WO2010020413A1

WO2010020413A1 - Device for inductively scanning the division mark of a mechanical roller-type counter, for any type of counter

Info

Publication number: WO2010020413A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/006029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Deichmeyer; Frieder Liebermann; Norbert Hoffmann; Jörg LUTTMER
Original assignee: Hengstler Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-08-22
Filing date: 2009-08-20
Publication date: 2010-02-25
Also published as: DE102008039376B4; DE102008039376A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for inductively scanning the division mark of a mechanical roller-type counter, for any type of counter, said roller-type counter consisting of a number of rotatably driven ciphering rollers, and a number of division marks that can be inductively differentiated and read out from a fixed reading unit being arranged on each roller-type counter. Said device is characterised in that a damping element is associated with each division mark on each ciphering roller, that the damping elements differ from one division mark to the next by the damping degree thereof, and that a fixed oscillating circuit is associated with each ciphering roller, being arranged opposite the ciphering roller and inductively coupled thereto, the amplitude of the oscillating circuit being evaluated according to the damping degree of the respectively detected damping element, and converted into a digital value.

Description

Device for inductive scanning of graduations of a mechanical roller counter in counters of all kinds

The invention relates to a device for inductive scanning of graduations of a mechanical roller counter at counters of all kinds.

For inductive scanning of graduations of a mechanical roller counter, it is known, for example from the subject matter of DE 100 16 204 B4, to associate each numerical roller with a permanent magnet which generates an induction pulse on a read-out device disposed in a stationary manner. It is thus realized a pulse counter, which detects only a complete revolution of a number role. However, this is inaccurate, because it is important to be able to record individual graduations on number wheels separately from each other. This does not do the mentioned document. The same criticism applies to DE 1955191.

EP 0 024 647 A1 discloses another inductively readable roller counter, in which the number wheels are driven via shift drives by a pulse-fed stepping motor. Thus, only the number of revolutions of a number role can be determined, but not a reading of individual numbers on a number role.

With the subject of DE 195 38 163 C1 are for reading or speed and direction of rotation magnetic field dependent

Resistance elements used, which are interconnected in a measuring bridge. Disadvantage of this arrangement is that external magnetic influences lead to an undesirable disturbance of the reading.

The subject matter of EP 0 696 349 B1 discloses a further scanning device for inductive scanning of the graduations of number wheels of a counter become, in which the counter consists of a series of consecutively arranged number roles.

On each number role a resonance oscillating resonant circuit is rotatably arranged, which is inductively fed by a stationarily arranged coil.

Thus, each number role is assigned its own stationary resonant circuit. According to the rotation of the respective number wheel, the oscillating circuit arranged on the number wheel rotates past the read-out device and accordingly - depending on the angular position of the oscillating circuit on the number wheel - the phase angle and the frequency which is read out with the read-out coil change.

All numerical roles are assigned a single common read-out facility.

Disadvantage of the above arrangement is the relatively high circuit complexity, because it must each payroll a separate, fixedly arranged and provided for feeding the rotating resonant circuit own resonant circuit are provided. Another disadvantage is that the arrangement of separate, in each case separately energized resonant circuits on the respective number role with a high

Effort is connected.

The evaluation is relatively complex because all numerical roles a readout serving common coil is provided, whereby it is relatively difficult to distinguish the incoming signals on the coil from each other and assign each number roll. It is difficult metrologically, the

Phase angle, which is ultimately read, to be determined so that it can be assigned to exactly one digit on a number role. Consequently, this measuring principle is relatively complex and incidentally inaccurate because only parts of an amplitude or a vibration are evaluated in order to assign this evaluated part to a graduation mark on a number roller. The invention is therefore based on the object, a device for inductive scanning of graduations of a mechanical roller counter of the type mentioned in such a way that the reading of the respective graduation on the number role can be done more accurately and with less effort.

To achieve the object, the invention is characterized in that each division of the number role is associated with a damping element on each number role and that the damping elements differ from one division to another by their degree of damping. Furthermore, it is essential that each numerical roller is a stationary, opposite the number role and inductively coupled with the number role resonant circuit is arranged, whose amplitude is evaluated and converted into a digital value.

Important in the present invention is therefore that each numerical role is assigned a stationary resonant circuit whose output amplitude is changed by the passing, arranged on each one numerical roller damping elements. This variable by the damping elements output voltage of the resonant circuit is now converted into a digital value and evaluated.

This provides significant advantages over the prior art. It is sufficient, according to the invention, to arrange a plurality of damping elements causing different degrees of damping in a stationary manner with the respective number roller.

In a preferred embodiment, each damping element is designed as an electrically conductive sheet, which - with inductive coupling in the stationary resonant circuit - generates an eddy current, which changes the coupling resonant circuit in its amplitude.

It is therefore sufficient to assign each division on the number role a different attenuation ausübendes damping element. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is therefore intended to provide different sized damping plates, which differ in their area number from each other.

For example, the division 0 can be assigned a damping element with an area of 25 mm ² , while the division No. 1 is associated with a damping element with an area of 5 mm ² .

For ten different graduations on the number wheel, it is therefore necessary to use damping elements with ten different surfaces.

It is not necessary to assign the numbers 1 to 10 on a number role also exactly linearly decreasing or increasing areas of damping elements. It is much cheaper to arrange the damping elements mixed in their area number, so that z. B. the number 0 is a damping element with 25 mm ² and the graduation 1 a surface element with the area number 5 mm ² and the graduation 2 is assigned a surface element with the area number 10 mm ² .

This leads advantageously to an improved read-out, because it gives a great selectivity between the individual scale values which pass by the stationary resonant circuit arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, said damping elements consist of an electrically conductive sheet, z. As a metal such. As aluminum, iron, stainless steel or other materials, as well as non-ferrous metal.

It does not matter in which way these different damping elements are arranged in the number role. It can be provided that the number role is designed as a semi-open cylinder and therefore these damping elements are arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder at a mutual distance from each other. They can also be glued to the inside of this cylinder.

In another embodiment, it is provided to integrate the damping elements in the plastic material of the cylinder jacket by z. B. be injected in the injection molding process.

In a third embodiment, it may be provided that the damping elements are injected as an integral part of a plastic ring and the plastic ring is used as a separate part in the number role.

In another embodiment, it may be provided that the damping elements are arranged on the outside - visible side - the number role and, for example, the numbers of the number role are underlaid.

In a further embodiment, it may be provided that the damping elements are not arranged on the cylinder jacket, but on the cylinder bottom.

Of course, other materials than damping elements are conceivable instead of electrically conductive sheets. For example, sintered metals may be used, provided they are electrically conductive. Likewise, powder-coated plastic pieces can be used, provided that the enclosed metal powder forms an electrically conductive coating in the plastic.

It has been pointed out above that the damping properties of the damping elements arranged one behind the other must be variable on a number wheel in order to allow a controlled change in the output amplitude of the stationary resonant circuit.

In this case, it is not necessary for the solution that the surface elements all have the same shape. Each damping element can also have quite a different shape. For example, this can be assigned to the division 1 Damping element have a rectangular shape, while the graduation 2 associated damping element a square shape and the graduation 3 associated damping element may have a diamond shape or a circular shape.

Such, different surface elements can also be arranged one below the other, one after the other, lying on the number roller.

This makes it clear that the shape of the damping element does not matter, but only the different damping properties.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, which is likewise encompassed by the inventive concept, it is provided that damping elements with the same damping properties are successively arranged on the number roller, but that the distance of the individual graduation and thus the distance of the individual damping element to the read coil changeable is. In this case, the number role would not be designed as a cylindrical roller, but as an eccentric, on the outer or inner circumference a plurality of successively arranged, each separated by air gaps damping elements are arranged, each of which damping element has the same damping property.

Instead of forming a numerical role designed as an eccentric in the realization of this same embodiment, it is possible to arrange a number of damping elements, for example, on the inner circumference of a numbered cylinder designed as a cylinder, while a different number of damping elements in the middle of this cylinder jacket and a further number of damping elements are arranged on the outer circumference of the cylinder jacket.

Also in this embodiment, the distance of the individual damping elements would change to the stationary, read-out resonant circuit, and thus this change in distance would lead to a different output amplitude of the readout resonant circuit. Even so can a discrimination of the individual output voltages of the resonant circuit done.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an eccentric ring is arranged in a cylindrical number roller, on the outer circumference, for example, the optically recognizable graduations are arranged, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the number role. This eccentric ring is formed of an electrically conductive material, and upon rotation of the cylindrical number roller, the electrically conductive eccentric rotates at different distances in the induction gap of the stationary resonant circuit. This will thus produce an output voltage adapted to the rotation of the eccentric ring, which in turn can be read out and converted into a digital value.

Such an eccentric ring can be attached anywhere in the number role or integrated in this.

In the following, the features of the invention are again shown in short form:

the payroll readout unit is without connection to an external one

Powerless interface an internal power supply unit or battery operation is possible. In principle, the current is supplied by a connected consumer; during optical operation or wireless operation, the power is supplied

Energization by battery or power supply per number role, a coil is positioned in a receiving device in the number of roles are inserted and / or injected or differently attached metal flags of different sizes per digit each digit is assigned a different sized or differently shaped metal lug inducing the coils in the respective Metal flags an eddy current field Depending on the size of the flag, the electromagnetic field is changed, ie the oscillator amplitude changes. This change is then fed to the rectifier, then assigned by the microcontroller a defined voltage, then in z. B. converted to a binary format and an interface supplied by the design of the software can be determined whether the reading of Zahlenrollenpositionen is parallel or serial as possible Ausleseport is any wired, optical or wireless port suitable.

Advantage of the present invention is that each number role is assigned its own resonant circuit and the resonant circuits are selectively switched by a multiplexer. That is, when reading the number role only one resonant circuit of a single number role is assigned and readable, while all other resonant circuits are mute to avoid crosstalk from one resonant circuit to the other.

However, it is also possible to operate the resonant circuits associated with each payroll simultaneously, but each second resonant circuit is operated at a different frequency.

Advantage of the arrangement of a single resonant circuit, each associated with a single number role, is that a disturbance in the reading of adjacent number roles is avoided in any case. Only one number role is ever read out at any given time.

Magnetic interference that is brought to the reading unit from the outside does not lead to a faulty reading. The oscillator is designed so that its oscillation is so stable that corresponding influences on the oscillator frequency can be ruled out. Another advantage of the invention is that a conversion of the read-out values is easily possible in digital values, because the output voltage of the readout resonant circuit varies characteristically by a degree of z. B. 1: 10 when passing different damping elements.

This makes a very good distinction between the individual read voltages possible. Per level (per graduation) there is a voltage difference of z. 400 mV. This can be easily evaluated by circuitry and can be well evaluated by a downstream A / D converter and converted into digital values. It therefore comes to a very accurate and stable reading, which is unaffected by environmental influences and harmful fields.

The subject of the present invention results not only from the subject matter of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims with each other.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the abstract, in particular the spatial design shown in the drawings, are claimed to be essential to the invention insofar as they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Here are from the drawings and their description further features essential to the invention and advantages of the invention.

Show it:

Figure 1: perspective view of the readout method according to the invention on a number role

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a readout circuit Figure 3: the representation of the generation of different

Output voltages at the reading resonant circuit

FIG. 4: schematizes the readout scheme according to FIG. 3 with conversion into different digital values

FIG. 5 shows the attenuation elements of a number roller that produce different attenuation values that are developed on one level

Figure 6: a comparison with Figure 5 modified embodiment

Figure 7: another embodiment in which a eccentric ring is provided from a conductive material as a damping element, which is rotatably coupled with number role

Figure 8: schematically illustrated arrangement for detecting the passage direction of the medium.

In Figure 1, an inductive readout of partial lines of a roller counter is generally shown, wherein the counter 1 of a plurality of

Number roles 2 consists of separately rotatable on a common

Shaft 35 are arranged. Each number wheel 2 has a number of divisions

36, the z. B. consist of the decimal numbers 0-9. Of course, the invention is not limited to this, it is also possible to provide alphanumeric symbols or other symbols. It is important, however, that everyone

Divide 36 associated with an associated damping element, which in

Embodiment designed as a metal lug 15 is formed.

Thus, according to this first embodiment, it is important that each partial line 36 is assigned a (different surface area) metal lug 15, as can be seen in FIG. 1 on the inside of the cylinder jacket of the number roller 2. Each numerical roller 2 is associated with a stationary, opposing coil field 3, wherein the coil field 3 consists of a plurality of coils 4. Thus, each number role 2 is assigned its own coil 4, 5, 6.

Each coil 4, 5.6 is part of a resonant circuit 22, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG 2.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that only one single coil 4 or 5 or 6 is in operation for reading, and the coil field 3 is controlled by an associated multiplexer 11 so that this condition is met.

However, the invention is not limited thereto, as has been pointed out in the general part of the description.

According to FIG. 2, each coil 4, 5, 6 forms an oscillator 7, which thus forms a resonant circuit 22. The resonant circuit 22 oscillates, for example, with a frequency of 1 MHz.

As a result, an inductive field and a transmission pulse 16 is generated on the opposite passing metal lug 15, and thus the coil field is attenuated.

Downstream of the resonant circuit 22 is a rectifier 8, which rectifies the read voltage and supplies via an amplifier 9 to an A / D converter 18. Toward the ground, a smoothing capacitor 17 is provided.

The output of the A / D converter is supplied to a microcontroller 12, which processes the received digital signal of the A / D converter 18 and an interface 13 and thus also a readout line 14 supplies.

There is a voltage stabilization 10 available. When reading out the values, an operating voltage is externally supplied to the device, eg. B. over the Readout line 14, and the voltage stabilizer 10 mentioned here serves to generate the internal voltage and supply it to the individual components.

However, the invention is not limited to enable the voltage supply of the evaluation circuit via the readout line 14. There are other ways to supply such a supply voltage, such as. B. via external lines.

According to FIG. 3, it can now be seen that each division 36 is assigned a number 19 of the number role 2 and that, according to the invention, each division 36 is assigned a damping element in the form of a metal lug 15, which executes damping of the resonance circuit 22 that is different from the other damping element.

This generates a step voltage 21, so that different graduation voltages 21a, 21b, 21c can be assigned to each graduation. It is therefore a step curve, as shown in more detail with reference to FIG 4. There, in broad outline, the measuring principle is again shown, where it can be seen that each number roller 2 is arranged in each case a coil 4, 5, 6 opposite one another and the coil consists essentially of a resonant circuit 22. The resonant circuit has a capacitor 23.

The oscillation frequency is chosen stable in a first embodiment, d. H. not changeable.

In a second embodiment (see FIG. 2), it can also be provided that each resonant circuit, which is assigned to a number wheel 2, oscillates at a different frequency, as symbolized by the arrow in FIG. 2 in the oscillator 7.

It is therefore not a continuously variable oscillator frequency, but an oscillator frequency, which is variable in certain stages. FIG. 4 now shows that the output voltage of the resonant circuit 22 forms a steadily decreasing amplitude 24, depending on which damping element has just passed with which damping properties.

If one now uses a damping arrangement, as shown for example in Figure 5, then it can be seen that the metal lugs 15 have a different surface 34, 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, but otherwise at the same distance with the same air gap 33 therebetween at the periphery of Number role are evenly distributed.

The damping properties are therefore influenced solely by the surface dimension of the respective surface 34a, 34b, 34c.

This leads when passing in the air gap to a greatly decreasing shown in Figure 4 amplitude 24 at the output of the resonant circuit 22 so that each division a separate oscillator output voltage 26 can be assigned, as shown in the form of horizontal lines in Figure 4.

This step shape of the amplitude 24 is now fed to the A / D converter 18, and this assigns a digital value corresponding to the number 28 of the respective graduation 36. This is shown on the right side in FIG. 4, where it can be seen that a staircase voltage 29 is generated, to which a digital value 30 is assigned in each case. The digital value thus generated is supplied to the digital output 31 and fed to the microcontroller 12.

In Figure 6 is shown as a further embodiment in comparison to Figure 5, that it is not necessary for the solution to form the damping elements with mutually different surface numbers.

It can be provided in the embodiment of Figure 6, not only form the damping elements as rectangles, but z. B. as a rounded ellipse, as a rhombus with the surface 34c, as a small rectangle with the surface 34d or as a round plate with the surface 34e. Thus, it has been proven that it does not depend on the shape of the metal lugs or the electrically conductive damping elements, but only on the attenuation value.

FIG. 7 shows as a further embodiment that a varying attenuation value can also be generated by non-rotatably coupling with the cylindrical number roller an eccentric ring 32 consisting of electrically conductive material. Consequently, it turns into the resonant circuit 22 as the distance changes, so that the output amplitude of the resonant circuit 24 is also changed in a characteristic manner.

The eccentric ring 32 may be a total of an electrically conductive material. But it can also be designed as a disc, as a ring or consist of individual sections.

As a result, the eccentric ring 32 must be designed as a spiral in order to allow a continuous increase or decrease in the air gap 33 as a function of the passing graduation 36 during the rotation.

With the realization of the invention, it is possible for the first time to realize the following additional functions of a counter:

absolute count Absolute count at the key date

Count value per time unit

Supply / return of the medium

leakage

Display change between current and total consumption Counter number is transmitted during readout

Alarm function when limit values are exceeded

Battery level indicator

Interpreter suitable for various interfaces, e.g. M-BUS, LAN, W

Considering gallons, liters and others. From the above list of additional functions it follows that with the embodiment according to FIG. 8 it is possible for the first time to determine the flow direction of the medium as well.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 8 is indeed indicated that a fixed metal plate 30 rotatably connected to the drive shaft 28 of the counter is connected. The drive shaft 28 is fixedly connected to the drive turbine 29, which extends in the medium flow and is driven in rotation by this.

The embodiment of Figure 8 does not show that this fixed metal plate can be arranged on the least significant number of roles 2, because this can also rotate according to the direction of flow of the medium forward and backward.

The metal plate 30 opposite to an eddy current sensor 31 is arranged, which detects the direction of rotation and the rotational speed of the metal plate 30. The signals of the eddy current sensor 31 are supplied via a signal line 32 to the microcontroller 11, at whose output via a line 33, a display 35 is driven, on which the direction of rotation of the medium can be displayed.

Of course, on the display 35, the other additional functions that are included in the above list, displayed.

Zeichnunqsleqende

1 counter 20 step curve

2 number roller 21 step voltage

3 coil field 22 resonant circuit

4 coil 25 23 capacitor

5 coil 24 amplitude (resonant circuit

6 coil 22)

7 Oscillator 25 Large metal flag 15

8 rectifier 26 oscillator

9 amplifier 30 output voltage

10 Voltage stabilization 27 AD converter

11 Multiplexer 28 Number role number 2

12 microcontroller 29 staircase voltage

13 Interface 30 Digital value

14 Readout line 35 31 Digital output

15 metal flag 32 eccentric ring

16 transmit pulse 33 air gap

17 capacitor 34 area

18 AD converter 35 shaft

19 paragraph 40 36 section

Claims

claims

1. An apparatus for inductive scanning of graduations of a mechanical roller counter at counters of all kinds, wherein the roller counter (1) consists of a number of rotationally driven number rollers (2), and on each number roller (2) a number of graduations (36) are arranged inductively distinguishable and readable by a readout unit arranged in a stationary manner, characterized in that a damping element (15, 32) is associated with each division (36) on each number roller (2) and that the damping elements (15, 32) are of one graduation on the other hand differ by their degree of damping, and that each number role (2) a stationary, the number of role (2) opposite and with the number of roles (2) inductively coupled resonant circuit (3, 22) is arranged, the amplitude of which depends on the degree of attenuation of the respective detected Damping element (15, 32) evaluated and converted into a digital value.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each numerical roller (2) is associated with a fixed resonant circuit (3, 22) whose output amplitude is changed by the passing, arranged on each one numerical roller damping elements (15, 32)

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Damping element (15, 32) is formed as an electrically conductive sheet.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each graduated mark on the number of roles a different damping damping member performing (15, 32) is associated.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the damping elements (15) are designed as different sized damping plates, which differ in their area number from each other.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the number roller (2) is designed as a semi-open cylinder and the damping elements (15) are arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder at a mutual distance from each other.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the number role as eccentric disc (32) is formed on the outer or inner circumference a plurality of arranged one behind the other, each separated by air gaps damping elements are arranged.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distance between the individual damping elements (32) to the stationary, read-out resonant circuit (22) is variable, and that the change in distance to a different output amplitude of the readout resonant circuit (coil field 3) leads.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in a cylindrical number roller, on the outer circumference, for example, the optically recognizable graduations are arranged, an eccentric ring (32) is arranged, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the number role and which is formed of an electrically conductive material.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Zahlenrollenausleseeinheit is de-energized without connection to an external interface.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the energization of the readout unit is effected by a connected consumer.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that each number role is assigned a separate resonant circuit (22) and the resonant circuits are selectively switched by a multiplexer.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the number of roll associated oscillating circuits (22) are operated simultaneously, each second resonant circuit (22) is operated at a different frequency.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each coil (4, 5, 6) with an oscillator (7) is operated, which forms a resonant circuit (22) and the inductive field thus formed by a transmission pulse (16 ) produced on the opposite passing metal lug 15, and thus the resonant circuit (22) attenuated, read the output voltage, rectified by a rectifier (8) and via an amplifier (9) to an A / D converter (18), whose output a microcontroller (12) is supplied, which processes the received digital signal of the A / D converter (18) and an interface (13) and thus also a readout line (14) supplies.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each graduation (36) is associated with a digit (19) of the number roller (2) and that each graduation (36) is associated with a damping element in the form of a metal tab (15) , which performs a different damping of the other damping element damping of the resonant circuit (22).