Chain tightening device of scraper conveyor and method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of scraper conveyors, in particular to a chain tightening device of a scraper conveyor and a method thereof.The chain tightening device comprises a driving device, a head chain wheel, a chain and a tail chain wheel, and a one-way rotating mechanical clamp is arranged on one side of the tail chain wheel; the method comprises the following steps of positioning and initial locking, installation of a one-way limiting device, presetting of driving parameters, execution of automatic chain tightening, target reaching and maintaining, secondary locking, chain processing and closed loop recovery. A traditional hydraulic motor chain tensioning structure is omitted, the hydraulic motor does not need to be manually controlled, the tensioning force does not depend on artificial experience, the production safety is remarkably improved, meanwhile, the size is reduced by 15%, design is reasonable, control logic is clear, and the beneficial effects of being convenient to operate, safe and reliable are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of scraper conveyor technology, specifically to a chain tightening device and method for a scraper conveyor. Background Technology

[0002] In coal mines, scraper conveyors serve as the primary transportation method in fully mechanized mining faces. They also act as the moving track for the coal mining machine, working in conjunction with hydraulic supports to move towards the coal face and facilitate coal mining operations. However, the scraper conveyor chain 102 naturally elongates over time, leading to wear, increased pitch, and chain loosening. Figure 1 As shown, a slack chain can easily detach from the head sprocket 101 and tail sprocket 104, causing chain skipping, chain jamming, or even chain breakage, affecting the continuity of conveying operations; this can further lead to material accumulation, equipment vibration, and affect the service life of the entire fully mechanized mining equipment, reducing production safety. Therefore, chain tightening is an important daily maintenance item in underground coal mines.

[0003] Currently, the chain tensioning method for scraper conveyors in underground coal mines mainly relies on manual operation. A hydraulic motor is installed on the connecting sleeve of the drive sprocket 104. One operator connects to the hydraulic pipeline of the pump station, confirms the pressure is normal, and activates the control valve driving the hydraulic motor. Another operator visually inspects the chain to determine if it is tensioned. Communication between the two operators is done by shouting. This traditional method has the following drawbacks: 1. Manual visual inspection and experience-based judgment of tension are not accurate enough, requiring multiple adjustments. Over-tightening can cause the chain to break or tear, leading to safety accidents. 2. Communication between the operator (first employee) and the observer (second employee) using shouting is prone to misunderstandings, easily resulting in operational errors and chain breakage or tearing. 3. The hydraulic motor device is usually located on the connecting sleeve of the drive sprocket 104, which can easily interfere with the hydraulic support beam. In some cases, it must be temporarily removed after chain tensioning. 4. Traditional hydraulic chain tensioning mechanisms rely solely on a brake to prevent the sprocket from reversing after tensioning, making it easy for the chain to slip off the sprocket and cause safety accidents. No solution has yet been proposed to address these technical issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems in related technologies, this invention proposes a chain tensioning device and method for scraper conveyors, overcoming the aforementioned technical problems in existing related technologies. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate the traditional hydraulic motor chain tensioning structure, eliminating the need for manual operation of the hydraulic motor and the reliance on manual experience to judge the tension, significantly improving production safety. At the same time, the size is reduced by 15%, the design is reasonable, the control logic is clear, and it has the advantages of convenient operation and safe and reliable operation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a chain tensioning device for a scraper conveyor, comprising a drive device, a head sprocket, a chain, and a tail sprocket. Two drive devices are provided and symmetrically distributed. The head sprocket is fixedly connected to the output end of one of the drive devices, and the tail sprocket is fixedly connected to the output end of the other drive device. The head sprocket and the tail sprocket are connected by a chain. A one-way rotating mechanical claw is provided on one side of the tail sprocket, which locks both the sprocket and the chain.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides the following technical solution: A chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor includes the following steps: S1, Positioning and Initial Locking: Select and mechanically lock the first locking point A on the chain; S2, Install a one-way limiting device: A one-way rotating mechanical pawl is provided on one side of the tail sprocket. The one-way rotating mechanical pawl allows the tail sprocket to rotate in the chain tension direction and prevents it from rotating in the opposite direction. S3, preset drive parameters: preset the target chain tightening force for the drive device, and preset the maximum speed Vmax of the drive device during the chain tightening process, limiting the sprocket speed to about 2 rpm during chain tightening.

[0007] S4, Perform automatic chain tensioning: Start the drive device to drive the head sprocket and tail sprocket to rotate in the chain tensioning direction, so that the chain is gradually tensioned in the section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket; S5, Target Achieved and Maintained: When the torque output by the drive device reaches the preset target chain tension, the drive device comes to a zero-speed stop; the one-way rotating mechanical claw falls down and locks the tail sprocket as the tail sprocket stops rotating, preventing the tail sprocket from rotating in the opposite direction due to the tension force and the weight of the chain; S6, Install the safety pin on the mechanical claw to ensure it locks the sprocket and chain. Remove excess chain between the first locking point A and the one-way rotating mechanical claw; S7, Restore Closed Loop: Connect the remaining broken links to restore the closed loop state of the entire chain.

[0008] Preferably, the step S1 is preceded by the following step: S0, causing the scraper conveyor to idle, in order to remove the transported material.

[0009] Preferably, in steps S1 and S6, the mechanical locking operation is performed when the drive device is powered off.

[0010] Preferably, in step S3, the target chain tension is preset by vector control of the drive device, and the maximum speed Vmax is preset by speed control of the drive device.

[0011] Preferably, the step S7 is followed by the following step: S8, release the first locking point A and remove the one-way rotating mechanical claw.

[0012] Preferably, in step S4, the driving device drives the tail sprocket to rotate in the allowed direction, causing the chain to accumulate in the lower chain track section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket, thereby achieving tension.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) The present invention is a chain tensioning device and method for a scraper conveyor. By setting a target chain tensioning force and using the torque output of the drive device as a control reference, the precise and quantitative control of the tensioning force is achieved. This completely eliminates the traditional method of relying on manual visual inspection and experience estimation, and fundamentally avoids major safety accidents caused by excessive tensioning force leading to chain collapse. The entire chain tensioning process is automatically executed by a preset program, without the need for multiple operators to coordinate and communicate by shouting, and completely eliminates the risk of misoperation caused by information transmission errors or misunderstandings. (2) The present invention is a chain tensioning device and method for a scraper conveyor. By using the drive device as the chain tensioning power source, the traditional independent external hydraulic motor, valve group and complex pipeline are completely eliminated. This not only reduces the equipment manufacturing cost, but also significantly reduces the size of the entire chain tensioning system. Since the traditional hydraulic motor occupies space next to the drive device, the space between the hydraulic support and the drive device is unblocked, which improves the utilization rate of the underground working space and the convenience and safety of personnel passage. (3) The present invention is a chain tightening device and method for a scraper conveyor. The tail sprocket is restricted to reverse rotation by a one-way rotating mechanical claw, and the tail sprocket is driven to rotate along the chain tightening direction. This causes the chain to actively and controllably accumulate in the lower chain track section between the first locking point and the tail sprocket, thereby efficiently and smoothly tightening the slack section. After the chain tightening reaches the target, the one-way rotating mechanical claw automatically falls when the drive stops, firmly locking the sprocket and the chain, forming a reliable mechanical self-locking mechanism. This prevents the chain from loosening due to its own weight or vibration, and the pressure holding effect is stable, without relying on continuous power or hydraulic pressure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention when the first locking point A is locked and a unidirectional rotating mechanical claw is placed during chain tightening. Figure 2 When the preset tension is reached, the rotation stops, the one-way rotating mechanical claw locks to prevent the tail sprocket from reversing, and the safety pin on the claw is locked. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention, which removes excess chain, restores the remaining chain to a closed loop, and completes the chain tightening process.

[0015] In the attached diagram, the following are the reference numerals: 101, head sprocket; 102, chain; 103, one-way rotating mechanical chuck; 104, tail sprocket; 105, drive unit. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Example 1

[0017] Please see Figure 1-3 This invention proposes a technical solution for a chain tensioning device and method for a scraper conveyor: A chain tensioning device for a scraper conveyor includes a drive device 105, a head sprocket 101, a chain 102, and a tail sprocket 104. Two drive devices 105 are provided and symmetrically distributed. The head sprocket 101 is fixedly connected to the output end of one of the drive devices 105, and the tail sprocket 104 is fixedly connected to the output end of the other drive device 105. The head sprocket 101 and the tail sprocket 104 are connected by the chain 102. A one-way rotating mechanical claw 103 is provided on one side of the tail sprocket 104.

[0018] A chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor includes the following steps: S1, Positioning and initial locking: Selecting and mechanically locking the first locking point A on the chain 102; S2, Install a one-way limiting device: A one-way rotation mechanical clip 103 is provided on one side of the tail sprocket 104. The one-way rotation mechanical clip 103 allows the tail sprocket 104 to rotate in the chain tension direction and prevents it from rotating in the opposite direction. S3, preset drive parameters: preset the target chain tensioning force for the drive device 105, and preset the maximum speed Vmax of the drive device 105 during the chain tensioning process; S4, execute automatic chain tensioning: start the drive device 105, drive the head sprocket 101 and tail sprocket 104 to rotate in the chain tensioning direction, so that the chain 102 is gradually tensioned in the section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket 104. S5, Target Achieved and Maintained: When the torque output by the drive device 105 reaches the preset target chain tension, the drive device 105 stops; the unidirectional rotating mechanical pawl 103 falls and locks the tail sprocket 104 and chain 102 as the tail sprocket 104 stops rotating, preventing the tail sprocket 104 from reversing and the chain 102 from slipping out due to gravity or vibration; specifically as follows... Figure 2 As shown; S6, add a safety pin to the mechanical claw to securely lock the sprocket and chain; remove excess chain between the first locking point A and the one-way rotating mechanical claw 103; specifically as follows: Figure 2 As shown; S7, Restore Closed Loop: Reconnect the remaining broken chain 102 to restore the closed loop state of the entire chain 102, as detailed below. Figure 3 As shown.

[0019] Furthermore, the following steps are included before step S1: S0 causes the scraper conveyor to idle, thus clearing the transported material.

[0020] Furthermore, the mechanical locking operations in steps S1 and S6 are both performed while the drive device 105 is powered off.

[0021] Furthermore, in step S3, the target chain tensioning force is preset by the vector control of the drive device 105, and the maximum speed Vmax is preset by the speed control of the drive device 105, limiting the sprocket speed to about 2 rpm when tightening the chain.

[0022] In this embodiment, the rotation speed is controlled to prevent the chain from flying off when the chain 102 is "very loose", thereby improving the operational safety during the chain tightening process.

[0023] Furthermore, the following step is included after step S7: S8, release the first locking point A and remove the one-way rotating mechanical claw 103.

[0024] Furthermore, in step S4, the drive device 105 drives the tail sprocket 104 to rotate in the permitted direction, causing the chain 102 to accumulate in the lower chain track section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket 104, thereby achieving tension.

[0025] The chain tightening method of the present invention can be applied to scraper conveyors with multiple drive devices 105, and this chain tightening operation can be performed near the right side of the head sprocket 101 or the left side of the tail sprocket 104, requiring only the control of a single drive device near the chain tightening end.

[0026] This invention originates from the chain tightening application of scraper conveyors in underground coal mines, but it is not limited to underground coal mines. It can be applied to the chain tightening needs of various chain 102 transmission equipment, and is particularly suitable for chain transmission related equipment products with large chains, long overall length, high equipment space requirements, and high aesthetic requirements.

[0027] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A chain tensioning device for a scraper conveyor, characterized in that, It includes a drive device (105), a head sprocket (101), a chain (102), and a tail sprocket (104). There are two drive devices (105) that are symmetrically distributed. The head sprocket (101) is fixedly connected to the output end of one of the drive devices (105), and the tail sprocket (104) is fixedly connected to the output end of the other drive device (105). The head sprocket (101) and the tail sprocket (104) are connected by the chain (102). A one-way rotating mechanical claw (103) is provided on one side of the tail sprocket (104).

2. A chain tightening method for the chain tightening device of the scraper conveyor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, Positioning and initial locking: Select and mechanically lock the first locking point A on the chain (102); S2, Install a one-way limiting device: A one-way rotating mechanical pawl (103) is provided on one side of the tail sprocket (104). The one-way rotating mechanical pawl (103) allows the tail sprocket (104) to rotate in the chain tension direction and prevents it from rotating in the opposite direction. S3, preset drive parameters: preset the target chain tensioning force for the drive device (105), and preset the maximum speed Vmax of the drive device (105) during the chain tensioning process to ensure that the sprocket speed is around 2 rpm; S4, Perform automatic chain tensioning: Start the drive device (105) to drive the head sprocket (101) and tail sprocket (104) to rotate in the chain tensioning direction, so that the chain (102) is gradually tensioned in the section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket (104); S5, Target Achieved and Maintained: When the torque output by the drive device (105) reaches the preset target chain tension, the drive device enters a zero-speed hover (105); the one-way rotating mechanical claw (103) falls down and locks the tail sprocket (104) as the tail sprocket (104) stops rotating, preventing the tail sprocket (104) from rotating in the opposite direction due to the tension force and the gravity of the chain (102); S6, lock the safety pin of the mechanical claw (103) and begin to cut off the excess chain between the first locking point A and the one-way rotating mechanical claw (103); S7, Restore closed loop: Connect the remaining chain (102) after the cut off to restore the closed loop state of the entire chain (102).

3. The chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The steps preceding step S1 include: S0, causing the scraper conveyor to idle, in order to remove the transported material.

4. The chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: In steps S1 and S6, the mechanical locking operation is performed when the drive device (105) is powered off.

5. The chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S3, the target chain tension is preset by vector control of the drive device (105), and the maximum speed Vmax is preset by speed control of the drive device (105).

6. The chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step S7 is followed by the following steps: S8, release the first locking point A and remove the one-way rotating mechanical claw (103).

7. The chain tightening method for a scraper conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S4, the drive device (105) drives the tail sprocket (104) to rotate in the allowed direction, so that the chain (102) accumulates in the lower chain track section between the first locking point A and the tail sprocket (104), thereby achieving tension.

Images