FAN SPEED DETECTION AND LIGHT STATUS FOR CEILING FANS

Abstract

A fan controller is provided for a ceiling fan. The fan controller includes one or more switching devices configured to selectively connect the ceiling fan to a power supply. The fan controller further includes a power meter circuit and one or more control devices. The one or more control devices are configured to obtain, via the power meter circuit, data indicative of the energy consumption of a ceiling fan motor. The one or more control devices are configured to determine which of a plurality of fan motor modes the fan motor is operating in, at least in part, based on the indicative energy consumption data.One or more control devices are configured to provide a notification to manipulate an input device on the ceiling fan to change the fan motor from the first mode to a second mode of the plurality of modes.

Description

FAN SPEED DETECTION AND LIGHT STATUS FOR CEILING FANS RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the previously filed and pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 928,419, filed on October 31, 2019, the full contents of which are incorporated by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure refers generally to ceiling fans. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Ceiling fans may include a plurality of fan blades and a fan motor. The fan motor can be configured to drive the rotation of the fan blades to circulate air within a space. Typical ceiling fans may also include a pull chain switch that a user can pull to alternate between a plurality of fan motor modes. For example, the user can pull the pull chain switch to change the fan motor from a first mode in which the fan motor is not connected to a power source to a second mode in which the The fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so the fan motor can rotate the fan blades. Additionally, the user can pull the pull chain to adjust the speed at which the fan motor rotates the fan blades. For example, the user can pull the pull chain to cycle through several speed settings (e.g., low, medium, high) of the fan motor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The aspects and advantages of the implementation forms of this disclosure will be partly set out in the following description, or can be learned from the description, or can be learned through the implementation of the implementation forms.

[0005] In one aspect, a fan controller is provided for a ceiling fan. The fan controller includes one or more switching devices configured to selectively connect the ceiling fan to a power supply. The fan controller further includes a power meter circuit and one or more control devices. The one or more control devices are configured to obtain, via the power meter circuit, data indicative of the energy consumption of a ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuo ceiling fan motor. One or more control devices are configured to determine whether the fan motor is set to a first mode of a plurality of fan motor modes based, at least in part, on data indicative of power consumption. One or more control devices are configured to provide a notification to manipulate an input device physically located on the ceiling fan to change the fan motor from the first mode to a second mode of the plurality of modes.

[0006] Other example aspects of this disclosure relate to apparatus, methods, electronic devices, non-transient computer-readable media, and systems.

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments will be better understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part thereof, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] A detailed analysis of the forms of realization aimed at a person of the mid-level trade is set out in the descriptive report, which refers to the attached figures, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 represents a ceiling fan according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 represents components of a ceiling fan according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 3 represents a bottom view of a ceiling fan according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 4 represents a ceiling fan having input devices configured to control the operation of one or more electrical loads of the ceiling fan according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 5 represents a fan system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 6 represents an example wall regulator of a fan system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 7 represents an example housing regulator of a fan system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0016] Figure 8 represents a flowchart of a method for configuring a fan system according to ML / I ¿UO forms of implementation of example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following will refer in detail to embodiments, where one or more examples are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments and not as a limitation of this disclosure. In fact, it will be evident to persons of average skill that various modifications and variations to the embodiments can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. It is therefore intended that aspects of this disclosure cover such modifications and variations.

[0018] The example aspects of this disclosure relate to ceiling fans. Typical ceiling fans may include one or more input devices physically located on the ceiling fan. The one or more input devices may be configured to receive manual user input associated with setting one or more electrical loads of the ceiling fan to a plurality of different operating modes. For example, the one or more input devices may include a pull chain switch that a user can manipulate (e.g., pull) to toggle between a plurality of operating modes of a fan motor in the ceiling fan. For example, the user may pull the pull chain switch to activate (e.g., turn on) and deactivate (e.g., turn off) the fan motor.Additionally, in some implementations, the user can pull the chain switch to adjust a speed at which the fan motor rotates the ceiling fan blades.

[0019] In some implementations, ceiling fans may include a pull chain switch that the user can manipulate (e.g., pull) to alternate between multiple operating modes of a ceiling fan light source. For example, the light source may be a non-dimmable light source, and the user can pull the pull chain switch to selectively connect the non-dimmable light source to a power source. As another example, the light source may be a dimmable light source, and the user can pull the pull chain switch to alternate between multiple operating modes of the dimmable light source to adjust the intensity (e.g., brightness) of the light emitted by the light source. M / E / ZyZZ / uOiZyo regulable.

[0020] The example aspects of this disclosure relate to a fan controller for a ceiling fan. In some implementations, the fan controller may include a wall controller and a housing controller. The wall controller may be separate from the ceiling fan. The housing controller may be located inside a ceiling fan housing. In alternative implementations, the fan controller may be integrated into the ceiling fan. For example, the fan controller may be located inside a ceiling fan housing. In some implementations, the fan controller may include a power meter circuit configured to monitor the power consumption of the ceiling fan motor. Additionally, the fan controller may include a power meter circuit configured to monitor the power consumption of a ceiling fan light source.

[0021] In some implementations, the fan controller can be configured to determine the current mode of the electrical load (e.g., fan motor, light source) based, at least in part, on data obtained through the power meter circuit and indicative of the electrical load's energy consumption. As will be discussed in more detail below, the fan controller can also be configured to determine whether the current mode of the electrical load prevents the fan controller from changing the load from the current mode to another of the multiple modes in which the electrical load can be configured.

[0022] In some implementations, the fan controller can determine a current mode of the fan motor and / or light source set by an input device physically located on the ceiling fan (e.g., a pull chain switch) that corresponds to a first mode in which the fan motor is decoupled from the power supply. However, because the input device has limited the fan motor and / or light source to the first mode in which the fan motor and / or light source are off (e.g., decoupled from the power supply), the fan controller cannot change the fan motor and / or light source from the first mode to a second mode in which the fan motor and / or light source are coupled to the power supply.

[0023] In some implementations, the fan controller can determine the current mode of the fan motor set by the input device, which corresponds to a first mode in which the fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the fan blades at a first speed. However, since the input device has ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuO limited the fan motor to the first mode in which the fan motor rotates the fan blades at the first speed, the fan regulator cannot change the fan motor from the first mode to a second mode in which the fan motor rotates the fan blades at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

[0024] In cases such as those discussed above, the fan controller can be configured to provide a notification instructing the user to manipulate (e.g., pull) the input device physically located on the ceiling fan to change the current mode of the electrical load (e.g., fan motor, light source, etc.) from the first mode to a second mode. This does not prevent the fan controller from changing the electrical load to another mode from the plurality of modes. For example, the notification can be provided to a user device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.) associated with the user and can instruct the user to manipulate the pull chain switch to set the fan motor to a mode in which the fan motor can rotate the fan blades at a maximum speed setting.Other appropriate notifications (e.g., visual, audio, vibration) may be used without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. IVIA / I ¿UO

[0025] The fan controller according to the example embodiments of this disclosure provides numerous technical benefits. For example, the power meter circuit enables the fan controller to determine the current mode of an electrical load (e.g., fan motor, light source) of the ceiling fan. Furthermore, the fan controller can determine whether the current mode of the electrical load limits the control of the fan controller. In particular, the fan controller can determine whether the current mode of the electrical load prevents the fan controller from changing the electrical load from its current mode to another mode from a plurality of modes in which the electrical load can be configured.Furthermore, the fan controller can notify a user to operate an input device physically located on the ceiling fan to change the current electrical load mode to another mode that does not limit the control of the electrical load via the fan controller. This allows for improved control of the electrical load through the fan controller.

[0026] With reference to the Figures, Figures 1 to 4 depict a ceiling fan 100 according to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. The ceiling fan 100 is removable and mountable in a ceiling 110, separating a first space 112 (e.g., ML / I ¿UO placed below the ceiling 110) of a second space 114 (e.g., placed above the ceiling 110). In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include a plurality of fan blades 130. As shown, each of the plurality of fan blades 130 can be coupled to a blade hub 132 of the ceiling fan 100. More specifically, each of the fan blades 130 can be coupled to the blade hub 132 via a blade arm 134, such that the fan blades 130 are separated from each other along a circumferential direction C. It should be appreciated that any suitable type of fastener (e.g., screw) can be used to couple the blade arm 134 to the blade hub 132 and a corresponding fan blade.

[0027] As shown, the 100 ceiling fan may include a 140 fan motor.The fan motor 140 can be configured to receive input power from a power supply (e.g., AC power supply, DC power supply) of the ceiling fan 100. Furthermore, the fan motor 140 can be operationally coupled to the fan blades 130 via the blade hub 132. In this way, the fan motor 140 can convert the input power received from the power supply into the mechanical energy required to drive the rotation of the fan blades 130. In some implementations, the motor... The fan motor 140 can be configured to drive the rotation of the fan blades 130 in a first direction DI or a second direction D2 that is different from the first direction DI. For example, the plurality of fan blades 130 can move air in the first space 112 towards the ceiling 110 when the fan motor 140 drives the rotation of the fan blades 130 in the first direction DI. Conversely, the fan blades 130 can move air away (for example, downwards) from the ceiling 110 when the fan motor 140 drives the rotation of the fan blades 130 in the second direction D2.

[0028] In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include a housing 150 configured to accommodate the fan motor 140. As shown, the fan motor 140 can be positioned within a cavity 152 defined by the housing 150. In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include a cover 154 that can be removably mounted to the housing 150 by means of one or more fasteners (e.g., screws). In some implementations, the fan motor 140 can be concealed from view when the cover 154 is mounted to the housing 150 by means of one or more fasteners.

[0029] In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include a rod 160 having a first end 162 and a second end 164 separated from the first end 162 a MA / t / ZUZZ / UO Ί ZUO along a length L of rod 160. The first end 162 of rod 160 can be attached to a support (e.g., mounting bracket) placed inside the ceiling 110 or the second space 114. The second end 164 of rod 160 can be attached to the housing 150. In this way, the ceiling fan 100 can be suspended from the ceiling 110.

[0030] In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include a light source 170. The light source 170 may be configured to illuminate the first space 112. In some implementations, the light source 170 may include one or more light-emitting diode (LED) devices. It should be appreciated, however, that the ceiling fan 100 may include any suitable type of light source. For example, in some implementations, the light source 170 may include one or more fluorescent light sources. In alternative implementations, the light source 170 may include one or more incandescent light sources.

[0031] In some implementations, the ceiling fan 100 may include one or more input devices physically located on the ceiling fan 100. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the ceiling fan 100 may include a first input device 180 and a second input device 182. In some implementations, each of the first input device 180 and the second input device 182 may be a pull chain switch. IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UO IZUO As will be discussed below, a user can manipulate (e.g., pull) the pull chain switch to control the operation of one or more electrical loads (e.g., fan motor 140, light source 170) of the ceiling fan 100.

[0032] A user may manipulate (e.g., pull) the first input device 180 to toggle between a plurality of fan motor modes 140. For example, the user may manipulate the first input device 180 to change the fan motor 140 from a first mode in which the fan motor 140 is decoupled from a power supply of the ceiling fan 100 to a second mode in which the fan motor 140 is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor 140 rotates the fan blades 130 at a first speed. As will be discussed in further detail below, the first input device 180 may, in some implementations, be used to adjust a speed at which the fan motor 140 rotates the fan blades 130.

[0033] In some implementations, the user can manipulate the first input device 180 again to change the fan motor 140 from the second mode to a third mode in which the fan motor 140 is coupled to the power supply of the ceiling fan 100, so that the fan motor 140 rotates the blades of ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuo ceiling 100 to a second mode in which the light source 170 is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source 17C1 emits light to illuminate the first space 112. As will be discussed in further detail below, the second input device 182, in some implementations, can be used to adjust (e.g., dim, boost) the light emitted by the light source 170.

[0035] In some implementations, the user can manipulate the second input device 182 to change the light source 170 from the second mode to a third mode in which the light source 170 emits light that is brighter than the light emitted by the light source in the second mode. Furthermore, in some implementations, the user can manipulate the second input device 182 again to change the light source 170 from the third mode to a fourth mode in which the light source 170 emits light that is brighter than the light emitted by the light source in the third mode. In some implementations, the user can manipulate the second input device 182 once more to change the light source 170 from the fourth mode to the first mode, so that the light source 170 is no longer connected to the power supply of the ceiling fan 100. However, it should also be understood that the light source 170 can be configured in more or fewer modes.

[0036] With reference to Figure 5, the following are provided ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuo components of a fan system 300 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the fan system 300 may include the ceiling fan 100 and a fan controller 310. In some implementations, the fan controller 310 may include a wall controller 400 and a housing controller 500. The wall controller 400 may be placed on a wall that defines the first space 112 (Figure 1) in which the ceiling fan 100 is located. The housing controller 500 may be placed inside the housing 150 (Figure 2) of the ceiling fan 100.

[0037] Although the wall regulator 400 and the housing regulator 500 are described as being in separate locations, it should be appreciated that, in some implementations, the wall regulator 400 and the housing regulator 500 can be placed in the same location. For example, in some implementations, both the wall regulator 400 and the housing regulator 500 can be placed on the wall that defines the first space 112 (Figure 1) in which the ceiling fan 100 is located. Alternatively, both the wall regulator 400 and the housing regulator 500 can be placed inside the housing 150 of the ceiling fan 100.

[0038] As shown, the 400 wall regulator can receive power from a power source (e.g., circuit breaker, panel, circuit, etc.) through the conductors ML / E / ZuZz / uOZuO 115 and 117. Conductor 115 can be a load conductor. Conductor 117 can be a neutral conductor. Additionally, the wall regulator 400 can be configured to supply electrical power to the housing regulator 500 via electrical conductors 215 and 217. Electrical conductor 215 can be a load conductor, and conductor 217 can be a neutral conductor. The housing regulator 500 can supply independent fan motor power 315 to fan motor 14 (Figure 2) and independent light source power 317 to light source 170 (Figure 1) of ceiling fan 100.

[0039] The wall controller 400 can communicate with the housing controller 500 via a first communication link 220. In this way, the wall controller 400 can send one or more control commands to the housing controller 500 via the first communication link 220 to control the operation of the ceiling fan 100. In some implementations, the first communication link 220 may be a wireless communication link based on any suitable wireless communication protocol. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication link may be based on the Bluetooth Low Energy wireless communication protocol.

[0040] In some implementations, the wall regulator 400 may be in communication with one or more remote devices 600, such as one or more computing devices, user devices, servers, cloud computing devices, etc., through a second communication link 280. In some implementations, the second communication link 280 may be a wireless communication link based on any suitable wireless communication protocol. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication link may be based on the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol.

[0041] With reference to Figure 6, a component block diagram of the 400 wall regulator is provided in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure. In some implementations, the 400 wall regulator may include an interface circuit 410 configured to process and / or manage various input and output devices associated with the 400 wall regulator. For example, the interface circuit 410 may process user inputs provided through buttons or other interface elements 412 (e.g., touchpad, touchless gestures, rocker buttons, toggle switches, dimmer knobs, etc.) on the 400 wall regulator. In this way, a user can interact with the interface elements 412 to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes for one or more loads. Electrical elements (e.g., fan motor 140, light source 170) of ceiling fan 100. For example, the user can interact with interface elements 412 to select a speed at which the fan motor 140 rotates the fan blades 130 of the ceiling fan 100. Alternatively, the user can interact with interface elements 412 to activate (e.g., turn on) or deactivate (e.g., turn off) the light source 170.

[0042] In some implementations, interface circuit 410 may also include one or more drivers or other circuitry used to control the illumination of indicators (e.g., LED indicators) on wall dimmer 400. For example, interface circuit 410 may include an LED driver used to power LEDs 414 to provide visual indicators to a user.

[0043] In some implementations, the 400 wall regulator may include one or more 420 control devices that can be used to implement various functions of the 400 wall regulator, such as any of the functions described herein. For example, the 420 control device(s) may control the communication of data and / or control commands of the 400 wall regulator. The 420 control device(s) may control the processing of inputs received through the 410 interface circuit. The 410 control device(s) may control the provision of outputs (e.g., indicators) through the 410 interface circuit. In some implementations, the 410 interface circuit may be part of or included as the 420 control device(s).

[0044] The one or more control devices 420 may include one or more processors 424 and one or more memory devices 426. The one or more processors 424 may be any suitable processing device, such as microprocessors, integrated circuits (for example, application-specific integrated circuits), field-programmable gate arrays, etc., that perform operations to control components (for example, any of the components described herein). The one or more memory devices 426 may be any suitable means for storing computer-readable instructions and data. For example, the one or more memory devices 426 may include random-access memory, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), or other volatile memory.In addition, and / or as an alternative, one or more memory devices may include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, PROM, EEPROM, flash memory, optical storage, magnetic storage, etc.

[0045] One or more memory devices 426 may store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 424, cause the one or more processors 424 to perform operations, such as any of the operations described herein. The instructions may be written in software in any suitable programming language or may be implemented in hardware. The one or more memory devices 426 may also store data that can be fetched, received, accessed, written, manipulated, created, and / or stored.

[0046] In some implementations, the 400 wall regulator may include a 470 communication interface. The 470 communication interface may allow data communication through, for example, one or more wireless links by using one or more antennas (for example, antenna 482 and antenna 484). In some implementations, the 470 communication interface may include, for example, one or more communication controllers, receivers, transceivers, transmitters, ports, drivers, software, and / or hardware for data communication.

[0047] As shown, the communication interface 470 may include a first circuit 472 for communicating data via antenna 482. In some implementations, the first circuit 472 may be configured to communicate data and other information, for example, to another fan controller using Bluetooth Low Energy communication technology. The communication interface 470 may include a second circuit 474 for communicating data and other information (for example, control commands) via antenna 484. ML / E / ZuZz / uOZuO For example, the second circuit 374 can be configured to communicate data and other information, for example, to a router, gateway, or other device by using IEEE 802.11 communication technology.

[0048] In some implementations, the wall regulator 400 may include a power meter circuit 430 configured to determine one or more parameters associated with the electrical power flowing through the wall regulator 400. The power meter circuit 430 may measure the voltage and / or current flowing through conductor 115. The current may be measured, for example, by using a sense resistor. The voltage may be measured, for example, by using a voltage divider. The power flowing through conductor 115 may be calculated (for example, by using one or more processors 424 located in the wall regulator 400 and / or remotely from the wall regulator 400) based on the measured current and voltage. In some implementations, the power meter circuit 430 may be an STPM32 measurement circuit manufactured by STMicroelectronics.

[0049] In some implementations, the 400 wall regulator may include an AC-to-DC converter 440. The AC-to-DC converter 440 can convert the AC power from conductor 115 and conductor 117 into DC power suitable for powering various components of the 400 wall regulator. ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuo such as the 470 communication interface, the 420 control devices, the 410 interface circuit, etc.

[0050] In some implementations, the wall regulator 400 may include one or more switching devices 450 (e.g., relay, power transistor, contactor, thyristor, etc.) to control the supply of AC power from the wall regulator 400 to one or more electrical loads of the ceiling fan 100 through electrical conductors 215 and 217. In some implementations, the one or more switching devices 450 may function as an air gap switch to disconnect power to the one or more electrical loads of the ceiling fan 100.

[0051] With reference to Figure 7, a component block diagram of the 500 housing regulator is provided in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure. The 500 housing regulator can receive AC power from the 400 wall regulator (Figure 5) through electrical conductors 215 and 217. In some implementations, the 500 housing regulator may include an AC-to-DC converter 510. The AC-to-DC converter 510 can be configured to convert the AC power supplied through electrical conductors 215 and 217 into DC power suitable for powering various components of the 500 housing regulator, such as a communication interface 520, a motor controller, and IVIA / I ¿UO fan 530 and a light source regulator 540.

[0052] The communication interface 520 can enable data communication via, for example, one or more wireless links using one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 522). For example, the communication interface 520 can include one or more components to facilitate communication with the wall regulator 400 (Figure 5) via the first communication link 220 (Figure 5). In this way, the communication interface 520 can be configured to receive one or more control commands from the wall regulator 400.

[0053] The fan motor controller 530 can be configured to control the operation of the fan motor 140 (Figure 2). For example, the fan motor controller 530 can be configured to process one or more control commands received from the wall controller 400 (Figure 5) and associated with controlling the operation of the fan motor 140 (Figure 2). In some implementations, the one or more control commands may be associated with controlling a direction (e.g., first direction DI or second direction D2) in which the fan motor 140 rotates the fan blades 130 (Figure 1) of the ceiling fan 100. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more control commands may be associated with controlling a speed (e.g., low, medium, high, IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UD IZUO etc.) to which the fan motor 140 turns the fan blades 130.

[0054] In some implementations, the 500 housing regulator may include a 532 power meter circuit configured to measure one or more parameters (e.g., current, voltage, power factor, etc.) associated with the 315 fan motor power supplied to the 140 fan motor. The current may be measured, for example, by using a sense resistor. The voltage may be measured by using, for example, a voltage divider. The 315 fan motor power may be calculated (e.g., by using one or more processors in the 500 housing regulator and / or remotely from the 500 housing regulator) based on the measured current and / or voltage.

[0055] The light source controller 540 can be configured to control the operation of the light source 170 (Figure 1) of the ceiling fan 100. For example, the light source controller 540 can be configured to activate (e.g., turn on) or deactivate (e.g., turn off) the light source 170 based, at least in part, on one or more control commands that the light source controller 540 receives from the wall controller 400 (Figure 5). In implementations where the light source 170 is a dimmable light source, the light source controller 550 can be ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuO further configure to configure the light source in one of a plurality of modes so that the dimmable light source controls the intensity (e.g., brightness) of the light emitted by the light source 170.

[0056] In some implementations, the housing regulator 500 may include a power meter circuit 542 configured to measure one or more parameters (e.g., current, voltage, power factor, etc.) associated with the light source power 317 supplied to the light source 170. The current may be measured, for example, by using a sense resistor. The voltage may be measured by using, for example, a voltage divider. The light source power 317 may be calculated (e.g., by using one or more processors in the housing regulator 500 and / or remotely from the housing regulator 500) based on the measured current and / or voltage.As will be discussed in more detail below, the fan controller 310 (e.g., wall controller 400, housing controller 500) can be configured to determine a mode in which the fan motor 140 and / or the light source 170 are set via the first input device 180 (Figure 4) and the second input device 182 (Figure 4), respectively, based, at least in part, on the power consumption data obtained via the power meter circuit 532, 542. Furthermore, the fan controller 310. ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuO can be configured to determine whether the mode in which the fan motor 140 and / or light source 170 are set via the first input device 180 and the second input device 182, respectively, prevents the fan regulator 310 from changing the fan motor 140 and / or light source 170 to another mode from a plurality of modes in which the fan motor 140 and / or light source 170 can be set.

[0057] With reference to Figure 8, a flowchart of Method 800 for configuring a fan system is provided, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure. Method 800 can be implemented, for example, by using the Fan System 300 discussed earlier with reference to Figures 5-7. Figure 8 depicts steps performed in a particular order for illustrative and analytical purposes. Persons of mid-level skill, through the use of the disclosures provided herein, will understand that various steps of any of the methods described herein may be adapted, expanded, omitted, rearranged, performed concurrently, and / or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] In (802), method 800 may include obtaining indicative data from a user input to configure an electrical load (e.g., fan motor, light source) IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UD IZUO of the ceiling fan in one of a plurality of modes. In some implementations, user input may be obtained through one or more interface elements of a wall controller of the fan system. In alternative implementations, user input may be provided through a user interface implemented on a remote device that is communicatively coupled to the wall controller. It should be appreciated, however, that data indicative of user input may come from other sources without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, in some implementations, data indicative of user input may include one or more voice commands spoken by a user.

[0059] In (804), Method 800 may include processing data indicative of user input to identify the mode in which the electrical load is requested to be configured. For example, user input may be indicative of a request to configure a ceiling fan motor in a mode in which the fan motor is coupled to a power source, so that the fan motor rotates the ceiling fan blades 100. In addition, user input may be indicative of a request to configure the fan motor in a mode in which the fan motor rotates the ceiling fan blades at a ML / E / ZuZZ / uOZuo desired speed (e.g., slow, medium, fast). Alternatively or additionally, the user input may indicate a request to configure a ceiling fan light source in a mode where the light source is coupled to a power supply, so that the light source illuminates a space in which the ceiling fan is located.

[0060] In (806), method 800 may include obtaining indicative data of the electrical load's power consumption through a power meter circuit. For example, the wall regulator may obtain power consumption data of the electrical load from the fan system's housing regulator.

[0061] In (808), method 800 may include determining a current mode of the electrical load based, at least in part, on the energy consumption indicative data obtained in (806). In some implementations, the fan controller may be configured to determine the current mode of the electrical load based, at least in part, on a current drawn by the electrical load. Alternatively or additionally, the fan controller may be configured to determine the current mode of the electrical load based, at least in part, on a voltage associated with the electrical load. It should be appreciated, however, that the fan controller may be configured to determine the current mode ML / E / ZuZZ / uZuZu of the electrical load as a function of any suitable parameter indicative of energy consumption.

[0062] In (810), method 800 may include determining whether a current electrical load mode established through one or more input devices physically located on the ceiling fan is different from the requested mode associated with the user input obtained in (802). If the requested mode for the electrical load matches (e.g., is the same as) the current electrical load mode, method 800 proceeds to (812). In (812), method 800 may terminate or return to (802). Otherwise, method 800 proceeds to (814).

[0063] In (814), Method 800 includes determining whether the current electrical load mode set by the input device (e.g., pull chain switch) physically located on the ceiling fan prevents the fan controller from changing the electrical load to the requested mode associated with the user input obtained in (802).

[0064] For example, in some implementations, the electrical load may be the fan motor of a ceiling fan, and the current mode of the fan motor may correspond to a first mode in which the fan motor is decoupled from the power supply. Furthermore, the requested mode may be associated with a second mode in which the fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates IVIA / I ?UO the fan blades of the ceiling fan. In such a case, the fan controller cannot change the fan motor from the first mode to the second mode, because the input device physically located in the ceiling fan has limited the fan motor to the first mode, so the fan motor cannot rotate the fan blades of the ceiling fan.

[0065] As another example, the current mode of the fan motor may correspond to a first mode in which the fan motor is connected to a power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the ceiling fan blades at a first speed (e.g., low). Furthermore, the requested mode may correspond to a second mode in which the fan motor is connected to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the ceiling fan blades at a second speed (e.g., medium, high) that is faster than the first speed (e.g., low). In such a case, the fan controller cannot change the fan motor from the current mode to the requested mode because the input device has limited the fan motor to the current mode, so that the fan motor rotates the fan blades at a lower speed (e.g., the first speed).

[0066] As yet another example, the electrical load may be the light source, and the current mode of the light source may correspond to a first mode in which the light source is decoupled from a power supply. Furthermore, the requested mode associated with the user input obtained in (802) may correspond to a second mode in which the light source is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source illuminates a space in which the ceiling fan is located. In such a case, the fan controller cannot change the light source from the first mode to the second mode, because the input device has limited the light source to the first mode, so that the light source cannot illuminate the space in which the ceiling fan is located.

[0067] As yet another example, the current mode of the light source may correspond to a first mode in which the light source emits light to illuminate the space in which the ceiling fan is located.Furthermore, the requested mode may correspond to a second mode in which the light source emits light that is brighter than the light emitted by the light source in the first mode. In such a case, the fan controller cannot change the light source from the first mode to the second mode because the input device has limited the light source to the first mode, so the light emitted by the light source is not as bright as the light emitted by the light source in the second mode.

[0068] If, in (814), the fan controller determines that the current electrical load mode does not prevent the fan controller from changing the electrical load from the current mode to the requested mode, method 800 proceeds to (816). Otherwise, the method proceeds to (818).

[0069] In (816), method 800 includes providing one or more control commands associated with controlling the operation of the electrical load, such that the electrical load changes from the current mode to the requested mode. For example, the wall regulator may provide one or more control commands to the enclosure regulator to change the electrical load from the current mode to the requested mode. Otherwise, method 800 passes to (816).

[0070] In (818), method 800 may include providing a notification to manipulate one or more input devices physically located on the ceiling fan to change the fan motor from the current mode to a second mode from the plurality of modes that allows the fan controller to change the electrical load from the current mode to the requested mode. In some implementations, the notification may be provided to one or more remote devices that are communicatively coupled to the fan controller. It should be appreciated that the notification may include any suitable type of notification. For example, in some implementations, the notification may include at least one audible notification and one visual notification.

[0071] Although the present object has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that persons of average skill, once they understand the foregoing, will be able to readily produce alterations, variations, and equivalents of such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is by way of example and not by way of limitation, and the disclosure of the object does not preclude the inclusion of such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the present object as would be readily apparent to a person of average skill.

Claims

1. A fan controller for a ceiling fan, wherein the fan controller comprises: one or more switching devices configured to selectively couple the ceiling fan to a power supply; a power metering circuit; and one or more control devices configured to: obtain, via the power metering circuit, data indicative of the power consumption of a fan motor of the ceiling fan; determine whether the fan motor is set to a first mode of a plurality of fan motor modes based, at least in part, on the data indicative of power consumption; and in response to determining whether the fan motor is set to the first mode, provide a notification to manipulate an input device physically located on the ceiling fan to change the fan motor from the first mode to a second mode of the plurality of modes.

2. The fan controller according to claim 1, wherein: when the fan motor is set to the first mode, the fan motor is uncoupled from the power supply; and when the fan motor is set to the second mode, the fan motor is coupled to the power supply.

3. The fan controller according to claim 1, wherein: when the fan motor is set to the first mode, the fan motor rotates the fan blades of the ceiling fan at a first speed; and when the fan motor is set to the second mode, the fan motor rotates the fan blades of the ceiling fan at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

4. The fan controller according to claim 1, wherein the one or more control devices are further configured to: obtain, via the power meter circuit, data indicative of the energy consumption of a ceiling fan light source; determine whether the light source is set to a first mode of a plurality of light source modes based, at least in part, on the data indicative of energy consumption; and in response to determining whether the light source is set to the first mode of the plurality of light source modes, provide a notification to manipulate an input device physically located on the ceiling fan to change the light source from the first mode of the plurality of light source modes to a second mode of the plurality of light source modes.

5. The fan regulator according to claim 4, wherein: when the light source is set to the first mode, the light source is decoupled from the power supply; and when the light source is set to the second mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply.

6. The fan regulator according to claim 4, wherein: when the light source is set to the first mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source emits light; and when the light source is set to the second mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source emits light that is brighter than the light emitted by the light source when set to the first mode.

7. The fan controller according to claim 1, wherein one or more control devices are configured to provide notification to a remote device through a fan controller communication interface.

8. The fan regulator according to claim 1, wherein the notification comprises at least one audible notification and one visual notification.

9. A fan system, comprising: a ceiling fan comprising an inlet device and a fan motor, wherein the fan motor can be configured in a plurality of modes; and a fan controller configured to control the power supply to the ceiling fan, wherein the fan controller comprises: one or more switching devices configured to selectively couple the ceiling fan to a power source; a power metering circuit; and one or more control devices configured to: obtain, via the power metering circuit, data indicative of the power consumption of the fan motor; determine whether the fan motor is configured in a first mode of a plurality of modes based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the power consumption;and ML / t / ZUZZ / UO Ί ZUO provide a notification to manipulate the ceiling fan input device to change the fan motor from the first mode to a second mode of the plurality of modes.; 10. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein the inlet device comprises a chain switch.

11. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein: when the fan motor is set to the first mode, the fan motor is uncoupled from the power supply; and when the fan motor is set to the second mode, the fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the fan blades of the ceiling fan.

12. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein: when the fan motor is set to the first mode, the fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the fan blades of the ceiling fan at a first speed; and when the fan motor is set to the second mode, the fan motor is coupled to the power supply, so that the fan motor rotates the fan blades of the ceiling fan at a second speed that is faster than the first speed.

13. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein the ceiling fan further comprises a light source.

14. The fan system according to claim 13, wherein the one or more control devices are further configured to: obtain, via the power meter circuit, data indicative of the energy consumption of the light source; determine whether the light source is set to the first mode of the plurality of modes based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the energy consumption; and provide a notification to manipulate the ceiling fan input device to change the light source from the first mode to a second mode of the plurality of modes.

15. The fan system according to claim 14, wherein: when the light source is set to the first mode, the light source is decoupled from the power supply; and when the light source is set to the second mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply.

16. The fan system according to claim 14, wherein: when the light source is set to the first mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source emits light; and when the light source is set to the second mode, the light source is coupled to the power supply, so that the light source emits light that is brighter than the light emitted by the light source when set to the first mode.

17. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein one or more control devices are configured to provide notification to a remote device through a fan controller communication interface.

18. The fan system according to claim 9, wherein the notification comprises at least one audible notification and one visual notification.

19. A fan system in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

20. A method in accordance with example implementation forms of the present disclosure.

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