Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a stationary industrial electronic device arrangement, wherein the electronic device arrangement comprises exactly one core device (1) with at least one power supply unit (2) and at least one processor unit (3), wherein the electronic device arrangement further comprises at least one first attachable device (4) which can be attached to the core device (1) to provide a first mechanical connection, a first electrical connection and a first signal connection. To enable an effortless assembly and disassembly, it is proposed that the at least one first attachable device (4) is connectable to the core device (1) via at least one first form closure slidable connection, wherein the at least one first attachable device (4) is dependent from the core device (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement

[0003] The invention relates to a stationary industrial electronic device arrangement, in particular for internet of things applications, wherein the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement comprises exactly one core device with at least one power supply unit and at least one processor unit, wherein the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement further comprises at least one first attachable device which can be attached to the core device to provide a first mechanical connection, a first electrical connection and a first signal connection between the core device and the at least one first attachable device and can be separated from the core device.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Electronic devices, in particular internet of things sensors, are often configured for specific tasks like measuring temperatures or collecting particular data. In case other or additional tasks shall be fulfilled, a rearrangement of the electronic devices and / or the installation of additional, separate devices may be necessary. Furthermore, these devices often require a host network or a particular communication infrastructure to e.g. send collected data etc. The host network or the communication infrastructure would e.g. have to be adoptable for a varying number of devices and a varying volume of data traffic and / or would have to be configured to handle a great number of different devices.

[0006] Known from the state of the art is e.g. document WO 2020 / 244684 A1 which discloses an embedded internet of things system for conducting virtual measurement tasks which can be connected to an equipment, sensors, and instruments, wherein measurement result data can be transmitted into a computing cloud.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the herein described invention is to enable an effortless assembly and disassembly of the first attachable device to and from the core device.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1, wherein the at least one first attachable device is connectable to the core device and separable from the core device via at least one first form closure slidable connection between the core device and the at least one first attachable device, wherein the at least one first attachable device is dependent from the core device as the core device is a control device for the at least one first attachable device.

[0010] With this solution, a highly flexible, stackable, modular device platform, in particular for internet of things applications, is achieved. The electronic device arrangement can be adapted to multiple use-cases and can be expanded as well as reduced easily. A configuration of the electronic device arrangement can be changed flexibly according to the respective requirements. The first attachable device is interchangeable in an effortless manner. E.g. screws between the core device and the first attachable device are not required. It is not necessary e.g. to completely disassemble the electronic device arrangement or to conduct a power-down action etc. By such an interchange operation, the functionality of the electronic device arrangement can be varied rapidly.

[0011] As the first attachable device is dependent from the core device, wherein the core device is a control unit for the first attachable device, the first attachable device can be controlled (e.g. to initiate sensor measurements etc.) by the core device only, preventing unauthorized and / or interfering access to the first attachable device.

[0012] The electronic device arrangement is a stationary industrial electronic device arrangement that may e.g. be fixable to an industrial machine, to an industrial plant or to an industrial site. It does not comprise hand-held devices, devices fixed to a body of a human being or medical devices etc.

[0013] Further preferred solutions are described by the dependent claims.

[0014] To monitor and / or diagnose a technical condition of an industrial machine, an industrial device, an industrial plant or an industrial site, it may be recommendable if the at least one first attachable device comprises at least one sensor for measuring industrial machine parameters, industrial device parameters, industrial plant parameters and / or industrial site parameters.

[0015] A robust connection between the core device and the first attachable device may be achieved if the at least one first form closure slidable connection comprises at least one elongated first slide rail.

[0016] The elongated first slide rail may e.g. be extended along an entire length of a side edge of the core device or of the first attachable device.

[0017] To enable an unambiguous access to the first attachable device and a stable signal connection between the core device and the first attachable device, it may be beneficial if the signal connection between the core device and the at least one first attachable device is based on an electronic communication protocol, wherein the at least one first attachable device has a unique electronic communication address.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be helpful if at least the at least one power supply unit and / or the at least one processor unit on the one hand and the at least one first attachable device on the other hand are of same shape and size.

[0019] By this measure, e.g. modularity, simplified spare parts handling and a simplified unit and / or device exchange in a limited space can be achieved.

[0020] The herein described disclosure further comprises a data transmission network comprising at least two stationary industrial electronic device arrangements according to the invention, wherein at least a stationary industrial first electronic device arrangement and a stationary industrial second electronic device arrangement are configured for radio-based data transmission between at least the stationary industrial first electronic device arrangement and the stationary industrial second electronic device arrangement.

[0021] With this solution, the first electronic device arrangement and the second electronic device arrangement can be connected via a single access point without the need of a specific network infrastructure. The first electronic device arrangement and the second electronic device arrangement can be arranged e.g. in buildings and / or open areas and can have a plurality of functions due to their attachable devices. The first electronic device arrangement and the second electronic device arrangement can be senders and receivers and may comprise e.g. wireless fidelity antennas.

[0022] Furthermore, a decentralized self-organizing mesh network can be formed with this solution. This mesh can be established by a flexible number of electronic device arrangements according to the invention, wherein e.g. the first electronic device arrangement can be reached by some other electronic device arrangements comprised by the mesh. Said decentralized selforganizing mesh network may e.g. comprise an additional self-update function, wherein e.g. after updated firmware was installed on e.g. the first electronic device arrangement, other electronic device arrangements comprised by the mesh can request the updated firmware and conduct an automatic self-update. Such an automatism may result in an effortless maintenance of the electronic device arrangements comprised by the mesh. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The invention will further be explained based on at least one example of the invention with respect to the exemplary drawings, wherein:

[0024] Fig. 1 depicts an example of a stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to the invention for internet of things applications, and

[0025] Fig. 2 schematically discloses an example of a data transmission network comprising three stationary industrial electronic device arrangements according to the invention.

[0026] Detailed exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an example of a stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to the invention for internet of things applications fixed to an industrial site embodied as a machine tool environment.

[0028] The electronic device arrangement comprises exactly one core device 1 with a power supply unit 2 and a processor unit 3, wherein the electronic device arrangement further comprises a first attachable device 4, a second attachable device 5 and a third attachable device 6 which can be attached to the core device 1 to provide first mechanical connections, first electrical connections and first signal connections between the core device 1 on the one hand and the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 on the other hand and can be separated from the core device 1. The first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 are connectable to the core device 1 and are separable from the core device 1 via first form closure slidable connections between the core device 1 on the one hand and the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 on the other hand.

[0029] The first attachable device 4 comprises a temperature sensor, the second attachable device 5 comprises a pressure sensor and the third attachable device 6 comprises an acoustic sensor (a microphone). According to the invention, it would also be possible that the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and / or the third attachable device 6 comprise e.g. switches (e.g. electronic switches etc.), actuators (e.g. manipulators etc.) etc. However, sensors, switches and / or actuators comprised by the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and / or the third attachable device 6 are industrial sensors, switches and / or actuators wherein the sensors are, for industrial monitoring and / or industrial diagnosing purposes, configured for measuring industrial machine parameters, industrial device parameters, industrial plant parameters and / or industrial site parameters.

[0030] The first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 are dependent from the core device 1 as the core device 1 is a control device for the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 exclusively controlling sensor measurement operations.

[0031] The electronic device arrangement also comprises a signal connection unit attached to the core device 1 for a signal connection with at least one electronic device arranged externally regarding the electronic device arrangement. However, according to the invention, it is also possible that the signal connection unit is attached e.g. to the first attachable device 4 etc.

[0032] Communication via the signal connection unit is based on Modbus-protocol in a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) operating mode.

[0033] However, according to the invention, also other protocol types can be utilized.

[0034] The first attachable device 4 is connectable to and separable from an upper first side surface of the core device 1 , the second attachable device 5 is connectable to and separable from a lateral second side surface of the core device 1 and the third attachable device 6 is connectable to and separable from a lateral third side surface of the core device 1.

[0035] The core device 1 , the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 have cuboid shapes and plastic housings.

[0036] The power supply unit 2 is replaceable and comprises a lithium-ion battery for a standalone operation of the electronic device arrangement. However, it would also be possible to connect the power supply unit 2 to some electricity network via a cable etc. according to the invention. The power supply unit 2 can operate from alternating current sources as well as from direct current power sources, including standard industrial power sources.

[0037] The processor unit 3 has a dual-core microcontroller, capable of running at 240 MHz, ferroelectric random-access memory and 512MB nonvolatile memory chips, real time clock, two remote terminal unit chips, 868MHz long-range radio, 2.4GHz 802.11 b / g / n wireless fidelity and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities. All hardware components can be configured individually. Multiple wireless connection types can be utilized.

[0038] The core device 1 comprises a long-range radio first antenna 7 (long range wide area network antenna) for radio-based data transmission from and / or to the electronic device arrangement at a frequency of 868 MHz and a wireless fidelity second antenna 8 suitable for IEEE 802 protocol standard for a data transmission at a frequency of 2,4 GHz.

[0039] The first antenna 7 is capable of covering large areas (e.g. 1 km2in ideal conditions).

[0040] The core device 1 further comprises a memory unit, in which a computer program product comprising firmware for the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 is stored. However, according to the invention, it is also possible that e.g. the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 comprise own memory units with computer program products comprising firmware etc.

[0041] The power supply unit 2 and the processor unit 3 of the core device 1 which have separate housings are connectable to each other and are separable from each other via a second form closure slidable connection between the power supply unit 2 and the processor unit 3. By this second form closure slidable connection, the power supply unit 2 and the processor unit 3 can be mechanically connected to each other (second mechanical connection). Furthermore, a second electrical connection as well as a second signal connection can be established between the power supply unit 2 and the processor unit 3.

[0042] The power supply unit 2, the processor unit 3 on the one hand and the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 on the other hand are of same shape and size.

[0043] The first form closure slidable connections and the second form closure slidable connection comprise an elongated first slide rail 9 and further elongated slide rails which are arranged on the housings of the core device 1, the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6. On said housings, counterparts of the first slide rail 9 and the further slide rails are arranged as a first protrusion 10 and further protrusions which can be positively and slidably connected to the first slide rail 9 and the further slide rails. Via the first slide rail 9, the further slide rails and the counterparts, the first mechanical connections and the second mechanical connection can be established. The first electrical connections, the first signal connections, the second electrical connection and the second signal connection are established via a first connector pad 11 and further connector pads. However, the first electrical connections, the first signal connections, the second electrical connection and the second signal connection may alternatively be established via electrical and signal cables etc. Furthermore, the first electrical connections and the second electrical connection may also be established via the first slide rail 9, the further slide rails and the counterparts in case they are electrically conductive etc.

[0044] The first signal connections between the core device 1 on the one hand and the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 on the other hand are inter-integrated circuit connections based on electronic communication protocols, wherein the first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 and the third attachable device 6 have unique electronic communication addresses. The core device 1 can automatically recognize the connected first attachable device 4, the second attachable device 5 as well as the third attachable device 6 and start collecting measurements without any manual installation. This is possible due to the firmware which is applicable to a wide variety of known sensors. The core device 1 can handle multiple attachable devices which can comprise multiple sensors, switches or actuators etc. The theoretical maximum number of the attachable devices is only limited by the utilized electronic communication protocols.

[0045] According to the invention, also other connection standards than inter-integrated circuit connections can be utilized.

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically discloses an example of a data transmission network comprising three stationary industrial electronic device arrangements according to the invention, wherein the electronic device arrangements are configured as described in connection with Fig. 1.

[0047] A stationary industrial first electronic device arrangement 12 comprises a first wireless fidelity antenna 15, a stationary industrial second electronic device arrangement 13 comprises a second wireless fidelity antenna 16 and a stationary industrial third electronic device arrangement 14 comprises a third wireless fidelity antenna 17 for radio-based data transmission between the first electronic device arrangement 12, the second electronic device arrangement 13 and the third electronic device arrangement 14. The first electronic device arrangement 12, the second electronic device arrangement 13 and the third electronic device arrangement 14 are senders and receivers.

[0048] The data transmission network comprises a self-update function, wherein after updated firmware is installed on the first electronic device arrangement 12, the second electronic device arrangement 13 and the third electronic device arrangement 14 request the updated firmware from the first electronic device arrangement 12 via specific request radio signals. The updated firmware is then transmitted via response radio signals from the first electronic device arrangement 12 to the second electronic device arrangement 13 and to the third electronic device arrangement 14. The second electronic device arrangement 13 and the third electronic device arrangement 14 conduct automatic self-updates on the basis of the transmitted updated firmware.

[0049] Independent of the grammatical term usage, individuals with male, female or other gender identities are included within the term. List of Reference

[0050] 1 Core device

[0051] 2 Power supply unit

[0052] 3 Processor unit

[0053] 4 First attachable device

[0054] 5 Second attachable device

[0055] 6 Third attachable device

[0056] 7 First antenna

[0057] 8 Second antenna

[0058] 9 First slide rail

[0059] 10 First protrusion

[0060] 11 First connector pad

[0061] 12 First electronic device arrangement

[0062] 13 Second electronic device arrangement

[0063] 14 Third electronic device arrangement

[0064] 15 First wireless fidelity antenna

[0065] 16 Second wireless fidelity antenna

[0066] 17 Third wireless fidelity antenna

Claims

Patent claims1. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement, in particular for internet of things applications, wherein the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement comprises exactly one core device (1) with at least one power supply unit (2) and at least one processor unit (3), wherein the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement further comprises at least one first attachable device (4) which can be attached to the core device (1) to provide a first mechanical connection, a first electrical connection and a first signal connection between the core device (1) and the at least one first attachable device (4) and can be separated from the core device (1), characterised in that the at least one first attachable device (4) is connectable to the core device (1) and separable from the core device (1) via at least one first form closure slidable connection between the core device (1) and the at least one first attachable device (4), wherein the at least one first attachable device (4) is dependent from the core device (1) as the core device (1) is a control device for the at least one first attachable device (4).

2. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to claim 1 , chararcterised in that the at least one first attachable device (4) comprises at least one sensor for measuring industrial machine parameters, industrial device parameters, industrial plant parameters and / or industrial site parameters.

3. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one first attachable device (4) comprises at least one switch.

4. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one first attachable device (4) comprises at least one actuator.

5. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement comprises a signal connection unit for a signal connection with at least one electronic device arranged externally regarding the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement.

6. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one first form closure slidable connection comprises at least one elongated first slide rail (9).

7. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the at least one first attachable device (4) is connectable to one of at least three side surfaces of the core device (1) and is separable from the one of the at least three side surfaces of the core device (1).

8. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least the core device (1) or the at least one first attachable device (4) has a cuboid shape.

9. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the at least one power supply unit (2) and the at least one processor unit (3) are connectable to each other and are separable from each other via at least one second form closure slidable connection between the at least one power supply unit (2) and the at least one processor unit (3).

10. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the at least one power supply unit (2) comprises a battery for a standalone operation of the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement.

11. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the core device (1) comprises at least one first antenna (7) for radio-based data transmission from and / or to the stationary industrial electronic device arrangement.

12. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to claim 11 , characterised in that the at least one first antenna (7) is a long-range radio antenna, in particular a long range wide area network antenna or an IEEE 802 protocol standard antenna.

13. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the core device (1) or the at least one first attachable device (4) comprises at least one memory unit.

14. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to claim 13, characterised in that a computer program product comprising firmware is stored in the memory unit.

15. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the signal connection between the core device (1) and the at least one first attachable device (4) is based on an electronic communication protocol, wherein the at least one first attachable device (4) has a unique electronic communication address.

16. Stationary industrial electronic device arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that at least the at least one power supply unit (2) and / or the at least one processor unit (3) on the one hand and the at least one first attachable device (4) on the other hand are of same shape and size.

17. Data transmission network comprising at least two stationary industrial electronic device arrangements according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that at least a stationary industrial first electronic device arrangement (12) and a stationary industrial second electronic device arrangement (13) are configured for radio-based data transmission between at least the stationary industrial first electronic device arrangement (12) and the stationary industrial second electronic device arrangement

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