Transport system having a mobile part movable along a route, in particular a rail

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport system having a mobile part movable along a route, in particular a rail, wherein a slotted waveguide of the transport system is laid parallel to the route for high-frequency data transmission and surrounds a cavity which opens into the surroundings by way of a slot of the slotted waveguide that is continuous in the route direction, in particular in the rail direction, wherein the mobile part comprises an antenna which protrudes through the slot of the slotted waveguide into the cavity of the slotted waveguide, in particular for incoupling or outcoupling electromagnetic waves, wherein the slotted waveguide is produced as a stamped and bent part made from a steel sheet metal.

Description

[0001] Transport system with a mobile unit that can be moved along a route, in particular a rail

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a transport system with a mobile part that can be moved along a route, in particular a rail.

[0004] It is generally known that a rail-guided transport system includes a mobile component that can move along a route, in particular a rail.

[0005] From DE 102012 002 090 A1, a transport system is known as the closest prior art.

[0006] A device for energy and / or data transmission is known from DE 102009052 871 A1.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a transport system, whereby a data exchange connection to the mobile unit with a long range is to be further developed.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved in the transport system according to the features specified in claim 1.

[0009] Important features of the invention in the transport system are that the transport system is designed with a mobile unit movable along a travel path, in particular a rail, wherein a slotted waveguide of the transport system is laid parallel to the travel path, which surrounds a cavity that opens into the environment via a slot of the slotted waveguide extending in the direction of travel, in particular the direction of the rail, wherein the mobile unit has an antenna which projects through the slot of the slotted waveguide into the cavity of the slotted waveguide, in particular for coupling in or out electromagnetic waves.

[0010] ISI \ EIDOPAT 14.07.2025 wherein the slotted waveguide is manufactured as a stamped and bent part from a sheet steel part.

[0011] A key advantage is that data can be transmitted wirelessly from the handset by moving parallel to the direction of the slot in the waveguide. During this movement, an antenna couples electromagnetic waves into the waveguide cavity. These waves propagate as cavity radiation modes and are received by another antenna, also extending into the cavity. This allows for a high data rate. The range of data transmission through the waveguide cavity depends, at least in part, on the power loss during the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation within the waveguide. A sheet metal component made of steel is used as the waveguide. This design achieves low power loss and thus a long range.Furthermore, suitable mechanical and chemical properties for use as a slotted waveguide can be achieved. This is because the sheet metal part is bent during manufacturing, thus preventing material failure during this process and also preventing corrosion.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 0.07% carbon, particularly between 0.4% and 0.6% carbon. An advantage of this is that it can be bent by 90° during manufacturing without failure. Furthermore, corrosion is prevented.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 1% silicon, particularly between 0.5% and 0.6% silicon. An advantage of this is that the sheet metal part exhibits sufficiently high mechanical stability. Furthermore, corrosion can be prevented.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 2% manganese, particularly between 1.1% and 1.2% manganese. This is advantageous because corrosion can be prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 0.045% phosphorus, particularly between 0.02% and 0.04% phosphorus. The advantage here is that corrosion is prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high. In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 0.03% sulfur, particularly between 0.002% and 0.004% sulfur. The advantage here is that corrosion is prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains between 17.5% and 19.5% chromium, particularly between 18.3% and 18.4% chromium. The advantage here is that corrosion can be prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains between 8.0% and 10.5% nickel, particularly between 8.0% and 8.1% nickel. The advantage here is that corrosion can be prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part contains less than 0.1% nitrogen, in particular between 0.050% and 0.053% nitrogen. The advantage here is that corrosion can be prevented and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part is made of stainless steel. The advantage here is that the mechanical properties can be optimized, corrosion can be prevented, and the mechanical stability of the slotted waveguide is sufficiently high.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal part is an austenitic stainless steel sheet. The advantage here is that the mechanical properties are such that the slotted waveguide can be arranged in a self-supporting manner within the transport system.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the slotted waveguide has six bending edges, all of which are parallel to each other. The advantage here is that the slotted waveguide has only a few bending edges and none of them is subjected to a bending angle greater than 90°.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the slotted waveguide is attached to a continuous cast profile section acting as a rail via a retaining device, with the handset having rotatably mounted wheels that roll along the continuous cast profile section. An advantage of this is that data can be exchanged contactlessly during the movement of the handset, as the handset's antenna protrudes through the slot of the slotted waveguide.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, a primary conductor designed as a line conductor is arranged on the continuously cast profile section, wherein a medium-frequency alternating current is impressed into the primary conductor, wherein the handset has a secondary winding which is inductively coupled to the primary conductor, wherein a capacitor is connected in series or parallel to the secondary winding such that the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit formed by the capacitor and the secondary winding matches the frequency of the alternating current, wherein a rectifier is fed from the secondary winding, and an electrical load, in particular a traction drive designed as an electric motor, of the handset is supplied from its DC-side connection. An advantage of this is that contactless power supply is possible with high efficiency even with only weak and / or fluctuating inductive coupling.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, higher-frequency current components are modulated onto the alternating current, wherein the higher-frequency voltage components induced in the secondary winding by the higher-frequency current components of the primary conductor can be capacitively coupled out, in particular via a capacitor, and fed to the control electronics of the mobile device. An advantage of this is that data can be transmitted contactlessly and redundantly in completely different physical ways, in particular as cavity radiation or inductive transmission.

[0025] In particular, higher-frequency current components are modulated onto the alternating current, enabling data transmission via the inductive coupling between the primary conductor and the secondary winding. The higher-frequency voltage components induced in the secondary winding by the higher-frequency current components of the primary conductor can be capacitively extracted, particularly via a capacitor, and fed to the control electronics of the mobile device. The transport system is configured so that data transmitted via the slotted waveguide is also transmitted, particularly redundantly and contactlessly, via the inductive coupling between the primary conductor and the secondary winding.

[0026] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims. The invention is not limited to the combination of features of the claims. For those skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to schematic illustrations:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a slotted waveguide of a transport system according to the invention in oblique view.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the transport system has a slotted waveguide 1, via which a mobile device moving along the slotted waveguide can transmit data.

[0030] For this purpose, the handset is preferably rail-guided and thus movable parallel to the direction of extension of the slotted waveguide.

[0031] The handset has an antenna that protrudes through the slot of the slotted waveguide and allows electromagnetic radiation to be coupled into the cavity of the waveguide. The radiation propagates within the cavity along the direction of extension of the slotted waveguide and can be coupled out by another antenna that protrudes into the cavity. This second antenna is either stationary to enable data exchange with a central control unit of the transport system, or alternatively, it is attached to another handset that can exchange data with the first handset.

[0032] Preferably, the slot of the slotted waveguide is directed downwards or at least such that liquids flow out of the interior automatically. The slot is bordered by two parallel collar regions 2, which are connected to the housing region of the slotted waveguide 1 via a respective connecting region 3. The housing region consists of a base region 5, which is connected to the collar regions 2 via wall regions 4.

[0033] Preferably, the wall sections are aligned parallel to each other, and the normal direction of the flat floor section 5 forms an angle of 90° to the normal direction of the flat wall sections 4. The normal direction of the wall section 4 forms an angle of less than 90° to the normal direction of the respective adjacent connecting section 3.

[0034] The flat collar areas 2 are aligned parallel to the wall areas 4.

[0035] The width of the slotted waveguide in the transverse direction to the extension direction of the slotted waveguide, in particular in the direction of the normal direction of the wall regions 4, is initially constant with increasing distance from the bottom region 5, in particular where the width equals the distance between the wall regions, and then becomes proportionally smaller with the distance from the bottom region 5 until the width equals the distance between the collar regions 2.

[0036] Preferably, the slotted waveguide 1 is designed as a stamped and bent sheet metal.

[0037] The sheet metal used to manufacture the slotted waveguide 1 is preferably austenitic stainless steel with a carbon content of less than 0.07%. A carbon content between 0.4% and 0.6% is preferred.

[0038] It contains less than 1% silicon. Preferably, between 0.5 and 0.6% silicon is used.

[0039] It contains less than 2% manganese. Preferably, between 1.1% and 1.2% manganese is used.

[0040] It contains less than 0.045% phosphorus. Preferably, between 0.02% and 0.04% phosphorus is used. It contains less than 0.03% sulfur. Preferably, between 0.002% and 0.004% sulfur is used.

[0041] It contains between 17.5% and 19.5% chromium. A chromium content between 18.3% and 18.4% is particularly preferred.

[0042] It contains between 8.0% and 10.5% nickel. A nickel content between 8.0% and 8.1% is particularly preferred.

[0043] It contains less than 0.1% nitrogen. Preferably, between 0.050% and 0.053% nitrogen is used.

[0044] Preferably, the aforementioned percentages refer to mass percentages.

[0045] Due to the aforementioned chemical composition of the stainless steel sheet, the slotted waveguide exhibits high magnetic permeability, low hysteresis losses, good magnetic saturation in inductive transmission and is particularly suitable for high frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, especially cavity waves.

[0046] The stainless steel sheet is also corrosion-resistant and has good mechanical properties.

[0047] For manufacturing, a laser cutting tool is used to cut out the sheet metal, which is then bent along the bending edges.

[0048] This enables highly accurate manufacturing of the slotted waveguide.

[0049] In further embodiments of the invention, several identical slotted waveguides are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel, so that no gap is formed between the nearest adjacent slotted waveguides. This allows for the construction of very long slotted waveguides, enabling information transmission along the entire travel path. With the aforementioned material composition, a long transmission range can be achieved because the losses are extremely low. In further embodiments of the invention, the slot is not bordered by the two collar regions 2 aligned parallel to each other, but rather by two collar regions 2 that are not aligned parallel to each other.The two collar areas 2 are inclined relative to each other in such a way that the slot width decreases monotonically, and in particular strictly monotonically, with decreasing distance to the base area, i.e., with increasing slot depth. The slot width thus narrows towards the interior of the slotted waveguide. This reduces the risk of collision when inserting the antenna. This is particularly important during maintenance and when placing the handset on the rail, as the antenna is inserted deeper and deeper into the slot during these processes. Furthermore, the ingress of dirt is made more difficult.

[0050] Reference symbol list

[0051] 1 Slotted waveguide 2 Collar area

[0052] 3 Connection area

[0053] 4 wall area

[0054] 5 Ceiling area

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Transport system with a mobile unit movable along a travel path, in particular a rail, wherein a slotted waveguide of the transport system is laid parallel to the travel path, which surrounds a cavity that opens into the surroundings via a slot of the slotted waveguide extending in the direction of travel, in particular the direction of the rail, wherein the mobile unit has an antenna which projects through the slot of the slotted waveguide into the cavity of the slotted waveguide, in particular for coupling in or out of electromagnetic waves, characterized in that the slotted waveguide is manufactured as a stamped-bent part from a sheet steel part.

2. Transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet metal part has less than 0.07% carbon, in particular between 0.4% and 0.6% carbon.

3. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part contains less than 1% silicon, in particular between 0.5% and 0.6% silicon.

4. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part contains less than 2% manganese, in particular between 1.1% and 1.2% manganese.

5. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part contains less than 0.045% phosphorus, in particular between 0.02% and 0.04% phosphorus.

6. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part contains less than 0.03% sulfur, in particular between 0.002% and 0.004% sulfur.

7. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part has between 17.5% and 19.5% chromium, in particular between 18.3% and 18.4% chromium.

8. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part has between 8.0% and 10.5% nickel, in particular between 8.0% and Contains 8.1% nickel.

9. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part contains less than 0.1% nitrogen, in particular between 0.050% and 0.053% nitrogen.

10. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part is a stainless steel sheet metal part.

11. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal part is an austenitic stainless steel sheet metal part.

12. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slotted waveguide has six bending edges, all of which are parallel to each other and / or that the slot width of the slotted waveguide tapers towards the interior of the slotted waveguide.

13. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slotted waveguide is attached to a continuous cast profile part functioning as a rail via a holding means, wherein the mobile part has rotatably mounted wheels which roll on the continuous cast profile part.

14. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a primary conductor designed as a line conductor is arranged on the continuously cast profile part, wherein a medium-frequency alternating current is impressed into the primary conductor, wherein the mobile unit has a secondary winding which is inductively coupled to the primary conductor, wherein a capacitor is connected in series or parallel to the secondary winding such that the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit formed from the capacitor and the secondary winding is equal to the frequency of the alternating current, wherein a rectifier is fed from the secondary winding, from whose DC-side connection an electrical consumer, in particular a traction drive designed as an electric motor, of the mobile unit is supplied.

15. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that higher-frequency current components are modulated onto the alternating current so that data can be transmitted via the inductive coupling between the primary conductor and the secondary winding, wherein the higher-frequency voltage components induced in the secondary winding by the higher-frequency current components of the primary conductor can be capacitively coupled out, in particular via a capacitor, and supplied to a control electronics of the mobile device. In particular, wherein the transport system is configured so that data transmitted via the slotted waveguide is also transmitted, in particular redundantly and contactlessly, via the inductive coupling between the primary conductor and the secondary winding and / or can be transmitted.

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