ELECTRONIC MEASURING DEVICE FOR A SLIDEBOARD

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device intended to be fixed to a board for collecting information provided by sensors (K) connected to the board, the sensors being connected to a first electrical connector (C1) characterized in that said device comprises a housing (2) cooperating removably with a support chassis (1) mounted on said board, the chassis (1) having an opening in which the first electrical connector (C1) is positioned, the housing (2) comprising;- at least one electronic component (E) intended to process the data from the sensors (K), - a second electrical connector (C2) connected to a cell (3) containing the electronic component and intended to make contact with the first electrical connector (C1), - a sealing gasket (4) surrounding the second electrical connector (C2) and, - mounting and locking means (23a) of said housing (2) cooperating with locking elements (10)) of the chassis (1) to lock the housing (2) in the chassis (1) by compressing the sealing gasket (4). Figure of the abstract (Fig. 6);

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRONIC MEASURING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING BOARD

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of sliding sports and is interested, more particularly, in electronic measuring devices intended to be fixed on a sliding board in order to collect information relating, in particular, to the mechanical behavior of the board during its use or to the various parameters of the trajectory.

[0002] There are already measuring devices of this type comprising a housing containing electronic components intended to be connected to sensors linked to the sliding board by being either attached to the board with the housing, or directly integrated into the structure of this board.

[0003] The technical information collected by the sensors is recorded, for example, on memory cards placed inside the housing and can then be automatically transmitted by cable or by teletransmission to a smartphone, tablet or computer for further analysis and processing.

[0004] The electronic housing can be permanently fixed to the board, or preferably, removably mounted on the board. The electrical connection between the sensors and the electronic components of the removable housing is generally made via metallic connectors (usually copper).

[0005] In FR3062577A1, a ski board is equipped with an electronic device comprising a screen for displaying data from at least one sensor integrated into the board. This screen is positioned under the transparent protective top layer of the ski and is connected by wires to a connector accessible from the surface of the board. A removable electronic housing containing at least one sensor and intended for data storage is positioned on this connector.

[0006] In FR3077005A1, the electronic device comprises piezoelectric sensors that are positioned on the surface of the ski board or within its structure. An electronic housing, optionally removable, is mounted on the board and electrically connected to the sensors by means of wires or a suitable connector.

[0007] However, it turns out that the electrical connection provided by these devices is not satisfactory because it remains unstable over time, mainly due to sealing defects resulting from the appearance of play in the mechanical connection between the cases and their associated support chassis. This connection is even more fragile when the case is removable.

[0008] However, these defects are likely to occur quickly and frequently when the device is intended for boards used for skiing (alpine skiing or surfing) because these are subjected to significant vibrations.

[0009] However, this situation is problematic because the board is used to be in contact with snow, ice and even water and this very humid environment promotes water entry into the housing which disrupts, or even interrupts, the electrical connection which is necessary if one wants to recover reliable and continuous data.

[0010] In this context, the invention aims to improve the mechanical connection and sealing at the interface between the electronic housing and the connector linked to the board, whether the sensors are housed in this housing or in the structure of the board itself.

[0011] This goal is achieved, according to the invention, by means of an electronic device intended to be fixed on a board for the purpose of collecting information provided by sensors connected to the board, the sensors being connected to a first electrical connector, characterized in that said device comprises a housing cooperating removably with a support chassis mounted on said board, the chassis having an opening in which the first electrical connector is positioned, said housing comprising; • at least one electronic component designed to process sensor data, • a second electrical connector linked to a cell containing the electronic component and designed to come into contact with the first electrical connector, • a sealing gasket surrounding the second electrical connector and, • means for mounting and locking said housing cooperating with chassis locking elements to lock the housing in the chassis by compressing the sealing gasket.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, said housing is cylindrical and includes a hood covering a cell containing the electronic component and the external face of which is provided, on the one hand, with the second electrical connector and, on the other hand, with the sealing gasket, said hood being movable in rotation relative to the cell and said cell being movable in translation relative to the hood by means of an elastic element, said housing locking means being positioned on the hood.

[0013] According to a specific embodiment of the device of the invention, the hood locking means consist of at least one lug intended to be engaged by sliding manner in the locking elements of the chassis formed by at least one groove made in the side wall of the chassis and whose profile is determined to ensure, by rotation of the hood and when the lug is at the end of travel stop in the groove, the locking of the cell, the compression of the sealing gasket and, jointly, the contact of the second connector with the first connector.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the device of the invention, the inner face of the side wall of the chassis is provided with projections intended to cooperate with grooves carried by the side wall of the cell in order to ensure the guidance of the housing during its mounting on the chassis and the rotational locking of the cell relative to the chassis.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the inner face of the cell has attachment tabs on the bottom of the hood and an elastic element formed of a helical spring intended to ensure the support of the cell in the chassis.

[0016] Preferably, the inner face of the cell then carries a retaining and centering stud for the spring.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of this variant of the device of the invention, the bottom of the hood has a peripheral groove delimited by a radial shoulder and into which the cell's attachment tabs snap.

[0018] According to another feature of the device of the invention, the chassis is provided, on its peripheral edge, with indexing elements for the respective angular positions of the inlet end and the closed end of the groove.

[0019] According to a specific embodiment of the device of the invention, the throat has a bean-shaped blind profile.

[0020] More specifically, the closed end of the throat is located below the level of its inlet end. In particular, the closed end of the throat is located below the level of its inlet end and above an intermediate angled area.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the second connector is mounted in the center of the joint.

[0022] Preferably, the outer side wall of the hood has radial tabs indicating the position of the lugs.

[0023] According to a first embodiment of the electronic device of the invention, the first connector is arranged on the upper face of the board in the center of the chassis.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the chassis includes a lower base forming a bottom which carries the first connector.

[0025] Where appropriate, the chassis is removable and the sensors are carried by the underside of the chassis, the housing being preferably mounted on the chassis in a similarly removable manner.

[0026] The cell is, for example, made in the form of a pebble comprising two discs joined together in a superimposed manner, defining an intervening space for a printed circuit board. Preferably, this space is hermetically sealed and the cell is therefore waterproof.

[0027] Another object of the invention is a sliding board equipped with an electronic device as defined above.

[0028] More specifically, this board includes sensors connected to the first electrical connector positioned in an opening made in the chassis mounted on the board, said chassis being intended to receive the housing of the electronic device.

[0029] In its most general aspect, the invention proposes a technical solution making it easier and safer to install and remove an electronic measuring device on a board while offering greater reliability of measurements thanks to a reinforced level of sealing of the assembly and close contact of the device with the surface of the board.

[0030] The device of the invention ensures the rotational locking and vertical support of the electronic cell in the chassis, thus preventing shearing of the joint while guaranteeing a good electrical connection between the two connectors.

[0031] Furthermore, the cooperation between the housing cover and the chassis ensures stable, and potentially removable, attachment of the device to the board regardless of external stresses. Thus, the device's watertightness is maintained and the reliability of the measurements from the sensors is guaranteed over time and at all times during board use, and in particular, during gliding.

[0032] The gliding board of the invention equipped with its electronic device is particularly well suited to the practice of skiing (alpine, hiking, ...) or surfing.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, for which:

[0034] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the electronic device housing according to the invention.

[0035] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective bottom view of the housing of [Fig. 1].

[0036] [Fig.3] is an exploded and side view of the housing of [Fig. 1].

[0037] [Fig.4A] is a first perspective view of the chassis of the electronic device according to the invention.

[0038] [Fig.4B] is a second perspective view of the chassis of the electronic device according to the invention.

[0039] [Fig.5] is a side view of the chassis of figures 4A and 4B.

[0040] [Fig.6] is a vertical cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention in the initial position of the housing mounting on the chassis.

[0041] [Fig.7] is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device of [Fig.6] in a position intermediate step in mounting the case onto the chassis.

[0042] [Fig.8] is a vertical sectional view of the device of [Fig.6] in the final position of the housing mounting on the chassis.

[0043] [Fig.9] is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the device of [Fig.6] in the initial position of the housing mounting on the chassis.

[0044] [Fig. 10] is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the device of [Fig.6] in the final position of the housing mounting on the chassis.

[0045] [Fig. 11] are partial perspective views of a board equipped with an electronic device according to the invention, respectively, before the installation (top view) and after the installation (bottom view) of the housing on the chassis.

[0046] [Fig. 12] is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention.

[0047] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference numerals throughout the figures. Naturally, the embodiments of the electronic measuring device according to the invention, schematically illustrated in the figures above and described below, are given only by way of non-limiting examples. It is explicitly provided for in the scope of the invention that different embodiments can be proposed and combined to create further embodiments.

[0048] The invention relates to the field of measurement and / or detection of various parameters relating to the behavior of a board during its use and is interested, in particular, in a device intended for the collection, recording and analysis of data (stresses, forces, speed, trajectory, durations of use, etc., ...) from sensors mounted on this board or directly integrated into the structure of this board.

[0049] The measuring device according to the invention comprises a cylindrical housing 2 cooperating, optionally removably, with a chassis 1 forming a support mounted on the board P. The board P receives a first electrical connector Cl connected to sensors K (represented by dashed lines in the figures). This connector Cl can, for example, be positioned on the upper surface of the board or be integrated into a window made in the upper layer of the board.

[0050] The chassis can be permanently or removably attached to the upper surface of the board by any means known in the prior art, for example by gluing or screwing. The chassis 1 has a generally cylindrical profile substantially corresponding to that of the housing 2. More precisely, the chassis 1 has an external cylindrical profile corresponding to a cylindrical profile located inside the housing 2. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 11], the first connector Cl is positioned on the upper face of the board P and is placed in a central opening 14 of the chassis 1, and more particularly in the center of the chassis 1.

[0051] The invention has particular features for improving the retention of the electronic measuring device on the board and for strengthening its sealing in order to preserve the reliability of the electrical connection between the connector Cl and the electronic housing 2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this connector Cl is positioned on the board, while in a second embodiment of the invention, this connector is positioned on a base located under the chassis 1.

[0052] To this end and as illustrated, in particular, by figures 1 to 3, the invention consists of making the housing 2 in the form of a hood 23 in which the electronic cell is housed in the form of a shell, or, in the embodiment described below and illustrated by the figures, of a roller 3. This roller 3 is cylindrical and contains at least one electronic component E (for example one or more printed circuits).

[0053] The outer face of this roller 3 (located underneath, i.e., forming the lower face of the roller 3) is provided, on the one hand, with a second electrical connector C2 connected to the component E and, on the other hand, with an attached and fixed sealing gasket 4. The second connector C2 is mounted here in the center of the gasket 4, which is made in the form of a ring of elastomeric material and is therefore elastically deformable.

[0054] The two elements of the housing 1, consisting of the cover 23 and the roller 3, are mechanically linked to each other. Specifically, the inner face of the roller 3 (located above, i.e., forming the upper face of the roller 3) has tabs 31 for attaching it to the bottom of the cover 23. An elastic element, here in the form of a helical spring 5, is positioned between the lower inner face of the cover 23 and the upper inner face of the roller 3. This spring is intended to ensure that the roller 3 is supported in the chassis 1 and, consequently, that the two electrical connectors C1, C2 are in contact at the end of the assembly of the housing 2 in the chassis 1. This spring 5 allows the roller 3 to move in translation along the X-axis relative to the cover 23. This compression spring could be replaced by any equivalent and known elastic means, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0055] In the embodiment of the device of the invention shown in Figures 1, 3, and 6 to 8, the inner face of the roller 3 has a retaining and centering pin 35 for the spring 5. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the roller 3 is formed here of two discs 3a, 3b joined together in a superimposed manner, defining a hermetic intermediate housing for the electronic component E, which consists of various elements not described herein. The component E is preferably hermetically embedded in a resin, for example, polyurethane-based, to make it watertight. The two discs 3a, 3b of the roller 3 can be joined together by mechanical fastening or chemical bonding, preferably in a watertight manner.

[0056] The base of the cover 23, forming the inner lower face of the cover 23, has a peripheral groove 20 delimited by a radial shoulder 21, into which the roller 3's retaining tabs 31 are snapped. For this purpose, the tabs 31, which are relatively flexible, have end hooks 31a. These tabs 31 secure the electronic cell of the device, or more precisely the roller 3 containing the electronic component E, to the cover 23. This securing mechanism allows the electronic cell 3 to rotate about the X-axis of the roller 3 relative to the cover 23.

[0057] The shoulder 21 is provided with slots 21a intended to allow the demolding of the The chassis, after its molding, particularly when the latter is made from a plastic material. The inner wall of the cover 23 has projections 22, parallel to the cylindrical generatrices and perpendicular to the bottom of the cover 23. These projections 22 form end stops for the tabs 31 in order to limit the rotation of the cover 23 relative to the roller 3. The roller 3 is fixed in the cover 23 before the housing 2 is mounted on the chassis 1.

[0058] Furthermore, the chassis 1 and the housing 2 each have elements cooperating with each other in order to secure the housing 2 to the chassis 1. More specifically, the housing includes mounting and locking means which cooperate with locking elements arranged on the chassis 1. In the first embodiment, the mounting and locking means related to the housing 2 are lugs 23a, while the locking elements related to the chassis 1 are holes 10a, 10b, 10c forming a guide groove 10 in the chassis 1. Furthermore, the chassis 1 includes a peripheral rib delimiting a side wall 13 (Figures 4A, 4B).

[0059] More specifically, the hood 23 of the housing 2 is provided, on its inner perimeter, with at least one lug 23a (and here with two diametrically opposed lugs) intended to be slidably engaged in at least one guide groove or channel 10 formed in the outer wall 13a of the side wall 13 of the chassis 1. The profile of this channel 10 is blind and bean-shaped with an entry end 10a, a closed end 10b and an intermediate bent section 10c.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the chassis 1 is provided with two diametrically opposed grooves 10. The dimensions of these grooves are determined to ensure, by rotation of the cover 23 and with each lug 23a against its end stop in the corresponding groove, the locking of the roller 3 relative to the chassis 1, the compression of the sealing gasket 4 and, simultaneously, the contact of the second connector C2 with the first connector CL

[0061] The chassis 1 is provided, on its peripheral edge, with indexing elements 11 for the respective angular positions of the inlet end 10a and the closed end 10b of the groove 10. Similarly, the external side wall of the hood 23 has tabs radial 23b indicating the position of the lugs 23a to facilitate the positioning of the housing 2 in the chassis 1.

[0062] This specific configuration of the groove 10 leads, during the assembly of the device, to the compression of the spring 5 when the hood 23 is rotated on the chassis 1.

[0063] Figures 7 to 8 and 9 and 10 illustrate the different positions taken by the housing 2, and in particular by the cover 23, to move from the initial mounting position (Figures 6 and 9) to the final mounting position (Figures 8 and 10), passing through an intermediate mounting position ([Fig. 7]). Due to the shape of the grooves 10, the rotation of the cover 23 on the chassis 1 causes the lugs 23a to slide from the respective ends 10a of the grooves 10 to the ends 10b of these grooves via the lower angled areas 10c.

[0064] At the end of its travel, the spring 5 remains slightly under tension because the closed end 10b of each groove 10 is located above the angled intermediate zone 10c but below the level of its inlet end 10a. In this stable state, the seal is compressed to approximately 30%, which ensures the device is watertight. This stable state, in which the lugs 23a of the housing 2 are positioned at the end 10b of each groove 10, corresponds to the final mounting position of the housing 2 in the chassis 1, also called the locking position.

[0065] The inner face 13b of the side wall 13 of the frame 1 is provided with projections 12 extending parallel to the cylindrical generatrices. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, these projections 12 are positioned at the same level as the inlet end 10a of the grooves 10. These projections 12 are intended to cooperate with the grooves 30 in the side wall of the roller 3 in order to ensure, on the one hand, its rotational locking relative to the frame 1 and, on the other hand, the guidance of the housing 2. The cooperation between the projections 12 and the grooves 30 makes it possible, by virtue of the rotational locking of the roller 3, to prevent shearing of the seal 4 carried by the roller 3 during the rotation of the cover 23 on the frame 1, which leads to the final locking of the device.

[0066] The invention therefore presents a housing 2 where the mounting of the electronic component enclosed in the roller 3 in the hood 23 is such that it allows, on the one hand, the rotation of the hood 23 relative to the roller 3 and, on the other hand, the translation of the roller 3 along the axis of rotation X of the hood 23.

[0067] The method of mounting the housing 2 in the chassis 1 is carried out in the manner described below.

[0068] Initially, the user positions the grooves 30 of the roller 3 in the ribs 12 of the chassis 1, which blocks the rotation of the roller 3 relative to the chassis 1. Only the hood 23 can thus rotate relative to the chassis 1. The connectors Cl and C2 are then opposite each other and in mutual contact.

[0069] In a second step, the user rotates the cover 23 to align the lugs 23a with the inlets 10a of the two grooves 10, then continues to rotate the cover 23 until the lugs 23a are positioned at the end 10b of the grooves 10, while simultaneously pressing on the cover 23 to compress the spring 5. The final locking position of the housing 2 in the chassis 1 is then reached and the sealing gasket 4 is thus compressed to isolate and protect the electrical connection between the connectors Cl and C2 from any external moisture.

[0070] In the embodiment of the device of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 12], the chassis 1 is intended to receive the housing 2 as in the preferred embodiment of the invention, but this chassis here includes a lower base that forms a bottom for the chassis. This base includes, on the one hand, in its central upper area, the first connector Cl, which is centered in the central opening 14 of the chassis 1, and, on the other hand, the sensors K (in dashed lines), which are then carried by the lower face of this base, under the chassis 1, to be in contact with the surface of the board P (not shown in this figure). In this specific embodiment, the chassis 1, including a lower base, can be mounted permanently or temporarily and removably on the upper surface of the board.

[0071] According to other embodiments of the device of the invention (not shown), the cover of the housing could be snapped onto the chassis by exerting vertical pressure and with sufficient travel to ensure compression of the sealing gasket but without causing any rotational movement of the electronic cell which would have the effect of shearing this gasket.

[0072] Alternatively, the housing cover could be equipped with a locking system, such as a cam, to assemble it to the chassis and jointly compress the sealing gasket.

[0073] thanks to the invention the electronic cell processing the data from sensors positioned on or in a board is integrated into a removable waterproof case and this case can be easily mounted by the user in a frame fixed on this board.

[0074] Thanks to the controlled compression of the sealing gasket surrounding the connector carried by the lower face of the removable housing during its assembly and locking in the chassis, the invention makes it possible to solve the sealing problems at the interface between the two connectors ensuring the electrical connection between the sensors and the electronic cell.

Claims

Demands

1. Electronic device intended to be fixed to a board (P) for the purpose of collecting information provided by sensors (K) connected to the board, the sensors being connected to a first electrical connector (Cl), characterized in that said device comprises a housing (2) cooperating removably with a support chassis (1) mounted on said board, the chassis (1) having an opening (14) in which the first electrical connector (Cl) is positioned, the housing (2) comprising;- at least one electronic component (E) intended to process the data from the sensors (K), - a second electrical connector (C2) connected to a cell (3) containing the electronic component, and intended to come into contact with the first electrical connector (C1), - a sealing gasket (4) surrounding the second electrical connector (C2) and, - mounting and locking means (23a) of said housing (2) cooperating with locking elements (10) of the chassis (1) to lock the housing (2) in the chassis (1) by compressing the sealing gasket (4).;

2. Electronic device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said housing (2) is cylindrical and comprises a hood (23) covering the cell (3) containing the electronic component (E) and the external face of which is provided, on the one hand, with the second electrical connector (C2) and, on the other hand, with the sealing gasket (4), said hood (23) being rotationally movable relative to the cell (3) and said cell (3) being translationally movable relative to the hood (23) by means of an elastic element, said locking means (23a) of the housing (2) being positioned on the hood (23).

3. An electronic device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hood locking means (23) consist of at least one lug (23a) intended to be slidably engaged in the chassis locking elements (1) formed by at least one groove (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) formed in the side wall of the chassis (1) and whose profile is determined to ensure, by rotation of the hood (23) and when the lug (23a) is against its end-of-travel stop in the groove (10), the locking of the cell (3), the compression of the sealing joint (4) and, jointly, the contact of the second connector (C2) with the first connector (Cl).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the inner face of the side wall of the chassis (1) is provided with projections (12) intended to cooperate with grooves (30) carried by the side wall of the cell (3) in order to ensure the guidance of the housing (2) during its mounting on the chassis and the rotational locking of the cell relative to the chassis (1).

5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the inner face of the cell (3) has attachment tabs (31) on the bottom of the hood (23) and an elastic element formed of a helical spring (5) intended to ensure the support of the cell in the chassis (1) and the electrical connection of the two connectors (Cl, C2).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner face of the cell (3) carries a stud (35) for retaining and centering the spring (5).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the bottom of the hood (23) has a peripheral groove (20) delimited by a radial shoulder (21) and in which the attachment tabs (31) of the cell (3) snap into place.

8. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the chassis (1) is provided, on its peripheral edge, with indexing elements (11) for the respective angular positions of the inlet end (10a) and the closed end (10b) of the groove (10).

9. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the groove (10) has a bean-shaped blind profile.

10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closed end (10b) of the groove (10) is located below the level of its inlet end (10a).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connector (C2) is mounted in the center of the joint (4).

12. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the outer side wall of the hood (23) has radial tabs (23b) indicating the position of the lugs (23a).

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (1) has a lower base forming a bottom which carries the first connector (Cl).

14. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the chassis (1) is removable and the sensors (K) are carried by the underside of the chassis.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cell (3) is made in the form of a pebble comprising two discs (3a, 3b) joined together in a superimposed manner by delimiting an intercalary housing for a printed circuit (E).

16. Board (P) equipped with an electronic device according to one of the preceding claims.

17. Sliding board according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises sensors (K) connected to the first electrical connector (Cl) positioned in an opening (14) made in the chassis (1) mounted on the board, said chassis being intended to receive the housing (2) of the electronic device.

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