BATTERY-POWERED RETROFIT REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20140117871A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Swatsky, Matthew J., Majewski, Timothy S., Newman, Robert C. Jr., Raneri, Daniel Curtis, Dimberg, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 9,565,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/246
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/02 Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1965 using handheld communication devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/197 Sound control or voice control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1975 Gesture control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1985 Creation of lighting zones or scenes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.

Claims

1. A remote control device, for use in a load control system having a load control device, the load control device configured to control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the load control device, the remote control device comprising:

a base portion configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the electrical load;

a rotating portion supported by the base portion and rotatable about the base portion;

a wireless communication circuit; and

a control circuit operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit, the control circuit is configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion into a control signal that controls the load control device, and is further configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the remote control device is configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator when the toggle actuator is in an on position.

3. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the remote control device is configured so as not to actuate the toggle actuator of the electrical load when the force is applied to the rotating portion.

4. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the base portion defines an opening configured to receive, and engage with, the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch.

5. The remote control device of claim 4, wherein the base portion defines a plurality of crush ribs that extend into the opening, the crush ribs configured to engage with the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch.

6. The remote control device of claim 4, wherein the base portion includes a friction spring that is configured to engage with the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch.

7. The remote control device of claim 6, wherein the friction spring includes a plurality of fingers that flank opposed sides of the opening.

8. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a faceplate that is integral with the base portion, the faceplate defining an opening configured to receive the toggle actuator.

9. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the base portion is configured to be attached to a faceplate that defines an opening through which the toggle actuator extends.

10. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the base portion defines a snap fit catch configured to engage within the opening of the faceplate.

11. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the base portion defines an aperture and the faceplate defines a snap fit catch configured to engage within the aperture.

12. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion is configured to return to an idle position after the force is applied to the rotating portion.

13. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein when the force is a rotational force, the control signal is indicative of a change in the amount of power delivered to the electrical load by the load control device.

14. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein when the force causes the rotating portion to rotate, and the control signal is indicative of a change in the amount of power delivered to the electrical load by the load control device.

15. The remote control device of claim 14, wherein the if the rotational force causes the rotating portion to rotate a distance that does not exceed a predetermined distance, the control signal is indicative of changing the amount of power by a predetermined amount.

16. The remote control device of claim 14, wherein the if the rotational force causes the rotating portion to rotate a distance that exceeds a predetermined distance, the control signal is indicative of continuously changing the amount of power.

17. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein when the force causes the rotating portion to be biased toward the base portion, the control signal indicative of the load control device applying power to, or removing power from, the electrical load.

18. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein when the force causes the rotating portion to be biased toward the base portion, the control indicative of associating the remote control device with the load control device.

19. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply configured to power the wireless communication circuit and the control circuit.

20. The remote control device of claim 19, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

21. The remote control device of claim 20, wherein the power supply comprises a solar cell attached to the rotating portion of the remote control device.

22. A remote control device that is configured to control a load control device, the load control device configured to control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:

a rotary encoder circuit that is configured to translate a rotational force applied to the remote control device into an input signal;

a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the rotary encoder circuit and that is configured to receive the input signal and to generate a control signal based upon the input signal; and

a wireless communication circuit communicatively coupled to the control circuit and that is configured to transmit the control signal to the load control device.

23. The remote control device of claim 22, wherein the control signal is indicative of a change of the amount of power delivered to the electrical load by the load control device.

24. The remote control device of claim 22, further comprising a power supply configured to power the rotary encoder circuit, the control circuit, and the wireless communication circuit.

25. The remote control device of claim 24, wherein the power supply is a battery.

26. The remote control device of claim 24, wherein the power supply is a solar cell.

27. The remote control device of claim 22, wherein the communication circuit comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit RF signals.

28. A remote control device, for use in a load control system having a mechanical switch coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current power source and an electrical load, the mechanical switch adapted to be opened and closed in response to actuations of a toggle actuator, the remote control device comprising:

a base portion adapted to be mounted over the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch;

an intensity adjustment actuator configured to move with respect to the base portion;

a wireless communication circuit; and

a control circuit operably coupled to the wireless communication circuit, the control circuit is configured to translate a force applied to the intensity adjustment actuator into a signal that controls the load control device, and is further configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the signal.

29. The remote control device of claim 28, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a rotating portion supported by the base portion and rotatable about the base portion.

30. The remote control device of claim 28, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a slider supported by the base portion and configured to slide relative to the base portion.

31. A remote control device, for use in a load control system having a mechanical switch coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current power source and an electrical load, the mechanical switch adapted to be opened and closed in response to actuations of a toggle actuator, the remote control device comprising:

a base portion that defines an opening configured to engage with a portion of the toggle actuator, such that actuation of the toggle actuator is restrained when the base portion is mounted over the toggle actuator and the portion of the toggle actuator is engaged in the opening; and

an intensity adjustment actuator that is configured to move relative to the base portion.

32. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a rotating portion that is rotatably supported by the base portion.

33. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a slider that is slidably supported by the base portion.

34. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein an amount of power delivered to the electrical load is adjusted in response to movement of the intensity adjustment actuator relative to the base portion.

35. A load control system configured to receive power from an alternating current (AC) power source, the load control system comprising:

a controllable light source configured to be receive an AC line voltage from the AC power source, the controllable light source including a lighting load; and

a remote control device that includes a base portion that is configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the controllable light source, the remote control device includes an intensity adjustment actuator that is operatively coupled to the base portion and that is configured to move relative to the base portion,

wherein the remote control device is configured to transmit a signal, via wireless communication, to the controllable light source in response to movement of the intensity adjustment actuator relative to the base portion, and

wherein the controllable light source is configured to adjust an amount of power delivered to the lighting load responsive to receipt of the signal.

36. The load control system of claim 35, wherein the controllable light source and the remote control device include respective actuators that may be actuated to associate the controllable light source and the remote control device with each other, such that the controllable light source is responsive to the signal.

37. The load control system of claim 35, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a rotating portion supported by the base portion and rotatable about the base portion.

38. The load control system of claim 35, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator comprises a slider supported by the base portion and configured to slide relative to the base portion.

39. The load control system of claim 35, wherein the remote control device is a battery-powered remote control device.

40. A method of retrofitting a load control system for wireless control, the load control system including a mechanical switch coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source and a socket, the method comprising:

installing a controllable light source in the socket;

mounting a remote control device over a toggle actuator of the mechanical switch; and

associating the controllable light source and the remote control device with each other, such that the controllable light source is responsive to a signal transmitted to the controllable light source by the remote control device via wireless communication.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

prior to mounting the remote control device over the toggle actuator, switching the toggle actuator to an on position, such that the controllable light source is electrically coupled to the AC power source.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the associating the controllable light source and the remote control device with each other comprises actuating respective actuators of the controllable light source and the remote control device.