Signaling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a flat signaling device, in particular for inspection machines, which is equipped with a flat, preferably all-around circumferential display area for outputting light signals to a user.

Description

[0001] Signaling device

[0002] The present invention relates to a signaling device, in particular for displaying operating states of inspection machines.

[0003] In the industrial operation of machines, a clear and immediate exchange of information between the machine and the operator is often required in order to be able to easily identify the operating status of a machine, even from a great distance, and to react quickly if necessary.

[0004] So-called traffic lights are known from the state of the art for this purpose. These are designed, for example, as cylindrical light columns with controllable lamps and are arranged on top of a control cabinet or other machine housing (hereinafter referred to simply as the "control cabinet"). They can, for example, emit a green, yellow or red light as a signal, from which the operator can draw conclusions about the operating status of the machine. Such traffic lights are relatively tall compared to their diameter because they are intended to be visible from a distance. A traffic light of this type, arranged approximately centrally on top of a control cabinet, must have a certain minimum height simply to be seen over the top edge of the control cabinet by the operator standing directly next to the control cabinet.This also applies to a traffic light that is, for example, only located at one corner of the control cabinet, which is then very easy to see from one side, but the lower its height, the more difficult it is to see from the opposite side.

[0005] However, the comparatively tall design of the traffic lights proves to be disadvantageous when transporting the machine housing or the control cabinet, as the traffic light protrudes relatively unprotected and exposed from the housing and must be additionally secured against damage. The additional transport space required vertically above the control cabinet, especially during air transport, is also expensive. Finally, the number of different possible signals is limited with known traffic lights. The object of the present invention was therefore to create a signaling device that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by a signaling device according to claim 1 and an inspection machine according to claim 8. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0006] The invention is based on the discovery that it is possible to create a particularly clearly visible signaling device with a low overall height on a control cabinet by means of a narrow display surface that preferably completely surrounds the interior of the signaling device, wherein the display surface is preferably flush with the side surfaces of the control cabinet, i.e. is located vertically above the side surfaces of the control cabinet. Signals generated by a light source inside the signaling device are emitted outwards, particularly in a horizontal direction, through the translucent display surface. Such a design protrudes only slightly above the actual control cabinet in a space-saving manner. Nevertheless, the signals are preferably very clearly visible from all sides, since the control cabinet cannot obscure the view of the signaling device.

[0007] In the simplest embodiment, the signaling device is designed as follows:

[0008] The signaling device extends with an outer device length in a first horizontal X-direction and with an outer device width in a second horizontal Y-direction orthogonal thereto. A "horizontal direction" within the meaning of the present application thus runs in a horizontal plane spanned by the two directions X and Y.

[0009] In addition, the signaling device extends upwards with a device height in a height direction Z that is orthogonal to the XY plane. When viewed from above against the Z direction, the signaling device can have various outer contours along its outer dimensions, for example the contour of a circle, square, rectangle, a regular or irregular polygon, or a combination of several such shapes. Preferably, the signaling device has a rectangular outer contour when viewed in the height direction Z. The signaling device is delimited in the horizontal direction by several side surfaces that are adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction (in the special case of a partially curved, oval, or completely circular outer contour, the several side surfaces could be understood as a multitude of individual side surfaces that merge seamlessly into one another). The side surfaces are preferably flat surfaces.Alternatively, they can also be partially or completely convex, concave, or designed in another form in a vertical section. Furthermore, the side surfaces preferably extend parallel to the vertical direction Z (a signaling device with a rectangular outer contour would therefore, for example, have four circumferential, vertical side surfaces). Each side surface has a corresponding side length in the horizontal direction.

[0010] At least one light source that can be controlled to emit light signals is arranged inside the signaling device. Furthermore, a translucent display surface running in the vertical direction Z is provided, which is part of at least one side surface and through which the light emitted by the at least one light source is emitted outwards as a signal. (“Running in the vertical direction Z” in this context means that the display surface has a certain vertical height in the Z direction. Nevertheless, it extends essentially horizontally.) The display surface is preferably partially or completely flat. Since it forms at least partially a side surface, the above statements regarding the shape of the side surface also apply analogously to the display surface.

[0011] According to the invention, the signaling device is designed to be flat. Therefore, the device length and / or width is at least four times, preferably ten times, and most preferably twenty times the device height. The signaling device thus extends essentially horizontally and only slightly vertically.

[0012] The display surface runs around the interior of the signaling device as a narrow band as seen in the height direction Z, with the display surface extending on at least two side surfaces over at least 80%, preferably 100%, of the respective side length in the horizontal direction. The visibility of a signal output on multiple sides in this way is significantly improved compared to signaling on just one side. Preferably, the display surface extends over at least three side surfaces, each covering at least 80% of the respective side length. This further improves the visibility of a signal and is sufficient, for example, for arranging the signaling device on a wall which already covers a fourth side surface of the signaling device. Most preferably, however, the display surface extends on all sides around the interior of the signaling device over at least 80%, preferably 100% of the respective side length in the horizontal direction.This ensures that signals emitted by the light source emerge laterally through the display surface on all side surfaces of the signaling device as a halo of light and are therefore optimally perceptible from all locations of an operator.

[0013] If the horizontal length of the display surface is less than 100% of the respective side surface length, then a light signal emitted by the light source cannot be seen across the entire length of this side surface, since the light signal can only emerge through the shortened display surface. Such a design can be used to deliberately interrupt an otherwise continuous display surface over, for example, 20% of the side length, or to make it light-tight, or to create a material bridge not intended for signal output, which, for example, connects a top side of the signaling device to a bottom side mechanically or for design reasons (see below).

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, however, the display surface extends over at least one side surface over its entire length, i.e. 100%. On this side of the signaling device, a signal emitted outwards through the display surface by the light source is then visible over the entire side length. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that this design applies to all side surfaces of the signaling device, so that the display surface extends seamlessly and completely around the interior of the signaling device, so to speak, as a closed band. This embodiment advantageously ensures that a light signal can emerge outwards through the display surface on all visible sides (and not, for example, obscured by a wall anyway) and in every horizontal direction, and can accordingly also be seen by an operator from every such direction outside the signaling device.In a simple embodiment, which can be integrated into a control cabinet, for example, the display surface corresponds to the side surfaces of the signaling device. In this case, the height of the entire signaling device essentially results from the height of the display surface. In another embodiment, the upper and lower parts of a signaling device housing can be arranged above and / or below the display surface, whereby both parts can in turn form part of a side surface.

[0015] Preferably, a light-guiding material is provided horizontally between the light source arranged inside the signaling device and the display surface. The light-guiding material serves to guide the light emitted by the light source to the inside of the display surface. The light can thus be evenly distributed across the display surface and / or its physical properties can be modified before it passes through the display surface to the outside. At the same time, the light-guiding material can serve as a stabilizing structural substance for the signaling device, for example, to attach an upper or lower part of a signaling device housing to it. A solid, flat Plexiglas block, for example, can serve as the light-guiding material.

[0016] The display surface can be arranged at a distance from the light-guiding material or form its outer surface. In addition, a light diffuser can be arranged between the light source and the light-guiding material and / or between the light-guiding material and the display surface in order to introduce the light from the light source evenly into the light-guiding material and / or to distribute it over the display surface. The light diffuser can expediently completely encircle the light source in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, it can be designed to change or adjust the physical properties of the light (wavelength, luminosity, etc.). The light-guiding material and / or the light diffuser can serve to adjust the light emitted by the light source so that, after passing through the display surface, it is as clearly visible as possible or is distributed as evenly as possible over part of the display surface or the entire display surface.Additionally or alternatively, the display surface itself can be designed as such a diffuser or contain one. For example, an inner or outer surface of the display surface could be partially or completely frosted. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light source comprises a horizontal arrangement of several light sources, preferably LEDs, formed around a center. Expediently, at least one such light source is arranged and designed to radiate its light outwards through the display surface on at least one side surface of the signaling device. This is desirable when different signals are to be output successively or simultaneously on different sides or along different sections of the display surface.It may then be expedient to assign specific light sources to specific sections of the display surface, which then preferably only illuminate the selected sections of the display surface from the inside. In order to make the output signal as diverse as possible and to be able to output it selectively across specific areas of the display surface, the individual light sources can preferably be controlled independently of one another, simultaneously or sequentially, to emit light, preferably in a selectable light color. It is also conceivable to equip the light source with several horizontal arrangements of light sources, in particular LEDs, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction. In this way, different signals can be output one above the other within the overall height of the display surface. This enables the output of more complex information, for example in the form of letters or other characters, special characters, geometric symbols, etc.The LEDs of different horizontal LED arrays can differ in their physical properties (e.g. wavelength, luminosity, etc.).

[0017] Preferably, the plurality of illuminants can be controlled individually or in groups, in particular depending on an operating state of an inspection machine, such that light signals appear on the outside of the display surface as follows: with exactly one predeterminable light color simultaneously on the entire display surface, or simultaneously or sequentially in the same or different colors on the entire display surface or only one or more predeterminable sections thereof as a single- or multi-colored running light circulating around the signaling device (for example, such a running light could be used to visualize the working speed of a machine coupled to the signaling device, wherein the working speed is represented by the speed of the running light).

[0018] Preferably, the signaling device can also be designed as follows: with an emergency light function, so that an emergency light (preferably battery-supported) serving as emergency lighting is emitted through the display surface, for example in the event of a power failure on one or more machines, as a work light which emits light with a predetermined wavelength, in particular depending on the time of day, for example in order to best correspond to an operator's biorhythm and to emit suitable light in this regard, in particular during a night shift, as an advertising light, for example in order to emit the colors of a manufacturer or company logo or the logo itself, in particular when a machine coupled to the signaling device is at a standstill.

[0019] Preferably, a controller is provided that controls the light source to output the above-described light signals. The controller can also be part of the control system of the machine equipped with the signaling device according to the invention. Preferably, the controller can be freely configured by the user and / or the manufacturer to output suitable signals.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the signaling device is expediently enclosed in the vertical direction by a housing which has an upper part and a lower part and preferably has the same horizontal dimensions or, when viewed in the vertical direction Z, the same outer contour as the signaling device itself. The housing can then also be understood as part of the signaling device expanded in this respect, whereby the housing should not be included in the device height. Expediently, the signaling device with its display surface is enclosed between the upper part and lower part in such a way that the outward-facing side surfaces of the housing are flush with the display surface or with the side surfaces of the signaling device. The upper part and / or the lower part can be designed to be light-tight, so that the signals emerge from the signaling device essentially in a horizontal direction.Alternatively, the upper part in particular can also be designed to be partially or completely translucent in order to be able to emit light signals from the light source upwards from the signaling device, for example to the roof of a factory hall.

[0021] According to the invention, the signaling device is intended to be combined with an inspection machine. This can include, in particular, scales, X-ray devices, metal detectors, or other detectors. In principle, the signaling device is also suitable for other machines or their control cabinets to indicate processing statuses, warning signals, or other visual indications as described above.

[0022] A combination of the signaling device with an inspection machine according to the invention provides that the inspection machine has a control cabinet or machine housing (hereinafter referred to simply as "machine housing"), which extends at an upper end with an outer housing length in the X direction and with an outer housing width in the Y direction (Y). Analogous to the signaling device, the housing is bounded horizontally by several side surfaces that are adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction, each with a corresponding horizontal side length.

[0023] Preferably, at least one outer width and / or at least one outer length of the signaling device and the machine housing or their profiles coincide when viewed in the vertical direction Z. Then, the signaling device is connected to the machine housing such that at least one, preferably all, side surfaces of the signaling device and the machine housing that coincide in terms of their length lie flush one above the other in the vertical direction.

[0024] This arrangement ensures that the signaling device sits on the machine housing with the same horizontal extension as the latter, so that the respective side surfaces of the signaling device and the machine housing are aligned with one another or even - if both components sit on top of one another without an external gap - are flush with one another. The machine housing then cannot obscure the signaling device from any perspective, and the signaling device is clearly visible from all sides. The signaling device is expediently connected to the control system of the inspection machine in order to receive commands from this control system for emitting light signals. The signaling device can also be connected - for example via a bus system - to a higher-level control system, which in turn is connected to the associated inspection machine for signal exchange.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the machine housing has an opening on its top side as a cable feedthrough or a connection for electrical connectors. Via these connectors, the signaling device can be easily connected directly to a control system of the inspection machine. The connection is particularly simple, implemented as a plug-in connection, allowing the signaling device to be electrically coupled to a control system of the inspection machine particularly easily and in a modular design.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the signaling device is arranged on the essentially rectangular belt body of a scale. The signaling device as such corresponds to an embodiment already described above. For example, the arrangement can be provided such that the display surface of the signaling device extends horizontally over at least two, preferably all four sides of the belt body. In this case, the signaling device is preferably designed to display operating states of the belt body and / or properties of a product being transported on the belt body, in particular a product being weighed. For example, the signaling device could simulate the movement of the product on the belt body by means of running lights indicated on the display surface. The speed of the running light indicated on the display surface preferably corresponds to the transport speed of the product.Alternatively or additionally, the signaling device can indicate, depending on a weighing result, through appropriate optical product tracking in the process line, for example using single- or multi-color signals on the display surface, whether the respective product lies within or outside specified weight tolerances. According to the invention, the signaling device can be used flexibly and, instead of with a control cabinet or weighing belt, can also be combined with other machines and devices, in particular along a production line, to serve as an operating indicator, emergency light, warning indicator, etc. The signaling device according to the invention is preferably positioned above or on such a component in order to ensure that a signal is visible from as many sides as possible. For example, the signaling device could also be arranged above a collecting container in order to indicate its fill level.Other, preferably cuboid-shaped components of a machine or production line can also have a signaling device according to the invention, for example containers, protective covers, enclosures or protective devices, covers, flaps, etc.

[0027] An operator terminal or display is also a suitable option. In this case, the flat signaling device could be connected to the terminal in an inclined or vertical orientation, allowing a signal to be output adjacent to the correspondingly oriented terminal or display on all sides.

[0028] It is also conceivable to use a signaling device according to the invention to display operating states along a scale visually represented on the display surface. For example, a conveyor belt's conveying speed could be displayed in the form of a dynamic bar on the display surface, with the maximum speed being represented, for example, by an area extending across the entire page width or a color-coded area, which the dynamic bar would fill or cover more or less, and preferably in a different color, depending on the current value. A current operating parameter or measured value occurring in or recorded by a machine, or an operation-relevant information (conveying speed, fill level, weight, pressure, temperature, maintenance interval, zeroing interval, etc.)) could also be displayed as a color-highlighted, dynamically moving narrow light strip on the display surface along a simultaneously displayed, possibly differently colored scale, on which minimum and maximum values ​​could also be visualized by corresponding light strips. All of these optical representations are generated with the aid of the appropriately controlled light source, which for this purpose preferably contains several separately controllable light sources, in particular LEDs. A production line can have several machines for processing a product conveyed along the production line. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least two of these machines can be equipped with a signaling device according to the invention.Several machines arranged one behind the other along a production line, each with a signaling device according to the invention, advantageously offer the possibility of visually displaying the movements and / or processing steps or inspection results of a product along the production line via the display surface of the respective signaling device. This allows operators positioned remotely from the machine to quickly and reliably identify the current processing step or an inspection result. An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below using an example figure. For this purpose, FIG.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a signaling device according to the invention on a control cabinet,

[0030] Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of Figure 1 , and

[0031] Figure 3 shows another perspective view of an opened signaling device.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the upper section of a control cabinet, which can also be referred to as a machine housing GM in this description. The machine housing GM of an inspection machine M extends with a housing length XGM in a horizontal X-direction and with a housing width YGM in a horizontal Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction. A height direction Z runs orthogonally to both X and Y directions and vertically upwards.

[0033] In the horizontal direction X, Y, the machine housing GM is delimited by several adjacent side surfaces FG that run around the housing GM. Each of these side surfaces FG of the housing GM is flat and has a respective horizontal length LFG. Adjacent to a large rear side (not labeled in the figures and hidden from view) are two significantly shorter side surfaces that lie opposite one another in the X direction. These side surfaces are each connected by an even shorter diagonal side section to a front side that runs parallel to the rear side and opposite it in the Y direction. In a plan view opposite the height direction Z, the housing GM appears as an irregular six-sided polygon.

[0034] A signaling device S is arranged in the vertical direction Z above the machine housing GM. The signaling device S comprises a device housing GS, which has a flat upper part GSO and a flat lower part GSU opposite this in the vertical direction Z (see also Figure 2). Between the upper part GSO and the lower part GSU, vertical side surfaces FS are formed, which laterally delimit the signaling device S in the horizontal direction. Each of the side surfaces FS of the signaling device S has - analogous to the machine housing GM - a horizontal length LFS assigned to it. Neglecting the device housing, the signaling device S has a device height ZS (see Figure 2), which in the example shown corresponds to the height of the side surfaces FS.

[0035] The horizontal dimensions XS, YS of the signaling device are large relative to the vertical height ZS. The device length XS is approximately 15 times the device height ZS, and the device width YS is approximately eight times the device height ZS. The entire signaling device S is therefore flat.

[0036] At the same time, the signaling device S corresponds exactly to the machine housing GM in its horizontal dimensions, i.e., the arrangement of its side surfaces, and its contour when viewed from above, opposite the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the signaling device S is arranged on the upper end of the machine housing GM in such a way that the side surfaces FS and FG, which correspond to each other according to the polygonal shape, are aligned with each other in the vertical direction Z, i.e., they each lie in a common plane. The signaling device S is thus located exactly above the machine housing GM.

[0037] The side surfaces FS of the signaling device S are formed by a display surface A which surrounds the interior of the signaling device S on all sides with the vertical height ZS. The display surface A is translucent and designed such that a light directed from the interior of the signaling device S through the display surface A to the outside can be seen on all vertical side surfaces FS of the signaling device S over the full side length LFS ZU. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the signaling device S arranged on the machine housing GM, which is open at the top after the upper part GSO has been removed. An approximately rectangular arrangement of individual LEDs (only a few of which are shown for reasons of clarity) together form a light source Q and are designed to emit their light from the inside onto the display surface A in a horizontal direction, which is occasionally indicated by small arrows.The individual LEDs are designed, with the aid of a control system (not shown), to emit different light signals outward through the display surface A. The type of possible light signals has already been explained above.

[0038] A flat Plexiglas block is arranged between the light source Q and the display surface A. It serves as the light guide P to guide the light emitted by the LEDs of the light source Q evenly and with as little loss as possible to the inside of the display surface. In plan view, the outer contour of the light guide P largely corresponds to the polygonal shape of the machine housing GM. In the illustrated case, the display surface A is formed by the horizontal outer surface of the light guide P.

[0039] In the center of the light-conducting material P, an approximately rectangular, unspecified recess is provided for a light source electronics unit. There, an opening leading downward into the machine housing GM is also visible for electrically connecting the light source Q or its electronics unit to a control system preferably located in the machine housing GM.

[0040] According to the arrangement of the signaling device S on the machine housing GM shown in the figures, the indicator surface A is aligned with the side surfaces LG of the machine housing GM. A light signal emitted outward through the indicator surface A is thus visible from all sides around the machine housing GM. At the same time, the signaling device requires only a very small height. List of reference symbols

[0041] A display area

[0042] FG Side surface of the machine housing GM

[0043] FS side surface of the signal device S

[0044] GM control cabinet or machine housing

[0045] GS signal device housing

[0046] GSO upper part of the signaling device

[0047] GSU lower part of the signaling device

[0048] LFG Length of a side surface FG

[0049] LFS Length of a side surface FS

[0050] M inspection machine

[0051] P Light guide material

[0052] Q Light source

[0053] S signaling device

[0054] X first horizontal direction, X direction

[0055] XGM Length of the machine housing GM

[0056] XS Device length of the signal device

[0057] Y second horizontal direction, Y direction

[0058] YGM Width of the machine housing GM

[0059] YS Device width of the signal device

[0060] Z Altitude direction

[0061] ZGM Height of the machine housing GM

[0062] ZS Device height of the signal device

Claims

Patent claims 1. A signaling device (S) for inspection machines (M), wherein the signaling device (S) extends with an outer device length (XS) in a first horizontal X-direction (X), with an outer device width (YS) in a second horizontal Y-direction (Y) orthogonal thereto, and with a device height (ZS) in a height direction (Z) orthogonal to the X and Y directions (X, Y), and wherein the signaling device (S) is delimited in the horizontal direction by a plurality of side surfaces (F) adjoining one another in the horizontal direction, each with an associated horizontal side length (LFS), comprising a) at least one light source (Q) arranged inside the signaling device (S), and b) a translucent display surface (A) extending in the height direction (Z), which is part of at least one side surface (FS), and through which the light emitted by the at least one light source (Q) is emitted outward as a signal,c) wherein the device length (XS) and / or the device width (YS) corresponds to at least four times, preferably ten times, most preferably twenty times the device height (ZS), characterized in that d) that the display surface (A) runs around the interior of the signaling device (S) as a narrow band as seen in the height direction (Z) such that the display surface extends on at least two side surfaces over at least 80%, preferably 100% of the respective side length in the horizontal direction and the signal emerges laterally outwards as a light halo on these at least two side surfaces (F) of the signaling device (S) through the display surface (A).

2. Signaling device (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the display surface (A) runs around the interior of the signaling device (S) as a narrow band seen in the height direction (Z) in such a way that the display surface extends on at least three, preferably on all side surfaces over at least 80%, preferably 100% of the respective side length in the horizontal direction and the signal emerges laterally outwards as a ring of light on these at least three, preferably all side surfaces (F) of the signaling device (S) through the display surface (A).

3. Signaling device (S) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a light-guiding material (P) is provided between the light source (Q) and the display surface (A) in the horizontal direction (X, Y), which light-guiding material (P) preferably completely surrounds the light source (Q) in the horizontal direction (X, Y) and contains the display surface (A) on its outer side or is directly or at a distance from it.

4. Signaling device (S) according to claim 3, characterized in that the horizontal extent of the light-guiding material (P) between the light source (Q) and the display surface (A) in the X-direction or Y-direction corresponds to at least 10%, preferably more than 20% of the corresponding device length (XS) or device width (YS).

5. Signaling device (S) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a light diffuser is arranged between the light source (Q) and the light-guiding material (P) and / or between the light-guiding material (P) and the display surface (A) and / or that the display surface (A) itself has a light diffuser in order to distribute the light of the light source (Q) evenly over the display surface (A).

6. Signaling device (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the light source (Q) comprises a horizontal arrangement of several light sources, preferably LEDs, formed around a center, of which at least one light source is arranged and is designed to radiate its light outwards through the display surface (A) on at least one side surface (F) of the signaling device (S), b) wherein any selection of the plurality of illuminants can be controlled independently of one another, simultaneously or sequentially, to emit light, preferably in a selectable light colour.

7. Signaling device (S) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a) an upper part (GSO) and a lower part (GSU), wherein both parts (GSO, GSU) form a housing (GS) of the signaling device and are preferably opaque, b) and wherein the display surface (A) is enclosed in the vertical direction between the upper part (GSO) and the lower part (GSU), c) and wherein the outer width and / or outer length of the upper part (GSO) and / or the lower part (GSU) substantially correspond to the device width (YS) or device length (XS) of the signaling device (S), so that the display surface (A) is connected to the upper part (GSO) and / or to the lower part (GSU) largely flush with the edge.

8. Inspection machine (M) comprising a signaling device (S) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Inspection machine (M) according to the preceding claim, a) wherein the inspection machine (M) has a control cabinet or machine housing (GM) which extends at an upper end with an outer housing length (XGM) in the X direction (X), with an outer housing width (YGM) in the Y direction (Y), and wherein the housing (GM) is defined in the horizontal direction by a plurality of side surfaces (FG) which are adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction, each with a associated horizontal side length (LFG) b) and wherein at least one outer width (YS, YGM) and / or at least one outer length (XS, XGM) of the signaling device (S) and of the machine housing (GM) correspond, c) and wherein the signaling device (S) is integrated into the machine housing (GM) or arranged on top of the machine housing (GM) in such a way that at least one, preferably all, side surfaces (FS, FG) of the signaling device (S) and of the machine housing (GM) which correspond in terms of their length (LFS, LFG) are aligned one above the other in the height direction (Z).

10. Inspection machine (M) according to claim 9, characterized in that the display surface (A) is aligned with one, preferably with all side surfaces (FG) of the machine housing (GM), and / or with at least one edge region of an upper part (GSO) and / or lower part (GSU) of a device housing (GS) in the height direction (Z).

11. Inspection machine (M) according to one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a controller which is designed to control the signaling device (S) to output an optical operating signal as a function of an operating state of the inspection machine (M), in which one or more illuminants of the light source (Q) are switched on or off a) one after the other or simultaneously, and / or b) in successive intervals of the same or different lengths, and / or c) in the same or different colors.

12. Inspection machine (M) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized characterized in that the machine housing (GM) has on its upper side an opening or a connection for electrical connecting means, via which the signaling device (S), in particular in the form of a plug connection, can be connected for simple connection to a control of the inspection machine (M).

13. A scale comprising a belt body of a belt conveyor with a driven, circulating belt, and a signaling device (S) according to one of claims 1 to 7 integrated into or attached to the belt body.

14. A production line comprising a plurality of machines for processing a product conveyed along the production line, at least two of said machines being equipped with a signaling device (S) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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