NZ791905A - Electrical outlet faceplate and system - Google Patents
Electrical outlet faceplate and systemInfo
- Publication number
- NZ791905A NZ791905A NZ791905A NZ79190517A NZ791905A NZ 791905 A NZ791905 A NZ 791905A NZ 791905 A NZ791905 A NZ 791905A NZ 79190517 A NZ79190517 A NZ 79190517A NZ 791905 A NZ791905 A NZ 791905A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- face plate
- power
- base
- switch
- connector
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
Abstract
Disclosed is an electric switch and outlet system, method and apparatus for providing a convenient and flexible means of tailoring functionality according to the user’s requirements. There is provided a base unit for connecting to mains or supply power and for mounting to a surface such as a wall. Also provided is a cover unit for connection to the base unit which in some embodiments is a face plate which includes a light source and in some embodiments, also includes a presence detector. The cover unit interfaces with the base unit to provide required functionalities. Cover units can be replaced with other cover units to conveniently provide different functionalities. lso provided is a cover unit for connection to the base unit which in some embodiments is a face plate which includes a light source and in some embodiments, also includes a presence detector. The cover unit interfaces with the base unit to provide required functionalities. Cover units can be replaced with other cover units to conveniently provide different functionalities.
Description
ELECTRICAL OUTLET ATE AND SYSTEM
This application claims priority from Australian ional Patent Application No.
2016903981 filed on 30 September 2016.
The entire content of this provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by
reference.
DIVISIONAL
This application is a divisional ation of New Zealand Patent ation No
. The entire content of this parent application is hereby incorporated by reference.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The following publications are referred to in the present application:
PCT Application No. entitled “Electrical Connector, System and
Method”
PCT/AU12014/000544 entitled “Batten Holder, Connector, System and Method”
PCT/AU12011/001675 entitled “Touch Switch”
entitled “General Power Outlet and Remote Switch Module”
PCT Application No. entitled “USB Outlet Charger”
Australian Patent Application No 2015275225 entitled “Electrical System, Apparatus and
Method”;
Australian Patent Application No 2015275226 entitled “Inductive Power Transfer In an
Electrical Outlet”;
lian Patent Application No 2015275232 entitled “Connection System and Method for
Electrical Outlets”;
Australian Patent Application No 2015275227 entitled “Switch Assembly, System and
Method”;
lian Patent Application No 2015275234 entitled “Push Button Switch Assembly And
Operational Part”;
Australian Patent Application No 2015275233 entitled “Switch Assembly with Rotatable
Operational Part”
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2016903983 entitled rical Outlet
Faceplate and System”, filed on 30 September 2016;
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2016903982 entitled “Electrical Outlet
Faceplate and ” filed on 30 September 2016;
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2016903986 entitled “Moisture Resistance for
ical Plate System” filed on 30 September 2016;
Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2016902592 entitled “Electrical Device With
Light Emitting Diode” and
lian Patent Application No. 2016235020 entitled “Connectors For Electrical System”
filed on 30 September 2016;
all in the name of Schneider ic (Australia) Pty Limited.
The entire content of each of these nts is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present application relates to electrical power outlets and faceplates.
BACKGROUND
Many buildings have one or more electrical outlets, wall boxes and/or switch plates
which allow a user in the building to access electrical power to operate electrical devices such as
vacuum cleaners, computers or televisions, or to control one or more electrical devices such as .
As building automation s more prevalent, more control functionality becomes
Currently, once installed, electrical installations such as power outlets and faceplates
are generally fixed and are difficult to change or modify without the use of appropriately qualified
personnel. This limits the options available to a user and increases costs and complexity if any
modifications are required to be made.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a face plate for tion to a grid plate,
the face plate comprising a light source.
In some embodiments, the face plate comprises a presence detector for controlling the
light source in response to detecting a presence.
In some embodiments, the presence detector is a nt detector.
In some embodiments, the face plate comprises a mode selector switch for selecting
between a plurality of modes of operation.
In some embodiments the ity of modes comprises a night light and movement
detection mode, and a movement detection only mode
In some embodiments the face plate comprises a light level adjuster for selecting a
light level at which the movement detector operates.
In some embodiments, the face plate comprises a shield to obscure at least a portion of
a sensor of the presence or.
In some ments the amount of the presence detector that is obscured by the
shield is variable.
In some embodiments a cover unit power input for receiving power from a base unit
power output of the grid plate.
In some embodiments the cover unit power input comprises an electrical plug for
insertion into the base unit power output being an electric socket.
In some embodiments the cover unit power input is a second side of an inductive
power transfer system for receiving power from the base unit power output being a first side of the
inductive power transfer system.
In some embodiments the face plate comprises an internal power supply.
In some embodiments the internal power supply is one or more batteries.
In some embodiments the face plate comprises a protrusion for engaging with and
actuating a switch interface on the grid plate upon connection of the face plate to the grid plate, for
providing power the cover unit power input from the base unit power output.
In some embodiments the face plate comprises functional circuitry powered by power
received by the cover unit power input.
In some ments the face plate ses functional circuitry d by power
received from the internal power supply.
In some embodiments the face plate comprises a power connector receiver for
aligning with a r base unit power output and for receiving a power connector from an external
device.
In some ments the face plate comprises a user switch interface for engaging
with and actuating a second switch interface of the grid plate associated with a second switch for
controlling power to the further base unit power output.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a light source integrated into a face
plate for connection to a grid plate.
In some embodiments the light source comprises a presence detector for controlling
the light source.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising:
a grid plate; and
a face plate according to the first aspect.
According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of connecting a light source
to a grid plate comprising at least one base unit power output, the method comprising:
ng a cover unit power input of a face plate sing the light source with the
at least one base unit power output of the grid plate; and connecting the cover unit
power input with the base unit power output.
According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a cover unit comprising:
a cover connector for connecting the cover unit to a base unit, the base unit comprising a
mounting region for mounting to a surface; a base supply power input for receiving supply
power; a base power ter for converting the received supply power to an output power; and a
base unit power output for outputting the output power to the cover unit; and
a light source for emitting light.
According to a sixth , there is provided a face plate for connection to a grid
plate comprising:
at least one face plate tor for connecting the face plate to the grid plate; and
a light source for emitting light.
In some ments, the face plate comprises a movement sensor for sensing
movement in proximity to the face plate and for controlling the light source in accordance with an
output of the movement sensor.
In some embodiments, the face plate further comprises an electrical connector for
engaging with a base unit power output of the grid plate.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a power connector.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a data connector.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is both a power connector and a data
connector.
In some embodiments, the power connector ses at least two pins for inserting
into corresponding receivers of the at least one electrical socket of the grid plate.
In some embodiments, the power connector comprises three pins for inserting into
corresponding receivers of the at least one electrical socket of the grid plate.
In some embodiments, the face plate comprises at least one protrusion for engaging
with and actuating a corresponding switch interface on the grid plate upon connection of the face
plate to the grid plate.
In some embodiments, the faceplate further comprises at least two apertures for
aligning with respective receivers of the electrical socket of the grid plate and for receiving
corresponding pins of an external .
In some embodiments, the face plate comprises three res for aligning with
respective receivers of the electrical socket of the grid plate.
In some embodiments, the faceplate comprises a switch actuator for engaging with
and ing a second switch interface on the grid plate upon connection of the face plate to the grid
plate.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
connector.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is an RJ-45 tor.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a coaxial television connector.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is an audio jack connector.
In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a High Definition Multiple Input
(HDMI) tor.
In some embodiments, the faceplate further comprises functional circuitry powered
via the ical connector.
In some embodiments, a power conversion circuit is provided between the electrical
connector and the functional circuitry.
According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a system comprising: the grid plate
comprising at least one ical socket; and the face plate of the sixth aspect.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a plurality of face plates as
claimed in any one of claims 24 to 42 that are interchangeable and wherein at least two of the
ity of face plates provide different functionality from each other.
According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a method of installing a face plate of
the sixth aspect to a grid plate comprising at least one electrical socket, the method comprising:
aligning the electrical connector of the face plate with the at least one electrical socket of the grid
plate; and connecting the face plate to the grid plate.
BRIEF PTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the various aspects described herein will be detailed with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1A – shows a perspective front view of a c embodiment of a base unit
ing to one aspect;
Figure 1B – shows a perspective rear view of the base unit of Figure 1A;
Figure 2 – shows an example of one type of power converter suitable for use with one
embodiment of the base unit;
Figure 3A – shows a side view of the base unit with power input;
Figure 3B – shows a front perspective view of the base unit with an embodiment of a
transmitter coil;
Figure 3C – shows a front perspective view of the base unit with r embodiment
of the transmitter coil;
Figure 4 – shows a system block diagram of a first side of an inductive power transfer
system according to one embodiment;
Figure 5 - shows a system block diagram of a first side of an inductive power transfer
system according to another embodiment;
Figure 6 – shows a base unit ing to another embodiment, including a base
supply power output;
Figure 7 – shows a perspective rear view of a cover unit ing to one
embodiment;
Figure 8A – shows a perspective rear view of a cover unit according to another
embodiment;
Figure 8B - shows a perspective rear view of a cover unit according to another
embodiment;
Figure 9 – shows a systems block diagram of a second side of the inductive power
er according to one embodiment;
Figure 10 – shows a s block diagram of a second side of the inductive power
transfer according to another embodiment with communications functionality;
Figure 11 – shows a side view of a cover unit connected to a base unit to allow power
and/or data to be transferred between the two units inductively;
Figure 12 – shows a systems block diagram of the first side and the second side of the
inductive power transfer system according to one ;
Figure 13 – shows an embodiment of the base unit with a base switch interface;
Figure 14A - shows a generalised exploded view of the two sub-assemblies of a
switch assembly according to one aspect;
Figure 14B – shows a generalised exploded view of the main components of the two
sub-assemblies of the switch ly of Figure 14A;
Figure 15A - is a perspective front view of one embodiment of a switch system with
ly (push-button switch assembly) according to a first aspect;
Figure 15B - is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of Figure 15A;
Figure 16A - is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a switch system
with switch assembly (rocker switch assembly) ;
Figure16B - is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of Figure 16A;
Figure 17 - is a ctive top view of an interface included in the switch assembly;
Figure 18 - is a cross-sectional view, along line A-A’ in Figure 15A, of a combination
of a functional part, the interface and an operational part within the ment of Figure 15A;
Figure 19 - is a cross sectional view of the switch system along the line A-A’ of
Figure 16A ing the base unit and cover unit;
Figure 20A - is a cross-sectional view, along line B-B’ in Figure 16A, of a
combination of a functional part, the interface and an operational part in the embodiment of Figure
Figure 20B - is a perspective top view of the interface in Figure 20A for reference;
Figure 21 - is a cross sectional view of the switch system along the line B-B’ of
Figure 16A including the base unit and cover unit;
Figure 22A - is a perspective top view of a combination of a functional part, an
interface and an operational part ed in a rotary switch assembly according to r
embodiment;
Figure 22B - is a perspective side view of a combination of the functional part, the
interface and an operational part ed in the switch assembly of Figure 22A;
Figure 23 - is a front perspective view of a cover unit or switch plate with a rotary
switch;
Figure 24 - is a perspective side view of the switch ly with rotary switch from
a different angle to that shown in Figure 22A;
Figure 25A - is a front perspective view of the switch system with a toggle switch
according to another embodiment;
Figure 25B - is a rear ctive view of the switch system with a toggle switch of
Figure 25A;
Figure 26 - is a sectional view of a combination of a onal part, an interface and
an operational part included in a toggle switch assembly according to the embodiment of Figure 25;
Figure 27A - is an exploded perspective front view of a switch assembly (a pushbutton
switch assembly) according to another aspect;
Figure 27B - is an exploded perspective rear view of the switch assembly according to
the embodiment of Figure 27A;
Figure 28A - is an exploded perspective front view of a switch assembly (a rocker
switch assembly) according to another aspect;
Figure 28B - is an exploded perspective rear view of the switch assembly according to
the embodiment of Figure 28A;
Figure 29 - shows an example of a round rocker switch being converted to a square
rocker switch;
Figure 30 – shows a front perspective view of a base unit with a data input;
Figure 31 – shows a front perspective view of a base unit with a base data output;
Figure 32 - shows a front perspective view of a base unit with a base supply power
output;
Figure 33 – shows a cover unit with a cover connector;
Figure 34 – shows a cover unit with a cover unit power input;
Figure 35 – shows a cover unit with a user interface;
] Figure 36 - shows a cover unit with a cover unit data input;
Figure 37- shows a cover unit with a cover data output;
Figure 38 - shows a cover unit with a cover switch interface;
Figure 39 – shows a system ing to one embodiment;
Figure 40 – shows a system according to another embodiment.
Figure 41 – shows a general embodiment of a cover unit according to r aspect,
in which the cover unit power input is ed integral with the cover unit;
] Figure 42A – shows a rear view of an embodiment of the cover unit as a face plate;
Figure 42B – shows a front view of the arrangement of Figure 42A;
Figure 43 – shows an embodiment of the base unit as a grid plate;
Figure 44 –shows another embodiment of the face plate of Figure 42A with a
protrusion for engaging and actuating a switch interface;
Figure 45A – shows a rear view of another embodiment of the face plate of Figure
42A with a power connector receiver and aperture;
Figure 45B – shows a front view of the face plate of Figure 45A;
] Figure 46A – shows a rear view of the face plate of Figure 45A with a user interface
in the aperture;
Figure 46B – shows a front view of the face plate of Figure 46A;
Figure 47 – shows another embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 48 - shows another ment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 49 - shows another embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 48;
Figure 50 - shows another embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 51 - shows another embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 52 - shows r embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 53 - shows another embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 41;
Figure 54 – shows an embodiment of the base unit provided as a grid plate;
Figure 55 shows another embodiment of the base unit provided as grid plate;
Figure 56 – shows an embodiment of a system with the base unit and cover unit
according to the aspect of Figure 41;
Figure 57 – is a flow chart of steps of a method of connecting a face plate to a grid
plate;
Figure 58 – shows a general arrangement of the cover unit according to another
aspect;
] Figure 59 – shows an embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 58 as a face plate;
Figure 60 – shows another ment of the face plate of Figure 59;
Figure 61 – shows r embodiment of the face plate of Figure 59;
Figure 62 - shows another embodiment of the face plate of Figure 59;
Figure 63 - shows another embodiment of the face plate of Figure 62;
Figure 64A – shows the interaction between the protrusion and switch interface in a
first state;
Figure 64B - shows the interaction n the protrusion and switch interface in a
second state;
Figure 65 – shows a general embodiment of the cover unit according to another
aspect;
Figure 66 - shows a general embodiment of the cover unit according to another ;
] Figure 67 - shows a general embodiment of the cover unit according to another aspect;
Figure 68A – shows a front view of an embodiment of the cover unit of Figure 65 as a
face plate;
Figure 68B – shows a rear view of an embodiment of the face plate of Figure 68A;
Figure 69 – shows a rear view of r embodiment of the face plate of Figure 68A;
Figure 70 - shows a front view of an ment of the cover unit of Figure 67 as a
face plate;
Figure 71A – shows a front view of another embodiment of the face plate of Figure
Figure 71B - shows a rear view of the face plate of Figure 71A;
Figure 72 – shows a front view of another embodiment of the face plate of Figure 71A
with an adjustable detector sensor shield;
Figure 73 – shows the effect of the sensor shield of Figure 72 in creating a “blind”
region;
Figure 74 – is a system block diagram of the functional elements of the face plate of
Figures 71A and 71B;
Figure 75 – is a flowchart of the operation of the processor in the block diagram of
Figure 74; and
Figure 76 – is a circuit schematic of an embodiment of the block diagram of Figure
PTION OF EMBODIMENTS
In one aspect described herein, there is provided a base unit 100 for mounting to a
surface and for electrical connection to a mains or supply power. Figure 1A shows a front
perspective view of a general embodiment of base unit 100 and Figure 1B shows a rear ctive
view of the base unit 100 of Figure 1A. In one aspect, the base unit 100 comprises a mounting region
110 for mounting the base unit 100 to the surface. In some embodiments, the e is a wall. In
some other embodiments, the surface is a floor. In some other embodiments, the surface is a wall of a
box or other enclosure. In other embodiments, the surface is a frame for supporting the base unit.
In some embodiments, the mounting region 110 is itself a surface which will come
into contact with the surface to which the base unit 100 is to be mounted. In other embodiments, the
mounting region 110 is a pin, tab or other connector.
As shown in Figure 1A, base unit 100 also comprises a base connector 120 for
connecting the base unit to a cover unit 200 as will be bed in more detail below. The base
connector is shown generically in Figure 1A but can take on any form that allows connection of the
cover unit to the base unit 100. Such forms include a recess for receiving a protrusion from the cover
unit, a protrusion for being received in a ponding recess in the cover unit, a ng
arrangement, or a magnet for attracting and retaining a region of the cover unit. In other
ments, the base connector is an adhesive, or a loop-hook connector such as a product sold
under the trade mark Velcro® by Velcro Industries B.V. In this embodiment, base connector 120 can
be either the loop component of the connector or the hook component.
Base unit 100 also comprises a base supply power input 130 for electrically
connecting the base unit 100 to a supply or mains power supply (see Figure 1A). In some countries,
the mains, or supply power is provided as an alternating current (AC) ical signal of about 240V
(for example between about 220V and 260V) and about 50Hz frequency. In other countries, mains or
supply power is provided as an AC signal of between about 100V and 130V. Some systems use a
frequency of about 50Hz while others use a frequency of about 60Hz. Some supply power systems
are single phase and others may be three-phase. It will be tood that any electrical power that
would be ered to be supply or mains power can be used.
In some embodiments, base unit 100 will also comprise a base unit power output 150
(see Figure 1A) for providing output power to the cover unit 200 when cover unit 200 is connected
to base unit 100.
Base unit power output 150 can be provided by any suitable means including a direct
plug/socket arrangement with a recess provided in base unit 100 g to conductive elements
which make electrical connection with a corresponding electrically conductive t of a cover
unit power input 210 (see below), or can be provided by a radiating element that transfers power
from base unit 100 to cover unit 200 by induction or other means. An example of this embodiment is
described in more detail below. Any other form of power transfer can also be used.
In some embodiments, base unit power output 150 and base tor 120 can be
provided by the same element. In one such embodiment, the connection of cover unit power input to
the base unit power output 150 will also provide sufficient support to retain cover unit 200 to base
unit 100 without a further additional base connector 120 or other connection ement.
In some embodiments, base unit 100 will also comprise a power converter 140 which
converts the supply input power ed at the base supply power 130 input to the output power
provided by the base unit power output 150 to provide useable power to the cover unit 200 when in
In some ments, the base unit power output will be shielded or otherwise
protected so that no electrically-live element is easily accessible by a user when the base unit 100 is
installed. In some embodiments, the t state of the base unit power output is to an OFF state and
is ically isolated from the mains or supply power, and/or from the output of the power
converter 140. In such an embodiment, only when the cover unit 200 is in place will the base power
outlet be electrically connected to the mains or supply power and/or the output of the power
converter 140.
Any suitable power converter circuitry can be used as will be apparent to the person
skilled in the art. One example of a suitable power converter 140 is shown in Figure 2. There shown
is power converter 140 comprising input terminals for connection to mains or supply power, for
example 240V AC, and providing an output of 5 to 12 V DC. This output is electrically isolated from
the mains or supply power. This output can be provided directly for use by the cover unit 200 via
base unit power output 150.
In another embodiment, base unit power output is ed by a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) charger. Any suitable form of USB charger can be used, such as one described in PCT
Application No. published as WO2012/068635 entitled “USB Outlet
Charger”, previously incorporated by reference.
As described above, in some embodiments, base unit power output 150 is provided by
an inductive power transfer system.
Figure 3A shows a side view of a base unit 100 for mounting to a surface, and for
connection to a source of power, such as mains or supply power. In this aspect, the base unit 100
comprises base supply power input 130 provided by an input terminal block for receiving mains or
supply power 50, a first side 410 of an induction power transfer system 400 ted to the base
supply power input 130 for receiving power from the supply power 50 and for radiating energy from
a coil of the first side. In this arrangement, first side 410 also acts as power converter 140 in that it
receives mains or supply power at its input and outputs power in a different form as will be described
in more detail below.
In this embodiment, base unit power output 150 is provided by a coil 414 disposed, in
one embodiment, around the periphery of base unit 100 as shown in Figure 3B, which shows a
ctive front view of the base unit 100. In other embodiments, coil 414 is provided in a smaller
region as shown in Figure 3C. In one embodiment, coil 414 is provided as a printed coil on a Printed
t Board (PCB). This implementation ensures high reproducibility and reduces costs. In other
embodiments, coil 414 is provided by al windings of wire around a ferrite core.
Figure 4 shows a system block diagram of one embodiment of first side 410. In this
embodiment, first side 410 comprises a power input 411 for ing power (e.g. from a mains or
supply source via input terminal block or other source). In one embodiment, power input 411 is a 5W
isolated AC/DC k converter. Input 411 is ted to a rectifier 412, in one embodiment a
half bridge rectifier, and in a more specific embodiment, a half bridge rectifier constructed of Metal
Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs).
Rectifier 412 is connected to a resonant network 413. The output of resonant network
413 is connected to transmitting coil 414 for radiating the energy as output power.
In one embodiment, there is also ed a magnetic flux concentrator 415 such as a
ferrite core.
The input power to the AC/DC flyback stage can be between about 110V to about
240V AC, and about 50Hz to 60Hz. The output of this stage is about 12V DC between about 6W and
about 10W. The other role of this power stage is to e electrical isolation between the mains or
supply power network input to the power stage and the data input stage (see Figure 5 and related
description below).
] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of first side 410, which provides data
communication capabilities. In this embodiment, a data input 416 (for example a digital data input)
for receiving data from an external source such as another device communicating with input 416
wirelessly by any suitable ol such as Bluetooth®, BLE® or ZigBee®, or for receiving data
directly from the mains power source 50 using modulation of the current carried by the mains power
conductors.
The output of data modulator 416 is applied to the input of ller 417 which
generates modulating signals to modulate the output of transmitter coil 414 in ance with the
data, as will be described in more detail below. This allows data to be transmitted by modulating the
energy radiated by transmitting coil 414. All other elements in Figure 5 are as previously bed
in Figure 4.
In some embodiments as shown in Figure 6, base unit 100 comprises a base supply
power output 190 for providing supply power directly to an electrical device such as a heater, fan,
radio, sion. In this embodiment, base 100 may have two power outputs, being base unit power
output 150 for providing output power to the cover unit 200 and base supply power output 190 for
providing supply power to an external device other than the cover unit 200. In this embodiment, base
supply power output 190 is connected directly to base supply power input 130 to provide mains or
supply power to the user. In one embodiment, base supply power output 190 is a socket for receiving
a plug of an electrical device such as a vacuum cleaner. In some embodiments, cover unit 200 will
have an aperture to allow direct access to base supply power output 190, or may have its own input
for receiving a plug from an external device, such as a series of one, two or three or more apertures
which receive a respective plug and which align with sockets of base supply power output 190.
In another aspect, there is provided a cover unit 200 as shown in Figure 7. In a broad
embodiment, cover unit 200 comprises a cover tor 220 for connecting the cover unit 200 to
the base unit 100. In some embodiments, cover tor 220 engages with base connector 120 to
connect cover unit 200 to base unit 100.
The cover connector 220 is shown generically in Figure 7 but can take on any form
that allows connection of the cover unit 200 to the base unit 100. Such forms include a recess for
receiving a protrusion from the base unit 100, a protrusion for being received in a corresponding
recess in the base unit 100, a clipping arrangement, or a magnet for attracting and ing a region
of the base unit 100. In other embodiments, the cover connector is an adhesive, or a loop-hook
connector such as a product sold under the trade mark Velcro® by Velcro Industries B.V. In this
embodiment, cover tor 220 can be either the loop component of the connector or the hook
component.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 further comprises a cover unit power input 210
for receiving power output from base unit 100. Cover unit 200 can also comprise functional circuitry
280 which can receive power from cover unit power input 210.
According to another aspect described herein, cover unit power input 210 is a second
side 420 of the inductive power transfer system 400. Figure 8A shows cover unit 200 with cover unit
power input 210 provided by a receiving coil 424 of second side 420. Functional circuitry 280 is
connected to second side 420 to e power to power any components of the functional circuitry.
] Figure 8B shows another embodiment in which receiving coil 424 is provided in a
more compact area.
It will be appreciated that functional circuitry 280 can be any of one or more electrical
components which react to receiving power from cover unit power input 210. In one simple
embodiment, functional circuitry 280 is a light or a light such as an incandescent light, fluorescent
light, or light emitting diode (LED), which lights up upon ing power from cover unit power
input 210. These devices may also have supporting circuitry. In other ments, functional
circuitry 280 comprises many components and may include integrated circuits, microcontrollers,
memory devices and analog and digital circuitry, y units or s, and electro-mechanical
devices such as speakers or actuators, to perform any desired functions.
] Figure 9 shows an embodiment of second side 420 of inductive power transfer system
400. In this embodiment, second side 420 comprises receiving coil 424 for receiving energy radiated
by transmitting coil 414 of first side 410. The received energy is provided to the input of rectifier and
filter block 422, which rectifies and filters the received signal and provides the rectified and ed
signal to the input of e regulator 421 to provide a regulated e as an output of second side
420. This output can then be connected to onal circuitry 280 to provide power to functional
circuitry 280 to allow it to operate. In one embodiment, this output is 5V DC with 500mA current,
providing 2.5W of power.
In another embodiment, second side 240 comprises communications functionality as
shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, which cooperates with the embodiment of the first side 410
as shown in Figure 6, receiving coil 424 receives the radiated energy from transmitting coil 414 of
first side 410, upon which is ted a data signal as previously described. The received signal at
receiving coil 424 is applied to the input of rectifier and filter 422 to provide power processing as
previously described, but is also provided at the input of signal demodulator 425 to extract the data
signal from the received signal. The demodulated signal is provided at the output of signal
demodulator 425 to be applied to onal circuitry 280. In this way, the operation of functional
circuitry 280 can be controlled by data sent from base unit 100.
In one embodiment, the method of transmitting data from the y side (i.e. base
unit 100 to the secondary side (i.e. cover unit 200) is by way of modulation of the excitation
frequency of the primary coil in accordance with the input data. This modulation may be done using
analogue techniques in one embodiment, but may also be done via a ontroller in other
embodiments.
In some ments, the data transferred n the cover unit 200 and the base
unit 100 is encrypted. This can increase the likelihood that only authentic cover units 200 can operate
with an installed base unit. A further authentication protocol may also be carried out in some
embodiments, to further ensure that only authorised cover units 200 can be used with installed base
units 100.
In one embodiment, the method of transmitting data from the secondary side (i.e., the
cover unit 200) to the primary side (i.e. base unit 100) is by way of amplitude modulation by
ng modulation signals on the LC resonant circuit in accordance with the data input to the cover
unit 200. Such data may be input by any suitable means, including by the user actuating one or more
user inputs such as a button on the cover unit, or by remote means which transmit data wirelessly to
cover unit 200.
Figure 11 shows cover unit 200 connected to base unit 100 via base connector 120
and cover unit connector 220, to provide system 300. In this view, base unit 100 is mounted to
surface 40, in this embodiment, a wall. In this arrangement, receiving coil 424 of second side
ated with cover unit 200 is placed sufficiently close to the itting coil 414 of the first side
410 to provide the inductive power transfer system 400 as shown in Figure 12.
The distance between the receiving coil 424 and the itting coil 414 can range
from substantially 0mm up to about 10mm or more, including 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm,
7mm, 8mm and 9mm and intervals therebetween. The operation of the inductive transfer system will
vary depending upon the distance between the transmitting coil 414 and the receiving coil 424.
Further technical details are described in Australian Provisional Patent Application
No. 2015275226 entitled “Inductive Power Transfer In An Electrical Outlet”, usly
incorporated by reference.
In other embodiments, base unit 100 also ses a base switch interface 160 for
interfacing with a switch element of the cover unit 200, to allow actuation of a switch on the cover
unit 200 to be effected on the base unit 100. Figure 13 shows a base unit 100 with base switch
interface 160. In some embodiments, base switch ace 160 is an electrical interface such as a
radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving RF signals from a switch on the cover unit 200 when
ed. In some embodiments, base switch interface 160 is an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving
IR signals from a switch of cover unit 200. In other embodiments, base switch interface 160 is a
component of a touch switch which actuates upon a user touching or near-touching a corresponding
switch element on the cover unit 200. An e of such a touch switch arrangement is described
in PCT patent application no. 12011/001675 (published as WO 12012/083380) entitled
“Touch Switch” previously incorporated by nce in its entirety.
In other embodiments, base switch interface 160 is a mechanical interface for
engaging with a switch element or a cover switch interface of cover unit 200 as will now be
described in more detail below.
Figures 14A and 14B show a general representation of the components of an
embodiment of a switch assembly 500 according to one aspect. Broadly, in this aspect, switch
assembly 500 comprises two sub-assemblies, being base unit switch part 510 and ional part
1200. As shown in Figure 14A, base unit switch part 510 comprises a onal part 1000 and a
base switch interface 160.Operational part 1200 is for actuation by a user and for controlling the
functional part 1000, via the base switch interface 160, for interfacing the functional part 1000 and
the operational part 1200.
It will be noted that the operational part 1200 is not fixed to the base switch interface
160 or the functional part 1000 and is able to move freely with respect thereto, for reasons as will be
described further below.
Figure 14B shows a further exploded general view of an embodiment of the switch
assembly 500 of Figure 14A, in which it can be seen that in this embodiment, operational part 1200
itself comprises two parts, namely user interface 1201 and carrier 1202. In some ments, the
user interface 1201 and the r 1202 are fixed together and in other embodiments, the user
interface 1201 and the carrier 1202 are ble as will be described in more detail below.
Figure 15A is an exploded perspective front view of a system 300, comprising a base
unit 100 and a cover unit or switch plate 200. The switch assembly 500 (push-button switch
assembly in this embodiment) is shown distributed between the base unit 100 and cover unit or
switch plate 200, with the base unit switch part 510 being provided in the base unit 100 and the
operational part 1200 (of which only the user interface 1201 is visible in this view) being provided in
the cover unit or switch plate 200.Figure 15B is an exploded perspective rear view of the system 300.
As shown in Figure 15A, the switch assembly 500 includes the functional part 1000, which in an
embodiment is a switch mechanism, the operational part 1200 which in this ment is a push
button, and the base switch ace 160.
As can be seen in Figures 15A and 15B, the operational part 1200 can be freely
removed from the base unit switch part (specifically the base switch interface 160) and/or the
functional part 1000 as there is no connection between the operational part 1200 and the base switch
interface 160/functional part 1000.
In this embodiment, the operational part 1200 comprises a user interface 1201 (in this
embodiment, a push-button 1201A) and a carrier 1202, as shown in s 15A and 15B. The
operational part 1200 is engaged in the plate 200 through the carrier 1202 which can be fitted into
the plate 200, as shown in Figure 15B. The push-button 1201A is operated by a user to effect a
switch on/off operation. Figure 15B shows one embodiment of the engagement of the carrier 1202 to
the plate 200. However, a person skilled in the art will understand that the engagement of the
operational part 1200 and the plate 200 can be provided in any way which can connect the
operational part 1200 and the plate 200 together. The details of the connection between the plate 200
and the operational part 1200 will be described in more detail later with reference to Figures 27A and
27B and Figures 28A and 28B.
When the cover unit or plate 200 is connected to the base unit 100, the functional part
1000 and base switch interface 160 are located behind the operational part 1200 when viewed from
the side of the cover unit 200. The functional part 1000 is controlled by the actuation of the
operational part 1200 to implement switch on/off operation through the base switch interface 160.
The functional part 1000 is connected to the base unit 100. This connection is by any le means
including bonding, clipping, friction fit, gluing or by a means employing a sliding connector as
described in Australian Patent Application No. 2015275232 entitled ction System and
Method for Electrical Outlets” previously incorporated by reference.
The base switch ace 160 is ed between the operational part 1200 and the
functional part 1000, and is connected with the functional part 1000 as described further below. Base
switch ace 160 is for interfacing the onal part 1000 and the operational part 1200 so as to
transfer the user’s actuation operation (such as g the button or actuating the dolly) on the
operational part 1200 to the functional part 1000. An ed view of the interface 160 is shown in
Figure 17.
In a conventional switch assembly, the operational part 1200, especially, the push
button 1201 is fixed to the functional part 1000 and cannot be removed or detached from the
functional part 1000.
However, according to an aspect described , as shown in Figures 15A and 15B,
the ional part 1200 is not fixed or connected to the base switch interface 160 or to the
functional part 1000, but can be removed from the functional part 1000 or the base switch ace
160. For example, the operational part 1200 can be caused to contact or engage with the functional
part 1000 or the base switch interface 160 by only ting the plate 200 to the base unit 100.
Similarly, the ional part 1200 can be removed or disengaged from the functional part 1000 or
the base switch interface 160 by simply separating the plate 200 from the base unit 100. The details
of the relationship of the three parts and principles of how the switch assembly 500 works will be
explained later with reference to Figures 18, 20, 24 and 26.
Figures 16A and 16B illustrate another embodiment of the system 300 with switch
assembly 500, with the operational part 1200 being provided by a rocker switch or dolly 1201B.
Figure 16A is an exploded perspective front view of this embodiment of the system 300 with switch
ly (rocker switch assembly). Figure 16B is an exploded perspective rear view of the system
300 with switch assembly 500 according to this embodiment.
The switch ly 500 in Figures 16A and 16B includes the functional part 1000,
the ional part 1200, and the base switch interface 160. The difference between the rocker
switch assembly in Figure 16 and the push-button switch assembly in Figure 15 lies only in the
operational part 1200 in this embodiment.
In this embodiment, the operational part 1200 includes a dolly 1201B and a carrier
1202, as shown in Figures 16A and 16B. The operational part 1200 is engaged in the cover unit or
switch plate 200 through the carrier 1202 which can be fitted into the plate 200, as shown in Figure
16B. The dolly 1201B is operated by a user to effect switch on/off operation. Figure 16B shows the
engagement implemented by the carrier 1202. However, it will be appreciated by the person skilled
in the art that the engagement of the operational part 1200 and the plate 200 can be in any way which
can connect the operational part 1200 and the plate 200 together, including the direct connection of
the ional part to the plate without an intervening carrier.
As with the embodiment shown in Figures 14A and 15B, the operational part 1200 is
not fixed to the base unit switch part 510 and in particular, to base switch interface 160 or to the
functional part 1000, but can be removed or separated from the base unit switch part 510 being the
functional part 1000 or the base switch interface 160. For example, the operational part 1200 can be
engaged with the functional part 1000 through the base switch interface 160 by only connecting the
plate 200 on the base 100. Similarly, the operational part 1200 can be aged or removed from
the functional part 1000 or the base switch interface 160 by simply separating the plate 200 from the
base 100. The details of the relationship of the three parts and ples of how the switch assembly
works in this embodiment will be explained later with reference to Figure 20.
Since the functional part 1000 in Figure 15 is the same as that in Figure 16 and the
operational part 1200 can be removed from the same functional part 1000, the push-button switch
ly as shown in Figure 15 can be converted to the rocker switch assembly as shown in Figure
16 simply by replacing the functional part 1200 with push-button switch 1201A with the functional
part with the rocker switch 1201B. Such replacement can be done by a user himself/herself t
ance of a professional or qualified tradesperson.
The details of the interface and how the switch assembly according to the first
embodiment works will now be bed in detail with reference to Figures 17 to 19.
Figure 17 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of base switch ace 160
included in the switch assembly 500 according to the first embodiment described previously.
As shown in Figure 17, the base switch interface 160 comprises first protrusion
1601A and second protrusion 1601B, first surface 1602A, second surface 1602B, and first top
surface 1603A and second top surface 1603B. The protrusions 1601A and 1601B are located at each
side of a centre 1606 of the base switch interface 160, respectively. In this embodiment, base switch
interface 160 also comprises first surface 1602A and second surface 1602B. In this embodiment, first
surface 1602A is outside the first protrusion 1601A with t to the centre 1606 and second
surface 1602B is outside the second protrusion 1601B with respect to the centre 1606. First top
surface 1603A is disposed at the top of the first protrusion 1601A. Second top surface 1603B is at
the top of the second protrusion 1601B. As can be seen, the first surface 1602A and second surface
1602B are planar surfaces each disposed a first distance from the centre 1606 of the base switch
interface 160 and the first top surface 1603A and second top surface 1603B are disposed above the
first surface 1602A and the second e 1602B, each at a second ce from the centre 1606 of
the interface. In one embodiment, the first distance is greater than the second ce. In another
embodiment, (not shown), the first distance is less than the second distance.
Figure 18 shows how a push-button switch assembly of the first embodiment works.
Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view, along line A-A’ in Figure 15A, of the switch assembly 500,
being a combination of the functional part 1000, the base switch ace 160 and the operational
part 1200.
As shown in Figure 18, the push button 1201A included in the operational part 1200 is
above the base switch interface 160. In one embodiment, the base switch interface 160 is connected
to an actuating member 1605. In some other embodiments, actuating member 1605 is a part of, or
integrated with, base switch ace 160. The switching element 1102 within the functional part
1000 is under the actuating member 1605 and is for making and breaking contact between als
1103, 1104 and 1105 which in use, are connected to respective electrical conductors (not shown)
ng electrical current such as mains or supply current or current from another source. The effect
of switching element 1102 being rocked from one side to another is to create an electrical path
between als 1103 and 1104 and breaking the electrical path between terminals 1104 and 1105,
thereby effecting an on/off switching function under actuation of the actuating member 1605 as will
be understood by the person skilled in the art.
In the view of Figure 18, at the initial state, the push button 1201A ts with the
first top surface 1603A d at the top of the first protrusion 1601A. When the user pushes the
push button 1201A downwards, the first protrusion 1601A of the base switch interface 160 is pressed
down, causing the actuating member 1605 to swing towards the right side, since base switch
interface 160 is connected to functional part 1000 via a pivot point 1607 at centre 1606. The
switching element 1102 is actuated correspondingly to change ing on/off status of the switch
assembly 500 as previously described. At the same time, the second protrusion 1601B moves up so
that the second top surface 1603B makes contact with the push button 1201A. When the push button
1201A is pressed again in the position of contact with the second top surface 1603B of second
protrusion 1601B, the second protrusion 1601B is pressed down, causing the actuating member 1605
to swing toward the left side. The switching element 1102 is actuated correspondingly to change the
switching on/off status of the switch assembly 500. At the same time, the first protrusion 1601A
moves up so that the first top surface 1603A makes contact with the push button 1201A. The same
process is repeated when the user presses the push button 1201A again.
] As can be seen from Figure 18, the push button 1201A moves linearly in an up and
down motion, while through the transfer of the base switch ace 160, the switching element
1102 makes a rocker . That is, the base switch interface 160 is configured to, in use, convert
linear motion from the first operational part 1200 into rocking motion to the onal part 1000
when the operational part 1200 is or includes a push button 1201A.
Figure 19 shows the cross-sectional view of system 300 along the line A-A’ of Figure
15A, including the base unit 100 and the cover unit or plate 200. It can be seen in this view how
operational part 1200 is brought into non-fixed but touching engagement with base unit switch part
510 (and in particular in this embodiment, base switch interface 160), when cover unit or plate 200 is
connected to base unit 100. The operational part 1200 and the base unit switch part 510 are separated
(and in particular separated from base switch ace 160 in this embodiment) simply by removing
cover unit or plate 200 from base unit 100.
Figure 20A shows how a switch assembly 500 of the second embodiment of Figure 16
ons. Figure 20A is a cross-sectional view, along line B-B’ in Figure 16A, of a combination of
the functional part 1000, the base switch interface 160 and the operational part 1200, with the
perspective top view of the base switch interface 160 repeated in Figure 20B for ease of reference.
As shown in Figure 20A, the dolly 1201 ed in the operational part 1200 is above
the base switch interface 160. As in the arrangement shown in Figure 20A, in one embodiment, the
base switch interface 160 is connected to an actuating member 1605. In some other embodiments,
actuating member 1605 is a part of, or integrated with, base switch interface 160. The switching
element 1102 within the functional part 1000 is under the actuating member 1605 and is for making
and breaking contact between terminals 1103, 1104 and 1105 which in use, are connected to
respective electrical tors carrying electrical current such as mains or supply current or current
from another source. The effect of switching element 1102 being rocked from one side to another is
to create an electrical path between terminals 1103 and 1104 and breaking the electrical path
between terminals 1104 and 1105, thereby effecting an on/off switching function under actuation of
the actuating member 1605 as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.
In the view of Figure 20A, at the initial state, the dolly 1201B makes contact with the
first surface 1602A and the second surface 1602B, via legs 1201B-1 and 1201B-2 associated with
dolly 1201B. In this ment the first surface 1602A and the second e 1602B are located
farther from the centre 1606 as compared with the first top e 1603A and second top surface
1603B. When a user actuates the dolly 1201B, the dolly 1201B causes the first surface 1602A of the
base switch interface 160 to be pressed down, which makes the actuating member 1605 swing
toward right side in the view shown. The switching element 1102 is actuated to change switching
on/off status of the switch assembly. At the same time, the second surface 1602B moves up. When
the dolly 1201B is actuated again, the dolly 1201B causes the second surface 1602B of the base
switch interface 160 to be pressed down, which makes the actuating member 1605 swing toward the
left side in this view. The switching element 1102 is actuated to change the switching on/off status of
the switch assembly. At the same time, the first surface 1602A moves up. The same process is
repeated when the user actuates the dolly 1201B again.
In the above embodiment, the dolly 1201B makes contact with the first surface 1602A
and the second surface 1602B of the base switch interface 160 which are planar. In another
embodiment, the rocker or dolly switch 1201B may make contact with the first slanted surface
1604A and second slanted surface 1604B of the protrusions 1601A and 1601B. In other
embodiments, the first surface 1602A, the second surface 1602B, the first slanted surface 1604A
and/or the second slanted surface 1604B can be curved or non-planar.
As can be seen from Figure 20A, the base switch interface 160 transfers rocking
motion from the operational part 1200 to the functional part 1000, when the operational part 1200 is
a dolly 1201B.
Although in the above ment, two protrusions 1601A and 1601B are shown as
an example, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that three or more sions can be applied to
enforce switching . Furthermore, any other surface configurations can be used to effect the
same ational functions as the exemplary embodiments bed above.
] From Figure 18 and Figure 20A, it will be appreciated that the push-button switch
assembly 500 can be converted to a rocker switch assembly simply by replacing the operational part
1200 being a push button 1201A, with an operational part 1200 being a dolly 1201B.
Such replacement can be done by a user himself/herself without assistance of a
professional or qualified tradesperson. Therefore, costs to an er are d. Furthermore,
production costs of the switch assembly 500 are reduced because when a part of the switch ly
is d or modified, only that part is needed to be produced, without affecting other parts.
Figure 21 shows the switch assembly of Figure 20A with operational part 1200 in
cover unit or switch plate 200, connected to base unit 100, to form system 300.
A third embodiment, in which a rotary switch assembly is implemented, is now
described with reference to s 22A and 22B.
Figure 22A is a ctive top view of a combination of a onal part 1000, an
base switch interface 160 and an operational part 1200 included in a switch assembly (a rotary
switch assembly) according to a third embodiment. Figure 22B is a side view of the arrangement of
Figure 22A. Figures 22A and 22B show the operational part 1200 comprising a rotary switch 1201,
and a base switch interface 160. The rotary switch 1201 comprises a knob 1201C as the user
interface 1201 and a first rod 1201C-1 under the knob 1201C. The knob 1201C can . When the
knob 1201C is rotated, the first rod 1 swings accordingly. On the surface of the operational
part 1200, there are two indicators, first indicator 1203 and second indicator 1204. When the knob
1201C aligns with the first indicator 1203, it indicates that the switch is in an off state. When the
knob 1201C aligns with the second indicator 1204, it indicates that the switch is in an on state. Of
course, the tions of such states can be exchanged. For example, the first indicator 1203
indicates switch on state, and the second indicator 1204 indicates switch off state. Any other means
of indicating the state of the switch can also be used, including the use of a light indicator that emits
light when the switch is on and emits no light when the switch is off.
In this embodiment of base switch interface 160 as shown in Figure 22B for ease of
nce, a fork 1608 with prongs 1608A and 1608B is added between the protrusions 1601A and
1601B, and is ured to accommodate the first rod 1201C-1 in the gap between prongs 1608A
and 1608B of fork 1608.
At the initial state, the knob 1201C aligns with the first indicator 1203 on the surface
of the rotary switch. When a user rotates the knob 1201C to align with the second indicator 1204, the
first rod 1201C-1 correspondingly moves from left side to the right side as seen in this view. This
movement causes first rod 1201C-1 to contact and/or act on the right prong 1608B of fork 1608.
Since base switch interface 160 is pivotally connected to functional part 1000 as previously
described, the left prong 1608A of the fork 1608 is forced to move up, and the right protrusion
1608B of the fork 1608 is forced to move down. Thus, such movement is erred to the switching
element 1102) to implement switching on/off. Then, when the knob 1201C is rotated from aligning
with the second indicator 1204 to aligning with the first indicator 1203, the first rod 1201C-1
correspondingly moves from the right side to the left side. The left protrusion 1608A of the fork
1608 is forced to move down, and the right protrusion 1608B of the fork 1608 is forced to move up.
Thus, such movement is transferred to the switching element 1102 to implement switching on/off.
Figure 23 shows the operational part 1200 as a rotary switch 1201C within a cover
unit or switch plate 200. As previously described, cover unit or switch plate 200 can be connected to
a base unit 100 (not shown) to form a system 300 (not shown). In this embodiment, the tion of
the cover unit or switch plate 200 to the base unit 100 will cause the operational part 1200, being in
this embodiment, a rotary switch 1201C to come into functional engagement with base switch
interface 160 of the base unit switch part 510 (comprising base switch interface 160 and functional
part 1000) in the base unit 100.
Figure 24 shows this switch assembly 500 formed by the action of connecting the
cover unit or switch plate 200 to base unit 100. In this view, cover unit or switch plate 200 and base
unit 100 are not shown for clarity. This view shows operational part 1200 including rotary switch
210C and r 1202, base switch interface 160 and operational part 1000.
As can be seen from Figure 22 to Figure 24, the knob 1201C is rotated. Such on
motion is converted to rocker motion by the rod 1201C-1 and fork 1608. By adding the fork 1608 to
the base switch interface 160, the base switch ace 160 is able to convert rotational motion from
the operational part 1200 into rocking motion to the functional part 1000 when the operational part
1200 is a rotary switch.
As can be seen from Figures 14 to 24, the type of the switch assembly can be
converted between a push-button switch, a rocker switch, and a rotary .
It will be appreciated that by use of the base switch interface 160, comprising various
features appropriate for the desired functions, the switch assembly 500 can be converted to any other
type, as a further example, a toggle switch assembly.
Figure 25 shows a further embodiment in which the operational part 1200 ses a
toggle switch 1201D. Figure 25A is a front perspective view of an assembled system 300 with cover
unit or switch plate 200 connected to base unit 100. Operational part 1200 is provided in this
embodiment by a toggle switch 1201D. Figure 25B shows a rear view of the arrangement of Figure
25A, showing operational part 1000 behind the base unit 100.
Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the switch assembly 500, of Figure 25A along
the line C-C’. As shown in Figure 26, the base switch interface 160 is the same as that in the first
embodiment. The difference again lies only in the operational part 1200. The operational part 1200
in this embodiment ses a toggle 1201D. When a user actuates the toggle 1201D, the lower
part of the operational part 1200 makes the same movement as the movement of rocker switch.
It can be seen from Figure 26 and the above description, that the switch assembly 500
can thus also be converted to a toggle switch assembly type.
On the basis of the above description, a person skilled in the art will understand that a
switch assembly can be easily d to any type by only changing the operational part 1200 which
is not fixed to the base switch interface 160 or to the functional part 1000.
In the above various embodiments, the base switch ace 160 can comprises
various features as required for the specific function. In one ment, base switch interface 160
comprises protrusions. In another embodiment, the base switch interface 160 comprises a planar
e. Correspondingly, the operational part 1200 including a push-button switch might be
modified by including two protrusions to contact with the planar interface.
The various ments and principles described above provide a method and
system for conveniently changing a switch assembly type. In another aspect, the switch assembly can
be varied to change the ance.
Figure 27A shows how a switch of one type (for example a round rocker switch
assembly with a round-cornered plate) is d into a switch of another type (for example square
rocker switch assembly with a square-cornered plate) by only recombining an operational part with a
dolly of one type (for example square dolly 1201B’ – see Figure 29) and a corresponding plate of
another type (for example square-cornered plate – see Figure 29).
The ing describes how to fit or connect the operational part 1200 and the cover
unit or switch plate 200.
Conventionally, an operational part 1200 with a specific shape and type can only be
connected to a plate 200 with a corresponding specific shape and type. uently, when the
operational part 1200 is to be changed in type or shape, the plate 200 has to be changed
correspondingly.
According to another aspect, the operational part 1200 and the plate 200 can be
ted and connected through a standard interface. Thus, different operational parts and different
plates can be combined through the standard interface in any way to form different types and
different outlooks. The rd interface can be ed by any suitable form including clips,
on fit, magnets, hook and loop arrangements and/or reusable adhesives.
In one aspect then, the base unit 100 can be provided with a base switch interface 160
(and associated functional parts) such as the base switch ace 160 and functional part 1000
described herein which can interface with the cover switch interface (such as user interface 1201
(and associated operational part 1200) of different designs described herein. Thus, this aspect
provides the advantage that only one base switch design need be ed in a base unit but which
can interface with a plurality of operational parts. This reduces or eliminates the need to
cture, store and install base units 100 of different designs while still allowing the ability to
e different operational parts 1200 for the cover unit 200.
Figure 27A is an exploded perspective front view of a system 300 (with a push-button
switch assembly 500 in this embodiment) according to another aspect described herein. Figure 27B
is an exploded perspective rear view of the system 300 according to this aspect.
In this aspect, as shown in Figure 27B, a retaining portion 1203 is provided to retain
the carrier 1202 to the cover unit 200. In the embodiment shown in Figure 27B, the retaining portion
1203 is a clip structure 1203A.
In this embodiment, the plate or cover unit 200 in Figures 27A and 27B includes a
square clip 1203A around the aperture 201 for receiving the, or part of the, ional part 1200.
The size of the clip 1203A can be made to match the size of the r 1202 to retain the carrier
1202 in a friction fit or other clipping means to that shown in Figure 27B. The operational part 1200
can be removed from plate or cover unit 200 by pressing the clip 1203 so as to release or otherwise
disengage from, the r 1202.
Figure 28A is an exploded perspective front view of a system 300 with an operational
part 1200 being provided by a rocker or dolly 1201B as the user interface 1201 according to another
embodiment. Figure 28B is an exploded perspective back view of the switch system according to this
embodiment.
] In this embodiment, operational part 1200 in Figures 28A, 28B includes a dolly,
instead of the push-button in Figures 27A, 27B. Although the dolly replaces the push button, the clip
ure 1203A can be the same.
Thus, it can be seen that in this aspect, the operational part 1200 of a push button
1201A can be replaced with an operational part 1200 being a rocker or dolly 1201B, so as to convert
the push-button switch assembly to the rocker switch assembly without ng the plate or cover
unit 200.
Therefore, when a user desires to change the operational part 1200, he does not need
to change the plate or cover unit 200. This provides even greater flexibility for the user and even
r efficiencies in manufacture, storage and installation in that the user is able to simply change
the specific parts required while maintaining the majority of the system 300.
Although in Figures 27A, 27B and 28A, 28B, the shape of the clip 1203A and the
carrier 1202 are square shaped, it will be appreciated that the clip 1203A and the carrier 1202 can be
different shapes, such as round, rectangular, hexagonal etc.
Furthermore, it will be iated that the ing portion 1203 can be of any
le form including, but not limited to, a screw structure, a tight fitting or friction fit structure or
a magnet.
Although Figures 27A, 27B show an embodiment of this aspect as a button switch
assembly, and Figures 28A, 28B show an embodiment as rocker switch assembly, it will be
appreciated that other forms of operational part 1200 such as the rotary switch assembly in Figure
24, and toggle switch assembly in Figure 26 can be used, as can other switch types not explicitly
described herein.
Furthermore, as shown in Figures 27A, 27B and 28A, 28B, the plate or cover unit 200
can be of any desired shape or appearance.
It will be understood that there can be any ation of different operational parts
1200 and plates or cover units 200. For example, a switch assembly 500 with a small dolly 1201B
might be ted to a switch assembly with a big dolly 1201B by replacing the operational part
1200 with a small dolly as described above. In another e, a switch assembly with a round
push-button switch might be converted to a switch assembly with a square utton/rocker switch
by changing the operational part and the plate. In another combination, as shown in Figure 29, the
appearance of system 300 may be changed completely by ng the existing plate or cover unit
200 with a plate or cover unit 200’ of a different type. In one embodiment, the user interface 1201
can be used, or a different user interface 1201 can be used. In the example of Figure 29, the switch
interface 1201 is changed from a round dolly 1201B to a square dolly 1201B’.
In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 30, base until 100 also comprises a base
data input 170 for receiving data. In one embodiment, the base data input 170 receives, in use, data
from the cover unit 200. In other embodiments, base data input 170 receives in use, data from
another external source such as a user-controlled remote device or from another transmitting device
such as those bed in PCT/AU12014/000545 ed “Electrical Connector, System and
Method” and PCT/AU12014/000544 entitled “Batten Holder, tor, System and Method”,
usly incorporated by reference.
In some embodiments as shown in Figure 31, base unit 100 comprises a base data
output 180 for outputting data to the cover unit 200 or an external device. In some embodiments,
base unit 100 comprises base data output 180 and based data input 170. In some embodiments, base
data input 170 and base data output 180 are provided by the same element, such as a transceiver. In
some embodiments, base data output 180, base data input 170 and base unit power output 150 are all
provided by the same element.
In some embodiments, base data input 170 and/or base data output 180 and or base
unit power output 150 are provided by a mechanical data port in accordance with any le data
transfer protocol. Such examples e RJ-45 type connectors, RJ11, RJ14, RJ25, RJ48, RJ61,
XLR connectors, XLD connectors, DIN connectors, BNC connectors and USB ports.
In some embodiments, base data output 180, base data input 170, base unit power
output 150 and base connector 120 are all provided by the same element.
In some embodiments, base data input 170 and base data output are provided by the
communications functionality of the inductive power transfer system 400 previously described.
In some embodiments as shown in Figure 32, base unit 100 comprises a base supply
power output 190 for providing supply power directly to an electrical device such as a heater, fan,
radio, television. In this embodiment, base 100 may have two power outputs, being base unit power
output 150 for providing output power to the cover unit 200 and base supply power output 190 for
providing supply power to an external device other than the cover unit 200. In other ments,
base unit 100 has only base supply power output 190 and no base unit power output 180. In these
embodiments, cover unit 200 does not receive power from base unit 100 but may have its own onboard
power source such as a battery, or may only have mechanical or passive components and may
not require any power to perform its on.
In another aspect, there is provided a cover unit 200 as shown in Figure 33. In a broad
embodiment, cover unit 200 ses a cover connector 220 for ting the cover unit 200 to
the base unit 100. In some embodiments, cover tor 220 s with base connector 120 to
connect cover unit 200 to base unit 100.
The cover connector 220 is shown generically in Figure 33 but can take on any form
that allows tion of the cover unit 200 to the base unit 100. Such forms include a recess for
receiving a protrusion from the base unit 100, a protrusion for being received in a corresponding
recess in the base unit 100, a clipping arrangement, or a magnet for attracting and retaining a region
of the base unit 100, and/or a friction fit between the cover unit 200 and the base unit 100. In other
embodiments, the cover connector is an adhesive, or a loop-hook connector such as a product sold
under the trade mark Velcro® by Velcro Industries B.V. In this embodiment, cover connector 120
can be either the loop component of the connector or the hook component.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 comprises a cover unit power input 210 for
receiving power output from base unit 100 as shown in Figure 34.
Cover unit power input 210 can be provided by any suitable means including a direct
plug/socket arrangement with a recess provided in cover unit 200 leading to conductive elements
which make ical connection with a corresponding electrically conductive element of a base unit
power output 150, or can be provided by a receiving element that receives power from base unit 100
by induction or other means. Any other form of power transfer can also be used.
In some embodiments, cover unit power input 210 and cover connector 220 can be
provided by the same element. In one such embodiment, the connection of cover unit power input
210 to the base unit power output 150 will also provide sufficient support to retain cover unit 200 to
base unit 100 without a further additional cover connector 220 or other connection arrangement.
In some embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is ed by the secondary side
of the inductive power er system previously described.
] In some embodiments as shown in Figure 35, cover unit 200 comprises a user
interface 230 to allow a user to control one or more functional aspects of the cover unit 200 as will
be described in more detail below. User interface 230 can take on any suitable form including
mechanical switches, touch switches, motion detectors, audio detectors or motion e devices. In
some embodiments, user interface 230 is ed by the user interface 1201 described above with
reference to the switch assembly.
In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 36, cover unit 200 also comprises a cover
unit data input 240 for receiving data. In one embodiment, the cover unit data input 240 receives, in
use, data from the base unit 100. In other embodiments, cover unit data input 240 receives in use,
data from another external source such as a user-controlled remote device or from another
transmitting device such as those described in PCT/AU12014/000545 entitled “Electrical Connector,
System and ” and PCT/AU12014/000544 entitled “Batten Holder, Connector, System and
Method”, previously incorporated by reference. In this arrangement, cover unit data input 240 can
also act as a user interface 230. In another ment, the data is received by a remote device as
described in entitled “General Power Outlet and Remote Switch Module”,
previously incorporated by reference. In this embodiment, cover unit 200 can comprise elements of
the power outlet described therein.
In some embodiments as shown in Figure 37, cover unit 200 comprises a cover data
output 250 for outputting data to the base unit 100 or an external . In some embodiments,
cover unit data input 240 and cover data output 250 are ed by the same element, such as a
transceiver.
In some embodiments, cover unit data input 240 and/or cover data output 250 are
provided by a mechanical data port in accordance with any suitable data transfer protocol. Such
examples include RJ-45 type tors, RJ11, RJ14, RJ25, RJ48, RJ61, XLR connectors, XLD
connectors, DIN connectors, BNC connectors and USB ports.
In some embodiments, cover data output 250 is provided by the secondary side of the
inductive power transfer system previously described.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 comprises a cover switch ace 260 as
shown in Figure 38, for engaging with a corresponding base switch interface. In some embodiments,
cover switch interface is provided by the user interface 1201 described above with reference to the
switch assembly.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 comprises functional circuitry 280 which is
powered in some embodiments, by power ed by cover unit power input 210. In other
embodiments, functional circuitry 280 is powered by a cover power supply 290 in cover unit 200
such as a battery.
In some embodiments, functional circuitry 280 is controlled by user interface 230.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 ses a memory 270 for g data.
In another aspect, there is ed a system 300 comprising the base unit 100 and the
cover unit 200 as shown in Figure 39. In this embodiment, base unit 100 is mounted to surface 40
(for example a wall) via mounting region 110 and electrically connected to supply power 50 via base
supply power input 130. Cover unit 200 is connected to base unit 100 via base connector 120 and
cover connector 220.
In another embodiment of system 300, shown in Figure 40, cover unit 200 also
receives power from base unit 100 via base unit power output 150 and cover unit power input 210 to
power any functional circuitry that may be contained in cover unit 200.
It will be appreciated that the system 300 sing base unit 100 and cover unit 200
allows easy connection of a cover unit 200 to base unit 100 by simply engaging the base connector
120 and cover connector 220. In this way, cover unit 200 can be easily installed, removed and
replaced by any user without any need for electrical knowledge or certification.
Furthermore, the system 300 allows a plurality of different cover units 200 to be
connected to base unit 100. This allows the user to replace the cover unit 200 with a cover unit 200
of a different functionality to thereby provide great flexibility to the user as the user’s needs change
over time.
For example, in one ment, cover unit 200 is a power socket and switch
arrangement to allow system 300 to act as a tional power socket for allowing the user to
power devices such as vacuum cleaners, sions etc. If the user then enters a stage in life where
the user has a baby, the user may easily remove cover unit 200 by simply disengaging the base
connector and the cover connector, and can then replace this cover unit 200 with a different cover
unit 200 that provides a ent functionality such as a baby monitor or a night light.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 is connected, in use, to base unit 100 and the
may have additional elements connected to cover unit 200 to enhance various features such as
functionality and appearance. In some embodiments, cover unit 200 is connected to base unit 100 as
usly described, to provide one or more desired functionalities, and then a further piece (such as
a face plate) can be connected to cover unit 200 to completely encase the cover unit 200 and the base
unit 100. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, cover unit 200 does not completely cover
all parts of the base unit 100. In other embodiments, cover unit completely covers and extend beyond
base unit 100. In some embodiments, cover unit 200 serves as the face plate to cover base unit 100,
which serves in some embodiments, as a grid plate. In some embodiments then, the cover unit when
provided as a face plate 200 provides the final surface of the system sing base unit or grid
plate 100 with full functionality and appearance ated therein. Of course in such ments,
further attachments may be connected over face plate 200 such as plug adapters or eral
electronic devices.
The following describes various embodiments of an aspect in which cover unit 200
comprises a cover unit power input 210 as usly described.
Figure 41 shows a general embodiment of cover unit 200 in which cover unit power
input 210 is provided integral with the cover unit 200. In a broad sense then, there is provided a
cover unit for connection to a base unit comprising a base supply power input and a base unit power
output for receiving power from the base supply power input, the cover unit comprising a cover unit
power input for receiving power from the base unit power output.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 is a face plate 200 for connection to a base unit
which is provided as a grid plate 100. Figure 42A shows a rear view of an embodiment of face plate
200 with cover unit power input 210 provided by two pins 211a, 211b of a plug for use in a
plug/socket arrangement.
Figure 42B shows a front view of the face plate 200 shown in Figure 42A. Shown in
this view is a casing 281 integral with the surface of the face plate 200 which contains functional
circuitry 280 which, as previously described, can take on any form to provide any desired
functionality. An embodiment of this aspect will be described in more detail below. In some
embodiments, the functional try is powered by power received via the cover input power 210.
] It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown in Figures 42A and 42B is an
e only of a general arrangement and may take on any suitable and ed form. In some
embodiments, there is no discernible casing 281, and any functional circuitry is contained within the
thickness of face plate 200.
Figure 43 shows an example of base unit 100 provided as a grid plate. In this
embodiment, base unit power output 150a is provided as a socket of a plug/socket arrangement, to
receive pins 211a, 211b of the face plate 200 shown in Figure 42A. In this embodiment, grid plate
100 has two base unit power outputs, with socket 150b also ed to provide an additional power
source.
In this embodiment, there is also shown base switch interfaces 160a and 160b as
previously described, and whose interaction with face plate 200 will be described further below.
It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, there is only one base unit power
output 150 provided, and in other embodiments, there are three, four, five, six, or more. Furthermore,
in some embodiments, there are no base switch interfaces 160 provided, and in other embodiments,
there are one, three, four, five, six or more.
In another ment of the face plate 200 as shown in Figure 44, there is provided
a protrusion 261. In this ment, when face plate 200 is placed over grid plate 100 and pins
211a, 211b are inserted into corresponding sockets 151a and 151b fully, such that face plate 200 is
connected to grid plate 100, protrusion 261 engages with and actuates base switch interface 160a to
turn the switch on to provide electrical power to base power output 150a and consequently to cover
unit power input 210 to provide power to functional circuitry 280.
In another embodiment as shown in Figures 45A and 45B (with Figure 45A showing a
rear view of face plate 200 of this embodiment and Figure 45B showing a front view of the face plate
of Figure 45A), face plate 200 has one or more power connector receivers 215 for receiving a power
tor such as a plug, from an external device such as a television, vacuum cleaner or tablet. The
power connector receiver 215 can take on any suitable form depending upon the ed purpose to
allow an external device to receive power, in some embodiments, independently from the face plate
200 and directly from the base unit power output 150 (or in some embodiments, base supply power
output 190). In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 45A and 45B, the power connector receiver
215 comprises a plurality of receiver pin apertures 216a, 216b, 216c to receive respective pins from a
plug of a device such as a television or vacuum cleaner (not . This receiver pin apertures align
with ponding socket res in base unit power output 150b (and in particular in this
embodiment where the base output is supply or mains power, base supply power output 190) to
provide supply or mains power to the external device. It will be appreciated that in some
embodiments, there may be only one or two pin res (or 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) depending
upon the power system being used and the country in which the system is being used. For example,
in some countries, there is no third earth pin and so only 2 apertures may be required.
Also shown in the embodiment of Figure 45A is aperture 201 which accommodates a
user interface 1201 (for example in some embodiments, a square rocker 1201B) as shown in Figure
46A. In use, user interface 1201B will engage with and actuate a switch interface (for example 160b
as shown in Figure 43) and as described in detail previously with reference to the switch system
when face plate 200 is connected to grid plate 100.
Figure 46B shows a front view of cover unit/face plate 200 of the embodiment
described with reference to Figure 46A.
In other embodiments, power connector receiver 215 is an aperture to receive a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. Figure 47 shows a front view of a face plate 200 of an
embodiment of this aspect. In these embodiments, base unit power output 150 ses a USB port
for ing the USB connector. The USB port is ted to a USB power circuit, which can be
used to power and/or charge a USB-enabled device such as a smart phone or a tablet. An example of
a suitable device for this feature is described in Australian Patent No 4615 entitled “USB
Outlet Charger”, previously incorporated by reference.
In other embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is provided by a different connector
type. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 48, cover unit power input is provided by a USB
connector. Figure 49 shows an embodiment of the arrangement for Figure 48 with an embodiment of
power connector receiver 215, as well as an embodiment of user switch interface 1201B (in this
example, a square dolly rocker).
] In other embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is provided by an RJ-45 connector
as shown in Figure 50.
In other embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is provided by a coaxial television
connector as shown in Figure 51.
In other embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is ed by an audio jack
connector as shown in Figure 52.
In other embodiments, cover unit power input 210 is provided by an HDMI connector
as shown in Figure 53.
] In some of these embodiments, it will be appreciated that the cover unit power input
also acts as a cover unit data input as previously described.
ingly then, in another aspect, there is provided a face plate for tion to a
grid plate comprising a base unit power output and/or a base data output, the face plate comprising a
cover unit power input and/or a cover unit data input for receiving power from the base unit power
output and/or the base data output tively.
It will also be appreciated that cover unit/faceplate 200 in these aspects can take on
any configuration as required to match different configurations of base units/grid plates 100.
Examples of different configurations of base units/ grid plates 100 are shown in Figures 54 and 55.
In these embodiments shown, there is only one base unit power output 150 for receiving a cover unit
power input 210, and one switch interface 160 for engaging with a user interface (e.g. 1201B).
Figure 56 shows an embodiment of a system 300 sing the base unit / grid plate
100 having connected thereto cover unit/ face plate 200. In this embodiment, face plate 200 has
casing 281 containing functional circuitry, which in some embodiments, obtains power from cover
unit power input 210 via base unit power output 150, which in turn, s power from supply 50
via base power input 130.
In another aspect, as illustrated in Figure 57, there is provided a method of installing a
face plate as previously described to a grid plate comprising at least one base unit power output. In
some embodiments, the method comprises, in step 701, aligning the cover unit power input of the
face plate with the at least one base unit power output of the grid plate; and then, in step 702,
connecting the face plate to the grid plate.
The step of connecting the face plate to the grid plate can be done by any suitable
means, including simply pushing the face plate over the grid plate to allow connection via friction fit,
or using dedicated connectors as previously described.
According to another , there is provided a face plate 200 for connection to a grid
plate 100 comprising at least one switch ace 160 of a switch for connecting a power outlet of
the grid plate to a power source, the face plate comprising at least one protrusion 261 for engaging
with and actuating the at least one switch interface 160 on the grid plate 100 upon connection of the
face plate 200 to the grid plate 100.
Figure 58 shows a general embodiment of this aspect, ting cover unit or face
plate 200 with a protrusion 261. Protrusion 261 can take on any form or shape and may be integral
with the surface of the face plate 200 or added separately such as glued, bonded, friction fit or any
other suitable attachment means.
Protrusion 261 is located on the face plate 200 such that when face plate 200 is
connected to grid plate 100, protrusion 261 engages with and actuates switch interface 160 to actuate
a switch associated with switch interface 160 and grid plate 100.
] In some embodiments, at least a portion of protrusion 261 is located between 20mm
and 50mm from a side edge 203 of the face plate and between 10mm and 30mm from a top edge 204
of face plate 200.
It will be appreciated that the location of the protrusion 261 will vary between
ent embodiments to match the location of the corresponding grid plate 100 with which a
selected face plate 200 is to be used.
Figure 59 shows an ment of a face plate 200 with protrusion 261.
] Figure 60 shows another embodiment of face plate 200 with protrusion 261. In this
embodiment, face plate 200 also has two pins 211a, 211b providing cover unit power input 210. As
previously described, as face plate 200 is connected to a grid plate 100, for example as described
previously with nce to Figure 43, pins 211a, 211b are received within sockets 151a, 151b of
base unit power output 150. As face plate 200 is pushed in further to connect to grid plate 100,
protrusion 261 engages and pushes on switch interface 160 to actuate the switch connected to switch
interface 160 as described in more detail below.
Power ed via cover unit power input 210 is used by, in some embodiments as
shown in Figure 60, the functional circuitry 280 within casing 281.
In other embodiments, face plate 200 with protrusion 261 is provided with power
connector receiver 215 and in some ments, also with user interface (e.g. rocker dolly 1201B
as shown in the e in Figure 61).
In other embodiments still, the cover unit power input 210 is provided by a second
side 424 of an inductive power transfer system as previously described and as shown in Figure 62. In
some embodiments, power will be transferred inductively from the first side to the second side
merely upon placing face plate 200 in proximity to grid plate 100, but in other embodiments, a
switch will be actuated to cause power to be transmitted by the first side. In such embodiments,
protrusion 261 can be used to actuate that switch.
Figure 63 shows another embodiment of the aspect illustrated in Figure 62 in which
the face plate 200 is also provided with power tor receiver 215 and in some embodiments,
also with user interface (e.g. rocker dolly 1201B as shown in the example in Figure 31).
] Turning now to the interaction of protrusion 261 with switch interface 160, as
previously described, protrusion 261 engages with switch interface 160 in grid plate 100 (see Figure
43 for example) to e a switch associated with grid plate 100 and switch interface 160, an
example of which is described previously with reference to Figure 17 for example.
Figure 64A illustrates an embodiment in which face plate 200 is being brought into
contact with grid plate 100.As can be seen in this view, protrusion 261 makes contact with a portion
of switch interface 160, which is in a first position, with switch 500 in a first state, such as OFF.
As face plate 200 is pushed further towards grid plate 100 to connect the two together,
protrusion 261 applies a force to switch interface 160 to cause it to actuate to a second position as
previously described and to actuate switch 500 to a second state, such as ON. This second state is
shown in Figure 64B. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the action of connecting the face plate
200 to the grid plate 100 actuates the switch 500.
In some embodiments, switch 500 is biased in the first state (e.g. OFF) (for example
by a spring), such that upon removal of face plate 200 from grid plate 100 and uently upon
removal of the force of protrusion 261 on switch interface 160, the switch 500 will again
automatically assume an OFF state, until switch ace 160 is again actuated.
Examples of some ments of cover unit 200 provided as a face plate 200 are
now described.
In one aspect, there is provided a cover unit 200, which in some embodiments,
functions as a light source. In some embodiments, the cover unit 200 is provided as a face plate
which is attached to base unit 100, in some embodiments, being a grid plate.
Figure 65 shows a general view of an embodiment of cover unit 200, acting as a light
source. In this ment, cover unit 200 has light source 208. Light source 208 can be any
le source of light, including incandescent lamp, light emitting diode (LED), organic light
emitting diode (OLED), a screen comprising le elements such as pixels which emit light upon
application of electrical current.
Electrical power to cause the light source 208 to illuminate can be derived, in some
embodiments, by cover unit power input 210, and/or by an on-board battery supply within cover unit
In other embodiments, cover unit 200 is provided with a presence detector 202 to
detect and indicate the presence of a person or other entity of interest. Figure 66 shows a l
arrangement for this aspect of cover unit 200. In some embodiments, presence detector 202 is a
movement detector. In some embodiments, presence detector 202 is an infrared detector. In other
embodiments, presence detector 202 is an audio detector. In some embodiments, presence or
202 detects vibrations. Any other type of detector to suit the requirements of the detector can be used
as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.
Upon detection of the presence of an entity, presence detector 202 will te this
detection. This indication can be by any suitable means including triggering an alarm, sending an
electronic alert to a remote n such as a mobile phone, and/or g an associated light source
to illuminate.
In some embodiments then, there is provided a cover unit 200 for connection to a base
unit 100, the cover unit 200 comprising a light source 208 and a presence detector 202. Figure 67
shows a general ement of cover unit 200 comprising presence or 202 and light source
208. Functional circuitry 280 may be provided within cover unit 200 to control the action of light
source 208 in accordance with signals from presence detector 202. In some embodiments, functional
circuitry 280 and/or light source 208 and/or presence detector 202 derive power from cover unit
power input 210. In some embodiments, functional circuitry 280 and/or light source 208 and/or
presence detector 202 derive power from an internal cover power supply 290 such as a y. In
other embodiments, functional try 280 and/or light source 208 and/or presence detector 202
derive power from both cover input power 210 and internal cover power supply 290.
In some embodiments, cover unit 200 also has cover connector 220 for ting
cover unit 200 to base unit 100 as previously described.
It will be understood that in these aspects and embodiments, cover unit 200 can take
on any le form and shape and in some embodiments, are r than base unit 100 and in
either embodiments, are larger than, and extend beyond the dimensions of base unit 100. In some
embodiments, cover unit 200 is provided as a face plate for connection to base unit 100, which in
some embodiments is provided as a grid plate.
Figures 68A and 68B show an example of cover unit 200 provided as a face plate.
Figure 68A shows a front view of an embodiment of face plate 200, comprising light source 208. In
this embodiment, light source 208 is part of a casing 281 which integrally-molded with the surface of
the rest of face plate 200. Casing 281 also contains functional circuitry 280 , which controls the
ion of light source 208 and provides power to light source 208 from cover unit power input
210 (see Figure 68B).
Figure 68B shows the rear of the face plate of Figure 68A, showing cover unit power
input 210, which in this embodiment comprises a plug arrangement with pins 211a, 211b. As
previously described, cover unit power input can be provided by any suitable means to provide the
required power, including alternating current (AC) power or direct current (DC) power (for example
through a USB power arrangement).
Figure 69 shows an alternative embodiment of that of Figure 68B, with cover unit
power input 210 provided by a receiving coil 424 of a second side of an inductive power transfer
system such as one bed in Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2014905212 entitled
“Inductive Power Transfer In an Electrical Outlet” previously incorporated by reference.
As previously described, face plate 200 can be connected to base unit 100, in some
embodiments provided as a grid plate, such as the one described previously with reference to Figure
43. As will be appreciated, the provision of these features as an integrated face plate 200 allows a
user to easily l a light source in their home or building by simply ing the cover unit power
input 210 into the base supply output 150a of pre-installed and wired base unit/grid plate 100.
Furthermore, the fact that the functional elements of the device are integrated with the face plate,
provides a much cleaner and pleasing aesthetic, rather than having a plug-in adapter or separate
device. Furthermore, if the user later wishes to change or upgrade the functionality of the system, the
user simply s an upgraded cover ace plate 200, removes the first face plate and replaces it
with the new one.
An example of an ed device is the light source 208 combined with a presence
detector 202 such as shown in Figure 70. Again, all of these functional features are integrated into
face plate 200 to allow easy installation by the user. In the embodiment shown in Figure 70, casing
281 ns functional circuitry 280 within, and supports presence detector 202 and light source
Figure 71A shows another embodiment of the device of Figure 70. In this
embodiment, face plate 200 also has a user switch interface 1201B (for example), and a power
connector receiver 215 for receiving a power tor from an external device to supply power as
previously described.
Figure 71B shows a rear view of the arrangement of Figure 71A. e in this view
are cover unit power input 210, in this embodiment being provided by pins 211a, 211b and power
connector receiver 215 and the rear of user switch interface 1201B. Also provided in this
embodiment is protrusion 261 for engaging with and ion switch interface 160 upon connection
of face plate 200 to grid plate 100 as previously described. This will provide a power source for use
by functional circuitry 280, light source 208 and presence detector 202. As previously described, in
other embodiments, power for one or more of these elements can be provided by an internal power
source such as a battery.
Also shown in Figure 71B, is a mode selector switch 205, which s the user to
select between a ity of modes of operation. In some embodiments, this plurality of modes
includes a night light plus nt detection function and a movement detection function only.
Also shown in Figure 71B is a light level adjustor 206 for allowing the ivity of
the device to be adjusted to allow operation in both well-lit areas and darker areas.
In the specific face plate 200 shown in Figure 71B, cover connectors 220 are also
provided as previously described. In other embodiments, cover connectors 220 can take on any other
suitable form to allow connection of face plate 200 to grid plate 100. In other embodiments still,
cover unit power input 210 acts as the cover connector 220 to retain face plate 200 to grid plate 100
when the pins 211a, 211b are inserted into base unit power output 150a (see for example Figure 43).
Figure 72 shows an embodiment of face plate 200 in which the presence detector 202
can be adjusted to provide a “blind” zone which will ignore any presence within a certain zone. In
some embodiments, this is achieved by use of a shield 202c placed in front of a sensor 202b of
presence detector 202. These elements, in this example are covered by detector cover 202a.
Shield 202c is of any suitable form and material which will act to obscure signals to
sensor 202b, including plastic, metal or wood.
In some ments, shield 202c is moveable over sensor 202b such to allow for a
djustable “blind” zone to accommodate the particular location or intended use of the face plate
200 by sliding or otherwise g shield 202c over varying amounts of sensor 202b. In some
embodiments, ently-sized shields can be obtained and replaced to provide for variable blocking
over sensor 202b.
As illustrated in Figure 73, ent of shield 202c over sensor 202b allows a lower
portion below the sensor 202b to be obscured such as to avoid triggering of the detector 202 simply
by presence of animals such as dogs or cats. In the example shown in Figure 73, placement of a
shield 202c over sensor 202b, that is located 0.3m above ground level to obscure a lower 20 degree
area, will create a ” area ranging up to 0.8m at 1.5m away from sensor detector 202, thus
ng animals within the vicinity to move about without triggering the detector.
Figure 74 is a system block diagram of an arrangement according to some
embodiments. Shown are mode selector 205, light level adjuster 206 comprising in this embodiment,
light level adjuster set point (enabled in some embodiments by a iometer for example) 206a
and light level sensor 206b, presence detector 202 (for example, a PIR), the light source 208 and a
processor 207 for controlling the signals and s between the s inputs and outputs. In one
aspect, the processor 207 and connecting wires between the inputs and outputs comprises the
functional circuitry 280.
An example of a suitable processor 207 is HT46R065B, an A/D Type 8-bit OTP
MCU provided by Holtek Semiconductor Inc in Taiwan. An example of the PIR used is the LHi878
pyroelectric dual element detector provided by Exelitas Technologies Corp in Massachusetts, USA.
Of course any other suitable device can be used as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.
Figure 75 shows an example flowchart of ions carried out by processor 207 in
some embodiments.
Figure 76 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the arrangement of Figure 74.
Its operation will be tood by the person skilled in the art and need not be more specifically
described.
Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires
ise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as ising” and “including”
will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated r or group of integers, but not the
exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as,
an acknowledgement of any form of tion that such prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in
its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its any
described embodiments with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted
herein and is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without ing
from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.
Claims (23)
1. A cover unit comprising: a cover connector for connecting the cover unit to a base unit, the base unit comprising a mounting region for mounting to a surface; a base supply power input for receiving supply power; a base power converter for converting the received supply power to an output power; and a base unit power output for outputting the output power to the cover unit; and a light source for emitting light
2. A face plate for connection to a grid plate comprising: at least one face plate connector for connecting the face plate to the grid plate; and a light source for emitting light.
3. A face plate as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a movement sensor for sensing nt in proximity to the face plate and for controlling the light source in accordance with an output of the nt .
4. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 further comprising an electrical tor for engaging with a base unit power output of the grid plate.
5. A face plate as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrical connector is a power connector.
6. A face plate as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrical connector is a data connector.
7. A face plate as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrical connector is both a power connector and a data connector.
8. A face plate as claimed in claim 5 wherein the power connector ses at least two pins for inserting into corresponding receivers of the at least one electrical socket of the grid plate.
9. A face plate as claimed in claim 5 wherein the power tor comprises three pins for inserting into corresponding receivers of the at least one electrical socket of the grid plate.
10. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the face plate ses at least one protrusion for engaging with and actuating a corresponding switch interface on the grid plate upon connection of the face plate to the grid plate.
11. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 further comprising at least two apertures for aligning with respective receivers of the ical socket of the grid plate and for receiving ponding pins of an external device.
12. A face plate as claimed in claim 11 comprising three apertures for aligning with respective receivers of the electrical socket of the grid plate.
13. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 12 r comprising a switch actuator for engaging with and actuating a second switch interface on the grid plate upon connection of the face plate to the grid plate.
14. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the electrical tor is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.
15. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the electrical connector is an RJ- 45 connector.
16. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the electrical connector is a coaxial television connector.
17. A face plate as d in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the electrical connector is an audio jack connector.
18. A face plate as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the electrical connector is a High Definition Multiple Input (HDMI) connector.
19. A face plate as d in any one of claims 2 to 16 further comprising functional circuitry d via the electrical connector.
20. A face plate as claimed in claim 19 wherein a power conversion circuit is provided between the electrical connector and the functional circuitry.
21. A system comprising: the grid plate comprising at least one electrical socket; and the face plate as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 20.
22. A system as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a ity of face plates as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 42 that are interchangeable and wherein at least two of the plurality of face plates provide different functionality from each other.
23. A method of installing a face plate as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 20 to a grid plate comprising at least one electrical socket, the method comprising: ng the electrical connector of the face plate with the at least one electrical socket of the grid plate; and connecting the face plate to the grid plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2016903981 | 2016-09-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ791905A true NZ791905A (en) | 2022-09-30 |
Family
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