Method and device for operating a balance
AssigneeMettler-Toledo AG
InventorsBruno Nufer, Arthur Reichmuth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A balance (1, 101) has a weighing pan (4, 104) for receiving a load (5, 6, 25) to be weighed, and an electronic weighing module (27) which includes a measuring unit (28). The balance is equipped with an electrostatic sensor (10) which is arranged so that accumulated electrostatic charges which reside on the load can be detected as the load is placed or about to be placed on the weighing pan. The balance is operated by using the electrostatic sensor to detect electrostatic charges, transferring information on a value characterizing the magnitude of the detected electrostatic charges to the measuring unit, comparing the value against a threshold value, and triggering an action of the electronic weighing module based on the comparison.
Claims29
A method for weighing a load, comprising the steps of:
- providing a balance comprising a weighing pan to receive the load, an electronic weighing module with a measuring unit, and an electrostatic sensor arranged to detect an accumulated electrostatic charge on the load when it is placed or about to be placed on the weighing pan;
- detecting the electrostatic charge using the electrostatic sensor;
- comparing the detected electrostatic charge against a threshold value;
- generating a signal that characterizes the detected electrostatic charge;
- transferring the generated signal to the measuring unit;
- and
- triggering an action of the electronic weighing module.
A balance, comprising:
- a weighing pan;
- an electronic weighing module comprising a measuring unit;
- and
- an electrostatic sensor, arranged to detect an electrostatic charge accumulated on a load which is placed or about to be placed on the weighing pan, the electrostatic sensor being connected to the measuring unit;
- wherein the electronic weighing module is adapted to act when the electrostatic charge detected exceeds a threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.