A chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation

Abstract

The present invention discloses a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation. The switch is arranged at the opening of the side wall of the chute and includes a housing and a switch assembly arranged inside the housing. The switch assembly includes a force-receiving plate, a rotation unit, a deformation unit, a limit unit and a reset unit. The deformation unit includes an optical fiber deformation sensor. After the deformation unit is triggered, the optical fiber deformation sensor transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system. Due to the design of the switch assembly based on optical fiber deformation and the use of optical fiber as the transmission medium, the monitoring and positioning of chute blockage of a long-distance belt conveyor, the transmission and control of long-distance signals are realized, and the problems of electromagnetic interference, unstable signals and insufficient seismic resistance of traditional chute blockage switches are solved. Therefore, the reliability and sensitivity of monitoring during chute blockage in the long-distance transportation process of the belt conveyor are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of belt conveyor stockpiling monitoring and protection, and in particular to a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber. Background Art

[0002] Belt conveyors are widely used in production systems such as coal mines, metallurgy, ports, and cement due to their advantages of strong conveying capacity, long conveying distance, continuous operation, and high stability. In on-site applications, many conveyor belts are often used in tandem. If the material chute becomes blocked and is not discovered in time, a large amount of material will overflow from the chute, causing safety hazards and various failures; moreover, a large amount of spilled material is very difficult to clean, seriously affecting the working efficiency of the entire conveying system.

[0003] Regarding the problem of chute blockage and material spillage, the common treatment method is to install a chute blockage detection device for real-time monitoring. Existing chute blockage monitoring devices generally use the principle of a travel switch, and there are detection problems such as low detection accuracy and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference in the transmission of detection signals. Especially when transmitting over long distances, the signal attenuation and interference are relatively serious, and the working environment has a large amount of dust and high humidity, making it difficult for traditional detection devices to work stably in such an environment for a long time.

[0004] The optical signal in an optical fiber is a very stable signal that can be transmitted over long distances, is not affected by electromagnetic fields, and has a fast transmission speed and high sensitivity, and is also widely used in our daily life.

[0005] Based on the applicant's technical disclosure and the existing technical problems, technical features, and technical effects in the background art, the application technical solution of the present invention is made. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation.

[0007] To overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation, thereby improving the reliability and sensitivity of monitoring when a chute becomes blocked during long-distance transportation of a belt conveyor.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation, which is arranged at the opening of the side wall of the chute and includes a housing and a switch assembly arranged inside the housing. The switch assembly includes a force-bearing plate, a rotation unit, a deformation unit, a limit unit, and a reset unit. The deformation unit includes an optical fiber deformation sensor. When a blockage occurs, the contact rod will touch the optical fiber deformation sensor in the switch assembly, and the optical fiber deformation sensor transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system.

[0009] Due to the design of a switch component based on optical fiber deformation, which uses optical fiber as the transmission medium to achieve the monitoring and positioning of chute blockage in long-distance belt conveyors, the transmission and control of long-distance signals, solves the problems of electromagnetic interference, unstable signals, and insufficient seismic resistance of traditional chute blockage switches, and can meet the requirements of chute blockage detection for conveyor clusters composed of multiple belt conveyors. Therefore, the reliability and sensitivity of monitoring when the chute is blocked during the long-distance transportation of the belt conveyor are improved.

[0010] Further, the switch component includes: a force-bearing plate, which is fixed on the side wall of the chute, is arranged between the opening of the housing and the side wall of the chute, and can be deformed when subjected to the extrusion of materials.

[0011] Further, the force-bearing plate is an elastic rubber plate.

[0012] Further, the switch component further includes: a deformation unit, which is arranged on the housing. The deformation unit includes a bracket installed on the housing and an optical fiber deformation sensor installed on the bracket. When the optical fiber deformation sensor of the deformation unit is touched, the optical fiber deformation sensor transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system.

[0013] Further, the switch component further includes: a rotating unit, which is arranged on the housing. The rotating unit includes a base connected to the housing, a door shaft installed on the base, a movable door installed on the door shaft, and a touch rod arranged on the movable door. The movable door can rotate around the door shaft from a first position to a second position. When the movable door is in the first position, the touch rod does not touch the deformation unit of the switch component. When the movable door rotates to the second position, the touch rod touches the deformation unit of the switch component.

[0014] Further, the switch further includes a limiting unit, which is arranged at the lower end inside the housing and is used to position the second position of the movable door to prevent the movable door from moving too much and damaging the optical fiber deformation sensor.

[0015] Further, the switch component further includes: a reset unit, one end of which is arranged on the housing and the other end is arranged on the movable door. The reset unit includes a first shaft installed on the housing, a second shaft installed on the movable door, and a spring sleeved on the first shaft and the second shaft. When the movable door is squeezed and rotates from the first position to the second position, the movable door compresses the spring. When the movable door is not squeezed, the spring restores and pushes the movable door to rotate from the second position to the first position.

[0016] Further, one end of the first shaft is installed on the housing and the other end is open. One end of the second shaft is installed on the movable door and the other end is open. The first shaft and the second shaft have the same diameter and are in the same horizontal position.

[0017] In this technical solution, the switch based on optical fiber deformation is an important technical feature. In the field of belt conveyor stockpiling monitoring and protection, especially in the field of chute blockage switches, it has novelty, creativity, and practicality. The terms in this technical solution can be explained and understood using patent documents in this technical field.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: Using optical fiber as the transmission medium and detecting according to the optical fiber wavelength, the belt conveyor deviation switch along the line does not need to provide power supply, which is safer and more reliable. Since optical fiber is used as the transmission medium, the electromagnetic interference problem is completely avoided, and the problems of interference and unstable signals in using electrical signal communication are solved. By using an optical fiber deformation sensor and judging whether there is material blockage through the optical fiber wavelength, the problem of false operation of traditional blockage switches due to vibration is effectively avoided, and it has a long service life, strong earthquake resistance, and accurate detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Front view schematic diagram of the installation of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 Side view schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the movable door in the first position.

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the movable door in the second position.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 1 - Housing, 2 - Switch assembly, 3 - Side wall of the chute

[0024] Among them: The switch assembly 2 includes: 21 - Force-bearing plate, 22 - Rotating unit, 221 - Base, 222 - Door hinge, 223 - Movable door, 224 - Contact rod, 23 - Deformation unit, 231 - Bracket, 232 - Optical fiber deformation sensor, 24 - Limiting unit, 25 - Reset unit, 251 - First shaft, 252 - Second shaft, 253 - Spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] According to the examination guidelines, terms such as "having", "comprising", and "including" used in the present invention should be understood as not excluding the presence or addition of one or more other elements or their combinations.

[0026] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. Moreover, unless otherwise specified, the equipment and materials used in the following embodiments are commercially available. If the processing conditions are not clearly stated, please refer to the product manual purchased or follow the conventional methods in the art.

[0029] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] A chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation. The switch is arranged at the opening of the side wall 3 of the chute and includes a housing 1 and a switch assembly 2 arranged inside the housing 1. The switch assembly 2 includes a force-receiving plate 21, a rotation unit 22, a deformation unit 23, a limit unit 24, and a reset unit 25. The deformation unit 23 includes an optical fiber deformation sensor 232. When a blockage occurs, the contact rod 224 will touch the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 in the switch assembly 2, and the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system. Due to the design of the switch assembly 2 based on optical fiber deformation, the reliability and sensitivity of the monitoring when the chute is blocked during the long-distance transportation of the belt conveyor are improved.

[0031] In this embodiment, the switch assembly is provided with a force-bearing plate 21, which is an elastic rubber plate fixed to the side wall 3 of the chute, arranged between the opening of the housing 1 and the side wall 3 of the chute, and can be deformed when extruded by the material 4. Designing the force-bearing plate as an elastic rubber plate is beneficial for when the material 4 in the chute is blocked, the force-bearing plate can be extruded and deformed as the material 4 increases.

[0032] In this embodiment, the switch assembly 2 is further provided with a rotating unit 22. The rotating unit is arranged on the housing 1. The rotating unit includes a base 221 connected to the housing 1, a door shaft 222 installed on the base, a movable door 223 installed on the door shaft, and a contact rod 224 arranged on the movable door. The movable door 223 can rotate around the door shaft 222 from the first position to the second position. When the movable door 223 is in the first position, the contact rod 224 does not touch the deformation unit 23 of the switch assembly 2. When the movable door 223 rotates to the second position, the contact rod 224 touches the deformation unit 23 of the switch assembly 2. Its technical purpose is that the design of the rotating unit is beneficial for when the force-bearing plate 21 is extruded by the material 4 due to chute blockage, pushing the movable door 223 to rotate around the door shaft 222, and the contact rod 224 moves together with the movable door 223.

[0033] In this embodiment, the switch assembly 2 is further provided with a deformation unit 23. The deformation unit 23 is arranged on the housing 1. The deformation unit 23 includes a bracket 231 installed on the housing 1 and an optical fiber deformation sensor 232 installed on the bracket 231. When chute blockage occurs, the contact rod 224 touches the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 of the switch assembly 2 due to extrusion, and the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system.

[0034] In this embodiment, the switch assembly 2 is further provided with a limiting unit 24. The limiting unit 24 is arranged at the lower end inside the housing 1 for positioning the second position of the movable door 223. It is beneficial to prevent the movable door 223 from moving too large a displacement and damaging the optical fiber deformation sensor 232.

[0035] In this embodiment, the switch assembly 2 is further provided with a reset unit 25. One end of the reset unit 25 is arranged on the housing 1, and the other end is arranged on the movable door 223. The reset unit 25 includes a first shaft 251 installed on the housing 1, a second shaft 252 installed on the movable door 223, and a spring 253 sleeved on the first shaft 251 and the second shaft 252. When the movable door 223 is extruded and rotates from the first position to the second position, the movable door 223 compresses the spring 253. When the blockage in the chute is eliminated and the movable door 223 is not extruded, the spring 253 relaxes and restores to push the movable door 223 to rotate from the second position to the first position. The technical purpose of setting the reset unit is beneficial for when the fault is eliminated, the switch resets and the movable door resets, and the conveyor belt continues to run.

[0036] In this embodiment, one end of the first shaft 251 is mounted on the housing 1, and the other end is open. One end of the second shaft 252 is mounted on the movable door 223, and the other end is open. The first shaft 251 and the second shaft 252 have the same diameter and are in the same horizontal position. The technical purpose is as follows: when the spring is squeezed and contracted, it is beneficial to have sufficient contraction space, and when the spring 253 relaxes and recovers, it can be stably sleeved on the first shaft and the second shaft without detachment.

[0037] The working principle of the present invention is as follows: when the material 4 in the chute accumulates to a certain height, the material 4 squeezes the force-bearing plate 21, and the force-bearing plate 21 pushes the rotating unit 22. Among them, the movable door 223 in the rotating unit 22 rotates around the door shaft 222, and the contact rod 224 moves together with the movable door 223. When the movable door 223 rotates from the first position to the second position, the contact rod 224 touches the deformation unit 23 of the switch assembly 2, and the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 in the deformation unit 23 is touched, and the wavelength change of the optical fiber is transmitted to the control system through the optical fiber. The control system analyzes and processes it and issues a shutdown instruction. After shutdown, the maintenance personnel can quickly find the chute blockage fault point and clean the material 4. When the material 4 is cleaned, the movable door 223 is not squeezed, and the spring 253 relaxes and recovers to push the movable door 223 to rotate from the second position to the first position to reset the movable door, and the conveyor belt can continue to operate.

[0038] The present invention has the following characteristics:

[0039] 1. Since the switch assembly 2 based on optical fiber deformation is designed, the reliability and sensitivity of the monitoring when the chute is blocked during the long-distance transportation of the belt conveyor are improved.

[0040] 2. Since the elastic rubber plate is designed as the force-bearing plate 21, it is beneficial for the force-bearing plate 21 to be squeezed and deformed as the material 4 increases when the material 4 is blocked in the chute.

[0041] 3. Since the rotating unit 22 is designed, when the force-bearing plate 21 is squeezed by the material 4 due to chute blockage, it pushes the movable door 223 to rotate around the door shaft 222, and the contact rod 224 moves together with the movable door 223.

[0042] 4. Since the deformation unit 23 is designed, when the chute is blocked, the contact rod 224 touches the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 of the switch assembly 2 due to extrusion, and the optical fiber deformation sensor 232 transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system.

[0043] 5. Since the limiting unit 24 is designed to position the second position of the movable door 223, it is beneficial to prevent the movable door 223 from moving too large a displacement and damaging the optical fiber deformation sensor 232.

[0044] 6. Since the reset unit 25 is designed, it is beneficial to reset the movable door when the fault is eliminated, and the conveyor belt continues to run.

[0045] 7. Since it is designed that one end of the first shaft 251 is installed on the housing 1 and the other end is open, one end of the second shaft 252 is installed on the movable door 223 and the other end is open. The first shaft 251 and the second shaft 252 have the same diameter and are in the same horizontal position, which is beneficial for the spring to have sufficient contraction space when being squeezed and contracted, and the spring can be stably sleeved on the first shaft and the second shaft without detachment when the spring relaxes and recovers.

[0046] There are also other technical features of the switch assembly including a force-receiving plate, a rotating unit, a deformation unit, a limiting unit and a reset unit, and the deformation unit includes an optical fiber deformation sensor, which are all one of the embodiments of the present invention. And the technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To meet the requirements of the Patent Law, the Patent Implementing Regulations and the Examination Guidelines, the embodiments of all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments will not be described one by one.

[0047] Therefore, in the technical field of preventing blockage of the chute of a belt conveyor, all technical contents including the switch assembly having a force-receiving plate, a rotating unit, a deformation unit, a limiting unit and a reset unit, and the deformation unit including an optical fiber deformation sensor are within the protection scope of the present invention. The above-mentioned embodiments are only one implementation form of a chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation provided by the present invention. Other deformations of the solution provided by the present invention, adding or reducing components or steps therein, or applying the present invention to other technical fields close to the present invention all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation, characterized in that: it includes a housing and a switch assembly arranged inside the housing. The switch assembly is arranged at the opening on the side wall of the chute. The switch assembly includes: a force-bearing plate, which is fixed on the side wall of the chute, arranged between the housing and the opening on the side wall of the chute, and can deform under the extrusion of materials. The force-bearing plate is an elastic rubber plate; a deformation unit, which is arranged on the housing. The deformation unit includes a bracket installed on the housing and an optical fiber deformation sensor installed on the bracket. After the deformation unit is triggered, the optical fiber deformation sensor transmits the wavelength change of the optical fiber to the control system; a rotation unit, which is arranged on the housing. The rotation unit includes a base connected to the housing, a door shaft installed on the base, a movable door installed on the door shaft, and a touch rod arranged on the movable door. The movable door can rotate around the door shaft from the first position to the second position. When the movable door is in the first position, the touch rod does not trigger the deformation unit of the switch assembly. When the movable door rotates to the second position, the touch rod triggers the deformation unit of the switch assembly; a reset unit, with one end arranged on the housing and the other end arranged on the movable door. The reset unit includes a first shaft installed on the housing, a second shaft installed on the movable door, and a spring sleeved on the first shaft and the second shaft. When the movable door is squeezed and rotates from the first position to the second position, the movable door compresses the spring. When the movable door is not squeezed, the spring restores and pushes the movable door to rotate from the second position to the first position.

2. The chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation according to claim 1, characterized in that: the switch assembly further includes a limiting unit, which is arranged at the lower end inside the housing and is used to locate the second position of the movable door.

3. The chute blockage switch based on optical fiber deformation according to claim 2, characterized in that: one end of the first shaft is installed on the housing and the other end is open. One end of the second shaft is installed on the movable door and the other end is open. The first shaft and the second shaft have the same diameter and are in the same horizontal position.

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