WO2008151715A1

WO2008151715A1 - System

Info

Publication number: WO2008151715A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/004161
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus SCHÖPFER; Kurt Blau; Ulrich Stockenberger
Original assignee: Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2007-06-11
Filing date: 2008-05-26
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: DE102008025073A1; DE102008025073B4; EP2165386A1; EP2165386B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising a carriage and a stationary associated control, wherein the control and the carriage are connected for data exchange, wherein the carriage, including an antenna component (1), can be moved along a leaky wave conductor laid within the system, wherein the antenna component (1) is located in the near field of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the leaky wave conductor and, in particular, together with a matching network (2) connected to the antenna component, is matched to a corresponding wave impedance.

Description

investment

Description:

The invention relates to a system.

From DE 44 46 779 a system for non-contact energy transfer is known, in which a leaky waveguide is routed along the primary conductor and in this way a high-frequency data exchange is possible.

The invention is therefore based on the object to form a system with improved data exchange.

According to the invention the object is achieved in the system according to the features indicated in claim 1.

Important features of the invention in the system are that it comprises a carriage and a stationarily arranged control,

wherein the controller and the carriage are provided for data exchange,

wherein the carriage is movable with an antenna part enclosed by it along a leaky guide laid in the system,

wherein the antenna part is provided in the near field of the electromagnetic radiation emerging from the leaky waveguide and, in particular together with a matching network connected to the antenna part, is adapted to a corresponding characteristic impedance.

Instead of the trolley or in addition, other devices in this way can be arranged in the near field and connected to the data exchange. They are not necessarily movable, as the aforementioned car. Preferably, they are executed as clients of a master client system. The advantage here is that electromagnetic radio waves that are emitted by other transmitters and arrive as a far field in the region of the antenna part generate such a large signal level that the reception of the leaking from the leaky waveguide radiation caused signal level is disturbed. However, the signals of these far-field transmitters are suppressed by the adaptation of the antenna to the near field and thus after passing through the matching network with antenna part and in particular additional filter much smaller than the signal which is associated with emerging from the leaky waveguide in the near field radiation. Jammers are so toned down. The leaky waveguide generates a weak field in relation to a radio frequency antenna. Only by mismatching the far field of a jammer and adapting it to the near field of the leaky waveguide does the desired signal have a higher level than the jamming signal. Of course, there are also positions of the truck where the jammers are so far away that their signal level due to the distance is less than the signal level immediately at the leaky wave. However, the invention allows in any case very small distances to the jammer and jammer with high transmission power, as long as the antenna part is in the far field of this jammer. The closer the antenna part on the leaky waveguide and the more the associated characteristic impedance deviates from the characteristic impedance of the electromagnetic waves propagating in the surrounding medium, the greater the signal-level separation, and thus the better the signals can be correspondingly suppressed.

Near field is understood to mean a distance between transmitter and receiver of approximately one wavelength. For larger distances far field exists.

In an advantageous embodiment, the corresponding differs

Characteristic impedance by more than 2%, in particular more than 10%, of that natural characteristic impedance which belongs to the propagation of the electromagnetic waves in the medium surrounding the leaky waveguide in the far field. The advantage here is that even at more than 2% or even 10% a significant attenuation of the jammer radiation can be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment, the surrounding medium is air and / or the natural characteristic impedance is substantially 377 ohms. The advantage here is that this characteristic impedance for the propagation of waves in air has a fixed value and thus the antenna part is tuned such that the corresponding tuned value deviates as much as possible from this natural value. Of course, the antenna part with matching network continues to be adjusted with its resonance frequency essentially to the frequency of the radiation emerging from the leaky waveguide.

In an advantageous embodiment, the characteristic impedance is less than 350 ohms, in particular less than 320 ohms, or more than 400 ohms, in particular more than 420 ohms. The advantage here is that in this dimensioning good results of the suppression can be achieved. In this case, the indicated values indicate the range of values which is advantageous for the invention and for achieving a good signal-to-noise ratio, air at atmospheric pressure being provided as the ambient medium. When using other ambient media for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, the corresponding distances to the natural characteristic impedance of the far field should be provided.

In an advantageous embodiment, the matching network is connected to a filter for suppressing signals which are transmitted by interfering transmitters as the far field and are received in addition to the useful signal. In particular, the corresponding characteristic impedance is selected in such a way and the filter is designed in such a way that the output of the antenna part, the matching network and the circuit part comprising the filter projects the useful signal originating from the leaky waveguide as the only signal over the noise. The advantage here is that in a simple manner only the useful signal can be filtered out. Because the Störsendesignale are in this way in the noise and thus can be suppressed together with this by means of the filter.

In an advantageous embodiment, the carriage, in particular comprising its drive and an electronic circuit, comprises a secondary coil which is inductively coupled to a laid in the system primary conductor system in which a medium-frequency current, in particular with a frequency between 10 and 100 kHz, impressed wherein the secondary coil is connected in parallel or in series with a capacitor such that the associated resonant frequency substantially corresponds to the frequency of the medium-frequency current. The advantage here is that although large currents are allowed as a primary current, for example, more than 1, 10 or 100 amps, and only a small distance must be maintained by the leaky waveguide and antenna part. But nevertheless there is no significant disturbance of the data transmission of the leaky waveguide to the antenna part. Because the frequency of the data transmission is chosen much higher than the middle frequency of the Primary current. In addition, the resonant transmission of an enormous power, for example, of 300 watts, 1 kW and more transferable. In a further development, even higher-frequency current components can be modulated onto the primary current, which can be used by means of the secondary coil as a receiving means for data transmission. In this case, however, advantageously only frequencies below 1 or 10 MHz are used, which is too low

Data transfer rates leads. Thus, if the data transmission by means of leaky waveguide in the range of microwaves or centimeter waves with a wavelength between 1 and 100 cm is placed, also in this case no disturbance of the power transmission or data transmission is present. The modulated data can be used, for example, for security-related information. Thus, a redundant data transmission system can be produced. If, therefore, the leaky-waveguide-caused data transmission becomes faulty, data transmission for safety-related functions can be executed by modulation in an emergency. In a further development, even a constant transmission of check digits or check bits by modulating is executable. Thus, a continuous control of the data flow of the leaky waveguide executable and a collapse or malfunction of the effected by the Leckwelleleiter data transfer detected.

In an advantageous embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation used for data exchange has a higher, in particular at least ten times or a hundred times higher, frequency than the center frequency. The advantage here is that the mutual influence is reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna part with associated matching network is adapted to the characteristic impedance of the near field of the radiating leaky waveguide, in particular coaxial with recesses in the conductor direction, and / or a mismatch is provided to the far field of the jammer. The advantage here is that an increase in the signal level difference between the near field and the far field is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the carriage comprises transmitting and receiving means for data exchange with stationary provided transmitters, in particular jammers. The advantage here is that a data exchange at entry or stay in predefinable areas of the system is executable. In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna part in the near field, that is spaced apart at a wavelength, arranged by the transmitting and receiving means. The advantage here is that despite the close arrangement no disturbing influence occurs.

In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna part with connected matching network is better adapted to the emerging from the leaky waveguide near field as to the emerging from the transmitting means near field. In particular, the antenna part with associated matching network is better adapted to the characteristic impedance of the near field of the radiating leaky waveguide than to the emerging from the transmitters near field, ie in particular the resistance of the antenna part including matching network a smaller difference to the characteristic impedance of emerging from the leaky waveguide near field as to that from the Sending means has exiting near field. The advantage here is that a signal level separation is made possible in a simple manner by dimensioning the electronic components and setting geometric data of the antenna part.

In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna part has an antenna rod which is laid parallel to a metal surface, in particular metal foil or sheet metal, in particular just laid metal foil or flat sheet metal of the antenna part,

in particular wherein the metal surface has a greater length extension than the antenna rod, in particular in the bar direction. The advantage here is that a particularly optimal field line constellation can be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna part is arranged such that the antenna rod is arranged between the metal surface and the leaky waveguide. The advantage here is that external fields are better shielded.

In an advantageous embodiment, the wavelength to which the antenna part is tuned, is greater than

(i) the antenna rod, (ii) the distance between antenna rod and metal surface and / or

(iii) any elongation of the metal surface. The advantage here is that

Further advantages emerge from the subclaims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 antenna part 5 2 adapter

3 attenuator

4 signal electronics

20 housing base

21 fastening straps 10 22 metal foil

23 antenna rod

24 leaky waveguide

25 lids

26 electrical connection 15

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures:

In the figure 1, a part of the electronic circuit is shown, which is provided on a carriage. In this case, an antenna part 1 is mounted on the car, which is moved along a stationarily laid in the plant leaking waveguide. The to

Radio waves used in information transmission are provided in such a frequency range and the antenna part has such a small distance from the leaky waveguide that the wave field propagation between the leaky waveguide and the antenna part substantially outweighs the near field region.

As a leaky waveguide, for example, a coaxial cable can be used, which has recesses provided in the cable direction, so that a part of the electromagnetic radiation provided in the coaxial cable emerges into the environment of the cable. The reverse case, so the radiation of radiation into the cable interior is provided. The recesses are provided as a slot in the cable direction or as a cable direction regularly or irregularly arranged small slots or openings.

The antenna member 1 comprises the antenna and optionally associated components. For example, a capacitor connected to an antenna wire or components for forming an active antenna 2 is included in the antenna part. The output signal of the antenna part 1 is fed to a matching element 2. Thus, the internal resistances of the antenna member are adaptable to the subsequent circuit parts.

By way of example, the adjusting element is designed such that it adapts the antenna-side characteristic impedance to a coaxial cable, for example, 50 ohms assigned to its output side.

At the output of the adjusting member 2, an attenuator 3 is provided, which is provided for damping the signals originating from sources of interference. Of course, the useful signal is attenuated. However, the associated level is higher and also exceeds the attenuation of the noise level in which the jammer levels are pressed. Thus, the subsequent signal electronics 4 an undisturbed and thus error-free or at least little error-prone signal can be fed. Antenna part and adapter are inventively designed and dimensioned such that the signal transmission is adjusted and adapted to near field transmission.

In the case of an adjustment to the far field, the antenna part with matching element would have been adapted to a characteristic impedance of 377 ohms. In the invention, the value deviates greatly.

Because the antenna part with adapter is adapted to the near field and thus adapted to a characteristic impedance, which deviates more than 10 ohms from the value of 377 ohms.

In a first embodiment, when adjusted to 350 ohms, good suppression of interfering signal sources has been achieved, which are farther away and their radiation is thus received as the far field.

In further embodiments, adjustments to less than 360 ohms, for example 320 ohms, and also adjustments to more than 400 ohms were advantageous. Due to the large deviation from the usual for air propagation value of about 377 ohms interference signals are much worse received than the signals from the near field from the leaky waveguide.

By means of the attenuator, the signals of the interfering transmitter are even suppressed such that they fall into the noise. Thus, the only useful signal that can be detected is the signal leaving the leaky waveguide. The better the adaptation of the antenna to the near field of the electromagnetic radiation emerging from the leaky waveguide, the better the signal-to-noise ratio can be predicted.

For example, WLAN transmitters or other transmitting devices which transmit in the same frequency band or in nearby frequency bands as the electromagnetic radiation emerging from the leaky waveguide occur as jamming transmitters.

However, the jammers are also useful in further embodiments of the present invention to transmit data to a receiver in a local area around the respective jammer. On the one hand, it is possible to use as receivers devices which are stationary in the machine or system, on the other hand, as receivers Also devices usable, which are mitbewegbar on the car. Thus, in this area an additional data stream is exchangeable and thus the data transmission rate can be increased or data exchange between components executable, which is necessary only in this area. For example, during the movement of the carriage, data is exchanged which contains travel commands for the carriage in the data stream transmitted by the leaky waveguide and position information of the carriage in the data flow received by the leaky waveguide. In an area around a jammer, a traveling controller is then supplied with a large data stream from the jammer to control or regulate a complex movement of axes in real time or to load new software for maintenance, for example.

In further embodiments of the invention, ambient media other than air are used. In this case, instead of the characteristic impedance of 377 ohms for the far field, the corresponding value for the respective medium is used. Accordingly, then the adaptation of the antenna part 1 is carried out with a correspondingly large distance to this value.

In further embodiments of the invention are fitting member, attenuator and optionally components of the antenna part is not arranged one behind the other according to Figure 1 but in a different order and / or mixed.

In further embodiments of the invention, the carriage belongs to a rail-mounted driverless floor transport system or a monorail conveyor. But other rail-bound or railless system are providable by means of the invention.

In further embodiments of the invention, instead of the trolley or additionally stationarily arranged devices, such as point controls, supplied from the leaky waveguide with the invention adapted to the near field antenna part.

In further embodiments of the invention, the carriage carries more transmitting means, but which are provided for data exchange with stationary receiving means. In particular, the antenna part with associated matching network is better adapted to the characteristic impedance of the near field of the radiating leaky waveguide as to the emerging from the transmitting means near field, in particular so the resistance of the antenna part including matching network has a smaller difference to the characteristic impedance of the emerging from the leaky waveguide near field as emerging from the transmitting means near field. The data transmission by means of a leaky waveguide can be carried out with wavelengths between 1 and 100 cm, preferably in the range of 10 cm, in particular between 2 and 4 GHz.

FIG. 2 a shows a specific exemplary embodiment of a near field antenna part according to the invention, wherein a housing bottom part 20 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic, with fastening tabs 21 and can be closed with a cover 25, as shown in FIG. Into the interior of the housing protrudes an antenna rod 23, which is aligned parallel to the plane of the housing bottom, wherein on the housing bottom a metal foil 22 is arranged. The leaky waveguide 24 is arranged substantially parallel to the antenna rod. In the housing wall of the antenna part, an electrical terminal 26 is attached to which a coaxial cable is connectable, in particular with the coaxial connector part is screwed, whose center conductor is electrically connected to the antenna rod 23 and whose outer conductor is electrically connected to the metal foil 22.

The geometric dimensioning of the antenna rod 23 and the metal foil 22 is designed such that the antenna is tuned to the near field.

Claims

claims:

1. System comprising a device and a stationarily arranged controller,

the control and the device being provided for data exchange, characterized in that the device comprises an antenna part,

2. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that various devices, in particular movably or immovably arranged devices are provided in the system, in particular all are arranged in the near field of the leaky waveguide and are provided for data exchange by means of the leaky waveguide.

3. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is a rail drive or other electronic control comprehensive component

or the device is a carriage,

wherein the carriage is movable with an antenna part enclosed by it along a leaky guide laid in the system.

4. Plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding characteristic impedance differs by more than 2%, in particular more than 10%, from that natural characteristic impedance, which differs to the propagation of the electromagnetic waves in the medium surrounding the leaky waveguide in the far field belongs.

5. Plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surrounding medium is air and / or the natural characteristic impedance is substantially 377 ohms

and / or the characteristic impedance is less than 350 ohms, in particular less than 320 ohms, or more than 400 ohms, in particular more than 420 ohms.

6. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matching network is connected to a filter for the suppression of signals which are sent by interfering transmitters as a far field and are received in addition to the useful signal,

and / or the corresponding characteristic impedance is selected and the filter is designed such that at the output of the antenna part, the matching network and the filter circuit part, the signal originating from the leaky waveguide useful signal dominates the noise as a single signal.

7. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage, in particular comprising its drive and an electronic circuit, comprises a secondary coil which is inductively coupled to a in the system at least partially parallel to the leaky waveguide laid primary conductor system, in the one Medium frequency current, in particular with a frequency between 10 and 100 kHz, is impressed, wherein the secondary coil is connected in parallel or in series with a capacitor such that the associated resonant frequency substantially corresponds to the frequency of the medium-frequency current.

8. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation used for data exchange has a higher, in particular at least ten or a hundred times higher frequency than the center frequency.

9. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna part with associated matching network to the characteristic impedance of the near field of the radiating leaky waveguide, in particular coaxial with recesses in the conductor direction, adapted and / or a mismatch is provided to the far field of the jammer, in particular for increasing the signal level difference between the near field and the far field.

10. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage transmitting and receiving means for data exchange with stationary transmitters, in particular jammers, comprises, in particular wherein the data exchange is provided at entry or stay in predetermined areas of the system.

11. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna part is arranged in the near field of the transmitting and receiving means

and or

the antenna part with connected matching network is better adapted to the emerging from the leaky waveguide near field than to the emerging from the transmitting means near field.

12. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna part is matched better with associated matching network to the characteristic impedance of the near field of the radiating leaky waveguide than to the emerging from the transmitting means near field, in particular the resistance value of the antenna part together

Matching network has a smaller difference to the characteristic impedance of emerging from the leaky waveguide near field as to the emerging from the transmitting means near field.

13. Plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

Antenna part has an antenna rod, which is laid parallel to a metal surface, in particular metal foil or sheet, in particular just laid metal foil or flat sheet metal part of the antenna part,

in particular wherein the metal surface has a greater length extension than the antenna rod, in particular in the bar direction.

14. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna part is arranged such that the antenna rod between the metal surface and leaky waveguide is arranged.

15. Installation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wavelength to which the antenna part is tuned, is greater than (iv) the antenna rod,

(v) the distance between the antenna rod and metal surface and / or (vi) any length extension of the metal surface.