EP1223053A2 - Process for applying an identification number - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for applying an identification, preferably an identification number (10), onto a surface, especially an engine block of a motor vehicle, comprises an embossed structure having varying depths. Independent claims are also included for an engine component, especially a cylinder crank housing of an internal combustion engine, having an identification and for a body component having an identification on its surface. Preferred Features: The embossed structure is manufactured by material removal or application, especially build-up welding. The embossed structure is applied by laser, especially an Nd:YAG laser or Q-switch laser.

Description

The invention relates to a method for applying an identification number to a Surface, in particular on an engine block of a motor vehicle, according to the Preamble of claim 1.

Because of high theft numbers and the resulting high theft Economic damage is getting better and better, especially in the automotive sector Anti-theft measures required. The conventional security measures, such as alarm systems or immobilizers, attempt the theft themselves to complicate. However, as soon as such a protective measure is overcome, with appropriate criminal energy, the stolen vehicle through relatively simple Measures can be made usable on the free market. To do this corresponding manipulations of identification numbers, which are usually based on an engine block of the motor vehicle by means of needles, pricks or hammering are attached. By grinding out the engine number this can be done accordingly manipulated or reintroduced. So the stolen vehicle can be passed on to new ones Vehicle documents are adjusted. After grinding out and a the original identification number is not subsequently used for the etching process more noticeable. To date, there is no way to cut the old one Establish identification number.

From DE 197 42 456 A1 it is known to use electronic housings Motor vehicle assemblies a lettering or marking or other Apply marking by laser.

WO 97/20136 describes the application of technical data of an injection nozzle on the same with a laser. This data is encoded as a barcode. By means of a Barcode reader, this data is retrieved and a vehicle computer supplied, which corresponds to this data when driving the injector considered. In this way, tolerance compensation can take place.

It is known from EP 0 637 517 B1 to install a glass pane after it has been installed in a Label the vehicle body using a laser beam. This is for the laser selected a wavelength for which the glass pane is transparent. The laser beam is focused on an enamel strip for labeling through the glass pane.

However, no measures are required for all of the aforementioned identification numbers provided which make it difficult to forge or manipulate the number or prevent.

The object of the present invention is to provide an identification number in a housing of, for example, an engine of a motor vehicle with regard to counterfeiting or to make manipulation safer.

This object is achieved by a method of the above. Kind of with the in Characteristics characterized claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments of the Invention are specified in the dependent claims.

For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that the identification number with a Depth structure is applied, which varies in depth.

This has the advantage that counterfeiting or manipulation of the Identification number can be recognized quickly and easily. Through the varying depth structure results in one contained in the third dimension additional information in the identification number, which does not go unnoticed is manipulable. The identification number is thus three-dimensional or has a three-dimensional depth structure. It is also after grinding out the real identification number can still be determined by appropriate procedures.

For example, the deep structure is removed by material and / or Material application, especially build-up welding. Particularly advantageous is the use of a laser, in particular an Nd: YAG laser or Q-switch laser.

Because the deep structure comprises a surface structure into which the If the identification number is incorporated, manipulations or forgeries are immediate recognizable as these damage the surface structure. So there are manipulations or counterfeits immediately in a particularly advantageous manner without additional devices Appearance recognizable or visible. The variation in the depth structure results here already from the overlay of the surface structure with the identification number. The Surface structure has, for example, a depth of less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

The fact that a surface into which the depth structure is introduced with a predetermined distance and / or a predetermined height reference to one of the Surface spaced point, such as a hole is formed can be checked at any time by measurement, whether for manipulation purposes on the surface Removal, for example by means of grinding, has taken place.

For example, the depth structure varies in a range from 0.01 mm to 2 mm, in particular from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably a sinusoidal variation is trained.

A subsequent visualization of the real identification number even after it is then possible to completely grind them out using an etching process, if in a reason of the identification number a heat affected zone with extended Material removal is formed.

In a preferred embodiment, the depth structure varies within one alphanumeric sequence of digits of the identification number.

A further increase in the security against counterfeiting is achieved in that the Depth structure is at least partially filled with a material that the Deep structure on a surface is sealed with a varnish that before Apply the identification number to the appropriate place on the surface Sign attached and the identification number through this sign is applied, this sign is made of a material which at subsequent mechanical attack shatters, bursts and / or tears that the Identification number with a tamper-proof font, especially after OCR-A or OCR-B, is applied, and / or that alphanumeric characters of the Identification number to be formed in multiple lines.

In an advantageous development of the invention, in addition to the identification number a spaced from this point on the engine block or an attachment of the Engine block the identification number with a tamper-proof font, in particular a barcode or DATA-MATRIX-CODE, attached so that by Comparison of these two data pieces of manipulation can be detected immediately can.

A particularly good protection against manipulation is achieved by the Additional identification number (data matrix code) on a functional surface of a Component of the engine is applied such that manipulation and / or removal the additional identification number makes the component inoperable.

To improve the logistic control of components, the additional contains Identification number Data for merging individual parts into one Assembly. The additional identification number expediently contains Manufacturing tracking data. The additional is particularly advantageous Identification number encoded with an encryption key.

Fig. 1

eine Oberfläche mit eingearbeiteter Identifikationsnummer in Aufsicht,

Fig. 2

die Oberfläche von Fig. 1 in Schnittansicht,

Fig. 3

eine Oberfläche mit einer alternativ ausgebildete Identifikationsnummer in Schnittansicht,

Fig. 4

eine Oberfläche mit einer weiteren alternativ ausgebildete Identifikationsnummer in Aufsicht,

Fig. 5

die Oberfläche von Fig. 4 in Schnittansicht und

Fig. 6

einen Teil einer Identifikationsnummer, gemäß einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform in schematischer Aufsicht.

Further features, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims and from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing. This shows in

Fig. 1

a surface with an incorporated identification number under supervision,

Fig. 2

1 in sectional view,

Fig. 3

a surface with an alternatively formed identification number in a sectional view,

Fig. 4

a surface with another alternatively formed identification number under supervision,

Fig. 5

the surface of Fig. 4 in sectional view and

Fig. 6

a part of an identification number, according to a further alternative embodiment in a schematic supervision.

1 and 2 show a first preferred embodiment of an inventive produced identification number 10 with alphanumeric characters 12, which in a surface 14 is introduced by means of a laser. The identification number 10 is formed with a deep structure that varies in depth and one Surface structure 16 includes. The alphanumeric characters 12 have a depth 18 from about 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, whereas the surface structure 16 has a depth 20 0.1 mm or less. By the surface structure 16, which for example, as a company logo or as grooves 22, is a Protection against counterfeiting is made available by milling or using a laser Surface 14 is introduced. If the identification number 10 is manipulated the surface structure 16 is inevitably damaged, so that the manipulation is immediately visible to the naked eye.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the alphanumeric characters 12 are, for example, as Recesses made in the material of a crankcase 24. The Laser energy is measured at least for some alphanumeric characters 12 so that additional heat-affected zones 26 arise at the bottom, which may be with a Material 28 are filled. Even the depth structure of the alphanumeric Character 12 itself is at least partially filled with material 28. On the Surface 14 is then also formed with a lacquer layer 30.

Further protection against undetected manipulation of identification number 10 is achieved in that the surface 14 with a predetermined dimension 32 to one spaced, immutable point 34 is established. Any kind of manipulation on the identification number 10 by grinding or similar material removal change this dimension so that the manipulation can be verified by measurement.

The identification number 10 is alternatively or additionally by means of cladding applied, as indicated at reference numeral 36. Here, additional material is added applied the surface 14 and there is a between this material application Deep structure. The identification number 10 or at least parts of it are then raised on the surface 14 as a seam, including material additives of all kinds are possible.

3 illustrates the additional three-dimensional information provided by the varying depth structure in the identification number 10 is. At 38 this is Deep structure is sinusoidal, whereas at 40 the deep structure is one has a different course. The depth of the depth structure varies across the whole Identification number 10 and / or within individual alphanumeric characters 12. If the identification number 10 is manipulated, it will vary Deep structure changed, from which manipulation can be recognized. It is therefore not possible to change this identification number 10 produced according to the invention, without this change being detectable. However, this makes the manipulation for worthless the forger.

In an alternative method, a shield 42 is first applied to the surface 14 permanently applied, in which the identification number with a laser, possibly under Formation of the heat affected zones 26 is introduced. The laser energy is there dimensioned so that the identification number 10 in the plate and the Heat-affected zones 26 are formed in the crankcase 24. The sign 42 is off made of such a material that it shatters during mechanical interventions, bursts or cracks, which make manipulation immediately visible. On the other hand, through the heat affected zones 26 even after complete removal of the sign 42, the identification number subsequently, for example by means of a Etching process can be made visible.

5 schematically illustrates a further counterfeit protection. Here are the Lines that usually make up the alphanumeric characters 12 of the Identification number consist of several individual lines, which have a small but constant distance 44 from one another. This requires at Counterfeiting or manipulation requires a considerable amount of equipment, which in the Usually car thieves are not available.

An alternative way of writing in the identification number 10 is by means of evaporate the material of the crankcase 24 by a laser, analogous to that Laser drilling, with a depth of the writing or the depth structure of less than or equal to 0.01 mm.

According to the invention, the identification number 10 is used in a further alternative Embodiment with a tamper-proof font, for example according to OCR-A or OCR-B. Subsequently or at the same time, the introduction also takes place a DATA MATRIX CODE (barcode) at another point on the crankcase or a component. This code is on a small area of, for example approx. 5x5 mm either on a raw contour, a machined contour or one functionally relevant contour written down by laser. Using special This code can be read out to cameras if necessary. The advantage of Placing the code on a functional surface is that if a counterfeiter Code finds what is very difficult in itself, manipulating the code, for example by milling out, the functionality of the component destroyed, so that this becomes worthless for the forger. Manipulation is consequently omitted.

The aforementioned Data Matrix Code (DMC) can also be used for Production traceability or for the control and installation safety of Additional components used in the assembly to increase process reliability by providing each component with a corresponding DMC. At the same time, a DMC is applied to each component, for example the Production facility, the manufacturing date, the construction lot or similar expel. It is also advantageous to introduce further data in an applied DMC, for example Engine Timing data. For example, a workshop can record the DMC and the it contains data for the engine timing with the actual engine timing to compare. Possibly. the DMC is encoded with a private key, so that only Authorized persons can read the code.

The identification number can also be generated by melting the Surface take place without adding or removing material. Here will instead performed a material conversion.

The DATA MATRIX CODE can also be done using a printer or a stamp or another method applied to the component sufficient contrast is achieved within the bar code must be readable by means of a corresponding CCD camera. Here is the D.-M.-C. not only limited to metallic materials, but can be almost all materials are applied.

In the above, the method according to the invention was only used as an example described a crankcase of a motor vehicle. The invention However, the method is also used on a body or in vehicle construction, engine construction, Shipbuilding, construction machinery or any component applicable where sufficiently thick Wall thicknesses for introducing the variable depth structure are available.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Identification Number

12

alphanumeric characters

14

surface

16

surface structure

18

Depth of alphanumeric characters

20

Depth of the surface structure

22

groove

24

crankcase

26

Heat-affected zones

28

backfilling

30

paint layer

32

predetermined measure

34

Point

36

Identification number by build-up welding

38

sinusoidal deep structure

40

different depth structure

42

sign

44

distance

Claims (23)

Method for applying an identification, preferably an identification number, to a surface, in particular to an engine block of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the identification is applied with a depth structure which varies in depth. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deep structure is produced by material removal and / or material application, in particular build-up welding. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deep structure is applied by means of a laser, in particular an Nd: YAG laser or Q-switch laser. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deep structure comprises a surface structure into which the identification number is incorporated. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the surface structure has a depth of less than or equal to 0.1 mm. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface into which the deep structure is introduced is formed with a predetermined distance and / or a predetermined height reference to a point spaced from the surface, such as a bore. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth structure varies in a range from 0.01 mm to 2 mm, in particular from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth structure varies sinusoidally. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat-affected zone with expanded material removal is formed in a base of the identification number. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth structure varies within an alphanumeric sequence of numbers of the identification number. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deep structure is at least partially filled with a material. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deep structure is sealed on one surface with a lacquer. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the identification number is applied to the corresponding location on the surface, a label is applied and the identification number is applied to and / or through this label , this label being produced from a material, which shatters, bursts and / or tears in the event of a subsequent mechanical attack. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that alphanumeric characters of the identification number are formed in multiple lines. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification number is applied with a manipulation-proof font, in particular according to OCR-A or OCR-B. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to the identification number, the identification number is affixed to the engine block or to an attachment part of the engine block at a distance from this, using a tamper-proof font, in particular a barcode or DATA-MATRIX-CODE. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the additional identification number is applied to a functional surface of a component of the motor in such a way that manipulation and / or removal of the additional identification number renders the component inoperable. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the additional identification number contains data for production tracking, manufacturer's instructions and / or engine adjustment data. Method according to at least one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the additional identification number contains data for bringing together individual parts for an assembly. Method according to at least one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the additional identification number is encoded with an encryption key. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the DATA-MATRIX-CODE is applied by a method for producing a contrast on a surface, in particular by stamping and / or by printing. Engine component, in particular cylinder crankcase of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that its component surface has an identification which is designed as a laser-introduced identification number and / or at least one data matrix code and / or as a depth structure with different depth ranges. Body component of a motor vehicle, characterized in that its component surface has an identification which is designed as a laser-inserted identification number and / or at least one data matrix code and / or as a depth structure with different depth ranges.

Images