Conveyor belt management system and method

Abstract

This invention provides a management system and method for appropriately and easily managing each conveyor belt by more effectively utilizing management data acquired for various conveyor belts. [Solution] The IC tag 2 is used without any identification information other than tag-specific information added. The computing device 8 stores a database DB containing a common inspection list of management items for each conveyor belt 13 managed by any user, as well as information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions for each conveyor belt 13. It also stores the identification information of each conveyor belt 13 and the tag-specific number of the IC tag 2 installed on that conveyor belt 13, linked together. The computing device 8 calculates management data for at least some of the management items based on the wireless communication results between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 and inputs it into the inspection list. The information stored in the computing device 8 is displayed on a specific terminal device 9 via the communication network 8a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor belt management system and method. More specifically, it relates to a management system and method that can more effectively utilize management data obtained for various conveyor belts to appropriately manage each conveyor belt and can more easily manage the conveyor belt.

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 Documents 1 and 2). In the management system proposed in Patent Document 1, an individual inspection list determined in advance for each customer using the conveyor belt is used (paragraphs 0033, 0035, 0053 to 0055, etc.). However, when using an individual inspection list for each customer in this way, it is necessary to prepare each inspection list and its operation becomes complicated. And it becomes difficult to use the management data (management results) for the inspection items (management items) of each individual inspection list for the management of conveyor belts of other customers.

[0003] Also, in the management system proposed in Patent Document 1, a management number for identifying a rubber product (conveyor belt) is stored in the server (paragraph 0050). However, Patent Document 1 does not describe how to grasp the management number of each rubber product at the use site of the rubber product and how to associate each rubber product (conveyor belt) with the information of each rubber product (conveyor belt) in the server, so the association method is unclear.

[0004] Patent Document 2 proposes using RFID tags embedded in conveyor belts to identify them at the site of use. In the management system proposed in Patent Document 2, identification information set by the conveyor belt manufacturer is stored in these tags (paragraph 0032). This identification information is a manufacturing number individually assigned to each conveyor belt to identify it. The server stores the identification information of each conveyor belt in association with the management information of each conveyor belt (paragraph 0036). However, although each tag has tag-specific information that distinguishes it from other tags stored in advance, the process of additionally storing belt identification information, as proposed in Patent Document 2, requires considerable effort. Therefore, there is room for improvement in order to more effectively utilize the management data acquired for various conveyor belts to appropriately manage each conveyor belt and to manage them more simply. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-28874 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-23840 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a management system and method that can appropriately manage each conveyor belt by more effectively utilizing management data acquired for various conveyor belts, and that can manage conveyor belts more simply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a conveyor belt management system comprising: a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt; a detector positioned in close proximity to the conveyor belt and communicating wirelessly with the IC tag; and a computing device communicatively connected to the detector. In this conveyor belt management system, the IC tag has tag-specific information pre-stored to distinguish it from other IC tags, and the IC tag is in a state where no identification information other than the tag-specific information is added; the computing device is configured to be connectable to a specific terminal device via a communication network; and the computing device has a management system for each conveyor belt under the management of any conveyor belt user. The system is characterized in that it stores an inspection list with standardized management items, a database containing information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the conveyor belts under management, and that the identification information of each of the conveyor belts under management and the unique tag number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt are linked and stored, and that management data for at least some of the management items is calculated by the calculation device and input into the inspection list based on the wireless communication results between the IC tag installed on each of the conveyor belts under management used at the site of use and the respective detectors located in close proximity to the conveyor belts.

[0008] The present invention provides a conveyor belt management method which involves installing passive IC tags on a conveyor belt, inputting the wireless communication results between a detector positioned close to the conveyor belt and the IC tags into a computing device, and displaying the information stored in the computing device on a specific terminal device connected to the computing device via a communication network. In this method, the IC tags are pre-stored with tag-specific information that identifies them from other IC tags, the IC tags are used without any additional identification information other than the tag-specific information, and the computing device manages each conveyor belt under the management of any conveyor belt user. The system stores a database containing a common inspection list, information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the conveyor belts under management, and stores the identification information of each of the conveyor belts under management in association with the unique tag number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt. The system calculates management data for at least some of the management items using the calculation device based on the wireless communication results between the IC tag installed on each of the conveyor belts under management used at the site and the respective detectors placed in close proximity to those conveyor belts, and inputs this data into the inspection list. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the computing device stores a database containing a common inspection list for each conveyor belt managed by any conveyor belt user, as well as information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each conveyor belt under management. This database is used for the management of each conveyor belt. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare individual inspection lists for each conveyor belt user, thus avoiding the problem of complicated operation. Regardless of the conveyor belt user, management data acquired for various conveyor belts can be used more effectively, which is advantageous for properly managing each conveyor belt. By referring to the information stored in the computing device using a specific terminal device connected to the computing device via a communication network, the desired state of the conveyor belt can be grasped.

[0010] Since the IC tags are used without any identification information other than the tag-specific information added, it becomes unnecessary to store new identification information for identifying the conveyor belt on the IC tags. Therefore, it becomes possible to manage the conveyor belts more easily. By linking the identification information of each conveyor belt to be managed with the tag-specific number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt and storing this information in the computing device, each conveyor belt and its information in the database are reliably linked. Furthermore, by calculating management data for at least some of the management items using the computing device based on the wireless communication results between the IC tags installed on each conveyor belt and the detectors located in close proximity to the conveyor belts, and inputting this data into the inspection list, the work of acquiring and inputting management data is reduced, making it even more advantageous for easily managing the conveyor belts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall overview of an embodiment of a conveyor belt management system. [Figure 2]It is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyor device to which the system of FIG. 1 is applied, in side view. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a view taken in the direction of arrow B-B of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating another arrangement of IC tags on a conveyor belt, in plan view. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating an IC tag, in plan view. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating an IC tag of FIG. 6, in cross-sectional view. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an IC tag and a detector are performing wireless communication, in cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating information included in a database. [Figure 10] It is a graph diagram schematically illustrating the change over time of the running speed of a conveyor belt. [Figure 11] It is a graph diagram illustrating the relationship between the wear amount of cover rubber and the running time (running distance). [Figure 12] It is a graph diagram illustrating the correlation between the electrical resistance value at the start-up of an IC tag and the temperature of the IC tag. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating the temperature of a conveyor belt at each detection position.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a conveyor belt management system and method of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0013] The embodiment of the conveyor belt management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as 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 system 1 has a passive IC tag 2 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. The arithmetic unit 8 is configured to be connectable to a specific terminal device 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) through a communication network 8a.

[0014] The conveyor device 10 has a pair of pulleys 11a, 11b and a number of support rollers 12 arranged between the pulleys 11a, 11b. The conveyor belt 13 formed in a loop is stretched between the pulleys 11a, 11b and supported by a number of support rollers 12 between the pulleys 11a, 11b. The arrows L, W, H in the figure indicate the longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the conveyor belt 13, respectively, which are directions perpendicular to each other. By adjusting the position of the driven pulley 11b in the longitudinal direction L (adjusting the stroke amount) by the stretching mechanism, an appropriate tension is applied to the conveyor belt 13. The conveyor belt 13 runs by rotating the drive pulley 11a.

[0015] The conveyor belt 13 is configured by integrally vulcanizing and bonding an upper cover rubber 16, a lower cover rubber 17, and a core layer 14 disposed between them. In this embodiment, the core layer 14 is composed of a number of steel cords 15 arranged side by side in the width direction W. Other members may be provided on the conveyor belt 13 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 depending on the required performance of the conveyor belt 13.

[0016] 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 takes on a trough shape with the central part in the width direction W protruding downward. The conveyed object C is 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.

[0017] In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17, and as illustrated in Figure 4, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the widthwise W end of the conveyor belt 13. The IC tag 2 is installed at a desired position on the conveyor belt 13 depending on the purpose.

[0018] As illustrated in Figure 5, the IC tags 2 may be installed at intervals along the width W of the conveyor belt 13. Figure 5 is a view from the same direction as Figure 4, and the dashed line CL indicates the center of the width W of the conveyor belt 13. In Figure 5, the IC tags 2 are embedded in the upper cover rubber 16 at the center and both ends of the width W of the conveyor belt 13. Note that the core layer 14 is not shown in Figure 5.

[0019] To understand the condition of the upper cover rubber 16 (presence or absence of wear, temperature, scratches, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in the upper cover rubber 16. To understand the condition of the lower cover rubber 17 (presence or absence of wear, temperature, scratches, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in the lower cover rubber 17. To understand the operating status of the conveyor belt 13 (travel speed, etc.) and the condition of the endless section of the conveyor belt 16 (elongation, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in either the upper cover rubber 16 or the lower cover rubber 17. To protect the IC tag 2 from conveyed objects C, etc., it is preferable to embed it in the lower cover rubber 17 rather than in the upper cover rubber 16.

[0020] The number of IC tags 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13 is determined appropriately according to the purpose. For example, multiple IC tags 2 may be installed at intervals in the longitudinal direction L and / or the width direction W. In addition, multiple IC tags 2 may be installed at intervals in the thickness direction H of the conveyor belt 13. To grasp the elongation of the endless section of the conveyor belt 13, IC tags 2 are installed at intervals in the longitudinal direction L, spanning the endless section.

[0021] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the IC tag 2 has an IC chip 3 and an antenna unit 4 connected to the IC chip 3. The IC chip 3 and the antenna unit 4 are placed on a substrate 5 and covered by an insulating layer 6.

[0022] IC tag 2 can be of a commonly available specification; for example, an RFID tag (general-purpose) can be used. The size of IC tag 2 is, for example, 200mm² in area. 2 Above 6000mm 2 More preferably 300 mm 2 More than 2700mm 2 The following specifications apply, with a thickness of, for example, 0.01 mm to 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.03 mm to 0.15 mm. The heat resistance temperature of IC tag 2 is, for example, around 250°C.

[0023] The IC chip 3 has pre-stored tag-specific information that identifies it as an IC tag 2 from other IC tags 2. While other information can be stored in the IC chip 3, in this system 1, it is sufficient for only the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 to be stored in the IC chip 3. Therefore, no additional information, such as identification information for the conveyor belt 13 on which the IC tag 2 is installed, is stored in the IC tag 2 (IC chip 3). Consequently, in this system 1, each IC tag 2 is used without any additional identification information other than its own tag-specific information.

[0024] The IC tag 2 can be installed on the conveyor belt 13 during its manufacture or on the manufactured conveyor belt 13. When the IC tag 2 is retrofitted to the conveyor belt 13, the IC tag 2 is placed at a desired position on the conveyor belt 13 (on the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 or upper cover rubber 16), and then the IC tag 2 is covered with rubber material, and the IC tag 2 is joined to the conveyor belt 13 together with the rubber material. Known adhesives or vulcanization bonding treatments can be used for this joining.

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 8, the detector 7 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13 without contact with the conveyor belt 13. The detector 7 has a transmitter 7s and a receiver 7r. The transmitter 7s transmits a radio wave R1 towards the IC tag 2. The receiver 7r receives a reply radio wave R2 sent back from the IC tag 2 (antenna unit 4) in response to the transmitted radio wave R1, and obtains the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3 that is transmitted along with the reply radio wave R2.

[0026] The detector 7 will be a commonly available model capable of wireless communication with passive RFID tags, etc. The radio frequency used for wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 will mainly be in the UHF band (860MHz to 930MHz, although this varies by country; in Japan, it is 915MHz to 930MHz), although the HF band (13.56MHz) may also be used.

[0027] The detector 7 is positioned in close proximity to the conveyor belt 13 mounted on the conveyor device 10. In this embodiment, the detector 7 is fixed at a predetermined detection position P. The detector 7 may be positioned at a single detection position P, or at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. The arrangement and number of positions of the detector 7 are determined as appropriate depending on the purpose. For example, the detector 7 may be positioned at substantially equal intervals along a predetermined length section or the entire circumference of the conveyor belt line. Alternatively, the detector 7 may be positioned at multiple locations spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0028] The detector 7 is not limited to being positioned on the return side of the conveyor device 10, as in this embodiment; it can also be positioned on the carrier side, or on both the return and carrier sides. The distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 4 when they are closest is set to, for example, within 1 m. That is, the detector 7 is installed at a detection position P where the distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 4 is 1 m or less when the antenna unit 4 passes near the detector 7. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, it is preferable that the widthwise position of each detector 7 aligns with the widthwise position of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13. In this embodiment, the detector 7 does not display various information stored in the computing unit 8, nor does it display the tag-specific information of each IC tag 2. That is, the detector 7 does not have a display unit for displaying this information.

[0029] The computing device 8 is connected to the detector 7 by wire or wireless connection. A computer or computer server can be used as the computing device 8. Information detected and acquired by the detector 7 is input to the computing device 8. The computing device 8 performs various calculations based on the various input information. The computing device 8 is connected to terminal devices 9, such as computers or smartphones, located at a remote location away from the conveyor belt 13's usage site, via a communication network 8a, such as the internet. A password or similar is set for the connection between the computing device 8 and the terminal devices 9, so that only specific terminal devices 9 can access the computing device 8.

[0030] The computing unit 8 stores a database DB for managing each of the conveyor belts 13 under its control. This database DB contains the information illustrated in Figure 9. The information contained in this database DB includes an inspection list D1 which contains common management items for each of the conveyor belts 13 under the control of any conveyor belt user (hereinafter referred to as "user"), information on the belt specifications D2 and information on the belt usage conditions D3 for each of the conveyor belts 13 under its control. Details of the database DB will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, the identification information of each conveyor belt 13 under management is linked to and stored in the IC tag 2 attached to that conveyor belt 13. The identification information of the conveyor belt 13 is the manufacturing number of that conveyor belt 13 set by the belt manufacturer, and is information (numbers, symbols, or combinations thereof) used to distinguish that conveyor belt 13 from other conveyor belts 13.

[0032] The computing unit 8 also stores the placement positions of the IC tags 2 on the conveyor belt 13 (longitudinal direction L, width direction W, thickness direction H). The placement position of the IC tags 2 in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 can be set starting from a mark or the like placed at a predetermined position on the conveyor belt 13.

[0033] Furthermore, the arithmetic unit 8 also stores the identification information of each detector 7 and the placement location of each detector 7. The identification information of a detector 7 is information (such as a number, symbol, or a combination thereof) that distinguishes that detector 7 from other detectors 7. The placement location of a detector 7 is information that identifies the conveyor line on which that detector 7 is placed and its position on that conveyor line. Therefore, when the unique information that a detector 7 obtains from the IC tag 2 is input to the arithmetic unit 8, the conveyor belt 13 on which the IC tag 2 is installed and its detector 7 are identified, and the placement location of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is also identified. Furthermore, the conveyor line on which the detector 7 is placed is identified, and the position of the detector 7 on the conveyor line (detection position P) is also identified.

[0034] The information illustrated in Figure 9 includes the identification information of the conveyor belt 13, the user (user name), the identification information of the detector 7 (detector number), as well as the inspection list D1, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3. The information illustrated in Figure 9 is organized for each conveyor belt 13 under management, so the information in Figure 9 is stored in the computing device 8 as a database DB for each conveyor belt 13.

[0035] Inspection list D1 standardizes the management items for each conveyor belt 13 under the management of any user. In other words, this inspection list D1 is not an individual inspection list for each user, but is used regardless of the user. This inspection list D1 registers the management items that can be identified through inspection of the conveyor belt 13, and mainly consists of items that have a significant impact on the lifespan of the conveyor belt 13.

[0036] Specific management items, as illustrated in Figure 9, include the presence and extent of damage or uneven wear to the upper cover rubber 16, lower cover rubber 17, and end rubber in the belt width direction, as well as the presence and extent of damage to the endless section and core layer 14. These management items are measured and observed by the operator on the conveyor belt 13, and the results are entered as management data into the computing device 8 and stored. Other management items are registered as needed.

[0037] In the inspection list D1 in Figure 9, the management items listed as the result of wireless communication between the IC tag and the detector are acquired based on information obtained through wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7. In other words, to acquire this management data, it is not necessary for the worker to actually measure and observe the conveyor belt 13. Specific management items, as illustrated in Figure 9, include the conveyor belt 13's travel speed V, travel time (travel distance), and the amount of wear and temperature of the upper cover rubber 16 and lower cover rubber 17. Other management items are registered as needed. The management items for which management data is acquired based on information obtained through wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 are not limited to all of the following: the conveyor belt 13's travel speed V, travel time (travel distance), the amount of wear of the cover rubber (at least one of the upper cover rubber 16 and lower cover rubber 17), and the temperature of the conveyor belt 13; at least one of these four management items may be acquired. Therefore, the system can be configured to acquire management data for two or three management items selected from these four management items based on the information obtained by the wireless communication described above.

[0038] Since the management data for each management item in inspection list D1 is periodically entered into the arithmetic unit 8, the management data for each item is accumulated in the database DB. In other words, the time-series management data for each management item is included in the database DB.

[0039] The belt specification information D2 illustrated in Figure 9 represents the belt specifications of each conveyor belt 13 under management. Specifically, the size and component specifications of the conveyor belt 13 are included in the database DB as belt specification information D2.

[0040] The information D3 regarding belt usage conditions, illustrated in Figure 9, represents the usage conditions for each conveyor belt 13 under management. Since conveyor belts 13 are often installed with an inclination along their longitudinal direction L, the belt's vertical inclination angle is included as a management item.

[0041] The database DB is not limited to the information exemplified in Figure 9, but can include other information as well. For example, it would be good to include information such as the repair details (repair history) of the conveyor belt 13 and the replacement timing of the conveyor belt 13 in the database DB.

[0042] Next, we will explain an example of a procedure for determining the condition of the conveyor belt 13 using System 1.

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 8, the conveyor belt 13 under management emits a radio wave R1 from the detector 7 (transmitter 7s). Each IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13 receives the emitted radio wave R1 with the antenna unit 4 when it approaches the detector 7 due to the movement of the conveyor belt 13. This emitted radio wave R1 generates power in the IC tag 2, causing it to activate.

[0044] The activated IC tag 2 sequentially sends a reply radio wave R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmitted radio wave R1. This reply radio wave R2 is sent from the IC tag 2 to the detector 7 via the antenna unit 4. Upon receiving this reply radio wave R2, the detector 7 (receiver 7r) sequentially acquires the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3 along with the reply radio wave R2 as a reception result.

[0045] Here, we will explain how the calculation device 8 calculates the travel speed V of the conveyor belt 13. In this embodiment, since detectors 7 are arranged at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L, when the conveyor belt 13 is moving, each detector 7 wirelessly communicates with the IC tag 2 when it passes nearby and obtains the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2. The obtained tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 is stored in the calculation device 8 along with the reception time t when the detector 7 receives the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. The distance PL in the longitudinal direction L between each detector 7 and the detection position P where each detector 7 is located is known and is input to the calculation device 8. Therefore, the calculation device 8 calculates the travel speed V by dividing the distance PL by the difference in the reception time t of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by each detector 7 located at least two detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L (travel speed V = distance PL / difference in reception time t).

[0046] The travel speed V can also be calculated using a single detector 7 located at the same detection position P. Specifically, the travel speed V is calculated by dividing the total length (belt length) of the conveyor belt 13 by the interval of reception times t in which a single detector 7 located at the same detection position P repeatedly detects the same IC tag 2. Alternatively, the travel speed V is calculated by dividing the distance between the two IC tags 2 in the longitudinal direction L (this distance is known) by the difference in reception times t in which a single detector 7 located at the same detection position P detects two IC tags 2 that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L.

[0047] Since the conveyor belt 13 is continuous, it is basically sufficient to calculate the travel speed V in any single section (the distance PL between any two detection positions P). However, for example, the travel speed V may differ slightly between the section immediately before the conveyed object C is loaded and the section immediately after the conveyed object C is loaded, due to factors such as the weight of the conveyed object C and the impact of loading. Therefore, it is advisable to calculate the travel speed V in multiple sections.

[0048] The time-series fluctuations of the travel speed V calculated by the computing device 8 can be understood as illustrated in Figure 10. The time-series changes in the travel speed V illustrated in Figure 10 reflect the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when the travel speed V is zero (including cases that are close to zero), it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating (not traveling). When the travel speed V is approximately constant, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is operating steadily. When the travel 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. Therefore, by referring to the data illustrated in Figure 10, the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13 can be accurately understood.

[0049] The calculation unit 8 calculates the travel time (travel distance) of the conveyor belt 13 based on the data illustrated in Figure 10. The actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13 is more significantly affected by the travel time (travel distance) than by the elapsed time since it was installed on the conveyor device 10. Therefore, knowing the actual travel time (travel distance) of the conveyor belt 13 is advantageous for accurately determining the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13.

[0050] By using the data exemplified in Figure 10 for numerous conveyor belts 13 of the same specifications, and understanding the correlation between their travel time (travel distance) and actual lifespan X, it becomes possible to accurately estimate the actual lifespan X of a conveyor belt 13 of that specification. Therefore, the data exemplified in Figure 10 for conveyor belts 13 of the same specifications used at the site is obtained, and the current travel time (travel distance) is calculated by the calculation device 8. Then, by subtracting the current travel time (travel distance) from the lifespan X estimated in advance as described above, the remaining lifespan (remaining travel distance) of the conveyor belt 13 can be accurately calculated by the calculation device 8. Since the remaining lifespan can be calculated accurately, it is advantageous to replace the conveyor belt 13 at an appropriate time for each site. In other words, the calculation device 8 can calculate the appropriate replacement time for the conveyor belt 13. The remaining lifespan (remaining travel distance) and the appropriate replacement time of the conveyor belt 13 calculated by the calculation device 8 are also stored in the calculation device 8.

[0051] Next, we will explain how the amount of wear on the cover rubbers 16 and 17 is calculated by the arithmetic unit 8. If the IC tag 2 is in good condition, it communicates wirelessly with the detector 7 as described above, so the detector 7 receives a reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. However, when the cover rubbers 16 and 17 wear down to the position where the IC tag 2 is installed, the IC tag 2 is damaged, and the detector 7 cannot receive the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. Therefore, when the detector 7 can no longer receive the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2, it can be determined that the cover rubbers 16 and 17 have worn down to the installation position of the IC tag 2. In other words, based on the result of wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7, the data exemplified in Figure 11 can be calculated, so the degree of wear on the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be determined. If a limit value for the wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 is set in advance, the remaining thickness up to the limit value of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be determined. This allows the arithmetic unit 8 to accurately calculate the remaining lifespan of the conveyor belt 13 due to the wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17. This limit value and the remaining lifespan of the conveyor belt 13 calculated by the calculation unit 8 are also stored in the calculation unit 8.

[0052] By placing IC tags 2 at intervals along the longitudinal direction L and width direction W of the cover rubbers 16 and 17, the planar distribution of the degree of wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be determined, making it possible to identify whether or not there is uneven wear. By placing more IC tags 2 at intervals along the thickness direction H of the cover rubbers 16 and 17, the degree of wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be determined in more detail.

[0053] Next, we will explain how to calculate the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 (cover rubber 16, 17) using the calculation unit 8. First, we first obtain the correlation data R between the electrical resistance value of IC tag 2 and the temperature of IC tag 2 when IC tag 2 is activated, as illustrated in Figure 12. More specifically, this correlation data R is data that shows the relationship between the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of IC tag 2 when IC tag 2 is activated by receiving the transmitted radio wave R1, and the temperature of IC tag 2. Generally, as the temperature of IC tag 2 increases, the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of IC tag 2 increases, so the correlation data R rises to the right, as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0054] This correlation data R is stored in the computing unit 8. Then, the electrical resistance data of the electrical circuit in the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated by the transmitted radio wave R1 is stored in the IC chip 3. The IC tag 2 then transmits its identification information and the aforementioned electrical resistance data to the detector 7 along with a reply radio wave R2 in response to the transmitted radio wave R1. The computing unit 8 calculates the temperature at the location where the IC tag 2 is installed based on the electrical resistance data of the IC tag 2 input from the detector 7 and the correlation data R.

[0055] If the detectors 7 are placed at multiple detection positions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 between the pulleys 11a and 11b, and the IC tags 2 are embedded at multiple locations spaced apart along the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13, the temperature distribution along the longitudinal direction L of the moving conveyor belt 13 can be determined. Furthermore, if the IC tags 2 are embedded at multiple locations spaced apart along the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13, the temperature distribution along the width direction W of the moving conveyor belt 13 can be determined.

[0056] When the support rollers 12 of the conveyor device 10 are rotating normally and the conveyor belt 13 is running steadily, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at each detection position P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L will be approximately constant, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 13 (demonstration of temperature data Dn). On the other hand, if any of the support rollers 12 on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 are not rotating properly, the frictional resistance between the faulty support roller 12 and the running conveyor belt 13 increases, causing the conveyor belt 13 to overheat abnormally. Alternatively, if the conveyor belt 13 is in contact with the frame of the conveyor device 10 while running, the conveyor belt 13 will overheat abnormally.

[0057] When abnormal heating occurs in the conveyor belt 13, the temperature data will show a localized temperature increase, as illustrated by the solid line in Figure 13 (Dx). The temperature of the conveyor belt 13 on the vertical axis of Figure 13 is the temperature calculated by the computing device 8 as described above. As illustrated in Figure 13, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at detection positions P near the support roller 12 that is not rotating properly, and at detection positions P near the contact point between the frame and the conveyor belt 13, will be higher than the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at other detection positions.

[0058] Therefore, based on the temperature data Dx illustrated in Figure 13, the position in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor device 10 where abnormal heating of the conveyor belt 13 is occurring can be roughly identified. That is, in the vicinity of the detection position P where the temperature data Dx is at its peak (maximum value), it can be estimated that there is a malfunction in the rotation of the support rollers 12 or contact between the frames and the conveyor belt 13. The data illustrated in Figure 13 is also stored in the calculation unit 8.

[0059] Specific terminal devices 9 connected to the computing device 8 via the communication network 8a display the desired information stored in the computing device 8, such as the database DB described above. Therefore, terminal devices 9 located remotely from the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used, such as those of users, sales companies, and manufacturers of the conveyor belt 13, can grasp the desired status of the conveyor belt 13 in virtually real time. However, restrictions are placed on the information provided to each user so that information about another user's conveyor belt 13 is not provided. Furthermore, the information (data) stored in the computing device 8 can be accessed and viewed by the terminal devices 9, or transmitted from the computing device 8 to the terminal devices 9.

[0060] According to the embodiment of System 1 described above, a database DB containing a common inspection list D1, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3 for each conveyor belt 13 managed by any user is used for the management of each conveyor belt 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare individual inspection lists for each user, and the problem of complicated operation can be avoided. Regardless of the user, the management data acquired for various conveyor belts 13 can be used more effectively. In other words, by using the management data of conveyor belts 13 from various users, the remaining lifespan (remaining mileage) and appropriate replacement timing of the conveyor belt 13 can be calculated, which is advantageous for properly managing each conveyor belt 13. A specific terminal device 9 can understand the status of a desired conveyor belt 13 by referring to the information stored in the arithmetic unit 8.

[0061] Since the IC tag 2 is used without any identification information other than tag-specific information added, it becomes unnecessary to store new identification information in the IC tag 2 to identify the conveyor belt 13. The more conveyor belts 13 to be managed there are, and the more IC tags 2 are installed on each conveyor belt 13, the more work is required to store new identification information in the IC tag 2. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to manage conveyor belts more easily.

[0062] Although the IC tag 2 does not store identification information for the conveyor belt 13, by linking the identification information of each conveyor belt 13 under management with the unique tag number of the IC tag 2 installed on that conveyor belt 13 and storing this information in the computing device 8, each conveyor belt 13 is reliably linked to the information in the database DB for each conveyor belt 13.

[0063] Furthermore, the management data DB for at least some of the management items is calculated by the calculation unit 8 based on the wireless communication results between the IC tags 2 installed on each conveyor belt 13 and the respective detectors 7 located in close proximity to the conveyor belt 13, and entered into the inspection list D1. Therefore, the work of acquiring and entering management data is reduced, which is even more advantageous for easily managing the conveyor belts 13.

[0064] The detector 7 can also be configured to have a display unit that shows various information stored in the computing unit 8. By adopting such a detector 7, workers can refer to the various information stored in the computing unit 8 at the site where the conveyor belt 13 is in use. Portable devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs can be used as the detector 7 with a display unit. By adopting such a portable detector 7 with a display unit, workers can input and store management data obtained by measuring and observing the conveyor belt 13 into the computing unit 8 using the detector 7. However, in order to continuously monitor the condition of the conveyor belt 13, the detector 7 needs to be fixed at a predetermined detection position P; therefore, even if such a detector 7 is adopted, it cannot be moved freely without restriction.

[0065] The computing unit 8 can extract conveyor belts 13 with similar belt usage conditions from the database DB and compare the management data for the same management items of each extracted conveyor belt 13. The computing unit 8 can also estimate the cause of the differences in the comparison results from the belt specification information D2 and belt usage condition information D3 stored in the database DB.

[0066] For example, we can extract conveyor belts 13 with similar belt usage conditions and compare the amount of wear on the upper cover rubber 16 over the same travel time (travel distance). If the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16 of each of the compared conveyor belts 13 are different and the difference in the comparison results is large, it can be estimated that the cause of the difference is the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16. Then, by calculating the correlation between the characteristic quantities (hardness, modulus, amount of specific compounding agents, etc.) of the specifications of each upper cover rubber 16 and the respective control data (amount of wear), it becomes possible to estimate the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16 that have superior wear resistance. On the other hand, if the difference in the comparison results is small (when the difference is practically negligible), it can be estimated that the cause of the difference is something other than the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16. For example, it can be estimated that the cause of the difference is the belt specifications other than the upper cover rubber 16. Alternatively, even if the belt usage conditions are similar, there may be slight differences, so it can be estimated that the cause is a slight difference in those belt usage conditions.

[0067] If the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16 of each of the compared conveyor belts 13 are substantially the same, and the difference in the comparison results is large, it can be presumed that the cause of the difference lies in something other than the specifications of the upper cover rubber 16. This difference is presumed to be due to slight differences in belt specifications other than the upper cover rubber 16, or in the belt usage conditions. On the other hand, if the difference in the comparison results is small, it is difficult to estimate the cause of the difference. However, in this embodiment, since management data for a large number of conveyor belts 13 can be used regardless of the user, it is advantageous for more accurate estimation compared to using the management data for individual users' conveyor belts 13.

[0068] The estimation of the cause of the above-mentioned differences is not limited to the amount of wear on the upper cover rubber 16, but can be performed on various control items. By performing such estimations in detail on various control items, it becomes possible to estimate belt specifications suitable for each usage condition. As a result, it becomes possible to propose a conveyor belt 13 with belt specifications suitable for the usage conditions to the user. For example, differences in the shape of the conveyed object C, the tension applied to the conveyor belt 13, and the mass per unit length of the conveyor belt 13 may be the cause of the differences in the above comparison results, so it is preferable to store the belt specifications and belt usage conditions in detail in the calculation device 8.

[0069] In a database with inspection lists determined for each user, each conveyor belt 13 is managed separately for each user. For individual users, if the belt usage conditions are the same or similar, essentially the same conveyor belt 13 is used. Therefore, it is difficult to compare management data for the same management items across various conveyor belts with similar belt usage conditions. However, in the above embodiment, a database DB containing inspection list D1, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3, where management items for each conveyor belt 13 managed by any user are standardized, is used. This makes it easy to compare various conveyor belts with similar belt usage conditions. The estimation results from the calculation unit 8 can also be stored in the calculation unit 8 and displayed on the terminal device 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Management System 2 IC tags 3 IC chips 4. Antenna section 5 circuit boards 6. Insulating layer 7(7A, 7B, 7C) Detector 7s Transmitter 7r Receiver 8 Arithmetic unit 8a Communication Network 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) Terminal equipment 10 Conveyor System 11a, 11b pulleys 12 Support rollers 13 Conveyor belt 14 Cardiac layer 15 Steel cord 16. Top cover rubber 17. Lower cover rubber C. Transported items DB Database D1 Inspection List Information on D2 belt specifications Information on D3 belt usage conditions

Claims

1. A conveyor belt management system comprising a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt, a detector positioned in close proximity to the conveyor belt and communicating wirelessly with the IC tag, and a computing device connected to the detector in a communicative manner, The IC tag has tag-specific information pre-stored in it that distinguishes it from other IC tags, and the IC tag is in a state where no identification information other than the tag-specific information has been added. The computing device is configured to be connectable to a specific terminal device via a communication network, and the computing device stores a database containing a common inspection list for each conveyor belt managed by any conveyor belt user, information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the managed conveyor belts, and stores the identification information of each of the managed conveyor belts and the unique tag number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt, linked together. A conveyor belt management system in which management data for at least some of the management items is calculated by the computing device and input into the inspection list based on wireless communication results between the IC tags installed on each of the conveyor belts under management used at the site of use and the respective detectors positioned in close proximity to the conveyor belts.

2. The conveyor belt management system according to claim 1, wherein the detector is fixed at a predetermined detection position and is configured not to display information stored in the computing device.

3. A conveyor belt management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation device compares management data for the same management item of conveyor belts with similar belt usage conditions in the database, and estimates the cause of the difference in the comparison result from the belt specifications and belt usage conditions stored in the database.

4. A conveyor belt management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management item calculated by the computing device based on the wireless communication result and input into the inspection list is at least one of the travel time of each conveyor belt, the amount of wear of the cover rubber, and the temperature.

5. In a conveyor belt management method in which passive IC tags are installed on the conveyor belt, the wireless communication results between a detector positioned close to the conveyor belt and the IC tags are input to a computing device, and the information stored in the computing device is displayed on a specific terminal device connected to the computing device via a communication network, The IC tag has tag-specific information pre-stored in it that distinguishes it from other IC tags, and the IC tag is used without any identification information other than the tag-specific information being added. The calculation device stores a database containing a common inspection list for each conveyor belt managed by any conveyor belt user, information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions for each of the conveyor belts under management, and stores the identification information of each conveyor belt under management, linked to the unique tag number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt. A conveyor belt management method comprising calculating management data for at least some of the management items using the calculation device based on the wireless communication results between the IC tags installed on each of the conveyor belts under management used at the site of use and the respective detectors placed in close proximity to those conveyor belts, and inputting the calculation data into the inspection list.

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