Interchangeable plug-in circuit completion modules for varying the electrical circuitry of a ceiling fan

• US 5,738,496 A
• Filed: 12/23/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
• Original Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
• Inventors: Mehta, Vinay
• Primary Examiner(s): Thorpe, Timothy
• Assistant Examiner(s): THAI, XUAN MARIAN
• Application Number:
  US08/773,488
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 417/572, 417/44.1, 417/42, 417/44.11, 416/5, 416/170 R, 361/695, 307/141, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 340/825.22
• US Class Current: 417/44.1
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/088 Ceiling fans

Abstract

A ceiling fan having interchangeable plug-in circuit completion modules for varying the electrical driver circuitry of the fan. Each module is selectively designed to complete a motor driving circuit and/or a light driving circuit and are preferably installed in the switch housing of the fan. In addition, the modules contain selectively designed circuitry to enable a user to either manually or remotely control the fan. Since the modules are interchangeable, the driver control circuitry of the fan may be easily converted between manual and remote control.

Claims

1. An add-on remote control module for converting a non-remote controlled ceiling fan into a remote controlled ceiling fan, said non-remote controlled ceiling fan having a motor and a portion of its driver control circuitry prewired in a switch housing, said prewired portion including motor impedance means, an electrical connector and wiring means for electrically interconnecting said motor and said motor impedance means to an A.C. power source, said wiring means terminating in said electrical connector, said add-on remote control module comprising:

(a) a speed control switching device for enabling a user to remotely select between different motor speeds, said speed control switching device utilizing said motor impedance means in said prewired portion;

(b) a receiver unit, electrically connected to said speed control switching device, for controlling said speed control switching device; and

(c) connector means for electrically interconnecting said add-on remote control module to said electrical connector in said prewired portion of said driver control circuitry, said electrical interconnection converting said non-remote controlled ceiling fan into said remote controlled ceiling fan.

2. An add-on remote control module as defined in claim 1, wherein said module is installed in said switch housing of said non-remote controlled ceiling fan.

3. An add-on remote control module as defined in claim 1, wherein said non-remote controlled ceiling fan further includes a light electrically connected to said A.C. power source.

4. An add-on remote control module as defined in claim 3, further comprising a light dimmer device, electrically connected to said connector means and said receiver unit, for enabling a user to remotely control the illumination and intensity of said light.

5. An add-on remote control module as defined in claim 1, further comprising a reverse switching device, electrically connected to said connector means and said receiver unit, for enabling a user to remotely reverse the direction of said motor.

6. A driver control circuit assembly for controlling the operation of a ceiling fan having a motor, a switch housing and a light fixture with at least one location for operatively receiving a light, said ceiling fan receiving A.C. supply voltage from an A.C. power source, said driver control circuit assembly comprising:

(a) a prewired portion partially forming said driver control circuit assembly, including;

(i) manually actuable switching means for controlling the operation of said motor and the illumination of said light;

(ii) motor impedance means for allowing selective lowering of said A.C. supply voltage to said motor;

(iii) first connector means;

(iv) wiring means for selectively interconnecting said manually actuable switching means and said motor impedance means to said motor, said light and said A.C. power source, said wiring means terminating in said first connector means; and

(b) an interchangeble plug-in driver circuit completion module containing selectively designed circuitry for completing at least one driver control circuit in said driver control circuit assembly, said selectively designed circuitry including second connector means adapted for ready interconnection and disconnection from said first connector means, said interconnection establishing electrical communication between said circuitry in said module and said prewired portion to complete said at least one driver control circuit.

7. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises a manually controlled driver control circuit.

8. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises a remotely controlled driver control circuit.

9. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises a manually controlled motor driving circuit.

10. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises manually controlled motor and light driving circuits.

11. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises a remotely controlled motor driving circuit.

12. A driver control circuit assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said at least one driver control circuit comprises remotely controlled motor and light driving circuits.

13. A ceiling fan having selectively connectable electrical circuitry for forming at least one driver control circuit, said ceiling fan comprising:

(a) a motor;

(b) a driver control circuit assembly electrically connected to said motor for controlling the operation of said motor, said driver control circuit assembly including;

(i) a prewired portion having first connector means; and

(ii) an interchangeable plug-in driver circuit completion module containing selectively designed circuitry for completing at least one driver control circuit in said driver control circuit assembly, said selectively designed circuitry including second connector means adapted for ready interconnection and disconnection from said first connector means, said interconnection establishing electrical communication between said circuitry in said module and said prewired portion to complete said at least one driver control circuit.