Patent Description:
Wall-mounted switches are widely used in (automatic) control of lighting devices. However, the technology today uses a lot of further technology to control such lighting devices, such as, for example, sensors. Especially radar sensors may be of advantageous use, because radar sensors can provide invisible presence detection, and certain types of radar sensors are able to detect presence, speed, movement direction and exact object position. Also differentiation between large and small (micro) object movements can be done with radar sensors. Hence, radar sensors can add useful information for controlling electric or electronic devices.

<CIT> describes an electrical box wall switch using radar sensing technology (see Figs. 1a, 1b and <FIG>). The wall switch comprises a panel <NUM> with a PVC protection sticker <NUM> and a front housing <NUM>. A connector <NUM> connects the front housing <NUM> with a circuit board <NUM>, which is connected to the back cover <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> is provided with a microwave antenna amplifier <NUM>, an analog-to-digital signal conversion control module <NUM> and a voltage stabilizing bias module <NUM>, which are all electrically connected. The voltage stabilizing bias module <NUM> is further electrically connected to an auxiliary power source <NUM>, and the analog-to-digital conversion control module <NUM> and the auxiliary power source <NUM> are electrically connected to the switch <NUM>. The switch <NUM> is connected to the AC output line <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. The microwave antenna amplifier <NUM> and a light control circuit <NUM> and a planar microwave antenna <NUM> are also electrically connected.

Beneficial effects of the wall switch described in <CIT> are that, when the ambient light is higher than a predetermined threshold, the wall switch will not work. When the ambient light becomes less than the predetermined threshold, the wall switch will enter in a working state. When someone approaches the device, the signal of the planer microwave antenna <NUM> is triggered. The planar microwave antenna <NUM> senses that someone is approaching and the signal is amplified by the microwave antenna amplifier <NUM> and transmitted to the antenna <NUM>. The analog-to-digital signal conversion control module <NUM> controls the high potential output of the switch to turn on. After the person leaves, the analog-digital signal conversion control module control signal becomes low and the output is turned off. The wall switch adopts a combination scheme of radar sensing technology and light control switch.

<CIT> thus describes a sensor with a switching element, there is no real switch function and there is no switch button. When the sensor detects a movement, the switching element is activated for controlling a lighting device. However, the switch cannot be controlled, and the lighting device can thus not be put on or off, by a user pushing the switch button. The lighting device can only be turned on or off on the basis of input from the sensor. <CIT> describes a faceplate remote control device that can be attached to a wall-mounted mechanical light switch that has a toggle actuator, thereby replacing a standard faceplate. The faceplate remote control device may be configured to maintain free operation of the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch when the faceplate remote control device is attached to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch may comprise a yoke that allows the mechanical switch to be mounted to a standard electrical wallbox, for example by using one or more mounting screws. An adapter plate of the faceplate remote control device may be configured to then be attached to the yoke of the mechanical switch, for example via one or more attachment screws. The faceplate remote control comprises a housing that defines an opening, wherein an actuator of the wall mounted light switch is configured to protrude through the opening. The faceplate remote control further comprises a user interface integrated with the housing and configured to receive an input from a user of the remote control device. Further, a control circuit is provided for detecting an operation of the actuator of the wall-mounted light switch. Further, the faceplate remote control comprises a wireless communication circuit configured to transmit a message to the lighting control device in response to one of the detection of the operation of the actuator or receiving input from the user interface.

The faceplate remote control device may further include a sensing device that is configured to provide automated control of a lighting load that is controlled by a load control device that is associated with the faceplate remote control device. The sensing device may be mounted to the printed circuit board, for example, and the microprocessor may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit one or more messages to the load control device in response to the sensing device. The faceplate remote control device may further comprise a battery. Further, the faceplate remote control devices may comprise one or more other power sources, for instance in addition to, or in lieu of, the battery. For example, the faceplate remote control device may include a solar cell or photovoltaic coating, such as a photovoltaic film, that may be displaced on (e.g., attached to) one or more surfaces (e.g., exterior surfaces) of the housing of the faceplate remote control device.

In <CIT>, the switching element, i.e. the toggle actuator, does not form part of the faceplate remote control device. Further, some existing sensing element(s), such as e.g. radar sensors, can consume a lot of energy for which the battery is too small, as only a small battery can be included because of the limited space. Also, there is not much space left to provide enough additional power sources to make the faceplate remote control device work properly. Hence, a faceplate remote control device is limited in the type of sensing devices that can be used with it. <CIT> discloses an electric or electronic switch module according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a combination of a switch and a radar sensor for in-wall applications.

The above objective is accomplished by a device according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides an electric or electronic switch module for triggering the start of an action of or for controlling an electric or electronic device. The electric or electronic switch module comprises a housing with a housing cover, an actor module comprising at least a power source for powering the electric or electronic switch module and comprising a switching element, and a sensor module comprising at least one radar sensor and at least a switch function for activating the switching element on the actor module, the actor module and the sensor module being provided in the housing and being electrically connected to each other. The electric or electronic switch module furthermore comprises a switch button for activating the switch function.

An advantage of an electric or electronic switch module according to embodiments of the invention is that it combines input from at least two sensors, i.e. a radar sensor and a switch, to increase presence detection robustness by allowing multiple functions/actions by activating the at least two sensors.

A further advantage is that an existing, classical switch can easily be converted into an electric or electronic switch module, thereby keeping the wiring in the wall as it was. Hence, an electric or electronic switch module according to embodiments of the invention is advantageous for being used in retro-fitting.

Still a further advantage of an electric or electronic device module according the invention is that it still comprises a switch button. This is because the actor module comprises both a power source and a switching element, e.g. relay. Hence, the radar sensor can act completely independent of the switch function and can thus be used for controlling a different function, namely another electric or electronic device that is part of a home automation system.

Hence, in an electric or electronic switch module according to embodiments of the invention comprises at least a switch function and a radar sensor in a compact space of a classical switch. Again, this makes an electric or electronic switch module according to embodiments of the invention suitable for being used in retro fitting, because it can easily replace such a classical switch without having to change too much to the electrical installation and the wiring.

According to embodiments of the invention, the actor module and the sensor module may be provided on a same PCB.

According to other embodiments, the actor module may be provided on an actor PCB and the senor module may be provided on a sensor PCB, the actor PCB and the sensor PCB being different PCBs. An isolator sheet may be provided in between the actor PCB and the sensor PCB.

The actor module may furthermore comprise a processor, the processor being adapted for sending a signal to the electric or electronic device for starting an action as a result of a signal received from the switch button and/or the at least one radar sensor.

Hence, starting an action of the electric or electronic device may be done by pushing the switch function and/or by a detection of the at least one radar sensor.

The switch function can still be used independently of the radar sensor. The way the electric or electronic switch module is programmed, will determine whether the switch button has to be pushed to start an action, e.g. lights on/off, light dimmed, roller blades up/down, etc., or whether the start of an action is triggered by a detection of the radar sensor.

The actor module and the sensor module may, according to embodiments of the invention, be removably connected by means of a removable cable.

According to embodiments of the invention, the electric or electronic switch module may be a standalone module. According to such embodiments, the switching element may be a relay that is provided on the actor module.

According to other embodiments, the electric or electronic switch module may be part of a home automation system. According to these embodiments, the switching element may be a bus connection that is provided on a remote location.

The electric or electronic switch module may furthermore comprises a communication interface for communicating with other devices in the home automation system.

The housing cover comprises a flexible lever for transferring a push on the switch button to the switch function on the sensor module.

The actor module may further comprise a dimming function or the like.

The sensor module may further comprise at least one additional sensor, such as for example, at least one of a PIR, a movement sensor, an acoustic sensor, a VOC sensor, a light measurement sensor, a temperature sensor or the like.

The electric or electronic switch module may furthermore comprises a wall frame for fixing the electric or electronic switch module to a wall, and wherein the housing is connected to the wall frame by means of screws, a click mechanism or the like.

The electric or electronic switch module may furthermore comprising a cover plate for finishing the electric or electronic switch module.

According to embodiments of the invention, the electric or electronic switch module may furthermore comprise an antenna providing a wireless connection for adding, for example, additional sensors and/or actors and/or a connection with a home automation system.

According to embodiments of the invention, the electric or electronic switch module may furthermore comprise external button inputs. Additional switching inputs can be combined or each switching point could be seen as an individual sensor input.

It has to be noted that same reference signs in the different figures refer to same, similar or analogous elements.

In the description different embodiments will be used to describe the invention. Therefore reference will be made to different drawings. It has to be understood that these drawings are intended to be non-limiting, the invention is only limited by the claims. The drawings are thus for illustrative purposes, the size of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity purposes.

The term "comprising" is not to be interpreted as limiting the invention in any way. The term "comprising", used in the claims, is not intended to be restricted to what means is described thereafter; it does not exclude other elements, parts or steps.

The term "connected" as used in the claims and in the description has not to be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections, unless otherwise specified. Thus, part A being connected to part B is not limited to part A being in direct contact to part B, but also includes indirect contact between part A and part B, in other words also includes the case where intermediate parts are present in between part A and part B.

The present invention provides an electric or electronic switch module for triggering the start of an action of an electric or electronic device. The electric or electronic switch module comprises a housing with a housing cover, an actor module comprising at least a power source for powering the electric or electronic switch module and comprising a switching element, and a sensor module comprising at least one radar sensor and at least a switch function for activating the switching element on the actor module, the actor module and the sensor module being provided in the housing and being electrically connected to each other.

The electric or electronic switch module furthermore comprises a switch button for activating the switch function.

Still a further advantage of an electric or electronic device module according to embodiments of the invention is that it still comprises a switch button. This is because the actor module of an electric or electronic switch module according to embodiments of the invention comprises both a power source and a switching element, e.g. relay. Hence, the radar sensor can act completely independent of the switch function and can thus be used for controlling a different function, namely another electric or electronic device that is part of a home automation system.

The present invention will hereinafter be described by means of different embodiments. It has to be understood that these embodiments are only for the ease of understanding the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically illustrate an exploded view of an electric or electronic switch module <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention. The electric or electronic switch module <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, an actor module102 and a sensor module <NUM>. The actor module <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM> are provided in the housing <NUM> and are electrically connected to each other.

According to embodiments of the invention, the actor module <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM> may be provided on a same PCB (see <FIG>). An advantage of combining the actor module <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM> on one PCB is that a space-reduced assembly, i.e. an assembly with reduced thickness, is obtained which results in a limited installation depth for in-wall mounting.

According to other embodiments, the actor module <NUM> may be provided on an actor PCB and the sensor module <NUM> may be provided on a sensor PCB, whereby the actor PCB and the sensor PCB are two different PCBs. According to such embodiments, an insulator sheet may be provided in between the actor PCB and the sensor PCB. Such insulator sheet may, for example, be made out of polyimide (e.g. Kapton®), polyethylene terephthalate (e.g. Mylar®), polyethylene or the like.

In case of two PCBs, the actor module or actor PCB <NUM> and the sensor module or sensor PCB <NUM> may electrically and removably be connected to each other. With removably connected is meant that the power PCB <NUM> and the sensor PCB <NUM> are connected such that they can, at any time, be disconnected from each other without breaking or damaging them. For this purpose the power PCB <NUM> and the sensor PCB <NUM> may, for example, be connected by means of a removable cable.

Because the actor module or PCB <NUM> and the sensor module or PCB <NUM> are removably connected to each other, they can easily be replaced whenever required and without breaking or being damaged. Indeed, if, for example, one of the actor module or PCB <NUM> or sensor module or PCB <NUM> needs to be replaced, it can easily be removed or disconnected from the other PCB <NUM>,<NUM> and the new PCB <NUM>,<NUM> can then easily be connected to the other PCB <NUM>,<NUM>.

The actor module <NUM>, which is illustrated in detail in <FIG> (front side) and <FIG> (back side), comprises at its back side, a switching element <NUM>. At its front side, the actor module <NUM> comprises at least a power source or power supply <NUM> for powering the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> and an external push button input <NUM> which is connected to the switching element <NUM> at the back side of the actor module <NUM>. The switching element <NUM> may, for example and as in the example given in <FIG>, be a relay <NUM>. At its back side, the actor module <NUM> may further comprise power supply filters <NUM> and a connector <NUM>. The actor module <NUM> may furthermore comprise further electric or electronic elements, such as for example a dimming function (not shown) for, in case the electric or electronic device is a lighting device, dimming the lighting device (not shown), or the like.

The actor module <NUM> comprising at least both a power source or power supply <NUM> and a switching element <NUM> has as an advantage that the radar sensor can act completely independent of the switch function and can thus be used for controlling a different function, namely another electric or electronic device that is part of a home automation system.

The sensor module103, which is illustrated in detail in <FIG> (front side) and <FIG> (back side), comprises, at its front side, a switch function <NUM> for controlling a lighting device, i.e. turning the lighting device on and off. The switch function <NUM> serves for activating the switching element <NUM> on the actor module, such as e.g. a relay (see <FIG>) or a bus connection as a result of a push on a switch button <NUM>, which is also part of the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The switch button <NUM> is thus for activating the switch function <NUM> on the sensor module <NUM>. Further, the sensor module <NUM> comprises at least one radar sensor <NUM>. The radar sensor <NUM> serves for detecting the presence of a person in an area, e.g. room, in a building.

The sensor module <NUM> may, according to embodiments of the invention, furthermore comprise at least one further sensor <NUM>, such as for example at least one of a PIR sensor 109a, a movement sensor (not shown), an acoustic sensor (not shown), a VOC sensor (not shown), a light measurement sensor 109b, a temperature senor 109c or the like. It has to be understood that <FIG> are only for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. According to embodiments of the invention, the sensor module <NUM> may, next to the at least one radar sensor <NUM>, comprise any number and any combination of other sensors <NUM>.

According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor module <NUM> may preferably be located in front of the actor module <NUM>. Or in other words, as can be seen in <FIG>, first the actor module <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM> and then the sensor module <NUM> may be provided in the housing <NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> is in this case thus located closest to the front of electric or electronic switch module <NUM>. This is because, as clear for a person skilled in the art, the at least one radar sensor <NUM> may preferably be so positioned in the electric or electronic switch module <NUM>, such that its radar wave beam is not obstructed by other parts of the electric or electronic switch module <NUM>. Therefore, the at least one radar sensor <NUM>, and thus the sensor module <NUM>, may be positioned close to the front part of the switch module <NUM> while other electric or electronic elements, and thus the actor module <NUM>, are preferably positioned more to the back of the switch module <NUM>. However, this is not necessarily so, according to other embodiments, the at least one radar sensor <NUM>, and thus the sensor module <NUM>, may also be positioned more in the back of the switch module <NUM> while other electric or electronic elements, and thus the actor module <NUM>, of the switch module <NUM> may be positioned more to the front, as long as the radar wave beam is not obstructed by these other electric or electronic elements.

The electric or electronic switch module <NUM> may furthermore comprise a housing cover <NUM> for protecting the actor module <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM>. The housing cover <NUM> may be provided in front of the sensor module <NUM>, in embodiments as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> where the sensor module <NUM> is positioned in front of the actor module <NUM>, and may be located between the sensor module <NUM> and the switch button <NUM> for activating the switch function <NUM>. the housing cover <NUM> comprises a flexible lever <NUM> for transferring a push on the switch button <NUM> to the switch function <NUM> on the sensor module <NUM>.

According to embodiments of the invention, the actor module <NUM> may furthermore comprise a processor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> being adapted for sending a signal to the electric or electronic device for starting an action as a result of a signal received from the switch button <NUM> and/or the at least one radar sensor <NUM>. Hence, according to embodiments of the invention, the processor <NUM> may be adapted for sending a signal to the electric or electronic device, such as a lighting device, shutters, an HVAC system,. for starting an action as a result of a signal received from the switch button <NUM> and/or the at least one radar sensor <NUM>.

The electric or electronic switch module <NUM> may furthermore comprise a wall frame <NUM> for fixing the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> to a wall. The housing <NUM> may be connected to the wall frame <NUM> by means of screws, a click mechanism or the like. Further, fixing claws <NUM> may be provided to fix the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> in a mounting box (not shown) in a wall.

When the electric or electronic device <NUM> is provided in the wall and is fixed with the wall frame <NUM>, a cover plate <NUM> may be provided to finish it. An electric or electronic switch module <NUM> with a cover plate <NUM> (but not fixed to a wall) is schematically illustrated in <FIG>. As a radar sensor has the property of detecting through materials, this cover plate <NUM> may be made out of any suitable material. An advantage hereof is that the radar sensor is invisible to a user and a user only sees a classical switch.

A back side of the housing <NUM> of the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention may comprise three pairs 116a, 116b, 116c of input holes which, with respect to location, correspond to the connector <NUM> on the back side of the actor module <NUM>, as is illustrated in <FIG>. A first pair 116a of holes is for being connected to the net, i.e. to 230V, which provides the possibility to the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> to be used as a stand alone device. A second pair 116b of holes is for being connected to a bus connection, which provides the possibility to the electric or electronic switch module 100to be used as part of a home automation system. The third pair 116c of holes may be an extra pair of input holes, such as push button input holes, alternating switch input holes or crossbar switch input holes.

An electric or electronic switch module <NUM> according to embodiments of the invention can be a stand-alone device module or can be configured to be part of an automation system for residential buildings, offices, schools or hospitals.

When the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> is a stand-alone device, the switching element <NUM> may be a relay provided on the actor module <NUM>. Where the electric or electronic switch module is part of a home automation system, the switching element <NUM> may be a bus connection that is provided on a remote location. Further, when the electric or electronic switch module is part of a home automation system, the electric or electronic switch module <NUM> may furthermore comprise a communication interface for communicating with other devices in the home automation system.

In case of a stand-alone device, the signal from the processor <NUM> may be directly sent to an electric or electric device, such as for example a lighting device, shutters, an HVAC system or the like. The resulting action can then be that, after a person has pushed the switch button <NUM>, a lighting device is switching on or off, or shutters go up or down, or an HVAC system is turned on, or any other similar action that can be triggered by pushing a switch button <NUM>. The same can happen when the at least one radar sensor <NUM> detects the presence of a person in, for example, a room of a building. For example, in such case, upon detecting a person in the room, a lighting device may be turned on or off, shutters may go up or down, an HVAC system is turned on, or any other similar action that can be triggered upon detecting the presence of a person.

Claim 1:
An electric or electronic switch module (<NUM>), for in-wall mounting, for triggering the start of an action of an electric or electronic device, the electric or electronic switch module (<NUM>) comprising:
- a housing (<NUM>) with a housing cover (<NUM>),
- an actor module (<NUM>),
- a sensor module (<NUM>) comprising at least one sensor (<NUM>) and at least a switch function (<NUM>) for activating a switching element (<NUM>) on the actor module (<NUM>), and
- a switch button (<NUM>) for activating the switch function (<NUM>),
wherein the actor module (<NUM>) and the sensor module (<NUM>) are provided in the housing (<NUM>) and are electrically connected to each other,
wherein:
- the actor module (<NUM>) comprises at least a power source (<NUM>) for powering the electric or electronic switch module (<NUM>), and the switching element (<NUM>),
- the switch function (<NUM>) in the sensor module (<NUM>) is for activating the switching element (<NUM>) on the actor module (<NUM>) and
- the housing cover (<NUM>) comprises a flexible lever (<NUM>) for transferring a push on the switch button (<NUM>) to the switch function (<NUM>) on the sensor module (<NUM>),
characterized in that
- the sensor is a radar sensor (<NUM>),
- and in that the radar sensor is configured to act completely independent of the switch function wherein the radar sensor is used for controlling a different function than the switch function, the different function being another electric or electronic device.