DE102018122831B4 - equipment carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment carrier, having a number of functional elements (2), the number of functional elements (2) being set up in the same way, so that the functional elements (2) can be interchanged with one another, the functional elements (2) being designed to be pressure-neutral, waterproof and/or hermetically sealed, a number of containers ( 1), wherein the multiple containers (1) are set up in the same way, so that the containers (1) can be interchanged with one another, and each of the multiple containers (1) has a frame (11), side elements (12) and a cavity (13 ) for accommodating at least one of the plurality of functional elements (2), the side elements (12) and the frame (11) being arranged in such a way that the side elements (12) and the frame (11) form the cavity (13) and the functional elements (2) are arranged on the side element (12) and/or on the cover (122) of the side element (12) in such a way that the functional element (2) protrudes into the cavity (13), first coupling elements (3), the plurality of containers ( 1) are designed to be connected to one another by means of the first coupling elements (3), the frame (11) of the container (1) having counterparts to the first coupling elements (3) in order to establish a mechanical and/or electrical connection between the containers ( 1) to produce.

Description

The invention relates to an equipment carrier.

In the field of underwater vehicles, the group of portable underwater systems is of great importance. In the field of marine technology, they primarily serve to monitor and monitor ecosystems, marine biological status variables, as well as exploration of the seabed and inspection of marine engineering structures. Commercially available systems are generally designed for highly specialized applications on the high seas, so that adaptive use, especially in coastal or limnic areas, is only possible to a limited extent.

In general, device carriers are very unwieldy, large and require large infrastructures. A modularity or flexibility is therefore only given to a limited extent.

In WO 2017 / 085 735 A1 , as in CN 104 670 442 A , Additional devices for autonomous underwater vehicles, in particular a modular buoyancy adjustment device for an autonomous underwater vehicle, are disclosed. The autonomous underwater vehicle is an underwater platform that relies on its own power for autonomous navigation and has important application value. Autonomous underwater vehicles are subject to various factors such as sea water depth, sea water temperature, sea water salinity, seasons, sea areas, etc., which are also responsible for changes in the vehicle's buoyancy. The document discloses a device for adjusting the balance between buoyancy and gravity, ie a device for adjusting buoyancy, which can realize automatic balancing of autonomous underwater vehicles when traveling in different waters and depths, thereby enabling adaptive adjustment of different navigation waters. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing buoyancy adjustment device, such as large space occupancy, high weight, low measurement accuracy, etc., it is the object of the invention disclosed here to provide a modular buoyancy adjustment device for autonomous underwater vehicles.

WO 2003/059734 A1 discloses a modular underwater vehicle, the individual modules consisting essentially of pressure chambers which contain technical equipment and protect the same. Due to the bayonet system used, the modules can essentially be coupled with one another and can be interchanged with one another. The disadvantage of this is that the technical equipment is not easily accessible under operating conditions, so that an individual change in position of these is not easily possible, but requires the pressure chambers on the surface to be opened.

The same applies to the in EP 3 257 740 A1 disclosed multi-joint underwater robotic system having a spherical glass pressure housing capable of withstanding deep sea water pressure and shielding built-in equipment from intruding seawater.

DE 10 2007 047 553 A1 discloses an underwater device carrier which, among other things, has devices for processing and examining a sole. A very specific underwater vehicle is described, which is inflexible and designed for a single area of application. There is no modularity and/or task-specific adaptability.

The same applies to the in WO 2016/ 149 199 A1 disclosed devices for conducting inspection of underwater structures.

DE 10 2017 200 078 A1 discloses a modular underwater vehicle having utility elements with a capacity and modular elements. The utility elements are designed to absorb loads, the modular elements to create a streamlined structure. The disclosure is essentially limited to the housing of the underwater vehicle, with this and thus its modules being watertight and pressure-tight.

A disadvantage of the solutions described is that they are only partially standardized and modularized. An adaptation of the device carrier, in form and function, is only possible within predefined limits. In addition, there are no standardized interface solutions for data management and energy supply.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore the object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to enable any configuration of a device carrier, in terms of form and function, according to the requirements of the user, using standardized modules which offer a powerful infrastructure. There should be a standardization of modules for task-specific configurations of equipment carriers, for surface and underwater applications, which simplifies the construction, planning and/or the necessary infrastructure when using the equipment carrier.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a device carrier in which the individual components or entire segments can be manufactured with the aid of technologies from the field of rapid prototyping.

This problem is solved by the features listed in the claims.

According to various embodiments, the device carrier has a number of functional elements, with the number of functional elements being set up essentially in the same way, so that the functional elements can be interchanged with one another. The functional elements are designed to be pressure-neutral, waterproof and/or hermetically sealed. Furthermore, the device carrier according to the invention has a number of containers, with the number of containers being set up essentially in the same way, so that the containers can be interchanged with one another. The several containers each have a frame, side elements and a cavity for receiving one of the functional elements. The side panels and frame of a container are arranged such that the side panels and frame form the cavity. The functional elements are arranged on the side element and/or on the cover of the side element in such a way that they protrude into the cavity. It is conceivable that not just one functional element can be arranged on a container, but several. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the device carrier according to the invention has first coupling elements. The multiple containers of the device carrier are designed so that they can be connected to one another by means of the first coupling elements. For this purpose, the frame of the container has counterparts to the first coupling elements in order to create a mechanical and/or electrical connection between the containers.

According to one embodiment, a side element has a functional element.

According to one embodiment, the frame of a container has a frame cavity, the frame cavity being designed in such a way as to accommodate a cable harness. The cable harness preferably has cables for energy and data transmission. The frame preferably has a plug-in connection, which is connected to the cable harness, so that an electrical connection is established between the containers by means of the first connecting elements.

According to one embodiment, the frame has at least one second coupling element in order to couple one of the several functional elements to one of the containers. Furthermore, the functional elements have a counterpart to the second coupling element. Here again a plug connection is conceivable, with part of the plug connection being arranged on the container or on the frame of the container and part of the plug connection being arranged on the functional element. An electrical connection is made from the functional element to the cable harness by means of the plug connection. A mechanical connection can also be made from the functional element to the container by means of this plug-in connection. For improved mechanical securing of the functional elements on the container, a counterpart to the second coupling element can also be a purely mechanical securing element, for example a thread or a threaded rod. A use of several coupling elements is preferred.

It is also conceivable for a side element to have a functional element, with the functional element being arranged on the side of the side element which faces the cavity of the container. For this purpose, equipping the side elements with the functional elements is conceivable. A functional element is attached to the side element by means of the first coupling elements and the counterparts of the first coupling elements, which can also be located on a side element, for example. The functional element can also be electrically connected to the cable harness via a side element. A container can thus be fitted with the functional element or with a plurality of functional elements by means of a suitable selection of the side elements. Thus, a side element and/or the cover of a side element serves as a placeholder for functional elements or as a structural element, which increases the strength of the container where no functional element is required.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a functional element can have a motor unit, a lighting unit, an energy unit, a sensor unit, a camera unit, an interface unit, a control unit, a communication unit. Further functional elements are conceivable.

According to one embodiment, the motor unit has a force-transmitting coupling to at least one drive element, the at least one drive element being a wheel, a propeller and/or a chain, for example. In this way, it is possible for the user to create a device carrier in the form of a vehicle with chains or wheel drive or even a flying object or a means of transport moving under water by cleverly arranging functional elements with a motor unit together with the desired drive elements.

The lighting unit can have a headlight, light-emitting diodes or other lighting means.

The functional elements are activated by means of the control unit. This is where all the information from the functional elements comes together, which is evaluated, processed and stored by the control unit. For this purpose, the control unit preferably has an internal communication unit, for example an Ethernet modem, and/or a data logger.

The control unit is preferably designed to control the multiple functional elements of the device carrier by means of the cable harness. The control unit is preferably a microcontroller. Ethernet is preferably used for internal communication between the containers. The microcontroller uses an integrated Ethernet modem for this.

Using a computer program, the control unit is able to control the functional elements in such a way that they communicate with one another internally. The computer program can be adjusted by the user. However, the computer program can also work as a function of parameters and use these parameters to control the functional elements. These parameters can be detected by the sensor unit and processed by the control unit. The computer program processes the parameters and automatically generates a control of the functional elements.

The use of sub-control units is also conceivable, with the sub-control units being designed to communicate with one another and/or with the control unit.

Furthermore, the control units and/or sub-control units can be designed to be programmable, so that an application can be adapted to the needs of the user. However, it is also conceivable that there are several control units which are already pre-programmed for certain cases, so that a pre-selection can be made when equipping the equipment carrier. For example, there can be control units which can be used in particular for use in a device carrier capable of flying. Or control units, which are specially prepared for use in the underwater area.

The control unit preferably has a connection point to a storage medium, such as an SD card, USB stick or the like. Other storage media are conceivable.

In addition to the control unit, which is used, among other things, for internal communication, it is also conceivable to use a communication unit which provides external communication. For example, in the underwater area, an acoustic modem or a supply line (umbilical cable) can be used for the connection to the land unit (topside unit, interface to the operator). In the area above the water, broadband radio connections can be used, for example.

According to one embodiment, the energy unit has a receiving device for batteries, rechargeable batteries or other energy storage media. It is also conceivable for the energy unit to have a self-sufficient energy supply unit, with the self-sufficient energy supply unit having a generator which is designed for energy to be input by means of external environmental influences. The arrangement of solar cells or the like is also conceivable for this.

The sensor unit has sensors for recording data. These can be image sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, for example. A use of further sensors is conceivable. The data is passed on to the control unit via the cable harness, which also has data cables, and is evaluated and/or further processed there and/or stored if necessary, or forwarded to external receiving stations by means of the communication unit. The communication unit can have, for example, Ethernet via a supply cable (umbilical), W-LAN and/or Bluetooth. A USB port can be used for maintenance and care as well as for programming the control unit.

According to one embodiment, the functional elements are designed to be pressure-neutral and/or waterproof.

According to one embodiment, the containers are formed from buoyant material.

According to one embodiment, the containers and/or the functional elements are made of printable material.

The containers are coupled to one another by means of the first coupling elements. The first coupling elements preferably have mechanical securing elements in order to prevent the containers from being separated unintentionally. For example, screws or threads or the like can be used for this. In order to ensure electrical coupling of the containers to one another, the first coupling elements preferably have plug-in connections, which can be connected to the counterparts, wel are arranged on the container or on the frame of the container. These plug connectors are preferably pressure-neutral, waterproof and standardized in terms of design and layout, for example plugs and sockets.

An advantage of the device carrier according to the invention is the provision of standardized modules for creating a highly modular device carrier, with the device carrier being able to be configured individually according to the requirements of the user. The standardized modules are provided using the containers and the functional elements. The user assembles the equipment carrier according to his requirements in such a way that, for example, an equipment carrier is created in the form of a caterpillar vehicle, in the form of an airworthy equipment carrier (drone) or in the form of a pressure-neutral underwater vehicle. Other forms and vehicle types of the equipment carrier, which are formed using the modules, are conceivable.

Despite the modular structure of the device carrier according to the invention, the functional elements communicate with one another by means of the cable harness, which is located in the containers, since the functional elements are coupled to the cable harness by means of coupling elements and the first coupling elements connect the cable harnesses of the containers to one another.

Production using modern rapid prototyping technology, such as 3D printing technology, of the container and some of the functional elements would not only open up new design options, but also contribute to optimizing material and production costs. In addition, the production of the containers and/or functional elements and/or the coupling elements can be decentralized: if necessary, the user uses 3D data made available on site to create spare parts.

implementation of the invention

• 1 Geräteträger ausgebildet als Fahrzeug mit Riemenantrieb,
• 2 Geräteträger ausgebildet als Drohne
• 3 Darstellung eines Containers
• 4 Darstellung verschiedener Ausführungsformen erster Kopplungselemente
• 5 Darstellung von Funktionselementen

The invention is explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. show this

• 1 Device carrier designed as a vehicle with belt drive,
• 2 Equipment carrier trained as a drone
• 3 Representation of a container
• 4 Representation of different embodiments of first coupling elements
• 5 Display of functional elements

In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the assembly of the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology such as "up," "down," etc. is used with reference to the orientation of the described drawings. The directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein can be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Within the scope of this description, the terms "connected", "connected" and "coupled" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection (e.g. ohmic and/or electrically conductive, e.g. in an electrically conductive connection), a direct or indirect connection connection as well as a direct or indirect coupling.

In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference symbols, insofar as this is appropriate.

According to various embodiments, the term "coupled" or "coupling" can be understood in the sense of a mechanical, hydrostatic, thermal and/or electrical connection. According to various embodiments, "coupled" can be understood in the sense of a mechanical (physical or physical) coupling. A clutch may be configured to transmit mechanical interaction (e.g., force, torque).

In 1 an implement carrier according to the invention is shown in the form of a vehicle with belt or chain drive. The device carrier has a plurality of functional elements 2, in this exemplary embodiment functional elements 2 with a motor unit 22, with a control unit 21, with an energy unit 25 and with an interface unit 26, with the plurality of functional elements 2 being set up essentially in the same way, so that the functional elements 2 can be interchanged with one another. The equipment carrier of this exemplary embodiment has a plurality of containers 1, with the plurality of containers 1 being set up essentially in the same way, so that the containers 1 can be interchanged with one another. The containers 1 are connected to one another by means of first coupling elements 31 (not shown here) in order to obtain a mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the containers 1 to one another. For this purpose, each of the multiple containers 1 has counterparts to the first coupling elements 31 . Furthermore, each of the multiple containers 1 is designed to accommodate at least one of the multiple functional elements 2 .

According to one embodiment, the container 1 with the motor unit 22 of the illustrated equipment carrier has a force-transmitting coupling in order to couple at least one drive element 221 thereto and to transmit the rotational movement generated to the drive element. in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, the drive element is a belt, wherein the device carrier has two of these belts. The belts are coupled to several containers 1 with functional elements 2 with motor units 22.

The control unit 21 is designed to control the multiple functional elements 2 of the arrangement. For this purpose, cable harnesses, which are located in the container, are electrically connected to each other. The energy required to operate the functional elements 2 is supplied by a functional element with an energy unit 25 .

In 2 is a device carrier according to the invention in the form of an airworthy drone with a propeller drive. The device carrier has a plurality of functional elements 2, in this exemplary embodiment functional elements 2 with a motor unit 22, with a control unit 21, with an energy unit 25 and with an interface unit 26. The plurality of functional elements 2 are essentially set up in the same way, so that the functional elements 2 can be interchanged with one another. The equipment carrier of this exemplary embodiment has a plurality of containers 1, with the plurality of containers 1 being set up essentially in the same way, so that the containers 1 can be interchanged with one another. The containers 1 are connected to one another by means of first coupling elements 31 (not shown here) in order to obtain a mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the containers 1 to one another. Each of the multiple containers 1 is designed to accommodate at least one of the multiple functional elements 2 .

According to one embodiment, the container 1 with the motor unit 22 of the illustrated equipment carrier has a force-transmitting coupling in order to couple at least one drive element 221 thereto and to transmit the rotational movement generated to the drive element. in the in 2 illustrated embodiment, the drive elements are propellers, the equipment carrier having four of these propellers. The propellers are each coupled to a container 1 with a functional element 2 with a motor unit 22 .

The control unit 21 is designed to control the multiple functional elements 2 of the arrangement. For this purpose, cable harnesses 16, which are located in the containers, are electrically connected to one another. The energy required to operate the functional elements 2 is supplied by one or more functional elements from the energy unit 25 and distributed via the cable harnesses 16, in particular the voltage supply cables 161, which are located in the containers. Control signals and data are transmitted via data cables 162 of cable harnesses 16 .

It is conceivable that a device carrier according to the invention has additional elements 4, such as additional elements for stabilization, as here in 2 illustrated using the example of an airworthy equipment carrier.

In 3 the structure of a container 1 is shown. According to one embodiment, a container 1 has a frame 11, side elements 12, comprising a lid 122 and a frame of a side element 121 and a cavity 13 for accommodating the functional element 2 (not shown here) and/or external hardware, the side elements 12 and the frame 11 are arranged such that the side members 12 and the frame 11 form the cavity 13. The functional element 2 is preferably arranged on the side element 12 and/or on the cover of the side element 122 in such a way that the functional element 2 protrudes into the cavity 13 .

According to various embodiments, the frame 11 has a frame cavity 15 , the frame cavity 15 being designed in such a way that a cable harness 16 is accommodated. However, it is also conceivable that the cable harness 16 is not arranged in the frame 11 but in the hollow space 13 or at another point in the container 1 . The cable harness 16 preferably includes power supply lines 161 and data cables 162 . The frame 121 of the side elements 12 preferably covers the cavity of the frame 15 .

The multiple containers 1 are designed to be connected to one another by means of the coupling elements 31 (not shown here) in such a way that the frame 11 has counterparts 33 to the first coupling elements 31 in order to establish a mechanical and/or electrical connection between the containers 1. For this purpose, the coupling elements have mechanical connection elements 311 and/or electrical connection elements 312 on. Primarily for the electrical connection, the electrical connecting elements 312 used are preferably pressure-neutral, waterproof connectors (plugs/sockets) that are standardized in design and layout. These plugs and sockets can also be used for the mechanical connection, but rods, plug connectors, screws, threaded openings, snap and/or click fasteners or the like can also be used as mechanical connecting elements 311 of the first coupling elements 31, which absorb and withstand mechanical loads . The electrical connection elements 312 are preferably integrated in the mechanical connection elements 311 .

It is also conceivable for the first coupling elements to have dummy plugs or for the first coupling elements 31 to be dummy plugs, in order to seal off an open access point to the cable harness 16 in a waterproof, pressure-neutral and/or hermetic manner when the counterparts 33 for the first coupling elements 31 are not used.

The frame 11 has at least one second coupling element 32 for coupling a functional element 2 (not shown here) to the container 1 . For this purpose, the functional element 2 has a counterpart 34 to the coupling element 33 for coupling to a container 1 . Here, too, a design of the second coupling element 32 as a dummy plug is conceivable in order to seal off the cable harness 16 in a watertight and/or pressure-neutral and/or hermetic manner when the container 1 is not equipped with a functional element 2

In 4 various coupling elements 31 are shown, which are designed to couple the plurality of containers 1 to one another. For this purpose, each coupling element 31 has a mechanical connection element 311 and an electrical connection element 312 . 4a) shows a first coupling element 31 for a vertical connection of four containers 1. 4b) shows a first coupling element 31 for a vertical connection of two containers 1. 4c ) shows a first coupling element 31 for a horizontal connection of two containers 1. 54 ) shows a first coupling element 31 for a horizontal connection of four containers 1. 4e) shows a coupling element 31 designed as a dummy piece. Further embodiments of the first coupling elements 31 are conceivable.

In 5 various functional elements 2 are shown. According to various embodiments, these are designed here in such a way that the side elements 12 have the functional elements 2 and/or the side elements 12 are designed as functional elements. The functional elements 2 are also designed for internal container use and have at least one counterpart to a second coupling element 32 . All functional elements 2 are preferably designed to be pressure-neutral, waterproof and/or hermetically sealed. If the size and scope of the functional elements 2 permit, a plurality of functional elements 2 can be arranged in a container 1. Shown are functional elements 2 with control unit 21, with interface unit 27, with battery unit 251, with motor unit 22, with camera unit or sensor unit 26, with lighting unit 23 and with a solar module 252. The motor unit 22 is in 5 shown in two different variants: a regulated brushless DC motor with 250 W 22a) and a regulated brushless DC motor with 1000 W 22b). Other wattages are conceivable, with wattages in the range of 250 W to 5000 W preferably being used.

The interface unit 27 is designed to integrate external hardware into the infrastructure of the equipment carrier, with the external hardware also being accommodated by the cavity 13 .

According to various embodiments, a container 1 and/or a side element 12 and/or a functional element 2 and/or the coupling elements 31, 32, 33, 34 can have additional elements 4. These can, for example, stabilize the device carrier according to the invention or hold it in a certain position.

Reference List

1

Container

11

Frame

12

page element

121

Frame of the side element 12

122

Side panel cover 12

13

Cavity for accommodating a functional element 2

15

Frame cavity 11

16

wire harness

161

power supply

162

data cable

2

functional elements

21

control unit

22

motor unit

221

drive elements

23

lighting unit

24

communication unit

241

Umbilical Module

2411

strain relief

242

radio module

2421

antenna

25

energy unit

251

battery module

252

solar panel

26

sensor unit/camera unit

27

Interface unit and/or external hardware, which is integrated into the infrastructure via an interface module

31

first coupling element for coupling the containers 1

311

mechanical fastener

312

electrical connector

32

second coupling element on a container 1 for coupling the functional elements 2 to the container 1

33

Counterpart to the first coupling elements 31 on a container 1

34

Counterpart to the second coupling element 32 on a functional element 2

4

additional elements

Claims (11)

Device carrier, having several functional elements (2), the several functional elements (2) being set up in the same way, so that the functional elements (2) can be interchanged with one another, the functional elements (2) being designed to be pressure-neutral, waterproof and/or hermetically sealed, a plurality of containers (1), the plurality of containers (1) being set up in the same way, so that the containers (1) are interchangeable, and each of the plurality of containers (1) each having a frame (11), side elements (12) and a Have a cavity (13) for receiving at least one of the plurality of functional elements (2), the side elements (12) and the frame (11) being arranged in such a way that the side elements (12) and the frame (11) form the cavity (13). and the functional elements (2) are arranged on the side element (12) and/or on the cover (122) of the side element (12) in such a way that the functional element (2) protrudes into the cavity (13), first coupling elements (3), the plurality of containers (1) being designed to be connected to one another by means of the first coupling elements (3), the frame (11) of the container (1) having counterparts to the first coupling elements (3) in order to achieve a mechanical and/or electrical Establish connection between the containers (1). equipment carrier claim 1 , characterized in that a side element (12) has a functional element (2). equipment carrier claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the frame (11) has a cavity (15), wherein the cavity (15) is designed in such a way to accommodate a cable harness (16). equipment carrier claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the plurality of containers (1) are designed to be connected to one another by means of the coupling elements (3) in that the frame (11) has counterparts to the first coupling elements (31) in order to establish a mechanical and/or electrical connection to produce between the containers (1). equipment carrier claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the frame (11) has at least one second coupling element (32) for coupling a functional element (2) to the container (1). equipment carrier claim 1 , characterized in that a functional element (2) has a coupling element (33) for coupling to a container (1). equipment carrier claim 1 , characterized in that a functional element (2) comprises a motor unit (22), a lighting unit (23), a communication unit (24), an energy unit (25), a sensor unit (26), an interface unit (27), a control unit (21 ) and/or external hardware elements. equipment carrier claim 7 , characterized in that the motor unit (22) has a force-transmitting coupling to at least one drive element (221). equipment carrier claim 8 , characterized in that the at least one drive element (221) is a wheel, a propeller and/or a chain. equipment carrier claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (21) is designed to control the plurality of functional elements (2) of the arrangement by means of the cable harness. equipment carrier claim 1 , characterized in that the first coupling elements (3) have mechanical connecting elements (311) and/or electrical connecting elements (312).

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