Fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants

Abstract

A fall detection system (1) for profiled elements in painting plants, which comprises a detection structure (2), designed to be positioned below an overhead conveyance line (3) of profiled elements (4) to be painted, and sensor means (5), which are associated with the detection structure (2) and are configured to detect vibrations transmitted to the detection structure (2); control means (6) are also provided which are functionally connected to the sensor means (5) and configured to detect the fall of the profiled elements (4) from the conveyance line (3) onto the detection structure (2), on the basis of signals arriving from the sensor means (5).

Description

[0001] FALL DETECTION SYSTEM FOR PROFILED ELEMENTS IN

[0002] PAINTING PLANTS

[0003] The present invention relates to a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants.

[0004] As is known, painting plants for metallic profiles comprise, in general, an overhead conveyance line that makes it possible to transport the suspended profiled elements vertically through various processing stations.

[0005] In some processing stations of painting plants, there is a forced recirculation of a fluid, such as air or water, inside a chamber or a confined environment, as in the case of ovens for curing paint powders or drying profiled elements.

[0006] The internal environments of these processing stations are not generally accessible during production stages, or they do not allow visibility and control of what happens inside them.

[0007] Usually there is a “plenum space” in such processing stations, usually on the floor. This is an element that is capable of distributing and eveningout the airflow inside confined environments, for the purpose of reducing the speed of that air and the consequent “swaying” of the profiled elements suspended vertically from the conveyance line.

[0008] It is, in fact, known that profiled elements suspended from the conveyance line can, during their movement, be subjected to unwanted oscillations which can lead to their mutual colliding, with consequent damage and, in extreme cases, even to their falling, with even more serious damage.

[0009] To seek to resolve the problem of detecting the falling of profiled elements inside inaccessible confined environments of processing stations of painting plants, various systems have been proposed based on different operating principles, the effectiveness of which however has been shown to be poor.

[0010] In particular, it has been proposed to use instruments for detecting sound, which are however subject to external conditions and noise which lead to false readings, or mechanically-activated sensors, such as cable devices, connected to a clutch which intervenes if it hits an obstacle or a resistance, but which do not allow detection spread over broad surfaces, being often misleading and not fit for purpose, in addition to also exhibiting poor reliability.

[0011] The aim of the present invention is to provide a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0012] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a system that enables the effective, prompt and measurable detection of the fall of profiled elements suspended vertically from a conveyance line, in painting plants.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants that makes it possible to determine, identify and categorize, by virtue of the measurable nature of the event, the type of phenomenon that has occurred so as to be able to differentiate the corrective handling of that event in order to reduce plant shutdowns to the minimum, optimize production capacity, and contain any undesired effects.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants that is capable of offering the highest guarantees of reliability in its operation.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants that is structurally simple to implement.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is out to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0017] Not least an object of the invention is to provide a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants that can also be competitive from a purely economic viewpoint. This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the system according to the invention, with some parts shown transparent and others omitted to show the interior;

[0020] Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the system according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detection structure of the system according to the invention, with some parts omitted to show the interior;

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective and partially transparent view of a portion of the detection structure according to a first embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 of the detection structure according to a different embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 is a perspective and partially transparent view of a part of the system according to the invention.

[0025] With reference to the figures, the fall detection system for profiled elements in painting plants according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a detection structure 2, which is designed to be positioned below an overhead conveyance line 3 of profiled elements 4 to be painted.

[0026] The detection structure 2 is associated with sensor means 5, which are configured to detect the vibrations that are transmitted to the detection structure 2. For example, the sensor means 5 comprise at least one accelerometer

[0027] 5a.

[0028] Also according to the invention, control means 6 are provided which are constituted, for example, by an electronic controller 6a, and which are functionally connected to the sensor means 5 and are, furthermore, configured to detect the fall of profiled elements 4 from the conveyance line 3 onto the detection structure 2, on the basis of the signals arriving from the sensor means 5.

[0029] In more detail, the control means 6 are, conveniently, configured to compare the vibration values detected by the sensor means 5 with reference vibration values and to determine, based on the comparison between the vibration values detected by the sensor means 5 and the reference values, whether an impact of profiled elements against the detection structure 2 has occurred as a result of the fall thereof from the conveyance line 3, and the extent of such impact.

[0030] Advantageously, the control means 6 are functionally connected to interface means or reporting means 7, which are constituted, for example, by visual and / or acoustic indicators or by a data display panel, which make it possible to provide information and data to users relating to the falling of profiles 4 from the conveyance line 3.

[0031] More specifically, the control means 6 are, conveniently, configured to produce, furthermore, again on the basis of the signals arriving from the sensor means 5, a type of corrective action to be performed on the painting plant, as a consequence of the detection of a fall of profiled elements 4 from the conveyance line 3, such as for example a shutdown, an alarm or a pause, and to report the determined corrective action to users via the interface means 7.

[0032] For example, the control means 6 compare the vibration values detected by the sensor means 5 with predefined preset threshold values, which are associated with respective types of corrective action, stored in a database connected to the control means 6, and, if the vibrations detected by the sensor means 5 exceed a certain threshold value, supply the type of corrective action to be performed associated with the threshold value exceeded.

[0033] Delving deeper into the details of the invention, the detection structure 2 defines, conveniently, at least one floor surface 2a against which the profiled elements 4 falling from the conveyance line 3 will impact.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 1, the detection structure 2 is designed to be positioned, at least partially, within a closed or confined environment 8, such as, for example, a treatment chamber 9 for the profiled elements 4.

[0035] Again according to the preferred embodiment, the detection structure comprises or is basically constituted by a plenum space, configured for the forced recirculation of air in the above-mentioned confined environment 8.

[0036] For example, according to this embodiment, the detection structure 2 can be, advantageously, accommodated inside the oven for curing paint powders of the profiled elements and / or inside the oven for drying the profiled elements, in a painting plant for profiled elements.

[0037] In more detail, the detection structure 2 can be constituted by a frame 10 which supports a plurality of longitudinal covering elements 11, conveniently shaped substantially like slats or boards, which are arranged mutually contiguous and which define the floor surface 2a.

[0038] Advantageously, the frame 10 delimits, internally, a pressure or plenum chamber 12, fed with air under pressure, by air fans 13 which are supported by the frame 10 and actuated by respective motors 13a, and closed above by the longitudinal elements 11.

[0039] Conveniently, the pressure chamber 12 is connected to the overlying environment 8 through through holes Ila defined in the longitudinal elements 11.

[0040] Advantageously, the longitudinal elements 11 communicate with each other and are partially overlapped in order to provide a mechanical contact between them and to allow the transmission of vibrations generated by the fall of profiled elements onto the detection structure 2.

[0041] Preferably, in the detection structure 2, there is at least one elongated joining element 14 which makes it possible to make a join between the longitudinal elements 11, and the function of which is to amplify and transmit the vibrations generated by the fall of profiled elements 4 onto the detection structure 2 to the sensor means 5.

[0042] More preferably, there are several elongated joining elements 14 which can be arranged along mutually opposite sides of the floor surface 2a defined by the longitudinal elements 11.

[0043] Each elongated joining element 14 is connected to at least one respective accelerometer 5a which detects the vibrations that are transmitted by each elongated joining element 14 connected to it.

[0044] Each accelerometer 5a is in turn connected to the electronic controller 6a by means of a respective signal cable 15, which passes, conveniently, through a respective cable gland 16, supported by the frame 10.

[0045] Advantageously, in order to ensure the reliability of the detections, each accelerometer 5a is accommodated inside at least one respective boxlike element 17, which is also supported by the frame 10.

[0046] Conveniently, the elongated joining elements 14 can be provided by bars, elastically flexible and with a flattened transverse cross-section, or substantially tubular in shape.

[0047] Advantageously, the elongated joining elements 14 extend along a direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction of extension of the longitudinal elements 11 that define the floor surface 9a.

[0048] For example, there can be, along opposite sides of the floor surface 2a, a respective pair of joining elements 14, which, at one of their ends, are connected to each other and to a conventional accelerometer 5a and which extend, cantilevered, toward the other one of their ends, in mutually opposite directions.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the elongated joining elements 14 are positioned below the longitudinal elements 11 and the longitudinal elements 11 are resting on the elongated joining elements 14.

[0050] According to a different embodiment, the elongated joining elements 14 can be arranged above the longitudinal elements 11 and can be fixed to the latter by means of spacer elements.

[0051] The operation of the system, according to the invention, is the following.

[0052] In the event of fall of a profiled element 4 from the conveyance line 3, the impact of the profiled element 4 on the floor surface 2a of the detection structure 2 produces vibrations in the detection structure 2 which are detected by the sensor means 5.

[0053] On the basis of the signals originating from the sensor means 5, following the fall of the profiled element 4, the control means 6 establish the type of corrective action to be performed on the plant and communicate this to the operators by means of the interface means 7.

[0054] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the system according to the invention makes it possible to detect, in an extremely reliable and accurate manner, with respect to the prior art, the fall of profiled elements even in confined environments that cannot be inspected directly from outside, such as for example the environments of ovens.

[0055] Furthermore, the system according to the invention offers the advantage of providing operators with indications about the type of intervention to perform on the basis of the extent of the event that has occurred.

[0056] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0057] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art. The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000019501 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

9CLAIMS1. A fall detection system (1) for profiled elements in painting plants, characterized in that it comprises:- a detection structure (2), designed to be positioned below an overhead conveyance line (3) of profiled elements (4) to be painted;- sensor means (5), associated with said detection structure (2) and configured to detect vibrations transmitted to said detection structure (2) and- control means (6), functionally connected to said sensor means (5) and configured to detect the fall of the profiled elements (4) from said conveyance line (3) onto said detection structure (2), on the basis of signals arriving from said sensor means (5).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means (6) are configured to compare vibration values detected by said sensor means (5) with reference vibration values and to determine, based on the comparison between said vibration values detected by said sensor means (5) and said reference values, whether an impact of profiled elements against said detection structure (2) has occurred as a result of the fall thereof from said conveyance line (3).

3. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (6) are functionally connected to interface means (7), said control means (6) configured to determine, on the basis of the signals arriving from said sensor means (5), a type of corrective action to be performed on the painting plant and to report, via said interface means (7), the corrective action determined by said control means (6).

4. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection structure (2) defines at least one floor surface (2a) that can be impacted by the profiled elements (4) falling from said conveyance line (3).

5. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection structure (2) is designed to beaccommodated within a confined environment (8) and comprises a plenum chamber (8) configured for forced recirculation of air in said confined environment (8).

6. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sensor means (5) comprise at least one accelerometer (5a).

7. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection structure (2) comprises a frame (10) which supports a plurality of mutually contiguous longitudinal covering elements (11), which define said at least one floor surface (2a).

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that said longitudinal elements (11) communicate with each other and are partially overlapped in order to provide a mechanical contact between said longitudinal elements (11) and to allow the transmission of vibrations generated by the fall of the profiled elements (4) onto said detection structure (2).

9. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one elongated element (14) for mutually joining said longitudinal elements (11), which is connected to said at least one accelerometer (5a) and is configured to amplify and transmit the vibrations generated by the fall of the profiled elements (4) onto said detection structure (2).

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