DE102017221041A1 - Method for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The approach presented here relates to a method for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer (12), comprising the following steps: - arranging monitoring fibers (16) in or on the wear protection layer (12), wherein the monitoring fibers (16) are formed, an optical and or to conduct electrical signal (19); and detecting a change in an optical signal (19) coupled into the monitoring fibers (16) and / or an electrical signal applied to the monitoring fibers by means of an evaluation unit (26) in order to monitor the wear of the wear protection layer (12).

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer.

This invention solves primarily the problem of estimating wear, which can lead to critical failure of component functions. The present invention makes it possible to monitor wear at defined locations online and to take countermeasures at various stages, e.g. the replacement of wear protection layers. In the art, usually a certain amount of wear can be tolerated. In the vast majority of cases ultimately the loss of function of a structure or apparatus is critical. This can often be a contrast between wear resistance of contact surfaces and the basic requirements for the associated components (eg hard surface but yielding structure) exist. There are already various approaches to component protection through wear protection layers, which are used for different components. It consists u.a. the ability to vaporize layers on bodies, harden surfaces, bond or chemically alter surfaces. Often the background is to ensure a maximum amount of wear for the component life. Online monitoring is usually difficult because the sensors are not easy to insert into the layers.

Against the background of the increasing importance of plastics in structural components and tribologically contaminated contacts, the subject of robotics and especially in the area of "soft robotics", in which yielding structures are used, the approach of reducing wear by ever harder surfaces can not, or only conditionally, be applied.

The EP 0 553 943 A1 discloses a test specimen having a wear protection layer made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein a wire loop is embedded in the wear protection layer for monitoring the degree of wear. By means of resistance measurement on the wire loop, a destruction of the wire loop can be detected.

Disclosure of the invention

• - Anordnen von Überwachungsfasern in oder an der Verschleißschutzschicht, wobei die Überwachungsfasern ausgebildet sind, ein optisches und/oder elektrisches Signal zu leiten; und
• - Erfassen einer Änderung eines in die Überwachungsfasern eingekoppelten optischen Signals und/oder eines an den Überwachungsfasern angelegten elektrischen Signals mittels einer Auswerteeinheit, um den Verschleiß der Verschleißschutzschicht zu überwachen.

The subject matter of the present invention is a method for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer, comprising the following steps:

• Arranging monitoring fibers in or on the wear protection layer, wherein the monitoring fibers are configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal; and
• Detecting a change of an optical signal coupled into the monitoring fibers and / or an electrical signal applied to the monitoring fibers by means of an evaluation unit in order to monitor the wear of the wear protection layer.

• - Überwachungsfasern, welche in oder an der Verschleißschutzschicht angeordnet sind, wobei die Überwachungsfasern ausgebildet sind, ein optisches und/oder elektrisches Signal zu leiten, und
• - einer Auswerteeinheit, welche ausgebildet ist, eine Änderung eines in die Überwachungsfasern eingekoppelten optischen Signals und/oder eines an den Überwachungsfasern angelegten elektrischen Signals zu erfassen, um den Verschleiß der Verschleißschutzschicht zu überwachen.

The subject of the present invention is also a system for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer, with

• - Monitoring fibers which are arranged in or on the wear protection layer, wherein the monitoring fibers are adapted to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal, and
• - An evaluation unit which is adapted to detect a change in an optical signal coupled into the monitoring fibers and / or an applied to the monitoring fibers electrical signal to monitor the wear of the wear protection layer.

The subject of the present invention is also a device with a system described above, wherein the wear protection layer is arranged on a component of the device.

• - Überwachungsfasern, welche in oder an der Verschleißschutzschicht angeordnet sind, wobei die Überwachungsfasern ausgebildet sind, ein optisches und/oder elektrisches Signal zu leiten, und
• - zumindest zwei Kontaktierungselementen an zwei Faserenden der Überwachungsfasern zum Einkoppeln und Auskoppeln eines optischen Signals und/oder Anlegen eines elektrischen Signals an den Überwachungsfasern, um mittels einer Änderung des Signals einen Verschleiß der Verschleißschutzschicht zu überwachen.

The subject of the present invention is furthermore a wear protection layer

• - Monitoring fibers which are arranged in or on the wear protection layer, wherein the monitoring fibers are adapted to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal, and
• - At least two contacting elements on two fiber ends of the monitoring fibers for coupling and decoupling an optical signal and / or applying an electrical signal to the monitoring fibers to monitor by means of a change of the signal wear of the wear protection layer.

The subject of the present invention is also the use of monitoring fibers in or on a wear protection layer for monitoring wear of the wear protection layer, wherein the monitoring fibers are configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal and detecting a change in an optical signal coupled into the monitoring fibers and / or an electrical signal applied to the monitoring fibers by means of a Evaluation unit, the wear of the wear protection layer is monitored.

The term "wear" also includes the degree or progress of wear. The wear can include, for example, the following cases: load (even if this has not yet led to a defect), in particular critical load, imminent defect, defect, remaining protective layer thickness, need for repair, maintenance need.

The wear protection layer may comprise one or more layers. The wear protection layer may be formed like a film and / or have fiber structures (eg, fabrics, tubes, etc.). The wear protection layer may comprise or consist of a plastic and / or fiber composite material. The wear protection layer preferably has a fiber-plastic composite. Depending on the application, the flexibility of the wear protection layer can be ensured by the resilience of the matrix. The fibers of the wear protection layer may comprise a material or consist of a material which is selected from the group consisting of: carbon, aramid, glass, plastic.

In this case, the wear protection layer can be integrally connected to the device during the production of the device or can be produced as an independent component and subsequently connected to the component of the device. The component of the device may, for example, be a machine part.

The monitoring fibers are arranged in or on the wear protection layer. The monitoring fibers can thus be integrated into the wear protection layer. In this case, the monitoring fibers, for example, part of the fiber-plastic composite of the wear protection layer, i. be integrated in the fiber-plastic composite wear protection layer. However, the monitoring fibers may also be on, i. be arranged on an outer surface or surface of the wear protection layer. The monitoring fibers may be connected to the outer surface or surface of the wear protection layer. In this case, the monitoring fibers themselves can form a monitoring layer, which is arranged on the wear protection layer. The monitoring layer may comprise a fiber-plastic composite, wherein the monitoring fibers may be part of this fiber-plastic composite. The connection or contacting of the monitoring layer with the wear protection layer can be effected by means of methods known to the person skilled in the art.

The monitoring fibers are configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal. In other words, in other words, the monitoring fibers are optically and / or electrically conductive. The optical signal may be a light signal. In this case, the monitoring fibers are preferably optical fibers which in particular comprise or consist of glass and / or a transparent plastic. Thus, the monitoring fibers may be glass fibers or plastic fibers. The plastic may be a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a polycarbonate (PC). The electrical signal can also be an electrical voltage. In this case, the monitoring fibers are preferably electrical conductive fibers, which in particular comprise or consist of carbon. Thus, the monitoring fibers can be carbon fibers.

Detecting the signal or changing the signal involves measuring a signal value or changing the signal value. The detection of the signal or the change of the signal can be direct and indirect. When detecting the change of the optical signal, in particular a light intensity or a change in the light intensity can be detected and measured. When detecting the change of an applied electrical voltage, in particular a change in the electrical resistance at the monitoring fibers can be detected and measured.

If the monitored component is not electrically conductive, the change in the electrical signal is caused by the monitoring fibers being worn out and the resistance correspondingly changing. However, if the monitored component is electrically conductive, the monitoring fibers have an insulator or a plastic matrix, and - after the plastic matrix has been rubbed through - an electrical contact is made with the component when the monitoring fibers begin to wear. The wear can then (additionally or alternatively) be recognized as a digital signal by the renewed contact with the electrically conductive component.

In the context of the invention, an evaluation unit can be understood as a unit which is designed to detect optical and / or electrical signals and, for example, to convert it into light intensity measured values and voltage / resistance measured values and to process the corresponding data. The evaluation unit may have a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like. The evaluation unit may further comprise at least one memory unit for storing signals and / or data, in particular light intensity measured values and voltage / resistance measured values or for this purpose with a Be connected storage unit. The storage unit may comprise a cloud server, a flash memory, an EPROM or a magnetic storage unit. The evaluation unit can also have an interface for outputting data or measured values to a display unit.

The evaluation unit may further comprise a signal unit. The signal unit may comprise a detector or light detector. The signal unit may be configured to inject an optical signal at a first fiber end of the monitor fibers and to detect a change of the optical signal at a second fiber end of the monitor fibers by means of the light detector or to extract the optical signal at a second fiber end of the monitor fibers and / or an electrical Signal to apply at a first fiber end and at a second fiber end of the monitoring fibers and a change of the electrical signal, for example, indirectly detect.

The evaluation unit may in particular be designed to output an output signal as a function of the detected change in the signal. The output signal may in particular be a warning signal and / or control signal. The evaluation unit can be designed to output the output signal on the basis of the received signals based on a prescription. In this case, the evaluation unit can be designed to output the output signal upon reaching, undershooting or exceeding defined difference values or threshold values between the values of the detected signals, in particular the light intensity or resistance values, and predetermined or stored values. The difference values or threshold values can in particular be input, calculated and / or read from a table manually.

The output signal may be an optical and / or an acoustic and / or a kinaesthetic signal. The output signal may include information, for example one or more acquired measured values or one or more differential values. The output signal may be configured to be displayed on a display unit. As a control signal, the output signal can be sent to a sensor of a device or machine and, for example, be used for control or regulation limitation of the device or machine.

It is conceivable to additionally arrange or embed temperature and strain sensors, for example Bragg sensors, in the wear protection layer or the monitoring layer, in order to be able to carry out a detailed temperature and / or strain measurement in order to detect them in the detection of the changes and Evaluation of the signals or the signal values incorporated.

The use according to the invention of fibers for signal transmission for the monitoring of wear protection layers offers a large number of advantages. Since fibers are beige and pressure-weak, wear and condition monitoring (condition monitoring or structural health management) can now also be performed on resilient wear-resistant layers which are produced on flexible structures, such as fluid muscle and artificial muscle (additive). ) Structures, etc. are arranged to be carried out without causing a hindrance of the actuators by the monitoring element, so the fibers. In particular, when the monitoring fibers are formed as glass fibers and / or the carbon fibers, not only the wear of the wear protection layer can be monitored by the monitoring fibers but also the stiffness and the strength of the wear protection layer can be increased (resulting in a reduction of wear of the wear protection layer).

If a wear protection layer already has suitable fibers, these or a part of these can serve as monitoring fibers, in that the corresponding signal is coupled into these by means of contacting elements and decoupled again or applied thereto.

Furthermore, in the case of optically conductive monitoring fibers, wear and tear can be detected and evaluated very simply and efficiently by means of light signals. In particular, it is thereby possible to detect a wear also spatially resolved. If the wear protection layer is worn, then the monitoring fibers or glass fibers are exposed and likewise rubbed through by wear. The coupled-in light signal is no longer or not completely passed through to a light detector of the signal unit and the thus measured light intensity decreases overall or at the corresponding break points. The difference between input and output signal allows a conclusion on the wear or the condition of the wear protection layer.

In the case of electrically conductive monitoring fibers, for example carbon fibers, the electrical resistance of the monitoring fibers changes as a result of exposure and wear of the carbon fibers. This makes it possible to draw conclusions about the state of the wear protection layer itself. The change in the resistance makes it possible to draw conclusions about the wear or the state of the wear protection layer.

Thus, the invention also offers the possibility to consistently obtain data on the wear and the condition of components - and thus the life -. Furthermore, may Machine-learning algorithms use this data to identify critical operating points that can be used as design cases, or generally allow a more specific - and therefore more efficient - design.
Advantageously, several monitoring layers can be provided, both in the layer thickness direction of the wear protection layer and in the longitudinal and transverse directions. For example, in each case a monitoring layer may be arranged on an upper side and a monitoring layer on a lower side of the wear-resistant layer, so that the possibility of an evaluation spatially resolved over the layer thickness is provided. By knowing at which point (top or bottom of the wear protection layer) the monitoring fibers are damaged or severed, the wear progress can be concretely understood.

It is advantageous if, upon detection of the change by means of the optical signal, a bending, in particular a bending angle of the monitoring fibers is detected. In this case, for example, a change in refraction of the spatially resolved light guides can be detected, so that a performed bending (stretching) of the wear protection layer can be monitored to ensure that a maximum bending (elongation) has not been exceeded.

• - eine Änderung eines in Überwachungsfasern eingekoppelten optischen Signals und/oder eines an Überwachungsfasern angelegten elektrischen Signals zu erfassen, wobei die Überwachungsfasern ausgebildet sind, das optisches und/oder elektrisches Signal zu leiten, und ferner in oder an der Verschleißschutzschicht angeordnet sind, um den Verschleiß der Verschleißschutzschicht zu überwachen; und
• - ein Steuersignal in Abhängigkeit von der erfassten Änderung des optischen Signals und/oder elektrischen Signals auszugeben.

The subject of the present invention is furthermore a control device for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer, wherein the control device is set up,

• detect a change in an optical signal coupled in monitor fibers and / or an electrical signal applied to monitor fibers, wherein the monitor fibers are configured to conduct the optical and / or electrical signal and are further disposed in or on the wear protection layer to prevent wear to monitor the wear protection layer; and
• - Output a control signal in response to the detected change of the optical signal and / or electrical signal.

The control signal can, for example, be used as input signal for a sensor system of a device / machine or for regulation or regulation limitation of a device / machine.

In the present case, a control device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon. The control unit may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based design, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

• 1a, b ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Überwachung eines Verschleißes einer Verschleißschutzschicht mit optischen Überwachungsfasern; und
• 2a, b ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Überwachung eines Verschleißes einer Verschleißschutzschicht mit elektrischen Überwachungsfasern; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Überwachung eines Verschleißes einer Verschleißschutzschicht gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

• 1a, b An embodiment of a system according to the invention for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer with optical monitoring fibers; and
• 2a, b a further embodiment of a system according to the invention for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer with electrical monitoring fibers; and
• 3 a flowchart of a method for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer according to an embodiment.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similar acting, wherein a repeated description of the elements is omitted.

In 1a, b is a system according to the invention 10 for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer 12 shown. Shown are two comparison views each before ( 1a) and after ( 1b) a wear.

In a perspective plan view is a wear protection layer 12 shown as a fiber-plastic composite with protective fibers 14 is trained. According to the invention are in the wear protection layer 12 monitoring fibers 16 arranged. The surveillance fibers 16 are in the fiber-plastic composite of the wear-resistant coating 12 integrated. The surveillance fibers 16 run along a transverse direction 17 the wear protection layer 12 , The surveillance fibers 16 are as optical fibers 16 made of glass, ie as glass fibers 16 educated. Accordingly, the surveillance fibers 16 or glass fibers 16 trained, a light signal 19 to lead.

At a first fiber end 18 the surveillance fibers 16 or glass fibers 16 is a first contacting element 20 arranged. The first contacting element 20 is at the first fiber end 18 with the glass fibers 16 connected and trained, the light signal 19a in the glass fibers 16 couple. Analog is at a second fiber end 22 the glass fibers 16 a second contacting element 24 arranged. The second contacting element 24 is at the second fiber end 22 with the glass fibers 16 connected and trained, the light signal 19b from the glass fibers 16 decouple.

The system 10 also has an evaluation unit 26 on. The evaluation unit 26 is formed, a change of the in the glass fibers 16 coupled light signal 19 to capture the wear of the wear-resistant coating 12 to monitor. This is achieved by the evaluation unit 26 a signal unit (not shown) with a light detector, which is formed, the light signal 19a by means of the first contacting element 18 in the glass fibers 16 couple in and the light signal 19b by means of the second contacting element 22 from the glass fibers 16 decouple again, to change the light intensity and thus the light signal 19 to detect.

How out 1a it can be seen are against wear of the wear protection layer 12 the coupled light signal 19a and the decoupled light signal 19b like. Accordingly, no change of the light signal 19 or the light intensity of the light signal 19 by means of the evaluation unit 26 is detected or detected.

Is now a wear of the wear protection layer 12 before, fractures occur 28 in the glass fibers 16 because they are also rubbed by the wear. The coupled light signal 19a is no longer completely passed through to the light detector of the signal unit and thus the measured light intensity of the decoupled light signal 19b decreases overall or at a corresponding point 30 , The difference between input and output signal 19a , b allows a conclusion on the wear or the condition of the wear protection layer 12 ,

The evaluation unit 26 In this case, it is further configured as a function of the detected change in the light signal 19 an output signal, for example to output a warning signal or a control signal.

In 2a, b is another system according to the invention 10 ' for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer 12 shown. Analogously to the embodiment described above, two comparison views are also present here before ( 2a) and after ( 2 B) shown a wear.

Again, a perspective top view of the wear protection layer 12 shown as a fiber-plastic composite with protective fibers 14 is trained. Unlike in the embodiment of Fig. La, b, the monitoring fibers 16 here as electrical fibers 16 ' made of carbon, ie as carbon fibers 16 ' educated. Accordingly, the surveillance fibers 16 trained, an electrical signal 19 ' to lead.

By means of the two contacting elements 20 . 24 this can be the electrical signal 19 ' or an electrical voltage 19 ' at the carbon fibers 16 ' be created.

Accordingly, the evaluation unit 26 formed, a change in the applied voltage 19 to capture the wear of the wear-resistant coating 12 to monitor. This is achieved by the evaluation unit 26 a change in resistance at the carbon fibers 16 ' Measures to change the voltage 19 capture.

As explained above, wear of the wear protection layer occurs 12 fractures 28 in the carbon fibers 16 ' because they are also rubbed by the wear. The applied voltage 19 ' sinks. The change of the electrical signal 19 ' in turn allows a conclusion on the wear or the condition of the wear protection layer 12 ,

3 shows a flowchart of a method 100 for monitoring a wear of a wear protection layer. The procedure 100 includes a step 104 arranging monitoring fibers in or against the wear protection layer, wherein the monitoring fibers are configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal. The procedure 100 also includes a step 106 by detecting a change in an optical signal coupled into the monitor fibers and / or an electrical signal applied to the monitor fibers by means of one to monitor the wear of the wear protection layer.

Optionally, the method may additionally include a step 102 coupling an optical signal to a first fiber end of the monitor fibers and detecting the change in the optical signal at a second fiber end of the monitor fibers and / or applying an electrical signal to a first fiber end and a second fiber end of the monitor fibers and detecting the change in the electrical signal; in each case by means of a signal unit which is part of the evaluation unit.

Finally, the procedure can 100 optionally also a step 108 outputting an output signal in response to the detected change in the signal.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0553943 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Method (100) for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer (12), comprising the following steps: - Positioning (104) of monitoring fibers (16, 16 ') in or on the wear protection layer (12), wherein the monitoring fibers (16; 16') are adapted to conduct an optical signal and / or electrical signal (19; 19 ') ; and Detecting (106) a change in an optical signal (19) coupled into the monitoring fibers (16) and / or an electrical signal (19 ') applied to the monitoring fibers (16') by means of an evaluation unit (26) to reduce wear of the wear protection layer (12). Method (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the monitoring fibers (16) are optical fibers (16) which in particular comprise or consist of glass and / or a transparent plastic. Method (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the monitoring fibers (16 ') are electrical conductive fibers (16') which in particular comprise or consist of carbon. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear protection layer (12) comprises a fiber-plastic composite. Method (100) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the monitoring fibers (16; 16 ') are part of the fiber-plastic composite of the wear protection layer (12). Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the monitoring fibers (16, 16 ') form a monitoring layer, in particular with a fiber-plastic composite, wherein the monitoring layer is arranged on the wear protection layer (12). Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon detection (106) of the change by means of the optical signal (19) a bending, in particular a bending angle of the monitoring fibers (16) is detected. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical signal (19) is a light signal (19) and / or the electrical signal (19 ') is an electrical voltage (19'). Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the further step: - outputting (108) an output signal as a function of the detected change in the signal (19; 19 '). Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the further step: - coupling (102) an optical signal (19, 19a) to a first fiber end (18) of the monitoring fibers (16) and detecting (106) the change of the optical Signal (19, 19b) at a second fiber end (22) of the monitoring fibers (16) and / or application of an electrical signal (19 ') at a first fiber end (18) and at a second fiber end (22) of the monitoring fibers (16') and detecting (106) the change of the electrical signal (19 '), each by means of a signal unit, which is part of the evaluation unit (26). System (10) for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer (12), with Monitoring fibers (16; 16 ') disposed in or on the wear protection layer (12), the monitoring fibers (16; 16') being configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal (19; 19 '), and - An evaluation unit (26) which is adapted to detect a change in the monitoring fibers (16) coupled optical signal (19) and / or on the monitoring fibers (16 ') electrical signal (19') to the wear the wear protection layer (12) to monitor. Device with a system (10) according to Claim 10 wherein the wear protection layer (12) is disposed on a component of the device. Wear protection layer (12) with Monitoring fibers (16; 16 ') disposed in or on the wear protection layer (12), the monitoring fibers (16; 16') being configured to conduct an optical and / or electrical signal (19; 19 '), and at least two contacting elements (20, 24) on two fiber ends (18, 22) of the monitoring fibers (16) for coupling and decoupling an optical signal (19) and / or applying an electrical signal (19 ') to the monitoring fibers (16') to switch by means of a change of the signal (19; 19 ') to monitor wear of the wear protection layer (12). Control unit for monitoring wear of a wear protection layer (12), wherein the control device is set up, - a change of an optical signal (19) coupled in monitoring fibers (16) and / or an electrical signal (19 ') applied to monitoring fibers (16'), the monitoring fibers (16; 16 ') being designed to guide the optical and / or electrical signal (19; 19') and also in or on the wear protection layer (12) are arranged to monitor the wear of the wear protection layer (12); and - output a control signal in response to the detected change of the optical signal (19) and / or electrical signal (19 '). Use of monitoring fibers (16, 16 ') in or on a wear protection layer (12) for monitoring wear of the wear protection layer (12), wherein the monitoring fibers (16, 16') are formed, an optical and / or electrical signal (19, 19 '), and by detecting a change of an optical signal (19) coupled into the monitoring fibers (16) and / or an electrical signal (19') applied to the monitoring fibers (16 ') by means of an evaluation unit (26) Wear protection layer (12) is monitored.

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