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A device for transmitting data between a sensor, in particular a capacitive level sensor, and an analyser unit, whereby the sensor and the analyser unit are physically separate from each other and a method for operating said device. The device and method permit the testing and/or adjusting and/or op

A device for transmitting data between a sensor, in particular a capacitive level sensor, and an analyser unit, whereby the sensor and the analyser unit are physically separate from each other and a method for operating said device. The device and method permit the testing and/or adjusting and/or operation of a sensor, which is active. A first processor unit is dedicated to the sensor and a second processor unit is dedicated to the evaluating unit. Connecting lines are provided, by means of which both processor units exchange bi-directional data.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for transmitting data relative to the fill level limit of a filler material in a container, between a sensor, in particular a capacitive fill-level sensor, or a pressure sensor, and an evaluating unit, wherein the evaluating unit and the sensor are spatially separated from each other, co

1. A device for transmitting data relative to the fill level limit of a filler material in a container, between a sensor, in particular a capacitive fill-level sensor, or a pressure sensor, and an evaluating unit, wherein the evaluating unit and the sensor are spatially separated from each other, comprising:a first processor unit connected to the sensor; a second processor unit connected to the evaluating unit; and connecting lines are provided, which exchange data bidirectionally over said first processor unit and said second processor unit, wherein: the data exchange between said first processor unit and said second processor unit is performed by a clock pulse flank-controlled point-to-point transmission; the evaluating unit and said first processor unit are mounted to the container and extend outside of the container; the sensor and said second processor unit are mounted to extend inside the container; and the sensor and evaluating unit are connected to each other by said connecting lines. 2. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:an auxiliary device, wherein: said first processor unit is integrated in the evaluating unit, and/or said first processor unit is integrated in said auxiliary device. 3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:one of said first processor unit and said second processor unit is a master processor unit and the other is a slave processor unit. 4. The device in accordance with claim 3, wherein:said connecting lines comprise two data lines; and one of said data lines is a unidirectional line, over which said master processor provides the clock pulse, and the other of said data lines is a bidirectional line, over which the two processor units communicate with each other. 5. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein:the electric current supply for the sensor takes place according to one of: said two data lines (two-wire circuit), and two further lines, over which the electric current supply for the sensor takes place (four-wire circuit). 6. The device in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:two RC oscillators operatively associated with a respective one of said processor units, each generating a clock pulse for communication between said two processor units. 7. The device in accordance with claim 6, further comprising:noise-suppression elements connected upstream of the inputs, or outputs, of said two processor units, whose time constants are dimensioned in such a way that they suppress the introduction of noise into said data lines to a large extent, but do not interfere with the data exchange between said two processor units. 8. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:said processor unit assigned to the sensor processes signals representing the particular measured value to be determined. 9. The device in accordance with claim 8, wherein:said processor unit assigned to the sensor has memory means, in which at least one measured value for adjusting the sensor to a reference variable, the so-called adjustment value, can be stored. 10. The device in accordance with claim 9, further comprising:an auxiliary device, preferably a personal computer, which can be connected with the sensor instead of the evaluating unit, and by means of which the sensor is adjusted and/or tested and/or operated. 11. A method for transmitting data relative to the fill level limit of a filler material in a container between a sensor, in particular a capacitive fill-level sensor, or a pressure sensor, and an evaluating unit, wherein the evaluating unit and the sensor are spatially separated from each other, comprising the steps of:providing a normal mode of operation and a measuring mode of operation relative to an adjustment and test phase; switching the sensor into said measuring mode in said adjustment and test phase; and switching the sensor into said normal mode for determining the respective value of the quantity to be measured. 12. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the steps of:determining the response of the sensor during measuring operations by approaching or simulating defined values of the quantity to be measured; and storing the respective response values. 13. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the steps of:connecting the sensor with an auxiliary device following final installation; switching the sensor into said measuring mode by the auxiliary device; recording the response course of the sensor; and checking whether the sensor operates correctly on the basis of the stored values of the quantity to be measured. 14. The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising the step of:reaching a predetermined value of the quantity to be measured by simulation, and permanently storing the measured value of the value to be measured as the adjustment value. 15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein:the stored value of the quantity to be measured is verified by means of a subsequent check operation. 16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein:where the sensor is employed as a threshold limit switch which signals when a predetermined measured value has been reached, for example the reaching of a threshold fill level in a container, the switching threshold for reaching the predetermined quantity to be measured is determined during initialization on the basis of the adjustment value and of the response value transmitted by the master processor in the evaluating unit. 17. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising the steps of:transmitting to the processor unit operating as the master processor values that exceed or fall below the switching threshold; forming an average value with the master processor on the basis of the transmitted data; and forwarding the average value to an output/display unit following definite detection of the switching state.