EP3497269A1

EP3497269A1 - Method and device for detecting an overload at a bale opener

Info

Publication number: EP3497269A1
Application number: EP17737585.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reinhard Hartung; Frank WACKERZAPP; Frank Breuers
Original assignee: Truetzschler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Truetzschler Group SE
Priority date: 2016-08-15
Filing date: 2017-07-11
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-11
Also published as: CN109563650B; BR112019002886A8; BR112019002882A2; BR112019002882A8; CN109563650A; BR112019002886B1; CN109642351A; DE102017109520A1; EP3497269B1; EP3497270A1; BR112019002886A2; DE102017109548A1; WO2018033311A1; WO2018033304A1; CN109642351B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a bale opener (10) with at least one milling drum (12). By rotating the at least one milling drum (12) about an axis of rotation and by moving same along a predetermined travel path (sv) at an acute or right-angle to the axis of rotation, the bale opener (10) is in a position to mill a fibre bale (2-6), whereby fibrous material is removed from the fibre bales (2-6). The method comprises a starting step (S2) in which it is detected whether there is an overload at one or all of the monitored at least one milling drum (12). In the event that an overload is detected, the method proceeds to a determining step (S3) in which the presence of a overload status is determined. This is achieved if the detected overload occurs continuously along a path covered by the at least one monitored milling drum (12). In the event that the presence of an overload status of this type is determined, the method proceeds to a triggering step (S4) involving the triggering of an overload reaction. In addition, a bale opener (10) is provided which is provided with an at least one milling drum (12) of this type. The bale opener (10) is configured to be operated according to said method.

Description

Title: Method and Apparatus for Detecting Overload on a Bale Opener

description

The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting an overload on a bale opener.

Bale openers are known. They have milling drums which rotate relative to a bottom on which fiber bales rest about an axis of rotation which extends generally perpendicular to the travel of the respective milling drum. By means of rotation and method, these rollers mill the respective fiber bales on a side facing away from the bottom and thus detach a portion of the fiber material from the respective fiber bale. The milling drums move several times over the fiber bales until their fiber material is almost completely dissolved out. This can be done by reciprocating the milling drums or also continuously in a direction along a circular line. The method for producing such fiber bales cause the fiber material in the bottom facing and remote edge regions has a lower density than in the central, so-called core region. As a result, while the feed rate remains the same, the milling drums in the edge region have to extract less fiber material and consequently are less loaded. The bale opener can work virtually with normal load. As the milling drum moves further towards the core area due to the feed, it must release more fiber material, which has an increase in the load of the bale opener. Considering that fiber bales usually include foreign material thereof, the load on the respective milling drum associated drive increases. In addition to the raised Energy absorption can lead to damage to the milling head. But even the milling rollers themselves can be overloaded. Overload means in this context exceeding the usual load limits in normal operation. Ie. it does not necessarily have to be a load condition in which equal damage to the bale opener is to be feared. In order to avoid this, it is known to vary the speed and / or travel speed of the milling drum as a function of the fiber bale consistency. This has the disadvantage that the drive runs in doubt very discontinuous. In addition, there are very frequent and potentially strong positive or negative accelerations on the drive. In conjunction with the resulting alternating loads, the frame of the bale opener must be designed accordingly. Also, such an overload can be so short that damage to the bale opener is not to be feared and thus actually no change would have to occur during operation of the bale opener. Therefore, as a further development, it is known to consider the time duration of the continuous presence of such an overload. If a certain period of time is exceeded, ie if damage to the bale opener or objects on the fiber bales to be removed is to be feared, a corresponding reaction takes place, for example, by switching off the bale opener. However, this type of monitoring is pretty sluggish. In addition, the reaction does not always occur at the same speed, as this depends on the travel speed of the milling drum (s). The object of the invention is to counteract the aforementioned disadvantages.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claims 1, 9 and 10. Advantageous developments are specified in the subclaims. According to the invention, a method for operating a bale opener with at least one milling drum is provided. By rotating this at least one milling drum about an axis of rotation and by moving it along a predetermined travel path at an acute or right angle to the axis of rotation, the bale opener is able to mill a fiber bale. This fiber material is dissolved out of the fiber bale. The method includes an initial step. In this step, detection is made when an overload occurs at one or all of the monitored at least one milling drum. This can be done, for example, by monitoring the current consumption of the milling drum drive. If such an overload is detected, a determination is made. In the determination step, the presence of an overload condition is determined. This is achieved according to the invention when the above-mentioned, detected overload has occurred continuously along a path covered by the monitored milling drum (s). This path must be equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. Ie. The overload condition is independent of time and does not occur immediately when there is an overload. Ie. A continuous overload can also occur if the traversing speed of the milling head of the bale opener decreases and, if necessary, drops to zero. If this is an overload reaction of the bale opener, it may be provided to restart the overload state determination after the milling head has restarted. If the presence of such an overload condition has been detected, a triggering step is entered. The triggering step itself involves the triggering of an overload reaction. This may include, for example, the shutdown of the bale opener. The predetermined path can be chosen very short to allow obstacle detection; Drive values such as travel speed no longer play a role. The overload reaction preferably comprises signaling the determined overload state to the outside with respect to the bale opener, for example in the form of a siren sound. Alternatively or additionally, it includes a shutdown of the bale opener or even only a reduction of the travel speed of the milling head and / or a respective rotational speed of at least the monitored milling drum (s) at which the overload existed at the time of determining the overload condition.

Alternatively or additionally, the method may additionally comprise a step of jumping back to the initial step. This springback occurs according to the invention, if it has been determined in the determination step that the overload has ceased and also the distance covered by the at least one milling drum is shorter than or equal to the predetermined distance. Ie. there is no reason to fear any obstacle or damage to the bale opener. The reliability is increased and downtimes are minimized.

Alternatively or additionally, the spring-back can take place when the direction of movement of the at least one milling drum changes. This is because the milling drum (s) are removed or removed from the supposed obstacle.

As an alternative or in addition, the spring-back can take place when the triggering step has been completed, directly or triggered. The initiation can be done by a person, for example. Downtime is largely avoided in all three cases mentioned above. In each of the aforementioned methods, the predetermined distance can essentially correspond to a dimension of the fiber bale along the travel path of the at least one milling drum. This makes it possible to take into account the different nature of the fiber bales, which may be arranged one behind the other.

In the case of a bale opener with a plurality of milling drums arranged one after the other along the travel path, in the aforementioned method, in the case of monitoring a plurality of milling drums, reference may be made at the same time to a common overload on the traveled path of the milling drum lying forward in the direction of travel of the milling drums. This has the background that the area in the direction of travel behind the front milling drum is neither a danger area nor an area in which a new overload source is present.

In the case of monitoring individual milling drums for overload, it is preferable to refer to the milling drum (s) with regard to the distance traveled, in which an overload has been detected and continues to exist. Ie. the milling drum (s) running without overload are not considered, which has advantages in monitoring data processing.

If the bale opener has a plurality of milling drums, in the case of monitoring individual milling drums in the above-mentioned method, if the overload on a monitored milling drum is omitted, preferably another of the milling drums is monitored with overload. The aforementioned distance traveled is a sum of the distance traveled by a milling drum until the time of elimination of the overload on the one milling drum and the distance traveled by the other milling drum from the time of elimination of the overload on the one milling drum. The method adapts dynamically to the load situation of the milling drums and thus offers greater safety. In each of the aforementioned methods, the determination can be carried out by monitoring the current consumption of a drive of the at least one milling drum and / or the bale opener as a whole. In the simplest case, the determined (measured) is fed to a threshold circuit. When a predetermined threshold value is exceeded, an overload is determined as being present.

Advantageously, each of the aforementioned methods may be computer implemented. The implementation can take place in the bale opener itself and / or in an external device such as a central control system. The coupling can be done for example by bus.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a computer-readable medium can be provided which has instructions executable by a processor in order to enable a processor to carry out one of the aforementioned methods. In the simplest case, this is a memory chip.

Further, a bale opener according to the invention is provided, which can be equipped according to the aforementioned embodiments, ie with one or more milling drums. In the case of only one milling drum, the bale opener is set up to be operated according to one of the aforementioned methods, in which only one milling drum is monitored. If the bale opener has a plurality of milling drums, it can be configured according to the invention to be operated in accordance with each of the aforementioned methods. The bale opener may have a load monitoring device or be coupled thereto. The load monitoring device is set up to detect the overload on the monitored milling drum (s). In the simplest case, it is a current detection circuit with a downstream threshold detection logic.

Additionally or alternatively, the bale opener may include or be coupled to a path detection device. The path detection device is designed according to the invention to determine the distance traveled by the relevant milling drum (s). In the simplest case, it is an incremental encoder whose incremental disk is rotated by the method of the milling drum (s).

In addition or alternatively, the bale opener may comprise or be coupled to a protective device. This protective device is set up to trigger or execute the overload reaction in the event of an overload condition.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a Ballenfräsanordnung and

2 shows a method for operating the bale opener of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an arrangement 1 with a bale opener 10 and below its milling head 1 1 along its travel sv arranged in a row fiber bales 2-6. At this right end of the bale opener 10 is an output section 16 for the fibers, which have been removed from the fiber bales 2-6 by means of milling rollers 12 of the milling head 1 1. By way of example, a control 14 is located at the left end, on the upper side of which a control terminal 15 for operating the bale opener 10 is arranged.

The fiber bales 2 - 6 are lined up in a known manner next to each other and have, seen vertically, zones of different density. The uppermost zones (hz (2, 3) - hz (6, 3)) have the lowest density. The central, so to speak, core region of the respective fiber bale 2 - 6 arranged thereunder has a respective height hz (2, 2) - hz (6, 2). Below this there is a third zone each having a height hz (2, 1) - hz (6, 1) with a density which is lower than the core area, but is exemplary higher than the density of the uppermost zone hz (2, 3). hz (6, 3). With regard to the values hz (i, j), it should be mentioned that i indicates the number of the respective fiber bale 2-6 and j the number of the respective zone. The heights of the zones of the individual fiber bales can be different from each other. Furthermore, the milling head 1 1 passes along the travel sv here horizontally to the right and gradually the fiber bales 2-6, successively from top to bottom of their fibers dissolved out and in a known manner on the output section 15 to downstream machines of the production chain, such as cleaner, passed. This is done by means of a method of the milling head 1 1 and the frame 13 to which it is attached.

If the milling head 1 1 arrives with its rollers 12 in the region of the foreign part 7, it may happen that the foreign part 7 leads to an overload on the motor-driven milling rollers 12. This can be, for example be detected by control technology by means of an increased motor current consumption of the drive motors.

In order to prevent the bale opener 10 is stopped unnecessarily, it is now checked by means of preferably the controller 14 along which distance this overload occurs.

If the left-hand milling drum 12 has passed over the foreign part 7, the right-hand milling drum 12 does not yet come into contact with the foreign body 7 in the example shown. This leads to the fact that the overload occurred falls away again. If, however, the foreign part 7 were now so large that the right-hand milling drum 12 passes over the obstacle, as long as the left-hand milling drum 12 also travels above it, or immediately after the left-hand milling drum 12 has lost contact with the foreign body 7, a lasting one would be preferred Existence of the overload determined. Ie. Both milling rollers 12 are advantageously monitored. However, the monitoring may be limited to the respective front in the direction of travel milling drum 12.

If, as a minimum travel, the width dimension of the fiber bales 2 - 6, which is usually substantially equal in width, is predetermined in terms of control technology, this will result in the milling head 1 1 not being stopped at all. Compared to conventional solutions, this has the advantage that the bale opener 10 is not stopped unnecessarily. If the milling head 1 1 with its milling rollers 12, for example, in the core region of the fiber bale 4 here central, and it is assumed that the density of this fiber bale 4 leads to an overload on the respective milling drum 12 when driving over, the controller 14 would determine along which traveled Distance the overload occurs continuously. Preferably, it is provided that the load values on the milling drums 12 or overloads detected on them are logically ORed together. This results in that, assuming that the milling head 1 1 is moved from left to right in FIG. 1 over the fiber bale 4, first the right-hand milling roller 12 comes into contact with the core area (identified by hz (4, 2)). This results in this milling roller 12 an overload. In the example shown, at some point the left-hand milling drum 12 also comes into contact with this core area, so that an overload also occurs here. This overload on the left-hand milling drum 12 remains, even if the right-hand milling drum 12 has already reached the right-hand fiber bale 5. If, as given above, the width of the fiber bales 2-6 in FIG. 1 is the criterion for the overload reaction, this would also be the case, even if the right-hand milling drum 12 has emerged from the core region of the fiber bale 4 again , and this completely independent of the Verfahrge- speed of the milling head 1 1.

The overload reaction can, for example, result in a reduction of the speed of the overloaded milling drum (s) 12 and / or the travel speed of the milling head 11.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the milling head 1 1 is lifted slightly above the base 8 (vertically upwards in FIG. 1), so that the milling rollers 12 can no longer penetrate so deeply into the relevant core area. In order to be able to comply with the feed rate specified for the fiber bales 2-6, provision may be made for the fiber bale 4 to be moved back and forth until its current feed rate has been reached. Only then, according to the invention, would the fiber bale 5 continue. Figure 2 shows a dedicated method according to an embodiment of the invention.

After a start of a Abfräsvorgangs in step S1 is checked in a subsequent step S2, whether an overload has been detected. If this is not the case (no branch after step S2), the query is made in a subsequent step S5 whether the Abfräsvorgang is still performed control technology. If this is the case (yes branch after step S5), the program jumps back to step S2.

If the milling operation is finished (No branch after step S5), the process is ended in a subsequent step S6.

If an overload was detected in step S2 (yes branch after step S2), it is checked in a subsequent step S3 whether the traveled path corresponds to or exceeds a predetermined path. The distance traveled is the distance traveled by the milling head or its milling rollers 12 distance from the time when the overload was detected for the first time and since then continuously stops.

If the traveled distance is less than or equal to the predetermined path (no branch after step S3), it jumps to step S5. This ensures continuous monitoring for a permanently existing overload.

If the distance traveled is greater than or equal to the predetermined path (Y branch after step S3), the aforementioned overload reaction takes place in a subsequent step S4. After the overload reaction, which may include a restart of the milling process, for example, jumps back to step S2. Alternatively, in the process, step S6 is skipped, and the process is ended.

The invention is not limited to this embodiment.

The method can be applied to any type of bale opener. If an overload condition has been determined, an external signaling with respect to the bale opener 10 is preferably provided, be it on the bale opener 10 itself (warning light, warning sound, etc.) and / or at a control center. Checking for the continuous presence of an overload can take place by means of a polling mechanism or else in the context of a push mechanism. The polling mechanism checks periodically (for example every hundredth of a second) whether there is an overload. On the other hand, in the push mechanism, the check mode is initiated in step S3 when an overload is detected for the first time. Thereafter, an odometer, for example, an incremental encoder is started, and the distance traveled by means of the milling head 1 1 path is determined. If the determined path is greater than or equal to the predetermined path, the overload reaction occurs.

If the overload disappears in the meantime, the route determination is simply switched off. This can be done in the simplest case by means of a threshold value circuit. Exceeds the motor current consumption of the drive motors of the milling drums 12, for example, a predetermined value (overload), the controller 14 is instructed to start the route detection. If the overload reaction has occurred in the meantime, the travel sensor is switched off.

If, on the other hand, the distance traveled is greater than or equal to the predetermined path, without the path detection being switched off by means of the threshold value decision, it is clear that the overload has existed permanently.

Instead of or in addition to the monitoring by means of the controller 14 of the bale opener 10 itself, the monitoring can also be done centrally.

Moves the milling head 1 1 on the right in Figure 1 right fiber bale 6 to the right, a change of direction of the milling head 1 1, as soon as, for example, the right milling drum 12 has left the fiber bale 6 at the right end or a sensor detects that the milling drum 12 to the right Edge of the fiber bale 6 has reached.

If an overload has been detected with respect to the fiber bale 6, it may be provided during the change of direction of the milling head 11 to restart the path detection. Alternatively it can be provided to continue the displacement detection continuously, provided that the overload stops, and this preferably with respect to the front in the direction of fiber bale 1 milling drum 12th

Instead of monitoring the current consumption at the milling drum drive, the current consumption of the entire bale opener 10 can be monitored or used for overload detection. This has the advantage that usually already existing circuits in the bale opener 10 are available, which has a favorable effect on the cost. As a result, the invention provides a very simple way to reliably detect obstacles and avoid false tripping due to overload on the milling rollers 12 as far as possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 arrangement

2 fiber bales

3 fiber bales

4 fiber bales

5 fiber bales

6 fiber bales

7 foreign part

8 floor

10 bale openers

1 1 milling head

12 milling roller

13 frame

14 control

15 operator terminal

16 Output section sV Travel or removal path hZ (i, j); i, j e N Height of a fiber bale zone

sk; no step

Claims

claims

A method of operating a bale opener (10) having at least one milling drum (12) capable of rotating about a rotational axis and moving along a predetermined travel path (sv) at an acute or right angle to the rotational axis of the bale opener (10) To cut off fiber bales (2 - 6) and thus to extract fiber material from the fiber bale (2 - 6), comprising

An initial step (S2)

- Detecting when at one or all supervised at least one milling drum (12) overload occurs, and

a transition to a determination step (S3) if such an overload has been detected,

The determining step (S3)

an indication of the presence of an overload condition when the detected overload has continuously occurred along a path traveled by the monitored milling drum (s) (12) equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, and

- a transition to a triggering step (S4), when such an overload condition has been detected, as well

The triggering step (S4) of triggering an overload reaction.

The method of claim 1, wherein the overload reaction comprises

Signaling the determined overload condition to the outside with respect to the bale opener (10) and / or

Shutting down the bale opener (10) or reducing a respective speed and / or travel speed of at least the monitored milling drum (s) (12) at which the overload existed at the time of determining the overload condition. The method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of jumping back to the initial step (S2) when

• has been determined in the determination step (S3) that

- the overload has dropped off and

the distance covered is at least one milling drum (12) shorter than or equal to the predetermined predetermined distance,

• A direction of movement of the at least one milling drum (12) changes and / or

• after executing the triggering step (S4)

- directly or

- triggered.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance substantially corresponds to a dimension of the fiber bales (2-6) along the travel path (sv) of the at least one milling drum (12).

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the case of a bale opener (10) having a plurality of milling drums (12) arranged one behind the other along the travel path (sv) in the determining step (S3)

• In the case of monitoring a plurality of milling drums (12) at the same time referred to a common overload on the distance traveled by each in the direction of travel of the milling rollers (12) front milling drum (12) and

In the case of monitoring individual milling drums (12) for overload with regard to the distance traveled to the milling drum (s) (12) Reference is made in which an overload has been detected and continues to exist.

Method according to claim 5, wherein in case of monitoring of individual milling drums (12) in the determining step (S3), if the overload on a monitored milling drum (12) ceases to exist.

• another of the milling drums (12) is monitored with overload and

• the distance covered is a sum

- The covered path of a milling drum (12) until the time of elimination of the overload on a milling drum (12) and

- The covered path of the other milling drum (12) from the time of elimination of the overload on a milling drum (12).

The method of claim 1, wherein determining the overload comprises a step of monitoring a current consumption

A drive of the at least one milling drum and / or

• the bale opener (10) in total.

The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is computer implemented.

A computer readable medium having processor executable instructions to enable a processor to perform a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

Bale opener (10),

• formed according to claim 1 or 5 and

• designed, in the case of a single existing milling drum (12) according to a method according to any one of claims 1-4 and in Case of several existing milling rollers (12) to be operated according to one of the preceding claims.

1 1. A bale opener (10) according to claim 10, comprising or coupled to a controller adapted to operate the bale opener (10) according to the method.

12. bale opener (10) according to claim 10, comprising and / or coupled with

A load monitoring device (14) arranged to detect the overload on the monitored milling drum (s) (12),

• a Wegerfassungseinrichtung designed to determine the distance covered by the respective milling drum (s) (12) and

• a protective device (14), designed to trigger or execute the overload reaction in the event of an overload condition.