HOSE WITH PRINTED ELECTRONICS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Nowadays, hoses made of rubber, plastic or metal are known, which, for example, fulfil the function of conveying fluids, ie gases and liquids.

[0003] If requirements beyond this media flow are imposed, such as heating and / or cooling a fluid, complex systems and structures generally arise. For example, modern diesel vehicles use SCR (selective catalytic reduction) solutions to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. For this purpose, a urea such as ammonia is added to the exhaust gases.

[0004] It is important to note that the urea must be at a certain temperature to be able to be conveyed to the exhaust gas via a hose system. If the temperature falls below approximately -10°C, the urea changes from a liquid to a solid state and can no longer be conveyed or pumped.

[0005] To ensure the functionality of an SCR system even at ambient temperatures where the urea would no longer be liquid, today's SCT systems typically feature resistance wires to heat the hose. The resistance wires are typically wound around the hose to increase the temperature of the fluid through the hose.

[0006] The disadvantage here is that the hose itself can have a comparatively complex structure, requiring the provision of the fluid-carrying hose body, the heating wire in the form of resistance wires, and a sheathing from the inside out. The electrical connections for the heating wires also need to be arranged.

[0007] US 2016 / 312924 A1 describes a double-walled pipe with integrated heating capability for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising a pipe body made of rigid plastic in one piece with an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of wall supports. The wall supports connect the inner wall to the outer wall, and the inner wall and the outer wall define a gap. The double-walled pipe further includes an electrically conductive coating surrounding the inner wall within the gap and configured to heat up upon application of an electric current so that heat is transferred to the inner wall. The double-walled pipe, including the electrically conductive coating, is manufactured as a single piece using 3D printing.

[0008] DE 10 2014 018 372 A1 describes a prefabricated heatable media line with a hose- or tubular media line and with at least one line connector arranged on the end thereof, wherein the media line has a line wall and an inner cavity surrounded by the line wall, wherein the line wall has an outer side and an inner side, wherein at least one device is provided for heating the media line, wherein the device for heating the media line is at least one electrically conductive varnish which is provided in at least one layer on the outer and / or inner side of the line wall, and wherein the media line is provided with at least two electrical conductors for contacting the conductive varnish, which are in electrical contact with the electrically conductive varnish, wherein the electrical conductors are in the form of a wire and / or foil and / or stranded wire and / or conductor track and / oror electrodes coextruded with the media line are applied to the line wall. The electrically conductive paint is sprayed on after the extrusion of the media line and / or the media line passes through a paint bath containing an electrically conductive paint after extrusion and / or an electrically conductive paint is applied to the line wall by a dipping or application process.

[0009] Optomec.Com, "Optomec to Feature Systems for 3D Printed Electronics at UK Advanced Packaging Conference- Optomec", (20170315), URL: https: / / www.optomec.com / optomec-feature-systems-3d-printed-electronics-uk-advanced-packaging-conference / , (20181030), describes an aerosol jet system for 3D electronics.

[0010] Martina Ohle, "Circuits and sensors from the printer - Press release - May 6, 2014", (20140506), URL: https: / / www.ifam.fraunhofer.de / content / dam / ifam / de / documents / IFAM-Bremen / presse / 2014 / Pressemitteilung_IFAM_2014_Schaltungen%20und%20Sensoren%2 0aus%20dem%20Drucker.pdf, (20181030) describes circuits and sensors from the printer.

[0011] EP 2 711 169 A1 describes a tube with at least one inner tube and at least one information carrier. Furthermore, the tube has an outer cladding tube surrounding the at least one inner tube, in which or in the wall of which the at least one information carrier is arranged. The outer cladding tube is transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range and comprises a semi-crystalline polyolefin material.

[0012] EP 2 161 421 A1 describes a device for storing a liquid NOx reducing agent in a vehicle. The device comprises a container for holding the liquid NOx reducing agent, a first heating device located in the container and adapted to heat the NOx reducing agent during use, and a tube having a first end adapted to be immersed in the liquid NOx reducing agent in the container during use. The tube is adapted to extract liquid NOx reducing agent from the container, and the tube comprises a second heating device extending along at least part of the length of the tube located within the container. EP 2 921 242 A1 discloses a press fitting having a cylindrical outer surface containing a strain sensor printed onto the outer surface by inkjet printing with conductive and / or resistive inks.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a hose of the type described above with improved and / or expanded functions. This should preferably be achieved as simply and / or cost-effectively as possible. At the very least, an alternative to known hoses of this type should be provided.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention by a hose having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0015] Thus, the present invention relates to a hose comprising at least one first layer enclosing an interior space. In other words, the hose has an interior space in which a substance, such as a fluid, can be accommodated for storage and / or transport. The interior space can also be referred to as a cavity.

[0016] If the hose is cylindrical, so that, in particular, a fluid can be conveyed through it, the interior space for conveying the fluid is designed to be closed in the circumferential direction. In this case, the interior space extends essentially in a longitudinal direction, in which the cylindrical hose also extends. The first layer is arranged radially around this interior space and is cylindrical. Thus, the first layer extends in the longitudinal direction and is closed in the circumferential direction.

[0017] According to the invention, the cylindrical tube is characterized by at least one printed electronics which is arranged externally on the first layer by printing.

[0018] The invention is based on the finding that by printing at least one electronic component externally onto the first layer, various functions can be created in the hose more easily, cost-effectively, and / or effectively than previously known. These functions can preferably be integrated into the hose more effectively than previously known. Furthermore, previously unfeasible functions can be created in the hose or integrated into the hollow body.

[0019] These functions will be explained in more detail below.

[0020] Just one printed electronic unit or several printed electronic units can be used. Multiple printed electronic units can also be used to implement the same functions multiple times or at multiple locations in the hollow body and / or different functions individually or in combination with one another. These functions can be of a sensory and / or actuatory nature, for example, as will be explained in more detail below. It is also possible, for example, for an electric current or an electric voltage to be introduced into the hollow body, for example into a fluid. Likewise, a magnetic field can be generated, which can act in the hollow body, for example on a fluid.

[0021] It should be noted here that the first layer can be in direct contact with the inner space, so that the first layer, as the innermost layer, can also be in direct contact with, for example, a fluid located in the interior. This means that the functions that can be performed by the printed electronics can be arranged as close as possible to the interior space or to the fluid. This can make the effect of the printed circuit, for example as an actuator or as a heating element, on the fluid particularly effective. Conversely, the printed electronics can deliver better measurement results as a sensor, for example, if the printed electronics are arranged as close as possible to the interior space or to the fluid.

[0022] In these cases, it can be particularly advantageous to make the first layer as thin-walled as possible, so that on the one hand printing of the first layer is still possible, but at the same time the interaction between, for example, the fluid in the interior and the printed electronics can be as pronounced as possible due to the small radial thickness of the first innermost layer.

[0023] However, the first layer can also be spaced from the interior space by at least one further layer, not specifically named and considered, which is arranged within the first layer. This allows a spatial separation of the first layer and the interior space to be achieved, for example, to chemically protect the first layer.

[0024] The printed electronics can be produced using a single printing process or a combination of different printing processes, as will be explained in more detail below. Not part of the invention, the printed electronics can be formed partially or entirely by structuring during the extrusion process, particularly of a cylindrical hollow body, as well as by using different materials, or completely by inserting structures such as nonwovens or grids.

[0025] A functional ink is preferably used to create the electrically conductive structures of the printed electronics. This allows for the creation of electrically conductive structures with a height of, for example, only approximately 20 micrometers, so that the multilayer structure of the hollow body can be affected as little as possible.

[0026] Preferably, the printed electronics are only arranged in sections on the first layer, leaving sufficient sections free of printed electronics. This allows sufficient surface area of ​​the first layer to be kept free to achieve sufficient direct adhesion with a subsequent layer, if necessary.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, the hose has at least one second layer, which is arranged externally on the first layer and on the printed electronics. This allows the hose to be provided with at least one further layer, which can be, for example, a reinforcement layer with a strength carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the second layer can cover the first layer and the printed electronics on the outside, thereby protecting them from external influences.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the printed electronics are designed to heat the first layer. This can be achieved, for example, by the printed electronics having at least one ohmic resistor, at least in sections, which, when energized, can generate heat through current heat losses and transfer it via the first layer to the interior, such as to a fluid located there, in order to heat it.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the printed electronics are designed as a sensor, preferably as a temperature sensor and / or as a pressure sensor. In this way, at least one property of the first layer can be detected by sensor, which property can be exerted on the first layer from the interior. For example, a fluid located in the interior can transfer its temperature to the first layer, so that the temperature of the fluid can be detected by the printed electronics with a slight time delay due to the thermal conductivity of the first layer. This applies accordingly additionally or alternatively to a pressure which can be exerted on the first layer by the interior or, for example, the fluid located there.

[0030] Strain gauges can also be incorporated into printed electronics. Furthermore, it is possible to measure the ohmic resistance or its change in a section of the printed electronics, particularly in the case of a flexible hose. Sensory detection of the density and / or conductivity of, for example, a fluid within the hose is also conceivable using printed electronics.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the printed electronics are designed as an actuator. This means that the printed electronics are designed, at least in sections, to exert forces on at least the first layer. These forces can be exerted by the printed electronics, for example, through a piezoelectric effect and / or through electromechanical actuators. These forces can, for example, contract the first layer at least in sections, so that, for example, the cross-section of the interior can be narrowed. This can, for example, lead to a targeted reduction in the flow rate of a fluid, for example, in the case of a cylindrical hose.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the printed electronics is designed as an antenna. This allows electromagnetic waves to be received and / or emitted by the printed electronics. This can enable unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the printed electronics and the environment.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the printed electronics has at least one connection region configured to establish an electrically conductive contact to the outside of the tube, wherein the connection region has a greater thickness than the printed electronics. In other words, the connection region serves to establish at least one electrically conductive contact between the tube and an object, such as a voltage source, a control device, or the like, which is not part of the tube.

[0034] For this purpose, it may be advantageous to make the connection area thicker than the other conductor tracks of the printed electronics in order to increase the conductivity in this area.

[0035] It is also possible to deepen the first layer, e.g. by means of a laser process, and to fill this area as a connection area, e.g. in a doctor blade process, with a conductive filling so that a solid connection area can be formed to the outside.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the hose extends substantially in a longitudinal direction, and the connection region is arranged in the longitudinal direction at one end of the cylindrical hose. This allows the hose to be contacted at the ends, which is advantageous since the mechanical connection of a hose is usually made at the ends, and this can be simultaneously linked to the electrical connection.

[0037] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the hose, preferably the first layer and / or the second layer of the hose, comprises an elastomeric material, preferably consisting of an elastomeric material. This creates a flexible hose.

[0038] According to the invention, the printed electronics are arranged on the first layer using a flexographic printing process, a gravure printing process, a screen printing process, and / or a digital printing process. Thus, various printing processes can be used to utilize the respective properties to form a tube according to the invention. This offers a high degree of freedom in the design of the printed electronics and in the application of the present invention.

[0039] In other words, printing methods can be used that apply the printing ink to the first layer of the tube in the form of desired structures, such as antenna structures, conductor track structures, or heating structures, in a direct printing process. Not part of the invention, the desired structures, such as antenna structures, conductor track structures, or heating structures, can be introduced into the first layer in a preparatory step, e.g., by engraving, in particular by laser engraving, and then filled with the functional fluid, which has electrically conductive, magnetic, and similar properties.

[0040] An embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figure. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a hose according to the invention.

[0041] Fig. 1shows a schematic sectional view of a hose 1 according to the invention.

[0042] The hose 1 according to the invention extends essentially in a longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of the representation of the Figure 1 ).

[0043] The hose 1 has a first layer 11, which can also be referred to as the innermost layer 11. The first layer 11 extends in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the shape of the hose 11, is closed in the circumferential direction U, and is spaced radially from the axis of the longitudinal direction, i.e., the longitudinal axis X. The first layer 11 thereby encloses an interior space 10, which is open and accessible at both ends of the hose 1. A fluid can be conveyed within the interior space 10.

[0044] Printed electronics 13 are provided radially from the outside on a section of the first layer 11. The printed electronics 13 can alternatively or in combination have different functions such as a sensor or several identical or different sensors, a heating element or several identical or different heating elements, an antenna or several identical or different antennas, and / or an actuator or several identical or different actuators.

[0045] From the radial outside, a second layer 12 is arranged on the first layer 11 and on the printed electronics 13 to protect the printed electronics 13. The second layer can also comprise reinforcements to give the hose 1 greater strength. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0046] Rradial direction Ucircumferential direction XLongitudinal axis 1 (flexible, cylindrical) hollow body; tube 10 interior 11 first, innermost layer 12 second layer 13 printed electronics; printed electronic circuit

Claims

1. Hose (1), with at least one first layer (11), which encloses an interior (10), preferably for guiding a fluid, and at least one set of printed electronics (13), which is arranged on the first layer (11) from the outside by printing, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) has been arranged on the first layer (11) by means of a flexographic printing process, by means of a gravure printing process, by means of a screen printing process and / or by means of a digital printing process.

2. Hose (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one second layer (12), which is arranged on the first layer (11) and on the set of printed electronics (13) from the outside.

3. Hose (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) is designed to heat the first layer (11).

4. Hose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) is designed as a sensor, preferably as a temperature sensor and / or as a pressure sensor.

5. Hose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) is designed as an actuator.

6. Hose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) is designed as an antenna.

7. Hose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of printed electronics (13) has at least one connection region, which is designed to make electrically conductive contact outside the hose (1), wherein the connection region is thicker than the set of printed electronics (13).

8. Hose (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the hose (1) extends substantially in a longitudinal direction, and the connection region is arranged in the longitudinal direction at one end of the cylindrical body (1).

9. Hose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hose (1), preferably the first layer (11) and / or the second layer (12) of the hose (1), comprises an elastomeric material, preferably consists of an elastomeric material.