Mobile tube conveyor

Abstract

We provide a low-cost, mobile tube conveyor that is durable, less prone to malfunctions, and easy to operate. [Solution] The traveling tube conveyor consists of a feeder tube 10, a traveling device 20, a pair arrival detection unit 30, and a control unit 40. The pair arrival detection unit 30 is configured to detect when the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 have arrived, and consists of a first detection unit 31 and a second detection unit 32, which are positioned at corresponding locations at a predetermined interval that does not exceed the limit value of the difference in travel distance between the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 in the traveling direction of the traveling device 20. The control unit 40 is configured to detect when a certain first detection unit 31 N When the first travel unit 21 is detected to have arrived, a second detection unit 32 located at the corresponding position is detected. N The first travel unit 21 is kept stopped until the arrival of the second travel unit 22 is detected, and the travel device 20 is controlled to ensure that the difference in travel distance between the first travel unit 21 and the second travel unit 22 does not exceed a limit value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile tube conveyor, and more particularly to a mobile tube conveyor that discharges bulk material while running a feeder tube beneath a silo. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a mobile tube conveyor has been known for some time. Such a mobile tube conveyor has a cylindrical tube with multiple intake ports distributed along its longitudinal direction, a screw arranged coaxially with the tube inside the tube, a rotating means for rotating the tube and the screw relative to each other, and a mobile device for moving the feeder tube consisting of these components laterally. The mobile device is positioned at both ends of the feeder tube and is configured to move laterally relative to the silo on the underside of the silo.

[0003] The traveling devices positioned at both ends of the feeder tube operate independently. Therefore, when the feeder tube is moved laterally relative to the silo, each traveling device is operated synchronously to ensure that the feeder tube moves straight without slanting. A self-synchronizer (synchronized motor) is generally used as a control device for synchronous operation. A self-synchronizer electrically connects two motors, allowing the shaft of one motor to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the other motor's shaft. By controlling the rotational position of the rotating shafts of the traveling devices at both ends using such a self-synchronizer, differences in travel distance are eliminated, thereby preventing slanting. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-514660 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The self - synchronizer, which is a control device for a traveling device used in a conventional traveling tube conveyor, was vulnerable to heat and vibration due to its precision parts. Furthermore, since the self - synchronizer performs rotational control to operate synchronously with the rotating shaft electrically, there was a concern of false detection because it was different from the actual traveling distance. Also, the self - synchronizer itself was expensive, and an electric circuit for traveling control was required. For this reason, the development of a traveling tube conveyor that is difficult to break, has little risk of false detection, and is inexpensive has been desired.

[0006] In view of such circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a traveling tube conveyor that is difficult to break, has little risk of false detection, and is inexpensive.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to achieve the object of the present invention described above, the traveling tube conveyor according to the present invention includes a tube having a plurality of inlets for taking in bulk materials, a screw arranged coaxially with the tube inside the tube, and a rotating mechanism for relatively rotating the tube and the screw about the axis center, a feeder tube composed of these, and a traveling device for traveling the feeder tube so as to cross the lower opening of the silo, the traveling device including a first traveling part and a second traveling part provided at both ends of the tube respectively, and a plurality of pair arrival detection parts configured to be able to detect that the first traveling part and the second traveling part of the traveling device have respectively arrived, the plurality of pair arrival detection parts each consisting of a first detection part and a second detection part arranged at corresponding positions at a predetermined interval not exceeding the limit value of the traveling distance difference between the first traveling part and the second traveling part in the traveling direction of the traveling device, and a control part that stops the traveling of the first traveling part when a certain first detection part among the plurality of pair arrival detection parts detects the arrival of the first traveling part, and controls the traveling of the traveling device so that the limit value of the traveling distance difference between the first traveling part and the second traveling part is not exceeded until a certain second detection part arranged at a position corresponding to the certain first detection part detects the arrival of the second traveling part.

[0008] Here, as long as the control unit stops the running of the second traveling unit when a certain second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, and then performs the running control of the traveling device so as to resume running together with the first traveling unit that has already stopped running, it is acceptable.

[0009] Also, as long as the control unit continues the running of the second traveling unit when a certain second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, and performs the running control of the traveling device so as to resume the running of the first traveling unit that has already stopped running, it is also acceptable.

[0010] Moreover, as long as the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units each consist of a limit switch, and the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit of the traveling device each have a striker that contacts the limit switch when reaching the limit switch, it is acceptable.

[0011] Furthermore, as long as it includes a plurality of pair malfunction prevention units each consisting of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit configured to be able to detect that the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit of the traveling device have each arrived, the plurality of pair malfunction prevention units are arranged at positions within a predetermined interval where the plurality of pair arrival detection units are arranged, and when a certain pair arrival detection unit detects the arrival of the traveling device before the next pair malfunction prevention unit in the traveling direction detects the arrival of the traveling device, the control unit determines that a certain pair arrival detection unit has malfunctioned and performs the running control of the traveling device to stop the running of the traveling device, it is acceptable.

[0012] Also, the pair malfunction prevention unit may be configured using the pair arrival detection unit.

[0013] Moreover, as long as the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units each consist of a striker, and the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit of the traveling device each have a limit switch that contacts the striker when reaching the striker, it is also acceptable.

[0014] Furthermore, the system may include a pair malfunction prevention unit comprising a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, each configured to detect when the first and second running sections of the running device have reached their respective destinations. The pair malfunction prevention unit is positioned at a distance narrower than the predetermined interval at which multiple pair arrival detection units are arranged, from the limit switches of the first and second running sections of the running device. The control unit may determine that the limit switches are malfunctioning and control the running device to stop its movement if the pair malfunction prevention unit detects that the running device has reached the pair arrival detection unit before the limit switches of the first and second running sections detect that the running device has reached the pair arrival detection unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the first and second detection units of the multiple pair arrival detection units may consist of optical switches or magnetic switches capable of detecting when the first and second traveling units of the traveling device have arrived, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The mobile tube conveyor of the present invention has the advantages of being durable, less prone to false detections, and inexpensive. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic top view illustrating the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating other control units of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic side view illustrating another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a schematic side view illustrating yet another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrations. Figure 1 is a schematic top view illustrating the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 represent the same parts. Note that the illustrations are merely schematic explanatory diagrams, and the aspect ratio and the ratio of the size of each part are not accurate. The mobile tube conveyor of the present invention is for discharging bulk material from silo 1. Here, bulk material can be any granular material that is the raw material for a finished product, such as wood chips, coal, paper pulp, peat, sand, cement, ash, grains, pellets, etc. By discharging while the mobile tube conveyor is driven across the lower opening 2 of silo 1, it is possible to evenly discharge the bulk material accumulated in silo 1 from the bottom. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention mainly consists of a feeder tube 10, a mobile device 20, a pair arrival detection unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0019] The feeder tube 10 consists of a tube 11, a screw 12, and rotating mechanisms 13 and 13'. The tube 11 has multiple intake ports 14 for taking in bulk material. The screw 12 is positioned coaxially with the tube 11 inside the tube 11. The rotating mechanisms 13 and 13' rotate the tube 11 and the screw 12 relative to each other around their axis. In the illustrated example, the rotating mechanism 13 rotates the tube 11, and the rotating mechanism 13' rotates the screw 12. The bulk material accumulated in the silo 1 is taken into the tube 11 through the intake ports 14 of the rotating tube 11. The bulk material is then moved longitudinally by the screw 12 rotating inside the tube 11 and discharged from the end of the tube 11. In the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention, the feeder tube 10 itself can be any existing or future developed structure.

[0020] The traveling device 20 consists of a first traveling section 21 and a second traveling section 22. The traveling device 20 is for moving the feeder tube 10 across the lower opening 2 of the silo 1. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 are provided at both ends of the tube 11, respectively. More specifically, the traveling device 20 has the function of supporting both ends of the shaft of the feeder tube 10 and the function of moving the feeder tube 10. The traveling device 20 should rotatably support the tube 11 and screw 12 of the feeder tube 10, and rotating mechanisms 13, 13' should be arranged therein. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 may be appropriately configured with electric motors. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 should be configured so that their movement can be turned on / off by the control unit 40 described later. For example, the first and second running units 21 and 22 can be controlled to move by controlling the power supplied to them by turning the power on and off.

[0021] The multiple pair arrival detection units 30 consist of multiple switches configured to detect when the first travel unit 21 and the second travel unit 22 of the travel device 20 have arrived. Specifically, the pair arrival detection unit 30 consists of the first detection unit 31N and the second detection unit 32 N which consists of the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N are arranged at corresponding positions at a predetermined interval that does not exceed the limit value of the travel distance difference between the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 in the traveling direction of the traveling device 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N are arranged along the lane 3 on which the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 of the traveling device 20 travel respectively. For example, the first detection unit 311 and the second detection unit 321 form a pair to constitute the pair arrival detection unit 301. The first detection unit 311 and the second detection unit 321 may be arranged along a perpendicular line to the lane 3. And the arrangement interval between the first detection unit 311 and the first detection unit 312 is set to an interval that does not exceed the limit value of the travel distance difference between the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22. That is, the inclination of the line connecting the first detection unit 311 and the second detection unit 322 is such that the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N may be arranged at intervals that do not exceed the allowable skew range of the feeder tube 10 respectively.

[0022] Here, the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N may each be a limit switch. The limit switch is a contact type sensor that turns on the switch by contacting an object. In order to detect that the traveling device 20 has arrived using this limit switch, the first traveling unit 21 of the traveling device 20 has a striker 23, and the second traveling unit 22 has a striker 24. When the striker 23 and the striker 24 contact the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N respectively, the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N turn on, and it can be detected that the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 have reached their respective positions.

[0023] Furthermore, the limit switch and striker may be arranged in reverse. That is, the first detection unit 31 of the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 N and second detection unit 32 N However, each may consist of a striker, and the first running section 21 and the second running section 22 may be configured to each have limit switches that contact the striker when they reach it. This makes it possible to reduce the number of switches.

[0024] Furthermore, the first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 used in the pair arrival detection unit 30 of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention are not limited to limit switches, and may be any other highly durable switch that can be used even in harsh environments. Also, they do not necessarily have to be contact switches; the first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 may consist of optical switches, magnetic switches, etc., as long as they are capable of detecting when the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 of the traveling device 20 have arrived.

[0025] The control unit 40 controls the movement of the travel device 20. Specifically, a first detection unit 31 N When the arrival of the first traveling unit 21 is detected, a certain first detection unit 31 N A second detection unit 32 is located at the position corresponding to N The first running unit 21 is stopped until the arrival of the second running unit 22 is detected. For example, when the first detection unit 311 detects the arrival of the first running unit 21, the first running unit 21 is stopped until the second detection unit 321, positioned at the same location as the first detection unit 311, detects the arrival of the second running unit 22. This makes it possible to synchronize the running of the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 at intervals of multiple pair arrival detection units 30. By performing this control by the control unit 40, it is possible to control the running device 20 so as not to exceed the limit value of the difference in running distance between the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22. The control unit 40 should be configured to appropriately receive signals from each switch of the multiple pair arrival detection units 30. It should also be configured to transmit control signals to the running device 20 for running control.

[0026] The control of the control unit 40 will be explained in more detail using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 represent the same components. Note that the steps necessary to start a general traveling device, such as the start conditions, have been omitted. The control unit 40 in the illustrated example is a first detection unit 31 N When the arrival of the first traveling unit 21 is detected, a certain first detection unit 31 N A second detection unit 32 is located at the position corresponding to N The travel device 20 is controlled to stop the travel of the first travel unit 21 until the arrival of the second travel unit 22 is detected. N When the system detects the arrival of the second running unit 22, it stops the running of the second running unit 22 and then controls the running of the running device 20 so that it resumes running together with the first running unit 21, which has already stopped running. In other words, in the illustrated control example, the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 are both turned off each time they reach the pair arrival detection unit 30, and then turned on in unison to restart.

[0027] Specifically, first, the control unit 40 sends a start command to the travel device 20. Based on this command, the first travel unit 21 and the second travel unit 22 turn on and start traveling. Then, the AND block 41 confirms that the first travel unit 21 is on and the first detection unit 31 N When it turns on, the first driving unit 21 is turned off. Similarly, the AND block 42 determines that the second driving unit 22 is on and the second detection unit 32 N When it turns on, the second driving unit 22 is turned off. Then, when both the first driving unit 21 and the second driving unit 22 are turned off by the AND block 43, the first driving unit 21 and the second driving unit 22 are turned on again and driving resumes. Then, the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 NThe N of the first pair arrival detection unit 30 should be increased by N+1, and the next pair arrival detection unit 30 should be turned on. These controls should be repeated until the last pair arrival detection unit 30 is reached. Once the last pair arrival detection unit 30 is reached, the travel device 20 may be reversed. In that case, the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 N All that's needed is to set N to N-1 and repeatedly detect when the next pair arrival detection unit 30 turns on.

[0028] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating other control units of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 represent the same components. Note that steps necessary for starting a general traveling device, such as startup conditions, have been omitted. The control unit 40 in the illustrated example is a second detection unit 32 N When the system detects the arrival of the second running unit 22, it controls the running of the running device 20 to continue the running of the second running unit 22 and to restart the running of the first running unit 21, which has already stopped running. In other words, in the illustrated control example, the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 are turned off by the one that reaches the pair arrival detection unit 30 first, and then the other running unit is turned on in sync with the timing when the other reaches the pair arrival detection unit 30, and they restart in unison.

[0029] Specifically, first, the control unit 40 sends a start command to the travel device 20. Based on this command, the first travel unit 21 and the second travel unit 22 turn on and start traveling. Then, the AND block 41 confirms that the first travel unit 21 is on and the first detection unit 31 N When it turns on, the first driving unit 21 is turned off. Similarly, the AND block 42 determines that the second driving unit 22 is on and the second detection unit 32 N When it is turned on, the second driving unit 22 is turned off. Here, before turning off the first driving unit 21 or the second driving unit 22, the comparison block 44 detects a certain first detection unit 31 N The timing at which it turns on, and the first detection unit 31 N A second detection unit 32 is located at the position corresponding to N This is compared with the timing when it turns on. For example, the first detection unit 31N If the first unit turns on first, the first driving unit 21 stops moving. Then, the AND block 45 activates the second detection unit 32 N Even if the second driving unit 22 is turned on, the driving will continue with the second driving unit 22 turned on, and the driving of the first driving unit 21, which has already stopped, will be restarted. Similarly, in the comparison block 44, for example, the second detection unit 32 N If the first unit turns on first, the second drive unit 22 stops moving. Then, the AND block 46 activates the first detection unit 31 N Even if the first running unit 21 is turned on, the first running unit 21 is kept on and continues to run, while the second running unit 22, which has already stopped running, is restarted. These controls should be repeated until the last pair arrival detection unit 30 is reached.

[0030] Thus, in the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention, the pair arrival detection unit 30 can physically detect when the traveling device 20 has reached the position of the pair arrival detection unit 30, thus reducing the risk of malfunction. Therefore, the skewing of the feeder tube 10 can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the switch is a simple mechanical part, it is resistant to heat and vibration. Moreover, since no special control is required until the traveling device 20 reaches the next pair arrival detection unit 30, there is no need to continuously control the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 with high precision. Therefore, it can be manufactured at low cost.

[0031] Next, another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention will be described using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic side view illustrating another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 represent the same components. The illustrated example is an example of a mobile tube conveyor configured to prevent malfunctions. As shown in the illustration, the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention has a plurality of paired malfunction prevention units 35 in addition to the configurations in Figures 1 and 2. The paired malfunction prevention units 35 include a first malfunction detection unit 36 N and second malfunction detection unit 37 N The pair malfunction prevention unit 35 is configured to detect when the first travel unit 21 and the second travel unit 22 have reached their respective destinations. Specifically, the first malfunction detection unit 36 NThe first travel unit 21 is configured to detect when it has reached its destination. Also, the second malfunction detection unit 37 N The second travel unit 22 is configured to detect when it has reached its destination. As shown in Figure 5, the pair malfunction prevention unit 35 configured in this way is positioned at a predetermined interval between the multiple pair arrival detection units 30. Specifically, for example, the second malfunction detection unit 371 is positioned between the second detection unit 321 and the second detection unit 322.

[0032] The control unit 40 then determines that the pair arrival detection unit 30 is malfunctioning and controls the movement of the travel device 20 to stop it if the next pair malfunction prevention unit 35 detects the arrival of the travel device 20 in the direction of travel before the previous pair arrival detection unit 30 detects the arrival of the travel device 20. Specifically, for example, if the next second malfunction detection unit 372 detects the arrival of the second travel device 22 before the second detection unit 322 detects the arrival of the second travel device 22, the control unit 40 determines that the second detection unit 322 is malfunctioning. For example, under normal circumstances, the second detection unit 322 should receive an arrival detection signal, but in the event of a malfunction, it will not receive the arrival detection signal. Then, without receiving the arrival detection signal from the second detection unit 322, it will receive the arrival detection signal from the next second malfunction detection unit 372. Therefore, the control unit 40 can detect that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the second detection unit 322. The mobile tube conveyor of the present invention can further prevent malfunctions by using such a pair malfunction prevention unit 35.

[0033] Furthermore, each switch in the pair malfunction prevention unit 35 may be the same type of switch as the switches in the pair arrival detection unit 30, for example, a limit switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first detection unit 31 N or second detection unit 32 N It is also acceptable to use switches of a different type. For example, by using switches of a different type, they will have different durability and performance in the same environment, and can therefore function as a means of preventing malfunctions.

[0034] Furthermore, the multiple pair malfunction prevention units 35 may be configured using multiple pair arrival detection units 30. By arranging the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 at close intervals, even if the next switch is reached after passing one switch, the configuration should be such that the allowable skew range of the feeder tube 10 is not exceeded. Specifically, for example, the second detection unit 321 and the second detection unit 323 are arranged so as not to exceed the allowable skew range of the feeder tube 10. In other words, the distance from one switch to the next switch, skipping one, should not exceed the skew range.

[0035] Furthermore, another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention will be described using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic side view illustrating yet another example of the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 5 represent the same components. The illustrated example is another example of a mobile tube conveyor configured to prevent malfunctions. As shown in the figure, the first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 of the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 are each made up of strikers. The first mobile unit 21 is the first detection unit 31 N When it reaches the first detection unit 31 N It has a first limit switch 26 that makes contact with the second limit switch 32. N When it reaches the second detection unit 32 N It has a second limit switch 27 that makes contact with the [unclear].

[0036] In the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention configured in this way, the control unit 40 can control the movement of the traveling device 20, similar to the illustrated example described above. Specifically, for example, the first limit switch 26 controls the movement of the first detection unit 31 where the first traveling unit 21 is located. N When it is detected that the second limit has been reached, the second limit switch 27 activates the first detection unit 31 where the second travel unit 22 is located. N A second detection unit 32 is located at the position corresponding to NThe first running unit 21 is kept stopped until it is detected that it has reached the target. This makes it possible to synchronize the movement of the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 at intervals between multiple pair arrival detection units 30.

[0037] Furthermore, the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention shown in Figure 6 may be configured to include a pair malfunction prevention unit 25. The pair malfunction prevention unit 25 consists of a first malfunction detection unit 28 located on the first mobile section 21 and a second malfunction detection unit 29 located on the second mobile section 22. The pair malfunction prevention unit 25 is configured to detect when the first mobile section 21 and the second mobile section 22 have reached a pair arrival detection unit 30. Specifically, the first malfunction detection unit 28 and the second malfunction detection unit 29 may consist of limit switches. The first malfunction detection unit 28 is located at a distance from the first limit switch 26 that is narrower than the predetermined interval at which the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 are located. Similarly, the second malfunction detection unit 29 is located at a distance from the second limit switch 27 that is narrower than the predetermined interval at which the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 are located.

[0038] The control unit 40 then determines that the first limit switch 26 or the second limit switch 27 is malfunctioning if the pair malfunction prevention unit 25 detects that the traveling device 20 has reached the pair arrival detection unit 30 before the first limit switch 26 and the second limit switch 27 of the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 detect that the traveling device 20 has reached the pair arrival detection unit 30. The control unit 40 then controls the traveling device 20 to stop its movement. Specifically, for example, if the second malfunction detection unit 29 detects that the second traveling unit 22 has reached the second detection unit 322 before the second limit switch 27 detects that the second traveling unit 22 has reached the second detection unit 322, the control unit 40 determines that the second limit switch 27 is malfunctioning. For example, under normal circumstances, the arrival detection signal from the second limit switch 27 should be received, but in the event of a malfunction, the arrival detection signal is not received. As a result, the control unit 40 receives the arrival detection signal from the second malfunction detection unit 29 without receiving the arrival detection signal from the second limit switch 27. Therefore, the control unit 40 can detect that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the second limit switch 27. With this configuration, the control unit 40 only needs to be connected to the travel device 20, thus simplifying the configuration.

[0039] It should be noted that the mobile tube conveyor of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1 silo 2. Lower opening 3 lanes 10 Feeder tubes 11 tubes 12 Screw 13. Rotating mechanism (for tubes) 13' Rotation mechanism (for screws) 14 Intake 20 Traveling device 21. First running section 22. Second running section 23,24 Striker 25 Pair malfunction prevention unit 26. First limit switch 27. Second limit switch 28. First malfunction detection unit 29 Second malfunction detection unit 30 Pair Arrival Detection Unit 31 First detection unit 32 Second detection unit 35 Pair malfunction prevention unit 36. First malfunction detection unit 37 Second malfunction detection unit 40 Control Unit 41, 42, 43, 45, 46 AND block 44 Comparison Blocks

Claims

1. A mobile tube conveyor for discharging bulk material from a silo, wherein the mobile tube conveyor is A feeder tube comprising a tube having multiple intake ports for bulk material, a screw positioned coaxially with the tube inside the tube, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the tube and the screw relative to each other around an axis, A traveling device for running the feeder tube across the lower opening of the silo, comprising a first traveling section and a second traveling section provided at both ends of the tube, A plurality of paired arrival detection units configured to detect when the first and second traveling sections of the traveling device have reached their respective destinations, each consisting of a first detection unit and a second detection unit, which are arranged at corresponding positions in the traveling direction of the traveling device at predetermined intervals that do not exceed a limit value of the difference in travel distance between the first and second traveling sections, When a first detection unit, which has a plurality of pair arrival detection units, detects the arrival of the first travel unit, the control unit stops the travel of the first travel unit until a second detection unit, positioned at a location corresponding to a certain first detection unit, detects the arrival of the second travel unit, and controls the travel of the travel device so as not to exceed a limit value for the difference in travel distance between the first and second travel units. A mobile tube conveyor characterized by being equipped with the following.

2. A traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the movement of the traveling device such that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, the second traveling unit stops moving and then resumes moving together with the first traveling unit which has already stopped moving.

3. A traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the travel device so that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, the second traveling unit continues to travel, and the first traveling unit, which has already stopped traveling, resumes traveling.

4. In the traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units each consist of a limit switch, The first and second traveling sections of the aforementioned traveling device each have a striker that contacts the limit switch when it reaches the limit switch. A mobile tube conveyor characterized by the following features.

5. A mobile tube conveyor according to claim 4, Furthermore, the device is equipped with a plurality of paired malfunction prevention units, each consisting of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, which are configured to detect when the first and second travel sections of the travel device have reached their respective destinations. The aforementioned multiple pair malfunction prevention units are positioned at predetermined intervals between the multiple pair arrival detection units, The control unit, if the next pair malfunction prevention unit in the direction of travel detects the arrival of the traveling device before the arrival detection unit of a certain pair detects the arrival of the traveling device, determines that the arrival detection unit of a certain pair is malfunctioning and controls the travel of the traveling device to stop its movement. A mobile tube conveyor characterized by the following features.

6. A traveling tube conveyor according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the pair malfunction prevention unit is configured using a pair arrival detection unit.

7. In the traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units each consist of a striker, The first and second traveling sections of the aforementioned traveling device each have limit switches that contact the striker when they reach it. A mobile tube conveyor characterized by the following features.

8. A mobile tube conveyor according to claim 7, Furthermore, the device is equipped with a pair of malfunction prevention units, each consisting of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, which are configured to detect when the first and second travel sections of the travel device have reached their respective destinations. The pair malfunction prevention unit is positioned at a distance narrower than the predetermined interval at which multiple pair arrival detection units are arranged, from the limit switches of the first and second traveling sections of the traveling device. If the control unit detects that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit by the pair malfunction prevention unit before the limit switches of the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit detect that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit, the control unit determines that the limit switches have malfunctioned and controls the traveling device to stop its movement. A mobile tube conveyor characterized by the following features.

9. A traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units each consist of an optical switch or a magnetic switch capable of detecting that the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit of the traveling device have arrived.

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