Dimmer control system having remote infrared transmitters

• US 7,116,056 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Gomes, Carl W. II, Salvestrini, Christopher J., Jacoby, Elliot G. Jr., Samuels, Richard D., Gehman, Jackson P., Leichliter, Shawn L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Wilson
• Application Number:
  US10/970,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 359/142, 359/152, 359/159, 359/180, 362242-245, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 315149-159
• US Class Current: 315/149
• 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 located in a wallbox and responsive to command signals in the form of infrared energy; and

a transmitter located in the wallbox and including at least one LED for producing command signals in the form of infrared energy for receipt by the at least one electrical load control device, the transmitter also including an infrared transmissive cover having a deflector portion located in spaced relation to the at least one LED for deflecting at least a portion of the infrared energy from the at least one LED in a desired direction.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the deflector portion of the cover is defined by a substantially planar portion of the cover adjacent the at least one LED.

3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one LED is supported on a support member having a substantially planar support surface and wherein the deflector portion of the cover is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the LED support surface.

4. The control system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one LED is adapted to generate a cone of infrared energy directed toward the deflector portion of the cover.

5. The control system according to claim 4, wherein the cone of infrared energy generated by the LED has a half-angle of approximately 30 degrees.