Control unit for home automation installation and associated home automation installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover comprising: a hinge portion (34) which is configured to engage with the main body (20) so that the cover (32) is rotatable relative to the main body; a sealing portion (36); and a locking clip (40). The clip (40) is U-shaped, elastically deformable and comprises a free end which is referred to as the locking end and is configured to be received in a complementary recess (60) provided in the main body when the cover (32) is in the closed position, the clip (40) then being located on one side of the internal median plane (P30) of the main body, while the locking end (43B) is located set back from the outer face (28).

Description

[0001] Control unit for home automation system and associated home automation system

[0002] The present invention relates to a control unit for a home automation installation, as well as a home automation installation comprising such a control unit.

[0003] In the field of home automation, it is known to control various equipment in a home, for example a closing system with a motorized roller shutter, lighting, etc., by means of a control unit, also called a control point, in particular communicating wirelessly with the equipment. Such a control point is generally powered by one or more electric batteries, in particular by means of so-called button batteries, for example lithium batteries. To facilitate battery replacement, the battery or batteries are generally housed in a compartment closed by a cover.

[0004] To prevent these button batteries from being swallowed by young children, it is crucial that the compartment is properly closed and resists accidental opening, for example if the control unit is handled by young children, if it is dropped or if the control unit is crushed. Some standards or draft standards, in particular IEC 62368-1 edition 3, require that the cover of a battery compartment cannot be opened with the fingers, but requires the use of a tool.

[0005] It is known to secure the battery compartment cover of a control unit by means of an elastic release clip. The clip includes a support area, which is usually operable by hand.

[0006] In particular, document EP 3 651 230 describes an electronic device powered by a button battery, in which the button battery is held in place in a housing of the device by means of a cover. The cover is provided with an elastic release clip. In the locked position, a free end of the elastic clip passes through an opening provided in a main cover of the device and therefore extends partially above this main cover, so that the free end of the elastic clip can be directly manipulated with the fingers to cause the cover to be unlocked.

[0007] Document US2021 / 344078 describes a medical device comprising a secure battery compartment. The battery compartment is closed by a lid locked by means of an elastically deformable hook. The hook is provided with barbs which cooperate in the locked position with protrusions of a deformable arm of the compartment. The lid is unlocked by deforming a free end of the hook with the fingers and, simultaneously, by pressing an additional unlocking button using a pointed or thin tool.

[0008] To meet the standard, however, it is necessary to ensure that the clip cannot be unlocked by hand.

[0009] On the other hand, given the small thicknesses of a control point, it is necessary that this clip can act elastically in a height less than the thickness of the housing provided for the battery(ies). Finally, such an elastic clip locking device is subject to improvement to guarantee reliability over time with respect to careless handling, in particular when opening the battery compartment.

[0010] The invention aims to address these problems in particular by proposing a control unit with improved security.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a control unit for a home automation installation, the control unit comprising:

[0012] - a main body (20), which provides a compartment (V20) for receiving one or more batteries, the compartment opening in a depth direction (Z20) onto an external face (28) of the main body through an opening (30) which extends along a mean plane (P30) orthogonal to the depth direction (Z20),

[0013] - a cover (32) for closing the compartment, the cover:

[0014] • being movable in rotation relative to the main body (20) around an axis of rotation (A34) parallel to the mean plane, the axis of rotation (A34) being located on a so-called proximal side of the compartment (V20), and

[0015] • being movable relative to the main body in an opening movement (F32) between a closed position, in which the cover prevents access to the compartment, and an open position, in which the cover does not prevent access to the compartment, in which: the cover comprises:

[0016] • an articulation portion (34), configured to cooperate with the main body (20) so that the cover (32) is movable in rotation relative to the main body around the axis of rotation (A34),

[0017] • a sealing portion (36), which is configured to seal the opening (30) when the cover is in its closed position, and

[0018] • a locking clip (40), which is located on one side of the cover (32), opposite the articulation portion (34) relative to the closure portion (36), the clip (40) having a U shape with a captive wall (42A) and a free wall (42B) connected to each other by a rounded bottom (42C), the free wall comprising a free end called the locking end (43B), which is configured to be received in a complementary housing (60) provided in the main body (20) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, preventing the opening movement (F32) of the cover, the cover then being in a locked configuration, when the cover (32) is in the closed position, the clip (40) is located on one side of the mean plane (P30) internal to the main body, the locking end (43B) being located set back from the external face (28), while an opening of the U is oriented in the same direction as the depth direction (Z20),

[0019] - the clip (40) is elastically deformable between a deployed configuration and a compressed configuration, the clip tending, by elastic return of the rounded bottom (42C), to return to its deployed configuration,

[0020] - the cover (32) is in its locked configuration when the cover is in the closed position and the clip is in the deployed configuration, and

[0021] - when the cover is in its closed position and the clip is in its compressed configuration, the clip does not prevent the opening movement (F32) of the cover and the cover is in an unlocked configuration.

[0022] Thanks to the invention, the rounded U-shape of the clip makes it possible to distribute the deformation stresses of the main portion over the entire U, in particular over the two walls. In other words, when the cover is opened, the concentration of stresses is reduced, which reduces the risks of cracking and / or accidental breakage of the clip. The safety of the control unit is thus improved. In addition, the distribution of stresses over the walls and the rounded bottom makes it possible to limit the height of the locking clip, allowing it to be housed within the limited thickness of the control unit. Furthermore, since the locking end is set back from the external face, the risks of catching the locking end with a finger or a nail, resulting in the compartment being opened, are reduced. As a corollary, the use of a tool is necessary to open the battery compartment. The safety of the control unit is thus improved.

[0023] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:

[0024] The closure portion extends along a cover plane, which is parallel, in particular substantially coplanar with the mid-plane when the cover is in the closed position. The captive wall, the free wall and the rounded bottom of the clip are mechanically connected to the main body only via the locking end and via a captive end of the captive wall, opposite the bottom and connected to the closure portion.

[0025] The mechanical connections of the locking end and the captive end of the captive wall are located substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction, set back from the mean plane in the depth direction.

[0026] The complementary housing comprises at least one blocking wall, each blocking wall providing a blocking surface oriented opposite the depth direction, while the locking end comprises at least two blocking faces, each blocking face bearing against a respective blocking surface when the cover is in the locked configuration, preventing the opening movement of the cover, and the blocking faces are arranged set back, in the height direction when the cover is in the closed position, relative to the closure portion.

[0027] The main body comprises a clearance, which is formed in a hollow in the main body and which is arranged between the complementary housing and the compartment, while the complementary housing opens onto the clearance, which itself opens onto the external face, the clearance being configured to receive a portion of the clip when the cover is in the closed position, and that the main body also comprises a recess, which extends in the depth direction, which is formed in the main body and which connects the complementary housing to the external face of the main body, the recess opening into the complementary housing in the vicinity of each locking surface, so as to allow access from the external face to a bearing face of the locking end when the cover is in the locked configuration, the bearing face being located in the vicinity of each locking surface.

[0028] The recess has a passage dimension, measured between any two points of a contour of the recess parallel to the mean plane, which is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, more preferably less than 3.5 mm. The bearing surface is set back from each locking face, while the bearing surface is inclined away from the captive wall relative to the height axis, the height axis being collinear with the depth direction when the cover is in the closed position.

[0029] The recess has a chamfered opening and surfaces delimited by the locking walls and the main body providing an area for insertion and support of a tool in the recess.

[0030] The connecting tab comprises a centering reinforcement, which is provided projecting from the internal side of the cover and which provides, with the captive wall, stop faces, while the reinforcement is configured to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with a recess provided in the main body, the recess providing stop surfaces, which are arranged opposite the stop faces of the reinforcement when the cover is in the closed position, so as to prevent translational movements of the clip perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the direction thereof or parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0031] Stop faces include:

[0032] • at least one transverse face, each transverse face being oriented towards the hinge axis when the cover is in the closed position, and

[0033] • two side faces, which are oriented opposite each other orthogonally to the hinge axis when the cover is in the closed position.

[0034] On the external side of the cover, the closure portion and the clip are connected by a joining surface, while the joining surface has, in projection in a longitudinal plane of the cover, a convex profile with a radius of curvature.

[0035] The invention also relates to a home automation installation, in particular a closing or solar protection installation, which comprises a control unit as described previously.

[0036] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a control unit and a home automation installation, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0037] - figure 1 represents a home automation installation in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with a control unit also in accordance with the invention seen from the front; - figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the control unit of figure 1, comprising a cover and shown in a closed configuration;

[0038] - figure 3 represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a perspective view from the rear of the control unit of figure 2 represented in an open configuration, and a perspective view of the cover of figure 2;

[0039] - figure 4 represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a detail of the control unit of figure 2, observed along an arrow IVa in figure 2, and a detail of the cover of figure 3 b), observed on a larger scale;

[0040] - figure 5 represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a perspective view of a detail of the cover of figure 3b, observed along an arrow Va, and a perspective view of a detail of the control unit of figure 3b, observed along an arrow Vb, and

[0041] - figure 6 is a partial section of the control unit in closed configuration along a longitudinal plane of the cover;

[0042] - figure 7 represents, on two inserts a) and b), two details of a control unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, the control unit being represented, respectively, in perspective and in open configuration, and in perspective, in section and in closed configuration, and

[0043] - figure 8 represents, on two inserts a) and b), a cover of the control unit of figure 7, the cover being observed from two different directions.

[0044] Figure 1 represents a home automation installation 2. The home automation installation 2 is here a closing installation, in particular a roller shutter installation, which partially closes an opening 4 made in a wall 6. In a non-limiting variant, the home automation installation 2 is a solar protection installation and / or comprises one or more lighting devices. In other words, the home automation installation 2 comprises one or more controllable equipment.

[0045] In the example illustrated, the opening 4 is a window, which passes right through the wall 6. In a variant not shown, the opening 4 is a door, for example a garage door. The opening 4 is here partially blocked by a blackout screen 8 which is the apron of the roller shutter.

[0046] The home automation installation 2 comprises a box 10, which is arranged on an upper part of the opening 4 and delimits an internal volume in which is housed a tube 12 for winding the screen 8, in particular in the form of a winding tube. The tube 12 defines a winding axis A12, which is horizontal. The occulting screen 8 is connected to the tube 12, in particular winds onto the tube 12, the tube 12 being here mounted free to rotate relative to the box 10 around the winding axis A12. The shaft 12 is driven in rotation by an electromechanical actuator 14, which is here internal to the shaft 12.

[0047] The home automation installation 2 also comprises a control unit 16, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The control unit 16 is configured to control one or more of the various equipment of the home automation installation 2. In the example illustrated, the electromechanical actuator 14 is controlled by the control unit 16, via control signals, for example wireless, transmitted by the control unit 16 and received by the actuator 14. By control unit, we mean a remote control device, which communicates with the actuator 14. The control signal is represented by a lightning bolt 18 in Figure 1.

[0048] The control signals 18 are received by the actuator 14 even when the electromechanical actuator 14 is located in the internal volume of the trunk 10, and are advantageously signals transmitted by radio waves. The control unit 16 thus comprises a radio wave transmission module, which is not shown or detailed further in the present description.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the control unit 16 is shown fixed to the wall 6 in which the opening 4 is formed. Of course, the control unit 16 can be fixed to a wall other than the wall 6, or is not fixed to any wall and in which case the control unit 16 is simply placed at the convenience of a user. The control unit 16 being removably fixed to a wall or free, it is then referred to as a nomadic control unit. The spatial constraint is in particular that the control unit 16 must be located in an area within radio range of the actuator 14.

[0050] The control unit 16 is now described.

[0051] The control unit 16 comprises a main body 20, which is here formed by the assembly of a front portion 22, oriented towards the user when the control unit 16 is fixed on a wall 6, and a rear portion 24, oriented opposite the front portion 22. The front portion 22, visible in FIG. 1, here comprises several buttons 23 intended for controlling the equipment of the home automation installation 2, for example arrow-shaped buttons 23A for controlling the raising or lowering of the roller shutter screen 8, round buttons 23B for switching on or off lights, etc. The number, shape, arrangement and function of the buttons 23 of the control unit 16, which are provided on the front of the control unit 16, are not limiting. In the illustrated example, the control unit 16 also includes a support for fixing to a wall, here the wall 6.The fixing support comprises first fixing means, which cooperate with first fixing means of the main body 20, and second fixing means on the wall 6. The fixing support is not shown. The main body 20 provides an interior volume, which receives various elements of the control unit 16, in particular a printed electronic circuit card - also called PCB for "printed circuit board" in English -, etc. The electronic card is not shown. A portion of this interior volume is configured to receive one or more electric batteries, intended for the power supply of the control unit 16. In other words, the main body 20 provides a battery compartment V20, that is to say a receiving volume intended to receive one or more batteries. In the example illustrated, the compartment V20 is intended to receive a single battery, here a button cell 21, visible in FIG. 6.The type and number of batteries are not limited.

[0052] The compartment V20 opens onto an external face 28 of the main body 20 through an opening 30. The external face 28 is here a rear face of the control unit 16, in other words a part of the rear portion 24. The opening 30 extends along a mean plane P30, which is therefore here carried by the rear face of the control unit 16. The compartment V20 is arranged on one side of the mean plane P30 internal to the main body 20 and, by extension, mainly on the internal side of the mean plane P30. The compartment V20 thus opens onto the external face 28 through the opening 30 and extends from a bottom of the compartment V20 towards the opening 30 in a depth direction Z20 orthogonal to the mean plane P30. The depth direction Z20 is therefore oriented towards the wall 6 when the control unit 16 is fixed to this wall.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the rear face of the control unit 16 also comprises a button 31. The button 31 is used, for example, to turn the control unit 16 on or off, or to configure it, for example to pair the control unit 16 with the or one of the devices of the home automation installation 2. Alternatively, the control unit 16 comprises, in addition to the button 31, other buttons on the rear face. The number, arrangement, shape and functions of these buttons are not limiting.

[0054] The control unit 16 also comprises a cover 32 for closing the compartment V20. The cover 32 comprises a hinge portion 34, a closure portion 36 and a locking portion 38. The cover 32 is shown in isolation in Figure 3 b), while the locking portion 38 is shown on a larger scale in Figures 4 b) and 5 a).

[0055] The articulation portion 34 cooperates with the main body 20, for example by complementarity of shapes, so as to form a hinge, that is to say that the cover 32 is movable in rotation relative to the main body 20 around an axis of rotation A34. In this sense, the cover 32 can also be described as a valve.

[0056] The rotation axis A34 is parallel to the mean plane P30. In the example illustrated, the articulation portion 34 comprises a tongue 35A, which has an elongated shape extending along a tongue axis A35, and which is received in a complementary housing 35B provided in the rear portion 24, so as to form the hinge, in an engaged configuration of the cover 32. When the cover 32 is in the engaged configuration, the tongue axis A35 coincides with the rotation axis A34 and the cover 32 pivots relative to the rear portion 24 around the tongue axis A35. The rotation axis A34 is a transverse axis of the compartment V20. By extension, the rotation axis A34 is also a transverse axis of the cover 32, in the engaged configuration of the cover 32.

[0057] In a variant not shown, the cover 32 and the rear portion 24 are made of a single piece. For example, the cover 32 and the rear portion 24 are made of a synthetic polymer material and are connected by a thinned portion, which is elastically deformable and which forms the hinge.

[0058] The cover 32 is thus movable relative to the main body 20 between a closed position, in which the closure portion 36 closes the opening 30 and prevents access to the compartment V20, and an open position, in which access to the compartment V20 is possible, through the opening 30. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, the control unit 16 is in a closed configuration, shown in FIG. 2. When the cover 32 is in the open position, the control unit 16 is in an open configuration, shown in FIG. 3. The passage of the cover 32 from its closed position to its open position takes place by an opening movement F32, that is to say a rotational movement of the cover 32 relative to the main body 20 around the axis of rotation A34, the opening movement F32 being represented by an arrow in an arc of a circle in FIG. 3.

[0059] The closure portion 36 has a generally planar shape and extends along a cover plane P36. The closure portion 36 is configured to close the opening 30 in the closed position of the cover 32, the cover plane P36 then being parallel or coincident with the mean plane P30 of the opening 30.

[0060] A longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32 is defined as being an axis radial to the tab axis A35 and parallel to the cover plane P36. A longitudinal plane P32 of the cover 32 is a plane orthogonal to the cover plane P36 and carrying the longitudinal axis A32. The cover 32 here has a shape that is generally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane P32 of the cover 32. A height direction Z32 of the cover 32 is a direction orthogonal to the cover plane P36 and oriented in the same direction as the depth direction Z20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position. In other words, the height direction Z32 is collinear with the depth direction Z20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position. A longitudinal axis A20 of the compartment V20 is also defined as being an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32 in the closed position.A longitudinal plane P20 of the compartment V20 is a plane coplanar with the longitudinal plane P32 of the cover 32 in the closed position, passing through the longitudinal axis A20.

[0061] The locking portion 38 comprises a locking clip 40. In the first embodiment, the locking portion 38 advantageously comprises a connecting tab 44, the clip 40 being connected to the closing portion 36 by the connecting tab 44.

[0062] The locking portion 38 and the articulation portion 34 are located on two opposite sides of the closure portion 36, along the longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32. The side of the closure portion 36 carrying the articulation portion is called the proximal side, while the side of the closure portion 36 carrying the locking portion 38 is called the distal side, in particular with respect to the axis of rotation A34. By extension, a distal side and a proximal side of the cover 32 are thus defined with respect to the axis of rotation A34. A distal side and a proximal side of the compartment V20 are also defined, which are defined with respect to the housing 35B and which correspond respectively to the distal and proximal sides of the cover 32 in the closed position. The distal side of the compartment V20 is therefore located opposite the axis of rotation A34, while the proximal side of the compartment V20 is located on the side of the axis of rotation A34.

[0063] The clip 40 has, in projection onto the longitudinal plane P32 of the cover 32, a U shape. The clip 40 comprises two walls 42A and 42B, which are connected to each other by a bottom 42C and which each have an end. The U-shaped clip 40 is open along the height direction Z32. The wall 42A is connected to the closure portion 36 and is therefore a so-called “captive” wall, while the other wall 42B is a so-called “free” wall. The end of the captive wall 42A opposite the bottom 42C is a captive end 43A, by which the clip 40 is connected to the closure portion 36, in particular by means of the connecting tab 44, while the end 43B of the free wall 42B opposite the bottom 42C is a so-called “locking” end, which is configured to cooperate with the main body 20 so as to hold the cover 32 in the closed position, in a locking configuration of the clip 40.

[0064] The U-shaped clip 40 is elastically deformable between a deployed configuration of the clip 40 and a compressed configuration of the clip 40, the two ends 43A and 43B being closer to each other in the compressed configuration than in the deployed configuration. By elastic return, the clip 40 tends to return to its deployed configuration. The bottom 42C of the U-shaped clip 40 is rounded, so that the elastic deformation of the clip 40 is distributed over the entire clip 40. In other words, stress concentrations are avoided during the deformation of the clip 40 between its deployed configuration and its compressed configuration. By "rounded", it is meant that the bottom 42C has a profile with substantially continuous curvature and that the bottom 42C is connected in a substantially tangent manner to each of the captive 42A and free 42B walls. In the example, the 42C bottom has an arc-shaped profile, i.e. with a constant curvature.

[0065] The connecting tab 44 connects the captive end 43A of the clip 40 to the closure portion 36. The connecting tab 44 comprises a connecting portion 45 of elongated shape and extends in its length towards the distal side of the closure portion 36, parallel to the longitudinal axis A32. In section along a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis A32, that is to say along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32, the connecting portion 45 has a rectangular and flattened profile, which extends parallel to the cover plane P36.

[0066] The cover 32 advantageously comprises a reinforcement 46. The reinforcement 46 is provided on an internal side of the cover 32, the internal side being oriented towards the compartment V20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position. The reinforcement 46 is provided as a projection and is arranged so as to limit the bending of the captive wall 42A and of the closure portion 36 in the event of intentional or involuntary manipulation of the cover 32 in the closed position. In the first embodiment of the control unit 16, the reinforcement 46 is provided as a projection on the connecting tab 44.

[0067] The shape of the reinforcement 46 is not limiting. As detailed below, the reinforcement 46 is configured to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with a recess 78 provided in the main body 20, so as to prevent translational movements of the connecting tab 44 relative to the main body 20 parallel to the axis A32 or parallel to the axis of rotation A34, when the cover 32 is in the closed position. The reinforcement 46 is thus also a centering reinforcement 46. The recess 78 is described below.

[0068] The reinforcement 46 here has a generally parallelepiped shape and forms, with the captive wall 42A, stop faces. These stop faces here include a lower face 48, formed on the reinforcement 46, two transverse faces 50, formed on either side of the reinforcement 46 in excess thickness on the captive wall 42A, and two lateral faces 52, formed on the reinforcement 46. The lower face 48 is oriented opposite the height direction Z32, parallel to the cover plane P36. The transverse faces 50 are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32 and are oriented towards the proximal side of the cover 32, that is to say oriented towards the axis of rotation A34. The lateral faces 52 are oriented opposite each other parallel to the longitudinal plane P32, that is to say orthogonally to the axis of rotation A34.

[0069] On the external side of the cover 32, the closure portion 36 and the clip 40 are connected to each other by a joining surface 54, which advantageously has a convex shape, configured to prevent a tool from exerting on the cover 32, here on the connecting tab 44, a force oriented towards the proximal side of the cover 32. The convex shape prevents stable positioning of the tool against the connecting portion and makes it possible to avoid the application of a force high enough to, when the cover 32 is in the closed position, cause the bending of the closure portion 36. In the first embodiment, the closure portion 36 is connected to the clip 40 via the connecting tab 44, the connecting tab 44 extending parallel to the closure plane P36, while the joining surface 54 is provided at the junction of the connecting tab 44 and from clip 40.

[0070] In the example illustrated, the joining surface 54 has, in projection in a plane transverse to the cover 32, that is to say a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32, a profile in the form of an arc of a circle having a radius R54. In other words, the radius of curvature of the joining surface 54 is here constant. The radius R54 of the joining surface 54 is here equal to 2 mm. Alternatively, the value of this radius R54 may be different.

[0071] Alternatively, the joining surface 54 has a convex profile with a variable radius of curvature, or even comprises a flat portion, for example a flat portion inclined relative to the cover plane P36. By definition, a flat portion has an infinite radius of curvature. In all cases, the joining surface 54 has a convex profile. Preferably, the radius of curvature R54 is greater than 1.5 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm. Preferably, the radius of curvature R54 is constant.

[0072] The locking end 43B here has two lugs, which project relative to the free wall 42B and which each provide a locking face 56. The two locking faces 56 are arranged symmetrically to each other on either side relative to the longitudinal plane P32. The locking faces 56 are preferably planar and are oriented in the direction of the height direction Z32, parallel to the cover plane P36. The locking faces 56 are preferably coplanar and are carried by a locking plane P56.

[0073] The blocking faces 56 are arranged set back, in the height direction Z32, relative to the closure portion 36. A setback interval I56 is defined as being a distance, measured parallel to the height direction Z32, between each of the blocking faces 56 and the cover plane 36. The setback interval I56 is greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2.5 mm. In the example illustrated, the setback interval I56 is equal to 2.5 mm.

[0074] The locking end 43B also comprises a bearing face 58. The bearing face 58 is here arranged between the two locking faces 56 and set back relative to each locking face 56, i.e. recessed relative to the locking plane P56. The bearing face 58 is thus difficult to access with fingers or nails, which reduces the risk of accidental opening, for example by young children handling the control unit 16. The safety of the control unit 16 is thus improved.

[0075] The bearing face 58 is advantageously inclined opposite the captive wall 42A relative to the height axis direction Z32. By extension, when the cover 32 is in the closed position, the bearing face 58 is inclined opposite the captive wall 42A relative to the depth direction Z20.

[0076] The bearing face 58 is here generally planar and has a normal axis A58, which is carried by the longitudinal plane P32, which comprises a first component, oriented away from the captive wall 42A, and a second component oriented in the same direction as the height direction Z32. The normal axis A58 forms, with the height direction Z32, an angle a58 of between 10° and 80°, preferably of between 20° and 70°, more preferably of between 30° and 60°. In the example illustrated, the bearing face 58 is inclined on the distal side by an angle a58 equal to 30°. This inclination allows the guidance of a tool for unlocking the locking clip.

[0077] Thus, when a tool is pressed against the bearing face 58, for example a tool such as a ballpoint pen tip, the tool generates a force on the bearing face 58, a component of which is oriented towards the closure portion 36 of the cover 32 and tends to deform the clip 40 from its deployed configuration to its compressed configuration, allowing the opening movement F32 of the cover 32. The opening of the cover 32 using the tool is facilitated, which improves the overall comfort of use of the control unit 16 without compromising its safety.

[0078] We now detail the main body 20.

[0079] The main body 20 comprises a complementary housing 60, which is configured to receive the locking end 43B of the wall 42B of the clip 40 when the cover 32 is in the closed position. In particular, the complementary housing 60 is configured to receive the locking end 43B when the clip 40 is in the deployed configuration.

[0080] The complementary housing 60 is arranged on the distal side of the compartment V20 and opens towards the proximal side of the compartment V20, i.e. towards the axis of rotation A34. The complementary housing 60 is delimited, in the depth direction Z20, by two blocking walls 62, each blocking wall 62 extending parallel to the mean plane P30 and forming a blocking surface 64 oriented opposite the depth direction Z20.

[0081] While the cover 32 is in the closed position, when the locking end 43B is received in the complementary housing 60, each locking face 56 faces a respective locking surface 64, preferably bearing against a respective locking surface 64, preventing the opening movement F32 of the cover 32. The cover 32 is then in a locked configuration.

[0082] The locking wall 62 has a thickness E62, measured parallel to the depth direction Z20 between each locking surface 64 and the outer surface 28, which is greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 2.5 mm, more preferably greater than 3 mm. The locking faces 56 and the locking end 43B are located set back from the outer face 28. Access to the locking faces 56 is thus prevented, contributing to the security of the control unit 16. The thickness E62 is here equal to 3 mm.

[0083] The main body 20 also comprises a recess 66, which is formed in a hollow in the external surface 28 and which extends parallel to the depth direction Z20.

[0084] The recess 66 is provided in the main body 20 opposite the volume V20 relative to the complementary housing 60 and connects the complementary housing 60 to the external face 28 of the main body 20. The recess 66 opens, on the one hand, onto the external surface 28 via a mouth 68 and, on the other hand, into the complementary housing 60 in the vicinity of each locking surface 64, so as to allow access to the bearing face 58 of the locking end 43B when the cover 32 is in the closed position. The bearing face 58 is thus accessible, from the external surface 28, using a tool inserted into the recess 66.

[0085] A passage dimension D66 of the recess 66 is defined as being a maximum dimension, measured parallel to the mean plane P30, between any two points of a contour of the recess 66. In the example illustrated, the recess 66 has a cylinder shape, with a semicircular section centered on a recess axis A66 parallel to the depth direction Z20. The passage dimension D66 is therefore here a diameter of this semicircle.

[0086] The passage dimension D66 is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, more preferably less than 3.5 mm, so as to avoid the insertion of a finger, in particular a child's finger or a standardized test finger, while allowing the insertion of a pointed tool, such as a ballpoint pen or screwdriver tip.

[0087] For greater safety, a ratio between the passage dimension D66 and the thickness E62 must be as small as possible, for example less than 2.5, preferably less than 2, preferably even less than 1.5, so as to limit the passage to thin and long tools, or even to pointed or conical tools.

[0088] The introduction of the unlocking tool is facilitated by a chamfer at the mouth 68 and by the inclination of the bearing face 58. Once introduced into the recess 66, the tool can be inclined and bear on the bearing surface 58 and on the walls of the main body 20 delimiting the recess 66 and, to impart to the latter a force which will tend to deform the clip 40 from its deployed configuration to its compressed configuration, as explained above.

[0089] The main body 20 also comprises a clearance 70, which is formed in a hollow in the main body 20 which is configured to receive the majority of the clip 40 of the cover 32 in the closed position or during changes of position of the cover from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, namely the walls 42A and 42B and the bottom 42C. The clearance 70 is arranged between the complementary housing 60 and the compartment V20, on the distal side of the compartment V20.

[0090] When the cover 32 is in the closed configuration, the free end 43B of the clip 40 is received in the complementary housing 60. The clip 40 is thus mechanically connected to the main body 20 via the free end 43B. Similarly, the clip 40 is mechanically connected to the rest of the cover 32 via the captive end 43A.

[0091] Advantageously, when the cover 32 is in the closed position, the captive wall 42A, the free wall 42B and the rounded bottom 42C of the clip 40 are mechanically connected to the main body 20 only via the locking end 43B and the captive end 43A. In other words, apart from the captive 43A and locking 43B ends of the clip 40, the rest of the clip 40 is free from any point of contact with the main body 20 or with the rest of the control unit 16. The deformation of the U-shaped clip 40 is thus free from any external interference, so as to allow movement of the captive end 43A and the locking end 43B towards each other.

[0092] Preferably, the mechanical connections of the locking end 43B and the captive end 43A of the captive wall 42A are located substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction Z20, this plane being located set back from the mean plane P30 in the depth direction Z20.

[0093] The additional housing 60 opens onto the clearance 70, while the clearance 70 opens onto the compartment V20 and onto the external face 28.

[0094] The main body 20 also comprises a partition 72, which separates the compartment V20 and the clearance 70. In the example, the partition 72 delimits the compartment V20 on its distal side and partially closes the clearance 72 relative to the compartment V20.

[0095] The partition 72 comprises an upper surface 74, which is oriented in the same direction as the depth direction Z20 and which is set back from the mean plane P30. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, the upper surface 74 is arranged opposite the lower face 48 of the reinforcement 46. Preferably, the upper surface 74 bears against the lower face 48, so as to prevent the cover 32 from bending in the closed position when a force is exerted on the connecting tab 44. The main body 20 also comprises two stops 76, which here each have a substantially parallelepiped shape and which are arranged on either side of the longitudinal plane P20. The stops 76 are provided projecting from the upper surface 74 of the partition 72. The stops 76 and the partition 72 together form the recess 78, which is provided in the main body 20 and which is configured to receive the reinforcement 46.

[0096] In the illustrated example, the two stops 76 each have a lateral surface 80 which extends parallel to the longitudinal plane P20 of the main body 20, the two lateral surfaces 80 facing each other. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, each lateral surface 80 faces a respective lateral face 52 of the reinforcement 46, preferably bearing against a respective lateral face 52, so as to prevent the movements of the clip 40 and the connecting tab 44 parallel to the axis of rotation A34.

[0097] The two stops 76 also each have a transverse surface 82, which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis A20 of the main body 20 and which is oriented towards the clearance 70. The two transverse surfaces 82 are here parallel. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, each transverse surface 82 is opposite a respective transverse face 50 of the reinforcement 46, preferably bearing against a respective transverse face 50, so as to prevent the movements of the clip 40 and the connecting tab 44 perpendicular to the hinge axis A34 in the direction thereof. The cooperation of the transverse surfaces 82 and 50 also makes it possible to block the locking clip 40 against a force on the bearing surface 58, which allows the deformation of the locking clip 40 and the possible opening or closing of the cover 32.

[0098] More generally, the recess 78 provides stop surfaces, which are arranged opposite the stop faces of the cover 32 when the cover 32 is in the closed position, so as to prevent translational movements of the clip 40 - and of the connecting tab 44 - relative to the main body 20 towards the rear or parallel to the hinge axis A34. In the first embodiment, the clip 40 is connected to the closure portion via the tab 44, and the stop surfaces also prevent movements of the connecting tab 44 relative to the main body 20 towards the rear or parallel to the hinge axis A34. The stop surfaces of the recess 78 here include the lateral surfaces 80, the transverse surfaces 82, and advantageously the upper surface 74, while the stop faces of the reinforcement 76 here include the lateral faces 52, the transverse faces 50 and the lower face 48.

[0099] To open the cover 32, a user must therefore insert a thin tool into the recess 66 and generate pressure on the bearing surface 58. The locking clip, blocked in translation by the cooperation of the transverse surfaces 82 and 50, deforms elastically, that is to say that the ends 43B and 43A of the walls 42A, 42B will move closer to each other and allow the passage of the locking clip 40 through the clearance 70 and the lifting of the cover 32 relative to its closed configuration.

[0100] When the cover 32 must be closed, a force exerted perpendicular to the cover brings the cover 32 and in particular the locking clip 40 into a bearing configuration on the external face 28 of the main body. In particular, the free end 43B of the clip 40 comes to bear on a part of the edges of the clearance 70.

[0101] The free end 43B comprises a lower surface 59 which is chamfered, so that a bearing force exerted perpendicular to the cover 32 leads to an elastic deformation of the clip 40 by cooperation between the edge of the clearance 70 and the lower surface 59. The clip 40 then takes its compressed configuration.

[0102] Thus, the ends 43B and 43A of the walls 42A, 42B will move closer to each other and allow the locking clip 40 to pass through the clearance 70 and the cover 32 to return to its closed configuration. The clip 40 returns elastically to its deployed configuration after passing through the clearance 70. No tool is necessary to close and lock the cover 32.

[0103] A control unit 216 according to a second embodiment of the invention is partially shown in Figures 7 and 8. In the second embodiment, elements similar to those of the first embodiment have the same references and operate in the same way. In the following, the differences between the first and second embodiments are mainly described.

[0104] One of the main differences with the first embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the locking portion 38 does not include the connecting tab 44 of the first embodiment. In other words, the clip 40 is directly connected to the closing portion 36. The closing portion 36 here has a generally rectangular shape.

[0105] In the second embodiment, the cover 32 comprises a reinforcement 246, which is provided projecting from the closure portion 36 on the internal side of the cover 32. The reinforcement 246 is here formed by ribs with portions in an arc of a circle, the ribs extending perpendicular to the cover plane P36. The reinforcement 246 thus contributes to the overall rigidity of the cover 32.

[0106] The reinforcement 246 is configured to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with a recess 278 provided in the main body 20, so as to prevent translational movements of the clip 40 relative to the main body 20 parallel to the axis A32 or parallel to the axis of rotation A34, when the cover 32 is in the closed position. The reinforcement 246 advantageously contributes to keeping the battery 21 centered in the compartment 30. The reinforcement 246 is thus also a centering reinforcement 246. In the second embodiment, the recess 278 is formed of grooves, which are provided on the periphery of the compartment V20, between the battery 21 and stops 279 of the main body 20.

[0107] More generally, it is understood that the reinforcement 246 provides stop faces of the cover 32, while the recess 278 provides stop surfaces of the main body 20. The stop surfaces of the recess 278 are arranged opposite stop faces of the cover 32 when the cover 32 is in the closed position, so as to prevent translational movements of the clip 40 relative to the main body 20 towards the rear or parallel to the hinge axis A34.

[0108] In the closed position of the cover 32, the closure portion 36 advantageously bears against the stops 279. When the battery 21 is present in the compartment V20, the closure portion 36 also bears against the battery 21. Thus, when a force having a component normal to the cover plane P36 is exerted on the cover 36 in the closed position, this component is taken up by the stops 279 and the battery 21, which limits the deformation of the closure portion 36, and thus reduces the risk of opening the cover 32 by hand.

[0109] Similarly, when a force having a component tangential to the cover plane P36 is exerted on the cover 36 in the closed position, this component is taken up by the reinforcement 246, the stack 21 and the recesses 278, which limits the deformation of the closure portion 36, and thus reduces the risk of opening the cover 32 by hand.

[0110] In the illustrated example as well as in the first embodiment, the joining surface 54 has, in projection in a plane transverse to the cover 32, that is to say a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32, a profile in the form of an arc of a circle having a radius R54, preferably greater than 1.5 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm. This makes it possible to avoid stable positioning of a tool or a finger against the connecting portion for manipulating the cover 32.

[0111] Preferably, the battery 21 received in the compartment V20 is immobilized relative to the main body 20. Thus, when the cover 32 is in the open position and a battery 21 is received in the compartment V20, the battery 21 tends to remain in place in the compartment V20, unless of course the open control unit 216 is subjected to an impact, or the battery 21 is deliberately dislodged, for example with a tool such as a screwdriver. In the illustrated example, the battery 21 is mounted with a tight fit in the compartment V20, the main body 20 comprising ridges, i.e. cords of material, which are arranged on the periphery of the battery compartment V20 and which are elastically deformable to accommodate the insertion of the battery 21 into the compartment 20. Furthermore, a portion of the battery 21 is held under a rim of the main body 20 projecting relative to the compartment V20 for receiving the battery 21.

[0112] The embodiments and variations mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Control unit (16; 216) for home automation installation (2), the control unit comprising: a main body (20), which provides a compartment (V20) for receiving one or more batteries, the compartment opening in a depth direction (Z20) onto an external face (28) of the main body through an opening (30) which extends along a mean plane (P30) orthogonal to the depth direction (Z20), a cover (32) for closing the compartment, the cover: • being movable in rotation relative to the main body (20) around an axis of rotation (A34) parallel to the mean plane, the axis of rotation (A34) being located on a so-called proximal side of the compartment (V20), and • being movable relative to the main body in an opening movement (F32) between a closed position, in which the cover prevents access to the compartment, and an open position, in which the cover does not prevent access to the compartment, in which: the cover comprises: • an articulation portion (34), configured to cooperate with the main body (20) so that the cover (32) is movable in rotation relative to the main body around the axis of rotation (A34), • a sealing portion (36), which is configured to seal the opening (30) when the cover is in its closed position, and • a locking clip (40), which is located on one side of the cover (32), opposite the articulation portion (34) relative to the closure portion (36), the clip (40) having a U shape with a captive wall (42A) and a free wall (42B) connected to each other by a rounded bottom (42C), the free wall comprising a free end called the locking end (43B), which is configured to be received in a complementary housing (60) provided in the main body (20) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, preventing the opening movement (F32) of the cover, the cover then being in a locked configuration, when the cover (32) is in the closed position, the clip (40) is located on one side of the mean plane (P30) internal to the main body, the locking end (43B) being located set back from the external face (28), while an opening of the U is oriented in the same direction as the depth direction (Z20), the clip (40) is elastically deformable between a deployed configuration and a compressed configuration, the clip tending, by elastic return of the rounded bottom (42C), to return to its deployed configuration, the cover (32) is in its locked configuration when the cover is in the closed position and the clip is in the deployed configuration, and when the cover is in its closed position and the clip is in its compressed configuration, the clip does not prevent the opening movement (F32) of the cover and the cover is in an unlocked configuration.

2. Control unit (16; 216) according to claim 1, in which the closure portion (36) extends along a cover plane (P36), which is parallel, in particular substantially coplanar to the mean plane (P30) when the cover (32) is in the closed position.

3. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the captive wall (42A), the free wall (42B) and the rounded bottom (42C) of the clip (40) are mechanically connected to the main body (20) only via the locking end (43B) and via a captive end (43A) of the captive wall (42A), opposite the bottom (42C) and connected to the closure portion (36).

4. Control unit (16; 216) according to the preceding claim, in which the mechanical connections of the locking end (43B) and the captive end (43A) of the captive wall (42A) are located substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction (Z20) located set back from the mean plane (P30) in the depth direction (Z20).

5. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the complementary housing (60) comprises at least one blocking wall (62), each blocking wall providing a blocking surface (64) oriented opposite the depth direction (Z20), the locking end (43B) comprises at least two blocking faces (56), each blocking face bearing against a respective blocking surface (64) when the cover (32) is in the locked configuration, preventing the opening movement (F32) of the cover, the locking faces (56) are arranged set back, in the depth direction (Z20) when the cover is in the closed position, relative to the closure portion (36).

6. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the main body (20) comprises a clearance (70), which is formed in a hollow in the main body and which is arranged between the complementary housing (60) and the compartment (V20), the complementary housing opens onto the clearance (70), which itself opens onto the external face, the clearance (70) being configured to receive a portion (42A, 42B, 42C) of the clip (40) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, the main body (20) also comprises a recess (66), which extends in the depth direction (Z20), which is formed in the main body and which connects the complementary housing to the external face (28) of the main body, the recess opening into the complementary housing in the vicinity of each locking surface (64),so as to allow access from the external face to a bearing face (58) of the locking end (43B) when the cover (32) is in the locked configuration, the bearing face (58) being located in the vicinity of each locking surface (56)., 7. Control unit (16; 216) according to claim 6, wherein the recess (66) has a passage dimension (D66), measured between any two points of a contour of the recess (66) parallel to the mean plane (P30), which is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, more preferably less than 3.5 mm.

8. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, in which: the bearing surface (58) is set back from each locking face (56), the bearing surface is inclined opposite the captive wall (42A) relative to the height axis (Z32), the height axis (Z32) being collinear with the depth direction (Z20) when the cover (32) is in the closed position.

9. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the recess (66) has a chamfered opening (68) and surfaces delimited by the blocking walls (62) and the main body providing an area for insertion and support of a tool in the recess.

10. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: the cover (32) comprises a centering reinforcement (46; 246), which is provided projecting from the internal side of the cover (32) and which provides, with the captive wall (43A), stop faces (48, 50, 52), the reinforcement (46; 246) is configured to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with a recess (78; 278) provided in the main body (20), the recess providing stop surfaces (74, 82, 80), which are arranged opposite the stop faces of the reinforcement when the cover (32) is in the closed position, so as to prevent translational movements of the clip (40) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A34) in the direction thereof or parallel to the axis of rotation (A34).

11. Control unit (16) according to claim 10, wherein the stop faces include: at least one transverse face (56), each transverse face being oriented towards the hinge axis (A34) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, and two lateral faces (58), which are oriented opposite each other orthogonally to the hinge axis (A34) when the cover (32) is in the closed position.

12. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein on the external side of the cover (32), the closure portion (36) and the clip (40) are connected by a joining surface (54), the joining surface (54) has, in projection in a longitudinal plane (P32) of the cover, a convex profile with a radius of curvature (R54).

13. Home automation installation (2), in particular a closing or solar protection installation, comprising a control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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