WO2013124767A1

WO2013124767A1 - Energy exciting mechanism for a self-powered switch and method for exciting energy

Info

Publication number: WO2013124767A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bozena Erdmann; Adrianus Johannes Josephus Van Der Horst; Arthur Robert Van Es; Bas Willibrord DE WIT; Armand Michel Marie Lelkens; Ludovicus Marinus Gerardus Maria Tolhuizen
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2012-02-24
Filing date: 2013-02-13
Publication date: 2013-08-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switch device (1) and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device (1), wherein the switch device (1) is provided with a drive unit (20) configured to interact with an actuation device (20a) operable by an external force, e.g. a user, and provided at the switch device (1). An inducing unit (30) is provided adjacent to the drive unit (20), such that it can be set in motion by the drive unit (20). Further, an energy exciter (32, 40) is coupled with the inducing unit (30), and a reposition device (10a, 10b) is provided to reposition the inducing unit (30) in a defined zero position and to position the inducing unit in a defined end position, when the actuation device is pushed, such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device (1). The inducing unit (30) is configured to be set in motion by the drive unit (20) and the reposition device (10b), in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy exciter (32, 40).

Description

ENERGY EXCITING MECHANISM FOR A SELF-POWERED SWITCH AND

METHOD FOR EXCITING ENERGY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a switch device which is self-powered by virtue of an electromechanical arrangement which can be actuated by a user in order to operate the switch, and to a method of generating energy, especially electric energy required for operation or communication and interaction with further switches or with an operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless switches, remote controls, sensors, energy control devices or the like which are self-powered provide the advantage of device positioning independently of specific energy supply situations like cables or power outlets. The installation locations can be chosen and determined regardless of any power supply constraints, and even portable resp. mobile control and sensing devices can be provided. But usually, in order to provide energy, switch devices are battery-operated, with lifetime dependent on power supply, and replacement of batteries is required, usually after an uncertain time period. Such replacement operations imply time-consuming and laborious and costly installation work, depending on the location of each switch. Therefore, self-powered devices offer a promising alternative in order to reduce the operating expense of sensing and control systems, e.g. in the field of facility management.

There is a plurality of different switches already in use, wireless and battery- powered, or wired, each based on a specific control technology. For example, dial dimmer switches can be used for e.g. lighting control, having one or more knobs for adjusting power supply, e.g. for lighting from full light to very dim and all brightness measures in between, and these switches can be combined with rotary dimmer switches. Also, the switches can be provided as slide dimmer switches having a sliding handle for

continuously adapting the level of supplied power, also in conjunction with a separate button for on/off function. Further, touch pad dimmers can be provided for adjusting power supply in dependence on any position of a user's finger on the pad, and these touch pad dimmers can advantageously be used e.g. in applications with specific design requirement. Also, plug-in dimmer switches can be installed between a power supply outlet and a consumer load, representing the simplest way to provide a power control in case sockets are provided. They do not require any installation at all, as they can directly be plugged between a consumer load and an outlet of a power network.

Further, there is a plurality of different energy harvesting controls already in use, e.g. in a so called PTM200 pushbutton multichannel switch module, or in a so called ECO 100 or ECO200 harvesting module by EnOcean® in combination e.g. with a so called PTM300/PMT330 or PMT332 transmitter module by EnOcean®. In the PTM200, a common electro-dynamic energy transducer can be actuated by an energy bow which can be pushed from outside the module and released, and pushing and releasing each generates specific a wireless data telegram transmitting the operating status of a specific number of contact nipples, especially four contact nipples, when activating the bow. The ECO100/ECO200 is provided with an electro-dynamic energy converter for linear motion which is actuated by a spring which can be pushed from outside the device. It can be used to power the PMT230/PMT330/PMT332 transmitter module, sending - when an energy pulse is supplied - an RF telegram including an unique 32-bit module ID, the polarity of the energy pulse, and the operating status of 4 contact nipples.

In addition, current harvester designs can provide for the ability of storing energy provided by a pushing action of a user once a certain push depth is achieved.

Usually, the energy of push can be transmitted by one or several gear wheels, and in dependence on the angle of rotation of one of the gear wheels, a pre-stressed mass can be released, so that forces of inertia can activate a harvesting mechanism, especially a step motor.

The EP1607993 Al discloses an electrical rocker switch with an over-centre mechanism storing energy mechanically in one or other of two springs according to the sense of switch-actuation, and the over-centre action releases the energy to spin the shaft of a dynamo. The current generated is rectified to power a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal encoded with information indicative of polarity of the dynamo-generated current. However, such type of control mechanism does not allow for a convenient and intuitive combination of on/off and dimming controls. Also, energy is only harvested at the step of pressing a button, and in many cases, a dimming function can only be realized if a user adapts to specific input requirements, as e.g. the number of pressing actions and the speed of repetition of pressing actions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless self-powered switch device with a mechanism for generating energy which is simple for the user to operate and robust, wherein energy required for operation can be generated by the device itself.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a self-powered switch device which allows for more efficient generation of energy, wherein the switch device itself can be produced or mounted in a cost effective way.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for generating energy for a switch device, the mechanism providing much energy with respect to a respective operation of the switch by a user.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for generating energy for a switch device, the mechanism providing both on/off and dimming functions by virtue of a single actuation device operable by a user in an intuitive way.

At least one of these objects is achieved by a switch device as claimed in claim 1 and by a method for providing energy as claimed in claim 14.

Accordingly, a switch device is provided with a drive unit configured to interact with an actuation device operable by external force, e.g. by a human user or machine movement, and provided at the switch device, with an inducing unit configured to be set in motion by the drive unit, with an energy exciter coupled with the inducing unit, and with first and second reposition devices configured to reposition the inducing unit in one of two defined bi-stable zero positions, wherein the actuation device is configured to generate at least one position of the inducing unit, especially when the actuation device is pressed e.g. by a user. When pressed, the actuation device actuates the movement of the drive unit until the drive unit and the inducing unit reach a central instable position. Just after that point the reposition device actuates the movement of the drive unit and inducing unit to the other bi-stable zero position. When released the actuation device, actuated by the reposition device, actuates the movement of the drive unit in the opposite direction until the drive unit and the inducing units reach the central instable position. After that point the reposition device actuates the movement of the drive unit and inducing unit to the other bi-stable zero position. The velocity of the movement of the drive unit and the inducing unit after passing the instable central position is independent of the actuation device velocity and high enough to generate power with the energy exciter. In the central position the reposition device, in this embodiment, a mechanical spring, is preloaded at maximum to generate the necessary kinetic energy.

This allows e.g. for assessing the press duration, such that with only one button, knob or the like, a user can input a plurality of different commands. In particular, this design allows for offering intuitive and reliable differentiation between an

on/off/toggle command and a dimming/level control command made by a user. Also, it is ensured that electric energy can be provided both when a knob or button or the like is actuated by a user and when it is released. Thereby, it is required the inducing unit to slew round a specific angle. The speed of actuation resp. operation can be detected and elaborated and analyzed in order to provide more sophisticated control with only one actuation device. Nonetheless, basically, the generation of energy is independent of the speed of operation resp. actuation by a user.

Thereby, the switch can be provided with an electromechanical arrangement which generates electric energy both when a knob or button or the like is actuated or pressed by a user and when it is released, and simultaneously, it is possible to assess the press duration, especially for evaluation of user inputs, so that a switch device with several control options based on a single actuation device can be provided.

According to one arrangement, in the zero position, the actuation axis of the actuation device is orthogonal to an axis along which the piston can slide within the inducing unit. In the zero position, an axis along which the drive unit extends can be orientated such that it intersects with the actuation axis at least approximately at the same angle as it intersects with the sliding axis of the piston.

According to a first aspect, the inducing unit may be provided with at least one interacting portion which is configured to interact with a respective part at the drive unit. Thereby, the position of the inducing unit can be defined based on a motion of the drive unit or any coupling between the drive unit and the inducing unit. The interacting portion can be provided in the form of a recess, especially a journal bearing in which the drive unit or a floating element coupled to the drive unit can slide. The drive unit itself can be provided in the form of a lever.

According to one specific arrangement, the drive unit and the inducing unit can be arranged with respect to each other such that a rotation of the drive unit is transmitted frontally to the inducing unit, comparable to a spur gear arrangement, so that the drive unit and the inducing unit counter rotate when the actuation device is operated by a user. In this arrangement, it is favorable that the drive unit is provided as a kind of lever extending along a first axis, and the inducing unit can be provided as a corpus with a journal bearing extending along a second axis. In particular, a counter rotation can be carried out to such an extent that the first axis of the drive unit at least approximately corresponds to the second axis of the inducing unit. That is to say, in a one rest position resp. zero position, these axes intersect with an angle which can be in the order of e.g. 40- 80 degrees, and in the other rest position resp. zero position, these axes intersect with an angle which can be in the order of e.g. minus 40 to minus 80 degrees, a position in which the inducing unit is rotated the most. Advantageously, the position in which the inducing unit is rotated the most is also a position in which the inducing unit rests, i.e. in which the inducing position does not rotate (angular speed equals zero). More specifically, the drive unit and the inducing unit can be coupled with each other by virtue of a floating coupling, especially in the form of a piston-like floating element. The floating coupling can be hinged at the drive unit in a floating bearing. The floating coupling can be guided within a journal bearing resp. a sliding contact bearing of the inducing unit. In particular, the inducing unit and the floating coupling can provide an arrangement composed of a piston and a cylinder, wherein both the piston and the cylinder are pivoting when the drive unit is set in motion. According to a second aspect which can be combined with the first aspect, the first and second reposition devices may be composed of mechanical elements interacting with the actuation device resp. interacting between the drive unit and the inducing unit. Thus, a drive unit, e.g. provided in the form of a lever, can be controlled by the mechanical elements providing torsional momentum around the first supporting point. That is to say, the drive unit can be provided in the form of a turning lever which is supported in first and second supporting points and which interacts with the actuation device in a third point resp. contact area.

According to a third aspect which can be combined with the first or second aspect, the energy exciter may be provided to convert the kinetic energy of the mechanical elements interacting with the actuation device into electrical energy. The energy exciter can be realized as a step motor, a piezoelectric crystal, an electroactive polymer (EAP), an arrangement of conducting wires and magnetic elements etc. The latter can e.g. be realized as a magnetic portion arranged at the inducing unit and with at least one conducting wire, e.g. in a form of a generator coil interacting with the inducing unit. Thereby, the conversion of kinetic energy in electric energy can be realized by induction, a magnetic element being moved and inducing a current in the coil. The magnetic element can be provided as a permanent magnet.

According to a fourth aspect which can be combined with any one of the first to third aspects, the inducing unit may be supported at the switch device in a second supporting point, and the energy exciter is designed such that electric energy is provided at the end of an operation of the actuation device. In particular, the energy is provided when the actuation device is fully pressed and/or fully released.

Specifically, an energy exciter in the form of a magnetic element interacting with a conducting wire, the at least one generator coil can be provided in a bearing which is fixed with respect to a rotation axis of the inducing unit comprising the magnetic element.

More specifically, the drive unit can be supported in a first supporting point, and the inducing unit can be supported in a second supporting point. The first supporting point can be provided in the form of a first pivot bearing. The second supporting point can be provided as a second pivot bearing. The second pivot bearing can be supported at a wall or partition of the switch device. The inducing unit thus can be provided in the form of a slewing unit, slewing resp. pivoting around the second pivot bearing. When the

electromechanical arrangement of the drive unit, the inducing unit and the energy exciter is actuated, the drive unit and the inducing unit can counter rotate, e.g. the drive unit rotates counterclockwise, and the inducing unit rotates clockwise.

According to a fifth aspect, which can be combined with any of the first to fourth aspects, the switch device may be adapted to respond to an operation of the actuation device with an execution of at least one action from a set comprising wireless transmission, wireless reception, processing, counting, data storage, user perceptible feedback and sensing, and wherein the action is at least partly powered with the energy harvested by the energy exciter in response to the operation of the actuation device. As an example, the switch device may be adapted to provide different control functions in dependence on the duration of operation of the actuation device. As a more specific example, the switch device may be adapted to provide a dimming function when the actuation device is operated for a predetermined duration.

Harvesting the energy both at pressing and releasing of the actuation device allows for realizing different set of control functions, for example dependent on the duration of the button/knob actuation. For example, in a lighting switch or other automation controller realization, the short button actuation can lead to the on/off/toggle control action, while long button actuation can lead to the level control/dimming action. In another example, short button actuation can lead to a control action, and a long button actuation may lead to a special action, e.g. a device configuration, calibration or maintenance action.

Specifically, the drive unit and the inducing unit can be arranged such that the drive unit is coupled to the inducing unit independent of the position of the actuation device. Thereby, the actuation device, the drive unit and the inducing unit may be coupled to each other in a defined geometric relationship providing for a rotation of the inducing unit around a specific angle of rotation when the actuation device is operated in a translational direction. Thereby, when the actuation device is pressed for a specific amount and the inducing unit is moved over the central position into the other zero position, the switch device can provide a dimming function, especially by holding the knob a certain amount of time. In particular, an angular sensor can be provided with the energy exciter, especially together with an energy-harvesting coil.

According to a sixth aspect which can be combined with any of the above first to fifth aspects, the switch device may be adapted to generate and transmit control information in response to an operation of the actuation device, wherein generation and transmission of the control information is at least partly powered by the energy exciter.

In a specific example, simple electronic means may be used to differentiate between the press and release operation of the knob/button. For example, an electrical contact may be closed in one of the bi-stable positions of the arrangement, and its state being used as input when providing the control action. Thereby, control information (e.g. datagrams or packets or the like) generated at the press and at the release operation and powered at least partly by the energy induced by the press/release operation itself, can differ, such that the device receiving the control information can determine the required control action, e.g. based on the time relation between the control messages generated upon press and release.

According to a seventh aspect which can be combined with any one of the first to sixth aspects, the actuation device may be operable by an external force, e.g. user action or machine movement, applied in one translational direction along an actuation axis, and when released by the external force, by actuation of the first reposition device in the other direction, wherein the inducing unit is slewed with respect to the energy exciter in the same way responsive to both translational directions. This provides the advantage that energy can be generated both when the actuation device is pressed and released.

According to an eighth aspect which can be combined with any one of the first to seventh aspects, between the drive unit and the inducing unit, a floating coupling element may be provided which is coupled to the drive unit and to the inducing unit. This has the advantage that the reposition device can engage via the floating coupling element with the drive unit, so that a more flexible design is provided. In particular, the floating coupling element can be coupled to the drive unit in a pivot bearing allowing for rotation. Further, the floating coupling element can be coupled to the inducing unit in a journal bearing allowing for sliding movement with respect to the inducing unit. Thereby, the second reposition unit can be provided within the inducing unit, which ensures a robust arrangement which can be assembled easily.

According to a ninth aspect which can be combined with any one of the first to eighth aspects, the actuation device may be provided in the form of a push button with two contact surfaces resp. contact areas, exerting pressure on the drive unit when pressed or released by application of an external force, e.g. user operation. By virtue of the contact areas situated in a slot at the button which interacts with an area of actuation load incidence at the drive unit, the button and the drive unit can be coupled without the need of additional bearing. In particular, the button can be arranged within the switch device such that via a contact surfaces, a pressure is exerted on an end portion of the drive unit. The drive unit can be provided in the form of a longitudinally extending bar or lever with an extension at the end to interact with either surface, so that a force applied by the button is effectively transferred to rotate the inducing unit.

According to an tenth aspect which can be combined with any one of the first to ninth aspects, the first reposition device may be composed of a first spring exerting a force on the actuation unit, and the second reposition device is composed of a second spring, exerting a force between the drive unit and the inducing unit, arranged such that the drive unit is coupled to the inducing unit to configure stable zero or end positions of the inducing unit. Thus, the required number of components is low, as the first and second reposition devices can be provided in the form of simple mechanical elements, which makes the switch device to be produced resp. mounted cost-effectively.

The switch device can be provided for at least one out of the group of secure or insecure, unidirectional or bidirectional communication over wireless medium (such as radio communication, visible or invisible light, incl. infrared, audible signal) or wired medium; for processing operations related to the switch operation, e.g. for counting, calculating and storing the number of actuation operations, their durations, time spacing, etc. Further, the switch device can be provided for triggering upon switch operation other actions, e.g. sensing e.g. of light, temperature, humidity, presence/movement, certain chemical composition aspects (e.g. CO/CO₂ concentration), etc. In one embodiment, the actuation of the switch can trigger the sensing and at least partly provide the energy required for this action, while the releasing of the switch can trigger the wireless communication of the sensing result and at least partly provide the energy required for this action.

Further, the switch device can be provided for automation applications, control applications, safety applications, access control application, for commissioning and/or maintenance of network parameters, and frequency agility. Further, the switch device can be provided for the management of facilities and/or complete buildings. The switch device can include an emitter, and the energy can be provided for emitting control commands. Further, the switch can be provided with the required electronic circuits for conditioning, storing and utilizing the harvested energy. Specifically, it can be provided with one or more elements from the group comprising energy conditioning (e.g. DC/DC converters, rectifiers), energy storage (e.g. capacitor, battery), energy management circuit, means for determining/differentiating the actuation operation (e.g. pins, contacts, connectors), the radio, the program control (e.g. a microcontroller), the memory, etc., as known in the art.

At least one of the above mentioned objects is achieved by a method for providing energy as claimed in claim 14.

Accordingly, the method for providing energy to the switch device for wireless operation of the switch device by an electromechanical arrangement provided within the switch device comprises, responsive to an operation of an actuation device provided at the switch device by an external force, e.g. a user, actuating a repositioning device as well as a drive unit mechanically interacting with the actuation device, and simultaneously with the actuation of the drive unit, setting in motion of an inducing unit interacting with the drive unit, and responsive to the motion of the inducing unit, exciting energy for wireless operation of the switch device by relative movement of the inducing unit with respect to an energy exciter, and responsive to a releasing action of the actuation device, especially the external force's, e.g. user's releasing action, reposition the inducing unit in relation to a defined zero position by a reposition device. This ensures that in reaction on a user's input, electric energy is provided to the switch device both when the actuation device is operated and when it is released.

According to one aspect, the energy exciter is operated for the time the inducing unit is set in motion by the drive unit, and has passed the instable central position, and energy is generated at the end of a pushing or releasing operation of the external force, e.g. a user, such that kinetic energy of the inducing unit is converted in electric energy by the energy exciter both when the actuation device is operated and when it is released. This provides the advantage that energy can be generated efficiently with each operation of a user. Further, in reaction to an operation of a user on the actuation device, the reposition device is elastically deformed and deformation energy is accumulated by the reposition device. Once the actuation device is released, the deformation energy of the reposition device then provides for rotation of the inducing unit, in order to move back the inducing unit towards a zero position. Due to the defined geometrical arrangement of the actuation device, the drive unit and the inducing unit, when the actuation device interacts with the drive unit, a position of the inducing unit can be correlated to a position of the actuation device, for almost the complete stroke of the actuation device, for the inducing from zero position until the instable central position. Thereby, it can be ensured that independent of the generation of energy, the switch device can analyze a user's input and generate respective commands or control actions.

According to another aspect, the plane of operation of the inducing unit, drive unit and the exciter defined by X-Y axis can be orthogonal to the translation direction of the actuation device along the Z axis. Thereby, a vertical movement of the button resp. actuation device can be transformed in a horizontal movement of the exciter resp. the block element or any further element between the exciter and the actuation device.

Further advantageous embodiments are defined below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an electromechanical arrangement in a rest or so called zero position for a switch device according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1, but in a central, instable position; and

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1, in the end position or second stable rest position. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described based on a drive unit mechanically interacting with an inducing unit for providing motion energy and/or deformation energy which can be converted in electrical energy. Of course, the present invention can be used for other forms of electromechanical or other energy harvesting arrangements which also provide for a defined geometric dependency of the position of the actuation device and the position of the inducing unit. It is self-evident to the skilled person that the interaction of the drive unit and inducing unit shown in the figures can be adapted to a plurality of different types of motion, especially to a plurality of angular dependencies. For example, the rotational motion of the drive unit can be transferred to the inducing unit such that the angle of rotation of the inducing unit differs from the angle of rotation of the drive unit. The inducing unit can be positioned between the drive unit and the energy exciter, or it can also include components of the energy exciter. Of course, use for other applications and other measuring parameters e.g. in the field of energy harvesting is possible as well.

Fig. 1 shows main components of a switch device 1 comprising an actuation device 20a in the form of a button which can be actuated at least in a translational direction along a translational axis 21. The actuation device 20a can be actuated above a device surface 11 and is provided with two activation surfaces 24 and 25, which function as a support for the actuation device 20a, more specific at shaft 23 at same level as surfaces 24 and 25. A repositioning device comprises a first reposition unit 10a which is coupled to the actuation device 20a in a force application point 26, and is supported at the switch device 1 , especially at the device surface 11. A drive unit 20 is arranged in a position in which the actuation device 20a can set in motion the drive unit 20 when a user operates the actuation device 20a, especially when a user is pressing on the actuation device 20a or when releasing the button, when the first reposition device 10a sets the actuation device in motion. The drive unit 20 is supported in a first supporting point 27 which is fixed at the switch device 1. The first supporting point 27 is provided as a pivot bearing, in order the drive unit 20 to be rotatable around a rotation axis 21. The drive unit 20 is provided as a kind of lever extending along an axis which is orientated angularly to the translational axis 21 and which can intersect the translational axis 21. By defining the distance between the translational axis 21 and the first supporting point 27, the dependency of the angle of rotation of the drive unit 20 and the displacement of the actuation device 20a can be defined. The greater the distance, the bigger is the required displacement of the actuation device 20a along the translational axis 21 in order to evoke a rotation around a specific angle. The first reposition unit 10a is provided in order to bring back the drive unit 20 in a zero angular position a towards the horizontal plane (as shown in Fig. 1) when the actuation device 20a is released by a user. Furthermore, the reposition device comprises a second reposition unit 10b which is coupled between the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30. The second reposition unit 10b is provided at a side of the drive unit 20 opposed of the side at which the shaft 23 is provided, with respect to the first supporting point 27. The drive unit 20 is provided for interacting with an inducing unit 30, especially in order to counter-rotate. In particular, the inducing unit 30 is supported in a second supporting point 33 in order to be rotatable around a rotation axis 31. The second supporting point 33 can be a fixed pivot bearing. That is to say, both the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 are supported in pivot bearings which are fixed to the switch device 1.

In order to couple the motion of the drive unit 20 with a motion of the inducing unit 30, the inducing unit 30 is provided with a kind of journal bearing in which the drive unit 20 or a component coupled to the drive unit 20 can slide. In particular, a block element 35 is provided at the drive unit 20, especially in a working connection 22 in the form of a floating bearing, allowing relative rotation of the block element 35 with respect to the drive unit 20. The block element 35 can be provided as a piston sliding within the sliding contact bearing of the inducing unit 30. The second reposition unit 10b is arranged such that it exerts a tensile or pressing force on the drive unit 20 via the piston 35. In a position in which the inducing unit 30 is rotated with respect to the zero position, the second reposition unit 10b can provide a pressing force to the drive unit 20 resp. the piston 35, in order to push the drive unit 20 away from the inducing unit 30. The second reposition unit 10b can be provided within a recess 34 in the inducing unit 30, and the recess 34 can be provided with side walls which function as a sliding contact bearing. The recess 23 can be a kind of shaft with specific surface characteristics in order to ensure frictionless sliding. At the side of the inducing unit 30 opposing the side at which the inducing unit 30 interacts with the drive unit 20, an energy exciter 32, 40 is provided. In the present example, the energy exciter 32, 40 can be composed of an energy-harvesting coil 40 and the inducing unit 30 itself, or, more specifically, of a coil 40 and a magnetic element 32 provided at the inducing unit 30. In order to ensure a long and/or fast motion of the magnetic element 32 with respect to the coil 40, the magnetic element 32 can be provided at a surface area of the inducing unit 30. The magnetic element 32 can be provided in the form of a magnetic layer at the surface of the inducing unit 30. By relative motion of the inducing unit 30 with respect to the coil 40, kinetic energy of the inducing unit 30 resp. deformation energy of the mechanical reposition units 10a and/or 10b can be converted in electric energy, especially by induction within a magnetic field. The magnetic element 32 provided with the inducing unit 30 can be shaped such that independent of the position of the inducing unit 30, the distance between the coil 40 and the inducing unit 30 remains the same. The magnetic element 32, especially its surface, can have the geometry of a segment of a circle (in a cut view) or any round three dimensional corpuses.

Of course, other energy conversion or harvesting principles could be used by the energy exciter. It could be realized as a step motor, a piezoelectric crystal, an electroactive polymer (EAP), an arrangement of conducting wires and magnetic elements etc. In the latter case, e.g., it could be realized as a magnetic portion arranged at the inducing unit 30 and with at least one conducting wire interacting with the inducing unit 30.

More specifically, in the electromechanical arrangement of the actuation device 20a of the above embodiment, the drive unit 20, the inducing unit 30 and the energy exciter 32, 40, a pushing operation of a user on the actuation device 20a evokes a rotation of the drive unit 20 around a specific angle. In the zero position shown in Fig. 1, the axis intersecting with the rotation axis 21 and the working connection 22 is orientated with an angle a with respect to an inner wall 13 or the device surface 11 or a plane which is horizontally orientated in Fig. 1. In the zero position, the second reposition unit 10b exerts a pushing force between the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 which evokes a torsional moment around the first supporting point 27 which equals a torsional moment around the first supporting point 27 evoked by a pushing force on the driver unit at the position of an end stop 28. Fig. 2 shows the main components of the switch device 1 of Fig. 1 when pressed until the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 reach a central instable position at respective angles al (<a) and a2 towards the horizontal plane (as shown in Fig. 2). Just after that point the second reposition unit 10b of the reposition device actuates the movement of the drive unit 20 and inducing unit 30 to the other stable zero position at another end stop 29.

Fig. 3 shows the main components of the switch device 1 of Fig. 1 when the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 are located at the other stable zero position at the other end stop 29 at respective angles a4 and a3 (>a2) towards the horizontal plane (as shown in Fig. 3).

When the actuation device 20a is then released again, it is actuated by the first reposition unit 10a of the reposition device and actuates the movement of the drive unit 20 in the opposite direction until the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 reach the central instable position of Fig. 2. After that point the second reposition unit 10b of the reposition device actuates the movement of the drive unit 20 and inducing unit 30 to the other bi-stable zero position at end stop 28. The velocity of the movement of the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 after passing the instable central position of Fig. 2 is independent of the velocity of the actuation device 20a and high enough to generate power with the energy exciter 32, 40. In the central position of Fig. 2, the second reposition unit 10b of the reposition device, in this embodiment, a mechanical spring, is preloaded at maximum to generate the necessary kinetic energy.

In the end position, the second reposition unit 10b exerts a pushing force between the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 which evokes a reverse torsional moment around the first supporting point 27 which equals a torsional moment around the first supporting point 27 evoked by a pushing force on the driver unit 20 at the position of an end stop 29. The reposition units 10a, 10b can be provided as springs.

In particular, the drive unit 20 and the piston 35 and the recess 34 can be designed and arranged such that the piston 35 is stopped within the recess 34 (e.g. because of increasing pressure force exerted by the spring 10b or because of contacting an inner wall or protrusion of the recess 34) before the drive unit 20 is aligned with the inducing unit 30. Thereby, it can be ensured that the drive unit 20 and the inducing unit 30 are always brought back to the zero or end position, independent of the kind of operation of a user, i.e. pushing or releasing the actuation device 20a.

In the above embodiment, energy can be harvested both at pressing and releasing so that a set of different control functions can be established, for example dependent on the duration of the button/knob actuation. For example, a short actuation of the actuation device 20a can trigger an on/off/toggle control action, while long actuation can trigger a level contra 1/dimming action. More specifically, the actuation device 20a may be pressed for a specific amount and the inducing unit 30 is moved over the central position into the other zero position. Then, a dimming function can be provided by holding the actuation device 20a for a certain amount of time.

As another option, short actuation can trigger a control action, and long actuation can trigger a special action, e.g. a device configuration, calibration or

maintenance action.

As an example, simple electronic means may be used to differentiate between the press and release operation of the actuation device 20a. For example, an electrical contact may be closed in one of the bi-stable positions of the arrangement, and its state being used as input when providing the control action. A control information (e.g. datagrams or packets or the like) which may be generated by a control circuit (not shown), such as a control processor or the like, at the press and at the release operation and powered at least partly by the energy induced by the press/release operation itself, can differ, such that the device receiving the control information can determine the required control action, e.g. based on the time relation between the control messages generated upon press and release.

In summary, the present invention relates to a switch device and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device, wherein the switch device is provided with a drive unit configured to interact with an actuation device operable by an external force and provided at the switch device. An inducing unit is provided adjacent to the drive unit, such that it can be set in motion by the drive unit. Further, an energy exciter is coupled with the inducing unit, and a reposition device is provided to reposition the inducing unit in a defined zero position and to position the inducing unit in a defined end position, when the actuation device is pushed, such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device. The inducing unit is configured to be set in motion by the drive unit and the reposition device, in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy exciter. Such an electromechanical device for generating energy can ensure wireless operation of the switch device without the need of batteries or any other kind of power supply, and electric energy can be provided both when the actuation device is operated and when it is released.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the art and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. In particular, other geometrical arrangements and other embodiments of the drive unit may be provided within the switch device, and the energy conversion mechanisms can be combined with further mechanisms.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality of elements or steps. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A switch device ( 1 ) comprising :

a) a drive unit (20) configured to interact with an actuation device (20a) operable by an external force and provided at the switch device (1);

b) an inducing unit (30) configured to be set in motion by the drive unit

(20);

c) an energy exciter (32, 40) coupled with the inducing unit (30) and adapted to harvest energy when said actuation device (20a) is operated;

d) a first reposition device (10a,) configured to reposition the inducing unit in a defined zero position; and

e) a second reposition device (10b,) configured to position the inducing unit (30) in a defined end position;

wherein the actuation device (20a) is configured to generate at least one position of the inducing unit.

2. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inducing unit (30) is provided with at least one interacting portion (35) which is configured to interact with a respective part (22) at the drive unit (20).

3. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reposition devices (10a, 10b) are composed of mechanical elements interacting with the actuation device (20a) resp. interacting between the drive unit (20) and inducing unit (30).

4. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said switch device (1) is adapted to respond to an operation of said actuation device (20a) with an execution of at least one action from a set comprising wireless transmission, wireless reception, processing, counting, data storage, user perceptible feedback and sensing, and wherein said action is at least partly powered with the energy harvested by said energy exciter (32, 40) in response to said operation of said actuation device (20a).

5. The switch device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said switch device (1) is adapted to provide different control functions in dependence on the duration of operation of the actuation device (20a).

6. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said switch device (1) is adapted to generate and transmit a control information in response to an operation of said actuation device (20a), and wherein generation and transmission of the control information is at least partly powered with the energy harvested by said energy exciter (32, 40) in response to said operation of said actuation device (20a).

7. The switch device (1) according to claim 6, wherein said control information is at least partly different for the press and the release operation of said actuation device (20a).

8. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inducing unit (30) is supported at the switch device (1) on a rotation free supporting point (31), fixed on a second supporting point (33), and the energy exciter (32, 40) is composed of at least one generator coil (40) provided in a bearing which is fixed with respect to a rotation axis of the inducing unit (30).

9. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation device (20a) is operable by an external force in a translational direction along an actuation axis (21), and wherein the inducing unit (30) is slewed with respect to the energy exciter (32, 40).

10. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein between the drive unit (20) and the inducing unit (30), a floating coupling element (22) is provided which is coupled to the drive unit (20) and to the inducing unit (30).

11. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation device (20a) is provided in the form of a push button with two contact surfaces (24, 25) configured to exert a pressure force on the drive unit (20).

12. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first reposition device is composed of, a first spring (10a) exerting a force on the actuation device (20a) and wherein the second reposition device is composed of a second spring (10b) exerting a force between the drive unit (20) and the inducing unit (30), arranged such that the drive unit (20) is coupled to the inducing unit (30) to configure stable zero and end positions of the inducing unit (30).

13. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the energy exciter (32, 40) is provided with a magnetic portion (32) arranged at the inducing unit (30) and with at least one arrangement of conducting wire (40) interacting with the inducing unit (30).

14. A method for providing energy to a switch device (1) for wireless operation of the switch device (1) by an electromechanical arrangement provided within the switch device (1), said method comprising:

a) responsive to an operation of an actuation device (20a) provided at the switch device (1) by an external force, actuating a drive unit (20) mechanically interacting with the actuation device (20a);

b) simultaneously with the actuation of the drive unit (20), setting in motion an inducing unit (30) interacting with the drive unit (20); c) responsive to the motion of the inducing unit (30), exciting energy for operation of the switch device (1) by relative movement of the inducing unit (30) with respect to an energy exciter (32, 40); and

d) responsive to a releasing action of the actuation device (20a), reposition the inducing unit (30) in relation to a defined zero position by a reposition device (10a, 10b).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the energy exciter (32, 40) is operated for the time the inducing unit (30) is set in motion by the drive unit (20), and energy is generated at the end of a pushing or releasing operation of the external force.