Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Condition responsive
Patent
1995-08-18
1998-02-03
Elms, Richard T.
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Condition responsive
307112, 307157, 315362, 323904, 327517, H05B 3908
Patent
active
057148082
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of French Patent Application No. 93/01881, filed Feb. 18, 1993.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process of implementing a system for feeding an electrical unit such as a lighting unit, electrical outlet, relay, electromechanical switch, contactor, electric motor, etc., making it possible to control by touch the powering up or powering down of the said unit and, where necessary, causing variations of intensity of the feed current thereto. The invention extends to installations thus manufactured as well as to preferred applications particularly in the field of home automation or that of the manufacture of lamps and light fittings.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Electronic apparatus which make it possible to control a lighting element by simple touch of a sensitive conductor element are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,959, describes an electric lamp control module which makes it possible to turn it on or off by touching a metallic shaft. "SIEMENS" manufactures and sells an electronic module under the reference "CMOS DIMMER SLB0586" which comprises a static interrupter switch, an electronic power dimmer and an electronic control circuit of these components; this circuit is provided with a detection input connected to a metallic bonding pad forming a tactile sensor so as to deliver control pulses which are a function of the currents which are caused on the said input detection when an operator touches the metallic bonding pad; these impulses are configured by the control circuit in a manner so as to open or close the static switch in case of brief contact on the metallic bonding pad, or to control a cyclic variation of the power at the output of the dimmer in case of prolonged contact. Such a control module is formed by the manufacturer to be utilized in particular in the home automation field so as to replace wall switches, and to make it possible to turn on or off a lighting element, and to adjust the brightness thereof without any element undergoing mechanical displacement. The control module is generally imbedded in the wall or applied to it (in place of the electromechanical switch) in a manner such that its metallic bonding pad is apparent; the power system of the lighting element remains otherwise traditional; it requires, in particular, the positioning of power conductors connecting the lighting element, the control module whose metallic bonding pad serves as a contactor, and the electrical feed network.
Furthermore, this type of module is used in French Utility Certificate 2,574,157 to a mood lamp having a metallic base, the latter playing the role of a tactile sensor in order to create leakage currents when the operator touches it. However, this use remains very limited because few lamps have a metallic base adapted for this application. To overcome this limitation, U.S. Pat. 4,507,716 and German Patent 2,641,105 envision coating an insulating lamp base so as to render it conductive, or to equip it with a conductive sheet or conductive electrodes, the control module having a sensitive input which is electrically connected to these conductive elements. However, these transformations which the lamps must undergo are costly and modify the appearance thereof, and are not possible for old lamps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to apply in a novel fashion the control modules of the type mentioned above so as to form feed systems of novel design, adapted to lead, particularly in the field of home automation, to considerable advantages, particularly a notable simplification of the power lines, to a reduction of the technical constraints, and to important savings on installation costs (reduction and even elimination of grooves, moldings, wiring ducts, . . . ). Another objective of the invention is to increase considerably the possibilities of application of such modules, in particular application to lamp
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Ansel Daniel
Neri Christian
Elms Richard T.
Paladini Albert W.
Tactilis
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