DE102020108724A1 - COMPONENT WITH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE STRUCTURE HAVING CODE AND METHOD AND TOOL FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A COMPONENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (10) with at least one code (12) which encodes component information that can be read out by means of an optical reader, the code (12) having a three-dimensional surface structure on a component surface of the component (10); the code (12) has a plurality of code cells (20) which are arranged as a data field (14) and encode the component information in their entirety; the code cells (20) each have a plurality of code elements (22) which form at least part of the three-dimensional surface structure; the component information is encoded by at least two code cell variants, which differ from one another in the alignment of their code elements (22) within the code (12) and their resulting light reflection properties and thereby generate contrast differences required for the optical reading of the component information. The invention also relates to a method and a tool for producing such a component (10).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a component with a code having a three-dimensional surface structure and a method and a tool for producing such a component.

State of the art

It is known per se to provide a wide variety of components with optically readable codes, e.g. in the form of barcodes or QR codes. Such codes can be used, for example, in production to clearly identify different component variants. For example, workers can read the codes attached to the components using a hand scanner or another optical reader. This ensures, for example, that the right components are selected and then assembled into an assembly, for example. This can reduce the risk of component variants being mixed up.

Such codes can be attached to stickers, for example, which can then be stuck to the corresponding components. It is also known, for example, to apply such codes to components by means of lasers or needle embossing.

In order to be able to read such codes reliably, individual code elements, e.g. in the form of black and white stripes on a barcode, usually have to have as strong a contrast as possible. Otherwise there may be a risk that component information coded by means of the code is not read out optically or is incorrectly read out.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a particularly simple and reliable solution by means of which at least one piece of optically readable component information can be implemented on a component.

This object is achieved by a component with at least one code and by means of a method and a tool for producing such a component with the features of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, in the description and in the figures.

The component according to the invention comprises at least one code which encodes component information that can be read out by means of an optical reading device. The code has a three-dimensional surface structure on a component surface of the component. Furthermore, the code has several code cells which are arranged as a data field and which in their entirety encode the component information. The code cells each have a plurality of code elements which form at least part of the three-dimensional surface structure. The component information is encoded by at least two code cell variants, which differ from one another in the alignment of their code elements within the code and their resulting light reflection properties and thereby generate the contrast differences required for the optical reading of the component information.

The code cells are to be understood as code pixels or image points of the code which encode the component information that can be read out by means of the optical reading device. In particular, the code cells can all be of the same size. The component can in particular be designed in one piece or in one piece, in which case the three-dimensional surface structure of the optically readable code is an integral part of the one-piece or one-piece component.

The invention is based on the knowledge that such codes that can be read out by means of an optical reading device usually have to have a relatively strong black-and-white contrast so that the component information encoded by means of such codes can even be reliably read out by means of an optical reading device. In the case of the component according to the invention, it is not necessary to provide such a black-and-white contrast within the code. Instead, the code in the component according to the invention has such a three-dimensional surface structure that this alone is sufficient to generate the contrast differences required for the optical reading of the component information. The contrast differences are generated in that the component information is coded by the at least two code cell variants which differ from one another in the alignment of their code elements within the code and the resulting light reflection property. As a result of the different code cell variants, light is reflected so strongly differently that the different code cell variants can be reliably differentiated by means of an optical reader. For example, it is possible, by means of the two code cell variants, to provide binary coding or binary information that can be read out optically.

In the case of the component according to the invention, it is thus possible to use the optically readable part without stickers, pad printing, needles or laser, in particular in the case of a part produced in series Providing or realizing component information in the form of the code. Since the contrast differences required for reading out the component information are realized solely by the different code cell variants that have said different light reflection properties, the color of the component is also irrelevant in the area of the code for the optical readout result or the optical readout reliability.

The component can have a wide variety of colors without negatively affecting the reliable optical reading of the code. In addition, it is not necessary with the component according to the invention to subsequently apply said code by means of labels or the like, since the code can be produced as an integral part during the production of the component. This makes it possible to manufacture the component including the code using an automated production process without the need for assembly. In particular, the code can be formed from the same material in the form of its three-dimensional surface structure from which the rest of the component is made.

One possible embodiment of the invention provides that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code is monochrome. In particular, the three-dimensional surface structure of the code can have the same color as the rest of the component or an area around the code. No additional effort has to be made to design the code in a different color, in particular with a black and white pattern.

Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the code elements are elevations or depressions in the component surface with a triangular cross-section that is invariable over their length. The triangular cross section makes it possible in a particularly simple and reliable manner to achieve said different light reflection properties in the at least two code cell variants. As a result, a particularly reliable optical readout result can be ensured by means of a reading device if this is used to read out the component information encoded by the code.

According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the code elements within the respective code cells are aligned parallel to one another, the code elements of different code cell variants not being aligned parallel to one another, in particular at an angle of 90 °. This makes it possible to realize very different light reflection properties in the at least two different code cell variants. As a result, it is possible in a particularly simple and reliable manner by means of an optical reading device to read out the component information encoded by means of the code.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the code is a barcode, the respective bars and gaps in the barcode being formed by the code cells. In other words, the code can be a one-dimensional code by means of which the component information is encoded. Barcode reading devices for barcodes are very widespread, so that the code designed as a barcode can be read out particularly easily and reliably.

An alternative possible embodiment of the invention provides that the code is a two-dimensional code. For example, the two-dimensional code can be a QR code or a data matrix code. In contrast to one-dimensional barcodes, the data is not only encoded in one direction, i.e. one-dimensional, but in the form of an area over two dimensions. This results in a particularly high density of useful information.

According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code has a delimiting area which delimits a data field formed from the code cells on two sides, the delimiting area having several delimiting elements in the form of elevations or depressions. Like the code elements, these elevations or depressions can have an invariable triangular cross-section over their length. In other words, the delimitation area is a so-called finder pattern. The delimitation area can, for example, be L-shaped and thus delimit the data field formed by the code cells from two sides. The delimitation area serves to erect and rectify the code, which is designed as a data matrix code, so that virtually any reading angle is possible for reading out the data matrix code. The delimitation area can in particular be designed to be as wide as the code cells, that is to say in each case as wide as the respective code pixels.

Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code has a circumferential quiet zone in an outer edge area, the quiet zone having several quiet zone elements in the form of elevations or depressions. As in the case of the code elements, the elevations or depressions can have an invariable triangular cross-section over their length. The surrounding quiet zone forms a kind of empty zone and serves to delimit it from other optical elements of the Data matrix codes. For example, the quiet zone can be two to three times as wide as the code cells.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the delimitation elements are aligned parallel to one another within the delimitation area, the rest zone elements are aligned parallel to one another within the rest zone, the delimitation elements and the rest zone elements not being oriented parallel to one another, in particular at an angle of 90 ° are aligned. The delimitation area and the quiet zone, viewed from the same perspective of a reading device, have very different light reflection properties and can thus be recognized and distinguished from one another particularly easily by the optical reading device.

In the method according to the invention for producing the component according to the invention or a possible embodiment of the component according to the invention, this is produced together with the code by means of a die-casting or injection molding process or the code is impressed on the surface of the component. In particular, if the component is manufactured by injection molding or die casting, the code can be produced together with the rest of the component in a single work step. As a result, the component can also be produced in large series, including the code, in a particularly cost-effective manner. In this case, in particular, the component can be produced from one and the same material by means of an automated production process without additional assembly, that is to say the code and the remaining component can be produced from the same material. Alternatively, it is also possible to stamp the code on the component surface of the component. This can be advantageous in particular in the case of very small quantities of the component, since, for example, in that case no separate molding tool has to be kept ready by means of which the component and the code must be able to be produced at the same time.

The tool according to the invention for producing the component according to the invention or a possible configuration of the component according to the invention is an injection molding or die-casting tool and has a cavity for the primary production of the component together with the code. By means of the tool, it is thus possible in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner by injection molding or die casting to manufacture the component, in particular in large series, together with the code.

One possible embodiment of the tool provides that the tool comprises a mold insert which has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code as a negative shape. The mold insert not only defines the rest of the component contour, but also the code. The mold insert can in particular be designed to be exchangeable, so that it can be exchanged, for example, when it is worn. Different mold inserts can also be provided for different variants of the component. It is thus possible by means of the tool to produce the most varied of component variants in a particularly inexpensive and simple manner by simply exchanging or inserting the respective mold inserts.

Finally, a further possible embodiment of the tool provides that at least that area of the mold insert which has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code as a negative shape is an exchangeable interchangeable insert. If, for example, the component information to be coded changes, then only the interchangeable insert has to be newly manufactured and replaced accordingly. For example, if the shape of the component to be manufactured does not change, but the component information to be coded has been changed, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to react to this by simply producing and then inserting a suitable interchangeable insert.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention can emerge from the following description of possible exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without the scope of the invention to leave.

Figure list

• 1 eine Perspektivansicht eines schematisch angedeuteten Bauteils, das einen mittels eines optischen Lesegeräts auslesbaren Code aufweist, der eine Bauteilinformation kodiert, wobei der Code als Data-Matrix-Code ausgebildet ist;
• 2 eine vergrößerte Perspektivansicht des Bauteils mit dem Code;
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf das Bauteil;
• 4 ein vergrößerter Ausschnitt des Bauteils in einer Draufsicht;
• 5 eine geschnittene Detailansicht des Bauteils, wobei einzelne als dreieckförmige Erhebungen ausgebildete Codeelemente des Codes zu erkennen sind.

The drawing shows in:

• 1 a perspective view of a schematically indicated component which has a code which can be read out by means of an optical reading device and which codes component information, the code being designed as a data matrix code;
• 2 an enlarged perspective view of the component with the code;
• 3 a plan view of the component;
• 4th an enlarged section of the component in a plan view;
• 5 a cut detailed view of the component, whereby individual code elements of the code designed as triangular elevations can be seen.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

A component that is only indicated schematically 10 with a code 12th , which encodes component information that can be read out by means of an optical reader, is shown in a perspective view in FIG 1 shown. The code 12th includes a data field 14th , an L-shaped boundary area 16 , which serves as a so-called finder pattern, and one in an outer edge area of the code 12th circumferential quiet zone 18th .

In 2 is the component 10 shown in detail in an enlarged perspective view. Here you can see that the code 12th a three-dimensional surface structure on an unspecified component surface of the component 10 having. The data field 14th comprises several code cells which are only partially provided with reference symbols here 20th , among which also code pixels or image areas of the code 12th are to be understood. These code cells 20th encode the component information of the component in their entirety 10 . The code cells 20th each have three code elements 22nd which form part of the three-dimensional surface structure. Here are the code elements 22nd designed as elevations in the component surface with a triangular cross-section that is invariable over its length.

In the present case, said component information is provided by two code cell variants of the code cells 20th coded. The code cell variants differ in the alignment of their code elements 22nd within the code 12th as well as by their resulting different light reflection properties from one another. In the present case one can see that respective groups of three of the code elements 22nd always per code cell 20th are aligned parallel to each other, the code elements 22nd different code cell variants are not aligned parallel, but oriented at an angle of 90 ° to one another.

If an optical reader, not shown here, accesses the code 12th directed, light is dependent on the different alignment of the code elements 22nd reflected differently, as a result of which strong contrast differences are generated so that the coded component information can be read out reliably. The code 12th does not have to have a black and white contrast. In particular, the code 12th the same color as the rest of the component 10 as the color of the code 12th is more or less irrelevant for reading out the component information that is provided by the code 12th is coded.

The boundary area serving as a finder pattern 16 can also be partially recognized here. The boundary area 16 includes several delimiting elements 24 that like the code elements 22nd Are elevations with a triangular cross-section that is invariable over their length. As you can see, they are all delimiting elements 24 aligned parallel to one another, thereby have at least essentially the same light reflection properties. This allows the boundary area serving as a finder pattern 16 can be detected particularly easily by means of an optical reader. In the case shown here, this is the boundary area 16 just as wide as the respective code cells 20th .

Furthermore, you can still partially use the surrounding quiet zone 18th recognize. The quiet zone 18th has several quiet zone elements 26th on that like the code elements 22nd and the delimitation elements 24 Are elevations with a triangular cross-section that is invariable over their length. The quiet zone elements 26th are within the quiet zone 18th aligned parallel to each other. As can be seen, the delimitation elements are 24 and the quiet zone elements 26th not parallel, but oriented at an angle of 90 ° to each other. This makes it possible in a particularly reliable manner to use an optical reader to enter the quiet zone 18th from the boundary area 16 to distinguish. The quiet zone 18th can in particular be two to three times as wide as the respective code cells 20th .

In 3 is the component 10 shown in a top view. In the present case, the arrangement of the respective code cells can once again be seen well 20th see the the data field 14th of the code 12th form. Furthermore, the L-shaped configuration of the delimitation area can also be used again 16 and the surrounding quiet zone 18th recognize. The data field 14th can for example be a width b and have a length I of 12 to 20 mm. The quiet zone 18th can for example be a width b ₁ of 2.16 mm. Other dimensions are also possible.

In 4th is the component 10 Shown in an enlarged view in detail in a plan view. The respective code cells 20th can have a width b ₂ and a length l ₂ of, for example, 1.08 mm. One width b ₃ from one to the next but one of the code cells 20th can for example be 1.33 mm. Between the respective code cells 20th can especially smooth areas 28 be provided, which can have a width of 0.1 to 0.2 mm, for example. This allows the code cells, which are used individually as matrix cells 20th can be optically recognized, differentiated from one another and read out particularly easily. The dimensions given are only to be understood as examples. Other dimensions are with the respective elements of the code 12th also possible.

In 5 are two of the code cells 20th shown in a cross-sectional view. In the case shown here, there are two different variants of the code cells 20th , which can be seen from the fact that in the lower code cell 20th the three code elements 22nd can be seen, whereas in the upper code cell 20th just one of the code elements 22nd can be seen, because with these different variants of the code cells 20th the code elements 22nd 90 ° to each other or are arranged rotated by 90 ° to each other. The code elements 22nd with their triangular cross-sectional shape can for example be shaped so that between the respective code elements 22nd an angle α from 70 ° to 80 ° is included. The code elements 22nd can for example be a height H of 0.2 mm. The individual code elements 22nd can, for example, have a width b ₄ of 1.48 mm. In addition, here is one of the areas already mentioned 28 to recognize each between the individual code cells 20th is provided. This can be a width, for example b ₅ of 0.13 mm.

The component described 10 so has the built-in code 12th on, which is a three-dimensional surface structure on the component surface of the component 10 forms. This code 12th encodes at least one piece of component information that can be read out by means of an optical reader. The component 10 can be produced, for example, by die casting or also by injection molding, the component being produced during the casting process 10 along with the code 12th can be produced in one process step. In the tool, not shown here, for manufacturing the component 10 it can thus be an injection molding tool or also a die casting tool that has a cavity for the primary production of the component 10 along with the code 12th having. In particular, such a tool can have a mold insert that has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code 12th as a negative form. It is possible that at least that area of the mold insert that has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code 12th has as a negative shape, is a replaceable interchangeable insert.

List of reference symbols

10

Component

12th

code

14th

Data field

16

Limiting area

18th

Quiet zone

20th

Code cells

22nd

Code elements

24

Delimitation elements

26th

Quiet zone elements

28

Areas between the code cells

α

Angle between the code elements

b

Width of the data field

b1

Width of the quiet zone

b2

Width of the code cells

b3

Distance between the respective next but one code cells

b4

Width of the code elements

b5

Width of the areas between the code cells

H

Height of the code elements

l

Length of the data field

l2

Length of the code cells

Claims (15)

Component (10) with at least one code (12) which encodes component information that can be read out by means of an optical reader, wherein - The code (12) has a three-dimensional surface structure on a component surface of the component (10); - The code (12) has a plurality of code cells (20) which are arranged as a data field (14) and which in their entirety encode the component information; - The code cells (20) each have a plurality of code elements (22) which form at least part of the three-dimensional surface structure; - The component information is encoded by at least two code cell variants which differ from one another in the alignment of their code elements (22) within the code (12) and their resulting light reflection property and thereby generate contrast differences required for the optical reading of the component information. Component (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code (12) is monochrome. Component (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the code elements (22) are elevations or depressions in the component surface with a triangular cross-section that is invariable over their length. Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the code elements (22) within the respective code cells (20) are aligned parallel to one another, the code elements (22) being different Code cell variants are not aligned parallel to one another, in particular at an angle of 90 °. Component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the code (12) is a barcode, the respective bars and gaps in the barcode being formed by the code cells (20). Component (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the code (12) is a two-dimensional code. Component (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the code (12) is a QR code. Component (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the code (12) is a data matrix code. Component (10) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code (12) has a delimiting area (16) which delimits a data field (14) formed from the code cells (20) on two sides, the delimiting area (16) having several delimiting elements (24) in Has the form of elevations or depressions. Component (10) after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the three-dimensional surface structure of the code (12) has a circumferential quiet zone (18) in an outermost edge area, the quiet zone (18) having several quiet zone elements (26) in the form of elevations or depressions. Component (10) after Claim 10 , characterized in that the delimitation elements (24) are aligned parallel to one another within the delimitation area (16), the rest zone elements (26) are aligned parallel to one another within the rest zone (18), the delimitation elements (24) and the rest zone elements (26) not are oriented parallel to one another, in particular at an angle of 90 °. Method for producing a component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the component (10) together with the code (12) is produced by means of a die-casting or injection molding process or the code (12) is impressed on the surface of the component (10) . Tool for producing a component (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the tool is an injection molding or die-casting tool and has a cavity for the primary production of the component (10) together with the code (12). Tool after Claim 13 , characterized in that the tool comprises a mold insert which has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code (12) as a negative shape. Tool after Claim 14 , characterized in that at least that area of the mold insert which has the three-dimensional surface structure of the code (12) as a negative shape is an exchangeable interchangeable insert.

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