Device for detecting a position and position detection system

Abstract

Device (10) for detecting a position, comprising: - a profile element (100) having a substantially square cross-section and an elongated body (101), wherein the profile element (100) has at least a first recess (111) and a central cavity (115) extending along the length of the body (101); and - a position detection element (200) comprising a measuring probe, a first movable positioning element (230) and an evaluation unit (220), wherein the evaluation unit (220) is configured to detect a position of the first positioning element (230) relative to the measuring probe and wherein the measuring probe is arranged in the central cavity (115) of the profile element (100); characterized in that the profile element (100) has four recesses (111, 112, 113, 114) arranged symmetrically around the central cavity (115);and the four recesses (111, 112, 113, 114) are arranged in four sides of the square cross-section.;

Description

The invention relates to a device for detecting a position and a position detection system. Devices for position detection are known in principle. However, to use them together with profile elements, these currently have to be attached with special retaining clips. Furthermore, a separate space or area must be provided for a position detection element on or near the profile element, which means they have to be mounted directly onto the profile element. This creates a risk of damage. German patent application DE 10 2018 100 516 A1 discloses a linear displacement measuring device in which a coil circuit board interacts with an actuator to measure a position. The coil circuit board is mounted in a plastic profile. German patent application CN 1 884 853 A discloses a fluid pressure cylinder with a position detection device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for detecting a position and an improved position detection system. This problem is solved by a device for detecting a position, comprising a profile element, which in particular has a substantially square cross-section and an elongated body, wherein the profile element has at least one recess and a central cavity extending along the length of the body, and a position detection element comprising a measuring probe, a first movable positioning element and an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect a position of the first positioning element relative to the measuring probe and wherein the measuring probe is arranged in the central cavity of the profile element. According to the invention, the profile element has four recesses arranged symmetrically around the central cavity, and the four recesses are arranged in four sides of the square cross-section. The profile element has essentially the same height and width and extends along a length. The profile element may have rounded corners in sections of its cross-section. The profile element comprises four recesses extending along its length. It also includes a central cavity, which can be referred to as a core hole. Specifically, the central cavity is centered both horizontally and vertically with respect to the width and length of the cross-section. Furthermore, the center point of the central cavity coincides with the center point of the profile element's cross-section. The profile element can be made of stainless steel, for example. Alternatively, the profile element can be made of aluminum, particularly anodized aluminum. Specifically, the profile element in question is a Series 8 profile element from the company item. The device also includes a position detection element with a measuring probe, a first movable positioning element, and an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to detect the position of the first positioning element relative to the measuring probe. The position detection element is also configured, in particular based on the detected position and a known initial position, to detect a distance, a range, and / or a path length. The measuring probe is positioned within the central cavity, specifically along the length of the body, and extends within it. In particular, the center point of the measuring probe in cross-section coincides with the center point of the central cavity in cross-section. This provides a space-saving device for position detection. Furthermore, the solution according to the invention enables a position detection device that can be easily mounted and replaced in widely used profile elements. The aforementioned problem is solved alternatively by a device for detecting a position, comprising a profile element, which in particular has a substantially rectangular cross-section and an elongated body (where other cross-sections are also possible), wherein the profile element has a first recess, a second recess, a first central cavity and a second central cavity extending along the length of the body, and a position detection element, comprising a first measuring probe, a second measuring probe, a first movable positioning element and a second movable positioning element, and an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is configuredto detect a position of the first positioning element relative to the first measuring probe and to detect a position of the second positioning element relative to the second measuring probe, wherein the first measuring probe is arranged in the first central cavity of the profile element and the second measuring probe is arranged in the second central cavity of the profile element. As an alternative to the embodiment described above, this profile element has two central cavities, each containing a measuring probe, and at least two recesses. Furthermore, the position detection element has two positioning elements, and the position detection device is configured to detect and evaluate the position of both positioning elements relative to the respective measuring probe. Furthermore, the cross-section is rectangular, with in particular one width of the cross-section being wider, in particular twice as wide, as one height of the cross-section. The first and second cavities in the cross-section of the profile element are vertically centered along a height and horizontally spaced apart along a width. Specifically, the first and second cavities are spaced apart by half the width of the cross-section along that width. This solution according to the invention is particularly suitable for safety-relevant position detection. In particular, the second measuring probe and the second positioning element provide redundancy and / or error correction. According to one embodiment, the first movable positioning element is arranged in the at least one first recess and is movable along it, and / or the second movable positioning element is arranged in the at least one second recess and is movable along it. In this arrangement, at least one first recess and / or at least one second recess can have a projection, and the first and / or second movable positioning element can have a fastening element that engages with the first projection in such a way that it is movably fixed within the recess along the length of the body. The at least one first recess and / or the at least one second recess can have a quarter-circular cross-section, in particular a mushroom-shaped cross-section, section by section. According to one embodiment, the first movable positioning element and / or the second movable positioning element comprises a magnetic element, wherein the position detection element is configured to detect a position of the positioning element based on the magnetostrictive principle. In one embodiment, the profile element has six, in particular exactly six, recesses arranged symmetrically around the central cavity in four sides of the rectangular cross-section. Because several recesses are provided in the profile element, one or more of the recesses can be provided for the arrangement of the positioning element and one or more further recesses can be provided for attaching the profile element to other profile elements or objects. The aforementioned problem is also solved by a position detection system comprising an embodiment of a previously mentioned device for detecting a position and a second profile element connected to the position detection element. This can result in a modular system in which (different) profile elements can be combined with various longitudinal profile housings. Regarding the embodiments of the position detection system and their advantages, reference is made to the embodiments of the device for detecting a position and their advantages described above. The embodiments of the device for detecting a position and of the position detection system described herein are particularly suitable for flexible use in any system or at any workstation for linear positioning or measuring tasks. For example, the embodiments according to the invention can provide a stop for a miter saw. Alternatively or additionally, length measurement of parts or components can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, position control of screw, rivet, or adhesive systems can be provided at a workstation. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments can be used for positioning protective hoods and doors. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments can be used for linear units, positioning systems, and cross tables for robots, milling machines, positioning or dosing systems. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments can be used for quality processes, e.g., checking cable lengths before assembly for quality tracking and traceability. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments can be used in lifting platforms, washing systems, and / or injection molding machines. Embodiments of a device for detecting a position and of a position detection system are now described in more detail in connection with the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 a cross-section of a profile element of a device for detecting a position; Fig. 2 a cross-section of an alternative profile element of a device for detecting a position; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the profile element from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the profile element from Fig. 3 with a flange element; Fig. 5 a perspective rear view of the flange element from Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a perspective view of a device for detecting a position with a profile element from Fig. 4; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the device for detecting a position from Fig. 6 with a housing element; Fig. 8 a perspective detail view of the profile element from Fig. 1 with a positioning element.Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device for detecting a position from Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the device for detecting a position from Fig. 7 with an adapter element; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a position detection system with a device for detecting a position from Fig. 9; and Fig. 12 is a sectional view in top view of the position detection system from Fig. 11. In this context, identical or similar reference symbols denote identical or similar characteristics. Fig. 1 shows a profile element 100 of a device for detecting a position in cross-section. The profile element comprises an elongated body 101 with substantially the same height H and width B, resulting in a substantially square cross-section. The length L of the profile element extends into the plane of the drawing. The profile element 100 is shown here with rounded corners as an example. The profile element 100 comprises a first recess 111, a second recess 112, a third recess 113 and a fourth recess 114, which are arranged on respective sides of the profile element 100. The profile element 100 also includes a central cavity 115. The central cavity 115 is round, in particular circular, and is arranged centrally in the square cross-section, so that a center point of the central cavity 115 coincides with a center point of the square cross-section. The cavity 115 is designed to accommodate and house a measuring probe (not shown here) of a position detection element described in connection with Fig. 4ff. The four recesses 111-114 are arranged symmetrically around the center point of the central cavity 115, in particular both point-symmetrically and axially symmetrically. The four recesses 111-114 all have a uniform cross-section and extend at least partially, in particular along the entire length L of the profile element 100. The cross-section of the four recesses 111-114 is shown here by way of example as mushroom- or lightbulb-shaped. In particular, the cross-section of the four recesses consists, in sections, of two quarter circles connected to each other by a straight section, each with a projection. Alternatively, the recesses 111-114 can also be semicircular or three-quarter-circular, or even angular, in particular rectangular. The recesses 111-114 serve, firstly, to attach the profile element 100 to devices and / or systems on which a position is to be measured. Furthermore, the recesses 111-114 serve to accommodate and fasten one or more positioning elements, as will be explained in more detail in connection with Fig. 8. For this purpose, the recesses have the previously described projections or cantilevers, which, together with suitable corresponding fastening elements, enable the profile element 100 to be fastened. By way of example, a first projection 111-1 and a second projection 111-2 are indicated with reference numerals in this Fig. 1. In addition to the central cavity, the profile element 100 also has a first cavity 116, a second cavity 117, a third cavity 118, and a fourth cavity 119, which are also arranged symmetrically around the center point of the cross-section of the profile element 100. These cavities serve to reduce the weight of the profile element 100. The profile element 100 shown in Fig. 1 is in particular a profile element 8 from the company item with a width B of 40 mm, a height H of 40 mm and a length L of 6000 mm, the length of which can be shortened to suit the application requirements. Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a profile element 100' of a device for detecting a position in the cross-section. In contrast to the example shown in Fig. 1, the profile element 100' has a substantially rectangular cross-section, with the width B being approximately twice the height H of the profile element 100'. The profile element 100' also has, in a different configuration, two central cavities: a first central cavity 115 and a second central cavity 125. The central cavities 115 and 125 are arranged centrally along a height H of the profile element 100', but spaced apart from each other along a width B of the profile element and offset from a center point. In particular, the central cavities 115, 125 are spaced apart from each other by half the width B of the profile element 100'. The profile element 100' is axially symmetrical about a central vertical axis along the height H. The central cavities 115, 125 are designed to receive and accommodate one or more measuring probes (not shown here) of a position detection element described in connection with Figs. 4ff. In particular, the first central cavity 115 is designed to accommodate a first measuring probe, and the second central cavity 125 is designed to accommodate a second measuring probe. The profile element 100' also has, in a different configuration, only three recesses 111, 113, 114 and two cavities 118 and 119 on its left side, corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1. Additionally, the profile element 100' has a fifth recess 121, a sixth recess 122, and a seventh recess 123, corresponding to recesses 111, 113, and 114. Likewise, the profile element 100' has a fifth cavity 126 and a sixth cavity 127, corresponding to cavities 118 and 119. Additionally, the profile element 100' has a common cavity 116' extending along the central vertical axis and height H. Here, too, the cavities serve to reduce weight, and the recesses serve to fasten the profile element 100' and to accommodate and fasten one or more positioning elements. In particular, a first positioning element can be arranged in one of the recesses 111, 113, and 114, especially recess 111, and a second positioning element in one of the recesses 121, 122, and 123, especially recess 121. Specifically, one positioning element can be arranged in each corresponding recess, for example, 111 and 121, 122 and 114, and / or 113 and 123. The profile element 100' shown in Fig. 2 is in particular a profile element 8 from the company item with a width B of 80 mm, a height H of 40 mm and a length L of 6000 mm, whereby the length L can be shortened to meet the application requirements. The following figures show only a square profile element 100 from Fig. 1. However, it is understood that the described embodiments can alternatively or additionally refer to a rectangular profile element 100' from Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the profile element 100 from Fig. 1. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the recesses extend along the length L of the profile element 100. The figure shows how a first fastening element 151 is arranged in the first recess 111 and a second fastening element 153 in the third recess 113. The fastening elements 151 and 153 are, in particular, screw elements. Furthermore, a profile seal 130 is arranged on the front face of the profile element 100, which seals the profile element 100 against the flange element shown in the following Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the profile element 100 from Fig. 3 with a flange element 210, which is part of a position detection element 200. The flange element 210 has fastening elements 212 that engage in the second recess 112 and the fourth recess and fasten the flange element thereto. In addition, the position detection element has a housing section 221. Fig. 5 shows a perspective rear view of the flange element 210 from Fig. 5. It can be seen that the flange element 210 has a total of four fastening elements. A first fastening element 211 engages with the first fastening element 151 of the profile element 100 as shown in Fig. 3, and a second fastening element 213 engages with the second fastening element 153 of the profile element 100 as shown in Fig. 3. The fastening elements 211 and 213 are, in particular, screw receiving elements corresponding to the screw elements. Furthermore, the flange element 210 also includes a third fastening element 212 and a fourth fastening element 214, each of which engages with the recesses 112 and 114 of the profile element 100, as shown in Fig. 4. The fastening elements 212 and 214 are, in particular, snap-fit ​​elements corresponding to the recesses. The flange element 210 also includes a central recess 215, which corresponds to the central cavity 115 of the profile element 100 as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for detecting a position with a profile element 100 from Fig. 4 and a position detection element 200. An evaluation unit 220 is arranged in the housing section 221. Not shown for perspective reasons is a measuring probe of the position detection element 200, which is connected to the evaluation unit 220 and extends from the housing section 221 through the central recess 215 of the flange section 210, as shown in Fig. 5, and through the profile seal 130, as shown in Fig. 3, into the central cavity 115 of the profile element 100, where it is arranged. The evaluation unit 220 is configured to detect and evaluate the position of a positioning element relative to the measuring probe. Furthermore, a sealing element 230 is arranged on the housing section 221 to seal the evaluation unit 220 together with a housing element as shown in the following Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the device 10 for detecting a position from Fig. 6 with a housing element 250. The housing element 250 encloses both the flange element 210 and the housing section 221 and seals the evaluation unit 220 arranged therein against the environment by means of the profile seal 130 and the sealing element 230. Furthermore, the housing element 250 includes a connecting element 260, which is designed to attach an adapter element as shown in the following Fig. 10. Fig. 8 shows a perspective detail view of the profile element from Fig. 1 with a positioning element 230. The positioning element is arranged in the first recess 111 of the profile element 100 and is slidably fastened along the length L within the recess 111 by a fastening element 231. The fastening element 231 engages with the first and second projections of the recess 111 and is fastened within the recess by these projections. The positioning element 230 also includes a magnetic element 232, which interacts with the measuring probe arranged in the central cavity 115, enabling the evaluation unit to detect and evaluate the position of the positioning element 230 relative to the measuring probe, as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the device 10 for detecting a position from Fig. 7. The positioning element 230 is arranged in the first recess 111 as shown in Fig. 8 and can move along the entire length L of the profile element in a direction R, thereby enabling the detection of a position along the entire length L of the profile element. The profile element 100 also has an end cap 180, which seals the interior of the profile element, in particular the measuring probe arranged in the central cavity, against the environment. Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the device 10 for detecting a position from Fig. 7 with an adapter element 300. The adapter element 300 is attached to the position detection element 200 by means of the connecting element 260 shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the adapter element 300 has fastening elements 311 and 313, by means of which the adapter element 300 and thus the entire device 10 for detecting a position can be attached to another profile element in order to form a position detection system, as shown in the following Fig. 11. The fastening elements 311 and 313 are designed corresponding to the fastening elements 211 and 213 of the position detection element 200 as shown in Fig. 5. The adapter element can also have a cable version, in particular a sealed one, which is not shown for the sake of clarity, and with the help of which a position signal generated by the position detection element can be retrieved. Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a position detection system 1000 with the device 10 for detecting a position from Fig. 9. The device 10 is connected to and attached to a further profile element 400 via the adapter element 300. The profile element is essentially identical to the profile element 100 as described previously. It has a profile body 401 which also includes recesses 411-414, a central cavity 415, and further cavities 416-419. In the recesses 411 and 413, corresponding fastening elements 451 and 453 are arranged to the fastening elements 151 and 153 as shown in Fig. 3. These fastening elements engage with the fastening elements 311 and 313 of the adapter element 300 as shown in Fig. 10. In particular, the first profile element 100 and the further profile element 400 can be cut to such a length that the position detection system 1000 with the two profile elements 100 and 400 as well as the position detection element 200 and the adapter element 300 has a predetermined length, in particular a standard length such as 6000 mm of the profile element 8 from the company item used here as a basis, so that the position detection system 1000 can be seamlessly integrated into a structure, in particular a base frame made of several profile elements and can be connected to these using standard means. Fig. 12 shows a sectional view in top view of the position detection system from Fig. 11. It shows in more detail how the respective fastening elements 151 and 211, 153 and 213, 311 and 451, and 313 and 453 engage with each other. Reference symbol list 10 Device for detecting a position 100 Profile element 100' Profile element 101 Profile body 101' Profile body 111 First recess 111-1 First projection 111-2 Second projection 112 Second recess 113 Third recess 114 Fourth recess 115 Central cavity 116 First cavity 116' First cavity 117 Second cavity 118 Third cavity 119 Fourth cavity 121 Fifth recess 122 Sixth recess 123 Seventh recess 125 Central cavity 126 Fifth cavity 127 Sixth cavity 130 Profile seal 151 First fastening element 153 Second fastening element 180 End cap 200 Position detection element 210 Flange element 211 Fastening element 212 Fastening element 213 Fastening element 214 Fastening element 215 central recess 220 evaluation unit 221 housing section 230 positioning element 231 fastening element 232 magnetic element 250 housing element 260 connecting element 300 adapter element 311 fastening element 313 fastening element 400Profile element 401 Profile body 411 First recess 412 Second recess 413 Third recess 414 Fourth recess 415 Central cavity 416 First cavity 417 Second cavity 418 Third cavity 419 Fourth cavity 1000 System B Width H Height L Length R Direction

Claims

Device (10) for detecting a position, comprising: - a profile element (100) having a substantially square cross-section and an elongated body (101), wherein the profile element (100) has at least a first recess (111) and a central cavity (115) extending along the length of the body (101); and a position detection element (200) comprising a measuring probe, a first movable positioning element (230) and an evaluation unit (220), wherein the evaluation unit (220) is configured to detect a position of the first positioning element (230) relative to the measuring probe and wherein the measuring probe is arranged in the central cavity (115) of the profile element (100); characterized in that the profile element (100) has four recesses (111, 112, 113, 114) arranged symmetrically around the central cavity (115);and the four recesses (111, 112, 113, 114) are arranged in four sides of the square cross-section.; Device (10) for detecting a position, comprising: - a profile element (100) having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an elongated body (101), wherein the profile element (100) has at least a first recess (111), a second recess (121), a first central cavity (115) and a second central cavity (125) extending along the length of the body (101);and a position detection element (200) comprising a first measuring probe, a second measuring probe, a first movable positioning element (230), a second movable positioning element and an evaluation unit (220), wherein the evaluation unit (220) is configured to detect a position of the first positioning element (230) relative to the first measuring probe and to detect a position of the second positioning element relative to the second measuring probe, and wherein the first measuring probe is arranged in the first central cavity (115) of the profile element (100) and the second measuring probe is arranged in the second central cavity (115) of the profile element (100). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable positioning element (230) is arranged in the at least one first recess (111) and is movable along it. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the second movable positioning element is arranged in the at least one second recess (121) and is movable along it. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one first recess (111) has a first projection and the first movable positioning element (230) has a fastening element (231) which engages with the first projection in such a way that it is movably fixed within the first recess (111) along the length of the body. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first recess (111) has a sectionally quarter-circular cross-section, in particular a mushroom-shaped cross-section. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable positioning element (230) comprises a magnetic element (232). Device according to claim 7, wherein the position detection element (200) detects a position of the first movable positioning element (230) based on the magnetostrictive principle. Position detection system (1000), comprising: - a device (10) for detecting a position according to any one of claims 1 to 8; - a further profile element (400); and - an adapter element (300) connecting the device (10) and the further profile element (400).

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