Unit of measurement and method for measuring media pressure

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring unit and a method for measuring a media pressure with a pressure sensor (29) and a processing device (30) which serves to process an analog signal from the pressure sensor, wherein the processing device is arranged on the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor and the processing device are each formed with a housing, wherein the processing device comprises an analog-to-digital converter (32) for converting the analog signal into a data set, a computer system (31) with a computer program executable therewith for processing the data set and determining a measured value of a media pressure, and an interface (33) for transmitting signals and / or data sets processed by the computer system to a control unit (35).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring unit and a method for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature with an analog sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or the like, and a processing device for processing an analog signal of the sensor.

[0002] Sensors such as temperature sensors or pressure sensors for measuring media pressure or temperature are well known in the art and are used, for example, to measure the pressure of fluids, especially liquids or gases, or to measure temperature. These sensors can be sealed to a media line or container via a screw connection, making it possible to measure media pressure, for example, in a water pipe or the like. Such sensors can be installed in large numbers in buildings, particularly heating systems, air conditioning systems, and other industrial systems.

[0003] Analog sensors are usually connected via a cable to a processing device that processes the respective analog signal from the sensor and the respective pressures or temperatures. The disadvantage here is that, depending on the number of sensors, a large number of electrical cables must be installed, and longer cables are susceptible to interference due to power loss.

[0004] It is also known to use digital sensors connected to a control unit via a bus system. This can significantly reduce the number of electrical wiring and interference. However, digital sensors are comparatively expensive. Furthermore, their configuration is time-consuming, as it must be done via a control unit or bus system, and resetting the digital sensor to factory settings is only possible on the digital sensor itself. Converting systems with analog sensors to digital sensors is therefore associated with high costs.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a measuring unit, a measuring system and a method for measuring a media pressure, which simplifies the installation and operation of a system at low costs.

[0006] This object is achieved by a measuring unit having the features of claim 1, a measuring system having the features of claim 9 and a method having the features of claim 11.

[0007] The measuring unit according to the invention comprises an analog sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or the like, for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature and a processing device for processing an analog signal of the sensor, wherein the processing device is arranged on the sensor, wherein the sensor and the processing device are each formed with a housing, wherein the processing device comprises an analog-digital converter for converting the analog signal into a data set, a computer system with a computer program executable therewith for processing the data set and determining a measured value of a medium pressure or a temperature and an interface for transmitting signals and / or data sets processed with the computer system to a control unit.

[0008] Because the processing device is embodied in a housing separate from the sensor, the processing device or the housing of the processing device can be easily arranged on an existing sensor. This makes it possible to easily supplement or retrofit analog sensors with processing devices. Since the processing device is equipped with an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal of the analog sensor into a data set, as well as the computer system for processing the data set and the interface at least for transmitting signals or data sets to the control unit, the analog sensor or the measuring unit can be used in a similar way to a digital sensor. The processing device can be equipped with a microcontroller that executes the computer program.By equipping the analog sensor with the processing device, there is no need to replace the analog sensor with a digital one. Furthermore, shutting down the relevant system and replacing sensors, which would otherwise be necessary, for example, on a media line, can be avoided. Furthermore, the costs of a processing device are comparatively lower than those of a digital sensor. Furthermore, the processing device opens up the possibility of transmitting signals via the interface. A signal can, for example, be a pressure-dependent or temperature-dependent switching signal. Thus, the signal can also be an analog signal. Additionally or alternatively, the data sets can be transmitted in digital form.The processing device thus enables universal adaptation of the analog sensor to a control unit, even if the control unit is replaced, for example. The control unit can be an automation system, such as a building management system or a plant management system that implements a pressure regulator or a temperature controller. Overall, this makes it much easier and more cost-effective to modernize a system with sensors.

[0009] The processing device can be directly connected to the sensor. This connection can be formed, for example, by means of a screw connection or other suitable connection techniques. A plug connection can also be formed between the processing device and the sensor, for example a plug-socket connection. The housing of the sensor can then be directly connected to the housing of the processing device without further electrical connecting lines, such as cables or the like. According to a further embodiment, however, it is also possible for the processing device to be connected to the sensor with a comparatively short electrical connecting line or cable. Power loss due to longer cables or the like is thus avoided and a particularly simple design of the measuring unit enables.

[0010] The interface can be designed to transmit data sets processed by the computer system to the control unit via a bus system. The interface or processing device can then be connected to a bus system. This eliminates the need to create or use separate cable connections from each analog sensor to the control unit. A digital bus system enables lossless transmission of signals or digital data sets to the control unit. Furthermore, the number of cables required can be significantly reduced.

[0011] The processing device can be designed with a first plug connection for a detachable connection to the sensor and a second plug connection for a detachable connection to a cable of the control unit. The first plug connection can be designed between the analog-to-digital converter and the analog sensor, and the second plug connection can be designed between the interface and a cable of the control unit connected to a bus system of the control unit. The plug connections can each be plug-socket connections designed according to an industry standard. It is advantageous if the plug connections are secured, for example, with a screw connection. The first and / or second plug connection can be designed with an M8 or M12 thread and / or according to the MVS / A or MVS / C standard according to DIN EN 175301-803, EIA-485, EIA-422, or EIA-232 in the version valid on the priority date.

[0012] The interface can be designed with at least one additional plug connection for detachable connection and / or a radio interface for connection to an external control unit. The additional plug connection can be designed according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB), Controller Area Network (CAN), DMX, or similar standards. In principle, it is therefore possible for the interface to have a plurality of additional plug connections. The radio interface can be designed according to the RFID, Wi-Fi, GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G, Bluetooth, IRDA, or similar standards. The external control unit can be a mobile device, such as a cell phone or the like, on which a computer program for configuring the measuring unit or the processing device can be executed. The measuring unit can then be commissioned particularly easily by an operator, for example, in situ during installation of the processing device on the analog sensor.A special adaptation of the control unit or the configuration of the processing device via the control unit is then not absolutely necessary.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the interface can be configured with regard to communication parameters and the sensor's measuring range. This allows the use of identical sensors for different pressure measuring ranges, for example. Parameterization can be done via DIP switches or similar switching elements, or via the interface.

[0014] The interface can be configured to output a further analog signal via the additional plug connection. The additional analog signal can be a switching signal and / or the analog signal of the sensor. For this purpose, the interface can be configured with a plurality of additional plug connections. This enables universal use of the measuring unit.

[0015] The processing device can have a display device for displaying at least the measured value. The display device can be a screen, monitor, or other suitable device for displaying information, such as an LED, TFT, LCD, or OLED display. In a particularly simple embodiment, it can be provided that the display device can display the measured value acquired with the analog sensor, which was determined by the processing device. This makes it possible to directly read a pressure or temperature from the analog sensor.

[0016] The sensor or pressure sensor can be designed to measure media pressures in a range from 0.05 to 15 MPa, preferably from 0.1 to 1.6 MPa. This makes the pressure sensor or measuring unit relatively universally applicable for measuring media pressures.

[0017] The measuring system according to the invention comprises at least two measuring units according to the invention, wherein analog sensors of the measuring units are each designed differently, and wherein processing devices of the measuring units are each designed indiscriminately.

[0018] The identically designed processing devices then enable the adaptation of different analog sensors and their integration within the measuring system or their connection to a common control unit. The measuring system can comprise a plurality of analog sensors, each with identically designed processing devices, with at least two of the sensors being designed differently.

[0019] The measuring system may comprise a control unit and a bus system, wherein the processing devices may be connected to the control unit via the bus system. Further advantageous embodiments of the measuring system emerge from the feature descriptions of the subclaims referring back to claim 1.

[0020] In the method according to the invention for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature with an analog sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or the like, and a processing device, the processing device processes an analog signal from the sensor, wherein the processing device is arranged on a sensor, wherein the sensor and the processing device are each formed with a housing, wherein an analog-digital converter of the processing device converts the analog signal into a data set, wherein a computer program is executed with a computer system of the processing device, with which program the data set is processed and a measured value of a medium pressure or a temperature is determined, wherein signals and / or data sets processed with the computer system are transmitted to a control unit via an interface of the processing device.For the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the measuring unit according to the invention.

[0021] A display device on the processing device can display the measured value, scaled measured values, voltage values, configuration data, control unit data, and / or light signals. The display device then enables an operator to directly record the operating status of the sensor or a system component with a medium to which the sensor is connected, in situ. Furthermore, the operator can simplify configuration of the measuring unit, and the occurrence of operating faults can be easily detected, for example, through light signals.

[0022] The analog signal can be generated with a voltage in a range of 0 to 10 V or with a current in a range of 4 to 20 mA. The processing device can then be used with all analog sensors that output such an analog signal.

[0023] The sensor can be supplied with direct current via the processing device, which can be supplied with direct current or alternating current via a bus system or other power supply device. This makes it possible to supply the analog sensor with electrical energy regardless of the type of power supply. Special devices for adapting the sensor to a power supply network, such as rectifiers, transformers, or the like, are then no longer required.

[0024] The processing device can be configured via an external control device or via the control unit. The external control device can be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or the like. The external control device can be used to calibrate the analog sensor. For example, a pressure or temperature range can be assigned to the analog signal.

[0025] The interface can exchange data records with the control unit using a communication protocol. Modbus, preferably Modbus Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Process Field Bus (Profibus), Process Field Network (Profinet), Local Operating Network (LON), or KNX can be used as the communication protocol. It can also be provided that the signals and / or data records are exchanged between the interface and the control unit via the interface. This allows the processing device to be configured via the control unit, or the computer system's computer program to be updated.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the descriptions of the features of the subclaims which refer back to claim 1.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] They show: Fig. 1 a simplified representation of a unit of measurement; Fig. 2 a representation of a measuring unit in a block diagram.

[0029] The Fig. 1 shows a measuring unit 10 with an analog sensor 11, which in this embodiment is a pressure sensor, and a processing device 12. The analog sensor 11 is formed with a metal housing 13 and has a thread 14 for sealingly screwing it to a media line or the like. At one end 15 of the thread 14, an opening (not visible here) is formed through which a media pressure of the respective medium in the media line can be detected. The medium can at least partially enter the analog sensor 11 through the opening. Furthermore, the housing 13 is formed with a connector 16 having a thread 17.

[0030] The processing device 12 is formed with a housing 18 in which a display device 19, which is a screen 20, is integrated. The processing device or the housing 18 is formed with a plug connector 21, which, together with the plug connector 16, forms a first plug connection 22. Furthermore, a plug connector 23 is formed on the processing device or the housing 18, which also has a thread 24 and to which a cable 25 leading to a control unit (not shown here) is connected via a socket 26. The plug connector 23 and the socket 26 thus form a second plug connection 25 between the processing device 12 and the cable 25.

[0031] The Fig. 2 shows a measuring unit 28 in a block diagram, wherein the measuring unit 28 corresponds to the measuring unit of Fig.1. The measuring unit 28 is formed from an analog sensor 29, which in this exemplary embodiment can be a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor, for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature, and a processing device 30 for processing an analog signal from the sensor 29. The processing device 30 is in turn formed from a computer system 31, which can be a microcontroller, and a computer program executable therewith, an analog-to-digital converter 32, an interface 33, and a display device 34. The analog signal can now be transmitted from the analog sensor 29 to the analog-to-digital converter 32, which converts it into a data set, and the computer system 31 processes the data set. The computer system 31 now determines a measured value of a medium pressure or a temperature. The measured value can be output or displayed via the display device 34.The measured value or data set is then transmitted via interface 33 to a control unit 35. This transmission can take place via a bus system (not shown in detail here) with a communication protocol. The communication protocol can be BACnet or Modbus, for example. This communication protocol enables the exchange of data sets between interface 33 and control unit 35. Power supply to the processing device and sensor 29 can also be ensured via the bus system.

[0032] Furthermore, the processing device 30 can be connected to an external control unit 36 ​​via the interface 33 or can be coupled to it. For this purpose, the interface 33 can have a further plug connection and / or form a radio interface. Via the external control unit 36, which can be a mobile phone, for example, the processing device 30 or the computer system 31 can be configured with the computer program and updated as needed. Furthermore, a plurality of such measuring units 28 can be connected to the control unit 35 via the bus system. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] DIN EN 175301-803, EIA-485, EIA-422 or EIA-232

[0011]

Claims

[1] Measuring unit (10, 28) with an analog sensor (11, 29), in particular a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or the like, for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature and a processing device (12, 30) for processing an analog signal of the sensor, characterized by that the processing device is arranged on the sensor, wherein the sensor and the processing device are each formed with a housing (13, 18), wherein the processing device comprises an analog-digital converter (32) for converting the analog signal into a data set, a computer system (31) with a computer program executable therewith for processing the data set and determining a measured value of a medium pressure or a temperature, and an interface (33) for transmitting signals and / or data sets processed with the computer system to a control unit (35). [2] Measuring unit according to claim 1, characterized bythat the processing device (12, 30) is directly connected to the sensor (11, 29). [3] Measuring unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the interface (33) is designed to transmit data sets processed by the computer system (31) to the control unit (35) via a bus system. [4] Measuring unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the processing device (12, 30) is designed with a first plug connection (22) for detachable connection to the sensor (11, 29) and a second plug connection (27) for detachable connection to a cable (25) of the control unit (35). [5] Measuring unit according to claim 4, characterized by that the interface (33) is designed with at least one further plug connection for detachable connection and / or radio interface for connection to an external control device (36). [6] Measuring unit according to claim 5, characterized bythat the interface (33) is designed to output a further analogue signal via the further plug connection. [7] Measuring unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the processing device (12, 30) has a display device (19, 34) for displaying at least the measured value. [8] Measuring unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor (11, 29) is designed to measure media pressures in a range from 0.05 to 15 MPa, preferably from 0.1 to 1.6 MPa. [9] Measuring system comprising at least two measuring units (10, 28) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein analog sensors (11, 29) of the measuring units are each designed differently, and wherein processing devices (12, 30) of the measuring units are each designed indiscriminately. [10] Measuring system according to claim 9, characterized bythat the measuring system comprises a control unit (35) and a bus system, wherein the processing devices (12, 30) are connected to the control unit via the bus system. [11] Method for measuring a medium pressure or a temperature with an analog sensor (11, 29), in particular a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or the like, and a processing device (12, 30), wherein the processing device processes an analog signal of the sensor, characterized bythat the processing device is arranged on the sensor, wherein the sensor and the processing device are each formed with a housing (13, 18), wherein an analog-digital converter (32) of the processing device converts the analog signal into a data set, wherein a computer program is executed by a computer system (31) of the processing device, with which program the data set is processed and a measured value of a medium pressure or a temperature is determined, wherein signals and / or data sets processed by the computer system are transmitted to a control unit (35) via an interface (33) of the processing device. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the measured value, scaled measured values, a voltage, configuration data, data of the control unit (35) and / or light signals are displayed by a display device (19, 34) of the processing device (12, 30). [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the analog signal is formed with a voltage in a range of 0 to 10 V or with a current in a range of 4 to 20 mA. [14] Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that the sensor (11, 29) is supplied with direct current via the processing device (12, 30), wherein the processing device is supplied with direct current or alternating current via a bus system or another power supply device. [15] Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by that the processing device (12, 30) is configured via an external control device (36) or via the control unit (35). [16] Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized bythat the interface (33) exchanges the data records with the control unit (35) by means of a communication protocol, wherein the communication protocol used is Modbus, preferably Modbus Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Process Field Bus (Profibus), Process Field Network (Profinet), Local Operating Network (LON) or KNX.

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