DE102005014345A1 - Signaling device, in particular signal tower - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a signal device, in particular signal tower, for signaling at least one operating state of a technical device such as a machine, a system, a vehicle or the like, with at least one signal element (5), in particular a light emitting diode and / or a buzzer or the like proposed , which significantly expands the application possibilities. This is inventively achieved in that the signal device has a control unit (4) independent of the technical device for controlling the operating state of at least the signal element (5), which has at least one parameter input (8) for detecting a state parameter of the technical device.

Description

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

State of technology

Signaling equipment, especially signal towers and / or buzzer or the like are for signaling of operating states technical devices, such as machines, systems or vehicles often in use. she serve mainly to malfunction of such machines or Signaling systems, in particular optically and / or acoustically, so that the operator is able to recognize them and to eliminate. Furthermore you can such signaling devices also operating states of which danger to the environment or to persons go out in the area.

Around Machines or plants in their capacity to be used as far as possible these more often used in continuous operation. Run at many factories such machines are essentially fully automatic, so only very much few operating and monitoring personnel is provided. It is unavoidable that individual Machines or systems can not be monitored at times, so that there are undetected malfunctions associated with it negative side effects, such as a breakdown, or even dangerous situations can occur.

Appropriate Signaling devices such as e.g. Signal towers are in different ways Variants already commercially available. Often are signal towers with several, pluggable individual modules in use, where for example, a base module, one or more signal or lighting modules and / or an acoustic signal module with a Piezo buzzer or the like are provided. Furthermore, it is already commercially available, that lighting modules as a lighting element, an incandescent lamp, one / more light-emitting diodes and / or flashing lights.

at previous signaling device such as e.g. Signal towers, etc. receives this from the technical device the Instructions or commands, e.g. a green light and / or red light and / or a buzzer, etc. a signal for each associated Operating state of the technical device outputs. It means that a control unit of the technical device control of the signaling device or signal tower perceives. The signaling device thus only takes instructions or commands that it executes accordingly.

Task and Advantages of the invention

task the invention it is in contrast, a Signaling device, in particular signal tower or the like, for signaling or displaying at least one operating state of a technical Device with at least one signal element, in particular a luminous element such as. a light emitting diode and / or an acoustic signal generator such e.g. a buzzer, etc., to suggest the possible applications significantly expanded.

These Task is, starting from a signaling device of the introductory mentioned type, by the characterizing features of the claim 1 solved. By in the subclaims mentioned measures are advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention possible.

Accordingly is a signal device according to the invention characterized in that the signaling device is independent of the technical device control unit for controlling the operating state of at least the signal element, the at least one parameter input for detecting a state parameter of the technical device having. This will allow that the signaling device according to the invention a "technical Intelligence "for the processing / processing of the state parameter, which is independent of the monitored technical device is. This ensures a decisive extension of the application possibilities in practice. For example, you can also technical devices without an electronic control unit, for example from previous decades, according to the invention with a signaling device or signal tower including appropriate functionalities retrofitted or be equipped.

The same also applies for Technical Devices to where originally it was assumed that no signaling of an operating condition is necessary and thus have no appropriate precautions, however, e.g. due to different changes in the framework conditions a corresponding signaling is desired or necessary. According to the invention also such technical devices Advantageously expandable or expandable, so that with the help of a Signaling device according to the invention a signaling of the operating state also such technical equipment can be realized.

In principle, a wide variety of state parameters of the technical device can be supplied to the control unit according to the invention and with their help can be advantageously used to display the operating status of the technical device.

Preferably the state parameter is designed as a sensor parameter of a sensor. With the help of this measure the operating status can be detected by the sensor and sent to the control unit transmitted according to the invention or this provided become. By contrast, it is also conceivable that already at least in part processed parameters or sensor parameters of the control unit according to the invention to disposal provided or transmitted to this become.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the sensor is as a sensor of the technical device educated. This is a particularly elegant way one already existing sensor of the technical device for signaling the operating state usable, so that the constructive effort to the realization reduce the invention.

In According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the sensor is a from the technical device independent Sensor formed. This allows, for example, Technical Devices, which have so far no own sensors, designed in this way can be that an indication of an operating state can be realized. hereby again becomes the field of application of signaling devices according to the invention significantly expanded compared to the prior art.

Furthermore can also technical devices be designed to indicate an operating condition in which For example, a sensor or the like forgotten or originally for certain Condition parameter not needed has been.

For example are for commissioning or during a conversion of the technical device, for example, to produce another product or the like, special and / or more than those necessary in normal operation or existing sensors required. According to the invention, e.g. in a changeover and / or commissioning phase and / or separate or independent of the technical device sensor according to the invention be used.

Basically it is possible with the aid of the invention to realize a local network or a "LAN", which is largely independent from the technical device or their hardware and / or software can work. Farther can the components necessary for displaying the operating status, such as e.g. Hardware and software, this optimally optimally be tuned, so that a particularly advantageous signaling the operating state possible is.

In an advantageous embodiment The invention is at least one plug-in unit comprising a data line for connecting at least the signal element to the control unit intended. This is an advantageous, in particular releasable connection be produced between the control unit and the signal element. For example, a commercial Signal element can be used via a standard plug connection connectable to the separate control unit. This allows for example a particularly economically favorable Production of the signaling device or signal tower according to the invention. For example will be a retrofit already commercially available Signal devices with the control unit or "technical intelligence" according to the invention implemented.

alternative or in combination with the aforementioned embodiment is at least one Transmitter unit with a transmitter for wireless data transmission to a receiver intended. This makes wireless data transmission more advantageous Way feasible, for example, between the control unit and the signal element a corresponding wireless data transmission he follows. This is particularly advantageous for locations, in which, for example, the signal element very high on the technical Device to install is and the control unit according to the invention and / or a sensor for detecting a state parameter of the technical equipment far away or hard to reach localities should be placed.

Furthermore can according to this Variant of the invention, for example, achieved a mobile receiver be, in particular from a distant, if necessary also outside of the company premises located operating or monitoring person carried can be. On the part of the monitored technical device For this purpose, no modifications are required.

at the variant of the invention, wherein the signaling device or the Signal module a receiver includes, can For example, receive signals wirelessly and the device, the machine or plant available provided or for control, in particular control, this in an advantageous Be used way. On the part of the monitored technical device or Machine are for this no modifications required.

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 one is too separately creating data transmission path required.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention the transmitter and / or the receiver of the signaling device designed as a removable module. This makes it possible, with much less Investment costs always just a selection of machines or systems with a transmitter according to the invention equip.

In a particular embodiment The invention is called a receiver and / or transmitter a landline phone, a mobile phone, a radio and / or a network and / or an Internet subscriber is provided. Basically, all such communication devices suitable for the realization of the invention. In the case of training Recipient and / or transmitter as a radio or mobile phone can be the appropriate transmitter and / or receiver in the signaling device also as a radio or mobile phone or radio modem be educated. The communication between transmitter and / or receiver in signaller and receiver and / or transmitter at the signal addressee, e.g. an operator finds while directly above the corresponding wireless transmission link instead of.

The Type of transfer Signals can generally be configured in many ways depending on the application become. So can a transmission be provided by voice message as well as the transmission of written messages, for example so-called SMS, etc .. Also the transmission simpler, e.g. symbolized warning or information signals However, they are conceivable without further ado.

Especially in a digital signal transmission is it about it beyond readily conceivable, various operating conditions of the with the signal device according to the invention provided technical equipment tell. Not only are disturbances in question, but also messages about the Nature of the handling or maintenance activities to be carried out, such as the required refilling of magazines, performing Maintenance work, etc. are displayed or even announced in advance, so that a relevant person on time and in particular also before the occurrence of an accident can be called.

Preferably the control unit has an independent power supply from the technical device on. This is a self-sufficient operation of the signaling device realizable. This not only applies to the parameter preparation with the aid of the control unit according to the invention, but also according to this Variant on the power supply too. This is a largely independent Operation of the signaling device from the technical device or their Hardware and software feasible.

For example the signaling device has a commercially available power plug and / or a transformer unit and / or AC / DC converter or the like and / or Batteries or accumulators.

advantageously, is the control unit in a separate from the technical device casing integrated. As a result, the control unit according to the invention e.g. independently from the technical device at any locations attached and fixed. For example, the control unit or the housing on the technical device fixed.

In a particular embodiment of the invention is the control unit integrated in a housing separate from the signal element. Hereby becomes an independent one Installation of the control unit realized by the signal element. About that In addition, this makes it possible in an advantageous manner, already commercially available signal elements or signal columns or the like, and to form them according to the invention or to retrofit accordingly.

Preferably is the signaling device as a signal tower with at least one removable module and formed a base element. Also according to this variant commercially available components be used, which allows an economically favorable production.

In A particular variant of the invention is the control unit integrated in the base element. Already commercially available base elements offer generally enough Space to accommodate, for example, an electronic control unit according to the invention. With the help of this measure can be a separate case for the Control unit omitted and / or it can be commercial signal towers on especially simple manner according to the invention formed without this being e.g. For Layman, at least at first sight, is visible.

advantageously, the control unit is integrated in the interchangeable module. Just this Variant of the invention offers the possibility of a particularly simple upgrade or equip previously commercially available Signaling devices or signaling columns according to the invention train. Exchange modules are just designed to make them easy and are mostly interchangeable. For example, a already commercially available casing for exchangeable modules used for receiving or integrating the control unit according to the invention become.

Preferably, the transmitting unit with the transmitter and / or receiver in the housing of the Kon integrated control unit. In this way, a wireless data transmission to example commercially available signal elements such as lighting elements and / or acoustic signal transmitter can be implemented in an elegant manner.

advantageously, is the transmitting unit with the transmitter and / or receiver in a removable module and / or base element of the signaling device integrated. As a result, a particularly simple retrofitting is commercially available Signaling devices according to the invention possible.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is based on the single figure below closer explained.

1 shows schematically a structure of a signaling device according to the invention.

A light unit 1 or a signal tower 1 is in the illustrated embodiment via a line 2 and a plug 3 with a control unit 4 detachably connected in an advantageous manner. The lighting unit 1 includes several lighting modules 5 or exchange modules 5 and a socket element 6 , about which the lighting unit 1 with the control unit 4 connected is.

A change module 5 For example, it can also be designed as a flash module, light bulb module, light-emitting diode module, piezo noise module or horn module. In addition, can also be a special replacement module 5 be designed as a wireless module for wireless data transmission with a receiver / transmitter, not shown. For example, the lighting unit 1 though with the help of the line 2 with the control unit 4 be connected, however, a corresponding wireless module, for example, wireless alert an operator or surveillance person with mobile phone or the like.

The control unit 4 has its own energy supply 7 on, which is realized in the example shown as a commercial plug, in particular for 230 V AC. For example, in the control unit 4 an AC / DC converter or the like provided so that the lighting unit 1 can be supplied with 24 V DC, for example.

The control unit 4 or a housing of the control unit 4 has for example four inputs 8th for state parameters of a technical device, not shown, or the like. According to 1 are the inputs 8th as sensor inputs for sensors 9 educated. By way of example, four different sensor types are shown symbolically, with sensor 9a as inductive sensor, sensor 9b as capacitive sensor, sensor 9c as an optical sensor or light barrier or the like and sensor 9d is designed as a mechanical sensor or button or the like.

In principle, the illustrated variant of the invention can be embodied such that the individual components can be connected or joined together, for example, in the "plug and play" method and / or on the technical device. This means that the lighting unit 1 for example, as a peripheral device to the control unit 4 can be connected without special drivers or the like installed or other settings must be made. The same can be achieved in a connection to the technical device in a manner not shown.

In addition, the sensors can 9 with the control unit 4 be connected or connected in the "plug and play" method, without the need for appropriate drivers or the like.

Farther It is conceivable that at least one image recording unit for detection an image is provided. Preferably, the image pickup unit is designed as a digital camera for capturing digital images. As well is conceivable, advantageously a sound recording unit for Recording sounds or language. With these variants of the invention is an optical and / or acoustic monitoring of the environment of signaling device and optionally implemented with advantageous signaling. To the Example of anti-theft and / or accident prevention Operators with corresponding machines. It is advantageous the image recording unit and / or the sound recording unit with the technical device and / or the control unit according to the invention and / or in the "plug and play "procedure connect to.

Claims (13)

Signaling device, in particular signal tower, for signaling at least one operating state of a technical device, such as a machine, a system, a vehicle or the like, with at least one signal element ( 5 ), in particular a luminous element ( 5 ) and / or acoustic signal transmitter, characterized in that the signaling device is a control unit independent of the technical device ( 4 ) for controlling the operating state of at least the signal element ( 5 ) having at least one parameter input ( 8th ) for detecting a state parameter of the technical device. Signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the state parameter as Sensor parameter of a sensor ( 9 ) is trained. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor ( 9 ) as a sensor ( 9 ) of the technical device is formed. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor ( 9 ) as a non-technical device sensor ( 9 ) is trained. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of a data line ( 2 ) comprehensive connector unit ( 3 ) for connecting at least the signal element ( 5 ) with the control unit ( 4 ) is provided. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that at least one transmitting unit with a transmitter for wireless data transmission provided to a receiver is. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitting unit for data transmission between the control unit ( 4 ) as well as the signal element ( 5 ) is trained. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 4 ) a power supply independent of the technical device ( 7 ) having Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 4 ) is integrated in a front technical device separate housing. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 4 ) in one of the signal element ( 5 ) separate housing is integrated. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling device as a signaling column with at least one removable module ( 5 ) and a base element ( 6 ) is trained. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 4 ) in the base element ( 6 ) is integrated. Signaling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit ( 4 ) in the exchange module ( 5 ) is integrated.