EP3894043A1

EP3894043A1 - Method and device for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter or a filter cartridge arranged in the filter, and filter cartridge

Info

Publication number: EP3894043A1
Application number: EP19832285.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sieghard Pietschner; Stephan Ahlborn; Roland EDLERHERR
Original assignee: Hengst SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Hengst SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-12-12
Filing date: 2019-12-03
Publication date: 2021-10-20
Also published as: WO2020119938A1; US20220054959A1; DE102018131950A1; CN113453779A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter (2), wherein at least one transponder (10) arranged on or in a filter cartridge (3) of the filter (2) is queried in a contactless manner by means of a reading device (14) and wherein the response of the transponder (10) is analysed so as to evaluate at least one operating parameter of the filter (2). The method according to the invention is characterised in that the transponder (10) in the filter (2) is subject to the influences acting on the filter cartridge (3) and that as a result of said influences on the transponder (10) sensitive thereto itself, or on the transparency properties or damping properties of a transmission path of electromagnetic signals between the transponder (10) and reading device (14), the response behaviour of the transponder (10) is changed to a degree that can be detected by the reading device (14) or a downstream analysis unit (15) and enabling a statement to be made about the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2). The invention further relates to a device for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter (2) or a filter cartridge arranged on or in the filter (2), and a filter cartridge (3).

Description

Description:

Method and device for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter or of a filter insert and filter insert arranged in the filter

The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter or a filter insert arranged in the filter, wherein at least one transponder arranged on or in the filter insert or in a filter housing of the filter is queried without contact by means of a reader, and the response of the transponder is evaluated accordingly will evaluate at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert.

In addition, the invention relates to a device for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter or a filter insert arranged in the filter, at least one transponder being arranged on or in the filter insert or in a filter housing of the filter, said transponder being able to be queried in a contactless manner by means of a reading device, and with a Evaluation unit, by means of which the response of the trans ponder can be evaluated to evaluate the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert.

Finally, the invention relates to a filter insert.

From document EP 1 246 679 B1, a method for monitoring a filter element on an aggregate is known, in which specifying data of the filter element are stored in and / or on the filter element on a suitable memory chip. The memory module is a transponder designed as an inductive identification system, which transmits the data to a base station, in such a way that the data is read into an evaluation unit at predetermined times or at predetermined time intervals using a suitable reading means. The transponder measures the degree of contamination of the filter element via the differential pressure in such a way that the transponder attaches directly to the filter element. is ordered and pressure is applied from both sides and the pressure difference is measured using a strain gauge. The transponder consists, for. B. from a resonant circuit with a capacitor, an ohmic resistor and egg ner coil. The strain gauge is connected via a rectifier diode. For measuring the differential pressure, it is expedient according to this prior art to arrange a single transponder at the interface between the two pressures. An electrical signal is read out of the transponder, which reflects the change in the strain gauge. Additional sensors, such as temperature sensors or humidity sensors, can be connected to the trans ponder.

A disadvantage of this prior art is that the basic version of the method can only determine the differential pressure between the two sides of the filter insert and that a separate sensor must be used for each additional operating parameter that is to be recorded. The technical effort is obviously high and the method causes relatively high costs when used.

For the present invention, there is therefore the task of creating a method of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages of the cited prior art and which, in particular with a lower technical and financial outlay, permits the determination of at least one operating parameter of a filter. In addition, a corresponding device with which the method can be carried out and a suitable filter insert are to be specified.

According to the invention, the first part of the task relating to the method is achieved with a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that the transponder in the filter is exposed to the influences acting on the filter insert during its operation and by the action of these influences on the transponder itself, which is sensitive to the influences, or on the transmission or attenuation properties of a transmission path of electromagnetic signals between the transponder and the reader, the response behavior of the transponder in a unit detectable by the reader or a downstream evaluation unit, a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter or Filter insert permitting extent is changed. The method according to the invention advantageously works without the use of special sensors, such as strain gauges, which reduces the technical outlay for carrying out the method and saves costs. Rather, according to the invention, the influences which occur in the filter and which directly affect the at least one transponder and its response behavior when queried by the reading device are used. Depending on which or which operating parameters are to be recorded, the transponder itself can be sensitive to appropriate action or actions suitable for obtaining information about the operating parameter or parameters in question. The Einwirkun conditions used can be of different types, for. B. chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical effects. Alternatively or additionally, changes in the passage or damping properties of a transmission path of electromagnetic signals between the transponder and reading device, which change the response behavior of the trans ponder, caused by the influences occurring in the filter and which change the response behavior of the trans ponder, can be used to detect one or more operating parameters of the filter or filter insert.

In a further embodiment of the method it is provided that the response behavior of the transponder is queried at predeterminable time intervals by means of the reader and that response signals of the transponder detected by the reader are compared with stored default values and on the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert and / or be evaluated for the presence of an original filter insert in the filter. In addition to detecting at least one operating parameter, the method here offers the possibility of checking the filter as to whether an original filter insert with trans ponder is installed in it or not.

Such a control function can be implemented, for example, by designing the transponder, in which a predetermined signal attenuation occurs after a predetermined time under the influence of the filtrate. The signal of the trans ponder is read out after the specified time and compared with the specified signal attenuation. A given time can be, for example, a few days or weeks, or just a few minutes. For example, a transponder can be used which is designed in such a way that a predetermined signal attenuation can be determined within a short time, for example by a substance swelling on the inside of the housing due to the influence of the filtrate or wrapping the transponder is used. In particular in the case of short preset times, the determination of the predetermined signal attenuation can also include that the response behavior of the transponder is initially detected in the not yet installed state by an additional reading device or, if it is a mobile reading device, also by the same reading device .

According to the invention, the second part of the task relating to the device is achieved with a device of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that the transponder, which is exposed to the influences acting on the filter insert in its operation, is sensitive to the influences the influence of these influences on the transponder itself or on the transmission or damping properties of a transmission path of electromagnetic signals between the transponder and the reading device with regard to its response behavior in a detectable by the reading device or the evaluation unit, a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert he extent is changeable.

With the device according to the invention, the method described above can be carried out with little technical effort, making the device also good for use in mass articles, such as. B. fuel filter of internal combustion engines in motor vehicles or dust filters in vacuum cleaners or Industriefil terverarbeitung, is suitable.

In a first embodiment of the device it is provided that an enclosure or casing of the transponder in the filter can be attacked or destroyed as far as possible by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical attack, and thereby the transponder as a whole or at least one component of the transponder to the extent that it can be damaged or destroyed that can be changed by the response behavior of the transponder that can be detected by the reading device. The change in the response behavior of the transponder consists in particular in a response signal weakening or in a complete failure of the response signal. The extent of the change and the time of the change in the response behavior of the transponder depend on the strength and duration of the action of the chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical attack and on the predeterminable resistance of the material or material the enclosure or wrapping of the transponder. By coordinating the properties of the housing or sheathing of the transponder on the relevant effects, who can achieve that a change in the response behavior of the transponder z. B. occurs when the filter insert is exhausted and needs to be replaced.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that a housing or casing of the transponder in the filter can be modified by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical action in its transmission or damping properties for electromagnetic signals transmitted between the transponder and reading device, and thereby the response behavior of the transponder that can be detected by the reading device can be changed. In this embodiment of the device, a change in the response behavior of the trans ponder, in particular a time-dependent decrease or increase in the response signal strength of the transponder detected by the reader, will occur. The extent of the change and the time of the change in the response behavior of the transponder also depend here on the strength and duration of the action of the chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical attack and on the predeterminable resistance of the material or Material of the housing or casing of the transponder. By coordinating the properties of the housing or casing of the transponder on the effects in question, it can also be achieved here that a change in the response behavior of the transponder z. B. occurs when the filter insert is exhausted and needs to be replaced.

A further embodiment of the device suggests that the transponder is arranged in an area of the filter in which the transmission or damping properties for the electromagnetic signals differentiating between the transponder and the reading device are different in succession and that the media from the reading device are thereby separated detectable response behavior of the trans ponder is changeable. The filter here can be, for example, a diesel fuel filter with a water separator and integrated water containing the transponder, in which there is initially diesel fuel that is gradually displaced by separated water over a certain operating time of the filter. The different properties of diesel fuel and water are used here with regard to the transmission of electromagnetic signals through these media from the transponder to the reader. Depending on the requirements in the intended application, one or more transponders can be present in the device which are sensitive to one or more effects.

In a first embodiment of the device in this regard, the transponder is designed to be sensitive to a single specific action.

In a further embodiment of the device in this regard, the transponder is designed to be sensitive to two or more different actions.

There is also the possibility that the transponder and / or the housing or casing of the transponder are / are designed to be temperature-sensitive in such a way that once a predeterminable limit temperature is exceeded, which the transponder and / or the housing or casing of the transponder are exposed to / is, the response behavior of the transponder that can be detected by the reading device can be changed permanently.

It is also possible that the housing or casing of the transponder has areas made of at least two different materials or materials that are sensitive to different effects.

A further embodiment of the device proposes that the housing or casing of the transponder has at least one area forming an electrical resistance section, the electrical resistance of which can be measured by the transponder or one of the electronics assigned to the transponder, with a change in the measured resistance to a the reader or the evaluation unit detectable changes in the response behavior of the transponder which allows a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert.

An embodiment of the device is also conceivable which has two or more transponders sensitive to a single specific action and / or two or more transponders sensitive to two or more different actions. In an advantageous development of the device, it is provided that, in addition to the at least one transponder with a variable response, the at least one transponder, which is protected or resistant to all effects occurring during operation of the filter, arranged on or in the filter insert as a permanently unchangeable identification medium and Proof of originality of the filter insert. This ensures that even in the case of a deliberately damaged or destroyed first transponder with variable response behavior, it is still possible to clearly identify the filter insert by reading out the protected or stable further transponder. There is also the possibility here of evaluating one or more operating parameters of the filter or filter insert by comparing the response behavior of the transponder with the variable response behavior with the response behavior of the protected or stable transponder.

In a further embodiment it is provided that corresponding identification codes which can be read out by means of the reading device are stored in all transponders assigned to a filter or a filter insert. Thus, immediately after changing the filter insert, i.e. H. As long as all transponders in the filter insert are still unaffected by operational influences, the filter insert must be checked for authenticity. If it is determined that there is no originality of the filter insert, z. B. a corresponding warning message is issued or a start of an associated device having the filter with the filter insert, such as an internal combustion engine, is blocked. This improves the security of the identification of filter cartridges installed in a filter and makes it difficult to misuse filter cartridges.

Furthermore, the invention proposes for the device that the transponder (s) is attached to or in particular in a filter material body of the filter insert or on or in at least one end plate of the filter insert or on or in a wall of the filter housing welded or cast or poured, is / are. The specific attachment of the transponder or the transponders depends on the requirements of the application and is carried out in such a way that it allows the evaluation of the desired operating parameter or the desired operating parameters of the filter or filter insert. In a particularly expedient use, the device is part of a fuel filter or engine oil filter or hydraulic oil filter or transmission oil filter or air filter, it being provided that the housing or casing of the transponder, which has a response behavior, is at least partially made of a fuel or oil or air and / and / or is attackable or decomposable by one or more substances contained in the fuel or oil or in the air or in its transmission or damping properties for changeable material for electromagnetic signals transmitted between the transponder and reader. In this use, as generally explained above, the need to replace the filter insert can be determined as operating parameters. In addition, a statement can be made that certain, especially undesirable, substances are contained in the fluid flowing through the filter, such as. B. sulfur in fuel or glycol in oil. Other examples for the detection of undesirable substances as operating parameters is the detection of aging products in the fluid, such as. B. an increasing acidity in aging oil, or the detection of biodiesel components or undesirable ingredients, such as spirits, in the fuel.

In some filter applications it happens that a medium to be filtered, e.g. B. air or biodiesel is contaminated by microorganisms and / or water. A design of the device directed to this therefore provides that the encasing or encapsulation of the transponder, which is variable in its response behavior, consists at least in part of a transponder that can be attacked or decomposed by contact with microorganisms and / or water, or its transmission or damping properties and reader transmitted electro magnetic signals changeable material. In this way, the device can be used to determine whether there is a load of the type mentioned.

A further embodiment of the device provides that the at least one transponder which is variable in its response behavior is spatially assigned to a differential pressure valve or differential pressure sensor of the filter or filter insert and that by means of a differential pressure existing between a raw and clean side of the filter when a predefinable limit value is exceeded Elements of the differential pressure valve or differential pressure sensor of the transponder can be mechanically damaged or destroyed in a manner or the signal transmission property of the signal transmission path between the transponder and reading device can be changed so that the response of the transponder that can be detected by the reading device can be changed. Here there is a sudden change in the response behavior of the transponder due to a sudden mechanical effect, which is filtered when the filter insert is loaded

Dirt particles caused a differential pressure limit to be exceeded.

In order to avoid premature mechanical damage or destruction of the transponder that does not lead to depletion of the filter insert, the z. B. could occur due to low temperature more viscous fluids to be filtered differential pressure limit violations, the differential pressure valve or the differential pressure sensor may have a temperature dependency of its function, in particular at temperatures below a predefinable limit value can be deactivated.

In order to keep the filter insert equipped with one or more transponders, which is a consumable part, inexpensive, the / at least one of the transponders is preferably a passive RFID transponder.

Alternatively, the / at least one of the transponders is a semi-active or active RFID transponder with its own electrical energy source. In this embodiment, the transponder can take on additional functions, for example in order to determine the operating parameters of the filter or filter insert that are of interest with greater accuracy.

A preferred development in this regard provides that the / each semi-active or active RFID transponder changes automatically to digital outputs to be output as a function of changes in the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert that are detected as a function of the transponder or at least one sensor assigned to it formations is set up.

It is further proposed that the / each RFID transponder is arranged on a carrier film which is connected, preferably glued or welded, to an inner surface of the filter housing or to the filter insert. One on one Carrier foil arranged RFID transponder is therefore advantageously easy to connect to the filter housing or filter insert.

Finally, it is provided for the device according to the invention that the reading device is firmly or detachably connected to the filter or that the reading device is a separate, hand-held mobile device. The above-mentioned evaluation unit can be integrated in the reading device or can also be arranged at a distance from the reading device and connected to it for data transmission via cable or wirelessly.

To solve the third part of the task relating to the filter insert, the invention proposes a filter insert for use in a filter, the filter insert being exchangeable. The filter insert is characterized in that it has at least one transponder which is exposed to the influences acting on the filter insert in the filter operation and whose response behavior can be changed by these influences as part of a device according to one of claims 3 to 22. Such a filter insert is specially designed for carrying out the method described above and for use in a filter equipped with the above-described device.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to a drawing. The figures in the drawing show:

1 shows a device in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter shown in a schematic longitudinal section, in a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows the device in a schematic, partial illustration, which is assigned to a filter shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a second embodiment, together with an enlarged section with a transpose, in a schematic view,

FIG. 3 shows the device in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a third embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a transponder as an individual part of the device, in a schematic plan view,

5 to 8 each show a transponder with different enclosures or envelopes, each in a schematic cross section,

FIG. 9 shows the device in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a fourth embodiment,

Figure 10 shows the device in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a fifth embodiment, and

Figure 1 1 shows the device in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a sixth embodiment.

In the following description of the figures, the same parts in the various drawing figures are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that all reference symbols for each drawing figure do not have to be explained again.

Figure 1 shows a device 1 in a schematic representation, which is associated with a filter 2 shown in schematic longitudinal section with a filter insert 3, in a first embodiment.

The filter 2 is of a type known per se and has a filter housing 20, in which the filter insert 3 is interchangeably arranged. The filter insert 3 be made of a filter material body 30, for. B. from a star-shaped filter fabric web, which is framed by an upper end plate 31 and a lower end plate 32.

A fluid to be filtered flows around an inlet 21 during operation of the filter 2, e.g. As fuel, lubricating oil or air, in the direction of the arrow into the interior of the Filterge housing 20, where it then the filter material body in the radial direction from the outside to the inside 30 flows through the filter insert 3. In this case, dirt particles entrained in the medium are initially retained in the filter material body 30, as a result of which the dirt particles are freed of the medium. The medium which is now filtered leaves the filter 2 through an outlet 22 on the top side in accordance with the flow arrow drawn in there.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises two transponders 10, 10 ', which are designed, for example, as RFID transponders known per se and which are attached to one another on the filter material body 30 of the filter insert 3 of the filter 2, for example glued on or welded on.

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a reader 14, which is arranged on the outside of the filter housing 20 of the filter 2 and by means of which the transponders 10, 10 'can be addressed and queried. The reading device 14 can be arranged permanently on the filter housing 20 or alternatively be a mobile, hand-held device.

The reader 14 is followed by an evaluation unit 15 which is electrically connected to the reader 14 for data transmission via a connecting line 17. Alternatively, the connection between reader 14 and evaluation unit 15 can also be a wireless connection.

A display unit 16 is connected to the evaluation unit 15 via a further section of the connecting line 17, by means of which a visual, alternatively or additionally, acoustic display can be output here.

The transponders 10, 10 'are exposed to the influences acting in the filter 2 on the filter insert 3 in its operation, the one transponder 10 being designed to be sensitive to at least one of these influences, in such a way that its response behavior, which is determined by interrogation of the reading device 14 and evaluation can be determined by the evaluation unit 15, changed by the action of these influences on the transponder 10 itself.

For this purpose, a housing or casing of the transponder 10 during operation of the filter 2 can be attacked or destroyed as far as possible by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical attack and thus the Transponder 10 as a whole or at least one component of the transponder 10 can be damaged or destroyed to such an extent that the response behavior of the transponder 10 that can be detected by the reading device 14 is recognizably changed and that at least one operating parameter of the filter 2 or its filter insert 3 can be evaluated therefrom.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing or casing of the trans ponder 10 during operation of the filter 2 by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical action in its transmission or damping properties for electromagnetic signals transmitted between the transponder 10 and the reader 14 changeable and thereby the response behavior of the transponder 10 which can be detected by the reading device 14 can be changed and at least one operating parameter of the filter 2 or its filter insert 3 can also be evaluated from here.

In addition to the transponder 10, which depends on the influences acting on it in its response behavior, the further transponder 10 'is arranged on the filter insert 3. This further transponder 10 'is a transponder which is protected or resistant to all effects occurring during operation of the filter 2 and which serves as a permanently unchangeable identification medium and proof of originality of the filter insert 3. For this purpose, the further transponder 10 'z. B. a housing or casing made of a material that is not changed or damaged by the effects occurring in the operation of the associated filter insert 3 or at most to an insignificant extent.

The further transponder 10 ′ can be read out by means of the same reading device 14 in order to be able to determine the presence of an original filter insert 3 in the filter 2 without having to remove the filter insert 3 from the filter 2. In addition, the further transponder 10 'can be used as a reference for the transponder 10 which changes in its response behavior, in order to evaluate the at least one operating parameter of the filter or filter insert by comparative evaluation.

For example, the transponder 10 'can be designed in such a way that the response behavior corresponds to the response behavior of the transponder 10 before a change in its response behavior. Alternatively, the transponder 10 'can also be configured in this way in its response behavior be that it has a certain signal difference to the response behavior of the transponder 10 given before a change. It is conceivable that the second, further transponder 10 'is provided in the immediate vicinity of the first transponder 10; but it can also be arranged at a distance if, for example, the transponders 10, 10 'are attached to the two end disks 31, 32. The second transponder 10 'could also not be interchangeably provided in the filter 2 separately from the filter insert 3 or it could be provided in a packaging of the filter insert 3.

Figure 2 shows the device 1 in a schematic, partial representation, which is associated with a filter 2 shown in the schematic longitudinal section, in a second embodiment, together with an enlarged section.

The filter 2 to which the device 1 according to FIG. 2 is assigned corresponds to the filter 2 shown in FIG. 1.

The design of the filter insert 3 is different here, which is now equipped with a differential pressure sensor 35. The differential pressure sensor 35 reacts mechanically to the exceeding of a limit value of a differential pressure between a raw side and a clean side of the filter 2 and the filter insert 3, in the exemplary embodiment shown by a flap-shaped section of the filter material body 30 delimited by a line of weakness from the surface of the filter material body 30 is pushed out. Such exceeding of the limit value of the differential pressure occurs in particular when the filter material body 30 of the filter insert 3 is so far loaded and clogged by dirt particles separated therein from the medium to be filtered that replacement of the filter insert 3 is appropriate.

An enlarged detail is shown at the top right in FIG. 2, which shows part of the filter material body 30 of the filter insert 3, the flap-shaped differential pressure sensor 35 and the transponder 10 attached to it overlapping. The transponder 10 is designed here as an RFID transponder arranged on a carrier film 12 with a chip and a printed antenna 11 '.

As a result of the folding movement of the differential pressure sensor 35 triggered when a predeterminable differential pressure limit value is exceeded, the orderly, the line of weakness covering transponder 10 torn in two parts or at least significantly deformed and thereby destroyed or damaged to the extent that its response when queried by the reader 14 compared to the original, earlier response is significantly changed or even fails. In this case, the need for replacement of the filter insert 3 is evaluated as an operating parameter by means of the device 1 and displayed by the display unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 and also belonging to the device 1 according to FIG. 2 and controlled by the evaluation unit 15.

In the example according to FIG. 2, in addition to the transponder 10, which is variable in its response behavior, the further transponder 10 'with the properties and functions previously explained with reference to FIG. 1 is arranged on the filter insert 3.

Figure 3 shows the device 1 in a schematic representation, which is associated with a filter 2 shown in schematic longitudinal section with filter insert 3, in a third embodiment.

The filter 2, to which the device 1 is assigned here, is a fuel filter, specifically a diesel fuel filter, in which, in addition to solid particles, water droplets are also separated from the fuel to be filtered. For this purpose, the filter 2 has ben ben the filter insert 3 for separating the solid particles from the fuel in its central area lying within the filter insert 3, a water drip sieve 33 and a water collection area 23 in its lower part. The filter material body 30 is expedient from a coalescing effect aufwei send material formed or combined with such material, as evidenced or surrounded.

In the operation of this filter 2 retained on the water droplet sieve 33 What drip drops from the filtered fuel due to their density exceeding the density of the fuel under the force of gravity down into the water collection area 23, which is also initially filled with fuel. In this way, gradually the initially in the Water collecting area 23 fuel displaced by water and replaced. To drain the water as required, which is collected in the water collection area 23, this empties from a drain channel 24 which is in operation of the filter

2 is closed by a locking pin 34. The locking pin 34 is part of the filter insert 3 and goes from a lower end plate 32 of the filter insert

3 out.

The transponder 10, which has a response behavior that is variable as part of the device 1, is arranged on an upper area of the locking mandrel 34 in the water collecting area 23. The response behavior of this transponder 10 is changed by the fact that in an initial state of the filter 2 in the water collecting area 23 there is first fuel and later, after a certain operating time, water.

Since fuel and water have different passage or damping properties for electromagnetic signals transmitted between transponder 10 and reader 14, it can be detected by means of device 1 here whether such an amount of water has accumulated in water collecting area 23 that water can be discharged through Opening the drain channel 24 is attached.

Above the transponder 10 which can be changed in its response behavior, the further transponder 10 ', which is protected or resistant to the influences acting in the filter 2, is again arranged, for the function and purpose of which reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

The further elements of the device 1 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the elements described in FIG. 1.

Figure 4 shows a transponder 10 as a single part of the device 1, in a schematic plan view. The transponder 10 is also designed here as an RFID transponder, which is arranged on a carrier film 12, and has a chip 11 and an antenna 1 electrically connected thereto and printed on the carrier film 12.

Furthermore, the transponder 10 has a housing or casing 13 which, depending on the application of the transponder 10, has different properties, as will be explained in more detail below with the aid of some examples. FIGS. 5 to 8 each show a transponder 10 with different housings or casings 13, each in a schematic cross section.

The casing 13 according to FIG. 5 consists of a uniform material which completely and completely surrounds and encloses the transponder 10 on all sides and which is sensitive to at least one action occurring during operation.

In the example according to FIG. 6, the casing 13 is formed from two casing areas 13.1, 13.2, each of which forms a casing half and consists of two different materials, only one of the materials being sensitive to the effects occurring during operation. The division into two wrapping halves is to be understood here purely schematically; in principle, any ratio of the cladding areas 13.1, 13.2 formed by the different materials can be provided. For example, the material sensitive to the effects occurring during operation can also comprise only a small area which, for. B. is sufficient to allow a leakage of the casing 13 after a period of exposure, which is then due to the access of the filtrate present in the filter, such as. B. fuel to the transponder changes its response significantly.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the transponder 10, in which, as in FIG. 6, the casing 13 consists of two casing areas 13.1, 13.2 made of different materials. Different from the example according to FIG. 6 is that the two materials are sensitive to different effects.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the transponder 10, in which it is surrounded by a two-layer covering 13 with an outer covering area 13.1 and an inner covering area 13.2. The two wrapping areas 13.1, 13.2 consist of different materials, only the material forming the outer wrapping area 13.1 being sensitive to a particular action. The inner cladding area 13.2 thus always forms a protective layer through which the function of the transponder 10 is maintained. The outer cladding area 13.1 can, for example, be designed in such a way that the signal permeability is significantly changed, ie increased or decreased, by an action. For this purpose, the outer wrapping area 13.1. eg also decomposed; the transponder 10 remains protected by the inner wrapping area 13.2. In order to achieve the desired changeability of the response behavior of the trans ponder 10, the material of the casing 13 and at least parts of the trans ponder 10 have the property of reacting to actions occurring in the filter during operation.

This reaction can e.g. B. Be a decomposing or dissolving of the material of the casing 13 extending over a certain time and subsequent damage or destruction of the transponder 10. Depending on the material or material used for the casing 13, the casing 13 can be sensitive to a certain effect or to more than one action, for example to sulfur contained in fuel.

Another usable reaction can be a change in the transmission or damping properties of the material caused by the effects that occur as the sheathing 13 for electromagnetic signals transmitted between the transponder 10 and the reading device 14.

Various materials come into question as materials for the housing or casing 13 of the transponder 10, in particular plastics which, for. B. dissolve and / or swell and / or become brittle in certain media that are to be filtered in the filter. A few examples are given below.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) as a housing or wrapping material can be dissolved or dissolved by the action of water or moisture.

Polyvinyl acetate (PVAC) as a housing or coating material can be dissolved or dissolved in lower alcohols, ketones, esters (biodiesel), cyclic ethers, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a housing or covering material reacts specifically to biodiesel. In particular, depending on the composition of the plastic, swelling occurs. For example, the acrylonitrile content (approx. 15 - 60%) defines the swelling behavior and this material can swell by a factor of 2 - 4 more in biodiesel fuel than in mineral diesel fuel. Also, different swelling behavior of biodiesel types of fuel, e.g. B. rapeseed methyl ester lead to soy methyl ester with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acid esters, to significantly different, detectable swelling behavior, since this material swells more when exposed to soy methyl ester.

Chloroprene rubber (CR), chlorosulfonyl-polyethylene rubber (CSM), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and butyl rubber (I I R) are further encapsulation or wrapping materials with increased swelling behavior in biodiesel fuel. Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) is also not or poorly resistant to diesel fuel.

Biodegradable plastics, e.g. B. thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA) or hard gelatin, as housing or covering materials are decomposable by bacteriological attack and moisture.

Polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) as housing or cladding materials are not or poorly resistant to diesel fuel.

Polyamide (PA) as a housing or cladding material is protected by organic acids, e.g. Acetic acid, vulnerable, where the material layer must be very thin to prevent acidification, e.g. B. of biodiesel, to cause damage to the housing or casing material. In the case of aged biodiesel fuel, high temperatures above 80 ° C over a longer period of time, temperature peaks and water in the esters it contains lead to hydrolysis, in which the molecules are split into their original components, here the alcohol and acid content. The more the hydrolysis has progressed, the faster the further decomposition of the ester takes place, which exponentially increases the acid number and thus the risk of negative consequences when using this fuel. Such a degeneration of the fuel can also be detected with the device 1 according to the invention if the housing or sheathing material of the transponder 10 is designed accordingly. Organic acids are also formed in the presence of water in oil or fuel.

The already mentioned polycarbonate (PC) as well as polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as housing or cladding materials are poor or have only limited resistance in biodiesel fuel and in methyl ester. Rubbers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) as housing or cladding materials, become brittle due to sulfur and are therefore susceptible to mechanical damage or, after embrittlement, can be destroyed by residual stress in the material.

Since silver reacts with sulfur to form silver sulfide, a thin layer of silver or a plastic with silver added can also be used as a housing or cladding material.

A predeterminable, time-limited resistance of the transponder 10, which can be changed in its response behavior, can be brought about via the layer thickness of the housing or cladding material.

Figure 9 shows the device 1 in a schematic representation, which is assigned to a filter 2 shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a fourth embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the device 1 again comprises two transponders 10, 10 ', which are attached to one another on the filter material body 30 of the filter insert 3 of the filter 2, for example glued or welded on. Each transponder 10, 10 'is here a tab 36, 36' assigned net, which are attached to the filter body 30 of the filter insert 3 and which are in the signal transmission path between the transponders 10, 10 'on the one hand and the reader 14 on the other. The tabs 36, 36 'consist of a material which can be changed in terms of its transmission or damping properties for electromagnetic signals by influences acting during the operation of the filter 2. The material selection for the tabs 36, 36 'is dependent on the operating parameter to be evaluated or the operating parameter to be evaluated.

In its further parts, the device 1 and the filter 2 according to FIG. 9 correspond to the example according to FIG. 1, to the description of which reference is made in this regard.

Figure 10 shows the device 1 in a schematic representation, which is associated with a filter 2 shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a fifth embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, two transponders 10, 10 'are arranged on the lower end disk 32 in the interior of the filter insert 3, for example glued or welded. The transponders 10, 10 'can also be cast into one or at the end plates 31, 32, for. B. by means of the so-called in-mold method or in-mold labeling.

In its other parts and functions, the device 1 and the filter correspond

2 according to FIG. 10, the example according to FIG. 1, to the description of which reference is made in this regard.

Figure 1 1 finally shows the device 1 in a schematic representation, which is associated with a filter 2 shown in schematic longitudinal section, in a sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, two transponders 10, 10 'are on the inside of a wall of the filter housing 20 radially outside of the filter insert

3 arranged, for example glued or welded. In this exemplary embodiment, at least one of the transponders 10, 10 'is sensitive to the influences occurring in filter operation in order to evaluate one or more operating parameters.

The transponders 10, 10 'are opposite the reader 14 arranged on the outside of the filter housing 20 in order to obtain a short signal transmission path.

An arrangement of the transponders 10, 10 'at other points of the filter housing 20 is also possible here.

In principle, it is possible to provide the transponders 10, 10 'at any point on the filter insert 3 or on the inside of the filter housing 20, as long as the point is exposed to the influences acting during operation, from which one or more operating parameters can be evaluated.

In any case, the reader 14 detects a change in the response behavior of the transponder 10 or transponders 10, 10 'in the case of influences acting on him / her, and from the evaluation unit 15 it is at least one operating parameter of the filter 2 or filter insert 3 evaluable and displayable by the display unit 16. Reference symbol list:

Character label

1 device

10 variable transponders

10 unchangeable transponder

1 1 RFID chip

1 1 antenna

12 carrier film

13 Enclosure or wrapping

13.1, 13.2 ranges from 13

14 reader

15 evaluation unit

16 display unit

17 connecting line between 14, 15 and 16

2 filters

20 filter housing

21 admission

22 outlet

23 water collection area

24 drainage channel

3 filter insert

30 filter fabric body

31 upper end plate

32 lower end plate

33 water droplet sieve

34 locking pin

35 differential pressure sensor

36, 36 'tabs

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter (2) or a filter insert (3) arranged in the filter (2), at least one on or in the filter insert (3) or in a filter housing (20) of the filter (2 ) arranged transponder (10) is queried contactlessly by means of a reading device (14) and the response of the transponder (10) is evaluated to evaluate at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert (3),

characterized ,

that the transponder (10) in the filter (2) is exposed to the influences acting in its operation on the filter (3) and that through the influence of these influences on the transponder (10) itself, which is sensitive to the influences, or on the pass-through or Damping properties of a transmission path of electromagnetic signals between transponder (10) and reader (14), the response behavior of the transponder (10) in a detectable by the reader (14) or a downstream evaluation unit (15), a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert (3) permitting extent is changed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the response behavior of the transponder (10) is queried at predeterminable time intervals by means of the reading device (14) and that the reader (14) detects response signals from the transponder (10) with stored default values compared and evaluated for the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert (3) and / or for the presence of an original filter insert (3) in the filter (2).

3. Device (1) for determining at least one operating parameter of a filter (2) or a filter insert (3) arranged in the filter (2), with on or in the filter insert (3) or in a filter housing (20) of the filter (2) at least one transponder (10) is arranged, which can be queried contactlessly by means of a reading device (14), and with an evaluation unit (15), by means of which the response of the transponder (10) can be evaluated, the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2 ) or filter insert (3),

characterized ,

that the exposed in the filter (2) in its operation on the filter insert (3) influences, sensitive to the influences transponder (10) by the action of these influences on the transponder (10) itself or on the transmission or damping properties of a Transmission path of electromagnetic signals between the transponder (10) and the reading device (14) with regard to its response behavior in a way that can be detected by the reading device (14) or the evaluation unit (15), a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert ( 3) permissible extent is changeable.

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) in the filter (2) by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical attack so far attackable or can be destroyed and as a result the transponder (10) as a whole or at least one component of the trans ponder (10) can be damaged or destroyed to the extent that the response behavior of the transponder (10) that can be detected by the reading device (14) can be changed.

5. The device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) in the filter (2) by chemical and / or biological and / or physical and / or mechanical action in its transmission or attenuation properties for electromagnetic signals transmitted between the transponder (10) and the reader (14) can be changed, and thereby the response behavior of the transponder (10) that can be detected by the reader (14) can be changed.

6. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the trans ponder (10) is arranged in an area (23) of the filter (2) in which the passage or damping properties for the transponder (10 ) and reader (14) transmitted electromagnetic signals distinguishing media and that thereby the response behavior of the transponder (10) can be changed by the reader (14).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the transponder (10) is designed to be sensitive to a single specific action.

8. The device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the transponder (10) is designed to be sensitive to two or more different effects.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the transponder (10) and / or the housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) are / is designed in such a way that it is temperature-sensitive Once a predeterminable limit temperature is exceeded, which the transponder (10) and / or the housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) are / is exposed to, the response behavior of the transponder (10) that can be detected by the reading device (14) can be changed permanently is.

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) has areas made of at least two different, for different effects sen sitiv materials.

1 1. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the housing or the casing (13) of the transponder (10) we at least one area forming an electrical resistance path, the electrical resistance of the transponder (10) or one of the electronics assigned to the transponder (10) can be measured, with a change in the measured resistance to that caused by the reading device (14). which makes the evaluation unit (15) detectable and provides a statement about the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert (3) changing the response behavior of the transponder (10).

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it has two or more transponders sensitive to a single specific action transponder (10) and / or two or more transponders sensitive to two or more different actions (10).

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that, in addition to the at least one variable in its response behavior th transponder (10) at least one against all effects occurring during operation of the filter (2) protected or resistant , on or in the filter insert (3) arranged transponder (10 ') as a permanently unchangeable identification carrier and proof of authenticity of the filter insert (3).

14. The device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that in all the transponders (10, 10 ') assigned to a filter (2) or a filter insert (3), corresponding identification codes which can be read out by means of the reading device (14) are stored.

15. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the transponder (s) (10, 10 ') on or in a filter material body (30) of the filter insert (3) or on or in at least one end plate ( 31, 32) of the filter insert (3) or attached to or in a wall of the filter housing (20), in particular glued or glued or welded on or in or cast on or cast in, is / are.

16. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that it is part of a fuel filter or engine oil filter or hydraulic oil filter or transmission oil filter and that the housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10) which is variable in its response behavior at least in part from a substance that can be attacked or decomposed by fuel or oil and / or by one or more substances contained in the fuel or in the oil or in its transmission or damping properties for intermediate see transponder (10) and reader (14) transmitted electromagnetic signals changeable material.

17. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that the housing or casing (13) of the transponder (10), which is variable in its response behavior, at least partly from a contact with microorganisms and / or with water vulnerable or decomposable or in its transmission or damping properties for between transponder (10) and reader (14) transmitted electromagnetic signals changeable material.

18. The device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that the at least one transponder (10) which is variable in its response behavior is spatially assigned to a differential pressure valve or differential pressure sensor (35) of the filter (2) or filter insert (3) and that by means of a differential pressure movable element of the differential pressure valve or differential pressure sensor (35) of the differential pressure valve or differential pressure sensor (35) existing when a predeterminable limit value for an intermediate raw and clean side of the filter (35) of the transponder (10) is mechanically damaged or destructible or the signal transmission property of the signal transmission distance between transponder (10) and reader (14) can be changed such that the response behavior of the transponder (10) that can be detected by the reader (14) can be changed.

19. The device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 18, characterized in that the / at least one of the transponders (10, 10 ') is a passive RFID transponder.

20. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 18, characterized in that the / at least one of the transponders (10, 10 ') is a semi-active or active RFID transponder (10, 10') with its own electrical energy source le is.

21. The device (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that the / each semi-active or active RFID transponder (10, 10 ') to an automatic, depending on the transponder (10, 10') or at least one changes associated with this associated sensor, changes in the at least one operating parameter of the filter (2) or filter insert (3) of the change in digital response signal information to be output.

22. The device (1) according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the / each RFID transponder (10, 10 ') is arranged on a carrier film (12) which with an inner surface of the filter housing (20 ) or connected to the filter insert (3), preferably glued or welded.

23. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 22, characterized in that the reader (14) is fixed or detachably connected to the filter (2) or that the reader (14) is a separate, hand-held mobile device.

24. Filter insert (3) for use in a filter (2), the filter insert (3) being interchangeable, characterized in that the filter insert (3) is exposed to at least one, in filter operation, the influences acting on the filter insert (3) has these influences in its response behavior changeable transponder (10) as part of a device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 23.

25. The filter insert (3) according to claim 24, characterized in that the filter insert (3) in addition to the at least one transponder (10) which changes in its response behavior, at least one transponder protected or resistant to all effects occurring in the filter operation (10 '). as a permanently unchangeable identification medium and proof of originality of the filter insert (3).