Field device

Abstract

The invention relates to a field device used to determine a process variable and comprising the following components: a housing; a sensor module for determining the process variable; a light source (12) arranged in the housing, designed to generate a light signal (S); and an optical fiber (11) arranged and optically coupled to the light source (12) to display the light signal (S) on an outer surface of the housing. This allows the field device to signal any wireless connection to a mobile device (2) or other event, even if the housing of the field device does not have a display.

Description

[0001] In automation technology, particularly in process automation, field devices are frequently used to measure and / or control process variables. These process variables include, among others, fill level, flow rate, pressure, temperature, pH value, redox potential, and ionic conductivity. Depending on the specific process variable, different measuring principles and corresponding sensors are implemented in the field device to measure the desired parameter. The Endress+Hauser Group manufactures and distributes a wide variety of field device types.

[0002] Due to the increasingly compact design of field devices and the ability to communicate via Bluetooth or WLAN, field devices are increasingly being designed without a display. This allows the field device to be wirelessly connected to a higher-level unit, such as a mobile device, for transmitting its measured values ​​or for parameterization. However, depending on the installation location, a large number of field devices are often installed, making it difficult to determine which field device the user is currently connected to via WLAN or Bluetooth. The invention therefore aims to solve this problem.

[0003] The invention solves this problem through the field device with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0004] The invention is explained in more detail using the following figures. They show: Fig. 1: A housing cover of the field device according to the invention, Fig. 2: a sectional view of the lid with integrated light guide, and Fig. 3: A detailed view of the light guide.

[0005] To understand the invention, in Fig. Figure 1 shows a housing cover 1 of a field device according to the invention. The field device serves to determine a defined process variable, such as a fill level or a flow rate. For this purpose, the field device comprises a corresponding sensor module, which is not explicitly shown. The housing cover 1 can, for example, be designed to be attached to the housing of the field device, in which the sensor module is located, by means of a screw closure or a snap-fit ​​closure.

[0006] The field device is typically connected to a higher-level unit, such as a mobile device 2, via a separate communication module implementing a protocol such as Bluetooth or Ethernet. This allows the measured value of the process variable to be transmitted. Other information, such as the general operating status of the field device or parameter data, can also be communicated. For compact design, the field device, or rather its housing cover 1, does not include a display. Therefore, the field device is designed to emit a light signal S via the housing cover 1 whenever a Bluetooth or WLAN connection exists between the communication module and the mobile device 2.

[0007] Within the scope of the invention, the term "module" is generally understood to mean any configuration or encapsulation of electronic circuits required for the specific application, e.g., for high-frequency signal processing or as an interface. Depending on the application, the corresponding module may therefore include analog circuits for generating or processing analog signals. However, the module may also include digital circuits, such as FPGAs, microcontrollers, or storage media, in conjunction with appropriate programs. The program is designed to execute the necessary process steps or perform the required arithmetic operations. In this context, various electronic circuits within the module, as defined by the invention, can potentially access a common physical memory or be operated using the same physical digital circuit.The various electronic circuits of the module can preferably be arranged on a common circuit board.

[0008] Alternatively or in addition to indicating an established wireless connection, other events that trigger the field device to output the light signal S can include a malfunction or operational readiness of the field device. Depending on the underlying event, the light signal S can be displayed as a flashing light, a continuous light in a defined color, or with a timed color change. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a light guide 11 is led through the housing cover 1 to an outer surface of the housing cover 1. The light guide 11 can be made of glass or of an optically transparent polycarbonate.

[0009] Based on the cross-sectional view in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the arrangement of the light guide 11 in the housing cover 1 in more detail: The light guide 11 terminates flush with the outer surface of the housing cover 1 at an outer end region. This arrangement can preferably be manufactured by designing the housing cover 1 as a plastic injection-molded part, which is produced by overmolding the light guide 11. This results in a gap-free transition between the light guide and the housing cover 1. Suitable materials for injection molding the housing cover 1 include, for example, PBT-PC or a comparable polycarbonate.

[0010] As from Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a light source 12, such as an LED, is arranged at the opposite, inner end region of the light guide 11 inside the housing cover 1 to generate the light signal S or to couple it optically into the light guide 11. If the light signal S is to be output with a time-defined color change, a corresponding number of LEDs must be provided as the light source 12 in this case. An advantage of the solution according to the invention is that no electrical connection needs to be routed through the housing cover 1 to, for example, power an externally mounted LED.

[0011] At the in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the light source 12 is arranged directly in the housing cover 1. In contrast, it is also conceivable to arrange the light source 12 not in the housing cover 1 itself, but in a corresponding part of the housing, so that the light source 12 is coupled to the light guide 11 only when the housing cover 1 is closed. Furthermore, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention to arrange both the light guide 11 and the light source 12 not in the housing cover 1, but in another part of the field device housing. Reference symbol list 1 Housing cover 2. Parent unit 11 Optical fibers 12 light sources S light signal

Claims

[1] Field device used to determine a process variable, comprising the following components: - A case, - a sensor module for determining the process variable, - a light source (12) arranged in the housing, designed to produce a light signal (S), and - a light guide (11) arranged and optically coupled to the light source (12) to display the light signal (S) on an outside of the housing. [2] Field device according to claim 1, wherein the light source (12) comprises at least one LED. [3] Field device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guide (11) is made of an optically transparent polycarbonate. [4] Field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a plastic injection molded part which is manufactured by overmolding the light conductor (11). [5] Field device according to claim 4, wherein the injection molded part is designed to function as the housing cover (1) of the housing. [6] Field device according to claim 5, wherein the light source (12) is arranged in the housing such that it is optically coupled to the light guide (11) only when the housing cover (1) is closed. [7] Field device according to claim 5, wherein the light source (12) is arranged in the housing cover (11). [8] Field device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - A communication module designed to communicate wirelessly with a higher-level unit (2). [9] Field device according to claim 8, wherein the light source (12) is designed to output the light signal (S) in particular as a flashing signal, provided that a defined connection of the communication module to the higher-level unit (2) exists. [10] Field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is designed without a display.

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