System for identifying high-performance hoses

Abstract

System for marking high-performance hoses, comprising: - a connection element (10) for a high-performance hose (11), which includes a crimp sleeve (12) made of metal, and - a transponder chip (20) which is installed in a recess (21) in the crimp sleeve (12) and is designed to identify the high-performance hose (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for identifying high-performance hoses, in particular concrete pump hoses. background

[0002] Concrete pump hoses are specially designed, high-performance hoses intended for conveying concrete under high pressure, heavy abrasion, and varying environmental conditions. They generally consist of several layers of material, each performing a specific function. Due to these demanding performance requirements, monitoring or regular replacement of used high-performance hoses is necessary.

[0003] However, established manual marking methods for concrete hoses, such as using labels or tags attached to the hose, are prone to errors and time-consuming to use. Furthermore, historical data on maintenance, use, and origin are often incomplete or unavailable.

[0004] In this context, document EP 2 751 371 B1 discloses a system with a coupling element having an extended rim and an opening for receiving an identification label. The identification label can, for example, be designed to be inserted into the opening. The identification label can include an electronic module to enable wireless communication with a reader.

[0005] Furthermore, document DE 10 2023 113 171 A1 describes a system for recording and identifying concrete delivery hoses and their operational status. The system comprises a hose equipped with an NFC chip, a smartphone app for scanning the chip, and a PC program into which the data from the smartphone app can be transferred. The chip contains static data about the concrete delivery hose for its identification and variable data about its previous use.

[0006] Document DE 20 2023 106 965 U1 relates to a device for marking high-pressure hoses or pipes, with a coupling element, wherein a carrier ring with a storage medium is connected to the hose or pipe and the carrier ring is rotatably and axially displaceably connected to the coupling element and has an RFID chip.

[0007] Furthermore, document JP 2007 132 371 A discloses a pressure-resistant hose for transporting sludge, comprising a connector that is connected to at least one end longitudinally along the pressure-resistant hose body. The hose also includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip for storing data, including its own identification code, located between an inner wear-resistant layer and a reinforcement layer, as well as an antenna for transmitting and outputting the data. Summary

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a system for marking high-performance hoses, which enables increased reliability and handling.

[0009] A system according to claim 1 is provided for the solution. The dependent claims relate to further embodiments of the system.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a system for marking high-performance hoses has the following features: - a connection element for a high-performance hose, comprising a crimp sleeve made of metal, and - a transponder chip which is installed in a recess in the crimp sleeve and is designed to identify the high-performance hose.

[0011] The system according to the invention minimizes the administrative effort associated with high-performance hoses. Maintenance cycles can be monitored automatically, automatic reminders and test reports can be generated, and the time and personnel required for inventory and equipment management can be reduced. Furthermore, the risk of safety defects can be reduced by detecting aged or damaged parts earlier, automatically recording inspection and load data, and documenting annual pressure tests. This also enables more efficient logistics and material tracking, particularly through simplified access to usage history and location, as well as potential integration with digital ERP or maintenance systems. In addition, real-time data can be provided at the point of use, giving on-site personnel direct access to critical information.By integrating it into the crimp sleeve, the hose function is not impaired, and at the same time a compact and robust solution is made possible.

[0012] The transponder chip can store at least one of the following pieces of information for the high-performance hose: serial number, batch number, manufacturer data, production date, commissioning date, usage information, maintenance information, maximum operating pressure, load limits, usage limits, last inspection and next maintenance.

[0013] The transponder chip can be an RFID chip (RFID: Radio-Frequency Identification), specifically an NFC tag (NFC: Near Field Communication). It can also be designed to be Bluetooth-enabled. For example, the transponder chip could be an industrial NFC tag (e.g., according to ISO 15693 or ISO 14443A for longer ranges). The transponder chip can have a protection rating of IP67 or higher and / or temperature resistance in a range of -25 °C to +85 °C. Examples of transponder chips that can be used include the ST25TV02K (STMicroelectronics - good readability through metal), the NTAG213 or NTAG216 (NXP - high compatibility with smartphones), or the ONYX HF Hard Tag (robust in harsh environments).

[0014] The metal can be steel, preferably a heat-treated steel or a carbon steel. In particular, a C45 steel or a 42CrMo4 steel can be used.

[0015] The crimp sleeve may have a surface coating. For example, it may be galvanized (especially electrogalvanized or hot-dip galvanized), powder-coated, or painted. Alternatively, it may also be coated with corrosion protection oil.

[0016] The system can include an insulating film that at least partially surrounds the transponder chip. The insulating film can be made of ferrite or plastic. Preferably, the insulating film is positioned between the transponder chip and the metal of the crimp sleeve. The insulating film can, for example, have a thickness between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm, approximately 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm in the case of ferrite and 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in the case of plastic.

[0017] The recess can be a blind hole. The recess can have a depth between 2 mm and 6 mm and / or a diameter between 2 mm and 20 mm (preferably around 14 mm). The recess can preferably have a circular cross-section, but alternatively also an oval, square, or rectangular one.

[0018] The recess containing the transponder chip can be sealed, preferably with epoxy resin and / or two-component materials. Araldite, in particular, can be used as a sealant. ® 2011 or heat-resistant PU casting resin can be used. Additionally or alternatively, the transponder chip can be glued into the recess, preferably using a heat-resistant and / or chemical-resistant adhesive. Alternative fastening methods are possible, such as a plug connection.

[0019] The sealant may have a smooth surface. For example, the sealant may have a mean roughness value of at most 1, preferably at most 0.1.

[0020] The system may also have a rubber coating, in particular made of liquid rubber, that at least partially surrounds the transponder chip.

[0021] Furthermore, the system can include a mobile data processing device (e.g., a mobile phone, smartphone, handheld scanner, or tablet) that is communicatively connectable to the transponder chip (e.g., via RFID and / or NFC and / or Bluetooth) and configured to read information from the transponder chip. For this purpose, a suitably configured application (app) can be stored on the data processing device.

[0022] The data processing device can be configured to display information from the transponder chip and / or reminder messages (such as push notifications for upcoming maintenance).

[0023] The data processing device can also be configured to display information on the high-performance hose and on a plurality of other high-performance hoses. For example, overviews of high-performance hoses that are due for replacement and / or are overdue can be displayed. Replacement intervals based on time and / or usage cycles can be configured using the data processing device.

[0024] The data processing device may be configured to digitally and / or electronically sign processed data, for example by means of a simple, advanced or qualified electronic signature.

[0025] The system may also include the high-performance hose itself. The high-performance hose may be a high-pressure hose.

[0026] Preferably, the high-performance hose can be designed for use in concrete pumps, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, high-pressure cleaning, oil pipelines, gas pipelines, tunnel construction, or mining. In particular, the high-performance hose can be a concrete pump hose.

[0027] The high-performance hose can have an inner layer, at least one reinforcing layer surrounding the inner layer, and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer(s). The inner layer can be made of at least one of the following materials: natural rubber (NR), nitrile rubber (NBR), and synthetic rubber. The reinforcing layer(s) can consist of (high-strength) textile fibers, such as polyester, and / or steel wire spirals. The outer layer can be made of rubber, for example, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and / or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBM).

[0028] In the context of this disclosure, interval specifications (“between”, “from ... to”) are to be understood as encompassing the interval ends. The embodiments described herein with respect to a first entity, such as a first data processing device or first image data, can be provided analogously for a corresponding second and / or third entity. In general, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or suggesting a relative meaning or set of the specified technical features. In the description of this application, the expression “a plurality of” or “a multitude of” means “at least two”, for example, “two or three”, unless otherwise specified. Description of exemplary implementations

[0029] Further examples of implementation are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a high-performance hose including connection element, Fig. 2 a detailed representation of a transponder chip in a crimp sleeve and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of another high-performance hose including connection element. Detailed description

[0030] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a connection element 10 at one end of a high-performance hose 11. High-performance hoses 11 and high-pressure hoses typically have several layers: an inner layer (core), at least one reinforcing layer surrounding the inner layer, and an outer layer (sheath) surrounding the reinforcing layer(s). The inner layer can be made of a highly abrasion-resistant special rubber, such as natural rubber (NR), nitrile rubber (NBR), or synthetic rubber. The high wear resistance of the inner layer enables the safe transport of materials such as concrete, sand, gravel, or water-cement mixtures. A smooth surface serves to minimize adhesion and pressure loss.

[0031] The reinforcement layer consists of high-strength textile fibers, such as polyester, or steel wire spirals. This provides pressure stability (up to over 85 bar), increases flexural strength while maintaining robustness, and enables resistance to mechanical stress, especially buckling and impacts. The outer layer is typically made of weather- and ozone-resistant rubber, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). This ensures UV resistance, oil resistance, weather resistance, and protection against mechanical abrasion.

[0032] The connection element 10 serves to connect the high-performance hose 11 to another component, such as a pump, a valve, or another hose system. For this purpose, the connection element 10 has a crimp sleeve 12.

[0033] The press sleeve 12 is made of high-strength steel (approximately C45 or 42CrMo4), preferably with a corrosion-resistant coating. This ensures high mechanical strength, enabling it to withstand high pump pressures of 85 bar and above. The material also provides high dimensional stability under vibration and shock loads. Furthermore, it allows for improved pressability.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed view of a transponder chip 20, in this case an NFC tag, in a recess 21 of the crimp sleeve 12. NFC is a short-range radio technology based on RFID technology and enables contactless data transmission over very short distances – typically up to 4 cm. NFC uses the high-frequency range at 13.56 MHz and is internationally standardized by the standards ISO / IEC 14443 and ISO / IEC 18092. NFC is a specialized development of HF-RFID, with the special feature that two NFC-enabled devices can communicate bidirectionally – i.e., both send and receive – whereas classic RFID systems usually only support one direction.

[0035] Using an app, such as on a smartphone, an NFC scan can be performed directly on the crimp sleeve 12. For example, the high-performance hose 11 can be identified by simply tapping the crimp sleeve 12 with the smartphone. The app can also display the serial number and manufacturer data, production and commissioning date, maximum operating pressure, load limits, and maintenance and usage history (or parts thereof).

[0036] Furthermore, maintenance and inspection documentation can be created. In particular, visual inspections and pressure tests can be carried out, damage or deviations can be recorded along with photos (taken from a smartphone) and notes, and digital signatures can be provided by a technician (e.g., during inspections).

[0037] The app also allows users to view deployment logs and service history. A logbook can be created and displayed for each high-performance hose 11, allowing users to track where the hose was used and / or when it was installed. Furthermore, the location, construction site, project, or machine can be tracked, and quick access to information about the last maintenance or the next scheduled inspection is provided.

[0038] An offline function for the mobile data processing device (e.g., for construction site operations) is also possible, whereby the full range of functions is available even without an internet connection. In this case, synchronization can be provided upon the next network availability.

[0039] The app can also have a database connection, particularly to an ERP system. It can be configured to automatically update master data and / or maintenance entries. Furthermore, test reports or tables (e.g., for documentation and / or to authorities) can be created and / or sent.

[0040] In Fig. Figure 3 shows another schematic representation of a connection element 10 on a high-performance hose 11. In this case, the crimp sleeve 12 itself is arranged at the end of the high-performance hose 11.

[0041] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings can be important for the realization of the various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

[0042] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be modified by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the claims. The present disclosure also encompasses, within its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means that may be disclosed in different embodiments. Reference symbol list 10 connection element 11 High-performance hose 12 Press sleeve 20 transponder chips 21 In-depth study QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 751 371 B1

[0004] DE 10 2023 113 171 A1

[0005] DE 20 2023 106 965 U1

[0006] JP 2007 132 371 A

[0007] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] ISO 15693 or ISO 14443A

[0013] ISO / IEC 14443 and ISO / IEC 18092

[0034]

Claims

System for marking high-performance hoses, comprising: - a connection element (10) for a high-performance hose (11) which includes a crimp sleeve (12) formed from a metal, and - a transponder chip (20) which is installed in a recess (21) in the crimp sleeve (12) and is designed to mark the high-performance hose (11). System according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following pieces of information for the high-performance hose (11) is stored on the transponder chip (20): - serial number, - batch number, - manufacturer data, - production date, - commissioning date, - usage information, - maintenance information, - maximum operating pressure, - load limits, - usage limits, - last inspection and - next maintenance. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transponder chip (20) is formed as an RFID chip, preferably as an NFC tag. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal is a steel, preferably a tempered steel or a carbon steel. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the press sleeve (12) has a surface coating. System according to claim 5, wherein the press sleeve (12) is zinc-plated, powder-coated or painted. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insulating film at least partially surrounding the transponder chip (20), which is preferably made of ferrite or plastic. System according to claim 7, wherein the insulating film has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (21) is a blind hole. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (21) has a depth between 2 mm and 6 mm and a diameter between 2 mm and 20 mm. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (21) is sealed with the transponder chip (20), preferably by means of epoxy resin. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealant is surface-smoothed. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rubber coating at least partially surrounding the transponder chip (20). System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mobile data processing device which is communicatively connectable to the transponder chip (20) and is equipped to read information from the transponder chip (20). System according to claim 14, wherein the data processing device is further configured to display the information from the transponder chip (20) and / or reminder messages. System according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the data processing device is further configured to display information on the high-performance hose (11) and on a plurality of other high-performance hoses. System according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the data processing device is further configured to digitally sign processed data. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the high-performance hose (11). System according to claim 18, wherein the high-performance hose (11) is designed for use in concrete pumps, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, high-pressure cleaning, oil pipelines, gas pipelines, tunnel construction or mining. System according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the high-performance hose (11) is a concrete pump hose.

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