FR3136560A1 - Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation This control point (16) comprises a control device (20), which comprises a housing (24) having a button (32) for generating control signals (18) and an electronic card (36) transmitting control signals to a home automation installation; a power supply accessory (21), which comprises a photovoltaic solar panel (54) for powering the electronic card and a housing (50), separate from the housing of the controller, carrying the solar panel; and a conduction path (62) connecting the solar panel to the electronic board. To facilitate installation of the control point, the power accessory housing forms a housing (52). When the control point is assembled, the control device is mounted in the housing. The orientation of the housing of the power supply accessory relative to the control device can be modified by rotation around a central point (P) of the control device, the housing of the power accessory being able to be oriented according to the least two distinct orientations. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Control point for home automation installation and associated home automation installation

The present invention relates to a control point for a home automation installation, as well as a home automation installation comprising such a control point.

In the field of home automation, it is known to control various equipment in a home, for example a closing installation with a motorized roller shutter, lighting, etc., by means of a wireless control point, otherwise also called control unit. Such a control point is generally supplied with energy by means of electric batteries, in particular by means of button cells. However, the use of such electric batteries poses environmental problems when they are discharged, due to a low recycling rate. It is therefore desirable to have a wireless control point without an electric battery to reduce the environmental impact of the control point.

To this end, US 2019/0221958 describes a modular wall control point which offers several locations for receiving optional modules, including at least one for controlling a home automation installation. Among the optional modules, one can supply electrical energy to the control point via a photovoltaic solar panel. This approach avoids the presence of a battery, but this design is very different, particularly in the structure and shape of the control point housing, from control points powered by a battery. In addition, the space available for each optional module is limited, so the photovoltaic solar panel is of low power.

This approach therefore does not make it possible to easily modify a control point initially intended to be powered by a battery so as to add a photovoltaic solar panel to replace the battery.

Additionally, control points are typically placed in locations with little available space, such as on window jambs, or on walls near other switches or devices. To be able to modify a control point in this way, it is therefore necessary to ensure that the size of the photovoltaic solar panel is controlled and does not hinder the installation of the control point.

It is this lack that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a control point (or control unit) which can be easily modified so as to be powered either by a battery or by a photovoltaic solar panel, and of which congestion is controlled.

To this end, the invention relates to a control point for a home automation installation, the control point comprising:

• a control device, comprising:
  • a box having a front face configured to be directed towards a user and a rear face,
  • at least one button on the front face, configured to allow a user of the control point to generate control signals, and
  • an electronic card, configured to transmit control signals to a home automation installation,
• a power accessory, comprising:
  • a photovoltaic solar panel, configured to supply electrical energy to the electronic card when the control point is assembled, and
  • a housing, separate from the housing of the control device, carrying the photovoltaic solar panel,
• a conduction path capable of electrically connecting the photovoltaic solar panel of the power supply accessory to the electronic card of the control device.

According to the invention:

• the housing of the power supply accessory forms a housing,
• when the control point is assembled, the control device is mounted in the housing, and
• the orientation of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device is changeable by rotating the housing of the power accessory around a central point of the control device, the housing of the power accessory power supply which can be oriented in at least two distinct orientations in which the conduction path electrically connects the photovoltaic solar panel of the power supply accessory to the electronic card of the control device.

Thanks to the invention, it is simple to modify the control device so as to add a photovoltaic solar panel to it to replace a battery, while controlling the size of the photovoltaic solar panel, because the control device is simply arranged in a housing of the power accessory carrying the photovoltaic solar panel to form the control point, and it is possible to choose the orientation of the power accessory relative to the control device so as to facilitate its integration in the home automation installation.

According to advantageous, but not obligatory, aspects of the invention, the control point incorporates one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:

- The power supply accessory comprises a rear faceplate, fixed to the housing of the power supply accessory or integral with the housing of the power accessory, the conduction path comprises at least two branches extending on the faceplate rear, and, for each of the at least two orientations of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device, one of the branches electrically connects the photovoltaic solar panel to the electronic card when the control point is assembled.

- The control device comprises at least one auxiliary button disposed on the rear face, and the rear faceplate has recesses or flexible portions, located opposite the auxiliary button(s) when the control device is mounted in the housing of the power accessory, and the auxiliary button(s) are configured to be activated through the rear faceplate, through the recesses or by pressing on the flexible portions.

- The branches of the conduction path are formed by electrically conductive tracks belonging to a printed circuit.

- The control device includes:

• a battery compartment, opening onto the rear face of the housing and configured to receive a battery supplying electrical energy to the control device, and
• two electrical connectors arranged inside the battery compartment and electrically connected to the electronic card, configured to electrically connect a battery received in the battery compartment to the electronic card,

and, when the control point is assembled, the conduction path electrically connects the electrical connectors provided inside the battery compartment to the photovoltaic solar panel.

- The control device comprises a cover for closing the battery compartment, the conduction path comprises electrical connectors arranged on the cover, and, when the control point is assembled, the electrical connectors arranged on the cover are connected in a on the other hand to the electrical connectors arranged inside the battery compartment and on the other hand to at least one of the branches extending on the rear faceplate.

- The orientation of the rear faceplate is fixed relative to the housing of the power accessory, the conduction path includes pairs of connection points arranged on the rear faceplate and connected to the photovoltaic solar panel, the conduction path includes as many pairs of connection points than branches, and, depending on the orientation of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device, the electrical connectors arranged on the cover are in contact with one of the pairs of connection points.

- The rear faceplate is removably attached to the power accessory housing and the orientation of the rear faceplate is fixed relative to the controller.

- The rear faceplate comprises conductive elements belonging to the conduction path, and, when the control point is assembled, a first end of each conductive element is electrically connected to the photovoltaic solar panel and a second end of each conductive element is located at the inside the battery compartment and in contact with one of the electrical connectors arranged in the battery compartment.

- The conduction path includes electrical connectors arranged on the housing of the power accessory and connected to the photovoltaic solar panel and pairs of connection points arranged on the rear faceplate and connected to the electronic card when the control device is mounted in the housing, the conduction path comprises as many pairs of connection points as branches, and, depending on the orientation of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device, the electrical connectors are in contact with one of the pairs of connection points.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a home automation installation, in particular a closure or solar protection installation, comprising a control point as mentioned above.

This home automation installation induces the same advantages as those mentioned above regarding the control point of the invention.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows of an embodiment of a control point and a home automation installation, conforming to its principle. , given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

There represents a home automation installation in accordance with the invention, with a control point also in accordance with the invention;

There is an exploded perspective view of the control point of the ;

There is an exploded perspective view of the control point of Figures 1 and 2, from another angle;

There is an elevational view of four configurations in which the control point of Figures 1 to 3 can be assembled;

There is an exploded perspective view of a control point according to another embodiment of the invention; And

There is an exploded perspective view of the control point of the , From another angle.

There represents a home automation installation 2. The home automation installation 2 is here a closing installation, in particular a rolling shutter installation, which partially closes an opening 4 made in a wall 6. As a non-limiting variant, the home automation installation 2 is a solar protection installation and/or includes one or more lighting devices. In other words, the home automation installation 2 includes one or more controllable pieces of equipment.

In the example illustrated, the opening 4 is a window, which passes right through the wall 6. In a variant not shown, the opening 4 is a door, for example a garage door. The opening 4 is here partially blocked by a concealment screen 8 which is the apron of the rolling shutter.

In the example, the home automation installation 2 comprises a box 10, which is provided on an upper part of the opening 4 and delimits an internal volume in which is housed a shaft 12 for winding the screen 8, in particular under the shape of a winding tube. Shaft 12 defines a main axis A12, which is horizontal. The concealment screen 8 is connected to the shaft 12, in particular winds on the winding tube, the shaft 12 being here mounted free to rotate relative to the box 10 around the axis A12. The shaft 12 is rotated by an electromechanical actuator 14, which is here internal to the shaft 12. As a non-limiting variant, the box 10 is arranged at another location relative to the opening 4 and/or the main axis A12 is not horizontal.

The home automation installation 2 also includes a control point 16, otherwise also called a control unit, configured to control one or more of the various pieces of equipment of the home automation installation 2. In the example illustrated, the electromechanical actuator 14 is controlled by the control point 16, via control signals, for example wireless, transmitted by the control point 16 and received by the actuator 14. By control point is meant a remote control device, which communicates with the actuator 14. The control signal is represented by a flash 18 on the .

The control signals 18 are received by the actuator 14 even when the electromechanical actuator 14 is located in the internal volume of the trunk 10, and are advantageously signals transmitted by radio waves. The control point 16 thus comprises a radio wave transmission module, which is not shown or detailed further in this description.

In the example illustrated, the control point 16 is shown fixed on the wall 6 in which the opening 4 is provided. Of course, the control point 16 can be fixed on a wall other than the wall 6, or else n 'is fixed to no wall and in which case the control point 16 is simply placed at the convenience of a user. The control point being removably fixed to a wall or free, it is then qualified as a nomadic control point. The spatial constraint is in particular that the control point 16 must be located in a zone within radio range of the actuator 14.

We now describe, with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the control point 16, which conforms to a first embodiment of the invention.

The control point 16 comprises a control device 20 and a power supply accessory 21, which are assembled together, that is to say fixed together, when the control point 16 is put into service in the home automation installation 2, after possible removal of a battery powering the control device 20.

Preferably, the control point 16 also includes a fixing support 22 on a wall, here the wall 6. The fixing support 22 is fixed, on the one hand, to the wall 6, and, on the other hand, to the device control 20 or to the power accessory 21, in the example to the power accessory.

The control device 20 comprises a housing 24, which has a front face 26, oriented towards the user when the control point 16 is fixed on the wall 6, a rear face 28, oriented opposite the front face 26 , and a side edge 30 connecting the front face 26 to the rear face 28. In the example, the control device 20 is circular in shape. In other words, the front 26 and rear 28 faces are disc-shaped and the side edge 30 is ring-shaped. Preferably, the shape of the fixing support 22 corresponds to the shape of the control device 20. Thus, in the example, the fixing support 22 is also circular in shape. The fixing support 22 is placed between the wall 6 and the rear face 28 when the control point 16 is fixed on the wall 6.

The control device 20 here comprises several main buttons 32, accessible at the front face 26 and intended for controlling the equipment of the home automation installation 2, for example to control the raising or lowering of the roller shutter apron, to switching lights on or off, etc. The number, shape, arrangement and function of the buttons 32 of the control device 20 are not limiting. In the example, the control device 20 comprises two buttons 32A arranged on the front face 26 and partially on the side edge 30 and two buttons 32B on the front face 26. When the control point 16 is assembled, it is that is to say when the control point is in service in the home automation installation 2, the main buttons 32 are accessible by a user to control one or more of the various pieces of equipment in the home automation installation 2.

In the example, the main buttons 32 are mechanical buttons, that is to say the main buttons function like switches. As a variant not shown, the main buttons 32 are tactile buttons or digital buttons represented on a computer display device.

Preferably, when the control device 20 in service in the home automation installation 2 and fixed to the wall 6 then its orientation relative to the wall is fixed. Thus, a logo or an inscription present on the front face 26 is always oriented to be correctly readable by a user of the control device.

Advantageously, the control device 20 also comprises auxiliary buttons 34, in the example three auxiliary buttons 34, arranged on the rear face 28. The auxiliary buttons 34 serve for example to turn on or off the control point 16, or else to configure it, for example to pair the control device 20 with the or one of the equipment of the home automation installation 2. The number, arrangement, shape and functions of the auxiliary buttons 34 are not limiting. In practice, the auxiliary buttons 34 are intended to be used by an operator when commissioning the control point 16 in the home automation installation 2. Preferably, when the control point 16 is assembled, that is to say i.e. when the control point is in service in the home automation installation 2, the auxiliary buttons 34 are not accessible by a user of the home automation installation 2.

The housing 24 provides an interior volume, which receives various elements of the control device 20, in particular a printed electronic circuit board 36 - also called "Printed Circuit Board" or "PCB" in English -, which is a main electronic card of the point control 16. The main electronic card 36, not visible from outside the housing 24, is shown schematically in dotted lines only at the .

A portion of this interior volume is configured to receive one or more electric batteries, intended for supplying energy to the control device 20. In other words, the housing 24 provides a battery compartment 38, that is to say a reception volume intended to receive one or more batteries. In the example illustrated, compartment 38 is designed to receive a single battery, here a button cell, not shown in the figures. The type and number of batteries are not limiting. The compartment 38 opens onto the rear face 28 of the housing 24. The control device 20 is configured to also receive a cover 40 for closing the compartment 38. When it is put in place, the cover 40 is mounted on the rear face 28 of the housing 24 so as to close the battery compartment 38. The cover 40 is only visible at the . Inside the battery compartment 38, the control device 20 comprises two electrical connectors 42 making it possible to electrically connect the battery received in the compartment to the main electronic card 36. In other words, the electrical connectors 42 are electrically connected to the main electronic card 36.

The control device 20 is autonomous when it is supplied with electrical energy by a battery received in the battery compartment 38, that is to say it operates alone to send a control signal 18 to the actuator 14 In other words, when powered by a battery, the control device 20 does not need to be associated with the power supply accessory 21 to operate.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the control device 20 can also operate in association with the power supply accessory 21. In other words, the power supply accessory 21 is configured to supply energy to the control device 20. Furthermore, when the power accessory 21 powers the control device 20, as in the example illustrated, then it is not necessary for the control device 20 to include a battery. Thus, the power accessory 21 is used to replace a battery.

The power supply accessory 21 comprises a housing 50, which forms a housing 52. As visible in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 52 is of complementary shape to the housing 24 of the control device 20, so that the control device is adapted to be received in housing 52 of the power accessory. In other words, when the control point 16 is assembled, the control device 20 is mounted in the housing 52 of the housing 50 of the power accessory 21.

In practice, the housing 50 comprises a front face 50A and a rear face 50B, and the housing 52 is delimited by an internal side edge 50C of the housing. Thus, when the control point 16 is assembled, the side edge 30 of the housing 24 of the control device 20 faces the internal side edge 50C of the housing 50 of the power supply accessory 21.

The power supply accessory 21 comprises a photovoltaic solar panel 54, a secondary electronic card 56 and an electrical energy storage device 58, which in the example is a supercapacitor. The supercapacitor 58 is electrically connected to the photovoltaic solar panel 54 and to the secondary electronic card 56. The secondary electronic card 56 controls the photovoltaic solar panel 54 and the supercapacitor 58 and is electrically connected to the main electronic card 36 so as to allow the power supply to the control device 20. Alternatively, the electrical energy storage device 58 is a rechargeable battery.

In practice, the housing 50 of the power supply accessory 21 carries the photovoltaic solar panel 54, the secondary electronic card 56 and the supercapacitor 58. The electronic card 56 and the supercapacitor 58, not visible from outside the housing 50 , are represented schematically in dotted lines only at the .

When the photovoltaic solar panel 54 is exposed to light radiation, and in particular to solar radiation, it generates electrical energy which recharges the supercapacitor 58.

The power supply accessory 21 comprises a rear faceplate 60, interposed between the control device 20 and the fixing support 22. When the control point 16 is assembled, the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50 and is supported by 'on the one hand against the fixing support 22 and on the other hand against the rear face 28 of the control device 20. By "support" is meant that the rear faceplate is mechanically in contact with the fixing support and the control device

The rear faceplate 60 closes the housing 52 of the housing 50 at the level of the rear face 50B of the housing 50. In other words, the rear faceplate 60 extends the rear face 50B of the housing 50. The housing 52 is therefore delimited by a on the one hand by the rear faceplate 60 and on the other hand by the side edge 50C of the housing 50.

Advantageously, the rear faceplate 60 has flexible portions 61, located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34. Thus, an operator can activate the auxiliary buttons 34 through the rear faceplate 60, by pressing on the flexible portions 61, which causes their deformation and their support against the auxiliary buttons 34. In a variant not shown of the invention, the rear faceplate 60 does not have flexible portions 61, but recesses, located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34. Thus, the auxiliary buttons are directly operated through the recesses.

In the first embodiment, the rear faceplate 60 is separate from the housing 50, that is to say that the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50 in a removable manner.

The control point 16 comprises a conduction path 62 electrically connecting the electrical connectors 42 to the secondary electronic card 56, and thus allowing the electrical supply of the main electronic card 36 by the supercapacitor 58, via the electronic card secondary 56. In other words, the conduction path 62 makes it possible to electrically connect the supercapacitor 58, and therefore the photovoltaic solar panel, to the main electronic card 36.

Here, the main electronic card 36 is supplied with direct current, and the conduction path 62 then comprises a positive circuit and a negative circuit.

The conduction path 62 includes two electrical connectors 64A and 64B arranged on the cover 40 of the battery compartment 38, outside the battery compartment. These electrical connectors 64A and 64B are electrically connected to the electrical connectors 42 arranged in the battery compartment 38 by conductive elements not shown, such as for example conductive sheets or a printed circuit, which are housed in the battery compartment 38. The electrical connectors 64A and 64B are therefore electrically connected to the main electronic card 36. As a variant of the invention not shown, the electrical connectors 64A and 64B are arranged at another location on the rear face 28 of the control device 20.

In the first embodiment, the conduction path 62 also comprises two first connection points 66A and 66B and four pairs of second connection points 68A and 68B, that is to say four second connection points 68A and four second connection points 68B, each connection point 68A being located close to a connection point 68B so as to form a pair of second connection points.

The first and second connection points are arranged on the power supply accessory 21, and more precisely located on the rear faceplate 60 and in the housing 52 of the housing 50 when the control point 16 is assembled. The first connection point 66A is connected by a conductive element 70A to the four second connection points 68A and the first connection point 66B is connected by a conductive element 70B to the four second connection points 68B. In the example, the conductive elements 70A and 70B are a printed circuit comprising electrically conductive tracks represented schematically on the . The electrically conductive tracks of the printed circuit are electrically isolated from each other.

In practice, the conductive elements 70A and 70B form four branches of the conduction path 62. Each branch of a conductive element 70A comprises at one of its ends the first connection point 66A and at the other of its ends the one of the four second connection points 68A. Likewise, each branch of a conductive element 70B comprises at one of its ends the first connection point 66B and at the other of its ends one of the four second connection points 68B.

The conduction path 62 also includes electrical connectors 72A and 72B arranged on the power supply accessory 21, in the example on the side edge 50C of the housing 50 of the power accessory. The electrical connectors 72A and 72B are electrically connected to the secondary electronic card 56, by conductors not shown. Thus, the electrical connectors 72A and 72B are electrically connected to the supercapacitor 58 and to the photovoltaic solar panel 54.

When the control point 16 is assembled, that is to say when the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50 of the power accessory 21 and when the control device 20 is mounted in the housing 52 of the power accessory, then the electrical connectors 64A and 64B of the cover 40 are respectively in electrical contact with the first connection points 66A and 66B of the rear faceplate 60, and the second connection points 68A and 68B of one of the four pairs second connection points of the rear faceplate 60 are respectively in electrical contact with the electrical connectors 72A and 72B of the power supply accessory 21. The conduction path 62 thus connects the secondary electronic card 56 to the main electronic card 36. in other words, the electrical connectors 64A and 64B are provided to electrically connect the main electronic card 36 to the power supply accessory 21

In other words, when the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50, the first connection points 66A and 66B are electrically connected to the supercapacitor 58 and to the photovoltaic solar panel 54 via the conductive elements 70A and 70B, the second connection points 68A and 70B and electrical connectors 72A and 72B.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60 can be chosen from several orientations, by rotating the housing 50 around the rear faceplate 60. In the example, the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear plastron 60 can be chosen from four orientations. In practice, in each of the four orientations of the housing 50, the electrical connectors 72A and 72B are in contact with the second connection points 68A and 68B of one of the four pairs of second connection points. In addition, all pairs of second connection points 68A and 68B being connected to the first connection points 66A and 66B by the conductive elements 70A and 70B, the electrical connectors 72A and 72B are connected to the first connection points 66A and 66B whatever or the chosen orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60. In other words, whatever the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60 among the four aforementioned orientations, the first connection points 66A and 66B are electrically connected to the supercapacitor 58.

In the example, the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60 can be modified by rotating the housing 50 in increments of 90°, in the plane of Figures 1 and 4. The four orientations that can thus be obtained are shown in there . In orientation a), the housing 50 is located to the right of the rear faceplate 60. In orientation b), the housing 50 is located to the left of the rear faceplate 60. In orientation c), the housing 50 is located above the rear faceplate 60. In orientation d), the housing 50 is located below the rear faceplate 60. We also note at the that, whatever the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60, the orientation of the control device 20 relative to a fixed reference, such as for example the wall 6 on which the control point 16 is fixed, is constant.

Furthermore, since the rear faceplate 60 closes the housing 52 at the rear face 50B of the housing 50, and the housing 52 is provided to accommodate the control device 20, then the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the rear faceplate 60 also corresponds to the orientation of the housing 50 relative to the control device 20.

Thanks to the four branches of the conductive elements 70A and 70B, that is to say the four branches of the conduction path 62, it is simple to choose the orientation of the housing 50 of the power supply accessory 21 relative to the device control point 20. The installation of the control point 16 in the home automation installation 2 is made easier, because the position of the solar panel 54 relative to the control device 20 is then simple to modify depending on the space constraints of the home automation installation.

It is understood that only one of the four branches of the conduction path 162 is used to connect the main electronic card 36 to the secondary electronic card 56, depending on the orientation of the power supply accessory 21 relative to the control device. order 20.

This modularity of the control point 16 is particularly advantageous when the power supply accessory 21 is added to a control device 20 already installed in a home automation installation and initially powered by a battery, the power supply accessory 21 then coming as a replacement of the stack. Indeed, in such a situation, when the control device 20 has been fixed to a wall of the home automation installation via the fixing support 22, then the position of the power supply accessory 21 can be constrained by the elements surrounding the control device. For example, if a piece of furniture is present below the control device and if an opening is present to the right of the control device, then the box 50 can only be installed in orientations b) and c). Likewise, if the control device 20 is fixed to the vertical upright of an opening, then the housing can only be installed in orientations c) and d). The modularity of the control point 16 makes it easy to meet these installation constraints. In addition, the orientation of the control device 20 is not modified, that is to say it is fixed, which makes it possible to maintain the orientation chosen for the control device before the accessory d power supply 21 is added to it.

It is understood that the orientation of the rear faceplate 60 relative to the control device 20 is fixed, which allows the conduction path 62 to include only a pair of electrical connectors 64A, 64B and a pair of first connection points 66A , 66B, and which allows the flexible portions 61 to be located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34 independently of the orientation of the housing 50.

Advantageously, the second connection points 68A, 68B are arranged at the periphery of the rear faceplate 60, that is to say near the side edge 50C of the housing 50 when the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50, which allows the electrical connectors 72A, 72B to be in contact with the second connection points 68A, 68B by extending into the housing 52 from the side edge 50C of the housing 50 over a short distance, for example less than 5 mm .

Furthermore, the second connection points 68A are arranged relative to each other symmetrically with respect to a central point P of the rear faceplate 60. The same is true for the second connection points 68B.

In practice, the central point P of the rear faceplate 60 corresponds to the center of rotation of the housing 50 when the housing is turned from one orientation to another, and also corresponds to the central point of the control device 20.

In the example of the first embodiment, the rear faceplate 60 is fixed to the housing 50 using a bayonet fixing system, which comprises hooks 74 arranged on the rear faceplate 60 cooperating with lugs 76 arranged on the housing 50. In the example, the power supply accessory 21 comprises four hooks 74 and four lugs 76. The bayonet fixing system is particularly advantageous, because it ensures good electrical contact between the second points of connection 68A, 68B and electrical connectors 72A, 72B. As a variant not shown, other means of fixing the rear faceplate 60 on the housing 50 are possible, such as for example fixing by screwing.

As a variant not shown, the conductive elements 70A and 70B comprise a number of branches other than four, for example three or six. The number of pairs of second connection points 68A, 68B is then adapted to correspond to the number of branches.

As a variant not shown of the first embodiment, the control device 20 does not include a cover 40 and the rear faceplate 60 of the power supply accessory 21 itself supports the conduction path 62. In other words , the conductive elements of the conduction path 62 are metal strips and the first ends of each conductive element are fixed to the rear faceplate in a rigid manner. The first ends of each conductive element are also in electrical contact with the first connection points 66A, 66B arranged on the rear faceplate, so as to be connected to the conductive elements 70A, 70B. In other words, the first ends of each conductive element form electrical connectors in contact with the first connection points of the rear faceplate. The second ends of the conductive elements form contact pads. When assembling the control device 20 in the power supply accessory, the rear faceplate itself forms the closing cover of the battery compartment. The second ends of the conductive elements are then located inside the battery compartment and are then in contact with the electrical connectors 42 connected to the main electronic card 36 of the control device.

A second embodiment of the control point 16 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In the second embodiment, the elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same references and operate in the same way. In the following, the differences between the first and second embodiments are mainly described.

Furthermore, if a component is mentioned in the description of the second embodiment without being shown in Figures 5 and 6, it corresponds to the same element shown in Figures 1 to 4 for the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the control point 16 comprises a power supply accessory 121 comprising a housing 150 and a rear faceplate 160, which are in one piece. Thus, the orientation of the housing 150 relative to the rear faceplate 160 is fixed.

A conduction path 162 connects the main electronic card 36 to the secondary electronic card 56, via first connection points 166A, 166B arranged on the rear faceplate 160 and electrical connectors 64 arranged on the cover 40.

In the second embodiment, since the rear faceplate 160 and the housing 150 are in one piece, the conduction path 162 does not include second connection points at the rear faceplate 160, nor electrical connectors at the housing 150, and the first connection points 166A, 166B of the rear faceplate are directly connected to the secondary electronic card 56, via conductive elements 170A, 170B represented schematically on the .

Here, the orientation of the entire power accessory 121 relative to the control device 20 can be chosen from two orientations, which correspond to orientations a) and b) of the first embodiment. Between these two orientations, the power supply accessory 121 is rotated around a central point P of the rear faceplate 160 by 180°.

To allow the choice of the orientation of the power supply accessory relative to the control device, the conduction path 162 comprises two pairs of first connection points 166A, 166B, that is to say two first points of connections 166A and two first connection points 166B. The conductive element 170A connects the first two connection points 166A to the secondary electronic card 56 and the conductive element 170B connects the first two connection points 166B to the secondary electronic card 56. Thus, the conductive elements 170A and 170B form two branches of the conduction path 162.

In practice, depending on the orientation of the power supply accessory 121, the electrical connectors 64A and 64B of the cover 40 are respectively in electrical contact with one or the other of the first two connection points 166A and with one or the other of the first two connection points 166B. Thus, one or the other of the two branches of the conduction path 162 is used to connect the main electronic card 36 to the secondary electronic card 56, depending on the orientation of the power supply accessory 121 relative to the control device 20.

To allow the electrical connectors 64A and 64B to be respectively in contact with one or the other of the first two connection points 166A and 166B depending on the orientation of the power supply accessory 121, the first two connection points 166A are arranged relative to each other in a central zone 178 of the rear faceplate 160 symmetrically with respect to the central point P of the rear faceplate 160. The same is true for the first connection points 166B.

In the second embodiment, to allow the actuation of the auxiliary buttons 34 independently of the orientation of the power supply accessory 121 and the rear faceplate 160, the rear faceplate 160 comprises two groups of flexible portions 161A and 161B. In other words, the soft portions are split. The flexible portions 161A are intended to be located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34 when the power supply accessory 121 is in a first orientation and the flexible portions 161B are intended to be located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34 when the power accessory power supply 121 is in a second orientation. As a variant of the invention not shown, the rear faceplate 60 does not have two groups of flexible portions 161, but two groups of recesses. In practice, the recesses of a first group are located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34 when the power accessory 121 is in a first orientation and the recesses of a second group are located opposite the auxiliary buttons 34 when the power accessory 121 is in a second orientation. Thus, the auxiliary buttons are directly activated through the recesses.

As a variant not shown of the second embodiment, the rear faceplate 160, the housing 150 and the conductive elements 170A, 170B are arranged so that the orientation of the entire power supply accessory 121 relative to to the control device 20 can be chosen from two orientations corresponding to orientations c) and d) of the first embodiment.

As a variant not shown of the second embodiment, the conduction path 162 comprises four pairs of first connection points 166A, 166B, which allows the power supply accessory 121 to be added to the control device 20 in four different orientations, such as for example the four orientations represented in the of the first embodiment. The rear faceplate 160 is then adapted to allow the activation of the auxiliary buttons 34, for example by recesses allowing access to these auxiliary buttons 34 whatever the orientation of the power accessory 121 relative to the device. order 20.

As a variant not shown of the second embodiment, the control device 20 does not include a cover 40 and the rear faceplate 160 of the power supply accessory 121 itself supports the conduction path 162. In other words , the conductive elements of the conduction path 162 are metal strips and the first ends of each conductive element are fixed to the rear faceplate in a rigid manner. The first ends of each conductive element are also in electrical contact with the first connection points 166A, 166B arranged on the rear faceplate, so as to be connected to the conductive elements 170A, 170B. In other words, the first ends of each conductive element form electrical connectors in contact with the first connection points of the rear faceplate. The second ends of the conductive elements form contact pads. When assembling the control device 20 in the power supply accessory, the rear faceplate itself forms the closing cover of the battery compartment. The second ends of the conductive elements are then located inside the battery compartment and are then in contact with the electrical connectors 42 connected to the main electronic card 36 of the control device. Advantageously, in such a variant, the rear faceplate 160 only comprises a single pair of first connection points 166A, 166B, and the shape of the metal strips is provided so as to ensure electrical contact with the electrical connectors 42 whatever the the orientation of the power accessory 121 relative to the control device 20.

In a variant not shown of the invention, the power supply accessory 21 does not include a secondary electronic card 56 and the supercapacitor 58 is directly connected to the main electronic card 36 by the electrical conduction path 62. In such a variant , the main electronic card 36 also controls the photovoltaic solar panel 54 and the supercapacitor 58.

As a variant of the invention not shown, the power supply accessory 21 does not include an electrical energy storage device 58 and the photovoltaic solar panel 54 directly supplies the main electronic card 36 via the electrical conduction path 62, possibly via the secondary electronic card 56. In such a variant, since the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic solar panel directly supplies the control point 16, then the control point may not be functional when the solar panel photovoltaic is not exposed to light radiation.

In a variant not shown of the invention, the control device 20 comprises a battery received in the battery compartment 38 and does not include a supercapacitor 58. In such a variant, the control device 20 is therefore powered selectively either by the photovoltaic solar panel 54, or by the battery. In practice, in such a variant, the electronic card 36 is powered primarily by the photovoltaic solar panel 54 as soon as the lighting conditions allow it, that is to say as soon as the photovoltaic solar panel delivers a voltage greater than one predefined threshold. Preferably, in such a variant, the control point 16 comprises an electronic control unit configured to determine which element, among the solar panel and the battery, powers the control device 20.

In a variant not shown of the invention, the control device 20 comprises a battery received in the battery compartment 38 in addition to the supercapacitor 58. In such a variant, the electronic card 36 is powered selectively either by the battery or by the supercapacitor 58. Preferably, in such a variant, the control point 16 comprises an integrated power management circuit configured so that the electronic card 36 is powered by the supercapacitor 58 as long as the charge level of the supercapacitor is higher at a predefined threshold, for example greater than 5%, and so that the electronic card is powered by the battery when the charge level of the supercapacitor is lower than the predefined threshold.

In the example shown in the figures, the control device 20 is circular in shape and the cover 40 for closing the battery compartment 38 is not aligned with the central point P, in the plane of the rear face 28. variant not shown of the invention, one of the two electrical connectors 64A, 64B is aligned with the central point P, in the plane of the rear face 28, and the orientation of the housing 50, 150 of the accessory d The power supply 21, 121 relative to the control device can be modified by rotating the housing of the power supply accessory around a central point without presenting preferred orientations. In other words, in such a variant, the housing of the power supply accessory can take any orientation relative to the control device. In practice, such a variant is for example produced by aligning a first of the two electrical connectors 64A, 64B with the central point P, and by arranging a second of the two electrical connectors so that it extends all around the first electrical connector, that is to say that the second electrical connector is a continuous electrical track in the shape of a circle centered on the central point P. Thus, the first two connection points 66A and 66B are punctual, as in the examples shown in the figures, and one of the first two connection points 66A and 66B is arranged in the center of the rear faceplate 60, 610, that is to say aligned with the point P, so as to be in contact with the first of the two electrical connectors, and the other of the first two connection points is offset from point P, so as to be in contact with the second of the two electrical connectors, when the control point is assembled. Optionally, the cover 40 is aligned with the central point P and the first of the two electrical connectors 64A, 64B is located in the center of the cover 40. Alternatively, the two electrical connectors 64A, 64B are punctual, as in the examples shown on the figures, one of the two being aligned with the point P, one of the first two connection points is aligned with the point P, and the other of the first two connection points is a continuous electrical track in the shape of a circle centered on the central point P.

Other shapes are possible for the control device 20, the power supply accessory 21 and the fixing support 22. For example, the control device 20 can be rectangular or square in shape and the power accessory 21 may have a rectangular or square housing 52, of shape complementary to that of the control device 20.

Any feature described for an embodiment or variation in the foregoing may be implemented for the other embodiments and variations described above, to the extent technically feasible.

Claims (11)

Control point (16) for home automation installation (2), the control point comprising:

• a control device (20), comprising:
  • a housing (24) having a front face (26) configured to be directed towards a user and a rear face (28),
  • at least one button (32) on the front face, configured to allow a user of the control point to generate control signals (18), and
  • an electronic card (36), configured to transmit the control signals to a home automation installation (2),
• a power supply accessory (21; 121), comprising:
  • a photovoltaic solar panel (54), configured to supply electrical energy to the electronic card (36) when the control point is assembled, and
  • a housing (50; 150), distinct from the housing (24) of the control device (20), carrying the photovoltaic solar panel (54),
• a conduction path (62; 162) capable of electrically connecting the photovoltaic solar panel (54) of the power supply accessory (21; 121) to the electronic card (36) of the control device (20),

characterized in that:

• the housing (50; 150) of the power supply accessory (21; 121) forms a housing (52),
• when the control point (16) is assembled, the control device (20) is mounted in the housing (52), and
• the orientation of the housing (50; 150) of the power accessory (21; 121) relative to the control device (20) is changeable by rotating the housing of the power accessory around a central point (P) of the control device, the housing of the power accessory being able to be oriented in at least two distinct orientations in which the conduction path (62; 162) electrically connects the photovoltaic solar panel (54) of the accessory power supply (21; 121) to the electronic card (36) of the control device (20).

Control point (16) according to claim 1, in which the power supply accessory (21; 121) comprises a rear faceplate (60; 160), fixed to the housing (50; 150) of the power accessory ( 21; 122) or in one piece with the housing of the power supply accessory, in which the conduction path (62; 162) comprises at least two branches extending on the rear faceplate (60; 160), and in which, for each of the at least two orientations of the housing (50; 150) of the power supply accessory (21; 121) relative to the control device (20), one of the branches electrically connects the photovoltaic solar panel (54) to the electronic card (36) when the control point (16) is assembled. Control point (16) according to claim 2, in which the control device (20) comprises at least one auxiliary button (34) arranged on the rear face (28), and in which the rear faceplate (60; 160) has recesses or flexible portions (61; 161), located opposite the auxiliary button(s) when the control device is mounted in the housing (52) of the power accessory (21; 121), and in which the or the auxiliary buttons (34) are configured to be activated through the rear faceplate (60; 160), through the recesses or by pressing on the flexible portions. Control point (16) according to one of claims 2 and 3, in which the branches of the conduction path (62; 162) are formed by electrically conductive tracks (70A, 70B; 170A, 170B) belonging to a printed circuit . Control point (16) according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which the control device (20) comprises:

• a battery compartment (38), opening onto the rear face (28) of the housing (24) and configured to receive a battery supplying electrical energy to the control device (20), and
• two electrical connectors (42) arranged inside the battery compartment and electrically connected to the electronic card (36), configured to electrically connect a battery received in the battery compartment to the electronic card,

and wherein, when the control point (16) is assembled, the conduction path (62; 162) electrically connects the electrical connectors (42) disposed inside the battery compartment (38) to the photovoltaic solar panel (54 ). Control point (16) according to claim 5, in which the control device (20) comprises a cover (40) for closing the battery compartment (38), in which the conduction path (62; 162) comprises connectors electrical connectors (64A, 64B) arranged on the cover (40), and in which, when the control point (16) is assembled, the electrical connectors (64A, 64B) arranged on the cover are connected on the one hand to the electrical connectors (42) arranged inside the battery compartment and on the other hand at at least one of the branches extending on the rear faceplate (60; 160). Control point (16) according to claim 6, in which the orientation of the rear faceplate (160) is fixed relative to the housing (150) of the power accessory (121), in which the conduction path (162 ) comprises pairs of connection points (166A, 166B) arranged on the rear faceplate (160) and connected to the photovoltaic solar panel (54), in which the conduction path comprises as many pairs of connection points as branches, and in which, depending on the orientation of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device, the electrical connectors (64A, 64B) arranged on the cover (40) are in contact with one of the pairs of connection points (166A, 166B). Control point (16) according to one of claims 2 to 5, in which the rear faceplate (60) is removably fixed to the housing (50) of the power accessory (21) and in which the orientation of the rear faceplate is fixed relative to the control device (20). Control point (16) according to claims 5 and 8 considered in combination, in which the rear faceplate (60) comprises conductive elements belonging to the conduction path (62), and in which, when the control point (16) is assembled, a first end of each conductive element is electrically connected to the photovoltaic solar panel (54) and a second end of each conductive element is located inside the battery compartment (38) and in contact with one of the electrical connectors (42) arranged in the battery compartment. Control point (16) according to one of claims 8 and 9, in which the conduction path (62) comprises electrical connectors (72A, 72B) arranged on the housing (50) of the power supply accessory (21 ) and connected to the photovoltaic solar panel (54) and pairs of connection points (68A, 68B) arranged on the rear faceplate (60) and connected to the electronic card (36) when the control device (20) is mounted in the housing (52), in which the conduction path comprises as many pairs of connection points as branches, and in which, depending on the orientation of the housing of the power accessory relative to the control device (20), the electrical connectors (72A, 72B) are in contact with one of the pairs of connection points (68A, 68B). Home automation installation (2), in particular a closure or solar protection installation, comprising a control point (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.