Dimmer control system having remote infrared transmitters

• US 20030025969A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Leichliter, Shawn L., Gomes, Carl W. II, Salvestrini, Christopher J., Jacoby, Elliot G. Jr., Samuels, Richard D., Gehman, Jackson P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/088 by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/42 Antiparallel configurations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

A control system includes an electrical load control device responsive to radiant energy and a transmitter. The transmitter includes two sets of radiant energy generators connected to an electrical circuit such that polarity of the sets is reversed. A transmissive enclosure includes indented portions defining deflectors oriented obliquely with respect to a generator support surface. The transmitter is secured to a bracket for attachment to a backcover of the load control device. The control system may also include a master control generating an electrical control signal in response to an actuator or in response to a radiant energy signal. The control system is capable of limiting the master control to generate a signal only in response to the actuator. A power supply for the transmitter includes a filter network having a filter capacitor and resistor in series with a power supply capacitor and a diode in parallel with the resistor.

Claims

1. A control system comprising:

at least one electrical load control device responsive to command signals in the form of radiant energy; and

a transmitter for producing command signals in the form of radiant energy for receipt by the at least one electrical load control device, the transmitter comprising a pair of conductive terminals for receipt of command signals in the form of electrical signals, the transmitter further comprising two sets radiant energy generators each having a polarity for connection to an electrical circuit, the radiant energy generators operably connected in an electrical circuit containing the conductive terminals, the generators connected to the electrical circuit such that the polarity of the generators of one of the sets is reversed with respect to the polarity of the generators of the other set, the radiant energy generators further connected to the electrical circuit such that the sets are connected in parallel with one another.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein each of the radiant energy generators generates infrared energy and wherein the transmitter includes an infrared transmissive enclosure adapted to enclose the infrared generators.

3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the infrared generators are LEDs mounted on a support defining a substantially planar surface and wherein the enclosure includes a pair of oppositely located indented portions, each of the indented portions located on the enclosure such that at least one LED is positioned adjacent each of the indented portions.

4. The control system according to claim 3, wherein each indented portion defines a substantially planar deflector portion, the deflector portion oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the LED support surface.

5. The control system according to claim 4, wherein each of the LEDs is adapted to emit a cone of IR radiation directed towards the respective deflector portion of the enclosure, and wherein the deflector portion is oriented with respect to the LED support surface such that a majority of the infrared energy from the cone of IR radiation is reflected in a direction that is substantially parallel to the LED support surface.

6. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical load control device is a dimmer having an infrared transmissive backcover and wherein the transmitter is mounted on an attachment bracket, the attachment bracket having a first set of clips each adapted for engagement with a sidewall of the dimmer backcover.

7. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment bracket includes a second set of clips adapted for engagement with a yoke to which the dimmer backcover is secured, the attachment bracket being electrically conductive to facilitate a grounded connection for the transmitter through the yoke.

8. A power supply for an infrared transmitter having at least one LED driver, the power supply comprising:

a power supply capacitor;

a filter network comprising a filter capacitor and resistor connected in series with the power supply capacitor for supplying current pulses to the LED driver; and

a diode connected in parallel with the resistor of the filter network to provide isolation between the filter capacitor and power supply capacitor.

9. A control system comprising:

at least one electrical load control device responsive to command signals in the form of radiant energy;

at least one radiant energy generator capable of producing command signals in the form of radiant energy for receipt by the at least one electrical load control device, and

a radiant energy deflector located between the at least one radiant energy generator and the at least one electrical load device for deflecting at least a portion of the radiant energy from the transmitter in a desired direction.

10. The control system according to claim 9, wherein each of the at least one radiant energy generators is an LED generating infrared energy and wherein the control system further comprises an infrared transmissive enclosure adapted to enclose the at least one LED, the radiant energy deflector being defined by a substantially planar portion of the enclosure adjacent LED.

11. The control system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one LED is supported on a support member having a substantially planar support surface and wherein the deflector is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the LED support surface.

12. The control system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one LED is adapted to generate a cone of infrared energy directed toward the deflector.

13. The control system according to claim 12, wherein the cone of infrared energy generated by the LED has a half-angle of approximately 30 degrees.

14. A control system comprising:

at least one electrical load control device responsive to command signals in the form of radiant energy;

a transmitter capable of transmitting a command signal in the form of radiant energy in response to receipt of an electrical signal;

electrically conductive wire connected to the transmitter; and

a master control connected to the conductive wire opposite the transmitter, the master control producing electrical command signals for conveyance to the transmitter via the conductive wire, the master control comprising at least one actuator accessible by a user of the master control for generation of an electrical command signal by the master control, the master control further comprising a radiant energy receiver, the master control capable of generating an electrical command signal in response to receipt of a radiant energy signal for relaying the signal to the transmitter,

the control system capable of preventing the master control from generating an electrical signal in response to receipt of a radiant energy signal such that the master control can only generate electrical signals in response to use of the at least one actuator.

15. The control system according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter includes a plurality of LEDs capable of generating infrared energy.

16. The control system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one load control device is a dimmer having a backcover and wherein the transmitter is secured to the dimmer backcover.

17. The control system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one load control device includes a plurality of dimmers located in a wallbox and wherein the transmitter is secured to a centrally located one of the dimmers with respect to the plurality of dimmers.

18. A control system comprising:

a transmitter having at least one radiant energy generator for producing command signals in the form of radiant energy;

at least one electrical load control device responsive to command signals in the form of radiant energy, the electrical load device comprising a cover portion transmissive to the radiant energy generated by the transmitter;

a bracket supporting the transmitter for attachment of the transmitter to the electrical load control device, the bracket engaging the cover portion of the electrical load control device to position the at least one radiant energy generator with respect to the electrical load device.

19. The control system according to claim 18, wherein the at least one electrical load control device is a dimmer having a backcover transmissive to the radiant energy generated by the transmitter, and wherein the bracket includes a first set of clips each adapted to engage a sidewall of the backcover.

20. The control system according to claim 19, wherein backcover of the dimmer is secured to a yoke and wherein the bracket includes a second set of clips adapted to engage the yoke, the bracket being electrically conductive to provide for a grounded connection of the transmitter through the yoke.