GB2396922A - Monitoring system for measuring belt friction - Google Patents
Monitoring system for measuring belt friction Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2396922A GB2396922A GB0229795A GB0229795A GB2396922A GB 2396922 A GB2396922 A GB 2396922A GB 0229795 A GB0229795 A GB 0229795A GB 0229795 A GB0229795 A GB 0229795A GB 2396922 A GB2396922 A GB 2396922A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- movable member
- friction
- disc
- measuring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N19/00—Investigating materials by mechanical methods
- G01N19/02—Measuring coefficient of friction between materials
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)
Abstract
A mechanism (10) for measuring the coefficient of friction of the surface of a belt (11) comprises a disc (12) rotatably mounted on a bracket (13). The disc is applied to the surface of the belt under the force of a spring (16) and is driven to rotate when the belt is in motion. Rotation of the disc is resisted by an electric motor (17). Movement of the disc is monitored by a sensor (18). Signals from the sensor are fed to a data processing unit (19) which controls the motor. The mechanism can be used to measure static or dynamic friction.
Description
Improvements in monitoring systems This invention relates to monitoring
systems and in particular to a method and apparatus for measuring belt friction.
The invention provides a method of measuring the friction of a surface of a belt in a pulley and belt assembly, comprising the steps of applying a movable member to a surface of the belt, applying a thrust to the movable member in a sense to tend to move the movable member relative to the belt over its said surface, and obtaining a measure of the thrust needed to initiate slippage between the movable member and the belt, whereby to provide a measure of the friction of the said belt surface.
The invention also provides apparatus for measuring the friction of a surface of a belt in a pulley and belt assembly, comprising means for applying a movable member, eg a rotatable disc, to a surface of the belt, means for applying a thrust, eg a counter-torque, to the movable member in a sense to tend to move the movable member relative to the belt over its said surface, and means for obtaining a measure of the thrust needed to initiate slippage between the movable member and the belt, whereby to provide a measure of the friction of the said belt surface.
By way of example, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus according to the invention, Figure 2 is a typical plot from simple operation of the apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a typical plot from a repeating operation of the Figure I apparatus.
In Figure 1, numeral 10 designates apparatus for measuring the coefficient of friction of the surface of a belt 1 1 in a pulley and belt assembly. The term "pulley and belt assembly" as used herein is intended to include any kind of assembly where an elongate flexible member ("belt") is driven around two or more rotatable members ("pulleys"), whether for the purpose of delivering rotational drive from one shaft to another or for the purpose of conveying items such as parcels or letters. However, the invention is particularly useful for letter conveying assemblies, also known as transport belts, which convey letters whilst they are orientated in a vertical plane and where belt friction is a vital factor in the conveyor's efficiency.
The apparatus 10 comprises a disc 12 which is rotatably mounted on a bracket 13. The outer rim crthe disc 12 is designed to be in contact with the surface of the belt 11. For this purpose, the bracket 13 may conveniently be mounted on a frame or other suitable structure 14 on or adjacent to the machine in which the pulley and belt assembly is incorporated. The disc 12 is preferably arranged to contact the belt 1 1 at a point where it is trained over a pulley 15, so that the belt is nipped between the disc and pulley. The bracket 13 preferably incorporates an adjustable spring-loaded mechanism 16 to allow the nip pressure on the belt 11 between the disc 12 and pulley 15 to be set and remain at a constant chosen value.
The disc 12 will normally be driven to rotate through its contact with the moving belt 11, and the surface texture of the outer rim of the disc and the nip pressure are suitably chosen for this purpose. A measurable braking or restraining device, such as an electric motor 17, is coupled to the disc 12 in order to provide a counter-torque to oppose its rotation. The motor 17 is conveniently mounted on the bracket 13. A sensor 18 is arranged to detect rotational movement ofthe disc 12. Signals from the sensor 18 are transmitted to a data processing unit 19. The motor 17 is controlled by the data processing unit 19.
In dynamic use of the apparatus 10, with the belt l 1 moving and driving the disc 12 to rotate, the motor 17 is used to apply a controlled countertorque to the disc, ie in a sense opposing rotation of the disc. The counter-torque from the motor 17 is increased until it is just sufficient to stop the disc 12 rotating.
This will be detected by the sensor 18 and this is the point at which the frictional force between the belt 11 and disc 12 is overcome. The value of the load on the motor 17 at this instant (at reference to in Figure 2) can be used to give a measure of the static friction of the belt l 1.
Once relative movement starts to occur between the belt 11 and disc 12, ie slippage, less counter-torque from the motor 17 will be required to stop the disc 12 rotating. This is the kinetic friction ofthe belt 11, which settles at a generally constant lower value, as is seen in the curve to the right-hand side of to in the Figure 2 plot.
The data processing unit 19 is advantageously programmed to control the apparatus so that it operates on a continuous basis, somewhat akin to the principle used for anti-lock braking systems. This will now be described with reference to Figure 3.
At a given instant t', if the signal from the sensor 18 indicates that the disc 12 is still being driven by the belt 11, the data processing unit l 9 increases the load on the motor 17 and hence the counter-torque applied to the disc. Such an instant would for example be at point (a) in Figure 2. If, in another instant t2, the signal from the sensor 18 indicates that the disc 12 has momentarily been brought to rest, the data processing unit 19 immediately reduces the motor load and hence the counter-torque applied to the disc. Such an instant is represented as point (b) in Figure 3. Because the system will take a finite time to react, there will for a moment be a certain amount of slippage between the belt and the momentarily-stationery disc. This is represented by the downwardly sloping curve (c) in Figure 3. As soon as the signal from the sensor indicates that the disc has once again begun to be driven to rotate by the belt, however, the data processing unit will once again increase the motor load to produce enough counter-torque to stop the disc. This is represented by S the upwardly sloping section (d) of the plot in Figure 3. A point is again reached where the disc is brought momentarily to a standstill, indicated here as point (e) at instant t3. The system continues in this cyclical manner, continuously monitoring and giving a measure of belt friction.
1O The apparatus lO will preferably be able to monitor belt friction at various different positions on the belt, say for example at the top, bottom and middle sections of the belt seen in Figure 1. For this purpose, a number of individual discs may be used. Alternatively, the appar:tus l O may be mounted so as to be movable relative to the belt, parallel to the axis ofthe pulley 15 seen Figure l, with a single disc thereby being capable of sampling belt friction at different locations across the width of the belt.
The apparatus could of course be used to measure the static friction of the surface of a belt when the belt is stationery.
It will be appreciated that whereas an electric motor has been used in the apparatus described above, other measurable braking or retraining means could equally well be used instead. Indeed, mechanisms other than the rotatable disc may be used as a means of measuring friction.
The apparatus 10 will preferably be capable of operating autonomously on a continuous basis and thereby provide a constant watch over the condition of the belt. s
Claims (18)
- Claims: l. A method of measuring the Diction of a surface of a belt in apulley and belt assembly, comprising the steps of applying a movable member to a surface of the belt, applying a thrust to the movable member in a sense to tend to move the movable member relative to the belt over its said surface, and obtaining a measure of the thrust needed to initiate slippage between the movable member and the belt, whereby to provide a measure of the friction of the said belt surface.
- 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable member is arotatable member.
- 3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the thrust that is applied to said rotatable member is in the form of a counter-torque.
- 4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 and including the step of monitoring the rotational movement of the rotatable member.
- 5. A method as claimed in claim 4 and including the step of controlling the application of said counter-torque to the rotatable member in response to detection of its rotational movement.
- 6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim and including the step of measuring the friction of said surface of the belt at a number of different positions across its width.
- 7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein measurement of the friction of said surface of the belt is undertaken whilst the belt is in motion.
- 8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said measurement is undertaken repeatedly over time.
- 9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said movable member is applied to said surface of the belt with a substantially constant force.
- lO. Apparatus for measuring the friction of a surface of a belt in a pulley and belt assembly, comprising means for applying a movable member to a surface of the belt, means for applying a thrust to the movable member in a sense to tend to move the movable member relative to the belt over its said surface, and means for obtaining a measure of the thrust needed to initiate slippage between the movable member and the belt, whereby to provide a measure of the friction of the said belt surface.
- 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said movable member is arotatable member.
- 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the thrust applied to said rotatable member is in the form of a counter-torque.
- 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12 and further comprising means for sensing rotational movement of the rotatable member.
- 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising means for controlling application of said counter-torque to the rotatable member in response to detection of its rotational movement.
- 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 and further comprising means for moving the movable member applying means so as to enable measurement of the friction of said surface of the belt at different positions across its width.S
- 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 and further comprising means for applying said movable member to said surface of the belt with a substantially constant force.
- 17. A method of measuring the friction of a surface of a belt substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 18. Apparatus for measuring the friction of a surface of a belt substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0229795A GB2396922B (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2002-12-20 | Improvements in monitoring systems |
AU2003295153A AU2003295153A1 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-12-19 | A method and an apparatus for friction measurement |
EP03786154A EP1579192A1 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-12-19 | A method and an apparatus for friction measurement |
PCT/GB2003/005631 WO2004057311A1 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-12-19 | A method and an apparatus for friction measurement |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0229795A GB2396922B (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2002-12-20 | Improvements in monitoring systems |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0229795D0 GB0229795D0 (en) | 2003-01-29 |
GB2396922A true GB2396922A (en) | 2004-07-07 |
GB2396922B GB2396922B (en) | 2005-05-18 |
Family
ID=9950145
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0229795A Expired - Fee Related GB2396922B (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2002-12-20 | Improvements in monitoring systems |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1579192A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003295153A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2396922B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004057311A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102435521A (en) * | 2011-11-19 | 2012-05-02 | 山东鲁普耐特新材料工程技术研究中心 | Testing method for friction resistance of rope |
WO2015165858A1 (en) * | 2014-04-28 | 2015-11-05 | Khs Gmbh | Device and method for controlled belt lubrication |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6331675B2 (en) * | 2014-05-13 | 2018-05-30 | 横浜ゴム株式会社 | Device and method for measuring running resistance of conveyor belt |
JP6314642B2 (en) * | 2014-05-13 | 2018-04-25 | 横浜ゴム株式会社 | Device and method for measuring running resistance of conveyor belt |
DE102014219012A1 (en) | 2014-05-14 | 2015-12-03 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device and method for detecting material properties of a packaging material web, preferably in a packaging machine and packaging machine |
CN105136599A (en) * | 2015-08-19 | 2015-12-09 | 芜湖华烨工业用布有限公司 | Wear-resisting property testing device for nylon conveyer belt |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU1022016A1 (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-06-07 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский и проектно-конструкторский институт кровельных и гидроизоляционных материалов и изделий | Flexible material coefficient of friction determination device |
EP0220756A1 (en) * | 1985-09-27 | 1987-05-06 | Dunlop-Enerka B.V. | Device for testing closed loops of material |
US6321586B1 (en) * | 1999-02-01 | 2001-11-27 | Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Inc. | Conveyor friction measurement and cleaning system |
JP2002236089A (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2002-08-23 | Toyota Motor Corp | Device for measuring coefficient of friction |
US6460398B1 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2002-10-08 | Luk Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau Gmbh | Method for determining slip between two component parts which transfer movement through contracting each other with friction engagement |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3360978A (en) * | 1966-01-03 | 1968-01-02 | Crown Zellerbach Corp | Continuous friction measurement of web surfaces |
DE4040250C1 (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1992-06-11 | Feldmuehle Ag, 4000 Duesseldorf, De | |
US6138496A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 2000-10-31 | Eastman Kodak Company | Traction measurement apparatus and method |
-
2002
- 2002-12-20 GB GB0229795A patent/GB2396922B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-12-19 WO PCT/GB2003/005631 patent/WO2004057311A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-12-19 AU AU2003295153A patent/AU2003295153A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-19 EP EP03786154A patent/EP1579192A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU1022016A1 (en) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-06-07 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский и проектно-конструкторский институт кровельных и гидроизоляционных материалов и изделий | Flexible material coefficient of friction determination device |
EP0220756A1 (en) * | 1985-09-27 | 1987-05-06 | Dunlop-Enerka B.V. | Device for testing closed loops of material |
US6321586B1 (en) * | 1999-02-01 | 2001-11-27 | Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Inc. | Conveyor friction measurement and cleaning system |
US6460398B1 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2002-10-08 | Luk Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau Gmbh | Method for determining slip between two component parts which transfer movement through contracting each other with friction engagement |
JP2002236089A (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2002-08-23 | Toyota Motor Corp | Device for measuring coefficient of friction |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102435521A (en) * | 2011-11-19 | 2012-05-02 | 山东鲁普耐特新材料工程技术研究中心 | Testing method for friction resistance of rope |
WO2015165858A1 (en) * | 2014-04-28 | 2015-11-05 | Khs Gmbh | Device and method for controlled belt lubrication |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004057311A1 (en) | 2004-07-08 |
AU2003295153A1 (en) | 2004-07-14 |
EP1579192A1 (en) | 2005-09-28 |
GB0229795D0 (en) | 2003-01-29 |
GB2396922B (en) | 2005-05-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20061220 |