Arrangement comprising a functional module and a switching device and method for assembly

Abstract

An arrangement is presented comprising a functional module F for installation in an installation box D and a manually operated switching device S of the building installation technology, which functional module F can be influenced by the actuation of an actuating element B of an upper part O of the switching device S, which actuating element B is connected to the switching device S, wherein the functional module F has at least one interface by means of which at least one actuator can be controlled in accordance with an actuation of the actuating element B, wherein at least one magnet M is arranged on the switching device S, which magnet changes its position upon actuation of the actuating element B, and that the functional module F has a magnetic field sensor for detecting the magnetic field, so that the change in the magnetic field is detected upon actuation of the actuating element B, wherein the functional module F has an evaluation unit for evaluating the change in the magnetic field, which is designed toto identify, depending on the sensed magnetic field change, which switching device type the switching device S is, which identification flows into the function module-side control of the actuator. What is special about this is that the magnet M is inserted into a slot P of the upper part O of the switching device S, whereby the magnet M is accommodated in a magnet housing MG inserted into the slot P.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a functional module for installation in an installation box and a switching device of building installation technology to be actuated manually, which functional module can be influenced by the actuation of an actuating element of an upper part of the switching device connected to the switching device, wherein the functional module has at least one interface by means of which at least one actuator can be actuated in accordance with an actuation of the actuating element, wherein at least one magnet is arranged on the switching device, which magnet changes its position when the actuating element is actuated, and that the functional module has a sensor for detecting the magnetic field, such that the change in the magnetic field is detected when the actuating element is actuated, wherein the functional module has an evaluation unit for evaluating the magnetic field change, which evaluation unit is configured to identify which switching device type is the switching device as a function of the sensed magnetic field change, which identification flows into the functional module-side control of the actuator.The invention further relates to a method for mounting such an arrangement in an installation box.AT 525 242 B1 discloses a functional module of the generic type for installation in an installation box with a switching device of building installation technology which is to be actuated manually. Such a functional module can be influenced by the actuation of an actuating element of an upper part of the switching device connected to the switching device, for example in order to switch, dim or control shutters, and indeed also remotely controllable, for example via a terminal. For this purpose, the functional module has at least one interface, by means of which at least one actuator can be actuated in accordance with an actuation of the actuating element, wherein at least one magnet is arranged on the switching device, which changes its position when the actuating element is actuated. Furthermore, the functional module has a sensor for detecting the magnetic field, so that the change in the magnetic field is detected when the actuating element is actuated. It is understood that the functional module can be influenced via a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal, in order to be able to be operated in a comfortable manner. Such a previously known functional module additionally comprises an evaluation unit for evaluating the magnetic field change, which is configured to identify, as a function of the sensed magnetic field change, which switching device type is the switching device, which identification flows into the functional module-side control of the actuator, so that an exchange of switches by buttons is avoided. Thus, the dimming of a lamp with a functional module requires, for example, specific actuation, depending on whether the underlying switching device is a pushbutton or a switch. Therefore, the identification of the switching device type by the evaluation unit is a further advantage of such a functional module.By means of such a previously known functional module, the installation effort can be significantly reduced with regard to the cabling effort to be carried out, as is required in conventional functional modules without sensing the magnetic field change-in this case cables are connected between switching device and functional module (referred to below as flying cabling) in order to transmit the actuation electrically-since functional module and switching device communicate magnetically with one another; an electrical connection of the functional module to the switching device has therefore become unnecessary.However, the problem with such previously known arrangements of the type in question is that the attachment of the magnet to the actuating element or the upper part, for example by adhesive bonding, is problematic in terms of installation space insofar as the magnet leads to a blockage during the actuation when attached to the rear side of the actuating element and / or is associated with an impairment of the actuation haptics, while an attachment of the magnet to the upper part of the switching device simply fails because of a lack of structural space.Furthermore, the attachment of the magnet to the actuator or the top part is accompanied by the disadvantage that the user performing the attachment by way of retrofitting does not choose a well-defined position and orientation of the magnet, so that the detection reliability of the magnetic field change by the magnetic field sensor in the functional module is not given in all cases.Proceeding from this discussed prior art, the object of the invention is to propose an arrangement comprising a functional module for installation in an installation box and a switching device to be manually actuated, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided. In particular, the detection reliability is to be improved, wherein at the same time no impairment is caused during the actuation of the switching device, in particular no blockage or impaired haptics.This object is achieved by an arrangement comprising a functional module for installation in an installation box and a switching device to be manually actuated, wherein the magnet is inserted into a slot of the upper part of the switching device, wherein the magnet is accommodated in a magnet housing inserted into the slot.The core idea of the invention is that in the arrangement according to the invention a slot is provided in the upper part of the switching device, into which slot the magnet is inserted. Such a slot offers the advantage that, on the one hand, a well-defined position and orientation of the magnet is ensured, which is associated with improved detection reliability. On the other hand, it is ensured in a skillful manner that the magnet does not form a blockage or impaired haptics during actuation due to the installation space-neutral insertion into the plug-in location of the upper part, as is regularly the case with a simple placement on the upper part or the rear side of the actuating element (also called rocker). The slot represents a receiving volume for the magnet within the upper part, whereby the available installation space is optimally utilized without causing the problems of the prior art.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the slot is integrated into the upper part in such a way that the receiving volume for the magnet is designed as a partial amount of the volume of the upper part, so that the magnet can be inserted into the slot in a neutral installation space. In other words, the magnet is fully received in the top so that no portion of the magnet is outside the top.According to the invention, the magnet is accommodated in a magnet housing inserted into the slot. This achieves the advantage that the magnet can have a simple cuboid shape, and can therefore be produced or provided simply and cost-effectively, and the magnet housing functions as an adapter for fitting into and securing to the slot.In a preferred alternative configuration of the arrangement according to the invention, the magnet has a volume in the range from 10 to 250 mm 3. This simultaneously achieves good handling of the magnet, a good signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the sensor and a compact design of the magnet.The intelligent design according to the invention of the housing in a preferred embodiment of the invention achieves the effect that the effective installation depth of the functional module in the installation box behind the switching device is reduced to the extent that the housing of the functional module has at least one, regularly two, recess(s) which is / are engaged with projections of the switching device. Because the recess is preferably provided only in the region of the two holding devices, in particular the screw domes for spreading spreading claws for fixing the switching device in the installation box, the volume of the functional module is only insignificantly reduced, but the effective installation space requirement is decisively reduced.According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the functional module according to the invention, the at least one recess is at least partially complementary to the projections, in particular in the region of the holding devices, of the switching device. Such a configuration allows the volume of the functional module to be maximized and the installation depth loss to be minimized.The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a functional module according to the invention and a switching device, in particular a switch or a button, wherein the functional module is placed with its recesses in engagement with the projections of the switching device.The invention further relates to a method for mounting an arrangement according to the invention in an installation box, comprising the following steps:electrical connection of the functional module via the interface to a power supply line,inserting the functional module and the switching device into the installation box,inserting the magnet into the plug-in location of the top part,placing the actuating element on the upper part.In a first step, the functional module is connected to a power supply line via the interface. This regularly comprises the connection to the outer conductor and optionally to the neutral conductor. Optionally (should no radio-based actuation of an actuator be present), one or more control lines are also connected via the interface of the functional module.In a second step, the arrangement according to the invention, comprising the functional module and the switching device, is inserted into the installation box.In a third step, the magnet is inserted into the slot of the top part.In a fourth step, the actuating element is placed on the upper part.In the case that the actuator of the arrangement is not just a button interface which detects an actuation and forwards it via a radio connection to an actuator or another functional module, the method according to the invention additionally requires the step that an electrical connection of the functional module is effected via the interface to a control line, for example that dimming or switching on / off of a luminaire is made possible.The invention is described below with reference to the attached figures on the basis of various exemplary embodiments. The following are shown: FIG. 1 : a schematic side view of an arrangement according to the invention in a flat installation box, FIG. 2 : a top view (left) or perspective view of the switching device (embodied here in two channels) of the arrangement according to the invention (without actuating element and functional module), and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a magnet housing into which the magnet can be accommodated.In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference numerals and are therefore generally also designated or mentioned only once in each case.FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an arrangement according to the invention with a switching device S in a flat installation box D with indicated functional module F, wherein overall the installation depth T is claimed. The housing G of the functional module F has at least one recess X which is placed in engagement with the projections HV of the switching device S. Such projections HV regularly extend in the direction of the base of the installation box D and serve as a holding device into which screw domes are inserted in order to ensure the spreading claws K, which can be adjusted by means of adjusting means EM, for securing the switching device S to the installation box D.In order to detect the actuation of the actuating element B, which is regularly designed as a rocker and is arranged on an upper part (also referred to as a rocker receptacle), a magnet M is located in a slot P in the arrangement according to the invention (magnet housing MG according to the invention is not shown). The change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor H upon actuation of the actuating element B, which in particular entails tilting of the upper part O, identifies which switching device type is the switching device S, which identification flows into the functional module-side control of an actuator. For example, a button returns to the original position while a switch remains in its accepted position.It is advantageous in the arrangement according to the invention that the magnet M is arranged in the slot P in a particularly harmless manner for operation, since, in comparison with an arrangement on the rear side of the upper part O, no blockage can occur, for example due to the magnet M striking a support ring or an installation box D, when the upper part O is tilted.FIG. 2 shows a plan view (left) or perspective view of the switching device S (here embodied in two channels) of the arrangement according to the invention (for the sake of simplicity without actuating element B and functional module F). It is particularly advantageous in the embodiment shown that the magnet housing MG, which functions as an adapter, by making the magnet M receivable and insertable into the slot P, makes a magnet M of any desired shape, in particular a cuboidal shape that can be produced in a favorable manner, usable.Such a magnet housing MG shown in FIG. 3 can be designed, for example, such that it has an outer contour which is at least partially matched to the inner contour of the slot P. To accommodate a magnet M, which is, for example, rectangular, the housing G can have an axis about which the housing G is designed to be pivotable with a cover and a base. The magnet housing MG can be fixed to the upper part O, in particular to the slot P, by means of latching structures VR.The invention is described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, a person skilled in the art would find numerous further possibilities for implementing them without this having to be explained in detail within the scope of these explanations.List of reference charactersB Actuating element D Installation box EM Setting means F Functional module G Housing H Magnetic field sensor HV Holding device HE Holding element K Spreading claw M Magnet MG Magnet housing MH Magnet holder O Upper part P Slot S Switching device T Installation depth VR Latching structure X Recess

Claims

Arrangement comprising a functional module (F) for installation in an installation box (D) and a switching device (S) for building installation technology, which switching device can be actuated manually, which functional module (F) can be influenced by the actuation of an actuating element (B) of an upper part (O) of the switching device (S) which actuating element is connected to the switching device (S), wherein the functional module (F) has at least one interface by means of which at least one actuator can be actuated in accordance with an actuation of the actuating element (B), wherein at least one magnet (M) is arranged on the switching device (S), which magnet changes its position when the actuating element (B) is actuated, and that the functional module (F) has a magnetic field sensor (H) for detecting the magnetic field, such that the change in the magnetic field is detected upon actuation of the actuating element (B), wherein the functional module (F) has an evaluation unit for evaluating the magnetic field change, which is configured to identify, as a function of the sensed magnetic field change, which switching device type is the switching device (S), which identification flows into the functional module-side control of the actuator, characterized in that the magnet (M) is inserted into a slot (P) of the upper part (O) of the switching device (S), wherein the magnet (M) is accommodated in a magnet housing (MG) inserted into the slot (P).Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnet (M) has a volume in the range from 10 to 250 mm 3.Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 2da, characterized in that the functional module (F) has a housing (G) which has an interface with connections, the housing (G) having at least one cutout (X) which is placed in engagement with projections (HV) of the switching device (S), with the result that the effective installation depth (T) of the functional module (F) in the installation box (D) behind the switching device (S) is reduced and the functional module (F) is fixed in position.Arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the at least one recess (X) is at least partially complementary to the projections (HV) of the switching device (S).Method for mounting an arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4 in an installation box (D), comprising the following steps: - electrical connection of the functional module (F) via the interface to a power supply line, - insertion of the functional module (F) and of the switching device (S) into the installation box (D), - insertion of the magnet (M) into the plug-in location (P) of the upper part (O), - placement of the actuating element (B) on the upper part (O).

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