Minebea Intec wins Patent of the Month

In May 2018, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce recognised a patent from Minebea Intec with its ‘Patent of the Month’ award. Patent number DE 10 2016 109 433 B4 describes a bolt sensor which allows bolt connections to be monitored remotely on bridges and at production facilities at risk of earthquakes for example. Patents like these are an important element of Minebea Intec’s research and development activities. They also play a key role in ensuring the company has a technological edge over its competitors.

2018年5月，德國漢堡商會授予將”本月專利”獎項授予了茵泰科的一項專利技術。此項DE 10 2016 109 433 B4號專利頒發給了一種螺栓傳感器，它可以遠程監測橋梁或者生產設施中螺栓的連接是否牢固。在處于地震等災害性事故中，這樣的遠程監測非常有必要。專利技術是茵泰科的研發活動的重要組成部分，確保公司在競爭中保持技術領先。

Washers are normally used to distribute the force of a bolt head or a nut over a greater area. However, Minebea Intec’s patented bolt sensor can do much more than this when, for example, it is integrated in bridges and production facilities; the sensor is installed between the bolt head and the nut, thus providing a detection system for any problems relating to strength.

墊片通常用于使螺栓或螺母的力平均分布到一個更大的受力面積中。而茵泰科的專利螺栓傳感器能做得更多。在橋梁或者生產設施的建造中，在螺栓和螺母之間安裝此傳感器，可檢測任何有關于力的問題。

Security system relies on resistors and pressure 

電阻和壓力的安全系統

The innovative Minebea Intec bolt sensor is installed between the bolt head and the nut. Piezoresistive resistors are connected to the inside of the washer. At least one of the resistors is exposed to the pressure from the bolt head and/or nut, and at least one is not exposed to any pressure. As soon as the bolt connection becomes loose, due to an earthquake for example, the bolt sensor can immediately detect the damage thanks to the change in resistance, and a repair or shutdown can then be initiated. In this way, the bolt sensor becomes part of a security system that communicates dangerous defects in real time. Minebea Intec is now planning to develop a prototype based on the patent recognised by Hamburg Chamber of Commerce – the date for the market launch has not yet been set.

創新的茵泰科螺栓傳感器安裝在螺栓和螺母之間，墊片中裝有壓阻電阻。其中至少有一個電阻會受到螺栓和/或螺母的力，也至少有一個電阻不會受到任何力。在例如地震等情況下，一旦螺栓連接松開，螺栓傳感器作為安全系統的一部分，就會實時傳遞出有危險缺陷的信號。茵泰科現在正在計劃研發這套被漢堡商會認可的系統樣機，但是何時能投入市場尚未確定。

Patents secure an edge over the competition 

在競爭中占據優勢的專利

Minebea Intec continuously invests in the research and development of new technologies and products. Through this the company continues to support its customers in optimising the safety, reliability and efficiency of their processes. The global manufacturer of weighing and inspection technologies registers between five and ten patents each year. The patents are of particular significance to the company as they ensure an edge over the competition, help maintain its brand value and guarantee the latest technology for the customer.

茵泰科不斷投資于研發新技術和新產品。公司一直支持其客戶優化他們的過程安全、可靠和高效。茵泰科這家稱重和檢測技術的國際制造商每年都有5到10個專利技術得到登記。這些專利技術對于其市場競爭大有作用，同時也增加了其品牌價值，確保為客戶提供最新技術。

Proper validation in the ongoing process

過程中驗證

A further patent from Minebea Intec, number DE 20 2016 103 037 U1, describes a special device for validating metal detection systems; this is known as ‘True In-Process Validation’. Metal detection is considered a critical control point within food production. The patent relates to the special area of ‘closed conveyor systems’. If, for example, a production process involves pumping cornflakes or hot marmalade using pressure, the patented True In-Process Validation enables validation to be carried out during the ongoing process. This is done by introducing the test piece using an applicator via a small opening above the search coil, directly into the centre of the product flow. As the centre of the conveyor tube represents the most difficult point to detect, this method guarantees reliable detection and documentation. Once introduced, the test media falls with the product through the search coil area. If the metal part contained within is detected, it is ejected via a separator. If it is not detected, a previously installed collection grid ensures that it is not transported onward with the ‘goods flow’. The invention has already been implemented by Minebea Intec, and has been offered as an optional extra with the freefall metal detection system Vistus since 2016. Minebea Intec has further patents, including rotationally symmetrical diaphragms and mounting kits for load cells, for example. More detailed information about Minebea Intec can be found at www.minebea-intec.com.

茵泰科的另一個專利DE 20 2016 103 037 U1，是用于驗證金屬檢測系統的設備，稱之為”真正的過程中驗證”。在食品生產中，金屬檢測是一個關鍵點。這個專利涉及到了”封閉的傳輸系統”。特別是在例如使用壓力泵送玉米片或熱果醬的生產中，”真正的過程中驗證”專利就能幫助在這種正在進行的過程中進行驗證。通過進樣器將測試片導入檢測線圈中，直接進入產品流。傳送管的中央是檢測的難點，這種方法能確保可靠的檢測和記錄。測試片進入后與產品一同通過檢測線圈，金屬部分被檢測到的話，會通過剔除器剔除。如果沒有被檢測到，事先安裝的收集網格也能保證測試片不會隨著產品流被放過。這個茵泰科的專利已經于2016年作為Vistus下落式金屬檢測系統的一個選項被投入市場。茵泰科的專利還包括傳感器旋轉對稱隔膜和安裝套件等。更多茵泰科的信息，請訪問www.minebea-intec.com.

Piezoresistive resistors are connected on the inside of the patented bolt sensor from Minebea Intec

茵泰科的專利螺栓傳感器內安裝有壓阻電阻

For the freefall metal detection system Vistus, the test piece is introduced via an opening above the search coil into the centre of the product flow. Any test pieces not detected are reliably collected by a collection grid.

Vistus自由下落式金屬檢測系統中，測試片通過檢測線圈上的開口進入產品流的中央。沒有被檢測出的測試片也可以通過收集網格可靠收集。