FR2787254A1 - DEVICE FOR PRODUCING THE ENERGY NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF A SMALL ELECTRIC APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

This apparatus (1) comprises at least one member (3), such as a key, for controlling a function. According to the invention, the device comprises: - a multiplier gear; the movement input wheel (12) of this gear comprises means (28, 35, 36, 41, 45) for its engagement with each member (3), at the start of the travel stroke of this member (3) ), these same means (28, 35, 36, 41, 45) allowing the entry of the input wheel (12) out of engagement with each aforementioned member (3), as the end of travel approaches displacement of this organ (3); the movement output wheel of this gear comprises a permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms an alternation of North and South magnetic poles; - at least one coil placed near said movement output wheel (13); - a means of storage and return of electrical energy.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for producing

  the energy necessary for the operation of a small electrical appliance, this appliance comprising at least one member, such as a button,

  for controlling a device function.

  This small device can be a remote control, for example for opening a barrier or a gate, a remote control housed in the body of a vehicle key, for controlling the opening or closing of latches doors of this vehicle, a switch,

  in particular for controlling a lighting or other device.

  The principle of generating the electrical energy necessary for the operation of a small device as mentioned above, by transformation of the mechanical energy resulting from the actuation of the keys which comprises

this device is known.

  The systems having been envisaged for the implementation of this principle are however not without drawbacks such as structural complexity, number of assembly operations, manufacturing cost, uncertain reliability, weakness of the energy produced. These drawbacks have proven to date to prevent the implementation

practice of this principle.

  The present invention aims to remedy this fundamental problem. To this end, the device which it relates comprises - a multiplier gear; the movement input wheel of this gear comprises means for its engagement with each aforementioned member allowing the control of a function of the device, at the start of the movement travel of this member, so that said movement causes this input wheel to rotate, these same means allowing the input wheel to come out of engagement with each aforementioned member, when approaching the end of travel of movement of this member, so that this arrival at the end of the race does not stop the rotation of the wheel; the movement output wheel of this gear comprises a permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms alternating North and South magnetic poles; - at least one coil placed near said movement output wheel; TT - a means of storage and restitution of electrical energy, such as a capacitor, receiving the energy produced by the

  device and supplying the functional organ or organs of the apparatus.

  The engagement of said member and said input wheel makes it possible to drive this wheel in rotation while the coming out of engagement of these same elements, when approaching the end of travel of movement of the member, allows not to stop the rotational movement of this input wheel. Thanks to the multiplication allowed by said gear, said output wheel 110 performs a large number of turns, allowing the transformation into electrical energy of the energy resulting from the movement of the organ. This energy is stored in said means for storing and restoring electrical energy and is then restored by this same means for the functioning of the functional organ or organs, in particular the radio frequency transmitter of a remote control. The device thus formed is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, is reliable and can generate sufficient energy for the operation of the device. It can easily be adapted to devices

  to one or more control members, as will appear below.

  Preferably, the means allowing the entry wheel to come into engagement with each member allowing the control of a function of the apparatus, and out of engagement with it, consist of: - a coaxial shaft to the input wheel and integral in rotation with the latter, in which a series of helical grooves is arranged; - A flexible tab integral with said member, comprising two parts, one of which has a lug while the other is devoid of this lug; the flexibility of the tab makes it possible to move the lug between two positions offset radially relative to said shaft, namely a first position, in which the lug is engaged and can slide in a groove in this shaft, for the engagement of said said member and input wheel, and a second position, in which the lug is released from said groove, for the coming out of engagement of said member and input wheel; - An inclined ramp arranged opposite said part of the leg which is devoid of lug, allowing, during the movement of said member in the direction of implementation of the corresponding function of the device, to flex said leg in view bringing the lug into said first position; - A recess arranged opposite said part of the tab comprising the lug, allowing the release of the lug out of the ramp, to bring the lug into said second position, said ramp and recess being shaped such that the lug is brought into said first position at the start of the movement of movement of said member and into said second position when approaching the end of

this course.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention in this case, said member and said tab are made of synthetic material, and are molded in one piece, the flexibility of the tab being obtained by the flexibility of said material; - the ramp and the recess are arranged in a guide drum

  of said organ during its movement.

  Preferably, the device comprises several aforementioned members for controlling the functions of the device, arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the input wheel; - the lug protrudes outward from each of these organs; - each member includes an axial pin allowing actuation

  a microswitch for operating the device.

  Advantageously, in this case, - each barrel comprises a transverse wall for receiving one of the ends of a spring interposed between the control member and the barrel, this spring making it possible to return the member to the extended position; - the other end of the spring is engaged around said pin - said transverse wall includes an opening for the

  passage of the pin to allow it to activate the micro-

  light switch. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a single member for controlling the function which it allows, arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the input wheel; The lug protrudes inward from each organ; - The ramp is shaped to radially deform the tab towards the inside of the member to cause the lug to penetrate a groove in the shaft; - a microswitch for operating the device is offset radially relative to the member, and is actuated by means of an intermediate piece, this piece being slidably mounted parallel to the direction of insertion of the member and being simply actuated by the side wall of the member, at the end of the driving stroke

of the last.

  Advantageously, in this case, - a spring is interposed between the member and the housing of the device, this spring making it possible to return the member to the extended position; one of the ends of this spring is engaged around a pin that the member comprises while its other end is engaged inside the pin constituting the pivot of the input wheel, the latter pin being tubular. Preferably, - each barrel comprises two diametrically opposite notches, delimiting upper shoulders; - Each member includes two lateral projections, capable of fading radially inward when the member is engaged in

  a barrel, then to be locked by snap behind the shoulders.

  For its proper understanding, the invention is again described below, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of nonlimiting examples, two possible embodiments of the device

it concerns.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view of a remote control device, for example for opening a barrier or a gate, including the device according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is an exploded view, in longitudinal section, of the various members of this device; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, the apparatus being mounted; FIG. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale, in exploded perspective, of one of the keys for controlling a function of this device, as well as of the guide barrel of this key; FIG. 5 is a view on a scale still enlarged, in longitudinal section, of a key of this apparatus, of said barrel, as well as of an input wheel which this apparatus comprises; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle key, housing, in its body, a remote control for opening and closing the latches of the vehicle doors, and including the device according to a second embodiment, and

  Figure 7 is a view of this key in longitudinal section.

  Figures 1 to 5 show a remote control device 1 comprising a housing 2 and four control buttons 3 of different

functions of this unit 1.

  As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 2 is formed by assembling two parts 4, 5, one of which constitutes the bottom of the housing 1 and the other, comprising the keys 3, constitutes the

cover of it.

  It also appears in FIG. 2 that the box 2 houses the support card 10 of a printed circuit comprising different members, and a multiplier gear 11 formed by a movement input wheel 12

  and a movement output wheel 13.

  Part 4 is made of synthetic material and comprises, coming from molding with it, a pin 15 suitable for forming a pivot, a circular wall 16, coaxial with the pin 15, with a thinned upper edge, a hole 17 and a portion of circular wall 18, coaxial with hole 17, with thinned upper edge. Part 4 also includes a peripheral shoulder (not shown) suitable for receiving, with wedging, the edges of the card.

support 10.

  Part 5 includes four holes opening into four barrels projecting from its internal face, and coming from molding with it. These drums 20 are arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of the pin 15,

  therefore from the axis of rotation of the input wheel 12.

  As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, each barrel comprises a transverse wall 21 for receiving one of the ends of a spring 22 interposed between the key 3 and the barrel 20. This spring 22 makes it possible to recall the key 3 in the extended position , non-sinking, relative to the housing 2. The wall 21 delimits a central opening 23 allowing a pin 24 that includes each key 3, projecting from the upper internal face thereof, to actuate a microswitch 25

  carried by the support card 10, for operating the device 1.

  The other end of the spring 22 is engaged around this pin 24.

  This FIG. 4 also shows that each barrel 20 comprises two diametrically opposite notches 26, delimiting upper shoulders 27. Inside one of these notches 26, the barrel 20 comprises an inclined wall forming a ramp 28, the part of which upper is more distant from said axis of the pin 1 5 than the lower part,

  as well as a recess 29 immediately adjacent to this ramp 28.

  Each key 3 is made of synthetic material having a certain degree of flexibility, in particular of polyethylene. It comprises two lateral projections 31, capable of fading radially inwards, by deformation of said material, when the key 3 is engaged in a barrel 20, then to be locked by snapping behind the shoulders 27. Each key 3 further comprises, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a tab 35 projecting axially, in the extension of its side wall. This tab 35 has a reduced thickness, so that it is flexible in the radial direction relative to the key 3. It comprises a part 35a provided with a lug 36 projecting radially

  towards the outside of the key, and a lateral extension 35b.

  It follows from Figure 4 that the extension 35b is located opposite the ramp 28 while the lug 36 is located opposite the recess 29 when said projections 31 are snapped behind said shoulders 27. Figure 5 shows more particularly that the upper and lower edges of the wall forming the ramp 28 are rounded, and that, in the neutral shape of the tab 35, the median plane of this same wall is located farther from the axis of the pin 15 than the extension 35b at said upper edge and closer to the axis of the pin 15 than extension 35b

at said lower edge.

  The support card 10, for its part, includes an opening 40 for the passage of a shaft 41 secured to the input wheel 12. In addition to the various microswitches 25 placed on its upper face, it comprises two coils 42 on its underside, placed near the output wheel 13 when the device 1 is mounted, as shown in the

figure 3.

  This card 10 also includes a capacitor suitable for storing and restoring electrical energy, an appropriate charging circuit and the transmitter sending the control signals. These different organs are of the classic type and have not been represented for the sake of

clarity of the drawing.

  The wheel 12 is engaged on the pin 15 until it rests on the thinned upper edge of the wall 16, this thinning making it possible to

  limit the friction between this wheel 12 and this wall 16.

  The shaft 41 includes, as shown more particularly in Figure 5, a plurality of helical grooves 45, whose entries are rounded. These grooves 45 and the lug 36 are dimensioned so that the lug 36 can be engaged and slide in these grooves 45, so as to allow the wheel 12 to be driven in rotation when the

key 3 is pressed.

  The wheel 12 is toothed and meshes with a pinion 46 integral with the wheel 13. The number of teeth of this pinion 46 is small compared to that of the wheel 12, this ratio being for example a tooth of the pinion 46

for fifteen teeth of the wheel 12.

  The wheel 13 comprises at least one permanent magnet which, on its

  periphery, forms an alternation of North and South magnetic poles.

  As shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, in the normal position of each key 3, that is to say raised relative to the housing 2, the tab 35, and therefore the extension 35b, are located above the ramp 28. The tab 35 is then in its neutral form, in which the lug 36 is

  found above the shaft 41 and outside the grooves 45.

  The pressing of the key 3 immediately causes the extension 35b to slide on the ramp 28, and consequently the radial flexion, towards the outside of the key 3, of the tab 35. As shown in phantom lines, this bending causes the lug 36, from the start of the depression stroke of the key 3, to enter one of the grooves 45 which are located substantially opposite it. The rounded entries of these grooves 45 allow, if necessary, to slide the pin 36 towards one

  or the other of two adjacent grooves 45.

  The movement of pressing the button 3 makes it possible, by virtue of this engagement of the lug 36 and the shaft 41, to cause

  driving the wheel 12 in rotation.

  Approaching the end of the key 3 depressing stroke, the extension 35b passes below the ramp 28, which allows the tab 35 to return to its neutral form and, consequently, achieves the extraction of the pin 36 from the groove 45. This extraction allows the continuation on its

  initiated by the rotation movement of the wheel 12.

  This rotational movement causes the rotation of the wheel 13 and therefore the generation of electrical energy, which is stored by the

aforementioned capacitor.

  At the end of the driving stroke, the pin 24 actuates the micro-

  corresponding switch 25, which triggers the operation of the transmitter of the device 1, either thanks to the energy which has just been produced by the wheel 13 and the coils 42, or by energy previously stored

in the capacitor.

  The passage of the extension 35b below the ramp 28 allows the ascent of the key 3, by recalling the spring 22, the recess

  29 allowing the passage of the pin 36.

  Figures 6 and 7 show a vehicle key comprising a single key for actuation of a transmitter allowing in particular to control the opening and closing of the latches of the

vehicle doors.

  Many identical or similar organs to those previously described are found in this key. For simplicity, they will not be described again and will be designated by the same reference numerals. In this key, the key 3 is arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation of the wheel 12 and the spring 22 is engaged around the pin 24 and inside the pin 15, the latter being tubular; The lug 36 protrudes towards the inside of the button 3 and the ramp 28 is shaped to radially deform the tab 35 towards the inside of the button 3 to bring this

  lug 36 to enter a groove 45 of the shaft 41.

  The microswitch 25 is, in this case, offset radially relative to the key 3, and is actuated by means of an intermediate part 50. This part 50 is slidably mounted parallel to the direction in which the key 3 is pressed in. with two lateral lugs which it comprises, which move in two slides arranged in tabs 51. In the example shown, the latter came from

  molding with part 4 of the housing 2.

  This part 50 is simply actuated by the side wall of

  the key 3, at the end of the penetration stroke of the latter.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples but that, on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments thereof. Thus, all kinds of electrical devices comprising at least one button for controlling a function of this device can be equipped with the energy generation device (button 3, barrel 20, tab 35, ramp 28, obviously 29, tree 41, wheels 12 and 13, pinion 46, coils 42) which it relates to. In particular, this device can be a switch for controlling the operation of a lamp or other lighting device, the switch comprising an energy generation device as mentioned above and being equipped with a transmitter for controlling the switching on or off said lamp or said lighting appliance. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide for the passage of ducts through the walls of the premises,

  which greatly simplifies the construction of these premises.

Claims (6)

  1 - Device making it possible to produce the energy necessary for the operation of a small electrical appliance (1), this appliance (1) comprising at least one member (3), such as a button, for controlling a function, characterized in that it comprises: - a multiplier gear (12, 46, 13); the movement input wheel (12) of this gear comprises means (28, 29,, 36, 41, 45) for its engagement with each aforementioned member (3) allowing the control of a function of the device (1), at the start of the movement movement of this member (3), so that said movement causes this input wheel (12) to rotate, these same means (28, 29, 35, 36, 41, 45) allowing the entry wheel (12) to come out of engagement with each aforementioned member (3), when approaching the end of travel of movement of this member (3), such that this arrival at the end of the stroke does not stop the rotation of the wheel (12); the movement output wheel (13) of this gear comprises a permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms alternating North and South magnetic poles; - At least one reel (42) placed near said wheel (1 3) for movement output; a means of storage and restitution of electrical energy, such as a capacitor, receiving the energy produced by the   device and supplying the functional organ or organs of the apparatus (1).   2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means allowing the entry wheel (12) to come into engagement with each member (3) allowing the control of a function of the device (1), and out of connection with the latter, are constituted by: a shaft (41) coaxial with the input wheel (12) and integral in rotation with the latter, in which is arranged a series of helical grooves (45 ); - A flexible tab (35) integral with said member (3), comprising two parts (35a, 35b), one of which (35a) comprises a lug (36) while the other (35b) is devoid of this lug (36) ; the flexibility of the tab (35) makes it possible to move the lug (36) between two positions offset radially relative to said shaft (41), namely a first position, in which the lug (36) is engaged and can slide in a groove (45) of this shaft (41), for the engagement of said member (3) and input wheel (12), and a second position, in which the lug (36) is released from said groove ( 45), for the coming out of grip of said member (3) and input wheel (12); an inclined ramp (28) arranged opposite said part (35b) of the tab (35) which is devoid of lug (36), allowing, during the movement of said member (3) in the direction of implementation of the corresponding function of the apparatus (1), of bending said tab (35) in order to bring the lug (36) into said first position; - A recess (29) arranged opposite said part (35a) of the tab (35) comprising the lug (36), allowing the release of the tab (35) out of the ramp (28), to bring the lug (36) in said second position, said ramp (28) and recess (29) being shaped so that the lug (36) is brought into said first position at the start of the movement of movement of said member (3) and in said second position at   the approach of the end of this race.   3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that - said member (3) and said tab (35) are made of synthetic material, and are molded in one piece, the flexibility of the tab (35) being obtained by the flexibility of said material; - the ramp (28) and the recess (29) are arranged in a barrel   (20) for guiding said member (3) during its movement.   4- Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that -I the device (1) comprises several members (3) arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the input wheel (12 ); The lug (36) projects outwards from each of these members (3); each member (3) comprises an axial pin (24) for actuating a microswitch (25) for operating the the device (1).   - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that - each barrel (20) comprises a transverse wall (21) to receive one of the ends of a spring (22) interposed between the member (3) and the barrel ( 20), this spring (22) making it possible to return the member (3) to the extended position the other end of the spring (22) is engaged around said pin (24); said transverse wall (21) comprises an opening (23) for the passage of the pin (24) in order to allow the latter to actuate the microswitch (25). 6 - Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that - the device (1) comprises a single member (3) for controlling the function which it allows, arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the input wheel (12); - the lug (36) protrudes towards the inside of each member (3) - the ramp (28) is shaped to radially deform the tab (35) towards the inside of the member (3) to bring the lug (36) to penetrate a groove (45) of the shaft (41); - A microswitch (25) for operating the device is offset radially with respect to the member (3), and is actuated by means of an intermediate piece (50), this piece (50) being mounted sliding parallel to the driving direction of the member (3) and being simply actuated by the side wall of the member (3), at the end of sinker stroke of the latter.   7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a spring (22) is interposed between the member (3) and the housing (2) of the device, this spring (22) for recalling the member ( 3) in the extended position; One of the ends of this spring (22) is engaged around a pin (24) that comprises the member (3) while its other end is engaged inside the pin (15) constituting the pivot of the input wheel (12), this last pin (15) being tubular.   8- Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized   in that - each barrel (20) comprises two diametrically opposite notches (26) delimiting upper shoulders (27) - each member (3) comprises two lateral projections (31), capable of fading radially inwards during of the engagement of the member (3) in a barrel (20), then to be locked by snap behind the shoulders (27).