Remote human-machine interface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for managing a production line (100) comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least: - a human-machine interface (20), referred to as HMI, connected to a programmable logic controller (19), referred to as PLC, of a machine of said production line, and / or - a portable terminal (23); - at least one remote terminal (21) fixed to the machine or to a safety enclosure (22) of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, said remote terminal (21) comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal (23) within a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal (23) to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine; characterized in that it comprises at least one light beacon (24) fixed high up on the machine or safety enclosure (22) and connected to the remote terminal (21) such that a colour code emitted by the remote terminal (21), when a pairing request is sent by the portable terminal (23), is displayed by said light beacon (24), said colour code having to be confirmed on the portable terminal (23) in order to pair said portable terminal with the human-machine interface (HMI) (20).

Description

Remote human-machine interface

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the management of a production line comprising at least one machine, a human-machine interface known as HMI connected to at least one machine of said production line and / or a portable terminal capable of being connected to said machine. State of the art

[0002] In the field of industrial production line management, particularly on a beverage production line, it is well known that a programmable logic controller (PLC), also known as an industrial PLC, is a digital computer used for the automation of electromechanical processes, such as controlling machines on production lines. Unlike commonly used computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and outputs, wide temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and shock. The programs intended to control the operation of the machines are generally stored in non-volatile memory.

[0003] The main difference with other PC-type computers, according to the English acronym "Personal Computer", is that PLCs are generally shielded to withstand harsh conditions (such as dust, humidity, heat, cold, etc.) and have a large number of inputs / outputs (I / O) to connect, for example, to sensors and actuators. Thus, PLCs may be able to read limit switches, analog process variables (such as temperature and pressure) and the positions of complex positioning systems.

[0004] Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) can be used in critical environments where failures can compromise the safety of workers, the public, and / or the environment, or result in significant costs. Therefore, they are commonly used on bottle and beverage production lines in general.

[0005] To reduce the load on these controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are equipped with other specific devices that form an interface for operating personnel. These devices are called control and monitoring devices or human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and more commonly HMIs, according to the English acronym "Human Machine Interface".

[0006] The term HMI is a generic term that covers all components associated with this group of devices. One example is control panels, or OPs. These can be stationary or mobile. Furthermore, HMIs are frequently used in networked automation to help operating personnel display and control process data from the technical unit to be controlled. This function is called a real-time control and data acquisition system, or SCADA, according to the English acronym for "Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition." For this purpose, the HMI is usually equipped with specific hardware. In other words, it has a touchscreen, for example, and is specially protected from environmental influences. It is also equipped with specific software. This software provides functions that improve the user-friendliness, quality, and safety of the operations performed by the operator.Thus, HMIs can be used to visualize, control, configure, and generate interactive process maps of the technical unit to be operated. On the one hand, this enables the selective display of responses from the technical unit, usually in the form of measured values ​​and messages. On the other hand, the customized predefinition of control operations and data inputs allows the technical unit to be switched into the required states.

[0007] HMIs are usually permanently integrated, for example in the form of terminals, as fixed components in an automation system. These terminals are then usually permanently connected to the PLC by cables. If these terminals are in the form of handheld devices, their range of action is limited by a connecting cable. In many cases, this ensures that an operator can only perform safety-relevant operations in the direct vicinity of the technical unit or at least when there is adequate visual contact.

[0008] In order to overcome this disadvantage, it has already been conceived that the HMI takes the form of a mobile operator panel, such as a touchscreen tablet or similar, for example, a so-called portable HMI. Such a mobile control and monitoring device can, for example, be connected to the automation system by a long-range radio link. In this case, it cannot be ruled out that an operator using a mobile control and monitoring device moves so far away from an associated technical unit that safety-relevant operations are carried out at a distance that is not permitted per se. In this case, the safety of people could not be ensured.

[0009] This is particularly the case of document EP2077473 which describes a method and a system for accessing an element in a process control environment using a portable communicator. Said method, and the access system, comprise defining several control zones in the process control environment, determining a position of a user using a portable communicator relative to one or more control zones, establishing an identity of the user and selectively authorizing the user to access an element in the process control environment via the portable communicator depending on the determined position of the user relative to one or more control zones and depending on the identity of the user.

[0010] We also know the French patent application FR2307419, filed by the applicant, which describes a system for managing a production line for bottles or drinks comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least one human-machine interface called HMI connected to a programmable logic controller, called API or PLC according to the English acronym "Programmable Logic Controller", of a machine of said production line, and / or a portable terminal, remarkable in that it comprises at least one remote terminal secured to the machine or to a safety enclosure of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine,said remote terminal comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal within a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal to the human-machine interface (HMI) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine, said portable terminal comprising an emergency stop which is automatically connected to the emergency stop management system of the human-machine interface (HMI) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine when said portable terminal is detected within the determined perimeter and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine.,

[0011] Such a system for managing a bottle or beverage production line thus makes it possible to carry out an emergency shutdown of the machine directly from a portable terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, the wireless HMI must be connected to a machine by a so-called pairing mechanism. In order to achieve this pairing between the wireless HMI and the machine, two pairing methods are well known, a first method called proximity and a second method called remote.

[0013] In the so-called proximity method, the wireless HMI must be positioned close to the remote terminal, the pairing being carried out by means of an RFID chip positioned either on the remote terminal or on the wireless HMI, said RFID chip being capable of communicating with an RFID reader positioned on the wireless HMI or on the remote terminal respectively.

[0014] In the so-called remote method, the wireless HMI connects to the remote terminal via a Wi-Fi connection, or similar, and then the remote terminal displays a color code that the operator must enter on the wireless HMI, with a request for the color code being displayed on the screen of said wireless HMI.

[0015] However, so-called proximity pairing has the disadvantage of requiring the operator wearing the wireless HMI to be near a remote terminal, which impacts efficiency in terms of machine operation.

[0016] As for remote pairing, although it is more efficient than proximity pairing, it also has the disadvantage of requiring the operator wearing said wireless HMI to be close to the remote terminal since the operator must be able to read the color code emitted by the remote terminal for pairing, in other words the remote terminal must be in the operator's field of vision which also limits the efficiency of the operator's operation of the machine. Disclosure of the invention

[0017] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a system for managing a bottle or beverage production line of simple and inexpensive design and making it possible to improve the efficiency of machine operation by increasing the pairing area of ​​the wireless HMI with the remote terminal, as well as by increasing the display area of ​​the connection status of the machine, to maintain the identification of the machine and to reduce the number of remote terminals necessary for pairing the wireless HMI to cover the entire perimeter of the machine.

[0018] For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, a system for managing a production line is proposed comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least: a human-machine interface called HMI connected to a programmable logic controller, called API or PLC according to the English acronym "Programmable Logic Controller", of a machine of said production line, and / or a portable terminal; at least one remote terminal secured to the machine or to a safety enclosure of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine, said remote terminal comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal in a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal with the human-machine interface (HMI) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the machine;said management system is remarkable in that it comprises at least one light beacon secured high up on the machine or the safety enclosure and connected to the remote terminal in such a way that a color code emitted by the remote terminal, when a pairing request is emitted by the portable terminal, is displayed by said light beacon, said color code having to be confirmed on the portable terminal to pair said portable terminal with the human-machine interface (HMI).;

[0019] According to a first variant embodiment, said light beacon is connected to the remote terminal by a wired connection.

[0020] According to a second variant embodiment, said light beacon is connected to the remote terminal by means of a wireless network.

[0021] Preferably, said wireless network consists of a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee network.

[0022] Furthermore, said light beacon is preferably made up of a so-called fixing base to allow said light beacon to be fixed to a vertical or horizontal wall of a machine or a safety enclosure and at least two so-called pairing light glasses, each pairing light glass being of a different color.

[0023] Preferably, the light beacon comprises at least two additional light glasses capable of indicating the connection status of the portable terminal to the HMI.

[0024] Said additional light glasses preferably consist of at least one white light glass and one green light glass.

[0025] Additionally, the management system includes a signal amplifying antenna connected to each remote terminal.

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of several variant embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, of the system for managing a bottle or beverage production line in accordance with the invention, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] is a schematic representation of the structure of a bottle or beverage production line comprising a system for managing said line in accordance with the invention,

[0028] is a schematic representation of a container manufacturing unit comprising a production line management system in accordance with the invention,

[0029] is a perspective view of the light beacon of the management system of said line according to the invention. Method of carrying out the invention

[0030] In the following description of the container according to the invention, the same numerical references designate the same elements. The different views are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0031] With reference to the, the bottle or beverage production line 100 essentially comprises a unit 1 for manufacturing containers, such as bottles, made of thermoplastic material, a unit 2 for filling said containers, and a unit 3 for conveying the manufactured containers from the outlet 4 of the manufacturing unit 1 to the inlet 5 of the filling unit.

[0032] It will be observed that said bottle or beverage production line 100 may possibly also comprise a labeling unit and / or a container capping unit and / or a container surface treatment unit, of the type allowing deposition of a barrier coating by plasma, not shown on the without however departing from the scope of the invention.

[0033] The manufacturing unit 1 may be of any type suitable for the manufacture of containers, such as bottles, made of thermoplastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate PET, polyethylene naphthalate PEN or others. It receives, at its inlet, preforms made of amorphous material from a preform supply unit 7. The unit 7 may consist of a hopper 8 receiving preforms manufactured by molding in bulk previously and at another location, which hopper is connected to the inlet 6 by a sorter 9 which isolates and positions the preforms on a conveyor device 10 connected to the inlet 6 of the manufacturing unit (cold preform supply) as shown in the. The unit 7 may also consist of the preform molding unit itself which delivers the preforms which have just been molded and are still hot directly to the inlet 6 of the manufacturing unit (hot preform supply).

[0034] The processing of the preforms within the manufacturing unit can be any and adapted to the type of containers to be produced (single or double blowing, single or multiple heat treatment, etc.). The diagram is reproduced, for reasons of simplicity and clarity, a simple processing of the preforms which are mounted at 11 on a transfer line 12, then heated in a tunnel oven 13 before being taken up at 14 to be introduced hot into a blowing or stretch-blow molding device 15 with multiple molds arranged on a carousel. After controlled cooling, the containers which have just been manufactured are presented at the outlet 4 of the manufacturing unit 1.

[0035] The containers received at the inlet 5 of the filling unit 2 are placed on a rotating drum filling device 16 from which, once filled, they are extracted and presented to a capping device 17. The filled and capped containers are then evacuated through the outlet 18 of the filling unit 2, to a labeling station and then a packaging station (not shown).

[0036] The container manufacturing unit 1 and the filling unit 2 are arranged as close as possible to each other so that the distance between the outlet 4 of the former and the inlet 5 of the latter is as small as possible. The conveyor unit 3 which extends from the said outlet 4 to the said inlet 5 is therefore short and the introduction of the containers from the conveyor unit 3 into the filling unit 2 is carried out directly, without passing through a washing device which has become unnecessary due to the now very reduced risk of internal pollution of the containers.Given its short length, the conveying unit 3 can certainly be of the air jet type like the very long conveyor devices used in current installations, but it can also be produced under economically acceptable conditions in the form of an endless chain conveyor device, for example with grippers, which is capable of transporting the containers with a constant spacing pitch.

[0037] With reference to the, the container manufacturing unit 1 comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 for controlling the various components of said manufacturing unit 1 and a human-machine interface (HMI) 20 connected to said programmable logic controller 19.

[0038] It goes without saying that each unit, i.e. each machine, of the production line 100 includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a human-machine interface (HMI) although only the container manufacturing unit 1 is shown on the.

[0039] Furthermore, the production line management system 100 comprises a remote terminal 21 secured to a safety enclosure 22 of the container manufacturing unit 1 and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 of said container manufacturing unit 1, said remote terminal 21 comprising means for detecting the presence of a portable terminal 23 in a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal 23 with the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 of the container manufacturing unit 1.It will be observed that, in this particular embodiment, the production line management system 1 comprises a plurality of remote terminals 21 secured to the safety enclosure 22, at different locations, each remote terminal 21 being connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 and respectively defining a determined perimeter in which the portable terminal 23, the latter connecting to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 only when said portable terminal 23 is located inside one of these determined perimeters of the remote terminals 21.

[0040] It is obvious that the remote terminal(s) 21 may be integral with each machine, i.e. each unit 1 for manufacturing containers, unit 2 for filling said containers, or unit 3 for conveying containers without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0041] Said portable terminal 23 may be in the form of a computer terminal, in the form of a tablet or a cell phone, a connected watch, namely any terminal equipped with a screen.

[0042] It will be observed that said portable terminal 23 can also comprise a holographic display surface, such as a headset or holographic glasses without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043] Thus, the operator can carry said portable terminal 23 as he moves along the production line 100, having direct access to all or part of the computerized management of a unit through said human-machine interface (HMI) 20. Further, through said human-machine interface (HMI) 20, in a non-limiting manner, the operator can select different operating modes of the container manufacturing unit 1, check the status of certain components or monitor the production in progress, check for potential anomalies, adjust settings, enter data relating to the production, control and carry out a maintenance step, etc.

[0044] Furthermore, advantageously, the portable terminal connects to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 of the container manufacturing unit 1 by means of a wireless network. Said wireless network consists of a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee network or any other suitable wireless network. Each remote terminal 21 is connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20 and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) 19 of the container manufacturing unit 1 by a wired connection, not shown in the figure.

[0045] According to an essential characteristic of the management system according to the invention, with reference to figures 2 and 3, the latter comprises one or more light beacons 24 secured at a height on the machine, i.e. the manufacturing unit 1, or the safety enclosure 22 and connected to the remote terminal in such a way that a color code emitted by the remote terminal, when a pairing request is emitted by the portable terminal, is displayed by said light beacon, said color code having to be confirmed on the portable terminal to pair said portable terminal 23 with the human-machine interface (HMI) 20.In this particular embodiment, said management system comprises only one light beacon 24; however, it is obvious that it could comprise a plurality of light beacons 24 depending on the configuration of the machine in such a way that at least one light beacon 24 is visible to an operator regardless of his position around said machine.

[0046] Each light beacon 24 is connected to the remote terminal either by a wired connection or by means of a wireless network. In the latter case, said wireless network consists of a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee network or similar.

[0047] Furthermore, said light beacon 24 is preferably made up of a so-called fixing base 25 to allow said light beacon 24 to be fixed to a vertical or horizontal wall of a machine or a safety enclosure 22 and at least two so-called pairing light glasses 26a and 26b, each pairing light glass 26a and 26b being of a different color, for example yellow and red respectively.

[0048] Advantageously, the light beacon 24 also comprises at least two additional light glasses 27a and 27b capable of indicating the connection status of the portable terminal 23 to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20.

[0049] Said additional light bulbs 27a and 27b preferably consist of at least one white light bulb, indicating for example that no portable terminal 23 is currently connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20, and a green light bulb indicating that a portable terminal 23 is currently connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20.

[0050] It is obvious that these additional light bezels 27a and 27b may have any color or be attached to a second light beacon 24 which is thus solely dedicated to indicating the connection status of the portable terminal 23 to the human-machine interface (HMI) 20.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be noted that it is also possible to add a light signal to visualize the pairing status of the machine (White = available, Green = already paired) directly on the machine and / or on a line supervisor, the machine being associated with said line supervisor.

[0052] Incidentally, the management system includes a signal amplifying antenna, not shown in the figures, connected to each remote terminal 21 in order to increase the range of the signal from each remote terminal 21.

[0053] Thus, the wireless HMI, i.e. the portable terminal 23, must be connected to a machine, the portable terminal 23 connects to one of the remote terminals 21 via a Wi-Fi link, or similar, then the remote terminal 21 transmits a signal to the light beacon(s) 24 in such a way that said light beacon 24 lights up one of the pairing lamps corresponding to the pairing color code. The operator can easily see said color code on the light beacon 24 and then enter said color code on the wireless HMI, i.e. the portable terminal 23, in order to carry out the pairing.

[0054] It is understood that the light beacon 24 of the management system according to the invention makes it possible to increase the remote pairing zone and to increase the display zone of the connection status of the machine, to preserve the identification of the machine and to reduce the number of remote terminals necessary for pairing to cover the perimeter of the machine.

[0055] Furthermore, with reference to the, the light beacon 24 of the management system according to the invention is constituted by a so-called main cover 28 capable of receiving an electronic card allowing communication with the remote terminals 21 and controlling said light verrines. In this particular embodiment, said main cover 28 comprises a lower part 28a of oblong cross section and an upper part 28b of flattened oblong cross section.

[0056] It is obvious that the main cover 28 may have any shape, such as a cylindrical shape for example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0057] Said light beacon 24 also comprises a lower cover 29 called a base cooperating with the lower end of the main cover 28. In this particular embodiment, the lower cover 29 consists of a part of revolution comprising at a first end a peripheral skirt comprising securing means cooperating with the edge of the lower end of the main cover 28 and at the opposite end a cylindrical tubular section 30 receiving a bent tube 31.

[0058] Furthermore, the light beacon 24 also comprises a fixing base 25 consisting of a fixing plate 32, substantially oblong, comprising through holes to allow the fixing of said plate 32 on a vertical or horizontal wall of a machine by means of screws, nuts or rivets for example.

[0059] In addition, the light beacon 24 comprises an upper cover 33 capable of covering the upper end of the main cover 28 and / or a light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, each light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b having a substantially cylindrical shape. The lower end of each light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b comprises a circular skirt capable of covering the upper end of the main cover 28 or the upper end of another light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b and the upper end of light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b is capable of being closed by the upper cover 33. Furthermore, each light glass 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b comprises at least one LED mounted on an electrical circuit capable of being connected to the electronic card positioned in the main cover 28.

[0060] Thus, the acquisition box is modular and can have several configurations.

[0061] Finally, it is clear that the examples just given are only specific illustrations and are in no way limiting as to the fields of application of the invention.

Claims

System for managing a production line (100) comprising at least one machine, said system comprising at least: a human-machine interface (20) called HMI connected to a programmable logic controller (19), called API or PLC according to the English acronym "Programmable Logic Controller", of a machine of said production line, and / or a portable terminal (23); - at least one remote terminal (21) secured to the machine or to a safety enclosure (22) of said machine and connected to the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) or connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine, said remote terminal (21) comprising means for detecting the presence of the portable terminal (23) in a determined perimeter and means for connecting said portable terminal (23) with the human-machine interface (HMI) (20) and / or to the programmable logic controller (PLC) (19) of the machine;characterized in that it comprises at least one light beacon (24) secured at a height on the machine or the safety enclosure (22) and connected to the remote terminal (21) in such a way that a color code emitted by the remote terminal (21), when a pairing request is emitted by the portable terminal (23), is displayed by said light beacon (24), said color code having to be confirmed on the portable terminal (23) to pair said portable terminal with the human-machine interface (HMI) (20).; Production line management system according to claim 1, characterized in that said light beacon (24) is connected to the remote terminal (21) by a wired connection. Production line management system according to claim 1, characterized in that said light beacon (24) is connected to the remote terminal (21) by means of a wireless network. Production line management system according to claim 3, characterized in that said wireless network consists of a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee network. Production line management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said light beacon (24) consists of a so-called fixing base (25) to allow the fixing of said light beacon (24) on a vertical or horizontal wall of a machine or a safety enclosure (22) and at least two light glasses (26a, 26b), each light glass (26a, 26b) being of a different color. Production line management system according to claim 5, characterized in that the light beacon (24) comprises at least two additional light glasses (27a, 27b) capable of indicating the connection status of the portable terminal (23) to the HMI. System for managing a production line according to claim 6, characterized in that said additional light glasses (27a, 27b) consist of a white light glass and a green light glass. Production line management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a signal amplifying antenna connected to each remote terminal (21).

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