Infrared detector

Abstract

Infrared detector The present description relates to an infrared detector (100) comprising: - a housing (110) having at least one substantially planar first face (110B); - at least one infrared sensor (102) mounted in or on the first face; - at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel (120) having the shape of at least one lateral face of a truncated cone and masking all or part of at least one second face (110C) of the housing different from the first face. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1B

Description

Title of the invention: Infrared detector Technical field

[0001] The present description relates generally to infrared detectors, and in particular to infrared detectors comprising at least one infrared sensor integrated in a housing. Prior art

[0002] Infrared sensors, or infrared imagers, are known. For example, they may be resistive sensors of the bolometer type.

[0003] One or more infrared sensors may be integrated into a housing, for example to form an infrared detector. An infrared detector may be used for applications such as the Internet of Things (IOT), smart buildings, and remote monitoring. For example, an infrared detector may be attached to the ceiling of a room.

[0004] The housing may also integrate a data processing unit for the infrared sensor(s) and / or a wireless communication unit, units which may consume energy.

[0005] In certain applications, an infrared detector may be sought which is as autonomous and / or as energy-efficient as possible, and preferably wireless and without a battery to change. For example, the detector housing may be fitted with photovoltaic cells.

[0006] In certain applications, an infrared detector may be sought which is as discreet and small as possible, for example for detecting movement or intrusion in a building.

[0007] The search for the smallest possible infrared detector may, however, come into conflict with the search for autonomy, for example because the surface area for arranging the photovoltaic cells is all the more reduced as the detector, and therefore the casing, is small. Summary of the invention

[0008] There is a need for a self-contained infrared detector whose size can be reduced without its autonomy being impacted.

[0009] In particular, it would be desirable to have a stand-alone infrared detector comprising a processing unit and / or a wireless communication unit, and whose size can be reduced without its autonomy being impacted.

[0010] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of known infrared detectors.

[0011] One embodiment provides an infrared detector comprising: - a housing having at least one first substantially flat face; - at least one infrared sensor mounted in or on the first face; - at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel having the shape of at least one lateral face of a truncated cone and masking all or part of at least a second face of the housing different from the first face.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a first part, for example in the form of a first truncated cone, and the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises at least one energy sensor assembled, for example fixed, on said first part of the housing, the at least one lateral face corresponding to all or part of the at least one second face of the housing.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a second part in the form of a second truncated cone similar to the first truncated cone and the main base of which is assembled to the main base of said first truncated cone, and the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises at least one energy sensor assembled, for example fixed, on the first housing part and at least one other energy sensor assembled, for example fixed, on the second housing part.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the detector comprises a fixing element adapted to fix the at least one energy sensor on the housing, for example a groove formed in said housing.

[0015] According to one embodiment, at least one of the at least one second face is oriented at an angle relative to the first face, said angle being greater than 0° and less than 180°.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel is positioned at a distance from the housing, and the at least one lateral face is offset from the at least one second face of the housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the detector comprises a support structure adapted to position the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel at a distance from the at least one second face of the housing, said support structure being secured to said housing.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, the support structure comprises fixing lugs adapted to receive and hold the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the housing has a substantially parallelepiped shape, for example cubic, or a substantially cylindrical shape, for example circular cylindrical.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel is oriented so as to optimize the capture of light, for example so as to optimize the angle of incidence of light rays on said at least one energy sensor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the truncated cone is a truncated circular cone or a truncated pyramidal cone.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the housing further comprises: - a processing unit connected to at least one infrared sensor; - a wireless communication unit connected to the processing unit; and / or - an energy storage unit connected to at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the detector further comprises a wireless communication antenna, for example mounted on the first face.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises a single energy sensor element, for example in the form of a flexible film.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises several energy sensor elements assembled together in series and / or in parallel.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises, for example consists of, at least one photovoltaic panel. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0028] [Fig.lA] and [Fig.lB] are schematic perspective views of an infrared detector according to a first embodiment;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector according to a second embodiment;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector according to a third embodiment;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector according to a fourth embodiment;

[0032] [Fig.5] represents a first variant of the infrared detector of [Fig.4]; and

[0033] [Fig.6] represents a second variant of the infrared detector of [Fig.4]. Description of the embodiments

[0034] The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0035] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and are detailed. In particular, the details of the processing and wireless communication units of the infrared sensors and the details of the energy storage units of the photovoltaic panels (energy sensors in the form of panels) are not given, being within the scope of the person skilled in the art.

[0036] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements connected to each other, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when referring to two elements connected (in English "coupled") to each other, this means that these two elements can be connected or be connected by means of one or more other elements.

[0037] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or to an infrared detector in a normal position of use.

[0038] When referring to a cone, reference is made to the general definition, that is, for a conical surface, a surface formed by a generatrix, passing through a fixed point, called the vertex, and a variable point describing a curve, called the directrix curve, and, for a solid cone, the solid delimited by the conical surface. The generatrix may be straight, or it may be curved, so as to form a convex or concave cone. A cone may for example be a right circular cone, or cone of revolution, or a pyramidal cone. When referring to a truncated cone, reference is made to the truncation of the vertex of the cone, which then has a secondary base corresponding to the truncation, in addition to the main base opposite the truncated vertex. A lateral face of the cone corresponds to a face developed by the generatrix.A cone of revolution comprises a lateral face which, developed on a plane, takes the form of a sector of a circle, or a crown sector for a truncated cone of revolution. A pyramidal cone comprises several lateral faces each having the shape of a triangle, or the shape of a trapezium for a truncated pyramidal cone.

[0039] When referring to a photovoltaic panel, or more generally to an energy collector in the form of a panel, "having the shape of a lateral face" of a truncated cone, it should be understood that the panel follows the shape of a lateral face, but not necessarily the entire lateral face, for example this may correspond to a portion of the lateral face of the truncated cone. According to one example, for a cone of revolution truncated, the panel may have the shape of a portion of the side face. In another example, for a truncated pyramidal cone, the panel may have the dimensions of one or more side faces, or a portion of one or more side faces.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "approximately", "substantially" and "in the order of" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0041] Figures 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of an infrared detector 100 according to a first embodiment.

[0042] The infrared detector 100 comprises a housing 110 in the shape of a truncated cone of revolution. In the truncation of the cone, forming a substantially planar secondary base 110B (first face), two infrared sensors 102 are mounted, as well as a radio antenna 112. The cone comprises a substantially planar main base 110A and a lateral face HOC connecting the main base and the secondary base.

[0043] The conical housing is, for example, intended to be installed on a ceiling of a room, by means of its main base 110A (fixings not shown). The cone is then inverted (truncation with the infrared sensors below, main base above).

[0044] On at least a portion of the lateral face 110C is mounted a photovoltaic panel 120 (energy collector in the form of a panel), for example a photovoltaic panel in the form of a flexible film. The photovoltaic panel may be a panel in a single photovoltaic element (energy collector elements), as shown (continuous panel), assembled over the entire circumference of the lateral face, but not necessarily the entire height.

[0045] According to an alternative embodiment, the panel may comprise several photovoltaic elements (energy-sensing elements) connected to each other in series and / or in parallel. For example, a photovoltaic element may be a flexible element, for example in the form of a flexible film, or be a rigid element with a non-planar shape. The elements may be assembled on the lateral face, so as to cover all or part of the circumference and / or the height of said lateral face. Preferably, the photovoltaic elements are arranged so as to minimize the influence of shadows or differences in lighting on the different faces of the housing.

[0046] The photovoltaic panel, whether in one element or in several elements, can be fixed to the housing by means of grooves formed in said housing, and more precisely in the faces on which the panel is intended to be assembled, or by means of other suitable fixing means.

[0047] The shape of the housing makes it possible, by positioning the photovoltaic panel on the side face of the housing, which is oblique, to optimize the angle of incidence of the light rays on the panel, and thus to optimize the production of energy by said panel, while taking into account the geometric and functional constraints of the housing. In particular, the housing must have a first substantially flat face in which at least one infrared sensor is mounted, and which must not be covered by a photovoltaic panel, among other things so as not to distort the measurements.

[0048] The angle α of the lateral face 110C relative to the secondary base 110B may be optimized so that said lateral face corresponds to, or approaches, the normal of the angle of incidence of the light rays on the photovoltaic panel depending on the configuration in which the infrared detector is intended to be used, for example depending on the location of the detector in a room and / or the configuration of the artificial and / or natural light sources recoverable in the room, for example via a window (in emission and / or reflection). Preferably, the angle α is greater than 0° and less than 180°. For example, the angle α is equal to 40°, making it possible in particular to optimize the recovery of natural light when the infrared detector 100 is fixed to the ceiling of a room and the windows of the room do not reach up to the ceiling.

[0049] According to another example, the detector is positioned according to the location of artificial and / or natural light sources in a room, for example approximately in the middle of a set of light sources which surround it.

[0050] The shape of the housing may also be different, such as the shapes described later in the other examples, without these being limiting.

[0051] Inside the housing, the following are mounted, for example using racks 114 fixed in the housing: - a processing unit 104 connected to each infrared sensor 102; - a wireless communication unit 106 connected to the radio antenna 112 on the one hand, and on the other hand to the processing unit 104; and / or - an energy storage unit 108 connected on the one hand to the photovoltaic panel 120, on the other hand to each unit to power it.

[0052] The processing unit 104 is adapted to process the data collected by each infrared sensor 102. The processing unit can be configured to determine, from the collected data, information on a temperature, a number of people, a carbon dioxide (CO2) level and / or a brightness level in a room... The information provided by the processing unit can be transmitted by a wireless link (radio link) to a remote supervision unit of the detector (not shown). The supervision unit can be connected to one or more other detectors similar to the detector 100, and / or one or more other detectors different from the detector 100. The processing unit 104 comprises, for example, an electronic card.

[0053] The CO2 dioxide level can, for example, be determined based on the number of person(s) detected in a room by the infrared sensors, and the duration occupancy of the person(s) in the room. The temperature can, for example, be used to detect a potentially dangerous hot spot in a room. The brightness level can be used, for example, to regulate the intensity of lighting in a room.

[0054] According to one example, the radio communications transmitted, or even received, by the detector comply with the LoRaWAN radio protocol. LoRaWAN is the acronym for "Long Range Wide-Area Network" in English which can be translated as "long range extended network". LoRaWAN allows long-range communications at low cost and with low consumption. The wireless communication unit 106 can then comprise an electronic communication card operating on LoRa radio technology. According to another example, the radio communications can comply with other technologies such as Bluetooth1 M. The wireless communication unit 106 is then, for example, an electronic communication card operating on Bluetooth™ technology.

[0055] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector 200 according to a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment by the shape of the housing 210. The housing 210 corresponds to an assembly of two substantially identical cones of revolution, a first cone of revolution 211 (lower cone) and a second cone of revolution 212 (upper cone). The two cones are assembled by their main bases 21 1A, 212A. At least one infrared sensor 120 is mounted in the truncation 21 1B of the lower cone 211, corresponding to the first face.

[0056] On at least a portion of the lateral face 21 IC, 212C of each cone 211, 212 is mounted a photovoltaic panel 221, 222, for example a photovoltaic panel in the form of a flexible film. As shown, each photovoltaic panel may be a panel in a single photovoltaic element (continuous panel) on each lateral face, assembled over the entire circumference of the lateral face, but not necessarily over the entire height. According to an alternative embodiment, the panel may comprise several photovoltaic elements assembled to each other in series and / or in parallel on each lateral face. For example, a photovoltaic element may be flexible, for example in the form of a flexible film, or be a rigid element with a non-planar shape. The elements may be assembled on each lateral face so as to cover all or part of the circumference and / or the height of said lateral face.

[0057] This shape of the housing makes it possible to increase the surface area of photovoltaic panels that can be assembled on said housing, and thus potentially increase energy production, but it also makes it possible to take into account other angles of incidence of the light rays on the side faces.

[0058] The doubly conical housing 210 may be intended to be installed on a ceiling of a room, for example, by means of the truncation 212B of the upper cone 212 (fixings not shown).

[0059] The angle 0 of the lateral face 21 IC with respect to the truncation 21 IB of the lower cone 211 can be in the same range as the angle a given in relation to figures 1A and 1B, likewise for the angle 0' of the lateral face 212C with respect to the truncation 212B of the upper cone 212. The angles 0 and 0' can be equal or different.

[0060] The other characteristics of the detector 200 may be similar to those of the detector 100 described in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example: - the units mounted inside the housing, for example using racks; - the presence of several infrared sensors; and / or - the presence of an antenna.

[0061] [Fig. 3] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector 300 according to a third embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment by the shape of the housing 310 which has the shape of a truncated pyramidal cone.

[0062] The angle [3 of each lateral face 310C with respect to the truncation 310B of the truncated pyramidal cone is preferably greater than 0° and less than 180°. For example, the angle [3 is equal to 40°.

[0063] The photovoltaic panel is represented as an assembly of several photovoltaic elements 321, 322, for example a photovoltaic element fixed on some lateral faces 310C, or even on all the lateral faces, of the truncated pyramidal cone. In order not to make [Fig. 3] heavier, photovoltaic elements have been represented only on two of the four lateral faces, but there may be some on three or on all four lateral faces, or even on just one. Furthermore, each photovoltaic element may cover an entire lateral face, or only a portion of said lateral face. These may be flexible elements or rigid elements, for example with a substantially planar shape.

[0064] Alternatively, it may be envisaged to assemble a photovoltaic panel in a single element (continuous panel) on several lateral faces of the pyramidal cone, for example in the form of a photovoltaic film, to the extent that the minimum radius of curvature allowed by the photovoltaic film allows it.

[0065] A pyramidal cone with four faces has been shown, but a pyramidal cone with three faces, or even more than four faces, can be considered.

[0066] Alternatively, two pyramidal cones can be assembled in the manner of the two cones of revolution of [Fig.2].

[0067] The other characteristics of the detector 300 may be similar to those of the detector 100 described in relation to figures 1A and 1B, for example: - the units mounted inside the housing, for example using racks; - the presence of several infrared sensors; and / or - the presence of an antenna.

[0068] [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective view of an infrared detector 400 according to a fourth embodiment, which differs from the first, second and third embodiments in that the photovoltaic panel 420 is not assembled on said housing. In the embodiment shown, the photovoltaic panel 420 is positioned at a distance from the lateral faces of the housing of the detector so as to mask them, and it has a truncated cone shape, substantially circular.

[0069] More specifically, the detector 400 comprises a support structure 430 adapted to position and hold in place the photovoltaic panel 420 (whether it is in one or more elements). The support structure 430 is preferably a lightweight structure.

[0070] The support structure 430 shown comprises fixing lugs 432 into which the photovoltaic panel 420 can be inserted. For example, each fixing lug comprises a substantially rectilinear bar 432A, each of the ends 432B of which has a hook shape making it possible to insert and hold the photovoltaic panel 420 in place. The shape of the fixing lugs, in particular the shape of the bars, makes it possible to define, for example, the shape, size and / or curvature of the photovoltaic panel associated with the housing. The fixing lugs can be connected to a ring 434 or any other suitable base, said base being able to be fixed to the housing by any suitable means, for example using tabs 436 fixed to said housing by screwing, or using plug-in feet.

[0071] Other support structures are conceivable, in particular depending on the shape and dimensions of the housing, the shape and dimensions of the photovoltaic panel, and / or the positioning of the photovoltaic panel relative to the housing.

[0072] The photovoltaic panel is close to the housing, and masks at least one face of said housing. It is not necessary for it to surround the housing. Thus, other embodiments are possible.

[0073] The photovoltaic panel 420 is connected to the housing 410 to transfer the recovered energy thereto, for example the photovoltaic panel is connected to an energy storage unit 108 positioned in the housing. An electrical connection 422, for example an electrical cable, may be provided between the photovoltaic panel 420 and the housing 410, for example to the energy storage unit 108.

[0074] Preferably, the photovoltaic panel 420 does not cover the infrared sensor(s) 102, one of which is shown in [Fig.4] in the lower part of the housing 410.

[0075] [Fig.4] shows a panel in a single element, for example an element in the form of a flexible film. Alternatively, the panel may comprise several photovoltaic elements assembled together in series and / or in parallel, and held in place in the supporting structure. The elements can be flexible or rigid elements, preferably with non-planar shapes.

[0076] The other characteristics of the detector 400 may be similar to those of the detector 100 described in relation to figures 1A and 1B, for example: - the units mounted inside the housing, for example using racks; - the presence of one or more infrared sensors; and / or - the presence of an antenna.

[0077] This fourth embodiment offers several advantages over the previous embodiments, including: - several forms of support structure and associated photovoltaic panel are possible, for example to adapt to different configurations of use of the infrared detector; - the support structure can be manufactured using a 3D printing technique, allowing the production of various structural shapes at reduced costs; - the housing can have a simple shape, for example cylindrical or parallelepiped, or even cubic, allowing manufacturing at reduced costs; - the photovoltaic panel can reach a much larger surface area than the surface area of the housing; - the shape given to the photovoltaic panel can be modular, for example by adapting the shape of the support structure, as illustrated in figures 5 and 6.

[0078] [Fig. 5] represents a first variant of the leg 532 of the support structure whose bar 532A is no longer completely rectilinear, but has a slight bend in its center, making it possible to give the photovoltaic panel 520 a more curved shape than in [Fig. 4].

[0079] [Fig.6] represents a second variant of leg 632 of the support structure whose bar 632A is no longer rectilinear at all, but is curved, making it possible to give the photovoltaic panel 620 a shape that is also curved.

[0080] An infrared detector according to one embodiment can be used for applications such as the Internet of Things (IOT), smart building, remote monitoring, etc.

[0081] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, although the embodiments are described with photovoltaic panels or elements, the panel-shaped energy collector may be in the form of a thermal panel or other energy collector panel, provided that similar problems arise.

[0082] Furthermore, the embodiments show photovoltaic panels or elements having the shape of at least one lateral face of a truncated cone, the cone having a straight generatrix. Alternatively, at least one photovoltaic panel or element may have the shape of at least one lateral face of a truncated cone whose generatrix is curved, so as to form a curved cone, for example concave. The concave shape may be calculated to maximize the number of light rays oriented along the straight lines normal to the surface of the photovoltaic panel (either perpendicular to the tangent or to the point of arrival of the light rays on the panel).

[0083] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above.

Claims

Claims

1. Infrared detector (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising: - a housing (110; 210; 310; 410) having at least one substantially planar first face (110B; 211B; 310B); - at least one infrared sensor (102) mounted in or on the first face; - at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel (120; 221, 222; 321, 322; 420; 520; 620) having the shape of at least one lateral face of a truncated cone and masking all or part of at least one second face (110C; 211C, 212C; 310C) of the housing different from the first face; the first face corresponding to a first base of the truncated cone; the truncated cone comprising a second base (110A; 310A) having fixings for fixing to a ceiling, the first base corresponding to the truncation of the truncated cone, and the second face corresponding to the main base of the truncated cone.

2. Infrared detector (100; 200; 300) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (110; 210; 310) comprises a first part in the shape of a first truncated cone, and the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises at least one energy sensor (120; 221; 321, 322) assembled, for example fixed, on said first part of the housing, the at least one lateral face corresponding to all or part of the at least one second face of the housing.

3. Infrared detector (100; 200; 300) according to claim 2, comprising a fixing element adapted to fix the at least one energy sensor on the housing, for example a groove formed in said housing.

4. An infrared detector (100; 200; 300) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the at least one second face (110C; 21 IC; 310C) is oriented at an angle (a, 0, |3) relative to the first face (110B; 21 IB; 310B), said angle being greater than 0° and less than 180°.

5. Infrared detector (400) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel (420; 520; 620) is positioned at a distance from the housing, and the at least one lateral face is offset from the at least one second face of the housing.

6. Infrared detector (400) according to claim 5, comprising a support structure (430) adapted to position the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel (420; 520; 620) at a distance from the at least one second face of the housing (410), said support structure being secured to said housing.

7. Infrared detector (400) according to claim 6, in which the support structure (430) comprises fixing tabs (432; 532; 632) adapted to receive and hold the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel (420; 520; 620).

8. Infrared detector (400) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the housing (410) has a substantially parallelepiped shape, for example cubic, or a substantially cylindrical shape, for example circular cylindrical.

9. Infrared detector (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel is oriented so as to optimize the capture of light, for example so as to optimize the angle of incidence of light rays on said at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel.

10. An infrared detector (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the truncated cone is a truncated circular cone or a truncated pyramidal cone.

11. An infrared detector (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing further comprises: - a processing unit (104) connected to the at least one infrared sensor (102); - a wireless communication unit (106) connected to the processing unit; and / or - an energy storage unit (108) connected to the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel.

12. An infrared detector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a wireless communication antenna (112), for example mounted on the first face (110B; 21 IB; 310B).

13. An infrared detector according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises a single energy sensor element, for example in the form of a flexible film.

14. Infrared detector according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one energy sensor in the form of a panel comprises several energy sensor elements assembled together in series and / or in parallel.

15. An infrared detector according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one panel-shaped energy sensor comprises, for example consists of, at least one photovoltaic panel.

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