JP6675921B2 - Combination scale - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination weigher.

  Conventionally, in a combination weigher, for example, a collecting chute is disposed below a plurality of weighing hoppers. Then, a combination of weighing hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed is within a predetermined allowable weight range (hereinafter, referred to as “discharge combination”) is obtained, and the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper selected for this discharge combination are They are collected by a collecting chute and supplied to a packaging machine or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-54427 A

  As described above, a packaging machine is generally arranged at the next stage of the combination weigher. Further, in a production line of a factory or the like, inspection devices such as a foreign material inspection device and a weight inspection device are sequentially arranged at the latter stage of the packaging machine, and only products judged as non-defective by all the inspection devices are shipped as products. You.

  On the other hand, in the combination weigher, when calculating the discharge combination, there is no combination of the weighing hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed is within the allowable weight range, and the discharge combination may not be obtained. In such a case, for example, the objects to be weighed are discharged from some weighing hoppers, a new object to be weighed is supplied to the weighing hoppers, and then the discharge combination is determined again. In this case, the objects to be weighed discharged from the above several weighing hoppers are put into the packaging machine from the collecting hopper and become bagged products, and the bagged products are determined to be defective by the subsequent weight inspection device or the like. Has not become a product. However, at least the packaging process by the packaging machine is wastefully performed, which is uneconomical.

  Also, for a weighing hopper that is not selected as a discharge combination for a predetermined number of times, such as a weighing hopper supplied with an excessive amount of the weighing object exceeding the upper limit of the allowable weight range, the weighing object may be forcibly discharged. . Also in this case, the forcibly discharged objects to be weighed are put into the packaging machine from the collecting hopper, so that at least the packaging process by the packaging machine is wastefully performed, which is uneconomical.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to provide a combination weigher having a high processing ability and capable of economically processing a forcibly discharged object to be weighed. And

  In order to achieve the above object, a combination weigher according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of combination hoppers for selectively discharging a supplied object to be measured in a first direction and a second direction; One or more first chutes arranged corresponding to the hoppers for collection, each of which collects the objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the first direction and discharges the weighed objects from the discharge port; One or more second chutes for collecting the objects to be weighed discharged from the combination hopper in the second direction and discharging the weighed objects from a discharge port; and a discharge port for each of the first chutes. A first collecting hopper for temporarily holding and discharging the objects to be weighed discharged from the hopper, and a discharge port for each of the second chutes, for temporarily holding and discharging the objects to be discharged from the discharge ports A second collection hopper and each of the first A first discharge combination consisting of an appropriate amount combination which is a combination of the combination hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the combination hopper corresponding to the mute is within the allowable weight range is obtained. A combination means for repeatedly performing a combination process for obtaining a second discharge combination composed of the appropriate amount combination for the combination hopper corresponding to the second chute; and the first discharge combination selected by the combination process by the combination means. The combination for discharging the objects to be weighed in the first direction to the combination hopper and discharging the objects to be weighed in the second direction to the combination hopper selected for the second discharge combination. Hopper control means and the weighing object discharged from the combination hopper selected for the first discharge combination. The objects to be weighed are discharged from the one set hopper in the normal discharge direction, and the objects to be weighed are discharged from the second set hopper holding the objects discharged from the combination hopper selected as the second discharge combination. Collective hopper control means for discharging hoppers in the normal discharge direction, wherein the combination means forcibly discharges one or more of the combination hoppers based on a predetermined condition when there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination processing. And the combination hopper control means is configured to cause the forcible discharge hopper to discharge an object to be weighed in one of the first direction and the second direction, The control unit is configured to move the object to be weighed from the first collection hopper and / or the second collection hopper holding the object to be weighed discharged from the forced discharge hopper. It is configured to discharge in a forced discharge direction different from the normal discharge direction.

  According to this configuration, the objects to be weighed discharged from the first collection hopper and the second collection hopper in the normal discharge direction are, for example, put into a packaging machine and packed, and the objects to be discharged in the forced discharge direction are, for example, It is put into the collection box and collected. The collective chute is composed of one or more first chutes and one or more second chutes, and has a plurality of discharge paths for the objects to be weighed from the combination hopper. . Further, since the objects to be weighed discharged by the forced discharge processing are not put into the packaging machine, the packaging process by the packaging machine and the inspection process by the subsequent weight inspection device and the like are not wasted. Therefore, the articles to be forcibly discharged can be economically processed.

  The combination means, when the appropriate amount combination is not present in the combination processing, the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied from all the combination hoppers is larger than the upper limit value of the allowable weight range, and the upper limit A combination of the combination hopper closest to the value may be determined, and the combination hopper selected for this combination may be selected as the forced discharge hopper.

  The combination means is configured such that, when there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, the combination hopper in which the weight of the supplied object to be weighed is larger than the upper limit value of the allowable weight range is also selected as the forced discharge hopper. It may be. Thus, when obtaining the discharge combination (suitable combination), it is possible to prevent a substantial decrease in the number of weight values to be combined, and to reduce the frequency of occurrence of no suitable combination in the subsequent combination processing (combination failure).

  The combination hopper control means may be configured to discharge the object to be weighed to the forced discharge hopper only in one of the first direction and the second direction.

  According to this configuration, the object to be weighed by the forced discharge hopper is always discharged only in one of the first direction and the second direction. Therefore, when the objects to be weighed by the forced discharge hopper are always discharged in the first direction (second direction), only the first collection hopper (second collection hopper) is selected in two directions, the normal discharge direction and the forced direction. Since the second collection hopper (first collection hopper) only needs to be able to discharge in the normal discharge direction, the configuration of the second collection hopper (first collection hopper) can be simplified.

  The present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide a combination weigher having the above-described configuration, having a high processing capacity, and capable of economically processing a forcibly discharged object to be weighed.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a partial cross section of an example of a combination weigher according to the first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side, and FIG. 1B is an inner chute of the combination weigher. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating the collecting hopper of the combination weigher and the loading port of the packaging machine below the collecting hopper, as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a collecting chute and a collecting hopper of the combination weigher according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a partial cross section of an example of a combination weigher according to the first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side, and FIG. 1B is an inner chute of the combination weigher. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the outer side chute and the measuring hopper from the upper part. FIG. 1 (C) is a schematic diagram of the collecting hopper of the combination weigher and the input port of a packaging machine disposed below the collecting hopper as viewed from above.

  In this combination weigher, as shown in FIG. 1A, an object to be weighed supplied from an external supply device is radially dispersed by vibration on an upper portion of a center base (body) 15 disposed in the center of the device. A conical dispersion feeder 1 is provided. Around the dispersion feeder 1, a plurality of linear feeders 2 are provided for sending the objects to be weighed sent from the dispersion feeder 1 to the respective supply hoppers 3 by vibration. A supply hopper 3 is provided below each linear feeder 2, and a weighing hopper (combination hopper) 4 is further provided below the supply hopper 3. A plurality of the supply hoppers 3 and the weighing hoppers 4 are circularly arranged around the center base 15. The linear feeder 2, the supply hopper 3, and the weighing hopper 4 are provided correspondingly. Further, a weight sensor 41 such as a load cell for measuring the weight of the object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 is attached to each of the weighing hoppers 4, and the measured value of each of the weight sensors 41 is output to the control device 31.

  Below the weighing hoppers 4 arranged in a circular shape, an inner chute (first chute) 5 having a substantially inverted truncated cone shape is disposed, and an upper opening is concentric around the inner chute 5, and Two divided outer chutes (second chutes) 6a and 6b are provided. Each of the weighing hoppers 4 has a configuration in which two discharge gates are provided so that the object to be weighed can be selectively discharged to the inner chute 5 and the outer chutes 6a and 6b below the weighing hopper 4. 1A, the shape of the weighing hopper 4 close to the actual shape and the inner discharge gate 22 and the outer chute 6a for discharging the weighing object to the inner chute 5 (in the first direction). , 6b (in the second direction) and an outer discharge gate 23 for discharging the object to be weighed.

  Note that group A shown in FIG. 1B is a group of weighing hoppers 4 corresponding to one outer chute 6a, and group B is a group of weighing hoppers 4 corresponding to the other outer chute 6b. A group C (= A + B) composed of all the weighing hoppers 4 is a group of the weighing hoppers 4 arranged above the inner chute 5 and corresponding to the inner chute 5. Therefore, each weighing hopper 4 belongs to two groups, a group corresponding to one certain outer chute (outer group) and a group corresponding to one inner chute (inner group).

  A collecting hopper 7 is disposed at the discharge port 5e of the inner chute 5, and collecting hoppers 8a and 8b are disposed at respective discharge ports 6ae and 6be of the outer chutes 6a and 6b. Each of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b can temporarily hold an object to be weighed and discharge it downward.

  Below the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b of this combination weigher, as shown in FIG. 1C, three input ports 51 of the packaging machine are arranged corresponding to the three collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b. The objects to be weighed, which are discharged from the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b, are usually thrown into the respective inlets 51 of the packaging machine and packed in bags.

  Below the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b, for example, a funnel-shaped collecting chute 52 is provided for collecting the objects to be weighed, and below the collecting chute 52, for example, a collecting box (not shown) is arranged. Have been. The objects to be weighed discharged from the lower discharge port 52e of the collection chute 52 are collected in a collection box.

  Here, each of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, and 8b is provided with two discharge gates G1 and G2 so as to be able to selectively discharge the weighed object to the charging port 51 and the collection chute 52 of the packaging machine. Configuration. That is, each of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, and 8b opens the discharge gate G1 to discharge the object to be weighed (in the normal discharge direction) to the input port 51 of the packaging machine, and opens the discharge gate G2 to collect the object to be weighed. It can be discharged to the chute 52 (in the forced discharge direction).

  The operation display 32 is configured using, for example, a touch panel display, etc., and has input means for performing operations such as start and stop of operation of the combination weigher and setting of combination conditions, and combination processing such as operation speed and combination weight. Display means for displaying the result of the above on a screen (display screen).

  The control device 31 includes a CPU, a microcontroller including a ROM, a RAM, and the like in which an operation program and operation parameters of the CPU are stored, and the CPU executes the operation program stored in the ROM. Thus, the operation of the entire combination weigher is controlled. That is, the control device 31 controls the vibration operation of the dispersion feeder 1 and the linear feeder 2, and also controls the opening and closing operations of the supply hopper 3, the weighing hopper 4, and the discharge gates of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b. The control device 31 also performs a combination process described later, and has a function as a combination unit, a combination hopper control unit, and a collective hopper control unit. The control device 31 inputs a signal from the operation display 32 and outputs a signal such as data to be displayed on the operation display 32. Note that the control device 31 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.

  Further, the control device 31 performs a combination process for obtaining a combination of the weighing hoppers 4 for discharging the weighing object. In this combination process, three discharge combinations a, b, and c described later are obtained based on predetermined combination conditions. Specifically, from the weighing hoppers 4 of the group A on the right side in FIG. 1B, a combination of weighing hoppers 4 (hereinafter, referred to as a combination) in which the total weight of the supplied objects is within a predetermined allowable weight range. One "suitable amount combination") is determined, and is determined as the discharge combination a. Further, one suitable combination is obtained from the weighing hoppers 4 of the group B on the left side, and is determined as the discharge combination b. Further, one suitable combination is obtained from the group C, that is, all the weighing hoppers 4, and the combination is determined as the discharge combination c. Here, the same weighing hopper 4 is not included in the discharge combinations a and b and the discharge combination c.

  Then, the control device 31 simultaneously discharges the objects to be weighed from the weighing hoppers 4 selected for the discharge combinations a, b, and c at a predetermined timing. At this time, the object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination a is discharged to the outer chute 6a and temporarily held by the collecting hopper 8a. The object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected as the discharge combination b is discharged to the outer chute 6b and temporarily held by the collecting hopper 8b. The object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected in the discharging combination c is discharged to the inner chute 5 and temporarily held by the collecting hopper 7. Further, the control device 31 discharges the objects to be weighed held by the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b to the inlet 51 of the packaging machine by simultaneously opening the respective discharge gates G1 at a predetermined timing, for example. As a result, the objects to be weighed discharged from each of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b are produced as bagged products by the packaging machine.

  Further, the control device 31 opens the discharge gate of the supply hopper 3 above the empty weighing hopper 4 from which the object to be weighed has been emptied, discharges the object to be weighed, and supplies the object to the weighing hopper 4. Further, the linear feeder 2 corresponding to the empty supply hopper 3 is driven to supply the object to be weighed to the supply hopper 3. Further, the dispersing feeder 1 is driven at the same time as the driving of the linear feeder 2 to supply the object to be weighed to the linear feeder 2. The control device 31 repeatedly performs the combination process, and causes the above operation to be performed each time the combination process is performed. This is the same in the case of a second embodiment described later.

  The timing at which the objects to be weighed are discharged from the weighing hoppers 4 selected for the discharge combinations a, b, and c described above is an example, and is not limited to the above example. For example, the discharge combinations a, b, and c may be obtained at different times, and the timing at which the objects to be weighed are discharged from the weighing hoppers 4 selected for the discharge combinations a, b, and c may be shifted accordingly. . Further, the timing at which the objects to be weighed are discharged from the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b may be shifted.

  In addition, when the objects to be weighed from the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b are put into the packaging machine, the control device 31 outputs a discharge signal (D1, D1) indicating that the objects to be weighed are discharged from each of the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b. D2, D3) are output to the packaging machine, and the packaging machine performs the packaging operation on the objects to be weighed into the respective insertion ports 51 based on the timing at which these discharge signals are input.

  In this combination weigher, as described above, the number of weighing hoppers 4 is determined so that a desired combination accuracy can be obtained even if the three discharge combinations a, b, and c are determined at the same time. For example, the number of weighing hoppers 4 in each of the groups A and B is set to about ten.

  In the present embodiment, when the three discharge combinations a, b, and c cannot be obtained in the combination process, for example, the combination of the weighing hoppers 4 (the appropriate amount combination) in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed is within the allowable weight range. If there is no ")", the control device 31 performs a forced discharge process.

  In this forced discharge process, an excess combination, which is a combination of the weighing hoppers 4 whose total weight exceeds the upper limit of the allowable weight range and is closest to the upper limit, is determined, and the weighing hopper 4 selected as the excess combination is determined. The object to be weighed is discharged from the (forced discharge hopper) to the inner chute 5 or the outer chutes 6a and 6b. Further, the object to be weighed is discharged from the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b to the collection chute 52 by opening the discharge gate G2. Since new objects to be weighed are supplied to the weighing hopper 4 from which the objects to be weighed have been discharged by the forced discharge process, the controller 31 performs the following combination process using the weight of these objects to be weighed.

  In the combination processing, if any one or two of the three discharge combinations a, b, and c can be obtained, the weighing hopper 4 selected for the obtained discharge combination is subjected to the processing. A new object to be weighed is supplied to those weighing hoppers 4 by discharging the weighed material and putting it into the packaging machine. In the next combination process, three discharge combinations a, b, and c are obtained. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the collecting chute is constituted by the inner chute 5 and the outer chutes 6a and 6b, and a plurality of (three in this case) discharge paths of the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 are provided. The combinations a, b, and c can be obtained and discharged simultaneously, and have a high processing ability. Further, since the objects to be weighed discharged by the forced discharge processing are not put into the packaging machine, the packaging process by the packaging machine and the inspection process by the subsequent weight inspection device and the like are not wasted. Therefore, the articles to be forcibly discharged can be economically processed.

  In this embodiment, the first and second discharge gates G1 and G2, which can operate independently of each other, in order to selectively discharge all the collective hoppers 7, 8a, and 8b in two directions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the object to be weighed is discharged from the weighing hopper 4 by the forced discharging process to the inner chute 5 at all times, only the collecting hopper 7 at the discharge port of the inner chute 5 is selectively discharged in two directions. Any configuration is possible, and the configuration of the other collecting hoppers 8a and 8b can be simplified. In addition, if the discharge of the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 by the forced discharge process is always discharged to the outer chutes 6a and 6b, the two collecting hoppers 8a and 8b can be discharged selectively in two directions. The configuration of the other collecting hopper 7 can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, all the weighing hoppers 4 are divided into two outer groups A and B, and two outer chutes 6a and 6b are provided corresponding to the respective outer groups A and B. Weighing hopper 4 is divided into three or more outer groups, three or more outer chutes are provided corresponding to each outer group, and a discharge combination is obtained for each outer group. The selected object of the weighing hopper 4 may be discharged to the outer chute. Also in this case, at the discharge port of each outer chute, for example, a collecting hopper capable of selectively discharging in two directions is provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the group C including all the weighing hoppers 4 is defined as an inner group, and one inner chute 5 is provided corresponding to the one inner group. Each of the inner groups is provided with a plurality of inner chutes corresponding to the respective inner groups, a discharge combination is determined for each of the inner groups, and the objects to be weighed of the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination are positioned inside. You may make it discharge | eject to a chute. For example, when all the weighing hoppers 4 are divided into two inner groups, two inner chutes having, for example, a semicircular upper opening may be provided. Also in this case, at the discharge port of each inner chute, for example, a collecting hopper capable of selectively discharging in two directions is provided.

(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a collecting chute and a collecting hopper of the combination weigher according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The combination weigher according to the second embodiment includes, for example, the inner chute 5 and the outer chute shown in FIG. 2 instead of the inner chute 5, the outer chutes 6a and 6b and the collecting hoppers 7, 8a and 8b in the combination weigher shown in FIG. 6 and collective hoppers 7 and 8 are provided. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the collecting chute of this combination weigher is composed of one inner chute 5 and one outer chute 6, and the upper opening of the inner chute 5 is formed around the funnel-shaped inner chute 5. And a funnel-shaped outer chute 6 having a concentric shape. Here, the inner chute 5 is provided below the outer chute 6 so as to penetrate the outer chute 6.

  Collecting hoppers 7 and 8 are provided at the outlet of the inner chute 5 and the outlet of the outer chute 6, respectively. These collecting hoppers 7, 8 are configured to selectively discharge in two directions similarly to the collecting hoppers 7, 8a, 8b of FIG. 1, and first and second discharge gates that can operate independently of each other. G1 and G2 are provided.

  The packaging machine disposed below the combination weigher has two input ports 51 instead of three, and the object to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 7 by opening the first discharge gate G1 is connected to one input port 51. The first discharge gate G1 is opened, and the objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 8 are supplied to the other input port 51. The objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting hoppers 7 and 8 with the second discharge gate G2 opened are discharged to the collecting chute 52 as shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, a group C including all the weighing hoppers 4 is a group of the weighing hoppers 4 corresponding to each of the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6.

  This combination weigher has first and second operation modes, and the operator operates the operation display 32 to select and control one of the first and second operation modes. It can be set in the device 31.

  First, a case where the first operation mode is set in the control device 31 will be described. In the combination processing in the first operation mode, two discharge combinations d and e described later are obtained based on predetermined combination conditions. Specifically, two suitable combinations are simultaneously obtained from group C, that is, all the weighing hoppers 4, and one of them is determined as a discharge combination d for discharging the object to be measured to the outer chute 6, and the other is determined to be the inner chute 5. The discharge combination e for discharging the object is determined. Here, the same combination weighing hopper 4 is not included in the discharge combination d and the discharge combination e.

  Then, the control device 31 simultaneously discharges the objects to be weighed from the weighing hoppers 4 selected for the discharge combinations d and e at a predetermined timing. At this time, the objects to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination d are discharged to the outer chute 6 and temporarily held by the collecting hopper 8. The object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination e is discharged to the inner chute 5 and temporarily held by the collecting hopper 7. Further, the control device 31 simultaneously discharges the objects to be weighed held by the collecting hoppers 7 and 8 at a predetermined timing, for example.

  In the present combination weigher, as described above, the number of the weighing hoppers 4 is determined so that a desired combination accuracy can be obtained even when the two discharge combinations d and e are determined at the same time. For example, the number of all the weighing hoppers 4 is set to about 14. That is, as compared with the first embodiment, the total number of the weighing hoppers 4 can be reduced, and the size of the combination weigher as a whole can be reduced.

  In the case of the first operation mode, when the two discharge combinations d and e cannot be obtained in the combination process, for example, the combination of the weighing hoppers 4 (the appropriate amount combination) in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed is within the allowable weight range. ), The control device 31 performs the forcible discharge process in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  That is, in the forcible discharge process, an excess combination, which is a combination of the weighing hoppers 4 whose total weight exceeds the upper limit of the allowable weight range and is closest to the upper limit, is determined, and the weighing hopper selected as the excess combination is determined. From 4, the object to be weighed is discharged to the inner chute 5 or the outer chute 6. Further, the object to be weighed is discharged from the collecting hoppers 7 and 8 to the collection chute 52 by opening the second discharge gate G2. Since new objects to be weighed are supplied to the weighing hopper 4 from which the objects to be weighed have been discharged by the forced discharge process, the controller 31 performs the following combination process using the weight of these objects to be weighed.

  Next, a case where the second operation mode is set in the control device 31 will be described. In the combination process in the second operation mode, two discharge combinations d and e are obtained based on a predetermined combination condition. Specifically, from group C, that is, from all the weighing hoppers 4, a discharge combination d consisting of an appropriate combination and discharging the object to the outer chute 6 and a discharge combination consisting of the appropriate combination and discharging the object to the inner chute 5. The discharge combination e is obtained alternately.

  In this case, in response to the discharge combination d and the discharge combination e being obtained alternately, the discharge of the object to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination d to the outer chute 6 and the discharge combination e are performed. The discharge of the objects to be weighed from the selected weighing hopper 4 to the inner chute 5 is performed alternately, and the discharge of the objects to be weighed from the collecting hopper 8 and the discharge of the objects to be weighed from the collecting hopper 7 are performed. Are performed alternately.

  Also in the case of the second operation mode, when there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination processing and the discharge combinations d and e cannot be obtained, the control device 31 performs the forced operation in the same manner as in the first operation mode. Perform discharge processing.

  When the second operation mode is set, for example, only one input port 51 of the packaging machine which can operate at high speed may be arranged below the combination weigher. In this case, the objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 8 and the objects to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 7 are sequentially put into the same input port 51, and are respectively manufactured as bagged products. In this case, a device such as a funnel for guiding the objects to be weighed discharged from the two collecting hoppers 7 and 8 to one input port 51 of the packaging machine may be required.

  In the present embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, since the collecting chute is composed of the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6 and a plurality of (here, two) discharge paths of the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 are provided, the processing capacity is high. In addition, since the objects to be weighed discharged by the forced discharge processing are not put into the packaging machine, the objects to be weighed to be forcibly discharged can be economically processed.

  In the present embodiment, first and second discharge gates G1 and G2 that can operate independently of each other are provided in order to selectively discharge all the collective hoppers 7 and 8 in two directions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the object to be weighed is discharged from the weighing hopper 4 by the forced discharging process to the inner chute 5 at all times, only the collecting hopper 7 at the discharge port of the inner chute 5 is selectively discharged in two directions. Any configuration is possible, and the configuration of the other collecting hopper 8 can be simplified. Further, if the discharge of the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 by the forced discharge process is always discharged to the outer chute 6, only the collecting hopper 8 may be selectively discharged in two directions. The structure of the other collecting hopper 7 can be simplified.

  Further, in this embodiment, all the weighing hoppers 4 are divided into a plurality of inner groups, a plurality of inner chutes are provided corresponding to each inner group, and a discharge combination is obtained for each inner group. The object to be weighed in the weighing hopper 4 selected for the discharge combination may be discharged to the inner chute. In this case, each inner chute is provided so as to penetrate the outer chute 6, and a discharge hopper of each inner chute is provided with, for example, a collecting hopper capable of selectively discharging in two directions.

  In the second embodiment, for example, the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6a, 6b as shown in FIG. 1 may be used instead of the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6. In this case, one outer chute 6 is divided into two, and the combination process is performed in such a manner that the above-described discharge combinations d and e are obtained. In this case, when two input ports 51 of the packaging machine are arranged below the combination weigher, the weighing target discharged from both of the two collecting hoppers 8a and 8b provided on the outer chutes 6a and 6b. An object is thrown into one input port 51 and produced as a bagged product, and an object to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 7 is thrown into the other input port 51 and produced as a bagged product. In this case, a device such as a funnel for guiding the objects to be weighed discharged from the two collecting hoppers 8a and 8b to one input port 51 of the packaging machine is required. If necessary, a simple device such as a funnel or a pipe for guiding the object to be weighed discharged from the collecting hopper 7 to the other inlet 51 of the packaging machine may be used.

  In the second embodiment, for example, when the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6a and 6b as shown in FIG. 1 are used instead of the inner chute 5 and the outer chute 6, the packaging machine is put below the combination weigher. When one port 51 is arranged and the second operation mode is set, the objects to be weighed discharged from the three collecting hoppers 7, 8a, and 8b are loaded into the single packing machine as needed. A simple device such as a funnel or a pipe for guiding to the mouth 51 may be used.

  In the above-described first and second embodiments, the plurality of weighing hoppers 4 and the supply hoppers 3 are arranged in a circular array. The provided configuration may be used. The shape of the inner chute (5) and the outer chute (6a, 6b or 6) may be determined in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of weighing hoppers 4.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the discharge combination is not obtained (that is, when the combination is not established), the above excess combination is obtained, and the weighing hopper 4 selected for this excess combination is forcibly discharged. The forced discharge process is performed as a hopper. However, since the weighing hopper 4 that holds an object to be weighed exceeding the upper limit of the allowable weight range by one piece is not selected as the discharge combination, Such a weighing hopper 4 may be selected as the forced discharge hopper to perform the forced discharge process. Thereby, when obtaining the discharge combination (suitable amount combination), it is possible to prevent a substantial decrease in the number of weight values to be combined and to reduce the frequency of occurrence of combination failure in the subsequent combination processing.

  Also, the forced discharge process may be performed in a single weighing hopper that holds an object to be weighed that exceeds a predetermined upper limit value for each weighing hopper 4.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the forced discharge process is performed when a combination that does not require a discharge combination is established, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the above-described forced discharge process is performed on the weighing hopper 4 that has not been selected as the discharge combination in the combination process of a predetermined number of consecutive times, or on the weighing hopper 4 that has not been selected as the discharge combination for a predetermined time. It may be. In this case, the object to be weighed can be discharged from the weighing hopper 4 or the like that holds the object to be weighed that exceeds the upper limit of the allowable weight range with one piece as described above. The frequency of occurrence of non-establishment can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the allowable weight range used when obtaining the appropriate amount combination as the discharge combinations a, b, and c in the first embodiment, and the allowable weight range used when obtaining the appropriate amount combination as the discharge combinations d and e in the second embodiment. Can be set by the operator operating the operation display 32 in advance, and can be changed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the weighing hopper 4 is exemplified as the combination hopper selected as the discharge combination, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a memory hopper (not shown) corresponding to one or a plurality of weighing hoppers 4 is provided, the memory hopper forms a combination hopper.

  Here, the memory hopper is a hopper that holds the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hopper 4, and is detected by the weighing hopper 4 corresponding to the memory hopper and stored in the memory of the control device 31. Is used as the weight value of the object to be weighed held in the memory hopper.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the weighing hoppers 4 forming the combination hopper are arranged in a ring shape, but may be arranged in a shape forming a part of the ring shape. Alternatively, they may be arranged linearly. The disposition shape of the weighing hoppers 4 may be any shape as long as each weighing hopper 4 is capable of selectively discharging the objects to be weighed to a plurality of individually provided chutes.

  The shape of the chutes 5, 6, 6a, 6b (for example, the shape of the upper opening) can also be changed according to the arrangement shape of the weighing hopper 4. For example, when the weighing hopper 4 is arranged in an elliptical shape, the shape of the upper opening of the chute may be, for example, elliptical. When the weighing hopper 4 is arranged in a polygonal shape, the shape of the upper opening of the chute may be, for example, a polygonal shape.

  Further, the weighing hoppers 4 are arranged in a row, but if the weighing hoppers 4 and the corresponding inner and outer chutes can be secured, a plurality of rows may be provided vertically and horizontally.

  Further, the positional relationship between the weighing hopper 4 and the chutes 5, 6, 6a, 6b is not limited to the chutes provided below the weighing hopper 4, as described above. As long as there is no effect on the discharge of the objects to be weighed from the weighing hopper 4 to the chute, the two may be in any positional relationship. For example, they are physically connected via predetermined relay means such as a discharge path. Above, the weighing hopper 4 and the chute may be provided at the same height, or the weighing hopper 4 and the chute may be provided at positions spatially or planarly separated from each other.

  Further, the weighing hopper 4 may discharge the objects to be weighed not only in two directions but also in three or more different directions. In this case, chutes and collecting hoppers are provided at positions corresponding to the respective directions.

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

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a combination weigher or the like that has a high processing capacity and can economically process objects to be forcibly discharged.

4 Weighing hopper 5 Inner chute 6, 6a, 6b Outer chute 7, 8, 8a, 8b Collective hopper 31 Control device

Claims (6)

A plurality of combination hoppers for selectively discharging a supplied object to be measured in a first direction and a second direction;
One or more first chutes arranged corresponding to the combination hoppers and collecting the objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the first direction and discharging the weighed objects from the discharge port,
One or more second chutes each of which collects objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the second direction and discharges the weighed objects from a discharge port;
A first collecting hopper which is provided at an outlet of each of the first chutes and temporarily holds and discharges the objects to be weighed discharged from the outlets;
A second collecting hopper provided at an outlet of each of the second chutes, for temporarily holding and discharging an object to be weighed discharged from the outlet,
A first discharge combination comprising an appropriate amount combination which is a combination of the combination hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the combination hoppers corresponding to the respective first chutes falls within an allowable weight range. A combination means for repeatedly performing a combination process for obtaining a second discharge combination composed of the appropriate amount combination for the combination hopper corresponding to each of the second chutes,
The object to be weighed is discharged in the first direction to the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination by the combination processing by the combination means, and the combination hopper selected as the second discharge combination is The combination hopper control means for discharging the object to be weighed in the second direction,
The object to be weighed is discharged in the normal discharge direction from the first collecting hopper holding the object to be weighed discharged from the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination, and selected as the second discharge combination. Collection hopper control means for discharging the objects to be weighed from the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the combined hopper in the normal discharge direction,
The combination means,
When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, one or more combination hoppers are selected as a forced discharge hopper based on a predetermined condition,
The combination hopper control means includes:
The forced discharge hopper is configured to discharge the object to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction,
The collecting hopper control means includes:
The first collection hopper and / or the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the forced discharge hopper are configured to discharge the objects to be weighed in a forced discharge direction different from the normal discharge direction. ,
Further, the combination hopper control means includes:
The forced discharge hopper is configured to discharge the object to be weighed only in one of the first direction and the second direction,
Combination scale. A plurality of combination hoppers for selectively discharging a supplied object to be measured in a first direction and a second direction;
  One or more first chutes arranged corresponding to the combination hoppers and collecting the objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the first direction and discharging the weighed objects from the discharge port,
  One or more second chutes each of which collects objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the second direction and discharges the weighed objects from a discharge port;
  A first collecting hopper which is provided at an outlet of each of the first chutes and temporarily holds and discharges the objects to be weighed discharged from the outlets;
  A second collecting hopper provided at an outlet of each of the second chutes, for temporarily holding and discharging an object to be weighed discharged from the outlet,
  A first discharge combination comprising an appropriate amount combination which is a combination of the combination hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the combination hoppers corresponding to the respective first chutes falls within an allowable weight range. A combination means for repeatedly performing a combination process for obtaining a second discharge combination composed of the appropriate amount combination for the combination hopper corresponding to each of the second chutes,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the first direction to the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination by the combination processing by the combination means, and the combination hopper selected as the second discharge combination is The combination hopper control means for discharging the object to be weighed in the second direction,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the normal discharge direction from the first collecting hopper holding the object to be weighed discharged from the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination, and selected as the second discharge combination. Collection hopper control means for discharging the objects to be weighed from the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the combined hopper in the normal discharge direction,
  The combination means,
  When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, one or more combination hoppers are selected as a forced discharge hopper based on a predetermined condition,
  The combination hopper control means includes:
  The forced discharge hopper is configured to discharge the object to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction,
  The collecting hopper control means includes:
  The first collection hopper and / or the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the forced discharge hopper are configured to discharge the objects to be weighed in a forced discharge direction different from the normal discharge direction. ,
  The combination hopper control means includes:
  In the combination processing, when all the first and second discharge combinations are obtained, the objects to be weighed are simultaneously sent to the combination hoppers selected for all the first and second discharge combinations. When the combination processing is performed and only one or two of the first and second discharge combinations can be determined in the combination processing, the determined combination is determined. It is configured to discharge an object to be weighed to the combination hopper selected as a discharge combination,
  Combination scale. The combination means,
In the case where there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied from all the combination hoppers is larger than the upper limit of the allowable weight range, and the closest to the upper limit. A combination of a combination hopper is determined, and the combination hopper selected for this combination is selected as the forced discharge hopper.
The combination weigher according to claim 1. The combination means,
When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, the weight of the supplied object to be weighed is configured to select the combination hopper larger than the upper limit of the allowable weight range as the forced discharge hopper,
The combination weigher according to claim 1. A plurality of combination hoppers for selectively discharging a supplied object to be measured in a first direction and a second direction;
  One or more first chutes arranged corresponding to the combination hoppers and collecting the objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the first direction and discharging the weighed objects from the discharge port,
  One or more second chutes each of which collects objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the second direction and discharges the weighed objects from a discharge port;
  A first collecting hopper which is provided at an outlet of each of the first chutes and temporarily holds and discharges the objects to be weighed discharged from the outlets;
  A second collecting hopper provided at an outlet of each of the second chutes, for temporarily holding and discharging an object to be weighed discharged from the outlet,
  A first discharge combination comprising an appropriate amount combination which is a combination of the combination hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the combination hoppers corresponding to the respective first chutes falls within an allowable weight range. A combination means for repeatedly performing a combination process for obtaining a second discharge combination composed of the appropriate amount combination for the combination hopper corresponding to each of the second chutes,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the first direction to the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination by the combination processing by the combination means, and the combination hopper selected as the second discharge combination is The combination hopper control means for discharging the object to be weighed in the second direction,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the normal discharge direction from the first collecting hopper holding the object to be weighed discharged from the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination, and selected as the second discharge combination. Collection hopper control means for discharging the objects to be weighed from the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the combined hopper in the normal discharge direction,
  The combination means,
  When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, one or more combination hoppers are selected as a forced discharge hopper based on a predetermined condition,
  The combination hopper control means includes:
  The forced discharge hopper is configured to discharge the object to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction,
  The collecting hopper control means includes:
  The first collection hopper and / or the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the forced discharge hopper are configured to discharge the objects to be weighed in a forced discharge direction different from the normal discharge direction. ,
  The combination means,
  In the case where there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied from all the combination hoppers is larger than the upper limit of the allowable weight range, and the closest to the upper limit. A combination of a combination hopper is determined, and the combination hopper selected for this combination is selected as the forced discharge hopper,
  Further, the combination hopper control means may include the combination hopper that has not been selected as the first and second discharge combinations in the combination processing for a predetermined number of consecutive times, or the first and second hoppers for a predetermined time. Discharging the object to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction to the combination hopper that is not selected as the discharge combination, and holding the discharged object to be weighed. The collecting hopper control means causes the first collecting hopper and / or the second collecting hopper to discharge the objects to be weighed in the forced discharging direction;
  Combination scale. A plurality of combination hoppers for selectively discharging a supplied object to be measured in a first direction and a second direction;
  One or more first chutes arranged corresponding to the combination hoppers and collecting the objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the first direction and discharging the weighed objects from the discharge port,
  One or more second chutes each of which collects objects to be weighed discharged from the corresponding combination hopper in the second direction and discharges the weighed objects from a discharge port;
  A first collecting hopper which is provided at an outlet of each of the first chutes and temporarily holds and discharges the objects to be weighed discharged from the outlets;
  A second collecting hopper provided at an outlet of each of the second chutes, for temporarily holding and discharging an object to be weighed discharged from the outlet,
  A first discharge combination comprising an appropriate amount combination which is a combination of the combination hoppers in which the total weight of the objects to be weighed supplied to the combination hoppers corresponding to the respective first chutes falls within an allowable weight range. A combination means for repeatedly performing a combination process for obtaining a second discharge combination composed of the appropriate amount combination for the combination hopper corresponding to each of the second chutes,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the first direction to the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination by the combination processing by the combination means, and the combination hopper selected as the second discharge combination is The combination hopper control means for discharging the object to be weighed in the second direction,
  The object to be weighed is discharged in the normal discharge direction from the first collecting hopper holding the object to be weighed discharged from the combination hopper selected as the first discharge combination, and selected as the second discharge combination. Collection hopper control means for discharging the objects to be weighed from the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the combined hopper in the normal discharge direction,
  The combination means,
  When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, one or more combination hoppers are selected as a forced discharge hopper based on a predetermined condition,
  The combination hopper control means includes:
  The forced discharge hopper is configured to discharge the object to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction,
  The collecting hopper control means includes:
  The first collection hopper and / or the second collection hopper holding the objects to be weighed discharged from the forced discharge hopper are configured to discharge the objects to be weighed in a forced discharge direction different from the normal discharge direction. ,
  The combination means,
  When there is no appropriate amount combination in the combination process, the weight of the supplied object to be weighed is configured to select the combination hopper larger than the upper limit of the allowable weight range as the forced discharge hopper,
  Further, the combination hopper control means may include a combination hopper that has not been selected as the first and second discharge combinations in the combination processing for a predetermined number of consecutive times, or the first and second hoppers for a predetermined time. Discharging the objects to be weighed in any one of the first direction and the second direction to the combination hopper that has not been selected as the discharge combination, and holding the discharged objects to be weighed. The collecting hopper control means causes the first collecting hopper and / or the second collecting hopper to discharge the objects to be weighed in the forced discharging direction;
  Combination scale.

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