Conveyer belt management system and method

Abstract

Provided are a conveyor belt management system and a method with which the state of a conveyor belt under various use conditions can be more reliably ascertained. In the present invention, a radio wave-type IC tag 2A and an electromagnetic coupling-type IC tag 2B are installed as a passive-type IC tag 2 on a conveyor belt 13. In response to transmission radio waves R1 transmitted from a detector 7 toward the IC tags 2A, 2B of the conveyor belt 13 mounted on a conveyor device 10, return radio waves R2 returned from the respective IC tags 2A, 2B are received by the detector 7. The operation state of the conveyor belt 13 is ascertained by an arithmetic device 8 using the return radio waves R2. Alternatively, detection data from a sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tags 2A, 2B is transmitted from the IC tags 2A, 2B to the detector 7 by the return radio waves R2 and input to the arithmetic device 8, and the state of the conveyor belt 13 is ascertained by the arithmetic device 8 on the basis of the detection data.

Description

Title of Invention: CONVEYOR BELT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor belt management system and method and particularly relates to a conveyor belt management system and method that can more reliably determine the state of a conveyor belt under various use conditions. Background Art

[0002] Various systems have been proposed for managing a conveyor belt that is stretched between pulleys of a conveyor device and runs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The management system proposed in Patent Document 1 performs wireless communication between an RFID tag (IC tag) embedded in a conveyor belt and a reader, and data transmitted from the RFID tag is acquired by the reader. The various data acquired by the reader is then transmitted to a predetermined terminal device and information sharing is performed.

[0003] In such management systems in the related art, as the IC tag, an IC tag using a so-called radio wave communication method is often used. Conveyor belts that convey crushed stone, soil, sand, other mineral materials, and processed products thereof operate under various use conditions. Due to differences in the use conditions of the conveyor belt, the wireless communication environment between the IC tag and the reader also changes. Accordingly, when only IC tags of the same communication method are used, wireless communication between the IC tag and the reader becomes impossible under certain use conditions of the conveyor belt, resulting in the problem that data cannot be acquired from the IC tag. Citation List Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2022-23840 A Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0005] That is, when all IC tags installed on a conveyor belt use the same communication method, it may not be possible to fully determine the state of the conveyor belt under various use conditions. As a result, there is room for improvement in more reliably determining the state of conveyor belts under various use conditions.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor belt management system and method that can more reliably determine the state of a conveyor belt under various use conditions. Solution to Problem

[0007] To achieve the object described above, a conveyor belt management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an IC tag of a passive type installed on a conveyor belt; a detector configured to wirelessly communicate with the IC tag; and a calculation device communicatively connected to the detector. In response to a transmission radio wave transmitted from the detector toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted in a conveyor device, a return radio wave from the IC tag is received by the detector. A state of the conveyor belt is determined by the calculation device with use of the return radio wave. As the IC tag, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag, are employed.

[0008] A conveyor belt management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: installing an IC tag of a passive type on a conveyor belt; transmitting a transmission radio wave from a detector configured to wirelessly communicate with the IC tag toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted in a conveyor device; receiving, in response to the transmission radio wave, a return radio wave from the IC tag by the detector; and determining, by a calculation device, a state of the conveyor belt with use of the return radio wave. As the IC tag, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag, are employed. Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, as an IC tag of a passive type installed on a conveyor belt, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag, are employed. The communication characteristics of IC tags using different communication methods in wirelessly communicating with the detector are different. Therefore, even under various wireless communication environments, the detector can receive the return radio waves from IC tags using at least one of the two types of communication methods. In other words, under various wireless communication environments that arise due to differences in the use conditions of the conveyor belt, a risk that both the wireless communication between the radio-wave IC tag and the detector and the wireless communication between the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag and the detector become impossible is reduced. Therefore, the state of the conveyor belt under various use conditions is advantageously determined more reliably by using the return radio waves. Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall outline of an embodiment of a conveyor belt management system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyor device to which the management system of FIG. 1 is applied in a side view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow B-B in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a radio-wave IC tag in a plan view. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the IC tag of FIG. 5 in a front view. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag in a plan view. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the IC tag of FIG. 7 in a front view. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an IC tag and a detector are wirelessly communicating with each other in a crosssectional view of a conveyor belt. FIG. 10 is a graph schematically illustrating a change over time in a running speed of the conveyor belt. FIG. 11 is a graph schematically illustrating a relationship between a position of an IC tag relative to a detection position and a received signal strength indicator of a return radio wave. FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating a correlation between an electrical resistance value at the time of activation of an IC tag and a temperature of the IC tag. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a temperature of the conveyor belt at each detection position. FIGS. 14A to 14D are explanatory diagrams illustrating an arrangement pattern of two types of IC tags in a plan view of the conveyor belt. FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams illustrating still another arrangement pattern of two types of IC tags in a plan view of the conveyor belt. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyor device to which another embodiment of the management system is applied in a side view. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the conveyor belt near the detector of FIG. 16 in a cross-sectional view. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the detector and the conveyor belt of FIG. 17 in a plan view. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an IC tag and a sensor unit of FIG. 18 in a plan view. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the IC tag and the sensor unit of FIG. 19 in a front view. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification example of the sensor unit of FIG. 19 in a plan view. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a portion of the conveyor belt in which the IC tag with the sensor unit of FIG. 21 is embedded in an enlarged cross-sectional view. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyor belt to which still another embodiment of the management system is applied in a crosssectional view. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the detector and the conveyor belt of FIG. 23 in a plan view. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification example of the sensor unit of FIG. 24 in a plan view. Description of Embodiments

[0011] A conveyor belt management system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0012] An embodiment of a conveyor belt management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is used to determine a state of a conveyor belt 13 mounted in a conveyor device 10. This management system 1 includes a passive IC tag 2 (2A, 2B) installed on the conveyor belt 13, a detector 7 (7A, 7B, 7C), and a calculation device 8 communicatively connected to the detector 7 wirelessly or via a wired connection. In response to a transmission radio wave R1 transmitted from each detector 7, a return radio wave R2 is returned from the IC tag 2 and received by the detector 7. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the calculation device 8 is configured to be connected via a communication network such as the Internet to terminal devices 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) such as computers or smartphones located in positions (remote locations) away from the installation site of the conveyor device 10.

[0013] The conveyor device 10 includes a pair of pulleys 11a and 11b and a large number of support rollers 12 disposed between the pulleys 11a and 11b. The conveyor belt 13 is stretched between the pulleys 11a and 11b and is supported by the large number of support rollers 12 between the pulleys 11a and 11b. The conveyor belt 13 runs by rotating the drive pulley 11a. In the drawing, arrow L indicates a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 13, and arrow W indicates a width direction of the conveyor belt 13.

[0014] The conveyor belt 13 is constructed by integrating an upper cover rubber 16, a lower cover rubber 17, and one core layer 14 disposed between the upper cover rubber 16 and the lower cover rubber 17 by vulcanization bonding. In this embodiment, the core layer 14 is composed of a large number of steel cords 15 arranged side by side in the width direction W. The conveyor belt 13 may be provided with other members as required. The core layer 14 is not limited to the steel cord 15, and may be composed of canvas. When the core layer 14 is composed of canvas, for example, between four and eight layers of canvas are stacked as the core layer 14 depending on the performance required for the conveyor belt 13.

[0015] 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 central portion in the width direction W protruding downward. A conveyed object C is loaded and placed on the upper surface of the upper cover rubber 16 and then 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.

[0016] As the IC tag 2, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag 2A illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, are employed. Each of the IC tags 2A and 2B has an IC chip 3a and an antenna unit 3b. The IC chip 3a stores identification information for identifying the IC tag 2 from other IC tags 2. Although other information can be stored in the IC chip 3a, in this embodiment management, it is sufficient that at least the identification information of the IC tag 2 is stored in the IC chip 3a.

[0017] The IC tag 2 (2A, 2B) may be of a generally available specification, and a general-purpose RFID tag can be used. The size of the IC tag 2 (2A, 2B) is, for example, an area of 200 mm2 or more and 6000 mm2 or less, more preferably 300 mm2 or more and 2700 mm2 or less, and a thickness of, 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.

[0018] In the radio-wave IC tag 2A illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b are connected via a conductor (wiring). The antenna unit 3b extends from the IC chip 3a to both sides outside the IC chip 3a in a bent state. The IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b are disposed on a substrate 4 and are covered with an insulating layer 5. The antenna unit 3b receives the transmission radio wave R1 transmitted from the detector 7, and the power generated by the transmission radio wave R1 is supplied to the IC chip 3a through the conductor connecting the antenna unit 3b and the IC chip 3a, activating the IC tag 2A. Communication between the IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b is carried out through this conductor.

[0019] In the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, an IC chip (IC module) 3a and an antenna unit 3b are disposed at intervals, and are in a non-contact structure. The antenna unit 3b has a loop that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the IC chip 3a, and extends from the loop in a bent state on both sides outside the loop. The IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b are each covered with an insulating layer 5. When the antenna unit 3b receives the transmission radio wave R1 transmitted from the detector 7, a magnetic field is formed within the loop. The formation of this magnetic field causes electromagnetic coupling between the spiral antenna inside the IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b, and the IC tag 2B is activated by the power generated by the transmission radio wave R1. Communication between the spiral antenna (IC chip 3a) and the antenna unit 3b is carried out by electromagnetic coupling between the IC chip 3a and the antenna unit 3b.

[0020] In this embodiment, as illustrated 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, in the upper cover rubber 16 or, in the case of a core layer 14 made of a plurality of layers of canvas, the IC tag 2 can be embedded in the core layer 14. In order to protect the IC tag 2 from the conveyed object C and the like, it is desirable to embed the IC tag 2 in the lower cover rubber 17 or the core layer 14 rather than in the upper cover rubber 16.

[0021] When manufacturing the conveyor belt 13, the IC tag 2 is disposed in the unvulcanized lower cover rubber 17 or the unvulcanized upper cover rubber 16, or in the core layer 14 made of canvas during the molding process to form a molded product. Thereafter, the molded product is vulcanized, and the IC tag 2 is embedded in the conveyor belt 13 in which the core layer 14, the upper cover rubber 16, and the lower cover rubber 17 are integrated.

[0022] The method of installing the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is not limited to embedding the IC tag 2 in the conveyor belt 13 during manufacture of the conveyor belt 13 as described above, but the IC tag 2 can also be installed on the manufactured conveyor belt 13. For example, after the IC tag 2 is disposed at a desired position on the manufactured conveyor belt 13, the IC tag 2 is covered with a rubber material, and the IC tag 2 and the rubber material are joined to the conveyor belt 13. For this joining, known adhesives or vulcanization adhesives can be used. Employing a method of retrofitting the IC tag 2 to the conveyor belt 13 makes it possible to apply this management system 1 to an existing conveyor belt 13.

[0023] It is sufficient that at least one of the IC tags 2A and 2B is installed on the conveyor belt 13, but it is preferable that a plurality of IC tags 2 be installed at intervals in a longitudinal direction L. The IC tags 2 are embedded in the conveyor belt 13 at intervals TL of 5 m or more and 20 m or less in the longitudinal direction L, for example. That is, an installation pitch TL of the IC tags 2 is preferably in the range of 5 m or more and 20 m or less, and for example, about 10 m is appropriate. The installation pitch TL of the IC tags 2 may be equal.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the detector 7 wirelessly communicates with the IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13 in a non-contact manner. The detector 7 has a transmission unit 7s and a reception unit 7r. The transmission unit 7s transmits a transmission radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. The reception unit 7r receives the return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 (antenna unit 3b) in response to the transmission radio wave R1, and acquires the identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3a that is transmitted along with the return radio wave R2.

[0025] As the detector 7, a generally available specification that enables wireless communication with a passive RFID tag or the like is employed. The frequency of the radio waves used for wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 is mainly in the UHF band (range of 860 MHz to 930 MHz, which varies by country; in Japan, 915 MHz to 930 MHz), and the HF band (13.56 MHz) is sometimes used. The wireless communication between the radio-wave IC tag 2A and the detector 7 and the wireless communication between the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B and the detector 7 are adjusted and set so that they can communicate at the same frequency.

[0026] The detector 7 is disposed in the conveyor device 10 at a detection position P adjacent to the conveyor belt 13. The detector 7 is disposed at at least one detection position P. The detector 7 is preferably disposed at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L (for example, about 10 m or more and 30 m or less) rather than disposed at only one detection position P. The detector 7 may be disposed at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart in the width direction.

[0027] The detector 7 is not limited to being disposed on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 as in this embodiment, but can also be disposed on the return side, or on both the carrier side and the return side. The separation distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 3b when they are closest to each other is set to, for example, within 1 m. That is, the detector 7 is installed at a detection position P where, when the antenna unit 3b passes near the detector 7, the separation distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 3b is 1 m or less. In this embodiment, each detector 7 is disposed at one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction W, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The position of the detector 7 in the width direction is preferably aligned with the position of the IC tag 2 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 13.

[0028] As the calculation device 8, a known computer or computer server is used. The information detected and acquired by the detector 7 is sequentially input to the calculation device 8. The calculation device 8 performs various calculation processes based on various types of input information. The calculation device 8 also has a transmission function for transmitting various types of information (data) to desired terminal devices 9 (9a to 9d) connected via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0029] Next, an example of a procedure of a method for determining the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 using the management system 1 will be described.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 9, each detector 7 (transmission unit 7s) transmits a transmission radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. When each IC tag 2 approaches a corresponding detector 7 as the conveyor belt 13 runs, the antenna unit 3b receives the transmission radio wave R1, and the IC tag 2 is activated by this transmission radio wave R1.

[0031] The activated IC tag 2 sequentially returns return radio waves R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmission radio waves R1. This return radio wave R2 is returned from the IC tag 2 to the detector 7 via the antenna unit 3b. The identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3a is transmitted to the detector 7 using the return radio wave R2 and is received by the reception unit 7r. Accordingly, the detector 7 receives the return radio wave R2 and thereby acquires the identification information of the IC tag 2 one by one.

[0032] The calculation device 8 calculates a running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 using the input return radio wave R2. That is, the calculation device 8 calculates the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 based on a reception time t at which the detector 7 receives the return radio wave R2. The operating state of the conveyor belt 13 is then determined based on the change over time in the calculated running speed V. The running speed V is calculated as follows.

[0033] In this embodiment, detectors 7 are disposed at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, when the conveyor belt 13 is running, each detector 7 wirelessly communicates with the IC tag 2 as the IC tag 2 passes nearby and acquires the identification information of the IC tag 2. The acquired identification information of the IC tag 2 is stored in the calculation device 8 together with the reception time t at which the detector 7 receives the return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. Since a separation distance PL between the detectors 7 in the longitudinal direction L of the detection position P at which the detectors 7 are disposed is known in advance, this separation distance PL is input to the calculation device 8.

[0034] The calculation device 8 calculates the running speed V based on the reception time t of the return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by each of the detectors 7 disposed at at least two detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L and the separation distance PL between each of the detection positions P. For example, when the separation distance between the detectors 7A and 7B is PL and the reception times t at which the detectors 7A and 7B receive a return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 are t1 and t2, respectively, the time required for the IC tag 2 to move from the detector 7A to the detector 7B is (t2 - t1), and therefore the running speed V is calculated as V = PL / (t2 - t1).

[0035] The calculation of the running speed V is not limited to using the data of the detectors 7 disposed at adjacent detection positions P in the longitudinal direction L (data from the detectors 7A and 7B, data from the detectors 7B and 7C, data from the detectors 7C and 7A), but can also use the data of each of the detectors 7 disposed at two detection positions P selected from each detection position P. Accordingly, the data from the detectors 7A and 7C may be used. Since the conveyor belt 13 is continuous, it is basically sufficient to calculate the running speed V in any one section (the separation distance PL between any two detection positions P). However, for example, the running speed V may be slightly different between the section immediately before the conveyed object C is loaded and the section immediately after the conveyed object C is loaded due to the weight of the conveyed object C or the loading impact. Thus, it is preferable to calculate the running speed V in a plurality of sections. This calculation method only requires that the separation distance PL is known, and does not require position information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13, so that the method can be easily applied to any conveyor belt 13.

[0036] The running speed V can also be calculated by other methods. In this calculation method, one detector 7 is disposed at the same detection position P, and the installation pitch TL of each IC tag 2 to be used is input to the calculation device 8 in advance. The one detector 7 disposed at this detection position P receives a return radio wave R2 from each of the IC tags 2 installed at the installation pitch TL. The running speed V is calculated based on the reception time t of the return radio wave R2 from each IC tag 2 by the detector 7 and the installation pitch TL.

[0037] For example, when two IC tags 2 are installed at a predetermined installation pitch TL, and the reception times t of the return radio wave R2 from each IC tag 2 by one detector 7 disposed at the same detection position P are t1 and t2, respectively, the time required for the conveyor belt 13 to move the length of the installation pitch TL is (t2 - t1), and therefore the running speed V is calculated as V = TL / (t2 - t1).

[0038] Furthermore, the running speed V can be calculated by other methods. In this calculation method, one detector 7 disposed at the same detection position P sequentially receives the return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag for each revolution of the conveyor belt 13. The running speed V is calculated based on the reception time t of the return radio wave R2 sequentially received by the detector 7 for each revolution of the conveyor belt 13 and a belt length BL of the conveyor belt 13.

[0039] For example, when the belt length is BL and the reception times of the return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 received sequentially by the detector 7 disposed at the same detection position P for each revolution of the conveyor belt 13 are t1 and t2, respectively, the time required for one revolution of the conveyor belt 13 (movement of the belt length BL) is (t2 - t1), and therefore the running speed V is calculated as V = BL / (t2 - t1). This calculation method requires that the belt length BL of the conveyor belt 13 is known.

[0040] The running speed V calculated by the calculation device 8 reflects the actual operating statuses of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when the running speed V is zero (including when the running speed V is close to zero), it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating (not running). Although it is extremely rare, when the conveyor belt 13 stops while a certain IC tag 2 is located close to a certain detection position P (detector 7), the detector 7 will continue to receive a return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 continuously. Even when the detector 7 disposed at the same detection position P continues to receive the return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 continuously, it is determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating.

[0041] When the running speed V is approximately constant, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in steady operation. When the running speed V is steadily increasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a starting state, and when the running speed V is steadily decreasing, it can be determined that the operation is to be stopped.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the calculation device 8 outputs data DV of the change over time in the running speed V, and the cumulative operating time of the conveyor belt 13 is calculated based on the data DV. By referring to the data DV in FIG. 10, the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13 (whether it is operating or not and changes in the running speed V) can be accurately determined. An actual service life X of the conveyor belt 13 is more significantly affected by the cumulative operating time than by the elapsed time after the conveyor belt 13 is mounted in the conveyor device 10. Therefore, using this data DV to determine the actual operating time (cumulative operating time) of the conveyor belt 13 allows the actual service life X of the conveyor belt 13 to be advantageously accurately determined.

[0043] In this embodiment, since the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is employed, the calculation device 8 transmits data DV via a communication network to the terminal device 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) located at a distance from the installation site of the conveyor device 10. For example, the data DV and the calculated cumulative operating time are transmitted to the terminal devices 9 of related people, such as a control room of an operating company (user) of the conveyor belt 13, a sales company of the conveyor belt 13, a manufacturing company, etc., which are in remote locations from the installation site of the conveyor device 10. This allows these related people to determine the operating status of the conveyor belt 13 in substantially real time even while being in a remote location from where the conveyor belt 13 is used.

[0044] The IC tag 2 and the detector 7 need to communicate frequently to prevent communication leakage between them. For example, by setting the frequency of communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 to between 3 times and 10 times per second, the problem of the detector 7 not being able to receive the return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 (communication leakage) can be avoided even when the running speed V is fast. On the other hand, if the communication frequency is increased, when the IC tag 2 passes through the detection position P, the detector 7 disposed at the detection position P and the IC tag 2 will perform wireless communication multiple times during that single passage. That is, when the same IC tag 2 passes through each detection position P, the detector 7 disposed at that detection position P receives the return radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 multiple times during that single passage.

[0045] When the conveyor belt 13 runs and thus the IC tag 2 moves toward the detection position P where the detector 7 is disposed, as in the data DR illustrated in FIG. 11, the received signal strength indicator RSSI of the return radio wave R2 received by the detector 7 increases as the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 disposed at the detection position P wirelessly communicate with each other at a position closer to the detection position P. That is, when the received signal strength indicator RSSI of the return radio wave R2 is the highest, the IC tag 2 is considered to be located at the closest position to the detection position P.

[0046] When the same IC tag 2 passes through the detection position P, in a case where the detector 7 disposed at that detection position P receives the return radio wave R2 from that IC tag 2 multiple times during that single passage, the time when the return radio wave R2 with the highest received signal strength indicator RSSI among the return radio waves R2 received multiple times is received is employed as the reception time t by the detector 7 disposed at that detection position P. Using the reception time t thus employed allows the running speed V to be advantageously calculated with higher accuracy.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 is determined by using the return radio wave R2, but the temperature state of the conveyor belt 13 can also be determined by using the return radio wave R2. In this case, correlation data R between the electrical resistance value of the IC tag 2 and the temperature of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated, as illustrated in FIG. 12, is determined in advance. More specifically, this correlation data R is data that indicates the relationship between the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 and the temperature of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated by receiving the transmission radio wave R1. Generally, as the temperature of the IC tag 2 rises, the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 increases, and therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the correlation data R rises to the right.

[0048] This correlation data R is input to the calculation device 8. In addition, the calculation device 8 stores embedded position data of each IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 (position data in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W), a reference temperature (threshold value) for determining that the conveyor belt 13 is abnormally overheating, and the like.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 2, while the conveyor belt 13 is running, each detector 7 transmits a transmission radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. When each IC tag 2 approaches a corresponding detector 7, the antenna unit 3b receives the transmission radio wave R1, and the transmission radio wave R1 generates power in the IC tag 2 to activate the IC tag 2. When the IC tag 2 is activated, data of the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 is stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 3a.

[0050] The IC tag 2 then sequentially returns return radio waves R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmission radio waves R1. The abovementioned electrical resistance value data stored in the IC tag 2 and the identification information of the IC tag 2 are transmitted from the IC tag 2 to the detector 7 together with the return radio wave R2.

[0051] The data acquired by the detector 7 is input to the calculation device 8. The calculation device 8 calculates the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at the position where each IC tag 2 is embedded, based on the input data of the electrical resistance value of each IC tag 2 and the correlation data R. That is, the calculation device 8 applies the data of the electrical resistance value input from the detector 7 to the correlation data R illustrated in FIG. 12 to calculate the temperature of the IC tag 2. The calculated temperature of the IC tag 2 can be regarded as the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at the position where the IC tag 2 is embedded.

[0052] When the detectors 7 are disposed at a plurality of detection positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 between the pulleys 11a and 11b and the IC tags 2 are embedded at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13, it is possible to determine the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 while it is running. Furthermore, when the IC tags 2 are embedded at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13, it is possible to determine the temperature distribution in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13 while it is running.

[0053] When the support rollers 12 of the conveyor device 10 are rotating normally and the conveyor belt 13 is running steadily, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at each detection position spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L is approximately constant, as shown by temperature data Dn illustrated by a broken line in FIG. 13. On the other hand, when any of the support rollers 12 on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 is not rotating properly, the frictional resistance between the support roller 12 that is not rotating properly and the conveyor belt 13 that is running increases, causing the conveyor belt 13 to heat abnormally. Alternatively, when the conveyor belt 13 runs in contact with the frames of the conveyor device 10, the conveyor belt 13 is abnormally heated.

[0054] When abnormal heating occurs in the conveyor belt 13 in this way, temperature data Dx illustrated by a solid line in FIG. 13 indicates a localized temperature rise. The temperature of the conveyor belt 13 on the vertical axis of FIG. 13 is the temperature calculated by the calculation device 8 as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at the detection position near the support roller 12 that is not rotating properly and at the detection position near the contact position between the frames and the conveyor belt 13 is higher than the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at other detection positions.

[0055] Therefore, based on the temperature data Dx illustrated in FIG. 13, it is possible to roughly specify the position in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor device 10 where abnormal heating of the conveyor belt 13 is occurring. That is, in the vicinity of the detection position where the temperature data Dx reaches its peak (maximum value), it can be estimated that the support roller 12 is not rotating properly or the frame is coming into contact with the conveyor belt 13.

[0056] As described above, in this management system 1, as the passive IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag 2A and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B, each having a different communication method, are employed. There is a difference between the communication characteristics when one IC tag 2A and the detector 7 wirelessly communicate and the communication characteristics when the other IC tag 2B and the detector 7 wirelessly communicate. For example, due to the influence of temperature, humidity, external force (impact force), type (physical properties) of the conveyed object C, etc., even when the wireless communication between one IC tag 2A and the detector 7 is easily interrupted, the wireless communication between the other IC tag 2B and the detector 7 may not be easily interrupted, and vice versa.

[0057] Accordingly, even under various wireless communication environments, the detector 7 can receive the return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 using at least one of the two communication methods of the IC tags 2A and 2B. In other words, under various wireless communication environments that arise due to differences in the use conditions of the conveyor belt 13, there is a low risk that wireless communication will become impossible between both the radio-wave IC tag 2A and the detector 7 and the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B and the detector 7. Therefore, the detector 7 can more reliably receive the return radio wave R2, allowing the state of the conveyor belt 13 under various use conditions to be advantageously determined more reliably by using the return radio wave R2.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the IC tags 2A and 2B of the respective communication methods can be installed on the conveyor belt 13 in various patterns. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 2B is shaded to make it easier to distinguish between the IC tags 2A and 2B. In FIG. 14(A), IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. In FIG. 14(B), IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are disposed in a row in the width direction, and this row is arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 14(C), IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are disposed in a row in the longitudinal direction, and this row is arranged alternately in the width direction. In FIG. 14(D), IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are mixed and randomly disposed in each row in the width direction.

[0059] In FIGS. 15(A) and (B), a certain range in the longitudinal direction (in this embodiment, the arrangement range of three IC tags 2 in the longitudinal direction) is one unit, and one unit with different arrangement patterns is arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 15(A), one unit in which only an IC tag 2A of one communication method is disposed and one unit in which only an IC tag 2B of the other communication method is disposed are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 15(B), one unit in which IC tags 2A and 2B of each communication method are disposed and in which the proportion of IC tags 2A of one communication method is higher, and one unit in which IC tags 2A and 2B of each communication method are disposed and in which the proportion of IC tags 2B of the other communication method is higher, are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction.

[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, there are many possible arrangement patterns for the IC tags 2A and 2B, but depending on the conveyor device 10, the installation space for the detector 7 may be limited. For example, in the case of a conveyor device 10 in which the detector 7 can be installed only in the range corresponding to one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction, an arrangement pattern in which IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are mixed at one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction is employed. In other words, an arrangement pattern in which only IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are disposed at one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction is not employed. In this way, while taking into consideration the installation position of the detector 7 on the conveyor device 10, the matters to be determined (operating state, wear state, temperature state, presence or absence of vertical tears of the conveyor belt 13, etc.) and the characteristics of the conveyed object C, etc. are taken into consideration, and an arrangement pattern that makes it easy to ensure stable wireless communication between the IC tags 2A and 2B of both communication methods and the communicator 7 is determined.

[0061] In each embodiment of the management system 1 to be described later, two types of IC tags 2A and 2B, each having a different communication method, are employed as the IC tags 2. Furthermore, in each embodiment of the management system 1 to be described later, the various arrangements and specifications described above can be employed.

[0062] Another embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18 determines the surface wear state as the state of the conveyor belt 13. In FIG. 18, the steel cords 15 are partially omitted. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the upper cover rubber 16 to determine the wear state of the surface of the upper cover rubber 16. When the wear state of the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 is to be determined, the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17.

[0063] This management system 1 includes an IC tag 2, a detector 7, and a calculation device 8, similarly to the previous embodiment. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the configuration in which a linear sensor unit 6 is connected to the IC tag 2 is different from the previous embodiment. The IC tag 2 (2A, 2b) is the same as that of the previous embodiment, and the entire IC tag 2 is covered with an insulating layer 5.

[0064] The sensor unit 6 extends over a desired range of the conveyor belt 13 outside the connected IC tag 2 to form a loop circuit. The embedding depth (initial embedding depth) of the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) from the surface of the conveyor belt 13 is set in advance. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the upper cover rubber 16, and therefore the embedding depth (initial embedding depth) from the surface of the upper cover rubber 16 is set in advance. Since there is a depth (wear limit depth) at which wear of the upper cover rubber 16 can be allowed, the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 is set to, for example, this wear limit depth. When the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17, the embedding depth (initial embedding depth) from the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 is set in advance.

[0065] The sensor unit 6 is a conductive wire body, and is made of a known material such as a conductive rubber, a conductive paste, or a metal wire. The outer diameter (width) of the sensor unit 6 is, for example, about 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The sensor unit 6 may be a wire rod with a simple circular cross section, but may also be a flat wire body (strip-shaped wire rod). The sensor unit 6 is covered with an insulating layer 5 and is electrically insulated from the outside.

[0066] One end portion and the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sensor unit 6 are each connected to the IC chip 3a to be energizable. The IC tag 2 is provided with a large number of pairs of terminals connected to the IC chip 3a. One end portion and the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the sensor unit 6 are each connected to the pair of terminals, and are thereby electrically connected to the IC chip 3a. The sensor unit 6 and the pair of terminals are connected using grommets and crimp terminals, or by conductive adhesive, welding, soldering, or the like. In this embodiment, five pairs of terminals are provided, but the number of pairs of terminals provided on the IC tag 2 is not particularly limited and may be one. Due to space restrictions, the number of pairs of terminals provided on one IC tag 2 is, for example, about one to six.

[0067] The sensor unit 6 is preferably extended to a position corresponding to the range where the wear state is desired to be determined in a plan view, and the IC tag 2 is preferably embedded in the end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the IC tag 2 is embedded in one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction, and the sensor unit 6 extends from one end portion of the core layer 14 in the width direction to the other end portion.

[0068] The wear state of the surface of the conveyor belt 13 in the longitudinal direction L is generally uniform over the entire length of the conveyor belt 13. The IC tags 2 connected to the sensor units 6 are embedded at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13.

[0069] Since the wear state of the surface of the conveyor belt 13 varies greatly in the width direction W, it is preferable that the sensor unit 6 extend so as to cover the entire width of the core layer 14. Alternatively, since the central portion of the upper cover rubber 16 in the width direction W is most susceptible to wear, the sensor unit 6 can be extended so as to cover at least this central portion in the width direction W.

[0070] The calculation device 8 stores the embedding depth (initial embedding depth) of the sensor unit 6 from the surface of the upper cover rubber 16 in association with sensor identification information that specifies the sensor unit 6. When the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17, the embedding depth from the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 (initial embedding depth) is stored in the calculation device 8 in association with the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6. Furthermore, the calculation device 8 stores embedded position information of each IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 (at least position data in the longitudinal direction L) in association with the identification information of each IC tag 2. The position information (position data in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W) for the IC tag 2 connected to each sensor unit 6 can also be stored in the calculation device 8 in association with each piece of sensor identification information.

[0071] Next, an example of a procedure of a method for determining the wear state of the conveyor belt 13 using this management system 1 will be described.

[0072] As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, while the conveyor belt 13 is running, the detector 7 transmits a transmission radio wave R1 from the transmission unit 7s toward the IC tag 2 passing in front of the detector 7. When the IC tag 2 receives the transmission radio wave R1, the IC tag 2 transmits a return radio wave R2 to the reception unit 7r in response to the transmission radio wave R1.

[0073] When the sensor unit 6 is in good condition, electricity is input to the IC chip 3a via the transmission radio wave R1 received by the antenna unit 3b, and the IC chip 3a is activated. When the IC chip 3a is activated, electricity flows from one end portion of the sensor unit 6 to the other end portion and is input to the IC chip 3a. Accordingly, the IC chip 3a determines that the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is energized. Then, the identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3a and the sensor identification information of the connected sensor unit 6 are called. When the return radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information that have been called are transmitted via the return radio wave R2 and received by the reception unit 7r.

[0074] The reception unit 7r receives this return radio wave R2 and thereby acquires the data (the identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information) transmitted from the IC chip 3a via the return radio wave R2. The data acquired by the detector 7 (the identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information) is input to the calculation device 8. The calculation device 8 uses the input identification information of each IC tag 2 to specify the embedded position information on the conveyor belt 13 of the IC tag 2 in association with the identification information that has been stored in advance. Furthermore, the input sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 is used to specify the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 in association with the sensor identification information that has been stored in advance.

[0075] When the sensor identification information is input from the detector 7 to the calculation device 8, the calculation device 8 determines that the sensor unit 6 of the sensor identification information is in good condition and that the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is energized. Since the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 is known, the calculation device 8 determines that wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 in the embedding range of the sensor unit 6. Furthermore, since the embedded position information of the IC tag 2 to which this sensor unit 6 is connected in the conveyor belt 13 is specified, it can be understood that the range in which it is determined that wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 is generally near the embedded position of the IC tag 2.

[0076] When the upper cover rubber 16 is worn to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6, the sensor unit 6 is exposed to the surface and soon breaks. When the sensor unit 6 breaks, even when electricity is input to the IC chip 3a via the transmission radio wave R1 received by the antenna unit 3b and the IC chip 3a is activated, electricity does not flow through the sensor unit 6. Thus, the IC chip 3a determines that the sensor unit 6 is not energized. Accordingly, even when the tag identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3a is called, the sensor identification information of the connected sensor unit 6 is not called. When the return radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the called identification information of the IC tag 2 is transmitted via the return radio wave R2 and received by the reception unit 7r, but the sensor identification information of the connected sensor unit 6 is not received by the reception unit 7r.

[0077] That is, the data acquired by the detector 7 (identification information of the IC tag 2) is input to the calculation device 8, and the calculation device 8 uses the input identification information of each IC tag 2 to specify the embedded position information on the conveyor belt 13 of the IC tag 2 in association with the identification information that has been stored in advance. However, since there is no sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to that IC tag 2, that sensor unit 6 is determined to be damaged. That is, in this case, the calculation device 8 determines that wear has progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 within the range in which the sensor unit 6 is embedded.

[0078] Since the embedded position information on the conveyor belt 13 of the IC tag 2 from which the sensor identification information of the connected sensor unit 6 cannot be acquired is specified, it can be confirmed that the upper cover rubber 16 has actually worn to the wear limit depth near the embedded position of the IC tag 2. In this way, the wear state of the conveyor belt 13 is determined based on the detection data from the sensor unit 6 (data on whether the sensor unit 6 is energized or not).

[0079] If the sensor unit 6 is made of a thin wire rod with a simple circular cross section, when a sharp conveyed object C is loaded on the conveyor belt 13, the sensor unit 6 may be cut by the sharp portion of the conveyed object C. In this case, even when the wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6, the sensor unit 6 is broken, and therefore the calculation device 8 determines that the wear has progressed to the embedding depth, resulting in a false detection.

[0080] A flat wire body (strip-shaped wire rod) is preferably used as the sensor unit 6. Using the sensor unit 6 that is strip-shaped in a plan view allows the above-mentioned false detection to be advantageously avoided. The width of the flat sensor unit 6 is set to, for example, about 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0081] An IC tag 2 with a sensor unit 6 as illustrated in FIG. 21 can also be used. The IC tag 2 is configured such that a plurality of (five) sensor units 6a to 6e are connected to one IC tag 2. The outer peripheral surface of each of the sensor units 6a to 6e is covered with an insulating layer 5. Each of the sensor units 6a to 6e forms an independent loop circuit. Accordingly, a plurality of (five) independent sensor units 6 (loop circuits) are connected to one IC tag 2.

[0082] In the conveyor belt 13 illustrated in FIG. 22, the IC tag 2 has independent sensor units 6a to 6e embedded at intervals in the thickness direction (depth direction) of the conveyor belt 13. The independent sensor units 6a to 6e are preferably embedded at equal intervals in the thickness direction (depth direction) in a range of 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less, for example. The embedding depth of the sensor unit 6e embedded at the deepest position is preferably set to a depth equal to the wear limit depth.

[0083] When this IC tag 2 is used, as the wear of the upper cover rubber 16 progresses, the sensor units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are sequentially damaged and become non-conductive. Therefore, using this IC tag 2 can determine the progress of wear of the upper cover rubber 16 in more detail.

[0084] The embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18 can also determine whether or not cracks (so-called vertical tears) extending in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 have occurred as the state of the conveyor belt 13. In other words, when a vertical tear occurs in the conveyor belt 13 and the sensor unit 6 breaks, the identification information of the IC tag 2 is transmitted via the return radio wave R2 and received by the reception unit 7r, as in the case where the upper cover rubber 16 wears out and the sensor unit 6 breaks as described above, but the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2 is not received by the reception unit 7r. Therefore, the presence or absence of a vertical tear can be determined based on the presence or absence of acquisition of the sensor identification information acquired by the detector 7.

[0085] A method for determining whether or not a vertical tear has occurred in the conveyor belt 13 will be described in detail based on another embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 24, a large number of IC tags 2 connected to the sensor unit 6 are embedded in the conveyor belt 13 at intervals P (embedding pitch P) in the longitudinal direction L. In this embodiment, each IC tag 2 is embedded in one end portion of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction, and the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) extends from one end portion of the core layer 14 in the width direction to the other end portion. The IC tags 2 can be embedded in a distributed manner (for example, in a staggered arrangement) at one end portion in the width direction and at the other end portion in the width direction.

[0087] In this embodiment, the detector 7 is disposed on the return side of the conveyor device 10, but it can also be disposed on the carrier side. The calculation device 8 stores embedded position information of each IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 (at least position data in the longitudinal direction L) in association with the identification information of each IC tag 2. Furthermore, extending position information (at least position data in the longitudinal direction L) of each sensor unit 6 relative to the IC tag 2 is stored in the calculation device 8 in association with sensor identification information that specifies each sensor unit 6.

[0088] In determining whether or not a vertical tear has occurred, the detector 7 transmits the transmission radio wave R1 from the transmission unit 7s toward the IC tag 2 passing in front of the detector 7 while the conveyor belt 13 is running. When the IC tag 2 receives the transmission radio wave R1, the IC tag 2 transmits a return radio wave R2 to the reception unit 7r in response to the transmission radio wave R1. The return radio wave R2 is received by the reception unit 7r and input to the calculation device 8.

[0089] When the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is in good condition, the identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 are transmitted by a return radio wave R2 from the antenna unit 3b of each IC tag 2 and received by the reception unit 7r. Based on the input identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6, the calculation device 8 determines that the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is energized, and determines that no vertical tear has occurred in the conveyor belt 13 within the embedding range of the sensor unit 6.

[0090] If a vertical tear occurs in the conveyor belt 13 and the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) breaks, no electricity will flow through the sensor unit 6 even when the IC tag 2 is activated by the transmission radio wave R1 received by the antenna unit 3b of the IC tag 2 to which the sensor unit 6 is connected. Accordingly, the IC chip 3a of the IC tag 2 determines that the sensor unit 6 is not energized. Accordingly, even when the identification information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3a is called, the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 is not called. When the return radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the called identification information of the IC tag 2 is transmitted via the return radio wave R2 and received by the reception unit 7r, but the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 is not received by the reception unit 7r. Since the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2 is not input to the calculation device 8, the sensor unit 6 is determined to be damaged.

[0091] Furthermore, when the IC tag 2 is damaged due to a vertical tear or the like, even when the transmission unit 7s transmits the transmission radio wave R1 to the IC tag 2, the reception unit 7r does not receive the identification information of the IC tag 2 or the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2. In this case, the calculation device 8 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the conveyor belt 13.

[0092] The IC tag 2 with the sensor unit 6 illustrated in FIG. 21 can also be installed on the conveyor belt 13 as illustrated in FIG. 25. The IC tag 2 has independent sensor units 6a to 6e embedded in the conveyor belt 13 in the longitudinal direction L at intervals. In FIG. 25, the steel cords 15 are partially omitted. The independent sensor units 6a to 6e are preferably embedded at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L, for example, in the range of 1 m or more and 3 m or less.

[0093] As described above, by using the management system 1 in which the IC tag 2 connected to the sensor unit 6 is installed on the conveyor belt 13, the calculation device 8 can determine at least one of three items of a temperature state, a wear state, and an occurrence state of the vertical tear of the conveyor belt 13 based on the detection data from the sensor unit 6. The sensor unit 6 is not limited to the form illustrated in the embodiment, and for example, a known sensor having the same function as the sensor unit 6 can also be used. Reference Signs List

[0094] 1 Management system 2 IC tag 2A Radio-wave IC tag 2B Electromagnetic-coupling IC tag 3a IC chip 3b Antenna unit 4 Substrate 5 Insulating layer 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) Sensor unit 7 (7A, 7B, 7C) Detector 7s Transmission unit 7r Reception unit 8 Calculation device 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) Terminal device 10 Conveyor device 11a, 11b pulley 12 Support roller 13 Conveyor belt 14 Core layer 15 Steel cord 16 Upper cover rubber 17 Lower cover rubber C Conveyed object

Claims

1. A conveyor belt management system, comprising:5         an IC tag of a passive type installed on a conveyor belt;a detector configured to wirelessly communicate with the IC tag; and a calculation device communicatively connected to the detector;in response to a transmission radio wave transmitted from the detector toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted in a conveyor device, 10 a return radio wave from the IC tag being received by the detector,a state of the conveyor belt being determined by the calculation device with use of the return radio wave, andas the IC tag, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag, being employed.15

2. The conveyor belt management system according to claim 1, wherein a running speed of the conveyor belt is calculated by the calculation device based on a reception time at which the detector disposed at at least one 20 detection position of the conveyor device receives the return radio wave, and an operating state of the conveyor belt is determined based on a change over time in the calculated running speed.

3. 25         The conveyor belt management system according to claim 1 or 2,comprisinga plurality of sensor units installed on the conveyor belt and comprising a sensor unit electrically connected to the radio-wave IC tag and a sensor unit electrically connected to the electromagnetic-coupling IC tag, wherein30         detection data from each of the sensor units is transmitted from the ICtag to the detector via the return radio wave and is input to the calculation device, andthe state of the conveyor belt is determined by the calculation device based on the input detection data.352024398133   19 Jun 2026

4. The conveyor belt management system according to claim 3, wherein based on the detection data, at least one of temperature, wear, and vertical-tear occurrence states of the conveyor belt is determined by the calculation device.5

5. A conveyor belt management method, comprising:installing an IC tag of a passive type on a conveyor belt;transmitting a transmission radio wave from a detector configured to10 wirelessly communicate with the IC tag toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted in a conveyor device;receiving, in response to the transmission radio wave, a return radio wave from the IC tag by the detector; anddetermining, by a calculation device, a state of the conveyor belt with15 use of the return radio wave;as the IC tag, two types of IC tags, a radio-wave IC tag and an electromagnetic-coupling IC tag being employed.

6. 20        The conveyor belt management method according to claim 5, whereinthe IC tag is embedded in the conveyor belt during manufacture of the conveyor belt.

7. 25        The conveyor belt management method according to claim 5, whereinthe IC tag is installed on the conveyor belt after manufacture of the conveyor belt.

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