JPH0643013A - Combination balance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an inexpensive and compact combination balance by providing an absolute minimum number of measuring groups, each comprising one measuring tank and a plurality of auxiliary tanks, and selecting the weight value of one auxiliary tank in a group positively. CONSTITUTION:Each measuring tank WB measures a weight value which is then transmitted to an operating unit 1. The unit 1 specifies a transmitted weight value, an auxiliary tank MB, and the name of measuring group which are then stored in a first memory means RAM. The operation is repeated until all auxiliary tanks MB in each measuring group are filled with articles to be measured and then the unit 1 executes a combination operation for selecting the weight value of the tank MB one by one from all groups and adding the weight values thus selected. A weight value closest to a target value is selected from the combination and when the unit 1 makes a decision that the weight value thus selected is within an allowable range, each tank MB is moved directly below each measuring tank. After confirming package ready, an article in each tank MB is discharged to a collective shoot at that position and transferred to the part of a packing machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is a combination weigher for weighing and combining solid foods such as processed foods or confectionery such as candy, etc. in order to sort and pack them into predetermined amounts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a so-called "memory type combination scale" in which the measured value of the articles to be weighed stored in the auxiliary tank is stored in a storage device and the measured value is used for combination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The combination scale currently used is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, a series of supply tanks (also called feed buckets) FB, weighing tanks (also called weight buckets) WB, and auxiliary tanks (also called memory buckets) MB from the upstream side through a conical chute. The bucket is configured by arranging 7 to 16 units in a circumferential shape (or a linear shape (not shown)) around the chute. Then, the weight values of all the weighing tanks WB and auxiliary tanks MB to which the articles to be weighed are supplied are combined, the combination closest to the target weight is selected, and the objects in each of the tanks related to this combination are selected. It is configured to eject a weighing article.

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned combination weigher, the following many inconveniences occur.

That is, in the above-mentioned combination weigher, a total of 3 out of a large number of weighing tanks WB and auxiliary tanks MB are used in combination.
Only ~ 5 buckets are selected, weighing tank WB and supply tank FB
At present, it is the current situation that more than half of the buckets are not operating. Such a situation is extremely inefficient from the viewpoint of the entire combination scale, which greatly increases the price of the combination scale and makes the combination scale unnecessarily bulky.

When the number of auxiliary tanks is increased as described above, the diameter of the conical supply chute must be increased. In this case, the inclination angle for supply (more than the repose angle of the article to be weighed). The height of the chute becomes high, and in the case of fragile articles to be weighed such as potato chips, the chute tends to be broken, and the combination scale cannot be used for weighing them. In addition, as the time variation of the articles to be weighed sliding down the supply chute becomes large, the time from the start of supplying the articles to be weighed to the supply tank to the end of the complete supply becomes long, and the articles to be weighed to the supply tank are supplied. Wasteful time is generated, resulting in a reduction in the processing capacity of the combination weigher.

[0006] Further, as the number of auxiliary tanks increases, it is necessary to provide a large collecting chute in the subsequent flow in proportion thereto, and the combination scale becomes more and more bulky.

When the combination scale becomes bulky and large, a large floor area for installation and
A sturdy frame (support frame) is required.

Furthermore, if the number of supply tanks, weighing tanks, and auxiliary tanks is increased, the amount of cleaning work for each part that must be performed after the end of weighing work increases, and the rationalization of weighing by combination weighing is offset by the maintenance work. It is also supposed to be done. Further, if attention is paid to the control aspect, the number of control objects will increase, and in this respect as well, the price of the combination weigher is further increased.

Further, in the combination weigher having such a structure, in the combinations which are sequentially performed, the articles to be weighed in the auxiliary tanks that are not continuously selected are uneven in weight (for example, only relatively heavy or light ones). The bias that remains) is gradually increased, and, for example, the slightly larger or slightly smaller weight remains without being selected, and the probability that the target weight value combination can be obtained is dramatically reduced over time. Will be done.

In such a situation, whether or not all the articles to be weighed in the auxiliary tank are discharged and dealt with every predetermined number of combinations,
Alternatively, it is necessary to widen the allowable range of the target weight value, and in the former case, the product to be weighed deteriorates because it is left in the weighing process for a long time, and the value of the product is lost depending on the product. In the latter case, the high weighing accuracy, which is a feature of the combination weighing machine, is impaired.

When such a situation is exhibited, the processing capacity or weighing accuracy of the combination weigher is significantly reduced.

Further, if the supply of the articles to be weighed is not smooth, depending on the property of the articles to be weighed, new inconveniences such as adhesion to the conveying surface of the supply means may occur, and the smoother the weighing operation. Shift to a situation that interferes with.

Further, in the combination weigher having the above-mentioned configuration, if the combination of the target weight values is constituted at the time of combination, it is selected at random from all the auxiliary tanks. Therefore, for example, peanut and okaki The so-called "mix weighing", in which each quantity is weighed and put in one bag, requires a combination scale for peanuts and a combination scale for oysters.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned present situation, and a weighing tank idle in each combination in a conventional combination weigher without impairing the advantages of the combination weigher characterized by high weighing accuracy, and An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and compact combination weigher that does not cause the inconveniences described above by setting the operating rate of the supply tank to 100%.

[0015]

A combination weigher according to the present invention stores a plurality of weighing tanks for weighing the supplied articles to be weighed and the articles to be weighed in each of these weighing tanks in combination. The auxiliary tank, the storage means for storing the weight value of the articles to be weighed stored in the auxiliary tank, and the arithmetic unit for calculating the weight values in combination, and the weight of the articles to be weighed stored in the auxiliary vessel A combination scale configured to combine values to obtain a combination of target weight values, one weighing tank and a plurality of auxiliary tanks attached to it constitute one set of weighing groups, and
Provide the minimum number necessary to obtain the combination of target values, and make a combination so that the weight value of the articles to be weighed in one auxiliary tank is always selected from one weighing group when combining the target values. It is characterized in that it is configured to obtain a combination within the allowable range of.

[0016]

According to the combination weigher of the present invention, however, each auxiliary tank forming the combination (each auxiliary tank accommodating each object to be weighed having a weight value forming the combination) is different from each other in combination. Since it is selected from the weighing group, that is, in each weighing group, one auxiliary tank becomes empty in one combination,
It is sufficient to supply the articles to be weighed to only one auxiliary tank in each weighing group. Therefore, for each combination,
All of the measuring tanks supply the articles to be weighed only to one empty auxiliary tank belonging to the weighing group, and also to the empty measuring tanks from the respective supply tanks provided corresponding thereto. , All the measuring tanks and supply tanks are operated in each measuring cycle, and the operating rate of particularly expensive measuring tanks is very high, and the number of the measuring tanks is the minimum required. Will be very cheap.

[0017] Moreover, the number of combinations is the number of metering group n, when the auxiliary tank number is N, since obtained by N ^n, it is possible to smoothly perform quick combinations and high accuracy.

Further, as described above, since the articles to be weighed are not supplied and discharged and stay in all the weighing tanks and the supply tanks every one weighing cycle, the adhesion of the articles to be weighed with high adhesiveness is effectively prevented. can do.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A combination scale according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view conceptually showing the structure of the combination weigher according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the same, and FIG. 3 is a view of I in FIG. 1 showing the positional relationship between the supply tank, the linear feeder and the conveyor feeder. -I arrow view, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the combination weigher according to the present embodiment.

1 to 3, WB is a double-sided weighing tank equipped with a gate 10 (see FIG. 1) for discharging articles to be weighed directly below, and each weighing tank is provided on the upstream side of the weighing tank WB. One supply tank FB is provided corresponding to each WB. Further, on the downstream side of the weighing tank WB, four continuous type auxiliary tanks MB (MB _{1 to} MB ₄ ) are arranged in one weighing tank WB, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. One weighing tank WB and four auxiliary tanks MB _{1 to} MB ₄ attached to it form one weighing group G. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, such measurement groups G are G ₁ to G.
₄ groups are formed up to 4.

In the case of the present embodiment, the four continuous type auxiliary tanks MB are each a measuring tank by a direct-acting type actuator (not shown) as shown by an arrow X in FIG.
4 auxiliary tanks that are movable so that they can be placed in 4 positions below (just below) the discharge gate 10 of the WB
Among the MB _{1 to} MB _4, an empty auxiliary tank can be selectively supplied with the articles to be weighed.

By the way, an oscillating conveyor type linear feeder LF having _four lanes (L _{1 to} L ₄ ; see FIG. 2) corresponding to the respective supply tanks FB is arranged upstream of the respective supply tanks FB. Further, on the upstream side, in order to supply the goods to be weighed to the linear feeder LF having these four lanes,
As shown in FIG. 3, the transport surface 12 covering the entire width of four lanes 12
A vibrating conveyor type conveyor feeder CF is provided.

Further, in the downstream (lower side) of the auxiliary tank MB,
A collecting chute DC that collects the articles to be weighed in the auxiliary tank MB selected by the combination and flows the downstream is arranged. In particular, in this embodiment, as the collecting chute DC, as shown in FIG. 1, the compact chute DC is arranged directly below the weighing tank WB with the auxiliary tank MB interposed therebetween.

In this combination weigher, as shown in FIG. 4, the weighing device (load cell) LC of each weighing tank WB is used.
Is electrically connected via an A / D converter 2 to a computing device 1 for performing a combination calculation and controlling each operation part (movable part) of the combination scale. In addition, the discharge gates of each supply tank FB, each measuring tank WB, and each auxiliary tank MB.
Ten driving means (for example, an electromagnetic solenoid) are electrically connected to the arithmetic unit 1 via the driver 3. Further, although not shown, the above-mentioned 4-type auxiliary tank MB (MB ₁
.About.MB ₄ ) is operated in the direction shown by the arrow X (see FIG. 1), and the direct-acting actuator is connected to the arithmetic unit via a driver in the same manner as above.

Further, a display (CRT) for displaying a combination calculation state or a combination result is connected to the arithmetic unit 1 via a communication interface (I / F).

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the arithmetic unit 1 has a central arithmetic element (CP
U), first storage means (RAM) for storing the weight value of the articles to be weighed in each auxiliary tank MB, which is the data of the combination, in association with each auxiliary tank MB, and the operation of the central processing element (CPU) A second storage means (ROM) for storing a program (a program for performing a combination calculation or an operation control described later);
It has an input / output board (I / O) that connects the central processing unit (CPU) and the driver 2.

Thus, the present combination scale configured as described above operates as follows. That is, first, when the main switch of the combination weigher is turned on, the combination weigher is put into operation and the conveyor feeder CF
The goods to be weighed are conveyed to the linear feeder LF side in such a state that (for example, candy) is placed on the entire conveying surface, and the goods to be weighed are supplied to the _four lanes (L _{1 to} L ₄ ) of the linear feeder LF. . Linear Fidder LF will
Four supply tanks FB provided below each lane
To supply a roughly fixed amount.

As described above, the arithmetic unit 1 is
When each of the above-mentioned feeders CF and LF is operated and the articles to be weighed are supplied to the supply tank FB in an approximately predetermined amount,
CF and LF are stopped, and the driving means of the discharge gate of the supply tank FB is activated to move the articles to be weighed in the supply tank FB downstream.
Supply to the (bottom) weighing tank WB.

Next, each weighing tank WB to which the articles to be weighed are supplied
Measures the weight value of each article to be weighed after the stabilization time necessary for weighing, and transmits this weight value (measured value) to the arithmetic unit 1. In the arithmetic unit 1, the auxiliary tank MB (in the initial state, for example, auxiliary tank MB ₁ ) and the weighing group name (for example, the first weighing group) to which the transmitted weight value and the article to be weighed having that weight value are supplied are supplied. First storage means
Store in (RAM).

Similarly, all auxiliary tanks MB (MB ₁
~ MB ₄ ) repeat the above steps until the item to be weighed is filled.

When all the auxiliary tanks MB _{1 to} MB ₄ of the respective weighing groups G _{1 to} G ₄ are filled with the articles to be weighed, the arithmetic unit 1 has one auxiliary tank MB from each of the four weighing groups.
A total of four weight values are selected and added, and a combination operation is performed. This combination state and its result are conceptually shown in FIG. 6 by using each auxiliary tank MB of the four weighing groups participating in the combination. In Fig. 6, the auxiliary tanks MB, which are colored with dots and distinguished, are
The auxiliary tanks selected by the combination are shown.

Therefore, in this embodiment, four weighing groups G ₁ each having four auxiliary tanks MB (MB _{1 to} MB ₄ ).
From G4 to G4, _four weight values of one auxiliary tank MB are selected, and therefore, 4 ⁴ combinations, that is, 256 combinations are calculated.

Then, of these 256 combinations, the one closest to the target weight value is selected.

Then, the arithmetic unit 1 judges whether or not the selected total weight value is within the allowable range of the target weight value. If the total weight value is within the allowable range, the arithmetic unit 1 constitutes the combination. Each auxiliary tank MB to be moved is moved directly below the measuring tank by each direct-acting type actuator,
After confirming that the packaging equipment is ready, each auxiliary tank MB at this position
These auxiliary tanks are activated by operating the drive means of the discharge gate 10 of
The articles to be weighed in the MB are discharged to the collecting chute DC and conveyed to the packaging device side (not shown).

Then, in each auxiliary tank MB of each empty measuring group, from the measuring tank WB of each measuring group,
Weighed articles that have been weighed during the operation of the next weighing cycle are supplied, and each weighing group name and each weighing are stored in the first storage means (RAM) of the arithmetic unit 1. The auxiliary tank MB supplied in the group is specified and its weight value is stored.

In this way, the above combinations are performed until the predetermined processing amount is achieved. A time chart of each operation in the combination is shown in FIG.
Can be expressed as In FIG. 5, S represents one cycle of weighing, and a dashed arrow indicates a processing flow.

As described above, according to the present combination scale,
When combining, the articles to be weighed in one auxiliary tank (any one of MB _{1 to} MB ₄ ) from each weighing group are selected and combined, so the auxiliary tanks that are empty are also in each weighing group. Since there is only one in each weighing group, if one weighing tank is placed in each weighing group, all weighing tanks will always operate (operate) in one weighing cycle to supply the articles to be weighed at the same time. become. Therefore, all the weighing tanks and the corresponding supply tanks are always in operation in each weighing cycle, and the combination work is performed with extremely high efficiency, and the expensive weighing tanks are also necessary to form the target weight value. The minimum is enough. That is, regarding the number of weighing tanks (weighing groups), in the present embodiment, a combination of four weight values is used to form the target weight value, but when a combination of three weight values is sufficient, weighing is performed. It is sufficient that there are three tanks, that is, three weighing groups. Even in such a case, if the number of auxiliary tanks in one weighing group is increased, the total number of combinations for one combination is not significantly reduced.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the auxiliary tanks attached to the respective measuring tanks were constructed so as to be movable so as to be positioned directly under the respective measuring tanks. Instead of this, as shown in FIG. By arranging the partition plate part of the auxiliary tank adjacent immediately below the measuring tank and opening one of the two discharge gates 10 on the bottom of the “V” shape of the measuring tank WB,
If the article to be weighed is selectively supplied to either the left or right auxiliary tank MB (either MB ₃ or MB _{4 in} FIG. 7), the movement position of the actuator for moving the auxiliary tank MB can be changed. You can have 2 positions.

Further, instead of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a movable supply chute 11 can be arbitrarily set to four states (four positions) between the measuring tank WB and the auxiliary tank MB. May be arranged and the angle of the movable supply chute 11 may be changed to supply the articles to be weighed to a desired auxiliary tank MB. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable feed chute 11 'of the double type is provided with a weighing tank WB and an auxiliary tank.
Weighing tank WB equipped with two discharge gates 10 provided between MBs and having either one of the "V" -shaped bottoms opened so that the articles to be weighed can be selectively supplied to any one of these two chute sections. If provided, the actuator for tilting the supply chute 11 'can be tilted in two states (two positions).

Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, since the measuring tanks operate so that the discharge gates of all the measuring tanks are opened at the same time as described above, one driving means (for example, a pneumatic cylinder) is used. It can be configured to operate, and in such a case, the configuration can be simplified in this respect as well.

As described above, all the measuring tanks, the supply tanks, the linear feeders, and the conveyor feeders operate every one weighing cycle, and the articles to be weighed do not stay in these parts, so that the adhesiveness is high. It is possible to prevent the adherence of the article to be weighed as much as possible.

[0043]

According to the combination weigher of the present invention, however, the operation efficiency of the measuring tank and the supply tank is extremely high, and the number of the measuring tank and the supply tank is the minimum necessary number. And the assembly man-hours can be greatly reduced, the control is simple, and it is possible to manufacture at low cost.
Moreover, the entire combination scale can be made very compact.

Further, it is possible to provide a combination scale which is hard to be attached to an object to be weighed having high adhesiveness.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conceptual configuration of a combination weigher according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the combination weigher shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view on arrow I-I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a combination weigher according to the present embodiment, which is illustrated by omitting two sets of four sets of a linear feeder, a supply tank, a measuring tank, and a quadruple type auxiliary tank.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an operation state of each configuration.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a combined state of the combination scale according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a conceptual configuration of a combination scale according to an embodiment different from FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a conceptual configuration of a combination scale according to an embodiment different from FIG.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conceptual configuration of a combination weigher according to an embodiment different from FIG.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a conventional combination scale.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Computing device WB ... Weighing tank FB ... Supply tank MB ... Auxiliary tank G ... Weighing group LF ... Nilia feeder CF ... Conveyor feeder RAM ... First storage means (storage means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of weighing tanks for weighing the supplied articles to be weighed, an auxiliary tank for storing the objects to be weighed weighed in each of these weighing tanks in combination, and the auxiliary tanks stored in the auxiliary tanks. A storage unit for storing the weight value of the item to be weighed, and an arithmetic unit for calculating the weight value in combination,
A weighing scale configured to combine the weight values of the articles to be weighed stored in the auxiliary tank to obtain a combination of target weight values, wherein one weighing tank and a plurality of auxiliary tanks attached thereto form one weighing group. The number of weighing groups is set to the minimum required to obtain the combination of target values, and the weight value of the articles to be weighed in one auxiliary tank is selected from one weighing group at the time of combination. A combination scale characterized by being configured so as to obtain a combination within a permissible range of target values.