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DE-102024132639-A1 - Security lock for a field device and arrangement with a field device and a security lock

DE102024132639A1DE 102024132639 A1DE102024132639 A1DE 102024132639A1DE-102024132639-A1

Abstract

A security lock (1) for blocking a data interface of a field device (51) is specified, wherein the security lock (1) has a metallic body (3), - wherein the body (3) has a first section (3a) extending in the axial direction and a second section (3b) adjoining it and also extending in the axial direction, - wherein the first section (3a) has an external thread (11) formed for attachment to the data interface, - wherein the second section (3b) has a circular cross-section along its axial direction, - wherein an end face (9) of the second section (3b) forms a distal end of the safety lock (1), and wherein an internal profile (9) is formed on the end face (7). A radial surface of the second section (3b) is smooth and the internal profile (7) is designed to transmit a torque to the body (3).

Inventors

  • Matthias Schmidt

Assignees

  • IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. A security lock (1) for blocking a data interface of a field device (51), wherein the security lock (1) has a metallic body (3), - wherein the body (3) has a first section (3a) extending in the axial direction and a second section (3b) adjoining it and also extending in the axial direction, - wherein an external thread (11) for attachment to the data interface is formed on the first section (3a), - wherein the second section (3b) has a circular cross-section along its axial direction, - wherein an end face (9) of the second section (3b) forms a distal end of the security lock (1), and wherein an internal profile (9) is formed on the end face (7), characterized in that a radial surface of the second section (3b) is smooth and the internal profile (7) is designed to transmit a torque to the body (3).
  2. Security lock (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the security lock (1) comprises a metallic outer cylinder (31), wherein the outer cylinder (31) has a circular cross-section in the axial direction and is arranged concentrically and freely rotatable around the second section (3b) of the body (3) and is axially attached to it.
  3. Security lock (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that an outer circumference of the second section (3b) has a circumferential collar (33) which cooperates with a projection formed on the front face (7) of the body (3) for axial attachment of the outer cylinder (31).
  4. Security lock (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that at least one circumferential groove (35) is formed on the body (3), and at least one projection (37) is formed on an inner circumference of the outer cylinder (31), wherein the projection (37) engages in the groove (35) for axial fastening of the outer cylinder (31).
  5. Security lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner profile (9) comprises a radially extending second groove (23) which extends axially into the interior of the body (3), wherein a region (23a) of the second groove (23) located inside the body (3) is widened in the circumferential direction.
  6. Security lock (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that a third groove (25) extending concentrically to an axial axis of the body (3) is formed on the body (3), wherein the third groove (25) forms a closed circular ring which is connected to the second groove (23) to form the inner profile (9) in the manner of a pipe lock.
  7. Security lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner profile (9) comprises a multi-tooth profile (9a) and/or at least two concentrically arranged blind holes (9b).
  8. Security lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security lock (1) comprises a plastic inlay and wherein the second section (3b) is at least partially hollow cylindrical and comprises a cavity which is designed to at least partially receive the plastic inlay.
  9. Arrangement comprising a field device (51) and a safety lock (1), wherein the field device (51) comprises a data interface (53) with an internal thread (55) for attaching a plug, characterized in that the safety lock (1) is attached to the data interface (53) to block it.
  10. order according Claim 9 , characterized by the fact that the data interface (51) an IO-Link interface and wherein the external thread (11) and the internal thread (55) are each an M12 thread.

Description

The invention relates to a safety lock for an electronic connection of a field device in process or factory automation, such as a sensor, actuator or a bus or network interface. In process and factory automation, a wide variety of field devices are used. These must be connected or networked within a process or factory automation system for control and data exchange via electronic interfaces. Typically, these interfaces are freely accessible. This creates the problem that field devices can be manipulated by unauthorized persons, compromising the integrity and security of the automation system. For example, the IO-Link communication system is widely used in automation technology for connecting intelligent sensors and actuators. IO-Link is standardized in IEC 61131-9. A typical commercially available fieldbus interface for integrating field devices into an IO-Link system is, for example, the applicant's IO-Link master "AL 1350". The object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective device by means of which an interface of an automation system can be protected against unauthorized access. The problem is solved by a security lock according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Advantageously, a safety lock for blocking a data interface of a field device is specified, wherein the safety lock has a metallic body, the body having an axially extending first section and a second section adjoining it and also extending axially, wherein an external thread is formed on the first section for attachment to the data interface, wherein the second section has a circular cross-section along its axial direction, wherein an end face of the second section forms a distal end of the safety lock, wherein an internal profile is formed on the end face, and wherein a radial surface of the second section is smooth and the internal profile is designed to transmit a torque. The safety lock can thus be attached to and detached from the field device by applying a torque using a key that is designed to complement the inner profile. Due to the circular cross-section of the second section and its smooth surface, detachment of the safety lock from the data interface can be prevented or significantly impeded. This increases the security and integrity of an automation system network. The second section can be designed in the form of a cylinder or a truncated cone. In such designs, where the second section is in the form of a truncated cone, the diameter tapers towards the end face. This makes it even more difficult for an unauthorized person to apply the necessary torque to release the security lock unless they possess a key that matches the inner profile. The surface of the second section, formed by the circular cross-section, advantageously has a roughness with a mean roughness value (Ra value) Ra less than 0.3. A Ra value Ra < 0.1 is particularly advantageous. For example, the surface could be a polished metal surface. In some preferred further developments, the safety lock comprises a metallic outer cylinder, wherein the outer cylinder has a circular cross-section in the axial direction and is arranged concentrically and freely rotatable around the second section of the body and axially attached to it. Thus, when the safety lock is screwed onto the data interface of the field device, torque can only be applied via the inner profile. Preferably, the outer circumference of the second section has a circumferential collar that extends radially inwards and interacts with the end face of the body 3 to axially secure the outer cylinder. The collar can be manufactured, for example, by means of a forming process. In particular, the collar can have only a rounded or convex visible surface, so that no torque can be applied there by an unauthorized user without tools. In some embodiments, the collar can interact with a circumferential feature on the end face of the body, for example, a circumferential ring that projects beyond the end face. An internal circumferential groove can be formed there, into which the collar of the outer cylinder engages. This has the advantage that the outer cylinder can be easily attached. and can be mounted in a freely rotatable manner and fixed in the axial direction. In some embodiments, at least one circumferential groove is formed on the body. Correspondingly, at least one projection can be formed on an inner circumference of the outer cylinder, the projection engaging in the groove for axial fastening of the outer cylinder. This provides an alternative or additional axial fastening of the outer cylinder. This has the advantage that the outer cylinder can be easily mounted to rotate freely and be fixed axially. Advantageously, the outer cylinder comprises both a circumferential collar and at least one projection that is axially spaced from the collar. The inner profile of the end face preferably includes a second groove extending radially and axially into the in