阅读说明：本技术 位置检测器、门打开检测装置及相关方法 (Position detector, door opening detection device and related method ) 是由 C.彼得斯 M.利姆伯特 P.博诺米尼 C.西兰斯 G.比莱特 于 2019-11-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：物体的位置检测器(1)包括主体(2),该主体限定接收传递光信号的光纤(4)的输入(3)和传递代表物体位置的信号的输出。镜子(5)安装成相对于输入在主体(2)中的第一和第二位置之间移动。第一位置或第二位置确保光信号从输入(3)传输到输出。第一位置和第二位置中的另一个防止光信号传输到输出。弹簧(6)安装在主体(2)中,以便将镜子(5)置于第一位置。末端(7)可相对于主体(2)沿移动方向在第一位置和第二位置之间移动,并用于与待监控物体配合。(A position detector (1) of an object comprises a body (2) defining an input (3) to receive an optical fibre (4) conveying an optical signal and an output to convey a signal representative of the position of the object. The mirror (5) is mounted for movement relative to the input between first and second positions in the body (2). The first position or the second position ensures that the optical signal is transmitted from the input (3) to the output. The other of the first position and the second position prevents the optical signal from being transmitted to the output. A spring (6) is mounted in the body (2) to place the mirror (5) in the first position. The tip (7) is movable in a direction of movement relative to the body (2) between a first position and a second position and is intended to cooperate with an object to be monitored.)

1. A position detector (1) for monitoring a position of an object, comprising:

-a body (2) defining an input (3) designed to receive an optical fiber (4) conveying a first optical signal,

an output delivering a signal representative of the position of the object to be monitored,

said position detector (1) being characterized in that it comprises:

-a mirror (5) mounted to be movable inside the body (2) and relative to the input (3) between a first position and a second position, the first position or the second position ensuring transmission of the light signal from the input (3) to the output to form a light signal representative of the position of the object, the other of the first position and the second position preventing transmission of the light signal to the output,

-a first spring (6) mounted in the body (2) and configured to place the mirror (5) in a first position,

-an end piece (7) movable in a direction of movement with respect to the body (2) between a first position and a second position and designed to cooperate with an object to be monitored, the end piece (7) being mechanically connected to the mirror (5) in such a way that:

-the mirror (5) is in the first position when the end piece (7) is in the first position,

-the mirror (5) is in the second position when the end piece (7) is in the second position,

-displacement of the end piece (7) from the first position to the second position causes the mirror (5) to move from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the mirror (5) to abut against the optical fiber (4) in a position ensuring transmission of the optical signal.

2. The position detector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mirror (5) is mounted for translational movement between the first and second positions.

3. The position detector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second spring (8) is mounted on the mirror (5) and the end piece (7), the second spring (8) being configured to move the end piece (7) towards the first position.

4. The position sensor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a system for fixing said body (2) to a hooking member, the system for fixing comprising two projecting elements (9) surrounding the body (2), the two projecting elements (9) being spaced apart along a direction connecting the inlet (3) and the end piece (7), at least one of the two projecting elements (9) being mounted so as to be removable with respect to the body (2).

5. The position detector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the input (3) forms the output such that an optical signal output from the position detector (1) passes through the optical fiber (4).

6. The position detector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a stop (10) protruding from the end piece (7), the stop (10) being mounted adjustable in order to adjust the extension of the stop (10) relative to the end piece (7) according to the direction of movement.

7. A housing comprising an object and a position detector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the position detector (1) being arranged such that:

-the end piece (7) is in the first position when the object is in the first position,

-the end piece (7) is in the second position when the object is in the second position,

-moving the object from the first position to the second position such that the end piece (7) moves from the first position to the second position.

8. Housing according to the previous claim, wherein the object is a door, a window or a hatch.

9. The housing according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing is an optical connection node comprising a plurality of optical fibers.

10. A method of detecting the position of an object, comprising the steps of:

-providing a position detector (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6,

-moving the object from the first position to the second position causes the mirror (5) to move from the first position to the second position and the output signal to change.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an object position detector, a door opening detection device and a method of using such a detector or detection device.

Background

In many fields, it is particularly advantageous to know the position of an object that can be moved between two different positions, such as a door or window that can be opened or closed.

It is known to mount electrical contacts on doors, which may be of the capacitive, inductive or magnetic type, in order to distinguish between varying amounts of electricity between an open door and a closed door.

This solution is interesting because it is cheap and easy to install in residential areas where the technical restrictions are low. However, it appears that in many cases, such a detector arrangement is difficult to implement, as it requires that the building and each door and window that must be monitored are powered.

This is followed by the problem of the power supply of the sensor and the processing of the signal supplied by the sensor to the control station.

It is also known to use position detectors that use optical signals. Typically, the sensor has a light source that is powered. The sensor is associated with a light detector that receives a light signal from the light source. The detector is also powered.

The movement of the door may be detected when the movement of the door causes the light sensor to stop receiving the light signal. Typically, the sensor is mounted on the moving part, while the light source is fixedly mounted. And vice versa. Finally, the light source and the sensor may be arranged in a fixed manner such that movement of the door interrupts reception of the light signal.

Here again, it seems necessary to supply the light sources and the sensors associated with each door to be monitored.

This solution is not feasible when the door whose position is to be known is located at a great distance from the control station, in particular when the door is not located near the voltage source.

This solution is not imaginable when a large number of doors has to be monitored, since it means that a large amount of power is consumed for powering the detector, whatever the technology used. This is also true when the detector must be installed in a confined space, such as a housing designed to contain explosive or flammable materials.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a passive detection device that can be more easily used in a variety of configurations.

We tend to address this need by an object position detector comprising:

a body defining an entrance for receiving an optical fiber conveying a first optical signal,

-an output delivering a signal representative of the position of the object to be monitored.

The position detector is remarkable in that it comprises:

a mirror mounted inside the body and movable relative to the input between a first position and a second position, the first position or the second position ensuring transmission of the light signal from the input to the output to form a light signal representative of the position of the object, the other position between the first position and the second position preventing transmission of the light signal to the output,

a first spring mounted in the body and configured to place the mirror in a first position in the absence of stress,

an end piece that is movable in a direction of movement with respect to the body between a first position and a second position and is designed to cooperate with an object to be monitored, the end piece being mechanically connected to the mirror such that:

-the mirror is in the first position when the end piece is in the first position,

-when the end piece is in the second position, the mirror is in the second position,

-the end piece moving from the first position to the second position causes the mirror to move from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the mirror is mounted for translational movement between a first position and a second position.

Advantageously, a second spring is mounted on the mirror and the end piece, the second spring being configured to move the end piece towards the first position.

In a particular embodiment, the detector comprises a system for fixing the body to a fixing point, the system for fixing comprising two projecting members surrounding the body, the two projecting members being spaced apart in the direction of connecting the inlet and the end piece, at least one of the two projecting members being detachably mounted with respect to the body.

It is advantageously provided that the input forms an output, so that the optical signal at the output of the position detector passes through the optical fiber.

In a further development, the detector comprises a stop projecting from the end piece, the stop being adjustably mounted for adjusting the extension of the stop relative to the end piece in the direction of travel.

The invention also relates to a housing provided with an opening closed by an object, the housing comprising a position sensor according to one of the preceding embodiments, the position detector being arranged such that:

-the end piece is in the first position when the object is in the first position,

-when the object is in the second position, the end piece is in the second position,

-the object is moved from the first position to the second position such that the end piece is moved from the first position to the second position.

Preferably, the housing is an optical connection node comprising a plurality of optical fibres.

Another object of the invention is a method of detecting the position of an object that is easy to implement.

The detection method is remarkable in that the method comprises the following steps:

-providing a position detector according to any of the preceding configurations,

-moving the object from the first position to the second position causes the mirror to move from the first position to the second position and causes the output signal to change.

Drawings

Further advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of particular embodiments and modes of realisation of the invention, which are given for non-limiting exemplary purposes only and are illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an object position detector and an optical fiber before installation in the position detector according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 schematically shows a longitudinal cross section of a position detector according to an embodiment of the invention, the end piece being in a first position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a position detector 1 provided with a body 2 defining an input 3 to receive an optical fibre 4. The optical fiber 4 transmits an optical signal passing through the position detector 1. The position detector 1 delivers an output signal representing the position of the object of interest. The output signal is an optical signal.

The body 2 advantageously comprises a head 2a cooperating with a coupling member 4a mounted on the optical fibre 4.

The position detector 1 comprises a mirror 5 movably mounted in the body 2 and opposite the entrance 3. The mirror 5 is moved between a first position and a second position. The first position or the second position authorizes the transmission of the optical signal from the input 3 to the output to provide a signal representative of the position of the object. The other of the first position and the second position prevents the optical signal from being transmitted to the output. The position of the object is defined by whether or not the light signal is provided.

With this configuration, detecting whether an output signal is present at the output of the position detector 1 makes it possible to determine whether the object to be monitored is at the first position or the second position.

The mirror 5 is moved between two positions to provide an output signal corresponding to the input signal. Thus, the position detector 1 may be free of a light source. This configuration allows the light source to be moved a great distance, in particular to the area to be powered, which may not be the case for the area comprising the position detector. The detector is advantageously free of optical signal sensors.

The use of the mirror 5 makes it possible to form a passive device that does not comprise a light source, nor does it comprise a light sensor that allows its installation without the use of a current source.

Advantageously, the mirror 5 has a transmission line 5a contacting the optical fiber 4 and the reflector 5 b. The optical signal is reflected from the transmission line 5a on the reflector 5 b. It is advantageous to make the transmission line 5a and the reflector 5b movable to better realize the transmission or non-transmission of the output signal. Advantageously, the transmission line 5a is formed by an optical fiber. An optical fiber is a very thin wire with a core that is advantageously made of glass or plastic and has the property of conducting light. The core is covered by a protective sheath.

A first spring 6 is mounted in the body 2. The first spring 6 is configured to place the mirror 5 in the first position. Without bias, the mirror 5 in the second position returns to the first position.

The detector 1 further comprises an end piece 7 which is movable in a direction of movement relative to the body 2 between a first position and a second position. The end piece 7 is designed to cooperate with the object to be monitored. The end piece 7 protrudes from the body 2 and advantageously slides therein in order to move the mirror 5.

The end piece 7 is mechanically connected to the mirror 5 so that:

when the end piece 7 is in the first position, the mirror 5 is in the first position,

when the end piece 7 is in the second position, the mirror 5 is in the second position,

the movement of the end piece 7 from the first position to the second position causes the movement of the mirror 5 from the first position to the second position.

Advantageously, the mirror 5 is mounted such that it can move only in translation between the first and second positions. The use of a mirror mounted with only translational movement makes it possible to manufacture a position detector 1, which position detector 1 is compact and easy to implement and is more resistant than a configuration in which the mirror 5 is rotatably mounted.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the second spring 8 is mounted on the mirror 5 and the end piece 7. The second spring 8 is configured to move the end piece 7 to the first position. It is particularly advantageously provided that the mirror 5 is not mounted directly on the end piece 7. In fact, when the mirror 5 is fixed directly to the end piece 7, all shocks received by the end piece 7 (for example when the door hits the end piece 7 violently) will generate as many shocks on the mirror 5, which will eventually deteriorate or come into contact with the detector 1 or other components of the optical fibre 4. It is then advantageous to mount an elastic element, for example a second spring, which is mounted between the mirror 5 and the end piece 7. Advantageously, the second spring is mounted in the body 2.

The stress applied to the end piece 7 to move it from the first position to the second position results in stress applied to the mirror to move it from the first position to the second position. The elastic means 8 absorb some of the initial stress to move the mirror without significant stress on the contact area between the optical fiber and the mirror.

The stiffness of the resilient element 8 is chosen such that it does not prevent the movement of the mirror 5 by completely absorbing the movement of the end piece 7. It is important to avoid using too soft materials. According to the same logic, the use of a material that is too rigid and whose deformation is zero or very small should be avoided, which would result in a construction without the elastic element 8.

The first and second springs 6 and 8 are arranged to exert opposing forces on the mirror 5. However, it is particularly advantageous that the force exerted by the second spring 8 is greater than the force exerted by the first spring 6 in order to move the mirror 5 away from the optical fibre 4, so that the opening of e.g. a door is more easily detected. The use of a spring 8 having a stiffness greater than that of the spring 6 allows the mirror 5 to be brought closer to the optical fibre 4 and to be placed in a reflecting position, preferably an optimal reflecting position, when the end piece 7 is moved. Once the mirror 5 is in contact with the optical fibre 4, the over travel of the end piece 7 or any element to be monitored is absorbed by the spring to avoid putting too much stress on the interface between the mirror 5 and the optical fibre 4, thereby avoiding premature wear of the mirror 5.

It is advantageous to have a resilient element 8 with a stiffness in the same range as the stiffness of the first spring 6. Preferably, the second spring 8 is ten times less stiff than the first spring 6, even more preferably five times less stiff and even more preferably two times less stiff.

Advantageously, the first spring 6 and the elastic element 8 are separated by the mirror 5.

Preferably, in the absence of a bias, the first spring 6 moves the mirror 5 to a position where the optical signal provided to the input 3 does not reach the output. It is also advantageously provided that when the optical fibre 4 is mounted in the input 3, the mirror 5 abuts against the optical fibre, rather than against another stop of the detector, when the mirror is in the second position.

In other words, without a bias, the first spring 6 moves the mirror 5 at a distance from the optical fiber 4 such that when the end piece 7 is moved from the first position to the second position, the mirror 5 is moved from the first position to the second position defined by the contact between the mirror 5 and the optical fiber 4. This configuration allows for better adaptability of the second position with respect to the embedding of the optical fiber 4 in the detector 1.

It should also be noted that the mirror 5 does not apply a force to the optical fibre 4, the force applied to the optical fibre 4 being defined by the stiffness of the second spring 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror 5 is arranged such that the input 3 receiving the optical signal from the optical fibre 4 sends the signal back to the input, forming an output. In other words, the mirror 5 is arranged to send the output signal back to the optical fiber 4.

The reflecting plane of the mirror 5 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber 4 or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber 4. Advantageously, the contact between the transmission line 5a and the optical fibre 4 is of the APC type (angled physical contact). Preferably, the optical fiber 4 and the transmission line 5a each have a face that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber 4. Advantageously, the angular offset between the end face of the optical fibre 4 and the transmission line 5a is offset by an angle of between 5 ° and 12 ° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fibre 4. Thus, the conjugate deviation of the incident and reflected beams allows the attenuation to increase very rapidly according to the distance between the fiber 4 and the face of the transmission element 5 a. This attenuation causes the incident and reflected beams to diverge because the fresnel reflections inherent in the fiber 4 are not conducted into the fiber due to the face angle.

In some embodiments, the signal reflected by mirror 5 may be further attenuated by rotation of mirror 5 relative to optical fiber 4 in combination with longitudinal displacement of mirror 5 and/or by anti-reflection processing of the chamber wall containing mirror 5.

It is also conceivable to provide a specific embodiment in which a lens provided with an antireflection treatment is inserted to perform the same function without contact. Preferably, the lens is configured to form an expanded light beam, the lens being moved according to the position of the end piece 7, which changes the shape of the light beam to distinguish between at least two positions of the end piece 7.

The use of the optical fibre 4 to receive the optical output signal increases the compactness of the detector 1. The other end of the optical fibre is provided with means for generating an optical signal and also being able to detect the optical signal from the optical fibre 4. Thus, the user arranged at the other end of the optical fiber 4 emits an optical signal that reaches the position detector 1. Depending on the position of the end piece 7, the light signal is sent back to the output or not, which allows the user to know the position of the end piece 7 and thus the position of the object that is mated with the end piece 7.

The position detector 1 provides an output signal representative of the position of an end piece 7, which end piece 7 cooperates with an object to be monitored, such as a door, a window or any other object capable of closing an opening. Preferably, the position detector 1 is fixedly mounted and the object moves, causing the end piece to move. Alternatively, the detector is mounted on the moving object and the end piece 7 cooperates with the fixed element. It may also be provided that the object to be monitored is movable and that the position detector is also mounted on the movable element.

For ease of installation, the detector 1 advantageously comprises a system for fixing the body 2 to the hooking means. The system for fixing comprises two projecting elements 9 surrounding the body 2. The two projecting elements 9 are spaced apart in the direction of connecting the inlet 3 and the end piece 7. At least one of the two projecting elements 9 is removably mounted with respect to the body 2.

The mounting of the detector 1 is done by inserting the detector into a through hole larger than the size of the body 2 and smaller than the size of the two protruding elements 9. By clamping the two projecting elements 9, the sensor 1 is mounted firmly and its end piece 7 will cooperate with the object whose position is to be monitored.

Advantageously, one or both of the projecting elements 9 are screwed onto the body 2 to adjust the distance between the two projecting elements 9 and the clamping force of the detector on its support.

Advantageously, the detector 1 comprises a stop 10 mounted on the end piece 7. The stop 10 protrudes from the end piece 7 such that the stop 10 contacts the object to be monitored. The stop 10 is configured to extend more or less from the surface of the end piece 7 in order to accommodate the end piece 7 being pressed into the body 2 as the object moves. For example, the stopper is rotatably mounted on a screw thread to adjust the extension of the stopper 10 relative to the end piece 7.

Such a position detector 1 is particularly advantageous for tracking the opening of doors, windows and/or any aperture, such as an entrance hatch or a manhole cover in an enclosed space that is not powered by electricity. It is envisaged that the position detector may be mounted on a manhole cover, or on the door of a submerged or unsinkable ship. It has been found that perforating the walls of the ship is particularly complicated. It is therefore particularly advantageous to use this technique, which avoids drilling holes in the wall of the ship.

The use of such a detector is particularly advantageous in optical connection nodes having a plurality of optical fibres and which are generally without power.

Such detectors are also particularly advantageous for monitoring the opening and closing of housings intended to contain explosive and/or flammable materials, and for such housings, the use of current-driven detectors is prohibited or more difficult to implement.

Such detectors are also particularly advantageous for monitoring the opening and closing of doors, windows or hatches in a wet or underwater environment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the detector is passive, i.e., it has no power source. The detector is connected to an optical fibre 4 which provides the optical signal. This same optical signal is re-emitted or not in the optical fiber, which enables the position of the end piece 7 to be distinguished.

The use of an optical fiber 4 in connection with the optical signal is particularly advantageous, since the light source may be several hundred meters or even several tens of kilometers from the detector, e.g. more than 10 kilometers.

It can also be seen that the signal indicative of the position of the end piece and thus of the object to be monitored is an optical signal, which makes it possible to easily manage a very large number of objects by multiplexing different signals from a plurality of detectors.

The operation of the detector is as follows. The detector used is a detector according to one of the different embodiments described above.

The object is moved from the first position to the second position, which causes the end piece 7 to move from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the mirror 5 to move from the first position to the second position. The movement of the mirror 5 causes a change in the output signal. An output signal in the form of a light output signal may be extinguished by this movement. Alternatively, the optical signal may occur due to displacement.

As described above, when the object moves from the second position to the first position, the end piece also moves from the second position to the first position like a mirror. The state of the output signal changes.

For example, during an intervention, the housing is opened, which modifies the state of the output signal delivered by the detector 1. The change of state may be associated with a time stamp. Once the intervention is over, the casing is closed again, which modifies the state of the output signal delivered by the detector 1. The change of state may be associated with a time stamp. The intervention time is the time between two state changes. This makes it possible to know the exact duration of the intervention. This may also detect if the housing is not properly closed.

The detector is a robust detector since it is not electrically driven and is equipped with a movable mirror mounted within the body.

Advantageously, the detector emits the output optical signal when the object is in its intended position, for example when the door, window and normally the opening are closed. The absence of a light signal indicates that the opening is open or that the detector or light source is malfunctioning.

Advantageously, once the optical fibre 4 is installed in the body 2, the position detector 1 is sealed against dust or liquid.