Signaling Device

Abstract

A signaling device which generates a selection signal via an analog selection device for choosing a signal range, and a range scale for displaying the signal range chosen by the analog selection device, wherein the range scale includes setting ranges and a transition range, where one setting range of the setting ranges is arranged in an alternating manner with the transition range along the range scale, and the analog selection device is arranged such that selection of a setting range or a transition range along the range scale is selected and the analog selection device defines an analog selection value, and the signaling device additionally detects the analog selection value aided by the selection signal and checks whether this value corresponds to a value allocated to a transition range, and if so, outputs a signal via a signaler.

Claims

1.-6. (canceled)

7. A signaling device which generates a selection signal via an analog selection device for choosing a signal range, and a range scale for indicating the signal range chosen by the analog selection device, wherein the range scale exhibits at least two setting ranges and at least one transition range, a setting range of the at least two setting ranges each being arranged in an alternating manner with, in each instance, a transition range of the at least one transition range along an extent of the range scale; wherein the analog selection device is arranged such that a selection of a setting range or a transition range occurs along the extent of the range scale such that the analog selection device establishes an analog selection value; and wherein the signaling device captures the analog selection value aided by the selection signal and checks whether the captured analog selection value corresponds to a value which has been assigned to a transition range, and, if appropriate, output a signal by an included signaler.

8. The device as claimed in the claim 7, wherein the signaling device includes an electronic circuit.

9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signaling device includes a measuring device, preferentially a temperature-monitoring relay.

10. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the measuring device comprises a temperature-monitoring relay.

11. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the extent of the range scale is circular.

12. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the analog selection device is a potentiometer.

13. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one transition range of the at least one transition range has an extent along the extent of the range scale which is at most half as large as the extent of a setting range of the at least two setting ranges along the extent of the range scale.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be elucidated in more detail with reference to an embodiment represented in the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of signaling device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary scale for measuring-range selection, and a corresponding analog selection device in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows schematically a block diagram for an embodiment of a measuring device 1 in accordance with the invention, which in this example is a temperature-monitoring relay.

[0030] In this example, the device in accordance with the invention is accordingly a measuring device. Alternatively, the device could, for instance, also be employed for selecting a manipulated variable that, for instance, specifies a target variable for a control system.

[0031] The measuring device exhibits a measuring circuit 2 for capturing a measuring signal 3, an analog selection device 4 for choosing a measuring range when capturing the measuring signal 3, and a measuring-range scale 10 for indicating the measuring range chosen by the analog selection device 4.

[0032] The measuring-range scale 10 exhibits four setting ranges 11, 12, 13, 14 and three transition ranges 21, 22, 23.

[0033] A setting range of the four setting ranges 11, 12, 13, 14 is arranged in each instance in an alternating manner with, in each instance, a transition range of the three transition ranges 21, 22, 23 along an extent of the measuring-range scale 10.

[0034] In other words, setting ranges and transition ranges are, in each instance, arranged adjacently, adjoining one another along the extent of the circular measuring-range scale 10.

[0035] The analog selection device 4 is arranged such that a selection of a setting range 11, 12, 13, 14 or of a transition range 21, 22, 23 occurs along the extent of the measuring-range scale 10 and in the process the analog selection device 4 establishes an analog selection value 5. In this example, the analog selection device 4 is a rotary potentiometer with an adjustable ohmic resistance. Other analog selection devices, such as slide potentiometers or adjustable capacitors, are also possible.

[0036] Furthermore, an electronic logic circuit 6 and a signaler 7 are provided.

[0037] The electronic logic circuit 6 has been configured to capture the analog selection value 5 and to check whether this value corresponds to a value that has been assigned to a transition range 21, 22, 23. The logic circuit may have been built up in discrete manner, or even by a programmed implementation unit in a microcontroller. An analog-to-digital conversion for the analog selection value 5 may have been provided.

[0038] If the selection value 5 has been assigned to a transition range 21, 22, 23, an optical signal, for instance, is output via the signaler 7 in the form of an LED.

[0039] In addition, the LED may also be used for other display purposes. The current display can be distinguished from the signaling put into effect previously with the aid of, for instance, a different display color or a flashing frequency of the LED.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows an example of a scale 10 for the measuring device 1, where the analog selection device 4 can be operated via a screwdriver. An arrow as a marker has been affixed to the analog selection device 4, in order to make the position with respect to the scale 10 unambiguous and visible.

[0041] The scale 10 has been implemented such that at least one transition range of the three transition ranges 21, 22, 23 has an extent along the extent of the measuring-range scale 10 (here, an angular range of the circular scale) that is at most half as large as the extent of a setting range of the four setting ranges 11, 12, 13, 14 along the extent of the measuring-range scale 10.

[0042] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.