DK201900916A1

DK201900916A1 - Electrical Window Opener Comprising a Chain Actuator

Info

Publication number: DK201900916A1
Application number: DKPA201900916A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Darum Jesper; Mathiesen Jean; Dolleris Claus
Original assignee: Acre Calidus Aps
Priority date: 2019-07-31
Filing date: 2019-07-31
Publication date: 2021-03-22
Also published as: EP4004319A1; WO2021018359A1

Abstract

An electrical window opener (2) for opening and closing a window (12) that moveably arranged to a window frame (14) is disclosed. The window opener (2) comprises: - a housing (4) having a length (L) and a longitudinal axis (X); - an electrical motor (34) arranged in the housing (4); - a chain (8) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a window bracket (10) and the second end is attached to an attachment structure arranged in the housing (4), - a frame bracket (16) for rotatably attaching the housing (4) to the window frame (14) in order to allow the housing (4) to be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis (X). A first connection portion (30, 32) configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a second corresponding connection portion (30, 32) is provided in the end of the housing (4). The window opener (2) comprises an additional module (56, 58, 60) provided with the second corresponding connection portion (30, 32).

Description

DK 2019 00916 A1 1 Electrical Window Opener Comprising a Chain Actuator Field of invention The present invention relates to an electrical window opener for opening and closing a window that is hinged to a window frame.

More particularly the invention relates to an electrical window opener hav- ing a chain actuator.

Prior art Electrical window openers are used for various solutions including domestic applications, in which windows that are hinged to a window frame are required to be automatically opened and closed.

The typi- cal electrical window opener for opening and closing windows that are hinged to a window frame comprises a large housing configured to be rotatably attached to a window frame by means of two frame brack- ets attached in each end of the housing.

The pivot axis of each frame bracket normally extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hous- ing.

These prior art window openers typically comprise a moveably arranged chain extending between an attachment point inside the housing and a window bracket attached to the window.

An electric motor mounted inside the housing is configured to open and close the window by rolling or pushing in and out the chain whereby the distance between the housing and the window bracket is changed.

The cabinet/housing of a prior art window opener is, however, often very large.

Therefore, the housing is typically too large or difficult to build into a window frame.

Thus, there is a need for an electrical window opener which reduces or even eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical window opener that is smaller than the prior art window openers.

It is also an object

DK 2019 00916 A1 2 to provide an electrical window opener that is suitable for being built into a window frame or another structure such as a window sash. Summary of the invention The object of the present invention can be achieved by an electrical window opener defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are de- fined in the dependent subclaims, explained in the following descrip- tion and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The electrical window opener according to the invention is an electri- cal window opener for opening and closing a window that is moveably (typically rotatably) arranged to a window frame, wherein the win- dow opener comprises: - a housing having a length and a longitudinal axis; - an electrical motor arranged in the housing; - a chain having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a window bracket and the second end is attached to an attachment structure arranged in the housing, - a frame bracket for rotatably attaching the housing to the window frame in order to allow the housing to be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis, wherein a first connection portion configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a second corresponding connection portion is provided in the end of the housing and that the window opener com- prises an additional module provided with the second corresponding connection portion.

Hereby, it is possible to connect the housing to an additional module (e.g. a battery module, a power module or a communication module) in a fast, reliable and user-friendly manner. Moreover, it is possible to minimise the dimensions (e.g. the length) of the housing since ad- ditional components (e.g. a power unit, a battery assembly and a

DK 2019 00916 A1 3 communication unit) can be provided elsewhere so that these addi- tional components do not take up place in the housing. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an electrical window opener that is smaller than the prior art window openers. Thus, the electrical window opener is suitable for being built into a window frame. It may be an advantage that a second connection portion configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a corresponding con- nection portion is provided in the opposite end of the housing. Here- by, it is possible to connect the housing to two modules (e.g. a power module and a communication module). Moreover, since the space for the components of the modules are not needed in the housing, it is possible to provide a small housing.

It may be beneficial that the first connection portion comprises a fe- male electrical connection member configured to be electrically con- nected to a corresponding male electrical connection member. Here- by, it is possible to provide a secure and reliable electrical connec- tion.

It may be advantageous that the second connection portion compris- es a male electrical connection member configured to be electrically connected to the corresponding female electrical connection member. This will enable a secure and reliable electrical connection.

It may be beneficial that the male electrical connection member com- prises three parallel pins configured to be received by corresponding apertures of the female electrical connection member. Accordingly, a secure and reliable electrical connection can be provided in a simple manner. In one embodiment, the male electrical connection member comprises two parallel pins configured to be received by correspond- ing apertures of the female electrical connection member. In one

DK 2019 00916 A1 4 embodiment, the male electrical connection member comprises four or more parallel pins configured to be received by corresponding ap- ertures of the female electrical connection member.

It may be an advantage that the pins extend parallel to the longitudi- nal axis of the housing and/or module. Hereby, the electrical and me- chanical connection of adjacent modules and/or the housing can be provided by pressing the adjacent modules and/or the housing to- gether.

It may be advantageous that the first connection portion comprises a first mechanical plug structure and that the second connection por- tion comprises a second corresponding mechanical plug structure. Hereby, a firm a reliable mechanical connection can be provided.

It may be beneficial that corresponding holes are provided in corre- sponding connection portions, wherein said holes are suitable for be- ing used to mechanically locking the housing to an adjacent module or two adjacent modules together by means of an insert structures such as a screw, pin or a spring pin. Hereby, it is possible to lock the modules or housing together in a simple, secure and safe manner. In one embodiment, the additional module is a power module. The power module may be arranged in any suitable position and be con- figured to be connected to the mains by means of a plug and cable. In one embodiment, the additional module is a battery module. Hereby, it is possible to operate the electrical window opener in case of power failure. Moreover, the use of a battery module makes it possible to reduce the capacity and size of the power supply com- pared with the ones found in the prior art. Since the batteries are charged when the motor is not active, the battery module constitutes

DK 2019 00916 A1 a power source that can be used to add power to the power provided by the power supply when the motor is active and thus power con- suming. Since the power supply is required to deliver a smaller pow- er, it is possible to user electrical cables that are thinner than in the 5 prior art window openers. In one embodiment, the additional module is a communication mod- ule.

In one embodiment, the electrical window opener comprises one or more electrical cables comprising a male plug and a female plug, wherein said cable is configured to electrically connect the housing and/or modules to each other via electrical coupling structures in the connection portions. Hereby, it is possible to arrange the modules in a distance from the housing. This enables a variety of design configu- rations and makes it possible to provide a user-friendly solution.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the up- per portion is detachably attached to the lower portion e.g. by means of any suitable mechanical attachment means such as corresponding male and female connection elements (including screws).

In one embodiment, the housing has a box-shaped geometry. It pre- ferred that the housing is elongated and has a rectangular cross- section.

In a preferred embodiment the electrical motor is a direct current (DC) motor. In one embodiment, the motor comprises or is connect- ed to a shaft being at least partly made in a flexible material such as rubber or plastic. This makes it possible to reduce vibrations from the motor to spread into the surroundings. Hereby, the noise level of the

DK 2019 00916 A1 6 motor can be reduced. It is, however, to use another type of electric motor. In one embodiment, the electrical motor is an alternating cur- rent (AC) motor.

The first end of the chain is attached to a window bracket and the second end of the chain is attached to an attachment structure ar- ranged in the housing, wherein the chain is configured to be rolled up and rolled out by means of the motor.

In one embodiment the frame bracket is a one-piece body having a length that basically corresponds to the distance between the two attachment points.

It may be an advantage that the frame bracket is attached to the housing by means of a first mounting structure and a second mount- ing structure, wherein the mounting structures are rotatably attached to corresponding structure arranged in the housing. Hereby, it is pos- sible to provide a fast and user-friendly attachment of the frame bracket to the housing.

It may be beneficial that the housing comprises a side portion pro- vided with two recesses, wherein a portion of the mounting struc- tures extend through the recesses and protrude from the housing. Hereby the mounting structures can be mechanically attached to the frame bracket (e.g. by means of screws).

It may be advantageous that each mounting structure comprises a receiving portion being rotatably attached to a corresponding shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Hereby, it is possible to provide a reliable and simple rotatably attachment of the mounting structures to the housing.

DK 2019 00916 A1 7 It may be an advantage that the receiving portion is cylindrical and comprises a cylindrical through bore configured to receive the shaft. It may be beneficial that the window opener comprises a frame bracket provided with two protruding members, wherein the frame bracket is configured to be attached to the window frame. In one embodiment, each mounting structure comprises a plate- shaped portion configured to be attached to a corresponding protrud- ing member of the frame bracket. The attachment of the plate- shaped portion to the corresponding protruding member of the frame bracket can be accomplished by means of a screw inserted into a hole provided in the plate-shaped portion of the mounting structure and screwing the screw into a corresponding structure (e.g. threaded structure) in the protruding member. It may be an advantage that the housing comprises a gear assembly comprising a series of engaging gear structures, wherein the first mounting structures is provided between the attachment of the chain and the gear assembly. In a preferred embodiment, gear assembly having a series of engag- ing toothed wheel is arranged in the housing. In a preferred embodi- ment, a worm wheel configured to be driven by a worm screw pro- vided in the distal end of a motor shaft is provided in the housing. By having a gear assembly, it is possible to ensure that the rotation of the driving motor can roll up and roll out the chain and deliver the required torque to open and close the window.

It may be advantageous that the second mounting structure is pro- vided next to the gear assembly in the opposite end than the first

DK 2019 00916 A1 8 mounting structure. In a preferred embodiment, the housing houses a gear assembly having a series of engaging toothed wheel as well as a worm wheel configured to be driven by a worm screw provided in the distal end of a motor shaft. It may be beneficial that an opening is provided in the housing be- tween the first mounting structure and the second mounting struc- ture, wherein the chain is arranged to extend from the inside of the housing through said opening and protrude from the housing. Here- by, a small force arm and thus the bending moment (the internal re- action of the housing to the bending load caused by the chain force) can be achieved.

It may be advantageous that the mounting structures are provided within the two central quarters of the length of the housing. Hereby, a very small force arm and thus the bending moment can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the mounting structures is provid- ed within the central third of the length of the housing. Hereby, it is possible to minimise the force arm and thus the bending moment.

It may be beneficial that a first connection portion configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a corresponding connec- tion portion is provided in the end of the housing. Hereby, it is possi- ble to connect the housing to an additional module (e.g. a battery module, a power module or a communication module) in a fast, relia- ble and user-friendly manner. Moreover, it is possible to minimise the dimensions (e.g. the length) of the housing since additional compo- nents (e.g. a power unit, a battery assembly and a communication

DK 2019 00916 A1 9 unit) can be provided elsewhere so that these additional components do not take up place in the housing. It may be advantageous that a second connection portion configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a corresponding con- nection portion is provided in the opposite end of the housing. Here- by, it is possible to mechanically and electrically connect the housing to several additional modules (e.g. a battery module, a power mod- ule or a communication module) in a fast, reliable and user-friendly manner.

Since the force arm is much shorter than in prior art window openers, the bending moment (the internal reaction of the housing to the bending load caused by the chain force) is much smaller. The strength and stiffness of the housing can be reduced due to the smaller bending moment. Thus, the housing may be produced in a less stiff material such as plastic. Moreover, it is possible to make a window opener that is smaller than the prior art window openers.

It may be an advantage to have a window frame having built-in elec- trical window opener according to the invention. The window opener may comprise several motor modules in case a large force is needed to open and lock the window. Due to the small size of the housing of the window opener, the invention enables an easier integration of the window opener into a window frame. It may be an advantage to have another structure (e.g. a window sash) comprising a built-in electrical

DK 2019 00916 A1 10 window opener according to the invention.

Description of the Drawings The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below.

The accompanying drawings are giv- en by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1A shows a prior art electrical window opener mounted on a window frame;

Fig. 1B shows an electrical window opener according to the in- vention;

Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of a window opener according to the invention;

Fig. 2B shows a close-up view of perspective view of a rotatably mounted mounting structure of a window opener accord- ing to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows the components inside a housing of a window opener according to the invention;

Fig. 4A shows the motor components of a first window opener according to the invention;

Fig. 4B shows the motor components of a second window open- er according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a motor housing of a win-

dow opener according to the invention;

Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of a window opener according to the invention arranged in a first configuration;

Fig. 6B shows a perspective view of a window opener according to the invention arranged in a second configuration;

Fig. 7A shows a perspective view of two modules of a window opener according to the invention;

Fig. 7B shows another perspective view of the two modules

DK 2019 00916 A1 11 shown in Fig. 7A; Fig. 8A shows the two modules shown in Fig. 7A and a cable for connecting them electrically to each other and Fig. 8B shows another cable for connecting the two modules shown in Fig. 7A electrically to each other. Detailed description of the invention Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, an electrical window opener 2 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1B. Fig. 1A, however, shows a prior art electrical window opener 102 mounted on a window frame 14. The window opener 102 comprises a large housing 104 that is rotatably attached to the window frame 14 by means of two frame brackets 106. The frame brackets 106 are attached in each end of the housing 104 so that the pivot axis of each frame bracket 106 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the housing 104. The prior art window opener 102 comprises a moveably arranged chain 8 extending between its attachment point inside the housing 104 and a window bracket 10 attached to an awn- ing window 12 hinged on top. Accordingly, the motor (not shown) inside the housing 104 can open and close the window 12 by rolling up and rolling out the chain 8 herby changing the distance between the housing a04 and the window bracket 10.

The housing 104 of the prior art window opener 102 is very large and this not fit for being build into a window frame. Moreover, due to the long force arm (the distance between the attachment point of the chain 8 inside the housing 104 and the attachment point of the frame brackets 106) the bending moment (the internal reaction of the housing 104 to the bending load caused by the chain force) is rather large. Accordingly, housing 104 is required to be strong and stiff.

DK 2019 00916 A1 12 Fig. 1B, on the other hand, illustrates an electrical window opener 2 according to the invention. Since the force arm (the distance between the attachment point of the chain 8 inside the housing 4 and the mounting structure 6, 6) is much shorter than in the prior art window opener 102 shown in Fig. 1A, the bending moment (the internal reaction of the housing 4 to the bending load caused by the chain force) is much smaller. Accord- ingly, the housing 4 may be produced in a less stiff material such as plastic. Moreover, the dimensions of the housing 4 can be significant- ly decreased compared with the prior art window opener 102 shown in Fig. 1A. Therefore, the electrical window opener 2 according to the invention is suitable for being built into a window frame 14. In one embodiment according to the invention, the electrical window opener 2 is built into a window frame 14. In one embodiment according to the invention, the electrical window opener 2 build into another struc- ture of a window. In one embodiment according to the invention, the electrical window opener 2 build into a window sash.

Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a window opener according to the invention. The window opener comprises an elongated housing 4. The housing 4 is basically box-shaped and has a longitudinal axis X. The housing 4 comprises an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 28’ attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion 28 is detachably attached to the lower portion 28’. The attachment may be provided by means of any suitable mechanical attachment means such as corresponding male and female connection elements (includ- ing screws).

The window opener comprises two mounting structures 6, 6’. Each mounting structure 6, 6' comprises a receiving portion 18 being ro- tatably attached to a corresponding shaft 20 extending parallel to the

DK 2019 00916 A1 13 longitudinal axis X. The receiving portion 18 is cylindrical and com- prises a cylindrical through bore configured to receive the shaft 20. The window opener comprises a frame bracket 16 provided with two protruding members 24, 24’. The frame bracket 16 is configured to be attached to a window frame. Each mounting structure 6, 6’ comprises a plate-shaped portion con- figured to be attached to a corresponding protruding member 24, 24’ of the frame bracket 16. This can be accomplished by means of a screw inserted into a hole 22 provided in the plate-shaped portion of the mounting structure 6, 6’ and screwing the screw into a corre- sponding structure (e.g. threaded structure) in the protruding mem- ber 24, 24’. A chain 8 protrudes from an opening in the upper portion 28 of the housing 4. This chain 8 is movably attached to a drive unit comprising an electrical motor (see Fig. A and Fig. 4B). When the chain 8 is rolled up or rolled out by means of the motor, the distance between the point of attachment of the chain in the housing 4 and on the window (not shown), the housing 4 is rotated with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The rotation R is indicated with an arrow.

Fig. 2B illustrates a close-up view of perspective view of a rotatably mounted mounting structure 6’ of a window opener corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 2A. It can be seen that the plate-shaped por- tion of the mounting structure 6’ extends in a direction other than the direction of the chain 8, whereas in Fig. 2A, the mounting structure 6’ and the chain 8 extend parallel to each other. Rotation of the mount- ing structure 6’ can be done by rotating the receiving portion 18 with respect to the shaft (see Fig. 2A) that has been received by the re- ceiving portion 18.

Fig. 3 illustrates the components inside a housing 4 of a window opener 2 according to the invention. The window opener 2 corre-

DK 2019 00916 A1 14 sponds to the one shown in Fig. 2A. The inside structures of the housing 4 are visible because the upper portion of the housing has been removed. The housing 4 houses a chain 8 arranged in chain portion 82 of the housing 4. In each end, the housing 4 is provided with a connection portion 30, 32. The first connection portion 30 is configured to be electrically and mechanically connected with a corre- sponding connection portion 32 as the one provided in the opposite end of the housing 4. The housing 4 houses a gear assembly 40 having a series of engag- ing toothed wheel 44, 46, 48, 50 as well as a worm wheel 42 config- ured to be driven by a worm screw provided in the distal end of a motor shaft (see Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B). The gear assembly 40 is con- figured to ensure that the rotation of the driving motor (see Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B) can roll up and roll out the chain 8. Two mounting struc- tures 6, 6’ provided with a hole 22 are rotatably attached to corre- sponding structures inside the housing 4. The length L of the housing 4 is indicated. It can be seen that the mounting structures 6, 6’ are provided within the two central quar- ters 1/4 L of the housing 4. Moreover, one of the mounting structures 6’ is provided with the central third 4 L of the length L of the housing

4. This mounting structure 6’ is provided between the attachment of the chain 8 and the gear assembly 40. The other mounting structure 6 is provided next to the gear assembly 40. Fig. 4A illustrates the motor components of a first window opener according to the invention. The window opener comprises a housing 4 corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 3. The housing 4 has a longi- tudinal axis X and a gear assembly 40. The housing 4 houses an elec- tric motor 34 that is arranged near that end portion of the housing 4, in which the connection portion 32 is provided. The motor 34 has a

DK 2019 00916 A1 15 motor shaft 36 that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing 4. In one embodiment, the motor 34 is a DC motor. In another embod- iment, the motor 34 is an AC motor. In a preferred embodiment, the motor shaft 36 is at least partly made in a flexible material such as rubber or plastic in order to reduce vibrations from the motor 34 to spread into the surroundings. Hereby, the noise level of the motor can be reduced.

A worm screw 38 is provided at the end of the motor shaft 38. The worm screw 38 is brought into engagement with the worm wheel 42. It can be seen that the mounting structures 6, 6’ are attached inside the housing 4 and are provided at each side of the gear assembly 40.

Fig. 4B illustrates the motor components of a second window opener according to the invention. The window opener comprises a housing 4 that basically corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 4A, however, the mounting structures 6, 6’ are attached on the outside of the housing 4 by means of attachment elements. Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a motor housing 4 of a window opener 2 according to the invention. The housing 4 corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 3 and comprises an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 28’ attached thereto. An opening 54 is provided in the housing 4. This opening 54 is established in order to permit the chain inside the housing 4 to protrude therefrom and be rolled up and be rolled out in order to open and close the window (not shown) to which the window opener 2 is mounted.

The housing 4 is provided with recesses 52 through which the plate- shaped part of the rotatably mounted mounting structures 6, 6’ (pro-

DK 2019 00916 A1 16 vided with holes 22 for mechanical attachment to a frame bracket) extend. The recesses 52 allow the mounting structures 6, 6’ to be rotated and hereby rotate the housing with respect to its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, these recesses 52 are configured as to al- low the mounting structures 6, 6’ to be rotated more than 90 degrees and hereby rotate the housing with respect to its longitudinal axis. The housing 4 comprises a first connection portion 30 and a second connection portion 32 configured to be electrically and mechanically connected to a corresponding structure (another module as shown in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B). A hole 62, 64 is provided in both the connection portion 30 to the left and in the connection por- tion 32 to the right. These holes 62, 64 are suitable for being used to mechanically locking two adjacent modules together by means of a screw. It can be seen that the second connection portion 32 comprises a female electrical connection member 70 (see Fig. 7A for a better view).

Fig. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a window opener 2 according to the invention arranged in a first configuration and Fig. 6B illus- trates a perspective view of the window opener 2 shown in Fig. 6A in a second configuration. The window opener 2 comprises a housing 4 corresponding to the one shown in and explained with reference to Fig. 2A, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The housing 4 comprises an upper portion 28 attached to a lower portion 28’. In Fig. 6B both mounting structures 6, 6’ protrude from the housing 4, however, in Fig. 6A only one mounting structure 6’ protrudes from the housing 4, whereas the other mounting structure 6’ is arranged inside the recess 52. In Fig. 6B, the chain 8 protrudes from the open-

DK 2019 00916 A1 17 ing 54, whereas in Fig. 6A, the chain 8 is rolled up inside the housing

4.

The window opener 2 comprises a battery module 58 provided with a first connection portion 30 and a second connection portion 32.

The housing 4 comprises a first connection portion 30 and a second connection portion 32 arranged in the opposite end. The second con- nection portion 32 is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first connection portion 30 of the battery module

58.

The window opener 2 comprises a power module 56 provided with a power cable 66 and a plug 68 configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding electrical socket. The power module 56 is provid- ed with a connection portion 32 configured to be electrically and me- chanically connected to the first connection portion 30 of the housing

4.

The window opener 2 comprises a communicating module 60 provid- ed with a connection portion 30 configured to be electrically and me- chanically to the second connection portion 32 of the battery module

58.

Since all male connection portions 30 correspond to all female con- nection portions 32, it is possible to arrange the modules in a differ- ent order than the one shown in Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B.

It can be seen that holes 62, 64 for mechanically locking correspond- ing connection portions together are provided. Hereby, it is possible to mechanically lock adjacent modules to each other by means of a screw.

DK 2019 00916 A1 18 Fig. 7A illustrates a perspective view of two modules (a battery mod- ule 58 and a communication module 60) of a window opener accord- ing to the invention and Fig. 7B illustrates another perspective view of the two modules shown in Fig. 7A. The battery module 58 com- prises a male connection portion 32 having a male mechanical plug structure 83 provided with a protruding wall 74. The male mechanical plug structure 83 is shaped and configured to be engagedly received by the female mechanical plug structure 84 of the female connection portion 30 of the communication module 60. The communication module 60 is provided with a female electrical connection member 70 that is shaped and configured to be electrically connected with the corresponding male electrical connection member 72 of the battery module 58. Accordingly, the battery module 58 and the communica- tion module 60 can be mechanically and electrically connected to each other in a fast and reliable manner.

Fig. 8 illustrates the battery module 58 and the communication mod- ule 60 shown in Fig. 7A and a cable 86 electrically for connecting these modules 58, 60 to each other. The cable 86 comprises a male plug 88 and a female plug 94. The cable 86 may in principle be used to connect any modules electrically to each other. The cable 86 may by way of example be used to electrically connect the battery module 58 and the communication module 60 to each other.

The male plug 88 has three parallel pins 90 configured to be received by corresponding apertures 96 of the female plug 94. In order to me- chanically secure the plug 88, 94 to a module 58, 60 the plugs 88, 94 comprise engagement structures for attaching the plugs 88, 94 to corresponding engagement structures of the module 58, 60. The male plug 88 is provided with receiving engagement structures 92, whereas the female plug 94 is provided with protruding engagement structures 100.

DK 2019 00916 A1 19 Fig. 8B illustrates another cable 86 for connecting the two modules shown in Fig. 7A electrically to each other. The cable 86 comprises a male plug 88 and a female plug 94. The male plug 88 has three par- allel pins 90 configured to be received by corresponding apertures of the female plug 94 or in a female electrical connection member 70 (e.g. of a communication module 60 like the one shown in Fig. 8A). In another embodiment, the male plug 88 may comprise another number (e.g. 2, 4 og 5) of parallel pins 90 configured to be received by corresponding apertures 96 of the female plug 94.

Accordingly, the module 58, 60 can either be mechanically and elec- trically connected to each other by inserting their connection portions to each other (see Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B) or be electrically connected to each other by means of a cable 86 like shown in Fig. 8A og Fig. 8B.

DK 2019 00916 A1 20 List of reference numerals 2 Window opener 4 Housing 6, 6' Mounting structure 8 Chain Window bracket 12 Window 14 Window frame 10 16 Frame bracket 18 Receiving portion 20 Shaft 22 Hole 24, 24’ Protruding member 26 Hole 28 Upper portion 28' Lower portion 30 Connection portion 32 Connection portion 34 Electrical motor 36 Motor shaft 38 Worm screw 40 Gear assembly 42 Worm wheel 44, 46 Toothed wheel 48, 50 Toothed wheel 52 Recess 54 Opening 56 Power module 58 Battery module 60 Communication module 62 Hole

DK 2019 00916 A1 21 64 Hole 66 Power cable 68 Plug 70 Female electrical connection member 72 Male electrical connection member 74 Protruding wall 75 Receiving portion 76 Mounting element 78 Bore 80 Mounting element 82 Chain portion 83 Male mechanical plug structure 84 Female mechanical plug structure 86 Cable 88 Male plug 90 Pin 92 Receiving engagement structure 94 Female plug 96 Aperture 98 Wall portion 100 Protruding engagement structure 102 Electrical window opener (prior art) 104 Housing (prior art) 106 Frame bracket (prior art) R Rotation X Longitudinal axis

Claims

DK 2019 00916 A1 22 Claims

1. A an electrical window opener (2) for opening and closing a win- dow (12) that is moveably arranged to a window frame (14), wherein the window opener (2) comprises: - a housing (4) having a length (L) and a longitudinal axis (X); - an electrical motor (34) arranged in the housing (4); - a chain (8) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a window bracket (10) and the second end is at- tached to an attachment structure arranged in the housing (4), - a frame bracket (16) for rotatably attaching the housing (4) to the window frame (14) in order to allow the housing (4) to be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis (X), characterised in that a first connection portion (30, 32) configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a second corre- sponding connection portion (30, 32) is provided in the end of the housing (4) and that the window opener (2) comprises an additional module (56, 58, 60) provided with the second corresponding connec- tion portion (30, 32).

2. An electrical window opener (2) according to claim 1, character- ised in that a second connection portion (30, 32) configured to be mechanically and electrically conacred to a corresponding connection portion (30, 32) is provided in the opposite end of the housing (4).

3. A an electrical window opener (2) according to claim 1 or 2, char- acterised in that the first connection portion (30) comprises a fe- male electrical connection member (70) configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding male electrical connection member (72).

4. An electrical window opener (2) according to claim 3, character- ised in that the second connection portion (32) comprises a male

DK 2019 00916 A1 23 electrical connection member (72) configured to be electrically con- nected to the corresponding female electrical connection member (70).

5. A an electrical window opener (2) according to claim 4, character- ised in that the male electrical connection member (72) comprises three parallel pins (90) configured to be received by corresponding apertures (96) of the female electrical connection member (72).

6. An electrical window opener (2) according to claim 3, character- ised in that the pins (90) extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing (4) and/or module (56, 58, 60).

7. An electrical window opener (2) according to claim 3, character- ised in that the first connection portion (30) comprises a first me- chanical plug structure (83, 84) and that the second connection por- tion (32) comprises a second corresponding mechanical plug struc- ture (83, 84).

8. An electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that corresponding holes (62, 64) are pro- vided in corresponding connection portions (30, 32), wherein said holes (62, 64) are suitable for being used to mechanically locking the housing (4) to an adjacent module (56, 58, 60) or two adjacent modules (56, 58, 60) together by means of an insert structures such as a screw, pin or a spring pin.

9. An electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additional module (56, 58, 60) is a power module (56).

10. A an electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preced-

DK 2019 00916 A1 24 ing claims, characterised in that the additional module (56, 58, 60) is a battery module (58).

11. A an electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preced- ing claims, characterised in that the additional module (56, 58, 60) is a communication module (60).

12. An electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electrical window opener (2) com- prises one or more electrical cables (86) comprising a male plug (88) and a female plug (94), wherein said cable (86) is configured to elec- trically connect the housing (4) and/or modules (56, 58, 60) to each other via electrical coupling structures in the connection portions (30, 32).

13. A window frame (14) having built-in electrical window opener (2) according to one of the preceding claims.