EP1541798B1 - Learning method for a motorised screen and a device for performing said method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying a DC or AC motor for controlling vertical movement of flaps of a screen (1), and incrementing a timer, during touching of a control box. A value of the timer from information relative to the vertical movement of the flaps is stored in a storage register. The motor is supplied for controlling the horizontal movement of the flaps in a folded direction, after touching the box. An independent claim is also included for a screen having a control unit.

Description

The invention relates to a learning method defined according to the preamble of claim 1. It also relates to a control unit and a motorized screen for carrying out these methods.

Different types of swivel screen exist. A first type is characterized by horizontal blades arranged parallel to each other. For example, Venetian blinds or blinds. A second type is characterized by vertical blades arranged parallel to each other. The method which is the subject of the invention applies without distinction to screens of the first type and screens of the second type.

In screens of the first type, the blades are movable vertically and around their longitudinal axes. The movements of these blades are controlled by a mechanical device located above the blades. This mechanical device comprises at least one winding drum and a rocker. The winding drum allows the winding of cords controlling the vertical translation movement of the lower blade, this blade being suspended by the cords. The rocker controls the deformation of flexible structures arranged vertically substantially at the ends of the blades, made of beads and having shapes comparable to scales. These flexible structures have uprights and rungs on which the blades of the screen rest. The deformation of the structures is controlled by the rotation of the rocker inducing a vertical translation movement of the uprights relative to each other. It follows an angular displacement of the blades, these remaining parallel to each other to others. The flexible nature of the structures also makes it possible, by the deformation of the latter, for the blades to stack one on top of the other when a vertical displacement towards the top of the lower blade is controlled by the winding of the cords on the drum. winding.

The type of screen described above can be motorized. Thus, the translation displacement of the blades and their angular displacement of orientation about their longitudinal axes can be controlled by means of a remote control.

This screen can be powered by two motors: a first controlling the rotation of the winding drum and causing, therefore, the vertical translation movement of the blades and a second controlling the rotation of the rocker and causing, therefore, the movement of orientation of the blades.

This screen can also be powered by a single motor. In this case, the winding drum and the rocker are actuated by the same motor, the rocker being mounted between two stops, in friction on the winding drum. Thus, the blades of the screen are displaced in orientation during changes of direction of the motor. As a result of this operation, a user of this type of screen must firstly control the rotation of the motor in a first direction to adjust the deployment of the screen in front of the bay window, then, must order in a second time , rotating the motor in the second direction to adjust the desired orientation of the blades.

Depending on the screens, the characteristics of the drums, rockers, blades and translational movement strokes are different and affect the activation times of the motor (s) to bring the blades to a specific position. Similarly, the characteristics of Motors and gearboxes used at the output of these motors may vary and have an influence on the activation time of the motor or motors to bring the blades in a specific position.

It will be understood that in the context of an installation comprising several motorized screens and whose command management is automated (to satisfy, for example, visual comfort or thermal optimization criteria), it is necessary to be able to know and control the times the screen area deployed and the orientation of the screen slides.

Document is known EP 0 574 637 a method for determining the travel of a motorized roller shutter. In this method, the activation time of a motor driving the flap is measured between the upper stop and the lower stop of the flap.

We know of the document EP 0 273 719 A2 a learning method according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple learning process for controlling the movements of the blades of a steerable blade screen regardless of its characteristics. The invention proposes in particular a learning method for determining certain characteristics of a screen. The invention also proposes a control unit and a motorized screen for implementing the learning method.

The learning method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

Different embodiments of the method are defined by the dependent claims 2 to 6.

The control unit according to the invention comprises a logic processing unit, at least two memory zones, an input allowing the acquisition of control commands and at least one output for the control of a motor. It is characterized in that the logical processing unit is programmed to implement the previously defined method.

The control unit may comprise inputs enabling the acquisition of signals delivered by sensors.

The screen according to the invention is motorized and mobile. It has adjustable blades and is movable between two extreme positions called "deployed" and "folded". The blades are orientable between two extreme positions around their longitudinal axes. The screen is characterized in that it comprises a previously defined control unit connected on the one hand to a remote control and, on the other hand, to at least one motor for controlling the movements of the blades.

• La figure 1 est un schéma d'un mode de réalisation de l'écran motorisé à lames orientables selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est un ordinogramme d'un premier mode d'exécution du procédé d'apprentissage selon l'invention.
• La figure 3 est un ordinogramme d'un deuxième mode d'exécution du procédé d'apprentissage selon l'invention.
• La figure 4 est un ordinogramme d'un troisième mode d'exécution du procédé d'apprentissage selon l'invention.

The drawing represents, by way of example, two embodiments of a motorized screen with steerable blades according to the invention and three embodiments of a learning method according to the invention.

• The figure 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the motorized screen with adjustable blades according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the learning method according to the invention.
• The figure 3 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the learning method according to the invention.
• The figure 4 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of the learning method according to the invention.

The motorized screen device 1 shown in FIG. figure 1 comprises an MVB screen with adjustable blades such as a venetian blind, whose displacement in translation and orientation of the blades are controlled by the same MOT1 electric motor via a reducer not shown. MOT1 motor power is controlled by a CTL control unit via a CM1 command line.

The CTL control unit comprises a ULT processing logic unit provided with inputs and outputs, such as a microcontroller capable of counting time or detecting events. This control unit comprises various registers and in particular a register REG1 and a register REG2 respectively containing information characterizing the length of the screen or the limit stroke that the lower blade of this screen must traverse and information characterizing the amplitude of the screen. orientation of the blades.

The control unit CTL acts on the supply of motor MOT1 to cause its rotational movement in one direction or the other. The motor may be of the DC type or of the AC type. The means of connecting the motor to a voltage source for rotating the motor in two directions are well known to those skilled in the art so that their description is not repeated here. The command line CM1 can make it possible to transmit three types of orders to the motor: a rotation order making it possible to raise the CMUP screen, a rotation order making it possible to lower the CMDN screen and a stop command of the CMST engine.

One or more rotation sensors may be arranged to measure the amplitude of rotation of the motor and to deduce the position of the screen. An electronic sensor, incremental or absolute, SR11 is for example placed at the motor shaft, the signal from this sensor attacking an input of the control unit CTL through a connection S11. An adjustable mechanical sensor SR21 is used to switch off the motor power supply when the screen reaches its extreme "folded" end position. This sensor is connected to the motor by a line S21.

An RC remote control box includes a keyboard with three control keys. A UP key is used to control the folding of the screen, an ST key is used to control the stopping of the screen movements and a DN key to control the deployment of the screen. A RO link that can be wired or realized by means of electromagnetic waves makes it possible to communicate with the control unit CTL.

In the operating mode of the device, pressing the UP key causes the control unit to command the motor CMUP in order to fold the screen, pressing the DN key causes the unit to A control command CMDN motor supply command to unfold the screen and pressing the ST key causes the control unit to command a command CMST motor stop.

As has been said, a CMUP control command, respectively CMDN, will first cause a slide orientation movement if it follows a phase during which a CMDN command command, respectively CMUP, was executed.

A second embodiment of a motorized screen is shown in FIG. figure 1 , completed by the blocks in dashed lines. The motorized screen device then comprises two distinct motors, a first MOT1 being intended for the vertical translation displacement of the blades and a second MOT2 being intended for the displacement of orientation of the blades.

In this case the control box RC has two additional keys TLT A and TLT B respectively controlling the displacement of orientation of the blades in two opposite directions. The blade orientation motor acts only on the rocker. For example, in the case of the rocker switch, end-of-travel sensors SR22 that switch off the supply of the motor MOT2 are provided. An electronic sensor, incremental or absolute SR 12, is for example placed at the motor shaft, the signal from this sensor attacking an input of the control unit CTL.

A first embodiment of the learning method according to the invention is described with reference to the figure 2 .

On the left, a first vertical line represents the actions of the user on the RC control box. In the middle, a second vertical line represents the process steps performed at the CTL control unit. On the right, a third vertical line represents the movements made by the MVB screen. On this chart the time runs vertically up and down.

For the implementation of this embodiment, it is not necessary that the motorized screen device is provided with the electronic position sensor SR1. Indeed, the control of the rotation of the motor (s) is managed by means of the activation times of the motor (s). So, in the case of a one-engine display, screen deployment and orientation blades are defined by a first duration of activation of the motor in the direction of deployment of the screen from the folded position of the screen and a second duration of activation of the motor in the other direction. In the case of a two-engine display, the deployment of the screen is defined by a duration of activation of the deployment engine MOT1 in the direction of deployment of the screen from the folded position of the screen and the orientation of the blades is defined by an activation time of the MOT2 orientation motor from a position of extreme orientation of the blades. The information characterizing the maximum amplitudes of the movements of the blades are stored in registers REG1 and REG2 during the learning process described below.

It is assumed first of all that the installer has brought the screen to the high position FCH called "folded", or that the product is delivered and installed in this position. In a first step E0, the control unit is initialized for example by a power-up. In this initialization step, the control unit becomes able to receive commands from the control box RC.

The installer then exerts an action on one of the buttons of the control box RC, for example on the stop key ST for a duration at least greater than a predetermined value T1 equal to 6 seconds. The beginning of the action is represented by the arrow A1 and the end of the action is represented by the arrow A2. The beginning of the action on the key has the effect of passing the control unit in a step E1. In this step, the activation time of the key is measured and if it is greater than the value T1, a step E2 is activated. In this step E2, the control unit CTL enters the "Mode L" learning mode. The register REG1 is set to zero. A timer T2 is set to zero. A CMDN deployment command is sent to the engine that is enabled.

The blades of the MVB screen then unfurl as represented by the MVD motion.

For the installer, step E2 seems instantaneous. According to the variants, it can be engaged as soon as the support exceeds the duration T1 or again as soon as the installer releases the key.

The timer T2 is incremented regularly at the rate of a CL clock for the duration of activation of the engine.

When the lower blade of the screen reaches the position desired by the installer as low FCB position called "deployed", the latter immediately presses again the ST stop button on the control box. He then keeps the key pressed.

The action on the key is represented by the arrow A3 and immediately causes the passage of the control unit in step E3. In this step, the engine stop is controlled. The value of the timer T2 is stored in the register REG1. A timer T3 is set to zero. An engine rotation control in the opposite direction CMUP is generated to obtain blade orientation movement. In the case of a two motor motorized display, the blade orientation motor is activated. The orientation of the blades of the screen is then gradually changed, as represented by the TILT movement. In the case of a screen having a single motor, the motor will advantageously be activated in this phase at reduced speed.

For the installer, all the sequences of step E3 appear instantaneous. In other words, he sees the screen stop his descent movement when he presses the stop button ST, then he sees the blades change orientation from a first closed extreme position at a second extreme closed position through a maximum open position.

The time counter T3 is incremented regularly at the rate of the clock CL for the duration of activation of the motor.

When the second closed position is reached, the installer immediately releases the stop key ST, which is represented by the arrow A4 and which causes the passage to step E4.

In this step E4, a stop command CMST is given to the motor and the value of the timer T3 is stored in the register REG2. The learning process is then completed, which is symbolized by the return RET instruction of the control unit in an operating mode.

Thus, it is found that, independently of a first maneuver of the usual A1-A2 installer allowing the entry into a learning mode, it suffices for a second maneuver A3-A4 to enter in the control unit, the essential data for a good management of the subsequent control orders of the screen. This ergonomics is therefore particularly simple.

A second embodiment of the learning method according to the invention is described with reference to the figure 3 . This second embodiment differs from the first in that the positions of the blades of the screen are no longer determined by engine activation times but by signals transmitted by sensors determining the amplitudes of movements of the motor or motors.

Action indices or steps equivalent to the previous execution mode have been multiplied by 10.

These sensors SR11, SR12 are for example incremental type. The number of increments transmitted on the line S1 is represented by (S1). The increments are directly added to the register REG1 previously zeroed in the step E20 of descent of the screen, and are directly added to the register REG2 in the step E30 of orientation of the screen. In the case of a motorized screen with two motors, it is the increments of the SR12 sensor of the orientation motor that are directly added to the register REG 2 in step E30.

The two described modes are likely to have many variations on the choice of the key or the keys to be activated, on the entry mode in the learning mode, on the exit of the learning mode.

For example, the learning procedure can be started from a position that is not the extreme high position FCH called "folded" but an intermediate position.

For example, in the case of a single motorized motorized display, the process then begins with a deployment of the screen, but without counting, an action on the stopping key ST causes the stopping of the deployment and the power supply. of the motor in opposite direction, giving the movement of orientation of the blades, with counting of duration or the number of corresponding pulses. The end of the press on the stop key leaves active the supply of the engine, so as to allow the ascent to the high position FCH, and the counting to know the information of deployment is activated in this phase fallback.

Stopping in the "folded" up position is then obtained either by the installer acting on the stop button ST or by a mechanical sensor SR21 detecting the limit switch. The control unit is then informed by known means that the motor is no longer powered and the count value is recorded in the REG1 register after the fallback movement.

A variant can also combine the previous cases by traversing a complete cycle of descent and climb. Indeed, step E4 may contain not a stop command but the initialization and setting up of a count making it possible to load a third register REG3, not represented, with the value of the fallback time, which may be useful if the power of the engine is not sufficient to guarantee close durations in ascent or descent.

Another embodiment, represented in figure 4 , may also consist of starting the learning cycle from the low FCB position that the installer has chosen by giving a stop command while the screen goes down. As in all previous cases, the control keys have their normal function of movement or stop orders as long as the learning mode is not engaged. The installer has full latitude to get closer to the chosen lower position, by successive orders of descent and stop.

Once in a low FCB position, the installer for example presses the stop key for at least six seconds to enter the learning mode. The beginning of the support is represented by the arrow B1. In the case of this embodiment, the learning mode starts directly with the step of feeding the motor causing the orientation of the blades E300, that is to say for example a power supply. the motor in the direction of the folding of the blades if it is a blind with a single motor. In this step the register REG2 is initialized to zero.

This time, it is the timer T100 test of the duration of pressing on the key that replaces the previous A2 A3 actions. In other words, the installer holds the finger pressed on the same button ST: for six seconds, nothing happens, then a motor supply order in the direction of folding CMUP is given, which causes the movement orientation of the TILT blades. During this movement, the second register REG2, which serves directly as a counter, is incremented,

When the slide orientation stops, the installer releases the key, which is represented by action B2. We then go to step E400 in which the counter REG2 is no longer incremented and in which the value of the counter is stored, the latter corresponding to the total travel of orientation. The first register REG1, which is used directly as a counter, is initialized to zero then incremented while the power supply of the motor is maintained. In this step, there is only folding movement of the screen represented by the rectangle MVU.

When the screen reaches the high position, the installer performs a new action on a key, preferably the stop key ST, which is represented by the arrow B3. This action triggers a step E500, in which an order to stop the motor power is generated. The REG1 register then stores its last value. This corresponds to the total translation travel. The learning cycle is finished.

The term "action" should be interpreted broadly. Thus, pressing a key, releasing a key, maintaining the state pressed key are different types of actions.

If two different motors are used, one for the MOT1 translation, the other for the MOT2 rotation, a CM2 power control is generated in the step E300 to cause the orientation movement, and then a stop command of the CM2ST power supply is generated at the beginning of step E400, while a power supply of the MOT1 translation motor in the CM1UP folding direction is generated. In step E500 is generated a command to stop the supply of the translation motor MOT1, CM1ST.

Depending on the variants adapted to two motors, it is expected that the installer starts the learning cycle with the blades in the closed position, or in any orientation. In this case, the learning cycle begins with the generation of a command CM1-allowing the closing of the blades before any counting.

The CTL control unit can be made according to many variants and can be integrated in the same mechanical assembly as the engine. Conversely, the control unit can be a centralized control controlling several screens. There will be in this centralized control as many pairs of registers as different screens. If different control units communicate with each other through a home automation network, these values can be duplicated in all units that can control a screen of the same characteristics.

The RC remote control unit can be connected to the CTL control device by wired or wireless link, or even be contained in the control unit. ordered. The link between the control unit and the motor can also be achieved by wireless means.

The method has been described in the case where the stop button ST of the control box is used to engage the second action. It is also possible to use a specific key, for example a key dedicated to the learning mode, or use a motion control key, such as the UP key.

If the sensors used are of absolute type, the pulse counting sequences are replaced by an initial capture of the state of the sensor and a new entry at the end of a step so as to know the information sought by difference. of both values.

Preferably, the orientation movement of the blades takes place at a slow speed. Thus, even in the case where a single motor is used, it may be necessary to supply the motor at a nominal voltage to move the blades in translation and to supply the motor at a reduced voltage to move the blades in orientation. Usual ergonomics consist in interpreting a pulse press on a movement key as a start command for a fast-speed movement, while a maintained support will be interpreted as a slow-motion motion command. Such ergonomics is perfectly compatible with the method described.

Claims (9)

1. Learning method for the control of a motorised and mobile screen (1) having orientable slats, the screen (MVB) being displaceable between two extreme positions called "deployed" and "retracted", the slats being orientable between two extreme positions around their longitudinal axes, wherein the entry into the learning mode is performed by a first action of the installer, characterised in that it comprises a second action of the installer having at least the following consequences:

   • the end of energy supply of a motor (MOT1) that controls the translatory motion of the slats in deployment direction if this motion is running, and/or

   • the initialisation of an activation time counter or displacement amplitude counter of a motor,

   and, as long as this second action is maintained,

   • the energy supply of a motor (MOT1; MOT2) controlling the orientation displacement of the slats of the screen,

   • the incrementation of the counter,

   and then, when this second action ceases,

   • the memorisation of the counter value in a memorisation register of an information relating to the total orientation travel (REG2),

   • the energy supply of the motor (MOT1) controlling the translatory motion of the slats in retracting direction if the second action has not ended a translatory motion of the slats in deployment direction.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second action of the installer is a pressure on a key of a control box (RC) or the continuation over a time delay of the first action.
3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that a same motor (MOT1) causes the translatory motion and the motion of orientation of the slats, and in that the motion of orientation is obtained by the inversion of the direction of rotation that had caused the translatory motion.
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first action of the installer is performed starting from an extreme retracted position, and in that it provokes the initialisation and the incrementation of an activation time counter or displacement amplitude counter of a motor that controls the translatory motion of the slats in the deployment direction, whereas the beginning of the second action of the installer also causes the memorisation of the counter value in a memorisation register (REG1) of an information regarding the total path of translation.
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second action of the installer causes the energy supply of a motor controlling the translatory motion of the slats in the retracting direction, the initialisation of an activation time counter or displacement amplitude counter of a motor, then the incrementation of this counter whose content is attributed to a register (REG1, REG3) for memorising an information regarding the total translatory travel path at the time when the energy supply of the motor that controls the translatory motion of the slats stops.
6. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first action of the installer is performed starting from an extreme deployed position, and in that the end of the second action of the installer causes the energy supply of a motor that controls the translatory motion of the slats in the direction of retracting, the initialisation of an activation time counter or displacement amplitude counter of a motor, and then the incrementation of this counter whose contents are attributed to a register that memorises information regarding the total travelling path of translation (REG1) at the time of ceasing the energy supply of the motor that causes the translatory motion of the slats.
7. Control unit (CTL), including a logical processing unit (ULT), at least two memory zones (REG1, REG2), one input (RO) allowing control command acquirements, at least one output (CM1; CM2) for the control of a motor (MOT1; MOT2), characterised in that the logical processing unit (ULT) is programmed for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. Control unit according to claim 7, characterised in that it includes inputs (S11; S12) permitting the acquisition of signals delivered by sensors (SR11; SR12).
9. Motorised and mobile screen (1) having orientable slats, the screen being displaceable between two extreme positions called "deployed" and "retracted", the slats being orientable between two extreme positions around their longitudinal axes, including a control unit according to claim 7 or 8, connected at one side to a remote controller (RC) and at the other side to at least one motor (MOT1; MOT1, MOT2) for actuating the movement of the slats.

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