DE102015206698A1 - Interface plug-in module for a mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular mobile terminal for monitoring an industrial plant (2). The costs for such a modularly constructed mobile terminal are considerably reduced by an interface plug-in module (8), which comprises a signal input (11) for a measurement signal which is detected by a sensor (1) arranged on an industrial plant (2), a processing unit for signal conditioning of the measurement signal and a digital output (12) for outputting the processed measurement signal to a central processing unit of the mobile terminal.

Description

The invention relates to an interface plug-in module for a mobile terminal, a mobile terminal with such an interface plug-in module and a system for measuring and visualizing a measured variable, which is present at an industrial plant.

The invention is used in particular in the industrial environment for condition-oriented maintenance.

Industrial manufacturing and process automation equipment consists of a large number of components subject to wear, the failure of which can lead to an unplanned system downtime. Since these production losses can lead to considerable costs, these components must either be replaced early or be condition-monitored.

In condition-based maintenance, metrological damage to components of the plant is detected early, so that they can be replaced before an unplanned plant shutdown. Damage to rotating machine parts is generally announced by a changed vibration behavior. Accordingly, there are often mounted vibration sensors with which the vibration behavior of the corresponding machine components is detected during operation. The sensors used here are, for example, piezoelectric sensors or frequency-selective sensors based on MEMS. The measurement signals detected by the sensors are then subjected to one or more analog or digital signal processing steps, such. As an analog envelope or other analog filtering steps. For example, by comparing the processed signals with vibration signals representing a normal state of the plant or component, a statement about the component state is derived.

Of course, state detection is not limited to vibration analysis. For example, from the DE 10 2010 005 057 A1 a device for monitoring the state of a lubricant in a bearing of an electrical machine known. Thus, for example, on the condition of the lubricant of a rolling bearing a statement can be made about when this camp needs to be replaced or when the existing lubricant in the bearing must be replaced or refilled.

Usually, the individual measuring points of a system to be monitored are regularly checked by a service technician. For this purpose is off DE 10 2010 010 943 A1 a data collector for detecting, recording and storing vibrations on a machine known, in which a service technician can output the detected sensor signals in suitably processed form. The data collector is designed as a portable device so that the service technician can carry it with them when the various measuring points are running. In order to give the service technician the opportunity to enter further maintenance-relevant information about a monitoring installation during such a tour, the data collector comprises an audio interface for recording audio components, for inputting voice commands and / or for issuing a user instruction. All necessary for the preparation, output and evaluation of the sensor signals components such as processor, data storage and display are arranged in the portable data collector.

Such a data collector is thus a hardware solution specially designed for the metrological task and tuned to the sensors which can be read by the data collector.

In the WO 2013 175162 A1 On the other hand, an alternative approach for condition monitoring of plants or machines is proposed, in which the intelligence for processing and evaluation of the sensor signal is arranged directly on the sensor. For this purpose, the sensor is connected to a corresponding processor. The processed data can be sent wirelessly to an external input / output device. As an input / output device, a commercially available smartphone is proposed by way of example, which can communicate via a Bluetooth connection with such an intelligent sensor. Disadvantage of such an embodiment is that often a large number of sensors is necessary for the condition monitoring of a complex system and each of these sensors is to be equipped according to the teaching proposed here with its own processor.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cost-effective solution for condition monitoring industrial equipment using a mobile device.

This object is achieved by an interface plug-in module for a mobile terminal with the features according to claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a modular mobile terminal according to claim 5 and a system for measuring and visualizing a measured variable in an industrial plant with the features according to claim 10.

Advantageous embodiment of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the finding that with today's widespread smartphones and tablet computers are very cost-effective and universally applicable, powerful mobile devices are available, the computing power is also completely sufficient for processing signals in the industrial environment. Accordingly, the need for specialized hardware for the evaluation and display of measurement data can be significantly reduced if it succeeds to connect smartphones or tablet computers communicatively with the sensors and this use of the already present in smart phones or tablet computers CPUs for signal processing to enable.

For this purpose, an interface plug-in module is proposed according to the invention, which can be inserted into a corresponding slot of a smartphone or tablet computer. The interface plug-in module according to the invention comprises a signal input for a measurement signal which is detected by a sensor arranged on an industrial system. This signal input can in particular represent an interface for proprietary signals, wherein the interface plug-in module converts a proprietary input signal into a form understandable for a CPU of the smartphone or tablet computer.

According to the invention, the interface plug-in module comprises a processing unit for signal conditioning of the measurement signal. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the signal conditioning z. B. be an analog-to-digital conversion.

However, it is also conceivable that the interface plug-in module comprises a filter for the measurement signal in a further advantageous embodiment. Also, analog processing can be performed by the processing unit. Digital signal processing steps can also be carried out by the processing unit of the interface plug-in module before the processed signal is further processed by a CPU plug-in module with a central processor unit of the smartphone or tablet computer. In any case, however, the interface plug-in module according to the invention comprises a digital output for outputting the measurement signal processed by the processing unit to a central processor unit of the smartphone or tablet computer.

The main advantage over the prior art WO 2013 175162 A1 is given by the fact that the sensor arranged on the industrial system does not require its own intelligence in the form of a controller or processor. The tasks of such a processor or controller are taken over in the first place by the central processing unit of the smartphone or tablet computer, wherein the processing unit of the interface plug-in module only has to undertake the necessary signal conditioning. As a result, enormous costs can be saved in the mobile monitoring of industrial manufacturing and process automation systems.

The communication between the equipped with the interface plug-in smartphone or tablet computer can be wireless. For example, the sensor transmits an analog vibration signal detected by it, which is received by an antenna of the smartphone or tablet computer and forwarded to the signal input of the interface plug-in module.

As a rule, however, the sensor must have at least its own power supply in such a design. Also conceivable is an embodiment of the invention in which the interface plug-in module has an interface for establishing a cable connection to the sensor, wherein data and energy for powering the sensor can be transmitted via the interface. In such an embodiment of the invention can be dispensed with a self-sufficient power supply of the sensor. Whenever a service technician wants to check, for example, the vibration status of a system on a rotating machine part, he connects his smartphone or tablet computer to the sensor via a cable, whereby the sensor first receives the necessary energy to carry out its measuring task. In this way it is possible to significantly reduce the production of the vibration monitoring sensors.

The object is further achieved by a modular mobile terminal, which has a base plate for receiving pluggable functional modules, which can be changed by a user, and an interface plug-in module according to one of the embodiments described above. Advantageously, such a modular mobile terminal is designed as a smartphone or tablet computer.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mobile terminal comprises as one of said pluggable function modules, a CPU plug-in module with a central processing unit of the mobile terminal. With an app stored in a memory of the mobile terminal, the measurement signal already processed by the interface plug-in module can be further processed by the CPU plug-in module.

At this point, reference is made to the project ARA by the company Google, in which a modular smartphone is developed. The basic idea of this project is to give the user of the smartphone the opportunity to select individual ones Components of a smartphone to replace independently. For this purpose, such a smartphone has a base plate in the form of a so-called endoskeleton, which is designed to hold various functional modules of the smartphone. Typical examples of such exchangeable modules are a battery module, a display module or even a central processor module, on which an essential for the operation of the smartphone "System on Chip" (SoC) is.

The ARA project aims to give the buyer the opportunity to customize their smartphone to their individual needs. He is thus able to dispense with functions that are unimportant to him and thus to buy a smartphone at more affordable prices. Another advantage is that components such as the battery, which is subject to an aging process, can be easily replaced, and thus the amount of electronic waste is reduced.

• • einen Signaleingang für ein Messsignal, das von einem an einer industriellen Anlage angeordneten Sensor erfasst wird,
• • eine Verarbeitungseinheit zur Signalaufbereitung des Messsignals und
• • einen digitalen Ausgang zur Ausgabe des aufbereiteten Messsignals an eine zentrale Prozesseinheit des Smartphones umfasst.

Such a modular concept is ideally suited for an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which an interface plug-in module is provided for use in a smartphone compatible with Google Ara, wherein the interface plug-in module

• A signal input for a measurement signal detected by a sensor arranged on an industrial plant,
• • a processing unit for signal conditioning of the measurement signal and
• • includes a digital output for outputting the conditioned measurement signal to a central processing unit of the smartphone.

In this way, it is very easy to upgrade a smartphone that is useful for various everyday things to monitor the condition of industrial equipment.

The project ARA refers to a modular smartphone. However, it is also conceivable and encompassed by the invention to provide a similar modular concept for a tablet computer. A tablet computer can also serve as a mobile terminal for condition monitoring of industrial installations if it is equipped to process the received measurement signal with an interface plug-in module according to one of the previously described embodiments.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the modular mobile terminal further comprises an interface for establishing a cable connection to the sensor and a battery connector module for powering the sensor via the cable connection. Such a battery connector module can both serve to power the sensor as well as to power the mobile device as such. However, it is also conceivable and encompassed by the invention that the battery connector module is provided exclusively for supplying the sensor, and the modular terminal comprises a further battery connector module, which is provided to supply the remaining functions of the modular mobile terminal.

A system according to the invention for measuring and visualizing a measured variable on an industrial system comprises, in addition to an interface plug-in module according to one of the previously described embodiments and an app executable on a CPU of a smartphone or tablet computer for processing the measurement signal prepared by the interface plug-in module Sensor compatible with the interface plug-in module for measuring the measured variable. This sensor may be, for example, a vibration sensor or in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention to a sensor for detecting a lubricant condition, such as a gear lubricant or a rolling bearing lubricant.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures.

Show it:

1 : a mobile terminal in communication with a sensor for detecting vibration conditions on an industrial plant,

2 an interface plug-in module for a modular smartphone according to an embodiment of the invention and

3 A modular smartphone with an interface plug-in module according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a mobile terminal communicatively connected to a sensor 1 for detecting vibration states on an industrial plant 2 , The industrial plant 2 is shown here schematically. At the sensor 1 it is a vibration sensor which is connected to a non-illustrated rotary machine part of the industrial plant 2 is arranged. This rotary machine part comprises various components subject to wear, for example rolling bearings, where damage is caused by a sensor 1 detectable changed vibration behavior can be detected.

The sensor 1 is designed for example as a piezoelectric sensor and thus able to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. The sensor 1 does not include any processing unit that would be able to analyze the detected vibration condition.

To analyze the measured vibration signal is as a smartphone 3 trained mobile terminal used. Like any standard smartphone 3 Also has the shown here a powerful processor, which, as usual in smartphone and tablet computers, as a system on chip (SoC) is formed. Such a commercial SoC for smartphones has sufficient computing capacity to perform the necessary analysis of the measurement signal and a user of the smartphone 3 to bring a corresponding state information to the knowledge.

The special feature of the smartphone shown here 3 is that it is modular and has a variety of different functional modules. These functional modules are based on the well-known from the project Google ARA smartphone concept by a user with a base of the smartphone 3 connectable.

So in this case, the previously mentioned SoC in the form of a removable CPU plug-in module 4 educated. Other functional modules are, for example, a camera module 5 , a battery module 6 and a speaker module 7 , With the aid of these function modules, the well-known smartphone functionalities can be realized. Advantages of such a modular structure are, as already known from the project ARA, that the user can decide for himself whether he wants to forgo a camera functionality, for example, and thus the camera module 5 is dispensable for him, or even defective function modules can easily replace without a completely new smartphone 3 to have to buy.

Based on the present invention, it is now possible to use such a smartphone 3 very easy to use for special tasks such as industrial condition monitoring. This includes the illustrated smartphone 3 in addition to the already mentioned function modules 4 to 7 an interface cartridge 8th , This interface cartridge 8th first includes an analog signal input, with that of the sensor 1 generated vibration signal via a cable connection 9 can be read. Because the sensor 1 Here only has an analog output interface, must first digitize the input signal, which at the signal input of the interface plug-in module 8th be carried out before an evaluation by the CPU plug-in module 4 can be done. Previously, however, the analog input signal is still from the interface plug-in module 8th filtered in the analog range.

On a central store of the smartphone 3 especially on the CPU plug-in module 4 can be arranged, an app is stored, with the help of a deeper signal analysis can be performed. For example, the filtered and digitized measurement signal is compared with a standard curve also stored in memory in order to identify impermissible deviations that indicate damage. In this case, an FFT of the received and filtered and digitized signal is first performed. For previously defined frequency ranges, it is then determined whether the corresponding amplitude exceeds certain limits. If this is the case, can contact the user through a display of the smartphone 3 a corresponding warning message will be issued to him z. B. causes the exchange of a monitored component.

To the sensor 1 As cost-effective as possible, this has no own power supply. To power the sensor 1 includes the smartphone 3 therefore a battery connector module 10 , In this battery connector module 10 It can be both the central energy storage of the complete smartphone 3 act, which supplies all functional modules present on the base plate with energy. But it can also be used to power the readable sensors 1 be provided energy storage, in addition to a main energy storage of the smartphone 3 is provided.

2 shows an interface cartridge 8th for a modular smartphone 3 as it is in 1 is shown. The interface plug-in module 8th is cuboid and has data and energy interfaces on its side surfaces. For example, at the bottom is a signal input 11 for that of the sensor 1 detected measuring signal. On the side surface is a digital output 12 to recognize, over which the interface plug-in module 8th the prepared measuring signal to the CPU plug-in module 4 can forward.

3 shows a modular smartphone 3 with an interface plug-in module 8th according to an embodiment of the invention. The smartphone 3 follows the modular concept known from Google's ARA project. It therefore comprises a base plate 13 , on the most diverse functional modules 14 from a user of the smartphone 3 can be attached. In the base plate 13 Different slots are built into which the function modules 14 can be inserted. Such a base plate is also called endoskeleton designated. The holder of the functional modules 14 happens, for example, magnetically. Using such a modular smartphone 3 , in which the user has the opportunity to realize interesting functionalities for him by suitable selection of the functional modules, can also be realized very cost-effective, a high-performance mobile terminal for condition monitoring industrial plants. Based on this technology, a system can be used to measure and visualize a measurand on an industrial plant 2 be realized by that next to a sensor 1 to capture the measurand and one on a CPU of the smartphone 3 executable app an interface plug-in module 8th is offered, which is capable of that of the sensor 1 generated measurement signal in one for the CPU of the smartphone 3 to process an understandable digital signal.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 sensor

2

 industrial plant

3

 Smartphone

4

 CPU plug-in module

5

 camera module

6

 battery module

7

 Loudspeaker Module

8th

 Interface plug-in module

9

 cable connection

10

 Battery plug-in module

11

 signal input

12

 digital output

12

 baseplate

14

 function module

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010005057 A1 [0005]
• DE 102010010943 A1 [0006]
• WO 2013175162 A1 [0008, 0016]

Claims (12)

Interface plug-in module ( 8th ) for a smartphone ( 3 ) or a tablet computer, wherein the interface plug-in module ( 8th ) • a signal input ( 11 ) for a measurement signal coming from an industrial plant ( 2 ) arranged sensor ( 1 ), • a processing unit for signal conditioning of the measurement signal and • a digital output ( 12 ) for outputting the prepared measurement signal to a central processor unit of the smartphone ( 3 ) or tablet computer. Interface plug-in module ( 8th ) according to claim 1, wherein the signal input ( 11 ) is an analog input and the interface plug-in module ( 8th ) has an A / D converter for digitizing the measurement signal. Interface plug-in module ( 8th ) according to claim 1 or 2 with a filter for the measuring signal. Interface plug-in module ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims with an interface for establishing a cable connection ( 9 ) with the sensor ( 1 ), whereby via the interface data and energy to the power supply of the sensor ( 1 ) are transferable. Modular mobile terminal • with a base plate ( 12 ) for receiving plug-in function modules that can be changed by a user, and • with an interface plug-in module ( 8th ) according to one of claims 1 to 4. Modular mobile terminal according to claim 5 • with a CPU plug-in module ( 4 ) with a central processor unit of the mobile terminal, • a memory and • an app stored in the memory, which are used for processing the interface plug-in module ( 8th ) prepared measuring signal by the CPU plug-in module ( 4 ) is set up. Modular mobile terminal according to claim 6 with a display plug-in module for visualization of the CPU plug-in module ( 4 ) processed measuring signal. Modular mobile terminal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile terminal is a smartphone ( 3 ) or a tablet computer. Modular mobile terminal according to one of the preceding claims with an interface for establishing a cable connection ( 9 ) with the sensor ( 1 ) and a battery cartridge ( 6 ) to power the sensor ( 19 via the cable connection ( 9 ). System for measuring and visualizing a measurand on an industrial plant ( 2 ) with • a sensor ( 2 ) for recording the measured variable, • an interface plug-in module ( 8th ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, • and one on a CPU of a smartphone ( 3 ) or tablet computers executable app for processing the interface plug-in module ( 8th ) processed measuring signal. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor ( 1 ) is designed as a vibration sensor. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor ( 1 ) Has means for detecting a lubricant condition.

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