Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
  • H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
  • H01H9/0271—Bases, casings, or covers structurally combining a switch and an electronic component
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
  • H05K5/0017—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus with operator interface units
  • H05K5/0018—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus with operator interface units having an electronic display
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
  • H01H2300/03—Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
  • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
  • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
  • Y04S20/14—Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Definitions

• Electric control apparatus in particular for domotic systems
• the present invention relates to an electrical control apparatus, particularly for domotic systems.
• Domotics has enabled in particular the making of "smart” environmental equipment, installations and systems.
• a “smart” building with the support of new technologies, allows the coordinated, integrated and computerized management of technological facilities (e.g. air conditioning, water, gas and power distribution, security systems, etc.) and computer and communication networks, improving management flexibility, comfort and security, and ultimately the quality of life and work in the buildings.
• technological facilities e.g. air conditioning, water, gas and power distribution, security systems, etc.
• computer and communication networks e.g. air conditioning, water, gas and power distribution, security systems, etc.
• An "intelligent" environment such as a home, may be controlled by a user through appropriate user interfaces such as buttons or keys, remote controls, voice recognition systems, etc., which make contact with an intelligent control system.
• the different components of such a system are connected to each other and to the control system through various types of interconnection, for example in a local network, or by dedicated radio waves or buses, etc.
• An object of the present invention is to propose an electric control apparatus, usable in particular in domotic systems, which allows distributed domotic systems to be transformed into integrated systems.
• an electric control device comprising
• a hollow support body intended to be fixed in a recessed seat arranged in a boundary wall of an environment, wherein an electric power supply line extends in said seat, said support body including a tub-like containing portion, defining a cavity having a front opening lying in a plane, which in use is essentially parallel to and close to said wall;
• a switching module including a first circuit board, fixed in the cavity of said containing portion and substantially parallel to said front opening, and carrying on a surface facing said front opening at least one switching circuit, intended to be coupled with an external electrical utilization apparatus or installation;
• an electronic control module including a second circuit board, arranged at said front opening of the support body and coupled with the switching module and carrying electronic control devices on a surface thereof facing said switching module, as well as a control panel on its surface facing outwards.
• a voltage supply module in the containing portion of the support body, between the bottom wall of said cavity and the switching module, a voltage supply module is provided having an input intended to be connected to said supply line through the switching module, and an output connected with the control module for providing in operation at least one DC supply voltage thereto; said voltage supply module comprising a third circuit board, arranged in said cavity substantially parallel to said first and second circuit boards.
• the aforementioned switching circuit may include a plurality of controlled switches, for example relays, connected through said first circuit board according to a circuit diagram permitting to selectively implement a switch configuration, or a diverter configuration, or a reverser configuration.
• figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an electric apparatus according to the present invention, mounted in a recessed seat arranged in a wall;
• figure 2 is a partially exploded, partial perspective view of the apparatus shown in figure 1;
• figure 3 is a partially exploded, rear perspective view of the apparatus according to the previous figures wherein the circuit boards are highlighted;
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are front perspective views of a hollow support body comprised in an apparatus according to the present invention.
• FIGS 6 and 7 are rear perspective views of the support body according to figures 4 and 5;
• figure 8 is a block diagram representing a switching module comprised in an apparatus according to the present invention.
• FIGS. 9 through 11 are circuit diagrams illustrating three different embodiments of a switching circuit
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial plan views of embodiments of a circuit board for the switching module
• figure 14 is a flow chart illustrating a manual disconnection method of a switching circuit
• figure 15 is a block diagram of a processing and control circuit for the automatic disconnection of a switching circuit
• FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams which qualitatively illustrate waveforms for controlling the automatic disconnection of a switching circuit.
• FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic representations illustrating qualitatively the distribution and allocation of spaces within an electronic control apparatus according to the present invention.
• the apparatus 1 comprises a hollow support body, indicated collectively with 2 in figures 1, 2 and 4 through 7.
• This support body 2 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a molded plastic material, and is intended to be fixed in a recessed seat S (figure 1) in a boundary wall W of an environment.
• a multi-wire power supply line schematically represented and indicated at SL in figure 1.
• Such line SL is, for example, a high- voltage line (for example 240 V AC, 50 or 60 Hz).
• the support body 2 comprises a tub-like containment portion 3, defining a cavity 4 having a front opening 5 that in use extends in an essentially parallel plane to the wall W, close to the front surface of such wall.
• the hollow support body 2 in the embodiment illustrated by way of example furthermore has a front flange 6 extending around the frame-like opening 5.
• the flange 6, in the installed condition of the apparatus 1, is mounted to the front surface of the wall W around the inlet opening of the seat S.
• the apparatus 1 comprises a switching module, collectively indicated with 10 in figure 3.
• This module includes a circuit board 11, such as a printed circuit board, which in the embodiment illustrated by way of example has a substantially rectangular shape.
• the circuit board 11 is fixed in the cavity 4 of the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 in a position substantially parallel to the front opening 5 of such support body.
• the circuit board 11 facing opposite the cavity 4, that is facing the front opening 5, has at least one switching module 12 including a plurality of controlled switches 13, e.g. a relay (see in particular figure 3).
• the controlled switches 13 of the or of each switching circuit are appropriately connected according to a diagram adapted to permit a switch configuration, a diverter configuration, or a reverser configuration to be selectively implemented.
• the apparatus 1 further comprises an electronic control module, collectively indicated with 20 in figures 1 through 3.
• module 20 includes a circuit board 21, such as a printed circuit board, arranged at the front opening 5 of the cavity 4 of the support body 2.
• the circuit board 21 is in particular arranged against the front flange 6 of said support body 2 outside the cavity 4 of the latter and carries on its surface or face turned toward the switching module 10 control circuits 22 comprising a plurality of electronic devices 23.
• the circuit board 21 realizes a control panel 24, for example of a tactile type, including an outer plate 25, e.g. of glass or methacrylate, applied to said circuit board 21, for example, by interposing a layer 26 of interface material, for example double- sided adhesive (figure 3).
• a control panel 24 for example of a tactile type, including an outer plate 25, e.g. of glass or methacrylate, applied to said circuit board 21, for example, by interposing a layer 26 of interface material, for example double- sided adhesive (figure 3).
• openings 26a may be appropriately provided to allow the passage of light emitted by light devices (such as LEDs, not shown) carried by the circuit board 21 (see again figure 2).
• the front plate 25 of the tactile panel 24 and the associated layer of intermediate material 26 have dimensions smaller than those of the circuit board 21 and in the outermost part of the latter a pair of through-holes 21a is provided, to allow the passage of a pair of fastening screws 8 (see in particular figure 1) adapted to allow the entire apparatus 1 to be fixed inside the seat S provided in the wall W, as will be explained further below.
• the electric apparatus 1 further comprises a voltage supply module, collectively indicated with 30 in figures 2 and 3.
• the voltage supply module 30 comprises a circuit board 31 (figures 2 and 3) arranged in the cavity 4 of the support body 2, in a position substantially parallel to the circuit boards 11 and 21, opposite to the board 21 with respect to the board 11.
• the conductors of the electric power supply line SL extend into the cavity 4 of the support body through through-holes 40 arranged in the wall of the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 (figures 6 and 7).
• a plurality of connectors e.g. screw terminals 41 (see in particular figure 3), are provided, with the respective inlet openings facing the through-holes 40, to allow the introduction of high voltage cables which may then be tightened by turning the screws of said terminals 41 by means of a screwdriver or the like, introduced through corresponding passageways 42 (figures 6 and 7) arranged in the wall of the portion 3 of the support body 2, making the connections to external electrical systems.
• the voltage supply module 30 has a pair of terminals 32 (figure 3) directed to the switching module 10.
• screw terminals are also provided, indicated with 42b in figure 3, of which the clamping screws are accessible through through-openings 40a of the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 (figures 4, 5, 6 and 7), where the conductors of the supply line SL are connected to said terminals.
• the voltage supply module 30 receives an alternating current input voltage Vs, from which in a manner known per se one or more continuous supply voltages are obtained for other devices and components of the apparatus 1.
• the voltage supply module 30 further comprises a connector 33 (figure 3) extending through a lateral slot 11c of the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 and connected to the circuit board 21 of the control module 20 (figure 2).
• the circuit board 21 of the control module 20 is interfaced with the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 through four connectors indicated at 27 in figures 2 and 3.
• the connector 33 of the voltage supply module provides at least one power supply voltage and at least one signal to the control module 20, as will be described further below.
• the rear face of the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 further includes an additional connector 41b (figure 3), such as a screw terminal, for making the ground connection of the entire apparatus 1; its clamping screw is operable by means of a screwdriver or the like, through a corresponding through opening 42b made in the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 (figure 7).
• an additional connector 41b such as a screw terminal, for making the ground connection of the entire apparatus 1; its clamping screw is operable by means of a screwdriver or the like, through a corresponding through opening 42b made in the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 (figure 7).
• the modules 10, 20 and 30 are advantageously pre-assembled together to form a monolithic unit, as shown in figure 2, which is then inserted into the support body 2 and fixed by means of screws 50 (or other fastenings known per se, such as rivets and the like), inserted from the rear side of the support body 2, through corresponding through-openings 51 (figures 6 and 7) and engaged with corresponding retaining members 53 provided on the rear face of the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 (figure 3).
• the support body 2 forms two protrusions 9 in the median area of the vertical sides of the flange or frame 6.
• a passage 9a is made crossed by the stems of the screws 8 (figure 1), which protrude posteriorly beyond the frame flange 6 in the recesses 54 (figures 6 and 7), where they are likely to engage with corresponding holder nuts or the like arranged in the seat S made in the wall W, to provide the fixing of the whole apparatus 1 to said seat S and therefore to the wall W.
• Said holder nuts or the like may be incorporated into a recess box, for example of the type sold under the numbers 503E and 504E by BTicino S.p.A.
• the support body 2 does not only act as a static container of the electric apparatus 1, but is also a functional container wherein, as will be described below, the reference planes are made for the optimal positioning of the circuit boards and for the electrical insulation of the various components.
• the flange 6 in the illustrated embodiment has a substantially channel-like cross-section with an inner rim 60 and an outer rim 61 protruding in a direction opposite to the containing portion 3.
• the inner rim 60 with its projecting edge defines a plan for supporting the periphery of the circuit board 21 of the control module 20 and has interruptions 60a which, with analogous interruptions or notches 61a of the outer rim 61, allow a passage of air from the cavity 4 of the support body outwards, and vice versa, for the ventilation of the components and circuits contained therein.
• the profile or rim 61 of the flange 6 may appropriately have posteriorly recessed seats 61b for the engagement of the corresponding coupling members of a cover plate of a type known per se, such as that indicated at CP in figure 1.
• the CP plate has a wide opening or window 55, through which in use a user may easily access the control panel of the apparatus 1 with his/her hand.
• the interruptions or notches 61a of the rim 61 of the flange 6 allow the engagement of a tool to decouple and remove the plate CP when necessary.
• the containing portion 3 of the support body 2 has a general form with an essentially stepped profile, which is tapered away from the flange 6.
• This containing portion 3 forms in particular a first containing volume 71, essentially parallelepiped, adjacent to the flange 6.
• the containing portion 3 thus forms a second containing volume 72, of a reduced height or vertical width, and therefore a third containing volume 73, of a height or vertical width which is further reduced.
• the containing volume 71 extends the components of the control module 20 and the components carried by the front face of the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 and in particular the controlled switches 13.
• intermediate containing volume 72 extends the connectors 41, 41a, and 41b carried on the rear face by the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10.
• the voltage supply module 30 extends in the containing volume 73.
• protruding horizontal profiles 74 extend between the containing volumes 71 and 72, defining as a whole a vertical plane of support for the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10.
• the distance between the profiles 60 of the flange 6 and 74 in the cavity 4 of the support body 2 defines precisely the distance between the circuit boards 11 and 21 of the switching modules 10 and, respectively, of the control module 20.
• a plurality of cavities is provided to accommodate each respective connector 41 or 41a or 41b separately, thereby assuring an optimal electrical and mechanical insulation.
• through-openings 54a are provided, adapted to allow a flow of ventilation air to the cavity defined within this containing portion.
• the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 may be made in such a way as to comprise one or more switching circuits including each of a plurality of controlled switches connected according to a circuit diagram permitting to selectively implement a switch configuration, a diverter configuration, or a reverser configuration.
• FIG 8 shows a schematic representation of such a switching circuit, indicated at 80, connected to two pairs of ports 81, 82 and 83, 84 by way of connection pads or areas 91, 92 and 93, 94.
• the (or each) switching circuit 80 may be made, for example, according to the schemes illustrated in figures 9, 10 and 11.
• the switching circuit 80 comprises four relays Rl, R2, R3 and R4 of the three-terminal type. Each of these relays comprises in its interior four fixed contacts cl, c2, c3, c4 and two movable contacts Ml and M2.
• the fixed contacts cl and c4 are connected to each other within the respective relay.
• the movable contact Ml is normally closed on the fixed contact c2 and the movable contact M2 is normally open with respect to the fixed contact c3.
• the fixed contacts c2 of the relays R2 and R3 are connected to the fixed contacts c3 of the relays Rl and R4 via two connections or pads 95 and 96.
• the fixed contacts c2 of the relays Rl and R4 are connected to respective terminals 99a and 99d provided on the board 11 and the fixed contacts c3 of the relays R2 and R3 are connected to respective terminals 99b and 99c likewise provided on the board 11.
• the terminal 99a may be connected to the terminal 99c or the terminal 99d via conductive bridges (or similar) 97 and 100a, and the terminal 99b may be connected to the terminal 99d or the terminal 99c via conductive bridges (or similar) 98 and 100b.
• the or each switching circuit 80 may comprise only two or three relays.
• static-type switches may be used, for example of semiconductor type.
• the movable contacts Ml and M2 may be reversed congruously (normally closed ones may be normally opened, and vice versa).
• Figure 10 illustrates a variation of the embodiment of the diagram of figure 9.
• the same alphanumeric references used previously have been again attributed to the parts and elements already described.
• relays Rl, R2, R3 and R4 have four terminals and the contacts cl and c4 of each of them are interconnected to each other outside the relay at the connection pads 91-94 to the corresponding ports 81-84.
• Figure 11 illustrates a further variant of embodiment. Also in such figure, the same alphanumeric references used previously have been again attributed to the parts and elements already described.
• each of the relays has only three fixed contacts cl, c2 and c3, and only one movable contact Ml; however, for the rest its architecture corresponds to that of the diagram according to figure 9.
• Figure 12 partially illustrates an embodiment of the circuit board 11 of the switching module 10 for the implementation of a switching circuit according to one of the architectures described above with reference to figures 9 through 11.
• Figure 12 shows two outer strips of the circuit board 11, indicated at 11a, containing connection pads or areas for low voltage circuits and a relatively wider intermediate strip 1 lb for the components of a high- voltage switching circuit.
• the low voltage external strips 11a are separated by adequate distances from the intermediate high voltage strip 1 lb so that they comply with current regulations regarding insulation.
• connection pads or areas are implemented, identified with the same numbers used in the diagrams of figures 9 through 11, for connecting the R1-R4 relays included therein.
• Figure 12 does not show the conductive bridges or the like, indicated with 97, 98, 100a and 100b in figures 9 through 11 for interconnection, as needed, of the connection areas 99a, 99b, 99c and 99d.
• connection pads or areas 95 and 96 of figures 9 through 11 extend parallel to the A-A axis between the connection areas 81, 91 and 82, 92 and respectively 83, 93 and 84, 94.
• Figure 13 partially illustrates a circuit diagram or circuit board 11 for the switching module 10 for accommodating (at least) two switching circuits of the type described above.
• Figure 13 allows the modularity of the layout of the connection areas or pads to be appreciated.
• a separation distance d is provided like those provided between the individual connection pads or areas of each switching circuit.
• the or each switching circuit 80 of the module 10 may be activated/deactivated or rather connected/disconnected manually or automatically.
• the electronic control module 20 may comprise a respective activation "key", for example of a tactile type, operable via the front panel 24.
• control panel 25 is preferably of a tactile type
• the aforementioned "keys” may alternatively be of any other known type, for example a mechanical type, or surrogated by a remote sensor, etc.
• the control unit 10 of the apparatus 1 may be particularly adapted to control the manual deactivation of a switching circuit according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of figure 14.
• control panel 24 of the control module 10 further comprises a general actuation key of the electrical apparatus 1 as a whole, independent of the activation/deactivation keys of the individual switching circuits.
• the manual deactivation procedure of a single switching circuit may be accomplished essentially as follows.
• control module 20 initially checks (block 101) if the general activation key has been activated and in the negative case, the procedure for deactivating a switching circuit is not launched.
• control module 20 If instead the general activation key has been activated, the control module provides for resetting (to zero) its own time counter (block 102). Once such counter has been reset, the control module 20 waits for an activation of an activation/deactivation key associated with a switching circuit (block 103). As long as this does not occur, the procedure returns to the starting point and the aforementioned counter continues to be maintained at zero.
• the control module 20 then checks whether the elapsed time has exceeded an established limit or not (block 105). The control module 20 checks that no deactivation of the activated switching circuits has been requested during the established time period (block 106), in which case the procedure returns to the starting point.
• the switching circuit associated with the activated key is configured to cause the disconnection between its input and output ports 81-83 (block 107).
• control module 20 appropriately comprises a processing and control circuit 110, having, for example, the architecture shown in figure 15.
• the power supply module 30 receives the supply voltage Vs in alternating current coming from the supply line SL (figure 1) and provides to an output 30a a corresponding direct current voltage Vcc to the processing and control circuit 110.
• the power module 30 outputs a direct current signal VR with the behavior shown in figure 16 ("positive” logic), or the behavior shown in figure 17 (“negative” logic).
• the signal VR has a series of pulses (positive in figure 16, negative in figure 17) when the alternating current supply voltage Vs assumes at any time a value close to zero.
• a check circuit 112 verifies whether the VR signal has the aforementioned pulses and in the negative case activates a control circuit 113 for deactivating all the switching circuits of the switching module 10.
• Figures 18 and 19 schematically illustrate the distribution and allocation of internal spaces to the containing portion 3 of the support body 2, in particular around the switching module 10 and respectively around the control module 20.
• FIG 18 is essentially a front view of the circuit board 11 of the switching module, at the vertices of said circuit board, four zones or spaces 121-124 are identified, used for the connections between the various circuit boards 11, 21, 31 of the control apparatus 1, appropriately connected in the manner described above.
• FIG 19 which is essentially a front view of the circuit board 21 of the control module 20, four zones or spaces 131-134, likewise used for the aforesaid connections, are highlighted at the vertices of said board.
• the zones or spaces 131-134 in the case that they are used for the transmission of radio frequency signals, have no ground areas.
• An annular zone or space 135 extending at the periphery of the circuit board 21 may be used to construct a sensor for detecting a person's proximity to the control apparatus 1, for example by means of an alteration of a magnetic field.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

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Publications (1)

Family

ID=57113531

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (4)

• 2016
  • 2016-05-23 IT ITUA2016A003673A patent/ITUA20163673A1/it unknown
• 2017
  • 2017-05-22 WO PCT/IB2017/052994 patent/WO2017203410A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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