EP3957817B1 - Roller blind structure and assembly method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a roller shutter structure adapted to be installed in the opening of a building.

Known roller shutter structures include a longitudinal box inside which is installed a winding shaft of an apron and a gear motor mounted between the winding shaft and the box. The gear motor is usually installed inside the winding shaft.

Also, it is known to supply the geared motor by means of an accumulator battery adapted to be recharged by a photovoltaic panel. In this way, there is no need to provide a particular power supply to power the geared motor. And the roller shutter structure can be installed in the opening of a building, for example a window, without additional work for the passage of electrical ducts.

Thus, the roller shutter structure comprises an autonomous power supply attached to the front wall of the longitudinal box. The power supply unit comprises a photovoltaic panel affixed to the front wall of the block, and an accumulator battery installed at the rear of the photovoltaic panel, inside the power supply unit. The accumulator battery and the photovoltaic panel are connected together via an electronic card housed inside the power supply unit or integrated inside the gear motor. The electronic card is then electrically connected to the geared motor so as to be able to supply it using the storage battery when the order is made. When the gear motor is at rest, the electronic card manages the recharging of the storage battery thanks to the photovoltaic panel when it is lit. The electronic card is for example equipped with a radio receiver to be able to remotely control the power supply to the gear motor of the winding shaft by means of a corresponding radio transmitter and so as to be able to drive the deck.

You can refer to the document FR 2 842 860 which describes such a roller shutter structure. The document JP2020033808A also discloses a roller shutter structure which is considered to be the closest state of the art.

It will be observed that the autonomous power supply unit attached to the front wall of the longitudinal trunk increases its volume and comes to compromise its aesthetic characteristics.

Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a roller shutter structure whose autonomous power supply is less bulky and does not affect the general aesthetics of the structure.

For this purpose, a roller shutter structure is proposed comprising: a longitudinal box comprising on the one hand a front wall and a winding shaft extending longitudinally inside said box, and on the other hand a gear motor mounted between said winding shaft and said box; an autonomous power supply comprising a photovoltaic panel having an active front face opposite an inactive rear face and an accumulator battery located behind said photovoltaic panel and adapted to be electrically coupled to said photovoltaic panel, said autonomous power supply being installed on said front wall of said trunk, while said accumulator battery is capable of being electrically coupled to said geared motor in order to be able to drive said winding shaft in rotation. Said accumulator battery is located in a remote position outside the space extending opposite said inactive rear face of said photovoltaic panel. And said front wall of said box has a transverse opening, so as to be able to install said autonomous power supply by crossing said transverse opening so that said accumulator battery is housed inside said box in a position spaced from said shaft. winding, while said photovoltaic panel extends across said transverse opening.

Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the relative position of the storage battery and the photovoltaic panel then in the implementation of the autonomous power supply unit inside the longitudinal trunk, making it possible to move the battery away from winding shaft accumulators. This is done by firstly orienting the autonomous power supply substantially perpendicular to the front wall in order to be able to engage it through the transverse opening. Then, the power supply unit is straightened to carry the storage battery in a position away from the winding shaft, while the photovoltaic panel is carried across the transverse opening. to be kept there. In this way, the photovoltaic panel, and more precisely its active front face, comes flush with the front wall, and the accumulator battery is housed inside the trunk, in a part that is usually free as shown. will explain below. Therefore, the longitudinal box and the autonomous power supply has a usual standard box size, and the aesthetic character of the roller shutter structure is not compromised.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said autonomous power supply unit comprises a mounting plate having a front part adapted to receive said photovoltaic panel and a rear part opposite said front part, adapted to receive said battery of accumulators. Thus, the fixing plate supports on its front part, the photovoltaic panel and on its rear part the accumulator battery. Therefore, and as will be explained below, by maintaining the fixing plate in a fixed position relative to the longitudinal trunk, the photovoltaic panel and the accumulator battery are themselves maintained in a fixed position relative to the trunk. In this way, the assembly of the autonomous power supply is all the more easy.

Preferably, said fixing plate comprises slides on said front part to receive said sliding photovoltaic panel. Thus, the photovoltaic panel which extends longitudinally may be slidably engaged in the longitudinal direction of the fixing plate in order to be able to be secured thereto. The assembly and disassembly of the photovoltaic panel is thus easy.

Also, said rear part of said fixing plate advantageously has a rear upper edge, and said fixing plate comprises a plurality of support members projecting from said rear upper edge to support said accumulator battery. The accumulator battery is thus supported, in a zone located above the space extending facing the rear face of the photovoltaic panel. Thus, the longitudinal box which has an upper wall joining the front wall by forming an upper front longitudinal housing in a corner, makes it possible to house the accumulator battery which is supported by the support members of the fixing plate. In fact, the upper front longitudinal housing in the corner is a free zone, because the deck is wrapped around the winding shaft without ever reaching this area.

It will be observed that the fixing plate and the support members make it possible to form an independent power supply unit in one piece including the photovoltaic panel and the accumulator battery, and that the independent power supply unit can easily be installed in the longitudinal trunk.

Furthermore, said fixing plate has an upper edge opposite a lower edge, and in a particularly advantageous manner, said upper edge has at least one fixing groove, while said lower edge comprises at least one flexible stop tab. Such characteristics allow easy assembly of the power supply unit as will be explained in detail in the remainder of the description. Schematically, the power supply unit is tilted in order to engage it through the transverse opening so as to first introduce the storage battery while maintaining the fixing plate tilted in order to be able to bring the upper edge against the upper edge of the transverse opening, the upper edge engaging in said at least one fixing groove. Then, the fixing plate is driven in pivoting towards the front wall, until the lower edge comes to cooperate with the lower edge of the transverse opening. The flexible stop tab flexes then returns to its rest position to lock the fixing plate in the transverse opening. There is thus no need to have recourse to an additional fixing device such as a screwable assembly for example. In addition, the fixing plate which supports the accumulator battery and the photovoltaic panel is integral with the front wall and for this is engaged in the edges of the transverse opening.

In addition, said front part of said fixing plate preferably has a peripheral edge extending projecting from said edges forming a shoulder. Advantageously, the peripheral edge extends in a loop around the periphery of the fixing plate. In this way, the shoulder of the fixing plate is applied, on the outside of the trunk, against the edge of the transverse opening.

Also, said upper edge has at least one rib extending opposite said shoulder to form said at least one groove. In this way, when the upper slice is applied against the upper edge of the opening transverse, this upper edge is carried between the shoulder and the rib. Then, the fixing plate is pivotally driven so that the shoulder and the flexible stop tab come to cooperate with the lower edge of the transverse opening.

In addition, said at least one flexible stop tab extends between a pivoting end located towards said rear part and a stop lip extending opposite said shoulder. Hence, when the fixing plate is pivoted, and the stop tab comes into contact with the lower edge of the transverse opening, the stop tab flexes and then releases behind the lower edge of the transverse opening when the shoulder comes to bear on the opposite side. In this way, the fixing plate becomes a prisoner of the front wall of the longitudinal box.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fixing plate comprises modular sections. These sections can be snap-fitted longitudinally so as to be able to produce a fixing plate of a desired and predetermined length with respect to the length of the photovoltaic panel and consequently of the transverse opening of the trunk. The method of linking the snap-in sections will be explained in the remainder of the description in more detail.

Moreover, the accumulator battery is cylindrical in shape and it extends parallel to the photovoltaic panel. In this way, when the fixing plate is carried across the transverse opening, and it pivots, the cylindrical accumulator battery then also pivots and is housed in the upper front longitudinal housing in the corner.

According to another object, there is proposed a method of mounting a roller shutter structure as described above. It comprises the following steps: a longitudinal box is provided comprising on the one hand a front wall and a winding shaft extending longitudinally inside said box, and on the other hand a gear motor mounted between said winding shaft and said trunk; a stand-alone power supply is provided comprising a photovoltaic panel and an accumulator battery located behind said photovoltaic panel and adapted to be electrically coupled to said photovoltaic panel, said stand-alone power supply being installed on said front wall of said box; we couple electrically said accumulator battery to said geared motor to be able to drive said winding shaft in rotation. And it further comprises the following steps: a transverse opening is provided in said front wall of said trunk; and, said autonomous power supply unit is installed by crossing said transverse opening so that said accumulator battery is housed inside said box in a position spaced from said winding shaft, while said photovoltaic panel is extend across said transverse opening.

It will be observed that the accumulator battery can be directly electrically coupled to the photovoltaic panel or else that it can be coupled thereto via an electronic card integrated into the geared motor.

• [Fig. 1] est une vue schématique en perspective de trois quarts avant d'un élément de l'objet de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] est une vue schématique en perspective de détail de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 1] ;
• [Fig. 3] est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'un autre élément de l'objet de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 4] est une vue schématique en perspective de détail de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 3] ;
• [Fig. 5] est une vue schématique en perspective de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 3] assemblé ;
• [Fig. 6] est une vue schématique en coupe droite du mode de coopération de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 5] avec celui de la figure [Fig. 1] dans une première phase de montage ;
• [Fig. 7] est une vue schématique en coupe droite du mode de coopération de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 5] avec celui de la figure [Fig. 1] dans une deuxième phase de montage ;
• [Fig. 8] est une vue schématique en coupe droite du mode de coopération de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 5] avec celui de la figure [Fig. 1] dans une troisième phase de montage ;
• [Fig. 9] est une vue schématique en perspective de détail de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 8] ; et,
• [Fig. 10] est une vue schématique en perspective d'un autre détail de l'objet de la figure [Fig. 8].

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic three-quarter front perspective view of an element of the subject of the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic detail perspective view of the object in figure [ Fig. 1 ];
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic exploded perspective view of another element of the subject of the invention;
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a schematic detail perspective view of the object in figure [ Fig. 3 ];
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic perspective view of the object of figure [ Fig. 3 ] assembled;
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mode of cooperation of the object of figure [ Fig. 5 ] with that of figure [ Fig. 1 ] in a first assembly phase;
• [ Fig. 7 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mode of cooperation of the object of figure [ Fig. 5 ] with that of figure [ Fig. 1 ] in a second assembly phase;
• [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mode of cooperation of the object of figure [ Fig. 5 ] with that of figure [ Fig. 1 ] in a third assembly phase;
• [ Fig. 9 ] is a schematic detail perspective view of the object in figure [ Fig. 8 ]; And,
• [ Fig. 10 ] is a schematic perspective view of another detail of the object in figure [ Fig. 8 ].

The figure [ Fig. 1 ] shows a longitudinal trunk 10 of a roller shutter structure 12. The trunk 10 has a front wall 14, in which is formed a transverse opening 16, and an upper wall 18 shown transparent in the figure to facilitate the description. The upper wall 18 is substantially perpendicular to the front wall 14. Opposite the front wall 14, the trunk 10 has a rear wall 20. Also, the trunk 10 has two opposite cheeks 22, 24 substantially square and whose corner lower front is truncated.

The shape of the cheeks determines the geometry of the cylindrical box. Thus, they can be square, rectangular, generally trapezoidal or even rounded.

It is observed through the transverse opening 16, an apron 26 wound around a winding shaft 28 with axis of rotation A. The winding shaft 28 has one end, not shown, guided in rotation in a bearing supported by one of the cheeks 22, 24, and an opposite end connected to the other of the cheeks 24,22 by means of a gearmotor, not shown, which extends inside the winding shaft 28 It will be observed that the front wall 14 is designated as such, because, when the box 10 is fitted in the upper part of the opening of a building, the said front wall 14 is oriented towards the exterior of the building. If for technical reasons, it is the rear wall 20 which was oriented towards the exterior of the building, it would then become the front wall and the transverse opening 16 would be formed there.

Also, it is understood that the longitudinal box 10 has inside, and at the angle of the upper wall 18 and the front wall 14, a corner free space 30 that the rolled apron 26 cannot reach whatever its diameter. . It will be observed that the longitudinal trunk also has at the corner of the upper wall 18 and the rear wall 20, another free space in the corner that the rolled-up apron cannot reach. It would then be put to good use if the rear wall 20 became the front wall.

We will refer to the figure [ Fig. 2 ] showing the front wall 14 of the trunk 10 extending by an oblique lower wall 32, then by a lower wall horizontal 34. The front wall 14 and the lower walls, oblique 32 and horizontal 34, are formed together in one piece. We thus find the transverse opening 16 made in the front wall 14. This opening has an upper edge 36 opposite a lower edge 38. Also, it has two opposite side edges 40, 42. Also, and according to another mode of implementation implemented, the oblique wall is rounded. Also, and according to yet another mode of implementation, the front and horizontal walls can meet to form a right angle. In this case then, they could be independent of each other.

We will now refer to the figure [ Fig. 3 ] showing an exploded view of an autonomous power supply unit 44. According to the embodiment presented here, the independent power supply unit comprises two fixing plate elements 46, 48, or modular sections, which will be able to receive a photovoltaic panel 50 longitudinal and a cylindrical storage battery 52.

The two fixing plate elements 46, 48 have two opposite connection ends 54, 56 which can be seen in detail in figure [ Fig. 4 ]. Also, the two fixing plate elements 46, 48 have a front part 58 opposite a rear part 60. The rear part 60 has a rear upper edge 62 provided with vertical slides 64.

In addition, one of the connection ends 54 has an upper flexible hook 66 and a lower hooking lug 68, while the other connection end 56 has a lower flexible hook 70 which extends opposite the lower hooking lug 68, and an upper hooking lug 72 extending opposite the upper flexible hook 66. In other words, the upper 66 and lower 70 flexible hooks just like the upper 72 and lower 68 hooking lugs are respectively antisymmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane extending between the two opposite connection ends 54, 56.

The two fixing plate elements 46, 48, or modular sections, are thus adapted to be secured to each other by driving them in translation towards each other so that the upper flexible hook 66 engages in the upper attachment lug 72, while the lower flexible hook 70 engages in the lower attachment lug 68. In this way, a single fixing plate is formed.

This fixing plate then has an upper edge 74 and an opposite lower edge 76 . Also, the front part 58 of the two fixing plates 46, 48 combined in a single plate, has a peripheral edge 78 which projects from the upper 74 and lower 76 edges, forming a shoulder 80. In addition, the upper edge 74 has a plurality of ribs 75 extending opposite the shoulder 80 to form grooves.

Also, in the front part 58, the peripheral edge 78, in the upper and lower parts of the fixing plate extend towards each other, forming an upper wing 82 extending towards a lower wing 84. These two facing wings 82, 84 then form a longitudinal slide 86.

Thus, let us return to the figure [ Fig. 3 ] to describe the assembly of the autonomous power supply unit 44.

It will also be observed that the photovoltaic panel 50 has an active front face appearing in the figure, and an opposite inactive rear face. The active front face is capable of receiving light radiation making it possible to produce electrical energy. The photovoltaic panel 50 also has a first electrical connector 85, and the storage battery 52 has a second electrical connector 87. In addition, the power supply unit 44 includes an electronic card 89 and a receiving sleeve 90.

First of all, as we have just explained with regard to the figure [ Fig. 4 ] the two fixing plate elements 46, 48 are assembled to form a single fixing plate. This method of assembly makes it possible, by means of complementary fixing plate elements, or complementary modular sections, to produce a single fixing plate of a predefined length and adapted to the dimensions of the longitudinal box and the length of the opening. transverse.

After the fixing plate has been mounted, one proceeds on the one hand to the engagement of the longitudinal photovoltaic panel 50 in the slide 86, and on the other hand to the mounting of the cylindrical accumulator battery 52 in the rear upper edge 62. To do this, C-shaped fasteners 88, or support member, are used, which are connected to the rear upper edge 62 via the vertical slideways 64. The cylindrical storage battery 52 is then engaged in the C 88 fasteners.

We thus find in the figure [ Fig. 5 ] the self-contained power supply 44 assembled. We find there in particular the two fixing plate elements 46, 48 forming a single plate and on the front part 58 of which the photovoltaic panel 50 appears. , the accumulator battery 52 engaged in the C-shaped fasteners 88.

In addition, the first connector 85 and the second connector 87 have been connected to the electronic card 89, which are then all housed inside the receiving sleeve 90. The end of the cylindrical accumulator battery 52 is fitted in the receiving sleeve 90.

In this way, the autonomous power supply unit 44 assembled will be able to be engaged inside the longitudinal trunk 10, through the transverse opening 16 in accordance with the assembly method according to the invention.

We thus find in the figure [ Fig. 6 ], the only walls, front 14, oblique 32 and horizontal 34 formed together in one piece, in straight section. There is also the autonomous power supply unit 44 inclined relative to the front wall 14 and whose storage battery 52, in a C-shaped clip 88, is engaged through the transverse opening 16. Also, according to this first phase assembly, the rear part 60 of the single fixing plate extends opposite the transverse opening 16, while the front part 58 extends opposite it. We also find in this figure, the upper edge 36 of the transverse opening 16 and the opposite lower edge 38. We find there, with regard to the single fixing plate, the peripheral edge 78 forming a shoulder 80 and a rib 75 coming extend opposite the shoulder 80. It will be observed that, on the contrary, the lower edge 76 of the fixing plate comprises a flexible stop tab 92 which extends from a pivot end 94 located on the side of the rear part 60 and on the opposite side, up to a stopper 96 extending opposite the shoulder 80.

According to a second phase of the assembly, the autonomous power supply unit 44 is driven in translation according to an upward vertical component and simultaneously in rotation so as to drive it even further towards the inside of the trunk 10 through the transverse opening 16 of so that the upper edge 36 of the transverse opening 16 bears against the upper edge 74 and engages between the ribs 75 and the shoulder 80.

In accordance with a third phase of the assembly, the autonomous power supply unit 44 is then driven in pivoting according to the arrow P. It then pivots around the upper edge 36 of the transverse opening 16, and the flexible stop tab 92 then flexes when it bears sliding against the lower edge 38 of the transverse opening 16. And when the shoulder 80 bears against the outer edge of the transverse opening 16 the flexible stop tab 92 escapes the reach from the lower edge 38 and returns to its rest position, while the stopper 96 comes to extend behind the outer edge of the transverse opening 16 of the front wall 14. The autonomous power supply unit 44 is then totally prisoner of the front wall 14 as shown in Figure [ Fig. 8 ].

Indeed, in addition to the lower edge 76 of the fixing plate resting against the lower edge 38 of the transverse opening 16, this lower edge 38 engages between the shoulder 80 and the stopper 96 that the can be seen in more detail in figure [ Fig. 10 ]. On the other hand, as shown in figure [ Fig. 9 ], the upper edge 36 is itself in engagement between the rib 75 and the shoulder 80. Thus the assembly of the autonomous power supply unit 44 can be carried out manually and it is connected to the front wall 14 of the trunk 10 without additional elements of solidarity.

After this mechanical assembly, it is then necessary to electrically connect the electronic card to the gearmotor.

Also, it will be observed that the accumulator battery 52 is in a position separated from the winding shaft 28 shown in broken lines. Thus, when the apron is wound around the winding shaft 28 it does not interfere with the storage battery inside the box 10.

Claims (11)

1. Roller shutter structure comprising:

   - a longitudinal box (10) including on the one hand a front wall (14) and a winding shaft (28) extending longitudinally inside said box (10), and on the other hand a gearmotor mounted between said winding shaft (28) and said box (10);

   - an autonomous power supply (44) including a photovoltaic panel (50) having an active front face opposite an inactive rear face and a storage battery (52) located behind said photovoltaic panel (50) and adapted to be electrically coupled to said photovoltaic panel, said autonomous power supply (44) being installed on said front wall (14) of said box, while said storage battery (52) is capable of being electrically coupled to said gearmotor to be able to drive said winding shaft (28) in rotation;

   said storage battery (52) is located in a remote position outside the space extending opposite said inactive rear face (60) of said photovoltaic panel (50),

   characterised in that

   said front wall (14) of said box has a transverse opening (16), such that said autonomous power supply (44) can be installed through said transversal opening (16) so that said storage battery (52) is housed inside said box (10) in a position separated from said winding shaft (28), while said photovoltaic panel (50) extends across said transverse opening (16).
2. Roller shutter structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said autonomous power supply (44) comprises a mounting plate (46, 48) having a front part (58) capable of receiving said photovoltaic panel (50) and a rear part (60) opposite said front part, adapted to receive said storage battery (52).
3. Roller shutter structure according to claim 2, characterised in that said mounting plate (46, 48) includes slides (86) on said front part (58) to receive said photovoltaic panel (50) by sliding.
4. Roller shutter structure according to claims 2 or 3, characterised in that said rear part (60) of said mounting plate (46, 48) has a rear upper edge (62), and in that said mounting plate includes a plurality of support members (88) projecting from said rear upper edge to support said storage battery (52).
5. Roller shutter structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said mounting plate (46, 48) has an upper section (74) opposite a lower section (76), and in that said upper section (74) has at least one mounting groove (75, 80), while said lower section (76) includes at least one flexible stop tab (92) .
6. Roller shutter structure according to claim 5, characterised in that said front part (58) of said mounting plate has a peripheral border (78) projecting from said sections (74, 76) forming a shoulder.
7. Roller shutter structure according to claim 6, characterised in that said upper section (74) has at least one rib (75) extending opposite said shoulder (80) to form said at least one groove.
8. Roller shutter structure according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that said at least one flexible stop tab (92) extends between one pivoting end located towards said rear part (60) and a stop lip (96) extending opposite said shoulder.
9. Roller shutter structure according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that said mounting plate (46, 48) includes modular sections.
10. Roller shutter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said storage battery (52) is of cylindrical shape and in that it extends parallel to said photovoltaic panel.
11. Method for mounting a roller shutter structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps:

    - a longitudinal box (10) is provided comprising on the one hand a front wall (14) and a winding shaft (28) extending inside said box (10), and on the other hand a gearmotor mounted between said winding shaft and said box;

    - an autonomous power supply (44) is provided including a photovoltaic panel (50) and a storage battery (52) located behind said photovoltaic panel and adapted to be electrically coupled to said photovoltaic panel, said autonomous power supply (44) being installed on said front wall (14) of said box;

    - said storage battery (52) is electrically coupled to said gearmotor so that said winding shaft (28) can be driven in rotation;

    characterised in that it also comprises the following steps:

    - a transverse opening (16) is arranged in said front wall of said box; and,

    - said autonomous power supply (44) is installed through said transversal opening (16) such that said storage battery (52) is housed inside said box in a position separated from said winding shaft (28), while said photovoltaic panel (50) extends across said transversal opening (16).

Images