CN217306350U - Wireless switch and intelligent home control system - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a wireless switch and an intelligent home control system. The wireless switch includes: a housing (30) adapted to support at least one switch and a first communication module adapted to communicate with an external device in response to a signal from the switch; a key panel (20) mounted to the housing (30) and adapted to be pressed by a user to actuate the switch; and an electronic paper (10) attached to the housing (30) or the key panel (20) and configurable to provide an identification (50) of the wireless switch. According to the wireless switch and the intelligent home control system disclosed by the embodiment of the disclosure, the identification can be conveniently provided for the wireless switch.

Description

Wireless switch and intelligent home control system

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to smart home control, and more particularly, to a wireless switch for smart home control.

Background

With the development of the internet of things technology, household appliances are more and more intelligent and can be remotely controlled. In an intelligent home control system, a large number of wireless switches are generally used. The wireless switch is paired with corresponding electrical equipment through the home gateway system. The user can realize the remote control of the electrical equipment by remotely controlling the wireless switch. However, as the number of household electric appliances increases, the number of wireless switches is also large; this causes inconvenience in use. For example, a user often cannot tell which wireless switch is operating which electrical device. It is desirable to be able to optimize conventional wireless switches to further improve the performance of the wireless switches.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wireless switch and a smart home control system, which aim to solve one or more of the above problems and other potential problems.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless switch is provided. The wireless switch includes: a housing containing at least one switch and a first communication module adapted to communicate with an external device in response to a signal from the switch; a key panel mounted to the housing and adapted to be pressed by a user to actuate the switch; and electronic paper attached to the housing or the key panel and configurable to provide an identification of the wireless switch.

According to the wireless switch of the embodiment of the disclosure, the identification of the wireless switch can be conveniently provided through the electronic paper.

In some embodiments, the wireless switch includes a self-generating module configured to generate power to power the first communication module in response to the key panel being pressed. Thus, the trouble of regular replacement due to the use of a battery can be avoided.

In some embodiments, the self-generating module includes a magnet, a generating coil electromagnetically coupled to the magnet, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the generating coil, wherein the magnet is configured to move up and down to change a direction of magnetic flux flowing through the generating coil in response to the key panel being pressed. Thus, self-generation can be realized in a simple manner.

In some embodiments, the wireless switch does not include a battery.

In some embodiments, the electronic paper comprises a second communication module, wherein the second communication module is adapted to receive a signal from an external device to provide the identification. Therefore, the configuration of the electronic paper display data can be conveniently realized.

In some embodiments, the second communication module is a passive device, wherein the second communication module is configured to provide the identification via near field communication. Thus, the display data of the electronic paper can be conveniently configured even without any external power supply.

In some embodiments, the housing houses a plurality of switches, the key panel is divided into a plurality of divided regions, and each of the plurality of switches is disposed below a respective one of the plurality of divided regions of the key panel and is adapted to be activated in response to depression of the respective divided region. Thus, the functions of a plurality of switches can be realized by one wireless switch.

In some embodiments, the wireless switch includes a self-generating module configured to generate power in response to depression of the respective partition.

In some embodiments, the identification comprises an identification associated with an electrical device controlled by the wireless switch.

In some embodiments, the electronic paper is attached to the key panel.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a smart home control system is provided. The intelligent home control system comprises: one or more wireless switches according to the first aspect; and a gateway adapted to communicate with the wireless switch to pair the wireless switch with a respective electrical device.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Fig. 1 shows an overall schematic diagram of a wireless switch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded schematic view of a wireless switch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded schematic view of a wireless switch according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view from obliquely above of a power device of a wireless switch according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, with a manipulation panel and electronic paper removed.

Like or corresponding reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The term "include" and variations thereof as used herein is meant to be inclusive in an open-ended manner, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "or" means "and/or" unless specifically stated otherwise. The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," and the like, refer to placement or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, merely for convenience in describing the principles of the disclosure, and do not indicate or imply that the referenced elements must be in a particular orientation, constructed or operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be taken as limiting the disclosure.

As described in the background of the present disclosure, with a large number of wireless switches used in smart home control systems, a user often cannot tell which wireless switch operates which electrical device. This causes inconvenience to the user. It is desirable to enable user identification of a wireless switch in a low cost and convenient manner. The inventor of the present application proposes a scheme for identifying a wireless switch using electronic paper.

The electronic paper is a paper-like nonvolatile display unit and has a display surface. Since the electronic paper is thin and flexible, the electronic paper does not burden the operation of the wireless switch when the electronic paper is used as the label of the wireless switch. Further, the display surface of the electronic paper is capable of displaying and holding an image without any power supply. Therefore, while the wireless switch is provided with the electronic paper to satisfy the display of the logo, no electric power is consumed, which eliminates the additional expense and labor burden of maintaining the wireless switch due to the provision of the electronic paper. In view of the large number of switches employed by the smart home system, such elimination of additional expenses and labor burden is important for convenience of use by the user. In addition, the electronic paper has the advantages of being capable of writing and erasing images and displaying and maintaining the content of the images, and being capable of being used for a wireless switch, so that a user can freely configure display patterns according to hobbies, and the user experience is improved when the user uses the electronic paper.

The structure of the wireless switch 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a wireless switch 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the wireless switch 100 may include a case 30, a key panel 20, and electronic paper 10.

One or more switches and a first communication module may be housed within the housing 30. The housing 30 serves as a physical shield. The first communication module may establish communication with an external device. For example, in some application scenarios, the wireless switch may communicate with a gateway of the internet of things through the first communication module, and the gateway may pair or associate the wireless switch 100 and the manipulated electrical device. Thus, the user can realize the control for the electric device by manipulating the wireless switch 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 30 is shown as a cylinder shape, which is merely exemplary. The housing 30 may be formed in any other suitable shape, such as a square, a bar, a handle, and various other shapes.

The key panel 20 is mounted to the housing 30. The key panel 20 may be mounted to the housing in any suitable manner (e.g., snap fit, pivot connection, etc.) and is adapted to provide a travel in a pressing direction in response to a user's press. The key panel 20 may be implemented in various implementations depending on the physical configuration of the switch. In some embodiments, the key panel 20 may be mounted substantially flat relative to the housing 30.

When the user presses a predetermined manipulation region of the key panel 20, the pressing of the predetermined manipulation region actuates a corresponding switch disposed below the predetermined manipulation region, thereby triggering a switch operation. In some embodiments, the entire key surface of the key panel 20 is formed as a single switch manipulation region. In other embodiments, the entire key surface of the key panel 20 may be divided into a plurality of manipulation regions. In the illustrated embodiment, the key panel 20 may be divided into four manipulation regions by two central axes. Accordingly, four switches may be disposed under the four manipulation regions of the key panel 20. The pressing of each manipulation area may trigger the action of the corresponding switch. It should be appreciated that the key panel 20 may be divided into any other suitable number of lower portions that may form any other suitable number of switches. For example, in other embodiments, the key panel 20 may include two, three or other numbers of manipulation regions.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the electronic paper 10 may be attached to the key panel 20. The electronic paper 10 may be attached to the key panel 20 in various ways. In some embodiments, the electronic paper 10 may be adhered, snapped, or secured to the key panel 20 in any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the electronic paper 10 may be attached to the housing 30. For example, the housing 30 may include a snap mechanism at a location where the key panel 20 is mounted. The electronic paper 10 may be attached to the housing 30 in such a manner as to cover the key panel 20.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic paper 10 is provided on the top surface of the housing 30; this is merely exemplary, and the electronic paper 10 may be provided at any other suitable position of the housing 30. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 30 may be provided with a window at the circumferential side to which electronic paper may be attached. In this case, the user can also easily see the electronic paper.

The text data and image data displayed on the electronic paper may be configured by a terminal device (e.g. gateway, computer, mobile phone APP, etc.). The electronic paper 10 may include a second communication module. The second communication module can be communicated with the terminal equipment so as to facilitate the user to configure the display content of the electronic paper.

Thus, the identification 50 of the wireless switch can be provided by the display content. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the identification 50 is implemented in the form of an image associated with the electrical device. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in the case where the wireless switch 100 includes four switches, four identifications 50 related to the electrical devices may be provided on the electronic paper 10, with which the types of the electrical devices manipulated by the switches are identified. As shown, the sign 50 may include electrical devices such as light fixtures, speakers, microwave ovens, and the like. It is worth noting that the indicia 50 may comprise any other suitable shape, such as text, a pattern, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 3-4 illustrate a wireless switch 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3, the wireless switch 100 may include a base 30b, a key panel 20, and an electronic paper 10. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the housing includes an upper housing 30a and a base 30 b. The base 30b is formed as a base of the wireless switch 100; the upper case 30a may be integrated with the key panel 20. In some embodiments, the base 30b may include a card slot 32, and the upper housing 30a may be snapped together with the base 30b to form a cavity to house the power device. In the embodiment in which the upper case 30a is integrated with the key panel 20, the assembly of the upper case 30a and the key panel 20 is slidably arranged with respect to the base 30 b. For example, in the event that the user presses the assembly, the assembly moves downwardly relative to the base 30b to actuate the switch. In some embodiments, the wireless switch 100 may further include a return spring, which may be disposed between the base 30b and the assembly, for example, to return in the event of release of the user's pressing force.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless switch 100 does not include a battery. Alternatively, the wireless switch 100 may include the self-generating module 40. The self-generating module 40 is configured to generate power to power the communication module in response to the key panel 20 being pressed. By providing the self-generating module 40, the need for additional provision of a battery can be omitted. Considering that batteries are consumable devices, they need to be replaced after a period of use; this is very inconvenient for the user once he forgets to replace or has no stock on site to replace. By providing a self-generating module 40, the above-mentioned problems can be effectively avoided.

The self-generating module 40 may include various implementation forms. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the self-generating module 40 includes a magnet, a power generating coil 42, and processing circuitry. The magnet may move up and down in response to the pressing of the key panel 20. The direction of the magnetic flux flowing through the generating coil is switched via the up-and-down movement, thereby generating an induced current in the generating coil. The processing circuitry may be configured to process the power in the power generating coil to power the first communication module to enable communication of the first communication module with an external device (e.g., a gateway). As shown in fig. 3, the first communication module may include an exemplary illustrated antenna 45 to transmit signals via the antenna 45. It should be noted that the antenna 45 may take different forms depending on the frequency selected by the communication module.

In some embodiments, where multiple switches are provided, as shown in FIG. 4, multiple switches may share a single self-generating module 40. In the event that a predetermined key region of the key panel 20 is pressed, the change in the magnetic field may generate electrical power in the induction coil, and the generated electrical power may be processed by the processing circuit to drive other electronic devices (e.g., the first communication module) to operate. For ease of viewing, in the embodiment of fig. 3 and 4, only one key is shown being pressed.

In some embodiments, the second communication module for configuring the electronic paper display content is a passive device. In some embodiments, the second communication module may include an inductive coil and may be configured by Near Field Communication (NFC) to provide the identification 50. In this case, even if no power supply is provided, the display content writing of the electronic paper 10 can be realized conveniently. In consideration of the application scene of the smart home, the convenience of use is greatly improved. Thus, the user can conveniently implement the configuration of the identifier 50 through NFC without setting any power supply.

In another aspect according to the present disclosure, a smart home control system is also provided. The smart home control system includes one or more wireless switches 100 and a gateway. The gateway is adapted to communicate with the wireless switch 100 to pair the wireless switch 100 with a corresponding electrical device.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Under certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Having described embodiments of the present disclosure, the foregoing description is intended to be exemplary, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims (11)

1. A wireless switch, comprising:

a housing (30) adapted to support at least one switch and a first communication module adapted to communicate with an external device in response to a signal from the switch;

a key panel (20) mounted to the housing (30) and adapted to be pressed by a user to actuate the switch; and

an electronic paper (10) attached to the housing (30) or the key panel (20) and configurable to provide an identification (50) of the wireless switch.

2. The wireless switch of claim 1, comprising a self-generating module (40), the self-generating module (40) configured to generate power to power the first communication module in response to the key panel (20) being pressed.

3. The wireless switch of claim 2, wherein the self-generating module (40) comprises a magnet, a generating coil electromagnetically coupled to the magnet, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the generating coil, wherein the magnet is configured to move up and down to change a direction of magnetic flux flowing through the generating coil in response to the key panel (20) being depressed.

4. A wireless switch according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wireless switch does not include a battery.

5. A wireless switch according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the electronic paper (10) comprises a second communication module, wherein the second communication module is adapted to receive a signal from an external device to provide the identification (50).

6. The wireless switch of claim 5, wherein the second communication module is a passive device, wherein the second communication module is configured to provide the identification (50) via near field communication.

7. The wireless switch of any of claims 1-3, 6, wherein the housing (30) supports a plurality of switches, the key panel (20) is divided into a plurality of separate regions, each of the plurality of switches is disposed below a respective one of the plurality of separate regions of the key panel (20) and is adapted to be activated in response to depression of the respective separate region.

8. The wireless switch of claim 7, wherein the plurality of switches share a single self-generating module (40).

9. A wireless switch according to any of claims 1-3, 6, 8, wherein the identification (50) comprises an identification relating to the electrical device controlled by the wireless switch.

10. The wireless switch according to any of claims 1-3, 6, 8, wherein the electronic paper (10) is attached to the key panel (20).

11. The utility model provides an intelligence house control system which characterized in that includes:

one or more wireless switches according to any of claims 1-10; and

a gateway adapted to communicate with the wireless switch to pair the wireless switch with a respective electrical device.

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