Retrofit remote control device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11636754-B2
Application number	US-202016874433-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 14, 2020
Priority date	May 14, 2019
Publication date	Apr 25, 2023
Grant date	Apr 25, 2023

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 wallbox. The remote control device may include a base, a battery, a battery holder, and a control unit. The base may be configured to attach the remote control device to the mechanical switch. The control unit may be configured to be removably attached to the base. The battery holder may be configured to retain the battery therein. The battery holder may be configured to be installed within the void defined by the housing. The battery holder may be operable between a first position in a lower portion of the void and a second position in an upper portion of the void.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control device for use in a load control system, the remote control device configured to be mounted over an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:
a base that defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of a paddle actuator of the mechanical switch therein, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes power to be delivered to the electrical load, wherein when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the base at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator;
a control unit that is configured to be attached to the base, the control unit comprising a control interface and a housing, the control unit further configured to transmit a control signal in response to a user input, the housing comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, and opposed side walls, the housing defining a void bounded by the upper wall, the lower wall, and the opposed side walls;
a battery that is configured to power the control unit; and
a battery holder that is configured to retain the battery therein, the battery holder configured to be installed within the void defined by the housing,
wherein the battery holder is operable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position such that a location of the battery within the control unit is adjusted, the first position being in a lower portion of the void that is proximate to the lower wall and the second position being in an upper portion of the void that is proximate to the upper wall.

2. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the battery holder is operable between the first position and the second position such that the battery holder is configured to be in the first position when an upper portion of the paddle actuator is the protruding portion and the battery holder is configured to be in the second position when the lower portion of the paddle actuator is the protruding portion.

3. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the opposed side walls comprises a rib extending into the void, and wherein the battery holder is configured to be translated along the rib between the first position and the second position.

4. The remote control device of claim 3 , wherein the battery holder comprises a plurality of tabs configured to captively engage the rib when the battery holder is installed within the control unit.

5. The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of tabs is configured to abut a front side of the rib and at least one of the plurality of tabs is configured to abut a rear side of the rib such that the battery holder is configured to translate in a plane parallel to the rib.

6. The remote control device of claim 3 , wherein the rib defines a first stop proximate to the lower wall of the housing and a second stop proximate to the upper wall of the housing, and wherein the first stop is configured to stop the battery holder in the first position, and wherein the second stop is configured to stop the battery holder in the second position.

7. The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible connector configured to electrically connect the battery holder and a printed circuit board of the control unit.

8. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the battery holder is configured to be translated within the void between the first position and the second position.

9. The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein the opposed side walls comprise ribs, and wherein the battery holder is configured to be translated along the ribs between the first position and the second position.

10. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the battery holder is configured to pivot about a pivot axis such that the battery holder is operated between the first position and the second position.

11. The remote control device of claim 10 , wherein the pivot axis is defined by a midpoint of the control unit.

12. The remote control device of claim 10 , wherein the control unit includes a pivot bar that defines the pivot axis, and wherein the battery holder is configured to attach to the pivot bar.

13. The remote control device of claim 12 , wherein the pivot bar is attached to the opposed side walls of the housing.

14. The remote control device of claim 12 , wherein the battery holder defines one or more clips configured to attach the battery holder to the pivot bar.

15. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the battery holder is configured to electrically connect the battery to the control unit.

16. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the battery holder comprises a pair of electrical contacts configured to abut respective positive and negative terminals of the battery.

17. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the battery holder comprises a frame, a plate configured to be attached to the frame, and a battery socket, wherein the plate defines an opening configured to receive the battery socket.

18. The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein the battery socket defines a plurality of clips configured to secure the battery socket to the plate.

19. The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein the frame defines one or more tabs configured to secure the plate within the battery holder.

20. The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein the battery holder is configured to receive a retaining clip to secure the battery within the battery holder.

21. The remote control device of claim 20 , wherein the retaining clip defines a plurality of tabs configured to engage complimentary features on the plate.

22. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to attach the remote control device to the mechanical switch.

23. The remote control device of claim 22 , wherein the base is configured to be attached to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator.

24. The remote control device of claim 23 , wherein the base defines a tab configured to attach to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator.

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

26. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the void of the control unit is configured to receive the protruding portion of the paddle actuator when the control unit is attached to the base.

27. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communication circuit that is configured to transmit the control signal, the control unit configured to translate the user input from the control interface into the control signal.

28. The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising a spacer between the base and the control unit.

29. The remote control device of claim 28 , wherein the spacer is configured to releasably attach to the base and the control unit is configured to releasably attach to the spacer.

30. The remote control device of claim 29 , wherein the spacer defines auxiliary attachment tabs that are configured to engage the control unit.

31. The remote control device of claim 29 , wherein the spacer defines snaps that are configured to engage the base.

Assignees

• Lutron Tech Co Llc

Inventors

• Dimberg Chris

Classifications

• H05B47/196

  characterised by user interface arrangements · CPC title

• H05B47/1975

  Gesture control · CPC title

• H05B47/19 Primary

  via wireless transmission · CPC title

• F21V23/04

  the elements being switches (safety devices F21V25/00) · CPC title

• H01M50/216

  adapted for button or coin cells · CPC title