Patents by Inventor Konstantin SCHMER

Konstantin SCHMER has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11955784
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain (1) includes at least one detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) for detecting wear on at least one chain link. The detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) according to one embodiment includes a first electric component (11, 41, 51, 121) on a first chain link and a second electric component (12, 42, 52, 122), which is provided on an adjacent second chain link connected to the first chain link in an articulated manner. The first and second electric components interact in a contactless manner, for example in an inductive, magnetic, or capacitive manner, in order to change the coupling in the event of radial and/or axial play in the joint connection between the chain links due to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista, Konstantin Schmer
  • Publication number: 20240063624
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Dominik BARTEN, Richard HABERING, Konstantin SCHMER
  • Patent number: 11824333
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Dominik Barten, Richard Habering, Konstantin Schmer
  • Patent number: 11592061
    Abstract: Wear detection in a plain bearing is proposed, with a first component comprising at least one sliding element of plastics material, which has a sliding surface for mobile guidance of a second component relative to the first component. The first component, in particular the sliding element, has a device for detecting wear in a critical region of the sliding element, in particular at the sliding surface thereof, with a transponder and with a detector element which cooperates with the transponder and is arranged on the sliding element. The detector element changes the behavior of the transponder when a predetermined degree of wear is reached in the critical region of the plastics sliding element, such that the wear-induced change is wirelessly detectable. The system and detection method are particularly advantageous for plain bearings for a lubricant-free bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Darius Jansa, Konstantin Schmer, Stefan Niermann
  • Patent number: 11378161
    Abstract: A monitoring system for the operation of an energy chain. This has a movable strand, a stationary strand and a deflection bend therebetween. The system comprises at least one sensor which generates at least one output dependent on the condition of the energy chain, and an evaluation unit which evaluates the at least one output of the sensor in order to monitor whether a fault condition occurs during operation of the energy chain. The sensor has a non-contact working principle and is arranged so that the sensor interacts from a distance with at least a subregion of the deflection bend and/or a subregion of the movable strand. The sensor thus generates an output which is dependent on the position and/or speed of the energy chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Dominik Barten, Konstantin Schmer
  • Publication number: 20220187407
    Abstract: Systems for position determination using an energy chain for guiding supply lines, which energy chain has a movable run which is fixed at an end to a driver and a stationary run wherein the driver moves back and forth along a track. The system has a sensor device for position determination, which is attached to the driver. In one variant, the system comprises guide components, arranged along the track, for lateral guidance of the energy chain of which components at least one has a reference component acting as a position reference. In another variant of the system, at least each nth chain link of the energy chain has at least one reference component attached thereto. In both variants, the sensor device for position determination interacts with individual reference components, which allows better and more reliable determination of the current position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Richard HABERING, Konstantin SCHMER
  • Patent number: 11333563
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the condition of and energy guide chain and/or a cable guided in an energy guide chain. Energy guide chains are used for guiding cables, hoses or the like, between abase and a moving end displaceable along a travel path and, in so doing, form a mobile run connected to the moving end, a stationary run with a connection end for the base and a deflection arc between the two runs. A monitoring device with at least one sensing component arranged on the energy guide chain. The monitoring device evaluates a signal generated using the sensing component in order to monitor the occurrence of a fault condition during operation of the energy guide chain. The sensing component includes an electrical indicator conductor guided by the energy guide chain and extending along the greater part of the length of the mobile run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Dominik Barten, Konstantin Schmer
  • Patent number: 11143270
    Abstract: The invention concerns an active line guide like for example an energy guiding chain with detection of deterioration. An apparatus for detection of deterioration in a critical region of at least one portion of the line guide is in the form of a radio circuit and is distinguished by a transponder and at least one detector element which cooperates with the transponder and which is so arranged that the detector element changes the behaviour of the transponder at a predetermined amount of deterioration wear in the critical region. In that way a change due to wear, for example due to abrasion wear, cracking and/or fatigue breakage, can be detected wirelessly, that is to say in contact-less fashion. A corresponding system and a method as well as a detection module for original fitment or retro-fitment to an active line guide having a function for detection of deterioration are proposed. A radio circuit is also disclosed for particularly reliable detection of deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Dominik Barten, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Konstantin Schmer
  • Publication number: 20210164872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for an energy chain guiding at least one line between two connection points and comprising chain sections that are positionally variable relative to one another. The monitoring system comprises at least one strain relief device having a line holder coupled to the line; a carrier part on at least one of the connection points fixing the strain relief device in a stationary manner, by means of which the at least one line is fixed at the end side in a strain-relieving manner; and at least one measuring device which is arranged and configured to measure forces exerted on the fixed line during operation of the energy chain and/or which are transmitted by the at least one line in the direction towards the carrier part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Konstantin SCHMER
  • Publication number: 20210151973
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain (1) includes at least one detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) for detecting wear on at least one chain link. The detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) according to one embodiment includes a first electric component (11, 41, 51, 121) on a first chain link and a second electric component (12, 42, 52, 122), which is provided on an adjacent second chain link connected to the first chain link in an articulated manner. The first and second electric components interact in a contactless manner, for example in an inductive, magnetic, or capacitive manner, in order to change the coupling in the event of radial and/or axial play in the joint connection between the chain links due to wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista, Konstantin Schmer
  • Publication number: 20200386296
    Abstract: A monitoring system for the operation of an energy chain. This has a movable strand, a stationary strand and a deflection bend therebetween. The system comprises at least one sensor which generates at least one output dependent on the condition of the energy chain, and an evaluation unit which evaluates the at least one output of the sensor in order to monitor whether a fault condition occurs during operation of the energy chain. The sensor has a non-contact working principle and is arranged so that the sensor interacts from a distance with at least a subregion of the deflection bend and/or a subregion of the movable strand. The sensor thus generates an output which is dependent on the position and/or speed of the energy chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Dominik BARTEN, Konstantin SCHMER
  • Publication number: 20200056947
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the condition of and energy guide chain and/or a cable guided in an energy guide chain. Energy guide chains are used for guiding cables, hoses or the like, between abase and a moving end displaceable along a travel path and, in so doing, form a mobile run connected to the moving end, a stationary run with a connection end for the base and a deflection arc between the two runs. A monitoring device with at least one sensing component arranged on the energy guide chain. The monitoring device evaluates a signal generated using the sensing component in order to monitor the occurrence of a fault condition during operation of the energy guide chain. The sensing component includes an electrical indicator conductor guided by the energy guide chain and extending along the greater part of the length of the mobile run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Richard HABERING, Dominik BARTEN, Konstantin SCHMER
  • Publication number: 20190326740
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Dominik BARTEN, Richard HABERING, Konstantin SCHMER
  • Publication number: 20190145462
    Abstract: Wear detection in a plain bearing is proposed, with a first component comprising at least one sliding element of plastics material, which has a sliding surface for mobile guidance of a second component relative to the first component. The first component, in particular the sliding element, has a device for detecting wear in a critical region of the sliding element, in particular at the sliding surface thereof, with a transponder and with a detector element which cooperates with the transponder and is arranged on the sliding element. The detector element changes the behavior of the transponder when a predetermined degree of wear is reached in the critical region of the plastics sliding element, such that the wear-induced change is wirelessly detectable. The system and detection method are particularly advantageous for plain bearings for a lubricant-free bearing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Darius JANSA, Konstantin SCHMER, Stefan NIERMANN
  • Publication number: 20190040935
    Abstract: The invention concerns an active line guide like for example an energy guiding chain with detection of deterioration. An apparatus for detection of deterioration in a critical region of at least one portion of the line guide is in the form of a radio circuit and is distinguished by a transponder and at least one detector element which cooperates with the transponder and which is so arranged that the detector element changes the behaviour of the transponder at a predetermined amount of deterioration wear in the critical region. In that way a change due to wear, for example due to abrasion wear, cracking and/or fatigue breakage, can be detected wirelessly, that is to say in contact-less fashion. A corresponding system and a method as well as a detection module for original fitment or retro-fitment to an active line guide having a function for detection of deterioration are proposed. A radio circuit is also disclosed for particularly reliable detection of deterioration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Dominik BARTEN, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Konstantin SCHMER