Integrated signaling device for machines and systems

Abstract

Signaling device (1) for integration into a housing part (G) of a machine and / or plant, in particular for production, and for indicating operating states of the machine and / or plant, comprising: a. a signal bar (2) for the optical indication of at least two of the operating states, b. wherein the signal bar (2) has on one side a support surface (9) for mounting on the inside of a housing part (G) of the machine and / or system and a display window (3) with at least one signal area (SF), c. wherein the signal bar (2) includes a connection (10) for connection to the machine and / or plant control and / or a control device for transmitting the control signals for the signal areas (SF).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a signaling device for integration into a housing part of a machine and / or system and to a corresponding machine or system.

[0002] From the prior art, for example from EP 1 347 233 B1, a signal column is known consisting of individual, differently colored light segments which are stacked one above the other in a dome, wherein the signal column is attached to the cover of a system housing or to a tube which projects beyond the highest point of the housing in order to indicate states of the system such as "ready for operation" (usually: green light segment), "immediate intervention required" (yellow light segment, e.g. "Refill parts!"), "fault" (red light segment) and, if applicable, other states of the mechanical system.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose a signaling device which enables improved adaptation to the spatial conditions of the operating site.

[0004] The object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 16, respectively, starting from a signaling device or a machine / installation of the type mentioned at the outset.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are possible by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0006] The signaling device according to the invention is characterized in that it can be integrated into a housing part of a production machine, production plant or the like. For this purpose, it firstly comprises a signal bar with a display window. The display window in turn is at least partially or completely surrounded by a support surface which can rest against the inner wall of a housing. The display window can run on the same level as the support surface, i.e. at the same height as the support surface, or it can protrude from the support surface. The housing part to which the signaling device is attached on the inside can have a recess into which the display window is inserted. Where the support surface rests, the housing part can generally be flat, so that contact is established over the largest possible area.This can increase stability, but can also be used to better seal the housing section against the signal bar. This allows the signaling device to be integrated into different housing components. Housing components can be used either from existing housing components of a machine or system, or from components that are additionally attached to or on the machine.

[0007] According to the invention, the signaling device serves to indicate operating states of the machine or system. On the one hand, it is therefore able to take on the typical functions of a signal column known from the prior art, as described above, in which colored segments indicate operating states, such as "red" for a fault. On the other hand, the signaling device can also take on further functions, such as a sensor display device. For example, it is conceivable to indicate a fill level in a tank, a magazine or another storage container of the machine / system by having the display window consist of segments or display surfaces arranged in a row, whereby, starting from one end of the display window, a number of display surfaces proportional to the fill level are illuminated. The signal bar can therefore indicate at least two operating states, either via different colored display surfaces (e.g. "ready for operation", "fault", "full" or“empty” etc.) or in the form of several states as an analog display such as a bar graph.

[0008] The signaling device has a connection for connection to the machine or system control system or another control device that transmits control signals for the signal surface(s). The display on the signal bar's display window thus depends directly on a sensor or another command generated by the control or monitoring device. This means that a sensor detects an operating state or a parameter characteristic of an operating state and sends this as a control signal to the signal bar, either directly or via the control / monitoring device.

[0009] In an advantageous development of the invention, the visual display can also be supplemented by an acoustic signal. This advantageously supplements the operating status display with an additional, non-visual sensory perception. Furthermore, safety is increased because attention can be specifically drawn to the system through an acoustic signal.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, the acoustic signal output can be integrated into the display window, which is designed as a recess. Thus, the sound waves can be emitted essentially unhindered (e.g., without a cover). The signal output can therefore be designed very compactly and space-savingly.

[0011] Advantageously, the support surface can completely surround the display window to achieve greater stability and, if necessary, to enable better sealing. If the support surface does not completely surround the display window, the signal bar will not be supported at the point where there is no support surface. In addition, a gap can arise between the housing part and the signal bar, which may be undesirable because dirt or splashes of oil, coolant or lubricant, water or other liquids could accidentally penetrate the housing of the machine or system through this gap. Light could also penetrate through such a gap, possibly even light that comes from other electronics in the housing (e.g. LEDs on circuit boards or the like), and disturb or confuse the user because they do not know whether the light belongs to the display or not.

[0012] In addition to overlapping the support surface and the section of the housing part surrounding the recess, a sealing device can be provided in one embodiment of the invention. This means that the machine or system is not restricted to a specific application. On the one hand, the seal can protect against splash water from a machining process or a cleaning operation from penetrating the housing. However, it is also conceivable that the machine, or rather the front side, must be gas-tight, face the interior volume of a clean room, or the like. Sealing can be particularly advantageous if the support surface completely surrounds the display window, because it is then possible to insert a circumferential sealing ring or other circumferential seal. The sealing effect can be enhanced if the sealing ring is partially recessed into a groove, either in the support surface of the signal strip or in the housing part.

[0013] Otherwise, the support surface is advantageously designed to lie flat against the inside of the housing part. Without a seal, these surfaces could then lie flat or flush against each other, allowing sealing to be achieved as simply and reliably as possible.

[0014] For improved retrofitting and integration, one embodiment allows the recess in the housing to be open. The display window itself can encompass or form the cover, meaning the housing does not need to be subsequently fitted with a cover, which may also need to be sealed and adjusted to the correct size.

[0015] The display window, in turn, can be raised above the support surface, i.e., protrude from it, or form a flat area with the support surface, i.e., be arranged in the same plane as the support surface. The fewer edges there are in the surface, the easier it is to clean.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the indicator window can be constructed analogously to a signal column, for example, by arranging the signal surfaces in a row next to one another or, depending on the view or orientation of the indicator window, vertically one above the other. This allows the signal device or signal bar to fulfill the same function as the signal column and offer a similar appearance. To prevent light from one signal surface from reaching the area of ​​an adjacent signal surface, internal mechanical separators can be arranged between the signal surfaces. These can be webs or partitions made of opaque or highly diffuse material.

[0017] As a rule, at least one input is required so that the signal device or signal bar can receive commands with which the signal surface(s) can be controlled. It is conceivable that these signals are directly equivalent to the power supply to the individual lamps of the respective signal surfaces. However, a design variant with a configurable control unit in the signal bar, which individually converts the commands into a control of the lamps of the signal surface(s), is more advantageous. This also makes it possible to individually assign multiple signal surfaces, especially if the lamps allow a color change, for example. For example, this allows you to configure which signal surface should be the red fault indicator, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to use the same display surface for different functions, for example: - once as a signal column, where different signal surfaces are assigned to different operating states and these indicate these when they light up, - and once as an analogue display of a sensor (bar display for a fill level, for example).

[0018] The signal bar can be equipped with USB ports, M12 connectors, or IO-Link connectors. Wireless connections via Bluetooth® or similar technologies are also conceivable, allowing the control unit in the signal bar to be connected to the machine or system controller or monitoring device. An IO-Link connection is particularly useful when a control network is available and the signal bar or signal device is connected to it.

[0019] In one embodiment, a separate connection for configuring the signal bar, especially a USB port, can be provided if configuration is to be performed via an external device. In this case, configuration software is run on a computer (laptop, tablet PC, smartphone, or other mobile device), and this software is used to configure the configurable control unit accordingly.

[0020] With these options, the signaling device can be used particularly flexibly and adapted to a wide range of requirements.

[0021] The signal bar can be mounted to the housing in various ways, e.g., using a mounting element that surrounds the signal bar on three sides and is positioned opposite the support surface. The mounting element can be screwed to the housing. If screwing is not possible or is disadvantageous, the signal bar can also be glued, e.g., using double-sided adhesive tape. This means that the signal bar does not require any special mounting conditions.

[0022] For improved handling, the signal bar can also have a guide groove into which a bulge or other part of the mounting element can be inserted, so that the mounting element can also be moved on the signal bar during assembly.

[0023] A machine or system according to the invention with a housing part of a signaling device according to one of the embodiments of the invention makes it possible to implement the corresponding advantages mentioned above. Example:

[0024] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is explained in more detail below with further details and advantages.

[0025] In detail: Fig. 1 - 4: different views of a signaling device or signal bar according to the invention, namely Fig. 1: in side view, Fig. 2 in plan view, Fig. 3 frontally to the side of the connector (M12 connection) and Fig. 4: a partial section of the connector side of the signal strip, Fig. 5, Fig. 6: two partial sections of the signal bar, showing the attachment of the mounting elements, and Fig. 7: a circuit board with separators for the signal strip according to the invention.

[0026] The Fig. 1 to 4 each show different views of a signaling device 1 with a signal bar 2 for indicating operating states of the machine and / or system. The signal bar 2 comprises a display window 3, which is divided into adjacent signal areas SF and into which an acoustic signal output 4 is also integrated.

[0027] The signal strip 2 can be mounted inside a housing or on the inside of a housing part G. (schematically shown in Fig. 6). The signal strip is either glued there with double-sided adhesive tape or it is attached using mounting elements (bracket) 5. Housing part G can have a recess A for this purpose.

[0028] The signal strip 2 can have a guide groove 6 on the side. A mounting element 5 can, in turn, be U-shaped in its basic form, with the lateral legs of the U-shape having inwardly curved indentations 7 that correspond to the guide grooves 6 in the sides of the signal strip 2. This makes the signal strip 2 even more stable. The mounting elements 5 each end laterally in a tab 8, which can be used for screwing to the housing part G.

[0029] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows the signal bar 2 with the mounting elements 5 in one possible position. However, they are generally movable along the guide groove 6. Fig. 5 shows the mounting element 5 (angle) immediately before the mounting element 5 is inserted into the guide groove 6 in the signal bar 2.

[0030] The signal bar 2 is mounted in the housing part G against its wall in such a way that the display window 3 is mounted in the recess A in the housing part G. A support surface 9 is located around the display window 3, which can lie flat against the inside of the housing part G. It can also seal against the inner surface of the housing part G. The only external cover is formed by the display window 3; the housing part G has no cover over the recess A.

[0031] At the end of the signal strip 2, an M12 connection 10 is provided to transmit command signals from the system control to a control unit (not shown) in the signal strip 2 and thus to control the individual signal surfaces SF. Furthermore, the signal strip 2 has, as shown in Fig. 4, a USB interface 11 is provided on the side to configure the control unit of the signal light 2 via a computer. The interface 11 is shown in the cutout in Fig. 4. However, the configuration is performed here via the additional interface 11 and not via the M12 connection 10, since the configuration should generally not be changed continuously, thus requiring separate access.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the attachment of the separators 12, which are arranged inside the signal strip 2 and separate the signal surfaces SF, which are arranged side by side in a row. The separators 12 prevent light from passing from one signal surface SF to the next. They also ensure homogeneous illumination within the signal surface SF. The separators 12 are arranged here on a circuit board 13, which carries, for example, the electronics and the lighting elements of the individual signal surfaces SF. List of reference symbols 1 signaling device 2 signal bar 3 display windows 4 acoustic signal output device 5 mounting elements 6 guide groove 7 Vaulting 8 tab 9 Support surface 10 M12 connection 11 USB interface 12 separators 13 circuit boards A recess G Housing part SF signal area 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 patent literature

[0000] EP 1 347 233 B1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Signaling device (1) for integration into a housing part (G) of a machine and / or system, in particular for production, and for displaying operating states of the machine and / or system, comprising: a signal bar (2) for the optical display of at least two of the operating states, b. wherein the signal bar (2) has on one side a support surface (9) for resting on the inside of a housing part (G) of the machine and / or system and a display window (3) with at least one signal surface (SF), c. wherein the signal strip (2) comprises a connection (10) for connection to the machine and / or system control and / or a control device for transmitting the control signals for the signal surfaces (SF). [2] Signaling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the display window (3) has at least two signal surfaces (SF). [3] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signal bar (2) and / or the signaling device (1) is also designed to emit acoustic signals (4) of operating states. [4] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an acoustic signal output device (4) is integrated into the display window (3). [5] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support surface (9) completely surrounds the display window (3). [6] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support surface (9) has a sealing device for sealing against the housing part (G). [7] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support surface (9) is designed to lie flat against the inside of the housing part (G). [8] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a housing part (G) of the machine and / or system is provided which has an inner surface, in particular a flat inner surface, and a recess (A) into which the display window (3) can be inserted, so that the at least one signal surface (SF) can be perceived from the outside. [9] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing part (G) has a cover-free recess (A) so that the display window (3) directly forms the cover of the optical display. [10] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signal strip (2) is designed separately from the housing part (G), but connectable to the housing part (G) [11] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the signal surfaces (SF) are arranged in a row next to each other. [12] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signal surfaces (SF) within the signal bar (2) are optically separated by mechanical separators (12). [13] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connection (10) for connection to the machine and / or system control and / or a control device has a USB connection and / or an M12 connection and / or an IO-Link connection. [14] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an additional connection (11), in particular a USB connection, is provided for connection to a computer and / or for configuration of the signal bar (2). [15] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the signal bar (2) comprises a configurable control unit for the configurable control of the at least one signal surface (SF) and / or the acoustic signal output device (4). [16] Signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one mounting element (5) is provided which encompasses the signal strip (2), in particular up to the support surface (9), and which can be screwed or adhesively fastened to the housing part (G) on the inside thereof. [17] Machine and / or system, in particular for production, comprising a housing part (G), a signaling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a machine and / or system control and / or monitoring device for transmitting the control signals for the at least one signal surface (SF), wherein the housing part (G) has an inner surface, in particular a flat inner surface, and a recess (A) into which the display window (3) can be inserted, so that the at least one signal surface (SF) can be perceived from the outside. [18] Machine and / or installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the machine and / or plant control and / or monitoring device is designed to send control signals to the at least one signal surface (SF) and / or the acoustic signal output device (4) in order to achieve partial or full-surface illumination of the at least one signal surface (SF) and / or illumination in specific colors.

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