Switching device and method for installing same

Abstract

A switching device S for building installation technology is presented, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising a base part SK fixed to a support ring T, wherein the base part SK has a mains voltage supply unit, and further comprising an actuating element arranged on a holder for actuating the switching device and an adapter for holding and centering a design frame D surrounding the actuating element B, wherein the adapter AH is connected to the support ring T by means of holding feet. What is special here is that the adapter AH has an adapter circuit board L, wherein a power supply unit, a radio unit which makes the switching device a participant in a smart home network, and a sensor X for detecting the actuation of the actuating element B are arranged on the adapter circuit board L.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switching device for building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push button, comprising a base part fixed to a support ring, wherein the base part has a mains voltage supply unit, and further comprising an actuating element arranged on a receptacle for actuating the switching device and an adapter for holding and centering a design frame surrounding the actuating element, wherein the adapter is connected to the support ring by means of retaining feet.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for installing such a switching device.

[0003] Such commercially available switching devices are, for example, mechanical switching devices according to www.jung-group.com / de-DE / Rocker switch insert - universal - off / changeover - 10 AX - 250 V / 506-U or as electronic according to www.jung-group.com / de-DE / Switching insert relay, potential-free, 1-channel / 1701-PSEknown, whereby the corresponding attachments (actuating elements) are placed on the inserts.

[0004] If a mechanical switching device is to be "smartified"—that is, integrated into a smart home system—this is usually done by installing a function module in a junction box, which requires wiring between the mechanical switching device and the function module. www.nexentro.de This is typically carried out by an electrician, as subsequent "smartification" is relatively complex.

[0005] US patent 2017 / 0278652 A1 discloses a remote control for controlling electrical loads that can be installed above a mechanical switch located in a wall box. Installation above the mechanical wall switch prevents the switch from being operated, ensuring that the power supply to the remotely controlled smart devices is not interrupted.

[0006] EP 4 054 022 A1 describes a socket with enhanced personal protection. The socket has a circuit board in its base with a sensor for detecting the insertion depth of plug pins. Utilizing the available installation space, the socket can incorporate an additional circuit board, which can be inserted into a central unit, for additional electrical / electronic functional components, such as a Bluetooth, Zigbee, or WLAN transmitter.

[0007] EP 3 091 549 A1 describes an installation device for domestic or building installation technology with extended functionality, in which at least one electrical function module is received by the cover frame, which is electrically contacted with a switching or function insert by electrical contact pins, springs or surfaces by placing and fastening the cover frame onto the function insert.

[0008] Based on this discussed state of the art, the invention aims to create a switching device for building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push button, in which subsequent smartification can be achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner, whereby the installation hurdle is lowered to such an extent that the assistance of an electrician can be dispensed with.

[0009] This task is solved by a switching device of the building installation technology, wherein the adapter has an adapter circuit board, on which a power supply unit, a radio unit that makes the switching device a participant in a smart home network, and a sensor for detecting the actuation of the actuating element are arranged.

[0010] According to the invention, this achieves the fact that - without having to remove the switching device of the building installation technology from the installation box at all - the switching device becomes a participant in a smart home network and an actuation of the actuating element is detected, in particular can be displayed in the smart home network.

[0011] This cleverly enables the subsequent, targeted upgrade of existing switching devices in building installation technology for integration into a smart home network. Furthermore, the manufacturing process and the tools used, particularly for the production of existing switching devices, can be retained, since the necessary electronic components are arranged on the adapter according to the invention and its circuit board, meaning that only existing adapters need to be replaced with the adapter according to the invention. This keeps the cost-effectiveness of a standard switching device product, while selectively upgrading specific switching devices according to the invention for integration into a smart home network.At the same time, this solution according to the invention retains the switching haptics of a conventional switching device, so that previously known (non-smartified) and inventively smartified switching devices do not differ from each other haptically.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the adapter circuit board has a recess, wherein the adapter circuit board is designed such that the mounting feet of the adapter engage through the recess for securing it to the switching device. This provides a particularly simple, space-efficient, and cost-effective solution for securing the adapter to the switching device. Advantageously, at least one mounting foot comprises a contacting means for connecting a power supply line, wherein the contacting means for the power supply is connected to the mains voltage supply unit of the switching device.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the outer contour of the adapter circuit board is rectangular. This allows optimal utilization of the volume defined by the regularly rectangular actuating element.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the adapter has a shoulder, the shoulder providing a receiving surface for the adapter circuit board, so that the adapter circuit board rests against the shoulder. This ensures that the mounting of the adapter circuit board to the adapter is precise and simple.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the inner contour of the adapter circuit board has a recess, wherein the recess engages with a corresponding projection of the adapter for alignment and / or mechanical connection, so that assembly is particularly easy and cost-effective.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the sensor for detecting the actuation of the actuating element is designed as a pressure sensor. This provides a simple, reliable, and space-optimized solution for integrating the actuation of the switching device according to the invention into a smart home network.

[0017] In a further development of the switching device according to the invention, the number of retaining feet is four, which ensures a particularly secure fixing of the adapter on the switching device and at the same time achieves a high degree of compatibility with existing switching devices.

[0018] The invention further relates to a method for installing such a switching device comprising the steps: Connecting the mains power supply unit to at least one power supply line, securing the mounting ring to an installation box, placing a design frame on the mounting ring, connecting the adapter containing the adapter circuit board to the mounting ring to hold and center the design frame, attaching the actuating element, adding the switching device as a participant in the smart home network.

[0019] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures and various exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1: a perspective exploded view of a switching device according to the invention, and Fig. 2: a perspective exploded view of a switching device according to the invention Fig. 1 , wherein the adapter has a shoulder, the shoulder providing a receiving surface for the adapter circuit board, so that the adapter circuit board rests against the shoulder.

[0020] In the various figures, identical parts are always marked with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually only named or mentioned once.

[0021] The in Figure 1The switching device S according to the invention, shown in a perspective exploded view, comprises a base part SK fixed to a support ring T, wherein the base part SK has a mains voltage supply unit, and an actuating element B arranged on a receptacle AN for actuating the switching device S. Furthermore, the switching device S according to the invention comprises an adapter AH for holding and centering a design frame D surrounding the actuating element B, wherein the adapter AH is connected to the support ring T by means of retaining feet HF.

[0022] A particularly advantageous feature of the switching device S according to the invention is that the adapter AH has an adapter circuit board L. This circuit board L comprises various electronic functional components and, together with the adapter AH, can be retrofitted from the front (without removing the switching device S from a junction box) in a particularly simple manner, without affecting the tactile feedback. In this case, the adapter circuit board L has a recess R for this purpose, and the adapter circuit board L is designed such that the retaining feet HF of the adapter AH engage through the recess R to secure it to the switching device S.

[0023] The adapter circuit board L contains a power supply unit, a radio unit that makes the switching device a participant in a smart home network, and a sensor X for detecting the actuation of the actuator B. In this example, sensor X is configured as a pressure sensor. As soon as actuation of the actuator B is detected, this information is transmitted via the radio unit to participants in the smart home network.

[0024] It can be seen that the inner contour of the adapter circuit board L has a recess R, wherein the recess R engages with a corresponding projection V of the adapter AH for alignment and / or mechanical connection.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a switching device S according to the invention. Fig. 1, wherein the adapter AH has a shoulder AS, the shoulder AS providing a receiving surface for the adapter circuit board L, such that the adapter circuit board L rests against the shoulder. This makes the mounting of the adapter circuit board L of the adapter AH according to the invention particularly easy. Reference symbol list

[0026] AH Adapter AN Mount AS Heel B Actuating element D Design frame HF Mounting foot L Adapter circuit board R Recess S Switching device SK Base part T Support ring V Projection X Sensor

Claims

1. Switching device (S) for building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push button, comprising a base part (SK) fixed to a support ring (T) , wherein the base part (SK) has a mains voltage supply unit, and further comprising an actuating element (B) arranged on a receptacle for actuating the switching device (S), and an adapter (AH) for holding and centring a design frame (D) surrounding the actuating element (B), wherein the adapter (AH) comprises an adapter circuit board (L), wherein a power supply unit and a radio unit, which makes the switching device a participant in a smart home network, are arranged on the adapter circuit board (L), characterised in that the adapter (AH) is connected to the support ring (T) by means of retaining feet, and a sensor (X) for detecting the actuation of the actuating element (B) is arranged on the adapter circuit board (L).

2. Switching device (S) according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter circuit board (L) has a recess (A), wherein the adapter circuit board (L) is designed such that the retaining feet of the adapter engage through the recess (A) to secure it to the switching device.

3. Switching device (S) according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one retaining foot (HF) comprises a contacting means for contacting a power supply line, wherein the contacting means is connected to the mains voltage supply unit of the switching device (S) for power supply.

4. Switching device (S) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the outer contour of the adapter circuit board (L) is rectangular.

5. Switching device (S) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the adapter has a shoulder (AS), wherein the shoulder (AS) provides a receiving surface for the adapter circuit board (L) so that the adapter circuit board (L) rests against the shoulder (AS).

6. Switching device (S) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the inner contour of the adapter circuit board (L) has a recess, wherein the recess (R) is engaged with a corresponding projection (V) of the adapter (AH) for alignment and / or mechanical connection.

7. Switching device (S) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the sensor (X) for detecting the actuation of the actuating element (B) is designed as a pressure sensor.

8. Switching device (S) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the number of retaining feet (HF) is four.

9. Method for installing a switchgear (S) according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps: - connecting the mains voltage supply unit to at least one power supply line, - securing the support ring (T) to an installation box, - placing a design frame (D) on the support ring, - connecting the adapter (AH) with the adapter circuit board (L) to the support ring (T) to hold and centre the design frame (D), - placing the actuating element (B) on top, - adding the switching device (S) as a participant in the smart home network.

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