DE102019131316A1 - Measuring system for measuring pressure and / or humidity based on ambient humidity - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring system for measuring pressure and / or humidity, comprising at least one device for measuring pressure and / or humidity, comprising at least one sensor for measuring pressure and / or humidity, the sensor having at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes comprises which, in particular in a horizontal direction along and on a, in particular flexible, carrier material are arranged relative to one another. At least one dielectric layer is arranged between the electrodes. The invention is characterized in that at least one electrode and / or the dielectric layer, at least in places, at least one, at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing moisture layer, is arranged on a side facing away from a carrier material. The at least one electrode and / or the dielectric layer are thus arranged in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer. Thus, a capacitance changes at least partially as a result of the moisture at least partially striking the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and provided for measuring and / or storing measured values of the sensor. This creates a capacitive humidity sensor. The invention is characterized in that the processing unit sends the data measured by the sensor to a central CPU, these data being processed by the processing unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring system for measuring pressure and / or humidity and a method for measuring pressure and / or humidity comprising the respective preambles of claims 1 and 10.

The measuring system according to the invention for measuring pressure and / or moisture comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and / or moisture, the sensor comprising at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes which, in particular in a horizontal direction, along and on one, in particular flexible, carrier material are arranged with respect to one another, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

The horizontal direction is preferably a main direction of extent of the flexible carrier material.

“Flexible” in this context means that the carrier material is at least in places flexible and therefore elastic.

In particular, the carrier material can be a woven fabric or some other clothing material, such as a polyester, for example.

The dielectric layer thus separates the two electrodes in a horizontal and / or in a transverse direction perpendicular thereto.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and / or the dielectric layer, at least in places, at least one, at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing moisture layer is arranged on a side facing away from the carrier material, with the at least one electrode and / or dielectric layer in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the moisture at least partially hitting the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and provided to measure and / or store the measured values of the sensor, so that a capacitive moisture sensor arises.

A capacitive humidity sensor is basically a capacitor whose dielectric preferably consists of a hygroscopic polymer layer that absorbs (absorbs) or releases (desorbs) humidity according to the humidity of the ambient air until a state of equilibrium (diffusion gradient = 0) is reached. The dielectric constant of the polymer material changes as a function of the moisture content.

The task of the processing unit is, among other things, to determine the relative humidity as precisely as possible from a measured ambient temperature and the humidity-dependent capacitance value of the sensor.

According to the invention, the data measured by the sensor are sent from the processing unit to a central CPU (Central Processing Unit), these data being processed by the processing unit. The CPU and the processing unit are preferably different from each other. For example, the CPU and the processing unit are spaced apart from each other. In particular, the processing unit and the CPU cannot be arranged on a common carrier and / or substrate if the carrier is not the carrier material, that is to say, for example, a textile.

It is also conceivable that the device claimed here, and in particular the sensors, are installed on an inner surface of a tire. It is also conceivable that the sensors are even incorporated into the material of the tire. It is conceivable that the sensors are all inserted into the material and thus encased by the material of the tire and that the processing units are arranged on the inner surface of the tire. Alternatively, however, the processing units can also be incorporated into the material of the tire. The sensors can then detect the internal tire pressure, the internal tire temperature and / or the individual or total running time of the tire.

According to at least one embodiment, the measuring system comprises at least one device for measuring pressure and / or humidity, the device having at least one sensor for measuring pressure and / or humidity, the sensor comprising at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which in particular are in are arranged in a horizontal direction along and on an in particular flexible carrier material to one another, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and / or dielectric layer, at least in places, at least one, at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing layer (= moisture layer) is arranged on a side facing away from the carrier material, with the at least one electrode and / or dielectric layer between them in the transverse direction the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged, so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the moisture at least partially hitting the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and provided for measuring and / or storing these measured values of the sensor, so that a capacitive moisture sensor is created.

In the context of the present application, “moisture-absorbing layer” can be understood to mean an at least partial absorption of moisture from an ambient medium into the layer itself. Moisture can therefore be understood as a gaseous or droplet phase in the surrounding medium. The moisture can be contained in the ambient air or some other ambient medium of the layer.

The water or liquid content of air is generally referred to as humidity. The absolute humidity indicates how much water or liquid vapor is contained in the volume unit of the gas mixture; Unit of measurement: g water (or other liquid) · m ^-3 The relative humidity is the quotient of the amount of liquid vapor present in the gas at a certain temperature and the saturation amount of liquid vapor possible at the same temperature. The relative humidity is usually given in percent (%). To do this, the quotient is multiplied by 100. If the air is saturated, ie the relative humidity is 100%, some of the liquid in the air is liquid. In this case, the associated liquid-gas mixture is referred to as haze or mist.

The term moisture or dampness can be the measure of the presence of water or another liquid in or on a material (e.g. textiles) or a substance or in a gas or in a room.

The moisture-absorbing moisture layer described here can therefore differ from a, in particular only liquid-absorbing (moisture) layer, among other things in that the moisture-absorbing moisture layer is made of a material which, in addition to adsorbing liquid, also absorbs moisture contained in the surrounding medium. However, it is also conceivable that the moisture-absorbing moisture layer merely absorbs moisture in the surrounding medium of the layer and therefore cannot absorb any liquid.

According to the invention, the data measured by the sensor are sent from the processing unit to a central CPU (Central Processing Unit), these data being processed by the processing unit.

The sensor and / or the processing unit and / or the central CPU can be supplied with electrical energy by means of a battery or a landline power supply.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to generate electrical energy to supply the sensor and / or processing unit by means of so-called “energy harvesting”.

Energy harvesting refers to the production of small amounts of electrical energy from sources such as ambient temperature, vibrations or air currents for mobile devices with low power. The structures used for this are also known as nanogenerators. With wireless technologies, energy harvesting avoids restrictions due to wired power supply or batteries.

• - Piezoelektrische Kristalle erzeugen bei Krafteinwirkung, beispielsweise durch Druck oder Vibration, elektrische Spannungen. Diese Kristalle können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• - Thermoelektrische Generatoren und pyroelektrische Kristalle gewinnen aus Temperaturunterschieden elektrische Energie. Diese Generatoren können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• - Über Antennen kann die Energie von Radiowellen, eine Form von elektromagnetischer Strahlung, aufgefangen und energetisch verwendet werden. Ein Beispiel dafür sind die passiven RFIDs. Diese Antennen können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• - Photovoltaik, elektrische Energie aus der Umgebungsbeleuchtung.
• - Osmose.

Energy harvesting options:

• - Piezoelectric crystals generate electrical voltages when a force is applied, for example through pressure or vibration. These crystals can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• - Thermoelectric generators and pyroelectric crystals generate electrical energy from temperature differences. These generators can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• - The energy of radio waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation, can be captured and used energetically via antennas. Passive RFIDs are an example of this. These antennas can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• - Photovoltaics, electrical energy from ambient lighting.
• - osmosis.

An energy store of the device can be part of a processing unit. For this purpose, one or more of the processing units can have such an energy store (local energy store). For example, only one or some of the processing units have such an energy store, so that one of these processing units supplies another processing unit (namely one which does not have an energy store) with electrical energy.

It is also conceivable that the energy storage unit (s) of the processing unit (s) with the CPU electrical energy supplied in whole or in part. For example, the CPU cannot be connected to any other energy stores and / or energy supply lines.

At least one of the energy stores can be charged via the aforementioned energy harvesting.

The energy transfer between the sensors and / or the processing units and / or the CPU can take place entirely or partially wirelessly.

The wireless energy transmission in the near field, also referred to as non-radiative coupling, includes, for example, the inductive coupling, based on the magnetic flux. The term wireless energy transmission is often used synonymously for inductive energy transmission, as this plays a dominant role in practical applications. Wave phenomena play no role in the non-radiating coupling in the near field.

For example, the wireless energy transfer between the individual elements takes place by means of inductive coupling, resonant inductive coupling and / or capacitive coupling.

• - Anordnungsort des Sensors oder der Sensoren auf dem Trägermaterial, wobei das Trägermaterial in Flächengebiete eingeteilt ist, und innerhalb eines Flächengebiets nur Sensoren einer Gruppe angeordnet sind,
• - Flächenausdehnung eines Sensors.

According to at least one embodiment, the measuring system has at least two sensors, the processing unit dividing the sensors into groups of at least one sensor on the basis of at least one of the following criteria:

• - Location of the sensor or sensors on the carrier material, the carrier material being divided into surface areas and only sensors of one group being arranged within a surface area,
• - Area of a sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the measuring system comprises at least two devices for measuring pressure and / or humidity, each processing unit forwards its data received from the sensors to the central CPU. The data connection between the processing unit and the central CPU can be wired (with data connections) or wireless. For this purpose, at least one processing unit can set up a Bluetooth connection to the central CPU.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one device comprises at least two sensors. In this respect, a sensor group can already be formed by these two sensors. The two sensors can then be controlled and / or regulated by a common processing unit.

It is conceivable that the plurality of processing units form a processing network, the acquisition, processing and / or forwarding of the sensor data and / or the processing data of each sensor and / or each processing unit being controlled by at least one control device (master). The control unit can be identical to the CPU described above.

However, it is also possible that one or more of the processing units represent the master, which controls the other processing units (slaves) and / or the other sensors (slaves).

For example, one of the processing units and / or the CPU can, after the device has been put into operation (for example, after the device has been switched on), select such sensors which are put into operation for a predefinable period of use. Alternatively, all or some sensors can also be put into operation, but then it is conceivable that a processing unit and / or the CPU, in particular for the purpose of saving energy, only forwards data of a predetermined number (i.e. fewer than all sensors) from sensors to the CPU (Filtering).

This master processing unit can preferably communicate with the CPU as the only unit.

As an alternative or in addition, it is also conceivable that one or all of the processing units and / or a sensor (slave or master) communicate directly with the CPU.

According to at least one embodiment, the processing network can be subdivided into at least two, only logically separated, network segments (VLANs) by means of at least one VLAN switch, each of the detection elements depending on the control by a VLAN switch and / or the control device and thus by each of the network segments can be controlled.

If, for example, a very large area (for example a textile) is equipped with a large number of sensors and processing units used here, individual processing units and / or sensors can then be categorized in a particularly simple manner (according to different priorities, etc.). Thus, in one embodiment, instead of a physical network subdivision, a “virtual”, that is to say VLAN, subdivision is used elected. This is because this ensures that changes in the categorization of the processing units and / or sensors can be responded to particularly quickly and without costly conversion work.

According to at least one embodiment, the measuring system comprises at least one processing network, whereby by means of at least one VLAN switch of the processing network, this can be subdivided into at least two, only logically separated, network segments (VLAN), and each processing unit and / or each of the sensors as a function can be controlled from the control by the VLAN switch through each of the network segments.

For this purpose, the VLAN switch can be installed in at least one of the processing units and / or sensors or in a separate component.

According to at least one embodiment, the VLAN switch is used to prioritize the individual network segments, in particular with regard to their data exchange.

According to at least one embodiment, each processing unit and / or each network segment is assigned at least one VLAN ID, with at least one sensor or another processing unit being controllable via each of the VLAN IDs. Individual sensors and / or individual processing units can form their own sub-network.

In order to communicate across network boundaries, static project-dynamic routes are used in the prior art. This model of separation is clear and straightforward and has been used for years. However, this has the disadvantage that broadcast requests in the subnet are visible to all participants and must be viewed by the endpoints. In other words, until now, different end devices could only be controlled via corresponding, separate and physically separate switches assigned to each subnet. However, such a structure is particularly expensive and extensive in design.

As already mentioned above, the design of each subnetwork with a separate switch and separate physical data lines is therefore particularly dispensed with, so that a single physical structure can be used for the entire network, this physical structure, i. H. Network architecture, is only separated on the basis of a logical, in particular also mathematical, distinction (i.e., thought).

The abbreviation “VLAN switch” denotes such a network switch, which is set up and intended to operate a network in the form of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN).

In this respect, the network segments now claimed, which can each be designed in the form of a VLAN network, enable the separation of the network to be divided into several logical segments, that is to say the network segments.

In contrast to the physical separation through the assignment to a switch port, the devices are logically separated by a VLAN ID when they are separated by VLANs. The data stream of each station is given an identifier (the VLAN “tag”). This identifier determines whether a data packet belongs to a specific VLAN. All devices with the same VLAN ID are now in a logical network.

In particular, a broadcast can be limited by the logical separation of the individual networks. Broadcasts are only distributed to members of the same VLAN and not to all control elements attached to the switch.

This not only contributes to higher performance, but also to more security, because the data traffic is restricted to fewer addressees. In addition, users or the control elements in a VLAN usually have no way of breaking out of the assigned VLAN. Access (or attack) to another computer that does not belong to your own VLAN can therefore be prevented by the network switch. If cross-VLAN communication is necessary, routes can be set up for this purpose.

In particular, it is pointed out that the VLAN technology described here can be one which is adapted to the industrial standard IEEE 802.1Q and / or is compatible with it.

The IEEE 802.1Q standard is a prioritization and VLAN technology standardized by the IEEE, which, in contrast to the older, only port-based VLANs, implements packet-based tagged VLANs. The term “tagged” is derived from the English term “material tags”.

Tagged VLANS are therefore networks that use network packets that have a special VLAN tag.

In particular, data fields for V-LAN tagging are defined in the 802.1Q standard that can be introduced in the data area of an Ethernet packet.

To this extent, the present network can be designed in the form of an Ethernet communication system.

This has the advantage that existing, older switches can usually also forward such packets. The inserted tag usually consists of several fields, for example four fields with a total length of 32 bits.

2 bytes are used for the protocol ID, 3 bits for the priority field, 1 bit for the canonical format indicator and 12 bits for the VLAN ID.

In order to clearly identify a VLAN, each VLAN is first assigned a unique number. This number is called the VLAN ID. A detection module that is equipped with VLAN-ID = 1 can communicate with any other device in the same VLAN, but not with a device in another VLAN, e.g. B. ID = 2, 3, ....

In order to differentiate between the VLANS, an Ethernet frame is extended by 4 bytes according to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. Of these, 12 bits are provided for the VLAN ID, so that (without using the canonical format) 4096-2 = 4094 VLANS are theoretically possible.

It is conceivable that the individual logical network connections according to an OPC standard, i. H. for example in the form of OPC UA connections. In particular, it is conceivable that several OPC UA endpoints with different IP addresses, VLAN IDs and prioritization according to the above-mentioned IEEE 802.1Q standard are available via the control device.

If a network segment that has been assigned a specific VLAN ID unambiguously, preferably unambiguously, has a higher priority than a network segment that differs therefrom, only in logical terms, with a correspondingly different VLAN ID, the control device and / or the VLAN switch can be provided to initially prefer the data exchange of the higher-priority network segment in order to allow the lower-priority network segment to be processed only after the tasks assigned to this higher-priority network segment have been dismantled.

In other words, the following generally applies: Assignment and configuration of the OPC UA endpoints to a specific network segment according to the VLAN ID and assignment of a priority according to the priority of the corresponding VLAN.

According to at least one embodiment, each sensor and / or each processing unit is assigned at least one VLAN ID and each network segment is in turn assigned at least one, for example exactly one, unambiguously, preferably one-to-one, VLAN ID, with at least one control element over each of the VLAN IDs is controllable. According to at least one embodiment, at least one device comprises at least one temperature sensor, the temperature sensor measuring an ambient temperature and / or a temperature of a sensor and forwards it to the processing unit of a device and / or to the central CPU.

According to at least one embodiment, the central CPU determines a degree of utilization (CPU load and / or memory consumption) of at least one processing unit, whereby when a limit temperature of the processing unit and / or at least the sensor assigned to this processing unit is exceeded, its performance is at least partially throttled or switched off completely

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor is additionally a capacitive pressure sensor, the processing unit also being set up and provided to measure and / or store a change in capacitance of the capacitor caused by external pressure.

A capacitive sensor is basically a sensor that works on the basis of the change in the electrical capacitance of an individual capacitor or a capacitor system. The capacity to be recorded can be influenced in various ways, which are primarily determined by the intended use.

• - Eine Platte wird durch den zumessenden Effekt verschoben und/oder verformt, wodurch sich der Plattenabstand und damit die elektrische messbare Kapazität ändern.
• - Die Platten sind starr und die Kapazität an Sich ändert sich dadurch, dass ein elektrisch leitendes Material oder ein Dielektrikum in unmittelbare Nähe gebracht wird.
• - Die wirksame Plattenfläche ändert sich, indem die Platten wie bei einem Drehkondensator gegeneinander verschoben werden.

A capacitive sensor is based, among other things, on the fact that two electrodes, one of which can be the surface to be measured, form the "plates" of an electrical capacitor whose capacitance or change in capacitance is measured, which can be influenced as follows:

• - A plate is displaced and / or deformed by the effect being measured, which changes the plate spacing and thus the measurable electrical capacitance.
• - The plates are rigid and the capacitance is changed by the fact that an electrical conductive material or a dielectric is brought into close proximity.
• - The effective plate area changes when the plates are shifted against each other like a variable capacitor.

In order to be able to detect even small changes better, the actual measuring electrode can often be surrounded by a shielding electrode, which shields the inhomogeneous edge area of the electric field from the measuring electrode.This results in an approximately parallel electric field with the known characteristics of an ideal between measuring electrodes, usually grounded counterelectrodes Plate capacitor.

A capacitive pressure sensor is in particular one in which the change in capacitance due to the bending of a membrane and the resulting change in the plate spacing is evaluated as a sensor effect. For example, the membrane is the above-mentioned dielectric or else the individual capacitor electrodes, which can in particular be designed in the form of a plate. In other words, in such an embodiment, a capacitive humidity sensor is combined with a capacitive pressure sensor in a novel way, but without these components forming separate elements or two separate sensors, rather the present embodiment is a "two in one". -Concept in which the same sensor functions as both a humidity sensor and a pressure sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the carrier material is a woven material, in particular in which electrical conductor tracks for electrical contacting of the sensor and the processing unit are woven.

In the context of the invention, a woven fabric is therefore a fabric that has been woven manually or by machine on the basis of individual threads.

The electrical conductor tracks can therefore also be integrated in a fabric in addition to the usual fibers and strands of fabric, or they can replace individual strands of fabric which form the fabric network.

Depending on the distance and properties of the individual threads (twisted up, fluffy, etc.), very loose fabrics such as bandages or dense fabrics such as brocade fabric can be created. Woven fabrics are longitudinally elastic through elastic threads used as warp threads (more ribbons used) or crimped and bulked yarns. They are tense, processed and contract when at rest. Bulky yarns consist of textured, i.e. crimped synthetic fibers. The crimp changes the properties of the synthetic fibers. The yarns spun on it are very elastic and voluminous and have good thermal insulation.

For example, the carrier material can be part of a cover fabric for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat or an office chair. In this respect, however, the sensor can preferably be the entire device applied to the cover material of such a seat or integrated into such a seat.

For example, the processing unit is set up and provided to record the individual humidity and pressure values and to determine at least one respective characteristic value from a combination of the individual humidity and pressure values, from which it can be derived which individual (with weight and / or height) ) currently occupies the vehicle seat.

For example, a weight of the respective person can be derived and determined from the pressure measurement by the processing unit. The respective moisture that the respective person emits to the sensor can also be measured, the respective characteristic value being, for example, a product of the relative humidity value times the load weight determined by the processing unit.

If such a characteristic value exceeds a corresponding limit value, the processing unit can issue a warning, in particular by means of a connection to the electronics of the vehicle. This warning may indicate that the seat is overcrowded or that the driver is sweating too much. However, this warning can also be replaced by a corresponding display indicating which occupancy type is using the seat. An occupancy type can be a weight classification of a respective user, or it can also be a question of whether the user is an animal, a person or a thing. The processing unit can therefore preferably be integrated into display electronics of the vehicle, but at least can be connected to such.

For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit connects to a receiving unit of the vehicle, for example via Bluetooth or another wireless connection, and the respective characteristic or limit value and / or the respective warning and / or the respective identification of the user is reproduced on a display of the vehicle become.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that these individual values and / or identifications can also be called up and / or displayed externally. For example, the car can be monitored for overcrowding by an external controller.

For example, the processing unit can be connected to a triggering unit of an airbag by means of a data connection, so that the processing unit can also control and / or regulate the triggering unit, in particular with regard to a triggering time of the airbag. Additionally and / or alternatively, it is possible for the processing unit to supply a controller unit of the airbag with data, for example with regard to an occupancy type, position and / or weight of a user of the vehicle seat.

These data can lead to the deployment time and the deployment sequence of the airbag being adapted to the user, so that personal injury to the user is avoided.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one electrode and / or dielectric layer is printed on the carrier material or on a, in particular water-impermeable, layer arranged on the carrier material or applied by means of a thin-film method.

This means that at least one element, preferably both the electrode and the dielectric layer, is printed on the carrier material or a preferably electrically non-conductive, further preferably water-impermeable layer applied between the sensor and the carrier material by means of a printing process.

The printing process can be an inkjet process, for example.

For example, the processing unit is applied to the carrier material in the same way as the sensor. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit, but at least one, in particular conductive, layer of the processing unit is, for example, printed onto the carrier material. The data communication between the processing unit and the sensor can then take place via the conductor tracks mentioned above. These conductor tracks can be at least partially, but preferably completely, woven into the woven fabric or even form individual fibers of the woven fabric itself.

For example, at least one electrode is designed to be flat. This means that a thickness of the electrode is negligible compared to its areal extension. Such an electrode can therefore be produced in particular by means of a printing process.

Alternatively, a thickness of at least one electrode can be at most 5 mm. For this purpose, the printing process can be used several times, so that at least two, but then preferably more, individual printing layers are stacked one on top of the other.

Furthermore, the electrode can also be arranged on the carrier material by means of a 3D printing process.

The FDM process (Fused Deposition Modeling)

Alternative names: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused Layer Modeling (FLM)

The process refers to the application of layers (extrusion) of a material through a hot nozzle. The consumable material is in the form of a long wire (so-called filament) on a roll and is pushed into a print head by the conveyor unit, where it is melted down and placed on a print bed. The print head and / or print bed can be moved in three directions. In this way, layers of plastic can be applied to one another in stages.

The SLS process (selective laser sintering)

In contrast to the sintering process, in which substances are bonded together in powder form under the action of heat, in the SLS process this is done selectively by a laser (alternatively also electron beam or infrared beam). So only a certain part of the powder is melted together.

For this purpose, a thin layer of powder is always applied to the printing bed by the coating unit. The laser (or other energy source) is now aimed precisely at individual points of the powder layer in order to form the first layer of the print data. The powder is melted or melted and then solidifies again by cooling it slightly. The unmelted powder remains around the sintered areas and serves as a support material. After a layer has solidified, the print bed lowers by a fraction of a millimeter. The coating unit now moves over the print bed and applies the next layer of powder. The second layer of the print data is then sintered by the laser (or other energy source). This creates a three-dimensional object in layers.

Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP)

The 3DP process works very similarly to selective laser sintering, but instead of a directed energy source, a print head moves over the powder. This releases tiny droplets of binding agent onto the underlying powder layers, which are thus bonded to one another. Otherwise this procedure is the same as the SLS procedure.

Stereolithography (SLA)

Instead of a plastic wire or printing material in powder form, liquid resins, so-called photopolymers, are used in the stereolithography process. They are hardened in layers by UV radiation and thus create three-dimensional objects. To do this, the construction platform in the Harz Basin is gradually lowered. There are also variants (the so-called Polyjet process) without an entire tank with liquid resin. For this, an epoxy resin is applied drop by drop from a nozzle and cured immediately by a UV laser.

Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Alternative designation: Layer Laminated Manufacturing (LLM)

The process is based neither on chemical reactions nor on a thermal process. The contour is cut with a separating tool (e.g. a knife or carbon dioxide laser), a film or a plate (e.g. paper) and glued on top of each other in layers. By lowering the construction platform, a layered object is created from glued, overlapping foils.

One or more water-impermeable layers and / or also the moisture layer can be applied in the same type and / or thickness as the electrode.

According to at least one embodiment, the moisture layer completely covers the capacitor.

This can mean that the moisture layer delimits and closes off the sensor to the outside, that is to say in the transverse direction, so that the sensor is arranged between the moisture layer and the carrier material.

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor has at least one further capacitor, which is arranged in the transverse direction below or above the capacitor and spaced apart from the capacitor by a further water-impermeable layer or is arranged below this further water-impermeable layer, so that a capacitor stack is created.

The further capacitor can be constructed in the same way as the capacitor and can also be arranged on the further water-impermeable layer in the same way as the capacitor.

By means of such a capacitor stack, the sensor system can be particularly easily refined insofar as it is conceivable that, with two sensors forming the capacitor stack, both sensors perform the same tasks, but the individual sensors determine respective measured values which, taken together, conclude a mean value to let. For example, the (relative) humidity of the environment is measured by each of the two sensors, the average humidity value then being determined from these two measured values. The same can be done accordingly with the pressure measurement, so that the accuracy of the entire measurement, in particular a combination of the measurements of (relative) humidity and the respective pressure, can be configured particularly precisely.

According to at least one embodiment, the water-impermeable layer and / or the further water-impermeable layer at least partially form the dielectric layer itself.

This can mean that instead of separately positioning a dielectric layer next to the water-impermeable layer and / or next to the further water-impermeable layer, this dielectric layer itself is formed by the water-impermeable layer and / or the further water-impermeable layer.

Such a production of the dielectric layer by the water-impermeable layer (s) therefore forms a particularly simple and cost-effective production method for an inexpensive device.

Apart from this, the electrodes, the dielectric layer and the water-impermeable layer (s) can in principle be arranged in relation to one another in such a way that an electrical short circuit is prevented in any case.

According to at least one embodiment, a maximum thickness of the moisture layer is at least 30% and at most 80% of the maximum thickness of the water-impermeable layer and / or the maximum thickness of the further water-impermeable layer.

This not only ensures a particularly flat sensor, but also ensures a particularly fast response time to changes in humidity. The moisture acting from the outside on the moisture layer therefore does not have to travel long distances to the dielectric.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for measuring pressure and / or humidity, it being particularly noted that all of the features disclosed for the device described above are also disclosed for the method described here, and vice versa.

According to at least one embodiment, the method for measuring pressure and / or humidity initially comprises a first step by means of which at least one measuring system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, is provided, with at least one sensor for measuring pressure and / or by the measuring system Moisture is provided, the sensor having at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which are arranged, in particular in a horizontal direction along and on a, in particular flexible, carrier material to one another, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and / or the dielectric layer, at least in places, at least one, at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing moisture layer is arranged on a side facing away from the carrier material, with the at least one electrode and / or the dielectric layer in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged so that a capacitance changes at least partially due to the moisture at least partially hitting the dielectric layer, a processing unit measuring and / or storing this change, so that a capacitive moisture sensor is created.

The method described above has the same advantages and advantageous configurations as the device described above.

The invention described here is described in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments and the associated figures.

Identical or identically acting components are provided with the same reference symbols.

The 1A to 1C show an exemplary embodiment of a measuring system according to the invention described here.

In the 2 a device according to the invention for measuring pressure and / or humidity is shown in a first embodiment.

In the 3 is a schematic perspective view shown in relation to the layer order exploded drawing.

In the 4th a further embodiment of a device described here is shown.

The 1A is a section of a schematic structure of a measuring system according to the invention described here 1000 shown. A processing unit can be seen 5 which are in data communication with a plurality of sensors 1 is. The processing unit 5 forms together with the sensors 1 a device 100 . From the individual sensors 1 measured humidity and / or pressure values are a central CPU 40 sent to be stored and / or processed there. There is also a temperature sensor 60 , which is an ambient temperature and / or a temperature of the sensor 1 measures and to the processing unit 5 the device 100 and / or to the central CPU 40 forwards.

The 1B shows schematically the entire measuring system 1000 , with a plurality of sensor groups, which by the individual devices 100 for measuring pressure and / or humidity are formed and which each have a processing unit 5 demonstrate. Each processing unit 4th is therefore a plurality of sensors 1 assigned.

The 1C shows schematically an installation and integration of the measuring system 1000 in a chair, especially in an office chair.

How now that 2 can be seen, there is a device 100 shown for measuring pressure and / or humidity.

An example is a sensor there 1 shown, the sensor 1 shows a capacitor stack with a capacitor 20th , as well as a capacitor 30th , with the individual electrodes 10 , 11 the capacitors 20th , 30th in the horizontal direction H1 are arranged one above the other, although as an alternative, of course, an arrangement of the individual electrodes 10 , 11 a single capacitor 20th , 30th in the transverse direction Q1 which is perpendicular to the horizontal direction H1 runs and thus also perpendicular to the main direction of extent of the sensor shown there 1 can run or be arranged.

The individual electrodes 10 , 11 are on a carrier material 13th arranged. In which Carrier material 13th it can in particular be a woven fabric, in particular a flexible woven fabric.

On the carrier material 13th is a waterproof layer 4th arranged, on this waterproof layer 4th the two electrodes 10 , 11 of the capacitor 20th in the horizontal direction H1 are printed.

The electrodes 10 , 11 of the capacitor 20th are completely covered by a further impermeable layer 14th surround. On this waterproof layer 14th is the further capacitor in the same way 30th with appropriate electrodes 10 , 11 imprinted. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment there are exposed outer surfaces of the individual electrodes 10 , 11 of the further capacitor 30th preferably completely of a water-permeable and / or water-absorbing moisture layer 3 surround.

About this layer of moisture 3 can water on a dielectric layer 4th meet, which in the present case in the horizontal direction H1 between the respective electrodes 10 , 11 a capacitor 20th , 30th is arranged.

In the present embodiment of the 2 and 3 forms the waterproof layer 4th itself a dielectric layer 4th of the capacitor 20th on. The same applies to the further waterproof layer 14th in relation to the further capacitor 30th .

By impinging and penetrating moisture over the moisture layer 3 the dielectric properties in particular of the dielectric layer 2 of the further capacitor 30th changed.

In addition, there is a processing unit 5 recognizable which in the data technical contract with the two capacitors 20th , 30th stands, this processing unit 5 set up and provided for this, a change in the relative humidity of the environment and / or the moisture layer 3 to eat.

Through the in the 3 "Stackwise" arrangement shown and by the fact that the further water-impermeable layer 14th prevents the capacitor 20th comes into contact with moisture, it can therefore be provided that only the further capacitor 30th and its dielectric layer 4th exposed to moisture. The processing unit 5 then a change in the capacitance of the further capacitor 30th compare with the stable capacitor capacitance of the capacitor 20th so that for this purpose a particularly simple comparison can be made in the change in relative humidity and / also in the respective loading pressure.

Through the in the 2 The arrow shown is also a pressure direction under which the sensor 1 pressurized is shown. Both can preferably be done by the sensor 1 and in particular by the device 100 can be measured, evaluated and saved. The processing unit shown as essential in the invention is used for this purpose 5 , which also include corresponding pressure values and, in this respect, related changes in the capacity of the individual sensors 1 can measure and evaluate, so that the processing unit 5 a change in capacitance of the capacitor caused by external pressure is also set up and provided for this 20th and in particular also of the further capacitor 30th to measure and / or store.

The moisture layer 3 can be designed to be flexible or not flexible. It is also possible that the moisture layer 3 is designed as a woven fabric. In particular, it can be a woven fabric, which was mentioned as an example in the introductory part of the present application. In addition, however, it is also possible that it is the moisture layer 3 is a substrate which, for example, in the form of an epitaxy or an adhesive process on the further capacitor 30th applied, for example glued on.

The waterproof layer 14th and / or the waterproof layer 15th can be just as flexible and inflexible, in particular also in the form of a woven fabric or a substrate in the same way as the moisture layer 3 be trained.

In addition, it is advantageously conceivable that the electrodes 10 , 11 of the two capacitors 20th , 30th on the waterproof layer 14th and the further waterproof layer 15th in the form of a printing process, for example an inkjet printing process.

In the 3 an exploded view is shown, in particular from the 3 the respective arrangement of the electrodes 10 , 11 the capacitors 20th , 30th emerges. The force acting on the sensor shown by the direction of the arrow can again be seen 1 , as well as moisture acting through the individual drops shown schematically. In particular, it can again be seen that the moisture is in particular between the electrodes 10 , 11 penetrates and onto the respective water-permeable layer 14th has a significant effect on the electrical property, for example, so that the capacitance of at least the further capacitor 30th like in the 1 explained in each case changes.

In the 4th is shown in a further embodiment of the invention described here that the sensor 1 from two electrodes 10 , as well as an electrode 11 can exist. The electrodes 10 have one polarity (preferably the same polarity) while the electrode 11 has a polarity different therefrom, but in the lower part of the figure 3 the exploded view of the left part of the 3 is shown and it can be seen that three water-impermeable layers 4th , 14th , 15th be used. The electrodes 10 can also have different polarities and / or electrical potentials. The electrodes 10 be electrically connected to each other.

For example, the electrodes 10 , 11 also each have and / or generate a separate polarity and / or a separate electrical potential. The same can also apply to those in the following figures with regard to the electrodes.

For example, the lowermost water-impermeable layer is in turn the water-impermeable layer 4th , the subsequent waterproof layer 14th and those in the transverse direction Q1 water-impermeable layer arranged thereon 15th a further water-impermeable layer, with one electrode in each case being applied, in particular printed, to a separate water-impermeable layer.

In this stacking of the individual waterproof layers 4th , 14th and 15th Therefore, by merging these layers, the left part of the 4th shown capacitor 20th generated, doing this in the transverse direction Q1 who have favourited electrodes 10 each, as can be seen in the corresponding partial image, are arranged on different levels.

Alternatively, the electrode can also be used 11 together with at least one of the electrodes 10 in a common plane, that is to say on or in a common water-impermeable layer 4th , 14th , 15th applied so that, for example, only the second of the electrodes 10 on a separate waterproof layer 4th , 14th , 15th needs to be stacked.

In principle, the individual electrodes 10, 11 can therefore be arranged in different planes in the Q1 direction with respect to one another. For example, there is a paired assignment between exactly one water-impermeable layer 4th , 14th , 15th with exactly one electrode 10 , 11 .

The invention is not restricted by the description based on the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature, as well as every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

sensor

3

Moisture layer

4th

dielectric layer / waterproof layer

5

Processing unit

10

electrode

11

electrode

12th

electrode

13th

Carrier material

14th

waterproof layer

15th

waterproof layer

20th

capacitor

30th

capacitor

40

CPU

60

Temperature sensor

100

contraption

200

Procedure

1000

Measuring system

H1

horizontal direction

Q1

Transverse direction

Claims (10)

Measuring system (1000) for measuring pressure and / or humidity, comprising at least one device (100) for measuring pressure and / or humidity, comprising at least one sensor (1) for measuring pressure and / or humidity, the sensor (1 ) - At least one capacitor (20) with at least two electrodes (10, 11), which are arranged, in particular in a horizontal direction (H1) along and on a, in particular flexible, carrier material (13) to one another, wherein between the electrodes ( 10, 11) at least one dielectric layer (4) is arranged, with at least one electrode (10, 11) and / or the dielectric layer (2) at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material (13) at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing moisture layer (3) is arranged, with the at least one electrode (10, 11) and / or the dielectric layer (4) in a transverse direction (Q1) between the carrier material (13) and the moisture layer ( 3) are arranged so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the moisture at least partially striking the dielectric layer (4), a processing unit (5) being set up and provided for measuring and / or adding measured values from the sensor (1) store, so that a capacitive humidity sensor is created, characterized in that the processing unit (5) sends the data measured by the sensor to a central CPU (40), these data being processed by the processing unit (5). Measuring system (1000) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring system (1000) has at least two sensors (1), the processing unit (5) dividing the sensors (1) into groups of at least one sensor (1) on the basis of at least one of the following criteria: Location of the sensor (1) or the sensors (1) on the carrier material (13), the carrier material (13) being divided into surface areas, and only sensors (1) of a group being arranged within a surface area, - surface area of a sensor (1 ). Measuring system (1000) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized by at least two devices (100) for measuring pressure and / or humidity, each processing unit (5) forwards its data received from the sensors (1) to the central CPU (40). Measuring system (1000) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one device (100) comprises at least two sensors (1). Measuring system (1000) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one device (100) comprises at least one temperature sensor (60), the temperature sensor (60) measuring an ambient temperature and / or a temperature of a sensor (1) and transmitting it to the processing unit (5) of a device (100) and / or forwards to the central CPU (40). Measuring system (1000) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the temperature sensor (60) measures a temperature of the processing unit (5) assigned to it and forwards it to the processing unit (5) of a device (100) and / or to the central CPU (40). Measuring system (1000) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the central CPU (40) determines a degree of utilization (CPU load and / or memory consumption) of at least one processing unit (5) and when a limit temperature of the processing unit (5) and / or by at least one sensor (1) assigned to this processing unit (5) the output of the latter is at least partially throttled or completely switched off. Measuring system (1000) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one processing network, wherein by means of at least one VLAN switch of the processing network, this can be subdivided into at least two, only logically separated, network segments (VLAN) and wherein each processing unit (5 ) and / or each of the sensors (1) can be controlled by each of the network segments as a function of the control by the VLAN switch. Measuring system (1000) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the individual network segments are prioritized by means of the VLAN switch, in particular with regard to their data exchange. A method (200) for measuring pressure and / or moisture comprising initially a first step by means of which a measuring system (1000) is provided which comprises: at least one sensor (1) for measuring pressure and / or moisture is provided, the Sensor (1) - at least one capacitor (20) with at least two electrodes (10, 11) which, in particular in a horizontal direction (H1), are arranged along and on an, in particular flexible, carrier material (13) to one another, with between at least one dielectric layer (4) is arranged on the electrodes (10, 11), characterized in that at least one electrode (10, 11) and / or the dielectric layer (4) at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material (13) an at least partially moisture-permeable and / or moisture-absorbing moisture layer (3) is arranged, with the at least one electrode (10, 11) and / or the plank ctric layer (4) are arranged in a transverse direction (Q1) between the carrier material (13) and the moisture layer (3), so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the moisture at least partially hitting the dielectric layer (4), with a processing unit (5) Measures and / or stores measured values from the sensor (1) so that a capacitive humidity sensor is created.

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