AU2013275616A1

AU2013275616A1 - Belt conveyer device

Info

Publication number: AU2013275616A1
Application number: AU2013275616A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kunitoshi Suzuki
Original assignee: Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-12
Publication date: 2014-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-12
Also published as: AU2013275616B2; CN104334479A; WO2013187063A1; CN104334479B; JP5939051B2; JP2013256381A

Abstract

Provided is a belt conveyor device that is favorable in terms of stabilizing the movement of the conveyor belt and ensuring the durability of the edges of the conveyor belt. An analysis means (32) calculates the relative position, with respect to the conveyor belt (16), of a conveyance object (2) placed on the conveyor belt (16), on the basis of image information picked-up by an image pick-up device (image pick-up means) (22). A drive control means (34) controls a drive means (30) on the basis of the calculated relative position of the conveyance object (2), and thereby changes the orientation of a rocking plate (28). As a result, if the conveyance object (2) is displaced in the width direction of the conveyor belt (16), the conveyance object (2) is moved into the center of the conveyor belt (16).

Description

WO 2013/187063 1 PCT/JP2013/003695 BE LT CONY EYOR DEVICE TECHNICAL FIEI) [00013 5 The present invention relates to a belt conveyor device. BACKGROUND [0002] There are belt conveyor devices in which a conveyor belt formed to be 10 endless is supported in a trough shape using conveyor rollers. In such a belt conveyor device, when a conveyance object is placed at a location displaced to one side from the centre of the conveyor belt in the width direction, force acts in a direction towards the other side of the conveyor belt in the width direction due to the mass of the conveyance object and the conveyor 15 belt shifts to the other side in the width direction. When such shifting of the conveyor belt occurs. it is not possible to transport the conveyance object in a stable manner since the conveyor belt meanders or enters a state of being biased in the width direction. Therefore, an alignment device (an adjustable roller) has been proposed 20 which detects the position of an edge section on one side of the conveyor belt in the width direction and suppresses meanderin g of the conveyor belt by changing the orientation of conveyor rollers based on the detection results (refer to Patent Document i). 25 PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents [0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10644306A 30 SUMMARY OF TH FE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by The invention 10004] However, there are the following disadvantages in the related art 35 described above since the orientation of the conveyor rollers is changed based on the detection results of the position of the edge section on one side of the conveyor belt in the width direction.

WO 2013/187063 2 PCT/JP20 13/003695 1) For an endless conveyor belt, an end section in the longitudinaI direction thereof is a bonded bonding section having a width which is narrower than the width of the portion of the conveyor belt other than the bonding section. For this reason, since the edge section of the conveyor belt at the 5 bonding section is erroneously detected as displaced in the width direction in the technique of the related art, the orientation of the conveyor rollers is changed and the travelling of the conveyor belt is unstable. 2) Also, in cases where the edge section of the conveyor belt is damaged, erroneous detection of the position of the edge section of the conveyor belt in 10 the width direction occurs in the same manner as 1), and the travelling of the conveyor belt is unstable. 3) It is easy for an excessive load to be applied with respect to the conveyor belt due to the changing of the orientation of the conveyor rollers and it is disadvantageous in terms of ensuring the durability of the edge section of I the conveyor belt, The present invention was made in consideration of the above situation and has an object of providing a belt conveyor device which is advantageous in terms of stabilising travelling of a conveyor belt and ensuring the durability of an edge section of the conveyor belt. 20 Means for Resolving the Problems [0005] In order to achieve the object described above, the present invention is a belt conveyor device including a conveyor belt formed to be endless; trough 25 rollers supporting the endless belt in a trough shape; a relative position detecting means detecting a relative position of a conveyance object, which is placed on the conveyor belt, with respect to the conveyor belt in a width direction orthogonal to a travelling direction of the conveyor belt; and a conveyance ohject mo ving means which moves the position of the conveyance 30 object in the width direction based on the detected relative position of the conveyance object. EFFECT OF THE INVENTION [0006] 35 According to the present invention, instead of changing the orientation of conveyor rollers based on a detection result of a position of an edge section of a conveyor belt in the width direction, the relative position of a conveyance object with respect to the conveyor belt is detected in the width direction of the WO 2013/187063 3 PCT/JP20 13/003695 conveyor belt and the position of the conveyance object is moved in the width direction based on the detection result. Therefore, there are no erroneous operations due to changes in the dimensions of the conveyor belt in the width direction and there is an advantage in terms of stabilising the travelling of the 5 conveyor belt. In addition, since the orientation of the conveyor rollers is not changed, an excessive load is not applied with respect to the conveyor belt and there is an advantage in terms of ensuring the durability of the conveyor belt, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI-iN'GS 10 [0007] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a belt conveyor device 10 according to a first embodiment,. FIG, 2 is a block diagram of the belt conveyor device 10 according to the first embodiment. 15 FIG, 3 is a cross sectional view of a line AA in FIG 1. FIGS, 4A to 4C are plan views showing a configuration and operation of a conveyance object moving mechanism 24. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a conveyance object 2 is placed displaced in the width direction of a conveyor belt 16, and 20 FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the conveyor belt 16 is shifted in the width. direction due to the mass of the conveyance object 2. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the helt conveyor device 10 according to a second embodiment. FIG 7 is a block diagram of the belt conveyor device 10 according to the 25 second embodiment. FIG, 8 is a cross sectional view of a line AA in FIG 6 and shows a measuring operation of displacement sensors 36A, 368, and 38 in a state where the conveyance object 2 is not placed on the conveyor belt 16. FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view along the line AA in FIG. 6 and shows a 30 measuring operation of displacement sensors 36A, 36B, and 38 in a state where the conveyance object 2 is placed on the conveyor belt 16, BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0008] 35 (First embodiment) As shown in FlG. I., a belt conveyor device 10 is configured to include a driving pulley 12, a driven pulley 14, and a conveyor belt 16 which is formed WC) 2013/187063 4 PCT/JP20 13/003695 to be endless and extended around the driving pulley 12 and the driven pulley 14, By rotating and driving the driving pulley 12 using driving force supplied from a motor which is not shown in the diagrams, the conveyor belt 16 5 travels between the driving pulley 12 and the driven pulley 14. The upper side portion of the conveyor belt 16 is an outgoing path and the lower side portion is a returning path. A chute 18 which drops a conveyance object 2 onto the conveyor belt 16 is provided at an upstream side portion of the outgoing path. 10 Note that the conveyance object 2 is not particularly limited and may be a mineral such as iron ore, coal, or limestone, a sediment, a powder, or the like, [0009] As shown in FIG. 3, under the outgoing path of the conveyor belt 16, a plurality of trough rollers 20, formed of a central roller 20A and tilted rollers 15 20B and 20C on both sides thereof, are arranged at intervals in the travelling direction of the conveyor belt. Accordingly, a central belt portion 16A with a downward concave shape and tilted belt portions 16B and 16C on both sides thereof are formed in the conveyor belt 16 on the outgoing path. That is, the trough rollers 20 support 20 the conveyor belt 16 in a trough shape. [0010] As shown in FIG 1, the belt conveyor device 10 is further provided with an image pick-up device 22, a conveyance object moving rnechanisn 24, and a control device 26. 25 As shown in PFIG. 3, the image pick-up device 22 generates image information by picking up an image of the conveyor belt 1-6 portion and the conveyance object 2. which are positioned on the outgoing path, from above the conveyor belt 16 and. supplies the image information to the control device 26, thereby configuring the image pick-up means in the scope of the claims. 30 [0011] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the conveyance object moving mechanism 24 is configured to include rocking plates 28, and a drive means 30. Two of the rocking plates 28 are provided on the conveyor belt 16 such that both surfaces in the thickness direction align with the width direction of 35 the conveyor belt 16 to have an interval in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16. The two rocking plates 28 are arranged at a location above the tilted rollers 20B and 20C (FIG 3) on both sides.

WO 2013/187063 5 PCT/P2013/003695 Each of the rocking plates 28 is supported to be able to rock above the conveyor belt 16 via a support shaft 31. [0012] The drive means 30 rocks the rocking plates 28 such that the orientation 5 of both surfaces in the thickness direction thereof is changed above the conveyor belt 16 based on a control signal supplied from the control device 26. The drive means 30 is configured to include an air cylinder 3002, which is a telescopic actuator of which a base section is pivotally attached, on the side of the conveyor belt 16, and a rod 3004 which couples with end sections of the 10 two rocking plates 28 A piston rod 3002A of the air cylinder 3002 and the rod 3004 are pivotally attached. [0013] As shown in FIG. 4A, in a case where the conveyance object 2 is displaced to the left side of the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width 15 direction, when the drive means 30 changes the orientation of the two rocking plates 28 such that the rocking plates 28 move further to the right further downstream in the travelling direction, the conveyance object 2 is guided by the two rocking plates 28 so as to move to the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction, 20 [0014] As shown in FIG. 4B in a case where the conveyance object 2 is displaced to the right side of the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction, when the drive means 30 changes the orientation of the two rocking plates 28 such that the rocking plates 28 move further to the left further 25 downstream in the travelling direction, the conveyance object 2 is guided by the two rocking plates 28 so as to move to the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction. [0015] As shown in FIG 4C, in a case where the conveyance object 2 is 30 positioned in the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction, when the drive means 30 changes orientation of the two rocking plates 28 so as to become parallel to the travelling direction of the conveyor belt 16, the conveyance object 2 passes between the two rocking plates 28 to be transported in a state of being positioned in the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width 35 direction, [0016 Note that the conveyance objet moving mechanism 24 is not limited to using the rocking plates 28 and the drive means 30 described above and may WO 2013/187063 6 PCT/JP20 13/003695 have any mechanism as long as it is possible to move the conveyance object 2 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16. It is possible to use various mechanisms known in the related art. [0017] 5 As shown in £1.0. 2. the control device 26 is configured by a microcomputer where a CPU a ROM storing control programs and the like, a RAM providing a working area, an interface section, and the like are connected using a bus, The interface section is an interface between the image pick-up device 22 and the drive means 30. 10 The CPU executes a control program to configure an analysis means 32 and a drive control means 34, [0018j The analysis means 32 calculates the relative position of the conveyance object 2, which is placed on the conveyor belt 16, with respect to the conveyor 15 belt 16 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16 by analysing image information supplied from the image pick-up device 22. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the relative position detecting means which detects the relative position of the conveyance object 2, which is placed on the conveyor belt 16, with respect to the conveyor belt 16 is 20 configured by the image pick-up device 22 (the image pick-up means) and the analysis means 32, [0019] The drive control means 34 moves the position of the conveyance object 2 in the width direction by supplying a control signal to the drive means 30 of 25 the conveyance object moving mechanism 24 based on the detected relative position of the conveyance object 2, Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the conveyance object moving means which moves the position of the conveyance object 2 in the width direction based on the detected relative position of the conveyance object 2 is 30 configured by the conveyance object moving mechanism 24 and the drive control means 34. [0020] Next, the operation and effects of the belt conveyor device 10 will be described, 35 Firstly, description will be given of a case where the conveyance object 2 is placed at a location displaced to one side of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction with reference to FIOS. 5A and SB.

WO 2013/ 187063 7 PCT/JP2013/003 695 As shown in FIG 5A, the conveyance object 2 is placed at a location displaced to one side of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction, or the conveyance object 2 is moved to a location displaced to one side from the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction due to vibration or force s which is applied to the conveyance object 2 in the course of the transporting In such a case, as shown in FlIQ 53, force acts on the conveyor belt 16 towards the other side in the width direction due to the mass of the conveyance object 2 and the conveyor belt 16 is shifted in the width direction, When such shifting of the conveyor belt 16 occurs, it is not possible to 10 transport the conveyance object 2 in a stable manner since the conveyor belt 16 meanders or enters a state of being biased in the width direction. [0021] In the present embodiment, when the conveyance object 2 is placed on the conveyor belt. 16 and the conveyor belt 16 travels, the analysis means 32 15 calculates the relative position of the conveyance object 2, which is placed on the conveyor belt 16, with respect to the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16 based on image information which is picked up by the image pick-up device 22 (the image pick-up means) as shown in FIG. 3. The drive control means 34 changes the orientation of the rocking plates 20 28 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B by controlling the drive means 30 based on the calculated relative position of the conveyance object 2. Note that in a case where the calculated relative position of the conveyance object 2 is the centre of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction, the rocking plates 28 are maintained in a state of being extended in the travelling direction as shown in 25 FIG 4C, Due to this, in a case where the conveyance object 2 is displaced in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the conveyance object 2 is moved to the centre of the conveyor belt 16 as shown by the two dot chain line in FIG. 3. 30 Accordingly, the transport of the conveyance object 2 by the conveyor belt 16 is stabilised. In such a case, since the orientation of the conveyor roller (the trough roller 20) is not changed based on the detection result of the position of the edge section on one side of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction unlike 35 the technique of the related art, there are no erroneous operations due to changes in the dimensions of the conveyor belt 16 ini the width direction and there is an advantage in terms of stabilising the traveling of the conveyor belt 16.

WO 2013/187063 8 PCI7JP20 13/003695 In addition, since the orientation of the conveyor rollers (the trough rollers 20) does not change, an excessive load is not applied with respect to the conveyor belt 16 and there is an. advantage in terms of ensuring the durability of the conveyor belt 16, 5 [0022] Note that the conveyance object 2 which is placed on the conveyor belt 16 vibrates up and down every time the conveyance object 2 rides over the trough rollers 20. Such vibration is a factor which changes the position of the conveyance object 2 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16. In 10 particular, at a bending location where the orientation of the conveyor belt 16 changes in the up and down direction when the belt conveyor device 10 is viewed from the side surface, since it is easy for the conveyance object 2 to float up in addition to the up and down vibration described above, it is easier for the position of the conveyance object 2 to change in the width direction. 15 The present embodiment is particularly advantageous in terms of stabilising the travelling of the conveyor belt 16 in the belt conveyor device 10 where it is easy for the position of the conveyance object 2 to change in the width direction in this manner, [0023] 20 (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the point that a plurality of displacement sensors are used as the relative position detecting means instead of the image pick-up device 22 and the configuration is 25 the same as the first embodiment in other respects, Note that, in the following embodiment, the same reference numbers as the first embodiment are given to the same portions and members as in the first embodiment and description thereof will be omitted or made brief. [0024] 30 As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the belt conveyor device 10 is provided with the driving pulley 12, the driven pulley 14, the conveyor belt 16, the conveyance object moving mechanism 24, and the control device 26 in the same manner as the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the second embodiment is provided with first and 35 second conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 36B, and a plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors 38. [0025] WO 2013/187063 9 PCT/JP20 13/003695 The first and second conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 3613 detect the positions of both ends of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction with respect to a reference position determined in advance as the conveyor belt position and supply the detection results to the control device 26, thereby 5 configuring a conveyor belt position detecting means. [0026] The plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors 38 detect a distance from an upper reference line LO extending in parallel to the width direction above the conveyor belt 16 to the upper surface of the 10 conveyance object 2 across the width direction as the conveyance object upper surface position, and supply the detection results to the control means, thereby configuring a conveyance object upper surface position detecting means. In the present embodiment, the plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors 38 are arranged at equal intervals in the width 15 direction, [0027] The control device 26 realises a calculating means 40 and the drive control means 34 by the CPU executing a control program. [0028] 20 The calculating means 40 calculates the relative position of the conveyance object 2 which is placed on the conveyor belt 16 with respect to the conveyor belt 16 based on the conveyor belt position detected by the first and second conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 36B and the conveyance object upper surface position detected by the plurality of conveyance object 25 upper surface displacement sensors 38. [0029] Accordingly, in the second embodiment, a relative position detecting means, which detects the relative position of the conveyance object 2, which is placed on the conveyor belt 16, with respect to the conveyor belt 16 in the 30 width direction of the conveyor belt 16, is configured by the first and second conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 36B (the conveyor belt position detecting means) the plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors 38 (the conveyance object upper surface position detecting means), and the calculating means 40. 35 [0030] In the same manner as the first embodiment, the drive control means 34 moves the position of the conveyance object 2 in the width direction by supplying a control signal to the drive means 30 of the conveyance object WO 2013/187063 10 PCT/JP20 W13/003695 moving mechanism 24 based on the relative position of the conveyance object 2 detected by the relative position detecting means. Accordingly, also in the second embodiment, the conveyance object moving means which moves the position of the conveyance object 2 in the 5 width direction based on the detected relative position of the conveyance object 2 is configured by the conveyance object moving mechanism 24 and the drive control means 34. [00 3 1 ] Next, the operation and effects of the belt conveyor device 10 will be 10 described. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the initial position of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16 is detected by the first and second conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 36B in a state where the conveyance object 2 is not placed on. the conveyor belt 16. the upper surface 15 position of the conveyor belt 16 is detected by the plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors 38 in a state where the conveyance object 2 is not present, and the results are registered in the calculating means 40, [0032] 20 Next, when the conveyance object 2 is placed on. the conveyor belt 16 and the conveyor belt 16 travels, the conveyor belt position of the conveyor belt 16 in the width direction which is detected by the first and seenn conveyor belt displacement sensors 36A and 36B and the conveyance object upper surface position which is detected by the plurality of conveyance object 25 upper surface displacement sensors 38 are supplied to the calculating means 40. [0033] The calculating means 40 compares the initial position of the conveyor belt 16 which is registered and the conveyor belt position which is detected at the current point of time. Along with this, the calculating means 40 compares 30 the upper surface position of the conveyor belt 16 in a state where the conveyance object 2 is not present and the conveyance object upper surface position which is detected at the current point of time. Then, the calculating means 40 calculates the relative position of the conveyance object 2 based on the comparison result of the conveyor belt position and the comparison result 35 of the conveyance object upper surface position. [0034] The drive control means 34 changes the orientation of the rocking plates 28 in the same manner as the first embodiment by controlling the drive means W0 2013/187063 11 PCT/JP2013/003695 30 based on the calculated relative position of the conveyance object 2, Due to this, in a case where the conveyance object 2 is displaced in the width direction of the conveyor belt 16 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, the conveyance object 2 is moved to the centre of the conveyor belt 16 as shown by the two dot 5 chain line. [0035] Accordingly in the same manner as the first embodiment, the second embodiment is also advantageous in terms of ensuring the durability of the edge section of the conveyor belt 16 while stabilising the travelling of the 10 conveyor belt 1 6 In addition. there is an advantage in terms of suppressing costs since the second embodiment uses comparatively cheap displacement sensors instead of the image pick-up device 22 of the first embodiment. Reference Numbers 15 [0036} 2 Conveyance object 10) Belt conveyor device 12 Driving pulley 14 Driven pulley 20 16 Conveyor belt 18 Chute 20 Trough roller 20A Central roller 20B, 2(C Tilted roller 25 22 image pick-up device 24 Conveyance object moving mechanism 26 Control device 28 Rocking plate 30 Drive means 30 3002 Air cylinder 3002A Piston rod 3004 Rod 31 Support shaft 32 Analysis means 35 34 Drive control means 36A First conveyor belt displacement sensor 36B Second conveyor belt displacement sensor 38 Conveyance object upper surface displacement sensor WO 2013/187063 1 2 PC /J1201 3/003695 40 (:alcuiauioltor means

Claims

1. A belt conveyor device comprising: a conveyor belt formed to be endless: trough rollers supporting the conveyor belt in a trough shape; a relative position detecting means detecting a relative position of a conveyance object, which is placed on the conveyor belh, with respect to the conveyor belt in a width direction orthogonal to a travelling direction of the conveyor belt; and a conveyance object moving means which moves a position of the conveyance object in the width direction based on the detected relative position of the conveyance object.

2, The belt conveyor device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position detecting means has an image pick-up means which generates image information by picking up an image of the conveyor belt and the convey ance obect from above the conveyor belt; and an analysis means which calculates the relative position of the conveyance object by analysing the image information.

3. The belt conveyor device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position detecting means has a conveyor belt position detecting means which detects a position in the width direction of the conveyor belt with respect to a reference position as a conveyor belt position, a conveyance object upper surface position detecting means which detects a distance from an upper reference line extending in parallel to the width direction above the conveyor belt to an upper surface of the conveyance object across the width direction as a conveyance object upper surface position, and a calculating means which calculates the relative position of the conveyance object based on the detected conveyor belt position and the detected conveyance object upper surface position.

4. The belt conveyor device according to claim 3, wherein the conveyor belt position detecting means is configured by first and second conveyor belt displacement sensors which detect positions at both ends in the width direction of the conveyor belt with respect to the reference position determined in advance as the conveyor belt position, and- WO 2013/187063 14 PCT/JP2013/003695 the conveyance object upper surface position detecting means is configured by a plurality of conveyance object upper surface displacement sensors which are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. of the conveyor belt.

5, The belt conveyor device according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein the conveyance object moving means is configured to include rocking plates where surfaces in a thickness direction align with the width direction of the conveyor belt on the conveyor belt, and a drive means which rocks the rocking plates such that an orientation of both surfaces in the thickness direction thereof is changed on the conveyor belt.