System and method for remote management of conveyor belts

Abstract

To provide a management system and method capable of surely grasping a state of a conveyor belt from a remote place by securing stable communication even when a radio communication environment of a use site is not good.SOLUTION: The remote management system 1 detects the reception results of the return radio waves returned from the IC tags 2 installed on the conveyer belt at the traveling speed V by the detectors 3A to 3F, and transmits the reception results detected by the detectors from the wireless LAN adapters 6b connected to the detectors to the aggregation adapter 6bx directly or via another adapter 6b. When management information based on each reception result transmitted to an arithmetic processing device 4 via an aggregation adapter 6bx is transmitted from the arithmetic processing device 4 to a remote management device 9, radio waves W and base stations 7 in a frequency band communicable with an LTE communication router 5A used as a relay router are used, or communication satellites communicable with a satellite communication router used as a relay router are used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, and more particularly to a system and method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, which can transmit conveyor belt management information as stably as possible and more reliably grasp the status of the conveyor belt even when the communication environment at the site where the conveyor belt is used is not good. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for remotely managing conveyor belts using RFID tags (IC tags) embedded in the conveyor belts at the site of use has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the method proposed in Patent Document 1, the identification information of the IC tags embedded in the conveyor belt is read by a reader placed adjacent to the conveyor belt. The identification information read by the reader is then transmitted to a server or the like placed in a remote location.

[0003] Conveyor belts are used in a variety of locations, including large factories and mining sites for transporting soil and minerals. In these factories, data for various operations and management is transmitted and received via an in-house communication network, which can be congested. Wireless communication signals can also be blocked by factors such as factory equipment. In areas such as the mountains where materials are mined, communication facilities are often inadequate. Thus, conveyor belts are often used in locations where communication environments are poor. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of reliably transmitting conveyor belt management information and remotely monitoring the status of conveyor belts, even when the communication environment at the conveyor belt site is poor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-23840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a remote management system and method that can transmit conveyor belt management information as stably as possible and more reliably grasp the status of the conveyor belt even when the communication environment at the site where the conveyor belt is used is not good. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the remote management system for a conveyor belt of the present invention comprises a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt, a plurality of detectors arranged in the vicinity of the conveyor belt to transmit radio waves to the IC tag and detect reception results of reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves, a processing unit to which the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted, a relay router connected to the processing unit, and a management unit arranged in a location remote from a place where the conveyor belt is used, and management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception results is transmitted from the processing unit to the management unit through the relay router, the detector is an LTE communication router, has a wireless LAN adapter connected to each of the detectors, at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is specified as an aggregation adapter, the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter directly or via another wireless LAN adapter to the aggregation adapter, and are then transmitted to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter, and when the management information is transmitted through the LTE communication router, a frequency band and a base station that can communicate with the LTE communication router are selected, and the selected frequency band is used and the management information is transmitted to the management device via the selected base station.

[0007] Another conveyor belt remote management system of the present invention includes a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt, a plurality of detectors arranged in the vicinity of the conveyor belt to transmit radio waves toward the IC tag and detect reception results of return radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves, a processing unit to which the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted, a relay router connected to the processing unit, and a management unit arranged in a location remote from where the conveyor belt is used, wherein management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception results is transmitted from the processing unit to the management unit via the relay router. The relay router is a satellite communication router, has wireless LAN adapters connected to each of the detectors, and at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is identified as an aggregation adapter, and the reception results detected by each of the detectors are sent from the wireless LAN adapter directly or via another wireless LAN adapter to the aggregation adapter, and then sent to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter, and when the management information is sent through the satellite communication router, a communication satellite that can communicate with the satellite communication router is selected, and the management information is communicated to the management device via the selected communication satellite.

[0008] The remote management method for a conveyor belt of the present invention includes installing a passive IC tag on the conveyor belt, transmitting radio waves from a plurality of detectors arranged in close proximity to the conveyor belt toward the IC tag, detecting reception results of reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves using each of the detectors, and transmitting management information indicating the status of the conveyor belt based on the reception results from a processing unit to a management device arranged in a location remote from where the conveyor belt is used via a relay router connected to the processing unit, wherein an LTE communication router is used as the relay router, wireless LAN adapters are connected to each of the detectors, and at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is identified as an aggregation adapter, and the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted to the aggregation adapter directly from each of the wireless LAN adapters or via another wireless LAN adapter, and then transmitted to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter, and when transmitting the management information via the LTE communication router, a frequency band and base station capable of communicating with the LTE communication router are selected, and the management information is transmitted to the management device via the selected base station using the selected frequency band.

[0009] Another method for remotely managing a conveyor belt of the present invention includes installing a passive IC tag on the conveyor belt, transmitting radio waves from a plurality of detectors arranged in close proximity to the conveyor belt toward the IC tag, detecting the reception results of the reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves using each of the detectors, and transmitting management information indicating the status of the conveyor belt based on the reception results from a processing unit to a management device arranged in a location remote from where the conveyor belt is used via a relay router connected to the processing unit, wherein a satellite communication router is used as the relay router, wireless LAN adapters are connected to each of the detectors, and at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is identified as an aggregation adapter, and the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted to the aggregation adapter directly from each of the wireless LAN adapters or via another wireless LAN adapter, and then transmitted to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter, and when transmitting the management information via the satellite communication router, a communication satellite that can communicate with the satellite communication router is selected, and the management information is transmitted to the management device via the selected communication satellite. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the former conveyor belt remote management system and method, an LTE communication router is used as the relay router, and when transmitting the management information through the LTE communication router, radio waves and base stations in a frequency band that can communicate with the LTE communication router are selected and used. This is advantageous for ensuring stable communication even when the communication environment at the conveyor belt's usage site is poor. As a result, the management device, to which the management information is stably transmitted, can more reliably grasp the status of the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted to the aggregation adapter directly from the wireless LAN adapter or via another wireless LAN adapter, and then transmitted to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter. This is advantageous for placing the LTE communication router in a location with a good communication environment with a base station. This is even more advantageous for stably transmitting the reception results detected by each of the detectors to the management device.

[0011] According to the latter conveyor belt remote management system and method, a satellite communication router is used as the relay router, and when transmitting the management information through the satellite communication router, a communication satellite that can communicate with the satellite communication router is selected and used. This is advantageous for ensuring stable communication even when the communication environment at the conveyor belt's site is poor. As a result, the management device, to which the management information is stably transmitted, can more reliably grasp the status of the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter directly or via another wireless LAN adapter to the aggregation adapter, and then transmitted to the processing unit via the aggregation adapter. This is advantageous for placing the satellite communication router in a location with a good communication environment with the communication satellite. This is even more advantageous for stably transmitting the reception results detected by each of the detectors to the management device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic example of an embodiment of a remote management system; [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the conveyor device of FIG. 1 as seen from the side. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in plan view, a site where a conveyor belt to which the remote management system of FIG. 1 is applied is used. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic example of another embodiment of a remote management system. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a vertical cross-sectional view of a site where a conveyor belt to which the remote management system of FIG. 6 is applied is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A remote management system and method for a conveyor belt according to the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0014] In an embodiment of a remote conveyor belt management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as system 1) illustrated in Fig. 1, the state of a conveyor belt 13 attached to a conveyor device 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 is monitored by a management device 9 located at a location (remote location) away from the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used. A typical example of the state of the conveyor belt 13 monitored by this system 1 is the operating state of the conveyor belt 13.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, this system 1 includes a passive IC tag 2 installed on a conveyor belt 13, multiple detectors 3 (3A to 3G), a wireless LAN adapter 6b individually connected to each of the detectors 3, a processing device 4, an LTE communication router 5A connected to the processing device 4, and a management device 9. Management information M indicating the status of the conveyor belt 13 is transmitted from the processing device 4 to the management device 9 via the LTE communication router 5A, which is a relay router. The IC tag 2, the detector 3, the wireless LAN adapter 6b, the processing device 4, and the LTE communication router 5A are located at the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used, and the management device 9 is located away from this site of use. Details of these components of the system 1 will be described later.

[0016] First, a conveyor device 10 (conveyor belt 13) to which this system 1 is applied, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, will be described. This conveyor device 10 has a pair of pulleys 11a, 11b and a number of support rollers 12 arranged between the pulleys 11a, 11b. The conveyor belt 13 is stretched between the pulleys 11a, 11b and is supported between the pulleys 11a, 11b by the number of support rollers 12. The conveyor belt 13 runs by rotating the drive pulley 11a. In the figures, arrow L indicates the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 13, and arrow W indicates the width direction of the conveyor belt 13.

[0017] The conveyor belt 13 is constructed by integrating an upper cover rubber 16, a lower cover rubber 17, and a traction layer 14 disposed therebetween by vulcanization bonding. In this embodiment, the traction layer 14 is constructed of a large number of steel cords 15 arranged horizontally in the width direction W. The conveyor belt 13 may be equipped with other components as needed. The traction layer 14 is not limited to the steel cords 15, and may also be constructed of canvas. When the traction layer 14 is constructed of canvas, for example, between four and eight layers of canvas are laminated depending on the performance required for the conveyor belt 13.

[0018] On the carrier side of the conveyor device 10, the lower cover rubber 17 of the conveyor belt 13 is supported by the support rollers 12, so that the conveyor belt 13 has a trough shape with the center part in the width direction W protruding downward. The conveyed object C is placed on the upper surface of the upper cover rubber 16 and conveyed. On the return side of the conveyor device 10, the upper cover rubber 16 of the conveyor belt 13 is supported in a flat state by the support rollers 12.

[0019] The IC tag 2 has an IC chip and an antenna connected to the IC chip. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17. The IC tag 2 may be installed at another position on the conveyor belt 13; for example, it may be embedded in the upper cover rubber 16 or, in the case of a traction layer 14 made of multiple layers of canvas, in the traction layer 14. To protect the IC tag 2 from the transported goods C, it is preferable to embed the IC tag 2 in the lower cover rubber 17 or the traction layer 14 rather than in the upper cover rubber 16. The IC tag 2 can be installed on the conveyor belt 13 during the molding process of the conveyor belt 13, or it can be attached to the manufactured conveyor belt 13 after it has been manufactured.

[0020] The IC tag 2 may be of a generally available specification, for example, an RFID tag (general-purpose product). The size of the IC tag 2 is, for example, 200 mm 2 More than 6000mm 2 Less than 300mm, preferably 2 More than 2700mm 2 The thickness is, for example, 0.01 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less, more preferably 0.03 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. The heat resistance temperature of the IC tag 2 is, for example, about 250°C.

[0021] The IC chip stores unique information that distinguishes the IC tag 2 from other IC tags 2. The IC chip can also store other necessary information.

[0022] At least one IC tag 2 needs to be installed on the conveyor belt 13, but it is preferable that multiple IC tags 2 are installed at intervals in the longitudinal direction L. The IC tags 2 are embedded in the conveyor belt 13 at intervals TL of, for example, 5 m or more and 20 m or less in the longitudinal direction L. That is, the installation pitch TL of the IC tags 2 is preferably in the range of 5 m or more and 20 m or less, and it is even better to set the pitch to be equal. An installation pitch TL of about 10 m is appropriate for the IC tags 2.

[0023] Each detector 3 is placed at a detection position P close to the conveyor belt 13 and has a transmitter 3s and a receiver 3r. The transmitter 3s transmits an outgoing radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2, and the receiver 3r receives a reply radio wave R2 returned from the IC tag 2 (antenna unit) in response to the outgoing radio wave R1. That is, the detector 3 wirelessly communicates with the IC tag 2 attached to the conveyor belt 13 in a non-contact manner. The receiver 3r detects, as a reception result, the identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip that is transmitted together with the reply radio wave R2.

[0024] The detector 3 employs a commonly available specification that allows wireless communication with passive RFID tags, etc. This allows the IC tag 2 and detector 3 to form an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. The radio frequency used for wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and detector 3 is mainly the UHF band (a range of 860 MHz to 930 MHz, depending on the country; 915 MHz to 930 MHz in Japan), although the HF band (13.56 MHz) is sometimes used.

[0025] The detector 3 is arranged at at least one detection position P, and may be arranged at only one detection position P, or at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. In this embodiment, the detectors 3 are arranged at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 stretched between pulleys 11a and 11b. For example, the detectors 3 are arranged at detection positions P spaced apart from each other by 10 m or more and 30 m or less in the longitudinal direction L. The detection positions P may be arranged at substantially equal intervals along a predetermined section (for example, the entire length of the return side) or the entire circumference of the conveyor belt 13.

[0026] The detector 3 is not limited to being arranged on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 as in this embodiment, but can also be arranged on the return side, or on both the carrier side and the return side. The distance between the detector 3 and the IC tag 2 when they are closest to each other is set to within 1 m, for example. In other words, the detector 3 is installed at detection position P where the distance between the detector 3 and the IC tag 2 is 1 m or less when the IC tag 2 passes near the detector 3.

[0027] In this embodiment, each detector 3 is disposed at one end of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction W, as shown in Fig. 3. The width direction position of the detector 3 is preferably aligned with the width direction position of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, each detector 3 is individually connected to a wireless LAN adapter 6b. Each wireless LAN adapter 6b has multiple omnidirectional antennas. More specifically, each wireless LAN adapter 6b has two omnidirectional antennas for communication using radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band Wi and two omnidirectional antennas for communication using radio waves in the 5.0 GHz band Wi. This creates a mesh-type wireless communication network in which the wireless LAN adapters 6b can communicate directly and indirectly with each other. This network supports MU-MIMO (Multi-User-Multi-Input-Multi-Output) and OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), and each wireless LAN adapter 6b can efficiently communicate at high speed with multiple other wireless LAN adapters 6b. Various known specifications can be used for the wireless LAN adapter 6b.

[0029] At least one of the wireless LAN adapters 6b is specified as an aggregation adapter 6bx. The number of aggregation adapters 6bx is, for example, 10% or less or 5% or less of the total number of wireless LAN adapters 6b, and there may be only one, or two or three. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to the detector 3G is specified as an aggregation adapter 6bx.

[0030] The arithmetic processing device 4 is communicatively connected to the aggregation adapter 6bx. Therefore, the arithmetic processing device 4 is connected to each detector 3 via the aggregation adapter 6bx. Various known computers and computer servers can be used as the arithmetic processing device 4. The results of receiving the reply radio wave R2 from the detector 3 are input to the arithmetic processing device 4. The arithmetic processing device 4 performs various arithmetic processing based on the various input information. As will be described later, the arithmetic processing device 4 calculates the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 as management information M based on the time t at which the detector 3 receives the reply radio wave R2.

[0031] This management information M is transmitted to the management device 9 via the LTE communication router 5A connected to the processing device 4, via the base station 7 installed in the surrounding area of ​​the LTE communication router 5A (processing device 4). In this embodiment, the LTE communication router 5A is employed as a relay router, and various known LTE communication routers 5A can be used. The LTE communication router 5A (processing device 4) is installed in a position where the communication environment with the base station 7 installed in the surrounding area is as good as possible.

[0032] The management device 9 is installed in a location remote from the location where the conveyor belt 13 is used. For example, the management device 9 is installed in a control room of a sales company, a manufacturing company, or an operating company (user) of the conveyor belt 13. As the management device 9, various known computers and computer servers are used.

[0033] Between the LTE communication router 5A and the management device 9, the management information M is transmitted by using LTE communication via radio waves W. In more detail, the management information M is transmitted wirelessly by LTE communication between the LTE communication router 5A and a base station 7 (starting point base station 7) installed in the surrounding area of ​​the LTE communication router 5A, and between the management device 9 and a base station 7 (terminating point base station 7) installed in the surrounding area of ​​the management device 9. Between the starting point base station 7 and the terminating point base station 7, the management information M is transmitted using an optical fiber cable.

[0034] Examples of frequency bands for radio waves W used in LTE (4G) communications include Band 1 (2.0 GHz), Band 3 (1.7 GHz), Band 8 (900 MHz), Band 11 (1.5 GHz), Band 18 (800 MHz), Band 19 (800 MHz), Band 21 (1.5 GHz), Band 26 (800 MHz), Band 28 (700 MHz), Band 41 (2.5 GHz), and Band 42 (3.5 GHz). Each band is assigned to one or more carriers (telecommunications operators). Within each band, the frequency bands used are subdivided into multiple bands.

[0035] Band 1 is allocated to three companies in Japan (Company A, Company B, and Company C). Band 1 is further divided into six frequency bands: 1920 MHz to 1940 MHz (Company A), 1940 MHz to 1960 MHz (Company B), 1960 MHz to 1980 MHz (Company C), 2110 MHz to 2130 MHz (Company A), 2130 MHz to 2150 MHz (Company B), and 2150 MHz to 2170 MHz (Company C). Each carrier (telecommunications operator) has installed a large number of base stations 7 scattered over a wide area.

[0036] In this system 1, when management information M is transmitted through the LTE communication router 5A, a frequency band and a base station 7 on the originating side that can communicate with the LTE communication router 5A are selected. Then, the management information M is transmitted from the LTE communication router 5A to the management device 9 via the selected base station 7 on the originating side using radio waves W of the selected frequency band. In other words, when transmitting the management information M, the LTE communication router 5A switches to radio waves W of the frequency band that can be communicated and transmits the management information M.

[0037] Next, an example of the procedure for remotely determining the state of the conveyor belt 13 using the system 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 is determined based on the change over time in the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 calculated as management information M.

[0038] This system 1 is applied to a site where a conveyor belt 13 is used, as shown in FIG. 5. This site is a factory facing a quay, where goods C unloaded from a transport ship 19 are stored in a stockyard within the factory. In this factory, a large number of conveyor devices 10 equipped with conveyor belts 13 are arranged in parallel. For example, hundreds to thousands of conveyor belts 13 are installed, and at least one detector 3 is arranged adjacent to each conveyor belt 13. Therefore, the number of detectors 3 is equal to or greater than the number of conveyor belts 13 installed. The goods C are transported from the stockyard to the necessary equipment 18 by these conveyor devices 10 (conveyor belts 13). Various factory equipment (buildings) 18 are located around the conveyor belt 13. Base stations 7 are scattered outside the factory premises. Base stations 7 may also be installed within the factory premises.

[0039] At this site, data for various factory operations and management is sent and received via the factory's internal communication network, and the communication lines of this communication network can be congested. Furthermore, wireless communication signals W can be blocked by factors such as factory facilities (buildings) 18, making the communication environment often poor. The communication environment can improve or deteriorate depending on the time of day.

[0040] To remotely grasp the state of the conveyor belt 13, as shown in the example of Fig. 3, each detector 3 (transmitter 3s) transmits an outgoing radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. The antenna part of each IC tag 2 receives the outgoing radio wave R1 when it comes close to the corresponding detector 3 as the conveyor belt 13 moves, and this outgoing radio wave R1 generates power in the IC tag 2, activating the IC tag 2.

[0041] The activated IC tag 2 sequentially returns reply radio waves R2 to the detector 3 in response to the transmitted radio waves R1. These reply radio waves R2 are returned from the IC tag 2 to the detector 3 through the antenna unit of the IC tag 2. The detector 3 (receiving unit 3r) receives these reply radio waves R2 and sequentially detects the identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip along with the reply radio waves R2 as a reception result. The detected identification information of the IC tag 2 is input to the arithmetic processing device 4 together with the reception time t at which the detector 3 received the reply radio waves R2 from the IC tag 2. The arithmetic processing device 4 calculates the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 using the input reception time t.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , to input the reception results detected by each detector 3 to the arithmetic processing device 4, the reception results are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to each detector 3 directly or via another wireless LAN adapter 6b to the aggregation adapter 6bx. In this embodiment, the reception results detected by detector 3A are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3A to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3F. The reception results detected by detector 3B are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3B to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3D. The reception results detected by detector 3C are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3C to the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3B, and then via the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3D to the aggregation adapter 6bx. The reception results detected by detectors 3F, 3E, and 3D are transmitted directly to the aggregation adapter 6bx from the wireless LAN adapters 6b, 6b, and 6b connected to detectors 3F, 3E, and 3D, respectively. Of the detectors 3A to 3F, the detector 3 with the best communication performance at that time is selected and transmits the reception result.

[0043] The reception results from each detector 3 are aggregated and transmitted to the aggregation adapter 6bx in this manner. The LTE communication router 5A (processing device 4) is installed in a location that provides the best possible communication environment with the base station 7 in the surrounding area. Therefore, the wireless LAN adapter 6b located as close as possible to the LTE communication router 5A (processing device 4) is set as the aggregation adapter 6bx. By configuring the system 1 to include the aggregation adapter 6bx in this manner, it is possible to simply consider the locations of the LTE communication router 5A and the aggregation adapter 6bx, eliminating the need to consider the location of each detector 3. This allows the LTE communication router 5A to be installed in a desired location. This is advantageous for placing the LTE communication router 5A in a location that provides a good communication environment with the base station 7 in the surrounding area. Furthermore, even if a detector 3 is located far from the processing device 4, its reception results can be reliably transmitted to the processing device 4. This is advantageous for stably transmitting management information M based on the reception results detected by each detector 3 to the management device 9.

[0044] In this embodiment, detectors 3 are disposed at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13. As the conveyor belt 13 moves, each detector 3 wirelessly communicates with an IC tag 2 as it passes nearby. The identification information of the IC tag 2, along with the reception time t at which the detector 3 received the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2, is input to the arithmetic processing device 4. The separation distance PL between the detection positions P of each detector 3 in the longitudinal direction L is known in advance, and this separation distance PL is input to the arithmetic processing device 4. The arithmetic processing device 4 then calculates the traveling speed V by dividing the separation distance PL between the detection positions P by the difference (time difference) between the reception times t of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by the detectors 3 disposed at at least two detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. This method of calculating the traveling speed V requires only that the separation distance PL be known; positional information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is unnecessary.

[0045] At least one IC tag 2 is required to calculate the traveling speed V, but if only one IC tag 2 is used, the frequency of calculating the traveling speed V will decrease if the belt length BL of the conveyor belt 13 is excessively large. Also, since the IC tag 2 may malfunction, it is preferable to calculate the traveling speed V using multiple IC tags 2 (each IC tag 2) attached to the conveyor belt 13.

[0046] When multiple IC tags 2 are attached to the conveyor belt 13, the traveling speed V can also be calculated using another method. In this calculation method, a single detector 3 is used that is placed at the same detection position P, and the installation pitch TL of each IC tag 2 to be used in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 13 is input to the arithmetic processing device 8. Then, this single detector 3 placed at the detection position P receives reply radio waves R2 from each of the IC tags 2 that are installed at the installation pitch TL. The traveling speed V is calculated by dividing the installation pitch TL by the difference (time difference) in the reception time t of the reply radio waves R2 from each of the IC tags 2 by this detector 3. In this calculation method, the installation pitch TL of the two IC tags 2 to be used must be known.

[0047] Furthermore, the traveling speed V can also be calculated by another method. In this calculation method, a single detector 3 arranged at the same detection position P sequentially receives reply radio waves R2 from the same IC tag for each revolution of the conveyor belt 13. The traveling speed V is calculated by dividing the belt length BL of the conveyor belt 13 by the difference (time difference) in the reception times t of the reply radio waves R2 sequentially received by the detector 3 for each revolution of the conveyor belt 13.

[0048] The traveling speed V calculated by the arithmetic processing device 4 is transmitted as management information M to the management device 9 via the LTE communication router 5A. When transmitting the management information M to the management device 9 via the LTE communication router 5A, the system 1 selects, by the LTE communication router 5A, radio waves W in a frequency band that can communicate with the LTE communication router 5A and the base station 7 on the starting point side.

[0049] Then, the management information M is transmitted to the management device 9 via the LTE communication router 5A, using radio waves W in the selected frequency band, via the selected base station 7 on the starting point side. That is, the management information M is wirelessly transmitted directly from the LTE communication router 5A to the base station 7 located in the surrounding area of ​​the LTE communication router 5A, without passing through a wireless communication network or server within the factory where the conveyor belt 13 is used. This is therefore advantageous for ensuring stable communication even if the communication environment at the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used is not good.

[0050] The running speed V calculated by the arithmetic processing device 4 reflects the actual operating state of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when the running speed V is zero, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating (not running). When the running speed V is roughly constant, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is operating steadily. When the running speed V is steadily increasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a started state, and when it is steadily decreasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a stopped state. Therefore, the management device 9, which stably transmits the management information M, can more reliably grasp the state of the conveyor belt 13 based on the management information M. It also becomes possible to remotely grasp the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 substantially in real time.

[0051] The calculation processing device 4 can also calculate the cumulative operating time of the conveyor belt 13 as the management information M based on the data DV of the change over time in the traveling speed V. The actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13 is more significantly influenced by the cumulative operating time than by the time elapsed since installation in the conveyor device 10. Therefore, knowing the actual operating time (cumulative operating time) of the conveyor belt 13 is advantageous for accurately determining the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13. Accordingly, it becomes possible to more accurately predict the remaining lifespan of the conveyor belt 13, which is advantageous for replacing the conveyor belt 13 at a timing that is just right for each site of use.

[0052] The cumulative running distance of the conveyor belt 13 also has a significant effect on the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13. Therefore, the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13 can be determined by time-integrating the data on the change in the running speed V over time and calculating the cumulative running distance as management information M.

[0053] The management information M transmitted from the arithmetic processing device 4 is not limited to the traveling speed V, cumulative operating time, and cumulative traveling distance, and for example, the reception time t of the reply radio wave R2 by the detector 3 can simply be used as the management information M. In this case, the traveling speed V, cumulative operating time, and cumulative traveling distance of the conveyor belt 13 are calculated by the management device 9 to which the reception time t is transmitted.

[0054] At the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used, the quality of the communication environment may change over time. Therefore, it is a good idea to measure the communication status of LTE communication at the site and determine in advance the time periods when communication is good. A time period when communication is good is a time period during which radio waves W can be transmitted smoothly without being blocked between the LTE communication router 5A and a base station 7 installed in the surrounding area. For example, the time periods during which communication is good in one day (24 hours) are determined. Then, a setting is made so that the management information M is transmitted via the LTE communication router 5A during the determined time periods when communication is good. With this setting, the management information M cannot be transmitted to the remote management device 9 in real time, but the management information M can be transmitted more reliably and efficiently to the remote management device 9.

[0055] It is also possible to use the embodiment of system 1 illustrated in Fig. 6. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in the method of communicating management information M from the processing device 4 to the management device 9, but other configurations are substantially the same, so only the different configuration will be described.

[0056] In this embodiment, a satellite communication router 5B is employed as a relay router. Various known satellite communication routers 5B can be used. Instead of the LTE communication used in the previous embodiment, the management information M is transmitted using satellite communication. A WiFi router 6a is connected to the arithmetic processing device 4, and the management information M is transmitted from the arithmetic processing device 4 to the satellite communication router 5B via radio waves Wi from the WiFi router 6a. The connection between the arithmetic processing device 4 and the satellite communication router 5B is not limited to the WiFi router 6a, and may be wireless or wired. The IC tag 2, the detector 3, the wireless LAN adapter 6b, the arithmetic processing device 4, the WiFi router 6a, and the satellite communication router 5B are located at the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used, and the management device 9 is located away from this site.

[0057] The satellite communication router 5B communicates wirelessly with a large number of communication satellites 8 (low-earth orbit satellites) orbiting above the Earth (at an altitude of approximately 550 km). In Japan, the frequency bands of radio waves W used for wireless communication between the satellite communication router 5B and the communication satellites 8 are 10.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz for the downlink and 14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz for the uplink in the service link (Ku band) for user antenna communication. Note that the frequency bands of radio waves W used for the feeder link (Ka band) for base station antenna communication are 17.8 GHz to 18.6 GHz / 18.8 GHz to 19.3 GHz for the downlink and 27.5 GHz to 29.1 GHz / 29.5 GHz to 30.0 GHz for the uplink.

[0058] This system 1 is applied to a site where a conveyor belt 13 is used, as shown in FIG. 7. This site is a mining site in the mountains where an object C is to be transported. At this site, a conveyor device 10 equipped with a conveyor belt 13 extends a long distance from the mountain side toward the plains, and part of the transport route forms a tunnel 20. That is, a portion of the conveyor belt 13 extends within the tunnel 20. The object C is transported from the mining site to a necessary location such as a processing plant or stockyard by the conveyor device 10 (conveyor belt 13). This site does not have sufficient communication facilities, but a large number of communication satellites 8 are orbiting above the site.

[0059] In this system 1, when transmitting management information M through the satellite communication router 5B, a communication satellite 8 that can communicate with the satellite communication router 5B is selected, and the management information M is transmitted to the management device 9 via the selected communication satellite 8. More specifically, when transmitting management information M from the processing device 4 through the satellite communication router 5B, a communication satellite 8 that can communicate with the satellite communication router 5B (a communication satellite 8 orbiting above the satellite communication router 5B) is selected by the satellite communication router 5B. That is, when transmitting management information M, the satellite communication router 5B switches to a communication satellite 8 with which it can communicate and wirelessly transmits the management information M using radio waves W in a predetermined frequency band. The management information M is then transmitted to a base station 7 installed in the surrounding area of ​​the management device 9 via the selected communication satellite 8, and then transmitted from the base station 7 to the management device 9.

[0060] In this system 1, management information M is wirelessly transmitted directly from satellite communication router 5B to communication satellite 8 orbiting above satellite communication router 5B. This is advantageous for ensuring stable communication even when the communication environment at the site where conveyor belt 13 is used is not good. The management device 9, to which management information M is stably transmitted, can more reliably grasp the status of conveyor belt 13 based on the management information M. The management device 9 can grasp the status of conveyor belt 13 substantially in real time based on the management information M.

[0061] In this system 1, detectors 3 are arranged at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of conveyor belt 13. Detector 3G is arranged close to conveyor belt 13, near the entrance to tunnel 20 or outside tunnel 20. The wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to this detector 3G is identified as aggregation adapter 6bx, and aggregation adapter 6bx is arranged close to the entrance to tunnel 20 or outside tunnel 20. A satellite communication router 5B is arranged close to this aggregation adapter 6bx at a position outside tunnel 20. The satellite communication router 5 (processing device 4) is installed in a position where the communication environment with communication satellite 8 is as good as possible (a position outside tunnel 20 with an open view of the sky).

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , to input the reception results detected by each detector 3 to the arithmetic processing device 4, the reception results are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to each detector 3 directly or via another wireless LAN adapter 6b to the aggregation adapter 6bx. In this embodiment, detectors 3A to 3F are disposed inside the tunnel 10. The reception results detected by detector 3A are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3A to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapters 6b connected to detectors 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F in sequence. The reception results detected by detector 3B are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3B to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapters 6b connected to detectors 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F in sequence. The reception results detected by detector 3C are transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3C to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapters 6b connected to detectors 3D, 3E, and 3F in sequence. The reception result detected by detector 3D is transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3D to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapters 6b connected to detectors 3E and 3F in sequence. The reception result detected by detector 3E is transmitted from the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3E to the aggregation adapter 6bx via the wireless LAN adapter 6b connected to detector 3F.

[0063] In this way, by transmitting the reception results detected by each detector 3 to the aggregation adapter 6bx, the reception results detected by each detector 3 can be stably transmitted to the arithmetic processing device 4 even from each detector 3 located inside the tunnel 20 where the communication environment is poor. Note that the reception results detected by the detector 3G are transmitted directly from the aggregation adapter 6bx to the arithmetic processing device 4. As a result, it is advantageous to stably transmit the management information M based on the reception results detected by each detector 3 to the management device 9.

[0064] This system 1 is suitable for use in mountainous areas, remote islands, and other locations where communication facilities are not available for the conveyor belt 13. The various arrangements described in the system 1 of the previous embodiment can also be applied to this system 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Remote management system 2. IC tags 3(3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G) detector 3S Communication Department 3r Receiver 4. Processing Unit 5A LTE communication router 5B Satellite Communication Router 6a WiFi Router 6b Wireless LAN adapter 6bx Aggregation Adapter 7 base station 8. Communications Satellites 9 Management device 10 Conveyor equipment 11a, 11b pulleys 12 Support roller 13 Conveyor Belt 14 Cardiac layer 15 Steel Cord 16 Upper cover rubber 17 Lower cover rubber 18 Facilities (building) 19 Transport Ship 20 Tunnel C. Transported goods

Claims

1. A remote management system for a conveyor belt comprising: a passive IC tag installed on a conveyor belt; a plurality of detectors arranged in the vicinity of the conveyor belt, which emit radio waves toward the IC tag and detect reception results of reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the emitted radio waves; an arithmetic processing unit to which the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted; a relay router connected to the arithmetic processing unit; and a management unit arranged in a location remote from a place where the conveyor belt is used, wherein management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception results is transmitted from the arithmetic processing unit to the management unit through the relay router, the relay router is an LTE communication router, The system has a configuration in which wireless LAN adapters are connected to the respective detectors, at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is specified as an aggregation adapter, and the reception results detected by the respective detectors are transmitted from the respective wireless LAN adapters directly or via another wireless LAN adapter to the aggregation adapter, and then transmitted to the arithmetic processing device via the aggregation adapter, A remote management system for a conveyor belt, in which when the management information is transmitted through the LTE communication router, a frequency band and a base station capable of communicating with the LTE communication router are selected, and the selected frequency band is used to transmit the management information to the management device via the selected base station.

2. A remote management system for a conveyor belt comprising: a passive IC tag installed on a conveyor belt; a plurality of detectors arranged in the vicinity of the conveyor belt, which emit radio waves toward the IC tag and detect reception results of reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the emitted radio waves; an arithmetic processing unit to which the reception results detected by each of the detectors are transmitted; a relay router connected to the arithmetic processing unit; and a management unit arranged in a location remote from a place where the conveyor belt is used, wherein management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception results is transmitted from the arithmetic processing unit to the management unit through the relay router, the relay router is a satellite communication router, The system has a configuration in which wireless LAN adapters are connected to the respective detectors, at least one of the wireless LAN adapters is specified as an aggregation adapter, and the reception results detected by the respective detectors are transmitted from the respective wireless LAN adapters directly or via another wireless LAN adapter to the aggregation adapter, and then transmitted to the arithmetic processing device via the aggregation adapter, A remote management system for a conveyor belt, in which when the management information is transmitted through the satellite communication router, a communication satellite that can communicate with the satellite communication router is selected, and the management information is communicated to the management device via the selected communication satellite.

3. 2. A remote management system for a conveyor belt as described in claim 1, wherein the level of congestion in LTE communications at the site where the conveyor belt is used is measured to determine in advance the non-congestion periods, and the management information is set to be transmitted through the LTE communications router during the determined non-congestion periods.

4. 4. A remote management system for conveyor belts according to claim 1 or 3, wherein an IC tag is installed on each of a large number of conveyor belts extending at one site of use, and at least one detector is positioned in close proximity to each of the conveyor belts.

5. 3. A remote management system for a conveyor belt as described in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the conveyor belt extends inside a tunnel, the detectors are arranged at multiple locations spaced apart along the length of the conveyor belt, the wireless LAN adapter connected to the detector arranged close to the conveyor belt near the entrance or exit of the tunnel or at a location outside the tunnel is identified as the aggregation adapter, and the satellite communication router is arranged at a location outside the tunnel near the aggregation adapter.

6. 4. A remote management system for a conveyor belt according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing device calculates, as the management information, a change in the running speed of the conveyor belt over time based on the reception results detected by each of the detectors.

7. A method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, comprising: attaching a passive IC tag to a conveyor belt; transmitting radio waves from a plurality of detectors disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt toward the IC tag; detecting, by each of the detectors, a reception result of a return radio wave returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves; and transmitting management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception result from a processing unit to a management unit disposed in a location remote from a place where the conveyor belt is used, via a relay router connected to the processing unit; An LTE communication router is used as the relay router, connecting wireless LAN adapters to each of the detectors, identifying at least one of the wireless LAN adapters as an aggregation adapter, transmitting the reception results detected by each of the detectors to the aggregation adapter directly from each of the wireless LAN adapters or via another of the wireless LAN adapters, and transmitting the reception results to the arithmetic processing device via the aggregation adapter; A method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, which, when transmitting the management information through the LTE communication router, selects a frequency band and base station that can communicate with the LTE communication router, and transmits the management information to the management device via the selected base station using the selected frequency band.

8. A method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, comprising: attaching a passive IC tag to a conveyor belt; transmitting radio waves from a plurality of detectors disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt toward the IC tag; detecting, by each of the detectors, a reception result of a return radio wave returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio waves; and transmitting management information indicating the state of the conveyor belt based on the reception result from a processing unit via a relay router connected to the processing unit to a management unit disposed in a location remote from a location where the conveyor belt is used, A satellite communication router is used as the relay router, connecting wireless LAN adapters to each of the detectors, identifying at least one of the wireless LAN adapters as an aggregation adapter, transmitting the reception results detected by each of the detectors to the aggregation adapter directly from each of the wireless LAN adapters or via another of the wireless LAN adapters, and transmitting the reception results to the arithmetic processing device via the aggregation adapter; A method for remotely managing a conveyor belt, comprising: selecting a communication satellite that can communicate with the satellite communication router when transmitting the management information through the satellite communication router; and transmitting the management information to the management device via the selected communication satellite.

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