Management system and method of conveyor belt

Abstract

To provide a management system and method of a conveyor belt capable of more surely grasping a state of the conveyor belt under various use conditions.SOLUTION: As a passive type IC tag 2, an electric wave type IC tag 2A and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B are installed at a conveyor belt 13. According to transmission electric waves R1 transmitted from a detector 7 toward each of the IC tags 2A, 2B of the conveyor belt 13 mounted on a conveyor device 10, return electric waves R2 returned from each of the IC tags 2A, 2B are received by the detector 7, and an operation state of the conveyor belt 13 is grasped by an arithmetic unit 8 by utilizing the return electric waves R2, or detection data by a sensor part 6 connected to each of the IC tags 2A, 2B is transmitted to the detector 7 from the IC tags 2A, 2B by the return electric waves R2 and is inputted in the arithmetic unit 8, and based on the detection data, the state of the conveyor belt 13 is grasped by the arithmetic unit 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor belt management system and method, and more particularly, to a conveyor belt management system and method capable of more reliably grasping the state of a conveyor belt under various usage conditions.

Background Art

[0002] Various systems for managing a conveyor belt stretched and running between pulleys of a conveyor device have been proposed (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 the conveyor belt and a reader, and data transmitted from the RFID tag is acquired by the reader. Then, various data acquired by the reader is transmitted to a predetermined terminal device for information sharing.

[0003] In such a conventional management system, an IC tag using a so-called radio wave communication method is often used as the IC tag. By the way, conveyor belts for transporting crushed stones, earth and sand, other ore materials, and processed products thereof operate under various usage conditions. And due to differences in the usage conditions of the conveyor belt, the wireless communication environment between the IC tag and the reader also changes. Therefore, if only IC tags of the same communication method are used, there will be a problem that wireless communication between the IC tag and the reader becomes impossible under specific usage conditions of the conveyor belt, and data from the IC tag cannot be acquired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] That is, if all the IC tags installed on the conveyor belt use the same communication method, it may not be possible to fully grasp the state of the conveyor belt under various usage conditions. Therefore, there is room for improvement to more reliably grasp the state of the conveyor belt under various usage conditions.

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the conveyor belt management system of the present invention includes a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt, a detector that performs wireless communication with the IC tag, and an arithmetic unit communicably connected to the detector. In the conveyor belt management system, a return radio wave returned from the IC tag in response to a transmitted radio wave transmitted from the detector toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted on the conveyor device is received by the detector, and the state of the conveyor belt is grasped by the arithmetic unit using the return radio wave. In this system, two types of IC tags, namely a radio wave type IC tag and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag, are used as the IC tags.

[0008] The conveyor belt management method of the present invention includes installing a passive IC tag on the conveyor belt, transmitting a transmitted radio wave from a detector that performs wireless communication with the IC tag toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt mounted on the conveyor device, receiving, by the detector, a return radio wave returned from the IC tag in response to the transmitted radio wave, and determining the state of the conveyor belt by an arithmetic unit using the return radio wave. In this method, two types of IC tags, namely a radio wave type IC tag and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag, are used as the IC tags.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] In the present invention, two types of passive IC tags installed on the conveyor belt are used: a radio wave type IC tag and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag. There are differences in the communication characteristics when each IC tag with a different communication method wirelessly communicates with the detector. Therefore, even in various wireless communication environments, it becomes possible for the detector to receive the reply radio wave from the IC tag of at least one of the two communication methods. That is, in various wireless communication environments caused by differences in the usage conditions of the conveyor belt, the risk that both the wireless communication between the radio wave type IC tag and the detector and the wireless communication between the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag and the detector become incommunicable is reduced. Therefore, it is advantageous for more reliably grasping the state of the conveyor belt under various usage conditions by using the reply radio wave.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a conveyor belt management system and method of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0012] An embodiment of the conveyor belt management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is used to grasp the state of the conveyor belt 13 mounted on the conveyor device 10. This management system 1 includes a passive type IC tag 2 (2A, 2B) installed on the conveyor belt 13, detectors 7 (7A, 7B, 7C), and an arithmetic unit 8 communicably connected to the detectors 7 via wireless or wired communication. A return radio wave R2 returned from the IC tag 2 in response to the transmission radio wave R1 from each detector 7 is received by the detector 7. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the arithmetic unit 8 is configured to be connected to terminal devices 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) such as a computer or a smartphone located at a position (remote location) away from the installation site of the conveyor device 10 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0013] The conveyor device 10 has a pair of pulleys 11a and 11b and a number of support rollers 12 arranged between the pulleys 11a and 11b. The conveyor belt 13 is stretched between the pulleys 11a and 11b and supported by a number of support rollers 12 between the pulleys 11a and 11b. The conveyor belt 13 travels by rotationally driving the drive pulley 11a. The arrow L in the figure indicates the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 13, and the arrow W indicates the width direction of the conveyor belt 13.

[0014] The conveyor belt 13 is configured by integrally vulcanizing and adhering an upper cover rubber 16, a lower cover rubber 17, and a single-layer core layer 14 disposed therebetween. 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, about 4 to 8 layers of canvas are laminated as the core layer 14 depending on the required performance of 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 roller 12, so that the conveyor belt 13 has a trough shape in which the central portion in the width direction W protrudes downward. The conveyed object C is loaded and placed on the upper surface of the upper cover rubber 16 and 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 roller 12.

[0016] As the IC tag 2, two types are used: the radio wave type IC tag 2A illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Each of the IC tags 2A and 2B has an IC chip 3a and an antenna portion 3b. And, identification information for identifying the IC tag 2 from other IC tags 2 is stored in the IC chip 3a. Although other information can also 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 have a generally circulated specification, and general-purpose products of RFID tags can be used. The size of the IC tag 2 (2A, 2B) is, for example, an area of 200 mm 2 or more and 6000 mm 2 or less, more preferably 300 mm 2 or more and 2700 mm 2It is as follows, and the thickness is, 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-resistant temperature of the IC tag 2 is, for example, about 250°C.

[0018] In the radio wave type IC tag 2A illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b are connected via a conductor (wiring). The antenna portion 3b extends in a state of being bent from the IC chip 3a to both outer sides of the IC chip 3a. The IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b are disposed on the substrate 4 and covered by the insulating layer 5. The antenna portion 3b receives the transmitted radio wave R1 from the detector 7, and the power generated by the transmitted radio wave R1 is supplied to the IC chip 3a through the conductor connecting the antenna portion 3b and the IC chip 3a, and the IC tag 2A is activated. Communication between the IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b is performed through this conductor.

[0019] In the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the IC chip (IC module) 3a and the antenna portion 3b are arranged at intervals and have a non-contact structure. The antenna portion 3b has a loop surrounding the entire outer periphery of the IC chip 3a, and extends in a state of being bent from both outer sides of this loop to the outside of the loop. The IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b are each covered by the insulating layer 5. When the antenna portion 3b receives the transmitted radio wave R1 from the detector 7, a magnetic field is formed in the loop. By the formation of this magnetic field, electromagnetic coupling occurs between the spiral antenna inside the IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b, and the IC tag 2B is activated by the power generated by the transmitted radio wave R1. Communication between the IC chip 3a and the antenna portion 3b is performed by the electromagnetic coupling between the spiral antenna (IC chip 3a) and the antenna portion 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 a position separate from the conveyor belt 13. For example, in the case of the upper cover rubber 16 or the carcass layer 14 formed by laminating a plurality of canvases, it can also be specified to be embedded in the carcass layer 14. To protect the IC tag 2 from the conveyed object C or the like, it is desirable to embed it in the lower cover rubber 17 or the carcass layer 14 rather than in the upper cover rubber 16.

[0021] When manufacturing the conveyor belt 13, in the molding process, the IC tag 2 is placed in the unvulcanized lower cover rubber 17 or the unvulcanized upper cover rubber 16, or in the carcass layer 14 composed of canvases to form a molded product. Then, by vulcanizing this molded product, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the conveyor belt 13 in which the carcass layer 14, the upper cover rubber 16, and the lower cover rubber 17 are integrated.

[0022] To install the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13, as described above, it is not limited to the method of embedding it in the conveyor belt 13 during the manufacture of the conveyor belt 13, and it can also be installed on the conveyor belt 13 after manufacture. For example, after placing the IC tag 2 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 together with the rubber material is joined to the conveyor belt 13. For this joining, known adhesives or vulcanization adhesion can be used. If the method of retrofitting the IC tag 2 to the conveyor belt 13 is adopted, it becomes possible to apply this management system 1 to the existing conveyor belt 13.

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

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the detector 7 performs wireless communication with the IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13 in a non-contact manner with respect to the conveyor belt 13. The detector 7 has a transmitting unit 7s and a receiving unit 7r. The transmitting unit 7s transmits a transmission radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. The receiving unit 7r receives a reply radio wave R2 returned 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 transmitted together with the reply radio wave R2.

[0025] As the detector 7, a generally circulated specification capable of performing wireless communication with a passive RFID tag or the like is adopted. The frequency of the radio wave used for wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 is mainly in the UHF band (although it varies by country, in the range of 860 MHz or more and 930 MHz or less, and in Japan, 915 MHz or more and 930 MHz), and the HF band (13.56 MHz) may also be used. The wireless communication between the radio wave type IC tag 2A and the detector 7 and the wireless communication between the electromagnetic coupling type 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 at a detection position P close to the conveyor belt 13 in the conveyor device 10. 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 to 30 m) rather than being disposed only at one detection position P. The detector 7 may also be disposed at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart in the width direction.

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

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

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

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 9, transmission radio waves R1 are transmitted from each detector 7 (transmission unit 7s) toward the IC tag 2. Each IC tag 2 receives the transmission radio wave R1 by the antenna unit 3b when approaching each detector 7 due to the running of the conveyor belt 13, and the IC tag 2 is activated by this transmission radio wave R1.

[0031] The activated IC tag 2 sequentially returns a reply radio wave R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmitted radio wave R1. This reply radio wave R2 is returned from the IC tag 2 to the detector 7 through 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 reply radio wave R2 and received by the receiving unit 7r. Therefore, the detector 7 sequentially acquires the identification information of the IC tag 2 by receiving the reply radio wave R2.

[0032] The arithmetic unit 8 calculates the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 using the input reply radio wave R2. That is, the arithmetic unit 8 calculates the running speed V of the conveyor belt 13 based on the reception time t of the reply radio wave R2 by the detector 7. Then, the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 is grasped based on the change over time of the calculated running speed V. The running speed V is calculated as follows.

[0033] In this embodiment, since the detectors 7 are arranged at a plurality of detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L, when the conveyor belt 13 is running, each detector 7 performs wireless communication with the IC tag 2 when 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 arithmetic unit 8 together with the reception time t when the detector 7 receives the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. Since the separation distance PL in the longitudinal direction L of the arranged detection position P of each detector 7 is known in advance, this separation distance PL is input to the arithmetic unit 8.

[0034] Therefore, the arithmetic unit 8 calculates the running speed V based on the reception time t of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by each of the detectors 7 arranged at at least two detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L and the separation distance PL of each detection position P. For example, when the separation distance between the detectors 7A and 7B is PL and the reception times t of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by the detectors 7A and 7B 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), so 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 arranged at the detection positions P adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction L (the data of the detectors 7A and 7B, the data of the detectors 7B and 7C, the data of the detectors 7C and 7A), and the data of the respective detectors 7 arranged at two detection positions P selected from each detection position P can be used. Therefore, the data of the detectors 7A and 7C may be used. Since the conveyor belt 13 is continuous, basically, the running speed V in any one section (the separation distance PL between any two detection positions P) may be calculated. However, for example, in the section immediately before the conveyance object C is loaded and the section immediately after the conveyance object C is loaded, the running speed V may be slightly different due to the weight of the conveyance object C, the loading impact, etc., so it is advisable to calculate the running speed V in a plurality of sections. In this calculation method, it is only necessary to know the separation distance PL, and since the position information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is unnecessary, it 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 arranged at the same detection position P is used, and the installation pitch TL of each IC tag 2 to be used is input to the arithmetic unit 8. Then, the return radio wave R2 from each IC tag 2 installed at the installation pitch TL is received by the one detector 7 arranged at this detection position P. The running speed V is calculated based on the reception time t of the return radio wave R2 from each IC tag 2 by this 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 waves R2 from the respective IC tags 2 by one detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P are t1 and t2 respectively, since the time required for the conveyor belt 13 to move the length of the installation pitch TL is (t2 - t1), the running speed V is calculated as V = TL / (t2 - t1).

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

[0039] For example, in the case of the belt length BL, and when the reception times of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 sequentially received by the detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P are t1 and t2 respectively every time the conveyor belt 13 makes one full rotation, the time required for one full rotation (movement of the belt length BL) of the conveyor belt 13 is (t2 - t1). Therefore, the running speed V is calculated as V = BL / (t2 - t1). In this calculation method, it is necessary to know the belt length BL of the conveyor belt 13.

[0040] The running speed V calculated by the arithmetic unit 8 reflects the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when the running speed V is zero (including the case where it is infinitely close to zero), it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating (not running). Although it is very rare, if the conveyor belt 13 stops in a state where a certain IC tag 2 is in a position close to a certain detection position P (detector 7), the detector 7 will continuously receive the reply radio wave R2 from that IC tag 2 without interruption. Therefore, when the detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P continuously receives the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 without interruption, it is also determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating.

[0041] When the running speed V is generally constant, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is operating in a steady state. When the running speed V is uniformly increasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a starting state, and when it is uniformly decreasing, it can be determined that it is in a state of stopping operation.

[0042] Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the arithmetic unit 8 outputs data DV of the change over time of the traveling speed V, and calculates the cumulative operation time of the conveyor belt 13 based on the data DV. By referring to the data DV in FIG. 10, the actual operation status (presence or absence of operation and change in the traveling speed V) of the conveyor belt 13 can be accurately grasped. The actual life X of the conveyor belt 13 is more greatly affected by the cumulative operation time than the elapsed time since it was installed on the conveyor device 10. Therefore, by grasping the actual operation time (cumulative operation time) of the conveyor belt 13 using this data DV, it is advantageous for accurately grasping the actual life X of the conveyor belt 13.

[0043] In this embodiment, since the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is adopted, the arithmetic unit 8 transmits the data DV to the terminal devices 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) located at a position away from the installation site of the conveyor device 10 through the communication network. For example, the data DV and the calculated cumulative operation time are transmitted to the terminal devices 9 of related parties such as the management room of the operating company (user) of the conveyor belt 13 located remotely from the installation site of the conveyor device 10, the sales company of the conveyor belt 13, and the manufacturing company. As a result, these related parties can also substantially grasp the operation status of the conveyor belt 13 in real time while being located remotely from the usage location of the conveyor belt 13.

[0044] In order to prevent communication leakage between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7, it is necessary to increase the communication frequency. For example, by setting the communication frequency between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 to 3 to 10 times per second, a problem (communication leakage) that the detector 7 cannot receive the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 even when the traveling speed V is high can be avoided. On the other hand, when this communication frequency is increased, when the IC tag 2 passes through the detection position P, the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P perform a plurality of wireless communications during one pass. That is, when the same IC tag 2 passes through each detection position P, during one pass, the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P receives the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 a plurality of times.

[0045] When the conveyor belt 13 runs and the IC tag 2 moves relative to the detection position P where the detector 7 is arranged, as the data DR illustrated in FIG. 11 shows, when the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P perform wireless communication at a position closer to the detection position P, the received signal strength RSSI of the return radio wave R2 received by the detector 7 increases. That is, when the received signal strength RSSI of the return radio wave R2 is the highest, it is considered that the IC tag 2 exists at the position closest to the detection position P.

[0046] Therefore, when the same IC tag 2 passes through the detection position P and the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P receives the return radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2 a plurality of times during one pass, the time when the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P receives the return radio wave R2 with the highest received signal strength RSSI among the plurality of received return radio waves R2 is adopted as the reception time t by the detector 7 arranged at the detection position P. By using the adopted reception time t in this way, it is advantageous for calculating the running speed V with higher accuracy.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the operating state of the conveyor belt 13 is grasped by using the return radio wave R2, but the temperature state of the conveyor belt 13 can also be grasped by using the return radio wave R2. In this case, the correlation data R between the electrical resistance value of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 illustrated in FIG. 13 is activated and the temperature of the IC tag 2 is grasped in advance. Specifically, this correlation data R is data indicating the relationship between the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated by receiving the transmission radio wave R1 and the temperature of the IC tag 2. Generally, as the temperature of the IC tag 2 increases, the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 increases, so the correlation data R is upward-sloping as illustrated in FIG. 12.

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

[0049] Then, while the conveyor belt 13 is running as illustrated in FIG. 2, each detector 7 transmits a transmission radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. When each IC tag 2 comes close to each detector 7, the transmission radio wave R1 is received by the antenna unit 3b, and electric power is generated in the IC tag 2 by this transmission radio wave R1, causing the IC tag 2 to activate. Data on the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated is stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 3a.

[0050] Then, the IC tag 2 sequentially returns a return radio wave R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmission radio wave R1. Along with the return radio wave R2, the above-described data on the electrical resistance value 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.

[0051] The data acquired by the detector 7 is input to the arithmetic unit 8. Based on the data on the electrical resistance value of each input IC tag 2 and the correlation data R, the arithmetic unit 8 calculates the temperature at the position where each IC tag 2 of the conveyor belt 13 is embedded. That is, the arithmetic unit 8 applies the data on 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 at the position where the IC tag 2 of the conveyor belt 13 is embedded.

[0052] If the detector 7 is arranged 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 positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13, the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction L of the running conveyor belt 13 can be grasped. Further, if the IC tags 2 are embedded at a plurality of positions spaced apart in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13, the temperature distribution in the width direction W of the running conveyor belt 13 can be grasped.

[0053] When the support roller 12 of the conveyor device 10 is 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 generally constant, as shown by the temperature data Dn illustrated by the dashed line in Fig. 13. On the other hand, if any of the support rollers 12 on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 has poor rotation, the frictional resistance between the support roller 12 with poor rotation and the running conveyor belt 13 increases, and the conveyor belt 13 is abnormally heated. Or, 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, the data shows that the temperature rises locally, as shown by the temperature data Dx illustrated by the solid line in Fig. 13. The temperature of the conveyor belt 13 on the vertical axis of Fig. 13 is the temperature calculated by the arithmetic unit 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 with poor rotation or 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 generally specify the position in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor device 10 where abnormal heating of the conveyor belt 13 has occurred. That is, in the vicinity of the detection position where the temperature data Dx reaches the peak (maximum value), it can be estimated that poor rotation of the support roller 12 or contact between the frames and the conveyor belt 13 has occurred.

[0056] As described above, in this management system 1, as the passive IC tags 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13, two types with different communication methods are used: the radio wave type IC tag 2A and the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B. There are differences between the communication characteristics when one of the IC tags 2A communicates wirelessly with the detector 7 and the communication characteristics when the other IC tag 2B communicates wirelessly with the detector 7. For example, due to the influence of factors such as temperature, humidity, external force (impact force), and the type (physical properties) of the conveyed object C, even if the wireless communication between one of the IC tags 2A and the detector 7 is likely to be interrupted, the wireless communication between the other IC tag 2B and the detector 7 may be difficult to interrupt, and vice versa.

[0057] Therefore, even in various wireless communication environments, it is possible for the detector 7 to receive the return radio wave R2 from at least one of the IC tags 2 of the two communication methods, namely the IC tags 2A and 2B. In other words, in various wireless communication environments caused by differences in the usage conditions of the conveyor belt 13, the risk that both the radio wave type IC tag 2A and the detector 7 and the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B and the detector 7 become unable to communicate wirelessly is low. Therefore, it becomes easier for the detector 7 to reliably receive the return radio wave R2, which is advantageous for more reliably grasping the state of the conveyor belt 13 under various usage conditions by using the return radio wave R2.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the IC tags 2A and 2B of each communication method can be installed on the conveyor belt 13 in various patterns. In FIGS. 14 and 15, in order to easily distinguish each of the IC tags 2A and 2B, the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 2B is shaded. FIG. 14(A) shows that the IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. In FIG. 14(B), the IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are arranged in a row in the width direction, and these rows are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 4(C), the IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction, and this row is alternately arranged in the width direction. In FIG. 4(D), both the IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are mixed and randomly arranged in each row in the width direction.

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

[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, there are many arrangement patterns for the respective IC tags 2A and 2B, but depending on the conveyor device 10, the installation space of the detector 7 may be limited. For example, in the case of the conveyor device 10 in which the detector 7 can be installed only in a range corresponding to one end in the width direction of the conveyor belt 13, an arrangement pattern in which the IC tags 2A and 2B of different communication methods are mixed is adopted at one end in the width direction of the conveyor belt 13. In other words, an arrangement pattern in which only the IC tags 2A and 2B of the same communication method are arranged is not adopted at one end in the width direction of the conveyor belt 13. In this way, while considering the installation position of the detector 7 in the conveyor device 10, matters to be grasped (such as the operating state, wear state, temperature state, presence or absence of longitudinal cracks, etc. of the conveyor belt 13) and the characteristics of the conveyed object C are considered, and an arrangement pattern that easily ensures stable wireless communication between the IC tags 2A and 2B of both communication methods and the communicator 7 is determined.

[0061] Also in each embodiment of the management system 1 described later, two types of IC tags 2A and 2B with different communication methods are adopted as the IC tag 2. Further, in each embodiment of the management system 1 described later, various arrangements and specifications described above can be adopted.

[0062] Another embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18 grasps the wear state of the surface as the state of the conveyor belt 13. In FIG. 18, the steel cord 15 is described with omission in a partial range. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the upper cover rubber 16 in order to grasp the wear state of the surface of the upper cover rubber 16. When grasping the wear state of the surface of the lower cover rubber 17, 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 an arithmetic unit 8 as in the previous embodiment. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, a configuration in which a linear sensor unit 6 is connected to the IC tag 2 is a difference from the previous embodiment. The IC tags 2 (2A, 2b) are the same as those in the previous embodiment, and the whole of the IC tag 2 is covered with an insulating layer 5.

[0064] The sensor unit 6 extends in 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 preset. In this embodiment, since the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the upper cover rubber 16, the embedding depth (initial embedding depth) from the surface of the upper cover rubber 16 is preset. Since there is a depth (wear limit depth) that allows wear of the upper cover rubber 16, 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 preset.

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

[0066] One end and the other end of the sensor unit 6 in the longitudinal direction are each electrically connected to the IC chip 3a. The IC tag 2 is provided with a number of pairs of terminals connected to the IC chip 3a. One end and the other end of the sensor unit 6 in the longitudinal direction are each electrically connected to the IC chip 3a by being connected to this pair of terminals. The sensor unit 6 and the pair of terminals are connected using caulking and crimp terminals, or are connected by a conductive adhesive, welding, solder, 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 constraints, the number of pairs of terminals provided on one IC tag 2 is, for example, about 1 to 6.

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

[0068] The wear state of the surface of the conveyor belt 13 is generally the same over the entire length of the conveyor belt 13 in the longitudinal direction L. The IC tags 2 to which the sensor units 6 are connected are embedded at a plurality of positions 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, the sensor unit 6 is preferably extended so as to cover the entire width of the core layer 14. Alternatively, in the upper cover rubber 16, since the central portion in the width direction W is most likely to wear, the sensor unit 6 can also be extended so as to cover at least the central portion in the width direction W.

[0070] In the arithmetic unit 8, the embedded depth (initial embedded depth) from the surface of the upper cover rubber 16 of the sensor unit 6 is stored in association with the sensor identification information that identifies the sensor unit 6. When the sensor unit 6 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17, the embedded depth (initial embedded depth) from the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 is associated with the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 and stored in the arithmetic unit 8. Further, in the arithmetic unit 8, the embedded position information (at least the position data in the longitudinal direction L) of each IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is stored in association with the identification information of each IC tag 2. It is also possible to store, in the arithmetic unit 8, the position information (position data in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W) of each sensor unit 6 with respect to the connected IC tag 2 in association with the respective sensor identification information.

[0071] Next, an example of the procedure for grasping the wear state as the 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 (in the front) the detector 7. When the IC tag 2 receives the transmission radio wave R1, the IC tag 2 transmits a reply radio wave R2 to the reception unit 7r in response to the transmission radio wave R1.

[0073] If the sensor unit 6 is sound, electricity is input to the IC chip 3a by 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 of the sensor unit 6 to the other end and is input to the IC chip 3a. As a result, the IC chip 3a grasps that the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) has been 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. Then, when the reply radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the called identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information are transmitted by the reply radio wave R2 and received by the reception unit 7r.

[0074] The receiving unit 7r receives this reply radio wave R2, thereby acquiring data (identification information of the IC chip 3a and sensor identification information) from the IC chip 3a transmitted by the reply radio wave R2. The data (identification information of the IC tag 2 and sensor identification information) acquired by the detector 7 is input to the arithmetic unit 8. In the arithmetic unit 8, using the identification information of each input IC tag 2, the embedding position information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 associated with the stored identification information in advance is specified. Also, using the sensor identification information of the input sensor unit 6, the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 associated with the stored sensor identification information in advance is specified.

[0075] When the sensor identification information is input from the detector 7 to the arithmetic unit 8, the arithmetic unit 8 determines that the sensor unit 6 of the sensor identification information is sound and that this sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is energized. And since the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 is known, the arithmetic unit 8 determines that wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 within the embedding range of this sensor unit 6. Also, since the embedding position information of the IC tag 2 to which this sensor unit 6 is connected on the conveyor belt 13 is specified, it can be grasped that the range where it is determined that wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6 is approximately near the embedding position of the IC tag 2.

[0076] When the upper cover rubber 16 has worn down to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6, the sensor unit 6 is exposed on the surface and will soon break. When the sensor unit 6 breaks, even if electricity is input to the IC chip 3a by the transmitted radio wave R1 received by the antenna unit 3b and the IC chip 3a is activated, no electricity flows through the sensor unit 6, so the IC chip 3a grasps that the sensor unit 6 is not energized. Therefore, even if 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. And when the reply radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the identification information of the called IC tag 2 is transmitted by the reply radio wave R2 and received by the receiving unit 7r, but the sensor identification information of the connected sensor unit 6 is not received by the receiving unit 7r.

[0077] That is, the data (identification information of the IC tag 2) acquired by the detector 7 is input to the arithmetic unit 8. In the arithmetic unit 8, using the identification information of each input IC tag 2, the embedding position information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 associated with the pre-stored identification information is specified. However, since there is no sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2, it is determined that the sensor unit 6 is damaged. That is, in this case, in the range where the sensor unit 6 is embedded, the arithmetic unit 8 determines that wear has progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6.

[0078] Since the embedding position information of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 for 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 embedding position of the IC tag 2. In this way, the wear state of the conveyor belt 13 is grasped based on the detection data by the sensor unit 6 (data on whether the sensor unit 6 is energized).

[0079] If the sensor unit 6 is a simple thin wire with a circular cross-section, when the sharp conveyed object C is put into the conveyor 13, the sensor unit 6 may be cut by the sharp part of the conveyed object C. Then, even if wear has not progressed to the embedding depth of the sensor unit 6, since the sensor unit 6 is broken, the arithmetic unit 8 determines that wear has progressed to the embedding depth, resulting in false detection.

[0080] Therefore, it is preferable to use a flat linear body (strip-shaped wire) as the sensor unit 6. Using the strip-shaped sensor unit 6 in plan view is advantageous for avoiding the above-described false detection. The width of the flat sensor unit 6 is, for example, about 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0081] It is also possible to use the IC tag 2 with the sensor unit 6 illustrated in FIG. 21. In this IC tag 2, a plurality of (five) sensor units 6a to 6e are connected to one IC tag 2. The outer peripheral surfaces of the respective sensor units 6a to 6e are covered with an insulating layer 5. Each of the sensor units 6a to 6e forms an independent loop circuit. Therefore, 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 the respective independent sensor units 6a to 6e embedded at intervals in the thickness direction (depth direction) of the conveyor belt 13. The embedding intervals in the thickness direction (depth direction) of the respective independent sensor units 6a to 6e may be in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less, and each may be equally spaced. The embedding depth of the sensor unit 6e embedded at the deepest position may be 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 lose power. Therefore, by using this IC tag 2, the progress state of the wear of the upper cover rubber 16 can be grasped in more detail.

[0084] In the embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, as the state of the conveyor belt 13, it is also possible to grasp the presence or absence of the occurrence of cracks (so-called longitudinal cracks) extending in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when a longitudinal crack occurs in the conveyor belt 13 and the sensor unit 6 breaks, as in the case where the upper cover rubber 16 wears and the sensor unit 6 breaks as described above, the identification information of the IC tag 2 is transmitted by the return radio wave R2 and received by the receiving unit 7r, but the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2 is not received by the receiving unit 7r. Therefore, the presence or absence of the occurrence of longitudinal cracks can be grasped based on the presence or absence of the acquisition of the sensor identification information by the detector 7.

[0085] Based on another embodiment of the management system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 24, a method for grasping the presence or absence of longitudinal cracks in the conveyor belt 13 will be described in detail.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 24, a number of IC tags 2 to which the sensor unit 6 is connected 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 at one end in the width direction of the conveyor belt 13, and the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) extends from one end to the other end in the width direction of the core layer 14. Each IC tag 2 can also be embedded in a dispersed manner (for example, in a staggered arrangement) at one end and the other end in the width direction.

[0087] In this embodiment, the detector 7 is arranged on the return side of the conveyor device 10, but it can also be arranged on the carrier side. In the arithmetic unit 8, the embedding position information (at least the position data in the longitudinal direction L) of each IC tag 2 in the conveyor belt 13 is stored in association with the identification information of each IC tag 2. Further, the position information (at least the position data in the longitudinal direction L) where each sensor unit 6 extends with respect to the IC tag 2 is stored in the arithmetic unit 8 in association with the sensor identification information for identifying each sensor unit 6.

[0088] When grasping the presence or absence of longitudinal cracks, during the running of the conveyor belt 13, the detector 7 transmits a transmission radio wave R1 from the transmission unit 7s toward the IC tag 2 passing in front of (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 receiving unit 7r in response to the transmission radio wave R1. The return radio wave R2 is received by the receiving unit 7r and input to the arithmetic unit 8.

[0089] If the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is sound, the reply radio wave R2 from the antenna unit 3b of each IC tag 2 transmits the identification information of that IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6, which is received by the receiving unit 7r. Based on the input identification information of the IC tag 2 and the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6, the arithmetic unit 8 determines that the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) is energized and that there is no longitudinal crack in the conveyor belt 13 within the embedding range of this sensor unit 6.

[0090] When a longitudinal crack occurs in the conveyor belt 13 and the sensor unit 6 (loop circuit) breaks, even if the IC tag 2 is activated by the transmitted radio wave R1 received by the antenna unit 3b of the IC tag 2 to which the sensor unit 6 is connected, no electricity flows through the sensor unit 6. Therefore, the IC chip 3a of that IC tag 2 grasps that the sensor unit 6 is not energized. Thus, even if 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 reply radio wave R2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 3b, the called identification information of the IC tag 2 is transmitted by the reply radio wave R2 and received by the receiving unit 7r, but the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 is not received by the receiving unit 7r. Since the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to the IC tag 2 is not input to the arithmetic unit 8, it is determined that the sensor unit 6 is damaged.

[0091] In addition, if the IC tag 2 is damaged due to the occurrence of a longitudinal crack or the like, even if the transmitted radio wave R1 is transmitted from the transmitting unit 7s to the IC tag 2, the receiving unit 7r does not receive the identification information of that IC tag 2 nor the sensor identification information of the sensor unit 6 connected to that IC tag 2. In this case, the arithmetic unit 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. In this IC tag 2, the independent respective sensor units 6a to 6e are embedded at intervals in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13. Note that in FIG. 25, the steel cord 15 is shown with partial omission. The embedding intervals in the longitudinal direction L of the independent respective sensor units 6a to 6e may be in the range of, for example, 1 m or more and 3 m or less, and may be equally spaced.

[0093] As described above, by using the management system 1 in which the IC tag 2 connected with the sensor unit 6 is installed on the conveyor belt 13, at least one item among the three items of the temperature state, wear state, and longitudinal crack occurrence state of the conveyor belt 13 can be grasped by the arithmetic unit 8 based on the detection data by the sensor unit 6. Note that the sensor unit 6 is not limited to the form exemplified in the embodiment, and for example, a known sensor having the same function as the sensor unit 6 can also be used.

Explanation of Signs

[0094] 1 Management system 2 IC tag 2A Radio wave type IC tag 2B Electromagnetic coupling type IC tag 3a IC chip 3b Antenna unit 4 Substrate 5 Insulation layer 6(6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) Sensor unit 7(7A, 7B, 7C) Detector 7s Transmitting unit 7r Receiving unit 8 Arithmetic unit 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 Lower cover rubber C Conveyed object

Claims

1. A conveyor belt management system mounted on a conveyor device, comprising a passive IC tag installed on a conveyor belt, a detector that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag, and an arithmetic unit communicably connected to the detector. A return radio wave returned from the IC tag in response to a transmission radio wave transmitted from the detector toward the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt is received by the detector, and the state of the conveyor belt is grasped by the arithmetic unit using the return radio wave. A conveyor belt management system in which two types of IC tags, a radio wave type IC tag and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag, are used as the IC tags.

2. The running speed of the conveyor belt is calculated by the arithmetic unit based on the reception time of the return radio wave by the detector arranged at at least one detection position of the conveyor device, and the operating state of the conveyor belt is grasped based on the change over time of the calculated running speed. The conveyor belt management system according to Claim 1.

3. The conveyor belt management system according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of sensor units installed on the conveyor belt, including a sensor unit electrically connected to the radio wave type IC tag and a sensor unit electrically connected to the electromagnetic coupling type IC tag. Detection data from each sensor unit is transmitted from the IC tag to the detector by the return radio wave and input to the arithmetic unit, and the state of the conveyor belt is grasped by the arithmetic unit based on the input detection data.

4. The conveyor belt management system according to Claim 3, wherein at least one of the three items of the temperature state, wear state, and occurrence state of longitudinal cracks of the conveyor belt is grasped by the arithmetic unit based on the detection data.

5. A method for managing a conveyor belt, comprising installing a passive IC tag on the conveyor belt, transmitting transmission radio waves from a detector that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag towards the IC tag installed on the conveyor belt attached to the conveyor device, receiving, by the detector, reply radio waves returned from the IC tag in response to the transmission radio waves, and determining the state of the conveyor belt by an arithmetic unit using the reply radio waves. A method for managing a conveyor belt, using two types of IC tags: a radio wave type IC tag and an electromagnetic coupling type IC tag.

6. The method for managing a conveyor belt according to claim 5, wherein the IC tag is embedded in the conveyor belt during the manufacture of the conveyor belt.

7. The method for managing a conveyor belt according to claim 5, wherein the IC tag is installed on the conveyor belt after the manufacture of the conveyor belt.

Images