Remote-controlled switch cover assembly
A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.
1. A method performed by a remote-controlled switch cover assembly for remote and manual control of an existing rocker switch, comprising:
receiving a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch; and
in response to receiving the wireless signal, causing a wiper to act upon a first portion of a tilt plate, thereby causing the first portion to move away from a first portion of the existing rocker switch and a second portion of the tilt plate to depress a second portion of the existing rocker switch, thereby causing the existing rocker switch to change state.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the wiper to act upon the first portion of the tilt plate comprises:
rotating the wiper in a first direction; and
in response to rotating the wiper, causing a distal end of the wiper to contact the first portion of the tilt plate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distal end contacts the first portion of the tilt plate at an angle defined by the first portion of the tilt plate.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the wiper to act upon the first portion of the tilt plate comprises:
causing a driver gear to rotate, the driver gear comprising an outer, toothed circumference and a collar, wherein the wiper is coupled to the collar.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by a manual rocker mounted over the tilt plate, manual input from a user of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly to cause the existing rocker switch to change state; and
causing a first portion of the manual rocker to depress the first portion of the manual rocker, causing the existing rocker switch to change state.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adjusting a relative position of the manual rocker to the tilt plate by adjusting a position of a threaded adjustment post extending through the first portion of the manual rocker and in contact with the first portion of the tilt plate.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
after acting upon the first portion of the tilt plate, causing the wiper to move to a position over a valley of the existing rocker switch.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein causing the wiper to move to a position over a valley of the existing rocker switch comprises:
determining when the wiper has moved to a maximum rotation after causing the wiper to act upon the first portion of the tilt plate;
in response to determining when the wiper has moved to the maximum rotation, causing the wiper to reverse direction; and
determining when the wiper is in the position over the valley of the existing rocker switch by generating an electrical signal by a contact switch when a deformity in a driver gear that rotates the wiper contacts the contact switch.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein causing the wiper to move to a position over a valley of the existing rocker switch comprises:
determining when the wiper has moved to a maximum rotation after causing the wiper to act upon the first portion of the tilt plate;
in response to determining when the wiper has moved to the maximum rotation, causing the wiper to reverse direction; and
determining when the wiper is in the position over the valley of the existing rocker switch by generating an electrical signal by a contact switch when a deformity in a collar of the wiper contacts the contact switch.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein causing the wiper to move to the position over the valley of the existing rocker switch comprises:
determining when the wiper is at a maximum rotation against the first portion of the first portion of the tilt plate by generating an electrical signal by a contact switch, the contact switch activated when a deformity of a driver gear of the wiper depresses the contact switch.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the existing rocker switch has changed state; and
in response to determining that the existing rocker switch has changed state, transmitting a signal indicative thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether current is flowing through the existing rocker switch; and
in response to determining that current is flowing through the existing rocker switch, transmitting a signal indicative of the existing rocker switch changing state.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that a contact switch has changed state in response to the tilt plate depressing the contact switch when the tilt plate causes the existing rocker switch to change state; and
in response to determining that the contact switch has changed state, transmit a signal indicative of the existing rocker switch changing state.
14. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining when the wiper has moved to the position over the valley; and
in response to determining that the wiper has moved to the position over the valley, stop the wiper from rotating.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wiper is caused to move relative to a longitudinal axis of the existing rocker switch in response to receiving the wireless signal.