Load control device having a flexible connector

• US 7,641,491 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Truc T
• Application Number:
  US12/105,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 439/247, 439/131
• US Class Current: 439/247
• 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 load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising:

a user interface module comprising a first connector; and

a base module comprising a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load, a controller for controlling the controllably conductive device to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, and a second connector adapted to be coupled to the first connector of the user interface module, the base module 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;

wherein the second connector of the base module is adapted to move along both the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the load control device to allow for alignment of the user interface module on the base module.

2. The load control device of claim 1, 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.

3. The load control device of claim 1, 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.

4. The load control device of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a ribbon cable.

5. The load control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface module comprises an actuator operable to receive a user input, the controller responsive to the actuator when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

6. The load control device of claim 2, 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.

7. The load control device of claim 6, 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.

8. The load control device of claim 3, wherein the enclosure comprises a support rail, the connector printed circuit board adapted to slide across the support rail of the enclosure.

9. The load control device of claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a touch sensitive actuator having an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device.

10. The load control device of claim 5, 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.

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

a user interface module comprising a first connector, an actuator operable to receive a user input, and a visual display for displaying a representation of an amount of power being delivered to the electrical load; and

a base module comprising a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load, and a controller for controlling the controllably conductive device to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, the base module further comprising a second connector adapted to be coupled to the first connector of the user interface module, the controller responsive to the actuator and operatively coupled to the visual display when the first connector is coupled to the second connector;

wherein the second connector is adapted to move along both a longitudinal axis and a 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 actuator comprises a touch sensitive actuator having an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device.

13. The load control device of claim 11, wherein the base module further comprises:

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

a user interface module comprising a first connector and an actuator operable to receive a user input;

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 a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the load control device to align the user interface module on the base module; and

a faceplate having an opening, the actuator 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 load control device to align the actuator within the opening of the faceplate.

15. The load control device of claim 14, 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.

16. The load control device of claim 14, 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.

17. The load control device of claim 16, wherein the controller is responsive to the actuator when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

18. The load control device of claim 16, wherein the base module further comprises:

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.

19. The load control device of claim 17, wherein the actuator comprises a touch sensitive actuator having an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device.

20. The load control device of claim 17, 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.

21. 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 an actuator operable to receive a user input;

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; and

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

wherein the second connector is adapted to move in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the front surface to allow for alignment of the actuator of the user interface module within the opening of the faceplate.