阅读说明：本技术 操作具有至少第一能量供应模块和第二能量供应模块的轴承的方法 (Method for operating a bearing having at least a first energy supply module and a second energy supply module ) 是由 马丁·克拉姆 托马斯·斯米塔那 米歇尔·格纳巴 泉正人 于 2019-01-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种操作轴承(10)尤其是滚柱轴承或滑动轴承或线性轴承的方法,所述轴承具有至少一个第一能量供应模块(1、2、3、4)和第二能量供应模块(1、2、3、4),其中所述第一能量供应模块(1、2、3、4)的第一控制单元和所述第二能量供应模块(1、2、3、4)的第二控制单元构造为根据预定义的供电策略来控制所述相应的能量供应模块(1、2、3、4)的能量输出,其中所述第一控制单元和/或所述第二控制单元接收供电请求并且根据所述供电请求和所述预定义的供电策略来控制所述相应的能量供应模块(1、2、3、4)的所述能量输出。此外,本发明涉及此类轴承(10)。(The invention relates to a method for operating a bearing (10), in particular a roller bearing or a plain bearing or a linear bearing, the bearing has at least one first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first control unit of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second control unit of the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) are configured to control the energy output of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) according to a predefined power supply strategy, wherein the first and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request and controls the energy output of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) in accordance with the power supply request and the predefined power supply strategy. Furthermore, the invention relates to such a bearing (10).)

1. Method for operating a bearing (10), in particular a roller bearing or a plain bearing or a linear bearing, having at least one first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), a first control unit of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second control unit of the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) being configured to control an energy output of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) according to a specified power supply strategy, wherein the first control unit and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request and controls the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) according to the power supply request and the specified power supply strategy.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) are of different design.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply request comprises a voltage demand and/or a current demand and/or an energy demand and/or a power demand.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first control unit and/or the second control unit receives the power supply request from an interface module or from a load, in particular a load module, of the bearing (10).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first control unit and/or the second control unit sets an output voltage and/or an output current for controlling the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) are connected via a common supply bus (5), through which the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) can deliver energy.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) determines a supply status information, which is characteristic of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), and the supply status information is transmitted to the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein the second control unit of the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) also controls the energy delivery according to the supply status information.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) determines a prediction value which is characteristic of the future behavior of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and which is transmitted to the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein the second control unit also controls the energy delivery according to the prediction value.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request and controls the energy reception of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) in accordance with the power supply request and the specified power supply strategy.

10. Bearing, in particular a roller bearing or a sliding bearing or a linear bearing, having at least one first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), a first control unit of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second control unit of the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) being configured to receive a power supply request and to control the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) in accordance with the power supply request and a specified power supply strategy.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for operating a bearing, in particular a roller bearing or a plain bearing or a linear bearing, having at least one first energy supply module and a second energy supply module. The invention further relates to such a bearing, in particular a roller bearing or a sliding bearing or a linear bearing.

Background

Such bearings typically have sensors or actuators that must be powered to be able to operate. For example, DE 102015202130 a1 describes a kit for forming a modularly constructed roller bearing with functional modules which can measure bearing state variables and/or activate specific functions. To provide these functional modules, the kit has energy supply modules, such as energy harvesting modules or energy accumulator modules, which can be arranged in the bearing depending on the application.

In such bearings, the individual energy supply modules are generally not able to provide the electrical energy required to operate all the functional modules of the bearing.

Object of the Invention

Against this background, the object of the invention is to ensure a reliable energy supply even with high energy demands by means of a method which can be easily expanded. This object is achieved by a method for operating a bearing, in particular a roller bearing or a plain bearing or a linear bearing, having at least one first energy supply module and one second energy supply module, wherein a first control unit of the first energy supply module and a second control module of the second energy supply module are configured to control an energy output of the respective energy supply module according to a specified power supply strategy, wherein the first control unit and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request and controls an energy delivery of the respective energy supply module of the roller bearing according to the power supply request and the specified power supply strategy.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, the bearing has at least two energy supply modules for providing electrical energy, so that energy can optionally be transmitted by one or both of these energy supply modules. Thus, higher energy requirements can be met, if desired. The energy supply modules each comprise a control unit which is designed to control the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module according to a predetermined power supply strategy and according to a power supply request. In this regard, the energy supply module may autonomously control energy delivery. The superordinate unit of the energy supply module is not required to take over the control of the individual energy supply modules, so that the method can be easily extended, for example by changing the number of energy supply modules.

The control unit may be configured, for example, during the manufacturing process of the bearing, in particular during the packaging of the bearing with the energy supply module. For example, if the control unit is designed to be programmable, the power supply strategy can be stored as a program or data code in the control unit. Alternatively, the power supply strategy may be determined by the hardware structure of the control unit. The power policy may be represented as a table and/or an algorithm.

The first energy supply module and the second energy supply module are preferably designed as power generation modules, for example as energy collection modules. In the present context, an energy harvesting module is understood to mean a power generation module which is designed to generate a small amount of electrical energy, in particular by means of a rotational movement of the bearing and/or an ambient temperature of the bearing and/or by means of vibrations of the bearing. Alternatively, the first energy supply module can be designed as a power generation module and the second energy supply module as an energy storage module, for example as an accumulator module or a battery module or a capacitor module.

According to a preferred embodiment, a first energy supply module and a second energy supply module are provided which are of different designs. For example, the first energy supply module may be a first energy harvesting module and the second energy supply module may be a second energy harvesting module, the two energy harvesting modules generating electrical energy through different physical effects.

The power supply request preferably comprises a voltage demand and/or a current demand and/or an energy demand and/or a power demand. For example, a target voltage may be specified as a voltage demand, which is required to operate a particular load. Likewise, the target current may be designated as a current demand and/or the target energy may be designated as an energy specification and/or the target power may be designated as a power specification. The power supply request is particularly preferably a common power supply request, which is likewise received by the first control unit of the first energy supply module and the second control unit of the second energy supply module.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first control unit and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request from the load, in particular the load module, of the interface module or the bearing.

The first control unit and/or the second control unit preferably set the output voltage and/or the output current to control the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the first energy supply module and the second energy supply module are connected via a common supply bus, the first energy supply module and the second energy supply module being able to deliver energy via the common supply bus. One or more loads may be connected to such a power supply bus. Alternatively or in addition, a first energy supply module and a second energy supply module connected via a common communication bus may be provided, so that the first energy supply module and the second energy supply module, and possibly further modules, may exchange information via the communication bus.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a first energy supply module is provided, which determines first supply state information characterizing the first energy supply module and transmits the first supply state information to a second energy supply module, wherein the second control unit of the second energy supply module also controls the energy delivery as a function of the first supply state information. The first power supply status information may include, for example, an indication of the voltage, current, or power currently provided by the energy supply module. Alternatively or additionally, the first power supply status information may comprise status information according to the received power supply request, e.g. an indication of the percentage of required energy or power that the first energy supply module may provide. The second energy supply module preferably determines second supply state information characterizing the second energy supply module and transmits the second supply state information to the first energy supply module, wherein the first control unit of the first energy supply module also controls the delivery of energy depending on the second supply state information. Furthermore, the supply state information of more energy supply modules can be used for control in the respective control unit.

In one embodiment, which has proven to be advantageous, the first energy supply module receives a prediction value which is characteristic of a future behavior of the first energy supply module and transmits the prediction value to the second energy supply module, wherein the second control unit also controls the output of energy as a function of the prediction value. Preferably, the prediction value is determined from a measurement of the state of the respective energy supply module, a measurement of the voltage and/or current of the energy supply module.

A preferred embodiment provides for the first control unit and/or the second control unit receiving a power supply request and controlling the energy reception of the respective energy supply module in accordance with the power supply request and a specified power supply strategy. The reception of such energy is particularly advantageous in the case of energy supply modules which are designed as energy storage modules, for example as accumulator modules, battery modules, capacitor modules or modules for storing kinetic energy.

In order to achieve the object mentioned at the outset, a bearing, in particular a roller bearing or a plain bearing or a linear bearing, is further proposed, which has at least one first energy supply module and one second energy supply module, wherein a first control unit of the first energy supply module and a second control unit of the second energy supply module are designed to receive a power supply request and to control the energy supply of the respective energy supply module as a function of the power supply request and a given power supply strategy.

With which the same advantages can be obtained as already described in connection with the method according to the invention.

Furthermore, the advantageous features and configurations described in connection with the method can also be used alone or in combination in a device.

Drawings

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. In this context:

fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a bearing with a plurality of energy supply modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 of a bearing 10 designed as a roller bearing according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The bearing 10 has a plurality of energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 with different designs.

The first energy supply module 1 is designed as a power generation module. The power generation module is an energy harvesting module that derives electrical energy from vibrations in the bearing. To convert energy, the energy harvesting module has a piezoelectric element. The first energy supply module 1 is arranged in the bearing 10, i.e. on a bearing ring of the bearing, which is referred to by reference sign 11.

The second energy supply module 2 is also designed as a power generation module. The energy harvesting module, like a generator, converts the rotational kinetic energy of the roller bearing into electrical energy. This second energy supply module is designed as a separate module from the bearing ring of the bearing 10, which is referred to with reference sign 12.

The third energy supply module 3 is also designed as a power generation module. The thermoelectric energy collection module generates electric energy according to the thermoelectric effect, namely, the thermoelectric effect is utilized to generate current. In this respect, the energy collection module has a Peltier element. The third energy supply module 3 is likewise formed separately from the bearing ring of the bearing 10.

The fourth energy supply module 4 shown in fig. 1 is designed as an energy storage module. The energy supply module 4 has an energy store, which can be charged or discharged. The fourth energy supply module 4 is also formed separately from the bearing ring of the bearing 10.

The energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 of the bearing 10 are electrically connected to one another via a common supply bus 5, by means of which the energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 can be supplied. At least one load of the bearing, for example a sensor or an actuator, is also connected to the power supply bus 5 and is supplied with energy via the power supply bus.

Furthermore, the energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are connected to a common communication bus 8. The energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 exchange information via a communication bus 8, as explained below.

The energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 each have a control unit for controlling the energy delivery and, in the case of an energy storage module, the energy supply module 4 can also receive energy. The control unit of the energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 is designed such that it can control the energy output or the energy reception of the respective energy supply module according to a predetermined power supply strategy. This construction may be performed during the manufacturing process of the bearing, or as part of an initialization procedure. The power supply strategy may be stored in the control unit as a program or data code. Alternatively, the power supply strategy may be determined by the hardware structure of the control unit. The power policy may be represented as a table and/or an algorithm.

During operation of the bearing, a power supply request is generated and sent via the communication bus 8 to all energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4. The power request may include a voltage demand and/or a current demand and/or an energy demand and/or a power demand. The power request is sent through the load of the bearing connected to the power bus 5 or through the interface module. For example, if a load requiring a voltage of 3.3V is to be activated, a power supply request requiring a voltage of 3.3V may be provided to the power supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4. Optionally, the power request may also include energy and/or power requirements, e.g., to provide a specified power to the load.

The control unit of the energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 receives the power supply request and controls the energy delivery of the energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 depending on the power supply request and possibly other input variables. Other such input variables include the supply status information of the other energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4, which the control unit also receives via the communication bus 8. This supply status information of the other energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 indicates, for example, the voltage and/or current and/or power provided by the other energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or the energy which the respective energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 can transmit or receive within a specified time period. Furthermore, the control unit may receive, as further input variables, the predicted values of the other energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4, which are determined by the other energy supply modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and which characterize the future behavior of the respective energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4.

The control unit of the energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 controls the energy output of the respective energy supply module by setting the output voltage and/or the output current to a specific value or by deactivating the respective energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4. For example, based on the power supply strategy, in case the energy supply module 1, 2, 3, 4 is configured to generate a voltage in the range of 1V to 4V, it may be necessary to deactivate the energy supply module if the voltage demand contained in the power supply request requires a target voltage outside this range, e.g. 5V. On the other hand, based on the power supply strategy, the output voltage may be set to 5V in case the energy supply module is configured to generate a voltage in the range of 3V to 8V.

In the above-described method for operating a bearing 10 having at least one first energy supply module 1 and one second energy supply module 2, the first control unit of the first energy supply module 1 and the second control unit of the second energy supply module 2 are configured to control the energy output of the respective energy supply module 1, 2 according to a specified power supply strategy, wherein the first control unit and/or the second control unit receives a power supply request and controls the energy delivery of the respective energy supply module 1, 2 according to the power supply request and the specified power supply strategy. The energy supply in the bearing is thus ensured even at high energy demands by using a cost-effective scalable method.

Description of the reference numerals

1 energy supply module

2 energy supply module

3 energy supply module

4 energy supply module

5 Power supply bus

6 communication bus

10 bearing

11 on the bearing ring

12 are separated from the bearing ring