PREAMBLE

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

1. Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a smart switch assembly that can be easily retrofitted into a prevalent wall switch plate. In particular, the invention relates to a switch assembly that can fit inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate and can be replicated individually which reduces the overall costs associated with purchase of whole smart home electrical box while converting a standard electrical box to a smart home electrical box.

2. Background of the invention

In present day home automation era, the existing electrical fittings need to be modernized and replaced with smart facilities. However it costs too much to integrate the existing electrical fittings with intelligent smart switches due to the modifications needed for installation as well the varied requirements of different customers. The home automation technologies include wireless remote dimmer switch, intelligent switches with glass panel or and the like wherein the whole electrical switch comes as a single unit with front switch panel permanently attached to the power controller at the rear side. Thus in order to replace existing electrical fitting with smart switches, the user has to buy the whole electrical box having front switch panel attached with power controller. In order to mount the smart electrical switch, the existing switch plate becomes unusable and has to be discarded. On the other hand, buying a full set of smart switch leads to additional expenses to the user.

There is another major problem associated with smart electrical switches that each smart switch unit is providedby the manufacturer either with a single load, double load or a triple load. This means that a user has to buy separate switch units based on the load requirements at the time of initial buying. Since the customer requirements are unpredictable beforehand, it becomes an expensive affair in case the customer plans to add additional loads into the existing electrical box at a later stage since in such case the old electrical box has to be replaced with a new switch unit with required number of loads.

The present day smart home automaton technologies don't provide flexibility to the user to vary the load requirements in an electrical at a later stage. Hence what is needed is a smart switch box that can be mounted in existing switch plates seamlessly and can be replicated based on the load requirements anytime.

3. Summary of the invention

The present invention overcomes the problems in the prior art by providing a smart switch assembly that can be easily retrofitted into a prevalent wall switch plate without any modification to the same.

Hence it is one objective of the invention to provide a switch assembly that can be easily retrofitted in existing switch plates without any modification to the same to eliminate additional expenses while converting a standard electrical system inside premises with smart home technology systems.

It is another objective of the invention to provide the user with the flexibility to easily detached one switch module from the power control module and replace with another switch module with same or different control mechanism whenever required, in a safe manner.

It is still another objective of the invention to provide a switch assembly that gives the flexibility to replicate the switch module individually on a prevalent switch plates based on the user's requirements.

To achieve these and other objects, the present provides a modular smart switch assembly retrofit table with prevalent switch plate. In one embodiment, the switch assembly comprises a power control module having electrical components inside a housing and a detachable user interface module adapted to be removeably attached to the power control module via connecting means wherein the user interface module has user accessible front face that includes at least one input control mechanism that permits a user to control the power to the respective load. The user interface module is adapted to retrofit inside a prevalent switch plate whereby completely overcoming the hassle while converting a standard electrical system inside a premises with smart home technology systems. The connecting means in the switch assembly further comprise connectors located on rear side of the user interface module and engagement slots located on front side of said power control module to removeably connect to said connectors to establish electrical connections between said user interface module and said power control module and also for supporting said user interface module on said power control module.

In one embodiment, the user interface module in the switch assembly can fit inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate which reduces the costs associated with purchase of whole smart home switch assembly while converting a standard electrical box to a smart home electrical box.

In another embodiment, the switch assembly can be replicated individually on a prevalent switch plate based on user's requirements which reduces the costs associated with purchase of whole of smart home switch assembly having required number of control switches at the time of installation or at a later stage.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following details description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

4. Brief description of the drawings:

FIG 1 illustrates a modular smart switch retrofit table with prevalent switch plate according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG 2 illustrates the rear view of the switch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG 3 illustrates an orthogonal side view of the switch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG 4 illustrates prevalent switch plates fitted with dual smart switches according to one embodiment of the invention.

5. Detailed description of the invention:

Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.

The present invention provides a smart switch assembly retrofit table with prevalent switch plate used conventionally. The switch assembly comprises a power control module, which can both dim and switch load depending on the type of the load by controlling the switching angle, having electrical components inside the housing and detachable user interface module adapted to be removeably attached to the power control module via connecting means. The user interface module has user accessible front face having input control mechanisms to control the power to the respective load. The user interface module can be easily replaced with another user interface module whenever required without danger of electric shock which provides a safe and convenient system for replacing conventional electrical switches inside a house with smart home switches. The switch assembly can fit inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate and can be replicated individually which reduces the overall costs associated with purchase of whole smart home switch assembly while converting a while converting a standard electrical box to a smart home electrical box.

FIG 1 illustrates a modular smart switch retrofit table with prevalent switch plate according to one embodiment of the invention. The present invention is directed to a smart switch assembly that can be easily retrofitted into a prevalent switch plate used conventionally. In one embodiment, the switch assembly (100) comprises a power control module (102) having electrical components inside the housing and a detachable user interface module (lOl)adapted to be removeably attached to the power control module (102) via connecting means. The power control module (102) is adapted to retrofit inside an existing electrical box without making any modifications to the wall or adjoining wall structure.

The user interface module (101) provides a user accessible front face that may include one or more smart home switching or controlling mechanisms such as mechanical switch, touch based switch, dimmer, glass based sensors, fan speed control and other input control mechanism commonly used in intelligent home automation systems that permit a user to vary and/or control the power to a load such as lights ON/OFF operation, light intensity, fan speed, electrical appliances etc.

It may be appreciated that additional switch assembly units may be connected to a prevalent switch plate (103) depending upon the load requirements and the number of equipments to be used. A switch assembly unit may be also docked along with a standard electrical switch on an electrical box.

FIG 2 illustrates the rear view of the switch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. At the rear side of the power control module (102) a connecting module (106) is provided to connect to the main power source via simple screw mechanism.

FIG 3 illustrates an orthogonal side view of the switch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the user interface module (101) is disposed on a prevalent switch plate(103)having at least one switch receiving slot capable for receiving a standard electrical switch. The rear side of the user interface module (101) of the smart switch assembly is provided with plurality of connectors (104). Engagement slots (105) are provided on the front side of the power control module (102) for receiving the connectors (104) and electrically coupling the power control module (102) to the user interface module (101) by removeably engaging the connectors (104) with the engagement slots (105). The connecting means also support the user interface module (101) on the power control module (102).The contact between the connectors (104) and the engagement slot (105) provides a current flow from power control module (102) to the user interface module (101).

One of the main advantages of the switch assembly (100) is that a user interface module (101) the connecting arrangement provided in the invention offers flexibility to the user to replaces one user interface module (101) with another whenever required as the user interface module (101) can be easily detached from the power control module (102) by simply pulling it and can be replaced with another user interface module (101) based on the requirements such as type of load or mechanism desired, without any exposure or modifications to the wiring inside the electrical switch box. For example, a user may replace a dimmer provided on the user interface module (101) with a fan speed controller easily by removing the dimmer from the switch plate, replacing it with a fan speed controller and docking it with the power control module (102) by engaging the connectors (104) on the user interface module (101) with the engagement slots (105) on the power control module (102) without any hassles or without risk of electrical shock as all the electrical connections are securely covered inside both the switch assembly units.

In one embodiment, the user interface (101) module in the switch assembly can fit inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate without any modifications to the same whereby reducing the costs associated with purchase of whole smart home electrical box while converting a standard switch box to a smart home switch box. In other embodiments, the smart switch assembly is also retrofit table along with prevalent switches used conventionally or a combination of at least one of the foregoing. The user interface module (101) may be retrofitted with a standard switch, a decor or paddle.

Prior to installation, the user interface module (101) is docked inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate from the rear side. The user interface module (101) is then electrically coupled to the power control module (102) by connecting both via connectors (104) and engagement slot (105). The switch assembly is then mounted on a new or an existing electrical box and the power control module (102) is connected to the load wires externally at the connecting module (106) provided at the exterior surface of the power control module (102). The switch plate (103) is tightened to complete the installation.

Another advantage of the invention is that the user interface module (101) in the modular retrofit table switch assembly can fit inside a prevalent switch plate commonly available in the market. This feature reduces the costs associated with purchase of whole smart home switch assembly while converting a standard electrical box to a smart home electrical box and also offers the user, a flexibility to replicate required number of control switches. Also the power control module (102) can also be easily fitted inside a standard electrical box without undesired breakage or repair to existing electrical box fixed on a wall or any other surface thereby completely overcoming the hassle while converting a standard electrical system inside premises with smart home technology systems.

FIG 4 illustrates prevalent switch plates fitted with smart switches according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figure, the switch assembly units (100) can be replicated individually on a prevalent switch plate (103) based on user's requirements which reduces the costs associated with purchase of whole smart home switch box with required number of control switches at the time of installation or at a later stage. The switch assembly (100) designed in accordance with the present invention may employ single, dual, triple, quad configuration whereas the embodiments in the drawings demonstrate a dual switch user interface and single switch user interface respectively.

The switch assembly (100) manufactured according to the embodiments of the present invention provides a safe and convenient system for replacing conventional electrical switches inside a house with smart home switches generally need special installations and modifications to existing electrical boxes before installation. By providing a retrofit table power control module, the undesirable breaking of wall or a surface for fitting smart switch boxes is eliminated.

Although only there are only a few electrical components illustrated in the figure, it may be contemplated to have many side by side mounted switch assembly units in one electrical box. While all electrical connections are not shown in the drawings, a person skilled in the art would be able to easily tailor suitable connections.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather that the foregoing description and all changes which can within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

6. Claims:

1. A modular smart switch assembly retrofit table with prevalent switch plate, said switch assembly comprising:

a. a power control module having electrical components inside a housing wherein said power control module is provided with a connecting module to connect to the main power source;

b. a detachable user interface module adapted to be removeably attached to said power control module via connecting means, said user interface module having user accessible front face that includes at least one input control mechanism that permits a user to control the power to the respective load,

wherein said user interface module is adapted to retrofit inside a prevalent switch plate whereby completely overcoming the hassle while converting a standard electrical system inside a premises with smart home technology system.

2. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connecting means further comprise:

a. connectors located on rear side of said user interface module;

b. engagement slots located on front side of said power control module for receiving said connectors and electrically coupling said power control module to said user interface module by removeably engaging said connectors with said engagement slots,

wherein said connecting means support said user interface module on said power control module whereby the user is provided with a flexibility to replace one user interface module with another whenever required without danger of electric shock as all the electrical connections are securely covered inside both the switch assembly units.

3. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said user interface module in said switch assembly can fit inside the switch receiving slots on a prevalent switch plate whereby reducing the costs associated with purchase of whole smart home switch assembly while converting a standard electrical box to a smart home electrical box.

4. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch assembly can be replicated individually on a prevalent switch plate based on user's requirements whereby reducing the costs associated with purchase of whole of smart home switch assembly having required number of control switches at the time of installation or at a later stage.