JP5825972B2 - Combination scale - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination weigher for obtaining a combination in which the total weight of objects to be weighed is within a predetermined target weight range.

  In a combination weigher, for example, an object to be weighed is supplied to a plurality of weighing units, a combination operation is performed using the weight values of the objects to be weighed in each weighing unit, and the total weight falls within a predetermined weight range. Is configured to discharge.

  In such a combination weigher, each weighing unit that weighs an object to be weighed uses, for example, a weighing conveyor configured to support a belt conveyor with a weight sensor such as a load cell. What was made to discharge | emit is disclosed by patent document 1,2.

International Publication WO93 / 23724 JP 2005-315579 A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, one weighing object is supplied to each weighing conveyor, and the weight value of the weighing object obtained from each weighing conveyor is one, and one weight value for each weighing conveyor. However, it can only be used for combination calculations.

  Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, two objects to be weighed (an upstream object to be weighed and a downstream object to be weighed) are supplied to stay on each weighing conveyor, and two weights are used for the combination calculation. A value can be used. However, in this case, since each weighing conveyor is configured to convey and discharge the objects to be measured in only one direction, the weight value of the object to be weighed upstream of the two objects to be measured is used alone for the combination calculation. It is not possible. That is, for each weighing conveyor, it is not possible to select a combination that does not include downstream objects and includes upstream objects.

  In combination weighers, it is known that the number of weight values used for combination calculation may be increased in order to improve combination accuracy. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the number of weighing units. However, for example, a weight sensor (load cell) used in a weighing conveyor is expensive, and increasing the number of weighing units increases the manufacturing cost and the device. It will also lead to an increase in the installation area. In addition, when supplying the objects to be weighed to the combination weigher manually (manually) by an operator, the burden on the operator is increased.

  In the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, there is room for improvement in terms of improving combination accuracy, suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost, and downsizing the apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a combination weigher that can improve combination accuracy (combination weighing accuracy), suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, and can be made compact. The purpose is that. It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination weigher that can reduce the burden on an operator who supplies an object to be weighed when the object to be weighed is supplied manually.

  In order to achieve the above object, a combination weigher according to an aspect of the present invention temporarily holds a supplied object to be weighed and conveys the held object to be weighed; A plurality of weighing units having a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the object to be weighed, and one or more standby conveyors to which the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor is supplied and temporarily holds the supplied object to be weighed In addition, in each of the weighing units, the total number of objects to be weighed held by all the standby conveyors is configured to be two or more, and from among the objects to be weighed held by the standby conveyor A combination means for obtaining a discharge combination comprising a combination of objects to be weighed within a target weight range, and carrying the standby conveyor so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination. And a conveyor control means for operating.

  According to this configuration, each weighing unit includes one or more standby conveyors that hold the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor, and the total of objects to be weighed held on the one or more standby conveyors The number of combinations is increased so that the number of combinations is increased because the number of combinations is determined from among the objects to be weighed held on the standby conveyor. The combination accuracy can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of weighing units having expensive weight sensors to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, to make the combination weigher compact, and to reduce the installation area. In addition, since the combination scale can be made compact by reducing the number of weighing units, when an operator supplies an object to be weighed to the weighing conveyor, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  A combination weigher according to another aspect of the present invention includes a weighing conveyor that temporarily holds a supplied object to be measured and conveys the held object to be weighed, and a weight sensor that measures the weight of the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor. And a plurality of weighing units that are supplied with the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor and that temporarily hold the supplied objects to be weighed, the weighing conveyor and the waiting conveyor The combination means for obtaining a discharge combination comprising a combination of objects to be weighed within the target weight range from the objects to be weighed held in the container, and discharging only the objects to be weighed selected as the discharge combination. And a conveyor control means for conveying the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor.

  According to this configuration, each weighing unit includes one or more standby conveyors that hold the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyors, and the weighing units and the objects to be weighed held by the standby conveyors are provided. Since it is configured so as to obtain the discharge combination, when obtaining the discharge combination, the number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of weighing units having expensive weight sensors to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, to make the combination weigher compact, and to reduce the installation area. In addition, since the combination scale can be made compact by reducing the number of weighing units, when an operator supplies an object to be weighed to the weighing conveyor, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In each of the weighing units, a plurality of standby conveyors are provided so as to include first and second standby conveyors, and the first standby conveyor is discharged from one end of the weighing conveyor and dropped. The weighing object may be supplied, and the second standby conveyor may be configured to be supplied with an object to be weighed that is discharged from one end of the first standby conveyor and dropped.

  According to this configuration, each weighing unit is provided with a plurality of standby conveyors, and the weight values of the objects to be weighed on the plurality of standby conveyors can be used for the combination calculation, so that the combination accuracy can be improved. . Here, when the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor are included in the selection targets for the discharge combination, the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor selected for the discharge combination are placed at the other end of the weighing conveyor (the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyor). What is necessary is just to make it discharge | emit from the end opposite to the one end to supply.

  Further, the standby conveyor may be configured to hold a plurality of supplied objects to be weighed at different positions.

  According to this configuration, since the objects to be weighed supplied to the standby conveyor are held at different positions, the weight values of a plurality of objects to be weighed are combined and calculated for one standby conveyor. The number of combinations can be further increased, and the combination accuracy can be further improved.

  A combination weigher according to another aspect of the present invention includes a weighing conveyor that temporarily holds an object to be supplied and can transport the held object to be measured in two directions opposite to each other; A weight sensor for measuring the weight of an object to be weighed, and an object to be weighed that is disposed on both ends of the weighing conveyor and is weighed on the weighing conveyor, and a plurality of objects to be weighed are provided at different positions. A plurality of weighing units having two standby conveyors that can hold and transport the held objects to be measured in two directions opposite to each other; A combination means for obtaining a discharge combination comprising a combination of objects to be weighed within a target weight range, and conveying the standby conveyor so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination. And a conveyor control means for.

  According to this configuration, each weighing unit is provided with two standby conveyors for holding the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor, and the discharge combination from the objects to be weighed held on these standby conveyors Therefore, when obtaining the discharge combination, the number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of weighing units having expensive weight sensors to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, to make the combination weigher compact, and to reduce the installation area. In addition, since the combination scale can be made compact by reducing the number of weighing units, when an operator supplies an object to be weighed to the weighing conveyor, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In addition, all the weighing objects selected for the discharge combination are further provided, and further includes a single conveying / discharging device that conveys the supplied objects to be measured in one direction and discharges them to the outside. Are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the machine length direction, and in each weighing unit, the machine length directions of the weighing conveyor and the two standby conveyors are the same in plan view. The transport and discharge device is disposed between the two standby conveyors of all the weighing units, and the objects to be measured discharged from only one end of the standby conveyors near the weighing conveyor are supplied. You may be comprised so that.

  According to this configuration, it is only necessary to provide one conveying / discharging device as a discharging device for discharging the object to be measured outside, so that the discharging device can be configured simply. Further, in plan view, the measuring conveyors of the measuring units and the standby conveyors are arranged so that the machine length directions thereof are the same, and all the measuring conveyors are arranged in parallel. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the length of the measuring unit group in the arrangement direction by shortening the distance between the measuring units adjacent to each other, so that the discharge time can be shortened by shortening the length of the transport / discharge device. In addition, the combination scale can be made more compact. In addition, since the length of the measuring unit group in the direction of arrangement can be shortened, when an operator supplies an object to be weighed to the weighing conveyor, the supply work becomes easier and the burden on the operator is further reduced. be able to.

  Further, in each of the weighing units, the two standby conveyors are arranged in parallel in a plan view, and the weighing conveyor is disposed between the two standby conveyors so that the standby conveyor and the longitudinal direction are orthogonal to each other. It may be arranged.

  According to this structure, the level | step difference of a weighing conveyor and a standby conveyor can be made small, and it can prevent damage with respect to the to-be-measured object which is easy to be damaged by the impact at the time of dropping, etc.

  The weighing unit further includes a single conveying / discharging device that supplies all the objects to be weighed selected in the discharge combination, conveys the objects to be weighed in one direction, and discharges the objects to the outside. And the two standby conveyors are arranged in parallel in a plan view, and the objects to be weighed discharged from only one end of each of the standby conveyors are arranged to be supplied to the transport and discharge device, The weighing conveyor may be arranged between the two standby conveyors so that the standby conveyor and the machine length direction are orthogonal to each other.

  According to this configuration, the level difference between the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor can be reduced, and the level difference between the standby conveyor and the transfer / discharge device can be reduced, which is easily damaged by an impact or the like when dropped. In contrast, damage can be prevented. Moreover, since only one conveying / discharging device needs to be provided as a discharging device for discharging the object to be measured outside, the discharging device can be configured simply.

  The combination means is configured to obtain the discharge combination from the objects to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor, and the conveyor control means is selected as the discharge combination. The weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor are transported so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed. At this time, the objects to be weighed selected on the discharge combination and held on the weighing conveyor are passed through the waiting conveyor. The weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor may be transported so as to be discharged.

  According to this configuration, since the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor are also selected as the discharge combination, the number of combinations is further increased, and the combination accuracy can be further improved.

  Further, the standby conveyor, when receiving and holding an object to be weighed supplied from the weighing conveyor, is held at a position away from a receiving position for receiving the object to be weighed, and is selected as the discharge combination and It may be configured to discharge the object to be weighed discharged from the weighing conveyor after receiving it at the receiving position.

  According to this configuration, the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor selected as the discharge combination can be discharged via the standby conveyor.

The weighing conveyor is configured to temporarily hold each of the objects to be weighed supplied at different timings at each of a plurality of holding positions determined at predetermined intervals in the transport direction,
A weight calculating means for calculating the weight of the object to be weighed held at each holding position based on the measurement value of the weight sensor may be further provided.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the supply capacity of the objects to be weighed from the weighing conveyor to the standby conveyor. In addition, when the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor are also selected as the discharge combination, the number of combinations is further increased, and the combination accuracy can be further improved.

  Further, in each of the weighing conveyors, one holding position is predetermined as a supply position for supplying an object to be weighed, and the object to be weighed is manually supplied to the supply position. When the object to be weighed is not held at the holding position other than the supply position, the object to be weighed supplied to the supply position is transported to the holding position other than the supply position. It may be configured as follows.

  According to this configuration, since it is only necessary to supply an object to be measured to one holding position (supply position) for each weighing conveyor having a plurality of holding positions, an operator who performs an operation to supply the objects to be weighed. Can be further reduced.

  Further, an opening for supplying an object to be weighed may be provided above the supply position, and a cover for covering the upper side of the weighing conveyor may be further provided.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operator from supplying the object to be measured to an incorrect position different from the supply position.

  Each of the weighing conveyors may further include supply timing notifying means for notifying an operator of a timing at which an object to be weighed should be supplied to each of the weighing conveyors.

  According to this configuration, since the operator only has to supply the object to be measured based on the notification by the supply timing notification unit, it is possible to easily perform the operation of supplying the object to be measured.

  Further, in each of the weighing conveyors, all the holding positions are set in advance to supply positions for supplying the objects to be weighed, and the objects to be weighed are manually or automatically supplied to the supply positions. May be.

  According to this configuration, since all the holding positions are the supply positions, the objects to be weighed can be supplied to all the holding positions while the weighing conveyor is stopped. The control of the operation is simple.

  Further, in the weighing conveyor device including the weighing conveyor and the weight sensor of each of the weighing units, the weight sensor corresponding to the weighing conveyor immediately after the object to be weighed is discharged from the weighing conveyor and the driving is stopped. An abnormality determining means for determining whether or not the weighing conveyor device is abnormal based on a measured value may be further provided.

  According to this configuration, when the weighing conveyor device is abnormal, for example, by stopping the operation of the combination weigher, it is possible to prevent a measurement-defective product from being supplied to the subsequent device. Here, you may comprise so that a control apparatus may stop the driving | operation of a combination scale based on the determination result of an abnormality determination means.

  Moreover, you may provide further the abnormality alerting | reporting means which alert | reports the said weighing conveyor apparatus which is abnormal based on the determination result by the said abnormality determination means to an operator.

  According to this configuration, when the weighing conveyor device is abnormal, the operator can perform necessary measures.

  In addition, one of the plurality of weighing units is configured such that one weighing unit weighs and transports an object to be weighed that is heavier than the other weighing units, and the combination means is held in the one weighing unit. It may be configured to obtain the discharge combination so that an object to be weighed is always selected.

  Such a configuration is suitable when the combination target weight is large, in other words, when the total weight of the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination is large.

  Further, in each of the weighing conveyors, two adjacent holding positions are set in advance as supply positions for supplying the objects to be weighed, and are used for supplying the objects to be weighed to each of the two supply positions. A first discharge gate disposed above each of the weighing conveyors for temporarily holding the supplied objects to be measured and supplying the objects to be measured to one of the two supply positions; A plurality of supply devices configured to have a second discharge gate for supplying an object to be weighed may be further provided.

  According to this configuration, the object to be weighed can be automatically supplied to the two supply positions of the weighing conveyor.

  In the present specification and claims, one, two, three or a plurality of objects to be weighed are objects to be weighed once, twice, three times or a plurality of times. This means that each object to be weighed may be some kind of aggregate (such as a collection of a plurality of articles).

  The present invention has the above-described configuration, and in the combination weigher, there are the effects that the combination accuracy is improved, the increase in manufacturing cost is suppressed, and the size can be reduced. In addition, when the object to be weighed is manually supplied, the burden on the operator who supplies the object to be weighed can be reduced.

(A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the combination balance of the 1st structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination balance from the side. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the combination scale of the 1st structural example of embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the combination scale of the 1st structural example of embodiment of this invention. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the combination balance of the 2nd structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination balance from the side. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the combination balance of the 3rd structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination balance from the side. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the combination scale of the 4th structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination scale from the side. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the combination balance of the 5th structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination balance from the side. (A) is the schematic top view which looked at the combination balance of the 6th structural example of embodiment of this invention from the top, (b) is the schematic schematic diagram which looked at the combination balance from the side. It is a figure which shows an example of the supply apparatus in embodiment of this 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 all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Moreover, the numerical value illustrated below (for example, the number of the measurement parts Cw etc.) is an example, and is not limited to the numerical value.

  In the following embodiments, for the sake of convenience, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, and the like are determined as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example. Moreover, in the following embodiment, the combination weigher of the 1st-6th structural example is demonstrated as an example, respectively.

(Embodiment)
In the embodiments of the present invention, each configuration example described below includes a weighing conveyor and a standby conveyor, and includes an object to be weighed on the standby conveyor as a combination target to obtain a discharge combination. There is no new common configuration.

  In the first and second configuration examples described below, a configuration in which a discharge combination is obtained by a combination of only the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyor is shown. In the third to sixth configuration examples, on the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor. The structure which calculated | required discharge | release combination with the combination of the to-be-measured object is shown.

[First configuration example]
FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of the first combination example of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the combination scale as viewed from the side. . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the combination weigher of the first configuration example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  This combination weigher includes a plurality of weighing units Cw, a discharge device 13, an operation indicator 4, a control unit 5, and the like.

  Each weighing unit Cw includes a weighing conveyor device having a weighing conveyor 1 and a weight sensor 2, and standby conveyors 3a and 3b. The weight sensor 2 is a load cell or the like that supports the weighing conveyor 1 and measures the weight of an object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1.

  The weighing conveyor 1 is configured by a belt conveyor having an endless belt, and can be transported by switching the transport direction to two directions that are opposite to each other. Here, the conveyance direction can be switched between a right direction (direction from left to right) and a left direction (direction from right to left). That is, the weighing conveyor 1 can carry the object P in both the left and right directions. In the weighing conveyor 1, a plurality of holding positions are determined at predetermined intervals in the machine length direction (conveying direction) as positions for holding the workpiece P when the conveyance is stopped. Here, two holding positions H1 and H2 (first holding position H1 and second holding position H2) are determined at a predetermined interval L1 (hereinafter also referred to as “predetermined distance L1”) in the machine length direction (conveyance direction). ing. Each holding position H1, H2 holds one object P (in other words, object P for one supply).

  The two standby conveyors 3a and 3b are arranged on the left and right ends of the weighing conveyor 1 with the machine direction (conveyance direction) being the same as the weighing conveyor 1. Each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b is constituted by a belt conveyor, and, like the weighing conveyor 1, can switch the conveyance direction to two directions (here, the right direction and the left direction) for conveyance. One standby conveyor 3a is arranged obliquely below and to the right of the weighing conveyor 1 and is supplied with the objects to be weighed that are discharged from the right end of the weighing conveyor 1 and dropped. The other standby conveyor 3b is arranged diagonally to the left of the weighing conveyor 1 and is supplied with the objects to be weighed that are discharged from the left end of the weighing conveyor 1 and dropped. Each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b is transported so that the two objects to be weighed (the objects to be weighed twice) supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 are held apart. In other words, each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b, like the weighing conveyor 1, has a plurality (two in this case) of holding positions (H3, H4, and H5) as positions for holding the object P when the conveyance is stopped. , H6) is carried so that there is a predetermined interval L2 (hereinafter also referred to as “predetermined distance L2”) in the machine length direction (conveyance direction).

  In plan view, the weighing conveyors 1 of all the weighing units Cw are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the machine direction. Similarly, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are also arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the machine direction.

  The discharge device 13 is provided to convey (discharge) an object to be measured P selected from the discharge combination described later and discharged from each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b. Here, the discharge device 13 includes a discharge conveyor 13a that is disposed below all the weighing units Cw and that conveys the objects to be weighed in the direction of arrow a, and a discharge conveyor 13b that conveys the objects to be weighed in the direction of arrow b. ing. The objects to be weighed P discharged from the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are conveyed in the direction of arrow a by the discharge conveyor 13a and discharged onto the discharge conveyor 13b. And the to-be-measured item P conveyed by the discharge conveyor 13b to the arrow b direction is supplied to a back | latter stage apparatus (not shown).

  A plurality of weighing units Cw, a discharge conveyor 13a excluding both end portions, and the like are accommodated in the apparatus main body 11 formed of a housing. In addition, the top plate portion (cover) of the apparatus main body 11 is provided with an opening 11 a serving as a supply port for the object to be weighed P in the upper portion of the first holding position H <b> 1 of the weighing conveyor 1. The workpiece P is supplied from the opening 11a to the first holding position H1 (supply position) by the operator.

  In the apparatus main body 11, the conveyor drive circuit units 8a and 8b and the A / D conversion unit 9 shown in FIG.

  In addition, the weight sensor 2 supporting each weighing conveyor 1 measures the weight of the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1, and the measured value (analog weight signal) is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 9. It is sent to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 is configured by, for example, a microcontroller, and includes an arithmetic control unit 6 including a CPU and a storage unit 7 including a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 7 stores an operation program, operation parameter data, measurement data, and the like. The control unit 5 functions as weight calculation means, combination means, conveyor control means, abnormality determination means, and the like. The control unit 5 may be configured by a single control device that performs centralized control, or may be configured by a plurality of control devices that perform distributed control in cooperation with each other.

  The control unit 5 executes the operation program stored in the storage unit 7 by the arithmetic control unit 6, thereby performing overall control of the combination weigher and performing combination processing described later. For example, the control unit 5 acquires the measurement value measured by each weight sensor 2 as a digital value through the A / D conversion unit 9 as needed, and stores it in the storage unit 7 if necessary. Further, the conveying operation of each weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a, 3b is controlled via the conveyor driving circuit unit 8a, and the conveying operation of the discharge conveyors 13a, 13b is controlled via the conveyor driving circuit unit 8b. Further, a discharge command signal is input from a subsequent apparatus (not shown) via the I / O circuit unit 10 and a discharge completion signal is output to the subsequent apparatus. In addition, a signal is input from the operation display 4 and a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation display 4 is output.

  The operation indicator 4 includes, for example, a touch screen type display (display device). On the screen of the display, the operation of the combination weigher can be started and stopped, operation parameters can be set, and the like. The result of combination processing (combination weight, etc.) by the control unit 5 can be displayed on the display screen. The operation indicator 4 has a built-in speaker, and an alarm sound can be output from the built-in speaker under the control of the control unit 5.

  An example of the operation of the combination weigher of the first configuration example of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the combination weigher of the first configuration example of the present embodiment. The operation of this combination weigher is realized by the processing of the control unit 5. It should be noted that all the information necessary for controlling the operation of the combination weigher is stored in the storage unit 7, and all the information to be stored during the operation is stored in the storage unit 7. The objects to be weighed P are, for example, agricultural products, side dishes, etc., and the individual objects to be weighed P may be constituted by some aggregate. In the following description, the symbol P indicating the object to be weighed may be omitted.

  When the weighing conveyor 1 is in the transport stop state and the weighing object P does not exist at the first holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1, the operator puts the weighing object P into the first holding position H1 through the opening 11a, for example. Supply (load) one by one as needed.

  In the control unit 5, the weighing value of each weight sensor 2 is acquired from the A / D conversion unit 9 at regular time intervals, and the weighing conveyor 1 to which an object to be weighed is newly supplied based on the weighing value of the weight sensor 2. And the weight value of the object to be weighed newly supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 is recognized and stored. Here, when recognizing the weighing conveyor 1 to which the object to be weighed is newly supplied, when the measured value is increased, the increase amount of the measured value is compared with a preset load detection reference value. When the increase amount of the measured value is equal to or greater than the load detection reference value, it is determined that a new object to be weighed is supplied, and when it is less than the load detection reference value, it is determined that a new object to be weighed is not supplied. The loading detection reference value is set in advance in the control unit 5 and stored in the storage unit 7. Here, in each weighing conveyor 1, the objects to be weighed are supplied to the first holding position H1 and weighed at that position.

  FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the combination weigher regarding an arbitrary weighing unit Cw. In the following description, the weight value at the holding position (H1 to H6) is the weight value of the object to be weighed placed at the holding position (H1 to H6). Further, for example, in the storage unit 7, the objects to be weighed that exist at the holding positions H1 and H2 of the weighing conveyors 1, the holding positions H3 and H4 of the standby conveyors 3a, and the holding positions H5 and H6 of the standby conveyors 3b, respectively. A weight value table is stored for storing the weights. The weight values of the objects to be weighed are stored in this weight value table, and the initial values of all the weight values are set to zero.

  In all the weighing units Cw, for example, the order of preferentially holding the objects to be weighed (priority of holding positions) is determined in advance at the holding positions H1 to H6. Assume that the priorities are determined in descending order of, for example, H6, H5, H4, H3, H2, and H1. Here, for example, when the objects to be weighed are not held at all the holding positions H1 to H6, such as at the start of operation, the objects to be weighed are sequentially supplied to the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 and held. The objects to be weighed sequentially at the position H1 are conveyed to the holding positions by the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b based on the above-mentioned priority order. When a new object to be weighed is supplied, the control unit 5 shortens the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b to the holding position with the highest priority among the holding positions not holding the object to be weighed. The transport operation is performed so that the transport is performed at a distance (shortest time).

  In addition, the objects to be weighed are moved (conveyed) based on the priority order of the holding positions in each weighing conveyor 1 and each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b.

  For example, in the standby conveyor 3a, from the state where the objects to be weighed are held at both holding positions H3 and H4, the standby conveyor 3a is conveyed rightward by a predetermined distance L2 in order to discharge the objects to be weighed at the holding position H4. When operated, the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 moves to the holding position H4. Then, the objects to be weighed are supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 to the holding position H3 where the objects to be weighed disappear.

  Further, when the object to be weighed is held at both holding positions H3 and H4, in order to discharge the object to be weighed at the holding position H3, the standby conveyor 3a is transported to the left by a predetermined distance L2, The object to be weighed at the holding position H4 moves to the holding position H3, and the object to be weighed disappears at the holding position H4. Immediately after this, in order to move the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 to the holding position H4, the standby conveyor 3a is moved to the right by a predetermined distance L2. Then, the objects to be weighed are supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 to the holding position H3 where the objects to be weighed disappear.

  The standby conveyor 3b is the same as that of the standby conveyor 3a.

  For example, when it is determined in step S1 that an object to be weighed is newly supplied to the first holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 as described above, the weight of the object to be weighed newly supplied is increased by the measured value. Calculate (acquire) as Wn (step S2).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the object to be weighed is held at other holding positions (H2 to H6) other than the first holding position H1 (step S3). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the weight values at the other holding positions (H2 to H6) of the weight value table are zero.

  If the object to be weighed is not held at the other holding positions (H2 to H6), the object to be weighed is transported to the other holding position that is not held at the shortest distance (step S4). When there are a plurality of other holding positions where the object to be weighed is not held, the object to be weighed is transported to the other holding position with the highest priority among them at the shortest distance. Here, when the weighing object is conveyed to the holding positions H2, H3, H5, the control unit 5 only needs to operate the weighing conveyor 1, and conveys the weighing object to the holding positions H4, H6. In this case, the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors (3a, 3b) corresponding to the transfer destination may be transferred.

  And the weight Wn of the said to-be-measured object is memorize | stored as a weight value of the holding position of the conveyance destination of a weight value table (step S5).

  In step S3, if there is no other holding position (H2 to H6) where the object to be weighed is not held, the weight Wn of the object to be weighed is used as the weight value of the first holding position H1 of the weight value table. Store (step S5).

  The above processing is performed every time an object to be weighed is newly supplied to an arbitrary weighing conveyor 1. Therefore, all the weights of the objects P to be weighed and held at the holding positions are stored in the weight value table.

  Here, the combination process by the control unit 5 will be described. In this combination processing, the weight value table in the storage unit 7 is referred to, and based on the weights of the objects to be weighed P held on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of all the weighing units Cw (weight values at the holding positions H3 to H6). The combination calculation is performed, and one combination of objects to be weighed in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed (combination weight) falls within the target weight range (allowable range with respect to the combination target weight) is determined and determined as the discharge combination. When there are a plurality of combinations in which the combination weight falls within the target weight range, for example, the combination having the smallest absolute value of the difference between the combination weight and the combination target weight is determined as the discharge combination.

  Then, the objects to be weighed selected as the discharge combination are conveyed by the standby conveyors 3a and 3b holding the objects to be weighed and discharged onto the discharge conveyor 13a.

  Here, the control unit 5 is, for example, predetermined for the standby conveyors (3a, 3b) in which the objects to be weighed only at the holding positions (H3, H5) closer to the inside near the weighing conveyor 1 are selected as the discharge combinations. After transporting the distance L2 to the inside direction (leftward for the standby conveyor 3a, rightward for the standby conveyor 3b) and discharging the objects to be held at the holding positions (H3, H5) using the distance L2 as the transport distance, With the predetermined distance L2 as the transport distance, the transport operation is stopped in the outward direction (right direction in the case of the standby conveyor 3a, left direction in the case of the standby conveyor 3b).

  Then, the weighing conveyor 1 is transported to supply the objects to be weighed to the holding positions (H3, H5) where the objects to be weighed disappear. For example, when weighing objects to be weighed are held at both holding positions H1 and H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, when the weighing objects are supplied to the holding position H3 of the standby conveyor 3a, the weighing conveyor 1 is moved to the right. After carrying out the transport operation in the direction by a predetermined distance L1 to discharge the object to be measured at the holding position H1, the transport operation is further stopped in the reverse direction by the predetermined distance L1 in order to empty the supply position (holding position H1). Let In addition, when the objects to be weighed are held at both holding positions H1 and H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, when the objects to be weighed are supplied to the holding position H5 of the standby conveyor 3b, the weighing conveyor 1 is left. The conveying operation is performed in the direction by a predetermined distance L1, and the object to be weighed at the holding position H2 is discharged and stopped.

  When the objects to be weighed at the holding positions H3 and H5 of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are discharged, the transport distance of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b may be shorter than L2 as long as the objects to be weighed can be discharged. After that, the distance to be conveyed in the reverse direction may be the same distance as the previous conveyance distance. In addition, when the objects to be weighed at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 are supplied to the standby conveyor 3a, the conveying distance of the weighing conveyor 1 may be shorter than the L1 as long as the objects to be weighed can be discharged. What is necessary is just to make the distance conveyed in the reverse direction the same distance as the previous conveyance distance.

  Further, the control unit 5 may, for example, set a predetermined distance for the standby conveyors (3a, 3b) in which the objects to be weighed only in the holding positions (H4, H6) far from the weighing conveyor 1 are selected as the discharge combinations. By transporting L2 as the transport distance in the outer direction (right direction in the case of the standby conveyor 3a and left direction in the case of the standby conveyor 3b), the objects to be weighed at the holding positions (H4 and H6) are discharged and stopped.

  And like the above-mentioned case, in order to supply a to-be-measured object to the holding position (H3, H5) where the to-be-measured object was lost, the conveyance operation is carried out.

  In addition, the control unit 5 determines, for example, a predetermined distance L2 of 2 for the standby conveyors (3a, 3b) in which the objects to be weighed in both holding positions (H3 and H4, H5 and H6) are selected as the discharge combination. The conveyance operation is performed in a predetermined direction (for example, the right direction) with the double as the conveyance distance, and the objects to be weighed at both holding positions are discharged and stopped. Note that the transport distance of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b may be shorter than L2 as long as the objects to be weighed at both holding positions can be discharged.

  Then, the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors (3a, 3b) are transported to supply the objects to be weighed to the holding positions (H3 and H4, H5 and H6) where the objects to be weighed disappear. For example, when the objects to be weighed are supplied to the holding positions H3 and H4 of the standby conveyor 3a, the weighing conveyor 1 is transported to the right by a predetermined distance L1 to discharge the objects to be weighed at the holding position H1 and wait. Supply to holding position H3 of conveyor 3a. The standby conveyor 3a is moved to the right by a predetermined distance L2 and stopped to move the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 to the holding position H4. Further, by moving the weighing conveyor 1 to the right by a predetermined distance L1, for example, the object to be weighed that was initially in the holding position H2 is discharged and supplied to the holding position H3 of the standby conveyor 3a. Here, the discharging operation (conveying operation) of the two objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 may be continuously performed.

  Then, when the control unit 5 causes the standby conveyors 3a and 3b and the weighing conveyor 1 to be transported as described above to discharge the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination, before the transport operation and after the transport operation, The weight value of the holding position stored in the weight value table is changed to the weight of the object being held at the holding position after the transport operation. Update to be

  Next, an example of the repetitive operation of the combination weigher will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the discharge command signal is input from the subsequent apparatus in step S11, the control unit 5 proceeds to the process of step S12, performs the above-described combination process, and obtains the discharge combination.

  Next, in step S13, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b holding the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination are driven as described above, and the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are discharged to the discharge conveyor. While conveying to 13a, 13b, discharge conveyor 13a, 13b is driven for a predetermined time, and the to-be-measured object conveyed from waiting | standby conveyor 3a, 3b is conveyed to a back | latter stage apparatus. Furthermore, as described above, the weighing conveyor 1 is also driven to supply the objects to be measured to the standby conveyors 3a and 3b that have discharged the objects to be weighed.

  Next, in step S14, as described above, the weight values of the respective holding positions stored in the weight value table are the weights of the objects to be weighed held after the standby conveyors 3a and 3b and the weighing conveyor 1 are transported. And a discharge completion signal is output to the subsequent apparatus at a predetermined timing (step S15). The above operation is repeated.

  The latter apparatus is configured to output a discharge command signal to the combination weigher at a predetermined timing and start a predetermined operation based on a discharge completion signal from the combination weigher. As the latter stage device, for example, a bag-feeding type packaging machine for bagging an object to be weighed may be arranged. In addition, as a rear-stage apparatus, for example, an apparatus (intermittent conveyance apparatus) that intermittently horizontally moves a plurality of trays (shallow boxes) connected in a ring shape may be arranged. In this case, the objects to be weighed discharged from the discharge device 13 are supplied to the tray of the intermittent transfer device. The objects to be weighed supplied to each tray are further packed in one pack by the next stage apparatus or operator. In this case, for example, the intermittent transfer device outputs a discharge command signal to the combination weigher when the tray is moved and the empty tray is moved to the discharge port of the discharge device 13 (the conveyance end portion of the discharge conveyor 13b). The tray is moved after a predetermined time has elapsed after the discharge completion signal is input from the combination weigher, and the next empty tray is moved to the discharge port of the discharge device 13.

  Moreover, the control part 5 is the weighing | measuring conveyor to which the weight sensor 2 was attached based on the measured value of the weight sensor 2 after discharging | emitting a to-be-measured object and stopping it about the weighing conveyor 1 which discharged | emitted the to-be-measured object. It is configured to determine whether or not the weighing conveyor device consisting of 1 is abnormal. For example, when one of the two objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 is discharged, the weight value of the weight sensor 2 after discharge is equal to the weight value of the remaining objects to be weighed. If it is not equal, a signal indicating that the weighing conveyor device is abnormal is output to the operation display 4 and the combination weigher is stopped.

  Further, when all the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 are discharged, it is determined whether or not the weighing value of the weight sensor 2 after discharging is equal to zero. A signal indicating an abnormality is output to the operation display 4 and the operation of the combination weigher is stopped.

  Here, when the weighing conveyor device is abnormal, there may be a case where an object to be weighed remains on the weighing conveyor 1. Moreover, the case where the zero point of the weight sensor 2 is abnormal is also considered.

  And if the operation indicator 4 inputs the signal which shows that a measurement conveyor apparatus is abnormal from the control part 5, it will alert | report to an operator that the measurement conveyor apparatus is abnormal. As this notification means (abnormality notification means), for example, an alarm sound is output from the built-in speaker of the operation indicator 4, and the layout diagrams of the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are displayed on the display screen, which is abnormal. The weighing conveyor 1 of the weighing conveyor device may be configured so as to be displayed in a different color or blinking from the other weighing conveyors 1. Other configurations may be used as long as the operator can be notified which weighing conveyor device is abnormal. For example, one indicator lamp corresponding to each weighing conveyor 1 is provided, and the indicator lamp corresponding to the weighing conveyor 1 of the abnormal weighing conveyor device is lit or blinked under the control of the control unit 5. Also good.

  By notifying that the weighing conveyor device is abnormal as described above, when the objects to be weighed are discharged from the weighing conveyor 1 to the discharging device 13, the objects to be weighed should be discharged for some reason. 1 can be notified to the operator that the weight sensor 2 is left on or the zero point of the weight sensor 2 is abnormal, and it is possible to prevent a measurement error product from being supplied to the subsequent device. become.

  In this first configuration example, each weighing unit Cw is provided with a plurality of standby conveyors 3a and 3b for holding the objects weighed on the weighing conveyor 1, and each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b has a plurality of objects to be weighed. , Each weighing object can be discharged individually, and the weight values of the weighing objects on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are used for the combination calculation. The number increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of weighing units Cw having expensive weight sensors 2 to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, to make the combination weigher compact, and to reduce the installation area. Further, since the combination scale can be made compact by reducing the number of weighing units Cw, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator who supplies the objects to be weighed to the weighing conveyor 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, in the plan view, the weighing conveyor 1 of each weighing unit Cw and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are arranged in the same direction, and all the weighing conveyors 1 are arranged. Are arranged in parallel, the distance between the weighing units Cw adjacent to each other can be reduced, and the length of the weighing unit Cw group in the front-rear direction can be shortened. Thereby, it becomes easy to supply the objects to be weighed.

  In addition, instead of the discharge conveyors 13a and 13b, for example, a wide discharge conveyor that transports the objects to be weighed discharged from all the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the direction from the front to the back, and a conveyance termination portion of the discharge conveyor In order to collect the objects to be weighed discharged from the vehicle, a discharge conveyor for conveying in either the left or right direction may be used.

[Second configuration example]
FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of the combination weigher according to the second configuration example of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the combination weigher as viewed from the side. .

  In this 2nd structural example, it replaces with the discharging apparatus 13 of a 1st structural example as a discharge device, and is the structure provided with the discharge conveyors 21-24 which consist of a belt conveyor, Other structures are the same as that of a 1st structural example. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted. Further, in the second configuration example, the same effects as in the first configuration example can be obtained.

  The discharge device includes a discharge conveyor 21 that conveys objects to be measured discharged from the standby conveyors 3a and 3b toward the inside (center side) in one direction (arrow c direction), and an outward direction (rightward) from each of the standby conveyors 3a. A discharge conveyor 22 that conveys objects to be weighed discharged in the direction (c) in the direction of arrow c, and a discharge conveyor 23 which conveys objects to be weighed discharged from each standby conveyor 3b in the outer direction (left direction) in the direction of arrow c. The discharge conveyor 24 is configured to convey the objects to be weighed conveyed from the discharge conveyors 21 to 23 in the direction of the arrow d. The objects to be weighed discharged from the discharge conveyor 24 are supplied to a subsequent apparatus such as a packaging machine.

  In this discharge device, for example, when a drive device (not shown) such as a motor of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b protrudes greatly downward from the lower surface of the conveyor belt, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are discharged therefrom. Since the level difference with the discharge conveyors 21 to 23 that receive the objects to be weighed can be reduced, damage to the objects to be weighed that is easily damaged by an impact or the like when dropped can be prevented.

  Further, as a discharging device for the combination weigher, the discharging conveyor 24 is not provided, but only the discharging conveyors 21 to 23 are provided. As the subsequent device, for example, a tray (shallow box) 25 is connected and intermittently moved horizontally. A device (intermittent conveyance device) may be provided. In this case, first, the discharge conveyor 23 on the left side is moved and the objects to be weighed on the discharge conveyor 23 are put in the tray 25, and then the tray 25 is moved to the discharge port of the central discharge conveyor 21. To carry the weighing object on the discharge conveyor 21 to the tray 25, further move the tray 25 to the discharge port of the right discharge conveyor 22, move the discharge conveyor 22 to discharge to the tray 25. The tray 25 is sequentially moved so that the objects to be weighed on the conveyor 22 are put in, and the operation timings of the discharge conveyors 21 to 23 are made different so that the objects to be weighed in one discharge combination are stored in one tray 25. To be.

  Further, the number of weighing units Cw may be increased, and two sets of discharge combinations (first and second discharge combinations) may be obtained simultaneously in the combination process. In this case, for example, only the objects to be weighed selected for the first discharge combination are discharged to the central discharge conveyor 21, and only the objects to be weighed selected for the second discharge combination are discharged to the discharge conveyors 22 on both sides. The first and second discharge combinations may be obtained so that the discharge can be performed in this way. That is, the first discharge combination to be discharged to the central discharge conveyor 21 is obtained except for the combination in which the objects to be weighed only at the outer holding positions (H4, H6) are selected in each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b. The second discharge combination to be discharged to the discharge conveyors 22 and 23 on both sides is obtained by excluding the combination in which the objects to be weighed only at the inner holding positions (H3 and H5) are selected in each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b. You can do it. Here, the objects to be weighed on the same standby conveyors 3a and 3b may not be selected for the first discharge combination and the second discharge combination. In this way, when two sets of discharge combinations are simultaneously obtained and discharged, the transport direction of the central discharge conveyor 21 is opposite to the transport direction of the discharge conveyors 22 and 23 on both sides, for example, from the discharge conveyors 22 and 23 on both sides. The discharged objects to be weighed may be collected by the discharge conveyor 24. In addition, in the combination process, it is possible to obtain three discharge combinations at the same time.

[Third configuration example]
FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of the combination weigher according to the third configuration example of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the combination weigher as viewed from the side. . In FIG. 5B, only the foremost weighing unit Cw is shown, and the other weighing units Cw are not shown.

  In this third configuration example, the holding positions H3 and H5 near the weighing conveyor 1 of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are separated from the receiving positions E1 and E2 to which the objects to be weighed are supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 by a predetermined distance L2. The positions further away from the holding positions H3 and H5 by a predetermined distance L2 are the holding positions H4 and H6. That is, when supplying the objects to be weighed from the weighing conveyor 1 to the standby conveyor 3a, the control unit 5 moves the objects to be weighed supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 to the receiving position E1 to the holding positions H3 and H4. The standby conveyor 3a is moved. When the objects to be weighed are supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 to the standby conveyor 3b, the objects to be weighed supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 to the receiving position E2 are transferred to the holding positions H5 and H6. Make it work. For example, at the start of operation, the first object to be weighed supplied to the receiving position E1 (E2) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is moved to the holding position H3 (H5) by the conveying operation of the standby conveyor 3a (3b). Moved and held. In this state, when the next second object to be weighed is supplied to the receiving position E1 (E2), the first object to be weighed is held at the holding position H4 (H6) by the conveying operation of the standby conveyor 3a (3b). And the second object to be weighed moves to the holding position H3 (H5) and is held.

  In addition, in the combination process, the control unit 5 sets the objects to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor 1 in addition to the objects to be weighed held on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b to be selected as the discharge combination. That is, a discharge combination in which the total weight is within the target weight range is selected from the objects to be weighed held in the weighing conveyors 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of all the weighing units Cw.

  When the object to be weighed at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 is selected as the discharge combination, the object to be weighed at the holding position H1 is moved to the receiving position E1 of the standby conveyor 3a by the conveying operation in the right direction of the weighing conveyor 1. After being discharged, it is discharged to the discharge device 13 (discharge conveyor 13a) by the leftward conveying operation of the standby conveyor 3a. In this case, each of the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyor 3a is added with a conveying operation in the reverse direction immediately after the above-described conveying operation, and there is no object to be weighed at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 from the state before the conveying operation. It becomes.

  When the object to be weighed at the holding position H2 of the weighing conveyor 1 is selected as the discharge combination, the object to be weighed at the holding position H2 is moved to the receiving position E2 of the standby conveyor 3b by the transporting operation of the weighing conveyor 1 in the left direction. After being discharged, it is discharged to the discharge device 13 by the conveyance operation of the standby conveyor 3b in the right direction. In this case, the standby conveyor 3b is added with a transport operation in the reverse direction immediately after the transport operation, and the object to be weighed at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 is moved to the holding position H2 from the state before the transporting operation. The object to be weighed disappears in H1.

  When two objects to be weighed at both holding positions H1 and H2 of the weighing conveyor 1 are selected as the discharge combination, two are moved by moving the weighing conveyor 1 in the right direction (or left direction). Is discharged to the receiving position E1 (E2) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b), and then discharged to the discharge device 13 by the leftward (rightward) transfer operation of the standby conveyor 3a (3b). Also good.

  When the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 (H5) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is moved leftward (rightward), for example, twice the predetermined distance L2. By carrying out the conveying operation only, the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 (H5) is discharged to the discharge conveyor 13a, and further, for example, by carrying out the carrying operation by a predetermined distance L2 in the reverse direction, the holding position H4 (H6) before discharging. The object to be weighed is stopped in a state where it has moved to the holding position H3 (H5). In this state, it waits for the next object to be weighed to be supplied from the weighing conveyor 1.

  When the object to be weighed at the holding position H4 (H6) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is conveyed rightward (leftward), for example, by a predetermined distance L2. As a result, the object to be weighed at the holding position H4 (H6) is discharged to the discharge conveyor 13a, and further, for example, is transported in the opposite direction by a predetermined distance L2 and stopped. In this state, it waits for the next object to be weighed to be supplied from the weighing conveyor 1.

  Further, when the objects to be weighed at both holding positions H3, H4 (H5, H6) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) are selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is moved in the outward direction (of the standby conveyor 3a). In this case, the object to be weighed at both holding positions H3 and H4 (H5 and H6) is moved to the discharge conveyor 13a by, for example, carrying the sheet by two times the predetermined distance L2 in the right direction. Let it drain. In this state, it waits for the next object to be weighed to be supplied from the weighing conveyor 1.

  Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the first configuration example, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third configuration example, an effect superior to that of the first configuration example is obtained. That is, in the third configuration example, in addition to the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b, the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 are also selected as the discharge combination, so that the combination accuracy can be further improved. .

  In the plan view, all of the weighing conveyors 1, all of the standby conveyors 3a, and all of the standby conveyors 3b may be arranged in a linear row as in the first configuration example. In the third configuration example, as shown in FIG. 5A, they are arranged in a zigzag shape. This is because when the device 31 such as the motor of the weighing conveyor 1 and the weight sensor 2 and the devices 32 and 33 such as the motors of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b protrude greatly in the width direction from directly below the conveyor belt, In order to shorten the length in the front-rear direction, this is an example in which the adjacent measuring portions Cw are shifted in the left-right direction and arranged in a zigzag shape. By arranging in this way, when an operator stands in front of this combination weigher, the holding position H1 of the weighing unit Cw on the rear side can be brought closer to the operator, so that the work of supplying the object to be weighed is performed. It becomes easy and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[Fourth configuration example]
FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view of the fourth combination example of the embodiment of the present invention as seen from above, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the combination scale as seen from the side. .

  In the fourth configuration example, the weighing conveyors 1, the standby conveyors 3a, and the standby conveyors 3b of all the weighing units Cw in the third configuration example shown in FIG. 5 are arranged in a straight line, and discharged. As an apparatus, only the discharge conveyor 21 (conveying and discharging apparatus) composed of a belt conveyor that conveys the objects to be weighed discharged from the respective standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the inner (center side) direction in one direction (arrow c direction) is provided. The other configuration is the same as that of the third configuration example.

  Further, in the combination process, the control unit 5 selects a discharge combination from the objects to be weighed held in the weighing conveyors 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of all the weighing units Cw. In the conveyor 3a (3b), when the object to be weighed at the outer holding position H4 (H6) is selected as the discharge combination, the object to be weighed at the inner holding position H3 (H5) must also be discharged into the discharge combination. The emission combination is determined in such a manner as to be selected. In other words, by being transported by the standby conveyors 3a and 3b, all the objects to be weighed selected as the discharge combinations on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are discharged to the discharge conveyor 21 and are not selected as the discharge combinations. A discharge combination is determined so that the objects to be weighed are not discharged to the discharge conveyor 21.

  In the case of the fourth configuration example, the discharge path of the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 selected as the discharge combination is the same as in the case of the third configuration example, and the objects to be weighed at the holding position H1 are the ones of the standby conveyor 3a. The object to be weighed at the holding position H2 is discharged to the discharge conveyor 21 through the receiving position E1 and the receiving position E2 of the standby conveyor 3b. When the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 (H5) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is moved leftward (rightward), for example, twice the predetermined distance L2. By carrying out the conveying operation only, the object to be weighed at the holding position H3 (H5) is discharged to the discharge conveyor 21, and further, for example, by carrying out the carrying operation by a predetermined distance L2 in the reverse direction, the holding position H4 (H6) before discharging. The object to be weighed is stopped in a state where it has moved to the holding position H3 (H5).

  When the objects to be weighed at both holding positions H3 and H4 (H5 and H6) of the standby conveyor 3a (3b) are selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyor 3a (3b) is moved leftward (rightward), for example. By carrying out the conveyance operation by three times the predetermined distance L2, the objects to be weighed at both the holding positions H3, H4 (H5, H6) are discharged to the discharge conveyor 21.

  Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the third configuration example, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the fourth configuration example, when the combination processing is performed, the number of combinations is reduced as compared with the case of the third configuration example, but the combination accuracy is improved as compared with the configurations of the conventional techniques (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). At the same time, the number of weighing units Cw can be reduced to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, and the combination weigher can be made compact. Further, as compared with the third configuration example, since the discharge device is constituted by only one discharge conveyor 21, the discharge device can be configured simply and the combination weigher can be made more compact.

  Further, in plan view, the weighing conveyor 1 of each weighing unit Cw and the standby conveyors 3a, 3b are arranged so that the machine length direction is the same direction, and all the weighing conveyors 1 are arranged in parallel, It is possible to shorten the length in the front-rear direction of the weighing unit Cw group by reducing the distance between the weighing units Cw adjacent to each other. Accordingly, it is easy to perform the operation of supplying the objects to be weighed, and the discharge conveyor 21 can be shortened to shorten the discharge time.

  In the second configuration example shown in FIG. 4, instead of the discharge conveyors 21 to 24, only the central discharge conveyor 21 may be provided as the discharge device, as in the fourth configuration example. In this case, the control unit 5 selects a discharge combination from the objects to be weighed held in the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of all the weighing units Cw in the combination process. In 3a (3b), when the object to be weighed at the outer holding position H4 (H6) is selected as the discharge combination, the object to be weighed at the inner holding position H3 (H5) must be included in the discharge combination. As a result, the emission combination is obtained. If there is a concern about a decrease in combination accuracy due to a decrease in the number of combinations, the number of weighing units Cw may be increased.

[Fifth configuration example]
FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view of a combination weigher according to a fifth configuration example of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of the combination weigher as viewed from the side. .

  In the fifth configuration example, each weighing conveyor 1 has one holding position H1 for holding an object to be measured, the arrangement of the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in each weighing unit Cw, and Except for the disposition of each weighing unit Cw and the discharge conveyor 21, it is the same as the fourth configuration example shown in FIG.

  In this fifth configuration example, two weighing units Cw are arranged on both sides of the discharge conveyor 21.

  In each weighing unit Cw, the two standby conveyors 3a and 3b are arranged in parallel to each other, and are arranged so that one end faces the discharge conveyor 21. The weighing conveyor 1 is arranged above the two standby conveyors 3a and 3b. The weighing conveyor and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b are arranged such that their machine length directions (conveying directions) are orthogonal to each other.

  In each weighing section Cw, only one object to be weighed is held on the weighing conveyor 1 at its supply position (holding position H1), so that the weighing conveyor 1 holds the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyors 3a and 3b. Are in a stopped state, except for the case where the objects to be weighed are discharged when the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 are selected as the discharge combination. The operation of conveying the object to be weighed to the holding position H2 is not necessary.

  The operations of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b when the objects to be weighed are supplied from the weighing conveyor 1 and when the objects to be weighed are discharged to the discharge conveyor 21 are the same as those in the fourth configuration example.

  In the fifth configuration example, when the object to be weighed at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 is selected as the discharge combination, the receiving position E1 of the standby conveyor 3a and the receiving position E2 of the standby conveyor 3a are selected from the weighing conveyor 1. It may be discharged to the discharge conveyor 21 through any of these positions. In the same weighing unit Cw, when the objects to be weighed by the weighing conveyor 1 and one standby conveyor (for example, the standby conveyor 3a) are selected as the discharge combination, the objects to be weighed by the weighing conveyor 1 are transferred to one standby conveyor. If discharged to 3a, one of the standby conveyors 3b need not be operated.

  In this fifth configuration example, the weighing conveyor 1 holds only one object to be weighed. Therefore, when performing combination processing, the number of combinations is smaller than in the case of the fourth configuration example. Compared to the configuration of (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), the combination accuracy can be improved, the number of weighing parts Cw can be reduced to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost, and the combination weigher can be made compact. Moreover, since the discharge device is composed of only one discharge conveyor 21 as in the fourth configuration example, the discharge device can be configured simply.

  In the fifth configuration example, the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of each weighing unit Cw are arranged as described above, so that, for example, as in the fourth configuration example, the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyor 3a, Since the object to be weighed does not pass through 3b and is not discharged, the level difference between the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3a and 3b can be reduced. Further, the weight sensor 2 attached below the weighing conveyor 1 does not affect the arrangement of the discharge conveyor 21, and the step between the standby conveyors 3a and 3b and the discharge conveyor 21 can be reduced. Further, depending on the objects to be weighed, it is possible to eliminate the step so that the transport surfaces of the weighing conveyor 1, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b, and the discharge conveyor 21 are on the same horizontal plane. As described above, since the level difference between the conveyors can be reduced or eliminated, it is possible to prevent damage to an object that is easily damaged by an impact at the time of dropping or the like, and to reduce the height of the combination weigher. I can.

  In the fifth configuration example, two discharge conveyors 22 and 23 parallel to the discharge conveyor 21 are provided at the front and rear, and the discharge conveyor 24 that transfers the objects to be weighed conveyed from the discharge conveyors 21 to 23 in the direction of the arrow d. And the combination processing may be performed in the same manner as in the third configuration example shown in FIG. 5 (this configuration is hereinafter referred to as “variation example”).

  Further, in the fifth configuration example and the modified example, as in the fourth configuration example, two weighing objects may be held on the weighing conveyor 1 by using the weighing conveyor 1 having a long captain.

  Also in the first to fourth configuration examples described above, as in the fifth configuration example, a single object to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor 1 may be configured.

[Sixth configuration example]
FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view of a combination weigher according to a sixth configuration example of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of the combination weigher as viewed from the side. .

  This combination weigher includes a plurality of weighing units Cw, a discharge device 13, an operation indicator 4, a control unit 5 and the like similar to those of the first configuration example.

  Each weighing unit Cw includes a weighing conveyor device having a weighing conveyor 1 and a weight sensor 2, and a plurality of standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e. The weighing conveyor 1 and the weight sensor 2 are basically the same as those in the first configuration example, but the weighing conveyor 1 in the sixth configuration example is configured to hold one object to be weighed. . Each of the plurality of standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e is constituted by a belt conveyor, which is basically the same as the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the first configuration example, but the standby conveyors 3c and 3d in the sixth configuration example. Each of 3e is configured to hold one object to be weighed. The transport operation of the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e is controlled by the control unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, each weighing unit Cw of the sixth configuration example has a standby conveyor 3c disposed obliquely below the weighing conveyor 1, and a standby conveyor 3d disposed obliquely below the standby conveyor 3c. Further, a standby conveyor 3e is disposed obliquely below the standby conveyor 3d. The objects to be weighed P supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 and weighed are supplied to the respective standby conveyors 3c, 3d and 3e. Specifically, the objects to be weighed P measured by the weighing conveyor 1 are discharged from the left end of the weighing conveyor 1 by the conveying operation in the left direction of the weighing conveyor 1 and dropped to be supplied to the standby conveyor 3c. In addition, the objects to be weighed P on the standby conveyor 3c are discharged from the left end of the standby conveyor 3c by the conveying operation in the left direction of the standby conveyor 3c, are dropped, and are supplied to the standby conveyor 3d. In addition, the objects P to be weighed on the standby conveyor 3d are discharged from the left end of the standby conveyor 3d by the conveying operation in the left direction of the standby conveyor 3d, dropped, and supplied to the standby conveyor 3e.

  In the combination process, the control unit 5 selects the discharge combination from the weighed objects held by the weighing conveyors 1 and the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e of all the weighing units Cw. In each weighing section Cw, when the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 is selected as the discharge combination, the weighing conveyor 1 is dropped from the right end of the weighing conveyor 1 by the rightward conveying operation and discharged to the discharge conveyor 13a. The Similarly, when the objects to be weighed in the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e are selected as the discharge combination, the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e are moved from the right end of the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e by the rightward conveying operation. It falls and is discharged to the discharge conveyor 13a.

  In the control unit 5, when the objects to be weighed on the lower conveyors (3c, 3d, 3e) are discharged, the objects to be weighed P are sequentially supplied from the upper conveyors (1, 3c, 3d). 1 and standby conveyors 3c, 3d and 3e are controlled.

  In addition, the discharge conveyor 13a is disposed with an inclination so that the falling distances of the objects to be weighed P falling from the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e to the discharge conveyor 13a are the same or substantially the same. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the conveyors from the lowermost standby conveyor 3e to the uppermost weighing conveyor 1 are arranged to rise to the right, the discharge conveyor 13a is inclined to the right. Hold and place. Thereby, the impact at the time of the to-be-measured object P falling to the discharge conveyor 13a can be made small, and the breakage of the to-be-measured object P by the impact at the time of dropping, and the failure of the discharge conveyor 13a can be prevented. At this time, by providing a bar or the like on the discharge conveyor 13a, it is possible to prevent the object to be weighed from falling even if the object to be weighed easily rolls.

  In this sixth configuration example, three standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e are provided in each weighing unit Cw. However, if one or more standby conveyors are provided, the combination accuracy can be improved. For example, when only one standby conveyor 3c is provided, in the combination process, the weight values of a total of two objects to be weighed, that is, the objects to be weighed by the weighing conveyor 1 and the objects to be weighed by the standby conveyor 3c, are independently determined It can be used for combination calculation. That is, in the combination process, for each weighing unit Cw, a combination including only the weight value of the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1, a combination including only the weight value of the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyor 3c, and the weighing conveyor 1 Since it is possible to obtain the discharge combination including the combination including the weight values of both of the objects to be weighed on the standby conveyor 3c, the number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved.

  Further, in the sixth configuration example, the discharge combination may be obtained without using the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 as the target of the discharge combination. In this case, if each weighing unit Cw is provided with two or more standby conveyors, the combination accuracy can be improved. For example, when only two standby conveyors 3c and 3d are provided, in the combination process, the weight values of a total of two objects to be weighed in the standby conveyors 3c and 3d can be used alone for the combination calculation. The number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved. In this case, the weighing conveyor 1 only needs to perform a leftward conveying operation in order to supply the objects to be weighed to the standby conveyor 3c.

  Further, as described above, when the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 are not targeted for discharge combination, a plurality of objects to be weighed are provided below the weighing conveyor 1 such as the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the first configuration example. The combination accuracy can be improved even by providing only one standby conveyor for holding the belt. In short, in each weighing unit Cw, if the weight values of at least two objects to be weighed can be used alone in the combination calculation, the number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be improved.

  Further, in the sixth configuration example, the weighing conveyor 1 may be configured to hold a plurality of objects to be weighed as in the first configuration example, or the first configuration instead of the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e. You may comprise so that one or more standby conveyors which hold | maintain a some to-be-measured object like the standby conveyors 3a and 3b of an example may be provided. Also, for example, when the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e are configured to hold each of the plurality of objects to be measured at different positions, the lowermost standby conveyor 3e can also be conveyed in two directions, The number of combinations can be increased.

  In the sixth configuration example, standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e are provided below one side (left side) of the weighing conveyor 1, but similarly, standby is also performed below the other side (right side) of the weighing conveyor 1. One or more conveyors may be provided. In this case, an object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 may be selected as a discharge combination selection target, or may not be a discharge combination selection target. When the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 is to be selected as a discharge combination, the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 is discharged via either the left or right standby conveyor adjacent to the weighing conveyor 1. Good.

  Further, in the first to third configuration examples, for example, like the standby conveyors 3c, 3d, and 3e provided in the stepped shape of the sixth configuration example, each of the standby conveyors 3a and 3b is obliquely measured from below. One or more standby conveyors to which goods are supplied may be provided.

  As shown in each of the above configuration examples, in this embodiment, a plurality of weight values used for combination calculation are obtained in each weighing unit Cw, and the number of combinations is larger than that of the configuration of the prior art (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). As a result, the combination accuracy can be improved, the number of weighing parts Cw can be reduced to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, and the combination weigher can be made compact, and the installation area can be reduced. Further, since the combination scale can be made compact by reducing the number of weighing units Cw, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator who supplies the objects to be weighed to the weighing conveyor 1.

  Also, in the case of a combination weigher that manually feeds the object to be weighed, the operator must pay attention so that the object to be weighed does not get caught in the hopper's discharge gate at the wrong timing. However, since the operation of supplying the objects to be weighed in this embodiment is merely to place the objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1, even an unskilled worker can easily perform the work.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the number of weighing units Cw can be reduced as described above, and the location where the operator supplies the objects to be weighed to each weighing unit Cw is one (holding position H1). As a result, the burden on the worker who performs the supply work can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, you may make it alert | report to a worker the timing which should supply a to-be-measured item. This notification means (supply timing notification means) may be any as long as it can notify the worker. For example, an indicator lamp 12 corresponding to the holding position H1 of each weighing conveyor 1 is provided, and an object to be weighed is held at the holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1 when the weighing conveyor 1 is in a transport stopped state by the control of the control unit 5. The indicator lamp 12 may be lit when no lamp is present. Accordingly, the operator only needs to supply the object to be weighed in response to the lighting of the indicator lamp 12, so that the operator confirms the conveyance stop state of the weighing conveyor 1 and holds the object to be weighed through the opening 11a. It is possible to easily supply an object to be weighed without searching for the position H1.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although it comprised so that the supply of the to-be-measured object by each worker to each weighing conveyor 1 might be performed only to one holding position H1, each weighing conveyor is like 1st-4th structural example. When a plurality of holding positions H1 and H2 are set to 1, the operator may supply the objects to be measured to all the holding positions H1 and H2 of each weighing conveyor 1. In this case, for example, an opening similar to the opening 11a may be provided on both holding positions H1 and H2 of the weighing conveyor 1 of the apparatus main body 11 so that an object to be weighed can be supplied. The upper part of 11 may be opened, and a mark indicating each holding position may be provided on the frame of the weighing conveyor 1 or the like. And when there are no objects to be weighed on both holding positions H1, H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, the order of supplying the objects to be weighed out of the two holding positions H1, H2 is determined in advance, and the control unit 5 Assuming that the objects to be weighed sequentially supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 are supplied to the holding positions in order, the weight value of the objects to be weighed is stored as the weight value of the holding position. For example, if the first supply position is determined as the first holding position H1 and the second is the second holding position H2, the weight value of the object to be weighed previously is set to the first holding position H1. The weight value is stored, and the weight value of the object to be weighed next is stored as the weight value of the second holding position H2. Further, in this case, for each holding position H1, H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, for example, an indicator lamp similar to the above-described indicator lamp 12 is provided, and the holding positions H1, H2 to which the objects to be weighed are to be supplied are determined by the operator. You may make it alert | report to. Thereby, the worker can easily perform the work of supplying the object to be weighed, similarly to the case where the indicator lamp 12 is provided.

  As described above, when a plurality of holding positions H1 and H2 are set for each weighing conveyor 1, when the operator supplies the objects to be measured to both holding positions H1 and H2, Compared with the case where an object to be weighed is supplied only to one first holding position H1, the transport operation of each weighing conveyor 1 can be easily controlled. For example, in each weighing conveyor 1, when there are no objects to be weighed in both holding positions H1 and H2, the objects to be weighed are supplied to both holding positions H1 and H2 while the weighing conveyor 1 is stopped. Good. In each weighing conveyor 1, the weighing conveyor 1 is transported in the direction of arrow a from the state where the weighing objects are held at both holding positions H 1 and H 2, and the weighing object only at the first holding position H 1 is discharged. When this occurs, it is not necessary to move the weighing conveyor 1 in the direction of the arrow b in order to enable the supply of the next object to be weighed (that is, to empty the first holding position H1). The above is the same when the supply device 50 shown in FIG. 9 is used.

  Conventionally, there is a combination weigher using a weighing hopper that is supported by a weight sensor and temporarily holds and discharges an object to be supplied. In such a weighing hopper, the discharge gate is opened and the object to be weighed is opened. In order to accept the next object to be weighed, it was necessary to close the open discharge gate. On the other hand, as described above, when a plurality of holding positions H1 and H2 are set in the weighing conveyor 1 and the objects to be weighed are supplied to all the holding positions H1 and H2, and the weighing conveyor 1 When only one holding position H1 is set, the weighing object can be supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 immediately after the weighing conveyor 1 performs the discharging operation (conveying operation) of the weighing object. it can. In other words, by using the weighing conveyor 1, the weighing conveyor 1 can take a ready state for receiving the next object by performing the discharge operation of the object to be measured. Can be achieved.

  Further, in the weighing hopper used in the conventional combination weigher, in order to measure the weight of two objects to be weighed, the inside of the hopper is divided into two holding chambers each temporarily holding the objects to be weighed, There is a weighing hopper provided with a discharge gate for discharging an object to be weighed in each holding chamber. In such a weighing hopper, a driving mechanism for two discharge gates is required, which not only makes the structure complicated but also makes the control complicated. On the other hand, when the weighing conveyor 1 is used as in the first to fourth configuration examples of the present embodiment, the two objects P to be weighed on the weighing conveyor 1 are simply changed by changing the transport direction of the weighing conveyor 1. Each can be discharged alone, and the structure and control are simple.

  Further, as described above, when the operator supplies the objects to be weighed to both holding positions H1, H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, the holding positions H1, H2 of each weighing conveyor 1 are set. An object detection means including, for example, a photoelectric sensor for detecting that the object to be weighed is supplied (mounted) is provided, and a detection signal from the object detection means is output to the control unit 5. You may comprise. And in the control part 5, when there is no to-be-measured object on both holding position H1, H2 of the weighing conveyor 1, supply of to-be-measured object is carried out with respect to the holding position of the order defined beforehand based on the said detection signal. It may be determined whether or not it is performed in the order, and if not performed in order, an alarm may be output to stop the operation of the combination weigher. Here, as the alarm output means, for example, an alarm sound is output from the built-in speaker of the operation display 4 and the weighing conveyor 1 on which the objects to be weighed are not supplied in order is displayed on the display screen. Alternatively, the two indicator lamps provided corresponding to both holding positions H1 and H2 of each weighing conveyor 1 may be lit in a specific color. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a poorly measured product from being supplied to the subsequent apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the combination process is performed when the discharge command signal is input from the subsequent apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a combination process is performed at a predetermined time interval set in advance and a discharge command signal is input, the conveyor and the discharge device in which the held objects are selected as the discharge combination are driven to change the objects to be weighed. You may make it discharge | emit to a back | latter stage apparatus. In addition, when the discharge command signal is not input from the subsequent device, or when there is no subsequent device and another worker receives the object to be discharged from the discharge device, the combination is made at a predetermined time interval set in advance. Processing may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, for example, one certain weighing unit Cw may be used as a large charging weighing unit (BCw). In other words, the weighing unit BCw for large input is configured to be able to measure and transport an object to be weighed that is heavier than the other weighing units Cw. Specifically, for example, the weight sensor 2 of the weighing unit BCw for large input uses a load cell having a larger rated capacity than the weight sensor 2 of the other weighing unit Cw, and the weighing of the weighing unit BCw for large input As the conveyor 1 and the standby conveyor, for example, a belt conveyor having a larger belt width than the weighing conveyor 1 and the standby conveyor of the other weighing units Cw is used. In this case, for example, an object to be weighed of 60 to 90% of the combined target weight is supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 of the weighing unit BCw for large input, and 1 / n (n is 2 or more) of the remaining weight. To be weighed to the weighing conveyor 1 of the other weighing unit Cw. Further, in this case, the control unit 5 obtains the discharge combination in the combination process so as to always include one object to be weighed in the weighing unit BCw for large input. Such a configuration is suitable when the combination target weight is large, in other words, when the total weight of the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination is large.

  In the present embodiment, the operator supplies the objects to be weighed to the weighing conveyor 1, but the objects to be weighed may be supplied to the weighing conveyor 1 by a supply device. Further, as in the first to fourth configuration examples, when a plurality of holding positions H1 and H2 are set on the weighing conveyor 1, all the holding positions H1 and H2 of each weighing conveyor 1 are set by the supply device. It is preferable to be configured to supply an object to be weighed.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a supply device for supplying an object to be measured to the two holding positions of the weighing conveyor 1. In the case of FIG. 9, one supply device 50 is provided above each weighing conveyor 1 corresponding to each weighing conveyor 1. The supply device 50 is configured by a hopper that can temporarily hold an object to be weighed supplied from above and can discharge it in two directions. That is, the supply device 50 includes a cylindrical hopper body 51, and two discharge gates 52a and 52b that are attached to the hopper body 51, constitute the bottom surface of the hopper body 51, and can be opened and closed independently. Yes. The opening and closing operations of the first and second discharge gates 52a and 52b are controlled by the control unit 5.

  In the control unit 5, for example, when discharging the measurement object P at the first holding position H1 of the weighing conveyor 1, the weighing conveyor 1 is transported to the right by a predetermined distance L1 and stopped. Then, the object P to be weighed at the second holding position H2 is transferred to the first holding position H1, and there is no object to be weighed at the second holding position H2, so that the control unit 5 opens the second discharge gate 52b of the supply device 50. By opening and closing, the object to be weighed in the supply device 50 is supplied to the second holding position H2. In this way, the control unit 5 controls the discharge gates 52a and 52b so that the weighing object P is supplied to the holding positions H1 and H2 where the weighing object P is not present when the weighing conveyor 1 is in the transport stop state.

  Further, when there is no object to be weighed in both the holding positions H1 and H2, the control unit 5 causes the supply device 50 to supply the object to be weighed in a predetermined supply order. For example, if the supply order is determined with the first holding position H1 as the first and the second holding position H2 as the second, the object P to be weighed previously held in the supply device 50 is the first discharge gate 52a. Is opened and closed and supplied to the first holding position H1, and then the object P to be supplied to the supply device 50 is supplied to the second holding position H2 with the second discharge gate 52b opened and closed. In this case, for example, the controller 5 opens and closes the first discharge gate 52a and then opens and closes the second discharge gate 52b after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The supply of the object to be weighed to the supply device 50 may be performed by an operator, or a device for supplying the object to be weighed to the supply device 50 may be provided and this device may be used.

  As described above, when the objects to be weighed are supplied to both the holding positions H1 and H2 using the supply device 50, the operator supplies the objects to be weighed to both the holding positions H1 and H2. It is only necessary to control the transport operation of each weighing conveyor 1 in the same manner as in the case of the configuration, and the transport operation of each weighing conveyor 1 can be easily controlled as compared with the case where an object to be weighed is supplied only to one holding position H1. it can.

  In each of the fifth and sixth configuration examples of the present embodiment, two holding positions may be set on the weighing conveyor 1 as in the first to fourth configuration examples.

  In the first to sixth configuration examples of the present embodiment, for example, the length of the weighing conveyor 1 may be increased to set three or more holding positions. For example, the case where three holding positions are set on the weighing conveyor 1 will be briefly described. Here, when the machine length direction of the weighing conveyor 1 is the left-right direction, it is assumed that the first, second, and third holding positions are determined at regular intervals, for example, sequentially from the right side.

  In this case, the object to be weighed may be supplied to only one predetermined holding position, for example, the first holding position. Alternatively, for example, it may be configured to be performed at two adjacent holding positions, for example, the first and second holding positions, or may be configured to be performed at all the first, second, and third holding positions. Good. When configured to supply an object to be measured to two adjacent holding positions, the above-described supply device 50 can also be used.

  In this way, by increasing the number of holding positions of the weighing conveyor 1, it is possible to increase the ability to supply the objects to be weighed to the standby conveyor and to improve the combination accuracy. In addition, when the objects to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor 1 are selected as the discharge combination, the number of combinations can be increased to further improve the combination accuracy. For example, as described above, the weighing conveyor 1 having three holding positions is used, the objects to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor 1 are set as the selection targets for the discharge combination, and the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination are When it is configured to be able to discharge from both ends, it is only necessary to obtain a discharge combination in each weighing conveyor 1 except for a combination in which only the object to be weighed at the center second holding position is selected. If the number of the parts Cw is the same, the number of combinations increases as compared with the case where the two holding positions H1 and H2 are set, so that the combination accuracy can be further improved. Moreover, when the combination accuracy equivalent to the case where the two holding positions H1 and H2 are set is sufficient, the number of the weighing units Cw can be reduced.

  When setting a plurality of holding positions, including the case where three or more holding positions are set on the weighing conveyor 1, when one of the holding positions is set as the supply position, the holding positions at both ends are set. It is preferable to set one of the holding positions as the supply position, whereby the increase in the length of the weighing conveyor 1 can be suppressed. In addition, when m holding positions (m is an integer of 3 or more) are set on the weighing conveyor 1, and k holding positions (k is an integer of 2 or more smaller than m) are set as supply positions, It is preferable that k holding positions that include any one of the holding positions at both ends and that are adjacent to each other are set as the supply positions, thereby suppressing an increase in the length of the weighing conveyor 1.

  Further, in the first to fifth configuration examples, each standby conveyor 3a, 3b is configured to hold two objects to be weighed, but may be configured to hold three or more objects to be weighed, In this case, the number of combinations increases, and the combination accuracy can be further improved. In the sixth configuration example, each standby conveyor 3c to 3e may be configured to hold a plurality of objects to be weighed. In this case, the number of combinations is increased, and the combination accuracy is further improved. Can be planned.

  Here, in the case where the standby conveyor is configured to hold three or more objects to be weighed, for example, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the first to third configuration examples and the standby conveyor 3e in the lowermost stage in the sixth configuration example. In the case of the configuration in which the objects to be weighed can be discharged from both ends of the standby conveyor to the discharge device, the objects to be weighed other than the objects to be weighed held at the both ends of the standby conveyor ( If you select “Inside Weighed Objects” as the discharge combination, all the objects from the inner weighed object to at least one of the weighed objects at both ends are included in the discharge combination. What is necessary is just to obtain | require an emission combination so that it may be selected.

  Further, when the standby conveyor is configured to hold a plurality of objects to be weighed, the standby conveyors 3a and 3b in the fourth configuration example and the standby conveyors 3c and 3d in the sixth configuration example In the case of a configuration in which an object to be weighed is discharged from only one end of the conveyor to the discharge device, when selecting an inner weighed object as a discharge combination in the combination process, the inner weighed object is closest to one end of the standby conveyor. All the objects to be weighed up to the closest object to be weighed may be selected as the discharge combination, and the discharge combination may be obtained.

  In each configuration example in the present embodiment, in a plan view, the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor of each weighing unit Cw are arranged in a straight line (FIGS. 1A, 4A, and 5A). ), FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 8 (a)) and the arrangement (FIG. 7 (a)) in which the conveying directions of the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor are orthogonal to each other are illustrated. You may be comprised so that the direction and the conveyance direction of a standby conveyor may cross | intersect other than orthogonal.

  In this embodiment, a belt conveyor is used as the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor. However, a roller conveyor or the like may be used depending on the type of objects to be weighed. Further, a chute or the like may be used for the discharge device.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a combination weigher or the like that can improve the combination accuracy and suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and can be made compact.

Cw Weighing section H1 to H6 Holding position 1 Weighing conveyor 2 Weight sensors 3a to 3e Standby conveyor 4 Operation indicator 5 Control section 13 Discharge device 50 Supply device 51 Hopper body 52a, 52b Discharge gate

Claims (18)

A weighing conveyor for temporarily holding the supplied objects to be weighed and conveying the held objects to be weighed;
A weight sensor for weighing the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor;
A plurality of weighing units disposed at both ends of the weighing conveyor and having two or more standby conveyors that are supplied with objects to be weighed on the weighing conveyor and temporarily hold the objects to be weighed. As well as
In each of the weighing units, the total number of objects to be weighed held by all the standby conveyors is configured to be 2 or more,
A combination means for obtaining a discharge combination consisting of a combination of objects to be weighed whose total weight is within a target weight range from among the objects to be weighed held on the standby conveyor;
And a conveyor control means for transporting the standby conveyor so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination. In each of the weighing units, a plurality of the standby conveyors are provided so as to include the first and second standby conveyors,
The first standby conveyor is supplied with an object to be weighed discharged from one end of the weighing conveyor and dropped, and the second standby conveyor is discharged from one end of the first standby conveyor and dropped. Configured to be fed,
The combination weigher according to claim 1 . The combination scale according to claim 1, wherein the standby conveyor is configured to hold a plurality of supplied objects to be weighed at different positions. A weighing conveyor that temporarily holds the objects to be weighed and can transport the held objects to be measured in two directions opposite to each other;
A weight sensor for weighing the object to be weighed on the weighing conveyor;
The objects to be weighed are arranged on both ends of the weighing conveyor and weighed on the weighing conveyor, a plurality of objects to be fed are held at different positions, and the objects to be weighed are mutually held. A plurality of weighing units having two standby conveyors that can be conveyed in two directions that are opposite directions,
A combination means for obtaining a discharge combination consisting of a combination of objects to be weighed whose total weight is within a target weight range among the objects to be weighed held on the standby conveyor;
And a conveyor control means for transporting the standby conveyor so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination. All the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination are supplied, further comprising a single transport discharge device that transports the supplied objects to be weighed in one direction and discharges them to the outside,
All the weighing conveyors are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the machine length direction, and in each weighing section, the machine length directions of the weighing conveyor and the two standby conveyors are the same in plan view. Arranged in a direction,
The transport and discharge device is
It is arranged between the two standby conveyors of all the weighing units, and is configured such that an object to be weighed discharged from only one end of each of the standby conveyors near the weighing conveyor is supplied.
The combination weigher according to claim 4 . In each of the weighing units, the two standby conveyors are arranged in parallel in a plan view, and the weighing conveyor is arranged between the two standby conveyors so that the standby conveyor and the machine direction are orthogonal to each other. The
The combination weigher according to claim 4 . All the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination are supplied, further comprising a single transport discharge device that transports the supplied objects to be weighed in one direction and discharges them to the outside,
In each of the weighing units, the two standby conveyors are arranged in parallel in a plan view, and an object to be weighed discharged from only one end of each of the standby conveyors is supplied to the transport and discharge device. And the weighing conveyor is arranged between the two standby conveyors so that the standby conveyor and the machine direction are orthogonal to each other,
The combination weigher according to claim 4 . The combination means includes
It is configured to obtain the discharge combination from the objects to be weighed held on the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor,
The conveyor control means
The weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor are transported so as to discharge only the objects to be weighed selected for the discharge combination, and at this time, the objects selected by the discharge combination and held on the weighing conveyor. The weighing object is configured to transport the weighing conveyor and the standby conveyor so as to be discharged through the standby conveyor.
The combination weigher according to any one of claims 4 to 7 . The standby conveyor, when receiving and holding an object to be weighed supplied from the weighing conveyor, is held at a position away from a receiving position for receiving the object to be weighed, selected as the discharge combination, and the weighing conveyor The combination weigher according to claim 8 , wherein the weighing object discharged from the apparatus is configured to be discharged after being received at the receiving position. The weighing conveyor is configured to temporarily hold each of the objects to be weighed supplied at different timings at each of a plurality of holding positions determined at predetermined intervals in the conveyance direction,
Further comprising weight calculation means for calculating the weight of the object to be weighed held at each of the holding positions based on the measurement value of the weight sensor.
The combination weigher according to claim 1 . In each of the weighing conveyors, one holding position is predetermined as a supply position for supplying an object to be weighed, and the object to be weighed is manually supplied to the supply position,
The conveyor control means
When the object to be weighed is not held at the holding position other than the supply position with respect to each of the weighing conveyors, the object to be weighed supplied to the supply position is transported to the holding position other than the supply position. Configured to let the
The combination weigher according to claim 10 . The combination weigher according to claim 11 , further comprising a cover for opening an object to be weighed above the supply position and covering an upper part of the weighing conveyor. 13. The combination weigher according to claim 11 or 12 , further comprising supply timing notification means for notifying an operator of a timing at which an object to be weighed is supplied to each weighing conveyor in each of the weighing conveyors. . In the metering conveyor each, all of the holding positions are predetermined for a supply position for supplying the objects to be weighed, the objects to be weighed is configured to be supplied manually or automatically to the supply position, wherein Item 11. A combination weigher according to Item 10 . In the weighing conveyor device including the weighing conveyor and the weight sensor of each weighing unit, the weight value of the weight sensor corresponding to the weighing conveyor immediately after the object to be weighed is discharged from the weighing conveyor and the driving is stopped The combination weigher according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising abnormality determination means for determining whether or not the weighing conveyor device is abnormal based on the above. The combination weigher according to claim 15 , further comprising abnormality notifying means for notifying an operator of the weighing conveyor device that is abnormal based on a determination result by the abnormality determining means. One of the plurality of weighing units is configured such that one weighing unit weighs and transports an object to be weighed that is heavier than the other weighing units,
The combination means includes
Configured to obtain the discharge combination so that an object to be weighed held in the one weighing unit is always selected;
The combination weigher according to claim 1 . In each of the weighing conveyors, two adjacent holding positions are determined in advance as supply positions for supplying the objects to be weighed, and are used for supplying the objects to be weighed to each of the two supply positions,
A first discharge gate disposed above each of the weighing conveyors for temporarily holding the supplied objects to be measured and supplying the objects to be measured to one of the two supply positions; 11. The combination weigher according to claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of supply devices configured to have a second discharge gate for supplying an object to be weighed.

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