EP2229242B1 - Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques - Google Patents

Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2229242B1
EP2229242B1 EP08869632A EP08869632A EP2229242B1 EP 2229242 B1 EP2229242 B1 EP 2229242B1 EP 08869632 A EP08869632 A EP 08869632A EP 08869632 A EP08869632 A EP 08869632A EP 2229242 B1 EP2229242 B1 EP 2229242B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diaphragm
ultrasonic transducer
transducer element
ultrasonic
membrane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP08869632A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2229242A1 (fr
Inventor
Christian Degel
Daniel Schmitt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Original Assignee
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV filed Critical Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Publication of EP2229242A1 publication Critical patent/EP2229242A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2229242B1 publication Critical patent/EP2229242B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K9/00—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers
    • G10K9/12—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
    • G10K9/122—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated using piezoelectric driving means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer for generating asymmetric sound fields, in particular for applications in gaseous media, comprising a housing having an elongated membrane and a plate-shaped transducer element made of an electrostrictive material, through which the membrane can be excited to oscillate in the ultrasonic range.
  • Ultrasonic transducers which generate asymmetrical sound fields are used, inter alia, in the field of spatial surveillance, for example as parking sensors in motor vehicles.
  • Conventional ultrasonic transducers have for this purpose a circular membrane, which can be excited by an attached thereto transducer element of an electrostrictive material to vibrations in the ultrasonic range.
  • transducer element of an electrostrictive material to vibrations in the ultrasonic range.
  • ultrasonic waves impinging on the membrane which cause the membrane to vibrate, can be converted into electrical signals by the transducer element.
  • Ultrasonic transducers with a circular diaphragm or aperture generally generate symmetrical sound fields. However, for many applications, particularly where the ultrasonic transducers are located near a ceiling, floor or wall, asymmetric sound fields are desired which have a greater extent along the axis perpendicular to the main propagation direction than along the perpendicular axis. This relates, for example, to ultrasound transducers which are used in parking aid systems of motor vehicles and are intended to have a broader sound radiation in the horizontal with respect to the vertical.
  • An asymmetrical sound radiation can be achieved by a correspondingly asymmetrical design of the membrane of the ultrasonic transducer.
  • Under the membrane here is the thinned region of the transducer to understand, which is excited by the transducer element to ultrasonic vibrations.
  • the shape of the membrane thus also corresponds to the shape of the aperture of the ultrasonic transducer.
  • a membrane may be a separate component which is held in a housing or also formed by a thin portion of an otherwise solid component.
  • an ultrasonic transducer for generating an asymmetric sound field comprising a housing having an elongated membrane and a arranged on one side of a major surface of the membrane plate-shaped transducer element of an electrostrictive Material has, by which the membrane is excitable to vibrations in the ultrasonic range.
  • the membrane formed integrally with the housing in this case has an elongated shape which is obtained by corresponding cutouts or holes in the material block forming the housing.
  • the plate-shaped transducer element is glued centrally on the inner surface of the membrane.
  • the DE 19512417 C2 describes a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer for transit time measurements, which can also be used for space monitoring.
  • the ultrasonic transducer has a plurality of mutually equally spaced, piezoelectric lamellae, which is connected at their respective narrow sides with a continuous one-piece cover plate. Due to the elongated cover plate a correspondingly asymmetric sound radiation is achieved. However, the construction of this converter is expensive.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a simply constructed ultrasonic transducer for generating asymmetric sound fields, which can be used in gaseous media and allows a large ratio of the opening angle of the sound radiation.
  • the proposed ultrasonic transducer has, in a known manner, a housing with an elongated membrane and a plate-shaped transducer element made of an electrostrictive material arranged on one side of a main surface of the membrane, by means of which the membrane can be excited to oscillate in the ultrasonic range.
  • electrodes are attached to the transducer element in a known manner, via which the transducer element can be excited to oscillate or can be detected via the electrical voltage changes on the transducer element which are caused by the reception of ultrasonic waves.
  • the transducer element here preferably consists of a piezoelectric material, for example a piezoelectric ceramic.
  • the proposed ultrasonic transducer is characterized in that a gap is formed between the diaphragm and the transducer element and the diaphragm is mechanically coupled to the transducer element only via its edge.
  • the mechanical coupling can in this case be realized via a stepped intermediate element between the transducer element and the membrane.
  • the proposed ultrasonic transducer has only on one side of the transducer element on a membrane in order to achieve the desired sound radiation. Due to the elongated shape of the membrane, this forms an elongate aperture for the sound radiation of the ultrasound transducer, so that the ultrasound transducer generates a correspondingly asymmetrical sound field.
  • the membrane is driven by the plate-shaped transducer element, which transmits the vibration only at the edge and is not fully connected to the membrane, as is the case in the prior art in this field.
  • This embodiment also achieves a lever effect which amplifies the deflection of the membrane and thus enables increased oscillation amplitudes and an increased range of the ultrasonic radiation.
  • the membrane has a rectangular basic shape.
  • the corners of this rectangular basic shape can also be rounded due to the production.
  • Such an ultrasonic transducer can be produced inexpensively and allows a larger ratio of the opening angle of the sound radiation in two mutually perpendicular planes than is possible with the previously known ultrasonic transducers for the present applications.
  • the transducer element is not operated in the thickness mode, but in a lateral vibration mode, for example.
  • the 3-1 mode It is only essential for the design of the membrane that a geometric axis is substantially longer than the other axis, whereby the elongated shape and thus the asymmetrical sound radiation is achieved.
  • the membrane is mechanically coupled to the transducer element over a region of the housing.
  • the transducer element is preferably inserted into a peripheral recess in a wall region of the housing.
  • the recess is arranged, for example, on the rear side opposite the membrane of the housing, that a gap between the membrane and the transducer element is present.
  • the membrane may in this case be formed integrally with the housing in a known manner.
  • an ultrasonic transducer With such an ultrasonic transducer, a three-dimensional space can be illuminated with ultrasound to detect obstacles or objects.
  • the ultrasonic transducer allows a range of several meters and can be due to the asymmetric sound field in the vicinity of reflective surfaces, such as walls, floor or ceiling, use.
  • the ultrasonic transducer consists of only a few components and can be inexpensively produce.
  • Such an ultrasound transducer can be used, for example, for distance detection, access control or navigation assistance, for example in conjunction with a parking assistance system, although this is of course not an exhaustive list.
  • the in FIG. 1 schematically shown in section ultrasonic transducer has a housing 1, in which by appropriate shaping a membrane 2 is formed.
  • the housing 1 also has a
  • the transducer element 3 can in this case be glued into this recess shown in the figure. Housing and membrane are integrally formed of the same material, in the present example of aluminum.
  • the plate-shaped transducer element 3 can be formed, for example, from PZT 5H, a piezoceramic.
  • the electrodes mounted on both sides of the plate-shaped transducer element 3 are not shown in the figures. The person skilled in the art is familiar with the arrangement of such electrodes on piezoelectric transducer elements.
  • FIG. 1 For use in space monitoring, for example as a parking sensor on motor vehicles, in the FIG. 1
  • a graduated total thickness of approximately 2 mm, a width of approximately 10 mm to be recognized in the figure, and a length of approximately 35 mm are also shown.
  • the air gap formed by this construction of the ultrasonic transducer between the plate-shaped transducer element 3 and the membrane 2 is about 1.5 mm.
  • the width of the membrane is about 8mm.
  • the plate-shaped transducer element 3 is not directly connected to the membrane 2. Rather, the mechanical coupling of this transducer element 3 takes place with the membrane 2 only via the housing 1 with the edge of the membrane 2.
  • This construction allows other modes of vibration as in full-surface bonding of the transducer element with the membrane, so that by suitable elongated geometry of the membrane with a simple Effort significantly more asymmetrical sound fields (ie, with a larger ratio of the opening angle) can be generated, as with the construction according to the prior art described above.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows the vibration transmission between the transducer element 3 and the membrane 2.
  • a leverage is achieved by the coupling on the housing 1 and the edge of the membrane 2, which advantageously leads to a vibration amplification.
  • the membrane 2 carries out larger oscillation amplitudes than the exciting transducer element 3.
  • FIG. 3 shows a plan view of such an ultrasonic transducer in a schematic representation.
  • the almost rectangular shape of the membrane 2 and the underlying transducer element 3 are indicated by dashed lines.
  • the length of the membrane 2 can be scaled almost arbitrarily in order to generate correspondingly different asymmetries of the sound fields.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Transducteur d'ultrasons destiné à générer des champs sonores asymétriques, en particulier pour des applications dans des milieux gazeux, qui présente un boîtier (1) avec une membrane (2) conçue allongée et un élément convertisseur (3) en forme de plaque, disposé sur un côté d'une surface principale de la membrane (2), à base d'un matériau électrostrictif, par lequel la membrane (2) peut être excitée pour obtenir des vibrations dans la plage des ultrasons,
    caractérisé en ce que
    une fente est formée entre la membrane (2) et l'élément convertisseur (3) et la membrane (2) est couplée uniquement par son bord mécaniquement à l'élément convertisseur (3).
  2. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon la revendication 1,
    caractérisé en ce que
    la membrane (2) a une forme rectangulaire.
  3. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon la revendication 1,
    caractérisé en ce que
    la membrane (2) a une forme rectangulaire avec des angles arrondis.
  4. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3,
    caractérisé en ce que
    la membrane (2) est couplée par une zone du boîtier (1) mécaniquement à l'élément convertisseur (3).
  5. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon la revendication 4,
    caractérisé en ce que
    l'élément convertisseur (3) est inséré tout ou partiellement dans un évidement périphérique dans une zone de paroi du boîtier (1).
  6. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que
    l'élément convertisseur (3) est à base d'un matériau piézoélectrique.
  7. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6,
    caractérisé en ce que l'élément convertisseur (3) peut être excité dans un mode de vibration 3-1.
  8. Transducteur d'ultrasons selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que
    l'élément convertisseur (3) peut être excité dans un mode de vibration 3-1, utilisant une résonance en direction de la plus grande longueur de l'élément convertisseur en forme de plaque.
  9. Transducteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8,
    caractérisé en ce que
    le boîtier (1) est conçu d'une seule pièce et de façon dégradée avec la membrane (2).
EP08869632A 2008-01-09 2008-12-19 Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques Not-in-force EP2229242B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102008003594 2008-01-09
PCT/DE2008/002140 WO2009086805A1 (fr) 2008-01-09 2008-12-19 Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2229242A1 EP2229242A1 (fr) 2010-09-22
EP2229242B1 true EP2229242B1 (fr) 2011-05-18

Family

ID=40622175

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08869632A Not-in-force EP2229242B1 (fr) 2008-01-09 2008-12-19 Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2229242B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE509708T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE112008003772A5 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009086805A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010053713A1 (de) * 2010-12-07 2012-06-14 Continental Automotive Gmbh Elektroakustische Wandleranordnung und Verfahren zum Betreiben einer elektroakustischen Wandleranordnung
DE102012201884A1 (de) * 2012-02-09 2013-08-14 Robert Bosch Gmbh Schallwandler
GB201409547D0 (en) * 2014-05-29 2014-07-16 Gill Instr Ltd An electroacoustic transducer

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4330747C1 (de) * 1993-09-10 1995-02-16 Siemens Ag Ultraschallwandler und Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung
US6443901B1 (en) * 2000-06-15 2002-09-03 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers
JP3915448B2 (ja) * 2001-07-30 2007-05-16 日本ビクター株式会社 電気音響変換器
DE102006050037A1 (de) * 2006-10-24 2008-04-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh Ultraschallwandler

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE509708T1 (de) 2011-06-15
DE112008003772A5 (de) 2010-12-09
EP2229242A1 (fr) 2010-09-22
WO2009086805A1 (fr) 2009-07-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2559024B1 (fr) Procédé pour commander un capteur ultrasonore et capteur ultrasonore
EP2856206B1 (fr) Capteur à ultrasons ainsi que dispositif et procédé pour mesurer une distance entre un véhicule et un obstacle
DE102012201884A1 (de) Schallwandler
DE102017008776A1 (de) Verfahren und Messeinrichtung zur Ermittlung einer Fluidgröße
EP2229242B1 (fr) Transducteur ultrasonore permettant la réalisation de champs acoustiques asymétriques
EP3039448B1 (fr) Ensemble formant capteur
EP3010653B1 (fr) Convertisseur électroacoustique
DE102018006139B3 (de) 1D-Ultraschallwandler-Einheit für die Bereichsüberwachung
EP3010655A1 (fr) Convertisseur électroacoustique
DE102017209823A1 (de) Ultraschallsensor
DE102018006127B4 (de) 1D-Ultraschallwandler-Einheit für die Materialerfassung
DE102010062990A1 (de) Schallwandler mit zumindest einem Piezoelement
DE10361316A1 (de) Ultraschallwandlervorrichtung
DE102018005540B4 (de) 1D-Ultraschallwandler-Einheit
DE102018006130B3 (de) 1D-Ultraschallwandler-Einheit zur Gefahrenerkennung für ein Fahrzeug
DE102019130488B3 (de) Objekterkennungssensor
DE10009129A1 (de) Ultraschallsensor
DE102017122428B4 (de) Ultraschallsensor für ein Kraftfahrzeug
EP3325180B1 (fr) Dispositif d'émission et/ou de réception de signaux acoustiques
DE102016119099B4 (de) Ultraschallsensor, Fahrerassistenzeinrichtung, Kraftfahrzeug sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Ultraschallsensors
DE202019106292U1 (de) Objekterkennungssensor
DE102015213813A1 (de) Elektro-Akustik-Wandler mit Wegaddition abseits der Schallrichtung

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20100624

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA MK RS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAC Information related to communication of intention to grant a patent modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCIGR1

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502008003641

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20110518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110818

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110919

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110819

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110829

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110918

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20120221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502008003641

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120221

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWAN

Effective date: 20111231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120831

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120102

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111219

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110818

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20121219

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121231

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110518

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121219

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20131217

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 509708

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20131219

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20131219

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502008003641

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150701