Apparatus for remote manipulation of electric equipment

Abstract

An apparatus (200) for remote manipulation of an electric equipment. The apparatus (200) comprises a supporting structure (204) adapted to be attached to the electric equipment adjacent to a button (202a) of the electric equipment, and an elongated lever (206) attached to an axis (204a) of the supporting structure between a first end and a second end of the elongated lever such that the elongated lever is rotatable around the axis (204a). The apparatus (200) also comprises an actuation member (208, 210) adapted to actuate the first end of the elongated lever in response to an actuation signal (S) such that the elongated lever rotates around the axis (204a) so to move a finger portion (206c) at the second end of the lever against the button with a predefined maximum length. Thereby, a precise and well-defined movement of the finger portion (206c) can fairly easy be created with a predefined maximum length which is sufficient to press the button (202a) to activate some function as desired, but without risking damage of the button (202a).

Claims

1. An apparatus for remote manipulation of an electric equipment, the apparatus comprising: a supporting structure adapted to be attached to the electric equipment adjacent to a push button of the electric equipment, the push button being operable by selectively applying and releasing a pushing force normal to a main surface of the push button, an elongated lever attached to an axis of the supporting structure between a first end and a second end of the elongated lever, such that the elongated lever is rotatable around the axis of the supporting structure, and an actuation member adapted to actuate the first end of the elongated lever in response to an actuation signal such that the elongated lever rotates around the axis of the supporting structure so as to move a finger portion at the second end of the elongated lever against the main surface of the push button and push the push button with the finger portion to a predefined maximum distance, wherein the actuation member comprises a rod pivotally attached to the first end of the elongated lever.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuation member is an electromechanical actuator comprising an electromagnet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod pivotally attached to the first end of the elongated lever is arranged to move in one direction relative to the supporting structure when the actuation member is activated and to move in another opposite direction relative to the supporting structure when the actuation member is deactivated.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rod is arranged to move upwards when the actuation member is activated to apply force against the push button, and to fall downwards when the actuation member is deactivated so as to release the force against the push button.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rod is arranged to move downwards when the actuation member is activated to apply force against the push button, and to move upwards when the actuation member is deactivated so as to release the force against the push button.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the actuation member comprises a mechanical spring arranged to lift the rod upwards when the actuation member is deactivated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuation member is adapted to be deactivated immediately after being activated.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more adjustment screws for adjusting a position of the finger portion relative to the push button.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a node in a radio network, according to the prior art.

(3) FIG. 2a is a side view of an apparatus for remote manipulation when not activated, according to a possible configuration.

(4) FIG. 2b is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2a when activated.

(5) FIG. 3a is a side view of an apparatus for remote manipulation when not activated, according to another possible configuration.

(6) FIG. 3b is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3a when activated.

(7) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus for remote manipulation showing an example of how the apparatus may be implemented in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Briefly described, a solution is provided to enable use of an actuation member that will not cause damage when manipulating an electric equipment such that a button of the electric equipment is pressed in response to a remotely triggered actuation signal. Embodiments of this solution allow for usage of an actuation member of limited size and which can be placed at a sufficient distance from the equipment so as to avoid unwanted heat and magnetic field from the actuation member to affect or harm the electric equipment and its operation. An example of how an apparatus 200 for remote manipulation of an electric equipment may be constructed will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b.

(9) FIG. 2a illustrates the apparatus 200 before it is triggered to manipulate the electric equipment and FIG. 2b illustrates the apparatus 200 when it is triggered to manipulate the electric equipment. In the figures, the electric equipment 202 is schematically represented by a plate or wall-like element or the like upon which the apparatus 200 can be mounted as follows. The shown plate or wall-like element may be part of a base station or other radio network node, although usage of the solution is not limited to equipment for telecommunication and the electric equipment 202 may be of any type. It should thus be understood that the electric equipment in this context may comprise any components and elements which are not shown here for simplicity since they are not involved in the functionality of the described apparatus 200 as such. The electric equipment 202 comprises a schematically illustrated button 202a which may be covered by a plastic cover 202b, and the apparatus 200 is configured to press the button 202a for activating or de-activating some function of the electric equipment 202 in response to a remote actuation signal.

(10) The apparatus 200 comprises a supporting structure 204 which is adapted to be attached to the electric equipment 202 adjacent to the button 202a. The supporting structure 204 has in this example been firmly mounted to the plate or wall-like element of the electric equipment 202 in a suitable manner, e.g. by means of some fastening elements such as bolts, screws or clamps, not shown. The supporting structure 204 may also be mounted to the electric equipment 202 by welding, gluing or soldering. The plate or wall-like element is shown here to have a mainly vertical orientation, although the apparatus 200 can be mounted in any orientation depending on where the button 202a is positioned on the electric equipment 202. Further, the apparatus 200 may comprise one or more adjustment screws for accurately adjusting its position relative the button 202a, to be described further below.

(11) The apparatus 200 also comprises an elongated lever 206 attached to an axis 204a of the supporting structure 204 between a first end 206a and a second end 206b of the elongated lever such that the elongated lever 206 is rotatable around the axis 204a. A finger portion 206c is also arranged at the second end 206b of the lever 206 for producing the desired pressing force against button 202a. When the supporting structure 204 is firmly or fixedly attached to the electric equipment 202, the axis 204a is in a specific position relative the button 202a, which position may be accurately set or fixed to achieve a desired functionality. In this example, the supporting structure 204 has a mainly T-shaped configuration and the axis 204a is arranged on a base part of the T-shaped configuration. However, the supporting structure 204 may have any other configuration and position of the axis 204a as long as the functionality described herein is achieved.

(12) The apparatus 200 further comprises an actuation member 208, 210 which is adapted to actuate, i.e. move, the first end 206a of the elongated lever 206 in response to an actuation signal S such that the elongated lever 206 rotates around the axis 204a so as to move the finger portion 206c at the second end 206b of the lever against the button 202a with a predefined maximum length, as indicated by a short white arrow. The actuation member comprises a fixed part 208 and a movable part 210 where the fixed part 208 is firmly attached to the supporting structure 204 and thus also in a fixed position relative the electric equipment 202 and its button 202a. The movable part 210 is arranged to move in one direction relative the fixed part 208, as indicated by a longer white arrow, when the actuation signal S is received and then in an opposite direction in a return movement. In a possible embodiment, the actuation member may be an electromechanical actuator comprising an electromagnet, although other types of actuation member may also be used to achieve the functionality described herein.

(13) In another possible embodiment, the actuation member comprises a rod 210, being the above-mentioned movable part 210, which is pivotally attached 210a to the first end 206a of the elongated lever 206. The rod 210 is arranged to move in one direction relative the supporting structure 204, indicated by the long white arrow, when the actuation member is activated, to reach a position as shown in FIG. 2b. The rod 210 is also arranged to move in another opposite direction relative the supporting structure when the actuation member is deactivated to return to the position shown in FIG. 2a.

(14) In another possible embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the rod 210 is arranged to move upwards when the actuation member 208, 210 is activated to apply force against the button 202a, that is by means of rotating the lever 206 and thereby moving the finger portion 206c in a direction towards and against the button 202a, thus reaching the position shown in FIG. 2b. In this embodiment, the rod 210 is further arranged to fall downwards when the actuation member is deactivated so as to release the force against the button 202a when the finger portion 206c moves back again in a direction away from the button 202a, thus returning to the position shown in FIG. 2a. The rod 210 may fall downwards by its own weight and thus withdraw the finger portion 206c from the button 202a.

(15) The apparatus 200 may be configured such that the finger portion 206c is oriented in a direction offset from the axis 204a, so that the finger portion 206c executes a limited rotating movement around the axis 204a when the actuation member 208, 210 is activated by the actuation signal S such that the lever 206 is rotated.

(16) Another example of how an apparatus 300 for remote manipulation of an electric equipment may be constructed will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b. As in the previous example, the electric equipment 302 comprises a button 302a which may be covered by a plastic cover 302b, wherein the apparatus 300 is configured to press the button 302a for activating or de-activating some function of the electric equipment 302 in response to a remote actuation signal.

(17) The apparatus 300 comprises a supporting structure 304 which is adapted to be attached to the electric equipment 302 adjacent to the button 302a. The apparatus 300 also comprises an elongated lever 306 attached to an axis 304a of the supporting structure 304 between a first end 306a and a second end 306b of the elongated lever such that the elongated lever 306 is rotatable around the axis 304a. A finger portion 306c is also arranged at the second end 306b of the lever 306 for producing the desired pressing force against button 302a.

(18) The apparatus 300 further comprises an actuation member 308, 310 which is adapted to actuate the first end 306a of the elongated lever 306 in response to an actuation signal S such that the elongated lever 306 rotates around the axis 304a so as to move the finger portion 306c against the button 302a with a predefined maximum length, as indicated by a short white arrow.

(19) The actuation member comprises a rod 310 which is pivotally attached 310a to the first end 306a of the elongated lever 306. The rod 310 is arranged to move in one direction relative the supporting structure 304, indicated by the long white arrow, when the actuation member is activated, to reach a position as shown in FIG. 3b. The rod 310 is also arranged to move in another opposite direction relative the supporting structure when the actuation member is deactivated to return to the position shown in FIG. 3a.

(20) So far, the description of apparatus 300 corresponds to the foregoing description of apparatus 200. While the movable part or rod 210 of FIG. 2 is arranged to move in a direction relative the fixed part 208, i.e. upwards in the figure, when the actuation signal S is received, the movable part or rod 310 of FIG. 3 is arranged to move in the opposite direction relative the fixed part 308, i.e. downwards in the figure, when the actuation signal S is received.

(21) In another possible embodiment, in accordance with FIGS. 3a and 3b, the rod 310 is thus arranged to move downwards when the actuation member 308, 310 is activated to rotate the lever 306 and apply force against the button 302a, thereby moving the finger portion 306c in a direction towards and against the button 302a, thus reaching the position shown in FIG. 3b. In this embodiment, the rod 310 is further arranged to move upwards when the actuation member is deactivated so as to release the force against the button 302a. In this case, the actuation member 308, 310 may, according to another possible embodiment, comprise a mechanical spring 312 arranged to lift the rod 310 upwards when the actuation member is deactivated, that is to reach the position shown in FIG. 3a. The spring 312 is thus compressed when the actuation member 308, 310 is activated to move the rod 310 downwards to reach the position shown in FIG. 3b.

(22) Also in the example of FIG. 3, the apparatus 300 may be configured such that the finger portion 306c is oriented in a direction offset from the axis 304a, so that the finger portion 306c executes a limited rotating movement around the axis 204a when the lever 306 is rotated.

(23) In another possible embodiment, the actuation member may be adapted to be deactivated immediately after being activated. Thereby, the actuation member will cause the finger portion 206c or 306c to move towards and press against the button upon receiving the actuation signal S, and then return automatically to the non-pressed position without requiring any specific de-actuation signal. It may be observed that in the example of FIGS. 2a, 2b, the actuation member 208, 210 is activated to rotate the lever 206 clockwise, while in the example of FIGS. 3a, 3b, the actuation member 308, 310 is activated to rotate the lever 306 anti-clockwise. However, other configurations of the apparatus 200 and 300, respectively, are also possible, for example the apparatus 200 and 300 may be configured in a mirrored fashion relative FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b, respectively.

(24) FIG. 4 illustrates an example of how the above-described solution may be implemented in practice, showing an apparatus 400 for remote manipulation of an electric equipment 402 comprising a button 402a. The apparatus 400 comprises a supporting structure 404, an elongated lever 406 with a finger portion 406c, and an actuation member 408. The apparatus 400 and its parts 404, 406 and 408 may be configured according to any of the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b. In another possible embodiment, the apparatus 400 may further comprise one or more adjustment screws 404a for adjusting a position of the finger portion 406c relative the button 402a. Thereby, the finger portion 406c may be accurately positioned relative the button 402a.

(25) A method of using the apparatus 200, 300, 400 is also defined. The method comprises attaching the supporting structure 204, 304, 404 to the electric equipment in a position adjacent to the button 202a, 302a, 402a, and applying an actuation signal S to activate the actuation member 208, 210, 308, 310, 408 to apply force against the button.

(26) Some non-limiting examples of how the remotely triggered actuation signal mentioned throughout this description may be implemented in practice, will now be described. The above-described actuation signal may be conveyed from a central control unit over an Internet Protocol, IP, network. The IP control unit may be used for creating a suitable IP control command which is transmitted over the IP network to reach the apparatus and trigger the actuation member therein to operate in the manner described. The IP control unit may be connected via the IP network to such apparatus at several different locations, e.g. in a distributed infrastructure or the like, to remotely trigger the respective apparatus to press a button.

(27) The IP control unit may further be operated manually or automatically to activate the apparatus, e.g. according to a pre-defined activation scheme where the apparatus at different locations is activated at pre-set occasions, either simultaneously or successively. Activation of the apparatus may be programmed to occur at certain intervals or at certain times of day, week or month, and so forth. The actuation signal may be a voltage that activates an electromagnet in the apparatus, or a logic signal such as an IP command that triggers the apparatus to operate as desired. However, the solution is not limited to these examples of generating the actuation signal which can be generated in any suitable manner, depending on the implementation.

(28) Some potential advantages of the solution and its possible embodiments described herein include that a precise and well-defined movement of the finger portion can fairly easy be created with a predefined maximum length which is sufficient to press the button to activate some function as desired, but without risking damage of the button, e.g. punctuation of a plastic cover or demolition of the button's mechanism or the like. By transforming the relatively great and largely uncontrolled movement of the actuation member into a relatively small and precisely controlled movement of a predefined maximum length of the finger portion by means of the above-described lever rotation, a non-damaging pressing of the button can be achieved. Further, the solution also enables the actuation member to be positioned at a safe distance from the button such that damage of any underlying fragile circuits or the like by any generated unwanted heat and/or magnetic field is not likely to occur when the apparatus is used.

(29) Further potential advantages include that an electromechanical actuator or similar can be employed without requiring costly and time-consuming installation to work well, in order to avoid that a person must go to the equipment to press the button. Moreover, since the apparatus will not damage the equipment nor its button when in use, the need to send out maintenance personnel for repair can be reduced or eliminated.

(30) While the solution has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments, the description is generally only intended to illustrate the inventive concept and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the solution. For example, the terms electric equipment, supporting structure, elongated lever, actuation member and finger portion have been used throughout this disclosure, although any other corresponding components, members and/or parts could also be used having the features and characteristics described here. The solution is defined by the appended claims.