DE102013113438A1 - Display module of a field device of automation technology - Google Patents

Abstract

Display module of a field device of automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising a housing (2) with an opening (3), wherein the opening (3) by means of a transparent disc (4) is sealed, at least one light-emitting element (5) for generating the at least one color signal, wherein the light-emitting element (5) is arranged in the housing (2) such that the light of the at least one light-emitting element (5) exits the housing (2) through the pane (4), characterized a deflecting body (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5) is arranged on the housing (2) for deflecting the light emitted from the pane (4).

Description

The invention relates to a display module of a field device of automation technology for displaying at least one color signal.

In automation technology, in particular in process automation technology, field devices are often used which serve to detect and / or influence process variables. Sensors that are used, for example, in level gauges, flowmeters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity meters, etc., which record the corresponding process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH or conductivity, are used to record process variables. To influence process variables are actuators, such as valves or pumps, via which the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the level in a container can be changed. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information. In the context of the invention, field devices are thus also understood as remote I / Os, radio adapters or generally electronic components which are arranged on the field level. A variety of such field devices is manufactured and sold by the company Endress + Hauser.

Flowmeters are especially Coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, thermal and / or magnetic inductive flowmeters.

Level gauges are in particular microwave level gauges, ultrasonic level gauges, time domain reflectometric level gauges (TDR), radiometric level gauges, capacitive level gauges, conductive level gauges and / or temperature-sensitive level gauges.

Pressure gauges are in particular absolute, relative or differential pressure devices.

Temperature measuring devices are in particular measuring devices with thermocouples and temperature-dependent resistors.

Point level measuring devices are in particular vibronic point level measuring devices, ultrasonic point level measuring devices and / or capacitive or conductive point level measuring devices.

Analytical measuring devices are in particular pH sensors, conductivity sensors, oxygen and active oxygen sensors, (spectro) -photometric sensors, and / or ion-selective electrodes.

In addition, electronic devices, including field devices that are to be operated in potentially explosive areas, must also meet very high safety requirements with regard to explosion protection. In particular, it is important to safely avoid the formation of sparks, or at least to ensure that any spark generated inside a confined space has no effect on the environment in order to safely prevent a potentially triggering explosion. As for example in the US-B 63 66 436 or the US-B 65 56 447 To this end, various types of protection are distinguished in the context of explosion protection, which are also manifested in accordance with relevant standards and standards in relevant electrical equipment for hazardous areas, such as in the European standards EN 60079-xx , the US standards FM36xx , of the Canadian standard C22.2 , of the International standard IEC 60079-18 or the Standards DIN EN 50 014 ff , As a protection class is in the European standard EN 60079-1: 2007 the type of protection "flameproof enclosure" (Ex-d) is listed. Electrical equipment designed in accordance with this class of protection must have a pressure-resistant housing to ensure that an explosion occurring inside the enclosure can not be transmitted to the outside. Pressure-resistant housings are designed to be comparatively thick-walled so that they have sufficient mechanical strength.

Numerous display modules for field devices of automation technology are known from the prior art. The display modules have a housing, wherein in the housing, a light-emitting element for displaying color signals is arranged. The housing has a base body with an opening which is closed by means of a lid, so that the safety requirements with respect to explosion protection, in particular a flameproof enclosure (Ex-D) are gewährleitstet. The cover has a window pane, so that the color signals of the light-emitting element are visible outside the housing.

A disadvantage of such display modules is that the color signals of the light-emitting element emerge from the pane in a straight direction and are not visible from the side of the pane.

The invention has for its object to propose a display module, which deflects the light of its color signals with simple means and at the same time does not change the IP protection class and safety requirements in terms of explosion protection, in particular with respect to the flameproof enclosure of the housing.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the invention. The subject of the invention is a display module of a field device of automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising a housing with an opening, wherein the opening is sealed by a transparent disc, at least one light-emitting element for generating the at least one color signal, wherein the light-emitting element is arranged in the housing such that the light of the at least one light-emitting element emerges from the housing through the pane, wherein according to the invention a deflecting body is arranged on the housing for deflecting the light emitted from the pane.

The deflection is in this case an additional module to the housing. The diverter body can be upgraded after the housing has been completely assembled. If the housing fulfills the safety requirements with regard to explosion protection or with regard to pressure-resistant encapsulation (Ex-D), this does not necessarily apply to the deflection body. By connecting the deflecting body with the housing, the properties of the housing are not changed. As a result, the housing can comply with the safety requirements despite the associated deflecting body.

According to a further embodiment, the deflecting body is detachably arranged on the housing.

Due to the detachable arrangement of the deflecting body on the housing, it is always possible to remove the deflecting and replace it with another deflecting body.

According to an advantageous development, the at least one light-emitting element emits light of different wavelengths, and the deflecting body is designed so that the light of different wavelengths is deflected with different deflection angles.

The phenomenon of dispersion is exploited. For this purpose, the deflection body must be designed to such an extent that the light does not exit the deflection body vertically, but at a flat deflection angle. The flatter the deflection angle of the light emerging from the deflecting body, the stronger the dispersion.

According to a further development, the deflecting body has a light exit surface which is remote from the pane and which is at least partially convex.

By a convex light exit surface of the effect of the dispersion is particularly well utilized. The different colors have relative to each other particularly large deflection.

According to an advantageous refinement, a first partial region of the light inlet surface of the deflection body facing the pane is configured as an optical waveguide in order to forward the light of the at least one light-emitting element.

In this way, the light of the light-emitting element is passed directly to a specific point of the deflecting body, at which the light is deflected particularly effective.

According to a further embodiment, the light guide is arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the deflecting body.

The deflecting body preferably has in its center on its longitudinal axis a position which can deflect the light particularly effectively. If the light guide is also arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the light is conducted directly to the location of the deflecting body, where it is deflected particularly effectively.

According to a further embodiment, the display module comprises at least two light-emitting elements, wherein the at least one light guide is arranged so that the light of one of the at least two light-emitting elements is forwarded.

In this embodiment, the light of a specific light-emitting element can be tapped specifically. The light of the other light-emitting element does not pass directly into the light guide and therefore passes with a weaker intensity into the deflection body.

According to an advantageous development, a second subregion of the light entry surface of the deflecting body lying outside the first subregion of the light guide has an absorption layer.

The absorbing surface serves to absorb the light of the light-emitting element that does not directly enter the light guide.

According to an advantageous development of the deflecting body is rotatably arranged with respect to the opening of the housing, so that depending on a position of the light guide relative to the at least two light-emitting elements, the light of a first light-emitting element forwarded and the light of a second light-emitting element is absorbed or the light of the first light-emitting element is absorbed and the light of the second light-emitting element is forwarded.

In this way, it is determined by the position of the deflecting body, which color signal should reach the deflecting body and which color signal should be absorbed before it can reach the deflecting body.

According to a further embodiment, the deflecting body comprises polycarbonate (PC) and / or polyamide (PA).

Polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA) have a relatively high refractive index and at the same time are able to transmit the light without high losses.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the deflecting body is receivable in the opening of the housing.

An advantage of this configuration is that the deflecting can form a positive connection with the opening. This connection is easy and can be produced and released without much effort.

According to an advantageous development of the deflecting body is designed so that the deflecting over an end face of the housing, on which the opening is arranged, protrudes.

If the deflecting body protrudes beyond the end face of the housing, the light emerging from the deflecting body can no longer be delimited by the end face. The light which emerges from the deflection body can thereby reach deflection angles of up to 180 ° with respect to the non-guided light.

According to an advantageous development, the deflection body has at least one scattering center for scattering light. An advantage of a scattering center is that it can be placed in the deflecting body in a targeted manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the scattering center is arranged so that the light guide leads the light to the scattering center. A large part of the light is guided through the light guide into the interior of the deflecting body. If the light guide leads directly to the scattering center, the majority of the light is scattered by the scattering center.

According to a further embodiment, the scattering center is formed as a hollow at the light exit surface of the deflecting body. A cavity at the light exit surface is a cost effective and easy way to realize a scattering center.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows:

1 a longitudinal section of a display module with a first embodiment of a deflecting body, and

2 A display module with various embodiments of the deflecting body, which can be arranged as system components to the display module.

1 shows a display module 1 a field device of automation technology. The display module 1 includes a cylindrical housing 2 , On a frontal surface 8th of the cylindrical housing 2 is a circular opening 3 arranged. A transparent and circular disc 4 is from the inside at the end face 8th of the housing 2 arranged. The disc 4 closes the opening 3 so much that the case 2 a flameproof enclosure, which meets the requirements of Ex-D has.

In the case 2 is a light-emitting element 5 arranged so that a part of the light of the light-emitting element 5 out of the opening 3 or through the disc 4 exit. The light of the light-emitting element 5 has different colors. That way, outside the case 2 different color signals are displayed.

In the opening 3 is a first embodiment of a deflecting body 6.1 arranged. The deflecting body 6.1 is designed so cylindrical that it forms a positive connection with the opening 3 manufactures. The light of the light-emitting element 5 which is from the disc 4 or the opening 3 exits, enters the deflector 6.1 and exits the deflecting body 6.1 out again. Thus, the deflecting body 6.1 a light entry surface 10 and a light exit surface 11 on. The light entry surface 10 is the disc 4 facing, and the light exit surface 11 is the disc 4 away. The deflecting body 6.1 is diffused, so that the light passing through the light entrance surface 11 enters, diffused from the light exit surface 11 exit.

The deflecting body 6.1 has a cavity 9 on, in the direction of the light entry surface 10 opened and in the direction of the light exit surface 11 by means of a plate-shaped part 12 of the deflecting body 6.1 closed is.

The cylindrical deflecting body 6.1 is longer than the circular opening 3 , Therefore, the plate-shaped part protrudes 12 of the deflecting body 6.1 from the plane of the end face of the housing 2 out. In this way, on the one hand, the light exit surface 11 of the deflecting body 6.1 increased and on the other hand, the light also becomes in a direction laterally to a longitudinal axis 17 of the deflecting body 6.1 diverted.

Inside the cavity 9 is a first portion of the light entry surface 10 of the deflecting body 6.1 as a light guide 7 configured, wherein the optical fiber 7 from the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflecting body 6.1 up to an edge surface of the deflecting body 6.1 protrudes. The light guide 7 is centered in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17 of the deflecting body 6.1 arranged. The light passing through the light entry surface 10 in the deflecting body 6.1 enters, is preferred by the light guide 7 passed and thus reaches the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflecting body 6.1 where it is particularly effective deflectable. Since the deflecting body 6.1 is diffused, the light is redirected in all directions, not through the opaque housing 2 be covered.

Furthermore, the deflecting body 6.1 a scattering center that acts as a hollow 19 is trained. The excavation 19 is centered on the light exit surface 11 of the deflecting body 6.1 arranged so that the light guide 7 in the direction of the excavation 19 is guided. The light that passes through the light guide strikes the cavity 19 and is effectively scattered in all directions.

2 shows a further embodiment of a display module 1 with differently configured deflecting bodies 6.2 . 6.3 . 6.4 . 6.5 , which as system components on the display module 1 can be arranged. The display module 1 has a housing 2 in which a light-emitting element 5 is arranged. Furthermore, the housing has 2 a second opening 14 on, by means of a lid 13 can be tightly closed, leaving the case 2 with the lid 13 has a flameproof enclosure that meets the Ex-D requirements. The housing 2 and the lid 13 are cylindrical. The lid 13 points to an end face 8th a first opening 3 on, in which the various configured deflecting body 6.2 . 6.3 . 6.4 . 6.5 can be used as needed.

A second embodiment of a deflecting body 6.2 has a spherical convex light exit surface 11 on. The spherical-convex exit surface 11 of the deflecting body 6.2 causes the light of the light-emitting element 5 is deflected evenly in all directions.

A third embodiment of a deflecting body 6.3 has two convex curvatures 15 . 16 at the light exit surface 11 on. Is the light-emitting element 5 for example, a red and an orange light emitting diode spaced from each other in the housing 2 are arranged, the deflecting body 6.3 so in the opening 3 of the lid 13 arranged that the red light by means of a first curvature 15 and the orange light by means of a second curvature 16 is diverted. In this way, the respective colors of the LEDs are deflected separately, whereby the color signals, in this case red and orange, come into its own.

A fourth embodiment of a deflecting body 6.4 has a convex light exit surface. The radius of curvature is chosen so that the light of a single light-emitting element 5 is split into its color spectrum. In this way, different color signals with different deflection angles can be redirected, whereby the color signals are better to distinguish.

A fifth embodiment of the deflecting body 6.5 is similar to the first embodiment of the deflecting body 6.1 educated. The difference is only in the position of the light guide 7 , In the fifth embodiment of the deflecting body 6.5 is the light guide 7 not in the direction of the longitudinal axis 17 but parallel with a certain distance to the longitudinal axis 17 arranged.

Indicates the light-emitting element 5 a plurality of light-emitting diodes, which are arranged at a distance from each other and emit color signals of different colors, the different colors appear at different points of the light-entry surface 10 in the deflecting body 6.5 one. The deflecting body 6.5 can in this case so on the first opening 3 of the housing 2 be positioned that the light of a particular light-emitting diode of the light-emitting element 5 in the light guide 7 entry.

Furthermore, the plate-shaped part 12 of the deflecting body 6.5 an absorption layer 18 on. The absorption layer 18 is on an inside of the plate-shaped part 12 outside the first portion of the light guide 7 lying second portion of the light entry surface 10 of the deflecting body 6.5 arranged and serves to the light of the light-emitting element 5 to absorb that not in the light guide 7 should arrive or arrive. In this way, only the light of a desired light-emitting element passes 5 in the deflecting body 6.5 , and the light of the other light-emitting element 5 is suppressed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 display module

2

 casing

3

 First opening

4

 Transparent disc

5

 Light-emitting element

6.1

 First embodiment of the deflecting body

6.2

 Second embodiment of the deflecting body

6.3

 Third embodiment of the deflecting body

6.4

 Fourth embodiment of the deflecting body

6.5

 Fifth embodiment of the deflecting body

7

 optical fiber

8th

 face

9

 cavity

10

 Light entry surface

11

 Light-emitting surface

12

 Plate-shaped part of the deflecting body

13

 cover

14

 Second opening

15

 First vault

16

 Second vault

17

 longitudinal axis

18

 absorbing layer

19

 erosion

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6366436 [0009]
• US 6556447 [0009]

Cited non-patent literature

• European standards EN 60079-xx [0009]
• US standards FM36xx [0009]
• Canadian standard C22.2 [0009]
• international standard IEC 60079-18 [0009]
• Standards DIN EN 50 014 ff [0009]
• European standard EN 60079-1: 2007 [0009]

Claims (15)

Display module of a field device of automation technology for displaying at least one color signal, comprising a housing ( 2 ) with an opening ( 3 ), the opening ( 3 ) by means of a transparent disc ( 4 ) is sealed tightly, at least one light-emitting element ( 5 ) for generating the at least one color signal, wherein the light-emitting element ( 5 ) in the housing ( 2 ) is arranged such that the light of the at least one light-emitting element ( 5 ) through the disc ( 4 ) out of the housing ( 2 ) exits, characterized in that a deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) on the housing ( 2 ) is arranged, for deflecting the from the disc ( 4 ) leaked light. Display module according to claim 1, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) detachable on the housing ( 2 ) is arranged. Display module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one light-emitting element ( 5 ) Emits light of different wavelengths, and wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) is designed so that the light of different wavelengths is deflected with different deflection angles. Display module according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) one of the disc ( 4 ) facing away from the light exit surface ( 11 ), which is at least partially convex. Display module according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the disc ( 4 ) facing first portion of the light entry surface ( 10 ) of the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) as a light guide ( 7 ) is adapted to the light of the at least one light-emitting element ( 5 ) forward. Display module according to claim 5, wherein the light guide ( 7 ) centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis ( 17 ) of the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) is arranged. Display module according to claim 5, comprising at least two light-emitting elements ( 5 ), wherein the at least one light guide ( 7 ) is arranged so that the light of one of the at least two light-emitting elements ( 5 ) is forwarded. Display module according to claim 7, wherein an outside of the first portion of the light guide ( 7 ) lying second portion of the light entry surface ( 10 ) of the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) has an absorption layer. Display module according to at least one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) rotatable with respect to the opening ( 3 ) of the housing ( 2 ) is arranged so that depending on a position of the light guide ( 7 ) relative to the at least two light-emitting elements ( 5 ), the light of a first light-emitting element ( 5 ) and the light of a second light-emitting element ( 5 ) or the light of the first light-emitting element ( 5 ) and the light of the second light-emitting element ( 5 ) is forwarded. Display module according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the deflection body comprises polycarbonate (PC) and / or polyamide (PA). Display module according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) in the opening ( 3 ) of the housing ( 2 ) is receivable. Display module according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) is designed so that the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) over an end face of the housing ( 2 ), at which the first opening ( 3 ) is arranged, protrudes. Display module according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) has at least one scattering center for scattering light. Display module according to claim 13, wherein the scattering center is arranged such that the light guide ( 7 ) leads the light to the scattering center. Display module according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the scattering center is designed as a cavity ( 19 ) at the light exit surface ( 11 ) of the deflecting body ( 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 . 6.5 ) is trained.

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