MOUNTING DEVICE FOR A SENSOR AND A SENSOR UNIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting element for an electronic terminal according to claim 1 and an electronic terminal according to claim 12.

[0002] The state of the art includes holders for sensors or other terminal devices that specify a fixed orientation of the sensor to the holder or are designed to be adjustable.

[0003] An important feature of such sensors and end devices is that the position of the active surface, such as the detection side, can be adapted to the current conditions in the field.

[0004] For example, WO 2004 / 477246 A1 discloses a holder in the form of a housing for accommodating an electrical sensor, which further comprises a display device for displaying various electrical states from different viewing directions. In this housing, the sensor's orientation relative to the housing is fixed, so the entire housing must be reoriented if the sensor is to be reoriented.

[0005] DE 10147023 A1 proposes an improvement in this regard, in which a fastening device for sensors is equipped with a housing for accommodating the sensor, wherein a separate mounting plate is provided for fastening to a substrate, so that fastening means for releasably fastening the housing to the mounting plate are provided between the housing and the mounting plate. The fastening means are designed such that the orientation of the housing relative to the mounting plate is adjustable. DE 10147023 A1 further discloses that the orientation of the housing relative to the mounting plate can be adjusted in steps of 90° each.

[0006] This fastening element is fundamentally well suited to enable different orientations for an electronic device, although easier handling of the fastening element and / or the electronic device would still be desirable.

[0007] A holder for a cylindrical proximity switch is known from DE 10 2017 103512 A1.

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to propose an improved fastening element and an improved electronic terminal.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a mounting element according to the features of claim 1 and an electronic terminal with such a mounting element according to the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective, associated subclaims. Accordingly, the object is achieved by a mounting unit for an electronic terminal according to claim 1.

[0010] In particular, the support surface can be designed as a flat surface. Furthermore, the at least one contact surface can be designed as a flat surface. In particular, the axis of rotation about which the terminal device is rotatably mounted on the support surface can run perpendicular to the support surface.

[0011] In this context, an electronic terminal device is understood to mean any terminal device in an automation network, which will also be referred to as a terminal device for short. Terminal devices include, in particular, sensors, actuators, and / or a data receiving unit, such as an NFC receiver, RFID (read / write head), or an IR data receiver. However, it can also be another emitter that sends, for example, a light beam, a sound wave, or another signal. The terminal devices have, in particular, a base surface complementary to the support surface of the support unit, which base surface rests on or lies against the support surface of the support unit. The support surface of the support unit and / or the base surface of the electronic terminal device are advantageously constructed in one or more parts.Furthermore, an improvement can be seen in the provision of locking means on the foot surface and / or the support surface, with which a defined rotational position can be safely set.

[0012] The angle of inclination of the support surface relative to an outer contact surface correlates with the desired orientation and number of orientations of the electronic device and is not limited. For conventional vertical support elements, it is advantageous if the angle of inclination is 45° or an integer fraction thereof, such as 45° / 2 or 45° / 3, so that a 90° change in the orientation of the electronic device can be achieved in one rotational position.

[0013] In other words, the support surface forms a triangle with the connection side and a contact surface of the bearing unit in the side or sectional view, with the angle of inclination being opposite to the connection side.

[0014] The storage unit and the electronic terminal device are, in principle, provided on any type of supporting element, so that supporting element is not to be understood in a restrictive manner and can in particular be a wall, a beam, a support, a holding arm and / or any other load-bearing and / or supporting component.

[0015] In this context, a fastening element is understood to mean, in particular, any element that can accommodate, guide, and / or hold a fastening means, such as a screw. A fastening element in this context is, in particular, an eyelet, a bore, and / or a nut thread, in particular an eyelet, bore, and / or nut thread that is open on both sides.

[0016] A contact side is particularly characterized by the fact that, through the interaction of the fastening element with an associated fastening means, the contact side can be placed on a supporting element and pressed against it under the action of force.

[0017] Advantageously, the at least one pivotable locking element is mounted and pivotable on the storage unit in such a way that it prevents rotation of the electronic terminal device about the rotation axis in a locking position and allows rotation of the electronic terminal device in an unlocking position.

[0018] In an improved embodiment, it can be provided that the locking element has a force-locking and / or form-locking locking and / or guide geometry on the side opposite the terminal device in the locking position and / or a damping element, in particular an elastic damping element, is provided.

[0019] This locking and / or guiding geometry can, for example, consist of a tongue-and-groove arrangement, a hook-and-eye arrangement, or similar arrangements. Alternatively, protruding friction or clamping elements can be provided on the locking element, which can be applied force-fittingly to the side of the housing of the terminal device in the locked position.

[0020] In this way, vibrations can be reduced and accidental twisting of the terminal device can be prevented if the locking element is not fully pivoted into the unlocking position.

[0021] In an improved embodiment, it can be provided that the locking element is pivotable about a pivot axis which is aligned parallel to the support surface and at least one contact surface.

[0022] Advantageously, the pivot axis of the locking element is aligned parallel to the support surface and to two contact surfaces.

[0023] In order to provide a tamper-proof locking position, a particular advantage may be that, in a further improved embodiment, the locking element comprises a fastening element.

[0024] In particular, it can be advantageous if the fastening element is a through-hole, through-nut, threaded nut section, or through-eyelet. In this way, when the bearing unit is attached to or on a support element, a final, permanent fixation of the end device relative to the bearing unit is achieved. To change the rotational position of the end device, the entire bearing unit must be loosened and the locking element pivoted, so that accidental changes can be completely or largely reliably prevented. One advantage here can be provided if a through-nut or threaded nut section is provided along a section of the through-hole.

[0025] For particularly versatile use, one embodiment can provide that the locking element is equipped with at least two fastening elements, wherein at least two fastening elements are aligned perpendicularly or transversely to one another.

[0026] Here, perpendicular or transverse to each other means that the longitudinal or driving axes for the fastening elements, such as for two screws to be used, are perpendicular or transverse to each other.

[0027] A further improvement could be that at least one fastening element is a through-hole or an eyelet. Ideally, one fastening element is aligned parallel to the pivot axis of the locking element.

[0028] Advantageously, it can be provided that at least one of the fastening elements designed as a through-hole is provided in an end position of the locking element with a common (drilling) axis which is guided through the locking element and the fastening element.

[0029] In other words, at least one fastening element is guided as a through-hole and / or eyelet in such a way that in the locking position, which is also the fastening position, a partial length of the through-hole or the eyelet is arranged in the locking element and is guided perpendicularly or transversely to the axis of rotation and a partial length of the through-hole or a further eyelet is guided in the bearing body.

[0030] In this way, the locking element is securely closed and fixed in position by a fastening means guided in the through-hole and / or the eyelet.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the bearing body may have a recess aligned with the through-hole of a locking element in the locking position. This recess is designed such that it is bridged by a fastening element, such as a screw, so that it can be fastened in a complementary counter-fastening element, such as a nut thread, in or on the support element.

[0032] In a further improved embodiment, it can be provided that the fastening element has at least one bearing section on which the electronic terminal is rotatably mounted, in particular by means of a complementary counter-bearing section.

[0033] Such a bearing section and / or a counter bearing can advantageously be designed as a single- or double-sided plain bearing. An improvement may be provided in that the bearing section and / or the counter bearing has a finger-like bolt or pin with hooks or clips at its free end, which are fixed in the respective counter element in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner, preventing them from falling out in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0034] In a further improved embodiment, it can be provided that the locking element consists of at least two partial elements, wherein the partial elements can be pivoted about the same pivot axis or each about one of two pivot axes parallel to one another.

[0035] An improvement here may be that the at least two partial elements of the locking element have a contour at their free ends that engage with each other in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner in the locking position. The at least two partial elements of the locking element are advantageously pivotally mounted on two pivot axes that are aligned parallel to each other.

[0036] In a further improved embodiment, the locking element can be provided with a through-hole. This through-hole serves, in particular, for the passage of a plug or connector and / or a cable, such as a two- or multi-core cable for power supply and / or data transmission for the terminal device.

[0037] In addition, displays arranged in the storage unit, such as an LED, can also be supplied with power via this.

[0038] This embodiment can be further improved by the one-part or multi-part locking element having a recess on the side facing the support surface for the positive and / or non-positive reception of at least one partial contour of a connector.

[0039] In particular, the recess is designed such that a flange or head region of a plug or connector is held in a clamped manner in the locking position of the locking element, at least by a partial section and / or a partial circumference. An improvement may be provided in this case by providing a clamping support on the inner surface of the recess, which clamps the flange or head region of a plug or connector in the locking position, at least by a partial section and / or a partial circumference.

[0040] There may be a further need to additionally prevent unintentional changes in the rotational position of the terminal device and / or to establish a secure connection during transport and storage of the terminal device together with the storage unit. Therefore, in a further improved embodiment, the locking element can be pivoted about a pivot axis and raised and lowered transversely to the pivot axis.

[0041] For a terminal device attached to a support element, this lifting transversely to the pivot axis represents a preliminary unlocking step. In a first step, for example, the fastening means must be loosened and removed. Before the actual unlocking can be performed by pivoting the locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position, in this embodiment, the locking element must be lifted transversely to the pivot axis in the locking position before it is possible to pivot the locking element into the unlocking position.

[0042] For this purpose, the locking element has, for example, in the area of ​​the pivot axis, one or more elongated holes in which the pivot axis is mounted and whose outer contour can be received in a complementary opening or recess of the bearing body.

[0043] The invention further comprises an electrical terminal device according to claim 12.

[0044] The terminal device is advantageously cuboid-shaped and in particular cube-shaped or largely cube-shaped.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the terminal has a base surface which is the same or substantially dimensioned as the support surface of the bearing unit.

[0046] In a further advantageous embodiment, the terminal device is a sensor, an actuator and / or a data acquisition device.

[0047] As already explained above, an electronic terminal device is understood to mean any terminal device, particularly those used for the automation of treatment plants. These include, in particular, sensors, actuators, and / or transmitting and receiving units for data or other physical quantities.

[0048] All aspects, advantages, and features of the storage unit and / or the terminal device alone shall apply identically or analogously to the combination of the storage unit and the terminal device, unless expressly stated otherwise. Likewise, all aspects, advantages, and features of the terminal device mentioned in connection with the storage unit shall also apply to the combination of the storage unit and the terminal device and / or to a terminal device that includes a storage unit – and vice versa.

[0049] It should also be noted that, in the context of this patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical expressions such as "one...", "two...", etc., should generally be understood as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it is clear from the context or the specific text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc., are meant.

[0050] At this point, it should be noted that, in the context of this patent application, the term "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The term is not to be understood as "and indeed" or "namely."

[0051] The major advantage of this solution is that it allows intuitive operation for tool-free adjustment of the position and orientation of the (active) front of the device. Extremely high flexibility is achieved with fewer mechanical parts. Furthermore, no separate brackets, bearing plates, or other loose parts are required.

[0052] Preferably, individual components of the element described as "one-piece" are connected to one another by a material fit.

[0053] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0054] They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment as a top view of the storage unit and the electronic terminal in the locking position, Fig. 2 shows the embodiment according to Figure 1 as a top view in the unlocking position, Fig. 3 a Figure 1comparable embodiment as a top view of the connection side and Fig. 4 a Figure 3 alternative embodiment in two partial views, one of the partial views being a sectional view.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a schematic structure of a storage unit 200 for an electronic terminal 100, which in this case is an inductive proximity sensor. This comprises a support body 202 with a support surface 204 for the electronic terminal 100, three contact surfaces 206, 208, and a connection side 228, wherein the contact surface 208 is shown in the image plane and is analogously present on the rear side. In the top view shown, the support body 202 is depicted as a triangle, and the depicted underside is the first possible contact surface 206, and the two approximately triangular side surfaces perpendicular to it are the further contact surfaces 208, of which only the front contact surface 208 is visible in the illustration.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment, in particular the support surface 204 is designed as a flat surface.

[0057] Furthermore, in the example, at least one contact surface 206, 208 is designed as a flat surface. In particular, all three contact surfaces 206, 208 can be designed as flat surfaces.

[0058] Furthermore, three fastening elements 216, 218, 220 are provided in the bearing body 202 for attaching the bearing unit 200 to a support element, wherein for the fastening element 218, only the position of the axis of the through-bore is shown, which represents the fastening element 218. The fastening element 220 is aligned parallel to this axis, so that the two axes overlap in the top view.

[0059] In an embodiment not shown, a (nut) internal thread is provided in a fastening element 216, 218, 220 designed as a through hole for vibration-free attachment over a section.

[0060] The bearing body 202 has an inclined support surface 204, which encloses an angle of inclination 222 of 45° with the lower contact surface 206 and the rear connection side 228.

[0061] The electronic terminal 100 is rotatably mounted on the support surface 204 in a sliding bearing (not shown) and can be rotated about a rotation axis 214. According to the invention, the rotation axis 214 runs perpendicular to the support surface.

[0062] The terminal device 100 has a housing 102 with a base 104, a front side 106, a side part 110 and four rear sides 108. The rear sides 108 are defined in that they can be brought into a rear position by rotating the housing 102 about the rotation axis 214, i.e., by rotating them, they can form part of the rear connection side 228.

[0063] The representation of the Figure 1 upper side part 110 cannot be brought into such a rear position.

[0064] The actual electronic parts and components of the terminal 100 are not shown. The front side 106 has in the illustration of the Figure 1to the right and is opposite the connection side 228 of the bearing body 202 or the bearing unit 200.

[0065] The housing 102 is essentially cube-shaped with dimensions of 40x40x40 mm. This edge length is very advantageous in automation technology, although the edge lengths are not limited to this and can, for example, range from 10x10x10 mm to 100x100x100 mm.

[0066] The front side 106 is the functional or detection surface of the sensor, the orientation of which is crucial for the desired function.

[0067] The mounting unit 200 has a pivotable locking element 250, which is pivotably mounted on a pivot axis 252 perpendicular to the image plane. The locking element 250 is shown in its locking position, resting against a rear side 108 of the terminal 100 or its housing 102. This locks the electronic terminal 100 in its rotational position.

[0068] The locking element 250 has three fastening elements 112, 114, one of which extends toward the image plane and is depicted as an opening in the locking element 250. The other two fastening elements 114 are arranged at an angle of 90° transversely or perpendicularly to this and are depicted as a dash-dotted line. In the example shown, the fastening elements 112, 114 are designed as through-holes. In an embodiment not shown, an internal (nut) thread is provided in at least one fastening element 112, 114 designed as a through-hole for vibration-free attachment over a partial section.

[0069] In an analogous manner, the base surface 104 of the terminal device 100 is also inclined by 90° minus the angle of inclination 222 of the support surface 204 relative to a plane 118 parallel to the front side 106, so the base surface 104 is also inclined by an angle of inclination 116 of 45° relative to the plane 118.

[0070] As in the Figure 1As can be seen, the locking element 250 is secured in the locking position when a fastening means, such as a screw, is guided through the fastening element 112 or through at least one of the fastening elements 114 extending perpendicular thereto. The fastening element 114 continues into the bearing body 202 and a fastening element 218 therein, so that the two fastening means 114, 218 form a common fastening means, which are penetrated by a common fastening means during fastening. Useful damping means for preventing vibrations and damage to the electronic terminal 100, such as elastic washers or contact mats, are not shown.

[0071] Furthermore, a plug connector 120 is provided, the plug axis 126 of which is aligned perpendicular to the connection side 228 and which has on the outside a container 130 for a union nut for a mating plug connector (not shown).

[0072] The embodiment according to Figure 2 corresponds to the embodiment according to Figure 1 , wherein the locking element 250 is moved into the unlocking position in which the terminal 100 can be rotated about the rotation axis 214.

[0073] In the embodiment shown, the locking element 250 rests on the connector 120 in the unlocked position and the housing 102 can be rotated about the axis 214. In order to change the position of the front side 106 of the terminal 100 according to the Figure 1 to the position of the front side 106 according to the Figure 2To achieve this, the terminal device 100 or its housing 102 was rotated by 180° about the axis 214. Thus, the end face 106 points upwards in the illustration after the rotation and borders on the connection side 228 of the bearing body 202.

[0074] As in the Figure 1 and in the Figure 2 As can be seen, the locking element 250 has a radius on the bearing side, which is guided in a corresponding counter-contour in the bearing body. In the unlocked position or a transitional position, the inner side 258 of the locking element 250 and the support surface 204 span a common surface. Alternatively, the inner side 258 forms a parallel, recessed plane in the unlocked position or in a transitional position, so that the terminal device can be rotated smoothly about the rotation axis 214.

[0075] A damping element 256 in the form of an elastic molded body is glued to the inner side 258 of the locking element 250, which enables vibration damping between the housing 102 of the terminal device 100 and the locking element 250.

[0076] In the embodiment according to Figure 3 the terminal device 100 with the storage unit 200 is shown from the viewpoint of the connection side 228, with the locking element 250 in the locking position.

[0077] Visible are the fastening elements 112, 216 aligned parallel to the pivot axis 252 and the pairs of fastening elements 114, 218 and fastening elements 114, 220 complementing each other in the locking position.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment, the locking element 250 has a through-opening 254 that allows access to a connector in the mounting body 202 and thus to the terminal device 100. The through-opening 254 is conically widened. The through-opening 254 is located at the transition between the mounting body 202 and the locking element 250, so that a portion of the opening is also provided in the mounting body 202, which, together with the opening portion in the locking element 250, forms a circular through-opening 254.

[0079] In the embodiment of the Figure 4 is analogous to the Figure 3 a through-opening 254 is provided in the locking element 250, with reference to the other reference numerals and descriptions Figure 3 In contrast to the embodiment according to the Figure 3A loose connector 120 is provided, whose four contact pins 124 are enclosed by the thread 130 and point outward. The right-hand partial view is a sectional view, with the connector axis 126 lying in the sectional plane.

[0080] As particularly illustrated in the right-hand partial illustration, the connector 120 has a flange 132 with a plurality of locking elements 134. These locking elements 134 can be received by corresponding locking openings 262, which are arranged on the inside of the locking element 250 or in the region of a recess 260 on the inside 258 of the locking element 250 and in the bearing body 202. In this way, the rotational position of the connector 120 can be fixed and damaging twisting of the cable 122 can be prevented.

[0081] The locking openings 262 are designed as a continuous opening, as shown in the left partial illustration, so that a user can quickly detect them visually on the connection side 228. Advantageously, the locking elements 134 and the correlating locking openings 132 can be used to achieve a unique, forced position of the connector 120 in one rotational position about the connector axis 126 or a defined number of rotational positions about the connector axis 126.

[0082] As can also be seen in the right-hand partial illustration, the connector 120 abuts with its rear end against the rear side 108 of the terminal device 100 or its housing 102, wherein the connector 120 and the flange 132 have some play in the recess 260, wherein suitable damping elements can be provided in order to clamp the flange 132 (not shown).

[0083] Inside the support body 202, a line 122 with several wires is provided from the connector 120 to the interior of the housing 102, via which the terminal device 100 is supplied with data and / or power. List of reference symbols

[0084] 100Electronic terminal 102Housing 104Footprint 106Front 108Rear 110Side part 112Fastening element 114Fastening element 116Incline angle 118Level 120Connector 122Cable 124Contact pins 126Connector axis 130Thread for mating connector 132Flange 134Locking element 200Bearing unit 202Bearing body 204Support surface 206Contact surface 208Contact surface 214Rotation axis 216Fastening element 218Fastening element 220Fastening element 222Angle of inclination of the support surface 228Connection side 250 Latch element 252 Pivot axis 254 Through opening 256 Damping element 258 Inside 260 Recess 262 Latch opening

Claims

1. Mounting unit (200) for an electronic terminal (100), comprising - a mounting body (202) with a support surface (204) for the electronic terminal (100) and at least one contact surface (206, 208) for at least one of the contact surfaces (206, 208) to bear against a supporting element, - at least one fastening element (112, 114, 216, 218, 220) for attaching the mounting unit (200) to a supporting element, wherein the support surface (204) encloses an angle of inclination, in particular an angle of inclination of 45°, with at least one contact surface (206, 208) and wherein the electronic terminal (100) is arranged on the support surface (204) rotatably about a rotation axis (214), which runs perpendicular to the support surface (204), wherein the bearing unit (200) has at least one pivotable bolt element (250), by means of which the electronic terminal (100) can be locked in its position.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bolt element (250) can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis (252), which is oriented parallel to the support surface (204) and at least one contact surface (206, 208).

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bolt element (250) comprises a further fastening element (112, 114).

4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the bolt element (250) comprises at least two fastening elements (112, 114), which are oriented perpendicularly with respect to each other.

5. Device according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that at least one fastening element (112, 114) is a through-bore.

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the fastening elements (112, 114) embodied as a through-bore is guided through the bolt element (250) and the fastening element (204) in an end position of the bolt element (250) with a common bore axis.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (204) has at least one bearing portion, on which the electronic terminal (100) is rotatably mounted in the arranged state, in particular is rotatably mounted by means of a complementary counter-bearing portion.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt element (250) consists of at least two part-elements, wherein the part-elements can be pivoted about the same pivot axis (252) or can each be pivoted about one of two mutually parallel pivot axes (252).

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt element (250) and / or the mounting body (202) has a lead-through opening (254), in particular the bolt element (250) and / or the mounting body (202) each have a portion of an opening, which portions together form a lead-through opening (254).

10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the bolt element (250) has, on the side facing the support surface (204), a cutout (260) for positively and / or non-positively receiving at least one part-contour of a plug-in connector (120).

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt element (250) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (252) and can be lifted and lowered transversely to the pivot axis (252), in particular can be lifted and lowered in the locking position.

12. Electrical terminal (100) having a mounting unit (200), the electrical terminal (100) comprising a housing (102) having several sides, wherein one side is a front side (106), which is designed as a detection and / or functional side, wherein the mounting unit (200) is a mounting unit (200) according to any of the preceding claims and is attached to the housing (102).

13. Terminal (100) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the terminal is a sensor or a data acquisition device.