(19)
(11) EP 4 521 375 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
12.03.2025 Bulletin 2025/11

(21) Application number: 23461649.8

(22) Date of filing: 11.09.2023
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G08B 17/113(2006.01)
G08B 19/00(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
G08B 17/113; G08B 19/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(71) Applicant: Keratronik Sp. z o. o.
03-289 Warszawa (PL)

(72) Inventors:
  • DELEGACZ, Cezary
    05-074 Mrowiska (PL)
  • WILK, Piotr
    01-464 Warszawa (PL)

(74) Representative: Kancelaria Eupatent.pl Sp. z.o.o 
Ul. Kilinskiego 185
90-348 Lodz
90-348 Lodz (PL)

 
Remarks:
The application is published incomplete as filed (Rule 68(1) EPC).
 


(54) A MULTIMODAL SENSOR AND A HOUSING THEREFOR


(57) A housing for a multimodal sensor, comprising sequentially arranged elements: a disc-shaped base (201) with mounting holes (211), a peripheral flange (212) with fasteners (213), and a central opening (214); a disc-shaped bottom cover (202) with a peripheral shell (221) affixed to the fasteners (213) of the peripheral flange (212) of the base (201) and with a central opening (223); a sleeve-shaped bottom ring (203); a sleeve-shaped top ring (204) comprising perforation openings (241) on its lateral surface; a disc-shaped top cover (205) having a top opening (252) and fasteners (255); and a disc-shaped top cover (206) with a peripheral shell (261) affixed to the fasteners (255) of the top cover (205).




Description

TECHNICAL FIELD



[0001] The present invention relates to a multimodal sensor and a housing therefor.

BACKGROUND



[0002] Multimodal sensors are devices capable of detecting information from various sensory modalities, that is, capable of gathering data from multiple sources simultaneously, which may result in a more precise and comprehensive recognition of the environment. Multimodal sensors have a broad spectrum of applications.

[0003] Multimodal sensors are particularly useful for monitoring various types of spaces. A specific area of application is the surveillance of rental spaces such as real estate (specifically, apartments, hotel rooms, suites, or office spaces) or rental vehicles.

[0004] In the realm of rental apartment monitoring, multimodal sensors may be employed to detect and analyze tenant-critical factors such as noise, smoke, lighting conditions, movement and approximate number of occupants, air quality (particulates, organic gases), temperature, and air pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



[0005] This type of multimodal sensor shall be as compact as possible, so that it can be positioned as freely as possible in the room and does not disrupt the room's aesthetics or interfere with other room elements.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to design a housing for a multimodal sensor that can accommodate as many different component sensors as possible therein.

[0007] In one aspect, the invention relates to a housing for a multimodal sensor, comprising sequentially arranged elements: a disc-shaped base with mounting holes, a peripheral flange with fasteners, and a central opening; a disc-shaped bottom cover with a peripheral shell affixed to the fasteners of the peripheral flange of the base and with a central opening; a sleeve-shaped bottom ring; a sleeve-shaped top ring comprising perforation openings on its lateral surface; a disc-shaped top cover having a top opening and fasteners; a disc-shaped top cover with a peripheral shell affixed to the fasteners of the top cover.

[0008] The top cover may further comprise additional top openings.

[0009] The peripheral shell may comprise an inner peripheral groove.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a multimodal sensor comprising a measuring module with a battery and component sensors mounted on boards, wherein the measuring module is installed in a housing as described herein.

[0011] The multimodal sensor may comprise an air composition sensor and/or a smoke sensor mounted at the top ring.

[0012] The multimodal sensor may comprise a motion sensor positioned below the top opening of the top cover.

[0013] The multimodal sensor may comprise a light intensity sensor positioned below the first additional opening of the top cover.

[0014] The multimodal sensor may comprise a signaling LED positioned below the second additional opening of the top cover.

[0015] In general, the multimodal sensor may comprise at least two sensors selected from the group consisting of: a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a Passive Infra Red (PIR) matrix motion sensor, a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) microphone array, a laser dust sensor, a Time of Flight (ToF) laser distance sensor, an air quality sensor, an air pressure sensor, a position sensor, a shock and vibration sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS



[0016] The object of the invention is shown in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a split view of a multimodal sensor with a housing and components of a measuring module in a split view;

Fig. 2 shows a split view of the measuring module that can be accommodated within the housing;

Fig. 3 shows the multimodal sensor in an assembled form.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION



[0017] The housing for a multimodal sensor is designed to accommodate therein a measurement module that comprises multiple component sensors.

[0018] The measuring module 100 comprises a first board 101, in particular a PCB, on which there are mounted: a first set of electronic components, a battery 102, and a battery housing 103. A second PCB 104 comprising a second set of electronic components and component sensors is mounted on top of the battery housing 103. The component sensors include at least some or all of the following: a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a PIR (Passive Infra Red) matrix motion sensor, a MEMS (Micromechanical System) microphone array, a laser dust sensor, a ToF (Time of Flight) laser distance sensor, an air quality sensor, an air pressure sensor, a position sensor, a shock and vibration sensor. Some sensors must be mounted in specific locations of the measurement module 100, corresponding to by specific openings in the housing, as will be described below, and other sensors may be mounted in any location of the measurement module. The first board 101 includes mounting holes 111 for attaching this board 101 to the housing 200 by screws.

[0019] The housing 200 comprises a plurality of elements which are assembled together into the integrated form as shown in Fig. 3 to protect and enable the measurement module to be fixed in the room.

[0020] A housing base 201 has a form of a disc with mounting holes 211 for mounting screws to secure the base 201 to a surface, such as a wall, as well as a peripheral flange 212 with fasteners 213 to press-fit the bottom cover 202 thereto and a central opening 214 to allow access to the environment from the bottom side of the sensor (in particular, to allow air to flow through the sensor).

[0021] The bottom cover 202 has a form of a disc with a circumferential shell 221 configured to be fitted on the fasteners 213 of the circumferential base flange and for covering the mounting holes 211. Further, it comprises circumferentially spaced threaded holes 222 for connecting screws, as well as a central opening 223.

[0022] The bottom ring 203 has a form of a sleeve having a height substantially equal to the height of the measuring module 100 to the extent that it covers its first board 101 and the battery 102 with the housing 103, so as to cover these components. Openings 231 for connecting screws are arranged circumferentially at the inner walls of the forming the bottom ring 203.

[0023] The top ring 204 has a form of a sleeve having a height substantially equal to the height of the measuring module 100 to the extent of covering its second board 104 and the component sensors mounted thereon, so as to shield these components. The top ring 204 has perforation openings 241 in its side surface for facilitating access of the component sensors (in particular, such as an air composition sensor or a smoke sensor) mounted on the second board 104 to the ambient surrounding.

[0024] The top cover 205 has a form of a plate that shields the measurement module from the top, comprising circumferentially arranged openings 251 for connecting screws and a top opening 252 that provides clearance for sensors mounted on top of the second board 104 (specifically, the PIR array sensor 141). It may further comprise additional top openings, such as a first additional opening 253 that allows access for an additional sensor, for instance a light intensity sensor 142, and a second additional opening 254 that provides visibility of a signaling LED (Light Emitting Diode) 143 mounted on the top surface of the second board 104. Furthermore, the top cover 205 comprises fasteners 255 for securing a top shield 206 thereto.

[0025] The top shield 206 has a form of a disc with a peripheral shell 261 configured to be attached to the fasteners 255 of the top cover 205 and for covering the openings 251 for the connecting screws. The shell 261 may comprise an internal groove 262 for press-fitting therein a circular shield (not shown), which can be made of transparent film such as to cover the openings 252, 253, 254 of the top cover 205, and may further contain informative or decorative printing in areas outside these openings.

[0026] The housing 200 is assembled by first connecting the elements 202-205 together, for example by means of connecting screws fitted in the respective openings 222, 231, 251 or by other means (therefore, said openings are not an essential part of the housing design), such as by adhesive or welding. The structure thus formed is connected by abutment elements to the other elements: 201 and 206.

[0027] This design of the housing allows the measurement module 100 with multiple component sensors, to be conveniently installed therein. This ensures a compact size of the entire device, while enabling various types of sensors to function effectively.


Claims

1. A housing for a multimodal sensor, comprising sequentially arranged elements:

- a disc-shaped base (201) with mounting holes (211), a peripheral flange (212) with fasteners (213), and a central opening (214);

- a disc-shaped bottom cover (202) with a peripheral shell (221) affixed to the fasteners (213) of the peripheral flange (212) of the base (201) and with a central opening (223);

- a sleeve-shaped bottom ring (203);

- a sleeve-shaped top ring (204) comprising perforation openings (241) on its lateral surface;

- a disc-shaped top cover (205) having a top opening (252) and fasteners (255); and

- a disc-shaped top cover (206) with a peripheral shell (261) affixed to the fasteners (255) of the top cover (205).


 
2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the top cover (205) further comprises additional top openings (253, 254).
 
3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral shell (261) comprises an inner peripheral groove (262).
 
4. A multimodal sensor comprising a measuring module (100) with a battery (102) and component sensors mounted on boards (101, 103), wherein the measuring module (100) is installed in a housing according to any of claims 1 to 3.
 
5. The multimodal sensor according to claim 4 and comprising an air composition sensor and/or a smoke sensor mounted at the top ring (204).
 
6. The multimodal sensor according to any of claims 4 to 5 and comprising a motion sensor (141) positioned below the top opening (252) of the top cover (205).
 
7. The multimodal sensor according to any of claims 4 to 6 and comprising a light intensity sensor (142) positioned below the first additional opening (253) of the top cover (205).
 
9. The multimodal sensor according to any of claims 4 to 7 and comprising a signaling LED (143) positioned below the second additional opening (254) of the top cover (205).
 
10. The multimodal sensor according to any of claims 4 to 8 and comprising at least two sensors selected from the group consisting of: a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a Passive Infra Red (PIR) matrix motion sensor, a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) microphone array, a laser dust sensor, a Time of Flight (ToF) laser distance sensor, an air quality sensor, an air pressure sensor, a position sensor, a shock and vibration sensor.
 




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