EP2135261B1 - Cable - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cable comprising a cable inner body, in which at least one conductor strand of an optical and / or electrical conductor runs in the longitudinal direction of the cable, a cable sheath surrounding the cable inner body, which lies between a cable outer surface and the cable inner body, and at least one information carrier unit arranged inside the cable outer surface.

Information carrier units in cables are known from the prior art. For example, the FR 2 830 941 A a cable according to the preamble of claim 1. These are used to store information about the cable so that this information can then be called up.

The invention has for its object to improve a cable of the generic type such that statements about the cable are feasible.

This object is achieved by a cable according to claim 1.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention can be seen in the fact that in this the information carrier unit can be used not only to provide information that can be read out, but also to do so can be used to make statements about the state of the cable, for example about physical state variables of the cable, by means of the sensor.

In particular, such a detection of state variables can take place during the operation of the cable or independently of the operation of the cable.

There is thus an optimal possibility of detecting the condition of the cable on the one hand without in-depth examination of it and checking it on the other hand if necessary, in particular to the extent that potential damage to the conductor strands can be detected when certain physical state variables occur.

In principle, any state variables can be detected with such a sensor, that is, in principle, all state variables for which sensors exist that can be installed in cables.

A preferred solution provides that the sensor detects at least one of the state variables such as radiation, temperature, tension, pressure, elongation and moisture, which can lead to damage to the cable, for example over a long period of exposure or if certain values are exceeded.

No details have so far been given with regard to the design of the sensor and the operation of the information carrier unit for recording the measured values.

Thus, the advantageous solution claimed according to the invention provides that the sensor is a sensor which reacts irreversibly to the state variable to be detected. Such a sensor has the advantage that, even if it is not actively operated by the information carrier unit, it is able to detect state variables or in particular also changes in state variables, which can subsequently be recorded as a measured value when the information carrier unit is active, since the State variable to be detected leads to an irreversible change in the measured value generated by the sensor.

However, this solution has the disadvantage that only a one-time measurement, in which a certain measured value is exceeded, is possible, and in particular a drop below the measured value, which subsequently occurs again, cannot be detected.

Another advantageous solution which is not claimed provides that the sensor is a sensor which reacts reversibly to the state variable to be detected.

Such a reversibly reacting sensor is always able to detect the changes in the state variables, but has the disadvantage that such a sensor only delivers a measured value when the information carrier unit operates this sensor.

This means that in all cases in which the sensor is not actively operated by the information carrier unit, the sensor is not able to recognize the physical state variable, or in particular an exceeding of a certain value of this physical state variable. No further details were given regarding the operation of the information media. In principle, it would be conceivable to operate the information carrier unit via an energy store assigned to it, for example an accumulator or a battery.

However, this leads to an unsuitable size of the information carrier unit for cables.

For this reason, it is preferably provided that the information carrier unit can be activated and records the measured value in the activated state, that is to say that the information carrier unit can only record the measured value in the activated state, but is not able to record the measured value in the non-activated state.

The information carrier unit can be activated in a wide variety of ways.

An advantageous exemplary embodiment provides that the information carrier unit can be activated by the reading device. This means that due to the inductive electromagnetic field coupling, the reading device is able to transmit so much energy to the information carrier unit, in particular the antenna unit thereof, that the current requirement of the information carrier unit together with the sensor can also be covered.

Another expedient solution provides that the information carrier unit can be activated by an electromagnetic field of a current flowing through the cable.

This solution has the advantage that no activation of the information carrier unit by the reader is required, but an electromagnetic alternating field is available independently of the reader, which provides sufficient energy for the operation of the information carrier unit, the information carrier unit also absorbing this energy via a suitable antenna.

The current flowing through the cable can be, for example, a time-variable current such as is used in drives supplied with pulse-width modulated current.

The current flowing through the cable can be a current flowing in a data line or a frequency-variable current, such as is used in control lines for synchronous motors.

However, it is also conceivable that the current is a conventional alternating current at a certain frequency, for example also the network frequency.

It would also be possible for two lines of the cable to be connected in such a way that an electromagnetic field with the standardized carrier frequency of the information carrier units, e.g. 13.56 MHz. This would have the advantage that no special precautions for energy generation have to be made in the information carrier units.

In all these cases, the energy is inductively coupled into the antenna unit of the information carrier unit via the alternating electromagnetic field generated by this alternating current.

In principle, it would be sufficient to design the information carrier unit so that it detects the measured value and then transmits it directly to the reading device.

However, in order to be able to record different measured values at different times, for example also during the transmission of different types of information between the reading device and information carrier unit, it is preferably provided that the information carrier unit stores the at least one measured value in a memory. The measured value can thus be read out at any time, namely when it is requested by the reading device.

In particular, there is also the possibility of acquiring measured values and making them accessible later if the information carrier unit does not interact with a reading device and is activated, for example, by an electromagnetic field of a current flowing through the cable.

Since cables have a long service life and the acquisition of the measured values would then generate a large volume of data, a reduction in the amount of data is expediently provided.

This is possible, for example, in that the information carrier unit only stores the measured value in the memory if it exceeds a threshold, the threshold being, for example, variably definable.

By defining the threshold, it is thus possible to determine the exceptional states which are relevant with regard to their deviation from normal states, and consequently the measured values to be stored can also be limited to the measured values corresponding to these exceptional states.

Another possibility of reducing the amount of data is that the information carrier unit stores the measured value in the memory only if it lies outside of a statistically determined measured value distribution. This solution also makes it possible to save only the relevant measured values.

In all cases in which the amount of data is reduced, in the simplest case the measured value can itself be recorded as a mere measured value. In more complex solutions it is provided that the measured values are stored in correlation to other parameters, such as time or other parameters defining the circumstances, in the context of which these measured values were recorded.

The sensor can detect a wide variety of state variables in the cable.

An advantageous solution provides for the sensor to include state variables of the inner cable body.

Another advantageous solution provides that the sensor detects state variables of the cable jacket.

Another advantageous solution provides that the sensor comprises state variables between the inner cable body and the cable jacket.

For example, with such a solution it is possible to detect relative movements between the inner cable body and the cable jacket.

These relative movements can reach an order of magnitude which results in irreversible damage to the cable, for example increasing the friction between the inner cable body and the cable jacket.

For example, these oversized relative movements can lead to damage to a separating layer between the inner cable body and the cable jacket or damage to the inner cable body.

However, these relative movements can also occur as shear stresses between the inner cable body and the cable sheath and can be detected as such with a shear force sensor.

No details have so far been given with regard to the design of the sensor.

It is therefore favorable if the sensor is a sensor which varies an electrical resistance in accordance with the physical state variable to be detected, since an electrical resistance can be detected easily.

An alternative or additional solution provides that the sensor is a sensor that varies according to the physical state variable to be measured, since capacitance can be easily detected without large electrical power consumption.

Such a sensor can be implemented particularly simply and inexpensively by means of a layer structure, in particular a multi-layer structure, since layer structures can be produced easily and can be easily adapted to the respective conditions.

Furthermore, no further details were given with regard to the arrangement of the sensor relative to the information carrier unit.

One solution provides that the sensor is arranged outside an integrated circuit of the information carrier unit. This solution enables the sensor to be used, for example, to absorb tensile forces, shear forces, expansions or overextensions. However, it is also conceivable to use the sensor for measuring radiation, temperatures or pressure at specific points on the cable, for example in the inner cable body or in the separating layer or in the cable sheath.

However, such a solution makes it necessary to establish and maintain a stable and permanent electrical connection between the sensor and the integrated circuit.

For these reasons, an alternative, inexpensive solution provides for the sensor to be arranged on the integrated circuit. This solution has the advantage that the sensor can be produced in a simple manner with the integrated circuit and that substantially fewer problems arise in maintaining the functionality of the sensor, since the sensor and the part of the integrated circuit carrying it are firmly connected to one another .

In the simplest case, the sensor can be provided as a component of the integrated circuit, which comprises a temperature in the vicinity of the integrated circuit.

However, it is also conceivable to design the sensor as a moisture sensor that detects the moisture occurring in the area of the integrated circuit.

No details have so far been given regarding the design of the information carrier unit itself.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the information carrier unit comprises a base.

In all cases in which the information carrier unit comprises a base, there is the possibility of arranging the sensor freely from the base, this is particularly advantageous if the sensor is to be coupled well to the physical state variables to be measured. This is useful, for example, if the sensor is to detect forces, tension, strains or shear stresses or radiation or temperature or moisture directly at defined points on the cable.

In these cases, however, a good and permanent electrical connection between the sensor and the components arranged on the base, in particular the integrated circuit, must be ensured.

For this reason, an advantageous solution alternatively provides that the sensor is arranged on the base. This solution has the advantage that the stability of the base can be used to position the sensor permanently and stably relative to the integrated circuit and thus to insert the entire information carrier unit together with the sensor in a simple manner during manufacture of the cable and thus to be able to operate later with the necessary long-term stability.

In this case, it is provided that an integrated circuit of the information carrier unit is arranged on the base.

In this case, it is also expediently provided that a line acting as an antenna is arranged on the base.

The antenna can be made from conductor tracks, produced by a lacquer applied to the base. An embodiment in which the antenna is applied to the base by a printing process is particularly favorable.

For example, in one embodiment it is conceivable that the base is a rigid body.

The base can, for example, be a plate or at least part of an embedding body in which the integrated circuit and the line for the antenna are at least partially embedded.

Thus, for example, the base is at least part of an embedding body enclosing the integrated circuit and the antenna.

Alternatively, it is provided that the base is made of a bendable material, for example flat material.

Such a bendable material could, for example, be a resiliently bendable material.

However, it is particularly favorable for introducing the information carrier units with the base into the cable if the bendable material is a so-called limp material.

However, in order to avoid further damage to the integrated circuit and / or possibly the sensor and / or the line forming the antenna and in particular also the connections between the integrated circuit and / or possibly the sensor and / or the line forming the antenna, it is preferred provided that the bendable material is tensile in at least one direction.

In the case of the base being designed as a one-way tension-resistant element and in the case of the sensor being designed as a tension, pressure or strain sensor, it is advantageous if the sensor either extends transversely to the tension-resistant direction or if the sensor is arranged outside the base is.

No details have so far been given on the number of information carrier units.

An advantageous embodiment provides that one information carrier unit is arranged per cable. However, this has the disadvantage that there is then the problem of using the reading device to find the one information carrier unit of the cable in order to read out the information stored therein, in particular the measured values.

For this reason, it is advantageously provided that a multiplicity of information carrier units are arranged on the carrier strand.

The multiplicity of information carrier units could in principle be arranged on the carrier strand at any desired intervals.

In order to enable the information carrier units to be found reliably, it is preferably provided that the information carrier units are arranged in a defined spacing grid in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

The defined spacing grid could also specify variable spacings, for example smaller spacings at the ends of the cable, which increase towards the center.

In the simplest case, however, it is expedient if the defined spacing grid for the information carrier units specifies a uniform distance between the information carrier units in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

In principle, sensors could only be assigned to individual ones of the large number of information carrier units.

However, it is particularly expedient if a sensor is assigned to all information carrier units.

Furthermore, the information carrier units have a read / write range in the longitudinal direction of the cable, which depends on the frequency at which they are operated and also how the antenna is designed.

In order to prevent two consecutively arranged information carrier units from responding, it is preferably provided that the information carrier units are arranged relative to one another in the spacing grid so that the distances between the information carrier units are at least twice the read / write range of the information carrier units in the direction of the nearest information carrier unit correspond.

It is even better if the distances correspond to at least 2.5 times the read / write range of the information carrier units in the direction of the nearest information carrier unit.

No details have so far been given with regard to the structure of the information carrier units.

An advantageous solution provides that the information carrier unit has at least one memory for the readable information.

Such a memory could be designed in a wide variety of ways. For example, the memory could be designed such that the information stored in it can be overwritten by the reading device. A particularly advantageous solution provides, however, that the memory has a memory field in which information that has been written once is stored in a write-protected manner.

Such a memory field is suitable, for example, for storing an identification code for the information carrier unit or other data specific to this information carrier unit, which can no longer be changed by any of the users.

However, such a storage field is also suitable for storing information on the part of the cable manufacturer that should not be overwritten. For example, this is cable data, cable specifications or information on the type and usability of the cable.

However, this data can also be supplemented, for example, by data which include information about the manufacture of this special cable or data which represent measurement protocols from a final test of the cable.

In addition, a memory according to the invention can also be designed such that it has a memory field in which information is stored in a write-protected manner by means of an access code.

Such read-only storage of information can include, for example, data that can be stored by a user. For example, after the cable has been assembled, a user in the memory field could have data about the assembly of the cable or about the total length of the cable or about the respective length sections of the cable save, the user being provided with an access code by the cable manufacturer to store this data in the memory field.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that the memory has a memory field which can be freely written with information.

Such a memory field can, for example, hold information that the cable user is to store in the cable, for example about the type of installation or the assembly thereof, or also the measured values of the assigned sensor.

In particular, when using a plurality of information carrier units, it is provided that each of the information carrier units can be addressed individually. If several information carrier units are used, it would be conceivable, for example, that all information carrier units can be addressed with one access code. However, this has the disadvantage that the information carrier units can be used selectively only with great effort, for example to assign different information to certain sections of the cable.

A conceivable solution for the assignment of different information to different sections of the cable would be the assignment of the measured values of the respective sensor and / or a different length specification, so that by reading out the length specification of an information carrier unit, for example, its distance to one of the ends of the cable or to both ends of the Cable can be determined.

For this reason, it is advantageous if each of the information carrier units can be addressed individually by means of an access code.

In connection with the previous description of the information carrier units, it was only assumed that they carry the measured values of the assigned sensor as information or information that is stored either before or during the production of the cable or when the cable is used in the information carrier units by external read / write devices were.

With regard to the arrangement of the information carrier unit in the cable, no further details have so far been given. The information carrier unit can thus be provided in the cable in a wide variety of ways.

A particularly favorable solution provides that the cable inner body is assigned a carrier strand running the length of the same, that at least one information carrier unit that can be read out by electromagnetic field coupling is arranged on the carrier strand and that the carrier strand is covered by the cable sheath.

The advantage of this solution is to be seen in the fact that the carrier strand provides an optimal possibility of optimally positioning the information carrier unit in the cable, and thus in particular also allows inexpensive and simple manufacture of the cable.

Furthermore, the solution according to the invention also creates a possibility of improving the readability and locatability of the information carrier unit by means of the defined positioning, since the solution according to the invention enables the defined arrangement of the Information carrier unit was created which also allows information carrier units to be used which can only be read out over short ranges.

By stating that the information carrier unit should be readable by electromagnetic field coupling, it should be understood that reading the information carrier unit should be possible in the LF frequency range as well as in the HF frequency range or in the UHF frequency range.

With regard to the arrangement of the carrier strand in the cable, no further details have so far been given.

One exemplary embodiment provides that the carrier strand runs parallel to a longitudinal direction of the inner cable body. This means that the carrier strand runs, for example, along the inner cable body over the entire length thereof.

For example, this can be realized simply by the carrier strand being designed as a feeder belt which, during the manufacture of the cable, is fed to the inner cable body, which is optionally provided with a separating layer, adheres to it and is then covered by the cable sheath produced by extrusion.

As an alternative to the course of the carrier strand parallel to a longitudinal direction of the inner cable body, another exemplary embodiment provides that the carrier strand runs around the at least one conductor strand of the inner cable body, in particular essentially wrapping around the entire surface.

Such a looping course can be realized in a wide variety of ways.

An advantageous solution provides that the carrier strand is designed to wrap around the inner cable body and thus surrounds the inner cable body in a spiral, in particular also essentially covering the surface, the orientation of the carrier strand in this case being completely independent of a stranding direction of the conductor strand.

In another case, however, it is also conceivable for the carrier strand to run approximately parallel to a stranding direction of the at least one conductor strand. In this case, the carrier strand together with the conductor strand can be stranded, for example, during the manufacture of the cable.

The carrier strand can be a carrier strand that is independent of the inner cable body. The carrier strand can also be formed as part of the inner cable body, namely, for example, when the carrier strand runs in the form of a gusset cord of the inner cable body.

In addition, in connection with the implementation of the solution according to the invention, the carrier strand can be arranged in different ways relative to the inner cable body.

For example, it is conceivable that the carrier strand lies directly on the inner cable body.

However, it is also conceivable that the carrier strand is at least part of a separating layer between the inner cable body and the cable jacket.

Another possibility provides that the carrier strand lies on a separating layer between the inner cable body and the cable jacket.

Furthermore, the information carrier unit can still be arranged in different ways relative to the carrier strand.

One possibility provides for the information carrier unit to be arranged on a side of the carrier strand facing the inner cable body.

For example, this is conceivable if either the information carrier unit lies directly on the inner cable body or the carrier strand lies on the separating layer, so that the information carrier unit is then arranged between the carrier strand and the separating layer.

Another advantageous solution provides that the information carrier unit is arranged on a side of the carrier strand facing away from the inner cable body.

With this solution, it is conceivable, for example, to place the carrier strand directly on the inner cable body, so that the information carrier unit can then be covered, for example, by the separating layer.

However, it is also conceivable that the information carrier unit is covered directly by the cable jacket.

Another possibility provides that the information carrier unit is embedded in the carrier strand. This is particularly the case when the carrier strand runs in the form of a gusset cord in the inner cable body. With regard to the connection of the sensor to the carrier strand, no further details have been given.

In principle, the sensor can be arranged on the carrier strand, for example if temperature or moisture should be measured in the vicinity of the carrier strand.

However, the carrier strand itself can also be used as a transmission element for tension or stretching in the cable, so that in this case the sensor is also firmly connected to the carrier strand at least with one end region and detects the extent to which tensile forces or elongation forces act on the carrier strand.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the sensor to be connected to at least one end region, either to the inner cable body or to the cable jacket or to both, in order to detect state variables which are caused by movements of the cable and which relate to these or the two.

With regard to the connection of a base of the information carrier unit to the carrier strand, no further details have so far been given either. An advantageous solution provides for the base to be fixed to a carrier strand carrying the information carrier unit.

For example, it is provided that the base is fixed to the carrier strand via at least one connection point.

A solution of this type does not require the entire surface of the base to be glued to the carrier strand, but rather, for example, partial or section-by-part gluing of the base to the carrier strand is sufficient.

In particular, it is advantageous if the at least one connection point is an adhesive point.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the carrier strand forms a section of the base.

This is the case, for example, when the carrier strand is a gusset cord in which the integrated circuit and the line for the antenna are embedded.

However, it is also conceivable to produce the entire carrier strand from a material suitable as a base for the information carrier unit, for example from a flexible ribbon material.

Another alternative of the arrangement of the information carrier unit provides that the information carrier unit is arranged on an intermediate jacket lying between the inner cable body and an outer jacket jacket.

This solution has the advantage that it also provides a simple way of arranging the information carrier unit in the cable.

With regard to the arrangement of the sensor in such an arrangement of the information carrier unit on the intermediate jacket, no specific details have so far been given.

A cheap solution provides that the sensor is also arranged on the intermediate jacket. In this case, for example, the sensor can be placed on a surface of the intermediate jacket.

However, it is also conceivable that the sensor is at least partially embedded in the intermediate jacket.

To protect the sensor, especially when it is applied, however, it is even more advantageous if the sensor is predominantly embedded in the intermediate sheath, since extensive protection of the sensor is possible and also the connection between the sensor and, for example, the integrated circuit of the information carrier unit can be ensured in a stable and permanent manner in a simple manner, for example by simultaneously applying the sensor with the integrated circuit of the information carrier unit to the intermediate jacket and embedding it. Particularly good protection is possible if the sensor is essentially completely embedded in the intermediate sheath, so that no damage to the sensor can occur when the outer sheath is applied.

However, it is also conceivable to arrange the sensor relative to the intermediate sheath in such a way that the sensor is at least partially embedded in the outer sheath of the cable in order to also be able to detect physical state variables in the outer sheath of the cable.

In an extreme case, it is even favorable to arrange the sensor completely on the surface of the intermediate jacket and thus to embed it in the outer jacket, so that there is a far better connection between the outer jacket and the sensor than between the sensor and the intermediate jacket.

However, if, for example, shear forces are detected between the outer jacket and the intermediate jacket, the sensor is to be firmly connected on the one hand to the intermediate jacket on the one side and to the outer jacket on the other side.

In particular, it is advantageous if the information carrier unit is at least partially embedded in the intermediate sheath in order to open up the possibility of fixing the information carrier unit to the intermediate sheath, so that after the intermediate sheath has been produced and the information carrier unit has been embedded, the outer cable sheath both the intermediate sheath and the information carrier unit protectively surrounds.

In particular, it is provided that the integrated circuit of the information carrier unit is at least partially embedded in the intermediate jacket.

It is particularly favorable if the integrated circuit is predominantly embedded in the intermediate jacket.

It is even better if the integrated circuit is essentially completely embedded in the intermediate sheath.

With regard to the arrangement of the antenna unit, no further details were given either. For example, it would be conceivable for the antenna unit of the information carrier unit to be arranged on a surface of the intermediate jacket.

For example, it would be conceivable to place the antenna unit on the surface of the intermediate jacket.

Another expedient solution provides that the antenna unit is also at least partially embedded in the intermediate jacket.

It is particularly favorable if the antenna unit is also predominantly embedded in the intermediate jacket. An even more economical solution provides that the antenna unit is essentially completely embedded in the intermediate jacket.

A wide variety of solutions are conceivable with regard to the design of the antenna unit.

One solution provides that the antenna unit is formed from an antenna wire, the antenna wire either being exposed on the intermediate sheath or being embedded in it.

However, for reasons of simplicity of assembly of the antenna unit, it is expedient if the antenna wire is also arranged on the base.

Another advantageous solution provides that the antenna unit is applied as a conductor track on a base.

For example, it is expedient if the base lies on the surface of the intermediate jacket.

The base can rest on the surface of the intermediate jacket.

It is even more advantageous if the base is at least partially embedded in the intermediate jacket.

A particularly expedient solution provides that the base is predominantly embedded in the intermediate jacket.

However, it is also possible to substantially completely embed the base in the intermediate jacket.

Another expedient solution provides that the antenna unit is designed as a conductor track arranged directly on the surface of the intermediate jacket. This means that the intermediate jacket itself forms the base on which the conductor track is held.

An expedient solution provides for the conductor track to be formed by a conductive material applied to the intermediate sheath.

In the simplest case, the conductor track can be printed on the intermediate jacket by a printing process.

Another inexpensive solution provides that the conductor track is embedded in the intermediate sheath by printing and thus there is an even more favorable fixation of the conductor track to the intermediate sheath, in particular when the integrated circuit is also at least partially embedded in the intermediate sheath.

With regard to the design of the intermediate cable sheath and the outer cable sheath, no further details have been given in connection with the exemplary embodiments described so far. In principle, the outer cable sheath can be an opaque outer sheath, in particular with fillers.

However, in order to be able to recognize the information carrier unit, for example, an advantageous solution provides that the outer cable jacket comprises a material which is transparent in the visible spectral range, so that the outer cable jacket, owing to its transparency, opens up the possibility of optically checking the location of the information carrier unit in the longitudinal direction of the cable Cable.

This has the great advantage that it simplifies reading out the information from one of the information carrier units of the cable, since the location of the information carrier unit can be easily determined by the transparent cable jacket.

A further possibility of being able to easily and reliably detect the location of the information carrier unit provides that the outer cable jacket carries a label and that the label in a defined manner Relation to the location of the information carrier unit is arranged, so that the labeling opens up the possibility of finding the location of the information carrier unit in a simple manner.

There are many different ways to generate such a relation to the label. For example, it is conceivable to arrange the information carrier unit either at the beginning or at the end of the labeling.

However, it is also conceivable to leave an inscription gap open in the inscription, which indicates the arrangement of the information carrier unit relative to the inscription.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to provide special labeling symbols in the area of the labeling, which then include information about the location of the sensor.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the description and the drawing of some exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung der Realisierung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 2 einer ersten Variante des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 2 einer zweiten Variante des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung der Realisierung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 5 einer Variante des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 7

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf das dritte Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht ähnlich Fig. 8 auf eine Variante des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 11

eine Schnittdarstellung durch das erste Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels im Bereich des Kabelinnenkörpers und der Trennlage;

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 10 eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 13

eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 11 des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 14

eine Darstellung eines Kabelstücks des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels ähnlich Fig. 10 des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 16

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 14 des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 17

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 18

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Zwickelschnur des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 19

eine perspektivische Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 10 eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 20

eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 11 durch das fünfte Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels im Bereich der Informationsträgereinheit;

Fig. 21

eine perspektivische Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 10 eines sechsten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 22

eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 11 durch das sechste Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels im Bereich der Informationsträgereinheit und

Fig. 23

eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 11 durch ein siebtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels.

The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of an information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a representation of the implementation of the first embodiment of the information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a representation similar Fig. 2 a first variant of the first embodiment of the information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 4

a representation similar Fig. 2 a second variant of the first embodiment of the information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a sectional view of the implementation of the second embodiment of the information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 6

a representation similar Fig. 5 a variant of the second embodiment;

Fig. 7

a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of an information carrier unit according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a plan view of the third embodiment according to Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a top view similar Fig. 8 to a variant of the third embodiment;

Fig. 10

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 11

a sectional view through the first embodiment of the cable according to the invention in the region of the inner cable body and the separation layer;

Fig. 12

a perspective view similar Fig. 10 a second embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 13

a sectional view similar Fig. 11 of the second embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 14

a representation of a piece of cable of the second embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 15

a perspective view of a third embodiment similar Fig. 10 of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 16

a representation similar Fig. 14 the third embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 17

a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 18

a perspective view of a gusset cord of the fourth embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 19

a perspective view similar Fig. 10 a fifth embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 20

a sectional view similar Fig. 11 by the fifth embodiment of the cable according to the invention in the area of the information carrier unit;

Fig. 21

a perspective view similar Fig. 10 a sixth embodiment of the cable according to the invention;

Fig. 22

a sectional view similar Fig. 11 by the sixth embodiment of the cable according to the invention in the area of the information carrier unit and

Fig. 23

a sectional view similar Fig. 11 by a seventh embodiment of a cable according to the invention.

An embodiment of an information carrier unit 10 to be used according to the invention, shown in FIG Fig. 1 , comprises a processor 12, to which a memory, designated as a whole by 14, is coupled, the memory preferably being designed as an EEPROM.

Furthermore, an analog part 16 is coupled to the processor 12, which interacts with an antenna unit 18.

The analog part 16 is able, with electromagnetic coupling of the antenna unit 18 to a reading device designated as a whole by 20, on the one hand the electrical operating voltage necessary for the operation of the processor 12 and the memory 14 and of the analog part 16 itself generate the required current and, on the other hand, make the information signals transmitted by electromagnetic field coupling at a carrier frequency available to the processor 12 or transmit information signals generated by the processor 12 to the reader 20 via the antenna unit 18.

A wide variety of carrier frequency ranges are possible.

In an LF frequency range from approximately 125 to approximately 135 kHz, the antenna unit 18 essentially acts as a second coil of a transformer, formed by the antenna unit 18 and the reading device 20, the energy and information being transmitted essentially via the magnetic field.

In this frequency range, the range between the reading device 20 and the antenna unit 18 is short, that is to say that the reading device 20 must be brought very close to the antenna unit 18, except for less than 10 cm.

In an HF frequency range between approximately 13 and approximately 14 MHz, the antenna unit 18 likewise essentially acts as a coil, wherein good energy transmission with a sufficiently long range is still possible in the interaction between the antenna unit 18 and an antenna of the reading device 20, whereby the distance is, for example, less than 20 cm.

In the UHF frequency range, the antenna unit 18 is designed as a dipole antenna, so that if the information carrier unit 10 is not supplied with power via the mobile reading device 20, a long range can be achieved in communication with the reading device 20 of, for example, up to 3 m, the interaction between the Reader 20 and the antenna unit 18 via electromagnetic fields. The carrier frequencies are from about 850 to about 950 MHz or from about 2 to about 3 GHz or from about 5 to about 6 GHz. With a power supply by the mobile reader 20, the range of the communication is up to 20 cm.

Depending on the frequency range, the antenna units 18 are therefore designed differently. In the LF frequency range, the antenna unit 18 is designed as a compact coil with an extent that can be less than one square centimeter.

In the RF frequency range, the antenna unit 18 is also designed as a coil, which, however, can have a larger dimension in the dimension of several square centimeters.

In the UHF frequency range, the antenna unit 18 is designed as a dipole antenna of various designs.

The memory 14 cooperating with the processor 12 is preferably divided into a plurality of memory fields 22 to 28, which can be written to in different ways.

For example, the memory field 22 is provided as a memory field that can be written by the manufacturer and carries, for example, an identification code for the information carrier unit 10. This identification code is written in the memory field 22 by the manufacturer and the memory field 22 is then provided with a write lock.

The memory field 24 can be provided, for example, with a write lock that can be activated by the cable manufacturer, so that the cable manufacturer has the option of writing to the memory field 24 and then securing the information in the memory field 24 by means of a write lock. The processor 12 thus has the possibility of reading out and outputting the information present in the memory field 24, but the information in the memory field 24 can no longer be overwritten by third parties.

For example, the information stored in the storage field 24 is information about the type, type of cable and / or technical specifications of the cable.

For example, the buyer of the cable stores information in the storage field 26 and then provides write protection. Here it is possible for the buyer and user of the cable to save information about the installation and use of the cable and to secure it with the write lock.

Information is freely writable and readable in the memory field 28, so that this memory field can be used in connection with a cable for storing and reading out information during the use of the information carrier unit.

This in Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment of the information carrier unit 10 is a so-called passive information carrier unit and thus does not require an energy store, in particular no accumulator or battery, in order to interact with the reader 20 and to be able to exchange information.

In addition, the processor 12 is also assigned a sensor 30 with which the processor 12 is able to detect physical state variables of the cable, such as radiation, pressure, temperature, tension, elongation or moisture, and corresponding values in the memory field 28, for example save.

The sensor 30 can be designed depending on the field of application.

For example, it is conceivable to design the sensor 30 to measure a pressure as a pressure-sensitive layer, the pressure sensitivity being able to be carried out, for example, by measuring resistance or, in the case of a multi-layer layer, by capacitive measurement.

As an alternative to this, for example to design the sensor as a temperature sensor, it is conceivable to design the sensor as a resistor that is variable with the temperature, so that a temperature measurement is possible by measuring the resistance.

When the sensor is designed as a tension or strain sensor, the sensor is designed, for example, as a strain gauge which changes its electrical resistance depending on the strain.

However, if the sensor is designed as an irreversible sensor that responds to a certain elongation or to a certain train, it is also possible to design the sensor as a sensor that disconnects an electrical connection, for example as a wire or conductor track, in which the electrical connection starts after a certain train a certain elongation due to breakage at a predetermined breaking point or cracking or changes from a low to a high resistance.

The tensile measurement or the strain measurement could also be implemented by a capacitive measurement, if necessary.

In the case of a moisture sensor, the sensor is preferably designed as a multi-layer structure that changes its electrical resistance or its capacity depending on the moisture.

The sensor 30 is active when the information carrier unit 10 is activated by the reading device 20, so that sufficient power is available to also operate the sensor 30.

During the activation of the information carrier unit 10, the sensor 30 is thus able to transmit measured values to the processor 12, which then stores these measured values, for example, in the memory field 28 and then reads them out when the reader 20 requests them.

An implementation of the first exemplary embodiment of the information carrier unit 10 according to the invention, shown in FIG Figure 2 comprises a base 40, on which an integrated circuit 42 is arranged, which the processor 12, has the memory 14 and the analog part 16, and conductor tracks 44, on the base 40, which form the antenna unit 18. The conductor tracks 44 can be applied to the base 70 by means of any shape-selective coating processes, for example in the form of imprints of a conductive lacquer or a conductive paste or also in the form of a wire loop.

In addition, the sensor 30 is arranged on the base 40, which in this exemplary embodiment is, for example, a temperature sensor, so that the sensor 30 can likewise either be arranged directly next to the integrated circuit 42 or as part of the integrated circuit 42 thereon.

The base 40 is produced, for example, when the information carrier unit 10 is extended in a first direction 46 from a bendable, in particular pliable material, for example a plastic tape, on which on the one hand the conductor track 44 can be easily and permanently applied by coating and on the other hand also the integrated circuit 42 is easy to fix, in particular in such a way that a permanent electrical connection between outer connection points 48 of the integrated circuit 42 and the conductor tracks 44 can be realized.

However, in a first variant of the first exemplary embodiment, the sensor of the first exemplary embodiment can also be an alternative to the temperature sensor, a tension or strain sensor or a moisture sensor, which is formed over a large area as a layer 32 and is arranged on the base 40 next to the antenna unit 18, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown.

In a second variant of the first embodiment, shown in Fig. 4 , The sensor 30 is designed as a multilayered layer structure 34 and can thus be operated as a capacitive sensor 30 with a space-saving structure. In particular, moisture, temperature or pressure can be detected in a simple manner due to the condition-dependent capacity.

Such a sensor 30 can be contacted in a simple manner by the integrated circuit or can be formed as part of the same.

If the base 40 is formed as a flat material, it is advantageous if it is formed with edge regions 41 which are blunt for its surroundings in order to avoid damage to the surroundings of the base 40 in the cable when the cable is moved. In the case of a base formed from a thin flat material, this means, for example, that it has rounded corner regions and, if possible, also has blunt-acting, for example deburred, edges.

In a second embodiment, shown in Fig. 5 , The information carrier unit 10 'is designed as a disk-shaped rigid body.

The base 40 'is formed by an investment material, for example made of resin or plastic material, which forms an embedding body 50 and in which the integrated circuit 42 and the conductor tracks 44, which form the antenna unit 18, are embedded, the conductor tracks 44 forming, for example, annular coil turns 52 which lie in a plane 54 and are completely embedded in the embedding body 50.

Thus, for example, the antenna unit is provided for the HF frequency range, in which the antenna unit 18 works similarly to a second coil of a transformer.

Furthermore, the sensor 30 is arranged on a side of the integrated circuit facing away from the coil turns 52, which is arranged, for example, on a side 56 of the entry body 50 and either aligns with this side 56 with a sensor surface 58 or projects beyond this side 56, so that the sensor surface 58 can be exposed to the direct influence of the physical state variable to be measured.

The sensor 30 is preferably arranged on a side opposite the coil turns 52 of the antenna unit 18.

In this second exemplary embodiment too, the sensor 30 can be designed as a temperature sensor. However, it is conceivable to design the sensor 30 as a pressure or moisture sensor.

The embedding body 50 is provided with edge regions 51 which have a blunt effect on the environment in the cable and, because of their rounding, forming a lens-like cross-sectional shape, cannot cause any damage to the cable, even when it is bent.

In a variant of the second embodiment, shown in Fig. 6 , The sensor 30 'is arranged next to the semi-lenticular embedding body 50 and extends away from it, for example in the form of a flag 53. In In this case, the sensor 30 'is preferably a strain sensor, which is able to measure, for example, a strain of the surroundings through a fixed connection to its surroundings.

In the second exemplary embodiment, those parts which are identical to those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals, so that full reference can be made to the statements relating to the first exemplary embodiment.

In contrast to the above exemplary embodiments, in a third exemplary embodiment an information carrier unit 10 "according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 7 , the analog part 16 is assigned an antenna unit 18 'which has a two-part effect, namely for example an antenna part 18a which communicates with the reading device 20 in the usual way, and an antenna part 18b which is able to couple to an alternating magnetic field 31 and withdraw energy from this in order to operate the information carrier unit 10 independently of the reading device 20 with this energy extracted from the alternating magnetic field 31.

For example, the alternating electromagnetic field 31 can be generated by the stray field of a data line, a control line, a pulsed power line or an AC line, which is connected, for example, to an AC voltage source with 50 Hz or a higher frequency. This makes it possible, regardless of whether the reader 20 is to be used to read in or read out information, to supply the information carrier unit 10 "with energy as long as the alternating field 31 exists.

The frequency of the alternating field 31 and a resonance frequency of the antenna part 18b can be matched to one another in such a way that the antenna part 18b is operated in resonance and thus allows optimal energy coupling from the alternating field 31.

Such a supply of the information carrier unit 10 with electrical energy, which is independent of the reading device 20, is particularly useful if the sensor 30 is to be used to record a physical state variable over longer periods of time, which does not coincide with the period of the coupling of the reading device 20 to the antenna unit 18a, but instead should be independent of this.

Thus, for example, the information carrier unit 10 ″ can be activated by switching on the electromagnetic alternating field 31, so that physical state variables can be measured by the sensor 30 and recorded via the processor 12 and, for example, stored in the memory field 28, regardless of the question of whether the reading device 20 is included the antenna unit 18 is coupled or not.

With such an information carrier unit 10 ″, it is possible to carry out measurements with the sensor 30 over long periods of time, so that a large number of measured values also result, which leads to a large amount of data if all measured values are stored.

For this reason, the processor 12 selects the measured values according to at least one selection criterion in order to reduce the amount of data in the memory field 28.

A selection criterion is, for example, a threshold value, above which the measured value is saved, so that the amount of data is drastically reduced.

Another selection criterion can also represent a statistical distribution, so that only measured values that differ significantly from a previously determined static distribution are stored and consequently the amount of data is also reduced as a result.

An implementation of the third exemplary embodiment of the information carrier unit 10 ", shown in FIG Fig. 8 includes a base 40 which is formed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

Furthermore, the integrated circuit 42 and the conductor tracks 44, which represent coil windings 52 in this exemplary embodiment, are arranged on the base 40.

In this exemplary embodiment, however, the sensor 30 is designed as a strain gauge 60, which in this exemplary embodiment is arranged on a base 62 connected to the base 40, which is extensible in a longitudinal direction 64 of the strain gauge 60.

In this exemplary embodiment, the base 62 together with the strain gauges 60 can advantageously be fixed to or embedded in the part to be measured, so that the stretch of this part or the area surrounding the base 62 is transferred to the base 62 and thus the base 62 does not distort the stretch record their surroundings and transfer them to the strain gauge 60.

In this exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal direction 64 runs transversely to the direction 46, which represents a longitudinal direction of the base 40.

With this information carrier unit 10 ″, if the strain gauge 60 is firmly connected to a component of the cable to be stretched, strains in the longitudinal direction 64 of the strain gauge are measurable and can be detected by the processor 12 on the integrated circuit 42.

In a variant of the third embodiment, shown in Fig. 9 , The information carrier unit 10 "is constructed in the same way as in the third exemplary embodiment, but with the difference that the strain gauge 60 'extends with its longitudinal direction 64' parallel to the direction 46 and lies to the side of the conductor tracks 44 for the antenna unit 18. The strain gauge 60 'is in turn also arranged on the base 62, which is extensible in the longitudinal direction 64 with the strain gauges 60' and is therefore connected, for example, to the base 40 via webs 66, so that the base 62 has the possibility of being parallel to the direction 46 to stretch through the base 40 with the strain gauge 60 'substantially unhindered.

With regard to the parts of the third exemplary embodiment that are identical to those of the first and second exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals have been used as in the preceding exemplary embodiments, so that reference can be made in full to the preceding exemplary embodiments with regard to the description thereof.

An information carrier unit corresponding to the exemplary embodiments described above can be used in different variants according to the invention for a cable.

A first, in Fig. 10 The illustrated embodiment of a cable 80 according to the invention comprises a cable inner body 82 in which a plurality of electrical conductor strands 84 run, the electrical conductor strands 84 each having, for example, a wire 86 of an electrical conductor that is insulated.

The electrical conductor strands 84 are preferably stranded with one another about a longitudinal axis 88, that is to say they are arranged around the longitudinal axis 88 and run at an angle to a parallel to the longitudinal axis 88 which intersects the respective conductor strand 84.

The inner cable body 82 is enclosed over its entire extent in a longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80 by a separating layer 92 which separates the inner cable body 82 from a cable sheath 102 which surrounds the inner cable body 82 and forms an outer cable surface 104.

At the in Fig. 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the separating layer 92 is formed by a band 94, which is wound around the inner cable body 82, with a slope that deviates from that of the stranded conductor strands 84, for example greater than the slope of the conductor strands 84.

The tape 94 is, for example, a non-woven tape that is wound around the inner cable body 82 during the manufacture of the cable 80 before the cable sheath 102 is extruded and, as in FIG Fig. 11 shown, carries on its side facing the inner cable body 82, the information carrier unit 10, which is arranged on a base 40.

In the first embodiment of the cable according to the invention, as in Fig. 11 The base 40 is arranged such that it faces the inner cable body 82, in particular the conductor strands 84, so that the integrated circuit 42 and the conductor tracks 44 face the band 94 and are therefore arranged in a protected manner between the band 94 and the base 40 in order to avoid damage to the conductor track 44, in particular in the region of the outer connection points 48, already during the cable production.

For example, the base 40 is glued flat to the tape 94 by an adhesive, specifically before the inner cable body 82 is wrapped by the tape 94, so that the information carrier unit 10 is also defined in the cable in a simple manner when the inner cable body 82 is wrapped with the tape 94 can be introduced and integrated.

The fact that the base 40 - as already described - has blunt edge regions 41 means that damage to the inner cable body 82 does not occur when the cable 80 is bent, although the base 40 lies directly on the inner cable body 82.

If the base 40 has a sufficiently high thermal conductivity, the information carrier unit 10 with the sensor 30 arranged on the base 40 according to the first embodiment is corresponding in the first embodiment Fig. 2 or according to the variants Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 a temperature measurable which corresponds to a temperature of the inner cable body 82.

If the information carrier unit is designed according to the third exemplary embodiment 10 ″, the strain gauge 60 is designed according to FIG Fig. 8 or 60 'according to Fig. 9 , in particular together with the base 62, firmly fixed to the band 94, the longitudinal direction 46 of the base 40 running approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the band 94, so that with the strain gauge 60 tension or strains transverse to the longitudinal direction of the band 94 and with the strain gauge 60 'Tensile or elongation in the longitudinal direction of the band 94 can be detected.

The elongations of the band 94 are then representative of the stress on the cable 80 when it is bent and in this exemplary embodiment can be recorded by the processor 12, possibly stored, and read out via the reading device 20.

The stretch mark 60 or 60 'can either be made of a material which forms cracks when it is pulled or stretched, so that its electrical resistance increases irreversibly, for example becomes very large, when a threshold value of the pull or the stretch is exceeded.

The stretch marks 60 or 60 'can, however, also be made of a material that reversibly changes its resistance with the tension or the tension that occurs.

If the strain gauges 60 or 60 'are to be used to record shear stresses in the cable 80, for example shear stresses between the cable sheath 102 and the inner cable body 82, the base 62 is fixed with one end to the inner cable body 82, for example by gluing, and one facing away from the base 62 The upper side of the respective strain gauge 60 or 60 'is fixed to the band 94 with the end opposite in the longitudinal direction 64 or 64', in the finished cable 80 there being an intimate connection between the band 94 and the cable sheath 102 extruded thereon, so that the Strain gauges 60 and 60 'relative movements between the inner cable body 82 and the cable sheath 102 can be detected with the band 94 fixed relative to this.

In a second exemplary embodiment of a cable 80 ′ according to the invention, shown in FIG Fig. 12 and 13 , The base 40 is arranged on a side of the band 94 facing away from the cable inner body 82, specifically in such a way that the integrated circuit 42 with the conductor tracks 44 lies on a side of the band 94 facing away from the carrier 40.

In this case, too, the information carrier unit 10 can be introduced into the cable by wrapping the cable inner body 82 when the cable is being produced.

With the information carrier unit 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment, there is the possibility with the sensor 30, for example in the form of a moisture sensor, to detect moisture penetrating through the cable sheath 102 at an early stage, if necessary before the moisture Cable inner body 82 is reached, so that if the information carrier unit 10 is continuously read out, cable damage can be recognized before it causes damage in the cable inner body 82.

However, the sensor 30 can also be designed as a pressure sensor in order to detect a pressure acting radially on the cable 80 ′.

In the case of an information carrier unit 10 ″ designed according to the third exemplary embodiment, it is possible to detect tension or expansion in the area between the cable jacket and the separating layer 92, the base 62 or 62 ′, for example, either in the area of its ends which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 64 the band 94 or directly on the cable sheath 102 in order to detect tension or elongation therein.

The information carrier unit 10 according to the first or second exemplary embodiment of the cable according to the invention is designed, for example, as an information carrier unit 10 which operates in the HF frequency range, that is to say has an antenna unit 18, the extent of which is several square centimeters.

In the second embodiment shown in Fig. 12 and 13 In that the base 40 is arranged on the side of the separating layer 92 facing away from the inner cable body 82, it is possible to visually recognize the base 40 of the information carrier unit 10 if the cable sheath 102 is made of a material that is transparent in the visible area.

Such a solution is in Fig. 14 shown, wherein a plurality of information carrier units 10 are arranged one after the other at uniform distances A in the longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80 ', so that the information carrier units 10 follow one another over the entire length of the cable 80' in a defined geometric grid dimension, namely with the distance A.

This makes it possible, for example, to use the information carrier units 10 to indicate a position in the longitudinal direction of the cable 80 ', so that reading out one of the information carrier units 10 shows the distance at which it is positioned from one of the ends of the cable 80'.

For this purpose, for example, the user can also write to the memory field 26 with information about the position of the respective information carrier unit 10, for example its distance from the two ends of the cable 80 '.

If the base 40 is also produced in a color that stands out from the color of the separating layer 92, the position of the respective information carrier units 10 can already be recognized from the outside when the cable sheath 102 is transparent in the visible spectral range and can be approached in a defined manner with the reading device 20, in order to read out the information from the respective information carrier units 10.

In order to make it easier to find the information carrier units 10 on the cable, it is preferably provided that the cable sheath 102 has a label 110 on the cable outer surface 104 which additionally has a label gap 112, the information carrier unit 10 being arranged in the cable 80 'at the level of the label gap 112 is.

By approaching the labeling gap 112 by means of the reading device, there is thus the possibility of being able to approach and read out the information carrier unit 10 with the reading device 20 without taking a closer look at the cable 80 ′.

The label 110 with the label gap 112 is preferably assigned to each position of an information carrier unit 10 in order to make it easier to find the information carrier unit 10 and to be able to clearly assign the data readable by the reader 20, in particular also the measured values of the sensor 30, to the respective location in the cable .

Even if the cable sheath 102 is not transparent in this embodiment, there is also the possibility, simply by approaching the label gap 112, of simply finding and reading out the information carrier unit 10 in the cable 80 ′.

In this second exemplary embodiment, a read / write range R of the information carrier units is also selected such that the read / write range R of the individual information carrier units 10 does not overlap in the longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80, but there are sufficient gaps between the respective read / write ranges R. , so that each of the information carrier units 10 can be individually approached and read with the reading device 20.

In the simplest case, the distance A between the information carrier units 10 is at least twice the read / write range R of the information carrier units 10, even better at least 2.5 times the read / write range R.

But there is also the possibility, as in Fig. 15 and 16 In a third exemplary embodiment of a cable 80 "according to the invention, the information carrier unit 10 'according to the second exemplary embodiment is held on a carrier tape 120 which rests on a side of the separating layer 92 facing away from the inner cable body 82 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80" above it extends over the entire length, the carrier tape 120 being provided at defined intervals with one of the plate-shaped information carrier units 10 '.

Thus, the information carrier unit 10 ', in this case a disk-shaped rigid body, which is introduced into the cable 80 ″ during manufacture by feeding the carrier tape 120 and is positioned within the cable 80 at defined intervals.

In order to accommodate the base 40 ', the carrier tape 120 is provided with areas 122 which are widened to which the respective base 40' of the corresponding information carrier unit is glued, narrow areas of the carrier tape 120 connecting to the area-widened areas 122, each of which is located between the areas widening the area 122 extend.

In this exemplary embodiment of the cable 80 ″ according to the invention, the carrier tape 120 is preferably also applied to the separating layer 92, regardless of how it is applied to the inner cable body 82, such application of the carrier tape 120 taking place in a manner similar to attaching an additional tape of the cable.

In this exemplary embodiment of the information carrier unit 10 ′, the sensor 30 is located on a side facing the cable sheath 102 in order, for example, to detect temperature or pressure in the cable sheath 102.

If the sensor according to the variant of the second exemplary embodiment ( Fig. 6 ) is formed, the lug 51, which extends away from the embedding body 50, is either in contact with the separating layer 92 or with the cable sheath 102.

In this exemplary embodiment as well, the information carrier unit 10 can be recognized by the cable sheath 102 if the cable sheath 102 is formed from a transparent material in the visible spectral range, so that the embedding body 50 of the information carrier unit seated on the inner cable body 82 can be recognized through the cable sheath 102 if this embedding body 50 stands out in color from the separating layer 92 on which it is arranged. ( Fig. 16 )

If the position of the information carrier units 10 cannot be found easily, a label 110 with, for example, a label gap 112 can also be provided.

However, it is also conceivable in this exemplary embodiment to arrange the label 110 such that the position at which the information carrier unit 10 can be found in the longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80 is indicated by the beginning of the label 110 or the end thereof.

In this exemplary embodiment, sensor 30 is, for example, a pressure sensor with which pressure conditions in cable 80 ″, in particular in cable sheath 102, can be detected.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment of a cable 80 '' according to the invention, shown in FIG Fig. 17 and 18th , lie in the inner cable body 82 between the electrical conductor strands 84 to compensate for the existing gusset 130 gusset cords 132 which are stranded with the electrical conductor strands 84, an information carrier unit 10 being integrated in one of the gusset cords 132.

For example, the integrated circuit 42 lies within the gusset cord 132 and thin wires 134 extend on both sides of the integrated circuit 42, which form the antenna unit 18, which in this case is preferably designed as a dipole antenna, so that on both sides of the integrated circuit 42 only a single wire 134 runs, which is also embedded like the integrated circuit 42 in the gusset cord 132 acting as a carrier.

In the solution according to the invention, the gusset cord 132 forms the carrier strand in which the information carrier unit 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment is arranged and through which the information carrier unit 10 can be inserted into the cable 80 ″ simply by the fact that the gusset cord 132 with the electrical conductor strands 84 is stranded together in a known manner to the inner cable body 82.

When inserting the information carrier unit 10 into the gusset cord 132, there is also the possibility of providing the information carrier units 10 at defined intervals A along the gusset cord 132, which in turn allows a defined arrangement of the information carrier units 10 at defined intervals in the longitudinal direction 90 of the cable 80 ″.

In this exemplary embodiment, the information carrier unit 10 can be operated in the UHF frequency range, since the antenna unit 18 is preferably designed as a dipole.

However, there is also the possibility of designing the antenna unit as an elongated coil and thus operating the information carrier unit 10 in the LF frequency range.

If the sensor 30 is designed as a temperature sensor in this exemplary embodiment, temperatures of the conductor strands 84 can be detected with high accuracy, since the sensor 30 is very close to the conductor strands 84.

However, it is also possible to design the sensor 30 as an irreversible tension or strain sensor, which has a conductor track 44 which forms cracks when a tension or strain threshold is exceeded and thereby irreversibly increases its electrical resistance, so that an excessive tensile or strain load in the Inner cable body 82 can be detected.

In a fifth exemplary embodiment of a cable 80 "" according to the invention, shown in FIG Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 , The inner cable body 82 is surrounded by an intermediate jacket 140, a separating layer 92 can be provided between the inner cable body 82 and the intermediate jacket 140, but can also be omitted.

The intermediate sheath 140 is part of the cable sheath 102 'and is additionally enclosed by a further part of the cable sheath 102', namely the outer sheath 150, so that the intermediate sheath 140 and the outer sheath 150 form the cable sheath 102 '.

The intermediate jacket 140 has, for example, a thickness which is greater than that of the outer jacket 150, so that the outer jacket 150 primarily performs an external protective function for the intermediate jacket 140.

As in Fig. 19 and 20th is shown, an information carrier unit 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment is inserted into the intermediate jacket 140, the base 40 with a side 43 lying opposite the integrated circuit 42 and the sensor 30 so that it terminates approximately with a surface 142 of the intermediate jacket 140, so that the information carrier unit 10 essentially does not protrude beyond the surface 142 of the intermediate jacket 140.

An intermediate sheath 140 of this type - if it is of sufficiently thick design - then opens up the possibility, despite a very strongly wavy surface 85 of the inner cable body 82, due to the stranded conductor strands 84 and the resulting gussets, which cannot be completely compensated for even by inserted gusset cords to create a substantially non-wavy or smooth surface 142 for the information carrier unit 10, in particular a solid one according to the first or third exemplary embodiment, so that there is no impairment of the information carrier unit 10, in particular the service life of the connections in the area of the outer connection points 48 and the service life the conductor track 44 on the base 40, through which wavy surface 85 can occur when the cable is bent.

Preferably, both the base 40 and in particular the integrated circuit 42 and the sensor 30 are thus at least partially embedded in the intermediate jacket 140 and the outer jacket 150 merely serves again as an outer coating over the intermediate jacket 140 with the information carrier unit 10 and thus in particular also protects the information carrier unit 10.

The blunt edge regions 41 of the base 40 also ensure that the intermediate sheath 140 or the outer sheath 150 is not damaged when the cable 80 "" is bent.

For example, sensor 30 is corresponding in accordance with the first variant Fig. 3 formed, the sensor 30 can be used, for example, to detect physical radiation acting from the outside, the temperature or the moisture in the cable sheath 102 ′, in particular in the region of the intermediate sheath 140.

For example, sensor 30 according to the third exemplary embodiment is corresponding 8 or 9 formed, tensile or elongation can be detected in the cable sheath 102 'when the base 62 or 62' is fixed to the intermediate sheath 140 and expansion movements follow the same.

A mechanical overload of the cable sheath 102 ′ can thus be detected, for example.

In particular, the outer jacket 150 is made of a transparent material, so that the position of the information carrier unit 10 on the intermediate jacket 140 can be seen from the outside, in particular when the base 40 is contrasted in color with the color of the material of the intermediate jacket 140.

However, an information carrier unit 10 'according to the second exemplary embodiment can also be integrated in the intermediate sheath 140 of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the cable 80 """according to the invention, as in FIG Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 shown.

In this case, the carrier 40 ′ is also partially enclosed, embedded in the intermediate jacket 140, in such a way that the side 56 thereof and the sensor surface 58 are approximately flush with the surface 142 of the intermediate jacket 140 and thus do not essentially protrude beyond the intermediate jacket 140, so that the outer jacket 150 can also cover both the intermediate jacket 140 and the information carrier unit 10 '.

The rounded edge regions 41 'also ensure in this embodiment of the information carrier unit 10 "that the intermediate sheath 140 or the outer sheath 150 is not damaged when the cable 80" "' is bent.

If, for example, the sensor 30 is a moisture sensor, the penetration of moisture through the outer sheath 150 can be recognized early on the surface 142 of the intermediate sheath 140 in the cable sheath 102 ′ with the sensor surface 58 before moisture penetrates the intermediate sheath 140 and reaches the inner cable body 82. so that measures can be taken at an early stage to prevent damage to the cable 80 ′ ″ by penetration of moisture into the cable inner body 82.

Even if the size of the information carrier unit 10 ′ should be such that it cannot be embedded in the intermediate jacket 140 within the outer surface 142, but rather via the outer surface 142 of the If the intermediate jacket 140 protrudes, there is nevertheless the possibility of achieving a sufficient coverage of the information carrier unit 10 'through the outer jacket 150 and thus protecting the latter against external influences.

In a seventh exemplary embodiment of a cable 80 according to the invention, shown in FIG Fig. 23 , the intermediate sheath 140 is formed approximately in the thickness of the embedding body 50 of the information carrier unit 10 'according to the second exemplary embodiment, so that when the embedding body 50 is essentially completely embedded in the intermediate sheath 140 and when the sensor surface 58 is oriented such that it faces the cable inner body 82 and essentially rests on the surface 85 of the inner cable body 82, the sensor 30 can approximately detect, for example, the temperature or pressure or humidity of the inner cable body 82.

The fixing of the information carrier unit 10 or 10 'in the fifth embodiment according to Fig. 19 and 20th or according to the sixth embodiment Fig. 21 and 22 or according to the seventh embodiment Fig. 23 takes place in that the information carrier unit 10 or 10 'after the extrusion of the intermediate jacket 140 is pressed into a plastic state of the latter, and thus the intermediate jacket 140 is so soft that it at least partially the information carrier unit 10 or 10' within its outer surface 142 can record embedded.

Claims (13)

1. Cable, comprising an inner cable body (82), in which at least one conductor strand (84) of an optical and/or electrical conductor (86) runs in the longitudinal direction of the cable (90), a cable sheath (102), enclosing the inner cable body (82) and lying between an outer surface (104) of the cable and the inner cable body (82), and at least one information carrier unit (10), disposed within the outer surface (104) of the cable, further comprising a sensor (30), the at least one information carrier unit (10) being readable by electromagnetic field coupling and the at least one information carrier unit (10) picking up at least one measured value of the sensor (30) associated with it, and the measured value being readable by a read device (20), characterized in that the sensor (30) is a sensor which reacts irreversibly to the state variable to be picked up.
2. Cable according to Claim 1, characterized in that the information carrier unit (10) stores the at least one measured value in a memory (14).
3. Cable according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (30) picks up state variables of the inner cable body (82).
4. Cable according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (30) picks up state variables between the inner cable body (82) and the cable sheath (102).
5. Cable according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the information carrier units (10) can be individually addressed by an access code.
6. Cable according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a carrier strand (94, 120, 132) is associated with the inner cable body (82), the carrier strand running over the length of the inner cable body, in that at least one information carrier unit (10) that can be read by electromagnetic field coupling is disposed on the carrier strand (94, 120, 132) and in that the carrier strand (94, 120, 132) is covered over by the cable sheath (102).
7. Cable according to Claim 6, characterized in that the carrier strand (94, 120, 132) runs parallel to a longitudinal direction (90) of the inner cable body (82).
8. Cable according to Claim 6, characterized in that the carrier strand (94, 132) is formed such that it wraps around the at least one conductor strand (44) of the inner cable body (82).
9. Cable according to Claim 8, characterized in that the carrier strand (132) runs approximately parallel to a twisting direction of the at least one conductor strand (84), and in that in particular the carrier strand (132) runs in the form of an interstitial cord of the inner cable body (82).
10. Cable according to Claims 8 or Claim 9, characterized in that the carrier strand (132) lies directly on the inner cable body (82).
11. Cable according to any of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the carrier strand (94) is at least part of a separating layer (92) between the inner cable body and the cable sheath (102).
12. Cable according to any of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the information carrier unit (10) is disposed on a side of the carrier strand (94) that is facing the inner cable body (82) or on a side of the carrier strand (94) that is facing away from the inner cable body (82).
13. Cable according to any of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the sensor (30) is disposed on the carrier strand (94).

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