Embossing press for embossing a legend into a license plate, press, blocking tool and method for detecting the position of blocking tools

Abstract

Embossing press (10) for embossing a legend into a license plate, the embossing press (10) comprising a press (12) and at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h), characterized by that the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24), and in that the press (12) has a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f), wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one transponder (24) and wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) are configured to detect the position of the at least one transponder (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an embossing press for embossing a legend into a license plate according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a press and a blocking tool that can be inserted into a press and by means of which the respective symbols (e.g., numbers, letters, or punctuation marks) of a legend are introduced into a license plate. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for detecting the position of blocking tools in a press.

[0002] Embossing presses for embossing a legend into a license plate blank are well known in practice. These use so-called blocking tools, which either each have a symbol to be embossed, such as a letter or number, or which can also be spacers or blanks. A legend typically consists of several symbols (for example, the symbols "SI JK 123"), which can be arranged one behind the other in a row or in two rows below each other. To emboss the legend into a blank of a license plate blank, the blocking tools, which are provided with the various symbols, and the license plate blank are pressed against each other using a press. The symbols embossed on the blocking tools are transferred to the license plate blank and embossed therein.

[0003] During a stamping process as described above, it may happen that the block tools shift when they are inserted into the press or when the license plate plate is inserted or even during the actual stamping process.

[0004] Further state of the art can be found in the following documents: Document DE 20 2006 002 089 U1 relates to a tool composed of various components for influencing a workpiece, wherein at least two of the components are tool components that serve to influence the workpiece. It is provided that readable data carrier devices are arranged on the tool components.

[0005] The document AT 412 453 B relates to a manufacturing device, in particular a bending press, for forming workpieces made of sheet metal, two press beams which are adjustable relative to one another and which can be equipped with a variable number of bending tools to achieve a required tool length, and with a control device for influencing the operating behavior of the manufacturing device depending on sensor-detected states, wherein the bending tools used have at least machine-readable identifiers in the form of electronically detectable information carriers for their automated detection and / or position determination.

[0006] The document DE 10 2017 120 093 A1 relates to a blocking tool for embossing a legend into a license plate, wherein an identification code for uniquely identifying the blocking tool is arranged on the blocking tool, which identification code comprises an optically readable first data code and a second data code which is at least different from the first data code.

[0007] The underlying object of the invention is to provide a stamping press, a press, a blocking tool and a method by means of which an actual position of a blocking tool in a press that deviates from a target position can be detected as simply and accurately as possible.

[0008] An embossing press according to the invention for embossing a legend into a license plate plate comprises a press and at least one blocking tool. In this case, the press refers to the part of the embossing press by means of which the at least one blocking tool, and in particular the multiple blocking tools, are pressed against the license plate plate. For this purpose, the press has a movable or (for short: or) displaceable unit that presses the license plate plate and the blocking tools against an abutment. Pressures in the range of 250 kN to 3000 kN can be applied by means of the press.

[0009] The blocking tool can be a blocking tool with a symbol. In particular, a blocking tool has a symbol that protrudes from a base, such as a number, a letter, or a (punctuation) mark. Alternatively, the blocking tool is a blank or spacer, which accordingly does not have a symbol. Typically, several blocking tools with and without symbols are arranged next to each other and / or in rows below each other to emboss a complete legend.

[0010] The block tools can be made of a metal material, a plastic or even a mixture of a metal material and a plastic.

[0011] According to the proposal, the at least one blocking tool has a transponder. If multiple blocking tools are provided, preferably all blocking tools each have a transponder. The press also has a plurality of reading devices which serve to read data from the transponder. For this purpose, the reading devices emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one blocking tool with the transponder. The transponders are in particular passive transponders which do not have their own power supply but are activated by the electromagnetic field emitted by the reading devices. For this purpose, the transponders in particular have a coil which charges a capacitor by induction, which provides the required voltage or current to generate the response signal.The transponder's response is achieved by modulating the electromagnetic field emitted by the reading devices.

[0012] In particular, several reading devices are arranged adjacently in a row or in two (especially with two-line legends) or more rows. In a two- or multi-row arrangement of reading devices, the reading devices or the associated electronics are in particular cascaded and read serially. In cascading, the reading devices or the associated electronics of a first row are bridged via a cable connection to the second and, if necessary (in short: if necessary), also to a third or further row. This makes it easy to achieve a very large detection range, with which common license plate formats can be read.

[0013] According to the proposal, the reading devices are designed to detect the position of at least one transponder and thus also the position of the blocking tool.

[0014] A stamping press according to the invention makes it possible to precisely determine the position of one or more block tools in the press and, in particular, to determine whether the block tool or the block tools have shifted relative to one another and / or relative to the press.

[0015] One advantage of the stamping press according to the invention is that the reading devices are arranged in or on the press. The press is generally not moved, but remains in one place. In this respect, the press can easily be provided with a permanent power supply, and data transmission from the reading devices can be provided via a cable. This is particularly advantageous in contrast to reading devices that are arranged on a frame that surrounds the blocking tools and holds them together to form a legend, and is inserted into the stamping press together with the blocking tools and is also removed with the blocking press. With such a solution, which requires the reading devices to be arranged on the frame, new cabling for the power supply must be carried out each time new blocking tools are inserted. Furthermore, there is a disadvantageous risk that the cabling will be damaged during the stamping process.

[0016] In particular, in addition to the mere position of a (random) blocking tool, the reading devices can also detect the respective symbol of the blocking tool or the information that it is a spacer or empty piece. This advantageously also allows for checking whether the correct blocking tools are arranged in the correct order.

[0017] The information about the blocking tool can be stored encoded on the transponder (e.g., on a radio frequency identification chip – RFID chip for short) or written to a write-protected memory. Alternatively, the transponder's unique identifier (UID) can be used, and software can assign the UID to a symbol. This can increase security against counterfeiting or accidental overwriting of the information on the transponder.

[0018] In a practical embodiment of an embossing press according to the invention, the radiation cones of two adjacent reading devices overlap at the level of the at least one transponder. The electromagnetic radiation propagates conically from the reading devices toward the transponders. "At the level" in this context means that the radiation cones intersect or overlap in a horizontal plane passing through the at least one transponder. This, in particular, prevents a transponder or blocking tool from being located between two radiation cones and not being detected by either reading device.As will be explained in more detail below in connection with the method and the figures, the method is based in particular on the fact that the response signal of a transponder is received by several reading devices and can thus be determined whether the transponder corresponding to a block tool, if it is not arranged centrally above a reading device, is arranged to the left or right of the reading device.

[0019] A radiation cone of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the reading device spreads from a reading device towards the transponder of a block tool.

[0020] When two adjacent radiation cones overlap, an overlap region and an intermediate region are formed. With three adjacent reading devices, the radiation cone of the middle reading device, in particular, has a left overlap region with the radiation cone of the reading device located to the left of the middle reading device, as well as a right overlap region with the radiation cone of the reading device located to the right of the middle reading device. The "overlap-free" intermediate region is located between the left and right overlap regions.

[0021] In this context, it is advantageous that the width of an overlapping area and / or an intermediate area formed at the height of the transponders is at most as large as the width of a blocking tool. The width of the blocking tools also defines, in particular, the distances between the centers of the transponders. In other words, in an overlapping area or an intermediate area, only the response signal of a transponder is detected at most, and accordingly, the evaluation of the position of a blocking tool can be implemented in a simple manner. The width of an overlapping area and / or an intermediate area is measured, in particular, in the horizontal plane of the press or stamping press.

[0022] In particular, the radiation cone of a reading device at the height of the at least one blocking tool or transponder extends at least over the width of three blocking tools.

[0023] The desired measurement accuracy can be achieved depending on the aperture angle of the radiation cone and the distance between the transponders and the reading devices. With the existing parameters, a measurement accuracy of + / - 1 cm can be achieved, which means (in short: dh) that a deviation of the actual position of a block tool from the target position of 1 cm or more can be detected. The press has, in particular, 5 to 20 reading devices. The reading devices are arranged at a lateral distance of 1 cm to 5 cm from one another. The distance between the transponders and the reading devices can be adjusted depending on the intended radiation angle and field strength of the reading devices by mechanically adjusting the tool holder for the license plate and / or the block tools.

[0024] It can also be provided that the reading devices are designed to detect the response time of a response signal and / or the field strength of a response signal from a transponder. The evaluation of the response time, i.e., the time that elapses from the emission of the electromagnetic radiation from the reading device to the receipt of the response signal at the reading device, and / or the evaluation of the field strength, enable the position of the blocking tools to be determined in addition to or as an alternative to the above method.

[0025] In particular, the transponder is arranged on a blocking tool or the respective transponders on the blocking tools are arranged on the side(s) of the blocking tools facing the reading devices. This is particularly advantageous when electromagnetic radiation with only a short range is used to detect the position of the blocking tools, such as with RFID transponders and pairs of reading devices. The side facing the reading device can be the side on which the symbols are applied. The transponder is then preferably arranged outside the area of ​​the symbol and in particular in a narrow neck section of the blocking tool. If the transponder is arranged on the side of the symbol, it is important that even pressure is applied to the blocking tools.Particularly with plastic block tools, a metal block (especially aluminum) can be placed on the side facing away from the symbol. This block, in conjunction with the press's abutment, ensures even pressure distribution across the entire block tool.

[0026] In another practical embodiment of an inventive stamping press, the electromagnetic radiation is radiation in a frequency range from 30 kHz to 1 GHz. In particular, the reading devices emit electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 30 MHz. This is the frequency range in which so-called RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponders operate. The range of electromagnetic radiation in this frequency range is only a few tens of centimeters. This is sufficient for the present application, since the blocking tools in the press—especially during a stamping process—are only a few centimeters away from the reading devices.

[0027] In another practical embodiment of an inventive stamping press, the reading devices are functionally connected to a control unit. The connection can be wired. The reading devices can also be supplied with current or voltage via a cable. Alternatively, the position data determined by the reading devices can also be transmitted wirelessly to the control unit.

[0028] In particular, the control unit determines the position and, if applicable, the identity of the block tools in the stamping press from the transponder data received from the reading devices, in accordance with the method described below.

[0029] The invention also relates to a press and a blocking tool, each of which is designed for use in a stamping press as described above. The features mentioned above in connection with the stamping press, relating either to the press or to a blocking tool, are also intended to be practical embodiments of the separate press or a separate blocking tool.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method for detecting the position of block tools in a press, comprising the following steps: - Arranging at least one block tool with a transponder in the press, - sending an interrogation signal from the reading devices towards the at least one transponder, - Receiving a response signal from the transponder by the reading devices, - Evaluating which of the reading devices have received a response signal from a transponder assigned to a block tool, and determining the position of the at least one block tool.

[0031] After one or more block tools are positioned in the press, the reading devices are activated, particularly by a control system, and the query is initiated. For this purpose, electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the reading devices toward the transponders.

[0032] The transponders are activated by the electric field of the reading devices and send a response signal back to the reading devices. The response signal also includes, in particular, the transmission of a unique identification of the respective block tool.

[0033] In a practical embodiment of the method according to the invention, the position of the at least one blocking tool, preferably of the plurality of blocking tools, and the deviation of the actual position of a blocking tool from a target position is determined as a function of how many reading devices detect the response signal of a transponder.

[0034] If the response signal from a transponder is only detected by one reading device, the transponder lies exactly in the intermediate region of a radiation cone. The position of the transponder and thus of the blocking tool is then defined as being exactly above the reading device. However, if the response signal from a transponder is detected by two adjacent reading devices, the position of the transponder is defined as being in the overlap region of the two radiation cones of these two adjacent reading devices. A deviation from the intended positions, for example of the first or last blocking tool in a row, can be detected if no position can be determined in an area (intermediate region or overlap region). Accordingly, the distance between two transponders is then more than the width of the blocking tools, i.e. there is an additional and undesirable gap between the blocking tools.

[0035] Overall, the method can be used to determine the relative position of the transponders to one another in a simple and, above all, cost-effective manner, whereby the deviation of the position of one or more transponders and thus of one or more block tools from the intended target position can be determined.

[0036] A method according to the invention works with block tools made of plastic, as well as with block tools made of aluminum, or even with aluminum stamping inserts. Block tools made of different materials can also be used simultaneously (mixed operation) without the need for conversion or retooling. Overall, the method can be applied to all common stamping processes.

[0037] In a practical embodiment of a method according to the invention, the position of the at least one blocking tool is determined before and / or during a stamping process. In particular, monitoring can be continuous, starting from the moment the blocking tools are inserted into the press, through the insertion of the license plate blank, and up to the completion of the stamping process.

[0038] It should be noted that it is also possible to evaluate the response signal taking into account a response time and / or a field strength.

[0039] Further practical embodiments are described in conjunction with the figures. They show: Fig. 1: a stamping press according to the invention in a schematic representation, and Fig. 2 a flow chart of a method according to the invention.

[0040] In Fig. 1, a stamping press 10 is shown in a schematic representation. The stamping press 10 comprises a press 12, which has a movable element 14, which is movable relative to an abutment 16 according to the double arrow shown on the right, in the representation according to Fig. 1 up and down.

[0041] The press 12 also has an opening 18 between the movable element 14 and the abutment 16, in which a plurality of block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h are arranged.

[0042] In the present case, eight block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h are arranged side by side in a row. In the illustrated embodiment, the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h form the following legend: "SI JK 12." Accordingly, the block tools 20a, 20b, 20d, 20e, 20g, 20h have the symbols "S, I, J, K, 1, 2." The actual symbols, which are superior to the blocking tools 20a, 20b, 20d, 20e, 20g, 20h and which serve to emboss the symbols into the license plate blank, are formed on the side facing the movable element 14 and are not visible in this illustration. The third blocking tool 20c and the sixth blocking tool 20f are blanks or spacers, and these two blocking tools 20c, 20f therefore do not have any symbols.

[0043] Between the movable element 14 and the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, the license plate blank is also arranged for the embossing process, although this license plate blank is not shown here for the sake of clarity.

[0044] The stamping press 10, and in the embodiment shown specifically the movable element 14, has six reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, which are arranged adjacent to one another and in a row. The reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f emit electromagnetic radiation toward the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h. The blocking tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h have transponders 24 on their side facing the reading devices (only the transponders on the two blocking tools 20e, 20f are shown as examples).

[0045] The radiation emitted by the reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f spreads conically toward the transponders 24. The corresponding radiation cones 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f are shown with dashed lines.

[0046] The reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f are arranged such that the radiation cones 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f of adjacent reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f overlap at the level of the transponders 24. For example, the radiation cone 26b overlaps with the adjacent one shown in the illustration according to Fig. 1 left of it emitted radiation cone 26a and forms an overlapping area 28. Furthermore, the radiation cone 26b overlaps with the adjacent, in the illustration according to Fig. 1 emitted radiation cone 26c to the right of it and forms the overlap region 30. An intermediate region 32 is formed between the two overlap regions 28, 30. The overlap regions 28, 30 and the intermediate region 32 are shown as examples for the reading device 22b, but apply accordingly to the other reading devices 22a, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f.

[0047] The reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f are also designed to detect the response signals from the transponders 24. For evaluation of the signals, the reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f are functionally connected to a control unit 34.

[0048] In connection with the Fig. The process for detecting the position of the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h is explained below using the flow chart shown in Figure 2.

[0049] First, in step S1, the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h are inserted into the press 12. In step S2, the reading devices 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f are activated and transmit a corresponding interrogation signal in the form of electromagnetic radiation to the transponders 24.

[0050] The transponders 24 receive this interrogation signal and convert it into energy, which in turn is converted into a response signal. This response signal from the transponder 24 is received by the respective reading device 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f in step S3.

[0051] Subsequently, in step S4, the control unit 34 evaluates the response signals and thus determines the position of the block tools 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h.

[0052] The signal of the second blocking tool 20b (symbol “I”) is received in the present case only by the reading device 22b, so that it is determined that this blocking tool 20b is located above the intermediate region 32 of the reading device 22b.

[0053] The response signal of the first blocking tool 20a (symbol “S”) is received by both the first reading device 22a and the second reading device 22b, so that the controller 34 determines that this blocking tool 20a is located in the overlap area 28 between the first reading device 22a and the second reading device 22b.

[0054] The response signal from the third blocking tool 20c (blank piece) is received by both the second reading device 22b and the third reading device 22c, so that the controller 34 determines that this blocking tool 20c is located in the overlap area 30 between the second reading device 22b and the third reading device 22c. The process is analogous for the other blocking tools. List of reference symbols 10 Embossing press 12 Press 14 movable units 16 abutments 18 Opening 20a-20h Block tools 22a-22f Reading devices 24 transponders 26a-26f Radiation cone 28 Overlap area 30 Overlap area 32 Intermediate area 34 Control

Claims

[1] Embossing press (10) for embossing a legend into a license plate, the embossing press (10) comprising a press (12) and at least one blocking tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h), characterized by , that the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24), and in that the press (12) has a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f), wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) emit electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the at least one transponder (24) and wherein the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) are configured to detect the position of the at least one transponder (24). [2] Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the radiation cones (26a, 26b, 26, 26d, 26e, 26f) of two adjacent reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) overlap at the level of the at least one transponder (24), so that at least one overlapping region (28, 30) and at least one intermediate region (32) are formed. [3] Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the width of the overlapping regions (28, 30) and / or intermediate regions (32) at the height of the at least one transponder (24) is at most as large as the width of a block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h). [4] Embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) are designed to detect the response time of a response signal and / or the field strength of a response signal. [5] Embossing press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the transponders (24) are arranged on the side of the block tools (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) facing the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f). [6] Embossing press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the electromagnetic radiation lies in a frequency range of 30 KHz to 1 GHz. [7] Press (12) for a stamping press (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized by a plurality of reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f). [8] Block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) for a stamping press (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) has a transponder (24) for receiving and transmitting signals in a frequency range of 30 KHz to 1 GHz. [9] Method for detecting the position of block tools (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) in a press (12), characterized by following steps: - arranging at least one block mechanism (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) with a transponder (24) in the press (12) (S1), - transmitting an interrogation signal from the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) in the direction of the at least one transponder (24) (S2), - receiving a response signal from the transponder (24) by the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) (S3), - Evaluating which of the reading devices (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f) have received a response signal from a transponder (24) assigned to a block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h), and determining the position of the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) (S4). [10] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the position of the at least one block tool (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h) is determined before and / or during a stamping process.

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