Mechanical position indicator and actuator of automation technology

Abstract

A mechanical position indicator (100) for representing an actuation state of an actuator of automation technology, comprising: an indication element (110) for representing the actuation state; wherein the actuation state is represented by a linear position (113) of the indicator element; wherein the linear position of the indicator element has a first limit (111) and a second limit (112), the first limit being fixed, the mechanical position indicator comprising a slidable cover which at least partially surrounds the indicator element in cross-section, the cover being configured to indicate the position of the second limit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical position indicator for an actuator in automation technology and to such an actuator. Background Art

[0002] Actuators in automation technology are used to operate mechanical equipment in process industry pipelines, such as valves. By opening or closing the valves in the pipeline, the flow of process media can be allowed or blocked. In this way, for example, chemical reactions or filling processes can be controlled.

[0003] For the operators of such process industry equipment, it is often very important to be able to check the drive state of the mechanical equipment. According to the prior art, as shown, for example, in US9618136B2, actuators are usually equipped with mechanical position indicators. However, different types of mechanical equipment require different types of actuators, which have different drive methods and gear sets. The mechanical position indicator must be adapted to each type of actuator. However, the actuation range of a particular type of actuator also depends on the application to which it is connected, so that the actuation range is not visually clearly defined. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical position indicator having a visually clearly defined actuation range and to provide an actuator in automation technology comprising such a mechanical position indicator.

[0005] This problem is solved by a mechanical position indicator and an actuator.

[0006] A mechanical position indicator for indicating the actuation state of an actuator in automation technology, comprising:

[0007] An indicating element for indicating the actuation state;

[0008] wherein the actuation state is represented by the linear position of the indicating element; wherein the linear position of the indicating element has a first limit and a second limit,

[0009] wherein the first limit is fixed,

[0010] wherein the mechanical position indicator comprises a slidable mask which at least partially surrounds the indicating element in cross-section, and wherein the mask is arranged to indicate the position of the second limit.

[0011] In this way, variations in the second limit due to different applications or actuators do not affect the misinterpretation of the actuation state, since the second limit can be visually determined by means of the mask.

[0012] In one embodiment, in the installed state of the mechanical position indicator, the second limit is the limit facing the actuator relative to the installation direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mask holds its position by friction or a mask fixing mechanism, such as a screw mechanism or a latch mechanism or other similar mechanisms.

[0014] In one embodiment, the spatial distance between the two limits is at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, particularly at least 30 cm,

[0015] and / or

[0016] wherein the spatial distance is at most 200 cm, preferably at most 150 cm, particularly at most 100 cm,

[0017] In this way, it helps to improve the visibility of the mechanical position indicator.

[0018] In one embodiment, the diameter of the cross-section of the indicating element is at least 2 cm, preferably at least 5 cm, particularly at least 10 cm,

[0019] and / or

[0020] wherein the diameter is at most 70 cm, preferably at most 50 cm, particularly at most 30 cm.

[0021] In this way, it helps to improve the visibility of the mechanical position indicator.

[0022] In one embodiment, the ratio of the distance between the upper limit of the linear position and the lower limit of the linear position to the diameter of the indicating element is

[0023] at least 2, preferably at least 3, particularly at least 5,

[0024] and / or

[0025] at most 20, preferably at most 15, particularly at most 10.

[0026] In this way, it helps to improve the visibility of the mechanical position indicator.

[0027] In one embodiment, the mask is located outside the housing. In this way, the second limit can be easily and firmly determined visually.

[0028] In one embodiment, the indicating element has a first color,

[0029] and wherein the fixed background element has a second color, wherein the first color and the second color are angularly spaced apart by at least 60 degrees on a color wheel or color circle.

[0030] The color ring can be a color ring based on the RGB or CMY or HSV or HSL color standard. This ensures good distinguishability between the colors of the indicating element and the background element in human perception. For example, the combination of green and red is effective, while the combination of red and orange is not.

[0031] In one embodiment, the mechanical position indicator includes:

[0032] an indicating element for indicating the actuation state;

[0033] an indicator gear set for driving the indicating element, wherein the indicator gear set includes an input part and an output part;

[0034] a motion transmission part for transmitting the motion of the indicator gear set to the indicating element, the motion transmission part (130) being mechanically connected to the indicating element and releasably connected to the indicator gear set;

[0035] wherein the indicator gear set includes at least one planetary gear stage, and wherein the transmission ratio for driving the indicating element can be changed by replacing at least one of the at least one planetary gear stage or replacing the gear set.

[0036] In this way, the mechanical position indicator can easily adapt to different application scenarios and / or actuators.

[0037] Advantageously, each planetary gear stage in the at least one planetary gear stage is modular, so that it can be easily connected to or disconnected from another planetary gear stage or the motion transmission part.

[0038] In one embodiment, the mechanical position indicator includes at least two planetary gear stages connected by a coupling. In this way, by replacing at least one of the gear stages, the transmission ratio can be adapted to different application scenarios and / or actuators.

[0039] In one embodiment, the motion transmission part further includes a main shaft and a main shaft nut, wherein the indicating element and the main shaft nut are fixedly connected together, wherein the indicator gear set is arranged to rotate the main shaft, and the indicating element is fixedly mounted for rotation.

[0040] An innovative actuator for automation technology, comprising:

[0041] an output part having an output shaft for driving a mechanical device, such as a valve;

[0042] Actuator gear set;

[0043] A drive device, wherein the drive device is arranged to drive the output part, and wherein the actuator gear set is arranged to transfer force or torque from the drive device to the output shaft;

[0044] Actuator housing device, wherein the output shaft, the drive device and the gear set are arranged within the actuator housing device,

[0045] wherein the actuator includes an innovative mechanical position indicator, and wherein the actuator gear set is arranged to drive the indicator gear set.

[0046] In one embodiment, the drive device is an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device, and wherein the actuator includes an electronic circuit for driving the drive device. Description of the Drawings

[0047] The present invention will be explained with the aid of the drawings below.

[0048] Figure 1 Shows a perspective view of an exemplary innovative actuator;

[0049] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A front view of the actuator shown;

[0050] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the exemplary innovative mechanical position indicator shown;

[0051] Figure 4a Shows a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary indicator gear set of the present invention, Figure 4b Shows a perspective view of a part of the indicator gear set;

[0052] Figure 5a Shows a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary innovative spherical coupling, Figure 5b Shows a perspective view of a part of the indicator gear set, Figure 5c Shows an embodiment of the spherical coupling component;

[0053] Figure 6 Shows an exemplary assembly scheme of an exemplary innovative actuator. Detailed Description

[0054] Figure 1 Shows a perspective view of an exemplary innovative actuator 1, Figure 2Shows a front view of the actuator, the actuator 1 comprising housing means 40 in which a drive means 30, an electronic circuit 50, an actuator gear set 10 and an output 20 are arranged, see Figure 6 . The drive means 30 is for providing a force or torque to a mechanical device (such as a valve) and can be an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive means. The electronic circuit is for controlling the drive means. The actuator gear set transmits the driving force or driving torque to the output, and the mechanical device can be connected to this output.

[0055] In order to provide the operator with information on the actuation state of the mechanical device, the actuator comprises a mechanical position indicator 100 which converts the actuation result of the mechanical device into a linear position 113 of an indicating element 110.

[0056] The linear position 113 of the indicating element 110 is between a first limit 111 and a second limit 112 on the longitudinal axis 117 of the mechanical position indicator, where for example, in the installed state, relative to the installation direction, the first limit is the limit away from the actuator and the second limit is the limit facing the actuator. Depending on the actuator and the application object or mechanical device to be controlled, one of the above first limit and second limit will vary. As shown, the installation direction can be vertical, but can also be horizontal or inclined for example.

[0057] The actuator housing means has a maximum extension 41.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the first limit and the second limit of the linear position of the indicating element extend beyond the maximum extension, where the spatial distance between the first limit and the second limit is at least 1 / 2 of the cube root of the actuator housing volume 42,

[0059] and / or

[0060] wherein the spatial distance is at least 15 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, especially at least 25 cm,

[0061] and / or

[0062] wherein the spatial distance is at most 300 cm, preferably at most 250 cm, especially at most 200 cm,

[0063] and / or

[0064] wherein the spatial distance is at least half of the maximum diameter of the convex envelope of the housing means.

[0065] In this way, the mechanical position indicator is clearly visible even at a distance, so that the actuation position or the actuation state can be presented to a more distant observer. Thus, for example, it helps to maintain control of industrial equipment.

[0066] In one embodiment, the diameter 115 of the cross-section of the indicating element 110 is at least 2 cm, preferably at least 5 cm, particularly at least 6 cm,

[0067] and / or

[0068] wherein the diameter is at most 70 cm, preferably at most 50 cm, particularly at most 30 cm.

[0069] The minimum diameter of the mechanical position indicator also helps to maintain control of the industrial equipment. The maximum diameter of the mechanical position indicator ensures the maintainability of the mechanical position indicator.

[0070] In one embodiment, the ratio of the spacing between the first stop 111 and the second stop 112 to the diameter 115 of the indicating element 110 is at least 2, preferably at least 3, particularly at least 5,

[0071] and / or

[0072] and at most 20, preferably at most 15, particularly at most 10.

[0073] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, in one embodiment, the indicating element 110 is mounted in the optically transparent housing portion 151 of the housing 150.

[0074] In one embodiment, the indicating element 110 has a first color, wherein the background element 116 is partially covered by the indicating element according to the actuation state and has a second color, and the first color and the second color have an angular distance of at least 50 degrees, particularly at least 60 degrees, on a gradient color wheel or a gradient color circle. The color ring can be a color ring based on the RGB or CMY or HSV or HSL color standard. This ensures good distinguishability between the colors of the indicating element and the background element in human perception. For example, the combination of green and red is effective, while the combination of red and orange is not.

[0075] In one embodiment, the indicating element 110 provides the possibility of checking the actuation state within an angular range of at least 180 degrees (more preferably at least 270 degrees, particularly 360 degrees) in a horizontal cross-section, as Figure 1 、 2 and shown in FIG. 3.

[0076] As shown in the illustrated example, this can be achieved by employing a cylindrical indicating element, wherein the background element is surrounded by the indicating element. The indicating element covers the background element according to the actuation state of the mechanical device.

[0077] According to the invention illustrated, the mechanical position indicator includes a mask 140 for indicating the position of the second limit 112. The mask 140 can slide along the axis of the mechanical position indicator and, in one illustrated embodiment, can be fixed using a mask fixing mechanism 141, such as a screw mechanism or a latch mechanism or similar mechanisms. Additionally, the position of the mask may be maintained by friction. The second limit depends on the mechanical device to which the actuator is to be connected, depends on Figure 6 the selected actuator gear set 10 shown, and depends on Figure 3 the selected indicator gear set 120 shown. Through the slidable mask, the mechanical position indicator can be adapted to a specific application, so that the change limit of the linear position 113 can be well determined visually.

[0078] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 a longitudinal section of the mechanical position indicator 100 shown, including an indicator gear set 120, a mask 140, and a fixing mechanism 160 for fixing the mechanical position indicator to the actuator 1. The indicator gear set includes an input portion 121 for receiving force or torque, and an output portion for driving the indicating element 110. A motion transmission portion 130 is arranged to receive the motion from the output portion and transmit the motion of the indicator gear set to the indicating element, and this motion transmission portion 130 is mechanically connected to the indicating element 110 and connected to the indicator gear set through an output portion 122. The motion transmission portion includes a main shaft 131 and a main shaft nut 132.

[0079] Wherein the indicating element 110 and the main shaft nut are fixedly connected together, the indicator gear set 120 is arranged to rotate the main shaft, and wherein the indicating element is fixedly mounted for rotation. In one embodiment, as shown, the mechanical position indicator 110 includes an optically transparent housing portion 151 of a housing 150 for protecting the motion transmission portion and the planetary gear set from damage and contamination. As shown, the planetary gear set is mounted within a gear set housing portion 152.

[0080] Figure 4a Shows a longitudinal section of one embodiment of the indicator gear set 120 Figure 4bShows an angular view of the modular planetary gear stage 123. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicator gear set includes a group of three planetary gear stages, each planetary gear stage being connected by a coupling 124. The number of planetary gear stages can vary from 1 to 5. The number of the planetary gear stages is in particular at least 2. With the aid of the at least one planetary gear stage, the transmission ratio between the actuator gear set or the actuator output and the motion transmission or the indicating element 110 can be adjusted by replacing one or more planetary gear stages, or by replacing the entire indicator gear set connected to the motion transmission 130 by means of the coupling 124. In this way, the mechanical position indicator can be adapted to a wide range of application scenarios as well as actuators, so that one of the first limit 111 and the second limit 112 (here the second limit 112) can be maintained within a certain specific axial interval of the longitudinal axis 117. As Figure 4b The modular embodiment of the planetary gear stage shown increases the adaptability of the mechanical position indicator.

[0081] Figures 5a to 5c Shows an exemplary innovative embodiment of the fixing mechanism 160. The fixing mechanism is used to fix the mechanical position indicator 110 to the hollow output shaft 20 of the actuator, or to the hollow output shaft of the actuator gear set 10. The fixing mechanism 160 includes a hollow connecting shaft 161 having a shaft wall 161.2 and an axis 161.1 of the shaft, the hollow connecting shaft including at least one passage 161.21 passing through the shaft wall;

[0082] At least one radially acting friction device 162 located in the corresponding passage; an axially acting force transmission device 163 located inside the hollow connecting shaft, the force transmission device being used to apply a force to the friction device, and in the installed state, the friction device in turn achieves fixation by the force applied by the force transmission device. Advantageously (but not necessarily), the passage is arranged radially with respect to the axis of the output shaft or the axis 161.1 of the shaft. At least the oriented radial component is greater than the tangential component.

[0083] In this way, a friction lock between the actuator output or the actuator gear set output and the input part 121 of the mechanical position indicator is achieved. By, for example, fixing the housing 150 of the mechanical position indicator to the housing device, the motion of the drive device 30 can be transmitted to the indicating element 110. The rotational fixation can be achieved, for example, by using a bracket mechanism or a threaded mechanism.

[0084] As shown in the embodiment, the force transmission device 163 includes a force transmission element 163.1, wherein each of the at least one friction device 162 includes a force receiving element 162.1, and the angle between the tangent plane 164 passing through the contact point between the force transmission element and the force receiving element and the axis of the shaft is 45 degrees. The angle may be less than 80 degrees, for example less than 70 degrees, particularly less than 60 degrees,

[0085] and / or

[0086] the angle may be greater than 10 degrees, for example greater than 20 degrees, particularly greater than 30 degrees. In this way, the force applied to the force receiving element 162.1 can be well converted into the movement of the force receiving element, and thus friction can be formed between the fixing mechanism 160 and the output part 20 or the output part of the actuator gear set 10.

[0087] The friction element is arranged to form friction between the fixing mechanism 160 and the hollow actuator output part 20 or the hollow actuator gear shaft through the friction part 162.21 of the friction element, and the friction part projects from a corresponding one of the channels.

[0088] As Figure 5a shown in the embodiment, the force transmission element 163.1, the force receiving element 162.1 and the friction element 162.2 are all spherical. In this way, a very simple and effective force guiding mechanism can be arranged. Alternatively, the force receiving element 162.1 and the friction element 162.2 may be a single element. Alternatively, these elements may also be elliptical instead of spherical. Alternatively, these elements at least partially conform to a conical shape (see Figure 5c ), or elliptical, or spherical (see Figure 5c ), or polyhedron, such as tetrahedron or pentahedron, particularly a regular polyhedron, or wedge. If a contact point or contact line or contact area inclined to the axis 161.1 of the shaft is provided between the force transmission element and the force receiving element, the mechanism can function.

[0089] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the functional relationship between different parts of the exemplary innovative actuator 1 is described. The actuator includes a drive device 30, an electronic circuit 50 for controlling the drive device, an actuator gear set 10 and an output part 20 for driving a mechanical device (such as a valve). The drive device is arranged to apply a force or torque to the output part. The actuator gear set is arranged to transmit the force or the torque from the drive device to the output part. As shown in the figure, the innovative mechanical position indicator can be connected to the output part 20 or the actuator gear set 10.

[0090] If there is no technical or logical contradiction, or if not otherwise stated, the features of the various embodiments are interchangeable and / or combinable.

[0091] The mechanical position indicator shown in the figure can also be applied to a purely mechanical actuator, such as an actuator driven by a handwheel.

[0092] List of reference numerals

[0093] 1 Actuator

[0094] 10 Actuator gear set

[0095] 20 Output part

[0096] 30 Driving device

[0097] 40 Actuator housing device

[0098] 41 Maximum extension

[0099] 42 Actuator housing volume

[0100] 50 Electronic circuit

[0101] 100 Mechanical position indicator

[0102] 110 Indicator element

[0103] 111 First limit

[0104] 112 Second limit

[0105] 113 Linear position

[0106] 114 Spatial spacing

[0107] 115 Diameter

[0108] 116 Background element

[0109] 120 Indicator gear set

[0110] 121 Input part

[0111] 122 Output part

[0112] 123 Planetary gear stage

[0113] 124 Coupling

[0114] 130 Motion transmission part

[0115] 131 Spindle

[0116] 132 Spindle nut

[0117] 140 Mask

[0118] 141 Mask fixing mechanism

[0119] 150 Housing

[0120] 151 Transparent housing part

[0121] 152 Gear set housing part

[0122] 160 Fixing mechanism

[0123] 161 Hollow connecting shaft

[0124] 161.1 Axis of the shaft

[0125] 161.2 Shaft wall

[0126] 161.21 Shaft channel

[0127] 161.3 Shaft stopper

[0128] 162 Friction device

[0129] 162.1 Force receiving element

[0130] 162.2 Friction element

[0131] 162.21 Friction part

[0132] 163 Force transmission device

[0133] 163.1 Force transmission element

[0134] 164 Tangent plane

Claims

1. A mechanical position indicator (100) for indicating an actuation state of an actuator in automation technology, comprising: an indicating element (110) for indicating the actuation state; The actuation state is indicated by a linear position (113) of the indicator element; the linear position of the indicator element has a first limit position (111) and an opposite second limit position (112), Wherein, the first limit is fixed, The mechanical position indicator comprises a slidable cover, which at least partially surrounds the indicating element in a cross section, wherein the cover is configured to indicate the position of the second limit.

2. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1, in, In the installed state, the second limit position is arranged to face the actuator relative to the installation direction.

3. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The mask (140) is held in position by friction or a mask fixing mechanism (141).

4. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The space between the first limit and the second limit (114) is at least 10 cm, and / or Wherein, the maximum space distance is 200 cm.

5. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter (115) of the cross section of the indicator element is at least 2 cm, and / or in, The diameter is at most 70 cm.

6. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The ratio of the distance between the first limit of the linear position and the second limit of the linear position to the diameter of the indicator element is at least 2, and / or The maximum value is 20.

7. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The indicating element (110) is arranged in an optically transparent housing portion (151) of a housing (150) of the mechanical position indicator.

8. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 7, in, The shield (140) is located outside the housing (150).

9. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The indicator element (110) has a first color, And wherein the fixed background element (116) has a second color, and the first color and the second color are separated by an angular distance of at least 60 degrees on the color wheel or color circle.

10. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, Also includes Indicator gear set (120), A motion transmission part (130) is used to transmit the motion of the indicator gear set to the indicating element. The motion transmission part (130) is mechanically connected to the indicating element and is releasably connected to the indicator gear set.

11. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 10, in The indicator gear set comprises at least one planetary gear stage (123), wherein: By replacing at least one of the at least one planetary gear stage or replacing the gear set, the transmission ratio for driving the indicator element can be varied.

12. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 11, Also included are at least two planetary gear stages (123) releasably connected to the coupling.

13. The mechanical position indicator according to claim 11 or 12, The motion transmission part further includes a main shaft (131) and a main shaft nut (132). in, The indicating element (110) and the spindle nut (132) are fixedly connected together, the indicator gear set (120) is arranged for rotating the spindle, and the indicating element is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner.

14. An actuator (1) for automation technology, comprising: An output portion (20) having an output shaft for driving a mechanical device; Actuator gear set (10); a drive device (30), wherein the drive device is arranged to drive the output portion, and wherein the actuator gear set is arranged to transfer force or torque from the drive device to the output shaft; An actuator housing device (40), wherein the output shaft, the drive device and the gear set are arranged in the actuator housing device, Features The actuator comprises a mechanical position indicator (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 13, wherein the actuator gear set is arranged to drive the indicator gear set.

15. The actuator according to claim 14, The drive device is an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device. The actuator comprises an electronic circuit (50) for driving the driving device.

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