Regulating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a regulating device, in particular a positioner, preferably an electropneumatic and / or electrohydraulic positioner, wherein the regulating device has a main part which consists of or is produced from an extruded profile, in particular from a longitudinal section of an extruded profile.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Control device

[0003] The invention relates to a control device, in particular a position controller, preferably an electropneumatic and / or electrohydraulic position controller, wherein the control device has a base body.

[0004] Control devices, such as positioners, are used to control process valves. Such control devices typically have control components, such as a control valve. This can receive an electrical input signal, e.g., an analog signal of 4-20 mA or a digital signal, and, depending on this, output a specific pressure or flow rate of a working fluid, such as compressed air or hydraulic fluid.

[0005] Such control devices typically have a housing to protect the control components from environmental influences, such as contamination or moisture. These housings are usually constructed in multiple parts and include, among other things, a housing base. Such components are typically highly complex, as such a housing base also contains the supply lines for a working fluid and electrical components. Such components are typically manufactured as injection-molded components, which require complex and precise machining.

[0006] This complex manufacturing process is considered a disadvantage by some, as it is associated with high costs. Furthermore, different positioners usually require the production of different housing components, resulting in high manufacturing complexity.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternative control device which in particular avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] This object is achieved in a control device of the type mentioned above in that the base body consists of or is manufactured from an extruded profile, in particular from a longitudinal section of an extruded profile. The invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​using an easily manufactured extruded profile as the starting material for the base body. The extruded profile can define a longitudinal direction along which a specific profile cross-section has been extruded. By selecting an extruded profile as the starting material before the base body, production can be considerably simplified. The provision of an injection-molded component is no longer necessary. This also eliminates the complex manufacture of tools for injection molding. The extruded profile can be machined directly.For example, holes can be drilled or threads can be cut in the longitudinal direction or transverse to the longitudinal direction, especially in a vertical direction. Corresponding through holes in the longitudinal direction can be created during the production of the extruded profile, eliminating the need for machining through holes in the longitudinal direction. This further simplifies production.

[0009] The extruded profile or the base body can be made of a commercially available plastic.

[0010] The control device preferably comprises control components that are attached to a top side of the base body, in particular screwed thereto. For this purpose, corresponding mounting holes can be drilled into the base body from a top side. These mounting holes preferably run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the extruded profile. The mounting holes can be provided with a corresponding thread.

[0011] The base body or the extruded profile can have a fastening groove that is open to an underside and extends in the longitudinal direction. The fastening groove preferably has a T-shaped cross-section. This design is based on the idea of ​​enabling simple fastening of the control device to an object, for example in a corresponding control cabinet, by means of a fastening groove with a particularly T-shaped cross-section. The T-shaped cross-section means that a wide groove section engages behind a narrow groove section. In this way, for example, a sliding block can be inserted or the base body can be pushed onto a corresponding profile with the fastening groove. The fastening groove can be arranged in a lateral edge region of the base body.

[0012] The base body or the extruded profile can have a longitudinally extending electrical through-opening for supplying the control device with electrical energy and / or electrical signals. The extruded profile can be provided with a corresponding through-opening during production. The electrical through-opening can be arranged in a lateral edge region, in particular in a lateral edge region of the base body opposite the fastening groove. The electrical through-opening can have a diameter of at least 8 mm and / or at most 20 mm. In order to supply a cable which provides electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the control components, a cable bushing can be screwed into at least one, in particular exactly one, end of the electrical through-opening.

[0013] One end of the electrical through-hole can be closed with a blind plug. The blind plug is preferably screwed into the electrical through-hole.

[0014] The base body or the extruded profile can have at least one, in particular several, preferably exactly two or three fluid passages extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction for supplying or discharging a working fluid, in particular compressed air or a hydraulic fluid. Preferably, a total of three fluid passages are provided. A first fluid passage can serve to supply the control device with a working fluid. A second fluid passage can serve for venting. In this way, excess working fluid that is not required can be released, in particular, to the environment. A further, third fluid passage can serve to supply a process fitting connected to or usable with the control device with working fluid.These designs are based on the idea of ​​providing several, for example, three parallel through-holes in the extruded profile, which serve to supply or discharge a working fluid. This eliminates the need for complex manufacturing of the through-holes, for example, by drilling.

[0015] The fluid passage openings may have a diameter of at least 5 mm and / or at most 12 mm.

[0016] Connection means can be provided at at least one end of each fluid passage. These can be designed in the form of plug-in connectors. The connection means are preferably screwed into the respective fluid passage. This allows hoses or other supply lines to be connected quickly and easily. Accordingly, the fluid passages can be provided with internal threads in their end regions. These can be easily cut into the existing passages in the extruded profile.

[0017] One end of each fluid passage opening can be closed with a blind plug. The blind plug is preferably screwed and / or glued into the fluid passage opening. Sealing means, for example in the form of a sealing ring or a sealing washer, can be provided on the blind plug. This allows the respective fluid passage opening to be sealed at one end.

[0018] At least one connecting bore can branch off from the electrical through-opening and / or from at least one, in particular each, fluid through-opening, which points upwards and is open to an upper side of the base body. This allows control components attached to an upper side of the base body to be supplied with a working fluid and / or with electrical energy and / or with electrical signals. Such connecting bores can be introduced into the extruded profile from the upper side and open into the respective through-opening, which extends in the longitudinal direction. The connecting bores can be provided with an internal thread towards their upper side and / or run transversely, in particular perpendicular to the respective through-opening and / or vertically.

[0019] The base body preferably has a central vertical receiving bore for a rotatably mounted shaft. In a further embodiment, the receiving bore can extend completely vertically through the base body. The control components, which are fastened to an upper side of the base body, can have an output shaft which completely extends through the receiving bore of the base body and projects from the base body to an underside. The output shaft can be rotatably mounted in the base body. In this way, information about the position of a control component can be transmitted to the outside. In other words, the position of the control component can be deduced from the rotational position of the output shaft. The rotatable mounting of the output shaft in the base body can be realized by a plain bearing or a rolling bearing.Specifically, the receiving bore can be stepped and widened at an upper end and / or a lower end of the base body. Appropriate rolling bearings, such as deep groove ball bearings, or plain bearings for supporting the shaft can be located in these areas. To prevent accidental loosening of the output shaft, appropriate securing means, for example in the form of a retaining ring, can be provided. Viewed from above, the base body can have an at least substantially rectangular cross-section. In other words, the base body can be manufactured by cutting the extruded profile perpendicular to its longitudinal direction.

[0020] The control device can have a housing attached to the base body. This housing, together with the base body, can form a substantially cuboid-shaped interior space in which control components are arranged. In this way, the control components can be protected against environmental influences, in particular against moisture or contamination.

[0021] Specifically, the housing can have a circumferentially closed side wall element that protrudes from a top side of the base body and surrounds the interior. The side wall element can have a cuboid-shaped through-opening that defines the interior. A sealing means can be provided between the side wall element and the base body. The sealing means can be designed as an annular sealing strip.

[0022] The side wall element can be manufactured as an extruded profile. This allows for particularly simple production, as such an extruded profile only needs to be cut to the correct length. Further finishing is generally not necessary. The extruded profile can be anodized.

[0023] The housing can have an at least substantially flat cover that defines the interior space at the top. Sealing means can be provided between the side wall element and the cover. In particular, the sealing means can comprise an annular sealing strip, which is preferably squeezed between the cover and the side wall element. In this way, the ingress of contaminants into the interior space can be prevented with a high degree of reliability.

[0024] The side wall element and the cover can have through-holes arranged coaxially to one another. These preferably extend in a vertical direction. Corresponding threads can be arranged in the base body. Furthermore, fastening screws can be provided which penetrate the through-holes and are screwed into the base body in order to hold the housing to the base body. The cover and the side wall element can be clamped against the base body by means of the fastening screws. In other words, the cover and the side wall element can be clamped between the screw head and the base body. In this way, sealing means, for example annular sealing strips, can be squeezed between the cover and the side wall element on the one hand and between the side wall element and the base body on the other hand in order to reliably prevent contaminants and moisture from entering the interior.

[0025] Specifically, a total of four fastening screws can be provided, each of which is arranged in a corner of the base body when viewed from above.

[0026] For further details of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a control device according to the present invention in perspective view;

[0028] Figure 2 shows the lower part of the control device from Figure 1 in a front view; and

[0029] Figure 3 shows the control device from Figure 1 in an exploded view.

[0030] Figures 1 to 3 show a control device 1 according to the invention, specifically an electropneumatic positioner. The control device comprises a base body 2 and a housing 3, which, as can be seen particularly in Figure 3, has a side wall element 4 and a substantially flat cover 5.

[0031] Control components 6 are attached to the top of the base body 2. Specifically, they are screwed to the base body 2. To protect the control components 6 from contamination, the housing 3 forms an interior space. A sealing means in the form of an annular sealing strip 7 is provided between the side wall element 4 and the base body 2, as well as between the cover 5 and the side wall element 4. The two sealing strips 7 are each crimped.

[0032] The side wall element 4 and the cover 5 have coaxially arranged through-holes 8, which extend in the vertical direction. Corresponding threaded holes 9 are arranged in the base body 2. Furthermore, a total of four fastening screws 10 are provided, which penetrate the through-holes 8 and are screwed into the base body 2. In this way, the housing 3 is held to the base body 2. The fastening screws 10 are each arranged in a corner of the base body 2, viewed from above.

[0033] The base body 2 is made from a longitudinal section of an extruded profile. On its underside, the base body 2 has a fastening groove 11 that extends in the longitudinal direction. This groove has a T-shaped cross-section and is located in a lateral edge area of ​​the base body 2.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, an L-shaped through-opening 12 is located above the fastening groove 11. This can be used, for example, for ventilation of the interior.

[0035] Furthermore, the base body 2 has a longitudinally extending electrical through-hole 13 for supplying the control device with electrical energy and / or electrical signals. A cable bushing 14 is screwed into one end of the electrical through-hole 13. The opposite end of the electrical through-hole 13 is closed with a blind plug 15, which is screwed into the electrical through-hole 13. For this purpose, corresponding internal threads are provided at both ends of the electrical through-hole 13.

[0036] In addition, the base body 2 has three fluid passages 16, 17, 18 extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction for supplying or discharging a working fluid, in this case compressed air. One fluid passage 16 serves to supply the control device 1 with a working fluid. Another fluid passage 17 serves for venting, and a third fluid passage 18 serves to supply a process valve connectable to the control device 1 with working fluid.

[0037] Each fluid passage 16, 17, 18 is provided with an internal thread at both of its ends, i.e., on the front sides of the base body 2. A connection means in the form of a plug-in connector 19 is screwed into one end of each fluid passage 16, 17, 18. The other end of each fluid passage 16, 17, 18 is closed with a blind plug 20, which is also screwed in. The plug-in connectors 19 are not shown in Figure 2. A connecting bore 21 branches off from the electrical passage 13 and from each fluid passage 16, 17, 18. The respective connecting bore 21 runs vertically upwards and is open to an upper side of the base body 2. In this way, the control components 6 are connected to the corresponding passages 13, 16, 17, 18.

[0038] The base body 2 further has a central vertical receiving bore 22. This extends vertically within the base body 2 and completely penetrates it. An output shaft 23, which is connected to a control component 6, is rotatably mounted in the receiving bore 22. The output shaft 23 protrudes from the base body 2 to an underside.

[0039] The use of an extruded profile enables simple production of the base body 2. A longitudinal section can simply be cut from a longer extruded profile to form the base body 2. The through-holes 13, 16, 17, 18 are already present in the extruded profile, as are the fastening groove 11 and the L-shaped through-hole 12. Only the vertically extending bores must be machined into the extruded profile, preferably by machining. Likewise, the internal threads at the ends of the through-holes 13, 16, 17, 18 must be cut into the extruded profile. This significantly simplifies production compared to conventional injection-molded parts, which initially require special tools and subsequently significantly more extensive post-processing. At the same time, relatively simple extrusion or pressed parts can be used for the side wall element 4 and the housing cover 5.Compared to conventional control devices, in which housings are manufactured as injection-molded components, the manufacture and assembly of the control device 1 according to the invention is considerably simplified. Furthermore, smaller, lighter, and more compact structures can be realized.

[0040] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0041] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control device (1), in particular position controller, preferably electropneumatic and / or electrohydraulic position controller, wherein the control device (1) has a base body (2) which consists of or is manufactured from an extruded profile, in particular from a longitudinal section of an extruded profile.

2. Control device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises control components (6) which are fastened to an upper side of the base body (2), in particular screwed thereto.

3. Control device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (2) has a fastening groove (11) open to a bottom side, which extends in the longitudinal direction.

4. Control device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening groove (11) has a T-shaped cross-section, and / or that the fastening groove (11) is arranged in a lateral edge region of the base body (2).

5. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) has an electrical through-opening (13) extending in the longitudinal direction for supplying the control device (1) with electrical energy and / or with electrical signals.

6. Control device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that a cable bushing (14) is screwed into at least one, in particular exactly one, end of the electrical through-opening (13), and / or that one end of the electrical through-opening (13) is closed by a blind plug (15), wherein the blind plug (15) is preferably screwed into the electrical through-opening (13).

7. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) has at least one, in particular several, preferably exactly two or three fluid passage openings (16, 17, 18) extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction for supplying or discharging a working fluid, in particular compressed air or a hydraulic fluid.

8. Control device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at one end of each fluid passage(s) (16, 17, 18) connection means, in particular in the form of plug connectors (19), are provided, wherein the connection means are preferably screwed into the respective fluid passage (16, 17, 18), and / or that one end of the fluid passages (16, 17, 18) is closed with a blind plug (20), wherein the blind plug (20) is in particular screwed and / or glued into the fluid passage (16, 17, 18), and / or that a total of three fluid passages (16, 17, 18) are provided, wherein a first fluid passage (16) is used to supply the control device (1) with a working fluid, a second fluid passage (17) is used for venting and a third fluid passage opening (18) serves to supply a process valve connected or connectable to the control device (1) with working fluid.

9. Control device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that from the electrical through-opening (13) and / or from at least one, in particular each fluid through-opening (16, 17, 18) branches off in each case a connecting bore (21), which points upwards and is open to an upper side of the base body (2) in order to supply control components (6), which are fastened to an upper side of the base body (2), with a working fluid and / or with electrical energy and / or electrical signals.

10. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) has a central vertical receiving bore (22) for a rotatably mounted shaft, wherein the receiving bore (22) completely penetrates the base body (2) vertically, wherein, in particular, control components (6) which are fastened to an upper side of the base body (2) have an output shaft (23) which completely penetrates the receiving bore (22) of the base body (2) and projects to an underside of the base body (2), wherein, preferably, the output shaft (23) is rotatably mounted in the base body (2).

11. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) has an at least substantially rectangular cross-section when viewed from above.

12. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (1) has a housing (3) fastened to the base body (2), which housing forms with the base body (2) a particularly substantially cuboid-shaped interior in which control components (6) are arranged, wherein, in particular, the housing (3) a circumferentially closed side wall element (4) which projects from an upper side of the base body (2) and surrounds the interior space, wherein, preferably, a sealing means is provided between the side wall element (4) and the base body (2), wherein the sealing means is preferably designed as an annular circumferential sealing strip (7).

13. Control device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing (3) has an at least substantially flat cover (5) which delimits the interior space at the top.

14. Control device (1) according to claim 13 and claim 12, wherein the housing (3) has a circumferentially closed side wall element (4) which projects from an upper side of the base body (2) and surrounds the interior, characterized in that sealing means are provided between the side wall element (4) and the cover (5), wherein the sealing means in particular comprise an annular circumferential sealing strip (7) which is preferably squeezed between the cover (5) and the side wall element (4).

15. Control device (1) according to claim 12 and claim 13 or 14, wherein the housing (3) has a circumferentially closed side wall element (4) which projects from an upper side of the base body (2) and surrounds the interior, characterized in that the side wall element (4) and the cover (5) have through-bores (8) which are arranged coaxially to one another and preferably extend in a vertical direction, and corresponding threaded bores (9) are arranged in the base body (2), and fastening screws (10) are provided which penetrate the through-bores (8) and are screwed into the base body (2) in order to hold the housing (3) on the base body (2), wherein, in particular, a total of four fastening screws (10) are provided, each of which is arranged in a corner of the base body (2) when viewed from above.

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