Control unit for home automation system and associated home automation system

Abstract

Control unit for home automation system and associated home automation system. This control unit (16) for home automation system comprises a main body (20), which provides a compartment (V20) for receiving a battery, and a cover (32) for closing the compartment. The cover includes a hinge portion (34), which is configured to cooperate 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) has a U-shape, is elastically deformable, and includes a free end, called the locking end, which is configured to be received in an additional housing (60) formed in the main body when the cover (32) is in the closed position, the clip (40) being then located on one side of the mean plane (P30) internal to the main body, while the locking end (43B) is located recessed from the outer face (28). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Control unit for home automation system and associated home automation system

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

[0002] In the field of home automation, it is common practice to control various pieces of equipment in a home, for example, a motorized roller shutter system, lighting, etc., using a control unit, also called a control point, which communicates wirelessly with the equipment. Such a control point is generally powered by one or more batteries, particularly button cells, for example, lithium batteries. To facilitate battery replacement, the battery or batteries are usually housed in a compartment covered by a lid.

[0003] To prevent these button batteries from being swallowed by young children, it is crucial that the compartment be properly closed and resistant to 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, notably IEC 62368-1 edition 3, require that the cover of a battery compartment cannot be opened with fingers, but mandates the use of a tool.

[0004] 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 generally operable by hand. To comply with the standard, however, it is necessary to ensure that the clip cannot be unlocked by hand.

[0005] Furthermore, given the thinness of the control point, it is necessary that this clip be able to act elastically within a height less than the thickness of the compartment intended for the battery or batteries. Finally, such a locking device with an elastic clip is subject to improvement to ensure long-term reliability against careless handling, particularly when opening the battery compartment.

[0006] It is these problems that the invention intends to remedy in particular, by proposing a control unit with improved safety.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a control unit for home automation systems, the control unit comprising: - a main body (20), which provides a compartment (V20) for receiving one or more batteries, the compartment opening in a direction of depth (Z20) on an external face (28) of the main body by an opening (30) which extends along a mean plane (P30) orthogonal to the depth direction (Z20), - a compartment closure lid (32), the lid: • being mobile 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 according to 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,

[0008] in which: - The lid includes: • a joint portion (34), configured to cooperate with the main body (20) so that the cover (32) is mobile 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 hinge portion (34) relative to the sealing 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 an additional 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 internal mean plane (P30) of the main body, the locking end (43B) being located recessed 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 and a compressed configuration, the clip tending, by elastic return of the rounded base (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 lid is in its closed position and the clip is in its compressed configuration, the clip does not prevent the opening movement. (F32) of the lid and the lid is in an unlocked configuration.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the rounded U-shape of the clip distributes the deformation stresses of the main portion over the entire U, particularly on both walls. In other words, when the cover is opened, the stress concentration is reduced, thus minimizing the risk of cracking and / or accidental breakage of the clip. This improves the safety of the control unit. Furthermore, the distribution of stresses on the walls and the rounded base reduces the height of the locking clip, allowing it to be housed within the limited thickness of the control unit. Moreover, since the locking end is recessed from the outer face, the risk of catching the locking end with a finger or fingernail, resulting in the compartment opening, is reduced. Consequently, a tool is required to open the battery compartment.This improves the safety of the control unit.

[0010] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features taken individually or in any technically permissible combination: - The portion of the seal extends along a lid plane, which is parallel, notably substantially coplanar to the mean plane when the lid 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 through the locking end and a captive end of the captive wall, opposite the bottom and connected to the sealing portion. - The mechanical links of the locking end and the captive end of the captive wall are located substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction, located in retreat from the mean plane along the depth direction. - The additional housing includes at least one blocking wall, each blocking wall providing a blocking surface oriented opposite to the depth direction, while the locking end includes 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 in recess, along the height direction when the cover is in the closed position, relative to the sealing portion. - The main body includes a recess, which is set into the main body and which is arranged between the additional accommodation and the compartment, where the additional housing opens onto the clearance, which itself opens onto the external face, the clearance being configured to receive part of the clip when the cover is in the closed position, and the main body also includes a recess, which extends along the depth direction, which is made in the main body and which connects the additional housing to the external face of the main body, the recess opening into the additional 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. - The recess has a passage dimension, measured between any two points of a contour of the recess parallel to the average plane, which is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, preferably even less than 3.5 mm. - The bearing surface is set back from each blocking face, while the bearing surface is inclined in the opposite direction to the captive wall with respect to the height axis, the height axis being collinear with the depth direction when the cover is in the closed position. - The recess has a chamfered opening and surfaces delimited by the blocking walls and the main body offering an insertion and support area for a tool in the recess. - The connecting tab includes a centering reinforcement, which is projected from the inner side of the lid and which, together with the captive wall, creates stopping surfaces,

[0011] whereas 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. - The stop faces include: • at least one transverse face, each transverse face being oriented towards the hinge axis when the lid is in the closed position, and • two lateral faces, which are oriented opposite each other orthogonally to the hinge axis when the lid is in the closed position. - On the external side of the cover, the sealing 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.

[0012] The invention also relates to a home automation installation, in particular a closing or solar protection installation, which includes a control unit as described above.

[0013] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will become more apparent in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a control unit and a home automation system, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] - [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a home automation installation conforming to a first embodiment of the invention, with a control unit also conforming to the invention viewed from the front;

[0015] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a rear perspective view of the control unit the [Fig.1], comprising a lid and shown in a closed configuration;

[0016] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents, respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view in rear perspective of the control unit of [Fig.2] shown in an open configuration, and a perspective view of the cover of [Fig.2];

[0017] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents respectively, on two insets a) and b), a detail of the control unit of [Fig.2], observed along arrow IVa in [Fig.2], and a detail of the lid of [Fig.3] b), observed on a larger scale;

[0018] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents, respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view in perspective of a detail of the lid in Figure 3b, viewed along arrow Va, and a perspective view of a detail of the control unit in Figure 3b, viewed along arrow Vb, and

[0019] - [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a partial cross-section of the control unit in configuration closed along a longitudinal plane of the lid;

[0020] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents, on two insets a) and b), two details of a unit of control 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

[0021] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a cover of the unit order of [Fig.7], the lid being observed from two different directions.

[0022] Figure 1 represents a home automation system 2. The home automation system 2 is here a closure system, in particular a roller shutter system, which partially closes an opening 4 in a wall 6. In a non-limiting variant, Home automation system 2 is a solar protection system and / or includes one or more lighting devices. In other words, home automation system 2 includes one or more controllable devices.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the opening 4 is a window, which passes completely through the wall 6. In an alternative not shown, the opening 4 is a door, for example a garage door. The opening 4 is here partially covered by a blackout screen 8, which is the curtain of the roller shutter.

[0024] The home automation system 2 comprises a housing 10, which is formed on the upper part of the opening 4 and delimits an internal volume in which a winding tube 12 for the screen 8 is housed, in particular in the form of a winding tube. The tube 12 defines a winding axis A12, which is horizontal. The blackout screen 8 is connected to the tube 12, in particular winds onto the tube 12, the tube 12 being mounted here to rotate freely relative to the housing 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.

[0025] The home automation system 2 also includes 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 pieces of equipment in the home automation system 2. In the illustrated example, the electromechanical actuator 14 is controlled by the control unit 16, via control signals, for example wireless, emitted by the control unit 16 and received by the actuator 14. By control unit, we mean a remote control device that communicates with the actuator 14. The control signal is represented by a lightning bolt 18 in [Fig. 1].

[0026] The control signals 18 are received by the actuator 14 even when the electromechanical actuator 14 is located within the internal volume of the compartment 10, and are advantageously signals transmitted by radio waves. The control unit 16 thus includes a radio wave transmission module, which is neither shown nor described in further detail in this description.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the control unit 16 is shown fixed to the wall 6 in which the opening 4 is provided. Of course, the control unit 16 can be fixed to a wall other than wall 6, or it may not be fixed to any wall, in which case the control unit 16 is simply placed wherever a user prefers. Since the control unit 16 is either removably fixed to a wall or freestanding, it is then referred to as a portable control unit. The spatial constraint is, in particular, that the control unit 16 must be located within radio range of the actuator 14.

[0028] The control unit 16 is now described.

[0029] The control unit 16 comprises a main body 20, which is here formed by The assembly consists of a front portion 22, facing the user when the control unit 16 is mounted on a wall 6, and a rear portion 24, facing away from the front portion 22. The front portion 22, visible in [Fig. 1], includes several buttons 23 for controlling the equipment of the home automation system 2, for example, arrow-shaped buttons 23A for raising or lowering the roller shutter screen 8, round buttons 23B for switching lights on or off, etc. The number, shape, arrangement, and function of the buttons 23 on the front of the control unit 16 are not limited. In the illustrated example, the control unit 16 also includes a mounting bracket for wall mounting, in this case, wall 6.The fixing support includes 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.

[0030] The main body 20 provides an internal volume that houses various components of the control unit 16, including a printed circuit board (PCB), etc. The PCB is not shown. A portion of this internal volume is configured to house one or more batteries for powering the control unit 16. In other words, the main body 20 provides a battery compartment V20, i.e., a receiving volume designed to hold one or more batteries. In the illustrated example, the compartment V20 is designed to hold a single battery, in this case a button cell 21, visible in [Fig. 6]. The type and number of batteries are not limited.

[0031] 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 supported here by the rear face of the control unit 16. Compartment V20 is formed on one side of the mean plane P30 internal to the main body 20 and, by extension, mainly on the inner side of the mean plane P30. Compartment V20 thus opens onto the external face 28 through the opening 30 and extends from a bottom of compartment V20 towards the opening 30 along 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.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the rear face of the control unit 16 also includes a button 31. The button 31 is used, for example, to switch the control unit 16 on or off, or to configure it, for example, to pair the control unit 16 with one or more of the devices in the home automation system 2. Alternatively, the control unit 16 includes, in addition to the button 31, other buttons on the rear face. The number, arrangement, shape, and functions of these buttons are not limiting.

[0033] The control unit 16 also includes a cover 32 for closing the compartment V20. The cover 32 includes a hinge portion 34, a sealing portion 36, and a locking portion 38. The cover 32 is shown in isolation in [Fig. 3] b), while the locking portion 38 is shown on a larger scale in Figures 4 b) and 5 a).

[0034] The articulation portion 34 cooperates with the main body 20, for example by complementary shapes, so as to form a hinge, i.e. the cover 32 is mobile 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 flap.

[0035] The axis of rotation A34 is parallel to the mean plane P30. In the illustrated example, the hinge portion 34 includes a tab 35A, which has an elongated shape extending along a tab axis A35, and which is received in a complementary housing 35B formed 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 tab axis A35 coincides with the axis of rotation A34 and the cover 32 pivots relative to the rear portion 24 around the tab axis A35. The axis of rotation A34 is a transverse axis of the compartment V20. By extension, the axis of rotation A34 is also a transverse axis of the cover 32, in the engaged configuration of the cover 32.

[0036] In an alternative not shown, the cover 32 and the rear portion 24 are one 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 forms the hinge.

[0037] The cover 32 is thus movable relative to the main body 20 between a closed position, in which the sealing portion 36 closes the opening 30 and prevents access to compartment V20, and an open position, in which access to 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 transition of the cover 32 from its closed position to its open position occurs through 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 arc-shaped arrow in [Fig. 3].

[0038] The sealing portion 36 has a generally flat shape and extends along a cover plane P36. The sealing portion 36 is configured to seal the opening 30 in the closed position of the cover 32, the cover plane P36 being then parallel or coincident with the mean plane P30 of the aperture 30.

[0039] A longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32 is defined as a radial axis 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 containing the longitudinal axis A32. The cover 32 thus has a generally symmetrical shape 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.

[0040] A longitudinal axis A20 of compartment V20 is also defined as an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis A32 of the lid 32 in the closed position. A longitudinal plane P20 of compartment V20 is a plane coplanar with the longitudinal plane P32 of the lid 32 in the closed position, passing through the longitudinal axis A20.

[0041] The locking portion 38 includes a locking clip 40. In the first embodiment, the locking portion 38 advantageously includes a connecting tab 44, the clip 40 being connected to the sealing portion 36 by the connecting tab 44.

[0042] The locking portion 38 and the hinge portion 34 are located on opposite sides of the obturation portion 36, along the longitudinal axis A32 of the cover 32. The side of the obturation portion 36 bearing the hinge portion is called the proximal side, while the side of the obturation portion 36 bearing the locking portion 38 is called the distal side, particularly 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 compartment V20 are also defined, which are defined with respect to housing 35B and which correspond respectively to the distal and proximal sides of the cover 32 in the closed position. The distal side of compartment V20 is therefore located opposite the axis of rotation A34, while the proximal side of compartment V20 is located on the side of the axis of rotation A34.

[0043] The clip 40, when projected onto the longitudinal plane P32 of the cover 32, has a U-shape. The clip 40 comprises two walls 42A and 42B, which are connected to each other by a base 42C and each has an end. The U-shaped clip 40 is open along the height direction Z32. Wall 42A is connected to the sealing 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 base 42C is a captive end 43A, by which the clip 40 is connected to the sealing portion 36, notably via the connecting tab 44, while the end 43B of the 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 clip 40 locking configuration.

[0044] The U-shaped clip 40 is elastically deformable between a deployed and a compressed configuration, with 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 and compressed configurations. By "rounded," it is understood that the bottom 42C has a substantially continuous curvature profile and that the bottom 42C is connected substantially tangentially to each of the captive 42A and free 42B walls. In the example, the 42C bottom has a circular arc profile, that is, with a constant curvature.

[0045] The connecting tab 44 connects the captive end 43A of the clip 40 to the obturation portion 36. The connecting tab 44 comprises an elongated connecting portion 45 and extends lengthwise towards the distal side of the obturation portion 36, parallel to the longitudinal axis A32. In section along a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis A32, i.e., 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.

[0046] The cover 32 advantageously includes a reinforcement 46. The reinforcement 46 is provided on one inner side of the cover 32, the inner side being oriented towards compartment V20 when the cover 32 is in the closed position. The reinforcement 46 is projecting and arranged to limit the deflection of the captive wall 42A and the sealing portion 36 in the event of intentional or unintentional manipulation of the cover 32 in the closed position. In the first embodiment of the control unit 16, the reinforcement 46 is projecting on the connecting tab 44.

[0047] The shape of the reinforcement 46 is not limiting. As detailed later, the reinforcement 46 is configured to cooperate, by complementary shapes, with a recess 78 formed 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 thus also serves as a centering reinforcement. The recess 78 is described later.

[0048] The reinforcement 46 here generally has a parallelepiped shape and forms, with the captive wall 42A, stop faces. These stop faces include here an in face The lower face 48 is formed on the reinforcement 46, two transverse faces 50 are formed on either side of the reinforcement 46 as an additional thickness on the captive wall 42A, and two lateral faces 52 are formed on the reinforcement 46. The lower face 48 is oriented opposite to 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, i.e., oriented towards the axis of rotation A34. The lateral faces 52 are oriented opposite to each other parallel to the longitudinal plane P32, i.e., orthogonally to the axis of rotation A34.

[0049] On the outer side of the cover 32, the obturation portion 36 and the clip 40 are connected to each other by a junction surface 54, which advantageously has a convex shape, configured to prevent a tool from exerting a force directed towards the proximal side of the cover 32, here on the connecting tab 44. The convex shape prevents stable positioning of the tool against the connecting portion and avoids the application of a force high enough to cause the obturation portion 36 to bend when the cover 32 is in the closed position. In the first embodiment, the obturation portion 36 is connected to the clip 40 via the connecting tab 44, the connecting tab 44 extending parallel to the obturation plane P36, while the junction surface 54 is formed at the junction of the connecting tab. 44 and clip 40.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the joining surface 54, when projected onto a plane transverse to the cover 32, i.e., a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32, has a circular arc profile with a radius R54. In other words, the radius of curvature of the joining surface 54 is constant here. The radius R54 of the joining surface 54 is here equal to 2 mm. Alternatively, the value of this radius R54 may be different.

[0051] Alternatively, the joining surface 54 has a convex profile with a variable radius of curvature, or even includes a planar portion, for example, a planar portion inclined at an angle to the cover plane P36. By definition, a planar 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.

[0052] The locking end 43B here has two lugs, which project beyond the free wall 42B and each provide a locking face 56. The two locking faces 56 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal plane P32. The locking faces 56 are preferably planar and oriented in the direction of the height Z32, parallel to the cover plane P36. The locking faces 56 are preferably coplanar and are supported by a P56 blocking plan.

[0053] The blocking faces 56 are arranged recessed, along the height direction Z32, relative to the sealing portion 36. A recess interval 156 is defined as a distance, measured parallel to the height direction Z32, between each of the blocking faces 56 and the cover plane 36. The recess interval 156 is greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2.5 mm. In the illustrated example, the recess interval 156 is equal to 2.5 mm.

[0054] The locking end 43B also includes a bearing face 58. The bearing face 58 is arranged between the two locking faces 56 and recessed from each locking face 56, i.e., in relief from the locking plane P56. The bearing face 58 is thus difficult to access with fingers or fingernails, 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.

[0055] The bearing face 58 is advantageously inclined in the opposite direction to the captive wall 42A with respect to the height axis direction Z32. By extension, when the cover 32 is in the closed position, the bearing face 58 is inclined in the opposite direction to the captive wall 42A with respect to the depth direction Z20.

[0056] The bearing face 58 is generally flat and has a normal axis A58, which lies along the longitudinal plane P32. This plane 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 an angle α58 with the height direction Z32, an angle between 10° and 80°, preferably between 20° and 70°, and even more preferably between 30° and 60°. In the illustrated example, the bearing face 58 is inclined distally at an angle α58 of 30°. This inclination allows for the guidance of a tool for unlocking the locking clip.

[0057] Thus, when a tool is placed 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, one component of which is directed towards the sealing 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. Opening the cover 32 with the tool is facilitated, which improves the overall ease of use of the control unit 16 without compromising its safety.

[0058] We now detail the main body 20.

[0059] The main body 20 includes an additional 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 additional housing 60 is configured to receive the locking end 43B when the clip 40 is in confi- configuration deployed.

[0060] The additional housing 60 is provided on the distal side of compartment V20 and opens towards the proximal side of compartment V20, i.e. towards the axis of rotation A34. The additional housing 60 is delimited, along the depth direction Z20, by two blocking walls 62, each blocking wall 62 extending parallel to the mean plane P30 and providing a blocking surface 64 oriented opposite to the depth direction Z20.

[0061] While the cover 32 is in the closed position, when the locking end 43B is received in the additional housing 60, each locking face 56 is opposite 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.

[0062] The blocking wall 62 has a thickness E62, measured parallel to the depth direction Z20 between each blocking surface 64 and the external surface 28, which is greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 2.5 mm, and even more preferably greater than 3 mm. The blocking faces 56 and the locking end 43B are recessed from the external face 28. Access to the blocking faces 56 is thus prevented, contributing to the safety of the control unit 16. The thickness E62 is here equal to 3 mm.

[0063] The main body 20 also includes a recess 66, which is hollowed out in the external surface 28 and which extends parallel to the depth direction Z20.

[0064] The recess 66 is formed in the main body 20 opposite the volume V20 with respect to the auxiliary housing 60 and connects the auxiliary 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 an opening 68 and, on the other hand, into the auxiliary 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, by means of a tool inserted into the recess 66.

[0065] A passage dimension D66 of the recess 66 is defined as a maximum dimension, measured parallel to the mean plane P30, between any two points on a contour of the recess 66. In the illustrated example, the recess 66 has a cylindrical shape, with a semi-circular cross-section centered on a recess axis A66 parallel to the depth direction Z20. The passage dimension D66 is therefore a diameter of this semi-circle.

[0066] The opening dimension D66 is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, and even more preferably less than 3.5 mm, so as to prevent the insertion of a finger, in particular a child's finger or a standardized test finger, while allowing the insertion of a sharp tool, such as a ballpoint pen tip or screwdriver tip.

[0067] For greater safety, a ratio between the passage dimension D66 and the thickness E62 should 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 fine and long tools, or to pointed or conical tools.

[0068] 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 it a force which will tend to deform the clip 40 from its deployed configuration to its compressed configuration, as explained above.

[0069] The main body 20 also includes a recess 70, which is formed in the main body 20 and configured to receive the bulk of the clip 40 of the cover 32 in the closed position or during changes in the 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 recess 70 is arranged between the additional housing 60 and the compartment V20, on the distal side of the compartment V20.

[0070] When the cover 32 is in the closed position, the free end 43B of the clip 40 is received in the additional 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.

[0071] 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 end 43A and the locking end 43B 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 U-shaped deformation of the 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.

[0072] Preferably, the mechanical links 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 in retreat relative to the mean plane P30 along the depth direction Z20.

[0073] The additional housing 60 opens onto the clearance 70, while the clearance 70 opens onto the compartment V20 and onto the external face 28.

[0074] The main body 20 also includes a partition 72, which separates the compartment V20 and clearance 70. In the example, the septum 72 delimits compartment V20 on its distal side and partially closes clearance 72 with respect to compartment V20.

[0075] The partition 72 includes an upper surface 74, which is oriented in the same direction as the depth direction Z20 and is set back from the mid-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.

[0076] The main body 20 also includes two stops 76, each of which has a substantially parallelepiped shape and is arranged on either side of the longitudinal plane P20. The stops 76 are projecting from the upper surface 74 of the partition 72. The stops 76 and the partition 72 together form the recess 78, which is formed in the main body 20 and is configured to receive the reinforcement 46.

[0077] In the illustrated example, the two stops 76 each have a lateral surface 80 extending parallel to the longitudinal plane P20 of the main body 20, the two lateral surfaces 80 being opposite each other. When the cover 32 is in the closed position, each lateral surface 80 is opposite a respective lateral face 52 of the reinforcement 46, preferably bearing against a respective lateral face 52, so as to prevent movement of the clip 40 and the connecting tab 44 parallel to the axis of rotation A34.

[0078] The two stops 76 each also have a transverse surface 82, which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis A20 of the main body 20 and is oriented towards the clearance 70. The two transverse surfaces 82 are parallel here. 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 movement of the clip 40 and the connecting tab 44 perpendicular to the hinge axis A34 in the direction of the latter. The interaction of the transverse surfaces 82 and 50 also makes it possible to lock the locking clip 40 against a force on the bearing surface 58, which allows the locking clip 40 to deform and the possible opening or closing of the cover 32.

[0079] More generally, the recess 78 provides stopping surfaces, which are arranged opposite the stopping 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 backwards or parallel to the hinge axis A34. In the first embodiment, the clip 40 is connected to the sealing portion via the tab 44, and the stop surfaces also prevent movement of the connecting tab 44 relative to the main body 20 backwards 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.

[0080] To open the cover 32, a user must therefore insert a thin tool into the recess 66 and generate a support 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 together and allow the passage of the locking clip 40 through the clearance 70 and the lifting of the cover 32 from its closed configuration.

[0081] When the cover 32 needs to be closed, a force applied perpendicularly to the cover brings the cover 32, and in particular the locking clip 40, into a bearing position against the outer face 28 of the main body. Specifically, the free end 43B of the clip 40 comes to rest against a portion of the edges of the recess 70.

[0082] The free end 43B includes a lower surface 59 which is chamfered, so that a bearing force exerted perpendicularly 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.

[0083] Thus, the ends 43B and 43A of the walls 42A, 42B will move closer together, allowing the locking clip 40 to pass through the opening 70 and the cover 32 to return to its closed position. The clip 40 elastically returns to its deployed position after passing through the opening 70. No tools are required to close and lock the cover 32.

[0084] A control unit 216 according to a second embodiment of the invention is partially shown in Figures 7 and 8. In the second embodiment, the elements analogous to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference numerals and function in the same way. The following primarily describes the differences between the first and second embodiments.

[0085] 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 shutter portion 36. The shutter portion 36 here has a generally rectangular shape.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the cover 32 includes a reinforcement 246, which is projecting onto the sealing portion 36 on the inner side of the cover 32. The reinforcement 246 is formed here by ribs with arc-shaped portions, the ribs extending perpendicularly to the plane of the cover P36. The reinforcement 246 thus contributes to the overall rigidity of the cover 32.

[0087] The reinforcement 246 is configured to cooperate, by complementary shapes, with a recess 278 formed 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 helps to keep the stack 21 centered in the compartment 30. The reinforcement 246 is thus also a centering reinforcement. In the second embodiment, the recess 278 is formed of grooves, which are formed on the periphery of the compartment V20, between the stack 21 and stops 279 of the main body 20.

[0088] More generally, it is understood that the reinforcement 246 provides stop faces for the cover 32, while the recess 278 provides stop surfaces for the main body 20. The stop surfaces of the recess 278 are arranged opposite stop faces for 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.

[0089] In the closed position of the cover 32, the sealing portion 36 is advantageously supported against the stops 279. When the stack 21 is present in the compartment V20, the sealing portion 36 is also supported against the stack 21. Thus, when a force having a component normal to the plane of the cover P36 is exerted on the cover 36 in the closed position, this component is absorbed by the stops 279 and the stack 21, which limits the deformation of the sealing portion 36, and thus reduces the risk of the cover 32 being opened by hand.

[0090] Similarly, when a force having a component tangential to the plane of cover P36 is exerted on the cover 36 in the closed position, this component is taken up by the reinforcement 246, the pier 21 and the recesses 278, which limits the deformation of the sealing portion 36, and thus reduces the risk of opening the cover 32 by hand.

[0091] In the illustrated example, as well as in the first embodiment, the joining surface 54, when projected onto a plane transverse to the cover 32, i.e., a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A32, has a circular arc profile with a radius R54, preferably greater than 1.5 mm, and preferably greater than 2 mm. This avoids the need for a tool or finger to be held securely against the connecting portion when handling the cover 32.

[0092] Preferably, the battery 21 received in compartment V20 is immobilized by relative to the main body 20. Thus, when the cover 32 is in the open position and a battery 21 is received in compartment V20, the battery 21 tends to remain in place in 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 compartment V20, the main body 20 having grooves, i.e., ribs of material, which are formed around the periphery of the battery compartment V20 and which are elastically deformable to accommodate the insertion of the battery 21 into compartment 20. Furthermore, a portion of the battery 21 is held under a lip of the main body 20 that extends beyond the compartment V20 receiving the battery 21.

[0093] The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Demands

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 along 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 compartment closure cover (32), the cover: • being mobile 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 according to 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 lid includes: • a joint portion (34), configured to cooperate with the main body (20) so that the cover (32) is mobile 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 hinge portion (34) relative to the sealing 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 an additional 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 recessed 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, wherein the sealing portion (36) extends along a cover plane (P36), which is parallel, in particular substantially coplanar with 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, wherein 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 through the locking end (43B) and a captive end (43A) of the captive wall (42A), opposite the bottom (42C) and connected to the sealing portion (36).

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

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

6. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: • the main body (20) includes a recess (70), which is set into the main body and arranged between the additional housing (60) and the compartment (V20), • the additional housing opens onto the clearance (70), which itself opens onto the external face, the clearance (70) being configured to receive a part (42A, 42B, 42C) of the clip (40) when the cover (32) is in the closed position, • The main body (20) also includes a recess (66), extending along the depth direction (Z20), which is formed in the main body and connects the auxiliary housing to the outer face (28) of the main body, the recess opening into the auxiliary housing in the vicinity of each locking surface (64), so as to allow access from the outer 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 at neighborhood of each blocking 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, preferably even less than 3.5 mm.

8. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: • the bearing surface (58) is set back from each blocking face (56), • the bearing surface is inclined away from the captive wall (42A) with respect 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, wherein the recess (66) has a chamfered opening (68) and surfaces delimited by the blocking walls (62) and the main body providing an insertion and support area for a tool in the recess.

10. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: • the cover (32) comprises a centering reinforcement (46; 246) projecting from the inner side of the cover (32) and forming, with the captive wall (43A), stop faces (48, 50, 52), • the reinforcement (46; 246) is configured to cooperate, by complementarity of form, with a recess (78; 278) formed in the main body (20), the recess forming 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 it the axis of rotation (A34).

11.

12.

13. 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. Control unit (16; 216) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which • on the external side of the cover (32), the sealing portion (36) and the clip (40) are connected by a joining surface (54), • the junction surface (54) has, in projection in a longitudinal plane (P32) of the lid, a convex profile with a radius of curvature (R54). Home automation installation (2), in particular a closing or sun protection installation, comprising a control unit (16; 216) according to any one of the preceding claims.