FORCE SENSING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR A PRODUCT DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

A force sensing assembly measures a magnitude of a force generated at the tabs (18) in a product delivery system. The product delivery system can be one in which a force is produced at the tabs by the weight of the stack, by a paddle (12) pushing an end of the stack (14), or by another similar type of advancing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the force sensing assembly has a pair of tabs connected to a cross-bar (20) which extends across the stack and which is connected to the frame of the feeder through a bell crank (24) at one end and a lever (20) at the other end. The bell crank has one arm connected to the cross-bar (20) and a second arm connected to a load cell (42). The force at the tabs causes the lever and bell crank to rotate, with the force being transmitted through the bell crank, through a spring, and then to the load cell. The load cell generates a force signal which is supplied to a controller for adjusting the amount of force at the tabs. The controller adjusts the force by adding more products to the stack or by advancing the stack closer to the tabs. The load cell preferably has a stopper for preventing an excessive amount of force from reaching the cell.