Home Automation Control Housing With Integrated Module Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for electromechanical actuators, such as those controlling sun protection or occultation screens, face challenges in efficiently assembling and securing electronic control modules within a housing while minimizing mechanical size and ensuring robustness and ease of disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A control device comprising a first part and a second part that form a housing, with an electronic control module secured by assembly means that allow clipping and locking, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while reducing mechanical size and functional clearances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional assembly methods are used to secure the electronic control module in the housing, then the module is firmly fixed, but the mechanical size increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of electronic control moduleVSAvoidmechanical size of housing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate parts (first part and second part) that are assembled together. The electronic control module is secured to the second part, which then forms part of the complete housing when assembled with the first part. This segmentation allows for compact design while maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly means serve dual purposes: they secure the electronic control module to the second part, and simultaneously enable assembly of the first part to the second part to form the complete housing. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate mounting structures, thereby minimizing mechanical size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional assembly methods are used to secure the electronic control module, then the module is firmly fixed, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of electronic control moduleVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly means integrate multiple functions: securing the electronic control module to the second part, and enabling assembly of the first part to the second part. This consolidation of functions into a single mechanism simplifies the overall assembly process while ensuring reliable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly means are designed to perform multiple operations: they act as mounting structure for the electronic control module, as connection interface between housing parts, and as locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of stationary object

If the housing is made compact to fit in small spaces, then the control device can be flush-mounted, but the electronic control module becomes harder to position and secure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of housingVSAvoidease of assembling electronic control module
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the housing into two parts with the electronic control module secured to one part before assembly, the design allows for compact overall dimensions while maintaining adequate space within the housing structure for module positioning and assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control module is pre-secured to the second part before the final housing assembly. This preliminary action allows the module to be positioned and fixed in a controlled manner, making assembly easier even in compact configurations where final positioning would be difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4604153A1Control device for controlling a home automation equipment
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4604153A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4604153A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4604153A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The control device (100) comprises: a first part (101); a second part (102) assembled to the first part (101) so as to form a housing (103) comprising an internal housing (104); an electronic control module (105) at least partly positioned in the housing (104) and assembled to the second part (102). The second part (102) comprising assembly means (116) configured to: • cooperate with the electronic control module (105) to ensure the assembly of the electronic control module (105) to the second part (102); • cooperate with the first part (101) to ensure the assembly of the first part (101) to the second part (102); • induce a locking of the assembly of the electronic control module (105) to the second part (102).