An automatic correction tubular belt conveyor and an automatic correction method

Abstract

This invention provides an automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor and an automatic correction method. The automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor is equipped with an air cushion dragging device. The air cushion dragging device has a first air supply component with a left-hand rotating gas output direction relative to the conveyor belt and a second air supply component with a right-hand rotating gas output direction relative to the conveyor belt on the periphery of the tubular conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt twists to the left, the second air supply component outputs a right-hand rotating airflow, which applies a torsional force to the conveyor belt, thus correcting the deviation. When the conveyor belt twists to the right, the first air supply component outputs a left-hand rotating airflow, achieving correction. Because the airflow correction method avoids direct contact with the conveyor belt, it does not cause excessive frictional resistance. Furthermore, the airflow output direction can be rationally designed to be inclined towards the conveyor belt's transport direction, thereby promoting the conveyor belt's transport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tubular belt conveyor technology, specifically relating to an automatic correction tubular belt conveyor and an automatic correction method. Background Technology

[0002] A tubular belt conveyor is a belt conveyor in which the conveyor belt for both the carrying and return branches is coiled into a tubular shape. It is a new type of conveyor that combines the advantages of pipeline and belt conveying, including large conveying angles, small radii of curvature, small cross-sectional area, three-dimensional curved conveying, no belt deviation, and ease of conveyor line layout, maintenance, and management. However, tubular belt conveyors can experience torsion in the tubular conveying section during transport. While belt deviation can be limited using structures such as guide rollers and limit rollers, the torsion in the tubular section is difficult to overcome. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides an automatic correction tubular belt conveyor that can correct the deviation of the tubular conveyor belt without generating excessive frictional resistance and thus avoiding additional burden on the conveyor belt motor.

[0004] The present invention also proposes an automatic correction method for the aforementioned tubular belt conveyor with automatic correction.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor includes a frame and a plurality of air cushion dragging devices, wherein a tubular conveyor belt is arranged on the frame; the air cushion dragging devices are disposed on the frame along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, and the air cushion dragging devices are provided with a first air supply component and a second air supply component with a gas output direction rotating counterclockwise relative to the conveyor belt on the periphery of the tubular conveyor belt.

[0006] The automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0007] The tubular belt conveyor with automatic deviation correction, employing the aforementioned structure, incorporates an air cushion dragging device to output either left-handed or right-handed airflow. When the conveyor belt twists to the left, a second air supply component outputs right-handed airflow, applying a torsional force to the conveyor belt to correct deviation. Conversely, when the conveyor belt twists to the right, a first air supply component outputs left-handed airflow, applying a torsional force to the conveyor belt to correct deviation. Because airflow correction avoids direct contact with the conveyor belt, it minimizes frictional resistance, generating only air resistance. Furthermore, the airflow output direction can be strategically designed to create a decomposed force in the conveyor belt's direction of transport, i.e., the airflow direction is inclined towards the conveyor belt's transport direction, thereby promoting belt movement.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an annular air chamber is formed between the air cushion dragging device and the tubular conveyor belt, and the first air supply component and the second air supply component are both located outside the annular air chamber to control the airflow direction of the annular air chamber to apply a torsional force to the conveyor belt.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air cushion towing device is provided with an air supply mechanism for providing a compressed air source, and the air supply mechanism is provided with a plurality of wind capture channels as air inlets along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air cushion towing device is further provided with a third air supply component, wherein the gas output direction of the third air supply component is toward the axis of the conveyor belt.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air cushion dragging device is provided with an air path layout ring on the outside of the annular air chamber, and an annular air intake channel is coaxially arranged on the air path layout ring. The output end of the air supply mechanism is connected to the air intake channel. The first air delivery component, the second air delivery component and the third air delivery component are all arranged on the air path layout ring and connected to the air intake channel.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the gas path layout ring is uniformly provided with multiple sets of gas outlet channels in the circumferential direction. Each set of gas outlet channels includes a first gas channel arranged radially along the gas path layout ring and a second gas channel and a third gas channel symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first gas channel. The proximal ends of the second gas channel and the third gas channel are gradually distributed. The first gas delivery component and the second gas delivery component are correspondingly connected to the second gas channel and the third gas channel, and the third gas delivery component is connected to the first gas channel.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first air supply assembly, the second air supply assembly, and the third air supply assembly are provided with regulating valves for adjusting the opening and closing and the opening and closing size corresponding to the first air passage, the second air passage, and the third air passage.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the conveyor belt includes a conveying section and a return section, and both the conveying section and the return section are provided with the air cushion dragging device.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, both the conveying section and the return section are provided with a torsion detection mechanism, which is used to detect the torsion of the conveyor belt in the conveying section and the return section respectively.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an automatic deviation correction method is applied to the above-described automatic deviation correction tubular belt conveyor, comprising the following steps:

[0017] When the conveyor belt is conveying at a normal angle, airflow is output through the first air channel to form an air cushion support for the conveyor belt;

[0018] When the conveyor belt is detected to be twisting to the left, the third air passage is opened by controlling the second air supply component to output an airflow that is rotating to the right relative to the conveyor belt, and the right-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt.

[0019] When the conveyor belt is detected to be twisting to the right, the second air passage is opened by controlling the first air supply component to output an airflow that rotates to the left relative to the conveyor belt, and the left-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tubular portion of the conveyor belt in this invention, which includes a conveying section and a return section.

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the portion shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for correcting leftward twisting of the conveyor belt;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for correcting right-hand twisting of the conveyor belt;

[0026] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a traditional idler roller. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0029] In the description of this invention, "multiple" refers to two or more. The use of "first" and "second" is for distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or their sequential relationship.

[0030] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention discloses an automatic correction tubular belt conveyor, including a frame 500 and several air cushion dragging devices 200. A tubular conveyor belt 100 is mounted on the frame 500. The air cushion dragging devices 200 are positioned on the frame 500 along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 100. Each air cushion dragging device 200 has a first air supply component with a left-hand rotation relative to the conveyor belt 100 and a second air supply component with a right-hand rotation relative to the conveyor belt 100 on its periphery. The process of the conveyor belt 100 forming a tubular shape can be achieved by using limiting and guiding rollers, or by using air cushion conveying, gradually raising the airflow force from both sides of the conveyor belt 100 to gradually close the two sides together. Since the present invention mainly improves the correction design of the tubular conveying section, structural settings unrelated to the problem are not described in detail here; those skilled in the art can flexibly configure them as needed.

[0032] The tubular belt conveyor with automatic deviation correction using the above-described structure incorporates an air cushion dragging device 200 to output either left-handed or right-handed airflow. When the conveyor belt 100 twists to the left, a second air supply component outputs right-handed airflow, applying a torsional force to the conveyor belt 100 to achieve deviation correction. Conversely, when the conveyor belt 100 twists to the right, a first air supply component outputs left-handed airflow, applying a torsional force to the conveyor belt 100 to achieve deviation correction. Because airflow deviation correction does not involve direct contact with the conveyor belt 100, it avoids excessive frictional resistance, generating only air resistance. Furthermore, the airflow output direction can be rationally designed to create a decomposed force in the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 100, i.e., the air outlet direction is inclined towards the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 100, thereby promoting the conveying of the conveyor belt 100. It is understood that the air cushion dragging device 200, while outputting airflow, can also support the conveyor belt 100, forming an air cushion.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, an annular air chamber 206 is formed between the air cushion dragging device 200 and the tubular conveyor belt 100. The first air supply component and the second air supply component are both located outside the annular air chamber 206 and are used to control the airflow direction of the annular air chamber 206 to apply a torsional force to the conveyor belt 100. This embodiment, through the arrangement of the annular air chamber 206, ensures the uniformity of airflow around the periphery, thereby resulting in a more uniform force during correction.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air cushion towing device 200 is provided with an air supply mechanism for providing compressed air. The air supply mechanism has a plurality of air capture channels as air inlets along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 100. The air supply mechanism is equipped with an air compressor. By adopting the structural arrangement of this embodiment, the airflow of the conveyor belt 100 can be utilized, so that the air has an initial velocity before entering the air compressor, which helps to reduce energy consumption.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air cushion drag device 200 is further provided with a third air supply component, the gas output direction of which is toward the axis of the conveyor belt 100.

[0036] Reference Figures 2 to 4 Specifically, the air cushion towing device 200 has an air path layout ring 201 on the outside of the annular air chamber 206. An annular air intake channel 202 is coaxially arranged on the air path layout ring 201. The output end of the air supply mechanism is connected to the air intake channel 202. The first air supply component, the second air supply component, and the third air supply component are all located on the air path layout ring 201 and connected to the air intake channel 202. By adopting the structural configuration of this embodiment, and uniformly achieving air intake connection through the air intake channel 202, the consistency of air pressure in the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 100 within the same air cushion towing device 200 can be ensured.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of sets of air outlets are uniformly arranged circumferentially in the air path layout ring 201. Each set of air outlets includes a first air outlet 203 arranged radially along the air path layout ring 201 and a second air outlet 204 and a third air outlet 205 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first air outlet 203. The proximal ends of the second air outlet 204 and the third air outlet 205 are gradually opened. A first air delivery component and a second air delivery component are correspondingly connected to the second air outlet 204 and the third air outlet 205. The first air outlet 203 is connected to the third air delivery component. The first air delivery component is provided with a regulating valve on the second air outlet 204 for adjusting the opening and closing of the air outlet and the size of the opening and closing. The second air delivery component is provided with a regulating valve on the third air outlet 205 for adjusting the opening and closing of the air outlet and the size of the opening and closing. At the same time, the third air delivery component is provided with a regulating valve on the first air outlet 203 for adjusting the opening and closing of the air outlet and the size of the opening and closing. With the structural configuration of this embodiment, when the conveyor belt 100 is not twisted, the first air passage 203 is opened to deliver airflow to support and limit the conveyor belt 100, forming an air cushion. When left-hand or right-hand twisting occurs, the second air passage 204 or the third air passage 205 is opened accordingly to correct the deviation.

[0038] Since the conveyor belt 100 of the automatic correction tubular belt conveyor includes a conveying section 300 and a return section 400, both of which are generally in the form of tubular conveyors, both the conveying section 300 and the return section 400 are equipped with air cushion drag devices 200 to correct the deviation of both the conveying section 300 and the return section 400.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, both the conveying section 300 and the return section 400 are equipped with a torsion detection mechanism, which is used to detect the torsion of the conveyor belt 100 in the conveying section 300 and the return section 400, respectively. This torsion detection mechanism can use video capture for judgment, or it can use other methods.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, the automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor is further provided with multiple idler roller groups, which are used to physically support and limit the conveyor belt 100 at appropriate nodes to ensure the stability of the tubular structure.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention also proposes an automatic correction method, applicable to the tubular belt conveyor with automatic correction in any of the above embodiments, comprising the following steps:

[0042] When the conveyor belt 100 is conveying at a normal angle, airflow is output through the first air passage 203 to form an air cushion support for the conveyor belt 100.

[0043] Reference Figure 3When the conveyor belt 100 is detected to be rotating to the left, the third air passage 205 is opened by controlling the second air supply component to output the airflow that is rotating to the right relative to the conveyor belt 100, and the right-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt 100.

[0044] Reference Figure 4 When the conveyor belt 100 is detected to be rotating to the right, the second air passage 204 is opened by controlling the first air supply component to output an airflow that rotates to the left relative to the conveyor belt 100, and the left-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt 100.

[0045] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tubular belt conveyor with automatic deviation correction, characterized in that, include: A frame on which a tubular conveyor belt is mounted; Several air cushion towing devices are arranged on the frame along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt. Each air cushion towing device has a first air supply component with the gas output direction rotating left relative to the conveyor belt, a second air supply component with the gas output direction rotating right relative to the conveyor belt, and a third air supply component facing the axis of the conveyor belt on the periphery of the tubular conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a conveying section and a return section, and both the conveying section and the return section are equipped with the air cushion dragging device; both the conveying section and the return section are equipped with a torsion detection mechanism, which is used to detect the torsion of the conveyor belt in the conveying section and the return section respectively; An annular air chamber is formed between the air cushion dragging device and the tubular conveyor belt. An air path layout ring is provided on the outer side of the annular air chamber. An annular air inlet channel is coaxially arranged on the air path layout ring. The first air delivery component, the second air delivery component, and the third air delivery component are all located on the air path layout ring and connected to the air inlet channel. Multiple sets of air outlet channels are evenly arranged circumferentially on the air path layout ring. Each set of air outlet channels includes a first air channel arranged radially along the air path layout ring and a second and third air channel symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first air channel. The proximal ends of the second and third air channels are gradually widened. The first, second, and third air delivery components are correspondingly connected to the second, third, and first air channels. Each of the first, second, and third air delivery components is equipped with a regulating valve to adjust the opening and closing of the valve and the size of the opening and closing, used to control the airflow direction of the annular air chamber to apply a torsional force to the conveyor belt.

2. The automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air cushion towing device is equipped with an air supply mechanism that provides a compressed air source. The air supply mechanism has several wind capture channels as air inlets along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt.

3. The automatically correcting tubular belt conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The output end of the gas supply mechanism is connected to the air intake channel.

4. An automatic deviation correction method, applied to the tubular belt conveyor with automatic deviation correction as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: When the conveyor belt is conveying at a normal angle, airflow is output through the first air channel to form an air cushion support for the conveyor belt; When the conveyor belt is detected to be twisting to the left, the third air passage is opened by controlling the second air supply component to output an airflow that is rotating to the right relative to the conveyor belt, and the right-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt is detected to be twisting to the right, the second air passage is opened by controlling the first air supply component to output an airflow that rotates to the left relative to the conveyor belt, and the left-rotating airflow is used to correct the conveyor belt.

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