DE102019134197A1 - Field device, commissioning system and method for commissioning a field device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a field device having at least one sensor unit for detecting a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module for further processing the measurement data and a first memory unit for storing sensor-specific adjustment data, characterized in that the first memory unit is connected to a first radio transponder.

Description

The present invention relates to a field device according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular a field device for process measurement technology, a commissioning system according to the preamble of claim 8 and a method for starting up such a measuring device, according to the preamble of claim 10.

A large number of field devices and methods for commissioning and operating field devices are known from the prior art. Such field devices can be designed, for example, as measuring devices, in particular as fill level or limit level measuring devices, pressure measuring devices or temperature measuring devices.

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

The energy and / or signal transmission between the field device and higher-level units is often based on the known 4 mA to 20 mA standard, in which a 4 mA to 20 mA current loop or a two-wire line is formed between the field device and the higher-level unit. In addition to the analog transmission of signals, there is the possibility that the measuring devices transmit further information to the higher-order unit or receive it from it in accordance with various other protocols, in particular digital protocols. Examples are the HART protocol or the Profibus PA protocol.

These field devices are also supplied with energy via the 4 mA to 20 mA current signal, so that no additional supply line is required in addition to the two-wire line.

Modular field devices are known from the prior art, in which a number of combinable housings, sensor units, electronic modules and optional control and / or display units can be selected and a corresponding field device can be constructed. Such a modular field device concept is offered, for example, by the company Vega Grieshaber KG. As a rule, it is possible to combine a sensor unit, a corresponding electronics module that provides measured value processing and an interface to a controller and, if applicable, a field device used, as well as various display and / or operating units. The sensor units, electronic modules and display and / or operating units are adapted both to one another and to various available housings.

Since the sensor units can have properties that differ from one another due to deviations in the manufacturing process, an adjustment and / or compensation of these deviations may be necessary. For this purpose, the sensor-specific properties are stored as so-called adjustment data in a memory of the sensor unit.

It is known from the prior art that the sensor unit has a memory for this purpose, which is read out by the electronics module in a wired manner. The sensor-specific adjustment data read out in this way can either be read out directly from the memory of the sensor unit for further processing or they are transferred to a second memory of the electronics module and read out from this second memory for further processing.

A field device according to the prior art is shown in 1 shown.

1 shows a schematic representation of a field device 1 as is known from the prior art. The field device 1 is composed in the present embodiment of three coordinated modules, with one housing 2 a sensor unit 3 is arranged by an inside the housing 2 arranged electronics module 5 is electrically contacted. A display and / or control unit that acts as a further module of the field device 1 could be provided, is not shown in the present exemplary embodiment for the sake of clarity.

The sensor unit 3 in turn has a tubular sensor housing 33 on that with a process connection 6th , which in the present case is designed as a flange, can be arranged in a process environment. One end is on the sensor housing 33 , on a side facing the process environment, a sensor designed in the present case as a vibration limit level sensor 31 arranged. The other end is on the sensor housing 33 a so-called intermediate print 11 arranged through which an interface 9 for electrical contacting of the sensor 31 provided. Between the sensor 31 and the intermediate print 11 is a connection cable 32 arranged that the sensor 31 with the intermediate print 11 connects. On the intermediate print 11 is also an as EPROM designed first memory 7th arranged in the sensor-specific calibration data of the sensor 31 are filed. The first store 7th is via corresponding electrical contacts of the interface 9 through the electronics module 5 contactable and thus readable.

Due to local conditions, a length of the sensor housing 33 turn out different, this means, for example, that because the sensor 31 The process-side section of the sensor housing is intended to protrude further into a process environment 33 is extended.

In the devices known from the prior art, it is felt to be disadvantageous that a transmission of the sensor-specific adjustment data requires additional lines and contacts. These additional connections mean additional manufacturing costs that should be avoided.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop a field device and a method for commissioning a field device in such a way that the disadvantages known from the prior art are overcome.

This object is achieved by a field device with the features of claim 1, a commissioning system with the features of claim 8 and a method for commissioning a field device with the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments are the subject of dependent claims.

A field device according to the invention having at least one sensor unit for detecting a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module for further processing the measurement data and a first memory unit for storing sensor-specific adjustment data is characterized in that the first memory unit is connected to a first radio transponder.

The fact that the first memory unit is connected to a radio transponder, hereinafter referred to as a transponder for the sake of simplicity, means that the sensor-specific adjustment data can be transmitted to the electronics module without an additional wired interface. I. E. the first memory unit no longer has to be electrically contacted by wiring, which significantly simplifies the structure of the interface between the sensor unit and the electronics module. The sensor-specific calibration data can thus be read out and further processed via the radio transponder, in particular used in the further processing of the measurement data. The first radio transponder establishes, in particular, a transmission path that is separate from the transmission of the measurement data. The wireless transmission of the sensor-specific calibration data takes place independently of a transmission of the measurement data and on a separate transmission path. In particular, the sensor can continue to have a wired connection with the electronics module, whereas the transmission of the sensor-specific adjustment data takes place wirelessly.

In one embodiment, the first memory unit can be written to via the first transponder. This means that cabling to the sensor or an external device can be dispensed with for the first memory unit, since the sensor-specific adjustment data, if they were determined during calibration of the sensor module, are transmitted wirelessly to the first transponder and stored in the first memory unit can be. The first storage unit is thus mechanically linked to the sensor unit, but not electronically linked to it. This has the advantage that the construction of the sensor unit is also significantly simpler, since additional cabling can also be dispensed with within the sensor unit.

The first transponder is advantageously designed as a passive transponder. A passive transponder is understood to mean a transponder without its own energy supply or its own energy store, in particular in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery. Such transponders draw their energy, for example, from the environment and only have, for example, a capacitor that temporarily stores energy obtained from the environment by means of energy harvesting for a short time. In particular, the first transponder can be wirelessly supplied with energy from a remote station.

For example, the first memory unit can be designed as part of an RFID or NFC chip. RFID and NFC are radio standards for radio communication over short distances, with energy and contactless data transmission via electromagnetic induction using loosely coupled coils over short distances of a few centimeters. NFC in particular is now available in a large number of devices. These include in the consumer sector, in particular tablet computers and mobile phones, which are available in large numbers and with NFC communication means for reading and writing so-called NFC tags, which are electrical circuits coupled with an NFC transponder, such as memory circuits , are equipped. RFID and NFC reading and writing devices or corresponding electronic components are thus available at low cost.

The electronics module can have a second storage unit, which can be connected, for example, to a second radio transponder, wherein adjustment data read out from the first storage unit can be stored on the second storage unit. The second memory unit can be designed as a passive unit with the second transponder, the second memory being able to be written with the data read from the first transponder via the second transponder by a corresponding read-write device. The second memory unit can also be coupled to its own reading unit integrated into the electronics module, which communicates with the first transponder and thus has means for reading out the first memory unit. The read-out data can then be written to the second memory unit, for example in a wired manner, by the reading unit. The second storage unit is coupled to the electrical module in such a way that the stored data can be used for further processing of the measurement data.

For this purpose, the read-out unit is preferably designed and arranged in the electronics module in such a way that it can read out the first memory unit in the assembled state of the field device. This means in particular that the read-out unit is preferably installed at a point that is arranged adjacent to the first transponder when the field device is in the assembled state.

A commissioning system according to the invention for a field device in measurement technology having at least one sensor unit for recording a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module for further processing the measurement data and a first memory unit for storing sensor-specific adjustment data, the first memory unit being connected to a first radio transponder and the Electronics module has a second memory unit, which is connected to a second radio transponder, wherein adjustment data read out from the first memory unit can be stored on the second memory unit, furthermore has a read-write device which is suitably designed to receive the sensor-specific adjustment data from the first Read memory wirelessly and write to the second memory. The data read out are preferably transmitted wirelessly to the second transponder.

The read-write device can be integrated into the electronics module. In other words, the electronics module can have a component that is suitable for wirelessly reading out the first memory unit via the first transponder and for writing the data into the second memory unit. Alternatively, the read-write device can also be a separately designed device that is external to the field device and that is operated by operating personnel who, for. B. the commissioning of the field device is carried out. Such an external device can, for example, be a device made available by the manufacturer of the field device, which has corresponding interfaces for wirelessly reading out the first memory unit via the first transponder and for writing the data read out into the second memory unit.

Alternatively, the read / write device can be a mobile terminal of the operating personnel, preferably a tablet computer or a mobile phone. This means that no manufacturer-specific device is used, but rather an already existing mobile device, for example a tablet computer or a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, is used as a read-write device. Such devices already have the necessary communication interfaces in large numbers, so that reading out the first memory unit via the first transponder and writing to the second memory unit via the second transponder is possible on the hardware side. The device can also be upgraded with software from the manufacturer of the field device to carry out the necessary read and write procedures.

A method according to the invention for commissioning a field device having at least one sensor unit for acquiring a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module for further processing the measurement data, with sensor-specific adjustment data being stored on a first memory unit of the sensor unit and with the sensor-specific adjustment data being transmitted to the electronics module is characterized by the fact that the sensor-specific calibration data are transmitted wirelessly. The wireless transmission of the sensor-specific adjustment data takes place in particular independently of a transmission of the measurement data and on a separate transmission path.

In one embodiment, the sensor-specific adjustment data are transmitted by radio. As already shown, corresponding radio interfaces are energy-saving and generally available. Furthermore, no additional lines are required for reading out the first memory unit for the one-off transmission of the sensor-specific adjustment data.

The first memory unit can thus be read out wirelessly or written to and read out wirelessly. It is thus also possible to place the first memory unit freely in the area of the sensor module, since there is no wired contact is necessary for reading / writing or for power supply.

In a variant of the method, the first memory unit can be read out wirelessly by means of a mobile device and the sensor-specific adjustment data can be written wirelessly to a second memory unit of the electronics module by means of the same mobile device. The mobile device can, for example, be a device made available by the manufacturer of the field device, or a mobile terminal of the operating personnel, for example a tablet computer or a smartphone with corresponding radio interfaces. In this way, it is possible to make further savings on the hardware side, since active components do not have to be provided either in the sensor unit or in the electronics module for transmitting the sensor-specific adjustment data. The first memory unit in the sensor unit can be written with the corresponding sensor-specific adjustment data once during the calibration of the sensor unit, which can be done, for example, by a read-write device held there. When the field device is first assembled from the individual components, the sensor-specific calibration data can then be read out from the sensor unit at the factory and written to the second memory in the electronics module. Alternatively, this can be done when starting up the field device.

If one of the relevant components - in the present case the sensor unit or the electronic module - is replaced, a renewed transmission of the sensor-specific calibration data can be initiated by the operating personnel on site.

The first memory unit is preferably supplied with energy wirelessly during reading and / or writing. This can be done by using appropriate short-range radio standards, for example RFID or NFC standards.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Feldgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik (schon behandelt),
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Feldgeräts gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Feldgeräts gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung.

The present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a field device according to the prior art (already dealt with),
• 2 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a field device according to the present application,
• 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a field device according to the present application.

2 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a field device 1 according to the present application.

This in 2 field device shown 1 essentially has the structure of the already in relation to 1 described field device 1 on. A major difference in the in 2 The structure shown is that on the intermediate print 11 is dispensed with and just an interface 9 to establish electrical contact between the sensor 31 and the electronics module 5 provided. The first store 7th , in which the sensor-specific calibration data of the sensor 31 are stored is with a first radio transponder 13th , which is designed here as an RFID transponder, coupled. The electronics module 5 in turn has a second radio transponder 15th on that with a second store 8th that the electronics module 5 is assigned, is coupled. The second store 8th is from the electronics module 5 readable so that the information stored there in the electronics module 5 be available.

The second transponder 15th and the first transponder 13th are in the assembled state of the field device 1 arranged and aligned with one another in such a way that the first transponder 13th the one with the first memory 7th is coupled to the electronics module 5 can be read out. The read out in the first memory 7th Stored data is then in the second memory 8th written where to go for the electronics module 5 in the further processing of the from the sensor 31 through the interface 9 provided measurement data are available.

The second transponder 15th is in the embodiment of 2 designed as a read-write device that reads out the first memory 7th via the first transponder 13th enables.

3 shows a further embodiment of a field device 1 .

Also in 3 field device shown 1 essentially has the structure of the 1 and 2 shown field device 1 on. In addition to the field device 1 is in 3 a read-write device 17th shown, so that overall a commissioning system consisting of the field device 1 and the read-write device 17th is shown.

The read-write device 17th is required for commissioning the in 3 shown field device 1 necessary as both the first transponder 13th as well as the second transponder 15th are designed as passive NFC transponders. That means neither the first transponder 13th still the second transponder 15th has the ability to actively emit an electromagnetic field for data transmission.

To a transmission of the in the first memory 7th stored sensor-specific adjustment data to the second memory 8th the first storage facility will have to be accomplished 7th from the read-write device 17th via the first transponder 13th queried in a first step and those in the first memory 7th stored data is read out. In a second step, the read-write device transmits 17th the read out data via the second transponder 15th to the second memory 8th that is in the electronics module 5 is arranged.

In addition to the sensor-specific calibration data, the transmitted data can also provide a clear identification of the sensor unit 3 or the sensor 31 contain. In this way, the sensor-specific calibration data can be clearly assigned to the sensor 31 be ensured.

Is used in the field device 1 for example the electronics module 5 or the sensor unit 3 exchanged due to a defect or due to changed requirements, the sensor-specific adjustment data can be used when the field device is started up again 1 be retransmitted.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the use of NFC or RFID as radio standards, but rather can be transferred to other radio standards. However, preference is given to radio standards in which at least those on the sensor unit 3 arranged component can be designed as a passive transponder without its own power supply.

List of reference symbols

1

Field device

2

casing

3

Sensor unit

5

Electronics module

6th

Process connection

7th

first memory / first memory unit

8th

second memory / second memory unit

9

interface

11

Intermediate print

13th

first radio transponder

15th

second radio transponder

17th

Read-write device

31

sensor

32

Connection cable

33

Sensor housing

Claims (14)

Field device (1) having at least one sensor unit (3) for detecting a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module (5) for further processing the measurement data and a first memory unit (7) for storing sensor-specific adjustment data, characterized in that the first memory unit ( 7) is connected to a first radio transponder (13). Field device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first memory unit (7) can be written to via the first transponder (13). Field device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first transponder (13) is designed as a passive transponder. Field device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the first memory unit (7) is designed as part of an RFID or NFC chip. Field device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics module (5) has a second memory unit (8) which is connected to a second radio transponder (15), with the second memory unit (8) from the first memory unit (7) read out calibration data can be saved. Field device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics module (5) has a readout unit for communication with the first transponder and for reading out the first memory unit (7). Field device (1) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the readout unit is designed and arranged in the electronics module (5) in such a way that it can read out the first memory unit (7) in the assembled state of the field device (1). Commissioning system for a field device (1) of measurement technology having at least one sensor unit (3) for recording a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module (5) for further processing the measurement data and a first memory unit (7) for storing sensor-specific adjustment data, the first being Storage unit (7) with a first Radio transponder (13) is connected and wherein the electronics module (5) has a second memory unit (8) which is connected to a second radio transponder (15), with adjustment data read out from the first memory unit (7) being stored on the second memory unit (8) The commissioning system furthermore has a read-write device (17) which is designed to read the sensor-specific adjustment data wirelessly from the first memory (7) and to write it to the second memory unit (8). Commissioning system according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the read-write device (17) is the mobile terminal, a mobile terminal of the operating personnel, preferably a tablet computer or a mobile phone. Method for commissioning a field device (1) having at least one sensor unit (3) for acquiring a process variable and outputting corresponding measurement data, an electronics module (5) for further processing the measurement data, with sensor-specific adjustment data being stored on a first storage unit (7) of the sensor unit (3) are stored and the sensor-specific adjustment data are transmitted to the electronics module (5), characterized in that the sensor-specific adjustment data are transmitted wirelessly. Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the sensor-specific adjustment data are transmitted via radio. Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the first memory unit (7) is read out wirelessly or written to and read out wirelessly. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the first memory unit (7) is read out wirelessly by means of a mobile device and the sensor-specific adjustment data are written wirelessly to a second memory unit (8) of the electronic module (5) by means of the same mobile device. Method according to one of the Claims 7 to 10 , characterized in that the first memory unit (7) is wirelessly supplied with energy during reading and / or writing.

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