FR3084193A1 - ELECTRONIC SEALING METHOD AND SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an electronic seal system (100) on a structural opening. Such a system comprises, in one embodiment, a connected box (1) to be sealed on at least one structural face (20) and a remote intervention server (30). The connected unit (1) incorporates at least one sensor for displacement of the position of the unit and / or of an environment of the unit (5, 6), a geolocation system and two independent vacuum reserves, each vacuum reserve being connected to adhesion suction cups (8) of the housing (1) to the structure face (20) by pneumatic conduits, each reserve being evacuated by coupling to a vacuum pump (3) of the seal system (100). In addition, the connected box (1) comprises a transmitter (4) of alarm signals (S) in connection with the displacement detector (5,6) and the geolocation system, as well as a battery for supplying the system. of geolocation, of the signal modulation device, of the transmitter (4) and of the displacement detector (5, 6). The alarm signals (S) are transmitted to the intervention server (R) via a radio frequency network.

Description

ELECTRONIC SEAL METHOD AND SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for sealing a structural opening, ₇ making it possible to detect almost instantaneously any attempt to violate this structure, as well as an electronic seal system capable of implementing such a process. In addition to prevention, the invention can be applied to any attempt to open a window - window or door or any other type of window - in different fields: aeronautics, automotive, rail, maritime, building, storage, etc. .

In general, the invention relates to the prevention of unauthorized penetration into a structure by immediately triggering an alert during handling or breach of a seal coupled to an opening and / or in its perimeter and environment. In particular but not exclusively, the invention relates to cases where the environment of the area to be sealed cannot be modified - resulting in the impossibility of drilling or gluing to secure a detection device - and / or when this area does not not allow the use of a magnet.

STATE OF THE ART [0003] Electronic seals have been developed in order to generate an alert when an opening, such as a door, is manipulated without authorization. Mention may be made, for example, of patent document US 201304400 which provides a seal for a transport vehicle door composed of two zones glued or magnetically fixed to the door and to its environment. The seal also includes a controller and a transmitter. Periodically, the controller transmits via the transmitter the state of an electrical parameter (resistance, conductivity) of a wire or an electrical strip. A variation of the parameter corresponding to a tearing or damage to the seal induces the emission of an alarm signal via the controller and the transmitter. A recording device receives this signal, identifies the vehicle concerned via a barcode and then initiates a vehicle inspection procedure.

Other patent documents - US 4540980, US 6747558, US 7044512, US 2004227632 or US 2011130987 - describe electronic seals with different means of attachment to the sash surfaces: clips, tags, tabs, security bar and / or bolts, and various electrical or electromagnetic motion detection parameters.

These solutions require to fix the seal by intrusive means which modify the environment of the area to be sealed or to provide a magnetic fixation. In addition, these electronic seals do not make it possible to secure the information of degradation or damage to the seal because the transmission of signals can be triggered in an erroneous or inappropriate manner (detachment of the seal by aging, taking in the wind, etc.). ).

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to allow an electronic seal to be fixed without modifying the area to be sealed or using a magnetic bonding force. To do this, the invention provides for forming vacuum interfaces on the area to be sealed to fix the seal and to transmit data without interference with the fixing.

To this end, the present invention relates to a method of sealing a structural opening in which a connected seal is intended to be fixed to an area to be sealed. In this process, the seal is first affixed to the area to be sealed and then fixed to this area by at least two adhesion interfaces to said area to be sealed. A vacuum is created in each interface by connection to a vacuum source, the seal is decoupled from the vacuum source. In addition, in this method, a geolocation of the seal and an emission of alarm signals are transmitted to an alarm centralization and intervention unit via a radio frequency network when an unexpected movement in the position of the seal is detected. and / or in its environment.

According to preferred modes of implementation:

- the area to be sealed can extend as desired on the structural opening, straddling the structural opening and a frame surrounding the opening, and on a frame near the opening;

each interface being coupled to a pressure detection, an emission of alarm signals is also transmitted to the centralization and intervention unit when an unexpected loss of pressure of at least one interface less than one is detected. reference threshold value;

- the detection of unexpected movement is chosen between a detection of a movement of the seal, a detection of movement of the opening, a detection of movement in the environment of the seal, and a combination of these detections;

- the movement in the environment of the seal is chosen between a detection by thermal variation, by ultrasound and by microwave;

- the detection of movement in the environment of the seal triggers a transmission of images of this environment to the centralization and intervention unit;

- an atmospheric pressure setting of the interfaces can be activated to detach the seal;

- the vacuum is greater than a given reference threshold value so as to guarantee sufficient adhesion in the area to be sealed;

- constant spacing is maintained between the seal and the area to be sealed to protect the bonding interfaces.

The invention also relates to an electronic seal system capable of implementing the method defined above on a structural opening. Such a system comprises a box connected to be sealed on at least one structural face and a server remote from a centralization unit for alarms and intervention. The connected unit integrates at least one sensor for displacement of the position of the housing and / or displacement in an environment of the housing, a geolocation system and two independent vacuum reserves. Each vacuum reserve being connected to at least one suction cup for adhering the housing to the structure face by a pneumatic conduit, each reserve being placed under vacuum by coupling to a vacuum pump of the seal system. In addition, the connected box includes a system for modulating alarm signals coupled to a transmitter in conjunction with the displacement detector and the geolocation system. The alarm signals are transmitted to the intervention server via a radio frequency network.

According to advantageous embodiments:

- each vacuum reserve is coupled to a pressure sensor connected to the alarm signal transmitter;

the displacement detector is chosen between a movement detector of the housing, a movement detector in the environment of this housing, and a combination of detection of a movement detector and of a movement detector in its environment;

- the motion detector in its environment is chosen between a thermal detector, an ultrasonic detector and a microwave detector;

- The thermal detector is connected to an image taking device which is activatable for a predetermined period, the image taking device being chosen between a photographic camera, a video camera and a thermal camera;

the suction cups are aligned in two columns and are connected alternately, in each column, to one and the other of the two vacuum reserves via the pneumatic conduits, said reserves being mounted on a base extending along a main plane of the housing;

- Each suction cup, preferably with bellows and / or mounted on a ball joint, is connected, via a rigid tube, to the pneumatic conduit by a connection mounted on the base;

- spacers are mounted perpendicular to the base of the housing to define a spacing between the housing and the structural face;

the housing comprising an external casing forming a cover having a front face on which connections between the vacuum reserves and the vacuum pump are arranged, an on / off button for energizing a detector supply battery and of the transmitter, and a connection for atmospheric pressure of at least one of said reserves, and on the cover the signal transmitter, the presence detector, the objective of the camera and a handle that can be integrated into a stamping of this cover;

- the geolocation system, the motion detector and the transmitter are arranged in an electronic box;

- the vacuum pump is chosen between an electric pump, a manual pump and a pneumatic pump.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES [0011] Other data, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following non-limited description, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

- Figures 1a to 1c, front, upper and bottom perspective views of an example of a seal according to the invention on an aircraft door, the seal comprising a connected box, in connection with an intervention server to distance, and a vacuum pump temporarily coupled to the housing;

FIG. 2, a perspective view of the connected housing of FIGS. 1a and 1b, once its casing has been removed, and

- Figure 3, a side view of the electronic card and elements of the electronic box of the connected box according to the previous figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the various figures, identical reference signs refer to the same element as well as the passage of the present text which describes it.

Referring to the views of Figures 1a to 1c, a connected housing 1 according to the invention is fixed on an outer face 20 of an aircraft door 2 surrounded by the fuselage of the aircraft. The connected housing 1 comprises an external casing 11 forming a cover 12 provided with a front face 13. On the front face 13 appear two 1V connections for a manual vacuum pump 3 equipped with a pressure gauge 31, an on / off button 14 for energizing the connected housing 1, and an atmospheric pressure connector 15.

The connected box 1 forms with a server 30 of an intervention unit, in radio frequency connection with this box, and the vacuum pump 3 an example of an electronic seal system 100 according to the invention. The radiofrequency network used can be chosen between the frequencies of mobile telephony, satellite, in high, low or medium frequency ranges of the corresponding frequency bands.

On the cover 12 are arranged a GPRS signal transmitter 4, a thermal presence detector 5, a photographic camera for continuous shooting 6 and its lens 60, and a handle 7 advantageously integrated in a stamping 1E of this cover 12.

The housing 1 also includes six bellows suction cups 8 mounted via rigid tubes 80 perpendicular to a base 16 arranged on the side opposite to the cover 12. In addition, spacers in the form of feet 17 are also mounted at the four corners of the housing 1, perpendicular to the base 16, to define a constant spacing between the housing 1 and the external face 20 of the aircraft door 2.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the housing 1 without its housing 11 of Figures 1a to 1c. In this view, the base 16 appears clearly and on this base 16 are fixed: two vacuum reserves 18a and 18b superimposed, the handle 7 being fixed on the upper reserve 18a, an electronic unit 19 and the connections 8c between each suction cup 8 and a pneumatic conduit 9. The pneumatic conduits 9 are staggered mounted on the vacuum reserves 18a and 18b: for the same column C1 and C2 of three aligned connections 8c, corresponding to three suction cups 8 also aligned, each conduit 9 is alternately connected to one then the other reserve 18a, 18b.

Similarly, if the connections 8c and the corresponding suction cups 8 are ordered in pairs, in three rows L1 to L3 perpendicular to the columns C1 or C2, the suction cups 8 of each pair are connected to different vacuum reserves, 18a or 18b.

Both of these vacuum reserves 18a, 18b are coupled to the atmospheric pressure connector 15 (cf. FIG. 1a) in order to detach the suction cups 8, partially or totally, to vary the position of box 1 or change its assignment.

Furthermore, 1P pressure sensors are arranged on the vacuum reserves 18a, 18b and are connected to an electronic card 1K of the electronic unit 19 by electrical conductors 10c, as illustrated in Figure 3 which shows more precisely the 1K electronic card and its connections. Similarly, the presence detector 5 and the camera 6 (cf. FIG. 1b) are connected to the electronic card 1K via other electrical conductors 10c.

In addition, the electronic unit 19 incorporates the following elements, also connected to the electronic card 1K: a geolocation system 1G, a motion detector 1M and a device for modulating alarm signals 1S in the coupled radio frequency network to the transmitter 4. A battery 1B for the electrical supply of these various components is also integrated in the electronic unit 19. Alternatively, the battery 1B is arranged outside the electronic unit 19.

In operation, and with reference to the accompanying figures, the electronic seal system is activated during a door movement 2 or the connected housing 1 affixed to the door 2, a depression in one or other of the reserves 18a, 18b, or a mobile presence in the environment of this housing 1. A door movement therefore results in a movement of the connected housing 1.

The housing 1 is fixed by the suction cups 8 in adhesion to the external face 20 after vacuuming and removal of the pump 3. The vacuum is greater than a reference threshold value, 50 mbar (5,000 Pa) in the 'example, so as to achieve sufficient adhesion of the suction cups 8.

When a movement of door 2 or of connected box 1 is detected by the 1M motion detector, or a presence in the environment of the box 1 by the thermal presence detector 5, these detectors 1M and 5 transmit signals 1S signal modulation device alert. The enclosure environment refers to the free space around the enclosure.

Advantageously, the thermal presence detector 5 is connected to the photographic camera 6 via the electronic card 1K in order to wake it up and trigger a taking of a few burst shots of the environment defined in the field of objective 60 for an adjustable duration. The camera then transmits alert signals to the 1S modulation device for analysis in the form of image data.

In the event that a depression is detected in one of the reserves 18a, 18b by a pressure sensor 1 P, the adhesion of the corresponding suction cups 8 is reduced which risks leading to detachment of the housing.

1. To avoid this risk, the pressure sensor 1P also transmits, when the pressure is below the threshold value, depression warning signals to the signal modulation device 1S.

The alert signals are converted into alarm signals in GPRS data format in the 1S modulation device integrating a modem and a SIM card. The alarm signals "S" are then transmitted via the transmitter 4 and the radio frequency network, to the receiver "R" of the server 30 of the intervention unit. The geographic origin of the alarm signals is identified in connection with the transmission of the geolocation system 1G by the network, and the server 30 notifies the operatives of the intervention unit for analysis after having decoded the signals d alarm thus geo-located.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown. It is for example possible to provide that the connected box extends only on the door, more generally on the opening, or straddling the opening and a frame surrounding the opening, an airplane fuselage in the example detailed.

Furthermore, the displacement detector can be the movement detector of the housing or of the opening, a detector of infrared presence of the environment of this housing, or a combination of detection involving the detector of movement and this thermal detector.

In addition, the image taking device can be a photographic device, a video camera, a thermal camera, a cellular portable or equivalent. And the vacuum pump can be an electric pump, a manual pump, a pneumatic pump or the like.

Claims (21)

1. Method for sealing a structural opening (2) in which a connected seal is intended to be fixed to an area to be sealed, characterized in that, in this process, the seal (1) is first affixed to the area to be sealed (20) then fixed on this area (20) by at least two adhesion interfaces (8) to said area to be sealed (20), a vacuum is created in each interface (8) by connection to a source depression (18a, 18b; 3), and in that a geolocation of the seal (1G) and an emission of alarm signals (S) are transmitted to a centralization and intervention unit via a radio frequency network when an unexpected displacement is detected in the position of the seal (1) and / or in its environment. 2. Sealing method according to claim 1, wherein the area to be sealed (20) extends optionally on the structural opening (2), straddling the structural opening (2), and on a frame near the opening. 3. Sealing method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each interface (8) being coupled to a pressure detection (1 P), an emission of alarm signals (S) is also transmitted to the centralization and intervention unit when an unexpected loss of pressure is detected from at least one interface (8) below a reference threshold value. 4. A sealing method according to claim 1, in which the detection of unexpected movement is chosen between a detection of movement of the seal (1), a detection of movement of the opening (2), a detection of movement. in the environment of the seal (1) and a combination of these detections. 5. A sealing method according to claim 4, in which the detection of movement in the environment of the seal (1) triggers a transmission of images of this environment. 6. A sealing method according to any one of claims 4 or 5, in which the detection of movement in the environment of the seal (1) is chosen between a detection by thermal variation, by ultrasound and by microwave. 7. A sealing method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an atmospheric pressure application of the interfaces can be activated to release the seal (1). 8. A sealing method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the vacuum is greater than a given reference threshold value so as to guarantee sufficient adhesion of the seal (1) in the area to be sealed (20). 9. A sealing method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seal (1) incorporates an atmospheric pressure setting (15) of at least one adhesion interface (8) to the area to be sealed (20 ). 10. A sealing method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a constant spacing is maintained between the seal (1) and the area to be sealed (20) in order to protect the adhesion interfaces (8). 11. Electronic seal system (100) for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a connected box (1) to be sealed on at least one structural face (20) and a remote centralization server d alarm and intervention (30), characterized in that the connected housing (1) incorporates at least one displacement (1M, 5, 6) detector for housing position (1) and / or displacement in the environment of the housing, a geolocation system (1G) and two independent vacuum reserves (18a, 18b), each vacuum reserve (18a, 18b) being connected to at least one suction cup (8) of the housing (1) to the structural face (20) by a pneumatic conduit (9) and being evacuated by coupling to a vacuum pump (3) of the seal system (100), in that the connected housing (1) comprises a modulation device of alarm signals (1S) coupled to a transmitter (4) in connection with the d displacement detector (1M, 5, 6) and the geolocation system (1G), as well as a supply battery (1B) of the geolocation system (1G), of the device for modulating the alarm signals (1S) and the displacement detector (1M, 5, 6), the alarm signals (S) being transmitted to the intervention server (30) via a radio frequency network. 12. Electronic seal system according to the preceding claim, wherein each vacuum reserve (18a, 18b) is coupled to a pressure sensor (1P) connected to the alarm signal modulation device (1S). 13. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 11 or 12, in which the displacement detector is chosen between a movement detector of the housing (1M), a movement detector (5) in the environment of this housing (1), and a combination of detection of a movement detector of the housing (1M) and a movement detector in its environment (5). 14. Electronic seal system according to the preceding claim, wherein the movement detector in its environment (5) is chosen between a thermal detector, an ultrasonic detector and a microwave detector. 15. Electronic seal system according to the preceding claim, wherein the movement detector in the environment of the connected housing (5) is connected to an image taking device (6) which can be activated for a predetermined period, the image taking apparatus (6) being chosen from a photographic camera, a video camera and a thermal camera. 16. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 15, in which the suction cups (6) are aligned in two columns (C1, C2) and are connected alternately, in each column (C1, C2), to the one and the other of the two vacuum reserves (18a, 18b) via the pneumatic conduits (9), said reserves (18a, 18b) being mounted on a base (16) extending along a main plane of the housing. 17. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 16, in which each suction cup (8) is with bellows and / or mounted on a ball joint connected, via a rigid tube (80), to the pneumatic conduit (9) by a connection (8c) mounted on the base (16). 18. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 17, in which spacers (17) are mounted perpendicular to the base (16) of the housing (1) to define a spacing between the housing (1) and the structural face (20). 19. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 18, in which the housing (1) comprises an external casing (11) forming a cover (12) having a front face (13) on which connections are arranged. (1V) between the vacuum reserves (18a, 18b) and the vacuum pump (3), an on / off button (14) for energizing a battery (1B) supplying the detectors (1M, 5 , 6) and of the modulation device (1S), and a connection (15) for bringing at least one of said reserves to atmospheric pressure (18a, 18b), and on the cover (12) are arranged the signal transmitter (4), the presence detector (5), the lens (60) of the camera (6) and a handle (7) which can be integrated in a stamping (1E) of this cover (12). 20. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 17, in which the geolocation system (1G), the motion detector (1M) and the transmitter (4) are arranged in an electronic unit (19) . 21. Electronic seal system according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the vacuum pump is chosen from an electric pump, a pneumatic pump and a manual pump (3).