Remote diagnosis of vacuum devices

Abstract

A vacuum device comprises a device for generating a set of diagnostic data suitable for analysis at a remote analysis location, a retrieval device by means of which the provision of the set of diagnostic data can be initiated, and a provisioning device configured to provide the set of diagnostic data as a whole for transmission to the remote analysis location. The invention also relates to a method for remote diagnostics of such a vacuum device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum device and a remote diagnosis method for vacuum devices, wherein the vacuum device is a vacuum pump.

[0002] Vacuum devices are used in various areas of technology to create the vacuum required for a particular process.

[0003] Vacuum devices typically have a relatively simple user interface and / or user interface intended for the on-site user, which is only intended for limited data exchange with the user. Such a user interface or user interface usually serves only to retrieve the data necessary for current requirements or normal on-site operation, such as data for the on / off status, speed, error status, or the like.

[0004] In addition, it is often possible to retrieve operating data and / or histories from the vacuum device on a larger scale, either on the same or at least one other interface. For example, there may be an extended mode, a service mode or a developer mode. However, such extended data retrieval options that go beyond normal on-site requirements can generally only be fully utilized with the help of more complex, special electronic and / or programmed readout systems or readout adapters with specially designed PC programs, which are not usually available to the user on-site. The decisive factors here, in addition to security concerns, are the costs involved, the necessary user training, confidentiality imposed by the device manufacturer and, above all, the only sporadic need in the event of a fault.

[0005] It is also already known to display individual error messages on a display that is either integrated into the vacuum device or connected to the vacuum device, but still located on-site. The diagnostic data is usually displayed uncoded and must be queried individually and sequentially. The data is thus acquired step by step in a cumbersome and error-prone human-machine dialogue. The diagnostic data is either read visually from the display and noted, or photographed or filmed so that it can then be discussed with a remote analyst based on the notes or recordings.

[0006] With the vacuum devices commonly used to date, the known procedure presents the problem that the remote analyst is often not provided with all the error messages and diagnostic data required for a proper analysis. Furthermore, there is a risk that the diagnostic data ultimately provided to the analyst may be at least partially corrupted due to reading errors or the like. A vacuum device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from JP 2000 283056 A.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a vacuum pump and a remote diagnostic method that eliminate the aforementioned problems. The aim is to ensure, as simply as possible, that the diagnostic data required for remote diagnosis can be provided completely and unadulterated, even in environments where high data security is required.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vacuum pump having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 6. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the present description and the drawing.

[0009] The vacuum device according to the invention, namely the vacuum pump (hereinafter also referred to as "vacuum device"), comprises a device for generating a set of diagnostic data of the vacuum device suitable for a remote analysis location, a retrieval device by means of which a provision of the set of diagnostic data can be initiated, and a provision device which is designed to provide the set of diagnostic data as a whole for transmission as a whole to the remote analysis location.

[0010] Due to the inventive design, the vacuum device now has the capability of providing all the diagnostic data required for a remote analysis at once, while also ensuring that the diagnostic data is available unadulterated at the remote analysis site. A human on-site as a "procurer" of the data and / or as a "transmitter" of the data to the remote analyst is no longer required. At most, the provision of the diagnostic data can still be initiated by a human on-site. However, specialized knowledge, special equipment, or excessive care are not required for this. Thus, the invention enables reliable, comprehensive fault analysis at the remote analysis site.

[0011] Even if, as defined according to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data is divided into several individual units (i.e., according to the invention in the case of an optically coded display, into several images to be transmitted, or alternatively and not according to the invention in the case of output or transmission, into several partial data streams), this still represents a provision and transmission of all diagnostic data suitable for analysis "at once" or "in one go" or "in one fell swoop" within the meaning of the invention. In particular, even with such a division into several individual units, the provision and transmission of the diagnostic data does not take place in a cumbersome and error-prone "step by step" or in the form of a "human-machine" dialogue as in the prior art.

[0012] In particular, the diagnostic data differs from the operating data of the vacuum device intended for normal on-site operation. For example, the diagnostic data may have a reduced or expanded scope in terms of content and / or data volume compared to the normal operating data, depending on the respective diagnostic purpose. However, this is not mandatory in principle. The diagnostic data may also be identical to the normal operating data.

[0013] The provision of all diagnostic data can be initiated on request, in particular only once, or automatically. For example, it can be provided that the retrieval device only initiates the provision when a corresponding command is given, e.g. by a user pressing a button or by another device using a control parameter. However, the provision can also be triggered automatically, for example every time the vacuum device is switched on. For example, it can be provided that after the vacuum device is switched on, the diagnostic data are shown on a display until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a specific or any button is pressed by the user, or normal operation of the vacuum device begins in some other defined manner.An automatic provision of the diagnostic data can also be triggered by an error or a predefined error condition occurring after switching on or off or during normal operation of the vacuum device, ie in this variant the retrieval device initiates the provision of the diagnostic data automatically when a diagnosis could be required due to an error.

[0014] In general, embodiments are therefore possible according to the invention in which the initiation of the provision of the diagnostic data, i.e. the initial act of starting the diagnosis, is reduced to switching the vacuum device on or off or, so to speak, to waiting for the right moment (e.g. when an error occurs). For example, triggering a command or setting a parameter is then no longer necessary. In particular, embodiments are possible in which no interaction with the vacuum device is necessary at all. The invention can then also be used for vacuum devices which do not have any buttons or other input devices, or which are not accessible due to their installation situation. For example, a vacuum device according to the invention can be used in a contaminated orhermetically protected - and thus not easily accessible - area and nevertheless a transfer of the diagnostic data should be possible without any problems, for example simply by photographing a display of the vacuum device showing the diagnostic data through a glass pane.

[0015] Particularly when the diagnostic data is provided by displaying it on a screen, but also in other cases, it can be provided continuously or alternately – at least for a specified or predeterminable period of time. The diagnostic data can therefore, for example, be displayed continuously until a user stops the display by pressing a button or issuing a control command. Alternatively, the diagnostic data can be displayed alternately with the normal operating data, whereby such alternating display can then be ended once the transmission of the diagnostic data is complete.

[0016] In one embodiment, it may be provided that when an error occurs, the vacuum device "jumps" from a normal display mode to a diagnostic data display mode for a predetermined period of time in order to give the user the opportunity to record the diagnostic data "at the right time" for transmission without further interaction with the vacuum device.

[0017] According to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data can be provided in optically coded and compressed form on a display. According to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data can be provided in such a coded form that the entirety of the diagnostic data can be transmitted to the remote analysis site independently of the local functionalities of the vacuum device intended for normal on-site operation, in particular independently of local character sets.

[0018] In a simple case of a vacuum device not according to the invention, the vacuum device is, for example, already connected to another device of the user via an electronic user interface or user interface, so that the user has the option of receiving an extended data stream with a defined manual readout command, which, for example, not only provides a short response or confirmation to a command, but which provides a data stream with a multiple size (e.g. "stream", "dump") and contains the entirety of the diagnostic data.

[0019] According to one embodiment of a vacuum device not according to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data can thus be output in the form of a data stream. If the user records the extended data stream, obtained, for example, via a user interface connected to another device of the user and connected to the vacuum device, and this data stream is transmitted, for example, electronically, to the remote analysis site via the communication connection, the data stream can be processed at the remote analysis site, if necessary after appropriate decoding and / or decompression.

[0020] For encoding the output diagnostic data, options include Base64 encoding, including a CRC checksum, and / or grouping data using headers or bracketed header and end characters and / or attributes. "Base64" describes a method for encoding 8-bit binary data in a character string consisting only of readable, code-page-independent ASCII characters. Particularly in the context of OpenPGP, a checksum (CR-24) can be appended; this slightly modified method is called Radix-64. However, other encodings are also conceivable.

[0021] According to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data can be provided in optically coded form.

[0022] According to the invention, the provision device comprises a display on which the diagnostic data can be displayed.

[0023] For example, optically coded diagnostic data can be photographed or filmed from the display for transmission to the remote analysis site.

[0024] By filming or photographing the display, the entire volume of diagnostic data can be captured using devices typically available to the user and transmitted to the remote analysis site via a communication link.

[0025] The display intended for displaying the diagnostic data can be integrated into the vacuum device or can be arranged separately from the vacuum device and connected to the vacuum device via a local data connection.

[0026] The display intended for displaying diagnostic data can, for example, also be assigned to multiple vacuum devices. In this case, switching devices can be provided, for example, via which the display can be selectively connected to the various vacuum devices. The respective connection can, in particular, be wired and / or wireless.

[0027] According to the invention, the entirety of the diagnostic data can be displayed sequentially in several images on the display. It is advantageous if the parts of the entirety of the diagnostic data corresponding to the individual images each represent a consistent subset of the entirety of diagnostic data provided for transmission to the remote analysis site. In particular, each part of the entirety of the diagnostic data is coded and / or encrypted and / or compressed. The relevant entirety of diagnostic data can thus be transmitted to the remote analysis site in several successive steps in the form of data parts, e.g., partial data streams or images, via the relevant communication connection.

[0028] Depending on the volume of data and the size of the display, the entire diagnostic data can be divided into more or fewer images, for example, which can be manually photographed or automatically filmed one after the other from the display. Such a display can be triggered, for example, by a corresponding control parameter within a user interface. The display then adjusts accordingly for the duration of the display of the diagnostic data or a subset of data, deviating from the normal function and displaying the corresponding diagnostic data for reading, displaying, and / or outputting.

[0029] In order to keep handling as simple as possible for the user, a design of the vacuum device is conceivable, for example, in which the display automatically returns to the normal operating or user mode after a predefined time, after a single switching of the mains voltage on and off or after any user input such as a keystroke and / or a signal.

[0030] The amount of data provided per display step or per individual unit of diagnostic data is limited, for example, by the number of displayable information units such as pixels, grayscale, colors and / or the like. In the case of optical coding, a high-contrast dark-light bit pattern can be used, which can be reliably encoded using known algorithms. Examples of this include the DataMatrix code and the PDF417 code, which are each an optoelectronically readable 2D code consisting of bars or dots of varying widths and gaps in between with the highest possible contrast. In contrast to one-dimensional barcodes, the data is not only provided in one direction or one-dimensionally, but in the form of a surface over two dimensions.

[0031] The more complex the coding is, or the more the amount of data that can be displayed is multiplied (e.g., by colors per pixel), the greater the demands on the secure and, if possible, falsification-free display, recording, or storage of the image data, and transmission to the remote analysis site. This can be achieved without great effort by the aforementioned multiple, step-by-step display and division of the data into individual images, which can then be securely transmitted to the remote analysis site via the relevant communication connection.

[0032] It is particularly advantageous if the data subsets to be transmitted via the communication connection to the remote analysis site each represent a self-consistent subset of the entirety of diagnostic data to be transmitted. This allows partial handling, e.g. partial viewing, of the data received at the remote analysis site, particularly in the case of piecemeal transmission of the entirety of diagnostic data, not according to the invention, for example, in the form of partial data streams. When dividing the entirety of diagnostic data into data subsets, a compromise must be made between redundancy and transmission reliability on the one hand, and the amount of data in the individual parts on the other.

[0033] To support decoding the diagnostic data transmitted via the communication link, an analysis unit with appropriate image recognition logic is provided at the remote analysis site. A suitable image recognition system can compensate for display errors and distortions caused by the user, and encoded data can be extracted at least largely automatically.

[0034] In conjunction with optical coding, appropriate encryption and / or compression of the data stream is also possible. This can be reversed by appropriately programming the analysis unit provided at the remote analysis site. In particular, optical coding, e.g., in the form of a two-dimensional bar or dot code, ensures maximum system security and data consistency, as no direct data connection to the vacuum device is required for data transmission, and no return channel is available through which a malicious attack could otherwise occur.

[0035] The invention ensures the integrity of a respective vacuum device to a significantly greater extent than with previously known vacuum devices, which must be connected via a cable or radio link to, for example, a data storage device such as a USB stick, an analysis system such as a handheld device or to any user device such as a tablet, mobile phone or PC, since these could per se be compromised in advance and thus pose a threat to the vacuum device.

[0036] Consequently, the invention can also be used by very data and security-sensitive users who are forced to operate systems in a certified secure manner and without external influences.

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for remote diagnosis of a vacuum device according to claim 6. The vacuum device comprises a device for generating a set of diagnostic data of the vacuum device suitable for an analysis to be carried out at a remote analysis location, a retrieval device by means of which a provision of the set of diagnostic data can be initiated, and a provision device which is designed to provide the set of diagnostic data as a whole for transmission as a whole to the remote analysis location as a whole.The method provides for retrieving the diagnostic data from the vacuum device by initiating the provision of the diagnostic data using the retrieval device, whereupon the diagnostic data is provided and transmitted in its entirety to the remote analysis location, analyzing the diagnostic data at the remote analysis location, and making a diagnosis regarding the vacuum device. In particular, the method provides for the diagnostic data to differ in content and / or scope from the operating data of the vacuum device intended for normal on-site operation.

[0038] Furthermore, the method may provide for the provision of the entirety of diagnostic data to be initiated upon request or automatically.

[0039] With regard to these and other possible embodiments of the method, reference is also made to the corresponding above statements on the vacuum pump according to the invention, which also apply analogously to the method according to the invention.

[0040] With the solution according to the invention, data acquisition is now also possible for users who are highly data- or security-sensitive and who are forced to operate systems in a certified secure manner and without external influences.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional vacuum device according to the prior art, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of part of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum device according to the invention, in which the entirety of the diagnostic data can be output in optically coded form and displayed on a display, and Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a vacuum device according to the invention, in which the entirety of the diagnostic data can be output in the form of optically coded data parts and the optically coded data parts can be displayed one after the other on a display.

[0042] Fig. 1shows a schematic representation of a conventional vacuum device 10 in the form of a vacuum pump according to the prior art, which is connected to a power supply 12 and comprises an interface 14 to which a display 16 is connected and to which a service unit 20, here in the form of a portable computer, can be connected via a service adapter 18 for on-site data analysis or for on-site diagnosis of the vacuum device 10.

[0043] In a conventional vacuum device 10 of this type, as explained in the introduction, the diagnostic data is displayed uncoded and must be queried individually and sequentially. The diagnostic data is read on-site by a user, e.g., visually, photographed, or filmed, and then usually must be recorded on a piece of paper or similar device so that it can subsequently be discussed with the remote analyst or transmitted to the analyst based on the notes.

[0044] In practice, this is problematic because the remote analyst does not have all the diagnostic data required for a reasonable error analysis, for example if the on-site user only obtains the diagnostic data incompletely because he is overwhelmed by the situation, e.g. because he is not familiar with data or functionalities of the vacuum device that are not only intended for normal on-site operation or with the procurement of the data required in the respective situation.

[0045] In addition, there is a risk that the diagnostic data presented to the analyst may be at least partially falsified due to reading errors or the like.

[0046] The Fig. 2 and 3 each show, in a schematic partial representation, exemplary embodiments of a vacuum device 22 according to the invention, which is a vacuum pump.

[0047] The vacuum device 22 according to the invention comprises a device for generating a set of diagnostic data of the vacuum device 22, which is suitable for an analysis to be performed at a remote analysis site and is different from the operating data of the vacuum device 22 intended for normal on-site operation. Furthermore, the vacuum device 22 comprises a retrieval device, by means of which provision of the entire set of diagnostic data can be initiated upon a single request, and a provision device configured to provide the entire set of diagnostic data for transmission to the remote analysis site.

[0048] The provision of diagnostic data can be initiated, for example, by a user on site pressing a call button 34 provided on the vacuum device 22, which is integrated here purely by way of example into a series of four control buttons, or by applying a call signal to the vacuum device 22 via an interface, which can be done, for example, via a local system or machine control into which the vacuum device 22 is integrated. The aforementioned button 34 or interface then represents the call device or at least part of the call device of the vacuum device 22 according to the invention.

[0049] Instead of a call button 34, a corresponding call symbol to be actuated by a user can also be provided on a display of the vacuum device 22, which is then designed as a touchscreen.

[0050] The diagnostic data provided by a respective vacuum device 22 according to the invention can be transmitted via a communication connection 24 to the remote analysis location, where they can be evaluated by means of the analysis unit 26 (cf. Fig. 3 ).

[0051] In the Fig. 2 and 3 In the embodiments of the invention shown, the entirety of the diagnostic data is provided in optically coded form, wherein the provision device comprises a display 28 on which the diagnostic data is displayed in the form of a two-dimensional dot code.

[0052] The display 28 can, for example, be integrated into the vacuum device 22 or arranged separately and connected to the vacuum device 22 via a local data connection. For example, the display already provided in the vacuum pump can be used to display the diagnostic data.

[0053] The optically coded diagnostic data shown on the display 28 can be converted into a signal by means of an optoelectronic unit 30 ( Fig. 3 ) from the display 28 and subsequently transmitted via the communication link 24 to the analysis unit 26 provided at the remote analysis site. A conventional camera, such as a digital camera integrated into a mobile phone, can be used as the optoelectronic unit 30. The image or film captured thereby can then be sent to the analysis site in a conventional manner, e.g., simply electronically via the Internet.

[0054] For example, the remote analyst receives one or more images via email, each showing the display 28 of the vacuum device 22 or the coded diagnostic data displayed on the display 28. Encrypted transmission of the image(s) is not necessary, since each image already contains the diagnostic data in coded form, which can thus be encrypted in any desired secure manner.

[0055] The entirety of the diagnostic data is shown consecutively in several images 32 1 - 32 n (cf. Fig. 3 ) can be shown on the display 28. If the totality of the diagnostic data, as in Fig. 3 represented, sequentially displayable in several images 32 1 - 32 n on the display 28, the parts of the totality of the diagnostic data corresponding to the individual images 32 1 - 32 n can each represent a self-consistent subset of the totality of diagnostic data provided for transmission to the remote analysis site.

[0056] Even if the totality of the diagnostic data is distributed over several images ( Fig. 3 ), this still represents a provision and transmission of all diagnostic data suitable for analysis "at once" or "in one go" or "in one fell swoop" within the meaning of the invention. In particular, the provision and transmission of the diagnostic data does not take place in a cumbersome and error-prone "step by step" or in the form of a "human-machine" dialogue as in the prior art.

[0057] The analysis unit 26 provided at the remote analysis location is provided with corresponding decoding and / or decompression means for decoding or decompressing the diagnostic data provided by the vacuum device 22 and transmitted via the communication link 24.

[0058] If the display 28 is assigned to several vacuum devices 22, switching means can be provided via which the display 28 can be selectively connected to the respective desired vacuum device 22.

[0059] If several images 32 1 - 32 n are to be displayed consecutively on the display 28 and the individual images 32 1 - 32 n are to be photographed manually or filmed automatically one after the other, for example, a corresponding control parameter of a user interface or user interface can be used to trigger a corresponding consecutive display of the individual images 32 1 - 32 n and then to switch back to a normal playback function.

[0060] For example, an embodiment is conceivable in which the display 28 automatically returns to the simple user or normal operating mode after a predeterminable time, after a single switching off and on of the mains voltage or after any user input such as a keystroke or the like.

[0061] With the vacuum device 22 according to the invention, all diagnostic data required for a remote analysis can now be provided at once, particularly on a one-time request, and displayed, for example, on a display or output as a data stream. This also ensures, in particular, that the diagnostic data is available at the remote analysis site in its entirety and without corruption. Thus, reliable, comprehensive error analysis and device diagnostics are possible at the remote analysis site. No special knowledge or equipment on-site is required for this. The invention is also of particular interest to highly data- and security-sensitive users. List of reference symbols

[0062] 10Vacuum device 12Power supply 14Interface 16Display 18Service adapter 20Service unit 22Vacuum device 24Communication connection 26Analysis unit 28Display 30Optoelectronic unit 32Image 32 1 - 32 n Image 34Recall button

Claims

1. A vacuum pump comprising a device for generating a totality of diagnostic data of the vacuum pump (22) suitable for an analysis to be performed at a remote analysis location; a retrieval device by means of which a provision of the totality of diagnostic data can be initiated on request; and a provision device which is configured to provide, as a totality, the totality of diagnostic data for transmission as a totality to the remote analysis location, wherein the provision device comprises a display (28) on which the diagnostic data can be displayed, wherein the display (28) is integrated into the vacuum pump (22) or is arranged offset from the vacuum pump (22) and is connected via a local data link to the vacuum pump (22), characterized in that the totality of the diagnostic data can be provided in an optically coded and compressed form on the display (28), wherein the totality of the diagnostic data can be provided in such a coded form that the totality of the diagnostic data can be acquired independently of local functionalities of the vacuum pump (22), which are provided for the normal operation on site, and can be transmitted to the remote analysis location via a communication link (24) which does not have a direct wired or radio-based data link to the vacuum pump (22), and wherein the totality of the diagnostic data can be consecutively displayed in a plurality of images (321 - 32n) on a display (28) of the vacuum pump (22), wherein in particular the portions of the totality of the diagnostic data which correspond to the individual images (321 - 32n) each represent a self-consistent subset of the totality of diagnostic data provided for the transmission to the remote analysis location.

2. A vacuum pump (22) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diagnostic data differ in content and / or with respect to the scope from operating data of the vacuum pump (22) provided for the normal operation on site.

3. A vacuum pump (22) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provision of the totality of diagnostic data can be initiated on request or automatically.

4. A vacuum pump (22) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provision device comprises storage means for buffering the provided diagnostic data to be transmitted to the remote analysis location.

5. A vacuum pump (22) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retrieval device comprises an actuation device (34), which is to be manually actuated by a user, at the vacuum device (22) and / or at at least one part of an interface of the vacuum pump (22) which can be controlled or acted on by means of an external device.

6. A method of remotely diagnosing a vacuum pump (22), wherein the vacuum pump (22) comprises: - a device for generating a totality of diagnostic data of the vacuum pump (22) suitable for an analysis to be performed at a remote analysis location; - a retrieval device by means of which a provision of the totality of diagnostic data can be initiated; and - a provision device which is configured to provide, as a totality, the totality of diagnostic data for transmission as a totality to the remote analysis location and which comprises a display (28) on which the diagnostic data are displayed, wherein the display (28) is integrated into the vacuum pump (22) or is arranged offset from the vacuum pump (22) and is connected via a local data link to the vacuum pump (22), wherein, in the method, - the diagnostic data are retrieved from the vacuum pump (22) by initiating the provision of the diagnostic data by means of the retrieval device, whereupon - the totality of the diagnostic data is provided in an optically coded and compressed form on the display (28), - the totality of the diagnostic data is provided in such a coded form that the totality of the diagnostic data can be acquired independently of local functionalities of the vacuum pump (22), which are provided for the normal operation on site, and can be transmitted to the remote analysis location, wherein the totality of the diagnostic data is consecutively displayed in a plurality of images (321 - 32n) on a display (28) of the vacuum pump (22), wherein in particular the portions of the totality of the diagnostic data which correspond to the individual images (321 - 32n) each represent a self-consistent subset of the totality of diagnostic data provided for the transmission to the remote analysis location, - the totality of the diagnostic data is acquired by means of an optoelectronic unit (30) and is transmitted to an analysis unit (26) provided at the remote analysis location via a communication link (24) which does not have a direct wired or radio-based data link to the vacuum pump (22), - the diagnostic data are analyzed at the remote analysis location, and - a diagnosis relating to the vacuum pump (22) is made.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the diagnostic data differ in content and / or with respect to the scope from operating data of the vacuum pump (22) provided for the normal operation on site.

8. A method according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the provision of the totality of diagnostic data is initiated on request or automatically.

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