EP1575011B1 - Signalling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio module has an optical or acoustic signal(2-4)and an exchangeable module(7) with a transmitter for an ultrasonic or electromagnetic wireless data network subscriber transmitter(8, 11) such as a DECT or Bluetooth (RTM) base station.

Description

The invention relates to a signaling device, in particular a signal tower according to the preamble of claim 1.

Signal devices, in particular signal towers, are frequently used to display operating states on technical devices, such as machines, systems or vehicles. They are mainly used to indicate malfunction of such machines or equipment, so that the operator is able to recognize and eliminate them. Furthermore, such signal devices can also signal operating states which pose a danger to the environment or to persons in the environment.

In order to utilize capacity or machines in their capacity as far as possible, these are usually used in continuous operation. In many manufacturing plants such machines are essentially fully automatic, so that only very few operating and monitoring personnel is provided. It is unavoidable that individual machines or systems can not be monitored at times, so that it can lead to unrecognized malfunctions with the associated negative side effects, such as a business failure, or even dangerous situations.

Machines are commercially available in which the controller (eg a PLC controller) fixed to a communication network, connected to transmit information to an operator or maintenance person. Such a design has the disadvantage that at the location of the machine a firm connection between the machine control and the communication network is provided and beyond the entire machine control must be adjusted with appropriate effort.

With the publication DE 100 58 695 For example, a signal tower has become known which has a radio module which is in communication with a receiver. In this signal tower, the radio module is always assigned to a specific signal tower or at least one specific signal element. In many applications, however, a remote monitoring is required only during certain phases of operation, while in other phases of operation, a conventional signal tower is sufficient. When using signal towers according to the prior art, one or more radio modules are also provided in the operating phases in which they are not required. This brings with it a corresponding effort.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a signal device which is able to generate the corresponding signals outside the range of the usual optical or acoustic signals. In this case, a signal tower according to the invention with little effort is flexible, can be provided with a radio module as needed.

This object is achieved in a signaling device as claimed in claim 1.

The invention makes use of the fact that the corresponding machines, systems, vehicles or the like, in any case an interface to the signal device, since the signal device should generate a visual or audible signal to display the desired operating state in the usual way. Moreover, such a conventional signal device already has a control for generating such signals. The invention makes use of this circumstance in order to achieve a mobile receiver via the additionally available transmitter for wireless data transmission, which can be carried, for example, from a more remote control or monitoring person, who may also be located outside the premises. On the side of the technical equipment to be monitored this no modifications are required.

According to the invention, the transmitter of the signaling device is furthermore designed as a replacement module. This makes it possible, with significantly lower investment costs always equip only a selection of machines or equipment as needed with a transmitter according to the invention. The existing signaling columns or their associated signal elements can thereby without replacement in each mode, ie. be used with or without radio module.

An exchange module can be particularly easily and quickly installed or removed in an existing signal tower, if its connection elements at least partially correspond to the mechanical and / or electrical connection elements of individual signal elements of a signal tower. Signal towers with a modular design are already available in various designs in the trade. Mechanically, the individual signal elements are connected, for example, by means of a bayonet closure, wherein internally during closing or opening of the bayonet closure the electrical contacts, for example, as spring contacts closed or opened. Accordingly, a radio module provided with corresponding connection elements can be integrated into a signal tower just as easily and quickly as the individual signal elements which form the various segments of the signal tower.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transmitter and / or the receiver is designed as a subscriber of a public communication network. In this way, no separately created data transmission path is required.

Furthermore, an additional transmission unit can be provided in the data transmission path between transmitter and receiver. Such a transmission unit can serve as an interface in a public communication network. The communication network can be designed as a wireless radio network and / or as a fixed cable network. It is essential in this embodiment, only the wireless connection between the transmitter of the signaling device and the transmission unit in the transmission path between transmitter and receiver. A development of the above-mentioned embodiment includes the operation of multiple transmitters of one or more signaling devices with one and the same transmission unit. By means of digital data transmission channels, such a configuration can be implemented without difficulty, whereby the expense of multiple transmission units can be eliminated.

Frequently, machines or systems that require a short period of intensive monitoring are recognizable. If, for example, a new production process is set up or a machine or plant is approaching a maintenance or service interval due to the corresponding operating time or the number of pieces being processed, the signal device can be used for such a machine or plant or also for a vehicle or Such are particularly monitored by the signal device such a change module is added to the transmitter according to the invention. Once the interchangeable module is installed, the corresponding technical device is a corresponding monitoring available, ie it is a signal delivery even overnight, even from outside the premises, etc. possible.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a landline telephone, a mobile telephone, a radio and / or an Internet subscriber is provided as the receiver. In principle, all such communication devices are suitable for realizing the invention. In the case of the training of the recipient as a radio or mobile phone, the corresponding transmitter in the signaling device can also be designed as a radio or mobile phone or radio modem. The communication between transmitter in the signaling device and receiver at the signal addressee, e.g. an operator, takes place directly over the corresponding wireless transmission path.

In the embodiment with the aid of a fixed telephone network or the configuration of the receiver as an Internet subscriber, the transmitter can contact the receiver via a transmission unit mentioned above. For example, a wireless connection of the transmitter to a computer connected to the Internet wirelessly or via cable can be provided. The transmitter may also be formed as a mobile phone for communication with a base station connected to the landline telephone.

Advantages here are the use of conventional standard components. Thus der.Sender can be formed, for example, as a so-called DECT telephone unit, within the reach of this DECT handset the appropriate base station for the fixed telephone network is provided.

Another embodiment would be the use of so-called blue-tooth units, by means of which, for example, a wireless connection from a transmitter according to the invention to a computer can be provided to carry out a transmission, for example via the Internet.

In addition, the signal device according to the invention can also be provided with a transmitting unit which can transmit its signals via a plurality of transmission modes. Thus, for example, the combination of a mobile telephone transmitter with a radio and a blue-tooth module would be readily conceivable to provide various transmission channels in a transmitting unit available.

The type of signals to be transmitted can be configured in many ways depending on the application. Thus, a transmission of voice message can be provided as well as the transmission of written messages, for example so-called SMS, etc. Also the transmission of simpler, e.g. However symbolized warning or information signals are readily conceivable.

In particular, in a digital signal transmission, it is also conceivable beyond readily conceivable different operating states of the provided with the signal device according to the invention technical device. This not only disturbances in question, but it can also messages about the nature of the handling or maintenance activities to be performed, such as the required refilling of magazines, performing maintenance, etc., displayed or announced in advance, so that a corresponding Person on time and in particular before the occurrence of a Incident can be called.

Even a regular notification of normal undisturbed operating condition may be useful in certain applications.

Furthermore, a signal device according to the invention is preferably designed so that it also includes a receiver. This embodiment allows for interactive data transmission, i. a corresponding operating or monitoring person can also send information to the signaling device or interrogate it there.

A signal device according to the invention can furthermore be designed so that the signal addressee can be entered freely selectable. The storage of multiple signal addressees is here conceivable to make provision for an emergency that the desired operator or maintenance person is not available. If several persons are to be informed, then, in such an embodiment, this can also be carried out simultaneously or immediately one after the other by means of a signaling device according to the invention.

Depending on the type of data transmission channel, a certain electromagnetic power is radiated by the transmitter according to the invention. This energy can be enough to cause interference with the signaling device. Thus, for example, LEDs that generate a light signal can already be disturbed by low radiated power on the order of 5 watts or the like. Sensitive. Therefore, in a corresponding embodiment of the invention, the sensitive components, such as the signal generator (LED, piezo buzzer, etc.) or electronic control units with respect to the antenna of the transmitter according to the invention appropriately shielded, so that no or at least not too large interference fields in the corresponding signal generator and / or the control electronics can occur.

In another embodiment, the antenna is further attached to the outside of the signaling device in order to ensure a greater distance and better ways to shield the corresponding components of the signaling device.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained with reference to the figure below.

The single FIGURE shows a side view of a signal device according to the invention with a radio module according to the invention in a sectional view.

The signal device according to the figure is designed as a signal tower 1, in which a plurality of optical and / or acoustic signal elements 2, 3, 4 are joined together. These individual signal elements 2, 3, 4 can be provided, for example, for a modular construction with corresponding closure mechanisms, for example a bayonet closure, as well as the corresponding contact elements for producing the electrical contacts during assembly.

The signal tower 1 is closed with a lid 5, which may possibly also include a signal element, such as a piezo buzzer or the like.

A base 6 is provided as a connection element, ie it can be connected via non-illustrated connecting elements such as a connection cable, brackets or the like with the corresponding machine, system or the corresponding vehicle.

According to the invention, a radio element 7 is now arranged between the base 6 and the first adjacent signal element 2. The radio element 7 includes a transmitter unit in the form of a radio module 8, the antenna 9 is guided outside of the housing 10 of the radio element 7 and this passes through this housing 10.

As can be clearly seen from the figure, the radio module 7 or its housing 10 is constructed in accordance with the signal elements 2, 3, 4. The mechanical connection of the radio module 7 is accordingly the same as the connection between the individual signal elements 2, 3, 4. In this way, the structure of the signal tower 1 is very fast and easy to accomplish. In particular, the radio module 7 can also be removed by simply loosening the corresponding closure, for example a bayonet closure between the base 6 and the signal element 2 and reused for other purposes.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection points are formed so that they are automatically opened or closed at the same time when opening or closing the mechanical fasteners.

The radio module 8 includes, among other electronic components, not shown, a transmitter 11 which is in communication with the antenna 9.

The arrangement of the radio element 7 between the base 6 and the lowermost signal element 2 includes a certain function. At this point, all control signals for the signal elements 2, 3, 4 arranged above can be picked up by the radio module 8. For this purpose, the radio module 8 can be connected to a control electronics (not shown) in the socket 6.

On the other hand, only the control signals for the overlying signal elements can be tapped further up between the individual signal elements 2, 3, 4, because usually not all control signals are passed through the entire signal tower 1 in order to reduce the expense.

The radio module 8 can use the control signals for the individual signal elements 2, 3, 4, which are generated anyway by the machine control for the signal tower 1 or the control electronics, not shown in detail, in order to generate a corresponding radio signal and to emit it via the transmitter 11. The machine control does not need to be adapted to the inventive design of the signal tower 1.

Via a receiver not shown, the signals radiated by the radio module 8 can be received and sent to a signal addressee, e.g. to an operator or maintenance person.

As already mentioned above, the radio module 8 can be designed as a so-called GSM radio module, as a blue-tooth module, as a DECT radio modem, etc.

The radio element 7 is the same as the other elements of the signal tower 1, ie, as the base 6, the signal elements 2, 3, 4 and the lid 5 designed as an exchange module. It can thus be removed by simple handles, eg by loosening a bayonet between the signal element 2 on the one hand and the base 6 on the other hand from the signal tower and integrated elsewhere in a corresponding signal tower. The remaining components of the signal tower 1, ie the unit formed from the signal elements 2, 3, 4 and the lid 5 can then easily be placed back on the base 6, fixed, contacted and operated as a conventional signal tower.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

signal Tower

2

signal element

3

signal element

4

signal element

5

cover

6

base

7

radio element

8th

radio module

9

antenna

10

casing

11

transmitter

Claims (17)

1. Signal pillar (1) for displaying at least one operating state of a technical device, such as a machine, a system, a vehicle or the like with an optical and/or acoustic signal element (2, 3, 4), a transmitting unit (8) with a transmitted (11) additionally being provided for wireless data transmission to a receiver, characterised in that the transmitting unit (8) of the signal pillar is arranged in an exchangeable module (7), the exchangeable module (7) at least partially having the same mechanical and electrical connection elements as a signal element (1, 3, 4) of the signal pillar (1), so that the exchangeable module (7) can be detachably integrated into the signal pillar (1).
2. Signal pillar according to claim 1, characterised in that wireless data transmission is provided by electromagnetic radiation and/or ultrasound radiation.
3. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitting unit (8) and/or the receiver is configured as a user of a public communications network.
4. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a transfer unit is provided in the transmission path between the transmitter and receiver.
5. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of transmitting units (8) can be connected to a transfer unit.
6. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a landline telephone, a mobile telephone, a radio device and/or an internet user is provided as the receiver.
7. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the signal pillar (1) additionally has a receiver for receiving data via a wireless data transmission path.
8. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitting unit (8) comprises a mobile radio modem for dialling into a mobile radio network.
9. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitting unit (8) is configured as a mobile part for a telephone base station on the landline network.
10. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the signal pillar (1) has a DECT telephone unit and/or a Bluetooth module as the transmitting unit (8).
11. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a transmitting unit (8) is provided with a plurality of transmitters (11) for different transmission channels.
12. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitter (11) is configured to transmit voice messages and/or text messages.
13. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitter (11) is configured to transmit various operating states.
14. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a shield is provided to shield sensitive components of the signal pillar from the transmitter (11).
15. Signal pillar according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an antenna (9) is attached to the outside of the signal pillar (1).
16. Machine or system with a signal pillar, which comprises an optical and/or acoustic signal generator, characterised in that the signal pillar has a transmitting unit (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.
17. Vehicle with a signal pillar, characterised in that the signal pillar has a transmitting unit (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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