A passive rebound switch includes an actuation button, an energy collecting module, a detection control, a housing, a power generation module, and a signal transmission circuit. The actuation button is detachably and pivotally connected to the housing. The power generation device, the signal transmission circuit, and the detection control are accommodated in an receiving chamber formed between the actuation button and the housing. When the actuation button is actuated to move in reciprocated rebounding movement, the energy collecting module is actuated to trigger the power generation module for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the signal transmission circuit for transmitting a control signal. The energy collecting module is disposed between the actuation button and the power generation module. The detection switch pre-activates an I/O interface of an encoder device of the signal transmission circuit prior to the power generation module for generating the electrical power.

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element, which can be lowered by application of force; a snap dome arranged below the operating element for applying haptic feedback to the operating element when the snap dome is deformed by means of the operating element lowering; a blocking body made of an electroactive polymer arranged below the operating element and next to the snap dome, the shape of which blocking body can be altered depending on an electrical voltage applied thereto such that lowering of the operating element is blocked or lowering of the operating element for deforming the snap dome is enabled; a detection apparatus for detecting a contact position of a finger on the operating element; a control apparatus which is set up to adjust a voltage at the blocking body depending on the detected contact position of the finger. The invention further relates to a method for operating an operating device and to a motor vehicle comprising an operating device of this kind.

Self-powered switches include a switch housing having an externally accessible user input member, a coil assembly, and a magnet arranged therein such that at least one of the coil assembly and the magnet move relative to each other responsive to movement of the user input member between first and second switch positions, and a control circuit held in the switch housing and coupled to first and second terminals of the coil assembly. The control circuit is configured to detect respective electrical characteristics of the first and second terminals of the coil assembly responsive to the movement of the user input member, and selectively transmit first and second wireless control signals to a remote receiver based on the respective electrical characteristics of the first and second terminals of the coil assembly, respectively. Related circuits and methods of operation are also discussed.

A wireless transmitter including a rotating actuator, a plate connected to the rotating actuator, and a wireless switch. The wireless switch may include at least one actuating panel and at least one transducer element. The at least one transducer element may be configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The at least one actuating panel may be configured to transmit mechanical energy to the at least one transducer element. The plate may be configured to contact the wireless switch at a rotational end point of the rotating actuator.

A self-powered wireless keyboard by modifying the structure of a traditional membrane keyboard having a volcanic crater structure. Not damaging the original membrane keyboard structure, a micro magnet core is installed inside a cylindrical protrusion block under the key cap as a mover of the induction power generation device, and an induction coil is wound in a key slot of the keyboard base as the stator of the induction power generation device. In this way, when each key is pressed, it will produce induction current. A layer of flexible solar cell can be laid on the upper surface of the key, which can generate electricity by collecting the light energy in the surrounding environment during the time of daily illumination.

An electromagnetic energy converter for a remote switch. The energy converter has an electrical coil and magnetic components, which comprise at least one permanent magnet and at least one ferromagnetic element. The permanent magnet and/or the ferromagnetic element are each movable between two extreme positions, where the movement of the permanent magnet and/or of the ferromagnetic element between the extreme positions leads to a directional reversal of a magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. The magnetic flux is enclosed at least in part by the coil. At least one of the extreme positions is configured as a contactless extreme position at which at least two of the magnet components do not contact.

A wireless switch includes a switch body, a push button connected to the switch body in a state of being movable along an approaching/separating direction between a non-operating position and an operating position, a signal output device accommodated in the switch body and configured to output a switch signal in response to a movement of the push button from the non-operating position to the operating position, and a restriction member that restricts the movement of the push button from the non-operating position to the operation position when the push button is located at the non-operating position.

A wireless switch includes a cover member, a button member, a first plunger, a second plunger, a trigger spring, a return spring, a shaft, a housing, and a power generation module. An intermediate member constituted of the first plunger, the second plunger, the trigger spring, the return spring, and the shaft is connected between the button member and the power generation module. The intermediate member prevents a position of the shaft making contact with the power generating shaft of the power generation module from changing, and causes stress to build up in the trigger spring, until a movement distance of the button member reaches a predetermined distance. The intermediate member releases the stress built up in the trigger spring and pushes the power generation shaft with the shaft using the released stress upon the movement distance of the button member reaching the predetermined distance.

A dispenser for hygiene products includes an electromechanical switch that is configured to operate when a hygiene product is dispensed. The action of dispensing the hygiene product causes the electromechanical switch to convert the mechanical energy associated with the dispensing action into electrical energy. The dispenser is configured to use the electrical energy to emit a signal such that the dispenser emits two signals each time a hygiene product is dispensed. A system for monitoring the consumption of hygiene products in a dispenser includes a dispenser as described above and a receiver for wirelessly receiving the emitted signal, the receiver being positioned remotely from the dispenser, and a central computer or server for receiving data from the receiver. A method of monitoring a dispenser for hygiene products is also provided.

Provision is made for a switching device for a wireless switch. The switching device comprises actuating means for receiving a mechanical energy, which can be introduced during a switching operation into the switching device. Furthermore, the switching device with the actuating means and with an energy conversion device comprises mechanically connectible switching means for transmitting the mechanical energy from the actuating means to the energy conversion device, in order to convert the mechanical energy to an electrical energy for transmitting a switching signal. At the same time, the switching means are designed to be actuated during a switching operation by means of the actuating means, in order to transfer, when connected with the energy conversion device, the energy conversion device at least from a first stable condition to a second stable condition, which is different from the first stable condition, in order to produce at least one electrical energy impulse.