FR2753584A1 - REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote control device comprises transmission means (3), a supply circuit connected to the transmission means, an electrical energy generator assembly (10, 11) connected to the supply circuit, and a control member. (12) to activate the generator assembly. The generator assembly comprises an electromagnetic induction coil (10) connected to the supply circuit and electromagnetic induction means (11) comprising a permanent magnet. The controller actuates the electromagnetic induction means to vary the magnetic flux in the coil and generate a voltage and an electric current which supplies the emission means.

Description

AT

  REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE

  The invention relates to a remote control device comprising: - transmission means, - a supply circuit connected to the transmission means, - a generator supplying electrical energy connected to the supply circuit, and

  - control means associated with the electrical energy generator.

  Known remote control devices generally include a transmitter and a receiver for controlling an electrical appliance remotely. The transmitters of known type have electronic circuits making it possible to emit high frequency electromagnetic radiation, infrared or ultrasonic. The radiation emitted by the transmitters is preferably modulated and coded to allow satisfactory operational safety.

  when several transmitters and receivers are used.

  The receivers receive the emitted radiation, then they detect and decode the received signal.

  The decoded signal is used by electronic circuits to control in particular

electrical appliances.

  The supply of transmitters in a fixed position is usually provided by an electrical energy distribution network. However, with this type of feeding, it is necessary

  install power lines connected to each transmitter.

  Fixed or mobile autonomous transmitters are not supplied by a distribution network but they generally require a supply supplied by batteries or

rechargeable batteries.

  Managing the replacement of batteries makes the use of autonomous transmitters very restrictive. In addition, frequent use of the transmitters leads to rapid discharge of the batteries, and therefore to frequent replacements and a high operating cost. Autonomous transmitters may also present faults or stops

  if the batteries are exhausted or unavailable.

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  The object of the invention is to provide a remote control device comprising an autonomous transmitter which does not require an electrical connection with a network or replacement of the source.

power supply.

  According to the invention, the generator comprises: - an electromagnetic induction coil connected to the supply circuit, and - electromagnetic induction means comprising a magnetic circuit having at least one permanent magnet, said electromagnetic induction means being actuated by control means

  to vary the magnetic flux in the coil.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the supply circuit includes means for

  storage of electrical energy connected to the coil.

  In a particular embodiment, the control means comprise at least one

  key which actuates means for opening or closing the magnetic circuit.

  To have a greater amount of energy, the device includes means

  mechanical energy accumulation disposed between a key and opening means.

  In a development of the preferred embodiment, the magnetic circuit comprises: - at least one core disposed inside the coil, - an armature disposed outside the coil, - at least one permanent magnet, and - at minus a core circulation gap, the core, the armature, the permanent magnet and the gap being arranged in series to form

  an almost closed magnetic circuit.

  Preferably, the permanent magnet is arranged perpendicular to the core between the air gap for circulation of the core and the armature, or in alignment with the core between the

core and frame.

  The magnetic circuit opening means open the magnetic circuit to separate the

  nucleus of an assembly constituted by the armature and the magnet.

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  In another development of embodiments of the invention, the device comprises: - a mechanical collector arranged between keys of the control means and the magnetic circuit, and - detection means, active keys of the control means, connected at

means of emission.

  A remote control device according to the invention may include reception means arranged in a vehicle comprising an access control device connected to the means

reception.

  In a first embodiment, an electrical installation according to the invention comprises electrical devices connected to an energy source, associated reception means

  audits of electrical appliances and at least one remote control device according to the invention.

  In a second embodiment, an electrical installation according to the invention comprises at least one remote control device according to the invention and reception means, the remote control device detecting the position of a control member and sending

  information encoded at the receiving means.

  Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows.

  follow, of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and represented in the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 represents a block diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 shows a diagram of a remote control transmitter that can be used in

the device of figure 1.

  - Figure 3 shows a particular embodiment of the transmitter of Figure 2.

  - Figures 4 and 5 respectively represent a first and a second embodiment of an electrical energy generator intended to supply a transmitter of a

device according to the invention.

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  - Figures 6 and 7 show sectional views of an electric power generator

  according to the first embodiment of FIG. 4.

  - Figure 8 shows a transmitter according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a mechanical energy accumulator. - Figure 9 shows a diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of

  the invention comprising two control keys and a high frequency antenna.

  - Figure 10 shows an electrical installation comprising a device according to the invention.

  - Figure 11 shows a remote control device according to the invention comprising a

  receiver located in a vehicle.

  The remote control device of FIG. 1 comprises a transmitter 1 and a receiver 2.

  The transmitter comprises a transmission circuit 3 for transmitting electromagnetic radiation and a supply circuit 4 connected to the transmission circuit 3. The receiver comprises a reception circuit 5 for receiving the radiation emitted by the circuit of the transmitter , and a control circuit 6 connected to the reception circuit. The control circuit processes the signal received by the receiver so as to control, in particular the control of an electrical appliance. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the control circuit controls the opening or closing of an electrical contact 7 and provides

  information to a communication network 8 through a converter 9.

  In the remote control device, according to the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1, the power supply of the transmitter is supplied by an electric energy generator comprising an electromagnetic induction coil 10 connected to the circuit

  power supply 4 and a magnetic circuit having a permanent magnet 11.

  A control member 12 of the transmitter is connected to the magnetic circuit to cause variations in the magnetic flux inside the coil 10. The variations in flux generate a voltage in the coil which supplies an electric current to the circuit 4 of food.

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  Preferably, the control member 12 acts on the magnetic circuit so as to cause a variation in reluctance. This variation in reluctance of the magnetic circuit

  induces a variation in the magnetic flux in said circuit.

  Thus, a maneuver on the control member 12 varies the magnetic flux in the coil and supplies electrical energy to the supply circuit 4. The supply circuit 4 regulates the electrical energy supplied by the coil and supplies a supply voltage to the transmission circuit. Then, as long as the electrical energy supplied by the supply circuit is sufficient, the emission circuit emits radiation intended for the

receiver.

  FIG. 2 represents the diagram of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention.

  The supply circuit includes a diode 13 and a capacitor 14 connected in series with the coil. When an operation of the control member 12 causes a variation in the magnetic flux in the coil 10, the current generated in the turns of the coil passes through the diode 13 and charges the capacitor 14. Thus, the capacitor 14 accumulates energy electric supplied by the coil and it feeds the emission circuit 3. The diode 13 prevents the discharge of the capacitor towards the coil when said coil is no longer energized. The transmission circuit 3, shown in the diagram in FIG. 2, includes a modulation circuit 15 connected to the capacitor 14, a light-emitting diode 16 controlled by the modulation circuit 15, and a coding device 17 connected to the modulation circuit. . The modulation circuit 15 controls the light-emitting diode 16 by current pulses of predetermined sequence. The pulse sequences supplied to the diode 16 make it possible to identify the transmitter which sends the remote control radiation. The coding device 17 makes it possible to predefine the pulse sequence as a function, in particular, of addressing parameters. The light-emitting diode 16 preferably operates in the

  infrared radiation spectrum.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a transmitter according to the diagram in FIG. 2.

  The transmitter is integrated in a housing 18 and comprises a rocking control member 12, an axis of rotation 19 of which is fixed to the housing. The coil 10 is fixed perpendicular to the bottom of the housing and comprises a movable magnetic core 20 disposed inside the

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  turns. The core 20 and the control member are connected by a mechanical device

articulated 21.

  The supply 4 and emission 3 circuits are arranged on a printed circuit 22 which also receives connections with the coil and the light-emitting diode 16.

  The operating member 12 of FIG. 3 has the form of a switch or a button.

  rocker pusher. When the member 12 is maneuvered, it pivots about its axis 19 and pulls the core 20 using the articulated device 21. This action on the core generates a voltage and an electric current which supplies the transmitter. The electrical energy will be used for the operation of the emission circuit and to excite the diode 16 emitting infrared electromagnetic radiation. The coil, with its core, makes it possible to transform the mechanical energy of actuation of the core into electrical energy for

  supply electronic circuits to the transmitter.

  The electrical energy produced in the coil 10 must be sufficient to supply the circuits of the transmitter for a predetermined period. FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of an assembly 23 generating electrical energy making it possible to supply a sufficient quantity of energy. The assembly includes the coil 10 arranged in an almost closed magnetic circuit. Said magnetic circuit comprises a core 20 located inside the coil, an armature 24 with two branches arranged outside the

  coil, and two permanent magnets 25 disposed between the armature and the core.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, at a first end of the coil, the core 20 is in an initial position, attracted and held by a contact surface 26 towards the bottom of the frame 24. At the second end of the coil, the magnets 25 are in contact with the armature 24 is arranged perpendicularly and as close as possible to the core. A gap 27 located between the core and the magnets allows the displacement of the core 20. This gap is very small to allow the closing of the magnetic circuit. The magnets arranged face to face have for example, their South poles each directed towards one of the branches of the armature and their North poles directed towards the core. Thus, the quasi-closed magnetic core comprises the core, the armature, the magnets and the air gap arranged in series. A mechanical action on the core, in the direction of the axis of the coil, opens the magnetic circuit between the core 10 and the armature 24 at the location of the contact surface 26. Thus,

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  when the magnetic circuit is opened, a change in reluctance causes a significant change in the magnetic flux in the coil. This variation in flow generates a

  electrical energy to power the transmitter circuits.

  When the mechanical action on the nucleus ceases, the nucleus is attracted to its initial position by the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets. So the magnets

permanent have two functions.

  A first function of the magnets consists in generating an intense magnetic flux when the magnetic circuit is closed or almost closed, the core being in contact with the armature. As the core is separated from the armature, the magnetic flux drops suddenly, producing the variation in flux which excites the coil to generate electrical energy. A second function of permanent magnets is to return the core to its initial position, in contact with the armature. To ensure this function, the core is limited in its movement. The distance between the core and the armature of the magnetic circuit

  is less than the maximum distance which allows an effective recall of the nucleus.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an electrical energy generator assembly for a transmitter of a remote control device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the elements of the magnetic circuit are arranged differently. - * The magnet 25 is arranged in alignment with the core between said core 20 and the bottom of the magnetic armature 24. Towards the second end of the coil, the armature 24 has a portion 28 close to the core to close the magnetic circuit. Between the part 28 and the core, a gap 27 allows said core to slide when a mechanical action is applied to it. In this embodiment, the magnetic circuit is open when the core 20 is separated from the permanent magnet 25. The separation of the core and the magnet causes a variation in

  reluctance which produces a variation in magnetic flux in the coil.

  Figure 5 shows two positions of the core. A first position where the nucleus is in

  contact with the magnet and a second position where the core 20 is separated from the magnet 25.

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  Between the two positions a distance L is less than the maximum recall distance of the

  core preferably this distance is less than 4 mm.

  Figures 6 and 7 respectively show a profile view and a front view in section of a particular embodiment of the generator assembly 23 of Figure 4. The

  core 20 is shown in a position separated from armature 24 by a spacing 29.

  When the core is attracted to close the magnetic circuit, the contact surface 26 of the core is pressed against the bottom of the armature 24. In this embodiment the generator 23 includes a support 30 making it possible to hold the magnets and the coil at inside the frame 23 and guide the core 20. The support is preferably made of

insulating material.

  Figure 8 shows a generator assembly 23 installed in a housing 18, parallel to the bottom of said housing. An operating member disposed on the front face of the housing has the form of a key 12 pivoting about an axis 19. The key 12 comprises, in its part directed towards the bottom of the housing a stop 31. A pivoting bracket 32 of which the pivot 33 is disposed on the bottom of the housing has a first branch 34 for actuating the core 20 of the generator assembly 23. A second branch 35 of the bracket is directed towards the end of the stop to receive the energy mechanics produced by pressing the button. A spring 36 disposed between a part of the stop and the second branch of the bracket allows

  to accumulate mechanical energy before transmitting it to the core 20.

  When the button 12 is pressed to control the operation of the transmitter, the stop approaches the second branch of the bracket and the spring is compressed. Then, the stop comes into contact with the second branch of the bracket, the bracket then starts to pivot around the pivot 33 and a force is transmitted by the first branch of the bracket to the core 20. As soon as the force is sufficient to separate the core and start to open the magnetic circuit of the generator assembly 23, the spring releases its mechanical energy and

  the displacement of the nucleus is accelerated.

  In this embodiment, the electrical energy supplied by the coil 10 of the assembly 23 is greater since the mechanical energy of the movement of the key is accumulated

  in the spring to allow rapid separation of the core.

  A transmitter powered by an assembly according to FIG. 8 can comprise several channels corresponding to several keys. In this case, the bracket 32 has a first

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  branch allowing to activate the core and several second branches directed towards the stops of each key. The transmitter has position sensors to detect

  keys that are pressed during transmission.

  FIG. 9 represents a diagram of a transmitter comprising two control members 12a and 12b for actuating the core 20 of a generator assembly 23. Each control member comprises a stop respectively 31a and 31b which acts on a mechanical energy collector 37. This collector has the same function as the pivoting bracket 32 in FIG. 8. It acts on the core 20 by transferring the mechanical energy supplied by the operating member. The stops 31a and 31b are associated with springs respectively 36a and 36b to accumulate mechanical energy before the opening of the magnetic circuit of the assembly 23 and accelerate the displacement of the core 20. The acceleration of the core transforms mechanical energy accumulated in the springs in electrical energy available on the

coil 10 of the assembly 23.

  In the diagram of FIG. 9, each operating member 12a and 12b commands the closing of two detection contacts 38a and 38b respectively to detect the member which acts. The contacts 38a and 38b are connected to a coding device 17. The coding circuit generates the signal which will be transmitted as a function of the state of the detection contacts 38a and 38b. The coding device 17 supplies the modulation circuit 15 with information

  to control the high frequency transmission head 39 which feeds the antenna 40.

  The high frequency head and the antenna preferably work in the spectrum of very

  high frequencies (VHF) or ultra high frequencies (UHF).

  A transmitter according to FIG. 9 comprising a generator assembly associated with a mechanical accumulator, for example with springs, and a supply circuit having a capacitor 14 with a value of 100 pF can have, at each action on an operating member, a energy greater than 100 mj. This energy can be available for a period

greater than 10 ms.

  The transmitter thus has an autonomous electrical energy generator. It can be used as a fixed or removable station. When the transmitter is installed in a fixed position it can advantageously replace switches or push-buttons of an installation

electric building.

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  FIG. 10 shows an example of an electrical installation comprising a remote control device according to the invention. The electrical installation comprises an electrical control member 41, a lighting device 42, a first and a second socket outlet respectively 43 and 44. The control member is associated with a transmitter 1 and the lighting device thus that the first socket are associated with receivers 2. The second socket 44 is not directly associated with a receiver, but an electrical appliance

  removable 45 connected to said outlet is controlled by a receiver 2.

  In this installation, when a key of the control member 41 is pressed, the transmitter 1 sends radiation received by all the receivers. The receiver concerned by the received signal activates the electric charge which it controls. The transmitter 1 of the control member is not connected by electrical wires from a network 46 of the installation's electrical distribution.

  In other installations, several transmitters can be associated with the same receiver.

  For example, in an installation where the transmitters are associated with autonomous alarm detectors, the receiver 2 can be a central unit receiving information transmitted by said transmitters. It is also possible to associate the transmitters according to the invention with

  automated chain detectors that send position information to a central station.

  FIG. 11 shows a remote control device comprising a transmitter 1, a receiver 2 arranged in a vehicle and an access control device 47 of said vehicle connected to the receiver. An action on a transmitter control unit provides energy to send radiation to the receiver. The receiver processes the received signal and controls the

  access control device to lock or unlock access to the vehicle.

  In the embodiments described above, the generator assembly includes a coil

  having an elongated solenoid shape but other shapes can be used.

  The assembly can include one or more coils inserted in a more complex magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit can also be opened outside the

  coil without using a moving core.

  The armature 24 of the magnetic circuit can also have a cylindrical shape. Likewise, the magnets of the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be grouped into a shaped magnet

  annular of which one pole is directed towards the core and the other towards the external reinforcement.

  il 2753584 The mechanical accumulator of FIGS. 8 and 9 is represented by a coil spring but it

  other types of springs can be used, including leaf springs.

  FIG. 10 shows a type of use of a device according to the invention. However, such a device can be used in other fields, in particular for the remote control of opening or locking of doors of buildings or cars as well as for the remote control of household appliances such as televisions or hi-fi system. .

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Claims (12)

  1. Remote control device comprising: - transmission means (3), a supply circuit (4) connected to the transmission means, - a generator supplying electrical energy connected to the supply circuit, and   - control means (12) associated with the electric energy generator.   o10 device characterized in that the generator comprises: - an electromagnetic induction coil (10) connected to the supply circuit (4), and - electromagnetic induction means (11) comprising a circuit (20, 24, 25 ) magnetic having at least one permanent magnet (25), said electromagnetic induction means being actuated by means (12) of   control to vary the magnetic flux in the coil.   2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the supply circuit   comprises means (14) for storing electrical energy connected to the coil.   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the means of   command comprise at least one key (12, 12a, 12b) which actuates means (20,   21, 36-37) opening or closing the magnetic circuit.   4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises means of accumulation (36, 36a, 36b) of mechanical energy arranged between a key and means of opening.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the   magnetic circuit comprises: - at least one core (20) disposed inside the coil (10), - an armature (24) disposed outside the coil (10), - at least one magnet (25) permanent, and - at least one air gap (27) for circulation of the core, the core (20), the annature (24), the permanent magnet (25) and the air gap (27) being arranged in   series to form a quasi-closed magnetic circuit (20, 24, 25, 27). 13 2753584   6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the permanent magnet (25) is arranged perpendicular to the core (20) between the air gap (27) for circulation of the core and the frame (24). 7. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the permanent magnet (25) is   arranged in alignment with the core (20) between the core and the frame (24).   8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterized in that the   opening means (20, 21, 36-37) of the magnetic circuit open the magnetic circuit   to separate the core from an assembly formed by the armature (24) and the magnet (25).   9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it   comprises: - a mechanical collector (32, 37) arranged between keys (12) of the control means and the magnetic circuit, and - detection means (38a, 38b), active keys of the control means, connected to the transmission means.   10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it   comprises receiving means (2) arranged in a vehicle comprising a device for   access control (47) connected to the reception means.   11. Electrical installation characterized in that it comprises electrical devices connected to an energy source, reception means (2) associated with said electrical devices and at least one remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   12. Electrical installation characterized in that it comprises at least one device for   remote control according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and reception means   (2), the device detecting the position of a control member and sending   information encoded at the receiving means.