EP3951126A1 - System for the orientation of shading lamellae for protecting a facade and method for adjusting the orientation of the lamellae - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a system and a method for the protection of a facade comprising a series of slats (24) each of which is pivotable in both directions, and a device for driving the slats (24) comprising a carriage ( 44) for driving the slats in pivoting, an actuator of the drive carriage (44) which comprises a wire (52) made of a material with shape memory, characterized in that the system comprises a wedge (60) controlled by adjustment of the angular orientation of the slats (24) which is movably mounted between a retracted position and an active wedging position in which the wedge (60) immobilizes the drive carriage (44) in an intermediate longitudinal position between its two extreme positions .

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a slat orientation system of a concealment system for the protection of a facade.

The invention relates in particular to a system for directing louvres of a system for concealing windows for the solar protection of a facade.

The invention also relates to a method for varying the angular position of the slats of a screening system for the protection of a facade by means of such an orientation system.

Technical background

The invention belongs to the field of mechanical systems for solar protection on building facades.

The glazed facades of a building can be equipped with mobile screening systems whose function is to regulate the energy inputs in the building, as well as to improve the visual and luminous comfort of the occupants of the building.

Such a concealment system comprises a series of pivoting slats or lamellae whose angular orientation is controlled.

Such mobile concealment systems (blind, slat blind, adjustable slat sunscreen, etc.) can be operated manually.

To cause changes in the angular orientation, it is also possible and known to use motors and drive mechanisms. Such solutions have the drawback of being noisy and also pose problems of durability of the mechanisms, weight, size and consumption of the electric motors, etc.

In order to remedy at least some of these drawbacks, it has already been proposed to replace the electric motors by a controlled actuator which comprises an element of variable length made of a shape memory material whose temperature variation causing its length variation is obtained by Joule effect.

• une série de lamelles parallèles (20) dont chacune est pivotante dans les deux sens autour d'un axe de pivotement (22) ;
• et un dispositif d'entraînement en pivotement des lamelles qui comprend :
  • -- un chariot (37) d'entraînement qui est mobile en translation dans les deux sens selon une direction longitudinale orthogonale aux axes (22) de pivotement des lamelles (20) et sur une course déterminée entre une première position extrême vers laquelle il est rappelé élastiquement par un ressort (34) et une deuxième position extrême;
  • -- un mécanisme (38) de transformation des déplacements longitudinaux du chariot d'entrainement (37) en pivotements simultanés des lamelles (20) ;
  • -- un actionneur commandé (31) des déplacements du chariot d'entraînement qui comporte un élément (34) de longueur variable réalisé dans un matériau à mémoire de forme, dont la longueur varie en fonction de sa température, dont une première extrémité est reliée à un point fixe d'ancrage (36), et dont l'autre extrémité est reliée au chariot d'entraînement (37) ;
  • -- des moyens de commande de la variation de la température de l'élément de longueur variable de l'actionneur pour provoquer des déplacements du chariot d'entrainement entre ses deux positions extrêmes.

Such an example is described and represented in the document JP2012013400 which offers a slat orientation system for a screening system for the protection of a facade, comprising:

• a series of parallel slats (20) each of which is pivotable in both directions about a pivot axis (22);
• and a device for driving the slats in pivoting which comprises:
  • -- a drive carriage (37) which is movable in translation in both directions along a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the axes (22) for pivoting the slats (20) and over a determined stroke between a first extreme position towards which it is elastically returned by a spring (34) and a second extreme position;
  • -- a mechanism (38) for transforming the longitudinal movements of the drive carriage (37) into simultaneous pivoting of the slats (20);
  • -- a controlled actuator (31) for the movements of the drive carriage which comprises an element (34) of variable length made of a shape memory material, the length of which varies according to its temperature, a first end of which is connected to a fixed anchor point (36), and the other end of which is connected to the drive carriage (37);
  • -- means for controlling the variation in temperature of the variable length element of the actuator to cause movement of the drive carriage between its two extreme positions.

The variable length element (32) with shape memory of the controlled actuator (31) is a wired longitudinal element made of a shape memory alloy, the controlled variation of the temperature of which is produced by heating by Joule effect of this wireframe element.

The wired longitudinal element made of a shape memory alloy is a wire shaped like a helical spring (32) which is connected in series with a helical spring (34) elastic return of the drive carriage which is made of steel.

Other principle designs are shown in the documents FR2697049A1 and WO2016/009290A1 .

Such an actuator is put in place by tensioning the shape memory wire simultaneously with the elastic deformation of the spring.

For example, a shape memory wire or "AMF" wire can be hooked to the end of a spring, and the actuator is put in place by increasing the total length of the AMF wire + spring assembly, by stretching the AMF wire and elastically deforming the spring. The shape-memory wire is then stretched, for example, by about 5% of its initial length, and it is in mechanical equilibrium with the spring.

An alloy is chosen whose phase change temperature is higher than room temperature. Thus, during the heating of the shape memory wire, the "high temperature" phase of the alloy becomes the most stable and the "shape memory" effect is obtained: the shape memory wire tries to return to its unstretched initial. Its length decreases, and the spring lengthens by accumulating additional elastic energy. When the heating of the shape memory wire is interrupted, the shape memory wire cools by convection and it is stretched again thanks to the elastic energy stored in the spring connected in series with the shape memory wire.

The heating of the shape memory wire is obtained by the Joule effect by circulating an appropriate electric current therein.

The shape memory alloy (Nickel-Titanium alloy being the most widespread) having been deformed beforehand, is capable of producing significant forces when crossing a threshold temperature, to return to its initial configuration thanks to the "shape memory" effect. It is frequently used as an actuator (see Mohd Jani, J., M. Leary, A. Subic, and M. Gibson 2014. A review of shape memory alloy research, applications and opportunities. Materials and Design, 56:1078-1113 ).

It is used here to set in motion vertical or horizontal parallel slats that regulate the passage of light and thermal radiation through the facade. Indeed, these lamellae can for example be made of a screen-printed glass, having a low solar factor. The slats or lamellae have a pivoting movement about a vertical axis caused by the horizontal translation of the drive carriage. This translation is transformed into pivoting of the lamellae using connecting rods. The translation of the carriage is caused by means of the shape memory actuator composed of a shape memory wire and a spring. It is thus possible to adapt, for example, the configuration of the system to the position of the sun.

Such a type of shape-memory wire actuator has the drawback that, in order to maintain the slats in a determined angular position after adjustment, it is necessary to continuously maintain the "hot" configuration of the shape-memory wire of the actuator, maintaining the current supply to the shape memory wire.

This drawback is major when the slats must be maintained in a determined angular position for a very long period. Furthermore, it is particularly complex to obtain precise adjustment in at least one determined angular position of the slats.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

Summary of the invention

• une position escamotée ;
• et une position active de calage dans laquelle, à l'encontre d'un effort de rappel élastique appliqué au chariot d'entraînement, la cale commandée de réglage immobilise, directement ou indirectement, le chariot d'entraînement dans une position longitudinale intermédiaire entre ses deux positions extrêmes.

The invention proposes a system of the type mentioned above, characterized in that it comprises a controlled wedge for adjusting the angular orientation of the slats which is movably mounted between:

• a retracted position;
• and an active wedging position in which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage, the controlled adjustment wedge immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the drive carriage in an intermediate longitudinal position between its two extreme positions.

Thus, it is possible to immobilize the drive carriage and the slats in a fixed position and angular orientation, without having to heat the shape memory wire permanently.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the behavior of a shape memory wire is not easy to control with precision. And the angular position of the lamellae is even less precise than the kinematic amplification of the movements of the drive carriage - which is for example obtained by connecting rods - is important in such a system.

Thanks to the controlled adjustment wedge according to the invention against which the drive carriage is in abutment, the return of the carriage to its first extreme position (towards which it is elastically returned) is prevented and it is possible to maintain the lamellae in a determined adjustment position, without energy consumption.

• il comporte au moins deux cales commandées de réglage dont chacune est montée mobile entre :
  • -- une position escamotée de repos ;
  • -- et une position active dans laquelle, à l'encontre d'un effort de rappel élastique appliqué au chariot d'entraînement, la cale commandée de réglage immobilise, directement ou indirectement, le chariot d'entraînement dans une position longitudinale associée intermédiaire entre ses première et deuxième positions extrêmes ;
• la cale commandée de réglage est montée mobile entre :
  • -- une position escamotée ;
  • -- et au moins deux positions actives déterminées de calage dans chacune desquelles, à l'encontre d'un effort de rappel élastique appliqué au chariot d'entraînement, la cale commandée de réglage immobilise, directement ou indirectement, le chariot d'entraînement dans une position longitudinale associée intermédiaire entre ses deux positions extrêmes ;
• dans sa position active, chaque cale commandée de réglage coopère avec une surface de butée appartenant au chariot d'entraînement ;
• le chariot d'entraînement comporte une surface de butée commune à chaque cale commandée de réglage ;
• chaque cale commandée de réglage est montée mobile selon une direction orthogonale à la direction longitudinale de translation du chariot d'entraînement ;
• chaque cale commandée de réglage est montée mobile selon une direction parallèle aux axes de pivotement des lamelles ;
• dans sa première position extrême vers laquelle il est rappelé élastiquement, le chariot d'entrainement est en appui longitudinal contre une surface fixe ;
• chaque cale commandée de réglage est rappelée élastiquement vers sa position active de calage ;
• le système comporte un actionneur commandé des déplacements de chaque cale commandée de réglage qui comporte un élément de longueur variable réalisé dans un matériau à mémoire de forme, dont la longueur varie en fonction de sa température, dont une première extrémité est reliée à un point fixe d'accrochage, et dont l'autre extrémité est reliée à la cale commandée de réglage associée, et comporte des moyens de commande de la variation de la température de l'élément de longueur variable de l'actionneur de chaque cale commandée de réglage pour provoquer des déplacements de chaque cale commandée de réglage entre sa position active de calage et sa position escamotée ;
• chaque cale commandée de réglage est apte à occuper une position intermédiaire entre ses positions escamotée et active de calage dans laquelle elle est en appui élastique contre une portion de surface en vis-à-vis du chariot d'entraînement ;
• le mécanisme de transformation des déplacements longitudinaux du chariot d'entraînement comporte une série de biellettes d'entrainement en pivotements simultanés des lamelles dont chacune relie un point du chariot d'entraînement à un point d'une lamelle associée ;
• l'élément de longueur variable de l'actionneur commandé du chariot d'entraînement est un élément longitudinal filaire réalisé en un alliage à mémoire de forme dont la variation commandée de la température est réalisée par chauffage par effet Joule de cet élément filaire ;
• l'élément longitudinal filaire réalisé en un alliage à mémoire de forme est un fil rectiligne ou un fil conformé en un ressort hélicoïdal ;
• le chariot d'entraînement est relié audit point d'ancrage fixe par un ressort longitudinal de traction.

According to other system characteristics:

• it comprises at least two controlled adjustment wedges, each of which is movably mounted between:
  • -- a retracted resting position;
  • -- and an active position in which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage, the controlled adjustment wedge immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the drive carriage in an associated longitudinal position intermediate between its first and second extreme positions;
• the controlled adjustment wedge is movably mounted between:
  • -- a retracted position;
  • -- and at least two determined active wedging positions in each of which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage, the controlled adjustment wedge immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the drive carriage in an associated longitudinal position intermediate between its two extreme positions;
• in its active position, each controlled adjustment wedge cooperates with an abutment surface belonging to the drive carriage;
• the drive carriage has an abutment surface common to each controlled adjustment wedge;
• each controlled adjustment wedge is movably mounted in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of translation of the drive carriage;
• each controlled adjustment wedge is movably mounted in a direction parallel to the pivot axes of the slats;
• in its first extreme position towards which it is elastically returned, the drive carriage is in longitudinal support against a fixed surface;
• each controlled adjustment wedge is elastically returned to its active wedging position;
• the system comprises an actuator controlled for the displacements of each controlled adjustment wedge which comprises a variable length element made of a shape memory material, the length of which varies according to its temperature, a first end of which is connected to a fixed point attachment, and whose other end is connected to the associated controlled adjustment wedge, and comprises means for controlling the variation of the temperature of the variable length element of the actuator of each controlled adjustment wedge for causing displacement of each controlled adjustment wedge between its active wedging position and its retracted position;
• each controlled adjustment wedge is capable of occupying an intermediate position between its retracted and active wedging positions in which it bears elastically against a surface portion facing the drive carriage;
• the mechanism for transforming the longitudinal movements of the drive carriage comprises a series of drive rods for simultaneous pivoting of the slats, each of which connects a point of the drive carriage to a point of an associated slat;
• the variable-length element of the controlled actuator of the drive carriage is a wired longitudinal element made of a shape-memory alloy, the controlled variation of the temperature of which is achieved by heating this wired element by Joule effect;
• the wired longitudinal element made of a shape memory alloy is a straight wire or a wire shaped like a helical spring;
• the drive carriage is connected to said fixed anchor point by a longitudinal traction spring.

• e1) commander le déplacement du chariot d'entraînement pour l'amener dans sa deuxième position extrême ;
• e2) commander le déplacement d'une cale commandée de réglage pour l'amener dans sa position de calage ;
• e3) commander le déplacement du chariot d'entraînement pour l'amener dans ladite position intermédiaire dans laquelle il est immobilisé par cette cale commandée de réglage.

The invention also proposes a method for varying the angular position of the slats of a screening system for the protection of a facade by means of a system according to the invention, characterized in that it consists in successively:

• e1) controlling the movement of the drive carriage to bring it into its second extreme position;
• e2) controlling the movement of a controlled adjustment wedge to bring it into its wedged position;
• e3) control the movement of the drive carriage to bring it into said intermediate position in which it is immobilized by this controlled adjustment wedge.

According to another characteristic of the method, it comprises an initial step e0) which consists in controlling the movement of each controlled adjustment wedge from its intermediate position to its retracted position

Brief descriptions of figures

• [Fig.1] - la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un exemple de réalisation d'un système selon l'invention qui comporte six lamelles verticales parallèles agencées en deux modules adjacents dont chacun comporte une série de trois lamelles et un dispositif d'entraînement en pivotement des lamelles et une cale commandée de réglage associées, et sur laquelle les lamelles sont représentées dans leur position réglée à quarante-cinq degrés d'angle ;
• [Fig.2] - la figure 2 est une vue en coupe par le plan transversal et vertical 2-2 de la figure 4 qui représente une lamelle verticale dans sa position angulaire ouverte à quatre-vingt-dix degrés d'angle ;
• [Fig.3] - la figure 3 est une vue de détail à grande échelle de la partie inférieure de la figure 2 ;
• [Fig.4] - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe par le plan longitudinal et horizontal 4-4 de la figure 2 qui représente le système de la figure 1 sans les cales commandées de réglage et sur laquelle les lamelles verticales sont représentées dans leur position angulaire ouverte à quatre-vingt-dix degrés d'angle ;
• [Fig.5] - la figure 5 est une vue de détail à grande échelle de partie d'extrémité longitudinale arrière de la figure 4 ;
• [Fig.6] - la figure 6 est une vue de détail à grande échelle de partie d'extrémité longitudinale avant de la figure 4 ;
• [Fig.7] - la figure 7 est une vue de détail à grande échelle de la partie inférieure et d'extrémité longitudinale arrière de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.8] - la figure 8 est une vue en coupe par le plan longitudinal et horizontal 8-8 de la figure 7 sur laquelle les lamelles sont représentées dans une position angulaire intermédiaire partiellement ouverte à quarante-cinq degrés d'angle.
• [Fig.9] - la figure 9 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 8 qui illustre une variante de réalisation visant à permettre d'obtenir quatre positions angulaires distinctes définies des lamelles au moyen d'un jeu de trois cales commandées de réglage.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig.1 ] - the figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention which comprises six parallel vertical slats arranged in two adjacent modules, each of which comprises a series of three slats and a device for driving the slats in pivoting and a associated controlled adjustment wedge, and on which the slats are represented in their position adjusted at a forty-five degree angle;
• [ Fig.2 ] - the figure 2 is a sectional view through the transverse and vertical plane 2-2 of the figure 4 which represents a vertical slat in its open angular position at a ninety degree angle;
• [ Fig.3 ] - the picture 3 is a large-scale detail view of the lower part of the picture 2 ;
• [ Fig.4 ] - the figure 4 is a sectional view through the longitudinal and horizontal plane 4-4 of the figure 2 which represents the system of figure 1 without the controlled adjustment shims and on which the vertical slats are shown in their open angular position at a ninety degree angle;
• [ Fig.5 ] - the figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the aft longitudinal end portion of the figure 4 ;
• [ Fig.6 ] - the figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the forward longitudinal end portion of the figure 4 ;
• [ Fig.7 ] - the figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the lower part and rear longitudinal end of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.8 ] - the figure 8 is a sectional view through the longitudinal and horizontal plane 8-8 of the figure 7 on which the slats are represented in an intermediate angular position partially open at forty-five degrees of angle.
• [ Fig.9 ] - the figure 9 is a view analogous to that of figure 8 which illustrates an alternative embodiment aimed at making it possible to obtain four distinct defined angular positions of the slats by means of a set of three controlled adjustment wedges.

Detailed description of the invention

For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference L, V, T indicated in the figures whose longitudinal axes L and transverse T extend in a horizontal plane.

By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front (from left to right considering the figure 1 ) in the direction of movement of the drive carriage from its first extreme position to its second extreme position.

In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

Example embodiment of the invention

We represented at the figure 1 an embodiment of a screening system 20 for solar protection of a building facade.

The system 20 comprises two modules 22 each of which comprises a series of three parallel vertical slats or lamellae 24 which allow the protection of a window 26 of the facade.

Each module 22 comprises a rectangular frame 21 consisting of an upper horizontal upright 28, a lower horizontal upright 30, a left vertical upright 32 and a right vertical upright 34. Each upright is a plate whose transverse width is identical to delimit a cavity 36 in which is housed all three slats and their drive device.

The three slats 24 of each series are evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction and each is pivotally mounted in both directions between the horizontal uprights 28 and 30 around a vertical pivot axis AVP.

Each slat 24 is in the form of a rectangular vertical plate which, at its upper end, is provided with a horizontal upper crosspiece 23 which is pivotally mounted with respect to the upper horizontal upright 28.

At its lower end, each slat is provided with a lower horizontal crosspiece 25 which is pivotally mounted with respect to the lower horizontal upright 30.

The central part 38 of each horizontal lower crosspiece 25 is shaped as a horizontal disc centered around the axis AVP.

Each slat 24 is mounted free to pivot about its axis AVP and it can be driven in pivoting, in both directions, by a horizontal rod 40, one end 39 of which is mounted articulated on the central part 38 of the lower horizontal crosspiece 25 around a vertical axis which is eccentric with respect to the AVP axis.

For the simultaneous pivoting drive of the three slats 24 of a module 22, the drive device comprises a lower longitudinal drive carriage 44 which is mounted to slide horizontally in both directions in the longitudinal direction relative to the lower horizontal upright. 30.

The drive carriage 44 is here made in the form of a hollow profile of square section which is mounted to slide axially on a fixed longitudinal lower rail 46.

The other end 41 of each connecting rod 40 is mounted articulated on the drive carriage 44 around a vertical axis.

As can be seen at the figure 4 , the geometric arrangement of the slats 24 and the positioning and dimensioning of the links 40 are such that the slats 24 are always parallel to each other and the links 40 are always parallel to each other, and that the movements of the drive carriage 44 cause simultaneous pivoting in the same direction and at the same angle of the slats 24.

For a group of two adjacent modules 22 as illustrated in the figures, the drive carriage 44 and the links 40 of the left module are arranged transversely between the open face of the frame 21 and the pivot axes AVP, while the carriage drive 44 and the rods 40 of the right module are arranged transversely between the window 26 and the pivot axes AVP.

Thus, the two drive carriages 44 are offset transversely relative to each other.

Each drive carriage 44 is permanently elastically returned, by a helical traction spring 48, towards an extreme longitudinal position in which a longitudinal end transverse face 43 of the drive carriage 44 is in longitudinal support against a fixed surface which is a portion facing an associated vertical upright.

Thus, the transverse face of the rear longitudinal end 43 of the drive carriage 44 on the left is an abutment face in longitudinal support against the portion facing the vertical upright on the left 32 of the frame 21 of the module 22 on the left. , while the transverse face of the front longitudinal end 43 of the drive carriage 44 on the right bears longitudinally against the portion facing the vertical upright on the right 34 of the frame 21 of the module 22 on the right.

Each return spring 48 is a tension spring whose first longitudinal end 47 is fixed to a vertical upright of the frame 21 and whose the other opposite end 49 is fixed to an internal plate 50 of the associated drive carriage 44.

Each drive carriage 44 is associated with an actuator controlled by its shape memory displacements which, without limitation, is here a longitudinal wire 52 which is made of a shape memory alloy whose controlled temperature variation is produced by Joule effect heating of the element and whose length varies according to its temperature. One end 51 of each shape memory wire 52 is connected to a fixed anchor point, and its other end 53 is connected to the drive carriage 44.

More specifically, the right end 51 of the shape memory wire 52 fitted to the drive carriage 44 of the module 22 on the left is connected to a fixed anchoring point 54 of the right vertical upright 34 of the frame 21 of the module 22 on the right, while its other end 53 is fixed to the drive carriage 44 near its end rear transverse face 43. The shape memory wire 52 extends freely through the adjacent vertical uprights 30 and 32 of the two frames 21.

The left end 51 of the shape memory wire 52 fitted to the drive carriage 44 of the module 22 on the right is connected to a fixed anchoring point 54 of the left vertical upright 32 of the frame 21 of the module 22 on the left, while its other end 53 is fixed to the drive carriage 44 near its end front transverse face 43. The shape memory wire 52 extends freely through the adjacent vertical uprights 30 and 32 of the two frames 21

The fixed anchoring point 54 of each wire 52 with shape memory is designed to allow adjustment of the tension of the wire, for example in the form of a key similar to that designed for adjusting the tension of a rope. of guitar.

According to the invention, to immobilize the drive carriage 44 longitudinally in a fixed longitudinal position determined with precision adjustment of the angular orientation of the slats 24, the system comprises at least one controlled wedge 60 for adjustment.

• une première position extrême stable initiale dite de repos illustrée aux figures 4 à 6 dans laquelle la face transversale d'extrémité 43 de chaque chariot 44 d'entraînement est en butée longitudinale contre une position en vis-à-vis d'un montant vertical 32, 34 ;
• une seconde position longitudinale extrême qui correspond à la réduction maximale de la longueur du fil 52 à mémoire de forme lorsque ce dernier est chauffé, ici par effet Joule. A titre non limitatif, cette position peut correspondre à un pivotement de quatre-vingt-dix degrés d'angle des lamelles 24 qui sont alors parallèles au plan de la vitre 26.

In the example illustrated in the figures and on a non-limiting basis, the wedge 60 is a wedge which cooperates directly with the drive carriage 44 for immobilize it in at least one longitudinal position which is intermediate between two extreme longitudinal positions including:

• a first extreme initial stable position called rest illustrated in figures 4 to 6 wherein the transverse end face 43 of each drive carriage 44 is in longitudinal abutment against a position facing a vertical upright 32, 34;
• a second extreme longitudinal position which corresponds to the maximum reduction in the length of the shape memory wire 52 when the latter is heated, here by the Joule effect. Non-limitingly, this position may correspond to a pivoting of ninety degrees of angle of the slats 24 which are then parallel to the plane of the window 26.

The left drive carriage 44 is thus able to move from left to right from its first extreme position to its second extreme position when the associated shape memory wire 52 is heated, while the right drive carriage 44 is capable of moving from right to left from its first extreme position to its second extreme position when the associated shape memory wire 52 is heated.

The wedge 60 is in the form of a block which is in particular delimited by a lower horizontal face 62 which is capable of cooperating with a portion facing the upper horizontal face 45 of the associated drive carriage 44 .

Each wedge 60 is also delimited by a vertical wedging face 64 which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage 44, is here capable of cooperating with the transverse end face 43 of the carriage 44 associated training.

Each wedge 60 is movably mounted, here vertically, relative to the carriage 44 drive.

Each wedge 60 is arranged at the lower end of a vertical drive carriage 66 which is mounted to slide in both directions in the vertical direction relative to the adjacent vertical upright 32 or 34.

The vertical drive carriage 66 is axially slidably mounted on a fixed vertical side rail 68 which is carried by an adjacent vertical upright 32 or 34.

Each vertical drive carriage 66 is permanently elastically returned by a helical traction spring 70, to an extreme low vertical position (see figure 1 and 7 ) in which the vertical wedging face 64 of the wedge 60 extends vertically opposite the longitudinal end transverse face 43 of the associated drive carriage 44, that is to say that the wedge 60 is located on the trajectory of the associated drive carriage 44.

The lower end 69 of the return spring 70 of the wedge 60 is connected to a fixed attachment point 74, while its upper end 71 is connected to an internal plate 76 of the vertical carriage 66 drive.

Each vertical drive carriage 66 is associated with an actuator controlled by its movements which, without limitation, is here a vertical wire 78 which is made of a shape memory alloy whose controlled temperature variation is achieved by heating by Joule effect of the element and whose length varies according to its temperature.

An upper end 79 of each shape memory wire 52 is connected to a fixed attachment point 80, and its other lower end 77 is connected to the vertical drive carriage 66.

More specifically, the upper end 79 of the shape memory wire 78 is connected to a fixed attachment point 80 which is designed to allow adjustment of the tension of the wire 78, for example in the form of a key similar to one designed for adjusting the tension of a guitar string. When the shape memory wire 78 is heated, for example by the Joule effect, its length decreases and, against the return force exerted by the return spring 70, the vertical carriage 66 is driven vertically upwards. and it thus causes a vertical upward movement of the wedge 60 upwards.

When the associated shape memory wire 78 is heated, the vertical drive carriage 66 of the wedge 60 is thus able to move from bottom to top from its first extreme low position illustrated in figure 1 and 7 towards its second retracted upper extreme position, not shown in the figures, in which the lower horizontal face 62 of the wedge 60 is located vertically with clearance above the upper horizontal face 45 of the carriage 44 for driving the slats 24 in pivoting.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 7 and 8 , wedge 60 is

In an active wedging position in which, against the elastic return force applied to the drive carriage 44, the controlled adjustment wedge 60 directly immobilizes the drive carriage 44 in an intermediate longitudinal position between its two extreme positions. In this intermediate position, the transverse end face 43 of the drive carriage 44 is at an abutment distance Di from the adjacent vertical upright.

This distance Di is determined by the longitudinal position of the vertical wedging face 64 of the wedge 60.

In this intermediate adjustment position, the slats 24 are in an intermediate angular position between their "closed" position of maximum occultation illustrated in figure 1 and their "open" position of minimal occultation illustrated in the figure 5 wherein the slats 24 extend in vertical planes orthogonal to the plane of the pane 26.

In their intermediate position, the slats 24 are oriented substantially at forty-five degrees of angle alpha between these two positions of maximum and minimum occultation.

When the horizontal drive carriage 44 is in its first extreme position illustrated in figure 1 (Also called the rest position), and the vertical shape memory wire 78 is not heated, the vertical drive carriage 66 is elastically biased downwards and the lower horizontal face 62 of the wedge 60 is elastically biased by the return spring 70 bearing vertically downwards against a portion facing the upper horizontal face 45 of the carriage 44 drive.

The system control method according to the invention is as follows.

Starting from the rest position of the carriage 44 for driving the slats 24 in pivoting, without limitation, one begins with a first initial step e0) of heating the vertical wire 78 with shape memory to control the movement of the wedge. control 60 from its intermediate position in which it is supported vertically downwards on the drive carriage 44, towards its extreme high position retracted to move its lower face 62 away from the upper horizontal face 45 of the carriage 44 drive.

Thus, there is no longer any friction between the wedge and the drive carriage 44. The heated state of the vertical wire 78 with shape memory is maintained and the method continues with a first step e1) consisting in heating the horizontal wire 52 with shape memory to control the movement of the associated drive carriage 44 towards its second extreme position in which its transverse end face 43 extends in a vertical plane which is offset vertically towards the plane in which is located the vertical face 64 for wedging the associated wedge 60.

Then, the method continues with a step e2) consisting in stopping the heating of the vertical wire 78 with shape memory to cause the vertical downward movement of the vertical carriage 66 and of the wedge 60 towards the extreme low position of the latter in which its vertical wedging face 64 extends facing at least a portion of the transverse end face 43 of the carriage 44 for driving the slats.

Finally, the next step e3) of the process consists in stopping the heating of the horizontal wire 52 with shape memory in order, under the action of the return spring 48, to cause it to return to its intermediate position illustrated in figure 1 , 7 and 8 .

In this intermediate adjustment position, the drive carriage 44 and the slats are in a determined fixed adjustment position without any of the shape memory wires 52 and 78 being heated, that is to say without no power consumption.

Starting from this stable intermediate adjustment position, if it is desired to return the slats to their angular position illustrated in figure 5 and 6 , it is necessary to proceed to a step e4) starting by heating the horizontal drive wire 52 of the drive carriage 44 to bring the latter back to its second extreme longitudinal position, then - maintaining the heating of the shape memory wire 52 , it is necessary to proceed to a step e5) consisting in heating the vertical shape memory wire 78 again to control the upward vertical movement of the vertical carriage 66 and of the wedge 60 towards their retracted extreme high position.

Then, it is necessary to proceed to a new step e6) consisting in stopping the heating of the horizontal wire 52 with shape memory to “release” the drive carriage 44 and cause it to return to its first extreme longitudinal position mentioned above.

It is then possible, during a new step e7) to interrupt the heating of the vertical wire 78 with shape memory to "release" the vertical carriage 66 and the wedge 60, the lower horizontal face 62 of which comes back into elastic support against a portion vis-à-vis the upper horizontal face 45 of the carriage 44 drive.

Variants and additional versions

According to a first variant, it is possible to obtain several intermediate positions for adjusting the slats 24 between their two extreme angular positions.

A first solution consists in designing a wedge 60 whose lower horizontal face 62 is stepped and delimits at least two longitudinally spaced vertical wedging faces, and consists in controlling the vertical movements of the wedge 60 so that it can occupy at least one intermediate vertical position between its two extreme vertical positions.

Thus, the transverse end face 43 of the end carriage 44 is able to cooperate with several vertical wedging faces of the wedge 60.

Another solution consists in using at least two adjacent shims 60 whose vertical wedging faces extend in vertical planes longitudinally offset from each other, and consists in individually and selectively controlling each of these adjacent shims of different transverse widths .

• Lamelles 24 à 90 degrés d'angle <-> Di = 0 - chariot 44 en butée contre le montant vertical associé ;
• Lamelles à +45 degrés d'angle <-> Di = Dia - première cale A ;
• lamelles à 0 degré d'angle <-> Di = Dib > Dia - deuxième cale B ;
• lamelles à -45 degrés d'angle <-> Di = Dic > Dib - troisième cale C.

Thus, and for example, to obtain four distinct angular orientations of the slats 24, it is necessary to implement three distinct wedges and a horizontal carriage so as to obtain the following positions:

• Slats 24 at 90 degree angles <-> Di=0 - carriage 44 in abutment against the associated vertical upright;
• Slats at +45 degrees angle <-> Di = Dia - first wedge A;
• slats at 0 degree angle <-> Di = Dib > Dia - second wedge B;
• slats at -45 degrees angle <-> Di = Dic > Dib - third wedge C.

Schematically represented in figure 9 yet another solution which consists in using three adjacent controlled movable wedges 60A, 60B, 60C and a stepped end transverse face of the carriage making it possible to obtain four angular positions of the concealing slats.

Each mobile wedge 60 is mounted at the lower end of an associated control carriage 66A, 66B, 66C, the design and operation of which are similar to what has been described with reference to the figure 7 and 8 .

Three transversely adjacent wedges 60A, 60B and 60C have thus been shown. The control of each wedge in vertical displacement is independent of the control of each of the other two wedges.

The wedging faces 64A, 64B and 64C of the three adjacent wedges 60A, 60B and 60C extend in the same vertical and transverse plane.

The transverse end face of the carriage is stepped and thus comprises three end faces 43A, 43B and 43C which are adjacent transversely and offset longitudinally, here with a constant pitch.

Each of the transverse end faces 43A, 43B and 43C is arranged transversely opposite a wedge and a corresponding and associated wedging face.

In the stalled position shown in figure 9 , it is the wedge 60A, and its wedging face 64A, which is active and which is in the active wedging position in which, against the elastic return force applied to the drive carriage, the controlled wedge 60A of adjustment directly immobilizes the drive carriage in one of its two extreme longitudinal positions.

In this extreme longitudinal position shown, the transverse end face 43A of the drive carriage is at an abutment distance DiA from the adjacent vertical upright 32.

When it is the wedge 60B or the wedge 60C which is in the active wedging position, it is the transverse end face 43B or the end face 43C respectively of the drive carriage which is at an abutment distance DiB or DiC of the adjacent vertical upright.

When none of the three wedges 60A, 60B or 60C is in its active wedging position, the transverse end face 43A is in longitudinal abutment against a portion 35 facing the vertical upright 34 and the distance Di is equal to zero.

The variation of the value of the distance Di, between its four discrete and increasing values equal to 0, DiC, DiB and DiA, determines four distinct longitudinal positions of the drive carriage, and therefore four distinct angular positions of the concealment slats 24 for which the angle alpha is for example equal to 180 (Total occultation), 135, 90, and 45 degrees of angle respectively.

Thus, by using n adjacent controlled wedges and at a stepped end of the carriage having n transverse end faces, n+1 distinct angular positions of the adjustment slats are obtained.

In the event of a breakdown in the power supply systems for the various shape-memory wires and/or to carry out maintenance operations, each horizontal or vertical carriage can be equipped with a manual operating device allowing it to be moved against the return force applied to it by its associated return spring.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible to control the movement of each wedge by any suitable drive device or mechanism, such as any type of jack, or even manually. According to another range of variants, it is possible to control not directly a horizontal carriage 44 for driving the slats in pivoting, but indirectly by acting via a system with wedge(s) on the horizontal wire 52 with shape memory which is connected and which carries an additional abutment.

According to yet another category of variants, it is possible to replace a straight horizontal wire 52 with shape memory by a shape memory element of the type illustrated in the document JP2012013400A1 comprising in series a rectilinear wire section and a section shaped as a helical traction spring.

It is also possible to vary the temperature of each shape memory element by any suitable heating system other than the Joule effect.

Claims (16)

Orientation system for slats of a concealment system (20) for protecting a facade (26), comprising: - A series of parallel slats (24) each of which is pivotable in both directions about a pivot axis (AVP); - and a device for driving the slats in pivoting (24) which comprises: -- a drive carriage (44) which is movable in translation in both directions along a longitudinal direction (L) orthogonal to the axes (AVP) for pivoting the slats (24) and over a determined stroke between a first extreme position towards which it is elastically recalled and a second extreme position; -- a mechanism for transforming the longitudinal movements of the carriage (44) for driving into simultaneous pivoting of the slats (24); -- an actuator controlled for the displacements of the drive carriage (44) which comprises an element (52) of variable length made of a shape memory material, the length of which varies according to its temperature, of which a first end (51 ) is connected to a fixed anchor point (54), and whose other end (53) is connected to the carriage (44) drive; -- means for controlling the variation of the temperature of the element (52) of variable length of the actuator to cause displacements of the carriage (44) for driving between its two extreme positions; characterized in that the system comprises a wedge (60) controlled for adjusting the angular orientation of the slats (24) which is movably mounted between: - a retracted position; - and an active wedging position in which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage (44), the controlled adjustment wedge (60) immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the drive carriage (44) in an intermediate longitudinal position between its two end positions. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two shims (60) controlled for adjustment, each of which is movably mounted between: - a retracted rest position; - and an active position in which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage (44), the controlled adjustment wedge (60) immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the carriage (44) of driving in an associated longitudinal position intermediate between its first and second extreme positions. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controlled adjustment wedge (60) is mounted to move between: - a retracted position; - and at least two determined active wedging positions in each of which, against an elastic return force applied to the drive carriage (44), the controlled adjustment wedge (60) immobilizes, directly or indirectly, the drive carriage (44) in an associated longitudinal position intermediate between its two end positions. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , in its active position, each wedge (60A, 60B, 60C) controlled for adjustment cooperates with an abutment surface (43A, 43B, 43C) belonging to the carriage (44 ) drive. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drive carriage (44) comprises an abutment surface (43A, 43B, 43C) common to each wedge (60A, 60B, 60C) controlled for adjustment. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each wedge (60) controlled for adjustment is mounted movable in a direction (V) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L) of translation of the drive carriage (44). System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each wedge (60) controlled for adjustment is mounted so as to a direction (V) parallel to the axes (AVP) of pivoting of the slats (24). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , in its first extreme position towards which it is elastically returned, the drive carriage (44) bears longitudinally against a fixed surface (32, 34). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that : - each wedge (60) controlled for adjustment is elastically returned to its active wedge position; - the system comprises an actuator controlled for the displacements of each controlled adjustment wedge (60) which comprises an element (78) of variable length made of a shape memory material, the length of which varies according to its temperature, of which a first end (79) is connected to a fixed attachment point, and whose other end (77) is connected to the wedge (60) controlled associated adjustment, and comprises means for controlling the variation of the temperature of the element (78) of variable length of the actuator of each shim (60) controlled for adjustment to cause displacements of each shim (60) controlled for adjustment between its active wedge position and its retracted position. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each wedge (60) controlled for adjustment is capable of occupying an intermediate position between its retracted and active wedging positions in which it bears elastically against a surface portion (45) screwed -à-vis the carriage (44) drive. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism for transforming the longitudinal movements of the drive carriage (44) comprises a series of drive rods (40) for simultaneous pivoting of the slats (24), each of which connects a point (41) of the drive carriage (44) to a point (39) of an associated slat (24). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the variable length element (52) of the controlled actuator of the drive carriage (44) is a longitudinal wire element (52) made of a shape-memory alloy, the controlled variation of the temperature of which is achieved by heating this wire element by Joule effect. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wired longitudinal element (52) made of a shape memory alloy is a straight wire or a wire shaped like a helical spring. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive carriage (44) is connected to the said fixed anchoring point by a longitudinal traction spring (48). Method for varying the angular position of the slats (24) of a screening system for the protection of a facade by means of a system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in successively : - e1) controlling the movement of the drive carriage (44) to bring it into its second extreme position; - e2) control the movement of a wedge (60) controlled adjustment to bring it into its setting position; - E3) control the movement of the carriage (44) drive to bring it into said intermediate position in which it is immobilized by this wedge (60) controlled adjustment. Method according to Claim 15 for varying the angular position of the slats (24) of a screening system for the protection of a facade by means of a system according to Claims 10, characterized in that it comprises a step initial e0) which consists in controlling the movement of each wedge (60) controlled for adjustment from its intermediate position to its retracted position.

Images