Building automation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a building automation device adaptable to space and communication requirements, comprising a communications module having a communications bus, an application module which implements the functionality, a bus connector for supplying power and data between the two modules, the communications module comprising a first casing having a first wall from which pins of the connector bus project, and a second wall with a first recess in which the communications bus is inserted, the application module comprising a second casing having a third wall from which a pin receiver projects, and a fourth wall having a second recess including electrical connection terminals, wherein, when the ten pins of the bus connector are introduced in their receiver, the first wall is positioned next to the third wall and the first casing is joined to the second casing by securing means.

Claims

1. A building automation device comprising a communication module having a communications bus of the device, an application module that implements the functionality of the device, and a bus connector between the two modules, wherein said bus connector is for power supply and data transfer, the communication module comprising a first casing with a first wall from which at least ten pins of the bus connector project, a second wall having a first recess in which the communication bus is inserted, the application module comprising a second casing with a third wall from which a receiving connector for the bus connector pins projects, a fourth wall having a second recess that includes electrical connection terminals, in use when the ten pins of the bus connector are introduced in the receiving connector, the first wall is positioned next to the third wall and the first casing is joined to the second casing by securing means.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the securing means are at least one tab arranged in the first casing with a hollow that engages on a protuberance arranged in the second casing.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first casing has a first flat surface with a first opening and the second casing has a second flat surface with a second opening.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second casing has a partition wall between each pair of terminals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present specification is completed by a set of figures that illustrate a preferred embodiment and in no way limit the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective of the device.

(3) FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the closed device, in use.

(4) FIG. 3 represents a rear perspective view of the first casing.

(5) FIG. 4 represents a plan view of a corner of the first casing.

(6) FIG. 5 represents a front perspective view of the first casing.

(7) FIGS. 6 to 8 represent plan views of the first casing with different communication buses.

(8) FIG. 9 is a front view of the first casing of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

(9) FIG. 10 represents a rear perspective view of the second casing.

(10) FIG. 11 represents a perspective view of a corner of the second casing.

(11) FIG. 12 represents a front perspective view of the second casing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) The present invention is a building automation device, shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1 and assembled or in use in FIG. 2, comprising a communication module (1) with a communications bus (1.1) of the device, an application module (2) that implements the functionality of the device, and a bus connector (3) between the two modules (1,2), the bus connector (3) being for power supply and data transfer.

(13) The communication module (1) comprises a first casing (1.2), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, with a first wall (1.3) from which at least ten pins (3.1) of the bus connector (3) project, FIGS. 1 and 5, a second wall (1.4) having a first recess (1.5) in which the communications bus (1.1) is inserted, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the application module (2) comprising a second casing (2.1), as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10 and 12, with a third wall (2.2) from which a receiving connector (3.2) for the bus connector pins (3) projects, FIGS. 1 and 12, a fourth wall (2.3) having a second recess (2.4), FIGS. 1 and 2, which includes electrical connection terminals (4), FIG. 1.

(14) In use, FIG. 2, when the ten pins (3.1) of the bus connector (3) are introduced in the receiving connector (3.2) the first wall (1.3) is positioned next to the third wall (2.2) and the first casing (1.2) is joined to the second casing (2.1) by securing means (5).

(15) A detail of the embodiment explained is that the securing means (5) are at least one tab (5.1), two in the embodiment explained, arranged in the first casing (1.2) with a hollow (5.11), FIGS. 3 and 5, which engage, each one, on a protuberance (5.12) arranged in the second casing (2.1), FIG. 12. This creates a simple and non-permanent attachment, usually two securing means (5) are placed on opposite faces so that the tabs (5.1) can be pressed with the thumb and index finger of one hand.

(16) Another detail of the embodiment explained is that the first casing (1.2) has a first flat surface (1.6) with a first opening (1.61), FIG. 4, and the second casing (2.1) having a second flat surface (2.5) with a second opening (2.51), FIG. 11. This allows the device to be anchored inside a junction box, on a board or any flat surface by means of a flat head screw, for example. Preferably and as shown in the embodiment, the openings (1.61,2.51) are arranged diagonally opposite so as to prevent the device from shifting, with a minimum of two.

(17) Another detail of the explained embodiment is that the second casing (2.1) has a partition wall (2.41) between each pair of terminals (4), or connections to the terminal, whereby each one creates a cavity in the casing (2.1), as depicted, FIG. 10. These walls (2.41) or flaps prevent short circuits produced during the introduction of the different wires in the terminal due to some wire strand not properly entering the terminal cavity.

(18) As can be seen in the explained embodiment, the outer contour of the device has no edges, but an organic shape that facilitates the introduction into the holes of the false ceilings and prevents scratches that occur on the ceiling during installation.

(19) Another advantageous detail of the embodiment shown is that the first casing (1.2) of the communication module (1) has a lip, not referenced in the figures, by way of a male which is inserted into the second casing (2.1) of the application module (2), which facilitates closing the device and makes it more solid.

(20) Preferably, the communication module (1) has a first LED indicator (1.7) and a first push-button (1.8), which allow the user to interact and parameterise some functions of the device, FIGS. 2 and 3. Similarly, the application module (2) also has a second LED indicator (2.6) and a second push-button (2.7), FIGS. 2 and 10.

(21) Advantageously, the first recess (1.5) is adapted for receiving the communications bus (1.1) according to one of the protocols selected from among KNX, C3, C4 and BACnet as shown respectively in FIGS. 6 to 8.

(22) Specifically, for KNX and C3/C4, FIGS. 6 and 7, the same first recess (1.5) serves the purpose. For KNX, FIG. 6, the first programming push-button (1.8) and the first status LED indicator (1.7) are incorporated as a user interface, while for C3/C4, FIG. 7, a rotary selector (1.9) is incorporated for address assignment and a status LED.

(23) On the other hand, for BACnet, FIG. 8, the first recess (1.5) is larger than the previous one, since it goes to five terminals from two. This is due to the insurmountable differences that exist in terms of the user interface. The configuration for BACnet incorporates two rotary selectors (1.9) for address assignment, the first status LED indicator (1.7), and a “DIP switch”-type double selector (1.10) with which to adjust the transmission speed.