DE102017123821A1 - Display and / or operating module - Google Patents

Abstract

Display and / or operating module (1) for a field device (100), comprising a housing (3), a visually remotely displayable display unit (5) arranged in the housing (3) and an electronics unit (7), wherein the electronic unit has a radio interface having.

Description

The present invention relates to a display and / or operating module according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a modular field device according to the patent claim 7 and the use of such a display and / or operating module according to claim 8.

In process automation technology, field devices are often used to detect and / or influence process variables. Examples of such field devices are level gauges, point level gauges and pressure gauges with sensors that record the corresponding process variables level, limit level or pressure. Frequently, such field devices are connected to higher-level units, for example control systems or control units. These higher-level units are used for process control, process visualization and / or process monitoring.

The energy and / or signal transmission between field device and higher-level units is often carried out according to the known 4 mA to 20 mA standard, in which a 4 mA to 20 mA current loop or a two-wire line between the field device and the parent unit is formed. In addition to the analogue transmission of signals, there is the possibility that the measuring devices, according to various other protocols, in particular digital protocols, transmit or receive further information to or from the higher-level unit. By way of example, the HART protocol or the Profibus PA protocol may be mentioned here. Furthermore, the supply and digital communication can be realized according to the in-work and Ethernet-based two-wire standard APL (APL = Advanced Physical Layer).

The power supply of these field devices is also provided via the 4 mA to 20 mA current signal, so that no additional supply line is required in addition to the two-wire line. In order to minimize the wiring and installation costs and the safety measures, for example when used in explosion-proof areas, it is also not desirable to provide additional power supply lines.

From the prior art, it is known, for example, to use radio modules for easier operation and parameterization of field devices. Solutions are known in which the field devices have integrated radio modules or are arranged in a transmitter supply device, a device for supplying power to the field devices.

Increasingly, a remote readability is required for field devices that signals by means of simple light signals, comparable to a traffic light, a state of the field device or exceeding or falling below a predetermined measurement or limit, as in this way, without having to be on site at the field device or establish a radio connection to this, a first information about the state of the field device can be made available.

Furthermore, modular field devices are known from the prior art, in which selected from a plurality of combinable sensors, housings, electronic units and control and / or display units and a corresponding field device can be constructed. Such a modular field device concept is offered, for example, by the company Vega Grieshaber KG. A sensor, a corresponding electronic module, which provides a measured value processing and an interface to a controller and possibly a fieldbus used, as well as various display and / or operating units can generally be combined. The sensors, electronic modules and display and / or operating units are adapted to one another as well as to various available housings.

In the case of many field devices, in particular existing devices, it is considered to be disadvantageous that neither remote readability nor a radio interface is available.

This is where the present invention begins.

It is the object of the invention to further develop a field device of the prior art such that it does not have the disadvantages described above.

This object is achieved by a display and / or operating module with the features of claim 1, a modular field device with the features of claim 7 and the use of a display and / or operating module according to claim 8.

A display and / or operating module according to the invention for a field device, comprising a housing, a visually remote-readable display unit arranged in the housing and an electronics unit, is characterized in that the electronic unit has a radio interface.

The present combination ensures that both new and existing devices can be equipped with the present display and / or operating module with a remote readable display and a radio interface. Especially in large and confusing plants, in where the field devices are used, it is advantageous if the status of a rim device from a greater distance without additional devices or devices is visually read and also for parameterization or other configuration an operator does not have to work directly on the field device, but this is done via a radio link can.

It may be particularly advantageous if the display and / or operating module has at least three colors for signaling a status of the field device and a fourth color for signaling a successfully established radio link.

Usually field devices according to the NAMUR recommendations NE 044 "Standardization of status displays on PCT devices with the help of LEDs" Status 03.02.2003 and NE 107 "Self-monitoring and diagnostics of field devices" As of 10.04.2017, red, yellow and green light signals provide information on, for example, a supply to the device, a device failure, device status, or binary switching states, these can be remotely read by the present display and / or operating module be reproduced.

By providing an optional further color or flashing logic for one of the existing colors (e.g., blinking of the currently pending color means that there is an active radio link), the status of a radio link can be additionally reproduced for the remotely readable display. For example. can be signaled by a blue signaling a successful establishment of a radio link. This can be advantageous, in particular, if several field devices with a radio module are arranged in one area. Signaling ensures that the radio link has been established with the correct field device.

The "NAMUR - interest group automation technology of the process industry", in short NAMUR, is an interest representation of users of the measuring and control technology in the chemical industry whose goal among other things is the definition of minimum requirements for devices and systems. In this context, NAMUR makes recommendations, in which the corresponding minimum requirements are defined.

The radio interface can be designed in particular as a Bluetooth interface, WiFi interface or LoRa interface. The aforementioned interfaces are well proven, have a sufficient data throughput and are already used today in industrial environments.

The Bluetooth connection is an industry standard according to IEEE 802.15.1 for data transmission via radio signal over short distances.

Under WIFI, also known as wireless LAN (WLAN) according to IEEE 802.11, also a data transmission by radio signal is meant. This is probably the most common standard for data transmission by radio in the office, home and industry.

The LoRa network, also known as the Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), is a standard of the LoRa Alliance. Herein both radio technology and protocol technology are described.

Advantageously, the display and / or operating module is designed as a retrofittable replacement module for an existing field device. In this way, existing display and / or operating modules can be replaced by the present module and thus existing equipment can be easily retrofitted.

For better visibility of the illuminated display and to improve the dispersion and thus the range of the radio interface, the device cover of the field device is ideally optimized for receiving the described display and radio module in such a way that it contains translucent and non-conductive elements. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the display and / or operating module is designed as a device cover for the field device with electrical contacts for contacting an electronic module of the field device. Such a configuration makes it possible that a radiation of the remote readable display unit is not only perpendicular to the level of a display, but also in the transverse direction, in particular in the plane of the display unit can take place. This effect can be achieved particularly easily if the display unit radiates directly in this direction, or if, for example, radiation is deflected at least partially in this direction by suitable light guides. This can be achieved, for example, by the fact that the device cover is made of a light-conducting material.

By configuring the display and / or operating module as replacement cover for an existing field device, the conditions for a radio link can be further improved. In particular, in metallic housings, it is advantageous if the display and / or operating module with integrated radio module sits at least partially outside of the metal housing or the metal housing is radio transmissive by incorporation of electrically non-conductive materials. In particular, an antenna of the Radio module is advantageously located outside a metallic housing to allow a radio connection.

An energy supply of the display and / or operating module may be formed, for example, in the form of its own wired power supply or in the form of an energy storage and / or energy harvesting module. This is particularly advantageous in field devices in which the available energy in certain or all operating states is sufficient only for the operation of the field device, but not in each operating state for operating additional facilities. In these cases, the display and / or operating module itself can collect and store energy, or it can be stored in operating states in which unneeded energy of the field device is available, and used at a later time.

According to the invention is also a modular field device with a display and / or adjustment module according to the above description. As well as the use of a display and / or operating module according to the above description for retrofitting an existing field device.

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an embodiment and with reference to the accompanying figure.

• 1 eine vereinfachte Schnittdarstellung eines Feldgerätes mit einem Anzeige- und Bedienmodul gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung.

Show it:

• 1 a simplified sectional view of a field device with a display and adjustment module according to the present application.

1 shows a simplified sectional view of a field device 100 with a display and adjustment module 1 according to the present application.

The field device 100 has a sensor 15 for detecting a physical quantity as well as in a field device housing 17 arranged electronic module 13 on and is formed by the display and operating module designed as a housing cover 1 closed at the end.

The field device 100 The present embodiment is part of a modular field device series with a plurality of sensors 15 , to the sensors adapted electronic modules 13 for processing the sensor signals and in turn adapted field device housings 17 for receiving the above components.

The display and adjustment module 1 is via electrical contacts 11 with the electronics module 13 connected and has a housing 3 , one in the case 3 arranged electronic unit 7 , with a visually remotely readable display unit 5 and a radio interface 9 on, via the operation of the display and operating module 1 is possible.

The housing 3 is in the present embodiment as a light-conducting cover for the field device housing 17 formed, wherein an optical signal of the display unit 5 is coupled in this light guide such that the entire cover can be used as a radiating surface. By a suitable light source as a display unit 5 Thus, light can be emitted in sufficient intensity and thus a remote readability from several directions can be achieved.

The radio interface 9 is designed in the present embodiment as a Bluetooth low-energy interface, but without departing from the spirit of the present invention, also meet any other suitable radio standard.

By combining a remotely readable display unit 5 and a radio interface 9 in the present display and operating module 1 opens up the possibility of conventional field devices 100 as available in the prior art, retrofit and thus both with a radio interface 9 equip as well as make visually remotely readable.

In addition to the components already described, the display and adjustment module 1 according to 1 nor its own power supply, which is designed here as an energy harvesting module with an integrated energy storage. Using the energy harvesting module, energy can be extracted from the environment and stored temporarily in the energy store. The display and adjustment module 1 thus loads the energy budget of the field device 100 nothing more than a conventional display and control module 1 according to the prior art and can still provide the described added value.

The present display and adjustment module 1 is adapted to the modular field device series such that it replaces other display and / or operating modules from the series and thus to retrofit existing field devices 100 can be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Display and / or operating module

3

housing cover

5

display unit

7

electronics unit

9

Radio interface

11

electrical contacts

13

electronic module

15

sensor

17

Field device housing

19

Energy Supply Energy Harvesting Module

100

field device

Claims (8)

Indicating and / or operating module (1) for a field device (100), comprising a housing (3), a visually remotely readable display unit (5) arranged in the housing (3) and an electronic unit (7), characterized in that Electronic unit (7) has a radio interface (9). Display and / or operating module (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the display and / or operating module (1) can display at least three colors for signaling a status of the field device (100) and an optional fourth color for signaling a successfully established radio link. Display and / or operating module (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the radio interface (9) is designed as a Bluetooth interface, WiFi interface or Lora. Display and / or operating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a retrofittable replacement module for an existing field device (100). Display and / or operating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a device cover with electrical contacts (11) for contacting an electronic module (13) of the field device (100). Display and / or operating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has its own energy supply (19) in the form of an energy storage and / or energy harvesting module. Modular field device (100) with a display and / or operating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Use of a display and / or operating module (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 for retrofitting an existing field device (100).

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