FR3131475A1 - CHARGING STATION FOR ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

Charging station for a plurality of electromechanical actuator electric batteries, each electric battery being intended to supply an electromechanical actuator, said charging station comprising a housing comprising a first face (2), called the front face, and a second face (4), called the rear face, n electric chargers (8) arranged in the boxes, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, n pairs of electric terminals (B1, B2), in the front face, each pair electrical terminals (B1, B2) being electrically connected to an electrical charger (8), n display means (6) of the state of charge of a battery, each display means (6) being associated with a pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2) so as to display the individual state of charge of the battery connected to said pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2), each display means (6) being arranged close to the pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2) associated. [Fig 2]

Description

CHARGING STATION FOR ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a charging station for electromechanical actuators, for example for rolling blinds or rolling shutters.

The operation of indoor roller blinds is increasingly automated. The blind comprises a canvas, an electromechanical actuator comprising an electric motor which ensures the winding and unwinding of the canvas depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, and a rechargeable battery providing power to the electric motor.

The battery is recharged at the factory so that it is installed in a charged state and allows immediate use of the awning.

The actuator has connectors to allow charging of the battery for connection to a power system when the actuator is installed.

However, charging a large number of batteries simultaneously can be complex, particularly monitoring the charge of each battery.

It is therefore an aim of this application to offer a station allowing the charging of several batteries for easy use.

The aim stated above is achieved by a charging station for several electromechanical actuator batteries comprising a housing provided at least on one exterior face with connection terminals allowing the connection of batteries, said terminals being connected to electric chargers arranged in The box. In addition, a display of the state of charge of each battery is provided on the front of the case.

Thanks to the invention, in particular the arrangement on an exterior face of the housing, it is possible to simply connect the actuator batteries to the chargers. The displays provide information on the state of charge of each battery individually. The risks of battery overcharging are thus limited and charging time can be optimized.

Very advantageously, the charging station includes means for putting the radio communication means of the actuators into standby state after the end of the battery charging stage. These means can ensure that all actuators are placed on standby simultaneously.

Advantageously, automatic standby is provided. For example, as soon as the required charge level is reached, standby is activated.

A subject of the present application is then a charging station for a plurality of electric batteries of an electromechanical actuator, each electric battery being intended for powering an electromechanical actuator, said charging station comprising a housing comprising a first face , called the front face, and a second face, called the rear face, n electrical chargers arranged in the housing, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, n pairs of electrical terminals, in the front face, each pair of electrical terminals being connected electrically to an electric charger, n means for displaying the state of charge of a battery, each display means being associated with a pair of electrical terminals so as to display the individual state of charge of the battery connected to said pair of electrical terminals, each display means being arranged near the pair of associated electrical terminals.

In a preferred example, the charging station comprises means for putting the communication means of electromechanical actuators on standby with which an electric battery is associated, so that they do not emit a radio signal. The standby means can be configured to put all actuators whose associated batteries are connected to the charging station into standby simultaneously.

In an exemplary embodiment, the standby means are configured to communicate with the actuator(s) whose associated batteries are connected to the charging station by radio wave. The standby means may comprise radiocommunication means mounted in the housing, said housing comprising on the front face a button actuating the radiocommunication means so that they emit a standby signal.

For example, the n display means comprise a unit for measuring the charge of each battery and a device for indicating the state of charge, such as a digital display or a needle display.

According to an additional characteristic, the electric chargers are connected in parallel to a power socket intended to be connected to the electrical network.

According to another additional characteristic, the charging station comprises n female sockets, each female socket receiving a male socket from an electric charger.

Preferably, the charging station includes means for electrically isolating each charger individually.

Advantageously, the charging station includes means for dissipating the heat generated by the electric chargers. The means for dissipating heat may include orifices made in at least one of the side walls of the housing. The charging station advantageously comprises elements overlapping each orifice.

Preferably, the charging station includes a fuse holder and fuse associated with the power socket so as to protect the chargers from overpowering coming from the electrical network to which the charging station is intended to be connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The description which follows will be better understood with the help of the appended drawings in which:
is a schematic representation of an example of actuator,
is a perspective representation of a charging station seen from the front face according to an exemplary embodiment,
is a perspective representation of the charging station of the , the front facade having been removed,
is a view of the charging station of the , on which the front panel is detached from the rest of the case and a pair of cables connects the terminals to the terminal block,
is a detailed view of the interior face of the front facade of the charging station of the ,
is a view of the front of the charging station of the to which actuators are connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the description which follows, the charging of an actuator and the charging of a battery are mentioned interchangeably.

On the , we can see a schematic representation of an electromechanical actuator for interior blinds, comprising an electric motor M and a rechargeable battery Ba intended to power the electric motor M. The battery is for example and in a non-limiting manner a lithium battery ion or Ni-Mh.

The awning comprises a canvas and a roller tube on which the canvas rolls up in operation. The actuator A is intended to be inserted into a winding tube of the blind, and to drive the winding tube in rotation in a winding direction and in an unwinding direction depending on the rotation command provided to the actuator, for example by means of a switch or a remote control.

The actuator has two connectors C1, C2 connected to the battery, for example by connectors or conductors internal to the actuator. When the actuator is in place in the winding tube, the connectors are connected to an electrical source to recharge the battery B. This electrical source can be a mains power supply, a solar panel or a charger itself comprising a battery or a connection to a mains power supply.

As explained above, the actuator is delivered to a user with its battery charged at least partially. The battery can be charged in the factory prior to delivery of the actuator to a user.

On the , we can see an example of a charging station S usable in the factory, front view, and on the , we can see the charging station S without the front panel and on the , the front panel 2 is detached from the rest of the case.

In this example, the station S is in the form of a housing comprising a front facade 2 and a rear facade 4, two side walls 5, an upper wall 7 and a lower wall 9 on which the housing rests. Non-slip pads 11 are advantageously provided under the lower wall 9.

The front panel 2 has several pairs of connection terminals B1, B2 configured to allow the electrical connection of connectors C1, C2 to terminals B1, B2 respectively. In the example shown, the connectors C1 and C2 are formed by plugs, the terminals B1 and B2 are push-button terminals having an orifice for inserting one end of Ca connection cables connecting the connectors C1, C2 to the terminals, as well as 'illustrated schematically in .

In this example, the Ca connection cables have one end provided with a plug intended to penetrate into a terminal B1, B2, and another end has a connector configured to connect to connectors C1, C2 of the actuator. Alternatively, the terminals B1, B2 are such that the connectors C1, C2 of the actuators can be directly connected to them. In this case, a support can advantageously be provided for each actuator in line with the pairs of terminals.

Each pair of terminals B1, B2 is associated with a display means or display 6 of the state of charge of the battery connected to terminals B1 and B2. The display 6 includes a unit for measuring the battery charge connected to the terminals, and a device for indicating the state of charge of the actuator, such as a needle dial, a digital screen, or a indicator light. The needle dial and the digital screen allow you to display the evolution of the load value. The indicator light only indicates when a given state of charge is reached. In the example shown, the display means 6 comprises a needle screen.

The implementation of a display making it possible to know the actual state of charge makes it possible to adapt the charge according to the actuator, its battery and/or the type of application, for example the type of blind to which the the actuator is intended. In addition, the risks of overloading are limited and charging times can be optimized.

In the example shown, ten pairs of terminals B1, B2 are provided and ten display means 6. In the example shown, the pairs of terminals B1, B2 are located under the associated display means 6 and to the right of that -this. In addition, the pairs of terminals and associated display means are distributed in line. Very advantageously, the sets of two lines successively are arranged in a staggered manner so that, when the actuators are connected to the station by the Ca connection cables, the connection cables do not pass in front of a screen ( ).

On the , we can see a view of the interior of the station, the front face 2 having been removed.

The charging station S includes as many electric chargers 8 as pairs of terminals B1, B2. In this example, the electric chargers 8 are mounted on the bottom 4. The electric chargers are advantageously standard chargers already used and qualified for charging an actuator, independently of the charging station.

The station also includes means of electrical connection of the electrical chargers 8 to an electrical supply, for example the electrical network. Advantageously, the electrical connection means comprise female electrical sockets 12, into which the pins of the male sockets of the electrical chargers 8 are inserted.

Very advantageously, each female electrical socket 12 includes a switch 14, for example of the bistable type, making it possible to electrically and individually separate each charger 8, and to intervene on a charger without cutting off the electrical supply to the entire station.

The electrical connection means comprise, for each electrical charger, an electrical terminal block 16 electrically connected to the electrical charger 8 by a connector 18.

Terminal block 16 is electrically connected by an electrical cable 20.1 to a terminal B1 and by another electrical cable 20.2 to terminal B2 coupled to terminal B1. On the , only one pair of cables 20.1, 20.2 is shown, but it is understood that each pair of terminals B1, B2 is connected to a terminal block 16 by a pair of cables 20.1, 20.2.

The female electrical sockets 12 are connected in parallel to a power socket 22 of the charging station intended to be connected to the electrical network by a power cable (not shown). The power socket 22 is in this example arranged in a side wall 5 of the housing. In this example, power jack 22 has two pins.

The electric charger converts AC mains voltage into DC voltage. Alternatively, electric chargers are current chargers . The structure of an electric charger is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

Each charger takes into account the appropriate power curves to charge the battery of the actuator connected to it.

When the desired charge level is reached, the charge cycle is interrupted. An indicator light may also light up in addition to displaying the charge level.

The desired charge level may be different from 100% charge.

Charging interruption is implemented by the charger when a predetermined maximum charging duration is reached or when the charging current level reaches a minimum charging current threshold, whichever occurs first.

As an example only, the charger is a CC-CV lithium charger with max output voltage 13.1V and current 650mA. The batteries are chosen according to the actuators, for example they are 3S1P 2600mA.h batteries.

Very advantageously, the power socket is associated with a fuse holder and a fuse 24 to protect the station from an oversupply of current coming from the electrical network and which could damage the components of the station.

The power cable (not shown) has at one end a female socket receiving the pins of the power socket 22 of the station, and a male socket intended to be inserted into a female socket connected to the electrical network.

The power socket 22 and its associated cable are preferably compatible with several supply voltages, for example 230V and 120V.

Also advantageously, the charging station includes means for separating the phase from the mains supply, for example this is a bistable switch 26.

On the , we can see a detailed view of the interior face of the front facade of a pair of terminals and display means. Terminals B1, B2 are connected to the terminals of the display means, more particularly to the unit of measurement, by electric cables 32, and two electric cables 34 leave the terminals of the display means towards the charger. Alternatively, the electrical cables connecting terminals B1 and B2 to the electric charger leave directly from terminals B1 and B2.

In operation, the actuators are intended to communicate by radio wave with a remote control, which will send an activation signal to roll up or unroll the awning fabric. In other words, the communication means of the actuator are in an active state in which they are capable of receiving and/or transmitting radio communication signals. Thus, when the means of communication of the actuator are in an active state, they seek to communicate or at least to receive a signal, which can create disturbances in the surrounding radio network and has the effect of unloading the actuators. This last point is particularly true in a noisy radio environment where the actuator is stored, such as a factory.

It is desirable to be able to put the actuators on standby during and after charging for transport to prevent them from trying to communicate by radio. In other words, it is desirable to switch the electronic means of communication of each actuator from an active state to a standby state in which these electronic means are not sensitive to radio communication signals. This standby state must then be canceled when installing the actuator in the user's blind installation.

Advantageously, the charging station includes standby means 27 for putting the actuators on standby before, during or at the end of their charging cycle. Advantageously, the standby means 27 are common for all of the actuators connected to the pairs of terminals B1, B2 of the charging station.

In the example shown, the standby means 27 comprise on the front facade of the charging station, a push button 28 which, when pressed, causes all the connected actuators to go into standby, advantageously simultaneously. For example, the charging station S comprises radiocommunication means 31 (shown in dotted lines), such as a remote control, fixed on the interior face of the front panel 2. The radiocommunication means are such as pressing the button 28 causes the emission of a standby signal received by the communication means of the actuator, which then goes into standby state. The radiocommunication means 31 of the charging station are powered by the internal low voltage power supply of the charging station, for example +.3.3V +/- 5%. No pairing between radiocommunication means 31 and the actuators is required.

The standby means 27 advantageously comprise an electronic card configured to emit a radio standby signal.

In this example, the sleep action applies to all actuators connected to the station simultaneously.

In an exemplary embodiment, the radio range of the radiocommunication means 31 is reduced to avoid sending a standby order to actuators connected to a charging station located nearby.

Alternatively, it can be envisaged to use common radiocommunication means 31 for several charging stations.

Alternatively, the standby instruction is sent by wire via terminals B1, B2, for example by current or voltage modulation at terminals B1, B2 .

As explained above, the actuators may be in a sleep state before the charging stage. It may then be desired that when an actuator is connected to the charging station, it goes into an active state, ie the standby mode is canceled, and that this is prevented as long as the actuator is connected to the charging station. charging station. This prevention or blocking is carried out by a control unit of the actuator . This makes it possible to maintain the communication means of the actuator in an active state in which the actuator is receptive to radio orders and in which it has the capacity to emit signals, for example alert signals.

In this case, once the battery is charged (visible on the display means), the operator disconnects the actuator from the charging station, which makes it possible to switch the actuator to standby mode. The operator then presses the standby button 28 of the box to put the at least one actuator disconnected from the box into standby mode.

In another exemplary embodiment, the actuator standby step is automated. To do this, the measuring unit detects that the desired load has been reached, disconnects the actuator from the charger, for example by means of a relay, this disconnection authorizes standby and the control unit sends the order to standby via remote control.

Advantageously, the display gives an indication of the current stage of the charging process, for example charging or charged, disconnected and on standby. When the actuator is put on standby, the operator manually disconnects the loaded and put on standby actuator.

Preferably, the housing is adapted to ensure sealing according to the IP3X standard, i.e. protection against foreign bodies larger than 2.5 mm.

In the example shown, the housing includes ventilation means allowing the heat produced by the chargers to be evacuated. Preferably, these are means of ventilation by natural convection comprising orifices 14 protected by grilles 38. In this example two orifices are formed in each side wall 5, and two orifices are formed in the upper wall, allowing circulation air between the inside and outside of the case.

Very advantageously, elements 40 are placed in front of the grilles, in this example the elements overlapping the grilles and projecting from the side faces, preventing objects from obstructing the grilles, while allowing air to circulate. For example, if one of the side walls of the station is placed close to a wall, the handles prevent it from being pressed against the wall which would block the grilles and reduce cooling.

On the upper face, a handling handle 36 of the station also prevents the ventilation openings from being blocked by objects that could be placed on the station.

Alternatively, forced convection cooling means, for example one or more fans, can be used.

The front facade 2 is advantageously mounted in a removable manner to allow access to the interior of the station and thus to carry out a maintenance operation, for example replacing a defective charger.

Preferably, the interior of the station is arranged to avoid any contact of the user with an exposed electrical part so as to improve the electrical safety of the station and facilitate maintenance of the station when the housing is open and under pressure.

One of the advantages of this charging station is that it is easily adaptable to any number of batteries to be charged. Indeed, the same architecture can be used to create a charging station adapted to charging the desired number of batteries, by increasing the number of chargers according to the principle of Figures 2, 3 and 4. For example a charging station for 50 actuators is feasible.

An example of a charging operation will now be described:

The operator connects one end of a first Ca connection cable to connector C1, of an actuator and the other end of the first Ca cable to a terminal B1 of the charging station, one end of a second Ca cable of connection 24 to connector C2 of the actuator, then the other end of the second cable Ca to terminal B2 associated with terminal B1.

It repeats the operation for each actuator. Preferably, the actuators are connected to the charging station one after the other to be sure to correctly connect the actuator load to the associated terminals B1 and B2.

As each electric charger operates independently, it is not required to connect an actuator to each pair of terminals B1, B2 ( ) of the charging station so that it can charge the connected actuators.

The operator then connects the charging station S to the electricity network. This connection can be made before connecting the actuators to the charging station.

As only very low voltage is available at terminals B1, B2, operator safety is ensured.

Each charger charges an actuator, the corresponding charge level being displayed by the display means 6.

When the required charge level is reached for an actuator, the charge cycle of this actuator is automatically interrupted.

When all actuators are charged to the required load, the operator presses the standby button 28. All actuators are put to standby simultaneously.

In the example shown, the charging station S is mobile. Alternatively, it can be fixed, for example attached to a wall. In the example shown, the handle 36 on the upper partition allows easy transport of the station.

The housing can be made of any material, preferably electrically insulating, preferably of molded rigid plastic material, for example polyvinyl chloride. A wooden case or a material made from wood or cardboard does not fall outside the scope of this application.

In another exemplary embodiment, it is possible to envisage that the front face of the station includes individual or collective housing for placing the actuators.

Preferably, the charging station is suitable for charging different types of actuators, more particularly batteries of different capacities. For example, the charger automatically detects the type and/or capacity of the battery and selects the appropriate power curve. For example, it may be several batteries of the same type, for example 3S1P type and different capacities, the charging station then applies the same charging profile (voltage/current) to all the batteries, but the time of charge varies depending on battery capacity. Alternatively, a selector on the front panel allows you to choose the power curve adapted to the capacity of the battery to be charged.

In addition, the front arrangement of terminals B1, B2 and their connection via cables to the actuator connectors allows connection to batteries of different shapes and sizes.

It will be understood that the type of terminal and the type of connector described are not limiting. It will also be understood that the arrangement of the terminals and the display means can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, all batteries charged simultaneously have the same capacity to facilitate handling and batch processing. However, the simultaneous charging of batteries of different capacities does not go beyond the scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

Charging station for a plurality of electromechanical actuator electric batteries, each electric battery being intended for powering an electromechanical actuator, said charging station comprising a housing comprising a first face (2), called the front face, and a second face (4), called the rear face, n electric chargers (8) arranged in the housing, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, n pairs of electrical terminals (B1, B2), in the front face, each pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2) being electrically connected to an electric charger (8), n means of displaying (6) the state of charge of a battery, each display means (6) being associated with a pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2) so as to display the individual state of charge of the battery connected to said pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2), each display means (6) being arranged near the pair of electrical terminals (B1, B2) associated. Charging station according to claim 1, comprising means (27) for placing on standby means of communication of electromechanical actuators with which an electric battery is associated, so that they do not emit a radio signal. Charging station according to claim 2, in which the standby means (27) are configured to put into standby all the actuators whose associated batteries are connected to the charging station simultaneously. Charging station according to claim 3, in which the standby means are configured to communicate with the actuator(s) whose associated batteries are connected to the charging station by radio wave. Charging station according to claim 4, in which the standby means comprise radiocommunication means (31) mounted in the housing, said housing comprising on the front face a button (28) actuating the radiocommunication means so that they emit a standby signal. Charging station according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the n display means (6) comprise a unit for measuring the charge of each battery and a device for indicating the state of charge, such as a digital display or a needle display. Charging station according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the electrical chargers (8) are connected in parallel to a power socket (22) intended to be connected to the electrical network. Charging station according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising n female sockets (12), each female socket (12) receiving a male socket of an electric charger (8). Charging station according to claim 7 or 8, comprising means for electrically isolating each charger individually. Charging station according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising means for evacuating the heat generated by the electric chargers. Charging station according to claim 10, in which the means for dissipating heat comprise orifices (14) made in at least one of the side walls of the housing. Charging station according to claim 11, comprising elements (18) overlapping each orifice (14). Charging station according to one of claims 1 to 12 in combination with claim 7, comprising a fuse holder and fuse (24) associated with the power socket (22) so as to protect the chargers from oversupply coming from of the electrical network to which the charging station is intended to be connected.