Component for a field device, and process-automation field device

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (1) for a process-automation field device. A seal (3) is connected to a wall (2). The seal (3) and an information unit (4) are integral with one another. The invention also relates to a field device having a component (1).

Description

[0001] Component for a field device as well as a field device for process automation

[0002] The invention relates to a component for a field device for process automation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a field device for process automation. The field device serves, for example, to determine and / or monitor a process parameter such as fill level, viscosity or density, pH value, or pressure of a medium. The medium is, for example, a liquid, generally a fluid, or a bulk material.

[0003] In process automation, it is common practice to use field devices to monitor or control processes. These field devices are typically sensors or actuators. Such devices usually have nameplates or labels that provide users with information about the device, its location, or operating instructions. There are numerous ways to produce these information carriers. Labels can be printed or laser-engraved, for example. A metal plate can also be screwed on. Improved readability or durability generally comes at the cost of increased effort. For instance, a classic nameplate made from a machined metal plate requires many steps and careful design coordination between the plate itself and the housing area that supports it.

[0004] Therefore, the object underlying the invention is to simplify the issue of labeling for a field device.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by a component for a field device for process automation, comprising at least one wall, a seal, and an information unit, wherein the wall and the seal are designed and coordinated such that the seal is connected to the wall—reversibly or irreversibly—and wherein the seal and the information unit are formed as a single piece. In the component according to the invention, a seal and an information unit form a single unit. Thus, they mutually reinforce each other, and therefore it is possible, for example, to apply to the information unit the same techniques and methods that are available and used for seals. Since seals are generally made of a special material that differs, in particular, from the usual material of the component, the resulting contrast makes the information unit highly visible.At the same time, depending on the design, it is possible to create the information unit with a certain sense of grandeur.

[0006] Depending on its design, the seal is either reversibly or irreversibly bonded to the wall. In one variant, for example, the seal is formed on the wall itself, making it impossible to remove without damaging it. Alternatively, the seal is a separate component that is, for example, attached to or inserted into a section of the wall and can therefore be removed.

[0007] One design of the component stipulates that the seal and the information unit are produced in a single manufacturing process. For example, the seal and the information unit are manufactured during a combined injection molding process.

[0008] Alternatively or additionally, the seal and the information unit are made of the same material.

[0009] One design of the component includes the seal and the information unit being made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0010] One embodiment of the component provides for at least one connecting component between the seal and the information unit. In this embodiment, the connecting component ensures that the seal and information unit are a single unit by creating a material bond between them. Thus, in this embodiment, the seal, the information unit, and the connecting component are all formed as one piece. In an alternative embodiment, the seal merges directly into the information unit. The connecting component is therefore characterized, in particular, by the fact that it neither carries nor represents any information and that it does not function as a seal.

[0011] The component is designed in the form of a housing, insofar as it has an interior space that it encloses. The component can be opened and closed reversibly, allowing access to the interior space, for example.

[0012] One embodiment of the component provides that the wall has at least one continuous recess, and that the seal and / or the information unit and / or the connecting component protrudes through the recess. In this embodiment, the wall has at least one hole through which the seal, the information unit, or the connecting component is passed.

[0013] One embodiment of the component includes a wall with at least one recess, and the recess and the seal and / or the information unit and / or the connecting component are designed and coordinated such that the seal and / or the information unit and / or the connecting component are at least partially located within the recess. In this embodiment, the wall has at least one negative mold in which the seal, the information unit, or the connecting component is inserted. This creates a type of embedding effect through the recess.

[0014] One embodiment of the component involves the wall having a first side and a second side, with the seal and / or connecting component located on the first side and the information unit on the second side, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the information unit is located on one side of the wall (e.g., either inside or outside), and the seal and / or connecting component is located on the opposite side as its counterpart. This effectively anchors the information unit.

[0015] One embodiment of the component provides that the wall has a first side and a second side, and that the seal is located on both sides. In this embodiment, a multi-layered or multi-part seal is provided, positioned on the two opposite sides of the wall.

[0016] One configuration of the component involves the information unit being implemented at least partially in the form of at least one letter and / or number and / or symbol. In this configuration, the information unit carries its information, for example, in its shape or outer contour.

[0017] In an alternative design, the information unit takes the form of a nameplate, and in a further design, this nameplate also has a structure that represents, for example, data.

[0018] One design of the component provides that the seal and / or the information unit are produced on and / or in the wall by an injection molding process.

[0019] According to a supplementary or alternative embodiment of the component, the wall is at least partially produced by an injection molding process.

[0020] One embodiment of the component includes at least two component parts, and the seal seals at least one transition area between these parts. In this embodiment, the component is formed by two parts. The seal seals the area where the two parts are joined. The component parts can be connected, for example, by a hinge for opening and closing. Alternatively or additionally, the seal seals the component against another unit of the field device. The component therefore carries its seal, which seals its transition to its installation environment within the field device.

[0021] Furthermore, the invention solves the problem by providing a field device for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable with a component according to one of the preceding or following embodiments. The descriptions and explanations concerning the component also apply accordingly to the field device, so repetition is omitted here.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention solves the problem by providing a method for producing a seal for a component, wherein the method may optionally be part of a method for producing a component. In this process, an information unit is produced simultaneously with the seal in a single process step. The preceding and following embodiments concerning the component also apply accordingly to the method, so repetition is omitted.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following illustrations. They show:

[0024] Fig. 1: a spatial representation of an opened component,

[0025] Fig. 2: another spatial representation of the component of Fig. 1 ,

[0026] Fig. 3: a top view of the underside of the component of Fig. 1 without seal,

[0027] Fig. 4: a top view of the inside of the component of Fig. 1 without seal and

[0028] Fig. 5: a spatial representation of the combination of seal and information unit of the component of Fig. 1.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an open component 1, and Figure 2 shows a view from below. Component 1 is in two parts and consists of two component parts 10. The transition area 11 between the component parts 10 is sealed by the gasket 3. The first—and here inner—side 22 of the wall 2 is visible, on which the information unit 4 is located. In the example shown, the information unit 4 consists of two letters: Z and S. This makes it possible, for example, to describe to a user the function of the keys, which are accessible via the adjacent recesses. The information unit 4 and the gasket 3 were manufactured together in a single production step from the same material. On the first side 22, the gasket 3 and the information unit 4 appear as two separate components.

[0030] A look at the second – and here outer – side 23 of the wall 2 in Fig. 2 reveals how the seal 3 and the information unit 4 on the first side 22 are connected. This is achieved by the connecting components 5, which extend from the ring-shaped and circumferential seal 3 to the other side. The seal 3 is made of two layers. The continuous cutouts 20 – which will be discussed in conjunction with Figs. 3 and 4 – result in the seal 3 and information unit 4 being a single unit.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows component part 10 of Fig. 2 without seal 3 and connecting components 5. There are several continuous recesses 20 that connect the two sides 22, 23 for the information unit 4 and the seal 3 or the connecting components 5. The connecting components 5 can project through the recesses 20 to the information unit 4, thus creating a single unit comprising the seal 3 and the information unit 4. Also visible are the recesses 21 in the wall 2, in which the seal 3 and the connecting components 5 are partially embedded.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows that the first side 22 also has recesses 21, which here correspond to the letters Z and S as information for the information unit 4 and the annular seal 3, respectively. The two layers of the seal 3 on the two sides 22, 23 are also contacted by continuous recesses 20.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows the overall component, which consists of the two-layer seal 3, the information unit 4 consisting of two letters, and the connecting components 5.

[0034] The two-layer basic form with the circumferential seal 3 can be seen. Inside are the two letters of the information unit 4 and below them the connecting components 5. Between the two layers of the seal 3, the butt-shaped connecting components 5 can be seen, which, when installed, are located in the continuous recesses 20.

[0035] Reference symbol

[0036] component

[0037] wall

[0038] seal

[0039] Information unit

[0040] Connection component

[0041] Component part

[0042] Transition area

[0043] Recess in the wall

[0044] Indentation of the wall

[0045] First side of the wall

[0046] Second side of the wall

Claims

Patent claims 1. Component (1) for a field device for process automation, comprising at least one wall (2), a seal (3) and an information unit (4), wherein the wall (2) and the seal (3) are designed and aligned such that the seal (3) is connected to the wall (2) - reversibly or irreversibly - and wherein the seal (3) and the information unit (4) are made in one piece.

2. Component (1) according to claim 1, wherein the seal (3) and the information unit (4) are produced from a common manufacturing process.

3. Component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal (3) and the information unit (4) consist of a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. Component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one connecting component (5) is located between the seal (3) and the information unit (4).

5. Component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wall (2) has at least one continuous recess (20), and wherein the seal (3) and / or the information unit (4) and / or the connecting component (5) projects through the recess (20).

6. Component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wall (2) has at least one recess (21), and wherein the recess (21) and the seal (3) and / or the information unit (4) and / or the connecting component (5) are designed and coordinated such that the seal (3) and / or the information unit (4) and / or the connection component (5) is / are at least partially located in the depression (21).

7. Component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wall (2) has a first side (22) and a second side (23), and wherein the seal (3) and / or the connecting component (5) is located on the first side (22) and the information unit (4) is located on the second side (23) or the seal (3) and / or the connecting component (5) is located on the second side (23) and the information unit (4) is located on the first side (22).

8. Component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wall (2) has a first side (22) and a second side (23), and wherein the seal (3) is located on the first side (22) and on the second side (23).

9. Component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information unit (4) is at least partially implemented in the form of at least one letter and / or number and / or character.

10. Field device for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable comprising a component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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