Device and method for detecting the movement of an object in an industrial plant

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of equipment, preferably industrial equipment. The object of the invention is to provide a device, a method, an application of the device and a computer program for simply and cost-effectively monitoring at least five moving objects of an equipment. This object is achieved by a cable antenna (1) and a passive transceiver (2) that can be detected by the cable antenna (1). The transceiver (2) or the cable antenna (1) is arranged on the object (4) so ​​that the transceiver (2) and the cable antenna (1) change position during the movement of the object. An evaluator (3) can determine the movement of the object (4) based on the forwarding signal received by the antenna (1) and detect deviations of this movement from a preset movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of devices having a movable object.

[0002] On the one hand, the present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring a device, preferably an industrial device, wherein at least five objects connected to the device, preferably at least twenty objects, perform a preset rotational movement or a preset translational movement, particularly preferably a periodic rotational movement or a periodic translational movement.

[0003] In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of the device.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention also comprises a computer program which implements the method for monitoring a device. Background Art

[0005] There are multiple movable objects in production equipment, where all movements are not permanently monitored. The problem that arises in some applications is that there are multiple movable objects. For cost reasons, it is usually not profitable to continuously monitor all movable objects. Movable objects are usually only checked occasionally, or other signs (such as increased noise levels) indicate a faulty function. An example of multiple such movable objects is a conveyor belt with a conveyor belt, which is supported by a carrier roller along the conveying path. The problem that now arises is that it must be ensured that the carrier roller rotates synchronously with the belt speed during operation. However, the transportation of all forms of materials and the long operating time of the conveyor belt lead to wear of the bearings, which can damage the rotational movement of the carrier roller. A stuck or slow carrier roller leads to relative movement between the conveyor belt and the roller, which not only causes increased wear on the roller but also on the conveyor belt. A stuck or slow carrier roller is not uncommon and can cause unplanned downtime and further production failures, especially in long conveying paths (when not identified in time). Manual visual inspection of the conveyor is very difficult because most of the conveyor belts are implemented in a closed manner for safety reasons. The closed implementation in many cases prevents visibility of the carrier rollers. Since the conveying paths are usually very long, manual inspection represents a very time-consuming task.

[0006] Monitoring with common sensors (eg rotational speed sensors) can only be achieved by using excessive hardware, which results in high hardware costs and additional maintenance complexity. This is rarely used in practice, because firstly the wiring of the hardware is very complex.

[0007] Possible visual inspection is usually very difficult because the conveyor belt is completely encapsulated for safety reasons and due to dust formation. The rotating support rollers are thus no longer visible from the outside.

[0008] AU 2017100493A4 discloses a roller having an information generator for collecting information about the roller. This enables monitoring of a plurality of such rollers of a conveyor system. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost-effective possibility for monitoring a plurality of system components which carry out a predetermined movement.

[0010] This object is achieved by the device described in the introduction. The device has at least five objects, preferably at least twenty objects, that implement a preset rotational movement and / or translational movement. The device includes a cable antenna, and each of the five objects has a passive transceiver, preferably an RFID (radio frequency identification) transceiver. The passive transceiver has no separate energy supply, and the energy supply is only achieved through an electromagnetic field, which is emitted by the cable antenna. The cable antenna is designed to enable it to detect the transceiver. The transceiver is placed on the corresponding object so that the relative positions of the transceiver and the cable antenna are changed during the rotational movement and / or translational movement of the object, and preferably during the movement, an area for the cable antenna to receive signals from the transceiver and an area for the cable antenna not to receive signals from the transceiver appear. The cable antenna is, for example, a coaxial antenna cable used as an antenna. Such a cable antenna is known, for example, as a traveling wave RFID antenna. The reading area of ​​such a traveling wave RFID antenna reaches, for example, several cm up to 2m. The field for detecting the passive transceiver is designed in a ring along the antenna cable. The objects to be monitored in the industrial equipment are mainly arranged at a certain distance from each other. Therefore, it is not necessary to equip each object with a separate antenna, and the use of a cable antenna has proven to be very useful (in order to be able to detect movement with the help of the received forwarding signal) so that all (ie at least all five) passive transceivers can be read with the antenna. Such a cable antenna can be implemented with a length of up to 25m. A cylindrical field (with a radius of up to 2m) designed around the antenna can be used to read the individual transceivers. The evaluator determines the movement of the object based on the forwarding signal received by the cable antenna. The evaluator continuously determines the actual translational movement or the actual rotational movement of at least five objects based on the forwarding signal received by the cable antenna. As long as a deviation occurs, the evaluator continuously identifies the deviation of the rotational movement or translational movement from the preset rotational movement or translational movement for all five objects. Continuously is understood to mean that the deviation can be identified at least within a few seconds in the case of multiple processes per second, and within the minute when the movement is performed once a minute. How quickly the deviation is identified must first depend on the criticality of the deviation of the object movement from the preset movement for the device. When the movable object is a device component that directly affects the product quality, the deviation should be detected immediately. If the deviation is not directly critical for the product quality, but only results in increased energy consumption or increased material loss, then a longer time period can be achieved. In critical and slow movements, the deviation should be detected during the movement. When it comes to fast movements (i.e. multiple movements per second), the movement deviation does not directly affect the product quality, it is sufficient for it to be detected by the evaluator, for example, after five to ten movement deviations. Therefore, deviations of the rotational or translational movement from the preset rotational movement or preset translational movement should be detected within a preset time window. The time window is selected to avoid damage to the device and / or a deterioration in the quality of the product generated by the device.The time window can also be selected to avoid increased energy requirements or increased wear due to deviations in movement. The cable antenna must be arranged so that each of the at least five objects can be detected by the cable antenna (at least in one position) and the evaluator can clearly identify the corresponding transceiver. The cable antenna is fixedly mounted. The relative movement between the transceiver and the cable antenna causes the signal received by the cable antenna to change. In conjunction with the present invention, a change in position (the mutual position of the transceiver and the antenna) is understood to mean that the position of at least a part of the transceiver relative to the antenna changes. Therefore, the signal must also change in order to be able to derive the position change according to the changed parameters. In conjunction with the present invention, a movable object is understood to be all equipment parts, machine parts or other objects that move. Such a movable object can be, for example, a rotationally symmetrical object that performs a rotational movement or an object that performs a linear movement. The movement of the object (rotational movement or translational movement, preferably repeated movement) always reaches the same position again. Particularly preferably, the movement is a periodic movement, i.e. a movement repeated at regular intervals. The position in which the transceiver is installed is such that it changes when the object moves on the one hand and the transceiver should be protected from damage at this position on the other hand. Protection of the transceiver or the cable antenna can be ensured, for example, by a recess. The evaluator can detect the movement of the object based on the signal received by the cable antenna.

[0011] In connection with the present invention, the detection of a movement is generally understood to mean whether an object moves or whether the object (as provided) does not move. This can be such that it does not reach a certain end position or that this end position is reached only after a longer time or remains in its original position. In a preferred solution, a plurality of characteristic parameters of the movement can be detected, particularly preferably the movement can be detected almost completely. The device is used, for example, in metallurgical plants, preferably continuous casting plants or conveyor belts.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the object is a rotating body. The transceiver is eccentrically arranged at the end side of the rotating body or at the peripheral side of the rotating body. The rotating body performs a rotational motion around the rotation axis. The transceiver is therefore arranged eccentrically relative to the rotation axis. This arrangement ensures that relative motion is performed between the transceiver and the antenna when the object moves. The evaluator can thus detect motion. The advantage of the transceiver being arranged on the end side is that it is sufficiently protected from damage (in an embodiment in which the end side does not mesh with other objects). In the case of being arranged on the peripheral side, the transceiver is arranged at a position that also does not come into contact with other objects or in a recessed portion. However, other measures suitable for protecting the transceiver accordingly can also be considered.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment provides that the transceiver is positioned at the object in such a way that the signal received by the cable antenna changes in its signal strength during the movement of the object and / or positions where no signal is received occur during the movement of the object. By taking into account the signal strength, the movement can be determined very reliably. For objects where the presence of a certain movement is important in the first place, the method also indicates the presence and absence of a signal in a practical manner. However, it is important here to take into account the positions where no signal is received and the positions where a signal is received, respectively, during the movement of the object.

[0014] A preferred embodiment provides that at least five objects have a certain distance from one another, wherein the objects with the largest distance have a distance from one another of at least 5 m, particularly preferably 20 m, and the cable antenna has a length of at least 5 m, particularly preferably 20 m. The cable antenna enables reliable detection of the movement of the individual objects even when laid accordingly due to the greater distances between the individual objects. It is not necessary to arrange a plurality of antennas to ensure detection.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment provides that the evaluator is able to determine at least one characteristic parameter of the movement, preferably the speed, the reached end position and / or the rotational speed. The evaluator is designed so that it can deduce the movement of the object on the basis of the received signals. This is, for example, the case when there are phases during the movement in which transceiver signals are received and phases in which no signals are received from the transceiver. This information allows the rotational speed to be derived, as long as the movement is a rotational movement. This can also be achieved in a similar manner for objects that perform linear movements. It is also conceivable that the derivation of the movement parameters is based on the signal strength.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment provides that the antenna is enclosed by a non-metallic hose. This has the advantage that the antenna is protected. It is also advantageous when the antenna is to be disassembled for maintenance. For this purpose, it is simply necessary to pull out the antenna and then be able to extend it again into the non-metallic hose by means of a tension spring. Preferably, the hose is made of a synthetic material, a carbon or glass fiber tube. This requirement is particularly high in the continuous casting section due to the heat radiation.

[0017] A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the non-metallic hose has a cooling medium, the hose preferably having an inlet and an outlet for the cooling medium. In applications where very high temperatures occur, for example during continuous casting, the antenna should be cooled. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the scrap metal hose carries a flow with the aid of a cooling medium. The hose thus has an inlet for the cooling medium at one end and an outlet for the cooling medium at the other end. For example, water or cooling air is used as the cooling medium.

[0018] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the hose has at least one dedicated cooling channel, which is arranged along the cable antenna. A possible embodiment is that the hose consists of a double-layer hose, wherein the antenna is introduced inside and the cooling channel is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer. Another embodiment provides that a plurality of channels are present in the hose wall or a plurality of tubes are arranged in the hose around the antenna, through which a cooling medium can flow.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment provides that the information read by the cable antenna of the respective transceiver remains unchanged during the rotational or translational movement, the information is the same. The information read by the respective transceiver does not change during the rotational or translational movement, so that no information is written to the transceiver from other sensors (during the rotational or translational movement). The information read is, for example, an identification code, an identification number, a device feature description and / or a component description.

[0020] The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method as mentioned in the introduction, which comprises the following features:

[0021] a cable antenna and five passive transceivers, preferably RFID transceivers, wherein at least one passive transceiver is mounted on each of the five objects,

[0022] - wherein the passive transceiver is positioned such that the transceiver and the cable antenna change position during rotational or translational movement of the object,

[0023] an evaluator is connected to the cable antenna and determines the rotational or translational movement based on the forwarded signal detected by the cable antenna,

[0024] The evaluator is thereby able to detect deviations of the rotational or translational movement from a predefined rotational or translational movement for all five objects continuously, preferably in real time.

[0025] The cable antenna and the transceiver must perform a relative movement during the movement of the object. This can be achieved by the evaluator deriving the movement based on the received signals. Monitoring the movement determines in the simplest case whether the object has performed a movement. The evaluator determines the movement based on one or more signals, as has already been implemented in the device.

[0026] One advantageous embodiment provides that the transceiver or the antenna is positioned on the object such that during a movement of the object the signal of the transceiver received by the antenna changes in its signal strength or positions occur during a movement of the object where no signal is received.

[0027] By taking into account the signal strength, the movement can be determined very reliably. For objects for which the presence of a certain movement is important in the first place, this method also indicates the presence and absence of a signal in a practical way. However, it is important to ensure that positions at which the antenna cannot receive a signal always occur effectively.

[0028] A preferred embodiment provides that the evaluator is able to determine at least one characteristic parameter of the movement, preferably the speed, the reached end position and / or the rotational speed. The evaluator is designed so that it can deduce the movement of the object based on the received signals. This is, for example, the case when phases during the movement are received from the transceiver and phases when no signals are received from the transceiver. This information allows the rotational speed to be derived, as long as the movement is a rotational movement. This can also be achieved in a similar manner for objects that perform linear movements. It is also conceivable that the derivation of the movement parameters is carried out on the basis of the signal strength.

[0029] An advantageous embodiment provides that the antenna is cooled by a cooling medium. This is particularly important in the case of applications in harsh and hot environments. Cooling the antenna is particularly important when monitoring rotating rollers in a section of a continuous casting plant in order to ensure the monitoring function over a longer period of time.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment provides that the information content of the corresponding transceiver received by the cable antenna does not change during the rotational or translational movement, but that the information remains the same.

[0031] This object is achieved by the use of the device described in the introduction. The device is particularly suitable for continuous casting plants to monitor the movement of rotating rollers or for conveyor belts to monitor support rollers. The device described is particularly suitable for such plants because a plurality of movable objects are present in such plants. Monitoring by means of the device is particularly simple and cost-effective.

[0032] The object is also achieved by a computer program, which comprises instructions, which cause the previously described apparatus for monitoring a device to implement the steps of the above method. The computer program is stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A schematic diagram of the device is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown.

[0035] Figure 3 A continuous casting plant is shown having a device according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 4a and Figure 4bA preferred arrangement of the transceiver on the movable object is shown.

[0037] Figure 5 Further preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown.

[0038] Figures 6a to 6c A simplified signal received by an antenna is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1a It is shown that a transceiver 2 is arranged on a movable object 4. The cable antenna 1 receives the signal of the transceiver 2, which is received and evaluated by an evaluator 3. The result is displayed on a display device 5. However, the evaluator 3 can also transmit the result to a higher-level management system of the industrial system.

[0040] Figure 1b A movable object 4 with a transceiver 2 is shown, which performs a linear movement. The object 4 should reach an end position or at least a predefined area, which is shown by the object 4 with a solid line. The cable antenna 1 can detect the transceiver 2 in this end position or in this area. The movable object 4 thus moves between the object 4 shown with a dashed line and the object 4 shown with a solid line.

[0041] Figure 2 A section of a conveyor belt 35 is shown by way of example. The conveyor belt 35 consists of a plurality of objects 4 (specifically, supporting rollers) and a conveyor belt 36. The objects 4 have a certain distance relative to each other. Two objects to be monitored that have the largest distance from each other have a distance A. The distance A can be, for example, at least five meters or at least 20 meters. Of course, at least twenty objects can also be monitored. When one of these objects 4 gets stuck or no longer moves synchronously with the speed of the supporting belt, this leads to greater wear and increased energy requirements. In order to detect objects 4 that no longer rotate as set, it is equipped with a transceiver. The fixed cable antenna 1 receives a signal at least from the object 4 that is performing the movement. The evaluator 3 receives the signal and evaluates the movement of each object based on the transceiver data. The evaluation is transmitted to the display device 5, for example. A constant signal is received in the object 4 that is no longer performing the movement.

[0042] Figure 3A continuous casting device 30 is shown. The continuous casting device has a plurality of movable objects 4, in particular support rollers, which run with a casting branch 31 and thereby perform a rotational movement. These objects 4 are equipped with transceivers 2. Cable antennas 1 detect the signals of the transceivers 2. The branch 31 is supported on both sides by support rollers. Cable antennas 1 are arranged on both sides. These cable antennas 1 are wrapped by hoses 20. A cooling medium flows through the hose 20 in an advantageous manner, the cooling medium being introduced through an inlet 21 for the cooling medium and being discharged again through an outlet 22 for the cooling medium. Subsequently, the two cable antennas 1 are connected to an evaluator 3, which can evaluate the movement of the individual objects 4 accordingly.

[0043] Figure 4a An object 4 in the form of a rotationally symmetrical roller is shown. The transceiver is advantageously mounted on the end face, since this arrangement makes an eccentric arrangement easily achievable. A further advantage is that there are generally no forces at the end face of the roller that could damage the transceiver 2 .

[0044] Figure 4b Another possibility for arranging the transceiver on the rotationally symmetrical object 4 is shown, namely that the transceiver is arranged in a recess along the circumference. This type of arrangement also results in an eccentric arrangement and also ensures corresponding protection. The recess can also be filled with a filler material, which does not prevent the detection of the transceiver by the cable antenna.

[0045] Figure 5 The arrangement of rotating rollers (e.g. rollers) is shown. In this arrangement, there are two cable antennas 1. By using two or more antennas, it is possible to cover a larger area. Cable antennas are normally only suitable for certain length areas. Thus, for example, at least five, preferably at least twenty objects can be monitored with each cable antenna 1.

[0046] Figures 6a to 6c Also shown by way of example are the signals received by the evaluator 3. These signals are implemented such that during the movement of the object 4 there are positions at which signals can be detected and positions at which signals cannot be detected. Figure 6a shows that the object moves as expected. Figure 6b The object moves slower than expected. Therefore, the object does not move as expected, which is indicated by a longer phase of the transceiver's recognition or non-recognition signal. Figure 6c In the case of a continuous detection of a signal, the object does not move or only performs very small movements. It is also conceivable that there is no detected signal, so that the movement is also not performed as expected.

[0047] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variants can be derived by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] Reference Numbers List

[0049] 1 Cable Antenna

[0050] 2 Transceiver

[0051] 3 Evaluator

[0052] 4 Objects

[0053] 5 Display device

[0054] 6 Conveyor Belt

[0055] 7 Memory

[0056] 8. Battery

[0057] 9 Interface

[0058] 20 Hose

[0059] 21 Inlet for cooling medium

[0060] 22 Outlet for cooling medium

[0061] 30 Continuous casting equipment

[0062] 31 Branch Road

[0063] 35 Conveyor Belt

[0064] 36 Conveyor belt.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a device, wherein: At least five objects (4) connected to the device perform a preset rotational movement or a preset translational movement, characterized in that: - a cable antenna (1) arranged in a fixed position, - provided with at least five passive transceivers (2) detectable by the cable antenna (1), - wherein each object (4) has the transceiver (2), and the transceiver (2) is arranged on the object (4) in each case so that during a rotational movement or a translational movement of the object (4), the corresponding transceiver (2) and the cable antenna (1) change position, - an evaluator (3), which continuously determines the rotational or translational movement of at least five of the objects (4) based on a forwarded signal received by one of the cable antennas (1), and which is capable of continuously detecting deviations of the rotational or translational movement from a preset rotational or translational movement for all five of the objects (4), the information of the corresponding transceiver (2) read by the cable antenna (1) remaining unchanged during the rotational or translational movement.

2. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that The equipment is industrial equipment.

3. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that At least twenty objects (4) connected to the device perform a predetermined rotational movement or a predetermined translational movement.

4. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that At least five objects (4) connected to the device perform periodic rotational motion or periodic translational motion.

5. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that The transceiver (2) is a radio frequency identification transceiver.

6. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that The evaluator (3) is able to detect deviations of the rotational or translational movement from a preset rotational or translational movement for all five of the objects (4) in real time.

7. The device for monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The object (4) is a rotating body, and the transceiver (2) is eccentrically arranged on an end face of the rotating body or the transceiver (2) is arranged on a circumferential side of the rotating body.

8. The device for monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The transceiver (2) is positioned at the object (4) so ​​that the signal received by the cable antenna (1) changes in signal strength during movement of the object (4) and / or a position where no signal is received occurs during movement of the object (4).

9. The device for monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: At least five of the objects (4) have a certain distance from one another, wherein the objects (4) having the largest distance have a distance from one another of at least 5 m, and the cable antenna (1) has a length of at least 5 m.

10. The device for monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The evaluator (3) is capable of determining at least one characteristic parameter of the movement of the object (4).

11. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that The characteristic variables are speed, reaching the end position and / or rotational speed.

12. The device for monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cable antenna (1) is wrapped by a non-metallic hose (20).

13. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 12, characterized in that The non-metallic hose contains a cooling medium, and the hose (20) has an inlet (21) and an outlet (22) for the cooling medium.

14. The device for monitoring equipment according to claim 12, characterized in that The hose (20) has at least one dedicated cooling channel, which is arranged along the cable antenna (1).

15. A method for monitoring a device, wherein: At least five objects (4) of the device perform a predetermined rotational movement or a predetermined translational movement, characterized in that: - a cable antenna (1) is arranged in a fixed position, - five passive transceivers (2) can be read by means of the cable antenna (1), wherein at least one passive transceiver (2) is mounted on each of the five objects (4), - wherein the passive transceiver (2) is positioned so that during a rotational or translational movement of the object (4) the transceiver (2) and the cable antenna (1) change position, an evaluator (3) is connected to the cable antenna (1) and the evaluator (3) determines the rotational or translational movement based on a forwarded signal detected by the cable antenna (1), - wherein deviations of the rotational or translational movement from a predetermined rotational or translational movement are continuously detected for all five objects (4) by means of the evaluator (3), the information of the corresponding transceiver (2) read by the cable antenna (1) remaining unchanged during the rotational or translational movement.

16. The method for monitoring a device according to claim 15, characterized in that The equipment is industrial equipment.

17. The method for monitoring equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that At least twenty objects (4) of the device perform a predetermined rotational movement or a predetermined translational movement.

18. The method for monitoring equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that At least five objects (4) of the device perform repeated rotational movements or repeated translational movements.

19. The method for monitoring equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that At least five bodies (4) of the device perform a periodic rotational movement or a periodic translational movement.

20. The method for monitoring equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that The transceiver (2) is a radio frequency identification transceiver.

21. The method for monitoring equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that Deviations of the rotational or translational movement from a set rotational or translational movement are detected in real time for all five objects (4) using the evaluator (3).

22. A method for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that The transceiver (2) is positioned at the object (4) so ​​that the signal strength of the signal received by the cable antenna (1) of the transceiver (2) changes during the movement of the object (4), or a position where no signal is received occurs during the movement of the object (4).

23. A method for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that At least five of the objects (4) have a certain distance from one another, wherein the objects (4) having the largest distance have a distance from one another of at least 5 m, and the cable antenna (1) has a length of at least 5 m.

24. A method for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that The evaluator (3) is capable of determining at least one characteristic parameter of the movement.

25. The method for monitoring a device according to claim 24, characterized in that The characteristic variables are speed, reaching the end position and / or rotational speed.

26. A method for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that The cable antenna (1) is cooled by a cooling medium.

27. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 in a continuous casting plant for monitoring the movement of a rotating roller or in a conveying plant for monitoring a carrier roller.

28. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions for causing the apparatus for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to implement the steps of the method for monitoring a device according to any one of claims 15 to 26.

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