Control device base that attaches to the paddle actuator of a mechanical switch
A remote control device may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may include a control unit and a base for the control unit. The base may include a frame and a mounting tab that attaches to the paddle actuator of a mechanical switch. The mounting tab may be monolithic with the frame. Alternatively, the base may include a resilient attachment member that extends from the frame and is captively retained by the mounting tab. The frame and the attachment member may be configured such that the attachment member is held in a fixed in position by the frame, or such that the attachment member is translatable relative to the frame. The base may include one or more alignment members. The base may cause a rear surface of the frame to be biased against the mechanical switch.
1. A base configured to be attached to a paddle actuator of an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the base comprising:
a frame that defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of the paddle actuator, the protruding portion projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes the power to be delivered to the electrical load, wherein, when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the frame at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator, and wherein the frame comprises:
an outer wall that extends along a perimeter of the frame;
a cross member that extends between opposed side walls of the outer wall; and
a mounting tab that extends from the cross member, the mounting tab configured to be attached to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, wherein the mounting tab defines a fixed end that is supported by the cross member and a free end that is distal from the cross member,
wherein the mounting tab is configured to, when the base is attached to the paddle actuator, cause a rear surface of the frame to be biased against a structure that surrounds the paddle actuator.
2. The base of claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab defines an attachment surface that is angularly offset relative to the rear surface of the frame, and wherein the attachment surface is configured to be secured to the paddle actuator.
3. The base of claim 2 , wherein the attachment surface is configured to be secured to the paddle actuator using a double-sided adhesive.
4. The base of claim 2 , wherein the mounting tab has a rectangular-shaped body that defines the attachment surface.
5. The base of claim 2 , wherein the attachment surface of the mounting tab is U-shaped, and the fixed end of the mounting tab is attached to the cross member by an arm.
6. The base of claim 5 , wherein the arm is arranged between opposing sides of the mounting tab.
7. The base of claim 2 , wherein the attachment surface of the mounting tab is T-shaped, and the fixed end of the mounting tab is attached to the cross member using a pair of arms.
8. The base of claim 7 , wherein the pair of arms are spaced apart from each other at opposed sides of the mounting tab.
9. The base of claim 2 , wherein the attachment surface is angularly offset relative to the rear surface of the frame by a first angle, and wherein the protruding portion of the paddle actuator is angularly offset from a bezel of the mechanical switch by a second angle.
10. The base of claim 9 , wherein the first angle is smaller than the second angle.
11. The base of claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab is wedge-shaped such that the mounting tab is thicker at the fixed end than at the free end.
12. The base of claim 1 , wherein the opening is defined by the outer wall and the cross member.
13. The base of claim 1 , further comprising at least one alignment member that extends from the rear surface of the frame, the at least one alignment member configured to be received in a gap that is defined between a bezel of the mechanical switch that surrounds the paddle actuator and an opening that extends through a faceplate that is attachable to a yoke of the mechanical switch.
14. The base of claim 13 , wherein the at least one alignment member may be configured to align the base relative to the mechanical switch during attachment of the base to the paddle actuator.
15. A remote control device for use in a load control system, the remote control device configured to be mounted over an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:
a frame that defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of a paddle actuator of the mechanical switch, the protruding portion projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes the power to be delivered to the electrical load, wherein, when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the frame at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator, and wherein the frame comprises:
an outer wall that extends along a perimeter of the frame;
a cross member that extends between opposed side walls of the outer wall; and
a mounting tab that extends from the cross member, the mounting tab configured to be attached to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, wherein the mounting tab defines a fixed end that is supported by the cross member and a free end that is distal from the cross member; and
a control unit that is configured to be attached to the frame, the control unit including a control interface and a wireless communication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a user input from the control interface into a control signal that controls a load control device, the control unit further configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal,
wherein the mounting tab is configured to, when the remote control device is mounted over the mechanical switch, cause a rear surface of the frame to be biased against a structure that surrounds the paddle actuator.
16. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the mounting tab defines an attachment surface that is angularly offset relative to the rear surface of the frame, and wherein the attachment surface is configured to be secured to the paddle actuator.
17. The remote control device of claim 16 , wherein the attachment surface is configured to be secured to the paddle actuator using a double-sided adhesive.
18. The remote control device of claim 16 , wherein the mounting tab has a rectangular-shaped body that defines the attachment surface.
19. The remote control device of claim 16 , wherein the attachment surface of the mounting tab is U-shaped, and the fixed end of the mounting tab is attached to the cross member by an arm arranged between opposing sides of the mounting tab.
20. The remote control device of claim 16 , wherein the attachment surface of the mounting tab is T-shaped, and the fixed end of the mounting tab is attached to the cross member using a pair of arms spaced apart from each other at opposed sides of the mounting tab.
21. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the mounting tab is wedge-shaped such that the mounting tab is thicker at the fixed end than at the free end.
22. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein outer surfaces of the outer wall are flush with corresponding outer surfaces of a bezel of the mechanical switch.
23. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the structure comprises one or more of a bezel of the mechanical switch or a faceplate that is attachable to a yoke of the mechanical switch.
24. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the frame is configured for releasable attachment of the control unit to the frame.
25. The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the frame is further configured to receive a battery for powering the control unit, the remote control device further comprising a printed circuit board that is configured to, when the control unit is attached to the frame, electrically couple the control unit to the battery.