Retrofit remote control device
Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a wallbox. The remote control device may include a control unit and a faceplate assembly. The faceplate assembly may include a mounting frame, an adapter plate, and a faceplate. The mounting frame may be configured to abut a bezel of the mechanical switch such that that the faceplate is spaced away from the bezel of the mechanical switch to enable the mounting ring to extend through respective openings in the adapter plate and the faceplate.
1 . A remote control device that is configured for use in a load control system comprising an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:
a mounting frame that defines a plate, a mounting-frame opening therethrough, and a mounting ring extending from the plate and surrounding the mounting-frame opening, the mounting frame configured to be mounted over a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the electrical load such that a portion of the mechanical switch extends through the mounting-frame opening of the mounting frame;
a faceplate defining a faceplate opening and configured to be mounted over the mounting frame such that the mounting ring of the mounting frame is received through the faceplate opening of the faceplate; and
a control unit configured to be attached to the mounting ring, the control unit comprising a user interface and a wireless communication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a user input received via the user interface into a control signal that control the electrical load, and to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal;
wherein the mounting frame is configured to abut a bezel of the mechanical switch such that the faceplate is spaced away from the bezel of the mechanical switch to enable the mounting ring to extend through the faceplate opening of the faceplate.
2 . The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter plate configured to be attached to a yoke of the mechanical switch.
3 . The remote control device of claim 2 , wherein when the mechanical switch is mounted in a wallbox, the mounting frame is attached to the adapter plate and the adapter plate is attached to the faceplate.
4 . The remote control device of claim 2 , wherein when the control unit is attached to the mounting ring and the faceplate is attached to the adapter plate, a rear surface of the faceplate is spaced from a rear surface of the adapter plate that abuts a structural surface.
5 . The remote control device of claim 2 , wherein when the control unit is attached to the adapter plate, the faceplate is spaced from a surface of a structure to which the mechanical switch is mounted.
6 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises an actuation portion configured to pivot in response to actuation of an upper portion of the actuation portion and configured to pivot in response to actuation of a lower portion of the actuation portion.
7 . The remote control device of claim 6 , wherein the actuation portion is configured to pivot about a central axis.
8 . The remote control device of claim 7 , wherein the central axis is proximate to a center of the remote control device.
9 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting ring when an actuator of the mechanical switch is in a first orientation where an upper portion of the actuator protrudes from the bezel of the mechanical switch or a second orientation where a lower portion of the actuator protrudes from the bezel of the mechanical switch.
10 . The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery for powering the wireless communication circuit.
11 . The remote control device of claim 10 , wherein the control unit is configured to be removed from the mounting ring to enable replacement of the battery.
12 . The remote control device of claim 10 , wherein the battery is located at a center of the remote control device such that the battery does not interfere with an actuator of the mechanical switch when the actuator is in either of two orientations.
13 . The remote control device of claim 12 , wherein the two orientations comprise a first orientation where an upper portion of the actuator protrudes from the bezel of the mechanical switch and a second orientation where a lower portion of the actuator protrudes from the bezel of the mechanical switch.
14 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch sensitive surface.
15 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame comprises a lip surrounding the mounting-frame opening, the lip extending from the plate.
16 . The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the mounting ring extends from the lip.
17 . The remote control device of claim 15 , wherein the lip is configured to abut a rear surface of the faceplate such that the faceplate is spaced away from the bezel of the mechanical switch.
18 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit defines a recess that is configured to receive a portion of an actuator of the mechanical switch.
19 . The remote control device of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to turn the electrical load on in response to an actuation of the upper portion of the actuation portion and turn the electrical load off in response to an actuation of the lower portion of the actuation portion.
20 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting ring comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive respective snaps of the control unit to removably secure the control unit to the mounting ring.