DE102013113438B4 - Display module of a field device in automation technology - Google Patents

Abstract

Display module of a field device in automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising: - A housing (2) with an opening (3), the opening (3) being tightly closed by means of a transparent pane (4), at least two light-emitting elements ( 5) for generating at least one color signal, wherein the light-emitting elements (5) are arranged in the housing (2) in such a way that the light of the respective light-emitting element (5) emerges from the housing (2) through the disk (4). - a deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5), which is arranged on the housing (2), for deflecting the light emerging from the disk (4), a first portion of the light entry surface facing the disk (4). (10) of the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is designed as a light guide (7) and is arranged in such a way that the light of one of the at least two light-emitting elements (5) is passed on, the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is arranged rotatably with respect to the opening (3) of the housing (2), so that depending on a position of the light guide (7) relative to the at least two light-emitting elements (5), the light of the first light-emitting element (5) forwarded and the light of the second light-emitting element (5) is absorbed or the light of the first light-emitting element (5) is absorbed and the light of the second light-emitting element (5) is forwarded.

Description

The invention relates to a display module of a field device in automation technology for displaying at least one color signal.

In automation technology, especially in process automation technology, field devices are often used that are used to record and/or influence process variables. Sensors are used to record process variables, which are integrated, for example, in level measuring devices, flow meters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity measuring devices, etc., which record the corresponding process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value or conductivity. Actuators, such as valves or pumps, are used to influence process variables and can be used to change the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the fill level in a container. In principle, all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information are referred to as field devices. In connection with the invention, field devices also include remote I/Os, radio adapters or generally electronic components that are arranged at the field level. A large number of such field devices are manufactured and sold by Endress + Hauser.

Flow measuring devices are in particular Coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, thermal and/or magnetically inductive flow measuring devices.

Level measuring devices are in particular microwave level measuring devices, ultrasonic level measuring devices, time domain reflectometric level measuring devices (TDR), radiometric level measuring devices, capacitive level measuring devices, conductive level measuring devices and/or temperature-sensitive level measuring devices.

Pressure measuring devices are in particular absolute, relative or differential pressure devices.

Temperature measuring devices are in particular measuring devices with thermocouples and temperature-dependent resistors.

Point level measuring devices are in particular vibronic point level measuring devices, ultrasonic level measuring devices and/or capacitive or conductive point level measuring devices.

Analysis measuring devices are in particular pH sensors, conductivity sensors, oxygen and active oxygen sensors, (spectro)-photometric sensors, and/or ion-selective electrodes.

Electronic devices, including field devices that are intended to be operated in potentially explosive areas, must also meet very high safety requirements with regard to explosion protection. In particular, the aim is to safely avoid the formation of sparks or at least to ensure that any spark that may arise inside a closed room has no impact on the surrounding area in order to safely prevent the potential triggering of an explosion. Like, for example, in the US 6,366,436 B1 or the US 6,556,447 B2 In this regard, a distinction is made between different types of ignition protection in connection with explosion protection, each of which is also manifested in the relevant standards and norms relating to electrical equipment for potentially explosive areas, such as the European ones Standards EN 60079-xx , the US standards FM36xx, the Canadian standard C22.2, the international Standard IEC 60079-18 or the standards DIN EN 50 014 ff. As a protection class is in the European Standard EN 60079-1 :2007 The type of protection “flameproof enclosure” (Ex-d) is listed. Electrical devices designed in accordance with this protection class must have a flameproof housing, which ensures that an explosion occurring inside the housing cannot be transmitted to the outside. In order to have sufficient mechanical strength, pressure-resistant housings are designed to have comparatively thick walls.

Numerous display modules for field devices in automation technology are known from the prior art, such as the publication DE 10 2005 062 419 A1 . The display modules have a housing, a light-emitting element for displaying color signals being arranged in the housing. The housing has a base body with an opening that is closed by a cover, so that the safety requirements with regard to explosion protection, in particular a flameproof encapsulation (Ex-D), are guaranteed. The lid has a window pane so that the color signals of the light-emitting element are visible outside the housing.

The disadvantage of such display modules is that the color signals of the light-emitting element emerge from the pane in a straight direction and are not visible to the side of the pane.

The invention is based on the object of proposing a display module that redirects the light of its color signals using simple means and at the same time meets the IP protection class and safety requirements with regard to explosion protection, not changed, especially with regard to the flameproof encapsulation of the housing.

• - Ein Gehäuse mit
  • ◯ einer Öffnung, wobei die Öffnung mittels einer durchsichtigen Scheibe dicht verschlossen ist,
  • ◯ mindestens zwei lichtemittierenden Elementen zum Erzeugen von jeweils mindestens einem Farbsignal, wobei die lichtemittierenden Elemente derart in dem Gehäuse angeordnet sind, dass das Licht des jeweiligen lichtemittierenden Elements durch die Scheibe aus dem Gehäuse austritt,
• - einen Umlenkkörper, welcher an dem Gehäuse angeordnet ist, zum Umlenken des aus der Scheibe ausgetretenen Lichts, wobei ein der Scheibe zugewandter erster Teilbereich der Lichteintrittsfläche des Umlenkkörpers als ein Lichtleiter ausgestaltet und dermaßen angeordnet ist, dass das Licht eines der mindestens zwei lichtemittierenden Elemente weitergeleitet wird, wobei der Umlenkkörper drehbar bezüglich der Öffnung des Gehäuses angeordnet ist, so dass abhängig von einer Position des Lichtleiters relativ zu den mindestens zwei lichtemittierenden Elementen, das Licht des ersten lichtemittierenden Elements weitergeleitet und das Licht des zweiten lichtemittierenden Elements absorbiert wird oder das Licht des ersten lichtemittierenden Elements absorbiert und das Licht des zweiten lichtemittierenden Elements weitergeleitet wird.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the invention according to claim 1. The subject of the invention is a display module of a field device in automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising:

• - A housing with
  • ◯ an opening, the opening being tightly closed by means of a transparent pane,
  • ◯ at least two light-emitting elements for generating at least one color signal each, the light-emitting elements being arranged in the housing in such a way that the light of the respective light-emitting element emerges from the housing through the disk,
• - a deflection body, which is arranged on the housing, for deflecting the light emerging from the disk, wherein a first portion of the light entry surface of the deflection body facing the disk is designed as a light guide and is arranged in such a way that the light of one of the at least two light-emitting elements is passed on is, wherein the deflection body is rotatably arranged with respect to the opening of the housing, so that depending on a position of the light guide relative to the at least two light-emitting elements, the light of the first light-emitting element is passed on and the light of the second light-emitting element is absorbed or the light of the absorbed by the first light-emitting element and the light of the second light-emitting element is transmitted.

The deflection body is an additional module to the housing. The deflection body can be upgraded after the housing has been fully assembled. If the housing meets the safety requirements with regard to explosion protection or flameproof enclosure (Ex-D), this does not necessarily have to apply to the deflection body. Connecting the deflection body to the housing does not change the properties of the housing. This means that the housing can comply with safety requirements despite the connected deflection body.

According to a further embodiment, the deflection body is detachably arranged on the housing.

By releasably arranging the deflection body on the housing, it is possible to remove the deflection body at any time and replace it with another deflection body.

According to an advantageous development, the at least two light-emitting elements emit light of different wavelengths, and the deflection body is designed such that the light of different wavelengths is deflected with different deflection angles.

The phenomenon of dispersion is exploited. For this purpose, the deflection body must be designed in such a way that the light does not emerge vertically from the deflection body, but rather at a flat deflection angle. The flatter the deflection angle of the light that emerges from the deflection body, the stronger the dispersion.

According to a further development, the deflection body has a light exit surface facing away from the pane, which is at least partially convex.

A convex light exit surface makes particularly good use of the dispersion effect. The different colors have particularly large deflection angles relative to each other.

According to the invention, the light from the light-emitting element is directed directly to a specific point on the deflection body, where the light is deflected particularly effectively.

According to a further embodiment, the light guide is arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the deflection body.

The deflection body preferably has a point in its center on its longitudinal axis that can deflect the light particularly effectively. If the light guide is also arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the light is directed directly to the point on the deflection body where it is deflected particularly effectively.

According to the invention, the light from a specific light-emitting element can be tapped in a targeted manner. The light from the other light-emitting element does not reach the light guide directly and therefore reaches the deflection body with a weaker intensity.

According to an advantageous development, a second portion of the light entry surface of the deflection body, which lies outside the first portion of the light guide, has an absorption layer.

The absorption surface serves to absorb the light from the light-emitting element that does not reach the light guide directly.

Due to the rotatable design of the deflection body, the position of the deflection body determines which color signal should enter the deflection body and which color signal should be absorbed before it can enter the deflection body.

According to a further embodiment, the deflection body comprises polycarbonate (PC) and/or polyamide (PA).

Polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA) have a relatively high refractive index and are at the same time able to transmit light without high losses.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the deflection body can be received in the opening of the housing.

The advantage of this configuration is that the deflection body can form a positive connection with the opening. This connection can be made and released easily and without much effort.

According to an advantageous development, the deflection body is designed such that the deflection body projects beyond an end face of the housing on which the opening is arranged.

If the deflection body protrudes beyond the end face of the housing, the light that emerges from the deflection body can no longer be limited by the end face. The light that emerges from the deflection body can reach deflection angles of up to 180° compared to the undirected light.

According to an advantageous development, the deflection body has at least one scattering center for scattering light. The advantage of a scattering center is that it can be specifically placed in the deflection body.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the scattering center is arranged such that the light guide guides the light to the scattering center. A large part of the light is guided through the light guide into the interior of the deflection body. If the light guide leads directly to the scattering center, the majority of the light is scattered specifically through the scattering center.

According to a further embodiment, the scattering center is designed as a cavity on the light exit surface of the deflection body. A hollow on the light exit surface is a cost-effective and simple way to create a scattering center.

• 1: ein Längsschnitt eines Anzeigemoduls mit einer ersten Ausgestaltung eines Umlenkkörpers, und
• 2: ein Anzeigemodul mit verschiedenen Ausgestaltungen des Umlenkkörpers, die als Systemkomponenten an das Anzeigemodul anordenbar sind.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows:

• 1 : a longitudinal section of a display module with a first embodiment of a deflection body, and
• 2 : a display module with various configurations of the deflection body, which can be arranged as system components on the display module.

1 shows a display module 1 of a field device in automation technology. The display module 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 2. A circular opening 3 is arranged on an end face 8 of the cylindrical housing 2. A transparent and circular disk 4 is arranged from the inside on the end face 8 of the housing 2. The disk 4 closes the opening 3 in such a way that the housing 2 has a flameproof encapsulation that meets the Ex-D requirements.

A light-emitting element 5 is arranged in the housing 2 in such a way that part of the light from the light-emitting element 5 emerges from the opening 3 or through the pane 4. The light from the light-emitting element 5 has different colors. In this way, 2 different color signals can be displayed outside the housing.

A first embodiment of a deflection body 6.1 is arranged in the opening 3. The deflection body 6.1 is designed cylindrically in such a way that it creates a positive connection with the opening 3. The light of the light-emitting element 5, which emerges from the disk 4 or the opening 3, enters the deflection body 6.1 and exits the deflection body 6.1 again. The deflection body 6.1 thus has a light entry surface 10 and a light exit surface 11. The light entry surface 10 faces the pane 4, and the light exit surface 11 faces away from the pane 4. The deflection body 6.1 is designed to be diffuse, so that the light that enters through the light entry surface 11 emerges diffusely from the light exit surface 11.

The deflection body 6.1 has a cavity 9 which is open in the direction of the light entry surface 10 and closed in the direction of the light exit surface 11 by means of a plate-shaped part 12 of the deflection body 6.1. The cylindrical deflection body 6.1 is longer than the circular opening 3. Therefore, the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflection body 6.1 protrudes from the plane of the end face of the housing 2. In this way, on the one hand, the light exit surface 11 of the deflection body 6.1 is enlarged, and on the other hand The light is also deflected in a direction laterally to a longitudinal axis 17 of the deflection body 6.1.

Within the cavity 9, a first portion of the light entry surface 10 of the deflection body 6.1 is designed as a light guide 7, the light guide 7 protruding from the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflection body 6.1 to an edge surface of the deflection body 6.1. The light guide 7 is arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17 of the deflection body 6.1. The light, which enters the deflection body 6.1 through the light entry surface 10, is preferably guided through the light guide 7 and thus reaches the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflection body 6.1, where it can be deflected particularly effectively. Since the deflection body 6.1 is designed to be diffuse, the light is deflected in all directions that are not covered by the opaque housing 2.

Furthermore, the deflection body 6.1 has a scattering center which is designed as a cavity 19. The cavity 19 is arranged centrally on the light exit surface 11 of the deflection body 6.1, so that the light guide 7 is guided in the direction of the cavity 19. The light, which is guided through the light guide, hits the cavity 19 and is effectively scattered in all directions.

2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a display module 1 with differently designed deflection bodies 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, which can be arranged as system components on the display module 1. The display module 1 has a housing 2 in which a light-emitting element 5 is arranged. Furthermore, the housing 2 has a second opening 14, which can be tightly closed by means of a cover 13, so that the housing 2 with the cover 13 has a pressure-tight encapsulation that meets the Ex-D requirements. The housing 2 and the cover 13 are cylindrical. The cover 13 has a first opening 3 on an end face 8, into which the various designed deflection bodies 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 can be inserted as required.

A second embodiment of a deflection body 6.2 has a spherical-convex light exit surface 11. The spherical-convex exit surface 11 of the deflection body 6.2 causes the light from the light-emitting element 5 to be deflected evenly in all directions.

A third embodiment of a deflection body 6.3 has two convex curvatures 15, 16 on the light exit surface 11. If the light-emitting element 5 consists, for example, of a red and an orange light-emitting diode, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the housing 2, the deflection body 6.3 is arranged in the opening 3 of the cover 13 in such a way that the red light is transmitted by means of a first curvature 15 and the orange one Light is redirected by means of a second curvature 16. In this way, the respective colors of the light-emitting diodes are redirected separately, which means that the color signals, in this case red and orange, are better highlighted.

A fourth embodiment of a deflection body 6.4 has a convex light exit surface. The radius of curvature is chosen such that the light from a single light-emitting element 5 is split into its color spectrum. In this way, different color signals can be redirected with different deflection angles, making the color signals easier to distinguish.

A fifth embodiment of the deflection body 6.5 is designed similarly to the first embodiment of the deflection body 6.1. The only difference is in the position of the light guide 7. In the fifth embodiment of the deflection body 6.5, the light guide 7 is not arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17 but rather parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 at a certain distance.

If the light-emitting element 5 has a plurality of light diodes that are arranged at a distance from one another and emit color signals of different colors, the different colors enter the deflection body 6.5 at different points on the light entry surface 10. In this case, the deflection body 6.5 can be positioned on the first opening 3 of the housing 2 so that the light from a specific light diode of the light-emitting element 5 enters the light guide 7.

Furthermore, the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflection body 6.5 has an absorption layer 18. The absorption layer 18 is arranged on an inside of the plate-shaped part 12 outside the first partial area of the light guide 7, the second partial area of the light entry surface 10 of the deflection body 6.5 and serves to absorb the light of the light-emitting element 5, which does not get into the light guide 7 should. In this way, only the light from a desired light-emitting element 5 reaches the deflection body 6.5, and the light from the other light-emitting element 5 is suppressed.

Reference symbol list

1

Display module

2

Housing

3

First opening

4

Transparent disc

5

Light emitting element

6.1

First design of the deflection body

6.2

Second embodiment of the deflection body

6.3

Third embodiment of the deflection body

6.4

Fourth embodiment of the deflection body

6.5

Fifth embodiment of the deflection body

7

light guide

8th

face

9

cavity

10

Light entry surface

11

Light exit surface

12

Plate-shaped part of the deflection body

13

Lid

14

Second opening

15

First bulge

16

Second bulge

17

Longitudinal axis

18

Absorption layer

19

Hollowing out

Claims (12)

Display module of a field device in automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising: - A housing (2) with ◯ an opening (3), the opening (3) being tightly closed by means of a transparent pane (4), ◯ at least two light-emitting elements (5) for generating at least one color signal each, the light-emitting elements (5) being arranged in the housing (2) in such a way that the light of the respective light-emitting element (5) comes out through the pane (4). exits the housing (2), - a deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5), which is arranged on the housing (2), for deflecting the light emerging from the disk (4), a first portion of the light entry surface facing the disk (4) ( 10) of the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is designed as a light guide (7) and is arranged such that the light of one of the at least two light-emitting elements (5) is passed on, the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is arranged rotatably with respect to the opening (3) of the housing (2), so that depending on a position of the light guide (7) relative to the at least two light-emitting elements (5), the light of the first light-emitting element ( 5) is forwarded and the light of the second light-emitting element (5) is absorbed or the light of the first light-emitting element (5) is absorbed and the light of the second light-emitting element (5) is forwarded. display module Claim 1 , wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is detachably arranged on the housing (2). display module Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least two light-emitting elements (5) emit light of different wavelengths, and wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is designed such that the light of different wavelengths is deflected with different deflection angles. Display module according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) has a light exit surface (11) facing away from the disk (4), which is at least partially convex. Display module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (7) is arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis (17) of the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5). Display module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second portion of the light entry surface (10) of the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) lying outside the first portion of the light guide (7) has an absorption layer. Display module according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the deflection body comprises polycarbonate (PC) and / or polyamide (PA). Display module according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) can be received in the opening (3) of the housing (2). Display module according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) is designed such that the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) over an end face of the housing (2), on which the first opening (3) is arranged, protrudes. Display module according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5) has at least one scattering center for scattering light. display module Claim 10 , wherein the scattering center is arranged such that the light guide (7) guides the light to the scattering center. Display module according to one of the Claims 10 or 11 , wherein the scattering center is designed as a cavity (19) on the light exit surface (11) of the deflection body (6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4, 6.5).

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