EP3948830A1

EP3948830A1 - Closure element that can be monitored and seal having a closure element of this type

Info

Publication number: EP3948830A1
Application number: EP19715432.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claude EBERHARD; René TOTH
Original assignee: Stoba AG
Current assignee: Stoba AG
Priority date: 2019-03-27
Filing date: 2019-03-27
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2020192914A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure element, having a tension element that is tensioned in the closed state, wherein the tensioned state thereof can be detected contactlessly via a sensor. The invention also relates to a seal comprising a closure element of this type, in particular an electronic seal. The invention further relates to, inter alia, a method for monitoring the tensioned state of the tension element and a method for monitoring a seal.

Description

Monitorable closure element and seal with such a closure element

The present invention relates to a closure element which can be monitored for manipulation in the closed state. The invention also relates to a seal with a tamper-evident mechanism

Closure element. In addition, a method for monitoring a closure element and a method for monitoring a seal are addressed.

Closure elements have a wide range of uses and are used in seals such as used in electronic seals. The aim is to get objects such as To close or seal containers or the like before they are transported away in such a way that manipulation can be ruled out or at least easily recognizable after arrival at their destination.

For example, electronic seals are known, which are characterized in that they electronically generate a random code when being closed, which code is retained for the entire duration of the closure. Unauthorized access is recognized by the fact that a new random code has been generated during locking, which differs from the original random code.

As part of the closure element, seals of this type usually have a closure cable that has one or both ends is locked with the seal. If the closure element is opened, this is recognized by the electronics of the seal and, as already described, a new random code is generated. However, if opening of the closure element is not reliably detected by the electronics, or if the electronics of the seal can even be manipulated in such a way that either no new random code is generated at all or it can be overwritten by the original one, the detection of a manipulation that has taken place is almost complete impossible.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a closure element for a seal

provide, which allows a manipulation to be recognized even more reliably.

This object is achieved by a closure element according to claim 1.

Such a closure element comprises a tension element which is tensioned in the closed state and a sensor which detects the tension state of the tension element in a contactless manner.

The tension element can be, for example, a rope, cable or the like, which for example consists of metal or comprises metal. However, the rope can

or cables can also be made of plastic or natural fibers, for example. A mixture of materials, for example in the form of a metal rope coated with a plastic, is also possible. A certain resistance is advantageous - the rope or cable should not be able to be cut easily or even without external influence.

One or more spring elements are particularly suitable for tensioning the tension element.

The tension element can only be closed by closing the

Closure element are tensioned or it can already be tensioned before the closure element

closed is. Further it is possible that

To close the locking element first and then the

To tension the tension element. For example, by unlocking a spring which is the tension element of the already

biases closed closure element. A

Monitoring of the closed closure element is, however, only possible when the tension element is tensioned.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the aforementioned and any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the tension element can be tensioned between the spring element, for example by means of a spiral spring.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with each of the above-mentioned and with each of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the spring element and tension element can be attached be arranged in a main body. The spring element can be supported on the main body in order to tension the tension element in the closed state of the closure element.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and with any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, compression springs, disc springs, plastic springs, spiral springs, tension springs, torsion springs, spiral springs or flat springs can be used as the spring element Find use.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and with any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the sensor is, inter alia, a magnetic field sensor, e.g. a reed

Contact, a Hall sensor or a TMR sensor, a

inductive distance sensor, an inductive

Proximity switch, a capacitive sensor, a

optical sensor, e.g. a light barrier, a radar or lidar detector, or a motion sensor,

in particular an acceleration sensor.

The state of tension of the tension element, or the change in this state of tension, can be recorded in various ways. On the one hand, this can be done via the position of the spring element. The pretensioning of the tension element causes the spring element to compress (e.g.

Coil spring), bent (e.g. spiral spring), twisted (e.g. torsion spring), or the like, depending on the Design of the spring element. When the tension element is severed, the spring element can relax again partially or completely and accordingly assume the relaxed position, or at least a more relaxed position, the position of the spring element or at least one part, in particular one end of the

Spring element, changed. This change in position can then e.g. can be detected by a light barrier, or the movement of relaxation can e.g. can be detected by an acceleration sensor.

On the other hand, this can be done via the position of the tension element. If the tension element is pretensioned, it is in a stretched state. However, it will

cut through, the two parts of the tension element present as a result of the separation can collapse or hang down loosely. This collapse is nothing more than a change in the position of the tension element, which can be detected, for example, via a light barrier.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with each of the above-mentioned and with each of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the spring element is along

arranged at least a portion of the tension element.

For example, changing the position of one end of the tension element, preferably that end at which the

Attacks the spring element to monitor the

Stress state of the tension element used. By severing the tension element, the spring element can relax and ensures that the end of the tension element on which the spring element has attacked the

Change in position of the spring element fully participates in its relaxation and thus experiences a change in position itself.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with each of the above-mentioned and with each of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the spring element has a

magnetic portion, in particular in the form of an arranged magnetic element. Alternatively or

in addition, the tension element, preferably in

End region, have a magnetic section, in particular in the form of an arranged magnetic

Elements.

Depending on whose change of position is used, the

To monitor the state of tension of the tension element, it can be useful to equip the spring element and / or the tension element with a means for monitoring

simplified or optimized, for example, in which it can interact with the sensor. If the sensor is e.g. a magnetic sensor, for example, the end of the spring element facing the sensor can be provided with a magnet. This relaxes when the tension element is cut

Spring element, changes its position, whereby the end with the magnet moves in the direction of the sensor. This experiences a change in the magnetic field and detects this

corresponding . In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the aforementioned and with any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless contradicting each other, the closure element comprises a magnet which is preferably held by a magnet holder. This magnet, or the magnet holder, is operatively connected to the tension element and / or the spring element. In a preferred variant, the magnet is arranged over a predetermined breaking point, or the magnet holder has a predetermined breaking point.

Due to the operative connection, the change in position of the tension element and / or spring element moves the magnet and also experiences a change in position. It is also possible to detect the tension state of the tension element indirectly via the change in position of this magnet (e.g. with the help of a magnetic sensor). If there is a

The predetermined breaking point breaks this when the tension element is separated based on the operative connection and irrevocably indicates that a manipulation of the closure element

took place even if sensory monitoring could have been turned off or defeated. In the case of a magnet holder with a predetermined breaking point, the magnet holder with magnet can also be moved at the same time.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with each of the above-mentioned and with each of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the closure element comprises a Predetermined breaking point, which is functionally connected to the

Tension element and / or the spring element.

Here it can e.g. be a simple projection with a taper, which is arranged so that it is in the relaxation path of the spring element or the

Tension element (or the path of change in position of the tension element) is located and when the tension element is severed from

Spring element and / or tension element is broken off. This provides additional mechanical monitoring for sensor monitoring.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the aforementioned and with any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the closure element comprises an overstretch protection means which ensures that the tension element is tensioned in the closed state of the closure element.

A stop tube, for example, which restricts compression of the spring element, can be considered as such. However, other blocking elements are also possible, e.g.

Clamps, projections, or the like, which prevent the spring element can be compressed to such an extent that in the closed state there is no longer any tension on the

Tension element would be. This prevents manipulation of the

Monitoring system in such a way that a

Severing the tension element, no change in tension and therefore no change in the position of the spring element and / or the tension element would mean that the sensor would not detect anything despite manipulation.

In one embodiment of the closure element, which can be combined with any of the aforementioned and with any of the embodiments yet to be mentioned, unless there is a contradiction, the closure element comprises a flexible sleeve that is pressure-resistant in the pretensioning direction of the tension element, which the tension element partially and relative to the tension element movably surrounds. The shell is like that

configured to be in the closed state of the

Closing element serves as a guide for the tension element and as an abutment to support the pretensioning forces.

With this embodiment, a closure element is provided in which the principle of a Bowden cable is implemented.

Optionally, the pressure-resistant cover can be used to pull the tension element before the

To tension the locking element. Details on this use are given in connection with FIGS. 4a to 4e

described.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a seal which has at least one of the inventive

Includes closure elements.

In one embodiment of the seal, which with each of the already mentioned and with each of the yet to be mentioned Embodiments can be combined, unless there is a contradiction, the seal comprises a processor which is operatively connected to the sensor and is configured in such a way that it provides at least one time specification, in particular the date and time, and / or a location, in particular in the form of location coordinates, generated as soon as the sensor detects a change in the tension of the tension element.

It is thus possible to assign identifiers to a manipulation attempt or a manipulation that has taken place

for example, for tracking the

Manipulation history are important.

In one embodiment of the seal, which with each of the already mentioned and with each of the yet to be mentioned

Embodiments can be combined, unless there is a contradiction, the seal comprises a processor which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to the tension element and is configured in such a way that it generates a code in direct or indirect dependence on a change in the tension state of the tension element. This processor can be a further processor or the processor mentioned above and already described.

The advantage of such a code is that it can be displayed in a display on the seal, so that the recipient can see immediately whether a manipulation has taken place on the transport route (another code is displayed) or not (the code that gave him transmitted by the sender is displayed). In one embodiment of the seal, which with each of the already mentioned and with each of the yet to be mentioned

Embodiments can be combined, unless inconsistent, the seal includes an electronic

Memory, in particular for storing time, date, location information, in particular in the form of location coordinates or GPS data, and / or code.

So it is e.g. possible to reconstruct when and / or where a manipulation took place.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for monitoring the tension state of a tension element of a closure element according to the invention

Said method comprises pre-tensioning the tension element, activating a contactless sensor for detecting the tension state of the tension element, and detecting the tension state of the tension element by the contactless sensor, preferably in the order listed.

In one embodiment of the method, this is done

Pre-tensioning the tension element by closing the

Closure element. In another embodiment, the closure element is pretensioned before the closure element is closed. In yet another embodiment, the closure element can also be closed first and the tensioning element is then pretensioned, but before the tension state of the tension element is detected by the contactless sensor. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for monitoring a seal with a

closure element according to the invention.

Said method involves opening the seal in order to

To enable access to the tension element of the closure element in such a way that the closure element can be closed, the tensioning of the tension element, the closing of the seal in order to access the tension element of the

To prevent the closure element in such a way that the

Closure element cannot be opened, the

Activation of a contactless sensor for detecting the tension state of the tension element, and the detection of the tension condition of the tension element by the contactless sensor.

In one embodiment of the method, this is done

Pre-tensioning the tension element by closing the

Closure element. In another embodiment, the closure element is pretensioned before the closure element is closed. In yet another embodiment, the closure element can also be closed first and the tensioning element is then pretensioned, but before the tension state of the tension element is detected by the contactless sensor.

Furthermore, the method can optionally include at least one of the following steps:

Recognizing the closed state of the seal;

Locking the locked state of the seal; Generating a code;

Storing the code in a memory of the seal, in particular together with the date and / or time of the locking of the locked state of the seal.

An additional aspect of the invention relates to a

Method for opening a monitored seal with a closure element according to the invention.

Said method comprises entering a code, releasing a lock of a closed state of the seal after verification of the entered code, opening the seal in order to gain access to the tension element of the

To enable closure element such that the

Closure element can be opened, generating a further code, deactivating a

contactless sensor for detecting the state of tension of the tension element, and optionally the at least partial release of the pretensioning of the tension element by opening the closure element, preferably in the list

Sequence .

Whether the step of at least partially solving the

Pre-tension the tension element by opening the

Closure element takes place or not, depends on how the closure element of the seal is designed. For example, the closure element has a tension element which is only tensioned by closing the closure element, so when the seal is opened, the seal is opened accordingly

Pre-tension released. If, for example, the closure element in turn has a tension element that is already in place before the closure of the closure element is tensioned, this tension can be maintained when the seal is opened and the step of releasing the pretensioning is not required.

Said method is carried out in particular according to the method for monitoring a seal.

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Show it

Fig. La and lb an embodiment of a

closure element according to the invention in the closed and manipulated state;

2a and 2b show a further embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in the closed and manipulated state;

FIGS. 2c and 2d each show a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b of an inventive

Closure element in the closed state;

3a and 3b yet another embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in

closed and manipulated state;

4a to 4e show an embodiment of a

closure element according to the invention with a shell

5a shows an embodiment of a seal according to the invention;

FIG. 5b shows an exploded view of the seal from FIG. 5a; FIG. 6a shows a front view of the seal from FIG. 5a with the course of the sections AA and BB;

6b shows a section A-A through the seal from FIGS. 6a and 5a, respectively;

6c shows a section B-B through the seal from FIGS. 6a and 5a, respectively;

7a shows a view of the underside of the seal from FIG. 5a with the course of the section C-C; and

7b shows a section C-C through the seal from FIG. 6a and 5a, respectively.

The figure la shows an embodiment of a

closure element 100 according to the invention in the closed state, whereas this embodiment of the closure element 100 can be seen in the manipulated state in FIG. The closure element 100 comprises a

Spring element 120, for example in the form of a spiral spring, which e.g. is made of an elastomer, between one and the other end of which a tension element 180 is stretched. This tension element 180 is on one side with the

The spring element 120 is connected and can be connected to the spring element 120 on the other side (here on the right in the picture) to close the closure element and to form a closure loop. E.g. the pulling element 180 comprises a nipple (shown here as a triangle) with the help of which the pulling element is inserted into a recess (not shown) in the

Spring element 120 can be hooked. Arranged on the left in the picture is a sensor 130, which is in the Is able to increase the stress state of the tension element

monitor, for example by detecting a

Transition of the spring element 120 from a first tensioned state (see FIG. 1 a) into a second less tensioned state (see FIG. 1 b). In the illustrated

Embodiment, the sensor 130 is a light barrier which generates a signal as soon as one end of the spring element 120 is manipulated

Photoelectric barrier passed.

FIG. 2a shows a further embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in the closed state, whereas in FIG. 2b it is precisely this embodiment of the closure element that can be seen in the manipulated state. The closure element 100 of this embodiment also comprises a spring element 120, for example in the form of a

Coil spring. This spring element 120 is connected on one side (here on the left in the picture) to a main body 110 and on the other side (here on the right in the picture) with a tension element 180, which in turn can be connected to the main body 110 to close the closure element and to form a Closure loop. This connection can be established, for example, in that the tension element 180 is provided with a thickening (shown as a triangle) at one end and this is clamped into a groove in the main body 110. A sensor 130, for example in the form of an accelerometer, is in relation to the

Arranged spring element 120 that during a manipulation, as shown in Figure 2b, the relaxing spring element 120 activated the accelerometer. The tension element 180 in this example shown is only tensioned when the closure element 100 is closed, that is, when the tension element 180 is connected to the main body 110. In a variant of this example (see FIG. 2c), however, the tension element 180 can also be pretensioned before the closure element 100 is closed. For this purpose, the spring element 120 and the tension element 180 are surrounded, for example, by a pressure-resistant cover (shown in dashed lines), which rests on one side on the main body 110 and is connected to the tension element 180 on the other side, so that the spring force already tensions the tension element 180 before this is connected to the main body 110.

As an alternative to the cover, e.g. also a clamp

(shown in phantom in Fig. 2d), which is connected on one side to the tension element 180, on the other side to the spring element 120, so that the

Spring force already tensions the tension element 180 before it is connected to the main body 110. It is also possible to completely substitute the spring element 120 by the sheath or the clamp, provided that the sheath or the clamp itself function as a spring element.

For example, the shell can be designed in the form of a spiral spring which is tensioned and on two

engages spaced-apart locations of the tension element 180. The clamp can be, for example, a spiral spring which is tensioned, ie bent, and engages two points of the tension element 180 that are spaced apart from one another. FIG. 3a shows yet another embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in FIG

closed state, whereas this embodiment of the closure element can be seen in the manipulated state in FIG. 3b. This embodiment also comprises a main body 110, a spring element 120 and a tension element 180. However, the arrangement of these three components in particular differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The spring element 120 does not form part of the closure loop here. This only comprises the main body 110 and the tension element 180, one side of which (here on the right in the picture), for example, analogously to the embodiments of FIGS. La-2b with the

Main body 110 is connectable. The other side of the

The tension element 180 is connected to the main body 110, for example, through an opening (not shown) in the main body 110, through which the tension element 180 is guided, and an end cap (shown as a black rectangle). The

End cap provides a connection with the one hand

Main body 110 safe by preventing the tension element 180 from slipping out through the opening, on the other hand it represents a point of application for the spring element 120 for tensioning the tension element 180. The spring element 120 is, for example, a spiral spring, which does not

Closing loop counting section of the tension element 180 encloses and is supported on or on the main body 110. A sensor 130, for example in the form of a

Magnetic switch is arranged in relation to the spring element 120 and the end cap in such a way that it is activated during manipulation by relaxing the Spring element 120 moves the end cap towards the magnetic switch and interacts with it. The end cap preferably comprises a ferromagnetic material such as iron.

In FIGS. 4a to 4e, an embodiment of a closure element 100 with a sleeve 170 is shown

different angles and in different

States shown. For the sake of clarity, the sensor is not shown. Such a closure element 100 is modeled on the structure of a Bowden cable. The

Closure element 100 comprises, inter alia, a rope 180a, a sheath 170 partially surrounding this rope 180a and a main body 110 with a first connection point 140 for the rope 180a and a second connection point 150 for the sheath 170. The sheath 170 surrounds part of the rope 180a in this way that the ends of the rope 180a, that is to say the first end 190 and the second end 200, are free and the sheath 170 and the rope 180a can move relative to one another. The sheath 170 is flexible but in

Pre-tensioning direction of the rope 180a pressure-resistant. The sheath 170 serves on the one hand to guide the rope 180a, on the other hand it represents an abutment for the pretensioning force. In the embodiment shown, the sheath 170, and thus also the rope 180a guided by it, runs in a curve. The pre-tensioning of the cable 180a thus additionally causes the sheath 170 to be compressed.

The ends 190, 200 of the rope 180a can, for example, end caps, nipples or other limiting means or Have connecting means or be closed by such. The closure element 100 further comprises a

Spring element 120 for pretensioning the cable 180a. The

The spring element 120 is arranged along a part of the cable 180a that is not surrounded by the sheath 170 and is guided through an opening in the main body 110, is supported on the sheath 170 and / or on the main body 110 and grips the cable 180a to build up the pretensioning to the end cap of the second end 200 of the rope 180a.

The first end 190 is connectable to the main body 110 via the first connection point 140 in order to achieve the

Closing the locking element and a closed one

To be able to form a closure loop. The sheath 170 also has a first end 210 and a second end 220. The second end 220 of the sheath 170 is connected to the main body 110 via the second connection point 150, for example screwed or clamped.

Since the first end 210 of the sheath 170 leaves the first end 190 of the rope 180 free, this can on the first

Connection point 140 can be attached without affecting the shell 170 in any way. The movement of the sheath 170 is due, on the one hand, to its connection to the main body 110 at the second connection point 150

limited. On the other hand, also restrict that

Limiting element at the first end 190 of the rope 180a and / or the type of formation of the connection between the first end 190 of the rope 180a and the main body 110 the movement of the sheath 170. The rope 180a can already before the formation of the

Closure loop be tight. This is e.g. the case when the length of the rope 180a and the sheath 170 are selected such that the second end 190 of the rope 180a can only protrude from the sheath 170 if that

Spring element 120 is tensioned. The limiting element of the second end 190 then maintains this tension in that it rests against the sheath and thus prevents the spring force from being able to pull the second cable end 190 back into the sleeve 170.

On the other hand, the dimensions of rope 180a and sheath 170 can also be selected so that the second end 190 of the rope 180a can protrude from the sheath 170 without this

To have to tension spring element 120. The rope 180a is not tensioned until the delimitation element is suspended in the eye (see connection point 140) of the main body 110.

Only the second end 190 of the rope 180a is passed through the eyelet (see connection point 140) of the main body 110, the sheath 170 in turn rests against the underside of the main body 110. Depending on the material thickness of the main body 110 around the eyelet (see connection point 140), the rope 180a must be longer by this thickness

Cover distance. However, this is only possible in that a "route shortening" takes place elsewhere, that is to say the spring element 120 is compressed. As a result, the rope 180a is only closed by closing the

Closing element tensioned.

It is also possible that the spring element 120

pretension and this pretensioned state by means of a to fix mechanical limiting means, such as a clamp or a projection. In this way, the rope 180a is supposedly given more length and the closure loop can be formed without the rope 180a already opening

Tension would be. But now the mechanical

When the limiting means are released, the spring element 120 can relax, pulling the first end 200 of the rope 180a and tensioning it.

If the pre-tensioned rope 180a is now manipulated, for example.

as a result of a severing, the spring element 120 relaxes and takes up more space, that is to say there is a transition from a first tensioned state to a second less tensioned or even completely relaxed state. That end of the spring element 120 which is adjacent to the second end 190 of the cable 180a and is not supported on the main body 110 and / or the sheath 170 experiences an acceleration or a change in position. The sensor (not shown) can use this to indicate manipulation.

In FIG. 4b, which shows the closure element 100 without

Shows spring element, it can be seen that a part of the non-sheathed portion of the rope 180a of a

Overstretch protection means in the form of a stop tube 35 is surrounded. Such prevents pre-manipulation of the spring element 120 in that the spring element 120 cannot be compressed to such an extent that in the closed

There is no longer any tension on the rope 180a, which here represents the tension element. Further in FIG. 4b, the better representation of the in the envelope 180 180 because of the running rope, part of the cover not shown.

In comparison to FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c “lacks” the entire cover 170 and, in addition to the spring element 120, also the optional stop tube 35.

In Figure 5a is a seal 1, which a

Closure element 100 comprises, shown in the closed state. FIG. 5b shows an exploded view of the seal 1 from FIG. 5a.

The closure element 100 shown is based on the Bowden cable system. Inside the sheath 17 is a movable rope 18. The material or the coating of the sheath and / or the rope is chosen so that a firm connection between the parts, for example by introducing an adhesive into the space between the rope 18 and the sheath 17, for example, with a needle that penetrates the sheath 170, is prevented. For example, both parts can be made from a wire mesh that is coated with an anti-adhesive plastic. The rope 18 is held under tension by a compression spring 22 between the end caps 19, 20. A stop tube 35 prevents pre-manipulation since the compression spring cannot be compressed so much that it is under tension

loses. If the rope 18

cut through, the compression spring 22 relaxes between the end cap 20 and sleeve 21. As a result, the end cap 20 presses the magnet holder 36, which holds the magnet 37, in

Direction of the reed contact 23. The process breaks the magnet holder 36 along the predetermined breaking point 361 and moves in the direction of the reed contact 23 until it is stopped by a barrier formed by the housing 10, which prevents the reed contact 23 and magnet 37 from touching

prevents. The magnet 37 now switches the reed contact 23 due to the spatial proximity, which in turn is recorded and stored by the electronics, in particular a processor and memory arranged on the main board 25. In addition to the reed contact 23, there are a number of other options for electronically detecting the manipulation. E.g. A Hall sensor or a TMR sensor, but also an inductive distance sensor, an inductive proximity switch, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor or a motion sensor could also be used. The tension can also be built up by any spring element, for example by disc springs or one

Plastic spring. A severing of the closure element 12 is thereby both mechanically by breaking the

Predetermined breaking point 361 as well as electronically recorded. E.g. is the date and time of the attempted manipulation and, if a satellite navigation radio module is available, also the location of the attempted manipulation, stored and readable.

On the entire seal 1, and not just on that

Closing element 100, related, the situation is as follows:

The seal 1 can be opened or closed using the rotary knob 13.

getting closed. Each time the rotary knob 13 is operated, a new random code is generated which, together with Time and date in a memory of the seal 1, which can be part of the main board 25, is stored. The display 16 can be activated or deactivated with the display key 15.

deactivated. After activating the display, the last generated random code is displayed. With the

History button 14, the stored data can be called up from the memory of the seal 1.

The bolt 34 is fixedly connected to the rotary knob 13. The cam 33 is also fixed with the rotary knob 13

connected. This turns the rotary knob 13 in

housing 10 between them is rotatably mounted. By turning the rotary knob 13, for example by approx. 45 ° counterclockwise, to a stop in the housing, the

Seal 1 opened and access to locking slot 241 released. The cable 18 of the closure element 100 can now be inserted with its end cap 19 into the locking slot 241 in order to close the closure element 100. By turning the rotary knob 13, for example by approx. 45 ° clockwise, to the stop on the force angle 24, the seal 1 is closed. The bolt 34 is positioned in front of the end cap 19 in the locking slot 241 and thus prevents the closure element 100 from opening.

The closed position of the seal 1 is through the

Electronics detected as the cam 33 den

Microswitch 28 actuated. The electronics can now start the servomotor 31, which moves the pivot lever 32 into the

Locking groove 331 moved. The rotary knob 13 is now blocked and the seal 1 is not only in the closed, but also in the locked position. In the locked position of the seal 1, the electronics receive a signal, da the pivot lever 32 actuates the microswitch 29 in the end position. A new random code is then generated and this is stored in the memory of the seal 1 with the date and time. By pressing the display button 15, the

Random code are displayed and must now be noted in a form. At the end of the sealing period, before

When the seal 1 is opened, this noted random code must be checked again in order to determine or exclude any manipulation in the meantime. Before opening the seal 1, through a

authorized person, the opening process must be started. This is preferably done via an app,

especially on a smartphone that is wireless

(especially Bluetooth, Wlan, RFID or NFC) with the

Seal 1 can communicate. Optionally or in an emergency, the opening process can also be carried out using a key combination by entering the opening code (this code differs from the random code) directly on the seal 1.

Key combination and opening code must first be

appropriately provided by an authorized person. When the opening process is started, the electronics start the servomotor 31 and the pivot lever 32 is extended out of the locking groove 331. On the

Microswitch 30, the electronics detect the end position of pivot lever 32. Display 16 now shows

indicates that the operator can open the seal 1 by turning the rotary knob 13, for example by approx. 45 ° counterclockwise.

In addition to the display 16, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the memory, a Be integrated radio module, which can be used for additional functions. For example, it would be possible to use a radio-enabled satellite navigation module to also close the geographic coordinates when the seal 1 is opened and closed

to save. These could then be conveniently called up with the other data (time, ...) via the app, e.g. on the smartphone. A battery 26, which is designed for the service life of the device, is used to supply the seal 1 with energy.

FIG. 6a shows a front view of the seal 1, which is shown, inter alia, in FIG. 5a. A section through the seal 1 is shown, which is marked with A-A

is designated, and a section through the seal 1, which is designated BB. The actual section AA is shown in FIG. 6 b, whereas the section BB is shown in FIG. 6 c. FIG. 7a shows a view of the underside of the seal 1 from FIG. 5a, that is to say of the side on which the closure element is arranged. A section CC through the seal 1, which runs through the tension element, that is to say through the cable 18, is also shown.

Reference character list

1 seal

10 housing

11 lid

12 locking element

13 rotary knob

14 History button

15 Display button

16 display

17 Bowden cable cover

18 Bowden cable rope

19, 20 Bowden cable end cap

21 sleeve

22 compression spring

23 Reed contact

24 force angles

241 locking slot

(for end cap 19 and bolt 34)

25 main board (with CPU and radio module)

^~ 2 6 battery

27 PCB

28 microswitches (rotary knob locked)

29 microswitch (swivel lever

locked)

30 microswitches (swivel lever open)

31 servo motor

32 swivel levers

33 cam disc Locking groove (for swivel lever 32)

bars

Stop tube

Magnet holder

Breaking point magnet holder

magnet

Closure element

Main body

Spring element

sensor

First shot (rope)

Second shot (cover)

Shell

Tension element

a rope

First end of rope

Second end of rope

First end shell

Second end sheath

Claims

1. Closure element (100) comprising a tension element (180) tensioned in the closed state and a

Tension state of the tension element (180) contactlessly detecting sensor (130).

2. Closure element (100) according to claim 1, wherein the tension element (180) is a rope (180a).

3. Closure element (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tension element (180) is tensioned in the closed state by a spring element (120).

4. Closure element (100) according to claim 3, wherein the tension element (180) in the closed state of one along at least a portion of the tension element (180)

arranged spring element (120) is tensioned.

5. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor (130) comprises at least one of the following:

Magnetic field sensor, in particular reed contact, TMR or Hall sensor;

Capacitive sensor;

Inductive distance sensor; Inductive proximity switch;

Optical sensor, in particular light barrier, radar or lidar detector;

Motion sensor, in particular acceleration sensor.

6. closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor (130) is a magnetic field sensor.

7. Closure element (100) according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is a reed contact or a Hall sensor.

8. closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor.

9. closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is an inductive distance sensor.

10. closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is an inductive proximity switch.

11. The closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

12. The closure element (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is a motion sensor. 13. Closure element (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the spring element (120) is a magnetic

Has section.

14. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 6, 7 or 13, wherein the tension element (180) has a magnetic portion.

15. Closure element (100) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the magnetic portion is designed in the form of an arranged magnetic element.

16. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 6, 7, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the closure element (100) comprises a magnet holder (36) with a magnet (37), which magnet holder (36) is operatively connected to the tension element ( 180) and / or the spring element (120).

17. Closure element (100) according to claim 16, wherein the magnet holder (36) has a predetermined breaking point (361).

18. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, comprising an overstretching protection means which ensures that the tension element (180) is tensioned in the closed state of the closure element (100). 19. Closure element (100) according to claim 18, wherein the overstretching protection means is a stop tube (35) which compresses the spring element (120)

restricts.

20. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 3 to 19, wherein the spring element (120) comprises at least one of the following:

Compression spring (22);

Disc spring;

Plastic spring;

Coil spring;

Tension spring;

Torsion spring;

Flat spring.

21. Closure element (100) according to claim 20, wherein the spring element is a compression spring (22).

22. Closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a flexible, in the biasing direction of the

Tensile element (180) pressure-resistant shell (170), which the

Surrounds the tension element (180) partially and movably relative to the tension element, the shell (180) being configured such that it is in the closed state of the Closure element serves as a guide for the tension element (180) and as an abutment to support pretensioning forces.

23. Seal (1) with a closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, comprising a processor which is operatively connected to the sensor (130) and is configured in such a way that it provides at least one time information, in particular date and time, and / or a location, in particular in the form of location coordinates, is generated as soon as the sensor (130) detects a change in the tension state of the tension element (180).

24. Seal (1) with a closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, comprising a processor which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to the pulling element (180) and is configured such that it generates a code in direct or indirect Depending on a change in the tension state of the tension element (180), this processor being another

Processor or the processor of claim 23 may be.

25. Seal (1) according to one of claims 23 to 24,

comprising an electronic memory, in particular for storing at least one of the following:

Time of day;

Date; Location information, especially in the form of location coordinates code.

26. A method for monitoring the tension state of a tension element (180) of a closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22 or a seal (1) according to one of claims 23 to 25 comprising:

Biasing the tension member (180);

Activating a contactless sensor (130) for detecting the stress state of the tension element (180);

Detection of the tension state of the tension element (180) by the contactless sensor (180).

27. A method for monitoring a seal (1) with a closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22 or a seal (1) according to one of claims 23 to 25 comprising:

Opening the seal (1) to allow access to the pulling element (180) of the closure element (100) in such a way that the closure element (100) can be closed;

Biasing the tension member (180);

Close the seal (1) to access the

To prevent the tension element (180) of the closure element (100) in such a way that the closure element (100) does not

can be opened; Activating a contactless sensor (130) for detecting the stress state of the tension element (180);

28. A method for opening a monitored seal (1) with a closure element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22 or a seal (1) according to one of claims 23 to 25, in particular carried out according to the method for monitoring a seal (1 ) according to claim 27, comprising:

Entering a code;

Unlock a closed

State of the seal (1) after verification of the code entered;

- Open the seal (1) to access the tension element

To enable (180) the closure element (100) such that the closure element (100) can be opened;

Generating another code;

Deactivating a contactless sensor (130) for detecting the stress state of the tension element (180).