AU2014263713B2

AU2014263713B2 - Cam unit, horizontal blind, and drive unit for sunlight blocking device

Info

Publication number: AU2014263713B2
Application number: AU2014263713A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hadano; Kazuto Yamagishi; Masaya Yamaguchi
Original assignee: Tachikawa Corp; Tachikawa Blind Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tachikawa Corp
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2014-04-25
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-25
Also published as: BR112015027803A2; AU2014263713A1; CN105209707B; KR20160007553A; KR102116717B1; WO2014181706A1; BR112015027803B1; CN105209707A

Abstract

Provided is a structure capable of accommodating differences in length and diameter of a winding cone. This cam unit is provided with: a cone cap which is removably fitted to a winding cone for winding and unwinding a lifting cord and which rotates together with the winding cone; a rotating drum which is engaged with the cone cap so that the axial movement of the winding drum is limited, the rotating drum being configured so that, within a predetermined angular range, the rotating drum is capable of rotating relative to the cone cap, and so that, outside the predetermined angular range, the rotating drum rotates together with the cone cap; and a cam clutch which rotates together with the cone cap and which is engaged with the rotating drum so that the cam clutch moves in the axial direction relative to the cone cap as the rotating drum rotates.

Description

DESCRIPTION [Title of Invention] CAM UNIT, HORIZONTAL BLIND, AND DRIVE UNIT LOR SUNLIGHT BLOCKING DEVICE

TECHNICAL LIELD [0001] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cam unit of an obstacle detection/stop apparatus for use in sunlight shielding apparatuses, including horizontal blinds, roll-up curtains, and pleated screens. A second aspect thereof relates to a highshielding-effect horizontal blind. A third aspect thereof relates to a drive unit for use in sunlight shielding apparatuses.

BACKGROUND ART [0002]

In a sunlight shielding apparatus, one end of each lift cord is attached to a bottom rail disposed on a lower part of a sunlight shielding member suspended from a head box, and the other end thereof is attached to a winding cone. By rotating winding cones, the lift cords are wound or unwound and thus the sunlight shielding member is raised or lowered. Such a sunlight shielding apparatus rotates the winding cones in the unwinding direction using tensions applied to the lift cords on the basis of the selfweight of the bottom rail and thus lowers the bottom rail. The sunlight shielding apparatus uses an obstacle detection/stop apparatus which, when the bottom rail collides with an obstacle during a descent, stops the rotation of the winding cones to prevent excessive unwinding of the lift cords (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[Citation List] [Patent Literature] [0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent No. 3965151

SUMMARY OP INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM [0004]

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

In Patent Literature 1, a winding cone houses a rotating drum and a cam clutch. When the rotating drum is rotated with the rotation of the winding cone stopped, the cam clutch axially moves in the direction in which the cam clutch moves away from the winding cone, and a brake nail disposed on the cam clutch is engaged with a brake protrusion of a support member. Thus, when an obstacle is detected, the winding cone is stopped.

[0005]

The length or diameter of the winding cone may vary from product to product. To incorporate an obstacle detection/stop apparatus using the technology of Patent Literature 1 into all products, it is necessary to consider the configuration related to the obstacle detection/stop apparatus when designing the winding cone of each product. Thus, the design work is complicated.

[0006]

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing. An object of the first aspect thereof is to provide a configuration which can accommodate differences in the length or diameter among winding cones; an object of the second aspect thereof is to provide a horizontal blind having extremely high shielding effects; and an object of the third aspect thereof is to provide a drive unit that is used in sunlight shielding apparatuses and in which an operation cord can be disposed in a desired position of a head box in the width direction.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0007]

The above problems can be solved by at least one of the first to third aspects of the present invention described below. Descriptions of the first to third aspects described below can be combined, and combining them allows more favorable effects to be obtained. The object and effects of the first aspect of the present invention are achieved by the description of the first aspect; the object and effects of the second aspect of the present invention are achieved by the description of the second aspect; and the object and effects of the third aspect of the present invention are achieved by the description of the third aspect.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 [0008]

The first aspect of the present invention provides a cam unit including a cone cap that is detachably engaged with a winding cone for winding and unwinding a lift cord and rotates integrally with the winding cone, a rotating drum that is engaged with the cone cap so that an axial movement of the rotating drum is restricted and which can rotate relative to the cone cap within a predetermined angular range and rotates integrally with the cone cap when the range is exceeded, and a cam clutch that rotates integrally with the cone cap and that, when the rotating drum rotates, is engaged with the rotating drum so that the cam clutch axially moves relative to the cone cap.

[0009]

To avoid the complication of the design of winding cones, the inventors investigated intensively. The inventors then came up with an idea of incorporating an obstacle detection/stop apparatus into a cone cap attached to the base end of a winding cone. Based on this idea, the inventors found that even if the length or diameter of the winding cone varied, it was possible to easily implement an obstacle detection/stop apparatus by only attaching a prepared cam unit obtained by engaging a cone cap, a rotation drum, and a cam clutch with one another integrally. The inventors then completed the present invention.

[0010]

Various embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

Preferably, the cone cap includes a tubular brake part housing the rotating drum and the cam clutch. Preferably, the tubular brake part includes a pair of engaging protrusions. Preferably, the rotating drum includes a restricting protrusion disposed between the pair of engaging protrusions. Preferably, the cam clutch has a pair of moving slits that are engaged with the pair of engaging protrusions. Preferably, when the rotating drum rotates relative to the cone cap, the restricting protrusion contacts the engaging protrusions and thus a range in which the rotating drum can rotate relative to the cone cap is restricted.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]

Brief Description of Drawings of First Aspect of Present Invention

Fig. 1 shows a horizontal blind of a first embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention, in which Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) are front views; Fig. 1(c) is a right side view; Fig. 1(b) shows a state in which the front wall of a head box 1 is removed; and Fig. 1(c) shows a state in which a box cap 21 is detached.

Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a support member 11 in Fig. 1 and members housed in the support member 11, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view showing details of a tilt spring 24 in Fig. 2(a).

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the support member 11 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support member 11 in Fig. 2 when seen from another angle.

Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a method for fitting an adapter 51 of the support member 11 in Fig. 2; Fig. 5(b) is a bottom view showing a state in which a pulley 53 is inserted to axial holes 51e and 5 If formed in the adapter 51; and Fig. 5(c) is a sectional view passing through the center of the axial holes 51e and 5 If and corresponding to Fig. 5(b).

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cone cap 14 and a winding cone 9 in Fig. 2 are disconnected from each other.

Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which a cam clutch 12 and a rotating drum 13 included in an obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 in Fig. 2 are disconnected from each other; Fig. 7(b) is a view of the rotating drum 13 seen from the cam clutch 12; and Fig. 7(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the cam clutch 12 and rotating drum 13 are connected together.

Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view of the cam clutch 12 and rotating drum 13 in Fig. 7 seen from another angle, and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view showing the connected cam clutch 12 and rotating drum 13 and the disconnected cone cap 14.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

Figs. 9(a) to 9(b) are perspective views showing the connected cam clutch 12, rotating drum 13, and cone cap 14.

Fig. 10(a) is a view of the rotating drum 13 and cone cap 14 seen from the cam clutch 12; Fig. 10(b) is a view corresponding to Fig. 7(c); Fig. 10(c) is a view corresponding to Fig. 9; and Figs. 10(a) to 10(c) show a state in which a restricting protrusion 13e is adjacent to an engaging protrusion 14c.

Fig. 11(a) is a view of the rotating drum 13 and cone cap 14 seen from the cam clutch 12; Fig. 11(b) is a view corresponding to Fig. 7(c); Fig. 11(c) is a view corresponding to Fig. 9; and Figs. 11(a) to 11(c) show a state in which the restricting protrusion 13e is adjacent to an engaging protrusion 14d.

Figs. 12(a) to 12(c) are right side views showing states in which slats 3 are being tilted, that is, the slats 3 is making a transition from a fully closed state to a reverse fully closed state with the bottom rail 4 located in the lower limit position and corresponding to Fig. 1(c).

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing that a rotating drum 13 is composed of a first rotating drum 63 and a second rotating drum 73 in a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, in which Fig. 13(a) shows a connected state; and Fig. 13(b) shows a disconnected state.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 in Fig. 13 seen from another angle.

Fig. 15(a) is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the second rotating drum 73, cone cap 14, and first rotating drum 63, and Figs. 15(b) and 15(c) are perspective views of the cone cap 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of a cam clutch 12 and the second rotating drum 73, in which Fig. 16(a) shows a disconnected state; and Fig. 16(b) shows a connected state.

Fig. 17(a) is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the cam clutch 12 and second rotating drum 73 seen from another angle, and Fig. 17(b) is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the cam clutch 12, second rotating drum 73, and cone cap 14.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the connected cam clutch 12, second rotating drum 73, cone cap 14, and first rotating drum 63.

Figs. 19(a) and 19(b) and Figs. 19(c) and 19(d) show a first state and a second state, respectively, of the positional relationship between the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 and cone cap 14; Figs. 19(a) and 19(c) are sectional views passing through a restricting protrusion 13e of the second rotating drum 73 and engaging protrusions 14c and 14d of the cone cap 14 and seen from the cam clutch 12; and Figs. 19(b) and 19(d) are sectional views passing through a restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 and a restricting protrusion 73d of the second rotating drum 73 and seen from the cam clutch 12.

Figs. 20(a) and 20(b) and Figs. 20(c) and 20(d) show a third state and a fourth state, respectively, of the positional relationship between the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 and cone cap 14; Figs. 20(a) and 20(c) are sectional views passing through the restricting protrusion 13e of the second rotating drum 73 and the engaging protrusions 14c and 14d of the cone cap 14 and seen from the cam clutch 12; and Figs. 20(b) and 20(d) are sectional views passing through the restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 and the restricting protrusion 73d of the second rotating drum 73 and seen from the cam clutch 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012]

Now, various embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0013]

In a horizontal blind serving as a sunlight shielding apparatus shown in Fig. 1, multiple slats 3 serving as a sunlight shielding member are suspended from and supported by a head box 1 through multiple ladder cords 2. A bottom rail 4 is suspended from and supported by the lower ends of the ladder cords 2.

[0014]

Multiple lift cords 5 are suspended from the head box 1 near the ladder cords 2. The lift cord 5 in the center is suspended before the slats 3 (indoor side), whereas the lift cords 5 on both sides are suspended behind the slats 3 (outdoor side). The upper ends of

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 the lift cords 5 are attached to winding cones 9 disposed in the head box 1, and the lower ends thereof are connected to the bottom rail 4.

[0015]

Specifically, each lift cord 5 is attached to the corresponding winding cone 9 by hanging knots formed at the upper end thereof on an engaging groove 9d of the winding cone 9. When the winding cone 9 is rotated, the lift cord 5 is wound or unwound and thus the bottom rail 4 and slats 3 are raised or lowered. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the winding cone 9 is rotatably supported by a support member 11 and is rotatable relative to a drive shaft 8. The support member 11 is detachably fixed to the head box 1. Each support member 11 includes an obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 that detects that the bottom rail 4 has collided with an obstacle during a descent and then stops the rotation of the drive shaft 8.

[0016]

The two upper ends of each ladder cord 2 are attached to a tilt spring 24 attached to a tilt drum 23. The tilt spring 24 is formed by bending one piece of wire into a loop shape as shown in Fig. 2(b). The tilt spring 24 has ladder cord attachment parts 24al and 24a2 and locking protrusions 24b 1 and 24b2 at both ends. The two upper ends of the ladder cord 2 are attached to the two ladder cord attachment parts, 24al and 24a2. The tilt drum 23 is relatively unrotatably supported by the drive shaft 8 in a tilt drum container 1 Id of the support member 11. When the locking protrusions 24b 1 and 24b2 are not in contact with the support member 11, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the tilt spring 24 fastens the tilt drum 23 and rotates integrally with the tilt drum 23. Thus, the angles of the slats 3 are adjusted in phase on the basis of the rotation of the tilt drum 23 through the ladder cords 2. When the tilt drum 23 is rotated in the direction of an arrow XD in Fig. 2(a) to contact the locking protrusion 24b 1 with a locking surface 1 lh of the support member 11 and then further rotated in the direction of the arrow XD, a force in the direction of an arrow XU in Fig. 2(b) is applied to the locking protrusion 24b 1. Thus, the diameter of the tilt spring 24 is increased, and the force with which the tilt spring 24 fastens the tilt drum 23 is reduced. Consequently, the tilt drum 23 idles with respect to the tilt spring 24. When the tilt drum 23 is rotated in the direction of the arrow XU to contact the locking protrusion 24b 1 with the locking surface 1 lh of the support member

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 and then further rotated in the direction of the arrow XU, the tilt drum 23 idles with respect to the tilt spring 24 on the same principle. When the slats 3 are rotated to approximately vertical positions, further rotation is prevented on the same principle.

[0017]

An operation unit 6 is disposed in a position between the right edge and the center of the head box 1 in the width direction. When a loop-shaped operation cord 7 is operated, the operation unit 6 rotationally drives the drive shaft 8 housed in the head box 1, thereby rotating the winding cone 9. The operation unit 6 includes a known selfweight descent prevention apparatus (not shown). When a pull-up of the bottom rail 4 and slats 3 based on an operation of the operation cord 7 is stopped, the self-weight descent prevention apparatus is activated to stop the rotation of the drive shaft 8. Thus, the bottom rail 4 and slats 3 are suspended and supported in desired positions. Subsequently, when the self-weight descent prevention apparatus is deactivated based on an operation of the operation cord 7, the bottom rail 4 and slats 3 descend by their selfweight.

[0018]

Operation cord insertion holes 13 are formed in positions close to the right and left edges of the head box 1. The operation cord 7 is drawn out of the head box 1 through the right operation cord insertion hole 13 and a cord gate 15. The left operation cord insertion hole 13 is used when moving the operation unit 6 to the left side of the head box 1; when it is not in use, it is covered with a blinding cap 17 as shown in Fig. 1(a). Both edges of the head box 1 are covered with box caps 21.

[0019]

The winding cone 9, support member 11, and obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 will be described in detail below.

As shown in Fig. 6, the winding cone 9 includes a winding part 9b, a flange 9a disposed at the front end of the winding part 9b, and a connecting part 9c disposed at the base end of the winding part 9b. The connecting part 9c has two engaging grooves 9d. The winding part 9b has a tapered shape that is gradually thinned from the front end toward the base end. Accordingly, the lift cord 5 wound at the front end easily moves

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 toward the base end. The connecting part 9c is not tapered. The connecting part 9c has a cone cap 14 connected thereto. The cone cap 14 includes a flange 14g, a tubular locking part 14e extending from the flange 14g toward the winding cone 9, and a tubular brake part 14f extending in the opposite direction. The tubular locking part 14e has a smaller outer diameter than the tubular brake part 14f. The tubular locking part 14e has two groove engaging protrusions 14a and two connecting protrusions 14b protruding in the outward radial direction. The two engaging grooves 9d are formed in the connecting part 9c at intervals of 180 degrees, and the two groove engaging protrusions 14a and two connecting protrusions 14b are also formed on the tubular locking part 14e at intervals of 180 degrees. The groove engaging protrusions 14a and connecting protrusions 14b are disposed in positions shifted from each other by 90 degrees.

[0020]

The diameter of an outer circle surrounding the two connecting protrusions 14b is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connecting part 9c. By matching the positions of the groove engaging protrusions 14a with the engaging grooves 9d to insert the connecting protrusions 14b into the connecting part 9c, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 can be connected loosely. Since the groove engaging protrusions 14a and engaging grooves 9d are engaged with each other in this state, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 rotate integrally with each other. However, nothing prevents the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 from being axially disconnected from each other.

Accordingly, in this state, they can be easily disconnected from each other. Note that each connecting protrusion 14b has a tapered surface 14h at the edge thereof in the axial direction. Thus, the connecting protrusions 14b can be easily inserted into the connecting part 9c.

[0021]

As shown in Fig. 3, the support member 11 includes a winding cone support part 1 la for supporting the flange 9a of the winding cone 9 and a cone cap support part 1 lb for supporting the tubular brake part 14f of the cone cap 14. As shown in Fig. 2, when the flange 9a of the winding cone 9 is supported by the winding cone support part 11a and the tubular brake part 14f of the cone cap 14 is supported by the cone cap support part 1 lb with the winding cone 9 and cone cap 14 connected together, the flange 9a is ίο

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 engaged with the winding cone support part 1 la. Thus, the winding cone 9 is prevented from axially moving. Further, the flange 14g contacts a partition 1 lc and thus the cone cap 14 is prevented from axially moving in the direction in which the cone cap 14 is disconnected from the winding cone 9. As seen above, when the connected winding cone 9 and cone cap 14 are inserted into the support member 11, the winding cone 9 and cone cap 14 are prevented from being disconnected from each other. As will be described later, the tubular brake part 14f of the cone cap 14 houses a cam clutch 12 and a rotating drum 13, and the support member 11 is provided with a brake protrusion 1 lg that stops the rotation of the drive shaft 8 when engaged with multiple brake nails 12c of the cam clutch 12.

[0022]

As shown in Fig. 4, the support member 11 has an adapter 51 detachably fitted to the bottom surface thereof. The adapter 51 has a lift cord insertion hole 51a and a ladder cord insertion hole 51b. The lift cord 5 and ladder cord 2 are introduced into the support member 11 through the lift cord insertion hole 51a and ladder cord insertion hole 5 lb, respectively, and attached to the winding cone 9 and tilt drum 23, respectively. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the adapter 51 is supported by protrusions lie protruding from the front and back walls of the support member 11 toward the center in the front-back direction. Advantages of the use of the adapter 51 as described above include the facilitation of metal molding of the support member 11 and the facilitation of commonality of the support member 11.

[0023]

The lift cord insertion hole 5la is formed between a partition 5lc and a partition 5 Id, and six sets of axial holes 5 le and 5 If are formed in the partitions 5 lc and 5 Id. By matching the position of the axial hole 53a of a pulley 53 with one set of axial holes 51e and 5 If of the partitions 51c and 5 Id and inserting a fixing pin 52 into the axial holes, the pulley 53 can be fixed to the adapter 51. While the fixing pin 52 is prevented from easily coming out of the axial hole 5 If by press-fitting it into the axial hole 5 If, it may be prevented from coming out by other means. As seen above, in the present embodiment, the multiple sets of axial holes 51e and 5 If are formed. Thus, it is possible to easily change the fixed position of the pulley 53 in accordance with the width of the slats 3 or to

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 easily change the fixed position of the pulley 53 when reversing left and right sides of the support member 11. The pulley 53 and fixing pin 52 may be fixed to the adapter 51 before inserting the adapter 51 into the support member 11. Thus, the pulley 53 and fixing pin 52 are easily inserted.

[0024]

Next, the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 will be described in detail. The obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 is composed of the support member 11, cam clutch 12, rotating drum 13, and cone cap 14.

[0025]

As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the cam clutch 12 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and includes a tubular part 12a and a brake part 12b formed so as to have a larger diameter than the tubular part 12a. The tubular part 12a is inserted into and supported by a cam clutch support hole 1 If of the support member 11.

[0026]

The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the brake part 12b is set to a size such that the outer peripheral surface is slidable on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular brake part 14f of the cone cap 14. The brake part 12b has the brake nails 12c at the end thereof adjacent to the tubular part 12a. The brake nails 12c axially protrude in a sawtooth shape and are engageable with the brake protrusion 1 lg of the support member

11.

[0027]

When the brake nails 12c are engaged with the brake protrusion 1 lg, the cam clutch 12 is prevented from rotating circumferentially. Thus, the support member 11 and cam clutch 12 can no longer rotate relative to each other. The brake nails 12c are formed along the circumferential direction of the brake part 12b at equal angular intervals (in the present embodiment, two brake nails 12c are formed at intervals of 180 degrees).

[0028]

As shown in Figs. 7(a) and 8(a), the brake part 12b has, on the side wall thereof, a slide hole 12d and moving slits 12e which serve as a cam structure. The slide hole 12d is

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 formed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis of the brake part 12b by about 68 degrees. The length of the slide hole 12d is set such that the slide hole 12d is formed over an angular range of approximately 120 degrees in the circumferential direction of the brake part 12b.

[0029]

The moving slits 12e are formed along the axial direction of the brake part 12b.

As shown in Fig. 8(b), the moving slits 12e are formed so as to correspond to the positions of engaging protrusions 14c and 14d of the cone cap 14. When the moving slits 12e and engaging protrusions 14c and 14d are engaged with each other, the cam clutch 12 and cone cap 14 are connected together so as to be relatively unrotatable and relatively movable along the axial direction.

[0030]

When the cam clutch 12 is moved relative to the cone cap 14 in the axial direction of the cone cap 14, the brake nails 12c are engaged with the brake protrusion 1 lg of the support member 11. Thus, the cam clutch 12 can no longer rotate relative to the support member 11. Subsequently, when the brake nails 12c and brake protrusion 1 lg are disengaged from each other, the cam clutch 12 can rotate relative to the support member

11.

[0031]

One [the back side wall in Fig. 8(a)] of the side walls of the brake part 12b circumferentially sandwiching the two moving slits 12e is formed so as to axially protrude further than the other side wall [the front side wall in Fig. 8(a)].

[0032]

The drive shaft 8 is inserted in a tubular hole 12f of the tubular part 12a of the cam clutch 12. Since the tubular hole 12f has a larger diameter than a circumcircle of the sectionally rectangular drive shaft 8, the cam clutch 12 is rotatable relative to the drive shaft 8.

[0033]

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the rotating drum 13 is housed radially inside the cam clutch 12. The rotating drum 13 includes a main body 13a and four locking nails 13b.

The main body 13a is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and has a square insertion hole 13c in the center thereof as shown in Fig. 7(b). The drive shaft 8 having a rectangular section of the same size as that of the insertion hole 13c passes through the insertion hole 13c. Thus, the rotating drum 13 rotates integrally with the drive shaft 8.

[0034]

The four locking nails 13b are formed at equal angular intervals (at intervals of 90 degrees) along the circumferential direction of the main body 13a. The locking nails 13b are formed so as to be elastically deformable toward the center of the tubular locking part 14e of the cone cap 14 when inserted into the tubular locking part 14e. The locking nails 13b are also formed so as to have a smaller diameter than the main body 13 a. The main body 13a and locking nails 13b axially sandwich the tubular locking part 14e of the cone cap 14 to prevent the rotating drum 13 and cone cap 14 from axially moving relative to each other.

[0035]

The main body 13a has two axially formed notches forming an arm 13f. The arm 13f has, at the front end thereof, a slide protrusion 13d protruding in the outward radial direction of the rotating drum 13. The arm 13f is flexible along the radial direction of the rotating drum 13 owing to the notches. When the main body 13a is incorporated into the cam clutch 12, the front end of the arm 13f is bent toward the center along with the slide protrusion 13d. The slide protrusion 13d is formed so as to protrude in an approximately cylindrical shape and also so as to be slidable in the slide hole 12d of the cam clutch 12.

[0036]

As shown in Fig. 8(a), the main body 13a has, at the edge thereof adjacent to the locking nails 13b, a restricting protrusion 13e protruding in the outward radial direction. The restricting protrusion 13e is disposed in a position approximately opposite to the slide protrusion 13d in the circumferential direction of the main body 13a. The restricting protrusion 13e is formed so as to protrude over a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction of the main body 13a. The amount of protrusion of the restricting protrusion 13e is set such that the restricting protrusion 13e contacts the

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 engaging protrusions 14c and 14d in the circumferential direction when the rotating drum 13 rotates relative to the cone cap 14.

[0037]

As shown in Fig. 7(c), the rotating drum 13 thus formed is connected to the cam clutch 12 in such a manner that the slide protrusion 13d is housed in the slide hole 12d of the cam clutch 12. Further, as shown in Figs. 8(b), 10(a), and 11(a), the rotating drum 13 is connected to the cone cap 14 in such a manner that the restricting protrusion 13e is disposed between the engaging protrusions 14c and 14d of the cone cap 14. Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 10(a) and 11(a), the rotating drum 13 and cone cap 14 can move relative to each other only in a range in which the restricting protrusion 13e relatively moves between the engaging protrusions 14c and 14d of the cone cap 14.

[0038]

Next, operations of the horizontal blind thus configured will be described.

First, operations when pulling up the horizontal blind will be described.

When the operation cord 7 is operated and thus the drive shaft 8 is rotated in the horizontal blind pull-up direction [in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a)], the rotation is transmitted to the rotating drum 13, which is then rotated in the direction of an arrow XU in Figs. 10(a) and 10(b). Thus, the restricting protrusion 13e of the rotating drum 13 moves in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 10(a), and the slide protrusion 13d moves in the direction of an arrow YU in Fig. 10(b) along the slide hole 12d. In this stage, the rotation of the rotating drum 13 has yet to be transmitted to the cone cap 14, but rather the rotating drum 13 rotates relative to the cone cap 14. Further, as the slide protrusion 13d moves, a force in the direction of an arrow ZU in Fig. 10(b) is applied to the cam clutch 12. Thus, the cam clutch 12 moves relative to the cone cap 14 in the direction of an arrow ZU in Fig. 10(c). In this state, the amount of protrusion of the brake nails 12c from the tubular brake part 14f is small; the brake nails 12c are yet to be engaged with the brake protrusion 1 lg of the support member 11; and the cam clutch 12 is rotatable relative to the support member 11.

[0039]

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the same direction, the restricting protrusion 13e contacts the engaging protrusion 14c. Thus, a force in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 10(a) is applied to the engaging protrusion 14c. As a result, the rotating drum 13 rotates integrally with the cone cap 14. Since the cam clutch 12 and winding cone 9 always rotate integrally with the cone cap 14, the rotating drum 13 rotates integrally with the cone cap 14, cam clutch 12, and winding cone 9. The lift cord 5 is wound about the winding cone 9 and thus the bottom rail 4 is raised.

[0040]

Next, operations when pulling down the horizontal blind will be described.

Since the operations when pulling down the horizontal blind are performed using the self-weights of the slats 3 and bottom rail 4, the driving force for pull-down is transmitted from the winding cone 9 to the drive shaft 8.

[0041]

When a tension is applied to the lift cord 5 on the basis of the self-weights of the slats 3 and bottom rail 4, a force in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 2(a) is applied to the winding cone 9. The rotation based on this force is directly transmitted to the cone cap 14 and cam clutch 12, which are then rotated in the direction of an arrow XD in Figs. 10(a) to 10(b). At this point in time, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the restricting protrusion 13e is in contact with the engaging protrusion 14c. Accordingly, the restricting protrusion 13e receives a force in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 10(a) from the engaging protrusion 14c, and the rotating drum 13 and drive shaft 8 rotate integrally with the cone cap 14.

[0042]

When the bottom rail 4 collides with an obstacle or when the bottom rail 4 reaches the lower limit position and thus the load of the bottom rail 4 is applied to the ladder cord 2, the tension applied to the lift cord 5 is reduced. As a result, the force applied to the winding cone 9 in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 2(a) is reduced, and the rotation of the winding cone 9 is reduced or stopped. If the rotation of a winding cone 9 has yet to be reduced or stopped in another obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 disposed in the head box 1, the rotation of the rotating drum 13 and drive shaft 8 in the direction of the

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 arrow XD in Fig. 10(a) becomes faster than that of the cone cap 14 in the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 in which the rotation of the winding cone 9 has been reduced or stopped. Thus, the restricting protrusion 13e moves relative to the engaging protrusion 14c in the direction of the arrow XD. At this time, the rotating drum 13 rotates relative to the cam clutch 12 in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 10(b). As a result, the slide protrusion 13d moves along the slide hole 12d in the direction of an arrow YD in Fig. 10(b). As the slide protrusion 13d moves, a force in the direction of an arrow ZD in Fig. 10(b) is applied to the cam clutch 12. Thus, the cam clutch 12 moves relative to the cone cap 14 in the direction of the arrow ZD in Fig. 10(c) and becomes a state shown in Figs.

11(a) to 11(c). In this state, the amount of protrusion of the brake nails 12c from the tubular brake part 14f is large; the brake nails 12c are engaged with the brake protrusion 1 lg of the support member 11; and the cam clutch 12 cannot rotate relative to the support member 11. The cone cap 14 cannot rotate relative to the support member 11. For the rotating drum 13, as shown in Fig. 11(a), when the restricting protrusion 13e contacts an engaging protrusion 14d, the rotating drum 13 can no longer rotate relative to the cone cap 14. As a result, the rotation of the drive shaft 8 is stopped.

[0043]

In Fig. 12(a), the bottom rail 4 is reaching the lower limit position LL and the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 is in operation. The slats 3 are fully closed. The bottom rail 4 is tilted. The locking protrusion 24b 1 of the tilt spring 24 is in contact with the locking surface 1 lh of the support member 11.

[0044]

When the drive shaft 8 is rotated in the pull-up direction [in the direction of the arrow XU in Figs. 2(a) and 12] in this state, the tilt drum 23 is rotated in the direction of an arrow XU, and the slats 3 become a state shown in Fig. 12(b). When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated, the slats 3 become a reverse fully closed state shown in Fig. 12(c). In the state shown in Fig. 12(c), the locking protrusion 24b2 of the tilt spring 24 is in contact with the locking surface 1 lh of the support member 11. At the same time, when the restricting protrusion 13e of the rotating drum 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 11(a) and the slide protrusion 13d is moved in the direction of the arrow YU in Fig. 10(b), the brake nails 12c move in the direction of an arrow ZU in Fig. 11(c), and

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 the brake nails 12c and brake protrusion 1 lg are disengaged from each other. Thus, the drive shaft 8 becomes rotatable relative to the support member 11. The rotating drum 13 rotates relative to the cone cap 14 until the restricting protrusion 13e contacts the engaging protrusion 14c. Thus, after the drive shaft 8 is rotated by an angle R in Fig.

11(a), the winding of the lift cord 5 is started. On the other hand, the tilt drum 23 rotates integrally with the drive shaft 8. Accordingly, the winding of the lift cord 5 is started later than the tilt of the slats 3 by the angle R. In the present embodiment, the angle R is set to a relatively large angle, for example, 80 degrees or more (preferably 90, 100, 110, or 120 degrees or more). Accordingly, even when the drive shaft 8 is rotated until the slats 3 makes a transition from the fully closed state shown in Fig. 12(a) to the reverse fully closed state shown in Fig. 12(c), the winding of the lift cord 5 is not started. Thus, the height position of the bottom rail 4 in the reverse fully closed state shown in Fig.

12(c) can be kept the same as that in the fully closed state shown in Fig. 12(a). In Patent Literature 1, on the other hand, the angle R is small and therefore the winding of the lift cord is started when the slats are being tilted, that is, the slats are making a transition from a fully closed state to a reverse fully closed state. Consequently, the height position of the bottom rail when the slats are reversely fully closed state would become higher than that when the slats are fully closed and thus light would be leaked from the lower side of the bottom rail.

[0045]

What should be noted in the present embodiment is that the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 is composed of the support member 11, cam clutch 12, rotating drum 13, and cone cap 14. While the winding cone 9 is configured to rotate integrally with the cone cap 14, it is not incorporated in the obstacle detection/stop apparatus. As an element of the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10, the support member 11 only provides the brake protrusion 1 lg that stops the rotation of the cam clutch 12 when engaged with the brake nails 12c. Accordingly, it is extremely easy to use a cam unit composed of the cam clutch 12, rotating drum 13, and cone cap 14 with various types of support members 11 or winding cones 9. There are winding cones having different lengths or diameters, and incorporating an element of an obstacle detection/stop apparatus into each of such winding cones requires complicated designs.

In the present embodiment, the winding cone 9 is not provided with any special structure

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 except that it is provided with the engaging groove 9d which allows the winding cone 9 to rotate integrally with the cone cap 14. Accordingly, the design is simple.

[0046]

The above embodiment may be carried out in the following modes.

In the above embodiment, the groove engaging protrusion 14a of the cone cap 14 and the engaging groove 9d of the winding cone 9 are engaged with each other so that the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 rotate integrally with each other.

However, there may be employed other configurations which allow the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 to rotate integrally with each other.

In the above embodiment, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 are not engaged with each other in such a manner that these elements are prevented from being axially disengaged from each other. Accordingly, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 are easily disengaged from each other when these elements are not inserted in the support member 11. Alternatively, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 may be detachably engaged with each other so that these elements are prevented from being axially disengaged from each other [0047]

In the above embodiment, a horizontal blind is used as a sunlight shielding apparatus, and the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 is disposed in the horizontal blind. However, any type of sunlight shielding apparatus may be used as long as it includes a bottom rail and lift cords. Accordingly, a pleated curtain may be used as a sunlight shielding apparatus. A roll-up curtain, which uses a weight in place of a bottom rail, may also be used as a sunlight shielding apparatus.

[0048]

Second Embodiment of First Aspect

Referring now to Figs. 13 to 20, a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be described. The description of elements identical to those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049]

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

In the first embodiment, the rotating drum 13 is composed of a single rotating drum which rotates integrally with the drive shaft 8. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, a rotating drum 13 is composed of a first rotating drum 63 which rotates integrally with a drive shaft 8 and a second rotating drum 73 that is engaged with a cam clutch 12. The second rotating drum 73 includes a main body 13a, a slide protrusion 13d, a restricting protrusion 13e, and an arm 13f, and the functions of these parts are as described in the first embodiment. The second rotating drum 73 also includes a small tubular part 73a extending from the main body 13a toward the first rotating drum 63 and having a smaller diameter than the main body 13 a. The small tubular part 73 a has a sliding groove 73b that extends circumferentially. The first rotating drum 63 includes a tubular main body 63a, an arm 63b sandwiched between two axially formed notches, and slide protrusions 63c disposed at the front end of the arm 63b and protruding in the inward radial direction. As shown in Fig. 14, the main body 63a of the first rotating drum 63 has a square insertion hole 63f. The drive shaft 8 having a rectangular section of the same size as that of the insertion hole 63f passes through the insertion hole 63f. Thus, the first rotating drum 63 rotates integrally with the drive shaft 8.

[0050]

The first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 are connected together as follows: the small tubular part 73a is inserted into the main body 63a and then the slide protrusions 63c are engaged with the sliding groove 73b while bending the slide protrusions 63c in the outward radial direction using the elasticity of the arm 63b. Thus, the first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 can no longer axially move relative to each other.

[0051]

As shown in Fig. 14, the second rotating drum 73 is provided with two restricting protrusions 73d protruding from the small tubular part 73a toward the first rotating drum 63 and disposed at intervals of 180 degrees. The tubular main body 63a of the first rotating drum 63 includes two restricting protrusions 63e protruding in the inward radial direction and disposed at intervals of 180 degrees. The restricting protrusions 73d and restricting protrusions 63e are alternately disposed in the same rotation orbit. That is, each restricting protrusion 63e is disposed between the two restricting protrusions 73d.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

For this reason, when the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 are rotated relative to each other, the restricting protrusions 73d and restricting protrusions 63e contact each other, thereby preventing further relative rotation of the rotating drums. Accordingly, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 can be rotated relative to each other to within a predetermined angular range but cannot be rotated relative to each other when the range is exceeded.

[0052]

Actually, as shown in Fig. 15, the first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 are connected together with a cone cap 14 therebetween. In this case, the connection structure is the same as that shown in Fig. 13(a). When the first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 are connected together with the cone cap 14 therebetween, a locking surface 63d of the first rotating drum 63 and a locking surface 73c of the second rotating drum 73 contact a partition 14j of the cone cap 14. Thus, the cone cap 14 can no longer axially move relative to the first and second rotation drums 63 and 73. In the first embodiment, when the locking nails 13b are engaged with the tubular locking part 14e, the rotating drum 13 can no longer axially move relative to the cone cap 14. In the present embodiment, on the other hand, when the first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 are engaged with each other with the cone cap 14 therebetween, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 can no longer move relative to the cone cap 14.

[0053]

As shown in Fig. 15, the cone cap 14 includes a groove engaging protrusion 14a, a connecting protrusion 14b, engaging protrusions 14c and 14d, a tubular brake part 14f, and a flange 14g. The functions of these parts are as described in the first embodiment. The cone cap 14 also including an insertion tubular part 14i disposed on the side of the flange 14g opposite to the side on which the tubular brake part 14f is disposed. The insertion tubular part 14i houses the first rotating drum 63 and is inserted in the winding cone 9.

[0054]

As shown in Fig. 16, as in the first embodiment, the cam clutch 12 and second rotating drum 73 are connected together when the slide protrusion 13d of the second rotating drum 73 is engaged with a slide hole 12d of the cam clutch 12. Further, as

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 shown in Fig. 17, as in the first embodiment, when a moving slit 12e and engaging protrusions 14c and 14d are engaged with each other, the cam clutch 12 and cone cap 14 are connected together so as to be relatively unrotatable and relatively movable along the axial direction.

[0055]

Next, operations of the horizontal blind thus configured will be described.

First, operations when pulling up the horizontal blind will be described.

When an operation cord 7 is operated and thus the drive shaft 8 is rotated in the horizontal blind pull-up direction [in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a)], the rotation is transmitted to the first rotating drum 63, which is then rotated in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 19(b). The first rotating drum 63 rotates relative to the second rotating drum 73 until the restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 contacts the restricting protrusion 73d of the second rotating drum 73. Thus, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become a first state shown in Figs. 19(a) and 19(b).

When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a) in this state, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 rotate integrally with each other in the direction of an arrow XU in Fig. 19(a). The first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 rotate relative to the cone cap 14 until the restricting protrusion 13e of the second rotating drum 73 contacts an engaging protrusion 14c of the cone cap 14. Thus, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become a second state shown in Figs. 19(c) and 19(d).

When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2 in this state, the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 rotate integrally with the drive shaft 8, thereby starting to wind the lift cord 5. At this time, the slide protrusion 13d of the second rotating drum 73 is located at a point A in the slide hole 12d of the cam clutch 12 shown in Fig. 16(b). Accordingly, the amount of protrusion of brake nails 12c from the cone cap 14 is small, and the cam clutch 12 is rotatable relative to the support member

11.

[0056]

Next, operations when pulling down the horizontal blind will be described.

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

Since the operations when pulling down the horizontal blind are performed using the self-weights of slats 3 and a bottom rail 4, the driving force for pull-down is transmitted from the winding cone 9 to the drive shaft 8.

[0057]

When a tension is applied to the lift cord 5 on the basis of the self-weight of the slats 3 and bottom rail 4, a force in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 2(a) is applied to the winding cone 9. The rotation based on this force is directly transmitted to the cone cap 14 and cam clutch 12, which are then rotated in the direction of an arrow XD in Fig. 19(c). At this point in time, as shown in Fig. 19(c), the restricting protrusion 13e is in contact with the engaging protrusion 14c. Accordingly, the restricting protrusion 13e receives a force in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 19(c) from the engaging protrusion 14c, and the second rotating drum 73 rotates integrally with the cone cap 14. Further, as shown in Fig. 19(d), the restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 is in contact with the restricting protrusion 73d of the second rotating drum 73. Accordingly, the restricting protrusion 13e receives a force in the direction of an arrow XD in Fig. 19(d) from the engaging protrusion 73d, and the first rotating drum 63 and drive shaft 8 rotate integrally with the second rotating drum 73. As seen above, the rotation of the winding cone 9 is transmitted to the cone cap 14, second rotating drum 73, first rotating drum 63, and drive shaft 8 in this order, and all these elements rotate integrally with one another.

[0058]

Next, there will be described operations when the bottom rail 4 collides with an obstacle or when the bottom rail 4 reaches the lower limit position and thus the rotation of the winding cone 9 is reduced or stopped.

When the rotation of the winding cone 9 is reduced or stopped and thus the rotation speed of the drive shaft 8 becomes higher than that of the winding cone 9, the restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 moves relative to the restricting protrusion 73d of the second rotating drum 73 in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 19(d). Thus, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become a third state shown in Figs. 20(a) and 20(b). When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow XD in Fig. 2(a) in this state, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 rotate

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 integrally with each other in the direction of an arrow X in Fig. 20(b). Thus, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become a fourth state shown in Figs. 20(c) to 20(d). At this time, the slide protrusion 13d of the second rotating drum 73 moves from the point A to a point B in the slide hole 12d of the cam clutch 12 shown in Fig. 16(b). Thus, the cam clutch 12 moves in the direction in which it is disengaged from the cone cap 14. Asa result, the amount of protrusion of the brake nails 12c from the cone cap 14 is increased; the brake nails 12c are engaged with the brake protrusion 1 lg of the support member 11; and the cam clutch 12 can no longer rotate relative to the support member 11. The cone cap 14 can no longer rotate relative to the support member 11. As shown in Fig. 20(c), when the restricting protrusion 13e contacts an engaging protrusion 14d, the second rotating drum 73 can no longer rotate relatively. As a result, the first rotating drum 63 can no longer rotate relative to the support member 11, thereby stopping the rotation of the drive shaft 8.

[0059]

When the drive shaft 8 is rotated in the pull-up direction [in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a)] in this state, the restricting protrusion 63e of the first rotating drum 63 moves in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 20(d), and the first rotating drum 63 rotates relative to the second rotating drum 73 by an angle S. Thus, the restricting protrusion 63e contacts the restricting protrusion 73d, and the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become the first state shown in Figs. 19(a) and 19(b).

When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a) in this state, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 rotate integrally with each other in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 19(a), and the second rotating drum 73 rotates relative to the cone cap 14 by an angle R. Thus, the restricting protrusion 13e contacts the engaging protrusion 14c, and the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 become the second state shown in Figs. 19(c) and 19(d).

When the drive shaft 8 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow XU in Fig. 2(a) in this state, the first and second rotating drums 63 and 73 rotate integrally with the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9, thereby starting to wind the lift cord 5.

[0060]

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

In the present embodiment, the angle R shown in Fig. 19(a) is smaller than the angle R in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 11(a). The reason why such a design is made is as follows. In the present embodiment, the second rotating drum 73 and first rotating drum 63 can rotate relative to each other. Accordingly, the rotation transmitted from the drive shaft 8 to the first rotating drum 63 is transmitted to the second rotating drum 73 with a delay corresponding to the angle S shown in Fig. 20(d); the rotation of the second rotating drum 73 is transmitted to the cone cap 14 and winding cone 9 with a delay corresponding to the angle R; and then the winding of the lift cord 5 is started.

Thus, after the drive shaft 8 is rotated by the angle S plus the angle R, the winding of the lift cord 5 is started. As a result, even when the angle R is smaller than that in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent an ascent of the bottom rail 4 during a tilt operation. To effectively prevent an ascent of the bottom rail 4 during a tilt operation, the angle S plus the angle R is preferably 80 degrees or more (more preferably 90, 100, 110, or 120 degrees or more).

[0061]

The present embodiment may be carried out in the following modes.

One or more drums may be further disposed between the first rotating drum 63 and second rotating drum 73 so that the rotation is transmitted to the adjacent drums with delays corresponding to predetermined angles. Thus, the amount of delay of the rotation transmission from the drive shaft 8 can be further increased.

[0062]

Other Embodiments of First Aspect

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the start of the winding of the lift cord 5 is prevented when the slats 3 are being tilted with the bottom rail 4 located in the lower limit position, as shown in Fig. 12. Thus, there is accomplished the object of preventing the leakage of light by preventing the lower limit position of the bottom rail 4 from varying between when the slats 3 are fully closed and when the slats 3 are reversely fully closed. This object is accomplished by setting, to 80 degrees or more, an angle V until the winding cone 9 starts to rotate after an obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 is activated to rotate, in the pull-up direction, the drive shaft 8 whose rotation is stopped [the state shown in Fig. 11 in the first embodiment; the fourth

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 state shown in Figs. 20(c) and 20(d) in the second embodiment]. In this embodiment, the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10 need not necessarily be an element different from a winding cone 9. As in Patent Literature 1, the winding cone 9 may be part of the obstacle detection/stop apparatus 10.

[0063]

The upper limit of the angle V is not limited to a particular angle. However, too large an angle V would reduce the obstacle detection accuracy. For this reason, the upper limit is, for example, 300 degrees. More specifically, the angle V is, for example, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 degrees, or may be between any two of the values presented.

[0064]

The present embodiment of the first aspect provides a sunlight shielding apparatus. The sunlight shielding apparatus includes a head box, a sunlight shielding member suspended from and supported by the head box, a lift cord configured to raise or lower the sunlight shielding member, a winding cone disposed in the head box and configured to wind and unwind the lift cord, a drive shaft configured to rotate the winding cone, and an obstacle detection/stop apparatus configured to, when the sunlight shielding member is lowered, detect a reduction in a tension applied to the lift cord and to stop rotation of the drive shaft. When the drive shaft whose rotation has been stopped by the obstacle detection/stop apparatus is rotated in a direction in which the sunlight shielding member is pulled up, an idle angle V from when rotation of the drive shaft is started to when rotation of the winding cone is started is 80 degrees or more.

Preferably, the sunlight shielding apparatus is a horizontal blind. Preferably, the sunlight shielding member is vertically arranged multiple slats. Preferably, the sunlight shielding apparatus further includes a tilt mechanism configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft and to change a tilt angle of the slats.

Preferably, the tilt mechanism includes a tilt drum configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a tilt spring attached to the tilt drum, and a ladder cord configured to support the slats and having an upper end attached to the tilt spring.

Description of Reference Signs

2014263713 04 Dec 2015 [0065]

1: head box

2: ladder cord

4: bottom rail

5: lift cord

9: winding cone 11: support member 1 lg: brake protrusion

12: cam clutch

13: rotating drum 14: cone cap

23: tilt drum

2014263713 04 Dec 2015

Claims

Claims

1. A cam unit comprising:

a cone cap that is detachably engaged with a winding cone for winding and unwinding a lift cord and rotates integrally with the winding cone;

a rotating drum that is engaged with the cone cap so that an axial movement of the rotating drum is restricted, and that can rotate relative to the cone cap within a predetermined angular range and rotates integrally with the cone cap when the angular range is exceeded; and a cam clutch that rotates integrally with the cone cap and that is engaged with the rotating drum so that the cam clutch axially moves relative to the cone cap upon rotation of the rotating drum.
2. The cam unit of Claim 1, wherein the cone cap comprises a tubular brake part housing the rotating drum and the cam clutch, the tubular brake part comprises a pair of engaging protrusions, the rotating drum comprises a restricting protrusion disposed between the pair of engaging protrusions, the cam clutch has a pair of moving slits that are engaged with the pair of engaging protrusions, and when the rotating drum rotates relative to the cone cap, the restricting protrusion contacts the engaging protrusions and thus a range in which the rotating drum can rotate relative to the cone cap is restricted.

1/36

FIG. 1

24b2 24a2

2/36
3/36

FIG. 3

Αβ⁶

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11e 51c 51d 51f 11e m

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FIG. 7

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FIG. 9 .Ω

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FIG. 11

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FIG. 13 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT co

CD

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FIG. 14 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT

14a

FIG. 15 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT

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FIG. 16 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT ¢0 co co ,Ό

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SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT

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FIG. 18 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT co

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FIG. 19 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT

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FIG. 20 SECOND EMBODIMENT OF FIRST ASPECT

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FIG. 23 FIRST EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT

9a (a).

9a (b)

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Sectional view

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Enlarged view of the area X 'W

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FIG. 24 FIRST EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT

24/36

FIG. 25 FIRST EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT (a) (b)

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Second ladder code

25/36

FIG. 26 FIRST EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT (a) (b)

First ladder code Second ladder code ^β/3_β

6c

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FIG. 29 FORTH EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT

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FIG. 30 FIFTH EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT

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FIG. 31 FIFTH EMBODIMENT OF SECOND ASPECT (a) (b)

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31/36 _Q

FIG. 32 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT

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FIG. 33 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT σ>

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FIG. 34 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT

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FIG. 35 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT —, T3 rt CD

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FIG. 36 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT

36/36 .37 EMBODIMENT OF THIRD ASPECT