EP0453781B1 - Method and device for the positioning control of a blind or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

It is proposed that the utilization period of the awning be increased in connection with automatic or manual manual control means in that the awning is preferably incrementally retracted as a function of the magnitude of the wind velocity, as determined through measurement, with the wind velocity being determined in corresponding graduations, and, as a function thereof, in that the control unit for the awning drive motor moves the awning to intermediate awning positions which have priority over all other control influences. In addition to the limit switches, which are present anyway and which indicate the "fully retracted" or "fully extended" positions, a plurality of intermediate sensors, corresponding to the number of desired increments, are disposed to determine the intermediate positions, with the signals output by the intermediate sensors, which indicate the actual position of the awning being compared with wind-velocity-determined awning setpoint position signals.

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 11.

Usually, shading systems, awnings or other devices comparable to them, for example roller shutters, roller shutters or the like, have a type of curtain or the awning cover, which is wound on a shaft and can be removed more or less completely from it, if desired .

Apart from the fully manually operated shading systems, which will not be dealt with further here, it is known state of the art to drive the shaft or roller on which the awning fabric or other fabric web serving for shading is wound by an electric motor is automatically switched off in the end positions of the awning. For this purpose, the known, electrically controllable awnings have corresponding limit switches of usually electromechanical design, which must be adjusted as precisely as possible during assembly in order to avoid the drive motor becoming blocked.

In this context, in a known guard control for movable sun protection devices on buildings, in particular awnings (DE-A-2 931 956), special temperature-sensitive sensors are used, which are equipped with a heater for the purpose of wind sensing, which is at a distance from the sensors. The zero position of the sensors and the heating is adjusted so that the wind that comes up removes all or part of the heat from the heating and the sensor delivers a switching pulse, but only a single switching pulse for the awning drive. The special embodiment of such a temperature-sensitive wind detection sensor is such that two bimetal springs are provided, one of which is close to the heating resistor. Therefore, as soon as the heat of the heater is dissipated by a predetermined amount of wind, the bimetallic springs curve in the different degrees, so that a switch contact is actuated and the switching pulse for the awning drive is formed. With a uniform temperature change in the environment, both bimetal springs deform simultaneously and evenly, so that such a function, which occurs, for example, in intense sunlight, can be used to control the angular position of the awning cover.

This known guard control is therefore designed so that when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined value that corresponds to a no longer acceptable wind load of the amount of awning extended, the awning drive motor is controlled by the control so that the awning is retracted completely. The known control unit can therefore only work according to the principle of "awning fully extended / awning fully retracted", which leads to the disadvantage that the primary function of the awning as a sun protection system can very often not be fulfilled, because of the necessarily fast even in weak winds Response of the control unit to protect the fully extended awning cover against damage.

In another context, it is already known (DE-A-38 06 733) to provide a sensor arrangement for monitoring or controlling a roller shutter or also an awning, which generates an individual pulse sequence for each curtain, in each case by individual slats of a roller shutter curtain wear soft or permanent magnetic inserts adjacent to the sensor, to which the sensor responds in the form of a reed switch and thus generates a pulse train when the curtain passes. This pulse sequence is compared with a pulse sequence stored in a microprocessor, and the control signals required for the shutdown in the respective end positions are derived from the comparison. In this way, it is possible to simplify the individual adjustment by evaluating the pulse sequence generated by the moving curtain and also to automatically compensate for any lengthening of the curtain that may occur in the course of time; however, since in this known monitoring and control drive only the problems arising in the case of roller shutters are dealt with, problems typical of awnings which result from solar radiation and / or wind speed are avoided from the outset.

In connection with shading systems or awnings, and in the following the term awning is used exclusively, without this being to be understood as being restrictive with regard to other possible applications of the present invention, more automated control systems are also known, which when they are in the automated operating mode are, depending on whether the sun is shining or not, extend the awning, the sunshine exposure by means of suitable photo sensors or the like. can be detected.

The present invention has for its object to increase the useful life of an awning, namely even if a wind force effect is determined that would otherwise lead to the awning being completely retracted, and at the same time ensure that, regardless of the operating mode in which the awning control is operated (automatically or manually), the respective wind force effect is always given priority , it is ensured under all circumstances that wind forces do not damage the awning or the awning cover.

The invention solves this problem with the characterizing features of claims 1 and 11 and has the advantage that the awning maintains its function as a sun protection system even if a wind speed of a certain strength occurs at the same time, to which the control must necessarily react. In this case, the control system decides that the awning is retracted, but only up to such a position that the then correspondingly reduced fabric surface can easily absorb the wind load, so that it remains safely undamaged. A correspondingly partial retracted awning can therefore have a larger, sometimes much greater wind resistance while maintaining its function as a sun protection system.

It is also advantageous in the present invention that the reaction and the inclusion of the wind data have absolute priority in the entire control mechanism of the awning, i. H. Depending on the prevailing wind speed, even with manual intervention, the awning can only be extended as far as is ensured on the basis of stored comparison values or when adjusting basic values that the awning wind resistance can withstand the load. The extending awning then stops automatically at predetermined points, even if the extend command is maintained. This also applies to the fully automatic operating sequence of an awning, that is to say those awnings which, when switched manually into this fully automatic operating mode, automatically extend when the sun exposure lasts for a predetermined period of time. In this case too, the respective wind speed is included in the extension process and the end position of the awning is determined from the wind load that can still be tolerated.

It is understood that such a control can run completely analog; However, a quantized awning reaction is preferred in such a way that the awning is retracted gradually depending on the strength of the wind speed, which means that the controls are also digital can be worked.

It is therefore advantageous if, for example, only four awning extension positions are specified, if it can be assumed that the wind speed is never comparatively constant anyway, so that with this rather rough division - and of course a finer division lies within the scope of the invention - in any case it is prevented that, depending on the wind speed, constant corrections to the awning position prove to be necessary.

• a) kein Wind,
• b) schwacher Wind,
• c) durchschnittlicher Wind,
• d) starker Wind,

dann benötigt man, was ebenfalls vorteilhaft ist, bei einer normalen Markisensteuerung, die ohnehin Endschalter für die beiden Endpositionen aufweist, lediglich noch zwei zusätzliche Positionsschalter, die auf mittlere Markisenpositionen abgestimmt sind, so daß sich ohne großen Aufwand die folgende sinnfällige Zuordnung ergibt:

• herrscht kein Wind, ist die Markise voll ausgefahren,
• herrscht schwacher Wind, ist die Markise um ca. ein Drittel eingefahren,
• herrscht durchschnittlicher Wind, dann ist die Markise um etwa zwei Drittel ihrer Länge eingefahren, während bei
• starkem Wind die Markise vollständig eingezogen ist.

One divides the wind speed values into the terms

• a) no wind,
• b) weak wind,
• c) average wind,
• d) strong wind,

then, which is also advantageous, with a normal awning control, which has limit switches for the two end positions anyway, you only need two additional position switches, which are matched to middle awning positions, so that the following meaningful assignment is obtained without great effort:

• if there is no wind, the awning is fully extended,
• if the wind is weak, the awning is retracted by about a third,
• If the wind is average, the awning is retracted by about two thirds of its length, while at
• strong wind the awning is fully retracted.

It is understood that depending on the design of the awning, thickness of the fabric, local wind conditions and. The like. Other assignments are also possible, which can be easily achieved by appropriately adjusting the two middle intermediate positions, especially in the sensor area.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these two additional intermediate sensors for the intermediate awning positions can be integrated in an additional limit switch in the form of a rapid limit switch (= cage rapid), which can be installed in the end of the winding tube opposite the drive. Such a quick shutdown has a mechanical memory that stores the position of the winding shaft up to a predetermined number (e.g. 10 revolutions) beyond an actual shutdown point. When using such a limit switch for storing the two middle intermediate positions, these can be freely set by the end user. The adjustment of these positions is not critical because, in addition to being freely adjustable, the respective wind speeds to which they are based always vary within a predetermined range, so that it is neither expedient nor necessary to work with more precise values.

By the measures listed in the subclaims advantageous developments and improvements of the invention are possible. The use of a small computer, microprocessor or a suitably designed logic arithmetic circuit in connection with storage options is particularly advantageous, with information about the sun radiation, the wind speed and the respective position of the awning being supplied as external sensor signals.

From this information and a corresponding instruction in the form of a suitable programming, the awning control unit thus formed is then able to preselect four different positions of the awning with the four position sensors present, depending on the correspondingly quantized wind speeds, for example, detected by an anemometer .

Fig. 1

stark schematisiert Wickelrohr einer Markise mit ausgefahrenem Markisentuch und Markierung von vier unterschiedlichen, windabhängig gesteuerten Positionen und darunter Sensorsignalverläufe für die beiden Zwischenpositionen;

Fig. 2

ebenfalls schematisiert ein Steuergerät in Blockschaltform, dem äußere Sensorsignale zugeführt sind und welches ausgangsseitig den nicht gesondert dargestellten Antriebsmotor des Wickelrohrs über Relais ansteuert;

Fig. 3

eine mögliche Ausführungsform eines den Ablauf der Markisensteuerung bei Sonnen- und Windeinwirkung darstellenden Flußdiagramms und

Fig. 4

eine mögliche Ausführungsform eines Flußdiagramms zur Bestimmung der Markisenposition aus den vorliegenden Sensorsignalen, während

Fig. 5

eine flußdiagrammähnliche Lösung für die Erfassung und Quantisierung der Windgeschwindigkeit Vw zeigt.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

highly schematized winding tube of an awning with extended awning cover and marking of four different, wind-dependent controlled positions and including sensor signal curves for the two intermediate positions;

Fig. 2

also schematically shows a control unit in block form to which external sensor signals are supplied and which on the output side drives the drive motor of the winding tube (not shown separately) via relays;

Fig. 3

a possible embodiment of a flowchart representing the sequence of awning control in the event of sun and wind and

Fig. 4

a possible embodiment of a flow chart for determining the awning position from the present sensor signals, while

Fig. 5

shows a flow chart-like solution for the detection and quantization of the wind speed Vw.

The basic idea of the present invention is to create intermediate positions in a motor-driven awning or shading system, which are related to the prevailing wind speed and thus to ensure that the optimal function as a sun protection system is maintained, while at the same time optimal protection of the awning against acting wind load.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the quantized, i.e. step-by-step adjusting movement of the awning over the entire stroke of the extension movement, so that, in addition to the two anyway in the control area of a motor-driven awning, as shown in more detail in a simplified exemplary embodiment explained below integrated limit switches (retracted position - maximum extended position) Intermediate position sensors are provided, which here detect two intermediate positions E2 and E3 in addition to the fully retracted end position E1 and the fully extended end position E4 (FIG. 1).

For this purpose, two additional sensors are provided, which, in a simplified embodiment, are designed and switched so that a sensor responsive to the position E2 adjacent to the winding tube then supplies a high, i.e. electrical, signal from 0 to high (high) when it is retracted Position E2 is exceeded; the sensor then maintains the high output signal, the sensor output signal changing from high to 0 when extending E2 in this extending direction.

The second position sensor then serves to determine the intermediate position E3, which is located approximately between position E2 and the fully extended end position E4, as indicated in FIG. 1, and is designed such that it changes a high-level output signal to 0 when retracting and in the opposite direction when extending Direction, wherein, as can also be seen from the illustration in FIG. 1, the signal of the intermediate sensor for position E2, which is referred to below as sensor S _E2 , is high between positions E1 and E2 and zero value between positions E2 to E4 has, while the sensor S _E3 from position E1 to position E3 has a zero value and is high between E3 and E4.

In this way, a problem-free discrimination of the four awning position levels E1 to E4 provided here is possible, as also shown in FIG. 4.

• Die Markise kann sich an einer beliebigen, beispielsweise manuell vorgegebenen Position befinden, während Wind vorgegebener Stärke aufkommt.
• Die Markise fährt im Automatikbetrieb oder manuell gesteuert in eine vorgegebene Position, während Windeinwirkung herrscht.

There are two other points to be made here.

• The awning can be in any position, for example manually specified, while wind of a predetermined strength is generated.
• The awning moves to a predefined position in automatic mode or manually controlled while the wind is blowing.

In the first case, constant sensor signals are necessarily present, which, as shown in FIG. 4, can be discriminated for determining the position of the awning, while in the second case the sensor signals have a jumping behavior when positions E2 or E3 are reached or exceeded, that is to say either decrease or go up so that the corresponding drive control signals for the motor can be obtained in this way.

The two intermediate sensors can be designed in any way; it is preferably an electromechanical switch which responds to a predetermined number of revolutions of the winding shaft and then changes to its other switching state.

A simplified flow chart, which shows the basic control sequence according to the invention in one possible implementation form is shown in Fig. 3; Starting from a wind sensor block, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5 and which provides an analog control circuit or a microprocessor, for example four setpoint values for the awning position, which are dependent on the respective wind strength, it is first determined at decision block II that whether the awning control system is in automatic mode or whether manual intervention has taken place or is in progress.

If the awning control is in automatic mode, decision block III can be used to determine whether the sun is shining or not. If there is no solar radiation, the awning is retracted via circuit block IV; if the sun is shining, the awning is commanded to move to block V, but taking into account the wind conditions, which have absolute priority. Decision block VI therefore determines whether wind is present or not; if this is the case, the setpoint position x _p prescribed by the sensor block I in accordance with the wind conditions _is compared with the actual actual value position x _ist . If the actual value position is above the desired value position, the control unit determines via circuit block VI that the awning is retracted until decision block VII determines that the actual value position of the awning essentially corresponds to the wind speed desired value position. If this is the case, the further movement of the awning stopped and the current process is finished. However, since the wind conditions can change at any time, the loop returns to the input of decision block V and constantly monitors whether the actual position of the awning now taken still corresponds to the wind conditions or whether the position has to be reduced further when the wind is refreshing.

Here, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3, a further decision block can follow after completion of a first retracting operation of the awning, which is designated VIII and determines whether it will soon be possible to extend the awning again if the wind decreases or goes towards 0. It goes without saying that this decision block VIII is equipped in such a way that an extension command is only issued if the position setpoint given by the current wind speed is one step higher than the actual position of the awning, so that it actually moves to the next higher step, for example from the Can move position E2 to position E3 or from this to position E4. In this case, an extension command is issued to the next position level in accordance with block IX and, at the same time, the loop is formed to the input of block IV, which compares the new actual awning position with the new, wind-related new awning setpoint position.

Since the actual value and setpoint data that the respective circuit and decision blocks for processing Decision block VIII can also ensure that if it is possible for a further extended position of the awning to be taken when the wind is completely down, the awning then also moves into this new end position, which is the case with the four that have been met here Gradations is the maximum extension position E4, moves.

If the control system is not in automatic mode, it is determined at decision block X whether the awning is extended; when it is extended, the circle closes at the entrance to decision block VI.

In order to quantify the wind influencing variables, one can proceed as shown in FIG. 5 so that the respectively measured value of the wind speed V _W at a number of decision or comparison blocks A, B, C, D, F corresponding to the number of desired stages which, in a discrete form of implementation, can be window comparators, for example, match or exceed predetermined wind threshold values V _Wp , V _{W (p-1)} ... Depending on the result, at the decision blocks A, B ... downstream circuit blocks A ', B', C '... converted position output signals x _p , x _p-1 selectively reach high potential or it is also possible to have a common output signal to create, which has a different amplitude value depending on the wind speed, with which then continue to work - For example, an output voltage of 0 volts can be generated when there is no wind, 2 volts in weak winds, 4 volts in medium winds and immediately.

In a comparable manner, the actual value of the awning position can be determined in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 4, which roughly corresponds to a flow chart; a first decision block XI determines whether the awning is extended at all, which can be determined by one of the limit switches, which is present anyway; If this limit switch has responded (awning completely retracted), then the awning position is determined according to FIG. 1 to E1 and a corresponding output path signal can be x _o .

If the awning is extended, the sensor signal S _{E3 is} checked; if this is high, for example, the awning must be between positions E3 and E4; If there is a zero potential at sensor S3, it is then determined whether sensor S2 shows high potential. If this is the case, the awning is between the positions E2 and E3, while if the sensor S2 also shows zero potential, the awning must necessarily be between the positions E2 and E3.

This position determination allows a problem-free evaluation of the sensor signals and the creation of the corresponding extend or retract commands by the control unit, the position determination of FIG. 4 starting from a steady state and the Determination also allows any intermediate position of the awning. From the output signals obtained in this way, it is then determined whether these correspond to the respective wind-determined setpoint position signals x _p - if there are differences, the awning moves to the next position in each case.

It goes without saying that during dynamic operation of the awning, for example when an extension command is issued manually, the control unit reacts to the signal change, i.e. the edge in the output signals of the intermediate position sensors S _E2 and S _E3 , and in this case, for example when the awning is extended, immediately stops after passing position E2 when the corresponding wind-determined position signal predominantly indicates average wind which only allows an extension to this position.

The same applies to the other positions, whereby the awning will stop shortly behind the respective actual value position signal when the wind is driven in.

The previous explanation shows that the most sensible method is to work with a high (log 1) or zero signal (log 0), which also makes decoding particularly useful with the aid of a suitable diode matrix, since the various high or low output signals the inputs or inputs of a diode matrix corresponding to the sensors or wind speed conversion circuits can be supplied, which then specifies the respective output signals after appropriate decoding, such a diode matrix being able to contain a corresponding number of AND gates or other gate circuits each having a plurality of input connections in any combination.

It can also be advantageous to use a memory, for example an EPROM, for the control decisions, to which the respective operating states, i.e. wind-determined awning setpoints and position-specific awning actual values, and, when switching to automatic operation, a signal as to whether solar radiation is present, are fed to its inputs and address which then specifies the output control signals according to its addressed, stored values. The control device 10 of FIG. 2 can therefore be a logic control circuit including a suitable diode matrix coding circuit or a microprocessor with memory (EPROM) or also another logic control circuit which has semiconductor switches 11 connected in series at its two outputs (for extending the awning) or 11 '(for retracting the awning) issues the control commands, which then cause the drive motor to be controlled in one or the other direction of rotation via downstream relay circuits 12 or 12'. The control of the semiconductors 11, 11 'can take place via light-emitting diodes 13, 13', so that the direction of movement is shown on the outside of a display.

Since the entrance movement and the exit movement of the awning each act on the intermediate position sensors S2 and S3 in different ways - the sensor jumps in its output signal either from high to low or vice versa - it can make sense to add memory depending on the entry or exit movement set, each of which maintains one or the other switching state until the respective sensor is "run over" in the opposite direction - this also makes sense if the response of the sensors is only triggered by the awning movement, that is, a triggering that takes place on further The run goes out again.

It is understood that the position sensors can be designed in a variety of ways and do not necessarily have to be physically present individual switches. A preferred possibility for realizing position sensors could also be, for example, Incremental encoder controlled by the winding shaft speed or simply to provide a counter which emits a signal E1, E2, E3 ... corresponding to the actual position of the awning when certain counter readings are reached.

Claims (12)

1. A method for the position control and monitoring of a shading installation, an awning or other rollable curtain, the awning being manually or automatically controlled to extend and retract by means of a motor as a function of the sun radiation and wind velocity, characterised in that the size of the respective existing wind load is determined, is converted into a wind load-dependent nominal position value (x_p) for the awning and is compared with the respective extended position or position to be reached by extension in the movement sequence of the awning corresponding to a given quantity of material of the awning, and the drive motor of the awning is actuated by a control device in such a manner that, depending on the strength of the wind velocity, the awning is partially retracted or prevented from exceeding the still permissible material quantity as it is manually or automatically extended, the awning nominal value position (x_p) provided by the actual value of the wind velocity taking absolute precedence over any manual or, in the case of sun radiation, automatic extension movement of the awning, so that the awning can only be extended into a position corresponding to the respective acceptable wind load.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the determining of both the wind load parameter and the respective position of the awning is quantized in such a manner that the retraction and extension movements of the awning are effected in stages.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in addition to the necessary provision of an end switch for the respective maximum retracted and the maximum extended positions (E1, E4) of the awning, at least two further intermediate positions (E2, E3) are provided and are detected by sensors, which each immediately change their output signal in one or the other direction when the awning is extended or retracted at the moment that the awning passes the given intermediate position.
4. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in the case of automatic operation, the awning is automatically extended when sun radiation is detected to an end position determined by the wind-related nominal value positions.
5. A method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the awning is retracted again in the absence of sun radiation after a given delay period.
6. A method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the actual value position data supplied by the intermediate sensors (S2, S3) is freely adjustable.
7. A method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the measured wind velocity is detected in stages and converted into wind-determined nominal position values for the awning.
8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that the wind-determined nominal position values (x_p) are digitally presented in parallel lines and together with the digital intermediate sensor output signals form addresses, which are supplied to decoder circuits or stores in order to generate the respective control commands for the drive motor of the awning winding tube.
9. A method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the different intermediate sensor output signals are evaluated and used for determining the stationary position state of the awning, so that output signals for awning intermediate positions are produced in each case, which are compared with the wind-determined nominal value positions of the awning.
10. A method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the respective actual awning position is continuously detected by incremental transmitters or the like and an actual value signal transmission occurs when given positions are reached.
11. A device for the position control and monitoring of a shading installation, an awning or other rollable curtain, with a control device, which receives sensor signals relating to sun radiation, wind velocity and awning position and from the said signals determines the control state for the drive motor of the awning winding tube, characterised in that, in addition to the two end switches indicating the maximum retracted and maximum extended positions, intermediate position sensors (82, S3) are provided, reference circuits (A, B, C) are provided which differentiate between at least two different wind velocities and from the differentiation derive wind-determined awning nominal value positions (x_p), and a logic control circuit is provided in the control device for the awning drive motor, which logic control circuit derives a precedence control signal for the drive motor from the supplied wind-determined awning nominal value position signals and the awning actual value position signals supplied by the intermediate sensors, the precendence control signal ensuring - irrespective of whether the actuation of the awning control is automatic or manual - that the awning is retracted to the outermost, wind-determined position nominal value or does not exceed the said value during an extension.
12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that the intermediate position sensors (S2, S3) are freely adjustable.

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