DEVICE FOR A RETRACTABLE STRUCTURE WITH A TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING DEVICE FOR CHARGING AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motorized deployable structures in a home automation system, such as a motorized blind or, more generally, sun protection. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device comprising a wireless transmitter / receiver for transmitting an information signal, to an assembly comprising the device, and to a control method.

[0002] As is known, document WO2021 / 136916 describes a sensor mounted on a motorized blind. This sensor comprises: a wireless transmitter / receiver configured to receive an incident signal from an electronic control unit when the motorized blind is in a retracted position; a self-contained power source; a converter configured to convert the incident signal into electrical current and to power the self-contained power source using said electrical current; a logic processing unit adapted to decide whether to send an information signal to the electronic control unit from the wireless transmitter / receiver when the motorized blind is in an extended position, the self-contained power source being configured to power the logic processing unit; variable diodes and resistors to direct the incident signal to the converter or to electrically isolate the wireless transmitter / receiver from the converter when sending the information signal.

[0003] The present invention aims to improve the above solution, and in particular to offer a solution that saves space and minimizes the energy consumption of the sensor.

[0004] To this end, the present invention relates to a device intended to be positioned on a moving part of a deployable structure, and to emit an information signal to at least one electronic control unit attached to a fixed part of the deployable structure, such that the device comprises: at least one wireless transmitter / receiver device configured to receive an incident signal from at least one electronic control unit and to transmit the information signal to at least one electronic control unit, the wireless transmitter / receiver device comprising: an antenna; at least one logic processing unit; at least one energy storage device; at least one converter configured to convert the incident signal into electrical current and to recharge the energy storage device using said electrical current; at least one logic processing unit being adapted to decide on the transmission of the information signal to at least one electronic control unit by the antenna, at least one energy storage device being configured to power at least one logic processing unit; characterized in that the antenna is permanently electrically connected to at least one converter.

[0005] The device according to the invention comprises a transmitter / receiver that allows the reception of an incident signal and, alternatively, the transmission of an information signal via the antenna. The transmitter / receiver comprises the antenna and the logic processing unit, as well as a capacitor and a resistor connected to ground, which are positioned on a link between the antenna and the logic processing unit.

[0006] The device also includes a converter that converts the incident signal into electrical current, thus recharging the energy storage device.

[0007] The device is configured so that the antenna is permanently electrically connected to the converter. Therefore, the device according to the invention does not include any electrical device, such as a switch or a diode, that would allow the connection between the transmitter / receiver device and the converter to be broken.

[0008] Thus, the incident signal is always directed at least towards the converter. Any signal passing through the antenna is also received by the converter. Therefore, when transmitting the information signal using the antenna, a portion of it is also directed towards the converter due to the permanent connection between the antenna and the converter. The device does not include any operating mode in which the converter is disconnected from the antenna.

[0009] The device according to the invention is therefore configured to constitute an energy reserve, in particular by means of the incident signal, in order to be able to reuse this reserve, for example, when emitting the information signal.

[0010] The device according to the invention therefore has a lower volume and price than the state of the art because certain components, i.e. diodes and variable resistors, are removed.

[0011] In addition, the device has lower energy consumption than the state of the art since it has fewer components to power electrically and / or less energy-consuming signal processing.

[0012] The invention may have one or more of the following features taken alone or in combination.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the incident signal and the information signal are transmitted according to a suitable proprietary radio protocol or according to a standard radio protocol, for example the Bluetooth protocol, and more specifically, "Bluetooth Advertising".

[0014] According to one embodiment, the converter is configured to generate a binary signal for the logic processing unit.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a value of the generated binary signal depends on a reception state of the incident signal.

[0016] In one embodiment, the information signal is of any kind, such as a safety signal including an alert, for example, based on information detected by the device. In another embodiment, the converter is configured to convert a radio frequency signal into current.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the energy storage device is a battery, a capacitor, or a supercapacitor.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit is permanently electrically connected to the antenna.

[0019] The device therefore does not include any electrical device, for example a switch, or a diode, to break a link between the antenna and the logic processing unit.

[0020] Thus, the incoming signal is always directed to the logic processing unit, and during the transmission of the information signal, a portion of it is also directed to the converter. Any signal passing through the antenna is also received by the logic processing unit.

[0021] The device according to the invention therefore has a lower volume and price than the state of the art because certain components, i.e. diodes and variable resistors, are removed.

[0022] In addition, the device has lower energy consumption than the state of the art since it has fewer components to power electrically.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit includes an impedance matching cell.

[0024] For example, the impedance matching cell includes a capacitor. This capacitor has a non-zero residual charge so that it does not allow disconnection between the antenna and the logic processing unit.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit includes a standby operating mode in which the incident signal is not decrypted by the logic processing unit.

[0026] The standby mode corresponds to a standby state in which the logic processing unit is received but not electrically processed. Thus, when the logic processing unit is in standby mode, its power consumption is low, or even zero.

[0027] For example, when the device according to the invention is at a distance from an actuator positioned on a fixed part of the moving structure, the device can send, via the information signal, a message asking the actuator to stop sending incident messages and then go into standby operating mode.

[0028] When the device according to the invention is close to the actuator, in other words when the moving structure is in the closed or folded position, the device according to the invention informs the actuator to stop or reduce the sending of incident messages.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit includes a receiving operating mode in which the incident signal is decrypted by the logic processing unit.

[0030] In the receive operating mode, the logic processing unit receives information via the incident signal from the electronic control unit. This information could, for example, be a movement command for the moving part relative to the fixed part of the deployable structure.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit includes a transmitting operating mode in which the logic processing unit transmits the information signal to the electronic control unit.

[0032] According to an alternative embodiment, the logic processing unit is electrically connected to the antenna by means of a control device enabling the electrical connection to be opened or closed.

[0033] Thus, when the control device is open, the incident signal is directed solely to the converter. Consequently, the processing logic unit does not have a standby mode. The processing logic unit can therefore operate in either receive or transmit mode when the control device is closed.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the control element is a switch normally in the closed position.

[0035] Opening the connection between the antenna and the logic processing unit maximizes load efficiency by optimizing impedance matching on the antenna element to the converter. In one embodiment, the information signal is at least partially converted into electrical current by the converter.

[0036] Indeed, since the converter is permanently electrically connected to the antenna, any signal passing through the latter is also received by the converter.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the device includes an environmental parameter detection unit configured to detect a parameter external to the device, the logic processing unit being configured to decide on the emission of the information signal on the basis of said external parameter detected by the environmental parameter detection unit.

[0038] The unit for detecting an environmental parameter can use electrical, capacitive, inductive, tactile or optical technology to determine the external parameter.

[0039] Thus, the emission of the information signal can vary, in frequency and / or content, depending on the external parameter detected.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the detected external parameter is a position or vibration level of the deployable structure,

[0041] According to one embodiment, a transition between standby, receive or transmit operating modes can be controlled when a change in the detected external parameter occurs.

[0042] In particular, the transition can be triggered by a signal from the environmental parameter detection unit. Alternatively, a specific wake-up signal can be sent by the electronic control unit to trigger this transition.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the environmental parameter detection unit is a position detection unit that determines that the deployable structure is in a folded position when the device is at a distance less than a first threshold of the electronic control unit.

[0044] For example, the first threshold is less than 50cm, preferably 30cm.

[0045] In one embodiment, the logic processing unit is in standby mode when the deployable structure is in the folded position. In other words, when the deployable structure is in the folded position, the energy storage device is charged by the incident signal from the electronic control unit.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the position detection unit determines that the deployable structure is in a deployed position when the device is at a distance greater than a second threshold of the electronic control unit.

[0047] For example, the second threshold is greater than 50cm, preferably 30cm.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the first threshold is equal to the second threshold.

[0049] Thus, the deployable structure has two possible positions: deployed or folded.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the logical processing unit is in the emission operating mode when the deployable structure is in the deployed position.

[0051] In other words, when the deployable structure is in the deployed position, the energy storage device electrically powers the logic processing unit as an autonomous power source.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the position detection unit determines the position of the deployable structure based on information received by the electronic control unit, and / or information received from an accelerometer fixed on the moving part, and / or the amount of electrical current resulting from the conversion of the incident signal, and / or a measurement of a power level of the incident signal.

[0053] The power level of the incident signal can be measured in analog form, continuously, or using a power scale, for example, a logarithmic scale. The signal power level is determined from the signal received by the logic processing unit.

[0054] Thus, position detection can be determined and / or confirmed by a combination of several pieces of information. For example, if the measured power level of the incident signal is greater than -10dBm, the detection unit will deduce that the deployable structure is in the folded position.

[0055] Such a provision also makes it possible to detect abnormal movements of the deployable structure and to send an information signal to the electronic control unit when abnormal movements of the deployable structure are detected.

[0056] According to one embodiment, no incident signal is emitted by the logic processing unit when the amount of electrical current resulting from the conversion of the incident signal is less than a current threshold.

[0057] This arrangement allows for energy savings. Indeed, the electronic control unit does not send an incident signal if the electrical current resulting from the conversion of said incident signal is too low.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the device is configured to send a status signal including at least one piece of information about the state of the device at regular intervals when the deployable structure is in the deployed position.

[0059] The state of the device corresponds in particular to an operating state or a state of charge of the energy storage device.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the state signal includes the amount of energy present in the energy storage device.

[0061] This arrangement allows the electronic control unit to know the device's charge level, and therefore its remaining autonomy, or it allows the electronic control unit to stop sending an incident signal when the status signal indicates that the energy storage device is sufficiently charged. This arrangement therefore results in energy savings.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the status signal is sent at regular intervals.

[0063] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device according to the invention intended to be positioned on a moving part of a deployable structure and an electronic control unit attached to a fixed part of the deployable structure, in which the electronic control unit is configured to send a movement command to change the position of the deployable structure to an actuator, the actuator being configured to change a position of said deployable structure.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to send the movement command upon receiving the information signal from the device.

[0065] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to send the movement command when said electronic control unit no longer receives a status signal from the device

[0066] According to one embodiment, the deployable structure includes a deployable element of any kind, such as an awning for example.

[0067] The invention also relates to a method of operation of a device intended to be positioned on a moving part of a deployable structure, the device comprising a wireless transceiver device including a logic processing unit and an antenna, in which the device performs the following steps: development of an information signal by the logic processing unit, transmission of the information signal by the antenna of the wireless transceiver device, a charging stage in which at least part of the information signal is converted into electrical current so as to recharge an energy storage device of the device. Brief description of the drawings

[0068] The invention will be even better understood with the aid of the detailed description set forth below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a deployable structure on which a device is arranged according to the present invention. Fig. 2 [ ] represents an electrical diagram of the device according to the present invention. [ Fig. 3 ] represents an incident signal received by the device in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 4 ] represents an information signal emitted by the device in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 5 ] represents a diagram of a drive device comprising an electromechanical actuator in communication link with the device according to the present invention. Detailed description

[0069] There figure 1A motorized patio awning is represented as an example of a deployable structure 30. The deployable structure comprises a fixed part 32 forming a proximal end of the deployable structure intended to be fixed to a support 10 such as a building wall, a fabric 36 which is attached to a movable part 34 in the form, for example, of a load bar forming a distal end of the deployable structure, a drive device 38 such as a motorized winding tube 4, arranged to wind the fabric 36, the drive device 38 being integral with the fixed part 32, as well as articulated arms 39 which are equipped with springs, and which allow a force to be exerted on the load bar 34 against the action of the motorized winding tube 4 so as to keep the fabric 36 taut.Winding or unwinding the fabric 36 onto the motorized winding tube 4 allows the moving part, the articulated arms, and the fabric 36 to be moved between at least one folded position of the deployable structure and at least one deployed position. As is known, the fabric 36 is attached at one end to the winding tube 4 and at the other end to the load bar 34.

[0070] The drive device 38 includes an electromechanical actuator 11. Such an electromechanical actuator 11 includes, in particular, an electric motor 16 with axis of rotation X and allows a winding shaft or tube 4 to be rotated so as to unwind or wind the fabric 36 of the deployable structure 30. In the assembled state of the deployable structure 30, the electromechanical actuator 11 is inserted into the winding tube 4. The electromechanical actuator 11 also includes an electronic control unit 40 for driving the motor 16. This electronic control unit 40 is capable of activating the electric motor 16 of the electromechanical actuator 11 and, in particular, of supplying electrical power to the electric motor 16. Thus, the electronic control unit 40 controls, in particular, the electric motor 16, so as to unfold or retract the fabric 36, as described above.

[0071] The electronic control unit 40 also includes a radio frequency transceiver module, in particular for receiving control commands from external control devices.

[0072] The radio frequency transceiver module can thus receive unwinding or rewinding commands and / or safety instructions, for example from an external control device, such as a remote control or a sensor in the home automation system. The remote control is equipped with a keypad, which includes selection and possibly display means, and which allows a user to operate the electromechanical actuator 11.

[0073] The motorized drive device 38 is preferably configured to execute the unwinding or winding commands of the canvas 36, which can be issued in particular by the external control device, when the latter is configured to communicate, in other words is paired or has exchanged a communication identifier, with the electromechanical actuator 11, in particular is configured to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter-receiver module of the electromechanical actuator 11.

[0074] The electronic control unit 40 can be arranged inside a housing 17 of the electromechanical actuator 11, which also contains the electric motor 16.

[0075] The electronic control unit 40 comprises hardware and / or software components. By way of non-limiting example, the hardware components may include at least one microcontroller.

[0076] The electromechanical actuator 11 is powered by the building's electrical supply network, for example, by the mains AC network or a DC bus, or by means of a battery (not shown) that can be recharged, for example, by a photovoltaic panel. Here, the electromechanical actuator 11 includes a power cable 18 for supplying it with electrical power from the mains supply network.

[0077] The electromechanical actuator 11 also includes a reducer 19, in particular an epicyclic reducer and an output shaft 100. Advantageously, the electric motor 16 and the reducer 19 are arranged inside the housing 17 of the electromechanical actuator 11.

[0078] The output shaft 100 of the electromechanical actuator 11 is disposed inside the winding tube 4 and, at least in part, outside the housing 17 of the electromechanical actuator 11.

[0079] The output shaft 100 of the electromechanical actuator 11 is coupled by a linking accessory 101 to the winding tube 4, in particular a wheel-shaped linking accessory.

[0080] The electromechanical actuator 11 also includes a torque support 21, mounted at one end of the housing 17 opposite the output shaft 100 and sealing the end of the housing 17. The housing 17 and the torque support 21 are fixed against rotation relative to each other. Naturally, the deployable structure can assume a plurality of positions.It can be agreed that a folded position corresponds to a position in which the distance d between the proximal end 32 and the distal end 34 of said deployable structure 30, or between the electronic control unit 40 and a device 20 with which it cooperates, such as a sensor or another actuator, is less than a first threshold Sd, and that a deployed position corresponds to a position in which the distance d between the proximal end 32 and the distal end 34 of said deployable structure 30, or between the electronic control unit 40 and the device 20, is greater than a second threshold Sd. The first and second thresholds may be distinct or identical. For example, the first threshold is less than 50 cm, preferably 30 cm. For example, the second threshold is greater than 50 cm, preferably 30 cm.

[0081] This example uses a single threshold Sd.

[0082] The electromechanical actuator 11 is configured to emit a radio frequency signal, on a frequency band that can be received by the device 20. In particular, the electronic control unit is designed to interleave sequences of listening to incoming messages, or information signals, and sequences of emitting signals called power signals, intended to power the device 20. A portion of the power signal received at the device 20 is called incident signal 511.

[0083] There figure 2Figure 20 represents an electrical diagram of the device 20 cooperating with the actuator. Hereafter, in this example, this device will be referred to as sensor 20. In particular, the sensor includes a wireless transmitter / receiver device comprising an antenna 50 configured to receive the incident signal 511 from the electronic control unit 40 and to transmit an information signal 522 to said electronic control unit 40, and a logic processing unit 52 adapted to decide whether to transmit an information signal 522 to the electronic control unit 40 via the antenna 50. The sensor 20 also includes an energy storage device 54 that can serve as an autonomous energy source, such as a battery, capacitor, or supercapacitor, configured to power the logic processing unit 52.

[0084] The sensor further includes an environmental parameter detection unit 58 configured to detect an external parameter of the deployable structure 30, the logic processing unit 52 being configured to decide on the emission of the information signal 522 on the basis of said external parameter detected by the environmental parameter detection unit 58. The environmental parameter detection unit 58 can use an electrical, capacitive, inductive, or even, for example, tactile or optical technology.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the unit for detecting an environmental parameter 58 is a position detection unit.

[0086] The position detection unit determines the position of the deployable structure 30 based on information received by the electronic control unit 40, and / or information received from an accelerometer fixed to the moving part 34, and / or the amount of electrical current resulting from a conversion of the incident signal 511, and / or a measurement of the power level of the incident signal 511. Thus, position detection can be determined and / or confirmed by a combination of several pieces of information. For example, if the power level measurement of the incident signal 511 is greater than -10 dBm, the position detection unit 58 will deduce that the deployable structure 30 is in the folded position.

[0087] Such an arrangement also makes it possible to detect abnormal movements of the deployable structure 30, for example a critical vibration, and to send an information signal 522 to the electronic control unit 40 when abnormal movements of the deployable structure 30 are detected.

[0088] The sensor 20 also includes a converter 56 configured to convert the incident signal 511 into electrical current and to power the energy storage device 54, which serves as an independent power source for the sensor 20, using said electrical current. Specifically, the converter 56 receives the incident signal 511 and converts it into direct current, thus recharging the energy storage device 54. This arrangement makes it easier to recharge the energy storage device 54 and therefore allows for a reduction in the size of the sensor 20.

[0089] The sensor 20 is configured so that the antenna 50 is permanently electrically connected to the converter 56. The sensor 20 therefore does not include any electrical device, for example a switch, or a diode, to break a connection between the antenna 50 and the converter 56.

[0090] Thus, the incident signal 511, which can be transmitted according to a proprietary or standard radio protocol, such as the Bluetooth protocol and more specifically "Bluetooth Advertising", is therefore always directed towards the converter 56 as can be seen in figure 3 and during the transmission of the information signal 522, a portion of the latter is also directed towards the converter 56, as can be seen in figure 4 Any signal passing through antenna 50 is also received by converter 56. Sensor 20 does not include any operating mode in which converter 56 is disconnected from antenna 50.

[0091] The sensor according to the invention is therefore configured to constitute an energy reserve primarily by means of the incident signal 511, so that this reserve can be reused, in particular, during the transmission of the information signal 522. In one embodiment, the converter 56 is configured to convert a radio frequency signal into current. The sensor according to the invention is configured to constitute an energy reserve exclusively through the converter 56. The sensor according to the invention thus has a lower size and price than the prior art because certain components, namely diodes and variable resistors, are omitted. Furthermore, the sensor 20 has lower energy consumption than the prior art since it has fewer components requiring power.

[0092] In one embodiment, the converter 56 is also configured to generate a binary signal for the logic processing unit 52. The generated binary signal depends on the reception state of the incident signal 511. In one embodiment, when an incident signal 511 is received by the antenna 50 and the converter 56 converts said incident signal 511 into an electrical current, the converter 56 generates a binary signal of one for the logic processing unit 52. Conversely, when the converter 56 does not convert any incident signal 511, said converter generates a binary signal of zero. In another embodiment, the generated binary signal for the logic processing unit 52 is read by said logic processing unit 52 at a predetermined interval, such as every 20 ms, for example.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit 52 is permanently electrically connected to the antenna 50.

[0094] The sensor 20 therefore does not include any electrical device, such as a switch or a diode, to break the connection between the antenna 50 and the logic processing unit 52. Thus, the incident signal 511 is always directed towards the logic processing unit 52, as can be seen in the figure 3 Any incident signal passing through antenna 50 is also received by the logic processing unit 52.

[0095] During the transmission of the information signal 522, a portion of this signal is also directed towards the converter 56, as can be seen in the figure 4 .

[0096] The sensor 20 according to the invention therefore has a lower size and price than the prior art because certain components, namely diodes and variable resistors, are omitted. Furthermore, the sensor 20 has lower energy consumption than the prior art since it has fewer components requiring electrical power.

[0097] Alternatively, the processing logic unit 52 is connected to the antenna 50 via a normally closed switch. The only power consumption required is for opening the switch. Thus, when the switch is open, the incident signal 511 is directed only to the converter 56. The processing logic unit can therefore operate in either receive or transmit mode when the switch is closed.

[0098] In the various embodiments described, the antenna 50 can take the form of a printed antenna comprising a first main transmit-receive end and a second end separated into two antenna elements, a first element being connected to the converter 56, a second element being connected to the processing logic unit 52. A capacitor and an inductor can be intercalated on the second element between the first antenna end and the processing logic unit in order to match the impedance of the circuit.

[0099] In one embodiment, the processing logic unit 52 includes a standby mode in which the incident signal 511 is received but not interpreted or decoded by the processing logic unit 52. The standby mode corresponds to the processing logic unit 52 being put into a sleep state in which the incident signal 511 is received but not electrically processed. Thus, when the processing logic unit 52 is in standby mode, its power consumption is low, or even zero, which limits the discharge of the energy storage device 54. Furthermore, in this standby mode, the processing logic unit 52 acts as a switch that electrically disconnects the antenna element connected to it. Therefore, in this standby mode, the incident signal 511 is directed exclusively or almost exclusively to the converter 56 to be converted into energy.

[0100] In particular, during standby operation, the logic processing unit 52 only decrypts the incident signal 511 once a level, for example an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) level, of the signal exceeds a predefined value or falls within a predetermined range. By limiting the power consumption associated with signal processing, the load on the energy storage device 54 is maximized.

[0101] Decoding the signal whose level is below the predefined value or is outside the range of predetermined values ​​allows certain incident messages to be processed, including messages containing data communicated by the electromechanical actuator to sensor 20 or by another external communicating device, such as a home automation box.

[0102] Advantageously, no information signal is transmitted in the standby operating mode of the logic processing unit.

[0103] The converter 56 and the logic processing unit 52 include hardware and / or software means for managing the impedance of their associated antenna elements. This impedance can be chosen to prioritize the charging of the energy storage device at the expense of radio transmission performance. The two antenna elements have the same properties.

[0104] The challenge lies in managing a sufficiently efficient load without excessive interference between the two antenna elements. This is achieved by modifying the geometry of the antenna and the two elements connecting it to the logic processing unit and the converter. The goal is to find a compromise between the element length, the device's form factor, and its overall size.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit 52 includes a receiving operating mode in which an incident signal 511 is received and decrypted by the logic processing unit 52.

[0106] In the receiving mode of operation, the logic processing unit 52 receives information via the incident signal 511 from the electronic control unit 40. The information may, for example, be confirmation that the electronic control unit 40 has received a movement order for the moving part 34 relative to the fixed part 32 of the deployable structure 30 or an order to adjust an internal parameter of the sensor 20.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the logic processing unit 52 includes a transmission operating mode in which the logic processing unit 52 transmits the information signal 522 to the electronic control unit 40.

[0108] The operating modes of the logic processing unit are adapted according to the position of the deployable structure 30. Thus, the receiving operating mode can be restricted to positions in which the sensor 20 is close to the electronic control unit 40 of the electromechanical actuator 60.

[0109] According to one embodiment, a transition between standby, receive or transmit operating modes can be controlled when the position of the deployable structure 30 changes. In particular, the transition can be triggered by a signal from the position detection unit 58. Alternatively, a specific wake-up signal can be sent by the electronic control unit 40 to trigger this transition.

[0110] The information signal 522 emitted via the antenna 50 can vary, in frequency and / or content, depending on the position of the deployable structure 30. The information signal 522 can, in particular, be a safety signal, including an alert for example, or a status signal. The sensor's status corresponds, in particular, to an operating state or a charge state of the energy storage device.

[0111] In one embodiment, the sensor 20 is configured to send a status signal containing information about the amount of energy remaining in the energy storage device 54 of the sensor 20 at regular intervals, for example, when the deployable structure 30 is in the deployed position. This arrangement allows the electronic control unit 40 to know the state of the sensor 20. This arrangement also allows the electronic control unit 40 to send a movement command to change the position of the deployable structure 30. For example, the command could be to fold the deployable structure 30 to the retracted position in order to recharge the energy storage device 54 of the sensor 20 when it contains only a small amount of energy, and in particular if the electronic control unit 40 no longer receives a status signal.

[0112] In one embodiment, the sensor 20 is configured to send a status signal from the self-contained energy storage device 54 when the deployable structure 30 is in the folded position. This arrangement allows the electronic control unit 40 to cease sending an incident signal 511 when the status signal indicates that the energy storage device 54 is sufficiently charged. This arrangement therefore results in energy savings.

[0113] In one embodiment, the sensor is configured to send a conversion level signal when the amount of electrical current resulting from the conversion of the incident signal 511 is below a current threshold. Thus, in response, no incident signal 511 is emitted by the processing logic unit 40 when the amount of electrical current resulting from the conversion of the incident signal 511 is below a current threshold. This arrangement allows for overall energy savings at the installation level, particularly at the level of the electronic control unit 40. Indeed, the electronic control unit 40 does not send an incident signal 511 if the electrical current resulting from the conversion of said incident signal is too low.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the status signal and / or the conversion level signal is sent at regular intervals.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the state signal includes the amount of energy present in the energy storage device 54.

[0116] Upon receiving an incident signal 511, the electronic control unit 40 is configured to drive the electric motor of the actuator 38, which may include, for example, the motorized winding tube, in order to move the deployable structure 30 from a deployed position to a folded position. This configuration allows, for example, the mobile structure 30 to be folded, thus reducing its wind resistance. This arrangement helps to limit the risk of damage to the mobile structure.

[0117] According to one possibility, the information signal 522 is only sent to the electronic control unit 40 via the antenna 50 when the deployable structure 30 is in the deployed position. Indeed, when the deployable structure 30 is in the folded position, it is not necessary to obtain information, particularly regarding vibration, since the mobile structure has already reduced its wind resistance.

[0118] In one scenario, the electronic control unit 40 includes means for determining the position of the deployable structure 30. These means can provide angular position information for the actuator. This position information can be confirmed by the sensor 20. The actuator already knows its angular position, for example, through prior learning of the limit switches and analysis of angular movements during its normal operation.

[0119] The invention also relates to a method of operation of the sensor 20 intended to be positioned on a movable part 34 of the deployable structure 30, the sensor comprising the wireless transceiver device including the logic processing unit 52 and the antenna 50, in which the sensor 20 performs the following steps: The invention involves the generation of an information signal 522 by the logic processing unit 52, the transmission of the information signal 522 by the antenna 20 of the wireless transceiver device, and a charging stage in which at least a portion of the information signal 522 is converted into an electrical current to recharge an energy storage device 54 of the sensor 20. The invention could also be applied to interior sun protection such as a vertical screen, such as a roller blind, a fabric blind, or a Venetian blind, for example. In this example, not shown, a sensor 20 can be placed on the lower part of the blind, and in particular on the moving part, and the electromechanical actuator is mounted on a fixed part. The electromechanical actuator is intended to be placed in a U-shaped profile rail and to rotate a winding shaft around which cords associated with the screen are wound.The sensor can be a sensor comprising a unit for detecting an environmental parameter capable of detecting an impact corresponding to a command to raise or lower the blind, or a detection unit comprising touch buttons forming a control keypad allowing the user to control the movement of the blind. As in the previous examples, the electronic control unit is associated with an actuator that sets the blind in motion. In this case, the electronic control unit could also transmit an incident signal via antenna 50 to the sensor located in the lower part of the blind when it is in the retracted position.

[0120] Alternatively, device 20 is an electromechanical actuator, such as an actuator that motorizes the unwinding of a patio awning valance. Other types of devices could be considered without departing from the scope of the invention, provided they are located at least in certain positions near the electronic control unit capable of providing an incident signal in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A device (20) intended to be positioned on a movable part (34) of a deployable structure (30), and to transmit an information signal (522) to at least one electronic control unit (40) secured to a fixed part (32) of the deployable structure (30), such that the device (20) comprises: - at least one wireless transceiver device configured to receive an incident signal (511) from the at least one electronic control unit (40) and to transmit the information signal (522) to the at least one electronic control unit, the wireless transceiver device comprising: - an antenna (50); - at least one logic processing unit (52); - at least one energy storage device (54); - at least one converter (56) configured to convert the incident signal (511) into an electrical current and to recharge the energy storage device (54) using said electrical current; the at least one logic processing unit (52) being adapted to decide whether to transmit the information signal (522) to the at least one electronic control unit (40) via the antenna (50), the at least one energy storage device (54) being configured to power the at least one logic processing unit (52); characterized in that the antenna (50) is permanently electrically connected to the at least one converter (56).

2. The device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the logic processing unit (52) is permanently electrically connected to the antenna (50).

3. The device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the logic processing unit (52) is electrically connected to the antenna (50) by means of a control member allowing opening or closing the electrical connection.

4. The device (20) according to claim 3, wherein the control member is a normally closed switch.

5. The device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the information signal (522) is at least partially converted into an electrical current by the converter (56).

6. The device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an environmental parameter detection unit (58) configured to detect a parameter external to the device (20), the logic processing unit (52) being configured to decide whether to transmit the information signal (522) based on said external parameter detected by the environmental parameter detection unit (58).

7. The device (20) according to claim 6, wherein the environmental parameter detection unit (58) is a position detection unit that determines that the deployable structure (30) is in a folded position when the device (20) is at a distance less than a first threshold from the electronic control unit (40).

8. The device (20) according to claim 7, wherein the position detection unit determines that the deployable structure (30) is in a deployed position when the device (20) is at a distance greater than a second threshold from the electronic control unit (40).

9. The device (20) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the position detection unit determines the position of the deployable structure (30) based on information received by the electronic control unit (40), and / or information received from an accelerometer fastened to the movable part, and / or the amount of electrical current resulting from the conversion of the incident signal, and / or a measurement of a power level of the incident signal.

10. An assembly comprising a device (20) intended to be positioned on a movable part (34) of a deployable structure (30) according to any of claims 1 to 9 and an electronic control unit (40) secured to a fixed part (32) of the deployable structure (30), wherein the electronic control unit (40) is configured to send a movement command to change the position of the deployable structure (30) to an actuator (38), the actuator (38) being configured to change a position of said deployable structure (30).

11. A method for operating a device (20) intended to be positioned on a movable part (34) of a deployable structure (30), the device comprising a wireless transceiver device comprising a logic processing unit (52) and an antenna (50), wherein the device (20) carries out the following steps: - generating an information signal (522) by the logic processing unit (52), - transmitting the information signal via the antenna (50) of the wireless transceiver device, - a charging step in which at least one portion of the information signal (522) is converted into an electrical current so as to recharge an energy storage device (54) of the device (20).