Measuring device for process and automation technology and method for starting up such a measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring device (1) for process and automation technology for recording a physical variable and to a method for starting up said measuring device, comprising a sensor unit, an electronic unit, a communication unit and a radio unit, wherein the electronic unit is arranged in a housing (2) and is suitable for evaluating and / or processing measurement signals generated by the sensor element, wherein the communication unit is suitable for transmitting the evaluated and / or processed measurement signals to a superordinate control unit, and wherein the radio unit is part of the sensor unit and / or the communication unit. For a simple and at the same time error-free or tamper-proof manner of setting the measuring device with regard to country-specific requirements, provision is made for the operation of the measuring device (1) to require a coding element (3) which can be inserted into an area (2a) of the housing (2) provided for this purpose, wherein the coding element (3) comprises at least one country-specific piece of information which is queried by the measuring device (1) after the insertion of the coding element (3) and as a result of which the radio unit is configured.

Description

[0001] Measuring device for process and automation technology and method for commissioning such a measuring device

[0002] The invention relates to a measuring device for process and automation technology for detecting a physical quantity according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for commissioning such a measuring device according to claim 9.

[0003] A measuring device of the type in question essentially comprises a sensor element, an electronic unit for evaluating and / or processing the measurement signals generated by the sensor element and an electrical interface via which the measuring device is supplied with energy and the generated measurement signals can be tapped off by a higher-level control unit.

[0004] The sensor element, also known as a transducer, is used to detect and convert a physical measured value of a process value into a measurement signal. In process engineering, the transducer is used in particular to detect pressure, temperature, flow rate, or fill levels of a medium in a container. There are also other applications in automation technology, examples of which include optical, capacitive, and inductive proximity switches and sensors.

[0005] The electronics unit is housed in a housing. The sensor element and a display and control unit are often also located in or on the housing, although some measuring devices do not have a display and control unit, or the sensor element is located remotely.

[0006] Measuring devices of the type mentioned above now often incorporate wireless technologies, whether in the sensor unit, such as radar level gauges, or in the communication unit for transmitting measurement data, such as Bluetooth, RFID, etc. For worldwide use, it is necessary to ensure that the measuring devices can only be operated with the country-specific wireless parameters (frequency, bandwidth, strength) applicable in each country. Incorrect operation must be ruled out.

[0007] Transferring responsibility to the user in the form of a commissioning menu is not permissible due to the risk of incorrect operation and tampering. Therefore, there are currently various ways to comply with this legal requirement. However, taking country-specific requirements into account during production of the measuring devices is often uneconomical, for example due to the corresponding inventory requirements required by the manufacturer or customer. The installation of SIM cards or GPS systems for country allocation at the site of use is also not without problems, among other things because it cannot be guaranteed that a mobile network or GPS signal will always be available. Finally, there is the option of having the country-specific settings carried out solely by the manufacturer, which is comparatively complex overall.

[0008] The prior art includes, on the one hand, EP 1 398 631 A2, from which an auto-calibration label for sensors is known which contains coded calibration information.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 102009 022 762 A1 discloses a housing for a field device in which, using two chambers, several different field devices adapted to a wide variety of applications can be assembled.

[0010] Finally, DE 10 2021 110 017 A1 should be mentioned, which concerns a field device with location-adapted parameter determination and / or measured value determination. The field device has a position determination unit for determining its position and an evaluation unit that analyzes whether the device has been moved since the last parameter determination or measurement. If the device has moved to a new position, a new, location-specific parameterization is applied.

[0011] The object of the invention is to ensure the adjustment of the measuring device with regard to country-specific requirements in a simple and at the same time error-free and tamper-proof manner.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a measuring device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. According to a first aspect, the operation of the measuring device according to the invention requires a coding element that can be inserted into a designated area of ​​the measuring device housing, e.g., a recess. This means that without the coding element, the measuring device cannot be operated, in particular, it cannot commence radio operation. This ensures that the measuring device is never inadvertently operated outside the regulations applicable at the respective location of use.

[0013] The coding element comprises at least one piece of country-specific information, which is retrieved by the measuring device after the coding element is inserted into the measuring device. As a result, the radio unit is configured so that relevant radio parameters, such as frequency, bandwidth, and strength, are set to correspond to the values ​​valid at the measuring device's location. For this purpose, all possible configuration options are already stored in the measuring device, and by querying the coding element, the country configuration corresponding to the coding element is selected.

[0014] The coding element can be designed in particular as a ring, plug, plate, cap or clip.

[0015] A preferred embodiment provides that the respective country-specific information is characterized by a different geometric configuration of the coding element, for example, by a different length, width, thickness, or contour. Accordingly, the measuring device then comprises a detection unit with a scanning unit, for example, an optical one, which can detect the geometric configuration and thus enables the measuring device as a whole to implement the country configuration corresponding to the coding element.

[0016] Alternatively, a further preferred embodiment provides that the respective country-specific information is identified by a differently designed metal or magnetic plate on or in the coding element, whereby this also includes the possibility that the entire coding element itself can be this metal or magnetic plate. Accordingly, the measuring device then comprises a detection unit with a scanning unit, e.g. an inductive, capacitive, magnetic or electromagnetic one, which can detect the different characteristics of the metal or magnetic plates and thus enables the measuring device as a whole to implement the country configuration that corresponds to the coding element. It is also conceivable that several such areas or recesses for the coding element are arranged on the outside of the measuring device housing and that the country assignment is determined by the area or recess into which the coding element is inserted.

[0017] Another alternative design provides for the coding element to have a chip, tag, or transponder on which the respective country-specific information is stored. This information can be retrieved by a reading unit, for example, using NFC or RFID technology. A further advantage of this design would be that an identification key, preferably in the form of cryptographically encrypted information, can be stored in the chip, which securely and reliably confirms the authenticity of the coding element to the measuring device.

[0018] The design of the coding element can be varied, preferably as a ring, plug, plate, cap or clip, and can be inserted on the outside of the housing of the measuring device depending on its design or can be pushed, placed or slipped onto or over the measuring device.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the measuring device is put into operation according to the invention by inserting a coding element, which comprises at least one country-specific information, into a designated area of ​​the housing, this country-specific information is queried by the measuring device and, as a result, a configuration of the radio unit and an activation of the functionality of the measuring device with a permissible radio parameter set takes place.

[0020] The invention now allows the user to ensure compliance with the legal regulations regarding radio parameters applicable in the country where the measuring device is to be operated by simply plugging or clipping an additional component of any kind onto or into the measuring device. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0021] They show schematically:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the measuring device according to the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the measuring device according to the invention.

[0024] In the following description of the preferred embodiments, like reference numerals designate like or comparable components.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a measuring device 1 according to the invention for process and automation technology for detecting a physical quantity, in this case a radar level gauge, according to a first embodiment. It comprises a sensor unit (not shown in detail in Fig. 1), an electronics unit, a communication unit, and a radio unit, all of which are arranged in a housing 2. The electronics unit is intended to evaluate and / or process measurement signals generated by the sensor element, and the communication unit is intended to transmit the evaluated and / or processed measurement signals to a higher-level control unit. The radio unit can be part of the sensor unit, as in the present example of a radar level gauge, and / or of the communication unit if the measurement data is to be transmitted to a higher-level control unit, for example via Bluetooth or mobile radio.

[0026] Also shown is a coding element 3, which in this case is in the form of a semicircular arch and can be clipped into a designated area 2a of the housing 2 by means of a hook-shaped locking mechanism 6. The coding element 3 comprises, on the one hand, a metal or magnetic plate 4 or a chip 4, which, when clipped in, is interrogated or read by a detection unit 5 on the measuring device 2, e.g., by a GMR effect sensor or by means of an NFC or RFID reader. The metal-magnetic plate 4 or the chip 4 thus contains unique information that can be assigned to a specific country. Based on this country-specific information, the measuring device 2 then configures its radio unit in such a way that the regulations applicable in the respective country regarding radio parameters are complied with, and fully activates the functionality of the measuring device 1 with the permissible radio parameter set. This meansWithout the coding element 3, the measuring device 1 is inoperable and therefore cannot be accidentally operated with unauthorized radio parameters. Advantageously, if implemented as a chip, an identification key could also be stored on the chip, which securely and reliably confirms to the measuring device 1 the authenticity of the coding element 3, i.e., as a coding element 3 authenticated by the manufacturer.

[0027] For clear identification, the coding element 3 also includes a type plate 7, which advantageously contains not only the country code but also approval information and other markings.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a measuring device 1 according to the invention according to a second embodiment, which essentially corresponds to the measuring device known from Fig. 1. The difference is that the coding element 3 is designed as a small plate that can be inserted into a recess 2a provided for this purpose on the housing 2 of the measuring device 1. The functionality of this coding element 3 corresponds to the coding element known from Fig. 1. In this embodiment, it is also conceivable for several such recesses 2a to be arranged around the outside of the measuring device housing 2 and for the country assignment to be determined by the recess 2a into which the coding element 3 is inserted. In this case, it would be sufficient for the detection unit 5 to merely detect the presence of the coding element 3, without having to query information, for example using NFC or RFID technology.

[0029] List of reference symbols

[0030] 1 measuring device

[0031] 2 housings

[0032] 2a Area of ​​the housing

[0033] 3 Coding element

[0034] 4 metal or magnetic plates

[0035] 5 Detection unit

[0036] 6 Locking mechanism

[0037] 7 Type plate

Claims

Patent claims 1. A measuring device (1) for process and automation technology for detecting a physical quantity, comprising a sensor unit, an electronics unit, a communication unit, and a radio unit, wherein the electronics unit is arranged in a housing (2) and is suitable for evaluating and / or processing measurement signals generated by the sensor element, wherein the communication unit is suitable for transmitting the evaluated and / or processed measurement signals to a higher-level control unit, and wherein the radio unit is part of the sensor unit and / or the communication unit, characterized in that a coding element (3) is necessary for the operation of the measuring device (1), which can be inserted into a designated area (2a) of the housing (2), wherein the coding element (3) comprises at least one country-specific information item,which is queried by the measuring device (1) after the insertion of the coding element (3) and as a result of which the radio unit is configured.

2. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coding element (3) is designed as a ring, plug, plate, cap or clip.

3. Measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective country-specific information is characterized by a different geometric design of the coding element (3).

4. Measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective country-specific information is identified by a differently designed metal or magnetic plate (4) on or in the coding element (3).

5. Measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coding element (3) has a chip on which the respective country-specific information is stored.

6. Measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that an identification key is stored in the chip, which securely and reliably confirms the authenticity of the coding element (3) to the measuring device (1).

7. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring device (1) comprises a detection unit (5) which is suitable for detecting the different configurations of the coding element (3) and for querying the respective country-specific information.

8. Measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that the detection unit (5) comprises an optical, inductive, capacitive, magnetic or electromagnetic scanning unit or a readout unit.

9. Method for commissioning a measuring device (1) for process and automation technology for detecting a physical quantity, with a sensor unit, an electronic unit, a communication unit and a radio unit, wherein the electronic unit is arranged in a housing (2) and is suitable for evaluating and / or processing measurement signals generated by the sensor element, wherein the communication unit is suitable for transmitting the evaluated and / or processed measurement signals to a higher-level control unit, and wherein the radio unit is part of the sensor unit and / or the communication unit, characterized in that a coding element (3) comprising at least one country-specific information item is inserted into a region (2a) of the housing (2) provided for this purpose. is used, this country-specific information is queried by the measuring device (1 ) and as a result of this a configuration of the radio unit and an activation of the functionality of the measuring device (1 ) with a permissible radio parameter set takes place.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the measuring device (1) comprises a detection unit (5) which detects the different configurations of the coding element (3) and queries the respective country-specific information.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the detection unit (5) queries the country-specific information by means of optical, inductive, capacitive, magnetic or electromagnetic scanning or by means of a readout unit.

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