JP3373004B2 - Discharge system in combination weighing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear combination weighing apparatus, and more particularly to weighing output from a plurality of weighing hoppers which are arranged on a straight line and weigh articles. The present invention relates to an unloading system in a combination weighing device that combines signals, calculates and selects a combination closest to a target weight within a certain allowable range, discharges articles from the selected weighing hopper, and discharges the articles by a conveyor. . 2. Description of the Related Art As a drive control method of an unloading conveyer in a combination weighing apparatus of this kind, conventionally, an unloading conveyer is driven by articles discharged from a weighing hopper located at the most upstream end in the unloading direction. A method of sequentially driving over the length of time required to be conveyed to the discharge end of the conveyor has been adopted. That is, a combination operation, simultaneous discharge of all the articles to simultaneously release all the weighing hoppers selected by the combination operation and discharge the articles onto the unloading conveyor, and transport all the discharged articles to the discharge end of the conveyor. The process up to the completion of unloading of all articles is one cycle, and the combination weighing operation is continuously performed by repeating this cycle. [0003] The weighing operation time of the combination weighing device is greatly affected by the damping time (settling time) of the weighing hopper and the unloading time by the conveyor. However, according to the conventional combination weighing device that continuously performs the weighing operation by repeating the cycle as described above, the efficiency of the continuous weighing operation is longer in one cycle of the dumping time of the weighing hopper and the unloading time by the conveyor. Depends on your time. Generally,
The conveyor transport time is longer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and significantly improves the efficiency of continuous weighing work by reasonably overlapping the carry-out time by a carry-out conveyor during continuous weighing between preceding and following weighing cycles. It is an object of the present invention to provide an unloading system in a combination weighing device capable of performing the following. [0005] In order to achieve the above object, an unloading system in a combination weighing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of weighing hoppers arranged linearly for weighing articles, and a weighing hopper for weighing articles. Combination operation means for combining a weighing signal output from a hopper and selecting a combination close to a target weight within a certain allowable range, and an unloading unit arranged below the weighing hopper to unload articles discharged from the weighing hopper. The conveyor and, among the selected weighing hoppers, open the weighing hopper positioned upstream in the unloading direction of the unloading conveyor, and the articles discharged from the upstream weighing hopper are transported below the downstream weighing hopper. At this point, among the selected weighing hoppers, the weighing hopper located on the downstream side is opened, and the weighing hopper selected in the subsequent combination calculation is opened. And a time difference opening means for opening the weighing hopper located on the upstream side among the hoppers. According to the present invention, a combination closest to a target weight within a predetermined allowable range is selected by a combination calculation of weighing signals from a plurality of weighing hoppers, and the selected weighing hopper is operated. First, the weighing hoppers on the upstream side in the unloading direction of the unloading conveyor are opened, and the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers are conveyed by the unloading conveyor.
Then, when the articles discharged from the upstream weighing hopper are conveyed below the downstream weighing hopper, the downstream weighing hopper of the selected weighing hoppers is opened and the weighing hoppers are opened. The remaining articles are discharged onto the unloading conveyor, and among the weighing hoppers selected in the subsequent combination calculation performed during the transfer of the unloading conveyor, the weighing hopper located on the upstream side is opened, and the weighing hoppers are opened. , The subsequent articles are discharged onto the carry-out conveyor. Therefore, the unloading time of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper selected in the preceding combination calculation and the unloading time of a part of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper selected in the subsequent combination calculation overlap. Therefore, the carry-out time can be shortened by the overlap, and the efficiency of the whole continuous weighing operation can be improved. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view showing a modeled overall configuration of a combination weighing device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1-1, 1-2,..., 1-N are weighing hoppers which are arranged on a straight line, and these weighing hoppers 1 (1-1, 1-2,. ) Are provided with load cells 2-1, 2-2,..., 2-N (see FIG. 2) as weight detectors for measuring the weight of the input articles, and discharge the articles downward. Gate 3
1, 3-2,..., 3-N are provided. Above the weighing hopper 1, discharge gates 4-1 and 4- are provided for supplying articles to the respective weighing hoppers 1.
Supply hoppers 5-1 and 5- equipped with 2, ..., 4-N
2,..., 5-N are arranged, and below the weighing hopper 1, an unloading conveyor 6 for unloading articles discharged from the weighing hopper 1 is arranged.
Each of the weighing hoppers 1 and the supply hoppers 5 (5-1, 5-
2,..., 5-N) and portions of both ends of the unloading conveyor 6 except for the discharge ends 6L and 6R are installed in a box-shaped casing 7, and an upper end plate portion 7A of the casing 7 includes:
Input port 8- for inputting articles into the supply hopper 5
1, 8-2,..., 8-N are formed. The unloading conveyor 6 is provided with a drive control unit 9 (see FIG. 2). Below the both ends of the unloading conveyor 6 in the forward and reverse rotation directions, a positive product discharge port 10A and an unloadable product discharge port are provided. Through the outlet 11A, a regular product storage box 10 and a non-product recovery box 11 are provided. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 12 of the carry-out system in the combination weighing device. The control device 12 is configured as follows, and is electrically connected to each part of the combination weighing device. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 13 denotes a multiplexer, and the load cell 2 (2-
, 2-2,..., 2-N)
2,..., SN are input. This multiplexer 13
The A / D converter 14 performs A / D conversion of the output signal, and data of the A / D converted signal, that is, the weighing value of each load cell 2 is input to the microcomputer 15. This microcomputer 15 has the above-mentioned A
The combination of the weighing values of the load cells 2 received from the / D converter 14 is calculated, and the calculation result is compared with the target value setting unit 16.
, The combination closest to the target weight value T0 within a certain allowable range Tmax to Tmin is selected based on the target weight value T0 input from the controller and the upper limit value Tmax and the lower limit value Tmin input from the allowable value setting unit 26. Combination operation means 1
7 and the permissible range Tm
A positive / non-quantity discriminating means 19 is provided for discriminating whether a combination within ax to Tmin has been obtained. When the result of the discrimination by the positive / non-quantity discriminating means 19 is not proper, that is, when the combination within the permissible range cannot be obtained, the microcomputer 15 sets a predetermined discharge method. Therefore, for example, the gate 3 is discharged according to a discharging method such as discharging the articles from all the weighing hoppers 1 at the same time, discharging only the weighing hopper having the lightest weight, or discharging only from the weighing hopper having the lightest weight. (3-1, 3-
2,..., 3-N) when the discharge means 22 for transmitting the gate simultaneous forced open signal GS1 to the open / close drive section 20 and the positive / non-quantity determination means 19 indicate a positive quantity. That is, when a combination within the allowable range is obtained, the opening / closing drive unit 20 of each of the gates 3 corresponding to the weighing hopper 1 selected by the combination calculating unit 17 is substantially equal to the total unloading time of the conveyor 6 ( The two gate open signals GS2-1 and GS2-
And a hopper time difference releasing means 21 for sending out the hopper 2. The hopper time difference releasing means 21 is one of the weighing hoppers 1 selected by the combination calculating means 17.
First, the gate of the weighing hopper located on the upstream side of the unloading conveyor 6 in the positive product unloading direction X (see FIG. 1) is opened,
When the articles discharged from the upstream weighing hopper are conveyed below the downstream weighing hopper in the unloading direction X, the gate of the downstream weighing hopper is opened, and at the same time, the subsequent combination weighing is performed. In the weighing hopper 1 selected in the above, the gate of the weighing hopper located on the upstream side of the unloading conveyor 6 in the unloading direction X (see FIG. 1) is opened. The combination weighing device of the present embodiment is of a semi-automatic type. That is, as shown in FIG.
The stop signal ST automatically output from the drive control unit 9 constituting the drive unit of the unloading conveyor 6 and the operation signal FS of the foot switch 28 operated by the operator after the articles are put into the supply hopper 5 are described. When both the signals ST and FS are input to the AND circuit 24, the start signal SS for starting the weighing operation is output. Further, the discharge gate 4 (4-1, 4-2,..., 4-
N) is configured to be opened via the opening / closing drive unit 30 by a gate opening signal GS3 output from the microcomputer 15 when there is no article in the weighing hopper 1 located below each discharge gate. . Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, each data such as a set value is initialized (step S).
50) After that, the target value setting device 16 and the allowable value setting device 26
The target weight value T0 and the upper limit value Tmax and the lower limit value Tmin of the allowable range are set (step S5).
1). Next, an article is put into each supply hopper 5 (step S52). After the loading of the article, the operator operates the foot switch 28, and the operation signal FS and the stop signal ST extracted from the drive control section 9 constituting the drive section of the unloading conveyor 6 are both input to the AND circuit 24. Is determined (step S53), and both signals S
When both T and FS are input, the power supply circuit is turned on by the start signal, and the weighing operation is started (step S54). When the weighing operation is started, the microcomputer 15 determines whether or not there is an article in each of the weighing hoppers 1 to open the supply hopper 5 located immediately above the weighing hopper where no articles are contained. Is output to the opening / closing drive section 30 (step S5).
5) Then, the discharge gate 4 provided on the supply hopper 5 is opened, and the articles are dropped and supplied to the lower weighing hopper 1 (step S56). When the articles are dropped and supplied to the weighing hopper 1, the weight of the articles is measured by the load cell 2 (step S57). Next, the weighing signals S1, S2,..., SN from the load cells 2 are input to the multiplexer 13, and the output signals are A / D-converted by the A / D converter 14, and the A / D conversion is performed. The data of the D-converted signal, that is, the measured value of each load cell 2 is input to the microcomputer 15. Then, the combination calculation means 17 of the microcomputer 15 performs a combination calculation of the weighed values of the load cells 2, and calculates the calculation result, the target weight value T0 input from the target value setting device 16, and the allowable value setting. Based on the upper limit value Tmax and the lower limit value Tmin input from the container 26, a combination closest to the target weight value T0 within the allowable range Tmax to Tmin is selected (step S58). The allowable range T is calculated by the combination calculating means 17.
Whether the combination within max to Tmin is obtained is a positive
It is determined by the non-amount determining means 19 (step S59),
If the above combination is not obtained (unsatisfactory), the gate simultaneous forcible opening signal G is sent from the discharging means 22 to, for example, the opening / closing drive unit 20 of the gate 3 corresponding to all the weighing hoppers 1.
S1 is sent out, and the gate is opened (step S6).
0) At the same time, a reverse rotation signal is input to the drive control unit 9, and the carry-out conveyor 6 is driven in the reverse rotation direction Y for a predetermined time (step S61). As a result, the articles in the weighing hopper 1 are simultaneously dropped onto the unloading conveyor 6, and are collected from the discharge end 6R of the weighing hopper 1 via the non-quantity product discharge port 11A into the non-quantity product collection box 11. Then, step S52
Then, the series of operations described above are repeated, and the weighing operation is continued. On the other hand, if a combination within the allowable range Tmax to Tmin is obtained by the combination calculating means 17 (positive amount) in step S59, a normal rotation signal is input to the drive control section 9 and the carry-out conveyor 6 is inputted. Is driven in the normal rotation direction X (see FIG. 1) for a predetermined time (step S62), and the unloading conveyor 6 of the weighing hoppers 1 selected by the combination calculating means 17 from the gate time difference opening means 21. The gate opening signal GS2-1 is sent to the opening / closing drive unit 20 corresponding to the gate of the weighing hopper located on the upstream side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the positive quantity product unloading direction X, and the gates are opened and the upstream side 5 (a) discharged from the weighing hopper is dropped onto the conveyor 6 (step S63). Then, when the articles discharged and dropped from the upstream weighing hopper are conveyed by the conveyor 6 below the downstream weighing hopper in the unloading direction X, the gate time difference opening means 21 sends the above-described combination Of the weighing hoppers 1 selected by the preceding combination calculation by the calculation means 17,
A gate compulsory opening signal GS2-2 is sent to the opening / closing drive unit 20 corresponding to the gate of the weighing hopper located on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 1) in the unloading direction X, and the gates are opened.
The articles discharged from the downstream weighing hopper fall onto the articles conveyed from the upstream side. Subsequently, the flow returns to step 56 to perform the subsequent weighing and combination calculation. The time of the weighing and combination calculation is much shorter than the transport time. Then, of the weighing hoppers 1 selected by the subsequent combination calculation, the gate of the weighing hopper located on the upstream side of the unloading conveyor 6 in the positive product unloading direction X is opened, and as shown in FIG. Then, the article selected by the subsequent combination operation is dropped on the conveyor 6 (step S64). Next, all the articles selected by the preceding combination calculation and discharged and dropped on the conveyor 6 with a time difference, and all the articles selected by the subsequent combination calculation and discharged and dropped on the conveyor 6 When the articles on the upstream side are conveyed by the conveyor 6 in the positive product unloading direction X, all the articles selected by the preceding combination operation and discharged from the plurality of weighing hoppers are discharged from the discharge end 6L. It is stored in the positive quantity storage box 10 through the outlet 10A. At the same time, the upstream articles selected and dropped and dropped on the conveyor 6 by the subsequent combination operation are conveyed below the downstream weighing hopper in the unloading direction X. At this point, the gate time difference opening means 21 Of the weighing hoppers 1 selected in the subsequent combination calculation, an opening / closing drive unit 2 corresponding to the gate of the weighing hopper located on the downstream side in the unloading direction X.
At 0, the gate forced open signal GS2-2 is sent, and the articles discharged from the downstream weighing hopper fall on the articles conveyed from the upstream side. Hereinafter, the above step S
The operation of step 64 is repeated to continue the weighing operation. FIG. 5 (a) shows the state of unloading of the articles の when the combination operation is performed five times by the unloading system in the combination weighing device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 (b)
The state of unloading articles within the same time by the unloading system in the conventional combination weighing device that unloads articles without a time difference is shown. As is clear from the comparison of FIGS.
In the case of this embodiment, the carry-out time of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper selected in the preceding combination calculation by the conveyor 6 and a part of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper selected in the subsequent combination calculation (upstream) The transport time of the articles on the side in the unloading direction by the conveyor 6 overlaps, and the unloading speed is increased by the amount of the overlap.
The time required for unloading during continuous weighing can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire continuous weighing operation can be improved. In the above-described embodiment, the selected weighing hopper 1 is divided into two groups, that is, the upstream side and the downstream side in the carrying-out direction of the conveyor 6, and they are configured to be staggered. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the upstream, intermediate, and downstream 3
(A) to (C), the upstream weighing hopper, the intermediate weighing hopper, and the downstream weighing hopper are arranged in this order by the time difference opening means 21 as shown in FIGS.
You may comprise so that each may be staggered. In this case, the articles discharged and dropped on the conveyor 6 from the upstream side of the weighing hopper selected in the subsequent combination calculation, and the articles discharged and dropped on the conveyor 6 from the weighing hopper selected in the preceding combination calculation. Fig. 6
It is possible to secure a space as indicated by 40 in (C). Therefore, it is possible to clarify the classification of the articles for each unit, and it is possible to eliminate the problem that the articles of different units are mixed to cause a variation in quantity. In the above-described embodiment, the semi-automatic combination weighing device in which the supply hoppers 5 are arranged above the weighing hoppers 1 has been described. However, the present invention automatically supplies articles to the respective supply hoppers 5. It can also be applied to those having no supply hopper. Also, the discharge side is not limited to the one in which the regular-quantity product storage box 10 and the non-quantity-item storage box 11 are installed as in the above embodiment, and these storage boxes are manually carried to the next process. , Positive product discharge item 10
An automatic discharge device, for example, an automatic packaging machine is installed below A, and the present invention can be applied to a device in which the discharge operation is automated. In the above-described embodiment, the system in which the weight of the articles discharged and dropped onto the unloading conveyor 6 is not rechecked has been described. However, the unloading conveyor 6 is provided with a weight checker, and the weight of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper is reduced. The weight of the unit article may be rechecked. In this case, the re-check of the weight needs to be performed immediately after all the articles have fallen onto the conveyor 6 from the weighing hopper selected by the combination operation. The timing at which the article is discharged from the weighing hopper on the side is earlier than the timing at which the article is discharged from the weighing hopper on the upstream side among the weighing hoppers selected by the subsequent combination calculation, and the weight is rechecked during that time. Is configured to be performed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the positive / non-quantity discriminating means 19 is provided so that when the combination within the allowable range is not obtained, the carry-out conveyor 6 is reversed to collect the non-quantity product. However, it is also possible that the conveyer 6 is not rotated in the reverse direction and the non-performing product is also discharged from the same positive product discharging port 10A, and the non-performing product is eliminated by a sorting device in a subsequent process. As described above, according to the present invention, the carry-out time of the articles discharged from the weighing hopper selected in the preceding combination operation and the weighing hopper selected in the subsequent combination operation are calculated. It is possible to overlap the unloading time of a part of the discharged articles. Therefore, the carry-out speed can be increased by the amount of the overlap, and the efficiency of the entire continuous weighing operation can be significantly improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional side view showing a modeled configuration of the entire carry-out system in a semi-automatic combination weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device of a carry-out system in the combination weighing device of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a signal system for starting weighing in the semi-automatic combination weighing device of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an article unloading situation by the system of the embodiment in comparison with an article unloading situation by the conventional system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a state of unloading articles by a unloading system in a semi-automatic combination weighing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Description of Signs] 1-1, 1-2, ..., 1-N ... weighing hopper, 2-1
2-2, ..., 2-N ... load cell (weight detector), 6
... Conveyance conveyor, 15 ... Microcomputer, 17 ...
Combination calculation means, 21: Hopper time difference opening means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] A plurality of weighing hoppers arranged on a straight line for weighing articles and a weighing signal output from these weighing hoppers are combined to set a target within a certain allowable range. Combination operation means for selecting a combination close to the weight; an unloading conveyor arranged below the weighing hopper to unload the articles discharged from the weighing hopper; and The upstream weighing hopper is opened, and when the articles discharged from the upstream weighing hopper are conveyed below the downstream weighing hopper, the selected weighing hopper is located on the downstream side. And a time difference opening means for opening the weighing hoppers located on the upstream side among the weighing hoppers selected in the subsequent combination calculation while opening the weighing hoppers to be operated. Discharge system in the amount unit.