EP0828944B1 - Compressed air maintenance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP96/02025 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 29, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 29, 1997 PCT Filed May 11, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/38671 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 5, 1996Besides the individual modules (1', 1'''), a compressed air maintenance device consisting of individual easily interchangeable modules (1), e.g. pressure regulators, oil atomisers (1'''), condensate separators (1'), in which the individual modules (1) may have emitters (8) for the actual operating status and/or predetermined limit values, also has an indicating and monitoring module (1'') having optical and/or acoustic signalling devices (10) for the operational and/or fault status determined for the individual modules (1). Said signalling devices (10) can be easily coupled to the relevant emitters (8) of the modules (1). Any necessary maintenance work or operational breakdowns are thus easily recognizable.

Description

The invention relates to a compressed air maintenance device that individual easily replaceable modules such as pressure regulators, Oil nebulizer, condensate separator is composed, whereby the individual modules have at least one encoder for the current one Have operating status and / or predetermined limit values.

Such a compressed air maintenance device is from DE 40 32 515 A1 known. Monitoring the operating status of each Module is due to the different arrangement of the detectors difficult. Malfunctions or required Maintenance work is so difficult to see and there is Danger that necessary maintenance work is not carried out become. Through the different forms of the individual modules the overall impression is not pleasing Service equipment. For openly arranged sight glasses there is in different countries a regulation to disguise Avoid environmental damage in the event of damage, and there are then additional covers or housing parts are required.

Avoiding the disadvantages described is the present invention the task of a Compressed air maintenance device of the type mentioned above to further that required maintenance work or Malfunctions are easily recognizable.

To achieve this object, the invention provides that in addition to the individual modules, a display and Monitoring module is provided that this module is optical and / or acoustic detectors for those of the individual modules has determined operating or fault conditions and that these Detectors can be easily connected to the assigned sensors of the modules are connected. The arrangement of one is particularly important Detectors for the operating pressure and detectors for the Level limits of the corresponding modules.

Due to the arrangement of all concentrated on one module Operationally important detector is a much clearer and easier monitoring possible. An electronic one Coupling with control devices, additional detectors or the like. is possible with little effort, since only one tap on the display and monitoring module is necessary.

A visually closed appearance with special This allows the detectors to be clearly arranged achieved that the individual modules hollow profiles have undercut longitudinal grooves over the Adjacent modules are easily interchangeable are. The modules arranged next to each other in this way can Shape optimally matched to each other and thus an optimal Industrial design can be guaranteed.

For the easily interchangeable connection of the neighboring modules U-shaped brackets are provided, the legs in Adjacent grooves of the modules to be connected are added. This means that individual modules can be exchanged with just a few Hand movements possible even without tools.

Each hollow profile expediently has at least four Longitudinal grooves on, so with two brackets adjacent Hold modules together without taking further measures to tight connection of possibly continuous supply channels are necessary.

Can be easily adapted to different application requirements the display and monitoring module a replaceable one Have insert part in which at least one board for the electronics of the detectors is held, the board Plug connections for transmission lines with the sensors of the Carries modules. Then according to the requirements appropriate slide-in parts selected and in the display and Monitoring module can be used. Because of the simple Parts replacement includes maintenance and especially repairs minimal effort, time-saving even during operation possible.

The insertion part is expediently axially into the Hollow profile can be inserted. Furthermore, the Insert part to be open at the bottom for feeding of attachable to the plug connections Transmission lines from the sensors of the modules.

With a particularly low design effort, the Insert part of a faceplate lying in front of the hollow profile have good visual indicators are arranged visibly.

To replace the slide-in part even during operation without a malfunction, this one Have air coupling via the pressure sensors of the display and monitoring module with the one going through all modules Air duct are connected, the air coupling at Removal of the insert part is automatically closed. To the air coupling can be fixed with the insert part connected tappet trunk through which a valve body the air clutch is held in its "lineup".

In order to have as many identical parts as possible for the different modules To be able to use, each module has the hollow profile at the top final head piece through which an air duct is guided is. Each also has a module with a hollow profile the bottom section of the bottom section, whereby in Base piece transmitter and detector connecting transmission lines are guided, possibly behind an additional cover. Of the head and foot pieces become the essential Functional elements of the modules worn so that this are preassembled and simply put on the final assembly Hollow profiles are attached. The head piece and the foot piece each seal the associated hollow profile tightly, so that no additional ones for the individual components Sealing measures are required.

The hollow profile can be manufactured with particularly low production costs one tightly closed by a window slot-shaped breakthrough may be provided, so as to Level of the oil supply of an oil nebulizer or one Make the condensate separator easily recognizable.

Figur 1

eine Frontansicht eines Druckluftwartungsgeräts,

Figur 2

einen Schnitt durch das in Figur 1 dargestellte Wartungsgerät,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt gemäß der Linie III-III in Figur 2 durch ein Anzeige- und Überwachungsmodul und

Figur 4

einen weiteren Schnitt gemäß der Linie IV-IV in Figur 2 unter Weglassung der Moduleinbauten.

Further designs according to the invention can be found in the subclaims and their advantages are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the description below. It shows:

Figure 1

a front view of a compressed air maintenance device,

Figure 2

2 shows a section through the maintenance device shown in FIG. 1,

Figure 3

a section along the line III-III in Figure 2 by a display and monitoring module and

Figure 4

a further section along the line IV-IV in Figure 2 with the omission of the module internals.

In the illustrated embodiment, a Compressed air maintenance device, three modules 1 are provided, namely a condensate separator 1 ', a display and monitoring module 1 "and an oil nebulizer 1" '.

The individual modules 1 each have an extruded, preferably made of aluminum hollow profile 2 ', 2 ", 2"' on the top by a head piece 3 ', 3 "or 3"' and is closed at the bottom by a foot piece 4 ', 4 ", 4"'.

An air duct 5 is guided through the head pieces 3 ', 3 ", 3"'. In the condensate separator 1 'is condensate in a known manner excreted from the air through the air duct 5 and accumulates below in the hollow profile 1 '. The accumulated Condensate can through a protective filter 6 through a drain valve 7 be eliminated.

In the foot piece 4 'of the condensate separator 1' there are two sensors 8 arranged in the form of a level probe, the upper free End when the condensate level rises up to there Transmission line 9 gives a signal to a detector 10.

In addition, a breakthrough 11 of the hollow profile 2 ' Viewing window 12 may be provided so as to the respective Make the condensate level easily recognizable. The structure of the Except that the condensate trap is essential Parts are held in the head piece 3 'or foot piece 4', known therefore a detailed description of the function does not appear required.

The same applies to the oiler 1 "'. There are in the Foot piece 4 "'two sensors 8 arranged over which the level is determined in order to achieve the in a known simple manner Oil level limits via a transmission line 9 'at the detector 10' to make the display and monitoring module 1 "recognizable.

The display and monitoring module 1 "has one from below forth in the hollow profile 1 "insertable insertion part 13, in which the display electronics in particular one or more Boards 14 with the required electronic components are housed, as indicated in Figure 3. At least one of the boards 14 has plug connections 15 for Plug 16 of the transmission lines 9, 9 '. One of the Boards 14 can be used as a viewing board 14 'for receiving the optical display elements can be formed, as shown in the Figures 1 and 3 can be seen. For example, there can also be one digital pressure display 17 for the current operating pressure be provided.

Expediently, one can continue in the insert part 3 Pressure sensor 18 for monitoring the operating pressure in the air duct 5 may be provided.

In order to replace the insert part 13 even during operation To be able to, is an air coupling 19 in the head piece 3 " provided, which has a valve body 20 which via a Ram probes 21 of the insertion part 13 in its built-in State is kept open and so the channel 5 with the To connect pressure sensor 18.

The individual modules 1 are, as in particular from FIG. 4 can be seen connected to one another via brackets 22. For this purpose, the hollow profiles 2 have undercut longitudinal grooves 23 on. Each hollow profile 2 ', 2 ", 2"' is at least four provided such longitudinal grooves 23. These have an L-section, while the legs of the U-shaped brackets 22nd have an adapted U-cross section.

The hollow profiles 2 ', 2 "' of the condensate separator 1 'and Oil nebulizers 1 "'are identical, so that a rational production is possible. These hollow profiles 2 ', 2 "' have additional longitudinal grooves 23 '. You can, for example, for an additional wall mounting of the compressed air maintenance device serve, but they can also accommodate signs for Serve maintenance instructions and the like.

By combining the detectors 10 in the display and Monitoring module 1 'is a clear operational control practically possible at a glance, so that an optimal Maintenance and operational management is achieved. The whole Surveillance system can be connected to the IT system of operation can be coupled to such a Monitoring and control from practically anywhere to enable.

Claims (14)

1. A compressed air monitoring device consisting of easily interchangeable modules (1), such as pressure regulators, oil atomizers (1'''), and condensate separators (1'), whereby the individual modules (1) include at least one emitter (8) for current operational status and/or predetermined limit values, characterized in that it includes an indicating and monitoring module (1'') in addition to the individual modules (1', 1'''), that this module (1'') contains optic and/or acoustic signaling devices (10) which transmit information on the operational and/or failure status of the individual modules (1), and that these signaling devices (10) are easily connected to the corresponding emitters (8) on the modules (1).
2. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual modules (1) include hollow sections with undercut longitudinal grooves (23), which can be used to connect easily interchangeable adjacent modules (1).
3. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that the ready interchangeability between adjacent modules is achieved with U-shaped clamps (22) whose limbs fit into longitudinal grooves (23) in the adjacent modules (1).
4. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each hollow section (2) has at least four longitudinal grooves (23, 23').
5. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that there are two spaced longitudinal grooves (23) the side of each adjacent module (1).
6. A compressed air monitoring device according to one of claims 3 through 5, characterized in that the longitudinal grooves (23) have an L-shaped profile and the limbs (24) have a U-shaped profile to match the clamps (22) (Figure 4).
7. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the signaling and monitoring module (1'') includes an interchangeable modular component (13), which contains at least one board (14) for the electronics of the signaling devices (10), with the board (14) including plugin terminals (15) for transfer lines (9, 9') to the modules' emitters (8).
8. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that the modular component (13) can be inserted in the hollow section (2'') along its axis and, furthermore, that there is an opening in the bottom of the modular component (13) to allow for the insertion of plugs (16) connected to transfer lines (9, 9') from the modules' (1', 1''') emitters (8), which can be connected to the plug-in terminals (15).
9. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the modular component (13) includes a view plate (14'), located in front of the hollow section (2''), on which the signaling devices' (8) optical displays are arranged in a visible manner.
10. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the modular component (13) includes an air adapter (19) , through which the indicating and monitoring module's (1'') pressure sen'sors (18) are connected to the air tube (5) that runs through all modules (1), whereby the air adapter (19) closes automatically when the modular component (13) is removed from the indicating and monitoring module (1'').
11. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 10, characterized in that the air adapter (19) includes a hollow tappet (21), which is connected to the modular component (13) and with which an air adapter (19) valve unit (20) is held in its "open position".
12. A compressed air monitoring device according to one of claims 2 through 11, characterized in that each module (1) that includes a hollow section (2) also includes a headpiece (3), which forms the upper edge of the hollow section (2), and that an air tube (5) is fed through this headpiece (3), and that, furthermore, each module (1) that includes a hollow section (2) also includes a base piece (4), which forms the lower edge of the hollow section (2), and that transfer lines (9) connecting the emitters (8) and signaling devices (10) are installed in the base piece (4), possibly behind an additional casing element.
13. A compressed air monitoring device according to claim 12, characterized in that each headpiece (3) and base piece (4) pair tightly seals the corresponding hollow section (1), and that the hollow section (1), in direct combination with the headpiece (3) and the base piece (4), comprises the module (1) for a pressure regulator, condensate separator (1'), oil atomizer (1'''), etc.
14. A compressed air monitoring device according to one of claims 1 through 13, characterized in that there is at least one slit-shaped opening (11), covered by a sealed window (12), in the hollow section (2).

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