Device for determining elongation of chain and associated conveyor chain and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (8) for determining the elongation of a chain (6) of a conveyor chain (1). The device comprises:-a first target element (9) configured to be arranged at a first end of a first chain pin (10) of the chain (6),-a second target element (11) configured to be arranged at a first end of a second chain pin (12) of the chain (6),-a sensor (13),-a first determination means (15), and-a second determination means (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the determination of wear.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the elongation of a chain of a conveyor chain. Background Art

[0003] It is known that the elongation of a chain represents the wear of the chain.

[0004] When the value of the elongation of the chain of a conveyor chain has reached a predetermined value, the chain is worn and needs to be replaced to avoid chain failures and breaks.

[0005] The value of the elongation of the chain is determined by measuring the distance between chain pins and comparing the measured distance with the distance of a new chain.

[0006] To measure the distance between two chain pins, the conveyor chain needs to be shut down and the distance needs to be physically measured with a tool.

[0007] To plan preventive maintenance operations, the value of the elongation of the chain needs to be determined multiple times.

[0008] Since the conveyor chain is stopped each time the value of the elongation of the chain is determined, the productivity of the conveyor chain is reduced.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to propose a method for monitoring the wear of the chain of a conveyor chain without stopping the conveyor chain. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect, a method for determining the elongation of a chain of a conveyor chain is proposed.

[0011] The method includes:

[0012] · During an initialization step after the chain is configured in the conveyor, when the chain is driven at a predetermined speed by a driving member of the conveyor chain:

[0013] - Detecting a first instant when a target element disposed at a first end of a first chain pin of the chain passes in front of a sensor,

[0014] - Detecting a second instant when a second target element disposed at a first end of a second chain pin of the chain passes in front of the sensor,

[0015] - Determine the duration between the first moment of passage and the second moment of passage, the duration being a reference duration,

[0016] · During the conveying step in which the conveying chain conveys the raw material (material) at a predetermined speed after the initialization step:

[0017] - Detect the third moment when the first target element passes in front of the sensor,

[0018] - Detect the fourth moment when the second target element passes in front of the sensor,

[0019] - Determine the duration between the third moment of passage and the fourth moment of passage, the duration being a first duration, and

[0020] · Determine the value of the elongation rate of the chain according to the first duration and the reference duration.

[0021] The method allows for the automatic and continuous determination of the elongation rate of the chain to predict the wear of the chain without the need to physically measure the chain, so that the conveying chain is not shut down and the operator does not need to physically measure the chain.

[0022] The prediction of the wear of the chain enables the planning of maintenance operations (work) of the chain, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the chain and reducing the risk of breakage of the chain. The risk of breakage of the chain may cause damage to the conveying chain 1 or injury to the operator.

[0023] Advantageously, the conveying chain does not convey the raw material (material) during the initialization step.

[0024] Preferably, the first chain pin and the second chain pin are immediately adjacent.

[0025] Advantageously, the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain is equal to:

[0026]

[0027] where D1 is the first duration and Dref is the reference duration.

[0028] Advantageously, when the value of the elongation rate of the determined chain is equal to at least one predetermined warning value of the elongation rate of the chain, the method includes transmitting a warning signal to warn of a potential failure of the conveyor chain.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first target element includes a first magnet insert, the second target element includes a second magnet insert, and the sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

[0030] Preferably, the first magnet insert includes a through hole, a screw passes through the through hole of the first magnet insert and engages in a tapered hole at the first end of the first link of the first chain, and the second magnet insert includes a through hole, a screw passes through the through hole of the second magnet insert and engages in a tapered hole at the first end of the first link of the second chain pin.

[0031] According to another aspect, a device for determining the elongation rate of a chain of a conveyor chain is proposed.

[0032] The device includes:

[0033] - A first target element configured to be disposed at a first end of a first link pin of the chain,

[0034] - A second target element configured to be disposed at a first end of a second link pin of the chain,

[0035] - A sensor configured to detect the passage of the first target element and the second target element when the conveyor chain is driven by a drive member of the conveyor chain,

[0036] - A first determination component configured to determine a reference duration between a first moment when the first target element passes in front of the sensor and a second moment when the second target element passes in front of the sensor, and a first duration between a third moment when the first target element passes in front of the sensor and a fourth moment when the second target element passes in front of the sensor,

[0037] - A second determination component configured to determine a value of the elongation rate of the chain based on the first duration and the reference duration determined by the first determination component.

[0038] Preferably, the device further includes: a warning means configured to transmit a warning signal to warn of a potential failure of the conveyor chain when the determined value of the elongation rate of the chain is equal to at least one predetermined warning value of the elongation rate of the chain.

[0039] Advantageously, the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

[0040] According to another aspect, a conveyor chain is proposed.

[0041] The conveyor chain includes a chain having a plurality of chain pins and the device defined above.

[0042] The first target element is arranged at a first end of a first chain pin among the plurality of chain pins, and the second target element is arranged at a first end of a second chain pin among the plurality of chain pins. Description of the Drawings

[0043] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and the drawings, in which:

[0044] - Figure 1 An example of a conveyor chain according to the present invention is schematically shown,

[0045] - Figure 2 is a partial top view of an example of a chain of a conveyor chain according to Figure 1

[0046] - Figure 3 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 a longitudinal section of a pin chain of a chain of a conveyor chain according to, and

[0047] - Figure 4 An example of a method for determining the elongation of a chain of a conveyor chain according to the present invention is schematically shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0048] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 an example of a conveyor chain 1 is shown.

[0049] The conveyor chain 1 includes buckets 2 connected together by pivoting connections 3.

[0050] For the sake of clarity, Figure 1 only one bucket 2 is shown on

[0051] Each linked bucket 2 forms a loop extending between both a first gear 4 and a second gear 5. Each of the chains 6 forming the loop engages in the teeth of the two gears 4, 5 to drive the linked buckets 2.

[0052] The conveyor chain 1 further includes a drive member 7 for driving each first gear 4.

[0053] The drive member 7 includes, for example, an electric machine (motor).

[0054] The chain 6 is formed by links 20, 21 connected together by chain pins 10, 12. Each of the links 20, 21 includes a first bar 6a and a second bar 6b parallel to the first bar 6a. Each bar 6a, 6b includes holes at each end, and the first chain pin 10 passes through the holes at the first ends of the bars 6a, 6b to connect the two bars, and the second chain pin 12 passes through the holes at the second ends of the bars 6a, 6b to connect the two bars.

[0055] The chain pins of the chain 6 are identical.

[0056] The conveyor chain 1 further includes a device 8 for determining the elongation of the chain 6.

[0057] The device 8 includes a first target element 9 arranged at the first end of the first chain pin 10 of the chain 6 and a second target element 11 arranged at the first end of the second chain pin 12 of the chain 6.

[0058] The first end of the first chain pin 10 and the first end of the second chain pin 12 can be on the same side of the chain 6 or on different sides of the chain 6.

[0059] The device 8 further includes a sensor 13 which is designed to detect the passage of the first target element 9 and the second target element 11 when the chain 6 is driven by the drive member 7 of the conveyor chain 1.

[0060] The sensor 13 is mounted laterally outside the chain 6. The sensor 13 faces the chain 6 laterally. The sensor 13 is fixed relative to the chain 6.

[0061] In this example, the first target element 9 includes a target containing a first magnet insert, the second target element 11 includes a target containing a second magnet insert, and the sensor 13 is a Hall effect sensor.

[0062] In the example shown, the target elements 9, 11 and the sensor 13 use magnetic technology. As an alternative, the target elements and the sensor can use any other suitable technology other than magnetic technology.

[0063] For example, in another embodiment, the first target element 9 can include a first reflecting device, the second target element 11 can include a second reflecting device, and the sensor 13 can include a laser.

[0064] The device 8 further includes a processing module 14, and the processing module 14 includes a first determination component 15, a second determination component 16, and a warning component 17.

[0065] The first determination component 15 is intended to determine a reference duration Dref between a first moment when the first target element 9 passes in front of the magnetic sensor 13 and a second moment when the second target element 11 passes in front of the magnetic sensor 13.

[0066] As described below, when the chain is driven by the driving component of the conveyor chain at a predetermined speed, the reference duration Dref is determined during the initialization step after the chain 6 is configured in the conveyor. The chain 6 is new (not worn).

[0067] The first determination component 15 is further intended to determine a first duration D1 between a third moment when the first target element 9 passes in front of the sensor 13 and a fourth moment when the second target element 11 passes in front of the sensor 13.

[0068] As described below, the first duration D1 is determined during the conveying step when the conveyor chain conveys the raw material ( / material) at a predetermined speed after the initialization step.

[0069] Since the elongation rate value of the chain 6 is determined by measuring the distance between two chain pins and comparing the measured distance with the distance of a new chain, when the chain 6 is driven at a predetermined constant speed, the reference duration Dref represents the distance between two chain pins when the chain 6 is new, and the first duration D1 represents the distance between two chain pins of the chain 6 during the conveying step.

[0070] The distance between two chain pins when the chain 6 is new is equal to the reference duration Dref multiplied by the predetermined speed, and the distance between two chain pins of the chain 6 during the conveying step is equal to the first duration D1 multiplied by the predetermined speed.

[0071] The second determination component 16 is intended to determine the elongation rate value VE of the chain 6 from the first duration D1 and the reference duration Dref.

[0072] The elongation rate value VE of the chain 6 is equal to:

[0073]

[0074] The warning component 17 is intended to transmit a warning signal for warning of a potential failure of the conveyor chain 1 when the determined elongation rate value VE of the chain 6 is equal to at least one predetermined warning value of the elongation rate of the chain 6.

[0075] The warning signal is transmitted to, for example, a human-machine interface to warn the operator, such as a warning light.

[0076] A warning signal can be transmitted to a processing unit (not shown) for further processing.

[0077] For example, a first predetermined warning value and a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value are defined.

[0078] The first predetermined warning value can represent a degree of wear that requires a maintenance operation for the chain 6, and the second predetermined warning value can represent a degree of wear that requires replacement of the chain 6.

[0079] The first predetermined warning value can be equal to 2%, and the second predetermined warning value can be equal to 3%.

[0080] Figure 2 A partial view schematically showing an example of the chain 6 is shown.

[0081] The chain 6 includes links 20, 21.

[0082] The link 20 includes a first pin 10 and a second pin 12, and the first pin 10 and the second pin 12 include a first target element 9 and a second target element 11.

[0083] In another embodiment, the first target element 9 and the second target element 11 can be disposed on the pins of two different links, and the two pins are adjacent.

[0084] As described above, the first target element 9 includes a first magnet insert, the second target element 11 includes a second magnet insert, and the sensor is a Hall effect sensor 13.

[0085] Since the first magnet insert 9 and the second magnet insert 11 are the same, Figure 3 A longitudinal section of the first pin chain 10 of the chain 6 is schematically shown.

[0086] The second magnet insert 11 is disposed at the first end of the second pin chain 12.

[0087] The second magnet insert 11 can be circular.

[0088] The second magnet insert 11 includes a through hole 200.

[0089] The first end of the second pin chain 12 includes a tapered hole 210.

[0090] A screw 22 passes through the through hole 200 of the second magnet insert 11 and engages in the tapered hole 210 at the first end of the second pin chain 12 to hold the second magnet insert 11 on the first end of the second pin chain 12.

[0091] Similarly, the first magnet insert 9 can be circular and can include a through hole. A screw passes through the through hole of the first magnet insert and engages in the conical hole at the first end of the first link pin 10 to hold the first magnet insert 9 on the first end of the first link pin 10.

[0092] The first magnet insert 9 and the second magnet insert 11 can be held on the link pins of the chain 6 by other means. For example, the first magnet insert 9 and the second magnet insert 11 can be glued to the link pins of the chain 6.

[0093] Figure 4 An example of a method for determining the elongation of the chain 6 is schematically shown.

[0094] The method is implemented by the device 8.

[0095] During the initialization step 25 after the chain 6 is configured in the conveyor 1, when the chain 6 is driven by the driving member 7 at a predetermined speed, the first determination member 15 detects the first moment when the first target element 9 disposed at the first end of the first link pin 10 passes in front of the sensor 13 according to the signal transmitted by the sensor 13 when the first target element 9 is in front of the sensor 13.

[0096] The conveyor 1 may not convey the raw material during the initialization step.

[0097] In addition, during the initialization step 25, the first determination member 15 detects the second moment when the second target element 11 disposed at the first end of the second link pin 12 passes in front of the sensor 13 according to the signal transmitted by the sensor 13 when the second target element 11 is in front of the sensor 13.

[0098] When the first determination member 15 has detected the first moment and the second moment, in step 26, the first determination member 15 determines the reference duration Dref.

[0099] When the conveyor chain 1 conveys the raw material, the predetermined speed is equal to the speed of the conveyor chain 1.

[0100] The reference duration Dref is the duration between the first moment and the second moment at the predetermined speed when the chain 6 is new and not yet worn.

[0101] During the conveying step 27 in which the conveyor chain 1 conveys the raw material after the initialization step 25, the first determination member 15 detects the third moment when the first target element 9 disposed at the first end of the first link pin 10 passes in front of the sensor 13 according to the signal transmitted by the sensor 13 when the first target element 9 is in front of the sensor 13.

[0102] In addition, during the conveying step 27, the first determination member 15 detects a fourth moment at which the second magnet insert 11 disposed at the first end of the second link pin 12 passes in front of the sensor 13 based on a signal transmitted by the sensor 13 when the second target element 11 is in front of the sensor 13.

[0103] When the first determination member 15 has detected the third moment and the fourth moment, in step 28, the first determination member 15 determines a first duration D1.

[0104] In step 29, the second determination member 16 determines a value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 from the first duration D1 and a reference duration Dref according to equation (1).

[0105] In step 30, when the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 is determined by the second determination member 16, the warning member 17 compares the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 with a predetermined warning value.

[0106] If the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 is less than a first predetermined warning value (step 31), the method returns to step 27.

[0107] If the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined warning value (step 31) and less than a second predetermined warning value, then in step 32, the warning member 17 transmits a first warning signal Sw1 ( Figure 1 ) to warn of a potential failure of the conveying chain 1.

[0108] The human-machine interface 18 receives the first warning signal Sw1 and can warn the operator that the elongation rate of the chain 6 is at least equal to the first predetermined warning value and that a maintenance operation of the chain 6 should be planned.

[0109] If the value VE of the elongation rate of the chain 6 is equal to or greater than the second predetermined warning value (step 31), then in step 33, the warning member 17 transmits a second warning signal Sw2 ( Figure 1 ) to warn of a potential failure of the conveying chain 1.

[0110] The human-machine interface 18 receives the second warning signal Sw2 and can warn the operator that the elongation rate of the chain 6 is at least equal to the second predetermined warning value and that the chain 6 should be replaced.

[0111] After step 32, the method can return to step 27.

[0112] After step 33, the method can stop or return to step 27.

[0113] The device 8 may include another magnetic sensor such that each magnetic sensor is designed to detect the passage of one of the first magnetic insert and the second magnetic insert.

[0114] This method allows for the automatic and continuous determination of the elongation of chain 6 to predict the wear of chain 6 without the need for physical measurement of chain 6, such that the conveyor chain 1 does not need to be shut down and the operator does not need to physically measure chain 6.

[0115] The prediction of the wear of chain 6 enables the planning of maintenance operations for chain 6, thereby reducing the risk of failure of chain 6 and reducing the risk of breakage of chain 6, the breakage of which may cause damage to the conveyor chain 1 or injury to the operator.

[0116] In addition, each of a plurality of chains can be monitored simultaneously, each chain including two target elements monitored by at least one sensor.

Claims

1. A method for determining the elongation of a chain (6) of a conveyor chain (1), comprising: · During an initialization step after the chain (6) is configured in the conveyor (1), when the chain is driven at a predetermined speed by a drive member (7) of the conveyor chain: - Detecting a first moment when a first target element (9) arranged at a first end of a first link pin (10) of the chain (6) passes in front of a sensor (13), - Detecting a second moment when a second target element (11) arranged at a first end of a second link pin (12) of the chain (6) passes in front of the sensor (13), - Determining a duration between the first moment of passing and the second moment of passing, the duration being a reference duration, · During a conveying step in which the conveyor chain (1) conveys raw materials at a predetermined speed after the initialization step: - Detecting a third moment when the first target element (9) passes in front of the sensor (13), - Detecting a fourth moment when the second target element (11) passes in front of the sensor (13), - Determining a duration between the third moment of passing and the fourth moment of passing, the duration being a first duration, and · Determining a value of the elongation of the chain (6) based on the first duration and the reference duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The conveyor chain (1) does not convey raw materials during the initialization step.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first link pin (9) and the second link pin (12) are adjacent to each other.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The value VE of the elongation of the chain (6) is equal to: where D1 is the first duration and Dref is the reference duration.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When the determined value of the elongation of the chain (6) is equal to at least one predetermined warning value of the elongation of the chain, the method includes transmitting a warning signal to warn of a potential failure of the conveyor chain (1).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first target element (9) includes a first magnet insert, the second target element (11) includes a second magnet insert, and the sensor (13) is a Hall effect sensor.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The first magnet insert (9) includes a through hole (200), and a screw (22) passes through the through hole (200) of the first magnet insert (9) and engages in a tapered hole (210) at the first end of the first link pin (10). The second magnet insert includes a through hole, and a screw passes through the through hole of the second magnet insert and engages in a tapered hole at the first end of the second link pin.

8. A device (8) for determining the elongation of a chain (6) of a conveyor chain (1), the device comprising: - A first target element (9), configured to be arranged at a first end of a first link pin (10) of the chain (6), - A second target element (11), configured to be arranged at a first end of a second link pin (12) of the chain (6), - A sensor (13), configured to detect the passing of the first target element (9) and the second target element (11) when the conveyor chain (6) is driven by a drive member (7) of the conveyor chain (1), - A first determination component (15) configured to determine a reference duration between a first moment when the first target element (9) passes in front of the sensor (13) and a second moment when the second target element (11) passes in front of the sensor (13), and a first duration between a third moment when the first target element (9) passes in front of the sensor (13) and a fourth moment when the second target element (11) passes in front of the sensor (13), and - A second determination component (16) configured to determine a value of the elongation rate of the chain (6) based on the first duration and the reference duration determined by the first determination component (15).

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It further comprises: A warning component (17) configured to transmit a warning signal to warn of a potential failure of the conveyor chain (1) when the determined value of the elongation rate of the chain (6) is equal to at least one predetermined warning value of the elongation rate of the chain (6).

10. A conveyor chain (1) comprising a chain (6) and a device (8) according to claim 8 or 9, the chain (6) including a plurality of chain pins (10, 12), the first target element (9) being arranged at a first end of a first chain pin (10) among the plurality of chain pins (10, 12), and the second target element being arranged at a first end of a second chain pin (12) among the plurality of chain pins (10, 12).

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