Drive device for carrying and operating a lockable insertion unit in a weighing balance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11480459-B2
Application number	US-202016794848-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2020
Priority date	Mar 7, 2019
Publication date	Oct 25, 2022
Grant date	Oct 25, 2022

Abstract

A drive device (125) is adapted for use in combination with a weighing balance (100). The drive device has a receiving unit (130), an insertion unit (U) and a locking unit (140). The receiving unit is configured to receive the insertion unit. The locking unit is movable between a locking position, in which the insertion unit is constrained from movement, and an unlocking position, in which the movement is not constrained. The locking unit is coupled to the receiving unit in a biasing manner to predispose the locking unit into the locking position. The locking unit is slidably engaged with the receiving unit to allow the locking unit to slide relative to the receiving unit when an external force is applied to move the locking unit into the unlocking position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drive device for use with a weighing balance, the drive device comprising:
an insertion unit;
a receiving unit configured to receive the insertion unit;
a locking unit, movable between a locking position, in which the insertion unit is constrained from movement, and an unlocking position, in which the insertion unit is not constrained from movement, the locking unit being coupled in a biasing manner to the receiving unit to predispose the locking unit into the locking position, and being engaged in a sliding manner with the receiving unit to allow the locking unit to slide relative to the receiving unit when an external force is applied to move the locking unit into the unlocking position; and
a housing having at least a window, a plurality of narrow slots, and at least an opening, wherein the locking unit and the receiving unit are attached to the housing such that the locking unit is received and accessed for operation through the at least one window and the at least one opening; and the receiving unit is received in the plurality of narrow slots.

2. The drive device of claim 1 , wherein:
the insertion unit is configured for both insertion into and removal from the receiving unit, the insertion unit being selected from the group consisting of: a dosage dispensing unit for dosing substances in solid or fluid form, a titration unit, a pump unit, a unit with pipe conduits and armatures, a container unit, a sensor unit, a heating and/or cooling unit and an adapter serving to receive either one the aforesaid units or further units.

3. The drive device of claim 1 , wherein:
the receiving unit comprises a cover plate with at least two longitudinal frames releasably mated with the cover plate, each of the longitudinal frames comprising a plurality of support arms that are arranged substantially parallel to each other, such that, in an operating state of the weighing balance, the support arms are configured to support the insertion unit against a force of gravity.

4. The drive device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of narrow slots is configured to receive the plurality of support arms.

5. The drive device of claim 3 , wherein:
the locking unit is integrally formed as a single unit that comprises a frame, a latching portion, an actuating portion, a locating portion, a displacing portion, and a deforming portion.

6. The drive device of claim 5 , wherein the deforming portion of the locking unit is biasingly coupled to the cover plate for predisposing the locking unit into the locking position.

7. The drive device of claim 5 , wherein the actuating portion is received and accessed for operation through the at least one window, and the latching portion is received and accessed for operation through the at least one opening of the housing; such that the actuating portion transfers the external force to the latching portion, sliding the locking unit relative to the receiving unit, thereby moving the locking unit into the unlocking position.

8. The drive device of claim 1 , wherein the drive device is configured for attachment to a weighing chamber rear wall of the weighing balance.

9. The drive device of claim 8 , wherein the drive device is guidable along an elongate slot provided on the weighing chamber rear wall.

10. The drive device of claim 1 , wherein the insertion unit is configured to cooperate with a draft shield of the weighing balance, the cooperation occurring between an opening in a top wall of the draft shield.

11. A weighing balance, comprising:
a drive device according to claim 1 .

12. A method for operating a drive device of claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
selecting an insertion unit of the drive device capable of performing a desired function;
applying, to the locking unit, an external force to move the locking unit from the locking position to the unlocking position;
inserting the insertion unit into the receiving unit, which is configured to support the insertion unit against the force of gravity that acts on the weighing balance when in the operating state;
releasing the external force, allowing the locking unit to move from the unlocking position to the locking position, installing the insertion unit;
operating the insertion unit, installed in the drive device, to perform the desired function;
applying the external force on the installed locking unit to move the locking unit from the locking position to the unlocking position;
removing the insertion unit from the receiving unit; and
releasing the external force on the locking unit to move the locking unit from the unlocking position to the locking position.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the external force is applied by a programmable robotic arm.

Assignees

• Mettler Toledo Gmbh

Inventors

• Zehnder Marc
• Rindlisbacher Aurelius

Classifications

• G01G13/022

  Material feeding devices (G01G13/04 - G01G13/14 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01G13/003 Primary

  Details; specially adapted accessories (details of weighing apparatus in general G01G21/00; auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus in general G01G23/00) · CPC title

• B01L2200/028

  Modular arrangements · CPC title

• G01G21/28

  Frames, Housings · CPC title

• G01G13/24

  Weighing mechanism control arrangements for automatic feed or discharge · CPC title