Rotary dimmer

Abstract

A rotary dimmer includes: a circuit board assembly; a switch assembly coupled to the circuit board assembly for controlling the connection or disconnection of the dimmer with a power supply; a housing for accommodating the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly, with an adjustment mating portion on a first side of the housing; a rotary assembly assembled to the first side of the housing, including a rotary body and primary and secondary adjustment portions; and a trigger assembly for triggering or de-triggering the switch assembly in response to the rotary assembly. When the rotary assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment portion engages with the adjustment mating portion, and the trigger assembly triggers the switch assembly to control the dimmer's connection with the power supply. When a first force is applied to the rotary assembly away from the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment portion disengages from the adjustment mating portion, then the secondary adjustment portion engages with the adjustment mating portion, and the trigger assembly de-triggers the switch assembly to control the dimmer's disconnection from the power supply. This dimmer features a simpler external surface and a lower probability of misoperation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of lighting control devices, and more particularly, to a knob dimmer. BACKGROUND

[0002] A dimmer refers to an electrical device that changes the luminous flux of a light source in a lighting device, adjusts the illumination level, and the basic principle is to change the effective value of the input current of the light source to achieve the purpose of dimming. The knob of the conventional knob dimmer is usually a single component, for example, a knob cap with a groove in the middle. During assembly, the knob is directly sleeved on the rotating shaft of the main body part of the dimmer. However, with the continuous improvement of the function and structure of the main body part of the dimmer, the conventional knob structure and its assembly method cannot adapt to the improved main body part of the dimmer. In addition, the conventional knob dimmer usually has a triggering mechanism, such as a button or a toggle switch, arranged on the outer surface of the product to trigger the connection or disconnection of the dimmer and the power supply end, which increases the complexity of the outer surface of the dimmer product. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to solve one or more of the above problems in the prior art, the embodiments of the present application provide an improved knob dimmer.

[0004] The knob dimmer according to an aspect of the present application comprises: a circuit board assembly; a switch assembly coupled to the circuit board assembly and configured to control the connection or disconnection of the knob dimmer and a power supply end; a housing configured to accommodate the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly, the housing being provided with an adjustment fitting part on a first side thereof; a knob assembly configured to be assembled to the first side of the housing, the knob assembly comprising a knob body and a primary adjustment part and a secondary adjustment part arranged on the knob body; and a triggering assembly configured to trigger or untrigger the switch assembly in response to the knob assembly to control the connection or disconnection of the knob dimmer and the power supply end; wherein, when the knob assembly is completely assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment part is matched with the adjustment fitting part, and the triggering assembly triggers the switch assembly to control the connection of the knob dimmer and the power supply end, when the knob assembly is applied with a first force away from the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment part is un-matched with the adjustment fitting part, and then the secondary adjustment part is matched with the adjustment fitting part, and the triggering assembly un-triggers the switch assembly to control the disconnection of the knob dimmer and the power supply end.

[0005] In one embodiment, when the knob assembly is applied with a second force away from the first side of the housing, the secondary adjustment part is un-matched with the adjustment fitting part, so that the knob assembly is detached from the housing.

[0006] In one embodiment, the trigger assembly comprises: a pushing portion disposed on the knob body; and a triggering component disposed adjacent to the first side of the housing, the triggering component configured to move between a first position and a second position in response to an action of the pushing portion, in the first position, the triggering component triggers the switch assembly to control the rotary dimmer to be in communication with the power supply terminal, in the second position, the triggering component un-triggers the switch assembly to control the rotary dimmer to be out of communication with the power supply terminal.

[0007] In one embodiment, the primary adjustment portion comprises a primary snap portion, the secondary adjustment portion comprises a secondary snap portion, and the adjustment mating portion comprises a snap mating portion, wherein, when the knob assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary snap portion forms a snap with the snap mating portion, when a first force away from the first side of the housing is applied to the knob assembly, the primary snap portion is disengaged from the snap mating portion, and then the secondary snap portion forms a snap with the snap mating portion.

[0008] In one embodiment, the primary snap portion and the secondary snap portion are formed on a resilient arm extending outwardly from a first side of the knob body, the primary snap portion is arranged to be closer to the first side of the knob body than the secondary snap portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, a through hole is formed on the first side of the housing, the snap mating portion is formed on an inner wall of the through hole, when the knob assembly is assembled, the secondary snap portion and the primary snap portion on the resilient arm enter the through hole in sequence, and when the knob assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary snap portion forms a snap with the snap mating portion on the inner wall of the through hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the primary snap portion is a triangular structure, and the secondary snap portion is a barb structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing comprises: a base configured to accommodate the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly; and a cover disposed on the base and configured to confine the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly within the base, wherein the adjustment mating portion is located on the cover.

[0012] In one embodiment, an included angle between the second force and the first force is obtuse.

[0013] In the rotary dimmer of the embodiments of the present application, the triggering assembly that triggers the dimmer to be in communication or disconnection with the power supply end is arranged inside the dimmer instead of being exposed outside (for example, arranged on the outer surface of the dimmer), thereby increasing the simplicity of the outer surface of the dimmer and reducing the possibility of false triggering. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments are illustrated by and made clear with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used only for illustrating the basic principles and thus only show aspects necessary for understanding the basic principles. These drawings are not to scale. In the drawings, identical reference numerals indicate identical or similar features.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic view of an exemplary rotary dimmer according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic view of the fully assembled state of the exemplary rotary dimmer along line A-A in FIG. 1 is shown. Figure 1

[0017] A cross-sectional schematic view of the fully assembled state of the exemplary rotary dimmer along line B-B in FIG. 1 is shown. Figure 3 Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic view of the half-assembled state of the exemplary rotary dimmer along line A-A in FIG. 1 is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic view of the half-assembled state of the exemplary rotary dimmer along line B-B in FIG. 1 is shown.

[0019] Figure 5 A cross-sectional schematic view of the half-assembled state of the exemplary rotary dimmer along line B-B in FIG. 1 is shown. Figure 1

[0020] A schematic view of an exemplary rotary assembly according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The making and using of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the particular embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the application and do not limit the scope of the application. In describing the various components of the embodiments, the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," and the like are used for clarity and are not meant to be limiting. These terms are relative terms and are used to describe the orientation of the various components as they are shown in the drawings. If the orientation of the various components is changed, the relative terms will change accordingly.

[0022] ​​​Traditional rotary dimmers typically have a single knob, such as a knob cap with a groove in the center. However, with the continuous improvement of the function and structure of the dimmer body, this traditional knob structure and its assembly method are no longer compatible with the improved dimmer body. Furthermore, traditional rotary dimmers usually have a trigger mechanism, such as a button or toggle switch, on the outer surface of the product to trigger the connection or disconnection of the dimmer to the power supply. This design reduces the simplicity of the dimmer's outer surface and poses a possibility of accidental triggering.

[0023] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this invention proposes a rotary dimmer, and refers to... Figures 1 to 6 The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through a detailed description of the embodiments.

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The rotary dimmer 10 includes a housing 11, a knob assembly 12, a circuit board assembly 13, a switch assembly 14, and a trigger assembly 15. The housing 11 defines a receiving cavity for accommodating mechanical parts and / or electronic components. The housing 11 includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. An adjustment mating portion 112 is provided on the first side. The knob assembly 12 is fitted to the first side of the housing 11, engaging with the adjustment mating portion 112. The trigger assembly 15 is at least partially housed within the receiving cavity of the housing 11. The switch assembly 14 is coupled to the circuit board assembly 13 and housed together with the circuit board assembly 13 within the receiving cavity of the housing 11. The circuit board assembly 13 may house, for example, a power module, a dimming control module, or other suitable functional modules. These functional modules can be integrated onto a single PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) or implemented separately on individual PCBAs.

[0025] During installation and use, the housing 11 can first be installed in the desired location, such as inside a wall box. The housing 11 can be fixed to the desired location by screws or other suitable means. In some embodiments, a mounting bracket 16 can be provided on the second side of the housing 11. The mounting bracket 16 can be fixed to the second side of the housing 11 by snap-fit ​​or other suitable means. The housing 11 can be installed in the desired location through the mounting bracket 16. For example, multiple screw holes can be formed on the mounting bracket 11, and multiple screws pass through the multiple screw holes to fix the housing 11 in the desired location. Then, the knob assembly 12 is fully assembled to the first side of the housing 11. Here, "fully assembled" means that the knob assembly 12 is connected to the housing 11 in place.

[0026] In some embodiments, the rotary dimmer 10 may include an inner panel 17 and a front panel 18 for protection and / or decoration of the dimmer. During installation and use, the housing 11 is first installed in the desired position using the mounting bracket 16; then the inner panel 17 is secured to the mounting bracket 16; next, the front panel 18 is secured to the inner panel 17; finally, the knob assembly 12 is fully assembled to the first side of the housing 11. The inner panel 17 may be secured to the mounting bracket 16 by, for example, screws or other suitable means. The front panel 18 may be secured to the inner panel 17 by, for example, snap-fit ​​connections or other suitable means.

[0027] After installation, the rotary dimmer 10 is coupled to both the power supply and the lighting load. The illuminance of the lighting load can be adjusted by rotating the rotary assembly 12.

[0028] The power supply is coupled to AC mains to obtain electrical energy. AC mains can be, for example, 220V AC in China, 120V AC in North America, or other AC voltages from other countries / regions. In some cases, it is necessary to directly disconnect the rotary dimmer 10 from the AC mains. For this purpose, the connection or disconnection of the rotary dimmer 10 from the power supply can be controlled by triggering the switch assembly 14. For example, triggering the switch assembly 14 in response to the force applied by the rotary assembly 12, either triggering the switch assembly 14 to connect the rotary dimmer 10 to the power supply or releasing the triggering switch assembly 14 to disconnect the rotary dimmer 10 from the power supply.

[0029] Reference Figure 6 and combined Figures 1 to 5 The knob assembly 12 includes a knob body 122 and a primary adjustment part 124 and a secondary adjustment part 126 disposed on the knob body 122. When assembling the knob assembly 12, force can be applied to the knob body 122 until the primary adjustment part 124 engages with the adjustment mating part 112 on the first side of the housing 11, thereby achieving a fully assembled state (i.e., the knob assembly 12 is connected to the housing 11). Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. In this fully assembled state, the trigger assembly 15, in response to the force applied by the knob assembly 12, triggers the switch assembly 14 to control the rotary dimmer 10 to connect to the power supply terminal, as shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0030] In some embodiments, the primary adjustment portion 124 may include a primary locking portion 1242, and the secondary adjustment portion 126 may include a secondary locking portion 1262. Correspondingly, the adjustment mating portion 112 on the first side of the housing 11 may include a locking mating portion 1122.

[0031] In some embodiments, a primary latching portion 1242 and a secondary latching portion 1262 may be formed on an elastic arm 125 extending outward from a first side of the knob body 122. The primary latching portion 1242 may be positioned closer to the first side of the knob body 122 than the secondary latching portion 1262. The primary latching portion 1242 may be, for example, a triangular structure or other suitable structure. The secondary latching portion 1262 may be, for example, a barb structure or other suitable structure.

[0032] Understandable Figure 6 The pair of primary regulating units 124 and the pair of secondary regulating units 126 shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. In practical applications, the number of primary and secondary regulating units can be set according to requirements.

[0033] It is understood that the cooperation between the primary adjustment part 124, the secondary adjustment part 126 and the adjustment mating part 112 is not limited to a snap-fit ​​cooperation. Other suitable cooperation methods, such as threaded connection cooperation, are also applicable to the concept of the present invention.

[0034] In some embodiments, the housing 11 may include a base 114 and a cover plate 116 disposed on the base 114. The cover plate 116 may be fixed to the base 114 by, for example, screw connection, snap-fit ​​connection, or other suitable means. A first side of the housing 11 may be the side where the cover plate 116 is located. A snap-fit ​​portion 1122 may be formed on the cover plate 116. In some embodiments, a through hole 1162 may be formed on the cover plate 116. The snap-fit ​​portion 1122 may be formed on the inner wall of the through hole 1162.

[0035] In some embodiments, the trigger assembly 15 may include a push portion 152 and an actuating member 154. The push portion 152 may be disposed on a first side of the knob body 122. For example, the push portion 152 may be a protrusion extending outward from the first side of the knob body 122. The actuating member 154 may be disposed adjacent to the cover plate 116. In some embodiments, an opening 1164 may be formed on the cover plate 116, and the actuating member 154 is disposed within the opening 1164. The actuating member 154 may be, for example, an actuating rod 1544 fitted with a spring 1542. In other embodiments, the push portion 152 may not be disposed on the knob body 122, but may be coupled to the actuating member 154.

[0036] In some embodiments, the switch assembly 14 may include a micro switch 142. A spring 144 is provided on the micro switch 142. By pressing the spring 144, the micro switch 142 can be triggered to close or open. It is understood that the type of switch assembly 14 is not limited to a micro switch, but may also be other types of switches, such as mechanical switches.

[0037] When assembling the knob assembly 12, with the first side of the knob assembly 12 facing the cover plate 116, force is applied to the knob body 122 to push the elastic arm 125 into the through hole 1162. The secondary locking part 1262 on the elastic arm 125 first enters the through hole 1162, and then the primary locking part 1242 enters the through hole 1162 and forms a locking engagement with the locking mating part 1122 on the inner wall of the through hole 1162, thereby achieving a fully assembled state (that is, the knob assembly 12 is connected to the housing 11). Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. In this fully assembled state, the actuating lever 1544 is pushed from the second position to the first position by the pusher 152. In the first position, the actuating lever 1544 presses down the spring 144 to trigger the micro switch 142 to close, thereby controlling the rotary dimmer 10 to connect to the power supply terminal, as shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0038] When it is necessary to disconnect the rotary dimmer 10 from the mains power, a first force can be applied to the knob assembly 12 away from the first side of the housing 11, so that the first-stage locking part 1242 on the elastic arm 125 disengages from the locking engagement part 1122, and then the second-stage locking part 1262 engages with the locking engagement part 1122, thereby achieving a semi-assembled state, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram. Here, "semi-assembled" means that the knob assembly 12 is still connected to the housing 11, but spaced a certain distance away from it. In this semi-assembled state, the push part 152 disengages from the actuating rod 1544, and the actuating rod 1544 retracts from the first position to the second position under the force of the spring 1542 fitted on it. In this second position, the spring 144 resets, so that the micro switch 142 opens, thereby controlling the rotary dimmer 10 to disconnect from the power supply, as shown in the diagram. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the image.

[0039] When it is necessary to remove the knob assembly 12 from the housing 11, a second force can be applied to the knob assembly 12 away from the first side of the housing 11, so that the secondary adjustment part 1262 on the elastic arm 125 disengages from the locking part 1122, thereby achieving the disassembly state. Here, "disassembly" means that the knob assembly 12 is completely separated from the housing 11.

[0040] In some embodiments, the angle between the second force applied to the knob assembly 12 and the first force is an obtuse angle. For example, the first force may be a horizontal rightward force applied to the knob assembly 12, and the second force may be applied through a tool, such as... Figure 4 The flathead screwdriver S shown in the figure applies a downward-sloping force to the elastic arm 125 at an obtuse angle to the horizontal force to the right.

[0041] After removing the knob assembly 12 from the housing 11, if further removal of the remaining parts is required, the panel 18, inner panel 17 and housing 11 can be removed in sequence until the entire rotary dimmer 10 is removed from its mounting position.

[0042] The rotary dimmers of the various embodiments of the present invention differ from existing dimming products. In particular, in the rotary dimmers of the various embodiments of the present invention, the triggering component that triggers the dimmer to connect or disconnect from the power supply is located inside the dimmer, rather than being exposed, thereby increasing the simplicity of the dimmer's outer surface and reducing the possibility of false triggering.

[0043] The rotary dimmers of the various embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various occasions where the load illuminance needs to be adjusted, such as residential buildings, office buildings, shopping malls or other places.

[0044] It should be understood that, Figures 1 to 6 The embodiments shown only illustrate and label the main implementation units or components of the rotary dimmer according to the present invention. The shape and arrangement of each unit or component are only schematic and not limiting. Other shapes and sizes of units or components may be used in the rotary dimmer without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0045] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the disclosed concepts under the inventive concept of the present invention, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is illustrative rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotary dimmer, characterized in that, The rotary dimmer includes: Circuit board assembly; A switch assembly coupled to the circuit board assembly and configured to control the connection or disconnection of the rotary dimmer with the power supply. A housing configured to accommodate the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly, wherein an adjustment fitting portion is provided on a first side of the housing; A knob assembly, which is assembled to the first side of the housing, the knob assembly including a knob body and a primary adjustment portion and a secondary adjustment portion disposed on the knob body; and A triggering component is configured to trigger or detrigger the switching component in response to the knob component to control the connection or disconnection of the rotary dimmer with the power supply. When the knob assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment part engages with the adjustment mating part, and the trigger assembly triggers the switch assembly to control the rotary dimmer to connect to the power supply terminal. When a first force is applied to the knob assembly away from the first side of the housing, the primary adjustment part disengages from the adjustment mating part, and then the secondary adjustment part engages with the adjustment mating part, and the trigger assembly de-triggers the switch assembly to control the rotary dimmer to disconnect from the power supply terminal.

2. The rotary dimmer according to claim 1, characterized in that, When a second force is applied to the knob assembly away from the first side of the housing, the secondary adjustment part disengages from the adjustment engagement part, thereby disengaging the knob assembly from the housing.

3. The rotary dimmer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The triggering component includes: The push part provided on the knob body; and An actuating component is disposed adjacent to the first side of the housing. The actuating component is configured to move between a first position and a second position in response to the pushing part. In the first position, the actuating component triggers the switching assembly to control the rotary dimmer to connect to the power supply. In the second position, the actuating component de-triggers the switching assembly to control the rotary dimmer to disconnect from the power supply.

4. The rotary dimmer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The primary adjustment part includes a primary locking part, the secondary adjustment part includes a secondary locking part, and the adjustment mating part includes a locking mating part. When the knob assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary locking part and the locking mating part engage. When a first force is applied to the knob assembly away from the first side of the housing, the primary locking part disengages from the locking mating part, and then the secondary locking part engages with the locking mating part.

5. The rotary dimmer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary locking portion and the secondary locking portion are formed on an elastic arm extending outward from the first side of the knob body, and the primary locking portion is arranged to be closer to the first side of the knob body than the secondary locking portion.

6. The rotary dimmer according to claim 5, characterized in that, A through hole is formed on the first side of the housing, and the snap-fit ​​part is formed on the inner wall of the through hole. When the knob assembly is assembled, the secondary snap-fit ​​part and the primary snap-fit ​​part on the elastic arm enter the through hole in sequence, and when the knob assembly is fully assembled to the first side of the housing, the primary snap-fit ​​part engages with the snap-fit ​​part formed on the inner wall of the through hole.

7. The rotary dimmer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The primary locking part has a triangular structure, and the secondary locking part has a barbed structure.

8. The rotary dimmer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing includes: A base configured to accommodate the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly; and A cover plate is disposed on the base and configured to confine the circuit board assembly and the switch assembly within the base, wherein the adjusting engagement portion is located on the cover plate.

9. The rotary dimmer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The angle between the second force and the first force is an obtuse angle.

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