Automation field device

Abstract

The invention relates to an automation field device (1), comprising: - a field device housing (1.1) which comprises an interior (1.3); - an operating and / or display element (2) having a preferably round, rectangular or square image surface (2.1); - a mechanically actuatable apparatus (3) which is designed to mechanically predetermine an intended orientation of an image to be displayed on the image surface (2.1) of the operating and / or display element (2), preferably also in a de-energised state of the field device; and - an electronic circuit (4) which is arranged in the interior (1.3) and is designed to detect an orientation of the image predetermined by the mechanically actuatable apparatus (3) and also to control the operating and / or display element (2) such that the image is displayed on the image surface (2.1) in accordance with the mechanically predetermined orientation, preferably in an energised state of the field device.

Description

[0001] Field device in automation technology

[0002] The invention relates to a field device in automation technology and a method for operating such a field device in automation technology.

[0003] In process and factory automation technology, field devices are often used to record and / or influence process variables. Sensors such as level gauges, flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, pH / redox potential meters, conductivity meters, etc., are used to record process variables, measuring the corresponding process variables: level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value, or conductivity. Actuators such as valves or pumps are used to influence process variables; they can be used to change the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the level in a container.

[0004] Field devices are essentially all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process-relevant information. In addition to the sensors and actuators mentioned above, field devices also generally include units that are directly connected to a fieldbus and used for communication with higher-level units, such as remote I / Os, gateways, linking devices, and wireless adapters.

[0005] A large number of such field devices are manufactured and distributed by the Endress + Hauser Group.

[0006] In order to, for example, make settings on the field device and / or retrieve current measured values, such field devices have an operating and / or display element. These must be aligned depending on the installation position of the field device. In some situations, it is necessary for the alignment to be carried out mechanically or while the field device is (still) de-energized. Therefore, the operating and / or display elements are nowadays implemented on a separate circuit board or printed circuit board, which in turn are electrically connected to the field device electronics implemented on at least one other circuit board. The electrical connection between the circuit board with the operating and / or display element and the field device electronics is usually made via a connector, a cable, a sliding contact, or similar.

[0007] The disadvantage of this design is that at least two circuit boards must be used, and the circuit boards must be electrically connected to each other using appropriate interconnection technology. Both of these factors lead to relatively high costs in the production of the field device.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a simple and, in particular, cost-effective variant by means of which an alignment of the operating and / or display element is possible.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by the field device of automation technology according to patent claim 1 and the method according to patent claim 10.

[0010] The field device of automation technology according to the invention comprises:

[0011] - a field device housing comprising an interior space;

[0012] - a control and / or display element with a preferably round, rectangular or square display area;

[0013] - a mechanically operable device which is designed to mechanically predetermine an intended orientation of an image to be displayed on the screen of the operating and / or display element, preferably also in a de-energised state of the field device;

[0014] - an electronic circuit arranged in the interior space, which is designed to detect an orientation of the image predetermined by the mechanically actuatable device and further to control the operating and / or display element in such a way that the image is displayed on the screen in accordance with the mechanically predetermined orientation, preferably in a non-de-energized state of the field device.

[0015] According to the invention, a field device of automation technology is proposed in which a digital rotation of the image surface in the actual operating state of the field device is possible by means of a mechanically actuated device, such as a cover cap, based on the orientation of the image surface predetermined by the mechanically actuated device, which actuation can in particular also take place in a power-free state.

[0016] The de-energized state refers to the state in which the field device is not powered by an external source, such as a power supply.

[0017] Power is supplied via a transmitter power supply or a 4-20 mA two-wire cable. This state typically occurs during commissioning of the field device, when the field device is mounted at the desired measuring point and, if necessary, electrically connected, but no external power supply is yet available at this time. The de-energized state can also include, for example, a switched-off state of the field device, in which the field device has been fully commissioned but is not currently switched on.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention for automation technology can provide that the mechanically actuatable device is designed in such a way that it enables a plurality of different, preferably discrete, particularly preferably at least two, particularly preferably four, very particularly preferably exactly four, mechanically adjustable setting positions, wherein each setting position corresponds to a specific intended orientation of the image on the display surface of the operating and / or display element.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention for automation technology can provide that the mechanically actuated device comprises a cover cap which is designed in such a way that it can be attached, in particular plugged, over at least part of the electronic circuit and further comprises a preferably round, rectangular or square opening which is designed in such a way that the opening can accommodate at least the part of the operating and / or display element with the image surface and wherein the mechanically actuated device is further designed such that by attaching the cover cap over at least part of the electronic circuit in different attachment positions, the intended mechanically predetermined alignment of the image on the image surface of the operating and / or display element can be carried out.In particular, the embodiment can provide that the field device further comprises an electronics cup with a cup opening, which is arranged in the interior of the field device, wherein the electronic circuit and the operating and / or display element are at least partially introduced into the electronics cup and the operating and / or display element is arranged in the electronics cup in such a way that the image surface faces the cup opening, wherein the cover cap is designed in such a way that it can be attached, in particular plugged on or attached, in particular plugged on, to an edge of the electronics cup forming the cup opening.

[0020] An alternative embodiment of the field device according to the invention in automation technology can provide that the mechanically actuatable device comprises a potentiometer, a mechanical selector switch, a joystick, or the like.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention in automation technology can provide that the image surface of the operating and / or display element is at least partially touch-sensitive.

[0022] A further advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention in automation technology can provide that the field device further comprises a sensor and / or actuator element for detecting and / or adjusting at least one process variable, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to operate the sensor and / or actuator element. In particular, the embodiment can provide that the electronic circuit comprises no more than two, preferably exactly one, circuit boards both for operating the sensor and / or actuator element and for controlling the operating and / or display element.

[0023] A further advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention in automation technology can provide that the electronic circuit is configured to detect the orientation of the image specified by the mechanically actuatable device capacitively or electromechanically, in particular by means of a switch, a push-button, a short-circuit bridge or the like.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method for operating a field device of automation technology according to one of the previously described embodiments, comprising the following steps:

[0025] - actuation of the mechanically actuatable device by an operator in such a way that the operator mechanically specifies an intended orientation of the image to be displayed;

[0026] - Switching on the field device so that the electronic circuit is in a non-de-energized state;

[0027] - Detection of the orientation of the image specified by the mechanically actuated device by the electronic circuit;

[0028] - Displaying the image on the screen of the operating and / or display element in accordance with the orientation of the image specified by the mechanically actuated device.

[0029] An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention can provide that the actuation of the mechanically actuatable device takes place in a currentless state of the field device, in which the field device is not connected to a current or voltage source, in particular a transmitter power supply unit.

[0030] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention can provide that, after the operator has actuated the mechanically actuated device, the field device is connected to a current or voltage source. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0031] It shows:

[0032] Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of a field device in automation technology, and

[0033] Fig. 2: a device designed according to the invention which can be mechanically actuated in the currentless state of the field device for specifying an orientation of a display area of ​​the operating and / or display element.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a typical design of a field device in automation technology 1. The field device has a housing 2 enclosing an interior space 3. Typically, the housing comprises a housing cover 1.2, which is attached to or on a housing base 1.4, e.g., by screwing. The field device 1 further comprises a sensor and / or actuator element 5 arranged on the housing 1.1 for setting and / or detecting a process variable, as well as an electronic circuit 4 incorporated in the interior space 1.3, which is designed to operate the sensor and / or actuator element 5.

[0035] In order to enable operation / parameterization of the field device and / or to display information, e.g., relating to the process variable to be recorded or set, the field device 1 has an operating and / or display element 2. The operating and / or display element 2 can, as sketched in Fig. 1, be embedded in a housing wall of the field device, preferably in the housing cover 1.2 of the field device. Alternatively, the operating and / or display element 2 can also be attached to an outer side of the housing wall. The operating and / or display element 2 has a square display area for displaying the information in the form of an image. Alternatively, the display area can also be round. The display area 2.1 of the operating and / or display element 2 can be touch-sensitive, at least in part. The electronic circuit 4 is further configured to have an display area 2.1 of the control and / or display element 2 so that the desired information is displayed on the screen. This means that the electronic circuit can be configured to operate both the sensor and / or actuator element and the control and / or display element. The electronic circuit is preferably designed such that it consists of exactly one printed circuit board equipped with corresponding components, which also includes the control and / or display element, so that two printed circuit boards do not have to be used, as is common in the prior art.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a device designed according to the invention that can be mechanically actuated when the field device is de-energized for specifying an orientation of a display surface of the control and / or display element. In order to mechanically adjust the intended orientation of the image to be displayed on the display surface of the control and / or display element, the mechanically actuated device is designed in such a way that it allows for a multitude of different, discrete, mechanically adjustable positions. This can be implemented in various ways.

[0037] In the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the mechanically actuated device comprises a mechanically coded round cover cap or display panel and an electronics housing. The electronics housing serves to accommodate the electronic circuit and / or the operating and / or display element and is inserted into the interior of the field device housing. The operating and / or display element is oriented in the electronics housing such that the display surface 2.1 of the operating and / or display element faces the housing opening 6.1. The cover cap is designed such that it can be plugged onto a housing opening of the electronics housing. Alternatively, the mechanically actuated device can also be designed in the form of a mechanically actuated potentiometer, a mechanically actuated selector switch, a mechanically actuated joystick, or the like.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the mechanically actuated device 3 is designed such that it enables four discrete, mechanically adjustable setting positions. For this purpose, the cover cap is designed such that it can be rotated in 90° increments and can be attached, in particular plugged, to the opening of the electronics cup at the corresponding setting positions (0°, 90°, 180°; 270°). The cover cap is thus rotated about a rotation axis of the screen. Each of the mechanically adjustable setting positions indicates a specifically intended orientation of the image on the screen. The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 shows four discrete, mechanically adjustable setting positions. However, the invention is fundamentally also transferable to any other number of different, discrete, mechanically adjustable setting positions.

[0039] The cover cap can be coded to detect the respective setting position. For example, it can have a coding element, e.g. in the form of a lug or similar, on a side oriented towards the opening (underside). This coding element can be detected electromechanically at the respective setting position, e.g. by an electrical switch, button, or even a short-circuit bridge caused by the lug. Alternatively, the lug can be detected by a capacitive evaluation unit, in which the presence of the lug is detected capacitively. The rotation of the cover cap preferably occurs when the field device is de-energized. For example, during installation / commissioning of the field device at the desired measuring point, e.g., on / at a tank.

[0040] Furthermore, the cover cap comprises a square opening corresponding to the geometric design of the display surface of the operating and / or display element 2, which serves to accommodate the display surface when plugged in. This means that the opening is dimensioned such that it does not cover at least the part of the operating and / or display element 2 with the display surface 2.1 when the cover cap is arranged on the opening of the electronics housing. In the case that the operating and / or display element has a round display surface, the cover cap naturally also has a round opening.

[0041] To attach the cover cap to the opening of the electronics housing, the cover cap 3.1 can be designed such that it can be attached to an edge of the electronics housing 6.2 forming the housing opening 6.1. This can be achieved, for example, by a correspondingly designed locking mechanism in which the cover cap engages with an external, inward-facing bead into a circumferential, outward-facing groove of the electronics housing.

[0042] A field device designed according to the invention with a mechanically operable device for specifying the orientation of a display surface of the control and / or display element makes it possible to specify the orientation of the image on the display surface when the field device is de-energized before the actual device start-up (de-energized state). Upon device start-up, i.e., when the field device is supplied with power, the mechanically specified orientation of the image is detected, and the image to be displayed on the display surface is aligned or rotated accordingly.

[0043] List of reference symbols Field device Field device housing Cover of the field device housing Interior of the field device Operating and / or display element Display area Mechanically actuated device Cover cap Opening of the cover cap Setting position Electronic circuit Printed circuit board of the electronic circuit Switch, push-button, short-circuit bridge, etc. Sensor and / or actuator element Electronics cup Cup opening Edge of the electronics cup

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Field device of automation technology (1 ) comprising: - a field device housing (1.1) comprising an interior space (1.3); - an operating and / or display element (2) with a preferably round, rectangular or square display area (2.1); - a mechanically actuatable device (3) which is designed to mechanically predetermine an intended orientation of an image to be displayed on the display surface (2.1) of the operating and / or display element (2), preferably also in a de-energised state of the field device; - an electronic circuit (4) arranged in the interior (1.3) which is designed to detect an orientation of the image predetermined by the mechanically actuatable device (3) and further to control the operating and / or display element (2) in such a way that the image is displayed on the display surface (2.1) in accordance with the mechanically predetermined orientation, preferably in a non-de-energized state of the field device.

2. Field device of automation technology according to claim 1, wherein the mechanically actuatable device (3) is designed in such a way that it enables a plurality of different, preferably discrete, particularly preferably at least two, particularly preferably four, very particularly preferably exactly four, mechanically adjustable setting positions (3.3), wherein each setting position (3.3) corresponds to a specific intended orientation of the image on the display surface (2.1) of the operating and / or display element (2).

3. Field device of automation technology according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanically actuated device (3) comprises a cover cap (3.1) which is designed such that it can be attached, in particular plugged on, over at least part of the electronic circuit (4) and further comprises a preferably round, rectangular or square opening (3.2) which is designed such that the opening (3.2) covers at least part of the operating and / or display element (2) with the image surface (2.1 ) and wherein the mechanically actuable device (3) is further designed such that by attaching the cover cap (3.1 ) over at least part of the electronic circuit (4) in different attachment positions, the intended, mechanically predetermined alignment of the image on the image surface (2.1 ) of the operating and / or display element (2) can be carried out.

4. Field device of automation technology according to the preceding claim, further comprising an electronics cup (6) with a cup opening (6.1), which is arranged in the interior (1.3) of the field device (1), wherein the electronic circuit (4) and the operating and / or display element (2) are at least partially introduced into the electronics cup (6) and the operating and / or display element (2) is arranged in the electronics cup (6) in such a way that the display surface (2.1) faces the cup opening (6.1), wherein the cover cap (3.1) is designed in such a way that it can be attached, in particular plugged on, or attached, in particular plugged on, to an edge of the electronics cup (6.2) forming the cup opening (6.1).

5. Field device of automation technology according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mechanically actuatable device (3) comprises a potentiometer, a mechanical selector switch, a joystick, or the like.

6. Field device of automation technology according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the image surface (2.1) of the operating and / or display element (2) is at least partially touch-sensitive.

7. Field device of automation technology according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor and / or actuator element (5) for detecting and / or setting at least one process variable, wherein the electronic circuit (4) is further configured to operate the sensor and / or actuator element (5).

8. Field device of automation technology according to the preceding claim, wherein the electronic circuit (4) comprises no more than two, preferably exactly one, printed circuit board (4.1) both for operating the sensor and / or actuator element and for controlling the operating and / or display element.

9. Field device of automation technology according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit (4) is configured to detect the orientation of the image predetermined by the mechanically actuatable device capacitively or electromechanically, in particular by means of a switch, a push-button, a short-circuit bridge or the like.

10. A method for operating a field device of automation technology according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: - actuation of the mechanically actuatable device (3) by an operator in such a way that the operator mechanically specifies an intended orientation of the image to be displayed; - switching on the field device (1 ) so that the electronic circuit (4) is in a non-de-energized state; - detection of the orientation of the image specified by the mechanically actuated device (3) by the electronic circuit (4); - Displaying the image on the screen (2.1) of the operating and / or display element (2) according to the orientation of the image specified by the mechanically actuated device (3).

11. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuation of the mechanically actuatable device (3) takes place in a currentless state of the field device (1), in which the field device (1) is not connected to a current or voltage source, in particular a measuring transducer power supply.

12. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein after the operator has actuated the mechanically actuated device (3), the field device (1) is connected to a current or voltage source.

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