Logistics scales

• US 20030047603A1
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digi Sens AG
• Original Assignee: Digi Sens AG
• Inventors: Luithardt, Wolfram, Lustenberger, Martin
• Application Number:
  US10/130,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047603A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/415 combined with recording means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/42 for counting by weighing G01G19/387 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/23 Support or suspension of weighing platforms G01G21/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/24 Guides or linkages for ensuring parallel motion of the weigh-pans
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The logistic balance according to the invention comprises any desired large number of racks (1), each rack (1) being set up to accommodate a specific number of containers of small parts or parts themselves. The rack (1), comprising a rack shelf (5) and two side walls (6), is borne by hooks (12) which are fixed to two frames (11). The hooks (12) engage in openings (13) in an L-shaped supporting part (7) in each case, on which in each case a frame plate (8) of a force measuring cell (9) rests. The rack shelf (5) in each case rests on a load sensing plate (10) of the two force measuring cells (9). By means of suitable algebraic linking of the measurement results from the two force measuring cells (9) obtained in evaluation electronics, the weights of the individual containers and their positions on the rack (1) can be determined. By means of suitable electronic interrogation means, in this way the stock and its changes can be monitored continuously and displayed in the current state.

Claims

1. A weighing system for managing a stock of parts, preferably small parts, in which the number of parts is determined via their weight, there are electronic data processing means both for the evaluation of the weights and their locations and also the actual stock management, and the store has an arbitrary but determined number of racks (1), characterized in that

each rack (1) is set up to accommodate a predefined number of parts or of containers (2) containing such parts,

each rack (1) has a horizontal loadbearing structure (5, 6, 21, 26), which bears the parts or containers (2),

each rack (1) has at each of its ends a supporting part (7), which can be hooked into suspension means (12) borne at least indirectly by a frame (11),

for each rack (1) there are two force measuring cells (9).

2. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that

each supporting part (7) bears a force measuring cell (9), which is fixed to it,

the horizontal loadbearing structure (5, 6, 21, 26) is supported at each of its ends on one of said force measuring cells (9) in each case and is fixed to it, it being possible both for the weight of the parts or of the containers (2) and their locations to be determined by means of the suitable algebraic combination of the measurement results from the two force measuring cells (9).

3. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that

each one of the two force measuring cells (9) is fixed to one side of the frame (11) in each case and is supported on the latter and bears the suspension means (12),

the horizontal loadbearing structure (5, 6, 21, 26) is supported at each of its ends on one of said supporting parts (7) and is fixed to it, the supporting parts (7) transmitting the weight to be measured to the suspension means (12) and it being possible both for the weight of the parts or containers (2) and their locations to be determined by means of the suitable algebraic combination of the measurement results from the two force measuring cells (9).

4. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each weighing cell (9) is connected individually to the data processing means.

5. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 2 or 3, characterized in that there is a bus system which interrogates the individual weighing cells (9) one after another.

6. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the horizontal loadbearing structure comprises a horizontal shelf (5), which has side walls (6) that point downward, and the parts or the containers are placed on this shelf (5).

7. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 6, characterized in that the shelf is provided with rails (22) running transversely with respect to its longitudinal extent.

8. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 4 or 5, characterized in that

the horizontal loadbearing structure (21) consists of a V-shaped metal sheet open at the top and having folded-in edges,

rails (22) are fixed to the folded-in edges, transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the loadbearing structure (21), in order to accommodate containers (2).

9. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 4 or 5, characterized in that

on the loadbearing structure (5, 6, 21, 26), a number of trays (32) corresponding to the number of containers (2) to be accommodated is arranged,

each tray (32) is fixed to a vertical rod (33),

there is a rod (38) which runs parallel to the loadbearing structure (5, 6, 21, 26) and is fixed to the frame (11) and is substantially horizontal,

there is in each case a further vertical rod (35) which is fixed to the horizontal rod (38),

there are in each case two mutually substantially parallel links (34) which are attached both to the first and to the second vertical rod (33, 35), so that each tray (32) is guided parallel to the first vertical rod (33) by the links (34),

there is at least one stop (36) which is at least indirectly connected to the first vertical rod (33) and which is supported on the loadbearing structure.

10. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 9, characterized in that the parallel guide comprising the first and second rod (32, 35) and links (34) is a sheet metal construction with bending hinges, which are set up in such a way that the at least one stop (36) is supported on the loadbearing structure without force, or can be tared to zero, when the tray (33) is empty.

11. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 4 or 5, characterized in that on pivot bearings (27) whose horizontal axes run transversely with respect to the extent of the loadbearing structure, the horizontal loadbearing structure in each case bears a holding basket (28) which can be pivoted in the pivot bearing (27) in order to accommodate parts or containers (2).

12. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 11, characterized in that for each holding basket (28) there is a damper (29) in order to damp its swinging movements, said damper being such that after said swinging movement has decayed, no residual torque remains either in the pivot bearing (27) or in the damper (29).

13. The weighing system as claimed in one of patent claims 1-12, characterized in that the force measuring cells (9) are those which operate on the vibrating string principle.

14. The weighing system as claimed in one of patent claims 1-13, characterized in that

for each rack there is an indicating device which indicates whether a weight determination process has been completed or is continuing,

by means of the electronic data processing means, an enable signal is generated from the rest monitor of each pair of force measuring cells (9) used for one rack (1), when a weight determination process has been completed,

said enable signal is able to control the indicating device in such a way that there follows a signal for enable or non-enable which can be perceived by the senses.

15. The weighing system as claimed in patent claim 14, characterized in that the enable signal comprises a green signal lamp, and the non-enable signal comprises a red signal lamp.