WO2016005023A1

WO2016005023A1 - Counter device having a calculating unit and a volume sensor, module, and method for operating a counter device

Info

Publication number: WO2016005023A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/001216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edgar Vom Schloss; Frank Stefke
Original assignee: Diehl Metering Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2015-06-16
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: CN106537092A; DE102014010189B4; CN106537092B; EP3167263A1; DE102014010189A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a counter device (1), comprising a calculating unit (4) as a first module (2) and a volume sensor (5) as a second module (3) and at least one communication connection (6) between the calculating unit (4) and the volume sensor (5), wherein process information comprising at least one process parameter related to the counting process can be transferred from one module (2, 3) to the other module (3, 2) by means of at least one of the at least one communication connection (6) and the receiving module (3, 2) is designed for self-configuration with regard to the counting process on the basis of the process parameter.

Description

Counter device with calculator and volume generator, module and method for

Operation of a counter device

The invention relates to a counter device comprising an arithmetic unit as a first module and a volume encoder as a second module and at least one communication connection between the arithmetic unit and the volume encoder. In addition, the invention also relates to a module and a method for operating such a counter device.

Counter devices, often also referred to as "counters" for short, are already widely known in the art and serve to determine consumption data, for example in the domestic sector for heating heat, for warm water and for cold water For example, heat meters are known as counter devices in which an arithmetic unit with a volume sensor and two temperature sensors is connected, wherein the heat metering by continuous detection of the volume flowed through and the temperature difference between the flow temperature and the return temperature takes place.

It is already known to realize the volume sensor and the arithmetic unit as separate modules, wherein the volume encoder is connected via a corresponding communication line to the arithmetic unit and can send its measuring signals, for example as pulses to the arithmetic unit. Each pulse corresponds to a certain amount of the medium counted by the volume transmitter, which relationship is described by the so-called pulse value. If, for example, the pulse quality is 2 liters / pulse, then one pulse means that another 2 liters of medium have flowed through the volume transmitter. In this case, a large number of different types of volume encoders are known in the prior art, for example mechanical volume encoders (for example, impeller meters), magnetically-inductive volume encoders and ultrasonic volume encoders. In the prior art, all volume generators available as modules now supply measuring pulses via the communication line of an arithmetic unit, which must interpret this. For this, the arithmetic unit must know the pulse valency. Since it is known today, in the configuration of the counter device the Volumenpulswertigkeit the connected volume encoder and possibly other parameters, such as the comma (accuracy) or the counter size (maximum measurable amount per hour) specify. For this purpose, if necessary, awkward-to-use functions are available on the calculator. In addition to the process parameters exemplified, of course, there are also other conceivable process parameters that have to be set for specific volume encoders on the arithmetic unit. It should also be noted that process parameters such as the pulse valency are often not entered directly on the calculator, but for example on-site by an additional service device or in production.

The described possibilities of setting an arithmetic unit to the volume generator and thus to learn the appropriate process parameters include cumbersome, time-consuming inputs, which can lead to errors during installation. Furthermore, just in the case of more complex methods, for example ultrasound measuring methods, based volume encoders, nowadays only significantly limited possibilities exist for making adjustments there. Manipulations on the volume sensor or the like are difficult to determine with today's technology.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a possibility for improved, less wall-prone and less error-prone configuration of process parameters in counter devices.

In order to achieve this object, according to the invention, in at least one of the at least one communication connection, process information comprising at least one process parameter related to the counting process can be transferred from one module to the other module and the receiving module for self-configuration with respect to Counting process is formed due to the process parameter.

It is therefore a communication link between the arithmetic unit and the volume generator, which are designed as modules provided, which enables the transmission of process parameters from one module to another or, ideally, the exchange of process parameters in the form of process information used directly by the receiving module to customize and update your own configuration according to the process parameters. In this way A cumbersome programming to a user interface of the calculator or an additional service device can be avoided, so that sources of error are reduced. Both modules, that is, the arithmetic unit and the volume encoder, accordingly have an intelligence, in particular a control unit, which may be implemented, for example, as a microprocessor on. Due to the intelligent communication from the calculator to the volume transmitter and / or vice versa, ie bi-directional intelligent communication, the two modules know each other and pass on configuration data, ie the process parameters, as well as possibly further information, in particular system information such as status information and error information. The communication connection may be wireless, but is preferably formed as a communication line, which may also be an optical communication line. It should be noted that the self-configuration can also take place after an affirmative operator action of a user, who, however, does not have to enter any process parameters himself.

The transmission of the process information can take place in various ways, for example optically via light signals, for which purpose corresponding optocouplers may be part of the modules, via pulse bursts or other methods for data communication.

Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment it can be provided that the volume transmitter is designed to transmit at least one process parameter related to the volume measurement process and / or a property of the volume generator to the arithmetic unit, in particular a pulse weighting and / or an accuracy setting and / or a counter size. This means that the arithmetic unit receives all necessary process parameters from the volume sensor and can automatically adapt its own configuration to match these process parameters and consequently the volume encoder actually used, for example the pulse valency, the comma setting and the counter size. However, there are also cases in which it may be useful to transfer process information, thus at least one process parameter, from the arithmetic unit to the volume generator, so that the latter can configure itself accordingly. An example of this is that the arithmetic unit is designed to transmit at least one parameter or characteristic field describing ultrasound-related media properties to the volumetric transducer designed for ultrasound measurement. Because in the ultrasonic measurement of the measurement process is strongly influenced by the properties of the measured medium, which is why such volume sensors usually also have a temperature sensor. In particular, from this (and optionally from other / other parameters), the density of the medium, the speed of sound, the enthalpy and the energy absorption capacity of the medium can be determined which define evaluation parameters via maps so as to directly relate the received ultrasound signals to a flow volume. As this example shows, the intelligent communication between the arithmetic unit and the volume generator can therefore also be used to carry out a new calibration or recalibration of the volume sensor and thus to comply with calibration deadlines.

It should also be noted in general that the described inventive design a kind of standardization can be achieved, which means volume encoders and arithmetic units of different nature, but all use the communication according to the invention can be combined with each other without complex setting operations, since the modules set the relevant process parameters to each other. This ultimately allows a greater variety of variants for both products, as many different configurations can be used by the self-configuring modules, without this a user who is entrusted with settings must be known.

Furthermore, it is of course particularly advantageous if the modules are designed for encrypted communication with each other, thus therefore in particular the process information is transmitted encrypted. In this way, a "secret" communication is ultimately realized, which avoids manipulations by users, for example the person whose consumption is to be counted, whereby customary encryption and cryptography techniques can be used, in particular also the use of checksums Such encryptions are already widely known in the art and need not be further detailed here.

It should also be noted that, as far as the design of the volume encoders is concerned, it is expedient to arrange them in such a way that they can also be connected to arithmetic units which are not designed for intelligent communication as in the counter device according to the invention. Thus, such a volume generator, for example, as known in the art continue to spend pulses for certain volumes, the pulse value then in the calculator as known in the art must be configured by hand.

In principle, it is of course conceivable to provide, in addition to the communication connection for the measured values of the volume transmitter, a further communication connection via which the described intelligent communication with respect to the process parameters takes place. In any case, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the module which transmits the process information is used to transmit the process information via the same for the transmission of measurement signals, in particular Volume pulses, from the volume encoder to the calculator used, in particular single, communication connection is formed. This is preferably designed as a communication line. Then, on the one hand, no further wiring is required, on the other hand, the intelligent communication between the modules "hidden", thus invisible for the end user whose consumption is to be measured, it should be noted that the transmission of the measurement signals in one Such a configuration can also be adapted so that it is transmitted via the same communication method as the process information, ie already as data communication, for example, an accumulation of measurement signals can take place on the part of the volume transmitter in order to then cyclically pass on a corresponding number of pulses to the arithmetic unit However, a particularly expedient refinement of the invention provides that a modulation device is used to modulate the process information onto the measurement signal, such modulating further information onto an already transmitted signal already known in the art. For example, both modules can have a modulation unit / demulation unit as part of the modulation device. In this case, an already known technology for the transmission of process information and possibly further information is used, without a modification of the fundamental measurement signal transmission is necessary, so that, as already mentioned, such a volume sensor can also be connected to non-described intelligent communication computing units ,

As is customary in communication networks, it can be provided that one of the modules is designed as a master module controlling the communication via the communication connection. The master module is preferably the arithmetic unit, which usually already has communication-related components that can be used at least partially also with respect to the intelligent communication with the volume transmitter, for example, the data transfer to a reader and / or a external network related components. However, it is also conceivable that the status of the master module can be assigned to different modules, so it can be assigned as needed.

It is also expedient if one of the modules, in particular the master module, for sending request information to the other module and the other module (in particular the "slave module") for transmitting the process information upon receipt of the request information is formed Thus, there exists a trigger information output by a module, preferably the arithmetic unit, which transmits the transfer of the process parameters from the other module, in particular the slave or the slave Volume encoder triggers, for example, when the connection of the other module is detected by the one module and / or a suitable configuration trigger was added externally, which will be discussed in more detail below.

A particularly expedient embodiment of the invention provides that at least one module is also designed to transmit error information and / or status information to the other module via the communication link. Consequently, the intelligent communication suitable for the configuration can also be expanded in order, for example, to transport status information and / or error information. It is conceivable, for example, to output cyclic status information on the part of the volume generator, so that the arithmetic unit is able to determine that the volume sensor is still connected, even during prolonged absence of measuring signals, in particular volume pulses, which prevents manipulation. Of course, status information can also be used to improve an output, for example for diagnosis or generally for informing a user, of a display unit provided, for example, as part of the arithmetic unit. Consequently, users, be it the end user whose consumption is measured or fitters on the part of the measuring point, can be given further information on the operating state of the counter device.

However, it is particularly expedient if error information can be passed on, in particular from the volume encoder to the arithmetic unit. Often volume encoders themselves have possibilities to detect problems in the measurement, for example a jamming by an object, for example a stone, by the ingress of air or the like. Such error information can now also be forwarded to the arithmetic unit, which can initiate corresponding steps, in particular if a further sensible counting process is not possible. For example, it can be provided that the module receiving an error information is designed to output at least one output information on the basis of the error information. If, for example, the arithmetic unit (or the counter device per se) is connected to a server which receives the measured values or if there is another communication connection to the outside, this can be used to send the error information or an output information to an external location on the basis of the error information pass on where appropriate measures, for example, to repair the error, can be initiated. Of course, however, it is also conceivable that the arithmetic unit or generally the counter device itself has an output device, via which additionally or alternatively an acoustic and / or optical output can be made, which indicates the error state and can trigger further action. Other devices in the same building as the meter may also be used to issue the output information. Incidentally, it is of course also conceivable analogously that an output information derived from a received status information, in particular after an operator action on the part of a user, can be displayed on a display device of the receiving module.

As already mentioned, it is particularly useful if the communication between the modules is bidirectional, so that in particular communication dialogs are possible, for example, the configuration on request, as already described, and the other exchange of status information or the like, such as standby displays ,

A further particularly preferred embodiment provides that at least one module, in particular the master module, for logging at least part of the communication processes, in particular at least the Prozessinformationskommunikati- onsvorgänge, and / or at least a portion of the measures taken due to a communication process, in particular the configuration processes , is trained. In this way, a kind of "logbook" is realized, by means of which the communication made and the measures taken can be reconstructed.For example, if the arithmetic unit has adapted its own configuration automatically to the volume generator, the change in the protocol, ie This is also true if, for example, an external configuration signal has been given to pass new process parameters to the volume transmitter or the like, and error information, status information, and the like can of course also be recorded in such a protocol.

In addition to the method, the invention also relates to a module, in particular an arithmetic unit or a volume generator, which is designed for use in the counter device according to the invention, thus emitting at least one process information comprising at least one process parameter related to the counting process and / or self-configuration with regard to the counting process the process parameter is formed upon receipt of process information. Thus, it is possible to ultimately assemble any counter devices, since the individually available modules can configure themselves to each other. Such a trained as a calculator module can be preconfigured in particular as a master module. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for operating a counter device comprising an arithmetic unit as a first module and a volume encoder as a second module and at least one communication connection between the arithmetic unit and the volume generator, which is characterized in that at least one of the at least one communication link a process information comprising at least one process parameter relating to the counting process is transmitted from one module to the other module, and the receiving module configures itself with regard to the counting process on the basis of the process parameter. In particular, the method can thus be used to operate a counter device of the type according to the invention. All statements regarding the counter device according to the invention apply analogously to the method according to the invention, so that the stated advantages can also be achieved with the method.

In particular, it may be provided that the transmission takes place at least partially optically and / or via pulse bursts and / or by data communication.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that a configuration change is triggered by a configuration signal transmitted by a further device, in particular a service device and / or a network device connected to the arithmetic unit via the network. For example, it may thus be provided that a change of the configuration by an external software via communication with the arithmetic unit. In this case, the arithmetic unit in particular can pass on the new configuration, described by process parameters, to the volume generator, while process parameters related to the arithmetic unit are used there directly for self-configuration. By the way, a synchronization of the settings also takes place in this way. If the configuration signal is given to the arithmetic unit as a module, it is thus possible to carry out any maintenance only via the arithmetic unit, so that the workflows are simplified accordingly. If, as has already been described with regard to the counter device, a protocol is provided, this is expediently also used for a configuration change on the basis of a configuration signal for logging the processes. It should also be noted that of course in addition to the configuration signal to be changed process parameters can be transmitted.

Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawing. Showing:

1 shows a counter device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart at startup of the counter device, and

3 shows a flow chart for the configuration change.

1 shows a schematic diagram of a counter device 1 according to the invention. This comprises, as modules 2, 3, an arithmetic unit 4 and a volume transmitter 5. The arithmetic unit 4 and the volume transmitter 5 are connected via a communication link 6. In this case, embodiments are conceivable in which the volumetric transmitter 5, which is usually mounted in a flow tube 7, and the arithmetic unit 4 are provided in a common housing, in which the communication link 6 designed as a communication line runs.

Of course, the counter device 1 may also contain other components, for example, in the case of a heat meter two temperature sensors that can transmit their measurement signals via appropriate communication lines as well to the calculator 4 and are not shown here for clarity.

In the present embodiment, the volume transmitter 5 is an ultrasonic volume transmitter, but of course other volume sensors 5 are also conceivable, for example mechanical, electromagnetic or similar volume measuring devices.

The volume sensor 5 contains a control unit 8, which may include a microprocessor and in which, for example based on maps an adaptation of the measurement signals to the current state of the medium to be measured can be made. Accordingly, the arithmetic unit 4 includes a control unit 9, which may also include a microprocessor and are evaluated in the received measurement signals in the actual consumption to be counted.

The resulting consumption values can be forwarded to an external device 11 via a communication link 10, wherein the counter device 1 can be permanently connected to at least one external device 11 via the arithmetic unit 4, for example at the network in order to transmit the consumption values cyclically, for example ; However, it is alternatively or additionally also possible for the external device 11, for example a service device, to be connected only temporarily to the arithmetic unit 4 via the communication connection 10. The communication link 10 may be at least partially wireless, while the communication link 6 is wired here. The control units 8, 9 and thus the modules 2, 3 are now designed for bidirectional communication via the communication link 6. Although the communication link 6 is initially also used to transmit the measurement signals from the volume encoder 5 to the arithmetic unit 4, wherein in the present case volume pulses are transmitted, but it is thanks to a modulation device with modulation / demodulation 12, 13 possible, in addition to the measurement signal by modulating also more Transfer information between the control units 8, 9.

In the present case, these are process information which describe at least one process parameter which is used by the receiving module 2, 3 for self-configuration on the basis of the process parameter. In addition to such process information for which several examples are to be named, also error information and status information between the modules 2, 3 are transferable. If, for example, an error information is transmitted from the volume transmitter 5 to the arithmetic unit 4, which otherwise serves as the master module for the communication via the communication connection 6, appropriate measures can be taken there, for example the output of an output information that is sent both to the external device 11 can be issued as well as for an optical and / or acoustic output to the calculator 4 and thus the meter device 1 itself can be used. Incidentally, the calculating unit 4 also has a display device 14 for this purpose.

Of course, the display device 14 can also be used to pass on the volume transmitter 5 transmitted status information, so that further information about the operating state of the counter device 1 can be output, which can be selected in particular via optionally be provided to the calculator 4 controls 15. Status information can be sent cyclically from the volume encoder 5, for example, which can also be used to determine whether the volume encoder 5 is still connected when no volume pulses are received for a long time.

Any communication process as well as any measures are in the present case logged by the arithmetic unit 4, which has a corresponding memory device 16. In such a "logbook" events and configuration processes as well as the underlying configuration can be easily understood.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart at a point in time at which the arithmetic unit 4 and the volume generator 5 are newly connected to one another. Then, in a step S1, a request signal is first sent by the arithmetic unit 4 via the communication connection 6 to the volume generator 5, that of the latter for the configuration of the arithmetic unit. factory 4 on the volume encoder 5 requires required process parameters. These are compiled in step S2 by the control unit 8 and transmitted as process information via the communication link 6 to the arithmetic unit 4. In this case, the pulse quality, the counter size and the measurement accuracy (comma setting) are included as process parameters.

Upon receipt of this data by the control unit 9, the calculating unit 4 is automatically configured on the basis of the received process parameters, so that a correct calculation of the consumption values is possible, which happens in step S3. Step S4 indicates the already described logging.

It should be noted at this point that not only the arithmetic unit 4 is to be configured on the volume encoder 5, but it is also conceivable that the arithmetic unit 4 provides the volume encoder 5 information available, for example maps for the medium used, from which the Sound propagation properties for the ultrasound emerge.

Finally, FIG. 3 shows as a flow chart a possible procedure for a change in the configuration. In this case, a configuration signal and new process parameters are sent to the arithmetic unit 4 in a step S5 from the external device 11. The latter receives the data, uses the process parameters provided for it for setting and forwards the process parameters required for the volume generator 5 as process information via the communication connection 6. All this happens in step S6.

In step S7, the volume encoder 5 receives the process information and also automatically configures itself according to the newly received specifications.

Optionally, in step S8, a further feedback on the part of the volume generator 5 to the arithmetic unit 4, either by transmission of error information or status information or process information, which in turn may contain process parameters to which an adjustment must be made by the arithmetic unit 4. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 counter device

2 module

3 module

4 calculator

5 volume encoders

6 communication line

7 flow tube

8 control unit

9 control unit

10 communication connection

1 1 device

12 modulation unit

13 demodulation unit

14 display device

15 control element

16 storage device

S1 Very

S2Schr

S3Schr

S4Schr

S5Schr

S6Schr

S7Schr

S8Schr

Claims

1. counter device (1), comprising an arithmetic unit (4) as a first module (2) and a volume encoder (5) as a second module (3) and at least one communication link (6) between the arithmetic unit (4) and the volume encoder ( 5), characterized in that via at least one of the at least one communication connection (6) a process information comprising at least one process parameter related to the counting process can be transmitted from one module (2, 3) to the other module (3, 2) and the receiving module (3, 2) is designed for self-configuration with regard to the counting process on the basis of the process parameter.

2. Counter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the process information transmitting module (2, 3) for transmitting the process information on the also for the transmission of measurement signals, in particular volume pulses, from the volume encoder (5) to the calculator (4) used, in particular single, communication connection (6) is formed.

3. Counter device according to claim 2, characterized in that a modulation device for modulating the process information is used to the measurement signal.

4. Counter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the modules (2, 3), in particular the arithmetic unit (4), as a communication via the communication link (6) controlling master module is formed.

5. Counter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the modules (2, 3) for sending a request information to the other module (3, 2) and the other module (3, 2) for transmitting the process information upon receipt of the Request information is formed.

6. Counter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one module (2, 3) is also for transmitting an error information and / or status information to the other module (3, 2) via the communication line (6).

7. Counter device according to claim 6, characterized in that the error information receiving module (3, 2) for outputting at least one output information based on the error information is formed and / or derived from a received status information output information, in particular after an operation by a side User, on a display device (14) of the receiving module (3, 2) can be displayed.

8. Counter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (2, 3) are designed for bidirectional communication with each other via the communication link (6).

9. Meter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one module (2, 3), in particular the master module, for logging at least part of the communication processes, in particular at least the process information communication operations, and / or at least a part of due to a Communication process measures, in particular at least the configuration processes, is formed.

10. Meter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume generator (5) for transmitting at least one on the volume measurement process and / or a property of the volume generator (5) related process parameter to the arithmetic unit (4) is formed, in particular a pulse weight and / or an accuracy setting and / or a counter size.

1 counter device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arithmetic unit (4) for transmitting at least one of the related ultrasound media properties descriptive parameter and / or characteristic field is formed on the volume sensor (5) formed for ultrasonic measurement.

12. module, in particular arithmetic unit or volume generator, which is designed to transmit at least one process information comprising at least one process parameter relating to the counting process and / or to self-configuration with regard to the counting process on the basis of the process parameter upon receipt of process information. Method for operating a counter device (1), comprising an arithmetic unit (4) as a first module (2) and a volume generator (5) as a second module (3) and at least one communication connection (6) between the arithmetic unit (4) and the Volume transmitter (5), characterized in that via at least one of the at least one communication connection (6) a process information comprising at least one process parameter related to the counting process is transmitted from one module (2, 3) to the other module (3, 2) and the Receiving module (3, 2) configured itself with regard to the counting process due to the process parameter.

A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the transmission takes place at least partially optically and / or via pulse bursts and / or by data communication.

A method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a configuration change by a by a further device (11), in particular a service device and / or connected via a network to the calculator network device, sent configuration signal is triggered.

A method according to claim 15, characterized in that in addition to the configuration signal to be changed process parameters are transmitted.