DE102021206658A1 - Identification element for media tours - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an identification element (1) for media guides (2) with at least one transponder (10) and with at least one first antenna (11), which is connected to the transponder (10) in a signal-transmitting manner and is essentially separated from the transponder ( 10) extends away. The identification element (1) is characterized in that the first antenna (11) is designed to be resilient, at least in sections.

Description

The present invention relates to an identification element according to the preamble of patent claim 1, an identification element according to the preamble of patent claim 6 and a media guide with such an identification element according to patent claim 12.

The use of media guides or media lines, for example in the form of pipes or hoses, is known for transporting or guiding media such as in particular fluids. In addition to liquids, fluids also include gases or pasty substances. A plurality of pipes or hoses can be connected to one another via pipe couplings or hose couplings, which are arranged firmly on the respective pipe or hose at the corresponding open end. Such pipe couplings or hose couplings can also be used to connect pipes or hoses to units, which in turn have a corresponding coupling. Due to the materials used, for example metal or plastic, pipes are considered to be comparatively stiff, rigid or inflexible media lines, whereas hoses are flexible media lines due to their relatively simple or significantly flexible material, for example elastomer.

It is known to provide such media lines with electronic identification elements. This can be used, for example, to uniquely identify an individual media line during production, but also during use. This can be useful, for example, for unambiguous assignment during assembly or during use, in order to be able to distinguish a specific media line from other media lines of the same type.

This can also be used for maintenance during use. This can also be used with other options such as, for example, the assignment of a point of wear, damage and the like.

Transponders can be used as such electronic identification elements, for example, which can be activated from the outside by means of an electromagnetic field, i.e. stimulated to transmit stored information and, if necessary, simultaneously supplied with the electrical energy required for transmission. In this way, information can also be changed or saved on the transponder. Such a transponder can, for example, be an RFID chip (radio-frequency identification).

the WO 2015/044451 A1 refers to a tube or hose with a label. The tag includes pipe service data and at least one other piece of data from the following group of data: pipe identification data, pipe manufacturing data and pipe operation data. The tag allows the data to be read, written and updated electronically. The label provides data for the maintenance of the pipe or hose. A method for servicing such a pipe or hose can be as follows: providing the label on the pipe or hose; electronically reading the data from the tag to service the pipe or hose; maintenance of the pipe or hose according to the data read; and electronically writing the data into the tag to update at least one of the pipe maintenance and hose maintenance data.

For this purpose, such transponders can be embedded as separate electronic components or assemblies, for example as RFID chips, together with the corresponding antenna in one layer or between the layers of a pipe or hose. Such transponders together with the corresponding antenna can also be provided on yarns or in yarns or the like and, together with the yarns, can be introduced, for example, into woven reinforcement layers in pipes or hoses.

The disadvantage here is that the transponders are thereby already incorporated into the media line or into the media guide during production, which can increase the effort involved in producing the media guide. In particular, the positioning of the transponder cannot be predetermined, since this depends on the point at which the transponder is located on the yarn and where this section of the yarn is processed in the media guide. In this way, transponders can also only be incorporated into the reinforcements of media ducts and in particular hoses, i.e. not in hoses or pipes without reinforcements and not in pipe or hose couplings, which are more of a one-piece or integral design than metal or plastic, if necessary as injection molded parts.

One object of the present invention is to provide an identification element for media guides of the type described at the outset, which can be used more easily, quickly, more cost-effectively, with more precise positioning and/or more flexibility than previously known. In particular, the identification element should be able to be used or retrofitted subsequently, ie after manufacture, for media guides. In particular should the identification element can also be used for media routing in the form of pipe or hose couplings. In particular, the identification element should be able to be used with media guides of different contours and/or different diameters. At least one alternative to known identification elements of this type for media guides should be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an identification element with the features according to patent claim 1, by an identification element with the features according to patent claim 6 and by a media guide with the features according to patent claim 12. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

Thus, the present invention relates to an identification element for media guides with at least one transponder and with at least one first antenna which is connected to the transponder in a signal-transmitting manner and extends essentially away from the transponder.

The identification element according to the invention is characterized in that the first antenna is designed to be resilient, at least in sections. In other words, the material of the first antenna has the properties of a spring or is shaped as a spring, for example as a spiral spring, at least in a section along the longitudinal extension direction of the first antenna. The first antenna can also have another material that can implement the transmission and reception properties of the first antenna better than the spring-elastic material of the spring. However, the first antenna can also be designed entirely as a spring.

The present invention is based on the finding that the resilient property of the first antenna of the identification element according to the invention can be used to position the identification element in a bent open and loose state against the spring force, in particular in a straight or slightly curved extension, on the outside of a wall to place on a media guide and to be contracted by the spring force, so that in this way a sufficiently firm, at least form-fitting and possibly additionally non-positive fit of the identification element on the media guide, in particular in a ring-shaped, spiral-shaped or helical extension, can be achieved in order to to keep the identification element there during use or during the operation of the media guide.

In this way, an identification element or a plurality of identification elements can be attached to any predetermined points of the media guide subsequently, simply, quickly and without aids or tools. The media guide itself does not have to be changed for this. The presence of the identification elements can also be visually checked from the outside. Furthermore, the identification elements can be exchanged if necessary, for example in the event of damage. In particular, the identification elements can be applied both to pipes and hoses and to pipe and hose couplings as media guides. In particular, such identification elements can be used with different contours and/or diameters of media guides.

According to one aspect of the invention, the identification element has at least one second antenna, which is connected to the transponder for signal transmission and essentially extends away from the transponder opposite the first antenna, the second antenna being resilient at least in sections. As a result, the media guide can be gripped on two sides from the point of view of the transponder of the identification element, which can improve the hold on the outside of the wall of the media guide.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first antenna, and preferably also the second antenna, consists of spring steel. This can enable a type of implementation or simplify implementation since no additional materials have to be used.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first antenna, preferably also the second antenna, is designed to narrow in a spring-elastically annular, spiral or helix shape. This can promote the implementation of the properties and advantages described above or represent a concrete form of implementation.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first antenna, preferably also the second antenna, is designed to have a straight or curved shape against its spring force and to have an annular, spiral or helical shape due to its spring force. This can promote the implementation of the properties and advantages described above or represent a concrete form of implementation.

The present invention also relates to an identification element for media guides with at least one transponder, with at least a first antenna communicatively coupled to the transponder and at least one first support member extending substantially away from the transponder. The identification element is characterized in that the first mounting element is designed to be resilient, at least in sections.

In this way, the properties and advantages described above of the identification element according to the invention considered above can be implemented by means of a separate antenna and a separate first mounting element. As a result, the antenna and the first mounting element can each be designed specifically for their purpose or better than is possible with the previously described implementation of both properties on the part of the antenna.

According to one aspect of the invention, the identification element has at least one second mounting element, which essentially extends away from the transponder opposite the first mounting element, the second mounting element being resilient at least in sections. As a result, the corresponding properties and advantages of the identification element described above can also be implemented in this case.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first mounting element, and preferably also the second mounting element, consists of spring steel. As a result, the corresponding properties and advantages of the identification element described above can also be implemented in this case.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first mounting element, preferably also the second mounting element, is designed to narrow in a resiliently annular, spiral or helical manner. As a result, the corresponding properties and advantages of the identification element described above can also be implemented in this case.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first mounting element, preferably also the second mounting element, is designed to have a straight or curved shape against its spring force and to have an annular, spiral or helical shape due to its spring force. As a result, the corresponding properties and advantages of the identification element described above can also be implemented in this case.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the transponder is an RFID chip. As a result, the properties and advantages of an RFID transponder or an RFID chip can be implemented and used in the two identification elements according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a media guide, preferably a pipe, a hose, a pipe coupling or a hose coupling, with an at least partially cylindrical wall and with at least one identification element as described above, which is held at least in a form-fitting manner on the outside of the wall. As a result, each of the two identification elements according to the invention can be used with such a media guide, so that the corresponding properties and advantages can be implemented and used there.

According to one aspect of the invention, the media guide is designed to be rotationally symmetrical at least in sections where the identification element is held. This can promote retention of the corresponding identification element.

• 1 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Identifikationselements;
• 2 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Medienführung in Form eines Schlauches mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Identifikationselement; und
• 3 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Medienführung in Form einer Kupplung mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Identifikationselement.

An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

• 1 a perspective schematic representation of an identification element according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective schematic representation of a media guide according to the invention in the form of a hose with the identification element according to the invention; and
• 3 a perspective schematic representation of a media guide according to the invention in the form of a coupling with the identification element according to the invention.

The above figures are described in cylindrical coordinates with a longitudinal direction X, a radial direction R perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and a circumferential direction U running around the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X, the radial direction R and the circumferential direction U together can also be referred to as spatial directions X, R, U or as cylindrical spatial directions X, R, U.

An inventive identification element 1, as in the 1 shown individually, consists of a transponder 10 in the form of an RFID chip 10, from which a first elongate antenna 11 and in the opposite direction a second elongate antenna 12 extend away. Both antennas 11, 12 are each over their entire Extension of a spring steel, which spiral, see 2 , or annular, see 3 , Can be formed and contracts accordingly.

In the 1 the spring steels of the two antennas 11, 12 are shown in a state bent against the spring forces, ie the two antennas 11, 12 have a slightly curved shape, so that the identification element 1 is formed in an arc shape overall. Alternatively, the two antennas 11, 12 could have a shape extending in a straight line in this state (not shown). In any case, the two antennas 11, 12 of the identification element 1 can be bent against their respective spring force by a person with their hands or fingers into the bent-up state.

If the bending force of the person is reduced or the bending force of the person is completely eliminated, the spring steels of the two antennas 11, 12 change to the already mentioned curved or helically coiled shape, which is coiled in the circumferential direction U well over 180° is, see 2 . In particular, the outer tips of the two antennas 11, 12 overlap in the circumferential direction U, so that the heated antennas 11, 12 close in the circumferential direction U by more than 360°.

If the identification element 1 according to the invention is now bent open by the person and in this state of the 1 placed on an outer side 21 or on an outer surface 21 of a wall 20 of a media guide 2, for example in the form of a tube 2 or a hose 2, see FIG 2 , this is possible due to the only slightly curved shape.

If the bending force of the person is now reduced or eliminated, the spring steels of the two antennas 11, 12 contract, as described above, in such a way that the media guide 2 is helically encompassed and thus the identification element 1 according to the invention is automatically on the outside 21 of the wall 20 of the tube 2 or the hose 2 is held, see 2 .

In the same way, the identification element 1 according to the invention can be attached to a media guide 2 in the form of a pipe coupling 2 or a hose coupling 2, see FIG 3 , placed and held there in a ring shape.

Reference List

R

radial direction

u

circumferential direction

X

longitudinal direction

1

identification element

10

transponders; RFID chip

11

first antenna; first support element

12

second antenna; second support element

2

media management; Pipe; Hose; pipe coupling; hose coupling

20

Wall

21

outside; outer surface

22

through hole; flow opening

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2015044451 A1 [0006]

Claims (13)

Identification element (1) for media guides (2) with at least one transponder (10) and with at least one first antenna (11) which is connected to the transponder (10) in a signal-transmitting manner and extends essentially away from the transponder (10), characterized in that the first antenna (11) is designed to be resilient at least in sections. Identification element (1) after claim 1 , characterized by at least one second antenna (12) which is signal-transmittingly connected to the transponder (10) and extends substantially opposite the first antenna (11) away from the transponder (10), the second antenna (12) is designed to be resilient at least in sections. Identification element (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first antenna (11), preferably also the second antenna (12), consists of spring steel. Identification element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first antenna (11), preferably also the second antenna (12), is designed to narrow in a resiliently annular, spiral or helix shape. Identification element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first antenna (11), preferably also the second antenna (12), is designed • to have a straight or curved shape against its spring force and • an annular shape due to its spring force , spiral or helical shape. Identification element (1) for media guides (2) with at least one transponder (10), with at least one first antenna, which is connected to the transponder (10) in a signal-transmitting manner, and with at least one first mounting element (11), which differs essentially from the Transponder (10) extends away, characterized in that the first mounting element (11) is designed to be resilient, at least in sections. Identification element (1) after claim 5 , characterized by at least one second mounting element (12) which essentially, the first mounting element (11) opposite, from the transponder (10) extends away, wherein the second mounting element (12) is at least partially resilient. Identification element (1) after claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the first mounting element (11), preferably also the second mounting element (12), consists of spring steel. Identification element (1) according to one of Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the first mounting element (11), preferably also the second mounting element (12), is designed to narrow in a resiliently annular, spiral or helical manner. Identification element (1) according to one of Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that the first mounting element (11), preferably also the second mounting element (12), is designed • to have a rectilinear or curved shape against its spring force and • to have an annular, spiral or helical shape by its spring force. Identification element (1) according to one of Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that the transponder (10) is an RFID chip (10). Media guide (2), preferably pipe (2), hose (2), pipe coupling (2) or hose coupling (2), with an at least partially cylindrical wall (20) and with at least one identification element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is held at least in a form-fitting manner on the outside (21) of the wall (20). Media guide (2) after claim 12 , characterized in that the media guide (2) is rotationally symmetrical at least in sections where the identification element (1) is held.

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