WO2000035064A1

WO2000035064A1 - Device for producing the energy required for operating a small electrical appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2000035064A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/003063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriel Bouzaglo; Frédéric JULLIEN; Pierre Jullien
Original assignee: 3 D Developpement
Priority date: 1998-12-09
Filing date: 1999-12-08
Publication date: 2000-06-15
Also published as: EP1138105A1; FR2787254B1; FR2787254A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus (1) comprising at least an element (3), such as a key, for controlling a function, a multiplying-gear including a motion input wheel (12) and a motion output wheel (13), and means for storing and restoring electric power. The invention is characterised in that: said motion input wheel (12) comprises means (28, 29, 35, 36, 41, 45) to be urged in engagement with each said element (3) when said element (3) starts its displacement such that said displacement drives in rotation said input wheel (12), those same means (28, 29, 35, 36, 41, 45) enabling said input wheel to be disengaged from each said element (3), at the end of said element (3) displacement, such that said end of displacement does not stop the wheel (12) rotation; said motion output wheel (13) comprises a permanent magnet which, over its periphery, forms an alternation of North and South magnetic poles; the device comprises at least a coil (42) placed in the proximity of the motion output wheel (13).

Description

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING THE NECESSARY ENERGY FOR THE OPERATION OF A SMALL ELECTRICAL APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a device for producing the energy necessary for the operation of a small electrical appliance, this appliance comprising at least one member, such as a button, for controlling a function of the appliance.

This small device can be a remote control, for example for opening a barrier or a gate, a remote control housed in the body of a vehicle key, for controlling the opening or closing of latches of the doors of this vehicle, a switch, in particular for controlling a lighting or other device.

The principle of generating the electrical energy necessary for the operation of a small device as mentioned above, by transforming the mechanical energy resulting from the actuation of the keys that this device comprises, is known.

The systems which have been envisaged for the implementation of this principle are not, however, without drawbacks such as complexity of structure, number of assembly operations, cost of manufacture, uncertain reliability, weakness of the energy produced. These drawbacks have been found to date to prevent the practical implementation of this principle.

US Patent 5,844,516 describes a device for producing the energy necessary for the operation of a small electrical appliance, this appliance comprising - at least one member, such as a button, for controlling a function;

- a multiplier gear comprising a movement input wheel and a movement output wheel;

a means of storage and restitution of electrical energy, such as a capacitor, receiving the energy produced by the device and supplying the functional organ or organs of the apparatus.

This device is however considered as capable of being improved, in particular as regards the quantity of energy produced, the simplicity of assembly and the reliability of operation, and the present invention aims to achieve this objective.

To this end: - said movement input wheel comprises means for its engagement with each aforementioned member allowing the control of a function of the device, at the start of the movement travel of this member, so that said movement causes l drive in rotation of this input wheel, these same means allowing the entry wheel to come out of engagement with each aforementioned member, when approaching the end of travel of movement of this member, such so that this arrival at the end of the race does not stop the rotation of the wheel;

- Said movement output wheel comprises a permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms an alternation of North and South magnetic poles;

- The device comprises at least one coil placed near said movement output wheel.

The engagement of said member and said input wheel makes it possible to drive this wheel in rotation while the coming out of engagement of these same elements, when approaching the end of travel of movement of the member, allows not to stop the rotational movement of this input wheel.

Thanks to the multiplication allowed by said gear, said output wheel performs a large number of turns, allowing the transformation into electrical energy of the energy resulting from the movement of the organ. This energy is stored in said means for storing and restoring electrical energy and is then restored by this same means for the functioning of the functional organ or organs, in particular the radio frequency transmitter of a remote control.

The device thus formed is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, is reliable and can generate sufficient energy for the operation of the device. It can easily be adapted to devices with one or more control members, as will appear below. Preferably, the means allowing the entry wheel to come into engagement with each member allowing the control of a function of the apparatus, and out of engagement with the latter, consist of:

- a shaft coaxial with the input wheel and integral in rotation with the latter, in which a series of helical grooves is arranged; - A flexible tab integral with said member, comprising two parts, one of which has a lug while the other is devoid of this lug; the flexibility of the tab makes it possible to move the lug between two positions offset radially with respect to said shaft, namely a first position, in which the lug is engaged and can slide in a groove in this shaft, for the engagement of said said member and input wheel, and a second position, in which the lug is released from said groove, for the coming out of engagement of said member and input wheel;

- An inclined ramp arranged opposite said part of the leg which is devoid of lug, allowing, during the movement of said member in the direction of implementation of the corresponding function of the device, to flex said leg in view bringing the lug into said first position;

- A recess arranged opposite said part of the tab comprising the lug, allowing the release of the lug out of the ramp, to bring the lug into said second position, said ramp and recess being shaped such that the lug is brought into said first position at the start of the movement of movement of said member and into said second position when approaching the end of this race.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention in this case,

- Said member and said tab are made of synthetic material, and are molded in one piece, the flexibility of the tab being obtained by the flexibility of said material;

- The ramp and the recess are arranged in a barrel for guiding said member during its movement.

Preferably,

the apparatus comprises several aforementioned organs for controlling the functions of the apparatus, arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the input wheel;

- the lug protrudes outward from each of these organs;

- Each member includes an axial pin for actuating a microswitch for operating the device. Advantageously, in this case, - Each barrel comprises a transverse wall to receive one of the ends of a spring interposed between the control member and the barrel, this spring making it possible to return the member to the extended position;

- the other end of the spring is engaged around said pin; - Said transverse wall includes an opening for the passage of the pin in order to allow the latter to actuate the microswitch.

According to another embodiment of the invention,

- The device comprises a single control member of the function it allows, arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the input wheel;

- the lug protrudes towards the inside of each organ;

- The ramp is shaped to radially deform the tab towards the inside of the member to cause the lug to penetrate a groove in the shaft;

- a microswitch for operating the device is offset radially relative to the member, and is actuated by means of an intermediate piece, this piece being slidably mounted parallel to the direction of insertion of the member and being simply actuated by the side wall of the member, at the end of the depression stroke of the latter.

Advantageously, in this case,

- A spring is interposed between the member and the device housing, this spring making it possible to return the member to the extended position; one of the ends of this spring is engaged around a pin that the member comprises while its other end is engaged inside the pin constituting the pivot of the input wheel, the latter pin being tubular.

Preferably, - each barrel comprises two diametrically opposite notches, delimiting upper shoulders;

- Each member includes two lateral projections, adapted to fade radially inward when the member is engaged in a barrel, then to be locked by snap behind the shoulders. For its proper understanding, the invention is again described below, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of non-limiting examples, two possible embodiments of the device which it relates to.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a remote control device, for example for opening a barrier or gate, including the device according to a first embodiment Figure 2 is an exploded view, in section longitudinal, of the various organs of this apparatus; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, the apparatus being mounted; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, in exploded perspective, of one of the keys for controlling a function of this device, as well as of the barrel for guiding this key; Figure 5 is a further enlarged view, in longitudinal section, of a button of this device, said barrel, as well as an input wheel that includes this device; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle key, housing, in its body, a remote control for opening and closing the latches of the vehicle doors, and including the device according to a second embodiment, and Figure 7 is a view of this key in longitudinal section.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a remote control device 1 comprising a box 2 and four keys 3 for controlling different functions of this device 1.

As shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 2 is formed by assembling two parts 4, 5, one of which constitutes the bottom of the housing 1 and the other, comprising the keys 3, constitutes the cover thereof .

It also appears in FIG. 2 that the box 2 houses the support card 10 of a printed circuit comprising different members, and a multiplier gear 11 formed from a movement input wheel 12 and an output wheel 13 of movement.

Part 4 is made of synthetic material and comprises, coming from molding with it, a pin 15 suitable for forming a pivot, a circular wall 16, coaxial with the pin 15, with a thinned upper edge, a hole 17 and a portion of circular wall 18, coaxial with hole 17, with thinned upper edge. Part 4 also includes a peripheral shoulder (not shown) suitable for receiving, with wedging, the edges of the support card 10.

Part 5 comprises four holes opening into four barrels 20 projecting from its internal face, and coming from molding with it. These drums 20 are arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of the pin 15, therefore from the axis of rotation of the input wheel 12.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, each barrel 20 comprises a transverse wall 21 for receiving one of the ends of a spring 22 interposed between the key 3 and the barrel 20. This spring 22 makes it possible to recall the key 3 in position outlet, non-sinking, relative to the housing 2. The wall 21 delimits a central opening 23 allowing a pin 24 that each key 3 comprises, projecting from the upper internal face thereof, to actuate a micro- switch 25 carried by the support card 10, for operating the device 1. The other end of the spring 22 is engaged around this pin 24.

This FIG. 4 also shows that each barrel 20 comprises two diametrically opposite notches 26, delimiting upper shoulders 27. Inside one of these notches 26, the barrel 20 comprises an inclined wall forming a ramp 28, the part of which upper is more distant from said axis of the pin 15 than the lower part, as well as a recess 29 immediately adjacent to this ramp 28.

Each key 3 is made of synthetic material having a certain degree of flexibility, in particular of polyethylene. It comprises two lateral projections 31, capable of fading radially inwards, by deformation of said material, when the button 3 is engaged in a barrel 20, then to be locked by snapping behind the shoulders 27.

Each key 3 further comprises, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a tab 35 projecting axially, in the extension of its side wall. This tab 35 has a reduced thickness, so that it is flexible in the radial direction with respect to the key 3. It comprises a part 35a provided with a lug 36 projecting radially towards the outside of the key, and a lateral extension 35b. It is deduced from FIG. 4 that the extension 35b is located opposite the ramp 28 while the lug 36 is located opposite the recess 29 when said projections 31 are snapped behind said shoulders 27. FIG. 5 shows more particularly that the upper and lower edges of the wall forming the ramp 28 are rounded, and that, in the neutral shape of the tab 35, the median plane of this same wall is located farther from the axis of the pin 15 than the extension 35b at the level of said upper edge and closer to the axis of the pin 15 than the extension 35b at the level of said lower edge.

The support card 10, for its part, includes an opening 40 for the passage of a shaft 41 secured to the input wheel 12. In addition to the various microswitches 25 placed on its upper face, it comprises two coils 42 on its underside, placed near the output wheel 13 when the device 1 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 3.

This card 10 also includes a capacitor suitable for storing and restoring electrical energy, an appropriate charging circuit and the transmitter sending the control signals. These various bodies are of the conventional type and have not been shown for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

The wheel 12 is engaged on the pin 15 until it rests on the thinned upper edge of the wall 16, this thinning making it possible to limit the friction between this wheel 12 and this wall 16.

The shaft 41 includes, as shown more particularly in Figure 5, a plurality of helical grooves 45, whose entries are rounded. These grooves 45 and the lug 36 are dimensioned so that the lug 36 can be engaged and slide in these grooves 45, so as to allow the wheel 12 to be driven in rotation when the key 3 is pressed.

The wheel 12 is toothed and meshes with a pinion 46 integral with the wheel 13. The number of teeth of this pinion 46 is small compared to that of the wheel 12, this ratio being for example one tooth of the pinion 46 for fifteen teeth wheel 12.

The wheel 13 comprises at least one permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms an alternation of North and South magnetic poles.

As shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, in the normal position of each key 3, that is to say raised relative to the housing 2, the tab 35, and therefore the extension 35b, are located above the ramp 28. The tab 35 is then in its neutral form, in which the lug 36 is located above the shaft 41 and outside the grooves 45.

The pressing of the key 3 immediately causes the extension 35b to slide on the ramp 28, and consequently the radial flexion, towards the outside of the key 3, of the tab 35. As shown in phantom lines, this bending causes the lug 36, from the start of the depression stroke of the key 3, to enter one of the grooves 45 which are located substantially opposite it. The rounded inlets of these grooves 45 make it possible, if necessary, to slide the lug 36 towards one or the other of two adjacent grooves 45.

The depressing movement of the button 3 makes it possible, by virtue of this engagement of the lug 36 and the shaft 41, to cause the wheel 12 to rotate.

Approaching the end of the key 3 travel, the extension 35b passes below the ramp 28, which allows the return of the tab 35 to its neutral form and, therefore, achieves the extraction of the lug 36 from the groove 45. This extraction allows the rotation movement of the wheel 12 to continue on its momentum.

This rotational movement causes rotation of the wheel 13 and therefore the generation of electrical energy, which is stored by the aforementioned capacitor.

At the end of the driving stroke, the pin 24 actuates the corresponding microswitch 25, which triggers the operation of the transmitter of the device 1, either thanks to the energy which has just been produced by the wheel 13 and the coils 42, or by energy previously stored in the capacitor.

The passage of the extension 35b below the ramp 28 allows the ascent of the key 3, by recalling the spring 22, the recess 29 allowing the passage of the lug 36. Figures 6 and 7 show a vehicle key comprising a single key for actuation of a transmitter making it possible in particular to control the opening and closing of the latches of the vehicle doors.

Many identical or similar organs to those previously described are found in this key. For simplicity, they do not will not be described again and will be designated by the same reference numerals.

In this key, the key 3 is arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation of the wheel 12 and the spring 22 is engaged around the pin 24 and inside the pin 15, the latter being tubular; the lug 36 protrudes inward from the key 3 and the ramp 28 is shaped to radially deform the lug 35 inwardly from the key 3 to cause this lug 36 to penetrate a groove 45 of the shaft 41.

The microswitch 25 is, in this case, offset radially relative to the key 3, and is actuated by means of an intermediate part 50. This part 50 is slidably mounted parallel to the direction in which the key 3 is pressed in. with two lateral pins which it comprises, which move in two slides arranged in tabs 51. In the example shown, the latter came from molding with part 4 of the housing 2.

This part 50 is simply actuated by the side wall of the button 3, at the end of the depression stroke of the latter.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples but that, on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments thereof. Thus, all kinds of electrical devices comprising at least one button for controlling a function of this device can be equipped with the energy generation device (button 3, barrel 20, tab 35, ramp 28, obviously 29, tree 41, wheels 12 and 13, pinion 46, coils 42) which it relates to. In particular, this device can be a switch for controlling the operation of a lamp or other lighting device, the switch comprising an energy generation device as mentioned above and being equipped with a transmitter for controlling the switching on or off said lamp or said lighting appliance. It is thus no longer necessary to provide for the passage of ducts through the walls of the premises, which greatly simplifies the construction of these premises.

Claims

1 - Device for producing the energy necessary for the operation of a small electrical appliance (1), this appliance (1) comprising - at least one member (3), such as a button, for controlling a function ;

- a multiplier gear comprising a movement input wheel (12) and a movement output wheel (13);

- A means of storage and restitution of electrical energy, such as a capacitor, receiving the energy produced by the device and supplying the functional organ or organs of the apparatus (1); device characterized:

- in that said movement input wheel (12) comprises means (28, 29, 35, 36, 41, 45) for its engagement with each aforementioned member (3) allowing the control of a function of the device (1), at the start of the movement travel of this member (3), so that said movement causes this input wheel (12) to rotate, these same means (28, 29, 35, 36, 41, 45) allowing the entry wheel (12) to come out of engagement with each aforementioned member (3), when approaching the end of travel of movement of this member (3) , so that this arrival at the end of the stroke does not stop the rotation of the wheel (12);

- in that said movement output wheel (13) comprises a permanent magnet which, on its periphery, forms alternating North and South magnetic poles;

- in that the device comprises at least one coil (42) placed close to said movement output wheel (13).

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means allowing the entry wheel (12) to come into engagement with each member (3) allowing the control of a function of the device (1), and except taken with it, are constituted by:

- A shaft (41) coaxial with the input wheel (12) and integral in rotation with the latter, in which a series of helical grooves (45) is arranged; - a flexible tab (35) integral with said member (3), comprising two parts (35a, 35b), one of which (35a) comprises a lug (36) while the other (35b) is devoid of this lug (36); the flexibility of the tab (35) makes it possible to move the lug (36) between two positions offset radially relative to said shaft (41), namely a first position, in which the lug (36) is engaged and can slide in a groove (45) of this shaft (41), for the engagement of said member (3) and input wheel (12), and a second position, in which the lug (36) is released from said groove ( 45), for the coming out of grip of said member (3) and input wheel (12);

- an inclined ramp (28) arranged opposite said part (35b) of the tab (35) which is devoid of lug (36), allowing, during the movement of said member (3) in the direction of implementation of the corresponding function of the apparatus (1), of bending said tab (35) in order to bring the lug (36) into said first position;

- A recess (29) arranged opposite said part (35a) of the tab (35) comprising the lug (36), allowing the release of the tab (35) out of the ramp (28), to bring the lug (36) in said second position, said ramp (28) and recess (29) being shaped so that the lug (36) is brought into said first position at the start of the movement of movement of said member (3) and in said second position when approaching the end of this race.

3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that

- Said member (3) and said tab (35) are made of synthetic material, and are molded in one piece, the flexibility of the tab (35) being obtained by the flexibility of said material; - the ramp (28) and the recess (29) are arranged in a barrel

(20) for guiding said member (3) during its movement.

4 - Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that

- The apparatus (1) comprises several members (3) arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the input wheel (12);

- the lug (36) projects outwards from each of these members (3);

- Each member (3) comprises an axial pin (24) for actuating a microswitch (25) for operating the device (1).

5 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that - each barrel (20) comprises a transverse wall (21) to receive one of the ends of a spring (22) interposed between the member (3) and the barrel (20), this spring (22) making it possible to recall the member (3) in the extended position; - the other end of the spring (22) is engaged around said pin

(24);

- Said transverse wall (21) comprises an opening (23) for the passage of the pin (24) in order to allow the latter to actuate the microswitch (25). 6 - Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that

- The device (1) comprises a single member (3) for controlling the function which it allows, arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the input wheel (12); - the lug (36) protrudes towards the inside of each member (3);

- The ramp (28) is shaped to radially deform the tab (35) towards the inside of the member (3) to cause the lug (36) to penetrate a groove (45) of the shaft (41) ;

- A microswitch (25) for operating the device is offset radially with respect to the member (3), and is actuated by means of an intermediate piece (50), this piece (50) being mounted sliding parallel to the driving direction of the member (3) and being simply actuated by the side wall of the member (3), at the end of the driving stroke of the latter. 7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a spring (22) is interposed between the member (3) and the housing (2) of the device, this spring (22) for recalling the member ( 3) in the extended position; one end of this spring (22) is engaged around a pin (24) that includes the member (3) while its other end is engaged inside the pin (15) constituting the pivot of the input wheel (12), the latter pin (15) being tubular.

8 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that

- Each barrel (20) comprises two diametrically opposite notches (26) delimiting upper shoulders (27); - Each member (3) comprises two lateral projections (31), adapted to fade radially inward when the member (3) is engaged in a barrel (20), then to be locked by snap behind the shoulders (27).