Switching device
阅读说明:本技术 开关设备 (Switching device ) 是由 S·R·戴 于 2018-12-21 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及一种开关设备,该开关设备包括具有第一主表面和相对的第二主表面的至少一个(第一)窗玻璃材料片、附接到第一窗玻璃材料片的第一主表面的开关,以及面对第一窗玻璃材料片的第二主表面的传感器组件。开关包括与传感器组件可操作地耦合的可移动部分,使得在开关操作时,可移动部分从第一位置移动到第二位置,并且可移动部分从第一位置到第二位置的移动可被传感器组件检测到。开关设备可以是建筑物或车辆的窗户或门的一部分。(The present invention relates to a switching device comprising at least one (first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. The switch includes a movable portion operatively coupled to the sensor assembly such that upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly. The switch device may be part of a window or door of a building or vehicle.)
1. A switching device comprising at least one (first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface; a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material; and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, wherein the switch comprises a movable portion operatively coupled with the sensor assembly such that, upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly.
2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a sensor and a substrate having a first major surface and a second opposing major surface, wherein the sensor is configured to detect movement of the movable portion from a first position to a second position, preferably wherein the substrate is to be attached to a first sheet of glazing material by an adhesive, in particular an adhesive layer between the substrate and the first sheet of glazing material.
3. A switching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is mounted on the first or second major surface of the substrate, and/or wherein the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
4. The switching device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is mounted on the first major surface of the substrate and the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, or wherein the sensor is mounted on the second major surface of the substrate and the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
5. The switching device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the substrate is optically transparent, and/or wherein the substrate has an opening therein and the sensor is positioned in the opening in the substrate, and/or wherein the substrate comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a glass sheet, preferably a soda-lime-silica glass sheet.
6. The switching device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least one conductive path on the first and/or second major surface of the substrate, the at least one conductive path being in electrical communication with the sensor.
7. The switching device of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor mounted on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the sensor configured to detect a perturbation in the coupling between the movable portion and the sensor assembly due to movement of the movable portion from a first position to a second position.
8. The switching device of claim 7, wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least one conductive path on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the at least one conductive path on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing preferably in electrical communication with a sensor mounted on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing.
9. The switching device according to claim 6 or claim 8, wherein at least one of the conductive paths comprises a conductive coating, in particular a printed ink or a transparent conductive coating, such as a layer of ITO or fluorine doped tin oxide.
10. The switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor comprises a sensing portion and the sensing portion faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
11. A switch apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor assembly acts as a proximity sensor to detect movement of the movable part of the switch from a first position to a second position.
12. The switching device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by an electric field, preferably wherein the sensor assembly comprises a capacitive sensor and movement of the movable part causes a change in capacitance that is detectable by the sensor assembly.
13. The switching apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a sensing capacitor having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate, wherein the sensor assembly comprises the first capacitor plate of the sensing capacitor and the movable portion of the switch comprises the second capacitor plate of the sensing capacitor, preferably wherein the separation of the first and second capacitor plates of the sensing capacitor changes as the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position.
14. The switch apparatus of claim 12, wherein the movable portion of the switch comprises at least one conductive plate, and the sensor assembly includes first and second conductive plates, the conductive plate of the movable portion being capacitively coupled to the first and second conductive plates of the sensor assembly, such that a first capacitance exists between at least a portion of the conductive plate of the movable portion and the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly, and a second capacitance is present between at least a portion of the conductive plate of the movable portion and a second conductive plate of the sensor assembly, and wherein the first and/or second capacitance changes when the conductive plate of the movable portion moves from a first position relative to the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly to a second position relative to the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly.
15. The switching device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, preferably wherein the movable part comprises a magnet and the sensor assembly comprises a magnetic field sensor, in particular a hall effect sensor.
16. The switching device according to claim 15, wherein the movable part comprises a magnetically permeable element movable from a first position to a second position, and the sensor assembly comprises a magnet and a magnetic field sensor, in particular a hall effect sensor; or wherein the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor; or wherein the movable portion comprises a magnetic conducting element and the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor; or wherein the movable part comprises a conductive loop or a closed coil and the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor.
17. The switching device according to claim 15, wherein the movable part comprises at least one closed coil and the sensor assembly comprises a first coil having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector such that an inductive coupling between the at least one closed coil of the movable part and the first coil of the sensor assembly is measurable between the first and second electrical contacts of the first coil of the sensor assembly when moving the movable part from the first position to the second position; or wherein the movable portion comprises at least one closed coil and the sensor assembly comprises a first coil and a second coil, the first coil of the sensor assembly having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector and the second coil of the sensor assembly being in electrical communication with an alternating current power source for generating an alternating magnetic field in the second coil of the sensor assembly, wherein an inductive coupling between the at least one closed coil of the movable portion, the first coil of the sensor assembly and the second coil of the sensor assembly is measurable between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the first coil of the sensor assembly when moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position.
18. The switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part is operatively coupled with the sensor assembly by at least one acoustic signal generated by moving the movable part from a first position to a second position, the acoustic signal being detectable by the sensor assembly.
19. A switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by at least one (first) beam of electromagnetic radiation, more preferably at least one beam of light and/or at least one beam of infrared radiation, preferably wherein the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the first sheet of glazing material and moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position causes interference of the first beam of electromagnetic radiation.
20. The switching device of claim 19, wherein the first beam of electromagnetic radiation includes electromagnetic radiation having at least one (first) wavelength, and wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor having a sensing portion sensitive to electromagnetic radiation having at least the first wavelength.
21. The switching device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength in the range of 300nm to 3000nm, preferably wherein the first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength in the range of 380nm to 780nm and/or at least one wavelength in the range of 780nm to 3000 nm.
22. The switching apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the sensor assembly comprises: (i) an emitter portion for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation through a first sheet of glazing material towards the movable portion; and (ii) a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, and the movable portion comprises a portion that reflects electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, such that upon moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position, electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is reflected onto the sensor portion.
23. The switching device of claim 22, wherein electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is not reflected onto the sensor portion when moving the movable portion from the second position to the first position.
24. The switching device of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the sensor assembly comprises: (i) an emitter portion for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation through a first sheet of glazing material towards the movable portion; and (ii) a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, and the movable portion comprises a portion that reflects the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, the reflected portion reflecting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the sensor portion, and the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflected portion changing polarization and/or amplitude and/or direction when the movable portion is moved from the first position to the second position; or wherein the sensor assembly comprises (i) an emitter portion for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the movable portion; and a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, the first beam of electromagnetic radiation being internally reflected from a first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material onto the sensor portion, and the movable portion comprising a contact portion for contacting the first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, such that on moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position, the contact portion of the movable portion is in contact with at least the first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, such that electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is prevented from reaching the sensor portion.
25. The switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a feedback means to indicate when the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position, preferably wherein the feedback means comprises at least one illumination source, in particular a light emitting diode, and/or wherein the feedback means faces the second main surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
26. The switching device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second sheet of glazing material spaced apart from the first sheet of glazing material, preferably wherein the sensor assembly is located between the first sheet of glazing material and the second ply of glazing material.
27. The switching device according to claim 26, wherein the first sheet of glazing material is coupled to the second sheet of glazing material by at least one sheet of adhesive interlayer material, in particular at least one sheet of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), acoustically modified PVB, a copolymer of ethylene such as vinyl acetate, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride or a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid.
28. The switching device of claim 26, wherein the first sheet of glazing material is coupled to the second sheet of glazing material by a perimeter seal such that there is at least one air space between the first sheet of glazing material and the second sheet of glazing material, preferably wherein the air space is a low pressure air space.
29. The switching device according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the second sheet of glazing material is spaced apart from the third sheet of glazing material.
30. The switching device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a second sheet of glazing material, wherein the substrate is between the first and second sheets of adhesive interlayer material, and the first and second sheets of adhesive interlayer material are between the first and second sheets of glazing material, preferably wherein the substrate is positioned in a cut-out region in a third sheet of adhesive interlayer material, and the first, second and third sheets of adhesive interlayer material are between the first and second sheets of glazing material.
31. A switch arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part of the switch is moved between the first and second positions by a manually generated force, and/or wherein the movable part of the switch is moved between the first and second positions by a manually generated force parallel or perpendicular to the first main surface.
32. The switch device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable portion of the switch is slidable or rotatable relative to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
33. A switch device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part of the switch is a depressible part.
34. A switch apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch comprises a resilient portion which is at least part of the movable portion of the switch.
35. A switching apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch comprises a spring biased switch to bias the moveable portion in either the first or second position.
36. The switch device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch comprises a body portion and the body portion is attached to a first major surface of a first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the body portion, preferably wherein the body portion is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive.
37. The switch device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch comprises a housing and the housing is attached to a first major surface of a first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the housing, preferably wherein the housing is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive.
38. The switch apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch comprises at least one foot attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the at least one foot, preferably wherein the at least one foot is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive.
39. A window or door comprising at least one switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably being part of a vehicle having an interior space or a building having an interior space, preferably wherein the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material faces away from the interior space of the vehicle or the interior space of the building.
40. A vehicle having a window according to claim 39 wherein the switch device is operatively coupled with an electrically operable device that at least partially controls the operational state of one or more of a vehicle window, a vehicle door, a rear window, a vehicle hood, a vehicle trunk lid and a vehicle fuel filler lid.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a switching device comprising a sheet of window glass (glazing) material, which switching device can be used to actuate an electrically operable device communicating with the switching device.
Background
It is known to use switches to cause current to flow to electrically operated devices, thereby actuating the electrically operated devices.
In many applications, the switch is remote from the electrically operated device to be actuated, for example, a room light is usually turned on or off by means of a switch located on a wall.
In other applications, the switch may be integrated with an electrically operated device, such as an "on/off" button type switch on a television or mobile phone, where the switch is typically located in a housing around the screen.
For some applications, it is difficult to integrate the switch with an electrically operated device. For example, in door applications including electrically operable mechanisms to open/close or lock/unlock doors, while the switch is typically incorporated into the door frame, it is often desirable to locate the switch on the door leaf (door leaf) itself. Although this is acceptable for certain types of door leaves, in the case of glass door leaves, it is difficult to integrate the switch with the glass sheet forming the door leaf. One known solution is to provide the glass door leaf with a hole of suitable size (usually by drilling) and incorporate a suitable switch into the hole. However, this solution may weaken the door leaf and in applications requiring thermally toughened glass, holes must be drilled before thermally toughening the glass sheet. The situation is similar for windows comprising panels of glazing material, in some cases it may be desirable to locate a switch on a panel of glazing material.
A control for use on a solid plate without a control shaft aperture is described in US4,233,593.
A switch/display unit is described in GB 2157078A.
Control arrangements for electric cooking appliances are described in US5,920,131, US6,498,326B1 and DE102004013947B 3. A control element for switching and controlling an appliance with a cover is described in US6,294,906B1.
It is also known to use remotely activated wireless switches. Such switches are known in the automotive field and are used in vehicles for remotely opening the trunk lid.
Typically, a vehicle key fob (key fob) includes suitable circuitry to wirelessly transmit a signal to a sensor in the vehicle, which then actuates a trunk lid release mechanism.
However, in some cases, such systems are difficult to operate, for example, a key fob still needs to be actuated.
As more and more vehicles evolve towards keyless entry (keyess entry), where it is known to unlock the doors upon detecting the presence of a key fob on a user, the accessibility of the key fob becomes more of a problem because there is no need for the actual key to be physically inserted into the ignition system of the vehicle to drive the vehicle. In such systems, although the door and/or trunk lid mechanisms are unlocked by detecting the presence of a key fob on the user, a manually operated switch (door handle, trunk release mechanism) is typically required to gain access to the vehicle and the position of such a switch is largely dependent on the design of the vehicle body.
A keyless entry system for a vehicle is described at US6,617,975B1.
It is known to use capacitive switches incorporated into laminated glazings, for example as described in WO2008/113978a 1. Capacitive switches may be affected by raindrops on the outer surface of the window and/or the vehicle user may wear gloves, making it difficult to manually operate this type of switch.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention aims to overcome at least partly the above problems.
Accordingly, the present invention provides, from a first aspect, a switching apparatus comprising at least one (first) sheet of glazing material having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, a switch attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, and a sensor assembly facing the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, wherein the switch comprises a movable portion operatively coupled with the sensor assembly such that, upon operation of the switch, the movable portion moves from a first position to a second position, and movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position is detectable by the sensor assembly.
By coupling the movement of the movable portion of the switch with the sensor assembly, the switch may be positioned on one side of the sheet of glazing material and the sensor assembly on the opposite side. This avoids the need to use holes or apertures (i.e. through holes or blind holes) in the sheet of glazing material which would weaken the sheet of glazing material. Furthermore, by attaching the switch to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the switch is positioned so as to be readily visible to a person and can be more conveniently positioned so as to be more easily operated. Movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position creates a disturbance in the coupling between the movable portion and the sensor assembly, which disturbance can be remotely sensed by the sensor assembly through the first sheet of glazing material.
The invention may be implemented in different embodiments in which the switch is attached to one side of the sheet of glazing material and the sensor assembly is attached to the opposite side of the sheet of glazing material, i.e. the switch is spaced from the sensor assembly by at least the sheet of glazing material.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a sensor and a substrate having a first major surface and a second opposing major surface, wherein the sensor is configured to detect movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position.
Preferably, the sensor is mounted on the first or second major surface of the substrate.
Preferably, the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the sensor is mounted on the first major surface of the substrate, and the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the sensor is mounted on the second major surface of the substrate, and the first major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the substrate is optically transparent.
Preferably, the substrate does not interfere with the detection of the movable part from the first position to the second position by the sensor and/or the sensor assembly.
Preferably, the substrate has an opening therein, and the sensor is positioned in the opening in the substrate.
Preferably, the substrate comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a glass sheet, preferably a soda-lime-silica glass sheet.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises at least one conductive path on the first and/or second major surface of the substrate, the at least one conductive path being in electrical communication with the sensor.
Preferably, at least one of the electrically conductive paths on the first and/or second main surface of the substrate comprises an electrically conductive coating, in particular a printed ink or a transparent electrically conductive coating, such as ITO or a layer of fluorine doped tin oxide.
Preferably, the substrate is attached to the first sheet of glazing material by at least one layer of adhesive. Preferably, the at least one adhesive layer used to attach the substrate to the first sheet of glazing material does not interfere with the ability of the sensor and/or sensor assembly to detect movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position.
Preferably, the sensor comprises a sensing portion and the sensing portion faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the sensor being configured to detect movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises at least one electrically conductive path on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the at least one electrically conductive path on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material preferably being in electrical communication with a sensor mounted on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, at least one of the electrically conductive paths on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material comprises an electrically conductive coating, in particular a printed ink or a transparent electrically conductive coating, such as ITO or a layer of fluorine doped tin oxide.
Preferably, the sensor comprises a sensing portion and the sensing portion faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor having a sensing portion, and the sensing portion faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material. A signal detectable by the sensing portion passes through the first sheet of glazing material to the sensing portion.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted on the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the sensor being configured to detect a perturbation in the coupling between the movable portion and the sensor assembly due to movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor and a substrate, wherein the substrate has a first major surface and a second opposing major surface, the sensor having a sensing portion, wherein the sensor is mounted on the first or second major surface of the substrate, further wherein the sensing portion faces the first or second major surface of the substrate, and the first or second major surface of the substrate faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the substrate is transparent to the signal detectable by the sensing portion. In these embodiments, preferably, the sensing portion faces the first main surface or the second main surface of the substrate so that a signal detectable by the sensing portion passes through the substrate to reach the sensing portion.
Preferably, the substrate has an opening therein, and the sensing portion is arranged to face the opening in the substrate such that a signal detectable by the sensing portion reaches the sensing portion through the opening in the substrate.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor having a sensing portion, and the sensing portion faces away from the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
In some embodiments, the sensor assembly functions as a proximity sensor to detect movement of the movable portion of the switch from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments, the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by an electric field.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises a capacitive sensor and movement of the movable portion causes a change in capacitance detectable by the sensor assembly.
Preferably, the movable portion of the switch comprises at least one conductive plate and the sensor assembly comprises first and second conductive plates, the conductive plates of the movable portion being capacitively coupled with the first and second conductive plates of the sensor assembly such that there is a first capacitance between at least a portion of the conductive plates of the movable portion and the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly and a second capacitance between at least a portion of the conductive plates of the movable portion and the second conductive plate of the sensor assembly, and wherein the first and/or second capacitance changes when the conductive plates of the movable portion are moved from a first position relative to the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly to a second position relative to the first conductive plate of the sensor assembly. The change in the first and/or second capacitance is measurable and can be used to provide a signal to indicate that the switch has been actuated. Preferably, the first and second conductive plates of the sensor assembly are fixed such that the spacing between them is constant or substantially constant.
In some embodiments, the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field.
Preferably, the movable part comprises a magnet and the sensor assembly comprises a magnetic field sensor, in particular a hall effect sensor.
Preferably, the movable part comprises a magnetically permeable element movable from a first position to a second position, and the sensor assembly comprises a magnet and a magnetic field sensor, in particular a hall effect sensor.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor.
In some embodiments in which the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, preferably the movable portion comprises a magnetic conducting element and the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor.
In some embodiments in which the movable part is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, preferably the movable part comprises an electrically conductive loop or closed coil and the sensor assembly comprises an inductive sensor.
In some embodiments, in which the movable part is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, preferably, the movable part comprises at least one closed coil, and the sensor assembly comprises a first coil having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, such that an inductive coupling between the at least one closed coil of the movable part and the first coil of the sensor assembly is measurable between the first and second electrical contacts of the first coil of the sensor assembly when the movable part is moved from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments in which the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, preferably, the movable portion comprises at least one closed loop coil, and the sensor assembly comprises first and second coils, the first coil of the sensor assembly having first and second electrical connectors, and the second coil of the sensor assembly being in electrical communication with an alternating current power source for generating an alternating magnetic field in the second coil of the sensor assembly, wherein an inductive coupling between the at least one closed loop coil of the movable portion, the first coil of the sensor assembly, and the second coil of the sensor assembly is measurable between the first and second electrical contacts of the first coil of the sensor assembly when the movable portion is moved from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments, the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by an acoustic signal, wherein upon moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position, the acoustic signal is generated for detection by the sensor assembly.
In some embodiments, the movable portion is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by at least one (first) beam of electromagnetic radiation, more preferably at least one beam of light and/or at least one beam of infrared radiation. In these embodiments, the beam of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the first sheet of glazing material towards the movable portion, and moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position causes the beam of electromagnetic radiation reflected from at least a portion of the movable portion to be disturbed.
The first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one (first) wavelength. Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises a sensor having a sensing portion sensitive to electromagnetic radiation having at least a first wavelength.
Preferably, the first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength in the range of 300nm to 3000 nm.
Preferably, the first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength in the visible region, i.e. 380nm to 780 nm.
Preferably, the first beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength in the infrared region, i.e. greater than 780nm, preferably 780nm to 3000nm, more preferably 800nm to 1500 nm.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises: (i) an emitter portion for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation through the first sheet of glazing material towards the movable portion; and (ii) a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, and the movable portion comprises a portion that is reflective to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, such that upon moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position, electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is reflected onto the sensor portion. Preferably, the electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is not reflected onto the sensor portion when the movable portion is moved from the second position to the first position.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises: (i) an emitter portion for emitting a first beam of electromagnetic radiation through the first sheet of glazing material towards the movable portion; and (ii) a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, and the movable portion comprises a portion that is reflective to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, the reflective portion reflecting the first beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the sensor portion, and the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective portion changing polarization and/or amplitude and/or direction upon moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position. A change in polarization and/or amplitude and/or direction of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective portion may be used to indicate that the switch has been actuated.
Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises: (i) an emitter portion for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the movable portion, and a sensor portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter portion, the first beam of electromagnetic radiation being internally reflected from a first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material onto the sensor portion, and the movable portion comprising a contact portion for contacting the first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, such that upon moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position, the contact portion of the movable portion is in contact with at least the first portion of the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, such that electromagnetic radiation from the first beam of electromagnetic radiation is prevented from reaching the sensor portion.
In embodiments where the sensor assembly comprises an emitter portion, preferably the emitter portion comprises a light emitting diode and/or an infrared emitting diode.
In embodiments where the sensor assembly comprises a sensor having a sensing portion, preferably the sensing portion is sensitive to visible and/or infrared wavelengths.
In some embodiments, the switching device comprises feedback means to indicate when the movable part moves from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position. In these embodiments, a feedback device may be used to indicate that the switch has been operated.
Preferably, the feedback means comprise at least one illumination source, in particular a light emitting diode.
Preferably, the feedback means faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
In some embodiments, the switching device comprises a second sheet of glazing material spaced apart from the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the sensor assembly is between the first and second sheets of glazing material.
The second sheet of glazing material has a first major surface and a second major surface, and the switching device may be configured such that the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material faces the first major surface of the second sheet of glazing material. Preferably, the sensor assembly faces the second major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the first sheet of glazing material is coupled to the second sheet of glazing material by at least one sheet of adhesive interlayer material, in particular polyvinyl butyral (PVB), acoustically modified PVB, copolymers of ethylene such as vinyl acetate, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride or copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid.
Preferably, the first sheet of glazing material is coupled to the second sheet of glazing material by a peripheral seal such that there is at least one air space between the first sheet of glazing material and the second sheet of glazing material. A sensor assembly may be located in the air space. The air space may be a low pressure air space.
Preferably, the second sheet of glazing material is spaced from the third sheet of glazing material.
The switchable device may comprise more than three spaced apart sheets of glazing material.
In embodiments having first and second sheets of glazing material and wherein the sensor assembly comprises a sensor and a substrate, preferably the substrate is located between the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material and the second sheet of adhesive interlayer material, and the first and second sheets of adhesive interlayer material are between the first and second sheets of glazing material.
In embodiments having first and second sheets of glazing material and wherein the sensor assembly comprises a sensor and a substrate, preferably the substrate is between the first and second sheets of adhesive interlayer material, the substrate is positioned in a cut-out region in the third sheet of adhesive interlayer material, and the first, second and third sheets of adhesive interlayer material are between the first and second sheets of glazing material.
Other embodiments have other preferred features.
Preferably, the movable part of the switch is moved between the first and second positions by a manually generated force.
Preferably, the movable portion of the switch is moved between the first and second positions by a manually generated force parallel or perpendicular to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material.
Preferably, the movable portion of the switch is slidable relative to the first major surface.
Preferably, the movable part of the switch is a depressible part.
Preferably, the switch comprises a resilient portion which is at least part of the movable portion of the switch.
Preferably, the switch comprises a spring biased switch to bias the moveable portion in the first or second position.
Preferably, the switch comprises a body portion and the body portion is attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the body portion. Preferably, the body portion is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive. Suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives and epoxies.
Preferably, the switch comprises a housing and the housing is attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the housing. Preferably, the housing is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive. Suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives and epoxies.
Preferably, the switch comprises at least one foot (foot) attached to the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material, the movable portion being movable relative to the at least one foot. Preferably, the at least one foot is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive. Suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives and epoxies.
Preferably, the switch is attached to the first major surface of the sheet of glazing material by at least one adhesive. Suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives and epoxies.
Preferably, the switching device is operatively coupled with the electrically operable device.
Preferably, the switching device is operatively coupled with the electrically operable device such that upon moving the movable part from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position, the power, in particular the current and/or the voltage, supplied to the electrically operable device is changed. Preferably, the electrically operable device changes from the energised state to the unenergised state upon movement of the movable portion between the first and second positions.
The electrical power may be provided to the electrically operable device by a direct current power source and/or an alternating current power source.
Preferably, the switching device is operatively coupled to the power source.
Preferably, the switching device is a part or a window or a door. The window or door may be part of a building or vehicle.
When the switching device is part of a window or door of a vehicle having an interior space, preferably the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material faces away from the interior space of the vehicle. In such embodiments, the switch may be referred to as being on "surface one" of the window (using conventional nomenclature).
When the switching device is part of a window or door of a building having an interior space, preferably the first major surface of the first sheet of glazing material faces away from the interior space of the vehicle. In such embodiments, the switch may be referred to as being on "face one" of the window (again, using conventional nomenclature).
In some embodiments, the switch device is part of a window or door of a vehicle, and the switch device is operatively coupled with an electrically operable device that at least partially controls the operational state of one or more of a window, a door, a rear window, a vehicle hood, a vehicle trunk lid, and a vehicle fuel filler lid. For example, the electrically operable device may be used to open or close a vehicle fuel filler cap.
Drawings
The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures (not necessarily to scale), in which,
figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a switchable device according to the present invention;
figure 2 shows a schematic representation of another switchable device according to the invention;
figure 3 shows a schematic isometric representation of a sensor assembly for a switchable device according to the invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the sensor assembly shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a schematic exploded isometric representation of a laminated glazing incorporating the sensor assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing shown in figure 5 through line X-X';
FIG. 7 shows a schematic exploded isometric representation of another laminated glazing incorporating the sensor assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing shown in figure 7 through line Y-Y';
figure 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the switchable device of figure 9 in a second configuration;
figure 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the switchable device of figure 11 in a second configuration;
figure 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the switchable device of figure 13 in a second configuration;
figure 15 is a plan view of a sensor assembly used in the switchable device shown in figures 13 and 14;
figure 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the switchable device of figure 16 in a second configuration;
figure 18 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 19 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the switchable device of figure 18 in a second configuration;
figure 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 21 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the switchable device of figure 20 in a second configuration;
figure 22 is a plan view of a sensor assembly used in the switchable device shown in figures 20 and 21;
figure 23 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention, the switchable device being in a first configuration;
figure 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the switchable device of figure 23 in a second configuration;
figure 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switchable device according to the present invention;
figure 26 shows a schematic representation of a car viewed from the rear, incorporating a rear window which is a switchable device according to the present invention;
fig. 27 shows a schematic representation of the vehicle shown in fig. 26, wherein the rear window and optionally the fuel filler cap are open.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows an exemplary switchgear according to the present invention to describe its general operation. The
Typical soda-lime-silica glass compositions are (by weight):
The sheet of
The
For example, the
Angular movement relative to the first
Alternatively, the
The
The
In addition to moving between the first and second positions, the
The controller 7 may also provide sufficient power to actuate the electrically operable device 8, or there may be a separate power source providing power to the electrically operable device 8, and the controller 7 controls the flow of power from the separate power source to the electrically operable device 8.
The controller 7 may be configured such that upon detection of a switch operation by operation of the
In the alternative, the feedback indicator may remain in an active state to indicate that the electrically operable device is in an "on" state until the switch is operated again.
In another alternative, operation of the
Binary on/off type switches can use many known switching operations.
For example, in an embodiment in which no power is supplied to the electrically operable device 8 in the case where the
(a) power is provided to the electrically operable device when the movable part is switched from the first position to the second position. When the movable part moves from the second position to the first position, the supply of electrical power to the electrically operable device is stopped.
(b) Power is provided to the electrically operable device when the movable part is switched from the first position to the second position. At some point thereafter, with the movable part still in the second position, power to the electrically operable device is stopped. Suitable timing circuitry may be used to control when to stop supplying power to the electrically operable device.
(c) The movable portion moves from a first position to a second position and then back to the first position. At some time when the movable part is in the second position, power is supplied to the electrically operable device. When the movable part is moved back to the first position (the duration of the movable part being in the second position may be 1-2 seconds or less), power continues to be supplied to the electrically operable device for a period of time thereafter. At some time after the movable part has moved from the second position to the first position, a suitable timing circuit or the like may be used to stop the supply of electrical power to the electrically operable device.
(d) The movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position (the duration of time the movable portion is in the second position may be 1-2 seconds or less). Upon moving from the second position back to the first position, power is provided to the electrically operable device. The supply of electrical power to the electrically operable device may be stopped by moving the movable portion from the first position to the second position and then back to the first position.
(e) The movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position (the duration of time the movable portion is in the second position may be 1-2 seconds or less). Upon moving from the second position back to the first position, power is provided to the electrically operable device for a certain period of time thereafter. The supply of power to the electrically operable device may be stopped by a suitable timing circuit or the like.
In any of the above switch operations (a) to (e), there may be additional polling circuitry to ensure that the movable part is in the first and/or second position before power is supplied to or ceases to be supplied to the electrically operable device.
The invention may be used with more than one sheet of glazing material, for example a laminated glazing panel as shown in figure 2.
In fig. 2, another
In an alternative embodiment to the embodiment shown, the first sheet of
By operation of the
Fig. 3 shows one type of
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the
Mounted on the first
Also mounted on the first
First, second and third
Second
The third
Power may be supplied to
Second
Also disposed on the first
The
By default, specifically with reference to "a 1171: micropower ultra-sensitive hall-effect switches "that activate the switching of the
When the
Each of the
In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 3, at least one of the
To operate
In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the
Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate one manner in which the
Figure 5 shows a schematic exploded isometric view of a
Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the
Between the first and second glass sheets are two
The
In a variation of the example shown in fig. 5 and 6, only one layer of adhesive interlayer material (either 154 or 156) is provided between the
Figure 7 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of another
In this example, the
Figure 7 shows a stack of unlaminated components that can be laminated together using conventional lamination processes, for example, using appropriate elevated temperatures and pressures.
In the final laminated glazing shown in figure 8, the
In the final
A
In the variant shown in fig. 7 and 8, there may be more layers of adhesive interlayer material in the
In another variation shown in fig. 7 and 8, there may be at least one additional layer of adhesive interlayer material between the first and/or second layers of
In other variations shown in fig. 7 and 8, one of the layers of
In another variation, the
Fig. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
In this embodiment, the
The
As previously described with reference to fig. 3 and 4, positioned between the
The
The
In this example, the
The visible light emitted by the
Upon release of the switch, the biasing force of the
In an alternative to the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the spring
Fig. 10 illustrates the configuration of the
Fig. 11 shows another
The switching
A first layer of
The
The assembly of first and
A
The
When the
The output from the
In a variation of the embodiment shown in fig. 11 and 12, the
For a linearly or rotatably slidable portion, the relative position of the portion (i.e., between the first position and the second position) may be used to provide an output signal from the sensor that is proportional to the difference between the signals from the sensor when the portion is in the first and second positions.
In fig. 13, another switching
The switching
A first layer of
With further reference to fig. 15, the
The assembly of first and
The linear
LED165 is configured to emit a
The
Instead of a linear slidable part, a rotatable part may alternatively be used, whereby rotating the rotatable part moves the mirror so that light from the LED may be reflected from the mirror onto the photodiode.
Fig. 15 shows a plan view of a
The
Mounted on the first
First and second
Third and fourth
The photodiode has first and second output terminals for providing an output signal when the photodiode detects light. The third
The electrically
A
Fig. 16 shows a
The switching
A first layer of
The
In the example shown, suitable conductive paths and electrical contact areas are also located on the
As shown in fig. 17, upon pressing the resilient button, i.e., compressing the hollow dome-shaped
When the resilient button is released, i.e. the hollow dome-shaped
The
In fig. 16, the hollow dome-shaped
The direction of the reflected
Fig. 18 shows another example in which the switchable device obtains the switching signal by optical means.
The switching
A first layer of
The
In this example, a light beam 187 is emitted by the
Attached to the first
As shown in fig. 19, by pressing the
Referring to fig. 20, 21 and 22, another example of a switchable device using a slidable switch is shown. In this example, the
The
As the
In fig. 20, the
Fig. 22 shows a plan view of a
A
Each of the
The axes of symmetry of the first and second coils are aligned and lie along line P-P'. Referring to fig. 20 and 21, the metal portion is aligned with and slidable in parallel relation to line P-P'.
First and second electrical contacts 351a, 351b are disposed on the first major surface 353a of the
The first and second electrical contacts 351a, 351b may be used to provide power to the
Third and fourth electrical contacts 352a, 352b are also provided on the first major surface 353a of the
The third electrical contact 352a is in electrical communication with a first output terminal of the
The conductive tracks 351c, 351d and 352c, 352d may be screen printed onto the first major surface 353a of the
As shown in fig. 20 and 21, a
Fig. 23 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another switching device 411 according to the present invention. The switching device 411 comprises a first glass sheet 413, which first glass sheet 413 is coupled to a second glass sheet 415 by means of two layers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB)417, 419. A portion of the sensor assembly 460 including the substrate 463 is positioned between the first and second layers of PVB 417, 419. A capacitive sensor 465 comprising first and second capacitor plates is mounted on the substrate 463.
In this example, the substrate 463 is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet. Conductive paths on the PET sheet 463 are used to provide power to the capacitive sensor 465. A portion 469 of the sensor assembly 460 extends beyond the periphery of the PVB 417, 419 sheet.
Attached to the major surface 413a of the first glass piece 413 is a switch 423 comprising a rubber button 424. The rubber button 424 may be made of other resilient materials. Rubber button 424 is attached to major surface 413a by means of a suitable adhesive.
The rubber button 424 is hollow, and a space 425 is defined between a main surface 413a and an inner surface (i.e., a surface of the rubber button facing the space 425) of the rubber button 424. A conductive layer 426 is located on the inner surface of rubber button 424 facing major surface 413a, such as conductive element 426 being a conductive coating, metal foil, or metal mesh, or the like. The conductive element is a capacitor plate operatively coupled to a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate that are part of capacitive sensor 465. A first capacitance is formed between the first capacitor plate of capacitive sensor 465 and conductive layer 426. A second capacitance is formed between the second capacitor plate of capacitive sensor 465 and conductive layer 426.
As shown in fig. 24, when a
An electromagnetic shield 421 (shown in phantom), such as a conductive plate, may optionally be attached to the major surface 415a of the second glass piece 415. The electromagnetic shield 421 prevents the capacitance sensor 465 from detecting a capacitance change in the direction of the main surface 415 a.
In fig. 23, the rubber button 424 is shown in a first position, and in fig. 24, the rubber button 424 is shown in a second position.
Fig. 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another
Insulating
Between the first and
The
In the previously described examples, the respective sensor components may be susceptible to stray signals from movement of parts other than the movable part of the switch. To reduce the sensitivity of the sensor assembly to such stray signals, means may be included for reducing the strength of the stray signals that the sensor assembly can detect. For example, for a sensor assembly including an optical sensor, the use of a black paint around the optical sensor may be used to reduce the sensitivity of the optical sensor to stray optical signals. Similarly, when the movable portion of the switch is operatively coupled to the sensor assembly by a magnetic field, potential movable portions other than the movable portion of the switch may be made of materials that have no effect on magnetic coupling.
Fig. 26 and 27 show schematic views towards the rear of a
The
Attached to the outwardly facing surface 502 of the
A second switch 513 is also positioned on the
Upon operation of the second switch 513, the fuel filler cap 514 is opened (shown in phantom in the open position in FIG. 26) to allow access to the fuel tank.
In an alternative embodiment, the second switch 513 is positioned on a side window of the automobile.
The present invention finds particular application in automotive and architectural applications, where the switching device may be part of an automotive glazing or an architectural glazing. The glazing may be part of a window or door, and the switch may be attached to "surface one" of the glazing using common naming conventions. By having a manually operable switch on the window glass, its position can be located to allow for more convenient operation of the switch.