DE102016013940A1 - Device for detecting an object in a test environment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting an object (101) in a transport system (103), comprising a transmitter (105) for emitting an electromagnetic radiation (107) in the direction of the transport system (103), a reflector (109). which is designed to reflect the electromagnetic radiation (107), the reflector (109) being arranged on a side of the transport system (103) opposite the transmitter (105), a receiver (111) for receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 113), and a processor (115) configured to detect a signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation (113) and based on a transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation (107) and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic radiation (113 ) to detect a distance, wherein the object (101) is detectable if the signal strength of the received reflected elektromag netic radiation falls below a threshold and the detected distance falls below a reference distance.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for detecting an object.

For detecting and counting objects in a test environment, for example on or in a transport system, devices are frequently used which detect the objects without contact by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular infrared radiation, visible light or radar radiation.

The detection of the objects is usually based on an emission of the electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the transport system and a detection of a reflection of the emitted electromagnetic radiation at the objects. In this case, the objects can be detected upon detection of the reflection, or upon detection of a damping of a signal strength of the reflected electromagnetic radiation.

However, object properties of the objects, in particular a filling of the objects with a filling medium or a fill level of the filling medium, can usually not be detected with this method. Further, it is difficult to detect semi-transparent objects having low reflectivity.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide an efficient device for detecting an object in a transport system.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous forms of further development are the subject of the dependent claims of the description and the drawings.

The present invention is based on the finding that the above object can be achieved by emitting an electromagnetic radiation in the direction of a transport system, a reflection of the electromagnetic radiation on a reflector and receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation, wherein a signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation can be detected and on the basis of a transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation and receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation, a distance is detectable and a detection of the object in the transport system, if the signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation falls below a threshold and the detected distance falls below a reference distance.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for detecting an object in a transport system, comprising a transmitter, for emitting electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the transport system, a reflector, which is designed to reflect the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the reflector on a the Transmitter disposed opposite side of the transport system, a receiver, for receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation, and a processor, which is adapted to detect a signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation and based on a transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation and the receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation to detect a distance, wherein the object is detectable if the signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation falls below a threshold value and the detected distance ei falls below a reference distance.

This provides the advantage that the object can be detected efficiently. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the detection of the object that this has a strong reflectance.

The electromagnetic radiation and / or the reflected electromagnetic radiation can irradiate or transmit the object arranged in the transport system. Upon transmission, the signal strength of the electromagnetic radiation and / or the reflected electromagnetic radiation due to absorption and / or scattering can be reduced.

The threshold may be a percentage of the reference signal strength of the reflected electromagnetic radiation. The reference signal strength may correspond to a signal strength of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter. The threshold value or the reference signal strength can be detected by means of a reference measurement without the object in the transport system.

The signal strength may be an intensity or an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic radiation.

According to one embodiment, the reference distance corresponds to a distance between the reflector and the receiver and / or the transmitter. The reference distance can be detected by means of a reference measurement without the object in the transport system.

The processor may be a microprocessor and may include a memory. Furthermore, the processor can be connected to the device connected data processing device, such as a desktop computer or a laptop to be integrated.

The transport system can be a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may comprise a continuous belt or chain with chain links on the surface of which the object may be arranged. The transmitter and the reflector may be disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor belt. The receiver can be arranged on the same side of the conveyor belt as the transmitter.

The apparatus may be configured to iteratively detect a plurality of objects in the transport system and to count the iteratively detected objects.

According to one embodiment, the object is a container which has a first fill level or a second fill level. The container can be a bottle.

The container may be filled with a filling medium, in particular a liquid. The container with the first level may be empty or unfilled and the container with the second level may be completely or almost completely filled.

According to one embodiment, the processor is designed to detect the first fill level of the container if the signal strength falls below the threshold value and exceeds a further threshold value, and to detect the second fill level of the container if the signal strength falls below the threshold value and the further threshold value. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a level of the container can be detected efficiently.

According to one embodiment, the processor is designed to detect the second fill level of the container if the detected distance falls below the reference distance. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that a level of the container can be detected efficiently on the basis of a distance measurement.

According to one embodiment, the receiver is configured to receive a further reflected electromagnetic radiation, wherein the processor is configured to detect a further distance on the basis of a further transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation and the reception of the further reflected electromagnetic radiation.

According to one embodiment, the processor is configured to detect the first level of the container if the distance and the further distance are different. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that a level of the container can be detected efficiently on the basis of a distance measurement.

According to one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation is high-frequency radiation, in particular radar radiation.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a sensor arrangement with a high-frequency sensor, wherein the high-frequency sensor comprises the transmitter and the receiver. Furthermore, it is possible that the high-frequency sensor comprises the transmitter, the receiver and a processor. This achieves the advantage that the electromagnetic radiation can be generated and received efficiently as high-frequency radiation.

According to one embodiment, the reflector is a planar reflector, in particular a mirror. The mirror may have an electrically conductive coating and / or be made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal.

According to one embodiment, the reflector is an angle reflector, wherein the angle reflector has a plurality of planar reflector surfaces, which are arranged at an angle, in particular a 90 ° angle to each other. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the electromagnetic radiation can be reflected back in the direction of the radiating electromagnetic radiation efficiently and independently of the orientation of the angle reflector. Thus, higher tolerances can be ensured in the alignment of the reflector.

According to one embodiment, the angle reflector has a coating with a weakly reflecting material, in particular a plastic, wherein the weakly reflecting material fills a volume between the planar reflector surfaces of the angle reflector. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a deposition of contaminants in the volume between the planar reflector surfaces can be avoided.

According to one embodiment, the device has a further reflector, wherein the reflector is arranged to reflect the electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the further reflector, and wherein the further reflector is arranged to reflect the reflected electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the receiver.

According to one embodiment, the further reflector is arranged in such a way that the reflected electromagnetic radiation no longer radiates through the transport system after reflection at the reflector. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a re-irradiation of the in the Transport system arranged object can be avoided by the reflected electromagnetic radiation. In this way, an excessive attenuation of the signal strength due to multiple radiation of the object can be avoided.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Show it:

1 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

2 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

3 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

4 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

5 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

6 a schematic representation of an apparatus for detecting an object in a transport system;

7 a schematic representation of a device for detecting an object in a transport system with another reflector; and

8th a schematic representation of an angle reflector.

1 shows a schematic representation of a device 100 for the detection of an object 101 in a transport system 103 according to one embodiment.

The device 100 includes a transmitter 105 , for emitting electromagnetic radiation 107 in the direction of the transport system 103 , a reflector 109 , which is formed, the electromagnetic radiation 107 to reflect, with the reflector 109 on a transmitter 105 opposite side of the transport system 103 is arranged a receiver 111 , for receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 , and a processor 115 , which is formed, a signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 and based on a transit time between the emission of electromagnetic radiation ( 107 ) and receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 113 ) to detect a distance, the processor 115 is formed, the object 101 in the transport system 103 to detect if the signal strength falls below a threshold and the detected distance falls below a reference distance.

The electromagnetic radiation 107 and / or the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 can do that in the transport system 103 arranged object 101 irradiate or transmit. When irradiated, the signal strength of the electromagnetic radiation 107 and / or the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 be reduced due to absorption and / or scattering.

The threshold may be a percentage of the reference signal strength of the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 be. The reference signal strength can be a signal strength of the transmitter 105 emitted electromagnetic radiation 107 correspond. The threshold value or the reference signal strength can be determined by means of a reference measurement without the object 101 in the transport system 103 be recorded.

The signal strength may be an intensity or an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 be.

The processor 115 may be a microprocessor and may include a memory. Furthermore, the processor can 115 in a to the device 100 connected data processing device, such as a desktop computer or a laptop to be integrated.

The transport system 103 can be a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may comprise a continuous band or chain with chain links on the surface of which the object 101 can be arranged. The transmitter 105 and the reflector 109 can be arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt. The recipient 111 can be on the same side of the conveyor belt as the transmitter 105 be arranged.

The device 100 may be formed, a variety of objects in the transport system 103 to iteratively detect and count the iteratively detected objects.

The electromagnetic radiation 107 and the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 may be high frequency radiation, in particular radar radiation.

In 1 has the device 100 a sensor arrangement 117 on which the transmitter 105 and the receiver 111 includes. The transmitter 105 and the receiver 111 can in the sensor arrangement 117 as a common component, in particular as a high-frequency sensor for transmitting and receiving high-frequency radiation, be formed. In addition, the processor can also 115 Part of the sensor arrangement 117 be. The transport system 103 may be a detection range of the sensor arrangement 117 be.

The reflector 109 may be a planar reflector, in particular a mirror. The mirror may have an electrically conductive coating or be made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal.

The object 101 can a container 101 , in particular a bottle or a PET bottle. The container 101 may have a first level or a second level. The container 101 can be filled with a filling medium, in particular a liquid.

In 1 is the object 101 an empty container 101 , According to one embodiment, a container 101 which is filled to the first level, empty or nearly empty.

2 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 according to another embodiment, wherein the object 101 one with a filling medium 201 filled container 101 is. The level of the container 101 in 2 may be the second level.

The signal strength, in particular the amplitude, of the electromagnetic radiation 107 . 113 which the container 101 radiates through, can when irradiating the container 101 be reduced due to absorption or scattering. For an empty container 101 as exemplified in 1 As shown, this reduction in signal strength may be small and may result in a signal strength reduction below the threshold. If the signal strength falls below the threshold value, then it can be concluded that the container 101 in the detection range of the device 100 located.

For a filled container 101 as exemplified in 2 shown, the signal strength, in particular the amplitude, of the electromagnetic radiation 107 . 113 which filled the container 101 radiates due to absorption and scattering on the container 101 and on the filling medium 201 be greatly reduced.

The processor 115 can be trained in the 1 shown first level of the container 101 to detect if the signal strength falls below the threshold, and exceeds a further threshold. Furthermore, the processor can 115 be trained in the 2 shown second level of the container 101 if the signal strength falls below the threshold value and the further threshold value, wherein the further threshold value is smaller than the threshold value.

According to one embodiment, the second level of the container corresponds 101 with the filling medium 201 a filling height, wherein the filling height is higher than a mounting height of the transmitter 105 and / or recipient 111 is.

According to another embodiment, the second level is determined by the mounting height of the transmitter 105 and / or recipient 111 established. Thus, with the device 100 different filling levels or levels of the filling medium 201 by means of different mounting heights of the transmitter 105 and / or recipient 111 be recorded.

3 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 according to another embodiment, wherein the object 101 with a highly reflective filling medium 201 is filled.

In the exemplary illustration in FIG 3 a complete reflection of the electromagnetic radiation takes place 107 on the container 101 , The amplitude or signal strength of this reflection can be identical to a learned amplitude of the reflector 109 , in particular the first threshold. Thus, the object can 101 can not be detected on the basis of a comparison of the signal strength with the threshold values.

To the object 101 yet to detect is the processor 115 designed according to the invention, on the basis of a transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation 107 and receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 to capture a distance and the object 101 to detect if the detected distance falls below a reference distance.

The reference distance can be a distance between the transmitter 105 and / or recipient 111 and the reflector 109 be.

Is the object 101 a container 101 can at the same time a level of the container in this measurement 101 be detected, since the reflection usually on the highly reflective filling medium 201 he follows.

4 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 according to another embodiment, wherein the object 101 is partially transparent.

In 4 becomes a part of the electromagnetic radiation 107 on the object 101 reflected. Another part of the electromagnetic radiation 107 transmitted through the object 101 and will be on the reflector 109 reflected. At the object 101 in 4 it may be an empty reference distance 101 , For example, an empty cardboard box act.

In the exemplary illustration in FIG 4 the receiver receives 111 a superimposed electromagnetic radiation 113 . 401 , which is reflected in the reflector 109 reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 and one on the container 101 reflected further electromagnetic radiation 401 composed. The amplitude or signal strength of this superimposed reflection can be identical to a learned amplitude of the reflector 109 be. Thus, the object can 101 can not be detected on the basis of a comparison of the signal strength with the threshold values.

The processor 115 may be formed on the basis of the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 a distance, in particular a distance of the reflector 109 to the recipient 111 , and based on the further reflected electromagnetic radiation 401 a further distance, in particular a distance of the object 101 to the recipient 111 , capture.

The processor 115 may be formed, the first level of the container 101 to detect, if the distance and the further distance are different.

The device 100 can therefore be formed, the object 101 in the transport system 103 on the basis of a signal strength measurement, in particular a comparison of the signal strength of the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 with the first and / or the second threshold. Furthermore, the device 100 trained, the object 101 in the transport system 103 based on a distance measurement to capture.

In this way, both well-reflecting objects as well as non-reflective or weakly reflecting objects can be reliably detected in an advantageous manner.

The device 100 may be further formed in addition to the detection of the object 101 Levels of the object 101 , In particular the first level and the second level with the filling medium 201 to detect on the basis of the signal strength measurement and / or the distance measurement.

5 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 according to another embodiment, wherein no object 101 in the transport system 103 is arranged.

Without the object 101 in the transport system 103 can by reference measurement a reference signal strength of the reflector 109 reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 which are not detected by transmission through the object 101 is weakened. The threshold value and / or the further threshold value can be determined on the basis of the reference signal strength. In particular, the threshold value and the further threshold value can be a percentage factor of the reference signal strength.

Furthermore, by means of a reference distance measurement, the reference distance between the reflector 109 and the receiver 111 and / or the transmitter 105 be recorded.

6 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 according to a further embodiment, wherein the sensor arrangement 117 and the reflector 109 are arranged such that the further reflected electromagnetic radiation 401 the recipient 111 not reached.

Thus, for example, a sensor arrangement 117 , in particular a radar sensor, which is not able to use both distances to the object 101 and to the reflector 109 to eat. The processor 115 Thus, only the signal strength of the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 and / or the distance of the reflector 109 to capture. With this arrangement, both a container 101 with the first level as well as a container 101 with the second level of the filling medium 201 be detected.

7 shows a schematic representation of the device 100 for detecting the object 101 in the transport system 103 with another reflector 701 according to one embodiment.

The reflector 109 can be arranged, the electromagnetic radiation 107 in the direction of the other reflector 701 to reflect and the more reflector 701 can be arranged, the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 in the direction of the recipient 111 to reflect.

As in 7 shown by way of example, the further reflector 701 be arranged such that the reflected electromagnetic radiation 113 after reflection on the reflector 109 the transport system 103 and / or in the transport system 103 arranged object 101 not re-irradiated. Thus, a strong attenuation of the signal strength due to the multiple transmission of the object 101 be avoided. This allows detection of a first level and a second level in a container 101 which has a relatively strong absorption of the electromagnetic radiation, for example in a glass bottle.

8th shows a schematic representation of an angle reflector 800 according to one embodiment.

The reflector 109 can as an angle reflector 800 or Corner reflector be formed.

The angle reflector 800 can have a variety of planar reflector surfaces 801 have, which can be arranged at an angle, in particular a 90 ° angle to each other.

With the angle reflector 800 can the radiating electromagnetic radiation 107 regardless of the orientation of the sensor array 117 or the angle reflector 800 be reflected back in a direction of irradiation. Thus, higher tolerances in the alignment of the reflector 109 or the sensor arrangement 117 be guaranteed.

The angle reflector 800 Can be coated with a low reflective material 803 , in particular a plastic, to be coated. The weakly reflective material 803 can be a volume between the planar reflector surfaces 801 of the angle reflector 800 fill out.

The weakly reflective material 803 can accumulate dirt in the volume between the planar reflector surfaces 801 prevent and thereby the reflection properties of the angle reflector 800 not or only slightly influence.

The angle reflector 800 can in a wall 805 , in particular a poorly reflecting wall, be embedded. The wall 805 can be a plastic plate. The angle reflector 800 can through the wall 805 protected and / or stabilized.

According to an embodiment of the device 100 is the learned amplitude and distance of the reflector 109 , in particular the reference signal strength and the reference distance of the reflector 109 , whenever there is no object 101 between the sensor arrangement 117 and the reflector 109 is updated with current measured values. Thus, long-term drifts, which are caused for example by contamination of the sensor or temperature fluctuations, can be compensated.

According to one embodiment, as a reflector 109 Also, an existing machine part can be used, for example, a conveyor belt or a housing. The machine part only has to have good reflection properties for the electromagnetic radiation.

In one embodiment, the device is 100 able to empty containers 101 to detect and count full containers 101 to detect and count, and to detect when there is no container 101 in the transport system 103 or in the detection range of the sensor arrangement 117 located.

The object 101 or the container 101 can have any shape and color. The only condition for an empty container 101 to detect that part of the electromagnetic radiation 107 the empty container 101 can penetrate and so the reflector 109 behind the container 101 is detected.

The filling medium 201 can have any shape and color. It does not matter if the filling medium 201 causes a strong reflection or if it causes no reflection.

According to one embodiment, with the device 100 any kind of objects can be detected and counted. It does not matter whether the objects reflect strongly or not, or whether the objects reflect only weakly.

Claims (11)

Contraption ( 100 ) for detecting an object ( 101 ) in a transport system ( 103 ) with: a transmitter ( 105 ) for emitting an electromagnetic radiation ( 107 ) in the direction of the transport system ( 103 ); a reflector ( 109 ), which is formed, the electromagnetic radiation ( 107 ), the reflector ( 109 ) on a transmitter ( 105 ) opposite side of the transport system ( 103 ) is arranged; a recipient ( 111 ) for receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 113 ); and a processor ( 115 ), which is formed, a signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 113 ) and on the basis of a transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation ( 107 ) and receiving the reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 113 ) to detect a distance, whereby the object ( 101 ) is detectable if the signal strength of the received reflected electromagnetic radiation falls below a threshold value and the detected distance falls below a reference distance. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reference distance is a distance between the reflector ( 109 ) and the recipient ( 111 ) corresponds. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the object ( 101 ) a container ( 101 ), in particular a bottle, which has a first level and / or a second level. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the object ( 101 ) a container ( 101 ) is in the execution of a cardboard box. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor ( 115 ) is formed, the first level of the container ( 101 ), if the signal strength falls below the threshold and exceeds a further threshold, and the second level of the container ( 101 ), if the signal strength falls below the threshold value and the further threshold value. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processor ( 115 ) is formed, the second level of the container ( 101 ), if the detected distance falls below the reference distance. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver ( 111 ) is formed, a further reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 401 ), wherein the processor ( 115 ) is formed on the basis of a further transit time between the emission of the electromagnetic radiation ( 107 ) and receiving the further reflected electromagnetic radiation ( 401 ) to capture a further distance. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the processor ( 115 ) is formed, the first level of the container ( 101 ), if the distance and the further distance are different. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector is made as a planar reflector, in particular as a mirror with an electrically conductive coating and or of an electrically conductive material. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector ( 109 ) an angle reflector ( 800 ) and a plurality of planar reflector surfaces ( 801 ), which are arranged at an angle, in particular a 90 ° angle to each other. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the angle reflector ( 800 ) a coating with a low-reflectance material ( 803 ), in particular a plastic, wherein the weakly reflecting material ( 803 ) a volume between the planar reflector surfaces ( 801 ) of the angle reflector ( 800 ).

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