Weighing method with automatic micro-calibration function

Abstract

A weighing method has an automatic micro-calibration function. In the method, an automatic adjustment is performed by a self-calibration weighing module. When the result of the adjustment does not meet a requirement, an automatic calibration is performed by the self-calibration weighing module, followed by weighing fine formulation materials. In the weighing method, the self-calibration module is used to perform the automatic calibration function to weigh the fine formulation materials. This provides a high degree of automation, and greatly reduced cost in equipment and labor for a formulating process, saving on time and labor, and with no risk of cross-contamination.

Claims

1. A weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function for material tank scales, said weighing method comprising the steps of: installing and connecting a material tank to a self-calibration weighing module and a control system; sending an instruction, by the control system, for performing an automatic adjustment to the self-calibration weighing module by, at least, electronically commanding the self-calibration weighing module to load the material tank with a predetermined calibration weight, displaying loaded weight data, and subsequently: determining in the control system whether the loaded weight data meets a predetermined requirement; only if the loaded weight data does not meet the predetermined requirement, instructing, by the control system, the self-calibration weighing module to perform an automatic calibration; weighing fine formulation materials using weighing control on the fine formulation materials by a feeding system of the material tank; and switching, by the control system, back to calibrated data for the material tank, and subsequently weighing large-weight mixed solvent materials.

2. The weighing method of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a meter or a PLC control system.

3. The weighing method of claim 2, wherein the step of sending the instruction for performing the automatic adjustment comprises the steps of: triggering an internal software control program, which is part of the control system, by the meter through a mechanical meter button or by the PLC control system through a virtual key, and sending, by the internal software control program, a signal to an automatic loading device of the self-calibration weighing module.

4. The weighing method of claim 3, wherein the step of electronically commanding the self-calibration weighing module to load the material tank with the predetermined calibration weight and displaying the loaded weight data comprises the substeps of: using the automatic loading device to perform a loading action after receiving the electronic command; after loading, using the meter or the PLC control system for displaying the loaded weight data; and comparing the loaded weight data with a known mass of loaded weights added by the loading action for the self-calibration weighing module to obtain a weight deviation value, wherein the predetermined requirement comprises an acceptable deviation value range or threshold, and wherein the mass of loaded weights is the predetermined calibration weight.

5. The weighing method of claim 3, wherein the step of performing the automatic calibration comprises the substeps of: sending an automatic small-range calibration instruction by the meter or the PLC control system, and using the self-calibration weighing module to self-calibrate by loading weights of known mass, such that a measured precision of the weights of known mass meets a precision for small-range weighing.

6. A weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function for material tank scales, comprising the steps of: installing and connecting a material tank to the self-calibration weighing module and a control system; calibrating data of the material tank by the self-calibration weighing module and weighing large-weight mixed solvents; switching, by the control system, the self-calibration weighing module to an automatic small-range calibration mode, and performing small-range calibration by the self-calibration weighing module by: taking a current weight of the material tank as a zero point; sending, by the control system, an automatic adjustment instruction to the self-calibration weighing module; performing the automatic adjustment by electronically commanding the self-calibration weighing module to load the material tank with a predetermined calibration weight; displaying loaded weight data; determining in the control system whether the result of the adjustment meets a predetermined requirement; and only if the result does not meet the predetermined requirement, instructing, by the control system, the self-calibration weighing module to perform an automatic calibration; and performing the step of weighing fine formulation materials using weighing control on the fine formulation materials by a feeding system of the material tank.

7. The weighing method of claim 6, wherein the control system comprises a meter or a PLC control system.

8. The weighing method of claim 7, wherein the step of sending the instruction for performing the automatic adjustment comprises the steps of: triggering an internal software control program, which is part of the control system, by the meter through a mechanical meter button or by the PLC control system through a virtual key, and sending, by the internal software control program, a signal to an automatic loading device of the self-calibration weighing module.

9. The weighing method of claim 8, wherein: the self-calibration weighing module uses the automatic loading device to perform a loading action after receiving the electronic command to load the material tank with the predetermined calibration weight; and the step of displaying the loaded weight data is accomplished by using the meter or the PLC control system for displaying the loaded weight data after the loading action is completed, and comparing the loaded weight data with a known mass of the predetermined calibration weight, which comprises loaded weights; and the step of determining in the control system whether the result of the adjustment meets the predetermined requirement comprises the self-calibration weighing module obtaining a weight deviation value between the loaded weight data and the known mass of the predetermined calibration weight, wherein the predetermined requirement comprises and acceptable deviation value range or threshold.

10. The weighing method of claim 8, wherein the step of performing the automatic calibration comprises the substeps of: sending an automatic small-range calibration instruction by the meter or the PLC control system, and using the self-calibration weighing module to self-calibrate by loading weights of known mass, such that a measured precision of the weights of known mass meets a precision for small-range weighing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become clearer based on the description below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, and the same reference numerals in the figures always represent the same features, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a flowchart of Embodiment I of a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of Embodiment II of a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3A is an exemplary material tank scale for use with the methods of FIGS. 1-2.

(5) FIG. 3B is an exemplary weighing device for use with the methods of FIGS. 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) To make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and easier to understand, specific implementations of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(7) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals used in all the drawings denote identical or similar parts wherever possible.

(8) Furthermore, although the terms used in the present invention are selected from well-known common terms, some of the terms mentioned in the description of the present invention may have been selected by the applicant according to his or her determination, and the detailed meaning thereof is described in the relevant section described herein.

(9) Furthermore, the present invention must be understood, not simply by the actual terms used but also by the meanings encompassed by each term.

Embodiment I

(10) FIG. 1 is a flowchart of Embodiment I of a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function according to the present invention. The method may be carried out on a weighing device 10, such as illustrated in FIG. 3A by way of non-limiting example.

(11) The present invention discloses a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function, the method comprising: performing an automatic adjustment by a self-calibration weighing module 120, and when the result of the adjustment does not meet a requirement, performing automatic calibration by the self-calibration weighing module 120, and weighing fine formulation materials after the calibration is finished.

(12) Specifically, in this embodiment, the weighing method comprises six steps.

(13) The first step, S.sub.1, is installing and connecting a material tank 10 to the self-calibration weighing module 100 and a control system 200.

(14) The control system 200 preferably comprises a meter or a PLC control system. Before formulating starts, the material tank 10, the self-calibration weighing module 100 and the control system 200 (such as a meter or a PLC) have been installed, and a feeding system and a discharging system and other auxiliary systems of the material tank 10 have been installed.

(15) The second step, S.sub.2, is sending, by the control system 200, an automatic adjustment instruction to the self-calibration weighing module 100.

(16) Preferably, step S.sub.2 particularly comprises: triggering an internal software control program by the meter through a mechanical meter button 220 or by the PLC control system through a virtual key 180, and sending, by the software control program, a signal to an automatic loading device 160 of the self-calibration weighing module 100. After the automatic loading device 160 receives a signal from a meter or a PLC, for example, as the automatic loading device 160 comprises an electromagnetic valve 161 and a cylinder, the electromagnetic valve 161 is powered on to open a compressed air passage of the cylinder 162, and the cylinder 162 lifts weights 163 upwards through a weight connecting piece 164 to finish a loading action.

(17) The third step, S.sub.3, is loading the material tank 10 by the self-calibration weighing module 100, and displaying loaded weight data and determining whether the result of the adjustment meets a requirement, by the control system 200, if not, proceeding to step S.sub.4, and if yes, proceeding to step S.sub.5.

(18) Preferably, step S.sub.3 particularly comprises substeps. Substep S.sub.31 involves performing a loading action by the automatic loading device 160 after receiving the signal. Substep S.sub.32 involves, after loading, displaying loaded weight data by the meter or the PLC control system, comparing the loaded weight data with the mass of loaded weights 163 for the self-calibration weighing module 100 to obtain a weight deviation value, and if the weight deviation value does not meet a requirement, proceeding to step S.sub.4; and if the weight deviation value meets the requirement, proceeding to step S.sub.5.

(19) The fourth step, S.sub.4, is instructing, by the control system 200, the self-calibration weighing module 100 to perform automatic calibration, and proceeding to step S.sub.5 after the calibration is finished.

(20) Preferably, step S.sub.4 particularly comprises: sending an automatic small-range calibration instruction by the meter or the PLC control system, and performing calibration by the self-calibration weighing module 100 by loading weights 163, such that the precision meets a precision for small-range weighing.

(21) In this case, it is equivalent to the case where the maximum weighing (e.g., 4-8 kg) precision of the whole material-tank weighing system meets the precision for small-range weighing, and weighing control of fine formulation materials is performed after the calibration is finished. The feeding process is: weighing control on fine formulation materials (e.g., 1 kg of material A or 2 kg of material B) is performed by a feeding system of the material tank 10. When the weight of the fine materials added meets a requirement, the system stops feeding.

(22) The fifth step, S.sub.5, is performing weighing control on the fine formulation materials by a feeding system of the material tank 10.

(23) When the deviation value meets the production requirements, micro-calibration of the material-tank weighing system is not required, and weighing control on the fine formulation materials (e.g., 1 kg of material A or 2 kg of material B) is directly performed by a feeding system of the material tank 10. When the weight of the fine materials added meets a requirement, the system stops feeding.

(24) The sixth step, S.sub.6, is switching, by the control system 200, back to calibrated data of the material tank 10, and weighing large-weight mixed solvent materials.

(25) Preferably, the weighing process of the large-weight mixed solvents is performed after it is switched through the meter or the PLC back to main material-tank scale data, and the weighing control on the large-weight (e.g., 3000 kg of water) mixed solvents is performed. After all materials have been fed, stirring, heating and other processes are carried out to complete the formulating process.

Embodiment II

(26) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of Embodiment II of a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function according to the present invention. The method may be carried out on a weighing device 10, such as illustrated in FIG. 3A by way of non-limiting example.

(27) As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention discloses a weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function, the method comprising: performing an automatic adjustment by a self-calibration weighing module 100, and when the result of the adjustment does not meet a requirement, performing automatic calibration by the self-calibration weighing module 100, and weighing fine formulation materials after the calibration is finished.

(28) Specifically, in this embodiment, the weighing method comprises seven steps.

(29) Step S.sub.1 involves installing and connecting a material tank 10 to the self-calibration weighing module 100 and a control system 200.

(30) The control system 200 preferably comprises a meter or a PLC control system. Before formulating starts, the material tank 10, the self-calibration weighing module 100 and the control system 200 (such as a meter or a PLC) have been installed, and a feeding system and a discharging system and other auxiliary systems of the material tank 10 have been installed.

(31) Step S.sub.2 involves calibrating data of the material tank 10 by the self-calibration weighing module 100 and weighing large-weight mixed solvents.

(32) Preferably, the weighing process of the large-weight mixed solvents is performed after the material-tank scale data is used first, and the weighing control on the large-weight (e.g., 3000 kg of water) mixed solvents is performed. When all materials have been fed, a fine material calibration mode is implemented.

(33) Step S.sub.3 involves switching, by the control system 200, the self-calibration weighing module 100 to an automatic small-range calibration mode, and performing small-range calibration by the self-calibration weighing module 100 by taking a current weight of the material tank 10 as a zero point.

(34) Step S.sub.4 involves sending, by the control system 200, an automatic adjustment instruction to the self-calibration weighing module 100.

(35) Preferably, step S.sub.4 particularly comprises: triggering an internal software control program by the meter through a mechanical meter button 220 or by the PLC control system through a virtual key 180, and sending, by the software control program, a signal to an automatic loading device 160 of the self-calibration weighing module 100.

(36) Step S.sub.5 involves loading the material tank 10 by the self-calibration weighing module 100, and displaying loaded weight data and determining whether the result of the adjustment meets a requirement, by the control system 200, if not, proceeding to step S.sub.6, and if yes, proceeding to step S.sub.7.

(37) Preferably, step S.sub.5 particularly comprises two substeps.

(38) Substep S.sub.51 involves performing a loading action by the automatic loading device 160 after receiving the signal.

(39) Substep S.sub.52 involves, after loading, displaying loaded weight data by the meter or the PLC control system, comparing the loaded weight data with the mass of loaded weights 163 for the self-calibration weighing module 100 to obtain a weight deviation value, and if the weight deviation value does not meet a requirement, proceeding to step S.sub.6; and if the weight deviation value meets the requirement, proceeding to step S.sub.7.

(40) Step S.sub.6 involves instructing, by the control system 200, the self-calibration weighing module 100 to perform automatic calibration, and proceeding to step S.sub.7 after the calibration is finished.

(41) Preferably, step S.sub.6 particularly comprises: sending an automatic small-range calibration instruction by the meter or the PLC control system, and performing calibration by the self-calibration weighing module 100 by loading weights 163, such that the precision meets a precision for small-range weighing.

(42) In this case, it is equivalent to the case where the maximum weighing (e.g., 4-8 kg) precision of the whole material-tank weighing system meets the precision for small-range weighing, and weighing control of fine formulation materials is performed after the calibration is finished. The feeding process is: weighing control on fine formulation materials (e.g., 1 kg of material A or 2 kg of material B) is performed by a feeding system of the material tank 10. When the weight of the fine materials added meets a requirement, the system stops feeding.

(43) Step S.sub.7 involves performing weighing control on the fine formulation materials by a feeding system of the material tank 10.

(44) When the deviation value meets the production requirements, micro-calibration of the material-tank weighing system is not required, and weighing control on the fine formulation materials (e.g., 1 kg of material A or 2 kg of material B) is directly performed by a feeding system of the material tank 10. When the weight of the fine materials added meets a requirement, the system stops feeding.

(45) Finally, after all materials have been fed, stirring, heating and other processes are carried out to complete the formulating process.

(46) In summary, in the weighing method with an automatic micro-calibration function according to the present invention, the self-calibration module is used to perform the automatic calibration function to weigh the fine formulation materials, having a high degree of automation, and greatly reducing cost in equipment and labor for a formulating process, saving on time and labor, and having no risk of cross-contamination.

(47) Although specific implementations of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Various alterations or modifications to these implementations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and essence of the present invention; however, these alterations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.