SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR, INCLUDING A MOBILE PART AND A RECORDING PART THAT HOLDS A SCREEN

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system, in particular a system, comprising a mobile unit and a receiving part for a screen.

[0002] It is generally known that mobile devices can be moved on a moving surface.

[0003] From the US 4,796,183 Data transmission to a rotatably arranged part is known.

[0004] From the DE 20 2016 104 836 A1 A conductor rail is known.

[0005] From the DE 30 19 132 A1 A device for transmitting electrical signals between two parts that are movable relative to each other is known.

[0006] From the US 5 073 979 A The closest known state of the art is a reflector for an infrared transmitter of a remote control.

[0007] From the US 6 061 160 A An arrangement for optical communication is known.

[0008] From the DE 10 2012 002718 A1 An arrangement for data transmission between a first plant component and a mobile component that can move relative to the first plant component is known.

[0009] From the EP 1 858 179 A1 An arrangement for communication using illumination is known.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a system with mobile devices with regard to data transmission.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved in the system according to the features specified in claim 1.

[0012] Key features of the system, in particular the installation, comprising a handset and a receiving unit that accommodates a screen and to which a transmitter is attached, are that the receiving unit has a slot, in particular an opening, wherein the handset has a receiver, in particular wherein the handset is movable along the slot such that the receiver maintains a constant distance from the slot during the movement.

[0013] An advantage of this system is that the transmitter shines light into a cavity formed in the receiving part. This light then exits through the slot and is detected by the receiver. By modulating the emitted light, data can be transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, i.e., from the stationary part of a system to the mobile unit that moves along a surface of the system. The cavity is preferably shaped such that the light emitted by the transmitter is radiated as uniformly as possible along the slot. For this purpose, a screen is arranged in the cavity of the receiving part, which scatters the light. This scattering causes light to exit the slot into the surrounding area, either after scattering or after one or more scattering and reflection, where it can then be detected by the receiver. By appropriately shaping the screen, the light intensity along the slot is kept as constant as possible or varies only slightly.

[0014] Thus, even in areas with poor radio coverage or in complex systems with many large metallic objects, data exchange with a mobile device is possible, or at least unidirectional data transmission from a stationary transmitter to a receiver of the mobile device is enabled. In this way, updated intralogistics transport orders can be transmitted to the respective mobile device without the need for a constant radio connection or similar. The invention can be implemented very cost-effectively if the mobile device is guided along a track laid on the travel surface by means of a tracking antenna, in particular an AC-energized line conductor, and if the receiving element according to the invention is positioned in a section of the path traversed by the mobile device such that the slot is aligned parallel to the path of the mobile device, so that the mobile device receives data optically while traveling.Such recording devices are particularly advantageous when installed before an intersection or in another waiting area.

[0015] Alternatively, the receiving parts can also be arranged parallel to a rail, with the mobile parts then being designed as rail vehicles that can travel along the rail.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmitter emits modulated light, in particular visible or infrared light, according to a digital data stream, and the receiver demodulates the data stream from the modulated light. An advantage of this is that data can be transmitted easily. In particular, modulation of the emitted light is easily implemented when using a laser or an LED as the transmitter. Likewise, a photodiode or a phototransistor sensitive to the light emitted by the transmitter can be used as the receiver.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the screen scatters the light emitted by the transmitter. It is advantageous that the light emitted by the transmitter is directed onto the screen at an angle of incidence between 0° and 90°, and that the light scattered by the screen is either emitted through the slot into the surroundings, particularly towards the receiver, or onto a mirrored side surface of the receiving element, so that one or more reflected and / or scattered light is emitted through the slot.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the screen is curved such that the distance between the screen and the slot decreases monotonically, and in particular strictly monotonically, with increasing distance from the transmitter. The advantage of this is that, with increasing distance from the transmitter, the screen receives light from the transmitter at a smaller angle of incidence relative to the normal (i.e., the normal of a given local tangent surface), thus scattering more of the emitted luminous flux. The curvature of the screen depends on the distance to the transmitter, which is positioned at a distance from the screen and is mounted and held in a wall of the receiving element.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the shield is received in a cavity of the receiving part, with the cavity opening into the surroundings at the slot, particularly at the opening. It is advantageous that the shield is arranged at a distance from the slot in the receiving part, but that the distance of the shield to the slot decreases with increasing distance from the transmitter.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the surfaces of the receiving part bordering the cavity are designed as mirror surfaces, in particular provided with a coating that has a reflectance of more than 60%. It is advantageous that light which does not pass directly through the slot into the surroundings is reflected, and the light, reflected once or multiple times, then exits through the slot or after scattering by means of the screen. The screen is preferably not transparent to light, but rather scatters the light.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the width of the slot, particularly perpendicular to its direction of extension, is smaller than the clear width of the cavity. The advantage here is that the slot is narrower than the cavity, allowing the slot, including the screen and cavity, to extend over the greatest possible length without a significant decrease in the luminous intensity emerging from the slot. It thus remains essentially constant. Near the transmitter, the slope of the screen is very shallow, meaning the screen runs almost parallel to the slot, so that only a small proportion of the luminous flux is scattered by the screen. While the slope increases with distance, the luminous flux weakens due to the distance. According to the invention, the increase in the slope is adjusted to the distance such that the luminous intensity remains essentially constant.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the handset has a control unit that controls the traction drive of the handset in such a way that the handset can be moved along a path that runs at least partially parallel to the slot. It is advantageous that, in the area of ​​the receiving unit, data can be transferred or exchanged between the stationary system component and the handset.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the slot is arranged on the underside of the receiving part. This has the advantage that water and other liquids can drain away, and cleaning is made easier.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the slot is covered with a transparent plate, particularly made of glass or plastic. The advantage here is that no contamination is prevented.

[0025] In a favorable design, the umbrella is made of a fleece or paper. The advantage here is that the umbrella is inexpensive to manufacture and effectively disperses the light.

[0026] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims. The invention is not limited to the combination of features of the claims. For those skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to schematic illustrations: In the Figure 1 An oblique view of a system according to the invention is shown.

[0028] In the Figure 2 A longitudinal section through the system is shown.

[0029] In the Figure 3 A cross-section through the system is shown.

[0030] As shown in the figures, a stationary transmitter 1 is attached to a receiving part in which a curved screen 3 is arranged.

[0031] In this process, transmitter 1 protrudes through a wall of the recording part and emits visible or infrared light into a cavity of the recording part.

[0032] The cavity is open to the surroundings, with the opening being slot-shaped. The slot extends in the direction of movement, particularly the direction of travel, of a mobile component, especially a rail vehicle.

[0033] The receiving part is preferably attached to a rail of the system, in particular a rail system. Preferably, the receiving part is integrated into the rail.

[0034] Alternatively, the recording unit can also be arranged in a spatial area of ​​a system in which data transmission to the handset is to take place, whereby the handset is to be moved along a designated path, in particular for example along a guidance antenna which is laid along the designated path.

[0035] Thus, a receiver 2, which is attached to the handset, is able to receive data that is modulated onto the emitted light by transmitter 1. This allows commands, such as driving instructions for intralogistics applications, to be transmitted in this range.

[0036] Preferably, the opening is oriented downwards in the direction of gravity, so that water can flow out of the cavity.

[0037] The receiving part extends further in the direction of movement, especially in the direction of the rail, than in any transverse direction to it.

[0038] Preferably, the receiving part has a groove whose bottom is formed by the screen 3, which is curved in such a way that – starting from the transmitter 1 – the distance to the opening decreases monotonically, and in particular strictly monotonically, in the direction of movement. The groove depth thus decreases accordingly in the direction of movement.

[0039] The side surfaces (4, 5) are preferably coated with a layer that reflects or scatters the light emitted by the transmitter 1. This minimizes the amount of light absorbed by the receiving part.

[0040] The groove width, i.e. the width of the cavity in the transverse direction to the direction of movement, decreases towards the opening, especially towards the slot, with decreasing distance to the opening.

[0041] Instead of being a groove in a solid body, the receiving part can also be manufactured from a profile part, such as a drawn profile or extruded profile part, which has a cross-section that is invariant in the direction of movement, with the curved screen 3 being inserted into the cavity.

[0042] The opening is narrower perpendicular to the direction of movement than the rest of the cavity. Thus, the edge of the opening is constricted in a chimney-like manner.

[0043] The greatest groove depth, i.e. the greatest distance between the screen 3 and the opening, is formed at the wall, i.e. at transmitter 1.

[0044] The handset is moved relative to the receiver in such a way that receiver 2 is positioned centrally in front of the opening. As shown in Figure 3 As shown, receiver 2 is held less far from the opening than its width in the transverse direction to the direction of movement.

[0045] The screen 3 is preferably designed such that incident light is scattered in all possible directions, and in particular as uniformly as possible. The side panels on both

[0046] The three wall surfaces attached to the sides of the screen are coated with a reflective layer. This ensures the most uniform light intensity possible along the opening in the direction of movement.

[0047] If the screen is curved according to the section of an ellipse, a particularly uniform light intensity can be detected by receiver 2 when moving along the opening.

[0048] Data can be received during the movement of receiver 2 along the opening, especially in the direction of movement.

[0049] The transmitter 1 is preferably designed as an LED or laser diode, i.e., as a light source emitting light or infrared light. The receiver 2 is preferably designed as a photodiode or phototransistor, which is sensitive to the light from the transmitter 1.

[0050] In further embodiments of the invention, in addition to the transmitter 1, a further receiver is provided in a recess extending through the same wall, and a further transmitter 1 is provided on the handset. In this way, data can be transmitted in half-duplex mode if all transmitters (1) and receivers (2) operate with the same light. However, if the transmitter 1 and the further transmitter use different colors or frequencies, full-duplex data transmission is also possible.

[0051] In further embodiments according to the invention, the opening is closed with a disc that is transparent to light, thus reducing the risk of contamination. Reference symbol list

[0052] 1 Transmitter 2 Receiver 3 Screen 4 Side surface 5 Side surface, especially inside of chimney

Claims

1. System, in particular facility, comprising a mobile component and a receiving component which receives a screen (3) and to which a transmitter (1) is fastened, configured for generating radiated light and for radiating said light along the receiving component that receives the screen, the mobile component having a traction drive and a controller, the receiving component having a slot, the mobile component having a receiver (2), the mobile component being movable along the slot such that the receiver (2) is at a constant distance from the slot during the movement, characterised in that the screen (3) disperses light radiated by the transmitter (1) and is configured in a curved manner such that the distance between the screen (3) and the slot decreases monotonically, in particular strictly monotonically, as the distance from the transmitter (1) increases, the screen (3) being received in a cavity of the receiving component, the cavity opening into the surroundings at the slot, the controller actuating the traction drive of the mobile component such that the mobile component is movable along a path that runs in parallel with the slot in some portions.

2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmitter (1) radiates light, in particular visible light or infrared light, that is modulated in accordance with a digital data stream.

3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that the receiver (2) demodulates the data stream from the modulated light.

4. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving-component surfaces bordering the cavity are configured as reflective surfaces, in particular are provided with a coating that has a reflection factor of more than 60%.

5. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the width of the slot is smaller than the clear width of the cavity, in particular transversely to the extension direction of the slot.

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slot is arranged on the underside of the receiving component.

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slot is covered with a transparent sheet, in particular made of glass or plastics material.

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the screen (3) is made of a nonwoven fabric or a paper.