LU100973A1 - SYSTEM FOR DATA TRANSMISSION IN OPTICAL SYSTEMS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical beam guidance element, comprising an interface for coupling in and / or an interface for decoupling data and at least one data channel for transmitting data and a method for transmitting data in optical systems comprising the steps of coupling data into an interface beamline element; the transmission of the data by means of a first and / or a second data channel, which are arranged within the beam guiding element (or of the casing), wherein the data channels can also be used for the breaking supervision of the beam guiding element; and decoupling the data from an interface.

Description

SYSTEM FOR DATA TRANSFER IN OPTICAL SYSTEMS

description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a beam guiding element and a system for data transmission in optical systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For high-performance light guide cables (LLK), protection against uncontrolled laser radiation is prescribed for reasons of occupational safety. A safety system for monitoring the breakage of fiber optic cables is therefore recommended, because if it is damaged (e.g. fiber breakage), dangerous amounts of laser light are released, which can cause irreversible damage if it hits the human organism. Therefore, a safety system should trigger and switch off the laser in the event of damage to an LLK.

Solutions for LLK break monitoring are known from the prior art. For example, DE 19806629 A1 discloses a method for monitoring the bending radius and for monitoring the breakage of light guide cables and a light guide cable for using this method. Monitoring is carried out by at least one optical fiber, which is installed in the optical fiber in addition to the main optical fiber and is equipped with a receiving system. The change in radiation transmitted by the monitoring fiber is used to detect excessive bending or to detect a break. If a dangerous condition is detected, a warning signal is issued or the power transmission is switched off.

[0004] DE 20 2005 005 869 U1 discloses a supply line, in particular a hose package for an industrial robot, with a number of cables and / or lines and with an integrated monitoring sensor for monitoring the deformation of the

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH

Supply line, which comprises a cladding-free optical fiber, which is surrounded by a sheathing in such a way that it is pressed against the optical fiber under the action of force, the optical fiber being connectable to a feed point for coupling in light and to an evaluation device.

[0005] EP 1 662 288 A1 (corresponding to DE 20 2005 018 553 Ul) discloses a protective device for an optical fiber, consisting of a protective tube, at least one electrical conductor loop guided through the protective tube with a defined electrical impedance and a special insulation of the Conductor loop, where a. the protective tube has a two- or multi-layer structure, consisting of an inner layer made of an optically transparent, electrically insulating material and at least one layer above it made of a non-transparent material, and b. a conductor loop in addition to the optical fiber is guided through the hose, consisting of two mutually insulated electrical conductors which are connected at one end of the hose via a defined electrical impedance and at the other end to a measuring unit controlling the impedance, c. wherein the insulation of the two electrical conductors is selected such that it leads to the influence of the emerging light in the event of a break in the optical fiber or to the radiation, either to influence the electrical conductors or to direct contact of the electrical conductors or at least one of the electrical conductors Conductor is cut, and d. a change in the resistance can be detected by the measuring unit.

Thus, the LLK break monitoring is currently based on the detection of electrical parameters by integrated in the light guide monitoring elements, such as two or three electrical conductors, which are separated from each other by insulation, which change their properties when irradiated with laser light.

In addition to the monitoring function, data transmission along the beam guidance system is desirable. This data includes control signals for connected or connected systems, but also data which are transmitted by sensors or data which contain properties of connected systems. For the purposes of the present invention, this data is also referred to as user data.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH [0008] Additional, separately running data lines can be used to transmit such data. A disadvantage of such a solution is the cumbersome handling for the user.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical system in which user data can be transmitted without additional design effort for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an optical beam guiding element, comprising an interface for coupling in and / or an interface for coupling out data and at least one first data channel for transmitting data.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the beam guiding element comprises at least a first electrical channel and a second electrical channel or optical channel.

Furthermore, the beam guiding element can also comprise an optical channel as the second data channel.

It is also provided according to the invention that an electrical line for controlling a source of the second data channel is arranged in the beam guiding element as the first data channel and an electrical line or the control fiber is arranged in the beam guiding element as the second channel.

In a further embodiment of the beam guiding element according to the invention it is provided that the second data channel can connect the source arranged at one end of the beam guiding element to generate an electrical signal, an electromagnetic wave or an optical signal with a detector arranged at the other end of the beam guiding element ,

80318LU

HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH [0015] Furthermore, the beam guiding element can have at least one plug connection for the transmission of user data, communication with sensors and / or actuators, the electrical control of the source at one end of the beam guiding element and / or the signal from the source to the detector and / or the Signal of the detector include.

According to the invention it is provided in a further aspect that the source is arranged in a plug connection connected to the beam guiding element or in the beam guiding element itself.

The invention also includes an embodiment in which a plug connection connected to the beam guiding element interrupts electrical and / or optical channels.

The beam guiding element can furthermore comprise plug connections at both ends for both channels for connection to further beam guiding elements.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the beam guiding element can comprise at least one monitoring channel as a data line or separate data lines along the system.

Another object of the present invention is a beam guiding system, which consists of at least two interconnected beam guiding elements, as described above, or consists of interconnected beam guiding components, comprising beam guiding elements, as previously described.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a method for the transmission of data, in optical systems comprising the steps:

a. Coupling data into an interface of a beam guiding element;

b. Transmission of the data by means of a first and / or a second data channel, which are arranged within the beam guiding element

c. Decoupling the data from an interface of a beam guiding element.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH [0022] The invention also includes the use of electrical conductors as the first data channel.

[0023] Furthermore, in the method the second data channel can be a control fiber or an electrical line.

[0024] The method according to the invention further provides that data are transmitted electrically via the first data channel and data are transmitted electrically, optically or electromagnetically via the second data channel.

Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, the data to be transmitted can be generated inside and / or outside the beam guiding element.

The method of claim 16, wherein the data to be transmitted are generated in a plug connection connected to the beam guiding element.

Another object of the invention relates to the use of the method described above in a beam guidance system comprising at least two interconnected beam guidance elements as described above.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a beam guiding element as described above or a beam guiding element according to the above statements for the transmission of data in an optical system.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, in which simply preferred embodiments and implementations are shown. The present invention can be embodied in other and different embodiments, and its various details can be modified in various, obvious aspects without departing from the teachings and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description that follows

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH and are partially apparent from the description or can be found in the implementation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is illustrated below with reference to figures. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that these are only possible exemplary embodiments, without the invention being restricted to the embodiments shown. It shows:

FIG. 1 fiber optic cable with power fiber, as well as electrical channel and control fiber

FIG. 2 fiber optic cables with a second coaxial cable as the second electrical channel

FIG. 3 Schematic representation of a redundant and diverse transfer point

FIG. 4 Schematic representation of redundant plug monitoring at the transfer point

FIG. 5 Series connection of beam guidance components

FIG. 6 Structure of a data transmission path in sub-systems

FIG. 7 Schematic structure of the evaluation unit

FIG. 8 Structure of data packet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above-stated object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims cover further specific embodiments of the invention.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH ro

LAW Ugroup The terms beam guiding elements and optical elements are used synonymously in connection with the description of the present invention. Both can refer to a fiber optic cable or a connector for fiber optic cables. These terms also include plugs or connections for coupling and decoupling laser radiation. An optical system is formed from beam guiding elements or optical elements.

The object according to the invention is achieved in that the elements which are used for breakage monitoring for a light guide cable (LLK) or a beam guidance system are additionally used for the transmission of user data or separate elements are provided for data transport within a beam guidance system.

[0034] These elements are, for example, monitoring elements, which can be multi-channel. The term “multi-channel” in the sense of the present invention means that the elements use at least two channels, as is done, for example, with one electrical and one optical channel or two electrical channels.

When using elements that are used for security monitoring of the optical system, care must be taken that this security function is not impaired by the transmission of the useful data.

For a better understanding of the invention, the security components are shown and described below with the aid of figures, so that their use for data transmission is easier to understand. The words channel and data channel are used as synonymous.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the light guide cable is sheathed with a protective tube 1 and, in addition to the power fiber 5, another so-called control fiber 15 is laid within the same protective sheath, as well as a source 25 and a detector 30 in the LLK connector 20 or LLK receptacles 35 to be added. The control fiber must be laid in such a way that it is also damaged if the power fiber is damaged in order to ensure reliable detection. The control fiber transmits an electromagnetic wave, which is generated by a source / transmitter

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End of the light guide cable to the other. The other end of the control fiber is terminated with a detector / receiver. This detects whether the control fiber is intact if the wave emitted by the source is correctly received at the detector.

The coaxial cable 1 forms the first monitoring channel 10 and the control fiber 15 a second monitoring channel along the power fiber 5. Both channels use different media (electrical and optical) for the signal line of the monitoring signals and thus form a real diversity and redundancy.

When realizing this concept, it must be ensured that a suitable control fiber 15 is used. The absorption of the control fiber 15 in the wavelength range of the power transported in the power fiber 5 and the crosstalk (optical coupling) of the power fiber into the control fiber are to be considered here in particular.

Crosstalk from the power fiber 5 into the control fiber 15 can be separated from the signal of the power fiber 5 by a suitable signal pattern that is generated by the source 25. A suitable signal pattern is any property of the light generated by the source 25 which differs from the properties of the light transported in the power fiber 5. This can be, for example, a certain wavelength, a combination of different wavelengths or the modulation of the signal generated by the source.

Crosstalk can be minimized by the suitable spectral selection of the source and the detector as well as by sheathing the control fiber.

Access to the signals or user data can be realized both by connection cables routed separately from the LLK connector 20 (connector 40 in FIG. 1) and directly by contacting the plug-in monitoring in the LLK receptacle 35.

The plug-in monitoring is a device that monitors whether the end of the light guide cable or beam guidance system is properly inserted into the matching receptacle.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment in which, in addition to the line fiber 5 and the already existing (coaxial) cable 1 10 for breaking monitoring, a further (coaxial) cable 2 45 is added to the fiber optic cable (45) instead of the control fiber 15 for breaking monitoring and thus the second one Channel of the surveillance system forms. The evaluation of both channels can be designed in different ways. One possibility is the parallel evaluation of both channels. Proven evaluation principles can be used for this. The LLK connector 20 is connected to the LLK receptacle 35, in which impedance 1 50 is connected to the coaxial cable 1 10 and impedance 2 55 to the coaxial cable 2 45.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows the basic structure of a redundant and diverse transfer point between e.g. LLK connector 20 and LLK receptacle 35. Both monitoring channels at the transfer point pass to the next component of the beam guidance system. The source / transmitter 25 was moved from the LLK connector 20 into the LLK receptacle 35. By transferring the electrical channel, designed as a coaxial cable 110 and the optical channel (control fiber 15), the plug-in monitoring now offers the advantage of dual-channel and diversity. Possible faults, such as Short-circuiting the electrical contacts of the fiber connector (or unintentionally terminating with the terminating impedance) does not result in the failure of the safety function.

In addition to the electrical connection, a defined optical coupling between the source / transmitter and the monitoring element in the LLK must also be ensured.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a redundant plug monitoring. The structure corresponds to the description in Figure 2. Here, both channels are electrical. The interconnection of the in FIG. The plug monitoring shown in FIG. 4 represents a possible variant. The plug monitoring interrupts both channels of the break monitoring integrated in the LLK. This interruption can be detected by a suitable evaluation.

In FIG. 5 shows an LLK with plug 20, which has two monitoring circuits, as described above. Both are passed on to the next component 65 of the beam guidance system (also sub-system) at the LLK holder. It is a coaxial cable 1

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH as the first channel and a control fiber 15 as the second channel. The in FIG. The embodiment described in FIG. 5 relates to the connection of further subsystems to the embodiments described above and thus the implementation of a series connection of subsystems without weakening the requirements for security. This means that continuous, redundant monitoring runs across the connection between two subsystems.

The sum of the sub-systems forms the beam guidance system, which is also referred to as a system.

A source 25 generates suitable electrical signals which are fed into a monitoring channel. The second monitoring element forms the second channel (or return channel). This can be designed optically (see above) as well as electrically (see above). By returning the signal via the monitoring channel 2, it is possible to arrange the feeding and the evaluation of the monitoring signals at the same end of the beam guidance system.

The beam guidance system must be designed so that there is either only a coupling between the two monitoring channels at the end of the monitoring chain, or both monitoring channels are evaluated separately.

In the case of a plurality of subsystems which are connected to one another, it is advantageous to implement control and status monitoring of the components involved. Data transmission along the beam guidance system is required for this. In the simplest case, this could be implemented using separate wiring (prior art), which is, however, difficult for the user to handle.

[0053] The invention integrates a data transmission path into the beam guidance components involved. This integration also enables the development of components with an increased range of functions. For example, the integration of additional sensors, data storage, actuators, etc. into the components of the beam guidance system can be implemented

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH can be controlled or read out without additional effort from the user.

By using internally guided data transmission channels, an intermodule communication along the beam guidance system can be realized. This enables the transport and exchange of user data.

In a further embodiment of the invention, useful data are distributed along the beam guidance system (light guide cable, LLK coupler, etc.). The distribution of the data includes, in addition to a purely passive data transport (which is also possible independently of this), a direct integration of the subsystems involved as active components (referred to as optional communication module 60 in FIG. 5) into the resulting network.

The sub-systems which now form the network can be carried out both passively (pure data transport, no manipulation of the data stream) and actively (participation in data exchange). If, for example, the light guide cable or another component of the beam guidance system is an active participant in the data transmission, it can receive, process and / or feed useful data (e.g. serial number, type, sensor data, etc.) from the data stream. The same applies to all other connected sub-systems.

All types of data that have nothing to do with the maintenance of the security function are referred to as user data. This can be any data from all connected sub-systems and their peripherals. This includes both control signals for operating the sub-systems and sensor data.

One way of participating in the data stream would be, for example, the integration of additional data lines in the fiber optic cable and the routing through additional connections on the fiber optic cable connector. However, this includes the disadvantage of additional elements in the light guide cable and in the connector. The advantage of this option is the independence of data transport from security monitoring.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH [0058] Another possibility is to use the connections and connections for the data transmission, which are already integrated for the LLK security circuit. The additional elements required for coupling and decoupling the data must not impair the safety function.

The transmission of the user data can take over parts of the safety function or even the safety function completely. This can be done, for example, using a combined data stream of security and user data.

If previously passive (with regard to participation in data traffic) components (e.g. fiber optic cables) are to become active components, an energy supply for the active parts must be guaranteed. This can be done via separate connections or to a limited extent via the data lines themselves.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a possible basic structure of the data transmission path on the basis of subsystems 4, 85 and subsystem 5.90. Here, a redundantly diverse security system consisting of monitoring channel 1, 95 and monitoring channel 2, 100 is shown as an example as data transmission paths. However, the mode of operation can be used regardless of the transmission medium.

Each active subsystem contains a communication module 60. This receives the incoming data stream, modifies it depending on the task of the subsystem, and sends it on to the next subsystem. The last subsystem in the chain closes the connection between the two transmission channels and thus represents the end of the chain.

[0063] An evaluation unit 105 may be necessary to separate the security function and the user data and to integrate the network consisting of subsystems into a higher-level system.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows the schematic structure of an evaluation unit 105. This has two main tasks:

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a. Monitor the parameters relevant to the safety function (e.g. safety ID A (SIDA), safety ID B (SIDB), cycle time, short circuit in the transmission channel, interruption in the transmission channel, etc.) of the transmission path and output their status (safety circuit output).

b. To provide an interface for coupling in and out the user data IDN (user data / communication).

The evaluation unit 105 forms the coupling link between the transmission channels 1, 95 and 2, 100 to the higher-level system. The SIDA 110, SIDB 115 and IDN 120 are evaluated in the evaluation unit 105. The evaluation unit 105 also has the output of the safety circuit 125 and an output of the useful data or data for communication 130.

[0066] FIG. FIG. 8 shows a possible structure of the data packet 135, which is sent by the evaluation unit 105 (not shown), modified by the communication modules (not shown) of the subsystems and received and evaluated again by the evaluation unit. The data packet 135 comprises the data of the evaluation SIDA 110, SIDB 115 and IDN 120.

[0067] SIDA and SIDB represent unique, unique (per overall system) identification features of the redundantly constructed security evaluations. Each security evaluation only sends and evaluates the identification feature intended by and for it.

If SIDA and SIDB are transmitted cyclically, the time for such a cycle depends on the required response time of the safety function and is also monitored by the components of the evaluation unit responsible for safety.

The remaining time of a cycle, which is not required for the transmission of the SIDA and SIDB, is used for the transmission of the user data IDN.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching or can be obtained from practice of the invention. The embodiment has been chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable those skilled in the art to use the invention in various embodiments that are suitable for the particular intended use. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the above documents is incorporated by reference herein.

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH

REFERENCE NUMBERS

Conduit

performance fiber

Coaxial cable 1

control fiber

LLK-plug

Source / transmitter

Detector / receiver

LLK Recording

plug

Coaxial cable 2

Impedance 1

Impedance 2

communication module

Component of the beam guidance system

Sub-system 1

Sub-system 2

Sub-system 3

Sub-system 4

Sub-system 5

Monitoring / transmission channel 1

100 monitoring / transmission channel 2

105 evaluation unit

110 SIDA evaluation

115 SIDB evaluation

120 IDN evaluation

125 Safety circuit output

130 User data / communication output

135 data packet

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HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH

Expectations

Claims (19)

Expectations 1. An optical beam guiding element, comprising an interface for coupling in and / or an interface for coupling out data and at least one first data channel for transmitting data. 2. The beam guiding element according to claim 1, comprising at least a first electrical channel and a second electrical channel or optical channel 3. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising an optical channel as a second data channel. 4. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an electrical line is arranged in the beam guiding element for controlling a source of the second data channel as the first data channel and an electrical line or the control fiber is arranged in the beam guiding element as the second channel. 5. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second data channel connects the source arranged at one end of the beam guiding element for generating an electrical signal, an electromagnetic wave or an optical signal with a detector arranged at the other end of the beam guiding element. 6. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one plug connection for the transmission of user data, communication with sensors and / or actuators, the electrical control of the source at one end of the beam guiding element and / or the signal from the source to the detector and / or the signal of the detector. 7. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the source is arranged in a plug connection connected to the beam guiding element or in the beam guiding element itself. 8. The beam guiding element according to claim 7, wherein a connector connected to the beam guiding element interrupts electrical and / or optical channels. 22 (/ o (Zo / ^ 80318LU HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH 9. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising plug connections at both ends for both channels for connection to further beam guiding elements. 10. The beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one monitoring channel as a data line or separate data lines along the system. 11. A beam guidance system consisting of at least two interconnected beam guidance elements according to claims 1 to 10 or interconnected beam guidance components comprise beam guidance elements according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. A method of transmitting data in optical systems comprising the steps a. Coupling data into an interface of a beam guiding element; b. Transmission of the data by means of a first and / or a second data channel, which are arranged within the beam guiding element c. Decoupling the data from an interface of a beam guiding element. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising electrical conductors as the first data channel. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the second data channel is a control fiber or an electrical line. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein data are transmitted electrically via the first data channel and data are transmitted electrically, optically or electromagnetically via the second data channel. 16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the data to be transmitted are generated inside and / or outside the beam guiding element. 80318LU HIGHYAG LASERTECHNOLOGIE GMBH to I - y -— χ lgroup 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the data to be transmitted are generated in a plug connection connected to the beam guiding element. 18. The method according to one of claims 12 to 17 for use in a beam guidance system comprising at least two interconnected beam guide elements according to one of claims 1 to 10. 19. The use of a beam guiding element according to one of claims 1 to 10 or a beam guiding system according to claim 1 l for transmitting data in an optical system.