WO2011069879A1

WO2011069879A1 - Electric energy generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2011069879A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/068693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Chiesi; Hugues Filiputti; Christophe Cartier Millon; Didier Vigouroux
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Industries Sas
Priority date: 2009-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-02
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: FR2953661B1; FR2953661A1; FR2953660A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric energy generating device that includes an electric coil (3), two magnetic circuits (10, 100, 20, 200) each extending through the electric coil (3), and two ferromagnetic mobile portions (40, 400, 50, 500) each controlled relative to one of the magnetic circuits by means of a control mechanism. The control mechanism is arranged so as to assume a first position in which it restricts the magnetic flow of the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) through the coil (3) and promotes the magnetic flow of the second magnetic circuit (20, 200) through the coil (3), or a second position in which the mechanism promotes the magnetic flow of the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) through the coil and restricts the magnetic flow of the second magnetic circuit (20, 200) through the coil.

Description

Electric power generating device

The present invention relates to a device generating electrical energy. The present invention also relates to a remote control device employing the electrical energy generating device.

It is known in the prior art remote control devices that employ an electrical energy generating device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. This is for example wireless switches in which pressing the button causes the actuation of the generator and the generation of an electric current. The generated electric current is consumed by a radiofrequency transmitter to send a message to a remote receiver associated with a device to be controlled such as for example a lamp. The generator may for example be of the electromagnetic induction type or of the piezoelectric type.

Many documents describe this type of generator as the patent application WO2004093299 or DE19852470. The document US5367277 for its part describes a voice coil type actuator.

The object of the invention is to propose a new electromagnetic induction electric energy generating device which is reliable, compact, requiring few components and which is perfectly adapted to be used in a remote control device having a rocker button.

This object is achieved by an electric energy generating device comprising:

- an electric coil,

a first magnetic circuit passing through the electric coil and a second magnetic circuit passing through the electric coil,

a first permanent magnet associated with the first magnetic circuit and biased to circulate a magnetic flux through the electric coil in one direction and a second permanent magnet associated with the second magnetic circuit and biased to circulate a magnetic flux through the electric coil in the opposite direction, a first ferromagnetic movable part associated with the first magnetic circuit and a second ferromagnetic movable part associated with the second magnetic circuit,

a control mechanism for controlling the first ferromagnetic moving part with respect to the first magnetic circuit and the second ferromagnetic moving part with respect to the second magnetic circuit,

the control mechanism is arranged to take a first position in which it limits the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit through the coil and promotes the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit through the coil or a second position in which it promotes the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit through the coil and limits the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit through the coil.

According to a feature, each ferromagnetic movable part can take two positions, a first position and a second position and in that when one of the moving parts is in one of the two positions, the other moving part is in the other from both positions.

According to another feature, the device comprises a first ferromagnetic movable part associated with the first magnetic circuit and a second ferromagnetic movable part associated with the second magnetic circuit, the first ferromagnetic movable part and the second ferromagnetic movable part being mechanically coupled with the aid of a connecting part driven by a control member between the first position and the second position.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, in the first position, each mobile part is arranged with respect to the magnetic circuit with which it is associated to let the magnetic flux of said magnetic circuit pass through the coil and in that in the second position, the moving part is arranged relative to the magnetic circuit with which it is associated to short-circuit the magnetic flux of said magnetic circuit for passing through the coil.

According to a feature of the first embodiment of the invention, each magnetic circuit has the form of a closed loop in which is positioned the permanent magnet.

According to another feature of the first embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises a beam on which are assembled the two moving parts. According to the invention, the beam is for example actuated by a spring blade with bistable behavior.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, in the first position, each ferromagnetic movable part is arranged to close the magnetic circuit with which it is associated and, in the second position, each ferromagnetic movable part is arranged to open the magnetic circuit to which she is associated.

According to a feature of the second embodiment, each ferromagnetic movable portion is pivotally mounted to open or close the magnetic circuit with which it is associated.

According to another feature of the second embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism comprises, for each mobile part, a lever pivotally mounted about an axis, said lever being provided with a first arm integral with said movable part and a second arm coupled to the connecting piece by a pivotal connection.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the connecting piece is coupled to drive means by elastic means for applying a restoring force opposing a magnetic attraction force exerted on each movable portion relative to the magnetic circuit with which it is associated, said elastic means being arranged to allow, during driving of said connecting piece, the sudden tilting of said moving parts when the force of attraction exerted by an initially open mobile part becomes greater than said force recall.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the elastic means comprise a torsion spring acting on the connecting piece to allow the sudden tilting of the moving parts.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the drive means comprise a rod coupled to the connecting piece for translating said connecting piece around a control shaft.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the device comprises control means coupled to the control mechanism, said control means being pivotally mounted around the control shaft, the drive means being designed to transform the pivoting of said control means in translation of the rod.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the drive means comprise a movable piece secured to the control means and coupled to the rod for driving said rod in translation, said moving part being pivotally mounted around the control shaft and provided with a camming surface cooperating with a complementary cam surface of a fixed part to transform the pivoting of said control means in translation of said rod.

According to another feature of the second embodiment, the drive means comprise return means acting on the rod to keep the rod in contact with the moving part.

The invention also relates to a remote control device comprising an operating member and an electrical energy generating device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, the electrical energy being able to supply a radiofrequency transmitter coupled to a remote receiver, the energy generating device being as defined above.

Other features and advantages will appear in the detailed description which follows with reference to an embodiment given by way of example and represented by the appended drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically represent the electrical energy generating device according to a first embodiment and more particularly illustrate its principle of operation, FIGS. 3A to 3C show, in sectional view, a remote control device. in its various operating phases, employing the energy generating device schematized in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically represent the electric energy generating device according to a second embodiment and more particularly illustrate its principle of operation, FIG. 6 represents the electric energy generating device according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 7 represents an exploded view of a remote control device comprising the energy generating device of FIG. 6, FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively represent a sectional view and a view from above of the remote control device shown in FIG. in FIG. 7, in which the control member is in a first position, Figures 9A and 9B show respectively a sectional view and a top view of the remote control device shown in Figure 7, wherein the control member is in a second position. The principle of the invention is based on the use of a first magnetic circuit

10, 100, a second magnetic circuit 20, 200, an electric coil 3 and a control mechanism which is movable with respect to the two magnetic circuits 10, 100, 20, 200 to create a magnetic flux inversion through the coil 3 and thus generate an electric current in the electric coil 3. The intensity of the current generated is all the more important that the speed of variation of said magnetic flux through the coil 3 is large. The generated electric current may for example be used to power a radio frequency transmitter in a remote control device. To create a magnetic flux inversion through the coil 3, it is to create a magnetic flux in a first direction S1 through the coil 3, then to create a magnetic flux through the coil in a second sense S2, opposite in the first sense S1.

In the invention, the flow reversal can be created for example by first limiting the magnetic flux generated in the first magnetic circuit 10, 100 through the coil 3 while promoting the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit 20, 200 through the coil 3 and then by promoting the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit 10, 100 through the coil while limiting the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit 20, 200 through the coil 3.

The electric coil 3 is for example of the solenoid type and comprises a frame made of a non-magnetic material, on which is wound a winding of N turns of a conductive wire. The frame has a central opening formed along a longitudinal axis.

Each magnetic circuit 10, 100, 20, 200 is formed of a loop in which is placed a permanent magnet January 1, 101, 21, 201 for biasing the magnetic circuit. The two magnetic circuits 10, 100, 20, 200 pass through the electric coil 3 through its opening, each via an independent branch 15, 25 as in the first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 1 and 2) or via of a common branch 150 as in the second embodiment of the invention (Figures 4 and 5). In the latter case, both circuits magnetic 100, 200 are therefore integral with each other via this common branch 1 50.

The first permanent magnet January 1, 101 associated with the first magnetic circuit 10, 100 is biased so as to generate a magnetic flux through the coil 3 in the first direction S1 (Figures 1 and 4) while the second magnet 21, 201 permanent associated with the second magnetic circuit 20, 200 is polarized so as to create a magnetic flux through the coil 3 in the second direction S2 (Figures 2 and 5), opposite the first direction S1.

To create the flow inversion, the electrical energy generating device comprises several moving parts 40, 400, 50, 500 arranged with respect to the two magnetic circuits 1 0, 20, 100, 200 and controlled by means of a control mechanism for create the flow reversal through the coil 3.

According to the invention, the control mechanism can take two distinct positions, a first position in which it limits the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit 1 0, 100 through the coil 3 and promote the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit 20 , 200 through the coil 3 or a second position in which it promotes the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit 10, 100 through the coil 3 and limit the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit 20, 200 through the coil 3.

According to the invention, two distinct embodiments can be employed.

The first embodiment consists in alternately shorting each magnetic circuit 1, 2 with the aid of the moving parts 4, 5. The second embodiment consists in alternately opening each magnetic circuit 1, 2 by moving the moving parts 4, 5.

The first embodiment is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is detailed below.

These Figures 1 and 2 show the two magnetic circuits 10, 20 each formed of an independent closed loop, for example of square shape. The two magnetic circuits 10, 20 are for example identical. In an alternative embodiment, each magnetic circuit may be in the form of an unclosed loop, that is to say with a space made between two parts of the circuit, in order to ability to control the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. Each magnetic circuit comprises one or more parts made of ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet January 1, 21 placed in the magnetic circuit in contact with the ferromagnetic parts to achieve the closed loop. The permanent magnets 1 1, 21 of the two magnetic circuits are fixed and polarized in opposite directions. The two magnetic circuits each comprise a first branch 15, passing through the coil 3, independently of one another, by its central opening and at least a second branch 13, 23 distinct from the first branch and comprising the permanent magnet. 1 1, 21. If the magnetic circuit has a square shape, the first branch 15, 25 is for example parallel to the second branch 13, 23.

In this first embodiment, the principle is to alternately short-circuit the first branches 15, 25 of the magnetic circuits which pass through the coil for the case, limit or promote the magnetic flux passing through the coil 3 in the first direction S1 or in the second sense S2.

For this, the device comprises several moving parts made of ferromagnetic material. In Figures 1 and 2, two moving parts 40, 50 are employed, each being associated with a separate magnetic circuit. For each magnetic circuit 10, 20, the movable part 40, 50 is arranged with respect to the first leg 15, passing through the coil and at the second leg 13, 23 carrying the permanent magnet 1 1, 21 so as to be able to in a first position, favoring the magnetic flux through the first leg 15, 25 and, in a second position, bypassing the first leg 15, 25 and thus limiting the magnetic flux passing through the first leg 15, 25.

In its first position, the mobile part 40, 50 is detached from the magnetic circuit so that the magnetic flux flows normally in the magnetic circuit and therefore in the first branch 15, 25 which passes through the coil 3. In the second position, the part mobile 40, 50 is bonded to its magnetic circuit so as to short-circuit the first branch 15, 25 of the magnetic circuit and thus limit the magnetic flux passing through this first branch of the magnetic circuit. In the second position of the mobile part 40, 50, the magnetic circuit takes for example the shape of an eight in which the transverse intermediate branch is formed by the movable portion 40, 50 bonded to the magnetic circuit.

When the first mobile part 40 associated with the first magnetic circuit 10 is in its first position, the second mobile part 50 associated with the second magnetic circuit 20 is in its second position (FIG. 1). Conversely, when the first movable portion 40 is in its second position, the second movable portion 50 is in its first position (Figure 2).

The two mobile parts 40, 50 are for example simultaneously actuated by the control mechanism which comprises a beam 60 actuated via a spring blade 61 with a bistable behavior (FIGS. 3A to 3C). An operating member 7 such as a toggle switch can be used to fit directly on the beam and constrain the spring blade 61. The electric power generating device of the invention is well suited for use in a toggle switch because the movement of the two moving parts 40, 50 is identical to that of the button. Of course, the energy generating device could be arranged in a pushbutton control device by employing a suitable control mechanism.

According to the invention, the use of the spring blade 61 makes it possible to ensure an inversion of the magnetic flux passing through the coil 3 in an extremely short time and thus the generation of a current of intensity which is all the greater as the movement is fast.

The operation of the energy generating device associated with its control mechanism is as follows:

Initially, the first movable portion 40 is for example in its second position and the second movable portion 50 is then in its first position (Figure 3A). The coil 3 is traversed by a magnetic flux oriented in the second direction S2.

Pressing one side of the rocker switch button compresses the spring blade 61 to a neutral position (Figure 3B).

- After the passage of the neutral point, the elastic energy accumulated in the spring blade 61 is restored so as to tilt the beam 60 carrying the movable parts 40, 50. The first movable portion 40 then passes in its first position and the second mobile part 50 goes into its second position. The coil 3 is then rapidly traversed by a reverse flow oriented in the first direction S1. The rapid inversion of the flow then makes it possible to create an electric current in the winding wire of the coil 3.

The reverse movement is done in the same way. The tilting movement is totally independent of the force exerted by the operator which guarantees the repeatability and the regularity of the quantity of mechanical energy delivered.

According to the invention, a piece of non-ferromagnetic material, such as rubber for example, can be placed at the interface between each mobile part 40, 50 and its magnetic circuit so as to always leave a minimum space between the mobile part 40 , 50 and its magnetic circuit and to limit the influence of mechanical dispersions on the bonding force of the moving part on the magnetic circuit.

According to the invention, the coil 3 may be planar type made by wire or printed circuit. This configuration allows a gain in space. Moreover, when it is assembled on a printed circuit, the printed circuit can serve as a support for other electronic circuits, such as that of a radiofrequency transmitter, a detector or a sensor powered by the generator device. 'energy.

The second embodiment detailed below consists in alternately opening each magnetic circuit. In this second mode, the two magnetic circuits 100, 200 comprise for example a common central branch 150 through the coil 3 by its central opening. Of course, it would also be possible to cross the coil by two independent branches as in the first embodiment described above.

In this second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first magnetic circuit 100 and the second magnetic circuit 200 are not permanently in the form of a closed loop. Indeed, each movable part 400, 500 is movable between its first position and its second position respectively to close or open the magnetic circuit with which it is associated. Each mobile part 400, 500 is therefore movable between a closed position (equivalent to the first position defined above) of its magnetic circuit and an open position (equivalent to the second position described above) of its magnetic circuit. . In this case, the first movable part 400 and the second movable part 500 are for example pivotally mounted around an axis of rotation 401, 501 to close or open respectively the first magnetic circuit 100 and the second magnetic circuit 200. In addition, in this second embodiment, the permanent magnets 101, 201 charged with polarizing the magnetic circuits are integral with the moving parts 400, 500. The first movable part 400 thus comprises the first permanent magnet 101 and the second mobile part 500 comprises the second permanent magnet 201. Permanent magnets 101, 201 are therefore not fixed as in the first embodiment.

More specifically, each mobile part 400, 500 comprises a first gap face 402, 502 and a second gap face 403, 503 intended to cooperate respectively with a first gap face 102, 202 complementary and with a second face of gap 103, 203 complementary to its magnetic circuit when in the closed position.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, to move the moving parts 400, 500 from their first position to their second position, in one direction or the other, the control mechanism employed is coupled between the moving parts 400, 500 and control means including a tab 600 pivotally mounted about an axis 601.

In Figures 6 and 7, the movable portions 400, 500 are coupled to a connecting piece 602 driven by drive means of said control mechanism. This connecting piece 602 makes it possible to simultaneously move a mobile part 400 in the first position and the other mobile part 500 in the second position or vice versa. In this way, only one of the magnetic circuits is closed and the opening of this magnetic circuit is accompanied by the closure of the other magnetic circuit with an inversion of the magnetic flux flowing in the common branch 150 of the two magnetic circuits.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the control mechanism comprises, for each movable part, a lever 404, 504 pivotally mounted about the axis 401, 501, said lever being provided with a first arm 406, 506 integral with said movable portion 400, 500 and a second arm 407, 507 coupled to the connecting piece 602 by pivotal connections. The permanent magnet 101, 201 of each movable portion 400, 500 is fixed in an insert formed in the first arm 406, 506 of the lever. The displacement of each mobile part 400, 500 is limited, in the closed position of said movable part, by a stopper 408, 508 disposed on a support base of the device, said stopper being intended to cooperate with a stop face formed on the magnet 101, 201 of said movable part. The abutment faces of the moving parts 400, 500 being distinct first and second gap faces, the wear of said gap faces is limited.

As can be seen in the figures, the first air gap face 402, 502 of the moving parts and the first complementary air gap face 102, 202 have complementary profiles allowing said moving part to be closed without direct contact between said airfoils. gap. In this way, the first gap face 402, 502 and the second complementary air gap face 102, 202 do not undergo wear, and the distance between said gap faces is kept constant. It follows that the gap distances between, on one side, the first and the second air gap face 402, 502, 403, 503 of each mobile part 400, 500 and, on the other hand, the first and the second complementary gap face 102, 202, 103, 203 of the magnetic circuits are held constant, which gives the generator device a good reliability.

As shown in the figures, the drive means comprise a rod 603 slidably mounted on the base, said rod being coupled to the connecting piece 602. This rod 603 makes it possible to drive the connecting piece 602 in translation parallel to an axis control corresponding to the axis of translation of the rod. The coupling between the connecting piece 602 and the rod 603 is made by elastic means, in this case a torsion spring 604. This spring 604 acts on the connecting piece 602 to allow its movement parallel to the control axis . More specifically, the spring 604 is arranged to apply a restoring force opposing a magnetic attraction force exerted on each movable part 400, 500 by the magnetic circuit to which said moving part is associated. The spring 604 thus allows, during the driving of the connecting piece 602 by means of the rod 603, to obtain a sudden displacement of said connecting piece 602 relative to said rod, when the force of attraction exerted on the moving part initially opened becomes greater than the restoring force. This sudden displacement of the connecting piece 602 relative to the rod 603 is accompanied by a sudden tilting of the moving parts 400, 500 to obtain a rapid inversion of the magnetic flux in the common branch 150 of the magnetic circuits. It follows from this rapid variation of the magnetic flux, the generation of an electric current in the coil 3 whose intensity is all the more important that the rate of change of said flow is large. The generator device thus makes it possible to generate a greater electrical energy than the generators of the prior art.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive means comprise a moving part 605 rotatably mounted around the axis 601, said movable part being integral with the control means, that is to say the rotary tab 600. The drive means further comprises a fixed part 606 having a cam surface cooperating with a cam surface complementary to the moving part 605 for transforming the pivoting of said mobile rotating part 605 into a translation parallel to the axis 601 or to the axis of translation of the rod 603. The moving part 605 rests on one end of the rod 603, which allows to drive it in translation. The axis 601 can be called control axis. Return means, in this case a spring 608, act on the other end of the rod 603 to keep said rod in contact with the moving part 605.

FIGS. 7 to 9B show the implantation of an energy generating device of the second embodiment in a remote control device making it possible to control unrepresented remote means, in this case means comprising two control states, such as a switch having an open position and a closed position. The remote control device corresponds to a wall remote control for remote switch means, said remote control having a relatively flat shape.

The remote control device thus comprises an operating member 700 of the rocker button type for remotely actuating the remote switch means in one or the other of the control states. In order to be supplied with electrical energy, the remote control device comprises the energy generating device as described above, said device being disposed below the operating member 700. As described above, the generating device comprises control means consisting essentially of the tab 600 rotatably mounted about the axis 601. The operating member 700 is pivotally mounted on pins 701, 702 and cooperates with the tab 600 to rotate about the control axis 601. In the embodiment shown, the control means of the generating device are coupled to the operating member 700 by a protuberance 703 secured to said operating member 700 and whose end is supported on the tab 600 to drive it into position. rotation during the maneuver of said organ.

The operation of the remote control device and the electrical energy generating device 1 is detailed below with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9B. In order to visualize the state of the elements of the energy generator device 1, the operating member 700 has been deleted in FIGS. 8B and 9B.

Initially, the remote controller is in the first position shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. In this first position, the maneuver 700 has not been tilted about the axes 701, 702, and the tab 600 is held in an initial position corresponding to a position of the rod 603 and the connecting piece 602 to the right part of Figure 8B. In this position of the connecting piece 602, the lever 504 is positioned to maintain the movable portion 500 in a closed position of the second magnetic circuit 200. In parallel, in this position of the connecting piece 602, the lever 404 is positioned to maintain the mobile part 400 in an open position of the first magnetic circuit 100. In this position of the moving parts 400, 500, a magnetic flux flows in the second magnetic circuit 200 and in particular through the coil 3 in the second direction S2 ( see Figure 5). As a result, a magnetic attraction force is exerted on the moving part 500 by its magnetic circuit. The spring 604 exerts, for its part, a restoring force opposing this magnetic attraction force, but this restoring force is not sufficient to move the movable part 500 towards its open position.

During the operation of the operating member 700 between the first position shown in Figure 8A and the second position shown in Figure 9A, its tilting is accompanied by the pivoting of the tab 600 and a displacement in translation of the rod 603 and the connecting piece 602 to the left part of Figure 8B. During this translational movement of the connecting piece 602, the lever 504 is tilted so as to move the movable portion 500 from its initial closed position to an opening position of the second magnetic circuit 200. At the same time, the lever 404 is tilted. so as to move the moving part 400 from its initial opening position to a closed position of the first magnetic circuit 100. During the displacement of the moving parts 400, 500, the magnetic attraction force exerted on the moving part 500 then decreases. that the magnetic attraction force exerted on the mobile part 400 increases. When the value of the magnetic attraction force exerted on the mobile part 400 becomes equal to the restoring force exerted by the spring 604 on said moving part, a neutral point is reached. Beyond this dead point, the connecting bar 602 moves abruptly in translation to the left part of FIGS. 8B and 9B with respect to the rod 603, which makes it possible to accelerate the tilting of the moving parts 400, 500.

At the end of the operation of the operating member 700, the remote control device is in the second position shown in Figures 9A and 9B. In this second position, the operating member 700 has been tilted about the axes 701, 702. The rod 603 and the connecting piece 602 have been moved to the left part of Figure 8B. The lever 504 has been tilted to keep the game mobile 500 in an opening position of the second magnetic circuit 200, and the lever 404 has been tilted so as to maintain the movable portion 400 in a closed position of the first magnetic circuit 100. In this position, the magnetic flux flowing in the magnetic circuit and in particular through the coil 3, has been inverted and flows in the first direction S1. This inversion of the magnetic flux during the maneuvering of the operating member 700 between the first and the second position has thus made it possible to generate an electric current in the coil 3. In addition, the sudden acceleration of the tilting of the moving parts 400, 500 during the operation of the operating member 700 between the first and the second position has allowed to obtain a faster variation of the magnetic flux, which is therefore accompanied by an increase in the electrical energy generated in the coil 3.

At the end of the operation of the operating member 700, the magnetic attraction force exerted on the movable portion 400 by the magnetic circuit 100 is maximum. The spring 604 exerts, for its part, a restoring force opposing this magnetic attraction force, but this restoring force is not sufficient to move the movable part 400 into an open position. Maneuvering the operating member 700 between the second position and the first position makes it possible to move the mobile part 400 from its closed position to its open position and the movable part 500 from its open position to its position of closing.

This operation to move from the second position to the first position is substantially identical. The acceleration of the tilting of the moving parts 400, 500 is done by the passage of a neutral point, beyond which the magnetic attraction force exerted on the movable part 500 becomes greater than the restoring force exerted by the spring 604. Thus, the generating device 1 is reversible, that is to say it allows the generation of the same amount of energy when controlling the control means in one direction or the other.

In the operation presented above, it is indicated that the operating member 700 can be tilted between the first and the second position, in one direction or the other. The operating member 700 may be coupled to unrepresented return means for returning said member to its first position, as soon as the user releases said member. In other words, the first position of the operating member 700 and the elements of the electric power generating device shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B correspond to a stable position, and the second position of the operating member 700 and said elements of the electric power generating device shown in Figs. 9A and 9B correspond to an unstable position. Thus, by pressing the actuating member 700 only once, the inversion of the magnetic flux through the coil 3 occurs twice in succession. The amount of electrical energy is multiplied by two.

In the two embodiments described above, the electrical energy generating device according to the invention has the advantage of being bulky, which allows its implementation in remote control devices of small thickness. The electric power generating device is therefore quite suitable for installation in a wall switch having a flat shape.

The use of a control mechanism for obtaining a sudden displacement of the moving parts and permanent magnets integral with said moving parts makes it possible to increase the speed of variation of the magnetic flux generated through the coil, and the electrical energy generated by variation of said flow is further increased.

Claims

1. An electric power generating device comprising:

an electric coil (3),

a first magnetic circuit (10, 100) passing through the electric coil (3) and a second magnetic circuit (20, 200) passing through the electric coil (3),

a first permanent magnet (1 1, 101) associated with the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) and biased to circulate a magnetic flux through the electric coil in a direction (S1) and a second permanent magnet (21, 201) associated with the second magnetic circuit (20, 200) and biased to circulate a magnetic flux through the electrical coil in the opposite direction (S2),

a first ferromagnetic movable part (40, 400) associated with the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) and a second ferromagnetic second part (50, 500) associated with the second magnetic circuit (20, 200), characterized in that:

the device comprises a control mechanism for controlling the first ferromagnetic moving part (40, 400) with respect to the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) and the second ferromagnetic moving part (50, 500) with respect to the second magnetic circuit (20, 200)

the control mechanism is arranged to take a first position in which it limits the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) through the coil (3) and promotes the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit (20, 200) to through the coil (3) or a second position in which it promotes the magnetic flux of the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) through the coil and limits the magnetic flux of the second magnetic circuit (20, 200) through the coil.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each ferromagnetic movable part (40, 400, 50, 500) can take two positions, a first position and a second position and in that when one of the parts mobile is in one of the two positions, the other mobile part is in the other of the two positions.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a first ferromagnetic movable part (40, 400) associated with the first magnetic circuit (10, 100) and a second ferromagnetic movable part (50, 500) associated with the second circuit. magnetic, the first ferromagnetic movable part and the second ferromagnetic movable part being mechanically coupled by means of a connecting piece (60, 602) driven by a control member (7, 700) between the first position and the second position .

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, in the first position, each movable portion (40, 50) is arranged relative to the magnetic circuit (10, 20) with which it is associated to let the magnetic flux of said magnetic circuit pass through the coil (3) and in that in the second position, the movable portion (40, 50) is arranged relative to the magnetic circuit with which it is associated to short-circuit the magnetic flux of said magnetic circuit for crossing the coil.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each magnetic circuit (10, 20) has the form of a closed loop in which is positioned the permanent magnet (1 1, 21).

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control mechanism comprises a beam (60) on which are assembled the two movable parts (40, 50).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the beam (60) is actuated by a leaf spring (61) with bistable behavior.

8. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the first position, each ferromagnetic movable part (400, 500) is arranged to close the magnetic circuit (100, 200) with which it is associated and in that, in the second position, each ferromagnetic movable portion (400, 500) is arranged to open the magnetic circuit (100, 200) with which it is associated.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that each ferromagnetic movable part is pivotally mounted to open or close the magnetic circuit with which it is associated.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the control mechanism comprises, for each movable part (400, 500), a lever (404, 504) pivotally mounted about an axis (401, 501), said lever being provided with a first arm (406, 506) integral with said movable portion (400, 500) and a second arm (407, 507) coupled to the connecting piece (602) by a pivotal connection.

1 1. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the connecting piece (602) is coupled to drive means by elastic means for applying a restoring force opposing a magnetic attraction force exerted on each mobile part (400, 500) with respect to the magnetic circuit with which it is associated, said elastic means being arranged to allow, during driving of said connecting piece (602), the sudden tilting of said moving parts when the attraction force exerted by an initially open movable portion becomes greater than said restoring force.

12. Device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the elastic means comprise a torsion spring (604) acting on the connecting piece (602) to allow the sudden tilting of the movable parts (400, 500).

13. Device according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the drive means comprise a rod (603) coupled to the connecting piece (602) for translational driving said connecting piece (602) around a control axis.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises control means coupled to the control mechanism, said control means being pivotally mounted around the control axis, the drive means being designed to transform the control mechanism. pivoting said control means in translation of the rod (603).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive means comprise a movable part (605) integral with the control means and coupled to the rod (603) for driving said rod in translation, said movable member (605) being pivotally mounted about the control shaft (601) and provided with a camming surface cooperating with a complementary cam surface of a fixed part (606) to transform the pivoting of said control means in translation of said rod (603).

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the drive means comprise return means (608) acting on the rod (603) to maintain the rod in contact with the movable part (605).

17. A remote control device comprising an operating member (7, 700) and an electrical energy generating device for converting a mechanical energy into electrical energy, the electrical energy being able to supply a radio frequency transmitter coupled to a remote receiver. , characterized in that the energy generating device is defined in one of claims 1 to 16.