EP2845275B1 - Antistatic device and associated operating method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an antistatic device for reducing electrostatic charges on moving webs, and to a method of operating such an antistatic device.

If two materials move relative to one another, an electrostatic charge or, in short, an electrostatic charge of one of these materials can arise due to the electrical charge present in the respective materials. Such an electrostatic charge is particularly common in weakly or non-conductive materials, in particular dielectric materials. The construction of such an electrostatic charge usually results in a corresponding electrostatic discharge, releasing large, especially electrical, energies. This can be done, for example, in the form of sparks or momentarily flowing high electric currents. Such discharge is known to be a hazard to a person or persons in the vicinity and may also damage and / or destroy the electrostatically charged or discharging material and sometimes trigger fire or explosions. Electrostatic charges and corresponding discharges occur in particular with moving thin webs of material, in particular foils, fleece, textiles, threads, granules, powders and paper, as well as a mixture of said materials, which are usually associated with, for example, in an associated production plant or processing plant to move at high speed. In this case, the electrostatic discharge in particular damage to an operator of the system as well as damage the system and the material or the web lead itself. Also, the electrostatic charge such materials, which may occur in particular in the form of a polarized surface, a Problem for the post-treatment or post-processing of these materials and makes it difficult, for example, a subsequent coating and / or subsequent printing of these materials. In order to counteract the electrostatic charging and the electrostatic discharge, an antistatic device can generally be provided, which serves for a controlled discharge or an electrical neutralization of the electrostatically charged material. As a rule, the charge causing the electrostatic charge is transported away from the moving material web by means of the antistatic device. It is conceivable to achieve such a reduction of electrostatic charges by means of electrodes, which are connected to a corresponding high voltage source and thus build up an electrical potential relative to the material web in order to achieve said removal of the charge.
Such antistatic device is for example from the DE 197 11 342 A1 known. In this case, the antistatic device having such electrons, with an external high voltage source connectable to build up the electrical potential between the electrodes and the material web.

US 2005/0052815 A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing for an antistatic device of the type mentioned an improved or at least alternative embodiment, in particular by a simplified handling and / or improved usability and / or reduced dimensions and / or by a optimized energy demand and / or characterized by a simple, preferably optical or acoustic, playback, electrostatic processes.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea to arrange as many necessary for the operation, components of an antistatic device within a common housing and thus on the one hand to provide a space-saving antistatic device and on the other hand improved usability and / or improved operation and / or improved handling to reach the antistatic device. In particular, the effort for connecting the antistatic device to external, that is located outside the housing, components or supply units is thus reduced to a single supply line.

According to the idea of the invention, such an antistatic device has at least one active electrode arrangement which has a plurality of, preferably acicular, individual electrodes and which is electrically connected to an associated voltage source during operation of the antistatic device. The voltage source is expediently designed as a high voltage source in order to apply a corresponding high voltage to the electrode arrangement. These are usually voltages of about 1000 V and higher. Hereinafter, the voltage source is referred to as a high voltage source, it being understood that the voltage source can also provide lower voltages. Furthermore, the antistatic device comprises a controller which controls the high voltage source connected to the electrode assembly. According to the invention, the at least one active electrode arrangement and the controller are arranged in the housing.

Preferably, the high voltage source is arranged in the housing of the antistatic device. This allows an additional improvement of the handling of the antistatic device, in particular because the separate connection of the antistatic device to the high voltage source, in particular by a user of the antistatic device, can be dispensed with.

The purpose of the electrode arrangement, and in particular the individual electrodes, is to build up an electrical potential relative to the moving material web in order to reduce the electrostatic charge of the material web. For this purpose, the respective electrode may be preceded by an electrical resistance. Suitably, the controller is configured or programmed such that it builds up such an electrical potential by controlling the high voltage source, which leads to reducing the electrostatic charges on the material web. In particular, it may be provided that a negative high voltage is applied to the electrodes when the electrostatic charges on the material web are positive and the material web is thus positively charged. Accordingly, it can also be provided to apply a positive voltage to the electrodes of the electrode arrangement when the electrostatic charges on the material web are negative and the material web is thus negatively charged. In both cases, removal of the electrostatic charges from the material web preferably takes place, as a result of which the electrostatic charges on the material web are reduced and, if possible, neutralized.

The material web can in principle be arbitrarily large and consist of any material. In particular, the material web may be paper, a film and the like.

In preferred embodiments, the antistatic device comprises two such active electrode arrays, namely, a positive electrode active array having a plurality of active acicular positive electrodes and a negative electrode active electrode array having a plurality of active acicular negative electrodes. Conveniently, the positive electrode assembly is connected to such a high voltage source that is positively charged and accordingly referred to as a positive high voltage source, while the negative electrode assembly is connected to a negative high voltage source, which may be referred to as a negative high voltage source. According to the invention, the positive electrode arrangement and the negative electrode arrangement are arranged together in the housing of the antistatic device.
In this case, the respective positive electrodes and negative electrodes can run along parallel lines. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are arranged alternately along a common line. Such an embodiment of the antistatic device leads to a further reduction in the space requirement of the antistatic device, because no different and spaced-apart housing are needed, in each of which the positive electrode assembly or the negative electrode assembly is arranged.

According to an advantageous embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the antistatic device has a power electronics, which is also arranged in the housing. In particular, the power electronics serve the purpose of converting an electrical primary supply available to the antistatic device in accordance with the requirements required for the operation of the antistatic device. In this case, the primary electrical supply is usually a generally available electrical supply, in particular in the form of an electrical outlet that can be withdrawn from a conventional socket of an electrical network operator Electricity or an electrical voltage. In this case, for example, a low-voltage network is available in which about a voltage with a value of 24VDC or 90-400 VAC with frequencies between 50 and 60 Hz are made available, which by the power electronics in the said, for the operation of the antistatic device, in particular the respective active electrode arrangement, required voltages, currents and frequencies are converted. In particular, the power electronics can thus at least the respective high voltage source, ie in particular a negative high voltage source and / or a negative high voltage source include.

Expediently, the power electronics have at least one voltage converter which converts a primary voltage given by the primary electrical supply into a secondary voltage. In this case, the voltage converter converts the primary voltage which is available, for example, as a low voltage into a medium voltage and / or a high voltage and makes this available, for example, to the electrode arrangement. Accordingly, such a high voltage source is connected to the power electronics or may be in particular the power electronics or a part thereof. Furthermore, the power electronics can have at least one such voltage converter for the respective electrode arrangement or for the respective high-voltage source. This means that the power electronics can have at least one such voltage converter for the positive electrode arrangement or for the positive high-voltage source and at least one such other voltage converter for the negative electrode arrangement or for the negative high-voltage source.

The power electronics can also have at least one frequency converter which converts a primary frequency of the primary voltage provided by the primary electrical supply. In particular, such Frequency converters reduce and / or increase the primary frequency of the primary voltage. That is, a primary AC voltage can be converted to a DC voltage and / or a voltage having a different frequency from the primary frequency of the primary voltage. Analogous to the voltage converter, in this case the respective electrode arrangement may be provided with such a separate frequency converter of the power electronics.

In particular, the power electronics can comprise at least one DC-DC converter (DC-DC) and / or one inverter (AC-DC).

The power electronics are expediently connected to a controller, preferably to said controller, in order to supply the antistatic device, in particular the at least one active electrode arrangement, electrically in accordance with the respective requirements. In this case, the controller can be designed or programmed such that it controls the power electronics and in particular the respective high voltage source such that such a voltage required for reducing the electrostatic charge of the material web is applied to the at least one electrode arrangement, in particular to the associated electrodes.

Preferably, the antistatic device comprises at least one primary terminal for connecting the antistatic device to an external voltage source. In this case, the external voltage source is, in particular, said electrical primary supply, which is expediently a low-voltage source. The at least one primary connection is arranged on the housing of the antistatic device. In this way, the antistatic device, in particular by means of an electric cable, for example, to a conventional electrical connection, for example, a conventional outlet that is found in a household or in an industrial operation, are connected. By the arrangement The power electronics in the housing of the antistatic device can thus have outside the housing arranged electrical devices, such as voltage transformers and / or frequency converter omitted.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the antistatic device has a sensor which serves to detect parameters of the antistatic device and / or the material web. Also, parameters of an associated production plant could be detected with the aid of the sensor technology. The sensor is expediently connected to the controller, so that the parameters detected by the sensors are passed on to the controller in order to be further processed by the controller. In particular, the controller may be configured or programmed such that it controls the power electronics and / or the high voltage source based on the parameters detected with the aid of the sensor. The parameters detected by the sensor may be, for example, an operating state of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production system. The sensor system can accordingly detect, for example, at which speed the material web moves and in particular whether the material web is motionless. In addition, the sensor can be designed or configured such that it can detect a polarity of the material web. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system may be designed or configured such that it can detect a neutralization current which flows due to the reduction of the electrostatic charges on the material web at the at least one active electrode arrangement.

Advantageously, the sensor system can also detect the voltages and / or currents provided by the power electronics of the respective electrode arrangement and / or other components of the antistatic device. For this purpose, the sensor can be connected in particular with the power electronics and / or the respective high voltage source and / or the respective electrode arrangement.

Preferably, the sensor is also arranged in the housing of the antistatic device.

The sensor system may in particular comprise a sensor electrode arrangement which comprises a plurality of needle-shaped individual sensor electrodes and which is electrically connected to a grounding, in particular earthed, during operation of the antistatic device. By means of the sensor electrode arrangement, said neutralization current and / or the polarity of the material web can be detected.

To improve the operability of the antistatic device and / or to improve safety, the antistatic device preferably has a signal device arranged in or on the housing. The signaling device can be designed or configured in such a way that it outputs a signal depending on at least one parameter of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production system, wherein the parameter can be detected in particular by the sensor system. In other words, the signaling device in this case serves to output the at least one such parameter of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production system reproducing signal. With the aid of the signaling device, it is thus possible to signal to a user in which operating state the antistatic device and / or the material web or the production plant is located. Furthermore, it can be clarified with the help of the signaling device to the outside, whether a change and / or care and / or repair of the antistatic device and / or the production plant is necessary.

In principle, the output of the signal can be acoustic or electrical. That is, the signal device outputs an acoustic signal or acoustic signals to at least one such parameter of the antistatic device and / or on the Material web or the associated system for a person, directly or indirectly, play.

Alternatively or additionally, the output of the signal, as mentioned above, is carried out electrically, in which case a so-called active high output of the signal is preferably effected. This means, in particular, that the electrical signal is output at a substantially constant value, for example at 24 VDC, and is reduced and, in particular, interrupted for reproducing the corresponding parameter of the antistatic device and / or the material web or the associated system. It is thus ensured in particular that a failure and / or a malfunction and / or a fault of the antistatic device and / or the associated system can be correspondingly reproduced and determined by a reduction or interruption of the electrical signal.

The signal device can communicate with the output of the respective signal with a further device of the antistatic device, which can be arranged inside or outside the housing, or another device and activate it in particular. In particular, the electrical output of the signal may be at such a device, which in turn outputs a signal that correlates with the signal output from the signaling device.

The signal device is expediently coupled to a controller, in particular the controller, wherein the controller is configured and / or programmed such that it controls the signal device as a function of at least one such parameter of the antistatic device and / or the material web.

In further preferred embodiments, the signaling device has an optical display device. That is, the reproduction of the signal is optical and therefore by means of an optical signal and / or optical signals he follows. The optical display device can extend along a longitudinal extension of the housing in order to achieve in particular the clearest possible reproduction of the signal and / or to use the largest possible area of the housing for the reproduction of the signal. Here, the optical display device is preferably disposed within the housing or in the housing. Likewise, the optical display device can be installed or arranged in a wall of the housing, that form a part of the housing.

In further preferred embodiments, the display device extends in / on the housing at least partially circumferential. That is, the display device extends along at least two adjacent side surfaces of the housing. Thus, it is possible to perceive the display device of at least two different sides of the antistatic device or of the housing. Advantageously, the display device in / on the housing extends completely circumferentially, so that it is perceptible from all sides of the housing. In this case, in particular embodiments are conceivable in which the housing itself serves as a display device or a part of the display device and can accordingly be used to display the state of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production plant.

The housing may be at least partially translucent, that is at least partially optically transparent, be formed. The housing can thus be partially optically transparent and / or partially optically partially transparent. The optical display device is expediently arranged in such a translucent region of the housing in the housing in order to make the optical signals output by the optical display device visible from outside the housing. Here, the housing is thus used as part of the display device or serves as a display.

The translucent configuration of the housing can be realized both from the inside to the outside and from the outside inwards. This means that the housing can be designed to be translucent or transparent in the corresponding areas from the inside to the outside and / or from the outside to the inside.

Furthermore, the housing may be filled with a potting compound, in which, for example, said electrodes are arranged and can be electrically contacted. In this case, the housing is expedient on an underside, on which the electrodes are arranged, open. It is conceivable to design the potting compound at least partially translucent, so that the optical display device can be arranged in / on the potting compound, whereby the optical signal is visible in particular from the bottom of the housing.

It is also conceivable to cast the housing or a profile of the housing at least partially translucent or transparent in order to use the housing for the display device.

In this case, the optical display device can in particular be designed such that it can output at least two different optical signals. The visual display device can thus display, for example, two different colors and is designed, for example, as an RGB display. Furthermore, the optical display device can have at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and / or a pixel matrix which is designed, for example, in the form of an active-matrix display made of LEDs or as a liquid crystal display (LCD). It is understood that the optical display device can output the optical signals by any lighting units. These include, for example, said LED and / or LCD and glow lamps, fluorescent tubes and the like.

The display device can thus have, in particular, RGB LEDs and / or at least one LCD matrix. In this case, the signaling components of the display device, ie in particular LEDs and / or LCD matrices may be at least partially encapsulated in the profile of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is designed in such a way and in particular has such translucent areas that the optical display device is visible from the outside of at least two different sides of the housing. The housing and / or the optical display device can thus be designed such that an observer or an operator can perceive the optical signals reproduced by the optical display device from opposite sides of the housing and / or from adjacent sides of the housing. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the optical signals are visible at three or more sides of the housing. This is the case in particular when using the translucent potting compound, in which the optical signals are also visible from the underside of the housing.

In at least partially translucent trained housing and / or in the translucent potting compound electrical components of the antistatic device, which are arranged in the housing, so in particular power electronics and / or the respective high voltage source and / or electrical resistors and the like in a region outside the translucent region of the housing be arranged. The antistatic device can in this case be operated in particular according to the method described below.

The signal output by the signal device can be output, for example, depending on the polarity of the neutralization current or the value of the neutralization current and / or depending on the polarity of the material web become. Also, the output of the signal can be made depending on the operating state of the antistatic device and / or the material web.

Different signals are preferably output at different parameters of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production plant. In particular, the optical display device of the signaling device can output different colors or color combinations and / or colored texts, in particular by means of an RGB matrix, depending on such parameters of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production plant. In this case, the output of different color combinations can take place in that at least two colors are displayed simultaneously or that two different colors are displayed in chronological succession. For this purpose, for example, with the aid of such an RGB display, at least eight colors, in particular pink, blue, green, light yellow, dark yellow orange, light red and dark red, are output.

It is also conceivable to output different frequencies of the respective signal depending on such parameters of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the production system. This means that the signal device outputs acoustic signals with different frequencies and / or optical signals with different frequencies depending on said parameters. Also, the signaling device, in particular in imminent danger, issue a corresponding audible and / or visual warning. Such a warning can be acoustically, for example, in the form of spoken words that issue a corresponding warning, or an alarm. The optical warning can be signaled for example by a corresponding color, in particular red, and amplified and / or underlined, for example, with a repetition frequency.

It is also conceivable to equip the antistatic device with two or more such display devices, in order to achieve an increased variety of signals discharged by the signaling device and / or to make the optical signal more visible. Thus, the respective display devices may output different or the same optical signals simultaneously or alternately.

Preferably, the signaling device is designed such that it can output a variety of different signals, wherein the respective signal advantageously correlates with an associated parameter or state of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production facility.

Advantageously, the signal output by the display device takes place predominantly in the form of different color displays. The display of different colors has the advantage that for the assignment of the colors to a parameter or state of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production plant no special language skills or specialist knowledge are necessary. This means that the colors can be selected in such a way that they are universally and intuitively understandable.

For example only, the display device may display the following colors and / or color combination: The display device emits a red signal when the discharge power and / or the neutralization current or the electrodes are positive or predominantly positively polarized. A blue signal is output when the discharge power and / or the neutralization current or the electrodes are / are negatively or predominantly negatively polarized. The intensity of the signal output, in this case, for example, the luminous intensity and / or the color intensity, may depend on the value of the polarity. It is also conceivable that the color-dependent Output with respect to the material web takes place. This means that a red signal is output when the material web is predominantly positively charged, and a blue signal is output when the material web is predominantly negatively charged. The output of these signals can be done continuously, that is without flashing or flashing. It is also conceivable that when starting or switching on the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production system, a green signal is initially output, provided that the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production system are in a desired state. If a fault occurs or if a decrease in the power of the electrodes, for example as a result of contamination, can be detected or detected, then the display of the color indicating the polarization of the material web or of the antistatic device can first be interrupted by a different color or color combination. The blue or red signal can thus be interrupted by a yellow or yellow-green signal. With increasing line decrease or intensity of the disturbance, the interruption frequency can be increased until finally only the color or color combination signaling the disturbance, in this case yellow or yellow-green, is displayed. Thus, it is possible to signal to an operator or user in a simple, language-independent and intuitive manner the state of the antistatic device and / or the material web and / or the associated production plant. Of course, the respective color output can be supplemented by a text display, which is effected, for example, by the same LEDs and / or by other LEDs and / or by an LCD matrix. The text display can be permanent or with a frequency, ie flashing. The text display can also be continuous or rigid. The respective text can be issued in a common language, for example in English. For example, when the electrode is applied, the text "Clean Bar" may be displayed at a frequency that changes such that the text will eventually be displayed continuously is, wherein the change of frequency can be continuous and / or stepwise.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the display device is provided in / on a substantial part of the housing, so that the housing by the optical signal output substantially or completely lit and thus is particularly well perceived.

In a further preferred embodiment, the antistatic device has an environmental sensor device for detecting environmental parameters. The environmental sensor device can detect, for example, an ambient light intensity and / or an ambient volume. In particular, the environment sensor device serves the purpose of varying the strength of the signal output by the signal device. The environmental sensor device can be arranged in or on the housing or outside of the housing. Suitably, the environment sector means may be connected to the controller to achieve said variation in the strength of the signal output by the signaling device. As a result, for example, the volume of the acoustic signal output by the signal device can be adapted to the ambient volume and, in particular, be selected such that it is still perceptible, taking into account the ambient volume. Consequently, the volume of the acoustic signal output from the signaling device is greater than the ambient level. Also, the luminosity of the output from the signal device optical signals is selected such that it remains visible despite ambient light. This ensures, on the one hand, that the signals output by the signaling device are recognizable at any time, and, on the other hand, that the energy requirement of the signaling device is reduced, since the strength of the signal, that is, in particular the volume of the signal acoustic signal and / or the luminosity of the optical signal can be reduced at appropriate environmental parameters.

Suitably, the antistatic device may have one or more communication interfaces. Such a communication interface serves the purpose of communicating the antistatic device with another communication device. The communication device may be, for example, a computer, a controller, a control panel, and the like. The communication device in particular allows the reading of parameters of the antistatic device by means of the communication interface. For example, it is also possible to communicate with the controller, in particular to change the programming of the controller, to activate, deactivate and the like. The respective communication interface can therefore be a communication terminal arranged on / in the housing, for example a USB connection.

The communication interface can in particular be configured as a wireless communication interface, which enables the wireless communication, that is, in particular the wireless transmission and / or reception of signals and / or communication data or data. Such a communication interface can therefore be configured in particular as a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface and communicate with any device. By the wireless communication interface so a corresponding connection via a cable and the like can be omitted, so that the handling of the antistatic device is further improved. In addition, communication with a corresponding device, for example such a communication device, is facilitated. In particular, the wireless communication interface allows access to the antistatic device, without the need for a direct physical connection, in particular by means of a cable is necessary.

In particular, the output of the signal can be effected by the signaling device via the wireless communication interface. In this case, the wireless communication interface can transmit the signal output by the signal device to a further device, for example such a communication device, where it is further processed and / or output, for example. This output can be done acoustically and / or optically and / or haptically, for example.

In further embodiments, the wireless communication interface may be connected to other components of the antistatic device such that communication with these components of the antistatic device may be via the wireless communication interface. Thus, it is conceivable to let the controller communicate with the wireless communication interface so that a change and / or an activation and / or a deactivation and / or a programming and / or a reprogramming of the control takes place by means of the wireless communication interface. In this respect, access to the antistatic device is also possible from a distance, for example, to change the voltage applied to the electrodes, read out parameters of the antistatic device and / or the associated production system and / or the material web, to set threshold values for the output of the respective signal and to change and the like.

In principle, the wireless communication interface can communicate wirelessly by means of any electromagnetic radiation. That is, the wireless communication interface is configured and / or configured such that the data can be transmitted and / or received at any frequency. The wireless communication interface can, as mentioned above, operate in the manner of a WLAN and thus into a possibly already existing one Integrated data network. In this case, the communication with the associated device, in particular such a communication device, can take place via a data node, in particular a router and the like. It is also conceivable that the wireless communication station form or equip such that it communicates according to the Bluetooth® standards. Likewise, the wireless communication interface can be designed such that it communicates with the aid of infrared radiation and therefore has an infrared interface and is designed as such.

The wireless communication interface is further configured or configured such that the data transmitted by the wireless communication interface and / or the data received from the wireless communication interface may be encoded in a known manner or in any manner. As examples of such coding, reference is made to ASCII coding.

To increase the transmission security through the wireless communication interface, the wireless communication interface may be configured such that the data transmitted by the wireless communication interface and / or the data received from the wireless communication interface are encrypted. Thus, in particular a foreign access to the wireless communication interface and thus in particular to the control can be avoided. Such encryption can be ensured for example by an SSL protocol and / or a TLS protocol.

Alternatively or additionally, the improved transmission security can be achieved by a secure connection between the wireless communication interface and the associated device, in particular the said communication device, wherein the wireless communication interface is equipped accordingly. Such a secure connection can for example by means of an appropriate password or password or access code.

Of course, the antistatic device may have multiple wireless communication interfaces. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the wireless communication interface communicates with a plurality of communication devices, respectively in the same way or in different ways, ie in particular with the same frequency or with different frequencies, and / or coded or uncoded.

It should be noted that the production facility may be any facility that moves the web during manufacture and / or processing. The production system can therefore also be designed as a coating system, in particular a printing system, and the like.

It is understood that the housing can be formed according to the conditions prevailing in its field of use. The housing can thus be designed in particular such that it is protected against liquids in order to protect in particular the electrical components of the antistatic device, which are arranged in the housing. In particular, the housing can meet the requirements of protection class IP68.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained not only in the combination specified, but can also be used in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Fig. 1

eine stark vereinfachte Ansicht einer Produktionsanlage im Bereich einer Antistatikvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch eine Antistatikvorrichtung in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

eine seitliche Ansicht der Antistatikvorrichtung

Fig. 4

eine seitliche Ansicht der Antistatikvorrichtung anderer Ausführungsform.

Show, in each case schematically,

Fig. 1

a greatly simplified view of a production plant in the area of an antistatic device,

Fig. 2

a section through an antistatic device in a plan view,

Fig. 3

a side view of the antistatic device

Fig. 4

a side view of the antistatic device of another embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a production line 1, in which a material web 2 is moved in a direction of movement 3. The production plant 1 comprises an antistatic device 4 with the aid of which an electrostatic charge on the material web 2 can be reduced and preferably eliminated or neutralized. Purely exemplary are in Fig. 1 on the web 2 with respect to the direction of movement 3 in front of the antistatic device 4, five positive charge units 5 indicated that carries the material web 2 due to production with it. In the area of the antistatic device 4, five negative charge units 6 are indicated, which are generated by means of the antistatic device 4 and which neutralize the cause five positive charge units 5 and transport them away. In the ideal case shown, the material web 2 is charge-free or charge-neutral with respect to its direction of movement 3 after the antistatic device 4.

Corresponding Fig. 2 For example, an antistatic device 4 comprises at least one active electrode arrangement 7, wherein the antistatic device 4 shown comprises two such active electrode arrangements 7, namely one active positive electrode arrangement 7 'and one negative electrode active arrangement 7 " 7, three needle-shaped electrodes 8 are shown purely by way of example per electrode arrangement 7. Here, the positive electrode arrangement 7 comprises positive electrodes 8 ', while the negative electrode arrangement 7' comprises negative electrodes 8 ". To supply the respective electrode arrangement 7 with electrical voltage, the antistatic device 4 to a power electronics 9, wherein the power electronics 9 comprises two units 10, of which one unit 10 'is electrically connected to the positive electrode assembly 7', while the other unit 10 "with the Negative electrode assembly 7 "is electrically connected. The respective unit 10 comprises a frequency converter 11, a voltage converter 12 and a high voltage source 13. By means of the power electronics 9, a primary voltage available through an electrical primary supply is converted into a voltage required by the respective electrode arrangement 7. Thus, the respective unit 10 of the power electronics 9 convert the primary voltage in a voltage with another, in particular higher voltage. For example, the voltage converter 11 can convert the primary voltage into a high voltage and make it available with the aid of the respective high-voltage source 13 of the associated electrode arrangement 7. A frequency change of the primary voltage is carried out with the aid of the respective frequency converter 12 wherein the respective frequency converter 12 is a variable primary voltage in a DC or a voltage with a different frequency and vice versa. In this case, the voltage converter 11 and the frequency converter 12 may be configured together as an inverter. Also, the high voltage source 13 may be formed together with the voltage converter 11 and / or the frequency converter 12. In this case, the unit 10 'of the power electronics 9, in particular the associated voltage converter 11 and / or frequency converter 12, is designed or configured such that it provides the positive electrode arrangement 7' with a positive voltage. Furthermore, the other unit 10 "of the power electronics 9, in particular the associated voltage converter 11 and / or frequency converter 12, is designed or configured in such a way that it provides the negative electrode arrangement 7" with a negative voltage.

The power electronics 9, in particular the voltage converter 11 thereby convert common household voltages, which are usually in the low voltage range between 100 and 400 V in a high voltage which can be in the range of 1000 V to several thousand volts to.

In addition, the antistatic device 4 comprises a controller 14 for controlling the respective unit 10 of the power electronics 9, in particular the respective high voltage source 13. For this purpose, the controller 14 is connected to the respective unit 10 of the power electronics 9. Furthermore, the antistatic device 4 has a sensor 15 which can detect parameters of the antistatic device 14 or of the production system 11 and of the material web 2 and transmits them to the controller 14. For example, the sensor system 15 can detect a neutralization current flowing through the charge units 6 of the electrode arrangement 7 due to the reduction or neutralization of the charge units 5 of the material web 2. Furthermore, the sensor system 15 can measure the voltage applied to the respective electrode arrangement 7 and / or a movement speed and / or movement direction 3 of the material web 2 detect. Furthermore, the sensor system 15 is able to detect an operating state of the antistatic device 4 and of the production system 1. For this purpose, the sensor 15 is formed and configured in a known manner. In particular, the sensor system 15 can for this purpose be connected to the production plant 1 and / or to the power electronics 9 and / or to the respective electrode arrangement 7 or the respective electrode 8.

The antistatic device 4 further comprises a signaling device 16, which in the example shown has two optical display devices 17. The respective optical display device 17 extends along a longitudinal extension 18 of a housing 19 of the antistatic device and is arranged in the housing 19. The signaling device 16 serves the purpose, depending on parameters of the antistatic device 4 and / or the production line 1 and / or the web 2, which are detected in particular by means of the sensor 15 to output a signal, the optical display devices 17 output optical signals.

As in Fig. 2 The electrode arrangement 7 ', 7 ", the controller 14, the sensor system 15 and the power electronics and the signal device 16 are arranged in the housing 19 of the antistatic device 4. This allows a compact or space-saving design of the antistatic device 4 Antistatic device 4 to external, that is outside of the housing 19, arranged components, for example, on electrical components such as voltage transformers and the like, omitted, so that the antistatic device 4 can only be connected to a common electrical connection, such as a power outlet and the like and thus is ready ,

The antistatic device 4 comprises, in the embodiment shown, two primary terminals 20 for connecting the antistatic device 4 to an external voltage source, which in particular may correspond to an electrical connection of an industrial installation or a household voltage source which provides a primary voltage. The primary terminals 20 are arranged on an outer side 21 of the antistatic device 4, so that they are easily accessible from the outside and facilitate the connection of the antistatic device 4 to the electrical primary supply.

Within the housing 19 of the antistatic device 4, a middle web 22 is further arranged, which extends along the longitudinal extent 18 between the electrode assemblies 7 ', 7 "and the units 10', 10" of the power electronics 9. The central web 22 is made of an electrically insulating material to ensure electrical insulation between the positive electrode assembly 7 'and the negative electrode assembly 7 "and between the units 10', 10" of the power electronics 9 and thus in particular short circuits and the like between these components of the antistatic device 4 to prevent. Here, the central web 22 is preferably designed such that it protrudes beyond the electrodes 8 and their tips.

The controller 14 is configured or programmed such that it controls the respective unit 10 of the power electronics 9, in particular depending on the polarity of the material web 2 and / or of the neutralization current. For example, only the positive electrode arrangement 7 'can be supplied with a positive voltage if the polarity of the material web 2 is negative. Accordingly, only the negative electrode assembly 7 "can be supplied with a negative voltage when the polarity of the material web 2 is positive.

With the aid of the controller 14, the signal output by the signal device 16 or the respective optical display device 17 can also be controlled and / or changed. In this case, the controller 14 changes the optical signal output by the respective optical display device 17 as a function of said parameters of the antistatic device 4 and / or the production system 1 and / or the material web 2.

In the example shown, the respective optical display device 17 has, by way of example only, ten light units 23, each of which may be embodied, for example, as a light-emitting diode 23 'or a pixel matrix 23 ", whereby the respective optical display device 17 is able to represent at least two different colors This can be realized, for example, in that at least two luminous units 23 output different colors or that at least one of the luminous units 23 can output different colors The respective optical display device 17 can thus be designed in particular as an RGB LED strip 14 so that different color combinations and / or frequencies or repetition rates can be output, for example, the respective optical display device 17 can output a yellow or green-yellow signal, if a fault of the antistatic device 4 and / or the production plant 1 is present. Furthermore, the respective optical display device 17 can signal the polarity of the material web 2 or of the electrodes 8 with a corresponding color. For example, the respective optical display device 17 illuminates blue if the material web 2 or the electrodes 8 has a negative polarity and red if the material web 2 has a positive polarity or. Also, a flashing signal may be used to warn of or alert to a failure or due or soon due repair or repair. For example, the respective optical display device 17 blink when such an electrode 8 or more of such electrodes 8 due to contamination and the like must be replaced. This can be illustrated with a corresponding color, for example yellow or yellow-green. On the other hand, the respective optical display device 17 can shine green if there is no disturbance and / or if the electrostatic charge of the material web 2 is reduced or neutralized. In particular, the green display can take place when the antistatic device 4 and / or the material web 2 and / or the production system 1 are switched on and then replaced by the color representing the polarity, that is to say in particular red or blue. The display or output of the polarity reproducing color is continuously or without flashing until a disturbance, for example in the form of increasing contamination of the electrodes 8 occurs. Thereafter, the polarity display with predetermined frequencies of a color or color combination signaling this disorder, for example yellow or yellow-green, is interrupted. The frequency is changed with increasing intensity of the disturbance, in particular increasing contamination of the electrodes 8, such that at a due maintenance only the disturbance-signaling color, ie in particular yellow or yellow-green, is output. Thus, the state of the antistatic device 4 and / or the material web 2 and / or the production line 1 can be recognized without any special language and / or specialist knowledge and intuitively. In this case, the display device 17, in particular the diodes 23 ', also be used to visually represent a text. Of course, the text output and the color output can be combined arbitrarily.

In principle, the antistatic device 4, in particular the housing 19 may have any dimensions. Thus, a length 24 of the housing 19 running along the longitudinal extent 18 is, for example, between 300 mm and 2,000 mm, preferably between 300 mm and 600 mm. In addition, a width 25 of the housing 19 in particular 20 mm to 25 mm, while a height 26 (see Fig. 3 ) of the housing is preferably between 30 and 35 mm.

The respective optical display device 17 is arranged in the housing 19 in a translucent region 27 of the housing 19, so that it is visible from the outside and the optical signals emitted by it are perceptible from the outside. In this case, the respective optically translucent region 27 of the housing 19 is shaped complementary to the associated optical display device 17 and thus has a strip shape. In addition, the housing 19 has both the in Fig. 2 shown surface as well as on the in Fig. 3 shown side surface to the respective optical display device 17 such an associated translucent region 27, so that the respective lighting unit 23 of the associated optical display device is visible both from the surface and from the side surface of the housing 19.

According to Fig. 2 The antistatic device 4 further comprises an environmental sensor device 28, which can detect environmental parameters of the antistatic device 4 and / or production system 1. For example, the environmental sensor device 28 can detect an environmental volume and / or an ambient light intensity. This environmental parameter determines the environmental sensor device 28 to the controller 14, so that the controller 14 adjusts the luminosity of the output from the respective optical display device 17 optical signal so that they are recognizable despite the ambient luminous intensity.

Furthermore, in Fig. 2 a wireless communication interface 29 can be seen, which is arranged in the housing 19 and is connected to the controller 14. It would also be possible to attach the wireless communication interface 29 on the outside of the housing 19. With the help of the wireless communication interface 29 can be communicated with an external communication device, such as a computer, a controller, and the like, and this communication, and accordingly the transmission and reception of communication data, is wireless. This eliminates any necessary physical connection of the antistatic device 4 to said communication device, whereby the handling of the antistatic device 4 is further improved.

For example, the wireless communication interface 29 may serve the purpose of remotely reprogramming the controller 14 so that the voltage applied to the electrodes 8 is changed. Also, the signals output by the signal device 16 can be influenced by, for example, changing threshold values for the signal output and / or the signals per se. Also, with the aid of the wireless communication interface 29, the parameters can be transmitted to the associated communication device without the need for a physical connection, in particular a cable.

Furthermore, the output of the signal can also be effected by means of the signal device 16 via the wireless communication interface 29, which forwards the corresponding data to an external device which outputs a signal which correlates with the signal output by the signal device 16. Thus, for example, a remote, for the signal of the signaling device 16 unattainable place, especially a remote room, are supplied with the signal.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the antistatic device 4. The in Fig. 4 shown variant of the antistatic device 4 has in comparison to the examples of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 an increased number of light units 23, in particular Light-emitting diodes 23 ', which are uniformly distributed over the entire side surface shown, that is over the entire length 24 and over the entire width 26 of the side surface. That is, the side surface shown is wholly or substantially translucent or transparent, so that the signal output by the light units 23 is perceptible from the outside. In this variant, the display device 17 also extends over at least one further side surface, preferably over all side surfaces of the anti-static device 4. Thus, the housing 19 is used as a display or part of the display device 17, and in particular in the output of the respective signal due to Translucent or transparent design "shine". This allows a clear optical signal output and a simple perception of the signal. Here, the light units 23, in particular the LEDs 23 ', and / or the translucent portion 27 of the housing 19 in the profile of the housing 19 shed. Due to the increased number or density of the luminous units 23, a text output or a text output with increased triggering by means of the luminous units 23 can also take place. The text output can be combined as desired with the color output. Thus, colors and text can take place alternately or in different areas, simultaneously or alternately. It is also conceivable to display or output texts with different colors.

Claims (15)

1. Antistatic device (4) for reducing electrostatic charges on moving material webs (2), comprising,

   - at least one active electrode arrangement (7) having a plurality of active needle-shaped individual electrodes (8) and electrically connected to an associated high-voltage source (13) during operation of the antistatic device (4) is connected,

   - with a controller (14) for controlling the voltage source (13),

   - with a housing (19) in which the at least one active electrode arrangement (7) and the controller (14) are disposed,

   characterised by a signal device (16) disposed in and/or on the housing (19) with an optical display device (17) for outputting a signal to a user that correlates with at least one parameter of the material web (2), such a parameter being the polarity of the material web (2).
2. Antistatic device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the controller (14) is coupled with the signal device (16), and configured and/or programmed such that it activates parameter detected by the signal device (16) on at least one of the sensor systems (15).
3. Antistatic device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the optical display device (17) extends along a longitudinal stretch (18) of the housing (19).
4. Antistatic device according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   the housing (19) is formed at least partially translucent, in particular optically transparent, wherein the optical display device (17) in a translucent or transparent region (27) of the housing (19) is disposed in the housing (19).
5. Antistatic device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the display device (17) extends at least partially circumferentially with respect to the housing (19).
6. Antistatic device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the antistatic device (4) for varying the strength of the output from the signal device (16) has an environmental sensor device (28) for detecting environmental parameters, in particular an ambient light intensity and/or an ambient volume.
7. Antistatic device according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the antistatic device (4) has a wireless and/or wired communication interface (29) for communicating the anti-static device (4) with another communication device.
8. Antistatic device according to one of claims 7 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the translucent region (27) and/or the display device (17) are at least partially encapsulated in the housing (19).
9. Method for operating an antistatic device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the signal device (16) outputs different signals depending on parameters of the material web (2), the signal being output depending on the polarity of the material web (2).
10. Method according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the signal is output depending on the polarity of a neutralisation current of the antistatic device (4).
11. Method according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterised in that
    depending on at least one such parameter of the antistatic device (4) and/or the material web (2) and/or the production plant (1) different colours and/or texts are output.
12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11,
    characterised in that
    depending on at least one such parameter of the antistatic device (4) and/or the material web (2) and/or the production plant (1) different frequencies of the respective signal are output.
13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12,
    characterised in that
    depending on at least one such parameter of the antistatic device (4) and/or the material web (2) and/or the production plant (1) different colour combinations and/or frequency combinations are output.
14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13,
    characterised in that
    the display device (17) at least at a predominantly negative polarization of the antistatic device (4), in particular the electrodes (8), outputs a blue signal and at least a predominantly positive polarisation of the antistatic device (4), in particular the electrodes (8), outputs a red signal.
15. Method according to one of claims 9 to 14,
    characterised in that
    the display device (17) with at least a predominantly negative polarisation of the material web outputs a blue signal and with at least a predominantly positive polarisation of the antistatic device (4), in particular the electrodes (8) outputs red signal.

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