Fluid power device and fluid system

Abstract

Fluid power device (1) with at least one functional module (2) for influencing at least one fluid flow and with an electronic display device (15) which is designed for a permanent, energy-free display of information graphics (21, 22), and with a communication device (40) which is designed for a contactless reception of display signals from a signal source (12) and for providing the display signals to the display device (15), wherein the display device (15) is designed for a change of information graphics (21, 22) depending on the display signals, characterized in that the communication device (40) is designed for an at least partial conversion of the display signal into electrical energy for a temporary supply of the display device (15) with electrical energy.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid power device with at least one functional module for influencing at least one fluid flow. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid system.

[0002] From DE 20 2013 103 332 U1 a field device with a display module is known, which has a display and a status display, whereby the display can show process data of the field device and the status display can only show the operating state of the field device.

[0003] From EP 2 005 007 B1, a modular control device is known which comprises a plurality of control modules arranged successively in an array direction, wherein at least one control module and / or at least one control module group is placed between two support elements spaced apart in the array direction, and wherein at least one bridging element spanning the control modules or the control module group located therebetween in the array direction is fixed to the support elements in a removable and / or pivotable manner, and the bridging element serves as a cover and / or as an information carrier for the spanned control modules.

[0004] From WO 2009 / 127223 A1, a modular control device is known that contains a support module arrangement equipped with a control module arrangement, to which additional information carrier modules are assigned, which are designed to provide information about the control modules and which each comprise a fastening section fixed to the support module arrangement and an information carrier section pivotally mounted thereon by hinge means, which is L-shaped and can be positioned optionally in a working position spanning the control module arrangement or in a release position releasing the control module arrangement.

[0005] US 2017 / 0 356 566 A1 discloses a solenoid valve device comprising a body with a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a chamber connecting the first fluid line and the second fluid line to one another, wherein a valve seat is arranged in the chamber so that all of the fluid flowing through the chamber can be guided through the valve seat, and wherein a sealing element is movably arranged in the chamber and is movable between a first position in which the sealing element contacts the valve seat and a second position in which the sealing element does not contact the valve seat, and wherein a permanent magnet biases the sealing element into the first or second position, and wherein an electromagnet can overcome the magnetic connection of the permanent magnet and move the sealing element into the second position or the first position.

[0006] DE 10 2016 110 904 A1 discloses a valve assembly with at least two valve modules, wherein the valve modules are arranged next to one another in a row direction, wherein the valve assembly has a display device for displaying a state of the valve modules and / or the valve assembly and / or a component connected to the valve assembly and the display device extends continuously over all valve modules in the row direction.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a fluid power device and a fluid system in which additional information about individual functional modules or groups of functional modules that are part of the fluid power device or the fluid system is made possible in a simple manner without complex technical changes.

[0008] This object is achieved for a fluid power device of the type mentioned at the outset with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the fluid power device comprises an electronic display device which is designed for a permanent, energy-free display of information graphics and further comprises a communication device which is designed for a contactless reception of display signals from a signal source, in particular a programming device and / or a control device, and for providing the display signals to the display device, wherein the display device is designed for a change of information graphics depending on the display signals and wherein the communication device is designed for an at least partial conversion of the display signal into electrical energy for a temporary supply of the display device with electrical energy.

[0009] The information graphics displayed by the electronic display device can be, for example, graphic symbols or alphanumeric characters such as numbers and letters, which provide a user with information about the functional module or an operating state of the functional module. The electronic display device is designed in such a way that it only needs to be supplied with electrical energy to change the information graphics, while a continuous display of the information graphics occurs without the supply of electrical energy.For example, the well-known technology of electronic paper can be used for such an electronic display device. Color pigments contained in microcapsules, for example, can be shifted between a layer of the electronic paper facing the viewer and a layer facing away from the viewer by briefly applying electric fields, thereby creating either a colorless or a colored surface area on the electronic paper. The advantage of such a design of the electronic display device is that it eliminates the need for an electrical energy storage device, as is required, for example, when using liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

[0010] The fluid power device further comprises a communication device configured for contactless reception of display signals from a signal source. Contactless transmission of display signals can occur, for example, from a programming device or a control device configured, for example, for controlling the at least one functional module of the fluid power device. Radio waves (for example, according to the Bluetooth standard, an RFID protocol, or an NFC protocol) or infrared light (for example, according to the IrDA standard) can be used for the contactless transmission of the display signals.For example, the communication device is designed to process the received display signals in order to subsequently forward them to the display device so that the display device can change the displayed information graphics depending on the display signals.

[0011] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] It is expedient if the display device is designed to selectively display different information graphics, in particular those of a freely selectable design, for activating and deactivating individual dots arranged in a dot grid, and / or if an energy storage device is provided which is designed for an autonomous power supply to the communication device and / or the display device. By way of example, it is provided that the display device is designed as a matrix display with a plurality of individual dots arranged in a two-dimensional grid, in particular in two mutually perpendicular directions with the same pitch. These individual dots can be individually controlled depending on the display signals in order to be able to display essentially any information graphics with the display device.Depending on the technology chosen for the display device, a single dot controllable by the display signal can be configured as a single cell switchable between at least two display states. Alternatively, the single dot is formed from a plurality of switchable microcells that can only be switched together, thus forming the single dot.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the fluid power device is equipped with an energy storage device, which can in particular be a battery, an accumulator, or a capacitor, designed to provide an autonomous power supply to the communication device and / or the display device. For example, it is provided that the electrical energy provided by the energy storage device is used to maintain an idle state of the communication device, in which the communication device does not influence the display device but is ready to receive contactless display signals. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical energy provided by the energy storage device can be used to refresh the display device at regular or irregular intervals, provided this is necessary to maintain the display of the information graphics.For example, a display device constructed using electronic paper technology requires, at least from today's perspective, a refresh of the information graphics every few weeks to maintain the desired contrast. Since no externally imposed change to the information graphics occurs within such a specific refresh interval through display signals transmitted contactlessly to the communication device, the communication device performs the required refresh of the display device using the electrical energy from the energy storage device.

[0014] Preferably, the communication device is configured for contactless reception of display signals from a signal source embodied as a programming device or control device, and / or the communication device is integrated into the display device. To ensure the most efficient operation of the fluid power device possible, it is advantageous if the electrical energy required to change the display of the information graphics is not provided by an electrical energy storage device that may only be provided if necessary, but rather by the display signal provided by the signal source.Accordingly, the communication device is designed to convert at least a portion of the field energy provided by the incoming display signal (preferably in the form of electromagnetic waves) into electrical energy, thereby ensuring, in particular, the supply of electrical energy to the display device, possibly in addition to using a portion of the electrical energy for operating the communication device. The desired changes to the information graphics on the display device, both with regard to the electrical energy and with regard to the information to be displayed, are thereby effected through the transmission of the display signals.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the communication device is integrated in the display device in order to ensure the most compact possible design for the display device and to ensure advantageous coordination between the communication device and the display device while maintaining the shortest possible electrical cable lengths.

[0016] In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that several functional modules, which are designed to influence at least one fluid flow, are arranged in a row along a row line, wherein the electronic display device extends along the row line and covers several, in particular all, functional modules. The functional modules can be, for example, valves, in particular switching valves or proportional valves, or components of a maintenance device such as a shut-off valve, a moisture separator, or an lubricator, which are arranged in a row along a row line. The row line corresponds, for example, to a distance between opposite outer edges of the functional modules in the row direction.

[0017] Furthermore, it is provided that the electronic display device extends along the alignment path. Preferably, a longest edge of the electronic display device is aligned parallel to the alignment path, and a length of this longest edge corresponds at least almost to the length of the alignment path, in particular, is equal to the length of the alignment path. This ensures that at least almost all functional modules can be assigned an information graphic that is displayed by the electronic display device.

[0018] In an advantageous development of the invention, the display device is designed to display information graphics individually related to a functional module, in particular from the group: product name, serial number, operating status, wear status, maintenance interval, malfunction, wherein an area of ​​the display device used to display the information graphics for the functional module corresponds to a projection surface of the functional module onto the display device. Thus, the display device enables an operator to quickly capture information individually related to the respective functional module, wherein the information graphics can be designed as alphanumeric characters or alphanumeric character strings and / or represented as graphic symbols, for example as bar charts.Optionally, the display device may also include an input means that enables switching between different information graphics, for example, to selectively display an operating state, a wear state, and a maintenance interval for one or more of the functional modules on the display device. To enable simple association between the display for the respective functional module and the respective functional module, the display device preferably covers all functional modules, and each of the functional modules on the display device is assigned an area that corresponds to a projection surface of the functional module onto the display device.

[0019] By way of example, it is provided that the functional modules are each cuboid-shaped and are arranged in a row with their largest surfaces facing one another. Accordingly, adjacent narrow sides of the functional modules form the outer surface of a functional module group formed from the functional modules, and the display device is arranged, in particular, parallel to one of these outer surfaces and spaced apart. With such a configuration of the functional module group and a corresponding arrangement of the display device, each of the functional modules on the display device is assigned a rectangular area for displaying the information graphic, wherein the rectangular area corresponds to the projection surface of the respective functional module on the display device.

[0020] It is expedient if the display device comprises a screen, preferably designed with a flat display surface, in particular a rectangular one, for displaying information graphics as a function of control signals from a processing device, as well as a processing device, wherein the processing device is designed to provide control signals to the screen as a function of incoming display signals. The processing device is in particular a microprocessor that is electrically connected to the communication device and receives the display signals from the communication device in order to convert them into suitable control signals for the screen. The screen can be based, for example, on electronic paper technology.The processing device may further comprise a memory in which, for example, information about functional modules is stored in order to be able to display a targeted representation of specific information graphics for the respective type of functional module on the corresponding area of ​​the display device.

[0021] Preferably, the functional modules are selected from the group consisting of a valve module, a maintenance module, and an electrical connection module. Typically, a fluid power device comprises exclusively functional modules from the group consisting of valve modules or maintenance modules. However, it can also be provided that electrical connection modules, in particular input modules, output modules, or combined input / output modules, are arranged between the valve modules. Depending on their design, these electrical connection modules are used, for example, to provide control signals to external electrical consumers such as electric drives and / or to detect sensor signals from external sensors.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the functional modules comprise a plurality of valve devices which are fixed to a housing which comprises electrical supply lines for an electrical supply to the valve devices, wherein the valve devices are electrically connected to the supply lines and are each designed to influence a fluid flow, wherein adjacently arranged valve devices are arranged next to one another with opposite surfaces along the arrangement path. Such a fluid power device can also be referred to as a valve island, in which the housing is designed for a central electrical supply to the functional modules arranged thereon. In addition, it can be provided that fluid channels for a central fluidic supply to the valve devices and / or fluid channels for a central discharge of fluid from the valve devices are also formed in the housing.

[0023] The object of the invention is achieved for a fluid system with the features of claim 9. Here, it is provided that the fluid system comprises a fluid power device according to the invention and further has a control device which is designed to provide control signals to the fluid power device in order to influence at least one fluid flow with the fluid power device, wherein the control device comprises a signal source for a contactless transmission of display signals to the display device in order to display at least one information graphic for at least one functional module. The control device can in particular be a programmable logic controller (PLC) which provides control signals to the fluid power device in order to be able to specifically influence one or more of the functional modules of the fluid power device.By way of example, it is provided that at least some of the functional modules are designed as valve devices that can be adjusted between different switching states or throttle states using electrical control signals from the control device in order to enable the influencing of at least one fluid flow. Typically, a wired connection is provided between the control device and the functional modules; wireless transmission of the control signals can also be provided. However, in order to avoid having to increase the number of cable connections between the control device and the fluid power device when using the display device, contactless transmission is provided for the transmission of display signals to the display device.

[0024] Accordingly, the control device comprises a corresponding signal source, for example, a radio module or an infrared module, which is coordinated with the communication device associated with the display device. Preferably, the control device can transmit display signals wirelessly to the communication device of the fluid power device. These display signals are intended, for example, to display information graphics on the display device that can provide information about a type or operating state of the respective functional module.

[0025] In one embodiment of the fluid system, it is provided that the control device is designed to diagnose at least one functional module and to transmit a display signal dependent on a diagnostic result to the display device in order to display an information graphic dependent on the diagnostic result for the functional module. Such a diagnosis can be carried out, for example, by determining the switching mirror number for the functional module controlled by the control device and designed as a valve device, wherein a threshold value is stored in the control device, the exceedance of which should lead, for example, to the output of a warning signal on the display device. Accordingly, before the threshold value is reached, the control device can output a first display signal which causes an information graphic on the display device to indicate to a user a non-critical state of the respective functional module.If the threshold value is exceeded, the control device can output a second display signal to the display device, which leads to the display of an information graphic on the display device, which indicates to a user a critical state of the respective functional module.

[0026] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing. Fig. 1 a perspective front view of a fluid power device having a plurality of functional modules designed as valve devices and arranged along a line, as well as a display device associated with the functional module, Fig. 2 a perspective rear view of the fluid power device according to the Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a purely schematic representation of a fluid system with a fluid power device according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0027] One in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 perspective and in the Fig. 3, the fluid power device 1 shown purely schematically is designed purely by way of example as a valve island in which several valve devices 2 designed as functional modules are combined to form a compactly arranged functional module group 3, which is fixed to an upper side 5 of a distributor plate 4. Purely by way of example, the valve devices 2 are each essentially cuboid-shaped and are arranged in a row with their largest surfaces 6 opposite one another along a row path 7.

[0028] Furthermore, it is provided by way of example that each of the valve devices 2 is fluidically connected in a manner not shown in detail to a connection 8 arranged on the valve plate 4 as well as to a connection 9 arranged on the valve plate 4 and is designed to influence a fluid flow between the respective connection 8 and the respective connection 9. Purely by way of example, it is assumed that the connection 8 is an input connection, while the connection 9 is an output connection, although the arrangement can also be reversed. For the following description, the connection 8 is referred to as the input connection 8 and the connection 9 as the output connection 9. Furthermore, the valve devices 2 are electrically connected in a manner not shown in detail to a control module 10 via supply lines which are accommodated in the valve plate 4. The control module 10 has a plug connector 11 for a Fig. 3 schematically illustrated electrical connection to a control device 12. The control device 12 is designed, for example, for providing control signals to the functional module group 3 in order to enable individual or, if necessary, group-wise control of valve devices 2.

[0029] Purely by way of example, a display device 15 is assigned to the fluid power device 1, which display device is configured, for example, in a cuboid shape, with a longest edge 16 of the display device 15 extending parallel to the array section 7. Furthermore, purely by way of example, it is provided that the display device 15 is aligned with a largest surface 17 parallel to an envelope plane (not shown in detail) for the functional module group 3, which is determined by end faces 18 of the valve devices 2, and completely covers the functional module group 3 in the direction of the array section 7, while no complete coverage of the functional module group 3 is provided transversely to the array section 7.

[0030] The display device 15 comprises, according to the illustrations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a display housing 19, which also determines the cuboidal envelope geometry for the display device 15. In the display housing 19, according to the illustrations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a purely exemplary rectangular screen 20, which can also be referred to as a display. The exemplary flat screen 20 can be used, in particular, to display various information graphics using electronic paper technology.

[0031] Examples include the Fig. 1 shows information graphics 21 formed as letters of the alphabet, extending almost completely over the entire height of the screen 20, which are aligned along the line-up 7. In contrast, in the Fig. 2 shows, purely by way of example, a plurality of information graphics 22, each of which is designed as character strings consisting of several alphanumeric characters and which are aligned transversely to the line-up 7 on the screen 20.

[0032] Preferably, the display device 15 is designed for any desired display of information graphics and is implemented in particular in a known manner as a matrix display in which a plurality of individual points arranged in a matrix-like manner, for example square ones, can be selectively controlled by suitable electrical control signals and thus the desired information graphics can be produced.

[0033] For this purpose, the display device 15 comprises, according to the schematic representation of the Fig. 3 a communication device 40 and a processing device 41, which is designed in particular as a microprocessor and electrically coupled to the communication device 40. Furthermore, the display device 15 comprises a storage device 42 which is electrically connected to the processing device 41 and is designed to store information, and an energy store 43 which is electrically connected to the communication device 40 and to the processing device 41 and is designed in particular as an electrochemical energy store, for example as an accumulator.

[0034] The communication device 40 is equipped with a receiving antenna 44 configured to receive electromagnetic waves that can be provided by a transmitting antenna 45 of the control device 12. By way of example, the electromagnetic waves are used to transmit display signals from the control device 12 to the communication device 40 of the display device 15 without contact.

[0035] In the communication device 40, purely by way of example, a partial conversion of the incoming electromagnetic waves into electrical energy takes place, which provides electrical power to the processing device 41. Furthermore, the converted electrical energy can be used to operate the screen 20, which is connected to the processing device 41 via a screen interface 46 in a manner not shown in detail, and to charge the energy storage device 43. Furthermore, the display signal is forwarded from the communication device 40 to the processing device 41, where it is processed into control signals for the screen 20, which are provided at the screen interface 46.

[0036] Since a portion of the electrical energy converted by the communication device 40 is provided to the energy storage device 43, the latter is charged during a transmission of display signals and can, if necessary, ensure an electrical supply to the communication device 40 and / or the processing device 41 at a later time when no display signals are present.

[0037] As the representation of the Fig. 3, the screen 20 extends with a longest edge 23 over the entire arrangement section 7, so that for each of the valve devices 2 of the functional module group 3, an area 24 can be made available on the screen 20, which area corresponds at least in the direction of the longest edge 23 to a projection of the respective valve device 2 onto the screen 20. As a result, an individual information graphic can be displayed for each of the valve devices 2, wherein an assignment of this information graphic to the respective valve device 2 is intuitively ensured by the at least partial overlap of the functional module group 3 with the display device 15.

[0038] Like the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the display device 15 is arranged above the functional module group 3 by means of two supports 25, 26, which are designed purely as examples as bent wire parts and are each fixed in suitable recesses 27, 28 of the distributor plate 4 and in a gap 29 between the functional module group 3 and a step 30 arranged on the distributor plate 4.

[0039] A company of a Fig. 3, which is formed purely by way of example from the fluid power device 1 and the control device 12, can be carried out as follows: the control device 12 provides suitable control signals to the individual valve devices 2 via a control line 14, which is plugged into the connector 11 of the control module 10, in accordance with an internal sequence program, so that these can each influence fluid flows between the input connections 8 and the associated output connections 9.

[0040] Furthermore, the control device 12, with the transmitting antenna 45, provides display signals contactlessly as electromagnetic waves to the display device 15 at regular or irregular intervals. The display device 15 receives these electromagnetic waves and the display signals transmitted thereby with the aid of the receiving antenna 44, which is connected to the communication device 40. The communication device 40 partially converts the display signals, as already described above, into electrical energy to power the remaining components of the display device 15 and further provides the display signals to the processing device 41, which then provides suitable control signals to the screen interface 46 to ensure appropriate control of the screen 20.

[0041] For example, it can be provided that the control device 12 is designed to carry out a diagnostic method in which, for example, wear of the respective valve device 2 can be determined by determining a number of switching cycles for the individual valve devices 2 of the functional module group 3. Additionally or alternatively, the control device 12 can also be designed to process sensor signals from sensors (not shown) in the respective valve devices 2, based on which conclusions can be drawn about wear of the respective valve device 2.

[0042] In addition, the control device 12 can be designed to display operating states of the entire functional module group 3 or of individual valve devices 2 for individual valve devices 2 or for the entire functional module group 3 on the display device 15 and, in addition, if a predeterminable threshold value for individual valve devices 2 is exceeded in the respective area 24 assigned to the corresponding valve device 2 on the display device 15, to output a warning message with which an operator can quickly recognize that the affected valve device 2 has possibly exceeded a predetermined wear limit or will at least soon reach it.

[0043] The energy storage device 43, which is included purely as an example in the display device 15, can be used in particular to refresh the information graphics 21, 22 displayed by the display device 15 or other information graphics not shown in detail at predeterminable time intervals, provided that no display signals were provided by the control device 12 within a predeterminable refresh interval for the display device 15. This permanently ensures the desired optical contrast for the information graphics 21, 22 or other information graphics not shown, without requiring a permanent power supply to the screen 20. Furthermore, the energy storage device 43 can be used to keep the communication device 40 at least in an idle state, in which the communication device 40 is ready to receive display signals from the control device 12.

Claims

[1] Fluid power device (1) with at least one functional module (2) for influencing at least one fluid flow and with an electronic display device (15) which is designed for a permanent, energy-free display of information graphics (21, 22), and with a communication device (40) which is designed for a contactless reception of display signals from a signal source (12) and for providing the display signals to the display device (15), wherein the display device (15) is designed for a change of information graphics (21, 22) depending on the display signals, characterized by that the communication device (40) is designed for at least partial conversion of the display signal into electrical energy for a temporary supply of the display device (15) with electrical energy. [2] Fluid power device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the display device (15) is designed for the selective display of different information graphics (21, 22) for an activation and deactivation of individual points which are arranged in a point grid and / or an energy store (43) is provided which is designed for an autonomous energy supply of the communication device (40) and / or the display device (15). [3] Fluid power device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the communication device (40) is designed for contactless reception of display signals from a signal source (12) designed as a programming device or control device and / or that the communication device (40) is integrated in the display device (15). [4] Fluid power device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized bythat a plurality of functional modules (2) which are designed to influence at least one fluid flow are arranged one after the other along a line-up section (7), wherein the electronic display device (15) extends along the line-up section (7) and covers a plurality of functional modules (2). [5] Fluid power device (1) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by in that the display device (15) is designed to display information graphics (22) individually related to a functional module (2), wherein an area (24) of the display device (15) which serves to display the information graphics (22) for the functional module (2) corresponds to a projection surface of the functional module (2) onto the display device (15). [6] Fluid power device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the display device (15) comprises a screen (20), preferably designed with a flat display surface (15), for displaying information graphics (21, 22) as a function of control signals from a processing device (41), and a processing device (41), wherein the processing device (41) is designed to provide control signals to the screen (20) as a function of incoming display signals. [7] Fluid power device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the functional modules (2) are selected from the group: valve module, maintenance module, electrical connection module. [8] Fluid power device (1) according to claim 7, characterized byin that the functional modules (2) comprise a plurality of valve devices which are fixed to a housing (4) which comprises electrical supply lines for an electrical supply of the valve devices, wherein the valve devices are electrically connected to the supply lines and are each designed to influence a fluid flow, wherein adjacently arranged valve devices are arranged next to one another with opposing surfaces (6) along the arrangement path (7). [9] Fluid system (50) with a fluid power device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with a control device (12) which is designed to provide control signals to the fluid power device (1) in order to influence at least one fluid flow with the fluid power device (1), wherein the control device (12) comprises a signal source for a contactless transmission of display signals to the display device (15) in order to display at least one information graphic (21, 22) for at least one functional module (2). [10] Fluid system (50) according to claim 9, characterized by that the control device (12) is designed for a diagnosis of at least one functional module (2) and for transmitting a display signal dependent on a diagnostic result to the display device (15) in order to display an information graphic (21, 22) dependent on the diagnostic result to the functional module (2).

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