Arrangement with a switching device and a function module installed behind it

Abstract

An arrangement is presented comprising a switching device S of the building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element B of an upper part O which can be pivoted during actuation for influencing an actuator and a design frame DR enclosing the actuating element B, wherein the arrangement further comprises a functional module F installed behind the switching device S, for example for pressing or switching or dimming light or moving a darkening device, with at least one light source LED. What is special about this is that the LED lamp of the functional module is aligned with a through-opening Ö of the switching device S in such a way as to direct the light L generated by the LED lamp into the area of ​​the actuating element B.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a switching device of building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element of an upper part which can be pivoted during actuation for influencing an actuator and a design frame enclosing the actuating element, wherein the arrangement further comprises a functional module installed behind the switching device, for example for pressing or switching or dimming light or moving a darkening device, with at least one illuminant.

[0002] Conventional building installation switching devices are used billions of times to switch lights, operate blinds, and other similar devices. These building installation switching devices do not have a lighting function.

[0003] Push buttons with status indicators are known, for example, from www.jung-group.com / de-DE / Wippe-fuer-Taster-1fach-mit-Lichtleiter-F10-alpinweiss / A-101-KO5-BF-WW. The actuating element, or rocker, which is mounted on an upper part, features a transparent window element. Visible light shines through this rocker, for example, to indicate the status of a connected actuator. Furthermore, this is neither a retrofit product nor a smart product.

[0004] Orientation lights are known, for example, from www.jung-group.com / de-DE / LED-Orientierungslicht-ohne-Helligkeitssensor-alpinweiss / LS-1539-OO-WW-LNW. These are not switching devices, but rather a standalone electrical / electronic installation device.

[0005] AT 525 242 B1 discloses an arrangement comprising a switching device and a functional module installed behind it. This makes it possible, by way of retrofitting and while retaining the design frame and the actuating element, to make an existing switching device in building installation technology, in particular a switch or push-button, remotely controllable and to add functionalities by means of a functional module installed behind the switching device, for example for pressing or switching or dimming lights or moving a dimming device. Such a functional module usually also includes a light source, which is used to provide visual feedback during commissioning (but is not intended for the implementation of an orientation light or status indicator).The disadvantage is that the positioning of the functional module containing the light source behind the switching device in the box (and the associated blocking of the light emitted by the light source) makes it impossible to provide either a status indicator for the actuator connected to the functional module or orientation lighting. Furthermore, there is the challenge that the functional module must be installed behind all switching devices in the building's electrical system, which further complicates universally applicable status indicators or orientation lighting.

[0006] DE 10 2024 107 119 B3 discloses a switching device with a luminous means which runs horizontally on a rear side of an actuating element, wherein the luminous means is arranged on a bevel of the actuating element, wherein the luminous means protrudes into a passage between the bevel and the design frame.

[0007] Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating an arrangement with a switching device and a functional module installed behind it, which enables an effective status display or orientation lighting.

[0008] This object is achieved by an arrangement with a switching device and a functional module, wherein the illuminant of the functional module is arranged in alignment with a through-opening of the switching device in such a way as to direct the light generated by the illuminant into the area of ​​the actuating element, wherein the functional module is fixed in position with respect to the switching device.

[0009] In this way, a lighting functionality is achieved according to the invention, for example as an orientation light, for aesthetic reasons or as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the functional module. What is particularly advantageous here is that the switching device according to the invention has a passage between the design frame and the actuating element that can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated. This passage is enlarged by a pivoting movement of the actuating element during actuation. This created passage allows visible light to pass through, in order to realize a lighting functionality in a way that is completely unobtrusive in terms of design, and this can be done by retrofitting without the actuating element, the switching device or the design frame having to be replaced. Switching devices are usually located at a height above the floor of approx.1 m, so that the passage between the actuating element and the design frame, which can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated, points downwards (and is therefore invisible) in the typical rest position of switches (where the upper part of the actuating element pivots into the wall plane and the lower part of the actuating element pivots out of the wall plane, so that the passage is as large as possible). At the same time, this enables particularly wide-area wall and floor lighting that does not dazzle the viewer due to the high proportion of scattered light. This represents an additional advantage over previously known orientation lights, as these are arranged at floor height (usually in conjunction with sockets) and, due to their low height above the floor, cause unpleasant reflections from the floor.The light source is usually connected to the power supply of the base unit; however, it can also be powered by a battery or accumulator. The inventive positioning of the functional module relative to the switching device ensures alignment.

[0010] By means of the inventive - equally intelligent and advantageous - approach of arranging the illuminant of the functional module in alignment with a through-opening of the switching device in such a way as to direct the light generated by the illuminant into the area of ​​the actuating element, a high intensity of the light outside the switching device is achieved.

[0011] According to an exceptionally preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the light passes through a passage between the design frame and the actuating element that can be enlarged upon actuation of the actuating element. This couples a particularly high intensity of light out of the area of ​​the switching device.

[0012] The light preferably serves as a status indicator of the actuator and / or as an orientation light.

[0013] In a brightness-optimized embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the light source is designed as a diode.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the functional module has a receiver (in particular a radio receiver) through which a signal, in particular a radio signal, is received for controlling the actuator.

[0015] According to an exceptionally preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the light serves as a status indicator for the communication of the functional module. For example, this could indicate successful activation, which is not possible with conventional status indicators or orientation lights.

[0016] According to an extremely preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, an overlap of at least 1 mm is provided between the illuminant and the through-opening. 2 This noticeably improves the coupling of light from the switching device.

[0017] In a further extremely preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the functional module has recesses which are engaged with projections of the switching device, so that installation depth is saved and the functional module is fixed in position.

[0018] The invention is described below with reference to three exemplary embodiments in the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic side view of a previously known arrangement with a switching device and a functional module, wherein the illuminant of the functional module radiates onto the rear side of the switching device, Fig. 2: a schematic side view of an arrangement according to the invention, wherein the light generated by the illuminant is directed into the area of ​​the actuating element, Fig. 3: a schematic plan view of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0019] The Fig. 1 schematically depicts a side view of a previously known arrangement comprising a functional module F and a switching device S, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element B of an upper part O which can be pivoted upon actuation and is used to influence an actuator. In the present case, such an actuator is a light. The switching device S has a design frame DR enclosing the actuating element B and a base unit connectable to a power supply (two cables are schematically depicted in bold). In the present case, the switching device S is secured in an installation box D via claws K which can be adjusted by means of adjustment means EM. The actuating element B is mounted on an upper part O. The functional module F is suitable, for example, for pressing or switching or dimming lights and comprises an LED light source which is regularly used during commissioning or parameterization.The light L emitted by the LED light source is directed onto the back of the switching device S.

[0020] Fig. 2, on the other hand, shows a schematic side view of an arrangement according to the invention, wherein the LED illuminant of the functional module F is arranged in alignment Z with a through-opening Ö of the switching device S in such a way as to direct the light L generated by the LED illuminant into the area of ​​the actuating element B. In this case, the light L emerging from the LED illuminant passes through a passage SP between the design frame D and the actuating element B, which can be enlarged when the actuating element B is actuated. This passage SP is enlarged by a pivoting movement of the actuating element B during actuation. This created passage SP enables visible light L to pass through in order to realize a lighting function in a completely unobtrusive manner in terms of design, for example for status display and / or as orientation light.In addition to the design invisibility, an advantage is that it enables attractive illumination of the wall W (the distance to the floor is typically at least 1m), which is suitable both for use as flat (and therefore non-glaring) orientation light and for aesthetic reasons (ambient lighting). In this case, the light L passes through the enlargeable passage SP without reflection, so that a high coupling of the light L is achieved in order to obtain optimal visible light output. The wall surface WO is illuminated. In this case, the LED light source is designed as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the switching device S, in that the LED light source emits light L when the actuator (here: the light) is switched on or off.The configuration of the status display regarding the relationship between actuator state and lamp state can be performed by the user, for example, via a terminal device that communicates with a receiver, in particular a radio receiver, of the switching device S. The required electronics, in particular a possible receiver or a power supply for supplying the LED lamp, are preferably arranged on a circuit board (not shown for clarity). Such a circuit board is usually arranged in the functional module F.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an arrangement according to the invention, wherein the switching device S has a through-opening Ö, wherein between the illuminant LED and the through-opening Ö there is an overlap of at least 1 mm 2 is trained. List of reference symbols B Actuating element D Installation box DR design frame EM setting agent F Function module K Claws L Light LED bulbs O top Ö Passage opening R back S switching device SK Claws SP passage W Wall WO wall surface

Claims

[1] Arrangement comprising a switching device (S) of the building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element (B) of an upper part (O) which can be pivoted during actuation for influencing an actuator, and a design frame (DR) enclosing the actuating element (B), wherein the arrangement further comprises a functional module (F) installed behind the switching device (S), for example for pressing or switching or dimming light or moving a darkening device, with at least one light source (LED), characterized by that the light source (LED) of the functional module (F) is arranged in alignment (Z) with a through opening (Ö) of the switching device (S) in such a way as to direct the light (L) generated by the light source (LED) into the area of ​​the actuating element (B), wherein the functional module (F) is fixed in position with respect to the switching device (S). [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized bythat the light (L) passes through a passage (SP) between the design frame (DR) and the actuating element (B) which can be enlarged when the actuating element (B) is actuated. [3] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the light (L) serves as a status indicator of the actuator. [4] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the light (L) serves as an orientation light. [5] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that there is an overlap of at least 1 mm between the light source (LED) and the through hole (Ö) 2 is trained. [6] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the light source is designed as a diode. [7] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the functional module (F) has a receiver, in particular a radio receiver, through which a signal, in particular a radio signal, for controlling the actuator is received. [8] Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized by that the light (L) serves as a status indicator for the communication of the function module (F). [9] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the functional module (F) has recesses which engage with projections of the switching device (S), so that installation depth is saved and the functional module (F) is fixed in position.

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