Mounting arrangement, ultrasonic dwell switch for said mounting arrangement, and method of using and operating the dwell switch - Patents.com

Abstract

The invention relates to a retention switch 1 for detecting the retention of a container 23, in particular a bottle, transported on a transport device 24 of a transport installation, which comprises an ultrasonic sensor 2 which outputs a sharply focused sound beam 10 around a sensor axis S, the ultrasonic sensor 2 being configured as a proximity switch for emitting ultrasonic signals and receiving echo signals reflected back from a container 23 present within a detection area 26 of the sound beam 10, the aperture for outputting the sound beam 10 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 being a proximity switch. The sensor 25 is preceded by a reflector 3 having a sound redirecting surface 4 for redirecting sound waves, said sound redirecting surface 4 being shaped and arranged such that the sound beam 10 outputted from the ultrasonic sensor 2 is redirected at said sound redirecting surface 4 such that the sound beam 10 is diverged in a first plane with respect to the sensor axis S by a dispersion angle α of 90° to 180° and remains unchanged or even more focused in a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting arrangement, a use and a method of operation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dwell switch for the recognition of the dwell of containers, in particular bottles, on a conveying installation.The invention further relates to a mounting arrangement with a dwell switch, as well as the use of this dwell switch and a method for operating this dwell switch. [Background technology]

[0002] In the beverage and filling industry, where containers, for example bottles, are filled with beverages, these containers are transported in the empty and full state on a conveying device, in particular a conveying installation having a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has a total width, for example, in the range of 200 mm to 1000 mm. Side guards prevent the containers from being able to fall off the conveyor belt. The containers are initially located on the conveyor belt in a relaxed, random distribution (FIGS. 8, 9). With further transport on the conveyor belt, this container stream is compressed. The conveying equipment is divided into retention routes. A conveyor belt moving continuously in the conveying direction transports the containers to the transfer point. On the way, the containers are retained so that the conveyor belt is filled with containers over its entire width. So-called retention switches are attached to the side in one of the guard rails of the conveyor belt, which emit a signal if a container is retained in this area (Figures 10, 11). Known on the market are usually mechanical dwell switches, which consist of a mechanical stirrup 21, which is aligned parallel to the guard rail 20 or to the conveying direction F of the conveyor device 24 or conveyor belt (Figures 8 to 11). The stirrup is rigidly connected to a pivotable tilt lever 22, so that a trapped container can press the stirrup outwards, i.e. away from the conveyor belt, by approximately 20 to 30 mm. At the tilt lever a metal flag is located, which can be checked by an inductive proximity switch. Said mechanical retention switch is disclosed in the patent application EP 1 339 633 B1.

[0003] When a container is lodged in the stirrup area, it presses the stirrup of the mechanical dwell switch outwards and, via the tilt lever, the metal flag is moved into the detection area of ​​the inductive proximity switch of the mechanical dwell switch. The initiator is triggered and a switching signal is output at the output of the mechanical dwell switch, whereby the control device of the transport installation, which is operatively connected to the mechanical dwell switch, receives a signal that a container dwell is being created in this area of ​​the transport device. Mechanical dwell switches with tilt levers and the movable members of these tilt levers are labor intensive in construction and highly prone to malfunction and require regular maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] DE 10 2010 000 596 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance-free retention switch for containers, in particular bottles, which are retained on a transport installation. This object is further achieved by the mounting arrangement according to the invention and by the use according to the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to replace a tactilely activated mechanical dwell switch by a dwell switch having a contactless activated sensor, which requires a searching sensor capable of detecting a dwelled container, in particular a bottle. Optical sensors are excluded here because containers, and in particular bottles, may be made of highly transparent materials, in particular highly transparent synthetic materials or glass, and optical sensors have difficulties in reliably detecting containers made of such highly transparent materials. Effect of the Invention

[0007] For this purpose, the use of ultrasonic sensors with a switching output, in which a defined switching distance is set, is self-evident, which can basically detect all objects which reflect sound waves and operate completely color-independently, so that they can also reliably detect objects, and in particular containers made of highly transparent materials. This type of ultrasonic sensor works by echo transit time measurement and periodically emits a short ultrasonic pulse that propagates through the air at the speed of sound. When the ultrasonic pulse is directed at a container, especially a bottle, it is reflected and returns to the ultrasonic sensor as an echo signal (echo). From the time elapsed between the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse and the reception of the echo signal reflected back from the container to be identified, the ultrasonic sensor calculates the measured distance to the container with the known sound velocity of the ultrasonic sensor. If the container moves below a defined switching distance, an output is set. These ultrasonic sensors, also called ultrasonic proximity switches, have found widespread use in industrial applications. It is known in the art that these ultrasonic proximity switches used in industry have a rotationally symmetric, elongated or sharply focused detection area, also called an elongated acoustic wave field. This elongated acoustic field is usually also desired because ultrasonic proximity switches are to be used in narrow tanks to recognize individual objects or for state-of-fill measurements. When an ultrasonic proximity switch is used for example for fill level measurement in a small tank or small container, it is desirable to receive sound reflections only from the liquid surface, but not from the inside walls of the tank or small container.

[0008] For the use of a dwell switch, the detection field of the rotationally symmetrical sharply focused ultrasonic sensor is desired in a vertical plane extending perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor, since the ultrasonic sensor is held outside in front of or at the protective fence of the conveyor and should measure transversely and flatly across the conveying direction of the conveyor, since the conveyor itself should not be detected.

[0009] Since containers to be detected, in particular bottles, are transported of completely different shapes and sizes and therefore different container or bottle heights, the dwell switch according to the invention is advantageously arranged to measure as close as possible above the conveying device or conveyor belt thanks to the mounting arrangement according to the invention (see Figures 12 to 14). This has the advantage that the residence switch can scan all container sizes without the mounting position of the residence switch having to be adapted with the respective change of container size.The sharply focused detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor, which is rotationally symmetrical in a horizontal plane parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, is a disadvantage in comparison, since a container transported on the conveyor device can be reliably recognized by the ultrasonic sensor only if this container is located approximately centrally within the detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor.

[0010] Since most containers, especially bottles, have a circular cross-section, as soon as the container is positioned somewhat to the left or right, outside the central beam of the ultrasonic sensor, the sound waves are very quickly mirrored away from the container.

[0011] As a dwell switch, the sharply focused ultrasonic sensor measures transversely to the conveying direction of the conveying device, so that as soon as a container enters the detection field of the ultrasonic sensor, the sound waves are reflected away from the container laterally for the majority of the time. If the sound pulse reflected away to the side hits an adjacent container during its residence on the transport device, it is reflected there again and possibly reflected back as an echo in the direction of the ultrasonic sensor, which however cannot receive this echo since it has a detection area that is rotationally symmetrically sharply focused.

[0012] The subject of the present invention is therefore A dwell switch having an ultrasonic sensor, the detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor in the vertical plane (second plane) is still strongly focused perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, so that this ultrasonic sensor does not receive any interfering reflections from the conveyor device, and the detection area in a horizontal plane (first plane) is so diffused parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt that the ultrasonic sensor still receives direct echoes from containers, in particular bottles, and / or can detect echoes reflected back from adjacent containers or via adjacent containers, even if the containers are located outside the central beam of the ultrasonic sensor, The purpose is to form.

[0013] It is known that with a flat surface, the sound wave field of an ultrasonic sensor can be redirected by a defined angle almost without losses. Thus, for an ultrasonic sensor, there is a reflector having a wave redirecting surface, These sound redirecting surfaces have a flat surface which is oriented at an inclination angle of 45° to the sensor axis of the ultrasonic sensor or to the sound field / sound beam emitted by the ultrasonic sensor, and thus The central ray of the ultrasonic signal or sound beam of the ultrasonic sensor, which runs in alignment with the sensor axis, is thereby redirected by a total of 90° (FIG. 1). When the central ray strikes the wave redirection surface, it is redirected according to the physical law that the angle of incidence = the angle of emergence (respectively 45°). The wave field of an ultrasonic sensor is always diffusively formed, so all other virtual vectors are redirected accordingly.

[0014] The idea underlying the present invention is to configure the sound redirecting surface of this type of reflector in such a way that the sound beam / field of an ultrasonic sensor oriented towards the sound redirecting surface is (radially) diffused in a first plane and is not diffused or, in the best case, even more focused in a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane. The first plane then defines the extension of the detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor with respect to the transport direction of the transport device, and the second plane defines the extension of the detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor with respect to a height area above this transport device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of an ultrasonic sensor, the central ray of the ultrasonic signal of which is redirected by 90° in a wave redirecting surface which is oriented by 45° relative to the sensor axis of the ultrasonic sensor. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dwell switch in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dwell switch in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dwell switch in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a dwell switch according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a dwell switch according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a dwell switch according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a mounting arrangement with a mechanical dwell switch known from the prior art in a guard rail of a conveyor belt, on which the containers are located in a relaxed, random distribution. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mounting arrangement according to FIG. 8 with the containers on the conveyor belt in a relaxed, random distribution. [Figure 10] 9 shows a side view of the mounting arrangement according to FIG. 8, with the containers resting on the conveyor belt. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mounting arrangement according to FIG. 8 with containers parked on the conveyor belt. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view of a mounting arrangement according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the mounting arrangement according to the invention according to FIG. 12 with the detection area of ​​the dwell switch shown diagrammatically. [Figure 14]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement according to the invention according to FIG. 12 with the detection area of ​​the dwell switch shown diagrammatically. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the mounting arrangement according to the invention according to FIG. 12 with the switching distance of the dwell switch shown diagrammatically. [Figure 16] 3 shows a characteristic profile of the measured distance of a dwell switch according to the invention over time t for a container transported on a transport device; [Figure 17] 3 is an exemplary diagram of a characteristic course of the measured distance of a dwell switch according to the invention against time t during dwell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The 45° sound redirection plane as shown in FIG. 1 is assumed to be formed in space primarily as a two-dimensional, flat plane (plane Ebene); And then, according to a further embodiment of the invention, this flat surface is curved in space around the central ray 9 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 within a given angular range, for example a rotation angle β of ±75°, with the sensor axis S of the ultrasonic sensor as the rotation axis, to generate two surface regions of a cone-shaped surface, located opposite each other with their tips 12, 13 (FIG. 2), In this case, the conceptually lower second surface area 6 of the conical surface is curved convexly and the conceptually upper first surface area 5 of the conical surface is curved concavely. Therefore, two triangular, curved surface areas of the conical mantle surface are positioned opposite each other with these surface areas, with the central ray 9 of the sound beam (sound lobe) of the ultrasonic sensor intersecting the junction of the tips 12, 13 of the surface areas. This arrangement induces that the sound beam 10 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 is diffused / dispersed in the first plane by the sound wave redirecting surfaces in these now convex and concave surface areas, but is radiated unchanged in this second plane, e.g. further unfocused.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the sound wave redirection surface 4 of the dwell switch 1 according to the invention is shown in figure 3. The lateral edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the curved surface areas 5, 6, which open onto the apexes 12, 13, are now connected to one another via flat reinforcing walls 14, 15. In the reinforcing walls 14, 15, a fastening opening 28 for the assembly of the dwell switch 1 is provided.

[0018] In an optional configuration of the invention, the sound wave redirecting surface is formed as a curved surface, curved in space, having a cross section in the form of a semi-parabola (hereinafter also referred to as a parabola), instead of a flat surface. The ultrasonic sensor is arranged with respect to the sound redirection plane such that the aperture 25 of the ultrasonic transducer, which emits the sound beam, and the central ray 9 perpendicular to the ultrasonic transducer coincide with the focus 8 of the parabola and are redirected by 90° (45° in and 45° out) at the sound redirection plane 4. All ray vectors of the divergent sound field are redirected in the sound redirection plane and exit as a bundle of parallel rays (Figure 4). The path of the parabola from the focal point 8 to the apex 29 is also referred to as the focal length f. For a dwell switch according to the invention, this focal length is oriented perpendicular to the central ray of the ultrasonic transducer and intersects with it at the focal point. The focal length f of the parabolic shaped sound wave redirecting surface of the dwell switch according to the invention is selected so that this focal length corresponds in value to at least half the diameter d of the ultrasonic transducer emitting the sound waves (see FIG. 4).

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, this cross-sectionally parabolic sound redirection surface is now curved around the axis of the central ray standing vertically above the sound wave-emitting sensor surface by a predefined value of the rotation angle β, thus resulting in two parabolic surface regions 5, 6. The first surface region 5 is then curved concavely relative to the surface above the point of impact of the central ray (projection focus 11) and the second surface region 6 is curved convexly below the point of impact (FIG. 5). This acoustic field, e.g., the acoustic beam 10 of an ultrasonic sensor, which is directed towards such a parabolic surface as an acoustic redirection surface, is highly focused in the second plane (see FIG. 4) and diffused or dispersed as desired in the first plane.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows yet another advantageous embodiment for the sound wave redirecting surface 4 of a dwell switch according to the invention, which has lateral reinforcing walls 14, 15 on both sides which connect the parabolically curved surface areas 5, 6 of the sound wave redirecting surface at lateral edges 16, 17, 18, 19 opening into a point, in which fixing openings 28 can also be provided in a further optional embodiment, for the assembly of the dwell switch.

[0021] Of course, in keeping with the inventive idea, differently shaped wave redirecting surfaces for the dwell switch are also conceivable, which wave redirecting surfaces cause a diffusion of the wave field of the ultrasonic sensor. 7 shows in this connection a reflector 3 with an elliptically or convexly curved sound wave redirecting surface 4, which is illuminated in the horizontal direction by an ultrasonic sensor 2. Here too, the sound field of the ultrasonic sensor is redirected in such a way that it emerges diffused with a wide dispersion angle α, so that the detection area 26 of the ultrasonic sensor is widened with respect to the transport direction of the transport device.

[0022] Now, according to the mounting arrangement according to the present invention (see Figures 12 to 15), an ultrasonic sensor 2 having an acoustic redirecting surface 4 shaped according to one of the previously described embodiments is placed laterally on or in front of the protective fence 20 of the transport device 24, so that if the acoustic field or beam 10 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 remains maintained perpendicular to the transport device in a second plane or is even further focused and is widely deployed in the first plane, it is possible for reflections to return directly to the ultrasonic sensor from each container 23 located within the widely deployed acoustic field or detection area 26.

[0023] The mechanical dwell switch 27 known from the prior art has a scanning area which lies parallel to the protective fence 20. The switching travel or contact width of the mechanical dwell switch 27 is typically 20 mm to 30 mm.

[0024] The dwell switch 1 according to the invention, having an ultrasonic sensor 2 and a reflector 3 with a characteristic sound wave redirecting surface - as described above - held in front of the ultrasonic sensor, has a detection area 26 which, in comparison with a mechanical dwell switch, covers at least a similarly wide detection or scanning area and at least a comparable large switching distance or a comparable large contact width with respect to the switching area of ​​the mechanical dwell switch, with this switching distance 30 being formed in the radial direction (see Figure 15).

[0025] The sound redirecting surface of the reflector is preferably made from a strong material having a smooth surface, which reflects or redirects a proportion of the sound with virtually no loss.

[0026] The stagnation of the containers transported on the transport device is characterized by the containers, in particular bottles, not being moved further forward. Conventional ultrasonic proximity switches known from the prior art output a switching signal if a container is located in the detection area and falls below a preset switching distance. In the known conventional ultrasonic proximity switches, this means that the known conventional ultrasonic proximity switches also output a switching signal if a container is transported through the detection area of ​​the ultrasonic sensor and in the process the switching distance is exceeded. Therefore, further measures are required to be able to distinguish containers 23 that are moving on the transport device from containers that are stationary.

[0027] According to the invention, this is achieved in that a distance value below a pre-adjusted switching distance 30, measured by a dwell switch 1 according to the invention, is monitored for variability of this distance value. FIG. 16 in this context shows a characteristic course of the measured distance of the dwell switch 1 for a container 23 transported on a transport device 24 over time t. If a container is transported along the dwell switch 1 which operates transversely to the transport device 24 and the container is located within the detection area 26 and the distance of the container to the ultrasonic sensor is below the preset switching distance 30 of the dwell switch, the container is first detected at the larger measured distance (point I). This measured distance decreases continuously until the container is positioned directly in front of the ultrasonic sensor, at the height of the central beam (point II). If the container is transported further, the distance measured by the dwell switch will increase again (point III) until the container finally leaves the detection area of ​​the dwell switch again and the distance of the container exceeds the switching distance of the dwell switch.

[0028] In the case of dwell, the container, on the other hand, remains in the same position within the detection area of ​​the dwell switch for a longer time. Figure 17 shows an example of a characteristic course of the measured distance against time t in this regard. The measured distance to the container then does not change during this dwell time (region IV).

[0029] The dwell switch according to the invention therefore analyses the progression of continuously measured distances based on whether these distances leave a defined tolerance band 31 within a defined period of time or whether the measured distances remain permanently within this tolerance band for a defined period of time. Once the detected echo leaves the tolerance band within a defined period of time, the dwell switch according to the invention is based on the container still being in motion on the transport device. If the measured distance remains within the tolerance band, as at point IV in FIG. 17, the dwell switch is based on the container temporarily not being in motion on the transport device and being in a dwell state.

[0030] When a container is recognized by the dwell switch for the first time and the measured distance to the container is below the pre-adjusted switching distance, a tolerance band is set around the measured distance. If the container is now transported further on the transport device, the newly measured distance leaves the tolerance band and a new tolerance band is set around the newly measured distance. This process is repeated as many times as the newly measured distance leaves the tolerance band.

[0031] If the measured distance falls outside the current tolerance band, the dwell switch is based on the container having changed its position on the conveying device and therefore no dwell exists on the conveying device.

[0032] Once the detected distance remains within the tolerance band of this distance for a specified minimum period (see FIG. 17, point IV), the dwell switch determines that the container is no longer moving, i.e. a container dwell exists on the conveying device, and sets the output signal for the status "dwell recognized".

[0033] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the further dependent claims, the features mentioned therein being each, individually, separately or also in any suitable combination, which may be essential to the invention. The features and details of the device described according to the invention are of course likewise valid in connection with the mounting arrangement according to the invention, the use according to the invention and the operating method according to the invention, and vice versa. Thus, the disclosures for the individual inventive aspects can always be mutually referred to. The figures are merely exemplary and are used for clarifying the invention and do not have any limiting character.

[0034] Like structural members and structural member functions are identified with like reference numbers. In addition, the present application relates to the invention described in the claims, but may also include the following as other aspects. 1. A retention switch (1) for detecting the retention of a container (23), in particular a bottle, conveyed on a conveying device (24) of a conveying installation, comprising: The dwell switch includes an ultrasonic sensor (2) that outputs a sharply focused sound beam (10) centered on a sensor axis (S); the ultrasonic sensor (2) is formed as a proximity switch for emitting an ultrasonic signal and receiving an echo signal reflected back from a container (23) present within a detection field (26) of the sound beam (10); In the above-mentioned dwell switch (1), A reflector (3) having a sound wave redirecting surface (4) for redirecting sound waves is placed in front of an aperture (25) that outputs the sound wave beam (10) of the ultrasonic sensor (2); The sound wave redirecting surface (4) The sound beam (10) output from the ultrasonic sensor (2) is deflected on the sound wave redirection surface (4) by: The sound beam (10) is diverged in a first plane with respect to the sensor axis (S) by a dispersion angle (α) of 90° to 180° and is redirected in a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane, either unchanged or even more focused, A dwell switch (1) characterized by being shaped and positioned. 2. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) is The dwell switch (1) described in claim 1 is inclined by 45° with respect to a central ray (9) of the sound beam (10) output from the ultrasonic sensor (2) extending along the sensor axis (S). 3. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) has two surface areas (5, 6), a first surface area (5) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) is convexly shaped and a second surface area (6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) is concavely shaped; and A dwell switch (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first surface area (5) is arranged with respect to the ultrasonic sensor (2) at a greater axial distance with respect to the sensor axis (S) than the second surface area (6). 4. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sound wave redirecting surface (4) and / or the surface areas (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) have the shape of a portion of the outer surface of a solid of revolution, and preferably of a sphere and / or an ellipsoid and / or a paraboloid and / or a hyperboloid and / or a cone. 5. The surface areas (5, 6) of the sound wave redirection surface (4) are formed by a preferably triangularly curved portion of the outer surface of a double cone formed by two cones arranged with their cone tips, which are aligned opposite each other, A dwell switch (1) as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the double cone is formed by rotation around the sensor axis (S) at a rotation angle (β) of a straight line inclined by 45° to the sensor axis (S) as a rotation axis. 6. The surface areas (5, 6) of the wave redirection surface (4) are formed by parts of the outer surface of a body of revolution, preferably triangularly curved, The rotating body is formed by rotating a semi-parabola at a rotation angle (β) around the sensor axis (S) as a rotation axis, the sensor axis (S) extends through a focus (8) of a parabola formed from the half-parabola and is aligned perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the parabola at said focus (8); and the sensor axis (S) intersects with the parabola at a projection focus (11) projected from the focus (8) onto the parabola; 5. The dwell switch (1) according to claim 3 or 4 above. 7. The focal length (f) of the parabola, which corresponds to the distance from the apex (29) of the parabola to the focal point (8) along the axis of symmetry of the parabola, is The dwell switch (1) described in the above item 6, characterized in that the value is equal to or greater than half the diameter (d) of the ultrasonic sensor (2). 8. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the value of the rotation angle (β) is between 90° and 180°, and advantageously 150°. 9. The triangularly curved surface areas 5, 6 of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the tips (12, 13) are abutted against each other and are connected to each other in the region of the tips (12, 13) arranged in a straight line relative to the sensor axis (S). 10. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) has lateral reinforcing walls (14, 15), A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that these reinforcing walls (14, 15) connect together the lateral edge portions (16, 17, 18, 19) of the surface areas (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4), which open onto the adjacent peaks (12, 13). 11. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) is manufactured from a hard and smooth material, and preferably from a synthetic material. 12. A mounting arrangement, comprising: a conveying device (24), in particular a conveying installation having a conveying belt, The containers (23), in particular bottles, are transported in a transport direction (F) on the transport device (24), Further, the device includes a dwell switch (1) according to any one of 1 to 11 above, The dwell switch (1) is advantageously arranged on a guard fence (20) of the conveying device (24), which runs parallel to the conveying direction (F), due to the sound beam (10) emitted from the ultrasonic sensor (2) of the dwell switch (1) being emitted from the sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) held in front of the aperture (25) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) towards the container (23) being transported on the transport device (24), so that the sound beam (10) is radially expanded with a dispersion angle (α) of 90° to 180° in a first plane, which defines the extension of the detection area (26) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) with respect to the conveying direction (F), and is redirected invariably or even more focused in a second plane, oriented perpendicular to the first plane, which defines the extension of the detection area (26) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) with respect to a height area above the conveying device (24), It is held, A mounting arrangement characterized in that 13. The mounting arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the sensor axis (S) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) is aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction (F). 14. Use of a dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 above for recognition of the dwell of a container (23), in particular a bottle, transported on a transport device (24) of a transport installation. 15. A method for operating a retention switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 above for detecting retention of a container (23), in particular a bottle, transported on a transport device (24) of a transport installation, said method comprising the following steps: - the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal by the ultrasonic sensor (2) in relation to a container (23) to be detected and the reception of an echo signal reflected back from the container (23) is continuously calculated, - from the calculated elapsed time, the measured distance of the ultrasonic sensor (2) to the container (23) to be detected is determined, - when the measured distance falls short of a preset switching distance (30), a tolerance band (31) is set around the measurement signal for the measured distance, if the measurement signal for the measured distance remains within the tolerance band (31) for a defined time interval, an output signal for the status "dwell recognized" is set; A method of operation comprising the steps of: [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Dwell switch 2 Ultrasonic Sensor 3 reflector 4. Sound wave redirection surface 5 First surface area 6 Second surface area 8 focus 9 central ray 10 Sonic Beam 11 Projection focus 12 Point 13 Point 14 Reinforced Wall 15 Reinforced Wall 16 Side edge part 17 Side edge 18 Side edge 19 Side edge part 20 Protective fence 21 Stirrup 22 Tilt lever 23 Container 24 Transport equipment 25 Aperture 26 Detection Area 27 Mechanical Dwell Switch 28 Fixing opening 29 Vertex 30 Switching Distance 31 Tolerance range α dispersion angle β Rotation angle d diameter f focal length t time F Conveying direction S Sensor axis

Claims

1. A retention switch (1) for the recognition of the retention of a container (23), in particular a bottle, conveyed on a conveying device (24) of a conveying installation, comprising: The dwell switch comprises an ultrasonic sensor (2) that outputs a sharply focused sound beam (10) centered on a sensor axis (S); the ultrasonic sensor (2) is formed as a proximity switch for emitting an ultrasonic signal and receiving an echo signal reflected back from a container (23) present within a detection area (26) of the sound beam (10); In the above-mentioned dwell switch (1), A reflector (3) having a sound wave redirecting surface (4) for redirecting sound waves is placed in front of an aperture (25) that outputs the sound wave beam (10) of the ultrasonic sensor (2); The sound wave redirecting surface (4) The sound beam (10) output from the ultrasonic sensor (2) is deflected on the sound wave redirection surface (4) by: The sound beam (10) is diverged in a first plane with respect to the sensor axis (S) by a dispersion angle (α) of 90° to 180° and is redirected in a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane, either unchanged or even more focused, A dwell switch (1) characterized by being shaped and positioned.

2. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) 2. The dwell switch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is inclined by 45° with respect to a central ray (9) of the sound beam (10) output from the ultrasonic sensor (2) extending along the sensor axis (S).

3. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) has two surface areas (5, 6), a first surface area (5) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) is convexly shaped and a second surface area (6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) is concavely shaped, and 3. A dwell switch (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first surface area (5) is arranged with respect to the ultrasonic sensor (2) at a greater axial distance with respect to the sensor axis (S) than the second surface area (6).

4. 4. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sound wave redirecting surface (4) and / or the surface area (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) have the shape of a portion of the outer surface of a solid of revolution, and preferably of a sphere and / or an ellipsoid and / or a paraboloid and / or a hyperboloid and / or a cone.

5. the surface area (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) is formed by a preferably triangularly curved portion of the outer surface of a double cone formed by two cones arranged with their cone tips oriented opposite each other, 5. The dwell switch (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the double cone is formed by a rotation around the sensor axis (S) of a straight line inclined by 45° to the sensor axis (S) as a rotation axis, through a rotation angle (β).

6. the surface areas (5, 6) of the wave redirection surface (4) are formed by parts of a preferably triangularly curved outer shell surface of a body of revolution, The rotating body is formed by rotating a semi-parabola at a rotation angle (β) around the sensor axis (S) as a rotation axis, the sensor axis (S) extends through a focus (8) of a parabola formed from the half-parabola and is aligned perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the parabola at said focus (8); and the sensor axis (S) intersects with the parabola at a projection focus (11) projected from the focus (8) onto the parabola; Dwell switch (1) according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The focal length (f) of the parabola, which corresponds to the distance from the apex (29) of the parabola to the focal point (8) along the parabola's axis of symmetry, is 7. The dwell switch (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the value of the contact is equal to or greater than half the diameter (d) of the ultrasonic sensor (2).

8. 8. The dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the value of the rotation angle (β) is between 90° and 180°, and advantageously 150°.

9. The triangularly curved surface areas (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4) are 9. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the apexes (12, 13) are abutted against each other and are connected to each other in the region of the apexes (12, 13) arranged in a straight line relative to the sensor axis (S).

10. The sound wave redirecting surface (4) has lateral reinforcing walls (14, 15), A dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that these reinforcing walls (14, 15) connect together the lateral edge portions (16, 17, 18, 19) of the surface areas (5, 6) of the sound wave redirecting surface (4), which open into the adjacent pointed ends (12, 13).

11. A dwell switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) is manufactured from a hard and smooth material, and preferably from a synthetic material.

12. A mounting arrangement, comprising: A conveying device (24), in particular a conveying installation having a conveying belt, The containers (23), in particular bottles, are transported in a transport direction (F) on the transport device (24), Further comprising a dwell switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The dwell switch (1) is advantageously arranged on a guard fence (20) of the conveying device (24), which runs parallel to the conveying direction (F), due to the sound beam (10) emitted from the ultrasonic sensor (2) of the dwell switch (1) being emitted from the sound wave redirecting surface (4) of the reflector (3) held in front of the aperture (25) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) towards the container (23) being transported on the transport device (24), so that the sound beam (10) is radially expanded with a dispersion angle (α) of 90° to 180° in a first plane, which defines the extension of the detection area (26) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) with respect to the conveying direction (F), and is redirected invariably or even more focused in a second plane, which is oriented perpendicularly to the first plane and which defines the extension of the detection area (26) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) with respect to a height area above the conveying device (24), It is held, A mounting arrangement characterized in that

13. 13. The mounting arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the sensor axis (S) of the ultrasonic sensor (2) is aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction (F).

14. Use of a dwell switch (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11 for detection of the dwell of a container (23), in particular a bottle, transported on a transport device (24) of a transport installation.

15. 12. A method for detecting the retention of a container (23), in particular a bottle, transported on a transport device (24) of a transport installation, comprising the following steps: the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal by the ultrasonic sensor (2) towards a container (23) to be detected and the reception of an echo signal reflected back from said container (23) is continuously calculated, from the calculated elapsed time, the measured distance of the ultrasonic sensor (2) to the container (23) to be detected is determined, in the event of a deviation of the measured distance from a preset switching distance (30), a tolerance band (31) is set around the measurement signal for the measured distance, if the measurement signal for the measured distance remains within the tolerance band (31) for a defined time interval, an output signal for the status "dwell recognized" is set; A method of operation comprising the steps of:

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