System and method for managing conveyor belts

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method that make it possible to more effectively utilize management data obtained with regard to various conveyor belts and to appropriately and more easily manage each conveyor belt. An IC tag 2 is used in a state in which identification information other than tag-specific information has not been added thereto. A computation device 8: stores a database DB containing information pertaining to a belt specification and a belt usage condition for each conveyor belt 13 subject to management by an arbitrary user, and an inspection list for which management items for each conveyor belt 13 are shared; and associates and stores identification information for each conveyor belt 13 and a tag-specific number of an IC tag 2 provided to that conveyor belt 13. Management data of at least some of the management items is calculated by the computation device 8 on the basis of the result of wireless communication between each IC tag 2 and a detector 7 and is input into the inspection list. Information stored in the computation device 8 is displayed on a specific terminal device 9 via a communication network 8a.

Description

Conveyor belt management system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor belt management system and method, and more particularly to a management system and method that can more effectively utilize management data acquired about various conveyor belts to appropriately manage each conveyor belt and can more easily manage conveyor belts.

[0002] Various systems for managing conveyor belts that run stretched between pulleys of a conveyor device have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The management system proposed in Patent Document 1 uses a predetermined individual inspection list for each customer who uses the conveyor belt (see paragraphs 0033, 0035, 0053-0055, etc.). However, using an individual inspection list for each customer requires the preparation of each inspection list, and its operation becomes cumbersome. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to use the management data (management results) for the inspection items (management items) on each individual inspection list to manage conveyor belts for other customers.

[0003] In addition, in the management system proposed in Patent Document 1, a control number for identifying a rubber product (conveyor belt) is stored in a server (paragraph 0050). However, Patent Document 1 does not describe how to grasp the control number of each rubber product at the site where the rubber product is used, or how to link each rubber product (conveyor belt) with the information on the server for each rubber product (conveyor belt), so the linking method is unclear.

[0004] Patent Document 2 proposes the use of RFID tags embedded in conveyor belts to identify the conveyor belts at their use sites. In the management system proposed in Patent Document 2, identification information set by the conveyor belt manufacturer is stored in the tag and used (paragraph 0032). This identification information is a manufacturing number assigned to each conveyor belt to identify it. The server stores the identification information of each conveyor belt in association with its management information (paragraph 0036). While each tag pre-stores unique tag information that distinguishes it from other tags, the process of storing additional belt identification information, as proposed in Patent Document 2, requires a great deal of effort. Therefore, there is room for improvement in order to more effectively utilize management data acquired for various conveyor belts to appropriately manage each conveyor belt and more easily manage it.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-28874 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-23840

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a management system and method that can more effectively utilize management data acquired about various conveyor belts to appropriately manage each conveyor belt and that can more easily manage conveyor belts.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the conveyor belt management system of the present invention comprises a passive IC tag installed on the conveyor belt, a detector disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt and communicating wirelessly with the IC tag, and a computing device communicably connected to the detector, wherein the IC tag has pre-stored tag-specific information that distinguishes the IC tag from other IC tags, and no identification information other than the tag-specific information has been added to the IC tag, the computing device is configured to be connectable to a specific terminal device via a communication network, and the computing device has management information for each conveyor belt under the management of an arbitrary conveyor belt user. The system is characterized in that an inspection list in which management items are common, a database containing information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the conveyor belts under management is stored, and identification information of each of the conveyor belts under management is linked to the tag unique number of the IC tag attached to that conveyor belt and stored, and management data for at least some of the management items is calculated by the arithmetic device based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag attached to each of the conveyor belts under management that are being used at the site of use and each of the detectors placed in close proximity to that conveyor belt, and is then input to the inspection list.

[0008] A conveyor belt management method of the present invention comprises installing a passive IC tag on a conveyor belt, inputting the results of wireless communication between a detector placed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt and the IC tag into a computing device, and displaying information stored in the computing device on a specific terminal device connected to the computing device through a communication network, wherein tag-specific information for distinguishing the IC tag from other IC tags is stored in advance in the IC tag, the IC tag is used without adding any identification information other than the tag-specific information, and the computing device stores management information for each conveyor belt under the management of an arbitrary conveyor belt user. The system stores an inspection list with common items and a database containing information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the conveyor belts under management, and stores identification information of each of the conveyor belts under management linked to the tag unique number of the IC tag attached to that conveyor belt, and calculates management data for at least some of the management items by the arithmetic device based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag attached to each of the conveyor belts under management that are being used at the site of use and each of the detectors placed in close proximity to that conveyor belt, and inputs the calculated management data into the inspection list.

[0009] According to the present invention, the computing device stores an inspection list that standardizes management items for each conveyor belt managed by a given conveyor belt user, and a database that includes information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each managed conveyor belt, and this database is used to manage each conveyor belt. This eliminates the need to prepare individual inspection lists for each conveyor belt user, thereby avoiding the problem of complicated management. Since management data acquired for various conveyor belts can be used more effectively regardless of the conveyor belt user, this is advantageous for appropriate management of each conveyor belt. The status of a desired conveyor belt can be ascertained by referencing the information stored in the computing device using a specific terminal device connected to the computing device via a communications network.

[0010] Because the IC tag is used without any additional identification information other than the tag-specific information, there is no need to store new identification information for identifying the conveyor belt in the IC tag. This makes it possible to more easily manage conveyor belts. By linking the identification information of each conveyor belt to the tag-specific number of the IC tag attached to that conveyor belt and storing the linked information in the arithmetic device, each conveyor belt is reliably linked to the information in the database for each conveyor belt. Furthermore, by calculating management data for at least some of the management items using the arithmetic device based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag attached to each conveyor belt and the detectors located in proximity to that conveyor belt and inputting the data into the inspection list, the work of acquiring and inputting management data is reduced, further improving the ease of conveyor belt management.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall overview of an embodiment of a conveyor belt management system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a side view of a conveyor device to which the system of FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another arrangement of IC tags on a conveyor belt in a plan view. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an IC tag in a plan view. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the IC tag of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt showing wireless communication between an IC tag and a detector. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating information contained in a database. FIG. 10 is a graph diagram schematically illustrating the change in conveyor belt speed over time. FIG. 11 is a graph diagram illustrating the relationship between the amount of wear of the cover rubber and the running time (running distance). FIG. 12 is a graph diagram illustrating the correlation between the electrical resistance value of the IC tag at startup and the temperature of the IC tag. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the temperature of the conveyor belt at each detection position.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A conveyor belt management system and method according to the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0013] The embodiment of a conveyor belt management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as system 1) illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is used to grasp the status of a conveyor belt 13 attached to a conveyor device 10. This system 1 has a passive IC tag 2 installed on the conveyor belt 13, detectors 7 (7A, 7B, 7C), and a computing device 8 communicatively connected to the detector 7 wirelessly or via a wire. The computing device 8 is configured to be connectable to specific terminal devices 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) via a communication network 8a.

[0014] The conveyor device 10 has a pair of pulleys 11a and 11b and multiple support rollers 12 disposed between the pulleys 11a and 11b. A circular conveyor belt 13 is tensioned between the pulleys 11a and 11b and supported by the multiple support rollers 12 between the pulleys 11a and 11b. Arrows L, W, and H in the figure indicate the longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the conveyor belt 13, respectively, which are perpendicular to each other. The position of the driven pulley 11b in the longitudinal direction L is adjusted by a tensioning mechanism (the stroke amount is adjusted), thereby applying an appropriate tension to the conveyor belt 13. The conveyor belt 13 runs by rotating the drive pulley 11a.

[0015] The conveyor belt 13 is constructed by integrating an upper cover rubber 16, a lower cover rubber 17, and a traction layer 14 disposed therebetween through vulcanization bonding. In this embodiment, the traction layer 14 is constructed of a large number of steel cords 15 arranged horizontally in the width direction W. The conveyor belt 13 may be equipped with other members as needed. The traction layer 14 is not limited to the steel cords 15, and may also be constructed of canvas. When the traction layer 14 is constructed of canvas, for example, about four to eight layers of canvas are laminated depending on the performance required for the conveyor belt 13.

[0016] On the carrier side of the conveyor device 10, the lower cover rubber 17 of the conveyor belt 13 is supported by the support rollers 12, so that the conveyor belt 13 has a trough shape with the center portion in the width direction W protruding downward. The conveyed object C is placed on the upper surface of the upper cover rubber 16 and conveyed. On the return side of the conveyor device 10, the upper cover rubber 16 of the conveyor belt 13 is supported in a flat state by the support rollers 12.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the lower cover rubber 17, and as shown in Fig. 4, the IC tag 2 is embedded in the end portion in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13. The IC tag 2 is installed at a desired position on the conveyor belt 13 depending on the purpose.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 5, the IC tags 2 may be installed at intervals in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13. Fig. 5 is a view viewed from the same arrow as Fig. 4, and the dashed dotted line CL indicates the center of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction W. In Fig. 5, the IC tags 2 are embedded in the upper cover rubber 16 at the center and both ends of the conveyor belt 13 in the width direction W. Note that the traction layer 14 is not shown in Fig. 5.

[0019] To grasp the state of the upper cover rubber 16 (presence or absence of wear, temperature, scratches, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in the upper cover rubber 16. To grasp the state of the lower cover rubber 17 (presence or absence of wear, temperature, scratches, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in the lower cover rubber 17. To grasp the operating state (travel speed, etc.) of the conveyor belt 13 and the state of the endless part of the conveyor belt 16 (elongation, etc.), the IC tag 2 is installed (embedded) in the upper cover rubber 16 or the lower cover rubber 17. To protect the IC tag 2 from the transported object C, etc., it is preferable to embed it in the lower cover rubber 17 rather than in the upper cover rubber 16.

[0020] The number of IC tags 2 attached to the conveyor belt 13 is determined appropriately depending on the purpose. For example, a plurality of IC tags 2 are attached at intervals in the longitudinal direction L and / or the width direction W. A plurality of IC tags 2 may also be attached at intervals in the thickness direction H of the conveyor belt 13. To grasp the elongation of the endless portion of the conveyor belt 13, IC tags 2 are attached at intervals in the longitudinal direction L across the endless portion.

[0021] 6 and 7, the IC tag 2 has an IC chip 3 and an antenna section 4 connected to the IC chip 3. The IC chip 3 and the antenna section 4 are disposed on a substrate 5 and are covered with an insulating layer 6.

[0022] The IC tag 2 may be of a generally available specification, for example, an RFID tag (general-purpose product). The size of the IC tag 2 is, for example, 200 mm 2 Over 6000mm 2 Less than 300 mm, more preferably 2 2700mm or more 2 The thickness is, for example, 0.01 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less, more preferably 0.03 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less. The heat resistance temperature of the IC tag 2 is, for example, about 250°C.

[0023] The IC chip 3 stores in advance tag-specific information that distinguishes the IC tag 2 from other IC tags 2. Although other information can be stored in the IC chip 3, in this system 1, it is sufficient that only the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 is stored in the IC chip 3. Therefore, no additional information, such as identification information of the conveyor belt 13 on which the IC tag 2 is installed, is stored in the IC tag 2 (IC chip 3). Therefore, in this system 1, each IC tag 2 is used without any additional identification information other than its own tag-specific information being added.

[0024] The IC tag 2 can be attached to the conveyor belt 13 during its manufacture, or can be attached to a manufactured conveyor belt 13. When attaching the IC tag 2 to the conveyor belt 13 later, the IC tag 2 is placed at a desired position on the conveyor belt 13 (on the surface of the lower cover rubber 17 or upper cover rubber 16), and then the IC tag 2 is covered with a rubber material, and the IC tag 2 and the rubber material are bonded to the conveyor belt 13. A known adhesive or vulcanization bonding process is used for this bonding.

[0025] 8, the detector 7 communicates wirelessly with the IC tag 2 attached to the conveyor belt 13 in a non-contact manner. The detector 7 has a transmitter 7s and a receiver 7r. The transmitter 7s transmits an outgoing radio wave R1 toward the IC tag 2. The receiver 7r receives a reply radio wave R2 returned from the IC tag 2 (antenna unit 4) in response to the outgoing radio wave R1, and acquires the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3 that is transmitted together with the reply radio wave R2.

[0026] The detector 7 is of a generally available specification that allows wireless communication with passive RFID tags, etc. The frequency of the radio waves used for wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 is mainly the UHF band (a range of 860 MHz to 930 MHz, which varies depending on the country, and 915 MHz to 930 MHz in Japan), and the HF band (13.56 MHz) is sometimes used.

[0027] The detector 7 is disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt 13 attached to the conveyor device 10. In this embodiment, the detector 7 is fixed at a predetermined detection position P. The detector 7 may be disposed at one detection position P, or at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. The location and number of detectors 7 are determined appropriately depending on the purpose. For example, the detectors 7 may be disposed at a predetermined length along the entire circumference of the conveyor belt line or at substantially equal intervals along the entire circumference. The detectors 7 may also be disposed at multiple locations spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0028] The detector 7 is not limited to being disposed on the return side of the conveyor device 10 as in this embodiment; it can also be disposed on the carrier side, or on both the return side and the carrier side. The closest distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 4 is set to, for example, within 1 m. That is, the detector 7 is installed at a detection position P where the distance between the detector 7 and the antenna unit 4 is 1 m or less when the antenna unit 4 passes near the detector 7. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the widthwise position of each detector 7 is preferably aligned with the widthwise position of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13. The detector 7 in this embodiment is designed not to display various pieces of information stored in the computing device 8, nor is it designed to display tag-specific information for each IC tag 2. That is, the detector 7 does not have a display unit for displaying this information.

[0029] The arithmetic device 8 is connected to the detector 7 by wire or wirelessly. A computer or a computer server is used as the arithmetic device 8. Information detected and acquired by the detector 7 is input to the arithmetic device 8. The arithmetic device 8 performs various arithmetic processes based on the various input information. The arithmetic device 8 is connected via a communication network 8a such as the Internet to a terminal device 9 such as a computer or smartphone located in a location (remote location) away from the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used. A password or the like is set for the connection between the arithmetic device 8 and the terminal device 9, and only specific terminal devices 9 can access the arithmetic device 8.

[0030] The computing device 8 stores a database DB for managing each of the managed conveyor belts 13. This database DB contains information such as that shown in Fig. 9. The information contained in this database DB is an inspection list D1 that commonizes management items for each of the managed conveyor belts 13 of an arbitrary conveyor belt user (hereinafter referred to as "user"), information D2 on the belt specifications of each of the managed conveyor belts 13, and information D3 on the belt usage conditions. Details of the database DB will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, the identification information of each conveyor belt 13 to be managed is linked to and stored with the tag-specific number of the IC tag 2 attached to that conveyor belt 13. The identification information of the conveyor belt 13 is, for example, the serial number of that conveyor belt 13 set by the belt manufacturer, and is information (such as a number, a symbol, or a combination thereof) for distinguishing that conveyor belt 13 from other conveyor belts 13.

[0032] The calculation device 8 also stores the placement position (longitudinal direction L, width direction W, thickness direction H) of the IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13. The placement position of the IC tag 2 in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 may be set using a mark or the like attached at a predetermined position on the conveyor belt 13 as a starting point.

[0033] Furthermore, the computing device 8 also stores identification information for each detector 7 and the location of each detector 7. The identification information for a detector 7 is information (such as a number, a symbol, or a combination thereof) for distinguishing that detector 7 from other detectors 7. The location of a detector 7 is information that identifies the conveyor line on which that detector 7 is located and its location on that conveyor line. Therefore, when the unique information acquired by the detector 7 from the IC tag 2 is input to the computing device 8, the conveyor belt 13 on which that IC tag 2 is installed and the detector 7 are identified, and the location of that IC tag 2 on the conveyor belt 13 is also identified. Furthermore, the conveyor line on which that detector 7 is located is identified, and the location of that detector 7 on the conveyor line (detection position P) is also identified.

[0034] The information illustrated in Fig. 9 includes an inspection list D1, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3, as well as identification information of the conveyor belt 13, the user (user name), and identification information (detector number) of the detector 7. The information illustrated in Fig. 9 is organized for each conveyor belt 13 to be managed, and the information in Fig. 9 for each conveyor belt 13 is stored in the computing device 8 as a database DB.

[0035] The inspection list D1 is a common list of management items for each conveyor belt 13 managed by a given user. That is, the inspection list D1 is not an individual inspection list for each user, but is used by any user. The inspection list D1 registers management items to be identified through inspection of the conveyor belt 13, and is mainly items that have a significant impact on the lifespan of the conveyor belt 13.

[0036] 9, specific control items include the presence or absence and degree of damage or uneven wear of the upper cover rubber 16, the lower cover rubber 17, and the edge rubber in the belt width direction, and the presence or absence and degree of damage of the endless portion and the traction layer 14. These control items are determined by an operator who actually measures and observes the conveyor belt 13, and the results are input and stored in the computing device 8 as control data. Other control items are registered as necessary.

[0037] In the inspection list D1 of FIG. 9 , the control items listed as the results of wireless communication between the IC tag and the detector are acquired based on information obtained by wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7. In other words, to acquire the control data, an operator does not need to actually measure or observe the conveyor belt 13. Specific control items, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , are the conveyor belt 13's running speed V, running time (running distance), and the wear amount and temperature of the upper cover rubber 16 and the lower cover rubber 17. Other control items are registered as necessary. The control items acquired based on the information acquired by wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7 are not limited to the conveyor belt 13's running speed V, running time (running distance), the wear amount of the cover rubber (at least one of the upper cover rubber 16 and the lower cover rubber 17), and the temperature of the conveyor belt 13, but may be at least one of these four control items. Therefore, the control data for two or three control items selected from these four control items can be acquired based on the information acquired by the wireless communication described above.

[0038] The management data for each management item in the inspection list D1 is periodically input anew to the computing device 8, and each management data is stored in the database DB. That is, the time-series management data for each management item is included in the database DB.

[0039] 9 is the belt specification of each managed conveyor belt 13. That is, the size of the conveyor belt 13, the specifications of its components, etc. are included in the database DB as the belt specification information D2.

[0040] 9 shows belt usage condition information D3, which is a usage condition of each managed conveyor belt 13. Since conveyor belts 13 are often installed extending at an incline in the longitudinal direction L, the belt vertical inclination angle is included in the management items.

[0041] The database DB may include other information, not limited to the information exemplified in Fig. 9. For example, the database DB may include information such as repair details (repair history) of the conveyor belt 13 and the replacement time of the conveyor belt 13.

[0042] Next, an example of the procedure for determining the state of the conveyor belt 13 using the system 1 will be described.

[0043] 8, an outgoing radio wave R1 is transmitted from the detector 7 (transmitter 7s) on the conveyor belt 13 to be managed. When the conveyor belt 13 moves and the IC tag 2 approaches the detector 7, the IC tag 2 receives the outgoing radio wave R1 at its antenna 4, and the outgoing radio wave R1 generates power in the IC tag 2, activating the IC tag 2.

[0044] The activated IC tag 2 sequentially returns a reply radio wave R2 to the detector 7 in response to the transmitted radio wave R1. This reply radio wave R2 is returned from the IC tag 2 to the detector 7 via the antenna unit 4. The detector 7 (receiving unit 7r) receives this reply radio wave R2 and sequentially acquires the tag-specific information of the IC tag 2 stored in the IC chip 3 together with the reply radio wave R2 as a reception result.

[0045] Here, a method for calculating the traveling speed V of the conveyor belt 13 by the calculation device 8 will be described. In this embodiment, detectors 7 are arranged at multiple detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. As the conveyor belt 13 travels, each detector 7 wirelessly communicates with an IC tag 2 as it passes nearby, acquiring the tag-specific information of that IC tag 2. The acquired tag-specific information of that IC tag 2 is stored in the calculation device 8 together with the reception time t at which the detector 7 received the reply radio wave R2 from that IC tag 2. The separation distance PL in the longitudinal direction L between the detection positions P at which each detector 7 is arranged is known and therefore input to the calculation device 8. Therefore, the calculation device 8 calculates the traveling speed V by dividing the separation distance PL by the difference in the reception time t of the reply radio wave R2 from the same IC tag 2 by each of the detectors 7 arranged at at least two detection positions P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L (traveling speed V = separation distance PL / difference in reception time t).

[0046] The traveling speed V can also be calculated using one detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P. That is, the traveling speed V is calculated by dividing the total length (belt length) of the conveyor belt 13 by the interval between reception times t at which one detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P repeatedly detects the same IC tag 2. Alternatively, the traveling speed V can be calculated by dividing the separation distance in the longitudinal direction L between two IC tags 2 (this separation distance is known) by the difference between reception times t at which one detector 7 arranged at the same detection position P detects two IC tags 2 arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction L.

[0047] Since the conveyor belt 13 is continuous, it is basically sufficient to calculate the running speed V in any one section (the separation distance PL between any two detection positions P). However, for example, the running speed V may be slightly different between the section immediately before the article C is loaded and the section immediately after the article C is loaded due to the weight of the article C or the impact of loading, so it is better to calculate the running speed V in multiple sections.

[0048] The time-series fluctuation of the traveling speed V calculated by the calculation device 8 can be grasped as shown in FIG. 10. The change over time of the traveling speed V shown in FIG. 10 reflects the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13. That is, when the traveling speed V is zero (including when it is close to zero), it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is not operating (not running). When the traveling speed V is approximately constant, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a steady operating state. When the traveling speed V is steadily increasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a starting state, and when the traveling speed V is steadily decreasing, it can be determined that the conveyor belt 13 is in a stopped state. Therefore, by referring to the data shown in FIG. 10, the actual operating status of the conveyor belt 13 can be grasped with high accuracy.

[0049] The calculation device 8 calculates the running time (running distance) of the conveyor belt 13 based on the data exemplified in Fig. 10. The actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13 is more significantly affected by the running time (running distance) than by the elapsed time since installation on the conveyor device 10. Therefore, knowing the actual running time (running distance) of the conveyor belt 13 is advantageous for accurately determining the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13.

[0050] By using the data shown in FIG. 10 for a large number of conveyor belts 13 of the same specifications to understand the correlation between the running time (running distance) and the actual lifespan X of each conveyor belt 13, it becomes possible to accurately estimate the actual lifespan X of the conveyor belt 13 of that specification. Therefore, the data shown in FIG. 10 for conveyor belts 13 of the same specifications used at the site of use is understood, and the current running time (running distance) is calculated by the calculation device 8. Then, by subtracting the current running time (running distance) from the lifespan X estimated in advance as described above, the remaining lifespan (remaining running distance) of the conveyor belt 13 can be accurately calculated by the calculation device 8. Being able to accurately calculate the remaining lifespan is advantageous for replacing the conveyor belt 13 at a timing that is just right for each site of use. That is, the calculation device 8 can calculate the appropriate replacement time for the conveyor belt 13. The remaining lifespan (remaining running distance) of the conveyor belt 13 and the appropriate replacement time calculated by the calculation device 8 are also stored in the calculation device 8.

[0051] Next, a method for calculating the wear amount of the cover rubbers 16, 17 using the calculation device 8 will be described. If the IC tag 2 is healthy, it communicates wirelessly with the detector 7 as described above, and the detector 7 receives the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. However, if the cover rubbers 16, 17 wear down to the position where the IC tag 2 is installed, the IC tag 2 is damaged, and the detector 7 cannot receive the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2. Therefore, when the detector 7 can no longer receive the reply radio wave R2 from the IC tag 2, it can be determined that the cover rubbers 16, 17 have worn down to the position where the IC tag 2 is installed. In other words, based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag 2 and the detector 7, data such as that shown in FIG. 11 can be calculated, making it possible to grasp the degree of wear of the cover rubbers 16, 17. If a wear limit value for the cover rubbers 16, 17 is set in advance, the remaining thickness of the cover rubbers 16, 17 up to that limit value can be grasped. This allows the calculation device 8 to accurately calculate the remaining life of the conveyor belt 13 due to wear of the cover rubbers 16, 17. This limit value and the remaining life of the conveyor belt 13 calculated by the computing device 8 are also stored in the computing device 8.

[0052] By arranging the IC tags 2 at intervals in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W of the cover rubbers 16 and 17, the planar distribution of the degree of wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be determined, making it possible to grasp the presence or absence of uneven wear. By arranging more IC tags 2 at intervals in the thickness direction H of the cover rubbers 16 and 17, the degree of wear of the cover rubbers 16 and 17 can be grasped in more detail.

[0053] Next, a method for calculating the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 (cover rubbers 16, 17) by the calculation device 8 will be described. First, correlation data R between the electrical resistance value of the IC tag 2 and the temperature of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated, as shown in FIG. 12, is obtained in advance. More specifically, this correlation data R is data showing the relationship between the electrical resistance value of the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated by receiving an emitted radio wave R1, and the temperature of the IC tag 2. Generally, as the temperature of the IC tag 2 rises, the electrical resistance value of the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 increases, so the correlation data R slopes upward to the right, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0054] This correlation data R is stored in the calculation device 8. Then, data on the electrical resistance value in the electrical circuit of the IC tag 2 when the IC tag 2 is activated by the transmitted radio waves R1 is stored in the IC chip 3. Then, in response to the transmitted radio waves R1, the IC tag 2 transmits the identification information of the IC tag 2 and the above-mentioned electrical resistance value data together with a reply radio wave R2 to the detector 7. The calculation device 8 calculates the temperature at the location where the IC tag 2 is installed based on the electrical resistance value data of the IC tag 2 input from the detector 7 and the correlation data R.

[0055] If the detectors 7 are arranged at a plurality of detection positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13 between the pulleys 11a and 11b and the IC tags 2 are embedded at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor belt 13, it is possible to grasp the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction L of the running conveyor belt 13. Furthermore, if the IC tags 2 are embedded at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the width direction W of the conveyor belt 13, it is possible to grasp the temperature distribution in the width direction W of the running conveyor belt 13.

[0056] When the support rollers 12 of the conveyor device 10 are rotating normally and the conveyor belt 13 is running steadily, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at each detection position P spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L is approximately constant, as shown by the temperature data Dn illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 13. On the other hand, if any of the support rollers 12 on the carrier side of the conveyor device 10 is not rotating properly, the frictional resistance between the poorly rotating support roller 12 and the running conveyor belt 13 increases, causing the conveyor belt 13 to heat up abnormally. Alternatively, if the conveyor belt 13 runs while in contact with the frame of the conveyor device 10, the conveyor belt 13 will heat up abnormally.

[0057] When abnormal heating occurs in the conveyor belt 13 in this way, the temperature rises locally as shown by the temperature data Dx illustrated by the solid line in Fig. 13. The temperature of the conveyor belt 13 on the vertical axis in Fig. 13 is the temperature calculated by the computing device 8 as described above. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at the detection position P near the support roller 12 that is not rotating properly and at the detection position P near the contact position between the frame and the conveyor belt 13 is higher than the temperature of the conveyor belt 13 at other detection positions.

[0058] Therefore, based on the temperature data Dx shown in Fig. 13, it is possible to roughly identify the position in the longitudinal direction L of the conveyor device 10 where abnormal heating of the conveyor belt 13 is occurring. That is, it can be estimated that the rotation of the support rollers 12 is poor or contact between the frame and the conveyor belt 13 is occurring in the range near the detection position P where the temperature data Dx reaches its peak (maximum value). The data shown in Fig. 13 is also stored in the calculation device 8.

[0059] A specific terminal device 9 connected to the computing device 8 through the communication network 8a displays desired information stored in the computing device 8, such as the database DB described above. Therefore, by using a terminal device 9 located remotely from the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used, such as a terminal device 9 of a user, a sales company of the conveyor belt 13, or a manufacturer, these parties can grasp the status of the desired conveyor belt 13 substantially in real time. Note that a limit is placed on the information provided to each user so that information about another user's conveyor belt 13 itself is not provided. Note that the information (data) stored in the computing device 8 can be viewed by the terminal device 9 accessing the computing device 8, or can be transmitted from the computing device 8 to the terminal device 9.

[0060] According to the embodiment of the system 1 described above, a database DB including an inspection list D1, which includes common management items for each conveyor belt 13 managed by a given user, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3, is used to manage each conveyor belt 13. This eliminates the need to prepare individual inspection lists for each user, avoiding the problem of cumbersome operation. Management data acquired for various conveyor belts 13 can be used more effectively regardless of the user. In other words, the management data for various users' conveyor belts 13 can be used to calculate the remaining life (remaining mileage) and appropriate replacement timing of the conveyor belt 13, which is advantageous for appropriately managing each conveyor belt 13. A specific terminal device 9 can grasp the status of a desired conveyor belt 13 by referencing the information stored in the computing device 8.

[0061] Because the IC tag 2 is used without any additional identification information other than the tag-specific information, there is no need to store new identification information for identifying the conveyor belt 13 in the IC tag 2. The greater the number of conveyor belts 13 to be managed, and the greater the number of IC tags 2 attached to each conveyor belt 13, the greater the amount of work required to store new identification information in the IC tag 2. Therefore, according to this embodiment, conveyor belts can be managed more easily.

[0062] Although the IC tag 2 does not store identification information of the conveyor belt 13, by linking the identification information of each of the managed conveyor belts 13 with the tag unique number of the IC tag 2 attached to that conveyor belt 13 and storing it in the computing device 8, each of the conveyor belts 13 is reliably linked with the information in the database DB of each of the conveyor belts 13.

[0063] Furthermore, the management data DB for at least some of the management items is calculated by the computing device 8 based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tags 2 attached to each conveyor belt 13 and the detectors 7 located close to that conveyor belt 13, and input into the inspection list D1. This reduces the work of acquiring and inputting management data, which is even more advantageous for easily managing the conveyor belt 13.

[0064] The detector 7 may also have a display unit that displays various pieces of information stored in the computing device 8. When a detector 7 having such a display unit is employed, workers can view the various pieces of information stored in the computing device 8 at the site where the conveyor belt 13 is used by displaying them on the display unit. A portable device such as a smartphone or tablet PC may be used as the detector 7 having a display unit. When a portable detector 7 having such a display unit is employed, workers can use the detector 7 to input and store management data obtained by measuring and observing the conveyor belt 13 into the computing device 8. However, in order to continuously monitor the condition of the conveyor belt 13, the detector 7 must be fixed at a predetermined detection position P. Therefore, even if such a detector 7 is employed, it cannot be moved freely without restrictions.

[0065] The calculation device 8 can also extract conveyor belts 13 with similar belt usage conditions from the database DB and compare the management data for the same management item for each of the extracted conveyor belts 13. The calculation device 8 can then estimate the cause of the difference in the comparison results from the belt specification information D2 and the belt usage condition information D3 stored in the database DB.

[0066] For example, conveyor belts 13 with similar belt usage conditions are extracted, and the wear amounts of the top cover rubbers 16 for the same running time (running distance) are compared. If the specifications of the top cover rubbers 16 of the compared conveyor belts 13 are different and the comparison results show a large difference, it can be inferred that the difference is caused by the specifications of the top cover rubbers 16. Then, by calculating the correlation between the characteristic quantities (hardness, modulus, amount of specific compounding ingredients, etc.) of the specifications of each top cover rubber 16 and the respective management data (wear amount), it becomes possible to infer the specifications of the top cover rubber 16 with excellent wear resistance. On the other hand, if the difference in the comparison results is small (if the difference is substantially negligible), it can be inferred that the cause of the difference is something other than the specifications of the top cover rubber 16. For example, it can be inferred that the cause of the difference is the belt specifications other than the top cover rubber 16. Alternatively, if the belt usage conditions are similar but there are slight differences, it can be inferred that the cause is a slight difference in the belt usage conditions.

[0067] If the specifications of the top cover rubbers 16 of the compared conveyor belts 13 are substantially the same and there is a large difference in the comparison results, it can be assumed that the cause of the difference is something other than the specifications of the top cover rubber 16. The cause of this difference is assumed to be a slight difference in the belt specifications other than the top cover rubber 16 or in the belt usage conditions. On the other hand, if the difference in the comparison results is small, it is difficult to estimate the cause of the difference. However, in this embodiment, management data of a large number of conveyor belts 13 can be used regardless of the user, which is advantageous for more accurate estimation than using management data of conveyor belts 13 of individual users.

[0068] The estimation of the cause of the above-mentioned difference can be performed for various control items, not limited to the amount of wear of the upper cover rubber 16. By performing such estimation in detail for various control items, it becomes possible to estimate belt specifications suitable for each use condition. As a result, it becomes possible to propose to the user a conveyor belt 13 with belt specifications suitable for the use condition. For example, differences in the shape of the conveyed object C, the tension applied to the conveyor belt 13, and the mass per unit length of the conveyor belt 13 may cause differences in the above-mentioned comparison results, so it is preferable to store detailed information about the belt specifications and belt use conditions in the computing device 8.

[0069] In a database having an inspection list determined for each user, the conveyor belt 13 is managed for each user. Individual users use conveyor belts 13 with substantially the same belt specifications when the belt usage conditions are the same or similar. Therefore, it is difficult to compare management data for the same management item for conveyor belts with various belt specifications that have similar belt usage conditions. However, in the above-described embodiment, a database DB is used that includes an inspection list D1, belt specification information D2, and belt usage condition information D3, in which management items for each conveyor belt 13 managed by a given user are standardized. This makes it easy to compare various conveyor belts with similar belt usage conditions. The above-described estimation results by the computing device 8 can also be stored in the computing device 8 and displayed on the terminal device 9.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Management system 2 IC tag 3 IC chip 4 Antenna unit 5 Substrate 6 Insulation layer 7 (7A, 7B, 7C) Detector 7s Transmitter 7r Receiver 8 Calculation unit 8a Communication network 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) Terminal equipment 10 Conveyor device 11a, 11b Pulley 12 Support roller 13 Conveyor belt 14 Traction layer 15 Steel cord 16 Upper cover rubber 17 Lower cover rubber C Conveyed object DB Database D1 Inspection list D2 Belt specification information D3 Belt usage condition information

Claims

1. A conveyor belt management system having a passive IC tag attached to a conveyor belt, a detector placed in proximity to the conveyor belt for wireless communication with the IC tag, and a computing device communicatively connected to the detector, wherein the IC tag has pre-stored tag-specific information that distinguishes it from other IC tags, and no identification information other than the tag-specific information has been added to the IC tag, the computing device is configured to be connectable to a specific terminal device via a communications network, and the computing device stores a database containing an inspection list in which management items for each conveyor belt managed by a given conveyor belt user are standardized, and information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each of the managed conveyor belts, and the identification information of each of the managed conveyor belts is linked and stored with the tag-specific number of the IC tag attached to that conveyor belt, A conveyor belt management system in which management data for at least some of the management items is calculated by the computing device based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag installed on each of the conveyor belts under management that are used at the site of use and each of the detectors located in close proximity to the conveyor belt, and is then input into the inspection list.

2. A conveyor belt management system as described in claim 1, wherein the detector is fixed at a predetermined detection position and the information stored in the computing device is not displayed.

3. A conveyor belt management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arithmetic device compares management data for the same management item for conveyor belts with similar belt usage conditions in the database, and the cause of any difference in the comparison results is inferred from the belt specifications and belt usage conditions stored in the database.

4. A conveyor belt management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management items calculated by the computing device based on the wireless communication results and input into the inspection list are at least one of the running time of each conveyor belt, the amount of wear on the cover rubber, and the temperature.

5. A method for managing a conveyor belt, in which a passive IC tag is installed on a conveyor belt, the results of wireless communication between the IC tag and a detector placed close to the conveyor belt are input into a computing device, and the information stored in the computing device is displayed on a specific terminal device connected to the computing device through a communication network, wherein tag-specific information that distinguishes the IC tag from other IC tags is stored in advance in the IC tag, and the IC tag is used without any additional identification information other than the tag-specific information, the computing device stores an inspection list in which management items for each conveyor belt managed by an arbitrary conveyor belt user are standardized, and a database containing information on the belt specifications and belt usage conditions of each managed conveyor belt, and stores the identification information of each managed conveyor belt linked to the tag-specific number of the IC tag installed on that conveyor belt, A conveyor belt management method in which management data for at least some of the management items is calculated by the arithmetic device based on the results of wireless communication between the IC tag installed on each of the conveyor belts being managed at the site of use and each of the detectors located in close proximity to the conveyor belt, and the data is entered into the inspection list.

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