EP3583582A1

EP3583582A1 - Alarm element and alarm system

Info

Publication number: EP3583582A1
Application number: EP18708579.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Giessler
Original assignee: AlarmplaneDe GmbH
Current assignee: AlarmplaneDe GmbH
Priority date: 2017-02-20
Filing date: 2018-02-20
Publication date: 2019-12-25
Also published as: WO2018149458A1; DE112018000902A5

Abstract

The invention relates to alarm elements and alarm systems for goods during transport, loading and storage or during packaging, in addition to a method for producing said type of alarm elements. Said type of alarm element comprises a support material, an alarm wire and several feed-through devices disposed on the support material for fixing the alarm wire to the support material. One or more of said type of alarm elements can be used in alarm systems having at least one relay, a load circuit controlled by the relay, and a control circuit. The invention also relates to a method for producing the alarm elements and to uses of the alarm systems with said alarm elements.

Description

Alarm element and alarm system

The invention relates to alarm elements and alarm systems for securing transport, loading and storage goods or transport packaging and manufacturing method for such alarm elements. The alarm systems can be used inter alia to secure the loading of vehicles with tarpaulin structures and in particular for trucks (trucks) and their trailers or semitrailers with tarpaulin covers or tarpaulin structures on the basis of tarpaulins.

There have recently been increasing problems with theft of loading and storage goods, in particular in commercial freight or from warehouses or warehouses. It is often used for the purpose of safe transport or as a visual or weather protection on fabric tarpaulins, as they are more flexible and lighter than solid walls, boxes, cases or containers. Thus loading, storage and transport goods, usually also referred to as goods, can be handled and packaged much more flexibly with good weather protection. In goods traffic by road or rail, however, there is always damage to the tarpaulins caused by so-called "sliters." For example, stows or gangs parked in car parks and in cities are stolen by thieves or gangs who have specialized in theft of goods that are not sufficiently secured This is usually done with a sharp object, a slot or a hole, often in sickle or wedge shape, cut into the tarpaulin of the lorries parked there, inspected by the opening the cargo to its value and then the cargo either directly to another vehicle transhipped or more and more often stolen with the theft of the entire truck, trailer or semitrailer.Towell-based superstructures on the basis of tarpaulins currently offer little or no protection for such a methodology.To plan for covering cargo compartments of motor vehicles, especially for the aggravation or prevention of theft au s such spaces are described in DE 39 31 367 A1. These tarpaulins included in the tarpaulin area distributed electrical conductors that are connected to an alarm system. By measuring the electrical resistance and increasing the electrical resistance in a capping of one or more electrical conductors by the slitting of the tarpaulin located in the vehicle alarm system is triggered. A similar damage and theft protection for truck tarpaulins is described in DE 10 2010 020 320 A1. An alarm wire is welded in a rectangular double foil up to half the height of the tarpaulin, glued to the inside or worked directly into the tarpaulin during the tarpaulin production. An on-off control electronics located in the cab supplies the alarm wire as a closed circuit with a low voltage from the battery of the towing vehicle. When cutting the tarpaulin, the wire is severed, the control electronics registers the severance and triggers audible alarm. Alternatively, according to DE 10 2010 020 320 A1, an electroless flexible steel wire can be used as a purely mechanical device to hinder large-scale damage to truck tarpaulins instead of the alarm wire.

A similar alarm system is described in WO 87/06749. In one embodiment of this alarm system, the alarm wires are glued in the form of an adhesive tape on the interior of the tarpaulin. The fixed by a Klebefixierung on the tarpaulin alarm wires are then connected by means of an extendable connection of the tarpaulin starting with a fixed to the vehicle fixed AI arm circuit. As a result, the tarpaulin can be pushed back and forth without the connection to the AI arm circuit must be interrupted.

DE 602 04 248 T2 describes a tear-resistant textile material with integrated metal cords, which can be used for example as truck tarpaulins. Again, a purely mechanical security effect is described as the metal cords complicate cutting the tarpaulins.

As cited above by way of example most conventional alarm systems for tarpaulin structures of trucks are largely based on glued or welded double foil systems, with the help of alarm wires or alarm conductors are applied to the inside of truck tarpaulins over a large area. In these laminate systems, regularly expensive industrial adhesives are used for application. In addition, the systems are not individually interchangeable in case of damage, for example by a break-in attempt. This often requires replacing the entire tarpaulin of a truck. This leads to high costs for replacement or repair of the alarm system. Presumably for that reason, the previous systems have not been successful in the market. In alternative conventional solutions separate alarm elements by means of connectors or push-button fasteners to the mass of the truck on-board power supply attached (eg DE 10 2010 020 320 AI). In such a construction, the tarpaulin must be disabled during each loading and unloading and then reactivated. This leads to an easy manipulation of the system as well as to a greater expenditure of time by the separate activation of the system. Often, this will result in the system not being activated by the driver to save time.

When the control electronics are in the cab, a wired or wireless connection between the alarm elements and the control electronics must be provided. This leads to an increased effort in the installation and the acceptance of the alarm system, for example by the TÜV. In a larger fleet with different towing vehicles, this also leads to a logistical overhead, as described for example in DE 10 201 020 320 AI, the control units for the different trailer would have to be equipped with replaceable resistors. This can also lead to errors in the operation or manipulation by third parties. For example, in the case of cable-based connections, based for example on a radio link between the alarm elements and the control electronics, so-called GSM jammers, which are relatively easy or available on the black market in some countries, could be tampered with. GSM Jammer could be used for a short time deactivation of the mobile phone network in a small radius to allow in time a manipulation attempt.

Based on the above documents, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved and independent in freight transport from the on-board electronics alarm system with high flexibility and high protection against manipulation and individual alarm elements for this purpose.

An inventive alarm element for such a simple and flexible alarm system is defined in claim 1. According to the invention, an alarm element comprises a carrier material, an alarm wire and a plurality of passage devices arranged on the carrier material for fixing the alarm wire to the carrier material. An alarm element according to the invention can be produced according to a method according to claim 6. The manufacturing method according to the invention comprises spreading a carrier material on an embroidery table, guiding and arranging an alarm wire on the carrier material in a predetermined position by means of an embroidery head, fixing the alarm wire with a yarn loop on the carrier material in a predetermined position, repeating the guiding step and the fixing step for the production a plurality of yarn loops for fixing the alarm wire on the substrate in a predetermined arrangement pattern.

An inventive alarm system for securing transport, loading and storage goods or transport packaging is defined according to claim 9. The alarm system includes a relay, a relay controlled load circuit with a power source, a switch, and an alarm transmitter, and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises one or more alarm elements according to the invention.

The alarm system according to the invention can be used according to one of the uses defined in claims 13 to 15.

Further improvements and specific embodiments of the alarm element, manufacturing method, alarm system and uses according to the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The alarm element according to the invention essentially consists of a carrier material on which at least one, preferably several feedthrough devices are provided for fixing the alarm wire. The carrier material of the alarm element can be any desired carrier material which enables the formation of such feedthrough devices by the carrier material itself or the application of such feedthrough devices from the carrier material or from another material. The backing material is adapted to be applied and bonded to tarpaulins or other protective films, to secure the transport, loading or storage goods (hereinafter often referred to as goods or goods) stored therein or underneath.

Securing according to the invention means that the alarm element emits a signal, preferably an electrical signal, to a relay or controller of an alarm system in case of damage or manipulation of the alarm wire. This signal is then an alarm in triggered an alarm system. The alarm element according to the invention alone or in combination of further elements or components is according to the use part of the control circuit of an alarm system.

Instead of applying the alarm element to a tarp or protective foil, the tarpaulin or the protective foil itself can function as a carrier material. In order to enable a backup, it is expedient that the course of the alarm wire itself or the course of the execution facilities for the alarm wire from outside the tarp or protective film is not visible. Otherwise, the cuts could be used to spy or steal the goods between the pockets, i. without violating the alarm wire. Therefore, it is preferable to subsequently coat the support material on the tarpaulin or protective film to be protected from inside, i. without direct insight by third parties. The application can be done by gluing, welding or sewing, as long as a flat and flush application to the tarp or protective film is guaranteed. Flushing means that the carrier material is as solid as possible connected to the tarpaulin or protective film, so that when cutting through the tarp or protective foil, both the tarpaulin or protective foil and the carrier material with the alarm wires fixed on it are cut or torn. This first ensures that the injury of the alarm wire or the manipulation of the alarm wire, e.g. by shorting or connecting two alarm wires together, a signal can be relayed to the relay of the alarm system.

The term grommet as used in the present invention includes attachment devices for the alarm wire in the form of loops, tabs, pockets, tunnels, holes, eyelets or similar elements through which the alarm wire can be passed loosely. Such passage devices such as loops are different width strips of a fabric, yarn, foil or tarpaulin material on the substrate for the implementation of the alarm wire. Several such loops can thereby form a tunnel-like overall structure for fixing the alarm wire on the carrier material in the desired arrangement pattern. By loosely passing the alarm wire through the feedthrough devices such as loops, it is possible to open the fixation to individual, in some cases even punctiform, fixation points to replace or repair the alarm wire as needed. For this advantageous easy interchangeability or Repairability, it is essential that the alarm wire is not glued to the carrier material or with the tarpaulin as in the conventional laminate alarm systems.

Alarm wire according to the invention may be any electrically conductive wire or even a conductor of a printed or painted electrically conductive paste. Preferably, a sheathed wire of copper or silver is used for this purpose, which is easily severable with a knife, so that it is cut in a slit of the tarp and thereby a signal is triggered. Relatively thin lead wires having a cross section of, for example, 0.1 to 1 mm ² , preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm ² , particularly preferably about 0.3 to 0.4 mm ^2, are suitable for this purpose. In addition, the alarm wire should be relatively flexible, so that it does not come to a cable breaks in a folding or collapsing of the tarp or the protective film. According to the invention, this flexibility is achieved in that the alarm wires are not glued, but are relatively loosely guided in the passage means in the form of, for example, loops or pockets. The alarm wires are thus arranged at least slightly displaceable between the individual fixing points or fixing points despite secure fixation on the carrier material. In an alternative embodiment, increased flexibility is achieved by arranging the alarm wires in wavy patterns on the substrate. Waveform means that the alarm wire has as few or no rectilinear pieces in the plane as possible. In this case, a regular or irregular waveform can be formed. The wave-shaped arrangement allows the interception of compression or compression of the wires when pushing together or folding the tarpaulin. If this wave-shaped arrangement is selected, a somewhat firmer fixation of the alarm wires at the fixing points or fixing points on the carrier material can be carried out without limiting the overall flexibility.

The production method according to the invention comprises, as a first step, the spreading of a carrier material on an embroidery table of a knitting machine with dimensions suitable for the carrier material. After the spreading of the carrier material on the embroidery table in the second step, the guiding and arranging of the alarm wire on the carrier material in the predetermined position by means of an optionally swivellable embroidery head. As soon as the alarm wire is arranged in one part on the carrier material, the next step is to fix the alarm wire on the carrier material predetermined position. Alternatively, the fixing can also take place simultaneously or immediately after arranging. The fixing of the alarm wire is carried out with the help of a yarn loop generated by the embroidery head from an embroidery thread. As embroidery yarn, any yarn can be used, but are preferably as tear and cut resistant yarns, for example Kevlar material. The Kevlar yarn is not only preferred for its high cut resistance, but also has a very low weight compared to other yarns. The yarn loops are preferably sewn without bias of the yarn on the substrate and form a kind of tab or tunnel on the substrate, through which or the alarm wire is guided. The stitched loops are preferably formed without bias and the alarm wire fixed therein is not pressed by the tension of the yarn on the substrate. Fixing in this sense does not mean an immovable pressing of the alarm wire on the substrate, but a loose positioning itself. The yarn loops produced function as feedthrough devices through which the alarm wire is loosely passed. Thus, in contrast to a bonding of the wire in a laminate or a woven wire mesh, as described in the prior art, the interchangeability and the flexibility by applying the embroidery method according to the invention for producing the alarm elements is ensured.

After the first fixation of the alarm wire has occurred on the substrate, the embroidery head continues the pre-programmed route and guides the alarm wire to the next fixing position. There, another yarn loop is placed around the alarm wire. By repeating the guiding step and fixing step, a plurality of passage means may be formed of yarn loops for fixing the alarm wire on the substrate in a predetermined arrangement pattern. The number of repetitions of these two steps and thus the fixing points per alarm element to be produced is not limited and depends on the pattern and the length of the alarm wire to be positioned thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, the embroidery head may be pivotable in the plane by up to 360 degrees so that it can position the alarm wire on the deployed substrate in any possible manner. Advantageously, the embroidery head moves a predetermined distance for an arrangement of the alarm wire on the Carrier material and performs at regular intervals by the fixing step until the predetermined pattern has been generated on the substrate.

After attaching the last fixing point, the carrier material with the alarm wire attached thereto can be removed from the embroidery table and, if necessary, provided with plug connections or electronic connections for the two ends of the alarm wire. If the alarm wire has already been designed in advance with the plug connections or the wire connections to the control element are otherwise formed, this last step is merely optional.

A significant advantage of the inventive manufacturing method for an alarm element is that the alarm wire can be fixed in any predetermined pattern on the substrate. The positioning and fixation of the alarm wire on the substrate is not fixed and final depending on the size of the loop. This is a good interchangeability of the alarm wire, for example, after a damage or a break-in attempt, possible in any part of the alarm element. The alarm wire can either be pulled out in one piece from all loops and a new one used or only a small part in the area of the damaged area is pulled out of one or more loops and replaced by a new section. This makes it possible to repair the alarm element on site or in a workshop without having to replace the entire alarm element or the entire tarpaulin, as described in the prior art. As a result, the service life of the truck in the workshop can be significantly reduced in truck tarpaulins. The repair costs can be significantly reduced because not the entire tarpaulin, but only individual portions of the alarm wire must be replaced or repaired. Thus, with the same or increased flexibility of the individual alarm elements, a faster profitability of the entire alarm system can be achieved by this production method.

Manual or automatic embroidery machines of the required order of magnitude for the use of alarm elements for, for example, truck tarpaulins are known to the person skilled in the art. Conventional embroidery machines are usually based on CAD technology, which can also be used here. A pre-programmed by a CAD drawing route for the arrangement of the alarm wire can be programmed into the embroidery machine, so that in the embroidery process a millimeter accurate application and fixing the Alarm wire can be done on the substrate. The basic methods and machines for embroidering are known to the person skilled in the art. However, the use of such an embroidery process to make alarm elements for use in alarm systems to secure the cargo of tarpaulin-mounted vehicles, and more particularly to trucks and their trailers, is new and offers the benefits described herein for flexible alarm elements.

This method is also advantageous for the application of alarm wires to other protective tarpaulins, in particular for securing pallets or for use as a temperature protection hood. In particular, the method allows any desired pattern of the alarm wires with high flexibility of the tarpaulin or the protective cover, so that a simple slipping over of the goods or container to be tempered is made possible.

The alarm system according to the invention for securing transport, loading and storage goods or transport packaging comprises at least one relay, a load circuit controlled by the relay and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises one or more alarm elements according to the invention as described above. Basically, the relay is connected to the load circuit and the control circuit as in any conventional alarm system. In case of damage or bridging of the alarm wire of at least one of the alarm elements, a signal is relayed to the relay. This signal is processed in the relay and an alarm signal is issued in the load circuit via the alarm. More specifically, according to the present invention, a change in the electric current in the control circuit brings the relay into a different switching state upon reaching a preset resistance, current or voltage limit. The other switching state causes a switching on of the load circuit, so that the alarm is activated. The relay thus serves to activate the alarm when a specific limit in the control circuit is reached, for example when the resistance in the control circuit is suddenly increased by interrupting the control circuit. The cutting or severing of the alarm wire in a part of the control circuit is already enough to reach the switching state. Relays for use in alarm systems are known to those skilled in the art, and relays conventionally used can be used in the invention. Preferably, relays are used to measure the resistance of the control circuits. More preferably, the relay comprises a current source for the control circuit. Alternatively, this can be installed at any point of the control circuit.

Preferably, the relay is a microcontroller or microprocessor that operates independently of an external power source. Preferably, the microcontroller or microprocessor is always ready for operation or is turned on via a switch. Once the control circuit is closed, the microcontroller or microprocessor can be automatically activated or it is activated via a separate signal. The microcontroller registers the increase in resistance, as it arises, for example, when severing the alarm wire and thus sets a so-called outsourced voltage, which is located in the control electronics, free. As a result, a pulse is given, which leads to the switching of the relay state. The overall system thus preferably has no effective power consumption during regular operation, thereby achieving a very long operating time. Such microcontrollers or microprocessors are available on the market and can be configured accordingly for an alarm system. According to the invention, a specially written software is used for this, which registers the increase of the counterclaim. Advantageously, the control circuit and the relay are directly wired together to prevent tampering, for example via a radio link.

The power source disposed in the load circuit may be any battery, preferably a rechargeable battery, for example, a common car battery used in automobiles. To turn off the system when needed, a switch may be provided in the load circuit, which may be manually or remotely, for example based on IR radiation, or via electronics that may be controlled by a handset (eg, a cell phone).

As an alarm, when used in freight, any conventionally approved in road traffic optical or acoustic alarm, which makes the environment by means of optical, acoustic or digital signals or two or three different types of signals to the vehicle. The alarm can also be sent via a mobile connection the alarm to a central office or to a handset (for example, a mobile phone) forward. This not only the deterrent effect of the visual and audible alarm is possible, but also the warning of the owner, entrepreneur or a security service or the police. In a further alternative embodiment, several alarm elements are used in the control circuit. This is advantageous for large areas to be secured, such as in trucks or semitrailers or trailers. In this embodiment, the alarm elements comprise an alarm wire as well as connector plugs seated at both ends of the alarm wire for connecting the alarm elements to each other or for connecting the control circuit to a power source or the relay. The control circuit can thus be subdivided into one or more control circuits, which are connected either in their entirety or individually to the relay. For this they are either connected in series or in parallel. The connectors can be universally or depending on the connection option specifically designed. If they are universally designed, a high flexibility of the system can be achieved. If specifically configured, the user can distinguish between a connector for connecting multiple alarm elements to each other and a connector for connection to the relay, so that no faulty circuits in the system are possible.

In a further preferred embodiment, in particular for truck tarpaulins, each of the alarm elements consists of several arranged on the inside of the tarpaulin pockets as passage means for the alarm wire through which the alarm wire is loosely guided. The pockets may be welded to the inside of the tarpaulin directly on the tarpaulin surface of the tarpaulin structure or may be provided in a separate element which can be applied to the tarpaulin surface of the tarpaulin structure from the inside. The pockets are preferably arranged in a regular arrangement and can run substantially parallel to one another, so that several pockets extend horizontally one above the other or vertically next to one another on the tarpaulin surface of the inside of the tarpaulin structure. The arrangement of the individual pockets is carried out according to the invention such that the tarpaulin is not significantly limited in its basic flexibility. Not essential is that a pushing together or folding when opening the tarpaulin structure is still possible. It's just one Advantage of the alarm system according to the invention that the flexibility of the tarpaulin structure is maintained as much as possible.

For this flexibility of the alarm system according to the invention, a plurality of pockets may be arranged substantially horizontally in the lower half of the tarpaulin of the side walls and optionally the front and rear walls of the cargo space. According to the invention, essentially horizontal means that the individual pockets are arranged approximately parallel to the surface of the loading surface or of the side wall. In most cases, it is sufficient if the alarm elements in the lower region of the side walls or front and rear walls, if designed as a tarpaulin, are arranged. Preferably, they cover the lowest area of the tarpaulin, starting from the side wall or from the loading area, which can be reached by a person of normal standing height or with simple raising means, such as small steps or ladders. This already covers most of the places where thieves usually try to steal the cargo.

For the improvement of the flexibility, it is also favorable if the pockets are arranged at intervals of between 5 and 20 cm, preferably between 10 and 15 cm. As a result, a sufficient coverage of the surface to be secured is usually achieved on the inside of the tarpaulin, leaving enough space between the pockets without additional stiffening through the pockets or the alarm wire. It is thus still possible to bend or collapse the tarp between the individual pockets when the tarpaulin is opened, so that unloading of the loading surface remains easily possible.

Preferably, in the alarm system of the present invention, the alarm wire may be loosely passed through the pockets. Due to the loose guidance of the alarm wire in the pockets, it can react even more flexibly than a wire, for example glued wire, which is rigidly guided therein, to the bending, buckling or collapse of the tarpaulin. This will attempt to avoid or prevent violation of the alarm wire. Should this happen nevertheless, the injured or broken wire can simply be pulled out of the bag and replaced with a new alarm wire. For this purpose, according to the invention, a completely new alarm element does not have to be used. This is a further advantage over the previously described systems with glued or woven alarm wires. The system can automatically update to the new resistance when replacing individual line elements of the alarm wires. As a result, no manual adjustment of the resistance value in the alarm elements is required.

In a preferred embodiment of an alarm element, the alarm wire is guided in an S-shaped guide through a plurality of horizontally extending pockets from top to bottom. For returning the alarm wire to the upper edge of the alarm element this can optionally be performed by a vertically arranged pocket. The alarm element thus has a plurality of (i.e., 3 or more, preferably 5, 7, 9, 11, or more) pockets horizontally and optionally a vertical pocket for returning the alarm wire from top to bottom and bottom to top, respectively. In the arrangement of the bags, it is convenient to find a balanced mediocre level of flexibility of the alarm element and protection of the alarm wire through the pockets, for example with regard to chafing on fixed side wall parts or goods or other damage to the alarm wire.

In a further embodiment of the alarm element according to the invention, the pockets of each alarm system can be welded directly onto the inside of the tarpaulin. This welding can be done on site from the back of the truck or from the inside of the tarpaulin structure ago. In a further preferred embodiment, the pockets are made of the same material as the tarpaulin, so that simply by heating the surface of the material to melting temperature, the lateral ends of the tarpaulin can be fused with the tarpaulin of the loading structure on site. Suitable materials and tools are known to those skilled in the art, since even today planning is patched or repaired with this technique.

As already indicated above, the control circuit may consist of several alarm elements, these being either fed by a current source or each alarm element is provided with its own power source for itself. Preferably, each alarm element comprises a separate power source and is individually connected to the relay, as this at the same time a selective triggering of an alarm signal, for example alarm in section A, can be made possible. For the deterrent effect of the optical or acoustic signal, it is sufficient if several alarm elements are connected in series in the control circuit. For truck trailers or semitrailers it may be advantageous that, in addition to the control circuit, both the relay and the load circuit are arranged within the cargo space of the tarpaulin structure. This ensures that the entire alarm system is independently supplied with power and functions independently of the towing vehicle or its on-board electronics. As a result, the trailer or semitrailer can be protected by the alarm system when the towing vehicle is removed from the trailer or semitrailer. At the same time the visibility of a possibly existing alarm system and the manipulation by third parties is reduced to a minimum by the integrated arrangement of the entire alarm system within the hold of the tarpaulin structure. This can increase the security of the entire system. Due to the integral structure, the entire system is simplified at the same time, so that it is less prone to interference. Similarly, this independence from the supply by the electrical system for all truck tarpaulins or other applications of transport security, for example, pallet backup, advantageous. In a further preferred embodiment of the alarm system according to the invention, the current sources for the control circuit and for the load circuit are fed by one or more separate batteries. These batteries are independent of the on-board electronics in the truck or motor vehicle during the journey or the life and thus do not burden the often already overloaded on-board electronics. Optionally, these batteries can be charged by their own generator, by solar panels, by external charging stations for electric power or while driving through the alternator of the truck or motor vehicle. Thereby, a secured charge capacity of the battery for the alarm system can be achieved.

As already mentioned above, in the case of the alarm, the alarm device can emit an acoustic and / or visual and / or digital alarm in the form of a corresponding signal, on the one hand to deter thieves during the act and as an indication of unauthorized access Vandalism of the vehicle to third parties (for example, in the vicinity of standing truck driver or motor vehicle driver or passers-by) is intended. At the same time, the police, a security service, the driver, the keeper or the freight forwarder may receive a warning by mobile telephone, indicating the location of the truck or vehicle if the alarm system is equipped with an additional location system and Mobile radio system is equipped. In the alarm system according to the invention, it may be advantageous not to use the GSM technology. It is more advantageous to use the iridium technology, which can not be interrupted relatively easily by the aforementioned GSM jammers. In addition, the Iridium technology allows a worldwide unique network coverage, which is often used by the military or in shipping. Thus, the alarm systems are universally applicable.

Due to the mechanical design of the alarm elements in the control circuit and by the special arrangement of the elements in the load circuit and the relay was achieved in a simple way, a cost-effective and flexible alarm system that allows individual components easily exchange or add later. Due to the autonomy in the power supply can now also individually parked semi-trailer or trailer, i. without towing vehicle, to be protected in a simple way. The application of the alarm system for pallet security or for other applications is made possible. Thus, the alarm system according to the invention fulfills the task of providing an improved and independent of the on-board electronics alarm system.

Due to this special design of the overall system, the alarm system according to the invention described above can be used in many ways. For example, it may be used to secure the cargo of automobiles, trucks, trailers or trailers with tarpaulin structures. Under motor vehicles or trucks are all commercially or privately used vehicles to understand. Usually, such vehicles are used to transport goods on the road. Since more and more goods are to be brought from the road on waterways or rails, the invention can also be used for vehicles that by water or on the rail, for example in the form of transported on the rail truck semi-trailer or so-called swap bodies, be transferred to their destination. The definition of the invention also includes vehicles which travel by rail or by water only, such as train carriages with tarpaulin structures. In principle, the alarm system is suitable for securing any cargo spaces with tarpaulin structures.

When using the alarm system to secure the load of motor vehicles, lorries or trailers or semi-trailers with tarpaulin structures, it is advantageous in that one or more alarm elements with several feedthrough devices, for example in the form of pockets, are welded onto the inside of the tarpaulin and arranged substantially horizontally in the lower half of the tarpaulin of the side walls and optionally the front and rear walls of the cargo space. As a result, all-round protection of the cargo space is achieved.

Alternatively, the alarm system according to the invention for securing tents, stalls, terrace and Carportabtrennungen, hall dividers, protective and Abdeckplanen for machinery and equipment, gardening equipment, garden furniture, barbecues, bicycles, quads, wood storage or cargo and transport goods in bulk or on pallets be used. According to the invention, the carrier material of the alarm elements can replace the fabric or tarpaulin material. Alternatively, it may be applied in the form of separate alarm elements on the fabrics or the tarpaulins. If the tarpaulin forms a kind of protective cover as tarpaulins, then the alarm elements are usually applied from the inside to the material of the protective cover. Another preferred use of the alarm system according to the invention is the application as a temperature protection hood (also called Thermoblanket). In this application of the invention, the control circuit additionally comprises a temperature sensor which measures and / or records the temperature profile over time and, when a threshold value is reached, issues an alarm via the alarm transmitter. As a result, in a simple manner, for example also by retrofitting of conventional thermoblankets, temperature-sensitive goods, such as, for example, medicines or medical samples or even organs to be transplanted, can be protected against unauthorized access during transport and at the same time monitored in terms of temperature. The application in thermoblankets makes it possible in a simple way to directly avoid damage to transport goods on the one hand, and to actively follow the temperature course during the transport of temperature-sensitive goods on the other hand. Such a technique is not yet available on the market. Mostly so far only the recording was done on the basis of the measured ambient temperature and not in the interior of the transported goods. In addition, beyond the temperature recording active alarm triggering when exceeding or falling below a predetermined temperature limit is new compared to the previous systems. The system is thus the first proactive system which allows immediate action. On the other hand, previous systems are only reactive.

In the following, the alarm system according to the invention for securing the load of motor vehicles, trucks or trailers or semi-trailers with tarpaulin structures is explained on a preferred example with the aid of figures and schematic drawings. Another example of the application of the alarm system according to the invention for securing pallets will also be explained below.

Brief description of the figures

1 shows a truck semi-trailer in side view. FIG. 2 shows the truck semi-trailer with alarm system according to the invention from the other side with the tarpaulin open.

FIG. 3 shows the plan view of an alarm element of the alarm system according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the alarm system according to the invention. Figure 5 shows the schematic structure of an alarm element without alarm wire and connector.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a controller for an alarm system according to the invention for use for a pallet securing device.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alarm system according to the invention for use in securing pallets.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the alarm system according to the invention from FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an arrangement pattern for the alarm wire of a pallet fuse according to the invention. FIG. 10 shows an example of a wave-shaped arrangement pattern for an alarm element according to the invention. The alarm system according to the invention can be used in an ordinary truck semi-trailer 100 as shown in Figure 1 in side view. The truck semi-trailer 100 has to protect the loading area from the weather and thefts a tarpaulin structure 200 and partially a fixed side wall 300. The truck semi-trailer 100 of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 from the other side, wherein in the figure 2 the open side wall of the view of the mounted on the inside of the tarpaulin invention alarm system 50 is enabled. The alarm system 50 according to this specific embodiment consists inter alia of 10 alarm elements 1, 2, 10 with connectors Vi, V ₂ , V9. The alarm elements 1-10 are side by side on the inside of the tarpaulin, ie towards the cargo space and not visible from the outside, arranged in a horizontal plane, almost parallel to the loading area. The height of each alarm element is about 150 cm. The lower edge of each alarm element is arranged just above the height of the fixed side wall 300. Thus, the alarm elements cover approximately the area of the tarpaulin, which is accessible to an adult, who stands next to the truck semi-trailer 100, well without any or with easily transportable tools.

Each alarm element 1-10 consists of an alarm wire 60 which is guided from the upper edge of each alarm element 1-10 to the lower edge of an S-shaped in pockets (not shown). The alarm wire 60 is passed several times from left to right almost over the entire width of the alarm element 1-10. In Figure 2, seven such guides are outlined, each alarm element 1-10 may have more than these seven guides. From the lower edge of the alarm element 1-10 of the alarm wire 60 is led to the connector V ₁ -V9 almost vertically at the edge of the alarm element upwards. The alarm elements 1-10 are electrically connected to each other with the connectors V ₁ -V9, so that a single control circuit of the alarm system is formed.

The alarm element 1 and the alarm element 10 are connected via further connection plugs (not shown) to a relay (not shown). The relay switches depending on the pulse of the control circuit, a load circuit (not shown). The pulse in the control circuit for switching the load circuit takes place in the embodiment shown here by interrupting the alarm wire 60, wherein the electrical Resistance in the control circuit increases. Increasing the resistance triggers the switching state in the relay so that the load circuit and the alarm transmitter located therein are switched on. Both the relay and the load circuit are not shown in FIG. 2, but may either be arranged in the truck semi-trailer 100 itself or, if desired, may be arranged on the towing vehicle.

FIG. 3 shows a sketch of an alarm element 2 according to the invention in plan view. The alarm element 2 has a substantially rectangular basic shape with a left hand edge connector Vi, an upper mounting device 21, a lower mounting device 22, an alarm wire 60, horizontally arranged pockets T ₁ , T ₂ , ... T ₁₁ and a vertically arranged bag

Tl2.

The alarm element 2 consists of a tarpaulin material, preferably a tarpaulin material identical to the tarpaulin of the truck semi-trailer. The alarm element 2 is welded on the upper and lower fastening device 21, 22 on the inside of the truck tarpaulin 200, which is possible by simply heating the material of the alarm element and pressing on the inside of the truck tarpaulin. Alternative mounting options are possible and known in the art. The welding between two identical tarpaulins used here is cheap and can easily be carried out subsequently in any semi-trailer. So a simple retrofitting in tarpaulin structures is readily possible.

The alarm wire 60 is performed by the connector Vi starting on the left side of the alarm element 2 in the horizontal pocket Ti ₂ to the lower end of the alarm element 2, then guided from there to the right over the entire width of the alarm element 2 and then in S-shaped turns led up to the right side of the alarm element 2. There it goes into the connector V _{2 of} the next alarm element (not shown). The alarm wire is guided in eleven vertical pockets Ti-Tn, so that there is electrical insulation between the vertically guided areas of the alarm wire. The pockets are also formed of the identical material as the alarm element 2. A welding process for applying the pockets to the alarm element is preferably also carried out here again. The pockets form, so to speak, tunnels for the alarm wire, through which it is preferably passed loosely. The passage of the alarm wire through the pockets may during or after creation of the bags. Since the alarm wire is preferably guided loosely through the pockets damaged alarm wires or alarm wire sections can be easily replaced. The bags do not stiffen the alarm element over the entire height and width, so that a satisfactory flexibility of the alarm element and the underlying truck tarpaulin is maintained. The flexibility is important to be able to easily open or push back the tarpaulin when loading and unloading the loading area.

4 shows a circuit diagram of the alarm system 50 according to the invention with a control circuit 70, a load circuit 80 and a relay 90. In the load circuit 70 is the alarm AL and the switch Si. In each of the circuits 70, 80, a separate energy source, a common battery with correspondingly adapted power to the control circuit 70 or load circuit 80, is installed. The control circuit 70 is connected at the relay to the inputs Ai, A ₂ . The load circuit 80 is connected to the inputs 11, 12. The switch Si is used to turn on or off the alarm system, so that only when switched on the alarm AL is activated.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the pocket arrangement of an alarm element 2 with vertically arranged pockets Ti, T ₂ , T ₃ , etc. In this embodiment, the pocket Ti _{2 is} raised vertically at the edge of the alarm element. For simplicity, neither the alarm wire nor the connector are shown in this figure. The distances between the pockets are about 8 to 10 cm.

The alarm system according to the present invention, illustrated above in the figures, is a particularly preferred embodiment, which can be configured as desired within the scope of the following claims. For example, the bags can be welded directly to the inside of the tarpaulin, especially if the system is to be retrofitted. The guide of the alarm wire can also be arranged substantially vertically or in a honeycomb structure, provided that they are covered by the alarm wire essential surfaces to be covered. It is also possible to choose diagonally arranged pockets or any other arrangements of the pockets. It is also possible to individually connect each alarm element to the relay or to multiple relays that switch one or more load circuits. The alarm element or elements can also be arranged one above the other, so that the entire lateral, front or rear sides of the tarpaulin structure are covered by appropriate alarm elements.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a controller for an alarm system according to the invention for use for a pallet securing device. The controller consists in particular of the control unit (SE), which is arranged on a plate approximately in the size of a Euro pallet. The plate serves as an upper termination and fastener for the tarpaulin disposed above (not shown). The control unit itself is supplied with a battery and thus independent of external power sources. It is used to control the alarm system and includes an RFID module. The function will be explained later.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an inventive pallet securing alarm system according to the invention with the controller of FIG. 6. The controller is located on the entire alarm system and looks out of the pallet hood from a tarpaulin. Over the plate with the controller, which is attached to the goods, the tarpaulin is put over like a kind hood. The hood, here made of a PVC sheet, covers the goods arranged on a pallet up to approx. 2 cm above the lower edge of the pallet plate. Inside the tarpaulin (here indicated schematically from the outside for illustrative purposes) runs the system of the control circuits s (SK) with the alarm wires. The laid pattern of the alarm wires is only exemplified as vertical or circular alarm wires. Any arrangement pattern as previously described in greater detail may be chosen here.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the alarm system according to the invention from FIG. 7. In this view, it can be seen how the control unit (SE) is arranged below the tarpaulin with the control circuit (SK) integrated therein. The load circuit is arranged within the control unit (SE) and comprises, in addition to a current source (not shown), a switch (S) and an alarm (AI).

In the case of the pallet solution shown here, the dimensioning of the hood from a PVC sheet takes place in such a way that each side of the lower part projects approximately 2 cm beyond the outer edges of the load carrier, here a Euro pallet. By using a flexible material, here the PVC tarpaulin, the outer dimensions of the carrier are exceeded only slightly and therefore the space requirement of the carrier is not significantly enlarged. At the edges of the base are at regular intervals several metal elements (not shown here), which can be mounted in different dimensions. After loading of the load carrier with goods, the tarpaulin shown in the drawing 7 in the slipped-over state, similar to a chair cover, is slipped from above over the goods and the controller arranged thereon. The tarpaulin contains PVC sewed tunnels through which alarm wires pass. Slipping over the tarpaulin achieves a securing of the load carrier in five directions, namely all four sides and upwards. The tarpaulin has on its underside magnets, with the help of which introduced alarm wires connect to the metal elements on the charge carrier and form a completely closed control circuit when closing.

The alarm system can be activated after all the magnets have been closed and is already triggered when the alarm wires are cut or when a single magnet is opened. Alternative connections to the magnetic connections for closing the control circuit and for securing the tarpaulin to the load carrier may be push button systems, click bar systems or plug-in systems.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an arrangement pattern for the alarm wire of a control circuit of a pallet fuse according to the invention. The plane spread out here, which can be put over the goods arranged on a load carrier like a chair cover, has in this embodiment at the edges protruding lines with plugs. It can thus be achieved that the hood can be slipped over the load carrier from above, for example a Euro pallet, and the lines can be connected under the loading surface of the load carrier. As a result, a closed ground circuit of the control circuits s generated. This control circuit is used to control the control unit shown here in the middle.

When the ground circuit has been closed using the alarm system shown in Figure 9, the system is activated. If the hood is removed or cut, the RFID module in the control unit is powered. If a suitable RFID card is scanned on the control unit within a period specified by the user, the alarm system switches off before an alarm is triggered becomes. However, if the RFID card is not scanned or a wrong card is scanned, an alarm is triggered. In addition to an acoustic signal, the alarm can also cause the GPS coordinates to be stored and an e-mail, SMS or short message to be sent via the Iridium module (alternatively GSM modul) installed in the control unit. Thus also the forwarding agent or a commissioned security service can receive a corresponding alarm message.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a wave-shaped arrangement pattern for an alarm element according to the invention. The alarm wire is arranged distributed in a wavy arrangement in a so-called honeycomb structure evenly over the carrier material. For the alarm wire, an insulated copper wire with a cross-section of 0.35 mm ^{2 was} used. The distances between the individual corrugated webs are approximately 10 to 15 cm. The alarm wires have been embroidered onto the PVC tarpaulin as a substrate by the embroidery method described herein. Due to the honeycomb structure with the wavy applied alarm wires a very high flexibility and thus a lower restriction in the mobility of the tarpaulin after attachment of the alarm element in a truck tarpaulin structure is achieved. In addition, the fine-meshed arrangement pattern of the honeycombs allows a very high area coverage with alarm wire with simultaneously improved flexibility of the alarm element compared to rectilinear alarm wires. This honeycomb alarm element is not only suitable for use in truck tarpaulins, but is also very well suited for the pallet security shown above because of the good flexibility.

Further embodiments and variations of the alarm system according to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the foregoing explanation of the invention and are hereby also protected, provided they have the technical features of the following claims.

Claims

1. alarm element (1 _, 2, ..., 10) for an alarm system (50) for securing transport.

Loading and storage goods or transport packaging, comprising a carrier material, an alarm wire (60) and a plurality of arranged on the substrate Durchfuhrungscinrichtungen (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₂ ) for fixing the alarm wire (60) on the carrier material.

2. alarm element (1, 2, ..., 10) according to claim 1, wherein the feedthrough devices (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₂ ) in the form of loops, tabs, pockets, tunnels, holes or loops formed are.

3. alarm element (1, 2, ..., 10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of implementing directions (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₂ ) arranged substantially horizontally and / or vertically spaced side by side on the carrier material are.

4. Alarmeiement (1, 2, ..., 10) according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the passage means (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₂ ) between 5 and 20 cm, preferably between 10 and 15 cm is.

5. alarm element (1. 2, .... 1 0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage means have been generated by an embroidery method in the form of yarn eyes around the alarm wire (60) arranged on the carrier material around.

A method of manufacturing an alarm element (1, 2, ... 10) for an alarm system (50) for securing transport, loading and storage goods or transport packaging, comprising spreading a carrier material on an embroidery table, guiding and arranging an alarm wire (60) on the carrier material in a predetermined position by means of an embroidery head, the fixing of the alarm wire (60) with a yarn loop on the carrier material in a predetermined position. Repetition of the guiding step and the fixing step to produce a plurality of yarn loops for fixing the alarm wire on the substrate in a predetermined arrangement pattern.

A method of manufacturing an alarm element (1, 2, ..., 10) according to claim 6, wherein the embroidery head has a predetermined distance for arrangement of the alarm wire departs the carrier material and durchfuhrt at regular intervals the fixing step.

A manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a Kevlar yarn is used for fixing the alarm wire (60).

9. alarm system (50) for securing transport, loading and storage goods or transport packaging, comprising

a relay (90),

a load circuit (80) controlled by the relay (90), having a current source, a switch (S i) and an alarm (AI), and - a control circuit (70) comprising one or more alarm elements (1, 2,

10) with a carrier material, an alarm wire (60) and a plurality of arranged on the substrate passage means (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₂ ) for fixing the alarm wire (60) on the carrier material.

10. Alarm system (50) according to claim 9, comprising in each case a connecting plug (VI, V2, V9) on each of the two wire ends of the alarm wire (60) for connecting a plurality of alarm elements (1, 2, 10) with each other or for connecting the control circuit ( 70) to a power source or the relay (90).

11. Alarm system according to claim 9 or 1 0, wherein one or more alarm elements are used according to one of claims 1 to 5 in the control circuit.

12. Alarm system according to one of the preceding claims 9 to 1 1, wherein the alarm device (AI) outputs an acoustic and / or an optical and / or a digital signal in the case of the alarm.

13. Use of the alarm system according to one of claims 9 to 12 for securing the load of motor vehicles, trucks or trailers or semitrailers (100) with tarpaulin structures, wherein one or more alarm elements (2) with several

Bags (T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T ₁₁ ) are welded directly to the inside of the tarpaulin and arranged substantially horizontally in the lower half of the tarpaulin of the side walls (200) and optionally the front and rear walls of the cargo space.

14. Use of the alarm system according to one of claims 9 to 12 for securing tents, stalls, Terassen- and Carportabtrennungen, hall partitions, protective and Abdeckplanen for machinery and equipment, garden tools, garden furniture, grills, bicycles, quads, wood storage or loading and Cargoes in bulk or on pallets, wherein the carrier mate rial of Alarmeiemente directly replaced the fabric or tarpaulin material or are applied as separate Alarmeiemente on the fabric or tarpaulins.

15. Use of the alarm system according to one of claims 9 to 12 as a temperature protection hood, wherein the control circuit additionally comprises a temperature sensor which measures the temperature profile over time and / or records and outputs when reaching a threshold value via the alarm (AI) an alarm.