Communication device for an ultrasonic appliance, and method for operating such an appliance

Abstract

A method for operating an ultrasonic appliance (1), which ultrasonic appliance has an ultrasonic generator (2) and an ultrasonic oscillator (4) that has an electrical operative connection to the ultrasonic generator, wherein the ultrasonic generator supplies electric power to an ultrasonic transducer that the ultrasonic oscillator contains and stimulates said ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasound. The proposed method is distinguished in that the ultrasonic oscillator and the ultrasonic generator communicate with one another (K1, K2), preferably digitally, via an operative data and/or signal connection, wherein the ultrasonic oscillator transmits identification data to the ultrasonic generator, which identification data allow the ultrasonic generator to recognize the ultrasonic oscillator. Furthermore, a communication device—suitable for carrying out said method—for an ultrasonic appliance and an ultrasonic appliance having such a communication device are provided.

Claims

1. A method for operating an ultrasonic appliance (1), comprising providing the ultrasonic appliance having an ultrasonic generator (2) and an ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) which has an electrical operative connection to the ultrasonic generator, the ultrasonic generator supplying an ultrasonic transducer (4a) contained in the ultrasonic oscillating unit with electrical energy and exciting said ultrasonic oscillating unit to generate ultrasound, the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) and the ultrasonic generator (2) communicating (K1, K2) with one another via at least one of an operative data or signal connection, and the ultrasonic oscillating unit transmitting identification data to the ultrasonic generator, with said identification data allowing the ultrasonic generator to recognize the ultrasonic oscillating unit, with the communication being carried out via a high-frequency supply line (3) that transmits the electrical energy in the form of a high-frequency excitation signal between the ultrasonic generator (2) and the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) that is used by the ultrasonic oscillating unit to generate ultrasound.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) also transmitting particular pre-stored or dynamically determined property data relating to the ultrasonic oscillating unit to the ultrasonic generator (2).

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein an operating state of at least one of the ultrasonic appliance (1) or of the ultrasonic generator (2) is automatically selected on the basis of a result of at least one of the recognition or the property data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication (K1, K2) is carried out in a bidirectional manner, the ultrasonic generator (2) transmitting data to the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), and said data being stored in the ultrasonic oscillating unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein elements (2d, 2e; 4d, 4e) of at least one of the ultrasonic generator (2) or of the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) which are involved in communication are coupled to the radio-frequency supply line (3) or to a separate, wireless or wired communication connection between the ultrasonic generator (2) and the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) in a contactless manner.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a signal is used for communication (K1, K2), said signal is modulated at a modulation frequency which is different from an excitation frequency for the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein elements (4d, 4e) of the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) which are involved in communication are supplied with electrical energy by a separate energy supply (4f) for the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), or elements (4d, 4e) of the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) which are involved in communication are supplied with electrical energy passively without a separate energy supply for the ultrasonic oscillating unit.

8. An ultrasonic appliance (1), comprising an ultrasonic generator (2) and an ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) which has an electrical operative connection to the ultrasonic generator, the ultrasonic generator (2) being designed to supply an ultrasonic transducer (4a) contained in the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) with electrical energy in the form of a high-frequency excitation signal that is used to excite the ultrasonic oscillating unit to generate ultrasound, a communication device that forms at least one of an operative data or signal communication connection between the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) and the ultrasonic generator (2), the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) being designed to transmit data in the form of at least one of identification data or property data to the ultrasonic generator (2) via the operative communication connection, and the ultrasonic generator being designed to recognize the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) using the data, and a high-frequency supply line (3) that transmits the electrical energy between the ultrasonic generator (2) and the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) acts as the operative communication connection.

9. The communication device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising an active or passive transponder (4d) that has an operative connection to the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), said transponder (4d) has at least one of the identification data or the property data or has access to at least one of the identification data or property data for the purpose of transmission to the ultrasonic generator, at least one sensor (4g) has an operative connection to the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), the sensor data (M1, M2) from said sensor is part of or forms the basis of at least the property data.

10. The communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic generator (2) has a control unit (2e) which is designed to communicate with the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) and to evaluate the data received from the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4) in order to automatically select an operating state of the ultrasonic generator (2).

11. The communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the operative communication connection is in the form of a separate wireless or wired communication connection between the ultrasonic generator (2) and the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4).

12. The communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the operative communication connection is designed for bidirectional communication (K1, K2) between the ultrasonic generator (2) and the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), the ultrasonic generator is designed to transmit data to the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4), and said data is stored in a storage element (4e) which has an operative connection to the ultrasonic oscillating unit (4).

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the properties include at least one of nominal power, power loss, resonant frequencies, serial number, production date, sound emission time, impedance profile, starting or stopping frequencies for determining at least one of an operating range, temperature, or moisture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further properties and advantages of the present invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments using the drawing.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a first configuration of an ultrasonic appliance according to the invention having a communication device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows another configuration of an ultrasonic appliance according to the invention having a communication device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows yet another configuration of an ultrasonic appliance according to the invention having a communication device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows coupling of a transponder in/to the ultrasonic oscillating unit;

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows coupling of a transponder to a transformer inside the ultrasonic oscillating unit;

(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows the coupling of a transponder in/to the ultrasonic oscillating unit having a transformer and an energy cell;

(8) FIG. 7 schematically shows the coupling of a transponder in/to the ultrasonic oscillating unit having a transformer, an energy cell and sensors;

(9) FIG. 8 schematically shows the coupling of a transponder in/to the ultrasonic oscillating unit as an alternative to the illustration in FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 schematically shows a modification of the configuration according to FIG. 1; and

(11) FIG. 10 schematically shows another modification of the configuration according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) FIG. 1 uses a block diagram to schematically show an ultrasonic appliance which is denoted as a whole using the reference symbol 1. The ultrasonic appliance 1 comprises an ultrasonic generator 2 to which an ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 is connected by means of a cable 3. The cable 3 functions as a supply line for a high-frequency excitation signal (HF signal) which is used by the ultrasonic generator 2 to excite the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 to oscillate and therefore to generate ultrasound. For this purpose, the ultrasonic oscillating unit comprises an ultrasonic transducer (sound transducer) 4a which converts said HF signal into ultrasound. As is familiar to a person skilled in the art, the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 also regularly comprises a so-called emitter which, on account of its special geometry, ensures the targeted emission or radiation of the generated ultrasound in an application-specific manner. This emitter is not explicitly illustrated in the figures.

(13) In a manner known per se, the ultrasonic generator 2 has an output stage 2a which ensures that the HF signal to be emitted is appropriately amplified. On the output side, the ultrasonic generator 2 also has a so-called matching network 2b which is a circuit for matching the impedance between a source for high-frequency signals, here the ultrasonic generator 2, and a load, here the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. Possible configurations and the function of such a matching network 2b are known to a person skilled in the art and shall not be discussed any further in the present case.

(14) The important factor within the scope of the present invention is now the fact that the HF supply line 3 can be used or is used for preferably bidirectional communication of data between the ultrasonic generator 2 and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. This is symbolically illustrated in the figures by arrows K1 and K2. K2 denotes communication from the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 to the ultrasonic generator 2, while K1 denotes the opposite communication direction. As already mentioned, communication is carried out via the HF supply line 3. For this purpose, both the ultrasonic generator 2 and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 each comprise a coupling element 2c or 4c which ensures that the relevant communication signals are coupled to and output from the HF supply line 3. The coupling itself can be carried out inductively, capacitively or in a mixed form. It may be respectively different for the ultrasonic generator 2 and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. Specific examples of such coupling are described in yet more detail further below using FIGS. 4 to 8.

(15) It should be noted at this juncture that the invention is not restricted to bidirectional communication K1, K2. Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to communication K1, K2 taking place via the HF supply line 3. In principle, it is alternatively possible to provide a separate wireless or wired communication connection between the ultrasonic generator 2 and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4.

(16) In addition, the coupling can also be carried out inside the matching network 2b on the side of the ultrasonic generator 2, with the result that no completely separate coupling element 2c is fundamentally required.

(17) The actual participants in communication K1, K2 are a control card 2d which is contained in the ultrasonic generator 2, functions as an intelligent unit and, in particular, can store and evaluate communication data transmitted by the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 and can use said data to control the ultrasonic generator 2. For this purpose, the control card 2d has, in particular, a storage unit 2e which is designed, in particular, to store data transmitted by the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. However, the storage element 2e may also store particular control programs or the like for operating the ultrasonic generator 2, which control programs can be used to control the ultrasonic generator 2 on the basis of data transmitted by the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 or on the basis of the evaluation of said data in the control card 2d. On the side of the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4, the communication participant according to the configuration in FIG. 1 is a transponder 4d which for its part likewise has a storage unit 4e or can access such a storage unit. The storage unit 4e stores data which are transmitted by the transponder 4d to the ultrasonic generator 2 or its control card 2d via the HF supply line 3 during connection to the ultrasonic generator 2 or during operation. The introductory part of the description described in detail which data (identification data and/or property data) may be involved here.

(18) The transponder according to the configuration in FIG. 1 is a so-called passive transponder which does not have its own energy supply and is therefore supplied with electrical energy in a “parasitic” manner via the HF supply line 3 or the coupling element 4c. Such transponders are known to a person skilled in the art in various forms.

(19) With regard to the manner in which the data interchanged between the ultrasonic generator 2 and the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 can be used to control operation of the ultrasonic appliance 1, reference is made to the introductory part of the description in order to avoid repetitions.

(20) FIG. 2 uses a block diagram to schematically show an alternative configuration of the ultrasonic appliance 1, in which case only the important differences from the illustration according to FIG. 1 are discussed in more detail in the present case in order to avoid repetitions.

(21) According to the configuration in FIG. 2, the transponder 4d in the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 is in the form of an active transponder which has its own energy supply which is illustrated in the form of an energy cell 4f, by way of example. The energy cell 4f may be a rechargeable battery which, according to the illustration in FIG. 2, is supplied with electrical energy from the HF supply line 3 and is accordingly charged when the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 is being connected to the ultrasonic generator 2 or during operation of the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. The energy cell 4f then supplies the transponder 4d with electrical energy. The coupling element 4c is therefore used only for communication purposes and not to supply the transponder 4d with energy.

(22) For the further details in FIG. 2, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

(23) FIG. 3 uses a block diagram to schematically show yet another configuration of the ultrasonic appliance 1, in which case again only the special features in comparison with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are discussed in more detail.

(24) The ultrasonic appliance 1 according to FIG. 3 corresponds substantially to the configuration in FIG. 2. In this case too, the transponder 4d is an active transponder which is supplied with electrical energy via an energy cell 4f.

(25) Deviating from the illustration in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic appliance 1 according to FIG. 3 contains, on the side of the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4, a number of sensors which are collectively denoted using the reference symbol 4g. These sensors 4g may be, in particular, temperature or moisture sensors without the invention being restricted to such sensor types. For further details, reference is made to the introductory part of the description. As illustrated in FIG. 3 using the arrows M1, M2, the sensors 4g record physical measured values which are connected to the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. By way of example, the arrow M1 symbolizes monitoring of the temperature of the sound transducer 4a, while reference symbol M2 symbolizes a measurement of the moisture in the interior of the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4, for example if the ultrasonic oscillating unit is immersed in a liquid cleaning medium. The measured values or measurement data recorded by the sensors 4g are delivered to the transponder 4d which, depending on its own data-processing capabilities, preprocesses said values or data or communicates them directly to the ultrasonic generator 2 via the HF supply line 3. In this manner, dynamically determined property data relating to the ultrasonic oscillating unit can also be used to control the operation of the ultrasonic appliance 1. The actual control is again preferably carried out by the ultrasonic generator 2 or its control card 2d, which has already been discussed further above.

(26) FIG. 4 uses a block diagram to schematically show the capacitive coupling of the transponder 4d in the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4 to the HF supply line 3 which is illustrated as a forward and return line in FIG. 4 and the subsequent figures. The block arrow HF symbolizes the HF supply for the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. The ultrasonic generator is not illustrated in FIG. 4 and the subsequent figures. Otherwise, the same reference symbols in all figures correspond to identical or identically acting elements.

(27) As can be explicitly gathered from FIG. 4, a capacitor 4h which ensures that the transponder 4d is capacitively coupled is connected between the HF supply line 3 coming from the ultrasonic generator and the transponder 4d. The electrical properties of the capacitor 4d and of the ultrasonic transducer 4a illustrated in the form of an equivalent circuit diagram are selected in such a manner that the actual HF excitation signal acts substantially only on the ultrasonic transducer 4a, while the communication signal (reference symbol K1), which is preferably in the form of higher-frequency modulation based on the HF supply signal, acts substantially only on the transponder 4d via the coupling using the capacitor 4h which acts as the coupling element 4c according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(28) FIG. 5 shows an alternative configuration of the coupling of the transponder 4d in the ultrasonic oscillating unit 4. According to FIG. 5, the coupling is carried out capacitively and inductively using a capacitor 4h and a transformer 4i, the transformer 4i having a primary-side inductance 4i′ and a secondary-side inductance 4i″. The transponder 4d is connected to the secondary-side inductance 4i″, as illustrated in FIG. 5. According to FIG. 5, the capacitor 4h and the transformer 4i act as the coupling element 4c (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3).

(29) FIG. 6 uses a block diagram to schematically show the extension of the configuration according to FIG. 5 with an energy cell 4f for supplying the (active) transponder 4d. The energy cell 4f is connected in parallel with the transponder 4d on the secondary side of the transformer 4i and has an electrical operative connection to the transponder in order to supply the transponder 4d with electrical energy. The operative connection of the transponder 4d to the coupling element 4c (capacitor 4h and transformer 4i) is therefore used exclusively for communication purposes.

(30) According to FIGS. 5 to 8, the electrical properties of the coupling element 4c, that is to say of the capacitor 4h and of the transformer 4i, are selected in such a manner that the actual HF excitation signal is “seen” substantially only by the ultrasonic transducer 4a, while the transponder 4d “sees” substantially only a communication part (high-frequency modulation) of the HF excitation signal.

(31) FIG. 7 is a development of the configuration shown in FIG. 6 in which the sensors 4g already mentioned are additionally used. The sensors 4g have an operative connection to the energy cell 4f, on the one hand, and to the transponder 4d, on the other hand. For further details, reference is made to the illustration in FIG. 7 and to the above description of FIG. 3.

(32) Finally, FIG. 8 shows coupling of the transponder 4d as an alternative to FIG. 5. The important difference between the configurations according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 lies in the configuration and connection of the transformer 4i which can also be referred to as an “autotransformer” in the configuration according to FIG. 8. The capacitance 4h used to capacitively couple the transponder 4d is connected between the transponder 4d and a node Kn1, which node Kn1 is arranged between the two windings 4i′, 4i″ of the transformer 4i. Further connection of the transformer 4d to the HF supply line 3 is carried out upstream of the transformer 4i in a node Kn2. In the case of FIG. 8 as well, the transponder 4d, like in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 as well, is in the form of a passive transponder which is supplied with electrical energy in a “parasitic” manner via the HF supply line 3.

(33) FIG. 9 schematically shows a modification of the first configuration according to FIG. 1. As can be gathered from the illustration in FIG. 9, the communication signal is coupled here in or to the matching network which is symbolized using a dashed rectangle 2b in FIG. 9. As discerned by a person skilled in the art, this type of coupling can also be readily applied to the subject matter of FIG. 2 and to the subject matter according to FIG. 3.

(34) According to the configuration in FIG. 10, the coupling is carried out using the coupling element 2c downstream of the matching network 2b, whereas it was carried out upstream of the matching network 2b according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In this respect too, the coupling according to FIG. 10 can also be readily applied to the subject matters of FIGS. 2 and 3. The invention is therefore in no way restricted to particular localization of the coupling in the ultrasonic generator 2.