EP3092715A1 - Invisible, contactless switch device - Google Patents

Invisible, contactless switch device

Info

Publication number
EP3092715A1
EP3092715A1 EP15701554.6A EP15701554A EP3092715A1 EP 3092715 A1 EP3092715 A1 EP 3092715A1 EP 15701554 A EP15701554 A EP 15701554A EP 3092715 A1 EP3092715 A1 EP 3092715A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
module
wall
capacitance
capacitive
connection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15701554.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Roberto Airoldi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AIROLDI, ROBERTO
Original Assignee
Open App
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Open App filed Critical Open App
Priority to EP15701554.6A priority Critical patent/EP3092715A1/en
Publication of EP3092715A1 publication Critical patent/EP3092715A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/945Proximity switches
    • H03K17/955Proximity switches using a capacitive detector
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R27/00Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom
    • G01R27/02Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
    • G01R27/26Measuring inductance or capacitance; Measuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance method; Measuring loss factor; Measuring dielectric constants ; Measuring impedance or related variables
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/94084Transmission of parameters among sensors or between sensor and remote station
    • H03K2217/94089Wireless transmission
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03KPULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
    • H03K2217/960765Details of shielding arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the control of connection and disconnection of electrical appliances of all kinds, including lighting fixtures in care facilities, and particularly relates to an invisible switching device and contactless.
  • connection and disconnection of electrical devices is usually carried out by means of electromechanical switching devices such as buttons, switches or levers connected to electrical devices in general by wire cabling.
  • the main object of the present invention is therefore to provide a switching device comprising a capacitive detector which is placed behind a wall of any material whatsoever and which is activated by the hand of the user without it touching the wall .
  • a first object of the invention is therefore an invisible and non-contact switching device adapted to be fixed behind an opaque wall so as not to be visible from the outside of the wall and intended to control the connection of at least one electrical apparatus and comprising at least a first module and a second module adapted to perform the connection between the electrical apparatus and a power source, the first module comprising a capacitive detector adapted to change value when the hand or any other part of the body of a user outside is placed near the wall at the location where the device is attached.
  • the capacitive sensor on a printed circuit board includes a capacitor having a first metal electrode consisting of a solid circle and a second metal electrode surrounding the first electrode and being concentric with the first electrode.
  • the set of two electrodes being included in a metal frame whose function is to delimit the capacitive field due to the capacitance formed by the two electrodes in the plane of the card and to make this field perpendicular to the plane of the map .
  • a second object of the invention is a switching device comprising a plurality of modules identical to the first module mentioned above which communicate through communication means with a second module identical to the second module mentioned above, adapted to perform the connection or disconnection of at least one electrical device via switches controlled by a microcontroller.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the switching device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents a capacitive detector characterizing the switching device according to
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents another capacitive detector characterizing the switching device according to the invention
  • Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the loading of the reference capacity
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the switching device according to the invention comprising a plurality of modules and at least one electrical device.
  • the switching device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a first module 10, a second module 12 and a communication means 14 which enables the first module 10 to communicate with the second module 12.
  • the module 10 comprises a capacitive detector 16 connected by the outputs 18, 20 and 22 to a microcontroller
  • the power source 26 a battery, a battery, a photovoltaic cell or an AC / DC converter supplies the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the microcontroller 24.
  • the first module 10 is placed behind a wall 32 such as a partition or a wall.
  • This wall is made of any material such as wood, concrete or even metal such as copper.
  • the first module 10 is activated when an operator approaches his hand 34 or any other part of the body near the wall 32 at a distance of between 2 cm and 5 cm.
  • the second module 12 which is connected to the first module by the communication means 14 comprises a receiver 36 adapted to receive the instructions transmitted by the microcontroller 24 via a transmitter 38 of the first module.
  • the receiver 36 is connected to a second microcontroller 40 adapted to translate the instructions received from the first module and in particular to act on a switch 42 adapted to control the connection of an electrical appliance 44 to its power source when the instruction received from the first module contains this order.
  • the receiver could include a microcontroller adapted to translate the received instructions. In this variant, the microcontroller 40 is no longer necessary.
  • a power source 46 such as a battery, a battery, a photovoltaic cell or the network supplies the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the microcontroller 40, but can also supply the electrical power supply to the electrical apparatus 44.
  • the communication means 14 is a wireless link in which the transmitter 38 is a radio transmitter and the receiver 36 is a radio receiver as shown schematically in Figure 1.
  • the power source 26 is also used as the power source of the transmitter 38.
  • It is the same power source 46 of the second module which is also used as a power source of the receiver 36 Note that because the capacitive detector 16 consumes very little and the wireless link is activated only briefly, the energy source to be put in place in the first module is very small and easily integrable into the box containing the module.
  • the power source of the second module it can be integrated in the electrical apparatus 44 or in its immediate vicinity, for example in the false ceiling if the electrical appliance is a ceiling light fixture.
  • one option is to use as transmitter 38 and receiver 36, transceivers called “tranceivers" which make it possible to secure the communication by well-known techniques of asynchronous acquisition of data, new attempts in case of failure, etc.
  • the wireless embodiment is interesting insofar as it causes a great reduction of the necessary wiring and especially a significant flexibility in the positioning of the controlled devices.
  • the evolution of a configuration is possible without work since the various components are associable or dissociable easily and freely.
  • the capacitive detector 16 is on a printed circuit board and comprises a first electrode 48 and a second electrode 50.
  • the first electrode 48 is a solid circle made of metal, usually copper with a diameter of about 2 cm.
  • the second electrode 50 is a wire, preferably copper, surrounding the first electrode and concentric thereto.
  • the two electrodes are connected to the microcontroller 24 by the outputs 18 and 20.
  • the assembly “of the two electrodes is inside of a metal frame 51, preferably made of copper.
  • the frame 51 has the function of delimiting the capacitive field due to the capacitance formed by the two electrodes in the plane of the map and make this field perpendicular to the plane of the map so that this field is disturbed by the approach of the hand 34 near the wall 32.
  • the capacity formed by the two electrodes 48 and 50 has a value C x generally between 10 pF and 25 pF.
  • the frame surrounding the capacitive detector is of great importance. It may have a non-rectangular shape as the frame 51-1 which is illustrated in Figure 3. It is therefore advisable to determine the shape of this frame as accurately as possible by experience and know-how.
  • FIG. 4 shows the means used for the detection of the hand 34 in front of the wall 32.
  • a switch 53 is connected to the output 18 of the capacitor C x and makes the contact at a switching frequency F s alternately with a voltage V r and a reference capacitance C r on the output 22.
  • This frequency also called charge transfer frequency, of a value of approximately 100 kHz, makes it possible to charge the capacitor C x from the voltage V r and load the capacity C r from the capacitance C x until the value reached which corresponds to the reference voltage V r is approximately 35 nF.
  • N r flaw contacts of the switch 53 with the output 22 to achieve the desired reference capacitor Cr the latter therefore has a value equal to N r .C x.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a plurality of modules identical to the first module of FIG. 1, here three modules 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3, which communicate with the second module thanks to the means of communication 14-1.
  • each of the first modules 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 comprises a capacitive detector adapted to detect the presence of the hand of a user.
  • the second module of FIG. 5 comprises 3 electrical appliances 52, 54 and 56 which are connected or disconnected respectively by the. Switches 58, 60 and 62. These switches are controlled by a second microcontroller 40-1 similar to the microcontroller 40 of Figure 1 which receives its instructions from one of the first modules 10-1, 10-2 or 10-3.
  • the power supply of the components of the module and in particular the microcontroller 40-1 and electrical devices is provided by the power source 46-1, a battery in general. Note that there may be only one electrical device while there are several first modules, so several capacitive sensors.
  • the switching device which comprises several first modules each comprising a capacitive detector can be used in a "device man" interface context.
  • a device may be used as a lighting dimmer for which an access point comprises two modules, therefore two capacitive detectors placed above each other in a decor comprising a downward arrow accompanied by the minus sign and a rising arrow accompanied by the plus sign.
  • the fixture is off or when the fixtures are off if there are multiple fixtures, the hand approach of either detector will turn on the lighting as described above. The action of passing your hand in front of the location of the detectors from bottom to top will increase the light intensity.
  • the increase in light intensity will continue as long as this proximity is maintained, this up to the maximum of the luminous intensity.
  • the light intensity can be decreased by passing the hand up and down. What has just been said can, of course, be extended to more than two associated devices.
  • the instructions from one of the microcontrollers of the modules 10-1, 10-2 or 10-3, in particular instructions for controlling one of the switches 58, 60 or 62 to connect or disconnect one of the electrical devices 52, 54 or 56, are received by the receiver 38-1 which transmits them to the microcontroller 40-1.
  • the receiver 38-1 which transmits them to the microcontroller 40-1.
  • the switching device according to the invention described above has many advantages. Indeed, it can replace all kinds of electromechanical switches usually used for lighting, heating, opening of doors, etc. This is particularly useful in public institutions of in order to prevent the public from touching the switch and thereby causing its degradation. Public institutions where the switching device according to the invention finds its place are hospitals where it is necessary to avoid contact at all costs to not transmit nosocomial diseases.
  • the device is placed behind a wall and thus can not be seen and does not emerge from the wall as a conventional switch.
  • the wall which is, in general, a wall or a wall of a few centimeters thick, can be of any material such as wood, concrete, but also metal in whole or part of the partition.
  • the position of the device may be marked by a discrete marking which may be a label, a printed mark, an engraving or any other means of identification.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch device for attaching behind an opaque wall (32) such that it is invisible from outside said wall and for controlling the connection of an electrical appliance (44), said device comprising a first module (10) and a second module (12) for carrying out the connection between the electrical appliance and a power supply source. The first module comprises a capacitive detector (16) provided with a capacitor on a printed circuit board which changes value when a user on the outside places their hand (34) close to the wall, at the site where the device is attached. The capacitor is contained within a metal frame, the function of which is to delimit the capacitive field created by the capacitor within the plane of the board and to maximise said field perpendicularly to the plane of the board.

Description

Dispositif de commutation invisible et sans contact  Invisible and non-contact switching device
Domaine technique Technical area
La présente invention concerne la commande de connexion et de déconnexion des appareils électriques de toutes sortes, notamment les appareils d'éclairage dans les établissements de soins, et concerne en particulier un dispositif de commutation invisible et sans contact.  The present invention relates to the control of connection and disconnection of electrical appliances of all kinds, including lighting fixtures in care facilities, and particularly relates to an invisible switching device and contactless.
Etat de la technique State of the art
La commande de connexion et de déconnexion des appareils électriques est habituellement effectuée au moyen de dispositifs de commutation électromécaniques tels que des boutons, des interrupteurs ou des manettes reliés aux appareils électriques en général par un câblage filaire.  The control of connection and disconnection of electrical devices is usually carried out by means of electromechanical switching devices such as buttons, switches or levers connected to electrical devices in general by wire cabling.
Cependant, ces dispositifs de commutation ne remplissent pas les conditions d'hygiène nécessaires et peuvent provoquer la transmission de maladies contagieuses. Cet inconvénient est particulièrement déterminant dans le milieu hospitalier où il peut entraîner la propagation de maladies nosocomiales . En outre, la manipulation répétée de ces dispositifs se traduit visuellement par leur dégradation rapide ainsi que l'usure des pièces composant le dispositif et aboutissant à leur panne.  However, these switching devices do not fulfill the necessary hygiene conditions and can cause the transmission of contagious diseases. This disadvantage is particularly important in the hospital environment where it can lead to the spread of nosocomial diseases. In addition, the repeated handling of these devices visually results in their rapid degradation and the wear of parts making up the device and resulting in their failure.
Les problèmes cités ont été en partie résolus par l'utilisation de dispositifs de commutation ne nécessitant pas que l'utilisateur touche le dispositif pour effectuer la commande de connexion ou déconnexion, la commande s' effectuant grâce à un détecteur capacitif. Un tel dispositif de connexion est décrit dans le document AU 2013205636. Mais, dans ce document, le dispositif est apparent puisque la paroi derrière laquelle se trouve le dispositif comporte une fenêtre transparente. Cette transparence est rendue nécessaire pour que le système soit efficace du fait que le détecteur capacitif ne remplirait pas son rôle sans cette fenêtre. En outre, ceci est corroboré puisqu'il est spécifié dans le document que, pour que la détection capacitive se fasse, il est nécessaire de placer l'objet devant le détecteur pendant un long moment. The problems mentioned have been partly solved by the use of switching devices that do not require the user to touch the device to perform the connection control or disconnection, the control being performed through a capacitive sensor. Such a connection device is described in document AU 2013205636. However, in this document, the device is apparent since the wall behind which the device is located comprises a transparent window. This transparency is made necessary for the system to be efficient because the capacitive detector would not fill not his role without this window. In addition, this is corroborated since it is specified in the document that for capacitive sensing to take place, it is necessary to place the object in front of the detector for a long time.
Exposé de l'invention Presentation of the invention
Le but principal de la présente invention est donc de fournir un dispositif de commutation comprenant un détecteur capacitif qui est placé derrière une paroi de quelque matière que ce soit et qui est activé par la main de l'utilisateur sans que celui-ci touche la paroi.  The main object of the present invention is therefore to provide a switching device comprising a capacitive detector which is placed behind a wall of any material whatsoever and which is activated by the hand of the user without it touching the wall .
Un premier objet de l'invention est donc un dispositif de commutation invisible et sans contact adapté pour être fixé derrière une paroi opaque de manière à ne pas être visible de l'extérieur de la paroi et destiné à commander la connexion d'au moins un appareil électrique et comprenant au moins un premier module et un second module adapté pour effectuer la connexion entre l'appareil électrique et une source d'alimentation, le premier module comprenant un détecteur capacitif adapté pour changer de valeur lorsque la main ou toute autre partie du corps d'un utilisateur à l'extérieur est placée à proximité de la paroi à l'endroit où se trouve fixé le dispositif. Le dispositif est caractérisé en ce que le détecteur capacitif qui se trouve sur une carte de type circuit imprimé comprend une capacité comportant une première électrode en métal constituée d'un cercle plein et une seconde électrode en métal entourant la première électrode et étant concentrique à celle-ci, l'ensemble des deux électrodes étant inclus dans un cadre en métal dont la fonction est de délimiter le champ capacitif dû à la capacité formée par les deux électrodes dans le plan de la carte et de rendre maximal ce champ perpendiculairement au plan de la carte .  A first object of the invention is therefore an invisible and non-contact switching device adapted to be fixed behind an opaque wall so as not to be visible from the outside of the wall and intended to control the connection of at least one electrical apparatus and comprising at least a first module and a second module adapted to perform the connection between the electrical apparatus and a power source, the first module comprising a capacitive detector adapted to change value when the hand or any other part of the body of a user outside is placed near the wall at the location where the device is attached. The device is characterized in that the capacitive sensor on a printed circuit board includes a capacitor having a first metal electrode consisting of a solid circle and a second metal electrode surrounding the first electrode and being concentric with the first electrode. here, the set of two electrodes being included in a metal frame whose function is to delimit the capacitive field due to the capacitance formed by the two electrodes in the plane of the card and to make this field perpendicular to the plane of the map .
Un second objet de l'invention est un dispositif de commutation comprenant une pluralité de modules identiques au premier module mentionné ci-dessus qui communiquent grâce à un moyen de communication avec un second module identique au second module mentionné ci -dessus, adapté pour effectuer la connexion ou la déconnexion d'au moins un appareil électrique par l' intermédiaires de commutateurs commandés par un microcontrôleur. A second object of the invention is a switching device comprising a plurality of modules identical to the first module mentioned above which communicate through communication means with a second module identical to the second module mentioned above, adapted to perform the connection or disconnection of at least one electrical device via switches controlled by a microcontroller.
Description brève des figures Brief description of the figures
D'autres buts, objets et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description qui suit faite en référence aux dessins dans lesquels :  Other objects, objects and features of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est un bloc diagramme représentant un mode de réalisation du dispositif de commutation selon 1 ' invention ;  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the switching device according to the invention;
- la figure 2 représente schématiquement un détecteur capacitif caractérisant le dispositif de commutation selon FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents a capacitive detector characterizing the switching device according to
1 ' invention ; The invention;
la figure 3 représente schématiquement un autre détecteur capacitif caractérisant le dispositif de commutation selon l'invention  FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents another capacitive detector characterizing the switching device according to the invention
la figure 4 est une représentation schématique du chargement de la capacité de référence; et  Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the loading of the reference capacity; and
- la figure 5 est un bloc diagramme représentant un mode de réalisation du dispositif de commutation selon l'invention comportant une pluralité de modules et au moins un appareil électrique.  - Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the switching device according to the invention comprising a plurality of modules and at least one electrical device.
Description détaillée de l'invention Detailed description of the invention
Le dispositif de commutation selon l'invention représenté sur la figure 1 comprend un premier module 10, un second module 12 et un moyen de communication 14 qui permet au premier module 10 de communiquer avec le second module 12.  The switching device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a first module 10, a second module 12 and a communication means 14 which enables the first module 10 to communicate with the second module 12.
Le module 10 comprend un détecteur capacitif 16 connecté par les sorties 18, 20 et 22 à un microcontrôleur La source d'alimentation 26, une batterie, une pile, une cellule photovoltaïque ou un convertisseur AC/DC, fournit l'énergie électrique nécessaire au fonctionnement du microcontrôleur 24. The module 10 comprises a capacitive detector 16 connected by the outputs 18, 20 and 22 to a microcontroller The power source 26, a battery, a battery, a photovoltaic cell or an AC / DC converter supplies the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the microcontroller 24.
Comme il a été mentionné précédemment, le premier module 10 est placé derrière une paroi 32 telle qu'une cloison ou un mur. Cette paroi est constituée de n'importe quelle matière telle que du bois, du béton ou même du métal tel que du cuivre. Le premier module 10 est activé lorsqu'un opérateur approche sa main 34 ou toute autre partie du corps près de la paroi 32 à une distance comprise entre 2 cm et 5 cm.  As previously mentioned, the first module 10 is placed behind a wall 32 such as a partition or a wall. This wall is made of any material such as wood, concrete or even metal such as copper. The first module 10 is activated when an operator approaches his hand 34 or any other part of the body near the wall 32 at a distance of between 2 cm and 5 cm.
Le second module 12 qui est connecté au premier module par le moyen de communication 14, comprend un récepteur 36 adapté pour recevoir les instructions transmises par le microcontrôleur 24 via un émetteur 38 du premier module. Le récepteur 36 est connecté à un second microcontrôleur 40 adapté pour traduire les instructions reçues du premier module et en particulier pour agir sur un commutateur 42 adapté pour commander la connexion d'un appareil électrique 44 à sa source d'alimentation électrique lorsque l'instruction reçue du premier module contient cet ordre. A noter que, selon une variante, le récepteur pourrait inclure un microcontrôleur adapté pour traduire les instructions reçues. Dans cette variante, le microcontrôleur 40 n'est plus nécessaire.  The second module 12 which is connected to the first module by the communication means 14 comprises a receiver 36 adapted to receive the instructions transmitted by the microcontroller 24 via a transmitter 38 of the first module. The receiver 36 is connected to a second microcontroller 40 adapted to translate the instructions received from the first module and in particular to act on a switch 42 adapted to control the connection of an electrical appliance 44 to its power source when the instruction received from the first module contains this order. Note that, according to one variant, the receiver could include a microcontroller adapted to translate the received instructions. In this variant, the microcontroller 40 is no longer necessary.
Une source d'alimentation 46 telle qu'une batterie, une pile, une cellule photovoltaïque ou le réseau, fournit l'énergie électrique nécessaire au fonctionnement du microcontrôleur 40, mais peut également fournir l'alimentation électrique de l'appareil électrique 44.  A power source 46 such as a battery, a battery, a photovoltaic cell or the network supplies the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the microcontroller 40, but can also supply the electrical power supply to the electrical apparatus 44.
Selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, le moyen de communication 14 est une liaison sans fil dans laquelle l'émetteur 38 est un émetteur radio et le récepteur 36 est un récepteur radio comme le montre schématiquement la figure 1. Dans ce cas, dans le premier module, la source d'alimentation électrique 26 est également utilisée comme source d'alimentation de l'émetteur 38. Il en est de même de la source d'alimentation 46 du second module qui est également utilisée comme source d'alimentation du récepteur 36. A noter que, du fait que le détecteur capacitif 16 consomme très peu et que la liaison sans fil n'est activée que brièvement, la source d'énergie à mettre en place dans le premier module est de très petite taille et facilement intégrable dans le boîtier contenant le module. Quant à la source d'alimentation du second module, elle peut être intégrée dans l'appareil électrique 44 ou dans son voisinage immédiat, par exemple dans le faux plafond si l'appareil électrique est un appareil d'éclairage au plafond. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the communication means 14 is a wireless link in which the transmitter 38 is a radio transmitter and the receiver 36 is a radio receiver as shown schematically in Figure 1. In this case , in the first module, the power source 26 is also used as the power source of the transmitter 38. It is the same power source 46 of the second module which is also used as a power source of the receiver 36 Note that because the capacitive detector 16 consumes very little and the wireless link is activated only briefly, the energy source to be put in place in the first module is very small and easily integrable into the box containing the module. As for the power source of the second module, it can be integrated in the electrical apparatus 44 or in its immediate vicinity, for example in the false ceiling if the electrical appliance is a ceiling light fixture.
Dans une variante du mode de réalisation sans fil, une option consiste à utiliser comme émetteur 38 et récepteur 36, des émetteurs-récepteurs appelés « tranceivers » qui permettent de sécuriser la communication par des techniques bien connues d'acquisition asynchrone de données, de nouvelles tentatives en cas d'échec, etc.  In an alternative embodiment of the wireless embodiment, one option is to use as transmitter 38 and receiver 36, transceivers called "tranceivers" which make it possible to secure the communication by well-known techniques of asynchronous acquisition of data, new attempts in case of failure, etc.
En outre, le mode de réalisation sans fil est intéressant dans la mesure où il entraîne une grande réduction du câblage nécessaire et surtout une souplesse importante quant au positionnement des appareils commandés. De plus, l'évolution d'une configuration est possible sans travaux puisque les différents composants sont associables ou dissociables facilement et librement.  In addition, the wireless embodiment is interesting insofar as it causes a great reduction of the necessary wiring and especially a significant flexibility in the positioning of the controlled devices. In addition, the evolution of a configuration is possible without work since the various components are associable or dissociable easily and freely.
En référence à la figure 2, le détecteur capacitif 16 se trouve sur une carte de type circuit imprimé et comprend une première électrode 48 et une seconde électrode 50. Dans le mode de réalisation préférentiel, la première électrode 48 est un cercle plein en métal, généralement du cuivre d'un diamètre d'environ 2 cm. La seconde électrode 50 est un fil métallique, du cuivre de préférence, entourant la première électrode et concentrique à celle-ci. Les deux électrodes sont connectées au microcontrôleur 24 par les sorties 18 et 20. L'ensemble "des deux électrodes est à l'intérieur d'un cadre en métal 51, de préférence en cuivre. Le cadre 51 a pour fonction de délimiter le champ capacitif dû à la capacité formée par les deux électrodes dans le plan de la carte et de rendre maximal ce champ perpendiculairement au plan de la carte de manière à ce que ce champ soit perturbé par l'approche de la main 34 près de la paroi 32. Compte tenu du cadre 51 et de l'environnement, la capacité formée par les deux électrodes 48 et 50 a une valeur Cx généralement comprise entre 10 pF et 25 pF. With reference to FIG. 2, the capacitive detector 16 is on a printed circuit board and comprises a first electrode 48 and a second electrode 50. In the preferred embodiment, the first electrode 48 is a solid circle made of metal, usually copper with a diameter of about 2 cm. The second electrode 50 is a wire, preferably copper, surrounding the first electrode and concentric thereto. The two electrodes are connected to the microcontroller 24 by the outputs 18 and 20. The assembly "of the two electrodes is inside of a metal frame 51, preferably made of copper. The frame 51 has the function of delimiting the capacitive field due to the capacitance formed by the two electrodes in the plane of the map and make this field perpendicular to the plane of the map so that this field is disturbed by the approach of the hand 34 near the wall 32. Given the frame 51 and the environment, the capacity formed by the two electrodes 48 and 50 has a value C x generally between 10 pF and 25 pF.
Lorsqu'un opérateur ou une personne quelconque désire faire fonctionner l'appareil électrique 44, il approche sa main 34 ou toute autre partie du corps devant la paroi 32 derrière laquelle a été placée le premier module 10 à une distance de la paroi comprise entre 2 cm et 5 cm. Ceci a pour effet d'introduire une capacité Cc entre l'électrode 50 et le cadre 51. En conséquence, la valeur de la capacité détectée par le microcontrôleur 16 sur les sorties 18 et 20 change de valeur, ce qui permet au microcontrôleur 16 d'envoyer un signal de commande sur le moyen de communication 14. When an operator or any person wishes to operate the electrical apparatus 44, he approaches his hand 34 or any other part of the body in front of the wall 32 behind which has been placed the first module 10 at a distance from the wall of between 2 cm and 5 cm. This has the effect of introducing a capacitance C c between the electrode 50 and the frame 51. As a result, the value of the capacitance detected by the microcontroller 16 on the outputs 18 and 20 changes value, which allows the microcontroller 16 sending a control signal on the communication means 14.
Comme il a déjà été mentionné, le cadre qui entoure le détecteur capacitif a une grande importance. Il peut avoir une forme non rectangulaire comme le cadre 51-1 qui est illustré sur la figure 3. Il est donc judicieux de déterminer la forme de ce cadre le plus précisément possible par l'expérience et le savoir-faire.  As already mentioned, the frame surrounding the capacitive detector is of great importance. It may have a non-rectangular shape as the frame 51-1 which is illustrated in Figure 3. It is therefore advisable to determine the shape of this frame as accurately as possible by experience and know-how.
La figure 4 montre le moyen utilisé pour la détection de la main 34 devant la paroi 32. Comme on le voit, un commutateur 53 est connecté à la sortie 18 de la capacité Cx et établit le contact à une fréquence de découpage Fs alternativement avec une tension Vr et une capacité de référence Cr sur la sortie 22. Cette fréquence, encore appelée fréquence de transfert de charge, d'une valeur d'environ 100 kHz, permet de charger la capacité Cx à partir de la tension Vr et de charger la capacité Cr à partir de la capacité Cx jusqu'à ce que la valeur atteinte qui correspond à la tension de référence Vr soit d'environ 35 nF. En supposant qu'il faille Nr contacts du commutateur 53 avec la sortie 22 pour atteindre la capacité de référence voulue Cr, celle-ci a donc une valeur égale à Nr.Cx. FIG. 4 shows the means used for the detection of the hand 34 in front of the wall 32. As can be seen, a switch 53 is connected to the output 18 of the capacitor C x and makes the contact at a switching frequency F s alternately with a voltage V r and a reference capacitance C r on the output 22. This frequency, also called charge transfer frequency, of a value of approximately 100 kHz, makes it possible to charge the capacitor C x from the voltage V r and load the capacity C r from the capacitance C x until the value reached which corresponds to the reference voltage V r is approximately 35 nF. Assuming that N r flaw contacts of the switch 53 with the output 22 to achieve the desired reference capacitor Cr, the latter therefore has a value equal to N r .C x.
Lorsque la main 34 est approchée devant la paroi 32, ceci a pour effet d' introduire une capacité Cc d' une valeur d'environ 0,3 pF et donc de diminuer le nombre Nr de contacts nécessaires pour atteindre la valeur Cr. Le microcontrôleur 24 détecte ainsi un nombre Nr inférieur et envoie une instruction sur le moyen de communication 14 pour commander la connexion de l'appareil électrique 44. When the hand 34 is approached in front of the wall 32, this has the effect of introducing a capacitance C c of a value of approximately 0.3 pF and thus of reducing the number N r of contacts necessary to reach the value C r . The microcontroller 24 thus detects a lower number N r and sends an instruction to the communication means 14 to control the connection of the electrical apparatus 44.
En référence à la figure 5, le dispositif selon l'invention comprend une pluralité de modules identiques au premier module de la figure 1, ici trois modules 10-1, 10-2 et 10-3, qui communiquent avec le second module grâce au moyen de communication 14-1. En particulier chacun des premiers modules 10-1, 10-2 et 10-3 comprend un détecteur capacitif adapté pour détecter la présence de la main d'un utilisateur.  With reference to FIG. 5, the device according to the invention comprises a plurality of modules identical to the first module of FIG. 1, here three modules 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3, which communicate with the second module thanks to the means of communication 14-1. In particular each of the first modules 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 comprises a capacitive detector adapted to detect the presence of the hand of a user.
Le second module de la figure 5 comprend 3 appareils électriques 52, 54 et 56 qui sont connectés ou déconnectés respectivement par les . commutateurs 58, 60 et 62. Ces commutateurs sont commandés par un second microcontrôleur 40-1 similaire au microcontrôleur 40 de la figure 1 qui reçoit ses instructions d'un des premiers modules 10-1, 10-2 ou 10-3. L'alimentation électrique des composants du module et en particulier du microcontrôleur 40-1 et des appareils électriques est fournie par la source d'alimentation 46-1, une batterie en général. A noter qu'il pourrait n'y avoir qu'un seul appareil électrique alors qu'il y a plusieurs premiers modules, donc plusieurs détecteurs capacitifs.  The second module of FIG. 5 comprises 3 electrical appliances 52, 54 and 56 which are connected or disconnected respectively by the. Switches 58, 60 and 62. These switches are controlled by a second microcontroller 40-1 similar to the microcontroller 40 of Figure 1 which receives its instructions from one of the first modules 10-1, 10-2 or 10-3. The power supply of the components of the module and in particular the microcontroller 40-1 and electrical devices is provided by the power source 46-1, a battery in general. Note that there may be only one electrical device while there are several first modules, so several capacitive sensors.
Pour illustrer le mode de réalisation de la figure 5, le dispositif de commutation qui comprend plusieurs premiers modules comportant chacun un détecteur capacitif peut être utilisé dans un contexte d'interface « homme dispositif » augmenté. Ainsi un tël dispositif peut être utilisé comme gradateur d'éclairage pour lequel un point d'accès comporte deux modules, donc deux détecteurs capacitifs placés au dessus l'un de l'autre dans un décor comportant une flèche descendante accompagnée du signe moins et une flèche montante accompagnée du signe plus. Lorsque l'appareil d'éclairage est éteint ou lorsque les appareils d'éclairage sont éteints s'il y a plusieurs appareils d'éclairage, l'approche de la main de l'un ou l'autre des détecteurs allumera l'éclairage comme décrit ci-dessus. L'action de passer la main devant l'emplacement des détecteurs de bas en haut augmentera l'intensité lumineuse. Si une pause est faite à ce moment là, l'augmentation de l'intensité lumineuse se poursuivra tant que cette proximité sera maintenue, ceci jusqu'au maximum de l'intensité lumineuse. Réciproquement, l'intensité lumineuse pourra être diminuée en passant la main de haut en bas . Ce qui vient d' être dit peut, bien sûr, être étendu à plus de deux dispositifs associés . To illustrate the embodiment of FIG. 5, the switching device which comprises several first modules each comprising a capacitive detector can be used in a "device man" interface context. increases. Thus, a device may be used as a lighting dimmer for which an access point comprises two modules, therefore two capacitive detectors placed above each other in a decor comprising a downward arrow accompanied by the minus sign and a rising arrow accompanied by the plus sign. When the fixture is off or when the fixtures are off if there are multiple fixtures, the hand approach of either detector will turn on the lighting as described above. The action of passing your hand in front of the location of the detectors from bottom to top will increase the light intensity. If a pause is made at this time, the increase in light intensity will continue as long as this proximity is maintained, this up to the maximum of the luminous intensity. Reciprocally, the light intensity can be decreased by passing the hand up and down. What has just been said can, of course, be extended to more than two associated devices.
Les instructions provenant de l'un des microcontrôleurs des modules 10-1, 10-2 ou 10-3, en particulier des instructions de commande de l'un des commutateurs 58, 60 ou 62 pour connecter ou déconnecter l'un des appareils électriques 52, 54 ou 56, sont reçues par le receveur 38-1 qui les transmet au microcontrôleur 40-1. Ainsi, le rapprochement de la main de l'opérateur devant la paroi où se trouve l'un des modules 10-1, 10-2 ou 10-3 entraîne la transmission d'instructions pour commander respectivement la connexion ou la déconnexion d'un appareil électrique 52, 54 ou 56.  The instructions from one of the microcontrollers of the modules 10-1, 10-2 or 10-3, in particular instructions for controlling one of the switches 58, 60 or 62 to connect or disconnect one of the electrical devices 52, 54 or 56, are received by the receiver 38-1 which transmits them to the microcontroller 40-1. Thus, bringing the hand of the operator in front of the wall where one of the modules 10-1, 10-2 or 10-3 is located causes the transmission of instructions for respectively controlling the connection or the disconnection of a electrical apparatus 52, 54 or 56.
Le dispositif de commutation selon l'invention décrit ci -dessus présente de nombreux avantages. En effet, il peut remplacer toutes sortes d' interrupteurs électromécaniques habituellement utilisés pour les appareils d'éclairage, de chauffage, d'ouverture de portes, etc. Ceci est particulièrement utile dans les établissements publics de façon à éviter que le 'public ait à 'toucher l'interrupteur et d'entraîner ainsi sa dégradation. Les établissements publics où le dispositif de commutation selon l'invention trouve toute sa place sont les établissements hospitaliers où il faut éviter à tout prix les contacts pour ne pas transmettre des maladies nosocomiales . The switching device according to the invention described above has many advantages. Indeed, it can replace all kinds of electromechanical switches usually used for lighting, heating, opening of doors, etc. This is particularly useful in public institutions of in order to prevent the public from touching the switch and thereby causing its degradation. Public institutions where the switching device according to the invention finds its place are hospitals where it is necessary to avoid contact at all costs to not transmit nosocomial diseases.
Un avantage important réside dans le fait que le dispositif est placé derrière une paroi et ainsi ne se voit pas et ne ressort pas de la paroi comme un interrupteur classique. En outre, la paroi qui est, de façon générale, un mur ou une cloison de quelques centimètres d'épaisseur, peut être de toute matière telle que du bois, du béton, mais également du métal en tout ou partie de la cloison. La position du dispositif peut être repérée par un marquage discret qui peut être une étiquette, une marque imprimée, une gravure ou tout autre moyen de repérage .  An important advantage lies in the fact that the device is placed behind a wall and thus can not be seen and does not emerge from the wall as a conventional switch. In addition, the wall which is, in general, a wall or a wall of a few centimeters thick, can be of any material such as wood, concrete, but also metal in whole or part of the partition. The position of the device may be marked by a discrete marking which may be a label, a printed mark, an engraving or any other means of identification.
Le fait que la paroi derrière laquelle se trouve le dispositif puisse être en métal présente un avantage considérable dans le milieu hospitalier. En effet, on sait depuis longtemps que le cuivre est un métal antibactérien. Les hôpitaux installent donc maintenant des revêtements en cuivre sur les cloisons. Par conséquent, des dispositifs selon l'invention pourront être placés sans difficulté derrière les cloisons des hôpitaux présentant de tels revêtements en cuivre en remplacement des interrupteurs classiques .  The fact that the wall behind which the device can be made of metal has a considerable advantage in the hospital environment. Indeed, it has long been known that copper is an antibacterial metal. Hospitals are now installing copper cladding on the walls. Therefore, devices according to the invention can be placed without difficulty behind the walls of hospitals with such copper coatings to replace conventional switches.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de commutation adapté pour être fixé derrière une paroi opaque (32) de manière à ne pas être visible de l'extérieur de ladite paroi et destiné à commander la connexion d'au moins un appareil électrique (44) et comprenant au moins un premier module ( (10) relié par un moyen de communication (14) à au un second module (12) adapté pour effectuer la connexion entre ledit appareil électrique et une source d'alimentation, ledit premier module comprenant un détecteur capacitif (16) adapté pour changer de valeur lorsque la main (34) ou toute autre partie du corps d'un utilisateur à l'extérieur est placée à proximité de la paroi à l'endroit où se trouve fixé ledit dispositif, A switching device adapted to be secured behind an opaque wall (32) so as not to be visible from outside said wall and for controlling the connection of at least one electrical apparatus (44) and comprising at least a first module (10) connected by a communication means (14) to a second module (12) adapted to make the connection between said electrical apparatus and a power source, said first module comprising a capacitive detector (16) adapted to change value when the hand (34) or any other part of the body of an outside user is placed near the wall where the device is fixed,
ledit dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que ledit détecteur capacitif qui se trouve sur une carte de type circuit imprimé comprend une capacité Cx comportant une première électrode (48) en métal constituée d'un cercle plein et une seconde électrode (50) en métal entourant ladite première électrode et étant concentrique à celle-ci, l'ensemble des deux électrodes étant inclus dans un cadre en métal (51) dont la fonction est de délimiter le champ capacitif dû à la capacité formée par les deux électrodes dans le plan de la carte et de rendre maximal ce champ perpendiculairement au plan de la carte. said device being characterized in that said capacitive detector which is on a printed circuit board comprises a capacitance C x having a first metal electrode (48) consisting of a solid circle and a second electrode (50) of surrounding metal said first electrode and being concentric thereto, all of the two electrodes being included in a metal frame (51) whose function is to delimit the capacitive field due to the capacitance formed by the two electrodes in the plane of the map and make this field perpendicular to the plane of the map.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit détecteur capacitif (16) contient un moyen de calcul du nombre de fois Nr qu' il faut appliquer une tension de référence Vr à ladite capacité Cx pour que celle-ci puisse charger une capacité de référence Cr à une valeur prédéterminée. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said capacitive detector (16) contains a means for calculating the number of times N r that it is necessary to apply a reference voltage V r to said capacitance C x so that it can charge a reference capacity C r at a predetermined value.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite capacité Cx a une valeur comprise entre 10 pF et 25 pF. The device of claim 2, wherein said capacitance C x has a value between 10 pF and 25 pF.
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite capacité Cr a une valeur d'environ 35 nF. The device of claim 3, wherein said capacitance C r has a value of about 35 nF.
5. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 2 , 3 ou 4 , dans lequel ledit premier module (10) comprend un premier microcontrôleur' (24) adapté pour transmettre des instructions à un second microcontrôleur (40) dans ledit second module (12) destinées à commander la connexion dudit appareil électrique (44) à sa source d'alimentation électrique lorsque ledit nombre de référence Nr a été diminué du fait qu'une capacité parasite Cc due à l'approche de la main de l'utilisateur (34) s'ajoute en parallèle à ladite capacité de référence Cr. 5. Device according to one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said first module (10) comprises a first microcontroller (24) adapted to transmit instructions to a second microcontroller (40) in said second module (12) for controlling the connection of said electrical apparatus (44) to its power source when said reference number N r has it has been reduced because a parasitic capacitance C c due to the approach of the hand of the user (34) is added in parallel to said reference capacitance C r .
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel ladite capacité Cr a une valeur d'environ 0,3 pF. The device of claim 5, wherein said capacitance C r has a value of about 0.3 pF.
7. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel ledit moyen de communication (14) est une liaison sans fil entre un émetteur radio (38) dans ledit premier module (10) et un récepteur radio (36) dans ledit second module (12) .  7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said communication means (14) is a wireless link between a radio transmitter (38) in said first module (10) and a radio receiver (36) in said second module (12).
8. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, comprenant une pluralité de modules identiques audit premier module (10-1, 10-2 et 10-3) comportant chacun un détecteur capacitif, qui communiquent avec un second module grâce au moyen de communication 14-1, ledit second module étant adapté pour effectuer la connexion ou la déconnexion d' au moins un appareil électrique (52, 54 et 56) par 1 ' intermédiaires de commutateurs (58, 60 et 62) commandés par un second microcontrôleur (40-1) .  8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of modules identical to said first module (10-1, 10-2 and 10-3) each having a capacitive detector, which communicate with a second module through the means 14-1, said second module being adapted to perform the connection or disconnection of at least one electrical apparatus (52, 54 and 56) by the intermediate switches (58, 60 and 62) controlled by a second microcontroller (40-1).
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ladite pluralité de modules est utilisée comme gradateur d'éclairage en passant la main (34) devant ladite paroi (32) de façon à activer au moins deux détecteurs capacitifs, de bas en haut pour obtenir une augmentation de l'intensité lumineuse et de haut en bas pour obtenir une diminution de l'intensité lumineuse .  The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plurality of modules is used as a lighting dimmer by passing the hand (34) in front of said wall (32) so as to activate at least two capacitive sensors, from bottom to top to obtain an increase in light intensity and from top to bottom to obtain a decrease in light intensity.
10. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel ladite paroi (32) est en métal.  10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said wall (32) is metal.
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ledit métal est du cuivre.  11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said metal is copper.
EP15701554.6A 2014-01-09 2015-01-07 Invisible, contactless switch device Withdrawn EP3092715A1 (en)

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AU2015205454B2 (en) 2018-02-01
US10193550B2 (en) 2019-01-29

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