EP3084731B1 - Magnetisation device for the testing of a security element - Google Patents

Magnetisation device for the testing of a security element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3084731B1
EP3084731B1 EP14820744.2A EP14820744A EP3084731B1 EP 3084731 B1 EP3084731 B1 EP 3084731B1 EP 14820744 A EP14820744 A EP 14820744A EP 3084731 B1 EP3084731 B1 EP 3084731B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
magnetic field
magnet
magnetic
transport
field strength
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EP14820744.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3084731A1 (en
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Jürgen Schützmann
Norbert Holl
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Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
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Giesecke and Devrient Currency Technology GmbH
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/04—Testing magnetic properties of the materials thereof, e.g. by detection of magnetic imprint

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a magnetization device for a testing device for testing a magnetizable security element, a corresponding testing device, a value document processing device with a corresponding testing device, and corresponding operating methods.
  • a device for testing security elements which comprise magnetic materials of different coercivity.
  • the security element is first exposed to a first, stronger magnetic field region and as a result a high-coercive and a low-coercive magnetic material of the security element is pre-magnetized in a first magnetization direction.
  • the security element is then exposed to a second, weaker magnetic field region and the low-coercive magnetic material of the security element is thereby remagnetized so that it is then magnetized in a different direction than the high-coercive magnetic material.
  • the magnetization of the security element is then measured and evaluated in order to use the detected magnetic signals to distinguish between the magnetic areas with the high-coercive and the magnetic areas with the low-coercive magnetic material.
  • the U.S. 2008/0111544 A1 discloses a magnetizing device according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a magnetization device is consequently set up to provide a first magnetic field area and a second magnetic field area in such a way that a security element transported along a transport area in a transport direction is transported through the first magnetic field area and therein has a first magnetic field strength with a first is exposed to the magnetic field direction and then transported through the second magnetic field region and exposed therein to a second magnetic field strength with a second magnetic field direction, the second magnetic field direction being different from the first magnetic field direction and the second magnetic field strength being smaller than the first magnetic field strength.
  • the magnetizing device comprises a first magnet and a second magnet which cooperatively generate both the first and the second magnetic field region.
  • the magnets are arranged such that the north pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet face each other with respect to the transport area and the south pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet also face each other with respect to the transport area.
  • the first and second magnets are designed as cuboid permanent magnets.
  • the magnetic poles face each other as described above, they are preferably arranged relative to one another in such a way that a first magnetic axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the first magnet and a second magnetic axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the second magnet are parallel and rectified to one another, in particular are at an angle of 0° to each other.
  • these magnetic axes are, for example, parallel or antiparallel to the transport direction of the document of value.
  • the magnetization device described above can also be used in a transport area that allows certain transport fluctuations to provide the two magnetic field areas in such a way that the two magnetic materials of the security element can be easily distinguished from one another after it has been magnetized.
  • the transport area preferably comprises a central transport plane which extends in the transport direction and which preferably runs in a straight line and is preferably located centrally between the magnets.
  • the transport area particularly preferably has a limited height both above and below the middle transport plane. This height is defined perpendicularly to the middle transport plane and is greater than or equal to 5%, 10% or even 25% of the distance between the two magnets from one another or greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm or 2 mm . Suitable magnetization is therefore also achieved when the document of value is transported above or below the middle transport level and also in the event of considerable transport fluctuations within the transport area.
  • the two magnets are preferably set up, a security element transported (somewhere within the transport area) along the transport area in the transport direction through the two magnetic field areas with a first magnetic material with a first coercive field strength that is less than the first magnetic field strength and greater than the second magnetic field strength, and magnetize a second magnetic material having a second coercivity that is less than the first magnetic field strength and also less than the second magnetic field strength such that a resultant direction of magnetization of the first magnetic material and a resultant direction of magnetization of the second magnetic material are opposite to each other, in particular at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170° to 190° to one another.
  • the direction in which the magnetization of the second magnetic material deviates from that of the first magnetic material from the exactly antiparallel orientation (180°) is, for example, perpendicular to the transport plane of the security element (y-direction).
  • the magnetization of the second magnetic material can—relative to the magnetization of the first magnetic material—but also be twisted slightly in the z-direction (which runs perpendicular to the transport direction in the transport plane). This can be the case at the ends of the security element, or also when the magnetic axes of the first and second magnets are not aligned exactly parallel to one another.
  • the described opposite magnetization of the magnetic materials in turn enables a particularly simple and reliable evaluation.
  • the two magnets are preferably formed in a straight line. Also preferably, the magnetization device is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the transport area or its central transport plane. Furthermore, both magnets are preferably of the same strength and/or of identical shape. Ideally, two identical magnets are used.
  • a corresponding test device for testing a magnetizable security element accordingly comprises a magnetization device configured as described above and a magnetic sensor that is set up to detect at least one magnetic signal of a security element transported along the transport area, which emanates from the security element when it is transported through a detection area which is downstream of the first and the second magnetic field region in the transport direction.
  • the checking device preferably comprises a transport mechanism for transporting a security element in the transport direction along the transport area.
  • the checking device also includes at least one evaluation device that is set up to analyze the detected magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or a position of a first magnetic material of the security element with a first coercive field strength that is less than the first magnetic field strength and greater than the second magnetic field strength, and a second magnetic material of the security element with a second coercive field strength, which is smaller than the first magnetic field strength and also smaller than the second magnetic field strength.
  • the evaluation device can be set up, for example, to evaluate the detected magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or the position of a first magnetic area of the security element, which has the first but not the second magnetic material, and/or a second magnetic area of the security element, which does not have the second however, comprises the first magnetic material.
  • the evaluation preferably includes evaluating the detected magnetic signal with regard to a magnetic coding of the security element, which is formed by the first magnetic material and/or the second magnetic material, in particular by their sequence and/or arrangement on the security element.
  • another magnetic sensor may be present, which is set up to detect at least one magnetic signal of a security element transported along the transport area, which emanates from a second detection area downstream of the first and the second magnetic field area in the transport direction. If required, the second detection area can be subjected to a third magnetic field.
  • the evaluation device is preferably set up, the at least one first magnetic signal in combination with the at least one second magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or the position of a first magnetic area of the security element, which has the first but not the second magnetic material, and/or a second magnetic area of the security element, which has the second but not the first magnetic material, and possibly a third magnetic region of the security element, which has the first and the second magnetic material.
  • a value-document processing device comprises a checking device, as has been described above.
  • the value-document processing device can in particular be a device for depositing and/or paying out value documents or for processing value documents, such as a banknote processing machine for checking banknotes.
  • the magnetization device or test device described above is provided, wherein the aforesaid first magnetic field strength of the first magnetic field region is greater than the first and second coercive forces of the magnetic materials and the second magnetic field strength of the second magnetic field region is less than the first coercive force and greater than the second coercive force of the magnetic materials.
  • the security element is then transported along the transport path in the transport direction in order to expose the two magnetic materials to the first and second magnetic field region one after the other.
  • both magnetic materials are magnetized by the first magnetic field area and only the second magnetic material is remagnetized by the second magnetic field area, but not the first, whose magnetization caused by the first magnetic field area remains.
  • a magnetization device is preferably used here, which magnetizes the two magnetic materials in such a way that a resulting direction of magnetization of the first magnetic material and a resulting direction of magnetization of the second magnetic material are opposite to one another, in particular at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170 ° up to 190° to each other.
  • the first and second magnets are preferably arranged in such a way that - viewed along the transport direction - at that position of the second magnetic field region at which the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction falls below the coercive field strength of the low-coercive magnetic material, the magnetic field strength perpendicular to the transport plane is negligibly small compared to the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction at this position.
  • the magnetic field strength directed perpendicularly to the transport plane at this position is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, of the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction.
  • the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field directed along the transport direction has a maximum in the first magnetic field region - viewed along the transport direction - which is at least 50%, in particular at least a factor of 2, greater than the maximum that the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field directed perpendicular to the transport plane Magnetic field has in the first magnetic field range.
  • At least one magnetic signal emanating from the security element magnetized as described is detected and can be evaluated with regard to the presence and/or a position of the first magnetic material of the security element and/or the second magnetic material of the security element, preferably as described above.
  • figure 1 shows schematically a section of a value document processing device 101 according to the invention. This in turn comprises a checking device 100 and optionally further elements (not shown), such as input and output devices for value documents and operating elements.
  • the testing device 100 in turn includes a magnetization device 10 and other elements.
  • the checking device 100 serves to check the magnetizable security element 31 of the document of value 30 .
  • the security element 31 has a first (high-coercivity) magnetic material with a first coercivity and a second (low-coercivity) magnetic material with a second, lower coercivity.
  • a high-coercive magnetic material area h of the security element 31 contains only the high-coercive magnetic material, but not the low-coercive magnetic material
  • a low-coercive magnetic material area 1 of the security element 31 only has the low-coercive magnetic material but not the high-coercive magnetic material
  • a combined magnetic material area k of the security element 31 has both aforementioned magnetic materials.
  • the security element 31 may not have a combined magnetic material area, but rather only one or more high- and low-coercive magnetic areas or only one type of these magnetic materials.
  • the existing magnetic material areas h or 1 or h, 1 or h, k, 1 form, for example, a magnetic coding of the security element 31.
  • the document of value 30 can be transported together with the security element 31 along a transport area 20 by means of the transport device 17 which is part of the magnetization device 10 .
  • the transport device 17 has, for example, a plurality of transport belts for belt transport of the documents of value 30 and/or transport rollers. In figure 1 two upper and three lower transport belts are shown as an example, between which the document of value 30 is clamped and transported.
  • the transport area 20, which also extends above and below the middle transport plane 21, comprises a middle transport plane 21, along which the document of value 30 with the security element 31 is transported in the transport direction T, ideally. However, it is also possible to transport the document of value 30 together with the security element 31 above and below the middle transport plane 21 in the transport direction T.
  • Transporting the document of value above or below the middle transport plane 21 may be necessary for reasons of space, for example, if the distance between the magnets 11, 12 is to be as small as possible, but the transport belts still have to be guided between the two magnets 11,12. discrepancies during transport along the middle transport plane 21 do not impair the checking of the security element 31 as long as the transport takes place within the transport area 20 .
  • the magnetization device 10 Before the security element 31 is checked, it is magnetized by means of the magnetization device 10, which in the present case comprises the magnet 11 and the magnet 12, in such a way that the magnetization directions of the two aforementioned magnetic materials are opposite to one another.
  • the magnetization device 10 provides a first magnetic field area along the transport area 20 and a second magnetic field area downstream of the first magnetic field area in the transport direction T in such a way that a security element 31 transported along the transport area 20 in the transport direction T is initially in the first magnetic field area of a first magnetic field pointing in a first magnetic field direction magnetic field strength that is greater than the coercive field strength of the two magnetic materials, and then exposed in a second magnetic field area to a second magnetic field strength pointing in a different, second magnetic field direction, which is greater than the coercive field strength of the low-coercive magnetic material, but smaller than the coercive field strength of the high-coercive magnetic material.
  • both magnetic materials are first magnetized in the first magnetic field area and then only the low-coercive magnetic material (opposite) is remagnetized in the second magnetic field area, whereas the magnetization of the high-coercive magnetic material generated by the first magnetic field area remains.
  • the two magnetic materials are then magnetized in opposite directions of magnetization.
  • first magnetic sensor line 40 which preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements 41 for spatially resolved detection
  • second magnetic sensor line 50 which also preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements 51 for spatially resolved detection.
  • another magnetic field acts on the security element 31, which is generated by the magnet 52, which can be oriented in exactly the same way as the magnets 11, 12.
  • the further magnetic field can also be generated by another magnet, e.g. a horseshoe-shaped magnet.
  • the detection of the magnetic signals by the sensor rows 40, 50 can also be carried out without an additional magnetic field.
  • non-position-resolving sensors can also be used, in which case the magnetic material areas h, k, 1 then have to be guided past the sensors sequentially.
  • the magnetic signals detected in this way are then evaluated by the evaluation device 60 with regard to the presence of the previously described magnetic material regions h, k, 1 and their sequence and arrangement in order to check the magnetic coding of the security element 31 .
  • a suitable magnetization device 10 is accordingly first provided (step S1) and the security element 31 is transported in the transport direction T along the transport area 20 (step S2), whereby the two magnetic materials are magnetized, as described above. Then, by means of the sensor lines 40, 50, outgoing magnetic signals from the security element 31 detected (step S4) and evaluated by the evaluation device 60.
  • the two magnetic field areas described above are generated by (only) the two magnets 11 , 12 .
  • the two magnets are arranged in such a way that their north poles N are opposite one another with regard to the transport area 20 and at the same time their south poles S are also opposite one another with regard to the transport area.
  • the two magnets 11, 12 are configured identically, in particular they have the same shape and the same strength (remanent magnetization).
  • their magnetic axes 13 and 14 are aligned parallel to one another and to the transport direction T.
  • the magnets 11, 12 are arranged at a distance of 5 mm from one another, ie in the figure 1
  • the visible gap between the magnets is 5 mm wide everywhere and 10 mm long in the x-direction.
  • the magnets 11, 12 have, for example, a remanent magnetization of 1.4 Tesla.
  • the magnets 11, 12 can also be arranged at a greater distance from one another (>5 mm).
  • the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by such a magnetization device 10 are in figure 3 shown schematically. while showing figure 3 these magnetic field lines in a to the x- and the y-axis of figure 1 parallel plane that intersects the two magnets 11 and 12 in the middle.
  • the y-component of the magnetic field is exactly in the middle between the magnets 11, 12 zero. Accordingly, it is preferred to transport the security element 31 exactly along the middle transport plane 21 in order to achieve an exactly anti-parallel magnetization of the two magnetic materials in the plane of the security element 31.
  • the magnetic materials can be magnetized opposite to one another.
  • the magnetic field strength in the y-direction (graph 1005), i.e. perpendicular to the transport direction T, is much lower for the two-sided magnet arrangement than for the one-sided magnet arrangement (graph 1006).
  • the maximum of the magnetic field strength Hy acting on the security element 31, which is reached at the x-position M can be further reduced. This can be achieved in that the transport level of the document of value is shifted further in the direction of the middle transport level 21 .
  • FIG. 4b shows the magnetic field strengths for the case when the document of value is transported 2.5 mm (instead of 1 mm) above the lower magnet 12, ie exactly in the middle transport plane 21. Due to the axially symmetrical arrangement of the magnets 11, 12 to the transport plane 21 in this case, the magnetic field strength in the y-direction Hy is equal to zero for all x-positions, see graph 1005 in Figure 4b .
  • the direction of the magnetic field at this x-position x1 is decisive for the resulting magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material. Since Hy «Hx, the magnetic field at point x1 and thus also the resulting magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material are aligned essentially anti-parallel to the x-direction, i.e. opposite to the magnetization of the high-coercive magnetic material.
  • the magnetization device 10 and the checking device 100 also function when the security element 31 is transported within a transport area 20 that also extends above and below the middle transport plane 21.
  • Graph 1004 and 1006 in Figure 4a which leads to a very strongly twisted magnetization in the y-direction of the high-coercive magnetic material.
  • the magnetic field strength Hy in the y-direction (graph 1006) at the point x2 at which the magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction (graph 1004) of the magnetization device falls below the coercive field strength H KL of the low-coercive magnetic material in the case of the one-sided magnet is significantly greater than zero , approximately the size of Hx.
  • the magnetic field at point x2 is therefore also strongly twisted in the y-direction, i.e. aligned at an angle to the transport direction T, cf. Figures 4a and 4b .
  • the low-coercive magnetic material is also magnetized obliquely to the transport direction T, but in a completely different direction than the high-coercive magnetic material (reversed x-components). Therefore, in the prior art magnetizing device (single-sided magnet), approximately opposite magnetization of the two magnetic materials cannot be obtained. This applies not only to the distance of 1mm, but also to larger and smaller distances from the individual magnet 12.
  • the magnetization device 10 provides a very high maximum magnetic field strength in the x-direction compared to the prior art, so that magnetic materials with a particularly high coercive field strength can also be magnetized. This is not only the case when transporting at a distance of 1 mm from the lower magnet 12, ie 1.5 mm below the middle transport plane 21, cf. Figure 4a , but also at other distances, cf. Figure 4b .
  • the maximum magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction occurring between the magnetic poles at the x-position of 30 mm according to Figure 4a and 4b occurs as a function of the distance from the lower magnet 12 in the y-direction.
  • the maximum magnetic field strength changes Hx graph 1002, which is provided by the magnetization device 10 according to the invention, which uses the two opposing magnets 11, 12, hardly occurs during transport significantly above and below the middle transport plane 21.
  • the magnetization device according to the prior art which only has a magnet on one side, the maximum magnetic field strength Hx falls sharply with increasing distance from the (lower) individual magnet (graph 1001), so that magnetization only occurs at a small distance from the magnet of a magnetic material with a relatively high coercivity is even possible.
  • a very small distance from the magnet 12 brings with it an increased risk with regard to transport disruptions of the document of value transported past.
  • the magnetization of the security element 31 with the aid of the magnetization device of the prior art is also much more susceptible to transport fluctuations (directed in the y-direction) of the document of value 30.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Magnetisierungseinrichtung für eine Prüfeinrichtung zum Prüfen eines magnetisierbaren Sicherheitselements, eine entsprechende Prüfeinrichtung, eine Wertdokumentbearbeitungsvorrichtung mit einer entsprechenden Prüfeinrichtung sowie entsprechende Betriebsverfahren.The present invention relates to a magnetization device for a testing device for testing a magnetizable security element, a corresponding testing device, a value document processing device with a corresponding testing device, and corresponding operating methods.

Aus der EP 1 770 657 A1 ist eine Vorrichtung zur Prüfung von Sicherheitselementen bekannt, die Magnetmaterialien von unterschiedlicher Koerzitivfeldstärke umfassen. Dabei wird das Sicherheitselement zunächst einem ersten, stärkeren Magnetfeldbereich ausgesetzt und dadurch ein hochkoerzitives und ein niederkoerzitives Magnetmaterial des Sicherheitselements in eine erste Magnetisierungsrichtung vormagnetisiert. Dann wird das Sicherheitselement einem zweiten, schwächeren Magnetfeldbereich ausgesetzt und dadurch das niederkoerzitive Magnetmaterial des Sicherheitselements ummagnetisiert, so dass es danach in eine andere Richtung magnetisiert ist als das hochkoerzitive Magnetmaterial. Anschließend wird die Magnetisierung des Sicherheitselements gemessen und ausgewertet, um an Hand der erfassten Magnetsignale die Magnetbereiche mit dem hochkoerzitiven und die Magnetbereiche mit dem niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterial zu unterscheiden.From the EP 1 770 657 A1 a device for testing security elements is known, which comprise magnetic materials of different coercivity. In this case, the security element is first exposed to a first, stronger magnetic field region and as a result a high-coercive and a low-coercive magnetic material of the security element is pre-magnetized in a first magnetization direction. The security element is then exposed to a second, weaker magnetic field region and the low-coercive magnetic material of the security element is thereby remagnetized so that it is then magnetized in a different direction than the high-coercive magnetic material. The magnetization of the security element is then measured and evaluated in order to use the detected magnetic signals to distinguish between the magnetic areas with the high-coercive and the magnetic areas with the low-coercive magnetic material.

Gemäß der Lehre der EP 1 770 657 A1 werden beide zuvor beschriebenen Magnetfeldbereiche preisgünstig mittels nur einem Magneten erzeugt. Dies hat allerdings zur Folge, dass bei der EP 1 770 657 A1 das Magnetfeld sehr inhomogen ist, so dass durch zufällige Transportschwankungen bedingte Änderungen des Transportpfades des Wertdokuments einen großen Einfluss auf dessen resultierende Magnetisierung haben, wodurch eine Unterscheidung der Magnetmaterialien anhand der Magnetsignale erschwert ist. Außerdem ist dort keine antiparallele Magnetisierung der hoch- und niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterialien erreichbar.According to the teaching of EP 1 770 657 A1 both previously described magnetic field ranges are generated inexpensively using only one magnet. However, this has the consequence that in the EP 1 770 657 A1 the magnetic field very much is inhomogeneous, so that changes in the transport path of the document of value caused by random transport fluctuations have a major influence on its resulting magnetization, making it difficult to distinguish between the magnetic materials on the basis of the magnetic signals. In addition, no antiparallel magnetization of the high- and low-coercive magnetic materials can be achieved there.

Aus der DE 10 2011106 263 A1 ist eine Vorrichtung zur Prüfung von Sicherheitselementen bekannt, die ähnlich wie die der EP 1 770 657 A1 arbeitet. Zum Erzeugen des ersten und des zweiten Magnetfelds werden dort jedoch jeweils zwei Magnete verwendet. Dadurch wird ein antiparallele Magnetisierung der hoch- und niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterialien erreicht. Jedoch sind zugleich mehr Magnete erforderlich, was mit erhöhten Aufwand und Kosten verbunden ist.From the DE 10 2011106 263 A1 a device for testing security elements is known, which is similar to that of EP 1 770 657 A1 is working. However, two magnets are used there in each case to generate the first and the second magnetic field. This achieves an antiparallel magnetization of the high and low coercive magnetic materials. However, at the same time more magnets are required, which is associated with increased effort and costs.

Die US 2008/0111544 A1 offenbart eine Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The U.S. 2008/0111544 A1 discloses a magnetizing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, eine einfachere Magnetisierungseinrichtung zum Prüfen eines magnetisierbaren Sicherheitselements bereitzustellen, die eine zuverlässige Unterscheidung der beiden zuvor beschriebenen Magnetmaterialien ermöglicht.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a simpler magnetization device for testing a magnetizable security element, which enables a reliable distinction to be made between the two magnetic materials described above.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Gegenstände der unabhängigen Ansprüche gelöst. In davon abhängigen Ansprüchen sind bevorzugte Ausführungsformen angegeben.This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are specified in dependent claims.

Eine erfindungsgemäße Magnetisierungseinrichtung ist folglich eingerichtet, einen ersten Magnetfeldbereich und einen zweiten Magnetfeldbereich derart bereitzustellen, dass ein entlang eines Transportbereichs in einer Transportrichtung transportiertes Sicherheitselement durch den ersten Magnetfeldbereich transportiert und darin einer ersten Magnetfeldstärke mit einer ersten Magnetfeldrichtung ausgesetzt wird und dann durch den zweiten Magnetfeldbereich transportiert und darin einer zweiten Magnetfeldstärke mit einer zweiten Magnetfeldrichtung ausgesetzt wird, wobei sich die zweite Magnetfeldrichtung von der ersten Magnetfeldrichtung unterscheidet und die zweite Magnetfeldstärke kleiner ist als die erste Magnetfeldstärke.A magnetization device according to the invention is consequently set up to provide a first magnetic field area and a second magnetic field area in such a way that a security element transported along a transport area in a transport direction is transported through the first magnetic field area and therein has a first magnetic field strength with a first is exposed to the magnetic field direction and then transported through the second magnetic field region and exposed therein to a second magnetic field strength with a second magnetic field direction, the second magnetic field direction being different from the first magnetic field direction and the second magnetic field strength being smaller than the first magnetic field strength.

Die Magnetisierungseinrichtung umfasst einen ersten Magneten und einen zweiten Magneten, die zusammenwirkend sowohl den ersten als auch den zweiten Magnetfeldbereich erzeugen. Zu diesem Zweck sind die Magneten derart angeordnet, dass sich der Nordpol des ersten Magneten und der Nordpol des zweiten Magneten bezüglich des Transportbereichs gegenüberliegen und der Südpol des ersten Magneten und der Südpol des zweiten Magneten sich bezüglich des Transportbereichs ebenfalls gegenüberliegen.The magnetizing device comprises a first magnet and a second magnet which cooperatively generate both the first and the second magnetic field region. For this purpose, the magnets are arranged such that the north pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet face each other with respect to the transport area and the south pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet also face each other with respect to the transport area.

Der erste und zweite Magnet sind als quaderförmige Permanentmagnete ausgebildet.The first and second magnets are designed as cuboid permanent magnets.

Damit sich die Magnetpole wie zuvor beschrieben gegenüberliegen, sind diese bevorzugt derart relativ zueinander angeordnet, dass eine sich vom Nordpol zum Südpol des ersten Magneten erstreckende erste Magnetachse und eine sich vom Nordpol zum Südpol des zweiten Magneten erstreckende zweite Magnetachse parallel und gleichgerichtet zueinander sind, insbesondere in einem Winkel von 0° zueinander liegen. Dabei liegen diese Magnetachsen zum Beispiel parallel oder antiparallel zur Transportrichtung des Wertdokuments.So that the magnetic poles face each other as described above, they are preferably arranged relative to one another in such a way that a first magnetic axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the first magnet and a second magnetic axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the second magnet are parallel and rectified to one another, in particular are at an angle of 0° to each other. In this case, these magnetic axes are, for example, parallel or antiparallel to the transport direction of the document of value.

Durch die zuvor beschriebene Magnetisierungseinrichtung können auch bei einem Transportbereich, der gewisse Transportschwankungen zulässt, die beiden Magnetfeldbereiche derart bereitgestellt werden, dass die beiden Magnetmaterialien des Sicherheitselements nach dessen Magnetisierung gut voneinander unterschieden werden können.The magnetization device described above can also be used in a transport area that allows certain transport fluctuations to provide the two magnetic field areas in such a way that the two magnetic materials of the security element can be easily distinguished from one another after it has been magnetized.

Vorzugsweise umfasst der Transportbereich eine sich in Transportrichtung erstreckende mittlere Transportebene, die vorzugsweise geradlinig verläuft und sich bevorzugt mittig zwischen den Magneten befindet. Besonders bevorzugt besitzt der Transportbereich eine beschränkte Höhe sowohl oberhalb als auch unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene. Diese Höhe ist senkrecht zu der mittleren Transportebene definiert und ist jeweils größer oder gleich 5%, 10% oder sogar 25% des Abstands der beiden Magneten voneinander oder jeweils größer oder gleich 0,2 mm, 0,5 mm, 1 mm oder 2 mm. Daher wird auch bei Transport des Wertdokuments oberhalb oder unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene und auch bei erheblichen Transportschwankungen innerhalb des Transportbereichs eine geeignete Magnetisierung erreicht.The transport area preferably comprises a central transport plane which extends in the transport direction and which preferably runs in a straight line and is preferably located centrally between the magnets. The transport area particularly preferably has a limited height both above and below the middle transport plane. This height is defined perpendicularly to the middle transport plane and is greater than or equal to 5%, 10% or even 25% of the distance between the two magnets from one another or greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm or 2 mm . Suitable magnetization is therefore also achieved when the document of value is transported above or below the middle transport level and also in the event of considerable transport fluctuations within the transport area.

Vorzugsweise sind die beiden Magnete eingerichtet, ein (irgendwo innerhalb des Transportbereichs) entlang des Transportbereichs in Transportrichtung durch die beiden Magnetfeldbereiche transportiertes Sicherheitselement mit einem ersten Magnetmaterial mit einer ersten Koerzitivfeldstärke, die kleiner ist als die erste Magnetfeldstärke und größer ist als die zweite Magnetfeldstärke, und einem zweiten Magnetmaterial mit einer zweiten Koerzitivfeldstärke, die kleiner ist als die erste Magnetfeldstärke und auch kleiner ist als die zweite Magnetfeldstärke, derart zu magnetisieren, dass eine resultierende Magnetisierungsrichtung des ersten Magnetmaterials und eine resultierende Magnetisierungsrichtung des zweiten Magnetmaterials entgegengesetzt zueinander liegen, insbesondere in einem Winkel von 155° bis 205°, bevorzugt in einem Winkel von 170° bis 190° zueinander liegen. Die Richtung, in der die Magnetisierung des zweiten Magnetmaterials von der des ersten Magnetmaterials von der genau antiparallelen Ausrichtung (180°) abweicht, ist z.B. senkrecht zur Transportebene des Sicherheitselements (y-Richtung).The two magnets are preferably set up, a security element transported (somewhere within the transport area) along the transport area in the transport direction through the two magnetic field areas with a first magnetic material with a first coercive field strength that is less than the first magnetic field strength and greater than the second magnetic field strength, and magnetize a second magnetic material having a second coercivity that is less than the first magnetic field strength and also less than the second magnetic field strength such that a resultant direction of magnetization of the first magnetic material and a resultant direction of magnetization of the second magnetic material are opposite to each other, in particular at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170° to 190° to one another. The direction in which the magnetization of the second magnetic material deviates from that of the first magnetic material from the exactly antiparallel orientation (180°) is, for example, perpendicular to the transport plane of the security element (y-direction).

Die Magnetisierung des zweiten Magnetmaterials kann - relativ zur Magnetisierung des ersten Magnetmaterials - aber auch geringfügig in z-Richtung (die in der Transportebene senkrecht zur Transportrichtung verläuft) verdreht sein. Dies kann an den Enden des Sicherheitselements der Fall sein, oder auch wenn die Magnetachsen des ersten und zweiten Magneten nicht ganz genau parallel zueinander ausgerichtet sind.The magnetization of the second magnetic material can—relative to the magnetization of the first magnetic material—but also be twisted slightly in the z-direction (which runs perpendicular to the transport direction in the transport plane). This can be the case at the ends of the security element, or also when the magnetic axes of the first and second magnets are not aligned exactly parallel to one another.

Die beschriebene entgegengesetzte Magnetisierung der Magnetmaterialien ermöglicht wiederum eine besonders einfache und zuverlässige Auswertung.The described opposite magnetization of the magnetic materials in turn enables a particularly simple and reliable evaluation.

Die beiden Magneten sind vorzugsweise geradlinig geformt. Ebenfalls bevorzugt ist die Magnetisierungseinrichtung bezüglich des Transportbereichs bzw. dessen mittlerer Transportebene spiegelsymmetrisch ausgebildet. Weiterhin bevorzugt sind beide Magnete gleich stark und/ oder von identischer Form. Idealerweise werden zwei identische Magnete verwendet.The two magnets are preferably formed in a straight line. Also preferably, the magnetization device is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the transport area or its central transport plane. Furthermore, both magnets are preferably of the same strength and/or of identical shape. Ideally, two identical magnets are used.

Eine entsprechende Prüfeinrichtung zum Prüfen eines magnetisierbaren Sicherheitselements umfasst dementsprechend eine wie zuvor beschrieben ausgestaltete Magnetisierungseinrichtung sowie einen Magnetsensor, der eingerichtet ist, zumindest ein Magnetsignal eines entlang des Transportbereichs transportierten Sicherheitselements zu erfassen, das von dem Sicherheitselement ausgeht, wenn es durch einen Erfassungsbereich transportiert wird, der dem ersten und dem zweiten Magnetfeldbereich in der Transportrichtung nachgelagert ist.A corresponding test device for testing a magnetizable security element accordingly comprises a magnetization device configured as described above and a magnetic sensor that is set up to detect at least one magnetic signal of a security element transported along the transport area, which emanates from the security element when it is transported through a detection area which is downstream of the first and the second magnetic field region in the transport direction.

Die Prüfeinrichtung umfasst vorzugsweise einen Transportmechanismus zum Transportieren eines Sicherheitselements in Transportrichtung entlang des Transportbereichs.The checking device preferably comprises a transport mechanism for transporting a security element in the transport direction along the transport area.

Vorzugsweise umfasst die Prüfeinrichtung weiterhin zumindest eine Auswerteeinrichtung, die eingerichtet ist, das erfasste Magnetsignal hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins und/ oder einer Position eines ersten Magnetmaterials des Sicherheitselements mit einer ersten Koerzitivfeldstärke, die kleiner ist als die erste Magnetfeldstärke und größer ist als die zweite Magnetfeldstärke, und eines zweiten Magnetmaterials des Sicherheitselements mit einer zweiten Koerzitivfeldstärke, die kleiner ist als die erste Magnetfeldstärke und auch kleiner als die zweite Magnetfeldstärke, auszuwerten. Die Auswerteeinrichtung kann z.B. eingerichtet sein, das erfasste Magnetsignal hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins und/oder der Position eines ersten Magnetbereichs des Sicherheitselements auszuwerten, der das erste, nicht jedoch das zweite Magnetmaterial aufweist, und/oder eines zweiten Magnetbereichs des Sicherheitselements, der das zweite, nicht jedoch das erste Magnetmaterial aufweist.Preferably, the checking device also includes at least one evaluation device that is set up to analyze the detected magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or a position of a first magnetic material of the security element with a first coercive field strength that is less than the first magnetic field strength and greater than the second magnetic field strength, and a second magnetic material of the security element with a second coercive field strength, which is smaller than the first magnetic field strength and also smaller than the second magnetic field strength. The evaluation device can be set up, for example, to evaluate the detected magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or the position of a first magnetic area of the security element, which has the first but not the second magnetic material, and/or a second magnetic area of the security element, which does not have the second however, comprises the first magnetic material.

Bevorzugt umfasst die Auswertung, dass das erfasste Magnetsignal hinsichtlich einer Magnetkodierung des Sicherheitselements ausgewertet wird, die durch das erste Magnetmaterial und/oder das zweiten Magnetmaterial, insbesondere durch deren Abfolge und/oder Anordnung auf dem Sicherheitselement, gebildet wird.The evaluation preferably includes evaluating the detected magnetic signal with regard to a magnetic coding of the security element, which is formed by the first magnetic material and/or the second magnetic material, in particular by their sequence and/or arrangement on the security element.

Überdies kann, wie in der DE 10 2011 106 263 A1 mit weiteren Details beschrieben, zusätzlich zu dem o.g. Magnetsensor noch ein weiterer Magnetsensor vorhanden sein, der eingerichtet ist, zumindest ein Magnetsignal eines entlang des Transportbereichs transportierten Sicherheitselements zu erfassen, das von einem dem ersten und dem zweiten Magnetfeldbereich in der Transportrichtung nachgelagerten zweiten Erfassungsbereich ausgeht. Der zweite Erfassungsbereich kann bei Bedarf mit einem dritten Magnetfeld beaufschlagt werden. Die Auswerteeinrichtung ist vorzugsweise eingerichtet, das zumindest eine erste Magnetsignal in Kombination mit dem zumindest einen zweiten Magnetsignal hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins und/oder der Position eines ersten Magnetbereichs des Sicherheitselements, der das erste, nicht jedoch das zweite Magnetmaterial aufweist, und/oder eines zweiten Magnetbereichs des Sicherheitselements, der das zweite, nicht jedoch das erste Magnetmaterial aufweist, sowie ggf. eines dritten Magnetbereichs des Sicherheitselements, der das erste und das zweite Magnetmaterial aufweist, auszuwerten.Moreover, as in the DE 10 2011 106 263 A1 described with further details, in addition to the above-mentioned magnetic sensor, another magnetic sensor may be present, which is set up to detect at least one magnetic signal of a security element transported along the transport area, which emanates from a second detection area downstream of the first and the second magnetic field area in the transport direction. If required, the second detection area can be subjected to a third magnetic field. The evaluation device is preferably set up, the at least one first magnetic signal in combination with the at least one second magnetic signal with regard to the presence and/or the position of a first magnetic area of the security element, which has the first but not the second magnetic material, and/or a second magnetic area of the security element, which has the second but not the first magnetic material, and possibly a third magnetic region of the security element, which has the first and the second magnetic material.

Eine erfindungsgemäße Wertdokumentbearbeitungsvorrichtung umfasst eine Prüfeinrichtung, wie sie zuvor beschrieben wurde. Bei der Wertdokumentbearbeitungsvorrichtung kann es sich insbesondere um eine Vorrichtung zum Einzahlen und/ oder Auszahlen von Wertdokumenten oder zum Bearbeiten von Wertdokumenten, wie eine Banknotenbearbeitungsmaschine zur Prüfung von Banknoten, handeln.A value-document processing device according to the invention comprises a checking device, as has been described above. The value-document processing device can in particular be a device for depositing and/or paying out value documents or for processing value documents, such as a banknote processing machine for checking banknotes.

Bei einem entsprechenden Verfahren zum Magnetisieren eines Sicherheitselements mit einem ersten Magnetmaterial mit einer ersten Koerzitivfeldstärke und einem zweiten Magnetmaterial mit einer zweiten Koerzitivfeldstärke, die kleiner ist als die erste Koerzitivfeldstärke, wird die zuvor beschriebene Magnetisierungseinrichtung oder Prüfeinrichtung bereitgestellt, bei der die zuvor genannte erste Magnetfeldstärke des ersten Magnetfeldbereichs größer ist als die erste und die zweite Koerzitivfeldstärke der Magnetmaterialien und die zweite Magnetfeldstärke des zweiten Magnetfeldbereichs kleiner ist als die erste Koerzitivfeldstärke und größer ist als die zweite Koerzitivfeldstärke der Magnetmaterialien. Das Sicherheitselement wird dann in Transportrichtung entlang der Transportstrecke transportiert, um die beiden Magnetmaterialien nacheinander dem ersten und dem zweiten Magnetfeldbereich auszusetzen.In a corresponding method for magnetizing a security element with a first magnetic material having a first coercive field strength and a second magnetic material having a second coercive field strength which is less than the first coercive field strength, the magnetization device or test device described above is provided, wherein the aforesaid first magnetic field strength of the first magnetic field region is greater than the first and second coercive forces of the magnetic materials and the second magnetic field strength of the second magnetic field region is less than the first coercive force and greater than the second coercive force of the magnetic materials. The security element is then transported along the transport path in the transport direction in order to expose the two magnetic materials to the first and second magnetic field region one after the other.

Auf Grund der zuvor beschriebenen Magnetfeldstärken werden dabei durch den ersten Magnetfeldbereich beide Magnetmaterialien magnetisiert und durch den zweiten Magnetfeldbereich nur das zweite Magnetmaterial ummagnetisiert, nicht jedoch das erste, dessen durch den ersten Magnetfeldbereich bewirkte Magnetisierung bestehen bleibt.Due to the magnetic field strengths described above, both magnetic materials are magnetized by the first magnetic field area and only the second magnetic material is remagnetized by the second magnetic field area, but not the first, whose magnetization caused by the first magnetic field area remains.

Dabei wird vorzugsweise eine Magnetisierungseinrichtung verwendet, die dabei die beiden Magnetmaterialien derart magnetisiert, dass eine resultierende Magnetisierungsrichtung des ersten Magnetmaterials und eine resultierende Magnetisierungsrichtung des zweiten Magnetmaterials entgegengesetzt zueinander sind, insbesondere in einem Winkel von 155° bis 205°, bevorzugt in einem Winkel von 170° bis 190° zueinander liegen.A magnetization device is preferably used here, which magnetizes the two magnetic materials in such a way that a resulting direction of magnetization of the first magnetic material and a resulting direction of magnetization of the second magnetic material are opposite to one another, in particular at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170 ° up to 190° to each other.

Der erste und zweite Magnet sind bevorzugt derart angeordnet sind, dass - entlang der Transportrichtung betrachtet - an derjenigen Position des zweiten Magnetfeldbereichs, an der die entlang der Transportrichtung gerichtete Magnetfeldstärke unter die Koerzitivfeldstärke des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials fällt, die senkrecht zur Transportebene gerichtete Magnetfeldstärke vernachlässigbar gering ist im Vergleich zu der entlang der Transportrichtung gerichteten Magnetfeldstärke an dieser Position. Insbesondere beträgt die senkrecht zur Transportebene gerichtete Magnetfeldstärke an dieser Position weniger als 20%, bevorzugt weniger als 10%, der entlang der Transportrichtung gerichteten Magnetfeldstärke. Dadurch wird die Magnetfeldrichtung an dieser Position des zweiten Magnetfeldbereichs, und damit auch die resultierende Magnetisierung des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials, genau parallel oder antiparallel zur Transportrichtung ausgerichtet.The first and second magnets are preferably arranged in such a way that - viewed along the transport direction - at that position of the second magnetic field region at which the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction falls below the coercive field strength of the low-coercive magnetic material, the magnetic field strength perpendicular to the transport plane is negligibly small compared to the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction at this position. In particular the magnetic field strength directed perpendicularly to the transport plane at this position is less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, of the magnetic field strength directed along the transport direction. As a result, the magnetic field direction at this position of the second magnetic field region, and thus also the resulting magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material, is aligned exactly parallel or antiparallel to the transport direction.

Insbesondere weist die Magnetfeldstärke des entlang der Transportrichtung gerichteten Magnetfelds im ersten Magnetfeldbereich - entlang der Transportrichtung betrachtet - ein Maximum auf, das um mindestens 50%, insbesondere um mindestens einen Faktor 2, größer ist als das Maximum, das die Magnetfeldstärke des senkrecht zur Transportebene gerichteten Magnetfelds im ersten Magnetfeldbereich aufweist. Dadurch wird eine stärker in Transportrichtung ausgerichtete Magnetisierung des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials erreicht, die entgegengesetzt zu der Magnetisierung des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials ausgerichtet ist.In particular, the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field directed along the transport direction has a maximum in the first magnetic field region - viewed along the transport direction - which is at least 50%, in particular at least a factor of 2, greater than the maximum that the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field directed perpendicular to the transport plane Magnetic field has in the first magnetic field range. This achieves a magnetization of the high-coercive magnetic material that is aligned more strongly in the transport direction, which is aligned in the opposite direction to the magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material.

Bei einem entsprechenden Prüfverfahren wird zumindest ein von dem wie beschrieben magnetisierten Sicherheitselement ausgehendes Magnetsignal erfasst und kann hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins und/ oder einer Position des ersten Magnetmaterials des Sicherheitselements und/oder des zweiten Magnetmaterials des Sicherheitselements, vorzugsweise wie oben beschrieben, ausgewertet werden.In a corresponding test method, at least one magnetic signal emanating from the security element magnetized as described is detected and can be evaluated with regard to the presence and/or a position of the first magnetic material of the security element and/or the second magnetic material of the security element, preferably as described above.

Weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der folgenden Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsbeispiele sowie weiterer Ausführungsalternativen im Zusammenhang mit den Zeichnungen, die schematisch zeigen:

Figur 1:
Schematisch eine Wertdokumentbearbeitungsvorrichtung mit einer Prüfeinrichtung und einer Magnetisierungseinrichtung,
Figur 2:
ein Prüfverfahren,
Figur 3:
eine stark schematisierte Darstellung der von der Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß Figur 1 erzeugten Magnetfeldlinien,
Figur 4:
die von der Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß Figur 1 erzeugte Magnetfeldstärke Hx in Transportrichtung und die von dieser Magnetisierungseinrichtung erzeugte Magnetfeldstärke Hy senkrecht zur Transportebene, jeweils aufgetragen über die Position in Transportrichtung für y=-1 mm (Fig. 4a) und für y=-2,5 mm (Fig. 4b),
Figur 5:
die von der Magnetisierungseinrichtung erzeugte Magnetfeldstärke Hx in Transportrichtung aufgetragen über die Position entlang einer senkrecht zur Transportebene verlaufenden Achse.
Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and further alternative embodiments in connection with the drawings, which show schematically:
Figure 1:
Schematically a value document processing device with a checking device and a magnetization device,
Figure 2:
a test procedure,
Figure 3:
a highly schematic representation of the magnetization device according to FIG figure 1 generated magnetic field lines,
Figure 4:
according to the magnetization device figure 1 generated magnetic field strength Hx in the transport direction and the magnetic field strength Hy generated by this magnetizing device perpendicular to the transport plane, each plotted against the position in the transport direction for y=-1 mm ( Figure 4a ) and for y=-2.5 mm ( Figure 4b ),
Figure 5:
the magnetic field strength Hx generated by the magnetization device in the transport direction plotted against the position along an axis running perpendicular to the transport plane.

Figur 1 zeigt schematisch einen Ausschnitt aus einer erfindungsgemäßen Wertdokumentbearbeitungsvorrichtung 101. Diese wiederum umfasst eine Prüfeinrichtung 100 sowie ggf. weitere (nicht dargestellte) Elemente, wie z.B. Eingabe- und Ausgabeeinrichtungen für Wertdokumente und Bedienelemente. figure 1 shows schematically a section of a value document processing device 101 according to the invention. This in turn comprises a checking device 100 and optionally further elements (not shown), such as input and output devices for value documents and operating elements.

Die Prüfeinrichtung 100 wiederum umfasst eine Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 sowie weitere Elemente. Die Prüfeinrichtung 100 dient dazu, das magnetisierbare Sicherheitselement 31 des Wertdokuments 30 zu prüfen. Das Sicherheitselement 31 weist in diesem Beispiel ein erstes (hochkoerzitives) Magnetmaterial mit einer ersten Koerzitivfeldstärke und ein zweites (niederkoerzitives) Magnetmaterial mit einer zweiten, niedrigeren Koerzitivfeldstärke auf. Diese Materialien sind so angeordnet, dass ein hochkoerzitiver Magnetmaterialbereich h des Sicherheitselements 31 nur das hochkoerzitive Magnetmaterial, nicht jedoch das niederkoerzitive Magnetmaterial aufweist, ein niederkoerzitiver Magnetmaterialbereich 1 des Sicherheitselements 31 nur das niederkoerzitive Magnetmaterial, nicht jedoch das hochkoerzitive Magnetmaterial aufweist, und ein kombinierter Magnetmaterialbereich k des Sicherheitselements 31 beide zuvor genannten Magnetmaterialien aufweist. Das Sicherheitselement 31 kann alternativ aber auch keinen kombinierten Magnetmaterialbereich, sondern nur einen oder mehrere hoch- und niederkoerzitive Magnetbereiche oder auch nur eine Sorte dieser Magnetmaterialien aufweisen. Die vorhandenen Magnetmaterialbereiche h bzw. 1 bzw. h, 1 bzw. h, k, 1 bilden z.B. eine Magnetkodierung des Sicherheitselements 31.The testing device 100 in turn includes a magnetization device 10 and other elements. The checking device 100 serves to check the magnetizable security element 31 of the document of value 30 . In this example, the security element 31 has a first (high-coercivity) magnetic material with a first coercivity and a second (low-coercivity) magnetic material with a second, lower coercivity. These materials are arranged in such a way that a high-coercive magnetic material area h of the security element 31 contains only the high-coercive magnetic material, but not the low-coercive magnetic material, a low-coercive magnetic material area 1 of the security element 31 only has the low-coercive magnetic material but not the high-coercive magnetic material, and a combined magnetic material area k of the security element 31 has both aforementioned magnetic materials. Alternatively, however, the security element 31 may not have a combined magnetic material area, but rather only one or more high- and low-coercive magnetic areas or only one type of these magnetic materials. The existing magnetic material areas h or 1 or h, 1 or h, k, 1 form, for example, a magnetic coding of the security element 31.

Das Wertdokument 30 ist mitsamt dem Sicherheitselement 31 mittels der Transporteinrichtung 17, die Bestandteil der Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 ist, entlang eines Transportbereichs 20 transportierbar. Die Transporteinrichtung 17 weist z.B. mehrere Transportriemen für einen Riementransport der Wertdokumente 30 auf und/ oder Transportrollen. In Figur 1 sind beispielhaft zwei obere und drei untere Transportriemen dargestellt, zwischen denen das Wertdokument 30 eingeklemmt und transportiert wird. Der Transportbereich 20, der sich auch oberhalb und unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 erstreckt, umfasst eine mittlere Transportebene 21, entlang derer das Wertdokument 30 mit dem Sicherheitselement 31 im Idealfall in der Transportrichtung T transportiert wird. Allerdings ist es auch möglich, das Wertdokument 30 mitsamt dem Sicherheitselement 31 oberhalb und unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 in Transportrichtung T zu transportieren. Das Transportieren des Wertdokuments oberhalb oder unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 kann z.B. aus Platzgründen notwendig sein, wenn ein möglichst kleiner Abstand zwischen den Magneten 11, 12 erreicht werden soll, aber dennoch die Transportriemen zwischen den beiden Magneten 11,12 hindurchgeführt werden müssen. Abweichungen beim Transport entlang der mittleren Transportebene 21 beeinträchtigen die Prüfung des Sicherheitselements 31 nicht, solange der Transport innerhalb des Transportbereichs 20 erfolgt.The document of value 30 can be transported together with the security element 31 along a transport area 20 by means of the transport device 17 which is part of the magnetization device 10 . The transport device 17 has, for example, a plurality of transport belts for belt transport of the documents of value 30 and/or transport rollers. In figure 1 two upper and three lower transport belts are shown as an example, between which the document of value 30 is clamped and transported. The transport area 20, which also extends above and below the middle transport plane 21, comprises a middle transport plane 21, along which the document of value 30 with the security element 31 is transported in the transport direction T, ideally. However, it is also possible to transport the document of value 30 together with the security element 31 above and below the middle transport plane 21 in the transport direction T. Transporting the document of value above or below the middle transport plane 21 may be necessary for reasons of space, for example, if the distance between the magnets 11, 12 is to be as small as possible, but the transport belts still have to be guided between the two magnets 11,12. discrepancies during transport along the middle transport plane 21 do not impair the checking of the security element 31 as long as the transport takes place within the transport area 20 .

Bevor das Sicherheitselement 31 geprüft wird, wird es mittels der Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10, die vorliegend den Magneten 11 und den Magneten 12 umfasst, derart magnetisiert, dass sich die Magnetisierungsrichtungen der beiden zuvor genannten Magnetmaterialien entgegengesetzt zueinander liegen. Hierzu stellt die Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 entlang des Transportbereichs 20 einen ersten Magnetfeldbereich und einen dem ersten Magnetfeldbereich in Transportrichtung T nachgelagerten zweiten Magnetfeldbereich derart bereit, dass ein entlang dem Transportbereich 20 in Transportrichtung T transportiertes Sicherheitselement 31 zunächst in dem ersten Magnetfeldbereich einer in eine erste Magnetfeldrichtung weisenden ersten Magnetfeldstärke, die größer ist als die Koerzitivfeldstärke der beiden Magnetmaterialien, ausgesetzt wird und dann in einem zweiten Magnetfeldbereich einer in eine andere, zweite Magnetfeldrichtung weisenden zweiten Magnetfeldstärke ausgesetzt wird, die größer ist als die Koerzitivfeldstärke des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials, jedoch kleiner ist als die Koerzitivfeldstärke des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials. Dementsprechend werden beim Transport in Transportrichtung T entlang des Transportbereichs 20 zunächst in dem ersten Magnetfeldbereich beide Magnetmaterialien magnetisiert und anschließend im zweiten Magnetfeldbereich nur das niederkoerzitive Magnetmaterial (entgegengesetzt) ummagnetisiert, wohingegen die durch den ersten Magnetfeldbereich erzeugte Magnetisierung des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials bestehen bleibt. Die beiden Magnetmaterialien sind dann in entgegengesetzte Magnetisierungsrichtungen magnetisiert.Before the security element 31 is checked, it is magnetized by means of the magnetization device 10, which in the present case comprises the magnet 11 and the magnet 12, in such a way that the magnetization directions of the two aforementioned magnetic materials are opposite to one another. For this purpose, the magnetization device 10 provides a first magnetic field area along the transport area 20 and a second magnetic field area downstream of the first magnetic field area in the transport direction T in such a way that a security element 31 transported along the transport area 20 in the transport direction T is initially in the first magnetic field area of a first magnetic field pointing in a first magnetic field direction magnetic field strength that is greater than the coercive field strength of the two magnetic materials, and then exposed in a second magnetic field area to a second magnetic field strength pointing in a different, second magnetic field direction, which is greater than the coercive field strength of the low-coercive magnetic material, but smaller than the coercive field strength of the high-coercive magnetic material. Accordingly, during transport in the transport direction T along the transport area 20, both magnetic materials are first magnetized in the first magnetic field area and then only the low-coercive magnetic material (opposite) is remagnetized in the second magnetic field area, whereas the magnetization of the high-coercive magnetic material generated by the first magnetic field area remains. The two magnetic materials are then magnetized in opposite directions of magnetization.

Danach werden von dem derart magnetisierten Sicherheitselement 31 ausgehende Magnetsignale mittels einer ersten Magnetsensorzeile 40 erfasst, die vorzugsweise mehrere Sensorelemente 41 zur ortsaufgelösten Erfassung umfasst, sowie einer zweiten Magnetsensorzeile 50, die ebenfalls vorzugsweise mehrere Sensorelemente 51 zur ortsaufgelösten Erfassung umfasst. Während der Erfassung mit der zweiten Magnetsensorzeile 50 wirkt ein weiteres Magnetfeld auf das Sicherheitselement 31 ein, das durch den Magneten 52 erzeugt wird, der genauso wie der Magnete 11, 12 orientiert sein kann. Alternativ kann das weitere Magnetfeld auch durch einen anderen Magneten erzeugt werden, z.B. einen hufeisenförmigen Magneten. Alternativ kann das Erfassen der Magnetsignale durch die Sensorzeilen 40, 50 auch ohne ein weiteres Magnetfeld durchgeführt werden. Alternativ zu den Sensorzeilen 40, 50 können auch nicht ortsauflösende Sensoren verwendet werden, wobei die Magnetmaterialbereiche h, k, 1 dann sequentiell an den Sensoren vorbeigeführt werden müssen.Thereafter, magnetic signals emanating from the security element 31 magnetized in this way are detected by means of a first magnetic sensor line 40, which preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements 41 for spatially resolved detection, and a second magnetic sensor line 50, which also preferably comprises a plurality of sensor elements 51 for spatially resolved detection. During the detection with the second line of magnetic sensors 50, another magnetic field acts on the security element 31, which is generated by the magnet 52, which can be oriented in exactly the same way as the magnets 11, 12. Alternatively, the further magnetic field can also be generated by another magnet, e.g. a horseshoe-shaped magnet. Alternatively, the detection of the magnetic signals by the sensor rows 40, 50 can also be carried out without an additional magnetic field. As an alternative to the sensor rows 40, 50, non-position-resolving sensors can also be used, in which case the magnetic material areas h, k, 1 then have to be guided past the sensors sequentially.

Die so erfassten Magnetsignale werden anschließend mittels der Auswerteeinrichtung 60 hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins der zuvor beschriebenen Magnetmaterialbereiche h, k, 1 sowie deren Abfolge und Anordnung ausgewertet, um die Magnetkodierung des Sicherheitselements 31 zu prüfen.The magnetic signals detected in this way are then evaluated by the evaluation device 60 with regard to the presence of the previously described magnetic material regions h, k, 1 and their sequence and arrangement in order to check the magnetic coding of the security element 31 .

Bei dem entsprechenden in Figur 2 dargestellten Verfahren zum Prüfen eines magnetisierbaren Sicherheitselements 31 wird dementsprechend zunächst eine geeignete Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 bereitgestellt (Schritt S1) und das Sicherheitselement 31 in der Transportrichtung T entlang des Transportbereichs 20 transportiert (Schritt S2), wodurch die beiden Magnetmaterialien, wie zuvor beschrieben, magnetisiert werden. Anschließend werden mittels der Sensorzeilen 40, 50 von dem Sicherheitselement 31 ausgehende Magnetsignale erfasst (Schritt S4) und mittels der Auswerteeinrichtung 60 ausgewertet.At the corresponding in figure 2 In the method shown for checking a magnetizable security element 31, a suitable magnetization device 10 is accordingly first provided (step S1) and the security element 31 is transported in the transport direction T along the transport area 20 (step S2), whereby the two magnetic materials are magnetized, as described above. Then, by means of the sensor lines 40, 50, outgoing magnetic signals from the security element 31 detected (step S4) and evaluated by the evaluation device 60.

Erfindungsgemäß werden die beiden zuvor beschriebenen Magnetfeldbereiche mittels (nur) der beiden Magnete 11, 12 erzeugt. Zu diesem Zweck sind die beiden Magnete derart angeordnet, dass sich ihre Nordpole N bezüglich des Transportbereichs 20 gegenüberliegen und sich gleichzeitig ihre Südpole S bezüglich des Transportbereichs ebenfalls gegenüberliegen. Durch die Verwendung von zwei derart angeordneten Magneten zur Erzeugung der beiden Magnetfeldbereiche wird im Vergleich zur Verwendung von nur einem Magneten zur Erzeugung der beiden Magnetfeldbereiche, eine antiparallele Magnetisierung der hoch- und niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterialbereiche und dementsprechend eine zuverlässigere Prüfung des Sicherheitselements 31 ermöglicht.According to the invention, the two magnetic field areas described above are generated by (only) the two magnets 11 , 12 . For this purpose, the two magnets are arranged in such a way that their north poles N are opposite one another with regard to the transport area 20 and at the same time their south poles S are also opposite one another with regard to the transport area. By using two magnets arranged in this way to generate the two magnetic field areas, compared to using only one magnet to generate the two magnetic field areas, antiparallel magnetization of the high- and low-coercive magnetic material areas and, accordingly, more reliable testing of the security element 31 is made possible.

In dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel sind die beiden Magnete 11, 12 identisch ausgestaltet, insbesondere haben sie die gleiche Form und die gleiche Stärke (remanente Magnetisierung). Zudem sind ihre Magnetachsen 13 und 14 parallel zueinander und zur Transportrichtung T ausgerichtet. Die Magnete 11, 12 sind mit einem Abstand von 5 mm zueinander angeordnet, d.h. der in der Figur 1 ersichtliche Spalt zwischen den Magneten ist überall 5 mm breit und in x- Richtung 10 mm lang. Die Magnete 11, 12 haben z.B. eine remanente Magnetisierung von 1,4 Tesla. Um die Transportriemen beidseitig hindurchführen zu können, können die Magnete 11, 12 auch in einem größeren Abstand zueinander angeordnet werden (> 5 mm).In the present exemplary embodiment, the two magnets 11, 12 are configured identically, in particular they have the same shape and the same strength (remanent magnetization). In addition, their magnetic axes 13 and 14 are aligned parallel to one another and to the transport direction T. The magnets 11, 12 are arranged at a distance of 5 mm from one another, ie in the figure 1 The visible gap between the magnets is 5 mm wide everywhere and 10 mm long in the x-direction. The magnets 11, 12 have, for example, a remanent magnetization of 1.4 Tesla. In order to be able to feed the transport belts through on both sides, the magnets 11, 12 can also be arranged at a greater distance from one another (>5 mm).

Die Magnetfeldlinien des durch eine derartige Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 erzeugten Magnetfelds sind in Figur 3 schematisch dargestellt. Dabei zeigt Figur 3 diese Magnetfeldlinien in einer zu der x- und der y-Achse von Figur 1 parallelen Ebene, die die beiden Magneten 11 und 12 in deren Mitte schneidet.The magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by such a magnetization device 10 are in figure 3 shown schematically. while showing figure 3 these magnetic field lines in a to the x- and the y-axis of figure 1 parallel plane that intersects the two magnets 11 and 12 in the middle.

Demnach liegt in y-Richtung gesehen exakt in der Mitte zwischen den Magneten, d.h. in der mittleren Transportebene 21, und in x-Richtung gesehen zwischen den Polen N, S der Magnete 11, 12 ein genau in die Transportrichtung T ausgerichtetes Magnetfeld (Teil des ersten Magnetfeldbereichs 15) vor. In Transportrichtung gesehen stromabwärts davon und hinter den beiden Magneten 11, 12 liegt - wieder in der mittleren Transportebene 21 - ein Magnetfeld (Teil des zweiten Magnetfeldbereichs 16) mit einer geringeren Magnetfeldstärke vor, die genau entgegen der Transportrichtung T ausgerichtet ist.Accordingly, viewed in the y-direction exactly in the middle between the magnets, i.e. in the middle transport plane 21, and viewed in the x-direction between the poles N, S of the magnets 11, 12, there is a magnetic field aligned exactly in the transport direction T (part of the first magnetic field area 15) before. Seen in the transport direction downstream and behind the two magnets 11, 12 - again in the middle transport plane 21 - there is a magnetic field (part of the second magnetic field area 16) with a lower magnetic field strength, which is aligned exactly opposite to the transport direction T.

Aufgrund der Symmetrie der Magnetanordnung ist die y-Komponente des Magnetfelds exakt in der Mitte zwischen den Magneten 11, 12 Null. Dementsprechend ist es bevorzugt, das Sicherheitselement 31 exakt entlang der mittleren Transportebene 21 zu transportieren, um eine genau antiparallele Magnetisierung der beiden Magnetmaterialien in der Ebene des Sicherheitselements 31 zu erreichen.Due to the symmetry of the magnet arrangement, the y-component of the magnetic field is exactly in the middle between the magnets 11, 12 zero. Accordingly, it is preferred to transport the security element 31 exactly along the middle transport plane 21 in order to achieve an exactly anti-parallel magnetization of the two magnetic materials in the plane of the security element 31.

Doch selbst wenn das Sicherheitselement 31 nicht exakt entlang der mittleren Transportebene 21 transportiert wird, sondern nur im (größeren) Transportbereich 20, der sich auch in einer begrenzten Höhe oberhalb und unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 erstreckt, können die Magnetmaterialien entgegengesetzt zueinander magnetisiert werden.However, even if the security element 31 is not transported exactly along the middle transport plane 21, but only in the (larger) transport area 20, which also extends to a limited height above and below the middle transport plane 21, the magnetic materials can be magnetized opposite to one another.

In diesem Zusammenhang zeigt in Figur 4a und 4b der Graph 1003 die Magnetfeldstärke Hx in der x-Richtung (entspricht der Transportrichtung T) und der Graph 1005 die Magnetfeldstärke Hy in der dazu senkrechten y-Richtung. Beide Graphen zeigen die jeweilige Magnetfeldstärke als Funktion der x-Position, in Fig. 4a bei einer y-Position von -1 mm oberhalb des unteren Magneten 12 (der bei y=0 liegt), d.h. 1,5 mm unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 und 4 mm unterhalb des oberen Magneten 11, und in Fig. 4b bei einer y-Position von -2,5 mm oberhalb des unteren Magneten 12, d.h. genau in der mittleren Transportebene 21. Zudem ist beispielhaft die Koerzitivfeldstärke HKL eines niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials von 30 kA/m und die Koerzitivfeldstärke HKH eines hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials von 275 kA/m eingezeichnet. Typische Werte können z.B. auch sein: HKL=20 kA/m und HKH=300 kA/m.In this context, in Figure 4a and 4b the graph 1003 the magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction (corresponds to the transport direction T) and the graph 1005 the magnetic field strength Hy in the y-direction perpendicular thereto. Both graphs show the respective magnetic field strength as a function of the x-position, in Figure 4a at a y-position of -1 mm above the lower magnet 12 (which is at y=0), ie 1.5 mm below the middle transport plane 21 and 4 mm below the upper magnet 11, and in Figure 4b at a y-position of -2.5 mm above the lower magnet 12, i.e. exactly in the middle transport plane 21. In addition, the coercive field strength H KL of a low-coercive magnet material of 30 kA/m and the coercive field strength H KH of a high-coercive magnet material of 275 are examples kA/m drawn. Typical values can also be, for example: H KL =20 kA/m and H KH =300 kA/m.

Wie aus der Figur 4a ersichtlich, ist die Magnetfeldstärke in y-Richtung (Graph 1005), das heißt senkrecht zur Transportrichtung T, bei dem beidseitigen Magnetanordnung viel geringer als bei der einseitigen Magnetanordnung (Graph 1006). Um eine genaue Ausrichtung des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials parallel zur x-Richtung zu erreichen, kann das Maximum der auf das Sicherheitselement 31 einwirkenden Magnetfeldstärke Hy, das an der x-Position M erreicht wird, weiter reduziert werden. Dies kann dadurch erreicht werden, dass die Transportebene des Wertdokuments weiter in Richtung der mittleren Transportebene 21 verschoben wird. Das Beispiel aus Fig. 4b zeigt die Magnetfeldstärken für den Fall, wenn das Wertdokument 2,5 mm (statt 1 mm) über dem unteren Magneten 12, d.h. genau in der mittleren Transportebene 21 transportiert wird. Aufgrund der in diesem Fall achsensymmetrischen Anordnung der Magnete 11, 12 zur Transportebene 21, ist in diesem Fall die Magnetfeldstärke in y-Richtung Hy für alle x-Positionen gleich Null, vgl. Graph 1005 in Fig. 4b.How from the Figure 4a As can be seen, the magnetic field strength in the y-direction (graph 1005), i.e. perpendicular to the transport direction T, is much lower for the two-sided magnet arrangement than for the one-sided magnet arrangement (graph 1006). In order to achieve an exact alignment of the high-coercive magnetic material parallel to the x-direction, the maximum of the magnetic field strength Hy acting on the security element 31, which is reached at the x-position M, can be further reduced. This can be achieved in that the transport level of the document of value is shifted further in the direction of the middle transport level 21 . The example from Figure 4b shows the magnetic field strengths for the case when the document of value is transported 2.5 mm (instead of 1 mm) above the lower magnet 12, ie exactly in the middle transport plane 21. Due to the axially symmetrical arrangement of the magnets 11, 12 to the transport plane 21 in this case, the magnetic field strength in the y-direction Hy is equal to zero for all x-positions, see graph 1005 in Figure 4b .

Zudem ist bei der beidseitigen Magnetanordnung die Magnetfeldstärke Hy an dem Punkt x1, an dem die Magnetfeldstärke Hx (Graph 1003) unter die Koerzitivfeldstärke HKL des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials fällt, auch beim y=-1 mm nahezu Null, vgl. Graph 1005 in Fig. 4a. Für die resultierende Magnetisierung des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials ist entscheidend, welche Richtung das Magnetfeld an dieser x-Position x1 hat. Da Hy«Hx, ist, ist das Magnetfeld am Punkt x1 und damit auch die resultierende Magnetisierung des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials im Wesentlichen antiparallel zur x-Richtung ausgerichtet, also entgegengesetzt zur Magnetisierung des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials.In addition, with the magnet arrangement on both sides, the magnetic field strength Hy is at the point x1 at which the magnetic field strength Hx (graph 1003) falls below the The coercive field strength H KL of the low-coercive magnetic material falls, even at y=-1 mm to almost zero, see graph 1005 in Figure 4a . The direction of the magnetic field at this x-position x1 is decisive for the resulting magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material. Since Hy«Hx, the magnetic field at point x1 and thus also the resulting magnetization of the low-coercive magnetic material are aligned essentially anti-parallel to the x-direction, i.e. opposite to the magnetization of the high-coercive magnetic material.

Durch das zuvor beschriebene Magnetfeld kann also auch bei Transport des Sicherheitselements in Transportrichtung T bei einer y-Position von nur 1 mm oberhalb des unteren Magneten 12, d.h. 1,5 mm unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21, eine entgegengesetzte Magnetisierung der beiden Magnetmaterialien - in bzw. entgegen der Transportrichtung T - erreicht werden, d.h. die Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 und die Prüfeinrichtung 100 funktionieren auch bei Transport des Sicherheitselements 31 innerhalb eines sich auch oberhalb und unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 erstreckenden Transportbereichs 20.Due to the magnetic field described above, an opposite magnetization of the two magnetic materials - in or counter to the transport direction T - can be reached, i.e. the magnetization device 10 and the checking device 100 also function when the security element 31 is transported within a transport area 20 that also extends above and below the middle transport plane 21.

Im Vergleich dazu sind in derselben Figur die Graphen 1004 und 1006 dargestellt, die die entsprechenden Magnetfeldstärken Hx bzw. Hy für eine Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß der Lehre der EP 1 770 657 A2 wiedergeben, die nur den unteren Magneten 12 (mit Magnetdaten wie bei dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel) aufweist. Es ist ersichtlich, dass der bei der x-Position M auftretende Maximalwert der Magnetfeldstärke Hy in y-Richtung bei der Erfindung (Graph 1005) stets wesentlich geringer ist als bei dem Stand der Technik (Graph 1006). Im Fall y=-1 mm ist beim einseitigen Magneten (am Punkt M) die Magnetfeldstärke Hy in y-Richtung sogar viel größer (mehr als doppelt so groß) als die Magnetfeldstärke Hx in x-Richtung, vgl. Graph 1004 und 1006 in Fig. 4a, was zu einer sehr stark in y-Richtung verdrehten Magnetisierung des hochkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials führt. Zudem ist die Magnetfeldstärke Hy in y-Richtung (Graph 1006) bei dem Punkt x2, bei dem die Magnetfeldstärke Hx in x-Richtung (Graph 1004) der Magnetisierungseinrichtung beim einseitigen Magneten unter die Koerzitivfeldstärke HKL des niederkoerzitiven Magnetmaterials fällt, deutlich größer als Null, annähernd so groß wie Hx. Das Magnetfeld ist am Punkt x2 daher ebenfalls stark in y-Richtung verdreht, also schräg zur Transportrichtung T ausgerichtet, vgl. Fig. 4a und 4b. Somit wird auch das niederkoerzitive Magnetmaterial schräg zur Transportrichtung T magnetisiert, jedoch in eine völlig andere Richtung als das hochkoerzitive Magnetmaterial (umgekehrte x-Komponenten). Daher kann bei der Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik (einseitiger Magnet) keine annäherungsweise entgegengesetzte Magnetisierung der beiden Magnetmaterialien erzielt werden. Dies gilt nicht nur für den Abstand 1mm, sondern auch für größere und kleinere Abstände von dem Einzelmagneten 12.In comparison, the graphs 1004 and 1006 are shown in the same figure, which show the corresponding magnetic field strengths Hx and Hy, respectively, for a magnetization device according to the teaching of EP 1 770 657 A2 display having only the lower magnet 12 (with magnet data as in the present embodiment). It can be seen that the maximum value of the magnetic field strength Hy occurring at the x-position M in the y-direction in the invention (graph 1005) is always significantly lower than in the prior art (graph 1006). In the case of y=-1 mm, the magnetic field strength Hy in the y-direction is even much greater (more than twice as large) for the one-sided magnet (at point M) than the magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction, cf. Graph 1004 and 1006 in Figure 4a , which leads to a very strongly twisted magnetization in the y-direction of the high-coercive magnetic material. In addition, the magnetic field strength Hy in the y-direction (graph 1006) at the point x2 at which the magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction (graph 1004) of the magnetization device falls below the coercive field strength H KL of the low-coercive magnetic material in the case of the one-sided magnet, is significantly greater than zero , approximately the size of Hx. The magnetic field at point x2 is therefore also strongly twisted in the y-direction, i.e. aligned at an angle to the transport direction T, cf. Figures 4a and 4b . Thus, the low-coercive magnetic material is also magnetized obliquely to the transport direction T, but in a completely different direction than the high-coercive magnetic material (reversed x-components). Therefore, in the prior art magnetizing device (single-sided magnet), approximately opposite magnetization of the two magnetic materials cannot be obtained. This applies not only to the distance of 1mm, but also to larger and smaller distances from the individual magnet 12.

Überdies stellt die erfindungsgemäße Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10 eine im Vergleich zum Stand der Technik sehr große maximale Magnetfeldstärke in x-Richtung bereit, so dass damit auch Magnetmaterialien mit einer besonders großen Koerzitivfeldstärke magnetisiert werden können. Dies ist nicht nur beim Transport in 1 mm Abstand vom unteren Magneten 12, d.h. 1,5 mm unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21, der Fall, vgl. Fig. 4a, sondern auch bei anderen Abständen, vgl. Fig. 4b.In addition, the magnetization device 10 according to the invention provides a very high maximum magnetic field strength in the x-direction compared to the prior art, so that magnetic materials with a particularly high coercive field strength can also be magnetized. This is not only the case when transporting at a distance of 1 mm from the lower magnet 12, ie 1.5 mm below the middle transport plane 21, cf. Figure 4a , but also at other distances, cf. Figure 4b .

In Figur 5 ist diesbezüglich die Maximalmagnetfeldstärke Hx in x-Richtung, die zwischen den Magnetpolen bei der x-Position von 30 mm gemäß Figur 4a und 4b auftritt, in Abhängigkeit von dem Abstand von dem unteren Magneten 12 in y-Richtung aufgetragen. Wie die Figur zeigt, ändert sich Maximalmagnetfeldstärke Hx (Graph 1002), die von der erfindungsgemäßen Magnetisierungseinrichtung 10, die die beiden gegenüberliegenden Magnete 11, 12 verwendet, bereitgestellt wird, bei Transport deutlich oberhalb und unterhalb der mittleren Transportebene 21 kaum. Im Gegensatz dazu fällt bei der Magnetisierungseinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik, die nur einseitig einen Magneten aufweist, die Maximalmagnetfeldstärke Hx mit wachsendem Abstand von dem (unteren) Einzelmagneten stark ab (Graph 1001), so dass nur bei geringem Abstand von dem Magneten eine Magnetisierung eines Magnetmaterials mit einer relativ hohen Koerzitivfeldstärke überhaupt möglich ist. Ein sehr geringer Abstand von dem Magneten 12 bringt jedoch ein erhöhtes Risiko im Hinblick auf Transportstörungen des vorbeitransportierten Wertdokuments. Die Magnetisierung des Sicherheitselements 31 mit Hilfe der Magnetisierungseinrichtung des Stands der Technik ist außerdem viel anfälliger gegenüber (in y-Richtung gerichtete) Transportschwankungen des Wertdokuments 30.In figure 5 is in this regard the maximum magnetic field strength Hx in the x-direction occurring between the magnetic poles at the x-position of 30 mm according to Figure 4a and 4b occurs as a function of the distance from the lower magnet 12 in the y-direction. As the figure shows, the maximum magnetic field strength changes Hx (graph 1002), which is provided by the magnetization device 10 according to the invention, which uses the two opposing magnets 11, 12, hardly occurs during transport significantly above and below the middle transport plane 21. In contrast, with the magnetization device according to the prior art, which only has a magnet on one side, the maximum magnetic field strength Hx falls sharply with increasing distance from the (lower) individual magnet (graph 1001), so that magnetization only occurs at a small distance from the magnet of a magnetic material with a relatively high coercivity is even possible. However, a very small distance from the magnet 12 brings with it an increased risk with regard to transport disruptions of the document of value transported past. The magnetization of the security element 31 with the aid of the magnetization device of the prior art is also much more susceptible to transport fluctuations (directed in the y-direction) of the document of value 30.

Aus den Figuren geht eine bevorzugte Transportebene, entlang derer das Sicherheitselement in Abwesenheit von Transportschwankungen transportiert werden würde, hervor, die mittig zwischen den beiden Magneten 11 und 12 liegt. Denn dort ist Hy verschwindend gering. Jedoch kann eine bevorzugte Transportebene auch näher an einem der beiden Magneten liegen, um für einen Transportmechanismus, insbesondere Transportriemen, auf einer Seite der Transportebene Platz frei zu halten. Bei Transport mittels Transportrollen (an Stelle von Transportriemen) kann das Wertdokument in der mittleren Transportebene transportiert werden.A preferred transport plane, along which the security element would be transported in the absence of transport fluctuations, emerges from the figures, which lies in the middle between the two magnets 11 and 12 . Because Hy is vanishingly small there. However, a preferred transport plane can also be closer to one of the two magnets in order to keep space free on one side of the transport plane for a transport mechanism, in particular a transport belt. When transporting by means of transport rollers (instead of transport belts), the document of value can be transported in the middle transport plane.

Claims (15)

  1. Magnetization device (10) for a checking device (100) for checking a magnetizable security element (31) which can be transported along a transport region (20) in a transport direction (T), comprising:
    - a first magnet (11) with a north pole and a south pole and a second magnet (12) with a north pole and a south pole, wherein the first and the second magnet (11, 12) are designed
    - to provide a first magnetic field region (15) in such a way that a security element (31) transported along the transport region (20) is transported through the first magnetic field region (15) and exposed therein to a first magnetic field strength with a first magnetic field direction, and
    - to provide a second magnetic field region (16) arranged downstream of the first magnetic field region (15) in the transport direction (T) in such a way that a security element (31) transported along the transport region (20) is transported through the second magnetic field region (16) and therein exposed to a second magnetic field strength with a second magnetic field direction, wherein the second magnetic field direction differs from the first magnetic field direction and the second magnetic field strength is lower than the first magnetic field strength, wherein a first magnet axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the first magnet and a second magnet axis extending from the north pole to the south pole of the second magnet are substantially parallel to one another, and the first and the second magnet are arranged in such a way that the north pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet are situated opposite each other with respect to the transport region and the south pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet are likewise situated opposite each other with respect to the transport region, characterized in that
    the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are in the form of cuboidal permanent magnets and are situated opposite one another with respect to the transport region (20) with their north poles and their south poles in such a way that the first and the second magnet (11, 12) generate both the first magnetic field region (15) and the second magnetic field region (16) in an interacting manner.
  2. Magnetization device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport region (20) comprises a central transport plane (21) extending in the transport direction (T) and extends with a height defined perpendicularly to said transport plane above and below the central transport plane (21), wherein the height is preferably respectively greater than or equal to 5%, 10% or 25% of the distance between the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) or respectively greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm or 2 mm.
  3. Magnetization device according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are arranged in such a way that the first magnet axis (13) extending from the north pole to the south pole of the first magnet (11) and the second magnet axis (14) extending from the north pole to the south pole of the second magnet (12) are parallel to one another and preferably parallel or antiparallel to the transport direction (T).
  4. Magnetization device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second magnet (11, 12) are arranged in such a way that the magnetic field strength (Hx) directed along the transport direction (T) in the first magnetic field region (15) is at a maximum which is greater by at least 50%, preferably by at least a factor of 2, than a maximum which the magnetic field strength (Hy) directed perpendicularly to the transport plane in the first magnetic field region (15) is at.
  5. Magnetization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are permanent magnets formed in one piece.
  6. Checking device (100) for checking a magnetizable security element, characterized by a magnetization device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a magnet sensor (40) which is designed to detect at least one magnetic signal of a security element (31) transported along the transport region (20), which magnet signal emerges from the security element when it is transported through a detection region arranged downstream of the first magnetic field region (15) and the second magnetic field region (16) in the transport direction (T).
  7. Checking device (100) according to Claim 6, characterized by an evaluation device (60) which is designed to evaluate the detected magnetic signal in respect of the presence of a first magnetic material of the security element (31) with a first coercive field strength, which is lower than the first magnetic field strength and greater than the second magnetic field strength, and/or a second magnetic material of the security element (31) with a second coercive field strength, which is lower than the first and the second magnetic field strength, and/or which is designed to evaluate the detected magnetic signal in respect of magnetic coding of the security element (31), which magnetic coding is formed by the first magnetic material and/or the second magnetic material.
  8. Checking device (100) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the security element (31) transported through the two magnetic field regions (15, 16) along the transport region (20) in the transport direction is magnetized with the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material in such a way that a resulting magnetization direction of the first magnetic material and a resulting magnetization direction of the second magnetic material are situated opposite one another, in particular at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170° to 190°.
  9. Checking device (10) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and the second magnet (11, 12) are arranged in such a way that - as viewed along the transport direction (T) - in that position (x1) of the second magnetic field region (16) in which the magnetic field strength (Hx) directed along the transport direction (T) drops below the coercive field strength (HKL) of the magnetic material with low coercivity, the magnetic field strength (Hy) directed perpendicularly to the transport plane is less than 20% of the magnetic field strength (Hx) directed along the transport direction (T) in this position (x1), in particular less than 10%.
  10. Checking device according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized by a transport mechanism (17) for transporting a security element (31) along the transport region (20) in the transport direction (T).
  11. Processing apparatus (101) for documents of value, comprising a checking device (100) according to one of Claims 6 to 10, in particular apparatus for paying in and/or paying out documents of value comprising a checking device (100) according to one of Claims 6 to 10 or apparatus for processing documents of value comprising a checking device (100) according to one of Claims 6 to 10, such as, for example, a bank note processing machine for checking banknotes using a checking device (100) according to one of Claims 6 to 10.
  12. Method for magnetizing a security element (31), comprising a first magnetic material with a first coercive field strength and a second magnetic material with a second coercive field strength which is lower than the first coercive field strength, characterized by the steps of:
    - providing (S1) a magnetization device (10) as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 5 or a checking device (100) comprising such a magnetization device (10) according to one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein the first magnetic field strength is greater than the first coercive field strength and is greater than the second coercive field strength, and the second magnetic field strength is greater than the second coercive field strength and is lower than the first coercive field strength, and
    - transporting (S2) the security element (31) through the first magnetic field region (15) and then through the second magnetic field region (16) along the transport region (20) in the transport direction (T).
  13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the magnetization device (10) is designed to magnetize the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material by transporting the security element (31) along the transport region (20) in such a way that a resulting magnetization direction of the first magnetic material and a resulting magnetization direction of the second magnetic material are situated opposite one another, in particular are situated at an angle of 155° to 205°, preferably at an angle of 170° to 190°, in relation to one another.
  14. Method for checking a magnetizable security element (31), characterized by the steps of:
    - magnetizing (S1, S2) a security element according to Claim 12 or 13, and
    - detecting (S3) at least one magnetic signal emerging from the magnetized security element (31).
  15. Method according to Claim 14, characterized by the step of:
    evaluating (S4) the detected magnetic signal in respect of the presence of the first magnetic material of the security element (31) and/or the second magnetic material of the security element (31) and/or in respect of a magnetic coding of the security element (31), which magnetic coding is formed by the first magnetic material and/or by the second magnetic material.
EP14820744.2A 2013-12-20 2014-12-12 Magnetisation device for the testing of a security element Active EP3084731B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE102013021969.8A DE102013021969A1 (en) 2013-12-20 2013-12-20 Magnetization device for testing a security element
PCT/EP2014/003337 WO2015090545A1 (en) 2013-12-20 2014-12-12 Magnetization device for testing a security element

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DE (1) DE102013021969A1 (en)
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DE102018008519A1 (en) * 2018-10-30 2020-04-30 Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh Magnetic verification of documents of value
DE102019200361A1 (en) 2019-01-14 2020-07-16 TE Connectivity Sensors Germany GmbH Magnetizing device with reduced stray field
CN110738785A (en) * 2019-09-19 2020-01-31 中钞特种防伪科技有限公司 Detection method and device for magnetic anti-counterfeiting element

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DE102013021969A1 (en) 2015-06-25
EP3084731A1 (en) 2016-10-26
PT3084731T (en) 2023-06-07
CN105765633A (en) 2016-07-13
WO2015090545A1 (en) 2015-06-25

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