Tension detecting device for conveyor of stacker reclaimer

Abstract

A tension detecting device for a conveyor of a stacker reclaimer includes a tension pulley guiding frame, a fasten holder, a load pin, and a screw rod. The tension pulley guiding frame is movably disposed on a frame of the conveyor, and configured to carry a tension pulley of a conveyer belt of the conveyor. The tension pulley guiding frame includes a first vertical member and a second vertical member, which are opposite to each other, and a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member, which are opposite to each other. The first horizontal member and the second horizontal member are connected between the first vertical member and the second vertical member. The fasten holder clamps two opposite sides of the first vertical member. The load pin is disposed in the fasten holder and the first vertical member. The load pin detects a tension of the conveyer belt based on a change in a tensile force applied by the conveyer belt on the tension pulley guiding frame through the tension pulley. The screw rod is disposed in the frame and the fasten holder, and configured to position the tension pulley guiding frame to adjust the tensile force of the conveyor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a tension detection technology, and more particularly to a tension detection device for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Conventional tension detection devices for conveyors are mostly used in conveyors with a counterweight adjustment motor and a belt counterweight trolley, where a tension sensor is installed between the counterweight adjustment motor and the belt counterweight trolley. When there is a change in tension between the steel structure of the counterweight adjustment motor and the belt counterweight trolley, different tensions can be detected.

[0003] However, tension sensors have a certain length space, which will occupy the restretchable space of the conveyor belt. After the belt becomes slack, the length of the adjustable belt is limited, and it must be adjusted by cutting the belt and then vulcanizing it, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, the applicability of tension sensor tension detection devices is low due to space requirements and their own weight.

[0004] Because the tension detection device of the tension sensor requires a large installation space, the selection of the conveyor belt type is limited. If the installation space is limited, the conveyor belt can only be a steel cable belt whose natural length does not easily increase after slack, rather than a canvas belt whose natural length is more likely to increase after slack.

[0005] Furthermore, if the tension-building process requires rotating the nut to fix the moving screw, it will generate torque. The load-bearing element of the direct-pull type is not resistant to rotation and will fail due to the inability to withstand the torque. Therefore, tension detection devices using tension sensors are only suitable for conveyors that use trolleys to pull tension belts. Conveyors that need to move have large space limitations and can only carry a small amount of weight, making tension detection devices using tension sensors unsuitable.

[0006] Furthermore, the tension detection device of the tension sensor requires a large space and is heavy, thus needing to be installed in a large space and placed on the ground, making it impossible to install it on both sides of the tension wheel of the conveyor. This results in the inability to determine whether uneven tension occurs on both sides of the tension wheel. Also, due to the configuration of the tension detection device of the tension sensor, material accumulation can easily affect the accuracy of the tension sensor. Therefore, personnel need to remove the accumulated material more frequently to ensure the accuracy of the measurement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0007] Therefore, one of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a tension detection device for the conveyor of a stacker-reclaimer, which requires little installation space, allows for a large adjustment space for the belt length after the belt becomes loose, and the adjustment method is to tighten the belt by moving the tension wheel.

[0008] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a tension detection device for the conveyor of a stacker-reclaimer. This device is small in size and can be installed on both sides of the tension wheel of the conveyor to detect uneven tension on both sides of the belt, thus preventing abnormalities. Furthermore, the tension detection device disclosed herein is also applicable to various types of conveyors with different tension profiles, including gravity-type tension belt conveyors, screw-type counterweight belt conveyors, conveyors requiring movement, and conveyors where the tension wheel and drive wheel are on the same pulley. Moreover, due to the configuration of the tension detection device disclosed herein, the accuracy of the sensor is less susceptible to impact from material accumulation.

[0009] In accordance with the above-mentioned objectives of this disclosure, a tension detection device for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor is provided, comprising: a tension wheel guide frame, a fastening member, a load sensor, and a screw. The tension wheel guide frame is movably mounted on the frame of the stacker-reclaimer conveyor and is configured to mount the tension wheel of the conveyor belt. The tension wheel guide frame includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member opposite to each other, and a first transverse member and a second transverse member opposite to each other. The first transverse member and the second transverse member are engaged between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member. The fastening member clamps the opposite two sides of the first longitudinal member. The load sensor is simultaneously inserted into the fastening member and the first longitudinal member along a first direction, and the opposite two ends of the load sensor protrude from the fastening member. The load sensor is configured to detect the tension of the conveyor belt based on the change in the tension applied by the conveyor belt to the tension wheel guide frame through the tension wheel. The screw passes through the frame and fastening member along the second direction and is fixed to the fastening member, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the screw is configured to position the tension wheel guide frame.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame includes an upper track and a lower track, and the tension wheel guide frame is movably disposed on the upper track and the lower track.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the fastening member includes a connecting plate, a first fastening plate, and a second fastening plate. The first fastening plate is disposed on the side of the connecting plate. The second fastening plate is disposed on the side of the connecting plate and is opposite to and separated from the first fastening plate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening member further includes two end plates. The two end plates are respectively disposed outside the first fastening plate and outside the second fastening plate to fix the load sensor.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the fastening member has a first assembly hole that penetrates the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate along a first direction. The first longitudinal member has a second assembly hole that penetrates the first longitudinal member along the first direction and corresponds to the first assembly hole. A load sensor is disposed in the first assembly hole and the second assembly hole.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the fastening member includes two tension support surfaces, which are respectively located on the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate and are adjacent to the first assembly hole. The first longitudinal member includes a load-bearing surface, which is adjacent to the second assembly hole. The load-bearing surface is adjacent to the connecting plate and opposite to the two tension support surfaces.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the screw has a first positioning hole through it. The fastening member has a second positioning hole through the connecting plate, the second positioning hole being aligned with the first positioning hole. The screw further includes a positioning pin, which is inserted into the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned screw is screwed into the fastening member.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the end of the screw is provided with a tension adjustment and locking mechanism.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tension adjustment locking mechanism is movably screwed onto the screw rod and configured to adjust and fix the position of the screw rod on the frame.

Implementation Method

[0019] The embodiments of this disclosure are discussed in detail below. However, it will be understood that the embodiments provide many applicable concepts that can be implemented in a wide variety of specific situations. The embodiments discussed and disclosed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. All embodiments of this disclosure disclose a variety of different features, but these features may be implemented individually or in combination as needed.

[0020] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. used in this document do not specifically refer to order or sequence, but are only used to distinguish elements or operations described with the same technical terms.

[0021] The spatial relationship between the two elements described in this disclosure applies not only to the orientation shown in the diagram, but also to orientations not shown in the diagram, such as inverted orientations. Furthermore, the terms "connection," "electrical connection," or similar expressions used in this disclosure to refer to the two components are not limited to a direct or electrical connection, but may also include indirect or electrical connections as needed.

[0022] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a tension detection device 100 for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The tension detection device 100 can be used to detect the tension change of the conveyor belt 500 of the stacker-reclaimer conveyor in real time online. The tension detection device 100 mainly includes a tension wheel guide frame 110, a fastening member 120, a load sensor 130, and a screw 140.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the tension wheel guide frame 110 is disposed on the frame 200 of the stacker-reclaimer conveyor and is configured to load the tension wheel 300 of the conveyor belt 500. The tension wheel guide frame 110 is movable on the frame 200. In some embodiments, the frame 200 includes an upper rail 202 and a lower rail 204. The tension wheel guide frame 110 is disposed on the upper rail 202 and the lower rail 204, so the tension wheel guide frame 110 can move on the frame 200 along the upper rail 202 and the lower rail 204.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG1, the tension wheel guide frame 110 includes a first longitudinal member 112 and a second longitudinal member 114 opposite to each other, and a first transverse member 116 and a second transverse member 118 opposite to each other. The first transverse member 116 and the second transverse member 118 are joined between the first longitudinal member 112 and the second longitudinal member 114 to form a rectangular or square frame structure. The tension wheel 300 can be locked onto the second transverse member 118 and is located within the tension wheel guide frame 110.

[0025] In some embodiments, a hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 is provided on the frame 200. The hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 can push the tension wheel guide frame 110 to drive the tension wheel 300 to move, thereby establishing tension on the conveyor belt 500. As shown in FIG1, the hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 is movably mounted across the upper rail 202 and the lower rail 204, and is located outside the tension wheel guide frame 110. The hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 can lift the second longitudinal member 114 along the upper rail 202 and the lower rail 204. Therefore, the second longitudinal member 114 must have sufficient strength to withstand the lifting by the hydraulic lifting mechanism 600.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3, which are respectively enlarged top view and enlarged side view of a tension detection device 100 for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A fastening member 120 is disposed on a first longitudinal member 112 and clamps two opposite sides of the first longitudinal member 112. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the fastening member 120 includes a connecting plate 122, a first fastening plate 124, and a second fastening plate 126. The first fastening plate 124 and the second fastening plate 126 are disposed on the side surface 122F of the connecting plate 122, and the first fastening plate 124 and the second fastening plate 126 are opposite to and separated from each other, thereby forming a U-shaped structure. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, from a top view, the shape of the fastening member 120 is U-shaped. In some embodiments, the first longitudinal member 112 is disposed between the first fastening plate 124 and the second fastening plate 126, thereby the fastening member 120 can clamp the opposite sides of the first longitudinal member 112.

[0027] In some embodiments, the fastening member 120 has a first assembly hole 120H, which penetrates the first fastening plate 124 and the second fastening plate 126 along a first direction D1. As shown in FIG2, the fastening member 120 further includes two tension support surfaces 120F. These two tension support surfaces 120F are located on the first fastening plate 124 and the second fastening plate 126, respectively, and are adjacent to the first assembly hole 120H. The first longitudinal member 112 has a second assembly hole 112H corresponding to the first assembly hole 120H, which penetrates the first longitudinal member 112 along the first direction D1. The first longitudinal member 112 also includes a load-bearing surface 112F, which is adjacent to the connecting plate 122 and opposite to the two tension support surfaces 120F.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG2, the load sensor 130 is simultaneously inserted into the first assembly hole 120H of the fastening member 120 and the second assembly hole 112H of the first longitudinal member 112 along the first direction D1, and the two opposite ends 132 of the load sensor 130 protrude from the fastening member 120. The load surface 112F and the two tension support surfaces 120F are respectively located on opposite sides of the load sensor 130. In some embodiments, the fastening member 120 further includes two end plates 128. As shown in FIG2 and FIG3, the two end plates 128 are respectively disposed outside the first fastening plate 124 and outside the second fastening plate 126, which can block the ends 132 of the load sensor 130, thereby fixing the load sensor 130 and preventing the load sensor 130 from coming out of the fastening member 120.

[0029] The load sensor 130 can detect the tension of the conveyor belt 500 based on the change in tension applied to the tension wheel guide frame 110 by the tension wheel 300. Specifically, after the hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 lifts the second longitudinal member 114 and pushes the tension wheel guide frame 110, tension is established on the conveyor belt 500. The tension of the conveyor belt 500 can generate a change in tension, which can be transmitted through the tension wheel 300 to the first longitudinal member 112 of the tension wheel guide frame 110, and then to the fastening member 120 clamping the first longitudinal member 112. At this time, the load surface 112F and the tension support surface 120F interact with the load sensor 130, so that the load sensor 130 can accurately measure the tension value of the conveyor belt 500. Since the load sensor 130 is inserted between the fastening member 120 and the first longitudinal member 112, the load sensor 130 is protected. Therefore, the accumulation of material during conveyor operation will not affect the accuracy of the internal sensor of load sensor 130, thereby reducing the burden of personnel inspection and cleaning.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the screw 140 passes through the frame 200 and the fastening member 120 along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and the screw 140 and the fastening member 120 are screwed together. The screw 140 is configured to position the tension wheel guide frame 110. In some embodiments, the screw 140 has a first positioning hole 140H, and the fastening member 120 has a second positioning hole 122H. When the screw 140 is screwed into the fastening member 120, the second positioning hole 122H is aligned with the first positioning hole 140H. The second positioning hole 122H penetrates the connecting plate 122. In such an embodiment, the screw 140 also includes a positioning pin 142. After the screw 140 is screwed into the fastening member 120, the positioning pin 142 can be inserted into the first positioning hole 140H and the second positioning hole 122H to ensure that the screw 140 and the fastening member 120 will not come out.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a tension adjustment and locking mechanism 144 is provided at the end of the screw 140 and is movably screwed onto the screw 140. The tension adjustment and locking mechanism 144 can be used to adjust and fix the position of the screw 140 on the frame 200. Specifically, after the hydraulic lifting mechanism 600 lifts the second longitudinal member 114, the tension wheel guide frame 110 can be displaced on the frame 200 along the upper rail 202 and the lower rail 204 in a second direction D2. After the tension wheel guide frame 110 is displaced to the appropriate position, the tension adjustment and locking mechanism 144 is locked to fix the screw 140 and the connected fastening member 120 and the tension wheel guide frame 110. At this time, the tension of the conveyor belt 500 is established. The load surface 112F and the tension support surface 120F can reflect the current tension of the conveyor belt 500 in the load sensor 130. After the conveyor belt 500 is relaxed, the movable screw 140 of the tension adjustment locking mechanism 144 is turned to adjust the displacement of the tension wheel guide frame 110, thereby adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt 500.

[0032] In some embodiments, the tension detection device 100 may be installed on more than one set on the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer. For example, a set of tension detection devices 100 may be installed on both sides of the tension wheel 300 of the conveyor belt 500. Through the tension detection device 100, the operator can detect the tension on both sides of the conveyor belt 500 in real time to determine whether any abnormality has occurred. When the tension on both sides of the conveyor belt 500 is different, the tension of the conveyor belt 500 can also be adjusted in time through the tension adjustment and locking mechanism 144 of the tension detection device 100.

[0033] As can be seen from the above embodiments, one advantage of this disclosure is that the tension detection device of the stacker-reclaimer conveyor is small in size and can be installed on both sides of the tension wheel of the conveyor to detect whether the tension on both sides of the conveyor belt is uniform in real time, so as to avoid abnormalities during the operation of the stacker-reclaimer conveyor and ensure smooth operation of the conveyor.

[0034] Another advantage of this disclosure is that the tension detection device can be directly installed on the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer. The tension values ​​detected online can be used to determine if there is insufficient or uneven tension in the conveyor, allowing for early warning and shutdown for maintenance to avoid major accidents. Furthermore, because the tension detection device is not subject to many space limitations or must be installed on the ground, it can be applied to various types of conveyors, such as gravity conveyors, screw-type counterweight belt conveyors, mobile conveyors, or chain scraper conveyors.

[0035] Although this disclosure has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in this art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0036] A better understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, according to industry standard practice, the features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the features can be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. [Figure 1] is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a tension detection device for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] is a partially enlarged top view schematic diagram illustrating a tension detection device for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] is a partially enlarged side view schematic diagram illustrating a tension detection device for a stacker-reclaimer conveyor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Biomaterial Storage]

[0038] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number): None. International storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number): None.

Claims

1. A tension detection device for a conveyor of a stacker-reclaimer, comprising: a tension wheel guide frame movably mounted on a frame of a conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer and configured to mount a tension wheel of a conveyor belt of the conveyor, wherein the tension wheel guide frame includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member opposite to each other, and a first transverse member and a second transverse member opposite to each other, the first transverse member and the second transverse member being joined between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member to form a rectangular or square frame structure, the tension wheel being located within the tension wheel guide frame; a fastening member clamping opposite sides of the first longitudinal member, wherein the fastening member includes: a connecting plate; A first fastening plate is disposed on one side of the connecting plate; and a second fastening plate is disposed on the same side of the connecting plate, opposite to and separated from the first fastening plate, wherein the first longitudinal member is disposed between the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate; and a load sensor is simultaneously inserted into the fastening member and the first longitudinal member along a first direction, wherein the opposite two ends of the load sensor protrude from the fastening member, wherein the load sensor is configured to detect a tension of the conveyor belt based on a change in a tension applied to the tension wheel guide frame by the conveyor belt through the tension wheel; and a screw is inserted into the frame and the fastening member along a second direction and fixed to the fastening member, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the screw is configured to position the tension wheel guide frame.

2. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as described in claim 1, wherein the frame includes an upper rail and a lower rail, and the tension wheel guide frame is movably disposed on the upper rail and the lower rail.

3. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as described in claim 1, wherein the fastening member further includes two end plates, which are respectively disposed outside the first fastening plate and outside the second fastening plate to fix the load sensor.

4. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as described in claim 1, wherein the fastening member has a first assembly hole that penetrates the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate along the first direction; and the first longitudinal member has a second assembly hole that penetrates the first longitudinal member along the first direction and corresponds to the first assembly hole, wherein the load sensor is disposed in the first assembly hole and the second assembly hole.

5. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastening member includes two tension support surfaces located on the first fastening plate and the second fastening plate respectively and adjacent to the first assembly hole; and the first longitudinal member includes a load-bearing surface adjacent to the second assembly hole, wherein the load-bearing surface is adjacent to the connecting plate and opposite to the two tension support surfaces.

6. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screw has a first positioning hole through the screw; the fastening member has a second positioning hole through the connecting plate, wherein the second positioning hole is aligned with the first positioning hole; and the screw further includes a positioning pin inserted into the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole.

7. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as described in claim 1, wherein the screw is screwed into the fastening member.

8. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as described in claim 1, wherein one end of the screw is provided with a tension adjustment and locking mechanism.

9. The tension detection device for the conveyor of the stacker-reclaimer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tension adjustment and locking mechanism is movably screwed onto the screw and configured to adjust and fix the position of the screw on the frame.

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