Load Control Device Having A Flexible Connector

• US 20080258859A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Altonen, Gregory, Hibshman, Bradley T., Nearhoof, Jeremy, DiMaggio, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,641,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 338/176
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/141 One or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g. modules, adapters H05K1/142 and H05K1/147 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/148 Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the base module and the user interface module are electrically connected. The connector of the base module is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the dimmer, such that the actuation member is easily aligned within an opening of a faceplate.

Claims

1. A flexible connector assembly comprising:

an enclosure adapted to house an electrical circuit, the enclosure having an opening defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;

a flexible cable having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end electrically connected to the electrical circuit and fixed in location with reference to the enclosure; and

a flexible connector having a mating end adapted to be connected to a mating connector, the flexible connector electrically and mechanically coupled to the second end of the flexible cable, the flexible connector slidably captured by the enclosure, such that the mating end of the flexible connector is provided in the opening of the enclosure and is adapted for movement along at least one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis.

2. The flexible connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible connector is adapted for movement along both the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis.

3. The flexible connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the flexible connector is mounted to a connector printed circuit board adapted to rest on a support rail of the enclosure.

4. The flexible connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a frame having an opening and connected to the connector printed circuit board, such that the mating end of the flexible connector is provided through the opening of the frame.

5. The flexible connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the flexible cable comprises a ribbon cable.

6. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:

a load control printed circuit board;

a flexible cable having a first end electrically and mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board; and

a connector electrically and mechanically coupled to a second end of the flexible cable, such that the connector is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, the connector adapted to move along at least one of a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the load control device to allow for alignment of the connector.

7. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the connector is adapted to move along both the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the load control device.

8. The load control device of claim 7, further comprising:

an enclosure attached to and surrounding the load control printed circuit board, the connector slidably captured by the enclosure.

9. The load control device of claim 8, wherein the connector is mounted to a connector printed circuit board adapted to rest on a support rail of the enclosure.

10. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:

a user interface module comprising a first connector; and

a base module comprising a second connector adapted to be coupled to the first connector of the user interface module, the second connector adapted to move along at least one of a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the load control device to align the user interface module on the base module.

11. The load control device of claim 10, wherein the second connector is adapted to move along both the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the load control device to align the user interface module on the base module.

12. The load control device of claim 11, wherein the base module comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the electrical load and the AC power source, and a controller for controlling the controllably conductive device to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load.

13. The load control device of claim 12, further comprising:

a main printed circuit board, the controllably conductive device and the controller electrically connected to the main printed circuit board;

a connector printed circuit board, the second connector mounted to the connector printed circuit board; and

a cable electrically connecting the main printed circuit board and the connector printed circuit board, such the connector printed circuit board is operable to move along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the load control device.

14. The load control device of claim 13, wherein the first connector of the user interface module comprises a plurality of pins and the second connector of the base module comprises a plurality of holes for receipt of the plurality of pins of the first connector, such that the user interface module is electrically connected to the base module when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

15. The load control device of claim 14, further comprising:

a frame having an opening and connected to the connector printed circuit board, the first connector of the user interface module received through the opening of the frame to connect to the second connector of the base module.

16. The load control device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of pins of the first connector are surrounded by walls, the walls defining alignment rails adapted to be received in notches of the opening of the frame.

17. The load control device of claim 13, further comprising:

an enclosure, the main printed circuit board fixedly mounted to an interior of the enclosure, the connector printed circuit board slidably captured by the enclosure.

18. The load control device of claim 17, wherein the enclosure comprises a support rail, the connector printed circuit board adapted to slide across the support rail of the enclosure.

19. The load control device of claim 13, wherein the cable comprises a ribbon cable.

20. The load control device of claim 12, wherein the user interface module comprises an actuation member operable to receive a user input, the controller responsive to the actuation member when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

21. The load control device of claim 20, wherein the actuation member comprises a touch sensitive actuator having an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device.

22. The load control device of claim 20, wherein the user interface module comprises a visual display for displaying a representation of an amount of power being delivered to the electrical load, the controller operatively coupled to the visual display when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

23. The load control device of claim 10, wherein the user interface module comprises a post and the base module comprises an opening adapted to receive the post, so as to allow for alignment of the user interface module and the base module.

24. The load control device of claim 10, further comprising:

a faceplate having an opening, the actuation member of the user interface module adapted to be provided in the opening of the faceplate;

wherein the second connector is adapted to move along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the dimmer to align the actuation member within the opening of the faceplate.

25. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:

a user interface module comprising a first connector; and

a base module having a front surface defining a plane, the base module comprising a second connector adapted to be coupled to the first connector of the user interface module, the second connector adapted to move in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the front surface to allow for alignment of the user interface module on the base module.