Switching device and method for emitting visible light using the same

Abstract

A switching device S for building installation technology is presented, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element B of an upper part O which can be pivoted when actuated for influencing an actuator, wherein the switching device has a design frame DR which encloses the actuating element B and a base unit which can be connected to a power supply, and wherein the actuating element B has a front side V and a rear side R. What is special here is that a lamp LED which emits visible light L is arranged on the rear side R of the actuating element B or on the upper part O, which light L passes through a passage Ö which can be enlarged between the design frame DR and the actuating element B when the actuating element B is actuated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switching device for building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element of an upper part which can be pivoted during actuation for influencing an actuator, wherein the switching device has a design frame enclosing the actuating element and a base unit which can be connected to a power supply, and wherein the actuating element has a front side and a rear side.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for emitting visible light with such a switching device.

[0003] Classic, generically termed, switchgear used in building installation technology is used billions of times to switch lights, adjust blinds, and the like. These switchgear used in building installation technology do not have a lighting function.

[0004] Buttons with status display are, for example, made ofwww.jung-group.com / de-DE / Rocker switch for 1-gang push button with fiber optic cable F10 alpine white / A-101-KO5-BF-WW The actuating element, or rocker, which is mounted on an upper part, has a transparent window element. Visible light shines through this rocker, for example, to indicate the status of a connected actuator. However, this negatively impacts the design of the switching device, particularly its homogeneity with the other switching devices.

[0005] Orientation lights are made, for example, of www.jung-group.com / de-DE / LED orientation light without brightness sensor, alpine white / LS-1539-OO-WW-LNW This is not a switching device, but rather a standalone electrical / electronic installation device.

[0006] Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a switching device for building installation technology that has a lighting functionality without compromising the design, wherein the degree of glare for an observer is minimal.

[0007] This task is solved by a switching device, wherein a visible light emitting lamp is arranged on the back of the actuating element or on the upper part, which light passes through a passage between the design frame and the actuating element that can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated.

[0008] Thus, the switching device according to the invention achieves a lighting function, for example as an orientation light or for aesthetic reasons. A particularly advantageous feature is that the switching device according to the invention has a passage between the design frame and the actuating element that can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated. This passage is enlarged by a pivoting movement of the actuating element during actuation. This created passage allows visible light to pass through, thus realizing a lighting function in a completely unobtrusive manner in terms of design. Switching devices are usually located at a height above the floor of approximately1 m, so that the passage between the actuating element and the design frame, which can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated, points downwards (and is therefore invisible) in the typical rest position of switches (where the upper part of the actuating element pivots into the wall plane and the lower part of the actuating element pivots out of the wall plane, so that the passage is as large as possible). At the same time, this enables particularly wide-area wall and floor lighting that does not dazzle the viewer due to the high proportion of scattered light. This is an additional advantage over previously known orientation lights, as these are arranged at floor height (usually in conjunction with sockets) and, due to their low height above the floor, cause unpleasant reflections from the floor.The lamp is usually connected to the power supply of the base unit; however, it can also be powered by a battery or rechargeable battery.

[0009] As a result, the switching device according to the invention cleverly creates an invisible and non-dazzling lighting functionality for a switching device in building installation technology.

[0010] According to an exceptionally preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the light passes (at least partially) through the enlargeable passage without reflection. This achieves improved light output.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the expandable passage has a width of less than 2 mm and a length of less than 80 mm. This achieves particularly unobtrusive lighting.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the switching device according to the invention, the illuminant comprises a light guide. This enables a compact design and homogeneous illumination.

[0013] In a preferred development of the switching device according to the invention, the illuminant runs horizontally on the rear of the actuating element, wherein the illuminant is arranged on a folded edge of the actuating element, wherein the illuminant preferably protrudes into the passage between the folded edge and the design frame. By arranging the illuminant on the folded edge, particularly little central installation space is required on the rear of the actuating element. This offers the advantage that as much of the central installation space of the upper part as possible is reserved for accommodating the actuating element. If the illuminant then protrudes into the passage between the folded edge and the design frame, the additional advantage is achieved that not only is the space required on the rear of the actuating element further reduced, but the luminous efficacy is also increased, since the light increasingly passes directly through the enlargeable passage.

[0014] In a further development of the switching device according to the invention, the switching device has a receiver, in particular a radio receiver, by which a signal, in particular a radio signal, for switching the lighting means is received.

[0015] In an exceptionally advantageous development of the switching device according to the invention, the light source is designed as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the switching device. This makes it possible to visualize the operating state of a connected actuator, for example, a light, a switchable socket, a relay, or a blind, without requiring a special transparent window element that would detract from the design. The status indicator can include the use of different colors or continuous lighting sequences (including flashing).

[0016] According to a further development of the switching device according to the invention, the light is used to illuminate a wall, particularly as an orientation light or as a decorative light. This takes advantage of the fact that switches are usually installed at a height of approximately 1 m above the floor, thus illuminating a large area of ​​the wall (in contrast to sockets with an orientation light near the floor).

[0017] According to a further development of the switching device according to the invention, the rear of the actuating element or the upper part comprises a brightness sensor. This allows the lighting to be controlled by the brightness. This cleverly utilizes the positioning of the brightness sensor on the rear of the actuating element or on the upper part, since brightness is detected through the enlargeable passage between the actuating element and the design frame. This effectively avoids the need to integrate a window into the actuating element, possibly even in the front area. Thus, the enlargeable passage according to the invention is used twice: once for the invisible arrangement of the light source and once for invisible brightness detection.

[0018] Preferably, the illuminant is mounted on a movable mounting to adjust the angle of the light exiting through the adjustable passage. This allows the illuminated surface, in particular a wall or furniture surface, to be adjusted with respect to the illuminated area. In particular, such movable mounting can be implemented not only manually but also motorized, allowing a user to adjust the illuminated area via a terminal device. Dynamically varying illumination can be implemented not only for aesthetic reasons but also as a dynamic status indicator, allowing dynamically different areas to be illuminated.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for emitting visible light with such a switching device comprising the following steps: Actuation of the switching device, emission of light through a passage between the design frame and the actuating element which can be enlarged when the actuating element is actuated, by means of the illuminant.

[0020] Preferably, the light emission from the lamp serves as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the switching device. This prevents any disruption to the design of the actuator caused by an illuminated window.

[0021] The invention is described below with reference to three exemplary embodiments in the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic side view of a switching device according to the invention, which is arranged in an installation box, wherein the illuminant is arranged on the rear side of the actuating element, Fig. 2:a schematic side view of a further switching device according to the invention, wherein the illuminant is arranged on the upper part and Fig. 3: a schematic side view of a further switching device according to the invention, wherein the illuminant is arranged on the upper part, wherein the bevel of the actuating element has a light exit element which is connected to the illuminant via a light guide.

[0022] The Figure 1A switching device S according to the invention, in particular a switch or a push-button, shown schematically in a side view, comprises an actuating element B of an upper part O which can be pivoted upon actuation and for influencing an actuator. In the present case, such an actuator is a light. The switching device S has a design frame DR enclosing the actuating element B and a base unit which can be connected to a power supply (two cables are shown schematically in bold). In the present case, the switching device S is fixed in an installation box D via claws SK which can be adjusted by means of adjustment means EM. The actuating element B (in this case designed as a rocker) has a front side V and a rear side R.What is special about the switching device S according to the invention is that a visible light-emitting LED lamp is arranged on the back R of the actuating element B or on the upper part O, which light L passes through a passage Ö between the design frame D and the actuating element B which can be enlarged when the actuating element B is actuated. This passage Ö is enlarged by a pivoting movement of the actuating element B during actuation. This created passage Ö enables visible light L to pass through in order to realize a lighting function in a way that is completely unobtrusive in terms of design. Another advantage, in addition to the design invisibility, is that attractive lighting of the wall W (it is typically at least 1 cm to the floor).1m), which is suitable both for use as a flat (and therefore non-glaring) orientation light and for aesthetic reasons (ambient lighting). In this case, the light L passes through the enlargeable passage Ö without reflection. The LED lamp runs horizontally on the back R of the actuating element B, with the LED lamp protruding into the passage Ö between the bevel K and the design frame D in order to achieve optimal light output and power consumption. In this preferred embodiment, the LED lamp is arranged on a bevel K of the actuating element B. In this case, the LED lamp is designed as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the switching device S, in that the LED lamp emits light when the actuator (here: the light) is switched on or off.The configuration of the status display with regard to the relationship between actuator state and lamp state can be carried out by the user, for example via a terminal device that communicates with a receiver, in particular a radio receiver, of the switching device S. The required electronics, in particular a possible receiver or a power supply for the LED lamp, are preferably located on a printed circuit board (the.

[0023] (not shown for reasons of clarity). For reasons of space optimization, such a circuit board can be integrated in particular in the area between the base unit and the actuating element.

[0024] Figure 2shows a schematic side view of an alternative switching device S according to the invention, wherein the LED light source is arranged on the upper part O. This provides the advantage that the actuating element B can be retained during retrofitting. In addition, a different exit angle of the emitted visible light L through the passage Ö results. In addition, in Figure 2 the special design indicates that the LED light source is displaceably mounted in order to adjust the exit angle of the light L through the enlargeable passage Ö.

[0025] Figure 3 visualizes a schematic side view of a further switching device S according to the invention, wherein the illuminant LED is arranged on the upper part O, wherein the bevel K of the actuating element B has a light exit element F which is connected to the illuminant LED via a light guide LL. List of reference symbols

[0026] BActuating element DInstallation box DRDesign frame EMEdjustment means FLight exit element KAbend LLight LLight guide LEDLight source OTop part RRear side SSwitchgear VFront side WWall

Claims

1. Switching device (S) of building installation technology, in particular a switch or a push-button, comprising an actuating element (B) of an upper part (O) which can be pivoted during actuation for influencing an actuator, wherein the switching device has a design frame (DR) enclosing the actuating element (B) and a base unit which can be connected to a power supply, and wherein the actuating element (B) has a front side (V) and a rear side (R), characterized in that a visible light (L) emitting illuminant (LED) is arranged on the rear side (R) of the actuating element (B) or on the upper part (O), which light (L) passes through a passage (Ö) between the design frame (DR) and the actuating element (B) which can be enlarged when the actuating element (B) is actuated.

2. Switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light (L) passes through the enlargeable passage (Ö) without reflection.

3. Switching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the enlargeable passage (Ö) has a width of less than 2 mm and a length of less than 80 mm.

4. Switching device according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source (LED) includes a light guide.

5. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the illuminant (LED) runs horizontally on the back (R) of the actuating element (B) or on the upper part (O), wherein the illuminant (LED) is arranged on a bevel (K) of the actuating element (B).

6. Switching device according to claim 5, characterized in that the light source (LED) protrudes into the passage (Ö) between the bevel (K) and the design frame (DR).

7. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe actuating element (B) has a horizontally extending bevel (K) which has a light exit element (F) on its side facing the floor, which is connected to the light source (LED) via a light guide (LL).

8. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the switching device (S) has a receiver, in particular a radio receiver, by which a signal, in particular a radio signal, for switching the light source (LED) is received.

9. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the light source (LED) is designed as a status indicator of the actuator connected to the switching device (S).

10. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that by which light (L) a wall (W) is illuminated, in particular as orientation light or as decorative light.

11. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in thatthe back (R) or the top (O) of the actuating element (B) comprises a brightness sensor.

12. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the light source (LED) is mounted so that it can be moved in order to adjust the angle of exit of the light (L) through the enlargeable passage (Ö).

13. Method for emitting visible light with a switching device (S) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps: - actuation of the switching device (S), - emission of light (L) through a passage (Ö) which can be enlarged between the design frame (DR) and the actuating element (B) during the actuation of the actuating element (B) by means of the illuminant (LED).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the emission of light (L) by the light source (LED) serves as a status indicator of the actuator (A) connected to the switching device (S).

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