JPS61258119A - Combination weighing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discharge different capacities alternately at high speed by performing repeatedly a combing and discharging stage in parallel with a supplying stage, and a charging and weight measuring stage and changing the prescribed weights of combination arithmetic alternately. CONSTITUTION:The stage to supply goods from each weight measuring vessel to empty auxiliary vessels out of the plural auxiliary vessels 18a-18p constituted so that the goods are supplied respectively from the corresponding weight measuring vessels 20a-20p, and the charging and weight measuring stage to charge the goods to the empty weight measuring vessels and measure the weights of these goods are performed. In parallel with these stages, the stage to repeat the combining and discharging stage which combines the weights of the goods already supplied to the auxiliary vessels 18a-18p in every way and selects the combinations equal or approximate to the preset weights out of these combinations and discharges these to a receiving device 12 alternately is provided. Then, the preset weights in the combining and discharging stage are made different values alternately.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to combination weighing in which the weights of a plurality of articles are variously combined and a combination equal to or close to a predetermined weight is selected from among these combinations. Regarding the method.

<Prior art> Conventionally, in the combination weighing method, the optimal combination that is equal to or closest to the set value is calculated from the weighing value signals sent from multiple weighing machines, and the optimal combination that corresponds to the set value is calculated. The object to be weighed is discharged from the weighing hopper, and after discharge,
A new object to be weighed is supplied to the empty weighing hopper,
By the time the value of the object to be weighed that has been supplied to the weighing hopper becomes able to participate in the combination calculation again, the value of the remaining object to be weighed that is currently being supplied to the weighing hopper is equal to the set value, or Or, there is one in which the operation of obtaining the optimum combination that is the closest value is performed a predetermined number of times, and the objects to be weighed corresponding to the optimum combination obtained in each calculation are sequentially discharged from the weighing hopper. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-76727).

In addition, it has a plurality of weighing sections, performs a combination calculation based on the measured values of a predetermined number of measuring sections among these measuring sections, obtains a set of combinations that are equal to or closest to the set weight, and The items constituting the set are discharged into one discharge path, and a combination calculation is performed based on the weight values of the weighing units that did not participate in the previous combination and the weighing units that were not selected for combination, and the weight is determined to be equal to or equal to the set weight. There is also a method in which another set of combinations closest to the above is obtained and the articles constituting this set are discharged to another discharge route (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-2621).

Furthermore, a plurality of weighing tanks are provided, an auxiliary tank is provided for each of these weighing tanks, the article to be weighed weighed in the weighing tank is transferred to the auxiliary tank, and the weighing signal is stored in the auxiliary tank memory;
A method in which a new article to be weighed is supplied to an empty weighing tank and the weighing signal is combined with a value stored in an auxiliary tank memory (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-131020), or in which multiple weighing Auxiliary tanks are subordinated to each tank, and an auxiliary tank storage device is provided corresponding to each of these auxiliary tanks, and articles to be weighed are weighed in each weighing tank, and the items are sequentially supplied to the subordinate auxiliary tanks, and the corresponding auxiliary tanks are The measured value is stored in an auxiliary tank storage device, and various combinations of these stored values are used to obtain a target value, a target value, or a combination close to this (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-13532
There was also Publication No. 2).

<Problems to be solved by the invention> Each of the above-mentioned technologies has its own advantages, but for example,
The technique of JP-A No. 58-76727 has a large number of combinatorial operations performed between weighing cycles, so the speed can be increased, and the technique of JP-A-58-2821 allows for alternate discharge.
JP-A-57-131020 and JP-A No. 57-135322
Since this method uses an auxiliary tank, the equipment for carrying out this method can be made smaller. However, in all techniques, only one type of weight is set during combination calculation. Therefore, if two types of bagging or the like having different set weights were to be obtained using each of the above techniques, there was a problem in that two apparatuses would be required to carry out each technique.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combination weighing method that solves the above problems by taking advantage of the advantages of each of the above techniques.

Means for Solving the Problems> The first means for solving the above problems is to use a plurality of measuring tanks each configured to receive the supply of goods from a corresponding one of the plurality of measuring tanks. A step of feeding empty auxiliary tanks with articles from their corresponding metering tanks is carried out. Following this step, a loading/weighing stage is executed in which the goods are fed into the empty measuring tank and then weighed. A combination/discharge stage in which various weights of articles that have already been supplied are combined, a combination equal to or close to a predetermined weight is selected from among these combinations, and the combinations are alternately discharged to two receiving devices. Execute repeatedly. Then, in the combination/discharge stage, the predetermined weights are alternately set to different values.

The second means is to variously combine the weight of the articles that have already been supplied to the auxiliary tank and the weight of the articles that are currently being supplied to the auxiliary tank in the combination/discharge stage, and to determine a predetermined weight from among these combinations. This differs from the first method in that a combination equal to or close to this is selected and alternately discharged to two receiving devices.

The third means is such that the combining and discharging step varies at least the weight of the articles that have been completely fed into the auxiliary tank and the additional weight of the articles that are accommodated together in the corresponding weighing tank and the auxiliary tank. This method differs from the first method in that a combination equal to or close to a predetermined weight is selected from among these combinations, and the two receiving devices are alternately used.

Function> The first to third means repeatedly perform the combination/discharge stage in parallel with the supply stage and the input/measurement stage. Therefore, the number of times that combinatorial calculations can be performed is large, and high-speed processing can be achieved. Moreover, since the auxiliary tank is used, the number of articles to be subjected to combination calculation is large, and the combination accuracy is high. Furthermore, they are alternately discharged to a receiving device. Furthermore, the predetermined weights in the combination calculation take on alternately different values.

Example First, an apparatus used to carry out the combination weighing method of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1.2 is a collection chute, in which an inner chamber 4 and an outer chamber 6, each formed in the shape of a truncated cone, are arranged concentrically, and both chambers 4.6 are mutually connected to each other. It has a non-communicating outlet 8.10 in the lower part. Below these outlets 8.10 are located two inlets 14.16 of the packaging machine 12. This packaging machine 12t
i. The articles received from the receiving ports 14 and 16 are packaged in separate bags. For example, this packaging machine 12 can receive the article into the receiving port 16 after 0.15 seconds have elapsed after receiving the product into the receiving port 14, and when 0.15 seconds have elapsed, the product can be received into the receiving port 1.
4 is in an acceptable state, this process is repeated below.

This packaging machine 12 generates a discharge command signal every time it becomes ready to accept.

16 above the boundary between the inner room 4 and the outer room 6
The auxiliary tanks 18a to 18p of the stand are arranged on the circumference. One of these auxiliary tanks 18a to 18p is tilted as shown by the dotted line in the figure, and the outlet is opened to begin discharging the articles inside into the outer chamber 6. When receiving the inside discharge command signal, the drive device tilts toward the inside chamber 4, opens the discharge port, and starts discharging the articles inside into the inside chamber 4. Further, when these auxiliary tanks receive an outside or inside discharge stop signal in the above-mentioned state, they enter the state shown by the solid line and stop discharging.

Above these auxiliary tanks 18a to 18p, there are 1
Six measuring tanks 20a to 20p are arranged.

These weighing tanks 20a to 20p have load cells 22a to 22p, respectively, and these weighing tanks 20a to 20p have load cells 22a to 22p, respectively.
Weigh items within 20p. In addition, these measuring tanks 2
0a to 2op each have a gate 24, and when they receive a supply command signal, they open the gate 24 and supply the items inside to the auxiliary tanks 18a to 18p below, and when they receive a supply stop signal, they open the gate 24. close. These measuring tanks 2. o
Input devices 26a to 26p are provided above a to 20p. These input devices 26a to 26p are
When an on signal is received, articles are loaded, and when an off signal is received, loading is stopped.

In addition, the articles are transferred from each measuring tank 20a to 20p to each auxiliary tank 1.
After starting supply to 8a to 18p, each auxiliary tank i B
It takes about 0.2 seconds to reach the lower part of a to 18p. In addition, the articles are almost preliminarily loaded into each of the measuring tanks 20a to 20p from the charging devices 26a to 26p above them].
It takes about 0.2 seconds to input the articles in each weighing tank 20a to 20p.
It takes about 0.7 seconds for the 1-h volume signal to stabilize.

Thereafter, supply of articles in each measuring tank 20a to 20p,
Loading and weighing are referred to as one weighing cycle. The time for this 1 metering cycle is approximately 1.1 seconds.

Each discharge gate 24 of the measuring tanks 20a to 20p, auxiliary tank 1
8a to 18p and charging devices 26a to 26p are the third
It is controlled by a microcomputer 28 as shown in the figure. The microcomputer 28 receives weighing signals from each of the load cells 22a to 22p, and also receives a discharge command signal from the packaging machine 12.

The microcomputer 28 repeatedly executes the arithmetic sequence shown in FIG. 4, and when an interrupt signal is generated during the process, it interrupts the sequence being executed at that time and executes the auxiliary tank sequence and the sixth arithmetic sequence shown in FIG. The interrupt sequence consisting of the measurement sequence shown in the figure is executed, and upon completion, execution of the interrupted arithmetic sequence is started. Note that the interrupt signal is configured to be generated, for example, every 0.01 seconds.

Each sequence will be explained below. Now, measuring tank 20
The auxiliary tanks 18a to 18plc each contain approximately the same weight of articles, and the weighing tank 20
It is assumed that the weight of each article in a to 2op is stored in the weighing tank memory in the microcomputer 20, and the weight of each article in the auxiliary tanks 18a to 18p is stored in the same auxiliary tank memory. It is assumed that each measuring tank measurement completion flag provided corresponding to each of the measuring tanks 20a to 20p is set, but the other flags (these will be described later) are reset.

In this state, the calculation sequence shown in FIG. 4 is carried out, and at the first time, it is determined whether the initial settings have been made or not.

Next, the first set weight Wl is set to WA and the second set weight is set to W2 (step 32), and a first combination calculation is performed (step 34). The first combination calculation is to calculate the weight stored in the auxiliary tank memory corresponding to the auxiliary tank whose empty flag has been reset, the stored value in the weighing tank memory corresponding to the weighing tank, and the total number of auxiliary tanks and weighing tanks, 32. 2 with equal digits
They are combined in order according to the change in each digit of the decimal code, and from among these combinations, a combination whose total value is equal to or very close to the set weight Wl (currently WA) is selected. Now, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the storage value of the auxiliary tank memory corresponding to the auxiliary tank whose empty flag is set and the value of the measuring tank memory corresponding to the measuring tank whose measuring tank discharge participation flag is set. Stored values cannot be combined. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, a binary code is first generated (
Step 400). Next, each digit of this binary code is ANDed with the corresponding empty flag or measuring tank discharge participation flag (step 402). Therefore, even if the output of the digit where the empty flag or the measuring tank discharge participation flag is set is "1", the logical product will be "0".

The stored value in the measuring tank memory and the stored value in the auxiliary tank memory corresponding to the value of each logical product of "1" are added (step 404). It is determined whether this added value W is greater than or equal to W1 and smaller than W2 (step 406). If this judgment is YES, each logical product at that time is memorized and W
2 to W (steps 408 and 410). Then, it is determined whether the binary code is finished or not (Step 412), Y
If it is ES, it will return to 7 tetsug 400. l If No, the process moves to step 36 and a new binary code is generated. If No in step 406, step 4
Move on to 12.

Note that, at the beginning, there are no auxiliary tanks with the empty flag set and no measuring tanks with the measuring tank discharge participation flag set, so only the articles in all the auxiliary tanks are combined. Now, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary tanks 18a, 1
8: It is assumed that the articles in L are selected.
``Each → 4- Next, it is determined whether the above-mentioned combination is established or not (step 36), and if it is established, the calculation completion flag is set (step 38), and the combination that is established, that is, the combination to be discharged is memorized (step 38). 40), return to step 30.

This is also the time shown in Figure 7. This is performed during 0.2 seconds from ~t1.

Time t. -tl) (is, the interrupt signal occurs all 20 times,
Each time, the auxiliary tank sequence shown in FIG. 5 and the measuring tank sequence shown in FIG. 6 are executed, but the auxiliary tank, the measuring tank, and the charging device do not operate.

That is, in step 100 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether there is a discharge command signal for the inner room 4, but since there is no discharge command signal, it is determined whether there is a discharge command signal for the outer room 6 (step 102). . However, since there is no ejection command signal, it is determined whether the inner ejection flag I is set (step 104). Since it is not set, it is determined whether the outside discharge flag H is set (step 106). This is also set.
n, so Stella 7'200 in the measuring tank sequence in Figure 6
Then, it is determined whether the measurement completion flag of the measurement tank N (currently, since N is rlJ, the measurement tank 20a) is set (step 202). Therefore, it is determined whether the discharge participation flag for measuring tank N is set (step 20).
4). Since it has not been set, the auxiliary tank N (currently N is r
Since it is lJ, it is determined whether the empty flag of the auxiliary tank 18a) is set (step 206). Since it has not been set, it is determined whether the discharge flag for measuring tank N is set (step 208). Since it is not set, it is determined whether the flag of the input device N (currently N is "Y", so the input device 26a) is set (step 21O). Since it is not set, it is determined whether the weighing flag for weighing tank N is set (step 21).
2). Since it has not been set, N is incremented by one (step 214), and it is determined whether N is 17, which is one more than the total number of measuring tanks 16. If it is not set to step 216L, the process returns to step 202 and the , repeat the above operations until N reaches 17.

At time t1, an interrupt signal is generated again, and the auxiliary bath sequence shown in FIG. 5 is executed. In step 100, since there is a discharge command signal for the inner chamber 4, it is determined whether the computation completion flag is set (step 104). Since it has been set, the discharge participation flag of the measuring tank corresponding to the discharge participation combination is set (Nuteguyu a6). However, in the first combination calculation, the values stored in the auxiliary tank memories corresponding to the auxiliary tanks whose empty flags have been reset are combined, so this flag is never set. Then, the empty flag of the auxiliary tank corresponding to the discharge participation combination is set (step 108), and the inner discharge start signal is set to start discharging from the auxiliary tank 18aS181 to the inner chamber 4. give(
Step 109), Next, the inner discharge flag is set (Step 110), and the computation completion bladder is set (Step 112). Then, step 104 is executed, but since the inner discharge flag I is set, it is determined whether the discharge is completed (step 114). This judgment is made for a predetermined period of time (0,
2 seconds) have elapsed. Since the discharge has not been completed, step 106 is executed, but since the outer discharge flag I is not set, the process moves to step 200. Thereafter, the weighing tank sequence is executed in the same manner as described above.

When the measuring tank sequence is completed, step 3o of the calculation sequence shown in Fig. 4 is executed, but since the predetermined time has not elapsed, the tank is discharged into the outer chamber 6 for the predetermined time (0.6 seconds).
It is determined whether the time has elapsed (step 42). However, since the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step 3° and steps 3o and 42 are repeated until time t.

The auxiliary tank sequence and the measuring tank sequence are executed several times until time t2. In other words, the auxiliary tank -'I:/
Jd7. The f-tubs 100, 102, 104 and l14 are executed in this order, but since the discharge is not completed in step 114, the process moves to step 106. Therefore, auxiliary tank 1
The discharge state of aa, xai, and garbage is maintained.

Thereafter, the weighing tank sequence is executed in the same manner as described above.

At time t3, step 30.42 is executed, but it is determined in step 42 that a predetermined time has elapsed.

Only for the first outer discharge, an initial operation determines that a predetermined time has elapsed at time t3. Then, the set weight is set to WB (step 44). Silence is a selection 1- greater than WA. And step 34.36.3
Run 8.40. In step 34, the articles in the auxiliary tanks 18a, xa:L, for which the empty flag is set, are of course not subject to combination. As a result, the auxiliary tank 18
Suppose that d, 18g, 18g, and 180 are selected.

This requires 0.2 seconds from time t2 to t3.

At time t4 between times t2 and t3, an auxiliary tank sequence and a metering tank sequence are executed. In the auxiliary tank sequence, step 100. U02.104 and Uni4 are executed. In step 114, it is determined that the discharge has been completed, and a discharge stop signal is supplied to the auxiliary tanks 18a, 181 to stop the discharge (step 116), and the inner discharge flag is reset (step 118).

and steps 200, 202 of the metering tank sequence.
Execute 204.206. In step 206, since the empty flag of the auxiliary tank N (currently N is "1", so the auxiliary tank 18a) is set, the flag should be reset (step 218), which corresponds to the auxiliary tank 18a in the auxiliary tank memory. At the address, measuring tank N in the measuring tank memory (currently N is "1")
Therefore, the stored value (the weight of the article in the weighing tank 2Oa) of the address corresponding to the weighing tank 2Oa is transferred (step 220).
. Then, a gate open signal is supplied to the gate 24 of the measuring tank N to open this gate (step 222), and the auxiliary tank 1
Start supplying goods to 8a. Next, the measurement completion flag of the measurement tank N is reset (step 224), and the discharge flag with measurement type is set (step 226). Next, in step 208, it is determined whether the same flag as above is set, and since it is set, it is determined whether the supply is completed (step 228). This judgment is also made based on whether a predetermined time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed since the gate open signal was generated. Since the supply is not complete, step 210.2
12.214.216 and returns to step 202. Thereafter, in the same way, when N is 9, the supply of .

At time t3, the auxiliary tank sequence and the metering tank sequence are executed again, and steps 100 and 102 are executed in sequence. In step 102, the ejection command signal to the outer room 6 is rejected, and in steps 104, 106, 108, 109
．． Step 120.122.1 similar to 110.112
24.126.128.130 is executed and the auxiliary tank 18
d, 18g, 18th, Discharge of goods starts at 180. However, the difference is that in step 126, the liquid is discharged to the outside chamber 6, and in step 128, the outside discharge flag is set.

Then, steps 104 and 106 are executed, but since the outside discharge flag is set in step 106,
It is determined whether the discharge is completed (step 132). But it is not completed so step 200.202.208.2
28.210.212.214.216 and returns to step 202. Therefore, the auxiliary tanks 18a, 18'1
The supply status to is maintained.

At time t5, which is 0.5 seconds after time t3, the auxiliary tank sequence and the measuring tank sequence are executed again.

Steps 100, 102, 104 in the auxiliary bath sequence
, U06, and U32 are executed in order. Since the discharge has not been completed in step 132, the process moves to the weighing tank sequence.The state of discharging the articles from the main tank, auxiliary tank xad, xag, 18th, and 180 is maintained.In this measuring tank sequence, Steps 200, 202, 208, and 228 are executed in order. In step 228, auxiliary tank N (auxiliary tank 1a
a) It is determined that the supply is completed, and the same flag as above is reset (step 230), measuring tank N (it measuring tank 2Oa).
) to close the gate 24 (step 232). And the feeding device N
(feeding device 26a) by supplying an on signal to the weighing tank 26a.
Start loading articles into a (step 234),
The input device N flag is set (step 236). Next, it is determined whether the loading device N flag is set, and since it is set, it is determined whether loading is completed (
Step 238). This judgment is also made based on whether a predetermined period of time (0°2 seconds) has elapsed since the ON signal was generated. However, since it is not completed, step 212.2
14. After 21a, the process returns to step 202. Similarly, when N is "9", the supply to the auxiliary tank 181 is stopped and the charging from the charging device 26i to the measuring tank 201 is started.

When this measuring tank sequence is completed, the calculation sequence is started. In this sequence, step 30.32
．． 34, 36, 38, and 40 are executed in order, and the auxiliary tank 18
Suppose that a, 18p is selected. The time required for this is 0.2 seconds from time 5 to t6.

During this period, at time 17 (0.1 seconds after time t5), the measuring tank sequence is interrupted and the auxiliary tank sequence and the measuring tank sequence are started. In the auxiliary tank sequence, steps 100.102.104.106
．． 132 are executed in sequence. In step 132, it is determined that the discharge is completed, and the discharge is stopped (step 134), and the outer discharge flag is reset (step 136). As a result, the discharge from the auxiliary tanks 18d118g, 181, and 180 is stopped.

Then, the process moves to the measuring tank sequence. In this sequence, steps 200, 202, 208, 210, and 238 are executed in order, and it is determined whether or not the input of input device N (currently input device 26a) has been completed, but since it has not been completed, steps 212, 214. The process returns to step 202 via 216. Below, this is repeated in order, but when N is 4, steps 202, 204, 206, 218, 220, 222
．． 224.226.208.228.210.212.
214.216, metering tank 20d to auxiliary tank xad
Supply will begin. Thereafter, when N reaches 7.12.15, supply from measuring tanks 20g and 201.200 to auxiliary tanks 18g and 181.180 is started.

The auxiliary tank sequence and the measuring tank sequence are also started at time t6. In the auxiliary tank sequence, step 100.
104.106.108.109.110.112.1
04.114.106 is executed and the auxiliary tank 18a, 1
Discharge of goods starts from 8p.

In the metering tank sequence, steps 200.202.20
8.210.238 is executed. In step 238, it is determined that the loading is complete, and the flag of the loading device N (the loading device 26a) is reset (step 240).
An off signal is supplied to stop the dosing device N (step 242). As a result, the loading of articles into the measuring tank 20a is stopped. Next, the measurement flag for the measurement tank N is set (step 244), and it is determined in step 212 whether the flag is set, and since it is set, it is determined whether it is stable (step 246).

This judgment is also made for a predetermined period of time (0, 7
seconds) depending on how long it has passed. However, since the elapsed time has not passed, steps 214 and 216 are passed, and step 20
Return to 2. Thereby, measurement in the measurement tank 20a is started. When N becomes "9", weighing in the weighing tank 201 is started in the same manner. In addition, N is 4.7
．． 12.15, step 202.208.22
8 is executed, and it is determined in step 228 whether the supply is completed, but since it is not completed, steps 210 and 212 are executed.
．． 214.216. Therefore, the auxiliary tank xad,
The supply status to 1ag118 and 180 will be maintained.

At time t8, which is 0.1 seconds after time t6, the calculation sequence starts and ends at time t. As a result, 18n is selected for the auxiliary tank 180.1811.18.

Auxiliary tanks 18a, 18 at time t10 between time t8 and t8
Discharge from p is stopped, and from the measuring tank 20p to the auxiliary tank 18
Supply to p is started. In addition, at this time, the measuring tank 20
Since a is being measured and the measurement completion flag has been reset, the process moves from step 202 to step 208, and the auxiliary tank 18a
No supply will be made.

At time t9, auxiliary ffl18(!, 18h, 18
Then, the discharge of goods to the outer room 4 starts from 18 m.

At time t1.0, 0.1 seconds have passed since time t. At this time, the supply to the auxiliary tank 18p is stopped, and charging from the charging device 26p to the measuring tank 20p is started. Further, the calculation sequence starts at time tII and ends at time t12. As a result, it is assumed that the articles in the auxiliary tank xad, 18j are selected.

At time tIll between time tII and t12, the auxiliary tank 1
Discharge from 8C, 18h, xakS18m is stopped, and supply from measuring tank 20 (3, 20h, 20, 20m) to 18m is started to these auxiliary tanks 180.18h%18.

At time t1□, discharge from the auxiliary tanks 18C1 and xaj is started.

At time 14, when 0.1 second has passed from time t1
0.202.208.210.212.246 are executed in order. In step 246, it is determined that the situation has stabilized, and the measurement flag of the measurement tank N (measurement tank ZOa) is reset (step 248), and the measured value is stored in the measurement tank N in the measurement tank memory.
(step 250), set the measuring tank N measurement completion flag (step 252), and proceed to step 214. This completes the measurement. Thereafter, similarly, when N reaches 9, the weighing of the weighing tank 201 is completed. In addition, auxiliary tank 180.18h, 18, 18
Supply to m was stopped and weighed 411zoc, 20h,
2ok, 20m cQ input begins.

Following this, a calculation sequence is performed. At this time,
The target of the combination is measuring tank 20a1 auxiliary p418
'b, 18Q, 18e, xaf, 18g118h.

xai, yuak, 181.18m, 18n, 18
Items within 0.18p. When 0.01 seconds have passed since the start of this calculation sequence, the auxiliary tank sequence and the weighing tank sequence are started again, and the transfer of articles from the weighing tank 20a to the auxiliary tank 18a is started. At this time, the weight of the article in the weighing tank 2Oa is transferred to the weighing tank memory or auxiliary tank memory, but there is no problem with the combination calculation restarted thereafter.

It is assumed that the calculation sequence ends at time t15 and the article being transferred from the weighing tank 20a to the auxiliary tank 18a is selected. At this time, the auxiliary tank sequence and the weighing tank sequence are executed again, the auxiliary tank 1xaa is opened, and the articles are transferred to the auxiliary tank 1.
It is discharged without staying in 8a. The following operations operate in the same manner.

In the calculation sequence shown in FIG. 4, if the determination in step 36 is No, a second combination calculation is performed in step 300. In the first combination calculation, the weight of the article in the auxiliary tank and the supply from the weighing tank to the auxiliary tank are calculated, regardless of whether the item is stored in the upper weighing tank or whether it has been weighed or not. The weight of the items inside is combined, but the second
In addition to these, in the combination calculation, if the article in the weighing tank above the auxiliary tank in which the article is stored has already been weighed, the sum of the weights of these two articles is also combined.

At this time, if the items are combined according to the binary code as in the first combination operation, there is a possibility that the items in the auxiliary tank will be selected alone and together with the items in the upper measuring tank into one combination. . To avoid this, the second combination is combined according to the ternary code as shown in the table below.

In this table, the stage of the corresponding measuring tank and auxiliary tank is "0".
When it is "0", the weight of the items in both the weighing tank and the auxiliary tank are not combined, when it is "ol", only the weight of the item in the auxiliary tank is combined, and when it is "1o", the weight of the items in the auxiliary tank and the weighing tank are not combined. The added weights of the items in the tank are combined. Therefore, for example, in the fourth combination, the weight of the article in the auxiliary tank 18a and the weight of the article in the auxiliary tank lab are combined, and in the seventh combination, the weight of the article in the auxiliary tank 18a and the weight of the article in the auxiliary tank lab are combined. Yu8b
and the weight of the article in the weighing tank 2Ob are combined. However, similarly to the first combination calculation, the auxiliary tank whose empty flag is set and the measuring tank whose measurement completion flag is reset are excluded.

When the second combination calculation is completed, it is determined in step 302 whether the combination has been established. If YES, step 3
Run 8.40.

Then, when the auxiliary tank sequence is executed next time, in step 106 or 122, the discharge participation flag of the measuring tank corresponding to the discharge participation combination is set. Thereafter, the auxiliary tank sequence is executed in the same manner as described above, and the process moves to the measuring tank sequence.

If the discharge participation flag of the measuring tank N is set, steps 204 to 254 are executed, the flag is reset, and steps 212, 224, and 226 are executed. As a result, the article is discharged from the weighing tank N. At this time, since the auxiliary tank N corresponding to the weighing tank N is in the discharge state, the articles in the weighing tank N are discharged through the auxiliary tank N.

If the determination in step 302 is No, the calculation sequence is repeated to wait for an increase in the number of items to be combined.

While this calculation sequence is repeated, the auxiliary tank sequence is executed, articles are supplied to the empty auxiliary tank, and the number of articles to be combined increases.

As described above, in this embodiment, articles are sent to the packaging machine 12 three times during one weighing cycle. Moreover, the total weight of the articles discharged each time is alternately different.

In the above example, when the auxiliary tank is empty, the items being supplied from the upper measuring tank to the corresponding auxiliary tank are also subject to combination, but only the items that are completely accommodated in the auxiliary tank are combined. You can also do that. In that case, step 24 of the calculation sequence needs to be performed only on the articles in the auxiliary tank containing the articles. Therefore, steps 218 and 220 in the metering tank sequence need to be removed from between steps 206 and 212 and placed between steps 228 and 2300. In addition, in the weighing tank sequence, step 20
It is also necessary to remove 4.254 and move from step 202 to 222. In addition, in the auxiliary tank sequence,
Steps 106.122 are removed, and in the operation sequence steps 300.302 need to be removed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first combination operation is preferable. In that case, steps 34 and 36 of the calculation sequence are unnecessary.

In the above embodiment, articles were discharged three times during one weighing cycle, but a high-capacity packaging machine was used, and after the discharge command signal for the inner chamber 4 was generated, the articles were discharged to the outer chamber 6. Reducing the time it takes for a command signal to occur further increases the number of times articles can be dispensed during a metering cycle. In addition, the combination calculation is performed, for example, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the articles are discharged into the inner chamber 4, but even if the capacity of the packaging machine is improved and the time required for packaging is shortened, the discharge command keeping the timing of generating the signal the same as shown in the above embodiment;
By increasing the speed of the combination calculation, it is also possible to start the combination calculation upon receiving the discharge command signal. Also, a packet conveyor or the like can be used in place of the packaging machine.

Effects> As described above, since the combination weighing method according to the present invention uses an auxiliary tank, the device used can be downsized and the number of articles that can participate in combination can be increased. Moreover, the combination and alternate discharge are performed in parallel with the supply stage and the input/metering stage. Moreover, the predetermined weight of the combination calculation is alternately changed. Together, these can realize high speed, alternating and different volume discharge.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a mechanical device used in an embodiment of the combination weighing method according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a mechanical device used in the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an electrical A block diagram of the circuit, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the calculation sequence of the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the auxiliary tank sequence of the same embodiment, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the measuring tank sequence of the same embodiment, and FIG. The timing chart of the same embodiment, FIG. 8, is a flowchart of the first combination calculation of the calculation sequence. 12... Packaging machine (receiving device), 18a to 18p...
- Auxiliary tank, 20a to 20p---Measuring tank.

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A step of supplying the article from each of the corresponding measuring tanks to an empty one of the plurality of auxiliary tanks configured to be able to receive the article from the corresponding one of the plurality of measuring tanks. ; A loading and measuring step in which the article is charged into the empty measuring tank after supplying the article and then measured; Parallel to the above supplying step and the loading and measuring step, the supplying to the auxiliary tank is already completed; various combinations of the weights of the items that are
A step of repeating the combination/discharge step of selecting a combination equal to or close to a predetermined weight from each of these combinations and discharging it to two receiving devices alternately, and A combination weighing method in which predetermined weights are alternately given different values. (2) The combination weighing method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving device is a packaging machine. (3) A step of supplying the article from each of the corresponding measuring tanks to an empty one of the plurality of auxiliary tanks configured to receive the article from the corresponding one of the plurality of measuring tanks. ; A loading/weighing step in which the articles are fed into each of the empty measuring tanks and then measured;; Parallel to the supplying step and the loading/weighing step, Various combinations are made of the weight of the articles being fed into the empty auxiliary tank and the weight of the articles being supplied to the empty one of the auxiliary tanks, and a combination that is equal to or close to a predetermined weight is selected from among these combinations, and the two are alternately A combination weighing method comprising a step of repeating a combination/discharge step of discharging to a receiving device of a stand, and in which the predetermined weight in the combination/discharge step is alternately set to different values. (4) The combination weighing method according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device is a packaging machine. (5) A step of supplying the article from each of the corresponding measuring tanks to an empty one of the plurality of auxiliary tanks configured to receive the article from the corresponding one of the plurality of measuring tanks. ; A loading/supplying step in which the article is charged into the empty measuring tank and measured;; In parallel with the supplying step and the loading/supplying step, at least the auxiliary tank is already supplied with the article. Various combinations of the weight of the article and the added weight of the articles stored together in the corresponding measuring tank and the auxiliary tank, and selecting from among these combinations a combination that is equal to or close to a predetermined weight; A combination weighing method comprising a step of repeating a combination/discharge step of alternately discharging to two receiving devices, and in which the predetermined weight in the combination/discharge step is alternately set to different values. (6) The combination weighing method according to claim 5, wherein the receiving device is a packaging machine.