Display unit for automation field devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a display unit for an automation field device, comprising at least: a display (19) for displaying information; -a display frame (30) having a main body (31), and said display frame (30) further having a plurality of pressure elements (34) formed on a second side (33) of said main body, said second side (33) facing away from the first side (32), and the plurality of pressure elements are designed such that the pressure elements extend or protrude from the second side in a direction opposite the first side; a carrier plate (50) having a plurality of spring elements (51), which are adapted relative to each other and which are designed such that the spring elements push or press the protruding pressure elements in a clamped state in the direction of a normal vector (70) of a planar receiving surface (37) of the display frame, moving the display (19) located in the receiving surface (37) in the direction of the normal vector (70); and-a display support (40) having a receptacle for mechanically fixing at least the carrier plate (50) in the display support (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a display unit for a field device in automation technology and to a field device in automation technology having such a display unit. Background Art

[0002] Field devices used in industrial facilities are known from the prior art. Field devices are generally used in process automation technology and manufacturing automation technology. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used near the process and transmit or process information related to the process. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, etc., and record the corresponding process variables, pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, fill level, flow rate, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves, which can influence the flow of liquid in a pipe or tube or the fill level in a container. In addition to the above-mentioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I / O, radio adapters, and generally devices arranged at the field level.

[0003] A large number of such field devices are manufactured and sold by the Endress+Hauser group of companies.

[0004] Especially in the case of hygienic processes, high requirements are placed on handling and / or cleanliness. Examples of such hygienic processes are applications in the food industry, where there is a risk that deposits and / or impurities could reduce storability and / or lead to health-damaging contamination of the food.

[0005] In order to meet these requirements, the housings of the field devices are specially designed. For example, they are made of a metallic material, such as, for example, 316L stainless steel, and / or are designed so that they have as few locations as possible for deposits and / or impurities to adhere to.

[0006] Furthermore, field devices used for these applications are often hermetically sealed. This means that the interactive and display element is typically located within the interior of the field device behind a viewing pane and hermetically enclosed by the viewing pane from the outside. Such interactive and display elements not only display information but also interact with services. Capacitive keys, for example, can be used as part of the interactive and display element, for example, by forming a corresponding film. Hereinafter, such interactive and display elements will also be referred to as displays.

[0007] A disadvantage here is that operation of the capacitive keys and / or good readability of the display is only possible if the display, arranged as a result of the airtight packaging behind the viewing pane, lies as flat as possible and without separation against the viewing pane. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a manner in which a display can be arranged as flat as possible and without separation on a viewing pane of a field device of automation technology.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a display unit for a field device in automation technology as claimed in claim 1 and a field device in automation technology as claimed in claim 10 .

[0010] The display unit for a field device of automation technology of the present invention comprises: a display, wherein the display is used to display information; a display frame having a preferably planar base body, wherein the base body provides a planar receiving area for the display on a first side, so that the display frame accommodates the display and preferably partially surrounds the display at least in an edge region and is connected to the display, wherein the display frame further comprises a plurality of pressure elements, preferably four pressure elements, particularly preferably rod-shaped pressure elements, which are formed on a second side of the base body remote from the first side and are embodied such that they extend from the second side in a direction opposite to the first side; a carrier plate having a plurality of spring elements, preferably four spring elements, wherein the spring elements and the pressure elements are adapted and formed relative to one another such that, in a clamped state, the spring elements press the extended pressure elements of the display frame in the direction of a normal vector, which is orthogonal to the planar receiving area of ​​the display frame, and in the clamped state, the carrier plate and the display frame are mounted and positioned relative to one another in the display holder such that the display located in the receiving area is moved in the direction of the normal vector; and The display support has a receptacle for mechanically securing at least the carrier plate within the display support.

[0011] According to the present invention, a display unit is provided in which a separately mounted spring element is avoided because the carrier plate itself has a spring element. The spring element is integrated into the carrier plate together with a protruding pressure element, which provides a spring force in the direction of the normal vector (and therefore in the direction of the interaction and viewing pane), so that a display mounted in a receiving area of ​​the display frame is pressed against the interaction and viewing pane.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that the spring element of the carrier plate is formed as a cantilever which lies in the plane of the carrier plate in the non-deflected state.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that the carrier plate is a circuit board and that the spring element is part of the circuit board and is preferably produced from the circuit board. For example, the spring element can be produced from the circuit board by milling, laser cutting, stamping or by 3D printing.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that the display support comprises a plurality of, preferably two, retaining elements, which are formed such that a carrier plate can be engaged (e.g. can be clamped) into the retaining elements so that the carrier plate is mechanically fixed in the display support.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that the display support has a base and a peripheral side extending from the base. In particular, this embodiment can provide that the retaining elements of the display support are formed such that they extend from the peripheral side in a direction opposite to the base and / or such that the base comprises a transparent interaction and viewing panel, which is preferably embodied such that the interaction and viewing panel is located partially outside the base.

[0016] Another advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that a plurality of, preferably two, guide pins are formed on the second side of the base body of the display frame, and that the carrier plate comprises guide means corresponding to the guide pins, the guide means being formed such that the display frame can be axially guided / oriented and positioned relative to the carrier plate.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the display unit according to the invention can provide that a plurality of, preferably two, retainer elements are provided on the second side of the base body of the display frame, said retainer elements being formed such that the display frame can be fixed to the carrier plate in a mechanically releasable manner.

[0018] The invention further relates to a field device for automation technology, comprising: a field device housing enclosing an inner space; a transparent interaction and / or viewing pane integrated into or mounted in the field device housing for display; A display unit according to one of the above embodiments, wherein the display unit is arranged in the inner space of the field device housing, so that the display is located in the inner space behind the interaction and / or viewing pane, and is pressed in the direction of the normal vector by the carrier plate and the display frame installed in the display bracket, so that the display located in the receiving area moves in the direction of the normal vector.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention may provide that, in the case where the transparent interaction and / or viewing pane is mounted in the field device housing, the field device housing comprises an opening for accommodating an interaction and viewing window plate formed in the base of the display holder, wherein the interaction and / or viewing pane is arranged in the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will now be explained in more detail based on the accompanying drawings, the figures of which are as follows:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an automation field device designed for hygienic applications and having a display unit according to the invention,

[0022] Figure 2 is an example of a cross-sectional view through such a display unit,

[0023] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the monitor stand, where the carrier plate is mechanically fixed.

[0024] Figure 4 is a display frame fixed to the carrier plate, in which the display is mounted in the receiving area, and

[0025] Figure 5 is a carrier plate with integrated spring elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1A schematic cross-sectional view of a field device 10 for automation technology is shown. The field device 10 comprises a field device housing 12 enclosing an interior space 13. The field device housing 12 includes an at least partially rotationally symmetrical region 17, into which a field contact plug 21 is to be integrated or is already integrated. The field device 10 further comprises a process connection 28 and a sensor module, the terminals of which are arranged in the field device housing 12 and which has a sensor and / or actuator element 14 for setting and / or recording a process variable. The process connection 28 can be a threaded or screw-in flange or a clampable flange.

[0027] In the present example of an embodiment, the sensor and / or actuator element 14 comprises a fill level sensor element for recording the fill level as a process variable. However, the invention is not limited to the type or specific embodiment of the sensor and / or actuator element as a fill level sensor element, but can in principle be applied to any other sensor or actuator principle.

[0028] The electronics circuit 15 serves to provide and / or condition sensor and / or actuator signals located in the interior 13 of the field device housing, the electronics circuit 15 being designed to operate the sensor and / or actuator elements 14 .

[0029] In this example of an embodiment, the electronic device circuit has three circuit boards, two of which 15a and 15b are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and one circuit board 15c is arranged in the transverse direction of the housing. Circuit boards 15a, 15b, and 15c are plugged into one another and thus make electrical contact via corresponding plug connectors and mating plug connectors 15d. These can be in the form of rigid connectors as well as flexible connectors. Similarly, plugs and mating plugs can be interchanged.

[0030] The electronics circuit further comprises interface electronics 20 having at least a first printed circuit board 25 with field contact plugs 21 arranged on the edge of the printed circuit board in the longitudinal axis of the printed circuit board 25 and connected by soldering. Data, in particular measured values ​​and / or energy, are transmitted between the field device 10 and external units, such as, for example, a superordinated unit or other field devices, via the field contact plugs 21.

[0031] The field contact plug 21 can be, in particular, a circular connector, such as an M12 circular connector. However, it can also be any other plug connector suitable for data and / or energy transmission. For example, it can also be an Ethernet connection. Furthermore, the field contact plug 21 can also be a cable gland through which the connecting wires are routed for electrical contact within the interior of the field device.

[0032] The interface electronics 20 further includes at least one mating plug connector 22, which can be arranged and positioned on a first circuit board 25 such that a plug axis 23 is tilted or canted relative to the main plane of the first circuit board 25. Via the mating plug connector 22, the interface electronics connect to one of the multiple circuit boards of the electronics circuitry via the mating plug connector 15e present therein. The plug connector and the mating plug connector can be implemented as rigid connectors as well as flexible connectors. Similarly, the positions of the plug connector and the mating plug connector can be interchanged. Furthermore, electronic components 24 for EMC and / or explosion protection can be present on the first circuit board 25.

[0033] The electronic circuit 15 located in the field device 10 is at least partially arranged in an electronics container 16. This electronics container 16 has a fixed receptacle in the field device housing and, in some cases, also serves to secure a circuit board for the electronic circuit. In this case, the electronics container 16 can essentially conform to the outer contour of the field device housing. Furthermore, the portion of the electronic circuit located in the electronics container can be potted with a potting compound 27.

[0034] The field device housing 12 further includes a housing opening 18, through which the field contact plug extends. For mechanical securing and / or orientation and positioning, a precisely fitting plug sleeve 26 is mounted on the field contact plug in or on the field device housing. The plug sleeve is externally welded to the field device housing. To secure the plug sleeve during the welding process, it can be held in place on the electronics container by a securing device. This can occur, for example, via a latching mechanism on the electronics container within the field device housing. For example, the first securing element can be implemented by a latching geometry, such as a latch, molded onto the electronics container. To enable engagement or clamping, a circumferential groove is implemented on the plug sleeve as a second securing element. The interaction of these two securing elements prevents interference with the field contact plug during the welding process, such as from the welding equipment or the shielding gas flow, because the plug sleeve is secured to the electronics container. Furthermore, the laser beam has free access to the welding site.

[0035] At the upper end of the field device 10 , the field device housing 12 comprises a display unit 60 . Figure 2An example of a cross-sectional view through such a display unit 60 is shown. In this example of embodiment, the display unit 60 comprises a carrier plate 50, an actual display 19 for display and / or interaction, capacitive keys 19a for interaction, and a display frame 30 that surrounds the display 19 and is connected to the display 19 and the display support 40. The display unit 60 is arranged in the interior 13 of the field device, preferably in the region of the housing cover arranged behind the transparent interaction and viewing pane 11.

[0036] Figure 3 Shown is a rear view of a display stand 40. The display stand 40 is formed to receive and mechanically fix and connect a carrier plate 50, a display with a capacitor key 19a in a given situation, and a display frame 30, so as to produce a compact unit or assembly. For this reason, the display stand 40 can have a U-shaped form in a cross section, and this U-shaped form has a base 42 and a peripheral side 43 extending upward from the base. The base 42 can be, for example, circular or oval. However, other geometric embodiments of this base are possible. In order to install and / or locate and orient this carrier plate, this display stand can have a corresponding retainer element 41. Retainer element 41 can be embodied as, for example, a retainer hook, and the carrier plate 50 can be clamped therein or on it by this retainer hook. Retainer element 41 mechanically fixes this carrier plate in this display stand. In addition, the display stand 40 can also keep this transparent interaction and viewing pane 11. For example, interaction and viewing pane 11 can even be implemented as a part of base 42 and / or extend out from this base. In this case, the field device housing, preferably the housing cover, comprises a corresponding receptacle, for example in the form of an opening, in which the interaction and viewing pane 11 can be placed. However, another option is also to integrate the interaction and viewing pane 11 directly into the field device housing, preferably in the housing cover.

[0037] The display unit or assembly formed by the display holder 40 can be integrated into the field device 10 during manufacturing by providing a corresponding receptacle in the field device housing 12, preferably in the housing cover. For example, the display unit 60 can be integrated into the field device housing 12 in such a way that the display holder 40 is first introduced into the receptacle of the field device housing 12 and fixed, for example, by adhesive. Then, the prefabricated carrier plate 50, to which the display frame 30 including the display 19 is already mechanically fixed, is placed in the display holder by joining or clamping.

[0038] The display 19 may be, for example, a TFT display. For example, a capacitive film 19a may be applied on the display so that buttons can be operated by touch for interaction.

[0039] Figure 4 A display frame 30 is shown secured to a carrier plate 50, in which case the display (possibly with a capacitive film thereon) is mounted in a receiving area. The display frame 30 has a substantially planar, preferably rectangular, box-shaped base body 31. A receiving area 37 for receiving the display is formed on a first side (front side) 32 of the base body 31. Furthermore, the display frame has a plurality of retaining elements 36 on a second side (rear side) 33, distal from the first side. These retaining elements 36 are designed to mechanically releasably secure the display frame 30 to the carrier plate 50. These retaining elements can be formed, for example, as retaining hooks that engage on the rear side of the carrier plate facing away from the display frame. Furthermore, the retaining elements 36 can be arranged diagonally relative to one another on the rear side 33 of the base body 31. According to the present invention, the display frame also includes a plurality of extended pressure elements 34 on the rear side 33 of the base body 31 to serve as support points for spring elements of the carrier plate 50, which will be described in more detail below. The pressure element 34 can be formed, for example, in a rod-shaped manner and / or extend from the rear side 33 of the display frame in a direction away from the front side 32 of the display frame. The display frame 30 can be made of plastic, in particular by injection molding.

[0040] Furthermore, the display frame 30 can have a plurality of guide pins 35 on the rear side 33 of its base body 31, and the carrier plate can have guide means 52 corresponding to the guide pins, for example in the form of openings, in order to ensure axial guidance / orientation and positioning of the display frame relative to the carrier plate, and thus of the display 19 arranged in the receiving area relative to the carrier plate 50. In this case, the guide pins 35 can also be arranged diagonally relative to one another on the rear side 33 of the base body 31. Preferably, they are arranged diagonally relative to the engagement elements 36 on the rear side 33 of the base body.

[0041] Figure 5A carrier plate 50 is shown. The carrier plate 50 can be a circuit board that contains, for example, electronic components for driving the display. Additionally or alternatively, the circuit board 50 can also contain electronic components for wireless connectivity (such as Bluetooth). According to the present invention, the carrier plate 50 includes a plurality of spring elements 51, preferably four spring elements 51. The spring elements 51 are used to press the extended pressure element 34 of the display frame 30 in a clamping state in a direction perpendicular to a vector (normal vector) 70 of the display, so that the display 19 located in the receiving area is pressed against the interaction and viewing pane 11. It should be understood that in this case, the clamping state refers to the state in which the display frame 30 is fixed relative to the carrier plate 50 and the carrier plate 50 is mounted in the display stand 40. The spring elements 51 can be formed, for example, as cantilevers, preferably by corresponding milling, laser cutting, stamping, or 3D printing of the circuit board 50. The spring elements are preferably arranged in the edge region of the circuit board. Basically, the spring force generated by the spring element can be individually set and adjusted via the width and / or length of the cantilever and the thickness of the carrier plate in combination with the length of the pressure element 34 of the display frame 30. It has proven particularly suitable, in this example, for a typical thickness of the carrier plate (and therefore the circuit board) of 1-2 mm, for the cantilever to have a width in the range of 0.25-4 mm, preferably in the range of 0.3-3.5 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.5-3 mm, and / or a length in the range of at least 3 mm to a maximum of 20 mm, preferably at least 5 mm to a maximum of 18 mm, particularly preferably at least 7 mm to a maximum of 16 mm.

[0042] List of reference characters

[0043] 10 Field devices for automation technology

[0044] 11Interaction and Observation Panes

[0045] 12 Field device housing

[0046] 13 Inner Space

[0047] 14 sensor and / or actuator elements

[0048] 15 Electronic device circuits

[0049] 15a-15c circuit boards

[0050] 15d plug connector and mating plug connector

[0051] 15e plug connector

[0052] 16 Electronic device containers

[0053] 17 Rotationally symmetric regions

[0054] 18 shell opening

[0055] 19 monitors

[0056] 19a capacitive keys, membrane

[0057] 20 interface electronic devices

[0058] 21 Field contact plug

[0059] 22-port mating plug connector for electronic devices

[0060] 24 For example, electronic components used for EMC and / or Ex protection measures

[0061] 25. First circuit board of interface electronic device

[0062] 26 Plug sleeves for field contact plugs

[0063] 27 Potting compound

[0064] 28 process connections

[0065] 30 monitor frame

[0066] 31 Basic body, device body

[0067] 32 Front side of the monitor frame

[0068] 33 Rear side of the display frame

[0069] 34 pressure element

[0070] 35 guide pins

[0071] 36 Locking element for display frame

[0072] 37 receiving area for display

[0073] 40 monitor stand

[0074] 41Retainer element for monitor stand

[0075] 42 Monitor stand base

[0076] 43 Perimeter side of monitor stand

[0077] 50 load board, circuit board

[0078] 51 Spring element of the load-bearing plate

[0079] 52 guiding device of the carrier plate

[0080] 60 display units

[0081] 70 Normal vector of the receiving area

Claims

1. A display unit (60) for a field device (10) for automation technology, comprising: - a display (19), the display (19) being used to display information; - a display frame (30), said display frame (30) having a preferably planar base body (31), wherein said base body (31) is provided on a first side (32) with a planar receiving area (37) for said display (19), so that said display frame (30) accommodates said display (19) and preferably partially surrounds said display (19) at least in an edge region and is connected to said display (19), wherein said display frame (30) further comprises a plurality of pressure elements (34), preferably four pressure elements (34), particularly preferably rod-shaped pressure elements (34), said pressure elements (34) being formed on a second side (33) of said base body (30) remote from said first side (32) and being embodied so as to extend from said second side (33) in a direction opposite to said first side (32); - a carrier plate (50) having a plurality of spring elements (51), preferably four spring elements (51), wherein the spring elements (51) and the pressure element (34) are adapted and formed relative to one another such that the spring elements (51) press the extended pressure element (34) of the display frame (30) in a clamped state in the direction of a normal vector (70), the normal vector (70) being orthogonal to the planar receiving area (37) of the display frame (30), in which case the carrier plate (50) and the display frame (30) are mounted and positioned relative to one another in the display holder (40) such that the display (19) located in the receiving area (37) is moved in the direction of the normal vector (70); and - the display support (40), the display support (40) having a receptacle for mechanically fixing at least the carrier plate (50) within the display support (40).

2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein The spring element (51) of the carrier plate (50) is formed as a cantilever which lies in the plane of the carrier plate (50) in a non-deflected state.

3. Display unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein The carrier plate (50) is a circuit board, and wherein the spring element (51) is a part of the circuit board, and preferably, the spring element is made from the circuit board.

4. Display unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein The display support (40) comprises a plurality of retainer elements (41), preferably two retainer elements (41), which are formed such that the carrier plate (50) can be engaged (e.g., can be clamped) into the retainer elements so that the carrier plate (50) is mechanically fixed in the display support (40).

5. Display unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein The display support (40) has a base (42) and a peripheral side (43) extending from the base (42).

6. The display unit according to claim 4 and / or 5, wherein: The retainer elements (36) of the display support are formed such that they extend from the peripheral side in a direction opposite to the base.

7. The display unit according to claim 5 and / or 6, wherein: The base (42) comprises a transparent interaction and viewing pane (11), which is preferably implemented such that the interaction and viewing pane (11) is partially situated outside the base (42).

8. Display unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein A plurality of guide pins (35), preferably two guide pins (35), are formed on the second side (33) of the base body (31) of the display frame (30), and the carrier plate (50) includes guide means (52) corresponding to the guide pins (35), the guide means (52) being formed so as to enable the display frame (30) to be axially guided / oriented and positioned relative to the carrier plate (50).

9. Display unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein A plurality of retaining elements (36), preferably two retaining elements (36), are provided on the second side (33) of the base body (31) of the display frame (30), wherein the retaining elements (36) are formed to be able to fix the display frame (30) on the carrier plate (50) in a mechanically releasable manner.

10. A field device of automation technology, comprising: A field device housing (12), wherein the field device housing (12) encloses an inner space (13); a transparent interaction and / or viewing pane (11) integrated into or mounted in the field device housing (12) for display; A display unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit is arranged in the inner space (13) of the field device housing (12) so that the display is located in the inner space behind the interaction and / or viewing pane (11) and is pressed in the direction of the normal vector (70) by the carrier plate (50) and the display frame (30) mounted in the display bracket (40), so that the display (19) located in the receiving area (37) moves in the direction of the normal vector (70).

11. Field device for automation technology according to claim 10 and display unit according to claim 7, wherein: In the case where the transparent interaction and / or viewing pane (11) is mounted in the field device housing (12), the field device housing (12) comprises an opening for accommodating the interaction and viewing pane (11) formed in the base (42) of the display bracket (40), the interaction and / or viewing pane (11) being arranged in the opening.

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