REMOVABLE DISPLAY AND OPERATING MODULE FOR A FIELD DEVICE

Abstract

A removable display and operating module for a measuring device and/or a field device for level measurement or for limit level determination is provided, the removable display and operating module including a radio module; and an electrical connection element configured to form a detachable connection with a connection counterpart for transmitting radio frequency signals from the radio module to a radio frequency housing feedthrough and/or to an antenna of the measuring device and/or the field device. There is also provided a sensor housing for a field device for level measurement or for limit level determination, the sensor housing being configured to completely accommodate the removable display and operating module. A method of manufacturing a field device for level measurement or level limit determination is also provided.

Claims

1. A removable display and operating module for a measuring device and/or a field device for level measurement or for limit level determination, the removable display and operating module comprising: a radio module; and an electrical connection element configured to form a detachable connection with a connection counterpart for transmitting radio frequency signals from the radio module to a radio frequency housing feedthrough and/or to an antenna of the measuring device and/or the field device.

2. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board, the electrical connection element being fixed on the printed circuit board.

3. The removable display and operating module according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connection element is connected to the printed circuit board via a line.

4. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is a coaxial plug and the connection counterpart is a coaxial socket, or the electrical connection element is a coaxial socket and the connection counterpart is a coaxial plug.

5. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is further configured to transmit frequencies in an ISM band and/or a telecommunications band.

6. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is further configured to transmit frequencies between 30 MHz and 20 GHz, for example between 100 MHz and 10 GHz, in particular between 100 MHz and 5 GHz.

7. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is further configured to transmit frequencies between 100 MHz and 5 GHz.

8. The removable display and operating module according to claim 1, wherein the display and operating module is configured to be disposed within a sensor housing.

9. A sensor housing for a field device for level measurement or for limit level determination, is the sensor housing being configured to completely accommodate a removable display and operating module comprising a radio module and/or an electrical connection element according to claim 1, the sensor housing comprising a radio frequency housing feedthrough configured to transmit radio frequency signals from the radio module and to connect to an antenna.

10. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the radio frequency housing feedthrough is a coaxial plug or a coaxial socket.

11. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connection element is a coaxial plug or a coaxial socket.

12. The sensor housing according to claim 9, wherein the antenna is configured to be integrated into the sensor housing.

13. A method of manufacturing a field device for level measurement or level limit determination, comprising the steps of: providing a sensor housing of the field device; arranging a radio frequency housing feedthrough and/or an antenna connected to a connection counterpart on the sensor housing; connecting the connection counterpart to an electrical connection element connected to a radio module of a removable display and operating module; and arranging the removable display and operating module in the sensor housing, wherein the sensor housing completely accommodates the removable display and operating module and the electrical connecting element.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: disposing the antenna on the sensor housing; and connecting the antenna to the radio frequency housing feedthrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a sketch of a display and operating module according to an embodiment in perspective view;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a sketch of a display and operating module according to an embodiment in front view;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sketch of a display and operating module according to an embodiment in side view;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sketch of a display and operating module with a connecting element and further elements according to a further embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sketch of a display and operating module with a connecting element and further elements according to a further embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sketch of a display and operating module with a connecting element according to a further embodiment in rear view;

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sketch of a field device according to an embodiment in perspective side view;

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sketch of a field device according to an embodiment in top view;

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sketch of a field device according to a further embodiment in perspective view; and

[0034] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a field device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a sketch of a display and operating module 100 according to one embodiment in perspective view. The display and operating module 100 has an upper part 112 and a lower part 118. Side handles 114, a display 115, and control buttons (such as operator keys) 116 are arranged in the upper part 112. By means of the side handles 114, the display and operating module 100 can be easily removed or replaced. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the elements of the upper part 112 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the upper part 112 and the lower part 118 of a radio module 120 and the display and operating module 100. Furthermore, an electrical connection element 140 is shown, which in this embodiment protrudes from the lower part 118 and which can be designed, for example, as a coaxial connector.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sketch of a radio module 120 and a display and operating module 100 with a connection element and further elements according to a further embodiment. Here, an electrical connection element 140 (e.g., a coaxial plug) is connected to the display and operating module 100 by a line 145 (e.g., a coaxial line). The electrical connection element 140 is connectable, i.e., electrically and/or mechanically connectable, to a connection counterpart 160 (e.g., a coaxial socket). The connection counterpart 160 is connected to a radio frequency housing feedthrough 220 via a line 165 (e.g., a coaxial line). From the radio frequency housing feedthrough 220, a line 225 (e.g., a coaxial line) is connected to an antenna 240.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sketch of a display and operating module 100 with a connecting element 140 and further elements according to a further embodiment in a lateral bottom view. In this embodiment, the connecting element 140 is fixed to a printed circuit board 180. Furthermore, bayonet catches 119 are shown, which are arranged on an annular element of the lower part 118, so that a simple removal or detachment and/or attachment of the display and operating module 100 can be accomplished by turning. This supports the aforementioned concept of the modular system. FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the elements of the lower part 118 shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sketch of a field device 300 according to one embodiment in perspective side view. The field device 300 has a robust, metal sensor housing 200. A display and operating module 100 is arranged in the sensor housing 200 and is protected by the metal housing 200. The metal housing 200 may have non-metallic parts, such as the viewing window 210, through which a view of a display 115 (see, for example, FIG. 1) is possible. In one embodiment, the viewing window may be replaced by an opening so as to allow operation of the control buttons 116. If the control buttons 116 are not directly accessible, operation of the field device 300 is possible via radio. An antenna 240 is arranged at a radio frequency housing feedthrough 220. If other frequency bands are used, the antenna may be of a different design.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sketch of a field device 300 according to one embodiment in plan view. The attached display and operating module 100 can be seen through a viewing window 210 in a metal housing 200.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sketch of a field device 300 according to a further embodiment in a perspective view. Here, the sensor housing 200 completely accommodates the display and operating module 100 and the connecting element 140 (not visible), so that these elements are highly protected from damage by environmental influences by the sensor housing 200. A sensor device 280 is only partially contained by the metallic sensor housing 200 and has its own protection. An antenna 240 is arranged on a high frequency housing feedthrough 220, which is designed for a different frequency range than the antenna shown in FIG. 7 and therefore has a different shape. The high-frequency housing feedthrough 220 can have a similar or identical design to the one shown in FIG. 7.

[0041] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart 400 of a manufacturing process of a field device 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7 to 9) according to one embodiment. In a step 402, a sensor housing 200, in particular a metallic sensor housing, of the field device 300 is provided. In a step 404, a radio frequency housing feedthrough 220 connected to a connection counterpart 160 is arranged on the sensor housing 200. In a step 406, the connection counterpart 160 is connected to an electrical connection element 140, which in turn is connected to a removable display and operating module 100 comprising a radio module 120. In a step 408, the display and operating module 100 is arranged in the sensor housing 200, wherein the sensor housing 200 completely accommodates the display and operating module 100 and the connection element 140.

[0042] It should also be noted that the various embodiments may be combined with each other unless this is explicitly and/or technically impossible. It should also be noted that “comprising” and “including” do not exclude other elements or steps and that the indefinite articles “an” or “a” do not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0043] 100 Operating module [0044] 112 Upper part [0045] 114 Side handles [0046] 115 Display [0047] 116 Operator keys [0048] 118 Lower part [0049] 120 Radio module [0050] 140 Electrical connection element [0051] 145 Line [0052] 160 Connection counterpart [0053] 165 Line [0054] 180 Printed circuit board [0055] 200 Metallic sensor housing [0056] 210 Viewing window [0057] 220 High-frequency housing feedthrough [0058] 225 Line [0059] 240 Antenna [0060] 280 Sensor device [0061] 300 Field device, measuring device, measuring system [0062] 400 Flow chart [0063] 402-steps