EP2374975B1 - Method for configuring a device for motorising a home-automation facility provided with a shutter and a device for motorising a home-automation facility provided with a shutter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of thermal and solar protection screens at building openings, and in particular the field of swing shutters. These screens make it possible, depending on their position of deployment, to conceal all or part of the solar radiation through the openings of the building, particularly in summer, conversely, to avoid heat loss to the outside by constituting a thermal barrier in winter and especially at night. Their positioning can be manual or motorized. The invention relates in particular to a method for configuring a home automation installation provided with a first and a second leaf for closing, concealment, solar protection, thermal protection or sound protection comprising a motorization device including an electronic control unit for a first and a second motor. It also relates to a drive device including an electronic control unit for a first and a second motor. It also relates to a home automation installation comprising such a motorization device.

Many motorization solutions make it possible to manage particular opening and closing positions of roll-up screens, for example rolling shutters or blinds. For shutters, it is known to use either one motor per leaf, or a single motor for a set of two leaves. In all cases, the solutions of the prior art define a synchronization of the movements of the two wings. Indeed, the shutters must be closed or opened according to a particular order, due to their asymmetry and the presence of a joint cover, that is to say a blade covering one leaf on the other. . Generally, there is a time lag between the start of the movement of the first leaf and the beginning of the movement of the second leaf. For shutter systems with a single motor, a mechanical device (spring) allows the initiation of the movement of the second leaf with a time lag vis-à-vis the movement of the first leaf. In this case, if the system is not configured to open the leaves in the correct sequence, it is often necessary to send everything back to the factory.

In the case of an installation with two motors, this offset is achieved by wiring a so-called main motor for the main leaf and a so-called secondary motor for the secondary leaf.

In the neighboring field of gate openings, double-leaf installations generally include one pilot motor per leaf, each motor being placed in a box. The two motors are each equipped with an electronic card and communication means for communicating with each other. One of the motors corresponds to a master motor, the second corresponds to a slave, ie it can be activated on information from the first master motor. This master-slave configuration also allows the single opening of only one of the leaves, to provide passage to a pedestrian, a cyclist, without requiring a global opening of the entire gate. The only leaf concerned is then the leaf operated by the master motor. It is then necessary that the master motor is mounted for the operation of the main leaf.

A problem specific to the field of swing shutters is as follows: the two motors of the motorization device are integrated into a single box, the latter being closed when the installation is finished, therefore without possible access to the various components of the device.

In this case, the manufacturers offer for sale two device references integrating the two motors, the main and secondary motors being reversed, corresponding to the two possible configurations of the two leaves. The motorization device must therefore be made to measure.

If the installation does not correspond to the configuration of the shutter to be motorized with two asymmetrical leaves, it is then generally necessary to return the installation to the factory for disassembly and/or exchange.

There is therefore a need for a simple solution without additional cost for configuring the motorization device in order to allow harmonious opening and closing cycles, and in particular for assigning a main or secondary function to the two motors, or in a similar way, reversing of the main and secondary function assignments of the two motors.

We know from the document FROM 39 35 173 a swing gate system in which the master and slave functions can be assigned to the leaves according to two procedures: an automatic procedure implemented as soon as an electrical voltage appears and based on the measurement of the angular positions of the leaves and a procedure manual.

We also know from the document EP 0 484 258 a motorized device for shutters.

The object of the invention is to provide a configuration method remedying the above drawbacks and improving the configuration methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a configuration method and a motorization device allowing at lower cost to simplify the installation and configuration of a home automation system comprising two motorized leaves.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to configure a device for motorizing a home automation installation provided with a shutter for closing, concealment, solar protection, thermal protection or sound protection comprising a main leaf and a secondary leaf. The motorization device includes an electronic unit for controlling a first and a second motor, a remote control point linked with the electronic unit. The first motor maneuvers the main leaf and the second motor maneuvers the secondary leaf. The electronic unit controls the activation of the first motor and of the second motor according to a sequence comprising a time lag between the activation of the first motor and of the second motor. The method comprises a step of initializing the motorization device, a step of modifying the sequence of activations of the motors and a step of recording this modification at the level of the electronic unit.

The initialization step includes receiving an initialization signal transmitted from the remote control point.

The remote control point comprises opening and closing control buttons, and the modification step comprises an inversion of the activation sequence of the first and second motors, a particular control ergonomics, implemented at the level of the remote control point, causing the emission of an inversion command, the inversion of the activation sequence being controlled by applying a prolonged press on the remote control point, this action being followed by a short back and forth movement of one of the leaves showing that the order to reverse the activation sequence has been received and recorded.

Different embodiments are defined by dependent claims 2 to 8.

According to the invention, a device for motorizing the leaves of a home automation system is defined by claim 9.

Various embodiments are defined by claims 10 to 14.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'un mode de réalisation d'une installation domotique selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de motorisation selon l'invention en cours de montage au niveau d'une ouverture d'un bâtiment.
• La figure 3 est une vue de ce même mode de réalisation une fois celui-ci fixé en haut de l'ouverture du bâtiment.
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un exemple de réalisation d'une unité électronique de commande de moteurs d'un dispositif selon l'invention.
• La figure 5 est une illustration d'un mode d'exécution d'un procédé de configuration selon l'invention.
• La figure 6 est un chronogramme des activations des moteurs d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de motorisation selon l'invention, lors d'un cycle d'ouverture et fermeture avant mise en oeuvre d'une étape d'inversion.
• La figure 7 est un chronogramme des activations des moteurs de ce mode de réalisation du dispositif de motorisation selon l'invention, lors d'un cycle d'ouverture et fermeture après mise en oeuvre d'une étape d'inversion.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• there figure 1 is a view of an embodiment of a home automation installation according to the invention.
• There picture 2 is a view of an embodiment of a motorization device according to the invention being mounted at the level of an opening of a building.
• There picture 3 is a view of this same embodiment once it is fixed at the top of the opening of the building.
• There figure 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an electronic motor control unit of a device according to the invention.
• There figure 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of a configuration method according to the invention.
• There figure 6 is a timing diagram of the activations of the motors of an embodiment of a motorization device according to the invention, during an opening and closing cycle before implementing an inversion step.
• There figure 7 is a timing diagram of the activations of the motors of this embodiment of the motorization device according to the invention, during an opening and closing cycle after implementation of an inversion step.

There figure 1 shows a home automation installation 100 of shutter according to the invention installed at the level of a window 2 of a building. The installation comprises a motorization device 1. The window is equipped with a shutter composed of two leaves 5a and 5b which can pivot so as to cover the window or to leave it uncovered, as shown in this figure. The motorization device comprises a main housing 10.

This is shown open to the picture 2 , which shows the motorization device during its installation at the level of the window opening. The device is composed of a base 11 supporting a first motor Ma and a second motor Mb. It also supports an electronic unit 20 to which the motors are connected. Mechanical transmission means, in particular pinion transmission means, make it possible to transmit the movements supplied by the motors to the leaves. These transmission means are located towards the ends of the base.

There picture 3 also shows, from another angle, the box of the motorization device installed at the level of the window. A casing 13 is partially shown, to reveal the electronic unit 20 and the second motor Mb. The transmission means comprise arms 17a, 17b, themselves fixed to the leaves 5a and 5b and shown not connected to the pinions. When the casing is closed by the casing, the casing hides the base while the transmission means pass through the casing.

The electronic unit is shown schematically in figure 4 . A first Cma connector and a second Cmb connector make it possible to respectively wire the Ma and Mb motors. A two-terminal C230V connector associated with a transformer is also used for power supply from the commercial electrical network, for example 230V alternating. Two additional BAT connectors are used to connect a backup battery. The purpose of this is to operate the product autonomously for about twenty cycles in the event of a power cut in the commercial electricity network. Alternatively, the battery could allow complete autonomy of the device vis-à-vis a power supply from the commercial electrical network.

The electronic unit 20 comprises an electronic card 30 on which are located the electronic components necessary for controlling the two motors: a microprocessor 31 comprising information inputs and outputs intended for controlling the motors, a receiver 21, in particular of the radiofrequency type , making it possible to receive control commands from a remote control point 110, in particular from a radio remote control or from a wired remote control connected, a man-machine interface comprising a digital display 22, simple control buttons (opening , closing, stop - alternatively or sequential -, programming) 23 (and the corresponding terminal block 23') and an acoustic transmitter 24. This interface is possibly accessible at the time of installation, but is no longer (or with difficulty ) once the casing of the drive device is closed.

Advantageously, the electronic unit further comprises means (not shown) for detecting a stop force (by measuring engine torque, torque variation or underspeed) and/or position counting means.

The display can be used to give the number of configuration steps.

The buttons can be used for controlling vacuum motors and pairing between the electronic control unit and the remote control point.

In general, the arms can only be mounted once the housing is in place, the latter hiding access to the buttons. Once the arms are fitted, the cover cannot be removed from the base.

The motorization device according to the invention, in particular the electronic unit, comprises hardware and/or software means governing the configuration method according to the invention. In particular, the hardware and/or software means comprise an initialization means making it possible to initialize the motorization device, a means for modifying the sequence of activations of the motors and a means for recording the modification at the level of the unit. electronics, in particular at the level of a memory of the electronic unit. The software means may include computer programs.

The motorization device drives a shutter installation with a main leaf comprising a cover slat or joint cover and a secondary leaf. The main leaf must be driven first when opening and last when closing to ensure that the cover slat properly covers the secondary leaf. If this is not the case, the cover slat of the main leaf, already closed when the secondary leaf closes, creates an obstacle to the closing of the latter.

In a case of assembly where a priority motor, that is to say activated first during the opening command and last during the closing command, is associated with the control of the main leaf (a secondary motor being respectively associated with the secondary leaf), the installation does not require priority reversal. In fact, the electronic unit controls the activation of the two motors according to a sequence comprising a time lag between the activation of the priority motor and the secondary motor: during a command to open the two leaves, the priority motor is the motor activated first, the secondary motor being activated with a time lag To relative to the secondary motor, while on closing the priority motor is activated second, with a time lag Tf relative to the motor secondary, the opening and closing offsets possibly being equal or different. Such a sequence of motor activations is illustrated in figure 6 . In this timing diagram, motor Ma is the priority motor and motor Mb is the secondary motor.

In an assembly case where the priority motor is associated with the control of the secondary leaf (the secondary motor being respectively associated with the main leaf), it is then necessary to reverse the control sequence, that is to say, to reversing the priorities associated with the two engines by performing a configuration process.

An embodiment of a configuration method according to the invention is described below with reference to the figure 5 schematically illustrating a series of steps.

The shutter is controlled to open during a first step S1. In this example, the left leaf is the leaf associated with the priority motor (denoted ①), while the right leaf (main leaf) is associated with the secondary motor (denoted ②). In this embodiment, this step constitutes or is part of a step for initializing the drive device.

In a second step, a particular control ergonomics, implemented at the level of the remote control point, causes the transmission of a priority inversion command. This can be done when the shutter is already moving or when it has been stopped by an appropriate command. The particular control ergonomics is received at the level of the electronic unit and is processed accordingly. In this embodiment, this step constitutes or is part of a step for initializing the drive device. In this second step S2, a prolonged press (for example of a duration longer than 5s) is followed by a short back and forth movement of one of the leaves, showing that the priority reversal order has been received and understood. A BIP sound signal can also be emitted thanks to the acoustic transmitter. Step S2 corresponds to a query step: which leaf is driven by the priority motor? The motion feedback identifies the leaf driven by the priority motor (before reversing). This second step constitutes or is part of a step for modifying the sequence of activations of the motors.

In a third step S3, the priority inversion request is confirmed, for example by pressing again (for example pressing the STOP key for 2s). This causes a new information feedback (short back and forth movement of the leaf controlled by the priority motor, audible signal). This feedback is optional. It is used to check that the priority motor/secondary motor inversion has indeed been carried out. The feedback movement is always carried out on the main leaf. If this step S3 is not carried out, the inversion does not finally take place (after the expiry of a time delay).

Following this third step, the modification is recorded at the level of the electronic unit.

Alternatively to the second and third steps described above, in the second step, the priority inversion is controlled for example by applying a prolonged press on the remote control point (for example of a duration greater than 5s). This action is followed by a short back and forth movement of one of the leaves, in particular the leaf driven by the priority motor, showing that the priority reversal order has been received and recorded. An acoustic signal can also be emitted thanks to the acoustic transmitter. The third step is then not necessary.

During the following movement commands in a step S4, the operation priority of the leaves has changed. The left leaf is now the shutter corresponding to the secondary motor (denoted ②), while the right leaf (main leaf, fitted with a cover blade not shown) corresponds to the priority motor (denoted (D). Such a sequence of motor activations is illustrated in figure 7 . On this timing diagram, motor Mb is now the priority motor and motor Ma is now the secondary motor.

A return to an original configuration can be achieved either by carrying out the same manipulation, or by action on the man-machine interface of the electronic unit.

The various information feedbacks described above can also take place at the remote control point.

Alternatively, step S3 can also be used to confirm the priority assignments including in the case where an inversion is not necessary. This step then makes it possible to switch the device to a so-called “use” mode, compared to the previous mode of operation called “configuration”. In this usage mode, the stop or obstacle detection sensitivities can be reduced (or the torque supplied by the motors can be equal to the nominal torque), to avoid untimely stops. In configuration mode, higher sensitivities (or reduced torque supplied by the motors) prevent damage to the shutter leaves, in particular when they close in the wrong sequence and the secondary leaf hits against the main leaf including the cover slat.

The priority inversion could also be implemented automatically. For example, in the initialization step, an analysis step can be carried out in which the motor activation times are measured (when closing or opening the two leaves, in particular for a symmetrical installation) and they are compared. . If these travel times are equal, the priority motor/secondary motor configuration is appropriate for the shutter installation. If, on the other hand, these travel times differ within a predefined interval, it is very likely that this is due to the fact that the secondary flap knocking against the main flap actually has a different opening or closing travel. The step of modifying the sequence of activations of the motors, in particular an inversion of the activations and the step of recording this modification can then be implemented automatically. Alternatively, these steps can be suggested to the user who decides whether or not to implement them, for example via an action on the command point.

The initialization step can include an action on the control point triggering the analysis step.

If the difference between the travel times is significant (beyond the predefined interval) on the other hand, it may be a question of a non-symmetrical installation (a first leaf comes to rest against a wall not parallel to the wall on which comes to rest on the second leaf for example). In this case, the automatic inversion is not implemented. The installer always has the possibility of inverting the priorities thanks to special ergonomics.

The preset interval can be a percentage of the total travel of the priority leaf.

Preferably, following an obstacle detection on one of the leaves of the shutter, a reverse movement of the leaves is automatically controlled. In this case, the activation sequence of the operating motors of each of the leaves is respected, according to the priority assignments to the two motors.

Preferably, and in particular for the detection of obstacles, the management of the forces applied to each of the leaves can be independent. Thus, a different obstacle detection threshold can be applied to each of the two leaves.

The invention is described above applied to a motorized shutter home automation installation. Nevertheless, it is clear that the invention can also be applied to a shutter home automation installation of another type, in particular a sliding shutter home automation installation with a need for prioritization, or a leaf shutter home automation installation with particular kinematics, like the one described in the request FROM 10,028,433 .

Claims (14)

1. Method for configuring a motorization device (1) of a home-automation installation (100) provided with a closure, occulting, solar protection, thermal protection or phonic protection shutter (5a, 5b) comprising a main leaf (5a) and a secondary leaf (5b), the motorization device (1) including an electronic control unit (20) for a first (Ma) and a second (Mb) motors, a remote control point (110) linked with the electronic unit, the first motor manoeuvring the main leaf and the second motor manoeuvring the secondary leaf, the electronic unit driving the activation of the first motor and of the second motor according to a sequence including a time offset (To, Tf) between the activation of the first motor and the second motor, characterized in that it comprises:

   - a step of initialization of the device,

   - a step of modification of the sequence of activations of the motors, and

   - a step of saving of this modification in the electronic unit,

   the initialization step comprising a reception of an initialization signal emitted from the remote control point comprising opening and closure control buttons,

   and in that the modification step comprises a reversal of the sequence of activation of the first and second motors, a particular control ergonomy, implemented at the remote control point, provoking the emission of a reversal command, the reversal of the activation sequence being controlled by applying a prolonged press on the remote control point, this action being followed by a short to-and-fro movement of one of the leaves showing that the order to reverse the activation sequence has indeed been received and saved.
2. Configuration method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the initialization signal emitted from the remote control point is triggered by a particular action on the remote control point, notably on control buttons of the remote control point.
3. Configuration method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modification step comprises a modification of the value of the time offset between the activation of the first motor and the activation of the second motor.
4. Configuration method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the initialization step comprises a step of analysis of a phase of opening and/or of a phase of closure of the leaves.
5. Configuration method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the analysis step comprises a measurement of the times of activation of the two motors making it possible to cover the travel of the leaves.
6. Configuration method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a difference in the activation times of the motors in opening or in closing the leaves greater than a first value and/or less than a second value leads to the modification step or a step prompting execution of the modification step.
7. Configuration method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, following the saving step, the motors are activated at reduced torque until a validation step is performed.
8. Configuration method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the validation step comprises an action on the remote control point.
9. Motorization device (1) for the leaves of a home-automation installation (100) provided with a closure, occulting, solar protection, thermal protection or phonic protection shutter (5a, 5b) comprising a main leaf (5a), a secondary leaf (5b), the motorization device comprising an electronic control unit (20) for a first (Ma) and a second (Mb) motors and a remote control point (110) linked with the electronic unit, the control point (110) comprising opening and closure control buttons, the first motor manoeuvring the main leaf and the second motor manoeuvring the secondary leaf, characterized in that it comprises hardware means (30, 31, 32a, 32b) and/or software means for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, the hardware and/or software means comprising an initialization means making it possible to initialize the motorization device, a means for modifying the sequence of activation of the motors and a means for saving the modification in the electronic unit, notably in a memory of the electronic unit.
10. Motorization device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic unit comprises a means for reversing the activation sequences of the motors following a movement control order, in particular, a reversal program stored in a memory (31) of the electronic unit.
11. Motorization device according to one of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the motors and the electronic unit are placed in one and the same housing (10).
12. Motorization device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the motors are wired to the electronic unit, common to both motors.
13. Motorization device according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the remote control point comprises a wireless or wired remote control, for example a wall-mounted control point wired to the electronic circuit board, comprising control buttons.
14. Motorization device according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a means for detecting effort supplied by at least one of the motors.

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