JPS59102123A - Automatic measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To limit the weight and volume of a material to be measured in a container within a preset tolerance range, by detecting the density of the material to be measured, and increasing and decreasing the objective weight value so that the volume of the material to be measure, which is filled in a specified container, becomes approximately constant based on the detected density. CONSTITUTION:A material to be measured is supplied to each measuring section from a feeding chute 1. Level sensors 7,... are provided at pool hoppers 4,.... The volume of the material, which is supplied from radial troughs 3,... is detected by the sensor. When the material enters measuring hoppers 5 from the pool hoppers 4, the weight of the material is measured by weight detectors 6,.... The material, which is selected based on the combination operation, is discharged to a discharge chute 8 from the measuring hoppers 5,.... The material reaches a packing machine and is packed. Thus, the weight and volume of the material to be measured in a container can be limited to a preset torelance range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic weighing device that can keep the volume and weight of objects to be weighed in a packaging container within preset tolerance ranges.

For products such as corn flakes and potato chips, the degree of expansion of the product varies greatly depending on the processing conditions during the manufacturing process, such as the degree of material blending and heating temperature, or the product easily cracks. There are variations in the shape and size of the products, and the so-called appearance and specific gravity vary greatly.

Therefore, when weighing and packaging such items, even if the weight of the item is equal to the target value or the closest value to the target value within the set tolerance range, Sometimes the product volume is too small or too large. In other words, the apparent volume of the packaged object to be weighed changes in inverse proportion to the change in specific gravity. In such cases, if the product volume is too small compared to a certain amount of packaging volume, it will cause consumers to worry that the product is not large enough, and if it is too large, it may cause problems in the packaging process such as poor sealing and product spillage. give.

Therefore, when weighing such products, it is necessary to keep not only the weight but also the volume of the product in the packaging container within a preset tolerance range.The present invention was devised in response to such demands, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a new automatic weighing device that can keep the weight and volume of objects to be weighed in a container within set tolerances.

That is, the present invention is an apparatus for weighing an object to be weighed whose apparent specific gravity is not constant and putting it into a fixed container, which comprises a weighing section for weighing the object to be weighed to a target weight value, and the weighing section. a detection unit that detects the density of the object to be weighed in the measuring section from the supply volume of the object to be measured and its weight value; A first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a target weight adjustment section that increases or decreases the target weight value within a set allowable range, a weighing section that weighs the object to be weighed to the target weight value, and a constant volume forming section that forms the weighed object into a constant volume and delivers it to a packaging machine; and a constant volume forming section that forms the weighed object into a constant volume and delivers it to the packaging machine, and detects the density of the weighed object in the weighing section from the supply volume of the weighed object supplied to the weighing section and its weight value. It is characterized by comprising a detection unit and a target weight adjustment unit that increases or decreases the target weight value within a set allowable range so that the filling volume of the object to be weighed into a certain container is approximately constant based on the detection density. This is according to the second invention.

A specific example of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration when the first invention is applied to a combination weighing device (P). In FIG. 1, objects to be weighed (hereinafter referred to as articles) are supplied to each weighing section from a supply chute (1).

Each weighing section consists of a radiation trough (3), a pool hopper (4), a weighing hopper (5) arranged sequentially from the top, and a weight detector (6) attached to the hopper (5). n of these weighing sections are equally distributed in a circle. The pool hopper (4) (4)... is provided with a level sensor +71' (7)..., which detects the volume of the article supplied from the radiation trough (31+31...). Also, the item is pool hopper +4+
+41... to the weighing hopper +5) (When entering the weighing hopper (5) (5)..., the weight detector (61 (61...) The articles are weighed, ie the articles arrive from the supply chute (1) to the distribution table (2) where they are distributed around the circumference and fed to the radially arranged radial tops (31t3>...).

Then, when the article is supplied to the radiant trough 13) (3)...Yoshipool hopper (4) (4)..., the volume of the article supplied there is detected, and then the article is transferred to the weighing hopper (5)... )(6)... and its weight is measured. The articles in the weighing hoppers selected by the combination calculation are discharged from the weighing hoppers (5), (5), . . . to the discharge chute (8), reach the packaging machine, and are packaged.

Figure 2 shows some specific examples of methods for detecting the level position of articles supplied to the pool hopper (4) f4). A laser beam is projected from the mirror (io) onto the mirror (io), the reflected beam is received by the light receiving element (11), and the mirror (10) and the light receiving element (11) are operated in synchronization to move the reflected beam up and down. This is to find the level position of the article in the Yoshiput hopper (4). That is, the light receiving element (11) is moved by the stepping motor (1o) in synchronization with the rotation of the mirror (1o).
12), and the level position of the article is determined from the rotation angle of the stepping motor (12) when the reflected beam of the mirror (1o) received by the light receiving element (ll) is blocked by the article in the pool hopper (4). It is calculated. Second
The method shown in Figure (b) uses an image sensor (1
3), set this sensor θ Enoki in the vertical direction, and attach the sensor (13) to the pool hopper f4H4)...
The object is moved laterally along the side of the object, and the level of the object is detected at each position along the path of movement. The method shown in Figure 2 (1) consists of a surface light awn-shaped projector (14) and a light receiver 0I5.
) with the pool hopper (4) interposed,
The level position is determined from the amount of light received by the light receiver. Possible methods for this include using a solar cell as the photoreceptor (+5) and arranging phototransistors in multiple rows. In the method of using solar cells (rectangular type), it is necessary to consider the attenuation of the light intensity of the emitter α, so prepare two types of receiver α5), one for reference light intensity detection and the other for measurement, and connect the outputs of these to a differential amplifier. input and output from A/D
Convert and find the level position.

As described above, when the level position of the article supplied to the pool hopper f+14) is determined, the volume of the supplied article is calculated from the level position, and from this K, the volume of the article supplied to the pool hopper (41(4)) is calculated. The volume of the article supplied to the pool hopper +4) +4) is determined.On the other hand, there are two methods for supplying the article to the pool hopper +4) +4). That is, the first method is to operate the radiant trough f3) (31) until the article reaches a certain level in the pool hopper f4) (4). In this method, the level of the supplied article The detection device is simple, but the supply time is undefined.The second method is to always operate the radiation tubes (31+3) for a certain period of time, regardless of whether the supply volume of the article is excessive. In this method, since the supply time of the article is constant, it is easy to carry out periodic metering, but the level detection device for the supplied article is complicated.

In this way, two types of methods of supplying goods to the pool hopper (4) are applied: the former "pool hopper constant volume supply type" and "pool hopper constant time supply type", and the supply is determined according to the method. The configuration for calculating the volume of the article also differs.

First, the structure and operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when configured as a "pool hopper constant volume supply type" will be explained based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 8. In Fig. 8, five weighing machines (Wl) (W2)... (W,) each have a weight detector (6) and a weighing hopper (5) attached to it.
). All pool hoppers f<141...
is provided with level sensors (7) (71-), and the radiation trough (31+3+...) is provided until each level sensor f7 (7)... outputs a detection signal (81).
operates, and each pool hopper f+1f4)...
When an article is supplied into the container and the supplied article reaches a certain level, the detection signal (81) is output to a timing control section @powder, which will be described later, and the supply of the article is stopped. As a result, each pool hopper (4) + 4)
The volume of the item supplied to ... is constant each time. In which case, in a combination weighing device, each pool hopper [4) (4)
Since it is necessary to provide a certain amount of supply for each of the items, the detection position of each level sensor is different for each weighing section. In addition, in this embodiment, since the volume of the articles supplied into each pool hopper (+) (i) is constant, the volume memory (vMl) stores the converted article volume (
7M2)...(VMn) is provided in the detection unit (19), and then each weighing machine (WIXW2)...(Wn)
In response to the discharge command signal (82) from the combination calculation unit), the articles in the weighing hopper (5) +51... are discharged,
The weight hopper (5) becomes empty after a certain period of time has passed (
5) Receive goods from pool hopper +404)... and detect weight value data (wl, w2,
...'Ij+n) is output. Each weight value data (te
r+%w2,...wn) is each weighing machine (wt)(W
2) ... Enters the combinational calculation section shi0) from (Wn),
Therefore, one set of combinations is sequentially combined according to the combination pattern outputted from the pattern generation section (21) and has a value equal to or closest to the target value.

Then, the obtained set of combination patterns and the combination total value are stored, and the combination total value is output to the comparator (a) and the divider in the detection section (19). The comparator 122) compares the combined total value with the upper and lower limit values output from the tolerance range setter (241) to check whether the total value is within the set tolerance range. result,
If the combined total value is within the set allowable range, a pass signal (S3) is output to the combination calculation section □□□, and the weighing machine (w + )(W2)--(Wn) outputs a discharge command signal (S2).

Then, in the detection unit (I9), the metric +a (Wl) (W2)...(Wn
) corresponding to the volume memory (VMI) (VM
2) - (VMn), the discharge command signal (82) output from the m1 combination calculation unit is input as a read signal, and this signal (S2) K, t volume memory (VMI XVM2) ・(vMn) The volume data (υI'J172,...υn) read from the adder e
25), where the volume of the articles related to the optimal combination is calculated and output to the divider (a).

The density of the article is calculated by the divider (to) from this volume data and the combination total value of the above-mentioned optimal combination. The density data obtained in this way is sampled every time or once every few times, and the average density is calculated by the average density calculating section I (26).

Then, based on this average density, the target weight adjustment section increases or decreases the target weight value in the measuring section within a set allowable range so that the filling volume of the article into a given container becomes approximately constant. That is, as soon as the target weight value is weighed, the target value setting device (
However, if the number of samples of the average density is less than a predetermined number, the average density calculation unit (a)
Outputs the control signal (S6) that closes the target weight adjustment unit @ η) (29) to set the initial setting value without increasing or decreasing the target weight value, and the contents of the target value setter □□□ is directly outputted to the combinational calculation unit (2) via the adder (-).

Then, after a predetermined number or more of data for calculating the average density has been accumulated and the average density becomes reliable, the target weight value is increased or decreased in the target weight adjustment section based on the average density. The criterion for "reliability" can be understood as when level sensors (7) (7)... are attached to all weighing sections and the number of measurements is counted from the start and reaches a certain number or more. In addition, when a level sensor +71 (71...) is attached only to some measurement sections, this occurs when a predetermined number of data are input to the shift register in the average density calculation unit (incorporated).

When the average density becomes reliable in this way, the target weight value is adjusted in the target weight value adjustment η as described above. That is, the average density is determined by the average density calculation unit (2(
2) is input to the comparator in the target weight adjustment section (goods), and in the comparator example, the average density and upper limit density memory (3
Compare the contents of 2 and the average density is the upper limit density memory (if it is smaller than the contents of 3, it's bad) (29) is closed and prohibited. Here, the upper limit density memory (3) is a device that sets and stores the upper limit value of the density without processing the target value change.If the average density exceeds the upper limit density, , the average density is treated as an appropriate value, and at the same time no target weight value adjustment process is performed.And when the average density exceeds the upper limit density, the target weight value is adjusted as described below based on the average density. That is,
The adder/subtractor (31) calculates the difference between the average density and the contents of the upper limit density memory (product), and outputs the result to the integrator (product). The integrator (33) multiplies the output of the adder/subtractor No. 1) and the content of the adjustment pitch setter (goods) and outputs it to the adder (30) through e29).The adjustment pitch setter diagram shows the target weight. A constant is set and stored for each step of changing the value. For example, if the density is 0.1 F/6It and the density is changed to 0.2 F, '2#' is stored. Density change 1 If the target weight value is to be changed at a ratio of 0.12 to f/cdi, @0.1" is stored. Also, the adjustment width setting device is the allowable range in which the target weight value can be changed. For example, if the target weight value can be changed from 100 tons to 1051, a value equivalent to 51 is stored.Then, the integrator (33) The contents of the adjustment width setter (G) are compared in terms of comparator physical strength, and if the contents of the totalizer - are thicker, the contents of 6) of the adjustment width setter (G), which is the upper limit of the allowable range, are compared. ) (29) is outputted to the adder (33). Otherwise, the contents of the integrator (33) are outputted to the adder (33) through the gate.

In this way, the contents of the integrator (G) or the adjustment range setting device (
The contents of 30 and the settings of the target value setter (28) are input to the adder (35), and the result added there becomes the target value of the combination calculation, and the weight value data (wl, Among the combinations of contents of w2, .

Further, the discharge command signal (82) outputted from the combination calculation section (A) to the weighing machine (W+) (''z)... (W,) for the optimum combination is simultaneously output to the timing control section (C).
Here, the operation command signal (described later) is sent to the siguru hopper f41 (41..., radiation trough (3+ +3+...)
84XElB) is output, which causes the pool hopper (41 (41..., radiation trough +3) f3)...
Each operation timing is controlled respectively. In other words, the weighing machines (W, )(
Weighing hopper (5) (5) of W2')...(wn),
A discharge command signal (s2
) is output, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, the weighing machine selected as the most suitable combination (W, A discharge command signal (s4) is output from the timing control unit (38), and after a certain period of time has elapsed, the radiation feeders f31 f3 corresponding to the weighing machines (W, XW2)...(Wn) selected as the optimal combination are output. )... is output. As a result, the weighing hoppers (5 )
(5) Goods are discharged from the river, and then the pool hopper (4) (
4) The radiant trough (:+) for which goods are supplied from... and the empty pool hopper +4) (41...)
(3) Goods are supplied from... Then, when the level sensor (7) (71...) detects the level of the article and outputs the detection signal (S+), the output of the radiation trough operation command signal (s5) is stopped and the supply of the article ends. In this manner, the weighing operation of the "Boule hopper constant volume supply type" combination weighing device is repeated.

Next, the device shown in Figure 1 is a "pool hopper fixed time supply type".
The configuration and metering operation when constructed as follows will be explained based on the block diagram shown in FIG. In Fig. 4, all the pool hoppers (4) (4)...Kid level sensors (7) (7)... are provided respectively, and the radiation troughs (3) (3)... are operated for a certain period of time. By doing this, the height of the articles supplied to the cigar hoppers (4) (4)... is detected. Then, the detected height is calculated using a calculator (Cρ(
C2)...(C1), where the supply volume of the articles supplied to the pool hoppers (4) (4)... is calculated and stored. Next, as above, weigh ff1W, )(W2)
...(Wn), the weight of the article is measured, and then the combination calculating section - calculates the weight of the weighing center w, )(W2) for the optimal combination.
...(W,) is selected, and the combined total value is sent to the comparator (2
2 and is output to the divider (23). and comparator (goods)
As a result of checking the combination total value, if it is within the setting allowable range, the combination calculation unit (20) sends the weighing machine (W, ) (Town) - (Wn) and timing control unit (2) for the optimal combination.
), a discharge command signal (82) is output. Also, this discharge command signal (S2) is sent to the computing unit (C1) (C
2)...(C1) as a signal to open/close) C
39) (39)... is entered, which results in the optimal combination of pool ho7.-! corresponding to the weighing machine (W, ) (W2)...(Wn). 4) Computing unit (CI) (C2) that calculated the supply volume of the articles in (4)... (C
, , ) to the adder □□□ via the gate G+9) (39) . Then, as above, the density of the article is calculated using the divider (
Calculate using (b). From this density data, the average density calculation section (
The target weight value is adjusted by the target weight adjustment unit based on the average density calculated in step 26). That is, as in the above embodiment, the target weight value to be measured is set and stored in the target value setting device, but adjustment of the target weight value is performed only when a predetermined number or more of data for calculating the average density have been accumulated. After the density is reliable, if the zangling number of the average density is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the target weight value is set to the initial setting value, that is, the target value setter (the 4th calculation is used. Therefore, the average density Once reliability is achieved, the average density is input from the average density calculation unit to the target weight adjustment unit (b), where the target weight value is adjusted, and then output to the combination calculation unit (0) to calculate the combination. This becomes the target value for calculation. The adjustment mechanism for the target weight value is the same as in the previous embodiment, and the average density is compared with the upper limit density memo', lI=3X2 in the comparator (30), and if the value does not exceed the upper limit density, Similar to the above, target value change processing is not performed, but if the upper limit density is exceeded, the adder/subtractor (31) calculates the difference between the average density and the contents of the upper limit density memory country, and the result is sent to the integrator (31). Output to. The output of the adder/subtractor (rectangular) and the content of the adjustment pitch setter are multiplied together in the integrator (33) and output from the integrator, but the output content is outputted from the adjustment width setter (343). and the comparator (3), the smaller content is outputted to the adder (30) via gate 4. In this way, the initial set value or target The contents of the value setter cine and the contents of the adjustment width are added, and the output becomes the target value of the combination calculation. )...
(Wl) is selected.

In addition, from the timing control unit, the pool hopper [4H4) and the radiation trough (31 (31,
Ejection command signal (S and operation command signal (S5)
The timing of each operation is controlled. At this time, the operation command signal (85) outputted to the radiation trough f3> +31... is sent to the drive control section) to operate each radiation trough f:l) +3)... Control time. That is, the radiation trough (31fil)... is controlled by a drive control company that controls each operation time so that each operation time is different.
f+) [4) Supply goods to...

In this way, the weighing operation of the "pool hopper constant time supply type" combination weighing device is repeated in the same way as the "constant volume supply type".

Also, Fig. 5 shows the case where a level sensor +7) (7)... is attached to some (vn units, mar) pool hoppers f4) (41...) in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. A block diagram is shown. In the case of this embodiment, since the combined total value calculated by the combination calculation unit cannot be used for density calculation, the volume memory (VM, XVM2)... (D-) is provided and a weighing machine (W, XW2) corresponding to the pool hopper...
Weight value memory (WM, ) (VM2)...0 convex -)
A weighing machine (W,
W2)..., the level sensor (71+71-...
・This weight value memory (WM, XWM2) stores only the weighing data of the weighing machine (WI) (W2)...
...(High-) is read out and addition is made for density calculation. On the other hand, level sensor (7) (7)
Pool hopper equipped with... +6) +61...
The selected weighing machine (w, ) (Wg)...
Only those corresponding to K are polyneme memories (vn, XvM
g)...C7%) and added.

The following constructional operations are similar to the apparatus of FIG. 8, except that the operation of the radiation trough corresponding to the pool hopper in which the level sensor is not installed is stopped in a time-controlled manner.

#4 In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a level sensor +7) +7) is attached to some of the pool hoppers f+) (4)...
・・Weight value memory (WM, XWM2
)...(翞-) is provided, resulting in a similar configuration. and,
In the above-mentioned configuration in which the weight value memories (wM, ) (WM2), . . . . . .

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration when the invention of M2 is applied to a combination weighing device. The second invention is the same as the first invention, in which a constant volume molding section including a conditioner frame is provided as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the constant volume molding section includes a collecting chute (8'), a conditioner frame that reciprocates within a cylinder part (i) formed at the lower end of the chute (8), and a ring that partitions the shade (8) into upper and lower parts. It consists of 6 shutters, 2 gate plates, a ring shutter (4 units, a control unit (+ ball) that controls the conditioner frame, and a gate plate (42). The gate plate (42 is the collecting chute C).
8) The lower end opening is configured to be opened and closed based on instructions from the control unit (c), and the conditioner lock and ring shutter mechanism are driven appropriately by the control unit (c). It is configured to be driven up and down by a mechanism. Then, based on the instructions from the control section, the gate plate (42) is closed and the ring shutter (42) is closed as shown by the solid line in FIG.
1) is located at the bottom dead center position of the conditioner (4cIl is located at the top dead center position, and the two sets of articles related to the optimal combination discharged from the weighing hopper are the collecting shoe) (within the ring shutter 8'l) (41), the conditioner block is lowered to form the articles in the cylinder part (8) into a constant volume regardless of the average density, and then the gate plate is opened and the conditioner block (41) is separated into upper and lower parts.
0 is lowered to its bottom dead center position and the article is discharged to the packaging machine. In addition, when the article is discharged, the gate plate α closes and the condigi goner and ring shutter ← rise to their respective top dead center positions, are separated by the ring shutter @υ, and wait on the upper side for the next optimal combination of articles. is filled into the lower end of the collecting chute (8). Then, lower the conditioner 0Q to its top dead center position and lower the ring shutter (b) to its bottom dead center position, and then open the weighing hopper (5). articles are stored and the forming operation is repeated.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a "pool hopper constant volume supply type" combination weighing device which is an embodiment of the device shown in FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 except that a constant volume forming section (44) is installed, and the weighed articles as described above are molded into a constant volume and sent to the packaging machine. will be handed over to.

As explained above, according to the present invention, when articles with varying apparent specific gravity are combined and weighed and delivered to a packaging container or the like with a constant volume, not only the weight of the articles but also their volume can be kept within the set allowable range. Therefore, when an item is weighed to a certain weight and packaged, the volume of the item in the packaging container is also constant, which can cause the item to become loose or overflow when being packaged in the packaging container. It can be eliminated. Therefore, the volume of a product of a certain weight for a packaging container of a certain volume is always appropriate, so consumers will not be worried about not having enough quantity of the product due to the volume of the product being too small; The volume is so large that it does not cause problems in the packaging process, such as poor sealing or product spillage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration when the first invention according to the present invention is applied to a combination weighing device, Figure 2 (a), Figure 2 (
b), FIG. 2(c) is a schematic diagram of each embodiment of the level sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. A schematic diagram of the overall configuration when the second invention is applied to a combination weighing device, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the constant volume forming section in the device shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the device shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment. (Weighing section) (4)... Pool hopper, (5)... Weighing hopper, (6)... Weight detection word, (9)... Combination calculation section, 1)... Pattern generation Part, (22...Comparator, (24)...Tolerance range setter, Glance...Target value setter. (Detection part)
)・(vMn) −・・Volume memo L (23+
...divider, □□□...adder, (39)--
・Gate, ((!,X02)・(On)-MIJI
, (wbt, ) (VM2)-(WM,)-- Weight value memory. (Target weight adjustment section) H-...Gate, -...Comparator, (31)...Addition/subtraction device, (3)...Upper limit density memory, (33)...
Totalizer, (Foundation)...Adjustment pitch setting device, (3-yen/
...adder, (3 phrases...adjustment width setting device, c7)
...Comparator. (Constant volume molding section) (40)--Conditioner, odor, gate plate,
Work...control section. Figure 1 A Figure 2 @) (Figure 2 (f))

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) It is a device that weighs an object to be weighed whose apparent specific gravity is not constant and puts it into a fixed container, which includes a weighing section that weighs the object to be weighed to a target weight value, and a weighing section that weighs the object to be weighed to a target weight value. A detection unit that detects the density of the object to be weighed in the measuring section from the supplied volume of the object to be weighed and the weight value of the object to be weighed, and a detection unit that determines the filling volume of the object to be weighed into a certain container based on the detected density. An automatic weighing device comprising: a target weight adjustment section that increases or decreases the target weight value within a set allowable range so that the target weight value remains approximately constant. (2) Appears to be a device that weighs an object to be weighed whose specific gravity is not constant and puts it into a fixed container, which includes a measuring section that weighs the object to be weighed to a target weight value, and a weighed object. a fixed volume forming section that forms the weighed object into a certain volume and delivers it to the packaging machine;
a detection section that detects the density of the object to be weighed in the weighing section from the supply volume of the object to be weighed and the weight value of the object to be weighed; An automatic weighing device comprising: a target weight adjustment section that increases or decreases the target weight value within a set allowable range so that the filling volume remains approximately constant.