The present subject matter described herein, relates to the technical field of under-light ceiling fan. The present subject matter, in particularly, relates to a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan. The operation controlling of the under-light ceiling fan is done by existing switch and regulator and does not need extra remote controller for operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Ceiling fans are simple and cost effective in maintaining a year round optimal temperature in a room. At present, ceiling fans are not just a means for cooling, but it has become a prominent appliance to enhance aesthetics of the room. Under-light ceiling fans are the latest trend in the market. They are favoured by the customers for their aesthetics and their multifunction (both as a light and fan).
[004] Referring to Figure 1 illustrating a system to control an under-light ceiling fan according to the existing art. The under-light ceiling fans are generally mounted on an existing electrical ceiling fixtures. The power to the under-light fans is provided by normal ON/OFF switch. The operation of the under-light ceiling fan is controlled by a system comprising a Printed Circuit Board Assembly 101. The printed circuit board assembly comprises a power supply 102, a microcontroller 103, a fan/ motor speed controller 104, an IR sensor 105 and an LED controller 106. Once, power is switched to the fan then further control such as fan ON/OFF control, speed control, light ON/OFF control, light intensity control etc. is performed by a remote control/ IR transmitter 107. The IR command signal given by the remote control 107 is received by the IR sensor 105 provided in the printed circuit board assembly 101 provided in the fan 100a. The IR command signal is then decoded by the Microcontroller 103 provided in the fan 100a and appropriate action is taken by the microcontroller 103 with the help of LED light controller 106 and a fan/ motor speed controller 104.
[005] The remote control based operation controlling of under-light ceiling fans makes the fans expensive. Further, the manufacturer has to assemble a lot of components in the fan, which ruins the aesthetics of the under-light fans. Furthermore, the electronic components are prone to damage which renders the under-light fan inoperable.
[006] Remote control also needs periodic maintenance such as battery changing and the biggest flaw with remote control based operation controlling is that it becomes inoperable if any object blocks infrared signal transmitted from the remote control.
[007] International Application WO2015171729A1 a ceiling fan controller for controlling the operation of one or more ceiling fans using a wireless device includes a first radio transmitter/receiver operating at a first frequency suitable for communicating with the wireless device and a second radio transmitter/receiver operating at a second frequency suitable for communicating with the one or more ceiling fans and a processor operably coupled to the first and second radio transmitters to control the sending and receiving of data messages to and from the wireless device and the ceiling fan to control the operation of the ceiling fan via the wireless device.
[008] United States Patent US8277198B2 discloses a control system for a fan includes a control housing that is external to a fan housing for the fan. At least one fan control module is within the control housing and communicates remotely with terminals within the fan housing via at least one wire. The at least one fan control module includes a detection module. The detection module detects induced voltages in at least one of a plurality of stator coils within the fan housing via the at least one wire without receiving signals from a sensor in the fan housing.
[009] None of the cited prior art discloses a system for controlling the under-light ceiling fan through existing fan regulator and a two state ON/OFF switch.
[0010] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore the object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0012] The principal objective of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan.
[0013] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan which uses existing fan regulator and ON/OFF switch for controlling operation.
[0014] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan which is economical.
[0015] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan which is less prone to failure.
[0016] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan having small Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) for easy mounting during manufacturing.
[0017] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to develop a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan without using any remote controller.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] One or more drawbacks of conventional system for controlling an under light ceiling fan, and additional advantages are provided through the system for controlling an under light ceiling fan as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0020] The present subject matter relates to a system for controlling an under light ceiling fan. The system comprises a printed circuit board assembly configured to control the operation of the under light ceiling fan based on a switching operation sequence of a switch. The printed circuit board assembly comprises a power supply, a microcontroller, a relay and an LED controller circuit. The power supply converts an AC input voltage to a suitable DC output voltage. The power supply operates as per the switching operation sequence of the switch. The microcontroller is configured to take the switching operation sequence, in the form of voltage from the power supply, as an input. The microcontroller accordingly operate the ceiling fan through a relay and the under-light through the LED controller circuit which is provided to maintain appropriate voltage and current level to operate the under-light safely.
[0021] In an aspect, a relay driver is configured to take input from the microcontroller and switch ON/OFF the relay based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller.
[0022] In an aspect, the power supply provides power to the microcontroller and the relay driver as per their requirements.
[0023] In an aspect, the LED controller circuit is configured to take input from the microcontroller and switch ON/OFF the under-light based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller.
[0024] In an aspect, in the switching operation sequence the switch alternatively supplies power or cut off the power to the power supply.
[0025] In an aspect, both the ceiling fan and the under-light is switched OFF in response to the OFF position of the switch.
[0026] In an aspect, the microcontroller switch ON the ceiling fan and switch OFF the under-light in response to ON position of the switch corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON.
[0027] In an aspect, the microcontroller switch OFF the ceiling fan and switch ON the under-light in response to ON position of the switch corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON.
[0028] In an aspect, the microcontroller switch ON both the ceiling fan and the under-light in response to ON position of the switch corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON.
[0029] In an aspect, the switching operation sequence is performed promptly within a predefined time.
[0030] In an aspect, the predefined time is preferably 5 seconds.
[0031] In an aspect, the system reset the switching operation sequence when there is a gap of more than predefined time between two switching states of the switch.
[0032] In an aspect, the speed of the ceiling fan is adjusted by a regulator.
[0033] In an aspect, the system restores the last working condition in event of a power cut.
[0034] In an aspect, all the inputs and output to the microcontroller, the Relay driver and the LED controller circuit is provided in the form of voltage or digital voltage signal.
[0035] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, a description relating thereto has been made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0036] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the description when read in conjunction with accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of the system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan according to the existing embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0038] Figure 2 illustrating a circuit diagram of the system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan according to the preferred embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The present invention discloses a system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan. The present system uses existing switch and regulator for performing the desired functions. Speed of the fan is controlled in the conventional way by using the existing fan speed regulator. Contrary to the existing system, the proposed system does not use a remote controller to operate the under-light ceiling fan.
[0040] Referring to figure 2 illustrating a circuit diagram of the system for controlling an under-light ceiling fan according to the preferred embodiment of the present subject matter. The system 200 comprises a printed circuit board assembly 201 configured to control the operation of the under-light ceiling fan based on a switching operation sequence of a switch 202. The switch 202, used to control the operations of the printed circuit board assembly 201, are widely used two state switch.
[0041] The printed circuit board assembly 201 comprises a power supply 203, a microcontroller 204, a relay 205 and an LED controller circuit 206. The power supply 203 is adapted to convert the AC input voltage to a suitable DC output voltage. The power supply 203 of the printed circuit board assembly 201 is directly in connection with the input electrical supply. The direct connection of the power supply 203 with input electrical supply facilitates operation of power supply 203 according to the switching operation sequence of the switch 202. In the switching operation sequence the switch 202 alternatively supplies power or cut off the power to the power supply 203. The DC output voltage from the power supply 203 depends on the power requirement of the various components such as microcontroller 204, etc. used in the printed circuit board assembly 201. Multiple power supplies can also be provided if the power requirement of various electronic components are different. The power supply 203 used in the present embodiment are preferably of 5V and/or 12V.
[0042] The microcontroller 204 is configured to take the switching operation sequence in the form of voltage from the power supply 203, as an input, and accordingly operate the ceiling fan. The ON/OFF operation of the fan is controlled by the microcontroller 204 through the relay 205. A relay driver 207 is provided which is configured to take the input from the microcontroller 204 and switch ON/OFF the relay 205 based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller 204 as input.
[0043] Further, the microcontroller 204 is configured to take the switching operation sequence in the form of voltage from the power supply 203, as an input, and accordingly operate the under light 100b associated with the fan 100a. The LED controller circuit 206 is provided to control the working of the under light 100b. The LED controller circuit 206 is provided to maintain appropriate voltage and current level to operate the under light 100b safely. The LED controller circuit 206 is directly connected to the input electrical supply. The LED controller circuit 206 is configured to take input from the microcontroller 204 and switch ON/OFF the under-light 100b based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller 204.
[0044] The system 200 is configured to take into account the switching operation only when the switching operation sequence performed promptly within a predefined time. When there is a gap of more than predefined time between two switching states of the switch 202, the system 200 resets and user has to perform the switching operation again. According to the preferred embodiment, this predefined time is 5 seconds.
WORKING OF THE SYSTEM
[0045] The working of the system 200 is provided in the table 1 given below:

Switch Position Regulator Position Operation
OFF Step 1~5 No operation for fan and light
ON Step 1~5 Fan ON as per regulator setting; and Light OFF
II time ON Step 1~5 Fan OFF; and Light ON
III time ON Step 1~5 Fan ON as per regulator setting; and Light ON

State I
[0046] When the position of the switch 202 is OFF, both the fan 100a and the under light 100b is switched off. This is because the electrical power from the input electrical supply is cut off.
State II
[0047] When the position of the switch 202 is ON owning to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON, the microcontroller 204 is configured to switch ON the ceiling fan 100a and switch OFF the under light 100b. Speed of the fan is regulated by the fan speed regulator 208.
State III
[0048] When the position of the switch 202 is ON owning to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON, the microcontroller 204 is configured to switch OFF the ceiling fan 100a and switch ON the under-light 100b.
State IV
[0049] When the position of the switch 202 is ON owning to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON, the microcontroller 204 switch ON both the ceiling fan 100a and the under-light 100b. Speed of the fan 100a is regulated by the fan speed regulator 208.
[0050] The advantages of present system 200 are manifold. The present system 200 completely eliminate the requirement of a remote controller and associated circuitry. The elimination not only reduce the cost of manufacturing but also enhance the aesthetics of the under-light fan. Further, the system 200 makes use of existing regulator 208 which further reduce the cost.
[0051] The present system 200 also curtails the periodic need for maintenance of remote control. The present system 200 further reduce the chances of circuit failure due to use of less number of components in comparison to the existing under-light fans operable by remote control. Use of less number of components also makes the manufacturing process easier. The comparison of components used in present system 200 and existing system 100 is provided in the table given below:
Sl No. Major Components Existing Design New Design % Saving for new design Remark
1 µC IO required (Nos.) 7 3 57
2 Switching device Required Relay in (Nos.) 4 1 75
3 IR Sensor (Nos.) 1 0 100
4 IR Transmitter-Remote ( Nos) 1 0 100
5 Power Supply requirement (capability in % comparative) 100 20 80
6 Fan Regulator 0 1 00 Pre-fitted in home
Total saving in terms of cost for new design in electronic parts with respect to existing design 55 % (Min.)

[0052] The present system 200 is efficient and consume less energy when compared to the existing system 100.
[0053] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0054] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (200) for controlling an under-light ceiling fan, the system (200) comprises:
a printed circuit board assembly (201) configured to control the operations of the under-light ceiling fan based on a switching operation sequence of a switch 202, the printed circuit board assembly 201 comprises:
a power supply (203) to convert an AC input voltage to a suitable DC output voltage, wherein the power supply (203) operates as per the switching operation sequence of the switch (202);
a microcontroller (204) configured to take the switching operation sequence, in the form of voltage from the power supply (203), as an input and accordingly operate the ceiling fan (100a) through a relay (205) and the under-light (100b) through an LED controller circuit (206) provided to maintain appropriate voltage and current level to operate the under-light (100b) safely.
2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a relay driver (207) is configured to take input from the microcontroller (204) and switch ON/OFF the relay (205) based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller (204).
3. The system (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply (203) provides power to the microcontroller (204) and the relay driver (207) as per their requirements.
4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED controller circuit (206) is configured to take input from the microcontroller (204) and switch ON/OFF the under-light (100b) based on the switching operation sequence received by the microcontroller (204).
5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the switching operation sequence the switch (202) alternatively supplies power or cut off the power to the power supply (203).
6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the ceiling fan (100a) and the under-light (100b) is switched OFF in response to the OFF position of the switch (202).
7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (204) switch ON the ceiling fan (100a) and switch OFF the under-light (100b) in response to ON position of the switch (200) corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON.
8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (204) switch OFF the ceiling fan (100a) and switch ON the under-light (100b) in response to ON position of the switch (202) corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON.
9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (204) switch ON both the ceiling fan (100a) and the under-light (100b) in response to ON position of the switch (202) corresponding to the switching operation sequence OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON.
10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching operation sequence is performed promptly within a predefined time.
11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined time is preferably 5 seconds.
12. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (200) reset the switching operation sequence when there is a gap of more than predefined time between two switching states of the switch (200).
13. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed of the ceiling fan (100a) is adjusted by a regulator (208).
14. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (200) restores the last working condition in event of a power cut.
15. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the inputs and output to the microcontroller (204), the Relay driver (207) and the LED controller circuit (206) is provided in the form of voltage or digital voltage signal.