WO2011053190A2 - Wireless switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless switch for remotely controlling electrical devices takes the form of a composite device consisting of a compact, independent wireless transmitter module and a decorative housing element in which the aforementioned independent module is mounted and secured by an engaging means. The shape, finish and colour of the decorative housing element as well as the methods for attaching said element to an external carrier, for example, on the wall of a room, completely determine the necessary design of the wireless switch. One possible embodiment of the technical solution is a wireless switch in which the decorative housing is in the form of the housing of a standard European socket, into the inner cavity of which an independent radio transmitter module is placed. Such a solution makes it possible to solve the problem of the stylistic compatibility of the proposed wireless switches with other elements of electrical fixtures in the same design project.

Description

 Wireless switch.

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of wireless remote radio control of electrical devices, and in particular, lighting devices.

 The predominant use of the invention is assumed in design projects for wiring equipment of premises.

State of the art

 Known remote control systems for lighting means in which an analog or digital remote control signal is transmitted over the air [US6169377, May 24, 1999, US5239205, May 2, 1991, US72741 17, Apr. 4, 2005, US5458311, Feb. 25, 1994]. In the simplest case, these are wireless wall switches.

The use of wireless switches is in demand by builders. They can reduce cabling costs and also reduce the fire risk associated with this cabling. Wireless switches are important for designers working on projects in which wiring is undesirable - for example, on glass or thin panel partitions. Consumers often, for various reasons, are faced with the need to transfer wall-mounted wire switches installed during the initial construction of the premises in an uncomfortable place or during subsequent repair of the premises. Work on such a transfer of the installation location of the wall-mounted wire switch is very time-consuming and expensive, since it involves the laying of additional wires and subsequent repair of the room. Wireless switches, in these cases are optimal solution to the problem - they do not require laying wires and often simply stick to any surface. The flexibility of designing the architectural and design environment that arises with the use of wireless switches also indicates the prospects of this technical area in the management of electrical devices. Wall-mounted wire switches are produced by millions and, in particular, recognized brands have formed in the European market, such as, for example, Legrand, ABB, Busch-Jaeger, Merten, Jung. Each brand company offers a variety of and often updated style design lines of electrical installation products that differ in shape, color scheme, texture and materials used. A feature of the modern design of electrical equipment in premises is the predominant use of wiring accessories - switches, dimmers, electrical or telephone sockets from the same brand and, in particular, from one style design line.

The problem for the solution to which the present invention is directed is that the designer or user cannot introduce into the room decorated in a particular design style an element (wall switch) that differs sharply in shape, color, texture of the material from other wiring elements, forming an architectural and design environment. Thus, there is a kind of “style” barrier to entry into the mass market of wiring accessories with a separate wall switch. Disclosure of invention

 The present invention allows to circumvent this barrier and is a solution which, in our opinion, will allow the mass introduction of wireless control systems for lighting or other electrical devices in any already formed style design line of electrical installation products. Or quickly enough and without large costs to create a variety of new design areas in the remote control systems of electrical appliances.

 The inventive concept is to create a wireless switch as a composite device consisting of a compact fully autonomous module of a wireless transmitter and a decorative housing element, in which the said autonomous module is installed and fixed by means of gearing. Moreover, the shape, texture of materials, the color scheme of the decorative housing element and the methods of its mounting on an external medium, for example, on a room wall, completely determine the necessary design of a wireless switch.

Such a composite design will allow to standardize the design of an autonomous transmitter module, lay the foundation for mass demand for such a product and thereby significantly reduce its cost. At the same time, a variety of design solutions is retained for the multiple options for the execution of the body element.

The transmitter module can be mounted on the outer surface of the housing element. But also it can be hidden under the surface of the housing element. The impact on the transmitter module located under the surface of the housing element depends on the execution of its activation means, which will be described below. In particular, it is 85 can be mechanical pressure through the elastic or elastic part of the surface of the housing element, it can also be non-contact remote action through the surface of the housing element, for example using capacitive, induction or optical sensors.

 90 One of the very attractive particular cases of such a composite wireless switch arises when it is necessary to create a wireless switch for incorporating into the design lines of the existing wiring products today.

 The solution to this problem is based on the choice as a decorative 95 case element, bearing all the individual attributes of a style design line of any manufacturer of the body of the European standard electrical outlet (hereinafter abbreviated: Euro-outlet). Euro-outlet is widely produced by all manufacturers of wiring accessories, and its external forms, material, color

100 The solution and texture of the materials is the same as for the switches belonging to the same style design line.

 The peculiarity of the choice of the Euro-outlet case is due to the fact that, in accordance with the European standard, this case has a strictly defined standard shape and dimensions of the external cavity into which it is inserted

105 plug of any electrical appliance. Also in the external cavity of the power outlet there are standardly located bottom openings, side grooves and springs of grounding contacts. These important facts make it possible to create a universal module of a wireless transmitter that can be inserted and strengthened in the housing of the euro-socket from any

Manufacturer software. Moreover, as already noted, the stylistic design of such a composite wireless switch will mainly be emphasized by external elements and additional design overlays enclosure sockets. Euro socket, its body, is actually used only as an element of decor and should not be connected to external

115 electrical networks.

 Thus, in accordance with the claimed invention, a wireless switch for remote control of electrical devices, comprising a housing, an electronic unit for forming and transmitting information

120 remote control signal, an electronic unit activation means that responds to user commands and accordingly controls the start of the electronic unit, as well as an electric power supply for the circuit breaker, this wireless switch made of two detachable parts: decorative

125 of the housing and installed therein, using the gearing means, of a universal autonomous transmitter module containing the electronic unit, activation means and autonomous power supply means in their independent housing.

 The proposed standalone wireless transmitter module may

130 is also used as a standalone product.

 As a means of activation, the specified transmitter module may contain traditional electromechanical buttons / keys, by clicking on which the user activates the electronic unit of the signal transmitter. However, the design of modern circuit breakers

135 evolve primarily in the direction of use of touch devices, in which mechanical buttons / keys are replaced by electronic sensors that respond to proximity, touch or press on the surface of the switch.

Sensors that respond to proximity, touch or pressing on 140 the surface of the switch can be made on the basis of various electronic sensors - optical or capacitive sensors, pressure or voltage sensors, etc. The use of sensor technology makes the circuit breaker more functional and increases its service life.

 145 At present, technologies for identifying user commands using various media of information codes, such as plastic cards, tags or key fobs, in which code chips are integrated, for example, RFID technologies, are also rapidly developing. Touch activation devices equipped with contact or non-contact

150 reading information from such media will allow the construction of flexible remote control systems for electrical devices. In particular, add important access control functions or other “smart home” functions to them.

 As a means of electric power supply to the module, a lithium battery, for example CR2450, can be used, which will provide a sufficiently long battery life for the module. According to our calculations, the battery life will be at least 5 years, but sooner or later its capacity will be exhausted and its replacement will be required, which usually causes inconvenience to users.

160 In order to improve the power supply of the module, it can be supplemented with recharging devices, for example, to place a plate of solar cells on the surface of an autonomous module or housing element, which will recharge the internal power supply of the module during its lighting. Such a construction solution 165 will help to avoid replacing the battery for a significant period - more than 15 years.

Electrical power sources for wireless transmitters that use piezoelectric devices or inductive electromechanical converters [US6756930, June 29, 170 2004, US7019241, March 28, 2006], in which the energy of mechanical pressing a key is converted into electrical energy to power the electronic unit of the transmitter. Such electromechanical converters can also be embedded in the inventive module of the wireless transmitter, which will create a completely 175 non-volatile version of the module.

Brief Description of the Drawings

 The drawings below illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention, which at the same time does not exclude a large 180 variety of other forms of implementing the inventive concept.

 Figa, b - view and section of a wireless transmitter with a stand-alone transmitter module located on the surface of the decorative body;

 Figa, b - view and section of a wireless transmitter with a stand-alone 185 transmitter module located below the surface of the decorative body;

 Fig.Z is a view of an autonomous module of a wireless transmitter in the composition with the housing of the Eurostandard socket,

 Figa, b - the appearance of the module of the wireless transmitter with 190 options for elements of the means of engagement,

 Figa, b, c - internal structure and effects on the means of activation of the module of the wireless transmitter,

Figa, b - options for the location of the charging devices of the power supply module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

 According to the invention, the wireless switch is made of two elements: a stand-alone module 1 and a decorative body 2. In figa, b

200 shows a module 1 inserted and fixed in the outer cavity of the decorative body 2, so that the user can have an activating effect for controlling the switch directly on the open surface of the transmitter module 1. In FIG. 2a, the decorative body 2 looks like an integral product and

205 completely hides the transmitter module 1 installed inside it and fixed by the fixing means 6 (see FIG. 2b). In this case, the action on the means of activation of the transmitter module 1 can occur through a thin, and in particular, elastic or elastic membrane 2a. This design has great potential for

210 creation of various design decisions that do not depend on the form and type of an autonomous transmitter module.

 The decorative case can be made of fully elastic materials, in particular, silicone rubber with an adhesive layer that allows such a wireless switch to be glued to different

215 surfaces.

 As noted above, the claimed design of the wireless switch is very attractive, in which the Eurostandard 2 socket body is selected as a decorative housing element, see Fig. Z. In this case, the wireless transmitter module,

220 as shown in figa, b is made in a form that allows you to install it in the external cavity 3 of the housing 2 of the Eurostandard socket (Euro-socket).

After installing the transmitter module in the Euro-socket housing, the structure shown on the right in FIG. 3 is formed. External style design which, to a large extent, is determined by the design of the selected case of the euro-outlet and thus will not violate the style unity with other wiring products of the same manufacturer installed in the room.

 The housing of the Euro-socket 2 (FIG. 3a) has standardly arranged elements of standard shape and size: openings for current leads 4a located on the bottom of the external cavity of the socket 3, side guides 4b and metal spring contacts 4c. These elements, as well as the walls of the cavity 3 can be used to install and fix the module 1.

To this end, module 1, shown in different projections in FIG. 4 a, b can be provided with one or more engagement elements. For example, as shown in Fig. 4b, split spring bushings 6a for elastic engagement with the bottom holes For the casing 2 of the Euro socket, its side guide bars 6b and side metal plates 6c (having a negative slope for reliable holding of the grounding springs of the socket 4c).

The internal structure of the wireless transmitter module is shown schematically in FIG. At the surface of the plastic casing of module 8 is located activation means 9, which perceives the command actions of the user. The activation means 9 is electrically connected to the microprocessor electronic unit 10, intended for the formation and transmission of remote control signals. And in the same case is a tablet of a lithium battery 11, which represents the means of electric power supply to the module.

The user can act on the activation tool 9 in different ways. In Figure 5a, the activation tool 9 is installed directly below the surface of the module housing 8. As a means of activation in this In the embodiment, a pressure sensor or strain gauge that is sensitive enough to detect a change in surface shape 255 that occurs when a user exerts pressure on this surface from the outside can be selected. Such sensors are well known and are already widely used in solid-state keyboard designs [for example, US5231326, Jul. 27, 1993].

 Another option for a hidden surface activation means 9 260 can serve as a capacitive sensor, which changes its parameters when approaching from outside the housing 8 of the user tool affecting the capacity of the sensor 9.

 Such hidden means of activation seem to us the most preferable.

 265 However, as shown in FIG. 5b, a button / key may also be installed on the surface of the module electrically connected to the activation means 9, so that when pressed, the activation means 9 will transmit the corresponding command to the electronic unit 10, which will form and transmit remote control signal.

 270 Figure 5c illustrates yet another non-contact (or contact) effect on the activation means 9 using user tools containing code information, for example, using a plastic card 12 containing a code chip. In this case, the activation means 9 must be configured to detect and

275 reading code information from a card using, for example, RFID technologies.

As noted above, the mechanical effect on the activation means can be used to generate sufficient electrical energy for a single actuation of the electronic unit. So, at 280 figa. schematically shows the design of the transmitter module, in which under the mechanical button 7 is the block of the piezoelectric generator 13, electrically connected to the electronic unit 10. The battery 11, also shown in Fig. b, can be used in this module as a backup rechargeable power source 285.

 A simpler option for supplying the module 1 with additional electric power is the design shown in Fig. B, in which a solar battery 14 is installed on the surface of the module 1, which is electrically connected to the electronic module of the module and allows 290 to recharge the electric power of the block from external lighting. This design will be well combined with touch-sensitive means of activating the wireless transmitter module and it seems to us very promising.

Claims

295 claims  1. A wireless switch for remote control of electrical devices, comprising a housing, an electronic unit for generating and transmitting a remote control information signal, means 300 activation of the electronic unit, responsive to user commands and, accordingly, controlling the start of the electronic unit, means for electric power supply to the switch, characterized in that the wireless switch is made of two detachable parts: a decorative case and 305 installed therein by means of a gearing means of a universal autonomous transmitter module containing said electronic unit, activation means and autonomous power supply means in their housing.  2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stand-alone 310 module is installed below the surface of the decorative body with elastic and / or elastic surface elements, and the mechanical impact of the user on the activation means of the stand-alone module occurs through these surface elements of the decorative body.  315 3. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the Eurostandart socket housing is selected as a decorative case, the stand-alone module is inserted into the outer cavity of the socket, and the stand-alone module engaging means is capable of locking the stand-alone module, as standard 320 located elements of the external cavity of the aforementioned outlet - openings for current leads, side grooves and / or springs of grounding contacts. 4. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the activation means is made in the form of a sensor located under the external 325 by the surface of the housing of the module and responding to proximity or pressing on this surface by means selected by the user.  5. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the activation means is arranged to read code information from 330 means of the user, which is intended to affect the means of activation.  6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation means further comprises at least one electromechanical button / key, mechanical pressing 335 which causes an activation of the activation means.  7. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it further comprises a solar battery located on the surface of the module and designed to recharge the internal 340 autonomous means of electric power supply to the module from the energy of external lighting.  8. The device according to paragraph 6, characterized in that the activation means further comprises a piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to an electromechanical 345 button / key, allowing to generate electrical power for the electronic unit during mechanical pressing of the button / key.