Front sheet for an electronic device

Abstract

A front sheet is designed to characterize an electronic device. The front sheet has a ferromagnetic or magnetic insert embedded in the front sheet so as to removably attach the front sheet to a housing.

Description

[0001] Front film for an electronic device

[0002] Reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2023206 771.4, filed on July 17, 2023, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference into this document.

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a front foil, a marking system for marking an electronic device, and an electronic device. The invention also relates to a use.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] Various types of electronic devices, especially measuring instruments, are used for measurements in process and factory automation, such as level measuring devices, point level measuring devices, pressure measuring devices or flow measuring devices.

[0008] In industrial environments, electronic devices, especially measuring instruments, can be used in various configurations together with other devices or in a specific position in hard-to-reach places. This can make it difficult to read the measured values ​​and / or adjust the measuring instrument. Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative labeling for electronic devices. Electronic devices can be rotated during use in industrial environments. For this purpose, the device's labeling must be adapted to facilitate readability of the measured values ​​and device configuration.

[0010] This is made possible in particular by the features of the independent patent claims. Further developments emerge from the subclaims and the following description.

[0011] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a front foil configured for marking an electronic device. The front foil comprises a ferromagnetic or magnetic insert. The ferromagnetic or magnetic insert is embedded in the front foil to releasably attach the front foil to a housing.

[0012] The housing of the electronic device may include a magnetic or ferromagnetic retaining element configured to hold the insert. The insert may consist of one or more magnets.

[0013] In one embodiment, the housing has a ferromagnetic retaining element, and the insert has a magnet. In this embodiment, no repulsion occurs, as the magnet does not repel a ferromagnetic component, allowing the front foil to be quickly attached to the housing.

[0014] In another embodiment, the housing has a ferromagnetic holding element, and the front foil has two magnets. In this case, the magnets exert a magnetic attraction on the ferromagnetic holding element. This secures the front foil to the housing. Advantageously, the use of the two magnets can be used to protect against incorrect installation, for example, by means of a code for correct installation.

[0015] In another embodiment, the housing and the front membrane have two magnets. Due to the repulsive effect of the aligned magnets, the front membrane can then only be mounted in one position, thus providing additional control over the position of the front membrane on the housing. The advantage is that using two magnets instead of a single ferromagnetic, but itself non-magnetic, retaining element prevents incorrect installation of the front membrane. This also allows the user to be shown the (approval-compliant) required installation.

[0016] The front membrane can be printed, lasered, or otherwise labeled in various ways. The labeling can be done using fonts, numbers, symbols, or other graphic representations. The front membrane can be labeled on both sides, so that the front is printed with a first identification of the device and the back with a second identification. A user can choose to use the front or the back of the front membrane to label the device. This makes it possible, for example, to mount a device upside down and still allow the user to read the front membrane the right way round. With a symmetrical arrangement of the device's functional elements, e.g. display cutout, LED, switch, any type of lettering can be reversed and printed on the back of the front membrane. With an asymmetrical arrangement of the functional elements, it is possible to add further variants of functional elements, e.g.additional / different LEDs, switches, creating another device variant. For asymmetrical arrangements, the user can attach an additional front panel, which is included with the order.

[0017] The user can also be provided with a labeling system for front membranes to identify the electronic device. For example, the labeling system can have a first front membrane that only contains the lettering, e.g. a logo. Furthermore, the labeling system can have another front membrane with matching perforations for the LED and / or the switch. The labeling system can have another front membrane that includes the button label. Each front membrane can have additional labeling on its back. This labeling is suitable for overhead mounting. The labeling system can include front membranes that are suitable for labeling multiple electronic devices, so that the same labeling system can be used to identify different devices. The front membranes can be removed or replaced again and again without damage.Advantageously, the labeling variants of multiple devices can be changed on-site. This facilitates readability and configuration of the device.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the magnetic or ferromagnetic insert extends substantially over the entire extent of the front foil and is encased by the front foil. The front foil can include a ferromagnetic insert, but this insert is completely enclosed by the foil. The ferromagnetic insert can be formed either over the entire surface or with cutouts for other functional elements, e.g., display cutouts, LEDs, switches, and connectors. The insert is designed so that the magnetic forces are strong enough to hold the front foil in its mounting position on the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic insert is completely enclosed by the front foil. The ferromagnetic insert can be overmolded using a plastic injection molding process.

[0020] In another embodiment, the insert can be completely encased in a foil. In this case, the front foil extending beyond the metal core can be welded, glued, pressed, or otherwise bonded at the joints.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the insert consists of one or more magnets. According to one embodiment, the insert comprises a ferromagnetic or magnetic sheet. The ferromagnetic or magnetic sheet can be formed either over the entire surface or with cutouts for other functional elements, e.g., display cutouts, LEDs, switches, or connectors.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the insert comprises a ferromagnetic or a magnetic block. The insert may comprise multiple ferromagnetic or multiple magnetic blocks to improve attachment to the housing.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the front foil is printed with a first marking on its front side and a second marking on its back side. The front foil can be printed, lasered, or otherwise labeled in various ways.

[0024] A user can choose to use the front or back of the front panel to label the device. This makes it possible, for example, to mount a device upside down and still allow the user to read the front panel the right way round.

[0025] If all functional elements of the device are arranged symmetrically, e.g. display cutout, LED, switch, any type of writing can be mirrored and printed on the back of the front foil.

[0026] With an asymmetrical arrangement of the functional elements, additional variants of the functional elements, e.g., additional / different LEDs, switches, can be displayed, creating a further device variant. With an asymmetrical arrangement, the user can attach an additional front foil, which is included with the order.

[0027] The user can also be provided with an extended front membrane marking system for marking the device. Such a marking system can comprise basic front membranes suitable for marking multiple devices. This can save manufacturing costs. For example, the marking system can comprise a first front membrane that only contains the lettering, e.g. a logo. In addition, the marking system can have another front membrane that contains the marking of the LEDs and / or the switches and matching perforations. The marking system can have another front membrane that contains the marking of the buttons. Each front membrane can have additional marking on its back. This marking can be suitable, for example, for overhead mounting.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first marking is rotated and mirrored relative to the second marking. For example, the first marking can be rotated by 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees relative to the second marking. Other angular positions are also possible.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first marking is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the second marking and mirrored. The front foil can have a ferromagnetic insert in the form of a metal sheet that has a shape adapted to the marking of the functional elements. This allows the front foil to be transparent to all LEDs, for example, when rotated 180 degrees. In this case, the front foil does not require perforations, since the transparency of the LEDs is not hindered by the matching shape of the metal sheet during the 180-degree rotations. Therefore, the exact position of the LEDs can be ignored when creating the marking on the back. The second marking is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first marking and mirrored.

[0030] Alternatively, the front membrane can have additional perforations in the full-surface version of the ferromagnetic sheet metal. When the front membrane is rotated 180 degrees and / or turned over, the position of the marking on the back is not directly in the same place as on the front. This design can be used when the functional elements are arranged asymmetrically or the device has functional elements with different diameters, such as the VEGATOR 342.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the first marking is located at the same position on the front foil as the second marking. In this embodiment, the ferromagnetic sheet can be applied over the entire surface. In this case, the front foil is opaque to an LED and has a perforation corresponding to the LED. For example, a front foil of this embodiment can fit a device that has several functional elements of the same diameter, such as the VEGATOR 111.

[0032] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a marking system for marking an electronic device with a front foil. The marking system has a first front foil, wherein the first front foil is printed with a first marking on its front side. The marking system further has a second front foil, wherein the second front foil is printed with a second marking on its front side. The first marking is rotated 180 degrees and mirrored with respect to the second marking. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the device comprises multiple switches, LEDs, and asymmetrical housings, for example in the VEGAMET 141, 142, 341, 342 devices.

[0033] The marking system may comprise several base films suitable for marking several electronic devices, so that the same marking system can be used to mark different devices.

[0034] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic device.

[0035] The electronic device comprises a device housing and at least one ferromagnetic or magnetic holding element configured to hold a front foil of a labeling system.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the electronic device is a level measuring device, a point level measuring device, a pressure measuring device or a flow measuring device.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the electronic device comprises a front foil and / or a front foil of a labeling system.

[0038] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a front foil and / or a marking system for marking an electronic device.

[0039] For further clarification, the invention is described using embodiments illustrated in the figures. These embodiments are to be understood as examples only and not as limitations.

[0040] Short description of the characters

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a front panel of an electronic device.

[0042] Fig. 1a shows schematically a front foil of an electronic device

[0043] Fig. 1b shows a schematic view of a front foil of an electronic device.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a front panel of an electronic device.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a front panel of an electronic device.

[0046] Fig. 4a shows a schematic view of a front foil of an electronic device.

[0047] Fig. 4b shows a schematic view of a front foil of an electronic device.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a schematic of a labeling system for the front foils of an electronic device.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a schematic of a labeling system for the front foils of an electronic device.

[0050] Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device with a front foil. Detailed from

[0051] Fig. 1 schematically shows a front film 101 of an electronic device 200 according to one embodiment. The front film 101 is configured to identify the electronic device 200. The front film 101 has a ferromagnetic insert 102. The insert 102 extends substantially over the entire extent of the front film 101. In this embodiment, the insert 102 is embodied as a ferromagnetic sheet. The ferromagnetic sheet 102 is embedded in the front film 101. The ferromagnetic sheet 102 is provided with cutouts for the functional elements of the electronic device, such as the display cutout, LED, switches, and connections. The housing 201 has two magnets 202. The insert 102 is detachably attached to the housing 201 by means of the magnetic attraction force of the magnets 202 on the ferromagnetic insert 102.

[0052] Fig. 1a schematically shows a front film 101 of an electronic device 200 according to another embodiment. The housing 201 has a ferromagnetic holding element 202a, and the front film 101 has two magnets 102a. The magnets 102a exert a magnetic attraction force on the ferromagnetic holding element 202a. As a result, the front film 101 is attached to the housing 201. By using the two magnets 102a, incorrect assembly protection is realized by coding the magnets 102a for correct assembly of the front film 101.

[0053] Fig. 1b schematically shows a front film 101 of an electronic device 200 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the front film 101 has two magnets 102b. The housing 201 has two iron blocks 202b. In this case, the magnets 103 exert a magnetic force of attraction on the ferromagnetic holding elements 202b. As a result, the front film 101 is attached to the housing 201. Fig. 2 schematically shows a front film 101 of an electronic device 200 according to another embodiment. The front film 101 has a ferromagnetic sheet 102, which is overmolded using a plastic injection molding process and is completely enclosed by the front film 101.

[0054] Fig. 3 schematically shows a front foil 101 of an electronic device 200 according to one embodiment. The front foil 101 is printed with a first marking 120a on its front side 101a. The front foil 101 is printed with a second marking 120b on its back side 101b. The first marking 120a is rotated 180 degrees and mirrored with respect to the second marking 120b. The housing 201 is mounted symmetrically. The front foil

[0055] 101 has a ferromagnetic insert 102 in the form of a sheet. The sheet

[0056] 102 is shaped according to the marking of the functional elements (display 105, LED 106). Thus, the front foil 101 is transparent to the LED 106, even when the front foil 101 is rotated 180 degrees. In this case, the front foil 101 has no perforations because the visibility of the LED 106 is not obstructed during the 180-degree rotations due to the appropriate shape of the sheet metal, so the exact position of the LED 106 does not need to be taken into account when creating the second marking 101b on the rear side 101b. The second marking is rotated 180 degrees and mirrored relative to the first marking.

[0057] Fig. 4a - Fig. 4b schematically show a front film 101 of an electronic device 200 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the device 200 has three LEDs 106a - 106c. In the embodiment of Fig. 4a, the ferromagnetic sheet 102 is designed to cover the entire surface. In this case, the front film 101 is opaque to the LEDs 106a - 106c. The sheet has three perforations matching the LEDs 106a - 106c. The LEDs 106a - 106c have different diameters. The sheet has additional perforations 106'a - 106'c. The front film 101 is printed with a first marking 120a on its front side 101a. The front film 101 is printed with a second marking 120b on its back side 101b. The first marking 120a is rotated and mirrored by 180 degrees relative to the second marking 120b. The marking 120b is not located at the same position as the marking 102a.

[0058] Fig. 4b shows another embodiment. The ferromagnetic sheet 102 is designed to cover the entire surface. The LEDs 106a-106c have the same diameter. The front foil 101 does not have any additional perforations that match the LEDs 106a-106c when rotated 180 degrees. In this case, the marking on the back 120b is located at the same position as the marking on the front 120a and is aligned with the three perforations.

[0059] The front foil 101 of Fig. 4a and 4b is suitable for control devices VEGATOR 111, 121, 131.

[0060] Fig. 5 schematically shows a marking system 110 of the front foils 110a, 110b of an electronic device 200. The marking system 110 has a first front foil 110a, wherein the first front foil 110a is printed on its front side with a first marking 120a. Furthermore, the marking system 110 has a second front foil 110b, wherein the second front foil 110b is printed on its front side with a second marking 120b. The first marking 120a is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the second marking 120b and mirrored. The front foils 110a, 110b have a ferromagnetic insert 102a, 102b in the form of a metal sheet. The metal sheet 102a, 102b has a suitable shape for marking the functional elements (display 105, LED 106). This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the instrument comprises several switches, LEDs and asymmetrical housings, for example in the instruments VEGAMET 141, 142, 341, 342.

[0061] Fig. 6a - Fig. 6c show schematically a marking system 130 of the

[0062] Front membranes according to one embodiment. The marking system 130 has a first front membrane 131 comprising a logo. The marking system 110 has a further front membrane 132 comprising perforations matching the LED. The marking system 130 has a further front membrane 130c comprising the marking of the button. Each front membrane 130-133 has an additional marking on its back side, which is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the front side and mirrored. This marking is suitable for overhead mounting. The marking system 130 has the front membranes 131-133, which are suitable for marking multiple electronic devices, so that the same marking system can be used to mark different devices. The front membranes 131-133 are interchangeable without damage.

[0063] Fig. 7a shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device 200.

[0064] Fig. 7b shows the overhead installation of the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 has the marking system of front foils 110a, 110b. The first front foil 110a is printed on its front side with a first marking 120a. The second front foil 110b is printed on its front side with a second marking 120b. The first marking 120a is rotated 180 degrees and mirrored with respect to the second marking 120b.

[0065] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered limitations.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A front foil (101) configured to mark an electronic device (200), comprising: a ferromagnetic or magnetic insert (102, 103) embedded in the front foil for releasably attaching the front foil (101) to a housing (201).

2. Front film (101) according to claim 1, wherein the insert (102, 103) extends substantially over the entire extent of the front film and is encased by the front film.

3. Front film (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (102, 103) consists of one or more magnets.

4. Front film (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises a ferromagnetic or magnetic sheet (102).

5. Front film (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises a ferromagnetic or magnetic block (103).

6. Front film (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front film (101) is printed on its front side with a first marking (120a), wherein the front film (101) is printed on its back side with a second marking (120b).

7. Front foil (101) according to claim 6, wherein the first marking (120a) is rotated and mirrored with respect to the second marking (120b).

8. Front film (101) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first marking (120a) is rotated and mirrored by 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees with respect to the second marking (120b).

9. Front film (101) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first marking (120a) is located at the same position of the front film as the second marking (120b).

10. A marking system for marking an electronic device with a front film (110), comprising: a first front film (101a) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first front film is printed on its front side with a first marking; a second front film (101b) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second front film is printed on its front side with a second marking; wherein the first marking (120a) is rotated and mirrored with respect to the second marking (120b).

11. A marking system for marking an electronic device with a front film (110), comprising: a first front film (101a) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first front film is printed on its front side with a first marking; a second front film (101b) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second front film is printed on its front side with a second marking; wherein the first marking (120a) is rotated and mirrored by 180 degrees with respect to the second marking (120b).

12. An electronic device (200), comprising: a device housing (201); at least one ferromagnetic or magnetic holding element (202, 203) configured to hold a front foil (101) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a front foil (101) of a marking system according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The electronic device (200) according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device (201) is a level measuring device, a point level measuring device, a pressure measuring device, or a flow measuring device.

14. The electronic device (200) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a front foil (101) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and / or a front foil (101) of a labeling system according to claim 10 or 11.

15. Use of a front foil (101) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and / or a marking system according to claim 10 or 11 for Marking of an electronic device (201).

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