DE102020110311A1 - Device for monitoring a component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for monitoring a movable component (1) in a machine, the machine having a computer unit (2), the component (1) having a sensor (3), the sensor (3) in an interior of the Component (1) is arranged, the computer unit (2) also including an evaluation unit (4), the evaluation unit (4) being in operative connection with a transceiver unit (5) and the transceiver unit (5) with the sensor (3 ) is in operative connection via a radio link.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for monitoring a component according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

In the DE 10 2018 106 627 A1 A method for component monitoring in a vehicle drive train is disclosed in which a vibration profile of a component is recorded in the working position or in the rest position, a vibration sensor recording the vibration profile of the component as data information and the data information of the vibration sensor being recorded wirelessly by a receiver, the receiver receiving the Data information is transmitted to a computer and / or a storage device, the computer and / or the storage device performing an actual / target comparison of the data information and the result of the actual / target comparison being evaluated and / or further processed. In this way, the task was solved in the form of smart lightweight construction to improve the monitoring possibilities of moving components during operation, whereby this could be successfully tested using the installation of a contactless sensor in the plastic shift fork.

The contactless monitoring of components with sensors goes hand in hand with the use of special sensors, such as B. RFID sensors that communicate with a read and write unit. The read / write unit (R / W unit) has the task of supplying the sensor with energy and at the same time taking over the resulting data from the sensor. Sensors can be used, for example, to measure temperature, accelerations (vibrations), expansions and forces.

Information is the key to success. Whether e-mobility, digitization or autonomous driving, everything aims to use information in a targeted manner in order to be able to actively influence the processes of daily life. This results in new challenges in information acquisition, storage and processing. Active influence presupposes the early detection of changes in order to guarantee the implementation of proactive measures. Lightweight construction also plays an important role in the careful use of resources.

Keywords such as multifunctionality, low manufacturing costs and minimal parts prices are ubiquitous, especially for suppliers to the automotive industry. It was recognized that just optimizing existing processes would reach technological limits in order to remain competitive in the long term. From the knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the materials and technologies used, a new approach was sought in order to be prepared for the new challenges. Especially plastics and their applications open up potential due to the processing possibilities. Compared to metallic materials, the lower strength and the limitation of use at higher temperatures, in particular of thermoplastics, have a disadvantageous effect.

A new approach arose from the DE 10 2015 002 514 A1 and the use of a fiber composite material described there for the production of a shift fork with the consideration of using different plastics, paired with long fiber-reinforced inserts. This resulted in new application and usage conditions for plastics in gear manufacturing, which could be demonstrated using a plastic shift fork.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to be able to produce the state of the art at acceptable costs. The aim is to provide a device for monitoring a component that is easy to manufacture and that functions reliably.

Solution of the task

The features according to claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

Advantageous refinements are described in the subclaims.

• Der Begriff einer Sende-Empfangseinheit kann beispielsweise eine Antenne zur Übertragung von Energie auf einen Sensor und Empfang von Daten des Sensors sein.

In the context of the invention, the following definitions are used:

• The term transceiver unit can be, for example, an antenna for transmitting energy to a sensor and receiving data from the sensor.

The concept of an evaluation unit can be implemented as a read / write unit, for example. Another term used in this invention for this is read / write unit or R / W unit for short. For example, an R / W unit can be an independent electronic component equipped with separate software. It should be noted that the R / W-Unit is designed as a printed circuit board, which on the one hand requires installation space and on the other hand must be installed protected from external influences (oil, dirt, heat, moisture, etc.).

A computer unit within the scope of the invention can be, for example, a motor controller or another computer or calculator provided in a machine or for a machine. The R / W unit can be placed in a more suitable position in the machine, for example, to protect it from external influences. At the same time, it is possible to link the function of the R / W unit with the circuit board of the machine control. It would therefore be more expedient for the R / W unit, that is to say the evaluation unit, to be used in a more protected location. The computer unit is usually in a more protected location, so that if the R / W unit were to be integrated in the computer unit, the R / W unit would be in a more protected location.

To ensure that communication between the R / W-Unit and the sensor or sensors is guaranteed, a spatial separation of the antenna and the R / W-unit is recommended. As a result, the component of the antenna and the circuit board of the R / W-Unit must be separated.

In the context of the invention, a sensor data cable is addressed. The antenna remains connected to the R / W unit via a shielded cable. In the context of the invention, the shielded cable is the sensor data cable. The sensor data cable is used for secure and, if possible, interference-free communication between the R / W-Unit and the sensor or sensors. For this purpose, the antenna, which is placed in the immediate vicinity of the sensor and the evaluation unit is supplied with the information from the sensor. This information from the sensor is forwarded from the antenna via the sensor data cable to the R / W unit for data management.

The device according to the invention is used to monitor a movable component in a machine. Here, for example, shift forks, shafts, rotors of electric drives, or other moving components in machines come into consideration as moving components.

The machine has a computer unit for controlling the machine itself. The computer unit is usually equipped with appropriate circuits and software in the form of intelligence, for example to control the drive of a motor vehicle or the like.

The component also has a sensor. The sensor can record various parameters here. For example, temperatures, rotations, vibrations or the like can be detected by the sensor. The sensor is arranged in the interior of the component in order to enable the parameters of the component to be recorded as effectively as possible.

This means that the sensor is enclosed by the moving component. It is also conceivable that the sensor is placed on the surface of the movable component. In the device according to the invention, the computer unit also includes an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit carries out a first stage of processing the information (filtering, threshold value comparison, etc.) of the measurement signals recorded by the sensor. In addition, the evaluation unit has the task of supplying energy and transmitting signals (call and response signal) to and from the sensor via the antenna. Including in this context means that the evaluation unit, which is responsible for the information from the sensor, is designed with the necessary hardware and software as part of the computer unit.

The evaluation unit in the form of the read / write unit is used to record the measurement signals from the contactless sensor.

This in turn has the advantage that there are no additional costs for the evaluation unit. The integration of the evaluation unit in the already existing computer unit of the machine is in any case cheaper than performing a separate evaluation unit with a corresponding positioning close to the sensor and the moving parts of the machine.

The evaluation unit is in operative connection with a transceiver unit, the transceiver unit again being in operative connection with the sensor. The transceiver unit sends energy to the sensor via the radio link, the sensor in turn sending sensor information to the transceiver unit via the radio link. This has the advantage that the sensor does not need its own energy source and is supplied with the necessary energy by the transceiver unit.

The sensor according to the invention can be, for example, an RFID sensor, which can be provided or installed in the interior or on the surface of the component in a simple and unproblematic manner.

The sender / receiver unit is connected to the evaluation unit via a sensor data cable. The sensor data cable enables the transmitter / receiver unit to be arranged as close as possible, that is to say in the immediate vicinity of the sensor, and the evaluation unit to be integrated into the computer unit at low cost. The sensor data cable transmits the sensor information received and forwarded by the transmitter / receiver unit to the evaluation unit.

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that the sender / receiver unit can come into operative connection with at least one further sensor or several further sensors, which are also arranged in a further component of the machine, so that a single sender / receiver unit can supply several sensors with energy can and can receive information.

In this context it is also provided that the evaluation unit and the computer unit are arranged in a machine control system. A common circuit board, which has the computer unit for the machine integrated into the evaluation unit, can already be considered as the machine control. However, a single computer can also be provided in which the evaluation unit is integrated here. In this way, the cost savings described above can be achieved.

The evaluation unit can also have a plug. The connector can be used to transmit energy or data. The plug can be a USB plug, for example, the plug supplying the evaluation unit with data or energy from the computer unit, for example, or the evaluation unit supplying the computer unit with corresponding data via the plug.

The sensor is usually overmolded with plastic, the component to be monitored also having a corresponding basic structure. In this context, it is possible that the component is also partially made of metal or another material and only parts of the component are made of plastic. It is particularly easy to integrate a sensor into these parts, for example by being overmolded with plastic and thereby attached and readable.

It is also possible for the evaluation unit to have a data connection to the computer unit, for example in the form of the engine control. This data connection can, however, also be the plug described above, for example. As an alternative or in addition, the additional data connection to the computer unit can also be established. It is also possible to provide such a data connection as an additional backup in the event, for example, of the connector failing. In principle, information and energy can be transmitted to the evaluation unit via the connector. If the computer unit is a circuit board and the evaluation unit is part of the circuit board, the plug can be dispensed with under certain circumstances, since the circuit board then has the data connection between the computer unit and the evaluation unit and energy and data or information are exchanged via the data connection can.

In addition, it is foreseeable that the evaluation unit and / or the transceiver unit and / or the computer unit including the data cable and / or the data connection will have a protective cover. The protective cover is made of a suitable plastic, which is produced, for example, around the circuit board and / or antenna and / or plug. The amount of plastics that can be used for the production of the protective cover is relatively small. This design as pre-units can be used well as an insert in the final plastics processing.

1. 1. Der Sensor erhält über die Funkverbindung Energie von der Sende-Empfangseinheit.
2. 2. Der Sensor sendet Sensorinformationen über die Funkverbindung zu der Sende-Empfangseinheit.
3. 3. Die Sende-Empfangseinheit überträgt die erhaltenen Sensorinformationen über ein Datenkabel in die Auswerteeinheit.
4. 4. Die Rechnereinheit verarbeitet dann die Daten nach Vorgaben der Software.

In addition, protection is sought separately for the method for monitoring a movable component with the device described above, the following steps being used:

1. 1. The sensor receives energy from the sender / receiver unit via the radio link.
2. 2. The sensor sends sensor information to the sender / receiver unit via the radio link.
3. 3. The sender / receiver unit transmits the sensor information received to the evaluation unit via a data cable.
4. 4. The computer unit then processes the data according to the specifications of the software.

Depending on the result of the target / actual comparison, the computer unit can determine whether the information obtained is stored, for example, and / or the machine is controlled differently and / or the result is passed on to another computer unit so that the decision can be made there automatically or by a To arrange the processor.

In this context, the task is to place the sender / receiver unit in the form of, for example, the read / write units (R / W units) as close as possible to the sensors in order to increase the data transmission quality and minimize the influence of interference. It is important not to negatively influence the function of the component to be monitored. It must also be ensured that the existing installation space is used with the integration of the R / W unit and, if possible, no additional requirements are placed on the installation.

Previous solutions assume that the R / W units, matched to the sensors, are made available and installed as separate components. Further developments show that the sensors and the associated RW units work with routines that are used to evaluate and evaluate the measured signals. This ensures that only a limited amount of filtered data can be exchanged and not having to send all measured values.

The industrial implementation of monitoring systems is measured by their benefits as well as their effectiveness and flexibility. Expensive and inflexible systems have little chance of asserting themselves in the competition between the various implementation strategies of monitoring systems. An NVH measurement is usually sufficient to determine e.g. B. to be able to monitor the vibration behavior of components and systems. In contrast, non-contact systems for monitoring individual parts are too expensive. In order to make contactless measuring and monitoring systems, consisting of sensor and R / W unit, attractive for large-scale production, new strategies are required.

• Bekannt ist, dass bei der RFID-Technik die Energie des Rufsignals zur Generierung des Antwortsignals genutzt wird. Dazu verfügen sowohl der oder die Sensor/en als auch die R/W-Unit bzw. Units über eine fest installierte Antenne auf der jeweiligen Leiterplatte (Platine). Über diese Antenne werden Energie und Daten übertragen. Eine Leiterplatte dient der mechanischen Befestigung und der elektrischen Verbindung von elektronischen Bauelementen. Die elektronischen Bauelemente werden mit den auf der Leiterplatte befindlichen Leiterbahnen meist über Lötverbindungen verbunden. Die Leiterplatten bestehen häufig aus Duroplasten, einen in einem chemischen Prozess aushärtenden und nicht schmelzbaren Kunststoff, wie z. b. Epoxidharz.

The following preliminary consideration could serve to increase the effectiveness and flexibility of contactless sensor monitoring:

• It is known that in RFID technology, the energy of the call signal is used to generate the response signal. For this purpose, both the sensor (s) and the R / W unit or units have a permanently installed antenna on the respective printed circuit board. Energy and data are transmitted via this antenna. A printed circuit board is used for mechanical fastening and electrical connection of electronic components. The electronic components are usually connected to the conductor tracks on the circuit board via soldered connections. The circuit boards are often made of thermosetting plastics, a non-meltable plastic that hardens in a chemical process, such as epoxy resin.

The circuit board of the R / W unit consists of a logic unit for energy management and signal processing. The energy is supplied to this unit from the outside via an interface (e.g. USB plug). The data received and preprocessed by the sensor are also passed on to the outside world for further processing via an interface, which can also be a USB interface.

• Energiezuführung
• Senden (Rufsignal)
• Empfangen (Antwortsignal)

The RW-Unit has three essential functions within the communication to the sensor:

• Energy supply
• Send (call signal)
• Receive (response signal)

• Auswerten
• Senden (Signale, die zur Überwachung dienen)
• Empfangen (Signale, die zur Steuerung des Messvorgangs dienen und an den Sensor übertragen werden)

In relation to the outside world, the R / W unit has the following functions:

• Evaluate
• Send (signals used for monitoring)
• Receive (signals that are used to control the measurement process and are transmitted to the sensor)

Both the interface for contactless signal transmission to the sensor, via the antenna, and the interface for wired signal transmission to the outside world, via a plug, have so far been permanently installed on the circuit board of the R / W-Unit. As a result, the R / W unit must be placed in the immediate vicinity of the sensor in order to ensure stable communication. The cable routing from the R / W unit to the outside world is therefore dependent on the installation conditions of the circuit board.

• Antenne separat Platzierung ohne R/W-Unit in unmittelbarer Nähe zum Sensor
• Stecker separat Platzierung ohne R/W-Unit an geeigneter Stelle im Bauraum
• RW-Unit separat Platzierung an geeigneter Stelle im Bauraum

If the individual functions could be split up, the monitoring system would be more flexible in the following way:

• Antenna placed separately without R / W unit in the immediate vicinity of the sensor
• Plug separately placed without R / W unit at a suitable location in the installation space
• RW unit placed separately at a suitable location in the installation space

Integration of the R / W-Unit function on the circuit board of the existing control system. Further potential for cost savings would arise if the R / W-Unit circuit board, used for the signal transmission and processing of the sensor (s), was integrated into the control system the machine / system / vehicle / aircraft / building to be monitored is also integrated. I. E. the circuit board of the machine / system / vehicle / aircraft / building to be monitored is supplemented by the logic of the R / W unit.

• Räumliche Trennung eröffnet höhere Flexibilität in der Bauraumgestaltung funktionelle Verknüpfung von vorhandener Steuerung und RW-Unit begrenzter Aufwand zur Abschirmung gegenüber Störsignalen (Antenne)

This has several advantages:

• Spatial separation opens up greater flexibility in the design of the installation space Functional linking of the existing control and RW unit limited effort for shielding against interference signals (antenna)

The connection between antenna, plug and circuit board is ensured by flexible cables that are either already permanently wired or installed during assembly.

Overall, the function of the read / write unit is to be integrated on a printed circuit board of the existing computer unit in the form of the controller.

There would be further potential for cost savings if the circuit board of the sender / receiver unit in the form of the R / W unit, used for signal transmission and processing of the sensor (s), was integrated into the control of the machine / system / vehicle to be monitored / Aircraft / building is integrated with. I. E. the circuit board of the machine / system / vehicle / aircraft / building to be monitored is supplemented by the logic of the R / W unit.

• Räumliche Trennung eröffnet höhere Flexibilität in der Bauraumgestaltung funktionelle Verknüpfung von vorhandener Steuerung und RW-Unit begrenzter Aufwand zur Abschirmung gegenüber Störsignalen (Antenne)

This has several advantages:

• Spatial separation opens up greater flexibility in the design of the installation space Functional linking of the existing control and RW unit limited effort for shielding against interference signals (antenna)

The connection between antenna, plug and circuit board is ensured by flexible cables that are either already permanently wired or installed during assembly.

It is also advantageous here that further costs can be saved through a so-called pre-unit. Another argument is the production of pre-assembled and standardized components, such as
Antenna plus wiring,
Connector plus wiring and
Circuit board
to improve their further processing options. Particularly in the case of components that are ultimately to be integrated in a plastic matrix (thermoplastics), they are exposed to high temperatures. These high temperatures can damage the electronic components or damage the soldering points. To prevent this, it would be possible to encapsulate the circuit boards, antenna / s, plugs including cables as a pre-unit before the final plastic processing. During this process, a protective cover made of a suitable plastic is produced around the printed circuit board and / or antenna and / or plug. Since the amount of plastic used for the production of the protective cover is relatively small, no damage is to be expected. These pre-units can be used well as inserts in the final plastics processing.

One possible application for the device according to the invention is RFID sensor technology. The energy of the call signal is used to generate the response signal. There is a movable component with the sensor. The data from the sensor is sent to the sender / receiver unit. In return, the energy is passed from the sender / receiver unit to the sensor, so that no additional energy source is required for the sensor. In addition, the data from the sending and receiving units are processed in an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit, in turn, can forward the data to an external computing and storage unit.

A plastic shift fork, for example, can be considered as a preferred application example. The plastic shift fork has the advantage that weight can be saved. The use of plastic can also be used to integrate a described sensor.

Figure description

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the single drawing; this shows a schematic circuit diagram.

Embodiment

In 1 a schematic circuit diagram of a device according to the invention is shown. There is a component there 1 shown in which a sensor 3 is integrated. Integrated in this context means that it is through the component 1 is completely enclosed.

There is also a computer unit 2 shown, which with an evaluation unit 4th in a common machine control 9 is housed. The evaluation unit 4th turn is via a sensor data cable 8th with the sender / receiver unit 5 tied together.

The sender / receiver unit 5 in the form of an antenna is in the immediate vicinity of the sensor 3 or the component 1 arranged. In the immediate vicinity means here that, depending on the requirements and to avoid additional interference, the sender / receiver unit 5 so close to the sensor 3 it should be arranged that on the one hand energy via the energy arrow 6th to the sensor 3 can get and data via the data arrow 7th from the sensor 3 to the sender / receiver unit 5 can get.

In this context, the immediate vicinity does not mean a specific distance specification, but rather an adaptation to the requirements of the respective application. The sender / receiver unit 5 transmits the received data of the data arrow 7th via a sensor data cable 8th to the evaluation unit 4th where a first evaluation of the data can take place in the form of a data management or a data filter.

The evaluation unit 4th in turn transmits the correspondingly processed data to the Computing unit 2 or for example via a plug 10 another data recipient.

The processed data are processed by the evaluation unit 4th to the computer unit 2 over a data connection 11 transfer.

List of reference symbols

1

Component

2

Computing unit

3

sensor

4th

Evaluation unit

5

Sender / receiver unit

6th

Energy arrow

7th

Data arrow

8th

Sensor data cable

9

Machine control

10

plug

11

Data Connection

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Patent literature cited

• DE 102018106627 A1 [0002]
• DE 102015002514 A1 [0006]

Claims (13)

Device for monitoring a movable component (1) in a machine, the machine having a computer unit (2), the component (1) having a sensor (3), the sensor (3) in an interior or on a surface of the Component (1) is arranged, characterized in that the computer unit (2) also includes an evaluation unit (4), the evaluation unit (4) being in operative connection with a transceiver unit (5) and the transceiver unit (5) with the sensor (3) is in operative connection via a radio link. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the transceiver unit (5) sends energy (6) to the sensor (3) via the radio link and receives sensor information (7) from the sensor (3). Device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the transceiver unit (5) is connected to the evaluation unit (4) via a sensor data cable (8). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transceiver unit (5) is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the sensor (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transceiver unit (5) is in operative connection with at least one further sensor via the radio link. Device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the further sensor is also arranged in the component (1) or is arranged in a further component. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (4) and the computer unit (2) are arranged in a machine control (9). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (4) has a plug (10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (3) is overmolded with plastic, the component (1) having a plastic structure or partially consisting of metallic materials. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (4) has a data connection (11) to the computer unit (2). Device according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the evaluation unit (4) and / or the transceiver unit (5) and / or the computer unit (2) including the data cable (8) and / or the data connection (11) have a protective cover. Method for monitoring a movable component (1) with the device according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized by the following steps: - the sensor (3) receives energy (6) from the transceiver unit (5) via the radio link; - and sends sensor information (7) via the radio link from the sensor (3) to the transceiver unit (5); - The transceiver unit (5) transmits the received sensor information (7) via a data cable (8) to the evaluation unit (4), the evaluation unit (4) selecting from sensor information (7) via the data connection (11) to the computer unit (2) transmits, - the computer unit (2) carrying out a target / actual comparison. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the computer unit (2) stores the result of the target / actual comparison and / or controls the machine and / or forwards the result to a further computer unit (2).

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