Patent Publication Number: US-9905378-B1

Title: Control system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/610,494 filed Jan. 30, 2015 and titled “Control System,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/934,224 filed Jan. 31, 2014 and titled “Control System for Emergency Lighting System.” The entire contents of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the technology relate generally to control systems for emergency lighting, and more particularly to a pushbutton-controlled switch in which the pushbutton transmits light to a photodetector or has an opening for a user to insert an object that controls electrical flow. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical systems, such as emergency lighting systems, often incorporate controls through which service personnel or other users can commission, service, inspect, or otherwise interface with the systems. Typical conventional controls are relatively large or dispersed and thus limit the extent to which an emergency lighting system (or other lighting or electrical system) can be miniaturized. 
     Improved controls and user interfaces for emergency lighting systems and other lighting and electrical systems are needed. Need exists for compact controls. Need exits for integrated controls. Further need exists for a module that can provide useful controls and user interfaces. A capability addressing one or more such needs, or some other related deficiency in the art, would support improved lighting, improved utilization of space, and/or better economics. 
     SUMMARY 
     A control system can comprise a pushbutton and an associated electrical switch. The control system may be utilized in a lighting system, such as in an emergency lighting system, or in some other system that utilizes electricity, for example. The pushbutton can have a user side and a switch side. Movement of the pushbutton initiated from the user side can control the electrical switch. For example, a user can open or close the electrical switch (respectively to prevent or allow electrical flow) by depressing the pushbutton. A photodetector can be located on the switch side of the pushbutton. The pushbutton can be formed of a material that transmits light from the user side to the switch side so that light can pass through the pushbutton for receipt by the photodetector. The pushbutton can additionally or alternatively be formed with an opening that is sized to receive an object inserted from the user side. Insertion of the object, for example by a person servicing or commissioning the emergency lighting system, can manipulate a second electrical switch. 
     The foregoing discussion of controls is for illustrative purposes only. Various aspects of the present technology may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following text and by reference to the associated drawings and the claims that follow. Other aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects of the present technology will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and text. It is intended that all such aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included within this description and covered by this application and by the appended claims of the application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates, in exploded form, a representative control module that is configured for mounting at a knockout hole of an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates, in exploded form, a representative control module that is housed for mounting in an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  (collectively  FIG. 3 ) illustrate, respectively in fully assembled form and in exploded form, another representative control module that is housed for mounting in an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  (collectively  FIG. 4 ) illustrate, respectively in fully assembled form and in exploded form, another representative control module that is housed for mounting in an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  (collectively  FIG. 5 ) illustrate, respectively in fully assembled form and in exploded form, another representative control module that is configured for mounting at a knockout hole of an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  (collectively  FIG. 6 ) illustrate, respectively in fully assembled form and in exploded form, another representative control module that is configured for mounting at a knockout hole of an emergency lighting system according to some example embodiments of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     Many aspects of the technology can be better understood with reference to the above drawings. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of example embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     A module can provide control functions for an electrical system, such as for an emergency lighting system. The control functions can support system testing, user interface, and or other functionality, for example. In some example embodiments, the module can comprise a battery pack test switch. 
     The present technology can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technology to those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all “examples,” “embodiments,” “example embodiments,” or “exemplary embodiments” given herein are intended to be non-limiting and among others supported by representations of the present technology. 
     Control modules for emergency lighting systems will now be described more fully with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , which describe representative embodiments of the present technology and illustrate various elements and views of representative control modules. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , this figure is an illustration of a first example of a control module  100  configured for insertion in an aperture in a sheet of material. In some embodiments, the aperture can comprise a knockout hole in an enclosure or housing of an emergency lighting system. In various embodiments, the aperture can comprise a hole in a fixture, structure, plate, sheet, or other member of an emergency lighting system or other electrically powered system, for example. When mounted, the control module  100  is inserted into the aperture and retained. 
     The illustrated control module  100  comprises an insert in the example form of a retainer element  5 , a pushbutton  10 , an electronics system  15 , and a bracket  20 . 
     The retainer element  5  is sized for insertion in the aperture and comprises retention protrusions  25  splaying slightly outward from the periphery of the retainer element  5 . When the retainer element  5  is inserted in an aperture in a sheet of metal (or other appropriate material), the area of the sheet that circumscribes the hole is captured on one side by a flange  6  of the retainer element  5  and on the opposite side by the retention protrusions  25 . When the retainer element  5  is pressed into the aperture, the retention protrusions  25  deflect or otherwise deform sufficiently to facilitate insertion, but spring back for capture upon full insertion. Accordingly, the illustrated retention protrusions  25  can be characterized as retention springs. 
     The pushbutton  10  nests into the retainer element  5  and comprises a ridge or protrusion  35  that fits into a corresponding groove  31  in the retainer element  5 . The pushbutton  10  can thus slide along the groove  31 . The pushbutton  10  can be formed of clear or translucent plastic to facilitate light transmission as discussed below. 
     The bracket  20  comprises a pair of prongs  60  that latch to the retainer element  5 . More particularly, the prongs  60  engage with slots  30  in the retainer element  5  and are captured. In other words, the prongs  60  snap into the slots  30  for capture. 
     The bracket  20  further provides a facility in which the electronics system  15  is mounted. The bracket  20  comprises slots  61  that provide a receptacle for a circuit board  45  of the electronics system  15 . When the control module  100  is fully assembled, the electronics system  15  is sandwiched on one side by the bracket  20  and on the other side by the retainer element  5  and the nested pushbutton  10 , thereby forming a compact unit. 
     The rear of the circuit board  45  comprises an electrical connection that mates with a wiring harness (not illustrated). The wiring harness links the control module  100  to electrical systems of an emergency lighting system (not illustrated) or of another appropriate system. The connection can include a pin header that receives a ribbon-style array of electrical lines, for example. 
     The electronics system  15  comprises a photodetector  50  for detecting laser light when a user points a laser at the control module  100 . Accordingly, when the emergency lighting system is installed in a location where a technician would ordinarily need a ladder for physical interface, the technician can use a handheld laser to interface remotely with the control module  100  and thus with the emergency lighting system. As discussed above, the pushbutton  10  can be composed of a material that transmits the incoming laser light to facilitate reception by the photodetector  50 . Photodetector circuitry can respond when intensity of the received laser light exceeds a predetermined threshold, which would typically be above ambient light level. Thus, the photodetector  50  can ignore background light and respond selectively a user&#39;s laser pointer or other handheld light source of appropriate intensity. In some embodiments, as further discussed below, the photodetector  50  can comprise an ambient light detector or an occupancy detector. 
     The electronics system  15  further comprises a pushbutton switch  40  that is activated when the user (for example a technician or service personnel) depresses the pushbutton  10 . In a representative embodiment, linear movement of the pushbutton  10  is picked up and registered by the pushbutton switch  40 , resulting in making or breaking an electrical contact, for example. The pushbutton switch  40  may be spring loaded, for example. In one example embodiment, the pushbutton switch  40  responds to approximately 0.020 inches of linear movement. However, other embodiments may respond to less or more movement. 
     The electronics system  15  may further comprise a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates state of a battery of the emergency lighting system. In some example embodiments, the indicator light emitting diode may emit one color of light if the battery is fully charged and another color if the battery charge is partially or fully depleted (and thus needs a recharge or other service). In some embodiments, the indicator light emitting diode signals that the battery is being charged. For example, the indicator light emitting diode may emit one color of light during charging of the battery and another color during battery discharging. As discussed above, the pushbutton  10  may be composed of material that can transmit light. Accordingly, the pushbutton  10  can transmit outgoing light as an indicator or status signal for user observation. The electronic component  50 , which is characterized as a photodetector, may be the indicator light emitting diode to emit rather than receive light, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the control module  100  comprises an occupancy detector. The occupancy detector may comprise a photodetector that responds to infrared light to determine whether one or more people are in the area based on received body heat, for example. The infrared light emanating from a person can pass through the pushbutton  10  for reception by the photodetector, for example. In some embodiments, the control module  100  may incorporate passive infrared (PIR) motion detection, a Doppler motion detector, an ambient light detector, or any combination thereof. 
     The illustrated electronics system  15  further comprises a battery connect/disconnect unit  55  that contains an electrical switch and an aperture  7 . The electrical switch can place a battery of the emergency lighting service into or out of service. A user may make or break the electrical switch by removing or inserting a key or other object into the aperture  7  of the unit  55 , which is aligned with the aperture  8  of the pushbutton  10  for access. In this manner, the user can conveniently place the battery in service or remove the battery from service. Representative example embodiments of the battery connect/disconnect unit  55  are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,170, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     As discussed in further detail below,  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6  illustrate other representative control module embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a representative control module  200  that is housed in an enclosure  210  for mounting in an emergency lighting system in accordance with some example embodiments. A wall  205  of the enclosure  210  contains an aperture in which the retainer element  5  is inserted and retained as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     In some embodiments, the enclosure  210  is environmentally sealed. In some embodiments, the enclosure  210  is moisture tight. In some embodiments, the enclosure  210  is explosion proof. In some embodiments, the enclosure  210  is rated for outdoor deployment but may be used indoors. In some embodiments, the enclosure  210  is intended for indoor deployment. 
     The control module  200  can be mounted to an external surface of a housing or frame of the emergency lighting system or some other appropriate system that is powered at least in part by electricity. In some embodiments, the control module  200  is mounted to an inner surface, with the wall  205  externally exposed for user access. 
     In some embodiments, the internal surfaces of the enclosure  210  comprise slots that support the electronics system  15 . Such slots may be similar to the slots  61  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and discussed above. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , this figure provides illustrations of another representative control module  300  that is housed for mounting in or with an electrical system, such as an emergency lighting system, in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 3A  illustrates the module  300  as fully assembled, while  FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded view. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the enclosure  305 , enclosure cover  310 , electronics system  15 B, retainer element  5 B, and pushbutton  10 B have alternative configurations relative to the corresponding elements of the control module  100  of  FIG. 1  that are discussed above, but may provide common or substantially similar functionality. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the enclosure cover  310  comprises a shoulder  312  that seats in a corresponding opening  317  in the enclosure  305 . The enclosure cover  310  and the enclosure opening  317  can be fitted to one another with mating features to facilitate assembly, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the enclosure  305  and the enclosure cover  310  are formed of metal, for example cast or machined aluminum or steel. In some example embodiments, one or both of the enclosure  305  and the enclosure cover  310  are formed of a nonmetallic material such as plastic, composite, or fiberglass. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure  305  comprises mounting facilities  313 . Example embodiments of the mounting facilities  313  can comprise threaded apertures or holes sized to receive or capture threaded fasteners or rivets. The upper surface of the enclosure  305  can be positioned against a mounting surface of a lighting system, for example an emergency lighting system, or other system powered with battery or line electrical power. Another aperture  319  provides passage for electrical wiring. 
     The enclosure cover  310  comprises an aperture  307  that is sized to receive a retainer element  5 B. When the retainer element  5 B is inserted into the aperture  307 , retention protrusions  25 B deflect inward until the retainer element  5 B is fully inserted. Once the retainer element  5 B is fully inserted, the retention protrusions  25 B return to their original, relaxed positions so that the retainer element  5 B is captured in the aperture  307 . 
     A pushbutton  10 B nests into the retainer element  5 B and comprises a protrusion  35 B that fits into a corresponding groove  31 B in the retainer element  5 B. As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pushbutton  10 B can be formed of a material that transmits light so that light from outside the enclosure  305  can enter the enclosure  305  for receipt by the photodetector  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  35 B can guide or channel light to the photodetector  50 , thereby providing efficient light coupling. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , this figure provides illustrations of another representative control module  400  that is housed for mounting in or with an emergency lighting system, in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the module  400  as fully assembled, while  FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the enclosure  425 , enclosure cover  420 , retainer element  5 C, and pushbutton  10 C have alternative configurations relative to the corresponding elements of the control module  100  of  FIG. 1 , but may provide common functionality. 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the enclosure cover  410  comprises an aperture  407  that is sized to receive a retainer element  5 C. When the retainer element  5 C is inserted into the aperture  407 , retention protrusions  25 C deflect inward until the retainer element  5 C is fully inserted. Once the retainer element  5 C is fully inserted, the retention protrusions  25 C return to their original, relaxed positions so that the retainer element  5 C is captured in the aperture  407 . 
     The pushbutton  10 C can comprise transparent or translucent plastic for transmitting light to the photodetector  50 , as discussed above. The pushbutton  10 C comprises a protrusion  401  extending radially outward from the periphery of the pushbutton  10 C to transfer linear movement to the pushbutton switch  40  and light to the photodetector  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  401  comprises a generally flat surface that projects radially outward from the pushbutton side. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , this figure provides illustrations of another representative control module  500  that is configured for mounting in an aperture, such a knockout hole, of an emergency lighting system or other system where one or more of the above described control features may be beneficial in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 5A  illustrates the module  500  as fully assembled, while  FIG. 5B  illustrates an exploded view. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the bracket  515  has an alternative configuration relative to the bracket  20  of the control module  100  of  FIG. 1 , but may provide similar functionality. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  515  curls over the rear end of the circuit board  45 . The circuit board  45  can clip in the bracket  515  for retention, for example. 
     The pushbutton end of the bracket  20  further comprises a loop  506  that extends about the periphery of the retainer element  5 D. In an example embodiment, the bracket  515  is formed of a plastic or metallic material that tends to return to its original form when deformation pressure is released. Thus, the loop  506  can be forced open slightly to facilitate insertion of the retainer element  5 D. Once the retainer element  5 D is so inserted, the force on the loop  506  can be released so that the diameter of the loop  506  reduces, and the loop  506  firmly grasps the retainer element  5 D. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , this figure provides illustrations of another representative control module  600  that is configured for mounting in an aperture, such as a knockout hole, of an emergency lighting system or other system where one or more of the above described control features may be beneficial in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 6A  illustrates the module  600  as fully assembled, while  FIG. 6B  illustrates an exploded view. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the control module  600  has an alternative configuration relative to the corresponding elements of the control module  500  of  FIG. 5 , but may provide similar functionality. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the loop  606  clamps about the retainer element  5 C for retention. During assembly of the control module  600 , the loop  606  can open to receive the retainer element  5 C. Once the retainer element  5 C is inserted into the loop  606 , the loop ends can be snapped shut to clasp and capture the retainer element  5 C. 
     Technology for controlling emergency lighting systems has been described. From the description, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present technology overcome limitations of the prior art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present technology is not limited to any specifically discussed application or implementation and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present technology will appear to practitioners of the art.