Coupling System for use in Automation Technology

A coupling system for use in automation technology, comprising at least a first device as well as a second device arranged outside of the first device, wherein the first device and the second device utilize a corresponding interface for wireless data and/or energy transmission, and wherein there is arranged on the first device at least a first coupling apparatus, which interacts with a second coupling apparatus of the second device. The second device with the assistance of the first coupling apparatus and the second coupling apparatus is securable releasably to the first device.

The invention relates to a coupling system for use in automation technology, for coupling a first device mechanically releasably to a second device.

In process automation technology, field devices are often applied, which serve for registering and/or influencing process variables. Serving for registering process variables are sensors, such as, for example, fill level measuring devices, flow measuring devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH-redox potential measuring devices, conductivity measuring devices, etc., which register the corresponding process variables, fill level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH-value and conductivity, respectively. Serving for influencing process variables are actuators, such as, for example, valves or pumps, via which the flow of a liquid in a pipeline section, respectively the fill level in a container, can be changed. Referred to as field devices are, in principle, all devices, which are applied near to the process and deliver, or process, process relevant information. Besides these sensors and actuators, also referred to as field devices are generally any units connected directly to a fieldbus and serving for communication with superordinated units, thus units such as e.g. remote I/Os, gateways, linking devices and wireless adapters. A large number of such field devices are produced and sold by the Endress+Hauser group of companies.

Besides wired data transmission between a first device, for example, a field device, and a second device, for example, a reading and/or writing device, there is also the opportunity for a wireless transmission of data and/or energy. For this, newer devices tend to be equipped with a corresponding, integral, radio unit.

Furthermore, different standards have been created for wireless data transmission. Thus, there is, for example, an international transmission standard for near field communication (NFC) for the exchange of data and/or energy. In such case, there occurs via magnetic fields an inductive coupling or near field coupling, with the help of which an exchange of data and/or energy over short distances of a few centimeters is possible. The data transmission and often also the energy supply between a field device and a reading and/or writing device or a display device occurs, in such case, via a magnetic near field, which is implemented by coils, which serve as radio unit, respectively antennas. The frequencies used in such transmission lie at 135 kHz, respectively 13.56 MHz and are set by the standards, ISO 18000-2 and ISO 18000-3, respectively ISO 22536. Furthermore, it is known to utilize electromagnetic dipole fields for remote coupling. In such case, the data transmission and often also the energy supply via occurs antennas, for example, dipole antennas or spiral antennas. The frequencies, at which this coupling occurs, lie at 433 MHz, 868 MHz and 2.45 GHz, which are set by the standards, ISO 18000-7, ISO18000-6, respectively ISO 18000-4.

These conventional wireless communication methods, especially the NFC method, have, however, the disadvantage that the two devices must be arranged close together for the duration of the wireless, bidirectional, data and/or energy transmission. Typically, the two radio units are separated from one another by only a few centimeters. Thus, the operator is compelled to position and hold at least one of the two devices for the duration of the connection manually on the correspondingly other device. A typical case of application is the parametering, respectively configuration, of a field device by means of a portable, respectively mobile, reading and/or writing device, respectively handheld servicing device, for example, a smartphone.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for use in automation technology and distinguished by increased user friendliness in the case of wireless data and/or energy transmission between two devices.

The object is achieved according to the invention by coupling system for use in automation technology and comprising at least a first device, especially a field device, as well as a second device arranged outside of the first device, especially a reading and/or writing device and/or a handheld servicing device and/or a display device, such as, for example, a smart phone, wherein the first device and the second device utilize a corresponding interface for wireless data and/or energy transmission and wherein there is arranged on the first device at least a first coupling apparatus, which interacts with a second coupling apparatus of the second device, wherein the second device with the assistance of the first coupling apparatus and the second coupling apparatus is securable releasably to the first device.

According to the invention, the increased user friendliness is achieved by a coupling system, which makes it possible for the operator to position and/or to hold two devices of automation technology for the purpose of wireless data and/or energy transmission corresponding to the requirements of the transmission technology. Provided for this on the first device, especially a field device, is a first coupling apparatus, with which a second coupling apparatus of the second device, especially a smart phone, is capable of being coupled in such a manner that the two devices can communicate with one another by means of wireless data and/or energy transmission. After terminating the wireless communication, in this way, the two mutually coupled devices, respectively secured or mounted to one another, can be released from one another.

Another advantageous embodiment of the coupling system of the invention provides that the center region of the first coupling apparatus of the first device has at least a first component for coupling/interaction.

Another advantageous embodiment of the coupling system provides that the first coupling apparatus has at least one other component, preferably, however, a number, of other components, arranged in the edge region for coupling/interaction.

In this way, the coupling stability, respectively holding force, for the coupling of the second device via the coupling apparatus to the first device can be significantly increased.

Especially advantageous in connection with the coupling system of the invention is that in the case, in which the first coupling apparatus of the first device has a number of components, these are embodied essentially equidistantly around the first component. Because the additional components of the edge region are arranged essentially equidistantly around the at least first component of the center region, a second device coupled, in this way, on the first device can be rotated, respectively turned relative to the first device, virtually rotationally symmetrically to the midpoint of the first component. This offers for an operator, for example, the opportunity, so to orient the coupled second device, which serves, for example, as a display device, that the display of the display device is individually positionable as regards its viewing angle.

In an additional advantageous embodiment of the coupling system of the invention, it is provided that the center region of the second coupling apparatus of the second device has at least a second component, which interacts with the first component of the first coupling apparatus of the first device.

In another embodiment, the coupling system of the invention is constructed such that the second coupling apparatus of the second device has at least one other component, preferably, however, a number of other components, arranged in the edge region and interacting with the number of additional components of the first coupling apparatus of the first device. In this way, as already mentioned, the stability of the coupling of the second device to the first device via the coupling apparatus can be significantly increased in comparison with the embodiment with only one, respectively at least one, first component formed in the center region of the first coupling apparatus.

In an additional embodiment, the coupling system of the invention is embodied such that the, preferably, number of additional components of the second coupling apparatus of the second device are embodied in such a manner that they are arranged essentially equidistantly around the center region of the second coupling apparatus. In this way, the two mutually coupled devices can be rotated, respectively turned, relative to one another as a function of the number of additional components.

In an additional advantageous embodiment of the coupling system of the invention, it is provided that the components of the second coupling apparatus of the second device are arranged corresponding to the components of the first coupling apparatus of the first device.

An alternative embodiment of the coupling system of the invention provides that the first coupling apparatus of the first device magnetically interacts with the second coupling apparatus of the second device. In this way, the second device coupled with the first device can be released in an especially user friendly manner, i.e. especially without an extra tool.

Another alternative embodiment of the coupling system of the invention provides that the components of the first coupling apparatus of the first device or the components of the second coupling apparatus of the second device are embodied as permanent magnets, especially neodymium magnets and/or ferrite magnets.

A last alternative embodiment of the coupling system of the invention provides that the components of the first coupling apparatus of the first device and the components of the second coupling apparatus of the second device are embodied as permanent magnets, especially neodymium magnets and/or ferrite magnets of different polarity.

FIG. 1shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the coupling system1of the invention. Coupling system1is composed of a first device2, especially a field device2, and a second device3arranged separately outside of the first device2, especially a smart phone3, wherein the two devices2,3can be mechanically coupled to one another with the assistance of the coupling system1for the duration of the wireless energy and/or data transmission. For this, a first coupling apparatus4is provided on the first device2and a second coupling apparatus5on the second device3.

Furthermore, the two devices have for wireless data and/or energy transmission the correspondingly required interfaces6a,6b, especially radio units, respectively antennas, which are embodied in such a manner that they are located in the immediate vicinity of the coupling apparatuses4,5. It depends on the communication method, whether the interfaces6a,6bare arranged in the region of the coupling apparatus4,5or in given cases separated therefrom. For using near field communication (NFC) for wireless data and/or energy transmission, it has proven to be especially advantageous to arrange the interfaces6a,6bin the, respectively around the, center regions7,11of the two coupling apparatuses4,5. Ideally, the interface6a,6bof the respective device2, is arranged around the first component8,12of the corresponding coupling apparatus4,5. Other options include, however, also, arranging the interface6a,6bseparated from the center region7,11and, in given cases, also from the coupling apparatus4,5.

With the help of the interfaces6a,6bfor wireless data and/or energy transmission, the two devices2,3can communicate with one another, wherein the coupling system1cares for mechanical coupling, respectively affixing, of the two devices2,3during communication, and, after the communication ends, the two devices2,3can be released from one another. In this way, the first device2, which especially represents a field device2, and the second device3, which especially represents a smart phone3with corresponding software, respectively app or apps, can exchange data and/or energy.

An example of an application is the configuring and/or parametering of the field device2with the assistance of a smartphone3, wherein the smart phone3with a corresponding software, respectively with a corresponding APP, serves as operating, or servicing, tool for configuring and/or parametering of the field device2and with the assistance of the coupling system1is coupled during the wireless configuring and/or parametering mechanically with the field device2.

Another example of application is the displaying, respectively visualizing of data, respectively information, of a field device2, which has no integrated display device. For this, the second device3, which functions as an external display device, is with the assistance of the coupling system mechanically coupled to the field device2and, thus, enables the operator, for example, a service technician, to read-out data, respectively information, from the field device2. In such case, the external display device can be supplied with the energy needed for operation either by its own energy source or, alternatively, via the wireless communication method, especially by means of near field communication (NFC).

As already mentioned, it is for the wireless data transmission necessary to arrange the two communicating devices2,3in such a manner that the two interfaces, respectively radio units,6a,6bare spaced from one another by only a few centimeters. For this, the second device3is releasably coupled to the first coupling apparatus4of the first device2by means of the second coupling apparatus5.

The first coupling apparatus4includes in its center region at least a first component8, which is provided for coupling, respectively interacting, with a second component12of the second coupling apparatus5of the second device3. The second component12is likewise embodied in the center region11of the second coupling apparatus5and embodied in such a manner that it can interact with the first component8. For this, at least one of the two components8,12has a magnetic field, with the assistance of which the other corresponding component12,8is capable of being coupled. An especially preferred variant is that in which both components8,12are permanent magnets, for example, neodymium magnets and/or ferrite magnets, with different polarities. Another alternative solution provides that only one of the two components8,12is a permanent magnet and the other component12,8is composed of a ferromagnetic material, for example, a metal platelet, respectively component.

A second device3secured, respectively coupled, in this way to the first device2can, after, respectively during, the coupling be positioned as desired by rotation of the second device3relative to the first device2. Thus, for example, the operator, especially a service technician, can position a smart phone3coupled to the field device2according to the particular situation, in order to provide a convenient reading of the display of the smartphone3.

In order to achieve an increased stability of the coupling, there is provided in the edge regions9,13of the two coupling apparatuses4,5, in each case, at least one other component10,14, wherein the at least one other component10can be embodied in the form of a platelet or, such as not shown inFIG. 1, in the form of a ring, wherein the ring essentially covers, respectively is arranged in, the edge region9of the first coupling apparatus4.

Of course, also a combination of the two is possible, wherein, for example, the one coupling apparatus4,5has a further component10,14in the form of a ring and the other coupling apparatus5,4has a number of individual components14,10, which are arranged in the edge region9,13of the corresponding coupling apparatus4,5, or the two coupling apparatuses each have a ring as a further component.

The first coupling apparatus4shown inFIG. 1has eight other components10in the edge region9, which are arranged essentially equidistantly around the first component8of the first coupling apparatus4. In contrast the second coupling apparatus5is embodied in such a manner that it has four other components14in the edge region13, which likewise are arranged essentially equidistantly around the second component12of the second coupling apparatus5. These four additional components14of the second coupling apparatus5can be coupled to the additional components10of the first coupling apparatus4.

Because of the fact that both of the additional components10of the first coupling apparatus4as well as also the additional components14of the second coupling apparatus5are arranged essentially equidistantly around the respective first component8,12and, moreover, the additional components14of the second coupling apparatus5are arranged relative to the additional components10of the first coupling apparatus4corresponding, especially relative, to its separation from the respective first component8,12, a rotation of the second device3relative to the first device2is possible.

The number of additional components10,14of the two coupling apparatuses4,5determine the step angle, with which the second device3can be rotated relative to the first device2. With the coupling system1illustrated inFIG. 1, the two devices2,3can be rotated, respectively turned, with a step angle of 45° relative to one another. The number of additional components10of the first coupling apparatus can be increased or, in given cases, also decreased, in order to achieve a greater, respectively lesser, step angle.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1coupling system for use in automation technology2first device of automation technology/field device3second device of automation technology/smart phone4first coupling apparatus5second coupling apparatus6a,6binterface for wireless data and/or energy transmission7center region of the first coupling apparatus8first component of the first coupling apparatus9edge region of the first coupling apparatus10component of the first coupling apparatus11center region of the second coupling apparatus12second component of the second coupling apparatus13edge region of the second coupling apparatus14component of the second coupling apparatus