Conveyor system and dust collection method

Abstract

To provide a conveyor system capable of collecting dust accumulated inside the conveyor. [Solution] The conveyor device of the present invention is A conveying unit 20 comprising a conveyor for transporting objects S, and a casing 21 surrounding the conveyor, It comprises a dust collection unit 50 for collecting dust from inside the casing 21, The casing 21 is provided with intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C for drawing outside air into the interior of the casing 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor device and a dust collection method.

Background Art

[0002] In a conveyor device that conveys a conveyed object, when the conveyed object is supplied from a previous process, during conveyance, or when discharging the conveyed object to the next process, dust generated from the conveyed object accumulates in the conveyor machine. In the conveyor device of Patent Document 1, dust is dropped and collected by applying vibration to a steep inclined surface where dust has accumulated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The conveyor device of Patent Document 1 collects dust only at a specific location on the discharge port side where the conveyed object is discharged. However, dust also accumulates on the inclined surface of the conveyor and outside specific locations where a vibration source can be provided. The dust accumulated in the conveyor machine may lead to problems such as the conveyor device stopping.

[0005] From the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device capable of collecting dust accumulated in the conveyor machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The conveyor device of the present invention includes a conveyance unit including a conveyor that conveys a conveyed object and a casing that surrounds the conveyor, and a dust collection unit that collects dust inside the casing. The casing is provided with an air intake port that draws outside air into the interior of the casing.

[0007] The conveyor device of the present invention is A flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of outside air drawn in through the air intake by adjusting the degree of opening, A deposit detection means for detecting dust accumulated in the casing, Preferably, the system includes a control unit that adjusts the opening degree of a flow control valve based on the detection results of a sediment detection means.

[0008] The control unit of the conveyor device of the present invention is It is preferable to adjust the suction airflow of the dust collection unit based on the opening degree of the flow control valve.

[0009] The conveyor device of the present invention is A flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of outside air drawn in through the air intake by adjusting the degree of opening, It includes a control unit that adjusts the airflow rate of the dust collection unit based on the opening degree of the flow control valve,

[0010] The conveyor device of the present invention is A dust collection unit is provided on the downstream side in the direction of transport of the conveyed material. It is preferable that the air intake port is provided upstream of the dust collection section.

[0011] The dust collection method of the present invention is The airflow generated by the intake of outside air through the intake path lifts up accumulated dust particles, carrying them along with the airflow, and collecting the dust at the end of the airflow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the dust accumulated inside the conveyor can be collected by the dust collection unit as the dust accumulated inside the conveyor rides on the airflow generated by the outside air drawn in from the intake port. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a belt conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing sediment detection means according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the inside of a belt conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a functional block diagram of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart diagram of a dust collection procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. The belt conveyor 1 is a conveyor device that places the conveyed object S on an endless belt and runs the endless belt by a pulley to convey the conveyed object S from an upstream process to a downstream process. When the conveyed object S is placed on the endless belt, dust derived from the conveyed object S is deposited inside the belt conveyor 1 because dust is generated when the conveyed object S is placed on the endless belt, during conveyance, or when it is discharged to a downstream process. According to this belt conveyor 1, dust deposited inside the conveyor can be collected. [Belt conveyor 1: Refer to FIG. 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the belt conveyor 1 includes a storage unit 10 that stores the conveyed object S and supplies the conveyed object S to the conveyance unit 20, a conveyance unit 20 that conveys the conveyed object S supplied from the storage unit 10, a dust collection unit 50 that collects dust inside the conveyance unit 20, and a control unit 70 that controls the operation of each device of the belt conveyor 1. In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V are defined as shown.

[0015] [Storage unit 10: Refer to FIG. 1] The storage unit 10 stores the conveyed object S and supplies the conveyed object S to the conveyance unit 20. The storage unit 10 is constituted by, for example, a silo. Note that the state in which the conveyed object S is stored is not shown in the figure.

[0016] [Carriage unit 20: Refer to FIG. 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage unit 20 includes a casing 21 through which the conveyed object S is conveyed inside, an endless conveyor belt 22 on which the supplied conveyed object S is placed and which conveys the conveyed object S from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of the white arrow, a driving pulley 23 around which the conveyor belt 22 is wound, a driven pulley 24, and a take-up pulley 25. The conveyor belt 22, the driving pulley 23, the driven pulley 24, and the take-up pulley 25 correspond to the conveyor of the present invention. The casing 21 surrounds the conveyor belt 22, the driving pulley 23, the driven pulley 24, and the take-up pulley 25. The conveyor belt 22 is divided into a carrier belt 22A on the side that conveys the conveyed object S and a return belt 22B on the side that returns after the conveyance of the conveyed object S is completed. The return belt 22B runs below the carrier belt 22A in the vertical direction V. Here, the return belt 22B running below the carrier belt 22A in the vertical direction V means that in the longitudinal sectional view of the belt conveyor 1 with the vertical direction V as the vertical, the return belt 22B runs below the carrier belt 22A in the vertical direction V. It does not mean that the return belt 22B is below the carrier belt 22A in the vertical direction V over the entire area of the return belt 22B.

[0017] [Casing 21: Refer to FIG. 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 21 is provided with a head region 21A in the downstream region in the conveyance direction of the conveyed object S where the driving pulley 23 is provided and the conveyed object S is discharged, a take-up region 21B surrounding the take-up pulley 25 that adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt 22, and a tail region 21C surrounding the driven pulley 24 and in the upstream region in the conveyance direction of the conveyed object S. The casing 21 is also provided with a supply port 21D through which the conveyed object S is supplied from the storage unit 10 and a discharge port 21E through which the conveyed object S is discharged. Dust D derived from the conveyed object S accumulates on the bottom surface of the casing 21.

[0018] The head region 21A is the downstream region of the casing 21 that surrounds the drive pulley 23 and extends to just before the return belt 22B travels downward in the vertical direction V from the drive pulley 23 toward the take-up pulley 25. The head region 21A is provided with an air intake port 31A for drawing outside air into the casing 21, and an accumulated dust detection unit 40A for detecting dust accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21. A flow control valve 32A is connected to the air intake port 31A to adjust the flow rate of outside air drawn in from the air intake port 31A.

[0019] The take-up region 21B is a region that extends downward in the vertical direction V from the bottom surface of the casing 21 near the middle of the transport direction of the transported object S, and surrounds the take-up pulley 25. The tail region 21C is located upstream of the storage section 10 in the direction of transport of the transported material S, and is the region surrounding the driven pulley 24. Similarly, intake ports 31B, 31C and accumulated dust detection units 40B, 40C are provided in the take-up region 21B and the tail region 21C. Flow control valves 32B, 32C are also connected to the intake ports 31B, 31C, respectively. The intake ports 31A, 31B, 31C serve as pathways for drawing in outside air. The intake ports 31A, 31B, 31C and accumulated dust detection units 40A, 40B, 40C are located near the bottom surface of the casing 21.

[0020] The air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C are located below the return belt 22B of the conveyor belt 22 in the vertical direction V. Here, "below the return belt 22B in the vertical direction V" means that, in a vertical cross-sectional view of the belt conveyor 1 with the vertical direction V as the vertical, the air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C are located below the return belt 22B in the vertical direction V. It does not mean that the air intake port 31A is below the return belt 22B in the vertical direction V over the entire length of the return belt 22B.

[0021] The outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C passes mainly below the vertical direction V of the return belt 22B, as indicated by the dashed arrows, before heading towards the dust collection unit 50 and being exhausted from the dust collection unit 50. The outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C passes below the vertical direction V of the return belt 22B, generating an airflow. The dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21 is lifted up by the airflow, and the dust D rides on the airflow and is collected by the dust collection unit 50, which is the end point of the airflow.

[0022] The intake ports 31A in the head region 21A and 31B in the take-up region 21B are provided on the sides of the casing 21 parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyed object S. For example, one intake port 31A and one intake port 31B are provided on the front side and one on the back side of the plane of Figure 1. The outside air drawn in from intake ports 31A and 31B flows in from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, then makes a 90-degree turn and heads toward the dust collection section 50 along the conveying direction. The intake port 31C in the tail region 21C is provided on the side of the casing 21 perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyed object S. For example, multiple intake ports 31C may be arranged in a row in the depth direction of the plane of Figure 1, or one may be provided near the center of the length of the casing 21 in the depth direction. The outside air drawn in from intake port 31C flows in from the same direction as the conveying direction and continues straight along the conveying direction. Therefore, the airflow generated by the outside air drawn in from the intake port 31C has a higher flow velocity than the airflow generated by the outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A and 31B, resulting in higher dust collection efficiency. In addition, the outside air drawn in from the intake port 31C reaches the dust collection unit 50 via the lower side of the take-up pulley 25 and the drive pulley 23 in the vertical direction V. As the outside air drawn in from the intake port 31C moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the casing 21, the dust D accumulated throughout the entire casing 21 can be efficiently collected by the dust collection unit 50.

[0023] The flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C have their openings individually adjusted by the control unit 70. Opening the valves starts the intake of outside air from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C, adjusting the valve openings adjusts the flow rate of outside air circulating inside the casing 21, and closing the valves stops the intake of outside air from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C. The flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C are composed of, for example, electrically operated or pneumatically operated butterfly valves. Since the valve can be closed to keep the belt conveyor 1 in an airtight state, moisture absorption and contamination of the conveyed material S can be prevented before dust D accumulates.

[0024] Furthermore, the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C may be kept open when the belt conveyor 1 starts operating.

[0025] A drive source, such as an electric motor (not shown), is connected to the drive pulley 23. The drive pulley 23 is continuously rotated by the electric motor from the start to the stop of operation of the belt conveyor 1. The rotational driving force of the electric motor is transmitted from the drive pulley 23, causing the conveyor belt 22 to move. As the conveyor belt 22 moves, the driven pulley 24 and the take-up pulley 25 are also rotated.

[0026] [Accumulated dust detection units 40A, 40B, 40C: See Figures 1 and 2] As shown in Figure 1, the accumulated dust detection units 40A, 40B, and 40C are located on the side of the casing 21, below the return belt 22B in the vertical direction V. As shown in Figure 2, the accumulated dust detection units 40A, 40B, and 40C include, for example, inspection windows 41A, 41B, and 41C that allow the inside of the casing 21 to be visually inspected from outside the casing 21, first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C as accumulated material detection means for detecting dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21, and second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C as accumulated material detection means positioned higher in the vertical direction V than the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C.

[0027] The first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C detect a first accumulation amount of dust D, and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C detect a second accumulation amount of dust D, which is greater than the first accumulation amount. The detection results from the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C are acquired by the control unit 70. The first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C are composed of, for example, photoelectric sensors.

[0028] In this embodiment, dust D is detected in two stages, a first accumulation amount and a second accumulation amount, using two sensors. However, the invention is not limited to this, and dust D may be detected using only one sensor, or dust D may be detected in three or more stages using three or more sensors.

[0029] [Dust collection unit 50: See Figure 1] The dust collection unit 50 collects dust by sucking it from inside the transport unit 20, and also generates an airflow inside the casing 21 by drawing in outside air from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C. As shown in Figure 1, the dust collection unit 50 is located at the top of the casing 21 on the head region 21A side where the drive pulley 23 of the conveying unit 20 is located. In other words, the dust collection unit 50 is located downstream of the conveying direction of the conveyed object S. The dust collection unit 50 consists of a casing 51 with a plurality of filters 52 inside, a plurality of filters 52 that collect dust D by adsorbing it onto their surface, and a dust collection fan 53 that sucks in air from inside the casing 21. A bag filter is used as an example of the dust collection unit 50.

[0030] The dust collection unit 50 collects dust by drawing air from inside the casing 21 using a dust collection fan 53 and passing the air containing dust D through a filter 52, thereby adsorbing the dust D onto the filter 52. The dust D adsorbed onto the filter 52 can be returned to the transport unit 20 by backwashing, and the dust D returned to the transport unit 20 is discharged from the discharge port 21E. In addition, intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C are provided upstream of the dust collection unit 50.

[0031] The dust collection fan 53 is configured such that the rotational speed of the electric motor that drives the dust collection fan 53 can be changed by, for example, controlling the frequency of the inverter 54. The frequency of the inverter 54 is controlled by the control unit 70. By adjusting the rotational speed of the electric motor, the suction airflow of the dust collection fan 53 can be adjusted.

[0032] Generally, the dust collection unit 50 used as a dust collector collects, for example, dust suspended inside the casing 21, and does not actively collect dust accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21. Therefore, by making the inside of the casing 21 from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C to the dust collection unit 50 like a duct, an airflow (dashed arrow in Figure 1) is generated by the outside air drawn into the inside of the casing 21. The airflow lifts up the dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21, and further, by carrying the dust D on this airflow, the dust collection unit 50 can actively collect the dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21. The airflow mainly passes below the vertical direction V of the return belt 22B and heads towards the dust collection unit 50, but there is also airflow heading towards the dust collection unit 50 from other paths.

[0033] [Control Unit 70: See Figure 4] The control unit 70 includes an opening control unit 71 that controls the opening degree of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C based on the detection results of the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C, and an airflow control unit 72 that adjusts the suction airflow of the dust collection fan 53 by controlling the frequency of the inverter 54 of the dust collection fan 53 based on the opening degree of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C.

[0034] For example, when the first sensor 42-1A detects a first accumulation amount of dust D, the opening control unit 71 opens the flow control valve 32A to an opening degree corresponding to the first accumulation amount, allowing outside air to be drawn in through the intake port 31A. At this time, when the opening control unit 71 opens the flow control valve 32A to an opening degree corresponding to the first accumulation amount, the airflow control unit 72 controls the frequency of the inverter 54 to a frequency corresponding to the first accumulation amount of one flow control valve. The frequency of the inverter 54 is controlled by the airflow control unit 72 in accordance with the number and degree of opening of the flow control valves opened by the opening control unit 71. Alternatively, without waiting for the detection results from the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, 42-2C, the flow control valves 32A, 32B, 32C may be controlled to a predetermined opening, and the suction airflow of the dust collection fan 53 may be adjusted based on the opening of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, 32C.

[0035] [Dust collection procedure for accumulated dust D: See Figures 2, 3, and 5] Referring to Figure 5, the dust collection procedure for the accumulated dust D will be explained. Note that the supply of conveyed material S from the storage unit 10 to the conveying unit 20, the conveying operation of the conveying unit 20, and the operation of the dust collection unit 50 have already started. The inverter 54 of the dust collection unit 50 is set to a frequency corresponding to the state where the opening degree of each flow control valve 32A, 32B, and 32C is zero. In other words, outside air is not drawn in from the air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C. Note that the operation of each device is controlled by the control unit 70.

[0036] The first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C in each region determine whether the first accumulated amount of dust D has been detected (S101). If the first accumulated amount of dust D is not detected by any of the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C (S101,N), the opening degree of each flow control valve 32A, 32B, and 32C is not adjusted, and the control unit 70 stores that the opening degree of each flow control valve 32A, 32B, and 32C is zero (S109).

[0037] When the first accumulation amount of dust D is detected by the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C (S101, Y), the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C corresponding to the detection area determine whether the second accumulation amount of dust D has been detected (S103). If the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C do not detect the second accumulation amount of dust D (S103, N), the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C corresponding to the area where the first accumulation amount of dust D was detected are adjusted to an opening degree corresponding to the first accumulation amount (S105).

[0038] When the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C detect a second amount of dust D (S103, Y), the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C corresponding to the area where the second amount of dust D was detected are adjusted to an opening degree corresponding to the second amount of dust (S107).

[0039] When the opening is adjusted to correspond to the first or second accumulation amount (S105, S107), the openings of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C in each region are stored in the control unit 70 (S109). Based on the openings of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C stored in S109, the control unit 70 adjusts the frequency of the inverter 54 (S111). For example, the control unit 70 may store a database containing the frequencies of the inverter 54 corresponding to the respective openings of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C, and the frequency of the inverter 54 may be determined based on the referenced database. Alternatively, the control unit 70 may store a formula for calculating the frequency based on the respective openings of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C, and the frequency of the inverter 54 may be determined based on the referenced formula.

[0040] From this point onward, steps S101 to S111 in Figure 5 are repeated until the operation of belt conveyor 1 is completed.

[0041] For example, as shown in Figure 2(a), when the first sensor 42-1A in the head region 21A detects a first accumulation amount of dust D, the flow control valve 32A is opened and adjusted to an opening degree corresponding to the first accumulation amount. When the flow control valve 32A is adjusted to an opening degree corresponding to the first accumulation amount, the frequency of the inverter 54 is adjusted to a higher frequency corresponding to the opening degree of the flow control valve 32A. At this time, the first accumulation amount of dust D is not detected by the first sensors 42-1B and 42-1C in the take-up region 21B and tail region 21C. When the flow control valve 32A is opened and the intake of outside air at a predetermined flow rate begins from the intake port 31A, an airflow is generated inside the casing 21, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 3(a). The dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21 is lifted up and carried by the airflow, and collected by the dust collection unit 50.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 2(b), when dust D accumulates in the head region 21A and the second sensor 42-2A in the head region 21A detects a second amount of dust D, the flow control valve 32A is adjusted to an opening that corresponds to the second amount of dust D, which is larger than the opening that corresponds to the first amount of dust D. When the flow control valve 32A is adjusted to an opening that corresponds to the second amount of dust D, the frequency of the inverter 54 is adjusted to correspond to the opening of the flow control valve 32A, and to a frequency that is higher than the frequency that corresponds to the opening of the flow control valve 32A that corresponds to the first amount of dust D. At this time, the first sensors 42-1B, 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2B, 42-2C in the take-up region 21B and tail region 21C do not detect the first and second amounts of dust D. As the flow rate of outside air drawn in through the intake port 31A increases, and the area between the return belt 22B through which the air flows and the dust particles D decreases, the velocity of the airflow generated inside the casing 21 increases, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 3(b). As the airflow velocity increases, more of the dust particles D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21 are stirred up compared to the case in Figure 3(a), and the amount of dust particles D collected by the dust collection unit 50 by the airflow increases.

[0043] Since the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C connected to the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C near the areas where dust D accumulates open, dust D can be collected by targeting areas where a large amount of dust D accumulates. In addition, the flow rate of outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C is adjusted according to the amount of dust D accumulated, thereby improving the dust collection efficiency of the dust D. The vicinity of the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C, where outside air is drawn in, is directly affected by the airflow generated by the incoming outside air. As a result, the amount of dust D that is stirred up is particularly large in these areas, which further improves the dust collection efficiency of the accumulated dust D.

[0044] [effect] The belt conveyor 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, provides the following effects. [First Effect] The belt conveyor 1 is equipped with a dust collection unit 50, and the casing 21 has air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C. The outside air drawn in through the air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C generates an airflow inside the casing 21. The generated airflow lifts up the dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21, and the dust D is carried by the airflow, allowing it to be collected by the dust collection unit 50.

[0045] [Second Effect] The belt conveyor 1 has a dust collection unit 50 on the downstream side in the direction of transport of the transported object S, and an air intake port 31C on the upstream side in the direction of transport of the transported object S. As a result, the airflow generated by the intake outside air flows from the upstream side to the downstream side of the casing 21, so that dust D accumulated throughout the entire area of ​​the casing 21 can be efficiently collected by the dust collection unit 50.

[0046] [Third Effect] Since the belt conveyor 1 can individually open the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C connected to the air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C, it is possible to target areas with a large accumulation of dust D to collect the dust D, thereby improving the dust collection efficiency of the dust D.

[0047] [Fourth Effect] Since the belt conveyor 1 can close the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C connected to the air intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C, the belt conveyor 1 can be kept in a sealed state, preventing moisture absorption and contamination of the conveyed material S.

[0048] [Fifth Effect] The belt conveyor 1 adjusts the frequency of the inverter 54 and the airflow rate of the dust collection fan 53 based on the opening of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C, thereby adjusting the airflow velocity inside the casing 21 and improving the dust collection efficiency of the dust D.

[0049] [6th effect] The belt conveyor 1 adjusts the opening of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C, as well as the frequency of the inverter 54, based on the detection results of the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, and 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, and 42-2C. By adjusting the opening of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, and 32C and the airflow rate of the dust collection fan 53 according to the amount of dust D accumulated, the dust collection efficiency of the dust D can be improved by increasing the flow rate of outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C when the amount of dust D accumulated increases. Also, when the amount of dust D accumulated is small, the flow rate of outside air drawn in can be reduced, allowing dust D to be collected while reducing power consumption.

[0050] In addition to the above, it is possible to select or replace the configurations listed in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. In this embodiment, dust particles D are detected by the first sensors 42-1A, 42-1B, 42-1C and the second sensors 42-2A, 42-2B, 42-2C. However, the system is not limited to this, and the interior of the casing 21 may be imaged through inspection windows 41A, 41B, 41C using a camera, and the position of the dust particles D in the vertical direction V may be detected by image processing of the captured images. The opening degree of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, 32C may be adjusted based on the position of the dust particles D in the vertical direction V. Alternatively, a paddle-type level switch may be provided, and the accumulation of dust particles D may be detected from fluctuations in the current value of the drive source that rotates the paddle. The opening degree of the flow control valves 32A, 32B, 32C may be adjusted based on the detection result of the paddle-type level switch. Furthermore, in the belt conveyor 1 of this embodiment, the conveyed object S is transported at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction H, but the conveyed object S may also be transported in the horizontal direction H. Even if the conveyed object S is transported in the horizontal direction H, the outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C mainly passes below the vertical direction V of the return belt 22B before heading to the dust collection unit 50. The outside air drawn in from the intake ports 31A, 31B, and 31C passes below the vertical direction V of the return belt 22B, generating an airflow. The dust D accumulated on the bottom surface of the casing 21 is lifted up by the airflow, and the dust D is carried by the airflow and collected by the dust collection unit 50. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1. Belt conveyor 10 Storage section 20 Conveying section 21 Casing 21A Head area 21B Take-up area 21C Tail region 21D Supply port 21E Outlet 22 Conveyor Belts 22A Carrier Belt 22B Return Belt 23 Drive pulley 24 Driven pulley 25 Take-up pulley 31A Intake 31B Air intake 31C Air intake 32A, 32B, 32C Flow Control Valves 40A, 40B, 40C Accumulated Dust Detection Unit 41A, 41B, 41C Inspection windows 42-1A, 42-1B, 42-1C First Sensor 42-2A, 42-2B, 42-2C Second Sensor 50 Dust collection unit 51 Casing 52 Filters 53 Dust collection fan 54 Inverter 70 Control Unit 71 Opening degree control unit 72 Airflow control unit D Dust H horizontal direction S Conveyed items V Vertical direction

Claims

1. A conveying unit comprising a conveyor for transporting objects, and a casing surrounding the conveyor, The casing comprises a dust collection unit for collecting dust from inside the casing, The casing is provided with an air intake port for drawing outside air into the interior of the casing. Conveyor system.

2. A flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of outside air drawn in through the intake port by adjusting the degree of opening, A deposit detection means for detecting the dust accumulated on the casing, The system includes a control unit that adjusts the opening degree of the flow control valve based on the detection results of the sediment detection means, The conveyor device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, Based on the opening degree of the flow control valve, the suction airflow of the dust collection unit is adjusted. The conveyor device according to claim 2.

4. A flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of outside air drawn in through the intake port by adjusting the degree of opening, The system includes a control unit that adjusts the suction airflow of the dust collection unit based on the opening degree of the flow control valve. The conveyor device according to claim 1.

5. The dust collection unit is provided on the downstream side in the direction of transport of the transported object. The air intake port is provided upstream of the dust collection section. The conveyor device according to claim 1.

6. The airflow generated by the intake of outside air through a path for intake air lifts up accumulated dust, and the dust is carried on the airflow, and the dust is collected at the end point of the airflow. Dust collection method.

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