WO2019073222A1

WO2019073222A1 - Remote controllable switch

Info

Publication number: WO2019073222A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/052890
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onno VAN DER NEUT; Yasser Khattak
Original assignee: Den Automation Limited
Priority date: 2017-10-10
Filing date: 2018-10-10
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Also published as: GB201716584D0; EP3695428A1

Abstract

A remote controllable switch configured to be in a first state or a second state comprises a switch member (10), a magnet unit and at least one electromagnetic coil (30). The magnet unit comprises at least one magnet (21) and a support component (25). The support component is configured to move the switch member to a first member position when the magnet unit is moved to a first magnet unit position and to move the switch member to a second member position when the magnet unit is moved to a second magnet unit position. A spring (14) and a plunger (15) provide a force to move the electrical switching component (101) and to provide the switch member (10) with bi-stability. A sensor (50) detects the position and/or movement of a leg (26) on the support compenent (25) to provide confirmation of the state of the switch.

Description

Switch

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a remote controllable switch.

Background

There are many advantages of using a remote controllable switch. It may be desirable to control a device via a switch from a location away from the switch. For example, when someone is out of the home or in a different room. It may be desirable to turn the switch to an on-state if a user wishes to use a device and it takes a while for the device to start up. It may be preferable to turn a switch to an off-state if a device has been left on accidentally, for example, if an iron has been left plugged in and on. Furthermore, for someone who has movement difficulties or if the switch is in an awkward location or obstructed by an object, e.g. furniture hindering manual access, access to the switch may be difficult or impossible.

However, there are challenges with providing remote controllable switches. It is beneficial for a user to know from looking at the switch whether it is in the on-state or the off-state. Generally, the switch comprises a member which has a position indicating if it is in an on-state or an off-state. Therefore, it is preferable that even if the remote controllable switch is controlled remotely, that the member is moved to the corresponding position to indicate the state of the switch and/or to show the movement of the switch to indicate a change in state of the switch. Furthermore, it is preferable that the remote controllable switch can also be manually operated. This means that the switch can be turned from an on-state to an off-state (or vice versa) via a remote control and also, manually at the switch itself.

The problem with controlling the member remotely and manually at the switch itself is that the mechanism which provides remote control of the movement of the member may not allow for manual operation as well as remote operation. Known remote controllable switches are limited in the size or configuration of mechanisms used to control the switch remotely and may have issues with reliability of these mechanisms. l CN 202662515 discloses a switch with a magnet. In a first embodiment, the switch plate appears to be stable in three positions. A first circuit is connected when a switch plate is in a first position, a second circuit is connected when a switch plate is in a second position, and neither circuit is connected when the switch plate is in a third, neutral position. As there are three stable positions of the switch plate, it is difficult for a user to determine the state of the switch. In a second embodiment, a switch plate may be pushed and may only have one stable position. A magnet is directly connected to the switch plate in CN 202662515. The magnet may interact with an electromagnet to change the position of the switch plate. The position of the magnet and the interaction with the electromagnet is limited by the location of the magnet on the switch plate.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a remote controllable switch which can be operated manually as well as remotely. The present invention provides a remote controllable switch configured to be in a first state or a second state, the remote controllable switch comprising: a switch member configured to be in a first member position wherein the remote controllable switch is in the first state, or a second member position wherein the remote controllable switch is in the second state; a magnet unit comprising at least one magnet and a support component configured to support the at least one magnet; and at least one electromagnetic coil which is configured to receive electric signals to interact with the at least one magnet to move the magnet unit from a first magnet unit position to a second magnet unit position or from the second unit magnet position to the first magnet unit position, wherein the support component is configured to move the switch member to the first member position when the magnet unit is moved to the first magnet unit position and to move the switch member to the second member position when the magnet unit is moved to the second magnet unit position.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 depicts a remote controllable switch of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 depicts an exploded view of the remote controllable switch of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 depicts a cross-section lengthways of the remote controllable switch of figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts the remote controllable switch of figure 1 positioned on a

component of a socket;

Figure 5 depicts the remote controllable switch of figure 1 from below;

Figure 6 depicts a close up of a cross-section through the at least one magnet and the at least one electromagnetic coil in a first configuration;

Figure 7 depicts a close up of a cross section through the magnet and the at least one electromagnetic coil in a second configuration;

Figure 8 depicts a cross-section through a variation of the remote controllable switch shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 9 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 depicts an exploded view of the switch member and the magnet unit of figure 9.

The same references are used for similar features throughout the drawings. The features shown in the figures are not necessarily to scale and the size and/or arrangements depicted are not limiting. The figures include optional features which are not essential to the invention. Furthermore, not all of the features of the remote controllable switch are depicted in each figure and the figures may only show a few of the components relevant for describing a particular feature, configuration or embodiment.

Detailed Description

As will be described below, there are two main embodiments of the present invention. The features described in relation to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are interchangeable. Thus, the variations described in relation to the first embodiment may be used in the second embodiment and vice versa. The difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is the specific configuration in relation to the positioning of the magnet unit with respect to the switch member.

In the first embodiment, a remote controllable switch is provided. The remote controllable switch is configured to be in a first state or a second state. The remote controllable switch comprises a switch member, a magnet unit and at least one electromagnetic coil. The switch member is configured to be in a first member position, wherein the remote controllable switch is in the first state, or a second member position, wherein the remote controllable switch is in the second state. The magnet unit comprises at least one magnet and a support component configured to support the at least one magnet. The at least one electromagnetic coil is configured to electromagnetically interact with the at least one magnet to move the magnet unit from a first magnet unit position to a second magnet unit position or from the second magnet unit position to the first magnet unit position. The support component is configured to move the switch member to the first member position when the magnet unit is moved to the first magnet unit position, the support component is configured to move the switch member to the second member position when the magnet unit is moved to the second magnet unit position.

Using a magnet unit and an electromagnet to control the position of the switch member allows the switch to be controlled remotely. Advantageously, this also means that if a user tries to move the switch manually, the switch member and magnet unit will be able to move relative to the electromagnetic coil without physically pushing against other components of the switch which reduces the likelihood that the remote control switch will be broken or damaged by manual operation.

Providing a support component for the magnet is advantageous because it means that the magnet and electromagnetic coil can be placed in various different positions with respect to the switch member. This is because, the switch member can interact with the support component which may be shaped in different ways and allow slightly different movement of the magnet to affect the movement of the switch member. Thus, there is greater design freedom for the configuration of the remote controlled switch. The specific configuration of the switch can be beneficially determined based on how the switch is to be used and where it is to be positioned, without being limited by keeping the magnet close enough to the electromagnetic coil to effectively interact with the electromagnet coil. Additionally, providing the support component means that the magnet and solenoid can be positioned closer to each other than they otherwise might be. Thus, the magnet and the electromagnetic can be positioned relative to each other to improve interaction between the magnet and the electromagnetic coil. For example, the magnet and the solenoid could be positioned adjacent to each other, and/or the magnet may move within the electromagnetic coil, due to the increased design freedom.

Figure 1 depicts an example of the remote controllable switch 1 of the first embodiment. Not all of the components of the remote controllable switch 1 can be seen from figure 1 . Figure 1 clearly depicts the switch member 10, the support component 25 and the at least one electromagnetic coil 30. An exploded view of figure 1 is provided in Figure 2 to more clearly explain the different components of the remote controllable switch 1 .

As depicted in Figure 2, the switch member 10 may be formed having a main body 1 1 and an extended portion 12. In Figure 2, only one extended portion 12 is depicted due to the angle at which the switch member 10 is shown. In this example, the switch member 10 comprises an extended portion 12 on either side of the switch member 10. However, the switch member 10 may only comprise a single extended portion 12 or more extended portions (not depicted).

The main body 1 1 may be the part of the switch which is configured to be manually operated by a user. Thus, at least part of the main body 1 1 may be exposed when the remote controllable switch 1 is in use. The at least part of main body 1 1 may be the only part of the remote controllable switch 1 which is exposed when the remote controllable switch 1 is in use. The extended portion 12 is a part of the switch member 10 configured to interact with the support component 25 described below. The extended portion 12 may be any appropriate shape which allows the movement of the member 10 to move the support component 25 and vice versa.

The magnet unit 20 is depicted in Figure 2. As shown, the magnet unit 20 comprises the at least one magnet 21 and the support component 25. As shown in Figure 2, the at least one magnet 21 and the support component 25 are connected to one another. This may be done in variety of ways. For example, the magnet 21 and the support component 25 may be connected together using adhesive. The at least one magnet 21 and the support component 25 are configured to move together as a single unit, i.e. as the magnet unit 20. This means that when the magnet 21 electromagnetically interacts with the electromagnetic coil 30, the magnet 21 may be moved which will result in the magnet unit 20 moving as a whole.

The magnet unit 20 may be provided as a separate component from the member 10. More specifically, the support component 25 may be separate from the member 10. Thus, although the member 10 and the support component 25 contact and apply force to one another, they may be discrete components which are not connected together. In other words, the magnet unit 20 can be moved relative to the switch member, and vice versa 10. This relative movement means that the support component can move the switch member 10 to different positions and, vice versa.

Figure 2 further depicts additional components of the switch member 10. The switch member 10 may comprise a sprung plunger 13. The sprung plunger 13 may comprise a spring 14 and a plunger portion 15. The sprung plunger 13 is connected to and/or in contact with the main body 1 1 of the switch member 10. The sprung plunger 13 provides a force to move an electrical switching component described below when the switch member 10 is moved between a first member position and a second member position.

The sprung plunger 13 is configured to provide the switch member 10 with bi-stability such that the switch member 10 is configured to be static in the first member position and/or the second member position when there is no manual operation and the electromagnetic coil is not moving the magnet unit 20. The sprung plunger 13 is configured such that movement of the switch member 10 between the first and second positions affects a circuit connection e.g. turns the switch on and off, and vice versa. The sprung plunger 13 could be replaced by any other mechanism which translates the movement of the switch member 10 to connecting portions of a circuit and provides or allows bi-stability of the switch member 10.

The switch member 10 may be configured to only have bi-stability. In other words, the switch member 10 may be configured to be to be static only in the first member position and/or the second member position when there is no manual operation and the electromagnetic coil is not moving the magnet unit. Thus, the bi-stability of the switch member 10 may mean that there are only two states in which the switch member 10 is stable. This means that the switch member 10 may not be static when there is no manual operation and the electromagnetic coil is not moving the magnet unit in any additional positions. This could be beneficial because it means that the switch member 10 may revert to the one of the two stable positions which are easily recognisable by the user. In this way, the positions of the switch member 10 can be more easily determined by the user than in other systems which have additional stable positions in which the state of the switch cannot be as easily determined.

The remote controllable switch 1 may comprise a switching component 101 . The switch member 10 may be configured to move the switching component 101 to open or close the circuit. More specifically, a part of the switch member 10 may be configured to contact and move the switching component 101 . For example, the sprung plunger 13 is configured to contact and move the switching component 101 . The switching component 101 may be configured to open or close a circuit (and thus to change the state of the remote controllable switch 1 ). Optionally, the switching component 101 may be a part of electrical connectors 100, which may be for connecting to a circuit. As seen from Figure 2, the electrical connectors 100 may comprise the switching component 101 , a first circuit contact 102 and a second circuit contact 103. The switching component 101 may be in contact with the first circuit contact 102 and the second circuit contact 103 when the circuit is closed. The switching component 101 may not be in contact with at least one of the first circuit contact 102 and the second circuit contact 103 when the circuit is open. These features will be described in further detail with respect to Figure 3 in which the movement of the components relative to each other will be more easily understood.

Figure 2 further depicts the at least one electromagnetic coil 30. The

electromagnetic coil 30 may be any appropriate electrical conductor, and may be more generally referred to as an electrical conductor. The at least one

electromagnetic coil 30 may be a single wire coil. However, alternative coils may be provided which will be described in further detail below. The electromagnetic coil 30 is configured to receive electrical signals. Electrical signals can be supplied to the at least one electromagnetic coil 30 by the electromagnetic coil connectors 31 (one of which is depicted in figure 3). The at least one electromagnetic coil 30 functions in a well known way by generating a magnetic force dependent on the electrical signals received. The electromagnetic coil 30 may be in any appropriate shape. For example, the coil may be wound in a spiral or helix shape depending on its arrangement, but the term "coil" is intended to cover all these shapes and

arrangements. The electromagnetic coil 30 generates a magnetic field according to Ampere's law and Lenz's law, which will apply a force to the magnet 21 . The at least one electromagnetic coil 30 may otherwise be referred to as a solenoid, and the remote controllable switch 1 may otherwise be referred to as a solenoid switch.

The remote controllable switch 1 may further comprise a frame 40, for example as depicted in Figure 2. The frame 40 may be configured to support the at least one electromagnetic coil 30. The shape of the frame 40 will depend on the specific configuration of the switch member 10, the magnet unit 20 and the electromagnetic coil 30. An example of a possible shape for the frame 40 is depicted in the figures. The frame 40 may optionally comprise protrusions, such as protrusion 42 depicted in Figure 2, to allow connection to external components, such as a printed circuit board discussed in further detail later.

The frame 40 may also be configured to support the switch member 10 and/or the magnet unit 20. For example, the frame 40 depicted in Figure 2 provides a pivot point 43 about which the switch member 10 can rotate. Further, the frame40 may guide the magnet unit 20 between the first magnet unit position and the second magnet unit position.

Figure 3 depicts a cross section lengthways through the centre of the switch shown in figure 1 . This cross section more clearly depicts some of the features which are shown Figure 2. Figure 3 depicts the remote controllable switch 1 when the switch member 10 is in the first member position. The first member position and the second member position are interchangeable. However, one member position means that the remote controllable switch 1 is in a first state. The other member position means that the remote controllable switch 1 is in the second state.

Whether or not the remote controllable switch 1 is in the first state or the second state will depend on the position of the switch member 10, which will affect the connections between the electrical connectors 100. The electrical connectors 100 may comprise two stationary contacts, i.e. the first circuit contact 102 and the second circuit contact 103. The electrical connectors 100 may further comprise the switching component 101 . When the member switch 10 is in the first member position shown in Figure 2, the switching component 101 is in contact with the first circuit contact 102 but is not in contact with the second circuit contact 103. This means that there is a gap in the circuit (which extends and/or is connected to the first circuit contact 102 and the second circuit contact 103) and the remote controllable switch 1 does not provide a connection to close the circuit and is thus, in an off-state. Thus, in this configuration, the first state can be considered as an off-state.

When the switch member 10 moves to the second member position (which is when the switch member 10 pivots about the pivot point 43 shown in Figure 2), the switch member 10 pushes the switching component 101 which pivots about the first circuit contact 102. As the switch member 10 is moved from the first member position shown in figure 3 to the second member position, the position of the switching component 101 relative to the first circuit contact 102 and the second circuit contact 103 is changed.

As the switch member 10 moves from the first position to the second position, the spring 14 in the sprung plunger 13 is compressed as the spring plunger 13 travels to a central point between the first and second position (which is indicated by dotted line 19 in figure 3), and then the spring 14 in the sprung plunger 13 is released as the sprung plunger 13 moves away from the central point towards the second position (and vice versa). The forces on the switch member 10 are in equilibrium when in the first position and the second position. Therefore, to move the switch member 10 away from the first position or the second position, an external force (e.g. via manual operation by a user or via the magnet unit 20) must be applied to compress the spring 14 of the sprung plunger 13. If the external force is removed when the switch member 10 is not in the first position or the second position, the force due to the sprung plunger 13 will cause the switch member 10 to move to the first position or the second position.

To change the position of the switch member 10, a force does not need to be applied throughout the whole range of movement of the member 10 from the first position to the second position and vice versa. A force only need be applied until the interaction of the sprung plunger 13 and the switching component 101 causes the switch member 10 to move to the other position. For example, to move the switch member 10 from the first position to the second position, an external force may be applied to move the switch member 10 over half of the way towards the second position (i.e. past the dotted line 19), and even if the external force is released, the sprung plunger 13 will move the switch member 10 to the second position.

As the switch member 10 is moved to the second position, the switch member 10 moves the switching component 101 (in the direction of the arrow in figure 3) which comes into contact with the second circuit contact 103. Thus, when the switch member 10 is moved to the second member position, the electrical connectors 100 are all connected to each other and the gap in the circuit is closed. This means that the remote controllable switch 1 is considered to be in the on-state. Thus, in this configuration, the second state can be considered as an on-state.

The switch member 10 may be moved, for example, by a user, between the first member position and the second member position in order to change the remote controllable switch 1 from an off-state to an on-state and vice versa.

As will be described in further detail below, although the connectors are shown in figure 3 such that the first state corresponds to an off-state and the second state corresponds to an on-state, the electrical connectors 100 may be set up in a different way, for example, to allow two-way switching. Thus, although an on-state and off- state is described above, the electrical connectors 100 may be configured to close an electrical circuit in the first position and the second position. The advantage of this is that the remote controllable switch can be a two-way switch allowing for example, a switch to be used in a lamp. Generally, when the remote controllable switch is switched between the first state and the second state or vice versa, this should enable a connected electrical device to be turned on or off.

If two-way switching is provided, the first state may be when a first part of a circuit is connected but not a second part of the circuit, and the second state may be when the second part of the circuit is connected but not the first part of the circuit. Thus, the first state may be an on-state or an off-state, depending on the connection provided by any other switches in the circuit, and the second state may be an on- state or an off-state depending on the connection provided by any other switches in the circuit. As described above, the switch member 10 can be moved between the different member positions to change the state of the remote controllable switch 1 , i.e. by a user or by the magnet unit 20.

As described, the switch member 10 may comprise a main body 1 1 and an extended portion 12. The extended portion 12 may be a protrusion from the main body 1 1 of the switch member 10. Although the main body 1 1 may be moved by a user, it is generally the extended portion 12 which interacts with the support component 25 to move the switch member 10 due to a force on the magnet 21 . In other words, the magnet unit 20 applies a force to the extended portion 12 of the switch member 10. The support component 25 may be provided in different configurations and shapes to apply a force to the switch member 10 in different ways such that the support component 25 can contact any part of the switch member 10 to move the switch member 10, and thus is not only limited to interacting with the extended portion 12.

The switch member 10 is configured to pivot between the first member position and the second member position and vice versa. As described above, as this change in position of the switch member 10 occurs, the sprung up plunger 13 allows the movement of the switch member 10 to be translated to movement of the switching component 101 .

As depicted in figures 2 and 3, a magnet unit 20 is provided which comprises a magnet 21 . The magnet 21 described herein represents the at least one magnet. Other variations of magnet may be used and some examples of other magnet variations are described below.

The magnet 21 depicted in figures 2 and 3 is a single magnet. Using a single magnet is beneficial because it reduces the number of parts needed and can therefore, simplify the remote controllable switch 1. Although the magnet 21 may be any shape, it may be beneficial for the magnet 21 may be a cylindrical magnet as these are easily manufactured and obtained. The magnet 21 is configured to electromagnetically interact with the at least one electromagnetic coil 30. In other words, the magnet 21 will be affected by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coil 30. The at least one electromagnetic coil is shown by the coil winding 30 depicted in figures 1 , 2 and 3. As shown in these figures, the winding 30 is generally provided around the outside of the magnet 21. When the single magnet is used, only one pole of the magnet may be used. The remote controllable switch 1 may be arranged so that only one half of the magnet may move inside the electromagnetic coil 30. Thus, the electromagnetic coil 30 may only interact with the half of the magnet which is configured to move within the electromagnetic coil 30. In other words, the electromagnetic coil 30 may be configured to interact with only one of the poles of the single magnet 21 .

Advantageously, this configuration may reduce the length of the remote controllable switch 1 .

Alternatively, when the single magnet is used the electromagnetic coil 3 may be configured to interact with both poles of the magnet 21 . Having the at least one electromagnetic coil 30 interact with both magnet poles will deliver more force or the same force at lower power levels (than interacting with only one pole), but the remote controllable switch 1 will likely be longer and therefore, it may be harder to fit/position the remote controllable switch 1 .

The remote controllable switch 1 may comprise electromagnetic coil connectors 31 , one of which is shown in Figure 3, the electromagnetic coil connectors 31 may be configured to connect the electromagnetic coil 30 to an electrical supply (not shown). The at least one electromagnetic coil 30 may be configured to receive electrical signals via the electromagnetic coil connectors 31. As electricity is passed through the coil winding 30, a magnetic field is generated which may apply a magnetic force to the magnet 21 i.e., the electromagnetic coil 30 may electromagnetically interact with the magnet 21 . An electromagnetic interaction between an electromagnetic coil and a magnet is well-known and is applied here. When a force acts on the magnet 21 , the magnet 21 and the support component 25 are configured to move together as one magnet unit 20. The force acting on the magnet 21 may cause the magnet 21 to move the magnet unit 20 to the first magnet unit position or the second magnet unit position depending on the force.

The remote controllable switch 1 can be thus operated remotely by controlling the electricity applied to the electromagnetic coil 30. A circuit and/or control unit may be used to control the electricity supplied to the electromagnetic coil 30. The circuit and/or control unit may be configured to receive a signal for controlling the electrical supply allowing remote control of the remote controllable switch 1 . As indicated above, the electrical supply may be provided to the at least one electromagnetic coil 30 via the electrical coil connectors. The electrical supply may be provided by a component of a socket 1 10 which is depicted in figure 4. The terminals 1 15 depicted are configured to receive pins of a plug and are shown on the component of the socket 1 10. The component of the socket 1 10 shown in figure 4 is for a double socket which can receive two plugs, however, a component for a single plug socket or a socket to receive more than two plugs may be used instead. The component of the socket 1 10 may be or may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB).

As shown in figure 4, two remote controllable switches 1 have been mounted on the component of the socket 1 10. The at least one remote controllable switch 1 may be mounted to the component of the socket 1 10 for example using the protrusions 42 depicted at least in figures 2 and 3. Additionally, the electrical connectors 100 and the electromagnetic coil connectors 31 may be in electrical contact with at least one circuit/electrical supply on the component of the socket 1 10.

The remote controllable switch 1 is depicted in figure 5 from a view below the remote controllable switch 1 . The protrusions 42 of the frame 40 are more clearly depicted in figure 5.

Optionally, the remote controllable switch 1 may comprise a sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet unit 20. The sensor 50 can provide electronic confirmation of the position or movement of the switch member 10. Thus, the sensor 50 can provide electronic confirmation of what state the switch should be in. An example sensor 50 is depicted in Figure 3. The sensor 50 is configured to determine the position and/or movement of the magnet unit 20. The sensor 50 may be generally configured to detect relative movement and/or position of the support component 25 relative to stationary components of the remote controlled switch 1 e.g. the frame 40. Thus, the sensor 25 may be any appropriate type of sensor such as a position sensor or a movement sensor, which for example, uses radiation to determine position or movement of a component.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the sensor 50 detects the movement and/or position of a support component leg 26 as the support component 25 moves with respect to the sensor 50. The sensor 50 is shown as positioned on a leg of the support frame 41 . It is noted that the sensor 50 could alternatively be placed on a portion of the magnet unit 20, and optionally, on a portion of the support component 25 such as the support component leg 26. The support component leg 26 and the leg of the support frame 41 is depicted from the upside down view in figure 5. Any part of the support component 25 can be used, and the support component leg 26 may simply be a protrusion of the support component 25. Any part of the support frame 40 may be used to support the sensor 50.

Additionally or alternatively, a sensor may be provided on the component on which the remote controllable switch is mounted, for example, on a printed circuit board. Such a sensor may work in the same way to detect movement of at least a part of the magnet unit 20.

As described, the at least one electromagnetic coil 30 may be a single wire coil. This means that the at least one electromagnetic coil 30 may be provided by a single wire which is wound to form the electromagnet. When a single wire coil is used, the electrical signals can be altered to change the force generated by the

electromagnetic coil. Thus, a current can be provided in one direction to generate a magnetic force in one direction and the current can be switched to an opposite direction to generate a magnetic force in the opposite direction.

Alternatively, the single wire coil may be replaced with two electromagnetic coils, wherein both the electromagnetic coils are wound in the same direction. This means that both of the electromagnetic coils 30 may be connected to the same

electromagnetic coil connectors 31 and/or current passes through the

electromagnetic coil 30 in the same direction. This may provide additional turns of the coil which may increase the magnetic force generated. To control the power to the electromagnetic coils 30 so that the magnet moves in both directions, both the positive current and the negative current are switched around i.e. the direction of current is switched. For this, a component called a H-bridge could be used.

Alternatively, the single wire coil may be replaced with two electromagnetic wire coils, wherein a first one of the electromagnetic coils is configured to interact with the magnet 21 to move the magnet unit from the first magnet unit position to the second magnet unit position and a second one of the electromagnetic coils is configured interact with the magnet 21 to move the magnet unit from the second magnet unit position to the first magnet unit position. In other words, each of the coils are wound in opposite directions. Thus, current passes through each of the electromagnetic coils 30 in an opposite direction. The electromagnetic coils 30 may be coiled together surrounding the at least one magnet 21 .

As described above, an H-bridge may be used to switch the current when the coils are wound in the same direction. However, an H-bridge may not be available in high voltage setups so it is simpler to wire two coils simultaneously (i.e. so they are connected to a different electromagnetic coil connectors 31 ) and to switch on either the first or the second coil. This way there is no need for polarity switching of an electromagnetic coil 30 (i.e. changing the direction of the current) but it also means that only half of the windings are used so the magnetic force is lower.

Figure 6 depicts a configuration using a cylindrical magnet 21 and double

electromagnetic coils 32 wound in opposite directions. Figure 6 shows a cross section through the magnet 21 and electromagnetic coils. The cylindrical magnet 21 may have poles at the top and bottom of the magnet as shown in figure 6, i.e. north above the arrows shown and south below the arrows shown. As shown in figure 6, the electromagnetic coil 32 may comprise a first wire coil 32A and a second wire coil 32B. In this example, the first wire coil, 32A may be wound in a first direction and the second wire coil 32B may be wound in the opposite direction. By winding the coils in the opposite direction, this means that the electrical supply to the coil is configured to generate magnetic forces which are in the opposite direction to each other. Thus, the first coil and the second coil may be physically wound in the same or a similar way, but are used to have an opposite effect on the magnet 21 .

In figure 6 the magnet 21 may move in the direction of the arrows shown depending on which of the double wire coils are provided with electricity. For example, the second wire coils 32B may be provided with electrical signals to generate a magnetic force to move the magnet 21 in the direction of the arrows shown. When the magnet 21 is moved upwards (in the direction of the arrows shown), the magnet 21 may then be moved back to the position shown in figure 6 by a magnetic force in the opposite direction to the arrows shown generated by the first wire coils 32A. The directions referred to in the cross-section in figure 6 is for description only.

Providing a double wire coil in opposite directions is beneficial because if the electrical signals are used to alter the electrical current in the electromagnetic coils 30 to change the direction of the magnetic field, as with a single wire coil, then this would use some form of control which would likely take up space on a circuit board. As space is very limited on any circuit boards provided in a switch/socket, it is beneficial to provide the double coil which can avoid this. There may be similar advantages related to decreasing space taken up on control circuit boards for the remote controllable switch 1 when the remote controllable switch 1 is used in other devices rather than a socket.

The at least one electromagnetic coil 30 shown in any one of figures 1 to 5 may be a single wire, a double wire wherein both the coils are wound in the same direction, or a double wire wherein both the coils are wound in opposite directions. Thus, the coils 30 shown in any of Figures 1 to 5 may comprise the coils 32 shown in detail in Figure 6.

The remote controllable switch 1 may comprise at least one shield 70 around the at least one electromagnetic coil 30. As shown in figure 6, multiple shields may be provided around multiple electromagnetic coils. For example, a first shield 70A may be provided around the first electromagnetic coil 32A and a second shield 70B may be provided around the second electromagnetic coil. The first shield 70A and the second shield 70B may be two separate shields connected together, for example by adhesive or welding. Alternatively, the first shield 70A and the second shield 70B could be replaced by a single shield. Providing a shield may be beneficial in reducing the effect of the magnetic forces from the at least one electromagnet affecting other nearby components other than the magnet 21 . This may be particularly beneficial if mounted near circuitry or other components on a circuit board. Additionally or alternatively, the remote controllable switch 1 may comprise at least one shield adjacent to the magnet 21 as shown by the shields at either end of the magnet in figure 6.

The advantages of the specific configuration of the magnet 21 and the

electromagnetic coils 32 shown in figure 6 is that there is high efficiency due to using both magnet poles of the magnet 21 . Additionally, there is a low stray field of the generated magnetic field which reduces the impact on surrounding components due to the shields provided. However, the winding is more complex than using a single electromagnetic coil and there is centre biasing due to residual force on the magnet 21 . Also, due to the shielding, the magnet will have an attraction towards the shield. Therefore the magnet is more likely to be held in the centre, which can reduce or prevent friction forces between the magnet and other components. An alternative configuration is depicted in figure 7. In this example, a shield 70C is provided around the electromagnetic coil 30. The electromagnetic coil 30 is a single coil but could be replaced with any other winding variation described above. In figure 7, the magnet 22 is shown in the centre position and will move up and down in the direction of the arrows depending on the electrical circuit in the electromagnetic coil 30. In this example, the at least one magnet may be a ring-shaped magnet 22, i.e. a radial magnet. This configuration works with a radially magnetised magnet. This particular configuration has a high force/power ratio and low centre biased force. However, the magnet should ideally be held perfectly centric and the shield/coil design may be hard to manufacture, and therefore this can be expensive. This configuration is also bigger in size.

The remote controllable switch 1 may also comprise a shield around, or adjacent to, at least a part of the at least one magnet 22. The ring-shaped magnet 22 is depicted in figure 7 as being provided around a soft iron core 71 , which may act as a shield. The soft iron core 71 may be beneficial in guiding the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 30.

The ring-shaped magnet 22 may be radially magnetised, for example with a pole towards the centre (e.g. the north pole) and the other pole (e.g. the south pole) towards the outside of the magnet 22 (or vice versa). In the example shown in figure 7, the electromagnetic coil 30 surrounds the ring-shaped magnet 22. In this example, the electromagnetic coil is wound around a soft iron bobbin with a gap in the centre. This configuration may improve the efficiency of the electromagnetic coil.

The advantages of the configuration depicted in figure 7 is that there is high efficiency and very low stray fields. However, this configuration needs an extended shield i.e. a central portion of the magnet unit which is longer in the direction of movement of the magnet 22 thus increasing the size of the magnet unit 20 and possibly the remote controllable switch 1 . Additionally this configuration is more complex to manufacture and assemble than other configurations. The shields described may be made from any appropriate material, for example from soft iron. The radial magnet 22 and shield depicted in figure 7 may be used in any of figures 1 -6 and/or with any of the variations described above.

Figure 8 depicts a further variation of the remote controllable switch 1 . In figure 8, the sprung plunger 13 additionally comprises a roller 16. The roller 16 is configured to contact and move the switching component 101 . The sprung plunger 13 comprising a roller 16 may otherwise be referred to as a roller plunger. The roller 16 moves along the switching component 101 as the switch member 10 is moved between the first member position and the second member position and vice versa. The advantage of this is that the friction between the sprung up plunger 13 and the switching component 101 is reduced such that the switch member 10 can be more easily moved. Additionally, using a roller 16 provides a smoother feel for the user. Although the roller 16 is depicted in figure 8, it could be provided with the sprung plunger 13 shown in any of the previous figures and optionally combined with any of the variations described above.

Additionally, figure 8 depicts an alternative at least one magnet 21. As shown in figure 8, the at least one magnet may be a magnet assembly 23. The magnet assembly 23 may comprise at least two opposing magnets 24A and 24B. The assembly 23 means that narrower magnets can be used which decreases the space taken up by the remote controllable switch 1 in the width direction. This is because providing two magnets tends to be more powerful than one magnet so the magnets can be smaller. In other words, the magnet assembly may comprise multiple magnetics facing each other. The magnets may be cylindrical magnets, which are also ring shaped with a pole at either end, i.e. one pole at the left and one pole at the right of the cross-section shown in Figure 8.

The magnets being opposing magnets means that the similar poles (e.g. the N poles or the S poles) of each magnet are arranged next to each other. In other words, the magnets may be facing each other such that the magnet poles are opposed from each other in a N-N or S-S configuration which makes the magnets want to expel each other. The magnets are still opposing each other depending on the

arrangement of their poles, even if a spacer is provided between the magnets. This way, one pole of each magnet is used and therefore, increases the force/power ratio. In a N-S or S-N configuration (when the magnets are not opposing each other) the magnetic fields will cancel each other out, which might render the at least one magnet useless.

The magnet assembly 23 may be connected to the support component 25 in the same way as the at least one magnet described above, e.g. by adhesive. The magnet assembly may comprise a spacer 27, which may be a spacer ring, between the magnets 24A and 24B. For example, the spacer 27 may be stainless steel or any other appropriate material.

As described, the switch member is for allowing a user to change the position of the switch member from first member position to the second member position and vice versa. More specifically, the switch member 10 comprises a main body 1 1 for allowing a user to change the position of the switch member 10 from the first member position to the second member position and vice versa. In other words, the switch member 10 may be suitable for allowing the user to change the position of the switch member. This may be for various reasons, such as the main body 1 1 not being an electrically conducting part of the switch and at least a part of the switch member 10 being accessible to the user, e.g. being exposed outside of a housing of the switch when such a housing is provided.

The main body 1 1 may be considered as a top of the remote controllable switch 1 . More generally the top of the remote controllable switch 1 may be the portion of the remote controllable switch 1 which exposed to a user in use. The extended portion 12 may be in connection with the main body 1 1 at a first end and configured to interact with the support component 25 of the magnet unit 20 at a second end. The main body 1 1 and the extended portion 12 may form a single discrete piece. In the above examples and figures, the magnet 21 is positioned such that the movement of the magnet unit 20 is effectively in line with the extended portion 12 of the switch member 10 as the switch member 10 is moved between the first and second member position. The at least one magnet 21 is positioned to the side of the second end of the extended portion of the switch member such that in plan view of the top of the remote controllable switch, the at least one magnet is substantially at one end and/or the side of the main body 10 of the switch member. In other words, the magnet unit 20 is to the side of the switch member 10 as shown in the figures described above. This may be referred to as a horizontally offset magnet configuration.

In a second embodiment, the components may be substantially the same as those described above and only the differences of the second embodiment will be described here. The second embodiment may be substantially the same as any of the variations described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that the at least one magnet 21 is positioned below the bottom of the switch member 10. In other words, the at least one magnet 21 is beneath the switch member 10. This may be referred to as a vertically offset magnet configuration.

Figure 9 shows as example configuration of the second embodiment. The specific shape of the electrical connectors 100 and the support frame 40 and the support component 25 may be configured and arranged to allow the same interaction as already described above. In other words, the switch member 10 may be moved from a first position to a second position to change the state of the remote controllable switch 1 as described above. A slightly different configuration of the electrical connectors 100 is shown but these would work in the same way as described above to alter the connection of the circuit when the member 10 is in the first position and the second position to change the state of the remote controllable switch 1 .

Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the switch member 10 and the magnet unit 20 to show how these components can interact. The interaction is the same as described above, except that the at least one magnet 21 is positioned below the second end of the extended portion of the switch member such that in plan view of the top of the remote controllable switch, the at least one magnet 21 is substantially obscured by the switch member 10 and more specifically, by the main body 1 1 of the switch member 10. This means that the at least one magnet 21 moves beneath the switch member 10.

The support component 25 is shown to be in a slightly different shape in Figure 10 than in the previous figures to allow movement of the switch member 10 to move the magnet unit 20 and to allow movement of the magnet 23 to move the switch member 10. Although a magnet assembly 23 is shown in Figures 9 and 10, with similar magnets to those shown in Figure 8, any other type of magnet may be used as previously described. Additionally, the extended portion 12 is larger in Figure 10 than the previous figures such that the extended portion 12 can reach and interact with the magnet unit 20 below the switch member 10.

The switching component 101 may be formed of an electrically conductive material. The switching component 101 may be any appropriate material which allows a current to flow between the circuit contacts and the switching component 101 when the switching component 101 is used to close the circuit. Examples include metal, carbon, etc..

The switch member 10 may be formed of a non-electrically conductive material. More specifically, the main body 1 1 of the switch member 10 may be formed of a non-electrically conductive material. The switch member 10, and particularly the main body 1 1 , may be formed of any material which is suitable for a user to interact with the switch member 10, and particularly the main body 1 1 , which will not conduct a current. Examples include plastic, rubber and ceramic, etc..

It will be understood that any appropriate material can be used for the at least one magnet described above. Additionally, any appropriate material can be used for the electromagnetic coil and different coil types, e.g. flat and cylindrical wires may be used. For example, the electromagnetic coil 30 may be a copper coil.

The remote controllable switch described above may be part of socket or a device, e.g. as part of a domestic appliance. The socket or device may comprise a housing. The remote controllable switch of any of the above embodiments may be at least partially positioned within the housing, wherein at least part of the member is within the housing and at least a part of the member, e.g. the main body 1 1 of the switch member 10, is exposed outside the housing to allow manual operation of the member.

The top and bottom is used to describe positions shown in the drawings and for purposes of describing the features of the remote controllable switch 1 relative to one another. The remote controllable switch 1 may be placed in any position and orientation such that the top of the remote controllable switch 1 may be upside down, i.e. may be at the lowest point. Thus, the top of the remote controllable switch 1 referred to above means the top end of the switch relative to the other components of the remote controllable switch 1 and for reference to the described features of the remote controllable switch 1 as shown in the drawings.

Claims

1 . A remote controllable switch configured to be in a first state or a second state, the remote controllable switch comprising: a switch member configured to be in a first member position wherein the remote controllable switch is in the first state, or a second member position wherein the remote controllable switch is in the second state; a magnet unit comprising at least one magnet and a support component configured to support the at least one magnet; and at least one electromagnetic coil which is configured to electromagnetically interact with the at least one magnet to move the magnet unit from a first magnet unit position to a second magnet unit position or from the second unit magnet position to the first magnet unit position, wherein the support component is configured to move the switch member to the first member position when the magnet unit is moved to the first magnet unit position and to move the switch member to the second member position when the magnet unit is moved to the second magnet unit position.

2. The remote controllable switch of claim 1 , wherein the switch member is for allowing a user to change the position of the switch member from the first member position to the second member position and vice versa.

3. The remote controllable switch of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one magnet is a single cylindrical magnet with two magnet poles.

4. The remote controllable switch of claim 3, wherein the at least one

electromagnetic coil is configured to interact with only one of the magnet poles of the single cylindrical magnet.

5. The remote controllable switch of claim 3, wherein the at least one

electromagnetic coil is configured to interact with both magnet poles of the single cylindrical magnet.

6. The remote controllable switch of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one magnet is a ring-shaped magnet which is radially magnetised.

7. The remote controllable switch of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one magnet comprises two opposing magnets.

8. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil is a single wire coil

9. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil comprises two electromagnetic coils, wherein both the electromagnetic coils are wound in the same direction.

10. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil comprises two electromagnetic coils, wherein a first one of the two electromagnetic coils is configured to interact with the at least one magnet to move the magnet unit from the first magnet unit position to the second magnet unit position, and a second one of the electromagnetic coils is configured to interact with the at least one magnet to move the magnet unit from the second magnet unit position to the first magnet unit position.

1 1 . The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a switching component configured to open or close a circuit.

12. The remote controllable switch of claim 1 1 , wherein the switching component is in contact with a first circuit contact and a second circuit contact when the circuit is closed and the switching component is not in contact with at least one of the first circuit contact and the second circuit contact when the circuit is open.

13. The remote controllable switch of either one of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the switch member is configured to move the switching component to open or close the circuit.

14. The remote controllable switch of claim 13, wherein the switch member comprises a sprung plunger configured to contact and move the switching component, wherein the sprung plunger is configured to provide the switch member with bi-stability such that the member is configured to be static in the first member position and/or the second member position when there is no manual operation and the electromagnetic coil is not moving the magnet unit.

15. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein the sprung plunger comprises a roller which is configured to contact and move the switching component.

16. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the switching component is formed of electrically conductive material.

17. The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch member comprises a main body formed of non-electrically conductive material.

18. The remote controllable switch of any one of the previous claims, wherein the switch member comprises a main body for allowing a user to change the position of the switch member from the first member position to the second member position and vice versa, the main body defining a top of the remote controllable switch, and at least one extended portion in connection with the main body at a first end and configured to interact with the support component of the magnet unit at a second end, wherein the at least one magnet is positioned to the side of the second end of the extended portion of the switch member such that in plan view of the top of the remote controllable switch, the at least one magnet is substantially at one end and/or the side of the main body of the switch member.

19. The remote controllable switch of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the switch member comprises a main body for allowing a user to change the position of the switch member from the first member position to the second member position and vice versa, the switch portion defining a top of the remote controllable switch, and at least one extended portion in connection with the main body at a first end and configured to interact with the support component of the magnet unit at a second end, wherein the at least one magnet is positioned below the second end of the extended portion of the switch member such that in plan view of the top of the remote controllable switch, the at least one magnet is substantially obscured by the switch member.

20. The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shield around the at least one electromagnetic coil.

21 . The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shield around, or adjacent to, at least a part of the at least one magnet.

22. The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet unit.

23. The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a frame configured to support the at least one electromagnetic coil.

24. The remote controllable switch of any one of the preceding claims wherein the switch member is configured to be static only in the first member position and/or the second member position when there is no manual operation and the electromagnetic coil is not moving the magnet unit.