DE202023104886U1 - Device for testing and/or monitoring predominantly longitudinal objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of predominantly elongated objects (10), which are predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics, such as plastic ropes, plastic fibers, plastic rods , plastic plates or the like, with at least one sensor unit (12), which is intended at least to detect changes in state and / or target deviations of the predominantly elongated objects (10), characterized in that the sensor unit (12) has an ultra-wideband (UWB) -Sensor (14) includes.

Description

State of the art

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

Plastic ropes used in lifting and holding applications (such as tower slewing, automotive, or crawler crane applications) are subject to a variety of stresses that lead to a deterioration in rope properties over their service life. Detecting this deterioration is crucial in order to ensure safe operation of the plastic rope and/or to be able to replace the plastic rope in a timely manner. The stresses that occur on such plastic ropes include, among other things, bending, crushing, abrasion/friction, puncture, chemistry, temperature and stretching.

Devices for testing and/or monitoring plastic ropes, with at least one sensor unit, which is at least intended to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects, have already been proposed. These known devices only enable optical inspection of the surface using a camera system. Plastic ropes such as the fiber rope soLITE® from Teufelberger, for example, have a colored (here: red) rope core, which becomes visible from the outside if damaged, e.g. for the camera system, and thus indicates that the rope is ready to be discarded.

Information about internal damage or deterioration of properties inside the plastic rope, e.g. from an inner layer of the plastic rope or from a rope core of the plastic rope, cannot be obtained using the known camera systems.

The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a generic device with advantageous properties with regard to testing and/or monitoring of predominantly longitudinal objects, preferably at least plastic ropes. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, while advantageous refinements and developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on a device for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of predominantly elongated objects, which are predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics, in particular polymers, such as plastic ropes, Plastic fibers, plastic rods, plastic plates or the like, with at least one sensor unit, which is at least intended to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects.

It is proposed that the sensor unit includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor. This advantageously enables external and internal testing of predominantly longitudinal objects, such as plastic ropes or the like. External and internal damage to plastic ropes can be advantageously detected. The testing and/or monitoring is advantageously non-contact and/or non-destructive. Cross-sectional changes in the tested and/or monitored object can also advantageously be detected (comparable to determining an LMA value DIN ISO 4309:2021-08 a wire rope). In addition, a composition of the plastic of the object and/or a change in chemistry of the plastic of the object can advantageously be detected. In addition, a compact design can advantageously be achieved, especially since ultra-wideband sensors can already provide a sufficiently large field of view even at significantly shorter measuring distances than an optical camera. In addition, compared to a camera system, an additional lighting device can advantageously be dispensed with.

A predominantly elongated object is in particular an object which, preferably in a fully expanded state, has an extension in a spatial direction which is at least 5 times as large, preferably at least 10 times as large, preferably at least 30 times as large and particularly is preferably at least 50 times as large as extensions in both other spatial directions perpendicular to the spatial direction. In particular, the predominantly elongated object in the fully expanded state has an extension in the main extension direction which is at least 10 times as large, preferably at least 30 times as large and particularly preferably at least 50 times as large as extensions in both other spatial directions perpendicular to the main direction of extension. A “main direction of extension” of an object is intended to mean, in particular, a direction that runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboid, which just completely encloses the object. The predominantly longitudinal object can be designed to be rigid. However, the predominantly elongated object is preferably designed to be flexible det. In particular, the objects are at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95% and particularly preferably at least 98% made of plastics, in particular polymers, preferably plastic fibers. The objects can also be made entirely of plastics, for example plastic fibers.

In particular, the device and/or the sensor unit can also include several ultra-wideband sensors. An “ultra-wideband sensor” is to be understood in particular as meaning a sensor that emits electromagnetic waves, in particular wave packets, the emitted electromagnetic waves, in particular the emitted wave packets, covering a particularly large bandwidth, preferably a bandwidth of more than 500 MHz. In particular, the wave packets emitted by the ultra-wideband sensor include a plurality of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies, which preferably have a fixed phase relationship to one another. In particular, the sensor unit with the ultra-wideband sensor detects a reflection signal of the emitted electromagnetic waves, in particular the emitted wave packets, for checking the objects moved and/or arranged in the field of view of the sensor. In particular, the sensor unit with the ultra-wideband sensor detects a transmission signal of the emitted electromagnetic waves, in particular the emitted wave packets, for checking the objects moved and/or arranged in the field of view of the sensor. Preferably, the ultra-wideband sensor is operated continuously. The ultra-wideband sensor preferably measures the object, in particular the plastic rope, continuously transmissively and reflectively. In particular, the object reflects and absorbs the broadband electromagnetic wave of the ultra-wideband sensor, so that properties of the object can be determined from the reflection signal and/or from the transmission signal. In particular, part of the broadband electromagnetic wave of the ultra-wideband sensor penetrates the material of the object, while another part of the electromagnetic wave of the ultra-wideband sensor is absorbed by the material of the object. In particular, the device and/or the sensor unit is intended to draw conclusions about defects in the object and/or about geometric changes in the object and/or about material changes in the object based on the measured reflected and/or absorbed signal parts.

Preferably, the ultra-wideband sensor does not emit any pulse signals, so that advantageously no measurement interruption is necessary to receive pulse responses. This advantageously enables a particularly high measurement speed, which in particular allows a high measurement accuracy and/or a measurement of objects at a particularly high speed. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the ultra-wideband sensor is operated in a pulsed manner. Advantageously, the use of ultra-wideband sensor technology can also prevent influence and/or interference with other radio transmission methods, in particular other narrow-band radio transmission methods, such as LoRa, 5G or WLAN (in particular 802.11 p). The term “intended” and/or “set up” is intended to mean, in particular, specifically programmed, designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is intended and/or set up for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and/or executes this specific function in at least one application and/or operating state.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the ultra-wideband sensor is arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local superficial state changes and/or local superficial target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects is made possible. This can advantageously enable local defect detection, in particular a determination of a so-called LF value (comparable to a determination of an LF value according to DIN ISO 4309:2021-08 a wire rope). This advantageously makes it possible to repair or replace the object before it completely fails. In particular, the ultra-wideband sensor is arranged such that it only has a portion of the predominantly longitudinal object in its field of view at any time. This makes it possible to locally check and/or monitor the object by moving the object or the field of view. In addition, a comparison of the measurement results on different sections of the object can advantageously be made possible in this way.

If the local superficial change in state is designed as a temporal or spatial change in diameter (local reference value) of a checked and / or monitored object or if the local superficial target deviation is designed as a geometric diameter deviation from a predetermined diameter target value (global reference value), a particular one can advantageously be used Reliable and/or particularly meaningful (surface) testing and/or (surface) monitoring can be made possible. In particular, the temporal diameter change is a change in a diameter of a particular portion of the object over a period of time. In particular is the spatial change in diameter is a change in a diameter along a longitudinal extent of the object, in particular when comparing different longitudinal sections of the object with one another. It is conceivable that the object in the initial state has an at least essentially the same diameter along its entire longitudinal extent. A deviation from the initial diameter (diameter setpoint) can therefore indicate a change in the state of the object, in particular damage to the object or a change in load. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the object has varying, for example periodically varying, diameters in the initial state and knowledge of a relative position between the object and the ultra-wideband sensor (for example from another measurement) is required in order to detect a geometric diameter deviation or a temporal or spatial change in diameter to be able to determine.

In addition, it is proposed that the ultra-wideband sensor be arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local internal state changes and/or local internal target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects is made possible. This can advantageously enable local internal defect detection. This advantageously makes it possible to repair the object before it completely fails or to replace the object early before the defect spreads. A high level of safety can advantageously be achieved for applications of the object, e.g. a plastic lifting rope. In particular, the ultra-wideband sensor can be provided for simultaneous detection of local internal state changes/target deviations and local superficial state changes/target deviations. Preferably, the internal and superficial state changes/target deviations can be read from the same signal from the same ultra-wideband sensor.

If the local internal change in state is formed as a temporal or spatial change in a plastic composition or an internal geometric structure or if the local internal target deviation is formed as a deviation from a target plastic composition or from an internal geometric target structure, a particularly reliable and/or particularly meaningful (internal) testing and/or (internal) monitoring can be made possible. In particular, the change in plastic composition over time is a change in the plastic composition of a particular portion of the object over a period of time. In particular, the spatial change in the plastic composition is a change in the plastic composition along a longitudinal extent of the object, in particular when comparing different longitudinal sections of the object with one another. It is conceivable that the object in the initial state has an at least essentially the same plastic composition along its entire longitudinal extent. A deviation from the initial plastic composition (target plastic composition) can therefore indicate a change in the state of the object, in particular damage to the object. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the object has varying, e.g. periodically varying, plastic compositions in the initial state and knowledge of a relative position between the object and the ultra-wideband sensor is required in order to determine a deviation from a target plastic composition or a temporal or spatial change in a plastic composition to be able to. For example, when the plastic composition changes, the density of the plastic can change. For example, when the plastic composition changes, the chemistry of the plastic can change. For example, an internal structure of the plastic can change during the internal change of state.

It is also proposed that the ultra-wideband sensor has at least one first antenna and at least one second antenna, which are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to one another on different sides of an object recording area of the sensor unit. This makes it possible to provide an advantageous measurement configuration. A high measurement accuracy can advantageously be achieved. The first antenna and the second antenna of the ultra-wideband sensor can be arranged on sides of the object recording area that face directly away from one another / on directly opposite sides of the object recording area (symmetrical arrangement). Alternatively, the first antenna and the second antenna can be arranged on sides of the object recording area that are at an angle to one another, for example at a 90° angle or at an angle greater than 90° and less than 180° (asymmetric arrangement), preferably larger than 100° and less than 170°. In particular, a normal points to an antenna plane of the first antenna or the second antenna to the object recording area. In particular, the object receiving area is provided for receiving the predominantly longitudinal object, preferably at least a portion of the predominantly longitudinal object. In particular, the device can have a holder for the object (contacting version) or an opening through which the object is passed (completely contactless version) in the object receiving area. The first antenna is particularly called an Ultra broadband antenna designed. The first antenna is intended in particular to transmit the broadband electromagnetic waves. The first antenna can also be provided for receiving reflection signals of the self-emitted broadband electromagnetic waves or for receiving broadband electromagnetic waves that come from the second antenna and are influenced (reflected and/or) by the object to be tested and/or monitored absorbed). The second antenna is designed in particular as an ultra-wideband antenna. The second antenna is intended in particular to transmit the broadband electromagnetic waves. The second antenna can also be provided for receiving reflection signals of the self-emitted broadband electromagnetic waves or for receiving broadband electromagnetic waves that come from the first antenna and are influenced (reflected and/or) by the object to be tested and/or monitored absorbed).

Alternatively, it is proposed that the ultra-wideband sensor has at least one antenna, in particular only the above-described first antenna or only the above-described second antenna, and at least one reflector, which are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to one another on different sides of an object recording area of the sensor unit. This makes it possible to provide an advantageous measurement configuration. A structurally simple and/or cost-effective construction can advantageously be provided. The reflector is intended in particular for a reflection, in particular a retroreflection, of the broadband electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna, which were in particular influenced by the object. In particular, the antenna is intended to receive at least a portion of the broadband electromagnetic waves reflected by the reflector. The antenna and the reflector of the ultra-wideband sensor can be arranged on sides of the object recording area that face directly away from one another / on directly opposite sides of the object recording area (symmetrical arrangement). Alternatively, the antenna and the reflector can be arranged on sides of the object recording area that are at an angle to one another, for example at a 90° angle or at an angle greater than 90° and less than 180° (asymmetric arrangement), preferably greater than 100 ° and less than 170°. In particular, a normal points to an antenna plane of the antenna or the reflector towards the object recording area. The device, in particular the ultra-wideband sensor, can have more than one reflector. The multiple reflectors can be assigned to a single antenna of the ultra-wideband sensor or to other antennas of the ultra-wideband sensor. It is conceivable that the first antenna simultaneously forms the reflector for the second antenna and/or vice versa.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit has an adjustment unit which is at least set up to provide a manual or motorized adjustment function for adjusting at least one position of the first antenna, the second antenna and/or the reflector or which in particular is at least set up to provide a to provide a manual or motorized adjustment function for adjusting at least a distance between the first antenna and the second antenna or a distance between the antenna and the reflector. As a result, a high level of flexibility can advantageously be achieved. Suitability for objects of different sizes can advantageously be achieved. In addition, a resolution and/or a monitoring area can advantageously be adjusted and/or optimized, for example by setting a distance between the object and the antenna(s). The setting unit can be provided for setting a relative distance between the antennas or between the reflector and the antenna. The adjustment unit can be provided for individual adjustment of each antenna and each reflector. The adjustment unit can be provided for translational adjustment of the antennas and/or reflectors. The adjustment unit can be provided for pivoting/rotating the antennas and/or reflectors. The adjustment unit can have a drive, for example an electric motor or a linear actuator, for the motorized adjustment of the distance.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the setting unit is provided for setting a spatial extent of the object recording area and/or that the setting unit is provided for setting a distance between the object and the antenna(s) or the reflector(s). As a result, a high level of flexibility can advantageously be achieved. Suitability for objects of different sizes can advantageously be achieved. In addition, a resolution and/or a monitoring area can advantageously be adjusted and/or optimized, for example by setting a distance between the object and the antenna(s). In particular, the set distance between the antennas, between the antenna and the reflector and/or between the object and the antenna and/or the reflector depends on a diameter and/or on a quality of the object to be checked and/or monitored, in particular plastic rope , away.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit has an at least substantially fixed or fixable object receiving area through which the checked and/or monitored objects can be moved at least along their longitudinal axes. This makes an advantageous, particularly simple, construction possible. Particularly simple testing and/or monitoring of moving plastic ropes, for example plastic running ropes, can advantageously be made possible. It is conceivable that the device comprises several, in particular fixed or fixable, object receiving areas, which preferably each have at least one ultra-wideband sensor and which can preferably be passed through one after the other by the predominantly longitudinal object, in particular the plastic rope. This can advantageously increase measurement accuracy. In particular, the device can include a device for guiding and/or driving the predominantly elongated object, in particular the plastic rope, such as one or more drive rollers, or the device for guiding and/or driving the predominantly elongated object, in particular the plastic rope. Rope, can be designed separately from the device, for example as a device already provided for movement of the predominantly elongated object, in particular plastic rope, in its area of application, such as a cable winch, for example a tower crane, automobile crane or crawler crane. The object receiving area can be designed as a kind of tunnel through which the object can be moved in the longitudinal direction.

It is further proposed that the device has a further sensor unit, which is provided at least for detecting a movement parameter, in particular a speed parameter, of the checked and/or monitored objects. This can advantageously achieve a high level of measurement precision. In particular, the movement parameter can be used for signal processing of the signals detected by the ultra-wideband sensor. The movement parameter is preferably transmitted to an evaluation unit of the device. The further sensor unit can be provided for an indirect measurement of the movement parameter, for example via a measurement of a property of a drive moving the object, such as a measurement of a speed of a pulley driving a plastic rope or of a motor driving the pulley. The further sensor unit can be provided for a direct measurement of the movement parameter, for example for a direct measurement of a speed parameter of a plastic rope by a measuring roller pressed onto the plastic rope. The further sensor unit can alternatively also be designed to be contactless, for example as an optical sensor unit or a laser sensor, which observes a marking or a pattern on a surface of the rope to determine the movement parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that the sensor unit has at least one carriage unit, which supports at least the ultra-wideband sensor in a movable manner at least in translation, in particular along at least part of a longitudinal axis of the checked and/or monitored objects. This can advantageously enable testing and/or monitoring of static, predominantly longitudinal objects, preferably statically mounted plastic ropes, such as plastic tethers. In particular, in this embodiment, the ultra-wideband sensor is moved by means of the carriage unit along the longitudinal axis of the predominantly elongated object, in particular the at least partially spread out plastic rope. It is also conceivable that the ultra-wideband sensor is mounted in a translationally movable manner along a moving object, in particular a plastic rope. This can advantageously maximize a measuring length per unit of time.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the device be set up for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of plastic fiber ropes. This can advantageously increase the operational reliability of plastic fiber ropes in many areas of application, e.g. in plastic running ropes or plastic retaining ropes. A plastic fiber rope is in particular an elongated, tensile, slack, bendable and usually torsionally soft element consisting of twisted (beaten) or braided synthetic fibers, in particular polymer fibers. The plastic fiber rope can be designed in one or more layers. The plastic fiber rope can include a rope core. In this case, the synthetic fibers, especially polymer fibers, are twisted around the rope core. The rope core is preferably also made of a plastic/polymer.

It is also proposed that the sensor unit is at least set up to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of a rope core of a single or multi-layer plastic fiber rope and/or an inner rope layer of a multi-layer plastic fiber rope. This can advantageously achieve a high level of security. Internal damage can advantageously be detected at an early stage, in particular long before an actual danger arises as a result of this damage.

In addition, it is proposed that the device has the evaluation unit, which is provided for evaluating UWB transmission and/or UWB reflection data determined by the sensor unit to determine the state changes and/or target deviations. This can advantageously achieve a high level of security. An “evaluation unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit with information input, information processing and information output. The evaluation unit advantageously has at least one processor, a memory, input and output means, further electrical components, an operating program, control routines, control routines and/or calculation routines. The components of the evaluation unit are preferably arranged on a common circuit board and/or advantageously arranged in a common housing. In particular, the evaluation unit can be provided for comparing the measured data of the object with a static model of the object. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation unit can be provided for comparing measured data of the object with data of the object (reference values) recorded previously, for example immediately after commissioning/installation of the object. In particular, the evaluation unit is intended to detect signs of aging, internal and external damage, internal or external changes in the chemical composition and/or density, etc.

If the evaluation unit is used at least to compare currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit with static reference UWB transmission data and/or static reference UWB reflection data and/or with dynamic reference UWB previously measured by the sensor unit. Transmission data and / or dynamic reference UWB reflection data is provided, optimal detection of internal and / or external state changes can be achieved using clear signal signatures. The static reference UWB transmission data and/or the static reference UWB reflection data can come, for example, from a data sheet of the object or from an initial calibration during installation/commissioning of the object. The dynamic reference UWB transmission data and/or the dynamic reference UWB reflection data may be reset periodically, for example every hour, every day, every week, every month, depending on the application area of the object.

In addition, it is proposed that the evaluation unit comprises at least one trained and/or trainable machine learning algorithm, which is provided for detecting and in particular classifying the state changes and/or the target deviations in currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit. In this way, an evaluation can advantageously be improved, accelerated and, in particular, locally optimized. The computing effort for an evaluation can advantageously be reduced. In particular, the machine learning algorithm can be provided for pattern recognition based on the measurement data from the ultra-wideband sensors recorded by the sensor unit.

Furthermore, there is a method for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of predominantly elongated objects which are predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics, such as plastic ropes, plastic fibers, plastic rods , plastic plates or the like, conceivable, with state changes and / or target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects being detected by an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor at least one sensor unit. This advantageously enables external and internal testing of predominantly longitudinal objects, such as plastic ropes or the like. External and internal damage to plastic ropes can be advantageously detected. The testing and/or monitoring is advantageously non-contact and/or non-destructive.

It is also conceivable that in the method, state changes and/or target deviations of plastic fiber ropes are detected by the ultra-wideband sensor of the sensor unit, the state changes and/or target deviations conceivably coming from a comparison of currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data the sensor unit can be determined with static reference UWB transmission data and/or static reference UWB reflection data and/or with dynamic reference UWB transmission data and/or dynamic reference UWB reflection data previously measured by the sensor unit. This can advantageously achieve optimal detection of internal and/or external state changes

Furthermore, it is conceivable that in the method the state changes and/or target deviations from currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit are recognized and in particular classified using at least one trained and/or trainable machine learning algorithm. This can advantageously be used for an evaluation improved, accelerated and, in particular, locally optimized.

The device according to the invention should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the device according to the invention can have a number of individual elements, components and units that deviate from the number mentioned herein in order to fulfill a function of operation described herein.

drawings

Further advantages result from the following drawing description. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings. The drawings, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further sensible combinations.

• 1 schematisch ein überwiegend entlang dessen Längsachse längserstrecktes Objekt,
• 2 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung mit dem überwiegend längserstreckten Objekt,
• 3 eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Vorrichtung mit dem überwiegend längserstreckten Objekt in einer Schnittdarstellung und
• 4 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zu einer Prüfung und/oder Überwachung des überwiegend längserstreckten Objekts.

Show it:

• 1 schematically an object that extends predominantly along its longitudinal axis,
• 2 a schematic side view of a device with the predominantly elongated object,
• 3 a schematic front view of a device with the predominantly elongated object in a sectional view and
• 4 a schematic flow diagram of a method for testing and/or monitoring the predominantly longitudinal object.

Description of the exemplary embodiment

The 1 shows schematically an object 10 that extends predominantly along its longitudinal axis 30. The object 10 has at least in the 1 The longitudinal axis 30 in the expanded state shown. The object 10 is predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics. The object 10 is designed, for example, as a plastic rope. Alternatively, the object 10 could also be designed as a plastic rod or as an elongated plastic plate. The plastic rope is a plastic fiber rope 36. The plastic fiber rope 36 is multi-layered. The plastic fiber rope 36 has a rope core 38. The rope core 38 is made of a plastic. The rope core 38 is designed as a straight filament around which the rest of the plastic fiber rope 36 is wound. The rope core 38 can also be formed from parallel plastic fibers. The plastic fiber rope 36 has, for example, three inner rope layers 40, 40', 40". The inner rope layers 40, 40', 40" are made of a plastic, in particular of plastic fibers. The plastic fiber rope 36 has an outer jacket 44. The outer jacket 44 is made of a plastic, in particular of plastic fibers. The outer jacket 44 is formed by a fiber braid.

However, a device described below can of course also be used on other plastic ropes, e.g. plastic ropes without an outer sheath. The plastic fiber rope 36 is designed to be flexible and windable. The plastic fiber rope 36 can form a lifting rope, carrying rope or running rope. The plastic fiber rope 36 can be designed as a tower slewing, automobile or crawler crane rope.

The 2 shows a schematic side view of the device with the predominantly longitudinal object 10. The device is intended for testing and/or monitoring the predominantly longitudinal object 10, in particular the plastic fiber rope 36. The device is intended for material testing and/or material monitoring of the predominantly longitudinal object 10, in particular the plastic fiber rope 36.

The device has a sensor unit 12. The sensor unit 12 includes an ultra-wideband sensor 14. The sensor unit 12 is intended to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects 10. The sensor unit 12 is at least set up to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of the rope core 38 of the single- or multi-layer plastic fiber rope 36. The sensor unit 12 is at least set up to detect changes in state and/or target deviations of one of the inner rope layers 40, 40 ', 40" of the multi-layer plastic fiber rope 36.

The device has an evaluation unit 42. The evaluation unit 42 is provided for evaluating UWB transmission and/or UWB reflection data determined by the sensor unit 12 to determine the changes in state and/or target deviations. The evaluation unit 42 can be designed close to the sensor unit 12, in particular to the ultra-wideband sensor 14. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 42, as in the 2 outlined, can also be designed externally to the sensor unit 12. In this case, the evaluation unit 42 is in radio or wire connection with the sensor unit 12. The external evaluation unit 42 could also be implemented on a cloud. The evaluation unit 42 is used to compare currently measured UWB transmissions data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12 with static reference UWB transmission data and/or static reference UWB reflection data provided. The evaluation unit 42 is intended to compare currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12 with dynamic reference UWB transmission data and/or dynamic reference UWB reflection data previously measured by the sensor unit 12. The evaluation unit 42 has a trained and/or trainable machine learning algorithm, which is intended for detecting and in particular classifying the state changes and/or the target deviations in currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12.

The ultra-wideband sensor 14 is arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local superficial state changes and/or local superficial target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects 10 is made possible. The local superficial change in state is designed as a temporal or spatial change in diameter of a checked and/or monitored object 10. The local superficial target deviation is designed as a geometric diameter deviation from a predetermined diameter target value. The local superficial target deviation can also be formed as external damage to a braid of an object 10 designed as a plastic rope. The ultra-wideband sensor 14 is arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local internal state changes and/or local internal target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects 10 is made possible. The local internal change in state is designed as a temporal or spatial change in a plastic composition or an internal geometric structure. The local internal target deviation is designed as a deviation from a target plastic composition or from an internal target geometric structure.

The sensor unit 12 forms an object receiving area 20 for recording the object 10. The object recording area 20 can be fixed in place. Alternatively, the object receiving area 20 could also be permanently fixed in place. The object 10 to be checked and/or monitored can be moved along its longitudinal axis 30 through the stationary object receiving area 20. The device, in particular the sensor unit 12, has a carriage unit 34. The carriage unit 34 supports the ultra-wideband sensor 14 in a translationally movable manner. The carriage unit 34 mounts the ultra-wideband sensor 14 movably along at least a part of its longitudinal axis 30. The carriage unit 34 supports the ultra-wideband sensor 14 in a translationally movable manner along the directions indicated by the arrows 46.

The ultra-wideband sensor 14 has a first antenna 16. The ultra-wideband sensor 14 has a second antenna 18. The ultra-wideband sensor 14 has a reflector 22. The second antenna 18 also forms the reflector 22, which reflects the signals from the first antenna 16 back to the first antenna 16. Alternatively, the reflector 22 could also be designed separately or could completely replace the second antenna 18. The ultra-wideband sensor 14 could also have further antennas and/or reflectors, but for the sake of simplicity only two antennas and one reflector are shown in the figures. The first antenna 16 and the second antenna 18 are, for example, arranged symmetrically on directly opposite sides of the object recording area 20. The first antenna 16 and the reflector 22 are, for example, arranged symmetrically on directly opposite sides of the object recording area 20. Alternatively, the second antenna 18 and/or the reflector 22 could be arranged asymmetrically on a further side of the object recording area 20 that is not directly opposite the first antenna 16.

The device has a further sensor unit 32. The further sensor unit 32 is intended to detect a movement parameter of the object 10 to be checked and/or monitored. The further sensor unit 32 is intended to detect a speed parameter of the object 10 to be checked and/or monitored. The further sensor unit 32 is intended to detect a plastic fiber rope movement speed during a measurement using the ultra-wideband sensor 14. An example is the further sensor unit 32 in the 2 In the case shown, it is integrated into a drive unit 48 to drive the movement of the object 10, in particular the plastic fiber rope 36. Alternatively, the further sensor unit 32 could also be designed separately from the drive unit 48, for example as a measuring roller acting on the plastic fiber rope 36.

The 3 shows a schematic front view of the device for testing and/or monitoring the predominantly longitudinal objects 10 with the predominantly longitudinal object 10 in a sectional view. The sensor unit 12 has an adjustment unit 24, which is at least set up to provide a manual or motorized adjustment function for adjusting at least one position of the first antenna 16, the second antenna 18 and/or the reflector 22. The setting unit 24 is used to set an expansion voltage 26 of the object receiving area 20 is provided. The adjustment unit 24 is intended to adjust a distance 28, 28 'between the object 10 and the antennas 16, 18 or the reflector 22. The distances 28, 28' of the individual antennas 16, 18 and reflectors 22 to the object 10 can each be adjusted independently of one another by means of the adjustment unit 24.

The 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of the predominantly elongated object 10, which is predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics. In at least one method step 50, the sensor unit 12 is moved along the longitudinal axis 30 of the object 10 and/or the object 10 is moved through the object receiving area 20 of the sensor unit 12. The ultra-wideband sensor 14 of the sensor unit 12 detects the changes in state and/or the target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects 10, which can be designed as plastic fiber ropes 36. In at least one further method step 52, the detected signals are evaluated by means of the evaluation unit 42. The changes in state and/or the target deviations are determined from a comparison of currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12 with static reference UWB transmission data and/or static reference UWB reflection data. Alternatively or additionally, the state changes and/or the target deviations are obtained from a comparison of currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12 with dynamic reference UWB transmission data and/or dynamic reference UWB previously measured by the sensor unit 12. Reflection data determined. Alternatively or additionally, the state changes and/or target deviations from currently measured UWB transmission data and/or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit 12 are recognized and in particular classified by means of at least one trained and/or trainable machine learning algorithm.

Reference symbols

10

object

12

Sensor unit

14

Ultra-wideband sensor

16

First antenna

18

Second antenna

20

Object recording area

22

reflector

24

Setting unit

26

expansion

28

Distance

30

Longitudinal axis

32

Additional sensor unit

34

Carriage unit

36

Plastic fiber rope

38

Rope soul

40

Inner rope layer

42

Evaluation unit

44

Outer jacket

46

Arrow

48

Drive unit

50

Procedural step

52

Procedural step

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of 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.

Non-patent literature cited

• DIN ISO 4309:2021-08 [0007, 0011]

Claims (17)

Device for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of predominantly elongated objects (10), which are predominantly or completely made of one or more plastics, such as plastic ropes, plastic fibers, plastic rods , plastic plates or the like, with at least one sensor unit (12), which is intended at least to detect changes in state and / or target deviations of the predominantly elongated objects (10), characterized in that the sensor unit (12) has an ultra-wideband (UWB) -Sensor (14) includes. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the ultra-wideband sensor (14) is arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local superficial state changes and/or local superficial target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects (10) is made possible. Device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the local superficial change in state is designed as a temporal or spatial change in diameter of a checked and / or monitored object (10) or that the local superficial target deviation is designed as a geometric diameter deviation from a predetermined diameter target value. Device according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the ultra-wideband sensor (14) is arranged and designed in such a way that detection of local internal state changes and / or local internal target deviations of the predominantly longitudinal objects (10) is made possible. Device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the local internal change of state is designed as a temporal or spatial change of a plastic composition or an internal geometric structure or that the local internal target deviation is designed as a deviation from a target plastic composition or from an internal geometric target structure. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ultra-wideband sensor (14) has at least one first antenna (16) and at least one second antenna (18), which are symmetrical or asymmetrical to one another on different sides of an object recording area (20) of the sensor unit (12) are arranged. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the ultra-wideband sensor (14) has at least one antenna (16) and at least one reflector (22), which are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to one another on different sides of an object recording area (20) of the sensor unit (12). Device according to one of the Claims 6 or 7 , characterized in that the sensor unit (12) has an adjustment unit (24), which is at least set up to provide a manual or motorized adjustment function for adjusting at least one position of the first antenna (16), the second antenna (18) and / or the To provide reflector (22). Device according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the adjustment unit (24) is provided for adjusting an extent (26) of the object receiving area (20) and / or that the adjustment unit (24) is intended for adjusting a distance (28, 28 ') between the object (10 ) and the antenna(s) (16, 18) or the reflector(s) (22) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (12) has an at least substantially fixed or fixable object receiving area (20) through which the checked and/or monitored objects (10) pass at least along their longitudinal axes (30). are movable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a further sensor unit (32), which is provided at least for detecting a movement parameter, in particular a speed parameter, of the checked and/or monitored objects (10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (12) has at least one carriage unit (34) which at least moves the ultra-wideband sensor (14) at least in translation, in particular along at least part of a longitudinal axis (30) of the checked and/or or monitored objects (10), stored movably. Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is set up for testing and/or monitoring, in particular material testing and/or material monitoring, of plastic fiber ropes (36). Device according to Claim 13 , characterized in that the sensor unit (12) is at least set up to detect changes in state and / or target deviations of a rope core (38) of a single or multi-layer plastic fiber rope (36) and / or an inner rope layer (40, 40 ', 40 " ) of a multi-layer plastic fiber rope (36). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an evaluation unit (42) which is provided for evaluating UWB transmission and/or UWB reflection data determined by the sensor unit (12) to determine the state changes and/or target deviations. Device according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the evaluation unit (42) at least for a comparison of currently measured UWB transmission data and / or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit (12) with static reference UWB transmission data and / or static reference UWB reflection data and / or with dynamic reference UWB transmission data and/or dynamic reference UWB reflection data previously measured by the sensor unit (12) is provided. Device according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the evaluation unit (42) comprises at least one trained and / or trainable machine learning algorithm, which is used to detect and in particular classify the state changes and / or the target deviations in currently measured UWB transmission data and / or UWB reflection data of the sensor unit (12) is provided.

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