EP2394282A1

EP2394282A1 - Device for detecting the passing of individuals

Info

Publication number: EP2394282A1
Application number: EP10702294A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christophe Milon; Jean-Claude Dubois
Original assignee: Eco Compteur
Current assignee: Eco Compteur
Priority date: 2009-02-04
Filing date: 2010-02-01
Publication date: 2011-12-14
Also published as: US8604941B2; CN102282638B; US20110304383A1; WO2010089272A1; FR2941784A1; FR2941784B1; CN102282638A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting the passing of individuals in the form of a mat including: a printed circuit (104), one of the surfaces of which supports a plurality of contactors provided to change the state thereof under the pressure exerted by a foot or a wheel, and at least one of the surfaces of which supports at least one electronic component (112) not subjected to any pressure from said foot; and - for the or each surface supporting at least one electronic component (112), a protective layer (106) attached to said surface and incompressible under the weight of individuals/trolleys, the or each electronic component (112) being recessed in a hole (110) in said incompressible protective layer (106).

Description

Device for detecting passage of individuals

The present invention relates to a passage detection device, and a detection and / or counting system comprising at least one such detection device. The detection of passage of individuals at a passage area requires the establishment of a passage detection device.

Such a detection device is known which takes the form of a carpet comprising a plurality of switches which change state when a foot presses on it. Such a change of state is received by a unit of analysis and control which deduces the position of each foot and the number of passing individuals.

The operating principle of such a detection device generally requires a matrix arrangement of the sensors with a high ground density of these sensors. The traffic on the carpet prevents the integration of active or passive electronic components in said detection device under penalty of crushing by the feet. It is then necessary to deport these components in an outer casing with respect to said detection device, thus creating problems of routing complexity related to the very large number of wired connections, distance and processing of the detection device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a passage detection device which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art and which in particular allows a mechanically secure integration of the electronic components in the passage area of the detection device.

For this purpose, a device for detecting the passage of individuals in the form of a carpet comprising:

a printed circuit, one of whose faces carries a plurality of contactors designed to change state under a pressure exerted by a foot on a wheel and of which at least one of the faces carries at least one electronic component that must not undergo any pressure of said foot, and

- For the or each face carrying at least one electronic component, a protective layer fixed against said face and incompressible under the weight of individuals / carriages, the or each electronic component being housed in a hole of said incompressible protective layer.

Advantageously, the or each hole of the incompressible layer is opening.

Advantageously, the electronic component or components are active components of the type making it possible to receive information from each contactor, to analyze said information thus received, to characterize the feet or wheels that activate said contactors, or to transmit said characterization to a central system. .

According to a particular embodiment, when one of the faces of the printed circuit carries both one or more electronic components and the plurality of contactors, the corresponding protective layer forms an activation layer comprising, for each contactor, a hammer elastically movable between a rest position in which it does not activate said contactor, and an activation position in which it activates said contactor. Advantageously, the passage detection device comprises:

a lower protective layer fixed under the printed circuit, capable of absorbing the irregularities of the ground without damaging the electronic components integrated in the incompressible layer. a thermoformed intermediate layer fixed between the printed circuit and the activation layer, and

- an upper layer of protection against dust and splash water, fixed on the activation layer. According to another particular embodiment, when only the face of the printed circuit opposite the face carrying the plurality of contactors carries one or more electronic components, the detection device comprises a thermo formed activation layer fixed on the face carrying the plurality of contactors and comprising, for each contactor, an elastic zone vertically movable between a rest position in which it does not activate said contactor, and an activation position in which it activates said contactor.

Advantageously, the hammer, respectively the elastic zone comprises an outgrowth which extends above the upper surface of said hammer, respectively of said elastic zone, so that when the hammer, respectively the elastic zone is in the position of activation, the protrusion is protruding from the upper surface of the activation layer.

The invention also relates to a detection and / or counting system comprising at least one detection device according to one of the preceding variants and a central system intended to determine the presence, the number and / or the direction of passage of each individual. from the information transmitted by the electronic component or components of the or each detection device.

Advantageously, when there are several detection devices to be able to adapt to different passage widths, they are linked step by step by a n-wire serial link. Advantageously, the n-son links between two consecutive detection devices are redundant.

Advantageously, when there are several detection devices, they are connected step by step by connecting means of the flexible hinge type.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in connection with the attached drawings, among which: FIG. . 1 represents a schematic representation of a device for detecting passage of individuals according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a section on plane II of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a detection and / or counting system according to the invention, and FIG. 4 shows a device for detecting passage of individuals according to another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a passage detection device 100 in the form of a carpet.

The detection device 100 is disposed on the ground at a passage of individuals, for example a door. The detection device 100 comprises a printed circuit 104, one of whose faces (here the upper face) carries a plurality of contactors 220 (FIG 2) provided to change state under a pressure exerted by a foot or a wheel of a trolley and are thus activated when pressure is exerted on them. The contactors 220 are arranged so as to form a matrix and are distributed on the surface of the detection device 100 so as to cover it and so that an individual passing through the detection device 100 is obliged to simultaneously press on the least one and preferably more than one of these contactors 220. The detection device 100 is preferably connected to a central system 302 (FIG 3) which from the information provided by the detection device 100 determines the presence, the number and / or or the direction of passage of each individual detected.

Fig. 3 shows a detection and / or counting system 300 comprising at least one detection device 100 and the central system 302. When a detection device 100 is juxtaposed with one or more other identical detection devices 100 in order to cover a surface more extensive, they are interconnected gradually by connecting means of the hinge type, and more particularly of the flexible hinge type, to fold the assembly in the form of a compact space accordion. When there are several detection devices 100 to be able to adapt to different widths of passage, they are linked step by step by a n-wire serial link to the central system 302, but they can be connected by any other link system.

To avoid a loss of information between the successive detection devices 100, the n-son connections between two consecutive detection devices 100 are redundant. To create an information redundancy, the passage of the n wires between two consecutive detection devices 100 takes place in a plurality of subsets, each of the n wires present in one of the subsets being duplicated in at least one other subset. For example, a first set includes the n sons while that two other distinct subsets of the first set each contain n / 2 children, so that each of the n children of the first set is duplicated in one of the other two subsets.

Fig. 2 shows the detection device 100 in section along plane II of FIG. 1.

For cost reasons, the printed circuit board 104 is preferably a single-sided flexible printed circuit. On the upper face of the printed circuit 104, that is to say the face opposite the ground, the contactors 220 and electronic components 1 12 not to undergo any pressure of the foot, are fixed in a conventional manner, for example by welding.

A protective layer 106 is fixed against the face carrying the electronic components 1 12. The protective layer 106 is incompressible under the weight of individuals or trolleys and each electronic component 1 12 is housed in a hole 110 of the protective layer 106. The establishment of the protective layer 106 and the hole 1 10 makes it possible to house the active or passive electronic components 112 of the detection device 100 which must not be subjected to pressure, in particular of a foot, for avoid their degradation or destruction. The integration of these electronic components 112 is thus optimized. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper face of the printed circuit 104 carries both one or more electronic components 112 and the plurality of contactors 220, and the protective layer 106 forms an activation layer 106.

The detection device 100 comprises a lower protective layer 102 intended to rest on the ground, the printed circuit 104 fixed above the lower protection layer 102, and the activation layer 106 fixed above the printed circuit 104 .

The different layers 102, 104 and 106 are bonded together, for example by gluing. The lower protective layer 102 is made of a material, for example of the expanded PVC type with a thickness of the order of 1000 μm to 1500 μm and has a protective function of the printed circuit 104 and the electronic components 112. The lower layer of protection 102 is able to absorb the irregularities of the ground, which could degrade the printed circuit 104 and the electronic components 112.

The activation layer 106 which is here the protective layer is made of a material of the incompressible material type, such as for example PVC. To avoid any crushing of the electronic components 112 during the passage of an individual or a carriage, each electronic component 112 is housed in a through hole 110 of the activation layer 106. Each electronic component 112 thus has a fixing face in contact with the printed circuit 104 and an exposed face facing upwards, that is to say opposite the ground. The incompressibility is defined by the fact that regardless of the weight of the individuals / trolleys passing over the hole 110, the activation layer 106 is physically unable to crash elastically so that the exposed face at least one of the electronic components 112 is flush with the crushed surface of the activation layer 106. In other words, the height h between the upper face of the activation layer

106 and the exposed face of the highest electronic components 112 is always less than the height on which the activation layer 106 can crash under the effect of the weight of individuals / trolleys.

Fig. 4 shows a detection device 400 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this other embodiment, the detection device 400 comprises a double-sided printed circuit 404. The upper face of the printed circuit 404 carries a plurality of contactors 220. The lower face and possibly the upper face of the printed circuit 404 carry at least one electronic component 412 that must not be subjected to any pressure from a foot or a wheel. Each face of the circuit board 404 which carries electronic components 412 is fixed against a protective layer 402 which is incompressible under the weight of individuals / carriages, and each electronic component 412 is housed in a hole 410 of the incompressible protective layer 402 The hole 410 can be opening. The protective layer 402 is for example made of the same material as the protective layer 106.

Thus, in general, the detection device 100, 400 for passing individuals in the form of a carpet comprises:

the printed circuit 104, 404, one of whose faces carries the plurality of contactors 220 intended to change state under a pressure exerted by a foot or a wheel and at least one of the faces of which carries at least one electronic component 112, 412 not to undergo any pressure of said foot, and

for the or each face carrying at least one electronic component 112, 412, a protective layer 106, 402 fixed against said face and incompressible under the weight of individuals or carriages, the or each electronic component 112, 412 being housed in a hole 110, 410 of said protective layer 106, 402.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, above each contactor 220 fixed on the printed circuit 104, the activation layer 106 has a hammer 108 made here in the mass of said activation layer 106 and so as to project upwardly relative to the horizontal plane in which the upper surface of the activation layer 106 is inscribed. Thus, when an individual presses on the hammer 108, the hammer crushes and comes, in turn, to crush and activate the contactor 220 which changes state. This change of state is then recognized and analyzed by the integrated electronic components 112 of the detection device 100. Each hammer 108 has a certain elasticity which enables it to come and crush the corresponding contactor 220 and return to its initial position, that is, that is to say in a position in which it does not crush the switch 220. The hammer 108 is thus elastically movable between a rest position in which it does not activate the switch 220, and an activation position in which it activates the contactor 220. So that the crushing of the hammer 108 certainly causes the crushing of the contactor 220, a protrusion 218 which extends above the upper surface of the hammer 108 is provided. This protrusion 218 is such that when the hammer 108 is in the activation position, it protrudes with respect to the horizontal plane in which the upper surface of the activation layer 106 is embedded, that is to say relative to the upper face of the activation layer 106. The presence of the protrusion 218, causes a complementary crushing of the hammer 108 and ensures the change of state of the contactor 220. The protrusion 218 can be a form integrated into the hammer 108 or a hard element bonded to the hammer 108 such as a drop of resin with a thickness of the order of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the detection device 100, the thickness of which is preferably less than 6 mm, comprises, from the ground:

the lower protection layer 102,

a lower adhesive layer 202, the printed circuit 104,

a lower intermediate adhesive layer 204,

a thermoformed intermediate layer 206,

an upper intermediate adhesive layer 208, the activation layer 106,

an upper adhesive layer 210, and

an upper protective layer 212.

The lower adhesive layer 202 has a thickness of preferably of the order of 75 microns and takes the form of a double-sided adhesive which bonds the lower protective layer 102 and the printed circuit 104 between them.

The thermoformed intermediate layer 206 is made for example of thermo-formed polyester and has a bubble 216 above each contactor 220.

The lower intermediate adhesive layer 204 has a thickness of preferably of the order of 125 μm and takes the form of a double-sided adhesive which bonds the printed circuit board 104 and the thermo-formed interlayer 206 between them.

The upper intermediate adhesive layer 208 has a thickness preferably of the order of 350 μm and takes the form of a double-sided adhesive which bonds the thermoformed intermediate layer 206 and the activation layer 106 between them.

The upper protective layer 212 serves to protect the various lower layers from external aggression. Thus, it is dustproof and splashproof. The upper protective layer 212 is made for example of PVC and has a thickness of about 125 microns.

The upper adhesive layer 210 has a thickness of preferably of the order of 75 microns and takes the form of a double-sided adhesive which bonds the activation layer 106 and the upper protective layer 212 between them.

To allow the passage of the electronic components 112, the lower intermediate adhesive layer 204, the thermoformed intermediate layer 206 and the upper intermediate adhesive layer 208 are pierced at the locations where said electronic components 112 are disposed. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the detection device 400, the thickness of which is preferably less than 6 mm, comprises, from the ground:

the protective layer 402 which constitutes a lower protective layer,

a lower adhesive layer 202, the printed circuit 404,

a lower intermediate adhesive layer 204,

a thermoformed layer 206.

Other protective layers may be placed above the thermoformed layer 206.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, that is to say in the case where only the face of the printed circuit 404 opposite the face carrying the plurality of contactors 220 carries one or more electronic components 412, the activation layer of the detection device 400 is the thermo formed layer 206 which, for this purpose, has above each contactor 220, a bubble 216. The bubble 216 thus constitutes an elastic zone and movable vertically between a rest position in which it does not activate the contactor 220, and an activation position in which it activates the contactor 220. In order for the crushing of the bubble 216 to cause the crimping of the contactor 220 to be crushed, an protrusion 418 which extends above the upper surface of the bubble 216 is provided. The protrusion 418 is such that when the elastic zone 216 is in the activation position, the protrusion 418 protrudes with respect to the upper surface of the activation layer 206.

The electronic components 112, 412 integrated in a detection device 100, 400 are active components including in particular microprocessors for receiving the information of each contactor 220, to analyze the information thus received, to characterize the feet or wheels that pass through. said detection device 100, 400. The electronic components 112, 412 then generate a set of data representative of these characterizations that they send to the central system 302 of the detection and / or counting system 300. The central system 302 then analyzes the data sets received from each detection device 100, 400 and deduces a characterization of the passage of individuals or trolleys. The differentiation of the received data is effected by means of an identifier which is transmitted simultaneously and which is different for each detection device 100 of the detection and / or counting system 300. For this purpose, the electronic components 1 12, 412 of each device 100, 400 comprise means for receiving information from each contactor 220 of said detection device 100, 400, means for analyzing the information thus received, means for characterizing feet that activate the contactors 220, and transmission means of the characterization to the central system 302.

Each detection device 100, 400 can thus operate independently from other neighboring detection devices 100, 400 since it is the central system that globally analyzes the data sets received without the need for each detection device 100, 400 has to exchange information with the detection devices 100, 400 neighbors.

The characterization of the feet consists, from the 220 contactors sunken, to determine one or more of the following characteristics: - what phase of the passage of the foot is detected (arrival of the foot on the carpet, maintaining support, starting the foot of the carpet) ,

- in which direction is the foot moving, what is the average position of the foot,

- what is the size of the foot, - what is the set of contactors 220 depressed by the foot, what is the date of this characterization.

Such a characterization makes it possible to limit the number of information to be transmitted to the central system, but any other type of transmission can be implemented. The characterization of a passage consists of a follow-up of the preceding characteristics to follow the progression of an individual and to count it in one direction of passage or in another.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the dimension of the detection device 100, 400 in the direction of passage is about 60 cm in order to collect sufficient information on one or more feet, the contactor density 220 is of the order of 600 per m ² and the spacing between two adjacent 220 contactors is of the order of 3 cm in the direction perpendicular to the direction of passage.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and shown, but it is capable of many variants accessible to those skilled in the art.

For example, the invention has been more particularly described in the case of a through hole which allows easy access to the electronic components therein, but it applies the same way in the case of a hole one-eyed, so the pressure exerted by a foot does not bring the bottom of the blind hole into contact with the electronic components that house it.

Claims

1) Detection device (100, 400) for passage of individuals in the form of a carpet comprising: - a printed circuit (104, 404), one of whose faces carries a plurality of contactors (220) intended to change state under pressure exerted by a foot a wheel and of which at least one of the faces carries at least one electronic component (112, 412) not to undergo any pressure of said foot, and

- For the or each face carrying at least one electronic component (112), a protective layer (106, 402) fixed against said face and incompressible under the weight of individuals / trolleys, the or each electronic component (112) being housed in a hole (110) of said incompressible protective layer (402, 106).

2) passage detection device (100, 400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each hole (110, 410) of the incompressible layer is open.

3) passage detection device (100, 400) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the or the electronic components (112, 412) are active components of the type for receiving information from each contactor (220), analyzing said information thus received, characterizing the feet or wheels that activate said contactors (220), or transmitting said characterization to a central system (302).

4) passage detection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when one of the faces of the printed circuit (104) carries both one or more electronic components (112) and the plurality of contactors (220), the corresponding protective layer (106) forms an activation layer (106) comprising, for each contactor (220), a hammer (108) elastically movable between a rest position in which it not activating said contactor (220), and an activation position in which it activates said contactor (220).

5) passage detection device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises: - A lower protective layer (102) fixed under the printed circuit (104), capable of absorbing the unevenness of the ground without damaging the electronic components (112) integrated in the incompressible layer (106).

a thermoformed intermediate layer (206) fixed between the printed circuit (104) and the activation layer (106), and

- a protective upper layer (212) sealed against dust and splash water, fixed on the activation layer (106).

6) passage detection device (400) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when only the face of the printed circuit (404) opposite the face carrying the plurality of contactors (220) carries one or electronic components (412), the detection device (400) comprises a thermoformed activation layer (206) fixed on the face carrying the plurality of contactors (220) and comprising, for each contactor (220), an elastic zone ( 216) movable vertically between a rest position in which it does not activate said contactor (220), and an activation position in which it activates said contactor (220).

7) passage detection device (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the hammer (108), respectively the elastic zone (216) comprises an outgrowth (218, 418) which extends to above the upper surface of said hammer (108), respectively of said elastic zone (216), so that when the hammer (108), respectively the elastic zone (216) is in the activation position, the outgrowth (218, 418) is projecting from the upper surface of the activation layer (106, 206).

8) detection and / or counting system (300) comprising at least one detection device (100, 400) according to one of the preceding claims and a central system (302) for determining the presence, number and / or the direction of passage of each individual from the information transmitted by the electronic component or components (112, 412) of the or each detection device (100, 400).

9) detection and / or counting system (300) according to claim 8, characterized in that when there are several detection devices (100) to be able to adapt to different widths of passage, they are linked from one to another by a serial link with n wires.

10) Detection and / or counting system (300) according to claim 9, characterized in that the n-son connections between two consecutive detection devices (100, 400) are redundant.

11) detection and / or counting system according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that when there are several detection devices (100, 400), they are connected step by step by means of flexible hinge type connection.