Window sash reminder device

Abstract

A reminder device for reminding a user to close an open window sash comprises a sash position detector for detecting a closed position of the window sash; an operating device for initiating a closing monitoring operation assigned a predetermined time interval; an evaluation and control unit; and an acoustic signal generator. The evaluation and control unit checks whether, after the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the sash position detector has detected the closed position of the window sash and, in the event of a negative result, activates the acoustic signal generator to emit an audible reminder signal.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a reminder device for reminding a user to close a previously opened window sash.

[0002] If a window is opened or tilted to ventilate a room in a building and the occupant leaves the room in the meantime, it is easy to forget to close the window afterwards. This poses a risk of unwanted cold air or precipitation entering the room, or of people or animals getting in.

[0003] The object of the invention is to prevent forgetting to close a previously opened window sash in a simple way.

[0004] This problem is solved by a memory device having the features of claim 1.

[0005] The reminder device comprises a sash position detector for detecting a closed position of the window sash, at least one operating device for initiating a closing monitoring operation to which a first predetermined time interval is assigned, furthermore an evaluation and control unit, and an acoustic signal generator. The evaluation and control unit is designed to check whether, after the first predetermined time interval has elapsed, the sash position detector has detected the closed position of the window sash, and, in the event of a negative result of the check, to activate the acoustic signal generator to emit an acoustic reminder signal.

[0006] This provides a locking mechanism for a window sash that can be moved relative to a fixed window frame, at least between an open and a closed position (for example, by pivoting or sliding). In some cases, the window sash can also be tilted.

[0007] The reminder device includes a sash position detector capable of detecting the closed position of the window sash and generating a corresponding detection signal. The sash position detector can detect the closed position of the window sash directly or indirectly, for example, by detecting a locking state of a locking mechanism of the window sash, if this locking state can only be achieved when the window sash is closed.

[0008] The reminder device includes an operating element by which the user can initiate a locking monitoring mode of the reminder device. The operating element can, for example, include a manually operated button. The locking monitoring mode is provided for at least an initial predetermined time interval.

[0009] In the closing monitoring mode, an evaluation and control unit checks whether, after the predetermined time interval, the signal from the sash position detector represents the closed position of the window sash. If so, it is assumed that the window sash has been properly closed again. However, if the check yields a negative result—that is, if the signal from the sash position detector does not correspond to the closed position of the window sash—the evaluation and control unit causes an acoustic signal generator to emit an audible reminder signal.

[0010] This provides the user with an acoustic reminder – even if they are in another room of the building – that the relevant window sash still needs to be closed.

[0011] The reminder device can have a simple design to implement this reminder function, as essentially only the aforementioned components are required. The reminder device can also be easily retrofitted to existing windows.

[0012] The aforementioned first predetermined time interval can, for example, be at least one minute, in particular at least two minutes, preferably at least five minutes.

[0013] In some embodiments, several different predetermined time intervals for the closing monitoring operation can be selected, for example, a first predetermined time interval of five minutes, a second predetermined time interval of ten minutes, or a third predetermined time interval of fifteen minutes. This allows the user to select the duration after which they should be reminded to close the window sash, provided it has not already been closed.

[0014] The reminder device can have several, in particular two, three, or four, operating devices for initiating a respective locking monitoring operation, each assigned a predetermined time interval, wherein the predetermined time intervals assigned to the different operating devices are of different lengths. The multiple operating devices can each include a button. This allows a user to quickly select between different possible time intervals by pressing one of several operating devices or buttons.

[0015] Alternatively, a single operating device – in particular a button – can be configured to allow the selection of a specific time interval for the locking monitoring operation based on the number of actuations. In other words, a single actuation of the operating device selects the first predetermined time interval, while multiple actuations (especially within a permissible actuation period) allow the selection of a second predetermined time interval (or optionally a third predetermined time interval).

[0016] In some embodiments, the sash position detector can comprise a detector device and an associated counterpart, wherein the detector device is configured to detect spatial proximity to the associated counterpart, wherein the detector device or the counterpart is configured to be mounted on the window sash, and wherein, accordingly, the counterpart or the detector device is configured to be mounted on a window frame associated with the window sash. The sash position detector can thus comprise two elements, one of which is mounted on the movable window sash (either stationary or movable on it) and the other on the stationary window frame of the window in question.Provided the detector unit detects a (minimum required) spatial proximity to the corresponding counterpart – for example, if the detector unit and the corresponding counterpart are arranged close to each other – the detector unit can generate the detection signal that represents the closed position of the window sash. The detector unit, together with the operating unit, the evaluation and control unit, and the acoustic signal generator, can form a single assembly. The corresponding counterpart can be a separate assembly.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wing position detector can include a magnetic switch, in particular a reed switch, as the detector device. The counterpart in these embodiments can include a permanent magnet.

[0018] In other embodiments, the wing position detector can, for example, include a magnetic field sensor, in particular a Hall effect sensor.

[0019] In some embodiments, the reminder device may include, as an additional function, an alarm activation device for initiating an alarm operation and an alarm deactivation device for terminating the alarm operation, each of which may, for example, comprise a manually operable button. The evaluation and control unit may be configured to check, during alarm operation, whether the sash position detector signals a departure from the closed position. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit is configured to activate the acoustic signal generator to emit an audible alarm signal if this check is successful. Thus, the reminder device can easily fulfill an additional alarm function, namely by allowing the user to initiate the alarm operation while the window sash is closed.As soon as the detection signal from the sash position detector indicates a change from the closed position during alarm operation (in particular, a transition from the closed to the open or tilted position of the window sash), this is interpreted as unauthorized opening of the window sash, and the evaluation and control unit triggers an audible alarm signal. To prevent the alarm signal from being triggered by the authorized user, they must activate the alarm deactivation device before opening the window sash.

[0020] Activating the alarm deactivation device can also serve to stop the audible alarm signal if it was accidentally triggered by an authorized user. For safety reasons, a predetermined time delay may be provided for such termination of the audible alarm signal; this delay may be, for example, at least ten seconds, and in particular at least 30 seconds.

[0021] The evaluation and control unit can also be configured to only activate the alarm mode when the alarm activation device is triggered, and only if the sash position detector registers that the window sash is closed. Otherwise, it should activate the acoustic signal generator to emit an audible warning signal. This prevents the authorized user from accidentally initiating the alarm mode while the window sash is still open.

[0022] The acoustic alarm signal may have a higher volume than the reminder signal of the locking monitoring operation (in particular, a higher volume than the maximum volume of the reminder signal, if this is variable).

[0023] In some designs, the acoustic reminder signal of the locking monitoring function can be emitted with increasing volume, so that the volume gradually increases. This gives the user an opportunity to stop the reminder signal before its volume becomes uncomfortably loud.

[0024] In some embodiments, the acoustic signal generator may include a piezoelectric signal generator.

[0025] The evaluation and control unit can be designed to terminate the closing monitoring operation as soon as the sash position detector detects the closed position of the window sash.

[0026] The evaluation and control unit can be designed to control the acoustic signal generator to stop the output of the reminder signal as soon as the sash position detector detects the closed position of the window sash.

[0027] The evaluation and control unit of the memory device may, for example, include a microcontroller.

[0028] The evaluation and control unit can include a counter configured to determine the elapsed time of each predetermined interval after the monitoring operation has been initiated. The counter can, for example, be configured as a countdown counter for counting down the respective predetermined time interval. For this purpose, the evaluation and control unit can include a clock generator.

[0029] The reminder device can have its own electrical power supply, for example in the form of one or more batteries.

[0030] The invention also relates to the use of a reminder device according to one of the embodiments described above for reminding a user of the need to close a previously opened window sash.

[0031] The reminder device can be attached to a window (window sash and window frame), as explained above. The closing monitoring operation can be initiated by manually operating the control device.

[0032] The invention is explained below only by way of example with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a window with a memory device. Fig. Figure 2 shows a memory device for a window sash.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a window with a window frame 1 and a window sash 2. The window sash 2 is movably mounted on the window frame 1 between an open position and a closed position. Fig. Figure 1 shows the closed position of the window sash 2. A reminder device 3 is mounted on the window sash 2. The reminder device 3 serves to acoustically remind a user who has opened the window sash 2, for example to ventilate the room, that the window sash 2 must be closed manually again.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows details of the reminder device 3 in a schematic representation. The reminder device 3 comprises a sash position detector 4 for detecting the closed position of the window sash 2 and for generating corresponding detection signals. The reminder device 3 also comprises an operating device in the form of three buttons 5, 10, and 15 for initiating a respective closing monitoring operation, as well as an evaluation and control unit 21, an acoustic signal generator 23 (e.g., a piezoelectric signal generator), and an electrical power supply 25 in the form of a battery. The sash position detector 4 comprises a magnetic switch 27 and an associated counterpart in the form of a permanent magnet 29.

[0035] The evaluation and control unit 21 is connected to the three operating devices (buttons) 5, 10, 15, the acoustic signal generator 23, and the magnetic switch 27 via signal transmission. The power supply (battery) 25 provides the evaluation and control unit 21, the acoustic signal generator 23, and the magnetic switch 27 with electrical energy directly or indirectly. The operating devices (buttons) 5, 10, 15, the evaluation and control unit 21, the acoustic signal generator 23, the electrical power supply (battery) 25, and the magnetic switch 27 are arranged in a common housing 31, which is mounted on the window sash 2. The permanent magnet 29 is mounted on the window frame 1.

[0036] Each locking monitoring operation initiated by pressing the operating devices (buttons) 5, 10, 15 is assigned a predetermined time interval, for example with a duration of 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 15 minutes.

[0037] After opening the window sash 2 to ventilate the room, the user can operate one of the three control devices (buttons) 5, 10, or 15. In the closing monitoring mode initiated by this action, the evaluation and control unit 21 uses the detection signal from the sash position detector 4 to check whether the window sash 2 has reached the closed position after the respective predetermined time interval. If this check yields a negative result, the evaluation and control unit 21 activates the acoustic signal generator 23 to emit a sufficiently loud acoustic reminder signal to remind the user to close the window sash 2.In this case, the evaluation and control unit 21 can control the acoustic signal generator 23 to emit the reminder signal with increasing volume, so that the user can, on the one hand, stop the emission of the acoustic reminder signal by closing the window sash 2 before noise pollution occurs, and on the other hand, it is ensured that the user perceives the reminder signal even if he is at a great distance from the window in question.

[0038] While the acoustic reminder signal is being emitted, the evaluation and control unit 21 uses the detection signal from the sash position detector 4 to check whether the window sash 2 has temporarily entered the closed position. If so, the closing monitoring operation is terminated and the acoustic reminder signal is stopped. Furthermore, the emission of the acoustic reminder signal can also be automatically stopped or temporarily interrupted after a predetermined maximum duration has elapsed.

[0039] The reminder device 3 thus helps to ensure that closing the window sash 2 is not easily forgotten.

[0040] At the in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the reminder device 3 additionally comprises an alarm activation device 33 and an alarm deactivation device 35, each formed by a button. By pressing the alarm activation device 33, the user can initiate an alarm operation when the window sash 2 is closed. By pressing the alarm deactivation device 35, the user can end the alarm operation. During alarm operation, the evaluation and control unit 21 checks whether the sash position detector 4 signals that the window sash 2 has left the closed position. For this purpose, the evaluation and control unit 21 can monitor whether the detection signal from the sash position detector 4 no longer represents the closed position.In the event of a positive result of this test, the evaluation and control unit 21 activates the acoustic signal generator 23 to emit an acoustic alarm signal.

[0041] In this way, the reminder device 3 also fulfills an alarm function, namely by initiating the alarm operation when the user is closed with the window sash 2 closed. As soon as the window sash 2 is opened during alarm operation, the evaluation and control unit 21 causes the audible alarm signal to be emitted to draw attention to a potentially unauthorized opening of the window sash 2. To prevent the alarm signal from being triggered by the authorized user, they must activate the alarm operation deactivation device 35 before opening the window sash 2. Reference symbol list 1 window frame 2 window sashes 3. Memory device 4 wing position detector 5 Operating device for locking monitoring operation 10 Operating device for locking monitoring operation 15 Operating device for locking monitoring operation 21 Evaluation and control unit 23 acoustic signal generators 25 battery 27 magnetic switches 29 Permanent magnet 33 Alarm operation activation device 35 Alarm operation deactivation device

Claims

A reminder device (3) for reminding the user to close an open window sash (2), comprising a sash position detector (4) for detecting a closed position of the window sash (2); at least one operating device (5, 10, 15) for initiating a closing monitoring operation, to which a first predetermined time interval is assigned; an evaluation and control device (21); and an acoustic signal generator (23); wherein the evaluation and control device (21) is configured to check whether, after the first predetermined time interval, the sash position detector (4) detects the closed position of the window sash (2), and, in the event of a negative result of the check, to control the acoustic signal generator (23) to emit an acoustic reminder signal. Reminder device (3) according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined time interval is at least one minute. Reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several different predetermined time intervals of the closing monitoring operation can be selected. Reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reminder device (3) has several, in particular two, three or four, operating devices (5, 10, 15) for initiating a respective locking monitoring operation, to which a respective predetermined time interval is assigned, wherein the predetermined time intervals assigned to the different operating devices (5, 10, 15) are of different lengths. Memory device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sash position detector (4) comprises a detector device and an associated counterpart, wherein the detector device is configured to detect spatial proximity of the associated counterpart, wherein the detector device or the counterpart is configured to be mounted on the window sash (2), and wherein the counterpart or the detector device is configured to be mounted on a window frame (1) associated with the window sash (2). Memory device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wing position detector (4) comprises a magnetic switch (27), in particular a reed switch. A reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reminder device (3) further comprises an alarm operation activation device (33) for initiating an alarm operation and an alarm operation deactivation device (35) for terminating the alarm operation, wherein the evaluation and control device (21) is configured to check during the alarm operation whether the sash position detector (4) signals a departure from the closed position of the window sash (2), wherein the evaluation and control device (21) is further configured to control the acoustic signal generator (23) to emit an acoustic alarm signal in the event of a positive result of the test. Reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation and control unit (21) is configured to control the acoustic signal generator (23) to output the reminder signal with increasing volume. Reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic signal generator (23) comprises a piezo signal generator. Use of a reminder device (3) according to one of the preceding claims for reminding the user to close an open window sash (2).

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