Device for detecting a position of a seal of an opening

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting a position (P) of a seal (2) of an opening of a container (3), comprising: at least one power generator; at least one force sensor (11) which measures a force exerted on the force sensor (11) by the seal (2); at least one electronic board (12) which determines at least the position (P) of the seal (2) on the basis of the measured force; and at least one transmitter (13) which transmits at least the position (P) of the seal (2) by means of radio technology, characterised in that the transmitter (13) is electrically powered intermittently by the at least one power generator.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Device for detecting the position of a shutter of an opening

[0003] The invention relates to the field of openings and more particularly to a device for detecting a position of a shutter of an opening of a container, a detection method implementing said detection device, and a container comprising said detection device.

[0004] It is common to transport goods in containers such as shipping containers or truck trailers. Said containers comprise at least one opening provided with a shutter movable between at least a first position and a second position, such as for example an open position and a closed position.

[0005] In order to ensure the integrity of a container load, it is necessary to detect at least one opening of the shutter.

[0006] There is a known solution described in document US11734541 which relates to a device for detecting a change in position of a shutter of an opening, comprising an energy generator, a pressure sensor measuring a pressure exerted on the pressure sensor by the shutter, and an electronic card determining at least the position of the shutter as a function of the measured pressure. This device also comprises a transmitter of the position of the shutter by means of a technology combining radio-identification often designated by the acronym "RFID" and near-field communication often designated by the acronym "NFC". This technology is used in order to limit the power consumption of the device.

[0007] The disadvantage of this device is that it uses a transmitter that uses radio technology with a short range, i.e. a few centimeters. Therefore, it is necessary to come into an environment close to the device to receive information about the position of the shutter. Thus, with this device, it is not possible to monitor a succession of opening and closing of the shutter from a long distance and therefore to determine in "real time" whether an opening or closing is normal or not.

[0008] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a device for detecting a position of a shutter of an opening of a container, comprising at least one energy generator, at least one force sensor measuring a force exerted on the force sensor by the shutter, at least one electronic card determining at least the position of the shutter as a function of the measured force, at least one transmitter transmitting at least the position of the shutter by means of radio technology, characterized in that the transmitter is electrically powered by the at least one energy generator intermittently. Container is understood to mean an object provided with walls which delimit a volume. The container is for example a container or a truck trailer.

[0009] The container is provided with at least one opening allowing access to said volume. The opening may be a door or a hatch, for example. The opening may be opened or closed by means of a shutter.

[0010] A shutter is any element that can block at least part of the opening. The shutter can be in an open position, in which case the opening is open, or in a closed position, in which case the opening is closed. In the closed position, the shutter is in contact with the detection device.

[0011] Preferably, the shutter comprises a seal which comes into contact with the detection device when the shutter is in the closed position.

[0012] The device is configured to be positioned on an internal wall of the container so as not to be accessible when the opening is closed.

[0013] The device, and more particularly the force sensor, is configured to be positioned between an edge of the opening and the shutter when it is in the closed position.

[0014] A power generator is any device that can supply an electric current. Preferably, the power generator is a battery, such as a cell. The power generator is configured to be positioned on an internal wall of the container.

[0015] The at least one force sensor, which may also be referred to as a pressure sensor, measures a force exerted on said sensor by the shutter. Preferably, the force sensor is a resistance force sensor, also called a resistive force sensor, and designated by the acronym "FSR". This type of sensor has the advantage of having good measurement accuracy and low consumption. In addition, its geometry is particularly suitable for use in the device according to the invention. Indeed, this type of sensor has a small thickness allowing it to be positioned between an edge of the opening and the shutter.

[0016] The electronic board determines at least the position of the shutter. More precisely, the board determines whether the shutter is in an open or closed position based on the measured force. The electronic board includes a microcontroller.

[0017] The device is equipped with a radio transmitter allowing the position of the shutter to be transmitted remotely.

[0018] The device is innovative in that the radio transmitter is only electrically powered intermittently. In other words, the transmitter is powered in a fractional manner. The transmitter only communicates the position at certain times, i.e. in a fractional manner. Thus, the power consumption of the radio transmitter is low while still making it possible to obtain the desired information concerning the position of the shutter of the opening. A judicious choice of transmission times makes it possible to reliably monitor the positions of the shutter. Indeed, the applicant discovered that a dynamic of the positions taken by a shutter of an opening was compatible with an intermittent transmission of said position.

[0019] The invention may also have one or more of the following features taken alone or in combination.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device is energy autonomous. In other words, the energy source is positioned in the device inside the container. The device is not connected to an energy source positioned outside the container, for example via a wired connection. According to one embodiment, the electronic card comprises a voltage divider bridge making it possible to obtain the measured force in the form of an electrical voltage, in Volts. The value of the voltage is then proportional to the force exerted on the force sensor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the microcontroller of the electronic card includes a high impedance input receiving the signal of the measured force. Thus, the force sensor has very low power consumption.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the electronic card detects a transition from the open position to the closed position of the shutter and the transition from the closed position to the open position.

[0023] The electronic card therefore determines all the successive positions taken over time by the shutter.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the transmitter also transmits a date and time when the shutter position was changed. In other words, the change in shutter position is time-stamped.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the at least one transmitter is electrically powered irregularly, or regularly according to a transmission frequency.

[0026] Irregular eating is eating at an unpredictable pace.

[0027] A regular power supply corresponds to a power supply according to a determined transmission frequency. For example, the transmission frequency is between [0.1 Hz - 100Hz], preferably between [0.2Hz - 1 Hz], for example 0.5Hz.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the at least one force sensor is electrically powered by the at least one energy generator intermittently.

[0029] Thus, the power consumption of the force sensor is low while still allowing the desired information to be obtained concerning the measurement of the force exerted by the shutter. A judicious choice of measurement times makes it possible to reliably monitor the positions of the shutter. Indeed, the applicant discovered that a dynamic of the positions taken by a shutter of an opening was compatible with an intermittent measurement of said force.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the at least one force sensor is electrically powered irregularly or regularly according to a measurement frequency. An irregular power supply corresponds to a power supply following an unpredictable rhythm.

[0031] A regular power supply corresponds to a power supply according to a determined measurement frequency. For example, the measurement frequency is between [0.1 Hz - 100 Hz], preferably between [0.2 Hz - 5 Hz], for example 1 Hz.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the transmitter implements radio technology having a range greater than 50cm, preferably greater than 1m, and in particular greater than 2m.

[0033] Thus, it is possible to know an evolution of the shutter positions over time while being at a distance from the device.

[0034] For example, the position can be transmitted to a long-range communication module positioned in the container or directly to a user's receiving device. Thus, it is possible for a user, without being next to the container, to know the times of opening and closing of the container and therefore to deduce whether the opening or closing is normal or linked to an intrusion.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the transmitter implements a low energy Bluetooth technology designated by the acronym “BLE” or a long distance transmission technology such as GSM (“Global System for Mobile Communications”).

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for detecting a position of a shutter of an opening of a container implementing a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an opening detection step in which the shutter is defined in an open position as a function of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor and an opening criterion, a closing detection step in which the shutter is defined in the closed position as a function of the previous position of the shutter, and a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor and a closing criterion.

[0037] The method allows to detect each change in position of the shutter according to criteria based on the measurement made by the force sensor.

[0038] The opening detection step makes it possible to detect that the shutter is in the open position. According to one embodiment, the shutter is defined in the open position when the at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor is less than or equal to the opening criterion.

[0039] The closing detection step makes it possible to determine that the shutter is in the closed position. This step is successive to the opening detection step. In other words, the closing detection step is only possible if the position of the shutter is previously detected in the open position. According to one embodiment, the shutter is defined in the closed position when the shutter is previously detected in the open position and the at least one measurement, and preferably three consecutive measurements, carried out by the force sensor is greater than or equal to the closing criterion.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the opening criterion is different from the closing criterion, for example, the opening criterion is lower than the closing criterion.

[0041] This way, the process avoids rapid alternation between closed and open positions.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the method comprises an initialization step in which the shutter is set in the closed position, and a reference value is determined based on at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor,

[0043] The initialization step is performed upstream of the opening or closing detection steps. This step indicates a position of the shutter and makes it possible to determine the reference value. This step is performed when the shutter is in the closed position, that is to say when it obstructs the opening by being in contact with the device.

[0044] According to one embodiment, during the initialization step, the shutter is defined in the closed position based on a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor and an initialization criterion.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the shutter is defined in the closed position when at least one measurement, and preferably three consecutive measurements, carried out by the force sensor is greater than or equal to the initialization criterion.

[0046] The initialization criterion can be determined based on a measuring range of the force sensor. For example, the initialization criterion can be chosen equal to 50% of the maximum measuring value of the sensor.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the shutter is defined in the closed position when a standard deviation calculated between at least two consecutive measurements, and preferably three consecutive measurements, carried out by the force sensor is less than an initial dispersion criterion.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the reference value is defined equal to the last measurement made by the force sensor making it possible to determine the position of the shutter.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of resetting the reference value in which the reference value is modified as a function of at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor, the resetting step being carried out as a function of the previous position of the shutter, and of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement carried out by the force sensor and the initialization criterion.

[0050] The reset step is carried out successively to the initialization step. The reset step makes it possible to modify the reference value determined during the initialization step. According to one embodiment, the reference value is modified when, the shutter being in an open position, the at least one measurement, and preferably three consecutive measurements, carried out by the force sensor is less than or equal to the initialization criterion.

[0051] According to one embodiment, during the reset step, the reference value is set equal to a predetermined fixed value, for example zero.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the method performs the initialization step after the reset step.

[0053] Thus, the reference value, which was changed during the reset step, is again determined based on the current measurement taken when the shutter moved to the closed position.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the opening criterion and / or the closing criterion are defined as a function of the reference value.

[0055] Thus the opening and closing criteria vary depending on the force exerted by the shutter on the force sensor.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the shutter is defined in the closed position, during the closing detection step, also as a function of a result of a comparison between a standard deviation calculated between at least two successive measurements, preferably three consecutive measurements, carried out by the force sensor and a dispersion criterion.

[0057] According to one embodiment, records

[0058] The invention also relates to a container configured to be movable on a vehicle and comprising a detection device.

[0059] A mobile container is a container that can be moved in space by means of a vehicle such as a boat or a truck, for example.

[0060] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to one or more embodiments according to the present invention, given as non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0061] [FIG. 1] is a three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention;

[0062] [FIG. 2] is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention positioned on a container whose shutter is in a closed position;

[0063] [FIG. 3] is a schematic representation of Figure 2 with the shutter in an open position;

[0064] [FIG. 4] is a diagram illustrating the method according to the invention.

[0065] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another. The device 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1. The device 1 makes it possible to determine an open position O or a closed position F of a shutter 2 of an opening of a container 3.

[0066] Container 3 is understood to mean an object with walls which delimit a volume V. The walls opposite the volume V are called the internal wall 31 of container 3. Container 3 is, for example, a container or a truck trailer.

[0067] The device 1 comprises at least one energy generator. An energy generator is any device capable of supplying an electric current. Preferably, the energy generator is a battery such as a cell. The energy generator is configured to be positioned on an internal wall 31 of the container 3.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the device 1 is energy autonomous. In other words, the energy source is positioned in the device 1 inside the container. The device 1 is not connected to an energy source positioned outside the container 3, for example via a wired connection.

[0069] The device 1 comprises at least one force sensor 11 measuring a force exerted on the force sensor 11, and more particularly the force exerted by the shutter 2 on the force sensor 11 when the device 1 is in a position of use, that is to say when the device 1 is fixed on an internal wall 31 of the container 3, and the shutter 2 is in the closed position F. Preferably, the force sensor 11 is a resistance force sensor, also called a resistive force sensor, and designated by the acronym “FSR”. This type of sensor has the advantage of having good measurement accuracy and low power consumption. More particularly, this type of sensor transforms the force exerted on the force sensor 11 into an ohmic value, that is to say a resistance value. The greater the force exerted, the more the ohmic value decreases.When the force exerted is maximum, that is to say when the ohmic value is minimum, we obtain a ratio of the ohmic value of the order of 1:10000, which ensures significant dynamics of the measurement and allows easier exploitation of the measurement.

[0070] Furthermore, the geometry of the FSR force sensor is particularly suitable for use in the device 1 according to the invention. Indeed, this type of sensor has a low thickness compared to a clearance present between the container and the shutter 2 in the closed position F allowing it to be positioned between an edge of the opening and the shutter 2.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the at least one force sensor 11 is electrically powered by the at least one energy generator intermittently.

[0072] Thus, the electrical consumption of the force sensor 11 is low while still making it possible to obtain the desired information concerning the measurement M of the force exerted by the shutter 2. A judicious choice of the measurement moments M makes it possible to reliably monitor the positions of the shutter 2. Indeed, a dynamic of the positions taken by the shutter 2 of an opening is compatible with an intermittent measurement M of said force.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the at least one force sensor 11 is electrically powered irregularly or regularly according to a measurement frequency.

[0074] Irregular eating is eating at an unpredictable pace.

[0075] A regular feed corresponds to a feed according to a determined measurement frequency. For example, the measurement frequency is between [0.1 Hz - 100 Hz], preferably between [0.2 Hz - 5 Hz], for example 1 Hz, i.e. every second.

[0076] The at least one force sensor 11 is electrically powered for a measurement time of between [10 ps - 90 ps], for example 40 ps.

[0077] The device comprises at least one electronic card 12 determining at least the position P of the shutter 2 as a function of the measured force. More precisely, the electronic card 12 determines whether the shutter 2 is in the open position O or the closed position F as a function of the measured force.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the electronic card 12 detects a transition from the open position O to the closed position F of the shutter and the transition from the closed position F to the open position O.

[0079] The electronic card 12 therefore determines all the successive positions P taken over time by the shutter 2.

[0080] The electronic card 12 comprises a microcontroller. Said microcontroller is chosen so as to have low power consumption due to its size and a reduced number of functions. According to one embodiment, the electronic card 12 comprises a voltage divider bridge making it possible to obtain the measured force in the form of an electrical voltage, in Volts. The value of the voltage is then proportional to the force exerted on the force sensor 11.

[0081] The voltage divider bridge is used to electrically power the force sensor 11.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the microcontroller of the electronic card 12 comprises a high impedance input receiving the signal of the measured force. Thus, the force sensor 11 has very low power consumption.

[0083] The device comprises at least one transmitter 13 transmitting at least the position of the shutter 2 by means of radio technology making it possible to transmit the position of the shutter 2 remotely. According to one embodiment, the transmitter 13 uses radio technology having a range greater than 50cm, preferably greater than 1m, and in particular greater than 2m.

[0084] Thus, it is possible to know a change in the positions P of the shutter 2 over time while being at a distance from the device 1. For example, the position P can be transmitted to a long-range communication module positioned in the container 3 or directly to a user's receiving device. Thus, it is possible for a user to know the times of opening and closing of the container and therefore to deduce whether the opening or closing is normal or linked to an intrusion.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the transmitter 13 implements a low-energy Bluetooth technology designated by the acronym “BLE” or a long-distance transmission technology, such as GSM (“Global System for Mobile Communications”).

[0086] The radio transmitter 13 is only intermittently powered. In other words, the transmitter 13 is powered in a fractional manner. The transmitter 13 only communicates the position at certain times.

[0087] Thus, the power consumption of the radio transmitter 13 is low while still allowing the desired information to be obtained concerning the position of the shutter 2 of the opening. A judicious choice of the transmission times makes it possible to reliably monitor the positions P of the shutter 2. Indeed, the dynamics of the positions taken by the shutter 2 of an opening is compatible with an intermittent transmission of said position P.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the at least one transmitter 13 is electrically powered irregularly, or regularly according to a transmission frequency.

[0089] Irregular eating is eating at an unpredictable pace.

[0090] A regular power supply corresponds to a power supply according to a determined transmission frequency. For example, the transmission frequency is between [0.1 Hz - 100Hz], preferably between [0.2Hz - 1 Hz], for example 0.5Hz.

[0091] Thus, with a measurement frequency of 1 Hz, for 40p, and a transmission frequency of 0.5Hz, the power consumption of device 1 is particularly low, for example less than 15pA.h. Thus, device 1 has a lifetime of approximately 6 years when the energy generator is a 3V 1000mA.fi Lithium battery.

[0092] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the device 1 positioned on a container 3. The invention also relates to a container configured to be mobile on a vehicle and comprising a detection device 1 according to the invention.

[0093] A mobile container 3 is a container that can be moved in space by means of a vehicle such as a boat or a truck, for example. Container 3 is therefore, for example, a container or a truck trailer.

[0094] As described above, the container 3 is provided with an opening allowing access to the volume V. The opening may be a door or a hatch for example. The opening can be opened or closed by means of the shutter 2.

[0095] A shutter 2 is any element that can block, at least partially, the opening. The shutter 2 can be in an open position O, the opening is then open, or in a closed position F, the opening is then closed. In the closed position F, the shutter 2 is in contact with the detection device 1.

[0096] The shutter 2 may be rotatable. In this case, the shutter 2 is connected to the opening by means of at least one hinge, for example.

[0097] The shutter 2 may also be movable in translation relative to the opening. For example, the shutter 2 may be removed from the opening without a mechanical connection remaining between the opening and the shutter 2.

[0098] Preferably, the shutter 2 comprises a seal 21 which comes into contact with the detection device 1 when the shutter 2 is in the closed position F. Thus, it is the seal 21 which exerts pressure on the force sensor 11 when the shutter 2 is in the closed position F.

[0099] The device 1 is configured to be positioned on the internal wall 31 of the container 3 so as not to be accessible when the opening is closed. The device 1, and more particularly the force sensor 11, is configured to be positioned between an edge of the opening and the shutter 2 when it is in the closed position F.

[0100] In order to facilitate positioning of the device 1 on the container 3, the device 1 comprises a stop element 14 which extends at an angle, preferably an angle between [80° - 100°], for example 90°, with the force sensor 11 and which is configured to come to bear on the edge of the opening when the device is in the position of use.

[0101] The stop element 14 is positioned outside the volume V delimited by the container.

[0102] In Figure 2, the diagram shows the shutter 2 in the closed position F.

[0103] In Figure 3, the diagram shows the shutter 2 is in the open position O.

[0104] Figure 4 illustrates the method 100 according to the invention for detecting the position P of the shutter 2 of the opening of the container 3 using a device 1 according to the invention. More precisely, the method 100 makes it possible to detect each change in position P of the shutter 2 as a function of a criterion based on the measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11.

[0105] The method 100 comprises an initialization step E1 in which the shutter 2 is defined in a closed position F, and a reference value Vref is determined as a function of at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor.

[0106] More precisely, the reference value Vref is defined equal to a current measurement Mto, that is to say the last measurement M carried out, carried out by the force sensor 11.

[0107] The initialization step El indicates a position P of the shutter 2 and makes it possible to determine the reference value Vref. This step El is carried out when the shutter 2 is in the closed position F, that is to say when it obstructs the opening by being in contact with the device 1. According to one embodiment, the reference value Vref is defined equal to the last measurement carried out by the force sensor 11, that is to say by the current measurement Mto, making it possible to determine the position P of the shutter 2.

[0108] According to one embodiment, during the initialization step E1, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F as a function of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11 and an initialization criterion THmin.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F when at least one measurement M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 is greater than or equal to the initialization criterion THmin.

[0110] The initialization criterion THmin can be determined based on a measurement range of the force sensor 11. For example, the initialization criterion THmin can be chosen equal to 50% of the maximum measurement value of the force sensor 11.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F when a standard deviation o calculated between at least two consecutive measurements M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 is less than an initial dispersion criterion Oid.

[0112] During the initialization step E1 shown in Figure 4, the shutter 2 is closed. It thus exerts pressure on the force sensor 11 which performs measurements M. As long as the current measurement Mto is lower than the initialization criterion THmin, the sensor continues to perform measurements M.

[0113] When the current measurement Mto is greater than the initialization criterion THmin, the method 100 carries out two other measurements M. If the three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto are greater than the initialization criterion THmin, and the standard deviation o calculated between the three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, is less than the initial dispersion criterion Oid, then the method 100 defines that the position P of the shutter 2 is the closed position F and that the reference value Vref is equal to the current measurement Mto.

[0114] Then, the method will determine whether the shutter moves to the open position O. For this, the method 100 comprises an opening detection step EF-0 in which the shutter 2 is defined in an open position O as a function of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11 and an opening criterion THbas.

[0115] The EF-0 aperture detection step detects that the shutter 2 moves to the open position O.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the open position O when the at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11 is less than or equal to the opening criterion THbas.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the opening criterion THbas is greater than the initialization criterion THmin. After the initialization step E1, the force sensor 11 regularly performs measurements M of the force exerted by the shutter 2. When the current measurement Mto becomes lower than the opening criterion THbas, the position P of the shutter 2 is immediately defined as the open position O.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the THbas opening criterion is defined as a function of the reference value Vref. For example, the THbas opening criterion is equal to 80% of the reference value Vref. Thus the opening criterion is variable depending on the force exerted by the shutter 2 on the force sensor 11. In other words, as soon as the pressure exerted by the shutter 2 on the device 1 decreases by 20%, the method indicates that the shutter is in the open position O. After detecting the passage to the open position O, the method 100 comprises a step EI1 of resetting the reference value Vref in which the reference value Vref is modified depending on at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11. The resetting step EI1 is carried out depending on the previous position P of the shutter 2, and a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11 and the initialization criterion THmin.

[0119] The reset step EI1 is used to reset the reference value Vref determined during the initialization step El, for example reset to zero.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the reference value Vref is modified when, the shutter 2 being in an open position O, the at least one measurement M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 is strictly lower than the initialization criterion THmin.

[0121] According to one embodiment, during the reset step EI1, the reference value Vref is set equal to zero.

[0122] After the reset step EI1, the method again performs the initialization step El to detect the passage P of the shutter 2 into the closed position F and determine a new value of the reference value Vref.

[0123] In other words, if the shutter 2 is wide open so that it is no longer in contact with the device 1, the current measurement Mto will be minimal, therefore lower than the opening criterion THbas and lower than the initialization criterion THmin. The current measurement Mto will thus validate the criterion allowing the shutter to move to the open position O, during the opening detection step EF-O. Following this change of position P, the device 1 continues the measurements M. If the shutter 2 is sufficiently open, the successive measurements M will also be lower than the initialization criterion THmin so that the reset step EI1 is carried out. Thus, the new closing conditions, i.e. a new pressure value during closing, will be taken into account during the new initialization step El, via the reference value Vref.If the shutter 2 is only half-open, that is to say for example still in contact with the device 1, the successive measurements M will not be lower than the initialization criterion THmin so that the reset step EI1 will not be carried out.

[0124] The method finally comprises a closing detection step EO-F in which the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F as a function of the previous position P of the shutter 2, and of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement M carried out by the force sensor 11 and a closing criterion THhaut.

[0125] The closing detection step EO-F makes it possible to determine that the shutter 2 is in the closed position F. This step is successive to the opening detection step EF-O. In other words, the closing detection step EO-F is only possible if the position P of the shutter 2 is previously detected in the open position O.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F when the shutter 2 is previously detected in the open position O and the at least one measurement M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 is greater than or equal to the closing criterion THhaut.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the opening criterion THbas is different from the closing criterion THhaut, for example, the opening criterion THbas is lower than the closing criterion THhaut. Thus, the method 100 avoids rapid alternation of the closed F and open O positions.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the closing criterion THhaut is defined as a function of the reference value Vrét. For example, the closing criterion THhaut is equal to 90% of the reference value Vrét. Thus the closing criterion THhaut is variable as a function of the force exerted by the shutter 2 on the force sensor 11.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F, during the closing detection step EO-F, also as a function of a result of a comparison between a standard deviation o calculated between at least two successive measurements M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, M , Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 and a dispersion criterion Oi.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the shutter 2 is defined in the closed position F when a standard deviation o calculated between at least two consecutive measurements M, and preferably three consecutive measurements Mt-2, MM, Mto, carried out by the force sensor 11 is less than the dispersion criterion Oi.

[0131] Thus the method 100 detects a new closing of the shutter 2 after an opening.

[0132] The method 100 comprises a step of transmitting the position P of the shutter 2. Thus, a user, positioned at a distance from the device 1, can receive the information on the position P of the shutter and detect fraudulent opening, for example. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the appended figures. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Device (1) for detecting a position (P) of a shutter (2) of an opening of a container (3), comprising at least one energy generator, at least one force sensor (11) measuring a force exerted on the force sensor (11) by the shutter (2), at least one electronic card (12) determining at least the position (P) of the shutter (2) as a function of the measured force, at least one transmitter (13) transmitting at least the position (P) of the shutter (2) by means of radio technology, characterized in that the transmitter (13) is electrically powered by the at least one energy generator intermittently.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which the at least one transmitter (13) is electrically powered irregularly, or regularly according to a transmission frequency.

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one force sensor (11) is electrically powered by the at least one energy generator intermittently.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, in which the at least one force sensor (11) is electrically supplied irregularly or regularly according to a measuring frequency.

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the transmitter (13) implements a radio technology having a range greater than 50cm, preferably greater than 1m, and in particular greater than 2m.

6. Method (100) for detecting a position (P) of a shutter (2) of an opening of a container (3) implementing a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an opening detection step (EF-O) in which the shutter (2) is defined in an open position (O) as a function of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement (M) carried out by the force sensor (11) and an opening criterion (THbas), a closing detection step (EO-F) in which the shutter (2) is defined in the closed position (F) as a function of the previous position (P) of the shutter (2), and a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement (M) carried out by the force sensor (11) and a closing criterion (THhaut).

7. Detection method (100) according to claim 6, comprising an initialization step (El) in which the shutter (2) is defined in the closed position (F), and a reference value (Vref) is determined based on at least one measurement (M) carried out by the force sensor (11).

8. Method (100) according to claim 7, comprising a step of resetting (EI1) the reference value (Vref) in which the reference value (Vref) is modified as a function of at least one measurement (M) carried out by the force sensor (11), the resetting step (EI1) being carried out as a function of the previous position (P) of the shutter (2), and of a result of a comparison between the at least one measurement (M) carried out by the force sensor (11) and the initialization criterion (THmin).

9. Detection method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the opening criterion (THbas) and / or the closing criterion (THhaut) are defined as a function of the reference value (Vréf).

10. Detection method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the shutter (2) is defined in the closed position (F), during the closing detection step (EO-F), also as a function of a result of a comparison between a standard deviation (o) calculated between at least two successive measurements (M) carried out by the force sensor (11) and a dispersion criterion (Oi).

11. Container (3) configured to be mobile on a vehicle and comprising a detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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