EP3830654A1

EP3830654A1 - Automation engineering field device with multiple parameter sets

Info

Publication number: EP3830654A1
Application number: EP19731228.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Junaid Ali SHAH
Original assignee: Endress and Hauser SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Endress and Hauser SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-07-31
Filing date: 2019-06-13
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Also published as: US20210294288A1; DE102018118531A1; WO2020025207A1; CN112384865A; US11543790B2; CN112384865B

Abstract

The invention comprises an automation engineering field device (FG), comprising: - a sensor unit (SE) for capturing a physical measured variable for a medium; - a memory unit (SP), wherein the memory unit (SP) stores at least one standard parameter set (PS _st) and further parameter sets (PS _i, PS ₂); - an electronic unit (EL), wherein the electronic unit (EL) is configured so as, after the field device (FG) starts, to load the standard parameter set (PS _st) and to operate the field device (FG) on the basis of the standard parameter set (PS _st ) and wherein the electronic unit (EL) is configured so as, when a signal is received, to take the configuration of the signal as a basis for loading one of the further parameter sets (PS _i, PS ₂) and to operate the field device (FG), or components (EL, SE, AE) of the field device (FG), on the basis of the further parameter set (PS _i, PS ₂).

Description

Field device of automation technology with multiple parameter sets

The invention relates to a field device of automation technology.

Field devices that are used in industrial plants have already become known from the prior art. Field devices are widely used in process automation as well as in manufacturing automation. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that supply or process process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used for example for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH measurement, level measurement, etc. and record the corresponding ones

Process variables pressure, temperature, conductivity, pFI value, level, flow, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the level in a container. In addition to the measuring devices and actuators mentioned above, field devices are also understood to mean remote I / Os, radio adapters or generally devices which are arranged at the field level.

The Endress + Flauser Group produces and sells a large number of such field devices.

In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually connected to higher-level units via wireless or wired communication networks. The wired communication networks are typically fieldbuses such as Profibus®, Foundation® Fieldbus, FIART®, etc., or modern industrial communication networks or IT communication networks such as (industrial) Ethernet. The wireless communication networks are, for example, wireless field buses such as WirelessFIART® etc., or wireless IT communication networks such as WLAN. The higher-level units are control units, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller) or a PLC (programmable logic) Controller). The higher-level units are used, among other things, for process control and for commissioning the field devices. The measured values recorded by the field devices, in particular sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit (s), which process the measured values if necessary and forward them to the control center of the system. The control center is used for process visualization, process monitoring and process control via the higher-level units. In addition, data transmission from the higher-level unit via the bus system to the field devices is required.

especially for the configuration and parameterization of field devices as well as for

Control of actuators.

Field devices sometimes have a large number of parameters which can be used to adapt them to an application or to set their functions. The parameters are divided into static and dynamic parameters. Static parameters represent parameters that cannot be changed over time. Dynamic parameters contain non-modeled process characteristics that are entered manually by the customer, such as the tank size of a tank filled with medium.

A so-called parameterization, in which the individual parameters of a

Field values parameter values are assigned, is carried out in particular both during the commissioning of a field device, and sometimes during the maintenance of a field device, for example during maintenance. The field device must be accessed for this, for example by means of an operating unit. This is usually connected to a service interface, which under certain circumstances can only be contacted when the housing of the field device is open.

It can often be provided that a user has different

Want to use parameter settings at different times.

For example, many properties of process media are dependent on the

Temperature, so that, for example, the density of a medium that is in a tank can change at different times of the day or seasonally.

As a result, limit values change, for example the maximum and minimum Fill level of the medium in the tank. In the field devices commonly used today, however, only one is provided for a parameter of a field device

Specify parameter value. This cannot be changed without having to access the field device as described above and manually changing the parameter value. Alternatively, a plant operator must maintain several field devices of the same type, but with different parameter settings.

Based on this problem, the object of the invention is to present a field device which allows its parameter settings to be adapted in a simple manner.

The task is solved by a field device of automation technology, comprising:

- A sensor unit for detecting a physical measurement variable of a

medium;

- A storage unit, at least one in the storage unit

Standard parameter set and further parameter sets are stored;

- An electronics unit, the electronics unit being designed to load the standard parameter set after starting the field device and that

Operate field device on the basis of the standard parameter set and the electronic unit is designed to receive a signal in

Depending on the configuration of the signal, loading one of the further parameter sets and operating the field device or components of the field device on the basis of the further parameter set.

The great advantage of the field device according to the invention is that it is possible to switch between different parameter sets in a simple manner.

“Different” in connection with the parameter sets means that at least one parameter of the field device is assigned a correspondingly different parameter value. The field device does not have to be accessed as previously known; the parameter values do not have to be entered manually individually.

It can be provided that the various parameter sets are stored on the field device ex works. However, these can also be adapted or created when the field device is started up, or with conventional access to the field device is created or edited. Any number of additional parameter sets can also be added later.

The received signal is designed in such a way that it represents clear information for the electronic unit as to which of the plurality of parameter sets

is addressed.

Examples of components of the field device are, for example, the sensor unit, the electronics unit, a display unit or an interface for communication with other devices.

Possible applications and measuring principles for such a field device according to the invention have already been mentioned as examples in the introductory part of the description.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the electronic unit is configured to, after loading the further parameter set, upon receipt of a signal depending on the

Design of the signal one of the other parameter sets or

Load standard parameter set and the field device based on the further

To operate the parameter set or the standard parameter set. This procedure can be repeated any number of times and is not limited to a single application after starting the field device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the field device has an interface for connection to a wireless or wired communication network, the field device being designed to receive the signal via the communication network, in particular transmitted by an operating unit integrated in the communication network ,

In the event that the communication network is a wired network, the Ethernet standard is used in particular. It can the communication network is also a fieldbus of automation technology, for example based on one of the protocols HART, Profibus PA / DP, Foundation Fieldbus, etc. It can also be provided that the first

Communication network consists of several sub-segments, which under

Circumstances based on different protocols.

The operating unit is, for example, an operating unit in the sense of the “Field Xperfs” manufactured and distributed by the applicant. However, the control unit can also be a computer unit, for example a laptop, or a mobile terminal, for example a tablet or a smartphone.

Alternatively, it is provided that a wireless

Communication network is used. In particular, this is based on the

WLAN or WiFi standard or on the Bluetooth standard. Alternatively, any other common wireless standard can be used.

The interface can also be a conventional service interface, via which an operating unit can be connected to the field device by wire.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the field device is connected to a further sensor unit or a further field device, in particular via the first interface or via a second interface, the further sensor unit or the further field device, at least one environmental variable of the field device, in particular a temperature value and / or a brightness value, is detected and, if the predetermined value exceeds or falls below or falls below at least one predetermined signal to be generated and transmitted to the electronics unit of the field device. In this way it is possible to react immediately to changes in the environment and to select an appropriate set of parameters. According to a preferred embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the field device has a timer, in particular a real-time clock, the timer or the electronics unit being designed to generate a signal assigned to the respective time at one or more fixed times. In contrast to, for example, a logical clock, which measures a relative time, a real-time clock measures the physical time. After comparison with a reference clock, the field device has the current time or date at all times. In this way, for example

adjustable so that the field device changes the parameter set every day at a specific time without external communication with the field device. For example, this enables a different parameter set to be used at night than during the day.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the parameter data sets have parameters with regard to the sensor, in particular with regard to the measurement principle and / or with regard to limit values. Also settings regarding warning messages (for sub- or

Exceeding the limit values) and diagnostic messages are included in this point.

According to a preferred embodiment of the field device according to the invention it is provided that the field device has a display unit and the

Parameter data sets Parameters with regard to the display unit, in particular with regard to a menu display on the display unit, a brightness level of the display unit and / or a display form of information on the

Display unit, include. For example, in the evening / at night, or when a change in the lighting conditions is detected by means of an external sensor, the brightness of the display can be adjusted accordingly, for example increased. In the

The display unit is, for example, a display attached to the field device. According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention, it is provided that the electronic unit is configured to query an access code when the field device is accessed, wherein a corresponding access code to be queried is defined in the parameter data sets and is used when loading the respective parameter data set. As access is

for example, operator access to the field device or to components of the

Field devices, such as its display, defined using buttons in the display, or using an operating unit. In such an access case, the entry of the

Access codes required. If the input is missing or the wrong code is entered, access is denied.

A possible embodiment for this embodiment is that different access codes are required at different times. For example, the access codes can be adapted to shift times of service employees in such a way that only one corresponding specific access code during a shift

is allowed. Corresponding times are defined for the respective shift times, at which the field device changes the parameter set in each case, so that the

the corresponding access code to be queried is defined in the field device for the respective layer.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. It shows

1: an embodiment of the field device according to the invention.

An example of a field device FG according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The

Field device is installed in a measuring point of a plant in automation technology and is used to determine a physical measured variable of a process medium.

The field device FG has a for recording the physical measured variable

Sensor unit SE on. Examples of such sensor units SE and possible ones

Applications for the field device FG have already been mentioned as examples in the introductory part of the description.

To convert / process the measured variable and to control the The field device FG has a main circuit board MB with an electrical unit EL, which electronic unit EL, for example, in the form of a measurement sequence

Microcontroller or an ASIC is configured on. The measured variable is displayed by the field device FG via a display unit AE, for example in the form of an electronic display, and output via a communication network KN. For connection to the communication network KN, which

The field device can have a wired or wireless design

Interface SN on.

The settings of the field device or the components AE, EL, SE are defined in a parameter set. This defines a large number of parameters, each of the parameters defining a function of the field device FG and a parameter value being assigned to each parameter.

When the field device FG is started, a standard parameter set PSst, for example an EEPROM, is read from the memory SP of the electronic unit EL and loaded into the electronic unit EL. The field device FG is then operated on the basis of the standard parameter set PSst.

In addition to the standard parameter set PSst, a large number of further parameter sets PSi, PS _{2 are} stored in the memory unit. A specific signal is assigned to each of the parameter sets PSi, PS ₂ . If the electronic unit EL receives such a signal, it loads the corresponding parameter set PSst, PSi, PS ₂ and from then on operates the field device with the newly loaded parameter set PSst, PSi, PS ₂ .

In principle, the signal can be generated in three ways or transmitted to the electronic unit EL:

In a first case, the signal is transmitted via the communication network KN to the field device FG or to its electronic unit EL. The signal is transmitted, for example, from an operating unit BE, which is, for example, a laptop or a mobile terminal, or from another network participant to the field device FG. In a second case, the field device FG is connected to a further sensor unit or a further field device, for example via the communication network KN. The further sensor unit or the further field device detects an environmental variable of the field device, in particular a temperature value and / or a brightness value. If at least one predetermined limit value is exceeded and / or fallen below, the further sensor unit or the further field device generates a signal assigned to the limit value and transmits this to the electronics unit EL of the field device FG.

In a third case, the field device comprises a timer, for example in the form of a real-time clock RCT (real time clock). At one or more fixed times, which include a date and / or a time, a

signal assigned to the respective time.

The field device FG is operated on the basis of the newly loaded parameter set PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ until a further signal from the electronics unit EL

Will be received.

Below are three examples of parameters and a suitable one

Application example mentioned:

In a first use case, the parameters make settings for the

Sensor unit SE. Using the parameters, a measurement mode of the sensor unit SE and limit values for the measurement can be defined. Settings regarding warning messages (if the limit values are exceeded or undershot) and diagnostic messages are also included in this point. For example it is

provided that the measuring point is only put into operation on working days. A container filled with the process medium, to which the field device FG is attached and whose level is determined by the sensor unit SE of the field device, is not filled and / or emptied at the weekend, for example. At the beginning of

At the weekend a signal is generated by the timer, whereupon the field device FG is operated on the basis of a newly loaded parameter set PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ . This specifies that the measuring rate is set low, so that a large time interval between two measuring times, which saves energy. At the beginning of a new week, the timer RCT outputs a corresponding signal, whereupon a new parameter set PSs _t , PSi, PS _{2 is} loaded, which sets a comparatively high measurement rate.

In a second application, the parameters make settings for the

Display unit AE, in particular with regard to a menu display on the display unit, a brightness level of the display unit and / or

Form of presentation of information on the display unit. For example, in the evening / at night, or when a change in the lighting conditions is detected by means of an external sensor, the brightness of the display can be adjusted accordingly, for example increased.

In a third application, the parameters represent security settings and, for example, define an access code which is used when the

Field device FG is queried. For example, an access to the field device FG or to components of the field device FG is defined as access. In such an access case, the access code must be entered. If the input is missing or the wrong code is entered, access is denied. The change of the access code via the parameter set PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ can be linked to the shift times of the service personnel.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to that described

Use cases is limited and a variety of other applications possible. In addition, in reality there are a large number of further parameters which can be contained in the parameter sets PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ . LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

AE display unit

BE control unit

EL electronics unit

FG field device

KN communication network MB main board

PSst, PSi, PS ₂ parameter sets

RCT timer

SE sensor unit

SN interface

SP storage unit

Claims

claims

1. Field device (FG) of automation technology, comprising:

- A sensor unit (SE) for detecting a physical measured variable of a medium;

- A storage unit (SP), wherein at least one standard parameter set (PSst) and at least one further parameter set (PSi _, PS ₂ ) are stored in the storage unit (SP), each of the parameter sets

contains application-specific or field device-specific information;

- An electronics unit (EL), the electronics unit (EL) being designed to load the standard parameter set (PSst) after the start of the field device (FG) and to operate the field device (FG) based on the standard parameter set (PSst), and the Electronic unit (EL) is designed to load one of the further parameter sets (PSi _, PS ₂ ) when the signal is received, depending on the configuration of the signal, and to load the field device (FG) or components (EL, SE, AE) of the field device ( FG), based on the additional parameter set (PSi _, PS ₂ ).

2. Field device (FG) according to claim 1, wherein the electronics unit (EL) is designed, after loading the further parameter set (PSi _, PS ₂ ), upon receipt of a signal depending on the configuration of the signal one of the others

Load parameter sets (PSi _, PS ₂ ) or the standard parameter set (PSst) and operate the field device (FG) based on the additional parameter set (PSi _, PS ₂ ) or the standard parameter set (PSst)

3. Field device (FG) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the field device (FG) has an interface (SN) for connection to a wireless or wired

Communication network (KN), with the field device (FG)

is configured to receive the signal via the communication network (KN), in particular transmitted by an operating unit (BE) integrated in the communication network (KN).

4. Field device (FG) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the field device (FG) is connected to a further sensor unit or a further field device, in particular via the interface (SN), the further

Sensor unit, or the further field device, at least one environmental variable of the field device (FG), in particular a temperature value and / or a

Brightness value, detected and when a predetermined limit value is exceeded and / or undershot, a signal assigned to the limit value is generated and transmitted to the electronics unit (EL) of the field device (FG).

5. Field device (FG) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Field device (FG) has a timer (RCT), in particular a real-time clock, the timer (RCT) or the electronics unit (EL) being designed to generate a signal assigned to the respective time at one or more defined times.

6. Field device (FG) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Parameter sets (PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ ) have parameters with regard to the sensor unit (SE), in particular with regard to the measuring principle and / or with regard to limit values.

7. Field device (FG) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Field device (FG) has a display unit (AE) and the parameter sets (PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ ) parameters with regard to the display unit (AE), in particular with regard to a menu display on the display unit (AE), a liquidity level of the display unit (AE) and / or a form of presentation of information on the display unit (AE).

8. Field device (FG) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Electronics unit (EL) is designed to query an access code when accessing the field device (FG), whereby in the parameter sets (PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ ) a corresponding access code to be queried is defined, which is required when loading the respective parameter set (PSs _t , PSi, PS ₂ ) is used.