EP2827314B1 - Vacuum assembly with a vacuum device and method for detecting communicated data in a communication line between a vacuum device and a central control device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum arrangement with a vacuum device and to a method for detecting data communicated in a communication line between a vacuum device and a central control device.

From the prior art ( DE 10 2006 045 024 A1 ), a vacuum arrangement with a vacuum device is known, wherein the vacuum device has a communication module and a control device with a radio module.

Such vacuum devices, which are connected to a central control device by means of a communication line, have the disadvantage that, for example, during a maintenance of the vacuum device no local data can be retrieved.

In particular, during commissioning or for maintenance purposes, it is often desirable to be able to carry out a local control of essential parameters. For this purpose, according to the prior art, it is necessary to interrupt the communication with the central controller in order to connect a display device locally.

The prior art ( US 2003/00141610 A1 ) includes a vacuum system that sends status information to a server. The data from the vacuum devices are routed to the server via a HUB and Ethernet line via the Internet.

The data sent from the vacuum devices to the server are all routed through the HUB. At the HUB attacks a "warm spare" server. This belonging to the prior art device has the disadvantage that a HUB, in which all communication lines converge star-shaped, is required.

Furthermore belongs to the state of the art ( EP 1 903 530 A2 ) An arrangement with a vacuum device and method for its operation. According to this prior art, a management unit is provided which receives and transmits data exchanged between different vacuum devices and a control unit. The exchange of data of the administrative unit with the vacuum devices serves the purpose that the administrative unit to a command the vacuum device from the vacuum device whose configuration data receives. The vacuum device can then be replaced, for example in the event of a defect, and the administrative unit configures the new vacuum device analogously to the replaced vacuum device, whereby the outlay for replacing a vacuum device is significantly minimized.

The technical problem underlying the invention is to provide a vacuum assembly with a vacuum device, with a local control of the vacuum device is possible. In addition, an improved method for detecting data communicated in a communication line between a vacuum device and a central control device is provided.

This technical problem is solved by a vacuum arrangement having the features according to claim 1 and by a method having the features according to claim 14.

The vacuum arrangement according to the invention with a vacuum device, which has a central control device for the vacuum device and a communication line between the vacuum device and the central control device, in which an additional device for detecting the data communicated in the communication line is arranged in and / or on the communication line characterized in that the device has a galvanic connection to the communication line.

Under vacuum arrangement in the context of the present invention, an arrangement with a vacuum device is understood, which additionally has a central control device for the vacuum device. The vacuum arrangement also includes a communication line between the vacuum device and the central control device.

The additional device, which is arranged in and / or on the communication line for detecting the data communicated in the communication line, allows the detection of the local data of the corresponding vacuum device, so that the essential parameters, such as speed, pressure, power, software version, Temperature and the like can be queried. This detection is particularly advantageous during commissioning or for maintenance purposes to achieve local control of the vacuum device.

According to the invention, the connection takes place galvanically in or on the communication line. In this case, a direct connection to the communication line, whereby simple components can be used or a filtering and processing of the data traffic is possible.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the device is additionally designed as a data-evaluating and / or data-indicating device. This makes it possible to display the locally recorded data directly, for example, for commissioning or maintenance of the vacuum device. An evaluation of the data may also be useful so that errors can easily be determined during maintenance or commissioning.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed as a device which records the data during an uninterrupted communication between the vacuum device and the central control device.

The invention according to this embodiment temporarily or permanently in and / or on the communication line arranged between the vacuum device and the central controller. The device reads the passing data. A selection can be made as to which of the data in the device should be displayed locally.

The particular advantage of this embodiment is that the communication between the vacuum device and the central control device is not interrupted, but that this is carried out unaffected further and that the device according to the invention detects all or only selected, communicated in the communication line data and after the Desires of the user further processed, that is evaluates and / or displays.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the absence of communication between the central control device and the vacuum device, the device is additionally designed as a data interrogating and / or the vacuum device controlling device. The communication remains off, for example, if the central control device has not yet been connected or configured. Even in case of failure of the central control device communication remains off. In this case, the lack of communication, the device according to the invention can even intermittently automatically or manually query data in the vacuum device and / or make adjustments to the vacuum device. In this case, the device according to the invention behaves like a normal operating device. As soon as the communication with the central control starts, which can take place depending on the topology - in or on the communication line - by direct reception or assessment of the signal quality, there is no active participation in the communication, that is, there are no devices of the invention Telegrams sent more, but only as according to the main embodiment provided the invention, watching the passing data and / or evaluated. This means that the device only actively interrogates data in the vacuum device and / or makes adjustments to the vacuum device exclusively in the absence of communication between the vacuum device and the central control device itself.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, either an additional subscriber (a connection) or a looped-in device (two independent ports) is provided.

If the connection is designed as a looped-in device, the continuous communication line is interrupted and closed again by a detour, that is, the detour line is looped into the continuous line.

It is also possible to provide other galvanic connections.

The communication line can be designed according to the invention as RS485 or Profibus. Due to the symmetrical signal transmission, RS485 is characterized by a high tolerance to electromagnetic interference. Other types of communication lines are also possible.

The device according to the invention can be designed according to a further embodiment of the invention as a device changing the data communicated. The device can therefore also influence the current communication, for example, filtering telegrams, supplementing or modifying data contents with information if the connection is suitable.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device can also record the data traffic and / or the data. As a result, the logging possible errors is feasible.

The device advantageously has operating elements and / or a visual display device and / or an acoustic display device. In the simplest case, indicators, for example LEDs for displaying data or operating states can be provided. In addition, controls such as buttons or switches may be provided to select, for example, an operating mode or the data to be displayed. In addition, displays can also be used to display characters or graphics to the pure operating mode in usual operating and display devices. It is also possible, according to a further embodiment of the invention, to provide acoustic signals, for example to warn when exceeding preset values.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the vacuum device is designed as a vacuum pump or as a vacuum measuring means, for example as a measuring tube. In particular, in these devices, the use of a communication between a central control device and vacuum device not interrupting device is advantageous.

The inventive method for detecting data communicated in a communication line between a vacuum device and a central control device, in which the data is detected by a device without interrupting the communication between the data device and the central control device, is characterized in that the data from the Communication line contactless, preferably inductive or capacitive detected without separation of a bus cable.

The method according to the invention has the advantage that the communication between the central control device and the vacuum device can continue unhindered and still the data is recorded locally without interrupting the communication. This data can be additionally evaluated or displayed, for example. This method can be advantageously used in particular during the start-up or maintenance of a vacuum device, since in this case only the required, that is desired data, the anyway between the central control device and the vacuum device by means of the communication line be communicated by the device and displayed or evaluated as needed.

This makes it possible to locally commission or maintain a vacuum device.

If the communication between the vacuum device and the central control device does not occur, it is possible that the device only automatically or manually interrogates data of the vacuum device and / or controls the vacuum device exclusively in the absence of communication. The communication can be omitted if a central control device is not yet connected or configured, or if the central control device has an error. In this case, it is possible for the device to perform tasks of the central controller to control the vacuum device.

According to the invention, the data is detected via a non-galvanic connection. This means that there is a galvanic isolation between the detection device and the communication line. This embodiment has the advantage that no additional connectors are necessary. The coupling is possible at any suitable location without interference with the communication line and it is also the greatest non-reaction achievable. In this case, the data of the communication line are preferably detected inductively or capacitively.

These types of detection have proven to be advantageous because of the reliable operation.

The communication line used is preferably an RS485 standard or a Profibus. Other types of communication line are also possible according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device can change the communicated data during the communication between the vacuum device and the central control device. If the device is suitably connected, the device can influence the ongoing communication, for example filtering telegrams, supplementing or changing data contents with information. A recording of the data traffic and / or the data is also conceivable and advantageous for logging the processes over a shorter or longer period of time.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a vacuum pump or a vacuum measuring means, for example a measuring tube, is used as the vacuum device. The method according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously with these devices.

The vacuum arrangement according to the invention as well as the method according to the invention is limited to vacuum applications. The method and the vacuum arrangement have the advantage over the prior art that they make compact and inexpensive designs for advantageous use in commissioning and in the operation of vacuum systems and vacuum applications possible.

The vacuum arrangement with a vacuum device and the device for detecting the data communicated in the communication line can, as already stated, have a display. This display can be designed, for example, in the form of indicators, character-based, graphical or mixed displays, as acoustic transmitters, as digital or analogue outputs and / or as relays.

The influence of the vacuum arrangement according to the invention on the display or the operation can be formed, for example, by automatically scrolling through all the relevant values by manual selection by means of keys and / or by changing the operating mode.

The vacuum arrangement according to the invention as well as the method according to the invention allow a local and non-reactive detection of data in vacuum systems, that is in vacuum arrangements with a vacuum device. These local and non-reactive data can also be evaluated and displayed locally and without feedback.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vakuumanordnung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer nichtgalvanischen Ankopplung an die Kommunikationsleitung;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer galvanischen Ankopplung an einer Kommunikationsleitung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer 2-PortAnkopplung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of a vacuum arrangement according to the invention are shown by way of example only. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a vacuum arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a non-galvanic coupling to the communication line;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a galvanic coupling to a communication line;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a 2-port coupling.

Fig. 1 shows a vacuum arrangement according to the invention. At a recipient 8, a vacuum device 1 is connected. In the example shown, it is a vacuum pump 1a with flanged control electronics 1b. The control electronics 1b can optionally be flanged or spatially separated and connected via a cable to the vacuum pump 1a. The vacuum device 1 can also be a controllable valve, a measuring tube or the like. The vacuum device 1 has a communication module 2, which is arranged directly on the control electronics 1b in the example shown. However, it may also be separate from this, for example in an adjacent control cabinet, and then communicate with the vacuum device 1 via a cable.

The control electronics 2 is connected via a communication line 7 to a central control device 5. At the central control device 5 further vacuum devices (not shown) via other communication lines (also not shown) may be connected.

Via a connection 3, a device 4 is coupled to the communication line 7. The device 4 acquires data that is exchanged in the communication line 7 between the vacuum device 1 and the central control device 5. The detection takes place without the Communication between the vacuum device 1 and the central control device 5 is interrupted.

The device 4 detects the data communicated in the communication line 7 either temporarily or permanently. The device 4 detects the essential parameters such as speed, pressure, power, temperature, software version and the like. The device 4 may also send control data such as setting commands sent to the vacuum device, such as "on / off", "accelerate" and the like, namely, when the communication from the central controller 5 is absent. This may be the case if the central controller fails or is not yet connected or configured.

In this case, the device 4 can also automatically or manually query data in the communication module 2 and, as already stated, optionally make settings. In this case, the device 4 behaves like a normal operating device. As soon as the communication with the central control device 5 starts, no active participation in the communication takes place, that is, no messages are filtered by the device 4, data contents are supplemented or changed by information, but only the data communicated in the communication line 7 are detected , observed and / or evaluated.

By means of this vacuum arrangement according to the invention, local monitoring of the vacuum pump 1 is possible temporarily or permanently without any effect on the communication between the vacuum device 1 and the central control device 5. This is particularly advantageous in the commissioning and maintenance of vacuum systems.

Fig. 2 shows the communication line 7, to which the device 4 is connected by means of a coupling 3, which is designed as a non-galvanic coupling 6. In the non-galvanic coupling 6 no additional connectors are necessary. The connection is possible at any suitable point of the communication line 7. As a result, the greatest freedom from reaction is achieved.

In the non-galvanic coupling, the data from the communication line 7 contactless, such as inductive or capacitive detected without the bus cable 7 must be separated. It is also a connection via radio conceivable.

According to Fig. 3 is the device 4 via the coupling 3, which is designed as a galvanic coupling 9, connected to the communication line 7. The galvanic coupling 9 means that another analog subscriber is connected to the communication line 7. This variant has the advantage that the coupling takes place by means of simple components.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment in which the device 4 is looped by means of a 2-port coupling 10 in the communication line 7. With this embodiment, a filtering and processing of the data traffic is possible.

reference numerals

1

vacuum device

1a

vacuum pump

1b

control electronics

2

communication module

3

coupling

4

contraption

5

central control device

6

non-galvanic coupling

7

communication line

8th

recipient

9

galvanic coupling

10

2-port coupling

Claims (20)

1. Vacuum assembly with a vacuum device, which has a central control device for the vacuum device and a communication line between the vacuum device and the central control device, with an additional apparatus (4) for detecting the data communicated in the communication line (7) being arranged in and/or on the communication line (7),
   characterised in that the apparatus (4) has a galvanic connection (9) to the communication line (7).
2. Vacuum assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the apparatus (4) is configured as an apparatus (4) that evaluates and/or displays data.
3. Vacuum assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the apparatus (4) is configured as an apparatus (4) that detects the data during an interruption-free communication between the vacuum device (1) and the central control device (5).
4. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, when there is no communication between the central control device (5) and the vacuum device (1), the apparatus (4) is additionally configured as an apparatus (4) that interrogates data and/or controls the vacuum device (1).
5. Vacuum assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection (9) is configured as an additional user.
6. Vacuum assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection (9) is configured as a looped-in apparatus (4) with two independent ports.
7. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the communication line (7) is configured as an RS485 or as a PROFIBUS.
8. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus (4) is configured as an apparatus (4) that changes the communicated data.
9. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus (4) is configured as an apparatus (4) that records the data and/or data traffic.
10. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus (4) has operating elements and/or a visual notification apparatus and/or an acoustic notification apparatus.
11. Vacuum assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the operating elements are configured as push buttons or switches.
12. Vacuum assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the visual notification is configured in the form of indicators or in the form of at least one display.
13. Vacuum assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vacuum device (1) is configured as a vacuum pump or as a vacuum measuring means.
14. Method for detecting data communicated in a communication line between a vacuum device and a central control device, in which the data are detected by an apparatus (4) without interruption of the communication between the vacuum device (1) and the central control device (5),
    characterised in that the data are detected from the communication line (7) contactlessly, preferably inductively or capacitively, without disconnection of a bus cable (7).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the apparatus (4) additionally evaluates and/or displays the data for detection of the data.
16. Method according to either one of claims 14 or 15,
    characterised in that the apparatus (4) automatically or manually interrogates data of the vacuum device (1) and/or controls the vacuum device (1) exclusively when there is no communication between the vacuum device (1) and the central control device (5).
17. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
    characterised in that an RS485 or a PROFIBUS is used as communication line (7).
18. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
    characterised in that the apparatus (4) changes the communicated data during the communication between the vacuum device (1) and the central control device (5).
19. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 18,
    characterised in that the apparatus (4) records the communicated data and/or the data traffic.
20. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 19,
    characterised in that a vacuum pump or a vacuum measuring means is used as the vacuum device (1).

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