Limit value detection device comprising a counting unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a limit value detection device (100) for detecting a limit value event multiple times, said device comprising: a detent mechanism (101) which is manufactured using microstructuring technology and has a first detent element (103) and a second detent element (203), wherein each detent element (103, 203) comprises a plurality of detents (102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m); a pawl (104) which is designed to engage in a detent space between two neighbouring detents (102a, 102b) of the first detent element (103), wherein the first detent element (103) can be moved relative to the pawl (104) in a freewheel direction (106) and a movement of the first detent element (103) relative to the pawl (104) in a blocking direction (107) can be blocked by means of the pawl (104); and an actuating device (108) which is designed to move the first detent element (103) and the pawl (104) relative to one another, detent by detent, in the freewheel direction (106). According to the invention, the first detent element (103) and the second detent element (203) together form a counting unit, the counter reading for indicating the detected limit value events being determined on the basis of the position or location of the two detent elements (103, 203) relative to one another.

Description

[0001] LIMIT DETECTION DEVICE WITH COUNTING UNIT

[0002] The invention relates to a device for the multiple detection of limit value events. Such limit value events are defined by the fact that a predefined threshold value is exceeded or undershot. These can be, for example, threshold values ​​for pressure, temperature, acceleration, mechanical force, and the like.

[0003] Recording and verifying such limit violations or undershoots over a specific period can be important in various industrial processes. One of countless examples concerns critical temperature loads during product manufacturing, in the logistics chain, during product use, or generally in temperature-sensitive processes on a product.

[0004] Acceleration limit violations, for example, in drop sensors in smartphones, or pressure limit violations, for example, in gas cylinders, are also of great interest in industry today. It is often interesting to know how often a predefined limit has been exceeded or undershot.

[0005] Furthermore, limit detection devices are used in medical and clinical settings in the form of so-called sterilization cycle counters during autoclaving. Autoclaving, i.e., steam sterilization of instruments in clinical settings, is a necessary process to ensure the germ-free and safe reuse of sterilized medical instruments. However, this process, which involves hot, saturated steam, often places considerable stress on the instruments, and a certain maximum number of cycles must not be exceeded.

[0006] WO 2018 / 069 079 A1 describes a generic device for determining limit value events. This device has a gear or rack into whose teeth a pawl can engage. After each detected limit value event, the pawl jumps forward one tooth. However, the number of limit value events that can be detected using this device is always limited exactly to the number of teeth present. This means that for a gear with, for example, twelve teeth (and correspondingly twelve tooth gaps into which the pawl can engage), the number of limit value events to be detected is limited to exactly eleven, because the initial state at the first tooth is reached again on the twelfth pass. After a complete pass, the device must be reset to start a new counting process.Otherwise, an overflow occurs, and the device starts counting again from '1', even though it has actually already detected the twelfth threshold event. In some applications, this can lead to undesirable side effects. For example, in a sterilization cycle counter that counts the number of sterilization processes for surgical instruments, an incorrect indication of sterilization cycles already completed could pose a significant risk to the durability of the surgical instruments and thus also to the safety of the patient undergoing surgery.

[0007] Since the number of limit events to be detected is limited to the number of notches or teeth of the notch element (e.g., a gear), the user must exercise caution when counting the detected limit events to avoid overlooking an overflow. This could be avoided by increasing the number of possible limit events to be detected. To achieve this, it would be conceivable to increase the number of notches or teeth. However, the notch element (e.g., a gear) cannot be arbitrarily enlarged, as this would no longer take into account the concept of microstructuring technology.

[0008] It would therefore be desirable to improve existing microstructured limit detection devices so that the number of detectable limit events can be significantly increased, preferably while maintaining the smallest possible form factor of the microstructured limit detection device.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a limit value detection device having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The limit value detection device according to the invention comprises, among other things, a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a first locking element with a plurality of notches, as well as at least one second locking element with a plurality of notches. The locking mechanism can also comprise more than two notches. The limit value detection device further comprises at least one pawl configured to engage in a notch space between two adjacent notches of one of the notches. The notch space is the gap between two notches. The pawl blocks the movement of the notch element, in whose notches the pawl engages, in a first direction. This direction is therefore also referred to as the blocking direction. However, the pawl permits movement in the opposite direction. This direction is therefore also referred to as the freewheel direction.The detent element, in whose detents the pawl engages, can therefore move in the freewheeling direction relative to the pawl, while movement of the detent element in the locking direction is prevented by the pawl. The limit value detection device according to the invention further comprises an actuating device which is designed to actuate the first detent element or the pawl such that the first detent element moves in the freewheeling direction relative to the pawl in detents. According to the invention, this relative movement takes place in detents, i.e. the first detent element and the pawl are moved exactly one detents further with each deflection of the actuating device. Or to put it another way, the first detent element and the pawl are moved relative to one another with each deflection of the actuating device such that the first detent element moves step by step relative to the pawl by one detents per actuation.If a limit value is detected to be exceeded or undershot, the actuating device moves the first detent element relative to the latch by one detent. The actuating device can then return to its original position. Thus, the occurrence of a limit value event can be detected multiple times. The actuating device can react sensitively to the quantity to be measured for the purpose of limit value detection. This means that the actuating device can, for example, be deflected in response to a force, temperature, pressure, electric current, and the like in such a way that it actuates the first detent element or the latch and moves them relative to each other by one detent when a predefined threshold value of the quantity to be measured is exceeded or undershot.According to the invention, the two or more detent elements of the detent mechanism together form a counting unit, wherein the number of limit value events to be detected is determined by the position or setting of the respective detent elements relative to one another. This essentially corresponds to a coding of the number of limit value events to be detected by means of the detent elements. In this case, all participating detent elements can be considered to determine the number of limit value events that have occurred. The respective settings or positions of the individual detent elements together always define a unique combination in the sense of a coding. The number of possible unique position combinations is determined, among other things, by the number of detents (e.g. teeth) of the respective detent elements. A particularly large number of possibilities arise, for example, if the number of detents (e.g.teeth) of the first detent element differs from the number of detents (e.g. teeth) of the second detent element, and both do not have a greatest common divisor.

[0011] According to the invention, the locking mechanism is manufactured using microstructuring technology and can, for example, be designed as a microsystem or micromechanical or micro-electromechanical system, or MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) for short. A microsystem differs significantly from precision engineering structures in terms of its structure and manufacturing requirements. While precision engineering structures, e.g., gears for clockworks, are usually punched or occasionally lasered, microsystem structures are generally manufactured using etching processes. Many structures that can be manufactured using precision engineering are very difficult or impossible to realize using microsystem technology. However, manufacturing the locking mechanism as a microsystem offers the crucial advantage of making the locking mechanism very compact and space-saving.Especially compared to the aforementioned precision engineering structures, microsystem structures are often smaller by factors of several orders of magnitude.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained below. They show:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a limit detection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

[0014] Fig. 2 a coding table to display the counter reading of the counting unit from

[0015] Figure 1 and Figure 3,

[0016] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a limit detection device according to the invention according to a further embodiment,

[0017] Fig. 4A is a schematic view of a limit detection device according to the invention according to a further embodiment,

[0018] Fig. 4B is a schematic view of a limit detection device according to the invention according to a further embodiment

[0019] Fig. 5 a coding table to display the counter reading of the counting unit from

[0020] Figure 4A,

[0021] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a locking element with an electrical

[0022] Component for reading the counter reading of the counting unit according to embodiments,

[0023] Fig. 7 shows a further schematic view of a detent element with an electrical component for reading the counter reading of the counting unit according to embodiments, and

[0024] Fig. 8 shows a further schematic view of a detent element with an electrical component for reading the counter reading of the counting unit according to exemplary embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are described below in which a counting unit is formed from a first detent element 103 and a second detent element 203. This merely serves to illustrate the general concept. It is also conceivable for more than two detent elements to be present, which then together form a counting unit. With three or more detent elements, these multiple detent elements can all engage with the same detent element, e.g., with the first detent element 103, for example in the sense of a parallel connection. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the multiple detent elements to be all connected in series, in the sense of a series connection, so that each detent element only engages with exactly one other detent element.In principle, a series connection of detent elements can also be combined with a parallel connection of detent elements.

[0025] Furthermore, individual locking elements can be ring-shaped, with one or more additional locking elements being arranged inside and / or outside the ring-shaped locking element. The locking elements arranged inside could all engage with the ring-shaped locking element, in the sense of a parallel connection. Alternatively or additionally, the locking elements arranged inside could all be connected in series, in the sense of a series connection. The same applies to additional locking elements arranged outside. It would also be conceivable for several ring-shaped locking elements to be arranged one inside the other.

[0026] The following also describes embodiments in which the locking elements have external teeth. Alternatively or additionally, these locking elements could have internal teeth. The same applies vice versa.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first and second detent elements 103, 203 are each designed as gears purely by way of example, in which case the detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m are designed as teeth of the respective gear 103, 203. In other embodiments, the first and second detent elements 103, 203 are each designed as racks, in which case the detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m are designed as teeth of the respective rack 103, 203. Everything described in the following description with reference to gears applies analogously to racks, and vice versa.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a limit value detection device 100 according to the invention. The limit value detection device 100 has a locking mechanism 101. In this example, the locking mechanism 101 has a first locking element 103 and a second locking element 203. However, it is also conceivable for the locking mechanism 101 to have more than the two locking elements 103, 203 shown here purely as an example. In this case, of course, everything described herein with reference to the first and second locking elements 103, 203 also applies accordingly to any other locking element. The two or more locking elements can be arranged in series such that each locking element engages with exactly one other locking element.Alternatively, the two or more locking elements can be arranged in parallel, such that the second and each additional locking element engages the first locking element. However, in order to avoid unnecessarily complicating the present description, only two locking elements will be described below purely by way of example.

[0029] In the embodiment shown here, the two locking elements 103, 203 are each designed as a gear with external teeth. However, it would also be conceivable for at least one of the two locking elements 103, 203 to be designed with internal teeth or as a rack with multiple teeth.

[0030] The locking mechanism 101 may further include a pawl 104 that is functionally coupled to one of the locking elements 103, 203. The pawl 104 may, for example, engage in a space between two locking elements 102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m. The pawl 104 may be configured to allow movement of the respective locking element 103, 203 in only one direction, while inhibiting movement in the opposite direction.

[0031] The first detent element 103 has a plurality n (at least two) of detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n, which are designed here in the form of teeth. Between each two adjacent detents, a space is formed into which the pawl 104 can engage.

[0032] The second detent element 203 also has a plurality m (at least two) of detents 220a, 220b, ..., 220m, which are configured here in the form of teeth. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the teeth or detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first gear or detents element 103 engage with the teeth or detents 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second gear or detents element 203.

[0033] The first detent element 103 is movable relative to the pawl 104 in a freewheeling direction 106. In a locking direction 107, however, movement of the first detent element 103 can be blocked by the pawl 104. This can be achieved, for example, by a suitable geometric shape of the pawl 104 and the individual detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n.

[0034] The device 100 according to the invention further comprises an actuating device 108. The actuating device 108 is configured to move the first detent element 103 and the pawl 104 relative to one another in a notch-by-notch manner in the freewheel direction 106. This means that the actuating device 108 can actuate either the first detent element 103 or the pawl 104 to move the first detent element 103 relative to the pawl 104 in a notch-by-notch manner.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the actuating device 108 actuates the first detent element 103. For this purpose, the actuating device 108 can comprise a thermal bending transducer 111. The thermal bending transducer 111 can, for example, be a bimetallic strip with different thermal expansion coefficients. The thermal bending transducer 111 can also comprise a so-called bimorph. While the bimetallic strip comprises two metals with different expansion coefficients, the bimorph generally comprises two different materials. For example, the bimorph can comprise a first active region comprising metal and a second active region comprising silicon.

[0036] The thermal bending transducer 111 can, for example, have an active region that is thermally deformable. The thermal bending transducer 111 is preferably deflectable in a first direction 113 depending on the temperature. After cooling, the thermal bending transducer 111 returns to its original shape. The thermal bending transducer 111 can also comprise a shape memory alloy (SMA).

[0037] The actuating device 108 can advantageously be designed such that it is deflected in a first direction 113 when a predefined limit value is exceeded and / or undershot, in order to move the first detent element 103 detent-by-detent in the freewheel direction 106 by means of this deflection.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated here, the actuating device 108 has an actuating element 112 that can engage in a notch gap between two adjacent notches 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first notch element 103. The actuating element 112 can, for example, have a pawl-like shape designed to engage between two adjacent notches 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first notch element 103.

[0039] The actuating element 112 can also be coupled to the thermal bending transducer 111, so that the actuating element 112 moves with the thermal bending transducer 111 when it is deflected. For example, the thermal bending transducer 111 can deform in a first direction 113 when a temperature limit is exceeded (alternatively: when it falls below) and the actuating element 112 can also move in this first direction 113. The actuating element 112, which is latched between two adjacent notches 102a, 102b, ..., 102n, thereby moves the first notch element 103 in the freewheeling direction 106. The pawl 104 disengages, the first notch element 103 rotates one notch further, and the pawl 104 latches into the subsequent notch gap. In this embodiment, the first gear 103 would therefore rotate further in the freewheel direction 106 by exactly one tooth.

[0040] When the temperature has fallen below the temperature limit again (alternatively: risen above the temperature limit), the thermal bending transducer 111 returns to its original shape and moves in a second direction 114, opposite the first direction 113. As a result, the actuating element 112 also moves in this second direction 114, latching from the previous notch interval into the next notch interval. Subsequently, a new limit detection can be performed.

[0041] According to the invention, the detent elements of the detent mechanism 101 (here: the first detent element 103 and the second detent element 203) together form a counting unit in which the counter reading for displaying the detected limit value events is determined based on the position or attitude of the individual detent elements 103, 203 relative to one another. To illustrate this, in Figure 1, the detents 102a, 102b, ... , 102n or teeth of the first detent element or gear 103 are labeled with the numbers 1, 2, 3, ... , n-1, n. The detents 220a, 220b, ... , 220m or teeth of the second detent element or gear 203 are labeled with the numbers 1, 2, 3, ... , m-1, m.

[0042] In this embodiment, the notches or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first notch element or gear 103 engage with the notches or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second notch element or gear 203. Thus, when the first gear 103 rotates, the second gear 203 also rotates continuously. This results in several unique positions of the notch elements 103, 203 relative to one another.

[0043] This is particularly advantageous when the detent elements or gears 103, 203 of the detent mechanism all have a different number of detents or teeth. For example, with each detent-by-detent movement of the first detent element or gear 103, one and the same tooth (e.g., tooth number 2) of one gear 103, 203 can engage in different detent spaces or tooth gaps (e.g., in tooth gap 8 / 9 between teeth 8 and 9 and additionally in tooth gap 20 / 21 between teeth 20 and 21) of the other gear 103, 203. This results in different but individual combinations of positions of the individual detent elements or gears 103, 203 relative to one another. This means that even if the smaller (i.e. the one with fewer teeth) of the two gears 103, 203 rotates several times by 360°, one and the same tooth of the smaller gear 103, 203 can be moved into a different tooth gap of the larger (i.e.of the gear wheel 103, 203 having more teeth, so that despite multiple 360° revolutions of the smaller gear wheel, different, unique combinations of positions of the meshing teeth of the two gear wheels 103, 203 occur.

[0044] To take up the purely schematic example above, for example, a first position of the gears 103, 203 relative to one another, in which tooth number 2 of the first gear 103 engages the tooth gap 8 / 9 of the second gear 203, can represent a first counter reading, and a different second position of the two gears 103, 203 relative to one another, in which tooth number 2 of the first gear 103 engages the tooth gap 20 / 21 of the second gear 203, can represent a different second counter reading. This means that different positions of the two detent elements 103, 203 relative to one another represent different counter readings of the counting unit.

[0045] The counting unit, which is formed from the individual detent elements of the detent mechanism 101 (here: the first and second detent elements or gears 103, 203), can indicate the count of the detected limit value events in the sense of a code. The number of possible unique positions of the individual gears 103, 203 relative to one another determines the number of available code words. This is explained in more detail below with reference to the table shown in Figure 2.

[0046] The table in Figure 2 shows the possible different combinations of positions of two gears relative to each other, where a first gear Z1 has a number of teeth z1 = 3, and a second gear Z2 has a number of teeth z2 = 5. In this example, the first gear Z1 would correspond to the first detent element 103, and the second gear Z2 would correspond to the second detent element 203.

[0047] The first column of the table lists the counter readings, which can be represented by the unique combinations of positions of the two gears Z1 and Z2 relative to each other before a repetition of possible position combinations occurs. The counter readings represent the number of detected limit events, e.g., the number of sterilization cycles performed (therefore, the counter reading is labeled "cycles" here as an example). The second column of the table lists teeth 1, 2, and 3 of the first gear Z1.

[0048] The third column of the table lists teeth 1 to 5 of the second gear Z2.

[0049] The fourth column of the table shows the possible combinations of the teeth of the first gear Z1 with the teeth of the second gear Z2, and thus the different positional combinations of the two gears Z1 and Z2 relative to each other. The first digit represents the number of the tooth of the first gear Z1, and the second digit, separated by a hyphen, represents the number of the tooth of the second gear Z2.

[0050] The table now shows that one and the same tooth (e.g., tooth number 1) of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with different teeth of the second gear Z2 during several 360° revolutions. For example, tooth number 1 of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with tooth number 1 of the second gear Z2 during a first 360° revolution (see code word 1-1 in line 1 of the table). During a second 360° revolution of the first gear Z1, tooth number 1 of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with tooth number 4 of the second gear Z2 (see code word 1-4 in line 4 of the table). During a third 360° rotation of the first gear Z1, tooth no. 1 of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with tooth no. 2 of the second gear Z2 (see code word 1-2 in line 7 of the table). During a fourth 360° rotation of the first gear Z1, tooth no. 1 of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with tooth no.5 of the second gear Z2 can come into contact (see code word 1-5 in line 10 of the table). On a fifth 360° rotation of the first gear Z1, tooth no. 1 of the first gear Z1 can come into contact with tooth no. 3 of the second gear Z2 (see code word 1-3 in line 13 of the table). On a sixth 360° rotation of the first gear Z1, the initial state is then reached again, i.e. tooth no. 1 of the first gear Z1 is then again in contact with tooth no. 1 of the second gear Z2 (see code word 1-1 in line 16 of the table). From this point on, the coding is repeated again.

[0051] The number of limit value events to be detected is therefore encoded with a code which results from the different combinations of tooth positions or from the different combinations of positions of the two gears 103, 203 relative to one another. Each individual numerical code or code word, i.e. each different engagement position of the teeth of the first gear Z1 with the teeth of the second gear Z2, corresponds to a different position of the two gears Z1, Z2 relative to one another. Or to put it another way, the first detent element or gear 103 and the second detent element or gear 203 together form a counting unit in which the number of limit value events to be detected is determined based on possible different positions of the two detent elements 103, 203 relative to one another.The coding table shown in Figure 2 was described purely as an example using a first gear Z1 with z1 = 3 teeth and a second gear Z2 with z2 = 5 teeth. It is, of course, conceivable that the two gears have completely different numbers of teeth. Accordingly, other possible combinations would result. It is also conceivable that more than two gears could be used for coding.

[0052] This coding is particularly suitable when the individual gears Z1, Z2 have a different number of teeth. The number of possible combinations can be maximized if the number of teeth of the individual gears Z1, Z2 does not have a greatest common divisor (GCD). In this case, the maximum number of code words or combinations possible would be calculated by multiplying the number of teeth of the individual gears Z1, Z2 (e.g., according to: z1 * z2). In the example from Figure 2, 3 * 5 = 15 different, unique position combinations of the two gears Z1, Z2 relative to one another are therefore possible.

[0053] This means that although the two gear wheels Z1 and Z2 only have three and five teeth respectively, 15 different positions can be realized and thus 15 different counter readings for counting limit value events can be realized.

[0054] If the number of teeth of the two gears Z1 and Z2 has a greatest common factor (GCD), the number of possible unique combinations is calculated according to the following rule: z1 / GCD * z2. For example, if the first gear Z1 had six teeth instead of the five stated above, the greatest common factor would be 3, and accordingly, instead of the previously mentioned 15 unique position combinations, only six unique position combinations would be possible, even though the first gear Z1 has one more tooth.

[0055] In general, the starting or initial position of the individual locking elements or gears 103, 203 (e.g., code word 1-1 in line 1 of the table) represents the count value '0'. For example, a sterilization cycle counter in the starting position (code word 1-1) would not have completed a sterilization process yet. This is indicated by the counter reading '0' in line 1 of the table. During the first sterilization process, the counter then jumps to the value '1', which is indicated by the counter reading '1' in line 2 of the table. This means that exactly one of all possible position combinations of the gears 103, 203 is reserved for the starting position. To stick with the above example, with 15 possible unique position combinations, one would arrive at 14 countable sterilization cycles plus one position combination for the starting position of the two gear wheels 103, 203 with counter reading '0'. This means that the countable limit value events (e.g.Sterilization cycles) are calculated according to: (number of possible unique position combinations) - 1.

[0056] With the counting unit, which is formed from the individual detent elements of the detent mechanism 101 (here: from the first and second gears 103, 203), (z1 * z2) - 1 different counter readings can be realized for counting limit value events, provided that the number of teeth of both gears 103, 203 does not have a greatest common divisor (GCD). If a GCD exists, the number of possible unique counter readings can be calculated according to:

[0057] As a rule, the gear with the fewer teeth has a smaller diameter than the gear with the larger number of teeth. Embodiments of the invention provide that, in the case of different numbers of teeth, the first detent element or gear 103 has fewer teeth than the second detent element or gear 203. Thus, the first gear 103 would have a smaller diameter than the second gear 203. This has the advantage of implementing a gear reduction, whereby a lower torque is required to rotate the smaller first gear 103. This plays a significant role, particularly in the case of components of the limit value detection device 100 according to the invention manufactured using microstructuring technology.

[0058] Figure 3 shows another conceivable embodiment of a limit detection device 100 according to the invention. Identical parts with the same function, as previously explained with reference to Figure 1, are provided with the same reference numerals. For a related description, please refer to Figure 1.

[0059] The embodiment depicted in Figure 3 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1, among other things, in that the second detent element or gear 203 is arranged at a distance from the first detent element or gear 103, and the detents or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the two detent elements 103, 203 do not engage with each other. As shown in Figure 3, the two detent elements 103, 203 can be arranged side by side.

[0060] Here, too, it would be conceivable for the locking mechanism 101 to have more than the two locking elements 103, 203 shown here purely as examples. For example, one or more additional locking elements could interact with the first locking element 103, and / or one or more additional locking elements could interact with the second locking element 203.

[0061] In addition to the pawl 104 described above, a second pawl 204 is provided here, which can engage in a notch space or a tooth gap between two adjacent notches or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second notch element or gear 203. The second pawl 204 allows movement or rotation of the second notch element or gear 203 in a freewheeling direction 306 and blocks movement or rotation of the second notch element or gear 203 in an opposite locking direction 307.

[0062] The actuating device 108 has a second actuating element 212 that can engage in a notch gap or tooth gap between two adjacent notches or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second notch element or gear 203. The second actuating element 212 can, for example, have a pawl-like shape designed to engage between the two adjacent notches 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second notch element 203.

[0063] The actuating device 108 can advantageously be designed such that it is deflected in a first direction 113 when a predefined limit value is exceeded and / or undershot, in order to move, by means of this deflection, not only the first detent element 103 but also the second detent element 203 in each case detent-by-detent in the freewheel direction 106, 306.

[0064] For this purpose, the second actuating element 212 can be coupled to the thermal bending transducer 111, so that the second actuating element 212 moves with the thermal bending transducer 111 when the temperature is deflected. For example, the thermal bending transducer 111 can deform in a first direction 113 when a temperature limit is exceeded (alternatively: when it is undershot), and the second actuating element 212 can also move in this first direction 113. The second actuating element 212, which is latched between two adjacent notches 220a, 220b, ..., 220m, thereby moves the second notch element 203 in the freewheeling direction 306. The second pawl 204 disengages, the second notch element 203 rotates exactly one notch further, and the second pawl 204 latches into the subsequent notch gap. In this embodiment, the second gear 203 would therefore rotate further in the freewheel direction 306 by exactly one tooth.

[0065] When the temperature has fallen below the temperature limit again (alternatively: risen above the temperature limit), the thermal bending transducer 111 returns to its original shape and moves in a second direction 114, opposite the first direction 113. As a result, the second actuating element 212 also moves in this second direction 114 and engages from the previous notch space into the next notch space. Subsequently, a new limit detection can then be performed. In this exemplary embodiment, too, different, unique combinations of positions or positions of the individual notch elements or gears 103, 203 relative to one another occur. These different positions each represent the counter reading of the counting unit, which is formed by the individual notch elements of the locking mechanism 101 (here: by the first and second notch elements or gears 103, 203).

[0066] Essentially, the coding according to the table shown in Figure 2 also applies here. The only difference is that the teeth of the respective gears 103, 203 do not mesh with each other. However, the decisive factor, and common to both embodiments, are the different, unique positions of the gears 103, 203 relative to each other.

[0067] Applicable to all embodiments described herein, for example, a marking 300 could be provided on, next to, or between the gears 103, 203, from which it can be read which tooth of the respective gear 103, 1023 is currently located at this marking 300. The respective position of the respective detent element or gear 103, 203 can be determined from this marking 300. Figure 3 shows a single marking 300 purely as an example. However, a separate marking can also be provided for each detent element 103, 203.

[0068] In the example shown in Figure 3, for example, tooth number 12 of the first detent element or gear 103 and tooth number 1 of the second detent element or gear 203 would be opposite each other at the marking 300. This would correspond to a code word 12-1, which in turn would correspond to a specific counter reading of the counting unit.

[0069] Figure 4A shows a further embodiment of a limit detection device 100 according to the invention. The same parts with the same function as previously explained with reference to Figures 1 and 3 are provided with the same reference numerals. For a relevant description, reference is made to these figures.

[0070] In the embodiments discussed so far according to Figures 1 and 3, the second detent element or gear 203 moves or rotates continuously with the first detent element or gear 103, i.e. each time the first detent element or gear 103 rotates further by one notch, the second detent element or gear 203 also rotates further by one notch. The second detent element or gear 203 therefore moves continuously with the first detent element or gear 103. This can be achieved by an engagement of the teeth of both gears 103, 203 (Figure 1), or alternatively (Figure 3) by the actuating device 108 moving or rotating both gears 103, 203 together by one notch or tooth in each case with one actuating process. The embodiment shown in Figure 4A differs from the previously discussed embodiments, among other things, in that the second detent element orGear 203 moves discontinuously with the first detent element or gear 103. This means that the second detent element or gear 203 does not move or rotate in a notch-by-notch manner with every notch-by-notch movement or rotation of the first detent element or gear 103. Instead, the second detent element or gear 203 only rotates one notch further with every nth notch-by-notch movement or rotation of the first detent element or gear 103, where n > 1.

[0071] In the example shown in Figure 4A, the second detent element or gear 203 only moves or rotates one notch or tooth further for each full rotation (360°) of the first detent element or gear 103. This means that the first detent element or gear 103 first rotates completely around all of its notches or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n before the second detent element or gear 203 moves or rotates one notch or tooth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m.

[0072] For this purpose, the first detent element or gear 103 can have a driver 400. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first gear 103 has an annular structure, i.e., the toothing with the teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n is arranged radially on the outside on the outer circumference 420 of the first gear 103. In this exemplary embodiment, the driver 400 is arranged on the inner circumference 430 of the annular first gear 103.

[0073] According to such an embodiment, the first detent element or gear 103 can be designed in a ring shape, with the detents or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n being arranged in the form of external teeth on the outer circumference 420 of the annular first detent element or gear 103. The annular first detent element or gear 103 can also have a driver 400 arranged on the inner circumference 430 of the annular first detent element or gear 103.

[0074] As shown by way of example in Figure 4A, the second detent element or gear 203 can be arranged within the annular first detent element or gear 103. In this case, the outer diameter (including the teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m) of the second detent element or gear 203 would be smaller than the inner diameter of the annular first detent element or gear 103 (without the driver 400).

[0075] The teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second detent element or gear 203 can be configured in the form of external teeth on the outer circumference of the second detent element or gear 203. Thus, the teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the external teeth of the second detent element or gear 203 are opposite the driver 400, which is arranged on the inner circumference 420 of the annular first detent element or gear 103.

[0076] The driver 400 can engage with the teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the external toothing of the second detent element or gear 203. As a result, the driver 400 rotates the second detent element or gear 203 in increments, i.e., by exactly one increment or exactly one tooth.

[0077] Alternatively or in addition to the embodiment shown in Figure 4A, it would be conceivable for the second detent element or gear 203, or at least one further detent element, to be arranged outside the first detent element 103. In this case, the driver 400, or another driver, would also be arranged on the outer circumference 420 of the first detent element 103. Here, too, the driver would discontinuously advance the externally arranged detent element by one notch (e.g., after each full 360° rotation of the first detent element 103).

[0078] Suitably, the first detent element or gear 103 has exactly one driver 400 on the inner circumference 430 and / or on the outer circumference 420. Thus, the first detent element or gear 103 can rotate a full 360° before the driver 400 then advances the second detent element or gear 203 by exactly one notch or tooth. In other words, the second detent element or gear 203 is only rotated by one notch or tooth after each full 360° rotation of the first detent element or gear 103.

[0079] If the first detent element or gear 103 has exactly one single driver 400, all teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the external toothing of the first detent element or gear 103 can first be completely traversed and used to count the detected limit value events (e.g. temperature threshold exceeded), while the second detent element or gear 203 is always in the same position.

[0080] Only after a complete pass through all teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the external toothing of the first detent element or gear 103, i.e., after a full 360° rotation of the first detent element or gear 103, is the second detent element or gear 203 rotated further by exactly one notch or tooth by means of the driver 400, thereby assuming a new second position. In this second position of the second detent element or gear 203, the first detent element or gear 103 can then again pass through all teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the external toothing, i.e., perform another 360° rotation. Here, too, it would be conceivable for the detent mechanism 101 to have more than the two detent elements 103, 203 shown purely as examples. It would be particularly conceivable here for further locking elements to be provided which have the same function and the same features as the second locking element 203 described here as an example.The one or more additional locking elements could be arranged within the first locking element 103, as described using the example of the second locking element 203. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more additional locking elements could be arranged outside the first locking element 103.

[0081] Since the counting unit according to the invention is always formed from the individual detent elements of the detent mechanism 101 (here: from the first detent element or gear 103 and the second detent element or gear 203), the individual detent elements or gears 103, 203 are used to count the detected limit value events. Here, too, several possible unique positions of the individual gears 103, 203 relative to one another arise, which can represent the counter reading in the sense of a code. This will be explained in more detail below using the table shown in Figure 5.

[0082] The table in Figure 5 shows examples of possible different combinations of positions of two gears relative to each other, as described in the embodiment of Figure 4A. Here, the first detent element or gear 103 has a driver 400. After each full 360° rotation of the first detent element or gear 103, the driver 400 actuates the second detent element or gear 203 and moves or rotates it by one notch or tooth.

[0083] The table lists two gears Z1 and Z2 with different numbers of teeth. A first gear Z1 has a number of teeth of z1 = 3, and a second gear Z2 has a number of teeth of z2 = 5. Here, the first gear Z1 corresponds to the second detent element 203, and the second gear Z2 corresponds to the first detent element 103.

[0084] The first column of the table shows the counter readings that are possible using the unique combinations of positions of the two gears Z1, Z2 in relation to each other, before a repetition of possible position combinations occurs. For further explanations of the counter readings, please refer to the description of the table shown in Figure 2. The second column of the table lists teeth 1, 2, and 3 of the first gear Z1. The third column of the table lists teeth 1 to 5 of the second gear Z2.

[0085] The fourth column of the table lists the possible combinations of the teeth of the first gear Z1 with the teeth of the second gear Z2, and thus the resulting code words that describe the different positional combinations of the two gears Z1 and Z2 relative to each other. The first digit represents the number of the tooth of the first gear Z1, and the second digit, separated by a hyphen, represents the number of the tooth of the second gear Z2.

[0086] As previously explained with reference to Figure 4A, the first locking element or gear 103 (here: Z2) rotates a full 360° while the second locking element or gear 203 (here: Z1) remains in one and the same position during this time.

[0087] In the table, this can be seen by the fact that gear Z2 rotates over all five teeth (which corresponds to a full 360° rotation), while gear Z1 remains in the first tooth position. This can be seen in the first five rows of the table, where gear Z1 always remains in position or tooth position No. 1, while gear Z2 occupies tooth positions No. 1 to 5. Accordingly, this leads to the numerical codes

[0088] I-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 and 1-5.

[0089] After a full 360° rotation, i.e. when the first tooth of gear Z2 has returned to its starting position (line 6), gear Z1 is rotated a further one tooth by means of driver 400 of gear Z2, i.e. gear Z1 is then in the second tooth position. This is shown by the number 2 in column 'Z1' and lines 6-10 of the table. While gear Z1 remains in this second tooth position, gear Z2 rotates again around all five teeth, i.e. by 360°. This is shown by the numbers 1 to 5 in column 'Z2' and lines 6-10 of the table. Accordingly, this leads to the numerical codes 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 and 2-5.

[0090] After another full 360° rotation, ie when the first tooth of gear Z2 has returned to its starting position (line 11), gear Z1 is rotated one tooth further by means of the driver 400 of gear Z2, ie gear Z1 is then in the third tooth position. This can be seen from the number 3 in the column 'Z1' as well as lines

[0091] I I-15 of the table. While the gear Z1 remains in this third tooth position, the gear Z2 rotates again around all five teeth, i.e. through 360°. This is shown using the numbers 1 to 5 in the 'Z2' column and in lines 11-15 of the table. Accordingly, this leads to the numerical codes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 3-5. The number of limit value events to be detected is therefore encoded with a code which results from the different combinations of different positions of the individual gears Z1, Z2 relative to one another. Each position corresponds exactly to one numerical code or code word. In other words, the individual detent elements of the detent mechanism 101 (here: the first detent element or gear 103 and the second detent element or gear 203) together form a counting unit in which the number of limit value events to be detected is calculated based on possible different positions orPositions of the individual locking elements 103, 203 relative to each other are determined.

[0092] The coding table shown in Figure 5 was described purely as an example using a gear Z1 with z1 = 3 teeth and a gear Z2 with z2 = 5 teeth. It is, of course, conceivable that the two gears Z1 and Z2 have completely different numbers of teeth. Accordingly, other possible combinations would then arise. It would also be conceivable for more than two detent elements or gears to be provided.

[0093] The number of possible combinations, i.e., the maximum possible number of unique code words or combinations, is calculated by multiplying the number of teeth on the individual gears (e.g., z1 * z2). In the example shown in Figure 5, 3 * 5 = 15 different or unique positional combinations of the two gears Z1 and Z2 are possible.

[0094] This means that although the two gear wheels Z1 and Z2 only have three and five teeth respectively, 15 different positions can be realized and thus 15 different counter readings for counting limit value events can be realized.

[0095] It is also conceivable for the first detent element or gear 103 to have more than the single driver 400 shown here as an example. It would also be conceivable for further detent elements or gears to be present in addition to the second detent element or gear 203, which could be moved in detent-by-detent manner by means of the driver 400 (or several drivers). It would also be conceivable for further detent elements or gears to be present in addition to the second detent element or gear 203, whose detents or teeth engage with the detents or teeth of the second detent element 203 and are moved further by the second detent element 203.

[0096] Alternatively or in addition to the embodiment shown in Figure 4A, it would be conceivable for the driver 400, or an additional driver, to be attached to the outer circumference 420 of the first detent element or gear 103. In this case, the driver 400 could, for example, be arranged between two adjacent detents 102a, 102b. The driver 400 could be longer than the detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n and thus protrude beyond the outer contour of the detents 102a, 102b, ..., 102n. In this case, the second detent element or gear 203 could be arranged at a distance from the first detent element or gear 103, so that the detents or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first detent element or gear 103 do not engage with the detents or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second detent element or gear 203. On the other hand, the protruding driver 400 would then engage with the detents or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second detent element or gear 203.Gear 203 can engage in order to rotate the second detent element or gear 203 further by one detent or one tooth.

[0097] In the embodiment according to Figure 4A, an end stop can also be implemented, whereby the second detent element or gear 203, driven by the driver 400, could run against the end stop after a complete 360° rotation. This allows a maximum number of limit value events to be detected to be defined without an overrun occurring.

[0098] Figure 4B shows a corresponding conceivable exemplary embodiment of a limit value detection device 100 according to the invention with an end stop. Identical parts with the same function as previously explained with reference to Figure 4A are provided with the same reference numerals. For a relevant description, reference is made to Figure 4A. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 4B, more than the two detent elements 103, 203 shown purely as an example can be provided. It would be particularly conceivable to provide further detent elements that have the same function and the same features as the second detent element 203 described here as an example. The one or more additional detent elements could be arranged within the first detent element 103, as described using the example of the second detent element 203.Alternatively or additionally, the one or more additional locking elements could be arranged outside the first locking element 103.

[0099] One difference from Figure 4A is that the embodiment shown in Figure 4B has an optional end stop 410. The end stop 410 is designed to prevent further rotation of the counting unit at a specific point. For example, the movement of the counting unit can be prevented precisely when an overrun would otherwise occur, i.e., without the end stop 410. This would, for example, be the case precisely after all tooth combinations or code words have been run through exactly once. This can prevent an overrun, which is advantageous, for example, for the purpose of forgery security and can counteract tampering.

[0100] The end stop 410 can be configured as a mechanical end stop. The end stop 410 can, for example, have a first stop element 411 protruding from the outer circumference of the second detent element or gear 203. This can, for example, be configured in the form of an additional detent element or tooth. This additional tooth 411 can be arranged in a detent space between two adjacent detents 220a, 220b, ..., 220m.

[0101] The end stop 410 may also have a stationary second stop element 412. The second stop element 412 is arranged relative to the second detent element 203 such that the detents or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second detent element 203 can move past the second stop element 412 unhindered during rotation.

[0102] The first stop element 411, however, can be designed longer than the remaining notches 220a, 220b, ..., 220m, i.e., the first stop element 411 can protrude further from the outer circumference of the second stop element 203 than the remaining notches 220a, 220b, ..., 220m. The first stop element 411 can protrude so far that it does not pass unhindered past the second stop element 412, but instead strikes the second stop element 412. This prevents further rotation of the second stop element 203.

[0103] It should be noted that Figure 4B is merely a schematic view. The end stop 410 or its stop elements 411, 412 can also be arranged in a different position. Furthermore, the stop elements 411, 412 are arranged such that the driver 400 can move past them unhindered. The first stop element 411 is also designed such that it does not touch the inner circumference 430 of the first detent element 103.

[0104] In the position shown purely as an example in Figure 4B, exactly one full rotation of the first locking element 103 would be possible before the end stop 410 prevents further movement of the two locking elements 103, 203.

[0105] Such an end stop 410 would also be conceivable in the embodiments previously discussed with reference to Figures 1, 3, and 4. For example, one of the two detent elements 103, 203 depicted therein could be replaced by the embodiment shown in Figure 4B. In this case, the inner small detent element from Figure 4B could serve purely for the purpose of implementing the end stop 410, while the coding described herein continues to be accomplished by means of the two large detent elements 103, 203.

[0106] In all embodiments described herein, the moving parts of the microstructured limit detection device 100 could move in a common plane. The moving parts include, among others, the detent elements or gears 103, 203 and the actuating device 108. For example, the limit detection device 100 could be arranged on a substrate so that all moving parts move in the substrate plane, i.e., parallel to the substrate surface.

[0107] It would also be conceivable for the detent elements or gears 103, 203 to have scales by means of which the teeth can be numbered and / or the counter readings can be read. The scales can, for example, be applied to the detent elements or gears 103, 203 (e.g., printed, engraved, or lasered). By numbering the detents or teeth, it would be possible, for example, to read which detents or teeth 102a, 102b, ..., 102n of the first detent element or gear 103 would engage with which detents or teeth 220a, 220b, ..., 220m of the second detent element or gear 203 (Figure 1), or which detents are opposite one another and / or which detents are each located at a marking (e.g., marking 300 in Figure 3). In general, the position of the two locking elements or gears 103, 203 relative to each other can be determined using a scale.

[0108] Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the meter readings to be read out and, if necessary, decoded using suitable electronic components.

[0109] The position or setting of the respective detent element or gear 103, 203 can be determined, for example, by means of an electrical component (e.g. capacitor) which changes its electrical properties (e.g. capacitance) depending on the position of the respective detent element or gear 103, 203.

[0110] Figure 6 shows a conceivable embodiment in this regard using the example of the first detent element or gear 103, whereby this concept can also be applied to the second detent element or gear 203. Furthermore, identical parts with the same function, as previously explained with reference to Figures 1 to 5, are provided with the same reference numerals. For a relevant description, reference is made to these same figures.

[0111] The first detent element or gear 103 is designed here as a freely rotatable gear. However, it would also be conceivable for the first detent element or gear 103 to be elastically rotatable, i.e., the gear 103 could, for example, be rotatable against a spring force. A spring (not shown here), such as a spiral spring known from clockworks, could be coupled to the gear 103, so that when the gear 103 is moved in a first direction, the spring is tensioned (i.e., tensioned either by compression or tension), and when the gear 103 is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the spring is relaxed. This applies, moreover, to all embodiments discussed herein, as well as to the second detent element or gear 203. In the gear 103 shown in Figure 6, the pawl 104 engages in the spaces between two adjacent teeth 102a, 102b.It can be seen that, due to the specific shape of the pawl 104 and the individual teeth 102a, 102b, a freewheeling direction 106 is created in which the gear 103 can rotate freely relative to the pawl 104. However, in the opposite direction, i.e., in a locking direction 107, the pawl 104 blocks the movement of the gear 103.

[0112] In this embodiment, the actuating device 108 actuates the detent element 103 to move it further in the freewheel direction 106 relative to the pawl 104, one detent at a time, by one detent 102a, 102b at a time. As can be seen, the actuating device 108 engages a detent 102c of the detent element 103 to move the detent element 103 further in the freewheel direction 106 relative to the pawl 104.

[0113] The limit detection device 100 according to the invention is provided here on a substrate 210. The substrate 210 can be, for example, a silicon wafer. The device 100 according to the invention can be provided on the substrate 210 as a microsystem. For example, the depicted gear structure 103 can be produced using suitable etching processes.

[0114] As indicated by arrow 205, the actuating device 108 is deflected upward in the image plane to actuate the gear 103. The deflection of the actuating means 108 thus occurs in a horizontal direction, ie, in a plane parallel to the substrate plane.

[0115] The movement of the actuating device 108 is essentially a pivoting movement caused by the supply of external energy (e.g. thermal energy), whereby the behavior of the actuating device 108 in this example is comparable to that of a cantilevered bending beam.

[0116] The use of the previously mentioned electrical component 109 for determining the actual position of the detent element 103 is not limited to the embodiment of the actuating device 108 shown in Figure 6. Rather, the electrical component 109 can be used independently of the specific design of the actuating device 108, which is why the electrical component 109 can be combined with all embodiments described herein.

[0117] The electrical component 109 is configured here purely by way of example as a capacitor. More specifically, a first capacitor plate 201 is provided on the substrate 210, and a second capacitor plate 202 is provided on the latching element 103. It would also be conceivable for a first capacitor plate 201 to be arranged on the first latching element 103, and a second capacitor plate 202 to be arranged on the second latching element 203 (not shown here).

[0118] As can be seen, the two capacitor plates 201, 202 are two semicircular segments. In the position of the gear 103 relative to the substrate 210 shown in Figure 6, the two capacitor plates 201, 202 are aligned with each other such that they lie exactly opposite each other, i.e., so that they join together to form a complete circle when viewed from above.

[0119] Due to the position of the two capacitor plates 201, 202 relative to one another, the capacitor 109 has a specific capacitor capacitance in this position. When the detent element 103 moves in increments relative to the substrate 210, the gear 103 rotates relative to the substrate 210, and thus the alignment of the two capacitor plates 201, 202 relative to one another also changes. At the same time, the capacitor capacitance of the capacitor 109 also changes. The electrical component 109 can be an adjustable element of an RFID resonant circuit 207. In addition to the capacitor 109, the RFID resonant circuit 207 can also have a coil 206. This is therefore an LC resonant circuit with a component-dependent resonant frequency.

[0120] The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit 207 changes depending on the capacitor capacitance of the adjustable capacitor 109. Thus, for each position of the gear 103 relative to the substrate 210 or relative to the pawl 104, a specific position of the two capacitor plates 201, 202 relative to each other results. This results in a specific capacitor capacitance and thus a specific resonant frequency of the RFID resonant circuit 207 for each actual position.

[0121] This means that the RFID resonant circuit 207 has a specific resonant frequency for each actual position of the gear 103 relative to the substrate 210 or relative to the pawl 104. The RFID resonant circuit 207 can be read using a suitable RFID reader. Thus, the position of the gear 103 (second capacitor plate 202) relative to the substrate 210 (first capacitor plate 201) or relative to the pawl 104 can be deduced from the respective characteristic transmission frequency of the resonant circuit 207. Likewise, the position of the first detent element 103 relative to the second detent element 203 could be deduced from the respective characteristic transmission frequency of the resonant circuit 207. The device 100 can have an electronic interface 209 for this purpose. The electronic interface 209 enables reading of the change in the electrical component 109, e.g.if the electrical component 109 directly represents the adjustable element of an RFI D oscillating circuit or a more complex electronics.

[0122] Thus, if the electrical component 109 corresponds to a typical component (capacitor, coil, resistor) of a resonant circuit 207, e.g., a variable capacitor 109, and if this, together with a coil structure 206, forms an LC resonant circuit 207, a change in the capacitance also changes the oscillation characteristics of the resonant circuit 207. The resulting passive transponder of an RFID (radio-frequency identification) system can be wirelessly read using a corresponding reader. It is also conceivable for the electrical component 109 to be a coil, and for the other resonant circuit element 206 to be a capacitor.

[0123] If the electrical component 109 is part of an electronic circuit, which in turn is part of an RFID transponder system, electrical energy can be wirelessly coupled into the circuit with the aid of a corresponding reader and used to carry out functions of the electronic circuit, e.g. for signal amplification, evaluation, and other transmission tasks.

[0124] The electrical component 109 does not necessarily have to be a capacitor. It would also be conceivable for the electrical component 109 to be an ohmic resistor, a coil, or an electro-optical element.

[0125] An embodiment in which, for example, an ohmic resistor could be suitable is shown in Figure 7. Here, again, only the first detent element 103 is shown purely as an example, representing both detent elements 103, 203. This means that everything described below with reference to the first detent element 103 also applies equally to the second detent element 203.

[0126] The first locking element 103 is designed here in the form of a rack having a plurality of teeth 102a, 102b. The actuating device 108 is designed as a linear actuator that actuates the locking element 103. The actuating device 108 pulls or pushes the rack 103 in the freewheeling direction 106.

[0127] With each notch-like movement of the rack 103 by means of the actuating device 108, the pawl 104 moves toward or away from the rack 103 in the directions indicated by the arrows 110, thus engaging between the inter-tooth space between two adjacent teeth 102a, 102b. Although the notch element 103 is depicted here as a linear rack, it is also conceivable for the rack 103 to be curved rather than linear. For example, a rack 103 can also have a circular arc or circular segment-shaped structure, wherein the teeth can be arranged radially on the inside and / or radially on the outside.

[0128] Regardless of whether the detent element 103 is a rack or a gear, the individual detents 102a, 102b are arranged one behind the other along the detent element 103 in the freewheel direction 106, so that the pawl 104 engages successively from one detents' gap 105a into the next adjacent detents' gap 105b during the detents-by-detents movement. This eliminates the need for a separate reset mechanism, for example, for the continuously rotating gear 103.

[0129] The actuating device 108 can, for example, have a traction means 401 and a traction device 402, which actuates the actuating device 108 by means of the traction means 401 and thus moves the rack 103. The actuating device 108 can, for example, be deflectable mechanically (this also includes thermally) or electrically.

[0130] The electrical component 109 can, as mentioned above, be a variable ohmic resistor. In the embodiment shown here, the resistor 109 can be arranged between the locking mechanism 101 and the substrate 210. The variable ohmic resistor 109 is roughly comparable to a potentiometer. With each further movement of the locking element 103 relative to the latch 104 or relative to the substrate 210, its electrical resistance changes.

[0131] The ohmic resistor 109 can also be part of a resonant circuit 207. This is, for example, a tunable RL resonant circuit 207, which has the aforementioned ohmic resistor 109 and a coil arrangement 206.

[0132] In this embodiment, too, a capacitor can be used as a tunable electrical component 109 instead of the ohmic resistor in order to form, together with the coil 206, a tunable LC resonant circuit 207 as previously described with reference to Figure 6.

[0133] As also previously mentioned with reference to Figure 6, the locking element 103 can be freely movable or elastically movable. In this case, the rack 103 can be actuated by a spring. TI

[0134] Figure 8 shows such an embodiment. The embodiment depicted here differs from the embodiment previously described with reference to Figure 7, among other things, in that the actuating device 108 here actuates the latch 104 rather than the locking element 103.

[0135] The locking element 103 is preloaded here by means of a tensioning element 501. The tensioning element 501 can, for example, be a tension spring that is extended in its initial state and thus preloaded. In the example shown here, the locking element 103 could be wound up to the last tooth in the freewheeling direction 106 against the tensile force of the tension spring 501. The pawl 104 engages in the last tooth space and blocks the movement of the locking element 103 in the locking direction 107.

[0136] As mentioned at the beginning, the actuating device 108 here actuates the pawl 104. The actuating device 108 does not have to directly contact the pawl 104; rather, the actuating device 108 can also be connected to the pawl 104, for example, by means of a connecting means 502. The actuating device 108 can also optionally have a deflection device 503, so that the actuating device 108 does not necessarily have to move the pawl 104 in the same direction as the deflection direction of the actuating device 108. The above statement naturally also applies to an actuating device 108 that actuates the detent element 103 instead of the pawl 104.

[0137] The locking element 103 is therefore pre-tensioned by means of the tension spring 501, i.e. the tension spring 501 pulls the locking element 103 in the locking direction 107. The pawl 104, however, blocks the movement of the locking element 103 in precisely this locking direction 107. When the pawl 104 moves to release the engagement in a notch space 105a, the pre-tensioned locking element 103 moves due to the pre-tension of the tensioning element 501, i.e. the tension spring 501 now pulls the locking element 103 in the locking direction 107. This is only possible because the pawl 104 has released itself from engagement with the notch space 105a. In this case, the locking element 103 is always pushed further by only one notch 102a, 102b before the pawl 104 engages again in an adjacent next notch space 105b.

[0138] Instead of the tension spring just described, a compression spring could also be provided, which presses the locking element 103 in the locking direction 107. In this case, however, the compression spring would act on the opposite side of the locking element 103 compared to Figure 8.

[0139] To prevent the detent element 103 from slipping unbraked toward the (briefly non-engaging) pawl 104, a braking device, such as an additional pawl, or a mechanical stop can be provided. The electrical component 109 discussed with reference to Figures 6 to 8 can be used in all embodiments and variants of the present invention described here to determine the counter reading of the counting unit. Preferably, both the first detent element 103 and the second detent element 203 can each have such an electrical component 109, with which the actual position of the respective detent element 103, 203 can be detected.

[0140] Apart from that, everything that was described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 using the example of the first locking element 103 also applies to the second locking element 203. In addition, the locking elements 103, 203 can optionally be designed as gears or racks.

[0141] Furthermore, the content of WO 2018 / 069079 A1 is hereby incorporated by reference. The following embodiments are also part of the present disclosure:

[0142] A first embodiment relates to a limit detection device (100) for multiple detection of a limit event. The limit detection device (100) can have a locking mechanism (101) manufactured using microstructuring technology, comprising a first locking element (103) and a second locking element (203), wherein each locking element (103, 203) can have a plurality of locking positions (102a, 102b, ..., 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m). The limit value detection device (100) may further comprise a pawl (104) configured to engage in a notch gap (105) between two adjacent notches (102a, 102b) of the first notch element (103), wherein the first notch element (103) is movable in a free-wheeling direction (106) relative to the pawl (104) and a movement of the first notch element (103) relative to the pawl (104) in a blocking direction (107) can be blocked by means of the pawl (104).The limit detection device (100) can further comprise an actuating device (108) configured to move the first detent element (103) and the pawl (104) relative to one another in a detent-by-detent manner in the freewheeling direction (106). The first detent element (103) and the second detent element (203) together can form a counting unit in which the counter reading for indicating the detected limit events is determined based on the position or attitude of the two detent elements (103, 203) relative to one another.

[0143] According to a second embodiment, which can be combined with the first embodiment, the locking mechanism (101) can be embodied as a microsystem (MEMS: microelectromechanical system). According to a third embodiment, which can be combined with the first and / or second embodiment, the limit value detection device (100) can further comprise a substrate (210) on which the locking mechanism (101) is provided as a microsystem, and wherein a deflection of the actuating device (108) occurs horizontally, i.e. in a plane parallel to the substrate plane. The substrate plane is the plane in which the substrate extends and which is delimited or spanned by the lateral outer edges of the substrate. In the case of a wafer, for example, the substrate plane is approximately equivalent to the essentially flat wafer itself. A movement within a plane parallel to the substrate plane can, for example, be a movement in or on the substrate.

[0144] According to a fourth embodiment, which can be combined with the first and / or second embodiment, the limit value detection device (100) can further comprise a substrate (210) on which the locking mechanism (101) is provided as a microsystem, and wherein a deflection of the actuating device (108) occurs vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the substrate plane. The limit value detection device can in this case comprise a deflection device by means of which the vertically directed deflection movement of the actuating device (108) can be deflected into a horizontally directed movement, i.e. parallel to the substrate plane. A vertical movement perpendicular to the substrate plane would, for example, be a movement of the actuating device (108) out of the substrate plane, i.e. the actuating device (108) would, for example, move vertically or perpendicularly away from the substrate.A corresponding deflection device can be provided, for example, in the form of gears, in particular bevel or worm gears. However, it would also be conceivable for the deflection device to have a first and a second deflection means, wherein the first deflection means has an inclined surface and the second deflection means is in contact with this inclined surface. When the second deflection means now exerts pressure on the inclined surface, the first deflection means moves in a direction that is oblique to the direction of movement of the second deflection means. For example, with an inclined surface with an angle of 45°, a deflection from a horizontal to a vertical movement can be realized. In this case, the actuation of the pawl (104) or the detent element (103, 203) does not occur directly by the actuating device (108) but indirectly by means of the deflection device arranged therebetween.This means that the actuating device (108) actuates the deflection device (perpendicular to the substrate plane) and the deflection device actuates the pawl (104) or the detent element (horizontal to the substrate plane).

[0145] According to a fifth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the associated notches of a notch element (103, 203) can be arranged one behind the other along the respective notch element (103, 203) in the freewheeling direction, so that the pawl (104) engages successively from one notch space into the next adjacent notch space during the notch-by-notch movement. This distinguishes the limit value detection device (100) according to the invention from other devices that have only one notch element with a single notch and one pawl. While in such systems a reset mechanism is mandatory after a single actuation, in the limit value detection device (100) according to the invention the notch elements (103, 203) can be moved multiple times relative to the pawl (104).

[0146] According to a sixth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the first and second detent elements (103, 203) can each be designed in the form of a freely rotatable gearwheel, in which the associated detents are designed in the form of a toothing arranged radially on the outside or radially on the inside of the respective gearwheel (103, 203). Such a gearwheel is also relatively easy to manufacture using microsystem technology. Furthermore, the design of the detent elements as a gearwheel offers the advantage that the gearwheel can be moved continuously relative to the pawl (in increments). However, it would also be conceivable to provide an end stop that limits the number of incremental movements. For example, the end stop could limit further rotation of the gearwheel after one full rotation of the gearwheel.This prevents the counting unit connected to the gear from being reset after a predetermined number of notch-based movements or rotations of the gear. This ensures that an overflow does not occur when reading the counter reading. However, an end stop can also be used on racks and similar devices to prevent a certain number of notch-based movements from being exceeded.

[0147] According to a seventh embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, at least one of the two detent elements (103, 203) can be designed in the form of a rack movable relative to the pawl (104), in which the detents are designed in the form of a toothing arranged on the rack. A rack can, for example, have a linear or curved shape. In a curved shape, the toothing can be arranged on the inside, i.e., directed towards the center of the radius of curvature, and / or on the outside, i.e., on the side of the rack facing away from the center of the radius of curvature. It is conceivable that one of the two detent elements (103, 203) is designed in the form of a rack, while the other of the two detent elements (103, 203) is designed in the form of a gear.However, it is also conceivable that both locking elements (103, 203) are designed in the form of a rack.

[0148] According to an eighth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the actuating device (108) can actuate the first detent element (103) to move the first detent element (103) in a notch-by-notch manner relative to the pawl (104) in the freewheeling direction (106). As already mentioned, the actuating device (108) can actuate the first detent element (103) directly or indirectly. Actuating the first detent element (103) has the advantage that the pawl (104) can be arranged stationary while the first detent element (103) is moved in the freewheeling direction. The notch-by-notch skipping of the pawl (104) from one notch space to the next notch space in the freewheeling direction can be achieved, for example, by suitable shaping of the notches (102a, 102b, ...)., 102n) and the pawl (104) so ​​that the pawl (104) slides over the notch along the notch flank when the first notch element (103) is moved and engages in the adjacent notch space.

[0149] According to a ninth embodiment, which can be combined with the eighth embodiment, the actuating device (108) can engage a notch (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) of the first detent element (103) in order to advance the first detent element (103) in notches relative to the pawl (104). For example, the actuating device (108) can engage a tooth of a gear and advance the gear directly by one tooth. This is a relatively simple way to actuate the first detent element, since no additional deflection levers, etc., are required.

[0150] According to a tenth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the first detent element (103) can be pretensioned by means of a tensioning element (501), and the actuating device (108) can actuate the pawl (104), wherein, upon a movement of the pawl (104) releasing engagement in a notch space (105a), the pretensioned first detent element (103) moves further by one notch (102a, 102b) due to the pretension before the pawl (104) engages again in an adjacent, next notch space (105b) of the first detent element (103). This would have the advantage that, for example, in the case of a gearwheel that can theoretically be rotated infinitely, the pretension is selected only to such an extent that the gearwheel only executes a predetermined maximum number of notch-by-notch movements. This ensures that there is no overflow when reading the meter reading.Alternatively or additionally, the provision of a previously mentioned end stop would also be conceivable here. According to an eleventh embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the actuating device (108) can be thermally deflectable. Thus, thermal limit value violations can be measured.

[0151] According to a twelfth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the actuating device (108) can be a thermal bending transducer, and / or the actuating device (108) can comprise a shape memory alloy. A thermal bending transducer is understood to be a component that changes its shape depending on the temperature. The thermal bending transducer can, for example, deform in a first direction when a limit temperature is exceeded. When this limit temperature is undershot, the thermal bending transducer returns to its original position, i.e. it deforms again in the other direction. A thermal bending transducer can also be a component known in English-speaking countries under the name bimorph. Such a bimorph has two or more active regions that can be actuated separately from one another.A thermal bimorph, for example, has two active regions that deform in a first direction when a threshold temperature is exceeded. When the temperature falls below this threshold, the two active regions return to their original position, i.e., in a second, opposite direction. The two active regions can have different thermal expansion coefficients. This results in different amounts of deformation in both active regions, which in turn leads to a mechanical deflection of the bimorph. The thermal bimorph can therefore move in two directions in response to a temperature exceeding or falling below a threshold.

[0152] According to a thirteenth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the actuating device (108) can be deflected mechanically or electrically. For example, the actuating device (108) can be deflected mechanically by applying certain forces, for example pressure. This can be a barometric pressure, for example, i.e. the actuating device (108) can be used, for example, in diving chronographs and display the number of dives. However, the actuating device (108) can also be deflected, for example, by acceleration forces. Thus, for example, it can be proven whether and how often a device has fallen from a certain height, or the number of speeding violations in vehicles can be proven.

[0153] According to a fourteenth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the actuating device (108) can be designed to be deflected when a predefined limit value is exceeded and / or undershot, in order to use this deflection to move the first detent element (103) and the pawl (104) relative to one another in detent-by-detent manner in the freewheeling direction (106). Depending on the soft force (e.g., thermal, electrical, mechanical) that can deflect the actuating device (108), such a limit value can be, for example, a predefined amount of temperature, pressure, acceleration, or other thermal, electrical, or mechanical forces. This can be either an upper or a lower limit value.In any case, the actuating device (108) only actuates the pawl and / or the first detent element (103) when the force deflecting the actuating device (108) falls below or exceeds the limit value. This means that only when the force falls below or exceeds the predefined limit value is the deflection of the actuating device (108) sufficient to move the first detent element (103) and the pawl (104) relative to one another.

[0154] According to a fifteenth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the limit detection device (100) can have an electrical component (109) designed to change its electrical property depending on the position of the two locking elements (103, 203) relative to one another. For example, the electrical component (109) can change its electrical property each time the locking mechanism (101), i.e., the first locking element (103) has moved further relative to the second locking element (203). The variable electrical property of the electrical component (109) can assume a specific value for each individual position of the locking mechanism (101), i.e., the first locking element (103) relative to the second locking element (203).For example, the electrical component (109) can be a variable resistor, a capacitor, or even a coil, the respective value (resistance, capacitance, inductance) of which changes with each notch-by-notch movement of the locking mechanism (101). Conversely, each individual resistance, capacitance, or inductance value is characteristic and unambiguous for a specific position or attitude of the first locking element (103) relative to the second locking element (203). Thus, the current position or attitude of the locking mechanism (101), or of the first locking element (103) relative to the second locking element (203), can be deduced from the current measured value of the electrical component (109). Accordingly, a determination can be made from this determined position or attitude.From the position of the locking mechanism (101), it can in turn be concluded how many notches the two locking elements (103, 203) have already moved (starting from a starting position), i.e. how many limit value exceedances or undershoots have already occurred. Thus, not only can the occurrence of a limit value event be detected, but the limit value detection device (100) according to the invention is also able to record the number of limit value exceedances by means of the electrical component (109) and, if necessary, store this data. According to a sixteenth embodiment, which can be combined with the fifteenth embodiment, the electrical component (109) can be a capacitor or a resistor or a coil or an electro-optical element. All of these electrical components are suitable for detecting even the slightest changes in their electrical behavior.

[0155] According to a seventeenth embodiment, which can be combined with the fifteenth and / or sixteenth embodiments, the electrical component (109) can be an adjustable element of an RFID resonant circuit (207). The electrical component (109) could thus be, for example, an electrical load with a variable resistance, a capacitor with a variable capacitance, or a coil with a variable inductance, wherein their respective electrical properties vary depending on the variable to be determined (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.). As the electrical properties change, the resonant frequency of the entire RFID resonant circuit (207) also changes.Thus, the (active or passive) RFID oscillating circuit (207) can be read out, for example, with an RFID reader, wherein the frequency of the oscillating circuit can be an indicator for the current value of the respective adjustable electrical component (109), and thus simultaneously also an indicator for the current position of the locking mechanism (101).

[0156] According to an eighteenth embodiment, which can be combined with the fifteenth, sixteenth, or seventeenth embodiments, the limit detection device (100) can further comprise a substrate (210) on which the latching mechanism (101) is arranged, and the electrical component (109) can be arranged between the latching mechanism (101) and the substrate (210). Thus, for example, a movement of the latching mechanism (101) relative to the substrate (210) can lead to a change in the electrical property of the electrical component (109). Furthermore, this arrangement saves space, since the electrical component (109) can, for example, be integrated directly into the substrate (210) and thus can be arranged not next to the latching mechanism (101), but directly below the latching mechanism (101). The electrical component (109) can, for example, be implemented as a corresponding component structure (capacitor, transistor, diode, resistor, etc.).) into a semiconductor substrate 210.

[0157] According to a nineteenth embodiment, which can be combined with the fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth or eighteenth embodiment, the limit value detection device (100) can further comprise a substrate (210) on which the latching mechanism (101) is provided, and the electrical component (109) can be a capacitor, wherein a first capacitor plate (201) is provided on the substrate (210) and a second capacitor plate (202) is provided on the latching mechanism (101) and / or on the pawl (104), and wherein upon a latch-wise movement of the latching mechanism (101) and / or the pawl (104) relative to the substrate (210), the orientation of the capacitor plates (201, 202) changes relative to one another, so that the capacitor capacitance changes.

[0158] According to a twentieth embodiment, which can be combined with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the limit detection device (100) can be used as a

[0159] Sterilization cycle counter can be designed in which the actuating means (108) moves the locking mechanism (101) by exactly one notch (102a, 102b) after a sterilization process has been carried out.

Claims

Limit value detection device (100) for multiple detection of a limit value event, comprising: a locking mechanism (101) manufactured using microstructuring technology with a first locking element (103) and at least one second locking element (203), wherein each locking element (103, 203) has a plurality of locking notches (102a, 102b, ... , 102n; 220a, 220b, ..., 220m), a pawl (104) which is designed to engage in a notch space between two adjacent notches (102a, 102b) of the first notch element (103), wherein the first notch element (103) is movable in a free-running direction (106) relative to the pawl (104) and a movement of the first notch element (103) relative to the pawl (104) in a blocking direction (107) can be blocked by means of the pawl (104), and an actuating device (108) which is designed to move the first notch element (103) and the pawl (104) relative to one another in notches in the free-running direction (106), wherein the notch elements (103, 103) of the locking mechanism (101) together form a counting unit in which the counter reading for displaying the detected limit value events are determined based on the position or position of the detent elements (103, 203) relative to one another.Limit value detection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the individual detent elements (103, 203) of the detent mechanism (101) can each assume several different and unique positions relative to one another, wherein each of these unique combinations represents exactly one counter reading of the counting unit. Limit value detection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of detents (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) of the first detents element (103) differs from the number of detents (220a, 220b, ..., 220m) of the second detents element (203). Limit value detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims. wherein the number of notches (102a, 102b, ... , 102n) of the first notch element (103) and the number of notches (220a, 220b, ... , 220m) of the second notch element (203) do not have a greatest common divisor. Limit detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first detent element (103) has fewer detents (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) and a smaller diameter than the second detents element (203). Limit detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detents (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) of the first detents element (103) engage in the detents (220a, 220b, ..., 220m) of the second detents element (203), so that the first detents element (103) moves the second detents element (203) continuously and also detents-by-detents during a detents-by-detents movement.Limit value detection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the limit value detection device (100) has a second pawl (204) which is designed to engage in a notch space between two adjacent notches (220a, 220b) of the second notch element (203), wherein the second notch element (203) is movable in a free-running direction (306) relative to the second pawl (204) and a movement of the second notch element (203) relative to the second pawl (204) in a blocking direction (307) by means of the second pawl. (204) is lockable, and wherein the actuating device (108) is configured to move the second detent element (203) relative to the second pawl (204) in a notch-by-notch manner in the freewheel direction (306). Limit value detection device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the actuating device (108) moves both the first detent element (103) and the second detent element (203) together by one notch each upon actuation. Limit value detection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notches (102a, 102b, ... , 102n) of the first detent element (103) and the notches (220a, 220b, ... , 220n) of the second detent element (203) do not engage with one another, and wherein the first detent element (103) has, in addition to the plurality of detents (102a, 102b, ... , 102n), a driver (400) which is designed to engage in the detents (220a, 220b, ... , 220n) of the second detents element (203) in order to move the second detents element (203) further in a detents-by-detents manner.

10. Limit value detection device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the driver (400) moves the second detent element (203) by one detent for each 360° rotation of the first detent element (103).

11. Limit detection device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first detent element (103) has exactly one single driver (400).

12. Limit value detection device (100) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first detent element (103) is annular, and the detents (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) are arranged in the form of an external toothing on the outer circumference (420) of the annular first detent element (103), and wherein the driver (400) is arranged on the inner circumference (430) of the annular first detent element (103).

13. Limit detection device (100) according to claim 12, wherein the outer diameter of the second detent element (203) is smaller than the inner diameter of the annular first detent element (103), and wherein the second detent element (203) is arranged within the annular first detent element (103).

14. Limit value detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (101) has one or more additional locking elements in addition to the first and second locking elements (103, 203), wherein each additional locking element engages in the notches (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) of the first locking element (103), so that the first locking element (103) moves the second and all additional locking elements.

15. Limit detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism has, in addition to the first and second locking elements (103, 203), one or more additional locking elements, wherein each locking element engages in only exactly one other locking element in the sense of a series connection.

16. Limit detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an end stop (410) designed to prevent further movement of the detent elements (103, 203) after a complete counting run of the counting unit.

17. Limit value detection device (100) according to claim 16, wherein the end stop (410) has a first and a second stop element (411, 412), and wherein the first stop element (411) is arranged in a notch space of the first or second notch element (103, 203), and protrudes further from the outer circumference of the respective notch element (103, 203) than its respective notches (102a, 102b, ... , 102n; 220a, 220b, ... , 220m), so that the notches (102a, 102b, ... , 102n; 220a, 220b, ... , 220m) run unhindered past the second stop element (412), while the first stop element (411) on the second stop element (412) strikes.

18. Limit detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the microstructured limit detection device (100) is arranged on a substrate (210), and wherein a movement of the actuating device (108) occurs in a plane parallel to the substrate plane.

19. Limit value detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detent elements (103, 203) of the detent mechanism (101) are each designed in the form of a gear, and wherein the associated detents (102a, 102b, ... , 102n; 220a, 220b, ... , 220m) are each designed in the form of a toothing arranged radially on the outside or radially on the inside of the respective detent element (103, 203). Limit value detection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the limit value detection device (100) is designed as a sterilization cycle counter, in which the counting unit increases the counter reading by one digit after a successfully carried out sterilization process.

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