FIELD DEVICE OF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE502022006122
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-07-14
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-07-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing field devices in automation technology face issues with complex and expensive mounting concepts, high mechanical stresses, and inadequate sealing due to high preload forces, leading to malfunctions and leaks.
A field device design featuring a housing with a molded body that uses a bent edge section to create a sealing seat, combined with a thermoplastic material and a sealing agent, which allows for secure fastening and sealing without the need for additional C-parts, reducing mechanical stress and ensuring a tight seal.
The design provides a cost-effective, reliable, and leak-resistant solution by minimizing mechanical stress on components and ensuring a secure seal, thus enhancing the durability and performance of field devices.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a field device for automation technology, in particular a magnetic-inductive flow meter.
[0002] In automation technology, particularly in process automation, field devices are frequently used to detect and / or control process variables. Sensors, such as those integrated into level gauges, flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, pH / ORP meters, conductivity meters, etc., are used to detect process variables, measuring levels, flow rates, pressure, temperature, pH, and conductivity. Actuators, such as valves or pumps, are used to control process variables, changing the flow rate of a liquid in a pipe section or the fill level in a container. In principle, all devices used close to the process that provide or process process-relevant information are considered field devices.In connection with the invention, field devices also include remote I / Os, radio adapters or, more generally, electronic measuring components that are arranged at the field level.
[0003] A field device is specifically selected from a group consisting of flow meters, level meters, pressure meters, temperature meters, limit level meters and / or analytical measuring instruments.
[0004] Flow meters include, in particular, Coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, thermal and / or magnetic-inductive flow meters.
[0005] Level measuring devices include, in particular, radar-based level measuring devices, microwave level measuring devices, ultrasonic level measuring devices, time-domain reflectometric level measuring devices, radiometric level measuring devices, capacitive level measuring devices, inductive level measuring devices and / or temperature-sensitive level measuring devices.
[0006] Pressure measuring devices are, in particular, absolute, relative, or differential pressure devices.
[0007] Temperature measuring devices are, in particular, measuring devices with thermocouples and / or temperature-dependent resistors.
[0008] Level measuring devices include, in particular, vibronic level measuring devices, ultrasonic level measuring devices and / or capacitive level measuring devices.
[0009] Analytical measuring instruments include, in particular, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, oxygen and active oxygen sensors, (spectro)photometric sensors, and / or ion-selective electrodes.
[0010] Common and widely used mounting concepts for electronic components employ a variety of C-parts, such as screws, nuts, retaining clips, etc., to ensure adequate fastening of the electronic components within the housing. However, such mounting concepts are complex and expensive.
[0011] Furthermore, to reduce manufacturing costs, higher dimensional and form tolerances of the individual components are accepted. This leads to undesirable mechanical stresses being generated in individual components during assembly – resulting in malfunctions or defects – or to a failure to guarantee a tight seal between the respective components.
[0012] US Patent 5,869,766 A discloses a pressure transducer module that is insulated from the corrosive medium by an insulating element in the form of a diaphragm. A flange is further disclosed that transmits a force to the insulating element and thereby presses on an O-ring located between the flange and the insulating element.
[0013] Sealing connections are standardly used in field devices for automation technology to prevent moisture or contaminants from entering the housing. These connections are designed according to operational requirements and typically need to be compressed to at least 10% of their original size. However, the required preload forces are often too high, especially for cold-formed components such as deep-drawn housing halves. These components cannot withstand such preload forces, resulting in undesirable deformation and compromising local sealing.
[0014] The invention is based on the objective of remedying the aforementioned problems.
[0015] The problem is solved by the field device of automation technology according to claim 1.
[0016] The field device according to the invention for automation technology comprises: A measuring tube for guiding a flowable medium, wherein the measuring tube has an outer surface; a measuring arrangement for determining a physical and / or chemical quantity of the medium, wherein the measuring arrangement is at least partially arranged on the measuring tube; a housing for accommodating at least one electronic component for operating the measuring arrangement, controlling a controlled variable of the measuring arrangement, determining a measured value of the quantity and / or evaluating the quantity, wherein the housing is arranged on the outer surface and at least partially conceals the measuring arrangement, wherein the housing has a housing wall which, together with the outer surface, defines an interior of the housing; a shaped body for fixing the at least one electronic component and / or the measuring arrangement, wherein the shaped body is arranged inside the housing, and wherein the shaped body has an outer surface.wherein the outer surface of the molded body and the housing wall, and in particular the outer surface, define a sealing seat, wherein a sealing agent, preferably applied in liquid form, is arranged in the sealing seat. According to the invention, it is provided that the housing wall has a first edge section which is in direct contact with the outer surface at least partially, wherein the first edge section is bent away from the inside of the housing at least partially, wherein at least the first edge section is clamped to the measuring tube by force, and wherein the first edge section forms the sealing seat.
[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. One embodiment provides that the molded body has a recess which, together with the outer surface and the housing wall, in particular a bead inserted in the housing wall to stiffen the housing wall, forms a sealing seat. Another embodiment provides that the first edge section is free of any bending, wherein the first edge section has, at least in a longitudinal section through the field device, a first edge section longitudinal axis which intersects the outer surface at an angle. α cuts, whereby αThe housing has an angular dimension between 1° and 10°, in particular 5°. One embodiment provides that the housing comprises a first housing molded half and a second housing molded half, wherein the first housing molded half and the second housing molded half are connected to each other at least by positive and / or force-fit, and preferably by positive, force-fit and material-fit, wherein the first housing molded half and the second housing molded half each have second edge sections in mutual contact with each other.One embodiment provides that the second edge sections each have a second edge section longitudinal axis in at least one cross-section through the field device, which intersects a median plane at an angle β, wherein the angle β has an angular dimension of 1° to 10°, in particular 5°, wherein the median plane is spanned by a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube and a transverse axis perpendicular thereto, and wherein the median plane passes through at least one contact point of the second edge sections. One embodiment provides that the sealing seat is wedge-shaped, at least in some sections. One embodiment provides that the sealing agent comprises at least a portion of a substance from the following list: a polyurethane, a polysiloxane, a polyethylene, or an epoxy resin.One embodiment provides that the molded body is at least partially formed from a particle foam, in particular comprising at least one substance from the following list: a polystyrene, a polyphenylene sulfide, an expanded polypropylene, a polyurethane. One embodiment provides that, section by section, the first edge section and the outer surface and / or the two second edge sections together define a collection volume for receiving longitudinally displaced sealant, wherein the collection volume is at least partially filled with the sealant.
[0018] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 : a perspective view of a field device according to the invention for automation technology; Fig. 2 : a cross-section through a first molded body half with an arranged electronic component; Fig. 3 : a longitudinal section through a magnetic-inductive flowmeter; Fig. 4 : a longitudinal section through a radar-based level gauge; Fig. 5 : a view from below of the first half of a molded body; Fig. 6 : a perspective view of a centering device; Fig. 7A : a perspective view of a partially cut-out housing with a first molded body half; Fig. 7B : a section of a cross-section through a housing with the first molded body half arranged and fixed; Fig. 8 : a section of an edge area of a first housing molded part half in contact with a measuring tube; Fig. 9 : a section of an edge area of a first housing molded part half in contact with a measuring tube; Fig. 10 : a section of an edge area of a first housing mold half in contact with a second housing mold half; and Fig. 11 : a perspective view of a cutaway representation of a sealing seat between the first housing mold half and the second housing mold half.
[0019] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a field device for automation technology 1 according to the invention. The field device for automation technology 1 comprises a measuring tube 8 for guiding a flowable medium and a measuring arrangement, concealed by the shaped body 13, for determining a physical and / or chemical quantity of the medium, which is arranged on the measuring tube 8. The measuring arrangement can, for example, be a thermal sensor comprising two temperature probes or, in particular, two medium-contacting measuring electrodes for detecting a measuring voltage induced in a flowable medium in conjunction with a magnetic field-generating device. A multitude of other measuring arrangements are known, all of which are suitable for the field device for automation technology 1 according to the invention. Examples of these are the measuring arrangements of the measuring instruments mentioned in the introduction.Furthermore, the field device of automation technology 1 comprises a housing arranged on the measuring tube 8 for accommodating at least one electronic component 4 for operating the measuring arrangement, controlling a controlled variable of the measuring arrangement, determining a measured value of the measured variable and / or evaluating the measured variable of the measuring arrangement. The . Fig. 1 The housing is not shown in order to make visible the two-part molded body 13 arranged on the measuring tube 8, which, in the fully assembled state, is located in the housing and is wholly or at least partially concealed by it or by its housing wall. The molded body 13 serves to attach or hold the electronic component 4 and comprises a thermoplastic and / or an elastomer in at least a first section 21. The first section 21 is located on an outer surface of the molded body. In a more advantageous embodiment, the thermoplastic comprises expanded polypropylene, wherein the expanded polypropylene has a density ρ with 30 ≤ ρ ≤ 90 g / l and preferably 45 ≤ ρ ≤ 80 g / l. Expanded polypropylene with the density according to the invention exhibits reduced electrostatic charging of the molded body 13 during assembly of the molded body 13 in the housing or on the measuring tube. The molded body 13 is formed from a monolithic first molded body half 41 and an identical and also monolithic second molded body half 42. The first molded body half 41 is at least positively connected to the second molded body half 42. Together, the first molded body half 41 and the second molded body half 42 enclose the measuring tube 8 in at least one cross-section of the measuring tube.
[0020] The first section 21 is elastically designed and has a receptacle 19 for accommodating an electronic component 4. The receptacle 19 has at least one undercut 20. The receptacle 19 can be designed as a through opening or as a recess or blind hole. The undercut 20 can take the form of a locking lug 30 or more locking lugs and / or be designed as a guide rail 36 into which the electronic component 4 can be inserted or is inserted. The guide rail 36 is designed as an elongated slot in the molded body 13 or as a web projecting from a base body of the molded body 13. An electronic component 4 is arranged in the receptacle 19 in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner so that it is held and cannot fall out during assembly of the molded body 13 on the measuring tube 8 and / or on the housing. Additional C-parts for fastening can be provided, but are not necessary.The electronic component 4 is held by the first section 21, or by the undercut 20, in the form of four locking lugs 30 and a guide rail 36 integral to the molded body. Furthermore, the molded body 13 has a compression set, at least in the first section 21. DVR according to ISO 1798 from 0 ≤ DVR ≤ 20%, in particular 5 ≤ DVR ≤ 15% and preferably DVR < 15%. Since the molded body 13 is deformed at least section by section during assembly in the first section 21 in order to position and secure the electronic component 4 in the receptacle 19, it is essential that the compression set DVR of the molded body 13 is not greater than 20%. To keep mechanical stresses on the electronic component 4 as low as possible, it is further advantageous if the DVR greater than or equal to 5%. Furthermore, the molded body 13 exhibits an elongation at break according to ISO 1798 of 10 to 20%, and preferably 14 to 16%, at least in the first section 21. Alternatively, the necessary mechanical properties of the molded body 13 can also be described by its tensile strength. In this case, the molded body 13 exhibits a tensile strength according to ISO 1798 of 400 to 1300 kPa, particularly 600 to 1000 kPa, and preferably 700 to 880 kPa, at least in the first section 21.
[0021] The electronic component 4 comprises a printed circuit board 28 on which electronic components 37 are arranged for operating the measuring arrangement, controlling the controlled variable of the measuring arrangement, and / or evaluating the measured variable of the measuring arrangement. The electronic components 37 include, for example, processors, electromechanical components – such as switches or relays – as well as passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and / or inductive components, and / or active components such as diodes, transistors, and / or integrated circuits. In addition, a display 2 is arranged on a first section of the printed circuit board for displaying measured values of the measured variable, process properties, and / or field device-specific system information. The electronic component 4 may also include connecting cables with which the coils are connected to the operating circuit. These cables may run in specially provided grooves and be secured there.
[0022] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through the first half of the molded body 41 of the molded body Fig. 1 with arranged electronic component 4. The illustrated electronic component 4 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) which has electronic components for operating the measuring arrangement, controlling the controlled variable of the measuring arrangement, and / or evaluating the measured variable of the measuring arrangement. The PCB has a rigid first PCB section 31 and a rigid second PCB section 32, which are separated from each other. The PCB also has a flexible third PCB section 33, which separates the first PCB section 31 from the second PCB section 32. The in Fig. 2 The housing (not shown) has an inner housing surface which, after assembly, is in mechanical contact with the illustrated first molded body half 41, at least partially or via at least one elastically designed second section 22. The second section 22 has at least one projection 26, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is realized as a plurality of protruding ribs. The at least one projection 26 is designed such that it is compressed or displaced into a first housing molded body half when the first molded body half 41 is assembled. This serves to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the first molded body half 41, the first housing molded body half 51, and / or the measuring tube. The second section 22, like the first section 21, is made of a thermoplastic in the form of expanded polypropylene. The first molded body half 41 has a compression set in the second section 22. DVR according to ISO 1798 from 0 ≤ DVR ≤ 20%, in particular 5 ≤ DVR ≤ 15% and preferably DVR < 15%. Furthermore, the first molded body half 41 exhibits an elongation at break according to ISO 1798 of 10 to 20% and preferably of 14 to 16% in the second section 22. Another characteristic mechanical property of the first molded body half 41 is its tensile strength. This is between 400 and 1300 kPa in the second section 22, particularly between 600 and 1000 kPa and preferably between 700 and 880 kPa according to ISO 1798.
[0023] Furthermore, the first molded body half 41 has a projection 38 with a longitudinal axis that lies within the cross-section of the first molded body half 41. The cross-sectional area of the projection 38 increases at least section by section along its longitudinal axis, particularly in the direction of a receptacle in a second molded body half (not shown) that is complementary to the projection 38. The projection 38 can be inserted into the receptacle, thereby forming a positive-locking closure. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first molded body half 41 also has a receptacle 39 in the form of an opening, which is complementary to a projection of the second molded body half. The receptacle 39 is arranged in a fourth section 40 of the first molded body half 41, which is elastically designed.This allows the fourth section 40 to be deformed in order to accommodate the projection of the second molded body half during assembly and to connect the two molded body halves 41, 42 to each other in a form-fitting manner in order to achieve sufficient fixation of these on the measuring tube.
[0024] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a magnetic-inductive flowmeter 7 as an example of a field device for automation technology according to the invention. The magnetic-inductive flowmeter 7 comprises a measuring tube 8 for guiding a flowable medium and two terminal process connections. The measuring tube 8 is a longitudinally welded steel tube with an electrically insulating liner applied to an inner surface. The measuring arrangement of the magnetic-inductive flowmeter includes a device 9 for measuring an induced measuring voltage in the flowing medium, in particular at least two diametrically arranged measuring electrodes, which are inserted and fixed in a medium-tight manner in a provided opening in the tube wall of the measuring tube 8, thus contacting the medium.The measuring arrangement further comprises a device 10 for generating a magnetic field penetrating the measuring tube 8, consisting of at least two diametrically arranged coils configured to generate a magnetic field with a main magnetic field axis that runs essentially perpendicular to a measuring electrode axis connecting the two measuring electrodes and to a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube 8. A level monitoring electrode and a reference electrode are also arranged on the measuring tube 8.
[0025] The electronic component 4, comprising the measuring circuit, operating circuit, and / or control circuit arranged on the printed circuit board, is housed in a cold-formed enclosure 5. The enclosure 5 comprises a first enclosure half 51, which is cold-formed and connected to a second enclosure half 52, which is cold-formed and arranged diametrically opposite each other. The enclosure 5 has an opening 6 in which a display glass 29, at least partially transparent, is arranged. A printed circuit board has a display 2 arranged on the first section of the printed circuit board, which is visible through the display glass 29. An outer surface of the measuring tube 8 and the first enclosure half 41, as well as the second enclosure half 42, each define a cavity in which the coils of the device 10 for generating the magnetic field are arranged.
[0026] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through a radar-based level gauge 43 as a further example of a field device in automation technology. Radar-based measurement methods have become established for measuring the fill level of contents in containers 18 because they are robust and require little maintenance. A key advantage of radar-based measurement methods is their ability to measure the fill level almost continuously. In the context of this patent application, the term "radar" refers to radar signals with frequencies between 0.03 GHz and 300 GHz. Common frequency bands used for level measurement are 2 GHz, 26 GHz, 79 GHz, and 120 GHz. The two common measurement principles are the pulse-time-delay principle (also known as "pulse radar") and the FMCW principle ("frequency modulated continuous wave").A level measuring device that operates according to the pulse-time-of-flight method is described, for example, in German patent application DE 10 2012 104 858 A1. For an example of a typical design of FMCW-based level measuring devices, reference is made to German patent application DE 10 2013 108 490 A1. The measuring principles of FMCW and pulse radar are also described in more detail in "Radar Level Detection," Peter Devine, 2000. The radar-based level measuring device 43 also has a housing 5 with a molded body 13 arranged therein. The molded body 13 has a first section with a recess in which an electronic component 4 is arranged. The properties of the first section are identical to those of the one described in [reference missing]. Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 shown and described field device of automation technology.
[0027] Fig. 5 shows a view from below of the first half of the molded body 41 from Fig. 2 The receptacle 19 for the electronic component is shown. Receptacle 19 is designed as a through opening. Also shown is receptacle 39 for receiving a projection to form a force-fit and / or form-fit connection. A third section 23, which is elastically designed, is also visible. This third section 23 has a projection 27 that is to be arranged in mechanical contact with an outer surface of a measuring tube or container and is designed as a sealing lip extending at least partially around the circumference of the measuring tube or container. The projection 27 is designed such that when the first half of the molded body 41 is attached to the measuring tube or container, the projection 27 is displaced or compressed. This allows manufacturing tolerances to be compensated for and mechanical stress and / or leaks to be reduced.The third section 23 is also a thermoplastic and / or an elastomer, or in a preferred embodiment an expanded polypropylene, which has a compression set. DVR according to ISO 1798 from 0 ≤ DVR ≤ 20%, in particular 5 ≤ DVR ≤ 15% and preferably DVR < 15%. Furthermore, the third section 23, in particular the cantilever 27, is designed such that an elongation at break according to ISO 1798 of 10 to 20% and preferably of 14 to 16% and / or a tensile strength according to ISO 1798 of 400 to 1300 kPa, in particular 600 to 1000 kPa and preferably of 700 to 880 kPa, is present.
[0028] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a centering device 34 for blocking tangential displacement of the molded body half within the housing molded part half and / or on the outer surface of the measuring tube. The centering device 34 has a groove 44 via which it can be materially connected to the inner surface of the housing molded part half. Furthermore, the centering device 34 has a hook 45 at one end, which is designed to engage in a receptacle in the molded body half and thus form a positive and / or force-fit connection between the molded body half and the housing molded part half.The centering device 34 is designed as a thin bent sheet metal part, which is designed to be springy at least in such a way that when the molded body half is inserted into the housing molded part half in an assembly direction, the hook 45 can be displaced at least section by section from the inner housing surface of the housing molded part half.
[0029] Fig. 7A Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a partially cut housing mold half 51 with a first mold half 41 to be inserted in a linear assembly direction (see arrow). The centering device 34 is materially bonded to the inner housing surface 24 of the first housing mold half 51 by means of a joining process, in particular welding. The first housing mold half 51 has at least one bending tab 53 in its second edge section 62 for forming a positive-locking connection with the (not shown) second housing mold half 52. To form the connection, the at least one bending tab 53 is bent so that it engages with the second edge section of the contacting second housing mold half in such a way that the two housing mold halves can no longer be separated from each other without either of the two housing mold halves having to be plastically deformed.Furthermore, the second edge section 62 of the first housing mold half 51 includes a circumferential fold 54, at least partially, to limit displacement of the second housing mold half in a longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the measuring tube during assembly of the two housing mold half(s), i.e., when both housing mold half(s) are joined but the bending tabs have not yet been bent. The fold 54 also engages in a recess in the second edge section of the second housing mold half. The recess can be formed as an opening in the second edge section of the second housing mold half or by a second edge section of the second housing mold half that is shorter than the second edge section of the first housing mold half. This allows the two housing mold half(s) to be centered more precisely relative to each other during assembly.The at least one bending tab 53 is monolithically connected to the fold 54 at least in sections.
[0030] Fig. 7B shows a section of a cross-section through the first housing molded part half 51 of the Fig. 7A with the first molded body half 41 arranged and fixed in the final assembly position. The first molded body half 41 has a receptacle 46 in conjunction with an undercut into which the hook 45 of the centering device engages.
[0031] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a section of a first embodiment of an edge region of a first housing component half in contact with an outer surface of a measuring tube. The housing 2 shown has a housing wall 47 which, together with the outer surface 25 of the measuring tube 8, defines a housing interior 48. The housing wall 47 has a first edge section 61 which is in direct contact, at least partially, with the outer surface 25 of the measuring tube 8 and is bent away from the housing interior 48, at least partially. According to the invention, at least the first edge section 61 is clamped to the measuring tube 8. This means that the housing is mounted and fastened to the measuring tube in such a way that the first edge section 61 is deformed and a mechanical stress remains in the housing, at least partially.
[0032] The first edge section 61 is free of any bending, at least in a longitudinal section. A groove in the housing wall, for example, is therefore not considered part of the first edge section 61 according to the invention. Furthermore, in the longitudinal section through the field device, the first edge section 61 has a first edge section longitudinal axis A (dashed line) which forms an angle with the outer surface 25 of the measuring tube 8. α cuts, whereby α It exhibits an angular measurement between 1° and 10° or 5°. A solid line is shown as a reference to the longitudinal axis A of the edge section, representing a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube.
[0033] The shaped body 13 is arranged inside the housing 48 and has an outer shaped body surface 25. In the embodiment of the Fig. 8 The outer surface of the molded body 13, the housing wall 47, and the outer surface 58 define a sealing seat 59 for a sealant, particularly a liquid one (not shown). The molded body 13 also has a recess 63 for forming the sealing seat 59, which is wedge-shaped at least in sections. The sealant comprises at least a proportion of polyurethane, polysiloxane, polyethylene, and / or an epoxy resin. The molded body 13 is at least partially formed from a particle foam comprising at least polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, expanded polypropylene, and polyurethane.
[0034] Fig. 9 shows a section of a second embodiment of an edge region of a first housing molded part half in contact with an outer surface of a measuring tube. The difference to the embodiment of the Fig. 8 The housing wall 47 has a groove 56 on an inner housing surface for stiffening the housing wall 47, which in addition to stiffening also serves as a sealing seat, so that at least in sections a sealing element (not shown) is arranged in the groove 56. Furthermore, the Fig. 9 a projection 27 which is in mechanical contact with an outer surface of the measuring tube and which is designed at least partially as a sealing lip extending around the circumference of the measuring tube or the container.
[0035] Fig. 10 Figure 1 shows a section of an edge region of a first housing half 51 in contact with a second housing half 52. The first housing half 51 and the second housing half 52 each have a second edge section 62, via which they are in direct contact with each other, at least partially. The first housing half 51 and the second housing half 52 are positively and / or force-fitted to each other via bending tabs (not shown) and additionally bonded by the liquid-applied sealant 57. The sealant 57 is arranged in a sealing seat 59 formed by the mutually contacting second edge sections 62, which is bounded by the two housing halves at least in the radial direction of the measuring tube 8. The sealing seat 59 is wedge-shaped, at least partially.
[0036] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a cutaway representation of a sealing seat between the first housing mold half and the second housing mold half. Fig. 11 differs from the Fig. 10 This is achieved essentially by the fact that, in addition to the sealing seat 59, the two second edge sections 62 together define a collection volume 64 for receiving sealant displaced in the expansion direction (not shown). This is realized by bending a portion of the second edge section 62, whereby the second edge sections 62, which are in contact with each other after assembly, also further define the collection volume 64 in the direction of the measuring tube. Alternatively, the volume designated as the collection volume 64 can assume the function of the sealing seat, i.e., the sealant is applied in liquid form in one of the bent sections, and when the two housing halves are clamped and fastened, the excess sealant is displaced towards the volume designated as the sealing seat 59 in this embodiment, and the sealing seat 59 thus assumes the function of the collection volume.
[0037] The illustrated second edge sections 62 each have, at least in one cross-section through the field device, a second edge section longitudinal axis C (dotted line) that runs parallel to an axis X (solid line) lying in a median plane. The median plane is defined by a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube and a transverse axis perpendicular to it. It passes through at least one contact point between the first housing half and the second housing half, in particular through the contact points of the second edge sections 62.
[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the second edge sections 62 are designed such that they have a second edge section longitudinal axis B (dashed line) which intersects the median plane at an angle β, wherein β exhibits an angle of 1° to 10° or 5°. The alternative second longitudinal axis of the boundary section, B, is also in the Fig. 11 as shown. Alternatively, the second edge section longitudinal axis B can transition into the second edge section longitudinal axis C after clamping and joining the two housing mold halves. Bezugszeichenliste
[0039] Field device of automation technology 1 Display 2 Measuring arrangement 3 Electronic component 4 Housing 5 Opening 6 Magnetic-inductive flow meter 7 Measuring tube 8 Device 9 For measuring an induced measuring voltage Device 10 For generating the magnetic field Molded body 13 Container 18 Receptacle 19 Undercut 20 First section 21 Second section 22 Third section 23 Inner housing surface 24 Outer molded body surface 25 Projection 26 Projection 27 Circuit board 28 Display glass 29 Locking lug 30 First circuit board section 31 Second circuit board section 32 Third circuit board section 33 Centering device 34 Undercut 35 Guide rail 36 Electronic components 37 Projection 38 Receptacle 39 Fourth section 40 First molded body half 41 Second molded body half 42 Radar-based level sensor 43 Bead 44 Hook 45 Receptacle 46 Housing wall 47 Housing interior 48 First housing molded part half 51 Second housing molded part half 52 Bend tab 53 Fold 54Recess 55, groove 56, sealant 57, outer measuring tube shell surface 58, seal seat 59, sealant 60, first edge section 61, second edge section 62, recess 63, collection volume 64
Claims
1. Field device for automation technology (1), comprising: - a measuring tube (8) for conducting a flowable medium, wherein the measuring tube (8) has an outer surface (58), - a measuring arrangement (3) for determining a physical and / or chemical measured variable of the medium, wherein the measuring arrangement (3) is at least partially arranged on the measuring tube (8), - a housing (5) for accommodating at least one electronic component (4) for operating the measuring arrangement (3), controlling a control variable of the measuring arrangement (3), determining a measured value of the measured variable and / or evaluating the measured variable, wherein the housing (5) is arranged on the outer surface (58) and at least partially covers the measuring arrangement (3), wherein the housing (5) has a housing wall (47) which, together with the outer surface (58), delimits a housing interior (48), - a molded body (13) for fixing the at least one electronic component (4) and / or the measuring arrangement (3), wherein the molded body (13) is arranged inside the housing (48), wherein the molded body (13) has an outer molded body outer surface (25), wherein the outer molded body outer surface (25) and the housing wall (47) and, in particular, the outer outer surface (58) delimit a sealing seat (59), wherein a sealing agent (60), in particular one applied in liquid form, is arranged in the sealing seat (59), wherein the housing wall (47) has a first edge section (61) which is in direct contact with the outer shell surface (58) at least in sections, characterized in that the first edge section (61) is bent away from the interior of the housing (48) at least in sections, wherein at least the first edge section (61) is clamped to the measuring tube (8) in a force-fitting manner, wherein the first edge section (61) has the sealing seat (59).
2. Field device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the molded body (13) has a recess (63) which, together with the outer shell surface (58) and the housing wall (47), in particular a bead (44) inserted into the housing wall (47) to stiffen the housing wall (47), forms a sealing seat (59).
3. Field device (1) according to claim 1 and / or 2, wherein the first edge section (61) is free of bending, wherein the first edge section (61) has, at least in a longitudinal section through the field device (1), a first edge section longitudinal axis (A) which intersects the outer surface (58) at an angle, wherein the angle is between 1° and 10°, in particular 5°.
4. Field device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (5) comprises a first housing molded half (51) and a second housing molded half (52), wherein the first housing molded half (51) and the second housing molded half (52) are connected to each other at least by form and / or force and preferably by form, force, and material, wherein the first housing molded part half (51) and the second housing molded part half (52) each have second edge sections (62) that are in mutual contact with each other.
5. Field device (1) according to claim 4 and / or a dependent claim thereof, wherein the second edge sections (62) each have a second edge section longitudinal axis (B) at least in a cross-section through the field device (1), which intersects a center plane at an angle, wherein the angle has an angular measure of 1° to 10°, in particular 5°, wherein the center plane is defined by a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube (8) and a transverse axis extending perpendicular thereto, wherein the center plane extends through at least one contact point of the second edge sections (62).
6. Field device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing seat (59) is wedge-shaped at least in sections.
7. Field device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing agent (57) comprises, at least in part, a substance from the following list: a polyurethane, a polysiloxane, a polyethylene, an epoxy resin.
8. Field device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the molded body (13) is formed at least partially from a particle foam, in particular comprising at least one substance from the following list: a polystyrene, a polyphenylene sulfide, an expanded polypropylene, a polyurethane.
9. Field device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein, in sections, the first edge section (61) and the outer shell surface (58) and / or the two second edge sections (62) together delimit a collection volume (64) for receiving sealant (57) displaced in the longitudinal direction, wherein the collection volume (64) is at least partially filled with the sealing agent (57).