Device for determining and / or monitoring at least one property of rivet element

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining and / or monitoring at least one property (3) of a rivet element (4), in particular on a transport section (5) leading to a processing machine (1) and / or a riveting unit (7) leading to the processing machine (1), the device (2) having a transmitting coil (9) and a receiving coil (10), wherein a transmission signal (12) can be fed into the transmission coil (9) by means of a signal generator (11) and a reception signal (13) induced into the reception coil (10) can be evaluated by means of an evaluation unit (14) in order to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic (3) of the rivet element (4) on the transport section (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic of a rivet element according to claim 1, a machining machine for machining aircraft structural components according to the preamble of claim 10, and a method for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic of a rivet element on a transport section according to claim 11. Background Technology

[0002] For the machining of aircraft structural components, and especially for riveting, it is crucial to feed the correct rivet elements to the machining machine along the correct orientation. Rivet elements are mostly stored in rivet reservoirs, which are received in multiple cartridges. During machining, the rivet elements to be processed are transported from the rivet element reservoirs to the machining machine, and particularly to the end effector or the riveting unit of the end effector, via hoses. The transport to the machining machine is mostly carried out by means of compressed air via one or more hoses.

[0003] Here, it is possible that rivet components with incorrect orientation or the wrong type are fed to the machining machine. This usually leads to unwanted machining interruptions.

[0004] Because the correct selection and orientation of rivet elements cannot always be guaranteed, various methods and apparatuses for determining and / or monitoring the characteristics of rivet elements are known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2014 106312 A1 describes an apparatus for measuring rivet elements by means of an optical sensor. However, optical methods also have drawbacks. Therefore, the optical resolution of the sensor is partially limited. Furthermore, flexible tubes are mostly not completely transparent and may distort the image of the rivet element. The use of optical methods for monitoring the material of the rivet element is also sometimes limited.

[0005] Furthermore, prior art describes devices for sensing position identification (DE 10 2007 061803 B3) or devices for monitoring the length of rivet elements (DE 202 15 364 U1). However, these devices each have their specific drawbacks in terms of accuracy and speed in determining or monitoring at least one characteristic of the rivet element.

[0006] One challenge here is to improve existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The fundamental problem of this invention is to design and extend known devices in such a way that further optimizations are achieved in terms of the aforementioned challenges, and in particular improvements are made to the determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic of the rivet element.

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] Importantly, the principle of determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic of the rivet element on the transport section is achieved by setting up a device with a transmitting coil and a receiving coil, wherein a transmitting signal is fed into the transmitting coil by means of a signal generator, and the received signal induced in the receiving coil can be evaluated by means of an evaluation unit to determine and / or monitor the characteristics of the rivet element on the transport section. Thus, the present invention utilizes the fact that at least one characteristic of the rivet element can be determined by its interaction with an electromagnetic field. Through the setting of the transmitting coil and the feeding of the transmitting signal into the transmitting coil and the evaluation of the received signal induced in the receiving coil, particularly accurate and reliable determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic of the rivet element can be achieved. Such active measurement by means of feeding the transmitting signal into the transmitting coil has a much higher accuracy than passive measurement, in which only the changes induced in the receiving coil from the movement of the rivet element relative to the coil are measured.

[0010] According to an extension of claim 2 of the present invention, the material of the rivet element and / or the orientation of the rivet element and / or the length of the rivet element and / or the length of the shank can be determined and / or monitored as characteristics of the rivet element. These characteristics have a particularly characterizing interaction with the electromagnetic field and can therefore be well determined or monitored. As a supplementary or alternative embodiment, the head diameter and / or the shank diameter can also be determined and / or monitored.

[0011] The extension according to claim 3 allows for particularly smooth determination or monitoring of the characteristics of the rivet elements on the transport section. It is preferable to determine and / or monitor the rivet elements while they are still on the transport section, especially before they reach the processing machine.

[0012] The features of claim 4 describe a particularly simple construction of the transport section and enable particularly precise guidance of the rivet elements relative to the device.

[0013] Claims 5 and 6 describe a particularly preferred arrangement of the transmitting coil and / or receiving coil relative to each other and relative to the transport section, with which particularly reliable determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic of the rivet element can be achieved. The interaction with the electromagnetic field is particularly characterized in this arrangement and can be well measured.

[0014] The extended embodiment of claim 7 includes an additional transmitting coil and / or another receiving coil. This extended embodiment allows for the verification of a given situation using the transmitting and receiving coils and / or for more precise determination of at least one characteristic, particularly the length of the rivet element and / or the length of the shank.

[0015] The extensions of claims 8 and 9 describe a preferred design of the evaluation unit or its connection, which allows for particularly easy and reliable determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic.

[0016] According to another teaching of claim 10, which should have independent significance, a machining machine for machining aircraft structural components is claimed.

[0017] Importantly, the processing machine has a device of the type described above for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic of the rivet element.

[0018] See all explanations regarding the apparatus as suggested. In particular, the apparatus is also set up and constructed for implementing the methods described herein.

[0019] According to another teaching that should also have independent significance according to claim 11, a method for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic of a rivet element on a transport section is claimed, preferably by means of an apparatus of the type described above, wherein a transmitting signal is fed into a transmitting coil by means of a signal transmitter and a receiving signal induced in a receiving coil is evaluated by means of an evaluation unit to determine at least one characteristic of the rivet element.

[0020] Please refer to all explanations regarding the recommended apparatus and the recommended processing machine.

[0021] The determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic is preferably based on the movement of the rivet element along and / or through the device, as described in claim 12. The particularly continuous movement of the rivet element relative to the device causes an effect on the magnetic field, which is added to the transmitted signal, allowing the characteristic of the rivet element to be determined and / or monitored particularly easily and smoothly.

[0022] According to the extension of claim 13, a preferred sampling rate is described, which allows for the particularly precise determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic.

[0023] In claims 14 and 15, preferred evaluation methods for determining at least one characteristic are described. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which only illustrate embodiments. In the drawings: Figure 1 a) shows an embodiment of the recommended processing machine having the recommended apparatus, and b) shows the recommended apparatus. Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown. Figure 1 The device is as recommended. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the proposed device is shown. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the proposed device is shown. Figure 5 a) An example is shown in the schematic diagram of the transmission and reception of signals according to the recommended device without the influence of the rivet element; b) An example is shown in the schematic diagram of the transmission and reception of signals by the recommended device during the delivery of the rivet element from beside or through the recommended device; c) A diagram is shown for evaluating the transmission signal in order to determine the characteristics of the rivet element. Figure 6 a) An exemplary diagram showing the maximum value of the received signal with respect to time, in order to determine the orientation of the rivet element, and b) An exemplary diagram showing the orientation of the rivet element according to time. Figure 3 A diagram illustrating the maximum value of the received signal of the device in another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0025] exist Figure 1 The figure shows a proposed processing machine 1 having a proposed device 2, the proposed device being used to determine at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 on the transport section 5 and / or to monitor at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 on the transport section 5.

[0026] The transport section 5 here specifically leads from the rivet storage 6 to the processing machine 1 and / or the riveting unit 7 of the processing machine 1. Multiple rivet boxes 8 for storing multiple rivet elements 4 can be provided in the rivet storage 6. Preferably, rivet boxes 8 store rivet elements 4 of the same rivet type, while different rivet boxes 8 in the rivet storage 6 respectively receive rivet elements 4 of at least partially different rivet types.

[0027] The proposed device 2 has a transmitting coil 9 and a receiving coil 10. A transmitting signal 12 can be fed into the transmitting coil 9 by means of a signal generator 11, and a receiving signal 13 induced in the receiving coil 10 can be evaluated by means of a measurement unit 14, so as to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 on the transport section 5. The device 2 has a measuring volume 15 for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic 3. The device utilizes the ability to determine the characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 through the interaction between the rivet element 4 and the electromagnetic field. The rivet element 4 moving on the transport section 5 affects the electromagnetic field in the measuring volume 15, and this effect can be measured by means of the receiving signal 13. The intensity and characteristics of the effect depend on the material of the rivet element 4 and the mass of the rivet element 4 in the measuring volume 15 of the device 2. Here, the transmitting signal 12 is thus fed into the transmitting coil 9 by means of the signal generator 11. The transmitting signal generates an electromagnetic field. In particular, this can be an alternating electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field induces a received signal 13 in the receiving coil 10. This received signal can be evaluated by the evaluation unit 14. This evaluation allows for the determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4.

[0028] The signal generator 11 is particularly likely a frequency generator, which preferably generates an alternating current voltage. In this embodiment, the signal generator 11 is as follows: Figure 4 The particularly continuous sinusoidal oscillation 16 shown in a) and 4b) is generated. Alternatively, the signal generator is capable of generating particularly continuous rectangular or triangular pulse voltages. The preferred induction of a higher frequency alternating field allows for improved determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4, because the higher the frequency of the transmitted signal 12, the greater the frequency change during the period when the rivet element 4 remains in the measuring volume 15.

[0029] The frequency of the transmitted signal 12 is preferably between 5 kHz and 50 kHz, more preferably between 15 kHz and 30 kHz, and even more preferably between 20 kHz and 25 kHz. In this embodiment, the frequency of the transmitted signal 12 is 22 kHz.

[0030] Preferably, the device 2 determines and / or monitors the material of the rivet element 4 and / or the orientation of the rivet element 4 and / or the length of the rivet element 17 and / or the length of the shank 18 as characteristics 3 of the rivet element 4. This will be described in further detail below.

[0031] Furthermore, it is hereby preferably specified that the device 2 is configured to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 during the conveying of the rivet element on the transport section 5.

[0032] The transmitting coil 9 induces a magnetic field in the measuring volume 15. This magnetic field is affected by the rivet element 4 being conveyed through the measuring volume 15 on the transport section 5. As a result, the received signal 13 induced in the receiving coil 10 changes. The change depends particularly on the material and mass in the measuring volume 15, but also on the speed at which the rivet element 4 is conveyed through the measuring volume 15. These changes can be evaluated, as further described below, to determine at least one characteristic 3.

[0033] The transmitting coil 9 and receiving coil 10 are arranged such that, in the absence of external influences, i.e., when stationary or when the rivet element 4 is not being transported through the transport section 5, the receiving coil 10 is configured to provide a measurable and usable received signal 13. Preferably, the transmitting coil 9 also generates a changing magnetic field in the measuring volume 15 when the rivet element 4 is not in the measuring volume 15, and this magnetic field then induces the received signal 13 in the receiving coil 10.

[0034] The transport section 5 can be formed by a hose, especially a plastic hose, and / or the device 2 can have a receiving mechanism 19 for receiving the transport section 5, especially the hose. In addition, the hose can be fixed to the device 2 by means of a clamp 20.

[0035] As in Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the coil can be received in the housing. Here, the coil is arranged in the housing such that the hose passes beside the receiving coil 10 and the transmitting coil 9. The transmitting coil 9 and / or the receiving coil 10 are arranged in the device 2 such that the transmitting coil 9 and / or the receiving coil 10 are arranged on the side of the transport section 5. The transport section 5 here, and preferably, does not extend through the transmitting coil 9 and / or the receiving coil 10.

[0036] For example, further Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the transmitting coil 9 and / or receiving coil 10 are arranged at an angle to each other. Preferably, the transmitting coil 9 and / or receiving coil 10 are arranged at an angle of 45° to 135° relative to each other, more preferably at an angle of 75° to 105°, and even more preferably at an angle of 85° to 95°. In an embodiment, they are arranged at approximately a 90° angle relative to each other. The transport section 5 extends here in front of the receiving coil 10 and above the transmitting coil 9.

[0037] exist Figure 3 and 4In some embodiments, the device 2 is specified to have another transmitting coil 21 and / or another receiving coil 22. Here, the transmitting coil 9 is arranged with a defined spacing relative to the other transmitting coil 21, and / or the receiving coil 10 is arranged with a defined spacing relative to the other receiving coil 22. In these embodiments, it is specified that another transmitting signal 12 can be fed into the other transmitting coil 21 by means of a signal generator 11 and / or another signal generator 11, and the received signal 13 induced in the receiving coil 10 can be evaluated by means of an evaluation unit 14 to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 on the transport section 5. Preferably, both receiving signals 13 and / or both transmitting signals 12 are used for evaluation.

[0038] Thus, for example, the precise speed of the rivet element 4 on the transport segment 5 can be determined between the two transmitting coils 9 or the two receiving coils 10. The accuracy of determining or monitoring at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be further improved.

[0039] Figure 3 The embodiment has three coils. Here, a transmitting coil 9, a receiving coil 10, and another receiving coil 22 are arranged. Preferably, the transmitting coil 9 and the receiving coil 10 are arranged parallel to each other. However, as mentioned above, alternative arrangements are also possible. Figure 4 As shown, here and preferably, the transmitting coil 9 is not connected to the receiving coil 10 and the other receiving coil 22. Here and preferably, the two receiving coils 10 are not connected. The transport section 5 here preferably passes beside the transmitting coil 9 and the receiving coil 10. In this embodiment, all the features combined with those described according to the proposed device 2 can also be arranged individually or in combination.

[0040] Furthermore, and preferably here, the evaluation unit 14 has an A / D converter 23 for evaluating one or more transmitted signals 12 and / or one or more received signals 13.

[0041] A filter 24 and / or an amplifier 25 can be connected before the A / D converter 23 to process the transmitted signal 12 and / or the received signal 13. In this embodiment, the filter 24 and / or the amplifier 25 are connected in particular before each received signal 13.

[0042] In this embodiment, the A / D converter 23 has a time-synchronized channel. The channel of the A / D converter 23 is sampled at the same time.

[0043] exist Figure 1 and 2 In this embodiment, the transmitted signal 12 and / or the received signal 13 are respectively transmitted to the channel of the evaluation unit 14. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the transmitted signal 12 and / or the received signal 13 are respectively transmitted to the channel of the evaluation unit 14. Figure 4 In this embodiment, the transmit signal 12, the receive signal 13, and another receive signal 13 are respectively transmitted to the channel of the evaluation unit 14. Here, and preferably, sampling is performed in a program block (Blöcken) by the A / D converter 23. In this embodiment, and preferably, the program block is too short to fully detect one or more transmit signals 12 and / or one or more receive signals 13 with respect to the rivet element 4 transported via the transport segment 5 in the same program.

[0044] In this embodiment, the evaluation unit 14 has a memory 26 for storing one or more transmitted signals 12 and / or one or more received signals 13. This allows for the storage of multiple program blocks. Preferably, the evaluation is performed on the corresponding signal change curves over time. Such an evaluation, for example, combines... Figure 6 Describe it.

[0045] In particular, memory 26 may have a ring memory 27 for storing one or more transmit signals 12 and / or one or more receive signals 13, which is rewritten periodically by new measurements.

[0046] Here, and preferably, for each evaluation of the rivet element 4, the memory 26 contains a complete transmit signal 12 or multiple complete transmit signals 12 and / or a complete receive signal 13 or multiple complete receive signals 13 for the rivet element 4.

[0047] The evaluation itself is preferably performed through the calculation unit 28 of the evaluation unit 14, such as in combination with Figure 5 and 6 As described. Here, and preferably, the evaluation unit 14 monitors changes in the transmitted signal 12 and / or received signal 13, which indicate the movement of the rivet element 4 via the transport section 5. For this purpose, it is preferable, particularly continuously, to compare the transmitted signal 12 and / or received signal 13 with each other. In particular, a phase shift 29 and / or an amplitude change 30 of the maximum value here, and preferably, triggers further evaluation. Preferably, the evaluation is combined with Figure 5 and 6 As described.

[0048] The machining machine 1, as suggested, is used for machining aircraft structural components 31. Figure 1As shown in the diagram, the machining machine 1 here, and preferably, has a machine motion mechanism 32 for moving the end effector 33 relative to the aircraft structural member 31 and / or the ground, as well as the end effector 33. Preferably, the machine motion mechanism 32 has at least three motion axes. Furthermore, the machining machine 1, and here the end effector 33, has a riveting unit 7. This riveting unit is used to place the rivet element 4 into the aircraft structural member 31. In addition, the end effector 33 can have a drilling unit 34, particularly for drilling, and a riveting unit 7, particularly for placing the rivet element 4.

[0049] The machining machine 1 in this embodiment has a machine control mechanism 35. This machine control mechanism is used to control machine functions, such as the drive devices for the machine motion mechanism 32 and / or the end effector 33. The control of machine functions is performed here and preferably by user input and / or according to the machining plan for the aircraft structural component 31 stored in the machine control mechanism 35.

[0050] In this embodiment, the machining machine 1 is part of the machining machine assembly 36. Besides the machining machine 1, the machining machine assembly 36 has a rivet reservoir 6. This rivet reservoir is arranged here and preferably separately from the machining machine 1. However, it can also be arranged on the machining machine 1 or integrated into the machining machine. In this embodiment, the rivet reservoir 6 has a plurality of rivet boxes 8. Each of these rivet boxes receives a plurality of rivet elements 4 of the same type. Different rivet boxes 8 preferably receive rivet elements 4 of different rivet types. Preferably, flexible hoses are arranged in the rivet boxes 8, and the rivet elements 4 are received in these hoses. These rivet elements can be constructed, for example, as described in EP 3 678 801 A1. In this regard, reference is made to this publication EP 3 678 801 A1.

[0051] As in Figure 1 As shown, the transport section 5 extends from the rivet store 6 to the processing machine 1. In this embodiment, the transport section extends to the end effector 33, and more particularly to the riveting unit 7 of the end effector 33. The transport section is configured as a flexible tube in at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and even more preferably at least 98% of its length.

[0052] Further preferred are the machining assembly 36, and in particular the machining machine 1, which has a device 2 for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 of the described type. See all explanations regarding the proposed device 2.

[0053] exist Figure 1In this embodiment, the machining assembly 36 has a plurality of transport sections 5 on which at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be determined and / or monitored in the manner described herein. Here, and preferably, these transport sections are distinguished by the net cross-section of the transport section 5, particularly the inner diameter of the hose forming at least a portion of the respective transport section 5. Thus, rivet elements 4 with significantly deviated diameters or head diameters can be efficiently transported from the rivet reservoir 6 to the end effector 33 and evaluated as described herein.

[0054] Furthermore, a method for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 on the transport section 5 is proposed. This is performed here and preferably by means of a device 2 of the type described. A transmitting signal 12 is fed into a transmitting coil 9 by means of a signal generator 11, and a receiving signal 13 induced in a receiving coil 10 is evaluated by means of a measurement unit 14. In this way, at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be determined and / or monitored. All explanations regarding the described device 2 and the described processing machine 1 are provided.

[0055] In this embodiment, and preferably for the determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic 3, the movement of the rivet element 4 along and / or through the device 2 is based on the movement of the rivet element 4. Measurements are taken during the transport of the rivet element 4 via the transport section 5, which is transported via a hose, to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic 3. Then, by evaluating one or more received signals 13 and, if necessary, one or more transmitted signals 12, at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be determined. As explained above, the signal generator 11 generates a transmitted signal 12, which is fed into the transmitting coil 9. The transmitted signal generates a magnetic field in the measuring volume 15 of the device 2. This magnetic field, in turn, induces a received signal 13 in the receiving coil 10, which is then evaluated by means of the evaluation unit 14. Then, by evaluating the received signal 13 and, if necessary, the transmitted signal 12, at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be determined and / or monitored.

[0056] Preferably, the transmitting coil 9 has already induced the receiving signal 13 in the receiving coil 10 before the rivet element 4 is conveyed through or from the side of the device 2. This is in Figure 4 As shown in a). In the figure, the amplitude 30 of the transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13 are shown with respect to time. The transmitted signal 12 is shown as a solid line, and the received signal 13 is shown as a dashed line.

[0057] The transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13 are here, and preferably, constant in terms of phase shift 29 and / or amplitude 30. Furthermore, they have the same frequency.

[0058] If the rivet element 4 is now conveyed through the transport section 5 through the device 2 or from the side of the device, the received signal 13 induced in the receiving coil 10 changes in a manner characteristic of the rivet element 4. Such a received signal 13... Figure 4 (b) is shown as a dashed line, while the transmitted signal 12 is shown as a solid line. The amplitude 30 of the transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13 is shown here with respect to time. The device 2 or magnetic field in the measuring volume 15 is interfered with to some extent by the rivet element 4. This causes a change in one or more received signals 13. Here, the amplitude 30 of the received signal 13 and / or the movement of the received signal 13 relative to the transmitted signal 12 changes.

[0059] Then, by evaluating the transmitted signal 12 and / or the received signal 13, at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4 can be determined and / or monitored. For this purpose, the received signal 13 and / or the transmitted signal 12 are evaluated by means of the evaluation unit 14.

[0060] Here, and preferably at a sampling rate of at least 50 kHz, more preferably at least 100 kHz, further preferably at least 200 kHz, and even more preferably at least 220 kHz, the transmitted signal 12 and / or the received signal 13 are sampled. In this embodiment, this is performed time-synchronously not only for the transmitted signal 12 but also for the received signal 13. These high sampling rates result in high resolution measurements.

[0061] Furthermore, the transmitted signal 12 and / or received signal 13 are sampled here and preferably at a sampling rate that is at least five times, preferably at least ten times, greater than the frequency of the transmitted signal 12 generated by the signal generator 11.

[0062] Preferably, the resolution is further improved by 5 to 10 times through interpolation between the measured values. This further improves the accuracy of determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic 3.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferred here that the amplitude 30 of the transmitted signal 12 and / or the amplitude 30 of the received signal 13 be measured. By means of the measured amplitude 30 and / or the envelope of the amplitude 30, the position, especially the orientation, of the rivet element 4 and / or the rivet element length 17 and / or the shank length 18 and / or the material of the rivet element 4 can be determined and / or monitored.

[0064] As a supplementary or alternative solution, it is possible to specify that the phase shift 29 between the transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13 is determined and / or monitored by means of the phase shift 29 between the transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13.

[0065] Furthermore, as a supplementary or alternative solution, the phase shift 29 of the received signal 13 at the moment when the rivet element 4 is not yet in the measuring volume 15 and at the moment when the rivet element 4 is in the measuring volume 15 can be used to determine and / or monitor the material of the rivet element 4. Preferably, the phase shift 29 is determined precisely to 0.1 to 0.2 degrees. Figure 5 The comparison between a) and 5b) allows for the comparison of phase shift 37 during the period when rivet element 4 is not in the measuring volume 15 with the period when rivet element 4 is in the measuring volume 15.

[0066] In this embodiment, phase shift 29 and / or amplitude 30 are measured to determine and / or monitor the material as a characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4. This is in Figure 5 As shown in c). Here, the x-axis represents phase shift 29 and the y-axis represents amplitude 30 or the maximum value of amplitude 30. Furthermore, two different measurement clouds (Messwolken) are plotted. The left side shows the measurement of rivet element 4 made of nickel alloy, particularly Inconel, and the right side shows the measurement of rivet element 4 made of titanium alloy, having approximately the same rivet head 38 and shank diameter 39. The rivet element 4 made of Inconel alloy, for example, produces a phase shift 29 of approximately 42.4°, while the rivet element 4 made of titanium alloy produces a phase shift of approximately 39.3°.

[0067] Here, and preferably, the transmitted signal 12 and / or received signal 13 are also stored for evaluation. In this way, the transmitted signal 12 and / or received signal 13 can also be evaluated with respect to time-varying curves to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4. For example, the evaluation can be performed with respect to the time-varying curve of the maximum value of the received signal 13. This is, for example, in... Figure 6 As shown in a). The orientation of the rivet element 4 can be determined based on the curve. The rivet head 38, due to its higher mass, causes a more pronounced amplitude change 30 than the rivet shank 40. Figure 6 In this context, time 0 represents the time elapsed since the measurement left the sensor area. A larger time value indicates that the measurement is further back in time. Figure 6 In curve a) with a dashed line, the maximum value shifts to the right (the maximum value is in the right half). That is, the part with the largest mass, i.e., the rivet head 38, passes through device 2 first. In curve a) with a dotted dashed line, the maximum value shifts to the left (the maximum value is in the left half). That is, the part with the largest mass, i.e., the rivet head 38, passes through device 2 last.

[0068] Furthermore, the time variation curve of the received signal 13 can be further evaluated in order to determine at least one characteristic 3.

[0069] The length 17 of the rivet element can be determined by the duration of residence of the rivet element 4 in the measuring volume 15 of the device 2. For this purpose, the average speed of the rivet element 4 can be assumed, or the speed can be determined by means of another second receiving coil 22 staggered on the transport section 5. Such a measurement... Figure 6 As shown in b).

[0070] As already explained, the maximum value of the received signal 13 should be assigned to the rivet head 38. The flat area of ​​the received signal 13 can be assigned to the shank of the rivet element 4. By determining the extent of the flat area of ​​the received signal 13, the shank length 18 of the rivet element 4 can be determined. For this purpose, the average speed of the rivet element 4 can be assumed, or the speed can be determined by means of another second receiving coil 22 arranged offset on the transport section 5.

[0071] The rivet head diameter 41 or the shank diameter 39 can be determined by the maximum value of the amplitude 30 of one or more received signals 13, as in... Figure 6 As shown in b).

[0072] Furthermore, the region 42 enclosed between the received signal 13 and the time axis can be used to determine at least one characteristic 3 and / or to monitor at least one characteristic. As a supplementary or alternative, the determination of this region 42 can be used to perform a reliability check on the evaluation.

[0073] It can also be specified that the steepness of the rise and / or fall of one or more received signals 13 and / or the steepness of the rise and / or fall of the maximum value of one or more received signals 13 are used to determine at least one characteristic 3 and / or to monitor at least one characteristic. As a supplementary or alternative, a reliability check for the evaluation can be implemented based on this.

[0074] Device 2 is capable of monitoring. This monitoring function allows for the inspection of the function of device 2 and / or its components. If the transmitted signal 12 and received signal 13 correspond to the expected signals when no rivet element 4 is in the measuring volume 15, then the correct functioning of device 2 can be assumed.

[0075] As a supplementary or alternative solution, it can be specified that the transmitted signal 12 is compared with another transmitted signal 12 of another transmitted coil 21 and / or the received signal 13 is compared with another received signal 13. If the transmitted and received signals are sufficiently similar—during the period when no rivet element 4 is in the measuring volume 15 and / or when the rivet element 4 passes by the corresponding coil—then the correct functioning of the device 2 can be assumed.

[0076] Otherwise, the testing device may be malfunctioning and displaying interference and / or sending interference to the machine control mechanism 35.

[0077] In order to determine, in particular independently, at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4, the evaluation process and / or features of the characteristic 3 to be determined can be stored in the memory 26 of the evaluation unit 14.

[0078] These evaluation processes and / or features are particularly relevant to the preceding analysis of signals, especially in conjunction with... Figure 5 and 6 The assessment as explained.

[0079] Furthermore, the evaluation process and / or features and / or reference signals can be stored in the database 43, particularly in the memory 26 of the evaluation unit 14, for monitoring at least one feature 3. Reference signals for one or more specific rivet elements 4 along with their features 3 can also be stored in the memory 26.

[0080] The features may in particular be the maximum value of the received signal 13, the steepness of the rise and / or fall of the received signal 13 and / or the steepness of the rise and / or fall of the maximum value of the received signal 13 and / or the variation of the region 42 enclosed between the received signal 13 and the time axis and / or the phase shift 29 and / or phase shift 37 between the transmitted signal 12 and the received signal 13.

[0081] Furthermore, it can be specified that the evaluation unit 14 utilizes and / or has artificial intelligence 44 that has been trained, specifically for determining at least one characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4. Preferably, the evaluation unit 14 can train the artificial intelligence 44 based on feedback from the processing machine 1.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the machine control mechanism 35 sends information to the evaluation unit 14 regarding the type of rivet conveyed or already conveyed via the transport section 5 and / or the characteristics 3 that the rivet element 4 should possess, and which rivet element has been conveyed or already conveyed via the transport section 5. Based on this and on the evaluation of the evaluation unit 14, the evaluation unit determines whether the rivet type of the rivet element 4, or the characteristic 3 corresponding to the rivet type, or the characteristic 3 of the rivet element 4, is consistent with the rivet type or characteristic conveyed by the machine control mechanism 35.

[0083] Subsequently, the evaluation unit 14 notifies the machine control mechanism 35 of the results, which then either uses the rivet element 4 and stores it in the intermediate rivet storage for later use, or removes it. Here, and preferably, the rivet element 4 is sorted or rejected based on the evaluation by the pre-selector 45.

[0084] List of reference numerals 1. Processing machine 2. Device 3 characteristics 4. Rivet components 5. Transportation Section 6. Rivet storage 7 Riveting Unit 8 Rivet Box 9. Transmitting coil 10 Receiving coil 11. Signal Generator 12 Send signal 13 Receiving signals 14 Assessment Units 15. Measuring volume 16 Sine Oscillation 17. Rivet component length 18. Length of the rod 19 Receiving Institutions 20 Fixtures 21 Another transmitting coil 22 Another receiving coil 23 A / D Converters 24 Filters 25 Amplifier 26. Memory 27. Ring Memory 28 Computing Units 29 Phase Shift 30 amplitude 31 Aircraft structural components 32. Machine motion mechanism 33 End effector 34 Drilling Units 35 Machine control mechanism 38 Rivet Heads 40 Rivet rod 42 areas 43 Database 44 Artificial Intelligence 45 Preselector

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic (3) of a rivet element (4) on a transport section (5) of a riveting unit (7) leading to a machining center (1) and / or a riveting unit (7) leading to a machining center (1), wherein the apparatus (2) has a transmitting coil (9) and a receiving coil (10), wherein a transmitting signal (12) can be fed into the transmitting coil (9) by means of a signal generator (11) and a receiving signal (13) induced in the receiving coil (10) can be evaluated by means of a testing unit (14) to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic (3) of the rivet element (4) on the transport section (5).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (2) is able to determine and / or monitor the material of the rivet element (4) and / or the orientation of the rivet element (4) and / or the rivet element length (17) and / or the rod length (18) of the rivet element (4) as characteristics (3) of the rivet element (4).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device (2) is configured to determine and / or monitor at least one characteristic (3) of the rivet element (4) during the transport of the rivet element on the transport section (5).

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transport section (5) is formed by a hose, especially a plastic hose, and / or the device (2) has a receiving mechanism (19) for receiving the transport section (5), especially the hose.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmitting coil (9) and / or receiving coil (10) are arranged in the device (2) such that the transmitting coil (9) and / or receiving coil (10) are arranged on the side of the transport section (5), and / or the transport section (5) does not extend through the transmitting coil (9) and / or the receiving coil (10).

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmitting coil (9) and / or receiving coil (10) are arranged at an angle to each other, preferably at an angle of 45° to 135°, more preferably at an angle of 75° to 105°, and more preferably at an angle of 85° to 95° relative to each other.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The device (2) has another transmitting coil (21) and / or another receiving coil (22), preferably the transmitting coil (9) is arranged with a defined spacing relative to the other transmitting coil (21), and / or the receiving coil (10) is arranged with a defined spacing relative to the other receiving coil (22).

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The evaluation unit (14) has an A / D converter (23) with a time-synchronized channel in particular, for evaluating one or more transmitted signals (12) and / or one or more received signals (13).

9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmitted signal (12) and / or the received signal (13) are respectively transmitted to the channel of the evaluation unit (14).

10. A processing machine for processing aircraft structural components (31), having a riveting unit (7) and a transport section (5) for conveying rivet elements (4) to the riveting unit (7). Its features are, The processing machine (1) has a device (2) for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic (3) of the rivet element (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A method for determining and / or monitoring at least one characteristic (3) of a rivet element (4) on a transport section (5) preferably by means of a device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a transmitting signal (12) is fed into a transmitting coil (9) by means of a signal transmitter (11) and a receiving signal (13) induced in a receiving coil (10) is evaluated by means of a testing unit (14) and at least one characteristic (3) of the rivet element (4) is determined.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The determination and / or monitoring of at least one characteristic (3) is based on the movement of the rivet element (4) along the device (2) and / or through the device (2).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The transmitted signal (12) and / or received signal (13) are sampled at a sampling rate of at least 50 kHz, preferably at least 100 kHz, more preferably at least 200 kHz, and more preferably at least 220 kHz.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The amplitude (30) of the transmitted signal (12) and / or the amplitude (30) of the received signal (13) are measured, preferably by means of the measured amplitude (30) and / or the envelope of the amplitude (30) to determine and / or monitor the position, especially the orientation, of the rivet element (4) and / or the rivet element length (17) and / or the rod length (18) and / or the material of the rivet element (4).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The phase shift (29) between the transmitted signal (12) and the received signal (13) is determined, and the material of the rivet element (4) is determined and / or monitored by means of the phase shift (29).

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