DE202020103680U1 - Embossing press for embossing a legend in a license plate, press and block tool - Google Patents

Abstract

Embossing press (10) for embossing a legend in a license plate, the embossing press (10) comprising a press (12) and at least one pad tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h), characterized in that the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24), and that the press (12) has a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f), the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) emitting electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one transponder (24) and the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) to this are set up to detect the position of the at least one transponder (24).

Description

The invention relates to an embossing press for embossing a legend in a license plate according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a press and a block tool which can be used in a press and by means of which the respective symbols (for example numbers, letters or punctuation marks) a legend can be incorporated into a license plate.

Embossing presses for embossing a legend in a license plate are known in practice. So-called block tools are used, which either have a symbol to be embossed, such as a letter or a number in particular, or which can also be spacers or empty pieces. A legend usually consists of several symbols (for example the symbols: "SI JK 123"), which can be arranged one behind the other in a row or in two rows one below the other. In order to emboss the legend in a blank of a license plate, the block tools with the different symbols and the license plate are pressed against each other with a press. The symbols raised on the block tools are correspondingly transferred to the license plate and embossed into it.

In the case of an embossing process as described above, on the one hand, the block tools may shift when they are inserted into the press or when the label plate is inserted, or even during the actual embossing process.

The underlying object of the invention is to provide an embossing press, a press and a block tool, by means of which an actual position of a block tool in a press that deviates from a target position can be identified as simply and precisely as possible.

An embossing press according to the invention for embossing a legend in a license plate includes a press and at least one pad tool. In the present case, the press is understood to mean that part of the embossing press by means of which the at least one pad tool, and in particular the multiple pad tools, are pressed against the label plate. For this purpose, the press has a movable or displaceable unit which presses the license plate and the block tools against an abutment. Pressures in the range from 250 kN to 3000 kN can be applied using the press.

The block tool can be a block tool with a symbol. In particular, a block tool has a symbol, such as a number, a letter or a (punctuation) symbol, which is outstanding compared to a base area. Alternatively, the block tool is an empty or spacer piece, which accordingly has no symbol. As a rule, several block tools with symbols and without symbols are arranged next to one another and / or in rows one below the other to emboss a complete legend.

The block tools can be made from a metal material, from a plastic or from a mixture of a metal material and a plastic.

According to the proposal, the at least one block tool has a transponder. If several block tools are provided, all block tools preferably each have a transponder. The press also has a plurality of reading devices which are used to read data from the transponder. To this end, the reading devices emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one block tool with the transponder. The transponders are, in particular, passive transponders which do not have their own power supply, but are activated by the electromagnetic field emitted by the reading devices. For this purpose, the transponders have, in particular, a coil which, by induction, charges a capacitor which provides the required voltage or the necessary current for generating the response signal. The transponder responds by modulating the electromagnetic field emitted by the reading devices.

In particular, several reading devices are arranged adjacently in a row or in two (particularly in the case of two-line legends) or more lines. In the case of a two-line or multi-line arrangement of reading devices, the reading devices or the electronics connected to them are in particular cascaded and are read out serially. In the case of cascading, the reading devices or the electronics connected to them in a first row are bridged into the second and possibly also into a third or further row via a cable connection. In this way, a very large detection area can be implemented in a simple manner, with which the common license plate formats can be read out.

According to the proposal, the reading devices are set up to detect the position of the at least one transponder and thus also the position of the block tool.

An embossing press according to the invention makes it possible to precisely determine the position of one or more block tools in the press and, in particular, to determine whether the block tool or the block tools have shifted relative to one another and / or relative to the press.

One advantage of the embossing press according to the invention is that the reading devices are arranged in or on the press in the present case. The press is usually not moved, but remains in one place. In this respect, the press can easily be provided with a permanent power supply and data transmission from the reading devices with a cable can be provided. This is particularly advantageous in contrast to reading devices which are arranged on a frame that surrounds the block tools and holds them together to form a legend and is inserted into the embossing press together with the block tools and is also removed with it. In such a solution, which requires the arrangement of the reading devices on the frame, a new cabling to the power supply must then be carried out for each new insertion of block tools. Furthermore, there is a disadvantageous risk that the cabling will be damaged during the stamping process.

In particular, in addition to the mere position of a (arbitrary) block tool, the respective symbol of the block tool or the information that it is a distance or empty piece can be recorded by the reading devices. In this way, it can also be checked in an advantageous manner whether the correct block tools are arranged in the correct order.

The information about the block tool can in particular be stored in coded form on the transponder (for example on an RFID chip) or written into a write-protected memory. Alternatively, the “Unique Identifier” (UID) of the transponder can be used and the UID can be assigned to a symbol using software. This increases security against forgery or inadvertent overwriting of the information on the transponder.

In a practical embodiment of an embossing press according to the invention, the radiation cones of two adjacent reading devices overlap at the level of the at least one transponder. The electromagnetic radiation spreads from the reading devices in a conical manner in the direction of the transponder. In the present case, “at the height” means that the radiation cones intersect or overlap in a horizontal plane which runs through the at least one transponder. In particular, this prevents a transponder or a block tool from being arranged between two radiation cones and not being detected by any of the reading devices. As will be explained in more detail below in connection with the method and the figures, the method is based in particular on the fact that the response signal of a transponder is received by several reading devices and it can thus be determined whether the transponder corresponding to a block tool, if it is not in the middle is arranged above a reading device, is arranged on the left or right of the reading device.

A radiation cone of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the reading device propagates from a reading device in the direction of the transponder of a block tool.

When two adjacent radiation cones overlap, an overlap area and an intermediate area are formed. In the case of three adjacent reading devices, the radiation cone of the middle reading device in particular has a left overlap area, namely with the radiation cone of the reading device arranged to the left of the middle reading device, and also a right overlapping area, namely with the radiation cone of the reading device arranged to the right of the middle reading device. The “non-overlapping” intermediate area is located between the left and right overlapping areas.

In this context it is advantageous that the width of an overlapping area and / or an intermediate area formed at the level of the transponder is at most as large as the width of a block tool. The width of the block tools also defines, in particular, the distances between the center points of the transponders. In other words, only a maximum of the response signal of a transponder is detected in an overlapping area or an intermediate area, and the position of a block tool can accordingly be evaluated in a simple manner. The width of an overlap area and / or an intermediate area is measured in particular in the horizontal plane of the press or embossing press.

In particular, the radiation cone of a reading device extends at the level of the at least one block tool or transponder at least over the width of three block tools.

Depending on the opening angle of the radiation cone and the distance between the transponder and the reading devices, a desired Measurement accuracy can be achieved. With the parameters available, a measurement accuracy of +/- 1 cm can be achieved, ie a deviation of the actual position of a block tool from the target position from 1 cm can be detected. The press has in particular 5 to 20 reading devices. The reading devices are in particular arranged at a lateral distance of 1 cm to 5 cm from one another. The distance between the transponders and the reading devices can be adapted depending on the intended radiation angle and field strength of the reading devices by mechanical adjustment of the tool holder for the identifier and / or the block tools.

It can also be provided that the reading devices are designed to detect the response time of a response signal and / or the field strength of a response signal from a transponder. The evaluation of the response time, i.e. the time that elapses from the emission of the electromagnetic radiation from the reading device to the receipt of the response signal at the reading device, and / or the evaluation of the field strength enable the position of the block tools to be determined in addition or as an alternative to the above method.

In particular, the transponder is on a block tool or the respective transponders are arranged on the block tools on the side or sides of the block tools directed towards the reading devices. This is particularly advantageous if electromagnetic radiation is used for the detection of the position of the block tools, which radiation has only a short range, such as, for example, in the case of RFID transponders and pairs of reading devices. The side facing the reading device can be the side on which the symbols are applied. The transponder is then preferably arranged outside the area of the symbol and in particular in a narrow neck section of the block tool. If the transponder is arranged on the side of the symbol, it is important that even pressure is applied to the block tools. In the case of plastic block tools in particular, a metal block (in particular aluminum) can be arranged on the side facing away from the symbol for this purpose. Together with the abutment of the press, this then effects an even distribution of pressure across the entire block tool.

In a further practical embodiment of an embossing press according to the invention, the electromagnetic radiation is radiation in a frequency range from 30 kHz to 1 GHz. In particular, the reading devices emit electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 30 MHz. This range is the frequency range in which so-called RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponders work. The range of electromagnetic radiation in this frequency range is only a few 10 cm. This is sufficient for the present application, since the block tools in the press - especially during an embossing process - are only a few centimeters away from the reading devices.

In a further practical embodiment of an embossing press according to the invention, the reading devices are functionally connected to a control device. The connection can be wired. The reading devices can also be supplied with current or voltage via a cable.

Alternatively, the position data determined by the reading devices can also be transmitted wirelessly to the control device.

In particular, according to the method described below, the control device determines the position and possibly also the identity of the blocking tools in the embossing press from the transponder data received from the reading devices.

The invention also relates to a press and a pad tool, each of which is designed for use in an embossing press as described above. The features mentioned above in connection with the embossing press, either relating to the press or a block tool, should accordingly also be practical embodiments of the separate press or a separate block tool.

• - Anordnen von mindestens einem Klotzwerkzeug mit einem Transponder in der Presse,
• - Aussenden eines Abfragesignals ausgehend von den Leseeinrichtungen in Richtung des mindestens einen Transponders,
• - Empfangen eines Antwortsignals des Transponders durch die Leseeinrichtungen,
• - Auswerten, welche der Leseeinrichtungen ein Antwortsignal eines einem Klotzwerkzeug zugeordneten Transponders erhalten haben, und Bestimmen der Lage des mindestens einen Klotzwerkzeuges.

A method for detecting the position of block tools in a press is described below, the following steps being carried out according to the method:

• - Arranging at least one block tool with a transponder in the press,
• - Sending an interrogation signal starting from the reading devices in the direction of the at least one transponder,
• - Receipt of a response signal from the transponder by the reading devices,
• - Evaluate which of the reading devices have received a response signal from a transponder assigned to a block tool, and determine the position of the at least one block tool.

After the arrangement of the one or more block tools in the press, the Reading devices controlled in particular by a controller and the query is started. For this purpose, electromagnetic radiation is emitted by the reading devices in the direction of the transponder.

The transponders are activated by the electric field of the reading devices and send a response signal back to the reading devices. The response signal also includes, in particular, the transmission of a unique identification of the respective block tool.

In a practical embodiment of the method, the position of the at least one block tool, preferably the multiple block tools, is determined and the actual position of a block tool deviates from a target position depending on how many reading devices the response signal of a transponder is detected by .

If the response signal of a transponder is only detected by a reading device, the transponder lies exactly in the intermediate area of a radiation cone. Accordingly, the position of the transponder and thus of the block tool is then determined to be exactly above the reading device. However, if the response signal of a transponder is detected by two adjacent reading devices, the position of the transponder is determined to be in the overlap area of the two radiation cones of these two adjacent reading devices. A deviation from the intended positions, for example the first or last block tool in a row, can be determined, for example, if no position can be determined in an area (intermediate area or overlap area). Accordingly, the distance between two transponders is more than the width of the block tools, i.e. there is an additional and undesired gap between the block tools.

Overall, the method can be used to determine the relative position of the transponders to one another in a simple and, above all, inexpensive manner, whereby the deviation of the position of one or more transponders and thus one or more block tools from the intended position can be determined.

Such a method works with plastic block tools as well as with aluminum block tools or with aluminum embossing inserts. Blocking tools of different materials can also be used at the same time (mixed operation) without the need for conversion or conversion. Overall, the process can be used for all common embossing processes.

In a practical embodiment of the method, the position of the at least one block tool is determined before and / or during an embossing process. In particular, the monitoring can take place permanently, starting from the point in time from which the block tools are inserted into the press, through the insertion of the license plate blank, up to the end of the stamping process.

It is pointed out that it is also possible to evaluate the response signal taking into account a response time and / or a field strength.

• 1: eine erfindungsgemäße Prägepresse in einer schematischen Darstellung, und
• 2 einen Ablaufplan eines Verfahrens.

Further practical embodiments are described in connection with the figures. Show it:

• 1 : an embossing press according to the invention in a schematic representation, and
• 2 a flow chart of a procedure.

In 1 is an embossing press 10 shown in a schematic representation. The embossing press 10 includes a press 12th , which is a movable element 14th has, which according to the double arrow shown on the right relative to an abutment 16 is movable, in the representation according to 1 up and down.

The press 12th also points between the movable element 14th and the abutment 16 an opening 18th on, in which a plurality of block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h is arranged.

There are eight block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h arranged side by side in a row. The block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h form the following legend in the exemplary embodiment shown: "SI JK 12". The block tools show accordingly 20a , 20b , 20d , 20e , 20g , 20h the symbols "S, I, J, K, 1, 2" on. The actual symbols, which are opposite the block tools 20a , 20b , 20d , 20e , 20g , 20h are excellent and which are used to emboss the symbols in the license plate blank, are on the in the direction of the movable element 14th facing side and not recognizable in the present illustration. With the third block tool 20c and the sixth block tool 20f it is an empty or spacer piece and these two block tools 20c , 20f therefore do not have any symbols.

Between the movable element 14th and the block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h is also arranged for the stamping process of the license plate blank, this License plate blank is not shown here for the sake of clarity.

The embossing press 10 , and in the embodiment shown specifically the movable element 14th , has six readers 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f on which reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f are arranged adjacent to one another and in a row. The reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h . The block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h accordingly have transponders on their side facing the reading devices 24 (Only the transponders on the two block tools are exemplary 20e , 20f shown).

The ones from the reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f emitted radiation spreads in the direction of the transponder 24 cone-shaped. The corresponding cones of radiation 26a , 26b , 26, 26d , 26e , 26f are shown with dashed lines.

The reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f are arranged in such a way that the radiation cones 26a , 26b , 26c , 26d , 26e , 26f neighboring reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f at the level of the transponder 24 overlap. For example, the radiation cone overlaps 26b with the neighboring, in the illustration according to 1 radiation cone emitted to the left 26a and forms an overlap area 28 . The radiation cone also overlaps 26b with the neighboring, in the illustration according to 1 radiation cone emitted to the right 26c and forms the overlap area 30th . Between the two overlapping areas 28 , 30th is an intermediate area 32 educated. The overlap areas 28 , 30th and the intermediate area 32 are exemplary for the reading device 22b shown, but applies to the other reading devices 22a , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f corresponding.

The reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f are also designed to receive the response signals from the transponder 24 to detect. The reading devices are used to evaluate the signals 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f functional with one control unit 34 tied together.

In connection with the in 2 The flow chart shown below is the method for recognizing the position of the block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h explained.

First, in step S1, the block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h in the press 12th inserted. In step S2, the reading devices 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f activated and accordingly send an interrogation signal in the form of electromagnetic radiation to the transponders 24 .

The transponders 24 receive this query signal and convert it into energy and, accordingly, into a response signal. This response signal from the transponder 24 is used by the respective reading device 22a , 22b , 22c , 22d , 22e , 22f received in step S3.

The control unit then evaluates the response signals in step S4 34 and thus a determination of the position of the block tools 20a , 20b , 20c , 20d , 20e , 20f , 20g , 20h .

The signal from the second block tool 20b (Symbol “I”) is only used by the reading device 22b received so that it is determined that this block tool 20b over the intermediate area 32 the reading device 22b is located.

The response signal from the first block tool 20a (Symbol "S") is used by both the first reading device 22a as well as from the second reading device 22b received so by the controller 34 it is determined that this block tool 20a in the overlap area 28 between the first reading device 22a and the second reading device 22b is located.

The response signal from the third block tool 20c (Blank) is both from the second reading device 22b as well as from the third reading device 22c received so by the controller 34 it is determined that this block tool 20c in the overlap area 30th between the second reading device 22b and the third reading device 22c is located. The procedure is the same for the other block tools.

List of reference symbols

10

Embossing press

12th

Press

14th

movable unit

16

Abutment

18th

opening

20a-20h

Block tools

22a-22f

Reading devices

24

Transponder

26a-26f

Radiation cone

28

Overlap area

30th

Overlap area

32

Intermediate area

34

steering

Claims (8)

Embossing press (10) for embossing a legend in a license plate, the embossing press (10) comprising a press (12) and at least one pad tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h), characterized in that the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24), and that the press (12) has a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f), wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one transponder (24) and wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) do so are set up to detect the position of the at least one transponder (24). Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the radiation cones (26a, 26b, 26, 26d, 26e, 26f) of two adjacent reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) are at the level of the at least overlap a transponder (24) so that at least one overlap area (28, 30) and at least one intermediate area (32) are formed. Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the width of the overlapping areas (28, 30) and / or intermediate areas (32) at the level of the at least one transponder (24) is at most as large as the width of a block tool (20a) , 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h). Embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) are designed to detect the response time of a response signal and / or the field strength of a response signal. Embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transponders (24) on the side of the block tools (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) are arranged. Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is in a frequency range from 30 KHz to 1 GHz. Press (12) for an embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 6th , characterized by a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f). Blocking tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) for an embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that the block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24) for receiving and transmitting signals in a frequency range from 30 KHz to 1 GHz.

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