JPH02280017A - Combination scale - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically adjust the operating state in accordance with the article quantity by decreasing a set constant when the article quantity to be carried is increased, and increasing the set constant when the article quantity is decreased. CONSTITUTION:The instantaneous carrying quantity of the article carried by a weighing conveyor 22 is detected successively by a weighing part and supplied to a CPU 28. When the actual operation processing number of the article is increased or decreased, the CPU 28 is increased or decreased at least one of the gate opening time of a supply hopper 10, the stable time of weighing of a weighing hopper 12, a prescribed number of pieces of a selected combination, and the opening time of a discharge gate of the weighing hopper 12, which are set constants. For instance, when the article quantity is decreased, the stable time of weighing is increased so that the combination weighing accuracy is improved. On the other hand, when the article quantity is increased, one of the set constants is decreased so that the processing capacity is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] Unexploited In relates to a combination weigher, and the opening time of the gates of various hoppers used in the combination weigher, the stabilization time of the weighing means, etc. are determined depending on the situation. Regarding what to change accordingly.

[Background technology and its problems] The most basic combination courses include the following. That is, it has a plurality of weighing hoppers each equipped with a weighing means, and a supply hopper that supplies articles to these weighing hoppers,
The supply gate of the supply hopper is opened for a predetermined supply gate opening time, the article is supplied to the empty weighing hopper, and the time is estimated to be required for the weighing signal of the weighing means provided in the weighing hopper to become stable. After a certain stabilization time has elapsed, a combination of various weighing signals is selected that is equal to or close to the total value or target value, and the discharge gate of the weighing hopper containing the articles constituting the selected combination is opened. The discharge gate is opened for a predetermined opening time to discharge the articles constituting the selected combination, and the empty weighing hopper is repeatedly fed with articles from the supply hopper.

In other words, supply, metering, combination calculation, and discharge are repeated as one cycle. and the time of feeding is determined by the opening time of the feed gate of the feed hopper, the metering time is determined by the length of the stabilization time,
The calculation time to be combined is determined by the number of weighing signals to be subjected to the calculation, and the discharge time is determined by the opening time of the discharge gate of the weighing hopper.

In general, the opening time of these supply gates, the length of the stabilization time,
The number of weighing signals to be subjected to the combination calculation and the opening time of the discharge gate (hereinafter referred to as setting constants) are set so that they can be processed even when the amount of articles supplied to one combination scale increases. Each of these is set in accordance with the maximum number of cycles (maximum capacity) that can be performed by the combination weigher per unit time. In other words, the opening time of the supply gate and the discharge gate is set to the shortest possible time so that there is no risk of the product remaining in the supply hopper or weighing hopper, and the stabilization time is also set to prevent the product from being weighed due to the impact when it is supplied to the weighing hopper. It is considered as the time when the vibrations generated in the signal converge to a value that does not affect the practical target accuracy. Furthermore, if the number of measurement signals to be combined is large, the time required for calculation will be longer, so the upper limit of the number of measurement signals to be combined is set to the number that provides the minimum level of accuracy. Conventionally, once these setting constants are set, they are generally not changed. On the contrary, the quantity of articles fed to the combination scale does not always correspond to the maximum capacity, but is greater when the quantity fed to the combination scale is small. In such cases, you can change the setting constants to optimal values to handle the small supply amount, such as increasing the opening time of the supply gate or discharge gate, lengthening the stabilization time, or changing the target of the combination calculation. Although the combined weighing accuracy could be improved by increasing the number of weighing signals, the setting constants were fixed to those corresponding to the maximum capacity, which resulted in poor combined weighing accuracy. There were some problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combination weigher that solves the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve the above object, a combination weigher according to the present invention has the following features:
It has a plurality of article accommodating parts each containing an article, and a plurality of weighing means are provided to weigh the articles supplied to these article accommodating parts and generate a weighing signal. On the other hand, the articles conveyed by the conveying device are manually supplied to the article supply section, and the article supply section supplies the articles to the empty article storage sections according to instructions from the supply control means for a period of time during which the supply gate is open. Open and supply. In addition, when there are a number of weighing signals within a predetermined number range that have passed a stable time among the weighing signals, the combination calculation means is configured to combine these weighing signals in various ways and calculate a predetermined total value from among these combinations. Select a combination that is equal to or close to the target weight value. The discharge control means or the discharge gate of the article storage section containing the articles constituting the selected combination is opened for the discharge gate opening time to discharge the articles. Up to this point, the configuration is almost the same as that of a conventional combination weigher, and the configuration described below is a feature of the combination weigher of the present invention.

That is, the change detection means detects a change in the processing amount per unit time based on the number of combinations selected per unit time, or the actual processing number, which is the amount of articles transported from the transport device per unit time. . When the reduction means is a change or increase in the number of actual operations, the supply gate opening time, stabilization time,
When at least one of the predetermined number range and the discharge gate opening time (hereinafter referred to as a set constant) is decreased, and the change in the actual processing number is a decrease, the increasing means increases at least one of the set constants. increase.

[Effect] When at least one of the setting constants is changed, 1 of the combination balance
The cycle time is changed, and the number of cycles performed per unit time (capacity of the combination weigher) is changed. For example, −
Taking the stabilization time as an example, even if all other setting constants are constant, by increasing the stabilization time, the time for 1 cycle will increase, and as a result, the number of cycles per unit time will decrease, and the number of cycles per unit time will decrease. Will the ability of
As the precision of each weighing signal increases, the precision of one combination of weighing increases. Conversely, when the stabilization time is shortened, the time for one cycle is shortened, resulting in an increase in the number of cycles per unit time and an increase in the capacity of the combination weigher. Therefore, increasing at least one of the set constants by the increasing means can lower the capacity of a combination weigher, and decreasing at least one of the set constants by the reducing means can increase the capability of the combination weigher.

What is the basis for this change in capacity? If the amount of goods supplied from the conveyance device is large, the amount of goods supplied to the combination scale will also be large, so the combination accuracy will not pose a practical problem. However, when it is necessary to increase the capacity and the amount of articles from the conveying device is small, it is better to lower the capacity and increase the combination accuracy. Therefore, in the present invention,
It detects increases and decreases in the amount of articles sent to the article supply section, and if it increases, it is
÷ Now operating the reduction means. Further, when the amount of articles supplied from the conveying device is decreasing, the increasing means is operated to increase the capacity of the combination weigher. In addition,
In the present invention, instead of detecting the amount of articles supplied from the conveying device, it is also adopted to detect the amount of processing per unit time which is proportional to the number of combinations selected per unit time. The number of combinations selected per unit time represents the number of cycles executed per unit time, and an increase in this number means that the number of combinations selected per unit time represents the number of cycles carried out per unit time. or in large quantities;
This indicates that the number of cycles per unit time has increased, and a decrease in this number indicates that the number of articles that can be fed to the combination weigher has become smaller.

That is, by detecting the throughput per unit time which is proportional to the number of combinations selected per unit time, it is possible to detect the amount of goods supplied to the goods supply section, and depending on the result, the above-mentioned By changing the setting constants, the capacity of the combination balance can be changed.

[Example] The combination weigher of this example is a semi-automatic combination weigher in which articles are input by a worker or articles constituting a selected combination are automatically discharged. As shown in FIG. 5, this combination weigher has a support 6 having an inverted L-shape in vertical cross section, with a top plate 4 provided horizontally on the top of an upright part 2; For example, seven input ports 8 are provided along the length direction. The support body 6 is provided with a total of seven article supply sections, for example, supply hoppers 1O, below each input port 8. On both sides of the bottom of these supply hoppers IO,
Supply gates lla and llb are provided, respectively.

Articles are manually supplied to these supply hoppers 10 through respective input ports 8 . Further, below each supply hopper 1O, a total of seven article storage sections, for example, weighing hoppers 12, are provided. The inside of each of these weighing hoppers 12 is partitioned into two chambers 12a and 12b by a partition plate 14. The chamber 12a is supplied with articles from the supply hopper 10 when the supply gate lla of the supply hopper 10 is opened, and the article is supplied to the chamber 12b from the supply hopper IO when the supply gate Ilb of the supply hopper 10 is opened. goods are supplied from These weighing hoppers 12 have an upright portion 2
A total of seven weighing means, for example, a load cell 16, are connected to each other. In addition, each weighing hopper 1
2 is provided with ejection games 18a and 18b so that articles can be ejected from the two rooms 12a and 12b, respectively. In order to carry out the articles discharged from each weighing hopper 12, a conveyor 20 is provided below each weighing hopper 12 along the length direction of the upper plate 4.

On the side of this combination weigher, there is a supply hopper 1 from each input port 8.
Conveying device 1 for conveying articles that a worker throws into
For example, a conveyor is provided, in particular a weighing conveyor 22, in order to detect the quantity of articles fed to the combination weigher. Reference numeral 24 shown in FIG. 5 is a weighing section of this weighing conveyor. Although not shown in FIG.

A gate driving device 26 (see FIG. 6) consisting of, for example, a cylinder is provided for opening and closing the supply gates lla and Ilb of each supply hopper IO and the discharge gates 18a and 18b of each weighing hopper.

The supply gates lla and llb of each supply hopper IO and the discharge gates 18a and 18b of the weighing hopper 12 are controlled by a control signal supplied from the CPU 28 to the get drive device 26 via the drive circuit 30, as shown in FIG. , controlled opening and closing. Similarly, the conveyor 20 also uses the CPU 2.
The operation is controlled by a control signal supplied from 8 through the drive circuit 30. Such a control CPU 28 is
The digital weight signal obtained by converting the analog weighing signal from each load cell 16 by the A/D converter 32, the data set by the setting section 36, and the conveyed weight signal from the weighing conveyor 22 are stored in the memory 34. This is done by processing based on a program. Note that 38 is a display section for displaying what kind of data has been set by the setting section 36 and from which room of which weighing hopper 12 the article has been discharged. The CPU 28 functions as a digital filter, supply control means, combination calculation means, discharge control means, actual processing number detection means, constant increase means, and constant decrease means. Also, in Figure 6,
Although only one supply hopper 10, weighing hopper 12, load cell 16, and gate drive device 26 are shown, seven of each are actually provided.

1 to 4 show flowcharts of the block diagram of the CPU 28. Step S9 shown in FIG. Step Sll shown in the figure and steps Sl accompanying these, 2.3.1
A program for a conventional semi-automatic combination weigher not equipped with O112 will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7. It is assumed that articles are loaded into each of the seven supply hoppers 10 in total, and that each chamber of the seven weighing hoppers 12 in total, that is, the chambers of a total of 14 units, are all empty.

First, by executing step S4, the following things are performed. The supply gate, for example, supply gate t-11a, of each supply hopper IO above the empty room of each weighing hopper 12, for example, a total of seven parts 1112a, is opened, and from the time of opening, a predetermined supply gate is opened. After the opening time has elapsed, the supply gate 11a is closed, so that
The articles of each supply hopper IO are respectively supplied to the chamber 124 of the weighing hopper 12 below it (see FIG. 7tl). Thereafter, the digital measurement signals are sequentially read from each A/D converter 32 and subjected to digital filter processing with predetermined filter characteristics. After a predetermined stabilization time has elapsed since each supply gate Ila was closed, the digital metering signal subjected to digital filter processing is stored (see t2 in FIG. 7).

After this, in step S5, the number of rooms that can participate in the combination is detected. This can be done, for example, by counting the number of digitally filtered digital weight signals that have been fertilized in step S4.

Thereafter, in step S6, it is determined whether the number of rooms that can participate in the detected combination is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit for the number of valid rooms that can participate in the combination (for example, 10). These steps S4 and S5 are performed between t2 and t3 shown in FIG. In addition, in the f57 diagram, the period between t2 and t3 is greatly exaggerated and shown as a long period for ease of understanding.
It is actually a very short period of time. As a result of the determination in step S6, if it is determined that the number of rooms that can participate in the detected combination is not greater than the lower limit for the number of valid rooms that can participate in the combination, for example, as shown at t3 in FIG. 7, there are only 7 rooms. ), the process returns from step S6 to step S4 as shown by the dotted line, and supplies are supplied to some of the empty rooms 12b (two in the example of FIG. 7). At this time, the articles to be supplied are those that were supplied to the supply hopper 10 between tl and t3. After that, filter processing and storage are performed.
When performing this storage, if the item to be stored is supplied to room +2b, the same weighing hopper 1
Since the article has already been supplied to the second section Jffi 12a, the filtered digital weighing signal is sent to the room 12
It represents the total value of the items in both a and +2b. Therefore, the already stored digital measurement signal of the room 12a is subtracted from this digital measurement signal and stored. Note that since these points are well known, further detailed explanation will be omitted. And step S5.6
I do. As a result, as shown at t5 in FIG. 7, even if the number of valid rooms to be combined reaches 9, the number of valid rooms to be combined has not yet exceeded the lower limit value, so step S4゜5.6
or will be done. At this time, the goods to be supplied are from t4 to t5.
The article is supplied to the supply hopper IO during the period.

As a result, the number of valid rooms for combination participation becomes l], which is equal to or greater than the lower limit for the number of valid rooms for combination participation, so a combination calculation is performed in step S7. At this time, if the number of valid rooms for one combination is larger than the predetermined upper limit for the number of valid rooms for combination participation (for example, 12 units), the digital measurement signals to be subjected to the combination calculation will be the same number as the upper limit for the number of valid rooms for combination participation. A combinatorial operation is performed. Further, the time required for this combination calculation is configured to be a predetermined constant time as long as the number of valid rooms participating in the combination is within the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the number of valid rooms participating in the combination. Through this combination calculation, the combination whose total value is equal to or closest to the predetermined target weight value is selected. and,
In step S7, the discharge gate of the room containing the articles constituting the selected combination is opened for a predetermined discharge gate opening time, and the articles are transferred to the conveyor 20.
is discharged to the top. Note that the weights of the articles supplied to the chambers of each weighing hopper 12 are approximately the same, and the number of articles constituting a combination that is equal to or close to the total weight or the target weight, that is, the weighing hopper that discharges the articles. The number of rooms (12) is almost constant, and FIG. 7 shows an example of 5 rooms.

After this, in the conventional combination scale, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
Storage of the digital metering signal after a stabilization time takes place. Note that the article supplied at this time is the article manually put into the supply hopper IO between t6 and t8 shown in FIG.

Thereafter, in the same manner, supply, storage of the digital measurement signal after the stabilization time, combination calculation, and discharge are defined as one cycle, and this cycle is sequentially repeated.

By the way, the instantaneous conveyance amount of the article being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 22 toward the combination scale is
are sequentially detected by the measuring unit 24 and supplied to the CPO 28. By integrating this amount, it is possible to know the amount of articles being transported toward the combination weigher per unit time. If it is less than this, it may be necessary to increase the combined weighing accuracy by increasing the time of 1 cycle.

Similarly, for example, in the cycle labeled A in FIG. 7, there are only four rooms that are supplied with articles. This is due to a decrease in the amount of articles being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 22 toward the combination weigher, so that the supply hopper was able to receive articles between t9 and 110 in the cycle one before the cycle indicated by symbol A. This is because the number of IOs is small. Nevertheless, in the cycle before the cycle indicated by symbol A, items were discharged from five rooms because the combinations whose total weight was equal to or close to the target weight were selected as in the previous cycle. There is. As a result, in the cycle indicated by symbol A, the number of valid rooms participating in one combination is 10. Similarly, due to the decrease in the amount of articles being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 22 toward the combination scale, the number of supply hoppers 10 into which articles could be loaded during the period from tll to t12 in the cycle indicated by symbol A is reduced. In the supply performed after the cycle indicated by symbol A, articles can only be supplied to, for example, three rooms, and in addition, in the cycle indicated by symbol A, articles are discharged from five rooms.

As a result, the number of effective rooms participating in the combination becomes 8, and the combination calculation is not performed, but the primary supply is performed, and the number of effective rooms participating in the combination becomes lO for the first time, and the combination calculation is performed. That is, cycles (complete supply, stabilization, calculation, and discharge) are not performed continuously, but are intermittent, and the number of cycles per unit time is reduced. Therefore, by detecting that the number of cycles executed per unit time is decreasing, it is also possible to detect that the amount of articles being conveyed toward the combination weigher is decreasing.

In this case as well, it is necessary to increase the combined weighing accuracy by lengthening the time for one cycle as described above.

In addition, if it is detected that the conveyance amount per unit time of the articles being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 22 towards the combination scale is increasing, the time of one cycle is shortened and the conveyance amount per unit time is increased. There is a need to increase the number of cycles performed to increase capacity.

Further, when the amount of articles being conveyed by the weighing conveyor 22 toward one combination scale is increasing, articles continue to be supplied to ten or more chambers of the weighing hopper 12. As a result, cycles are executed without interruption, and the number of cycles executed per unit time is greater than the number of cycles executed when the above-mentioned supply amount is small.

In such cases as well, it is necessary to shorten the time of 1 cycle and increase the number of operations executed in a short period of time to improve performance.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, before the operation of this combination weigher is started, the setting unit 36 writes in the memory which actual operation processing number is to be calculated (step Sl). Note that the number of actual operations is the amount of articles transported toward the combination weigher per unit time or the number of cycles executed per unit time. That is, step Sl is
This specifies whether to detect the amount of articles conveyed toward the combination weigher per unit time or the number of cycles executed per unit time. Following kneading, setting section 3
6, the setting constants to be changed depending on the change in the number of actual operations are written into the memory (step S2). In this example,
As described later, we have prepared the stability time and the upper and lower limits of the number of valid rooms for combination participation as setting constants to be changed.
In step S2, it is specified whether to change the stability time or the upper and lower limits of the number of valid rooms for combination participation.

Which one to change is determined in consideration of conditions such as the properties of the article and the installation location of this combination scale. Note that when the stabilization time is changed, the characteristics of the digital filter are changed so that the digital filter characteristics correspond to this change. In addition, if the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms for combination participation are changed from 10 to 12 to 9 to 11, for example, the combination calculation time is configured to be shorter than in the case of IO to 12, and is changed to 11 to 13. In this case, the combination calculation time is configured to be longer than in the case of 10 to 12.

Following this step S2, a timer is started that is timed up when it is time to change the number of actual operations (step S3).

This is followed by performing step S4.5.6.7.8;
As mentioned above, the following steps are performed: supply of goods, detection of the number of valid rooms for combination participation after a stable time, comparison to see if the number of valid rooms for combination participation is equal to or greater than the lower limit for the number of valid rooms for combination participation, combination calculation, and discharge. . Of course, if the number of valid rooms for combination participation is not greater than the lower limit for the number of valid rooms for combination participation, the combination calculation and discharge will not be performed.

Following this, calculation of the number of actual operations is performed (step S9). As shown in FIG. If the answer is YES, the number of cycles per unit time is calculated and set as the number of actual operations (step S14). Further, if the answer to step S13 is NO, the amount of supply from the weighing conveyor 22 per unit time is set as the number of actual operations (
Step 515).

When the calculation of the number of actual operations is completed, as shown in FIG. 1, it is determined whether the timer has expired, that is, whether it is time to change the setting constant (step 510
). If the answer is NO, the process returns to step S4 and the subsequent steps are executed to perform supply, storage of the digital weight signal after the stabilization time, etc., as described above.

When the answer to step SIO is YES, that is, when it is time to change the setting constants, the setting constants are changed based on the change in the number of actual operations (step 5ll).
This is a routine as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether the number of actual operations processed in step 9 is greater than the number of actual operations processed when the setting constant was previously changed (step 516). If the answer is YES, the next time the setting constant is changed, The current number of active processes is stored for use (step 517). Then, the setting constant designated as the setting constant to be changed in step S2 is read from the memory (step 5ta). Step 5: Determine whether this specified setting constant is the stability time.
19) If the answer is YES, is the current stability time shortened to the minimum necessary to maintain the minimum combination accuracy of the combination balance, that is, is it the limit in the negative direction? A judgment is made (step S20). If the answer is NO, the stabilization time is decreased by one step (step 521). This is because it is determined in step S16 that the current number of actual operation processes has increased compared to the previous number of actual operation processes, so the time for one cycle is shortened by shortening the stabilization time, and the unit time This is to increase the number of cycles per cycle. Also, step S
If the answer is 20 or YES, if you reduce the stabilization time any further, you will not be able to obtain the minimum combined weighing accuracy.
The setting constant change routine is ended without changing the stabilization time. After decreasing the stabilization time in step S21, the CPU 28 then determines whether the characteristics of the digital filter configured are applying a large damping so that the stabilization time is the shortest, that is, whether it is at the limit of the strong force. (Step 522) If the answer is No, the stabilization time was shortened in step S21, so the filter constant is increased by one step in order to stabilize the digital weighing signal within the shortened stabilization time. The brakes are strengthened (step 523), and this routine ends. Further, if the answer to step S22 is YES, that is, if the filter constant is at the limit for strong power, the filter constant is not changed and this routine is ended.

Further, if the determination in step S19 is NO, that is, if the stability time is not specified as the setting constant to be changed, the specified setting constant is the upper and lower limit of the number of valid rooms participating in the combination, so the current combination It is determined whether the upper and lower limits of the number of valid participating rooms are the minimum required upper and lower limits to maintain combinational measurement accuracy (step 524), and this answer is N.
If it is O, the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms for combination participation are lowered by one step (step 525). As a result, the combination calculation time is shortened, the time for one cycle is shortened, the number of cycles executed per unit time is increased, and the performance is improved. Also, if the answer to step S24 is YES,
If the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms for combination participation are lowered further than this, the minimum combination measurement accuracy cannot be maintained, so this routine is ended without changing the upper and lower limits for the number of effective rooms for combination participation. The routine shown in FIG. 3 roughly corresponds to the reduction means.

If the answer to step S16 is NO, that is, if the current number of actual operation processing is not greater than the number of actual operation processing when the setting was changed previously, a routine as shown in FIG. 4 is executed. First, the current number of actual operations is memorized for use when changing the setting constants the first time (step 526).
). Then, the setting constant specified as the setting constant to be changed in step S2 is read from the memory (step S27). It is difficult to judge whether it is the specified setting constant or the stability time (step 328), and the answer is YES.
If S, it is determined whether the current stability time is the stability time extended until the minimum capacity of the combination weigher is obtained, that is, whether the stability time is the limit in the positive direction (step 529).
), if the answer is NO, the stability time is increased by one step (step 530). This is step S
In 16, it is determined that the current number of actual operations is lower than the previous number of operations, so the stabilization time is lengthened and the precision of each digital weighing signal is increased to improve the combined weighing accuracy. This is to make it happen. Also, step S
If the answer to question 29 is YES, the minimum performance cannot be obtained if the stabilization time is extended any further, so the stabilization time is not changed and the setting constant change routine is ended. After increasing the stabilization time in step S30, it is then determined whether a small damping is being applied so that the characteristic of the digital filter configured by the CPU 28 is the longest stabilization time, that is, whether it is at the limit in the weak direction. (Step 531). If the answer is No, the stabilization time is lengthened in step Sol, so at the end of the longer stabilization time, a small damping is applied to the filter constant by l steps in order to stabilize the digital weighing signal. (step 532), and this routine ends. If the answer to step S31 is YES, that is, if the filter constant is at the limit in the weak direction, the filter constant is not changed and this routine ends.

Further, if the judgment in step S28 is NO, that is, if the stability time is not specified as the setting constant to be changed, the specified setting constant is the upper and lower limit of the number of effective rooms participating in one combination, so the current combination It is determined whether the upper and lower limits of the number of valid participating rooms are upper and lower limits that have the combination calculation time necessary to maintain the minimum capacity, that is, whether they are positive limit values (step 533). If the answer is No, the upper and lower limits of the number of valid rooms participating in the combination are increased by one step (step 534). This increases the number of digital weighing signals that participate in the combination, thereby increasing the accuracy of the combination weighing. . Further, if the answer to step S33 is YES, if the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms for combination participation are increased further, the minimum capacity cannot be maintained, so the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms for combination participation will not be changed. , exit this routine. The routine shown in FIG. 4 roughly corresponds to the increasing means.

Figure 8 shows the state in which the time for one cycle changes depending on the change in the stability time. For example, when the supply amount decreases from the state shown in Figure (a), the stability time changes in Figure 8 (B). ), the measurement accuracy of each digital measurement signal improves, and the combined measurement accuracy also improves. In addition, as the amount of articles being transported toward the combination scale increases from the state shown in Figure (a), the stabilization time becomes shorter as shown in Figure (C), and the cycle time becomes shorter. Become. Therefore, the number of cycles executed per unit time increases, improving performance.

In the above example, the stability time or the upper and lower limits of the number of valid rooms for combination participation were changed, but the opening time of the supply gate,
Alternatively, the same effect can be obtained by changing the opening time of the discharge gate. That is, when the amount of articles to be transported toward the combination weigher is large, the time for one cycle can be shortened by shortening the opening time of the supply gate or the discharge gate, thereby increasing the number of cycles per unit time. and can improve their abilities. Also, by increasing the opening time of the supply or discharge gate,
It is possible to prevent articles from getting caught in the supply gate or discharge gate, and to move the articles from the supply hopper 10 to the weighing hopper 1.
2 or discharge from the weighing hopper room to the conveyor 2o, and the combined weighing accuracy can be improved.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the present invention was implemented in one cycle, which consisted of a supply time, a stabilization time, a calculation time, and a discharge time, but as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be implemented in systems in which the cycles are configured independently. That is, in FIG. 9, the time from the start of supply to the start of the next supply constitutes 1 supply cycle time, and the supply is continued for a predetermined supply gate open time from the start of this 1 supply cycle. One metering/calculating cycle is started at the same time as the gate is opened and one feeding cycle is started, and one metering/calculating cycle is ended at the same time as the one feeding cycle ends. A stabilization time continues for a predetermined time from the start of the measurement/calculation cycle, and then a combination calculation is performed. The discharge cycle time is the time from when a discharge command signal is supplied from a packaging machine (not shown) installed at the destination of transport by the conveyor 20 until the next discharge command signal is supplied. The discharge gate is opened for a predetermined discharge gate opening time from the time the cycle is started. In a case like the one shown in FIG. 9, the opening time of the supply gate, the stabilization time, the upper and lower limits of the number of effective rooms participating in the combination, etc.
In addition to changing the discharge gate opening time, the capacity of the combination unit can also be changed by adjusting the time interval at which discharge command signals are generated from the packaging machine.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the combination weigher of the present invention, when the amount of articles being conveyed toward the combination weigher increases, the set constant can be decreased to increase the amount of goods per unit time. Increase the number of selected combinations to improve the capacity, and when the amount of goods fed to the combination scale is decreasing, increase the setting constant to improve the combination weighing accuracy of the combination scale. ing. Therefore, the operating state can be automatically adjusted according to the amount of articles to be transported toward the combination department.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the combination weigher according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed flowchart of the actual operation processing number calculation in the flowchart of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the remaining part of the setting constant change in the flowchart of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the mechanical configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the same. A block diagram of the embodiment, FIG. 7 is an operation timing diagram of a conventional combination weigher, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state in which the time of one cycle is changed by changing the setting constant in this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation timing diagram of another combination weigher in which the invention can be implemented. 10... Supply hopper (goods supply section), 12...
Weighing chamber (article storage section), 16...Load cell (
weighing means), 22... weighing conveyor (conveying device),
28...CPU (supply control means, combination calculation means, discharge control means, actual operation processing number calculation means, setting constant increasing means, setting constant decreasing means). 'Xl figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of article storage sections each containing an article, a plurality of weighing means for weighing the article supplied to each article storage section and generating a weighing signal, and an article conveyed by the conveyance device. a supply control means for opening the supply gate for the supply gate opening time and supplying the article from the article supply section to the empty article storage section by opening the supply gate for the supply gate opening time; Combination calculating means for variously combining these weighing signals and selecting a combination whose total value is equal to or close to a predetermined target weight value from among these combinations when the number of objects whose stability time has elapsed is within a predetermined number range. and a discharge control means for opening the discharge gate of the article storage section containing the articles constituting the selected combination for a discharge gate opening time to discharge the articles, and discharging the articles per unit time. means for detecting a change in the number of actual operations, which is the amount of processing per unit time that is proportional to the number of combinations or the amount of transportation per unit time from the conveying device, and when the change in the number of actual operations is an increase; means for reducing at least one of the supply gate opening time, the stabilization time, the predetermined number range, and the discharge gate opening time, and when the change in the number of actual operations is a decrease, the supply gate opening time; and means for increasing at least one of the stability time, the predetermined number range, and the discharge gate opening time.