EP3604705A1 - Device for limiting the displacement of drives - Google Patents

Abstract

A device serves to limit the travel of at least one of two or more drives (18, 20), at least one of which drives a shading device, the two drives (18, 20) driving elements or degrees of freedom of elements whose travel paths overlap, and At least one of the drives (18, 20) is provided for detecting and limiting the travel, which prevents an element from being moved into a position in which another element is already located. In order to simplify the effort in terms of integration into a shading device and possibly other drives (18, 20) that are functionally related, it is provided that at least one of the drives (18, 20) has an internal position detection (24, 26) and A communication link (36) is provided between the drives (18, 20), which transmits the detected position to the other drive (18, 20) wirelessly, an evaluation and control unit (10, 11) limits the travel of this drive (18, 20) in such a way that a collision with the other element is prevented.

Description

The invention relates, according to the preamble of claim 1, to a device for limiting the travel of at least one of two or more drives, at least one of which drives a shading device, the two drives driving elements or degrees of freedom of elements whose travel paths overlap, and means for Detection and limitation of the adjustment path are provided in each case at least one of the drives, which prevent an element from being moved into a position in which another element is already located.

Such devices are known from the prior art. As a rule, position detection is carried out by position switches, it also being known to use monitoring of the motor currents for position detection. For example, in the case of a louvre roof, it is provided that the two drives for turning and moving each other can be locked to prevent damage to the mechanics due to collision of adjacent slats. For this purpose, a central control is provided in a housing on the slat roof, which must be wired to the limit switches and all drives. In addition to the increased space requirements, the additional parts to be installed also result in costs and time expenditure during assembly.

Another disadvantage is that the system must be set precisely during assembly and subsequent corrections or adjustments are no longer possible if, for example, components of the system in the area of the drives or elements that are adjusted by the drives are to be replaced. Tolerances on site can no longer be easily compensated for.

The object of the invention is to provide a collision avoidance of drive systems that can be integrated into a shading device with less effort than before.

Main features of the invention are set out in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 14.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which at least one of the drives has an internal position detection and a communication link is provided between the drives, which transmits the detected position to the other drive, with an evaluation assigned to this drive - And control unit limits the travel of this drive so that a collision with the other element is prevented.

Depending on the arrangement of the shading device, it may be sufficient that only one of the drives is detected, the detected position then being passed on to the other drive or the other drives via the communication link, so that it is locked for safety reasons or limited in its adjustment path can be. The central control for both drives can be omitted, since the evaluation and control unit takes over their function for the drive assigned to them. The drive is therefore connected directly to the supply network, wiring of all drives with a central control is no longer necessary.

If all drives have their own evaluation and control unit, the central control can also be omitted entirely and only one connection to a power supply is required.

An embodiment is particularly preferred in which both or all drives have an evaluation and control unit with position detection and the communication connection is designed bidirectionally, so that the two drives or all drives exchange their actual positions and their adjustment paths, if necessary, to these actual positions are customizable.

This enables continuous monitoring of the positions, so that a collision of elements adjusted by the drives can be avoided under all circumstances. For example, in a correspondingly monitored system, a first drive can act on a curtain of the shading device as an element and the second drive on an adjustable building element. In this way it is possible to prevent the collision of a sun protection curtain with an electrically adjustable window or ventilation element. For example, the first drive can drive a textile shading device and the second drive a door or window element that can be adjusted in its path of movement, wherein the textile shading device can be a conservatory awning that is coupled to the second drive in the travel path of an opening window of a conservatory is movable.

In the same way, two independently adjustable sun protection curtains and their drives can be protected from collisions if these two shading devices are to alternately cover an area.

Instead of two completely independently adjustable elements, the two drives can also drive different degrees of freedom of a single shading device. For example, the first drive can control the extension length of a slat roof or curtain, while the second drive is responsible for adjusting the inclination of the slats arranged parallel to each other. This prevents the inclination adjustment of the slats from being activated when the slat roof is retracted, while conversely, when the slat position is closed, it is not to be possible to retract the slat roof. In this case, it is prevented that coupled elements assigned to a single sun protection device, here the slats, can collide with one another in certain blind positions.

Slat roofs of this type form, for example, parts of self-supporting structures for installation in outdoor areas.

A simple concept of limiting the actuating path can provide that when a limit position of at least one drive is reached, the other drive is locked via the radio link.

Applied to an already mentioned conservatory awning, which is driven by a first drive, and an opening window arranged underneath, which can be adjusted by the second drive, this means that with a bidirectional design of the communication connection, the drive of the winter awning can no longer be actuated when the opening window is in the open position with its drive. Conversely, the drive of the opening window is locked when the fabric covering of the conservatory awning is in the extended state. However, less restrictive locks are also possible, e.g. by in the case of an opening window arranged in the edge area of the winter garden, the winter garden awning can no longer be extended completely, but can only be extended from the opening window to a desired safety distance. This means that the drive of the conservatory awning is not completely locked but only the extension path of the fabric curtain is limited.

In a supplementary or alternative embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the radio link and the evaluation unit continuously adjust the maximum travel of at least one drive to the actual position of the other drive. In this way, the adjustment path can be adapted to the actual state, so that there is still a maximum adjustment possibility of the respective drive under all operating conditions.

Such a design is particularly advantageous, for example, in the case of a window or roof surface, which can optionally be shaded with two different curtains, which are driven by assigned separate drives. With the slat roof already mentioned, there is an advantage in using this concept in that the maximum slat inclination is limited depending on the extension length of the slat roof. When the roof is fully extended, the full adjustment range between the horizontal, complete shading position and the vertical, maximum open slat position can then be used Are available, but which continuously decreases to the fully retracted roof position, so that in this position itself no adjustment from the inclination position provided there is possible.

A further, special embodiment of the invention provides that a freely programmable data memory is assigned to at least one evaluation unit, in which data for limiting the actuating path of the assigned drive can be stored as a function of position signals of the other drive.

Freely programmable means that the software allows an intervention with which the system can be adapted to the respective circumstances around the shading device and the two drives. For example, a conservatory awning with an appropriately programmable data memory can initially be delivered without any restrictions, while then when it is installed in the object, a corresponding software adjustment can be made to an opening window provided in the conservatory, the position of which in the manufacture of the conservatory awning and its drive does not yet exist was known. A simple adaptation to tolerances on site is also possible.

In order to ensure functional reliability under all circumstances, it can be advantageous for the communication link between the two drives to be designed redundantly and / or with a plausibility check which checks the functionality of the position monitoring. In the event of an error, one or both drives can then be locked or limited in their travel, so that a collision of the drives or the elements driven by them is avoided under all circumstances.

The communication connection is preferably established wirelessly as a radio or infrared connection or as a data connection via power supply lines (Powerline Communication PLC) which are present anyway.

While the device described above can in principle be adapted to any type of motor-driven shading device, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that in addition to an evaluation and control unit, the drives each have a radio interface which, in addition to the position signals of the other Evaluate the operator's control signals sent by radio remote controls for the drive control. In the same way, for example, powerline communication with conventional control elements can be used.

Such embodiments combine the features according to the invention with the usual properties of a system remote control and use - as far as possible - their hardware equipment. The position signals of another drive are then evaluated using special software and used to control the drive concerned to limit the adjustment path that may be required.

Also an adjustment of the limitation as a result of conversion or repair measures is possible without further ado and without major intervention in the shading device itself, whereas it was then necessary in the previously known systems to mount new position switches with associated wiring in the system.

• Fig. 1 ein schematisches Schaubild von Antrieben eines Lamellendaches nach dem Stand der Technik;
• Fig. 2 ein Schaubild einer weiteren Ausführungsform von Antrieben eines Lamellendaches mit Positionsschaltern;
• Fig. 3 ein Schaubild einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform von Antrieben eines Lamellendaches;
• Fig. 4 ein Schaubild einer geringfügig abgewandelten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The state of the art is first described in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic images, and then exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of drives a lamella roof according to the prior art;
• Fig. 2 a diagram of a further embodiment of drives a lamella roof with position switches;
• Fig. 3 a diagram of an embodiment of drives according to the invention of a lamella roof;
• Fig. 4 a diagram of a slightly modified embodiment of the invention.

Core of the two drive devices 100 according to the prior art, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 are outlined, a centrally arranged controller 110, which is connected to a power supply 112. The central controller 110 is connected via connecting lines 114, 116 to a first drive 118, which adjusts the extension length of a slat roof (not shown), and to a second drive 120, which serves to adjust the inclination of the slats. The controls can each be operated by the user via connected buttons or a coupled remote control and can communicate with these devices and also with the two drives 118, 120 via a bus system. The bus system and associated hardware are shown schematically as black box 122.

Since both drives 118, 120 cannot be moved to any position without a collision of adjacent slats of the slat roof in the example described here, position detections for the two drives are in the form of encoders 124, 126, 128, 130 (in simple cases, only limit switch) or a current detection is provided which detects an increase in the supply current of a motor 132, 134 when moving to a stop (not shown) in an end position. The corresponding position signals are communicated to the controller 110 via the supply lines as a bus signal or simply as a simple current increase. Electronic shutdown devices 138, 140 can be provided in the drives 118, 120, which switch off the respective drive when the end position is reached. The shutdown devices do not have a further control function. The controller 110 takes into account the presence of certain position information and, for example, deactivates the drive 120 for adjusting the slat inclination when the slat roof is in the retracted end position or the drive 118 for adjusting the extension length of the slat roof when the slats are in a horizontal position when the roof is in the extended state closed position.

In Fig. 2 Additional cabling 136 is shown, which is required if the signals from the respective position transmitters 128, 130 cannot be passed on to the central controller via the supply lines. This is particularly the case if the sensors are arranged remotely from the motor 134, as in the case of the Fig. 2 Drive 120 shown below is illustrated.

In 3 and 4 two very similar exemplary embodiments of drive devices 1, 2 according to the invention are shown. The first feature is that not a single central control unit controls several motors 32, 34, but each has its own evaluation and control unit 10, 11. The two drives are connected to a power supply 12, separate connection lines between a central control and the drives can be omitted. Since there is no longer a central control, it is necessary for the evaluation and control units 10, 11 to receive the necessary position information directly and to take the position of the slats into account with regard to the inclination and extension length of the slat roof when the two drives 18, 20 are actuated.

For this purpose, it is provided that in this exemplary embodiment both drives have sensors 24, 26 for position detection of at least the end position of the adjustment paths of the two drives 18, 20. These communicate with one another via radio connections 36, so that the respective Actual positions are exchanged between the evaluation and control units 10, 11 and are available in the other drive. There, the evaluation and control unit 10, 11 can then determine the permissible adjustment path of its assigned drive on the basis of the position of the other drive and thus avoid collisions of the control elements, here the lamellae. Instead of the radio connection, any other type of data communication can also be selected, for example an infrared connection or a powerline communication via the supply network. If a specific communication system for controlling the drives by the user is provided, for example a radio remote control 40, as in the embodiments according to 3 and 4 or a powerline communication, in which the control elements communicate their data to the drives via the supply lines, the corresponding hardware can also be used to establish the data connection between the drives 18, 20.

This in Fig. 4 The exemplary embodiment shown largely corresponds to the drive device 1 Fig. 3 , however, in this drive device 2 according to Fig. 4 Both evaluation and control units 10, 11 integrated in the respective drive 18, 20. This variant will generally be preferred if, for example, two drives 18, 20 to be coordinated are provided in a sun protection system, such as a slatted roof. The evaluation and control unit can, however, also be designed remotely from the drive, for example in the case of a house control with windows that can be opened in a winter garden, above which a shading device with an integrated drive is provided. It is also possible to network a drive of a shading device with a central control of a separate system in order to coordinate the movement sequences, the essential difference from the prior art being that the drives to be coordinated no longer have to be controlled via a central control.

The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways. For example, more than two actuators can exchange data with one another and the software can limit each other's travel paths or completely lock themselves. In the context of the exemplary embodiments already mentioned, this can relate, for example, to a further opening window in a winter garden or the arrangement of a slat roof adjustable in two degrees of freedom with two drives over a winter garden with one or more opening windows with separate drives which, in the open state, move into the adjustment area of the slats of the Slat roofs can protrude.

All of the features and advantages arising from the claims and the description, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in the most varied of combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

driving device

2

driving device

10

Evaluation and control unit

11

Evaluation and control unit

12

power supply

18, 20

drive

22

Data / radio interface

24, 26

Encoder / position sensing

32, 34

Engines

36

Communication / wireless connections

40

Radio remote control

State of the art:

100

driving device

110

central control

112

power supply

114, 116

connecting cables

118, 120

drives

122

Hardware (black box)

124, 126

Encoder / position sensing

128, 130

Encoder / position sensing

132, 134

Engines

136

additional cabling

138, 140

electronic shutdown devices

Claims (14)

Device for limiting the travel of at least one of two or more drives (18, 20), at least one of which drives a shading device, the two drives (18, 20) driving elements or degrees of freedom of elements whose travel paths overlap, and means for Detection and limitation of the actuating path in each case at least one of the drives (18, 20) are provided, which prevent an element from being moved into a position in which another element is already located, characterized in that at least one of the drives (18, 20 ) has an internal position detection (24, 26) and a direct communication connection (36) between the drives (18, 20) is provided, which transmits the detected position to the other drive (18, 20) wirelessly, one of which drives this (18, 20) assigned evaluation and control unit 10, 11) limits the travel of this drive (18, 20) in such a way that a collision m it is prevented from the other element. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that both or all drives (18, 20) have an evaluation and control unit (10, 11) with position detection and the communication link (s) (36) is (are) bi-directional, so that the two or all drives (18, 20) exchange their actual positions and their adjustment paths can be adapted if necessary. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when a limit position of at least one drive (18, 20) is reached, the other drive (18, 20) is locked via the communication link (36). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that via the communication link (36) and the evaluation and control unit (10, 11) a continuous adjustment of the maximum travel of at least one drive (18, 29) to the actual position of the each other drive (18, 20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a freely programmable data memory of at least one evaluation and control unit (10, 11) is assigned, in which data for limiting the travel of the assigned drive (18, 20) depending on position signals of the other drive (18, 20) can be stored. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first drive acts on a curtain of the shading device as an element and the second drive on an adjustable building element. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the first drive drives a textile shading device and the second drive drives a door or window element which can be opened in its path of movement. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the textile shading device is a winter awning which is movable in the travel path of a window in a winter garden, which is coupled to the second drive. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first drive (18) controls the extended position of a slatted curtain or roof (first degree of freedom) and the second drive (20) controls the slat inclination of the slatted curtain (second degree of freedom). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the lamella roof is part of a self-supporting structure for installation in an outdoor area. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication connection (36) between the two drives (18, 20) is designed redundantly and / or with a plausibility check which checks the functionality of the position monitoring. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication link (36) is constructed as a radio link or as a data link communicating via the power network (12). Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the drives (18, 20) in addition to the evaluation and control unit (10, 11) each have a radio interface (22) which, in addition to the radio signals of the other drive, also has radio remote controls (40) Evaluate control signals sent by a user for the drive control. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit (10, 11) is integrated in a housing of the associated drive (18, 20).

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