Installation device with a spring

Abstract

Electrical / electronic installation device, in particular a switch (S) or push-button, for installation in an installation box (D), for triggering an action of an actuator connectable to the installation device, in particular a lamp, a blind or the like, wherein the installation device has a function module (F) enabling remote control, comprising a radio transmitter and an actuation sensor, characterized in that the installation device comprises a spring (MF) which is mechanically compressed by an actuation of the installation device, in particular by the rear side of a rocker (W) or rocker receptacle (WA) of the installation device, in such a way that this actuation is detected and evaluated by an actuation sensor (H), and in addition the current switching position of the rocker (W) is determined, wherein the actuation sensor (H) is designed as a pressure sensor and / or the spring (MF) is designed as a magnetic spring, in particular a conical spiral spring,and the actuation sensor (H) is designed as a magnetic field sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical / electronic installation device, in particular a switch or push-button, for installation in an installation box, for triggering an action of an actuator connectable to the installation device, in particular a lamp, a blind or the like, wherein the installation device has a function module enabling remote control with a radio transmitter and with an actuation sensor.

[0002] Electrical / electronic installation devices (e.g. push buttons or switches) are increasingly used in conjunction with function modules to enable remote control of actuators connected to the installation devices, in particular a lamp, a blind or the like.

[0003] Such installation devices are known from the state of the art, for example, according to the website nexentro.de. Such a functional module is designed for building installation technology and has a housing consisting of a base part and a cover part, in the interior of which the electrical / electronic components required for operation are housed on at least one electrical circuit board. The electrical circuit board is connected to several connecting cables to form an interface via which an electrical / electronic switching device, a switch, or a push-button, is connected. Telegrams can be sent via several independent channels, whereby the telegrams are used to control various actuators, such as lights, blinds, or sockets, or sensors, such as touch sensors.By installing the function modules in installation boxes, the conventional electromechanical switches are made “smart”.

[0004] To evaluate the push-button signal of an electromechanical switch on a known function module, at least three wires must be connected (outer conductor or phase L and switched output / control line, and a control line for connecting the switch). For dual-gang and blind applications, an additional control line is required; for switching or dimming applications, one or two control lines are required.

[0005] Since the limited space makes it challenging to accommodate a functional module and its cabling in a flush-mounted box, omitting any cable represents a significant optimization, particularly because the space required in the installation cavity and the installation effort can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the reduced number of electrical cables required makes the setup more understandable, allowing the installer to carry out the installation more safely and transparently. This also reduces the potential for error. For these reasons, many users who are not professional installers are discouraged from using the functional module described above in conjunction with an electrical / electronic installation device.

[0006] WO / 2023 104 379 A1 therefore discloses an electrical / electronic installation device, in particular a switch or a push-button, for installation in an installation box, for triggering an action of an actuator connectable to the installation device, in particular a lamp, a blind, or the like. The installation device has a functional module enabling remote control, comprising a radio transmitter and an actuation sensor. The actuation sensor is designed as a magnetic field sensor. This magnetic field sensor detects the change in position of a magnet connected, in particular glued, to the rocker switch, which changes during actuation.The advantage here is that the cabling effort and the space required in an installation box can be massively reduced, since no electrical cabling (to be manufactured) is required between the installation device, in particular a switch or a button, and the function module.

[0007] However, the problem with such installation devices is that due to the distance between the magnet arranged on the rocker and the magnetic field sensor arranged in the function module, a relatively space-consuming magnet and / or a costly, sensitive sensor must be used to achieve a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio.

[0008] Furthermore, attaching the magnet to the rocker not only represents an additional assembly process, but the varying positioning and geometry of different rockers sometimes leads to an unclear, uncontrollable initial situation, requiring individual programming of the magnetic field sensor with respect to the magnetic signal. Commissioning such an installation device with a function module is therefore relatively complex. An undesirable side effect is that the use of heavy magnets impairs the haptic feel during operation.

[0009] Based on this discussed prior art, the object of the invention is to create an electrical / electronic installation device which is characterized by a good signal-to-noise ratio, simplified assembly, small space requirements, low manufacturing costs and good operating haptics.

[0010] This object is achieved by an electrical / electronic installation device which comprises a spring which is mechanically compressed by an actuation of the installation device, in particular by the back of a rocker or rocker receptacle of the installation device, in such a way that this actuation is detected and evaluated by an actuation sensor, and in addition the current switching position of the rocker is determined, wherein the actuation sensor is designed as a pressure sensor and / or the spring is designed as a magnetic spring, in particular a conical spiral spring, and the actuation sensor (H) is designed as a magnetic field sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor.

[0011] The core idea of ​​the invention is, on the one hand, that by using a spring according to the invention, which is mechanically compressed by actuating the installation device, wherein the actuation is detected and evaluated by an actuation sensor, the advantage over previously known installation devices is that there is no need to glue a magnet to the back of the rocker. Rather, in the installation device according to the invention, the (magnetic) spring is already a permanently installed component of the installation device, so that either the pressure and / or the magnetic field is detected by the actuation sensor without a separate magnet being attached to the back of the rocker. In addition to simplifying installation, the elimination of the need to glue a magnet also inevitably avoids certain inaccuracies in the positioning of the magnet on the rocker, so that deviations in the signal-to-noise ratio are minimized.This means that even individual calibration of the magnetic field sensor with regard to the magnet on the rocker or the magnetic spring is no longer necessary. The fact that the magnetic spring is compressed upon actuation also has the advantage that the spring is necessarily positioned in the area between the rocker or rocker mount and the base of the installation box, so that the distance to the magnetic field sensor is smaller than with a magnet glued to the rocker, and the signal-to-noise ratio is further improved. The above aspects, which contribute to improving the signal-to-noise ratio, achieve the further advantage of allowing the use of a more cost-effective magnetic field sensor.

[0012] Secondly, the (magnetic) spring not only allows for magnetic detection of the actuation of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, but also simultaneously performs the task of adjusting the haptic feedback during actuation, for example, by selecting the spring's mechanical parameters. This reduces the number of parts, assembly time, and space requirements compared to the prior art.

[0013] With regard to the remote controllability of the actuators connectable to the electrical / electronic installation device, the detection and evaluation of the actuation by an actuation sensor is used according to the invention to determine the current switching position of the rocker of the electrical / electronic installation device. The end positions during (pushbutton) or after (switch) actuation correspond to a specific value of the magnetic field or pressure, or in any case to a specific change in the magnetic field or pressure, so that the switching position can be incorporated into the control of the actuators. This makes it possible, for example, for the respective switching position to be correctly displayed in a corresponding application on a mobile device.This makes it possible, for example, for the user to switch his light on or off (as appropriate) when he is absent, for example to simulate his presence during a vacation.

[0014] In the particularly reliable embodiment of the invention, the actuation sensor is configured to detect both the pressure upon actuation of the magnetic spring and the magnetic field. Only when both sensor readings coincide will an actuation be detected.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, the magnetic spring is preferably designed as a spiral spring. This minimizes the installation space required compared to a normal spring (not designed as a spiral spring). In a particularly preferred development of this embodiment of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, the magnetic spring is designed as a particularly space-saving conical spiral spring. The coils of the spiral spring can then lie next to one another in the compressed state.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, the electrical / electronic installation device is a push button with a spring that is already installed for the rocker reset, so that the spring is already present. In such a case, a magnet can be coupled to the spring to sense the pressure and the magnetic field, or their change as a result of actuation. This magnet moves when the spring is compressed, thus causing a change in the magnetic field.

[0017] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, the (magnetic) spring is integrally formed on the functional module, which can be coupled to the electrical / electronic installation device. This, on the one hand, makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner—especially with regard to the signal-to-noise ratio—to minimize the distance between the (magnetic) spring and the actuation sensor arranged in the functional module, while on the other hand, it makes it possible to pre-produce the functional module with the spring and couple it to existing switches or buttons by way of retrofitting. Until now, retrofitting with a functional module with a magnetic sensor required gluing a magnet into the rocker, but this additional step is avoided by the spring coupled to the functional module.The fixed positioning of the spring on the functional module, which is also regularly positively coupled to the switch or button, also ensures a defined position of the magnetic spring relative to the magnetic field sensor.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is associated with an exceptionally good signal-to-noise ratio, the magnetic spring is connected with its first end to the functional module at a connection point and points with its second end toward the rocker or rocker mount, with the magnetic field sensor being arranged within a range of less than 20 mm from the connection point. This is achieved, for example, by arranging the connection point and the magnetic field sensor adjacent to each other in a side view.

[0019] In another, cost-effective embodiment of the invention, the magnetic field sensor is a MEMS magnetic sensor, also known as a microsystems technology (MST) sensor. Due to the small size of the MEMS magnetic sensor, it can be placed particularly close to the measurement location, thereby achieving higher spatial resolution compared to other magnetic field sensors. Furthermore, the MEMS magnetic sensor is particularly cost-effective and allows for particularly precise multidimensional vector analysis.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is accompanied by a further improved signal-to-noise ratio, the magnetic spring has a magnet coupled to it. This further amplifies the magnetic field and thus the signal-to-noise ratio. This also allows the use of less strongly magnetic materials for the magnetic spring, thus allowing a wider variety of materials to be used. The haptic response during compression of the spring or on-site actuation can be better adjusted by selecting the spring material.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the functional module comprises a dimming actuator for dimming a lamp.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the functional module comprises a switching actuator for switching an electrical device.

[0023] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in the accompanying figures. It shows: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention comprising a rocker, a switch and a function module, and Fig. 2: a schematic representation of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention in a side view, wherein the electrical / electronic installation device is installed in an installation box.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention, comprising a rocker W, a switch S, and a functional module F, in the housing G of which a dimmer actuator DA is arranged. For installation in an installation box D, such a functional module F has a control line 1, as well as a connection to the phase L and to the neutral conductor N. In contrast to the classic functional modules F, an electrical connection of the functional module F to the switch S is not necessary, so that less cabling needs to be accommodated in the installation box D. The magnetic field sensor H accommodated in the functional module F detects the mechanical compression of the magnetic spring MF as an indicator of an actuation of the switch S. The advantage here is that the magnetic spring MF, in particular by adjusting the spring constant, enables the restoring force and thus the haptic effect when the rocker W is actuated.This degree of freedom is particularly interesting because operating the rocker W does not require electrical contact (as with conventional switches or buttons), so the force required can be significantly reduced. In this respect, the inventive solution allows for particularly good adjustment of the haptic feedback during actuation, particularly to a particularly gentle level. At the same time, the fact that the spring MF is magnetic eliminates the need for the magnet used in the prior art.

[0025] Fig.2 shows a schematic representation of the electrical / electronic installation device according to the invention in a side view, wherein the electrical / electronic installation device is installed in an installation box D. The fixing in the installation box D is effected by means of spreading claws K, which can be operated via adjustment means EM. It can be seen that the rocker receptacle WA has a rocker W, wherein in the embodiment shown the magnetic spring MF is arranged such that it is compressed upon local actuation of the switch S, so that the associated change in the magnetic field is detected and evaluated in the magnetic field sensor H, so that the switching position of the rocker W can be deduced. This allows remote control via the function module F having a radio transmitter, wherein the current switching state can be visualized and taken into account on a terminal device.In another embodiment of the invention, the functional module F can also be coupled to the back of the switch S or a button, wherein in such a case the magnetic spring MF extends through the switch S or button.

[0026] The invention is described using several exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, numerous further possibilities for implementing it will become apparent to a person skilled in the art without the need for detailed explanation within the scope of these statements. List of reference symbols 1 control line DA dimmer actuator D Installation box EM setting agent F Function module G Housing H Magnetic field sensor K Spreader claw L-phase MF magnetic spring N neutral conductor S switch WA rocker mount W rocker QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2023 104 379 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Electrical / electronic installation device, in particular a switch (S) or push-button, for installation in an installation box (D), for triggering an action of an actuator connectable to the installation device, in particular a lamp, a blind or the like, wherein the installation device has a function module (F) enabling remote control with a radio transmitter and with an actuation sensor, characterized bythat the installation device comprises a spring (MF) which is mechanically compressed by an actuation of the installation device, in particular by the back of a rocker (W) or rocker receptacle (WA) of the installation device, such that this actuation is detected and evaluated by an actuation sensor (H), and in addition the current switching position of the rocker (W) is determined, wherein the actuation sensor (H) is designed as a pressure sensor and / or the spring (MF) is designed as a magnetic spring, in particular a conical spiral spring, and the actuation sensor (H) is designed as a magnetic field sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor. [2] Electrical / electronic installation device according to claim 1, characterized by that the electrical / electronic installation device is a push button with a spring that is already installed for rocker reset. [3] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that the spring (MF) is integrally formed on the functional module (F) which can be coupled to the electrical / electronic installation device. [4] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the magnetic spring (MF) is connected with its first end to the functional module (F) at a connection point and with its second end points in the direction of the rocker (W) or rocker receptacle (WA), wherein the magnetic field sensor (H) is arranged in the area of ​​less than 20 mm away from the connection point. [5] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by that the magnetic field sensor (H) is a MEMS magnetic sensor [6] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that another magnet is coupled to the (magnetic) spring (MF), which further amplifies the magnetic field. [7] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the electrical / electronic installation device is a switch (S) or a push button. [8] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the functional module (F) comprises a dimming actuator (DA) for dimming a lamp. [9] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the functional module (F) comprises a switching actuator for switching an electrical device. [10] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the function module (F) is connected to a relay. [11] Electrical / electronic installation device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized bythat the functional module (F) can be coupled to the electrical / electronic installation device as part of a modular system.

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