Sensor device for non-contact identity or position determination

Abstract

Sensor device for monitoring the closing and / or locking status of a door or window, which can be attached to a stationary door or window frame and interacts with a control element carried by a movable door or window sash, wherein the sensor device is designed in two parts and consists of a holding device (4, 24) that can be attached to the stationary first support (1) and an interchangeable sensor module (3, 23) held by this, characterized in that separable electrical contacts (9, 10) are provided between the holding device (4; 24) and the sensor module (3, 23) and the contacts (9) of the holding device are electrically connected to a connecting cable (8) and the sensor module has features designed so that the sensor module (3; 23) inserted into the holding device (4; 24) can only be detached from the holding device using a spring clip (29).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor device for non-contact identification or position determination, which is attached to a stationary first support. It interacts non-contactly with a control element located on a movable second support. If, for example, it serves to monitor the closed and / or locked status of a window, door, or the like, it is attached to the stationary door or window frame, while a magnet is usually arranged on the movable door or window sash as the control element. If it is only necessary to determine whether the window is open or closed, the sensor device is typically mounted directly on or in the window frame. If monitoring of the locked status of the window handle is also required, the sensor device is provided on the locking hardware, e.g., on the strike plate, while, for example, a drive rod carries the control magnet (see DE 199 14 568 C2).Magnetic sensors often consist of reed contacts or Hall effect sensors, with the magnetic sensor being permanently connected to a connecting cable and the cable connection point usually potted. The sensor assembly can also include other electronic components, e.g., an electronic interface for connecting the sensor to a bus line (see DE 299 14 391 U1).

[0002] In a door / window contact known from DE 201 06 061 U1, the installation effort is reduced by transmitting the status signal ("Open" or "Closed") generated by the sensor wirelessly to a monitoring center. To enable easy attachment and replacement of a self-contained wireless door / window contact on different frame profiles, DE 201 06 061 U1 further proposes not to screw the contact's housing directly to the door or window frame, but instead to first attach an adapter plate to the frame, the mounting profile of which is adapted to the respective frame profile. The contact housing is then attached to this adapter plate by means of a detachable snap connection.

[0003] A window frame with a number of sensors for monitoring the window is known from publication GB 2 250 367 A. A two-part design of sensors in the area of ​​the transmission of a vehicle is disclosed in publication EP 1 213 564 A2.

[0004] When installing monitoring systems for windows or doors, especially during expansion or retrofitting, it is sometimes only at an advanced stage of the installation that the type of sensor to be installed is determined, e.g., a reed contact with or without external field monitoring. Or an already installed sensor needs to be replaced with a different one. This often results in considerable additional installation effort.

[0005] The invention provides a solution by designing the sensor device in two parts: a holding device attached to the first support, e.g., the window frame, and a replaceable sensor module held by this device. The sensor module contains the actual sensor. This can be, for example, at least one reed switch, a Hall sensor, or the transceiver for a transponder, in particular an RFID transponder. The sensor module is preferably designed as a plug-in module with plug-in or spring-loaded contacts. It is inserted into the holding device, which is equipped with mating contacts, and can only be removed from the holding device with the aid of tools, e.g., a tool. Alternatively, or in addition, the plug-in module can be designed so that it is destroyed or visibly damaged upon unauthorized removal and / or cannot be reinstalled.The installation point could also be sealed. If this seal is broken, it indicates that at least an attempt has been made to tamper with the sensor module.

[0006] When installing the monitoring system, all mounting brackets and their connecting cables can be pre-installed or pre-routed. Only as a final step are the selected sensor modules inserted into their respective mounting brackets and, if necessary, locked or latched in place. Should it become apparent during testing or commissioning that a sensor module needs to be replaced with one of different features or performance, this can be done without significant installation effort. Using a simple tool, the connection between the sensor module and the mounting bracket is released, the sensor module is removed, and replaced with another. The same applies to any repairs. This also prevents incorrect wiring when replacing the sensor.

[0007] It is evident that such a two-part design of the sensor device can be useful not only in monitoring systems for windows or doors, but also when using other sensors, such as optical, acoustic, or electromagnetic position or distance sensors, or in a transponder / receiver for a transponder, e.g., an RFID transponder. The term "control element" therefore encompasses not only passive components, such as magnets, reflectors, barcode carriers, and the like, but also active assemblies, such as transponders. As is well known, RFID transponders serve not only for determining position but also, or primarily, for identifying their carrier.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is explained below with reference to two exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawings. These show: Fig. 1a A holding device, including a sensor module, that can be attached to the rebate of a window frame, shown in an exploded view before assembly; and Fig. 1b a circuit board provided in the holding device including plug contacts and cable connection as well as a sensor board located inside the sensor module including sensor and mating contacts; Fig. 2a a holding device including sensor module that can be attached in an opening of the window frame, also before assembly; Fig. 2b the cable connection with plug contacts provided in the holding device, as well as the sensor board located inside the sensor module, including the sensor and mating contacts; and finally Fig. 2c a disassembly aid for pulling the sensor module out of the in Fig. 2a shown holding device.

[0010] In both embodiments, the sensor module interacts with a permanent magnet (not shown) mounted on the window sash or window bolt, which serves as a control element. Components of both embodiments that are identical in structure and function are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0011] In the first embodiment according to Fig. 1a A window frame 1, designed as a hollow profile, receives in its rebate base 2 a holding device 4, shown in exploded view in the state before assembly with the sensor module 3 and before attachment to the frame. It comprises a base 5 and a cover cap 6. The base 5 carries a Fig. 1b Visible circuit board 7 with the usually inaccessible potted connection to a multi-core cable 8. On the narrow side of the circuit board 7 opposite the cable connection are plug contacts 9 which engage with the mating contacts 10 of the sensor module 3 when it is inserted. These are, as Fig. Figure 1b shows the circuit board 11 arranged on the front side of a circuit board 11 located in the sensor module 3, which also carries the actual sensor element 12, shown schematically here as a reed contact, and possibly other components.

[0012] Two openings 13 and 14 are provided in the rebate 2 of the frame 1. When the mounting device 4 and sensor module 3 are assembled, the cable 8 protrudes through the opening 13. The other opening 14 accommodates the pin 15 provided on the underside of the sensor module 3. On the front face of the sensor module 3, a spring tongue 17 extends on both sides of a module base 16 enclosing the mating contacts 10, towards the mounting device 4, and, when assembled, rests against the edge of an opening 18 in the base 5 of the mounting device 4. An O-ring 19 inserted into an annular groove of the module base 16 seals the contact area to the outside.

[0013] To mount the mounting device 4 and sensor module 3 to the frame 1, the sensor module 3 and mounting device 4 are first connected until the spring tongues 17 engage the base edges 18 of the mounting device 4. The mounting device 4, together with the sensor module 3, is then placed onto the rebate 2 so that the cable 8 protrudes through the opening 13 and the module pin 15 engages in the hole 14. In this position, the mounting device 4 is fastened to the frame 1 using a screw 20. The housing 6 of the mounting device 4 is then pushed against the base 5 until it stops, thus covering the screw 20 and the cable connection 8.

[0014] To replace sensor module 3, slide the housing 6 to expose screw 20, unscrew it, and detach the retaining device 4, along with sensor module 3, from the frame 1. Using a suitable tool or by overcoming their spring force, compress the spring tabs 17 and disengage them from the base edges 18, allowing sensor module 3 to be pulled off the retaining device 4 and replaced or repaired. Reattachment to the frame 1 is carried out in the manner described above. The requirement to use a tool (screwdriver for screw 20) to remove the sensor module ensures that it cannot be easily removed or tampered with by hand without authorization.

[0015] In the second embodiment, the holding device 24 is not as shown in Fig. 1a is not placed on a load-bearing surface of the window frame, but penetrates it, as shown. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2a, the supporting surface is the folded base 2. The holding device is cylindrical in shape and has a collar 25 on the side facing away from the cable connection 8, with which it rests against the edge of the hole 13 on the folded base 2. In the assembled state, two opposing spring tongues 26 support the underside of the folded base and thus clamp the holding device 24 to the frame 1. Inside the holding device are the contacts 9 and the cable connection 8, see Figure 2a. Fig. 2b.

[0016] The sensor module 23 has mating contacts 10 on its end face facing the holding device 24 and, inside, the sensor circuit board 11 with the reed contact 12 as the sensor element. A spring tongue 17 is provided on each of two opposing outer surfaces, which engages in a recess 18 of the housing 24 as soon as the sensor module 23 is fully inserted into the holding device 24. In this assembled state, the edge of the cover plate 27 of the module housing 23 rests on a circumferential inner end face 28 of the collar 25. Thus, the holding device 24 and the sensor module 23 are positively engaged and cannot be separated from each other without the aid of a tool. Such a tool is provided in Fig.2a is shown in the form of a spring clip 29, the free ends 30 of which are angled. To remove the sensor module 23 from the holding device 24, the end parts 30 of the spring clip 29 are inserted into the two openings 31 of the cover plate 27, so that these end parts 30 engage the underside of the cover plate 27. The sensor module 23 can then be pulled out of the holding device 24 with the help of the spring clip 29, overcoming the spring force of the spring tongues 17. A replacement sensor module is simply inserted into the holding device 24 until the cover plate 27 rests on the annular surface 28. A recess 32 in the edge of the sensor module housing, in conjunction with a projection on the inside of the holding device 24, ensures that the sensor module can only be fully inserted into the holding device in the angular position in which the contacts 9 are exactly opposite the mating contacts 10.Again, it is recommended to indicate any unauthorized separation of the sensor module from the holding device by breaking a seal or at least partially destroying the sensor module.

Claims

[1] Sensor device for monitoring the closing and / or locking status of a door or window, which can be attached to a fixed door or window frame and interacts with a control element carried by a movable door or window sash, wherein the sensor device is designed in two parts and consists of a holding device (4, 24) that can be attached to the fixed first support (1) and an interchangeable sensor module (3, 23) held by it, characterized by , that separable electrical contacts (9, 10) are provided between the holding device (4; 24) and the sensor module (3, 23) and the contacts (9) of the holding device are electrically connected to a connecting cable (8) and the sensor module has features designed so that the sensor module (3; 23) inserted into the holding device (4; 24) can only be detached from the holding device using a spring clip (29). [2] Sensor device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the holding device (4; 24) is provided with plug-in or spring force contacts (9) and the sensor module (3; 23) with corresponding mating contacts (10). [3] Sensor device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the holding device (24) and sensor module (23) are equipped with guide means (32) for establishing a unique contact connection. [4] Sensor device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the holding device (4) has a circuit board (7) which carries the plug contacts (9) and electrical conductors to the cable connections and is surrounded by a housing (6). [5] Sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the sensor module (3; 23) inserted into the holding device (4; 24) cannot be removed from the holding device without visible damage. [6] Sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the holding device (4; 24) and sensor module (3; 23) are equipped with locking or latching means (17, 18) for releasable position securing of both parts. [7] Sensor device according to claim 6, characterized by , that to secure the position of the sensor module (3; 23) in the holding device (4; 24) at least one spring tongue (17) is attached to the sensor module, which acts against a stop (18) provided on the holding device. [8] Sensor device according to claim 6, characterized by , that to secure the position of the sensor module in the holding device, at least one spring tongue is attached to the holding device, which acts as a stop provided on the sensor module. [9] Sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the holding device (4; 24) and the connecting cable (8) are firmly connected. [10] Sensor device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by, that the sensor module (3; 23) has a sensor board (11) carrying the sensor (12) and the counter contacts (10), surrounded by a housing. [11] Sensor device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the holding device (4; 24) can be attached directly to the stationary frame (1). [12] Sensor device according to claim 1, characterized by that the holding device can be attached to a locking fitting supported by the frame. [13] Sensor device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the holding device (24) can be inserted into a receiving opening (13) provided in the frame (1) or in the fitting. [14] Sensor device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by , that the module housing (3) is provided on its bearing surface on the frame (1) or fitting with a projection which engages in a recess (14) of the frame or fitting for position fixing. [15] Sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the sensor module (3; 23) has a query circuit for a transponder arranged on the second carrier.

Images