Retrofit remote control devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10741339-B2
Application number	US-201715469079-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2017
Priority date	Mar 24, 2016
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a multi-gang wallbox adjacent to a second electrical device, such as another mechanical switch or an electrical receptacle. The second electrical device may be recessed with respect to the remote control device and may be brought forward towards a front surface of the adapter by loosening a first set of screws that attach a yoke of the second electrical device to the multi-gang wallbox, and tightening a second set of screws that attach the adapter to the yoke of the second electrical device. The remote control device may comprise one or more configurable attachment members for attaching the adapter to the yoke of the mechanical switch and/or to the yoke of the second electrical device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A remote control device that is configured 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:
an adapter that is configured to be attached to a first yoke of a first electrical device that is a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the electrical load, the adapter defining first and second openings;
a control unit that is configured to be attached to the adapter, the control unit including a user interface and a wireless communication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a user input from the user interface into a control signal that controls the load control device, and to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal;
a faceplate that is configured to be attached to the adapter, the faceplate having an opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the user interface; and
an attachment member that is configured to be installed into the adapter in the first opening or the second opening in respective first or second orientations, and that is further configured to attach to the first yoke of the mechanical switch or a second yoke of a second electrical device,
wherein the attachment member comprises a bracket that defines a yoke abutment surface that is spaced a first distance from a rear surface of the adapter when the bracket is installed in the adapter in the first orientation, and that is spaced a second distance from the rear surface of the adapter when the bracket is installed in the adapter in the second orientation, and
wherein when the mechanical switch is mounted in a multi-gang wallbox adjacent to the second electrical device, the first opening is configured to surround a bezel of the mechanical switch and the second opening is configured to surround a portion of the second electrical device.

2. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is further configured to be attached to the second yoke.

3. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to enable adjustment of the first and second yokes, respectively, toward and away from the wallbox.

4. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein when the control unit and the faceplate are attached to the adapter:
a rear surface of the faceplate is spaced from a rear surface of the adapter that abuts a structural surface through a first distance;
a front surface of the faceplate is spaced from rear surface of the faceplate through a second distance; and
an outer surface of the control unit is spaced from the front surface of the faceplate through a third distance.

5. The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are equal to each other.

6. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein when the faceplate is attached to the adapter, the faceplate is spaced from a surface of a structure to which the mechanical switch is mounted.

7. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is removably attachable to the adapter.

8. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit defines a recess that is configured to receive a portion of a toggle of the mechanical switch when the control unit is attached to the adapter.

9. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a capacitive touch interface.

Assignees

• Lutron Tech Co Llc

Inventors

• Dimberg Chris
• Killo Jason C
• Kreschollek Brad Michael
• Mcdonald Matthew Philip

Classifications

• H05B47/1975

  Gesture control · CPC title

• H05B47/19

  via wireless transmission · CPC title

• H01H9/287

  wherein the operating part is made inaccessible or more difficult to access by a lid, cover or guard, e.g. lockable covers · CPC title

• H01H9/025

  Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation · CPC title

• H01H9/0235

  specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus · CPC title