EP2649627B1 - Padlock for securing and monitoring a switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a padlock for securing and monitoring a switch of an industrial plant. The invention further relates to a safety and monitoring system for a switch of an industrial plant comprising at least one padlock.

A special area of application of a padlock is in the field of occupational safety. In connection with the maintenance of industrial equipment, such as a production machine, there is a risk that the disabled for the purpose of maintenance industrial plant is inadvertently activated again while the maintenance work is still ongoing. This can result in a considerable risk to the maintenance personnel. It is therefore common for maintenance personnel to place a switch associated with the industrial installation in an OFF position for the duration of the maintenance and secure it in that position, i. the switch is immediately blocked or access to the switch is blocked. The aforesaid switch is typically a power supply switch, for example, a main electrical switch of a controller or an industrial plant power supply (e.g., power switch box). Alternatively, the switch mentioned may be, for example, a valve of a liquid or gas line.

In order to effectively prevent accidental activation of the industrial plant by another person, each maintenance person hangs before the start of their work on the said switch or on a Switch assigned locking device a padlock and locks it. The switch is thereby secured in its OFF position, ie the switch can not be accidentally returned to an ON position by another person. When the maintenance person finishes their work, they unlock their padlock and release it from the switch. Each maintenance person is usually assigned his own individual padlock (or several individual padlocks).

This procedure is also called lockout. Accordingly, the padlock used is referred to as lockout lock. The document US 5,449,867 shows such a backup of an electrical toggle switch by means of a padlock. From the document US 3,171,908 It is known to secure the position of a rotary switch by means of a padlock.

So that several maintenance personnel can block and release the switch independently of one another, several receptacles (for example, eyelets) for attaching several lockout locks can be provided on the switch. This is for example from the document US 6,388,213 known. If only a single receptacle for a lockout lock is provided, a securing claw can be used, which is hooked into the relevant eyelet of the switch or the associated locking device and in turn has several hooks for a respective padlock. Only when the last padlock has been removed from the safety claw, the safety claw can be removed from the switch, so that it can be brought back into the ON position. Such a securing claw for use on an electrical control box is for example from the documents US 6,396,008 . US 5,365,757 and US 3,667,259 known.

In connection with such securing a switch of an industrial plant, it is known to equip the lockout lock used with a plastic housing, wherein a bracket is held displaceably on the lock housing, and wherein a lock cylinder is arranged in the lock housing. The lock cylinder can be selectively brought from an open position to a locking position to lock the bracket to the lock housing after the bracket has been hung, for example, in an eye of the switch. The design of the lock housing made of plastic results in a particularly lightweight padlock, which is advantageous when used as a lockout lock, since the maintenance personnel sometimes carry several lockout locks simultaneously. A plastic housing may also contribute to a desired electrical insulation. Furthermore, by using a plastic housing a particularly simple way of color marking the padlock. The lower stability of a plastic housing compared to a metal lock case is in a lockout lock no serious drawback, since the padlock serves only to secure a switch against unintentional operation, but not, for example, as theft protection. Such a lockout lock with a plastic housing is, for example, from the documents US 7,278,283 and US 5 755 121 known. These are simple, purely mechanical padlocks.

From the document WO 2006/080863 A2 For example, there is known a security system for an industrial installation that includes a lock for locking a lever and an associated key that may be provided with an RFID transponder. The key can be recorded in a central unit to read an electronic code from the RFID transponder.

It is an object of the invention to provide a padlock and a corresponding security system, which enable a reliable backup and monitoring a switch of an industrial plant with a simple structure.

This object is achieved by a padlock with the features of claim 1.

By means of the arranged in the housing of the lockout RFID transponder can be easily checked and documented using an associated reader, whether at a given time, the lockout in question is located at a switch an industrial plant or was to to secure the switch. For this purpose, the padlock used can have a simple mechanical structure, since the RFID transponder can be used as a separate, autonomous unit in the padlock. The padlock can thus have a purely mechanical locking device, which is independent of the electronics of the RFID transponder. Due to the arrangement of the RFID transponder in a plastic housing, radio communication with an associated reading device can take place essentially undisturbed. At the same time, the RFID transponder is reliably protected against damage and contamination. This is an important aspect when using the padlock as a lockout lock, since the padlock may be subject to severe impact and / or abrasion stress when placed on a switch of an industrial facility and even while it is not in use by the service person is carried along (hanging on a belt, for example). The arrangement of the RFID transponder in the lock housing can be done in many ways. For example, the lock housing form an outer shell, in which the RFID transponder is integrated, in particular by encapsulation or encapsulation. Alternatively, it is for example possible to detachably receive the RFID transponder in the lock housing, as will be explained below.

An RFID transponder is a receiving and transmitting device that receives an interrogation signal at a predetermined radio frequency and then transmits a predetermined identification signal (for example, an identification number coded in a radio signal). This method is called Radio Frequency Identification (English: radio-frequency identification). For this purpose, the RFID transponder has at least one antenna, an electronic circuit coupled thereto and a nonvolatile memory in which the predetermined identification number is stored. If an associated reading device generates an electromagnetic alternating field with a suitable frequency and transmits it to the RFID transponder (interrogation signal), the antenna of the RFID transponder receives the electromagnetic energy of the alternating field, whereby the emission of said identification signal (again via the antenna) is triggered becomes. For this purpose, the electronic circuit of the RFID transponder does not have its own power supply, but he can remove the required electrical energy of the received alternating field. The emitted identification signal is impressed by field weakening in such a way in the alternating field generated by the reader that the reader can decode the identification signal of the RFID transponder. Such an RFID transponder is for example from the document US Pat. No. 7,205,899 known.

By reading the identification signal of a united with a lockout RFID transponder can be easily determined and / or documented, which lockout lock is attached (corresponding to a specific maintenance person) at a given time to a switch an industrial plant or was. In this case, it is also possible to detect several RFID transponders simultaneously by means of a single assigned reading device, i. The presence of several different RFID transponders or lockout locks can be determined and / or documented simultaneously. On the basis of the information obtained by means of the reader (for example identification number and date / time), a control device associated with the switch or the industrial installation concerned can additionally be supplied with control signals (redundant possibility of checking the switching state). Alternatively or additionally, it can be documented at what time which lockout locks were arranged at the respective switch of the industrial installation, for example in the event of an industrial accident (accident investigation, liability).

The lock cylinder of the padlock has a longitudinal shape with a longitudinal axis, which typically corresponds to the axis of rotation of a rotatable cylinder core of the lock cylinder. The lock cylinder can be designed, for example, as a profile cylinder, in particular as an exchangeable profile cylinder. According to the RFID transponder is curved with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder. In other words, the RFID transponder extends in a curved manner (in a normal plane to said longitudinal axis) around the lock cylinder. This results in a particularly advantageous angular characteristic of the RFID transponder, ie, the RFID transponder can interact with a dedicated reader in a wide range of angles. In particular, this can be a reliable communication be achieved with an associated RFID reader regardless of whether the RFID reader facing the front or the back of the padlock. The lock cylinder, which is typically made of metal, does not prove to be disturbing because the lock cylinder can be arranged inside the curvature formed by the RFID transponder, ie the RFID transponder can completely or partially surround the lock cylinder in a circumferential manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the RFID transponder is enclosed on all sides within the lock housing. This ensures a particularly effective protection of the RFID transponder from mechanical damage and / or contamination. The all-round enclosing of the RFID transponder is preferably carried out by interaction of the lock housing with another part of the padlock, in particular with a further housing part (for example inner housing or outer housing part).

According to a further embodiment, the RFID transponder may extend along at least part of the length of the lock cylinder and along at least part of the circumference of the lock cylinder. In this case, the RFID transponder does not touch the lock cylinder, but is preferably spaced from this (in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder). As a result, a particularly good reception and transmission characteristic of the RFID transponder is achieved, while the placement of the RFID transponder in the lock housing in the manner of a lock cylinder "wound" unit can be realized structurally simple and with minimal space requirements.

It is advantageous if the RFID transponder is arranged at a distance from the lock cylinder. Investigations have shown that a particularly good angle characteristic of the RFID transponder is achieved when the RFID transponder is not directly adjacent to the lock cylinder, but is arranged at a certain distance from the lock cylinder. This is especially true when the RFID transponder is curved with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder, as explained above.

If the padlock in addition to the lock housing has a further housing part, this can be secured in (eg, received in) the lock housing, wherein the RFID transponder is disposed in a space between the lock housing and the other housing part. This allows a particularly simple and fast attachment of the RFID transponder in the lock housing, since the RFID transponder must be inserted only in the lock housing or the other housing part before the lock housing and the housing part are secured together and the RFID transponder thus in the lock housing is caught. Furthermore, this can be realized in a simple manner, an advantageous distance between the RFID transponder and the lock cylinder.

In particular, the RFID transponder can be accommodated in a form-fitting manner in a recess of the lock housing or of the further housing part provided in order to ensure a substantially backlash-free fit of the RFID transponder in the lock housing.

With respect to said further housing part, it is preferred if this also consists of plastic. As a result, a long range and a wide angle characteristic of the RFID transponder are still better supported. However, it is also possible to manufacture said housing part made of metal, provided electrical insulation is ensured by the components of the RFID transponder (for example, by a plastic covering of the RFID transponder).

According to a preferred embodiment, the lock housing and said further housing part are secured to each other by means of a detachable securing device (for example a screw), wherein the RFID transponder is caught between the lock housing and the housing part, as long as the lock housing and the housing part secured together by means of said securing means are. As a result, the RFID transponder is reliably secured captive in the lock housing. Nevertheless, the RFID transponder can be exchanged later, for example to assign a different identification number to the relevant lockout lock.

It is particularly advantageous if the said safety device is only accessible when the authorized user has brought the lock cylinder by means of an associated key in the open position. This makes it possible for the authorized user to exchange the RFID transponder as needed. However, as long as the lock housing and the housing part are secured together by means of said securing means and the padlock is locked, the RFID transponder between the lock housing and the housing part is caught unreachable, so that with regard to the assignment of a predetermined RFID transponder to the respective padlock a high Tampering security is ensured. With respect to the RFID transponder, it is preferred if it has two antennas. As a result, the sensitivity and the angle characteristic of the RFID transponder can be further improved.

The above object is also achieved by a safety and monitoring system for a switch of an industrial plant comprising at least one padlock with the features of claim 1, wherein the padlock can be attached to the switch of the industrial plant, wherein the safety and Monitoring system further comprises a permanently mounted in the vicinity of the switch reference RFID transponder and a mobile RFID reader, which is adapted to read the RFID transponder of the padlock and the fixed in the vicinity of the switch reference RFID transponder.

By means of such a security and monitoring system, it is possible by means of the RFID reader to detect the presence of a lockout lock, on the one hand, by detecting the RFID transponder of the lockout lock. On the other hand, a spatial assignment of the lockout lock to the relevant switch of the industrial plant can be produced by the fact that the RFID reader also detects the reference RFID transponder mounted in the vicinity of the switch. Thus, by means of an RFID reader, the presence of a particular lockout lock on the switch can be detected reliably and comprehensibly, which can be concluded that the appropriate maintenance person has their lockout lock properly attached to the switch.

In particular, said RFID reader can be designed to store an identification information read from the RFID transponder of the lockout lock and an identification information read from the reference RFID transponder together with time information (date / time), in particular in a non-volatile manner Storage. The associated time information can be derived, for example, from an integrated clock of the RFID reader.

The above object is also achieved by a safety and monitoring system for a switch of an industrial plant, comprising at least one padlock with the features of claim 1, wherein the padlock can be attached to the switch of the industrial plant, and wherein the safety and monitoring system has a permanently mounted in the vicinity of the switch RFID reader, which is adapted to read the RFID transponder of the padlock at predetermined times.

In this embodiment eliminates the need to bring a mobile RFID reader at predetermined times in the vicinity of the switch to detect possibly existing lockout locks or their RFID transponder. Instead, an RFID reader permanently mounted near the switch can detect the presence of one or more lockout locks on the switch by automatically checking at regular time intervals.

In particular, the permanently mounted RFID reader can be designed to store an identification information read from the RFID transponder of the lockout lock together with time information, in particular in a nonvolatile memory. hereby is a particularly reliable and complete documentation of possible, at what times which lockout locks were on the switch.

Alternatively or additionally, the information read out of the RFID transponder of the lockout lock can be transmitted to a central storage and / or evaluation device. The central storage and / or evaluation device can in this case receive the signals from a plurality of stationary RFID readers, which are assigned to various switches of the industrial plant.

Incidentally, in the case of the above-described securing and monitoring systems, the respective padlock may be developed in accordance with one of the embodiments which have also been explained above for a lockout lock according to the invention.

Fig. 1

zeigt ein Hangschloss in einer Explosionsansicht.

Fig. 2

zeigt ein Hangschloss in einer Querschnittsansicht.

Fig. 3

zeigt ein Innengehäuse mit RFID-Transponder in einer Perspektivansicht.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine schematische Darstellung eines Sicherungs- und Überwachungssystems für einen Schalter einer industriellen Anlage.

Fig. 5

zeigt in einer schematischen Darstellung ein weiteres Sicherungs- und Überwachungssystem.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings. Identical or similar elements are identified therein with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

shows a padlock in an exploded view.

Fig. 2

shows a padlock in a cross-sectional view.

Fig. 3

shows an inner housing with RFID transponder in a perspective view.

Fig. 4

shows a schematic representation of a safety and monitoring system for a switch industrial plant.

Fig. 5

shows in a schematic representation of another backup and monitoring system.

This in Fig. 1 shown padlock has a lock body 11 and a bracket 13. The bracket 13 has a U-shape with a shorter leg and a longer leg. On both legs of the bracket 13, an inwardly facing locking recess 15 is formed. At the free end of the longer leg, an annular groove 17 is further provided with an abutment head 19 adjacent thereto.

The lock body 11 has a lock housing 21 and a further housing part, which is formed in the embodiment shown as an inner housing 23. The lock housing 21 and the inner housing 23 are made of plastic. The inner housing 23 can be inserted into the lock housing 21 and fixed to the lock housing 21 by means of a locking screw 25, as will be explained below. The lock housing 21 and the inner housing 23 accommodate a lock cylinder 27 and a locking mechanism 29, via which the lock cylinder 27 cooperates with the bracket 13.

The lock cylinder 27 has a cylinder core 31 with a keyway 33. The cylinder core 31 is within a cylinder housing 35 with respect to a rotation axis A (FIG. Fig. 2 ), wherein a rotary operation is only possible if an associated key is inserted into the keyway 33. At the back of the cylinder core 31 has a driver extension 37th

The locking mechanism 29 comprises a rotary latch 39 and two blocking balls 41. The rotary latch 39 has a substantially hollow cylindrical Form with an inside engagement lug 43, which allows a rotationally fixed coupling with the driver extension 37 of the lock cylinder 27. On its outer side, the rotary latch 39 has two receiving recesses 45, which can partially receive the blocking balls 41 during an opening operation of the lock cylinder 27 and thus of the rotary latch 39. Envelope adjacent to each of the receiving recesses 45 of the rotary latch 39 forms locking portions 47, by which the blocking balls 41 can be held in a blocking engagement with the locking recesses 15 of the bracket 13.

This in Fig. 1 shown by appropriate operation of the lock cylinder 17 selectively locking the bracket 13 on the lock body 11 (locking position of the lock cylinder 27) or the release of the shorter leg of the bracket 13 from the lock body 11 (open position of the lock cylinder 27), for example, the bracket 13 in a Insert eyelet or remove it. The padlock shown is particularly suitable for use as a lockout lock.

According to the invention, an RFID transponder 48 is arranged within the lock housing 21, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here is designed as a flexible unit whose antenna and electronic components are accommodated in a flexible film. The RFID transponder 48 is thus U-shaped in cross-section and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder 27 (rotation axis A in FIG Fig. 2 ) arched. The RFID transponder 48 is in this case arranged radially spaced from the lock cylinder 27. The RFID transponder 48 is thus functionally independent of the lock cylinder 27, the locking mechanism 29 and the bracket 13, ie the operation and the functionality of the RFID transponder 48 are independent of the position and the operability of the lock cylinder 27, the lock mechanism 29, and the bracket 13. Thus, the generation of an identification signal by the RFID transponder 48 is solely in response to an interrogation signal from an RFID reader 69, 79, as will be explained below.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of a padlock according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state and locked bracket 13. For the installation of the padlock, the inner housing 23 is inserted into the lock housing 21 and fixed to the lock housing 21 by means of the locking screw 25. As a result, the lock cylinder 27, the lock mechanism 29 and the RFID transponder 48 are caught in the lock case 21. The fastening screw 25 cooperates with a nut 49 which is non-rotatably inserted into the inner housing 23. The fastening screw 25 is inserted into a bracket receiving channel 51 of the lock housing 21, which is closed by the bracket 13 when the bracket 13 - as in Fig. 2 shown - is locked on the lock body 11. The nut 49 is covered by a cover 53. If the lock cylinder 27 brought into the open position and the shorter leg of the bracket 13 is removed from the bail receiving channel 51, the locking screw 25 can be released again from the nut 49 to remove the inner housing 23 of the lock housing 21. As a result, therefore, the RFID transponder 48 can also be replaced later.

In order to fix the locking screw 25 permanently, or to make a subsequent opening of the lock housing 21 and possible replacement of the RFID transponder 48 recognizable, the locking screw 25 in the respective strap receiving channel 51 with a Coating or be provided with an adhesive, for example with Loctite (registered trademark of Henkel Corporation, USA).

Fig. 2 shows a state of the padlock, in which the bracket 13 is locked and thus secured against removal from the lock body 11. For this purpose, hold the locking portions 47 of the rotary bracket 39, the blocking balls 41 in a locking engagement with the locking recesses 15 of the bracket 13. To unlock the padlock, an opening rotation operation by means of an associated key 55 is required. As a result, the driver extension 37 of the lock cylinder 27 and the rotary latch 39 are rotated by 90 °, so that a respective receiving recess 45 of the rotary latch 39 is rotated in the region of the blocking balls 41. The blocking balls 41 can thus escape from the locking recesses 15 of the bracket 13. The bracket 13 can now be pulled axially out of the lock body 11 until the stopper head 19 of the longer stirrup leg strikes against the respective blocking ball 41. The shorter leg of the bracket 13 protrudes now already out of the lock body 11. The bracket 13 can now be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the longer stirrup leg. A renewed locking of the bracket 13 on the lock body 11 takes place in the reverse order.

The cross-sectional view according to Fig. 2 indicates that the RFID transponder 48 is received positively in a recess 57 of the inner housing 23.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of an inner housing 23 of the padlock in accordance with Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 , Shown is the U-shaped RFID transponder 48 which is inserted positively into an outer recess 57 of the inner housing 23. in this connection surrounds the RFID transponder 48 at a certain radial distance a central recess 59 of the inner housing 23, which is provided for the positive reception of a lock cylinder 27 in the assembled state of the padlock. In Fig. 3 can be seen that the RFID transponder then - in radial projection with respect to the axis of rotation A according to Fig. 2 viewed along a portion of the length of the lock cylinder 27 and along a portion of the circumference of the lock cylinder 27 extends.

By the respective padlock according to Fig. 1 and 2 is provided with an RFID transponder 48, by means of an associated RFID reader, if necessary, an identification information from the RFID transponder 48 can be read, which allows reliable identification and localization of the respective padlock. As a result, the padlock is particularly well suited for use as a lockout lock for securing an electrical or other switch of an industrial plant. For one thing, namely by means of the locked bracket 13, a switch position can be blocked. On the other hand, by reading the identification information stored in the padlock, it is possible to monitor and document which padlock was or was located at the switch at what point in time. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to two possible embodiments.

Fig. 4 shows a fuse and monitoring system for a switch 61 an industrial plant. This safety and monitoring system comprises a padlock 63, the bracket 13 is mounted in a blocking device 65 of the switch 61, for example in an eyelet. The padlock 63 has an RFID transponder 48, as associated with Fig. 1 to 3 explained.

The safety and monitoring system according to Fig. 4 further comprises a reference RFID transponder 67 permanently mounted to the switch 61 or near the switch 61. Further, the security and monitoring system comprises a mobile RFID reader 69. This has a transmit and receive antenna 71, a controller coupled thereto - And evaluation 73, a non-volatile memory 75 and a power supply device 77 (eg, electric battery).

By means of the mobile RFID reader 69, an interrogation signal can be transmitted, which is an electromagnetic alternating field of a predetermined frequency. In response to this interrogation signal, both the RFID transponder 48 of the padlock 63 and the reference RFID transponder 67 emit a respective identification signal, which contains an individual identification information for the respective RFID transponder 48 or 67. The respective identification signal may be received and decoded by the mobile RFID reader 69. The respective received and decoded identification information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 75, preferably together with associated time information.

Thus, by means of the mobile RFID reader 69, the switch 61 can be monitored to determine whether at a time when the RFID reader identifies the reference RFID transponder 67, the padlock 63 with the RFID transponder 48 (and / or another padlock) is detected. By regularly or continuously writing this evaluation result in the nonvolatile memory 75, the fuse state of the switch 61 can be documented, for example in the event of a fault or an accident.

Fig. 5 shows one opposite Fig. 4 modified embodiment of a safety and monitoring system for a switch 61 an industrial plant. This security and monitoring system includes a padlock 63 with an RFID transponder 48, as associated with Fig. 1 to 3 explained. The bracket 13 of the padlock 63 is mounted in a blocking device 65 of the switch 61. Unlike the embodiment according to Fig. 4 a stationary RFID reader 79 is arranged on the switch 61 or in the vicinity of the switch 61, ie the RFID reader 79 is permanently attached to the switch 61 or in the vicinity of the switch 61 for its operation.

By means of the stationary RFID reader 79, an interrogation signal can be automatically triggered, which is converted in the RFID transponder 48 of the padlock 63 into an identification signal. This identification signal, which is characteristic for the RFID transponder 48 and thus for the padlock 63, can be received and decoded by the stationary RFID reader 79. The identification information obtained therefrom is then stored in a non-volatile memory 75 of the stationary RFID reader 79, preferably together with time information. Thus, the fuse state of the switch 61 is monitored so that it can be checked by reading the non-volatile memory 75, which padlock 63 has been arranged on the switch 61 or arranged at an earlier time.

It should also be noted with regard to the illustrated exemplary embodiments that instead of the lock housing 21 and inner housing 23 (shown in FIG. Fig. 1 and 2 ) may be provided, for example, a multi-part outer lock housing made of plastic, in particular in the manner of an open housing with an associated lid, or in the manner of a two-piece Lock housing with a central dividing plane as from the document mentioned above US 5 755 121 known. In the case of such a multi-part lock housing made of plastic may optionally be additionally provided an inner housing.

Instead of a padlock with a U-shaped bracket, for example, a padlock with a curved turntable can be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

lock body

13

hanger

15

locking recess

17

ring groove

19

stop head

21

lock housing

23

housing part

25

locking screw

27

lock cylinder

29

locking mechanism

31

cylinder core

33

keyway

35

cylinder housing

37

Mitnehmerfortsatz

39

Spagnolet

41

blocking ball

43

engaging lug

45

receiving recess

47

locking section

48

RFID transponder

49

mother

51

Bale-receiving channel

53

cover

55

key

57

Recess for the RFID transponder

59

Recess for the lock cylinder

61

switch

63

padlock

65

blocking device

67

Reference RFID transponder

69

mobile RFID reader

71

Transmitting and receiving antenna

73

Control and evaluation circuit

75

non-volatile memory

77

Power supply means

79

stationary RFID reader

A

axis of rotation

Claims (14)

1. A padlock (63) for securing and monitoring a switch (61) of an industrial plant,
   having a lock housing (21) of plastic, furthermore having a hoop (13) which is displaceably held at the lock housing, and having a lock cylinder (27) which is arranged in the lock housing (21) and can selectively be brought from an open position into a locked position to lock the hoop to the lock housing, wherein the lock cylinder (27) has a longitudinal shape having a longitudinal axis (A),
   characterized in that
   an RFID transponder (48) is arranged in the lock housing (21) and is arched with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the lock cylinder.
2. A padlock in accordance with claim 1, wherein the RFID transponder (48) is surrounded at all sides in the lock housing (21).
3. A padlock in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the RFID transponder (48) extends along at least a part of the length of the lock cylinder (27) and along at least a part of the periphery of the lock cylinder (27).
4. A padlock in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the RFID transponder (48) is arranged spaced apart from the lock cylinder (27).
5. A padlock in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the RFID transponder (48) is a passive electronic unit without its own energy supply;
   and/or
   wherein the padlock comprises a locking mechanism (29) by which the lock cylinder (27) cooperates with the hoop (13), wherein the RFID transponder (48) is functionally independent of the lock cylinder (27), the locking mechanism (29) and the hoop (13).
6. A padlock in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the padlock (63) has a housing part (23) which is secured in or at the lock housing (21), wherein the RFID transponder (48) is arranged in an intermediate space between the lock housing and the housing part.
7. A padlock in accordance with claim 6, wherein the RFID
   transponder (48) is received in a recess (57) of the lock housing or of the housing part (23) in form-fitted manner;
   and/or
   wherein the housing part (23) also is made of plastic.
8. A padlock in accordance with claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the lock housing (21) and the housing part (23) are secured to one another by means of a releasable securing device (25), wherein the RFID transponder (48) is captured between the lock housing (21) and the housing part (23) as long as the lock housing and the housing part (23) are secured to one another.
9. A padlock in accordance with claim 8, wherein the securing device (25) is only accessible and releasable when the lock cylinder (27) is brought into the open position by means of an associated key (55).
10. A padlock in accordance with claim 9, wherein a limb of the hoop (13) projects into a hoop receiving passage (51) of the lock housing (21) or of the housing part (23) when the hoop is locked to the lock housing, wherein the limb of the hoop (13) can be removed from the hoop receiving passage (51) when the lock cylinder (27) is brought into the open position, and wherein the releasable securing device (25) which secures the lock housing (21) and the housing part (23) to one another is arranged at the end of the hoop receiving passage (51).
11. A securing and monitoring system for a switch (61) of an industrial plant, having at least one padlock (63) in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the padlock (63) is fastenable to the switch (61), the securing and monitoring system furthermore having a reference RFID transponder (67) which is permanently fastened in the environment of the switch, and having a mobile RFID reading device (69) which is configured to read out the RFID transponder (48) of the padlock (63) and the reference RFID transponder (67).
12. A securing and monitoring system in accordance with claim 11,
    wherein the RFID reading device (69) is configured to store a piece of identification information read out of the RFID transponder (48) of the padlock (63) and a piece of identification information read out of the reference RFID transponder (67) together with a piece of time information.
13. A securing and monitoring system for a switch (61) of an industrial plant, having at least one padlock (63) in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the padlock (63) is fastenable to the switch (61), and having an RFID reading device (79) which is permanently fastened in the environment of the switch and which is configured to read out the RFID transponder (48) of the padlock (63) at predetermined times.
14. A securing and monitoring system in accordance with claim 13,
    wherein the RFID reading device (79) is configured to store a piece of identification information read out of the RFID transponder (48) of the padlock (63) together with a piece of time information.

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