EP2700334B1 - Remote control handset (plug-and-turn connection) - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a handheld remote control for controlling electrical consumers, in particular of drives for the adjustment of movable furniture parts, consisting of a handy housing, at least one arranged in the housing circuit board as a carrier for a plurality of electronic components, a transmitting device for the wireless transmission of control signals the respective electrical load and an additional device for optional battery or battery operation or for connecting an electrical cable.

Known handheld remote controls either have a cable connection or can be actuated by battery operation. In this case, a multiplicity of functions as a wired as well as a wireless version with the same mechanical components can be realized ( EP 1 076 347 A2 ). This known handheld remote control is constructed in the manner of a modular system, wherein different controls can be interchangeable or rotated by 180 °. In the course of manufacture, however, the known handheld remote controls can only be produced as one version, either with battery or battery operation or with a permanently installed cable. The end user must therefore already decide when buying whether he wants to purchase a cable handset or a wireless handset.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hand-held remote control, which can easily switch from an untrained end user from battery or battery operation on cable operation and vice versa.

• dass an einem Ende des Gehäuses von Hand austauschbare, formschlüssig mit dem Gehäuse oder mit Bauteilen des Gehäuses verbindbare Wechselanschlüsse vorgesehen sind, und
• dass als Wechselanschlüsse
  • ein erster Abschlussdeckel ohne Kabelanschluss vorgesehen ist, der von Hand wahlweise auf das Gehäuseende aufsetzbar und von diesem abnehmbar ist und der ein elektrisches Kontaktteil zur Verbindung eines Pols, insbesondere eines Pluspols, der Batterien bzw. Akkus mit der Leiterplatte aufweist, und
  • ein zweiter Abschlussdeckel mit Kabelanschluss vorgesehen ist, der ebenfalls von Hand wahlweise auf das Gehäuseende aufsetzbar und von diesem abnehmbar ist und der fest mit einem Kabelende verbunden ist und einen Kabelsteckanschluss zur Verbindung des Kabels mit der Leiterplatte aufweist.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by

• that at one end of the housing manually replaceable, form-fitting with the housing or with components of the housing connectable changeover connections are provided, and
• that as swap connections
  • a first end cover without cable connection is provided, which can be placed either by hand on the housing end and detachable from this and which has an electrical contact part for connecting a pole, in particular a positive pole, the batteries or rechargeable batteries with the circuit board, and
  • a second end cover is provided with cable connection, which is also manually placed either on the housing end and detachable from this and which is fixedly connected to a cable end and has a cable connector for connecting the cable to the circuit board.

Due to the construction according to the invention, therefore, the end user does not yet have to decide when buying if he wants to use a battery or battery operation or a cable operation. So he can try both versions after the purchase and then mount the handheld remote control as it is most comfortable.

1. a) Dreh-Steck-Verbindungen bzw. Bajonettverbindungen,
2. b) Schraubverbindungen mit Steilgewinde oder mehrgängigem Gewinde oder
3. c) Steck-Rast-Verbindungen, die Rasthaken und eine Federzunge aufweisen.

For releasing and securing the two versions of the end cover various positive connections of the end cover can be provided with the housing end, and indeed

1. a) Turn-plug connections or bayonet connections,
2. b) Screw connections with coarse thread or multi-thread or
3. c) plug-and-detent connections which have latching hooks and a spring tongue.

Further connection variants are possible.

Particularly problematic in the handheld remote control according to the invention are the means for attaching the end of the cable connected to the end of the cable to the housing.

A particularly advantageous variant of this attachment is characterized in that on the inside of the end cover an actuatable from the outside of the end cover, provided with a cross bar cylinder is rotatably disposed axially non-displaceable in the end cover, that the cylinder when placed on the housing form fit in a round shaped component of the housing and alternatively engages in the round, empty battery compartment and that in the wall of the component of the housing, alternatively the battery compartment, longitudinal grooves for receiving the cross bar and at the end of the longitudinal grooves are provided circumferential grooves in which the cross bar at complete attached end cover is rotatable.

In such an advantageous construction, the end user can mount the light end end connected to the cable end particularly easy and elegant and replace and replace the end cover with another end cover for battery or battery operation.

From the DE 299 14 189 U1 a fastening device for a cable to a handheld remote control is known. In this case, the cable strain relief on a rotatable, bayonet-type locking, in which the bolt engages behind plug-in and twisted state behind ramp-shaped Rastnasensegmenten. Such a fastening device is subsequently not solvable, so that the cable can not be removed without destroying the handheld remote control. Such a fastening mechanism of a cable is thus not suitable for solving the problem underlying the invention.

Also, the known cable handset only consuming be repaired if a cable is damaged. They need to be opened and the repair can only be done by a specialist.

In the case of the handheld remote control device according to the invention for attaching the end of the cable connected to the end of the housing, the length of the circumferential grooves into which the crossbar is screwed when the end cover is fully attached is finally designed to limit cylinder rotation.

For ease of actuation of the cylinder mounted on the end cover, a tool engagement, such as a slot, may be provided at its end accessible from the exterior of the end cover so that the cylinder can be conveniently rotated with a screwdriver or coin to fit the end cover to the housing to lock or release from this.

To make installation particularly easy, the end cover connected to the cable end, including the cable plug connection, the cable strain relief and the cable bend protection, can form an integrated molded part.

The housing of the handheld remote control can in principle have any shape. Preferred is a triangular in cross-section housing whose provided with the operation buttons top is formed by one of the three triangle legs. For such a housing, the end cover, which is formed without a cable connection, two upper locking hooks which engage in corresponding receiving openings of the housing, formed at the pointed lower end of the housing, an externally accessible slot for engaging a provided on the end cover spring hook is that serves to release the end cover of the housing.

To release this cable without a trained cover So only needs the tip of a screwdriver or a coin to be pressed into the slot, whereby the spring hook detached from the housing and the end cover can be easily removed and replaced with a cover with cable connection.

At the provided with the cable end end cover corresponding protruding fitting pieces may be provided which engage for the purpose of centering the end cover relative to the housing in the receiving openings and the receiving slot of the housing.

Fig. 1:

ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Handfernbedienung in Form eines Kabelhandschalters in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2:

den Ausschnitt II aus Fig. 1 in vergrößerter Darstellung mit verriegelter Position des Abschlussdeckels,

Fig. 3:

den Abschlussdeckel gemäß Fig. 2 von der Innenseite aus gesehen,

Fig. 4:

den Kabelhandschalter gemäß Fig. 1 in Explosionsdarstellung, wobei der Abschlussdeckel ein Stück von dem Gehäuse entfernt ist, und zwar in entriegelter Position,

Fig. 5:

den Ausschnitt V aus Fig. 4 in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Fig. 6:

eine Ansicht des Abschlussdeckels gemäß Fig. 5 von der Innenseite aus gesehen in entriegelter Position,

Fig. 7:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Handfernbedienung in Form eines Funkhandschalters,

Fig. 8:

den Funkhandschalter gemäß Fig. 7 in Explosionsdarstellung, wobei der Abschlussdeckel ein Stück von dem Gehäuse entfernt ist,

Fig. 9:

den Ausschnitt IX aus Fig. 8 in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Fig. 10:

den Funkhandschalter gemäß Fig. 7 bis 9 aus einer anderen Richtung gesehen in Explosionsdarstellung mit abgenommenem Abschlussdeckel,

Fig. 11:

einen Längsschnitt durch den Funkhandschalter und

Fig. 12:

den Ausschnitt XII aus Fig. 11 in vergrößerter Darstellung.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the drawing and described in detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1:

An embodiment of the hand-held remote control according to the invention in the form of a cable hand switch in a perspective view,

Fig. 2:

the section II off Fig. 1 in an enlarged view with locked position of the end cover,

3:

the end cover according to Fig. 2 from the inside,

4:

the cable handset according to Fig. 1 in an exploded view, wherein the end cover is a distance from the housing, in the unlocked position,

Fig. 5:

the section V off Fig. 4 in an enlarged view,

Fig. 6:

a view of the end cap according to Fig. 5 from the inside in unlocked position,

Fig. 7:

a perspective view of the handheld remote control according to the invention in the form of a wireless hand switch,

Fig. 8:

the wireless handset according to Fig. 7 in an exploded view, wherein the end cover is a distance from the housing,

Fig. 9:

the section IX off Fig. 8 in an enlarged view,

Fig. 10:

the wireless handset according to Fig. 7 to 9 seen from another direction in an exploded view with the end cap removed,

Fig. 11:

a longitudinal section through the wireless handswitch and

Fig. 12:

the section XII Fig. 11 in an enlarged view.

The handheld remote control shown in the drawing is used to control electrical consumers, in particular for the operation and control of electrical drives for the adjustment of movable furniture parts.

The handheld remote control according to the invention can be used both as a cable handset and as a wireless handswitch. In Fig. 1 to 6 is the handheld remote control according to the invention as a cable handset 1 and in the FIGS. 7 to 12 shown as a radio hand switch 2.

Both hand switches 1 and 2 have a triangular in cross-section housing 3 and 4 respectively. The two housings and their inner lives are identical. In the interior of the housing 3 and 4 is an in FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrated printed circuit board 7, which serves as a carrier for a plurality of electronic components.

At the top of the housing 3 or 4 is a keypad. 8 arranged with a plurality of different keys 9, which, when actuated, trigger various circuits on the circuit board 7.

Further, in the interior of the housing 3 or 4, a transmitting device for the wireless transmission of control signals to the respective electrical load is arranged. However, this is only according to the embodiment as a radio hand switch Fig. 7 to 12 used. To operate the wireless manual switch 2, as in Fig. 11 is shown, three series-connected batteries 10, which are formed as round rod batteries and have at one end of their positive pole and at the other end of their negative pole. To accommodate the three batteries 10, an elongate battery compartment 11 is provided with a correspondingly round cross section in the interior of the housing 3 and 4 respectively. However, the batteries 10 are required only for operation as a radio hand switch 2. If the handheld remote control is to be used as a cable handset 1, the batteries 10 are not required. It is even necessary to remove at least one of the batteries 10 from the battery compartment 11 in order, in particular, to 4 to 6 emerges to be able to attach the end cover 5 at the correspondingly shaped end of the housing 3 can.

The end cover 5 is connected to one end of a cable 12, which sits firmly on the end cover 5 via a strain relief 13, which also serves as kink protection. The cable end is electrically connected to a cable plug connection 14, which is arranged on the inside of the end cover 5 facing the housing 3 and which can be designed, for example, as a mini USB. In the assembled state of the cover 5, the cable connector 14 is automatically connected to the circuit board 7.

The positive connection between the end cover 5 and the corresponding end of the housing 3 is designed as a plug-in rotary connection or bayonet connection. To this Purpose is on the inside of the end cover 5 an operable from the outside of the end cover 5, arranged in both directions rotatable cylinder 15, which, in particular from the FIGS. 5 and 6 shows exactly flush fits into the round battery compartment 11 when at least one of the batteries 10 is removed from the battery compartment 11.

On the outer circumference of the cylinder 15 projections 16 are provided on diametrically opposite sides, which form a cross bar. In the wall of the battery compartment 11 longitudinal grooves 17 for receiving the projections 16 and the cross bar are arranged on opposite sides. At the end of the longitudinal grooves 17, these open into circumferential grooves 18, in which the projections 16 forming the crossbar can be pivoted in when the end cover 5 is completely attached. The length of the circumferential grooves 18 is limited, so that the cylinder rotation is limited to the final attachment position of the end cover 5. In the FIGS. 4 to 6 is the open position of the cylinder 15 illustrated, in which the crossbar occupies a horizontal position. In this position, the cylinder 15 is inserted into the battery compartment 11, wherein the transverse bolt forming projections 16 engage in the longitudinal grooves 17.

When the end cover 5 abuts against the end face 21 of the housing 3, the cylinder 15 has reached its lowest position, in which the projections 16 are aligned with the circumferential grooves 18. When this position is reached, the cylinder 15 is rotated to the locking position. For this purpose, the cylinder 15 on its outside a transverse slot 19 so that it can be easily rotated by means of a screwdriver or a coin.

In the locked position, the cable plug connection 14 engages in a connection socket 20 provided on the housing, which makes electrical contact with the circuit board 7.

At the respective end cap 5 and 6 facing end side of the housing 3 and 4, three receiving openings 22 and 23 are also provided. The two upper receiving openings 22 have a slot-like shape, while the lower receiving opening 23 has a larger rectangular profile. From the lower receiving opening 23 extends to the bottom of the housing 3 and 4 extending slot 24, the function will be described later.

At the in Fig. 1 to 6 illustrated embodiment in which the handheld remote control is designed as a cable handset 1, serve the three receiving openings 22, 23 for additional centering of the end cover 5 on the housing 3. For this purpose, 5 corresponding fitting pieces 25 are arranged on the inside of the end cover, the shape of the Receiving openings 22 and 23 are precisely adapted and form a good additional positioning and anti-rotation for the end cover 5.

In the FIGS. 7 to 12 the handheld remote control according to the invention is designed as a wireless handswitch 2.

As in particular from the FIGS. 7 to 9 shows, the end cover 6 is formed on its outside completely smooth. The battery compartment 11 is as in Fig. 11 shown filled with three rod-shaped batteries 10 and batteries. The positive terminal 26, the right in the drawing arranged battery 10 is directed against the end cover 6.

Like from the FIGS. 10 to 12 shows, the end cover 6 on its side facing the battery compartment 11 inside an electrically conductive metal tongue 27, which serves for the electrical connection between the batteries 10 and the circuit board 7.

As in particular from the enlarged view in Fig. 12 shows, the positive pole 26 of the right battery is tight against the central region of the tongue plate 27 at. That after leading end of the tab 27 touches firmly attached cover 6 connected to the circuit board electrical contact part 28, thereby direct contact between the batteries 10 and the circuit board 7 is closed, which also provided in the housing, unspecified described transmitting device for wireless transmission of the control signals is included in the circuit, so that upon actuation of the corresponding keys 9 actuation and a drive of the corresponding electrical load can be effected.

For fixing the end cover 5 on the front side 21 of the housing 3 and 4 are provided on the inside of the end cover 3 fasteners, namely two upper locking hooks 31 and a lower spring hook 29. The two upper locking hooks engage in the Fig. 9 slot-shaped receiving openings 22 shown, while the lower spring hook 29 engages in the lower receiving opening 23. At the lower spring hook 29, a downwardly directed web 30 is provided on the underside thereof, which engages in the fastening state in the downwardly directed from the receiving opening 23 slot 24. As already described above, the slot 24 is accessible from the underside of the housing 4, so that the spring hook 29, when the web 30 is pushed upward, is unlocked and the end cap 6 releases. The height of the web 30 may be designed so that this web terminates flush in the mounted state of the end cover 6 with the bottom of the housing 4. However, the web 30 can then be pressed with the help of the tip of a screwdriver or a coin up to the unlocked position of the spring hook 29. In this way, a release of the end cover 6 is easily possible by an untrained person easily.

In this respect, the two end covers 5 and 6 can be replaced arbitrarily and without much effort by non-professionals to a cable handset in a remote control and vice versa.

If a cable break should occur, then the handheld remote does not need to be repaired, but the consumer simply procures a new end cover with the integrated cable, and connects this itself to the housing.

The handheld remote control according to the invention can be used to operate and control a wide variety of consumers.

Although the main field of application is the actuation and control of electromotive adjusting drives for movable furniture parts, the handheld remote control according to the invention can also be used for other consumers, in particular for lamps and lights, for heaters, heaters, cooling and cooling devices, for massagers with vibration massage motors and / or motorized mechanical movement units, for radio receivers, for consumer electronics devices, etc.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Cable hand switch

2

Radio handset

3

casing

4

casing

5

End cover with cable connection

6

End cover without cable connection

7

circuit board

8th

keypad

9

Keys

10

batteries

11

battery

12

cable end

13

Strain relief

14

Cable plug connector

15

cylinder

16

Protrusions (crossbar)

17

longitudinal grooves

18

circumferential grooves

19

transverse slot

20

socket

21

front

22

receiving openings

23

receiving openings

24

slot

25

fittings

26

positive pole

27

sheet metal tongue

28

contact part

29

spring hooks

30

web

31

latch hook

Claims (10)

1. A hand-held remote control for controlling electric consumers, in particular drives for the displacement of moveable furniture parts, comprising an easily handleable housing (3, 4), at least one circuit board (7) arranged in the housing as the carrier for a plurality of electronic components, a transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting control signals to the respective electric consumer and an additional device for selective battery or accumulator operation or for the connection of an electric cable,
   characterised in that

   - provided at one end of the housing (3; 4) are interchangeable connections which can be exchanged by hand and which can be connected to the housing or to components of the housing in positively locking relationship, and

   - provided as the interchangeable connections are

   • a first closure cover (6) without cable connection, which can be selectively fitted on to and removed from the housing end by hand and which has an electric contact portion (28) for connecting a terminal, in particular the positive terminal (26), of the batteries (10) or accumulators to the circuit board (7) and

   • a second closure cover (5) with cable connection, which can also be selectively fitted on to and removed from the housing end and which is fixedly connected to a cable end (12) and has a cable plug-in connection (14) for connecting the cable to the circuit board (7).
2. A hand-held remote control according to claim 1 characterised in that insert-twist connections or bayonet connections are provided as the positively locking connection of the closure covers to the housing end.
3. A hand-held remote control according to claim 1 characterised in that screw connections with a steep thread or a multi-flight thread are provided as the positively locking connection of the closure covers to the housing end.
4. A hand-held remote control according to claim 1 characterised in that insert-latching connections which have latching hooks and a spring tongue are provided as the positively locking connection of the closure covers to the housing end.
5. A hand-held remote control according to claim 2 having a device for fixing the closure cover (5) connected to the cable end to the housing (3), characterised in that a cylinder (15) which can be actuated from the outside of the closure cover (5) and which is provided with a transverse lock member is arranged rotatably but axially immovably in the closure cover (5) at the inside of the closure cover (5), the cylinder (15) upon being fitted on to the housing engages in positively locking relationship into a round component of the housing or into the empty battery compartment (11) which is of a round configuration, and that provided in the wall of the component of the housing or of the battery compartment (11) are longitudinal grooves (17) for receiving the transverse lock member and provided at the end of the longitudinal grooves (17) are peripheral grooves (18) into which the transverse lock member can be rotated when the closure cover (5) is completely fitted in place.
6. A hand-held remote control according to claim 5 characterised in that the length of the peripheral grooves (18) is finite to restrict the cylinder rotation.
7. A hand-held remote control according to claim 5 or claim 6 characterised in that the cylinder (15) supported on the closure cover is provided with a tool engagement means at its end accessible from the outside of the closure cover (5).
8. A hand-held remote control according to one of claims 2 to 7 characterised in that the closure cover (5) connected to the cable end (12), inclusive of the cable plug-in connection (15), the cable strain relief means (13) and the cable kink protection forms an integrated shaped component.
9. A hand-held remote control according to one of claims 4 to 8 with a housing (3; 4) which is of triangular cross-section and whose top side which is provided with the actuating buttons (9) is formed by one of the three sides of the triangle, characterised in that the closure cover (6) without cable connection has two upper latching hooks (31) which engage into corresponding receiving openings (22) of the housing, and that provided at the pointed lower end of the housing (4) is a slot (24) accessible from the outside for the engagement of a spring hook (29) which is provided on the closure cover and which serves to release the closure cover (6) from the housing.
10. A hand-held remote control according to claim 9 characterised in that provided on the closure cover (5) having the cable connection are corresponding projecting fitting portions (25) which engage into the receiving openings (22, 23) and the slot (24) of the housing for the purposes of centring the closure cover (5) relative to the housing.

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