Synchronization of conveyor belt and drive belt of an inclined conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a steep conveyor, comprising a control unit (15), a conveyor drive system (5) for driving a conveyor belt (2), and a sensor unit for determining a weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed (4) assigned to a predetermined section T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt (2), wherein the sensor unit is adapted to transmit information about the weight to the control unit (15), wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to determine from the information about the weight G.sub.1-n a length L.sub.1-n assigned to the predetermined section T.sub.1-n in a steep conveyor region S of the conveyor belt (2) and to adjust a strain of a drive belt (2) of the conveyor drive system (5) based on the determined lengths L.sub.1-n assigned to the predetermined sections T.sub.1-n.

Claims

1. Device for controlling a steep conveyor, comprising a control unit (15), a conveyor drive system (5) for driving a conveyor belt (2); and a sensor unit (8) for determining a weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed (4), assigned to a predetermined section T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt (2), wherein the sensor unit is arranged to transmit information about the weight to the control unit (15), wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to determine from the information about the weight G.sub.1-n a length L.sub.1-n assigned to the predetermined section T.sub.1-n in a steep conveyor region S of the conveyor belt (2) and, based on the determined lengths L.sub.1-n assigned to the predetermined sections T.sub.1-n to adjust a strain of a drive belt (2) of the conveyor drive system (5).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the strain of the drive belt (2) is adjusted via an actuator (6) of the conveyor drive system (5) in order thereby to adjust a distance B from coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12).

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (6) for adjusting the strain of the drive belt (12) and thus a distance B from coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12) adjusts a center distance C from deflection rollers (16) of the drive belt (12) and/or applies a corresponding strain force to the drive belt (12) via an additional roller.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes a weighing device (9) which transmits the weight to the control unit (15).

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (8) includes an optical sensor which transmits information about a filling quantity with material to be conveyed (4) to the control unit (15) and the control unit (15) is adapted to determine a weight from this information.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (8) includes an ultrasonic or X-ray sensor which transmits information about a filling quantity with material to be conveyed (4) and/or specific weight of the material to be conveyed (4) to the control unit (15) and the control unit (15) is adapted to determine a weight from this information.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein signal transmitters (10) are provided on the conveyor belt (2) at predetermined distances in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line (19), the position signals of which signal transmitters are detected by a position sensor (11) which transmits position information to the control unit (15), wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to assign the weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed (4) to the predetermined sections T.sub.1-n on the basis of the position information.

8. Device according to claim 4, wherein the signal transmitter (10) is configured as an optical signal transmitter, as a mechanical signal transmitter, as an electromagnetic signal transmitter and/or as an X-ray source.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to determine, on the basis of the weight information in the predetermined sections T.sub.1-n, the lengths L.sub.1-n and/or elongations assigned to the sections T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt (2), in particular along a steep conveyor section region S or individual positions on the steep conveyor section region S.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to determine the lengths L.sub.1-n and/or elongations of the conveyor belt (2) assigned to the sections T.sub.1-n via the dead weight of the conveyor belt (2), the detected or determined weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed (4), the E-modules of the conveyor belt (2) assigned to the conveyor belt section(s), a pretension of the conveyor belt (2) and/or the inclinations of the steep conveyor section region S.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to implement the determined lengths L.sub.1-n into distances A.sub.1-n from tooth profiles (14) of the conveyor belt (2) and to substantially match or synchronize a distance B of coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12) engaging in the tooth profiles (14) with the distances A.sub.1-n or an at least double separation thereof by adapting the elongation of the drive belt (12) accordingly via the actuator (6) of the conveyor drive system (5).

12. Device for steep conveyors according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to determine the elongation or length L.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt (2) lying in an elastic region caused by the weight force of the conveyor belt (2) and the weight of the material to be conveyed (4) in the steep conveyor section region S and to substantially adapt the distance B of the coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12) to the distances A.sub.1-n of the tooth profiles (14) by a corresponding elastic strain of the drive belt (12) via the actuator (6).

13. Device for steep conveyors according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to determine via a detection unit a distance D between an upper edge (17) of the tooth profile (14) and an upper side (18) of the drive belt (12) and to use the distance D as a readjusted controlled variable for adjusting the required strain of the drive belt (12) and thus the distances B of the coupling profiles (13), wherein the strain is adapted accordingly when a predetermined limit distance D.sub.limit is exceeded.

14. Method for controlling a steep conveyor, comprising the following steps: Determining a weight G.sub.1-n of a material to be conveyed (4) via a sensor unit assigned to a predetermined section T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt (2), wherein the sensor unit is adapted to transmit information about the weight G.sub.1-n to a control unit (15), determining a length L.sub.1-n assigned to the predetermined section T.sub.1-n in a steep conveyor section S of the conveyor belt (2) from the information about the weight G.sub.1-n by the control unit (15), and adjusting an elongation of a drive belt (12) of a conveyor drive system (5) based on lengths L.sub.1-n assigned to predetermined sections T.sub.1-n.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the strain of the drive belt (2) is adjusted via an actuator (6) of the conveyor drive system (5) in order thereby to adjust a distance B from coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12).

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the actuator (6) for adjusting the strain of the drive belt (12) and thus a distance B from coupling profiles (13) of the drive belt (12) adjusts a center distance C from deflection rollers (16) of the drive belt (12) and/or applies a corresponding strain force to the drive belt (12) via an additional roller.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the sensor unit includes a weighing device (9) which transmits the weight to the control unit (15).

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the sensor unit (8) includes an optical sensor which transmits information about a filling quantity with material to be conveyed (4) to the control unit (15) and the control unit (15) is adapted to determine a weight from this information.

19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the sensor unit (8) includes an ultrasonic or X-ray sensor which transmits information about a filling quantity with material to be conveyed (4) and/or specific weight of the material to be conveyed (4) to the control unit (15) and the control unit (15) is adapted to determine a weight from this information.

20. A method according to claim 14, wherein signal transmitters (10) are provided on the conveyor belt (2) at predetermined distances in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line (19), the position signals of which signal transmitters are detected by a position sensor (11) which transmits position information to the control unit (15), wherein the control unit (15) is adapted to assign the weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed (4) to the predetermined sections T.sub.1-n on the basis of the position information.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of the attached schematic drawings. Therein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the conveyor system,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a view of the control unit with associated units, and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a magnified view of the space between the conveyor belt and the drive belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In the following, various examples of the present invention are described with reference to the Figures. Same or similar elements in the Figures are designated with the same reference signs. However, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but further comprises modifications of features of the described examples and combination of features of different examples within the scope of protection of the independent claims.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a conveyor system 1 with a conveyor belt 2. Supporting elements 3 are attached to the conveyor belt 2. The supporting elements 3 are used to ensure that the material to be conveyed 4 placed on the conveyor belt 2 does not slip off the conveyor belt 2 when it is moved upwards at an angle or vertically on a conveyor line 19.

(7) The conveyor line 19 can be configured differently depending on the conveying requirement. For example, the conveyor line 19 can first move horizontally, then slightly inclined upwards or downwards, then vertically, then slightly inclined upwards or downwards again and then horizontally again, etc. (not shown).

(8) Furthermore, conveyor drive systems 5 are shown, wherein only two conveyor drive systems 5 are shown as examples. Of course, depending on the requirements and conveyor section 19, several such conveyor drive systems 5 can be provided.

(9) A weighing device 9 may be provided which can weigh the loaded material to be conveyed 4 and/or the conveyor belt 2 with applied material to be conveyed 4. The determined weight G.sub.1-n can then be transferred to a control unit 15 (see FIG. 2). Signal transmitters 10 are provided on conveyor belt 2. These signal transmitters 10 can be configured as optical signal transmitters, mechanical signal transmitters, electromagnetic signal transmitters and/or as an X-ray source. At this point it should be expressly noted that other signal transmitters or active or passive markings may also be provided. One or more position sensors 11 are provided to detect the passage of the signal transmitters 10. The position sensor 11 and/or an associated device is capable of assigning the passing signal transmitters 10 locally on the conveyor belt 2 in such a way that certain sections T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt 2 can be defined and detected.

(10) This makes it possible, for example, to create a digital image of the conveyor system for the device used to control the steep conveyor and thus to create a digital twin. The control unit 15 can thus assign the weight of the conveyor belt 2 with material to be conveyed 4 determined by the weighing device 9 to a section T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt 2. Furthermore, the control unit 15 can add up the weights of certain sections T.sub.1-n. In the schematic view in FIG. 1, for example, the weight of four sections T.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed 4 (upper conveyor drive system 5) would be added to the weight of the conveyor belt 2 starting from the exit from the engagement of the lower conveyor drive system 5 in order to determine a corresponding elongation of the conveyor belt 2. Thereby, the dead weight of the conveyor belt 2 with the material 4 arranged on it can be taken into account. Depending on the resulting elongation or length L.sub.1-n of the associated sections T.sub.1-n, for example, an actuator 6 of the conveyor drive system 5 can then be actuated in such a way that the tension or strain of the drive belt 12 is adjusted in such a way that the distances B of the coupling profiles 13 of the drive belt 12 are synchronized with the distances A of the tooth profiles 14 of the conveyor belt 2. This ensures optimum engagement of the coupling profiles 13 with the tooth profiles 14, which leads to significantly reduced wear due to relative movements, significantly reduced friction and thus a longer service life of the drive components.

(11) FIG. 1 also shows drive units 7 of the conveyor drive systems 5, each of which drives a deflection roller 16. This deflection roller 16 in turn drives the drive belt 12 by frictional locking, for example. The actuator 6 acts, for example, on a deflection roller 16, whereby the deflection roller can be moved in the longitudinal direction. By moving the deflection roller 16 in the longitudinal direction, the tension or strain of the drive belt 12 can be adjusted so that the distance B between the coupling profiles 13 can be adjusted. By adjusting the distance B to match the previously determined distance A of the tooth profiles 14, optimum synchronization of the drive system is possible.

(12) Based on the knowledge of the conveyor line 19 and the existing inclination of the conveyor line 19, the control unit 15 is able to determine the effective weight force on the basis of the material to be conveyed 4 located in the supporting elements 3 and the conveyor belt length. This is possible because the corresponding weight G.sub.1-n was determined beforehand via the weighing device 9 and assigned to a corresponding section T.sub.1-n via the markings and the corresponding position sensors 11.

(13) Consequently, it is possible for the control unit 15 to determine the elongation in certain sections T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt 2 and to determine when this elongation occurs where along the conveyor section. This local assignment of the length or elongations along the conveyor section of the conveyor belt 2 allows the drive belt 12 to be optimally synchronized and adjusted to the elongation.

(14) FIG. 2 schematically shows the control unit 15. The control unit 15 is electrically and/or wirelessly connected to the optical sensor 8, the weighing device 9, the signal transmitters 10, the position sensor(s) 11, the actuator 6, and the drive unit 7.

(15) In particular, the optical sensor 8 can be used, for example, to detect a load of the conveyor belt 2 with material to be conveyed 4. The optical signal (for example an image) can then be transmitted to the control unit 15. The image information can then be evaluated in the control unit 15, wherein the weight G.sub.1-n of the material to be conveyed 4 at the point picked up (in the special section T.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt 2) can be inferred by means of a corresponding evaluation. Of course, this also requires the specific weight of the respective material to be conveyed. This specific weight can be stored in advance in a memory of control unit 15 that is not shown.

(16) The control unit 15 can then deduce the corresponding elongations or lengths L.sub.1-n of the conveyor belt 2 along the conveyor line 19 and control the actuators 6 accordingly.

(17) FIG. 3 exemplarily shows the possibility of determining a distance D using an exemplarily shown distance sensor 20. This distance D can be determined between an upper side 18 of the drive belt 12 and an upper edge 17 of a tooth profile 14 of the conveyor belt 2 via the distance sensor 20 and/or a detection unit that is not shown. This detection unit or the distance sensor 20 can transmit the corresponding detection signal concerning the distance D to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 can then compare the determined distance D with a previously stored limit distance D.sub.Limit and, at a determined distance D greater than the limit distance D.sub.Limit, conclude that the synchronization between drive belt 12 and conveyor belt 2 must be improved. This can be done, for example, by controlling the actuator 6 of the conveyor drive system 5 via the control unit 15 in such a way that a distance D is adjusted which is smaller than the limit distance D.sub.Limit.

(18) In summary, the present invention can optimally create a device and a method for controlling a steep conveyor that allow an exact engagement of the coupling profiles 13 with the tooth profiles 14, whereby the wear of the drive elements can be minimized and the service life of these components can be extended. Furthermore, a low-friction operation can be ensured. These are very important factors in such conveyor systems, as repairs can only be realized with very high effort and longer downtimes.