Traveling tube conveyor

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive traveling tube conveyor that is hard to break and has little risk of malfunction. [Solution] The traveling tube conveyor comprises a feeder tube 10, a traveling device 20, a pair arrival detection unit 30, and a control unit 40. The pair arrival detection unit 30 is configured to be able to detect the arrival of a first traveling section 21 and a second traveling section 22, and comprises a first detection unit 31 and a second detection unit 32, which are respectively arranged at corresponding positions in the traveling direction of the traveling device 20 at a predetermined interval that does not exceed the limit value of the difference in traveling distance between the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22. The control unit 40 detects the arrival of a certain first detection unit 31 N When the first running part 21 detects the arrival of the first running part 21, a second detecting part 32 disposed at a corresponding position N The first running part 21 stops running until the arrival of the second running part 22 is detected, and the running device 20 is controlled so that the difference in running distance between the first running part 21 and the second running part 22 does not exceed a limit value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a traveling tube conveyor, and more particularly to a traveling tube conveyor that discharges bulk materials while running a feeder tube below a silo. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a traveling tube conveyor has been known for some time. Such a traveling tube conveyor has a cylindrical tube with multiple intake ports distributed along its longitudinal direction, a screw arranged coaxially with the tube inside the tube, a rotation means for rotating the tube and the screw relative to each other, and a traveling device for traveling a feeder tube consisting of these in a lateral direction. The traveling devices are arranged at both ends of the feeder tube, and the feeder tube is configured to travel below the silo in a lateral direction relative to the silo.

[0003] The traveling devices located at both ends of the feeder tube travel independently. Therefore, when the feeder tube travels laterally across the silo, each traveling device operates synchronously so that the feeder tube moves straight without skewing. A self-synchronizer (synchronous electric motor) is generally used as a control device for synchronized operation. A self-synchronizer electrically connects two motors so that the shaft of one motor rotates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft of the other motor. Such a self-synchronizer controls the rotational position of the rotating shafts of the traveling devices at both ends, eliminating the difference in traveling distance and preventing skewing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-514660 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The self-synchronizer, which is the control device for the travel device used in conventional traveling tube conveyors, is a precision part and therefore vulnerable to heat and vibration. Furthermore, since the self-synchronizer electrically controls the rotation by synchronizing the operation with the rotating shaft, there was a concern that the actual travel distance would differ from the actual travel distance and therefore there was a risk of false detection. Furthermore, the self-synchronizer itself was expensive, and an electric circuit for travel control was also required. For this reason, there was a demand for the development of an inexpensive traveling tube conveyor that was less likely to break down and had less risk of false detection.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an inexpensive traveling tube conveyor that is less likely to break and has less risk of false detection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, a traveling tube conveyor according to the present invention comprises a feeder tube comprising a tube having a plurality of intake ports for taking in bulk materials, a screw arranged coaxially with the tube within the tube, and a rotation mechanism for relatively rotating the tube and the screw about the axis, and a traveling device for traveling the feeder tube across the lower opening of the silo, the traveling device comprising a first traveling section and a second traveling section provided at both ends of the tube, respectively, and configured to be capable of detecting when the first traveling section and the second traveling section of the traveling device have arrived. The device comprises a plurality of pair arrival detection units, each consisting of a first detection unit and a second detection unit, which are arranged at corresponding positions at a predetermined interval in the traveling direction of the traveling device so that the limit value of the difference in traveling distance between the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit is not exceeded; and a control unit that, when a first detection unit of the plurality of pair arrival detection units detects the arrival of the first traveling unit, stops the traveling of the first traveling unit until a second detection unit arranged at a position corresponding to a certain first detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, and controls the traveling of the traveling device so that the limit value of the difference in traveling distance between the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit is not exceeded.

[0008] Here, the control unit may be configured to control the running of the running device so that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of the second running unit, the second running unit stops running and then resumes running together with the first running unit that has already stopped running.

[0009] In addition, the control unit may be configured to control the running of the running device so that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of a second running unit, the second running unit continues running and the first running unit, which has already stopped running, resumes running.

[0010] In addition, the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of paired reach detection units may each comprise a limit switch, and the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device may each have a striker that contacts the limit switch when it reaches the limit switch.

[0011] Furthermore, the device may be provided with a plurality of pair malfunction prevention units each consisting of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, which are configured to be able to detect the arrival of the first running unit and the second running unit of the running device, respectively, and the plurality of pair malfunction prevention units are arranged at positions between predetermined intervals where the plurality of pair arrival detection units are arranged, and the control unit may determine that a certain pair arrival detection unit is malfunctioning and control the running of the running device to stop the running of the running device if the next pair malfunction prevention unit in the running direction detects the arrival of the running device before a certain pair arrival detection unit detects the arrival of the running device.

[0012] The pair malfunction prevention unit may also be configured using a pair arrival detection unit.

[0013] In addition, the first detection unit and the second detection unit of the plurality of paired arrival detection units may each comprise a striker, and the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device may each have a limit switch that comes into contact with the striker when it reaches the striker.

[0014] Furthermore, the device may be provided with a pair malfunction prevention unit consisting of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, each configured to be able to detect the arrival of the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device, and the pair malfunction prevention unit is arranged at a distance from the limit switches of the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device that is narrower than the predetermined distance at which multiple pair arrival detection units are arranged, and if the pair malfunction prevention unit detects that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit before the limit switches of the first running unit and the second running unit detect that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit, the control unit may determine that the limit switch has malfunctioned and control the traveling of the traveling device to stop the traveling of the traveling device.

[0015] In addition, the first and second detection units of the plurality of paired arrival detection units may be optical switches or magnetic switches capable of detecting the arrival of the first and second running units of the traveling device, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The traveling tube conveyor of the present invention has the advantages of being durable, less prone to false detection, and inexpensive. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view for explaining a traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view for explaining the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining another control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining still another example of the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a traveling-type tube conveyor of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a traveling-type tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. Note that the illustrated example is merely a schematic explanatory view, and the aspect ratio and size ratios of each part are not accurate. The traveling-type tube conveyor of the present invention is used to discharge bulk material from a silo 1. Here, the bulk material may be, for example, wood chips, coal, paper pulp, peat, sand, cement, ash, grains, pellets, or any other granular material that can be used to make finished products. By discharging the bulk material while traveling across the lower opening 2 of the silo 1, the bulk material accumulated in the silo 1 can be discharged evenly from below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention is mainly composed of a feeder tube 10, a traveling device 20, a pair arrival detection unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0019] The feeder tube 10 comprises a tube 11, a screw 12, and rotation mechanisms 13 and 13'. The tube 11 has multiple inlets 14 for introducing bulk material. The screw 12 is disposed coaxially within the tube 11. The rotation mechanisms 13 and 13' rotate the tube 11 and the screw 12 relative to each other around their axes. In the illustrated example, the rotation mechanism 13 rotates the tube 11, and the rotation mechanism 13' rotates the screw 12. Bulk material accumulated in the silo 1 is introduced into the tube 11 through the inlet 14 of the rotating tube 11. The screw 12 rotates within the tube 11, moving the bulk material longitudinally and discharging it from the end of the tube 11. In the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention, the feeder tube 10 itself can be of any existing or future-developed structure.

[0020] The traveling device 20 comprises a first traveling section 21 and a second traveling section 22. The traveling device 20 is configured to travel the feeder tube 10 across the lower opening 2 of the silo 1. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 are provided at both ends of the tube 11. More specifically, the traveling device 20 has the function of supporting both ends of the shaft of the feeder tube 10 and the function of traveling the feeder tube 10. The traveling device 20 rotatably supports the tube 11 and the screw 12 of the feeder tube 10, and may also have rotation mechanisms 13, 13′ disposed thereon. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 may be appropriately configured with electric motors. The first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 may be configured so that travel can be turned on / off by a control section 40, which will be described later. For example, the power supplied to the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 can be controlled to be on / off, thereby controlling the running of the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22.

[0021] The plurality of pair arrival detection units 30 are made up of a plurality of switches configured to be able to detect the arrival of the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 of the traveling device 20. Specifically, the pair arrival detection unit 30 includes a first detection unit 31N and the second detection unit 32 N The first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 N are disposed at corresponding positions at a predetermined interval in the traveling direction of the traveling device 20 so as not to exceed the limit value of the difference in traveling distance between the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22. More specifically, as shown in FIG. N and second detection unit 32 N are arranged along the lane 3 along which the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 of the traveling device 20 travel. For example, the first detection section 311 is paired with the second detection section 321 to form the paired arrival detection section 301. The first detection section 311 and the second detection section 321 may be arranged along a line perpendicular to the lane 3. The arrangement interval between the first detection section 311 and the first detection section 312 is set to a distance that does not exceed the limit value of the difference in travel distance between the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22. In other words, the first detection section 311 is arranged at a distance such that the inclination of the line connecting the first detection section 311 and the second detection section 322 does not exceed the allowable oblique range of the feeder tube 10. N and second detection unit 32 N are arranged in the above manner.

[0022] Here, the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 N Each of the limit switches 31 and 32 may be a limit switch. The limit switch is a contact sensor that turns on when an object comes into contact with it. In order to detect that the traveling device 20 has reached a certain point using the limit switch, the first traveling section 21 of the traveling device 20 has a striker 23, and the second traveling section 22 has a striker 24. The striker 23 and the striker 24 are each connected to the first detection section 31. N and second detection unit 32 N When the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 N is turned on, and it can be detected that the first running part 21 and the second running part 22 have reached their respective positions.

[0023] The limit switch and the striker may be provided in reverse. N and second detection unit 32 N However, each of the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 may be configured to have a striker, and each of the first traveling section 21 and the second traveling section 22 may have a limit switch that comes into contact with the striker when it reaches the striker. This makes it possible to reduce the number of switches.

[0024] The first and second detectors 31 and 32 used in the pair arrival detector 30 of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention are not limited to limit switches, and may be other highly durable switches that can be used in harsh environments. Furthermore, they do not necessarily have to be contact switches, and the first and second detectors 31 and 32 may be optical switches, magnetic switches, or the like, as long as they can detect the arrival of the first running part 21 and the second running part 22 of the traveling device 20, respectively.

[0025] The control unit 40 controls the traveling of the traveling device 20. Specifically, a first detection unit 31 N When the first running part 21 detects its arrival, a first detecting part 31 N A second detection unit 32 is disposed at a position corresponding to the N The first running unit 21 stops running until the first detection unit 311 detects the arrival of the second running unit 22. For example, when the first detection unit 311 detects the arrival of the first running unit 21, the first running unit 21 stops running until the second detection unit 321, which is disposed at a position corresponding to the first detection unit 311, detects the arrival of the second running unit 22. This makes it possible for the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 to run in unison at each interval between the multiple pair arrival detection units 30. By performing such control by the control unit 40, it becomes possible to control the running of the running device 20 so that the difference in running distance between the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 does not exceed a limit value. The control unit 40 may be configured to receive signals from each switch of the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 as appropriate. The control unit 40 may also be configured to transmit a control signal for controlling the running of the running device 20.

[0026] The control of the control unit 40 will be explained in more detail using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 represent the same things. Note that the starting conditions and other processes required for starting a general traveling device are omitted. The control unit 40 in the illustrated example detects a first detection unit 31 N When the first running part 21 detects its arrival, a first detecting part 31 N A second detection unit 32 is disposed at a position corresponding to the N The travel control of the travel device 20 is performed so that the travel of the first travel part 21 is stopped until a certain second detection part 32 detects the arrival of the second travel part 22. N When the pair arrival detection unit 30 detects the arrival of the second running unit 22, it stops the running of the second running unit 22 and then controls the running of the running device 20 so that the second running unit 22 resumes running together with the first running unit 21 that has already stopped. That is, in the control of the illustrated example, the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 are both turned off once each time they reach the pair arrival detection unit 30, and then both are turned on in unison and restart.

[0027] Specifically, first, the control unit 40 sends a start command to the traveling device 20. Based on this command, the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 are turned on and start traveling. Then, the AND block 41 determines whether the first traveling unit 21 is on and the first detection unit 31 is off. N is turned on, the first running unit 21 is turned off. Similarly, the AND block 42 turns on the second running unit 22 and the second detecting unit 32. N When the first detection unit 31 is turned on, the second traveling unit 22 is turned off. Then, when both the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 are turned off by the AND block 43, the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 are turned on again to resume traveling. Then, the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 NThen, N is incremented by N+1, and the next pair arrival detection unit 30 is detected to be turned on. These controls can be repeated until the last pair arrival detection unit 30. When the last pair arrival detection unit 30 is reached, the traveling device 20 may be made to run in reverse. In this case, the first detection unit 31 N and second detection unit 32 N The N is incremented by N-1, and the process of detecting when the next pair arrival detector 30 turns on is repeated.

[0028] 4 is a block diagram for explaining another control unit of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 represent the same things. Note that the starting conditions and other steps required for starting a general traveling device are omitted. The control unit 40 in the illustrated example includes a second detection unit 32 N When the pair arrival detection unit 30 detects the arrival of the second running unit 22, the second running unit 22 continues running, and the running control of the running device 20 is performed so that the first running unit 21, which has already stopped running, resumes running. That is, in the control of the illustrated example, the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 that arrives at the pair arrival detection unit 30 first is turned off once, and then, when the other one arrives at the pair arrival detection unit 30, the one that was turned off is turned on and they restart in unison.

[0029] Specifically, first, the control unit 40 sends a start command to the traveling device 20. Based on this command, the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 are turned on and start traveling. Then, the AND block 41 determines whether the first traveling unit 21 is on and the first detection unit 31 is off. N is turned on, the first running unit 21 is turned off. Similarly, the AND block 42 turns on the second running unit 22 and the second detecting unit 32. N When the first traveling section 21 or the second traveling section 22 is turned on, the second traveling section 22 is turned off. Here, before turning off the first traveling section 21 or the second traveling section 22, the comparison block 44 checks whether a certain first detecting section 31 N The timing at which the first detector 31 is turned on N A second detection unit 32 is disposed at a position corresponding to the N For example, the first detection unit 31N If the first detection unit 32 is turned on first, the first traveling unit 21 stops traveling. N Even if the second detecting unit 32 is turned on, the second running unit 22 is kept on and continues running, and the first running unit 21, which has already stopped running, resumes running. N If the first detection unit 31 is turned on first, the second detection unit 22 stops traveling. N is turned on, the first running unit 21 continues running while remaining on, and the second running unit 22, which has already stopped running, resumes running. These controls can be repeated up to the final pair arrival detection unit 30.

[0030] As described above, in the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention, the pair arrival detection unit 30 can physically detect when the traveling device 20 reaches the position where the pair arrival detection unit 30 is located, reducing the risk of malfunction. Therefore, skewing of the feeder tube 10 can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the switch is a simple mechanical part, it is resistant to heat and vibration. Furthermore, since no special control is required until the traveling device 20 reaches the next pair arrival detection unit 30, there is no need to continue to highly precisely control the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22. Therefore, the conveyor can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0031] Next, another example of the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 represent the same objects. The illustrated example is an example of a traveling type tube conveyor configured to be able to prevent malfunction. As shown in the figure, the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention further has a plurality of pair malfunction prevention units 35 in addition to the configuration of Figs. 1 and 2. The pair malfunction prevention unit 35 includes a first malfunction detection unit 36. N and the second malfunction detection unit 37 N The pair malfunction prevention unit 35 is configured to be able to detect that the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 have arrived. Specifically, the first malfunction detection unit 36 NThe second malfunction detector 37 is configured to be able to detect that the first running unit 21 has arrived. N is configured to be able to detect the arrival of the second running unit 22. As shown in Fig. 5, the pair malfunction prevention unit 35 configured in this manner is arranged at a position between the plurality of pair arrival detection units 30 at a predetermined interval. Specifically, for example, the second malfunction detection unit 371 is arranged between the second detection unit 321 and the second detection unit 322.

[0032] If the next pair malfunction prevention unit 35 in the travel direction detects the arrival of the travel device 20 before the first pair arrival detection unit 30 detects the arrival of the travel device 20, the control unit 40 determines that the first pair arrival detection unit 30 is malfunctioning and controls the travel of the travel device 20 to stop the travel of the travel device 20. Specifically, for example, if the next second malfunction detection unit 372 detects the arrival of the second travel device 22 before the second detection unit 322 detects the arrival of the second travel device 22, the control unit 40 determines that the second detection unit 322 is malfunctioning. For example, if the second detection unit 322 normally receives an arrival detection signal, but if there is a malfunction, the arrival detection signal is not received. Then, the control unit 40 receives an arrival detection signal from the next second malfunction detection unit 372 without receiving the arrival detection signal from the second detection unit 322. This makes it possible for the control unit 40 to detect that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the second detection unit 322. The traveling tube conveyor of the present invention can further prevent malfunctions by using such a pair malfunction prevention unit 35.

[0033] Each switch of the pair malfunction prevention unit 35 may be configured as a switch similar to each switch of the pair arrival detection unit 30, for example, a limit switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first detection unit 31 N and the second detection unit 32 N For example, by using switches of different types, the durability and performance will be different in the same environment, and it is possible to have them function to prevent malfunctions of each other.

[0034] Furthermore, the multiple pair malfunction prevention units 35 may be configured using multiple pair arrival detection units 30. By arranging the multiple pair arrival detection units 30 at narrow intervals, even if a switch passes one switch and reaches the next, the allowable oblique range of the feeder tube 10 is not exceeded. Specifically, for example, the second detection units 321 and 323 are arranged so that the distance between them does not exceed the allowable oblique range of the feeder tube 10. In other words, it is only necessary that the distance from a switch to the next switch, skipping one switch, does not exceed the oblique range.

[0035] Further, still another example of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic side view for explaining still another example of the traveling tube conveyor of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 5 represent the same objects. The illustrated example is another example of the traveling tube conveyor configured to be able to prevent malfunction. As shown in the figure, the first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 of the plurality of pair arrival detection units 30 are each made up of a striker. The first traveling unit 21 is connected to the first detection unit 31. N When the first detection unit 31 N The second traveling section 22 has a first limit switch 26 that contacts the second detecting section 32. N When the second detection unit 32 N The second limit switch 27 contacts the

[0036] In the traveling type tube conveyor of the present invention configured as described above, the control unit 40 can control the traveling of the traveling device 20 in the same manner as in the illustrated example. Specifically, for example, the first limit switch 26 detects the first detecting unit 31 where the first traveling unit 21 is located. N When the second limit switch 27 detects that the second traveling section 22 has reached the first detecting section 31, N A second detection unit 32 is disposed at a position corresponding to the NThe first running unit 21 stops running until it is detected that the pair arrival detection units 30 have reached the target position. This makes it possible to make the first running unit 21 and the second running unit 22 run in unison at each arrangement interval of the plurality of pair arrival detection units 30.

[0037] The traveling tube conveyor of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 may further include a pair malfunction prevention unit 25. The pair malfunction prevention unit 25 includes a first malfunction detection unit 28 disposed on the first run unit 21 and a second malfunction detection unit 29 disposed on the second run unit 22. The pair malfunction prevention unit 25 is configured to detect when the first run unit 21 and the second run unit 22 reach the pair arrival detection unit 30. Specifically, the first malfunction detection unit 28 and the second malfunction detection unit 29 may each be a limit switch. The first malfunction detection unit 28 is disposed away from the first limit switch 26 at a distance narrower than the predetermined distance at which the plurality of pair arrival detection units 30 are disposed. The second malfunction detection unit 29 is also disposed away from the second limit switch 27 at a distance narrower than the predetermined distance at which the plurality of pair arrival detection units 30 are disposed.

[0038] If the pair malfunction prevention unit 25 detects that the traveling device 20 has reached the pair arrival detection unit 30 before the first limit switch 26 and the second limit switch 27 of the first traveling unit 21 and the second traveling unit 22 detect that the traveling device 20 has reached the pair arrival detection unit 30, the control unit 40 determines that the first limit switch 26 or the second limit switch 27 has malfunctioned. Then, the control unit 40 controls the traveling of the traveling device 20 to stop the traveling of the traveling device 20. Specifically, for example, if the second malfunction detection unit 29 detects that the second traveling unit 22 has reached the second detection unit 322 before the second limit switch 27 detects that the second traveling unit 22 has reached the second detection unit 322, the control unit 40 determines that the second limit switch 27 has malfunctioned. For example, if the second limit switch 27 normally receives an arrival detection signal, the arrival detection signal is not received in the event of a malfunction. Then, the control unit 40 receives an arrival detection signal from the second malfunction detection unit 29 without receiving an arrival detection signal from the second limit switch 27. Therefore, it becomes possible for the control unit 40 to detect that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the second limit switch 27. With this configuration, the control unit 40 only needs to be connected to the traveling device 20, and the configuration is therefore simple.

[0039] The traveling tube conveyor of the present invention is not limited to the above-described illustrated example, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Silo 2 Lower opening 3 Lane 10 Feeder tube 11 tubes 12 screws 13 Rotation mechanism (for tubes) 13' Rotation mechanism (for screw) 14 Intake 20 Running gear 21 First Running Section 22 Second running section 23,24 Striker 25 Pair malfunction prevention section 26 First limit switch 27 Second limit switch 28 First malfunction detection unit 29 Second malfunction detection unit 30 Pair arrival detection unit 31 First detection unit 32 Second detection unit 35 Pair malfunction prevention section 36 First malfunction detection unit 37 Second malfunction detection unit 40 Control Unit 41, 42, 43, 45, 46 AND block 44 Comparison Block

Claims

1. A traveling tube conveyor for discharging bulk material from a silo, the traveling tube conveyor comprising: a feeder tube including a tube having a plurality of intake ports for taking in bulk materials, a screw disposed coaxially with the tube within the tube, and a rotation mechanism for relatively rotating the tube and the screw around the axis; a running device for running the feeder tube across the lower opening of the silo, the running device comprising a first running section and a second running section provided at both ends of the tube, respectively; a plurality of pair arrival detection units configured to be able to detect the arrival of the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device, each of which comprises a first detection unit and a second detection unit arranged at corresponding positions in the traveling direction of the traveling device at a predetermined interval that does not exceed a limit value of the difference in traveling distance between the first running unit and the second running unit; a control unit that, when a first detection unit among the plurality of paired arrival detection units detects the arrival of a first running unit, stops the running of the first running unit until a second detection unit disposed at a position corresponding to the first detection unit detects the arrival of a second running unit, and controls the running of the running device so that a difference in running distance between the first running unit and the second running unit does not exceed a limit value; A traveling tube conveyor comprising:

2. 2. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the traveling device so that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, the second traveling unit stops traveling and then resumes traveling together with the first traveling unit that has already stopped traveling.

3. 2. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the traveling device so that when a second detection unit detects the arrival of the second traveling unit, the second traveling unit continues traveling and the first traveling unit, which has already stopped traveling, resumes traveling.

4. 2. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second detection units of the plurality of pairs of arrival detection units are each composed of a limit switch, The first traveling section and the second traveling section of the traveling device each have a striker that contacts the limit switch when the striker reaches the limit switch. A traveling tube conveyor characterized by:

5. 5. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 4, Further, the apparatus includes a plurality of pair malfunction prevention units each including a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, each configured to be able to detect that the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device have arrived, the plurality of pair malfunction prevention units are arranged at positions spaced apart by a predetermined interval between the plurality of pair arrival detection units, When a next pair malfunction prevention unit in the traveling direction detects the arrival of a traveling device before a certain pair arrival detection unit detects the arrival of the traveling device, the control unit determines that a certain pair arrival detection unit is malfunctioning and performs travel control of the traveling device to stop the traveling device. A traveling tube conveyor characterized by:

6. 6. The traveling type tube conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the pair malfunction prevention unit is configured using a pair arrival detection unit.

7. 2. The traveling type tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second detection units of the plurality of pairs of arrival detection units each comprise a striker, The first traveling section and the second traveling section of the traveling device each have a limit switch that comes into contact with the striker when the first traveling section and the second traveling section reach the striker. A traveling tube conveyor characterized by:

8. 8. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 7, Further, a pair malfunction prevention unit is provided, which is configured to be able to detect that the first running unit and the second running unit of the traveling device have arrived, and which is composed of a first malfunction detection unit and a second malfunction detection unit, respectively; the pair malfunction prevention unit is disposed at a distance from the limit switches of the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit of the traveling device that is narrower than a predetermined distance at which a plurality of pair arrival detection units are disposed, When the control unit detects that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit by the pair malfunction prevention unit before the limit switches of the first traveling unit and the second traveling unit detect that the traveling device has reached the pair arrival detection unit, the control unit determines that the limit switches are malfunctioning and performs travel control of the traveling device to stop the traveling of the traveling device. A traveling tube conveyor characterized by:

9. 2. The traveling tube conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second detection units of the plurality of paired arrival detection units are optical switches or magnetic switches capable of detecting the arrival of the first and second running units of the traveling device, respectively.

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