Belt abnormality detection device and conveyor

Abstract

To provide a belt abnormality detection device capable of securely detecting abnormality of a belt corresponding to general purpose belts.SOLUTION: A belt abnormality detection device 40 detects abnormality of the rotating belt 15. The belt abnormality detection device 40 is provided with a distance measuring device 41 placed opposite to the belt 15 to measure a distance from the belt 15 and a belt abnormality detection part detecting abnormality including cracking C or peeling of the belt 15 corresponding to change in the distance measured with the distance detection device 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a belt abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality of a rotating belt, and a conveyor provided with the belt abnormality detection device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, in a conveyor using a conveyor belt, a device for detecting an abnormality of the belt is known.

[0003] In this device, a specific belt formed of an elastomer containing a light-emitting agent in a part of the region is used, and near-infrared light is irradiated onto the belt to cause the light-emitting agent to emit light, and the change in the amount of light is detected to detect an abnormality of the belt.

[0004] In addition, in a conveyor using a general-purpose belt, generally, an operator visually checks or uses a touch to confirm an abnormality of the belt.

Prior Art Documents

[0009] The present invention is a belt abnormality detection device for detecting abnormalities in a belt that is wrapped around and rotated by a plurality of pulleys, comprising: a distance measuring device positioned opposite the belt and measuring the distance between the belt and the distance measuring device; and a belt abnormality detection unit that detects the abnormality, including cracks or peeling of the belt, in accordance with the change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device, wherein the belt abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality of the belt when the amount of change in the distance exceeds a threshold, and the distance measuring device detects the return side of the belt located between the pulleys And the surface that contacts the pulley part The aforementioned distance Measure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The belt abnormality detection device of the present invention is compatible with general-purpose belts and can reliably detect abnormalities in the belt. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of a conveyor showing one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the automatic tension adjustment mechanism and belt abnormality detection device of the same conveyor. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the automatic tension adjustment mechanism and belt abnormality detection device of the same conveyor. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the belt abnormality detection device for the same conveyor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor 10 is a curved belt-driven roller conveyor that carries objects so that the conveying direction changes by 90°.

[0014] The conveyor 10 comprises an inner diameter frame 11a and an outer diameter frame 11b, both curved in a concentric arc shape. These frames 11a and 11b are connected by multiple lateral connecting members 12 and installed on a floor or the like by multiple legs.

[0015] Between frames 11a and 11b, a plurality of conveyor rollers 14 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals with respect to the conveying direction. The plurality of conveyor rollers 14 are rotatable in the conveying direction, and their upper surfaces are configured as conveying surfaces for conveying the material. The conveyor rollers 14 are formed in a frustoconical shape, with one end located on the inner diameter side of the conveyor 10 having a smaller diameter and the other end located on the outer diameter side having a larger diameter. Note that in Figure 1, some of the plurality of conveyor rollers 14 are omitted from the illustration, and only their centerlines are shown with a dashed line.

[0016] On the inner diameter side of the frame 11a, below one axial end of the multiple conveyor rollers 14, is a drive belt 15 that contacts the multiple conveyor rollers 14 and rotates them. The belt 15 is an endless V-belt with a roughly V-shaped cross-section.

[0017] The belt 15 is rotatably wound around a plurality of belt support pulleys. The belt support pulleys include a pair of end pulleys 16 that are rotatably arranged at both longitudinal ends of the inner diameter side frame 11a and fold the belt 15 to the upper surface side and the lower surface side, and a plurality of push-up pulleys 17 that are rotatably arranged corresponding to between every two conveying rollers 14 and make the upper surface side of the belt 15 contact the lower surface side of the conveying rollers 14, and a drive pulley 18 around which the lower surface side of the belt 15 is wound. The drive pulley 18 is also used as a tension adjustment pulley for adjusting the tension of the belt 15. Then, the upper surface side of the belt 15 pushed up by the plurality of push-up pulleys 17 contacts the lower surface side of the plurality of conveying rollers 14, and rotational force is transmitted from the rotating belt 15 to the plurality of conveying rollers 14, whereby the plurality of conveying rollers 14 are rotated in the conveying direction.

[0018] The drive pulley 18 is rotationally driven by a motor 20 which is a driving part.

[0019] Further, the conveyor 10 is provided with an automatic tension adjustment mechanism 30 for automatically adjusting the tension of the belt 15. This automatic tension adjustment mechanism 30 includes a pair of guide shafts 31 installed between the frames 11a and 11b at an intermediate part between both ends of the conveyor 10, a moving part 32 supported slidably in the axial direction, that is, in the radial direction of the conveyor 10, on the pair of guide shafts 31, a drive pulley 18 which is a tension adjustment pulley arranged on this moving part 32 and moves integrally therewith, and a biasing part 33 that biases the moving part 32 in the direction (the outer diameter direction in FIG. 1) for applying tension to the belt 15 via this drive pulley 18.

[0020] The moving part 32 is constituted by a slide base 34 that is movable axially along the pair of guide shafts 31. A motor 20 is attached to the lower surface side of the slide base 34, the drive shaft of this motor 20 protrudes above the slide base 34, and the drive pulley 18 is attached to the tip side of this drive shaft. Therefore, the motor 20 and the drive pulley 18 move integrally with the moving part 32.

[0021] The biasing portion 33 includes a pair of compression coil springs 35 inserted through a pair of guide shafts 31 between the moving portion 32 and the inner diameter side frame 11a. The pair of compression coil springs 35 are arranged in a compressed state between the moving portion 32 and a collar 36 attached to the pair of guide shafts 31, and the repulsive force biases the moving portion 32 toward the direction in which tension is applied to the belt 15 (the outer diameter direction in FIG. 1) with respect to the collar 36. By adjusting the position of the collar 36 attached to the guide shaft 31, the tension applied to the belt 15 can be set.

[0022] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the conveyor 10 includes a belt abnormality detection device 40 that detects abnormalities including cracks C (including cracks and the like) and peeling P of the belt 15. Cracks C and peeling P of the belt 15 may occur on the belt surface due to effects such as deterioration. FIG. 2 shows an example in which a crack C occurs from the belt surface toward the inside of the belt along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the belt 15 on one surface of the belt 15. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a peeling P in which a part has peeled off and lifted from the belt surface occurs on one surface of the belt 15.

[0023] The belt abnormality detection device 40 includes a distance measuring device 41 that faces the belt 15 and measures the distance between the belt 15, and a processing unit 42 that acquires and processes the distance information measured by the distance measuring device 41.

[0024] The distance measuring device 41 has a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion on one measuring surface, irradiates the belt 15 with measuring light L such as laser light from, for example, a laser diode of the light projecting portion, receives the measuring light L reflected by the belt 15 with a light receiving sensor such as a CMOS sensor of the light receiving portion, and measures the distance between the belt 15 by, for example, a triangulation method or a time-of-flight method. The distance measuring device 41 is electrically connected to the processing unit 42 by a cable 43, is supplied with operating power from the processing unit 42, and can transmit signals such as the measured distance information to the processing unit 42.

[0025] The distance measuring device 41 is mounted on the moving part 32 by a mounting member 44 such that its measuring surface faces the surface of the belt 15 that is wrapped around the drive pulley 18, and measuring light L is shone on the surface of the belt 15 to measure the distance. Preferably, the measuring surface of the distance measuring device 41 faces the upstream portion of the belt 15 in the direction of rotation of the rotationally driven drive pulley 18, that is, the portion of the belt that is pulled by the rotationally driven drive pulley 18 and rotates toward the drive pulley 18. Because this portion of the belt is pulled by the drive pulley 18, there is little deflection of the belt portion due to the effects of the conveying load of the conveyed goods, etc., so the positional relationship between this portion of the belt and the measuring surface of the distance measuring device 41 is kept constant, and the distance between the distance measuring device 41 and the belt 15 can be accurately measured.

[0026] The processing unit 42 includes a processing unit 45, a display unit 46, and an operation unit 47.

[0027] The processing unit 45 acquires and processes distance information measured by the distance measuring device 41. The processing unit 45 also has a belt abnormality detection unit 48 that detects abnormalities, including cracks C and delamination P, in the belt 15 in response to changes in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41.

[0028] The distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 is greater at the locations of cracks C on the belt surface by the depth of the cracks C than at the locations of areas of the belt surface without cracks C, and shorter at the locations of delamination P on the belt surface by the height of the delamination P.

[0029] The belt abnormality detection unit 48 monitors whether the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum threshold (maximum value threshold) or less than or equal to a predetermined minimum threshold (minimum value threshold). It can detect crack C if the distance measured at the location of crack C is equal to or greater than the maximum threshold, and detect delamination P if the distance measured at the location of delamination P is less than or equal to the minimum threshold. The maximum and minimum distance thresholds can be arbitrarily set by the operation unit 47 depending on the type of belt 15 and its usage conditions.

[0030] Alternatively, the belt abnormality detection unit 48 may monitor whether the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 exceeds a predetermined threshold for the amount of change (change threshold). The unit may detect a crack C if the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 increases from the location of the crack C to the location of the crack C, and detect delamination P if the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 decreases from the location of the crack C to the location of the delamination P, and detect delamination P if the amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold for the amount of decrease. The amount of change is the difference between the distance from the distance measuring device 41 to the belt surface where there is no crack C or delamination P and the distance from the distance measuring device 41 to the location of the crack C, and also the difference between the distance from the distance measuring device 41 to the belt surface where there is no crack C or delamination P and the distance from the distance measuring device 41 to the location of the delamination P. The threshold for the amount of change can be arbitrarily set by the operating unit 47 depending on the type of belt 15 and the usage conditions, and the threshold for the amount of change of an increase to detect crack C and the threshold for the amount of change of a decrease to detect delamination P may be set to different values ​​that are appropriate for each.

[0031] Alternatively, the belt abnormality detection unit 48 may set both the maximum and minimum distance thresholds and the change threshold, and detect an abnormality associated with cracks C or delamination P if any one of the thresholds is exceeded.

[0032] The display unit 46 may be equipped with a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information such as the distance value measured by the distance measuring device 41 and setting information. Furthermore, the display unit 46 may also display that the belt abnormality detection unit 48 has detected an abnormality in the belt 15. This display when an abnormality in the belt 15 is detected may be displayed on the distance display, or it may be indicated by lighting up an abnormality display unit provided separately from the display.

[0033] The operation unit 47 has multiple buttons and other features, and allows the user to set various settings, including thresholds for detecting abnormalities in the belt abnormality detection unit 48.

[0034] The processing unit 42 is connected to the distance measuring instrument 41 by a cable 43 and also to the power supply unit by a power cable, and operates by receiving operating power from the power supply unit. The processing unit 42 can be placed on the conveyor 10. For example, it can be placed on the inner diameter frame 11a or the outer diameter frame 11b or the moving part 32, and may be placed in a position where the display unit 46 is visible from the outside and the operation unit 47 is operable.

[0035] Next, we will explain the operation of the conveyor 10.

[0036] When the belt 15 is rotated by the motor 20, the rotation of the belt 15 causes the multiple conveyor rollers 14 to rotate, and the conveyed objects placed on the multiple conveyor rollers 14 are transported so as to change direction by 90° along the curve of the conveyor 10.

[0037] The belt 15 is always subjected to a predetermined tension by the automatic tension adjustment mechanism 30. In the automatic tension adjustment mechanism 30, the moving part 32 is biased in a direction that applies tension to the belt 15 by the repulsive force of the compression coil spring 35 compressed between the moving part 32 and the collar 36, thereby always applying a predetermined tension to the belt 15. Furthermore, even if the belt 15 stretches due to deterioration or other reasons, the moving part 32 is moved in a direction that applies tension to the belt 15 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35, thereby always applying a predetermined tension to the belt 15.

[0038] Furthermore, when the belt 15 rotates, the belt abnormality detection device 40 monitors whether or not abnormalities, including cracks C or delamination P, have occurred in the belt 15. The belt abnormality detection device 40 may also monitor whether the distance value measured by the distance measuring device 41 is above a preset maximum threshold or below a preset minimum threshold. Alternatively, it may monitor whether the change in distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 exceeds a preset change threshold. Or, it may monitor whether any one of the above-mentioned maximum and minimum distance thresholds and change thresholds has been exceeded. The distance and change measured by the distance measuring device 41 are displayed on the display unit 46 for verification.

[0039] The belt abnormality detection device 40 determines that there is no abnormality in the belt 15 if the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 is not greater than or equal to the maximum value threshold, or the minimum distance is not less than or equal to the minimum value threshold, or if the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 does not exceed the amount of change threshold, and the display unit 46 (abnormality display unit) does not display that an abnormality has occurred.

[0040] The belt abnormality detection device 40 detects a crack C in the belt 15 if a crack C with a depth of, for example, about 2 mm occurs, when the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 at the location of the crack C exceeds a maximum threshold value, or when the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41, from a location on the belt surface where there is no crack C or delamination P, to the location of the crack C, exceeds a threshold value for the amount of increase.

[0041] The belt abnormality detection device 40 detects delamination P on the belt 15 when the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 at the location of the crack C falls below a minimum threshold value, or when the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41, from the location of the belt surface without crack C or delamination P to the location of delamination P, exceeds a threshold value for the amount of decrease.

[0042] If the belt abnormality detection device 40 detects an abnormality in the belt 15, it may display that an abnormality has been detected on the display unit 46 (abnormality display unit) and prompt the user to replace the belt 15. At this time, if the distance value measured by the distance measuring device 41 is greater than or equal to the maximum threshold, and the amount of change increases, it may be determined to be a crack C. If the distance value measured by the distance measuring device 41 is less than or equal to the minimum threshold, and the amount of change decreases, it may be determined to be delamination P, and crack C and delamination P may be displayed separately.

[0043] In this way, the belt abnormality detection device 40 can detect abnormalities, including cracks C or delamination P, in the belt 15 in response to changes in the distance to the belt 15 measured by the distance measuring device 41, making it possible to replace the belt 15 before it reaches the end of its lifespan and breaks.

[0044] Furthermore, since the belt abnormality detection device 40 only requires the distance measuring device 41 to be placed opposite the belt 15, it can detect abnormalities in the belt 15 with a simple configuration. For example, the belt abnormality detection device 40 can be added to an existing conveyor 10 that has already been installed to detect abnormalities in the belt 15.

[0045] Furthermore, the belt abnormality detection device 40 detects cracks C when the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold, detects delamination P when the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 falls below a predetermined minimum threshold, or detects cracks C or delamination P when the amount of change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 41 exceeds a predetermined threshold of change. Therefore, unlike when workers visually or tactilely check for cracks C or delamination P in the belt 15, the detection of cracks C or delamination P in the belt 15 does not vary or occur due to the skill level of the workers, and abnormalities including cracks C and delamination P in the belt 15 can be reliably detected.

[0046] The display unit 46 indicates that the belt abnormality detection unit 48 has detected an abnormality in the belt 15, thereby notifying the user that an abnormality has occurred in the belt 15 and prompting them to replace the belt 15.

[0047] In the embodiment described above, the distance measuring device 41 was placed on the movable part 32 and faced the belt 15, but it may also be placed on a fixed position, for example, on the inner diameter side of the frame 11a, and faced the belt 15.

[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the distance measuring device 41 was placed facing one surface of the belt 15 to detect the abnormality, but multiple distance measuring devices 41 may be placed facing multiple surfaces of the belt 15 to detect the abnormality.

[0049] Furthermore, the configuration of the belt abnormality detection device 40 in this embodiment can also be applied to detecting abnormalities in drive belts used in belt-driven conveyors with a linear conveying direction.

[0050] Furthermore, the configuration of the belt abnormality detection device 40 in this embodiment can also be applied to detecting abnormalities in a conveyor belt in a belt conveyor that carries objects on the conveyor belt.

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention and their variations have been described above, but various combinations of configurations, as well as partial omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are also possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10 Conveyors 14 Conveyor rollers 15 belts 40. Belt abnormality detection device 41 Distance measuring device 46 Display section 48 Belt abnormality detection unit C Crack P Peeling

Claims

1. A belt abnormality detection device that detects abnormalities in a belt that rotates while being wrapped around multiple pulleys, A distance measuring device that is opposed to the belt and measures the distance between it and the belt, The system includes a belt abnormality detection unit that detects the abnormality, including cracks or peeling of the belt, in accordance with the change in the distance measured by the distance measuring device, The belt abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality of the belt when the amount of change in distance exceeds a threshold, The distance measuring device measures the distance between the return side of the belt, located between the pulleys, and the portion of the surface that contacts the pulley. A belt abnormality detection device characterized by the following features.

2. The pulley comprises at least a pair of end pulleys and a drive pulley located between the pair of end pulleys and around which the return side is routed. The distance measuring device measures the distance between the belt and the portion of the belt upstream of the drive pulley. The belt abnormality detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described in claim 1.

3. The pulley is a pair of end pulleys. The belt abnormality detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described in claim 1.

4. The aforementioned pulley and, The aforementioned belt and, A belt abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A conveyor characterized by having the following features.

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