AU2014202805A1 - Retrofit-able Wireless Switch Multiplier - Google Patents

Abstract

Retrofit-able Wireless Switch Multiplier - Abstract The invention relates to systems and methods that allow a unit of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier to be placed on an ordinary electrical switch plate and to connect wirelessly to another unit mounted in a building ceiling cavity to switch electrical power circuits and which is capable of controlling multiple electrical circuits. More specifically, the invention relates to a retrofit-able wireless switch that simulates operation of any standard wall switch to enable electrical power circuits to be remotely switched. The invention allows normal domestic and commercial electrical circuits to be switched under wireless control, without requiring an active conductor to pass through the terminals of the switch plate. (N it 0) 00 '-IIN I -00

Description

RETROFIT-ABLE WIRELESS SWITCH MULTIPLIER Field of the invention [001] The invention relates to systems and methods that allow a unit of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier to be placed on an ordinary electrical switch plate and to connect wirelessly to another unit mounted in a building ceiling cavity to switch electrical power circuits and which is capable of controlling multiple electrical circuits. More specifically, the invention relates to a retrofit-able wireless switch that simulates operation of any standard wall switch to enable electrical power circuits to be remotely switched. Background of Invention [002] Installing additional electrical circuits in an existing building is time consuming and expensive. Placing additional wall switches, using existing technology, requires new wiring to be placed in existing walls. [003] The wires of these equipments in general are surfaced into the wall and are hence not easily repairable and replaceable. In this situation, where extra wiring is required to control any newly installed equipment such as a ceiling fan or heater lamp, the wall needs to be chased to allow for the installation of the extra wiring. This is an expensive and messy process. [004] Remotely/wirelessly operable electrical devices are available, for example televisions and air-conditioners etc. But each requires some form of hand held remote control device and/or is not unobtrusively compatible with all switch types, makes and models. Such remote control devices are generally specific to the particular appliance or appliance manufacturer, and are designed to operate the device, rather than switch the underlying power circuit. 1 [005] Other wireless remote control systems exist to operate a wall mounted switch from a distance, but those devices require the active conductor of the electrical circuit to pass through the wall mounted switch. Such devices use data networking technology from the information technology sciences and require programming knowledge. They are not in a format that is familiar to an electrician, or compatible with well understood wiring practices in the trade. [006] Hence, in light of the above discussion, it is desirable to develop a system that overcomes one or more problems and limitations of the prior art. Summary of Invention [007] The present invention is developed to provide a retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier that simulates the operation of any standard ganged wall switch to enable multiple electrical power circuits to be remotely switched, without the need for the active conductors to pass through the wall switch. [008] An embodiment of present invention discloses a system for remotely switching a number of electrical power circuits. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device includes a wall mounted actuator and a ceiling cavity mounted switching relay system. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device comprises a wall mounted unit, comprising control circuitry and an RF transmitter and a ceiling cavity mounted unit comprising an RF receiver, control circuitry and switching relays. [009] The wall mounted unit has dimensions substantially similar to standard wall mounted switch plates. The wall mounted unit is configured to operate as an actuator driving a plurality of actuation signals to a multiplexer. The RF transmitter is connected to the wall mounted unit and transmits multiplexed signals as encoded data. The ceiling cavity mounted unit has dimensions substantially similar to standard junction boxes and the ceiling cavity mounted unit 2 further comprises an RF receiver for receiving multiplexed signals from the RF transmitter. The RF receiver is further configured to deliver encoded data received to a de-multiplexer that is configured to decode and transmit relay control signals to a plurality of switching relays to close and break electrical power circuits. The plurality of switching relays is used to control the supply of power to specific electrical power circuits. [0010] It is an object of invention of invention to provide a system that is compatible with standard electrical equipment components. [0011] It is an another object of invention to provide a pairing mechanism that associates individual switches on the wall mounted unit to specific relays in the ceiling cavity mounted unit. [0012] The pairing mechanism is inherent in the design of the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device and does not require an external programming device. The pairing mechanism uniquely associates a particular wall mounted unit with a corresponding ceiling mounted unit, enabling a plurality of paired configurations to be installed in close proximity without accidental actuation of relays. [0013] In the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device a plurality of signals is used for controlling the operation of the switching relays using an encoding scheme. [0014] It is a further object of invention to provide a system that eliminates the needs to have multiple lights/devices activated from the same switch. Each device can be individually switched without installing additional switch wires. [0015] It is yet an another object of invention to provide the wall mounted unit which is powered by one or more of a long lasting small battery, a low voltage wired supply and a photovoltaic cell. 3 [0016] This invention is pointed out with particularity to the appended claims. Additional features and advantages of the system will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Drawin2s [0017] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. These figures and the associated description are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. [0018] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the invention retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [0020] Figure 3 is a schematic of another embodiment of the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0021] Figure 4 is a schematic of a further embodiment of the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention [0022] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The examples shown in description are not intended to limit the application and uses of the various embodiments. Various modifications to the disclosed invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and 4 the methodology defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the examples shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the methodology and features disclosed herein.It should also be noted that FIGS. 1-4 are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale. [0023] In accordance with an embodiment of invention, retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100), as shown in figure 1, comprises a wall mounted unit (118) and a ceiling cavity mounted unit (104). The wall mounted unit (118) in accordance with the present invention refers to a system capable of taking input from user and generating actuation signals according to the input and further, able to transmit the encoded signal. The ceiling cavity mounted switching relay system (104) in accordance with the present invention refers to the system having plurality of relays and receiver capable of receiving the multiplexed encoded signals, able to decode the received signals and further to switch the electrical power circuits according to the inputs.. [0024] The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) includes a wall mounted unit (118), comprising a ganged switch plate (119) and a control unit (124). The dimensions of the wall mounted unit are substantially similar to standard wall mounted switch plates, and may include any typical ganged switch wall plate as the user interface. [0025] Substantively, the wall mounted unit (118) is provided with a plurality of inputs (120), each input may be any device that can used to control/allow continuity of signal between two points. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of input and includes, but is not limited to rocker switch, push button switch, selector switch, toggle switch or other device capable of controlling/allowing the continuity of signal now known or later developed. 5 [0026] The control unit (124) comprises a power source (117), pairing logic (121), a multiplexer (115) and an RF transmitter (116). In the illustrated embodiment, the power source (117) may be any of a battery, photovoltaic cell, low voltage wire or rechargeable battery, capable of delivering 1-12V to power the operating logic of the control unit. [0027] In the illustrated embodiment the wall mounted unit (118) an assembly four rocker switches (120) provided on a single wall switch plate (119). It should be noted that the numbers of switches should not restrict the invention in any manner. The present invention may have a flexible number of switches according to the user's need or number of electrical circuits to be switched. Likewise the invention may include a plurality components or/and mechanisms discussed above or below in the description. [0028] The four standard rocker switches (120) are used to control the electrical power circuits individually or in combination or both individually and in combination. The electrical power circuits may provide power to conventional lights, fans, air-conditioners, heaters and any other device normally powered with a domestic or commercial electrical power circuit. [0029] Further, the wall mounted unit (118) is configured to operate as an actuator. Each of the rocker switches (120) activates a signal to the multiplexer (115). The multiplexer encodes the several signals from the rocker switches into a single encoded data stream and transfers that stream to the RF Transmitter (116). Each of the signals in the encoded stream represents a command to the particular relay (112) the rocker switch (120) is paired with. The RF transmitter (116) further transmits the set of multiplexed encoded signals. [0030] The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) further includes a ceiling cavity mounted unit (104). The ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) preferably has the dimensions similar to standard junction boxes. The ceiling mounted unit comprises: a RF 6 receiver (110), a de-multiplexer (108), relay actuator logic (109), switching relays (112), and a logic power source (106) to provide power for the ceiling cavity mounted unit logic circuits. The logic power source (106) may be conveniently supplied from a standard power point installed in the ceiling cavity (represented as 115). [0031] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, The RF receiver (110) of the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) receives multiplexed signals from the RF transmitter (116). The RF receiver (110) is further configured to deliver the received encoded data to the de-multiplexer (108). The de multiplexer (108) decodes and transmits relay control signals to the relay actuator logic (109), which actuates a plurality of switching relays (112) to close and break electrical power circuits. The active conductor of a particular circuit (113) is joined to the normally open contact of a switching relay (112) and the common conductor (114) is joined to the common contact of the switching relay. Hence, the switching relays (112) are used to control the supply of electrical power to the electrical installation responsive to the operation of a switch (120) on the wall mounted unit (118). The system described avoids the requirement for an active conductor to be routed through the wall mounted unit as is required in prior art. [0032] In one embodiment the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) is mounted in the ceiling space or in close proximity to one and/or more electrical installations. In another embodiment the RF receiver (110) is located in a convenient location external to the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) and connected to it by a data cable or similar physical connection. [0033] In an embodiment of invention, the wall mounted actuator further comprises a control switch circuit operatively connected to the RF transmitter (116) for generating a control signal when activated by the closing of a standard wall switch (120). The relay unit (112) likewise 7 further comprises a control unit (108) operatively connected to the RF receiver (110) for controlling the operation of one or more relay and responsive to the control signal. [0034] In an embodiment of invention control protocols are associated to relay actuator logic (108) and the pairing logic (121) to ensure that all relays open on loss of communication between the wall mounted unit (118) and the RF receiver (110).The control protocols are further incorporated with control unit (124) attached to the wall mounted unit (118) for detection of low power in the wall mounted unit. [0035] In an embodiment of invention, the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) includes pairing logic (121) for establishing communication between the wall mounted unit (118) and ceiling cavity mounted unit (104). The pairing logic (121) associates individual switches (120) on the wall mounted unit (118) to specific relays in the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104).The present embodiment uses a unique pairing code to pair individual switches (120) with corresponding switching relays (112). This may alternatively be done using some dip switches - a different switch combination corresponding to a different pairing code. This would however, significantly lower the number of available unique pairing codes. In an embodiment of invention the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) may have a pairing button (111). This enables a pairing lock in the system for preventing undesirable operation of switching relays (112). [0036] In an embodiment of invention, the communication from the RF transmitter (116) to the RF receiver (110) is kept to a minimum to prolong battery life. In an exemplary embodiment and as depicted in Figure 1, the wall mounted unit (118) is having four rocker switches (120), mounted in a single wall mounted switch plate. When any one or more of the switches (120) is switched ON, the pairing logic (121) causes the multiplexer (115) to send an encoded signal to 8 the RF transmitter (116). The encoded signal conveys information about the switch (120) that has been activated to the ceiling cavity unit (104) with which the wall mounted unit (118) is paired. The RF transmitter transmits the encoded data (122) over an RF channel to the RF receiver (110) in the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104). The encoded data is transferred from the RF receiver (110) to the de-multiplexer (108) which signals the relevant relay unit (112) to close the normally open contact. . In this way, retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) mimics the operation of any standard wall switch. It simply moves the point of control from behind the wall switch plate to the ceiling space where all other wiring is readily available. Likewise when a switch is switched OFF, corresponding functionality operates to open the normally open contact. [0037] In one embodiment of the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100), the wall mounted unit (118) is battery powered and the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) is mounted in a ceiling cavity and is adapted to be connected to the mains power supply via a standard socket outlet (115) provided in the ceiling space. [0038] In an embodiment of invention, the ceiling cavity mounted unit (104) is a small electronic device (approx. 100 x 40 x 40 mm) powered via a standard AC plug. This AC plug connection is used in preference to being hard-wired to allow for testing of the unit via a standard power point prior to installation. It is designed to be installed into a ceiling space or any location where wiring is readily available and plugged into a standard socket outlet. It does not supply any power to the device which it is controlling. It simply houses relays for the switching of external power to any device at any voltage within its operating specifications (typical rating of 250V AC at 10 or 15 A). Advantageously, the wall mounted unit (118) is contained in a housing which is small enough to be received in a cavity or mounting box 9 behind a wall plate of standard wall size. The housing in this embodiment is preferably a cylindrical shape and has physical dimensions in keeping with existing typical switch enclosures, i.e. able to fit comfortably within a standard switch plate mounting box. [0039] In an embodiment of invention, a flexible aerial is provided for the wall mounted unit (118) which is able to extend out through the rear of a switch plate mounting box to improve RF transmission. The switch plate mounting boxes may be made of metal and would otherwise act as a shield for the RF transmission. [0040] In another embodiment of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) the wall mounted unit of this embodiment is not battery powered, but is powered from the mains power supply instead. This may be possible, for example, if two wiring cores are available at the switch plate. In this case wall mounted unit can be powered via a low voltage transformer (Power Pack) installed in the ceiling space. [0041] In another embodiment of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100) according to figure 3, multiple wall mounted units may communicate with multiple ceiling cavity mounted units located at a common or multiple locations. The unique pairing mechanism inherent in the embodiment of the invention ensures that operation of a particular switch on a particular wall mounted unit will operate only that relay which is paired with the particular switch. [0042] Likewise, in another embodiment of retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device (100), according to figure 4 switches on a single wall mounted unit may operate paired relays in a multiple of ceiling cavity mounted units. . [0043] In an embodiment of invention the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device is incorporated with a mechanism to allow multiple operations on the electrical installations 10 according to the operational functions of electrical installations and user's need. In one embodiment the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device is used to dim the light. In another embodiment, the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device may allow user to regulate the fans. Further in another embodiment, the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device may allow the user to increase or decrease the temperature conditions of electrical installations. The various modifications are possible and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. [0044] It should further be noted that the embodiments described above may be used in both ways either individually or two or more embodiments may be combined according to user's need. The embodiments should not be limited by their names. The principle and the mechanism to operate various components/embodiments should be taken care of. For example the purpose of placing the ceiling mounted unit in the ceiling space near to electrical installation is to reduce required wiring. It may be placed at any other location in accordance with the user's need. Similarly the wall mounted unit is not limited to being placed only on the wall space. It may also be placed at any other location of user comfort. [0045] Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the methods and order of steps described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 11

Claims (6)

1. A retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device consisting of a wall mounted actuator and a ceiling cavity mounted switching relay system, the device being compatible with standard electrical equipment components , the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device comprising: a wall mounted unit having dimensions substantially similar to standard wall mounted switch plates and configured to operate as an actuator driving a plurality of actuation signals to a multiplexer; an RF transmitter connected to the wall mounted unit, the RF transmitter transmitting multiplexed signals as encoded data; and a ceiling cavity mounted unit having dimensions substantially similar to standard junction boxes, the ceiling mounted unit comprising: an RF receiver for receiving multiplexed signals from the RF transmitter, the RF receiver further configured to deliver encoded data received to a de-multiplexer; and the de-multiplexer configured to decode and transmit relay control signals to a plurality of switching relays to close and break electrical power circuits; the plurality of switching relays being used to control supply of power to specific electrical installations.

2. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device according to claim 1, wherein there is a pairing mechanism to associate individual switches on the wall mounted unit to specific relays in the ceiling cavity mounted unit. 12

3. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device according to claim 2, wherein the pairing mechanism is inherent in the design of the retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device and does not require an external programming device.

4. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device according to claim 2, wherein the pairing mechanism uniquely associates a particular wall mounted unit with a corresponding ceiling cavity mounted unit, enabling a plurality of paired configurations to be installed in close proximity without accidental actuation of relays.

5. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of signals controlling the operation of the switching relays use an encoding scheme.

6. The retrofit-able wireless switch multiplier device according to claim 1, wherein the wall mounted unit is powered by one or more of a long lasting small battery, a low voltage wired supply, and a photovoltaic cell. 13