(19)
(11) EP 3 076 375 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
05.10.2016 Bulletin 2016/40

(21) Application number: 16158253.1

(22) Date of filing: 02.03.2016
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G08B 13/08(2006.01)
G09F 3/03(2006.01)
G08B 13/12(2006.01)
G06Q 10/08(2012.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
MA MD

(30) Priority: 01.04.2015 RU 2015111797

(71) Applicant: AO Engineering Industrial Business Concern "STRAZH"
119021 Moscow (RU)

(72) Inventors:
  • KRYLOV, Victor
    109507 Moscow (RU)
  • KRUKOVSKIY, Konstantin
    143090 Krasnoznamensk, Moscow Region (RU)
  • MUKHANOV, Mikhail
    129128 Moscow (RU)
  • BLAZHENOV, Alexandr
    121354 Moscow (RU)

(74) Representative: Benatov, Samuil Gabriel et al
Dr. EMIL BENATOV & PARTNERS 6, Asen Peykov Str.
1113 Sofia
1113 Sofia (BG)

   


(54) ELECTRONIC SEAL MODULE


(57) Invention relates to cargo sealing and can be used for locking and sealing of the doors, containers, hatches of the tanks, handwheels of the hopper cars etc. and is aimed at improvement of sealing reliability due to online transmission of seal opening information.
Electronic seal module contains socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element in form of cord, with cut-through channels in the module casing for passing the seal cord in its head and tail ends. Casing hosts electronic unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information. Electronic module is executed with capability of optional generation of electromagnetic signal which is recorded by an external receiver, electronic unit with components which implement control functions, track seal closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information, the device that monitors cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator and a detector, a threshold device (analog-to-digital converter), an actuator and a microprocessor connected in series; where pulse generator and detector are coupled with interconnected induction coils having ferrite toroids. In the first option, induction coils are installed in the cut-through channels in the head and tail of the casing. In the second option, they are installed in one of cut-through channels with clearance against each other.




Description


[0001] Invention applies to cargo sealing and can be used for locking and sealing of the doors, containers, hatches of the tanks, handwheels of the hopper cars etc.

[0002] An electronic sealing devices is known which comprises casing, non-detachable cord, irreversible fixing device located in the casing socket and interacting with the cord, casing socket hosted cord sensor which records cord movements and interconnected electronic microchip with data transmission element with special profiled washer which rotations initiates cord movement signal (RU, C1, Nº 2347053, 2009). The disadvantage of this device is its non-reusable nature.

[0003] The closiest to the claimed invention is electronic sealing module with a socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element in form of cord where module casing also hosts electronic unit with electronic components which provide control functions, closing control, identification of location and movement parameters, information receipt, processing, storage and transmission while electronic unit generates electromagnetic pulse to be recorded by an external receiver (RU, U1, Nº 125237,2013).

[0004] Disadvantage of this known method is low sealing security.

[0005] The purpose of the claimed invention is to improve the sealing security by using online transmission of seal opening information.

[0006] These technical results are achieved in the first option by using an electronic seal module comprising a socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element in form of cord, with cut-through channels in the module casing for passing the seal cord in its head and tail ends, with electronic unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external receiver, in the electronic unit with components which implement control functions, track seal closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information; the device that monitors cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator and a detector, a threshold device (analog-to-digital converter), an actuator and a microprocessor connected in series; where the pulse generator and detector are coupled with interconnected induction coils having ferrite toroids installed in the cut-through channels in the head and tail of the casing.

[0007] Technical results under the second option are achieved by using an electronic seal module comprising a socket for non-reusable seal with flexible enveloping element in form of cord, with cut-through channels in the module casing for running the seal cord in the head and tail part of the casing, with electronic unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external receiver, in the electronic unit with components which implement control functions, track seal closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information; the device that monitors cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator and a detector, a threshold device (analog-to-digital converter), an actuator and a microprocessor connected in series; where the pulse generator and detector are coupled with interconnected induction coils having ferrite toroids installed in the cut-through channels.

[0008] Fig. 1 shows electronic module with mechanical seal hosted in the casing socket; Fig. 2 shows electrical functional diagram of the cord status control of the seal (closed / opened).

[0009] In the casing 1 of electronic sealing module there is socket 2 for installation of commercial seal 3, as well as cut-through channels 4, 5 in the head part of the casing 1 intended for passage of flexible cord 6 of seal 3 and for forming its locking loop in course of sealing process, and channel 7 in its tail end for passage of passive end of cord 6.

[0010] Casing of electronic module assembly comprises casing 1 with cover 8 of the power supply section and cover 9 of the module. Cover 8 of the power supply section is installed on casing 1 with gasket sealing (not shown). Mechanical fixture elements for cover 8 on casing 1 are hosed inside casing 1.

[0011] Module cover 9 is installed on casing 1 with sealing gasket (not shown) and mechanically fixed on the casing 1 with screws (not shown), screw heads are on the inner surface of socket 2 beneath the casing of mechanical seal device 3.

[0012] Inside electronic module casing 1, there is an electronic unit with components which ensure following functions: identification of module location coordinates, receipt, processing, storage and transfer of information about movements of electronic module with built-in mechanical seal device 3 and about current status of cord 6 of seal 3 (closed/open).

[0013] Electronic module generates signal to be recorded by an external receiver followed by information transmission to a control and monitoring center (situation center) and to cargo forwarding and delivery points.

[0014] Monitoring the status of the cord 6 of seal 3 during sealed cargo transportation is performed by cord 6 monitoring unit, which comprises a generator of signal pulses with exponential front and back edges and with series arrangement of detector 10, threshold device 11 made in form of analog-to-digital converter, actuator 12 and microprocessor 13.

[0015] Cut-through channels of casing 1 of electronic module host induction coils 14 and 15 wound around ferrite toroid and installed coaxially to channels 4, 5. Coils 14, 15 can be placed in each of channels 14 and 15 or in any of them.

[0016] Scheme showing installation of seal 3 in the socket of casing 1 as well as arrangement of mechanical fixture of covers 8 and 9 on the cover 1 of electronic module allows preventing any unauthorized opening of cover without opening (breaking) of the loop of cord 6 of seal 3. Concurrently this inhibits (prevents) maleficent access to the seal mechanism of seal 3 through design gaps between cord 6 and casing of seal as well as to the place of cord bedding point on the casing of seal 3.

[0017] Following command of microprocessor (controller) 12 pulse signal generator 16 sends signal to the induction coil 15 which via electromagnetic induction triggers secondary signal on the induction coil 14, parameters of secondary signal will depend upon closed or open loop of the current-conducting cord 6 of the seal 3 inside the cores of inductively-coupled coils 14 and 15 (shortened turn), as well as upon dimensions and form of the closed loop.

[0018] Further this signal will be transformed (rectified) by detector 10 and passed through threshold device 11 in form of analog-to-digital converter comes to actuator 12 which analyzes signal parameters in accordance with various criteria program. Results of signal characteristics analysis make basis for making decision about current status of cord 6 of the seal 3 ("open / closed / external tampering") in accordance with program of microprocessor 13 and followed by data transfer to electronic module and further to transmitter.


Claims

1. Electronic seal module with socket (2) for non-reusable seal (3) with flexible enveloping element in form of a cord (6), with cut-through channels (4, 5 and 7) in the module casing (1) for passing the seal cord (6) in its head and tail ends, with electronic unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information, and capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external receiver characterized in that in the electronic unit with components which enable control functions, track seal closing, identify the location and movement parameters, receiving, processing, storage and transmission information, a device for monitoring cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator (16) and a detector (10), a threshold device (11), i.e. an analog-to-digital converter, an actuator (12) and a microprocessor (13) connected in series; where pulse generator (16) and detector (10) are coupled with interconnected induction coils (14 and 15) wound on ferrite core rings installed in the cut-through channels (4 or 5, and 7) of the head and tail ends of the casing (1).
 
2. Electronic seal module with socket (2) for non-reusable seal (3) with flexible enveloping element in form of cord (6), with cut-through channels (4, 5 and 7) in the module casing for passing the seal cord in its head and tail ends, with electronic unit and components which provide control functions, track cord closing and opening, identify the module location and movement parameters, receive, process, store and transfer information, and capable of optional generation of electromagnetic signal to be recorded by an external receiver characterized in that in the electronic unit with components which enable control functions, closing control, identification of location and movement parameters, receiving, processing, storage and transmission infonnation, a device for monitoring cord closing and opening comprises a pulse generator (16) and a detector (10), a threshold device (11), i.e. analog-to-digital converter, an actuator (12) and a microprocessor (13) connected in series, where pulse generator (16) and detector (10) are coupled with interconnected induction coils (14 and 15) wound on ferrite core rings installed with a clearance between them in one of the cut-through channels (4, 5 or 7).
 




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Search report




Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description