GB2425389A

GB2425389A - Pre-pay meter control arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2425389A
Application number: GB0507784A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Richard Estrop
Original assignee: ENVIROENERGY Ltd
Current assignee: ENVIROENERGY Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-18
Filing date: 2005-04-18
Publication date: 2006-10-25
Also published as: GB0507784D0

Abstract

A control arrangement (10) comprises a housing (12), a controller (14) and an actuator (16) for actuating the controller. The controller and the actuator are mounted within the housing.

Description

CONTROL ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to control arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to control arrangements for controlling heating of a building, for example central heating system of a building.

Many houses are provided with central heating systems that require prepayment before they will operate.

1 0 According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a control arrangement comprising a housing, controller and an actuator for actuating the controller, wherein the controller and the actuator are mounted within the housing. I... * *

Preferably, the housing is lockable to prevent unauthorised access to the controller and the actuator. * * * d *

Preferably, the housing is formed from a metallic material, which is S...

preferably steel. *::::

The actuator may be a pre-payment device, which may be operable to actuate the controller, desirably on receiving appropriate payment. The actuator may include card receiving means for receiving a card for reflecting the aforesaid payment. The card receiving means may be configured to receive a smartcard, a debit card or a credit card. The actuator preferably comprises a card reader.

The controller may comprise an electronic controller for controlling a system. The controller may comprise a central heating controller for controlling a central heating system. In the preferred embodiment, the controller comprises a timer.

The housing may comprise first and second parts, which when coupled together define an enclosed space. Preferably, the controller and the actuator are received on the first part. The first or second part may be securable to a support. The first part of the housing may comprise a main part for receiving the controller and the actuator. The second part of the housing may comprise a securing part for securing the housing to the support, for example a wall.

The main part may be removably mounted on the securing part or may be hingedly mounted thereto.

1 0 Locking means may be provided to lock the main part and the securing part together.

Preferably, the main part of the housing defines a space to receive the actuator. The space may receive the controller. Preferably, the main part is 1 5 of a stepped configuration comprising a first step to which the actuator is mounted, and a second step to which the controller is mounted.

First and second apertures may be defined in the housing to receive the actuator and the controller.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a side view of a control arrangement; Fig 2 is a front view of the control arrangement; and Fig 3 is an exploded view of the control arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a control arrangement 10 for controlling a central heating system (not shown). The control arrangement 10 comprises a housing 12 formed from a metallic material such as steel. The control arrangement 12 also includes a central heating controller in the form of a timer 14, and an actuator 16 in the form of a pre-payment device 16 to receive appropriate payment, thereby actuating the central heating timer.

The pre.-payment device 16 is electrically connected to the timer 14 such that on operating the pre-payment device 16, as described below, the timer 14 is actuated to control the central heating system.

The pre-payment 16 device comprises a body 18 defining a slot 20 to receive therein a payment card, such as a smartcard, a debit card or a credit card. The pre-payment device includes a card reader 22 to read a card when inserted into the slot. A digital display 24 is provided on the pre-payment device 16 to indicate the amount of time remaining before further payment I..

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The timer 14 is a standard timer for controlling central heating and comprises a display 26, and various switches and buttons 28 to program the timer 14 to switch on or off the central heating system at desired times.

Suitable control electronics 30 are provided to effect the timing and to switch ** on or off the central heating system and/or a hot water boiler at appropriate *: times.

Suitable electrics 32, electrically connected to the pre-payment device 16 and to the timer 14, are provided in the housing 12. A transformer 34 is also provided in the housing 12 as supply power to the timer 14 and to the pre-payment device 16, and to allow the control arrangement to be connected to a mains supply of electricity.

Referring to Fig 3, it can be seen that the housing 12 comprises a main part 36 which is attached by a hinge 37 to a securing part 38. The securing part 38 is in the form of a plate and can be fixedly mounted to a suitable support such as a wall of a building. The electrics 32 and the transformer 34 are mounted on the securing part 38.

The main part 36 has a stepped configuration comprising a first portion 40 defining a first aperture 42 (see Fig 2) for receiving the timer 14, and a second portion 44 extending outwardly from the first portion 40. The second portion 44 defines a second aperture 46 for receiving the prepayment device 16.

A lock 48, operable by a key (not shown), is also provided. The lock 48 is mounted on the main part 36 opposite the hinge 37. The lock 48 includes a locking member 50 which engages around a fixed L-shaped member 52 to lock the main part 36 and the securing part 38 to each other in a closed condition. The L-shaped member 52 is provided in the securing part 38.

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It is an advantage of the preferred embodiment, that the housing 12 is manufactured from a suitable metallic material, for example steel, to prevent forced opening of the housing.

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There is thus described a preferred embodiment of a control arrangement for controlling a central heating system which allows a user to make prepayment to enable the central heating system to be controlled and which is sufficiently secured to prevent vandalism and to prevent users from bypassing the need for pre-payment.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the pre-payment device and the timer could be arranged in the housing with the pre-payment device below the timer.

Alternatively, the pre-payment device and the timer could be arranged side by side in the housing.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. S... * S 0S** S. S * S * * Sl * . * . S I* *S ** * S 5*55 * Sb*

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Claims

1. A control arrangement comprising a housing, controller and an actuator for actuating the controller, wherein the controller and the actuator are mounted within the housing.

2. A control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the housing is lockable to prevent unauthorised access to the controller and the actuator.

3. A control arrangement according to the claim 1 or 2 wherein the housing is formed from a metallic material.

4. A control arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the metallic material is steel.

5. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator comprises a pre-payment device operable to actuate the controller on receiving appropriate payment.

6. A control arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the actuator includes card receiving means for receiving a card for making the aforesaid payment.

7. A control arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the card receiving means is configured to receive a smartcard, a debit card or a credit card.

8. A control arrangement according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the actuator comprises a card reader.

9. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the controller comprises a central heating controller for controlling a central heating system.

10. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the controller comprises a timer.

11. A control arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises first and second parts, which when coupled together define an enclosed space.

12. A control arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the controller and the actuator are received on the first part.

13. A control arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the first or second parts are securable to a support.

14. A control arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the first part of the housing constitutes a main part for receiving the controller and the actuator, and the second part of the housing constitutes a securing part for securing the housing to the support.

15. A control arrangement according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the main part may be removably mounted on the securing part or may be hingedly mounted thereto.

16. A control arrangement according to claim 14 or 15 wherein locking means is provided to lock the main part and the securing part together.

17. A control arrangement according to any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the main part of the housing defines a space to receive the actuator and the controller.

18. A control arrangement according to any of claims 14 to 17 wherein first and second apertures may be defined in the housing to receive the actuator and the controller.

19. A control arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.