Method for self-synchronizing a conveyor belt sensor system

• US 20070102264A1
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ContiTech USA, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Veyance Technologies Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Wallace, Jack, Gartland, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,740,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/618
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 43/02 detecting dangerous physical condition of load carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating

Abstract

A self-synchronizing system and method for conveyor belt sensor operation is disclosed based on the address of an RFID tag in the belt and the location of that tag in the system memory. A moving conveyor belt system has a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader. The belt further includes a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt and a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag passing by the tag reader. Associated time and distance target values are acquired from a calibration table for a next sensor (S1) based upon a detected and identified functional tag. Time and distance counters are initiated. The conveyor belt may be stopped in the event that the next sensor (S1) is not detected before the time and distance target values are exceeded.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing sensor detection in a moving conveyor belt system of the system type having a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader, and a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt and a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag passing by the tag reader, the method comprising:

acquiring associated time and distance target values from a calibration table for a next sensor (S1) based upon a detected and identified functional tag;

initiating time and distance counters;

determining whether the next sensor (S1) is detected within the time and distance target values.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising stopping the conveyor belt in the event that the sensor (S1) is detected after the time and distance target values are exceeded.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein further comprising acquiring associated time and distance target values for a second sensor (S2) in the event that the sensor (S1) is detected and identified within the time and distance target values.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising updating time and distance variables in the event that the sensor (S1) is not detected.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein further comprising:

detecting and identifying a functioning tag;

acquiring associated time and distance target values for a second sensor (S2) from the identified functioning tag in the event that the sensor (S1) is detected and identified within the time and distance target values.

6. A method for synchronizing sensor detection in a moving conveyor belt system of the system type having a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor as it passes the sensor reader, and a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt and a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag as it passes the tag reader, the method comprising:

initiating time and distance counters;

determining whether a functioning tag has been detected;

acquiring from a calibration table associated time and distance target values for a next sensor (S1) based upon detection and identification of the functioning tag; and

determining whether the next sensor (S1) is functional and detected within the time and distance target values.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein further comprising stopping the belt in the event that the next sensor (S1) is not detected within the time and distance target values.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein further comprising acquiring from a calibration table time and distance target values for a next sensor (S2) in the event that a functioning sensor (S1) is detected within the time and distance target values.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein further comprising updating time and distance variables in the event that a functioning sensor (S1) is not detected and the time and distance target values have not been exceeded.

10. A method according to claim 6, wherein further comprising stopping movement of the belt in the event that a functioning sensor is not detected within respective time and distance values.

11. A self-synchronizing sensor system for a moving conveyor belt of the belt type having a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader, the system comprising:

a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt;

a tag reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a tag passing by the tag reader;

means for acquiring associated time and distance target values from a calibration table for a next sensor (S1);

means for initiating time and distance counters;

means for determining whether the next sensor (S1) is detected within the time and distance target values; and

means for stopping the conveyor belt in the event that the sensor (S1) is detected after the time and distance target values are exceeded.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein further comprising:

means for detecting and identifying a functioning tag;

means for acquiring associated time and distance target values for a second sensor (S2) as measured from the identified functioning tag in the event that the sensor (S1) is not detected and identified within the time and distance target values.

13. A sensor system according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for acquiring and identifying a functioning tag;

means for acquiring associated time and distance target values for a second sensor (S2) as measured from the identified functioning tag in the event that the sensor (S1) is detected and identified within the time and distance target values; and

means for acquiring associated time and distance target values for a second sensor (S2) as measured from the identified functioning tag in the event that the sensor (S1) is not detected and identified within the time and distance target values without stopping the belt when the control logic means is set to skip one non-functioning sensor.

14. A self-calibrating sensor system for a moving conveyor belt of the belt type having a plurality of sensors spaced along the belt and a sensor reader for detecting and identifying the presence of a sensor passing by the sensor reader, the system comprising:

a plurality of identification tags spaced along the belt;

calibration means including means for determining associated sensor separations in time and distance data; and

means for recording the time and distance data for individual sensor separations; and

means for stopping the calibration means upon detection of a repeating sensor pattern.