DE202021106213U1 - Proximity sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

Proximity sensor, having at least one, preferably inductive or capacitive, sensor (10) for detecting a proximity signal, an evaluation device (14) for evaluating the proximity signal, at least two different data output connections (16) for outputting data based on the evaluated proximity signals, and a switching device (18 ), which is designed to select one of the data output connections (16) and to forward the data of the selected data output connection (16) to a connection device (20).

Description

The invention relates to a proximity sensor, having at least one sensor for detecting a proximity signal and an evaluation device for evaluating the proximity signal.

Conventional proximity sensors have precisely one data output connection for outputting data based on the evaluated proximity signals.

Since there are a large number of different variants of proximity sensors and / or data output connections, a large number of spare parts must also be kept available.

For example, it is necessary for a service technician to keep all variants in stock or in the service vehicle. If the required proximity sensors are missing, the customer may have to be approached again, which is associated with time and thus costs.

It is therefore an object of the invention to create a proximity sensor which can be used in a variety of ways.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim.

According to the invention, the proximity sensor has at least one, preferably inductive or capacitive, sensor for detecting a proximity signal.

The sensor is preferably designed as a contactless sensor.

An inductive or capacitive sensor is an active component, preferably with an active surface that is sensitive to the approach of an object. The object is preferably detected without contact, i.e. there is no contact with the object.

The sensor detects a proximity signal.

Preferably, an inductive sensor has an inductance such as an open coil. The inductance can, for example, generate a magnetic field. Metallic objects can thus be detected.

The sensor can be of any design. The sensor can, for example, be cylindrical. The diameter can for example be between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably 12 mm.

The operating voltage can be between 1 V and 50 V, preferably between 1.8 V and 40 V, for example.

The proximity sensor has an evaluation device for evaluating the proximity signal.

The evaluation device can, for example, be designed as a circuit board or comprise a circuit board.

The proximity signals that are detected by the sensor can be evaluated by the evaluation device.

The proximity sensor has at least two different data output connections for outputting data based on the evaluated proximity signals.

At least or exactly two different data output connections can be provided.

Due to the different data output connections, the proximity sensor can be used in a variety of ways.

A single proximity sensor maps different types, so to speak. For example, a service technician only has to keep a single variant in stock, which is suitable for different installation situations and / or installation purposes. The inventory can be reduced as a result.

The proximity sensor has a switching device which is designed to select one of the data output connections and to forward the data of the selected data output connection to a connection device.

The switching device is preferably designed to select precisely one of the data output connections.

For example, the switching device establishes a connection with only one data output connection and / or only forwards data from the selected data output connection to the connection device.

For example, while all functions are basically still available at the different data output connections, only a single function is selected by the switching device. For example, only one function is passed on to the connection device at the same time.

Alternatively, several, preferably all, data can also be sent to the outside. For example, all data can be contained in the connection device.

Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed for flush and / or non-flush mounting.

For example, the sensor can be mounted flush or non-flush depending on the installation situation and / or installation purpose.

The same sensor can preferably be used differently depending on the installation.

With a flush installation, the sensor can be surrounded by metal except for the active surface. In the case of a non-flush installation, on the other hand, the sensor is at least partially free or surrounded by a non-damping material.

One data output connection can preferably be configured for flush mounting and another data output connection for non-flush mounting.

In this way, a single proximity sensor can be used for flush or non-flush mounting as required.

If the sensor is, for example, mounted flush, the data output connection for flush mounting can be selected with the switching device and the corresponding data can be passed on to the connection device.

If, on the other hand, the sensor is mounted non-flush, for example, the data output connection for non-flush mounting can be selected with the switching device and the corresponding data can be passed on to the connection device.

According to a further embodiment, at least or exactly three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten different data output connections are provided.

As a result, a very large number of different functions can be selected by the switching device.

The proximity sensor can therefore be used extremely versatile.

According to a further embodiment, the data output connections are different in terms of construction and / or function.

For example, the number of conductors can be different.

Due to the different design and / or function of the data output connections, the proximity sensor is preferably suitable for different installation situations and / or installation purposes.

The desired data output connection can be selected by means of the switching device.

The proximity sensor can therefore be used in many ways.

According to a further embodiment, one of the data output connections has a two-wire switch or three-wire switch.

The two-wire switch can preferably be a so-called NAMUR.

For example, with a two-wire switch, the data can be transmitted in the form of a change in current. The current intensity can be less than 1 mA when the switch is open and more than 3 mA when the switch is closed. Therefore, some current can always flow in the signal line.

With a three-wire switch, the data has its own line. So there are two wires for the power supply and one wire for the data.

• Ein NPN-Schaltausgang schaltet die Last gegen die Erde, während ein PNP-Schaltausgang die Last gegen Plus schaltet.

Since there are different applications in industry, different output variants are offered for this:

• An NPN switching output switches the load to earth, while a PNP switching output switches the load to positive.

For example, at least one data output connection can be designed as a two-wire switch and at least one other data output connection can be designed as a three-wire switch.

Furthermore, preferably in each case, flush and non-flush variants can be provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the variants NO, that is to say normal open, and NC, that is to say normal closed, can be provided, preferably in each case.

Normal Open means that the switch is not switched in the normal state (undamped). Normally closed means that the switch is switched in the normal state (undamped).

According to a further embodiment, one of the data output connections has an NPN-NO, NPN-NC, PNP-NO, PNP-NC or NAMUR connection.

The load can be switched to earth (NPN) or to positive (PNP).

In addition, the switches can have the variants NO and NC.

There are also types for flush mounting and non-flush mounting.

Preferably, e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as NPN-NO connection (flush), e.g. exactly or at least one data output connection as NPN-NO connection (non-flush), e.g. exactly or at least one data output connection as NPN-NC -Connection (flush), e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as NPN-NC connection (non-flush), e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as PNP-NO connection (flush), e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as PNP-NO connection (not flush), e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as PNP-NC connection (flush), e.g. exactly or at least, one data output connection as PNP-NC connection (not flush), e.g. exactly or at least one data output connection is designed as a NAMUR connection (flush) and / or, for example precisely or at least, one data output connection is designed as a NAMUR connection (non-flush).

A total of ten different data output connections can preferably be provided. This allows for maximum versatility.

According to a further embodiment, the switching device can be switched mechanically.

The switching device preferably has a selector switch. The desired data output connection and thus the desired function can be selected using the selector switch.

The selector switch can preferably be pulled out, rotated to the desired position and re-engaged.

The switching device can for example be designed as a rotary switch. The different functions can be set by turning it, e.g. by 15 °.

The function can be selected before or after the proximity switch is installed.

According to a further embodiment, the switching device can be switched electronically.

An electronic switching device can be provided as an alternative or in addition to a mechanical switching device.

The circuit can be wired or wireless.

For example, wireless transmission technologies such as UMTS, GSM, LTE, e.g. LTE-Advanced or LTE-Advanced Pro, W-CDMA, e.g. HSPA, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, Bluetooth, infrared, WLAN, e.g. WiFi, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree , WiMAX, IrDA, optical radio relay or the like can be used for data transmission.

For example, an integrated circuit of the proximity sensor can be configured externally via a serial data interface.

The desired data output connection and thus the desired function can be selected via the electronic switching device.

The data output connection or the function can be selected before or after the proximity switch is installed.

According to a further embodiment, the connection device has an at least three-wire line.

In this way, the data of the selected data output connection can be received and passed on, regardless of whether the data output connection is designed as a two-wire switch or a three-wire switch.

In the case of a two-wire switch, one wire can be blind, for example.

The connection device can form part of the proximity sensor or be designed as an external component. For example, the connection device can be connected to the proximity sensor via a plug connection.

The invention also relates to a method for forwarding data with a proximity sensor, preferably according to the invention.

At least one sensor detects a proximity signal.

An evaluation device evaluates the proximity signal.

A switching device selects one of at least two different data output connections and forwards data from the selected data output connection, which data is based on the evaluated proximity signals, to a connection device.

All embodiments and components of the device described here are preferably designed to be operated according to the method described here. Furthermore, all the embodiments of the device described here and all the embodiments of the method described here can each be combined with one another, preferably also detached from the specific configuration in the context of which they are mentioned.

• 1 eine Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Näherungssensors,
• 2 eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Näherungssensors, und
• 3 eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Näherungssensors.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 a sectional view of an embodiment of a proximity sensor according to the invention,
• 2 a sectional view of a further embodiment of a proximity sensor according to the invention, and
• 3 a side view of a further embodiment of a proximity sensor according to the invention.

First of all, it should be noted that the embodiments shown are purely exemplary in nature. In this way, individual features can be implemented not only in the combination shown, but also on their own or in other technically meaningful combinations. For example, the features of one embodiment can be combined as desired with features of another embodiment. The number of data output connections can preferably vary.

If a figure contains a reference number which is not explained in the directly associated descriptive text, reference is made to the corresponding preceding or subsequent explanations in the description of the figures. The same reference numerals are used for the same or comparable components in the figures and these are not explained again.

1 discloses a proximity sensor with a sensor 10 for detecting a proximity signal.

The sensor 10 is built in flush, ie it is made of a metal material 12th enclosed.

In the case of the variant, which in 2 is the sensor 10 non-flush installed, ie the sensor 10 is free at its front area and is not made of a metal material there 12th surround.

3 shows an exemplary structure of a proximity sensor with a sensor 10 , an evaluation device 14th for evaluating the proximity signal and four different data output connections 16 for outputting data based on the evaluated proximity signals.

There can also be more or fewer data output connections 16 be provided.

At the data output connections 16 it can be, for example, NPN-NO, NPN-NC, PNP-NO, PNP-NC or NAMUR connections.

The proximity sensor has a switching device 18th on.

About the switching device 18th can be one of the data output ports 16 to be chosen.

For example, the switching device 18th twisted and with the desired data output port 16 get connected.

The data of the selected data output port 16 can be connected to a connection device 20th be passed on.

Because by the switching device 18th the desired data output port 16 can be selected, the proximity sensor can be used in many ways and adapted to the given installation situation or the given installation purpose.

List of reference symbols

10

sensor

12th

Metal material

14th

Evaluation device

16

Data output port

18th

Switching device

20th

Connection device

Claims (9)

Proximity sensor, having at least one, preferably inductive or capacitive, sensor (10) for detecting a proximity signal, an evaluation device (14) for evaluating the proximity signal, at least two different data output connections (16) for outputting data based on the evaluated proximity signals, and a switching device (18) which is designed to select one of the data output connections (16) and the data of the to forward selected data output connection (16) to a connection device (20). Proximity sensor after Claim 1 , characterized in that the sensor (10) is designed for flush and / or non-flush mounting. Proximity sensor after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least or exactly three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten different data output connections (16) are provided. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data output connections (16) are different in terms of construction and / or function. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the data output connections (16) has a two-wire switch or a three-wire switch. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the data output connections (16) has an NPN-NO, NPN-NC, PNP-NO, PNP-NC or NAMUR connection. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (18) can be switched mechanically. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (18) can be switched electronically. Proximity sensor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection device (20) has an at least three-wire line.

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