JP7741017B2 - Field devices and field device displays - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to field devices used in plants, etc., and displays for field devices.

A large number of field devices are installed at industrial plants and other sites. Field devices include measuring instruments such as flow meters, and positioners that control flow control valves. Even if these field devices are of the same device type, their appearances can vary depending on the manufacturer, and different device types can have similar appearances. Therefore, workers who patrol the site and inspect each field device can find it difficult to determine at a glance the model type of each field device and what it measures or controls.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for graphically displaying the layout of multiple field devices on an external indicator separate from the field devices. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for a field device to display information such as its own device type as a two-dimensional code.

JP 2012-27674 A JP 2012-32855 A

The technology described in Patent Document 1 requires workers to move to the indicator to obtain information about field devices, making it unsuitable for use by workers who patrol the site. The technology described in Patent Document 2 requires a device to read the two-dimensional code, which makes it time-consuming to determine the device type, etc. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the two-dimensional code does not reflect the measurement or control target of the field device.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above points, and aims to enable workers patrolling the site to easily understand the model type of field device and the object of measurement or control.

To solve the above problem, the field device of the present invention is a field device that measures the physical quantity of a measurement target or controls a control target, and is equipped with a display unit that displays a single pictogram representing both the device type of the field device and the measurement target or control target of the field device.

As an example, the pictogram further indicates the system to which the field device belongs based on its intended use.

As an example, the pictogram further represents the environment in which the field device is used.

As an example, the pictogram includes a symbol representing the device type and the measurement target or the control target, and the usage environment is represented by the background color of the symbol.

For example, the display unit is a display that displays the pictogram as an image and further includes a control circuit that sets the pictogram to be displayed on the display unit.

For example, the pictogram includes a mark indicating the orientation of the pictogram.

As an example, the pictogram further illustrates the operating principle of the field device.

In one example, the pictogram further represents an accessory to the field device.

The printed matter for field devices according to the present invention is a display for field devices that is provided on field devices that measure physical quantities or control controlled objects, and a single pictogram that represents both the device type of the field device and the object being measured or controlled by the field device is expressed by at least one of printing and engraving.

This invention allows workers patrolling the site to easily understand the model type of field device and the object being measured or controlled.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a field device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information that the pictograms represent. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information that the pictograms represent. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information that the pictograms represent. FIG. 5 is a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information they represent. FIG. 6 is a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information they represent. FIG. 7 is a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information they represent. FIG. 8 is a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information they represent. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a pictogram. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a field device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a table showing the correspondence between pictograms and the information they represent. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter and an engraved matter for a field device according to a modified example.

[First embodiment]
1 is configured as a measuring device. The field device 10 includes a piping section 11, a sensor 12, an operation section 13, a display section 14, and a control circuit 15. The field device 10 is installed in a piping through which a predetermined fluid flows at a site such as a plant, and is configured to measure a physical quantity of the fluid as a measurement target.

The piping section 11 is a hollow member connected to the piping through which the fluid flows. The sensor 12 converts the physical quantity of the fluid flowing within the piping section 11 into an electrical signal. The operation section 13 is composed of operation buttons that are operated by an operator. The display section 14 is a display such as an LCD display device, and displays the physical quantity measured by the field device 10 as well as an image of the pictogram P described below.

The external shape of the field device 10 varies depending on the type of measuring device the field device 10 is. For example, field devices 10 such as liquid level gauges and specific gravity meters may not have a piping section 11.

The control circuit 15 is comprised of a microcomputer or the like, and controls the entire field device 10. The control circuit 15 processes the electrical signal from the sensor 12 and acquires the physical quantity represented by the electrical signal, thereby measuring the physical quantity. The control circuit 15 outputs the measured physical quantity externally via a communication module (not shown), or displays it on the display unit 14. Based on the operator's operation of the operation unit 13, the control circuit 15 displays a pictogram P on the display unit 14, which simultaneously represents various pieces of information related to the field device 10. Specific examples of the pictogram P are shown in Figures 2 to 9.

The pictogram P shown in Figures 2 and 3 is configured as a single pictogram that represents both the device type of the field device 10 on which the pictogram P is displayed and the measurement target. The pictogram P includes a frame P1 and a symbol P11 and other symbols placed within the frame P1.

The symbol P11, which is a circle, represents the type of equipment: pressure gauge. Similarly, the symbol P12, which is a V-shaped broken line, represents a flow meter. The symbols P13 and P14, which are a combination of a circle and a horizontal line within it, represent hydrometers or liquid level systems. Symbols P13 and P14 are distinguished by the position of the horizontal line. The symbol P15, which is a combination of a circle and a vertical line connected to it, represents a thermometer. The symbol P16, which is a combination of a circle and a V-shaped broken line that partially overlaps, represents a differential pressure gauge.

As can be seen by comparing Figures 2 and 3, the wavy broken line symbol P21 in Figure 3 represents a liquid as the object of measurement. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, each pictogram P without a symbol representing the object of measurement (a pictogram with only the symbol for the equipment type) represents a gas as the object of measurement. Note that a pictogram P representing a liquid level gauge, for example, represents a liquid as the object of measurement even without symbol P21, because the object of measurement is a liquid, not a gas. In this way, a pictogram P can also represent a measurement object by not including a specific symbol. The technical idea of a pictogram P representing specific information by not including a specific symbol can also be adopted for other information represented by pictogram P, such as equipment type. Symbols representing other fluids, for example, a mixture of gas and liquid, may also be used to represent the object of measurement. Symbols representing water, oil, a solution, or fluid temperature may also be used to represent the object of measurement.

As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the device type and measurement target, pictogram P may also represent the system to which it belongs using a frame shape such as frames P1 to P3. The systems are classified according to the intended use of the field device 10, and here include a control system, a monitoring system, and a redundant system. A control system is a system used for various types of control, such as flow control. Physical quantities measured by field devices 10 belonging to this control system are used, for example, as feedback values for feedback control. A monitoring system is a system that monitors the presence or absence of abnormalities. Physical quantities measured by field devices 10 belonging to this monitoring system are used for abnormality monitoring. For example, an abnormality is detected when a physical quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold. A redundant system is a system that makes at least one of the control system and the monitoring system redundant. When a field device 10 in the control system or the monitoring system fails, the field device 10 in the redundant system operates as a replacement for the failed field device 10.

Pictogram P represents the control system using a rectangular frame P1, the monitoring system using a rectangular frame P2 with rounded corners, and the redundant system using a rectangular frame P3 with notched corners (here, a hexagon).

As shown in Figure 5, the pictogram P may represent the device type, measurement target, and also the usage environment of the field device 10 by the background color within the frame (background color of the symbol). In Figure 5, the background color is represented by the dot density. The background color may be a specific color such as red or yellow.

As shown in Figure 5, a high density of dots or a red background color indicates that the field device 10 is being used in an environment where hazardous materials are present (for example, an environment where the measurement target is a hazardous material). A low density of dots or a yellow background color indicates that the field device 10 is being used in an explosion-proof area. By representing the usage environment by the background color within the frame of the pictogram P, it is possible to use an expression similar to the conventional method of using colors to indicate hazardous materials, etc., allowing the operator to intuitively understand the usage environment.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pictogram P may include a mark P31 or P32 indicating its orientation. The triangular mark P31 is placed in the lower left corner of the frame P1 of the pictogram P. The band-shaped mark P32 is placed on the bottom side of the frame P1 of the pictogram P. Because field devices 10 are installed in various orientations, the orientation of the pictogram P also varies. If the orientation differs, the pictogram P becomes difficult to recognize. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the hydrometer symbols P14 and P21 are difficult to distinguish from the level gauge symbols P13 and P21 (Figure 3) when viewed upside down. The marks P31 and P32 make it easy to understand the orientation of the pictogram P.

As shown in Figure 8, pictogram P may represent the operating principle of the field device 10 using symbols P41 to P44. Symbol P41 indicates that the operating principle of the pressure gauge is a diaphragm type. Symbol P42 indicates that the operating principle of the differential pressure gauge is differential pressure detection using a pair of diaphragms. Symbol P43 indicates that the operating principle of the flow meter is a Coriolis type. Symbol P44 indicates that the operating principle of the flow meter is an electromagnetic type using a coil.

As shown in Figure 9, pictogram P can simultaneously represent the various types of information described above. The pictogram P shown in Figure 9 represents a flowmeter as the device type of the field device 10 displaying the pictogram P (symbol P12), a fluid as the object of measurement (symbol P21), and a monitoring system as the system to which it belongs (frame P2). Furthermore, pictogram P shown in Figure 9 represents a hazardous material as the usage environment (red background) and an electromagnetic system as the operating principle (symbol P44). Furthermore, pictogram P in Figure 9 is upside down (mark P31). As shown in Figure 9, by placing multiple symbols inside a frame, multiple pieces of information about the field device 10 (information represented by each symbol or no symbol) can be represented by a single pictogram.

The specific form of the pictogram P is arbitrary and is not limited to the forms shown in Figures 2 to 9. Various information may be represented, for example, by one or more combinations of a graphic symbol, various marks such as mark P31, a frame shape, and a specific graphic symbol or no mark.

As explained above, a field device 10 configured to measure the physical quantity of a measurement target may be provided with a display unit 14 that displays a single pictogram P representing both the device type of the field device 10 and the measurement target. This single pictogram P allows workers who patrol the site and inspect numerous field devices to intuitively grasp the device type and measurement target simultaneously by simply visually inspecting the field device 10 (more specifically, the display unit 14). This allows workers to easily grasp this information.

As mentioned above, it is preferable that the pictogram P further indicates the system to which the field device 10 belongs based on its intended use. This allows the operator to visually and intuitively grasp the intended use of the field device 10, making it easier to understand that intended use.

As mentioned above, the pictogram P may further represent the usage environment of the field device 10. This allows the operator to visually and intuitively grasp the usage environment of the field device 10, making it easier for the operator to understand the usage environment.

As described above, pictogram P includes symbols representing the equipment type and the measurement target (for example, a combination of symbols P11 and P21, or symbol P11 alone), and the usage environment can be represented by the background color of the symbol. In the above example, the background color of the symbol is the color inside the frame P1, etc., but the frame P1, etc. does not have to be present. The background color of the symbol can be, for example, the color surrounding the symbol. This configuration allows workers to visually and intuitively grasp information related to their own safety, making it easy for them to understand the information.

The above-mentioned system and usage environment are not determined until the field device 10 is actually installed on-site. Therefore, the control circuit 15 may have a function to set the pictogram P to be displayed on the display unit 14. For example, the control circuit 15 stores candidate pictograms P for each system and/or usage environment. After determining the system and/or usage environment of the field device 10, the operator operates the operation unit 13 to select the pictogram P representing the determined system and/or usage environment. This sets the pictogram P to be displayed on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the control circuit 15 displays the set pictogram P on the display unit 14. This configuration enables the display of pictograms that appropriately represent the system and/or usage environment.

As described above, the pictogram P includes a mark P31 that indicates the orientation of the pictogram P. This allows the worker to easily understand the orientation of the pictogram P and the information represented by the pictogram P.

As described above, pictogram P further represents the operating principle of field device 10. This allows the operator to intuitively grasp the operating principle of pictogram P visually, making it easy to understand the operating principle.

A large number of field devices 10 are installed at industrial plants and other similar sites, and the display units 14 of these field devices 10 can be difficult to distinguish at first glance, even among different types of field devices 10 (e.g., flow meters, pressure gauges, differential pressure gauges, thermometers, etc.). Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish the type of field device 10 equipped with these units. Furthermore, the object being measured cannot be identified from the outside of the field device 10. Furthermore, if a field device 10 fails to measure properly on-site, a very dangerous situation may arise. Therefore, the field device 10 is required to constantly or periodically display measured values and normal/abnormal status on the display unit 14. However, the display unit 14 of a field device 10 is generally small, and the display space for information such as device type is limited when considering the need to display the measured values and other information. In this embodiment, the field device 10 displays various types of information using a single pictogram P, allowing workers patrolling the site to easily grasp information that would be difficult to grasp from the outside, and furthermore, less space is required to display the pictogram P than when the various types of information are displayed individually using text or multiple pictograms.

Second Embodiment
The field device 20 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is configured as a positioner that controls the operation of a flow control valve 30 .

The flow control valve 30 comprises an actuator 31, a valve stem 32, a valve element 33, and a piping section 34. The actuator 31 displaces the valve element 33 via the valve stem 32, thereby opening and closing the flow path of the piping section 34, which is connected to the plant's piping and forms a flow path for the fluid. This controls the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the plant's piping. In Figure 10, the flow control valve 30 is configured as a gate valve, which is a direct-acting valve, but it may also be another direct-acting valve such as a globe valve, or a rotary valve such as a butterfly valve or ball valve.

The field device 20, which serves as a positioner, controls the operation of the flow control valve 30, i.e., the valve opening degree of the valve element 33, based on a control signal (e.g., an electrical signal or a pneumatic signal) from a higher-level device. The field device 20 includes a feedback lever 21, an operating unit 22, a display unit 23, and a control circuit 24.

The feedback lever 21 engages with a pin 32A provided on the valve shaft 32 and rotates in conjunction with the displacement of the valve shaft 32, i.e., the valve element 33. The operation unit 22 is composed of operation buttons and other components that accept operations by the operator. The display unit 23 is a display such as an LCD device, and displays an image of the pictogram Q described below.

The control circuit 24 converts the control signal from the host device into an air signal and supplies the converted air signal to the actuator 31, thereby operating the actuator 31 with the air signal. At this time, the control circuit 24 detects the rotation angle of the feedback lever 21 using a sensor (not shown), and performs feedback control using the detected rotation angle as a feedback value and the air signal as the amount of operation for the actuator 31. This operation displaces the valve element 33 so that the valve opening degree specified by the control signal from the host device is achieved. The control circuit 24 converts the control signal into an air signal by controlling, for example, a nozzle flapper mechanism that converts the control signal (electrical signal) into an air signal, and a pilot relay that amplifies the air signal. The control circuit 24 is, for example, composed of a microcomputer.

Based on the operator's operation of the operation unit 22, the control circuit 24 displays a pictogram Q on the display unit 23, which simultaneously represents various pieces of information related to the field device 20. A specific example of the pictogram Q is shown in Figure 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, pictogram Q displayed on display unit 23 is configured as a single pictogram that represents at least both the device type of the field device 20 on which pictogram Q is displayed and the controlled object. The controlled object represented by pictogram Q includes at least one of the type of flow control valve 30 that is directly controlled by field device 20 as a positioner, and the fluid in the piping that is controlled by field device 20 as a positioner via flow control valve 30. Like pictogram P, pictogram Q is configured as a single pictogram that includes a frame Q1 and a symbol Q11, etc., placed within frame Q1.

The fan-shaped symbol Q11 represents a positioner as a type of equipment. This symbol mimics the rotation of the feedback lever 21. In this way, when a symbol mimics the shape or operation of the equipment it represents, workers can intuitively and easily grasp the content of pictogram Q. The same is true for the symbol of pictogram P. Note that symbols P43 and P44 of pictogram P mimic the shapes of components (U-timer or coil) related to the operating principle they represent.

The symbols Q21 to Q23 to the left of symbol Q11 represent control signals input to the field device 20 as a positioner. Symbol Q21 does not specify whether the control signal is an electrical signal or an air signal. Symbol Q22 indicates that the control signal is an electrical signal. Symbol Q23 indicates that the control signal is an air signal. Symbol Q24 to the right of symbol Q11 represents the manipulated variable signal output from the field device 20 as a positioner and input to the flow control valve 30. Note that the positioner output may be omitted. Symbol Q24, like symbol Q23, represents an air signal.

The circular symbol Q31 represents a rotary valve as a flow control valve controlled by the field device 20. Symbol Q32 represents a diaphragm valve as a flow control valve controlled by the field device 20. Symbol Q33 represents a butterfly valve as a flow control valve controlled by the field device 20. Symbols Q32 and Q33 may or may not touch the arc portion of symbol Q11. Pictograms Q without symbols representing controlled objects, such as symbols Q31 to Q33 (see the top and third rows from the top), represent direct-acting valves as flow control valves controlled by the field device 20. Direct-acting valves may be represented by doubling the arc of symbol Q11, thickening the arc, or adding a chord to symbol Q11. As such, symbols may represent the valve type (direct-acting/rotary) as the device type, or a more detailed type, such as a diaphragm valve, as the device type.

Symbols Q22-Q24 and Q32-Q33 are imitations of symbols used in piping diagrams (for example, symbols specified in JIS standards). By using such symbols, workers can more intuitively and easily grasp the information represented by pictogram Q. Note that the symbol for pictogram P may also imitate a symbol used in piping diagrams.

The symbol Q41 indicates that the fluid to be controlled via the flow control valve 30 of the field device 20 is a liquid. A pictogram Q without the symbol Q41, i.e., without a symbol representing the object to be controlled via the flow control valve 30, indicates that the object to be controlled is a gas. A symbol representing another fluid, for example, a mixture of gas and liquid, may be used as a symbol representing the object to be controlled via the flow control valve 30. A symbol representing water, oil, a solution, or fluid temperature may be used as a symbol representing the object to be controlled via the flow control valve 30.

Pictogram Q51 represents a limit switch that is provided as an accessory to the field device 20 and detects whether the valve element 33 is fully closed or fully open. In this way, pictogram Q may represent any accessory. Pictogram P may also be configured to represent an accessory.

As explained above, a field device 20 configured to control a control target may be provided with a display unit 23 that displays a single pictogram Q representing both the device type of the field device 20 and the control target. This single pictogram Q allows workers who patrol the site and inspect numerous field devices to intuitively grasp the device type and the control target simultaneously by simply visually inspecting the field device 10. This allows workers to easily grasp this information.

As mentioned above, pictogram P may also represent accessories for the field device. This allows the operator to easily and intuitively grasp the accessories visually.

Like pictogram P, pictogram Q may represent at least one of the system, usage environment, orientation, and operating principle. As with the first embodiment, the system and usage environment are not determined until the field device 20 is actually installed in the field. Therefore, the control circuit 24 may have a function to set the pictogram Q to be displayed on the display unit 23. The specific configuration and effects of these components are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The specific form of the pictogram Q is arbitrary, and the operating type of the flow control valve 30 (manual/electric/pneumatic/hydraulic/hydraulic, etc.) may be represented by a graphic symbol or the like.

[Modification]
The pictogram P or Q may be represented by at least one of printing and engraving. As a result, the pictogram P or Q is represented by either color or texture, or both. For example, the pictogram P or Q may be directly printed on the device housing, directly engraved on the device housing, or both directly printed and engraved on the device housing. In this case, the printed and/or engraved portion serves as a display unit that displays the pictogram P or Q. As another example, the field device 10 or 20 may have a display object on which the pictogram P or Q is printed and/or engraved as a display unit that displays the pictogram P or Q. Examples of a display object on which the pictogram P or Q is printed include a printed object, such as a sticker, that is affixed to the field device 10 or 20, or a printed object, such as a tag, that is attached to the field device 10 or 20 with a string or the like. Printing includes offset printing, inkjet printing, three-dimensional printing, and the like, and also includes painting, as appropriate. The display object engraved with the pictogram P or Q may be a metal plate-shaped engraved object such as a tag that can be attached to the field device 10 or 20 with a string or the like. The printed object may be engraved in addition to being printed, or the engraved object may be printed in addition to being engraved. The display object may be any object for the field device, and may be prepared separately from the field device 10 or 20 and later attached or mounted to the field device 10 or 20. FIG. 12 shows how a sticker 90, which is a printed object with a printed pictogram P, is attached to the field device 10. In FIG. 12, the sticker 90 is attached to the side of the housing of the field device 10. Furthermore, FIG. 12 shows how a tag 95, which is an engraved object engraved with the pictogram P, is attached to the field device 10 with a string 96. Naturally, only one of the sticker 90 and the tag 95 needs to be attached to the field device 10. The frame P1 or Q1 of the pictogram P or Q may be represented by the outline of the display object. With such a display, pictograms can be attached to existing field devices at a later date, and the orientation of the pictograms can be adjusted depending on the direction in which they are attached or mounted.

The present invention can be applied to general field devices that measure the physical quantity of a measurement target or control a control target. Field devices that measure the physical quantity of a measurement target or control a control target include field devices that measure a physical quantity and also control a control target. The field device may be a combination of a positioner and a flow control valve, a flow control valve alone, a pump, etc.

[Scope of the present invention]
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications. For example, the present invention includes various modifications to the above embodiments and modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The configurations listed in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within a range that does not contradict each other.

10...field device, 11...piping section, 12...sensor, 13...operation section, 14...display section, 15...control circuit, 20...field device, 21...feedback lever, 22...operation section, 23...display section, 24...control circuit, 30...flow control valve, 31...actuator, 32...valve stem, 32A...pin, 33...valve disc, 34...piping section, 90...seal, P...pictogram, P1-P3...frame, P11-P16, P21, P41-44...graphical symbols, P31-P32...mark, Q...pictogram, Q1...frame, Q11, Q21-Q24, Q31-Q33, Q41, Q51...graphical symbols.

Claims (9)

A field device that measures a physical quantity of a measurement target or controls a control target,
a display unit that displays a single pictogram representing both the device type of the field device and the measurement target or the control target of the field device;
Field equipment. The pictogram further indicates a system to which the field device belongs according to its application.
The field device of claim 1 . The pictogram further represents a usage environment of the field device.
The field device according to claim 1 or 2. the pictogram includes a symbol representing the device type and the measurement target or the control target,
The usage environment is represented by the background color of the graphic symbol.
The field device of claim 3 . the display unit is a display and displays the pictogram as an image;
Further, a control circuit is provided to set the pictogram to be displayed on the display unit.
The field device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The pictogram includes a mark indicating the orientation of the pictogram.
The field device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. the pictogram further illustrates an operating principle of the field device;
The field device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the pictogram further represents an accessory to the field device;
The field device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A display for a field device that is provided in a field device that measures a physical quantity or controls a control target,
A display for a field device, in which a single pictogram representing both the device type of the field device and the measurement target or the control target of the field device is expressed by at least one of printing and engraving.