Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation

Abstract

Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation This control point (16) comprises: a main body (20) providing a compartment (V20) for batteries (26) closed by a cover (32), which is articulated in rotation with the main body (20), according to an opening movement (F32), around a hinge axis (A34) parallel to a mean plane (P30) of the main body, a lock (50), movable according to an unlocking movement between a locked position, in which the lock prevents the opening of the cover, and an unlocked position, in which the lock allows the opening of the cover, and a return member which tends to return the lock to its locked position.According to the invention, the cover comprises a retaining member (40), which is elastically deformable and configured to maintain, by elastic return, the cover in a closed position, while the lock is carried by the main body, and the unlocking movement is located in a plane parallel to the mid-plane. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation

[0001] The present invention relates to a control point for a home automation installation, as well as a home automation installation comprising such a control point.

[0002] In the field of home automation, it is known to control various equipment in a home, for example a closing installation with a motorized roller shutter, lighting, etc., by means of a wireless control point. Such a control point is generally powered by electric batteries, in particular by means of button cells. To facilitate the replacement of the batteries, these are generally housed in a compartment closed by a cover.

[0003] To prevent these 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 point is handled by young children, if it is dropped or if the control point is crushed. Some standards or draft standards, in particular IEC 62368-1 edition 3, require that the cover of a battery compartment be opened by "two independent and simultaneous movements".

[0004] It is known to secure the battery compartment cover of a control point by means of screws, however replacing the batteries requires the use of a specific tool, which is impractical. These screws must in particular be "captive", that is to say that they must also remain attached when they are unscrewed, which complicates the structure of the control point.

[0005] CN-209526129-U further describes a control point with a cover hinged and locked by means of a spring-loaded bolt. The cover has a push button to push the bolt against the spring, releasing the cover. The push button, oriented orthoradially to the hinge axis, increases the thickness of the control point and makes the control point relatively bulky. Such a cover also does not provide a satisfactory level of security.

[0006] It is these problems that the invention more particularly intends to remedy, by proposing a hinged cover which offers both security and ease of use while remaining compact.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a control point for a home automation installation, the control point comprising:

[0008] - a main body, which provides a compartment for receiving one or several batteries, the compartment opening onto an external face of the main body through an opening which extends along a medium plane, - a compartment closing cover, the cover comprises a closing portion, configured to close the opening in a closed position of the cover, the cover being hinged in rotation with the main body about a hinge axis parallel to the mean plane and being movable relative to the main body in an opening movement between the closed position and an open position, in which access to the compartment is possible, - a lock, movable in an unlocking movement between a locking position, in which the lock prevents the opening movement of the cover, and an unlocking position, in which the lock allows the opening movement of the cover, and - a return member, which tends to return the lock to its locking position, the lock being movable according to the unlocking movement.

[0009] According to the invention:

[0010] - the cover comprises a retaining member, which is elastically deformable between a released configuration and a deformed configuration, the retaining member being configured:

[0011] • to cooperate with the main body when the cover is in the closed position, so as to maintain the cover in the closed position by elastic return of the retaining member, and • so that a user can move the retaining member into the deformed configuration and move the cover according to the opening movement,

[0012] - the lock is carried by the main body, and - the unlocking movement is located in a plane parallel to the mean plane.

[0013] Thanks to the invention, opening the battery compartment cover requires first unlocking the locking member, then, while holding the locking member in the unlocked position, overcoming the retaining force of the retaining member. Opening the cover is thus secured. Since the cover is preferably opened by hand and without tools, such a cover is particularly practical and easy to use. Since the locking member is actuated parallel to the face of the main body, the locking member is integrated into the interior volume of the control point, which thus remains particularly compact.

[0014] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a control point may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:

[0015] - The lock is configured to, when in the locking position, prevent the retaining member from deforming from its released configuration to its deformed configuration when the cover is in the closed position and prevent opening movement of the cover. - The cover comprises a latching element, the latching element being configured to cooperate with the latch in the latching position, so as to maintain the cover in the closed position as long as the latch is in the latching position. - The return organ is made in one piece with the lock. - The return member is a separate part from the lock, in particular a spring metallic. - The retaining member is arranged opposite the hinge axis relative to the closure portion. - The lock is received in a housing provided on an internal face of the main body, the housing being located on the other side of the hinge axis relative to the opening. - The unlocking movement is a translational movement. - The unlocking movement is parallel to the hinge axis. - The unlocking movement is a rotational movement around a axis orthogonal to the mean plane. - The lock can be moved according to the unlocking movement by hand and without tools. - When the lock is in the unlocked position, the cover can be moved according to the unlocking movement by hand and without tools.

[0016] The invention also relates to a home automation installation, in particular a closing or solar protection installation, which comprises a control point as defined previously.

[0017] 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 point 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:

[0018] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a home automation installation in accordance with the invention, with a control point also in accordance with the invention;

[0019] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the control point of [Fig.l], comprising a closure device shown in a closed configuration;

[0020] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the control point of [Fig.l] and 2, the closure device being shown in an open configuration;

[0021] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] a partially exploded perspective view of the device of closing the control point of figures 1 to 3, in open configuration;

[0022] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view on a larger scale of a detail of the closing device in closed configuration;

[0023] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a perspective view of a detail of the closing device in an unlocking configuration, observed respectively from two opposite viewing angles;

[0024] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a perspective view of a control point according to a second embodiment of the invention, observed respectively from two opposite viewing angles, the control point being in closed configuration and certain parts being hidden, and

[0025] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents, on two inserts a) and b), two views similar to Figures 7a and 7b, the control point being in the unlocked configuration.

[0026] [Fig.l] 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.

[0027] 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 closed by a blackout screen 8 which is the apron of the roller shutter.

[0028] 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 shaft 12 for winding the screen 8, in particular in the form of a winding tube. The shaft 12 defines a main axis A12, which is horizontal. The occulting screen 8 is connected to the shaft 12, in particular winds onto the winding tube, the shaft 12 being here mounted free to rotate relative to the box 10 around the axis A12. The shaft 12 is driven in rotation by an electromechanical actuator 14, which is here internal to the shaft 12.

[0029] The home automation installation 2 also comprises a control point 16, configured to control one or more of the various pieces of equipment of the home automation installation 2. In the example illustrated, the electromechanical actuator 14 is controlled by the control point 16, by means of control signals, for example wireless, emitted by the control point 16 and received by the actuator 14. By control point, we mean a remote control device, which communicates with the actuator 14. The control signal is represented by a lightning bolt 18 in [Fig.l].

[0030] 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 point 16 thus comprises a radio wave transmission module, which is not shown or detailed further in the present description.

[0031] In the example illustrated, the control point 16 is shown fixed to the wall 6 in which the opening 4 is formed. Of course, the control point 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 point 16 is simply placed at the convenience of a user. The control point being fixed in a removable manner to a wall or free, it is then referred to as a nomadic control point. The spatial constraint is in particular that the control point 16 must be located in an area within radio range of the actuator 14.

[0032] The control point 16, which is in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, is now described.

[0033] The control point 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 point 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.l], 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 apron, round buttons 23B for switching on or off lights, etc. The number, shape, arrangement and function of the buttons 23 of the control point 16 are not limiting. In the example illustrated, the control point 16 also comprises 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.

[0034] The main body 20 provides an interior volume, which receives various elements of the control point 16, in particular a printed electronic circuit board - also called PCB in English -, etc. The electronic board is not shown. A portion of this interior volume is configured to receive one or more electric batteries, intended to supply power to the control point 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 26, here a button cell, visible only in [Fig. 3]. The type and number of batteries are not limiting.

[0035] 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 point 16, in other words a part of the rear portion 24. The opening 30 is thus oriented towards the wall 6 when the control point 16 is fixed on this wall. The opening 30 extends along a mean plane P30, which is therefore here carried by the rear face of the control point 16.

[0036] In the example illustrated, the rear face of the control point 16 also comprises three buttons 31 A, 31B and 31C, which are used for example to turn the control point 16 on or off, or to configure it, for example to pair the control point 16 with the or one of the equipment of the home automation installation 2. The number, arrangement, shape and functions of the three buttons 31 A, 31B and 31C are not limiting.

[0037] The control point 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.

[0038] The articulation portion 34 cooperates with the main body 20, for example by complementarity of shape, 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 a hinge axis A34. The hinge axis A34 is parallel to the mean plane P30.

[0039] 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 are made of a synthetic polymer material and are connected by a thinned portion, which is elastically deformable and which forms the hinge.

[0040] 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. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, the control point 16 is in a closed configuration shown in [Fig. 2]. When the cover 32 is in the open position, the control point 16 is in an open configuration shown in [Fig. 3]. The passage of the cover 32 from its closed position to its open position is an opening movement F32, that is to say a rotational movement relative to the main body 20 around the hinge axis A34, the opening movement F32 being represented by an arrow in an arc of a circle in Figures 2 and 3.

[0041] The closure portion 36 extends along a cover plane P36 and is configured to close the opening 30 in a closed position of the cover 32, the cover plane P36 then being merged with the mean plane P30 of the opening 30.

[0042] The locking portion 38 comprises a retaining member 40, formed by at least one elastic clip 42. Here, two elastic clips 42 identical to each other are shown, but the following description can quite easily be envisaged with a single clip. elastic 42 or with more than two elastic clips 42.

[0043] Each clip 42 comprises an elastic tab 44, which has an elongated shape with a captive end, by which the elastic tab 44 is connected to the rest of the cover 32, and a free end, opposite the captive end and on which a lug 46 is formed. Each clip 42 is configured to cooperate mechanically with a rim 48 formed on a wall of the main body 20, so that, when the cover 32 is in the closed position, each lug 46 bears against a respective rim 48, while the corresponding tab 44 generates a retaining force, or elastic return, tending to maintain the cover 32 in the closed position.

[0044] In other words, the clips 42, and by extension the retaining member 40, are elastically deformable between a released configuration and a deformed configuration, each clip 42 and the retaining member 40 being configured to cooperate with the main body 20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position, so as to generate a retaining force by elastic return of the retaining member 40, this retaining force tending to maintain the cover 32 in the closed position.

[0045] In the absence of any action by the user, the cover 32 therefore remains in the closed position, held by the retaining member 40. Preferably, the clips 42, and by extension the retaining member 40, are arranged opposite the hinge axis A34 relative to the closure portion 36, so as to maximize a moment of the retaining force of the clips 42 relative to the hinge axis A34, and thus reduce the risks of untimely opening of the cover 32, for example when a person manipulates the control point 2.

[0046] The clips 42, and by extension the retaining member 40, are configured so that a user can, preferably by hand and without tools, move each clip 42 - and by extension the retaining member 40 - into the deformed configuration, and move the cover 32 according to the opening movement F32. In the example illustrated, the user moves the retaining member 40 into its deformed configuration via the cover 32, by moving the cover 32 according to the opening movement F32. Opening the cover 32 is thus particularly practical, while remaining secure.

[0047] In a variant not shown, the user must act directly on the retaining member 40, for example with a simple tool such as a center punch or a screwdriver, to move it into its deformed configuration so as to allow the opening movement F32 of the cover 32. Such a variant offers more security to prevent the untimely opening of the cover 32, but is a little less practical to use.

[0048] In the example illustrated, a notch 49 is provided in a hollow in the main body 20 so that the user can, with a finger or a nail, exert pressure on the cover 32 an opening force in the direction of opening movement F32, this opening force being sufficient to elastically deform the retaining member 40 and thus open the cover 32. The opening force is therefore here a tensile force. Of course, if desired, the user can use a simple tool, for example a pointed object such as a pen tip or a screwdriver, to open the cover 32. The deformation of the retaining member 40 can also partly comprise an elastic deformation of the rest of the cover 32 itself.

[0049] The control point 16 also comprises a lock 50, which is movable relative to the main body 20 according to an unlocking movement F50, between a locking position, in which the lock 50 prevents the movement of the cover 32 from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocking position, in which the lock does not prevent - in other words allows - the movement of the cover 32 from the closed position to the open position.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the lock 50 is received in a housing 52 provided in the main body 20, that is to say on the side of the interior volume of the main body 20. In other words, the housing 52 is provided on an internal face of the main body 20. The lock 50 is thus captive, that is to say that the lock 50 cannot be dislodged from the housing 52 unless the main body 20 is dismantled or certain parts of the control point 16 are broken. In the illustrated example, the housing 52 is provided on an internal face 24A of the rear portion 24. The housing 52 is visible in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 b). When the main body 20 is assembled, that is to say when the front portion 22 is assembled to the rear portion 24, the internal face 24A is therefore oriented towards the side of the compartment V20, or else oriented opposite the external face 28. [Fig.4] shows in perspective the rear portion 24 in a direction generally opposite to that of [Fig.3].

[0051] The housing 52 here has an elongated shape along a locking axis A52, the lock 50 being guided in translation relative to the main body along the locking axis A52. The locking axis A52 is parallel to the mean plane P30. The unlocking movement F50 is therefore a movement located in a plane parallel to the mean plane P30, here a translation movement, represented by a straight arrow on the inserts a) and b) of [Fig.6]. The lock 50 is offset relative to the compartment V30, while being tangent to the compartment V30. Such an arrangement of the lock 50 avoids excess thickness at the battery location, limiting expansion around the compartment V30. In other words, this arrangement of the lock 50 makes it possible to reduce the space lost inside the main body 20 and contributes to the compactness of the control point 16.

[0052] The control point 16 also comprises a return member 54 which tends, by elastic return, to return the lock 50 to its locking position. The return member reminder 54 is here produced by means of a metal spring, which is embedded on a rod 56 of the lock 50 and which bears on a wall of the housing 52 to push the lock 50 into the locking position. The length of the rod 56 is advantageously chosen to serve as a stop for the lock 50 in the unlocking position.

[0053] The return member 54 is here a separate part from the lock 50. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment described below, the return member 54 is made in a single piece with the lock 50, for example when the lock 50 is made of synthetic polymer material, the lock 50 being for example produced by hot injection. Manufacturing the return member 54 in a single piece with the lock 50 makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and to facilitate the assembly of the control point 16.

[0054] The rear portion 24 comprises a slot 58, through which the housing 52 opens onto the rear face 28, while the lock 50 comprises a support portion 60, which here has an inclined face 62 relative to the locking axis A52 on which non-slip grooves 62A are provided. The support portion 60 passes through the slot 58, so that the support portion 60 is accessible to a user from outside the control point 16, in order to be able to move the lock 50 according to the unlocking movement F50, preferably by hand and without tools.

[0055] The rear portion 24 also comprises a window 64, which is here distinct from the light 58 and through which the housing 52 opens onto the rear face 28, while the lock 50 comprises a locking element 66, which is accessible from the outside of the main body 20 through the window 64. The window 64, visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, here has an elongated rectangular shape along the locking axis A52, while the locking element 66 is here a wall of the lock 50, this wall ending in a free rim. This rim is here arranged parallel to the mean plane P30 and orthogonally to the locking axis A52. When the lock 50 is in the locking position and the cover 32 is in the open position, the locking element 66 is visible, from the outside of the control point 16, through the window 64.

[0056] The locking element 66 is configured to cooperate with the cover 32 so as, while the cover 32 is in the closed position and the latch 50 is in the locking position, to prevent the movement of the cover 32 according to the opening movement F32. In the embodiment shown, the locking portion 38 also comprises a hook-shaped hooking element 68, with a locking face 69, which is parallel to the cover plane P36 and oriented towards the rest of the cover 32, and an inclined face 70, which is oriented away from the rest of the cover 32.

[0057] When the control point 16 is in the closed configuration and the lock 50 is in the locking position, the hooking element 68 passes through the window 64, and the locking element 66 is located opposite the locking face 69 and prevents the opening movement F32 of the cover 32. In other words, the hooking element 68 cooperates with the locking element 66 so that the hooking element 68 is retained by the locking element 66. Preferably, the housing 52 is arranged on the other side of the hinge 24 relative to the opening 30, so as to maximize a moment of the retaining force of the lock 50 on the hooking element 68. It is understood that as long as the hooking element 68 is retained by the locking element 66, in other words as long as the lock 50 is in the locking position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a user cannot move the cover 32 from its closed position to its open position according to the opening movement F32, unless breaking certain parts of the control point 16.The lock 50 and the retaining member 40 - here comprising the clips 42 - together form a closing device 72 for the battery compartment V20, this closing device 72 making it possible to close the compartment V20 securely.

[0058] A sequence for manipulating the control point 16 is now described, in particular for changing the battery.

[0059] Initially, the control point 16 is in the closed configuration, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The cover 32 is in the closed position, while the lock 50 is pushed back into the locking position by the return member 54.

[0060] Initially, the user moves the lock 50 into the unlocking position against the return member 54, here by translation according to the unlocking movement F50 by pressing on the inclined face 62. The control point 16 is then in the unlocked configuration, as shown in the inserts a) and b) of [Fig. 6], in which the hooking element 68 is not retained by the lock 50.

[0061] Then, while maintaining the lock 50 in its unlocking position, the user exerts an opening force on the cover 32, so as to overcome the retaining force of the retaining member 40 and to move the cover 32 according to the opening movement F32. During this opening movement F32, once the lugs 46 of the clips 42 are disengaged from the edges 48 and the hooking element 68 no longer passes through the window 64, the user can, if he wishes, interrupt his force on the inclined face 62 and allow the lock 50 to return to its locking position, without the lock 50 hindering the opening movement F32 of the cover 32.

[0062] Once the opening movement F32 is completed, the cover 32 is in the open position, as shown in [Fig. 3]. The user thus has access to the battery compartment V20 and can replace, if necessary, the battery 26.

[0063] To close the control point 16, the user folds the cover 32 from its open position to its closed position, in a closing movement opposite to the opening movement F32. The inclined face 70 of the hooking element 68 comes to bear against the locking element 66 and pushes the lock 50 towards its unlocking position, against the return member 54, so as to allow the hooking element 68 to pass into the window 64. Jointly, the clips 42 deform elastically to allow the edges 48 to pass against the lugs 46.

[0064] The closing movement continues until the cover 32 is in the closed position, held both by the clips 42 and by the latch 50 in the locked position. The battery compartment V20 is again secured.

[0065] A control point 116 according to a second embodiment is 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. The main differences of the second embodiment with the first embodiment are that:

[0066] - the control point 116 of the second mode comprises a lock 150 rotatably mounted relative to the rear portion 24. - The lock 150 is pushed back into the locking position by a return member 154 which is made in one piece with the lock 150. - The retaining member 40 comprises only one clip 42.

[0067] The rear portion 24 comprises, on its internal face 24A side, a projection 102 in the form of a cylinder centered on an axis A102. The axis A102 is arranged orthogonally to the mean plane P30. The lock 150 cooperates with the projection 102 so that the lock 150 is pivotally mounted relative to the rear portion 24 around the axis A102, which is therefore an axis of rotation of the lock 150. Advantageously, the projection 102 is a barrel, configured to receive a fixing member, such as an assembly screw, for assembling the rear portion 24 to the front portion 22. The projection 102 thus combines the two functions, namely that of axis of rotation of the lock 150 and that of barrel for screwing the main body 20, which saves space within the control point 116, which remains compact.

[0068] The assembly screws are not shown.

[0069] The control point 150 also comprises a return member 154, which pushes the lock 150 into the locking position, as shown in the inserts a) and b) of [Fig. 7]. The return member 154 is here formed by an elastic tab 155, which is made in one piece with the lock 150 and which here bears on a stop 156 formed on the rear portion 24. In a variant not shown, the return member 154 is a separate part of the lock 150, for example a torsion spring mounted around the projection 102.

[0070] A user can thus exert a force on the support portion 60 against the return member 154, so as to move the lock 150 from its locking position, shown in [Fig.7], to its unlocking position, shown in [Fig.8], according to an unlocking movement R150 along a circular path. The unlocking movement R150 is therefore a rotational movement centered on the axis A102. The unlocking movement R150 is represented by a circular arrow in Figures 7 and 8.

[0071] The locking element 66 of the lock 150 therefore moves in a rotational movement around the axis A102, while the hooking element 68 is positioned along the circular path of the lock 150, so as to cooperate with the locking element 66 when the lock 150 is in the locking position.

[0072] Thus, in both embodiments, the movements of the lock 50 or 150 are carried by a plane parallel to the mean plane P30, in particular in the extension of the space occupied by the compartment V20 of the battery 26 and the cover 32, so that the unlocking movement F50 or R150 of the corresponding lock 50 or 150 is carried out without adding any excess thickness to the interior volume of the control point 16 or 116, which remains compact.

[0073] In the two embodiments illustrated, the clips 42, arranged on the cover, cooperate with the complementary rims 48 arranged on the main body 20. Other arrangements are possible, in particular a mirror arrangement, in which clips of the type of clips 42 are arranged on the main body 20, while complementary rims, associated with these clips, are arranged on the cover 32.

[0074] More generally, whatever the arrangement of the clip(s) 42, the retaining member 40 is arranged so that the cover 32 cooperates with the main body 20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position so as to maintain the cover 32 in the closed position by elastic return of the retaining member 40, the retaining member 40 being configured so that a user can, preferably by hand and without tools, move the retaining member 40 into the deformed configuration and move the cover 32 from the closed position to the open position.

[0075] In both embodiments illustrated, the locking portion 38 comprises both the clip(s) 42 and the hooking element 68, the lock 50 or 150 cooperating with the hooking element 68 to retain the cover 32 in the closed position.

[0076] In a variant not shown, the locking portion 38 does not comprise a hooking element separate from the clips 42, while the lock 50 or 150 is arranged so as to prevent the deformation of at least one of the clips 42 from their released configuration to their deformed configuration, so as to maintain the cover 32 in the closed position as long as the lock 50 or 150 is in the locking position. In other words, the clip(s) 42 are directly maintained in their released configuration and without a degree of freedom to pass into the deformed configuration, by the lock 50 or 150 in the locking position.

[0077] According to yet another variant, one of the clips 42 is pierced with an orifice, more precisely the elastic tab 44 of one of the clips 42 is pierced with an orifice, while the lock 50 or 150 comprises a projection, which is received in the orifice of this elastic tab 44 when the lock 50 is in the locking position, so as to form a retaining pin for the pierced clip 42 and to hold the cover 32 in the closed position. The clips 42 are then directly held in their released configuration and without a degree of freedom to pass into the deformed configuration, by the pin when the lock 50 or 150 is in the locking position.

[0078] More generally, whatever the arrangement of the lock 50 or 150, whether this lock directly blocks the hooking element 68 or at least one clip of the type of clips 42, the lock 50 or 150 in the locking position prevents the movement of the cover 32 from its closed position to its open position, while the lock 50 or 150 in the unlocking position authorizes - in other words does not prevent - the movement of the cover 32 from the closed position to the open position.

[0079] In the first embodiment shown, the unlocking movement F50 is a translational movement and the return member 54 is a spring, such a configuration being relatively simple to assemble. In particular, the locking axis A52 is parallel to the hinge axis A34.

[0080] According to a variant not shown, the locking axis A52 forms an angle, in particular a right angle, with the hinge axis A34 while remaining parallel to the mean plane P30, the arrangement of the locking portion 38 being modified accordingly.

[0081] The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Control point (16; 116) for home automation installation (2), the control point (16; 116) comprising: • a main body (20), which provides a compartment (V20) for receiving one or more batteries (26), the compartment (V20) opening onto an external face (28) of the main body (20) via an opening (30) which extends along a mean plane (P30), • a cover (32) for closing the compartment (V20), the cover (32) comprising a closing portion (36), configured to close the opening (30) in a closed position of the cover (32), the cover (32) being articulated in rotation with the main body (20) around a hinge axis (A34) parallel to the mean plane (P30) and being movable relative to the main body (20) according to an opening movement (F32) between the closed position and an open position, in which access to the compartment (V20) is possible, • a lock (50; 150), movable in an unlocking movement (F50; R150) between a locking position, in which the lock (50; 150) prevents the opening movement (F32) of the cover (32) from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocking position, in which the lock (50; 150) allows the opening movement (F32) of the cover (32), and • a return member (54; 154), which tends to return the lock (50; 150) to its locking position, the lock (50; 150) being movable according to the unlocking movement (F50; R150), characterized in that: • the cover (32) comprises a retaining member (40), which is elastically deformable between a released configuration and a deformed configuration, the retaining member (40) being configured: • to cooperate with the main body (20) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, so as to maintaining the cover (32) in the closed position by elastic return of the retaining member (40), and • so that a user can move the retaining member (40) into the deformed configuration and move the cover (32) according to the opening movement (F32), • the lock (50; 150) is carried by the main body (20), and • the unlocking movement (F50; R150) is located in a plane parallel to the mean plane (P30).

2. The control point (16; 116) of claim 1, wherein the latch (50; 150) is configured to, when in the latching position, prevent the retaining member (40) from deforming from its released configuration to its deformed configuration when the cover (32) is in the closed position and prevent the opening movement (F32) of the cover (32).

3. Control point (16; 116) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (32) comprises a hooking element (68), the hooking element (68) being configured to cooperate with the latch (50; 150) in the locking position, so as to maintain the cover (32) in the closed position as long as the latch (50; 150) is in the locking position.

4. Control point (116) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the return member (154) is made in one piece with the lock (150).

5. Control point (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the return member (54) is a part separate from the lock (50), in particular a metal spring.

6. Control point (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining member (40) is arranged opposite the hinge axis (A34) relative to the closure portion (36).

7. Control point (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the lock (50; 150) is received in a housing (52) provided on an internal face (24A) of the main body (20), the housing being located on the other side of the hinge axis (A34) relative to the opening (30).

8. Control point (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the unlocking movement (F50) is a translational movement.

9. Control point (16) according to claim 8, wherein the unlocking movement (F50) is parallel to the hinge axis (A34).

10. Control point (116) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the unlocking movement (R150) is a rotational movement around an axis (A 102) orthogonal to the mean plane (P30).

11. Control point (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lock (50; 150) is movable according to the unlocking movement (F50, R150) by hand and without tools.

12. Control point (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, when the lock (50; 150) is in the unlocking position, the cover (32) is movable according to the unlocking movement (F32) by hand and without tools.

13. Home automation installation (2), in particular a closing or solar protection installation, comprising a control point (16; 116) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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