Method and system for carrying out a measure on a hydraulic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlledly carrying out a measure on a hydraulic device (1), in particular a hydraulic valve, having a hydraulic unit (1a), a control unit (1b) and a data-storage unit (1c), by a user, wherein the control unit (1b) of the hydraulic device (1) is connected to a computing unit (3) via a connector (2). In the method, which is being performed by the computing unit (3), the type of the hydraulic device (1) is first determined (S100) on the basis of identification data stored in the data-storage unit (1c) of the hydraulic device. Subsequently, on the basis of the measure and the type of the hydraulic device (1) that has been determined, at least one action is ascertained (S110) that has to be performed in order to carry out the measure. Information regarding the at least one action is displayed (S120) on a display of an I / O device (4) which is connected to the computing unit (3). The computing unit (3) determines (S130) whether the at least one action has been performed, and, if it is determined that the at least one action has been performed, a result of the action is determined (S140). Subsequently, it is determined (S150), on the basis of the result of the at least one action that has been performed, whether at least one further action has to be performed and, if it is determined that no further action is required to carry out the measure, the result of the actions performed is stored (S160) in the data-storage unit (1c). The invention also relates to a system for performing the method.

Description

[0001] Method and system for carrying out an action on a hydraulic device

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and a system for carrying out a measure on a hydraulic device.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Existing software programs with user interfaces for interacting with hydraulic devices may offer the ability to read and write parameters. However, the user interfaces and operating logic or workflows vary depending on the product or product family.

[0006] Currently, service technicians must directly describe parameters through various software and use the operating instructions to determine which parameters they require. While existing software solutions offer some dialogs for the various product families and products, these are not standardized and vary depending on the product. Therefore, users must be familiar not only with the different products and product families, but also with the different user interfaces and operating logic.

[0007] Depending on the function required, the user must navigate to submenus and adjust parameters manually. This complex structure means that users must know in advance what the exact goal is and which steps must be taken to achieve it. This requires manual calculations to determine setpoints, for example. There may not be a user interface for individual parameters or parameter groups. These must be looked up in the function or operating instructions and manually entered using the parameter search. Users must be very familiar with all products in order to provide good service using various software programs.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a method and a system for performing a measure on a hydraulic device are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] The invention is based on a hydraulic device, in particular a hydraulic valve, which has a hydraulic unit, a control unit that controls the hydraulic unit, and a data storage unit, and on which a user is to perform a task, such as commissioning, maintenance and repair work, troubleshooting, or modification. For this purpose, the control unit of the hydraulic device is connected to a computing unit, such as an external server, via a data-transmitting connector (a so-called connector, e.g., a commercially available industrial PC).

[0011] The method according to the invention, which is carried out by the computing unit, enables the user to perform services on different products and product families using workflows with instructions, without having to resort to different systems that require different user interfaces and operating logic. The workflows make it easier for the user to achieve their goals through intuitive use. A workflow is a sequence of steps that must be performed in a specific order. There may be nodes at which, depending on the response or input, a branch to further steps occurs. Thus, there is a workflow logic that allows for context- and product-dependent decisions. It contains several components that combine various backend services with a frontend.

[0012] First, a hydraulic device type is determined based on identification data stored in the data storage unit of the hydraulic device. It is also possible for additional data, such as specified parameters, which are also stored in the data storage unit, to be saved by the processing unit and / or for the parameters of the hydraulic unit to be reset. The identification data stored in the data storage unit can be displayed, in particular, on the display of an input / output device connected to the processing unit, so that the user can compare it with the identification data printed on the hydraulic device and correct it if necessary.

[0013] Based on the measure, which can be communicated to the computing unit by the user via the input and output device, and the specific type of hydraulic device, at least one action is determined that must be performed to carry out the measure. The actions can in particular be one or more of a measuring process, a reading process from the data storage unit, a writing process to the data storage unit, a calibration of the hydraulic device and a control of the hydraulic device. Information about the at least one action, i.e. a workflow for carrying out the measure, is then displayed to the user on the display of the input and output device. Depending on the action to be carried out, this is carried out by the computing unit, the user or a combination of both.

[0014] In the next step, it is determined whether at least one action has been performed. This can be determined automatically by the processing unit, for example, or the user can confirm the completion of an action via the input / output device. If it is determined that at least one action has been performed, a result of the at least one action is determined. Based on the result of the at least one performed action, it is then determined whether at least one further action needs to be performed.

[0015] If it is determined that no further action is necessary to perform the measure, the result of the performed actions is stored in the data storage unit.

[0016] If, according to one embodiment of the invention, it is determined that at least one further action must be performed, this at least one further action is determined based on the result of the at least one action performed, and information about the at least one further action to be performed is displayed on the display of the input and output device. Subsequently, it is again determined whether the at least one further action has been performed. If it is determined that the at least one further action has been performed, the result of the at least one action is again determined, which may now no longer require any further action or may again require a further action.

[0017] The uniformity and step-by-step interaction with instructions provides the user with a significant time advantage compared to the variety of user interfaces and differing operating logics that exist, especially for hydraulic products. Furthermore, steps that previously had to be performed manually are eliminated, thus preventing errors. For example, no manual calculations are required, and no parameters need to be known to configure the product, as these can be performed by the processing unit or are already available to it. The user can commission, maintain, analyze, and repair a wide variety of hydraulic devices.

[0018] The invention further relates to a system for performing a measure on a hydraulic device by a user. The system comprises a hydraulic device, which is in particular a hydraulic valve and has a hydraulic unit, a control unit, and a data storage unit, a connector that is or can be connected to the control unit of the hydraulic device, an input and output device, and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is configured to perform a method according to the invention. The system has the same advantages as the method.

[0019] In one embodiment, the hydraulic device further comprises an electronic interface via which the connector is or can be connected to the control unit. The electronic interface can be an IO-Link interface, a serial interface, in particular a USB interface, an Ethernet interface, or a Bluetooth interface. By using a proven interface on the hydraulic device, a connection between the hydraulic device and the connector can be established in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, the connector is an internet-enabled connector that exchanges data between the processing unit and the control unit via the internet. The processing unit therefore does not have to be located at the location of the connector or valve, but can also be located in a data center or in the cloud. Thus, a processing unit with multiple connectors can be used simultaneously at different locations. In one embodiment, the input and output device is a personal computer (PC), laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

[0021] The implementation of a method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product with program code for carrying out all method steps is also advantageous, since this entails particularly low costs, in particular if an executing control unit is also used for other tasks and is therefore already present. Suitable data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical and electrical memories, such as hard disks, flash memories, EEPROMs, DVDs, and others. Downloading a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.) is also possible. The computer program can, in particular, be installed as a cloud application in a data center that can be accessed via the Internet.

[0022] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0023] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0024] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0025] Character description

[0026] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a system suitable for carrying out an embodiment of the method;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method; and

[0028] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system.

[0029] Detailed description of the drawing Figure 1 shows the structure of an embodiment of a system that is suitable for carrying out an embodiment of the method. Figure 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method. In the following, both figures are described together using an example measure to be carried out, namely a maintenance or repair measure, in particular on a hydraulic valve. The actions to be carried out are to be understood only as examples. To carry out the maintenance or repair measure, further and / or different actions may also be necessary. The same applies to other measures to be carried out. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can also be used to carry out other measures that require different actions. Furthermore, the method can also be applied to hydraulic devices other than a hydraulic valve.

[0030] The system comprises a hydraulic device 1 with a hydraulic unit 1a, a control unit 1b, an electronic data storage unit 1c, and an electronic interface 1d. The control unit 1b is connected to the hydraulic unit 1a and controls it. Identification data and operating parameters of the hydraulic device 1 are stored on the electronic data storage unit 1c, which is connected to the control unit 1b and can be read by the control unit 1b. The control unit 1b can also be connected to external devices via the electronic interface 1d. The electronic interface 1d can, in particular, be an IO-Link interface, a serial interface such as a USB interface, an Ethernet interface, or a Bluetooth interface.

[0031] The connector 2 connects the control unit 1b via the electronic interface 1d to a computing unit 3, which carries out the method for carrying out a measure. An input / output device 4 is connected to the connector 2 and the control unit 1b via the computing unit 3. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for there to be a direct connection between the connector 2 and the input / output device 4 (dashed line). The connector 2 is, in particular, an internet-capable connector that exchanges data with the computing unit 3, which can in particular be implemented in a server, via the internet and transmits it to the control unit 1b. The connector can, in particular, be an IPC (industrial PC) that is specially equipped for communication with a computer program developed for this purpose. Before starting the method according to the invention, which is depicted as a flow chart in Figure 2, the hydraulic device 1 must first be connected to the connector 2.For this purpose, the user 10 identifies himself in the user interface 30, which is displayed on a display of an input and output device 4, and determines the action to be carried out.

[0032] The user is then shown the actions that must be performed to establish the connection between the hydraulic device 1 and the connector 2. The actions are displayed step by step to the user 10 on the display of the input and output device 4, with the completion of the action or each step being confirmed by the user 10 via the input and output device 4. After the connection between the hydraulic device 1 and the computing unit 3 has been established via the connector 2, the computing unit 3 first saves all operating parameters stored in the data storage unit 1c, i.e., reads them out and stores them.

[0033] Subsequently, in a first step S100, a type of hydraulic device 1 is determined based on identification data stored in the data storage unit 1c of the hydraulic device 1. In this step S100, the data from the electronic nameplate can be shown to the user 10 on the display of the input and output device 4. An electronic nameplate containing the identification data is a data record stored on the hydraulic device 1 that contains information such as the material number, order number and serial number. This gives the hydraulic device 1 an identity. The user 10 compares this identification data with the actual nameplate attached to the hydraulic device 1 and can make corrections if necessary. After checking and if necessary.corrections made, which can be saved on the electronic nameplate (in order to overwrite erroneous data there), the user 10 confirms the identification data of the electronic nameplate.

[0034] In a next step S110, the computing unit 3 determines at least one action that must be performed to carry out the maintenance or repair measure, based on the measure and the specific type of hydraulic device 1. Here, it is therefore determined which actions must be performed on the hydraulic valve for maintenance or repair. To do this, the computing unit 3 can first determine as an action that the hydraulic valve is or must be depressurized and that the operating parameters must be reset, i.e. two actions must first be carried out. Information on how to carry out these actions, for example instructions and / or a description that show the user 10 their task and the expected result, are displayed to the user 10 simultaneously or sequentially on the display of the input and output device 4 in a further step S120.For example, user 10 is only shown that the hydraulic valve must be depressurized. User 10 then checks whether the hydraulic valve is depressurized and confirms via input / output device 4 that the hydraulic valve is depressurized. User 10 is then shown that the operating parameters must be reset. User 10 can then reset the operating parameters by entering an input on input / output device 4, which causes the operating parameters of the hydraulic valve to be reset by computing unit 3.

[0035] In a next step S130, it is determined whether the actions have been performed, and then in step S140, the result of the actions is determined. Here, the computing unit 3 determines that the actions have been performed based on the user's confirmation that the hydraulic valve is depressurized, the initiation of the resetting of the operating parameters, and the execution of the resetting by the computing unit 3 itself. As a result, it is determined that the hydraulic valve is depressurized and its operating parameters correspond to the factory settings.

[0036] Next, in step S150, the result is used to determine whether at least one further action needs to be performed. The type of hydraulic device 1 and the measure to be performed can also be taken into account for this purpose. Here, the next action for servicing or maintaining the hydraulic valve is determined to be a stroke calibration, which involves two actions: connecting the hydraulic valve to the test bench and performing a calibration.

[0037] In step S150a, the user 10 is shown information on the display of the input and output device 4 regarding the steps to be performed to carry out the stroke calibration. To do so, the user 10 can first start the stroke calibration by confirming via the input and output device 4. In the next step S150b, the next steps to be performed—in this case, connecting the test bench channels, hydraulically warming the hydraulic valve, switching on a volume flow sensor in a channel of the hydraulic valve, and setting the system pressure in a test bench channel to a specified pressure—are shown to the user 10 on the display of the input and output device 4. The user 10 performs these steps one after the other and confirms that all steps of the first action have been performed by starting the calibration.To perform the calibration, the user 10 can adjust the positive and negative opening points of the hydraulic valve pistons via the input and output device 4, for example, using a slider, so that a specified volume flow flows through the hydraulic valve, and then confirm that the calibration has been performed. The results of the calibration are then displayed to the user 10, and they can decide whether the calibration is complete or should be performed again.

[0038] In a next step S150c, it is determined whether the actions, i.e. the calibration procedure, have been performed when the user has indicated that the calibration is complete.

[0039] In this case, the method returns to step S140 and the result of the action is determined; in this case, the calibration of the hydraulic valve was successfully performed. Subsequently, based on the result (step S150), it is again determined whether further action needs to be performed. Here, in step S150a, the computing unit 3 again determines that a hydraulic test of the hydraulic device 1 needs to be performed. This test includes a leak test, a recording of the target-actual value characteristic curve, and a leakage measurement. Information on how to perform these actions is displayed to the user 10 on the display of the input / output device 4 so that the user can perform them.

[0040] Subsequently, in step S150c, after the user 10 has performed the actions, it is determined that the leak test has been performed, and in step S140, to which it is returned, it is determined that the hydraulic valve is leak-tight.

[0041] In the next iteration of step S150, it is determined whether further actions need to be performed, and it is determined (S150a) that the next action offers the user 10 the opportunity to upload further documents, such as measurement curves or diagrams, and to save the report, which includes the performed steps with associated notes and attachments, as well as the original operating parameters, for example, in ZI P format, in the input / output device 4. For this purpose, the steps to be performed are displayed to the user 10 on the input / output unit 4 (S150b). After the user 10 has performed and confirmed the steps, the computing unit 3 saves the results of the actions as well as the parameters determined by the actions in the data storage unit 1c of the hydraulic device 1. The user 10 then confirms that the action has been performed, for example, by clicking a "Complete workflow" button.

[0042] Computing unit 3 thereby determines in step S150c that the action has been performed. The result determined in step S140 is that the workflow is complete. Therefore, in step S150, it is determined that no further action needs to be performed, and the method is terminated.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system with further details on communication between the different units.

[0044] A higher-level component that is responsible for providing the workflows, i.e. the individual actions with and without product interaction, is marked with a dashed area and can be referred to as a service engine.

[0045] A workflow is a sequence of steps that must be performed in a specific order. There may be nodes where, depending on the response or input, a branch to further steps occurs. Thus, there is a workflow logic that allows context- and product-dependent decisions. It contains several components that combine various backend services with a frontend. This allows the user 10 to perform the workflows and interact with the hydraulic device 1 within them. The service engine has a user interface 30 that is displayed to the user 10 on the display of the input and output device 4 and through which the user 10 can interact with the computing unit 3, the connector 2, and the hydraulic device 1. The user interface 30 is further connected to another software system 50, which provides a self-service portal for managing and tracking support, requests, incidents, and problems.

[0046] Through a Service Portal 20, a knowledge management system that provides all necessary information on industrial hydraulics in one central location, users can access articles, training courses, data sheets, operating instructions, and the like. Furthermore, the Service Portal 20 is connected to a cloud-based learning management system and an artificial intelligence-based translation management system, which can be used to improve and translate training courses.

[0047] The user 10 can be identified via a customer identity and access management system 21, which can provide a single sign-on function for centrally managing the digital identity of a user 10 in all applications, by means of the service portal 20 and / or the user interface 30, ie it can be determined whether the user 10 is authorized to perform the requested action.

[0048] The user interface 30 is further connected to a workflow service 31, which provides the logic workflows and manages a session of the user 10. The service portal 20 retrieves the workflows from the workflow service 31 and makes them, along with other data for the session, available to the user interface 30. Furthermore, the workflow service stores the information about a session in a database 32.

[0049] The database 32 stores a variety of data related to the service engine, such as information about sessions and which user 10 is authorized to use which port of an application programming interface 40 (API).

[0050] Via the application programming interface 40, data can be read from and sent to a connector 2 connected to the hydraulic device 1. For this purpose, the API 40 uses an Internet of Things (IoT) hub, which manages cloud services that serve as a central messaging center for sending data to the hydraulic device 1.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for the guided execution of a measure on a hydraulic device (1), in particular a hydraulic valve, which has a hydraulic unit (1a), a control unit (1b) that controls the hydraulic unit (1a), and a data storage unit (1c), by a user (10), wherein the control unit (1b) of the hydraulic device (1) is connected to a computing unit (3) via a connector (2), and the method comprises the following steps, which are carried out by the computing unit (3): Determining (S100) a type of hydraulic device (1) based on identification data stored in the data storage unit (1c) of the hydraulic device (1), Determining (S110) at least one action that must be performed to carry out the measure based on the measure and the determined type of hydraulic device (1), - displaying (S120) information about the at least one action on a display of an input and output device (4) connected to the computing unit (3), Determining (S130) whether the determined at least one action has been performed, - if it is determined that the determined at least one action has been performed, determining (S140) a result of the performed at least one action, determining (S150), based on the result of the performed at least one action, whether at least one further action needs to be performed, - if it is determined that no further action needs to be performed, storing (S160) the result of the performed at least one action in the data storage unit (1c).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, if it is determined that at least one further action must be performed, the following steps are performed: Determining (S150a) the at least one further action based on the result of the at least one action, - displaying (S150b) information about the at least one further action to be performed on a display of an input and output device (4), Determining (S150c) whether the at least one further action has been performed, and, if it is determined that the at least one further action has been performed, Repeating the step of determining (S140) a result of the performed action.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one action and / or the at least one further action is one or more of a measuring process, a reading process from the data storage unit (1c), a writing process to the data storage unit (1c), a calibration of the hydraulic device and a control of the hydraulic device.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one action and / or the at least one further action are carried out at least partially by a user based on the displayed information using the input and output device (4).

5. System for carrying out a measure on a hydraulic device (1) by a user, wherein the system comprises a hydraulic device (1), which is in particular a hydraulic valve and which has a hydraulic unit (1a), a control unit (1b) and an electronic data storage unit (1c), a connector (2) which is connectable or connected to the control unit (1b) of the hydraulic device (1), an input and output device (4) and a computing unit (3), wherein the computing unit (3) is set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the hydraulic device (1) further comprises an electronic interface (1d) via which the connector (2) is connectable or connected to the control unit (1b), and wherein the electronic interface (1d) is an IO-Link interface, a serial interface, in particular a USB interface, an Ethernet interface or a Bluetooth interface.

7. System according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connector (2) is an internet-capable connector and exchanges data between the computing unit (3) and the control unit (1 b) via the internet.

8. System according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the input and output device (4) is a personal computer, PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

9. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claims 1 to 4.

10. A computer-readable data carrier on which the computer program according to claim 8 is stored.

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