AU2014100040A4 - A motorised window covering - Google Patents

Abstract

A motorised window covering (1) including: a motor (3) for driving a window covering (5) operatively attached thereto between an open position and a closed position; a motor controller (7) for controlling operation of the motor (3); a momentary switch (9) connected to the motor controller (7), the switch (9) being biased to an inoperative state and being moveable against said bias to an operative state whereby a control signal is provided to the motor (3) by the motor controller (7), and an actuator (11) connected to the switch (9), the actuator (11) being operable by a user's hand to temporarily move the switch (9) to the operative state, wherein the switch returns to the inoperative state when the actuator (11) is released by the user. Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

1 A MOTORISED WINDOW COVERING FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a motorised window covering. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Window coverings come in various forms including roller shades, roman shades, venetian blinds, curtains and the like which function to control light and visibility through a window. A motorised window covering has many advantages over a window covering requiring manual operation to open and close. Motorised window coverings are typically operated by a wired or wireless wall switch located near the window covering, or a wireless remote control. In some instances, it can be difficult to install a cable from the window cover motor to a wall switch at a reasonable cost as a suitable concealed path, for example through a wall cavity, can be difficult to achieve. Wireless switches and remote units can alternatively be used however such devices are generally more expensive to produce. Further, wireless operating devices tend to consume more energy. [0003] In some instances, operation is provided by a switch located on the actual window covering. The problem with this approach is that the window covering when moved may stop at a position that makes it hard or inconvenient for the user to reach the switch. The mounting of the switch in such a location is therefore not ideal. [0004] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or any other country before the priority date of the claims herein.

2 [0005] It would be desirable to provide a motorised window covering which avoids the need for a fixed wired wall switch or wireless remote control. It would also be desirable to provide a motorised window covering which is simple and easy to use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a motorised window covering including: a motor for driving a window covering operatively attached thereto between an open position and a closed position; a motor controller for controlling operation of the motor; a momentary switch connected to the motor controller, the switch being biased to an inoperative state and being moveable against said bias to an operative state whereby a control signal is provided to the motor by the motor controller, and an actuator connected to the switch, the actuator being operable by a user's hand to temporarily move the switch to the operative state, wherein the switch returns to the inoperative state when the actuator is released by the user. [0007] The switch is preferably a normally open switch which is in a closed position when in the operative state. Further, movement of the switch to the operative state is preferably provided by pulling on the actuator. In this respect, a first pull on the actuator preferably drives the window covering in one direction. A second pull on the actuator preferably stops the window covering being driven, and a third pull on the actuator preferably drives the window covering in an opposite direction. [0008] Preferably, open and close travel limits of the window covering are set by pulling on the actuator for a predetermined time period.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The preferred embodiments should not be considered as limiting any of the statements in the previous section. The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following figures in which: [0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing various components of the motorised window covering, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of operation of the switch and associated actuator of the motorised window covering, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0012] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of operation of the switch and associated actuator of the motorised window covering, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, and [0013] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the motor controller operatively connected to a battery, a charge management system and a solar panel, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0014] With reference to the accompanying drawings there is provided a motorised window covering 1. As shown in Figure 1, the motorised window covering 1 includes a motor 3 for driving a window covering 5 operatively attached thereto between an open position and a closed position. The motorised window covering 1 further includes a motor controller 7 for controlling operation of the motor 3, and a momentary switch 9 connected to the motor controller 7. The momentary switch 9 is biased to an inoperative state and is moveable against 4 said bias to an operative state whereby a control signal is provided to the motor 3 by the motor controller 7. The motorised window covering 1 further includes an actuator connected to the switch 9 for altering the state of the switch 9. The actuator can be of various forms and may be curved or straight and of hard or soft material. The actuator preferably has a length which is sufficient for the actuator to be easily accessible by a user. The actuator is preferably in the form of a cord or rod 11 which hangs downwardly from the switch and can be operated by a users hand to temporarily move the switch 9 to the operative state. In a preferred embodiment, the cord or rod 11 is pulled by the user's hand to temporarily move the switch 9 to the operative state. Upon release of the cord 11 by the user, the switch 9 returns to the inoperative state. [0015] The switch 9 is a momentary switch in that the contacts of the switch 9 either don't make contact until held down by a user (i.e. a normally open switch) or always make contact until released by a user (i.e. a normally closed switch). This is in contrast to a convention 'on/off switch which latches in a set position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch is a normally open switch whereby the open position corresponds to the switch being in said inoperative state. The normally open switch is thereby only in said operative state when the cord or rod 11 is pulled by the user to press the contacts of the switch 9 together. The operative state corresponding to the normally open switch being in a closed position. The working principle of operation of the switch 9 and associated cord 11 is schematically represented in Figure 2. Preferably, only one switch 9 is required to open, close and stop the window covering 5 and perform any other operating commands. [0016] Each time the cord 11 is pulled a single control signal is provided to the motor 3. In this regard, a first pull on the cord 11 will move the switch 9 to the operative state resulting in a change of voltage level, for example from high to low, at an input to the motor controller 7. The motor controller 7 will in turn signal for the motor 3 to drive the window covering 5 in a first direction, for example drive the window covering 5 downwards towards a position in which the window 5 covering 5 is closed. The window covering 5 will continue to move in the first direction until the window covering 5 either reaches its set travel limit for the first direction (which is normally set to coincide with the window covering 5 being in a closed position), or the cord 11 is pulled a second time to stop motion of window covering 5, whichever occurs first. In this respect, the second pull on the cord 11, while the window covering 5 is in motion, again moves the switch 9 to the operative state resulting in a change of voltage level again at the motor controller 7. The motor controller 7 in turn signals for the motor 3 to stop the window covering 5 in its current position. [0017] A third pull on the cord 11 will again move the switch 9 to the operative state resulting in a change of voltage level again at the motor controller 7. The motor controller 7 will in turn signal for motor 3 to drive the window covering 5 in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, for example drive the window covering 5 upwardly towards a position in which the window covering 5 is open. The window covering 5 will continue to move in the second direction until the window covering 5 either reaches its set travel limit for the second direction (which is normally set to coincide with the window covering 5 being in an open position), or the cord 11 is again pulled to stop motion of the window covering 5, whichever occurs first. [0018] The direction of movement of the window covering 5 will always be opposite to that of its last moving. For example, if a first pull of the cord 11 makes the window covering 5 open and stop at the set travel limit, the next pull of the cord 11 will make the window covering 5 move towards closure. [0019] Combinations of different time periods in holding close the switch 9 and sequence of such combinations can be assigned to provide various specific commanding signals. For example, for entering into different mode and settings of the motor controller 7. These kind of command signals are generally only utilised at installation and do not complicate the day-to-day operation of the motorised window covering 1. The setting of travel limits for the opening and 6 closing of the window covering 5 is preferably achieved by pulling on the cord 11 for a predetermined extended period. For example, approximately 3 to 5 seconds. The cord 11 is preferably the only component handled by the user to instigate all operating commands. As the cord 11 and switch 9 are not mounted on the actual window covering 5, they advantageously remain in the same position when the window covering 5 is moved. [0020] If a normally closed switch is used instead of a normally open switch, reverse logic can be used to make the motor 3 perform the same operational functions. In this respect, software associated with the motor controller 7 may need to be configured to suit the switch 9 used such that the operation of the window covering 5 will be the same. [0021] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the actuator includes a cord 11 in combination with a lever 13. The switch 9 is shown mounted on a circuit board 15. When the cord 11 is pulled, the lever 13 moves downward and presses switch 9. [0022] As shown in Figure 4, the motor controller 7 may be operatively connected to a battery 17, a charge management system 19 and a solar panel 21. This enables the motorised window covering 1 to be self sufficient by being battery and/or solar powered, thereby avoiding the need for mains power. [0023] The motor controller 7 functions to convert the signal received by the switch 9 to drive the motor 3 accordingly. The switch 9 acts as a signal generator for the motor controller 7 with the motor controller 7 being designed to react to the signal from the switch 9 and operate the motor 3. The motor controller 7 may include various forms of hardware and software to control the motor 3. The motor controller 7 preferably includes some form of microprocessor which generates a control signal in response to the switch 9 being in the operative state. The switch 9 may be mounted on the motor controller 7 or on a separate PCB operatively connected to the motor controller 7. The switch 9, motor controller 7 and motor 3 7 can be integrated into a housing and mounted as part of a headrail 23 or the like at the top of the window. Alternatively, the components can be housed separately. [0024] The present invention advantageously provides a relatively low cost motorised window covering 1 which is easy to operate. Further, the motorised window covering 1 is energy efficient, particularly when powered by the solar panel 21. The present invention can also be used with various window coverings including roller blinds, curtains, venetian blinds and roman blinds. The present invention also advantageously avoids the need for operating means such as wall switches and wireless remote controls. [0025] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the central characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments should not be considered to limit the present invention but rather should be construed broadly. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included in the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A motorised window covering including: a motor for driving a window covering operatively attached thereto between an open position and a closed position; a motor controller for controlling operation of the motor; a momentary switch connected to the motor controller, the switch being biased to an inoperative state and being moveable against said bias to an operative state whereby a control signal is provided to the motor by the motor controller, and an actuator connected to the switch, the actuator being operable by a user's hand to temporarily move the switch to the operative state, wherein the switch returns to the inoperative state when the actuator is released by the user.

2. A motorised window covering as claimed in 1 wherein the switch is a normally open switch which is in a closed position when in the operative state.

3. A motorised window covering as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein movement of the switch to the operative state is provided by pulling on the actuator.

4. A motorised window covering as claimed in 3 wherein a first pull on the actuator drives the window covering in one direction, a second pull on the actuator stops the window covering being driven, and a third pull on the actuator drives the window covering in an opposite direction.

5. A motorised window covering as claimed in either claim 3 or 4 wherein open and close travel limits of the window covering are set by pulling on the actuator for a predetermined time period. 9

6. A motorised window covering as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 wherein the actuator is a cord or rod.

7. A motorised window covering as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 wherein the motor controller includes a microprocessor which generates the control signal in response to the switch being in the operative state. DYNAVEIL PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS UIP1443AU00