Method and apparatus for converting an electronic switch to a dimmer switch

• US 8,710,763 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Hakkarainen, Susan, Nichols, Joseph M. Jr., Pessina, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUONG, HENRY T
• Application Number:
  US12/962,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20110140548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 200/237, 200/333, 200/43.22, 315/362, 174/488, 174/481, 174/66
• US Class Current: 315/292
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control

Abstract

A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to be converted from being configured as an electronic switch to being configured as a dimmer switch after installation. The load control device comprises a dimmer bezel having a control actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator and a detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel. The detachable switch bezel has an opening through which the control actuator may be actuated, and is adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel. The load control device is operable to change from a switch mode of operation to a dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.

Claims

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

a dimmer bezel having a control actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator;

a detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel, the detachable switch bezel having an opening such that the control actuator is actuated through the opening when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel, the detachable switch bezel adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel;

an air-gap switch adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for providing an actual air-gap break between the AC power source and the electrical load when the air-gap switch is open; and

an air-gap switch actuator coupled to the air-gap switch, such that the air-gap switch is opened when the air-gap switch actuator is pulled out from the control device, the detachable switch bezel comprising an actuator break adjacent the air-gap actuator that allows the air-gap actuator to be pulled out from the control device when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel;

wherein the control device is operable to change from a switch mode of operation to a dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.

2. The control device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller responsive to the control actuator and the intensity adjustment actuator for controlling the power delivered to the load, and for changing the control device from the switch mode of operation to the dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.

3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the dimmer bezel further comprises a linear array of visual indicators operable to be illuminated to provide a representation of an amount of power being delivered to the load when the controller is operating in the dimmer mode.

4. The control device of claim 3, wherein the detachable switch bezel comprises a single visual indicator operable to be illuminated when the controller is operating in the switch mode and when the load is on, the single visual indicator positioned on the detachable switch bezel such that the visual indicator is arranged immediately adjacent one of the visual indicators of the dimmer bezel when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

5. The control device of claim 4, wherein the single visual indicator is arranged immediately adjacent a middle one of the visual indicators of the dimmer bezel when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

6. The control device of claim 5, wherein the single visual indicator is illuminated dimly when the controller is operating in the switch mode and the load is off.

7. The control device of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to turn the load on and off in response to actuations of the control actuator when operating in the switch mode.

8. The control device of claim 7, wherein the controller is operable to turn the load on and off in response to actuations of the control actuator, and to adjust an amount of power delivered to the load in response to actuations of the intensity adjustment actuator when operating in the dimmer mode.

9. The control device of claim 8, wherein the load comprises a lighting load and the controller is operable to turn the lighting load on to a preset intensity in response to actuations of the control actuator when the controller is operating in the dimmer mode.

10. The control device of claim 2, further comprising:

a communication circuit operable to transmit digital message on a communication link, the controller operatively coupled to the communication circuit for transmitting digital messages including commands for controlling the load in response to actuations of the control actuator and the intensity adjustment actuator.

11. The control device of claim 2, further comprising:

a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled between the source and the load for controlling the power delivered to the load;

wherein the controller is operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive so as to control the power delivered to the load in response to actuations of the control actuator and the intensity adjustment actuator.

12. The control device of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to change from the switch mode of operation to the dimmer mode of operation in response to a first actuation of the intensity adjustment actuator after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.

13. The control device of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to provide an advanced programming mode for changing between the switch mode of operation and the dimmer mode of operation.

14. The control device of claim 1, wherein the detachable switch bezel comprises sidewalls and a plurality of snaps located on interior surfaces of the sidewalls, the snaps adapted to be received in openings of the dimmer bezel when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the detachable switch bezel comprises at least one notch adapted to receive a tool to aid in removal of the switch bezel from the dimmer bezel.

16. The control device of claim 14, wherein the intensity adjustment actuator extends from a front surface of the dimmer bezel, and the detachable switch bezel comprises a recess for receiving the intensity adjustment actuator when the switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

17. A detachable switch bezel for use with a control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source and an electrical load, the control device comprising a dimmer bezel having a control actuator, an intensity adjustment actuator, and an air-gap switch actuator coupled to an air-gap switch that is adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load and to be opened when the air-gap switch actuator is pulled out from the control device, the detachable switch bezel comprising:

a front surface having an opening, the detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel of the control device, such that the control actuator is actuated through the opening;

four sidewalls arranged around a periphery of the front surface;

a recess for receiving the intensity adjustment actuator when the switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel, such that the detachable switch bezel adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel; and

an actuator break adapted to be located adjacent the air-gap actuator when the switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel, the actuator break allowing the air-gap actuator to be pulled out from the control device when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

18. The detachable switch bezel of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of snaps located on interior surfaces of the sidewalls, the snaps adapted to be received in openings of the dimmer bezel when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel.

19. The detachable switch bezel of claim 17, further comprising:

at least one notch adapted to receive a tool to aid in removal of the switch bezel from the dimmer bezel.