Motion sensing switch actuator assembly

A motion sensing switch actuator assembly is provided for automatically switching an existing light switch upon detection of motion. The assembly includes a housing having a rear face. An actuator is slidably coupled to the rear face of the housing. The actuator is configured for engaging and flipping a switch positioned adjacent to the rear face of the housing when the actuator slides relative to the housing. A motion sensor is coupled to the housing and configured for detecting motion proximate the housing. A processor is operationally coupled to the motion sensor and the actuator to selectively slide the actuator upon detection of predetermined input from the motion sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to motion sensor switch devices and more particularly pertains to a new motion sensor switch device for automatically switching an existing light switch upon detection of motion.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing having a rear face. An actuator is slidably coupled to the rear face of the housing. The actuator is configured for engaging and flipping a switch positioned adjacent to the rear face of the housing when the actuator slides relative to the housing. A motion sensor is coupled to the housing and configured for detecting motion proximate the housing. A processor is operationally coupled to the motion sensor and the actuator to selectively slide the actuator upon detection of predetermined input from the motion sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6, the motion sensing switch actuator assembly10generally comprises a housing12having a rear face14. A plurality of connection holes16extend through the housing12. The connection holes16are positioned to align with the positioning of apertures on a conventional standardized face plate22and light switch24. A plurality of spacing bars18is coupled to and extends from the rear face14of the housing12. The spacing bars18are aligned with the connection holes16such that the connection holes16extend through the spacing bars18. Thus, the housing12may be installed over the existing light switch24by replacing existing screws with elongated connection screws28. A plurality of pads26may also be utilized. Each pad26is coupled to a distal end20of the associated spacing bar18relative to the housing12. The pad26inhibits marks on the faceplate22.

An actuator30is slidably coupled to the housing12and may extend from the rear face14of the housing12. The actuator30is configured for engaging and flipping the switch24positioned adjacent to the rear face14of the housing12when the actuator30slides relative to the housing12. A back face32of the actuator30has a medial cutout34defining an upper lip36and a lower lip38. The upper lip36is configured for engaging the light switch24when the actuator30slides in a downward direction. The lower lip38is configured for engaging the light switch24when the actuator30slides in an upward direction. The actuator30is selectively positioned in a first position40configured to correspond to the light switch24being in an activated position42, typically flipped upwardly. Conversely, the actuator30is selectively positioned in a second position44configured to corresponding to the light switch24being in a deactivated position46.

A motion sensor48is coupled to the housing12, typically on a front face62opposite the rear face14. The motion sensor48is configured for detecting motion proximate the housing12. The area of detection may be extended to include movement anywhere within a room.

A processor50is operationally coupled to the motion sensor48and the actuator30to selectively slide the actuator30upon detection of predetermined input from the motion sensor30. The processor50may be programmed to control movement of the actuator30in accordance with desired conditions including meeting a threshold amount or duration of movement prior to moving the actuator30or movement of the actuator30only after a predetermined duration of non-movement.

A motor52is coupled to the actuator30and the processor50. The motor52is selectively activated by the processor50. The motor52may rotate a pinion gear54coupled to the motor52. The pinion gear54may physically engage a rack gear56coupled to the actuator30. A battery compartment58holding batteries60may be provided in the housing12. The batteries60are electrically coupled to the motor52and the processor50to provide operational power for the assembly10. Thus, installation is simplified and can be achieved by simple replacement of existing screws with the elongated screws28without removing the existing face plate22or switch24.

A control64is coupled to the processor50and may be positioned in an accessible position on the front face62of the housing12. The control64has an on position66corresponding to the actuator30being in the first position40. The control64also has an off position68corresponding to the actuator30being in the second position44. The control64may further have an automated position70corresponding to the actuator30being moved between the first position40and the second position44as determined by the programming of the processor50including moving the actuator30into the first position40upon detection of motion by the motion sensor48.

In use, the assembly10is positioned over the existing faceplate22and light switch24such that the actuator30will engage the switch24. Movement detected by the motion sensor48will move the actuator30in accordance to the programming of the processor50when in the automated position70or in response to the direct setting of the control64in the on position66or off position68.