PROFILE FALL DETECTION SYSTEM IN PAINTING PLANTS

Description

Profile Fall Detection System in painting plants DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a system for detecting the fall of profiles in painting systems. As is known, the painting plants of metal profiles generally include a air transport line that allows you to transport the profiles in a suspended condition in vertical through various stations of processing. In some processing stations of the painting systems is expected to be forced recirculation of a fluid, such as air or water, inside a room or environment confined, as in the case of cooking ovens of painting or drying powders profiles. The internal environments of these stations processing are generally not accessible during the production phases or do not allow have visibility and control over what happens at the their interior. Usually, in such processing stations it is inserted, usually in correspondence with the floor, a “plenum”, that is, an element that is in able to distribute and make air flows uniform within confined spaces, for the purpose to reduce the speed of the air itself and the consequent “dancing” of the hanging profiles in vertical on the transport line It is, in fact, known that the profiles hung on the transport lines may undergo, during their movement, unwanted oscillations which can lead to their collision mutual, with consequent damage, and, in extreme cases, even if they fall with damage even more serious. To try to solve the problem of detect the fall of the profiles inside the inaccessible confined spaces in stations of painting plant processing are various systems based on different operating principles, which however have been proven to be poorly effective. In particular, the use of has been proposed instruments for detecting sound, which However, they are subject to external conditions and noises which cause false readings, or of sensors mechanically activated, such as trigger devices rope, connected to a clutch that intervenes if intercepts an obstacle or resistance, which However, they do not allow for extensive surveying over large areas. surfaces, often resulting in flaws and useless for this purpose, in addition to also being unreliable. The purpose of this invention is to build a fall detection system of profiles in painting plants that are able to improve the known technique in one or more than the aspects indicated above. Within this task, one purpose of the found is to provide a system that allows for effective, timely and accurate detection measurable fall of hanging profiles in vertical to a transport line on plants painting. Another purpose of the invention is to make available point a fall detection system of profiles in painting plants that allow to determine, identify and categorize thanks to the measurability of the event, the typology of the phenomenon that occurred so as to be able to differentiate the corrective management of the event itself to reduce to minimize plant downtime, optimize the production capacity and contain any effects unwanted. Another purpose of the invention is to build a fall detection system of profiles in painting plants that are able to offer maximum guarantees of reliability in its operation. A further purpose of this invention is that of developing a system of detection of falling profiles in plants of painting that is structurally simple to be realized. Furthermore, the present invention aims to the aim of overcoming the drawbacks of the known technique as an alternative to any existing solutions. Not least, the aim of the invention is to build a fall detection system of profiles in painting plants that can be competitive also from a point of view purely economic. This task, as well as these and other purposes which will appear better later, are achieved from a fall detection system profiles in painting plants according to the claim 1, optionally equipped with one or more than the characteristics of the claims employees. Additional features and benefits of the found will result more from the description of a preferred form of execution, but not exclusive, of the detection system falling profiles in painting plants according to the invention, illustrated, by way of example indicative and not limiting, in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the perspective view of the system according to the invention, with parts shown in transparency and other omissions to show the interior; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the system according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a system detection structure according to the found, with parts omitted to show the interior; Figure 4 illustrates in perspective view and partially transparent a portion of the detection structure according to a first form of realization; Figure 5 shows, in a similar view to the one in figure 4, the detection structure according to a different embodiment; Figure 6 illustrates in perspective view and a part of the system is partially transparent according to the finding. With reference to the figures cited, the profile fall detection system in painting systems according to the invention, indicated globally with the reference number 1, comprises a detection structure 2, the which is intended to be positioned below an overhead transport line 3 of 4 profiles to be painted. At the detection structure 2 are associated sensor means 5, which are configured to detect vibrations that are transmitted to the detection structure 2. For example, the sensor means 5 comprise at least a 5a accelerometer. Always according to the invention, it is foreseen control means 6, consisting, for example, of a 6a electronic control unit, which are operationally connected to the sensor means 5 and They are also configured to detect falls of profiles 4 from the transport line 3 on the detection structure 2, based on signals coming from the sensor means 5. In more detail, the means of control 6 are, appropriately, configured to compare the vibration values ​​detected by the vehicles 5 sensors with reference vibration values and to determine, on the basis of the comparison between the vibration values ​​detected by the sensor devices 5 compared to the reference values, if it occurred an impact of profiles against the structure of detection 2, due to their fall from the transport line 3, and its size. Advantageously, the control means 6 are operationally connected to interface means or reporting 7, consisting, for example, of visual and / or acoustic indicators or from a panel data visualization, which allow you to provide information and data to users regarding the fall of profiles 4 from the line of transport 3. More specifically, the means of control 6 are appropriately configured for determine, moreover, always on the basis of the signals coming from the sensor means 5, a type of corrective intervention to be carried out on the system painting, following the detection of a falling of profiles 4 from conveyor line 3, such as stop, alarm or pause, and report to users, through the means of interface 7, the corrective intervention determined. For example, the control means 6 provide to compare the vibration values ​​detected by the 5 sensor media with predefined threshold values preset, to which respective types are associated of corrective intervention, stored in a database, connected to the control means 6, and, to following the exceeding of a certain threshold value from the detected vibrations of the vehicles sensors 5, provide the type of corrective action to be implemented associated with the threshold value exceeded. Going into more detail about the found, the detection structure 2 defines, appropriately, at least one floor surface 2nd against which they are destined to impact profiles 4 falling from the transport line 3. According to a preferred embodiment, shown in figure 1, the structure of detection 2 is intended to be positioned, at least partially, within an environment confined or closed 8, such as, for example, a treatment chamber 9 of the profiles 4. Always according to the preferred form of realization, the detection structure comprises or is, in practice, constituted by a plenum configured for forced recirculation of air in the aforementioned confined environment 8. For example, according to this form of realization, the detection structure 2 can to be advantageously housed inside of the baking oven for the coating powders of the profiles and / or of the drying oven of the profiles of a painting plant themselves of the profiles. In more detail, the detection structure 2 may consist of a frame 10 which supports a plurality of longitudinal elements 11 of coverage, appropriately shaped essentially made of strips or staves, which are arranged adjacent to each other and which define the floor area 2a. Advantageously, frame 10 delimits, internally, a pressure chamber or calm 12, powered by pressurized air, by fans of air 13, supported by the frame 10 and operated by respective motions 12a, and closed above by the longitudinal elements 11. Appropriately, the pressure chamber 12 it communicates with the room 8 above through through holes 11a defined in the longitudinal elements 11. Advantageously, the longitudinal elements 11 are communicating with each other and partially superimposed to create mechanical contact between them and allow the transmission of vibrations generated by the falling profiles on the detection structure 2. Preferably, in the structure of detection 2, at least one element is expected extended joint 14 which allows for create a joint between the elements longitudinal 11 and which has the function of amplify and transmit the vibrations generated from the fall of the profiles 4 on the structure of detection 2 to sensor means 5. More preferably, more are expected elongated connecting elements 14 which can be arranged along opposite sides of the floor surface 2a defined by the elements longitudinal 11. Each elongated joint element 14 is connected to at least one respective 5a accelerometer which detects the vibrations that are transmitted by each elongated connecting element 14 to it connected. Each 5a accelerometer is in turn connected to the electronic control unit 6a via a respective signal cable 15, passing through, appropriately, through a respective tube cable gland 16, supported by frame 10. Advantageously, to ensure the reliability of the findings, each 5a accelerometer is housed inside at least one respective box element 17, also supported by frame 10. Conveniently, the elongated elements of junction 14 can be made from bars, elastically flexible, cross-section flattened or substantially shaped tubular. Advantageously, the elongated elements of junction 14 extend along one direction substantially perpendicular to the development direction of the longitudinal elements 11 which define the floor surface 9a. For example, it is possible to foresee, along the sides opposites of the 2nd floor surface, a respective pair of connecting elements 14, which, at one end, are connected to each other and to a common 5a accelerometer and that extend cantilevered, towards their other end, in opposite directions to each other. According to an example of implementation, the elongated connecting elements 14 are positioned below the elements longitudinal 11 and longitudinal elements 11 they are supported on the elongated elements of junction 14. According to a different example of implementation, the elongated connecting elements 14 can be placed above the elements longitudinal 11 and can be fixed to these lastly by means of spacer elements. The functioning of the system, according to the found, is as follows. In case of a profile 4 falling from the conveyor line 3, profile impact 4 on the floor surface 2a of the structure of detection 2 produces vibrations in the structure of detection 2 which are detected by the means sensors 5. Based on the signals coming from the vehicles sensors 5, following the fall of profile 4, the control means 6 establish the type of corrective intervention to be carried out on the system and they communicate it to the operators through the means of interface 7. In practice it has been found that the finding achieves the intended task and objectives and, in In particular, it is emphasized that the system according to the invention it allows to detect, in a extremely more reliable and accurate, compared to to the known technique, the fall of profiles even in confined spaces that cannot be inspected directly from the outside, such as the environments of ovens. Furthermore, the system according to the invention offers the advantage of providing users with operators indications on the type of intervention to be performed in based on the extent of the event that occurred. The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible to numerous changes and variants, all falling within within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details may be replaced by others technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any depending on the needs and the state of the technique. Where the characteristics and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such signs are were placed for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and of consequently such reference signs do not have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each item identified as an example from such reference signs.

Claims

1. A system for detecting the fall of profiles in painting systems, characterized by the fact that it comprises: - a detection structure designed to be positioned below an overhead conveyor line for profiles to be painted; - sensor means associated with said detection structure and configured to detect vibrations transmitted to said detection structure; and - control means operationally connected to said sensor means and configured to detect the fall of profiles from said conveyor line onto said detection structure, based on the signals coming from said sensor means.

2. System, according to claim 1, characterised in that said control means are configured to compare the vibration values ​​detected by said sensor means with reference vibration values ​​and to determine, on the basis of the comparison between said vibration values ​​detected by said sensor means with respect to said reference values, whether an impact of profiles has occurred against said detection structure as a result of their falling from said conveyor line.

3. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said control means are operationally connected to interface means, said control means being configured to determine, based on the signals coming from said sensor means, a type of corrective intervention to be carried out on the painting system and to signal, via said interface means, the corrective intervention determined by said control means.

4. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said detection structure defines at least one floor surface that can be impacted by the profiles falling from said transport line.

5. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection structure is intended to be housed inside a confined environment and comprises a plenum M423677 configured for the forced recirculation of air in said confined environment.

6. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said sensor means comprise at least one accelerometer.

7. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said detection structure comprises a frame supporting a plurality of longitudinal covering elements adjacent to each other, defining said at least one floor surface.

8. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said longitudinal elements are communicating with each other and partially overlapping to create mechanical contact between said longitudinal elements and allow the transmission of vibrations generated by the fall of the profiles onto said detection structure.

9. System, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises at least one elongated element M423677 for joining said longitudinal elements connected to said at least one accelerometer and configured to amplify and transmit the vibrations generated by the fall of the profiles on said detection structure.