DE102018132707A1 - EX-safe transmitter and field device with such a transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an EX-safe field device (1) of measurement and automation technology, comprising: a housing (10) with at least one housing chamber (10.1) and a housing wall (10.2) forming the housing chamber, a display unit (11) arranged in the housing chamber; a capacitive or inductive control panel (12) arranged in the housing chamber with a plurality of control surfaces (12.1); an unbreakable window (13) which is let into an opening (10.3) of the housing wall; electronic measuring / operating electronics (14) for Operating the display unit, the control panel and at least one sensor and / or actuator, the display unit and the control panel being arranged behind an inside of the window, characterized in that the window has a wall thickness of at least 6 millimeters, and in particular at least 8 millimeters and preferably at least 9.5 Millimeters.

Description

The invention relates to an EX-safe transmitter with a display unit and a field device of measurement and automation technology with such a transmitter.

The state of the art shows transmitters or field devices of measurement and automation technology with display units. For example, the DE102016106179A1 a field device with a display unit. Typical EX-safe field devices with a display unit can be operated using optical or mechanical buttons.

A disadvantage of operability by means of optical or mechanical keys is that optical or mechanical keys have to be arranged outside the screen, since such keys are not transparent. This requires more space to set up a keyboard.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose an EX-safe transmitter with a display unit and a field device with such a transmitter, in which a space-saving operating option is set up.

The object is achieved by an EX-safe transmitter according to independent claim 1 and by a field device according to independent claim 8.

An EX-safe transmitter according to the invention of measurement and automation technology comprises a housing with at least one housing chamber and a housing wall forming the housing chamber,
a display unit arranged in the housing chamber;
a capacitive or inductive control panel arranged in the housing chamber with a plurality of control surfaces .;
a shatterproof window, which is embedded in an opening in the housing wall;
electronic measuring / operating electronics for operating the display unit, the control panel and at least one sensor and / or actuator,
the display unit and the control panel being arranged behind an inside of the window,
wherein the window has a wall thickness of at least 6 millimeters, and in particular at least 8 millimeters and preferably at least 9.5 millimeters.

In this case, shatterproof means impact-resistant according to EN 60079-0 or pressure-resistant according to EN60079-1.

The window is made of shatterproof glass or shatterproof plastic.

A wall thickness of the window of at least 6 millimeters leads to a high break resistance of the window, in particular with the appropriate choice of material.

In one embodiment, the control panel is arranged between the window and the display unit, the control panel being optically transparent.

An arrangement of control unit, window and display unit is particularly space-saving.

In one configuration, the window has an area of at least 400 square millimeters and in particular at least 600 square millimeters and preferably at least 800 square centimeters.

In particular, the window is rectangular or square. This makes it particularly easy to manufacture.

In particular, the control surface is rectangular or square. This ensures ease of use.

In one embodiment, the operating areas each have a minimum area of 20 square millimeters and in particular at least 40 square millimeters and preferably at least 60 square millimeters.

A signal area can be improved by actuating the operating area by a minimum area as proposed, so that sufficient signal quality is also provided behind a window with a wall thickness according to the invention.

In one embodiment, the control surfaces are arranged in at least two rows and in particular at least 3 rows and / or
the control surfaces are arranged in at least two columns and in particular at least 3 columns.

By arranging the control surfaces in rows and columns, common operating actions can also be recognized and interpreted behind a window with a wall thickness according to the invention.
In a window with a wall thickness according to the invention, the control panel has a glass support and electrically conductive structures applied to this glass support, which electrically conductive structures form the control panels and connections to the electronic measuring / operating circuit.

In the case of a capacitive control panel, the control surfaces each form a capacitor element, the capacitance of which is changed by the presence of a finger or a stylus. By determining a capacitance of the capacitor element, the presence of a finger or stylus can be concluded.

The equivalent applies to an inductive control panel, in which case control surfaces are each formed by planar coil structures. A disadvantage in this case is a lower sensitivity, so that fingers can only be recognized poorly, and the need for through-plating of the glass carrier in order to be able to place coil returns on a rear side of the glass carrier.

In one embodiment, the electronic measuring / operating circuit is set up to optically highlight at least one operating surface by means of the display unit. This makes it easier to recognize the corresponding control surface.

The explosion-proof housing is flameproof according to EN 60079-1, especially according to EN 60079-1: 2015-04

The EX-safe housing meets the requirements for impact resistance EN 60079-0 , EN 60079-1 and or EN 60079-7 , especially according to EN 60079-0: 2014-06 , EN 60079-1: 2015-04 and or EN 60079-7: 2016-08 .

A field device of measurement and automation technology according to the invention comprises a measurement transducer according to the invention, a sensor module for acquiring a measurement variable and for providing signals dependent on measurement variables, the electronic measurement / operating circuit being set up to operate the sensor module and to provide measurement values of at least one measurement variable of the sensor module .

• Durchflussmessgerät, Füllstandsmessgerät, Temperaturmessgerät, Druckmessgerät.

In one embodiment, the field device is a field device from the following list:

• Flow meter, level meter, temperature meter, pressure meter.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments.

1 schematically shows a structure of an exemplary transmitter according to the invention; and 2nd outlines the schematic structure of an exemplary control panel according to the invention; and 3rd outlines a field device according to the invention.

1 shows a schematic structure of a transmitter 1 with a housing 10th , being a housing wall 10.2 a housing chamber 10.1 trains. There is an electronic measuring / operating circuit in the housing chamber 14 , a display unit 11 and a control panel 12 arranged. The electronic measuring / operating circuit is set up to operate the display unit and the control panel. In an opening 10.3 the housing wall 10.2 a break-proof window is arranged. The control panel and the display unit are located on the inside of the window and, as shown here, are advantageously arranged one behind the other. As shown here, there can be an air gap between the control panel and the window, which is a maximum of 1 millimeter and in particular a maximum of 0.4 millimeter. The control panel and window can also be mechanically contacted. As shown here, there can be an air gap between the control panel and the display unit, which is, for example, a maximum of 5 millimeters. This ensures good display quality. The control panel and window can also be mechanically contacted.

The distance is chosen here for illustration. The control panel is largely optically transparent, so that there is no disadvantageous interaction with the display unit.

The window has a wall thickness of at least 6 millimeters, and in particular at least 8 millimeters and preferably at least 9.5 millimeters. This makes the window shatterproof. The following materials are preferably used for the window: borosilicate glass.

The window has an area of at least 400 square millimeters and in particular at least 600 square millimeters and preferably at least 800 square centimeters. This means that there is also sufficient display area for EX-safe transmitters.

2nd outlines a control panel according to the invention 12 with electrically conductive structures 12.3 what control surfaces 12.1 and connections to the electronic measuring / operating circuit 14 form. The electrically conductive structures are applied to a glass carrier and comprise, for example, a thin layer made of a metal or metal oxide or an alloy. This thin layer can have, for example, indium tin oxide or silver.

As shown here by way of example, the control surfaces can be arranged in a 3 * 3 arrangement, but are not limited to this. The control surfaces 12.1 are arranged in at least two rows and in particular at least 3 rows and / or are arranged in at least two columns and in particular at least 3 columns. The specialist will set up control surfaces according to his needs and requirements.

The control areas each have a minimum area of 20 square millimeters and in particular at least 40 square millimeters and preferably at least 60 square millimeters. As a result of the proposed minimum area, the capacity of an operating area is sufficiently large to enable reliable detection of a finger or stylus touching the window. The control surfaces can be square as shown here. However, rectangular or any other shape is also conceivable. Minimum edge distances from adjacent control surfaces are less than 7 millimeters and in particular less than 5 millimeters and preferably less than 3 millimeters.

3rd outlines an exemplary field device according to the invention 30th with a transmitter according to the invention 1 and a sensor module 30th for recording a measured variable and for providing measured variable-dependent signals, the sensor module being arranged on a media-carrying measuring tube.

The sensor module can include, for example, at least one sensor from the following list: temperature sensor, ultrasonic transducer, measuring electrode.

The field device is, for example, a flow measuring device, level measuring device, temperature measuring device or pressure measuring device.

These lists are examples and should not be interpreted as restrictive.

Reference symbol list

1

EX-safe transmitter

10th

casing

10.1

Housing chamber

10.2

Housing wall

10.3

opening

11

Display unit

12

Control panel

12.1

Control surface

12.2

Glass support

12.3

electrically conductive structure

12.4

Connection

13

unbreakable window

14

electronic measuring / operating circuit

20th

Sensor module

30th

Field device

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102016106179 A1 [0002]

Non-patent literature cited

• EN 60079-0 [0023]
• EN 60079-1 [0023]
• EN 60079-7 [0023]
• EN 60079-0: 2014-06 [0023]
• EN 60079-1: 2015-04 [0023]
• EN 60079-7: 2016-08 [0023]

Claims (10)

EX-safe measuring transducer (1) of measurement and automation technology comprising: a housing (10) with at least one housing chamber (10.1) and a housing wall (10.2) forming the housing chamber, a display unit (11) arranged in the housing chamber; a capacitive or inductive control panel (12) arranged in the housing chamber and having a plurality of control surfaces (12.1); a break-proof window (13) which is let into an opening (10.3) of the housing wall; an electronic measuring / operating circuit (14) for operating the display unit, the control panel and at least one sensor and / or actuator, the display unit and the control panel being arranged behind an inside of the window, characterized in that the window has a wall thickness of at least 6 Millimeters, and in particular at least 8 millimeters and preferably at least 9.5 millimeters. Transmitter after Claim 1 , wherein the control panel is arranged between the window and the display unit, and wherein the control panel is optically transparent. Transmitter after Claim 1 or 2nd , The window (13) having an area of at least 400 square millimeters and in particular at least 600 square millimeters and preferably at least 800 square centimeters. Transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control surfaces (12.1) each have a minimum area of 20 square millimeters and in particular at least 40 square millimeters and preferably at least 60 square millimeters. Transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control surfaces (12.1) are arranged in at least two rows and in particular at least 3 rows and / or the control surfaces being arranged in at least two columns and in particular at least 3 columns. Transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein minimum edge distances from adjacent control surfaces are less than 7 millimeters and in particular less than 5 millimeters and preferably less than 3 millimeters. Transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control panel has a glass support (12.2) and electrically conductive structures (12.3) applied to this glass support, which electrically conductive structures form the control panels and connections (12.4) to the electronic measuring / operating circuit. Transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, the electronic measuring / operating circuit (14) being set up to to optically highlight at least one control surface by means of the display unit. Field device (30) of measurement and automation technology comprising: A transmitter (1) according to one of the preceding claims; A sensor module (20) for acquiring a measured variable and for providing measured variable-dependent signals; wherein the electronic measuring / operating circuit (14) is set up to operate the sensor module and to provide measured values of at least one measured variable of the sensor module. Field device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the field device is a field device from the following list: Flow meter, level meter, temperature meter, pressure meter.

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