DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE TENSION IN A TENSIONING BELT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for measuring the tension in a tensioning belt, comprising a retaining device for retaining a spring element, an elastically deformable spring element that is retained by the retaining device and on which a section of the tensioning belt can apply a force and elastically deform the spring element, the ends of the spring element being moved closer to one another when the tensioning force increases, and an electronic sensor unit. The sensor unit comprises a sensor system that measures the deflection of the spring element and generates a data signal, and a transmitter for transmitting the data signal to a receiving unit. The sensor system is situated at the ends of the spring element.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A device for measuring the tension in a tensioning belt, comprising: a tensioning belt; a retaining device; an elastically deformable spring element having opposite ends and being secured by the retaining device on which a section of the tensioning belt can apply a tensioning force and elastically deform the spring element; an electronic sensor unit comprising: a sensor system that measures the deflection of the spring element and generates a data signal; a transmitter for transmitting the data signal; a microprocessor that is connected to the sensor system and to the transmitter; and an energy source for supplying the electronic sensor unit with power; and an electronic receiving unit for receiving the data signal from the transmitter, comprising: a receiver; a display for displaying the data signal; and a microprocessor that is connected to the receiver and to the display, the oppositely situated ends of the spring element being movable closer to one another when the tensioning force increases, and the sensor system is situated at the opposite ends of the spring element.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the spring element comprises a U-shaped molded part having two elastically deformable legs, each defining one of the opposite ends.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the sensor system is integrated into the two elastically deformable legs of the spring element.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the sensor system is integrated into an area of the opposite ends of the two elastically deformable legs.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the sensor system is formed by a magnetic measuring system.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the sensor system is formed a Hall sensor and a permanent magnet.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the sensor system is formed by an eddy current sensor and a metal plate.

23. The device of claim 16, wherein the electronic sensor unit is integrated into the spring element.

24. The device of claim 16, wherein the transmitter and a transmitter module connected to the transmitter are configured for one-way communication.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the Hall sensor, by applying an external alternating field, is a reception communication interface for switching between different operating modes.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the Hall sensor is capable of switching at least one of the transmitter or the transmitter module from one-way communication to transmitting and receiving mode for two-way communication by applying an external alternating field.

27. A method for measuring the tension in a tensioning belt, comprising: positioning a spring element having first and second ends on the tensioning belt in such a way that the spring element is elastically deformed when tension is applied, positioning a sensor system on or adjacent to the spring element in order to determine a deflection of the spring element and generate a data signal; transmitting the data signal by a transmitter to a receiver unit for displaying the data signals, the tension force measured by positioning the sensor system at the first and second ends of the spring element and measuring a distance between the first and second ends.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising measuring the tension force with a Hall sensor and a permanent magnet.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising measuring the tension force with an eddy current sensor.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising storing a scaling factor that is appropriate for the spring means in a memory of a microprocessor positioned on the spring element.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the scaling factor is determined by a prior calibration.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein at lest one of the transmitter or the transmitter module is switched into a receiving mode by applying an external electrical alternating field to the Hall sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, which show the following:

[0035] FIG. 1: shows a belt tension indicator according to the prior art,

[0036] FIG. 2: shows a belt tension indicator with an integrated Hall sensor, in a side view,

[0037] FIG. 3: shows a top view of the indicator from FIG. 2 along the section line III-III,

[0038] FIG. 4: shows an axonometric view of the indicator from FIG. 2,

[0039] FIG. 5: shows a belt tension indicator with an integrated eddy current sensor, and

[0040] FIG. 6: shows a block diagram of the belt tension indicator from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a mechanical belt tension indicator 11 as known from the prior art. The belt tension indicator 11 is a U-shaped molded part having a first and a second elastically deformable leg 13a, 13b and a base 15. The base 15 of the indicator 11 is essentially curved in a semicircular shape. The indicator 11 includes an insert 17 made of plastic which is enclosed by a metal clamp 19. The insert 17 increases the spring effect of the metal clamp 19, and allows the indicator 11 to undergo continuous stress.

[0042] The indicator 11 is situated between a loop of a tensioning belt and a retaining bolt of a tensioning ratchet. The retaining bolt is guided through the molded part at the location where the base 15 forms a bolt eye 21. The tensioning belt is deflected on the outer side of the base 15, and therefore wraps around the indicator 11. The distance 20 between the legs 13a, 13b is influenced by the tension force that acts in the direction of the legs. The greater the tension force, the smaller the distance 20 between the two legs 13a, 13b becomes. The indicator is dimensioned in such a way that the legs 13a, 13b rest against one another at a maximum prescribed tension force. The tension force can be read out only on site, directly at the tensioning ratchet.

[0043] The embodiments according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5 show an electronic belt tension indicator 23. The mechanical design of the indicator 23 is basically identical to that of the indicator 11. However, it provides the added value that the tension force no longer has to be read out directly at the tensioning ratchet, but instead is displayable at some other location, such as in the driver's cab of a truck, by an online display. The detected data are not approximate values, as are displayed by the mechanical indicator 11, but, rather, are precise, such as digital, data. The digital data may be detected at any point in time, are recordable, and are wirelessly transmittable. The digital data provide information about the particular magnitude of the tension force on a defined tensioning belt at a defined point in time.

[0044] To obtain such digital data, the indicator 23 is equipped with a sensor system in the form of a magnetic distance sensor 25.

[0045] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the distance sensor 25 is implemented by a Hall sensor 27 and a permanent magnet 29. The measuring principle of the Hall sensor 27 is based on the fact that it measures the field strength of a magnet. The field strength changes as a function of the distance 20 between the Hall sensor 27 and the permanent magnet 29. The Hall sensor 27 measures the field strength and converts it to a voltage signal. The Hall sensor also generates a voltage signal when the field strength is constant, i.e., when the distance 20 from the permanent magnet 29 does not change. The Hall sensor 27, which is mounted on a circuit board 32, may be situated at the free end of the first or second leg 13a, 13b. The permanent magnet 29 is situated at the free end of the other leg 13a, 13b. The measuring accuracy of the Hall sensor 27 is not impaired by dirt or water, provided that they are not magnetic. The Hall sensor is therefore particularly well suited for use in a tensioning belt, since tensioning belts often become highly soiled during transport.

[0046] The Hall sensor 27 together with the circuit board 31, and the permanent magnet 29 may be integrated into the legs 13a and 13b, respectively. The distance sensor 25 is thus particularly well protected. The electronic components may be completely encapsulated in the legs 13a, 13b, for example by being cast into the plastic of the insert 17. Cavities having an insertion slot may also be provided in the insert 17, in the area of the free ends of the legs 13a, 13b. After the electronic components 27, 29, 31 are inserted into the cavities, the insertion slots may be closed, for example by casting them. The protection of the electronic components 27, 29, 31 is increased due to the fact that the metal clamp 19 encloses the insert 17 on the outside and can act as a protective shield.

[0047] In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the magnetic distance sensor 25 is implemented by an eddy current sensor 33 and a conductive metal plate 35. The measuring principle of the eddy current sensor 33 is based on the fact that a high-frequency alternating current flows through a coil. When conductive material, for example the metal plate 35, is introduced into the magnetic field of the coil, eddy currents arise which are measurable as increased power consumption by the coil. The closer the metal plate 35 is to the eddy current sensor 33, the greater the power consumption by the coil. The coil may be accommodated with a pot core in a free end of the leg 13a or 13b. The pot core is closed on one side, which prevents the magnetic field from being able to escape unhindered from the side facing the metal plate. In this embodiment as well, the eddy current sensor is connected to a circuit board 37.

[0048] An energy source, such as a button cell 47, and a transmitter 45, which are connected to a microprocessor likewise situated on the circuit board 31, 37, are situated on the circuit board 31 or 37. A transmitter module 43 may be connected between the transmitter 45 and the microprocessor 41 (FIG. 6). Although it is conceivable for the transmitter to be able to transmit and also receive data under any wireless standard, a power-saving wireless standard under which data are only transmitted, and only at certain time intervals (one-way-communication), not continuously, is desirable. Bluetooth 4.0, which permits low-energy operating mode, is therefore advisable as a wireless standard.

[0049] For configuring and calibrating the electronic belt tension indicator 23, it is provided that the transmitter module 43 or the transmitter 45 is switchable to two-way communication. For this purpose, the Hall sensor 27 is excited by an external electrical alternating field and switches the transmitter module 43 or the transmitter 45 to two-way communication, in which the transmitter 45 is able to also receive data. The data reception, for example for configuration and calibration, takes place via radio. An interface may thus be dispensed with, and the electronic components may be completely encapsulated and thus well integrated into the legs 13a, 13b with good protection.

[0050] The electronic belt tension indicator 23 may be in different modes, depending on the distance 20 between the two legs 13a, 13b. If the indicator 23 is not in use and no belt tension is present, the indicator 23 changes to the “deep sleep mode.” The indicator 23 is then switched off, and the transmitter does not transmit at all. If belt tension is applied to the indicator 23, the indicator 23 changes to the “active mode,” in which the transmitter at certain time intervals transmits data that reflect the distance 20 between the two legs 13a, 13b and a corresponding belt tension. The indicator 23 may also be placed in a “sleep mode” in which the transmission intervals are extended, thus making it possible to save energy. The indicator 23 is placed in this mode when a constant belt tension is detected over an extended period of time. For example, the transmitter then transmits a data signal only every 30-60 seconds. The change between the individual operating modes may also take place by applying an external alternating field as described above. The Hall sensor 27, excited by the external alternating field, hereby functions as a reception communication interface to be able to switch between the different operating modes.

[0051] The identification number of the indicator may be assigned by communication of the indicator with the RF tag or the barcode of the tensioning belt. An indicator 23 may be situated at each loop of the tensioning belt. If the tensioning belt becomes jammed on a cargo item and only one side is tensioned, this error is recognized by one of the plurality of indicators 23, since not all indicators indicate a sufficient belt tension.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the indicator 23 with a Hall sensor 27. The analog measuring signal generated by the Hall sensor 27 is a function of the distance 20 from the permanent magnet 29. An analog/digital converter 39 which relays the digital data to a microprocessor 41 is available for the conversion into digital data. The microprocessor 41 relays the data to a transmitter module 43. The transmitter module 43 may be a Bluetooth 4.0 transmitter module as described above. The data may then be transmitted from a transmitter 45 to a receiver.

[0053] It is also possible to switch the power supply for the Hall sensor 27 on and off via the microprocessor 41. The microprocessor may thus control whether or not the Hall sensor is active.

[0054] The data signals transmitted wirelessly by radio to a receiving unit may be displayed by the receiving unit. The receiving unit advantageously includes a receiver, a display, a connection to an available power supply, and a microprocessor. For example, the states of tension of a plurality of tensioning belts that secure the cargo may be shown on a display in the driver's cab of a truck. The states of tension may be displayed by a dynamic bar diagram, for example, or in the event of a loss of tension, an alarm in the form of a visual or acoustic signal may be triggered. Further advantageous function blocks of the receiving unit include interfaces for connection to a repeater, which relays the radio signals of the indicator to the receiving unit, and for connection to the tachometer signal of the truck.

[0055] In addition to the states of tension of the tensioning belts, the receiving unit may query and display further parameters of the belt tension indicator 23. These include the battery voltage of the indicator 23, minimum and maximum values of the belt tension within a time interval, or the production date of the indicator 23. A GPS receiver and a USB interface may also be present. Continuous traceability of the recordings is ensured by recording the GPS position.

[0056] The receiving unit may have two Bluetooth low energy (LE) modules. The receiving unit may be connected to a smart phone in this way. If the smart phone is connected to the receiving unit, the overall device may thus display operations and data on the smart phone. The actual operation of the system thus takes place via a smart phone. The Bluetooth LE module is designed as a master, and communicates with the indicators and repeaters. The second Bluetooth LE module is designed as a slave, and communicates with the smart phone.

[0057] The receiving unit may also be used for documenting and recording the tension of a plurality of tensioning belts. For this purpose, the transmitted data signals are permanently recorded in a data memory in the memory of the receiving unit. The states of tension of the detected tensioning belts are therefore detectable in real time. For example, the data of the states of tension may be transferred as PDF files to an external USB stick. It is also conceivable to store the data directly on a USB stick in an unalterable data format. The documented tensions of the tensioning belts used may accordingly be read out on any PC and at any time.