Remote fan operator
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJoshua A. Alger, David R. Cariello, Sean M. Franklin, Andrew J. Lohr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adaptor for providing remote control of a mechanical actuator includes a housing having a bore formed therein for receiving a portion of the mechanical actuator. At least one engagement mechanism extends into the bore such that the at least one engagement mechanism engages the portion of the mechanical actuator. A motor is coupled to the at least one engagement mechanism and a sensor is operably coupled to the motor such that the motor is configured to actuate the mechanical actuator via the at least one engagement mechanism in response to a signal detected by the sensor.
Claims18
An adaptor for providing remote control of a mechanical actuator of an appliance,
- the mechanical actuator comprising a first portion within the appliance and a second portion at an exterior of the appliance,
- the adaptor comprising:
- a housing comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a bore formed in the housing to extend longitudinally from the first end to the second end, the first end of the housing being arranged in contact with an adjacent portion of the appliance such that:
- the bore is receptive of a first section of the second portion of the mechanical actuator, which is proximal to the first portion,
- the first section of the second portion is co-linear with the first portion, and
- a second section of the second portion is remote from the first portion and is oriented perpendicularly relative to the first section at an exterior of the housing;
- at least one engagement mechanism extending into the bore such that the at least one engagement mechanism engages the first section of the second portion of the mechanical actuator;
- a motor coupled to the at least one engagement mechanism;
- and
- a sensor operably coupled to the motor, such that the motor is configured to actuate the mechanical actuator via the at least one engagement mechanism in response to a signal detected by the sensor.
A remotely operable home appliance, comprising:
- a component including a plurality of settings;
- a mechanical actuator operable to select one of the plurality of settings of the component, the mechanical actuator comprising a first portion within the component and a second portion at an exterior of the component;
- and
- an adaptor arranged in contact with the component and within which a first section of the second portion of the mechanical actuator is received such that:
- the first section of the second portion is proximal to the first portion,
- the first section of the second portion is co-linear with the first portion, and
- a second section of the second portion is remote from the first portion and is oriented perpendicularly relative to the first section at an exterior of the housing,
- the adaptor including at least one engagement mechanism engaged with and configured to apply a force to the first section of the second portion of the mechanical actuator in response to a signal sensed from a remote device.
A method of remotely controlling an appliance, comprising:
- arranging an adapter in contact with a component comprising a mechanical actuator,
- the mechanical actuator comprising a first portion within the component and a second portion at an exterior of the component,
- the second portion comprising a first section, which is proximal to the first portion, and a second section, which is remote from the first portion,
- the arranging comprising:
- receiving the first section within the adapter such that the first section is co-linear with the first portion and the second section is oriented perpendicularly relative to the first section at an exterior of the adapter;
- engaging at least one engagement mechanism of the adaptor with the first section;
- detecting a signal generated by a remote device;
- processing the signal;
- and
- operating a motor operably coupled to the at least one engagement mechanism to achieve an operational setting of the appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.