FR2883407A1 - Electromechanical control device for e.g. mobile socket, has wheel defined as outer and inner parts of which outer part tilts inner part during rotation of outer part such that inner part supports on switches, when parts are connected - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a toothed wheel (110) defined as outer and inner parts (111, 112) connected together by an elastic cooperation of studs of the part (111) with ribs of the part (112). The part (111) is accessible by a user and is driven in an endless rotation and the part (112) controls two switches (123) that are connected to a printed circuit. The part (111) tilts the part (112) during the rotation such that the part (112) supports elastically on the switches, when the parts are connected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

  The present invention generally relates to electromechanical drives for switchgear and in particular for electrical equipment.

  It relates in particular to an electromechanical control device for the variation of a quantity provided by an apparatus, a device comprising a printed circuit capable of delivering information, at least one switch connected to said printed circuit and actuating means for closing and / or or open said switch.

  It also relates to a mobile power socket for the power supply of a lighting apparatus and a lighting apparatus comprising such a device.

  The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the production of an apparatus integrating an adjustment control of a given physical quantity such as a luminous intensity, a temperature, a duration or a position, but also in the realization of a navigation system for searching and / or selecting information.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

  Currently known electromechanical drives that use a potentiometer associated with a rotary member on a specific angular sector or a translational element on a straight sector of determined length.

  Also known is a control device of the aforementioned type in introduction wherein said actuating means of the switch comprises a push button acting directly on the switch soldered to said printed circuit.

  C) BJET OF THE INVENTION Compared to the state of the art the present invention provides a new simple and inexpensive electromechanical control device that makes it intuitive for a user to adjust a size provided by any device.

  More particularly, the invention proposes a control device as defined in the introduction, wherein said actuating means comprise a wheel in two parts, namely an outer portion, accessible to the user, adapted to be driven in endless rotation and an inner control portion of each switch, said outer and inner portions of the wheel being bonded to one another via a disengageable friction link so that said outer portion is capable of its endless rotation to tilt said inner portion for it elastically presses on said switch.

  Other nonlimiting and advantageous features of the control device according to the invention are the following: each switch is arranged such that said inner portion of said wheel is adapted to perform a pulse or permanent support on said switch; it comprises an intermediate piece forming, on the one hand, on one face, a clevis for receiving two journals of said wheel, and, on the other hand, on another face, a mounting support for the printing plate printed circuit board; said outer and inner portions of the wheel are arranged relative to each other so that said outer portion is guided in endless rotation on said inner portion; said trunnions of the wheel are carried by said inner part; said outer and inner portions of the wheel are nested one inside the other so that one face of said outer portion forms one of the two outer faces of said wheel and one face of said inner portion which carries at least an elastic support pad on each switch forms the other of the two outer faces of said wheel; - said disengageable friction connection is achieved by the elastic cooperation of studs carried by one of said outer and inner portions with ribs carried by the other of said outer and inner portions; said outer part of the wheel is in the form of a disc bordered by a peripheral skirt which delimits an inner housing intended to receive said inner part, the face of the disc facing away from said peripheral skirt constituting an outer face; of the wheel, and said inner portion of the wheel is in the form of a disk, of smaller diameter than the outer portion, bordered by a peripheral skirt adapted to engage in said inner housing so that the outer face this peripheral skirt forms a guide surface in rotation of the peripheral skirt of said outer portion, the disc face of said inner portion facing away from its peripheral skirt constituting the other outer face of said wheel.

  The invention also relates to a mobile power socket for the power supply of a lighting apparatus, and a lighting apparatus which each comprises a control device as mentioned above to vary the light intensity supplied by said lighting apparatus. lighting apparatus.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

  The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be achieved.

  In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a power socket according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the socket of Figure 1; Figures 3A and 3B are two exploded perspective views oriented in two opposite directions of the wheel of the electromechanical control device of the socket of Figure 1; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along the plane A-A of Figure 1; and - Figure 5 is a sectional view along the plane B-B of Figure 4.

  In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a movable power socket 1 here for the power supply of a lighting apparatus (not shown).

  This mobile power socket 1 comprises a housing formed of a front portion 2 and a rear portion 3 assembled together by snapping.

  For this purpose, the front portion 2 comprises on its inner face ratchet teeth 2E adapted to engage in corresponding housing 3C provided on the rear portion 3. In addition, the rear portion 3 has on the edge of its lateral sides of the ratchet teeth 3B intended to engage in corresponding housings (not shown) of the front portion 2.

  The housing formed by the assembly of the front portion 2 and the rear portion 3 of the mobile power socket 1 internally contains electrical equipment 10 having a dual functionality.

  The electrical equipment 10 has, at the front, the functionality of a power socket and, at the back, the functionality of a plug.

  More particularly, this electrical apparatus 10 comprises an apparatus mechanism 13 housed in a housing constituted by the assembly, on the one hand, of a rear part 12 of generally cylindrical shape of revolution, which allows the pins 14 to emerge from the plug intended to be engaged in the well of a wall outlet connected to a power supply network, and, secondly, a front portion 11, also of cylindrical shape of revolution, forming the well 11A the socket to receive the plug of the luminaire concerned. The well 11A of the front part 11 has in its bottom two access ports (not visible in FIG. 2) to the connection terminals of the fitting mechanism 13 and a third orifice (also not visible) through which emerges in the 11A to the earth pin 15 of the switchgear mechanism 13.

  The rear part 3 of the housing of the mobile power socket 1 comprises at its center an opening 3A through which emerges outside of said housing the rear portion 12 of the housing of the electrical equipment 10. The front part 2 of the The housing of the mobile socket 1 comprises an upper portion 2A provided with a circular opening 2C which matches the front opening of the well 11A of the electrical equipment 10 for access thereto.

  The front portion 2 of the housing of the mobile power socket 1 comprises a control panel 2B from which a user can, via an electromechanical control device 100, control, on the one hand, the start and stop of the mobile power socket 1, and, on the other hand, the variation of the light intensity supplied by the lighting apparatus connected to said mobile power socket 1.

  Indeed, the casing of the mobile power socket 1 contains an electromechanical control device 100 connected to a microprocessor 20 for, on the one hand, starting and stopping the mobile power socket 1, and on the other hand, setting or vary the luminous intensity of the luminaire connected to said mobile power socket 1.

  More generally, according to the invention, the electromechanical control device 100 used in said mobile power socket 1 makes it possible to vary a quantity supplied by any device, such as a physical quantity such as a light intensity, a temperature, a duration or a position. Such an electromechanical control device 100 can also be used to search and / or select information.

  The electromechanical control device 100 comprises a printed circuit (not shown) on a print card 120, capable of supplying the microprocessor 20 with information in the form of an electrical pulse, at least one switch 123 connected to said printed circuit, and actuating means 110 for closing and / or opening said switch 123.

  Here, there are provided in the electromechanical control device 100 two switches 123 welded to the printed circuit, the closure and / or the opening of each of these switches 123 for transmitting via the printed circuit information according to which one increases or the the luminous intensity of the corresponding luminaire is reduced.

  To start and stop the mobile power socket 1, the electromechanical control device 100 comprises two switches 122 welded to said printed circuit and comrnandés using a key 30 accessible to the user through a 2D opening provided on the control panel 2B of the front portion 2 of the housing of the mobile power socket 1. The opening and closing of each of the switches 122 to turn on or off the setting of moving current 1.

  According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, said actuating means 110 of the electromechanical control device 100 comprise a wheel in two parts, namely an external part 111, accessible to the user, adapted to be driven in endless rotation , and an inner portion 112 for controlling each switch 123, said outer 111 and inner 112 portions of the wheel 110 being connected to each other via a disengageable friction connection so that said outer portion 111 is capable during its endless rotation of tilting said inner portion 112 so that it elastically bears on one of the switches 123.

  The outer portion 111 of the wheel is accessible to the user by emerging through a 2D opening provided in the control panel 2B of the front portion 2 of the housing of the mobile power socket 1 (see FIGS. ).

  Said inner portion 112 of the wheel 110 is adapted to provide a pulsating or permanent elastic support on the switch 123 concerned.

  The closure of each switch 123 causes the closure of the printed circuit which sends an electrical pulse or more generally information to the microprocessor 20 which processes the information to the electrical equipment 10 to reduce or increase the light intensity provided by the device lighting connected to the mobile socket 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the electromechanical control device 100 comprises an intermediate part 130 which forms, on the one hand, on one face, a yoke 132 for receiving two journals 112C of said wheel 110, and on the other hand, on another face, a mounting bracket of the printing plate 120 of the printed circuit.

  This intermediate piece 130 has an opening 133 which extends between the two parts of the yoke 132 to accommodate the wheel 110. It comprises laterally with respect to the yoke 132 a rectilinear opening 134 through which emerge the switches 123 welded to printed circuit positioned on the opposite face on which is mounted the wheel 110, so that these switches 123 are accessible to the inner portion 112 of the wheel 110 (see Figure 5).

  This intermediate piece 130 is advantageously made in one piece by molding a plastic material. It comprises on the same side as the yoke 132, bearing means 131 of the key 30 on the switches 122 for controlling the start and stop of the mobile power socket 1. It also comprises means for mounting the key 30.

  The printing plate 120 of the printed circuit may be mounted on the intermediate piece 130 by snapping or screwing or by any other appropriate means.

  Said outer 111 and inner 112 parts of the wheel 110 are each advantageously made in one piece of molded plastic material. They are nested one inside the other so that a face of said outer portion 111 forms one of the two outer faces of said thumbwheel 110, and a face of said inner portion 112, which here carries two tongues 112F of elastic support on the two switches 123, forms the other of the two outer faces of said wheel 110.

  Advantageously, these outer 111 and inner 112 parts of the wheel 110 are arranged relative to each other so that said outer portion 111 is guided in endless rotation on said inner portion 112.

  As shown more particularly in Figures 3A and 3B, the outer portion 111 of the wheel 110 is here in the form of a disk 111A (slightly curved) bordered by a peripheral skirt 111B which defines an inner housing for accommodating the part 112, the face of the disc 111A facing away from said peripheral skirt 111A constituting an outer face of the wheel 110.

  In addition, as shown in these FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner portion 112 of the wheel 110 is also here in the form of a disk 112A (slightly curved), of smaller diameter than the outer portion 111, bordered by a peripheral skirt 112B adapted to engage in said inner housing so that the outer face of this peripheral skirt 112B forms a guide surface in rotation of the peripheral skirt 111B of said outer portion 111, the face of the disc 112A of said inner portion 112 facing away from its peripheral skirt 112B constituting the other outer face of said wheel 110.

  The disk 112A of the inner portion 112 bears on its inner face turned on the side of its peripheral skirt 112B a shaft 112E which extends perpendicularly to said disk 112A.

  According to the example shown, the journals 112C of the wheel 110 are carried by said inner portion 112. More particularly, these pins 112C are provided on either side of the disk 112A, aligned axially along the axis of the shaft 112E , one of the two journals 112C at the end of the shaft 112E.

  The outer portion 111 has in the center of its disk 111A an opening 111C for passing the pin 112C at the end of the shaft 112E of the inner portion 112, the cooperation of the pin 112C with the opening 111C of the outer portion 111 of the wheel forming another endlessly rotating guide means of the outer portion 111 on the inner portion 112 of the wheel 110.

  According to another advantageous characteristic of the electromechanical control device 100 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5, the disengageable frictional connection which links the outer 111 and inner 112 parts of the wheel 110, is achieved by the elastic cooperation of studs. 111D carried by one 111 of said outer and inner portions of the wheel with ribs 112B carried by the other 112 of said outer and inner portions of the wheel.

  In particular, there are provided four pads 111D carried by the inner face of the disk 111A turned on the side of the peripheral skirt 111B of the outer portion 111 of the wheel. These pads are arranged around the opening 111C.

  The ribs 112D are provided around and at the base of the shaft 112E carried by the inner face of the disk 112A of the inner portion 112 of the wheel 110.

  As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, the studs 111D bear elastically on the ribs 112D so that, during the endless rotation of the outer part 111, the inner part 112 is driven until the tongues 112F bear on each other. either of the switches 123. When this resilient support is achieved, the user can continue to turn the outer portion 111 of the wheel without causing a crushing of the switch 123 because beyond that a certain bearing pressure the 111D pads out elastically from their cooperation with the ribs 112D.

  Thus, the electromechanical control device 100 is simple and inexpensive to produce and it allows the user to intuitively adjust the quantity supplied by the device concerned, here the light intensity of the lighting device connected to the mobile power socket 1.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but the art can apply any variant within his mind.

Claims (1)

9 CLAIMS   1. An electromechanical control device (100) for the variation of a quantity provided by an apparatus, the device comprising a printed circuit capable of delivering information, at least one switch (123) connected to said printed circuit and actuating means ( 110) for closing and / or opening said switch, characterized in that said actuating means comprise a wheel (110) in two parts, namely an outer portion (111), accessible to the user, adapted to be driven in endless rotation and an inner portion (112) for controlling each switch, said outer and inner portions of the wheel being bonded to each other via a disengageable friction link (111D, 112D) of so that said outer portion is capable during its endless rotation to tilt said inner portion so that it elastically presses on said switch.   2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that each switch (123) is arranged such that said inner portion (112) of said wheel is adapted to perform a pulse on said switch.   3. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that each switch (123) is arranged so that said inner portion (112) of said wheel is adapted to perform a permanent support on said switch.   4. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate piece (130) forming, on the one hand, on one side, a yoke (132) for receiving two journals ( 112C) of said wheel, and, on the other hand, on another face, a support for mounting the printing plate (120) of the printed circuit 5. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said outer (111) and inner (112) portions of the wheel are arranged relative to each other so that said outer portion (111) is guided in endless rotation on said inner portion (112) .   6. Control device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said journals (112C) of the wheel are carried by said inner portion (112).   7. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said outer and inner portions of the wheel are nested one inside the other so that a face of said outer portion (111) forms one of the two outer faces of said wheel and a face of said inner portion (112) which carries at least one elastic bearing pad on each switch forms the other of the two outer faces of said wheel.   8. Control device according to claim 7, characterized in that said disengageable friction connection is achieved by the elastic cooperation of studs (111D) carried by one of said outer and inner portions with ribs (112D) carried by the other of said outer and inner portions.   9. Control device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said outer portion (111) of the wheel is in the form of a disk (111A) bordered by a peripheral skirt (111B) which delimits an inner housing for accommodating said inner portion (112), the face of the disc facing away from said peripheral skirt constituting an outer face of the thumbwheel, and in that said inner portion (112) of the thumbwheel is presented as the shape of a disk (112A), of smaller diameter than the outer portion, bordered by a peripheral skirt (112B) adapted to engage in said inner housing so that the outer face of this peripheral skirt forms a surface of guiding in rotation of the peripheral skirt (111B) of said outer portion (111), the disk face of said inner portion facing away from its peripheral skirt constituting the other outer face of said molett e.   10. Mobile power socket (1) for the power supply of a lighting apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to vary the intensity provided by said luminaire.   11. Lighting apparatus comprising a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for varying the light intensity provided by said lighting apparatus.