CONNECTED DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING A WINDOW OR DOOR CLOSING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation device (1) for a locking system, such as a bolt, of a window or door, comprising an opening and a fixed part, said device (1) being intended to be installed on said opening of said window or door, said device (1) comprising a main body (10) and an actuation handle (11), comprising a position sensor and control member (30); said control member (30) comprising at least one radio frequency communication means capable of communicating with a remote terminal (20), so as to communicate to said remote terminal (20) said position of the handle (11) acquired by said position sensor; said position sensor of said handle being installed in said fixing part (101), and said control member (30) being secured to said trim part (102).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of home automation, and more particularly to a connected device for actuation of a window or door closing system.

[0002] In the field of home automation, the management and monitoring of openings, particularly doors and windows, is a relatively important issue.

[0003] Indeed, controlling openings is not only a means of home security, for example in the context of connected locks, but also a means of home automation management allowing, in particular, the detection of windows or doors left open unintentionally, causing, among other things, significant energy losses.

[0004] It is well known that window and door systems can include tilting, sliding, tilt-and-turn, or any other type of mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, depending on the specific implementation, the handle of such a system can either return to a rest position, for example, in the case of a conventional tilting door, via return mechanisms such as a spring, or maintain its current position, for example, in the case of a tilt-and-turn window. The object of this invention is to adapt to all window and door systems known in the prior art, as well as to any type of handle.

[0005] We know in particular of document DE10 2006 017654 A1 which discloses a magnetic contact radio adapter with magnetic control for a window or door handle capable of detecting the position of the handle.

[0006] We know of window systems such as the one described in patent EP 3 097 246, however such a solution requiring a complete adaptation of the window is relatively expensive, complex to install and cannot be adapted to existing window or door installations, for example older and / or without home automation function.

[0007] Also, there is a need for a simpler door or window monitoring system that can be adapted to installed equipment lacking home automation functionality.

[0008] We propose an actuation device for a locking system, such as a bolt, of a window or door, comprising a sash and a frame, said device being intended to be installed on said sash of said window or door, said device comprising a main body and an actuating handle, said actuating handle being shaped to move from a closed position, in which it holds the sash closed against the frame, to an open position in which the sash is free with respect to said frame, the main body having at least a fixing part intended to be secured to the sash and a removable trim part intended to be fixed at least in part against the fixing part; said handle being rotatably mounted on said fixing part.

[0009] The said device includes a position sensor and a control unit;

[0010] said control element comprising at least one radio frequency communication means capable of communicating with a remote terminal, so as to transmit to said remote terminal said position of the handle acquired by said position sensor, and to receive an acknowledgment from said remote terminal; said position sensor of said handle being installed in said fixing part, and said control element being secured to said trim part.

[0011] Thus, a relatively simple actuation device for a door or window closing system can be obtained, capable of detecting and transmitting a change in position to a remote terminal so that a user can remotely determine whether the door or window is open or closed. Such a device is particularly easy to adapt to doors or windows already installed in a home without pre-existing home automation functionality. Advantageously, and without limitation, the trim component includes a hollow portion, with the control element being integral with the trim component within this hollow portion, so that when the trim component is installed on the mounting bracket, the control element is enclosed between the mounting bracket and the trim component.

[0012] Thus, an actuation device can be obtained allowing simple access to the control organ.

[0013] Advantageously, and without limitation, the mounting portion includes a connecting element suitable for contacting a complementary connecting element installed on the trim portion when the trim portion is mounted on the mounting portion. This allows for relatively simple and reliable communication between the position sensor and the control element.

[0014] Advantageously, and without limitation, the control unit includes a microcontroller capable of receiving information from the handle's position sensor and transmitting the handle's position to the remote terminal via radio frequency communication. This provides a cost-effective and reliable control unit. Advantageously, and without limitation, the control unit also includes a microcontroller wake-up circuit, this circuit being configured to activate the microcontroller when the position sensor detects a change in the handle's position. This optimizes the device's energy consumption by waking the microcontroller only when the handle is operated.Advantageously, and without limitation, the control unit also includes an active hold circuit capable of keeping the microcontroller active after it has been activated by the wake-up circuit, so that it remains active during a microcontroller power-up phase and during a data transmission phase to the remote terminal. This ensures that the microcontroller remains awake long enough to communicate with the remote terminal before returning to its sleep state.

[0015] Advantageously, and without limitation, the trim piece is clipped onto the mounting bracket. This allows the control unit and the electrical accumulator to be easily accessible to the user without tools. Advantageously, and without limitation, the device includes an electrical accumulator mounted on said trim piece. This simplifies accumulator replacement by the user by facilitating access to it.

[0016] The invention also relates to a control system for a door or window comprising a device as described above and a remote terminal comprising radio frequency receiving means for receiving said handle position information emitted by said control device.

[0017] The invention also relates to a door or window comprising a device as described above.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic view of a control assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2a ] is a view of an actuation device according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the trim part of the main body is separated from the fixing part, and is shown with a view in the hollow portion; [ Fig. 2b ] represents an actuation device according to the figure 2a where the trim part is mounted on the fixing part; [ Fig. 3 ] is a detailed view of the trim section and the control element of the device according to the figure 2a ; Fig. 4 ] is a flowchart of a control process for the control unit of the device according to the figure 2a ; Fig. 5 ] is an electrical diagram of the power supply and wake-up circuit of the control device, when the microcontroller is kept off; and [ Fig. 6 ] is an electrical diagram of the power supply and wake-up circuit of the control device, when the microcontroller is turned on.

[0019] With reference to figures 1, 2a , 2b et 3 The invention relates to a device 1 for operating a closing system, not shown, of a window or door.

[0020] In this description of the invention, reference will be made to an example of implementation on a door. However, the invention can be applied to a window in a similar manner, without the need to adapt the invention.

[0021] A door consists of a frame and a leaf. To ensure closure, a door includes a locking system, for example a bolt, mounted in the leaf, which engages in a strike plate, formed in the frame.

[0022] The bolt is operated by an actuation device, commonly called a door handle, which moves the bolt back and forth in the strike plate, allowing the door to be opened or closed. In the following description, we will refer to the actuation device (1) to avoid confusion with the term "handle," which is only one part of the mechanism.

[0023] Indeed, an actuation device 1 comprises a main body 10 and an actuation handle 11, also called a handle 11, for example a crutch handle 11. However, the invention is not limited to a particular type of handle known.

[0024] The main body 10 of the actuation device 1 comprises a fixing part 101 and a trim part 102.

[0025] According to the invention, the handle 11 is rotationally mounted to the fixing part 101 of the main body 10, and is adapted to move from a closed position, in which the door leaf is held closed, to an open position, in which the leaf is free to move away from the frame by rotation.

[0026] An angular sensor, not shown, is installed in said fixing part 101, so as to capture the angular position of the handle 11.

[0027] The angular position of the handle 11 in its closed and / or open position is of little importance for the implementation of the invention. The invention nevertheless relies on detecting a change in the angular position of the handle 11 between its closed and open positions. However, it is common practice to define a rotation angle of approximately 90° between the open and closed positions of the handle, which allows for relatively easy detection of this position by a sensor. Any other angle value can be chosen by a person skilled in the art, depending on the door's requirements, provided that this rotation angle is greater than the sensor's detection sensitivity.

[0028] The fixing part 101 is intended to be fixed to the opening, in the vicinity of the bolt, so that the handle 11 can cooperate with the bolt.

[0029] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 101 is a thermoformed plastic part comprising two fixing holes 103, 104, intended to allow the insertion of fixing screws to the opening. The main body 10, including both its fixing portion 101 and its trim portion, is not limited to a particular type of material.

[0030] The trim part 102 is a thermoformed plastic piece intended to rest partly on the fixing part 101, so as to cover the two fixing holes 103, 104, in order to hide the screws from the user.

[0031] In this embodiment, the trim part 102 is mounted on the fixing part 101 by means of a sliding connection 105, 106 and a clipping tab projecting from a free end of the sliding connection 106 of the trim part 102, which engages in a clipping hole 108 in the fixing part 10.

[0032] Thus the trim part 102 is removable relative to the fixing part 101.

[0033] The trim portion 102 includes a hollow portion 109 extending from one end of the slide joint opposite the end of the slide joint 105 on which the clipping tab 107 is mounted.

[0034] A control device 30 is installed in the hollow portion 109 of the trim part 102.

[0035] This control unit 30, here an integrated circuit 30 comprising a microcontroller, is electrically powered by an electric accumulator 31, here a so-called button cell 31, mounted on the control unit 30.

[0036] The invention is not, however, limited to powering the device with an electric battery 31. For example, the device could be powered by a piezoelectric system, generating, for instance, an electric current when the handle is operated. Such a piezoelectric system could also be coupled to an electric battery.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 1 may include on an external part of the fixing part 101 or of the trim part 102 a photovoltaic element 51 capable of capturing external light and recharging the electrical accumulator 31.

[0038] The control unit 30 includes a radio frequency communication means, not shown, suitable for communicating with a remote terminal 20, for example a remote computer, a server, a security control unit, a multimedia box, a mobile phone, a tablet or any other digital communication means.

[0039] The radio frequency communication means is, for example, a communication device adapted to communicate via a Wi-Fi protocol, HiperLan, any low-speed communication protocol for connected objects, for example of the LoRaWAN or SigFox type, a Bluetooth protocol, or any other home automation communication protocols known from the prior art.

[0040] Although the invention relates to a means of radio frequency communication, a person skilled in the art could adapt the invention to another type of communication, for example a wired network communication, for example of the PLC type, for Power Line Carrier, or Ethernet.

[0041] In order to allow simple transmission from the angular sensor installed in the mounting part 101 with the control member 30, the angular sensor is connected to a connection member 32, here a group of four communication pins 32. This connection member 32 is intended to cooperate with a complementary connection member 33 integral with the trim part 102, so that when the trim part 102 is mounted on the mounting part 101, the connection member 32 and the complementary connection member 33 are in electrical contact with each other, allowing the transmission of information from the angular sensor to the control member 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the angular sensor in this embodiment does not include a dedicated power supply. Therefore, the connecting members 32 and 33 allow the angular sensor to be powered via the electric accumulator 31.

[0043] The connection elements 32, 33 can for example be designed according to known standards such as USB connections, and preferably any means of connection with flat contacts, so as to reduce the overall size of the connection elements 32, 33.

[0044] Thus, when the handle 11 is operated, the angular sensor installed in the fixing part 101 transmits the angular position information of the handle 11 to the control member 30, via the connection members 32, 33, so that the control member 30 can transmit this change of position to the remote terminal 20, via the on-board radio frequency means.

[0045] This allows for a compact actuation device that is easy to adapt and maintain. In particular, the electrical accumulator is relatively easy for the user to access.

[0046] With reference to figures 5 et 6 , the control unit 30 includes an electronic power supply structure 50, allowing a strong reduction in electrical consumption by means of a wake-up and wake-up circuit mechanism during the transmission of information via radio frequency communication.

[0047] This electronic structure 50, which will be referred to as the activation structure 50, includes the electrical accumulator 31 and a relay 52, here a static relay 52, but which could alternatively be an electromechanical relay.

[0048] The electronic structure 50 includes a start switch 54 which is actuated when the handle reaches a position of substantially 10° of rotation from its closed position, or alternatively open.

[0049] The threshold angle value of 10° is given here as a guideline, but can be replaced by any relevant angle value, particularly between 1 and 90°. However, in a classic handle operation, moving from its closed to its open position with a rotation of approximately 90°, a 10° rotation from its closed position is considered to cause the door to open, and conversely, moving the handle towards an angle of less than 10° from its closed position constitutes a closing of the door.

[0050] Thus, the position sensor in this embodiment operates by threshold; when the handle is rotated so as to cross the threshold angle of 10° relative to a rest position, here the closed position of the handle, a threshold detection signal is transmitted to the control element 30.

[0051] This threshold-based operation of the position sensor ensures the correct functioning of the invention regardless of the type of handle: return-to-position or static. Indeed, a handle can have a return-to-position function in which it automatically returns to its rest position after being activated, for example, by means of return mechanisms such as a spring, while another operating mode, called static, maintains the handle in its position following activation.

[0052] The sensor can then provide the control unit 30 with either an angular value of the handle position, or in a less expensive embodiment of the sensor, an indication of the handle position relative to this 10° angle, also called the threshold angle: an angle position greater than this threshold, or an angle position less than this threshold, which allows, knowing the angle position, to determine whether the handle is oriented towards the open or closed position.

[0053] When the startup switch 54 is open, with reference to the figure 5 , the relay 52 is maintained in a switching state 56 producing no power to the microcontroller 55.

[0054] When the handle reaches the 10° position, a switching signal is transmitted by the position sensor, triggering a shunt 60, also called an instantaneous shunt 60, in reference to the figure 6 , putting the relay 52 into a switching state 56' producing the power supply to the microcontroller 55. Thus, the microcontroller 55 is turned on. Thus, the assembly including the handle position sensor 11, the start switch 54 and the relay 56 form a microcontroller wake-up circuit.

[0055] Capacitor C2, with reference to the figure 6 maintains the power supply to relay 52 during the microcontroller boot time.

[0056] The microcontroller's start-up is then enabled by maintaining the power supply for a period of between 1.5 seconds and 2 seconds, for a capacitor C2 of 0.01 Farad with a battery accumulator with an average voltage of 3.7V and a relay 56 comprising a coil of 150 Ohms, locking on at 3V and locking off at 1.3V.

[0057] When the microcontroller is operating, it keeps transistor T2 in a closed state. This ensures grounding of relay 52. ​​In this way, the microcontroller maintains its own power supply until it has finished transmitting the angular position of the handle.

[0058] Once the microcontroller has finished transmitting the handle's position information to the remote terminal 20, it releases the power supply, which returns to its initial sleep state according to the figure 5 .

[0059] Thus, the invention also relates to a control system for a door or window comprising a device as described above and a remote terminal, for example a wireless receiving station, comprising radio frequency receiving means for receiving said handle position information emitted by said control device.

[0060] In order to communicate, the wireless receiving station 20 and device 1 must communicate on a common network.

[0061] For this purpose, device 1 includes on the control unit an actuator, for example a push button, capable of commanding the microcontroller to switch to an operating mode called configuration mode 421.

[0062] Since device 1 includes a microcontroller wake-up circuit described above, it is necessary to actuate handle 11 40 in order to pass the 10° rotation threshold, which has the effect of waking up the microcontroller, and then to actuate push button 42.

[0063] The microcontroller is then kept powered until the configuration is complete. In the embodiment described below, device 1 is adapted to operate on a home Wi-Fi network. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the description how to adapt this solution to other types of communication networks.

[0064] In such a configuration mode, the control unit 30 switches to server mode, and generates a 422 configuration Wifi network to which the remote terminal can connect directly.

[0065] The control unit 30 has a predetermined IP address, for example printed in an instruction manual or in the hollow part of the trim part 102 of the device 1.

[0066] When the remote terminal 20 connects to the IP address, via a web browser, data exchanges 423, for example HTML, Javascript and Json data, allow the control unit 30 to be informed of the name of the operating Wi-Fi network to which to connect and the associated password.

[0067] In addition, in order to enable communication and the sending of measurement data with the remote terminal 20, a configuration step is implemented for the exchange modalities with the remote terminal 20.

[0068] For this purpose, several protocols can be used to enable communication between device 1 and remote terminal 20.

[0069] According to a first embodiment, a remote terminal 20 is implemented webserver , in French, a web server, creating a communication interface according to the HTTP protocol, classically on communication port 80.

[0070] This web server is accessible via the IP address of the remote terminal 20 on the communication network. In other words, by communicating the IP address of the remote terminal to the control unit 30, the latter will be configured to transmit data to the remote terminal according to a predefined HTTP communication protocol, preferably by transmitting data in a structured format, such as JSON or XML. However, the data frame can simply be integrated into a query string in the URL address, or even encoded in an HTTP request, such as GET or POST.

[0071] Furthermore, the control unit 30 can be configured to communicate with other remote terminals 20 or according to other communication protocols. For example, the control unit 30 can be configured to communicate using protocols suitable for transmissions on applications such as Telegram, IFTTT, Android, SMS, to communicate with mail servers, home automation devices according to predefined protocols, or even according to the MQTT protocol for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. Each of these protocols includes at least one connection address in the form of an IP address or URL, generally a connection key, known in English as a... API key , and / or login credentials.

[0072] Once this configuration is completed, the user, via the web browser, sends a 424 configuration completion signal.

[0073] The control unit 30 then proceeds to record 425 of this configuration in a storage memory of the microcontroller, for example a flash memory, for example an integrated EEPROM, and the control unit 30 switches to so-called normal operating mode.

[0074] In normal operating mode, the control unit 30, when awakened by an actuation 40 of the handle, as described previously by a rotation of 10°, implements a first step 41 of reading the configuration in the storage memory, then connects to the operating Wi-Fi network recorded during the configuration step.

[0075] Next, the control unit 30 establishes communication with the remote terminal 20 according to the communication protocol defined during configuration. The control unit 30 then acquires data from the position sensor of the handle 11.

[0076] The control unit 30 then implements a step of creating 45 a data frame including handle information, including its open or closed position, and optionally, the type of handle and an identifier entered by the user during configuration allowing the handle to be identified among a plurality of handles.

[0077] Then the control unit 30 proceeds to send 46 the data frame, and waits 47 for a response from the remote terminal 20.

[0078] The control unit 30 is adapted to repeat the sending of the data frame 46 a plurality of times, for example 3 times, and if no acknowledgment response is received from the remote terminal, acknowledge In English, it is received.

[0079] Thus, we can provide a control set for a device to operate a relatively simple, inexpensive, easily configurable and adaptable door or window closing system, compatible with different communication protocols.

[0080] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the action device may further include a shock detection element, such as a shock sensor.

[0081] In this embodiment, the shock sensor consists of a mercury cell, in particular a tilt-switch type cell, connected to the wake-up circuit as described above. A mercury cell has the advantage of being a passive component, requiring no external power supply, unlike an accelerometer. However, the invention could implement an accelerometer, particularly if an external power supply is available.

[0082] When an impact occurs on the handle, the shock sensor wakes up, via the wake-up circuit, the microcontroller of device 1.

[0083] After this awakening, the control unit 30 checks the position status of the handle 11.

[0084] If the handle 11 is detected as being in the same position as recorded before the wake-up, then it is deduced that the wake-up circuit has been activated by the shock sensor, and the control unit 30 emits a shock notification via the previously configured communication protocol.

Claims

1. Actuating device (1) of a locking system, such as a bolt, of a window or door, comprising a sash and a frame, said device (1) being intended to be installed on said sash of said window or door, said device (1) comprising a main body (10) and an actuating handle (11), said actuating handle (11) being shaped to move from a closed position, in which it holds the sash closed against the frame, to an open position in which the sash is free with respect to said frame, characterized in thatthe main body (10) has at least one fixing part (101) intended to be attached to the opening and a removable trim part (102) intended to be attached at least in part against the fixing part (101); said handle (11) being rotatably mounted on said fixing part (101); said device comprising a position sensor and a control member (30); said control member (30) comprising at least one radio frequency communication means capable of communicating with a remote terminal (20), so as to transmit said remote terminal (20) said position of the handle (11) acquired by said position sensor, and to receive an acknowledgment from said remote terminal (20); said position sensor of said handle being installed in said fixing part (101), and said control member (30) being attached to said trim part (102).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid trim part (102) includes a hollow portion (109), said control member being integral with said trim part (102) in said hollow portion (109), so that when said trim part (102) is installed on the fixing part (101), the control member (30) is enclosed between the fixing part (101) and the trim part (102).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing part (101) includes a connecting member (32) suitable for contacting a complementary connecting member (33) installed on said trim part (102) when the trim part (102) is mounted on the fixing part (101).

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatsaid control unit (30) includes a microcontroller capable of receiving information from the handle position sensor (11) and transmitting, via radio frequency communication means, the position of the handle (11) to the remote terminal (20).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (30) also includes a wake-up circuit (11, 54, 56) for the microcontroller, said wake-up circuit (11, 54, 56) being configured to activate said microcontroller when the position sensor detects a change in the position of said handle (11).

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in thatThe control unit (30) also includes an active hold circuit (C2, T2) capable of keeping the microcontroller active, after it has been activated by the wake-up circuit (11, 54, 56), so that it remains active during a microcontroller power-up phase and during a phase of transmitting information to the remote terminal.

7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the trim part (102) is clipped onto the fixing part (101).

8. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes an electric accumulator (31) mounted on said trim part (102).

9. Control assembly for a door or window comprising a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a remote terminal (20) comprising radio frequency receiving means for receiving said handle position information (11) emitted by said control member (30).

10. Door or window comprising a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.