Remote-controlled switch cover assembly
AssigneeEcolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
InventorMorgan Scruggs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.
Claims14
A method performed by a remote-controlled switch cover assembly for remote and manual control of an existing rocker switch, comprising:
- receiving a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch;
- and
- in response to receiving the wireless signal, causing a wiper to act upon a first portion of a tilt plate, thereby causing the first portion to move away from a first portion of the existing rocker switch and a second portion of the tilt plate to depress a second portion of the existing rocker switch, thereby causing the existing rocker switch to change state.
The method of claim 6, further comprising:
- adjusting a relative position of the manual rocker to the tilt plate by adjusting a position of a threaded adjustment post extending through the first portion of the manual rocker and in contact with the first portion of the tilt plate.
The method of claim 8, wherein causing the wiper to move to a position substantially over a valley of the existing rocker switch comprises:
- determining when the wiper has moved to a maximum rotation after causing the wiper to act upon the first portion of the tilt plate;
- in response to determining when the wiper has moved to the maximum rotation, causing the wiper to reverse direction;
- and
- determining when the wiper is in the position substantially over the valley of the existing rocker switch by generating an electrical signal by a contact switch when a deformity in a driver gear that rotates the wiper contacts the contact switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.