Method for checking the functionality of a vibratory conveyor device

A method for checking the functionality of a vibratory conveyor device that includes

• a drive device with a frame having a base plate arranged at a lower end of the frame and multiple supports arranged peripherally in a pitch circle on the base plate and extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the drive device, an armature plate arranged at an upper end of the frame, which is connected to the multiple supports such that the armature plate is both horizontally and vertically vibratable by a first spring assembly, an acceleration sensor coupled to the armature plate, and a magnetic drive arranged below the armature plate and spaced apart therefrom, said magnetic drive comprising a counterweight, and said magnetic drive being connected by a second spring assembly to the multiple supports such that the armature plate is vibratable by magnetic force transmission, wherein the first and second spring assemblies enclose an angle α>90° with the armature plate in an idle status of the drive device such that the drive force exerted by the magnetic drive on the armature plate is dividable into horizontal and vertical components,
• a frequency inverter,
• a signal evaluation unit, and
• a computer, the method comprising:
• (A) carrying out a status analysis before operation of the vibratory conveyor device by means of steps comprising:
• (A1) applying a drive pulse to the drive device of the vibratory conveyor device before operation of the vibratory conveyor device with the frequency inverter;
• (A2) detecting a pulse response caused by the vibratory conveyor device as a function of the time or as a function of a frequency of the pulse response with the signal evaluation unit;
• (A3) passing the detected pulse response from the signal evaluation unit to the computer;
• (A4) comparing, using the computer, the detected pulse response to a reference pulse response;
• (A5) determining, using the computer, based on the comparison made in step (A4), whether to:
• (a) activate a starting procedure for operation with reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device, or
• (b) activate a starting procedure for operation without reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor, or
• (c) suspend operation;
• and
• (A6) activating the starting procedure for operation with reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device, activating the starting procedure for operation without reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device or suspending operation based on the determination made in step (A5);
• or
• (B) carrying out the status analysis during operation of the vibratory conveyor by means of steps comprising:
• (B1) detecting voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature parameters caused by the vibratory conveyor device in operation of the vibratory conveyor device with the signal evaluation unit;
• (B2) passing the detected voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature parameters from the signal evaluation unit to the computer;
• (B3) comparing the detected voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature parameters to respective predefined tolerance bands using the computer;
• (B4) determining, using the computer, based on the comparison made in step (B3), whether to:
• (a) continue operation of the vibratory conveyor device without restrictions;
• or
• (b) suspend operation of the vibratory conveyor device with an error message;
• and
• (B5) continuing operation of the vibratory conveyor device without restrictions or suspending operation of the vibratory conveyor device with an error message based on the determination made in step (B4).