Wireless Light Switch Surface Mounting via Power Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless light switch systems face challenges in retrofitting buildings with hardwired switches, as they require specific electrical box accommodations due to bulky components and wiring needs, limiting flexibility in installation and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A wireless load control system with surface-mountable remote switch devices and load controllers that use a mesh network, allowing for flexible placement without electrical boxes, and incorporating a low-profile design compatible with standard switch plates and junction boxes, along with security features like rolling codes for network security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wall-mounted wireless switches use external power sources and wiring, then they can provide continuous power and stable operation, but they require installation in electrical boxes and reduce installation flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring and electrical box installation system with a wireless power transmission system. The wireless switch device receives power wirelessly through electromagnetic energy transfer, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections and electrical boxes, thereby maintaining power supply stability while achieving installation flexibility on any surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless power transmission intermediary system consisting of a power transmission device and a power receiving device. This intermediary system transfers electrical energy through electromagnetic fields without direct physical connection, serving as a mediator between the power source and the wireless switch, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable power supply and installation flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless switch devices use internal power supplies, then they avoid wiring requirements, but the dimensions of power source and circuitry require special accommodation and create thicker appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the wireless switch device itself and separates it into an external wireless power transmission system. By taking out the bulky internal power supply and circuitry, the wireless switch device can maintain a thin, standard switch plate appearance while still achieving wireless operation through the external power transmission device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the power supply function from the three-dimensional internal space of the switch device to an external wireless transmission dimension. The power is transmitted through electromagnetic fields in space rather than being contained within the device housing, allowing the device to maintain a thin profile without sacrificing power supply capability.
3Reliability
If wireless receivers are positioned to receive signals properly, then signal reception is reliable, but their size prohibits mounting in discrete locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless receiver functionality directly into the wireless switch device itself, eliminating the need for separate wireless receiver units. This integration allows the device to be mounted in standard electrical boxes or on surfaces without requiring additional space for separate receivers, while maintaining reliable signal reception through the integrated antenna system.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless load control system is provided including one or more wireless switch components and one or more load controller components optionally in one-to-one, many-to-many, many-to-one, and one-to-many wireless communication with each other. A wirelessly-controlled load controller assembly includes an enclosure adapted to fit within a junction box, the enclosure comprising a projecting fitting adapted to fit through an aperture of the junction box to maintain the enclosure in fixed relation to the junction box. A control circuit in the enclosure is provided with an antenna that extends through an antenna port that is disposed within the fitting so that when the load controller is mounted in a junction box, the antenna extends through the aperture of the junction box.