Position-Determining Device for a Hand-Held Material Testing Apparatus, A Method for Operating the Position-Determining Device, and a Hand-Held Material Testing Apparatus with a Position-Determining Device

Abstract

A position-determining device for a hand-held material testing apparatus detects a distance traveled by the material testing apparatus. The position-determining device includes at least one signal transmitter unit and at least one sensor unit. The signal transmitter unit is for an arrangement on a rolling element of the material testing apparatus. The signal transmitter unit includes at least one signal transmitter element configured to change a measurement signal as a function of a rotational position of the rolling element. The at least one sensor unit is provided for an arrangement on a chassis of the material testing apparatus and for detecting the measurement signal. The signal transmitter element is configured as an inductive signal transmitter element. The sensor unit is configured as an inductive sensor unit. The inductive signal transmitter element and the inductive sensor unit are configured for inductive coupling to one another.--

Claims

1. A position-determining device for a hand-held material testing apparatus, the position-determining device configured to detect a distance traveled by the material testing apparatus, the position-determining device comprising: at least one signal transmitter unit for an arrangement on a rolling element of the material testing apparatus; and at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises at least one signal transmitter element configured to change a measurement signal as a function of a rotational position of the rolling element, wherein the at least one sensor unit is provided for an arrangement on a chassis of the material testing apparatus and for detecting the measurement signal, wherein the at least one signal transmitter element is configured as an inductive signal transmitter element, wherein the at least one sensor unit is configured as an inductive sensor unit, and wherein the inductive signal transmitter element and the inductive sensor unit are configured for inductive coupling to one another.

2. The position-determining device according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises an axis of rotation, which specifies a rotational movement of the rolling element and in which the at least one signal transmitter element is integrated so as to be at most substantially flush in a the radial direction of the axis of rotation.

3. The position-determining device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises an axis of rotation, which specifies a rotational movement of the rolling element, on which the at least one signal transmitter element is arranged and which is configured as a truncated axis.

4. The position-determining device according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises an axis of rotation, which specifies a rotational movement of the rolling element and is formed in one piece with the rolling element, and the at least one signal transmitter element is arranged on an end of the axis of rotation that faces away from the rolling element.

5. The position-determining device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises at least one inductive further signal transmitter element, which is configured for an arrangement on a further rolling element of the material testing apparatus that is separate from the rolling element.

6. The position-determining device according to claim 5, further comprising: at least one computing unit configured to compare the measurement signal from the at least one signal transmitter element with a further measurement signal from the at least one further signal transmitter element.

7. The position-determining device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one sliding bearing configured to reversibly mount the at least one signal transmitter unit on the chassis.

8. A hand-held material testing apparatus comprising: at least one chassis; at least one rolling element mounted on the at least one chassis; and at least one position-determining device configured to detect a distance traveled by the at least one chassis, the position-determining device comprising: at least one signal transmitter unit for an arrangement on the at least one rolling element; and at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one signal transmitter unit comprises at least one signal transmitter element configured to change a measurement signal as a function of a rotational position of the at least one rolling element, wherein the at least one sensor unit is provided for an arrangement on the at least one chassis and for detecting the measurement signal, wherein the at least one signal transmitter element is configured as an inductive signal transmitter element, wherein the at least one sensor unit is configured as an inductive sensor unit, and wherein inductive signal transmitter element and the inductive sensor unit are configured for inductive coupling to one another.

9. A method for operating a position-determining device for a hand-held material testing apparatus, comprising: changing a measurement signal from a signal transmitter element of the material testing apparatus as a function of a rotational position of a rolling element of the material testing apparatus; in at least one rotation determination step, detecting the measurement signal is by a sensor unit of the material testing apparatus; and in at least one position determination step, determining a distance traveled by the material testing apparatus, wherein the signal transmitter element and the sensor unit are inductively coupled in order to generate the measurement signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: triggering the at least one position determination step when a minimum rotational movement of the rolling element is determined in the at least one rotation determination step.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: in a comparison step, discarding a smallest value of several determined rotational movements of different rolling elements of the material testing apparatus .

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: in an update step, after the at least one rotation determination step, storing a current rotational position of the rolling element of the material testing apparatus as an angle reference for a next rotation determination step.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0021] Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form meaningful further combinations.

[0022] The following is shown:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a material testing apparatus according to the invention,

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a position-determining device according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded representation with a chassis, a sliding bearing, and a rolling element of the material testing apparatus according to the invention, and

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a hand-held material testing apparatus 12. The material testing apparatus 12 is in particular designed to locate foreign objects and/or inclusions, in particular water, in a test object, in particular a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or the like. The material testing apparatus 12 can be designed, for example, as a locating device and/or as a moisture meter. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises a housing 50. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises a locating sensor unit 44 for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, in particular microwaves and/or radio waves. The locating sensor unit 44 is arranged in the housing 50 and/or on a bearing side of the housing 50. The bearing side of the housing 50 is provided in particular to be oriented facing a surface of the test object during a measurement with the material testing apparatus 12. The material testing apparatus 12 preferably comprises a handle 58, in particular a handle protruding from the housing 50, for manually guiding the material testing apparatus 12 along the surface of the test object. Alternatively, the material testing apparatus 12 comprises recessed handles or gripping surfaces, which are arranged on the housing 50. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises at least one rolling element 16. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises at least one further rolling element 28, which is formed separately from the rolling element 16, in particular is mounted spaced apart from the rolling element 16 on the chassis 22. Preferably, the material testing apparatus 12 comprises several, in particular three or four, rolling elements. The rolling element 16 is preferably mounted for an autonomous rotational movement, in particular a rotational movement independent of the further rolling element 28. The rolling elements 16, 28 are mounted on a chassis 22 (cf. FIG. 2) of the material testing apparatus 12. In particular, the rolling elements 16, 28 are provided for direct contact with the surface and for a spaced-apart arrangement of the bearing side of the housing 50, in particular of the locating sensor unit 44, from the surface of the test object. In particular, the chassis 22 is arranged on the bearing side of the housing 50. Preferably, the chassis 22 is designed as part of the housing 50. Alternatively, the housing 50 is fastened, in particular latched and/or screwed, to the chassis 22, which is designed, for example, as a frame or base plate. The chassis 22 can in particular be embedded in the housing 50, or the housing 50 can be placed on the chassis 22. Preferably, the material testing apparatus 12 has a longitudinal axis 52. In particular, a rotation plane of at least one of the rolling elements 16, 28 extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 52. Alternatively, the rotation plane of at least one of the rolling elements 16, 28 is arranged at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 52 or can additionally be oriented in such a way. The material testing apparatus 12 comprised a position-determining device 10. The position-determining device 10 is configured to detect a distance traveled by the material testing apparatus 12. The position-determining device 10 comprises at least one signal transmitter unit 14 for an arrangement on one of the rolling elements 16 of the material testing apparatus 12. The position-determining device 10 comprises at least one sensor unit 18. The signal transmitter unit 14 comprises at least one signal transmitter element 20. The signal transmitter element 20 is designed to change a measurement signal as a function of a rotational position of the rolling element 16. The sensor unit 18 is provided for an arrangement on the chassis 22 of the material testing apparatus 12. The sensor unit 18 is configured to detect the measurement signal. The signal transmitter element 20 is designed as an inductive signal transmitter element, in particular as a permanent magnet. The sensor unit 18 is designed as an inductive sensor unit, in particular as a magnetic field meter. The sensor unit 18 and the signal transmitter element 20 are configured for inductive coupling to one another. The signal transmitter unit 14 comprises an axis of rotation 24, in particular a physical axis of rotation, specifying an imaginary rotation axis 53 of the rolling element 16. The signal transmitter element 20 is arranged on the axis of rotation 24. The signal transmitter element 20 is integrated so as to be at most substantially flush into the axis of rotation 24 in the radial direction of the axis of rotation 24. The signal transmitter unit 14 has at least one inductive further signal transmitter element 26, which is arranged for an arrangement on the further rolling element 28 of the material testing apparatus 12 that is separate from the rolling element 16.

[0028] The position-determining device 10 comprises a computing unit 30. The computing unit 30 is preferably configured to analyze measurement data determined by means of the locating sensor unit 44 and/or the position-determining device 10. The computing unit 30 is configured to compare the measurement signal from the signal transmitter element 20 to a further measurement signal from the further signal transmitter element 26. The material testing apparatus 12 optionally comprises a memory unit 46 for storing the measurement data determined by means of the locating sensor unit 44 and/or the position-determining device 10. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises a display unit 54, in particular a display, for displaying the measurement data of the locating sensor unit 44 and/or the position-determining device 10. The display unit 54 is arranged on a side of the housing 50 facing away from the bearing side. The material testing apparatus 12 comprises at least one operating element 56. Optionally, the material testing apparatus 12 comprises an interface 48 to a wired, memory-medium-connected and/or wireless, in particular radio-wave, communication with an external apparatus, in particular for transmitting the measurement data determined by means of the locating sensor unit 44 and/or the position-determining device 10.

[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a mounting of the rolling element 16 on the chassis 22. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of the mounting in the state assembled on the chassis 22 of the position-determining device 10 in a sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 52 and in particular perpendicular to the bearing side. In particular, FIG. 3 shows a perspective exploded representation of the mounting The chassis 22 is designed as a bottom tray of the housing 50. In particular, the housing 50 comprises at least one housing element 60, which is designed in particular differently from the chassis 22. In particular, the housing element 60 together with the chassis 22 forms an interior space in which the position-determining device 10 is at least partially arranged. In particular, sensor unit 18 and the signal transmitter element 20 are arranged in the interior space. The axis of rotation 24 is designed as a truncated axis. In particular, the axis of rotation 24 has a rolling element end on which the rolling element 16 and, optionally, additional rolling elements are arranged. The axis of rotation 24 is formed in one piece with the rolling element 16. The rolling element 16 has at least one support element 64 made of a plastic material, in particular a thermoset or a thermoplastic. Optionally, the rolling element 16 has a soft component 62 made of an elastic material, in particular an elastomer. In particular, the soft component 62 surrounds the support element 64 in the rotation plane of the rolling element 16. In particular, the axis of rotation 24 is formed in one piece with the support element 64. In particular, the axis of rotation 24 has an end portion which forms an end of the axis of rotation 24 facing away from the rolling element end. In particular, the end portion is free of rolling elements. The end portion preferably has a signal transmitter holder 76, in which the signal transmitter element 20 is arranged. The signal transmitter holder 76 is in particular designed as a depression in an end face of the axis of rotation 24, wherein the end face is arranged at least substantially perpendicularly to the rotation axis 53.

[0030] The position-determining device 10 comprises at least one sliding bearing 32 for reversibly mounting the signal transmitter unit 14 on the chassis 22. The sliding bearing 32 is arranged along the axis of rotation 14 between the signal transmitter holder 76 and the rolling element 16. The sliding bearing 32 in particular has a bayonet-type rotary lock 70 (cf. FIG. 3). The rotary lock 70 is provided by means of a form fit with a rotary lock holder 80 and a stop element 68 of the chassis 22 for fixing the sliding bearing 32 on the chassis 22, in particular on a tubular structural element 66 of the chassis 22. The rolling element 16 preferably comprises an output passage 82 to a passage of an external output device, in particular of a screwdriver, for actuating the rotary lock 70. Preferably, the axis of rotation 24 has a tapering 74 in which an axial locking element 78 of the sliding bearing 32 engages to form an axial form fit. In a state assembled with the sliding bearing 32 on the chassis 22, the axis of rotation 24 is rotatable relative to the sliding bearing 32 and the chassis 22. In particular, the sliding bearing 32 comprises a central sleeve 69 for receiving the axis of rotation 24. The central sleeve 69 and the rotary lock 70 are preferably arranged concentrically.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 34 for operating the position-determining device 10 of the hand-held material testing apparatus 12 The method 34 comprises a measurement step 84. The method 34 comprises a rotation determination step 36. The method 34 comprises an update step 42. The method 34 comprises a comparison step 40. The method 34 comprises a position determination step 38.

[0032] In the measurement step 84, the material testing apparatus 12 is, in particular, moved by a user along the surface of the test object. Alternatively, the material testing apparatus 12 moves autonomously by means of a motor. In the measurement step 84, at least one of the rolling elements 16, 28 rolls on the surface. In the measurement step, at least one of the signal transmitter elements 20, 26 and the sensor unit 18 are inductively coupled in order to generate the measurement signal. In the measurement step 84, the measurement signal from at least one of the signal transmitter elements 20, 26 of the material testing apparatus 12 is changed as a function of a rotational position of one of the rolling elements 16, 28 of the material testing apparatus 12. By rolling the rolling elements 16, 28, the rotation determination step 36 is triggered. In the rotation determination step 36, the measurement signal is detected by the sensor unit 18 of the material testing apparatus 12. In particular, the measurement signal changed by the signal transmitter element 20 is detected in a rotation determination phase 36° of the rotation determination step 36. In particular, a current rotational position of the rolling element 16 is determined by the computing unit 30 in the rotation determination phase 36′ of the rotation determination step 36. In particular, the measurement signal changed by the further signal transmitter element 26 is detected in a further rotation determination phase 36″ of the rotation determination step 36. In particular, a current rotational position of the further rolling element 28 is determined by the computing unit 30 in the further rotation determination phase 36″ of the rotation determination step 36. In the update step 32 after the rotation determination step 36, the current rotational positions of the rolling elements 16, 28 of the material testing apparatus 12 are stored as an angle reference for a next rotation determination step 36. In particular, in the rotation determination step 36, the rotational positions are determined relative to an angle reference previously detected and/or stored in the memory unit 46. In an update phase 42′ of the update step 42, the current rotational position of the rolling element 16 is stored in the memory unit 46. In a further update phase 42′ of the update step 42, the current rotational position of the rolling element 16 is stored in the memory unit 46.

[0033] In the comparison step 40, a smallest value of several of the determined rotational movements of the different rolling elements 16, 28 of the material testing apparatus 12 is discarded. In particular, a largest determined value of the rotational movement is used by the computing unit 30 to carry out the position determination step 38. If at least three rotational movement of three separate rolling elements are detected, the computing unit 30 uses an average value of several values of the rotational movement that are greater than the smallest value. The position determination step 38 is triggered if, in particular only if, a minimum rotational movement of at least one of the rolling elements 16, 28 is determined in the rotation determination step 36. In the position determination step 38, a distance traveled by the material testing apparatus 12 is determined. In particular, the computing unit 30 determines the distance traveled as a function of the non-smallest, in particular the largest or averaged, rotational movement determined in the comparison step 40.