The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2018
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2016
Sick Ag, Waldkirch, DE;
Franz Dold, Waldkirch, DE;
Jonas Weidenmuller, Waldkirch, DE;
Stephan Henneberger, Waldkirch, DE;
Frederik Behre, Waldkirch, DE;
SICK AG, Waldkirch, DE;
Abstract
To avoid additional costs, in particular by replacing a switching element too early or by expensive monitoring measures thereof, a control apparatus for controlling a switching element is provided. The control apparatus has an operating unit for setting a load stage at which the switching element can be operated, a control unit for calculating a first numerical value which reflects expected switching cycles of the switching element estimated on the basis of the set load stage and which corresponds to an expected service life of the switching element in dependence on the set load stage, and for determining a second numerical value which reflects effected switching cycles of the switching element. Information from a difference between the first and second numerical values or from a quotient from the second numerical value to the first numerical value during operation of the switching element is provided to a user.