection unit, and performs a combination operation based on the measurement value of the objects to be weighed by the weighing unit;
A combination weigher comprising:
A weighing object sensor for detecting a weighing object at each conveyance end of each conveyance unit;
The arithmetic control unit stops the operation of the dispersing unit when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersing unit is less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detecting unit, and
The operation of the combination weigher is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped , and the combination calculation is not performed when the object to be weighed at the transport end of the transport unit is not detected by the object sensor. ,
A combination weigher characterized by that. The dispersion unit has a main feeder that disperses an object to be weighed by vibration,
The transport unit includes a linear feeder that transports an object to be weighed by vibration,
The supply unit is a supply hopper that inputs a held object to be weighed into the measurement unit,
The weighing unit is a weighing hopper that measures the weight of an object to be weighed by a weight sensor,
The arithmetic control unit is configured to control the driving of the main feeder and the linear feeder, and to control the opening and closing of the gate for feeding the supply hopper,
Before SL arithmetic control unit, based on the detection output of the detector, the when the amount of the objects to be weighed becomes lower than the dispersion lower limit, the operation of the dispersing section to stop the driving of the main feeder in the dispersing section Is stopped and the operation of the dispersing unit is stopped, and the operation of the combination weigher is continued, and when the object to be weighed at the transport end of the linear feeder is not detected by the object sensor, the supply is performed. Stop the open / close control of the hopper charging gate, and substantially stop the combination calculation,
The combination weigher according to claim 1. The arithmetic control unit, based on the detection output of the detection unit, when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit is equal to or greater than the dispersion upper limit value, restarts the operation of the dispersion unit that has been stopped,
The combination weigher according to claim 1 or 2. The arithmetic control unit controls the driving of the conveying unit based on the detection output of the weighing object sensor, and the object to be weighed at the conveying end is driven by the driving of the conveying unit. When not detected by the object sensor, the transport unit is driven until an object to be weighed is detected by the object sensor.
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The arithmetic control unit starts an operation of supplying an object to be weighed by the supply device when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersion unit becomes less than a supply lower limit value based on the detection output of the detection unit. When the supply upper limit value is exceeded, the supply operation of the object to be weighed by the supply device is stopped, so that the supply amount of the object to be weighed supplied from the supply device to the dispersing unit is set in a predetermined setting range. Control to be inside,
The dispersion lower limit is not more than the supply lower limit, and the dispersion upper limit is not more than the supply upper limit.
The combination weigher according to claim 3. The arithmetic control unit stops the operation of the dispersing unit when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersing unit is less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detecting unit, and
When the operation of the combination weigher is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped, and the objects to be weighed at the conveyance ends of all the conveyance units of the plurality of conveyance units are not detected by the measurement object sensor. , Do not perform combination operation,
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The arithmetic control unit stops the operation of the dispersing unit when the amount of the object to be weighed in the dispersing unit is less than the lower limit of dispersion based on the detection output of the detecting unit, and
The operation of the combination weigher is continued in a state where the operation of the dispersion unit is stopped, and the objects to be weighed at the conveyance ends of a predetermined number of the conveyance units of the plurality of conveyance units are detected by the measurement object sensor. If not, do not perform combination operation,
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The calculation control unit does not perform a combination calculation when the objects to be weighed at the conveyance ends of the predetermined number of conveyance units of the plurality of conveyance units are not detected over a plurality of preset measurement cycles.
The combination weigher according to claim 7.

Images