Removable display and operating module for measuring devices

Abstract

A detachable display and operation module for a field device comprises an energy storage device, a power interface and a radio interface for wireless communication with the field device.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the priority of German patent application 10 2019 201320.1 filed on February 1, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a detachable display and operation module for a field device and a field device having the display and operation module. Background Art

[0004] The display and operation module of the measuring device (hereinafter also referred to as field device) is usually installed on the field device and connected to the field device via a cable, plug contacts or sliding contacts. The power supply and communication between the field device and the display and operation module are operated via the cable. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative display and operating module for a measuring device for process automation in an industrial environment.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a detachable display and operating module for a measuring device (field device). For example, the measuring device may be a filling level measuring device such as a level radar, a limit level detection device (limit level sensor), a flow measuring device or a pressure measuring device.

[0007] The detachable display operation module includes an energy storage device configured to supply power to the display operation module when the display operation module is removed from the field device and is not connected to the field device by a cable.

[0008] Here, the dimensions of the energy storage device and the circuit of the module can be tailored and constructed so that sparks do not necessarily or even cannot form outside the module. The smaller the energy storage device, the lower the risk of spark formation. In principle, the smallest possible battery size can be advantageous for explosion protection. Currently, a capacity of 3mWh can be provided for 15 minutes for Bluetooth communication.

[0009] Furthermore, a power supply interface is provided, which is configured to supply power to the display and operation module when the display and operation module is placed, screwed or arranged on (ie, inserted or pushed into) the field device.

[0010] Furthermore, a radio interface can be provided which is designed for wireless communication with the field device and in particular for receiving display data from the field device and for transmitting parameterization data to the field device. For example, the radio interface is a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth or ZigBee.

[0011] As an alternative or in addition, a data memory can be provided which has parameterization data for the field device via the display and operating module, and a control circuit can be provided which is designed to temporarily store the parameterization data in the display and operating module and to transmit it to the field device and store it in the field device only when the display and / or operating module is reconnected to the field device.

[0012] The term "process automation in an industrial environment" can be understood as a subfield of technology that encompasses all measures for operating machines and plants without human involvement. One goal of process automation is to automate the interaction of individual components of a plant in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, oil, paper, cement, shipping or mining sectors. For this purpose, a large number of sensors can be used, which are particularly suitable for the specific requirements of the process industry such as mechanical stability, insensitivity to contaminants, extreme temperatures, extreme pressures, etc. The measured values ​​of these sensors are usually transmitted to a control room, where process parameters such as fill level, limit level, flow, pressure or density can be monitored and the settings of the entire plant can be changed manually or automatically.

[0013] A subfield of process automation in industrial environments relates to logistics automation. In the field of logistics automation, processes within buildings or within individual logistics equipment are automated with the help of distance sensors and angle sensors. Typical applications are logistics automation systems for the following areas: baggage handling and cargo handling at airports, traffic monitoring (toll collection systems), trade, parcel delivery or also building security (access control). The common point of the examples listed previously is that the respective application requires the combination of presence detection with precise measurement of the size and position of objects. For this purpose, sensors based on optical measurement methods with the help of lasers, LEDs, 2D cameras or 3D cameras can be used, which detect distances according to the time of flight principle (ToF).

[0014] Another subfield of process automation in an industrial environment concerns factory / manufacturing automation. Examples of this can be seen in many industries such as automotive manufacturing, food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals or packaging in general. The aim of factory automation is to automate the production of goods by machines, production lines and / or robots, i.e. to operate without human involvement. The sensors used here and the specific requirements for measurement accuracy when detecting the position and size of objects are comparable to those in the logistics automation example above.

[0015] In particular, the display and operating module may include a user interface through which a user can input parameterization data, which are then transmitted to a corresponding control unit of the field device. The display and operating module may also include a display, by means of which display data, in particular measurement data from the field device, can be displayed to the user.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detachable display operation module includes a control circuit, which is configured to prohibit the display operation module from being powered by the energy storage device when the display operation module is placed or arranged on or in the field device. The term "control circuit" should be interpreted broadly.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the display operation module includes a wired communication interface, which is constructed to communicate with the field device by wire when the display operation module is placed on the field device or arranged in the field device, in particular to receive display data from the field device and transmit parameterization data to the field device.

[0018] When the display and operation module is placed on the field device or arranged in the field device, only the wired communication interface can be used. In this case, the radio interface is not used.

[0019] When the display operation module is placed on the field device or arranged in the field device, a wired communication interface can be used in addition to the radio interface. In this case, the data transmitted from the field device to the display operation module can be simultaneously transmitted to an external remote device.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the wired communication interface corresponds to a power supply interface, which may be, for example, a two-wire line capable of transmitting data and supplying power.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the power interface is designed as a wireless interface, so when the display and operation module is placed on or arranged in the field device, the energy storage device can be charged wirelessly.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the display and operating module, in particular the radio interface, is designed only for short-range communication, which may also be advantageous for data security reasons. It can thus be ensured that the transmission power is strictly limited. This may prove to be advantageous for providing explosion protection.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, the display operating module, in particular the radio interface, is configured to wirelessly communicate with another field device, receive display data from the other field device, and transmit parameterization data to the other field device. Thus, if necessary, the user can also communicate with the other field device after removing the display operating module from the field device.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a field device having the detachable display and operating module described above and below.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the field device comprises an opening for accommodating the display-operating module.

[0026] Alternatively, the display and operating module is placed on or screwed to the field device.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a field device includes a field device cover configured to accommodate a display and operating module.

[0028] A cavity can be provided in the field device cover or in the housing of the field device, into which cavity the display and operating module is pushed.

[0029] The control circuit of the display and operating module may be designed to recognize whether the display and operating module is remote from the field device or is placed on the field device or is arranged in the field device.

[0030] The field device cover can be designed so that when a display operation module is placed or arranged therein, the display operation module can be operated by a user. For this purpose, a transparent glass or plastic window can be provided, and the display operation module is located below it.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the above-mentioned and hereinafter-mentioned detachable display and operating module for wireless operation of a field device and for wired and / or wireless power supply via the field device.

[0032] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrations in the accompanying drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. If the same reference numerals are used in the following description of the drawings, they represent the same or similar elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 The field device is shown with an inserted display and operating module.

[0034] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A field device having a remotely arranged display and operating module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 The field device 100 is shown with a display and operating module 106 which is pushed into a field device cover 104. An opening 111 for pushing in the display and operating module 106 is provided in the field device cover.

[0036] For example, the field device cover 104 is screwed onto the field device housing 101. The field device electronics 102 is located in the field device housing 101 and is, for example, a measuring electronics for filling level measurement, limit level detection, flow measurement or pressure measurement. In particular, the field device electronics comprises a radio interface 109, via which the field device electronics can communicate with the display and operating module 106.

[0037] To this end, the display and operating module 106 comprises a corresponding radio interface 108 which is connected to a control circuit 110. An energy storage device 105, for example in the form of a capacitor and / or a battery, is provided which is also connected to the control circuit 110.

[0038] When the display and operating module 106 is installed or arranged in the field device, the field device electronics can supply power to the display and operating module 106 , in particular to the energy storage device 105 , via the wired power interface 107 .

[0039] To supply power to the field device electronics, a power supply line 103 is provided. In this case, the power supply line can be, in particular, a two-wire line in the form of a 4 . . . 20 mA interface, via which the field devices can also exchange data.

[0040] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A field device, wherein a display and operating module 106 is arranged remotely. The display and operating module can communicate wirelessly with a radio device interface 109 of the field device electronics via a radio interface 108 and the energy required for this is provided by the energy storage device 105.

[0041] The display operation module 106 may include an additional power interface (not shown) through which the display operation module can be connected to an external power source even if the display operation module is not connected to or inserted into a field device.

[0042] Reference numeral 112 shows a cavity in the field device cover 104 , which is configured to accommodate the display and operating module 106 .

[0043] Since, depending on the installation situation, it can be laborious to carry out all settings directly on the field device, the display and operating module 106 can be removed for this purpose, so that “remote-controlled” wireless parameterization and display reading are possible.

[0044] The display and operation module includes an energy storage device 105 and a wireless connection with the field device 100 .

[0045] If the display and operating module 106 is inserted or pushed into the field device, the energy storage device 105 will be charged (wired or wireless charging). The communication between the field device and the display and operating module can be achieved by radio in the plug-in mode or by wire.

[0046] If the display operation module 106 is removed from the field device 100 and is no longer connected to the field device via a cable, the energy storage device 105 provides power to the display operation module 106 and communication with the field device 100 is completely wireless.

[0047] The field device can thus be parameterized in a significantly simpler environment. In particular, the display and operating module can be operated wirelessly and remotely from the field device as a measured value indicator in order to directly view the measured values ​​when changing a tank, for example.

[0048] In addition, it should be pointed out that "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. A detachable display and operation module (106) for a measuring device (100), comprising: A user interface for allowing a user to input parameterized data; A display, which is used to display the display data of the measuring device; an energy storage device (105) configured to supply power to the display operation module when the display operation module is removed from the measuring device; a power supply interface (107), which is configured to supply power to the display operation module through the measuring device when the display operation module is placed on the measuring device or arranged in the measuring device; a radio interface (108) configured to wirelessly communicate with the measuring device, to receive the display data from the measuring device, and to transmit the parameterization data to the measuring device, and A control circuit (110) is constructed so that the parameterization data is temporarily stored in the display and operating module and the parameterization data is transmitted to the measuring device and stored in the measuring device only when the display and operating module is inserted into and reconnected to the field device cover of the measuring device.

2. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 1, wherein: The control circuit (110) is further configured to prohibit the display operation module from being supplied with power through the energy storage device (105) when the display operation module is placed on or arranged in the measurement device.

3. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A wired communication interface is configured to perform wired communication with the measuring device when the display operation module is placed on the measuring device or arranged in the measuring device, receive the display data from the field device, and transmit the parameterization data to the measuring device.

4. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 3, in, The wired communication interface corresponds to the power interface (107).

5. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The power interface (107) is designed as a wireless interface.

6. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The display and operation module is configured to be used only for short-range communication.

7. The detachable display and operation module (106) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The display and operating module is configured to wirelessly communicate with another measuring device, receive display data from the other measuring device, and transmit parameterization data to the other measuring device.

8. A measuring device (100) comprising a detachable display and operating module (106) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The measuring device (100) according to claim 8, further comprising: The opening (111) is used to accommodate the display operation module (106).

10. The measuring device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The field device cover (104) is configured to accommodate the display and operation module (106).

11. The measuring device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, which is designed as a fill level measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a limit level sensor or a flow measuring device.

12. Use of the detachable display and operation module (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for wirelessly operating a field device or a measuring device (100) and for wired or wireless power supply via the field device or the measuring device (100).

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