FI95523B - Remote-readable identification design - Google Patents

Description

1 95523

Remotely readable sensor design

The invention relates to a remotely readable sensor structure which is placed in connection with the object to be identified, and which sensor structure can be identified by a separate reading device by mutual induction, the sensor structure comprising a sensor part consisting of a transmitter / receiver unit and a switch a reading area increasing means, and a support structure for a sensor portion and a reading area increasing means, the means for increasing the reading area being adapted to rotate on the support structure on the support structure.

A remotely readable sensor structure such as the present one can be used to identify moving or stationary objects or objects such as a gas cylinder or other similar objects. The present invention and the previously known solutions 20 make use of a wireless inductive sensor, i.e. a so-called escort memory, which is attached to an object to be identified. Thus, the sensor structure of the transmitter memory comprises a sensor part consisting of a microcircuit and peripheral components and a coupling means connected thereto, which acts as an antenna. The microcircuit of the sensor structure, i.e. the accompanying memory, may be a programmable "read / write" type microcircuit, or the microcircuit of the sensor structure may be a "read only" type fixed code microcircuit, in which case the sensor structure is called, for example, code-30. The term transponder includes both escort memory and code carrier. Normally, the sensor itself does not comprise a voltage source in order to operate, but the transmitter part of the sensor receives the energy it needs from the inductive interrogation pulse transmitted by the transmitter part of the separate reading device.

35 At present, for example, in the marking of gas cylinders, the remote readable memory has a marking method in which the sensor is placed at the point of reference of the cast metal protection arc protecting the gas cylinder valve. In the second marking method, the sensor is mounted in connection with a closed plastic ring 5, which ring is placed on the neck of the gas cylinder. The disadvantage of these known solutions is that the sensor always has to be read from a certain direction, which is determined by the location of the sensor, for example in a ring around the neck of the gas cylinder. In particular, the problem arises in metallic objects where the metallic object impairs the inductive reading of the sensor.

In order to increase the reading range of the remotely readable sensor structure, it is conceivable to use the so-called flux-15 transformer technique known from the applicant's own patent publication FI-903205, in which a reading area-increasing means the coupling wall, and the second coil, i.e. the secondary coil, is positioned so as to extend over a wider area and at least partially into the magnetic field generated by the interrogation pulse of the reader device.

In the known solutions used for the marking of gas cylinders, in addition to the limitation of the reading range, a significant weakness is that the placement of the closed ring with the sensor on the neck of the cylinder is relatively laborious, because the protective arc protecting the cylinder valve has to be removed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of remotely readable sensor structure which avoids the problems associated with known solutions.

This object is achieved by a remote-readable sensor structure according to the invention, characterized in that the sensor structure comprises means for opening an annular support structure with inductively coupled reading area increasing means and means for closing the annular support structure after installation on the target.

The remote readable sensor according to the invention achieves several advantages. Particular advantages are obtained in connection with the marking of a metal object, in particular gas cylinders, where the annular sensor structure, which is easy to install when open, expands the reading range of the sensor, because the current transformer structure in the support structure is placed around the gas cylinder and thus increases the sensor reading area around the metal object. The easy installation of the sensor structure is a consequence of the fact that, due to its open structure, it is no longer necessary to remove the protective arc of the valve of the gas cylinder 15, for example. At the end of the installation of the sensor structure, the support structure of the sensor structure is either closed by a completely closed ring or the support structure is closed at least to such an extent that the sensor structure remains reliably attached to the object by reducing the transparency of the support structure.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a remote read sensor and its reader as a simplified schematic diagram, Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a sensor structure as a schematic plan view, Fig. 3 shows the installation of the sensor structure according to Fig. 2, Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the sensor structure, Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the sensor structure, Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of the sensor structure, Fig. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the sensor structure, Fig. 9 shows a locking block sensor structure.

Figure 1 shows a remotely readable sensor structure and its reader device in a simplified schematic diagram. Briefly, with reference to Figure 1, the structure of the identification system will be described. The detection system comprises a reader device 10A, in which one or more antenna coils 1 are connected as a switching duct. . In order to increase the reading range, the sensor structure, i.e. the accompanying memory, further comprises a reading area increasing means 5 inductively connected to the switching means 4, which consists, for example, of a current transformer comprising a single-winding primary winding 5a and a secondary winding 5b. The remote reading of the sensor structure 'is based on the mutual induction between the reader device A ky tkey bucket line 1 and the secondary winding 5b of the reading area increasing means 5, as a result of which the reader's interrogation pulse propagates in After receiving 3 polling pulses, it responds with, for example, an identification code stored in its microcircuit. However, the essential part of the present invention does not relate to the sensor structures themselves or to the reader devices and their technology, so reference is made to existing technology.

Figures 2 and 3 schematically show an embodiment of the sensor structure B, which comprises a means 8 (reference number 5 in Figure 1) covering the reading area of the annular support structure 6, the sensor part 7, the reading area cat 95523 5, i.e. e.g. a current transformer 8. A reading area increasing means 8 such as a current transformer coil and a sensor part 7 such as an encapsulated escort memory component are supported and placed 5 in connection with the support structure 6. Means 8 for increasing the reading range of the sensor, such as a current transformer coil 8 or other conductor, are arranged in the support structure 6 to rotate on the support structure along the support structure 6. The sensor part 7 of Figures 2 and 3, i.e. the transmit memory or code carrier, comprises the components of Figure 1, i.e. the transmitter / receiver unit 3 and which are encapsulated as a sensor part in their own housing, which may consist, for example, of an epoxy-filled cup.

According to the invention, the support structure comprises means 15 9 for placing the annular support structure 6 provided with the reading area increasing means 8 open on the object 10, such as around the neck of the gas cylinder 10, and means 11a-11c for closing the annular support structure 6. to the destination after installation. In this context, it is noted that closing the support structure means not only completely closing the support structure ring 6, but also the embodiment in which the transparency of the support structure 6 is reduced so much, the support structure secures the whole support structure to the object 10 such as the cylinder 10, most preferably the object 10 around as shown in Figure 3.

The above-mentioned means 9 for placing the annular support structure 6 provided with the reading area increasing means 8 open on the object 10 at its simplest consist of a flexible wall 9 of the support structure 6 according to Figures 1-3, which allows the support structure 6 to be opened by bending so open that it can be placed on the object 10 as around the neck of the gas cylinder. If the tension of the wall of the support structure against the gas cylinder 10 is sufficient, the perimeter of the support structure may remain somewhat open, although the best possible installation result and the widest possible reading range (full 360 degrees) can be achieved when the support structure (and the current transformer coil) is completely closed at its circumference, for example by means 11a-11c. In this case, both the support structure 6 and the means 8 for increasing the reading area form at least an approximately closed ring which can be opened in the middle by an open circumference.

The means for mounting the sensor structure open 10 on the target and the means for closing the annular support structure 6 on the target after installation may also be formed such that the means for mounting the sensor structure open on the target consists of an open point in the sensor ring and the closing means consists of the wall tension of the support structure 6 at 9 and / or closing means.

In Fig. 3, the closing means 11a and 11b consist of the shapes 6a and 6b of the free ends of the support structure 6 comprising holes, and the closing means 11c consists of a locking pin or other similar means for connecting the free ends of the support means 6 to the holes or recesses 11b. .

Referring to Fig. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the means 11c for closing the support structure 6 consists of <25 identification parts, i.e. an escort memory or a code carrier, which in a protective means such as an epoxy housing is placed as a locking piece, i.e. in a locking pin between the free ends 6a and 6b. This embodiment involves easy preparation. 30 van to close the mechanism. If the sensor part is integrated •>.

as a locking piece lie, in which case, of course, there is no longer a need for a second sensor part 7.

And although the sensor part, i.e. the transponder, does not necessarily act as a closing means like the part 11b of Fig. 3, 35 in any case in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 4 a reading area extending means 8 such as a current transformer coil or other conductor loop is first connected to the support structure 6. with the transducer 7, i.e. the transponder, the sensor structure is formed into a functional entity. This is a particularly good embodiment when the fastening of the support structure 6 and the reading area increasing means 8 to each other, for example when casting the support structure from plastic, is a hot or otherwise manufacturing step that could damage, for example, the microcircuit sensor 7, i.e. the transponder. In this preferred embodiment according to Fig. 4, the sensor part can be mounted in inductive connection with the reading area increasing means 8 by placing the sensor part 7 in a space 12 formed in the support structure 6 in the vicinity of the reading area increasing means 8. It can be seen from Figure 4 that the reading area increasing means 8, i.e. the current transformer, comprises a primary winding 8a and a ferrite core 8c around which the current transformer winding, i.e. the conductor wire, is partially wound. The rest of the flux-20 forms a secondary winding (Fig. 1, 5b) according to Fig. 1, which, as shown in Fig. 2, rotates along a wide circumference along the support structure 6. Correspondingly, the sensor 7 comprises a ferrite core 7a around which the sensor coupling means 4 is partially arranged. 25a connected to a microcircuit 3 attached to the back surface of the ferrite 7a, which forms a sensor transmitter / receiver unit 3. In the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 4, the sensor 7 retrofits the primary winding of the current transformer 8 with its ferrite core and thus causes the current transformer to operate.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the sensor structure, in which the reading area increasing means 8 at least partially forms a means 19 for opening the support structure 6, i.e. means 19 for placing the sensor structure open in the object 10. In this case, the reading area increasing means 8 is a copper conductor or other conductor. allowing the support structure to be opened. In the embodiment of Figures 2-6, the means 8 for increasing the reading area, i.e. for example the winding of the current transformer, is formed of a conductor wire such as a copper wire placed inside the support structure 6, whereby the manufacturing costs remain low. In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 5, spring or hinge-like bending points 19 are formed in the reading area extending means 8, i.e. now in the conductor wire of the current transformer winding, which allows the opening of the support structure 6 by a light-10 bomb. Generally speaking, the means for opening the support structure 19, i.e. the means 19 for mounting the support structure 6 on the open object, i.e. for example bending points 19, preferably at least partially consist of flexible points of the reading area extending means 15, which in their simplest form are formed by a conducting part of the reading area extending means 8. The bending points 19 are located in the area between the successive support components 16 and 26 comprised by the support structure 6, whereby in addition to increasing the number-20 area and opening the support structure, the means 8 acts as a connector of the support structure 6 parts 16 and 26. In Fig. 5, the means for closing the support structure consist of means similar to those in Fig. 2, i.e. for example a locking piece 11c, which connects the free ends 6a and 6b of the support structure.

A preferred embodiment is also added to Fig. 5, in which the means for opening the support structure 6 consists at least in part of a bending point 29 between successive support structure parts 16 and 26 30 formed in the support structure 6, such as a hinge means or the like. For example, the hinge-like bending point 29 reduces the wear of the reading area increasing means 8 at the folding point.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the sensor structure, in which the means 20 for opening / closing the support structure 6 consists of a detachable body 20 to be mounted on the support structure 6, which in one embodiment comprises a sensor part 7 and has a width of at least 75% of the inner diameter D of the support structure. can be sufficiently opened by an easy structural solution. Figure 6 shows the connecting surfaces 21 and 22 between the larger part 6 of the support structure and the separate body 20, from which the detached body 20 is supported and fastened to the larger part 6 of the support structure. The fastening can take place, for example, by fastening members 10, for example screws, bolts or locking shapes. formed on the connecting surfaces 21 and 22. In a preferred embodiment, for example according to Fig. 6, the means 20 for closing the support structure 6 is formed so as to seal the sensor structure 10 in connection with an object 10 such as a gas cylinder. The sealing structure can be formed, for example, on the connecting surfaces 21 and 22. This embodiment improves the reliability of the use of the identification systems and the safety of the objects to be identified, such as gas cylinders 20, because the sensor structure cannot be detached without breaking the sensor structure. Sealing can also be implemented with structures 11a-11c, 6a, 6b.

It can be seen from Figure 6 that in a preferred embodiment the means 20 for closing the support structure consists of a detachable body 20 mounted on the support structure 25 comprising at least 20% of the means for increasing the reading area, i.e. 20% for example copper conductor winding on the support structure 6 around the object. In Fig. 6, the part comprised by the body 20. The size of the conductor 8, i.e. the means for increasing the reading area, is indicated by the reference number 28. In this case, in principle, at least one-fifth of the support structure 6 opens when the piece 20 is removed. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the support structure consists of parts 6 and 20 which are connected to each other at the connection points 21 and 35 22. The means for increasing the reading range, for example the conductor winding 959523, consists of parts 8 and 28 which are connected to each other at the connection points 31 and 32.

Contrary to Fig. 6, a smaller detachable part of the support structure such as part 20 can be formed such that it comprises only means for increasing the reading area, practically part of it, the larger part of the support structure comprising a sensor 7 (inductively readable transponder) and most of the means 6 increasing the reading area. In this context, it is noted that it is mainly a question of terminology-10 which part is called a separate paragraph. The detached body 20 may comprise either a sensor 7 and a part of the means (reference number 28) which increases the reading area, or the detached body may comprise only a means of practically part of the means for increasing the reading area, the sensor being placed in another part of the support structure. The above alternatives are good because they have a cut-out means 8 such as a conductor winding only at one point, i.e. at the connection surface 22 at the connection points 31 and 32. As shown in Fig. 6 ha-20, the conductor 8 does not need to be cut at the connection surface 21 because it does not exceed connecting surface 21.

In a preferred embodiment, mainly with reference to Figures 2 and 5, means for opening the support structure such as a resilient part 9 in the support structure, a bending point 25 in the reading area means or a hinge means 29 in the structure 50 from which the first part 80 of the reading area extension means 8 extends in the support structure towards the first end 6a of the support structure and most preferably the sensor part 7 30 and the growing part 81 located therein, and from which the second part 81 of the reading area extending means 8 extends in the support structure towards the second end 6b of the support structure and towards the first reading area 8 part 80.

35 The structure is also similar in the case of Fig. 6 95523, where the junction 22 of two separate pieces 6 and 20 of the support structure forms a point 50 from which the parts 8 and 28 of the reading area extending means extend in opposite directions so that the part 28 extends through the part 20 towards 5 the connecting surface 21 and the sensor 7 most preferably in that direction, and the part 8 also extends towards the connecting surface 21, but in the opposite direction.

For example, with reference to Figures 2, 4, 5 or 7, the reading area increasing means 8 or 38 is arranged with the sensor part 7, preferably at least partially nested with one another, most preferably so that the reading part 7 is located in the reading area-shaped means 8 or 38 in the area of the closed end (primary winding) at the end of the support structure 6, for example at the end 15 6a. In Figures 2, 5 and 7, the reading area increasing means 8, 38 are arranged around the sensor or transponder, but in Fig. 4 nested so that the sensor 7 switching means or antenna coil 4 has a wider circumference than the primary winding means 8a of the reading area increasing means 8. The structures described above achieve strong inductive coupling. In addition to the above-mentioned ways, inductive coupling can be realized using, for example, a ferrite rod, in which the windings do not come into each other but, for example, in series.

”* 25 Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the sensor structure. In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the reading area increasing means, now with reference numeral 38, consists of, for example, a narrow strip-like metal part formed, for example, as a loop in the support structure 6. In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 7, a sensor part 7 such as a transponder 7 is supported in the support structure 6. , that the sensor part 7 from its housing 70 rests between different edges of the means for increasing the reading area. This embodiment simplifies the placement of the sensor part 7 and protects the sensor part 12 95523 7.

In a preferred embodiment, for example the loop-like metal means 38 which increase the reading area mainly according to Fig. 7, at least partially forms a support structure of the sensor structure, whereby a sufficiently strong conductive means 38 made of steel strip, for example, can form a significant part of the support structure. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the outer part 6 of the means 38 in the support structure may be only a very thin cover layer which insulates the metallic or otherwise conductive means 38 from a metallic or otherwise conductive object such as the surface of a gas cylinder. It is therefore important for the invention that the support structure of the sensor structure or its coating forms, for example according to Figures 15 and 3, or according to Figure 7 comprises an insulator between the metallic object 10 and the reading area raising means 8, 38, whereby the structure of the metal object 10 such as a gas cylinder does not short , 38 heads and does not prevent the interrogation pulse of the reader device from advancing-20 from the reading area increasing means 8 or 38 to the sensor 7.

Contrary to the above, for example, the fastening member can galvanically connect the object 10 and the reading area-increasing means 8, but already with the above-mentioned condition that the fastening to the object must not short-circuit the ends of the reading area-increasing means such as the winding 8.

Viewed as a method, the invention provides a method for providing an object 10 of conductive material, such as a gas cylinder 10, with a remotely readable sensor structure. The sensor structure is installed in connection with the object in the support structure at least when the support structure is open. By reducing the openness of the support structure 6 of the sensor structure, the sensor is placed in connection with the object 10. A means 8 for expanding the area of the number 13 95523 in inductive contact with the sensor part 7 is placed around the object 10 while reducing the openness of the support structure 6. By reducing the openness of the support structure 6, the open support structure is formed into an at least approximately completely closed perimeter.

Fig. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the sensor structure, wherein the sensor structure comprises an annular support structure 106, a sensor portion 107 and further a reading area increasing means 108 formed on the support structure 106 as a conductor loop. Reference numeral 108a 10 denotes the primary windings of the reading area increasing means 108, the remainder of the means 108 forming a secondary winding. The openability of the support structure 106 is realized, for example, by a flexible wall 109, but it can also be realized, for example, by a hinge or other bending point. The embodiment of Fig. 15 8 differs from the previous ones in that the means for increasing the reading area comprises quick-connect means lila and 111b for increasing the circumference of the means for increasing the reading area and most preferably at the same time also the support structure 106. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the quick coupling means lila, 111b are most preferably 20 min. abicol connectors or the like connected to each other. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the means 108 for increasing the reading area consists of a strip-like metal rail in a manner similar to Fig. 7, but the means 108 may also be conductive. With suitable quick-connect devices, the · * 25 sensor structure can also be sealed.

Fig. 9 shows a greatly enlarged enclosed sensor part 200 formed as a locking pin or a similar locking piece, which can be placed, for example, in the position shown by reference numeral 11c in Fig. 3 as a locking pin 30 between different sides 6a, 6b of the support structure 6. Reference numeral 700 denotes the actual transponder. In Figure 9, in a preferred embodiment, the sensor part comprises means 300 for sealing the support structure. Said means can be implemented, for example, in surface shapes, such as raised 300, by which the sensor part 200 is fixed to the shapes of the locking structure 6 (part 11c in Fig. 3) (e.g. holes 11a, 11b in Fig. 2) so that the sensor structure cannot be broken open. The above method is a simple way to implement a support structure for a sealed-5 ti target. The means 300 comprised by the sensor part 200 can also be shaped / positioned in such a way that the base is sealed by the sensor part during the above installation and vice versa, i.e. the upper part is not sealed during the above installation. Said embodiment reduces the need to use several different structural solutions. In the latter case, the sensor part 200 is most preferably mounted at a position such as holes 11a, 11b in Fig. 3 so that, for example, the locking part 200 formed by the sensor part can be at least partially disengaged from below the hole 11a so that the lock between the different parts 6a, 6b .

For example, the conductor loop 8 shown in Figures 2 and 5, i.e. the means for increasing the reading area, forms a double loop comprising a point where the ends of the loop are not in galvanic contact with each other. When reading the sensor, the double loop 8 can best eliminate the detrimental effect of currents generated on an electrically conductive metal object (gas cylinder) on the reading area growing means 8. An embodiment is also possible in which the reading area means forms a closed ring, i.e. one closed loop, in the support means. This embodiment is simpler in construction and structure. Although the invention has been described above with reference to the examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of the inventive idea set forth in the appended claims.

Il

Claims (16)

1. Remote-readable identification structure to be placed in connection with the object to be identified, which identification structure can be identified by means of a special inter-induction reading device, the identification structure comprising - an identification part (7) consisting of a transmitter / receiver (3) and a tili transmitter / receiver unit connected coupling means (4), - a tili coupling means inductively coupled means (8) which increases the reading area, and - a support structure (6) for the identification part (7) and the means (8) which increases the reading area , which means for increasing the reading area is rotatably arranged on the support structure (6), characterized in that the identification structure (B) comprises means (9, 19, 29, 20) for positioning it with the inductively connected means (8) which increases reading area - the provided support structure (6) in the open state of the article and means (11a - 11c, 20, 9) for closing the annular the support structure in the article after installation. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (8) which increases the reading area at least partially forms a means (19) for opening the supporting structure. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 2, characterized in that a bending point (19) is provided in the means (8) which increases the reading area and that the bending point (19) is arranged in the area ... between successive supporting structure parts ( 6a, 6b) of the support structure (6). Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (29) for opening the support structure is at least partly a bending point (29) between successive support structure parts (6a, 6b) of the supporting structure, such as a gasket or llknande. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (20) for closing the support structure is a separate piece (20) which can be mounted in the support structure, which preferably comprises the identification part (7) and the width of which comprises at least 75% of the supporting structure. (6) inner diameter (D). Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the means for closing the support structure is a separate piece (20), which can be mounted in the support structure (6) comprising at least 20% of the means (8, 28) which increases the reading area. . Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for closing the support structure consists of an identification part (11c, 200) which is placed inside a protective element inside therein between the ends (6a, 6b) of the support structure (6). locking piece. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (20, 200) for terminating the support structure is designed to seal the identification structure (B) against the object. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that both the support structure (6) and the means (8) which increase the reading area form an eating at least almost closed, in the middle open ring, whose periphery can be opened. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for opening the support structure, such as e.g. an elastic portion 1 in the support structure (9), a bending point (19), a thread or a connecting point (22) between two wounded pieces in the support structure, constitutes such a site 1 the structure from which a first portion (80 and 8, respectively) of the structure is formed. the means (8) which increases the reading area extends 1 in the support structure (6) in a direction towards a first end (6a) and preferably the identification part (7), and from which location (50, 19, 29, 22) a second part ( 81 and 28, respectively, of the member (8) which increases the reading area 1 of the support structure extends towards the other end (6b) of the support structure. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the means (8) which increases the reading area is arranged in the support structure (6) in relation to the identification part (7), that the identification part (7) is placed in the area of the closed end. (8a) in the member (8) which increases the reading area and has a loop shape, preferably at the end (6a) of the support structure. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the identification part (7) is supported in the support structure (6) against the means (38) which increases the reading area. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the loop-shaped member (38) which increases the reading area forms the support structure for the identifier structure. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the identification part (7) is installed in inductive contact with the means (8), which increases the reading area by identifying; the part is placed in a space (12) formed in the support structure (6) in the vicinity of the means (8, 8a) which increases the reading area. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 14, characterized in that the supporting structure (6) and the means (8) which increase the reading area are by e.g. casting made in one piece, and that the identification part (7) is later arranged in the supporting structure (6) as a separate piece. 16. Remote-readable identification structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification structure is intended to be installed in an intake location on a level with the shaft of a gas cylinder made of conductive material (10). • ·.