Portable diagnostic device used in an industrial environment

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable device (1) for diagnosing a state in an industrial environment, the device comprising: - a shell (2) defining a cavity (3); - at least one communication interface capable of exchanging data wirelessly with at least one external data source; - at least one sensor (10, 11, 12) capable of measuring a quantity accessible in the environment of the shell (2); and - a computer system (7) arranged in the cavity (3) and configured to receive: data from the communication interface; and the measurements taken by the one or more sensors (10, 10, 11, 12), and configured to establish at least one diagnosis on the basis of all or part of these data.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Portable diagnostic equipment used in an industrial environment

[0003] The present invention relates to portable diagnostic equipment used in an industrial environment. The equipment is for example used in a parts production site, such as a factory.

[0004] In order to monitor the consumption of a useful quantity in such an industrial environment, for example electricity or air pressure, it is known to provide various sensors connected to a computer terminal allowing the monitoring of the consumption of this quantity, in order to react if necessary. Such a solution is however permanently installed or has limited mobility, so that its use on other sites and for other functions is not possible.

[0005] There is a need to address these drawbacks.

[0006] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this, according to one of its aspects, using portable equipment for diagnosing a condition in an industrial environment, comprising:

[0007] - a shell defining a housing,

[0008] - at least one communication interface capable of exchanging data wirelessly with at least one external data source,

[0009] - at least one sensor capable of measuring a quantity, in particular a quantity accessible in the environment of the hull, and

[0010] - a computer system placed in the housing and configured to receive: data from the communication interface and, measurements made by the sensor, and configured to establish at least one diagnosis on the basis of all or part of this data.

[0011] The use of data received from the communication interface(s) can enable a diagnosis of the consumption of a useful quantity in the industrial environment, for example the electricity consumption or the air pressure level in a circuit supplying pneumatic actuators in the industrial environment, or the water consumption in the industrial environment. Integration into portable equipment allows the equipment to be used successively in various sites, regardless of the distance between the sites. Transport of the equipment via any means of transport between these two sites is thus possible. The relative cost of the equipment is consequently reduced since it can be shared between several sites. Several communication interfaces are, for example, provided, which may differ depending on the communication protocol used.Thus, one communication interface can allow an exchange via Zigbee®, another communication interface an exchange via Wifi® and another communication interface an exchange via Bluetooth®, for example. If necessary, a wired communication interface can be provided, for example via a socket for a standardized connector.

[0012] Due to the presence of communication interface(s), the equipment does not only receive data from sensors that can be stored in a compartment of the housing when not in use.

[0013] The portable equipment can be agnostic with respect to the data it receives, being compatible with various input data sources.

[0014] These data received via the communication interface(s) may originate from sensors arranged in one or more production lines or in the industrial environment, for example sensors for measuring the electricity consumed by a line, by an area of ​​the factory, or for measuring the pressure in the compressed air supply circuit of pneumatic actuators. Other types of data are possible, for example from sensors for measuring water consumption. The sensors sending data to the communication interface(s) are, for example, current sensors or pressure gauges. Alternatively or additionally, these data received via the communication interface(s) may originate from control units present in the industrial environment, for example, production line PLC control units, or control units for devices in the industrial environment.These control units implement, for example, electronic cards. If necessary, a communication interface, for example one of the aforementioned communication interfaces, allows connection to a local network to which the PLC control units are already connected.

[0015] The use of the measurements made by the sensor(s) of the portable equipment can enable a diagnosis of production operations in progress in the industrial environment. This diagnosis concerns, for example, the operation of a production line. Thus, the diagnostic function regarding the consumption of a useful quantity in the industrial environment can be added to the diagnostic function regarding production operations in progress in the industrial environment.

[0016] The equipment comprises, for example, at least one of: an image sensor, a sound sensor or a vibration sensor. This is, for example, a camera, a microphone or an accelerometer. The computer system is, for example, configured to compare these images and / or these sounds and / or these vibrations with reference data and to deduce from this comparison a diagnosis regarding a production operation in the industrial environment. These sensors are, for example, positioned so as to provide measurements regarding a production line and the diagnosis relates to the proper functioning of this production line. These sensors can be permanently mounted in the equipment, being then fixed in a non-removable manner to the equipment. Alternatively, they are simply placed in the housing and can be moved in the industrial environment, while exchanging data wired or wirelessly with the computer system.According to this variant, the sensors can be stored in a compartment of the housing from which they can be removed for use in establishing a diagnosis.

[0017] The shell comprises, for example, means for providing electromagnetic shielding of the housing from the outside. These means are, for example, constituted by an envelope defining the external layer of the shell. This envelope is, for example, made of aluminum.

[0018] The shell includes, for example, means for ensuring that the housing is sealed against the outside. These means can enable the equipment to meet the IP65 standard. A seal is, for example, arranged along one edge of the shell against which another edge of the shell rests when the equipment is closed.

[0019] For example, the hull includes means of protection against pressure drops at altitude, particularly during transport in the hold of an airplane. Depending on the target altitude:

[0020] - the hull may include a wooden layer providing means of protection against pressure drops at altitude, and where appropriate also electromagnetic shielding, or

[0021] - the hull may comprise an assembly of two layers, namely an outer layer of metal such as aluminum for electromagnetic shielding, and an inner layer of wood for protection against pressure drops at altitude.

[0022] For example, the hull has the following dimensions:

[0023] - length between 40 cm and 60 cm, for example 50 cm or 55 cm,

[0024] - width between 30 cm and 40 cm, for example 35 cm,

[0025] - height between 20 cm and 40 cm, for example 25 cm or 30 cm,

[0026] Such dimensions can give the equipment its ability to be easily transported.

[0027] For example, the equipment weighs between 5 kg and 15 kg. A reduced weight is preferred because it allows for transport by plane in the "cabin baggage" category, the weight then being less than 12 kg or 8 kg depending on the airline.

[0028] The computer system may have a user interface combining at least one screen and at least one keyboard. Thus, the user of the equipment benefits from a suitable working environment anywhere for carrying out diagnostics.

[0029] Where appropriate, the or one of the communication interfaces may allow the computer system to exchange data with a set of remote servers (called the "cloud" in English), in order to send the data received and the measurements received for processing to establish the diagnosis(es), or in order to send the diagnosis to remote users or to record the diagnosis on a remote server.

[0030] Alternatively, the establishment of the diagnosis(es) is done exclusively by the computer system, without transit via a remote server.

[0031] The computer system includes, for example, software solutions enabling processing of the received data and the received measurements. These software solutions can enable visual diagrams of the received data (“data vision” in English).

[0032] These software solutions can implement machine learning and / or deep learning algorithms in order to establish correlations between the measurements taken and other reference data.

[0033] These software solutions can also define, among other things, a conversational agent (chatbox) to help the user define the diagnosis, for example on the basis of diagnoses already established.

[0034] The equipment may have means of mobility on the ground, for example wheels. The equipment is, for example, in the form of a suitcase.

[0035] The invention also relates, according to one of its aspects, to a method of diagnosing production operations in progress in an industrial environment and / or diagnosing the consumption of a useful quantity in the industrial environment, a method in which the diagnosis is established using the above equipment.

[0036] As already mentioned, the industrial environment is, for example, a factory and the diagnosis may concern the operation of a production line in this factory.

[0037] The factory comprises at least one production line, and the diagnosis may concern the consumption of a useful quantity in the factory, for example at least one of: the consumption of electricity in the factory or in a production line of the factory, the air pressure level in a circuit supplying pneumatic actuators of the production line, or the consumption of water in the production line or in the factory

[0038] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description of a non-limiting example of its implementation and by examining the attached drawing in which:

[0039] [Eig.l] is a view of equipment according to an exemplary implementation of the invention, during movement,

[0040] [Fig.2] is a view of the equipment of Figure 1 in the closed state, [Fig.3] is a view of the equipment of Figure 2 in the open state, and [Fig.4] schematically represents the equipment of Figure 3 in its interaction with the external environment in which it is arranged.

[0041] Figure 1 shows an example of portable equipment 1 for diagnosing a condition in an industrial environment. The industrial environment is, for example, a room in a parts production site, in which one or more production lines are present. This is, for example, a factory. As will be seen later, the portable equipment 1 can make it possible to establish a diagnosis regarding the consumption of a useful quantity in the room of the industrial environment and to establish a diagnosis on production operations in progress in this room.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the portable equipment may be in the form of a suitcase, comprising a shell 2 internally delimiting a housing 3 receiving electronic components which will be described later.

[0043] The equipment in Figure 1, for example, has a weight of less than 12 kg, in particular 8 kg, and the following dimensions:

[0044] - length of 50 cm,

[0045] - width of 35 cm,

[0046] - height of 25 cm.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, in order to facilitate the movement of the equipment 1 on the ground, the latter may be provided with casters 4. The presence of casters 4 is however only optional. In order to facilitate its gripping by a user, the equipment 1 may also be provided with gripping means, such as a handle 5.

[0048] The shell 2 comprises, for example, an outer metallic layer, for example made of aluminum, in order to provide electromagnetic shielding of the housing 3 from the outside. Alternatively, wood may be used to provide this shielding.

[0049] Sealing means are also provided in one example. These means may enable the equipment 1 to have sealing according to the IP65 index.

[0050] Furthermore, means enabling the electronic components in the housing 3 to withstand a pressure drop at altitude are also provided in the example described. These means are for example constituted by a wooden layer.

[0051] In a particular example, the shell 2 combines aluminum and wood, for example in two superimposed layers, can provide this resistance to pressure drop at altitude and electromagnetic shielding. Such a shell allows, for example, the electronic components in the housing 3 to withstand an ambient pressure of 500 hPa, better 307 hPA, better 55 hPa.

[0052] The housing 3 comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a computer system 7 having a user interface combining a screen 8 and a keyboard 9.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the housing 3 provided in the shell 2 also incorporates in the example described:

[0054] - an image sensor 10 which is here a camera,

[0055] - a sound sensor 11 which is here a microphone, and

[0056] - a vibration sensor 12 which is here an accelerometer.

[0057] Other sensors may be integrated into the equipment 1. In the example considered, a current sensor 13 is also provided, the latter comprising for example one or more measuring cores, or even “all or nothing” type sensors for counting parts in a production line. One or more temperature sensors may also be provided in the housing 3.

[0058] All or part of the aforementioned sensors can be fixedly mounted in the housing 3. In other words, they cannot be moved relative to the equipment during their use.

[0059] Alternatively, all or part of the aforementioned sensors may be mobile relative to the equipment 1, for example simply being placed in a compartment of the housing 3. During use, they may be moved relative to the equipment 1, including being placed at a distance from the equipment 1. The sending by these sensors of the measurements to the computer system 7 may then be done by a wired link or by a wireless link.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 4, the device 1 can also have several communication interfaces, which may differ depending on the communication protocol used. Thus, one communication interface can allow an exchange via Zigbee®, another communication interface an exchange via Wifi® and another communication interface exchange via Bluetooth®, for example.

[0061] As can be seen in Figure 4, the equipment 1 may also comprise a power supply interface 14, making it possible to supply the equipment 1 with electricity from an electricity distribution network, and a switch 15 allowing a connection of two external components to the computer system 7. These data received via the communication interface(s) come from sensors arranged in a production line or in the industrial environment making it possible to measure the electricity consumed by a line, by an area of ​​the factory, or making it possible to measure the pressure in the compressed air supply circuit of pneumatic actuators, or even to measure the water consumption in the industrial environment. These data may also come from PLC control units of the line or any other sensor associated with a production line, for example a parts counting sensor.Other external sensors or more generally other sources sending data to the portable equipment 1 are possible.

[0062] The computer system 7 can then, if necessary after exchange with a set of remote servers, establish a diagnosis concerning for example the operation of a production line and establish a diagnosis as to the consumption of electrical energy in the factory.

[0063] The invention is not limited to the example just described.

Claims

8 Claims 1. Portable equipment (1) for diagnosing a condition in an industrial environment, comprising: - a shell (2) defining a housing (3), 5 - at least one communication interface capable of exchanging data wirelessly with at least one external data source, - at least one sensor (10, 11, 12) capable of measuring a quantity, in particular a quantity accessible in the environment of the hull (2), and - a computer system (7) arranged in the housing (3) and configured to receive: 10 data from the communication interface and the measurements made by the sensor (10, 11, 12), and configured to establish at least one diagnosis on the basis of all or part of this data.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, comprising several communication interfaces capable of exchanging data wirelessly, differing according to 15 the communication protocol used.

3. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one of: an image sensor (10), a sound sensor (11), and a vibration sensor (12) 4. Equipment according to claim 3, the system 20 computer (7) being configured to compare these images and / or these sounds and / or these vibrations with reference data and to deduce from the comparison a diagnosis as to a production operation in the industrial environment.

5. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, the hull (2) comprising means for providing shielding. 25 electromagnetic shielding of the housing (3) from the outside.

6. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, the shell (2) comprising means for ensuring sealing of the housing (3) with respect to the exterior.

7. Equipment according to any one of the claims 30 previous, the hull (2) comprising means of protection against pressure drops at altitude.

8. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, the hull having the following dimensions: - length between 40 cm and 60 cm, 35 - width between 30 cm and 40 cm, - height between 20 cm and 40 cm, 9. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, having a weight of between 5 kg and 15 kg, in particular less than 12 kg, in particular less than 8 kg. 5 10. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, the computer system comprising software solutions enabling processing of the data received and of the measurements carried out, these software solutions implementing machine learning and / or deep learning algorithms. 10 11. Method for diagnosing production operations in progress in an industrial environment and / or diagnosing the consumption of a useful quantity in the industrial environment, method in which the diagnosis is established using the equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Method according to claim 11, the environment 15 industrial being a factory and the diagnosis concerning the operation of a production line of this factory.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, the industrial environment being a factory comprising at least one production line, and the diagnosis concerning the consumption of a useful quantity in the factory. 20 14. Method according to claim 13, the diagnosis concerning at least one of: the electricity consumption in the factory or in a production line of the factory, the air pressure level in a circuit supplying pneumatic actuators of the production line, or the water consumption in the production line or in the factory. 25

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